Education

WBD: Don Charges Public To Read

Published

11 years ago

March 2, 2015

As the world marks
this year’s World Book Day (WBD) last Thursday, a lecturer in the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Port Harcourt, Dr Gbule, Ndidi, has called on the reading public to read.
Dr Gbule, who spoke with The Tide exclusively, noted that the World Book Day is a good initiative aimed at encouraging people to read.
While commenting the initiatives of the WBD, he noted that Nigerians currently have a poor reading habit, hence, “reading at least a book a day could improve our reading culture”.
He explained that “for us in Nigeria, the reading culture is dying. Gone are the days when people read.
Therefore, the WBD will reawaken the reading culture of Nigerian’s. There is, infact, the need to inculcate in Nigerians a reading culture, which will invariably enhance communication”, he said.
Dr Gbule, however, decried the fact that most people in Nigeria “depend on plagiarising materials from the internet, forgetting that those things on the internet were written by people who have read.”
Stressing the importance of reading, a public commentator, Dr Amina Fiberisima stated that books should be the best of friend of any reasonable person.
“If you don’t like book, try ignorance. If you don’t want to buy books, go and buy ignorance”, he said.
According to him, “people should know that the treasures of this world, the wealth of this world, the wisdom of this world that has taken any individual or nation forward is in books.
“So, when you are friendly with books, you are acquiring knowledge, you are expanding your frontiers of wisdom. Nobody will intimidate you because the power of knowledge is more than the power of gun”, he said.
Dr Fiberisima, therefore, urged the public to in recognition of marking of the WBD to encourage themselves to learn how to buy books to read.
“In this context, if you get a newspaper (and read), you are acquiring knowledge. Afterall, there are articles put together as collection of books”.
On his part, a lecturers in the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Dr Felix Igwe, acknowledged the fact that, like other events, WBD is also given a special day.
Dr Igwe noted that, “there is the need for that kind of emphasis, knowing that books are beginning to get extinct, as it were, although we are all talking about books now.
Now that we are going into the technological age in which they talk about soft and hard copy, you still cannot do without the hard copy because that is where the repository of knowledge has to be relied on.
“In celebrating the WBD therefore, it is very important to highlight that books have always been what has kept us the way we are now.
In this age, we shouldn’t do away with it. We should keep the legacy, which is one way to ensure sustainability of our knowledge today and the one we are going to acquire tomorrow,” he said.
From the perspective of a part one student of mathematics/statistics, in the University of Port Harcourt, Banimibo-Ofori Georgewill, WBD should serve as a reminder to the world of our appointment with reading and make us want to read in order to explore more knowledge.
It is a period when everybody should not only know, but also appreciate the benefit of reading throughout the year,” he said.
The WBD is a celebration of Authors, illustration of books and most importantly a celebration of reading.
It is the biggest celebration of its kind designated by the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, marked in over 100 countries globally.
This year’s edition, with the theme, “Read the World”, is the 18th.

Stories by Sogbeba Dokubo

Students of Edo School of Nursing protesting the suspension of their Student Union Government, unconducive hostel environment, striking lecturers as well as absence of maintenance and security personnel at the school hostels in Benin last Friday

Education

FG, ASUU Set Date to Sign Agreement

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government is set to formally sign an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities following weeks of negotiations.

The development may be linked to the 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff proposed by the FG last month and accepted by the union.

A circular issued by the Ministry of Education invited Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of federal universities to witness the signing ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Conference Hall, Abuja.

The circular, dated January 5, 2026, and referenced FME/IS/UNI/ASUU/C.11/Vol.V/82, was signed by the Director of University Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, on behalf of the Minister of Education.

It was titled ‘Invitation to the Ceremony for the Signing of Agreement Between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.’

The circular was sighted by our correspondent on Saturday and confirmed by the Ministry’s Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.

“This signing represents a critical milestone in promoting industrial harmony and improving teaching and learning in our universities.

“It also reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to the sustainable development of education in line with the Renewed

Attendance at the ceremony was declared mandatory for all invited university administrators, highlighting the importance attached to the agreement and its implementation.

Last month, the industrial crisis that had burdened Nigeria’s university system for 16 years following the 2009 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement saw the union accept the Federal Government’s proposed 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff.

It was reported that the deal, effective from January 1, 2026, would be reviewed after three years

Why FG Shouldn’t Be Blamed for Non-Implementation of Council Autonomy

Under the new terms, professors will earn a pension equivalent to their final annual salary upon retirement at age 70. The agreement also provides for the establishment of a National Research Council to fund research with at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

Other provisions include improved funding for libraries, laboratories, equipment and staff development, greater university autonomy, and the election of academic leaders, with only professors eligible to serve as deans and provosts. The pact also guarantees that no staff member involved in past industrial actions will be victimised.

Education

DSS, Rector Warn Kogi Poly Students Against Vices,Rumours

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Kogi State Directorate of the Department of State Services (DSS) has warned fresh students of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, that security on campus is a shared responsibility, stressing that carelessness, poor judgment and rumour-mongering pose and ostentatious living pose greater dangers than most real threats.

The Director of the Department in the state, gave the warning in his speech, titled,”MANAGING SECURITY AND RUMORS ON CAMPUS at the 33rd Matriculation Ceremony for the students of 2025/2026 academic session of the Polytechnic on Thursday in Lokoja.

The director, represented by A. S. MUSA, emphasised that while Lokoja remains largely peaceful, no campus is immune from security challenges.

He identified theft of phones, laptops and wallets, infiltration of hostels by unauthorised persons, risky late-night movements and online scams targeting fresh students as recurring threats, most of which, he noted, are preventable through vigilance and discipline.

The security agency cautioned students against behaviours that weaken personal safety, including lack of security consciousness, predictable routines, drug abuse, drunkenness, sexual recklessness, ostentatious living and the lure of secret cults.

According to the DSS director,cultism, often disguised as “protection,” ultimately places students under violent control systems with devastating consequences, while flamboyant lifestyles and careless displays of wealth attract criminal attention.

Our correspondent reports that a major focus of the lecture was the danger of rumours, which the DSS described as “more destructive than real threats.”

According to him,false alerts about kidnappers, armed attacks, school closures or emergency evacuations,often spread through WhatsApp messages and voice notes,have previously triggered panic, stampedes and academic disruption on campuses, sometimes putting lives at risk without any verified danger.School supplies

He, therefore, advised to verify information strictly through official Polytechnic channels such as management announcements, Student Affairs notices and campus security units. The DSS boss warned that forwarding unconfirmed messages makes students unwitting accomplices in spreading fear and destabilising the academic environment.

On personal safety, he also urged students to always carry their identity cards, avoid lonely and poorly lit areas at night, secure their hostel rooms, challenge suspicious strangers and promptly report unusual activities.

He cautioned students to remain calm, obedient to lawful instructions and refuse to act on hearsay, adding that these virtues are critical responses during emergencies.

The DSS director reminded the matriculating students that security goes beyond physical safety to include protection of reputation, mental stability and future prospects.

By rejecting rumours, cultism and reckless living, and by embracing responsibility and alertness, students can be rest assured that Kogi State Polytechnic can remain a safe, peaceful and conducive centre of learning for all.

Declaring event open, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof.Salisu Ogba Usman, matriculated 4,591 students into seven schools and 57 academic programmes of the Polytechnic.

“Of this number,2460 students (54 percent) are admitted into National Diploma Progrmes, while 2,131 students (46 percent)are admitted into Higher National Diploma 1 programmes”,Usman said.

He further reviewed that 19 out of the 57 Programmes currently run by the polytechnic were introduced under the present administration in the state.

Prof.Usmam expressed the continued commitment of the Polytechnic to uphold discipline, transparency,and zero tolerance for all forms of social Vices ,while promoting peaceful coexistence,responsible leadership and mutual respect.

“Our emphasis on security, moral discipline and academic integrity is non-, negotiable and central to our institutional philosophy,” the Rector stressed.

He urged the new students to take full advantage of the opportunities available in the Polytechnic and to conduct themselves in ways that will bring honour to their families ,the Polytechnic and the nation at large.

Usman said the polytechnic has pursued inclusive leadership by institutionalizing transparency, strengthening staff welfare engagement,and integrating student leadership into governance processes.

According to him the gender distribution is equally encouraging, with 52 percent, male and 48 percent female, representing steady progress in the gender balance of the Polytechnic.

He promised that the “shall continue to uphold discipline, transparency and zero tolerance for all forms of social vices,while promoting peaceful coexistence,responsible leadership and mutual respect.

The Rector stressed that the emphasis of the Polytechnic on security, moral discipline and academic integrity is non-negotiable and central to its institutional philosophy.

He urged the new students to take full advantage of the opportunities available in the polytechnic and conduct themselves in ways that will bring honour to their families,the polytechnic and the nation at large.

“Together we shall continue to reposition Kogi State Polytechnic as a reference point for excellence in polytechnic education in Nigeria,” he promised.

Education

FG Bans Disposable workbooks, introduces reusable textbooks in schools

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government has rolled out a new education policy banning disposable workbooks and mandating the use of reusable, high-quality textbooks in schools, in a move aimed at reducing the rising cost of education for parents, improving learning outcomes and promoting environmental sustainability.School supplies

The policy was unveiled by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaba Sai’d, as part of sweeping reforms targeted at repositioning Nigeria’s education sector and easing the financial burden on families.

Under the new framework, schools are required to adopt standardised and durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years.

The policy expressly prohibits the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks, a practice the government says has inflated school expenses and contributed to unnecessary waste.

According to the ministers, the reusable textbook initiative will enable siblings to share learning materials across academic sessions, significantly reduce recurring education costs for parents and limit waste generation within the school system, thereby advancing national sustainability goals.

As part of the broader reforms, the Federal Government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to ensure consistency in teaching, learning and school planning across the country.