Education

Actualising The Bodo-Bonny Road

Published

10 years ago

February 15, 2016

Managing Director of the Nigeria Liq
uefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Babs
Omotowa raised an uncommon hope on the Bodo-Bonny Road recently when he said his company was prepared to contribute N60bn for the construction of the road.
According to Omotowa, if the Federal Government was willing to complete the road, NLNG will provide N60 billion which represents half of the contract sum. The Bodo-Bonny Road is a major Federal Road in Rivers State that successive governments lacked the political will to complete.
The Managing Director said at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs in Abuja that the project, when completed, would help improve infrastructure in the Niger Delta. The road links five Local Government Areas; including Khana (Ogoni), Okrika, Eleme, Andoni and Bonny.
Omotowa said, “we said we are willing to offer 50 per cent on the road between Bodo to Bonny which has been outstanding since the 1970’s, and that contribution is N60 billion and we think that these are the kind of projects the NDDC can work with us.”
Omotowa, however, stated that the NLNG’s offer to provide 50 percent of the funding for the road would be activated, provided the partnership is accepted and matched by the Federal Government’s counterpart funding.
The Tide welcomes the offer, particularly against the backdrop that the Bodo-Bonny Road project has been one of the failed projects that underscore the long standing neglect of Rivers State in particular and the Niger Delta in general by successive Nigerian governments. Indeed, the importance of the road cannot be over-emphasised.
Apart from its importance to the enhancement of the economic base of the nation, the road will also connect the mainland Rivers State to a sizeable section of the riverine part of the State, in fact, one of the most difficult terrains in the Niger Delta. Here, the influence of the Atlantic Ocean is real.
It is, indeed, disturbing to note that, added to the perennial cries of the communities in that axis, is the accessibility burden on the foremost gas company in West Africa, NLNG, and its ancillary firms. This should have placed on the conscience of the nation an avoidable guilt.
While we commend the NLNG for the offer, we expect that the Federal Government will quickly accept it and work in concert with the company to finally actualise the construction of this all important road. This ancient city of Bonny and its environs need to be fully accessible. The Federal Government should accept this challenge and build the remaining 50 percent of the funding into the 2016 budget.
The Tide believes that the inclusion of the Federal Government’s quota of N60 billion in the budget and the exercise of the needed political will to ensure availability of fund for prompt execution of the project, can guarantee the realisation of the project during the life of the present administration.
If the present government at the federal level wants to break the jinx and actualise the promise for change, it must also start dealing with all other issues that can stand in the way of the realisation of the project.
In that wise, the Federal Government must ensure that initial land and compensation matters are perfected. Indeed, affected communities should be taken along, while the security needs of the project should be facilitated to avoid interferences of any kind.
It should be noted that the NLNG did not make the offer for fun, like the communities, the NLNG has its own share of stories on the near impossible condition of the route to their business site. NLNG must have come to terms with the fact that ‘if the road was not done, not only would the life of its staff and contractors continue to be threatened, their interest may also be at stake.
It is a fact that provision of the road will go a long way to avert the frequent loss of lives on the high sea, eliminate piracy and promote business in the area. Even huge is the tourist potential of the area that this can harness, while alleviating the sufferings of the Ibanis.
As earnings from gas become significant, it is only imperative that the Federal Government will rise to the occasion. Indeed, the government that is able to provide this road will go down in history as the one that conquered the odds and made the difference that mattered most.

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.