Education

60m Nigerians Are Illiterates – Perm Sec

Published

7 years ago

April 22, 2019

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Sonny Echono, says nearly 60 million Nigerians are illiterates, assuring that literacy centres will reduce the high percentage of illiteracy in the country.
Echono made this known last Thursday at the Federal Government College Otobi, during the inauguration of a pilot literacy centre for the North Central geo-political zone.
The permanent secretary expressed regret that the illiteracy rate among the youths and adults is high, saying that the literacy level at the lower cadre of the college was also alarming.
According to him, literacy centres to be established in 104 Federal Government Colleges (FGCs) are aimed at reducing the high rate of illiteracy at the low or cadre of the staff of the institutions, stressing that the Federal Government designed the literacy programme to cater for them and others in the host communities.
He said literacy was both a social and human right issue and called on the learners at the pilot centre to remain committed and take their studies with all seriousness.
Also speaking at the occasion, an officer in the office of the Social Development Goals (SDGs), Mr Stephen Ojo, commended the ministry for the laudable initiative aimed at tackling illiteracy in the country.
He said that the SDGs office would partner the ministry to ensure the success of the programme.
Earlier in a welcome address, the principal of the school, Mr Gabriel Amudipe, commended the federal government for selecting FGC, Otobi as the centre for the pilot scheme in the North-Central Zone.
He said that the programme would benefit both staffers of the school and members of the host community.
Speaking to journalists in a post-event interview, the Coordinator of the programme, Mrs. Abisode Oloyiwole, said that she was impressed with the turn out of learners at the event.
“Arrangements were made for only 40 learners, but those that turned out were in excess of 80 people,” an excited Oloyiwole said.

Education

NCDMB Opens Entry For 10th National Undergraduate Essay Competition

Published

5 days ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced commencement of entries for its Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition.

According to the board, entries for the 10th edition of the competition will open on August 15, inviting undergraduate students in 100 and 200 levels from Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to showcase their ideas on strengthening local content development.

This year’s essay topic: “Promoting Manufacturing for Sustainable Local Content Development,” challenges students to examine how Nigeria can build stronger local manufacturing capacity to drive economic growth and reduce dependence on imports in the energy sector.

Beyond winning prizes, the board said the competition has become a platform for nurturing critical thinking, research and innovation among young Nigerians.

“It encourages students to look beyond the classroom and develop practical ideas that can support the country’s drive for industrialization and sustainable development”

According to a press statement signed by Eyinimi Omorozi, Managing Director and Project Consultant, the competition is designed to improve students’ research abilities while inspiring them to develop the skills and competencies needed to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s energy industry.

Interested students are expected to submit their entries through the competition portal at www.ncdmbessay.ng once the application window opens.

The competition will culminate in an award ceremony scheduled for October 22 at the NCDMB headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where outstanding participants will be recognised for their intellectual contributions.

Over the years, the NCDMB Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading academic initiatives, encouraging young scholars to engage with national development issues and propose practical solutions that can strengthen local content and economic resilience.

ReplyForward

Education

UNIPORT VC Receives Probe Report on Student Union Crisis

Published

5 days ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Chike Princewill, has received the report of the committee set up to investigate the internal disagreement and violent clashes among members of the University’s Student Union Government (SUG).

The report was formally presented on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, by the Chairman of the Committee and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Advancement), Professor Chukwudi Onyeaso, during a brief ceremony held at the Vice-Chancellor’s Committee Room, University Park.

While receiving the report, Professor Princewill commended the committee for its diligence, professionalism, and commitment to duty. He noted that members of the committee carried out the sensitive assignment with thoroughness, leaving no stone unturned in their investigation.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation for the committee’s dedication and assured the University community that Management would carefully study the report and implement its recommendations where necessary in the overall interest of the institution and the student body.

The investigative committee was inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor on July 20, 2026, with a two-week mandate to examine the circumstances surrounding the Student Union leadership crisis and recommend practical measures to prevent a recurrence.

The submission of the report marks a significant step toward restoring stability, strengthening student leadership, and promoting lasting peace within the University of Port Harcourt community.

Akujobi Amadi

Education

Environmental Education Remains Critical Tool To Address Environmental Challenges Says Experts

Published

5 days ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

Environmental experts have highlighted environmental education as critical tool in addressing environmental global challenges in the society, stressing that it help to equips citizens with the knowledge, attitudes and practical skills needed for Environmental protection.

Speaking at the Environmental Education Summit held in the University of Port Harcourt with the theme ” From Literacy to Action: Developing a Blueprint to strengthen Environmental Education for Achieving Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria”, Prof. Angela Ugwu, an environmental educationist and Head of Department, Faculty of Education in the Department of Adult and Non -Formal Education, University of Port Harcourt, noted poor environmental awareness among citizens and explained that Environmental Education remains a vital role in building citizens to effective response of environmental challenges.

While,urging that Environmental Education should not end in classroom, Prof Ugwu advised that Environmental knowledge acquired should be translate into action.

Also speaking, an environmental scientist, Prof Babatunde Bolaji, called for intensive community participation in Environmental conservation and the inclusion of environmental science in primary school curriculum.

Earlier, on his Part, Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Princewill Rewhuamwhu Chike represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Chukwudi Onyeaso described the environment as very important to protect from climate change, urging the society to uphold healthy Environment.

Similarly, an environmental educationist, Prof Mbalisi Festus, a lecturer in the Department of Adult and Non-,Formal Education, University of Port Harcourt, while urging citizens to avoid activities that contribute in destroying the environment, he stressed that Environmental knowledge also offer citizens required knowledge on protecting the environment.