Education

Varsity Reopening: NANS Mulls Covid-19 Task Force

Published

6 years ago

January 13, 2021

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resume academic activities at the nation’s public universities.

The students’ body also ordered its chapters in all tertiary institutions to set up Covid-19 task force teams to enforce all guidelines outlined by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and ensure safe reopening of schools.

The NANS President, Comrade Sunday Asefon, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen, yesterday.

ASUU had on December 24, 2020, conditionally suspended its nine-month-long strike after a lot of foot-dragging by the union and the Federal Government.

The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 subsequently ordered schools to remain closed till January 18, 2021 to contain the spike in Covid-19 infections in the country.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) later asked universities to comply with the directive but the PTF, had last Monday, said the January 18 date is subject to review.

Reacting in its statement, NANS said, “Rather than postpone schools’ resumption, it has become imperative to address the alarming spread of Covid-19 and rising cases of deaths from a position of environmental strategy and human coordination since the lockdown mechanism can no longer be a mitigating option in the face of our economic reality.

“The Federal Government is immediately urged to rethink its approach and take only actions that can get more Nigerians into coordinated and regulated systems, like schools and offices, where hours of wearing face masks and complying with Covid-19 safety protocols can be guaranteed to curb the spread.

“Consequently, the National Association of Nigerian Students is undertaking to prevail on students union bodies to set up Students Task Force Against Covid-19 in every school, while asking the Federal Government to rejig its basic Covid-19 guidelines for schools resumption.”

Education

NCDMB Opens Entry For 10th National Undergraduate Essay Competition

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.