Education

Ex-VP Sambo Advocates Shift In Nigerian Educational System

Published

5 years ago

March 1, 2021

Former Vice President Namadi Sambo has advocated for a dynamic approach of the Nigerian educational system to produce employees with skills and ability to handle complex jobs and create opportunities for others.
Sambo made the call in his goodwill message at the 22nd Matriculation of Igbinedion University, Okada, on Saturday in Edo.
The former vice president noted that it was the best time for the country to refocus from one size-fits-all approach that creates employees that are not fit for complex jobs.
According to him, Nigerian universities must refocus on building of graduates that will create and end poverty among the people and ultimately close the wide social inequality and promote social coefficient in the communities.
“As a nation, we must focus our educational system to one that shifts to prepare our students in different skills set; the one that empowers and creates job, rather for low pay jobs that has no value for nation building in the competitive world.
“We must pay attention on building skilled graduates that can provide jobs not only for themselves, but for others.
“No doubt, Igbinedion University must set the pace for providing value adding education in line with global best practice,” he said.
Sambo linked the prevailing insecurity in the country to the massive job deficit, which he said had translated to the increase in poverty and restiveness among the youth.
He described as apt and timely the theme of the matriculation lecture: “Refocusing Value Driven Education in the Digital Age Through the Lens of Entrepreneurship, Enterprise and Global Competitiveness: Lessons for Nigeria”.
He said there was no better time to discuss value driven education in a vast changing world that shifts its focus on skills set demand than now.
“With the disruption in world economy due to COVID-19 pandemic and continuous search for job opportunities across the globe particularly in Africa, our education system must be value driven,” said the erstwhile governor of Kaduna state.
He however commended Igbinedion University for its continuing partnership with renowned actors and global players in the Information and Communication Technology such as CISCCO Academy, Microsoft Academy, Mikrotik and Huawei, among others.
This, he said, was in line with the university policies in digital literacy and setting standards by producing change agents and job creators instead of job seekers.
“I am also aware that this university has been adopted by the NUC as a model for a nationwide entrepreneurial skill acquisition programme for Nigerian universities.
“This great effort of this institution deserves the support of all and sundry especially at this critical time that high unemployment rate continuous to pose greater challenges to our existence as a nation.
Sambo urged the new students to make their parents and this great nation proud by dedicating their precious time and effort to study, advising them to take advantage of the conducive settings and standards provided by the institution.
The Guest Speaker, Mr Justice Derefaka, stressed the need for the Nigerian education system to respond to the global change.
Derefaka, the Technical Adviser on Gas Business and Policy Implementation to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, said that Nigeria was ranked low in graduates with requisite skills, experience and knowledge required by employing industries.
Nigeria, he said, needed to adopt strategies in educational reform to pick race with the accelerated technological changes by closing gaps and infuse a methodology and selection of instructional materials on curriculum for retainer system.
He corroborated the position of the former vice president that Nigerian students must be prepared well for the future in the area of creative thinking on how to create jobs rather than searching for white collar jobs.

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.