Education

Skill Education: Expert Advocates Rivers Trust Fund

Published

4 years ago

December 20, 2021

Vocational and Technical Education (Skill Education) has been described as expensive and requires a joint funding to achieving and churning out skilled graduates to reduce the flux of graduates in the labour market.
The synergy between the private sector and the government to raise fund into the Rivers State education trust fund with the private sector, the government, parents and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) partnering to contribute to fund the skill education would further make the state education institution innovative-driven.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the 5th Annual Conference of the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, the Head, Ndele Campus of the university and professor of Industrial and Technical Education, Prof Isaac Ogunde said Rivers State needed functional vocational and technical institution to upscale its educational status and economy in the face of the present economic down turn.
Ogundu described the theme of the conference “Innovation in Vocational and Technical Education for Optimal Productivity and Sustainability in the Covid-19 Era in Nigeria” as apt adding that establishment of vocational and technical institutions even in Rivers State would aid the training of innovative manpower at the various sectors of the state economy to meeting up with international sustainable innovative systems.
Ogundu who is also the chairman Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the conference said “at this conference, what we hope to achieve is how to build innovations that are institutional driven such that we recommend institutions like vocational colleges to be established in almost all the local government areas of Rivers State. I will recommend that Rivers State should have a college of education that will train the required manpower that will drive this innovation at those facilities.
“Equally of note here is that there should be a synergy between the private sector and the government to raise fund like the Rivers State Education Trust Fund where the private sector, the government, the parent and non-governmental organizations would come together to contribute to fund this education because skill related education is expensive. And when that is done, the firms in turn will bring in their problems to the school for solutions and students too will be independent after school,” he stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Dean, Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, IAUE, Prof Sixtus Anyanwu, noted that the Covid-19 pandemic changed many aspects of daily life, transformed the economy and disrupted virtually every business including the productivity of the vocational and technical education.
According to him, education is a veritable tool for sustainable development and innovations therefore, has become inevitable for optimal productivity and sustainability of the human race.

Anyanwu said “generally speaking, education is a veritable tool for sustainable development. However, a major challenge facing humanity these days is the employment of the fruits of education in the development of pathways that guarantees sustainable life so that the reasonable needs and wants of people from all walks of life could be satisfied”.

He continued “technological change drives long term economic growth, productivity and improvement in living standards. Knowledge is dynamic and progressive from one age or stage to another. And so, skills acquired in the paste may be obsolete or irrelevant in the provision of solutions to contemporary challenges. Therefore, research and development must fill the gap in order to continuously provide innovations crafted in such a way as to provide the requisite elixir to the challenges of humanity”.

Anyanwu said the theme of the conference was aimed at garnering confluence of ideas on the subject matter saying “such confluence of innovative ideas in vocational and technical education will not only optimize but guarantee sustainable productivity in Nigeria both during and after the Covid-19 era”.

Highlight of the conference include award of academic excellence to Ph.D students of the faculty.

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu

Education

Chief Judge Pledges inmate’s academic Sponsorship

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, has taken full responsibility for the education of a teenage inmate, Gabriel Sillas, currently serving a jail term at the Minna Correctional Centre, pledging to sponsor him up to university level.

She made the gesture during her annual working visit to correctional facilities across the state, aimed at decongesting custodial centres and reviewing inmates’ cases.

Sillas, who was described by officials as one of the most obedient inmates at the facility, reportedly earned the sympathy of the Chief Judge

Justice Abdulmalik, visibly moved by the teenager’s disposition during her visit to the Minna Children’s Remand Home, described his situation as a product of avoidable circumstances and lack of adequate parental support.

“The circumstances that brought him here could have been avoided if he had good support from his mother. I can see talent in him. With proper support, he will be useful to society. I cannot allow him to waste his life at this age,”she said.

She therefore announced that she would personally sponsor his education from now through university, stressing that the young inmate deserves a second chance to harness his potential.

“I will sponsor his education up to university level. He needs support to put his talent to proper use,” she added emotionally, reaffirming her commitment to ensuring he builds a better future.

Sillas was sentenced to three years imprisonment alongside Isah Tanimu for criminal trespass, mischief and theft, offences that contravene Sections 228, 327 and 348 of the Penal Code Law.

In a further act of clemency, Justice Abdulmalik granted pardon to Isah Tanimu and pledged to assist with part of the fine options attached to their conviction.

Beyond individual interventions, the Chief Judge also donated ?500,000 to the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre to support the upgrade of its skills acquisition centre, reinforcing her commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.

Her visit underscored the judiciary’s growing emphasis on correctional reform, rehabilitation and the belief that, with timely support, even those who stumble can still rise to become productive members of society.

Education

Federal University Dutse Expels 20 Students, Rusticates 15 Over Exam Malpractice

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of Federal University Dutse in Jigawa State has approved the expulsion of 20 students and the rustication of 15 others for their involvement in examination malpractice.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by Abdullahi Yahaya-Bello, the university’s director of public affairs. According to him, the disciplinary action followed the recommendations of the senate committee on examination misconduct for the second semester of the 2024/2025 academic session.

Yahaya-Bello explained that the senate also cleared two students of wrongdoing after investigations, while three others were issued written warnings.

He noted that the penalties were imposed in line with the university’s regulations governing offences and punishments for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Those affected, he added, were drawn from different faculties and departments within the institution.

The development comes amid a wave of disciplinary actions across Nigerian universities over academic misconduct.

In February, the University of Abuja expelled 28 students for various offences, including alleged examination malpractice, cultism, and falsification of academic results. The decision followed the consideration of a report by the university’s student disciplinary committee during a senate meeting.

Similarly, the University of Calabar recently suspended nine students over allegations of examination malpractice and result forgery after deliberations at its 252nd senate meeting.

University authorities across the country have continued to warn that strict disciplinary measures will be enforced against students found guilty of academic misconduct in order to maintain the integrity of the educational system.

Education

FG Needs Assessment Committee Visits Bonny Poly

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

A high-powered assessment committee from the Federal Ministry of Education Abuja on Wednesday visited the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny in Bonny local government area of Rivers state, as part of a needs assessment for 2026 exercise to the institution

The team, led by Prince Dr. Murtab Aliyu S.,a Director with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), include Mr. Mohammed Yusha’u, Mr. Lawani F. Jimoh of ASUP, and June, Patience G. from the Ministry.

The visit is aimed to identify gaps between the institution’s current and desired states, guiding strategic decisions and resource allocation.

According to a statement by

Reported by Anthony Ogbe , SAR/Public Relations Officer of the polytechnics and made available to tide said

the committee’s findings will inform targeted interventions and support from the Federal Government to enhance the polytechnic’s infrastructure, academic programs, and overall development.

“The institution is known for academic excellence and collaborative engagements, making it a sought-after partner for development initiatives. The polytechnic has been making strides in oil and gas education, producing graduates who are highly sought after by industries.”

The needs assessment committee’s visit is expected to further boost the institution’s growth and development.

The statement also quoted as saying that the team later interacted with various stakeholders, including staff and students, to get firsthand information on the institution’s needs.

The committee expressed satisfaction with the polytechnic’s progress and assured the Management of the Federal Government’s support and commended Dr. Okolobah’s leadership and the institution’s commitment to academic excellence

The visit underscores the polytechnic’s commitment to growth and development. The institution is poised to leverage this opportunity to address its needs and further enhance its academic programs.

The statement averred that the Management of the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, led by Dr. Victor Okolobah, received the committee and briefed them on the institution’s strengths, challenges, and stakeholder needs.

He further stated that Dr. Okolobah’s leadership has fostered strong relationships with key agencies, benefiting the polytechnic , adding that

the institution is known for academic excellence and collaborative engagements, making it a sought-after partner for development initiatives.

“The polytechnic has been making strides in oil and gas education, producing graduates who are highly sought after by industries.”

“The Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, has been making waves in academic circles, and this visit is expected to further boost its reputation. With purposeful leadership and strategic partnerships, the institution is set to achieve greater heights.

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“The institution’s success is attributed to its strong leadership, dedicated staff, and commitment to academic excellence. As it continues to grow and develop, the polytechnic remains committed to producing skilled graduates who can contribute to Nigeria’s development.”

By: Akujobi Amadi