Education
NBTE Urges ICPC’s Partnership To End Illegal Campuses
National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has sought the support of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to stop the operations of illegal satellite campuses of polytechnics and monote-chnics.
Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, made the call during the board’s delegation visit to the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, in Abuja.
Bugaje disclosed that the operations of the satellite campuses was one of the major challenges confronting the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector in the country.
He noted that he created the Polytechnic Inspectorate Department when he resumed office in 2021, to monitor illegal operations on satellite campuses.
According to him,”we have identified 12 of such illegal institutions that have been admitting students without approval from the NBTE, outside the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board System and illegally collecting fees.They are not offering the required training but issuing certificates. This is going to destroy the TVET sector.
“We wrote to them, asking them to close up but they remained adamant. This is why the collaboration with the ICPC is very crucial,” he said.
Bugaje revealed that the board had resolved to convert Vocational and Enterprise Institutions (VEIs) and Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs) to Monotechnic, following recent meeting with stakeholders on the VEIs and IEIs
In his response, Owasanoye lauded the board for the visit and pledged the commission’s support in curbing illegal satellite campuses across the country.
Owasanoye called for a meeting with rectors of polytechnics across the country for all to be on the same page in the fight.
“As you are probably aware, we do have a platform of collaboration in the education sector.
“We will be glad to do what we can with NBTE to curb the menace of satellite campuses of TVET institutions,” the ICPC boss said.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the need for students to go beyond academic achievements during the university’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The theme, “The University Culture In Practice, The IAUE Experience,” highlights the importance of embracing cherished traditions and intellectual values that define great universities.
Prof. Onuchuku encouraged the new graduates to work hard and persevere, noting that their convocation marks a new beginning in their careers and personal lives. He emphasised that they must prove themselves worthy of the certificates and prizes they have received.
According to him, out of 2,887 first-degree graduands, four made First Class, 403 secured Second Class Upper, 2,030 got Second Class Lower, and 450 graduated with Third Class. Additionally, 1,492 postgraduate students graduated, including 306 PhD holders.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), praised the university’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional maturity. He commended the Acting Vice Chancellor for achieving full accreditation for 47 academic programmes and implementing the NUC’s Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards.
The administrator urged the new graduates to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and strive for continuous knowledge and improvement.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Students Union Government, Rivers State Chapter (NIDSUG), has suspended its planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) state office in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed an intervention by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The students had planned to protest on Thursday, citing alleged neglect by the NDDC, particularly in welfare and capacity-building programmes for students from the state. However, after the police intervention, the students agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with the commission to address their concerns.
NIDSUG leader, Comrade Loveday Njoku, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s alleged exclusion of students from benefiting from its programmes. He presented a seven-point demand, including the reintroduction of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Njoku emphasised that education is crucial for community development and urged the commission to invest in the future leaders of the state.
The students warned that if their demands are not met, they will resume the protest and occupy the state commission office until their demands are addressed. Despite previous attempts to reach out to the commission’s management team, the students claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
By: Akujobi Amadi
As part of efforts to improve the welfare and overall quality of education for students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Sir (Dr.) Clifford Ndu Walter DSSRS, FCAI, JP, paid an unscheduled visit to Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi.
During the visit, Sir Walter expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the school and its surrounding environment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector, stressing its critical role in nation-building.
“I have visited the primary school in Ogbogoro, and now I’m here at the Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi. I am not satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he stated, indicating that more surprise visits to schools would follow.
To address the issues, the Sole Administrator directed the Council Engineer to commence process for rehabilitation of the school.
The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at conducting on-the-spot assessments of educational facilities to determine the level of intervention required by the local government council.
Dr. Walter also assured the teachers of his unwavering commitment to revamp the school and improve the learning environment for both staff and students.