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 Revitalising Nigerian Universities For Export

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According to the World Bank, there is a direct correlation between sustainable development and poverty reduction; however, it has also been established that education and knowledge capacity building are the key accelerators of sustainable development. In spite of the abundance of verifiable global evidences trumpeting the power of education, we have been plagued by visionless leaders at the national stage since 1999, whose short sightedness has dislocated our educational system. As a consequence, only the rich in Nigeria can truly afford quality basic education in the country, and saleable tertiary education abroad. I believe in this country, even with our religious and tribal fault lines,  I keep faith with the promise in a statement  Prof. Pat Utomi made  a few years ago, that, “our future is so bright that one might need sun glasses to look at it”.   I believe that inherent in the conundrum of the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ ( ASUU) struggle is the seed for a thriving world-class tertiary ecosystem. But that is only if our leaders rouse themselves from their political doldrums.
The position of the Federal Government, as espoused by the Minister of State for Labour, Bar. Festus Kyamo, (SAN),  that there is no money to meet the  demand of ASUU, is not only lame and unfortunate,  it is also a confirmation of the lack of capacity for vision, and the ability to think outside the box.
The unfounded assertion of the present administration, especially those who ought to know,  smacks of pure ignorance of available data and their implications. For instance, recent data from the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives revealed that more than 11000 nurses have departed the shores of this country since 2019. This data maybe interpreted as brain drain at an unprecedented level, but what if it is viewed as human capital export instead? Can you imagine how much diaspora remittance has emanated from these nurses? The data highlights something very significant, that even with a broken tertiary education sector; we are still able to churn out nurses able to pass qualifying exams to work internationally.
The same applies  to Nigerian trained doctors  who are now like hotcakes in the global market. Currently, our doctors are  being recruited by firms from the United Kingdom, UK, United States of America, USA,  Canada and Saudi Arabia. In fact, a doctor friend of mine; a lecturer in one of our state universities, confided in me that she and many of her colleagues regularly receive invitations  for job openings by foreign recruiters.
Now is this brain drain, or human capital export? It depends on your perspective. But you must remember that inflows from diaspora remittance before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was already competing with our annual national budget. For instance, in 2020, diaspora remittance stood at $23.45 billion. The implication is that most families in the country are able to meet their daily needs because of a family member working abroad. If these are established facts, how is it that we approach the funding of education with the mindset of expenditure, rather than investment?
How can we say we have no money to meet ASUU’s public universities revitalisation fund, when available data from the CBN show that between 2010 and 2020 Nigerians spent a whopping $28.65 billion in foreign universities as tuition. In the current exchange rate, it translates to about N11.62 trillion. Also, recent data from the CBN reveal that between January and May of this year alone, Nigerians have spent $378.77 million on foreign universities. Our appetite for foreign education ranked us as the country with the highest number of students abroad in Africa, with an estimated 76,338 students in 2018 according to United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It is indeed a hard sell for the FG to tell Nigerians there is no money for ASUU, when it can afford to use Chinese loans to build rail lines to the Niger Republic. Granted, Nigeria may not be as rich as it was when I was a little boy, when a certain head of state was heard saying, ‘we have so much money that we don’t know what to do with it”. However, we are being inebriated by various cancers, including,  corruption, outright thievery, incompetence, lack of vision and patriotism.
ASUU president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke,  stated the situation very succinctly in his response to FG’s claim of paucity of funds, when he said, “the major reason given by the Federal Government for the miserly offer; paucity of revenue, is not tenable. This is because of several reasons, chief of which, is poor management of the economy. This has given rise to leakages in the revenue of governments at all levels.”
“There is wasteful spending, misappropriation of funds, and outright stealing of our collective patrimony. ASUU believes that if the leakages in the management of the country’s resources are stopped, there will be more than enough to meet the nation’s revenue and expenditure targets without borrowing and plunging the country into a debt crisis as is the case now.”
Even though I align myself with the Professor in most part, I have a contrary view regarding the issue of loan for our universities.
In my opinion, if the loan will not be eaten by monkeys, swallowed by snakes, or consumed by termites, then the Federal Government should borrow for the improvement of university infrastructure, and the enhancement of learning environment.  The goal should be return on investment, in terms of improved global ranking for our universities; human capital export, and the associated diaspora remittance; global knowledge centres capable of attracting foreign direct investment; attraction of both foreign faculty, and foreign students; and the development of home grown solutions for national challenges. Currently, and thankfully, the 2021 – 2027 Strategic Plan on ranking, and the 2019 – 2023 Blue Print on the Rapid Revitalisation of University Education in Nigeria implemented by the National University Commission is already bearing fruit. The latest Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) indicates a marked improvement with the University of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) appearing in top positions.
This is the first time since the inception of the ranking in 2003 that UI is appearing in the 800 – 901 band.  Last week, the latest Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subject (GRAS) was released showing more positive results for Nigeria; with FUNAAB  in the 201 – 300 band in Veterinary Sciences, while OAU appeared in the 201 – 300 band in Dentistry and Oral Sciences, and the University of Nigeria Nsuka appeared in the 401 – 500 band in Psychology.The argument is clear, tertiary education in Nigeria is not dead. But we can do better. While the vision for global ranking is clear, and  on course, other deliverables must be clearly articulated and accelerated. The issue of funding tertiary education must be put in the front burner. The current administration should follow the advice of ASUU and fully deploy revenue from the increased telecommunication tax of 12.5 per cent to tertiary education. As usual, all we need to do well as a country is at our disposal, but we are our own nemesis. Nevertheless, I have hope that  the current ASUU strike would not be suspended but be brought to an end for good, which is ASUU’s desire, as well as the  parents’ and students’.

By: Raphael Pepple

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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