News
FG Spends N138bn On Basic Education
A total of N138 billion has so far been expended by the Federal Government in the development of basic education in the past three years, Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, has said.
Adamu, speaking yesterday, in Abuja, at the launch of the National Personnel Audit (NPA), of all basic institutions in the country, said the amount covered both the coordination and development of basic education in Nigeria.
The money, which according to him, was a matching grant, was part of government’s resolve to support states and council areas carry their constitutional mandate of giving a free, compulsory and universal basic education.
Hear him: “The present administration, from 2015 to date had released the sum of N138 billion as matching grant. These funds are being accessed by States and FCT after paying their counterpart contributions.”
Although the minister noted that the past two audits which were carried out in 2006 and 2010, respectively only captured public basic institutions, he nonetheless said private basic institutions in the country have been included in the ongoing nationwide personnel audit.
While establishing that the audit exercise would provide reliable basic education data to ease and enhance effective planning by decision makers within and outside the country, he maintained that the exercise would also ensure that only qualified teachers were engaged in basic education institutions.
“As enshrined in Sections 9(f) and 9(I) of the UBE Act, 2004, the commission is mandated to carry out in concert with the states and local governments at regular intervals, a personnel audit of teaching and non-teaching staff of all basic education institutions in Nigeria. This is to establish reliable basic education data for planning.
“The National Personnel Audit will go a long way in establishing a string foundation for the emergence of a sound Management Information System (MIS) within the basic education sector. It will also strengthen the current National Educational Management Information System (NEMIS), which serves as a key pillar of the nation’s educational planning architecture,” he added.
Also speaking, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, harped on the need for all stakeholders in the education sector both public and private, to jointly work towards providing an accurate data that would show all relevant indices needed for effective planning in the sector.
On his part, Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, revealed that unlike previous audits, the 2018 NPA would make use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) for proper identification and easy location of schools.
He explained that in order to make this happen, the commission was in partnership with the National Space, Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), to ensure efficient use of the GPS for quick conclusion of the exercise and production of results.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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