South-East varsities begin strike – The Nation
July 23, 2010 by Bunmi Awolusi · View Comments
State universities in the South-East Thursday began an indefinite strike.
The institutions are Abia State University, Uturu; Anambra State University, Uli; Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki; Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, and Evan Enwerem University, Owerri (formerly Imo state University).
At the Anambra State University, classrooms were empty.
Lecturers were absent.
Students were seen discussing in groups.
Anambra State Commissioner for Education Kay Onyechi described the situation as “unfortunate”.
YABATECH, Kaduna poly now varsities – The Nation
July 22, 2010 by Bunmi Awolusi · View Comments
The Federal Government has approved the conversion of four colleges of education and two polytechnics to degree awarding institutions.
The institutions are Federal College of Education, Kano; Federal College of Education, Zaria; Avan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri; and Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo.
They have been converted to universities of education.
Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos, and Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, have been converted to universities of technology.
Minister of Education Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i stated this in Abuja while receiving the report of the Implementation Committee on Guidelines for Degree Awarding for Colleges of Education and Polytechnics.
FG Sets One-year Action Plan for Education Sector – Thisday
July 20, 2010 by Bunmi Awolusi · View Comments
As part of its strategy to revamp the education sector, the Federal Government yesterday in Abuja disclosed that a one-year action plan for the sector is under way.
Inaugurating task force teams which are expected to oversee the implementation of the action plan on the sector, Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufa’I said government is to focus on those interventions that will have maximum impact on the education sector and which are attainable within a twelve month frame.
“A one year strategy and action plan for the development of the education sector has been developed to highlight four local areas of the roadmap for the Nigerian education sector,” she said adding that attention will also be paid to strengthening the institutional management of education and teacher education and development.
Osun takes Oyo to Supreme Court over LAUTECH – The Nation
July 13, 2010 by Bunmi Awolusi · View Comments
Osun State government has dragged its neigbouring state, Oyo, before the Supreme Court over their dispute on the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
Osun State is asking the apex court to determine the perpetual joint ownership of the university.
Mallam Yusuf Alli (SAN) and seven senior advocates of Nigeria, filed on behalf of the Osun State governemnt.
Osun State is challenging the powers of the Oyo State government to exclusively control the assets of the university.
The suit is also questioning the right of Oyo State to unilaterally remove principal officers of the university.
Dana Air Nigeria, Lekki Strikers Partner for Charity
July 12, 2010 by Bunmi Awolusi · View Comments
Members of Lekki Junior Strikers football team at the Fun Turf, Lekki Phase One after the charity match to raise funds for less privilleged children on Saturday, July 10, 2010
Award-winning airline, Dana Air and Lekki Strikers, a football team comprising residents of Lekki peninsula and environs, teamed up to host a football match to raise funds for orphans and vulnerable children on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at the Fun Turf in Lekki, Lagos.
The event began at about 9am with an exhibition match involving the Lekki Senior Strikers. This set the mood for the Junior Strikers, who are aged between 5 and 10 years, as they took on Joshua United – another junior team from the Lekki Peninsula. The second match of the day involved the children from Arrows of God orphanage and Joshua United. Both Matches ended in a 1 – 1 draw.
Commenting on the initiative, Kemi Oduntan, mother to one of the Junior Strikers and a member of the event planning committee said, “It is very interesting to note that there are a lot of young people in the community who are very gifted in sports, especially football. With the encouragement and support of all the parents, the children have been playing together for quite some time. However, this time, they are playing not just for recreation but for charity, and that is very gratifying.”
On his part, Jacky Hathiramani, Chief Executive Officer of Dana Air congratulated the Lekki Strikers for the initiative. He said, “Dana Group has always been a firm supporter of sporting events in Nigeria and we are happy to support Lekki Strikers in their effort to develop young football talents as well as raise funds for the less privileged in the society.”
At the end of the event, gift items were presented to the children and cash donations were made to three (3) orphanages namely; Motherless Babies Home, Lekki, Arrows of God Orphanage, Ajah and Living Fountain Orphanage, Victoria Island, Lagos. A subsidiary of Dana Group of Companies, Dana Air is Nigeria’s first new premium services at an affordable rate.
Indomie Nigeria Announces 2010 National PGD Nutrition Scholarship Awards
July 12, 2010 by Bunmi Awolusi · View Comments
As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives in the area of educational empowerment and development of Nigerians, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Nigeria’s No.1 children favourite meal, Indomie instant noodles has announced the commencement of the 2010 Indomie National Post Graduate Nutrition Scholarship Award.
The 2010 edition of the Indomie MSC Nutrition Scholarship Awards is the second edition of the laudable CSR initiative of the company which was instituted last year for Nigerian students studying Nutrition and Dietetics at masters’ degree level with the aim of assisting the training of high level Nutrition and Dietetics manpower in the country.
Explaining the rationale behind the scholarship scheme, Tope Ashiwaju, Public Relations and Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, disclosed that the company’s kind gesture was borne out of the fact that the company
identified a wide knowledge gap in Nutrition and Dietetics and as such decided to take the challenge to build man power capacity in that regards.
“We are assisting and collaborating with select Nigerian Universities in training of high level Nutrition and Dietetics professionals and can only hope that over a period of time this initiative will produce a critical mass of highly trained nutritionist that will continue to sustainably chart and guide the way to optimum nutrition for all Nigerians.”
He explained that last year the company committed over 10 million naira to the scheme with about 12 students benefiting from the scheme and will be doing same this year. He said very few universities offer nutrition at the degree and master level a situation which has led to very small number of manpower in the country.
He said the company is also enhancing the capacity of the schools in the training of manpower with handsome support to them through the scheme. He said it is the hope of the company that in the nearest future Nigeria can boost of quality manpower in the area of nutrition and dietetics.
On the eligibility for the scholarship, Ashiwaju said “the scholarship is open to all Nigerian students qualified for admission to MSC programme in Nutrition and Nutrition/Dietetics within the Nigerian University environment. Awards will be made to qualified and suitable students from every geopolitical zone of the Federation including the FCT.”
He advised eligible candidates to apply in writing providing their full names; photocopy of admission letter into the programme and application for admission; credentials with details of educational history; and evidence of State of Origin obtained from the appropriate Local Government Area and duly signed by the Chairman or Secretary.
The completed document should be enclosed in an A4 enveloped and should be marked ‘APPL 2010 AWARD’ on the top left corner addressed to the Coordinator, Dufil Nutrition Awards programme, P.O Box 1983, Sapon Abeokuta, Ogun State or through e-mail to acadaservices@gmail.com on or before July 30,2010.
Speaking on the Scholarship Award, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, Co-ordinator of the programme and incumbent President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) urged eligible candidates to take advantage of the scheme which he said will prepare them for expertise in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics. He called the scheme a rare opportunity and commended DUFIL Prima Foods for its contribution towards the society.
In another development, Dufil Prima Foods Plc has once again shown its commitment to development of Nutrition profession in the country by supporting The Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) with the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000.00) for smooth running of the activities of the society for the year 2010
FG urged to convert polys to ‘poly-varsity’ – Daily Trust
July 12, 2010 by Bunmi Awolusi · View Comments
The Federal Government has been called upon to convert polytechnics in the country into ‘polytechnic-universities’. The guest lecturer at the second combined convocation of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Professor Joseph Egila, who made the call Saturday, said that would enable polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology degrees.
He also charged governments at all levels to fund polytechnics adequately so that they can meet up the standards set by the National Board of Technical Education.
Earlier, the Rector of the polytechnic Professor Mathew Idowu Ajibero urged the state government to employ more staff for the institution.
Governor Ibrahim Idris promised that his administration would do everything necessary to ensure that the state attains an enviable standard in the educational sector.
27.5% TSS: Teachers begin strike in Oyo – Tribune
July 6, 2010 by Bunmi Awolusi · View Comments
- NECO exams not affected – NUT scribe
Teachers across Oyo State, on Monday, complied with the directive of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to commence an indefinite strike to protest the non-payment of the 27.5 per cent Teachers Salary Scale (TSS) in the state.
When the Nigerian Tribune visited some schools across the state, on Monday, teachers were not available to teach the students, while students who were present said they would soon go back home.
Some of the students, especially those in JSS 3 and SS2, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune appealed to the government to consider the request of the teachers, adding that they would not want anything to disrupt their examinations.
Meanwhile, the Oyo NUT scribe, Mr Abiala, has assured parents in the state that the indefinite strike being embarked upon by teachers in the state will not affect the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) or any other examinations in the state.
Abiala gave the assurance in Ibadan, on Monday, at a congress held to commence the strike throughout the state.
Indomie Nigeria Fan Club Offer Promo to Students
June 24, 2010 by Bunmi Awolusi · View Comments
Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Nigeria’s No.1 children favourite meal, Indomie instant noodles through the Indomie Fan Club has introduced the ‘Score Points & Win’ promo to engage and reward School Children and their Schools.
In the ‘Score & Win’ promo, Indomie Fan Club will be doling out various gifts items to both School Children and their Schools for point garnered through collection of Noodles wrappers. Student are expected to collect
any Indomie wrapper to earn Five points for themselves and their school or any other noodles wrapper to earn One point.
Any student with an accumulated point of 50 will win one indomie pack while those with 100, point wins two Indomie Pack plus Exercise Book & Biro, 200 points a Mathematical Set, 300 points a School Bag or Dictionary
and 400 points stand the chance to win a Lunch Box or T-Shirt. On the other hand, the schools have the opportunity of winning a Printer with 25,000 points, a Black Board with 50,000 points, Tables & Chairs with 100,000 points, while 150,000 points will earn a school a TV Set and 250,000 points will receive a laptop or a Generator.
Commenting on the promo, the Coordinator of the Indomie Fan Club, Mrs. Dina Girglani explained that the Indomie Score & Win promo is aimed at rewarding millions of Indomie Fan club members spread across various schools in Nigeria.
“This promo is conceptualized to reward not only the School Children who are our primary target audience but also a way to give to their various Schools for their contributions to mental and academic development of the
children”
Girglani stressed further that the Score & Win promo is unique because it encourages healthy competition among the School Children as well as Schools as each Student and School alike will be trying to out score the other and win fantastic Prizes.
She added that the promo will encourage and promote team work among school children as School pupils of the same school will be working together to garner as many points as possible to help their school win fantastic prize.
The promotion, which commenced in June will close on July 23, 2010 or while stock last.
The Indomie fan club is the largest children’s fan club in Nigeria, launched 5 years ago with the aim of creating fun, excitement, bonding and enabling environment for children has grown to become the largest children’s club in Nigeria.
SSCE: NECO lifts suspension on Edo State – Tribune
June 22, 2010 by Bunmi Awolusi · View Comments
The National Examination Council (NECO), on Monday, lifted the suspension on the ongoing Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in Edo State sequel to the decision of the state government to comply with the regulations of the examination body.
NECO had, on Sunday, slammed a suspension of the state from further participation in the ongoing nationwide examination as a result of the refusal of the state government to allow the men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other examination monitors from entering examination halls, but were ordered to remain at school gates.
