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EDO GOVERNOR PLEDGES TO IMPROVE EDUCATION SECTOR, RECRUIT MORE TEACHERS

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has promised to improve learning facilities, recruit more qualified teachers, provide good infrastructure, a conducive learning atmosphere, and secure school environments across the State. Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, April 21, 2025. Itua said the Governor made the pledges when he inspected ongoing renovation of some schools in Edo Central, which were hitherto in very bad shapes when he visited the facilities in January, 2025. According to Itua, Governor Okpebholo has taken bold steps by embarking on people-oriented programs and policies and had earlier declared a state of emergency in the education sector. The Governor said, “School renovations are going on across the three Senatorial Districts in Edo State. After this, more qualified teachers will be employed to ensure our children get quality education.” Itua noted that the administration has put modalities in place to ensure that public schools in the State compete favourably with private schools in terms of learning, quality facilities, good infrastructure, secure and conducive environment, as well as affordable fees. Itua further disclosed that the Governor’s administration has embarked on construction and renovation of schools across the three Senatorial Districts and also plans to employ more qualified teachers that will ensure that school children get quality education. Okpebholo’s administration has already transformed many public schools, with new structures, including good classrooms and perimeter fences, to ensure the safety of school children, Itua added. Fred Itua quoted the Governor as saying, “Our goal as a government is to see every Edo child attend a public school and get quality education that will woo more people to embrace public schools.” Fred Itua stated that the administration is working to ensure the education system in the State competes favourably with global standards.

NIGERIA REVAMPS EDUCATION SYSTEM WITH NEW 12-YEAR BASIC EDUCATION MODEL

The Federal Government has unveiled a groundbreaking reform of the country’s education system, introducing a compulsory 12-year basic education model. This innovative approach replaces the traditional 6-3-3-4 structure, merging junior and senior secondary schools into a single, uninterrupted 12-year program. According to Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, this bold move aims to standardize education nationwide, providing students with a solid foundation for future success. “By extending basic education to 12 years, we ensure that our students receive a comprehensive education that prepares them for higher learning and the workforce,” Dr. Alausa explained. The new model is designed to align Nigeria’s education system with global best practices, facilitating early exposure to vocational and entrepreneurial skills. Dr. Alausa emphasized that this approach will enable students to acquire essential knowledge and skills before specializing at tertiary levels. To further support this initiative, the government proposes establishing 16 years as the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions. This move aims to reduce dropout rates, mitigate financial barriers, and ensure that students are better equipped to succeed in higher education. The successful implementation of this reform relies on a multifaceted approach, including policy reforms, infrastructure development, teacher training, and enhanced funding and partnerships. As Nigeria embarks on this ambitious journey, stakeholders are optimistic that the new education model will yield improved learning outcomes, drive economic growth, and enhance the country’s global competitiveness.

Friday Lines (39) With

Dr Abubakar Alkali 1/1/25 IMPOSITION OF PROFESSOR A’ISHA MAIKUDI AS THE VC UNI ABUJA: Why President Tinubu Should Intervene as he did in the Case of the Controversial Appointment of the Sacked Former Unizik VC Professor Bernard Odoh. ‘Clearly, Prof A’isha Maikudi’s case bears the same hallmarks as that of the sacked VC UniZik Prof Bernard Odoh. While Prof Odoh was sacked by President Tinubu last November, Prof Maikudi is still sitting pretty as VC UniAbuja’ ‘A house built on air cannot stand’ Is Aisha Maikudi’s appointment as VC Uni Abuja after the sacking of Bernard Odoh as VC UniZik for similar controversies a case of double standards or that of ‘This is Nigeria, so who cares’ or both? The appointment of Prof A’isha MaiKudi goes against the 10- year post-Professorial experience for the appointment of a vice chancellor. The 10-year post Professorial requirement is clearly stipulated in section 3-6 of the federal ministry of education miscellaneous provisions act 1993 (as amended). It was a clear case of imposition based on the ‘Nigerian factor’ by the chair, governing council Uni Abuja Air Vice Marshal Samaila Kaita (Rtd) who hails from the same state (Katsina) as Prof A’isha Maikudi. Prof A’isha is barely 2 years as a Professor having been promoted to that level in 2022. So clearly, she will not meet up with the requirements. To cover up for this gap and clear the way for A’isha Maikudi, the outgone VC Prof Abdulrasheed Na’Allah working in cahoots with the then education minister Prof Tahir Mamman (now disengaged), lowered the bar for Maikudi from 10 to 5 years post-Professorship experience. Even at 5 years requirement, A’isha Maikudi is nowhere near qualification to the post. Another infraction is that the then VC Na’Allah working in a collabo with Prof Tahir Mamman, unilaterally advertised the VC position which is a very serious error because only the governing council of the university has powers to advertise the VC position. Albeit there was no governing council at the time, it is still illegal for the outgoing VC Na’Allah to make such advertisement. Can’t he wait for a few months until the inauguration of the governing council?Moreover, Prof A’isha is alleged to have sent thugs to disrupt a scheduled meeting convened by the Uni Abuja ASUU chapter to deliberate on the VC appointment matter as she was sceptical that she may lose out. You can imagine what happened at the venue.Thugs to disrupt a meeting of lecturers over VC selection?Are we in Egypt yet? In a move Maradona style, Prof A’isha MaiKudi arranged her selection process during the holidays when most lecturers have travelled for Christmas and new year celebrations. The university wasn’t in session.In fact, Prof A’isha’s purported ‘confirmation’ took place on 31st December while most lecturers were busy in new year celebration mood in their villages and towns. The daring move to shift the selection process to New Year’s Eve when lecturers were away on holiday was informed by the fact that if an election was held fair and square, Prof A’isha stands absolutely no chance of winning it. In fact there was no election and Nigerians were simply informed that Prof A’isha has ‘emerged as the best’ from what the university spokesman called ‘a process to select a VC from the 10 shortlisted candidates’ There were no records to show how many votes each of the 10 candidates scored because the law said it should be through an election. Don’t even consider the fact that Prof Na’Allah is alleged to be a Man Friday to Prof A’isha’s dad who helped him (Prof Na’Allah) become the VC Uni Abuja.A case of pay back time. For her to navigate her way through all the protocols and emerge as VC albeit disputed is a clear indication of Prof A’isha MaiKudi’s unquestionable connection in Nigeria’s political space. A’isha Maikudi’s appointment cannot stand. President Tinubu should intervene in the Uni Abuja VC crisis to preserve the integrity of the university system. The university system is already boiling with integrity issues and can do without controversies during every VC selection process. Clearly, the woman who graduated with a PhD as recent as 2015 is not qualified but was imposed on the university by the university’s governing council chair Air Vice Marshall Samaila Kaita (Rtd) who made sure she returned as VC.Prof A’isha’s PhD supervisor at university of Abuja will be grinning from ear to ear as he watches his own student dish out orders for him to follow. Don’t get me wrong, I know the university system is a place where your own student will graduate, join you as a lecturer in the same department, rise to HOD and be the one to endorse your application for research leave. However, in A’isha Maikudi’s case, the issue goes beyond the ‘first-from-behind’ system in the university. Rather, it has to do with the fact that she is N.O.T qualified for the job due to her lack of the requisite 10 year Professorship experience which she made up with ‘connection experience’ How do you expect her own PhD supervisor and other Professors at the Uni Abuja who have crossed the Professorship ladder over 30 years ago when A’isha was a teenager to recognise her or be loyal to her? It is not by coincidence that hierarchy is applied in appointments. Your senior is your senior. He can see where you can’t. SACKING OF UNIZIK VC PROF BERNARD ODOHAlso recall that President Tinubu in his desire to safeguard the integrity of the university system had in November 2024, sacked Professor Bernard Odoh over proven infractions in his academic resume which included outright lie of claiming to have served as a visiting Prof at the Federal university Gusau (FUGUS) between 2015-2017 all in a bid to beef up his resume. FUGUS denied ever knowing anybody by the name Bernard Odoh more less having him as a visiting Prof. Despite the clear infractions surrounding Prof Bernard Odoh’s resume, the university council led by the

PRESIDENT TINUBU APPROVES ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY IN SOUTHERN KADUNA

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given his consent for the establishment of a federal university in Southern Kaduna, according to Vice President Kashim Shettima. This development was revealed during a condolence visit to the Kukah family, who recently lost the Agwom Akulu of Ikulu Chiefdom, Yohanna Sidi Kukah, a family member of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto.In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, VP Shettima disclosed that President Tinubu has also shown interest in establishing a Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan, Kaduna State. VP Shettima emphasized the commitment of the President Tinubu administration to the development of Southern Kaduna, citing the appointment of General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff as evidence of the President’s attention to the security needs of the region. “Be rest assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the people of Kaduna and the people of Southern Kaduna at heart,” he stated. VP Shettima also commended Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for his inclusive governance approach, stating that “government is about linking all component parts to have a sense of belonging.” He pledged that the federal government will work with the state government to ensure development reaches Southern Kaduna, particularly in road infrastructure. As noted by Stanley Nkwocha, Bishop Kukah expressed gratitude to the Vice President on behalf of the family over the visit, saying, “I want to thank you on behalf of this family. Thank you for being with us… We are honoured to have you.” The establishment of the federal university is expected to bring development and opportunities to the people of Southern Kaduna. VP Shettima emphasized the importance of this development, citing the need for improved infrastructure and access to education in the region.