Mohammed Shosanya

A multi-billion naira learning centre and digital library opened on Thursday at the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State with a vow to revolutionise e-learning and technology-driven teaching and research at the university.

The project was funded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC); Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) and its co-venture partners; and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB),a statement said.

The inauguration of the project was cheered by stakeholders from around the Niger Delta who expressed their expectation that the facility would offer students, lecturers and researchers the resources and connectivity to keep them in step with global ICT standards.

“This project is a good shot in the arm of the Niger Delta University,” said Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri in an address delivered at the inauguration on his behalf by the Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

He was quoted in the statement as saying that the Bayelsa State Government was ready to partner with NNPC/SNEPCo in other areas of development.

Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, commended the collaboration that led to the execution of the “landmark project.” Managing Director SNEPCo Elohor Aiboni, said the project was “the culmination of a vision shared by NNPC, SNEPCo, co-venture partners, NCDMB and NDU,” describing it “as a powerful symbol of what can be achieved when we unite for a common goal – empowering our people.”

The NCDMB Executive Secretary, Omatsola Egbe, represented by Director, Corporate Services, Ama Ikuru, said the project would support NDU to produce “quality graduates for the Nigerian oil and gas industry and propel the delivery of Nigerian content development.” Chief Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS) Bala Wunti commented on the partnership behind the project: “Together, we have created a resource that will benefit our community for years to come. NNPC is honoured to have played a major part in this collaborative endeavour.”

Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Allen Agih, thanked NNPC, SNEPCo, the co-venture partners – ExxonMobil, Total Energies and Nigeria AGIP Exploration Limited – for providing an “iconic edifice” that would facilitate teaching and learning in the institution.

The structure boasts three floors with a fully equipped digital library and a collaborative learning centre. Local contractors played key roles in various aspects of the project and 24 individuals from the Niger Delta University acquired experience in complex engineering works through onsite training.

The social investment initiatives of NNPC, SNEPCo and co-venture partners have made positive impact in many areas, helping internally displaced Nigerians to rebuild their lives, enhancing treatment and care for cancer patients and supporting students to achieve their educational dreams in top-rated secondary schools and universities.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and its Joint Venture partners in OML 18 – the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Total Energies EP Nigeria Ltd, Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd, and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Ltd – have donated a 2,300-seater state-of-the-art digital library to the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State.

The digital library, a two-storey complex equipped with cutting-edge Information Technology amenities including 100 computer systems, e-learning and research facilities, interactive smart boards, projectors, camcorders, e-books, e-journals, e-learning portal, and reading halls, was handed over to the school authority on Thursday in Bayelsa State.

Other facilities in the library include Wi-Fi Lounge, print and document hall, video and audio recordings, photography and online education centre, e-distant learning hall, Chief Librarian and departmental offices, IT rack room, newspaper archive, stack room for new arrivals, and conveniences.

A statement signed by Olufemi O. Soneye,Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Ltd,quoted that the library complex is also equipped with a 500KVA power generator, a 500KVA transformer, a dedicated water borehole fitted with water purification facilities.

The e-library is designed to promote ICT education and provide a conducive learning environment for students and researchers in the school to keep them abreast of global IT practices and advancement.

Present at the commissioning and handover ceremony of the project were: Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Evwrudjakpor; Pro-Chancellor of the NDU, Matthew Seiyefa; Vice-Chancellor of NDU, Prof. Allen Agih; representative of Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Dr. Ama Ikuru; Deputy Manager, External Relations, NNPC Ltd, Edith Lawson; Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor; and Managing Director of SNEPCo, Elohor Aiboni.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has directed all Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre owners to arrest any parent, found near any of their facilities during the 2024 UTME exercise.

The directive from the Board was issued at the final briefing of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre owners, which was held virtually on Thursday.

This directive became necessary following the intrusive disposition of some parents during the Board’s previous exercises,the body said.

According to the Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, any parent, who disobeys this order, would not only be arrested but his ward would also be disqualified from sitting the examination.

This measure is necessary as it has been discovered over time that many of these intruding parents are facilitators of examination infractions while others have, by their actions, disrupted the Board’s examinations in the past.

Oloyede also alleged that some miscreants disguise as parents to infiltrate the centres to perpetrate all forms of infractions.

The Registrar disclosed that the Board has directed security operatives to work with the centres to apprehend any meddlesome parent, who come near the centres.

The Board’s helmsman noted that going by the extant national policy on education, a candidate for the examination must have attained the age of 17 years.

“Therefore, it is evident that these parents had not allowed their wards to pass through the classes as defined in the document, hence, the determination to follow their wards to the examination venue with the aim of compromising examination officials.

“At any rate, it is clear to any discerning observer that these parents deserve to be sanctioned as they had obviously ‘smuggled’ underage children into the ranks of those scheduled to sit the examination”.

The Board also availed itself of the opportunity provided by the meeting to advise candidates to jealously guard their personal details, e-mail address, as well as their registration and phone numbers.

It issued the advice against the backdrop of some candidates, who might be enticed into patronising any of those fraudulent websites out there.

Oloyede also informed candidates that if their personal details are found with any of such sites, they would be treated as accomplices and prosecuted.

He said all arrangements have been concluded for the conduct of the 2024 UTME, which will be held in over 700 CBT centres across the nation, stressing that the Board expects a seamless exercise but it has nevertheless made adequate provision to tackle any technical glitch that might occur in the course of the examination.

He warned that if a session experienced any technical challenge, candidates in subsequent sessions would be allowed to sit their examination as scheduled while the candidates in the challenged session would be rescheduled for the last session for the day or the following day or even further depending on the centre schedules.

He cautioned that candidates are to take note of this so that they will remain calm in the event of any disruption. In this wise, any candidate or parent, who disrupt any subsequent session on account of the failure of his/her session, would be disqualified outright from taking the examination.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB),has warned parents, against enrolling minors for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede,expressed this while reacting to a suit, filed by one Mrs. Ifeanyi Eke, against the Board, over alleged inappropriate text messages sent to her 15-year-old daughter during the course of her registration.

Mrs. Eke had filed a N100m suit against JAMB and three others before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged unsolicited and inappropriate text messages sent to her 15-year-old daughter.

Reacting to the development in an interview with the journalists on Wednesday, Oloyede said the Board is ready to meet with the woman, maintaining that the sender of the message was not its staff.

He said since the incident happened, JAMB reported to the security agencies to take appropriate action but the woman did not care, suing for N100 million at the expense of the child.

He added: “The person is not our staff, he is not even a staff of the centre, he is a co-student. He is just like a candidate, an undergraduate in one of the Universities.

“And talking about our data, nobody has access to our data. The person got the information from the phone of the under age girl.

“How did your girl of 15 years was ready for University now? If she is law abiding as she claimed. The law today is that you must spend six years before primary school, six years in primary school and six years in secondary school. By that time, you are 18.

“But when you reduce three years, you must have cut corners to make a 15 year old child ready for University education.

“We will meet her in court, it is for the court to decide whether she deserve that money.”

He maintained that the person got the telephone number of the victim at the center because they had a form to fill, saying that it has dealt appropriately with the center, the reason being that it shouldn’t have allowed unauthorized persons in the premises.

He added:”Even the centers do not have access to our data base, the person must have collected the number while interacting with her at the center.

“We dealt with the center on negligence, for allowing unauthorized person to have access to where these candidates were. And we are urging parents to allow their children to be matured before registering for UTME.

“We are now saying that any center that allow a parent to get near to where the candidates are been screened, that centre will be deleted.

“Secondly, we have instructed the centers to stop the identifying the parents of the candidates and we will take appropriate action against the candidates.

“Parents cannot destroy the career of their children because of their emotions and indiscipline.”

Lagos State University (LASU) has celebrated its Mathematics lecturer, Dr Aminat Ige, who recently completed her doctoral programme at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), emerging as the best doctoral thesis winner.

Dr Ige − an alumna of LASU and lecturer at the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, LASU − was announced the best doctoral thesis winner during the recently concluded 54th convocation ceremonies of UNILAG.

The Vice Chancellor (VC) of LASU, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, during the senate meeting on Thursday, met with Dr Ige and her husband Dr Nasir Ariyibi.

The VC stated that it is a policy of the university senate to honour outstanding achievers in the university.

“Dr Ige is a pride of LASU and one of the best we have ever produced. She has projected this university positively to the whole world by winning not just the best PhD thesis in the Faculty of Science of UNILAG but the best overall in the university. When the best of UNILAG is from us, we can truly be proud,” the VC said.

The VC, on behalf of the university senate, presented Dr Ige with a cheque of one million naira (N1,000000) and a plaque.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Administration of LASU, Professor Adenike Boyo, noted that Dr Ige is a sociable, versatile, and hardworking woman who commits her best not just to the university but also to the Akesan Kingdom where she impacts the lives of children with a regular Mathematics competition.

The DVC urged her to continue to stay true to herself and give her best as she still has a lot to offer.

Responding,Dr Ige stated that she had received support from all members of the university community, adding, “I am overwhelmed by the show of love. I will give my best to LASU.”

The Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Moses Akanbi, who taught Dr. Ige, in her undergraduate days, emphasised that the Department of Mathematics and Faculty of Science are proud of her.

The Director of DICT, Professor Toyin Enikuomehin, said Dr Ige’s drive for knowledge is admirable, and that she deserves to be celebrated to encourage other students of the university.

The Coalition of Aworis and Descendants in Diaspora honoured Dr Ige in Lagos for her stellar academic feat.
Source:Tribune

Mohammed Shosanya

Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) and its Joint Venture Partners in OML 30 (NNPC Exploration and Production Ltd & Shoreline Natural Resources Ltd) have presented a total of 795 scholarship awards to indigenes drawn from the 112 OML 30 Host Communities during this year’s United Nations International Day of Education on Thursday.

Speaking during the Awards/Town Hall Meeting Adesola Adebawo, HEOSL General Manager, Government Joint Venture and External Relations stated that, “This town hall meeting is particularly special as it coincides with the United Nations’ International Day of Education and highlights OML 30’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4) on inclusive and quality education for all.” “We in OML 30 have always been committed to our corporate social responsibilities, recognizing the transformative power of education in shaping the future,” he said.

He added that, the “OML 30 scholarship programme stands as a testament to our dedication to the well-being and progress of our 112 Host Communities in Delta State”.

Mr. Adebawo, who was represented by Mr. Edesiri Akpomujere stated that in 2023 alone, OML 30’s sustainability efforts include Annual Scholarship payment to 2,300 beneficiaries and industrial training opportunities for 130 undergraduates. He noted that since 2017, the scholarships programme has benefitted more than 3,000 deserving students.

According to him,”Our commitment to transparency extends to the recognition of academic excellence. We are proud to celebrate the exceptional achievements of the 12 best performing students from the 2023 OML 30 Scholarship aptitude test, conducted by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC).”

Celebrating an outstanding beneficiary of the scholarship programme, Oscar Odemavi Osikorobia who graduated with first class in Sociology and Anthropology from the Benson Idahosa University, Benin in 2022 was conferred with OML 30 Academic Excellence Award at the ceremony.

Speaking on the OML 30 Scholarship as Catalyst for Human Capital Development, Prof. E. O Agbalagba a lecturer at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE) underscored the importance of diligence, determination and hard work as ingredients for success in life.

He commended the effort of the awardees as well as the sponsors HEOSL and its JV Partners who deemed it fit to include Human Capital Development training through the scholarship programme.

Also speaking was Barr. Martins Mukoro, a conflict resolution expert, who made a presentation on Issues and Conflict Management under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). In his presentation, he posited that the overall aim of the PIA is to foster sustainable development in the oil and gas communities.

He maintained that though conflict is inevitable, all the stakeholders need to work harmoniously to achieve the desired goal.

Mohammed Shosanya

Founder of Love of Christ Generation Church and The Esther Ajayi Foundation extends fully funded scholarships to foster education and leadership development in Nigeria.

Renowned Christian leader Rev. Esther Ajayi is facilitating the educational aspirations of over one hundred Nigerian youths through her sponsorship of their university education.

As the founder of the Love of Christ Generation Church and the driving force behind The Esther Ajayi Foundation, Rev. Ajayi is extending fully funded scholarships to deserving individuals from less-privileged backgrounds within her church and across different States in Nigeria. The scholarships encompass tuition, accommodation, and living expenses.

At a church service on January 14, 2024,Rev. Ajayi expressed her commitment to fostering a new generation of leaders in Nigeria

“This is my contribution to the development of a new generation of leaders.” Additionally, she acknowledged and awarded 20 students during the service, recognizing their commendable backgrounds and academic achievements. Emphasizing her vision, she underscored the significance of impacting lives and ensuring that the youth are well-prepared for the challenges ahead. “By the grace of God, I am a graduate, as is every member of my family. Therefore, it is only fitting that the youths around me receive an education as well, recognizing that the younger generation is our future,” she added.

Encouraging the congregation to support the youth beyond their external appearances, Rev. Ajayi urged them to unlock their full potential in service to God and humanity. “For the youths, they must realize that there is no limitation to what they can achieve if they trust God and remain focused,” she added, offering words of encouragement.

The beneficiaries and their parents expressed gratitude during the ceremony, offering prayers for Rev. Ajayi and her family’s continued success in ministry and long life. Master Johnson Daniel, a recipient, conveyed his appreciation, stating, “I am deeply grateful to the Esther Ajayi Foundation for restoring my lost hope. I never imagined that I would be able to pursue education beyond the secondary level, let alone attend a private university. A mother who cares for all the children around her has chosen to provide me and many others with a future and expected end.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has debunked a media report circulating on the social media, some national dailies and television stations, that the Commission has just “discovered over 100 fake Professors in Nigerian Universities”.

Acting Executive Secretary of NUC, Chris Maiyaki refuted the claims in a statement made available to the press on Monday in Abuja.

He said the NUC wishes to deny these media reports categorically and unequivocally. As they are fake, untrue and a figment of the imagination of the author(s), all happening at an unsuitable time, when the nation is awaiting the outcome of the investigation into the fake certificate saga from universities in some neighbouring countries.

Maiyaki said the Commission finds this development as unfair to all stakeholders.

He said the fake news items have been circulating in two forms – as a link to a 2019 online news item; and as a separate list of names of the alleged fake Professors in various Nigerian Universities,which was not the case.

According to him, “we consider these unfounded publications as ill-conceived and a ploy by unscrupulous persons to create in plausible a tone, disquiet, panic and provoking outcries at both the national and international levels.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission can confirm that it initiated in 2019 a laudable project, with the intent of compiling and publishing a list of full Professors in the Nigerian Universities System (NUS) through the use of an online portal to collate the requisite data. During the exercise, the NUC found anomalies, such as Associate Professors being listed as full Professors.

“It is essential to also state clearly that the Commission as a responsible Federal Government Agency, does not engage in half-baked exercises capable of tarnishing the image of Nigeria and the NUS.

“That was why the Commission deemed it necessary to share the collated data with the Nigerian Universities for the purpose of authentication by the competent authourities as to who qualifies to be a full professor. Based on the verified data, the Commission then in a landmark accomplishment, first published the list of full Professors who participated in the exercise in 2019.

” It was understood that this would be succeeded by a continuous process of updating the list of full Professors. It is important to state at this point that all the issues pertaining to the 2019 verification of full Professors in Nigerian Universities were concluded in 2019.

“Since then, the Commission has entrenched a more reliable system of generating the list of full Professors in the NUS. The Commission is also conscious of the fact that some of the academics not captured in the 2019 exercise may now have matured and progressed to become full Professors; this being the reason why it continuously updates the list of full Professors in the NUS.

“The National Universities Commission questions the rationale behind recycling this stale 2019 news of an activity it initiated, conducted and laid to rest in the same year. The purpose and objective of resurrecting in 2024 (more than 4 years later) this-no-longer-fresh news, is clearly intended to generate unnecessary controversy at an unsuitable time, whilst lacing it with a false list of fake Professors.

“The National Universities Commission owes it a solemn duty to protect and guard the integrity of the many hardworking and committed academics in the NUS, who have earned national and international respect and recognition. Therefore, the Commission has been saddled with the vital and strategic responsibility by its enabling laws, to uphold the sanctity of quality in all aspects of our University Education delivery.

“The Commission wishes to use this medium to advise Government officials at all levels, members of the NUS, the international community, and the public, to please disregard these items of fake and stale news which have long been laid to rest in 2019”.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC has disclosed that students enrolment at the basic school level across Nigeria is on the threshold of over 45 million pupils.

Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Hamid Boboyyi, disclosed this at a one-day meeting on Promoting Partnership with the Organised Private Sector, in Abuja.

He said despite allocating over N100 billion to education every year, resources from the federal government alone can no longer run the system.

According to him, even though the federal government is spending money on education, the sector requires more resources to deliver quality education.

He implored the private sector to appreciate the importance of providing education for children at an early age to contribute to the development of the country.

“Resources alone from the federal government cannot run the system. Nigeria has over 45 million children in basic education subsector and with this number, we require the necessary classrooms.

“A state may get a maximum of maybe N3 billion in the best times, but N3 billion cannot take care of these. It needs instructional materials, you need a lot of other things,” he said.

Stating that education is the foundation of the collective existence of Nigerians, Boboyyi noted that if the country neglects education, there would be dire consequences.

Speaking on the objective of the meeting, he said the commission is bringing together key stakeholders to in order to have a functional relationship with the private sector, in which the sector understands its activities and challenges in the basic education subsector.

He also lamented that there is 29 per cent reduction in the number of teachers in Nigeria’s basic school system following the COVID-19 pandemic that plagued the country recently.

He noted that part of the interface with the organised private sector is to work out a programme that can be beneficial to the development of basic education in Nigeria, in the areas of quality, expanding access and finding equity for the physically challenged.

He also implored stakeholders to invest in the smart school initiative to build the technological capacity of the young population.

The Head Oando Foundation, Mrs. Adegoke Adekanla, commended UBEC for its commitment towards advancing basic education in the country.

Adekanla said the commitment of Oando Foundation also aligns with the broader initiative to strengthen the Universal Basic Education, UBE, programme through collaborative partnerships between the public and private sectors.

Represented by an official of the foundation, Mr. Ede Okechukwu, she stressed that “Basic education forms the foundation upon which all other forms of learning and development rest. It is the fundamental right of every child and the cornerstone of a prosperous and equitable society. Access to quality basic education is not just a goal; it is a moral imperative that shapes the future of nations.

“The involvement of the private sector, as emphasized by UBEC, is instrumental in enhancing the pool of resources for UBE implementation. This collaboration is not only an acknowledgment of the unique strengths and capabilities that non-state actors bring to the table but also a testament to the recognition that effective partnerships are indispensable for achieving better results in development initiatives, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17.

“Most recently through our lead role in the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) Education Cluster. We are eager to actively contribute to the shared goal of ensuring quality basic education for every child in Nigeria.”

Mohammed Shosanya

One of the multinational oil companies on  Nigeria, Shell has said that  it will continue to support education in Nigeria building on its scholarship and allied programmes which have helped thousands of Nigerians to acquire skills for leadership positions since the 1950s.