Connect with us

Education

Tertiary institutions mandatory to embrace PPP in rebuilding infrastructure– Lai Mohammed

Published

on

Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has called for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in rebuilding and reinvigorating infrastructure in tertiary institutions across the country.

Mohammed made the call on Tuesday at the unveiling of the refurbished and equipped Lecture Theatres at the Faculty of Science at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the refurbishing and equipping of the lecture theatres were the initiative of a Platform Capital, a private firm.

Represented by Mr Buki Ponle, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the minister said despite the best efforts of government, there is still a discernible infrastructure gap across the nation’s tertiary institutions, including universities.

According to the minister, many structures and facilities on campuses are today in decay due to neglect over the years.

“This much, President Muhammadu Buhari, stressed at the 33rd Convocation Ceremony of the University of Calabar.

” The president advised Nigerian universities to find creative ways of exploiting the existing Public-Private Partnership policy to meaningfully bridge the infrastructure gaps existing on their campuses.

“Platform Capital has singled itself out for commendation by this initiative of refurbishing, renovating, refitting and equipping AJOSE, BOOA and BOOB Lecture Theatres as well as White House, Faculty of Science,” he said.

The minister described the refurbishing of the lecture theatres by the organisation at a time of grave economic challenge as a  heartening development between a university community and a good corporate citizen.

He commended the management and staff of Platform Capital for embarking on the project and seeing it through to completion for the overall benefit of the university community.

” It is especially heartwarming that the project was funded, redesigned, project-managed and delivered by Platform Capital.

“This is  a pointer to the limitless opportunities offered by close collaboration between government and the private sector
to drive growth and development across sectors and institutions in the country.

“Platform Capital is indeed truly true to its core values—–” To be our brother’s keeper, to be loyal, authentic, build capacity and knowledge,” the minister said.

Mohammed also called on other players in the private sector to drive corporate social responsibility initiatives which would impact positively host communities.

The minister further commended the university’s Council and Management for working in unison with Platform Capital in bringing the project to fruition.

The minister, however, urged the management of the university and the students to ensure adequate and proper maintenance of the facilities.

” The story of initiating and sustaining public infrastructure in the country over the years has been an unedifying one with projects built with humongous sums left to rot away due to lack of maintenance.

“We must change this unhappy narrative and one way to do this is for beneficiaries to take ownership of such projects.

“My charge, therefore,  to members of the Obafemi Awolowo University community, particularly the students, is to take ownership of these structures and ensure they do not return to the decrepit state they were before the intervention by Platform Capital,” he said.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, commended the Chairman of   Platform Capital, Dr Akintoye Akindele, for the initiative.

” I do not know how to thank Dr Akindele for all he has done or what he is going to do for his alma mater, but, certainly, his love and labour shall not be in vain,” he said.

Ogunbodede also urged stakeholders in the education sector to emulate Akindele by supporting the university in any way they deem fit.

” I humbly appeal to the government at all tiers to invest more funds in the education sector so that other aspects of our socioeconomic life would be rejuvenated,” he said.

Also speaking, Akindele said the initiative of refurbishing the lecture theatres was borne out of his desire to give back to society.

Akindele, who is an alumnus of the university, said that majority of those in his set in the university benefitted from free education and must now give back to society.

” To him who much is given, much is expected. The majority of us benefitted from free education and now is the time for us to give back.

” I am glad to have the privilege of giving back to society,” he said.

The Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, on his part, commended the management of Platform Capital for renovating the lecture theatres.

Abolarin also called on other private organisations to support the government in rebuilding infrastructure in tertiary institutions across the country.

Also speaking, the President of Great Ife Alumni, Mr Wale Olaleye, who commended Akindele for being passionate about the development of the institution,  urged other stakeholders in the education sector to emulate the good gesture.

Olaleye said that the efforts of the university management and the government could not be over-emphasised in uplifting the state of universities across the country.

He said the association would continue to pay its “debt” in uplifting infrastructure in the university. (NAN)

 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Education

OISD Empowers Teachers with Digital Literacy and AI Skills to Revolutionize Education in Nigeria

Published

on

OISD Empowers Teachers with Digital Literacy and AI Skills to Revolutionize Education in Nigeria

The Organization for Innovation and Sustainable Development (OISD) has taken a significant step toward transforming education in Nigeria by organizing a one-day special training on digital literacy for secondary school teachers in Abuja.

The event, held at the OISD Training Centre in Abuja, was designed to equip educators with essential digital skills and increase awareness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance their teaching impact.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Jamilu Yusuf Dan-Ummah, the Executive Director of OISD, introduced the theme of the program: “Empowering Educators: Advancing Digital Literacy and AI Awareness for Secondary School Impact.” He emphasized the critical role teachers play in shaping the future of education and the need to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Mr. Dan-Ummah highlighted that the objective of the training was to bridge the digital gap in classrooms by empowering teachers with the knowledge and tools to integrate digital literacy and AI-driven solutions into their teaching methods.

According to him, educators must stay ahead of technological advancements to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

“This training is a response to the growing demand for educators who can leverage digital tools and AI to deliver effective learning experiences. Our goal is to ensure that teachers are not just aware of these technologies but are also capable of applying them to improve student outcomes,” Mr. Dan-Ummah stated.

The program brought together secondary school teachers from various schools across Abuja, providing them with hands-on training on essential digital tools, interactive learning platforms, and AI concepts.

Facilitators at the event shared insights on how to use technology to make lessons more engaging, foster critical thinking, and prepare students for a technology-driven world.

The event concluded with participants expressing their appreciation for the training and the actionable insights they gained. Some of the teachers highlighted the importance of continuous capacity-building programs to keep up with emerging educational trends.

Continue Reading

Education

Army chief charges junior officers to be enterprising and resourceful

Published

on

Nigerian Army Debunks Reports of Mass Resignation, Clarifies Discharge Process

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has charged students of the Junior Course 98 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, to be enterprising, diligent and resourceful.

Oluyede gave the charge while addressing the students at their regimental dinner night on Wednesday in Jaji, Kaduna State.

According to him, possessing the attributes will enable them build successfully on their career and personal lives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dinner night is one of the major events lined up for the graduation of the students on Friday.

Oluyede said the objective of the college was to develop the professional knowledge and understanding of selected officers to prepare them for staff and command appointments.

He said the officers in the last 23 weeks had learnt some vital concepts like counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, estimate process and manoeuvring approach to warfare and peace support operations.

“It is also gratifying that you learnt the rudiments of time management, perseverance, determination, team spirit, staff work, and self-confidence and most importantly, discipline while on this course.

“Your leadership, dedication and ability to inspire and guide your teams are essential to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and excellence.

”As junior leaders, you must be able to inspire confidence in subordinates and not lead through intimidation or be overtly coercive.

“Your impact significantly contributes to the overall plan and objectives at the operational and strategic levels, “he said.

The army chief congratulated the students on the successful completion of their course

NAN reports that prizes were given to students who distinguished themselves

Continue Reading

Education

Wike backs amendment of TET Fund Act to accommodate Nigerian Law School

Published

on

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has backed ongoing calls for the amendment of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET Fund) to accommodate the Nigerian Law School in its interventions.

Wike announced the support at the inauguration of the construction of 10-unit housing staff quarters for the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Abuja, on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister also handed over seven operation vehicles to the school to improve its operation.

The minister said that the amendment of the TET Fund Act to accommodate the Nigerian Law School was long overdue, considering its contribution to the development of the legal profession.

“This is a professional training school. So, we will give all the necessary support that the Fund be amended for the law school to benefit from its special intervention funds.

“If that happens, I am sure the difference will be clear. The school will have the money it requires to provide critical infrastructure,” he said.

Wile also called for increased budgetary provisions for the Nigerian Law School to enable the school to carry out infrastructural development for quality service delivery.

He explained that the provision of staff quarters and operational vehicles to the law school in Bwari was directed by President Bola Tinubu.

He added that the institution also belongs to the Federal Government, and as such, there was nothing wrong in providing the needed infrastructure to uplift the school.

The minister also promised to build 200-bed male and female hostels for the Nigerian Laws School, Bwari.

According to him, the current hostels are not fit for the training of professional lawyers for the Nigerian legal profession

He said that the funds for the construction of the hostels would be captured in the FCTA’s 2025 budget.

He called on those who might not be happy with the support being given to the judiciary and legal education to wait for their turn.

He said: “If anybody is angry with us, let him wait for his turn. When you become the Minister of FCT, do it for your own profession.

“I am not going to be intimidated by anybody.

“Now that we are in this position, we must contribute to our constituency so that tomorrow, we will be able to say, while we were there, this was our own contribution as far as our constituency, the legal profession is concerned.”

He thanked Tinubu for giving him all the support he needs to succeed as the minister of the FCT.

Also, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, equally frowned at the non-inclusion of the Nigerian Law School as a benefiting institution.

“If you look at the laws setting up TET Fund, the Nigerian Law School is not included, and I think the time has come to amend the Act to include the Nigerian Law School.

“This will enable the school benefit for the TET Fund intervention funds,” he said.

Fagbemi thanked Wike, whom he described as “Mr Project” for all the support to the judiciary and the legal profession.

“Whether or not you like him, you cannot dispute the fact that he is a performer, and one person you will always know where he stands, no matter what, even if you don’t agree with him.

“Another thing is, he does not embark on any project he has no money to complete,” he said.

He appealed to other public office holders to extend a similar gesture to the Nigerian Law School to enable the school to maintain high standards in the training of legal professionals.

On his part, the Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isah Chiroma, recalled that he had appealed to Wike for infrastructural support when he assumed office in August 2023.

“This project, is therefore, a promise made and a promise kept. The housing and operational vehicles will go a long way in assisting the school to achieve its mandate,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary, said that staff quarters would consist of a fully furnished four-bedroom bungalow, and expected to be completed in nine months.

Continue Reading

You May Like

Copyright © 2024 Acces News Magazine All Right Reserved.

Verified by MonsterInsights