Education
Increased efforts from parents, teachers, students crucial for upcoming academic session — Lagos Govt
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Permanent-Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic Education, Abayomi Abolaji, highlighted the crucial role that increased efforts from parents, teachers, and students will play in the upcoming academic session.
With the commencement of the 2023/2024 academic session on Monday, September 4, under the new harmonised academic school calendar, all schools in Lagos State are gearing up for a fresh start.
The Permanent-Secretary stressed the importance of active participation from parents in supporting their children’s education.
Abolaji emphasised the need for parents to actively engage in their children’s education. By providing support and guidance, parents can create a conducive learning environment at home.
This involvement can range from helping with homework to attending parent-teacher meetings and staying updated on their child’s progress.
Abolaji urged teachers to employ effective teaching methods that cater to the diverse learning needs of their students.
Furthermore, the Permanent-Secretary highlighted the importance of dedication and commitment to studies from students. He encouraged students to take ownership of their education and strive for excellence. By developing good study habits, setting goals, and seeking assistance when needed, students can maximize their learning potential.
Abolaji emphasised the significance of a collaborative approach among all stakeholders in the education sector. By working together, parents, teachers, and students can create a holistic educational experience that nurtures the overall development of students.
The Permanent-Secretary acknowledged the challenges faced by the education sector, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. He assured that the Lagos State Ministry of Basic Education is committed to providing necessary support and resources to ensure a smooth and successful academic session.
In addition to academic development, the Permanent-Secretary emphasised the need for a well-rounded education. He encouraged schools to prioritise extracurricular activities that promote physical, social, and emotional growth among students.
He reiterated the importance of sustained efforts from all stakeholders to create an educational system that prepares students for the challenges of the modern world.
However, the upcoming academic session in Lagos State calls for increased efforts from parents, teachers, and students. By fostering a collaborative approach and prioritising active participation, effective teaching methods, and dedication to studies, the education sector in Lagos State can continue to thrive and contribute to the overall development of its students.
Abolaji said, ‘’In September, we will be starting a new academic calendar; 2023/2024 session, and we urge parents, teachers and even the students to continue to contribute their quota.
”Our parents, we know times are tough, but let’s remember that these students are our future and it is most important that we plan and lay a good foundation for them.
“I, therefore, urge them to keep on assisting in all the way that these children need to fly, as they need us to provide them with that wing and air to flap the wing in order for them to sower.
“So, putting all of these together, our parents should realise that what they are doing now is securing the future of these children and ensuring that their future is not truncated.”
He noted that collective effort would help the education system in Lagos State to be further strengthened.
According to him, this will lead to better educational outcomes and a brighter future for all.
The Permanent-Secretary applauded teachers for their commitment and described the profession as a noble one, and encouraged them to do more for the students.
He said that the Lagos State Government (LASG) values, appreciates and recognises contributions of teachers, noting that they are key stakeholders to development of education in the state.
The Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has achieved a significant milestone in its academic journey, as the National Universities Commission (NUC) has accredited 12 of its undergraduate programmes.
According to the results of the accreditation exercise conducted between November and December 2023, 11 programmes received full accreditation, while one programme was granted interim accreditation.
The accredited programmes span across the Faculties of Arts, Social and Management Sciences, and the Faculty of Science, demonstrating the university’s commitment to academic excellence across various disciplines. The full accreditation status is valid for five years, while the programme with interim accreditation will be revisited in two years.q
The accreditation exercise was conducted by the NUC, and the results were signed by Ag. Director of Accreditation, Engr. Abraham Chundusu, on behalf of the Executive Secretary.
The university community and the public have been informed of this achievement, which is expected to boost the university’s reputation and attract more students to its accredited programmes.
The programmes that secured full accreditation include: Business Administration, History and International Studies, Demogragraphy and Social Statistics, Economics, Political Science and Sociology. The rest are Applied Geophysics, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics. On the other hand, the programme with interim accreditation would be fully accredited in the next two years.
While speaking on the development, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Muhammad Zaiyan Umar, “expressed delight over the results. He was optimistic that the other programme with interim accreditation would achieve full accreditation in the next two years.”
The Vice Chancellor “expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who participated in the exercise. He thanked the Management of FUBK, Deans, Directors and Heads of Department. He also appreciated staff and students of the University for their support and cooperation which contributed to the success of the exercise.”
The NUC report revealed that “Section 10 (1) of the education (national minimum standard and establishment of Institutions) Act CAP 3LE3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, empowers the NUC to lay down Minimum Academic Standards for all academic programmes taught in Nigerian Universities and also to accredite such programmes.”
“The implementation of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) commenced in 2023/2024 academic session. The University is expected to ensure compliance in the utilisation of the CCMAS for all programmes.”
The Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has a new substantive Vice Chancellor in the person of Prof. Shaykh-Lukman Alade Jimoh.
The appointment was made by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, following the outcome of the screening exercise conducted by the university’s governing council, in which Prof. Shaykh-Lukman emerged as the top candidate.
Prof. Shaykh-Lukman, 60, has been serving as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university and was previously the Deputy Vice Chancellor between 2020 and 2022.
He brings to the position decades of experience as an administrator and university scholar, with a stellar academic record that includes several honours and awards.
Some of his notable academic achievements include being the Best Graduating Student of the Department of Religions at the University of Ilorin in 1988, as well as receiving the University Undergraduate Scholarship Award and University Scholar awards in 1987/1988.
The appointment has been widely welcomed by the university community, with many expressing confidence in Prof. Shaykh-Lukman’s ability to lead the institution to greater heights.
He is a Fellow and member of many professional bodies such as Chartered Institute of Public Advocacy and Management and Council of Experts for International Centre on Contemporary Research in Islamic Sciences (United Kingdom).
Shaykh-Lukman hails from Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The Governor also approved for the Kwara State College of Education Ilorin to transmute into the University of Education for ease of take off and other logistic advantages.
“The government will continue ongoing efforts to transform the two other colleges of education and make them more viable in line with current realities in the sector,” according to a statement from the Government House.
Recall that the decision on the location of the university comes a few days after the governor assented to the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (Establishment) and Kwara State University of Education (Establishment) Bills, effectively birthing a teaching hospital and the university of education.
The signing took place in Government House in Ilorin in the presence of House of Assembly Speaker Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu; Majority Leader Hon. Oba AbdulKadir Magaji; and the Clerk of the House AbdulKareem Ahmed; and a member of the Committee on the Establishment of Kwara State University of Education/Special Adviser (Special Duties) Abdulrazaq Jiddah.
By Matthew Denis
The Management of National Youths Service Corp (NYSC) has described the trending New uniform on social media as fake news and baseless.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa which was made available to Newsmen on Friday.
The statement Reads ” the attention of NYSC Management has been drawn to a fake tiktok video trending online indicating that Corps Members’ uniform has been changed to a new one.
“For clarity sake, NYSC Management wish to State categorically that all the items of Corps Members’ uniforms that they collect on arrival during registration at the Orientation Camps remain the same.
It further urged Members of the public, especially Prospective Corps Members are hereby advised to disregard the misleading and highly embarrassing tiktok video in its entirety, as efforts are on-going on the distribution of uniforms and other essential variables to all the 37 NYSC Orientation Camps across the country in preparation for the forthcoming 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Orientation Course.
Recall that the Federal Government approved for the improvement in the quality of the material used in sowing Corps Members’ uniform. This is already done and Corps Members are already enjoying the improved quality.
“Social Media Influencers are strongly warned to desist forthwith, from using NYSC Corporate brand in any online medium that may attract negative publicity to the Scheme, while defaulters would be prosecuted according to legal provisions.”
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