Education
Private universities deserve to benefit from TETFUND — Prof Luke Onuoha
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Professor of Accounting and Management Sciences, Professor Luke Onuoha has called for the repositioning of Tertiary Education Tax Funds (TETFUND) as a strategic provider of funds for all universities in the country using appropriate competitive parameters such as quality research and output.
Delivering the 43rd inaugural lecture of Babcock University on Thursday, Professor Onuoha further said that the annual appropriation of TETFUND to the universities should be structured to allow federal universities get 50 per cent of each year’s available funds on the basis of their actual approved carrying capacity; 25 per cent of the funds to the state and private universities on the basis of their actual approved enrolment capacity and the remaining 25 per cent to all three categories of universities on the basis of actual research quality and output.
According to him, “Since TETFUND revenue comes from the tax payers, it should not discriminate against private universities; rather it should be available for all academics with acceptable research proposals.
“Enough of making private university lecturers play second fiddle in the matter of research engagement. TETFUND should stand out as a strategic partner to all academics, irrespective of whether they teach in public or private universities,” he said
Speaking on “Financing Higher Education in Nigeria: A Call for Critical Review and Sustainable Funding Engagement,” Professor Onuoha said TETFUND Management should henceforth incorporate an inspection unit whose responsibilities would include statutory visits to universities through which they ascertain the judicious application of the appropriations made to the various institutions.
“A negative report of the inspection unit should be seen as basis to deny or delay future disbursements to a particular institution in breach,” he added.
Onuoha urged federal government to borrow a leaf from the experience of other climes like UK, USA and South Africa where higher education funding is determined competitively based on research reality and output.
“That is the way our higher institutions can be repositioned as proud centres of excellence, producing graduates with cutting edge skills requisite for the country’s development,” he stated.
He said the federal government should set up competitive scholarship awards to bright students not minding whether they are enrolled full time in public or private universities. Professor Onuoha also urged universities’ managements to begin to take well considered risks with a view to creating residual earnings to generate funds for general operations.
“The university space is a huge market that, if well harnessed, would fund many operations of the system without waiting for government or other hand-outs. Some private universities have epitomized this example and more rooms still exist at many institutions,” he said.
He also urged parents who may not have opportunity of one form of scholarship or the other, to be intentional and strategic with the choice of institutions to which they send their wards, and how they plan the funding of their wards’ education.
“Family heads should consider accruing funds for school fees over several months through personal compulsory savings or they should embrace a systematic approach to meeting school fees obligations and desist from running helter skelter looking for money to pay tuition fees only a night or two prior to the sessional examinations, or a few days before their wards’ return to school,” he advised.
The Kwara State Government has warned principals of Junior Secondary Schools and head teachers of primary schools across the state against illegal charges for the state placement examination (Common Entrance).
Any violator will face the full wrath of the law, the state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, warned on Tuesday in her office in Ilorin.
She emphasized that the common entrance is free and government will not tolerate anyone or group of people extorting money, under any guise, from the pupils because the examination is fully sponsored by the state government.
Hajia Modibbo Kawu urged the principals and head teachers to desist from all acts that could dent the image of the state government.
She also cautioned them against aiding and abetting examination malpractices, stating that the present administration has zero tolerance for examination malpractices.
The commissioner implored the parents and guardians of the pupils to report any principal or head teacher with suspicious acts to her office directly, reiterating that her office is open to everyone.
By Saka Laaro, Ilorin
The University of Ilorin has announced the promotion of 40 of its senior academics to the rank of Professor.
The elevation, which was approved by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, was sequel to the recommendations of the University Appointment and Promotion Committee.
A statement from the Office of the Registrar said that the 40 distinguished scholars were found to have excelled in the realms of teaching, research and community service and subsequently promoted to the highest rank obtainable in the academia.
The breakdown of the beneficiaries of the promotion exercise shows that 11 of the new Professors are produced by the Faculty of Agriculture and they are Prof. Sidiqat A. Aderinoye-Abdulwahab, Prof. L. L. Adefalu,Prof. F. O. Takim and Prof. A. A. Badmos.
Others are Prof. Foluke E. Sola-Ojo, Prof. W. A. Jimoh, Prof. M. I. Abubakar, Prof. T. H. Aliyu, Prof. R. O. Uddin II, Prof. T. O. Amusa and Prof. Mutiat A. Balogun.
From the Faculty of Arts are Prof. K. M. U. Gbodofu, Prof. Y. A. Abdullahi, Prof. Abosede R. O. Babatunde, Prof. Bolanle E. Arokoyo, and Prof. P. U. Nwosu while the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences produced Prof. A. S. Alabi, who teaches at the Department of Anatomy.
Two Lecturers from the Faculty of Clinical Sciences were also elevated to the rank of Professor and they are Prof. T. O. Olanrewaju and Prof. O. A. M. Adesiyun.
The Faculty of Communication & Information Science also produced two new Professors through Prof. Tinuke O. Oladele and Prof. Saudat S. Abdulbaqi while those promoted from the Faculty of Education are Prof. O. O. Okoji, Prof. Folakemi O. Adeniyi-Egbeola and Prof. Florence O. Daramola
From the Faculty of Engineering and Technology are Prof. A. T. Ajiboye, Prof. A. Y. Abdulrahman, Prof. M. O. Sumonu, Prof. Rasheedat M. Mahamood and Prof. T. K. Ajiboye.
The Faculty of Law produced one new Professor in the person of Prof. A. C. Onuora-Oguno.
The Faculty of Life Sciences produced four new professors. They are Prof. M. O. Nafiu, Prof. Faoziyat A. Sulaiman, Prof. Risikat Nike Ahmed, and Prof. I. O. Sule.
Those promoted from the Faculty of Management Sciences are Prof. M. A. Ajayi and Prof. Rihanat I. Abdulkadir as the Faculty of Physical Sciences also produced two new professors through Prof. Haleemat I. Adegoke and Prof. O. A. Abidoye.
The promotion of Prof. Monisola A. Tunde of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management was also confirmed while the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine also produced one of the new Professors in the person of Prof. Z. Jaji from the Department of Veterinary Anatomy.
Education
Student Union election turns deadly: One student flees for life, parents killed in tragic attack
In the quiet town of Ekiadolor, the College of Education became a battleground as student politics turned deadly. Odunuga Gbenga, a promising student, found himself thrust into the chaos of campus conflict.
It all began innocently enough when Gbenga was nominated as a contestant for the Student Union presidency. Little did he know that this simple act would plunge him into a nightmare.
During the election, tensions ran high as rival factions clashed violently. What was supposed to be a democratic process spiraled into chaos, with reports of killings, rapes, and riots echoing across the school grounds.
In fear for his life, Gbenga fled the campus, seeking refuge in the familiar embrace of his parents’ home in Edo State. But safety eluded him as darkness fell on that fateful night.
Under the cover of midnight, a group of assailants descended upon Gbenga’s home, shattering the peace of the night. In a desperate bid for survival, Gbenga fought bravely, but the odds were against him.
Tragically, Gbenga’s valiant efforts were in vain. Though he managed to escape, his beloved parents were not as fortunate. The attackers, driven by unknown motives, mercilessly took the lives of Mr. Samuel Odunuga and Mrs. Taiwo Odunuga, leaving a family shattered and a community reeling in shock.
Since that harrowing night in 2023, the search for Gbenga has consumed the hearts and minds of his grieving family. Their plea echoes through the pages of this newspaper, a desperate cry for justice and closure in the face of unspeakable tragedy.
Bribery allegations: Kano court fixes date for Ganduje’s arraignment
Juventus sack Allegri after Italian Cup triumph
Nigeria’s money supply dropped to N92.3trn in March – CBN
Court orders Sen. Victor Umeh to repay N136m bank debt to AMCON
UNDP, FG partnership needed to achieve inclusion, equity- Minister
Rt.briscoe, FBNH, Others halts negative performance of stock market
-
Finance4 months ago
Court orders Sen. Victor Umeh to repay N136m bank debt to AMCON
-
Abuja Update3 months agoUNDP, FG partnership needed to achieve inclusion, equity- Minister
-
capital market2 years ago
Rt.briscoe, FBNH, Others halts negative performance of stock market
-
Abuja Update2 months ago
Banks drive stock market performance with N147bn gain
-
Health1 month ago
Capacity training will reduce migration of health workers- NPHCDA
-
Submission Guidelines4 months ago
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: POETRY COLUMN-NND
-
Business4 weeks ago
Tingo Group unveils Tingo Electric, Tingo Cola drink at Lagos launch
-
News4 months ago
Oil thieves sponsoring malicious media campaign against Navy – Spokesman
