WHICH IS WORSE?...ASUU'S 5-MONTH OLD STRIKE OR JONATHAN'S MILITARY ORDERS?...WILL ASUU SEEK RESTRAINING ORDER FROM COURT?...WHAT IF NLC COMPOUNDS THE MATTER?

Govt orders varsity teachers to resume work before Dec. 

• Directs VCs to sack, advertise vacancies
• ASUU says threat may prolong strike

FUMING at the failure of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its strike, the Federal Government yesterday directed the immediate reopening of all its universities.
  It also directed that the position of any teacher who does not resume by December 4, 2013 should be declared vacant and advertised.
  The Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, made the position of the government known while briefing journalists yesterday in Abuja.
  But the ASUU yesterday dared the Federal Government, insisting that the strike was a legal action. It warned that the threat would only make the strike to linger.
  Wike said: “All vice-chancellors of the federal universities that are currently on strike should immediately reopen for academic and allied activities as directed by pro-chancellors.
  “Any academic member of staff who fails to resume on or before December 4, 2013 automatically ceases to be an employee of the institution.
  “Vice-chancellors should ensure that members of staff who resume for work are provided with the enabling environment for academic and allied activities.”     
  The minister also directed the National Universities Commission (NUC) to monitor the compliance of the directives by the various institutions.
  He revealed that as a responsible government, “we cannot allow the continuous closure of our public universities for this length of time (five months), as this poses a danger to the educational system, the future of our youths and national development.”
   Wike noted that the Federal Government had met all its commitments and obligations with respect to the FG/ASUU 2009 Agreement.
  “The Federal Government initiated a series of meetings between her team led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), including the Ministers of Education, Finance, and Labour and Productivity, and other top government officials with the executive of ASUU. It should be noted that a joint Senate and House Committee on Education also intervened without success. A committee was also inaugurated for the implementation of the Needs Assessment Report.
   “As a further demonstration of government’s commitment to resolving the crisis, His Excellency, Namadi Sambo, GCON, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on behalf of the Federal Government, intervened and invited ASUU to the meeting where the two contentious issues of Earned Allowances and Funding, for the revitalisation of the universities, were discussed and resolutions reached. There was still no positive response for ASUU.
  “Consequently, on November 4, 2013, in a 13-hour meeting, His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, met with ASUU executive, Labour union leaders from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), where all the issues were resolved and firm commitments were made to address the lingering issues.”      

He noted that the President’s gestures were enough to guarantee the commitment of government to addressing all issues as resolved at the meetings.
  “At the end of the meeting with the President, the ASUU executive promised to meet with its NEC to present all the resolutions reached and report back by Friday, November 8, 2013. It is unfortunate that while travelling to attend the NEC meeting in Kano, we lost a key member and former President of the union, Prof. Festus Iyayi. Government sympathises with the family of the late Iyayi and ASUU.”
   He, however, revealed that three weeks after the meeting with the President, ASUU responded by giving new conditions for suspending the strike.
  He hinted that government had reviewed the situation and come to the conclusion that the continuation of the strike was an attempt by ASUU to sabotage all efforts to address the issues.
  But ASUU said the threat further buttressed its earlier claim that the Federal Government was not committed to implementing any resolutions it reached with the union.
  In his reaction, the National Treasurer of ASUU, Dr. Ademola Aremu, said the Federal Government was wasting the time of Nigerians and youths in the country by failing to perfect the resolutions and get the strike suspended.
  The union said it had reasons to be wary following the failure of government to honour its promises to polytechnic teachers, resident doctors, and health workers who have suspended their strikes.
  ASUU added that the threat was an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians who were waiting for the Federal Government for positive reaction.
  “With the latest action, the Federal Government has shown that it is not committed to its word. We are saying that since we agreed at the meeting that the sum of N200 billion is for 2012 and 2013 revitalisation, the Federal Government should deposit same in the Central Bank of Nigeria. We are already in November and December is around the corner. If they don’t do that now, when do they want to do it? We are saying the non-victimisation clause should be included as agreed while the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement should be included as agreed with the President.
  “It is a pity if the Federal Government is not willing to perfect the resolutions reached with the union. This is why we find it difficult to trust our leaders by their words. How can someone be threatening to sack lecturers when universities are already short-staffed by almost 60,000? We are not in a military era.   The military tried it and failed. This one will fail again. Government can reopen the schools. ASUU did not shut down the universities. It was the school management that ordered the students to go back home.”
   Aremu berated Wike, saying it was a shame that the Federal Government would wait for four months to take any step and scuttle the strike through military orders.
  “We are saying the government should show commitment to the resolutions. It should address the issues before it: we are not demanding any extra kobo. This is another long path to make the strike linger more than necessary.”
  Meanwhile, Ekiti students in tertiary institutions who were tired of the strike yesterday took their case to God.
  They held a prayer session and sought divine intervention in the impasse. The session, held at Lady Jibowu Hall, Ekiti Government House, had in attendance the Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu and some clerics.
  In her remarks, the deputy governor noted that the students did the right thing by taking their petition to God. She described as unfortunate that both parties to the dispute – ASUU and the Federal Government – remained adamant despite interventions from well-meaning Nigerians.

GUARDIAN

REMINDERS FOR JAMB 2014/2015... REGISTRATION/EXAM DATE,RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS TO BE READ FOR USE OF ENGLISH...AND NOTES ON APPROVED REGISTRATION CENTERS!

[caption id="attachment_19156" align="alignleft" width="400"] Prof Dibu_Ojerinde...JAMB[/caption]

To Students, Parents,Schools,Churches and Mosques…Here Are Reasons/ Advantages of Registering Your Wards for Jamb 2014 Through Our Centre (Edupedia Associates) (lagosbooksclub.wordpress.com)

2014 Jamb Tips For University Admissions...Read Before Filling Your Jamb Registration Forms! (lagosbooksclub.wordpress.com)

A.JAMB 2014/2015 REGISTRATION/EXAM DATE

  The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)  began the sale of application forms into the nation’s tertiary Institutions a while ago. The early sale of the application forms is to enable Nigerians desirous of tertiary education have access to the forms so that they could prepare ahead for the examination slated for April, 2014.

According to a statement issued in Abuja by JAMB’s spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, the two modes of tests hitherto conducted by JAMB- the Paper and Pencil Test (PPT) and Computer Based Test (CBT) – are still opened to prospective candidates for the 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Candidates across the globe who have successfully completed their secondary school education with a minimum of six (6) credits, including the English Language and Mathematics, are expected to obtain the forms at the designated banks and register with the approved cyber cafés across Nigeria and at the Nigeria High Commission Offices in Ghana, United Kingdom (UK), South Africa (SA), Cameroon, Jeddah and Biu.

Candidates are urged to ensure that their data are well captured at the cyber cafés and their subject choices are accurately entered. The JAMB Registrar, Prof. ‘Dibu Ojerinde, urged parents, guardians and café operators to ensure that candidates are well guided in the filling of the forms to avoid wrong filling and unwholesome practices that may affect their choices.

B.RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS  FOR USE OF ENGLISH

The public is also urged to note that candidates will be tested on two general books to enhance their reading culture, irrespective of their courses. The books are

1.The Successor by Jerry Agada 

2.Potter’s Wheel by Chukwuemeka Ike

C.TO CHECK FOR APPROVED REGISTRATION CENTERS

CLICK HERE.....http://jamb.org.ng/unifiedtme/RegistrationCentres.aspx

a.Do not turn yourself into a victim of fake jamb registration/ scratch card!

b. For the 2014 UTME Biometrics, only DIGITAL PERSONA scanner will be allowed for finger prints capture.

c. No registered center allowed to charge more than N700 from candidates. This amount  includes printing of 2 copies of your e-slip.

RELATED ARTICLES

To Students, Parents,Schools,Churches and Mosques…Here Are Reasons/ Advantages of Registering Your Wards for Jamb 2014 Through Our Centre (Edupedia Associates) (lagosbooksclub.wordpress.com)

2014 Jamb Tips For University Admissions...Read Before Filling Your Jamb Registration Forms! (lagosbooksclub.wordpress.com)

BREAKING!...LECTURER ARRESTED AS KOGI SPIRITUAL LEADER FOR BOKO HARAM DENIES POLICE CLAIMS...WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH?

Lecturer, 4 other suspects paraded as Boko Haram members  

Nigeria’s Department of State Services said it uncovered a Boko Haram cell in the central Nigerian state of Kogi and arrested five persons, including a university teacher.

Miss Marilyn Ogar, the Deputy Director, Public Relations Department of State Services, claimed in Abuja that the suspects were allegedly plotting to launch violent attacks in Igalaland in Kogi.

She said the don, identified as Muhammed Yunus, taught Arabic and Islamic Studies at the Kogi state University, Ayingba.



Ogar, who presented the suspects to newsmen, said that three of the suspects were arrested in a mosque in Zuba, FCT, while two others were arrested in Jos and Kogi respectively.

She said one of the suspects, the lecturer, was the spiritual leader and recruitment coordinator while others were head of operations/instructor, chief courier and foot soldiers in Kogi.

“We want to enjoin all Nigerians to be vigilant and continue to cooperate with security agencies through the provision of useful information of suspicious activities within their immediate environment.

“The war on terror is still on; this service, in collaboration with other security agencies, will not rest on their oars until we rid our society of criminality.



Ogar urged parents, who sent their children for Islamic teaching after school, to be very careful of the people they chose as their teachers.

She said they should take time to investigate the teachings so as to ensure that their children were not being taught what the parents did not practise.

The lecturer, who was alleged to be the spiritual leader/recruitment coordinator of the group, denied knowing anything about the sect but admitted that he held several preaching sessions.

“ I have never been a member of Boko Haram for one minute in my life, I even preach against them,” he said.

Other members confessed to be members of the sect and that they were on their way for training in Maiduguri when they were arrested at Zuba.

One of the suspects said he joined the group in May and was employed by the sect on a salary of N50,000 per month.

PM NEWS

PREGNANT AT 18, BEST GRADUATING STUDENT AT 25...IS SHE AN ICON TO EMULATE?

[caption id="attachment_23264" align="alignleft" width="400"] Aishat with her son, Damilola[/caption]

Seven years after an unwanted pregnancy forced her to drop out of the University of Ilorin, Aishat Farooq emerges the best graduating student of the Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, reports Temitayo Famutimi

When Aishat Farooq gained admission into the University of Ilorin at 15, to study Zoology, little did she know that she was not going to be an alumnus of the institution. That was in 2003.

Despite the fact that she was a high flyer in her first two years in UNILORIN, the now 25-year-old indigene of Ilorin West-Local Government Area of Kwara State got distracted along the line. She played the campus love game and got a shocking result: she got pregnant.

It was in 2006 and in her third year. She was pregnant for a fellow student whom she had been dating. She was disappointed in herself and thought the whole world was crashing on her.  Yet, she vowed not to terminate the pregnancy.

Although she wanted to continue her studies in the university,  she became disillusioned and dropped out at 18. She sought consolation in trading.

But her father, Mr. Shehu Farooq, who believed that his daughter’s academic prowess should not be wasted,  was determined to get her back on the academic track.

Today, Aishat has a different story to tell. On Saturday, she stood tall among her peers at the 5th convocation ceremony of Bells University, Ota, Ogun State,  where she emerged the overall best graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.93.

“The rebel in me won,” she declared while giving the valedictory address on behalf of the 208 graduating students of the university.

“I hope my story will inspire at least one person to change his or her circumstance. I was pregnant at 18 and by 19 I was already a mother. I had disappointed my father who believed so much in me. He had such big dreams for me and feared the dreams would become unfulfilled,” she added.

Breaking the news of the pregnancy to her father,  who was at the time based in the northern part of the country, was not easy. Aishat’s mother, Fatima, who stayed in Lagos with the family, did not break the “sad news” to the man until the lady was almost due. The mum feared her husband would be too angry.

Fatima narrated to our correspondent, “Looking back, we knew her to be very brilliant. But all of a sudden she got pregnant. Though her father and I were always discussing on the telephone, I hid it from him. Whenever he said he would  be coming to Lagos to visit us, I  would quickly chip it in that I would  like to be the one to visit. So, I ensured I was the one always visiting him.

“That was how I managed the situation until the pregnancy was eight months. But even when we broke the news to him, he felt really bad. Although there was nothing he could do, he couldn’t go out for three days.”

Aishat studied Business Administration with specialisation in Human Resources Management, and received the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for the Overall Best Graduating Student with a cash reward of N50,000 and a plaque. She also won the College of Management Sciences Prize and Department of Business Administration Prize for the Best Graduating Student.

Speaking with our correspondent after she received the awards, Aishat, whose face beamed with smiles, expressed gratitude to her dad for not losing hope in her during her trying time.

She noted that the popularly-held notion that the child that goes astray belongs to the mother, while the good ones belong to the father, was not applicable in her situation as her father did not give up on her.

Asked why her dad had so much hoped in her, she stated that her history of academic excellence from childhood right to the university was a major driving force.

Aishat, who attended Nazareth Nursery and Primary School, Lagos; Penny International College, Lagos and Model Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja,  said she bagged several academic awards while growing up and noted that she secured admission to UNILORIN the same year she completed her secondary education.

She noted, “I did exceptionally well and bagged awards in the schools I attended. I had the overall best result at the Senior Secondary School Certificate level at Model Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja. In fact in UNILORIN, I was on the first class grade in my first year but in 200 Level, I dropped to second class upper division because I had already started getting distracted by the boys.

“It just happened that things turned out the way it did. But here I am, a product of God’s unending mercies, unconditional love and grace – all coupled with the faith my dad had in me and my fierce determination.

“I’m a goal getter. I push myself hard. Even here (BELLSTECH) in spite of being a mother, I was pushing for the best despite the challenges. I wanted to make my dad proud again. Once you are determined, nothing is impossible. Nothing can stop you.”

She said her decision to study Business Administration as against the sciences, which she was studying in UNILORIN, was informed by her two-year experience in the world of business after she dropped out of university.

She explained that incessant strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, however, informed her decision to attend a private university. “Age was no longer on my side and I wanted to do it fast. And my dad could afford it because he was a businessman,” she added.

Asked if she was involved in any relationship at the Bells, she explained that she was a popular “snob” on campus because the majority of male students were younger than her. Besides, she did not want to get distracted or disappoint her parents and herself again.

Aishat,  who has been posted to Lagos State to observe the mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme, said, “If you ask around you will be told that I was a snob. My favourite spot was my room. I rarely went out of the room for social events. I went to mosque. However, when I contested for the president of my departmental association, Business Administration Students Association, the Nigerian system worked against me.

“I lost to my male opponent. Although I had plans to take some giant strides if I won,  especially in the academic aspect for my fellow students, the fact that I was not the  type of person who hangs out worked against me. I didn’t have a social life.”

She said she has no plans for marriage for now. She wants to pursue a master’s degree programme in Human Resources in the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. She added that she also plans to work in a corporate environment to garner experience and afterwards go back to the university to teach “as a way of giving back.”

The second child in a family of eight children, Aishat brought her six-year-old son, Damilola, to the convocation. It was, however, learnt that the Edo State-born father of the boy has since got married to another woman.

She noted that her major challenge on campus was the randomness of classes which denied her the opportunity of spending quality time with her son while her stay in the university lasted.

“We had visiting professors who came into the campus at anytime. Although we had schedules, many of them had a bit of flexible time.  Sometimes on Sunday when I took permission to visit my child in Lagos, my classmates would call me up on the phone that there  was going to be a class. Because attendance is very important, I had to rush down. This affected me a little,” she added.

Aishat’s father advised parents to give their children and wards the best of tutelage and close monitoring. He noted that he least expected the feat achieved by his daughter as he was at a time disturbed that “she could no longer make it.”

Asked if it was  lack of adequate monitoring that made Aishat go astray at UNILORIN, he said,  “Let’s just say that is how God wants it. You see,  70 per cent of the fault is on us the parents. Parents should give their children good supervision and tutelage. With this, they cannot derail. I thank God for her because it’s is not easy to have raised her from grass to grace.

“I screamed on the phone the day I learnt she was pregnant. I started asking questions: When, where and how. I burst into tears. But today, she is a new being. And I know the mistake will not repeat itself. My expectations for her are that she should fly higher and higher.”

Some other graduands who distinguished themselves were also recognised at the convocation ceremony.

Kolawole Lawal,  who finished from the Department of Economics with a CGPA of 4.73, received the Olusegun Obasanjo’s Prize for being the best graduating student with outstanding academic performance and leadership qualities. Former President Obasanjo who is the Chief Promoter of the university, also attended the event.

Francis Sogunle,  from the Department of Computer Science, who had a CGPA of 4.74, received the Chancellor’s Prize for excelling in external competitions of academic nature.

At the ceremony, 208 students were awarded first degrees with Aishat and 13 others being conferred with first class degrees,  while 64 of them got second class upper degrees; 83 bagged second class lower; just as 43 were awarded third class degrees. Meanwhile four of the graduands finished with pass degrees.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Isaac Adeyemi, charged the graduates to be patriotic and dedicated to nation building.

“Our beloved country is currently going through a rather stressful period. All hands must be on deck to seek lasting solutions to militancy and insurgencies and disregard for the rule of law. This is the time to prove your worth as you can’t afford to fold your arms or sit on the fence,” he observed.

http://www.punchng.com/education/pregnant-at-18-best-graduating-student-at-25/

APPLYING TO JAMB FOR RE-MARK OF YOUR SCRIPT(S)? WATCH OUT!...SURELY THERE IS SOME NAKED CRAZINESS IN OUR COUNTRY!

How to apply for JAMB to re-mark your script

[caption id="attachment_8920" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Prof Dibu Ojerinde[/caption]

The Joint Admission Matriculation Board has release steps to take by candidates who are not satisfied with their 2013 UTME scores.

Sometimes ago, the Registrar of the examination board, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde had asked the 2013 JAMB UTME Candidates who feel their scripts were not well-marked by JAMB to apply for remarking and if any mistakes were found, JAMB would compensate candidate with the sum of N100,000.

The steps are as follows:

Step 1. Go to JAMB’s office, located in Abuja.

Step 2. You are to pay an application fee of N10,000, and a receipt will be issued to you.

Step 3. Your answer script  will be retrieved and re-marked in your presence.

NOTE: The initial N10,000 you will pay is not refundable if you were given the right score by JAMB.

Once your scripts are marked, there are two possibilities

1 .If you were scored correctly by JAMB, you'll lose your N10,000 and you should therefore look ahead toward another exam in 2014.


PLEASE TAKE NOTE BEFORE WASTING YOUR TIME AND MONEY TO ABUJA

a).Any script marked A or C WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED.ONLY SCRIPTS HAVING B,D,I,U or D,I,B,U qualify for remarking!

b)This arrangement might imply that if you do not have your result by now there is a very high possibility that your deposit might achieve nothing.


2.If  your script(s) qualifies and JAMB made a mistake by giving you a wrong score, this will prompt JAMB to officially apologize for its mistake and the inconvenience caused.The Board will not only officially recognize your actual score,but will also give a compensation of N100,000!

The procedure starts on the 3rd of June 2013..

By Feyi Afisunlu/DAILY POST


OTHER REMINDERS

1. Purchase of Change of Course/Institution Scratch Cards ends on Monday, June 3, 2013.


2. Purchase of Change of Course/Institution Scratch Cards ends on Tuesday, June 4, 2013.

This information was extracted from Jamb Official Website, you can read it in Jamb Official website by clicking on the link... http://www.jamb.org.ng/

3.HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR JAMB, POST UTME, O LEVEL COMPOSITE

Your Jamb score is allocated 50%, hence your jamb score is divided by 8. Your O level is 20%

It is calculated using the 5 core subjects as follows


*A1-6points
*B2-5
*B3-4
*C4-3
*C5-2
*C6-1

The total points is then mutiplied by 2/3.
Your Post utme score is multiplied by 0.3

Example: a candidate had 202 in Jamb and his O level goes thus. Maths-B3, Chemistry-C4, Biology- B2, English-C5, Physics-C6, Economic-B3, Geography-A1 and had 58% in the post utme.

To calculate his composite, this is how it’s done.

Jamb score divided by 8 i.e 202/8=25.25

For the O level, only 5 subjects (math, english, chemistry, biology, and physics) are needed. There he has Math-B3-4points,English-C5-2point,Chemistry-C4-3points,Biology-B2-5points, Physics-C6-1point

Total gross points for O level= 4+2+3+5+1=15. This score is then multiplied by 2/3 i.e 15 x 2/3=10.

His post utme score is multiplied by 0.3. I.e 58 x 0.3=17.4

Therefore, James composite is the sum of these 3 scores I.e Jamb+O’level+po­st utme. That is 25.25+10+17.4=5 ­2.65

Hence, the candidate's composite is 52.65

4..2013/2014 POST-UME CUT OFF MARKS FOR COURSES!

Below are the cut-off Marks for all Nigeria Universities

FACULTY OF SCIENCE COURSES: 50-60%

FACULTY OF BUSINESS ADMIN: 60%

FACULTY OF ARTS AND LANGUAGES: 50%

FACULTY OF PHARMACY: 60%

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES: 65% (EXCEPT MEDICINE 70%)

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING:65%

FACULTY OF EDUCATION: 50-55%

FACULTY OF LAW: 60-65%

FACULTY OF RELIGION(ARTS): 50%

FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 60%

FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES: 65%

These cut -off points/ranges are universal to all Federal and State Universities and are the minima anyone would need to score/achieve in their Post-UTME exam to have a shot at admission in their desired faculty. However, the benchmark can be increased or decreased depending on the average scores of candidates. Where the success rate is high, the first choice candidates will be given priority.

16,OOO CANCELLED JAMB RESULTS...THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION TALKS ABOUT UPHOLDING SOCIETAL VALUES WHILE HER SECOND IN COMMAND JOINS IN DOWNGRADING DEMOCRATIC VALUES...WHERE ARE WE GOING? WHO WILL USE THE BOOK THEY THEMSELVES DON'T BELIEVE IN?

Why 16,000 JAMB results were cancelled – Minister

[caption id="attachment_827" align="aligncenter" width="320"] Prof (Mrs) Ruqqayat Rufai (April 2010-Present)[/caption]

ABUJA — Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquayyatu Rufa’i, has explained that 16,000 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, results were cancelled by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, because of examination malpractices by the candidates.

Rufa’i spoke through Mr. Julius Ameh, yesterday, in Abuja, during the presentation of the Teachers’ Guide for the teaching of the National Values Curriculum, NVC,  in Basic Education, which was funded by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.

She said: ”We shall be resolute in our decisions as there shall be no sacred cows. Nobody, no matter how highly placed, will be allowed to get away with the breach of the law or perpetration of corruption and evil in our colleges and tertiary institutions.”

[caption id="attachment_1985" align="aligncenter" width="320"] Chief (Barr.) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike – Honourable Minister[/caption]

The minister said the inclusion of the guide into the numerous literature available in the education sector, especially on corruption and value orientation, was an indication of the premium which the administration placed on education and transparency in the conduct of government business.

She said: “It is also an eloquent testimony of the present administration’s determination to heal the wounds of the past quickly, put the ugly past behind and use the new NVC to stretch hands of fellowship to aggrieved Nigerians for complete reconciliation.“The Nigerian child must be encouraged and taught that integrity pays.”His self respect must be restored and his growth process rewarded through  mentoring and parental care.”” she added.

Chairman of ICPC, Ekpo Nta, in his address, said that the NVC was applicable at all levels of education and was designed to expose the Nigerian child to a value-based curriculum that incorporates ethical values into academic studies from the early years to adulthood.

“The curriculum has been infused into subjects and courses at basic, post-basic and teacher-education levels. It has also been infused into the curriculum of mass literacy and non-formal education,” he said. Nta further pointed out the need for teachers to be trained and properly oriented on the methodology and behavioural imperatives for imparting such values.

“We therefore, request commissioners for education and chairmen of SUBEB  to order for more copies of the teachers’ guide such that every school in the basic education system in each state is given enough copies for the use of teachers,” he added.

The Executive Secretary of National Educational Research Development Council, NERDC, Prof. Godwill Obioma, explained that the NVC as approved by the National Council on Education, NCE,  in 2004 was to educate young Nigerians on their duties, rights as well as obligations to themselves and the society.

He added that ICPC and NERDC developed the Teachers’ Guide to assist teachers as implementers of the NVC, to acquire the knowledge as well as serve as a source of materials for the teaching of the new ideas.

“The Teachers’ Guide is expected to make the implementation of the NVC easier for teachers. It is meant to serve as a resource material for the effective implementation of the NVC,” Obioma further said.

By CALEB AYANSINA/VANGUARD

LAGOS EDUCATION SUMMIT:WE RESPECT MRS EZEKWESILI BUT ALWAYS WONDER WHERE EDUCATIONAL STATS USED BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS COME FROM...AND WHY WAS NO MEANINGFUL REFERENCE MADE TO MASS CHEATING IN JAMB AND PRESENT PREDICAMENT OF STUDENTS?

56 Million Nigerians Illiterate –Ezekwesili  

[caption id="attachment_9006" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Oby-Ezekwesil[/caption]

Former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili says report has revealed that 56 million Nigerians are still illiterate and cannot read and write.

She spoke at the 3rd Lagos State Education Summit at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, southwest Nigeria on Tuesday. The summit has the theme: Qualitative Education in Lagos State: Raising the Standard.

According to Ezekwesili, Nigeria “accounts for 6 million out of 36 million school girls that cannot attend primary education worldwide. There are about 56 million illiterates in Nigeria. Primary school completion rate ranges between two percent to 92 percent depending on the state.”

She said the issue of bureaucracy was a major hindrance to raising the standard of education in the country, while lamenting the overwhelming power of the education minister with respect to decision-making at the unity schools, which she said, was the practice before her appointment.

Ezekwesili explained how she found out that 96 percent of the capital expenditure appropriated for the unity schools in the federation went into the construction of fences and toilets, among others and called for intensive, increased and meaningful efforts at developing public schools, showing data that more than 65 percent of Nigerians still depended on publicly funded secondary education while about 75 percent depended on publicly funded primary education.

She said when she became a minister, enrolment “was low; quality of education below standard; schools were not well-managed; and it displayed wide inequity in terms of gender enrolment, though differed across the states.”

Delivering his address on the occasion, Governor Babatunde Fashola explained that the government had not taken any decision on whether pupils would wear Hijab or not, adding that the emphasis was on what the children know and not what they wear.

According to him, government was mindful of the inequality in the society and thought also that  continuous investment in education would help to bridge those inequalities, adding that the results from public examinations from 2007 showed that education was heading in the right direction in the state, and that if it was a quick fix, it would have its many political appeals.

“It is not a quick fix. I understand that it is a very long journey. It yet may be many years long after we have left that we will see the result but it is a journey that I am convinced that we should undertake,” he said.

“Today, one of the outcomes of our investment is that a poll conducted among 5,000 disaggregated citizens in our state recently showed that 51 percent of the citizens would put their children in public primary schools. This was not the case a few years ago. It also now shows that 60 percent of the citizens will put their children in public secondary schools and the reason is not far-fetched.

“What are we doing to improve further on those outcomes? It is the training of our teachers. In the last three years, they have spent a larger part of their long vacation in training at our Staff Development Centre in Magodo,” he explained.

Fashola also spoke on the policy shift that now placed emphasis on real success in examinations to earn promotion to the next class, saying that “we are already planning this year’s training immediately they finish the exams but perhaps to underscore what our teachers have done; over the years, our children went through school from primary through secondary school moving from one class to the other with a grade of 30 percent. So the only time they ever have to score 50 percent is when they are doing the external WAEC.”

Deputy British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Peter Carter said Britain is personally committed to the success of the Summit as it believes that education improves the quality of living of people.

He noted that the United Kingdom had continued to play roles such as facilitating inclusion of Lagos as one of the six states that is benefitting from education support programme from the Department for International Funds and Development, DFID.

Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye said the State Government had been using the Lagos Education Summit to generate new ideas to take the education sector to new heights.

—Kazeem Ugbodaga

 

JAMB RELEASES ALL RESULTS HAVING BIOMETRIC VALIDATION PROBLEMS

JAMB releases withheld results, begins CBT

[caption id="attachment_8894" align="aligncenter" width="450"] caleb university student[/caption]

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has finally released the results of candidates whose results were initially withheld over non-biometric verification even as 91, 610 candidates will commence the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME. Computer based Test in the 7 various designated centres, CBT from Saturday.

Registrar and Chief Executive of  JAMB, Professor ‘Dibu Ojerinde, while announcing the release of the results of the paper-pencil test and dual-based test conducted a forthnight ago across the nation and two foreign centres, said the CBT will take place in the country and other  countries namely Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom and South Africa.

Ojerinde who had said over 80, 419 results of the candidates were withheld for various reasons, noted that out of this figure, results of 68,309 candidates from various centres were undergoing further screening to ascertain their culpability, while results of 12,110 candidates had been withheld for possible disciplinary action

Saturday Vanguard was reliably informed that the results of candidates withheld over lack of biometric verification have been released.

Some of the candidates, who could not be verified as the biometric could not show their finger print on the day of the examination were listed by the invigilators in the affected examination centres and forwarded to JAMB head-office, Abuja, for scrutiny.

Saturday Vanguard also learnt  that some other results of candidates were also withheld for further investigation of their innocence or otherwise over alleged examination malpractices, have been cleared and their results released while some other serious cases are still pending, as the Board said the exercise was a continuous process until final decision was taken on them.

He said that the scheduled computer-based test will hold from May 18 till June 1 in over 70 centres. He advised candidates to reprint their e-Registration slips afresh to further ascertain their CBT centres.

By Favour Nnabugwu/VANGUARD

2013 JAMB RESULTS...SHOULD CLOSURE OF UNNAMED "ILLEGAL UNIVERSITIES" TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER THE LIVES OF ALMOST I MILLION JAMBITES?...WHY ARE OUR MINISTERS OF EDUCATION DISPLAYING GROSS LACK OF CARE TOWARDS NIGERIAN STUDENTS AT HOME AND ABROAD?

ICPC, NUC begin closure of 67 illegal varsities

* FG scholars stranded in Russia, China

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the National Universities Commission, NUC, yesterday began the closure of all identified illegal universities nationwide. The closure followed an order of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Sixty-seven of such illegal universities had been identified by the anti-graft body, which has the full addresses of 41 of them.

Policemen, operatives of the State Security Service, SSS, and officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, executed the court order yesterday. The anti-graft agency is also arresting operators of the illegal universities.

ICPC Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, told journalists yesterday in Abuja that the action was first in the series of implementing the outcome of an ongoing ICPC/NUC University System Study and Review, USSR, for which the antigraft agency sought and obtained a Federal High Court warrant.

The ICPC chairman, who was represented by Prof. Olu Aina, a member of the commission’s board, explained that the crack down on the illegal degree awarding institutions, which began simultaneously in nine different zones in the country, would be concluded by the end of this week.

According to the ICPC boss: “In keeping with its warning delivered by the chairman last week, ICPC has today (yesterday) commenced a nationwide operation to seal the premises of identified illegal universities, seize their properties, make arrests, prosecute and execute such other actions it deems fit.

“An Inter-Agency Team, comprising the ICPC; the NUC, the police, the SSS and the NSCDC will continue the exercise until all corrupt practices and impunity associated with the physical existence of such illegal institutions cease completely.

“We know it is a worldwide phenomenon which occurs whenever demand for educational or other services far outweigh supply, but we are determined to eliminate it from such a critical sector like education in Nigeria.”

The chairman made it CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 clear that the universities being closed down were established in contravention of the law, which states that any application for the establishment of a university must be done through the National Universities Commission.

According to him: “These unaccredited institutions, apart from extorting huge sums of money from unsuspecting Nigerians, are manned by unqualified personnel and operate in makeshift structures and poor environment that cannot qualify our youth both in learning and character for the award of recognised university degrees.

“Students of these institutions are not admitted through JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board), neither are they qualified or considered for the NYSC (National Youth Service Corp).

“As a result of all these deficiencies, the so- called students of these illegal outfits are not equipped for employment in the public or private sector. In the end, certificates obtained from such institutions become useless and the period of study becomes a monumental waste of precious time.

“Therefore, the activities of these illegal operators have impacted negatively on the mental, psychological and economic well-being of many young Nigerians and their parents. The institutions constitute an embarrassment to the government and remain a monumental corruption of the education system,” he stressed.

The ICPC, however, ruled out any form of compensation for the victims of these illegal universities, stressing that such persons can only be guided as to how they can gain admission into recognized universities in the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, the representatives of the NUC and former Vice- Chancellor of the Osun State University, Osogbo, Prof. Sola Akinrinade said that the NUC does not grant temporary approval for universities as being claimed by some of the illegal universities, stressing that there were 14 stages involved before the Commission could grant licence to any university in the country.

ISE-OLUWA IGE/NATIONAL MIRROR

THIS LIST WAS LATER SENT TO US

List Of Illegal Universities In Nigeria With Known Addresses
1. University of Accountancy and Management Studies
41, Ikorodu Road, Jibowu,
Yaba, Lagos.

2. Concept College London
CITEC Villa Junction,
Gwarinpa, Abuja.

3. Imo State University
(Illegal Study & Degree-awarding Centre) Garki Primary School
Behind UTC, Area 10, Abuja.

4. Logos Institute  (Illegally affiliated Olabisi Onabanjo University) 9, African Church Road, Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos.
Director: Pastor Femi Majekodunmi

5.Open University of Nigeria     C/o Notitia Tutorial Centre,        No. 5, Dar-es Salem Crescent,    Wuse II Abuja
Coordinator: Larry James

6. Mr. David Lornem
New Idea Management Consultants & Open Learning Network, 18/19 Ahmadu Bello Way, NNDC Building Kaduna.

7. Imo State University (Illegal Satellite Campus)    Lucia Group of Schools Ibusa Road, Asaba.

8. Temple University  Orozo, Abuja.     (Proprietors are already facing trial at Karu Magistrate Court)

9. Volta University College
No. 13, Okehie Street, Aba.

10. Abia State University (Illegal Study Centre) International Secondary School, Aba.

11. Triumphal University, Omugbo town, Orumba North LGA, Anambra.

12. Rockville University Uburu, Ohaozara LGA, Ebonyi State.

13. Royal University  Izhia,
Abakaliki.

14. University of Caribbean
22, Agbarho Street,
Idi Iroko, opp Govt. College,
Ikorodu, Lagos.

15. Irish University Business School London (Anchor: Lobi Business School) 20, Old Otukpo Road, Makurdi.

16. University of Education Winneba Ghana a) 39A Ayilara Street, Ojuelegba, Lagos. b) Federal College of Education (Tech) Awka. c) Royal Star College, Lawanson, Surulere – Lagos.

17. Irish University Business School Doseg International College, Akin Mateola Street, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
Promoter: Envoy Consulting Limited,
10, Calcutta Crescent, Apapa, Lagos.

18. Christ Message International University, 174/178, Okota Road, Isolo, Lagos.

19. University of Nigeria (Illegal study centre) a) Ansar-Udeen Grammar School,
Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos.
b) Hanaco Plaza, 113 Ikorodu Road,
Fadeyi, Lagos.

20. University of Ibadan (Illegal Campus)
Agent: Quality Merchandise Associates
5, Emmaneul Kolawole Street, Somolu, Lagos. Lecture centres: i) Bright Future College Somolu, Lagos.
ii) St. Margaret, Comprehensive College, Agboju, Lagos.

21. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (Illegal Campuses)
Agent: Quality Merchandise Associates
Lecture centres: i) Bright Future College Somolu, Lagos.
ii) St. Margaret, Comprehensive College, Agboju, Lagos
iii) Victory College, Abule Onigagbo, Ikeja.
iv) Topmost Collge, 3 Ikorodu Road, Maryland, Lagos.

22. North Central University
KM4, Otukpo – Adoka Road,
Otukpo, Benue State.

23. University of Applied Management, Germany
Agent: Dr. Martins Gyambrah
Cambridge College of Arts and Science,
6, Ikole Street, off Gimbiya street,
Area 11, Abuja.

24. Luminar International Centre for Health and Alternative Medicine
a) 16 Nkwubor Road, Enugu.
b) Ekpuinto Mgbowo Autonomous Community, Awgu, Enugu State.

25. Houdegbe North America University
Pioneer School of Management,
Airport Road, Kano.
Agent: Mr. Jibril – 07040044859

26. The International Universities (TIU) Missouri
Pioneer School of Management,
Airport Road, Kano.
Agent: Mr. Jibril – 07040044859

27. Pilgrims University
5/7 Okpu Umuobo Road
Opp. Union Bank, Umungasi,
Aba. 07082801611

28. EC Council University
No. 5, Babatola Drive,
Off Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja.
CEO: Tim Akano – 017901013.

29.  Atlas University
Agent: Southland College of Tech
50, Zik Avenue, Uwani, Enugu.
08086673378.

30. Halifax Gateway University
20, Aranle Street, Surulere, Lagos.

31. Urban University College of Nigeria
88, Afikpo Road, Abakaliki.

32.  Christ Alive Christian Seminary & University
No. 48, Kenneth Street,
Agbani Road, Enugu.

33. Atlanta International University i/c Best Choirce Consult Ltd., 21, Aguta Road, Opp. CKC Okija.

34. Christians of Charity American
University of Science and Technology
No. 2, Oshimili Street,
3rd Floor, Off old Enugu Road, Nkpor.

35. Atlanta Univeristy
CMML Secondary School,
Ayagba, Kogi State.

36. Samuel Ahmadu University
C/o Govt. Sec. School, Makurdi.

37. Atlas University
Uko Eshet Street, Ikot Usoso,
Oku – Uyo.

38. Concept College London
No. 15 Abdul’Azeez Atta Road
Opposite B Division, Surulere,
Ilorin.

39. Royal Institute of Continuing Education
(Illegally running degree of AAU, Akungba Akoko) 70, Station Road,
Osogbo, Osun State.
Lecture Centres:    a) Old Children Boarding School, Osogbo.
b) Fakunle Grammar School, Osogbo.

40. Federal College of Complementary & Alternative Medicine of Nigeria
No. 4, Bujumbura Street,
Off Libreville Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja.

41. Richmond Open University
Arochukwu, Abia State.

2013 JAMB RESULTS...NEWSPAPER CONFIRMS MASSIVE EXAMINATION MALPRACTICES OF LAST SATURDAY

Massive cheating mars UTME

• 
  

  Teachers, invigilators, parents involved

  
  

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  Candidates charged N500, N1000 to use mobile phones

  
  

Despite strenuous efforts by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, to reduce malpractices in its examinations to the barest minimum through the introduction of hi-tech devices and procedures, the 2013 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, held last Saturday across the country was characterised by large scale cheating by candidates, National Mirror can now reveal. School teachers, JAMB invigilators and even parents of candidates actively participated in the cheating.

In lagos, many candidates in virtually all the centres visited by our reporters had access to the supposed answers before the commencement of the examinations. As early as 6:30a.m. some candidates were seen copying answers from their phones into pieces of paper, which they tucked in different parts of their bodies.

Most of them later entered the exam halls unhindered as the papers could not be detected by the metal detector and body searches by officials. It was not however clear how or when the JAMB question papers leaked to the public.

Nobody saw the papers but most candidates started receiving the supposed answers via SMS text massages very early in the morning. A candidate was overheard telling her friends that she got the physics answers from one Mr. Ajala her Physics teacher.

Another was overheard confirming he had got answers to all her subjects except Accounts which he urged the party on the line to send as fast as possible. From Vetland Senior High School, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government; Ojota Grammar School, Ojota; Agidingbi Grammar School; Isolo High School, Akute; Opebi High School; Ogudu Senior Secondary School, Ogudu GRA; Dolphin High School to Boys Academy, Lagos Island, the story was the same as the candidates were seen either copying the prepared answers or making calls to obtain the answers, which appeared to be in wide circulation across the country. In one of the centres, many of the candidates did not enter the exam hall until well over an hour after the exam had started.

They were seeing copying from their phones and only entered after they had tucked the small pieces of papers under their belts, inside their socks and other hidden parts of their bodies. They were later allowed to enter in batches well after the paid time.

National Mirror investigation also revealed that the candidates were assisted by invigilators. In two of the classes in one of the centres, candidates paid N500 and N1,000 respectively to invigilators to be able to use their phones and their prepared answers.

The invigilators also watched out for JAMB officials and often warned the candidates each time they approached the classroom. National Mirror is in possession of a question paper with omission of three questions, which a candidate asked to be changed by the invigilator. She was however ignored because according to her, she refused to pay the ‘levy’. One of the invigilators at a centre in Agege, Lagos openly advised the candidates to “help” themselves.

“Feel free to show your neighbour your paper,” she urged. Also to ensure that the candidates “use” the correct answers, an invigilator was seen in one of the centres warning candidates to be sure that the answers they were copying from their phones were for the right questions. Parents were also deeply involved in the malpractices.

For instance, at Dolphin High School, Lagos, many parents were seen making calls to get the supposed answers, which they passed on to their wards in the exam halls with the help of invigilators. Although many supervisors denied knowledge of such massive cheating by the candidates, a JAMB official in charge of the 11 centres in Ikotun/Idimu area told National Mirror that over 30 candidates were caught cheating at different centres in the area with the connivance of some invigilators.

He disclosed that he had to transfer some invigilators at Comprehensive College, Ikotun, having sensed that foul play was about taking place in the exam. In Ogun State, no fewer than 82 candidates were arrested from different centres for using their phones in the exam hall or copying from pieces of papers. Also in Abuja, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, personally caught a candidate for impersonation.

“We were able to fish him out because the registration number of his answer sheet is different from the one on the slip. His slip ended with DA while the real answer sheet ended with FH. “He came with wrong slip, in order to be sure, we went to the internet and discovered that the owner of that paper is from Enugu. This boy came to impersonate and unfortunately we were able to catch him.

I took him to the biometrics and ask him to thumbprint, but there was no record of his registration. I tried it myself; there was no record of my registration. He has been handed over to the civil defense who will hand him over to the law enforcement agency. “He registered for centre 021 but came to centre 022 and 023, he was handed answer sheet of 022.We discovered that the owner of the number was meant to be in Enugu which is O21 centre,” Ojerinde told newsmen, adding that the boy later confessed that his father did it for him. Also at Model Secondary School, Maitama, two students were caught with mobile phones while another was caught with a calculator. JAMB’s spokesman, Mr. Fabian Uchenna, however pledged the Board’s resolve to sanction those involved in such malpractice, saying it was already investigating all the established cases and would not hesitate to apply appropriate sanction on any candidate found guilty. He told National Mirror yesterday that the examination body would soon come up with a comprehensive figure of candidates involved in malpractices across the country before the end of this week. Uchenna, however, denied that the leakage of JAMB questions would have emanated from the Board’s officials saying its staff are “people of integrity”


NATIONAL MIRROR

OUR COMMENT

Barons of malpractices no longer need Jamb staff to hack into the Board's computers.An 18-yr old Chinese student can do it from his village!The Barons might even attempt to change results or introduce viruses if Jamb's "new weapon" will spoil business for them. They might now be as powerful as those holding the power industry to ransome!

THERE WE GO AGAIN!...66% OF CANDIDATES FAILED ENGLISH IN NECO DEC 2012 EXAM

The National Examination Council, on Thursday, released the result of the 2012 November/December Senior School Certificate Examination with only 33.89 per cent of the 75,623 candidates that sat for the examination obtaining credit in English Language.

The NECO Registrar, Prof. Promise Okpala, who announced this at a press briefing in Minna, however said that 54.8 per cent of the candidates obtained credit passes in mathematics.



NECO Registrar, Professor Promise Okpala

Giving a breakdown of the performances of candidates, the NECO Registrar said a total of 83,755 candidates registered for the examination but only 75, 623 candidates actually sat for it.

Out of this number, the candidates recorded 33.89 per cent credit pass in English Language, 54.79 per cent credit pass in Mathematics, 78.97 per cent in Arabic and 22.84 per cent credit pass in Biology.

He added that only 6.51 per cent of candidates who sat for Christian Religious Studies obtained credit passes; Economics, 33.67 per cent  Geography, 1.63 per cent; Literature in English, 0.73 per cent; Chemistry, 30.17 per cent, while only 0.26 per cent of candidates that sat for Physics made credit pass.

In spite of this unimpressive performance, Okpala disclosed that the 2012 result was an improvement in NECO result over the past three years.

According to him, only 4.7 per cent of the candidates that sat for the same examination in 2010 made credit pass in English Language, while only 10 per cent made credit pass in 2011.

He added that in 2010 only 19.4 per cent of the candidates made credit pass in Mathematics, while 44.7 per cent obtained credit pass in 2011.

“So, the November/December 2012 SSCE is comparatively better and a marked improvement over what we witnessed in 2010 and 2011,” he said.

He also said that the examination agency recorded few cases of examination malpractice. This, he said, was so because of the security measures put in place by NECO. These, he added, include robust logistics strategy for managing examination materials, the use of men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as external monitor.

“This ensured that candidates conduct themselves responsibly during the examination,” he said.

Okpala, however, said that Taraba State, with 18.82 per cent, emerged as the state with the highest number of candidates with cases of examination malpractices.

 Imo came second with 15.56 per cent and Jigawa, with a total of 956 candidates, recorded 140 cases or 14.6 per cent to emerge the third state with the highest number of candidates allegedly involved in malpractice during the examination.

He, however, said Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, recorded the lowest number of candidates involved in examination malpractices with 0.37 per cent.

The FCT was closely followed by Osun and Kwara states.

Enyioha Opara/PUNCH NEWSPAPER

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