Opinion
UBEC and the Quest of Consolidating Open School Program
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
For the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) , it’s policy to explore and exploit more avenues that will solidify Basic Education across the country remained unwavering, hence aside deploying formal approaches, informal approaches had been the bane of it’s policies and programs with the launching of the Open School Program (OSP).
The moves under the current management of Dr Hamid Bobboyi in conjunction with the State Universal Basic Education Boards SUBEBs was meant to address the issues of enrollment , retention, and completion of UBE programs for the dreadful 20M Out of School Children (OOSC), in a flexible education system, that allows participants to be acquainted remotely in an informal manner using appropriate learning strategies along with information and communication technology (ICT) tools.
Since the scourge of OOSC had attained a global trend and dimension and the need to keep tab on the ways and means to address the issues was taken a dangerous dimension, the need to redress the emerging trend using the OSP became desiring.
The paucity of relevant materials to improve and sustain Basic Education ranging from lack of teachers, schools, instructional materials and equipment, including over bloated classrooms and distance environment led to the recent re-covergence of stakeholders at sub- national levels which included SUBEBs to chart a new way for the development of Basic Education outside the formal sector with the inculcation of Open School Program (OSP).
With learners and teachers operating under a very tense, terse and difficult situations using the negative variables, it became germane to explore OSP , so as to avoid side effects towards the operationalization of quality Basic Education across the country.
The template of OSP which allowed learners to learn from anywhere away from the conventional school environment through flexibility, with no age restrictions, adopt several teaching measures with focus on ICT.
It also guarantee equal education opportunities to children who are opportuned to attend both formal and informal education using OSP.
Aside attaining 100% transition rate from primary to basic junior secondary school, the program allowed access to quality education to marginalized and disadvantaged group in the society.
The Open School Program provided a second chance for school dropouts, to meet the changing needs of learners , through vocational education.
With the renewed vigour to address Basic Education parities, the new program is geared towards addressing gender and inequalities in education at the basic levels.
It is also capable of enrolling school drop outs, those in school but not learning and also encourage a sustained policy towards the realization of quality Basic Education across the country.
UBEC’s determination and renewed efforts through the assemblage of State Universal Basic Education Board SUBEBs officials was capable of not only refocusing the Open School Program OSP, but redirecting it to realize it’s objectives by impacting and imparting knowledge on learners to attain Basic Education knowledge.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
Ken Nnamani, a former president of the senate, says he did not beg Elisha Abbo, a former senator representing Adamawa north, on behalf of any judge after the ex-lawmaker lost his election case in court.
In October 2023, the court of appeal sacked Abbo and declared Amos Yohanna, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Adamawa north senatorial election.
Appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday, Abbo said he was a victim of “miscarriage of justice”.
The former senator said Nnamani pleaded with him on behalf of a judge after he lost his election case in 2023.
Reacting in a statement, the former senate president described Abbo’s claim as “blatant lies”.
“My greatest surprise was to hear him state that Senator Ken Nnamani visited him to plead with him on behalf of a judge for the miscarriage of justice. This statement is a blatant lie. I do not know how Senator Abbo can boldly fabricate an event that never happened to buttress his allegation of judicial miscarriage against him,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have never visited Senator Elisha Abbo at his house or anywhere. Up to this moment, I do not know where he lives. I have never discussed with him about his case, or any case pending or decided by any court of law in Nigeria.
“The only time I met with him was when he visited me in my house. It was more of a social visit by him. At this meeting, we never discussed his case or any case. I recall that when the matter of his political career came up, I advised him to avoid controversies as a young politician.
“The statements Senator Abbo made regarding me and his case are all fabrications. I believe I have had a sterling and distinguished public service career. I am determined to maintain my integrity and commitment to excellence till the end of my life.”
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.