National
FG commends TETFund’s broker relationship between academia, industry
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman has commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for proffering solutions to the missing link between academia and the industry.
Mamman made the commendation in Abuja on Tuesday during a press conference on the TETFund Research Exhibition, scheduled to hold in November 17.
The minister said intense and wide consultations were ongoing with institutions and organisations that could partner with and support TETFund.
This he said was to drive interest and encourage organisations and individuals to participate and identify technologies with a view to establishing enterprises and/or enhancing the performance of existing businesses.
The minister expressed confidence in the fund for recognising the imperative need to enhance the linkages of these impressive academia performances to industry and the day-to-day life on the average Nigerian.
“This is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, which mainly aims at “rebooting” the economy through the massive generation of jobs, creation of wealth and the improvement of the general welfare of Nigerians.
“It is also to see and use such technologies for establishing viable enterprises for the provision of goods and services with net effect of massive generation of jobs, creation of wealth,” he said .
Mamman added that to implement the mandate, TETFund had further established a Research Fair Sub-Committee under the NRFS&MC in July 2024, to serve as the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
According to him, the committee are to urgently take stock of all research output technologies from Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Research Institutes and others, and document them.
“They are to also screen and select candidate technologies to be showcased at the research fair with emphasis on technologies that will immediately impact upon and grow the national economy.
“To cluster selected technologies into sectors to ease exhibition and catalyse the interest of potential investors and entrepreneurs.
“To identify, collaborate, reach out to and closely work with all relevant stakeholders (business support, funding and IP management) for success and effectiveness of the fair,” he added.
He added that financial institutions, funding agencies and venture capitalists had been identified to provide funding to the promising organisations, individuals and entrepreneurs who source technologies to establish enterprises.
He also said that the Call Circular inviting the Institutions and individuals to submit their technologies as entries to the fair had been finalised and would be released today.
He urged researchers, inventors and creators who expressed interest to showcase their technologies, to participate free of charge in the fair.
The Chairman, TETFund research fair committee, Mr Umar Bindir, promised to take the bull by the horn to deliver on the mandate of the president in the area of research.
On his part, the TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, expressed the appreciation of the federal government for the commencement of the project through the media briefing.
Echono pledged the readiness of the fund to harness the potential recorded in the area of innovation and creativity in tertiary institutions.
He called on private investors to take advantage of the fair to showcase their works, leading to job creation in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, which is set to bring together researchers, inventors, and creators to share their cutting-edge projects and visionary ideas, will take place at Eagle Square, Abuja.(NAN
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Christians and other Nigerians, to leverage the lessons of Christ’s resurrection and imbibe the message of hope and victory over the nation’s current challenges.
Jonathan stated this in his Easter message, by his Special Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, on Friday in Abuja.
Jonathan encouraged Nigerians to remain positive and draw strength from Christ’s love and sacrificial death for humanity and his gift of salvation.
The former president reminded leaders to be selfless and embrace the virtues of servanthood, sacrifice and passion for service, as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
“I join millions of Christians around the world to commemorate Good Friday.
“This day reminds us all of the sacrificial death of Christ for humanity and His gift of salvation and redemption to all believers.
“This moment reminds Christians of servanthood and passion of service, as exemplified by Jesus Christ, who died to save humanity from sin and reconcile all to God.
“At Easter, we reflect on the power of Christ’s love, the gift of righteousness and the triumph of hope over despair and every challenge in life,” Jonathan said.
He further noted that the death and resurrection of Christ on the cross, awakens all to the boundless love of God toward mankind.
The former president also said that Easter also served as a reminder of the possibilities, faith in God, offered man on earth.
“I urge all citizens to be encouraged by the story of the resurrection of Christ and the lessons of hope and victory that are contained in it.
“Let us be reminded about the purpose of salvation and the essence of mercy and the triumphing power of faith and hope over all circumstances,” he said.
Jonathan also urged the citizens to remain positive of the possibilities within the nation.
He also urged Nigerians to draw strength through hope that the people would triumph over challenges they faced, both as individuals and collectively as a nation.
“This moment points us to the virtues of servanthood, sacrifice and passion for service. Let us recommit to pursuing peace and justice for all.
“As a people, let this season renew our faith, strengthen our hope and guarantee us peace.
“Let us continue to imbibe and pursue these virtues and work toward building a nation of peace, unity and love,” he said.(NAN)
…Gives condition to forgive Fubara
… Says I wanted Fubara’s removal, Tinubu saved Rivers
Abubakar Yunusa
Nyesom Wike has described talks about a coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu as not sincere and believes those behind it are doing so for selfish reasons.
Wike, the Minister of the FCT, said this in Abuja on Friday during a media chat, accusing the masterminds of running away from issues bedevilling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party.
He said, “those who are looking for a coalition are for selfish interests, the likes of Atiku and other people, which coalition, with whom?
“Why not come in to repair your party? Everybody wants to become president of the country, nobody wants to say, look, let me build our party so that at the end of the day, our party will be in a formidable position as an opposition party to take over power.
“You don’t do that, the only thing you want to do is let me find a way; how I will be the one, and if that does not happen, then it’s to your tent, oh Israel,” the immediate past governor of Rivers state said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, are among political heavyweights planning to float a coalition to dislodge President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.
That push has continued to make headlines in the country in the past months, but Wike said those behind it, especially members of the main opposition PDP, should fix their party instead.
Wike criticised Atiku, the arrowhead of the coalition movement, saying the ex-VP is about to make the mistakes that led to the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election.
“You make the mistake yesterday, you want to repeat the same mistake today, tomorrow you make the same mistake, and then you come out to say you were rigged out, who rigged you out? You’ve already rigged yourself by causing crisis,” Wike said.
The minister, who is a member of the PDP, also said the party is not ready for the next presidential election scheduled for 2027.
“The PDP is not ready for the 2027 election. It is very obvious. For instance, I have an examination and I am going to class to read. Indeed, am I reading? Am I studying? You don’t need to deceive anybody that you are reading. You are only trying to read so that people will see that you have carried your bag to class,” he said.
“That is the situation of the PDP. So, they cannot say for sure that they are ready for 2027. Power struggle cannot help the party.”
Governor Uba Sani says his administration has improved access to tertiary education in Kaduna State by reducing tuition fees of state-owned tertiary institutions by 50%.
Speaking through his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, at the inauguration of the Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Kaduna State Students Union and a public lecture, the Governor stated that the tuition cut has enabled more students from low-income backgrounds to pursue university degrees with greater ease.
Governor Uba Sani expressed gratitude to the students for honouring him with the Sword of Honour Award and acknowledged their recognition of his administration’s developmental strides.
He reassured the students of his government’s continued support, urging them to maintain peace to allow development initiatives to thrive. “Government will continue to support students and the youth generally to realize their ambitions. On your part, make sure that an atmosphere of peace prevails to allow for government’s development programmes to run their full course,” he said.
The Governor advised students not to allow themselves to be used by agents of disunity and chaos, warning that no meaningful development can occur in a climate of unrest and distrust. However, he commended students for being “reliable partners of progress.”
Addressing the issue of security, Uba Sani recalled how parts of the state were under siege due to insecurity, which disrupted farming and business activities. He said the situation has improved considerably through the efforts of security agencies, leading to safer roads, the return of farmers, and the reopening of local markets—including the Birnin Gwari cattle market after a decade-long closure.
Highlighting ongoing infrastructure efforts, the Governor said his administration has embarked on over 78 road projects covering 775 kilometers, many of which are rural link roads. He added that General Hospitals are being remodelled and 255 healthcare centres upgraded. Additionally, new schools are being constructed while existing ones are being refurbished to create a better learning environment.
The student union explained that Governor Uba Sani was awarded the Sword of Honour for his commitment to educational development. They praised the tuition reduction and the establishment of new faculties at KASU, including his facilitation of the CBN Intervention Project for the Faculty of Engineering.
They also commended the Governor’s directive allowing students to sit for examinations regardless of outstanding fees, describing it as a gesture of compassion and commitment to inclusive education.
The union concluded that Governor Uba Sani has redefined good governance by prioritizing education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.