Education
NUC Approves Establishment of Second Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science and Technology in Oferekpe
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted approval for the establishment of the Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science and Technology, located in Oferekpe.
During a presentation of the recognition letter to Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State on Thursday, NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, announced that this institution is now recognized as the 66th state university in Nigeria and the 278th within the Nigerian University System.
Prof. Ribadu indicated that a copy of the recognition letter would be sent to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
However, he emphasized that the university will only initiate its academic activities following a thorough resource verification process.
“We want to express our readiness to support this emerging university. It is important to clarify that the issuance of a recognition letter does not equate to the commencement of academic activities. A resource verification will still be required,” he stated. “The Commission will visit the university when it is prepared and will assess the infrastructure, classrooms, library, and staffing.”
Once the verification is complete, the Commission will provide approval for the university to commence academic operations.
Governor Nwifuru highlighted that the university was established in 2021 with the goal of enhancing access to higher education.
“The establishment of this university aims to increase access to quality and affordable tertiary education, particularly for state indigenes, and to provide opportunities for all to pursue higher education. This initiative is essential to meet the technological manpower needs of both the state and the nation, especially in this rapidly evolving tech-driven world,” he remarked.
The Governor also assured that adequate funding would be allocated to the university, stating, “We understand the importance of sufficient funding for the sustainability of such an institution. Under my administration, Ebonyi State will commit to ensuring that adequate budgetary provisions, both capital and recurrent, are made available consistently to support the academic growth, relevance, and quality assurance of this new institution.”
Regarding the university’s gradual development, he informed the Executive Secretary that the state government has already invested significantly in constructing several key buildings on the university campus in Oferekpe, Agbaja, Izzi LGA. Current construction projects include the Senate Building, Staff Quarters, Students’ Hostels, Faculty Buildings, and the University Library, all at various stages of completion.
In terms of the critical manpower necessary for the university’s development, the Governor announced, “I am pleased to inform you that the principal officers have been appointed by my government. Additionally, just last Saturday, I launched the Ebonyi State scholarship program, which is training approximately 1,000 students for Master’s and Doctorate degrees, both locally and internationally.”
He concluded by stating that these graduates will be integrated into various tertiary institutions across Ebonyi State to contribute to the development of human capital in the region.
A bill seeking to empower polytechnics to award bachelor’s degrees has passed second reading at the house of representatives.
Sponsored by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, and Faud Laguda, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker from Lagos state, the proposed legislation aims to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act 2004.
The bill proposes an amendment to section 3 of the Principal Act to include representatives of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in the council of every polytechnic in Nigeria.
Clause 3 of the proposed legislation intends to amend section 8 of the extant law to raise the qualification of those seeking to occupy the position of the rector of federal polytechnics to PhD.
Clause 4 seeks to alter section 15 of the act to enlarge the powers of the academic board to award bachelor of technology (B.Tech) to graduating students.
Leading the debate, Laguda said the amendment will enable polytechnics to “meet up with the demand of the ever-changing world while adhering to the International best practices”.
He appealed to his colleagues to support and pass the bill for the “overall objective is to improve the provision of technical education to Nigerian students through a better organised polytechnic system in Nigeria”.
Lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the bill when the speaker called for a voice vote.
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University chapter, has suspended the strike it commenced on 18th February.
The Chairman of ASUU, KASU chapter, Dr Peter Adamu, explained in a statement on Monday that the decision to suspend the action was made on Saturday.
He further noted that the government demonstrated goodwill in resolving the impasse by promptly releasing funds to pay 60 per cent of the September 2017 withheld salaries and the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) supervision allowance for five sessions.
According to him, “The government also agreed to a timeline for the payment of the five months’ salaries withheld from May to September 2022, as well as promotion arrears, Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), pension remittances (2009 to 2019), death benefits, and group life assurance.”
Adamu added that the government showed commitment to implementing wage awards and granting autonomy to the university. He expressed the union’s appreciation to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for his swift intervention and leadership in resolving the issues that led to the strike action.
The statement also extended gratitude to the university management, the Commissioners for Education and Sports, and other stakeholders for their roles in ensuring a quick resolution of the impasse. It called on all academic staff to resume their duties and continue providing invaluable services to the university community.
The Senator for Kaduna South, Sunday Katung, has stated that he set aside religion, ethnicity, and party affiliation to swiftly secure the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, within eighteen months during the 10th Assembly.
Katung made this disclosure on Thursday during a meeting with the Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum in Zonkwa, the headquarters of Zango Kataf Local Government Area in Kaduna State.
He explained that he approached the situation as a human being, removing considerations of religion, ethnicity, and party politics to advocate for his people.
“I asked, what have we done wrong in this commonwealth called Nigeria? Are we not citizens? Why are we treated differently? I was able to network using my social capital.
“I maintained an open mind, unclouded by the divisions of ethnicity, religion, and party affiliation,” Katung stated.
He lamented that these divisions have weighed down the people of Southern Kaduna.
“If we set aside these divisions, we will realise that we are one people. You can go anywhere to seek what you want and achieve it.
“Another key factor was my ability to leverage social capital. If you do not utilise it, it becomes useless. Social capital should not be used merely for personal gain; it should empower the people.
“I used the social capital that God has given me to connect with individuals who could assist me, regardless of their background. That, above all, is what led to the establishment of the university—God made it happen,” Katung remarked.
He also took the opportunity to thank all stakeholders who contributed to the realisation of one of his bills, which led to the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, with a campus in Manchok.
He pledged to continue pursuing more developmental projects for his constituents.
The lawmaker further urged the Kaduna State Government to prioritise the recruitment of science-related teachers in secondary schools to ensure students receive proper guidance and education.
He emphasised the importance of youth mentorship, revealing that he is currently training young people from Southern Kaduna in ICT to reduce idleness and equip them with skills to compete globally.
On the issue of insecurity, Katung expressed concern over the involvement of locals in banditry and the abduction of innocent citizens.
He stated that security measures are being intensified to address rising insecurity, particularly in Kauru, Kachia, and other areas of the state. He warned that those involved should desist or face the full force of the law.
According to him, the military has already approved the establishment of two Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Kauru, assuring that the escalating insecurity in the region will soon be addressed.
“What has been happening in Southern Kaduna is purely criminality, not a herder-farmer conflict, as some have claimed,” he added.
Acknowledging the vital role of journalists in shaping public opinion, Senator Katung urged them to continue reporting factual and accurate information.
Regarding the conversion of the Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa Memorial Hospital, Kafanchan, into a Federal Medical Centre, Senator Katung clarified that his bill for its establishment is awaiting a public hearing in the Senate. He noted that a similar bill in the House of Representatives has already passed the third reading.
He explained that after its passage in the Senate, a committee will be set up to harmonise both bills for the President’s assent.
He also appealed to his constituents to continue praying for a smooth legislative process, as the Presidency has already given its consent in principle to realise the project.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum, Mr Ango Bally, stated that the meeting was convened to update the public on the senator’s activities as part of the forum’s mandate.