Opinion
UBEC; Accelerating Basic Education , Synergizing with FCT
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
The Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC management under the Executive Secretary, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Hamid Bobboyi and his team has not relented in improving the relationship between the commission and the sub-nationals, which included the Federal Capital Territory FCT as the host .
Since the FCT is the microcosm of the sub-nationals but hosting the nation’s capital , as it is statutorily bound to operate under the regulatory framework of the Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC.
Though, with a larger nomenclature and extra ordinary roles beyond the ones been played by state governments which fell under the same administrative purview, the role of FCT Universal Basic Education Board FCT UBEB cannot be over emphasized.
Owing to the extra ordinary nature , the FCT had become abode housing all ethnic nationalities and playing similar roles been carried out by the UBEC even with a sub national status.
The extra larger roles been consummated by FCT UBEB placed it in a vantage position to cooperate both administratively and policy thrust to enable the two critical agencies and stakeholders drive Basic Education both at the national and sub- national level of FCT.
The recent familiarization visit by the Management of the Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Barrister Nzenwo Nyesom Wike, whose roles administratively represents that of the the FCT governor is to drive the problems of Out of School Children OOSC, the proliferation of Almajiri students among many other issues that had militated against Basic and Junior Secondary Schools Education in the FCT.
With special status both in administration and employment of Education staffers in the FCT, going by the nation’s city status , the need to kick start policy framework been introduced by UBEC to sub-nationals from the FCT became germane, hence the working visit by the management of UBEC recently .
With huge investment in FCT Basic Education through infrastructure development, training and retraining of staffers , provision of instructional materials, scholarships , books among many others, kick-starting and familiarizing with the administrative head of FCT was a sign of more investment in Basic and Junior Secondary Schools Education in FCT, and by implications the entire country.
During the visit by the management of the Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC, he expressed worries and confidence that the problems of Basic Education in FCT, was not surmountable, considering the huge investment been made by the Minister in all areas .
While promising to continue to provide the enabling environment, the Executive Secretary and his team pleaded with the Minister to make more efforts in the area of assessment of quarterly and annual grants meant for the FCT, so as to contribute to the giant strides been made by FCT to Basic Education.
He said the commission has built a state of the art Digital Resource Centre DRC to accommodate the newly established smart schools after the world ravaged pandemic of COVID-19, threat of climate change and conflicts that may be envisaged on the long run .
While commending the Minister for prompt payment of salaries regularly to teachers at the FCT, he also thank him for resolving the lingering crises of arears of salaries , promotions among others for teachers of the six area councils of the FCT.
In his remarks, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike promised to invest heavily in removing school age children from the streets of Abuja , by given adequate attention to Out of School Children OOSC, introduce measures that will curb those flouting the order.
He promised that the FCT will invest heavily in digital technology and Education, as over $17B has been set aside to support Basic Education and Junior Secondary Schools JSS in the FCT.
He lauded the management of UBEC for the synergy and good leadership at the agency , stating that the agency had been lucky in the area of management since his days as Minister of State , Education during President Good luck Jonathan’s administration , urging them to sustain the tempo.
The FCT Minister asked the management of UBEC to feel free in their requests for any assistance at the nations city , promising to continue to work hand in hand not only to improve Basic Education, but welfare of staffers of the commission.
The visit was a pointer to continuous collaboration between the Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC and sub -nationals, begining from the FCT in the quest to bequeath good leadership, programs at the Basic Education level .
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
By Rinret Jennifer Mwarap
The unrelenting massacre of citizens in Plateau State has reached an alarming level. While the government claims to be taking steps to restore order, the reality on the ground tells a different story one that feels like nothing meaningful is being done.
It is heartbreaking to see our loved ones butchered without cause. The questions torment us: What have we done wrong? Who have we offended? Where did we go astray? Must we continue to endure this suffering for no justifiable reason?
The killing of innocent people in Plateau must come to an end. The government and security forces cannot afford to look away. Their responsibility is clear they must act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice, for the sake of the innocent victims and the children left behind.
I call on the Governor of Plateau State to rise to this challenge. Take bold and immediate action against those who seek to destroy our land and shed innocent blood. Let them face the full weight of the law.
This feels like a nightmare—how did we get to the point where the same Plateau where I once slept peacefully with both eyes closed is now a place where even sleeping with one eye open feels unsafe?
Where is the peace in our “Home of Peace and Tourism”?
When will our tears dry? When will justice prevail?
If we truly seek peace, then justice must be non-negotiable.
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.