Opinion
UBEC and Transmission of Early Child Care and Development Education
By ABUBAKAR YUSUF
Aside the monitoring, coordination and implementation of basic Education particularly the 6-3-3-4 policy , the current management under the leadership of Dr. Hamid Bobboyi continue to fine tune series of programs that will reduce to the barest minimum the global scourge of Out of the School Children (OOSC), that had a dire consequences on both underdeveloped and developing countries like Nigeria.
Therefore, the introduction of the Early Child Care and Development Education (ECCDE), was not only to take school age children off the streets, but developed a template that is routinely observed to inculcate through acculturation the desire for taken child into formal training and control with the new format.
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This is been carried out by the commission in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Education (FME), United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), to develop a national road map deploying both human and instructions with stakeholders through workshops, talkshops, seminars and symposium across the 36 states of the country, including the FCT, trickled down to 776 local government areas.
This actionable decisions mooted by the Management of the commission across the country with stakeholders in education will rejig the basic knowledge and care expected in the public schools not only to compete favourably with the private schools were children of the well to do in the society are secluded and trained, but also in the public primary schools.
The I year Pre-primary Education program for the children between the ages of 3-5 years known as creche or kindergarten in private schools will bridge the wide gap between the imported curriculum and the basic requirements put in place in the Education curriculum by the commission to mitigate and encourage enrollment in public schools across the country.
The Early Child Care and Development Education (ECCDE) will glaringly reinforce the position and efforts supported by both local and international stakeholders to take the over 20M out of school children OOSC, that had grown to alarming rates inspite of concerted efforts by UBEC and other government agencies in partnerships with the international agencies to mitigate the problems.
The National roadmap convened by UBEC will no doubt chart a new action that will develop the psyche of children from the foundation stage of early Child hood, towards not only impacting quality Education, but care and concern that will guide and guard learners premonition from tender age to adulthood.
This will also encourage functional, high and the right acue for children within the age group and opened both conscious and unconscious competitive and healthy early learning atmosphere within the age group.
The stakeholders contemplation and international supports will also address the incidence of illiteracy in our society, through conscientisation and Inculcation of care and early child development in Education, without recourse to environmental and family stratification.
With the supports of the local and critical stakeholders particularly the National Commission for Colleges Education, NCCE , Federal Ministry of Education FME, Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Women Affairs charged with both development of Education curriculum at the post basic and Educational level, well being of the children and care, no doubt , the Early Child Care and Development Education (ECCDE), will not only transform basic Education, but institutionalised the program to enhance qualitative Education and transfer of learning from early childhood to adulthood.
With concerted efforts and determination by the current management with continuous supports from government , international partners and stakeholders, the unresolved problems of erratic early child upbringing, care and Education will be reduced to the barest minimum subsequently.
The Inculcation and implementation of 1year Pre-primary with emphasis on ages from 3-5years devoid of disparity, no doubt the fusion of the new system as part of the National Policy on Education will close the gap of child care and learning in all areas of our Educational Development.
It is germane that laudable government policies and programs such as this, should not only be encouraged, but institutionalised to address the unabated distress of Out of School Children (OOSC), in Nigeria.
Yusuf , A Public Affairs Analyst, Writes from Abuja and can be reached on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
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.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
On assumption of duty in January, 2025 , the new Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Boss and well grounded World Bank expert , Aisha Garba envisaged the need to reposition the Basic Education through interfacing with the critical stakeholders.
Amongst them is the office of the National Security Adviser , NSA, led by Malam Nuhu Ribadu whose achievements in the last few years in the area of security has become distinct and outstanding.
Therefore, seeking to cooperate and collaborate with the office became germane and needful particularly the protection of lives and properties of actors in the promotion of Basic Education ranging from the pupils , teachers , workers and facilitators to enable it drive the new wave to curb Out of School Children OOSC in the country.
Aside providing the basic security arrangements for schools , the need to engage the security apparatus at the level of National Security Adviser NSA became needful, so as to address the sophistry of security problems in the country, to nip in the bud any unforseen circumstances.
With the high rates of kidnappings, abduction , banditry, cattle rustling, ritual tendencies among many other vices, the idea of bringing on board , the security architecture of the country in all ramifications will assist the commission to consolidate the implementation of Basic Education policies and programs, also introduce new ones .
Since pupils at the Primary, Junior Secondary and Secondary Schools are prone to such ugly development and security issues , the need to be proactive on the part of the commission became timely and desiring.
This led to the success story of the bilateral interface between the management of the commission and NSA, to streamline, perfect and chart a new course on the issue of security of actors in the Basic Education.
The visit described as timely and long overdue, discussed fruitfully the way forward and the immediate and long term intervention of both agencies in the area of collaboration.
According to the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba she stated by discussing” strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access and security in Nigeria. ”
She further said” the engagement focused on strategies to address challenges such as the safety of schools, particularly in vulnerable regions, and the promotion of equitable education for all children.”
“the meeting highlighted the critical intersection between education and national security and the need for collaboration between UBEC and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on improving access to basic education and safety of safety schools across the nation. ”
“This collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive learning environment as part of its broader agenda to strengthen the nation’s educational framework,” it added.
“UBEC boss had pledged to engage critical stakeholders to break down barriers to education and create inclusive learning opportunities for children across the six geopolitical regions of the country.”
“She said: “My goal is to deliver on this mandate which includes strengthening collaboration, partnerships and institutional learning for effective service delivery. ”
“Together, we will work to increase access, improve quality, provide conducive and safe learning environments, supply adequate teaching and learning materials, and adopt the concept of ‘best fit’ in addressing specific basic education challenges, state by state and region by region”.
Highlights of the program which included the engagement of both bodies with a commitment to ensure the introduction of security architecture in schools in Nigeria is achievable.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.