Opinion
UBEC: Driving Digital Innovation Hub to Fruition
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
The Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC and it’s determination to provide a level playing ground for a robust technology and technological advancement in Basic Education hub to provide innovation , drives Initiative in line with the global community practices.
The recent convening of Basic Education stakeholders across the country was the determination to ensure all round transmission of the sector technologically towards meeting the demands of the global community.
With it’s efforts and early decisions to migrate the commission from analogue to digital era, it is obvious that providing Basic Education with the technology hub, will attain not only the desired and expected templates, but drive the entire system towards its expectations.
The Multi billion Digital Resource Centre DRC initiated by the management of the Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC under the leadership of Dr Hamid Bobboyi has perfected plans to turned around not only the centre, but it’s activities towards realizing the Digital Innovation Hub idea.
This will allow the overhaul of our entire Education system, not relegated to only Basic Education, but will contribute greatly to Secondary, and the Tertiary Education with the already laid solid foundation from the basis.
With the stakeholders drawn from across the 36 states and FCT, relevant government Agencies, Ministries and Departments, the organised private sector, entities and volunteers in the area of technology transfer, no doubt the new Technology Hub and digital innovation will take Basic Education to the promise land .
With the attainment of digital literacy and advancement, alot of advantages and myriads of development not restricted to Basic Education alone , but expanded to other scope to develop other opportunities.
The integration of other areas as cutting edge technologies into Basic Education will facilitate quick and access towards the goal of enhancing digital literacy.
The presence of both local and foreign partners, various relevant institutions, schools and colleges, universities among many others will leverage on the the new initiative to provide an enabling environment for easy access to automated activities.
UBEC’s efforts was a right step in the right direction aimed at utilizing the huge investment provided at the new Digital Resource Centre DRC, which will further translate not only the rejuvenation of Basic Education, but to other relevant areas of National Development.
All hands must be on deck to support the new area geared towards more unique performance of Basic Education policies and programs to mitigate the economic, social importance of the new platform.
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.