The City of Johannesburg in South Africa has a new mayor.
This is after Mpho Phalatse from the official opposition party, Democratic Alliance (DA), was elected the city’s new mayor during a special council meeting on Monday evening.
This followed the nationwide local government elections on November 1, in which no decisive winner emerged in the city and parties had to form coalitions.
Phalatse won by 144 votes, while the outgoing ANC’s Mpho Moerane received 121 votes.
The Federal Ministry of Education through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) announced that one thousand, one hundred and forty-seven communities will benefit from the Special Grants of the 2019 School Based Management Committee School Improvement Programme.
The Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, made the announcement during the first phase of the National Flag-off of the implementation of the 2019 School Based Management Committee School Improvement Programme, SBMC-SIP and the disbursement of UBEC support contributions to selected beneficiary schools across the country.
Bobboyi said funds would cover N5 million in Special Grants, N2.5 million in Macro Grants and N250 thousand Micro grants in the 2019 School Improvement Programme.
He said the flag-off event was part of ongoing efforts by the government and non-state actors to ensure improved school governance and more effective resource mobilization and utilization, through the establishment and use of school community-based structures.
According to him, the event also marked the commencement of deliberate community engagement, aimed at establishing a result-oriented mechanism for quality basic education delivery in Nigeria, through the School Based Management Committees.
Bobboyi added that this was critical to the successful implementation of the project, deliberately executed to enhance the capacity of project implementers to plan, supervise and deliver on each project component as provided in the MoU.
Stakeholders in the 1,147 benefiting school/communities had committed themselves to provide about 10% of the UBEC contribution as counterpart funding for the smooth implementation of all designated 2019 projects, he disclosed.
“The 2019 SBMC-SIP implementation activities started with the training of Master Trainers comprising of SUBEB Directors of Social Mobilization and SBMC Desk Officers on SBMC-SIP project implementation. Further to this, UBEC carried out the sensitization of stakeholders, verification of information supplied by prospective beneficiary schools that applied for the 2019 funds and the cluster-based training of SBMC-SIP Project Implementation Sub-Committees and LGEA SBMC Desk officers. After the selection of beneficiary schools for the 2019 fund, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed and award letters issued to them, in demonstration of UBEC’s readiness to fund and ensure smooth project implementation,” Dr. Bobboyi said.
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said the disbursement of Support Funds was for the execution of priority school level projects, which would energize hopes for improved UBE infrastructure and classroom delivery in the 1,147 communities across the country.
Adamu believe the projects would further add value to the UBE process while urging benefiting communities to redouble their efforts in ensuring prudent use of resources and the timely completion of the designated projects.
He also called on all UBE stakeholders to support the revamping of the educational sector, through committed grassroots stakeholder partnerships, like the SBMC-SIP intervention.
According to the minister, since UBE was a community-based and stakeholder-driven programme, it required a collective approach for its successful implementation and as such stakeholders at the community level remained vital in basic education delivery and as such owners of UBE institutions domiciled in their domains.
Adamu said it was in pursuit of the ideals of the programme that UBEC instituted the School Based Management Committee School Improvement Programme, to provide financial support to communities in the planning, execution and ownership of priority basic education delivery projects in their schools.
According to him, the programme places grassroot stakeholders in a position of advantage to improve schools and lead the process of positive change and accountability in the delivery of education services.
Adamu disclosed that the Ministry was proposing to increase the funds for UBE implementation from 2% to 3% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, in recognition of the emerging trends and step up programme implementation.
Adamu Commended the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, saying the flag-off was apt, relevant, as well as a great push in the government’s efforts towards the education sector of the state.
Governor Yahaya who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, gave the assurances that the doors of the state government were opened for partnership, collaboration and support with development partners.
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has emphasized the need to reposition the country’s tertiary institutions and Universities in the way they will receive global ranking.
The Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro made this known in Lagos during a Capacity Building Workshop themed ‘Requirements for Strengthening Nigerian Universities for Higher Global Ranking and Knowledge Economy.’
Prof. Bogoro said that Nigerian Universities are faced with a lot of challenges including poor investment, decaying infrastructure, corruption and political interference amongst others which he said had been hindering the progress and performance of the Universities in the global ranking of world Universities.
According to him, Universities in the country need strong measures in place and efforts of well-meaning Nigerians to get revamped.
”To be competitive, Nigerian universities must as a matter of urgency put strong measures in place to ensure that all lecturers must aim to have a Doctorate of Philosophy as an essential requirement for teaching and research, develop strong democratic leadership in their administration, have a collaborative association with industries, foreign universities, linkages, and donor agencies in multiple capacities that increase funding for research, teaching and other essential facilities,” he added.
The Chairman Board of Trustees TETFUND, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam stated that Nigeria is blessed with the most brilliant minds across the globe hence, the need to boost the education system to attract the global ranking it deserves.
”If you look at the list of the first 1,000 Universities in the world, only two to three universities will appear on that list; that is of a great concern to us. Nigeria is the giant of Africa and it is universally acknowledged that most brilliant minds across the globe are all Nigerians. Let us join to boost the education system in the way it will attract the global ranking it deserves,” he stated.
Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced the rehabilitation and replacement of old Circuit Breakers in the nation’s transmission network.
The rehabilitation is aimed at improving bulk power transmission to distribution load centers across the country.
Circuit Breakers protect power transformers from any abnormal conditions or fault that may occur within or from outside the network.
They also provide power supply flexibility in the substations’ switchyard when maintenance work is ongoing, without interrupting bulk power supply to distribution load centers in the grid.
The rehabilitation and replacement work which were officially flagged off at the thirty-seven (37) years old 330/132kV Ajaokuta Substation, Kogi State, marks TCN’s determination to ensure that all circuit breakers in its network are certified healthy and performs optimally.
The decision to start with the circuit breakers in Ajaokuta Substation was due to the strategic role the substation plays in transmitting bulk electricity to distribution load centers of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company and Benin Electricity Distribution Company, covering Abuja, Lokoja, Ayangba, Okene, Okpila, and Benin among others.
Despite routine maintenance undertaken by TCN’s in-house engineers, rehabilitating the circuit breakers is to ensure that they continue to perform optimally and eliminate any incident of sudden breakdown due to age.
The exercise will be extended to all substations in the country whose circuit breakers are twenty years and above.
In line with TCN’s quest to further improve the capacity of its workforce, it assigned its engineers to work directly with the contractors to ensure hands-on training and practical skills transfer. Proper retrofitting or replacement of the circuit breakers will ensure that they operate optimally for the next 15 to 20 years.
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has released the 2021 Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) results and noted that there was an improvement in the number of candidates who got credits in five subjects including Mathematics and English Language.
The head of the Nigeria National Office of the examination body, Patrick Areghan, disclosed this in a press conference on Monday.
Areghan, while giving a breakdown of the examination and the results, announced that the examination, which was an international one, took place simultaneously throughout the five member countries of the Council – The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
He added that a total of 1,560,261 candidates sat for the examination and the same international timetable was used in the five member countries.
“The examination ended on October 8, 2021, and today, Monday, November 22, 2021 – 45 days after the conduct of the last paper, we are releasing the result.
A further breakdown of the results showed that 1,398,370 candidates who make up 89.62%, had credits and above in at least five (5) subjects (i.e with or without English Language and/ or Mathematics.
According to him, 1,274,784 persons, representing 81.7%, had credits and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
“The percentage of candidates in this category in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2020, that is, those who obtained credit and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, was 65.24%,” he added.
“Thus, there is an appreciable 16.46% improvement in performance in this regard.”
The Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria, (ITPN) has received Quality Management System Standard certification from the Standard Organization of Nigeria, (SON).
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SON, Farouq A. Salim made the presentation in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
He said, “With the issuance of the Certificate, ITPN has joined a few privileged class of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certified organizations in the tourism sector in Nigeria, adding that this milestone achievement in the pursuit of excellence in service delivery is commendable and worthy of emulation by all service providers in the country.
“It also attested to the Institute’s ability to formalize its operational system via document processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives recommended by the standard which further strengthened the Institute’s process of efficiency, organizational culture, regulatory compliance, optimize continuous improvement efforts and adopt data for evidence-based decision making that ensures customer satisfaction.”
Salim further noted that “Implementing the ISO 9001:2015 system certification is a demonstration of ITPN’s management system of conforming to internationally acceptable standard requirements and the ability of the Institute to get it right the first time and always.“
“Being one of the very few certified Institutes in Nigeria, he observed that the challenge in this endless journey to excellence, calls for a re-direction of efforts towards delivering of consistent customer satisfaction, and appealed to all other private and public organizations that are yet to embark on the journey of certification to embrace the ISO management approach for the overall benefits of all.“ he added.
The Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) is a vocational and tertiary level professional organization, established to furnish the tourism industry with professional personnel that provide education and membership structure aimed at guaranteeing excellent standards of service within the tourism and related industries as well as promoting professional ethics and efficiency in tourism administration and practice.
Management of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Akoko in Ondo State, shut down the institution indefinitely following violent protest by the students over the ‘No school fees, No examination’ policy by the school council.
The Registrar of the institution, Olugbenga Arujulu in a statement announced the indefinite closure of the institution and urged the students to vacate their halls of residence with immediate effect
Plans by the school authorities to enforce the No school fees, No examination’ policy, sparked off the protest by students of the school.
The students, chanting various solidarity songs, barricaded the Owo-Ikare Expressway causing gridlock for several hours as business and economic activities in the university community were paralysed during the protest.
Many of the students, yet to pay the new tuition fees, insisted that the fees be reduced, while the management insisted that the examination would commence.
Following the breakdown of law and order as a result of the protest, the first-semester examination, scheduled to commence on Monday, was put on hold as the student shunned the examination hall.
Speaking on the protest, the President, Students Union Government of the institution, Kolade Ogunsanmi said the protest was against the no school fees, no examination policy of the university management adding that the school management has reversed the policy.
Meanwhile, the management of the institution, in the circular signed by the Registrar of the institution, Olugbenga Arujulu, sent to staff and students, said the students would be allowed to write the examination, following the plea made by the students union government of the university.
The circular read, ” The management received and considered the passionate plea of the student union leadership on the above subject matter. Management has directed that all students be allowed to sit for the first semester examinations for the 2020/2021 academic session.
“For emphasis, 100 level students who are yet to complete the processes of getting their matriculation numbers are to use their JAMB Registration numbers to sit for their examinations.
“However, all students are still enjoined to complete their registration processes before conclusion of their examinations.
The purpose of this circular is to bring the above to the attention of all students for their information.”
The Tor Tiv of Benue Prof. James Ayatse, was on Monday in Benin installed the 10th substantive Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
Recall that Ayatse succeeded the deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
In his acceptance speech, the new chancellor announced prize for best well-behaved student of the institution, beginning from 2022 academic session.
Prof. Ayatse commended President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the visitor of the University for finding him worthy of the position.
“This new assignment is a familiar terrain and I promise to work diligently with the management of this institution to take the University to a greater height.
“I am not unaware of the oblivious challenges confronting public Universities in Nigeria. I assure that I will use my influence to take UNIBEN to greater heights,” he added.
Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Lilian Salami, said the school was proud to have such a distinguished academic and traditional ruler as Chancellor at a time when the wisdom and experience of reputable leaders are needed.
The African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Nigerian Export and Import (NEXIM) Bank in Durban, South Africa, signed a total of $475 million project financing and a grant of $350 million.
A breakdown of the financing shows that the $350,000 grant is to be used to dredge the Niger-Benue River to help move goods from the seaports further into the land port.
The second agreement was Afreximbank’s support to Nexim with a $50 million facility to boost fleets. More importantly, there was another $400 million to help expand inland ports as well as existing ports to support intra-African and regional trade. This is the first deal to be signed between the two institutions. To ensure that Afreximbank can work together with Nexim to promote the ceiling projects.
Also embedded in this, was a $25 million facility, referred to as the pandemic trade impact facility, which is to be disbursed to NEXIM to help make its support to its clients who are into the import-export business in Nigeria. The facility will help Nexim’s clients mitigate the impact of the COVID and the pandemic on their businesses and ensure that they can bounce back and quickly get out of the adverse effects of Covid-19.
Speaking on the sideline of Nigeria’s day at the ongoing 2021 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), Benedict Oramah, (professor), president, Afreximbank, said, “why we do this country day event is to receive information on the trade and investment opportunities in the countries that win the bid to host country days. We also use it in the case of Nigeria to test the reach and diverse culinary and cultural endowment of the country”.
He said Nigeria has demonstrated resolute support to Afreximbank and the Intra-African trade fair. This has been underscored this year by the participation of President Buhari at the opening ceremony. This year also, Nigeria is participating with a very strong contingent of about 1,500 as of today (Thursday).
“Afreximbank is most grateful for the support we have been receiving from Nigeria. We are grateful for the support we have received during this trade fair, which has a long history of fund support Afreximbank has received from the government and the people of Nigeria since it was created,” Oramah said.
It is that support that propels Afreximbank’ intervention in Nigeria. For instance, Afreximbank’s cumulative direct financing support topped $26 billion by the end of 2020.
The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, LCCN, has announced the progress made in its quest to establish the Lutheran University, with the attainment of some of the requirements laid down by the National Universities Commission, NUC.
The President of the Lutheran World Federation, Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus said in a letter to the over 2 thousand church congregations across Nigeria, that the church had obtained 161.9 hectares of land in Demsa, Adamawa State for the University, as well as the traditional and local government certificates of occupancy while anticipating the Certificate of Occupancy of the Adamawa State Government.
Archbishop Filibus said Environmental Impact Assessment on the Land had been conducted and awaiting the certificate from the Federal Ministry of Environment.
“Industrial boreholes will soon be in place and moulding of blocks about to start. Key documents required such as Academic Brief, University Law and Masterplan are ready,” He added.
The Archbishop attributed the achievements to the effort, commitment and support of the church congregations in Nigeria, LCCN partners and friends towards the actualization of the University Project.
Archbishop Filibus while highlighting the vision and purpose for the establishment of the University, the level the church had reached in the implementation process, stated that for about 108 years, the LCCN has been providing quality education.
He said the need to establish a Lutheran University had become urgent, going by the numbers of school leavers LCCN Schools were producing every year.
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