Day: October 14, 2023

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has disowned the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) top-up programme claiming to bridge the gap between polytechnic and university degrees.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday by the Acting Executive Secretary of the commission, Chris Maiyaki.

Recalls that for years, there have been calls from stakeholders to end the disparity between Higher National Diplomas (HND) offered by polytechnics and Bachelor degrees offered by universities.

This brought about a bill passed at the ninth National Assembly in 2021 to end the dichotomy but it was not signed into law by the last administration.

The NBTE which regulates technical and vocational education has unveiled what it describes as a one-year top-up programme which offers a platform for HND holders to level up towards obtaining a bachelor’s degree.

Maiyaki, however, called on the general public and all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to note that the NUC is not a party to the top-up scheme.

“Even though agitation continues to grow for the abolition of the dichotomy in Nigeria, there is, at the moment, no law that has removed the dichotomy between a university degree and the HND.

“The place of technical education, the world over is unique.

“The university degree awarded by the Nigerian university system or any cognate institution is not the same as the HND awarded by polytechnics in Nigeria.

“In the Nigerian higher education space, the processes, contents and methods required for the acquisition of a university degree are substantially different from those needed for HND programmes,” he said.

He noted that at the post-graduate level, the requirements for admission into any masters degree programme for HND holders are, among others, the acquisition of a relevant postgraduate diploma (PGD) from a recognised university.

“The unsuspecting general public and all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies should note that the NUC is not a party to and, indeed, disavows the so-called top-up scheme, being concocted by the NBTE.

“In light of the above, the advice of the NUC is that the NBTE should focus on its core mandate and desist from introducing programmes outside its jurisdiction, and not supported by any law in Nigeria.

“The NUC wishes to inform the Management of the NBTE and the general public that the “Bill for an Act to abolish and prohibit dichotomy and discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diploma in the same Profession/Field for the Purpose of Employment, and for Related Matters.

“The bill passed by the 9th National Assembly in 2021, is yet to be assented to by Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

” So, eventhough agitation continues to grow for the abolition of the dichotomy in Nigeria, there is, at the moment, no law that has removed the dichotomy between a university degree and the HND.

“Both the NUC Establishment Law (CA-P N81, LFN, 2004) and its Operational Law: Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, CA-P E3 LFN, 2004) vest in the Commission the powers to superintend and regulate university education in Nigeria.

“Lay down minimum academic standards in the nation’s universities and other degree-awarding institutions, and accredit their programmes. Thus, the commission is the only constitutionally empowered regulatory agency for university education in Nigeria,” he said.

Maiyaki argued that in most higher education systems, polytechnics coexist side by side with universities for the purposes of producing critical human resources, based on their peculiarities and in tandem with the goals for which they were established. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has set up an Integrated Border Governance Committee, a 13-man committee to identify the needs assessment of the nation’s borders.

This is contained in a statement by the Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mr Afonja Ajibola, on Saturday in Abuja.

According to him, Tunji-Ojo set up the committee during a presentation on border management and control by a consultant in Abuja.

Afonja said that the minister instructed that the committee should endeavour to have a robust deliberation and create an implementable border management plan to secure the country.

Membership of the committee is composed of 13 people drawn from the ministry as well as its agencies.

The committee has the Director, Joint Services in the ministry, as the Chairman, Director, Planing Research and Statistics and the Director, Legal.

Other members include: the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Border Community Development Agency, Community Boundary Commission and its consultant.

The minister explained that the most important thing to him about border management is the aspect of internal security which he said is a massive task that requires the synergy of all critical stakeholders.

He painted a scenario of Nigerians at borderlines attending schools in the neighboring foreign countries.

Tunji-Ojo said that the loyalty of those Nigerians would naturally be with the foreign countries, adding that how then would anyone expect Nigeria to achieve the desired security.

“It is high time the country stopped paying a lip service to border management. I therefore, converse that enough budgetary allocation be made available for the provision of social infrastructure” he said.

The minister added that enough budgetary allocation must be provided to these contiguous border communities to enable them have a sense of belonging.

Meanwhile, the committee has 18 weeks to conclude its assignment.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank(AfDB) Group had granted funding of $13.15 million to Burundi.

The bank, in a statement on its website, said that the fund would help the country implement phase one of its ‘Water Sector and Climate Resilience Building Support Programme’.

It said the funding came from the Transition Support Facility, one of the bank’s funding mechanisms aimed at building stability in countries in transition.

According to the statement, Burundian government is providing counterpart funding of $1.75 million , with the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) contributing $170,947million.

It said the project, aimed at strengthening Burundi’s resilience, was the result of close collaboration between the AfDB Group and the GCA.

It said the project was an effective response to strengthening Burundi’s resilience in light of the effects of climate change.

The statement further said it would help to improve the socio-economic living conditions of rural populations in several provinces.

According to the statement, the project is scheduled to be launched in January 2024 and marks the bank’s return to the water sector in Burundi.

Meanwhile, the Burundian Minister of Water, Energy and Mines, Ibrahim Uwizeye, said the country’s water sector had been neglected by partners for a long time while needs had increased.

According to the minister, this support from the bank had been long awaited.

He said the project would not only tackle the people’s challenges but it had the potential to stimulate more investments and commitments in the water sector by other partners.

“The project will help create 18 latest-generation water supply systems powered by sustainable energy sources and raise the awareness among over 315,000 inhabitants.

“It will support the development of climate-resilient drinking water supplies and sanitation investment projects in the provinces of Gitega, Mwaro and Kayanza.

“As well as an investment plan with the technical, environmental and social impact studies needed to research a possible phase II of the programme “he said.

Uwizeye said the project would benefit over 1.27 million people, 50 per cent of them women.

He said it would it ensure easier access to secure, climate-resilient drinking water, sustainable sanitation and hygiene services.

Similarly, Pascal Yembiline, the AfDB’s Country Manager in Burundi, said the bank was excited by the prospect of working alongside the Burundian government.

He said the bank was happy to support the country’s ongoing efforts to create the conditions for a better quality of life and economic development opportunities for all.

“And we will spare no efforts to achieve this,” he added.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc has commiserated with residents of Kabong Community in Jos North Local Government Area, over losses resulting from its facility’s malfunction.

JED in a statement issued by its Head, Corporation Communications, Dr Friday Elijah, on Saturday in Jos, described the incident as unfortunate.

“We express our deepest sympathies to families who have encountered losses as a result of this incident,” he said.

According to the JED official, the incident occurred at about 3 am, as a result of issues surrounding its high tension wires in the area.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the accident was a result of a high-tension line snap onto the low-tension lines which resulted in a voltage supply outside limits.

“The source feeder tripped off and inter-tripped the transmission end source from Makeri Transmission Station.

“We will continue to be monitoring the situation closely and communicate the facts of this regrettable incident,” he said.

He said that an evaluation of the root causes would be conducted and appropriate measures put in place to forestall future occurrences.

A resident of Kabong , Mr Dung Bature, confirmed the incident and said that 10 persons have been reported killed as a result of the incident while the injured were taken to the hospital.

He added that some some shops around Sacred Heart Catholic Church were also gutted by fire among other damage. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria