Day: May 21, 2024

The Trinity University (TU), Yaba, Lagos, on Monday said it would be partnering with the Swedish Embassy for the establishment of an entrepreneurial digital hub on its campus.

Dr Olufemi Oyinsan, Member, Board of Trustees (BoT), disclosed this at the 5th Founder’s Day anniversary thanksgiving held on the university campus.

Oyinsan said that the entrepreneurship hub was to ensure that students of the institution would acquire at least one skill alongside their degree.

The BoT member said that they want to ensure that their students graduate with their degrees and skill acquisition qualifications so as not to populate the unemployment market with another group of graduates.

‘That is the difference and mark we want to make in the academic world.

‘So, it is up to any student of Trinity University to choose the vocation he/she wants to take apart from first degree.

‘The vocation can be in the area of mechatronics, fashion, printing/branding or hospitality.

‘We are bringing in entrepreneurship skill acquisit
ion in a very forceful and strong manner, we are going to run it in our own academy, alongside the degree programmes.

‘So, students who leave here are likely to leave with two competencies – their degree first and a working skill, such that when they step out of this institution on the first day, they will be in employment.

‘The idea is to make it practically impossible for any of our students to be in the unemployment market after graduation, and that is what we are looking at and working on,’ he said.

He said that the students were being sensitised on the initiative, adding that, ‘Trinity University is a land of opportunity, it’s not just another regular university, but of high employability.’

‘We let our students know that the effort they will make in searching for jobs after graduation, is better to be committed to learning while they are here.’

Earlier, Prof. Clement Kolawole, Vice-Chancellor of TU, described the five years journey as very exciting, motivating and challenging.

He said that the inst
itution started on May 20, 2019, with 10 members of staff, 13 students, few programmes and few infrastructural facilities.

Kolawole said, ‘Today, we have 1,200 still counting, 18 academic programmes, three faculties and our infrastructure has expanded, furthermore, we have graduated our first set of nursing graduates.

Speaking on the anniversary theme: ‘Grace upon Grace’, Mr Tunde Ojo, a Pastor, took the sermon, reading from the book of John 1:16 and Luke 17:11-15.

He attributed the successes and progress recorded from the inception of TU to God’s grace.

Ojo said that God was at the centre of the administration and had placed faith-filled men and women to pilot the affairs of the institution.

He urged the management and students to adopt grace of attitude as a lifestyle.

‘Thanksgiving should be first, not phone. It must also be always; thanking God must not be restricted to only a time of celebration. Unfortunately, the greatest weapon of distraction for man is the phone.

‘It’s only by God’s grace that
this institution has come this far successfully.

‘Grace is God’s enablement and capacity given to man, which means that it’s not by our level of intelligence but His grace,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Stakeholders in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector have proposed the transition of Higher National Diploma (HND) to Bachelor of Technology (BTech).

The stakeholders said this in Abuja on Tuesday at a One-Day National Dialogue on the Future of Higher National Diploma (HND) in the Nigerian educational landscape.

They also called on the Federal Government to assent to the bill which sought to remove the dichotomy between Bachelors degree and HND.

The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje said the dialogue was apt as it would foster an opportunity to address pressing issues that had persisted for decades.

‘Despite the pivotal role it plays, the HND qualification, earned after five years of rigorous study and internship, continues to face unwarranted discrimination within the Nigerian public service.

‘Even in the face of concerted efforts, including proposed legislation and appeals from students and staff unions, the discrimination again
st HND holders persists,’ he said.

Bugaje said that earlier this year, the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) had highlighted a 22-year-old issue regarding HND Pharmacy Technology, which was effectively resolved by the Minister of State for Education.

Also, the President, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, Philip Ogunsipe said the discrimination was basically a function of societal acceptance of HND.

Ogunsipe said for the problems to be solved, the discrimination should be taken care of in the bill before being assented into law.

‘Once the bill is assented to and the discrimination in the HND programme is resolved and finally passed into law, we will not have any challenge with this age long problem,’ he said.

Ogunsipe also explained that the polytechnics sector must think outside the box and find a way of having programmes exclusively run by polytechnics.

He urged the NBTE to strengthen its supervisory role saying that infrastructure in some polytechnics were in awful state and nee
ded urgent attention.

In the same vein, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu commended NBTE for taking the bull by the horns by bringing to national consciousness, the need to embrace the global movement for skills acquisition by HND holders.

Sununu expressed hope that the dialogue would come up with reasons that would not only change the age-long belief on the so- called superiority of other qualifications over HND.

He said it would also show that Nigeria, more than ever before needed HND holders for national development.

The President, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Shammah Kpanja said the discrimination is not only on students or academics but affects the sector in its entirety.

Kpanja explained that if the polytechnics must be attractive, transition of HND to BTech must be welcomed.

He said that the Nigerian polytechnics must offer BTech strictly for HND students while also saying that the certificate must be specialised.

In the same vein, the Chairman, Federal Civil S
ervice Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa said the sector must revisit the recommendations of the Conference of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in 2017.

‘COHEADS recommended the conversation and upgrading of polytechnics to campuses of their consummate universities while the largest polytechnics in each of the geo-political zones be converted into full fledged universities of technology.

‘In so doing it will be a game changer and I believe to achieve the purpose, HND ought to be scrapped while the National Diploma should be retained as qualifying certificate for entrance into new and old university of technology,’ Olaopa said.

He added that this would help resolve the lingering professional war between BSC and HND without totally rendering and distorting their originating mandate.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has given a matching order for the immediate reconstruction of Dogon Gada box culvert in Lokogoma village, Abuja.

Mr Felix Obuah, the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), made this known in Abuja on Tuesday, during the 2024 Flood Risk Assessment and Community Awareness Campaign.

The campaign was organised by the FCT Emergency Management Department in collaboration with emergency management stakeholders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the culvert was on the access road that linked over 3,000 residents of Lokogoma village, popularly known as Dogon Gada community to Ring Road II.

The FCT Emergency Management Department had on April 7, barricaded the box culvert, which had collapsed, to avert loss of lives.

The community loses their loved ones to flooding while trying to cross the culvert during the rainy season, due to its low elevation and prone to flooding.

Obuah said that the construction of the bri
dge would commence immediately after the engineering department concluded their structural designs and other technical requirements.

He assured the community that FEMD was taking necessary action to ensure that no life was lost to flooding in FCT throughout the 2024 rainy season.

‘The minister has given a matching order that the construction of the bride should commence with immediate effect.

‘As I speak to you, any moment from now work will commence. The engineering process has begun already for the speedy construction of the bridge,’ he said.

The coordinator pointed out that human action has an impact on the environment, exposing it to varying degrees of flood risk.

He explained that the exercise was a preparedness and awareness campaign to sensitise residents against actions that would predispose communities to flood.

‘I assured FCT residents that with the proactive measure being taken by FEMD and other stakeholders, no life will be lost in 2024 to flooding in 2024.

‘We must, therefore, continue to
strengthen our collaboration towards flood prevention and mitigation,’ Obuah said.

Earlier, acting Director-General, FEMD, Mr Mohammed Sabo, said that the flood risk assessment and awareness campaign was part of strategies to strengthen disaster risk reduction.

Sabo said that other flood prone communities would also be sensitised to mobilise residents to take proactive steps towards preventing loss of lives to flood.

He added that the flood risk assessment would enable FEMD to assess interventions that worked and areas that need additional interventions to prevent flooding.

Also, Mr Florence Wenegieme, Director, Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, said that the bridge had taken many lives over the years during the rainy season.

Wenegiene explained that the people were killed by the flood because they tried to cross the flooded bridge against warnings by FEMD and local divers stationed at the bridge.

Mr Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, thanked Wike for the prompt interven
tion to prevent more people from dying from flooding along the bridge.

He said that the distance from the community to Ring Road II was 800 metres, but the residents had to travel five to six kilometres through alternative routes to get to the ring road.

The leader of the community, Mr Irimiya Kanpani, who could not hide his excitement over the minister’s approval for the recommendation of the collapsed bridge described it as a huge relief,

‘Now I can go to sleep knowing that the minister will fulfil his promise and my people will be safe. All I can say is thank you,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has emphasised the need for professional female engineers to play a leading role in combating climate change.

The President of APWEN, Dr Adebisi Osim, gave the charge at the sixth edition of the Olutumbi Joanna Maduka Annual Lecture (OMAL) on Tuesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture, with the theme, ‘Sustainable Technology and Energy Solutions to Climate Change”, was held in honour of Maduka, founder of APWEN and first female COREN, NSE, FIEE registered engineer in Nigeria.

She said:’The theme for this year’s lecture, ‘Sustainable Technology and Energy Solutions to Climate Change’, is a critical and timely issue that demands our utmost attention and action.

‘ As we take a look into the crucial theme, let us reflect on the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who said, ‘The future depends on what you do today’.

‘As engineers, we have a profound responsibility to harness the power of technology and innovation to addr
ess the pressing challenge of climate change.

‘The scientific evidence is clear – our planet is facing unprecedented environmental threats, and we must act decisively to secure a sustainable future for generations to come.”

She emphasised the need for engineers to take concrete steps like embracing renewable energy, government incentives, and collaboration between different sectors to address the challenge.

Osim, represented by the past president of APWEN, Mrs Particia Odili, noted that renewable energy was crucial for transitioning to a sustainable future, urging the professionals to actively support its development and adoption.

The APWEN president said that no single entity could solve the problem of climate change alone, adding that it would require a collective effort from governments, industries, and individuals.

Osim expressed pride in APWEN members who were at the forefront of developing solutions for sustainability and climate change, noting that this highlights the important role engineers can
play in finding technological solutions.

She listed some of the roles that the government could play in promoting sustainable practices as implementing a combination of solutions that would include both developing sustainable technology and energy sources, alongside offering incentives to encourage their adoption.

She urged the government to incentivise some of the adoption of sustainable technology and energy solutions through subsidies, tax breaks, regulations, partnerships, and public awareness campaigns.

Others are procurement policies that favour sustainable options, financing mechanisms to make these solutions more affordable, and international cooperation to share knowledge and resources.

The Guest Speaker, Prof. Christiana Ijagbemi, established that climate change was a major threat with wide-ranging consequences.

She noted that widespread adoption of sustainable technology and energy solutions were crucial for addressing climate change and building a future that was both environmentally sound an
d adaptable.

Ijagbemi said that renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a primary driver of climate change.

She said that sustainable practices across various sectors like transportation and agriculture could contribute to a more environmentally friendly approach.

Ijagbemi, represented by Prof. Temitope Adetoye, also noted that sustainable solutions not only mitigated climate change but also helped communities adapt to its inevitable effects.

She, therefore, urged the professionals to embrace sustainable technologies, saying, in doing so, they can create a more sustainable future where communities can thrive despite climate challenges.

Mrs Margaret Oguntala, President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, acknowledged steps taken by the federal government to develop technologies for renewable energy, green energy, and clean housing solutions.

While policies exist for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and other initiatives, Oguntala emphasised the
need for stronger implementation to ensure these plans translate into action.

She commended Nigerian engineers for their leadership in climate change solutions and advocated better implementation of existing government policies related to renewable energy and sustainability efforts.

Mrs Joanna Mmaduka, the honouree, expressed her joy and fulfillment, particularly being surrounded by other female engineers.

She expressed a wish to see female engineers surpass her own achievements, emphasising the importance of perseverance, patience, and hard work as key ingredients for success.

She also highlighted the importance of sustainability and the innovative solutions engineering could provide in areas like waste management.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Anambra Government in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO) have stepped up healthcare facilities monitoring to eliminate quackery and improve quality healthcare services delivery to residents.

Dr Afam Obidike, the state’s Commissioner for Health, at the official launch of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Unit (ASHAFAMU) and its e-platform, on Tuesday in Awka, said government would not tolerate illegal health practices.

Obidike said the unit set required minimum standards for operations of health facilities, both in public and private healthcare sectors.

‘When we resumed office, 80 per cent of healthcare services was being driven by the private sector without regulations. This is why many quack doctors are operating healthcare facilities in the state.

‘This was why Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration in partnership with WHO decided to establish ASHAFAMU to ensure quality healthcare delivery for all residents of the state.

‘With this unit, Anambra’s ASHAFAMU will become
the second government-owned accreditation body in Nigeria, after Lagos state, to guarantee patients’ safety.

‘The state government will no longer tolerate unprofessional practices, quackery, lack of qualified medical personnel, to non-registration of facilities and lack of basic equipment, which can compromise the health and the well-being of patients,’ he said.

The commissioner lauded WHO and the state’s ICT agency for designing the ASHAFAMU e-platform.

Also speaking, Mr Tony Mobuike, Chairman, House Committee on Health at the state Assembly, urged health providers in Anambra to embrace the provisions of the accreditation policy.

‘Now, there is a legal framework to close down health facilities, for non-compliance, arrest and prosecute quack healthcare providers,’ he said.

In his remarks, Dr Bonos Mohammed, state Coordinator, WHO, said the establishment of the unit would protect and safeguard the health of citizens.

Mohammed said that WHO would continue to support the state to ensure ASHAFAMU achieve it
s mandate and sanitise the health sector.

The Managing Director, Anambra ICT Agency, Mr Chukwuemeka Agbata, said accredited health facilities would be uploaded for easy tracking, location and verifying accreditation status.

‘Residents should visit this e-platform as it will serve as a hospital directory and for feedback purposes,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has granted licence to the Institute of Information Management (IIM), to conduct examinations and certify data protection professionals for global competitiveness.

The National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, who said this on Monday while presenting licence to IIM in Abuja, said granting of licence was part of the commission’s measures to implement Executive Order 003 and 005.

Olatunji said certifying data protection professionals in the country would reduce capital flight, create over 500,000 jobs in the sector and encourage more people to be certified.

‘We are trying to ensure implementation of Executive Order 003 and 005 to promote local contents in Nigeria.

‘Most of us who are certified data protection officers have international certifications; we paid some dollars to write exams as well as maintain the certificates.

‘We are trying to domesticate this in Nigeria by having a national certification process.

‘Looking at our population, we need o
ver 500,000 certified data protection officers. We cannot afford to allow capital flight in this area,’ he said.

The national commissioner also said that the commission was considering adopting the licensing across Africa.

‘We are looking at a way this initiative will become a pan-African initiative, whereby data professionals have the national certification we have in Nigeria and can also practise in any part of Africa.

‘It is a way of creating jobs for our people, reducing capital flight, and developing global human capital in the data protection ecosystem.

‘We have also gone further to develop the training model which is unique to us and that is what all the trainers in Nigeria will be using,’ Olatunji said.

He added that the licensing would also create jobs for already licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs), who would be accredited to train prospective professionals to sit for data protection examinations.

According to him, the national data protection certification will be a hist
oric legacy that will transcend administrations and meet global standards.

Dr Oyedokun Oyewole, President of Institute of Information Management, recalled that the certification process commenced in 2021.

He said the licence would bridge the gap in the data protection ecosystem.

Oyewole assured Nigerians of the institute’s commitment to be the best in the education system of data protection in the country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria