SANI Muhammad Sani Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Olufemi A. Peters, has said that the welfare and satisfaction of students are of utmost priority to his administration. Peters stated this in Abuja during the 21st Matriculation Ceremony for the students of the university held on Saturday, October 23, 2021. The event was witnessed through a virtual link across the 103 study centres of the university in the country in compliance with the COVID-19 protocol. A total of 14,953 fresh students were sworn in for the university’s 2020/2021 second semester session. In his speech, the vice-chancellor told the new students: “It is my delight and responsibility to assure you that I, indeed the entire management and NOUN community, am committed to making your stay in NOUN seamless, peaceful and safe. “Your welfare and satisfaction are paramount to us. Our study centres are being renovated and modified for effective and ever improving service delivery.” Peters added, “Our course materials development, information request, service delivery and examination administration processes are continuously reviewed to advance your learning experience. “Our e-library facilities are replicated in all study centres and will be further enhanced.” The vice-chancellor, upon assumption of office on February 11, 2021, had assured that students’ welfare and satisfaction were top on his agenda, describing them as the university’s primary PR. According to him, the mandate of NOUN is to ensure that students get the best in terms of online facilitation, portal access for information, learning content delivery, Computer-Based Text (CBT) examinations and assessments in whichever location of choice among the study centres in the country. ‘‘We will endeavour to provide you excellent opportunities to learning; an atmosphere of mutual respect, justice and quality service delivery. “We are determined to make your learning rewarding and satisfactory,” he added. The present challenges of COVID-19, he explained, have moved NOUN further and faster, as the learning systems are being upgraded continuously with the state of the art methodologies and innovations in the use of information and communications technology. The VC disclosed that registration is being simplified further, with a ticketing system developed to attend to students’ requests for information complaints. Speaking on NOUN’s strive for perfection in the deployment of cutting-edge technologies for learning and service delivery, he said that might encounter certain challenges as some of them would be related to the state of infrastructure. He, however, said, “I urge you to be resolute when challenges arise, as they are part of life, even in learning. Please, seek assistance promptly and demand our attention in a friendly and cooperative manner and maintain a positive attitude.” Peters further urged the students to desist from anything that would make them become a disgrace to the NOUN family, while challenging them to be the generation that would restore Africa’s honour and change the continent. Meanwhile, the Registrar of the university, Mr. Felix I. Edoka, administered the matriculation oath to the students. NOUN is the only single-mode Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution in Nigeria. With about half a million students, it is easily the largest university in terms of enrollment in the West African subregion.
Lagos State Ministry of Education revealed that it will deal decisively with any teacher or staff caught promoting political hatred among students.
The state commissioner for education, Lagos state Mrs Folasade Adefisayo in a press released signed by the ministry’s Asst Director, Public Affairs, Ganiu Lawal disclosed that the ministry has summoned the principal to explain his actions.
The education ministry which is investigating the story of a ten year old Marvelous Barinaadaa that went viral on social media after her father complained that his Daughter was Exited from Odomola junior Secondary school, Epe in Lagos on the 14th of this March for using the poster of Peter Obi to wrap her text books pointed out that all it’s agencies will never indulge nor instruct any school, teacher, principal or personnel to act in such a manner.
Mrs. Adefisayo reassures Lagos students and the public that the issue will be dealt with decisively without delay within the ambit of Lagos state strict regulations on education explaining that the reason for sending home the student, if the story is confirmed to be true is unacceptable.
ThE purpoted letter from the school principal
Mrs Adefisayo further revealed another case of a school principal at Odonguyan who was recorded on video camera that also went viral on social media in which the principal was campaigning for the political party of her choice to the students at the school premises unveiling that the offender has also been subjected to appropriate disciplinary measures.
Mrs. Adefisayo added that her ministry is always poised to promotes and operate a public school systems that is devoid of politics and political insinuations. She re-emphasize that a thorough investigation has been launched into both issues while measures to ensure justice and peaceful environment of learning will be ensured with a view to curtail future occurance of such incidents.
She said that anyone found violating the state civil service rules will be subjected to disciplinary measures.
Earlier, the complain letter published on social media by the parent of the child informed the public that the school Principal of his daughter who used Peter Obi poster to wrap her note Book without knowing the political implications of what might later erupt exit his child from the school.
The posting further explained that the child didn’t know anything about Politics but was sent home from the school without the school authority informing her parents of her fault and what measures the school has taken.
The parent lamented that their guilt was supporting Peter Obi to be president and his labour party, asking the public if the principal’s action is noble.
The parent sent the post with the letter written by the school principal and ended with “And after all we will say we are one Nigerian” requesting anyone that comes across the letter to repost in all obidients flatforms
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Muhammad has directed all Bauchi state students, studying at various institutions of learning especially the higher institutions across the country to be transported back to the State with an aim to cast their votes this weekend.
The state government according to the governor will take care of all their transportation fare and expenditure.
This directive is coming at the heel of the National Universities Commission order for the closure of all higher institutions ahead of this week’s general elections.
Farouq Mustapha, the Director General of the PDP Campaign Council in the state is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring smooth conveyance of the students while processes of the activity has begun.
Governor Bala Muhammad has settled over 300 million naira students fees that are expected to write this year’s NECO and JAMB in public secondary schools across the state,
Alkalam Writers Association, Kaduna, says it is organising a public commemoration and book presentation on renown Hausa broadcaster and author, Alhaji Mahmoon Baba-Ahmed, who died five years ago.
President of the association, Hajiya Halima Abdullahi Kofar Mashi has revealed
She says the event will take place at Arewa House, Kaduna, on Thursday, February 9, 2023, which falls on the fifth anniversary of the demise of the journalist.
Alhaji Mahmoon, whom she described as an elder statesman, died in Kaduna on Thursday, February 9, 2018, aged 77.
He first made a name for himself as a correspondent for the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kaduna, in several states. Subsequently, he served as the General Manager of Radio Kano and later as the Managing Director of Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC).
In retirement, Mahmoon devoted his time to writing on contemporary issues, running weekly columns in newspapers including The Triumph, Blueprint and Aminiya, as well as commentaries on the Kaduna-based DITV Television, Liberty Television, Alheri Radio and Liberty Radio.
A literary enthusiast, he authored six books in Hausa that included a poetry collection titled ‘Dan Hausa’, two plays (‘Uwani Reza’ and ”Yar Halas’), and translated three plays of William Shakespeare.
The Shakespearean plays he translated are ‘Macbeth’ as ‘Makau’, ‘Julius Caesar’ as ‘Jarmai Ziza’, and ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as ‘Habiba Ta Habibu’.
The press release said a key part of the commemoration is the unveiling of Mahmoon’s last book, ‘Habiba Ta Habibu’, which was only published this year.
Hajiya Halima indicated that Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai, is scheduled to attend as the special guest of honour on the occasion, while the proprietor of Liberty Television, Dr. Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, will serve as chairman.
She said the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, is the royal father of the day, while a former president of the Federal Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi (Walin Hausa), is the special guest.
She added that the Kaduna Zonal Director of the FRCN, Alhaji Buhari Auwalu, is the guest speaker, while a senior lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Adamu Ibrahim Malumfashi, is the book reviewer.
Several other stakeholders invited to the event have confirmed their intention to attend the event, she said.
According to the president of the association, the motivation for the event is both to highlight the great patriotic works of Alhaji Mahmoon and emphasise the need to celebrate the contribution of some Nigerians to national development after they are gone.
She said the event is also an opportunity to give posthumous awards to some members of the association who are deceased.