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Education News

Enact Policies To Enforce African Language Study in Western Educational Curriculum – Egbilika Tells UN, Others 

Commemorating the annual celebration of the international day for elimination of racial discrimination celebrated every March 21, Linguist and Indigenous language advocate, Mr. Egbilika Josiah, has called on United Nations (UN) and other global institutions, to enact policies that call for the enshrinement of African Language Study in the educational curriculum of western countries.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, Nigeria, Mr Egbilika opined that such policies and its implementation will aid to bringing the people of African Descent closer to the culture and place of origin, enable them acquire, learn and speak their indigenous languages and also expose to the western world the different languages in Africa.

The Indigenous Language Advocate further added that if schools in western countries include African Language Study in their educational curriculum, it create a better bond between the people of African Descent and the western world, cause a better appreciation of Africa and enhance unity between all.

Mr Egbilika stated that it is a good feat that United Nation has launched a decade of Recognition, Justice and Development: Implementation of the international decade for the people of African descent to recognize the efforts of the people of Africa in the development of the globe, but it will rather be better if African languages are also taught in schools in the western world just as it is taught in African schools.

The Linguist suggests that the universities or colleges could call it department of African Language Study of Foreign and African Language study while in primary and secondary schools, it could be called “Introduction to world languages or Introduction to African Languages”

Mr. Egbilika mentioned that if world bodies enact such policies, it will increase the employment population rate, improve the economic rate, enhance cultural integration, improve multi-lingual teaching in countries of the world and also reduce illegal migration challenges the world is facing now which in turn cause a reduction in the mortality rate of human resources from migration.

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Education News

WAEC Releases Results of First-ever Computer-based WASSCE For Private Candidates

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), on Friday, released the results of the first-ever computer-based 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (CB-WASSCE) for Private Candidates.

In a statement signed and released by the Acting Head, Public Affairs, WAEC, Moyosola Adesina, 8,006 candidates out of total 8,362 that registered for the 2024 CB-WASSCE, representing 98.37% have their results fully processed and released while 133 candidates, representing 1.63% have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors traceable to them.

The candidates’ performance analysis showed that out of the 8,139 candidates that sat the examination, “3,424 candidates representing 42.07% obtained credit and above in a minimum of 5 subjects with or without English Language and/or Mathematics.

“2,519 candidates representing 30.95% obtained credit and above in a minimum of 5 subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

“Thus, there is a marginal increase of 6.96% in performance in this regard, representing 0.80% of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, are being withheld for various reported cases of examination malpractice.

“There were reported cases of 413 candidates who are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate Committee of the Council for consideration. Thereafter, the Committee’s decisions will be communicated directly to the affected candidates. Meanwhile, candidates whose results are being held/withheld can apply for redress by visiting https://waecinternational.org/complaints to register their complaints.”

According to the management, the examination was conducted between Wednesday, January 31 and Saturday, February 17, 2024.

The coordination of examiners and marking of candidates’ scripts were carried out at three marking Venues in Lagos, Enugu and Kaduna from March 1 to 16, 2024 and a total of 459 examiners participated in the coordination and marking exercise.

“Twenty-one candidates with varying degrees of special needs were registered for the examination, of which nine were visually challenged, two had impaired hearing and two were albinos”, the statement said

It added that all the candidates with special needs were adequately catered for in the administration of the examination.

Recall that the regional examination body, in line with emerging best practices and continuous quest for excellence in its service delivery, commenced migration from the traditional Paper-based Examinations (PBE) to Computer-based Examinations (CBE) for its Private Candidates examinations.

The novel CB-WASSCE entailed using a hybrid method where all questions were projected on the computer. Whereas answers to the multiple-choice questions were supplied on the computer real-time, answers to the essay and test of practical questions were supplied in booklets given to the candidates.

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Education News

BREAKING: SSANU, NASU Declare Nationwide Warning Strike

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), has directed its members to proceed on a seven-day nationwide warning strike from Monday, 18th March.

The labour union in a statement, jointly signed by NASU general secretary, Peter Adeyemi and SSANU president, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the strike is coming into effect due to the government’s decision to withhold four months’ salaries of members.

They blamed the failure of the federal government to address issues earlier raised. They also queried the justification for the payment of the withheld salaries of the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) while leaving out their members.

The statement addressed to all branch chairpersons of SSANU and NASU reads in part: “The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU has inundated the Federal Government with the need to pay the withheld four months’ salaries of our members in the federal universities and inter-university centres as done for our academic counterparts to no avail.

“As a matter of fact, the attention of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, and Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, OON, the Honourable Minister of Education, were called to this injustice and unfair treatment of our members in our letter referenced JAC/NS/VOL.II/277 dated 13th February, 2024 and to also inform them to resolve the issue positively before it leads to unnecessary upheaval in our university sector.

“In a similar vein, a press release was issued on 1st March 2024 and the Federal Government was given a seven-day ultimatum to do the needful in respect of the payment of the withheld 4 months’ salaries but nothing was done on same.

“Having waited patiently for the ultimatum to expire without a positive response from the government, this is to direct our members in the universities and inter-university centres throughout the country to commence a 7-day warning strike effective Monday, 18th March 2024 in the first instance.

“Please note that the 7-day warning strike should be comprehensive and total as no concession should be given in any guise.”

It urged members of the unions to ensure strict compliance with the directive, noting that whatever happens within the seven days would determine the next line of action to be pursued.

“Your strict compliance and adherence to this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches in the Universities and Inter-University Centres.”

DIPLOMATIC DIARY, recalls that in 2022, two months after ASUU commenced a nationwide strike, both SSANU and NASU also embarked on nationwide industrial action that further crippled activities across the campuses.

The action was to protest the government’s failure to fulfil its promises to the workers and what they described as gross underfunding of the universities.

At the time, the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari invoked a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy and withheld the workers’ salaries.

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) also took part in the strike at the time.

SSANU queried the rationale behind the government’s insistence on the “no work, no pay policy,” saying that due process was followed before embarking on the strike that lasted four months. Till the end of his tenure, Mr Buhari never authorised the payment of the workers.

Meanwhile, in October 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced that his government would pay four months of the withheld salaries to members of ASUU. The announcement instantly raised concerns over the fate of the members of the other unions.

The National Vice President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, had said the president’s directive if not reviewed to include SSANU and other unions could be a recipe for disaster as he threatened another round of strikes if SSANU members’ withheld salaries were not paid alongside that of ASUU.

“The directive appears to be misdirected because all university unions went on strike last year and not ASUU alone. To that extent, that directive cannot be selective in favour of a single union but can only be general,”, Salaam said in October.

However, the Federal Government recently paid four of the eight months’ salaries of the academics, leaving out the non-academic staff.

Following what it described as deliberate neglect of their members to pay their withheld salaries, and the alleged refusal to acknowledge their various letters addressed to the government through the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, both SSANU and NASU threatened to down tools.

Earlier on 1 March, a joint statement issued by the two unions, urged the government to consider their case by paying their members.

Similarly, at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, a few days ago, SSANU approved the suggestion that its members should be withdrawn from their duty posts for seven days.

The union urged its NASU counterpart to also reach the same conclusion with its members for joint action, saying there would be no going back if the government refused to accede to their request.

In its latest action, JAC on Friday directed the unions’ members nationwide to commence the seven-day industrial action, blaming the government for ignoring their appeals.

The unions also listed their efforts towards an amicable resolution of the matter but that they received no response from the government.

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Education News

Tinubu Approves Upgrade of Federal College of Dental Technology To University

President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu, to a full-fledged University of Allied Health Sciences.

The College will now be known as the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, and will be domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the President announced in a statement issued on Thursday by Ajuri Ngelale, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

“This presidential directive comes at a time when President Tinubu, who doubles as the African Union (AU) Champion for Human Resources for Health, is set to train 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide within 16 months; to double the number of primary health facilities in local communities across all local government areas of the federation from 8,800 presently to over 17,000 over the next three years, and is doubling the number of health personnel graduating from accredited nursing and midwifery institutions over the next three years in order to meet the aspirations of Nigerians for accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services across the nation”, Ngalele added.

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Education News

Tinubu Seeks Repeal, Re-enactment of Student Loan Bill, Writes Reps

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday wrote to the House of Representatives seeking the repeal and reenactment of the Student Loan Bill.

The letter, which was read during plenary by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, was titled, TRANSMISSION OF STUDENT LOANS (ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION) (REPEAL AND RE-ENACTMENT) BILL, 2024, and dated March 14, 2024. 2024 and dated March 14, 2024.

The President said this seeks to enhance the implementation of the Higher Education Student Loan Scheme by addressing challenges related to the management structure of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELF).

The letter reads, “Pursuant to Section 58(2) of the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). I forward, herewith, The Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024 for the kind consideration of the House of Representatives.

“The Student Loan (Access

to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re- Enactment) Bill, 2024, seeks to enhance the implementation of the Higher Education Student Loan Scheme by addressing challenges related to the management structure of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELF), applicant eligibility requirements, loan purpose, funding sources and disbursement and repayment procedures.

“Whilst hoping that this submission will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the House of Representatives, please accept, Rt. Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

Meanwhile, the Bill to repeal and reenactment, which was presented during plenary on Thursday, received expeditious hearing as it scaled first and second reading.

It was titled, “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023, and Enact the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Bill, 2024 to Establish the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a Body Corporate to Receive, Manage and Invest Funds to Provide Loans to Nigerians for Higher Education, Vocational Training and Skills Acquisition and for Related Matters (HB.1266).

All the lawmakers who debated the matter on the floor spoke in favour of the bill, saying that it should be passed into law as quickly as possible for the benefit of Nigerian education.

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Education News

Linguist Egbilika Seeks Adoption, Acceptance, Recognition of ‘Endoglossophobia’

A Port Harcourt based Linguist and Indigenous Language Advocate, Mr. Josiah Egbilika has called for the adoption, acceptance and recognition of the word, ‘Endoglossophobia’, and its inclusion in the next production of various dictionaries online or hardcopies.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Wednesday, Mr. Egbilika stated that ‘Endoglossophobia’ is not just a word, but a real-life situation which if not handled can result in the extinction of indigenous languages.

Noting that the situation is not only common in Nigeria or Africa but global, the Linguist enjoined that it be given the attention it deserves.

By way of definition, Egbilika who holds a Master of Arts Degree in Linguistics, defined Endoglossophobia as the feeling of unease, apprehension, worry, irritation or nervousness experienced in learning or using either in speech or writing, one’s indigenous language or dialect.

The indigenous language advocate, who stated that Endoglossophobia, simply put is the fear or anxiety experienced in speaking one’s own indigenous language; added that it could also be referred to as native/indigenous language or dialectal anxiety.

Mr. Egbilika argues that the word is necessitated since there was no word in existence to describe the fear of speaking one’s own indigenous language.

He stated that Endoglossophobia is a common situation but has been subsumed into Linguaphobia.

“This is not the case because the fear of language, Linguaphobia is a summary of all fears of any language situation. It could be the fear of a foreign language ‘Xenoglossophobia’, fear of sign language, also known as the fear of fingerspelling ‘Lexidactylophobia'”, he clarified.

The Linguists lamented that while the other terms cover peculiar situations, unfortunately, there has been no existing term for the fear of speaking one’s indigenous language over the years.

Mr. Egbilika expressed happiness that propounding the word Endoglossophobia has given an identity to that pathetic situation, which will eventually turned a menace if not handled.

He therefore calls for its recognition and acceptance so attention can be moved towards the situation before it turns a language endemic.

Mr. Egbilika stressed that he will be glad to see the word Endoglossophobia is captured in both online and hardcopies dictionaries.

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Education News

Again, Tinubu Falters on Student Loan Scheme, Postpones Launch Indefinitely

President Bola Tinubu-led government on Tuesday announced its administration plan to postpone the inauguration of the Nigerian Students Loan Scheme’s indefinitely.

DIPLOMATIC DIARY reports that this is coming just 48 hours before it is scheduled to launch on Thursday, March 14.

Akintunde Sawyer, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), made this known while speaking in an interview with AriseTV.

According to Sawyer, the loan, which was officially scheduled to debut on Thursday, has been rescheduled due to some launch-related modifications.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to commit to a specific date. We are sort of waiting to ensure that all the stakeholders are aligned to make sure that nobody is blindsided, then we can actually roll this out in a meaningful, comprehensive, wholesome and sustainable way.

“One thing that I will commit to is that this is a well-intended project. The president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well around this and absolutely wants this rolled out as fast as possible, and we’re working very hard to help realise that”, he said.

Recall that the Access to Higher Education Bill was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 12, 2023, to enable indigent students to access interest-free loans to pursue their education in any tertiary institution in Nigeria.

The programme, which was slated to take off between September and October 2023, was rescheduled for January 2024, due to unforeseen circumstances. The scheme was again postponed in January.

In January, Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Education, confirmed at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, while speaking to reporters, that preparations were completed for the scheme to begin, including the finalisation of the Student Loan Scheme website and the conclusion of technical plans to facilitate the scheme’s kick-off.

President Tinubu had assured leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) when they visited him at the State House, Abuja, that the scheme would begin once its expansion to accommodate extra features including vocational studies was done.

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Education News

Bandits Abduct Tsangaya Students In Sokoto

An unspecified number of Tsangaya students at Gidan Bakuso in Gada local government area of Sokoto state have been abducted by bandits.

The student according to sources were kidnapped from their school around 1:am on Saturday.

15 students were unaccounted so far according to the proprietor of the school, Liman Abubakar, saying “We are still counting.”

The bandits, according to Abubakar, invaded the town around 1 am, shot one person and abducted a woman.

“As they were leaving the town, they sighted our students rushing into their rooms and they kidnapped many of them.

“We have so far counted 15 who are missing and we are still searching for more,” he said

Abubakar added that this was not the first time the village was attacked by bandits.

The member, representing Gada-East Constituency at the state House of Assembly, Kabiru Dauda while confirming the attack, said he received a call from the village around 2 am that it was invaded by bandits.

“I reached out to the local government authorities and security agencies and I am sure they are doing something about it”, he said.

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Education News

Schools Shut Over Measles Outbreak in Cross River

Outbreak of measles at the Navy Secondary School and Penniel Primary Schools, both in Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River state has forced authorities in those schools to bring academic activities to an abrupt end.

Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr. Henry Ayuk, who confirmed the outbreak said the State Rapid Response Team from the Ministry of Health had been activated and deployed to the affected area.

“Reactive vaccination for children is ongoing in the affected areas and in other local government areas where there are no reported cases”, he stated.

Ayuk disclosed that the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency was intensifying routine immunization to build up herd immunity, warning that “measles is a highly contagious infection, especially among non-immunized children. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to respond positively to routine immunization campaigns for their children.”

As a temporary measure to avoid casualty, the management of the Nigeria Navy School decided closed down the school due to the outbreak and directed parents to immediately pick up their children in the boarding facility.

A statement from the Navy School to parents, made available to reporters said, “This is to inform you that the school is vacating today due to some prevalent circumstances. The second-term academic activities will continue upon the return of the students.

“The date of return will be communicated. Please note that all SS 3 and JSS 3 students are to check for regular updates on WAEC, NECO, and BECE information. To this end, parents/guardians are kindly requested to pick up their children/wards with effect from today Fri 8 March 2024. Thank you and God bless.”

Efforts to talk to the School Commandant, Capt FI Uchieme were unsuccessful as his phone number wasn’t going through.

The Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association in the School, Okon Bassey (Esq), confirmed receipt of the message forcing the children into vacation but said he was yet to get through to the school management over the development.

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Education News

No Victim Will Be Left Behind – Kaduna Governor Vows to Rescue Abducted Pupils, Teachers of LGEA Primary School

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has vowed to rescue all the pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.

The governor made the pledge when he visited the community to commiserate with them over the incident.

Suspcted bandits on Thursday invaded LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga, Chikun LG Government Area, and abducted an unspecified number of pupils and teachers, including a head teacher.

Governor Sani said the total number of those kidnapped has not been ascertained, but the government was working with the school management and the community to get the actual number.

Sani told the community members that he had received assurances of support from President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu to get the students back home safely.

He urged the community members not to despair but work with government to secure the release of the children and reinforce security there.

Sani particularly appealed to parents of the abducted children to exercise patience, assuring that the government would not let them down.

The governor said that he was pained over the incident and would not relent in getting the primary and secondary school pupils and students reunited with their parents.

Sani was briefed by the District Head, Alhaji Lawal Abdullahi, on the incident at LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga, where a valiant vigilante member who confronted the bandits lost his life.

He said that both the President and NSA have given “strong assurances” that all measures are been taken to bring back the pupils and students.

“A Security Committee will be established in Kuriga, with membership drawn from key stakeholders in Kuriga Community, Security Agencies, and the State Government.

“I will make a strong case to the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff for the establishment of a Military Base in Kuriga to strengthen security in the area”, Sani added.

Governor Sani, said the Kuriga incident has reinforced the need for state police.

“The unfortunate Kuriga incident reinforces our positions in support of the establishment of State Police.

“With State Police, there will be a standing Police Force in Kuriga drawn from members of the community who understand the terrain, the people and the issues at play.

“They can gather intelligence with ease. They will also be constitutionally empowered to bear arms, including sophisticated ones.

“This is important because vigilante groups are not allowed to carry arms.

“They are always at the mercy of these criminal elements who have scant regard for human life”, he added.