News
Education Minister tells agencies to address challenges through legislative process
Apparently worried by certain complaints from some agencies under his ministry, minister of state for education, Rt Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah, has advised them to explore the use of legislative process to tackle the challenges.
Since assuming office last month after appointment, agencies under the ministry have been briefing the minister about their operations.
Part of the interface that holds at the Ministry of Education in Abuja is the opportunity for the various establishments to reel out challenges facing them.
Most of the chief executives of the agencies who have visited the Minister’s office raised concern concerning strengthening the laws that set up their establishments which some informed are at various stages in the federal parliament.
After listening to the Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria, LRCN, through Alhaji Jafaru Abdulahi Wase, the Acting Registrar/CEO and Prof Promise Mebine of the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, who led their teams to the Minister’s office, Rt Hon Opiah advised those with difficulties related to establishment structure and operations, to consider using legislative process through the national assembly as a solution.
Rt Hon Opiah who took time to hear from the heads of the two establishments opted for the use of the parliamentarians of both the Senate and House of Reps to make laws for the good of the agencies.
While asking the two groups who visited his office to improve on self sufficiency so as to reduce dependency on government for survival, the minister called for public support from thev private sector and corporate entities to some of the agencies since government can’t do it alone.
The minister requested the Librarians Registration Council and the mathematical centre to go further in exploiting ways of getting the support of international agencies in running their programs.
He told the LRCN to do more on E-library based activities so as to increase interest in reading.
“The reading culture is dying gradually especially among our youths who dwell more with phones in recent times. Increase sensitisation for an improved reading culture. You have a role to play as a body to enhance an improved reading culture.
“The library affords the chance for one to link up to the world. If we develop the right system, we can increase interest in reading” the minister added.
Responding to the Mathematical Centre officials, Rt Hon Opiah said that since everything about life resolves around mathematics, the agency should create more awareness of its programs and engage in extensive crusade to attract attention. He also asked the centre to invest in programs that will lure more international bodies to its activities.
After listening to the briefs which are related to their operations and challenges, the minister, during his speech promised to look into issues raised.Rt Hon Opiah assured them of the support of the education ministry adding that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration places premium on ways to ensure government agencies respond to public wants without much constraints.
*Kelechi Mejuobi*
Special Assistant, Media/Public Affairs to the Hon Minister of State for Educ
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Safarau Umar Baribari.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Dr. Ganduje described Hajiya Safarau’s death as a profound loss that has left a deep void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the people of Katsina State.
Extending his sympathies, the APC National Chairman condoled with Governor Radda, the bereaved family, and the entire people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the late Hajiya Safarau and prayed for Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant her eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus while strengthening the family to bear this irreplaceable loss.
Dr. Ganduje urged Governor Radda and others affected to find comfort in the cherished memories and enduring legacy of the deceased.
Reaffirming the APC’s support, the former Kano State governor assured the people of Katsina State of the party’s solidarity in their time of grief and prayed that Allah (SWT) grant the departed soul Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.
The wife of Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), Hajia Aishat has offered cash and food items worth millions of naira to widows and vulnerable women across Dekina local government Councils, promises to take similar gesture across the nine local government in Kogi East.
The exercise which was tagged: “Widows Empowerment”, saw the Senator’s wife distributing cash and food items to cushion the effect of Ramadan.
Items distributed are bags of rice bags of salt, cartons of seasoning, maggi etc, which were evenly distributed to widows and vulnerable women across party lines.
A beneficiary who spoke with our correspondent at Odu in Dekina Local Government Council, Hon Fitumi thanked Hajia for her continuous effort in coming through for widows and vulnerable regularly.
She acknowledged similar gesture by Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), a fortnight ago at Ankpa when youths in their numbers from three Local Government Areas were trained in Agriculture and empowered, stressing that people are now living testimony to the effort of the lawmaker.
“”We are aware of several intervention projects, empowerment and developmental projects of Senator Echocho and we are not surprised seeing Hajia toeing the similar path.
“The distribution of food items and cash today is not only a rekindling of hope to the beneficiaries, but an encouragement that despite their condition, they were not forgotten.
Hajia Labran, and other APC Women leaders who spoke on behalf of women, applauded Hajia Aisha Echocho and pray Allah to strengthen her to carry on, urged others to emulate her sustainable initiatives.
The women advised other political office holders to emulate what is good and just, which they believed would strengthen the party.
As part of the activities to celebrate the golden anniversary of the University of Calabar, the wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio was on Saturday, March 22, 2025 conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Education Management.
The ceremony held at the main campus of the institution in Calabar, Cross River State also saw the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike awarded the honorary doctorate degree in Law.
Other awardees included Major General Moses Bisong Obi (rtd) (Doctor of Peace and Conflict Studies) and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Akomaye Obi (Doctor of Law).
In her acceptance speech after the conferment by the 15th Emir of Kano and Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Akpabio thanked the Governing Council and Management of the University for finding her worthy of the honour.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Mrs Akpabio as saying “I am happy to be honoured with this award from the prestigious University of Calabar that I have heard so much about from my dear husband, an alumnus of this great institution.
“I was wondering when I will join him as a great Malabress and that day has come and I am grateful to the University for this honour,” she said.
Mrs Akpabio promised to work with other awardees especially the Minister of the FCT to provide infrastructural assistance to the university.
In a citation the University extolled Mrs Akpabio for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts towards uplifting the lives of women and the vulnerable of the society through her non governmental organisation, the Family Life Enhancement Initiative.
She was also recognized as a Champion of women’s rights and as one who used her position as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State to fight for the inclusion of more women in governance.
On his part, Chief Wike said he was honoured to be among the recipients of award. He extolled the Visitor of the University, President Bola Tinubu for working tirelessly to promote tertiary education in the country.
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