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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MARCH 13, 2016
NEWS
TELECOMS PARLEY L-R: Chief of Staff to Executive Vice Chairman, EVC, Nigerian Communications Commission, Usman
Mallah; Director Human Capital & Infrastructure Group, NCC, Mrs. Maryam Bayi; Admin Manager, West African Telecoms Regulatory Assembly, Sele Pokima; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO,NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta; Executive Secretary, WATRA Alh. Maman Laminou, and Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Tony Ojobo, when WATRA officials paid a courtesy visit to the EVC in Abuja...recently
HIGH-LEVEL SUPPORT L-R: Wife of the Speaker House of Representatives, Hajia Gimbia Yakubu Dogara; the new couple, Mr. Gambo HassanandwifeFumi,andtheSpeaker,RtHon.YakubuDogaraattheweddingoftheSpeaker’snephew,Gambo, held in Abuja...yesterday PHOTO:JuliusAtoi
FG Releases New Education Census Figure • US expresses concern over North-east Paul Obi, Kasim Sumaina and Bukola Eshun in Abuja
The federal government has released new census on the status of education in Nigeria, indicating some progress as well as concerns in some of the critical areas of the sector. This came as the United States government expressed deep concern over poor indicators and performance from the North-east geo-political zone where Boko Haram insurgency has taken a toll on the region. The release of the new Nigeria Education Data Survey (NEDS) showed that the number of rural female without any form of schooling in the country was put at 49 per cent, while male was at 45 per cent. Urban female without any level of education stood 22 per cent, male 19 per cent. Urban male with tertiary education was at 33 per cent, while female was 22 per cent.
The figures showed a reduction in the number of rural females with education. In 2013, where the survey was merged with the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) rural female without any form of education stood at 53.5 per cent, showing a reduction of about 4 per cent; also, the number for urban females with tertiary education increased by 12 per cent. Further, figures from the North East geo-political zone appears to have worsened compared with 2013 due to the increasing cases of Boko Haram insurgency. Speaking at the launch of NEDS, Chairman of National Population Commission (NPC) Chief Eze Duruiheoma, SAN explained that “the survey is meant to provide policy makers with accurate and timely data to formulate courses of action designed to increase enrollment, attendance and learning and to achieve Nigeria’s Universal Basic
Education Commission (UBEC) and Education for all (EFA) goals for the children of school age. “It is also meant to provide a substantial amount of the household-based education data needed in Nigeria. The outcome of the survey will inform programming that will improve levels of student enrollment and attendance, as well as facilitate equitable access to quality schooling for all children in Nigeria.” Duruiheoma stated that “the conduct of the NEDS marks another major step by the National Population Commission to respond to the national imperative of providing adequate and relevant data for national planning, particularly in the education sector. “The highlights of the 2015 include the primary school attendance over time showing improvement and gender gap eliminated, UBE improves the transition from primary to secondary education, improvement in percentage of children
in school that can read by class 2010-2015. “ Director Nigeria Mission, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Michael Harvey explained that the data is very essential to planning and strategising in the education sector in order to attain great feats. He said: “I challenge you to give particular attention to the data from the states of the northeast, which will be critical in helping formulate policies for rebuilding the sector. “USAID has also provided small matching grants to communities, parent-teacher associations, and non-governmental organisations to rehabilitate schools and prioritise community needs.” He explained that the project cost “$4.9 million” adding: “It is a big effort because it wasn’t first national survey but it is also 36 states and the first and it was a big effort and involving a lot of people and I am really proud of it.”
Deploy Science Tech to Defeat Terrorism, Restiveness, Buhari Urges African Nations Dele Ogbodo in Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged African nations to embrace Science, Technology and Innovations (STIs), to defeat terrorism, social restiveness, poverty, hunger, illiteracy and underdevelopment across the continent. According to him, it is only through the deployment of STIs that Africa countries can efficiently exploit its huge natural resources and thereby create jobs, wealth and reduce both poverty and human suffering. The disclosure was made
by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taye Akinyemi, weekend in Abuja. Onu, the statement added represented the president in a three-day World Conference on the deployment Science and Technology for Africa’s Development, in Dakar, Senegal. The minister urged African nations to see science and technology as an important instrument to stimulate human development and progress in the concerted effort to minimise human suffering, reduce levels of poverty, conflict and strife,
social restiveness, terrorism and environmental degradation cross the continent. According to him, it is only when the continent of Africa embrace science and technology that the face of hunger, illiteracy and under-development associated with it can be eradicated, adding that it would help nations across Africa in the efficient exploitation of its huge natural resources. To demonstrate its commitment to these objectives, the minister stated that Nigeria has commenced the utilisation of science and technology in its effort to unlock the door to
FG to Stabilise Price of Rice by April
The Federal Government said yesterday that it would stabilise the price of rice from April to make it affordable to everybody in the country. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, made this known while declar-
ing open the 2016 National wheat farmers field day in Alkamawa village in Bunkure Local Government of Kano state. Ogbeh said the stability of price of rice would be very viable due to its demand and affordability to the people
from April. He said the boosting of wheat production and other cereals had become necessary to reduce over dependence on importation, according to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report. The minister added that over 300, 000 hectares
prosperity and defeat hunger, disease and illiteracy. This is possible, according to him, because the mighty pyramids of Egypt, the great walls of Zimbabwe and the beautiful artistic works of Igboukwu, Ife and Benin demonstrated the applications of science technology and innovation. The minister stressed that Nigeria will continue to utilise “the key of science and technology to unlock the door of progress, defeat hunger, disease and illiteracy for the common good. We are resolved to bridge gaps that divide and strengthen bonds that unite.”
of land in wheat producing states would be dedicated to boost wheat production. “The government will continue to support farmers to encourage agricultural activity, enhance food security and employment generation in the country,” he said.
Buhari’ll Invest Heavily in Critical Infrastructure, Says Odigie-Oyegun
Anayo Okolie
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to invest in critical infrastructure like energy, rail and roads to drive the country’s development as demonstrated in the party’s first budget. Odigie-Oyegun, who stated at a recent stakeholders party’s meeting in United Kingdom, disclosed that insidious corruption and the near collapse of the oil price have severely restricted the party from immediate delivery of electoral promises. According to him, the party, under President Buhari, remains resolute in tackling Nigeria’s infrastructural deficits and other economic problems. He urged the British government to continue to support the Buhari administration in
fighting corruption which he described as the main cause of infrastructural deficit in the country. Others at meeting were members of APC across the United Kingdom, the party’s representatives from the Scandinavia and the invited British guests. The event, chaired by Mr. Richard Fuller, member of the British Parliament for Bedford and Kempton, and the Vice Chair, All Parties Parliamentary Group (APPG), Nigeria, Mr. Martin Brown, a former senior parliamentary aide, was, however, the first meeting organised under the chairmanship of Dr. Philip Idaewor. Brown, who spoke on financial corruption and infrastructural development, listed some of the worthy efforts of the Buhari administration in fighting corruption.
Kwara Elders Endorse FG’s Fight against Corruption Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
The Elders Committee in Kwara state have disclosed that the ongoing prosecution of highly placed individuals in the country by the federal government was a strong signal to the international community that corruption and indiscipline would no longer be condoned in the country again. In a statement issued by the committee in Ilorin, Kwara state capital yesterday signed by Alhaji Abdulrahman Gold (Kwara central), Chief Yekeen Obalowu
(Kwara South) and Hon. Ezekiel Kolo (Kwara North) the elders advised those facing trial over corruption charges to allow courts to do their work instead of making frivolous comment about their prosecution. The elders also said, “inspite of pressures from several quarters, President Buhari has remained true to his promise to rid the country of corruption, no matter whose ox is gored. For the first time in this country, we are witnessing a genuine, systematic approach to anti-graft war.
APC Ex-Senatorial Candidate, Olofin, Dies in Auto Crash
Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti
The Senatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti Central Senatorial District during the 2015 general polls in Ekiti State, Amb. Gbenga Olofin, is dead. Olofin died in a ghastly motor accident along OwoBenin road at about 5.30pm yesterday, while returning to his base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He was said to
have been travelling alone in his Pathfinder Jeep when the accident happened. His remains, according to an impeccable source, had been deposited at the morgue of Gabriel Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State. The deceased was in Ekiti for continuation of his political career, where he received some decampees from PDP in his country home into APC on behalf of the State Working Committee on Thursday.