Review Nigeria’s education curriculum to global standards—UNESCO Laureate tells FG

UNITED Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, Laureate, and Vice-Chancellor, Crown University International Incorporated, USA, Prof Bashiru Aremu, has called on the Federal Government, FG, to urgently review the educational curriculum to meet objectives of global education standards.

Aremu in a press statement personally signed by him, and obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, stated that the country needs a review of education curriculum to appreciate, values, diversity, equity and full implementation of global sustainability standards.

The statement partly says: “Prof Aremu sees agenda 2030 as United Nations 17 SDGs- Sustainable Development Goals, precisely goal number 4 on global quality education as a universal plan for all countries, a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.”

He stated that curriculum helps to standardize the learning goals for an entire school and provide a clear path for students to progress from one grade to another.

The UNESCO Laureate defined a review as a formal assessment, critical investigation, appraisal, evaluation, judgement, critique of something with the intention of instituting change if necessary.

He sees Curriculum as a specific course; program, lesson, academic content, inventory activities, interactive system of instruction; strategies, measurement and resources, plan on education and training, and a multitude of learning experiences taught by a school to its Students.

He added that the main objectives of global standards is to ensure that social work education adheres to the values and policies of the profession as articulated by the IFSW, IASSW in line with the international Sustainability Standards Board.

While enjoining stakeholders to ensure that curricular and methods of instruction are consistent with the school’s program objectives, he explained that the five elements of Standard Authentic Instructions, ASCD that should be considered while instituting change in curricular activities should include amongst others are: Higher-order thinking, dept of knowledge, connectedness to the world beyond the classroom, substantive conversation, and social support for students achievement.

The statement reads in parts: ” We enjoin education stakeholders all over the world to work towards adhering to global standards by constantly reviewing their curriculum if need be to meet global educational objectives.

“The benefits of new curriculum development or planning are enormous. Curriculum documents should include practical guidelines as it helps centres, faculties, departments in schools to meet international guidelines or standards on education resources management.

“It gives practical expression to teachers, schools, students, IASSW. It helps for the formulation of international standards for social work and training as core business of IASSW or International Sustainability Standards Board.

“The reasons for global standards in education and why education stakeholders should develop new curricular activities are emphasized here. Curriculum helps for consumers protection, impacts on globalization, facilitates articulation across the globe, facilitates the movement of social workers from one country to another, Benchmark National Standards against International standards, promotes partnership, international students and staff exchange Programmes, gives a clear distinction between social and non- social workers.

“Educational Institution(s) ready to adhere to international guidelines must embrace practical training; specify a classification, acknowledge, recognize learning experiences, identification of core competencies, knowledge and Skills, as applied to context specific realities.

“New curriculum development that is of international standards must embrace school core purpose and mission statement; program objectives and outcome, program curriculum and field education, core curricular with local, national, regional and international needs and priorities; adequate professional staff, social work students: Admission criteria; Good education structure, administration, governance and resources; standard ethical conducts, codes; gender inclusiveness, cultural, ethnic diversity and equity.”

Barr Aisha Galadima Gana storms Bauchi alongside others canvasses support for Tinubu/ Shettima

By Emmanuel Daudu

The feminine political voice is personal. It’s intimate. It’s caregiving and life-enhancing. It’s about bringing more love, caring, and justice into the world. It’s also fierce and determined. It is a voice that doesn’t go unnoticed, it influences, it changes strong hearts, and lobbies its way through to the unseeing realms of the mind.

These and much more all these achieve as women have taken the political lead as Nigeria draws closer by seconds of the clock to the days of its general elections.

The Director General, ANG Associates, member PCC, APC Presidential Women Campaign Council, Matron Women for Tinubu & Shettima and National Trustee Member Asiwaju Women Cooperative Society, Barr Aisha Galadima Gana has in Bauchi urged the people of the state to support and Vote His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima as President and vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the forthcoming presidential election, pointing out that the only way corruption, poverty, insecurity, and the dwindling economy can be averted is by having in power these two political warlords in as chief pioneers of the affairs of the nation.

Ran a made stated this in an exclusive interview with newsmen at Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi on Monday, 24th of January, 2023.

In her words, ” Sai Jagaban, Sai Tinubu, Asiwaju Loma je President Insha Allah. Sai Marshall a Bauchi No doubts”.

Speaking further, she urged the people to come in mass and give APC a block vote for a better Nigeria stating that electorates who have not gotten their PVCs should do so by all means.
“PVC is your voting strength, don’t deceive yourself, vote counts, go and get your PVC and vote for APC at all levels”, she said.

Earlier, the founder, Amazon Peace Initiative, API, Nana Aisha Abu-Ali expressed delight at the turnout of people for the campaign rally at the stadium and urged the masses not to be distracted by other presidential candidates that would be coming with sugar-quoted mouths to earn their votes.
” Nigerians are voting APC, Tinubu, and Shettima for President, and this is who you should vote for”, she added.

PACAC: We are leaving behind a legacy of Zero Tolerance for Corruption-Buhari

By Emmanuel Daudu, Abuja

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that his administration would be leaving behind a legacy of zero tolerance for corruption disclosing that the fight against corruption has been in the front boner of his administration right from the onset.

President Muhammadu Buhari who spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, stressed further saying, “as I depart office in a rely of months, I have left in the back of a legacy of zero-tolerance for corruption for our teaming youths and to each and every citizen. For me, corruption is Evil and must be vehemently rejected in all ramifications via all Nigerians anywhere, anytime.

“It is by using integrity, respect for rule of law, due process, and true patriotism that we will make Nigeria the kingdom of our dream.”

The President made the statement in Abuja while declaring the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC event open at the National Judicial Institute, Jabi, yesterday 26th January 2023.

The Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption’s (PACAC) conference with the theme: “The Fight Against Corruption. The Past, the Present, and the Future” examined the anti-corruption campaigns and evaluated the fight against corruption in the country holistically.

Earlier, giving a goodwill message, the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, lamented that the judiciary has not shown authentic dedication to the warfare in opposition to corruption.

He said, “I express regret to the several Judges in this who have tested their commitment to the struggle, solely to discover their patriotic efforts set apart and dismantled at the best level. This re-occurring phenomenon has no doubt dampened the enthusiasm of the decreased Courts.

“I have no intention of going into any detail about these judicial lapses in a public forum, however, I am compelled to request the Supreme Court to evaluate the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Justice Ngajiwa v. FRN [2018] four NWLR (PL. 1609) 301, in which that courtroom held that no judicial officer may want to be arrested and tried for a criminal offense committed in the route of his judicial obligations besides the rely being first referred to the National Judicial Council. In this case, the Judge did not even deny that he acquired the bribe, yet he used to be discharged.

“The reverberations of that decision have been genuinely devastating in the fight against corruption. All Judges under trial for corruption in quite a few courts had been discharged due to the fact of this judgment and thus, all back to their obligation stations consisting of the Supreme Court, to carry on as judicial officers.

“It used to be a terrible blow to the anti-corruption agencies and the hostilities against corruption. How does a Judge discharge on technical grounds in a charge of corruption deal with a man or woman charged earlier than him for corruption? What will be the destiny of the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria, if each expert association is given the pre-emptive proper to deal with crimes committed by its members alternatively than being charged and tried in a court?
“The hostilities towards corruption can’t be successful in these circumstances. The Judiciary has to be dedicated to it, otherwise, the conflict cannot be won”, he urged.

Also speaking at the event, Abubakar Malami, SAN, CON Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice at the High-level Stakeholders’ Conference in a keynote address fashioned innovative ways to which corruption can be inhibited if not totally curbed.
According to him, “engage with the anti-corruption agencies to improve investigation and prosecution of corruption cases. Engage with judges to address delays and other constraints. Build effective consensus among the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.
Ensure compliance with due process and rule of law in the fight against corruption”.

Kogi Governorship election: Kogites demand power shift to Western Senatorial District

Kogites have been urged to support the movement seeking power rotation to the Western Senatorial District of Kogi State.

A member of the Presidential Campaign Council for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Doctor Bolufemi Olarewaju stated this while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja.

Doctor Bolufemi who is also a Governorship Aspirant under the party said the call becomes necessary given future strategies to ensure equity and balance among the senatorial districts of the state.

According to him, the East has occupied the position for nineteen years and the Central is about to complete eight years of tenure under Governor Yahaya Bello, hence the need to think in that direction.

The aspirant urged politicians from the Western Senatorial District to speak with one voice to actualize the dream emphasizing that such development in the future would promote peace and unity, and reduce tension generated due to power struggles.

He also appealed to people to vote for his party in the next election to get the nation back on track.

Reason I disregarded Chatham House Invitation -SDP Presidential Candidate Adebayo

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, Prince Adewole Adebayo has stated that Nigeria’s Afrocentric foreign policy hasn’t brought reciprocal benefits to the country.

Prince Adewole Adebayo disclosed this on Monday while speaking at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs’ platform for 2023 presidential candidates, with the theme, “The world of Nigeria and Nigeria in the world: Foreign policy as an adjunct of domestic priorities,” held in Lagos.

Adebayo said he decided not to go outside the shores of the country to speak to the electorates because he has high respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

The SDP flagbearer lamented that Nigeria’s presidential candidates that were in Chatham House in London had, “further ridiculed and devalued the nation before the world by their appearances.”

He added, “NIIA was set up in 1961 exactly for this purpose that our foreign policy thinking should be scientific, strategical, well reasoned, well researched, and this institution has the legacy at the background and the capacity to advise you on what to say on the world stage.

“All over the world, before you go out to say anything about Nigeria or your country, you go to the premier diplomatic institute in your country and exchange ideas so that outsiders will understand that what you are saying is in tune with diplomatic policy and doctrines of your country.”

On what he will do if elected as Nigeria’s President, Adebayo said he would continue to abide by all international agreements signed and executed by the country.

Adebayo noted that he will make sure the finest of the finest represent the country internationally.

He further stressed, “Nigeria has more than enough to abolish poverty, and it must manage its sovereignty well and have full control of its land.

“I have been able to establish the fact that Nigeria’s Afrocentric foreign policy hasn’t brought reciprocal benefits to the country.

“It is noteworthy that the theoretical pathway to a beneficial foreign policy is the realist, power-focused school of thought and action.

“I want to submit that economic diplomacy, spelt out in clear terms, is the way forward if Nigeria would use foreign policy to advance its domestic priorities in the spheres of fighting poverty and ending insecurity.”

In his remarks, The Institute’s Director General, Professor Eghosa Osaghae said the world has opened its doors to Nigeria in recent times; hence, the need to sound out the candidates on what the candidates’ foreign policy agenda would be.

Professor Osaghae noted that Adebayo was the first of the candidates to honour the Institute’s invitation.

Regional Security: Minister Of Defence Tasks UN On Improved Funding To End Insecurity

…Advocates New Border Security Template To Minimise Crossborder Crimes

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) CFR has appealed to the United Nations to support the overall good performance of the Nigerian Military to completely end insecurity in parts of the country.

According to Mohammad Abdulkadri, Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence (Media &Publicity) in a press release, he signed on the 24th January, 2023, said,
General Magashi stated this during a meeting with the delegation of the experts of the United Natlons Independent High Level Panel on Security, Governance and Development in the Sahel, held at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House Abuja.
He stated proudly that Nigeria is doing pretty well under the watch of the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari in curtailing the effrontery and the audacity of the Terrorists especially in the North Eastern part of the country.

The Defence Minister put it on record comparatively that Nigeria is contributing more than other Cooperating States in counterpart funding, deployment of manpower and provision of other logistics in Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF.

He however made serious case for improved resources on the Part of the United Natlons towards the promotions of global peace and regional economic prosperity to reduce the high level of Poverty at all levels.

The Head of the UN Mission and Leader of the four-man delegation Mr Abdullahi Boureima alongside Nigerian panelist Professor Jibrin Ibrahim put the mandate of the UN High – level Panel in context bothering on Security, Governance and Development concerns facing the Sahel Region.

They said part of the reasons for the meeting in all countries of their assignments including Nigeria is to articulate and aggregate views on how to effectively summount the existential challenges facing the Sahel Region.

While thanking the Minister for approving the visit, they said capturing Nigeria’s perspective on the way forward is germane to their assignments which set the tone for the meeting.

The interface which had the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni in attendance and other top management as well as the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Danlami Ibrahim dovetailed into questions and answers session to bring the strategic meeting to its logical end.

NiMet Unveils 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction, as other African countries seeks help

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has launched its scholarly 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction in Abuja which has dragged other African countries (The Gambia and Niger Republic) to seek help from the Agency.

It is no longer news that NiMet under the leadership of Prof. Mansur Matazu has made Nigeria proud through its predictions and other services it offers. This has not only benefited the aviation industry both also the Agricultural sector which has birthed several benefits within and outside the boundaries of Nigeria.

The 2023 SCP launching/ unveiling ceremony which took place at the International Conference Centre, ICC, in Abuja-Nigeria on Tuesday 24th January 2023 with the theme: “Strengthening Climate Risk, early warning services for improved food security and disaster reduction in Nigeria” was grazed by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, Minister of Interior, Hon. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Meteorological officials from the Gambia and Niger Republic, and several others.

In a goodwill message, the Chief Host, the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika said, the rainfall amount over the country in 2023 is predicted to be average to above average in most parts of Nigeria.
NiMet anticipated temperature to be generally above the long-term average across the country. It envisaged both daytime and nighttime temperatures to be warmer than the long-term average over most parts of the country in January, March, and May.

“However, parts of Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, and Yobe in the North and Cross River, Ebonyi, Imo, and Rivers in the South are likely to experience a delayed onset.

“The onset dates for parts of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos are likely to be near than long-term averages.

“The onset is expected to start from the coastal States of Bayelsa, River, and Akwa Ibom in early March and around June/July in the northern states such as Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno,” it said.

“On rainfall cessation dates, NiMet predicted an early end of the season over parts of the South comprising Osun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and the eastern parts of Ogun and Lagos States.
“Parts of Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi States are also predicted to have early end of the season when compared to long-term average conditions.

“However, an extended rainfall season is predicted over parts of Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Enugu, Anambra, western Ogun, and Lagos State.

“The cessation is anticipated earliest in September over parts of Sokoto and Katsina States, while it would occur much later in December over most parts of the coastal region,“ it said.

NiMet forecasted the length of the growing season in most places to be near the long-term average, except for some parts of northern states like Katsina, Jigawa, and Kano where shorter than the long-term average length of the growing season was anticipated.

“However, the prediction shows that parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna States, and FCT are likely to observe below average annual rainfall amount.

“Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Benue, Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo States and FCT are expected to have 1190 mm to 1590mm of rainfall, while Bayelsa, Akwa- Ibom, Delta, and Cross River are predicted to record annual rainfall amounts of 2700mm and above,” it said.

“The agency, however, predicted cooler than long-term average day and night times in February.

“On dry spell, mild to moderate (8-16 days) dry Spell is predicted to occur in April 2023 in the South after the onset is established.

“Furthermore, following the establishment of onset in the North, a severe dry spell that is likely to last between 15 to 21 days or longer is predicted in June to early July in parts of the Northern (Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe, Borno, Kano) and central states.

“A moderate dry spell is predicted over Niger, Nasarawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Benue, Kogi, and the FCT,” it said.

“NiMet predicted a mild dry spell over Ekiti, Edo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Ogun, and Imo states in July”, he said.

High rate of insecurity in Nigeria: WANEP calls for more Peacebuilding activities

As a result of the incessant kidnappings, robberies, killings, prevalent in Nigeria, the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) Nigeria, has called on key stakeholders in the development sector to include more peacebuilding activities as part of their core activities in 2023.

This call was made by the National Coordinator of WANEP Nigeria – Chief Mrs. Bridget Osakwe while fielding questions from newsmen in Lagos. Mrs. Osakwe said the high rate of insecurity in most parts of Nigeria is alarming and said only concerted efforts by key stakeholders can help make the nation safe again. She said one of such activities is the domestication of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR 1325) in all the states of the federation.

She lamented that out of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, only 17 states have domesticated the UNSCR 1325 and validated their State Action Plan (SAP). “The UNSCR 1325 promotes the inclusion of women in decision making as regards women, peace, and security (WPS).

“In 2018, to promote the inclusion if women in peacebuilding processes at community level, WANEP- Nigeria with support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) began the project: ‘Enhancing Participation of Women in Peace and Human Security in Nigeria’. The project aimed to strengthen women’s social networking capacities towards effective participation in formal peace processes in three states in the Niger Delta (Edo, Delta, and Rivers States) and to promote women’s participation in countering violent extremism to advance the implementation of Nigeria National Action Plan (NAP) on UNSCR 1325 at the local level in three States in North East, Nigeria – Bauchi, Borno and Gombe States”, the WANEP’s boss said.

Chief Mrs Bridget Osakwe used the medium to call on journalists to promote gender balance in their reportage and not relent in reporting domestic violence meted on women, to avoid the women being killed incapacitated.

WANEP was established to provide an organized platform for collaborative peacebuilding in Nigeria by indigenous nongovernmental organizations working in the area of conflict, peace and security. Its operational framework is designed along the vision of the regional network operating in 15 countries of West Africa with its headquarters in Accra, Ghana.

TROOPS GIVE TERRORISTS BLOODY NOSE, NEUTRALIZE SEVERAL, CAPTURE MRAP, MOTORCYCLES AND WEAPONS IN BORNO

In sustained operations to clear the North East of terrorism, gallant troops of 25 Task Force Brigade of Operation Hadin Kai with close air support on Monday 23 January 2023 have again neutralized several ISWAP/BokoHaram terrorists following the terrorists’ failed ambush on troops on Damboa-Maiduguri road in Borno State. Troops also recovered MRAP, motorcycles, weapons, medical suppliers amongst others.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them not to relent until terrorism and other criminalities are brought to an end in the Northeastern region.

The troops also greatly appreciate the locals and well meaning Nigerians for their prayers and support that have contributed to the successes being recorded in the war against the terrorists in the North East.

Gambia, Niger Republic Meteorological Service delegates visit NiMet

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), on Monday, received in audience officials from the National Meteorological Services of Niger Republic and The Gambia at the NiMet headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Director-General of NiMet, Professor Mansur Bako Matazu who received the officials, Mr Gaptia Lawan Katiellou, and Mr Lamin Mai Touray, both Permanent Representative of Niger and The Gambia to the World Meteorological Organization respectively, noted that the visit of both countries to Nigeria is timely and will be of great interwoven advantage.

“The two delegations on study exchange to NiMet are exploring different areas of interest. For the Niger Republic, what is critical for them is the seasonal climate prediction that Nigeria has been implementing for the past 15 years. We will do a lot of exchange and sharing of experience from seasonal climate prediction as well as numeric weather prediction.

“Just recently, NiMet commissioned research across the eco-climatic zones of the country. Also, the minister will on Tuesday unveil the seasonal climate prediction and also a book published by NiMet on impacts, vulnerability, adaptation and mitigation strategies in Nigeria.

“We have 130 years old data that we are recovering and digitising. After rescuing the data, we will share these experiences with them as well. The 130 -year-old mining capability is also what the visitors would also understudy in the course of their visit”, NiMet DG disclosed.

The National Director of Meteorological Services of Niger, Mr. Lawan Katiellou Gaptia while speaking, said, Niger and Nigeria are twin countries, so it’s easier for Niger to come to Nigeria than go anywhere else in the world. “The initiative of idea exchange between both countries has long been conceived over a year ago with the aim of learning and acquiring better knowledge and improving on the existing ones”, he said.

Also speaking, Mr Lamin Mai Touray, of The Gambia highlighted that   one key area of shared knowledge he wants to acquire is on impact-based forecasting, which he said, has a positive impact on Nigeria system, adding that he wants to see how NiMet could assist The Gambia in that area and other similar areas.
“Specially the technology transfer and new weather prediction tools, human and financial capacity”.