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Seven years after the release of his debut album, Ghetto University, in 2015, multi-award winning Nigerian superstar Runtown returns to the Nigerian music scene with the release of his fifth studio project, titled; signs. The Nigerian singer and Mad Over You hitmaker, popularly known as Soundgod after his role as a producer, put together this latest project of his; an ostentation of his musical art and skill, which premiered yesterday. The versatile recording and performing artist, who announced the release date of his album on his social media platform, says: “Releasing this project after an extended period of time gave me time to hone my sound and push myself as an artist. . I think I can say that this is my favorite piece of art so far! I am so grateful for all the love we received working on this project. There are no coincidences, only Aligned Signals”. Sings is a 14 track project housing 13 new songs with one single already released; Things I Know, a song with an addictive vibe that one can't stop dancing to. With a cascade of different sounds that make up this profound body of work, Runtown has once again portrayed her impressive musical prowess and remains undisputed in the game, her well-earned Soundgod title.
One of the perks of being in the spotlight is the constant outpouring of love and support from fans and followers. Popular actress, Funmi Awelewa, knows a thing or two about this, as only recently, she was on the receiving end of this highly coveted love interest. The goddess of the screen with 1.3 million followers on Instagram […]
Contestants of the Globacom sponsored 'Battle of the Year Nigeria' regional auditions have expressed their desire to represent the country in the final of the international dance tournament. In a briefing with the media on Thursday, Globacom briefed attendees with updates on the conclusion of the competition's regional auditions across the country. A contestant at the Enugu auditions, […]
Nigerian actress Mary Njoku has offered to pay anyone who presents evidence that they are underpaying graduates working for her company. The movie star and her husband, Iroko TV's Jason Njoku, have been the subject of a strong backlash after he said N4.6M as tuition is cheap. According to those who called them, they wondered how […]
VIDEO: Singer Teni gives best teacher car Lexus pic.twitter.com/dluYjzsDP9
In this report, PAUL OGBUOKI RI notes that as exploration begins on the 50,000 bpd Kolmani River oil wells in the border region of Bauchi and Gombe states, the narrative of resource control and restructuring will change, as the north would no longer be on the 3 billion dollar trip to Mercy of the South […]
…as 131 truckloads of grain rot in the Customs yards in Ogun, Lagos Despite the unveiling of huge pyramids of rice this year, most workers won't go home with any grains of rice as weekend gifts of the year, as some popular companies and banks have ruled out giving the famous gift to […]
'Every day is a struggle, and the fear of street urchins is palpable' The dilemma homeless girls face on a daily basis is terribly unfortunate. They are doomed to a life of rejection, trauma, deprivation and poverty. Isioma Madike, who took a tour of the city, visiting some bridges, markets and hot spots, tells a story of […]
...supports Senate search for Nwoko Prominent Anioma Indians in Delta state have applauded the Federal Government and the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) for what they said was a bold move to give final approval to the first Sports University in the country, which is cited in Idumuje-Ugboko. Reacting to the good news, the […]
Credit: https://www.newtelegraphng.com/runtown-releases-long-awaited-album-sings/The Vice-Chancellor of Wellspring University, Prof. Isaac Rotimi Ajayi, has described as unacceptable a situation where only a few Nigerian universities are ranked in the world’s top 400 universities, saying such was not where the country should be.
According to him, the quality of education in the country’s universities certainly needed to become much better and globally competitive in teaching, cutting-edge research, innovation and international outlook.
Delivering the Eighth Convocation Lecture of Glorious Vision University (GVU), formerly Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, in Edo State, yesterday, Ajayi, who spoke on the topic, ‘The 21st Century Emerging Jobs: Imperatives for a New Paradigm in University Education”, tasked universities in the country to adjust curriculums to keep pace and be ready for the future.
He urged universities to strive for more collaboration among themselves and with the private sector, not just in endowments and grants, but also in the real-time intersection between research and application to enable innovations in new frontiers.
While advocating for quality education for all, Ajayi said the value of education would not be the certificate or courses that students graduate in, but in their ability to think critically, select the right data, interrogate and extract new insight, make choices and take action to solve problems.
The former Vice-Chancellor of Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, said: “Given the evolving and disruptive trend on digitalisation, it is imperative for all Nigerian universities to adjust curriculums to keep pace and be ready for the future.
“I am pleased that NUC is cognizant of this fact and it is currently reviewing the BMAS for all programmes and leaving room for each university to include some innovative courses peculiar to their environment and culture.
It will however be necessary for implementing the new BMAS to address the changing pattern of how capacity is built and knowledge.
”
He argued that the traditional approach of memorisation and regurgitation, which was the basis of acquiring knowledge, was becoming less valuable, noting that knowledge could now easily be recalled by the push of a button on digital devices like phones.
“Knowledge acquisition has been digitalised and people can now easily ‘Ask Anything’ of Google and get the answer.
And also as the future will see fewer traditional jobs, the current education system that is geared toward producing job seekers will need to change so that children can graduate as creative entrepreneurs, with a business plan at hand.
Universities have to evolve from ‘teaching knowledge to ‘teaching how to learn and apply knowledge.
“The value of education will not be the certificate or courses that students graduate in, but in their ability to think critically, select the right data, interrogate and extract new insight, make choices and take action to solve problems.
If the capacities of our youths are built this way, Nigeria has the best opportunities ahead to navigate the impact of the global trend.
“He added that the present reality was that many Nigerians with Masters degree were abandoning their degree certificates and getting certifications in Project Management, Agile, and Business Analysis and getting into tech jobs that pay well, adding: “Nobody cares about what they studied at the university.
What employers are looking and asking for is your certification in a technology-related field and your experience in that field to get employment.
”
In his speech, Vice Chancellor, of Glorious Vision University (GVU), Prof. Babatunde Idowu, disclosed that the institution was graduating 101 students at its 8th convocation ceremony with seven graduating with First Class honours, 33 with Second Class (Upper Division), 46 with Second Class (Lower Division), seven with Third Class and four Postgraduate.
University
Abuja, November 10, 2022 The National Universities Commission (NUC) has issued a provisional license for the establishment of Ilesha University in Osun.
The Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, while granting the license to the Governor of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, said that the establishment of the university would make it the 60th state university and the 220th in the country.
Rasheed said that the establishment of the new university was one of the important legacies that any leader would leave anywhere in the world.
He praised the governor for this gesture saying that the university would focus on Agriculture and Health Sciences to produce graduates that would be relevant to the state and would also boost its economy.
“It is worth saying that at this moment when you are about to leave office, you are still learning a legacy for the State and humanity.
“Having reviewed this writing and the way the state supported the alleged restructuring of Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho, we promised that whenever the state wants a university, we will be ready to support.
“That time has come and having fulfilled the requirements resulting from the receipt of your letter and the earlier submission of the necessary documents, I write on behalf of the NUC that as of Thursday 10 November, the University of Ilesha is recognized as the 60th State and 220th University of Nigeria.
“We want the university to take full advantage of the technical details of the abstract.
“Letter, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been notified of the establishment of this university,” it said.
Rasheed added that the university was necessary as only two million enrollments could not meet the educational needs of the country's more than 200 million people.
He said that the 111 private universities in the country could only concentrate 6 percent of the combined enrollment, while public universities absorbed 94 percent, hence the need to establish the new state university.
In his response, Oyetola said that the establishment of the university was aimed at contributing to the development of human resources needed to drive growth in Osun and Nigeria.
Oyetola said the university was born from the August 6, 2021 visit of a delegation of Ijesa elites to his office to request the upgrade of the 44-year-old Ilesha College of Education to a full-fledged university.
“I assured the visiting delegation of our intention to critically review the application to determine the merit of the application and the ability of the Osun government to sustain another university of international repute.
Subsequently, we commissioned a reputable KPMG firm to advise the government on the sustainability of the initiative and the firm provided a favorable report.
I previously conveyed the Osun government's decision to upgrade the institution, recognized as the oldest remaining College of Education, to a full-fledged university on March 31.
“The establishment of Ilesa University is a necessary gap between qualified candidates and available space at existing higher institutions within the state, as education remains the main industry in Osun,” he said.
He added that higher education anywhere in the world is a true driver of human development, innovation, technological advancement and resource exploration.
According to him, higher education is critical for future wealth creation, better socioeconomic achievement, efficient agroeconomics, and mining technology in the current dispensation of the knowledge economy.
Oyetola said that the rise in the pursuit of knowledge further strengthens the importance of higher education in this 21st century.
“Higher education institutions are also critical and central to the development of well-rounded leaders and qualified personnel in all areas of human activities.
This calls for the need to develop our current education college into a full-fledged university to train and equip a diverse group of young people with professional skills, entrepreneurship, and innovative insights, especially in agribusiness, mining, and health.
“The new University of Ilesa will focus on agriculture and agribusiness to address food insecurity, mining technology will draw on the abundant gold deposit in Ijesaland, and medical sciences to enhance the need for human resources in the health sector. ", said.
Likewise, former state governor Chief Bisi Akande said that with the new university, Osun now qualifies as a center of knowledge.
Akande, however, wants the commission to educate Nigerians on the need to give importance to numeracy and literacy education.
According to him, Nigeria should aspire to be more educated to catch up with the developed world.
Therefore, he reiterated that the new university had been carefully conceived as a complete entrepreneurial and innovative institution that would be financed through a combination of sources such as government, community, industry and other stakeholders.
edited
Source Credit: NAN
One coalition, the 100 Women Lobby Group, has called on the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) to enforce the development and implementation of gender policies in institutions.
The group made the call on the sidelines of a workshop on "Engaging Young Women Leaders in Gender Politics" for students and staff at the University of Abuja.
He said such a step would help curb all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Ms. Felicia Onibon, the group's National Coordinator, denounced rampant incidents of violence, sexual harassment and intimidation of female students.
He added that developing and implementing a gender policy would curb the threat.
Onibon said that some universities already had gender policies in place, while some were still working on it.
“Others are not thinking about developing it or implementing it in their institutions.
“We are asking the National University Commission to make it a duty for every university to have a gender policy.
“And they should be the watchdogs from the outside, while the university itself watches what's going on from the inside.
"It is a document that will be very useful for both public and private institutions," he said.
Onibon added that the workshop participants were carefully selected to contribute to the development of a document for the implementation of the gender policy in the school.
“We believe that the result of this workshop will influence the documents that will come out.
“There is no point in developing a policy document without the students. It is always better to let the students do their input and observations,” she added.
He urged the school leadership to make sure the policy document came out in a timely manner, followed closely to address the incessant cases of VAWG.
Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na-Allah, Vice Chancellor of the university, highlighted the need for a document for the implementation of the gender policy in the institution.
NA-Allah, represented by Professor Mabel Evwierhoma, director of the university's Center for Gender and Security Studies and Youth Advancement, said the workshop was part of the move to develop a document on gender policy.
He said that the policy sought to guide, instruct and visualize the various actors within university campuses on how to respond to cases of GBV and support survivors.
“We can gain more if we finally have a proactive document and one that mitigates problems when they occur.
“It is also in line with world practice in terms of having a balanced gender equitable structure within the university,” he said.
For his part, Prof. Rafatu Abdulhamid, Coordinator of the Center for Gender and Security Studies and Youth Promotion, thanked the school management for the initiative to address GBV.
Abdulhamid said that the compromise would allow the participants to make their contributions that would form part of the document for the full implementation of the gender policy in the school.
One participant, Ms. Chiedera Chidozie, a 400Level Public Administration student, said that developing and implementing the gender policy would address issues related to violence, harassment and other vices in the institution.
“There must be certain regulations to guarantee that this policy is complied with because one thing is to create a policy or law, and another thing is to carry it out to the end.
“Certain strategies must be put in place to ensure implementation,” he said.
edited tola
About the author Continue readingSource Credit: NAN
The Vice Chancellor, Bingham University, Karu, Nassarawa State, Prof. William Qurix, says the institution has produced 78 first class students in four years.
Qurix disclosed this at a news conference in Karu on Thursday to herald the the 4th Combined 2018 to 2022 Convocation Ceremony of the institution.
Speaking on the convocation scheduled to hold on Nov. 5, Qurix also said the school from 2017 had expanded from its initial five faculties to 12 faculties.
In all, he said the institution had produced a total of 2,250 graduates and 327 postgraduates respectively.
Apart from the 78 first class, he said others were: 586 second class upper, 843 second class lower 512 third class, eight pass and 223 medical doctors.
” From the 20182019 academic session, the school has produced 28 first class, 194 second class upper, 271 second class lower, 51 third class and 76 medical doctors.
” In the 20192020 academic session, we have 22 first class, 154 second class upper, 259 second class lower, 239 third class, five pass and 51 medical doctors.
” The 20202021 academic session has 18 first class, 125 second class upper, 169 second class lower, two pass and 48 medical doctors.
” 20212022 academic session has 10 first class, 113 second class upper, 144 second class lower, 38 third class, one pass and 48 medical doctors,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to key into the various scholarship schemes provided by the institution as a way of increasing their access to education.
He said that the scholarships were in the form of discount from school fees, particularly to indigent students.
While also speaking on the partnership to enhance exchange of studies, Qurix said the institution has active collaborations with Sumy State University, Ukraine, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK and others for medical students transfer.
He added that the university had been able to secure a lot of grants in the last four years to be able to engage in research, geared toward the advancement of the country.
” From April 2016 to March 2019, the university had received one stop shop of € 1.4 million for the same day diagnosis and management of Tuberculosis and HIV from European developing countries.
” From April 2017 to March 2018, it also received to the tune of $400,000 for the increasing TB diagnosis and treatment of poor population by engaging proprietary patient medicine vendors in Nigeria.
” These are among the many grants received for research in the various field,” he said.
Qurix revealed that the Nursing Department access road, constructed faculty of basic medical sciences building and ultra modern new hostel with 660 capacity, among others would be commissioned as part of activities for the convocation.
He, therefore,commended the school’s Board of Trustees (BOT), Governing Council, NUC and JAMB for their support throughout his period of five years as the vice chancellor of the institution.
However, when asked if the faith-based institution was opened to only members within the religion, the vice chancellor explained that it is open to other faith so long they would keep to the regulations set up by the institution.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Chairman of the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC), Prof. Peter Okebukola has commended the performance of Nigerian universities in the Times Higher Education 2023 Subject Rankings released on Oct. 25.
This is contained in a statement issued by Okebukola in Abuja on Wednesday.
Okebukola, who is also a member of the international advisory board of Times Higher Education World University rankings, said that in the 2022 rankings, only five Nigerian universities featured in four subjects.
He said that in the 2023 ranking, 48 Nigerian universities were cumulatively listed among the world’s best in 11 .
He listed the as arts and humanities; business and economics; education; law; social sciences; computer science; engineering; clinical and health; life sciences; physical sciences and psychology.
“Noteworthy is the impressive ranking of Covenant University, the only private university in the league tables, featuring prominently in business and economics, social sciences, computer science, engineering, and physical sciences.
“No state university is on the league tables.
The federal universities with impressive rankings are University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta.
” Others are the University of Ilorin, Obafemi Awolowo University, Federal University of Technology Akure, Bayero University Kano, and University of Benin,” he said.
Okebukola released details of the results as Arts and Humanities (University of Nigeria Nsukka=601+); Business and Economics (Covenant University=401-500; University of Lagos=501-600; Obafemi Awolowo University=601-800 and University of Nigeria Nsukka=801+.
Others are Education (University of Ibadan and University of Nigeria Nsukka=501-600); Law (University of Nigeria Nsukka=251+); Social Sciences (Covenant University=251-300; University of Lagos=401-500; University of Ibadan and University of Nigeria Nsukka=601-800; and University of Ilorin and Obafemi Awolowo University=801+).
Also in the list are Computer Science (Covenant University=401-500); Engineering (Covenant University=401-500; Federal University of Technology Akure and University of Ilorin=601-800; University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, University of Nigeria Nsukka and Obafemi Awolowo University=1000+).
He said for Clinical and Health (University of Lagos=151-175; University of Ibadan=201-250; University of Nigeria Nsukka=501-600; Bayero University Kano, University of Benin and Obafemi Awolowo University=601-800; University of Ilorin and Nnamdi Azikiwe University=801+).
Also in the list are Life Sciences (University of Ilorin=601-800; Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Federal University of Technology Akure, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, University of Nigeria Nsukka and Obafemi Awolowo University=801-1000).
Okebukola listed Physical Sciences (Covenant University=401-500; Federal University of Technology Akure and University of Ilorin=501-600; Bayero University Kano=601-800; Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta and University of Lagos=801-1000; University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria Nsukka.
Also Obafemi Awolowo University has1000+); and Psychology (University of Nigeria Nsukka=301-400).
Speaking further on the results, Okebukola expressed appreciation to the Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu and the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed for setting up NURAC and for the commitment they continue to show to improving quality in the Nigerian university system.
“Professor Rasheed is one individual who will not rest until the old glory of Nigerian universities is fully restored”, Okebukola noted.
“We assure Nigerians that with the ongoing implementation of the Blueprint for the Rapid Revitalisation of University Education in Nigeria, the days of consigning Nigerian universities to the group of non-performers will soon be over,” he said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The National University Commission (NUC) has approved Management Sciences programmes for Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State.
This was contained in an NUC approval letter, signed by Dr N.
B Saliu, Director of Academic Planning for the Executive Secretary NUC, made available to newsmen on Monday in Okitipupa.
According to the NUC letter, the approved programmes are BSc Accounting, BSc Management, BSc Entrepreneurship and BSc Project Management with effect from 20222023 academic session.
“I am directed to inform the Vice Chancellor that the Executive Secretary has considered and approved the establishment of full time mode of the undergraduate programnes to be run in the main campus of the university.
“The programmes shall bear only the approved title of nomenclature and any change would require the approval of the commission.
“The University is enjoined to provide adequate human and material resources for the development and growth of the programmes,” the letter read.
Meanwhile, the institution has encouraged all students who scored 160 and above on their Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) results to apply for the new approved courses.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the programmes were approved based on several resource assessment visits to OAUSTECH.
NAN also reports that the newly approved programmes would be added to the existing 19 programmes in the university.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 11 new programmes for Igbinedion University Okada in Edo State.
Mr Friday Bakare, the Registrar of the university, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Benin.
Bakare said that the approval to commence the new programmes was communicated to the university by the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed.
“The programmes which comprise six undergraduates and five postgraduates programmes include B.
Sc Industrial Chemistry, B.
Sc Cyber Security, B.
Sc Pharmacology, B.
Sc Software Engineering and B.
Eng Environmental Engineering.
“Others are B.
Eng Mechatronics Engineering; PGD, M.
Eng & PhD Civil Engineering; PGD, M.
Eng & PhD Petroleum Enginneeing; PGD, M.
Eng & PhD Computer Engineering; M.
Sc & PhD Sociology; and M.
Sc & PhD Geography and Regional Planning,” he said.
Bakare noted that admission into the new programmes is with immediate effect from the 202223 academic session which is ongoing.
The registrar advised interested candidates to visit the university official website – www.
iuokada.
edu.
ng to apply for the programme of their choice.
Igbinedion University, a premier private university in Nigeria, was established in 1999.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
A university lecturer, Dr Michael Eliku, has called on the government to help schools go beyond vocational to digital skills to place the country among developing or developed nations of the world.
Eliku, who lectures at Baze University, Abuja, said this would help to fast track the industrialisation process and put the nation on a global map.
The don gave the advice at the ”passing the light of digital literacy to the youth, through modern ways of learning programme.
“
The programme, held at Baze University Abuja, was organised by Global Wissen Consult in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in Nigeria.
He advised governments at all levels to promote and invest in digital education and digital skills in line with the goal of Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC).
“According to NUC regulation, every tertiary institution in Nigeria should mount entrepreneurship programmes at various levels.
”
He said that Baze University had looked at the contemporary issues in Nigeria and the future and decided to go away from vocational skills to digital skills.
The don, therefore, urged universities and other tertiary institutions in the country to embrace information technology and digital entrepreneurship.
“Universities out there should embrace it, Digital entrepreneurship is the way to go IT is the way to go, it is the way to the future, it is not just the future because the future starts now,” said.
According to him, digital entrepreneurship is an IT based skill and internet based skill, where students are taught how to develop apps to grow their businesses.
He said that with it, student could develop apps for transport business like Uber or Bolt, food vendors, fashion designers among others to make business, transaction, trade and commerce easier.
“Some also could design apps for logistic and deliveries, they can enhance.
“The beauty of it is that digital skills cut across various disciplines.
We have passed the era of soap making, izal making and all the rest.
“The digital entrepreneurship will help those who are doing that to market their business, irrespective of discipline, sector or chosen field,” he said.
Oscar Okechukwu- Founder Swedish-Nigeria Social Development Enterprise, said the programme was established to pass the light of digital literacy to the youth in the country.
“We signed an MOU with the Baze University on enhancement of digital literacy on the campus and also education in the digital aspect of the students.
“We have trained over 600, but by the semester ending we should have over a 1,000 students.
“We want to pass the light of digital literacy to the youths, going through the universities in the country, NYSC camps churches, wherever we found youths to give them digital literacy, that’s our target,” he said.
He commended the youth’s reception to digital literacy, stressing that it had been so good as they are familiar with it.
They are excited to learn and there are exciting things coming out in the digital space like 3D, block chain and this excites the youth.
He commended Swedish government for its support for the project.
According to him, the Swedish government creates further opportunities like mentorship, exchange programme and also resources to take their ideas to the market place at the end of programme.
One of the students and a beneficiary,, Eldad Akhawmere expressed gratitude to the Global Wissen Consult, the initiation and the Swedish government for the programme.
“I have benefited a lot form the programme I think it is a very good initiative because it’s not just learning about how to be an entrepreneur,.
“We live in the 21st century and digital marketing is the key, so if you’re an entrepreneur and you are not able to scale your business in the digital sense, then there is hardly any prospect for growth.
“So, this course enables students to develop their own businesses and put in the digital market place.
I have learnt great skills; I have come up with market place ideas which I will be pitching very soon.
“I learnt to make an e-commerce site; I have learnt many things about business analysis, and how to develop a niche.
”
Another student, Opara Tiffany, said that the programme was interesting, I learnt how to be a good entrepreneur and I also learnt how to start a business.
“The programme lasted for three months.
I do not know anything about business before, but now I do.
I know how to identify target market and I have started one business.
I started selling jewelries, I know my target market and my niche,” she said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kuhne Foundation to integrate logistics and supply chain into Nigerian universities curriculum.
The Secretary-General of CVCNU, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, who said this in Abuja at a meeting with the foundation, added that seven universities had been selected to pilot the programme.
He said the MoU was aimed at strengthening the local capacities in logistics and supply chain management along the different higher education levels.
He said this also include developing competitive education programmes to meet international standards.
Ochefu said the universities are the First Technical University, Ibadan; Maitama Sule University, Kano; Lagos State University (LASU), Gombe State University, Gombe, among others.
He added that these universities had indicated interest to partner the foundation in offering the course.
“The MOU represents formalisation of a relationship between the selected Nigerian universities and Kuhne foundation.
“The foundation is part of the Kuhne group which is the largest logistics and supply Chain Company of the world, a global leader in logistics and supply chain company development to the world.
“This partnership that we have signed today represent their efforts at coming into the Nigerian space like they said, they have been operating basically in East Africa.
“Now, this is their first time in West Africa and the number justifies that investment.
“Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa when you translate that into logistics and supply chain, you will understand why the biggest player in the world wants to play in Nigeria,” he said.
Ochefu said the foundation had already engaged with the National Universities Commission (NUC), in the last one year to develop a curriculum for logistics and supply chain management in universities.
He said the foundation would support Nigeria in the training of manpower that would be able to teach the courses at the undergraduate level.
“What we have had in the past is transportation and as we all know transportation is the component of logistics and supply chain management.
“So, when they work with NUC to develop the curriculum at the undergraduate level, it is possible to teach logistics and supply chain at the undergraduate level.
“What we are doing here is to help train the manpower at the postgraduate level to be able to teach at the undergraduate level.
“However, we really don’t have qualified manpower for logistics and supply chain management to teach in the Nigeria university system.
“So, part of the training programme has to build that first for this seven universities and we will take it up from there,” he said.
The Country Director of the foundation, Mr Stephen Akuti, said that Nigeria must not be left behind considering the value of logistics and supply chain management to any economy.
Akuti said that the foundation had researched into why Nigerian universities do not offer logistics and supply chain management as a course.
He said that there was need for the country to key into the programme as it was the only means that could trigger economic development.
Akuti said that the foundation was ready to scale up its support for Nigerian universities in the training of manpower at the undergraduate level.
“There are a lot of value in logistics and supply chain education in the world generally and for the Nigeria education system.
“Basically, it is the way the world works, logistics and supply management in education works and we have been working in Nigeria for five years now.
“One of the things we’ve been doing underground is to research why this programme is not available in Nigeria educational system particularly at the undergraduate level.
“We’ve seen those reasons and so we are working with NUC and other stakeholders and today, we are signing MoU with CVCNU to move that level forward to bring those value to Nigeria,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor, First Technical University, Prof. Adesola Ajayi, commended the foundation for the gesture.
He said that the universities would domesticate the teaching of logistics and supply chain management as well as replicate it in other sectors like agriculture.
Prof. Samuel Odewunmi, who represented the Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, called for the inclusion of logistics and supply chain management into the school’s curriculum.
Prof. Ibrahim Umar, Vice Chancellor of Gombe State University, said though the programme may come with its challenges, the challenges would be profitable at the long-run.
He was represented by Dr Charles Zaure of the Gombe State University.
Umar pledged his institution`s participation in the programme.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
