News

Deputy Speaker Says Nigerian Universities Must Impact Citizens+PHOTOS

Published

1 year ago

March 23, 2025

/home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG-20250323-WA0028-1000x600.jpg&description=Deputy Speaker Says Nigerian Universities Must Impact Citizens+PHOTOS', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

/home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG-20250323-WA0028-1000x600.jpg&description=Deputy Speaker Says Nigerian Universities Must Impact Citizens+PHOTOS', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

ADVERTISEMENT

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has called on the need for universities and institutions of higher learning in Nigeria to make a tangible impact on the citizenry.

The Deputy Speaker stated this while delivering a convocation lecture titled “Our Gown in Town and in Cyberspace: Sustainable and Human-Centred Education, The Mandate of Our Universities, 2025-2075” at the University of Calabar’s 37th Convocation and 50th Anniversary ceremony in Calabar, Cross River State on Thursday.

According to him, universities were established as engines of progress, but have often failed to deliver on their core mandate of innovation and problem solving.

He noted that there is a disconnect between the academia and everyday life with problems arising not from a lack of intellect, but from a misalignment with society’s needs.

The Deputy Speaker who is of the class of ’98, faculty of law of the university noted that universities have a critical role to play in driving national progress and contributing to global knowledge.

He said: “This topic: ‘Our Gown in Town and in Cyberspace: Sustainable

and Human-Centred Education, The Mandate of Our Universities, 2025-2075′, invites us to reflect on a simple yet profound idea. Our ‘gown’ represents the academic robe. ‘Our gown in town’ is a symbol of our commitment to education that transcends the boundaries of the classroomband impacts the very fabric of our communities.

“Our universities were established as engines of progress. Today, however, we face problems highlighting a disconnect between academia and everyday life. These problems arise not from a lack of intellect but from a misalignment with society’s needs, as teaching and learning have long been measured solely by academic metrics—the length of dissertations, the complexity of theories, and the splendor of research—rather than their real-world impact.

“The challenge before us is clear: our universities must move beyond theory to practical impact, bringing the “gown” into the “town”—and now, into cyberspace—where knowledge is applied and ideas ignite change.

“If universities do not first serve their own Communities, their achievements risk remaining confined to ivory towers. Our research must offer tangible solutions, while graduates must be equipped to address real issues, from policy refinement to sustainable transportation. If the town does not feel the impact of our “gown,” our education is incomplete.

“Our universities are more than centers of learning; they are the backbone of our communities and nation. Their value lies not in certificates but in real-world impact. Institutions must go beyond academic debates, producing research that shapes policies proactively rather than reacting to crises. They should serve as policy hubs, not just locally but globally, proving that when education meets innovation, solutions follow.”

Kalu also highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s blue economy sector, emphasizing the need for universities to take the lead in building expertise tailored to the sector.

He said the sector remained largely untapped, emphasizing that it can yield $576 billion annually and create 127 million jobs by 2063 for Africa.

The Deputy Speaker also underscored the need for universities to incorporate hydrospace studies alongside town and cyberspace development, noting that universities must produce graduates who can solve real-world problems.

Kalu also said that university curricula should be updated to reflect the changing needs of society.

“Why are maritime students not modeling the economic impact of a decentralized port system? Why aren’t logistics departments partnering with fishing communities in nearby Bakassi and Oron to design cold-chain networks? If tomatoes rot in traffic jams heading to Apapa, that’s a 40% price hike in Kano markets—a problem the gown can solve with data and policy blueprints.

“As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria stands to gain immensely from a thriving Blue Economy, but only if its universities take the lead in building expertise tailored to the sector. How many institutions currently offer specialized programs in maritime studies, oceanography, or marine engineering?

“Despite these immense opportunities, the sector remains largely untapped due to insufficient investment, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of specialized knowledge. According to the United Nations Environment to in Programme (UNEP), Africa’s marine and coastal sector has the potential to generate over $100 billion in revenue by 2030. Additionally, projections indicate that the continent’s blue economy could yield $576 billion annually and create 127 million jobs by 2063.

“How many research centers focus on marine conservation, coastal management, or offshore renewable energy? Without a deliberate commitment to aligning education with national priorities, we risk missing out on an industry that could drive economic diversification, job creation, and food security.

“As we strive towards Agenda 2075, our education system must evolve to incorporate hydrospace studies alongside town and cyberspace development. The future is not just on land or in digital frontiers but also in the vast, blue wealth that surrounds us. Our universities must take the challenge of producing the maritime economists, manne scientists, and naval architects who will transform Nigenia into a leading force in Africa’s Blue Economy.

“The true measure of education is its impact on the town. How many

university projects directly tackle local challenges like power, healthcare,

water access, food security, or transportation? If universities do not first

serve their own communities, their achievements risk remaining confined to

ivory towers. Our research must offer tangible solutions, while graduates

must be equipped to address real issues, from policy refinement to sustainable transportation. If the town does not feel the impact of our “gown,” our education is incomplete.

“Our universities are more than centers of learning; they are the backbone

of our communities and nation. Their value lies not in certificates but in

real-world impact. Institutions must go beyond academic debates, producing research that shapes policies proactively rather than reacting to crises. They should serve as policy hubs, not just locally but globally, proving that when education meets innovation, solutions follow.

“It is time for our curricula to leap. Agriculture students must master drone mapping for pest control. Medical schools should integrate telemedicine and AI. Law faculties must adopt blockchain for land registry reforms. Engineering students must embrace robotics, and so on. When the gown mirrors the town’s needs, productivity follows. When we bridge the gap between academia and society, universities can drive national progress while contributing meaningfully to global knowledge.

“The question before us is simple: Will our universities shape the future or

merely react to it? The answer lies in our collective commitment to innovation, sustainability, and purpose-driven education. But to shape the

future, we must first understand how education itself has evolved”, he said.

The Deputy Speaker who received a thunderous applause from his audience and former classmates better known as “The Golden Ones” for the “powerful” lecture he delivered was equally honoured by the university of calabar with an award for his contributions to education.

The event was attended by dignitaries, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, many senators and members of the House of Representatives and the Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.

News

Insecurity: Gunmen abduct ex-Defence spokesperson Maj-Gen Rabe Abubakar, wife in Katsina

Published

2 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

ADVERTISEMENT

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Suspected bandits have kidnapped retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and his wife on Matazu Road in Katsina State.

Security sources told PRNigeria that the couple was ambushed on Saturday morning, May 30, 2026, while travelling in a red Peugeot 504 saloon car.

The gunmen intercepted the vehicle and whisked the retired officer and his wife to an unknown location.

The driver escaped with gunshot wounds and is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, a security source said.

The former DDI and his wife were waylaid by armed men on the route. The driver escaped with gunshot injuries and is receiving medical attention,” the source stated.

Security forces have launched search-and-rescue operations and deployed intelligence assets to track the abductors, according to the source. Official confirmation from the military was still pending at press time.

—Rising concern in Katsina—

The abduction comes amid persistent insecurity in parts of Katsina despite ongoing military operations against bandit groups in the North-West.

In recent years, several serving and retired security personnel have been targeted on highways linking Katsina to neighbouring states. PRNigeria reports that criminal groups now see high-profile individuals, including retired military officers, as lucrative targets.

Maj-Gen Abubakar served as Director of Defence Information and was one of the Nigerian military’s most visible spokespersons during the counterinsurgency campaign against Boko Haram.

The incident is expected to renew calls for stronger security along major highways and rural communities in Katsina, where residents continue to face kidnapping and banditry.

Credit :PRNigeria

News

Police nab two for attempted theft of two-week-old baby in Abia

Published

3 hours ago

May 30, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

ADVERTISEMENT

Abia State Police Command has nabbed two suspects for conspiracy, attempted child theft and possession of hard drugs.

The Command which made this known on Saturday, named the suspects as Nzubechi Chinagorom and Chinonso Chibundu, indigenes of Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA of the Abia State.

In a statement signed by DSP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer, the Command said its officers apprehended the suspects through actionable intelligence, in collaboration with Olokoro vigilante personnel.

She stated that the suspects went to the residence of one Miss Amarachi Chinyereugo and attempted to forcibly take away her two-week-old baby girl.

DSP Chinaka said that the Nzubechi Chinagorom allegedly stabbed the nursing mother with a kitchen knife during a struggle, causing the baby to fall and hit her head on ground.

The police spokesperson said that the two suspects fled from the scene and ran into a nearby bush on realizing that the nursing mother, Miss Amarachi Chinyereugo cried out for help.

She added that the suspects were later apprehended at a bus stop

where they had reportedly gone to take hard drugs.

“The mother and child were immediately rushed to the hospital, where they received treatment and have since recovered.

“The suspects were apprehended, exhibits were recovered and investigation has been conducted at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). Suspects will be charged to court on 2/06/2026,” Chinaka said.

News

Former Labour Minister Ikenya wins Taraba PDP governorship primaries

Published

3 hours ago

May 30, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

ADVERTISEMENT

Ex-Minister of Labour and Productivity, SellJoel Ikenya, has been declared winner of the governorship primaries conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Taraba State.

Mr Felix Hyat, the chairman of the election committee, who announced the results in Jalingo on Saturday, said Ikenya scored 34,173, to defeat Mr Dinshiya Usman, who polled 4,853.

Hyat, who described the exercise as free, fair and transparent, commended the state working committee of the party for the peaceful conduct.

Ikenya, in his acceptance speech, pledged to revive Taraba to her days of glory if elected governor in 2027.

“I will transform Taraba; I will change the state from salary base, to an industrialised state.

“My desire is to also revive the state infrastructure and attract more investors to boost the economy,” he said.

The governorship candidate, however, denied the allegations of factional PDP in Taraba.

“There is no factional PDP in Taraba; I don’t know where the other people are coming from.

“PDP in Taraba is one, and we do not have any faction in the state. We are working as one united family to reclaim our mandate from Gov. Agbu Kefas of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the Nyesom Wike led faction of the party had recently declared senator Emmanuel Bwacha as its governorship candidate in Taraba.

NAN