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Reps Urge Polytechnics to Introduce Innovative Courses

Published

1 month ago

November 13, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called on Rectors of Federal Polytechnics to adopt innovative approaches by introducing programs that harness the unique potentials of their respective catchment areas.

This charge was given during an oversight session with Rectors and management staff of Federal Polytechnic Kauran-Namoda (Zamfara State), Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo (Gombe State), and Federal Polytechnic Bali (Taraba State), by the House Committee on Polytechnics and other Higher Technical Education on Monday in Abuja.

Chairman of the Committee, Fuad Kayode Laguda, highlighted the importance of tailoring academic programs to address local challenges and opportunities.

His comments were particularly directed at the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Kauran-Namoda, Jonathan Murdi, emphasizing the need to introduce courses related to geology and mining.

Laguda stated, “Why don’t you have courses in mining in your place? If you do, some of these gold and other minerals found in the soil could be tested in your school. This would also generate internally generated revenue (IGR) for you. Things should not be right under your nose, and you ignore them. Innovation involves adapting to current realities, and I urge you to explore this opportunity.”

He further underscored the potential of such programs to combat the insecurity in Zamfara State by engaging youths in productive activities, thereby reducing the risk of them joining banditry or related activities. According to him, the introduction of industry-relevant programs would also attract more students and improve the institution’s reputation.

“We’ll be glad to hear that your student population is increasing rather than declining. If you produce top-notch graduates who excel in the workforce, the ripple effect will attract more students. Employers will speak highly of graduates from your institution, and parents will be encouraged to send their children to your polytechnic”, he added.

Following Murdi’s presentation, the Committee directed him to provide evidence of insurance payments and explanations for the increase in personnel costs in 2024 despite a shortfall of 50 personnel.

Federal Polytechnic Bauchi’s Progress and Challenges

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Dr. Sani Usman, also presented a detailed report on the institution’s performance. Established in 1976, the polytechnic has 2,112 staff, six schools, and 36 academic programs catering to over 11,000 students. Usman provided a breakdown of the institution’s budget performance from 2021 but was instructed to submit more comprehensive documentation within seven working days.

Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo’s Milestones

Dr. Sulaiman Lame, Rector of Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo in Gombe State, shared the institution’s developmental strides since its establishment in 2019. He noted that recruitment for key staff commenced in 2020, resulting in a workforce of 500, comprising 65% academic and 35% non-academic staff.

He explained that while the polytechnic initially operated from a temporary site provided by the state government, development activities have commenced at its permanent site. The institution currently runs four schools—Engineering, Science, Management Studies, and General Studies—offering 11 programs to about 300 students.

Lame highlighted the construction of two hostels with capacities of 200 and 350 for male and female students, respectively. He also outlined plans to introduce more courses to maximize the use of available staff. However, the Committee requested detailed documentation on the school’s nominal roll and procurement processes, with a directive for the Rector to reappear in seven days.

Federal Polytechnic Bali’s Submission

Similarly, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Bali in Taraba State, Dr. Mohammed Usman, presented his institution’s report. While the specifics of his presentation were not detailed, he and his team addressed the Committee and received directives on additional documentation.

Challenges of Oversight Functions

Earlier in his opening remarks, Rep. Laguda explained that the session was held at the National Assembly due to security concerns and tight timelines. He recalled past incidents that underscored the dangers of physical oversight visits, particularly in Zamfara State.

He recounted, “The last time we were supposed to meet in Zamfara, we were attacked twice. On that same road, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sokoto was tragically murdered. This is not due to a lack of care on our part but because of security risks and the need to adhere to timelines for other oversight visits.”

The session concluded with the Committee reiterating its commitment to supporting polytechnics in achieving their mandates while urging them to adopt innovative strategies to overcome challenges and contribute meaningfully to national development.

News

Christmas in Naija: How We Dey Manage Celebrate Despite Wahala

Published

4 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

For Naija, Christmas no be just ordinary holiday. Na time wey hope dey shine, vibe dey sweet, and gratitude dey full everywhere. Na that time of the year wey, no matter how life don hard, people go try “show face” because Christmas na big deal. But lately, with the way everything dey cost and suffer no dey reduce, celebrating Christmas don turn wahala for many families.

Still, as we dey talk, “Man no fit kill himself.” Nigerians no dey carry last. We sabi find ways to flex and celebrate the birth of Jesus, even if na to cut corner or manage small.

Cost Wahala: Everything Don Cost Die

You no need any prophet to tell you say things for market don turn another level. Everything don cost! From rice to chicken, even maggi cube sef don follow increase. Wetin you go talk about live chicken? E don be like say to chop chicken for Christmas na for rich people alone. Rice wey people dey buy for ₦20,000 before don near ₦100,000. Wetin we go do?

But for Naija, no Christmas without rice and chicken. E be like wedding without music, e no complete. So, people dey hustle extra hard. Tailors no fit sleep because everybody wan sew new clothes. For market, na haggling full everywhere as buyers dey try drag price wey don already high.

Yet, hope still dey. Naija people dey always talk say, “God no go shame us.” Somehow, everybody dey find way.

December Rush: Going Back to the Village

One of the sweetest things about Christmas for Naija na the “back to village” movement. Whether you dey Lagos, Abuja, Sokoto, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Ibadan ofPort Harcourt, December na time to reconnect with your roots. But my brother, the journey no easy o.

Transport fare dey mad. Fuel price dey high, so drivers no dey smile. Imagine paying ₦40,000 from Lagos to Enugu wey before na ₦7,000. Still, people dey go because, as dem go talk, “Home sweet pass anywhere.”

Na the road matter sef dey pain pass. Traffic go tie you like wrapper, police go dey disturb you for checkpoints, and bad roads no go allow you rest. But trust Nigerians; we sabi manage. With small gist, music, and snacks for road, the journey go dey bearable.

Decorations and the Christmas Feeling

No matter the hardship, December still dey sweet for Naija. Streets go dey shine with Christmas lights, even if e no plenty like oyinbo countries. Small businesses go hang blinking lights, and some churches go do nativity scenes. Children go sing carols, mixing English and local hymns.

For house, families dey try decorate, no matter how small. If you no fit buy Christmas tree, palm frond dey available. Just add ribbon join am, and your tree don complete. Nigerians go just laugh say, “Na manage we dey manage, but e go still sweet.”

The Christmas Food: Make Everybody Chop

For Naija, food na the center of Christmas celebration. Even if na one kind year wey e be like say soup no too dey plenty, Christmas day different. Rice, whether na Jollof or fried, e must show. Chicken, goat meat,cow meat or turkey go follow. If you lucky, you go see moimoi, salad, or even nkwobi and isi-ewu.

But the hustle to prepare food no easy. Cooking gas dey cost, firewood no dey too plenty, and food items don turn something else for market. Na there the community spirit dey enter. Neighbors dey share, people dey contribute small small, because as dem dey talk, “Nobody wan carry last, everybody must chop.”

Church Service: The Main Reason for Christmas

For Naija, we no dey forget say the reason for the season na Jesus Christ. Churches dey full on Christmas morning as families go dey sing, pray, and thank God for the year. Choir go sing gospel wey go touch heart, and pastor go preach hope, love, and resilience.

For some villages, dem dey even do nativity play or Christmas drama to remind people of how Christ take start. E dey sweet when you see traditional dance join the celebration. Religion and culture dey mix well for Naija style of Christmas.

Evening Cruise: Detty December Don Land

After all the food and church matter, na groove time! Children go wear their fine new clothes waka round, go house to house dey greet people and collect small gifts (aka “Christmas handouts”). Youths go organize street parties, and local DJs go blast music wey go make body sweet.

For some people, na time to do “detty December.” Bars, lounges, and beaches go full as people go dey vibe, because, as we sabi talk, “Body no be firewood.”

Finding Joy Even When E No Easy

Despite all the struggle, Nigerians sabi find joy. Na about the small memories, laughter from children, food wey everybody chop together, and the spirit of giving. Even those wey no fit afford big celebration still dey thank God o. Some people go do small house party; others go just use the day pray and reflect.

Social media sef dey help. People dey share their own kind of celebration, using hashtags like #NaijaChristmas or #DettyDecember to show say life still dey sweet, no matter the condition.

As We Enter New Year

As another year dey end, hope still dey shine for Naija. The way people dey push through Christmas wahala, show the resilience wey Nigerians carry. Everybody dey pray say next year go better, better economy, better life.

So, whether na rice and chicken you chop, or na garri you soak, one thing sure: Christmas na about the heart wey dey give. Love, gratitude, and hope na wetin matter pass.

Merry Christmas, Naija style!

News

Edo To Get First Lady As Gov Okpebholo Reportedly Set To Quit Bachelorhood

Published

6 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

December 24, (THEWILL) – Barring any last minute change of heart, the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, is allegedly set to marry his side chick, a California-based lady, Jennifer, the daughter of Sharon Ogaga, who is a native of Auchi and is believed to be in her 30s.

THEWILL reports that the marriage is scheduled to be held in Potter Ranch, California, in January 2024, while Aso ebi for the event is being distributed to friends of the bride for a fee around America, Europe and Africa, the letter of invitation only identifies Jennifer, but does not mention the identity of the husband-to-be, in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to mask governor Okpebolo’s identity and shield him from the controversial move.

What is weird is that Jennifer and her family are being coy with the identity of the man she is marrying.

One of THEWILL’s sources, however, has a direct confirmation that Governor Okpebholo is the “husband-in-waiting.”

“They are only telling people that Jennifer is getting married. They are not revealing the identity of the man. It is obvious they are hiding something, probably they don’t want distractions to taint the ceremony,” one of the sources said.

THEWILL does not know the status of Okpebholo’s current marriage to Blessing Okpabi Okpebholo, the mother of his two daughters, who was a no-show during his inauguration as governor.

It, however, appears that their marriage is over because it is illegal to be married to more than one person under the laws of the United States.

According to one of our sources, Senator Adams Oshiomhole allegedly hooked Jennifer up with the governor.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Osiobughie Okhuemoi, said he was unaware of the development when THEWILL contacted him for comments a few days ago.

THE WILL