Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday said it has resolved to continue its ongoing strike to ensure government shows more commitment to the education sector as well as improve welfare of workers.

According to the union, getting revitalisation fund and unpaid earned academic allowances, ensuring government sets up and conduct visitation to universities, addressing proliferation of state universities and issues of governance in them as well as the conclusion of the renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement must be resolved if the strike must be called off.

ASUU President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, made the disclosures in a ‘Strike Bulletin 9’ he signed, which was also made available to newsmen by chairman, University of Ibadan Chapter, Professor Ayo Akinwole.

The ongoing ASUU strike is in its 13th week.

Ogunyemi noted the speedy completion of the renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement will birth new conditions of service, enhanced salaries for academics and improved infrastructure for Nigerian public varsities, warning that “efforts by agents of government to derail the strike through deflection of IPPIS contraption and denial of salaries have failed because the Union was fighting a just cause.”

The ASUU leader stressed members have remained resolute to getting a better working environment and conditions of service despite unpaid salaries of thousands of academics by the Federal Government and payment of distorted and amputated salaries to thousands of ASUU members.

According to him, the 11-year- old current “slave-like salary structure” which was agreed in 2009 started in 2006 before it was concluded.

While assuring members that issue surrounding the payment of distorted or withheld salaries would be resolved, he maintained that the current strike was to ensure that Nigerian children attend the best public varsity education and have the best of facilities and infrastructure that can compete globally.

Ogunyemi further lashed out at governments for adopting what it called herd-immunity approach to the fight against Covid-19 pandemic just as it appealed to ASUU members to “intensify community information, education, communication to support and promote the guidelines as well as deepen research and innovation activities in the community transmission phase of Covid-19”.

Are you a Nigerian seeking for financial assistance in studying for a degree program in Nigeria? If yes, here is one for you;

The MTN Scholarship Scheme is awarding scholarship opportunities to qualified high performing students who are interested in pursuing a degree program in Nigeria. This scholarship is made up of the MTN Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme (MTN STSS) and the MTN Scholarship Scheme for Blind Students (MTN SSBS)

Application Deadline: 21st July 2020

Eligible Countries: Nigeria

Type: Undergraduate

Value of Scholarships: N200,000.00 annually till graduation

Eligibility:

1. Applicants must be eligible 300 level students studying Science & Technology related courses and blind students studying in Public Tertiary Institutions (Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education) across Nigeria
2. Applicants must be Nigerians
3. Applicants must be able to demonstrate English Language proficiency

Application Process:

Click Here To Access The MTN Science & Technology Scholarship Scheme Form
https://foundation.mtnonline.com/scholarship/stss
Click Here To Access The Scholarship Scheme for Blind Students Form
https://foundation.mtnonline.com/scholarship/ssbs

JAMB has just released all their office phone numbers nationwide. According to the document released JAMB terms these office numbers as “SMA(R)T Numbers”. Basically, these are special numbers, which have been customized for each of JAMB offices located in every state.

These phone numbers are specific to each state, and are relatively easy to remember as long as you know the code. Please find attached the numbers for each JAMB office in every state, and feel free to call them if you have any issues with services relating to JAMB. Please see or download the document below;

FIND FILE ATTACHED BELOW:
JAMB PHONE NUMBERS1

JAMB 2

Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified candidates for admission into the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Basic (IJMB) and Remedial programmes for 2020/2021 Session. Sale of School of Basic and Remedial Studies of Ahmadu Bello University, Funtua admission forms has commenced.

ABU Basic Studies (IJMB) Admission Requirements.

Basic (IJMB) Studies Programme

i. Candidates for this programme must possess a minimum offive (5) credits including English Language and Mathematics in not more than two sittings with any of the following subject combinations:

BS1: Biology, Chemistry, Physics;
BS2: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics;
BS3: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics;
BS4: Chemistry, Geography, Physics;
BS5: Mathematics, Geography, Physics.
ii. Candidates admitted for the Basic Studies Programme are also expected to register for 2021 JAMB Direct Entry Admission.
iii. The duration of the Basic Studies Programme is twelve (12) months only.

ABU Remedial Admission Requirements.

Remedial Studies Programme

i. Candidates for this programme must possess at least three (3) credits in science subjects (in not more than one sitting) with any of the under listed subject combinations and any two passes at ‘O’ level in the other subjects offered in the school.

RS1: Biology, Chemistry, Geography;
RS2: Biology, Chemistry, Physics;
RS3: Biology, Geography, Physics;
RS4: Chemistry, Geography, Physics.
ii. Candidates admitted for the Remedial Studies must register and pass at credit level the SSCE or NECO in the subjects they are deficient.
iii. Candidates must also register for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and obtain the minimum pass mark approved by the Federal Government and
must choose Ahmadu Bello University as first choice.
iv. The duration of the Remedial Studies Programme is twelve (12) months only.

Method of Application

Interested applicants are to go to any of the following designated Banks nationwide to obtain an “E-Transaction Pin” in order to apply.
You are to pay the sum of N 5, 000 at any of the following Banks viz: ABU Micro Finance Bank, First Bank, Unity Bank, UBA Bank and Zenith Bank for your “E – Transaction Pin” which the Bank will generate and print for you.

1. Visit: www.sbrsabu.org website and click on the “Application” link from the Menu.
2. A pop up dialogue box will open for you, requesting your “Teller Number” and “E-Transaction Pin” for validation.
3. Complete the form as required. Note: Uploading your picture (120px x 120px and 40kb) is required.
4. After completing the form, a print preview page will be displayed for you to print. Simply click on the “Print” button to print your form. Print at least 2 copies for your perusal.
5. You are to print your “Pre-Entrance Exam Card” in two (2) copies from the website also.
6. You may wish to “reprint” or “edit” your submitted form, by visiting the “Application” link again.
For help, please call: 080 8464 8930, 080 8464 8946, 080 9779 3009

NOTE:

Make sure you obtained your “e – Transaction pin” from one of the designated Banks.

1. The Basic (IJMB) programme is an Advance Level Programme intended for candidates aspiring to gain admission into any Nigerian University through Direct Entry (DE). It last for Twelve (12) months.
2. The Remedial programme last for at most Nine (9) months. At the end of the programme, successful students will be admitted into ABU Zaria.
3. For those that paid via A.B.U. Micro Finance Bank, simply, key in the “Teller Number” and the “e -Transaction Pin” in their appropriate spaces below and then click the ‘Submit’ button to apply. Read the Form Carefully before completing
4. And also, for those that paid via other banks, key in the “Deposit Slip Number” and the “Receipt Number” in their appropriate spaces below and then click the ‘Submit’ button to apply. Read the Form Carefully before completing.

CLOSING DATE

Yet to be announced.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has stated that the online learning necessitated by the closure of schools over the coronavirus pandemic cannot work in Universities.

According to the union, aside from the challenge of capacity requirement, the quality in terms of content and presentation will be watered down.

“Many of us that teach in face-to-face arrangement we know the difficulties we face in explaining concepts, in illustrating presentations, so that dimension will be there. The quality in terms of content, in terms of the presentation, will be watered down”, the President of ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said.

The union is of explained that online teaching required some special pedagogical skills and training of lecturers who would be involved and giving them re-orientation which takes time for them to attune their minds.

“I am even focusing on tertiary institutions now because I don’t want to go to the lower level. So if you talk of tertiary institutions, the first thing is when they don’t have the skills they will water down the quality in terms of content generation, what should go into content, it is different from loading students with materials.

“What you are going to give to the students they should be able to digest and that also requires skills in preparation. Where they cannot digest, maybe at worst, it may just be garbage in garbage out because when you digest, you will be able to ingest and when you ingest, it becomes part and parcel of you and that is when you can apply.” He further explained.

*Says 612, 557 candidates were offered admission in 2019

ABUJA – THE Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has set benchmark for admission into tertiary institutions for the 2020 school session.

JAMB disclosed Tuesday, at its policy meeting held online that cut-off mark for admission into tertiary institutions stands at 160 and above.

Its Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who said this, added that polytechnics cut-off mark was put at 120 and above while that of the Colleges of Education stands at 100 and above.

Oloyede also disclosed that a total of 612, 557 candidates were offered admission in 2019 just as he said about 510,957 admission spaces were unused by tertiary institutions in 2019.

According to him, only 1,157,977 candidates had the required five credits with English and Mathematics that sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations last year.

“Out of 1,157,977 candidates who sat for UTME in 2019, about 612,557 were admitted,” he said in his opening address at the occasion

Oloyede noted that candidates waiting for their results will only be considered when they are uploaded on its website.

In his remarks, Minister of Education, directed JAMB and tertiary institutions to proceed with the conduct of 2020/2021 admissions.

Admission processes are expected to commence in August based on the guidelines released by JAMB.

Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, Adamu urged JAMB and tertiary institutions to consider candidates with previous years Senior School Certificate Examination and other qualifying results, to proceed with the admission process.

He said government will make arrangement that will accommodate applicants who will be taking the examination when the opportunity to do so is worked out.

The minister said: “As major stakeholders, we must jointly come up with reactions that would realign our programmes to these new realities.

“While these reactions are being fine-tuned to check their capacities and capabilities to withstand the new reality, JAMB and tertiary institutions could take advantage of the current situation and consider candidates with previous years Senior School Certificate Examination and other qualifying results, to proceed on with the admission process.

“Whatever arrangement that the country comes up with in the long run, will surely accommodate those who will be taking the examination when the opportunity to do so is worked out.”

Ahead of the reopening of universities and others, the Federal Government has listed six conditions to be met by each school.
It said the six conditions are to protect pupils and students against Coronavirus.
It also asked all heads of schools to start putting measures in place to meet the terms.
Among other conditions, the government is demanding decontamination of all schools and new class sizes which will accommodate social and physical distancing.

The Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba announced the conditions in Abuja at the 2020 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board(JAMB).

Nwajiuba said: “While we Iook forward to easing the Iockdown which will ultimately lead to re-opening of our campuses, I urge all the Heads of Institutions not to wait till the announcement on reopening before putting in place all necessary measures in compliance with the protocols and advisories of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

“All Institutions must have (1) Hand-washing facilities, (2) Body temperature checks (3) Body disinfectants at all entering points to their major facilities including the gates, hosteis, classes, offices, etc. (4) The whole premises of each institution must be decontaminated and (5) All efforts must be geared toward maintenance of the highest level of hygiene (6) Ensure Social] Physical Distancing in class sizes and meeting spaces.

“Let me seize this opportunity to commend institutions that responded promptly with different innovations, including the manufacturing of some of the facilities that are required to attend to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“I am elated with the efforts that led to the production of Ventilator, Body Disinfectant, Hand Washing and Liquid Dispensers, Body Temperature Gauges, and many more. These are manifestations of the abundance of talents in the country and the result of research.”
The Minister pleaded with parents to bear the continued closure of schools with the government.
He added: “As a member of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, let me assure all compatriots that the Government is very much concerned about the long Iockdown of the nation’s education institutions in particular and the economy in general.
” The Federal Government is doing everything possible to ensure that both lives and livelihood are given the top most priority that they deserve.
“We are aware that we must be alive to make a living while at the same time we are conscious that we must have a livelihood to stay a life.
“The Presidential Task Force is working assiduously with facts and figures that mirror the reality of our current situation and circumstance. We are making use of them to respond to the challenges in such a way that we can limit and manage the negative effects of the Pandemic. ”
In his opening address, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede said:” Out of 1,159,977 candidates who sat for UTME in 2019, about 612,557 were admitted.
He said about 510,957 admission spaces were unused.

The Lagos State University Faculty of Engineering Covid-19 Response Team, has elicited accolades and commendation from the University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, SAN, NPOM, on the ingenious production of an Automated Solar-Powered Hand Washing Station machine as part of contributions to the fight against the ravaging Covid-19 Pandemic in the country. Prof. Fagbohun, SAN appreciated the team, headed by Dr. Nurudeen Raji, during the presentation and demonstration of the machine which took place at the Vice Chancellor’s Conference Room, New Senate Building, Main Campus, Ojo on Monday, 15th June, 2020.

The Professor of Environmental Law also lauded the Nigeria Society of Engineers Victoria Island branch, under the leadership of Engr. John Audu, for it’s willingness to partner the Faculty of Engineering in sponsoring the production of the machine. He further charged the Faculty of Engineering team to leverage on the support of the Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers Victoria Island branch, to come up with many other laudable research works that will stand the test of time and will equally benefit human kind.

In his words, *”……..we must sustain the collaboration which is already in existence between the two bodies, we need to link up and leverage on the Nigeria Society of Engineers to achieve our dreams. We need to have Memorandum of Understanding with Nigeria Society of Engineers for a robust relationship and continuity’* he concluded.

The Chairman Nigeria Society of Engineers, Victoria Island branch, Engnr. John Audu, who led the Body’s team to the demonstration, said his branch decided to adopt Faculty of Engineering, LASU in order to carry out research that will provide solutions to problems in our society. He hinted that such collaborations in the past with other institutions did not yield any positive results but LASU’s case has been a huge success and he was highly impressed with the Faculty of Engineering, and willing to do more. He appreciated Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya the Director, Directorate of Research Management and Innovations, for his contributions towards making the project a reality.

The Dean Faculty of Engineering, Professor Elkanah Oyetunji, earlier while giving his welcome speech said the project was successful because a lot of challenges were thrown at the Faculty of Engineering to come up with Innovations on the coronavirus pandemic just like other institutions are doing.
Professor Oyetunji said the research team was able to come up with the Automated Solar-Powered Hand Washing Station Machine, which enables three persons to wash their hands at the same time taking into consideration the social distancing regulations of the government. He said the machine will no doubt be very useful where there is a large number of people. He concluded by thanking the NSE Victoria Island branch for sponsoring the prototype of the machine.

The leader of the Faculty of Engineering Covid-19 Research Team, Dr. Nurudeen Raji, explained that the automated solar-powered hand washing station machine does not require any touch from the user, it has only one switch to power it on. The machine uses two small rechargeable batteries which can power the system continuously for a year.
Dr Raji further said, that the supply of water to the machine was done through a transparent hose and could be connected to either side of the machine while another hose drains waste water (which may contain coronavirus) to a nearby ground for proper disposal. The machine has LED indicators to visually indicate when is charging and when it is working. It has a soap dispensers which can serve 1000 users at each refill.

Dr. Raji gave a summary of how one can use the automated solar-powered hand washing station machine thus: stretch your hand to the dispenser for soap, move hands to the infrared tap for water, keep hands close to the sensor for continuous supply of water, when done, remove hands and the water stops running. The station will successfully accommodate three users at a time with 1 metre distance in between them.

Present at the presentation/demonstration of the machine were, the DVC Admin. Prof. Oyedamola Oke, the Registrar Mr Olayinka Amuni who gave the vote of thanks, the University Librarian, Dr. Layi Adebayo, Bursar’s representative Mr Yusuf, the Director Research Management and Innovation, Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, Director Multimedia Centre, Dr. Bosede Amoo, DR, VCO Mrs Annat Adesunkanmi, PAR/SA to the VC Mr Wale Anthony, Coordinator CIPPR Mr Ademola Adekoya and SAR VCO, Mr Kazeem Fapohunda.

The team from Epe was lead by the Dean Faculty of Engineering, Professor Elkanah Oyetunji, Dr N .A Raji, the leader of the research team, Dr Kasali Adedeji, HOD Mechanical Engineering, Dr Oladejo Duduyemi, Engnr. Adeyinka Ogunlewe, Dr. K. F. Oyedeko, Engnr. Joshua Olaleye and Mr Quadri Faculty Officer Engineering.

See the machine below!

The Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on the federal government to consider suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp exercises for two years.

In its report presented to President Muhammadu Buhari last week and seen by TheCable, the committee recommended the consideration of suspension of NYSC camps for 24 months.

“The immediate focus in the Education sector is to address the disruptions caused by the pandemic and ensuing social distancing measures at all levels of education,” the report read.

“Practical steps will be taken to minimise disruption to learning, utilising technology as appropriate. Specifically, virtual learning will be implemented (either online or through broadcast), virtual convocation ceremonies or issuance of certificates (with postponed ceremonies) should be implemented to continue educational progression.

“In similar context, consideration will be given to suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp Exercises for at least 24 months while allowing deployment to places of primary assignment.

“This will ensure that there is no backlog in the National Service placement pipeline.”

A statement released by NYSC at the time said “the corps members shall be posted to commence their primary assignments forthwith, while they shall be invited back to the orientation camps when the situation improves”.

Only last week, the scheme submitted a proposal for reopening of its camps nationwide.

It is unclear if the federal government will take this portion of the Economic Sustainability Committee’s recommendation

The management of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS), Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), has released the names of candidates admitted into its postgraduate programmes for the 2019/2020 academic session.

FUTMINNA ACEMFS admission list has been successfully uploaded online.

How to Check FUTMINNA ACEMFS Admission List.

1. Go to https://eportal.futminna.edu.ng/pg/admstatus/.
2. Supply your registration number in the required column.
3. Finally, clcik on confirm to access your admission status.

NOTE: All admitted candidates should please via their emails, send in their full names, PG registration number and WhatsApp number to [email protected].

Congratulations to all the successfully admitted candidates.