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Poor Performance In Mathematics, English Worries Govt.

The Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike,  on Thursday said  the poor performance of students in mathematics and English Language had given the Federal Government cause for concern.

Wike made the statement in Abuja at a meeting of the Steering Committee on Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE) Nigeria Project.

He said that if Nigeria was to attain its vision 20:2020, improving teaching and learning in mathematics, English language and sciences would be vital.

The minister said that poor performance in the subjects, especially at the basic level, would hamper the building of a solid foundation for the Nigerian child.

He said the role mathematics and sciences played in building human capacity for national development in a technology-driven global economy could not be over-emphasised.

Wike said the meeting would enable the committee to assess the project and its implementation to take decisions on the success of the second phase of the project.

He urged the committee to ensured full implementation of the activities ear-marked in the project document.

He also urged the Department of Technology and Science Education to work with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and other stakeholders to evolve strategies to enhance timely completion of the project.

``The report of our Japanese counterpart of April last year for the mid-term review evaluation of the project, drew my attention to the challenges of the project.

``It made me to constitute a bilateral task team to assess the progress of the report on the  project, identify the gaps and challenges based on the assessment.

``I, therefore, proposed strategies for accelerating the process of the project implementation and to prepare a memo to the National Economic Council on the SMASE Nigeria Project".

 

 

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Obasanjo Advocates Quality Education For Women

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday called for the provision of quality reproductive health services for women in the country.

Obasanjo made the call at the first Dr Abel Guobadia Memorial Lecture, organised by the Women’s Health and Action Research Centre, in Benin.

He named some of the services needed to be provided by government as medical care, family planning, delivery care and treatment as well as prevention of sexually transmitted infection.

The former president added that ``until we are able to have the issue elevated and addressed, we will not be dealing with the issue on the basis of root, stem and branch solution''.

``The beginning of such solution will be giving the girl-child education a pride of place and the seriousness it truly deserves.

```Education is core in resolving a lot of the questions and challenges around women’s health.

``The person who said `educate a woman and you educate a nation’ could not have phrased or captured it better.

``And I strongly believe that even more now than ever. Your work here in this centre is highly desirous, if we must make a headway that is meaningful to our society.’’

He said government also needed to ensure that there was improvement in the social and political conditions of women, rather than emphasise on the increase of their numerical strength.

He said that government should provide the enabling environment to encourage women to have access to quality education.

``Women are faced with hard tide of second best education, after their male counterparts.

``Women must be able to access more economic opportunities, more education and they must be able to have a lot to contribute to decisions that challenge and affect them.’’

On the life of Guobadia, he said the former INEC boss’ interest in women’s health was infectious.

``His championship had effect on my administration in paying greater attention more than any other administration on women’s health, in terms of legislation passed,’’ he said.

Gov. Adams Oshiomhole commended Obasanjo for his interest in the affairs of one of his appointees, even after death.

Oshiomhole described the former president as an ``African voice that is respected across the globe''.

``Those who have respect for what people have done, will surely get respect when they die.’’

He said Obasanjo was known for his hard work, dedication and delivery on his commitment.

Oshiomhole, however, tasked the public to encourage women to participate in all human endeavour and encourage girl-child access to quality education.  

 

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No Going Back On Foreign Technical Director – NFA

The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) said on Thursday in Abuja that there was no going back on its plan to hire a foreign technical director for the national teams.

Mr Emaka Inyama, a board member and Chairman of NFA Media and Publicity Committee, said there had not been any rebuttal to the arrangement since Musa Amadu, the General Secretary of the NFA, disclosed the plan in 2012.

Inyama, who was fielding questions from journalists at news conference, said that the idea was to have a template for football development in the country.

 ``There has not been any rebuttal since the general secretary said so; so, we are going ahead with the plan.

``What we have always said is that there is a need for us to develop a structure and a template for football development in this country.

``That is the beauty of a technical director. He doesn’t coach the teams but he will be able to say this is the mode of scouting, equipment and so on.

``Every federation in the world has it; even at club level, they do it (employ technical director) and I don't think there is anything wrong with it,’’ Inyama said.

The NFA board member, who is also the chairman of the Nigerian National League (NNL), said there was no need for the hues and cries by Nigerians on the matter, as it would not interfere with the job of any coach.

On Keshi’s resignation saga, Inyama explained that his job as the Super Eagles’ Head Coach was intact.

``The programme we gave to you was submitted by Keshi, if we have plans to do away with him, we will not ask him to submit his programme for 2014 and the World Cup.

``If Keshi was to go, will you pay him ahead to motivate him without holding back?

``If there are issues, can’t they be resolved. Should they be a national issue after we won the trophy?

According to him, the NFA should be commended for the feat achieved by the Super Eagles’ rather than being criticised.

Inyama, however, advised Nigerians to criticise the board constructively, adding that the Eagles’ excelled in South Africa because of the enabling environment provided by the NFA for it to succeed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Keshi has expressed concern over the plan by the NFA to hire a foreign technical director for the national team.

There are also fears that the foreigner can usurp the job of the coach.

Continue ReadingNo Going Back On Foreign Technical Director – NFA

Nations Cup Victory: Jonathan Doles Out N5m To Football Supporters’ Club

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday announced a gift of N5 million to the Football Supporters Club of Nigeria, for cheering the Super Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations victory. The President announced the gift when the Minister of Sports, Mallam...

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Court Remands 3 Farmers In Prison For Alleged Murder

A Kaduna Senior Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday ordered three farmers to be remanded in prison custody for alleged murder.

The accused persons, Annas Kabiru, 27; Rabo Dogo, 21, and Sundee Usman, 21, of Zantar village, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State are standing trial for allegedly killing one Gajere Jibrin Gwanma.

The police prosecutor, Insp. Simon Abbah, told the court that the accused persons were reported to the Kaura Police Station by one Danjuma Gajere of the Kaduna State High Court, Zaria, in September 2012.

He said Danjuma told the police that he got a message that the accused persons beat to death, his father, Gajere Jibrin Gwanma, following an allegation of sorcery levelled against him.

Abbah said after Gwamna's death, the accused persons went to his house and set it on fire, which also led to the death of one Tela Kanasame.

The prosecutor further said the offences were contrary to sections 97, 221 and 337 of the Penal code.

The accused were charged with criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire and culpable homicide.

Senior Magistrate Shittu Bello said his court had no jurisdiction to try the accused and that they were only in court for cognizance.

``My court cannot try this case until a legal advice from the State Ministry of Justice has been sent through the police to the court”.

He adjourned the matter till February  28 for further mention. (NAN)

Continue ReadingCourt Remands 3 Farmers In Prison For Alleged Murder

Plateau Assembly Says 2012 Budget Performance “Very Poor”

The Plateau House of Assembly on Wednesday expressed disappointment over the implementation of 2012 budget, describing it as ``very poor’’.

Mr Ponmak Rindap, Chairman of the assembly’s Committee on Works, told newsmen in Jos that the general performance, especially from the ministry of works, was ``abysmally poor in 2012 despite an appropriation of N7.1’’.

Rindap, who spoke shortly after the ministry defended its proposals for the 2013 fiscal year, attributed the ministry's performance to the ``non release of the appropriated funds to do its work’’.

He said N7.1 billion was approved for the ministry for completion of on-going road projects in the 2012 budget, but they remained undone.

``The budget performance last year was just absolutely poor,’’ he declared.

Rindap said no new roads had been awarded in the past five years ``even though there were appropriations and releases for the completion of on-going road works''.

``There has been no new project in the works sector; we met on-going projects which have not been completed up to now as I am talking to you.

“So, budget performance is far below expectation, but we expect more releases from the government this year.”

He urged the ministry to be sensitive to the plight of road users, especially in the rural communities, and advised government to ensure prompt release of appropriated funds to relevant ministries and departments.

The law maker said part of the requirements for budget defence included proofs that projects were actually executed and advised that more funds should released to contractors.

“It is our desire that by the end of 2013, all road projects will be completed,” he said.

The Commissioner for Works, Mr Chris Hassan, also told newsmen that contractors had been directed to immediately mobilise to site, to complete all on-going road construction before the end of March.

He lamented that some of the projects were awarded in 2008 and that their period of completion had elapsed.

Hassan also disclosed that the State Executive Council, in 2012, approved the award of 12 new road contracts which had been captured in its 2013 appropriation.

``Already, the work agreements have been signed between the government and the companies expected to carry out the jobs,’’ he said. (NAN)

Continue ReadingPlateau Assembly Says 2012 Budget Performance “Very Poor”

PLSG Awards 20 Roads Contracts Worth N33bn

The Plateau Commissioner for Works, Mr Chris Hassan, said on Wednesday in Jos that the state government had awarded 20 road contracts worth N33 billion to be completed in two years.

Speaking shortly after signing the contract papers, Hassan said the Gov. Jonah Jang's administration was executing a 10-point agenda with a special focus on the provision of a sound road network.

``Roads have been a major focus because all developments are anchored on the movement of goods and services. We cannot develop without roads.’’

He said that much had been done in the area of road construction, but that government intended to construct more roads and bridges to open up the hinterland so that development could flow.

“Any visitor to Plateau will see the difference. We are doing all these because one day, we shall give an account of our stewardship to mankind, and ultimately to God.’’

The commissioner warned the contractors against ``substandard work’’ and urged them to put the public interest above the selfish desire to amass profit.

``And if you think Plateau is where you will come and learn how to construct roads, then I assure you this is the wrong place,’’ he warned.

Hassan warned further: “If you also think you can just come and take the 30 percent mobilisation fee and disappear, I assure you, again, that you cannot do that here.’’

He also cautioned the contractors against relegating technical and legal specifics to the background.

According to him, the corporate responsibility that entails the creation of job opportunities for Plateau indigenes should also never be compromised.

``You must strive to complement our efforts toward reducing poverty and unemployment,’’ he said.

Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Michael Dofe of P. W. Nig. Ltd thanked the state government for the offers and pledged to execute quality job.

Some of the projects include the construction of a fly-over at the Federal Secretariat junction, Jos, as well as the dualisation of the Old Airport-Rayfield-Government House Road in Jos. (NAN)

Continue ReadingPLSG Awards 20 Roads Contracts Worth N33bn