By Friday Idachaba

AS Teachers in Kogi State mark the 2024 World Teachers Day, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has pledged to make teachers’ welfare one of his topmost priorities to enhance productivity and enable them discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.

Ododo who disclosed this at the Muhammadu Buhari Event Centre, Lokoja during a march past by the teachers as part of activities marking the Day, said his administration would continue to work for enhanced welfare of the teachers.

The Governor said that as those who mentored the present leaders and are still mentoring future leaders, teachers’ welfare would be the cardinal point of his administration.

He said that in line with the 2024 Teachers’ day theme: “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a new Social Contract for Education”, his administration had resolved to provide enhanced package and conducive working environment for teachers in the state.

He applauded Kogi teachers for their commitment to the provision of quality teaching and moulding the characters of the nation’s future leaders (children) for eventual contributions to the development of the state and the nation.

“The importance of the teaching profession cannot be overemphasized, as they are the ones who taught all other professionals. I will therefore continue to support them by attending to their welfare and providing them with a conducive working environment.

“In the forefront of agitations for improvement in the education sector are the teachers. We are going to work with you to achieve this. I commend your hard work and contribution to the development of our dear state”, the governor said.

He called on policy makers to to formulate good policies that would guide the development of the Education sector adding that his doors are opened to constructive engagements that would contribute to the overall development of the state.

He thanked the NUT National President for the award of excellence conferred on him, saying that the award message for him, is to do more for teachers and other sectors of the state economy.

In his welcome address, the state chairman of the NUT, comrade Yakubu Dauda, commended the governor for the payment of 100 per cent salary to teachers in the state, saying the gesture had motivated and encouraged them greatly.

Dauda however called on teachers and all stakeholders in the Education sector to reject any move to privatize government owned institutions in the country.

He commended Governor Ododo for being up to date in the payment of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) counterpart contributions that attract massive investment in educational infrastructure and development to the state.

The NUT chairman said teachers owed the governor a debt of gratitude for “picking our former chairman as your Deputy Governor” and assured the him of their support and commitment to duty.

Earlier, the National president of the NUT, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, represented by Mrs Safiya Aliyu, commended the governor and presented him an award of excellence for his contributions to the development of Education and placing premium on the welfare of teachers in Kogi state.

The state Commissioner for Education, Mr Wemi Jones, Special Adviser on Labour and former NLC chairman in the state, Comrade Onuh Edoka among others delivered goodwill messages at the occasion.

A lecture themed: “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a new Social Contract for Education” was delivered by Prof. (Mrs), Funmilayo Fatokun of the Department of Science Education, Federal University Lokoja (FUL). (Ends)

***Calls For Reintroduction of Subject in Schools

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

Prof. Salihu Danlami Musa, a Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies, has called on policymakers to reintroduce the subject of Geography as a subject for both the Sciences and Humanities in all Nigerian Primary and Secondary Schools.

Prof. Musa made the call while presenting the 19th Inaugural Lecture of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) with the theme: “Geography and Sustainability: Unraveling the Myths, Reality, and Practicability,” on Thursday in Lokoja.

The Inaugural Lecturer said Geography as a subject was taught at the Primary and Secondary Schools in Nigeria from the pre-independence period till sometimes in the 1980s.

“However today, Geography has been removed completely from the Primary school curriculum and it has become an optional subject for only a section of our students in Secondary Schools.

“This has not only cost some of our children the opportunity of securing admission into tertiary institutions, it has even more serious consequences for Nigeria as a nation.

“We are now raising geographically ignorant children; citizens who lack the basic knowledge of our culture and environment and cannot, therefore, interact sustainably with the environment

Civil Engineers who lack basic knowledge about the topography; Town planners who cannot read and produce simple maps; Politicians who do not have the basic spatial knowledge of his constituency”, he regretted.

Prof. Musa said the benefits of the study of Geography for society were overwhelming as it would among others, go a long way in addressing the problem of dwindling enrollment for Geography across tertiary institutions in the country.

“Geography plays a pivotal role in building resilience and fostering adaptation towards sustainability by providing essential insights into the spatial dimensions of environmental change, socio-economic vulnerabilities and complex interactions between human societies and natura systems.

“Geography helps in comprehending the diverse environmental processes and hazards, such as climate change, natural disasters, and ecosystem degradation, that pose risks to human communities.

“By ensuring fair access to resources, geographic considerations contribute to social equity and environmental justice”, the Don explained.

Speaking earlier, Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. olayemi Akinwumi described the inaugural lecture series of the University as a prestigious tradition instituted to highlight the scholarly accomplishments of academic members.

He said that the Inaugural Lectures series serve as a platform “for our distinguished professors to share their research, insights, and contributions with the wider academic community and the public.”

He said that the theme of the Lecture was both timely and vital saying, “As we navigate the complexities of our modern world, the concepts of sustainability and geography are increasingly interwoven.

Prof. Akinwumi noted that this is especially so with the challenges often faced from climate change to urban development and from resource management to social equity.

The Vice-Chancellor described the 19th Inaugural Lecturer, Prof. S.D. Musa as a scholar whose dedication to the field of Geography and Environmental Studies has been “Nothing short of exemplary” as it has also inspired countless students and colleagues.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation to the family, friends and colleagues of the Inaugural Lecturer for their immense contributions and commitment to his success. (Ends)

Nigerian Tulip International Colleges Abuja has shone brightly after clinching the first position at this year’s Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Science Quiz Competition for Senior Secondary Schools.

The Competition which is yearly had eight schools in attendance.

Out of the eight schools, the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges came first, while Premiere Academy and I-Scholar Academy came second and third respectively.

Speaking while presenting the awards to the winners, General Manager, NTA Knowledge, Bukola DaSilva said the aim of the competition was to test the students’ knowledge, stressing that the competition was a tough one.

According to DaSilva, the questions were set from the Education Resource Centre, National Mathematics Centre, Science and Tech Centre and Secondary Education Board.

The Managing Director, Nigerian Tulip International Colleges, NTIC, Mr. Feyzullah Bilgin congratulated the participating students for their brilliant minds “behind this remarkable achievement.”

Other schools that participated in the quiz competition included, Stella Maris College, Glisten International Academy, African Community School and Stella Creative Basic School..