The Lumine News

Category: Education

  • I Am Part Of This History As The Federal Polytechnic Ugep, Takes Off BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    I Am Part Of This History As The Federal Polytechnic Ugep, Takes Off BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    The Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State takes off:

    On Sunday 18th November 2023, received a message on WhatsApp from the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Ugep, Cross River State, Professor Edward Okey-Ntui informing me that the Federal Polytechnic Ugep is ready to take off with the placement of the advertisement calling on interested people to apply for admission.
    This is more than two years after the federal government announced the establishment of the Polytechnic.

    The institute has struggled to take office due to several factors including bureaucratic bottlenecks.

    Professor Okey-Ntui in his message thanked me for my small contribution towards the success recorded by the institute despite all the odds.

    Professor Okey-Ntui is a dedicated academic and administrator of no mean repute.

    I equally commend him and his management team for their dedication, consistency, determination and doggedness even though the odds against them were overwhelmingly against them.

    I am glad to be part of the history of the Federal Polytechnic, Ugep.
    It all started on 18 October 2018, when I initiated the payment of a courtesy visit of the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr, His Royal Majesty, Obol Ofem Ubana, to former President Muhammadu Buhari in the State House Abuja.

    In his address (read on his behalf by Sab Eko), Obol Ofem Ubana demanded the Federal government of Nigeria establish a federal University of Technology in Ugep.

    I am part of this history.

    On 22 April 2021, the former Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu at the inauguration of the Governing Boards of the newly established Federal Polytechnic and Federal Colleges of Education in the country told a packed audience at the auditorium of the National Universities Commission, Maitama Abuja, why the Federal. Polytechnic, Ugep is situated at Ugep, Criss River State.

    A usually taciturn Malam Adamu, excitedly said that former President Muhammadu Buhari decided to site the Federal Polytechnic Ugep because of their humble self to reward me for many years of dedicated and committed support towards the founding of APC and actualization of his ambition to become President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2015-2023).

    I therefore profusely thank former President Muhammadu Buhari for his generosity and magnanimity.

    I equally thank Malam Adamu Adamu former Minister of Education, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    I also thank HRM, Obol Ofem Ubana for his vision and his service to the people of Ugep nay Yakurr.

    Long live HRM, Obol Ofem Ubangha.

    Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Obol Okoi Obono-Obla
    20/11/2023

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Okoi Obono-Obla and does not represent TheLumineNews or its agent.

  • TCTI is Truly a World-Class Teacher Training Institute in Nigeria – NTI Observers

    TCTI is Truly a World-Class Teacher Training Institute in Nigeria – NTI Observers

    By Higgins James 

    Participants and stakeholders to the just concluded workshop organized by the National Teachers Institute (NTI) Kaduna, for forty primary school teachers at the Teachers Continuous Training Institute (TCTI), Cross River State have rated the Institution as the best teacher training centre in Nigeria alongside the NTI.

    Observers on a 3-Day seminar tagged: ‘Global Goals for Sustainable Development’ which held between 15th – 17th November, 2023, lauded the concept, which according to them stands unequalled in terms of hospitality, facilities, formations, training and research and overall planning.

    According to Malam Suleiman Jibril, a teacher from Kaduna State, ‘the equipment on ground are in line with the latest technological advancement obtainable in modern learning anywhere.

    “The TCTI is one of the best teacher training institutions of development l have seen. The facilities are superb and the place is second to none. It is even included in our report”.

    Another teacher, Mr Leonard Iyeje testifies that: “The Institute has inculcated great knowledge into me with its up-to-date training facilities and l am happy that my students and wards back home will have something new to learn from this experience.

    Continuing, Iyeje said “the amenities are the best anyone can imagine in this country. Sincerely, l was amazed at what l saw on ground.

    An elated Mrs Emilia Matiki noted that “the place is one of its kind. From the location, high tech facilities, instructional materials, to the general coordination we were all very impressed with what we saw at the TCTI and l hope to be there for another training. It was indeed a wonderful experience”.

    The State Coordinator, Cross River State Chapter of the National Teachers Institute, Mr James Edet affirmed the comments made by the visiting tutors, highlighting the importance of the Institute to national integration and learning.

    Several commendatory reviews received from participants and observers in the pedagogical profession abound before and after the drills.

    Addressing participants after the exhibition, renowned educationist and pioneer Director-General of the TCTI, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, hinted that the Institute is open to local and foreign collaborations as a way to foster learning. Professor Adedoja thanked the NTI for the continued synergy in enhancing teacher’s growth.

    The TCTI, solely owned and financed by the Cross River State government, was conceived to boost manpower development and guarantee quality learning that meets global teaching. It is the first CERTIPORT approved institution for digital literacy proficiency testing with
    a view to filling the gaps on knowledge and skills needed for global employability and competitiveness.

    Higgins James writes from Calabar

  • Federal Polytechnic Ugep Invites Prospective Candidates  For 2023/2024 Academic Session

    Federal Polytechnic Ugep Invites Prospective Candidates  For 2023/2024 Academic Session

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The management of the Polytechnic Ugep, has invited prospective candidates for the 2023/2024 academic session.

    With the advertisement for applications into various programs into the institution, the polytechnic is set to commence its academic session.

    In a release made available to TheLumineNews and signed by the Registrar of the institution, Mr Arikpo Eno, indicates that candidates who scored 100 and above in the 2023 UTME, should change their thier institution to the Polytechnic Ugep, as their first choice.

    The release reads in parts “Prospective candidates who wrote the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) who scored 100 and above are eligible to apply for admission into the following National Diploma programs offered by the institution :
    1. Computer Engineering
    2. Computer Science
    3. Statistics.

    “Such candidates must have met the minimum admission requirements of five O’ level credits in English Language, Mathematics, Physics and any two of either Chemistry, Geography, Biology or Computer Studies in not more than two sittings.

    “Method of Admission
    Candidates are to go to JAMB website and change to the Federal Polytechnic Ugep as their first choice institution will be required to report at campus from 4th to 15th December, 2023 for the Post UTME screening”

  • Federal Polytechnic, Ugep: The True Story BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    Federal Polytechnic, Ugep: The True Story BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

     

    It all started on the 24 September 2020 when I stumbled on a letter dated 17 December 2019 written by the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education to the Executive Secretary Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETfund, conveying the approval of President Buhari for the establishment of new Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in the country to address the emergency in the education sector in Nigeria. I was excited when I saw that one of the Federal Polytechnics approved for Cross River State without a location tied to it. I immediately called the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr to alert.

    I beseeched His Royal Majesty to write a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari appealing to him to site the Federal Polytechnic Cross River State in Ugep. Obol Lopon didn’t hesitate. He accepted my advice and wrote the letter dated 24 September 2020 to Mr. President through Hon. Minister of Education Malam Adamu Adamu, which he sent to him for delivery in Abuja.

    In the letter, Obol Lopon reminded Mr. President of his request on the 26 October 2018 when he paid a courtesy visit to him in my company. Obol Lopon had requested that Mr. President approved the establishment of a Federal University of Science and Technology in Ugep. On the 20 January 2021, I got a call from Malam Adamu Adamu at about 9 pm. He asked me pointedly why the Polytechnic should be in Ugep. I told him that Ugep is an APC stronghold.

    In the 2019 presidential election, Ugep voted massively for Mr. President. Abi/Yakurr Federal constituency produced the only APC member in the House of Representatives from the Cross River State, Dr. Alex Egbona. Lastly, I told him where federal educational institutions in Cross River State are.

    The Federal educational institutions in Cross River State, Nigeria, include the University of Calabar, Calabar, Federal College of Education, Obudu, Federal Government College, Ikom, Federal Science College, Ogoja and Federal Government Girls College, Calabar. Ugep has no federal government educational institution.

    Ugep has a population of 202,000. It is the largest town in Cross River after Calabar. It is the headquarters of Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. President Buhari is a sincere and fair-minded leader.

    I vividly remembered President Buhari’s reply to the request of Obol Lopon on 26 October 2018 that during his time as President, he will ensure that every part of Nigeria benefits from federal government presence.

    President Buhari is a sincere, genuine, and fair-minded leader. Sincerely this is the reason why I believe in him as a person and a leader. He has lavished appointments on Cross River indigenes.

    I also thank the Honourable Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, for his large-heartedness, friendship, and sincerity. He is humble, open-minded, honest, and a true leader.

  • Rev Eyoanwan Otu Donates Back-to-School Materials To FGGC, @50

    Rev Eyoanwan Otu Donates Back-to-School Materials To FGGC, @50

     

    The Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Rev. Eyoawan Otu, has donated back-to-school items and learning materials to students of the Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Calabar, as they celebrate their 50th anniversary.

    The donation, which was made earlier today, included textbooks, exercise books, writing materials, school bags and other essential items.

    In her remarks, Rev. Otu, who was represented by the Special Adviser, Programs, Projects and Events, Dr Inyang Asibong, urged the students to emulate their alumni community, who are constantly raising the bar in alma mater activities. She said that the alumni’s success is a testament to the quality education that FGGC provides.

    The school was established in 1973 with the goal of providing quality education to girls across the state and promoting inclusivity. Over the years, FGGC has produced a number of successful alumni, including doctors, lawyers, engineers, top government functionaries, and entrepreneurs.

    The donation from Rev Otu is part of the 5000 – unit back to school kits distributed to Basic Education schools across the State and is a welcome boost to the school, as it will help to ensure that students continue to receive the best possible education.

    Her Excellency’s commitment to FGGC is an example of her dedication to improving the lives of women and girls in Cross River State. Her support will help to ensure that FGGC continues to be a beacon of hope and an opportunity for generations to come.

  • Pupils Receive Lesson Under Shades As Classroom Block Partially Collapsed In Obudu

    Pupils Receive Lesson Under Shades As Classroom Block Partially Collapsed In Obudu

    Children were made to sit under shade for lessons as a block of six classrooms at the Nomadic Primary School in Obudu Local Government Area on Monday partially collapsed.

    The block of classrooms which was already in a shape unfit for learning due to lack of windows and doors, collapsed when the school had closed for the day.

    The front corridor of the building alongside the supporting poles have collapsed.

    Most of the windows of the classrooms are covered with planks held to the frames by nails while the doors are open.

    When contracted, the Executive Secretary, Local Government Education Authority, Mr Peter Abotsi, confirmed the incident and to TheLumineNews that he has already forwarded the report to the Director of Administration in the State Universal Basic Education Board, who acts as the Chairman of the board.

    Efforts to reach the Director of Administration of SUBEB as at the time of filing this report yielded no results.

    Stay time for more details.

  • Angba Appoints HoDs For Newly Approved Programmes In UNICROSS

    Angba Appoints HoDs For Newly Approved Programmes In UNICROSS

     

    The Management of University of Cross River State has appointed Heads of Departments for newly approved programmes in the University.
    Professor Austine Angba, Vice Chancellor of the University, announced names of the newly appointed Heads of Departments during the University’s Enlarged Management meeting held yesterday.

    Some of the newly appointed Heads of Department are Dr. Cassius Ogar, Acting Head of Department of Entrepreneurship Studies,
    Dr. Anthony Odu Oru, Acting Head of Department of Banking and Finance, Dr. Francis Anoka, Acting Head of Department of Economics, Dr. Ofut Ogar, Acting Head of Department of Software Engineering, Dr. Julius Obidinnu, Acting Head of Department of Information System, Dr. Sunday Ebaye, Acting Head of Department of Peace Studies, Dr. Eteng Eloma, Acting Head of Department of Sociology and Dr. Tabe Ntui, Acting Head of Department of Industrial Chemistry.
    Similarly, Dr. Michael Ayang-Nzan has been appointed as Acting Head of Department of Broadcasting while Mr. Cornelius Ellah has been appointed as Acting Head of Department of Journalism Studies.
    Before his recent appointment, Mr. Ellah was Acting Head of Department of Mass Communication.
    Dr. John Ukam has been appointed to replace him in that office.

    All the newly appointed Heads of Departments are expected to assume duties immediately.
    Their appointments will terminate at the end of September 2025.

    It will be recalled that the National Universities Commission (NUC) recently gave approval to the University to commence academic activities in seventeen new programmes.
    The University is currently admitting students into all the new programmes.

    We heartily congratulate all the newly appointed Heads of Departments and wish them success in the discharge of their duties.

    UNICROSS Media Team

  • CORAfrica Opens John Bosco Academy Adagom, Ogoja

    CORAfrica Opens John Bosco Academy Adagom, Ogoja

     

    Children of Rural Africa CORAfrica Nigeria, a non profit and nongovernmental organization, founded by Rev Fr Peter Obele Abue PhD, opened a new academic institute in Adagom – Ogoja, Cross River State, Nigeria.

    The institute is intended to be a world class institute that will address most of the socio economic problems confronting most vulnerable and indigent child of our communities.

    Speaking with the TheLumineNews, the Founder/Chief Strategist of Children of Rural Africa, Very Rev Fr Peter Obele Abue PhD, noted that “the burning desire and the dream to help children and community thrive has placed a burden on me especially in this technical age to conceive this institute.

    “The institute is going to have a world class vocational training center where children and youth will be trained in addition to the education there will acquire to prepare them for the tasks ahead”

    Speaking further, Fr Obele noted that “despite been born in rural areas, Africa children desire the right to qualitative education, research and the rights skills to compete favourably with their peers from other parts of the world.

    “It is for this reason that we have designed our institute to house the nursery, primary, and secondary sections. We will incorporate vocational education into our scheme in line with government assistance to ensure that once you graduate from the school, you should be prepared fend for yourself without necessarily depending on government for white kola job”.

    According to the plan of the institute, it is expected to house hostels staff quarters, a worship center, health facility and a demonstration farms for hands on practical.

    As academic activities begins for the 2023/2024 session, the school commenced with over 400 pupils comprising of 80 percent refugees children and 20 perfect Adagom children.

    CORAfrica acquired over 70 plots of land for this institute.

  • UNICAL Bags JAMB’s Award, Emerges Best In South-South Nigeria

    UNICAL Bags JAMB’s Award, Emerges Best In South-South Nigeria

     

    The University of Calabar has bagged an Award of Bronze, coming 3rd in the nation and 1st in the South-South geopolitical zone following the just concluded JAMB Equal Opportunity Group’s (JEOG)National Conference held in Abuja.

    The event which took place on Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th September 2023, at the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel, had the University of Ilorin and Nnamdi Azikiwe’s University taking first and second positions respectively in the nation’s Universities with high equal opportunities to higher education.

    The conference which has the theme: “Towards Increasing Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education in Nigeria”, was aimed at boosting the enrollment opportunities of persons with disabilities in the Nigerian tertiary education system.

    It is instructive to note that the administration of Prof. Florence Banku Obi has overtime among others, given special recognition to persons with disabilities in the University of Calabar. This has most recently earned her an outstanding award of patronship from the group.

  • TIFUH Berths In UNICAL As VC Seeks Robust Collaboration

    TIFUH Berths In UNICAL As VC Seeks Robust Collaboration

     

    A Study Center under the aegis of the Institute for Universal Harmony (TIFUH) has berthed in the University of Calabar( Unical), just as the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Florence Obi is seeking a robust collaboration with the Center.

    Speaking at the institution’s Senate Chamber during the inauguration and launching of TIFUH Study Center, the Vice Chancellor commended TIUFH for finding Unical worthy of collaboration, saying the institution was looking forward to deepening and sustaining the partnership.

    DVC (Admin) Prof Eno Grace Nta
    Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration,Prof.Eno Grace Nta, the Vice Chancellor applauded TIFUH for choosing Unical as the host study center, saying the center will contribute immensely towards the promotion of peace and harmony in the various strata of the society.

    She said, “I congratulate and thank TIFUH for choosing University of Calabar as a worthy partner for this quest for peace in our community and the nation.

    “We believe that this relationship will yield lot of dividends in terms of how our students will develop, due to the fact that our degree is based on character and learning”.

    The University helmsman also reiterated her administration’s commitment towards providing a conducive environment for the Center to achieve it’s laudable goals, adding that, ” we will make sure the University facilities are available for the institute, you have not made a mistake in collaborating with unical.”

    Also speaking, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu described peace as an indispensable factor for the growth and development of any nation.

    Represented by the State Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Odey, the Governor commented TIFUH for establishing the study centre, saying the society is currently facing a lot of crisis hence the need to have professional peace ambassadors to help curb the menace.

    He assured the Institute of his total support to enable them produce managers that can address the issue of conflict management in the society.

    While charging TIFUH to engage people with proven integrity, the Governor said, “engage managers that will be consultants and advocates of peace in our society.”

    The Chairman of the occasion and Founder of Christian Central Chapel, Bishop Emmah Gospel Isong said no nation can achieve sustainable development without peace.

    Represented by the Chaplain of TIFUH, Apostle Dr.Glory Udoema urged everyone to be advocate of peace as only peace can bring meaningful progress in the society.

    He commended TIUFH for seeking to promote peace in Cross River State which is already touted as a peaceful state.

    Earlier, in her welcome address, the National President of TIFUH, Prof Mrs Akon Esu, said she was delighted over the birth of the institute particularly at a time when conflict is ravaging the whole world, saying the emergence of TIFUH at this time is very appropriate.

    Prof Akon Esu said TIFUH is on a mission to deliver quality training and give access to more people around the world to embrace peace advocacy.

    She disclosed that TIFUH is currently enrolling interested applicants into courses in the institute and urged members of the public to avail themselves the opportunity to be among the pioneer students.

    The International president of TIFUH, King Charles E. Bassey, in his remarks, said the institute has unique features that enable students to study anywhere in the world through online programmes.

    He said the vision is to be a conflict management institute in the world that conflict Resolution professionals can identify with for instilling peace building capacity in the minds of their professional members via intellectual and pragmatic training, locally and internationally.

    King Charles said TIFUH’s mandate is to help develop relevant training that will enhance manpower in peace building.

    He said the institute’s core values are anchored on passion for peace and harmony, human dignity.

    Highlight of the event was the conferment of the award of Honorary Fellow on the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi.

    The event was graced by Royal Fathers, the Clergy, Security Chieftains and a coterie of Peace Advocates.