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Anambra gov lauds teachers’ role in shaping education

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The Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has lauded the invaluable contributions of teachers to society, emphasising their critical role in shaping the future of education in Anambra State.

According to a press statement released by the governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, on Wednesday, the governor urged appreciation for teachers worldwide, highlighting particularly the efforts of teachers in Anambra.

Soludo expressed gratitude for the dedication and hard work of educators, noting that everyone was brought up by a teacher.

He said, “You are doing a fantastic job, and I want to highlight that basic statistics show Anambra is leading in many educational metrics.

“There is no educational system without the teachers; the future of a society is intrinsically linked to the quality of its teachers and the quality of teaching they provide.”

The governor stated that in order to combat historical neglect of the education sector, his government successfully recruited 8,115 teachers through a competitive process that drew applicants from 18 states across Nigeria.

“Literacy and numeracy have improved by over 40 per cent, and enrollment rates have surged since we took office. This reflects on the progress made under my administration.

“We acknowledge the challenges the state faced when I assumed leadership. When we came, we discovered that public education was completely neglected and abandoned, and we vowed to restore the sector to its rightful place.

“To sustain this momentum, we plan to recruit even more teachers soon, ensuring that Anambra continues to enhance its educational landscape. We will announce the recruitment of more teachers soon, as our ongoing commitment to improving education,” he added.

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As the governor’s message reverberates through the state, the focus on bolstering the teaching force is seen as a critical step toward elevating educational standards and securing a brighter future for the children of Anambra.

Also, at the event, the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngọzi Chuma-Udeh, addressed attendees, acknowledging the significant influence educators have on the people.

Chuma-Udeh also expressed her commitment to promoting the ongoing efforts of the state government in education.

“These are the parents whose lives you have positively touched. We recognise the vital role that teachers play in shaping the community’s future.

“We will continue to declare the good works of the Governor,” emphasising the administration’s dedication to enhancing the quality of education and supporting the needs of families in Anambra.”

The Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Service Commission, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, along with the Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Vera Nwadinobi, highlighted the significant achievements made by the Governor in the education sector over the past three and a half years, while assuring continued support for ongoing initiatives.

They noted that under the current administration, the class sizes have surged to 70 students or more, largely attributed to the implementation of free education policies.

The event was also used by a group called “The Patriots” and the Association of People Living with Disabilities to endorse the Governor and his Deputy for a second term in office.

PUNCH Online reported on October 5, 2025, that UNESCO, ILO, Education International, and UNICEF emphasised the pivotal role teachers play in shaping education and national development.

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The organisations noted that the 2025 theme, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,” aims to empower teachers to “fully deploy their talent and vocation” while receiving the support necessary to achieve transformational outcomes.

They jointly urged governments, partners, and the international community to make a collective commitment to recognising collaboration as a standard practice within the teaching profession, stressing that “only through effective cooperation at all levels can truly inclusive, equitable, and resilient education systems be built worldwide.”

The global bodies further underscored that adequate funding and improved welfare are essential to make teaching both rewarding and result-driven.

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Education

OAU has fulfilled founding fathers’ vision, says TETFund boss

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The executive secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, has said the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has lived to the ideals of its founding fathers, breeding experts in various fields of human endeavors.

Echono, while delivering a lecture to mark the 65th anniversary of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, also said investment in research and innovation systems will generate practical solutions suited to local realities.

The TETFUND boss, in the copy of the paper obtained in Osogbo on Friday, paid glowing tributes to the pioneer and successive Vice Chancellors of the university for sustaining the legacies of the university’s founding fathers.

“The Great Ife has remained a symbol of commitment and purposeful leadership. Expectedly, the university has lived to the ideals of its founding fathers as the breeding ground for erudite scholars, legal luminaries, successful businessmen, diplomats, accomplished technocrats and administrators, including its legion of Nigerian National Merit Award Winners, who are contributing to national development, and have continued to uphold the reputation of the university,” he said.

Speaking on the concept of research and innovation, Echono noted that research and innovation remain key drivers of national development, saying nations that have achieved sustained economic growth and technological advancement have done so through deliberate investment in knowledge generation, scientific inquiry, and practical innovation.

He added that in present day global economy, development does not depend on natural resources, but on the capacity to create, apply, and commercialize knowledge.

“Research and innovation remain key drivers of national development. Nations that have achieved sustained economic growth and technological advancement have done so through deliberate investment in knowledge generation, scientific inquiry, and practical innovation.

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“In today’s global economy, development does not depend on natural resources but on the capacity to create, apply, and commercialize knowledge. Nigeria’s developmental challenges, though significant, also present opportunities for innovation-driven transformation.

“Addressing issues such as unemployment, insecurity, hunger, healthcare limitations, industrial underdevelopment, and technological dependence requires sustained investment in research and innovation systems that generate practical solutions suited to local realities,” Echono said.

Commending President Bola Tinubu for focusing on research and innovation that can provide solutions to challenges peculiar to the country and her people, Echono also stressed that building a fully functional and innovation-driven economy requires deliberate efforts to address issues of funding constraints, insufficient infrastructure, inadequate motivation, limited academia-industry collaboration, and challenges in commercialising research outputs.

He emphasised that the role of TETFund in enhancing the capacity of tertiary institutions in the country for research and development through its interventions activities has become increasingly strategic for strengthening Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem.

He further said that by supporting research funding, academic capacity development, innovation hubs, commercialisation initiatives, and entrepreneurship programmes, TETFund has been repositioning institutions in the country as active contributors to national development.

He declared that Nigeria’s “Sustainable development largely depends on how effective we are at leveraging knowledge, innovation, and technology to grow national economy, expand opportunities, create jobs and wealth, develop new products and services and improve the well-being of its people. This is essential for national growth, competitiveness, and long-term stability.”

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Simeon Bamire, said the institution has been recording steady growth since it’s establishment about 65 years ago and commanded the sacrifices and commitment of staff members and students towards sustaining legacies of excellence OAU is reputed for.

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The PUNCH reports that Bamire announced plans to unveil the N10bn President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Centre of Excellence in Intercultural Dialogue and Youth Empowerment on June 8 as part of activities marking the institution’s 65th anniversary.

Bamire said the centre was designed to serve as a platform for research, dialogue, leadership development, innovation and youth empowerment.

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UNIPORT names ex-Rivers health commissioner new vice-chancellor

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The University of Port Harcourt has approved the appointment of Professor Princewill Chike as the 10th Vice Chancellor of the institution.

Chike was the Rivers State Commissioner for Health during the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike.

He will succeed the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, whose tenure will elapse on July 13.

Georgewill, who is the 9th VC of UNIPORT, will preside over his last convocation ceremony scheduled for Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6, 2026.

The university, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said Chike’s appointment was approved by the institution’s governing council following a selection process.

The statement titled ‘University of Port Harcourt Appoints Professor Princewill R. Chike as 10th Vice-Chancellor was signed by the Public Relations Officer of UNIPORT,  Dr  Sam Kpenu.

The statement reads, “The Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt has approved the appointment of Professor Princewill R. Chike as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University.

“The appointment was made by the 17th Governing Council following the successful conclusion of the selection process.

“The process was conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and the University of Port Harcourt Act.

“It involved the constitution of a Search Team and a Joint Council-Senate Selection Board, which carried out their responsibilities in accordance with the extant laws and regulations governing the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in Nigerian universities.

“The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, congratulated Professor Chike on his appointment and expressed confidence in his ability to provide visionary leadership for the continued growth and development of the university.

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“Professor Princewill R. Chike is expected to formally assume office as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt on 13 July 2026.”

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Education

ASUP gives 21-day ultimatum to poly over poor welfare

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The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Federal Polytechnic Ngodo-Isuochi chapter, Abia State, has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the institution’s management over alleged non-implementation of staff welfare demands and breach of statutory obligations.

The ultimatum was contained in a letter addressed to the Rector Dr. Pdi Ndubuisi, dated May 26, 2026, which was jointly signed by the ASUP chairman in the institution, Mr Ador Osundu; and secretary, Mr Onyeneke Arrhenius.

In the letter sighted on Monday, the union’s executive stated that repeated efforts through dialogue, congresses, and official correspondence to draw the attention of the institution’s management had failed to yield action, creating “industrial tension, eroding trust, and threatening the stability of the institution”.

ASUP warned that failure to resolve the issues within 21 days would compel it to activate “all lawful trade union mechanisms, including industrial action”.

The body added that the ultimatum, adopted at the union’s congress on May 22, 2026, takes effect from the date of receipt of the letter (May 26).

ASUP listed six unresolved issues, citing violations of Nigerian labour, health, and anti-corruption laws.

The union accused management of failing to invite the National Housing Fund (NHF) officials for staff sensitisation and enrolment in violation of the National Housing Fund Act, which mandates employer cooperation in deductions and remittances.

Management was also faulted for not facilitating the National Health Insurance (NHIA) enrolment for staff, denying access to affordable healthcare guaranteed under the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 and the National Health Act 2014.

ASUP equally raised concerns over alleged diversion of funds approved for a borehole project into a personal account.

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“We call for an independent audit of the project fund, failure to do that will force us to petition the Independent Corrupt Practice Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” the lecturers stated.

The union decried what it called a chronic shortage of essential drugs and medical supplies at the health centre, describing it as a failure of the institution’s duty of care. It demanded immediate restocking and engagement of competent medical personnel.

The union expressed dissatisfaction over management’s failure to remit deducted check-off dues from February 2026 till date, calling it a violation of the Trade Unions Act and Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.

“The union remains open to negotiation until the ultimatum expires, should management invite its leadership for talks.

“As we await management’s action, ASUP reaffirms its commitment to industrial peace, staff welfare, and institutional progress,” the letter stated.

When contacted the Public Relations Officer of the Polytechnic Dr Mrs Anukaenyi Blessing, said she cannot comment on the petition because she is not a member of the management board of Institutions.

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