The Federal Government has directed the exclusion of third-party research grant funds of federal universities and research institutions from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

The directive is contained in a letter signed by the Acting Executive Secretary, of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, to Vice Chancellors, dated Sept. 6, 2024, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

According to him, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has conveyed the President’s directive to the Coordinating Minister of Finance and National Economy, Wale Edun, mandating the exemption.

Maiyaki said the directive also grant universities and research institutions the autonomy to operate their endowment fund accounts in commercial banks.

He said the move was expected to enhance the financial autonomy of universities and research institutions, promoting research and innovation in the country.

“The National Universities Commission received the directive from the Honourable Minister of Education, Ref. DE/HE/37/VII/324 and dated Sept. 4, 2024.

“Forwarding the correspondence from the Principal Secretary to the President, State House, also vide PRES/87/MF/71/198/MBEP/15 and dated 23rd July 2024, on the above subject.

“The letter communicates Mr President’s directive to the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to exclude third-party research grant funds of federal universities and research institutes from the TSA.

“And to grant universities and research institutes autonomy in operating their endowment fund accounts in commercial banks.”

The Kano State Government has postponed the resumption date for both primary and secondary schools for the 2024-2025 academic session till further notice.

The Kano State Commissioner of Education, Umar Doguwa announced the postponement of the new academic year in a statement on Sunday night.

Doguwa in the statement said the government made the decision due to some urgent reasons that will help improve the learning environment for students.

“The initial resumption dates of September 8 and 9, 2024 are no longer valid and a new date will be announced soon,” he said.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the postponement and appeal to students, parents and guardians to bear with the situation. A new resumption date will be announced in due course.”

According to the Director of Public Enlightenment in the State Ministry of Education, Balarabe Kiru who signed the statement on behalf of Doguwa, the Kano State Government understands the importance of starting the academic session on time.

Kiru added that the government must, however, prioritise the welfare and safety of students in Kano State.

He explained that the postponement is necessary to ensure that the state provides a conducive learning environment for students.

Kiru also made an appeal to parents, guardians and students to bear with the state government.

Babcock University in Ilisan Remo, on Friday, introduced the first comprehensive and functional statistical data analysis software called VSP (ValueStats Statistical Package), developed by the university’s Professor of Accounting and programmer, Prof. Enyi Patrick Enyi.

The institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ademola Tayo, expressed his overwhelming excitement about this groundbreaking achievement, calling the unveiling of Africa’s first homegrown statistical package a source of immense pride and a significant milestone for the continent.

Tayo made these remarks during the historic event where the software was unveiled, alongside the launch of a book titled Financial Modeling, authored by the same Professor of Accounting. The ceremony took place at the Babcock Business School Auditorium.

Represented by former Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sunday Owolabi, the Vice-Chancellor also mentioned that this locally-developed statistical package would help the country save an enormous $1 billion annually.

He said, “This is no doubt a historical event, a great moment of pride for Africans because this kind of product is the first on this continent.

“The VSP statistical package is special and peculiar in its own way. All the ones we had been using before Prof Enyi Patrick Enyi came up with this innovation are foreign, imported from China, Japan, and India among others but this VSP statistical package is produced in Nigeria and it’s far better.

“There are several modules that this statistical package contained which are not in those foreign ones. And using this accounting statistical package invented by this great scholar will save Nigerians at least $1bn because the users will be buying these packages in naira which is the equivalent of $40 and so it will help ease a lot of pressure on our forex.

“People should use this package, the students, lecturers, they can even go to the YouTube to learn more about the package and they should give us feedback to know what else to add in the next version.”

The Vice-Chancellor praised Enyi as an exceptional academic and respected educator, encouraging him to stay committed to his mission of making a positive impact on the world.

The President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Davidson Alaribe, who served as the special guest of honour at the event, praised Enyi for positioning both the institute and the accounting profession on another global stage for excellence and innovation.

Alaribe, represented by Prof. Godwin Oyedokun from Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, commended Enyi for his academic achievements, noting that the institute will not only offer its support but also continue collaborating with those advancing excellence in the accounting field.

During his speech at the event, Enyi explained that the drive to develop an accounting statistical package tailored to Nigeria’s unique environment and African practices was his main source of inspiration.

“This is the first time an African is producing a statistical package. Those we were using before like SPSS from America, EV from India, and Stata too from India, we have R among others but none ever developed in Africa.

“And we are doing this to make a difference, as an academic I have always been researching and most of my research is African but many times some of these foreign packages won’t give me the result that I want, so I began to think of that statistical package that will take our peculiarities into consideration
“In those other packages you have to learn how to code them to use them but this is our own, VSP has been made to be user-friendly. We have made it menu-driven such that the menu can suggest what you want to do and you pick it up and do whatever you want to do.

“For instance after doing your analysis in the VSP, it will automatically produce your graphs for you but in others like SPSS, EV or Stata, you will have to select the graph that you want.

“It took me two years to get the software developed…and talking about cost, an average SPSS which I was using before coming up with this innovation cost me about $280 then which must be renewed annually but this one is $40 which is about N60000 and you will continue to use this until maybe we develop another version. We shall be saving our country millions of dollars with this newly developed statistical package”, he mentioned.

Enyi stated that this achievement demonstrates that with sincere and united efforts, Africans possess the ability to address their socio-economic issues.

The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that the ministry has not stopped students who are not up to 18 years old from writing the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.

The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, made the clarification in Abuja on Friday while fielding questions from journalists at an event to mark the 2024 International Literacy Day (ILD).

Sununu said that the public misconception and misinterpretation of what was said by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, was highly disappointing.

He said that the minister was actually speaking on the 18 years entry age into the tertiary institutions as was practiced in the 6:3:3:4 system of education.

“We have agreed that we are going to consider it as a work-in-progress. The National Assembly is working and we are also working.

“It was shocking to say that a university in this country gave admission to children at ages 10, 11 and 12 years. This is totally wrong.

“We are not saying that there are no exceptions, we know we can have talented students that have the IQ of an adult even at age 6 and 7, but these are very few.

“There must be a rule, and the ministry is looking at developing a guideline on how to identify a talented child, so that parents don’t say we are blocking their children’s chances.

“Nobody said no child will write WAEC, NECO or any other examination unless at age 18. This is a misconception and misrepresentation of what we have said,” he said.

Speaking on the International Literacy Day, Sununu underscored the critical role of literacy in fostering mutual understanding, peace and socio-economic development.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing literacy challenges through the Education for Renewed Hope roadmap (2024-2027).

He highlighted youth and adult literacy as key components, while emphasising the importance of using learners’ mother tongues as a medium of instruction.

“We must focus on the role of a learner’s first language in becoming literate, which will foster mutual understanding and peace,” he added.

He also emphasised the need for well-trained educators who should be equipped to teach in local languages, as well as the development of follow-up reading materials in these languages.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education (NMEC), Prof. Simon Akpama, reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to integrating multilingual education into schools’ literacy programmes.

“In an increasingly interconnected world, multilingual education is not just a necessity, it is a tool for fostering peace and cultural respect,” he said.

Meanwhile, UNESCO’s Country Representative, Mr Diallo Abdourahamane, re-echoed that literacy remained a fundamental human right, hence the need to create a just, peaceful and sustainable society.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ILD which is celebrated annually on Sept. 8, is aimed at highlighting the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has denounced claims that it is involved in the admission process for higher national diploma (HND) students.

A statement signed by the Spokesman of the board, Fabian Benjamin, said the board has no involvement, authority, or control over the admissions process for HND candidates.

The statement added that JAMB is also not responsible for other higher institutions’ programmes besides their regular admissions.

The board further added that candidates’ HND admissions are unknown and irrelevant to the mandate of JAMB.

Some HND students had earlier accused the board of being responsible for their inability to go for their National Youth Service scheme (NYSC).

The students were said to have claimed they were not mobilised for service because they did a part-time programme for their national diploma (ND).

The University of Ibadan (UI) has honoured the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun as an ambassador on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.

The spokesman of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement on X on Monday night.

“The Inspector General Of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun in his unrelenting efforts to emplace a police force of unique standard, has been bestowed the honor of an ambassador at the 75th anniversary of the University of Ibadan,” Adejobi said.

“Established in 1948, the University of Ibadan is Nigeria’s first degree-awarding institution and has consistently been recognized as one of the premier higher education institutions in Nigeria.

“With a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, research, and community engagement, the university has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of countless students and contributing to national development.”

Adejobi said the decision to appoint IGP as the University of Ibadan’s ambassador stems from his distinguished record of service and commitment to public safety and law enforcement.

He said the IGP’s tenure has been marked by significant achievements in enhancing security protocols, advancing crime prevention strategies, and fostering community-police relations across Nigeria.

“His reputation for integrity, leadership, and dedication to the public good aligns with the university’s values and mission, making him an exemplary ambassador for our institution,” Adejobi said.

“The 75th anniversary celebration of the University of Ibadan is a landmark event, highlighting the institution’s journey of academic excellence and its contributions to society.

“The appointment of the IGP as ambassador is part of a series of commemorative events aimed at reinforcing the university’s commitment to social responsibility, innovation, and collaboration with key stakeholders in Nigeria.

“In his acceptance speech, the IGP expressed profound gratitude for the honor and reaffirmed the Nigeria Police’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the university, its students and by extension, every academic Institution across the country and its students.”