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Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has thrown its weight behind Nigeria’s digital development efforts at the ongoing Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC’s) business roundtable on Broadband Investment and Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure.

The roundtable began on Wednesday at the NCC Headquarters in Abuja with the theme ‘Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity’ featuring stakeholders from federal and state governments, the private sector, telecom operators, and regulatory bodies.

Industry pundits said the roundtable is a veritable forum for synchronising public and private sector interests in the bid to achieve Nigeria’s broadband targets, improving policy coordination, and closing existing digital gaps – especially in underserved and rural communities. In the same vein, the gathering will advance practical strategies for expanding Nigeria’s broadband footprint and strengthening infrastructure security across the country.

In a press release issued about the event, Globacom explained that its sponsorship and active participation were in tandem with its continued commitment to fostering a viable digital future for Nigeria.

Globacom is providing logistical and technical backing for the success of the two-day event in demonstration of its commitment to undertaking a connected, inclusive, and secure digital ecosystem.

Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has thrown its weight behind Nigeria’s digital development efforts at the ongoing Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC’s) business roundtable on Broadband Investment and Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure.

The roundtable began on Wednesday at the NCC Headquarters in Abuja with the theme ‘Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity’ featuring stakeholders from federal and state governments, the private sector, telecom operators, and regulatory bodies.

Industry pundits said the roundtable is a veritable forum for synchronising public and private sector interests in the bid to achieve Nigeria’s broadband targets, improving policy coordination, and closing existing digital gaps – especially in underserved and rural communities. In the same vein, the gathering will advance practical strategies for expanding Nigeria’s broadband footprint and strengthening infrastructure security across the country.

In a press release issued about the event, Globacom explained that its sponsorship and active participation were in tandem with its continued commitment to fostering a viable digital future for Nigeria.

Globacom is providing logistical and technical backing for the success of the two-day event in demonstration of its commitment to undertaking a connected, inclusive, and secure digital ecosystem.

The roundtable, said Globacom, is equally an opportunity to strengthen public-private partnerships, explore innovative funding models, and advocate for equitable digital access. This aligns with Globacom’s long-standing commitment to digital inclusion, empowering millions of Nigerians through affordable and reliable connectivity solutions.

‘We believe that digital transformation must be inclusive and secure. Our participation in this roundtable is a continuation of our mission to support national development through technology. A resilient broadband infrastructure is critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and global competitiveness’, Globacom stated’, the network further added.

The digital solutions provider noted that its role at the ongoing roundtable was not only as a telecoms provider but largely, as a trusted partner in the country’s drive towards a fully digitised, economically empowered, and secure future.

Similarly, Globacom’s contributions to the Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan (CNIIPP) will help forge a coordinated national framework for telecom security in order to safeguard Nigeria’s defences against cyber threats and infrastructure sabotage.

1. Nigeria’s Only Single-Mode Open and Distance Learning University: NOUN is the only university in Nigeria dedicated exclusively to Open and Distance Learning (ODL), allowing students to learn flexibly without attending regular on-campus lectures.

2. No Academic Strike Ever: Thanks to its flexible and non-residential structure, NOUN has never gone on strike meaning classes, exams, and graduations continue smoothly even when other universities are shut down.

3. Study Anytime, Anywhere: Students can study from anywhere in Nigeria or even abroad using NOUN’s online platforms, printed modules, and multimedia resources. It’s education that fits your lifestyle!

4. 100% Digitally Driven: NOUN is one of Nigeria’s first fully digitized universities registration, course materials, assignments, and even examinations are conducted online through the NOUN e-Learning portal.

5. No Hostel or Campus Accommodation: Unlike conventional universities, NOUN students don’t live on campus. This significantly reduces living costs and promotes independence and self-discipline.

6. Self-Paced Learning: Students progress at their own pace meaning you can finish your program faster or slower, depending on your personal schedule and level of commitment.

7. Over 100 Study Centres Nationwide: NOUN has study centres in every state of Nigeria, ensuring university education reaches even the most remote and underserved communities.

8. Designed for Working Adults: It’s the ideal university for professionals, parents, and entrepreneurs who wish to further their education without leaving their jobs, businesses, or families.

9. First in Africa to Join the OER Movement: NOUN is among the first African universities to adopt Open Educational Resources (OER) providing free and accessible learning materials for students and the general public.

10. Flexible Admission and Learning Structure: Admission into NOUN is open all year round. You can apply at any time and begin studies at your convenience no strict academic calendar or UTME restriction.

11. Multimedia Learning Experience: NOUN offers a diverse learning mix from radio and television broadcasts to online lectures and printed study guides catering to different learning styles and preferences.

12. Produces Leaders from All Walks of Life: From military officers and civil servants to clergy, artists, and entrepreneurs, NOUN graduates are shining examples of how education can fit around one’s career and lifestyle.

13. Easy and Transparent Payment System: All payments including admission, registration, and course fees are made safely online through the NOUN Remita payment platform, ensuring accountability and convenience. Students can pay in instalments and confirm payments immediately on the university portal.

14. Instant Admission Status Confirmation: After applying online, candidates can check their admission status instantly via the NOUN portal. Once admitted, they can immediately proceed with fee payment and course registration without waiting for lengthy admission lists

State governments’ involvement in paying for examinations being organised by the National Examinations Council (NECO), West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and Qur’anic bodies, especially in the North, was informed by the initiatives of the second tier of government on inclusive education. This was aimed at providing equal learning opportunities for all students, valuing their unique backgrounds, and fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Its significance also lies in developing essential life skills, reducing stigma, promoting academic growth for diverse learners, and building more resilient, prosperous, and equitable societies. The plan of states to tackle out-of-school children’s menace affecting about 20 million of school age children also informed the need to pay their school and examinations fees.

It is also meant to create equal opportunities and access to all pupils, regardless of their abilities, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background, to get the same chance to learn and develop the skills needed to thrive.

This is in line with United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) policy, which considers education a fundamental human right, a public good, and a key driver of peace and sustainable development. UNESCO is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to cover all aspects of education, from early childhood to higher education and beyond. Its global efforts are anchored in the Education 2030 Agenda, specifically Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning for all.

It is also in line with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund’s (UNICEF’s) work on education, which focuses on ensuring every child has access to quality learning, with an emphasis on addressing the needs of the most marginalised and vulnerable children. This includes working on access to equitable and inclusive education, improving learning quality, and providing support during emergencies, especially on the need to address gender disparities and improve access for girls in schools.

States recurring default in paying exam fees of registered candidates

But, such educational initiative of paying fees for examinations for pupils becomes a problem for the candidates as such state governments defaulted by owing the examination bodies billions for many years thereby truncating the future of the candidates to embark on acquisition of more knowledge, skills, and values to build a more sustainable future.

In a media report on February 17, 2023, the NECO Registrar, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, stated that seven northern states collectively owed NECO over N2 billion in unpaid examination fees. The debt was reportedly reduced from over N3 billion through the efforts of some state governors. This debt, which is used to pay examiners and acquire materials, affects the council’s ability to conduct examinations smoothly.

The registrar made this known while announcing the 2022 External Senior School Certificate Examination at the council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State. He said the debt was affecting the council in the conduct of examination as it relied on what it generated from the payment of examination fees to pay its examiners.

Also, WAEC had in the past raised concerns about state governments defaulting on payments for candidates in public schools. In 2023, eight states reportedly owed the examination council. Zamfara and Niger were identified as the biggest debtors.

Zamfara State, under former Governor Bello Matawalle, reportedly owed WAEC about N1.6 billion, a figure later confirmed by the current administration. In an interview, Governor Dauda Lawal’s spokesperson, Mustapha Kaura, said the debt was inherited from two previous administrations.

Kaura said the state intended to pay the debt either in full or in installments once the governor secured approval from the state executive council. In May 2025, the Zamfara government announced it had paid N1.4 billion to clear the debts it owed to WAEC from 2018 to 2022.

‘The swift payment of the outstanding debt to WAEC and NECO has relieved the stranded Zamfara students, who completed their final exams, but could not proceed in their education due to the examination bodies withholding their results,’ a statement published on the state government’s website said.

‘For the West African Examination Council (WAEC), Governor Dauda Lawal has paid the outstanding bill of one billion, four hundred million naira that the previous administrations owed from 2018 to 2022.’

In 2021, a report identified six states as owing NECO N1.8 billion. They were Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Kano, Niger, and Zamfara.

As expected, WAEC and NECO usually withhold results for state-sponsored students when the respective state governments fail to pay the registration fees. This is a recurring issue that affects thousands of students across the country.

Zamfara pays N3.7b exams debt, students’ withheld results released

Few days ago, the Zamfara State Government announced that it had settled accumulated debts owed examination bodies leading to the release of withheld students’ results. Briefing journalists on this development, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Malam Wadato Madawaki, said this had ended nearly a decade of non-release of student’s results.

He said the milestone was one of the gains of Governor Lawal’s declaration of a state of emergency on education in November 2023. Madawaki explained that, when they assumed office, they met a chaotic situation where public school pupils, who sat for WAEC and NECO examinations between 2015 and 2023, could not access their results.

He alleged that previous administrations of Zamfara State failed to pay their examination fees. According to him, Zamfara owed WAEC N1.4 billion for the period 2019 to 2023, while NECO was owed N1.3 billion for examinations conducted between 2019 and 2022.

Madawaki said a backlog of N1.022 billion covering 2015 to 2018 NECO exams was also settled by the present administration. He noted that due to the debts, Zamfara public schools were initially barred from writing NECO examinations in 2022 and 2023, but following Governor Lawal’s intervention, NECO shifted the 2023 exams by two weeks to allow pupils from the state to participate.

‘With the governor’s approval, all outstanding payments have now been made. WAEC has released all withheld results up to 2024, while NECO has cleared results from 2015 to 2022,” he said.

Stakeholders urge timely payment of exams fees

While the move by the governor was aimed at securing the future of many pupils, many of whom could not collect their higher institution certificates because their secondary school results were withheld, stakeholders have called on concerned state governments still defaulting to pay the examination bodies.

Reacting on the issue in an interview with The Nation, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo said it was unfortunate that state governments are not paying for the NECO and WAEC examinations of their students after they must have sat for the examinations. According to him, it means that any state government that has not paid the examination fees is only paying lip service to education.

Ogunbanjo said: ‘WAEC and NECO have honoured you. They have agreed that the pupils should write the exams on credit. You didn’t pay in advance; whereas individuals will pay in advance.

‘But these organisations will trust the state governments and they allow the students to write the exams. I’m sorry to say that any state government that has refused to pay the examination fees of their students is only paying lip service to education. The states should not be taken seriously as having anything to do with the upbringing and education of their students.

‘They are saying that they want to encourage education for all. But, their attitude is absurd, condemnable and really very bad.

‘The implication is that for the case of Zamfara State that owed to the tune of five to 10 years, we don’t know what the students will be doing. That means the time they would have graduated, they would be waiting for examination results.

‘So, that is why I said they are only paying lip service to education of their states’ students. They should stop that and then be serious with education for once. And that is why these people have been encouraged to join Boko Haram to become bandits. It’s rather unfortunate. And they should stop it.’

The Founder/CEO IA-Foundation, Ibironke Adeagbo, in an interview with Nation, said education is not a privilege. It is a fundamental right guaranteed to every child, regardless of gender, background, or circumstances, Adeagbo said.

‘When states fail to pay examination bodies, they punish the children they are meant to support. The consequences of such actions by some states have shattered many dreams, interrupted learning, caused emotional distress, and increased the dropout rate among young people.

‘As an organisation committed to addressing the out-of-school children crisis in Nigeria, we urge all indebted states to take urgent action by clearing their debts to WAEC and NECO without further delays.

Zamfara’s recent efforts to settle its debts, which have spanned five to 10 years, are highly commendable. This should motivate and encourage all other indebted states to do the same, in order to fulfill their constitutional obligations and moral responsibilities to ensure that no child is denied access to education.

Ronke Oyelakin Odukoya, a child rights activist and the current Executive Director of the Bimbo Odukoya Foundation (BOF) in Lagos, Nigeria, submitted that it was sad that this was happening in the nation’s education system.

Odukoya, who also serves as the Executive Coordinator for BOF and a Public Relations Officer for the Association of Orphanage and Home Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), said: ‘So as a child protection network, an initiative of UNICEF, my message is to encourage states to clear these debts for the benefit of students’ future prospects and uphold their right to education as enshrined in the constitution – ‘the right to development’. The implication of unpaid debts is that students’ results remain withheld, hindering their academic and career progression, as seen in the case of Zamfara, which recently settled its debt to resolve withheld results.

‘If we should analyse the impact of these debts on children and young people, re-emphasising their right to education, it is imperative and a wakeup call for ‘timely payment’. CPN urges the governments through the states to fulfill their financial obligations to examination bodies to ensure students can access their full results and continue their education.

‘Importance of education cannot be over-emphasised knowing that education is a crucial pathway for personal development and societal progress, and withheld results act as a significant barrier to this.

‘The ripple effect of this unpaid debt can mar the futures of these children and impact on future opportunities as it can also prevent students from sitting for future examinations, thus creating a long-term negative impact on their ability to pursue further education or employment.

‘The children could also loose trust in the state government and the examination bodies.

‘Lastly, the delay in paying the examination fees may make students to lose interest in education and could lead many to engaging in some social vices; and an idle mind is indeed the devils workshop.

‘Some of the affected students may be compelled to abandon schools and engage in menial jobs, especially in any financial earnings pending the release of their results.

‘As a child advocate, knowing the importance of education to any child’s development, I want to implore the government and other actors to ensure that these unpaid fees are cleared and our children can further their education and in return, be an impactful members of the society and the country at large.’

Sir: It was only a matter of time. Everyone paying close attention knew that Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, could not survive the certificate forgery storm. The handwriting was on the wall, and yesterday, it finally happened. Nnaji bowed out.

The truth is simple and damning: Nnaji himself admitted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) never issued him a degree certificate. So the million-naira question is, where did the one he brandished come from?

UNN has washed its hands off the matter. The institution categorically stated that Nnaji never completed his studies and was never awarded a degree. In short, the certificate he paraded is fake.

And that’s not all. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has also distanced itself from Nnaji’s so-called NYSC certificate, describing it as ‘strange.’ A Premium Times investigation revealed yet another oddity, Nnaji’s NYSC record shows that he supposedly served for 13 months. Thirteen months! Even the NYSC found that hard to explain.

Of course, Nnaji claims that political enemies are behind his ordeal. But even he knows the truth; no opponent can forge a certificate on your behalf. He laid the trap himself and walked right into it.

Let’s remember the facts. Nnaji was admitted into UNN in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and was expected to graduate in 1985. But he reportedly failed some courses and never graduated. That means for over 40 years, Uche Nnaji neither regularized his academic records nor obtained a valid certificate , yet he rose through political ranks, occupying sensitive positions and waving fake credentials. Nnaji was careless, so to speak

Forty years of deception finally caught up with him. And this time, not even political connections could save him.

But beyond Nnaji’s personal fall lies a bigger question, how many more ‘Nnajis’ are out there, quietly occupying sensitive positions in government, hiding behind forged papers and political influence? Some commentators are beginning to say that Nnaji’s case might just be the tip of a very large iceberg.

Ferscoat School has again established its place as a leading institution of learning with the emergence of one of its learners, Miss Idowu Oluwadarasimi Elizabeth as winner of the 2025 National Mathematics Competition.

The event was held at Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto State, from August 31 to September 5, 2025. It featured representatives from the 36 states of the federation in the final.

Two of Ferscoat School students qualified for the national competition as representatives of Lagos State having won the state edition of the competition.

Idowu Oluwadarasimi Elizabeth competed in the Senior Category and won first position out of 22 participants. She defeated representatives of Benue State who came second while Oyo State placed third

Sunday Dominion also from the school competed in Junior Category but placed 9th at the Olympiad out of 23 participants – Ogun State claimed first and second position while Oyo State came third.

According to the coordinator of the Olympiad, Mr. N. T. A. Abdul ‘all the students that represented Lagos State gave a good account of themselves and gave the state a wonderful representation that saw the state winning highest number of awards in the competition, third position in the primary category, quiz; second position in the primary category, Olympiad; first position in the senior category, Olympiad; best female in the primary category; and best female in the senior category.

He said: ‘I salute the confidence and composure of Elizabeth, she is a First class material if managed and motivated properly.

‘Ferscoat has been consistent in performance in the state Olympiad. The teachers needed to be specially congratulated and appreciated for the passion to which they put in to ensure that the school was placed on the map.

‘For better performance in the future, I’ll suggest that the teachers encourage the students to do more critical thinking by giving them tasks that involve applications and thinking out of the box to solve problems with little or no guidance from the teachers, where possible.

‘Competitions do not have a syllabus nor a scheme of work that can be used as a guide for preparation.’ ””’This means that there’ll be a need for the teachers to prepare the students beyond their level.

While celebrating the school’s impressive performance at the national level, the principal, Mr. Fred Opata said: ‘It is to the glory of God and only shows the hard work put in place by the entire school community at ensuring excellence at all levels.

He explained that the school developed a strategy for competitions, we have a committee in place for all competitions. Last year we came third in the Awokoya Chemistry competition, 3rd in MAN Olympiad competition and this year it’s been much better. It falls back to the strategy put in place even though one cannot overrule the place of personal development of the learner.

On her feat, the 16-year-old Elizabeth said: ‘Honestly, my motivation was a mix of my own drive and the support I got from people around me. I wanted to prove to myself that with hard work and consistency, I could really achieve something big. At the same time, I thought about my parents’ sacrifices, my teachers who kept believing in me, and even my friends who challenged me to do better. I didn’t want to disappoint them, and that kept me going.’

National advocacy group, Polivox, has hailed the transformation in Niger Delta under Dr. Dennis Otuaro, saying his approach is a strategic reintegration model reshaping the regionand reinforcing security.

In a statement: ‘From Arms to Algorithms: How Otuaro’s Stewardship Is Scripting a New Future for Niger Delta,’ the group said Otuaro, who heads Presidential Amnesty Programme, has moved the region from pacification to prosperity in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope.

Otuaro inherited a programme at a crossroads, but he introduced ‘Otuaro Doctrine’ a shift from stipends to investment in education and sustainable entrepreneurship.

‘This is not just about giving a man a fish, or even teaching him how to fish,’ a senior official explained.

‘It is about training him to master marine engineering, aquaculture technology, and global export logistics.

Dr. Otuaro sees these former agitators and youths not as beneficiaries, but as future architects of Niger Delta’s economic diversification.’

The statement said Amnesty has deployed more than 160 international scholars in 2025 to study Cybersecurity, Data Science, Marine Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and Renewable Energy, with hundreds of onshore students in Nigerian universities.

Polivox said these investments are strategic measures, arguing that turning former agitators into engineers and data scientists helps dismantle the foundations of unrest and build a lasting culture of peace.

It noted peace and stability under Otuaro have raised oil output and national revenue.

The Federal Government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to shelve its planned strike. The union has slated the industrial action to begin next week.

The government said there was no need for the union to embark on a strike as it was committed to addressing all outstanding demands the union had so far raised.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa made the appeal yesterday in Abuja while addressing reporters on the progress of ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and university-based unions.

ASUU has threatened to go on a strike at the end of its 14-day ultimatum, which it issued on September 28 and which will expire on October 12.

Alausa listed several steps the government has taken to demonstrate commitment, including the release of N50 billion for earned academic allowances and the provision of N150 billion in the 2025 budget for the revitalisation of tertiary institutions.

He said: ‘The President has kept his promises. We have addressed promotional arrears, and the issues of wage awards and allowances have been resolved. By next year, all arrears will be fully cleared, including the 2025 wage award. The government is sincere and committed.’

Alausa stated that the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed-led Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee had been reconstituted and inaugurated to fast-track talks with both academic and non-academic unions in the universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

He said: ‘We are finalising

the components of the condition of service that ASUU has proposed. Our counterpart committee is also working to conclude its response, and hopefully, by the end of today or tomorrow, the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Committee will present the Federal Government’s counteroffer to ASUU.’

The minister explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had given clear directives that all efforts must be made to avoid another disruption in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

Alausa said: ‘The President has mandated us to do everything humanly possible to avoid a strike. People at the highest level of government have been working several hours behind the scenes to come up with a robust but affordable response to the unions’ demands. These issues have dragged on for over 10 to 15 years, but this administration is determined to resolve them once and for all.’

The minister announced that the government had adopted a unified approach to resolving issues in all tertiary institutions to ensure efficiency and cohesion in the process.

He added: ‘In the past, we had three different committees working: one for universities, one for polytechnics, and one for colleges of education. But that was not an efficient way to negotiate.

‘Now, we have one expanded negotiating committee that engages all tertiary institutions and all unions – both academic and non-academic – to ensure a holistic understanding of their needs.’

According to him, about 80 per cent of the unions’ requests are similar across the tertiary subsectors, while the remaining 20 per cent relate to peculiar career and institutional needs.

‘We have seen all the requests, and we understand their peculiarities. The new committee has started work already and will continue to engage the unions expeditiously to reach a mutually beneficial agreement,’ Alausa said.

The minister also urged ASUU and other unions to embrace dialogue as a first option, rather than resorting to industrial action.

He said: ‘We know you have been patient, but please, don’t use a strike as your first resort. These are issues that have lingered for decades. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown genuine political will and benevolence towards education. We will resolve this matter comprehensively, respectfully, and in a way the government can afford.’

Alausa assured ASUU and other unions that discussions on the new conditions of service would soon be concluded, stressing that this was the final component of the ongoing negotiation process.

He said: ‘We have resolved most of the concerns raised by the unions, and we are now at the final stage of the conditions of service.

‘We are pleading for patience. The government is truthful and genuinely interested in resolving this crisis once and for all.’

Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Otto Ijanikin, Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye has underscored the importance of good salary structure for teachers, saying that when teachers are undervalued, underpaid, and unsupported, the entire educational edifice begins to crack.

She spoke at the institution’s commemoration of the 2025 World Teachers’ Day, held on the university’s campus in Ijanikin Lagos.

The event had as theme: ‘Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession’.

Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye said the quality of the education system in the school was proportional to the welfare and professional standing of its teachers.

‘When teachers are undervalued, underpaid, and unsupported, the entire educational edifice begins to crack.

‘This reality often leads to brain drain, low morale, and a reduced appeal of the profession to bright young minds.

‘We must confront this reality head-on, not with despair, but with renewed determination to effect tangible change,’ she said.

She said the state had been taking good care of its teachers with a very good salary, stressing that it could only get better with time.

‘We salute your steady commitment, passion, and indispensable role in national development.

While we celebrate you, it will be disingenuous to ignore the persistent challenges that continue to plague the teaching profession in Nigeria.

‘Despite your immeasurable contribution, many teachers still grapple with inadequate preparation, poor working conditions, limited access to professional development opportunities, and, at times, a disheartening lack of societal appreciation.

‘However, in Lagos State, I can tell you authoritatively that we are building our teachers’ world, and no teacher goes home with less than N150,000 in the state. But we can do better,’ she said.

Lafiaji-Okuneye added that the theme was not merely a slogan but a powerful call to action.

‘It is a reflection of the evolving demands placed upon everyone and a profound recognition of the synergy required to elevate education to its rightful place.

‘In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the siloed approach to teaching is no longer sustainable. Collaboration, in all its facets, is the key to unlocking the full potential of our educators and, by extension, our students,’ she said.

The professor said for decades, teaching had often been perceived as an individualistic endeavour, confined within the four walls of a classroom.

‘However, true excellence in education flourishes in an ecosystem of shared ideas, mutual support, continuous professional dialogue, and collective problem-solving.

‘This theme challenges us to break down barriers, forge stronger partnerships, and create a truly interdependent professional community. This is where the theme becomes incredibly powerful.

‘Collaboration is not just about sharing lesson plans; it is about building a robust support system, fostering innovation, and collectively advocating for the systemic changes needed to uplift the profession,’ she said.

The VC called for collaboration in three critical areas, one of which was teacher-to-teacher collaboration.

Lafiaji-Okuneye said this involved peer mentoring, team teaching, professional learning communities, and inter-school partnerships.

‘The other is school-community collaboration, which engages parents, community leaders, and local industries to create a supportive ecosystem for learning.

‘This ensures that education is relevant to community needs and that teachers receive adequate support,’ she said.

She noted that government and other funding agencies should also invest in modern teaching resources and infrastructure.

The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Adewale Gbenga of the Educational Psychology, Institute of Education, University of Ibadan, emphasised the need for collaboration for effective service delivery and better learning outcomes.

He said collaboration among teachers results in enhanced morale, job satisfaction,increased innovation and creativity, and better support for diverse students’ needs.

Rotary Club of Ikeja Golden Impact has rewarded pupils of Agidingbi Senior Grammar School, who performed well in the essay competition it organised.

Twelve pupils took part in the competition, with six making it to the last lap, from which the top three were picked.

First position went to Ogbaji Josephine, an SSS 3 pupil, who scored 87.50 per cent; Odianosen Testimony came second with 85 per cent; while Ndubuisi Ruth placed third with 79.17 per cent.

Josephine got a Samsung Galaxy Tab, bag, plaque, and a scientific calculator; Testimony was given a plaque, scientific calculator, bag and watch; while Ruth took home a headset, bag, and a scientific calculator . The trio also got dictionaries for their effort.

Speaking at the event at the school’s hall, Charter President, Teniola Ogundeji described the day as special being a month (September) Rotary dedicated to Basic Education and Literacy.

She noted that the club chose to mark it by engaging the pupils in an essay competition and gift presentation.

The president said the club places a premium on service to humanity, and investing in education of the next generation is one of the greatest services the group can render.

‘Our goal is simple, to encourage creativity, literacy, and leadership among young people. We believe when a child learns to read, write, and express themselves, they gain the power to dream and the courage to shape their future.

This programme has been a true team effort. Rotarians have contributed their time, resources, and passion to make it possible. Beyond celebrating the winners, we remind every pupil that they are capable, they are gifted, and with education, they can achieve anything,’ she said.

Mr Kayode Oladipo, keynote speaker, urged the pupils to build themselves and be confident. He advised them to always do their best anywhere they find themselves.

It is the moment of truth. A new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may be announced anytime from now, following the handover of Prof Mahmood Yakubu to the most senior National Commissioner, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, on Tuesday. Yakubu’s tenure formally ends next month after serving a two-term of 10 years.

There have been speculations in the social and traditional media for long on who the next chairman will be. Nigerians are interested in who gets the job because it comes with enormous responsibility. It is the most delicate of jobs – thankless, nerve-wracking and time consuming. The occupier of the office, no matter how capable he is or how good his intentions are, cannot satisfy everybody.

In most cases, it is those who hail him at some point, shouting ‘hossana’ – we have found the umpire in whom we are well pleased – that will boo and call him names later, crying ‘crucify him, crucify him’. This is the price of being the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the nation. So, the Electoral Officer General of the Federation (EOGF) must have a thick skin. He must be ready to absorb all kinds of insults; be prepared to be called names and be told the history of his ancestry.

It is a burden to be the INEC Chair. Yet, it is a job that must be done; a duty to be performed to country and in satisfaction of one’s conscience, with utmost good faith, because of what is at stake. There can be nothing more greater than the affairs of a nation which are in the hands of the INEC Chair during the periodic four-year elections. How he manages the elections goes a long way in keeping the country together. A well managed election guarantees peace and stability, even if some of the contestants are aggrieved with the outcome.

Their grievances will be assuaged by the fact that the exercise was free, fair, open and transparent. A lot depends on the INEC Chair if we are to have a free and fair election in a society like ours where persons holding that office are viewed from the outset as having come to do their master’s bidding. The master in this case is the President, who is the appointing authority. Even if the President appoints an angel as INEC Chair, the appointee would still be viewed suspiciously. ‘Nothing good can come out of him’, the opposition and their supporters would sneer.

But given the same opportunity, they would do something worse. This is, however, not to say that the INEC Chair should lack honour. In fact, his honour should not be in doubt and his word should be his bond. He must be seen to stake that honour before the over 200 million Nigerians from among who he was chosen to head INEC and assure them that the commission would do good by him. He does not have to be a saint to do the job. All he has to do is to allow his commitment, capacity, competence and capability to speak for him.

Politicians will not believe him, no matter what he does. But the people, the millions that would stand in the rain and under the sun, to vote during the elections will stand by him – if he is really diligent. Politicians can make all tbe noise in the world, but they know that they cannot push their luck too far with the people. The man (or woman) that will lead INEC is out there somewhere, waiting to be called upon to take up this onerous task. The responsibility of choosing the person rests with President Bola Tinubu.

Has he found the man? Will he unveil him before the Council of State (CoS) which meets in Abuja today? The President does not have to listen to the noise of the market in making his choice. He should go for the man that best suits the job. A man of honour, character, intelligence, and integrity. A man that can stand his ground when push becomes shove. A man that cannot be intimidated by those whose stock-in-trade is to besmear and tar every INEC Chair with the same brush just because they had no say in the appointment.

The President’s duty is to the people. He is not beholden to the opposition who, if they had their way, would prefer someone that they can dictate to as the INEC Chair. The President should be guided by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in his choice of the INEC Chair. He should not listen to those seeking to come in through the back alley to influence the process. Some of them had the opportunity in the past in one capacity or the other, and did not come up with all these their ‘beautiful ideas’ on how to appoint the INEC Chair.

Their suggestions are however noted, as they are good on paper. Come to think of it, is it not too late in the day to be calling for a change in the rule of appointing the INEC Chair when Yakubu’s time is up? The man is formally leaving office on November 9, a few days from now. So, what time is there to implement these ‘grand ideas’ on how to appoint his successor? Many of these suggestions border on mischief and they are a way of preparing the grounds for condemning and challenging the outcome of the 2027 elections, which are still about 16 months away.

According to the Constitution under which the President derives the power to appoint the INEC Chair and members, he ‘shall’ do so in consultation with the Council of State. This august body meets in Abuja today. The nation waits with bated breath for the outcome of the meeting, and most likely the name of the new INEC Chair. Your road is going to be rough sir, and this is not a curse.