News
NIPPS DG Calls For Review of 6-3-3-4 System of Education
***Attributes policy summersault to dearth of funding, political ideologies
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Director General, NIgeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS),Kuru Jos, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, has called on the Federal Government to review the 6-3-3-4 system of Education (introduced in 1983) to meet the present realities for the nation to move forward.
Omotayo made the call at the 5th Distinguished Lecture Series of the Federal University, Lokoja, with the theme” Policy Summersault: The Bane Of Development In Public Sector.”
The Professor of Environmental Sustainability noted that the policy which was enunciated with the primary focus of meeting the educational needs of the citizenry and equipping the youths with skills to make them self reliant had failed to meet the objectives.
The NIPPS Director-General hinted that the initial concept of the policy was also to be a blend of students with biases for technical, vocational and technological education with those having flair for academics.
He lamented that prolonged dearth of funds to adequately implement the policy had altered the concept, culminating in stunted educational progress of the nation.
“Although the policy is still running , it has deviated from the original concept as poor funding has affected its continued relevance”, he said.
He added that the policy should either be scrapped or reviewed with due cognizance of the current realities and educational needs of the country.
Omotayo stated that for the policy to be effective through all the governments in power should endeavour to codify policies into law as a means for the citizenry to hold government accountable for its breach.
He added that enacting policies without backing them by law was the major cause of policy abandonment and Summersault, resulting in loss of resources and general discontentment with government programmes.
The DG explained that cognizance must be taken of certain factors such as political consideration, geographical location, religion, funding and the hydra-headed issue of corruption in policy formulation to avoid failures.
He stressed that most policies are formulated without considering these variables, causing distortions and ineffectiveness adding that lack of awareness and low intellectual capacity of the people at the grassroots and targeted beneficiaries of the policies have always constituted a hindrance.
Other inhibiting factors according to him, include lack of ideology by political parties and biases in leadership to issues and projects saying that these had always fueled policy failures.
He stressed that policy summersault has both positive and negative impact on the society as ”Policy can Summersault to correct a poorly formulated policy” adding that policies require constant reviews to measure their impact and if necessary, be either “discontinued or modified.”
Omotayo urged Nigerians to avoid tackling issue of corruption with “blame game”, as he called on the electorate to elect people with capacity and capability into positions of authority and tasked politicians to always have vibrant political ideologies.
He commended the management of the Federal University Lokoja for instituting the Distinguish Lecture Series which, he noted, had brought together the Gowns and Towns and called for sustained effort in proffering solutions to societal challenges.
Meanwhile, the vice chancellor of the University, Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi, said the topic of the lecture was carefully selected as the nation is faced with multiple policy failures dotting the length and breadth of the country with abandoned projects and programmes.
“In Nigeria, like in many nations, the public service acts as the engine driving the implementation of policies and programs. Any inconsistency or abrupt shift in policy direction can have profound effects on our developmental efforts.
“The exchange of ideas and perspectives is fundamental to our growth as a society”, he said, adding that the lecture had contributed significantly to “our understanding of the complexities surrounding policy development in Nigeria service.”
Akinwumi commended the guest lecturer for the thought provoking scholarly treatment of the subject matter and charged each and every one to contribute their quota to the development of the nation, saying the challenges facing the nation are surmountable. (Ends)
The Obidient Movement, led by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, has issued a press statement condemning the circulation of false social media posts attributed to Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed. The fabricated posts, which have gone viral, are described as part of a deliberate smear campaign aimed at damaging the Senator’s reputation.
The movement clarified that Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed does not operate any social media accounts, making all attributed posts entirely baseless. During a recent press conference, the Senator unequivocally dissociated himself from these claims and urged the public to disregard them.
“This is a targeted attempt to tarnish the Senator’s image and credibility,” Dr. Tanko stated.
The Obidient Movement has called on its supporters and the public to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the issue. They urged people to ignore, counter, and report the false posts whenever they appear.
The statement concluded with an appeal for continued support and collaboration in combating misinformation, reinforcing the movement’s commitment to truth and integrity.
The Senate has granted approval for a $2.09 billion (N1.767 trillion) loan requested by President Bola Tinubu to address the N9.7 trillion deficit in the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget. The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary, just 48 hours after the request was submitted to the National Assembly.
President Tinubu, in letters to both chambers of the legislature earlier this week, highlighted the importance of the loan for financing key projects and programs critical to national development.
Following the request, the Senate assigned its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, led by Senator Aliyu Wammako (APC, Sokoto North), to review the proposal. Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Wammako described the loan as vital for implementing the Debt Management Strategy, reducing borrowing costs, extending debt maturity, and bolstering Nigeria’s external reserves.
The committee recommended raising the loan through Eurobonds or similar international financing instruments, subject to market conditions. It also suggested that any excess funds from exchange rate adjustments be directed toward capital projects in 2024 to support infrastructure and economic growth.
The Senate approved the loan unanimously, with no objections raised during deliberations. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, commended the Wammako-led committee for its swift and thorough handling of the proposal.
This loan approval is part of the government’s broader strategy to bridge fiscal gaps while focusing on developmental priorities and economic stability.
Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator, has been arrested and detained by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on charges of inciting public crimes with terrorist intent.
The alleged offence reportedly occurred in Lahti on August 23, 2021. Finnish authorities apprehended Ekpa on Monday, November 19, marking another chapter in his history of legal confrontations.
A source confirmed Ekpa’s arrest, noting, “He was arrested three days ago. But this is not the first time. He will likely be questioned and released soon.” Ekpa was previously detained in 2023 on suspicion of fundraising fraud but was released the same evening.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has also requested the detention of four additional suspects in connection with terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa has gained notoriety for his leadership of a Nigerian separatist group advocating for an independent Biafran state in southeastern Nigeria. Finnish authorities allege that he used social media platforms to coordinate actions that resulted in violence against civilians and authorities in Nigeria.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen of the NBI stated that the investigation focuses on a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, suspected of public incitement to crimes with terrorist intent.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has continued to engage the Finnish government through the European Union (EU) to extradite Ekpa. In August, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters emphasized the dual approach of diplomatic engagement and sustained military operations against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, reiterated the government’s resolve, saying, “The FG would respond appropriately to the Finnish Government through the EU. On the part of the military, troops would sustain operations against IPOB/ESN.”
Ekpa, who has represented Finland’s National Coalition Party (NCP) in local government, currently serves on Lahti’s public transport committee. Finnish authorities continue to investigate his activities, emphasizing the potential connection between his leadership role in the separatist movement and violent actions in Nigeria.
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