NTI’s 3rd colourful record breaking convocation

The National Teachers Institute (NTI),Kaduna is the pioneer teachers training tertiary institution in Nigeria established by the Murtala/Obasanjo regime in 1976. Since its inception, it has come a long way but like many attested, it has never had so good like in the last few years which culminated in the three consecutive colourful and ground breaking convocation under the current Director General and Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO); Associate Professor, Dr Aminu Ladan Sharehu (Mutawallin Zazzau).

The convocation held on Saturday, 15th November, 2014 at the institution brand new permanent Convocation Square, KM 5, Kaduna – Zaria Express Way, Kaduna. No doubt, the ceremony is one of the best ever organised by the institution with the highest number of attendance and presence of great number of top national dignitaries who graced the occasion.

The convocation was preceded by the 4th National Teachers Summit held on thursday and pre-convocation lecture and dinner held on Friday 14th November, 2015. The event had in attendance past Chief Executives of the institution could not hide their excitement over the progress and development being recorded by Dr Sharehu.

The 4th National Teachers Summit had 60 outstanding and accomplished academics in various fields including Dr Sharehu deliver papers on varied exciting educational topics. The lead papers was presented by no less a personality than Professor Peter Okebukola, former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC) and now Chairman of Council, Crawford University, Igbesa.

In his paper captioned “Open and Distance Education; A Catalyst for Production of Quality Teachers and the Transformation of Nigeria”, Okebukola excited by the role played by the NTI, especially under Dr Sharehu to accomplished this said since assuming the mantle of leadership in NTI, the DG “has significantly transformed the governance, delivery system and public image of” the institution. He added a caveat albeit fittingly that “if all DGs would be like Dr Sharehu, what a great institutions we would have all over Nigeria.

He dissected the open and distance learning (ODL), tracing the history in Nigeria, family of the model such as e-learning, distributed learning, flexible learning, OER, MOOCs among others. He also spoke about emerging trends in technologies, situation analysis of quality teachers production in Nigeria, inhibitors to the process, speeding up the process utilising ODL and identified eight ways to achieve that.

The Professor also pointed out the danger of poorly-delievered ODL for teacher training who he liken to suicide bombers “to blow up the Nigerian economy and the values of the society” through various vices.

He concluded with a testimony on the efforts of NTI. His summation was that “the institute is on course to carving a niche for itself in ODL delivery of teacher education. I envisioned that in another 20 years, if current efforts are sustained and significantly improved upon, a graduate of NTI will command same esteem as a Harvard graduate in Education.”

The Minister of Education, State Professor Viola Onwuluri represented by Dr Junaid Muhammed. The Chairman of NTI Governing Council, Barrister Ali Sa’ad Birnin Kudu. Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Muhktar Ramalan Yero represented by the State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Ali among others.

The Pre-Convocation lecture delivered by The Vice Chancellor of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe had the topic “The Development of ODL and Integration of Competency Skills in Teacher Education Curriculum in Nigeria”.

Tenebe analysed important events in the evolution of ODL, models of ODL, present day educational needs of learners and its characteristics, experience of NOUN, teacher development programme, competency skills identification and acquisition among others. He concluded by highlighting some challenges of providing quality teacher education in Nigeria.

The NOUN VC opined that any society that does not respect teachers would find itself at the wrong place. He decried the educating of the male child at the expense of the female child which he said was a mistake as the female is the first teacher as a mother and transmitter of culture and tradition from one generation to another.

Sending candidates with less JAMB scores to be teachers is planning a doom as no nation cab grow above its teachers he asserted. He explained that many today do not want to be teachers because the society despise teachers. “If we want the best for our society, then we must send our best our best children to be teachers” he advised.

Tenebe revealed that Nigeria is the only country in the whole of Africa with a national open university. And considering the nation’s population, it is not even enough he stressed. He asserted that if Nigeria is to fulfil the aspirations of those who wants to go to university, it haso build new university every ten days for ten years.

Nigeria is the country in West Africa with a national teachers institute and inspite of that, it is yet to attain 15 per cent of education for all by 2015 but utilising ODL may aid its achievement he claimed.

The convocation paraded arrays of guests from near and far. From stake holders in the education sector led by the Minister of Education, His Excellency Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau (Sardaunan Kano) represented by the junior Minister; Professor Viola Onwuluri, to accomplished and celebrated academics led by Professor U. M. O. Ivowi, President, Nigerian Academic of Education, members of the National Assembly, to Provosts of Colleges of Education (COEs), to tertiary institutions Dons down to parents and students.

The royaldom was led by no less a personality than the Emir of Zazzau and Chairman Kaduna State Council of Emirs and Chief, Alhaji (Dr) Shehu Idris. The royal father who was a career teacher and was one time Head Master of the Primary school attended by Dr Sharehu and current Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Muhktar Ramalan Yero was conferred with the highest honour of NTI’s honorary fellowship award (FNTI) alongside Professor Ivowi.

The Emir led a bevy of other traditional rulers from across the state and beyond making the occasion a very colourful sight to behold.

The political class was led by the Kaduna tate Governor, Alhaji (Dr) Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (Dallatun Zazzau). Several states were represented by Commissioners in charge of Education Ministries. The business world and commerce sector was not left behind.

But the cynosure of all eyes were the convocants. Adorned in the various graduating academic gowns of the institution, the smile on their faces said so much about their accomplishment. Some bared ther mind on why they were overjoyed. Aside witnessing the convocation in person, alive and good health, they said the training received has changed their professional callings as teachers.

Some asserted that having gone through NTI, they would not remain same again from the manner the impact knowledge to the opportunities the training has equipped them with to sought and the limitless vistas in sight for them.

For others, having finished their programmes for a long time, it was a thing of pride and joy to be so certified during a public convocation with dignitaries. From across the nation at hand to witness it.

A total of 56, 701 graduates convocated comprising of 37,255 holders of Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), 19, 300 of National Certificate of Education (NCE) and 146 of Advance Diploma in Education (ADE).

In his welcome address, the DG/CEO enumerated the achievements of the management team under his leadership. He listed the establishment of the Mathematics Centre, Hostels, Computer Centres in 20 States, construction of the permanent convocation square edifice among several others. He also announced the plan to establish a Demonstration Secondary School in Kaduna to serve as a model for others and also use it to give teachers the best of practical training.

He however decried poor and inadequate fund, poor perception of ODL among other which he said are great challenges for the management.

Various speakers attested to the great leap the institution has made the current management, urging it to sustain it in the interest of national pride and development of better manpower for the education sector. This, they all enthused would serve as a transformational tool for the country as a whole.

The Minister of Education stressed that education holds the key to the development of any nation. He asserted that in 1960, access to education was limited to few due to less number of institutions hence the monopoly by few. ODL however he said has come to the rescue of those who cannot access conventional schools and NTI has bridged the gap.

He applauded the management for organisng the three consecutive graduation within a short period of time. Convocation he added helps in creating awareness about the institution’s programmes. He explained that government conventional institutions do not have the capacity to admit all eligible candidates hence the ODL which the Federal Government is ready to strengthen.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Emir of Zazzau commended the institution for what he termed “a giant stride in teacher training”. He said the institution programmes are of high standard and effectively delivered. As a resulted, it has afforded those who ordinarily would not have access to conventional tertiary education opportunities.

The royal father concluded that NTI is one of the shining stars of academic institutions in Nigeria. While urging the management to sustain its efforts, he promised that he and other awardee would sustain their high esteem which led to their recognition for the award.

Governor Yero on his part said the NTI has delivered efficiently on its mandate as envisioned by the founding fathers. His administration he promised is collaborating with the institution to ensure training and retraining of teachers in its service for quality assurance.

The Chairman of the Governing Council and former Governor of Jigawa State, Barrister Ali Sa’ad Birning Kudu the institution has recorded a great achievement since assuming the mantle of leadership. This he said has filled the void created by universities in Nigeria.

NTI has improved the quality of teachers across board through varied professional courses through ODL he explained. The management under the leadership of Sharehu has made him proud he assured.

The 4th National Teachers Summit and 3rd Convocation of the NTI can be said to be a ground breaking one and colourful by many standards as the management spared no effort or resources to make a success of it.

END.

NTI’s 3rd colourful record breaking convocation

NTI’s 3rd colourful record breaking convocation

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The National Teachers Institute (NTI),Kaduna is the pioneer teachers training tertiary institution in Nigeria established by the Murtala/Obasanjo regime in 1976. Since its inception, it has come a long way but like many attested, it has never had so good like in the last few years which culminated in the three consecutive colourful and ground breaking convocation under the current Director General and Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO); Associate Professor, Dr Aminu Ladan Sharehu (Mutawallin Zazzau).

The convocation held on Saturday, 15th November, 2014 at the institution brand new permanent Convocation Square, KM 5, Kaduna – Zaria Express Way, Kaduna. No doubt, the ceremony is one of the best ever organised by the institution with the highest number of attendance and presence of great number of top national dignitaries who graced the occasion.

The convocation was preceded by the 4th National Teachers Summit held on thursday and pre-convocation lecture and dinner held on Friday 14th November, 2015. The event had in attendance past Chief Executives of the institution could not hide their excitement over the progress and development being recorded by Dr Sharehu.

The 4th National Teachers Summit had 60 outstanding and accomplished academics in various fields including Dr Sharehu deliver papers on varied exciting educational topics. The lead papers was presented by no less a personality than Professor Peter Okebukola, former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC) and now Chairman of Council, Crawford University, Igbesa.

In his paper captioned “Open and Distance Education; A Catalyst for Production of Quality Teachers and the Transformation of Nigeria”, Okebukola excited by the role played by the NTI, especially under Dr Sharehu to accomplished this said since assuming the mantle of leadership in NTI, the DG “has significantly transformed the governance, delivery system and public image of” the institution. He added a caveat albeit fittingly that “if all DGs would be like Dr Sharehu, what a great institutions we would have all over Nigeria.

He dissected the open and distance learning (ODL), tracing the history in Nigeria, family of the model such as e-learning, distributed learning, flexible learning, OER, MOOCs among others. He also spoke about emerging trends in technologies, situation analysis of quality teachers production in Nigeria, inhibitors to the process, speeding up the process utilising ODL and identified eight ways to achieve that.

The Professor also pointed out the danger of poorly-delievered ODL for teacher training who he liken to suicide bombers “to blow up the Nigerian economy and the values of the society” through various vices.

He concluded with a testimony on the efforts of NTI. His summation was that “the institute is on course to carving a niche for itself in ODL delivery of teacher education. I envisioned that in another 20 years, if current efforts are sustained and significantly improved upon, a graduate of NTI will command same esteem as a Harvard graduate in Education.”

The Minister of Education, State Professor Viola Onwuluri represented by Dr Junaid Muhammed. The Chairman of NTI Governing Council, Barrister Ali Sa’ad Birnin Kudu. Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Muhktar Ramalan Yero represented by the State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Ali among others.

The Pre-Convocation lecture delivered by The Vice Chancellor of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe had the topic “The Development of ODL and Integration of Competency Skills in Teacher Education Curriculum in Nigeria”.

Tenebe analysed important events in the evolution of ODL, models of ODL, present day educational needs of learners and its characteristics, experience of NOUN, teacher development programme, competency skills identification and acquisition among others. He concluded by highlighting some challenges of providing quality teacher education in Nigeria.

The NOUN VC opined that any society that does not respect teachers would find itself at the wrong place. He decried the educating of the male child at the expense of the female child which he said was a mistake as the female is the first teacher as a mother and transmitter of culture and tradition from one generation to another.

Sending candidates with less JAMB scores to be teachers is planning a doom as no nation cab grow above its teachers he asserted. He explained that many today do not want to be teachers because the society despise teachers. “If we want the best for our society, then we must send our best our best children to be teachers” he advised.

Tenebe revealed that Nigeria is the only country in the whole of Africa with a national open university. And considering the nation’s population, it is not even enough he stressed. He asserted that if Nigeria is to fulfil the aspirations of those who wants to go to university, it haso build new university every ten days for ten years.

Nigeria is the country in West Africa with a national teachers institute and inspite of that, it is yet to attain 15 per cent of education for all by 2015 but utilising ODL may aid its achievement he claimed.

The convocation paraded arrays of guests from near and far. From stake holders in the education sector led by the Minister of Education, His Excellency Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau (Sardaunan Kano) represented by the junior Minister; Professor Viola Onwuluri, to accomplished and celebrated academics led by Professor U. M. O. Ivowi, President, Nigerian Academic of Education, members of the National Assembly, to Provosts of Colleges of Education (COEs), to tertiary institutions Dons down to parents and students.

The royaldom was led by no less a personality than the Emir of Zazzau and Chairman Kaduna State Council of Emirs and Chief, Alhaji (Dr) Shehu Idris. The royal father who was a career teacher and was one time Head Master of the Primary school attended by Dr Sharehu and current Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Muhktar Ramalan Yero was conferred with the highest honour of NTI’s honorary fellowship award (FNTI) alongside Professor Ivowi.

The Emir led a bevy of other traditional rulers from across the state and beyond making the occasion a very colourful sight to behold.

The political class was led by the Kaduna tate Governor, Alhaji (Dr) Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (Dallatun Zazzau). Several states were represented by Commissioners in charge of Education Ministries. The business world and commerce sector was not left behind.

But the cynosure of all eyes were the convocants. Adorned in the various graduating academic gowns of the institution, the smile on their faces said so much about their accomplishment. Some bared ther mind on why they were overjoyed. Aside witnessing the convocation in person, alive and good health, they said the training received has changed their professional callings as teachers.

Some asserted that having gone through NTI, they would not remain same again from the manner the impact knowledge to the opportunities the training has equipped them with to sought and the limitless vistas in sight for them.

For others, having finished their programmes for a long time, it was a thing of pride and joy to be so certified during a public convocation with dignitaries. From across the nation at hand to witness it.

A total of 56, 701 graduates convocated comprising of 37,255 holders of Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), 19, 300 of National Certificate of Education (NCE) and 146 of Advance Diploma in Education (ADE).

In his welcome address, the DG/CEO enumerated the achievements of the management team under his leadership. He listed the establishment of the Mathematics Centre, Hostels, Computer Centres in 20 States, construction of the permanent convocation square edifice among several others. He also announced the plan to establish a Demonstration Secondary School in Kaduna to serve as a model for others and also use it to give teachers the best of practical training.

He however decried poor and inadequate fund, poor perception of ODL among other which he said are great challenges for the management.

Various speakers attested to the great leap the institution has made the current management, urging it to sustain it in the interest of national pride and development of better manpower for the education sector. This, they all enthused would serve as a transformational tool for the country as a whole.

The Minister of Education stressed that education holds the key to the development of any nation. He asserted that in 1960, access to education was limited to few due to less number of institutions hence the monopoly by few. ODL however he said has come to the rescue of those who cannot access conventional schools and NTI has bridged the gap.

He applauded the management for organisng the three consecutive graduation within a short period of time. Convocation he added helps in creating awareness about the institution’s programmes. He explained that government conventional institutions do not have the capacity to admit all eligible candidates hence the ODL which the Federal Government is ready to strengthen.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Emir of Zazzau commended the institution for what he termed “a giant stride in teacher training”. He said the institution programmes are of high standard and effectively delivered. As a resulted, it has afforded those who ordinarily would not have access to conventional tertiary education opportunities.

The royal father concluded that NTI is one of the shining stars of academic institutions in Nigeria. While urging the management to sustain its efforts, he promised that he and other awardee would sustain their high esteem which led to their recognition for the award.

Governor Yero on his part said the NTI has delivered efficiently on its mandate as envisioned by the founding fathers. His administration he promised is collaborating with the institution to ensure training and retraining of teachers in its service for quality assurance.

The Chairman of the Governing Council and former Governor of Jigawa State, Barrister Ali Sa’ad Birning Kudu the institution has recorded a great achievement since assuming the mantle of leadership. This he said has filled the void created by universities in Nigeria.

NTI has improved the quality of teachers across board through varied professional courses through ODL he explained. The management under the leadership of Sharehu has made him proud he assured.

The 4th National Teachers Summit and 3rd Convocation of the NTI can be said to be a ground breaking one and colourful by many standards as the management spared no effort or resources to make a success of it.

END.

Fayose’s death wish for Buhari; PDP’s desperation or inciting Nigerians to violence

Doyin Okupe is about the oldest person in the Nigerian presidency. He is older than President Goodluck Jonathan, he is older than Vice President Muhammed Namadi Sambo and he is older than more than a dozen of the Ministers. But he remains the most vulgar and less tempered of all. Until recently you may say.

Less we forget, Okupe it was who opened the floodgate of abusive language by his insistence that he should be called a bastard if the alliance that resulted in the formation of All Progressive Congress (APC) lasted beyond 6 months. The alliance has not only survive beyond that, the party has become a formidable force to be reckoned with. Still we don’t know if Okupe would love an appendage of “bastard” to his name.

Since that pronouncement, so much inventive and tantrums has been thrown around. From the Okupes to the Fani-Kayodes to the Makuns, from the “Kindagaten President” to the “half literate jackboot” to all sorts of name callings, warts and all.

This name callings especially with the beginning of campaigns as against issues prompted respected elder statesmen, media editorials and commentaries to ask for the signing of a peace pact referred to by some as “Abuja Accord” among and between candidates.

But since the signing of that accord, you can accuse APC supporters on the street and on the social media of not doing much to respect the pact. But definitely not the party bigwigs, officials and candidates. This much, unfortunately can’t be said about the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While the President has called a senior citizen a ‘motor park tout’, some within his campaign group down to party bigwigs and official have respected the pact more in breach. From General Muhammadu Buhari’s certificate brouhaha as if he is contesting for the same position the first time, to a fake medical report allegedly from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. While Buhari has denied visiting ABUTH in the last five years, the hospital authorities have also denied the fake report and the writer.

But you would have thought it may end there. How would elders and people in leadership positions tout a 72 year old man to lace his boot and go run round a stadium to prove how healthy he is. It so petty and many would say it smacks of desperation on the path of the ruling party. This is in addition to buying pages of newspapers to place adverts of campaigns of calumny that are full of negative messages.

If the preceding ones were just hates messages directed at Buhari and meant to win votes for Jonathan, the opposite is so far being achieved because for any allegation raised against the General, torrents of facts and figures are supplied by other Nigerians and aliens to rubbish the allegations. But instead of discouraging these foot soldiers of fortune or misfortune, they seem to have re-girdled their efforts to throw dark paints on not just General Buhari but the most populous state in Nigeria, the political region with the highest number of registered voters, the north and by extension incite the whole nation to political violence.

If this is not the motive, how does one explain the rational behind the death wish for General Buhari by a sitting Governor of a state like Ekiti that boasts of Professors in virtually every household and published by no less national dailies like the Punch, Guardian among other Newspapers strategically on its most prominent page; the cover.

The provocative and inciting “campaign for Jonathan” by Governor Ayo Fayose took the wind out of the sail for many a Jonathan hounds by practically wishing death on General Muhammad Buhari while at the same time placing the pictures of late Generals Murtala Muhammed, Sani Abacha, Umaru Musa Yar’adua who all died in office and that of Buhari with a question mark. It was titled “Nigerians Be Warned” and started with a quote from the book of Deuteronomy in the Bible talking about life and death.

All the three former Nigerian Head of States listed by Fayose were from the Northwestern part of Nigeria, who have died tragically in office; Murtala and Abacha from Kano and Yar’adua from Katsina State.

This advert like I said earlier followed several moves by the people around President Jonathan to concoct a prostrate cancer diagnosis on Buhari. They went as far as concocting a laboratory report claiming Buhari had been diagnosed with prostate cancer at the ABUTH. The hospital as so far denied the report and the writer.

Many, including Buhari has called the moves desperation on the part of the President and his handlers. Reacting through his official twitter handle @ThisIsBuhari, the General said he has never made refference to Jonathan’s family, health, academic records but rather issues that affect Nigerians and on the records of their (Buhari and Jonathan) times in office.

But many may see it as a means of inciting Nigerians to political violence by Fayose, especially Northerners and specifically North Westerners. Otherwise why exclude General Aguiyi Ironsi who died in office in a similar circumstance with Murtala? Does it have anything to do with the fact that the North West has the highest number of registered voters? Or is it a ploy to also instigate the Yorubas who are Murtala’s in-laws and who still have lot of Murtalas in their genes by the fact that some of Murtala’s children are married to Yorubas?

Does Fayose and his ilk plan to re-visit the gruesome pain northerners nay Nigerians were made to endure by the gruesome murder of Murtala, the slow but painful death of Yar’adua or the Abacha family to re-play the suspicious circumstance of their patriarch’s death?

Of cause like the Murtalas, the Abachas have a spread to the Shuwa Arabs, Kanuris and Baburs of the North East. Is it another ploy to worsen their situation there by instigating them to violence?

The same Jonathan who Fayose made this obnoxious publication in support of, would not even have been where he is today if late Yar’adua had not agreed to tagged him along as a running mate in 2007. So if Yar’adua had not died in office, today there would not have been a Jonathan for Fayose to sponsor such callous and inhuman publication in support of. So does Yar’adua’s memory need to be ridiculed in such manner or respected by the same Jonathan supporters?

And to cap it up, Murtala’s son Abba is not just a card carrying member of the same PDP, same with Abacha’s son Muhammed. But they have been aspirants and active members of the party. Talk less of Yar’adua who died as a President on the platform of the party. Yet, it doesn’t occur to Fayose that ridiculing these people is ridiculing the PDP.

Such acts as this often call to question if the likes of Fayose are fit to be leaders even at family level. Talk less of at community, Local government, state or national level. How rational and psychologically sound is anyone who would think of ridiculing national leaders who paid the supreme price in the service of their fatherland?

Above all, does Fayose know something about the deaths of these leaders that we are not aware of? Is Fayose saying if and when Buhari wins and gets to office, the General will die in office? What will kill him and through what circumstance? The security agents will do Nigerians a great deal of good to ensure Fayose provides answers to these questions.

Nigeria is greater than any individual or group. And politicians without national outlook, who could barely see beyond their noses should not be allowed to draw us down to their incongruous ways and far below par mannerism. Let the altruism of some people not be taken for stupidity. Men of goodwill across the nation should reign in Fayose fast, ensure he does not infects the nation with his crude and lethal form of Ado Ekiti politics in the interest of majority of Nigerians.

Death and life is in the hands of the maker. Same with health and sickness. Only God knows who will bear what and when; not the desperate political Fayoses of this clime. It is time for President Jonathan to call his hounds such as Fayose et al to order. For, there will be Nigeria and many more Nigerians long after Jonathan. God save us from enemies of Nigeria masquerading as leaders.