Education

BUTH Hunts for Children of Abandoned Patient

Published

1 year ago

April 16, 2024

ADMIN

By Cynthia Abah

The management of Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) has launched a search effort for the children of one of its patients, Mr. Maurice Okpenyong, 81, who was reportedly abandoned at the hospital. According to a statement from Babcock University’s Communications Department, Mr. Okpenyong was brought to the hospital by his children, a man named Lawrence and a woman, who have since disappeared and failed to accompany him home when BUTH signed his discharge in December 2023.

Despite efforts to locate the patient’s son and daughter, their whereabouts remain unknown to BUTH management. Collaborating with the police in Ilishan, Area F, and Bariga, the hospital has searched for his son at both his official and private addresses without success. The outstanding total debt accrued by the patient at the time of his discharge in December 2023 was N399,320. However, due to his children’s failure to retrieve him and his prolonged stay, his bill has escalated to N1,279,350 as of March 20, 2024, with only N180,000 paid by either the patient or his children.

The decision to publicize the situation was made by the hospital management to prompt the patient’s family to collect him, as BUTH can no longer ensure his well-being. Additionally, despite the hospital’s continued provision of care, Mr. Okpenyong has displayed rebellious and abusive behavior. The administration cited instances where he removed his pee bag, causing unsanitary conditions. Due to concerns that he may attempt to flee, the hospital has placed him under watch.

Mr. Okpenyong, hailing from Akwa Ibom’s Obot Akara Local Government Area, had been diagnosed with Repeat Suprapublic Cystostomy. The hospital’s efforts to locate his children and address his care needs reflect their commitment to patient welfare amidst challenging circumstances.

Education

Teachers Get Skills Boost in FCT

Published

1 day ago

April 29, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has launched a skills and entrepreneurship training programme to equip teachers in Abuja with practical tools to prepare students for the demands of a modern global economy.

The two day workshop, opened on Monday by Dr Danlami Hayyo of the FCT Education Secretariat, represented by Mrs Joy Okeke, aims to move education beyond traditional classroom routines.

Hayyo stressed the need for innovation, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship in teaching, describing outdated methods as no longer effective in today’s fast changing world.

Dr Mohammed Ladan, Director of the FCT Secondary Education Board, said the training would help bridge the gap between learning and life skills.

According to him, the focus is now on producing job creators rather than job seekers.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to align education with real world needs and promote a workforce ready for self reliance and global relevance.

Education

JAMB Earns Praise for World Class UTME Standards

Published

1 day ago

April 29, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Adenike Lawal

Nigeria’s education sector earned global applause as the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, hailed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for its outstanding conduct of the 2025 and 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

During a tour of Computer Based Test centres and JAMB’s ultra modern Control Room, Dr Alausa praised the examination’s structure, security, and transparency, describing it as a model that meets the highest international standards.

“It is heartening to see Nigeria deliver examinations at a quality comparable to any nation,” he said.

Dr Alausa reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strong commitment to human capital development through sweeping reforms in education, healthcare, and governance.

He also announced that starting November 2025, WAEC and NECO would begin administering objective tests through Computer Based Testing, with a full transition to CBT for both objective and essay sections by May and June 2026.

JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede, hailed this year’s UTME as one of the most seamless ever conducted.

He clarified that candidates are expected to arrive early for screening and dismissed claims of wrong centre assignments, challenging anyone with proof to present it.

Professor Oloyede further revealed that over 40 impersonators had been caught and warned that missed examinations would not be rescheduled, comparing it to a missed international flight.

So far, more than 1.6 million candidates out of the 2,031,000 registered have successfully sat for their exams.

JAMB is currently vetting all results to ensure credibility and fairness.

Nigeria’s education system is entering a new era of excellence, driven by integrity, innovation, and international best practices.

Education

FG Orders WAEC, NECO to Go Fully Digital by 2026

Published

2 days ago

April 28, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Njoku Chijioke

The Federal Government has mandated that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), and the National Examinations Council (NECO), fully adopt computer-based testing (CBT), for all exams by 2026.

This directive was issued by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during his inspection of the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Alausa revealed that starting in November, WAEC and NECO will introduce CBT for objective papers, with plans to transition to a fully digital system—including essay components—by May/June 2026.