Primary Education, Infrastructure, Others Relegated Since 2013, Says NISER
BETWEEN 2013 and 2017, infrastructure, innovation, health, education, training and technological were relegated in Nigeria’s development agenda, according to a new study.
Nevertheless, market size, labour market efficiency, macro-economic environment, good market, financial market and business sophistication topped the development agenda for the period, according to the study conducted by the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Ibadan, Oyo State.
Speaking at NISER’S monthly seminar series, Prof. Joel Babatunde Babalola of the University of Ibadan, said in spite of the country’s huge Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it performed below South Africa’s averages in all 2016 Gross Commission Incomes (GCIS), except in labour market and market size.
He said: “This might, in part, be because South Africa approached her development in a more comprehensive manner than Nigeria did. Similarly, based on 2015 GCI, Ghana laid emphasis on and outran Nigeria in basic and higher education, technology readiness and innovation, while Nigeria laid emphasis on and outran Ghana in macroeconomic environment and market (labour and financial) development.
“Like South Africa, Ghana also adopted a comprehensive growth trajectory towards physical capital, human capital and knowledge capital development, while Nigeria strictly focused on physical capital development.”
The study revealed that four weakest links in the chain of education and training in Nigeria were quality of vocational training, skillset of graduates, critical thinking in teaching and digital skills of population.
“The three weakest links in the pillar of technological adoption were fixed broadband Internet subscriptions, mobile broadband telephone subscriptions and mobile cellular telephone subscriptions, while the three weakest links in the pillar of innovation capacity between 2018 and 2019 were patent applications, international co-inventions, multi-stakeholder collaborations, cluster development and buyer sophistication.
To improve access to quality education and training, in preparation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, NISER recommended that the country should craft out measures to upgrade the quality of vocational training, skillset of graduates, critical thinking in teaching, digital skills of population required to apply knowledge and technologies to solve local problems.
EDO State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, on his 50th birthday celebration.
Obaseki also extolled his loyalty, insight and forthrightness in serving Edo people.
In a statement, the governor said Shaibu has remained unshaken in his resolve to liberate Edo from the vices and principalities threatening to hold the people captive and subservient.
Obaseki said: "I heartily felicitate with my brother and dear friend, Philip Shaibu, as
FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD SS2 student of Welkin International School, Ogun State, Akogun Gabriel, on Friday, emerged an overall winner of the maiden edition of the Master of Math (TESTMASTER) National Secondary School Mathematics Competitionin Abuja.
A statement signed by the Lead Director, Master of Math, Paul Olatunde, said the competition was to inspire Nigerian students to greater achievement, by providing engaging national math programmes, to build confidence and improve attitudes about math and problem solving.
"The Master of Math competition began on April 2019 from the state level held in 18 states, including FCT, to determine the best three students from each state that competed at the regional and National finals.
At the national finals, also Ilesanmi Hezekiah, Bibo Oluwa you mark your 50th birthday celebration.
"I extend my felicitations to an indefatigable comrade, who parades a sparkling array of laurels in just five decades on earth. With a kind, unassuming mien that defies categorisation, you have waded through life as an enigma and today, you stand tall as an accomplished gentleman...
"I join the good people of Edo State in wishing you a happy birthday and pray for more years of eventful, credible, insightful, forthright and impactful service in good health."
Academy, Osun State emerged the second while Ndu Emmanuel, Ray Jacobs Boarding School, Imo State came third.
Olatunde lauded all state ministries of education in Akwa-ibom, Benue, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, wara, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, osun, Rivers, Sokoto, Zamfara, Plateau, Lagos, FCT Secondary Education Board and FCT Department of Science and Technology for their partnerships.
Meanwhile, N200,000 cash price will be given to the first place winner, N150,000 and N100,000 for second and third place winners, trophy and other prizes shall be distributed at the 2019 edition prize giving, N2m Foundation Young Mathematician Award and Mathvideo Challenge launch ceremony coming up in March 2020 in Abuja.
Top three students at the state level will receive N25,000, N20,000 and N15,000 cash respectively.