ABUJA - The Federal Government said it has begun the process of repositioning the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to enable it to deliver more effectively on its mandate. The Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, made this known at the inauguration of Governing Councils of four parastatals under the ministry in Abuja. He said NOUN was the country’s largest institution that conveniently delivered tertiary education to ordinary Nigerians. According to the minister, NOUN is Nigeria’s flagship tertiary institution in open and distance learning with more than 50 centres across Nigeria and an active student’s population of over 80,000. “NOUN reckons as Nigeria’s largest institution that takes tertiary education to the door-steps of ordinary Nigerians. “Just two years ago, NOUN was given the European Quality Award at Oxford, UK, in recognition of its commitment to international best practices. “Thus, NOUN represents the veritable hope for thousands of ordinary Nigerians to have access to qualitative tertiary education.’’ The boards inaugurated were for the National Institute of Education Planners & Administrators (NIEPA), the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), the National Committee of the West African Examinations Council (Nigeria) (WAEC) and NOUN. NIEPA’s mandate, he said, was to develop a critical mass of education-sector planners and managers for the effective and efficient planning and management of the educational system. NABTEB, he added, had the mandate of ensuring that Nigeria became the centre of technological excellence in Africa through advancement in technical and vocational education. “To the board of WAEC, you must continue to ensure that the integrity of WAEC and its examinations is not compromised under any circumstances.’’ Wike told those inaugurated to be on the drivers’ seat of the transformation process to take the institutions to the next level of sustainable development and achievements. He urged them to study laws governing operations of their respective institutions and not exhibit overbearing tendencies beyond legal powers and responsibilities. The minister reiterated government’s commitment to the Four-Year-Strategic Plan to ensure that structures for good governance were put in place for higher institutions and the parastatals. Chairmen of the boards are Alhaji Garba Nadama (NABTEB), Elder Bolaji Anani (NIEPA), Senator Ameh Ebute (NOUN) and the Director Basic and Secondary Education in the ministry, Mr Daniel Uwaezeoke (WAEC). Responding on their behalf, Ebute, former President of the Senate, pledged their collective and individual efforts to develop education
Posted on: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:18:18 +0000
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