Features
Deepening UBE Law To Improve Education
The youngest Nobel Peace prize winner who survived gunshot injury in Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai, is quoted as saying: “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world” Incidentally, this remark speaks eloquently of the very foundation of basic education across the world which deals with early child education also called nursery, primary and junior secondary. This stage of education is also referred to as Basic Education, classified under the Universal Basic Education Legal Framework. In Nigeria, the Universal Basic Education is governed by Law to regulate its operations. At this juncture, the UBE Act of 2004 comes to mind. American Statesman and politician, Theodore Roosevelt, once said; “No man is above the Law and no man is below it, nor do we ask a man’s permission when we ask him to obey it.” The law regulates society for public good. This presupposes that man by compulsion is required to obey the law to improve society for the public good of all.
In this regard, the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Law number four (4) 2005 was assented to 30th July 2005 by Governor Peter Odili after being passed into law by Rivers State House of Assembly under Right Honourable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as speaker. Section one (1) of the law says every child of primary and Junior Secondary School age in Rivers State is provided free compulsory Universal Basic Education but this law does not apply to private schools.The law further states thus: “ The compulsory free Universal Basic Education shall be for a period of nine years comprising a 6-year primary education and 3-year junior secondary school education wherein every parent shall ensure that his or her child attends and completes. Section eleven sub section one (1) emphasises that services provided in primary and junior secondary school are free while anyone/person who contravenes the order as captured in section eight (8) sub section (1) commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment of three months and a fine of ten thousand naira (N10,000) in the first instance, the law also states that the number of learners in a class be it primary school or junior secondary schools should not exceed thirty (30) pupils and students, anyone who disobeys the schools rules and regulations commits an offence and if found guilty shall be punished in accordance with the provision of the children and young persons revised laws of Rivers State.
It insists that any punishment prescribed should not include corporal punishment. A scathing examination of the insinuations has left same basic questions unanswered. For instance, the concept of free compulsory Universal Basic Education has ignited more heat than light, particularly as many think that free education applies to provision of free uniform, sandals, books, water and feeding. A French philosopher, judge and historian popularly referred to as Montesquieu (18th January 1689-10th February 1755) States thus: “There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the Law and in the name of justice” It is common knowledge that the chairman of the Universal Basic Education Board, Doctor Fyneface Ndubisi Akah, recently suspended two principals of Junior Secondary School section of Community Secondary School Rumuoawholu and Community Secondary School Okoronudeu both in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, over their involvement in the collection of illegal charges.
The UBE Board boss, Doc tor Akah, also charged all other head teachers and principals who have collected such illegal charges to refund same or face unpleasant consequences.The Rivers State Commissioner for Education had stated categorically clear that basic education up to senior secondary school is free in Rivers State.Matters arising from the suspension and the commissioner’s charge are that learners in public schools in Rivers State have been left with coat of many colours whereas uniforms are similar and not truly uniform since parents and guardians buy them by themselves and sew to avoid accusation by UBE Board. It has been observed that government does not pay impres to run the Public schools and the levies to purchase toiletries to maintain the restrooms’ are illegal.Similarly, school premises are unkempt as learners and school administrators wrestle with keeping reptiles away.
Unfortunately, members of Parents Teachers Association (PTA), School Based Management Committee (SBMC) are threatened with sledge hammers and other punitive measures from the UBE Board and Ministry of Education in the state in aiding and abetting collection of illegal charges. Worsestill, some schools have over 30 learners per class with little or no new schools being established by government to cope with exodus of learners from private schools to the public sector due largely to economic crunch attributable to fuel subsidy removal. In the present circumstances, basic schools are inundated with a plethora of challenges. One classic example of challenges confronting UBE schools as well as senior secondary schools include teachers attrition arising from retirement and death of teachers.
It would be recalled that the immediate past administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike placed an embargo on employment of civil servants including teachers for over seven years until recently Governor Siminalayi Fubara commenced recruitment. This development had adverse effect on teaching and learning in public schools, where some schools had only one or two teachers. Unfortunately, it is said that when gold rust, what would iron do? It was a sad narrative that Rivers State was ranked among States not only in South-South but the whole country with out-of-school children of school age which the State is battling to filling the gap. Some large communities have limited numbers of schools causing learners to walk distances to access school. Private schools that hitherto were regarded in Nigeria in the 1960s, 70s and 80s are now sub-standard, the glorified and honoured even when public schools parade skilled manpower than their private counterparts.
It is therefore, pertinent for government to properly fund education by providing infrastructure to make teaching and learning environment conducive and attractive.Government must articulate a way forward to allow school heads and principals carry out moderate chargeable fees to manage the schools.The theme of 2023 World Teachers Day is “The Teachers we need for the Education we Want; the Global Imperative to Reverse Teachers Shortage. Speaking in an interview, the Rivers State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Doctor Colins Echikpu appealed to the State Government to employ more eight thousand teachers to reverse teachers shortage in the State. He expressed delight over the theme of World Teachers Day 2023 tagged “The Teachers We Need for Education We Want”. The Global Imperative to Reverse Teachers Shortage. Dr Echikpu expressed appreciation for the two thousand teachers recently employed by the State Government but regretted that the number would not address the deficit in the State.
The NUT boss, commended the State Government for promoting Teachers and implementing benefits, saying that it will boost their morale. He also commended the UBE Board Chairman, Doctor Fyneface Akah, for suspending the Principals who were involved in illegal collection of fees and other charges. According to him, Head Teachers and Principals should always seek approval from the Board and the Ministry of Education while also urging them to engage in what he called School Community Relationship in addressing challenges of schools. Doctor Colins Echikpu charged Parents- Teachers- Association, PTA and School Based Management Committee, SBMC, to support government in the task of promoting conducive environment for teaching and learning, while calling on the State Government to implement the new retirement age for teachers as passed into law in April 2022. PTA and SBMC must be involved as well as the Local Government Areas, CDCs, churches, who use the school premises for various outreaches must be given room for collaboration.
Education for all is the responsibility of all. To realise this dream, all hands must be on deck through collaboration of stakeholders. For instance, Parents Teachers Association and School Based Management Committees must be involved. State Governments must not depend solely on intervention of Federal Government counterpart funding of Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC-UBE Initiative. What incentives are there for teachers on transfer to Rural Areas? The time to act is now.
By: Baridorn Sika
Sika is a public affairs analyst.
From the fore going, the fight against drug trafficking should be treated as an international challenge with open collaboration, if the world leadership must win the fight!.
The circumstances or should I say the improvement on drug related activities are modifying and updating on daily basis. A close friend of mine in the United States of America who recently visited Jamaica, came with a lot of complicated information about drug trafficking and transaction. Being a qualified Nurse in US and on a visit to the Reggae Country (Jamaica), she said she was put aback when a man approached her and introduced himself as a Pharmacist. According to her, she immediately picked interest due to her professional background. To her, a business partner is birthed. But she was shocked to the narrows on learning that drug dealers or traffickers and subriquited Pharmacist in that Country. From her account, they ( The Jamaican Pharmacists), are the first set to people to meet and greet you at the Airport. No government or authority challenges them in the open due to the sophisticated nature of their transportation
Come to think of it, who would want to attack a Pharmacist on duty? Nigerians are not left out in the improvement on drug deal. A chat with a confident in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) Rivers State Command, so revealed. The Officer draw my attention to the movement of Dispatch Riders. He said part of the reasons they ride with almost speed equivalent of the thunder lightning, is to meet up with the appointment of delivering hard drug consignment to a client of theirs. According to him, those guys popularly referred to as Yahoo Boys are the ones who now payroll dispatch riders so that they can deliver their consignment ( hard drugs) on schedule no matter the sort of traffic or weather condition. The fear of loosing rich clients and that of the unknown treatment that may come of the Boys, as the officer puts it, drives the Riders crazy thus the reason to speed even at the expense of their lives.
The account of a prominent Party Promoter, Wayne Anthony, as obtained online recently, also pointed out that ‘No Legislation Will Stop Clubbers From Doing Drugs’ Party promoter, Wayne Anthony, arrived in Ibiza, a Spanish Island in 1988, at the same time as dance music and the party drug ecstasy. Despite hallucinating badly enough to make him give up the lifestyle forever, he says laws will never stop clubbers taking drugs. “I don’t think you can control these things,” said former party promoter Wayne Anthony. He arrived in Ibiza in 1988 and began setting up club nights and raves in some of the island’s most iconic venues. In the years that followed, the sleepy Spanish island turned into a raver’s haven of clubbing and hedonism, with party drugs like ecstasy commonly found. “What Ibiza represented was this beautiful, hot island which was visually stunning and we knew you could party there quite legally,” said Wayne. “You didn’t have to look over your shoulder. You could just be as free as you possibly could be.”
That freedom came with a price. Along with the lavish clubs, all-day-benders and hot Spanish sun came drug cartels and crime. The city transformed into one the world’s most vibrant party capitals, “fuelled by a dangerous and lucrative drugs trade which drew as many criminals to its shores as it did party animals”. Wayne, one of the contributors to the documentary, spoke to Sky News ahead of its release.”I’m not going to sit here and say the cartels aren’t there. They are all there and they’ve been there from the ’90s,” said Wayne. But he said most people tried to ignore the organised crime going on around them. According to Wayne, clubbers usually took the approach of: “‘Give me 10 E’s . Behind the scenes of the filming of Ibiza Narcos with Wayne Anthony. Behind the scenes of the filming of Ibiza Narcos with Wayne Anthony. Hallucinating giant spiders Although he described the Balearic island as the “motherland”, it was eventually a bad experience with drugs that convinced Wayne it was time to leave Ibiza.
He’d been partying for days when he realised he’d taken too many drugs. A friend told him to drink cough medicine, dangerous advice that he now says could have killed him. “I saw the worst hallucination I’ve ever seen in all of my life. I ended up locking myself in the villa with all the shutters down. When he sobered up, he realised he had “come to the end” of his party life on the island. “I never looked back. I never took another drug. I got away from the club world.” ‘I don’t think you’re going to be able to stop it’ Despite his life-changing experience, he doesn’t think criminalising drugs is a good idea – or particularly effective. “If you’re old enough to vote for who’s going to be a world leader, if you’re old enough to put your name down on debt for 25 years, I feel like you should be old enough to govern what you put inside your own body, you know?” said Wayne.
Back to Nigeria, some illicit drugs worth over N30billion seized at Onne Port in Rivers State.
This blood chilling development forced the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency at the Onne Port, following what authorities described as repeated incidents of importation of dangerous cargo, including arms and ammunition through the said port. To this effect, the government said it was immediately implementing emergency protocols at Onne Port for the next three months by conducting thorough examinations of all suspected containers in the premises.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, in charge of the port via a press conference, said it henceforth, unveiled the seizures of illicit goods by the Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. In defence for his action, Adeniyi said the recurring incidents posed a threat to national security, adding that the health of citizens at the Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo, describing it as a disturbing trend.
The customs boss stated, “Earlier today, I joined numerous stakeholders to take a significant step towards the cause of trade facilitation through the inauguration of upgraded facilities provided by the West Africa Container Terminal, Onne. “As I express delight that trade facilitation is getting traction in Onne Port, I cannot help but call your attention to a grave concern. This has to do with the repeated incidents of national security breaches unfolding in Onne Port. I appreciate your presence, as we all have a shared responsibility in safeguarding our national security. As we are all aware, the policy thrust of Mr President supports the re-energising of our business environment to drive faster import clearance and grow our capacity for exports, Our emphasis has been to promote initiatives that speak to Trade facilitation and economic development. “It is a matter of regret that criminal elements in the international supply chain are exploiting our pro-trade stance to commit atrocities bordering on national security breaches”.
“The attempts to test our will through the importation of dangerous cargo through this port has necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in Onne Port, coming on the heels of a seizure of a huge cache of arms a couple of months ago. It is disheartening that perpetrators have not backed down on their illegal acts. Recent intelligence and seizures have revealed a disturbing trend; Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo. The scale and nature of these illegal importations pose a significant threat to our national security and the health of our citizens. Today, we are here to showcase yet another series of significant seizures made by the diligent officers of the Area 2 Command. On display are twelve containers of illicit goods intercepted through a combination of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and meticulous physical examination. Seizures on Display include: Three (3) x 40-feet containers: Containing 562,600 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine and 3,150 pieces of chilly cutters, with a Paid Duty Value (DPV) of N4,716,573,846.
“Others are, three x 40-feet containers containing 380,000 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 24,480,000 tablets of Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride, 5,350,000 tablets of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, and other items, with a DPV of N17,432,506,000 were seized”.
According to the report, more seized items were, “Five (5) x 40-feet containers; Containing 892,400 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 1,300,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 7,250,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, and other items, with a DPV of N8, 128,568,295,90. This very action of the Nigeria Customs Service, further complicated the hope of how soon the fight against drug trafficking could be brought to a halt owing to its high profile nature.
Another hair-raising report of the illicit drug deal has it that when NDLEA bursted a Snake-Guarded Shrine Used For Storing Illicit Drugs sometime ago in Edo State. This very news report was published in The Tide Newspaper on June 24, 2024. According to the report, NDLEA said its operatives uncovered a shrine, guarded by a snake, being used for storing illicit drugs, during an operation in Edo State. The Agency in a statement by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, added that its operatives discovered a specially constructed large hole in a wall, hidden behind wallpapers and fetish objects used for drug storage. It further noted that methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743kg among others, were recovered from the shrine.
To be cont’d
King Onunwor
The persistent clash between farmers and herders in Nigeria has been a longstanding issue. These conflicts, often, over resources like land and water, have led to loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of large numbers of people, deep-seated mistrust between communities and insecurity. Herders, traditionally nomadic, move their livestock in search of grazing land and water. Farmers, on the other hand, require the same resources for their crops. This competition often leads to clashes, especially in areas where land is becoming increasingly scarce due to population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation. As these clashes intensify, there has been a growing call for sustainable solutions. Two weeks ago, President Bola Tinubu took a bold step towards tackling the issue by inaugurating the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms and creating the Ministry of Livestock Development.
The committee which has the president as the chairman and the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega as the deputy chairman has the mandate to address obstacles to agricultural productivity and open up new opportunities which benefit farmers, herders, processors, and distributors in the livestock-farming value chain as well as propose recommendations aimed at fostering a peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers, ensuring the security and economic well-being of Nigerians.The establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development was part of the recommendations of the National Livestock Reforms Committee. Part of the 21 recommendations submitted to the president include: “This agenda should include the establishment and resuscitation of grazing reserves as suggested by many experts and well-meaning Nigerians and other methods of land utilisation.
“Create the Ministry of Livestock Resources in line with practice in many other West African countries. In the alternative, Federal and State Governments should expand the scope of existing Departments of Livestock Production to address the broader needs of the industry,” among others. Experts in the agricultural sector have posited that the livestock industry can create millions of jobs directly in farming, processing, and distribution, and indirectly in related sectors like feed production, veterinary services, and marketing. It provides livelihoods for rural populations, helping to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life in rural areas. It also increases the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings through the exports of livestock and livestock products such as meat, dairy, wool and leather.
According to them, a well-funded livestock industry supports the growth of agro-processing sectors, such as meat packing, dairy processing, and leather manufacturing, adds value to raw products and creates additional economic activity as well as stimulates the development of supply chains, including logistics, packaging, and retail, contributing to broader economic growth. It enhances economic resilience by diversifying the agricultural sector and providing a buffer against crop failures or other agricultural shocks and many more. Some other agriculturists have also opined that the livestock industry in Nigeria is currently underdeveloped and that by the creation of the ministry of livestock development will open up the industry which will be a huge money spinner for Nigeria.
Reports have shown that a Livestock Ministry can play a pivotal role in mitigating conflicts between farmers and herders by implementing policies and programmes aimed at fostering coexistence and sustainable resource management. The Ministry can work towards clearly demarcating grazing routes and farming areas. This would reduce instances of trespassing and accidental crop destruction, a common flashpoint for conflict. While introducing rotational grazing systems can ensure that land is used sustainably, preventing overgrazing and land degradation, establishing water points and boreholes specifically for livestock can reduce competition for water resources. Similarly, promoting the development of pasturelands through reseeding and controlled burns can improve grazing conditions.
According to a veterinary doctor, Dr Andrew Obadiah, by providing training for herders on sustainable livestock practices and for farmers on conflict resolution, both parties can understand the importance of coexistence. He said that extension services of the ministry can offer advice on improving livestock health and productivity, reducing the need for large herds and extensive grazing. “Setting up local committees involving both farmers and herders to mediate disputes can provide a platform for dialogue and peaceful resolution. Encouraging community-based conflict early warning systems can help prevent clashes before they escalate”, he emphasised.For Mrs. Stella Ugwu, a farmer, having a ministry dedicated to the development of the livestock industry can help in diversifying income sources for both farmers and herders and in turn reduce dependence on land.
”For instance, promoting agro-pastoralism can provide farmers with livestock and herders with agricultural produce”, she explained, adding that providing incentives for adopting sustainable practices, such as subsidies for fodder production or crop insurance, can ease economic pressures. Ugwu was however of the opinion that the creation of a new ministry to handle livestock affairs was uncalled for, since the job can effectively be done by the Technical and Service Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and food security and its equivalent on the states level.In some countries, the establishment of a Livestock Ministry or similar bodies has shown promising results. For example, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture includes a dedicated department for livestock which has successfully implemented programmes to improve pastoral livelihoods and reduce conflicts.
In Kenya, the establishment of the National Drought Management Authority has helped manage resources better, thus reducing clashes between herders and farmers during dry seasons.The president of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Othman Ngelzarma, sees the Ministry of Livestock Development achieving the same feat for Nigeria in the near future. He told newsmen that, “MACBAN expresses its deepest appreciation to the Federal Government for creating a ministry of livestock to unlock the trillion-naira livestock economy and create qualitative and productive jobs across the value chain to improve the Nigerian economy. With this development, MACBAN believes the hope of the Nigerian pastoralists is now achieved under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
However, the Middle Belt Forum took a different view of the proposed Ministry of Livestock Development, saying it was not enough to sustainably resolve the decades-long farmers-herders crisis in the country. According to the National President of the association, Mr. Bitrus Pogu, what is needed to end the perennial farmers/herders clashes is a deliberate action by regulatory bodies and the government to stop criminal elements from carrying out deadly attacks on innocent Nigerians, mainly farmers. Hear him: “If the reason for creating the Ministry is to stop clashes, I think it is wrong because all of these attacks and killings that are happening have nothing to do with conflicts between farmers and herders. “Farmers have never connived at any given time to go and attack herders, but rather, criminals who happen to be Fulani gang up and attack farmers, kill, maim and chase them out of their ancestral homes.
“Then, the Fulani will come and occupy them. So, it is more about invasion, criminality, and terrorism. And the majority of those they hire to do these evils are not even those who have cattle. So, a deliberate action has to be taken by the government against the perpetrators, which will address the criminality.” Mr. Pogu suggested that the government should adopt ranching for productivity and enduring peace between the pastoralists and farmers in particular and the entire country in general.While the establishment of a Livestock Ministry presents a viable solution, it is not without challenges. Funding constraints, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and corruption can hamper its effectiveness. Additionally, deeply ingrained cultural practices and mistrust between farmers and herders can be difficult to overcome.
Critics argue that without a holistic approach that includes land reform, climate change adaptation, and broader economic development, a Livestock Ministry alone may not be sufficient. Therefore, it must work in tandem with other governmental and non-governmental bodies to ensure comprehensive solutions. “A dedicated Livestock Ministry, with its focus on sustainable resource management, conflict resolution, and economic incentives, offers a promising avenue to address the root causes of these clashes. However, its success depends on effective implementation, adequate funding, and the cooperation of all stakeholders involved. With the right strategies and commitment, devoid of any political or selfish interest, it can play a crucial role in fostering peace and prosperity in affected regions”, they advised.
Calista Ezeaku