The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has proposed a university system that prioritises problem-solving and de-emphasises awarding degrees.

Delivering the keynote address at the 2nd Convocation Lecture of the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Ogbuku wondered how our universities had become more degree-awarding than problem-solving institutions.

He spoke on the theme: “From Degree-Awarding to Problem-Solving Institutions: Retooling University Education for Nation-Building.”

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer affirmed that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Ogbuku lamented: “We have built an academic culture where promotion is often tied more to the number of papers published in journals, many of which have minimal bearing on local problems, than to the impact of research on society.”

He expressed worry over the disconnect between universities and the productive sectors of the economy, noting that “employers repeatedly complain that graduates lack critical thinking, creativity, digital skills, and practical experience.”

“We have witnessed a gradual decline in funding and infrastructure in the education sector. A system that is underfunded struggles to be innovative. When laboratories lack basic equipment, when libraries are outdated, when classrooms are overcrowded, and when staff are poorly motivated, the easiest thing for a university to do is to default to theory-heavy, exam-driven education.”

“We can change this by deliberately inserting “problem-solving contents” into our programmes. For instance, every final-year student, regardless of discipline, could be required to undertake a ‘capstone project’ that addresses a real, identified problem in a community, industry, or government institution.”

The NDDC boss stated that “another strategic step is to build and strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems within our universities. Many universities, including the Federal University Otuoke (FUO), have started entrepreneurship centres, but some are treated as peripheral units.”

He observed that environmental and climate-related problems in the Niger Delta region were critical issues to resolve. “We need to deal with oil spills, gas flaring, flooding, biodiversity loss, and land and water degradation,” he said.

Ogbuku observed: “In a world driven by technology, Nigeria cannot afford to be a passive consumer of other people’s innovations. What can we do to develop local manufacturing capabilities to reduce dependence on imported goods? What can we do to leverage digital technologies?

“We need to retool University Education for Sustainable Nation-Building. This means redefining the university, in our laws and in our practice, as a problem-solving and future-shaping institution. To retool, our universities must focus on research and knowledge production. If we are serious about sustainable nation-building, university research must be more than a personal promotion ladder.”

Ogbuku charged the graduands to leave the university seeing themselves not just as certificate holders, but as problem-solvers. “The degree in your hand is not a trophy; it’s a tool.”

“You must embrace the charge to learn and adapt continuously. The world you are entering is changing faster than any generation before you. Do not treat your degree as the end of learning.”

Addressing developmental issues, the NDDC boss, remarked that as an intervention agency, the Commission had been repositioned from being transactional to a transformational development commission.

He announced that the NDDC had awarded a contract for the construction of a five-kilometre internal road network inside the university campus. We will also build a modern convocation arena and a five-star Corpers’ Lodge inside the university,” he said.

In his personal capacity, Ogbuku promised to sponsor two professorial chairs in the university, one for my late father and the second for cancer research.

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Otuoke, Professor Teddy Charles Adias, thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing a new Chancellor for one of the country’s youngest Federal Universities.

He charged the graduating students to note that as they leave the university, they must continue to learn, stating: “Learning never ends.”

The convocation lecture witnessed the installation of the Paramount Ruler of Idoma Worldwide, Dr Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji, as the Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke.

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, slumped on Thursday afternoon while he was working in his office and was immediately rushed to a hospital in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

The Deputy Governor was said to have been in a meeting on Thursday which had in attendance some community leaders and stakeholders involved in pipeline surveillance. The meeting was said to be heated and Ewhrudjakpo was said to have left the conference room of his office, where the meeting was held, and was climbing the staircase when he slumped at about 1.30pm.

His aides and top government functionaries who were with him when the incident occurred were said to have rushed him to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenagoa, where doctors confirmed that he had passed.

He was initially taken to the emergency unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, before being transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for closer monitoring before he gave up the ghost.

The deputy governor collapsed in serious condition before being transported to the hospital’s emergency unit, where he died.

Chaos erupted at the Government House as aides and staff scrambled in disbelief during the evacuation. Security forces swiftly secured the FMC, where Governor Douye Diri’s team gathered in solidarity.

Word of the tragedy spread rapidly through Yenagoa and social media, eliciting waves of shock, tributes, and prayers.

Details surrounding the circumstances of his death are still emerging, and the Bayelsa State Government is expected to release an official statement soon.

Born on September 5, 1965, Senator Ewhrudjakpo was 60 years old at the time of his death.

Sources claim he had overtime maintained a demanding work schedule and had described him as a “workaholic” who rarely found time to rest.

As of the time of filing this report, the Bayelsa State Government had yet to issue an official statement, leaving residents and members of the public anxiously awaiting for an official pronouncement.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo had served as Deputy Governor since February 2020 and previously represented Bayelsa West in the Nigerian Senate.

Born September 5, 1965, in Sagbama Local Government Area, Ewhrudjakpo was a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) mainstay. Holding a PhD in Human Rights Law and admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2009, his career spanned roles as Works Commissioner, Senator for Bayelsa West in the 9th National Assembly, and Deputy Governor since February 2020.

Under Governor Diri, he drove initiatives in infrastructure, policy stability, and human rights, earning acclaim for his erudition and integrity.

No formal statement has emerged from the state government or family yet, but condolences flood in from political allies and foes alike.

Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State has said he would ensure that everyone supports President Bola Tinubu.

This was as Fubara declared that he would work with any group to ensure that Tinubu wins in 2027.

He spoke during the commissioning of the Egbeda-Omerelu link road on Thursday.

According to Fubara: “Our position is to ensure that everyone supports Mr President. We will support every other group to ensure that we deliver for Mr President come 2027.”

This comes as Fubara and some legislators in the state dumped the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Fubara had claimed that he moved to the APC because the PDP dumped him during his political crisis.

The reconstructed Egbeda-Omerelu Link Road, today, Thursday December 11, 2025.

The Egbeda-Omerelu Link Road fully reconstructed by the administration of Sir Siminalayi Fubara is a significant development for Rivers State as it unveils government’s commitment to infrastructure renewal at the rural area.

This road provides an alternative route for travelers from from Ahoada, Omoku and Egbeda axis going to the Eastern hinterlands through Owerri, bypassing Elele. The road no doubt enhances trade, ease movement, and boost economic activities in the region.

Details coming soon…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is expected to arraign former Minister of Labour and Productivity and ex-Anambra State Governor, Dr Chris Ngige, in court, possibly today, following what family members have described as a dramatic arrest at his Abuja residence.

Ngige was reportedly picked up on Wednesday by about 20 EFCC operatives from the commission’s Wuse II Zonal office, who stormed his home on Justice Mohammed Bello Road in Asokoro. According to a family source, the operation unfolded in “commando-style,” with the former governor taken away without being allowed to change out of his pyjamas.

The former minister had been on administrative bail and was said to have been in regular communication with the commission after an earlier invitation for questioning over undisclosed issues. He had also surrendered his travel documents as part of his bail conditions.

Ngige, who had planned a medical trip to the United States, reportedly lost his passport while transiting through the United Kingdom, forcing him to abandon the journey. He later secured temporary travel papers from the Nigerian High Commission in London to return to Abuja.

Sources said Ngige had prepared a letter explaining the circumstances surrounding the loss of his passport and his delayed return to the EFCC but had not yet delivered it before the raid.

Expressing shock at the manner of his arrest, Ngige insisted he had fully complied with all conditions set by the commission.

He is expected to be charged to court, where his legal team is likely to contest the circumstances of his arrest and apply for bail.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced firm plans to raise the salaries of teachers as part of sweeping reforms to strengthen the state’s education sector.

Speaking while declaring open the 28th quarterly meeting of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) in Maiduguri, Zulum said improving teachers’ welfare is central to his administration’s long-term development agenda.

“We have to ensure that accommodation is provided for teachers, and very soon, inshaa Allah, the government of Borno State will roll out plans to motivate teachers,” he said. “Most importantly, there must be a deliberate effort to encourage technical and vocational education. Therefore, very soon, Borno State Government will implement plans to increase salaries of teachers.”

Zulum noted that the state had already fully implemented the National Minimum Wage for teachers in primary and secondary schools, adding that the forthcoming salary increase would serve as an additional incentive to boost performance, retention, and professional commitment.

The governor reaffirmed that education remains the foundation of development and prosperity in Borno, stressing that improving teacher morale through better pay and welfare packages is critical to delivering quality education to children.

His remarks came as Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, and UBEC officials outlined broader national reforms aimed at improving inclusivity, digital monitoring, and data-driven planning across Nigeria’s basic education system.

Minister reafirms FG’s commitment to quality education for children

Earlier, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing inclusive access to quality basic education for all children nationwide.

Speaking at the 28th quarterly meeting of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) in Maiduguri.

He said investing in inclusive education would create platforms where children and adults could interact, learn, and build mutual understanding.

Alausa also said empowering teachers with quality training was central to national renewal, hence the need to impove the quality of infrastructures in government schools.

The minister also directed state executive chairmen of SUBEBs, who were unable to transform their administrative system digitally to do so before the end of the year.

He insisted that it was only through the digital transformation that the federal government could perfect its plans and address most critical issues affecting progress in primary education system as it were.

In her remarks, Aisha Garba, the Executive Secretary, UBEC, expressed hsppiness on how the minister’s reforms had touched the lives of millions of children.

She also noted that the gaps in data collection was already affecting the accurate measurement of progress as planned.

Garba urged SUBEBs chairmen who were yet to comply to facilitate the process in their respective states as agreed.

The excutive secretary reiterated the UBEC’s commitment to strengthening basic education, improve quality and standard in primary schools.

She said the theme of the meeting reflects the focus on digital monitoring systems aimed at improving accountability, transparency, and efficiency in service delivery.

She said UBEC had adopted digital data collection to generate reliable annual statistics, which guide planning and enable states to address specific educational needs.

The executive secretary, however, described education as a powerful engine for national transformation and a pathway out of poverty,

Garba urged participants to use the meeting to strengthen collaboration and improve ongoing initiatives.

No fewer than eight students of the University of Jos have died in a road traffic crash along Zaria Road, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau.

Mr Peter Longsan, the Public Education Officer of the Plateau Command of the Federal Rwod Safety Corps (FRSC), confirmed the incident to newsmen on Thursday in Jos.

He said that the incident occured at about 2:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Longsan, who disclosed that the accident involved two vehicles, said seven of the students died on the spot while one died at the hospital.

He attributed the crash to speeding and wrongful overtaking.

“The crash involved a trailer and a bus with 11 persons, all students of university of Jos.

“Seven persons died on the spot as certified by the Doctor, one victim later died in the hospital, bringing the total number of deaths to eight.

“Three other victims are currently receiving treatment at the hospital; all victims were males.

“Eye witness reports testified that the bus was on a high speed and engaged in wrongful overtaking, which led to the loss of control and the eventual crash,”he said

It is being speculated that the students were returning from a “social event” when the crash occurred.

Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on Thursday charged newly decorated senior officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity, discipline and strategic leadership.

Aneke gave the charge at the decoration of the newly promoted Air Vice Marshals and Air Commodores of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in Abuja.

He described the promotion of the officers to the ranks of AVM and Air Commodore as a strong vote of confidence in their professionalism and capacity to shoulder higher responsibilities.

According to him, military promotions are earned through dedication, competence and character, noting that each new rank demands higher trust, deeper responsibility and the courage to take tough decisions.

“Your new rank places you at the strategic level where policy direction meets operational reality.

“You are now directly responsible for shaping strategy, guiding operations, making critical decisions and ensuring optimal performance across commands, units and personnel under your authority.

“As you take on these heightened responsibilities, always remember that victory in modern conflict does not rest solely on platforms or weapon systems, but on the quality of leadership at every level—most especially at the senior command tier,” he said.

The CAS said the officers were stepping into leadership at a time when Nigeria faces complex and evolving security threats, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and information warfare.

He emphasised that the service now relies heavily on senior commanders who can think strategically, act decisively and lead with moral authority.

The CAS tasked the officers to set the tone for discipline, prudent management of resources and operational excellence across their formations.

He encouraged them to lead with humility, fairness and consistency, and to actively mentor the next generation of commanders.

“Your actions, decisions and personal example will cascade throughout the Service.

“You must set the tone by enforcing discipline, upholding professional standards and ensuring that resources entrusted to you are managed prudently, transparently and with the highest sense of accountability.

“Leadership at this level must go beyond titles or insignia—it must be rooted in service, integrity and moral authority.

“As the saying goes, rank is not only worn on the shoulders, it is also carried in the mind and in the character,” he added.

Earlier, the Chief of Administration, NAF, AVM Anthony Martins, commended the officers for the discipline and professionalism that earned them their elevation.

Martins said the promotions reflect the rising standards and leadership development initiatives driving the Air Force under the current administration.

He urged the officers to view their new ranks as a call to higher service, while also acknowledging the families, mentors and colleagues who supported their journey.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defence, Minister of State, Permanent Secretary and representatives of the services chiefs as well as other senior military officials, families and well-wishers.