Education
Imo Teachers Begins 7-day Fasting, Prayers Over Delayed Salaries
Members of the Imo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has commenced seven-day fasting and prayers in the 647 autonomous communities over non-payment of their three-month salary arrears.
The union gave the directive to commence the exercise in a statement issued by the state Secretary of the union, Godwin Osogwa and made available to journalists yesterday.
It urged teachers in the state to seek the face of God amid suffering, lamenting that in spite of their plight during the lockdown, they were not paid even as they were compelled to remain at home.
They expressed hope that only the Almighty God would touch the hearts of state government officials to pay them to enable them and their families to feed.
“You are directed to embark on seven-day fasting and prayers,” the statement stressed.
One of the teachers in the state, identified as Nkechi, told The Guardian that they were really suffering, saying they were being owed over three months arrears, lamenting that she was forced to explore alternative sources of income.
“It is really tough. We have not been paid since the COVID-19 pandemic. How do we survive? I will join my colleagues to embark on fasting and prayers,” she said.
Also, retirees in the state, numbering about 23,000 have given Governor Hope Uzodimma seven days to approve the payment of their over five months pension arrears.
They were protesting against the failure of the state government to fulfil its promise to pay their pensions by last weekend as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Cosmos Iwu, had assured them.
The retirees issued the ultimatum during their second protest in Owerri during the week, saying they would ensure that they disrupt government activities until they were paid, even as they asked for alms on the streets of Owerri.
Speaking yesterday, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the State Government had just concluded verification of the retirees’ records of service and payroll system.
He restated that massive fraud was uncovered in the process and charged the pensioners to exercise patience, assuring that they would be paid sooner than later.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Owerri presided over by Justice Tijjani Garba Ringim, has ordered the immediate reinstatement of the 27 council chairmen and councilors who were elected in 2018 during former Governor Rochas Okorocha’s tenure.
But immediate past Governor of the state, Emeka Ihedioha had removed the affected elected officers in June last year and on the assumption of office on January 15, Uzodimma sacked Ihedioha’s Local Councils Transition Committeemen and replace them with his anointed officials.
Education
Igbinedion University, EduTech Global Partner On Digital Education, Access
Mr. Femi Shonubi, Co-Founder/CTO – EduTech Global
Cyril Ogar
Igbinedion University, Okada, one of Nigeria’s leading private universities, has entered into a strategic partnership with EduTech Global to accelerate its digital learning ambitions, expand access to its academic programmes to students in the country.
Through the partnership, EduTech will provide digital learning infrastructure and technology support for the University’s Distance Learning Centre (DLC), thereby enabling learners to access quality university education beyond the conventional campus environment.
The partnership reflects Igbinedion University’s ambition to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape by combining its academic heritage with technology, innovation and new models of learning that contribute to national workforce development.
Speaking on the partnership, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, said the collaboration represented a significant step in the university’s ambition to produce graduates equipped for national and global impact.
He said: “At Igbinedion University, our mandate has always been to lead in producing graduates equipped for national and global impact. This partnership with EduTech Global represents a bold step into the future of higher education in Nigeria.
“By expanding our digital learning infrastructure, we are not just breaking down geographical barriers; we are actively contributing to national workforce development by ensuring that quality, industry-aligned education is accessible to every driven learner, regardless of location.”
In his remarks, Director, Igbinedion University Distance Learning Centre, Prof. Gideon Bawa, said the university was motivated by the opportunity to transform its existing processes, which hitherto were being handled manually, and build a more efficient and scalable distance learning model.
The Director clarified: “The growth recorded by institutions that have leveraged EduTech’s technology and expertise was a major factor in our decision to engage the company. We are confident that this partnership will position Igbinedion University to achieve significant growth in enrolment while strengthening the quality and efficiency of our Distance Learning Centre.”
“With this partnership, we expect to move most of our administrative and academic activities online through EduTech. This will improve efficiency, enhance the learner experience and allow our facilitators and students to engage more effectively through a connected digital learning environment”, Bawa added.
Commenting on the collaboration, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, EduTech Global, Femi Shonubi, pointed out that technology had been redefining the boundaries of what a university can offer, adding that EduTech’s role extends beyond putting courses online.
Shonubi expatiated: “Technology’s true value lies in its ability to drive tangible socio-economic impact through education. By dismantling physical boundaries, we are empowering institutions like Igbinedion University to democratise access to high-quality learning. This is about more than online courses; it is about developing a resilient, highly skilled workforce at scale to meet the demands of the modern economy.
“We are helping institutions build connected learning ecosystems that support the student journey from application and enrolment through learning, assessment and graduation. Igbinedion University’s ambition to lead in innovative education aligns strongly with what we are building at EduTech.”
General Manager, Edutech Global, Moyosore Asubiojo said the partnership arises as demand grows for flexible higher education among working professionals, entrepreneurs and learners seeking alternatives to traditional full-time campus education.
She asserted that by combining Igbinedion University’s academic competence with EduTech’s technology capabilities, the collaboration will create new pathways to quality education and workforce development while enabling the University to expand beyond its traditional geographical footprint.
Analysts believe that the partnership between the university and the tech company represents a shared commitment to making higher education more accessible, flexible and scalable, while positioning the university to compete and lead in the next generation of technology-enabled education in Nigeria and globally.
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