The newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Federal College of Agriculture and Technology, Nabanje, Katsina State, has been tasked with adopting strategic, legacy-driven leadership to guide the institution in enhancing innovation, food security, and youth empowerment.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, gave the charge during the inauguration ceremony of the members in Abuja, Nigeria The minister, in a statement by the Director of Press of the ministry, Boriowo Folashade, urged the Council to prioritise transparency, effective governance, entrepreneurship, and demand-driven research while developing its strategic plan and promoting peaceful collaboration.
“This institution is strategically positioned to contribute to Nigeria’s drive for food security, youth employment, and sustainable economic growth. Your appointment is not just an honour but a call to serve our country through transformational leadership in Education and Agriculture,” she said.
According to her, the College was established to promote agricultural education, innovation, and national development, emphasising that the College’s creation aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to transform graduates into job creators and achieve national food security.
Ahmad stated that the appointment of Council members was based on their proven track record in leadership, national service, and commitment to development. She described the appointments as a national call to service, urging the appointees to demonstrate dedication, responsibility, and commitment in carrying out their roles.
“There is the need for partnerships with local communities, private sector stakeholders, and international partners to achieve the College’s objectives. I encouraged the Council to collaborate with sister institutions and maintain synergy with the College’s management to fully realise the institution’s mandate of youth empowerment and food production,” she emphasised. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Abel O. Enitan, and the Director of University Education, Mrs. Rakiya Gambo, congratulated the appointees and urged them to uphold transparency and accountability in their stewardship.
The newly inaugurated Chairman, Professor Tai Oluwagbemi, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Ministry of Education, and the National Assembly for facilitating the establishment of the College. “We want to build a centre of excellence that will be second to none in the region. We pledge the Council’s unwavering commitment to excellence and agricultural innovation, he said.
Members of the Governing Council include Professor Tai Oluwagbemi, Chairman of the Governing Council, and Dr Mukhtar Habib, Provost. Other members include Labiru Musa Kafur, Yusuf Hassan, Professor Abdulsamad Umar Jibia, and Professor Inuwa Shehu Usman.
NOUN Calls for Open, Distance Learning for Correctional Officers
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has urged the personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to embrace Open and Distance Learning (ODL) as a means of personal and professional development.
Prof. Olugbenga Ojo, Director of Examination and Assessment, NOUN, made the call during an advocacy visit to the NCoS Headquarters on Thursday in Abuja. Ojo said that the visit was aimed at sensitising the officers and men of the Service on the numerous benefits of ODL and to encourage them to take advantage of NOUN’s programmes.
These, he said, were designed to provide flexible, affordable and accessible education for working professionals. The don noted that NOUN had, over the years, supported the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates through its study centres within correctional facilities.
He, however, said there was also an urgent need to extend similar educational opportunities to staff who serve as frontline agents of reformation and social correction. He added that enhancing the academic qualifications and capacity of correctional officers would, in turn, impact the quality of their work. He also added that it would boost efforts to reduce the rate of recidivism and the tendency of released inmates to relapse into crime.
“We are here for a special advocacy visit, not for the inmates this time, but for the staff of the Nigerian Correctional Service. Whoever comes to prison should return to society a better person. That is the goal. Nevertheless, the staff must also be empowered and trained for that transformation to be effective. Learning is a craving, and I encourage you all to try to register for a course. I can only encourage you,” he stressed.
Responding, the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, commended the management of NOUN for its consistent collaboration with the Service. Nwakuche described the university as a beacon of educational transformation within the criminal justice system. He lauded NOUN’s gesture of offering tuition-free education to inmates across its special study centres in custodial centres nationwide. He welcomed the extension of such benefits to personnel of the NCoS. “NOUN has become a case study in correctional education.
“For an institution to step in and make education tuition-free for inmates is something truly commendable. You have recorded real impact, and you have done it with excellence,” he said. The CGC expressed readiness to deepen the existing partnership with the university and assured that the Service would not only embrace the initiative but also encourage staff participation across commands.
“We are not taking this for granted. We will not hesitate to key into this initiative. We will ensure our staff understand the importance of this opportunity and make the most of it. You are always welcome here,” he said.
Speaking, Ms Modupe Adesina, the National Coordinator of the Special Study Centre Unit (SSCU), reiterated NOUN’s commitment to supporting the reform agenda of the Correctional Service. Adesina, however, called on the officers and men of the NCoS to take ownership of their educational journey.
“We believe it is time for personnel of the NCoS to begin to add feathers to their ranks. ODL gives you the liberty to work and study simultaneously. It offers flexibility. You can learn and write your examinations from anywhere, even in the line of duty. We want the correctional staff to realise that everyone can be educated, no matter the time or age,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over the years, NOUN has established itself as a leader in open and distance education in Nigeria, with a mandate to widen access to tertiary education. This initiative is primarily designed for underserved populations, including inmates, military personnel, and those in the paramilitary sector.
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