By Maryam Abeeb
The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has called for the establishment of Federal Teachers Service Commission, saying that such move would ensure reforms put in place in the teaching profession yield desired results.
The minister who made this call at the public presentation of Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) Book 1 series for Nigerian universities and a book in his honour, in Abuja, stated that the Commission will also help to attract the best brains for the sector.
While speaking on the new curriculum, Adamu, has stated that the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) would go a long way in adding value to graduates being churned out from Nigerian universities.
He added that the new curriculum will equipped Nigerian graduates with needed skills, knowledge and expertise in order to succeed in the 21st century.
Adamu called also called for full implementation of the curriculum adding that the launch of CCMAS in 17 disciplines was one of the greatest steps taken by NUC to ensure Nigerian universities meet current global demands.
“The implementation of CCMAS requires dedication, hard work and willingness to embrace change by every one, therefore it is important we embrace training and equipping our academics with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement CMAS,”he said.
The minister however lamented the backwardness being witnessed in the northern part of the country which he attributed to the attitude of the people of the area.
Adamu, however, expressed delight that out of the 37 new private universities approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, large number of them are situated in the North.
He also commended the National Universities Commission (NUC) for its drive in ensuring the springing up of more private universities in Nigeria, said the Commission’s effort is paying off with the establishment of more of such institutions in Northern Nigeria in recent times.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Rasheed Abubakar, commended the minister for his several achievements recorded under his watch, especially in the area of universities development.
“ As at yesterday morning, there were 111 private universities in the country, as of yesterday evening, the number had risen to 148 private universities in the country. That is of the 148 private universities in Nigeria, 87 or 60 percent came during Adamu Adamu as Minister of Education, “ he said.
The event which also witnessed tributes to late Professor Idris Abdulkadir and Professor Nimi Briggs, also saw to the unveiling of a book in honour of the the minister titled : ‘Repositioning Nigerian Educational System; the Ministerial Footprints of Adamu Adamu.”
Former Minister of Education, Professor Ruqqayattu Rufa’i, ex-Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, Registrar of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Professor Josiah Ajiboye, among others, were also. present at the event.
