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HAVE PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES BECOME THE PANACEA FOR QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA?

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The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recommends every nation in the United Nations Organisation (UN) should allocate 26% percent of their annual budget to education sector. However, the present Nigeria budget allocates 620.5 billion naira to the education sector and this constitutes only 7.05% of the country’s annual budget.
Last week, as I scrolled through my Twitter platform, I witnessed an argument that ensued between two students. One from a private university in Nigeria and the other from a government owned university. The student of the public university mocked and said to the other, “It is almost impossible to get first class in public universities, my third class is better than your first class”. His counterpart, obviously annoyed, stated the present achievements of most private universities in Nigeria and vowed that private universities will soon take over Nigeria because “everything that grows is destined to change”.
The argument between these two parties made me think about how public universities students take pride in their struggles for education in a dysfunctional system. It is as though they do not realise that they are entitled to good educational facilities, comfortable environment for learning and smooth flow of the academic calendar. Basically, the only benefit they enjoy is the availability of the best of teaching personnel.
The dilapidated state of public universities caused by incessant strike actions, unconducive learning environments, libraries with outdated books that cannot be used for assignments not to talk of researches, laboratories with old, spoilt and unrepaired equipment have made students in these institutions slave to the mentality that “you have to suffer to get good education”.
However, as opposed to the system in public universities, the system in private universities offers more to students in terms of facilities, effective funding of their activities, library and laboratory resources, functional teaching and research equipment. Although they might not be entitled to the best teaching personnel, they do not have strikes that elongate their academic calendar and they enjoy the best condition of learning in Nigeria.
Hence, when the private school student in the argument stated “everything that grows is destined to change”, I realized what he meant was the fact that private universities continue to grow in number and prestige in Nigeria. Looking back at the first established private university in Nigeria “Igbinedion University” that was just established in 1999, the number of private universities has grown immensely, they are presently 79 private universities in Nigeria. Opposed to this is the number of public universities that are present in Nigeria, after the establishment of University of Ibadan in 1948. There are 48 public universities in Nigeria which are poorly funded. Also, in terms of prestige, private universities like Covenant University has been ranked number 401 in the ranking of world best universities in 2019. It ranked above its Counterparts University of Ibadan and University of Lagos that successfully made the list.
Thus, considering the rate at which private universities keep growing in number and prestige, the question remains will they become our only hope for quality education in Nigeria? Yes, they will become our only hope, unless drastic measures is taken to revamp Public Universities in Nigeria, the blight that killed public primary schools and secondary school schools will equally kill public universities.
In the next ten to twenty years in Nigeria, in order for public universities to improve their quality in the system. They have to get adequate funds and sound monitoring. However, the rate at which the government of Nigeria do not take education very seriously, these schools may have to be self-sufficient.
I do not advice that they try to get private funding or become private owned because as Walter Lippmann once stated “where all think alike, no one thinks very much”. Hence, I advise that they opt for means to generate revenue for themselves. For instance, the University of Virginia has been able to generate enough revenue for itself by being dedicated to athletic activities. Thus, they average an annually generated revenue of 100 million dollars.
Public universities in Nigeria may not be able follow in the same step as the University of Virginia. However, government should appoint people with business expertise in public universities management to recommend means of generate internal revenues. Such means may include investment in structures such as shopping malls and hotels that will not only attract customers but also sponsors. By so doing, such investments will aid to generate funds for Public universities to improve their infrastructures and make them not totally dependent on government for their sole survival.
Despite the increasing rate of the sponsorships and investments of Private Universities, Public Universities are still the panacea for good education in Nigeria and will continue to be, if there is cooperation and resilience between the government and university administrators towards investing in public universities. Against all odds, I believe Public Universities will not get to a state of ramshackle if the government provides proper funding and investments in public universities.

ADESANYA Oluwadara Temiloluwa
University of Ibadan
Department of communication and language art
Faculty of art

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Organiser unveils speakers, panelists for the 2024 Industry Summit

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The organiser of the Industry Summit, an annual gathering for professionals and experts in brand marketing, finance, sustainability, and entertainment, has announced the speakers for the fifth edition of the summit in Lagos.

 

 

 

The event themed: Sustainable Marketing for Growth would feature the marketing director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Oriakhi as keynote speaker while the head of unit, sustainability at Access Bank, Mrs. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan and manager brand, strategy & communications at Stanbic IBTC, Ms. Rita Akao would feature as guest speakers.

 

 

 

The summit, which is scheduled to hold on Friday, May 3rd, 2024 at the Marcelina’s Place Ikeja GRA, Lagos would feature some exhilarating panel sessions with some of the contemporary professionals in the Nigerian brand and marketing industry.

 

 

 

The panelists include; Ms. Chioma Mbanugo, Head of Marketing PZWILMAR, Mr. Abiodun Coker, Team Member Media, UBA, Mrs. Mabel Adeteye, Head, Brand & Marketing Communications, Wema Bank PLC, Mr. Kevin Olumese, Marketing Communications Specialist, and Mr. Adeola Kayode, Head, Brands & Creative Services, 9mobile Nigeria.

 

 

 

Others who have confirmed participation are Ms. Aisha Anaekwe, Head, Brands & Comms, Coronation Group, Mrs. Victoria N’dee Uwadoka, Public Relations, Public Affairs & Sustainability Lead, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Samson Adeoye, Public Relations Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Mrs. Oluwatosin Odiagbe, Marketing Manager, Simba Solar and Ms. Arinola Shobande, Head of Marketing, Showmax.

 

 

 

While Oriakhi would be speaking to the topic, ““New Age Marketing – Catalyzing Transformation Through Value Chain Innovation, Technology, Analytics & Sustainability”, Victor-Laniyan and Akao would present papers on the topics; “Aligning organizational objectives with sustainable marketing for the good of the people, society and business, and “Reimagining Sustainable Growth Through Green Marketing” respectively.

 

 

 

In the press statement signed by the Publisher of The Industry Newspaper/Convener of The Industry Summit/Awards (TIES), Mr. Goddie Ofose, he said that “The 5th edition of the Industry Summit is focusing on sustainable marketing, which is a purpose-driven practice that works to orientate businesses, brands and society towards a sustainable future, influencing appropriate awareness, aspiration, adoption and action across economic and sociocultural systems by taking necessary accountability for its impacts and opportunities.”

 

 

 

“In today’s ever-evolving world, debating whether to incorporate sustainability into business strategy is no longer an option. Considering a values-driven approach when developing business strategies can be vital to long-term success” he said.

 

 

 

Therefore, we have carefully selected these professionals and experts to deliberate on the subject matter, highlight challenges and proffer solutions where private and public sectors could take lessons from and improve upon whatever they have been doing,’ Ofose added.

 

 

 

The Industry Summit/Awards is a brainchild of The Industry Newspaper Limited, publishers of The Industry Newspaper (theindustry.ng) and 789marketing.ng.

 

 

 

The summit is designed to bring together industry leaders across the continent in all sectors in the quest to rev up conversations that will move the Nigeria business, economy and communication industry forward.

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IBEDC records 1,459 energy theft cases in January, February

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The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company said it has recorded 1,459 cases of energy theft by its subscribers between January and February 2024.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the firm’s Chief Key Accounts Officer, Mr. Johnson Tinuoye, on Tuesday.

IBEDC added that it is actively pursuing investigations and legal actions against individuals and businesses involved in the theft in collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences.

Identifying the cases, IBEDC said they included various offences such as meter bypass and illegal meter tampering, which resulted in significant financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions of naira for the company.

The statement read, “We want to send a clear message to our customers that energy theft will not be tolerated. Our collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences underscores our commitment to ensuring a fair and just electricity distribution system.

“Energy theft not only undermines the integrity of our operations but also deprives IBEDC of the revenue necessary to provide quality services to our customers.”

Tinuoye emphasised that under the Electricity Act, energy theft is now recognised as a criminal offense, carrying severe penalties including imprisonment stressing, “In the Osun region, two individuals were apprehended for stealing energy through meter bypass and illegal connections. Their cases have been formally charged in court for prosecution.”

IBEDC further urged customers to refrain from engaging in any form of energy theft, emphasising that the consequences can be severe, as there is no room for negotiation with the SIPTEO Task Force team, which is actively patrolling and investigating instances of energy theft for prosecution.

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Copyright Breach: NCC Drags MTN, Others To Court Over Musician’s Works

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The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has filed criminal charges against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. and four others over alleged copyright infringement.

The charge with number FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024 filed in the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court was obtained by journalists on Monday.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the four other defendants in the case include the chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola; Nkeakam Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd.; and Yahaya Maibe.

In the three-count charge, NCC alleged that the defendants, between 2010 and 2017, “offered for sale, sold and traded for business’’, infringed the musical works of an artiste, Maleke Idowu Moye, without his consent and authorisation.

The commission alleged that the defendants used musical works and sound recordings of Mr Maleke with subsisting copyright as caller ringback tunes without the authorisation of the artiste.

The musician’s musical works and sound recordings allegedly infringed upon included 911, Minimini-wanawana, Stop Racism, Ewole, 911 instrumental, Radio, Low Waist, and No Bother.

The defendants were also alleged to have distributed the musical works to their subscribers without authorisation, thereby infringing on the rights of the artiste.

In the third count, the defendants were alleged to have in their possession, other than for their private or domestic use, the artiste’s musical works and sound recordings.

According to NCC, the alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under section 20 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The case has yet to be assigned to any judge, and no date has been fixed for the mention.

Meanwhile, no official statement has been released by any of the defendants as at the time of filing this report, while all efforts to get reactions from MTN by New Telegraph proved abortive.

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