Education

Varsity Don Advocates Investment In Solar Energy For Sustainable Development

Published

3 years ago

August 19, 2021

A power generation shift from the conventional hydroenergy to renewable solar energy generated power has been recommended for Nigeria’s needed economic, industrial growth and development.

Prof. Ma-Riekpen Edekin Evbogbai gave the recommendation while delivering the 2nd inaugural lecture series of the Edo State University, Uzairue.

The lecture was titled ‘Light, Man and Development: Photovoltaic Power Generation for Sustainable Development’ held at the Aliko Dangote auditorium of the institution.

According to him, renewable energy such as solar power is inexhaustible, replenishable and environment friendly.

He added that it can be converted to electrical energy and available for all and sundry unlike the hydro energy which according to him requires a swift flowing river and hydro carbon based energy resources which are site specific.

Prof. Evbogbai explained that Photovoltaic power generation, which involves the direct conversion of light energy from the sun into electrical energy, is the most viable solution to resolve the electrical energy crises in Nigeria because it is renewable, clean, cheap and environment friendly.

He said to ensure industrial and economic development, there is need to improve electricity generation and distribution across the country as approximately a meagre 5, 000MW is currently available for transmission to final consumers.

This improvement, he added can be achieved by incorporating Photovoltaic power generation in the nation’s electricity energy mix.

“Access to electricity is one of the major constraints to the private sectors of Nigerian economy, for this reason, some indigenous and foreign companies are relocating to African countries such as Ghana, South Africa,” he added.

According to the Dean, School of Engineering, new investors prefer to establish their companies and businesses in countries that have adequate, stable and reliable electricity.

“The high percentage lack of access to electricity makes Nigeria the country with the largest energy deficit in the world,” The varsity don stressed.

To address this anomaly, he explained that government needs to take advantage of photovoltaic power generation to improve electricity supply for the creation of new market, businesses and jobs openings which provides more opportunities for individuals to earn income and lift themselves, families and community out of poverty.

Professor Evbogbai suggested that, “Solar energy can be put in practical use, such as rural electrification of small and isolated communities, water pumping, storage of drugs and vaccines in health clinics, powering remote transmitters in telecommunication and railways signalling, protection of oil pipelines, storage tank, television viewing and street lighting”.

He therefore recommended that high tech solar panel production factories should be established and the existing ones be properly equipped and funded to meet the demand for solar panels in Nigeria.

Other recommendations made by the professor of electrical and electronics include encouragement of developmental result oriented research through adequate funding.

He added that, collaborative efforts between indigenes and high-tech foreign processing industries should be encouraged through regular seminars, workshops and conferences for cross fertilization of ideas and product exhibition appraisal of the existing Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) Centres in the six geo-political zones.

He called on the government to support the development of the Photovoltaic sector in policy measure, implementation and also in its research and demonstration activities.

This he said, will make the sector more productive and competitive, thereby accelerating its evolution for sustainable development.

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor described Prof. Evbogbai as an erudite scholar and highly travelled man who has contributed immensely to knowledge through research.

While describing the lecture as appropriate at this time, he said Edo State University, Uzairue has demonstrated the capacity to be an emerging world class university in Nigeria and the African continent through its digitization of modus operandi in executing core mandate.

He said that the university has been admitted into the Association of African Universities (AAU) and also admitted into the Consortium of New Sub-Saharan Medical Schools (CONSAMS), adding that all programmes offered in the university are approved by the relevant regulatory bodies.

The Vice Chancellor, however, stated that in keeping with the university’s mandates, the university would be graduating her first set of post graduate students by November, 2021.

Education

How To Check 2023 WAEC Result On Your Phone Via SMS

Published

9 months ago

August 7, 2023

Editor

The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has released the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations, WASSCE, results.

The Council stated that it was able to surmount challenges of insecurity, and cash policy among others, via technological innovation that saw over 91 percent of candidates’ results released 44 days after the examination ended.

WAEC’s Head of Nigeria Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan, said this at a briefing on Monday, at the body’s national office, Yaba, Lagos.

For the students who will be checking results, here are steps to follow.

Step 1: Type: WAECExaminationnumberPIN*Examyear through your phone (there should not be a space in between).

Step 2: Send to 32327.

Step 3: You will receive a message instantly containing your WAEC statement of result.

It should be noted that only MTN, Glo and Airtel subscribers can actually check their WAEC results using this SMS method.

Students can repeat the step if they do not receive your WAEC result via SMS, kindly repeat this step again.

SMS charges will be applied when checking your WASSCE result using text messages.

You will need to have purchased the WAEC Direct Scratch card in order to check your result via text message. The scratch card pin is what is needed in the PIN section of the SMS you will send to 32327.

Candidates who registered for the May/June examination can do also access their results through the portal of WAEC.

Education

BREAKING: 8 States Owing WAEC Won’t Have Candidates 2023 WASSCE Results

Published

9 months ago

August 7, 2023

Editor

Eight states owing the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, for various services rendered, will not have their candidates’ 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE results, released.

This was stated at a press briefing on Monday at Press Briefing Hall, WAEC national office, Yaba, where the body lamented that the inability to pay for services rendered was posing a great challenge in the activities of the examination body.

Responding to a statement on the number of States owing WAEC, the National Office of the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, Mr. Patrick Areghan noted that: About eight States are owing WAEC. We won’t mention them all as some are going to pay.

“However, Zamfara and Niger states are the highest debtors. Again Zamfara did not present any candidate for this year’s WASSCE.” Areghan noted.

Education

NANS Tackles ASUU Over Call For FUTO VC’s Resignation

Published

9 months ago

August 6, 2023

Editor

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has cautioned Academic Staff Union of Universities ,ASUU, over its call to the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri, FUTO, Prof. Nnenna Oti, to resign.

It warned the university lecturers’ organisation to rescind from such ugly move or face the wrath of students.

The students’ body which noted that the FUTO vice chancellor had not done anything wrong to deserve such call, accused ASUU of being responsible for instability in the nation’s universities.

Recall that members of ASUU, Owerri zone, had last Friday, demanded the immediate resignation of the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Prof. Nnenna Oti, over alleged corrupt practices and anti-union activities.

ASUU, through its Zonal Coordinator, Dennis Aribodor, at press conference in Awka, Anambra State capital,demanded immediate resignation of the FUTO Vice Chancellor.

The union is composed of members from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State University, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia and Nnamdi Azikiwe University,Awka.

But reacting to ASUU demand while addressing the media, Sunday evening, in Abuja, NANS’ Vice President,Comrade Ezenagu Victor, while noting that ASUU had long deviated from its core mandate,called on the federal government to proscribe the union.

He said: “It has become expedient to address the unbecoming attitude of the leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities. The latest of which is the provocative call by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU,zonal leaders for the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology,Owerri,to resign her position over alleged corruption.

“We feel concerned to react to the ASUU demand because the Vice Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Nnena Oti, is a mentor to many of us, particularly, our female folks. We were shocked when we read about the ASUU demand in most national dailies about the woman who has personified integrity, honesty and transparency. Sequel to this, NANS has been able to carry out investigation by interacting with both students and staff of the institution”.

“Although we were not able to have any discussion with members of FUTO Management as they said part of the issue we wanted to inquire of was already in court. Our finding has shown that the allegations against the vice chancellor were not only unfounded, but also malicious and wicked. Testimonial evidences garnered by NANS points to the fact that the action of the ASUU leaders is a mere political vendetta.”

NANS claimed that the alleged attack on Prof. Nnenna was because of her gender, as well as transparency in the discharge of her duties as Vice Chancellor.

“Those who lost to her during the vice chancellorship contest as well as those who could not use her to achieve their ungodly aims during the national assignment have resulted to using ASUU to grind their axe with her, thus making the university ungovernable,” he alleged.

He spoke further: “We, the National Association of Nigerian Students, wish to draw the attention of ASUU in particular and the public in general, that those fighting the Vice Chancellor of FUTO by proxy are obviously threatening peace and tranquility in the university.

“We are already informed that the disturbance is aimed at causing industrial action at the university so as to bring her to disrepute at the expense of students’ learning. It should be well noted that all industrial disputes have major side effects on students who suffer untold hardship during and after such disputes.”

Some of the effects,he mentioned,include waste of students’ precious time, amounting to the students spending longer years in the university and waste of resources, as student end up paying more school fees.
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