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Why Varsity, Poly Lecturers Should Be Treated Equally — Don

Published

8 months ago

February 16, 2025

The dichotomy, with its attendant discrimination, between products of universities and polytechnics in Nigeria came to the fore again as polytechnic lecturers have called for equal treatment between them and their counterparts in the university.

The Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Professor Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, who joined the conversation, emphasised the need for intellectual equality between university and polytechnic lecturers, advocating for reforms in academic rankings.

Professor Ufuophu-Biri argued that there is really no intellectual capacity difference between university and polytechnic lecturers.

“There is no difference between polytechnic and university lecturers. They were taught by the same lecturers, studied the same curriculum, and obtained similar qualifications,” he stated.

Citing an example, he questioned the perceived superiority of university lecturers. “If two people attend the same university, one is employed at a university, and the other at a polytechnic, does that make the university lecturer superior? The answer is no,” he asserted.

He further advocated for a change in academic titles to reflect the equal intellectual output of polytechnic lecturers.

“At universities, the terminal rank is ‘professor,’ while at polytechnics, it is ‘chief lecturer.’

“That terminal rank should be ‘Associate Professor’ for polytechnics. In terms of intellectual contribution, there is no difference,” he argued.

Professor Ufuophu-Biri joined the conversation at the maiden academic colloquium he birthed to enhance the frontiers of the institution.

According to Nigerian Tribune, the former dean of the Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU) explained the rationale behind the initiative.

“There are three types of wealth in life: wealth of ideas, wealth of courage, and wealth of practicality.

“Success starts with ideas, so we felt we should create a platform where people can discuss, expand on ideas, and reach reasonable conclusions that will move the system forward,” he said.

The first in the series of the Polytechnic’s Colloquium, which was held on Thursday, was with the Theme: “Keeping Our Pride High, Avoiding The Pitfall: Prospective For Our Polytechnic Lecturers,” and was held at the Chief James Onanlefe Ibori Auditorium in the institution.

Describing the event as a great success, he commended the guest lecturer, Dr. Emmanuel Akpovata, Dean School of ICT, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi Uku, for an insightful presentation. “The guest lecturer was very good in his delivery—not just in style but in content.

“He addressed issues affecting not just the polytechnic system but also national, moral, and ethical concerns.

“The audience participation was impressive, showing their keen interest in the discussion,” he noted.

Encouraged by the positive response, the rector, who’s an ace broadcaster, announced that the programme would be held twice a year.

“Good things come out of ideas, and that is why people attend summits to discuss. When you gather the best minds, better things emerge,” he added.

Highlighting the institution’s academic strength, he pointed out, “In this polytechnic, we have lecturers with double PhDs. The so-called dichotomy is optional and not functional.

“We can practically bridge the gap by changing the title of ‘Chief Lecturer’ to ‘Associate Professor.’”

On institutional challenges, especially in the area of lecturers’ misdemeanors, Professor Ufuophu-Biri assured that any issues affecting the polytechnic would be addressed.

“We know what is wrong and have measures to deal with it. If any concerns exist, we will investigate, and you will hear from us on how we will handle them,” he concluded.

Dignitaries who all contributed to the conversation included Commissioner, Ministry of Higher Education, Prof Nyerovwo Tonukari represented by Dr. Emoefe Okpimah, Chairman, Governing Council, Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Hon. Andrew Orugbo, Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, Orefe III represented by Chief Frank Emiko, and Executive Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Conflict Resolutions, Chief Okakuro Ewhere Duncan Oghenochuko.

News

Why I Won’t Attend Gaza Summit In Egypt — Netanyahu

Published

2 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend Monday’s Gaza summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh because it coincides with a Jewish holiday, his office said.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu was invited by US President Donald Trump to attend a conference in Egypt today,” his office said in a statement.

“The prime minister thanked President Trump for the invitation but said he would be unable to attend due to the timing coinciding with the start of the holiday” of Simhat Torah, which begins Monday evening and continues until sunset Tuesday.

Earlier, Egypt’s presidency said Netanyahu had been invited to attend following a call between US President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and the Israeli premier.

AFP

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Fubara Names New Rivers SSG

Published

2 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the appointment of Benibo Anabraba as the new Secretary to the State Government.

The appointment was confirmed on Monday in a statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the release, Anabraba is scheduled to be sworn in today, Monday, October 13, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.

The statement said, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Benibo Anabraba as Secretary to the Rivers State Government.

“The new SSG will be sworn in today, Monday, October 13, 2025, by 4:00 PM at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.”

The appointment follows Fubara’s recent reinstatement to office after a period of political and legal turbulence that led to his suspension under emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly. He cited the prolonged political crisis between Fubara and his predecessor and political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, as the reason.

In Fubara’s place, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator, with a mandate to restore political stability.

Recall that the immediate past administrator, upon assumption of office during the emergency rule imposed suspended all commissioners, special advisers, and assistants appointed by Fubara.

Ibas also dissolved boards and suspended heads of parastatals he met in office.

Since Ibas exited the state on September 18, the fate of Fubara’s appointees had remained uncertain. The Rivers State House of Assembly, at its first sitting after the lifting of the emergency rule, had called on the governor to submit a fresh list of commissioner-nominees for screening, alongside the 2025 budget for passage.

His return to the governorship has coincided with a flurry of administrative changes as the governor consolidates his team.

News

FG To Disburse ₦6.3bn Interest-free Loans To 21,000 Flood Victims

Published

2 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government is set to disburse ₦6.3 billion in interest-free loans to 21,000 Nigerians affected by recent flood disasters across the country.

Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Sununu, made this known on Monday in Abuja during a roundtable marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Sununu said the initiative aims to cushion the impact of flooding and enhance food security nationwide, Channels reports.

“In the next few weeks, 21,000 Nigerians will receive interest-free, collateral-free loans of ₦300,000 each.

“This intervention is designed to support farmers and strengthen communities affected by flooding,” he said.

The minister further revealed that the Federal Government, through the National Social Investment Programme, has reached over 8.1 million households with more than ₦300 billion in Conditional Cash Transfers.

“This support has improved the resilience, health, and education of many vulnerable households. The process will continue under the Hope Agenda of Mr. President,” Sununu added.

He also announced plans to empower internally displaced persons through a scheme that guarantees a market for their produce.

“Under our new collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, IDPs will retain 30% of their produce while the government will off-take 70%, providing direct cash payments to the participants,” he explained.

In her remarks, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, highlighted the growing threat of climate-related disasters and called for stronger preventive measures.

Umar noted that Nigeria faces increasing risks from climate change, conflicts, pandemics, and technological hazards, stressing that disaster management must shift from reactive to proactive approaches.

She also announced the launch of two key policy frameworks — the NEMA Strategic Plan (2025–2029) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2025–2030) to guide future disaster preparedness and resilience-building efforts.

“These frameworks promote innovation in financing, institutional collaboration, and risk-informed development,” she said, adding that NEMA is developing a National Risk Monitoring and Information Platform to enhance early warning and data-driven decision-making.

She further called for innovative financing options, including catastrophe bonds, climate funds, and blended finance models, to sustain disaster prevention and recovery initiatives.

The event, which focused on building resilience against climate-related disasters, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, lawmakers, and international partners.

The PUNCH reports that 238 persons have lost their lives, while 135,764 others have been displaced following floods that swept through parts of the country as of October 10, 2025, according to figures obtained from the National Emergency Management Agency’s 2025 Flood Dashboard on Saturday.

NEMA reports that at least 409,714 people have been affected so far, with 826 sustaining various degrees of injuries and 115 reported missing across the country.

Flood-related deaths were recorded in multiple states, bringing the nationwide death toll to 238.