Education
Federal Poly Ayede trains bursary staff on capacity building
Management of the newly established Federal Polytechnic, Ayede (FEDPA), Oyo state, has organized a three-day workshop for training and equipping staff with skills required for efficient utilisation of relevant technology and generating optimum results in financial management.
The training workshop which was organised for the Bursary Unit, held at the institution’s Iresa-Pupa temporary site, Ogbomoso last Friday was also aimed at entrenching professionalism and expertise on Public Financial Management Reforms (PFMR), using Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) application and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in accordance to the global standards in the accounting field
The bursar of Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Alhaja Rashidat Oladepo, further explained that the workshop became imperative due to the resoluteness of the Governing Council and the management to move the institution to a high pedestal.
Oladepo, while commending the Governing Council and the management of the citadel of learning for their support and cooperation so far, noted that her major interest was to ensure that bursary staff are conversant and compliant with global financial practices.
“I want to thank the Governing Council and the management, led by our amiable rector, Dr Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, for their support towards putting the workshop in place. I am sure that the participants have moved beyond where they used to be and that they will never remain the same again.
“The training was meant to improve the manpower of the bursary department of our institution to enable the staff to appreciate the automated financial process and practice with global standards. I also want other staff, beyond bursary, to get acquainted with the process of accessing funds and presentation of financial related requisition”, she said.
The lead resource person at the workshop, who is the GIFMIS support coordinator for the South-West Ibadan zone including Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states under the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation), Mr Adekola Adegoke, in his remarks, stressed the significance of Information Technology (IT) in financial management activities.
Adegoke, who was assisted by the GIFMIS support officer in Oyo State, Mr Kola Jinad, explained that “The Federal Government took a decisive position to automate the paperwork with which government financial management activities were conducted over the years, leading to the reformation of public financial activities.
“The application of IT in financial management activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) led to the introduction of the application called GIFMIS (Government Integrated Financial Information System) by the Federal Government to enhance transparency and accountability in public expenditure”.
Speaking on the core areas of the workshop, he noted, “The workshop centred on the public financial process which included budget preparation skills, budget execution skills, accounting procedure/process skills, report preparation and generation skills, assets management and inventory management skills.
“The training was meant to fulfil the aspiration of the Federal Government in ensuring that our accounting system complies with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).”
The GIFMIS support coordinator lauded the trained staff for their commitment and enthusiasm which, according to him, they met up with 70 per cent appreciation of the content of the training.
Adegoke added that the actual test conducted after the three-day workshop suggested 90 per cent knowledge acquisition.
Also commenting, the Registrar, Mr Akin Odesola, charged the trainees to make the best use of the enormous wealth of knowledge gained to enhance efficiency in their work schedule and uplift the institution.
“We thank God for the opportunity of the workshop. We appreciate the Governing Council and the rector, Dr Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed and the management for the enablement and the bursar for the ingenuity of the initiative.
“We are so grateful to the resource persons for their painstaking delivery and all-time responsiveness”, he said.
The Polytechnic librarian, Dr Samuel Ogunniyi, thanked the resource persons for adding value to the bursary department of the institution, attesting that the staff have learnt a great deal.
“We encourage the staff to make use of the training and update their knowledge for overall contribution to the system. The workshop is a pointer to greater things to come especially as it affects other units in the Polytechnic”, he maintained.
Also at the event, which was attended by the institution’s director of Academic Planning, Dr Mutairu Akintunde and the Dean of the School of Environmental Technology and Director of Physical Planning, Dr Kolawole Morakinyo, the Personal Assistant to the Rector and Chairman of the institution’s Corporate Communications Committee (CCC), Mr Azeez Ojo, charged the trainees to maximise the benefits of the workshop for the institution as well as their promotions.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the commencement of its Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CBWASSCE) for private candidates, starting from October 25, 2024.
The examination is set to run until December 20, 2024, according to a statement released by the council on Tuesday.
In a bid to modernise the examination process, WAEC disclosed that the CBWASSCE will be conducted in a hybrid format.
Adesina Fadekemi, the council’s spokesperson, explained that the objective or multiple-choice questions would be displayed onscreen, requiring candidates to submit their responses electronically.
However, for essay and practical questions, while the questions will also be presented digitally, candidates will still provide answers using traditional answer booklets.
Additionally, WAEC has provided an option for candidates who prefer to use the conventional Paper and Pen mode for all exam papers, catering to those not comfortable with the digital format.
The council also extended the registration deadline for the upcoming CBWASSCE to Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
Candidates who miss the registration window can still take advantage of the “Walk-in-Candidate” option, allowing them to register 24 hours before their preferred paper is scheduled.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Dr. Yunus Akintunde, has reaffirmed his commitment to aiding the Federal Polytechnic Ayede in realising its full potential.
Senator Akintunde made this pledge during a courtesy visit to the institution’s temporary site in Iresa-Pupa, Ogbomoso, on Wednesday.
Speaking during the visit, the lawmaker highlighted his passion for contributing to humanity, especially through the advancement of education and skills development.
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“I am part of the polytechnic system. I started at The Polytechnic, Ibadan before going to Lagos State University, Ojoo, Lagos. I’m a lover of knowledge and I am always striving to contribute my quota in the area of education and skills development, among others, and in the legislative assignments as my primary responsibility,” he stated.
The APC chieftain further emphasised his dedication to supporting the Polytechnic and its community, stating that leaders should be driven by a commitment to serving humanity.
He cited the legacy of Hon. Olu Afolabi, a Second Republic House of Representatives member, who was instrumental in establishing the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
“Afolabi’s legacy remains evergreen today,” Akintunde remarked, emphasising the importance of creating lasting impacts through public service.
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As part of his developmental projects for the Oyo Central Senatorial District, Akintunde disclosed that he had procured 120 solar-powered boreholes to be installed across the 118 wards of the 11 local governments in his senatorial district, along with 10,000 solar street lights.
He assured the Federal Polytechnic Ayede that some of these solar street lights would be installed within the institution to enhance security and visibility on campus.
Earlier, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, who was represented by the acting Rector and Deputy Rector (Academics), Mr. Azeez Ojo, expressed gratitude to the senator.
The Rector noted that Senator Akintunde had demonstrated a deep commitment to philanthropic causes even before assuming office as a senator.
“You see, it’s a great privilege receiving Distinguished Senator Yunus Akintunde and his entourage on our campus today. Out of your magnanimity, Sir, you have decided to receive us,” Ojo said, acknowledging the senator’s gesture.
“Our Rector is away to Abuja for the progress and development of our Polytechnic. So, on behalf of the Chairman of our Governing Council, Barrister Ademubowale Mercy Adelabu; Rector; other Principal Officers; Deans; Directors; staff, and students, I welcome you and your entourage to Federal Polytechnic Ayede.
“While on Brave FM, you have, before even telling us, announced the gesture of solar lights donated to us. This we appreciate with the whole of our hearts,” he said.
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The Rector assured the lawmaker that his support would be instrumental in the continued growth and development of the fast-expanding institution.
The visit concluded with the Polytechnic community expressing hope for further collaboration with the senator in the areas of educational and infrastructural development.
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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has raised serious concerns over the mass exit of 30 PhD holders from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), formerly known as Bauchi State University, citing deteriorating working conditions and inadequate welfare provisions as primary reasons for the exodus.
The worrying development was brought to light during a press conference held by ASUU on Friday, where officials of the union detailed the various challenges faced by academic staff at the institution.
Speaking on behalf of the union, Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, Namo Timothy, lamented the lack of proper policies to retain top scholars, pointing out the absence of a formal employee exit policy.
“Many of our best scholars have been forced to seek better opportunities elsewhere,” Timothy said, adding that “SAZU has no pension or death benefit scheme in place, as obtained in the structured public service regulation in the country.”
He further explained that the lack of such provisions leaves academic staff insecure about their future. “Without a pension or death benefit scheme, our members feel unsafe and unsure of their long-term prospects,” Timothy remarked.
In addition to these grievances, the union condemned the university’s administration for its failure to pay over 650 million naira in accumulated entitlements, including earned academic allowances and honorariums for internal examiners. This has further deepened the discontent among staff members.
“Despite the university generating significant revenue from postgraduate programs, our members have not been compensated for their contributions,” Timothy disclosed.
The union also raised concerns over the sharp increase in student fees, coupled with the administration’s neglect of staff training and development.
Timothy criticised the university for imposing over a 100 percent hike in fees for regular undergraduate programmes, yet failing to address staff welfare.
“The university claims it lacks funds to pay our members, yet it continues to impose higher charges on students,” he stated.
ASUU also expressed displeasure with the continued tenure of the current Pro-Chancellor, who has remained in office since the university’s inception.
The union called for adherence to established regulations governing appointments, arguing that the prolonged tenure has stifled accountability and hindered the implementation of progressive policies.
In light of these critical issues, ASUU urged the Bauchi State Government and other stakeholders to take immediate action to address staff welfare, calling for the establishment of a comprehensive exit policy and the payment of overdue allowances.
“Unless these issues are resolved, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony within SAZU,” Timothy warned.
He further called on the state government to declare a state of emergency at the university to ensure that all contentious matters are urgently addressed, securing the future of both academic staff and the institution.
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