KEHINDE AKINTOLA
Chattered Institute of Educational Practitioners, United Kingdom has conferred Fellowship Awards on notable Nigerian citizens who distinguished themselves in the education sector.
The award ceremony took place at the Institute’s African Regional Office located at Asokoro District, Abuja, where Alhaji Shehu Idris, Emir of Zazzau, Zaria-Kaduna State was appointed as the Patron of the Institute.
At the occasion, Dr Marcel Ezenwoye, President/Chairman of the Council presented medals and Fellowship awards to five distinguished Nigerians, namely: Prof. Tony Ogiamien, Mohammed Ahmed, Surv. Isaac Alaji Agbanwu and Alex Oyebode, as well as Dr. Karina Korb.
According to the citation, Agbanwu, a trained educationist, registered with Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), and a certified Member of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS).
Alaji who doubles as the Proprietor of Pemgo International Schools, FCT-Abuja and Lokoja in Kogi state, gave scholarships to hundreds of less privileged in the society.
Ezenwoye who showered encomium on private school proprietors for prioritizing capacity development for teachers, tasked public school administrators to take necessary steps toward adopting best practice in terms of organizing capacity building for teachers at all levels.
According to him, the Institute is partnering with over 200 foreign Universities with the view to provide cross border exchange programmes and capacity building.
In his address, Ezenwoye explained that the honourary Fellowships were given to Nigerians who have invested in education and awarded scholarship to indigent students across all levels.
In her keynote address on ‘using innovative strategy’, Katrina Korb, Unit Head, Early Childhood Education Department of Educational Foundations, University of Jos, Plateau State, stressed the need to adopt and develop 21st century skills in the teaching scheme in Nigeria.
She submitted that “the ultimate goal of education is not to pass examinations but develop the 21st century skills. We need education to fix the country,” while calling on authorities in charge of education sector in Nigeria on the need to address issues bothering on outdated mindset about what defines quality teaching strategies.
Korb further observed that innovative strategies becomes necessary especially for “Teachers for effective development of Students and ultimately change the society. We are teaching Students how to think to understand themselves, and contribute to the society using a metaphor of a Midwife.”
To achieve this, she harped on the need for Teachers to create enabling environment for Students to deliver, they need practice thinking not memorize the definition to develop the 21st century skills that will help the society.”
Speaking earlier, Tony Igiamien, President/founder of American Heritage University of Southern California (AHUSC), USA unveiled plans to set up another American University in Abuja as part of efforts geared toward improving access and quality of education for millions of Nigerian citizenry.
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