Education
Don advocates establishment of Daycare for the elderly
ENUGU- Prof Uzoma Okoye, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) has emphasized the need to establish Adult Day Care to give old people the required care and attention they needed to live longer.
Okoye, a professor of Social Work in the UNN made the call in Nsukka on Thursday while delivering the university’s 195th Inaugural Lecture tilted “Aging PLC :A business where Everyone is a shareholder but not aware. Can Social Work Help?”
According to her, there is the need to establish Adult Day Care just as Children Day Care to give old people the required care and attention they needed to live longer.
“Some people may say Adult Day Care or Old People’s Homes is not part of our culture in this part of the world but we must adapt with the changing world realities,” she said.
Okoye, who was the first professor in the Social Work Department to present an inaugural lecture in the university, urged Nigerians to support aging business “since everybody is a shareholder”.
She said that aging PLC is a limited liability company where every Nigeria and those yet unborn are shareholders but not aware.
“Unfortunately, this aging PLC is not business where you have option to be shareholders or not, as everybody is a shareholder.
“Why it’s imperative to support aging people is because whether you like it or not, you start aging right from the day you were born.
“Unlike other companies where there are board members giving the authority to run the company but in aging PLC, everyone is a board member,” she said.
She said that findings from her PhD research work revealed that attitude, stigma and assumptions about aging were heavily embedded within social cognition.
“It’s generally believed by Nigerians that age come with inevitable physical and cognitive decay.
“With this attitude to the aged, some consider themselves as social burden and have strong sense of waiting for death.
“We should all put smiles on the faces of old people as a way of giving them sense of belonging as well as enable them to live longer,” she said.
The professor of Social Work tasked her department to take the responsibility of sensitising and educating Nigerians on the need to have use of Adult Day Care for older people to enable them to live longer for their families and the society.
“Students in Social Work department should take this as part of their responsibility in their service to humanity,” she said.
Okoye expressed special appreciation to her husband for his love, care and maximum support to her at all the time.
“My husband is the best husband in the world, if there is reincarnation I will marry him in my next world,”she said.
She also expressed appreciation to her family members, the university all and sundry who contributed in one way or the other to her growth in life.
In a remark, Prof Charles Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN said that the university’s inaugural lecture remained a very important lecture for professors.
Igwe said that the topic of Okoye’s lecture was unique and important as it made everyone to know that he or she was a shareholder in aging
business.
He commended her for presenting a lecture that would go a long way to promote care, love and longevity of old people in the society.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inaugural lecture was attended by the UNN university community as well as people from different walks of life.
The highlight was presentation of inaugural certificate to Okoye by the vice chancellor. (NAN)
Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra State, were allegedly prevented from writing their examinations after they failed to purchase textbooks reportedly authored or recommended by some of their lecturers.
According to complaints received from affected students, the students had paid their required school fees and were duly expected to participate in the examinations. However, they were allegedly turned away from the examination hall because they had not purchased the textbooks.
The students expressed frustration over what they described as an unfair practice, questioning why payment of school fees and fulfilment of other academic requirements would not be sufficient to qualify them to sit for their examinations.
One of the students who spoke on the matter alleged that the affected students were asked to leave the examination venue after it was discovered that they had not bought the textbooks.
The students have appealed to the university authorities to investigate the allegation and ensure that no student is denied access to an examination on the basis of failure to purchase a lecturer’s textbook.
For fear of further victimisation, this report will not disclose the department and names of the lecturers involved.
The development has sparked concerns about academic practices and the welfare of students, with calls for university management to clarify whether lecturers are permitted to make the purchase of their textbooks a condition for students to participate in examinations.
The allegation could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report. The university authorities are yet to publicly comment on the matter.
Students and parents are expected to watch closely for the university’s response to the allegation, particularly given the potential implications for students’ academic progression.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has banned, with immediate effect, all forms of orchestration, celebration and “signing-off” activities by final-year students in connection with their final examinations on all university campuses and premises.
In a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Comrade Aloysius Emeka Attah, the university said the decision was prompted by recurring incidents of chaos, violence, vandalism and disruption of academic and administrative activities associated with such events.
“Management is also concerned about the infiltration of unauthorised persons onto campus during these activities, which poses a serious threat to the safety and security of students, staff and university property.
“In fulfilment of its statutory obligation to maintain order, protect lives and safeguard property, Management considers such activities unacceptable and a breach of University regulations,” the statement said.
The university spokesman warned that any student found involved in organising or participating in any form of “signing-off” or related activities would face severe disciplinary sanctions, including rustication and withdrawal from the university, in accordance with the Students’ Handbook.
The statement also warned non-students and outsiders against entering the university premises in connection with the banned activities.
“Any person who is not a bona fide student or staff of the University found on University premises in connection with such activities shall be arrested and prosecuted for breach of peace, trespass and disorderly conduct,” it stated.
The Registrar of the university, Dr Chinenye Gloria Okeke, had earlier communicated the directive to the university community through an internal memo, urging students to remain focused on their academic responsibilities.
She also called on staff, students and members of the public to report any planned or ongoing misconduct to the Chief Safety Officer, Dean of Student Affairs or the nearest university authority for immediate action.
The university, under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bond Ugochukwu Stanley Anyaehie, said it remained committed to providing a safe, peaceful and conducive environment for teaching, learning and research.
Management, it added, would not tolerate any action capable of undermining the safety, order and academic environment of the institution.
A hostel building has reportedly collapsed at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, with an unknown number of students feared trapped beneath the rubble.
The multi-storey building reportedly caved in on Sunday night, July 27, 2026, while students were inside.
Eyewitnesses said residents and students in the area heard a loud rumbling sound shortly before the structure suddenly collapsed, sparking panic.
A large crowd reportedly gathered at the scene as residents and students rushed to assist in the rescue efforts before emergency responders arrived.
Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work to determine the number of people trapped and evacuate those affected.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Paul University, Awka, has suspended a member of its academic support staff, Ven. Cornelius C. Eze, an Anglican priest, over allegations of sexual misconduct involving a student.
The development also appears to vindicate the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, which had earlier denied claims circulating on social media that the individuals involved were members of its staff and student body.
In a statement issued by its Public Relations Department, UNIZIK had clarified that neither the alleged staff member nor the student was affiliated with the institution.
Meanwhile, Paul University has launched an internal investigation into the allegations while relevant law enforcement agencies have also commenced their inquiries.
Ven. Eze, who serves as a Practical Biology Technologist in the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, was placed on indefinite suspension pending the outcome of the university’s disciplinary process and the police investigation.
The suspension was announced in a statement dated July 17, 2026, signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Rev. Godisplan Onukwufor.
According to the statement, the allegations were brought to the attention of the university management on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Management said it immediately invited security agencies to intervene in order to prevent a breakdown of law and order following tensions among students.
The university stressed that the suspension is an administrative measure taken without prejudice to the outcome of the investigations.
A video circulating on social media, whose authenticity has not been independently verified, allegedly shows the suspended staff member dressed only in boxer shorts and apparently fleeing from his office amid a commotion. The footage has been widely shared alongside claims that he was caught in a compromising situation by angry students and members of the university community.
However, the university did not comment on the authenticity of the video or the specific circumstances surrounding the incident.
Reaffirming its commitment to ethical standards, the faith-based institution said it maintains a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, abuse of office, immoral behaviour, and any conduct capable of endangering the safety, dignity, or welfare of students and staff.
The university stated that anyone found culpable after due process would face appropriate disciplinary measures in line with its regulations and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Management also disclosed that counselling and psychological support would be provided for the affected student(s) and other members of the university community.
It urged the public to avoid speculation and the spread of misinformation while investigations are ongoing, assuring parents, guardians, students, and staff of its commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, and morally sound learning environment.
The university added that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
The presidential candidate of the NDC for the 2027 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has described the Federal Government’s suspension of the proposed increase in examination registration fees as a welcome relief and a victory for the Nigerian people.
The Federal Government on Monday suspended the proposed review of registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
In a statement, the Federal Ministry of Education said the fee adjustment proposal contained in its June 18, 2026 letter had been withdrawn pending broader consultations with stakeholders.
The Ministry explained that the proposed increase was necessitated by the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations. However, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.
According to the Ministry, consultations will be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents, organised labour and other stakeholders before any decision is taken. It also assured Nigerians that the proposed fee review would not take effect until the consultations are concluded, while reaffirming its commitment to protecting students’ welfare.
Reacting to the development, Obi commended the government for listening to the widespread public outcry but maintained that the proposed fee hike should never have been introduced.
“While I commend the authorities for listening to the widespread public outcry and suspending the policy, it must be said that the fee was an unnecessary burden that should never have been introduced at this time of great hardship, when we should be doing everything possible to invest in basic education and reduce the millions of out-of-school children in Nigeria,” he said.
Obi argued that at a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet, access to education should be expanded rather than restricted.
“Education is a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue,” he said.
He added that imposing multiple fees at the basic education level risks denying many children their right to education.
“At that stage, the State has a duty to invest in educating and preparing its citizens for productive lives, not to erect financial barriers that keep them out of school,” Obi stated.
He further noted that true leadership is demonstrated not only by making decisions but also by having the humility to reverse policies that impose unnecessary hardship on the people, adding that many other anti-people policies deserve similar reconsideration.
Obi thanked citizens, parents and advocacy groups whose collective voices contributed to the suspension of the proposed fee increase, concluding with his familiar message: “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
-
Crime4 days agoEkwulobia Suspends New Yam Festival Over Kidnap of Jesco Oil CEO
-
Entertainment3 days agoPeller’s ₦400m Abuja Mansion Allegedly Built on Disputed Land
-
Crime4 days agoNDLEA Arrests Italy-Based Businessman After Ingesting 98 Cocaine Wraps in Enugu
-
Crime2 days agoEnugu Church Attack: Security Forces Rescue Seminarian, Arrest Three Suspected Kidnappers
-
Crime5 days agoOsun Guber: Police Arrest Commissioner Over APC Rally Shooting
-
Politics3 days agoOld Rivalry Returns as Ekwunife Emerges APC Anambra Central Senatorial Candidate
-
Crime4 days agoCustoms Seizes 399 Jojef Firearms, Rifle Parts at Tin Can Island Port
-
Crime3 days agoAgunechemba Closes In On Kidnappers Of Anambra Billionaire, Jesco CEO Joseph Eze Okafor