Job at National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)

Industry: Government

Deadline: 2014-06-26

Company Profile

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) invites applications from suitably qualified
candidates to fill the following vacant Academic and Senior Non-Teaching staff positions in the University.
1. Professors, Readers and Senior Lecturers
2. Study Centre Directors
3. General Manager NOUN Consult and Investment Ltd (NOUNCIL)

METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested candidates should submit fifteen (15) copies of their applications (stating post
desired), relevant certificates and detailed curriculum vitae, stating their full names, date of
birth, state of origin/domicile, nationality, marital status, permanent home address, (not P.M.B), current postal/contact address with GSM phone numbers and e-mail addresses) institutions attended (with dates), academic and professional qualifications (with dates), honours, distinctions and membership of learned societies and professional bodies, publications (where applicable), working experience, present employment status and employer, extracurricular activities, names and addresses of three (3) referees.
All applications should be submitted within six (6) weeks of this publication in sealed envelopes indicating at the top left hand corner the post applied for and send to:

The Registrar
National Open University of Nigeria,
14/16 Ahmadu Bello Way,
Victoria Island,
P.M.B 80067,
Lagos.

(1) ACADEMIC POSITIONS IN THE SCHOOLS LISTED BELOW: PROFESSORS, READERS AND SENIOR LECTURERS.
1. SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
2. SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
3. SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
4. SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
5. SCHOOL OF LAW
6. SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
7. SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Professor
Key Objective:
The Professor is a Senior Academic Staff who is to provide administrative and
academic leadership in the School.

Scope of the Position:
The Professor will be responsible to the Vice-Chancellor through the Dean of the
School.

Duties
i) Providing Academic and Administrative Leadership in the School
ii) Coordination of the activities of the staff of the School, especially in the
academic functions of programme/course planning development,
administration and research.
iii) Attending meetings of statutory and/or ad-hoc committees, especially
Senate and its committees.
iv) Other Duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Dean of the
School or the Vice-Chancellor.

Principal Accountabilities
The Professor must be:
i) A respected authority in his/her field of specialization
ii) Versatile in research activities, especially at the post graduate level
iii) Able to show evidence of continuing research and publications.
iv) Have supervised a substantial number of post graduate, especially Doctoral
Students.
v) Have considerable professional/ teaching experience.
vi) Possess considerable administrative experience as Head of Department and
or Director of Institute, Dean of Faculty, Provost of College in a University.

QUALIFICATIONS
(a) ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
(i) A doctorate Degree in an academic discipline or a related field in the
relevant School/Programme.
(ii) Substantial number of scholarly publications in reputable and referred
journals.
(iii) Considerable knowledge and application of Information Technology.
(b) DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
(i) Experience in Distance Education will be an added advantage

EXPERIENCE
Candidates applying for the position of Professor must have a minimum number
of ten (10) years postdoctoral research and teaching experience in a University
and show demonstrable evidence of ability to initiate and supervise postgraduate
research. Administrative experience at the University or comparable institutions
will be an added advantage.
CRITICAL COMPETENCIES
(I) Academic and Administrative Leadership: Ability to provide academic and
administrative leadership for staff of the School
(II) Resource Management: Ability to efficiently manage and optimize the
human, financial and material resources of the School.
(III) Communication Skills: Ability to demonstrate excellent skills in report
writing and fluency in communication.
(IV) Professional/community service activities: Evidence of involvement in
professional and community activities
(V) Staff welfare and motivation: Ability to command the respect and loyalty
of his/her staff through consistent demonstration of genuine concern for
their welfare and making conscious effort to motivate them towards
excellence in the performance of their duties.
(VI) Computer Literacy: Ability to use various software for daily tasks e.g.
Microsoft word, power point, excel. Ability to use and access the web for
teaching and tutorial purposes.

SALARY: CONUASS 7 (N 390,029.08-510,013.58)

READER
KEY OBJECTIVE
The Reader is a Senior academic staff of a School whose duty it is to assist the Dean generally in the administration of the School. He/She is specifically responsible to coordinate and develop course materials, to provide leadership, undertake research and participate in University/professional/community services.

SCOPE OF THE POSITION
The Reader will be responsible to the Dean of the School for the discharge
of the Academic and/or administrative responsibilities that may be
assigned to him/her.

DUTIES
(i) Undertaking programme planning development and administrative delivery
(ii) Undertaking course planning, development and delivery
(iii) Reviewing and determining acceptability of course materials in conjunction with course developers
(iv) Monitoring the progress of the process of course development
(v) Undertaking examination duties including the preparation of examination question papers and marking of answer scripts
(vi) Liaising with external examiners, assessors, moderators and advisory peer groups
(vii) Undertaking research activities
(viii) Organising workshops and seminars in related courses
(ix) Supervising the work of course coordinators involved in the programme
(x) Reviewing, adopting and preparing learning materials for use by the School
(xi) Participating in the recruitment, training and supervision of parttime tutors
(xii) Performing any other academic and administrative duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to him/her by the Dean of the School from time to time.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
The Reader must:
(a) Have an identifiable research focus
(b) Have undertaken extensive research and published substantially in the
area of his/her research focus
(c) Have successfully supervised an appreciable number of post graduate (
especially Doctoral) Students
(d) Have had some administrative experience at tertiary level, preferably in a
University.

QUALIFICATIONS
(a) Essential Qualifications
(i) A Doctorate Degree in the relevant academic discipline or a related
field
(ii) Considerable number of scholarly publications in reputable and
referred journals
(iii) Appreciable knowledge and application of Information Technology
(b) DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
(i) Experience in Distance Education will be an added advantage
EXPERIENCE
Candidates must have a minimum of eight (8) years post-doctoral research and teaching
experience in a University and show demonstrable evidence of ability to initiate and supervise
post graduate research

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES
As itemized for Professor
SALARY: CONUASS 6: (N 322,351.00- N 425,395.83)

SENIOR LECTURER
KEY OBJECTIVE
The Senior Lecturer is a Senior academic staff of a School whose duties are similar to that of the
Reader above.

SCOPE OF THE POSITION:
The Senior Lecturer will be responsible, through the Reader, to the Dean of the School for the
discharge of the Academic and/or administrative responsibilities that may be assigned to
him/her.
DUTIES
Same as those listed for Reader
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
Same as those listed for Reader
QUALIFICATIONS
Same as those demanded of the Reader
EXPERIENCE
Candidates must have a minimum of six (6) years post-doctoral research and teaching
experience in a University and show demonstrable evidence of ability to initiate and supervise
postgraduate research.
CRITICAL COMPETENCIES
Same as those expected of a Professor and Reader
SALARY: CONUASS 5 (N 264, 292.09- N 377,958.84)
Location: Not Specified
Experience: 6 year(s)
Course of Study: Not Specified
Required Grade: Not Specified

Apply

(2) STUDY CENTRE DIRECTORS FOR THE FOLLOWING NOUN STUDY CENTRES:

(1) Kebbi Study Centre, Kebbi State
(2) Abuja Study Centre, FCT Abuja
(3) Lokoja Study Centre, Kogi State
(4) Special Study Centre for the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Abuja
(5) Port-Harcourt Study Centre, Rivers State
(6) Lafia Study Centre, Nasarawa State
(7) Jalingo Study Centre, Taraba State
(8) Owerri Study Centre, Imo State
(9) Gombe Study Centre, Gombe State
(10)Enugu Study Centre, Enugu State
(11) Uyo Study Centre, Akwa Ibom State
(12) Awa-Ijebu, Ogun State
(13) Special Study Centre for the Nigeria Prisons
(14) Special Study Centre for the Nigeria Police
Study Centres are established at Regional, State and Local Government Levels. Students will use any Study Centre within their immediate locality to collect instructional materials, access instruction and multimedia delivery routes, tutorials and counseling service. They will also submit and collect Tutor Marked Assignments (TMA) through such Study Centres and use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for a variety of learning purposes. To this end, a robust and effective management system is required to support and enhance the instructional functions of the Open and Distance learning system at the Study Centres.

APPLICANTS FOR THE POSITION MUST:
i Be an experienced Academic or Administrative staff, not below the rank of Reader/Associate
Professor, Deputy Director/Deputy Registrar. Candidates who earn below the salary of

CONTISS
14/CONUASS 6 or their equivalent need not apply:
ii Have served in management capacities including Headship of a Department or Division,
Academic Affairs Officer with a minimum of ten (10) years cognate experience.
iii Possess a minimum of Ph.D. degree in any of the professional fields of studies such as the Liberal Arts, Humanities, Law, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Applied Medicine and Social Sciences.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
a. To head, manage and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Study Centre
b. To act as the first contact point for the University in the immediate locality of the Study
Centre.
c. To assist in recruiting, selecting and inducting instructional facilitators
d. To mentor and evaluate the performances of the instructional facilitators
e. To liaise with the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria on matters
relating to the distribution of instructional materials to distance learners and
instructional facilitators
f. To ensure maintenance of cordial relationship with the local community

SALARIES AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
The post of Study Centre Director is a full time appointment and attracts the following
remunerations:
(a.) For Academic staff of the status of Reader/ Associate Professor or Professor, the salary is
CONUASS 6 or 7 respectively;
(b.) For Administrative, Technical or Professional staff who are not below the status of a Deputy
Registrar or Director, the salary is CONTISS 14 or 15 respectively.
Location: Not Specified
Experience: 10 year(s)
Course of Study: Not Specified
Required Grade: Not Specified

Apply

GENERAL MANAGER

GENERAL MANAGER NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA CONSULT AND
INVESTMENT LTD (NOUNCIL), KADUNA NOUNCIL is a Limited Liability Company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
with certificate of Incorporation No: RC 716437 floated by the National Open University of
Nigeria (NOUN) with headquarters in Kaduna.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) He/She will be the Chief Executive Officer of the company with the primary responsibility
of overseeing the day to day general administration of the company
(b) He/She will report directly to the Chairman of the Board and will execute all decisions of
the board.
(c) He/She is expected to possess all attributes of a good Chief Executive Officer and must
be a dynamic, self-motivated, focused, proactive and versatile personality. He/She must
have good marketing skills and be computer literate.

QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE
 Must have ten (10) years post-graduation work experience in similar business concerns
 Must possess a minimum of a Master’s Degree from a recognised University
 Membership of a relevant professional body will be an added advantage
 Must be between 35-45 years of age

SALARY/RENUMERATION
Salary/remuneration is competitive and attractive.

Location: Kaduna
Experience: 10 year(s)
Course of Study: Not Specified
Required Grade: Not Specified

 

How to speak with God

Knowledge is Power

Did you know you can speak to God? Wouldn’t you like to know how? Would you like to know the keys to getting answers to the important things in your life? Wouldn’t it help you to have answers today? Well you should know that God is speaking to you right now through your personal prophecy that is awaiting you. That is just the one of the keys to your communication with God.

Now that you have your personal prophecy you want to seek more wise counsel and guidance to reaching God’s ear. Why not use his heavenly messengers? There is no harm in seeking your angels for guidance, because they only operate for the highest good. By writing your dreams, goals, and aspirations on paper you are at the beginning stages of working with your angels.. The Process of Angel Writing Write the following declaration 10 times… “ANGELS OF PROSPERITY, COME TO ME RIGHT NOW!”

The written word is said to have a special power of its own. Declaring your wishes on paper and addressing your letter to the angels is a good way of clarifying your goals and desires. To make a special request to the angels, take a piece of paper and address it to your personal highest angel and the highest angels of the others your request involves. In your request, be specific and define your request as clearly as you can. Always add the phrase, “for the highest good of all concerned” to your note. Then express your gratitude. Thank the angels as if the request has already been granted. Also, thank God and all of those who have something to do with the request. As you exercise your faith and write to your angels, you will begin to see your situations change right before your eyes. As you begin to write the vision and make it plain, you will gain clarity in the power of writing to your angels and how it works with the power of your personal prophecy.

Writing is the first step toward manifestation. When we write, we pull what we desire to manifest from the Spirit into the earth realm for people to see and experience. Writing is a very powerful tool that God has given us. As we visualize what we desire and write it down, we hasten the manifestation thereof. When we write, we increase the manifestation time five times. Writing hastens the process and solidifies your desire in the earth realm.

All things will be so when the mind is ready

There are so many accounts in the There are so many accounts in the bible were we see the prophet reveal knowledge and a solution. The woman’s sons were about to be sold off into slavery because they lacked knowledge of what was in their house, and they lacked the prophetic word that would tell them what to do with what was in their house. You are destroyed for the lack of knowledge. As long as you lack knowledge, you will not receive the goods that are ordained for you. This tells us why our personal prophecy becomes so vital to our lives.

“Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shall shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all of those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. (2 Kings 4:3-4)

Miracles can only be worked behind the scenes. However, miracles will not begin to happen until you learn how to close the door. Start doing in secret so that God can bring your reward out in the open. When Jesus told His disciples to let down their nets, they had to get other people to help bring the miracle in. Jesus did not multiply the fishes and loaves. He needed someone else in the network so He took the little boy’s lunch; another one participating in the miracle. Show me a miracle in Scripture and I will show you a hidden hand from a human level that had to be involved. God does not perform miracles without human intervention. God hides himself in a human element in order to bring forth the miracle that is created for your experience.

 

 

 

20 Important Relationship Rules That Are Often Ignored

By RACHEL HARRISON

1. Be Honest.

Be nice, but be honest. Trust is vital. Trust is gained through honesty.

2. Compromise.

There’s a complexity to compromising.  With gender roles ever evolving it’s important to recognize it’s not about who wears the pants.  It’s about balance.  Compromise is an inherent part of a relationship.  You will have to sacrifice in a relationship.  That’s the nature of relationships.  If you want your way all of the time, stay solo.  It’s about finding a healthy balance in compromise.  Both people in a relationship must understand that necessity of compromise and sacrifice in a relationship to make it work.

3. It’s healthy to argue.

It’s healthy to bicker.  It’s not healthy to have screaming matches.  Some couples brag about “never fighting.” That’s nothing to brag about.  It probably means that one of you is holding something in.

4. It’s not your job to fix the person you love.

You can’t fix them.  You can only help them fix themselves.  You can’t resolve their work issues or wipe away all of their insecurities or get their parents back together.  All you can do is be there for them and help them through it.  Getting frustrated about your inability to fix your partner will agitate their struggles and strain your relationship.

5. Understand your significant other’s background.

It is important to recognize the person you’re with has not always been that person.  They’ve gone through things to make them that person.  Appreciate and understand their past.  Put them in context.  Maybe he doesn’t express his feelings because his family is not particularly expressive, or maybe she is so insecure because her ex was very critical.  Be conscious of this.

6. Do not underestimate the power of thoughtfulness.

Listen.  Pay attention.  There is nothing more meaningful or memorable than mentioning something in passing and then having your partner bring it back up later.

7. Do not limit expressions of love to grand gestures.

It’s impossible to keep up.  Fancy dinners or luxury vacations are wonderful, but love does not have a dollar value.  If given the option between a weekly sunset walk or an annual vacation, the majority would pick the weekly walk.  Money does not show love.  Gestures show love.  A free gesture also holds value.

8. Take all advice with a grain of salt.

Rule #13 stands, nobody knows your relationship.  Advice/tips can help, but only you and your partner know what’s right for you and your partner.  Don’t take any outside material as an absolute truth.

9. Research.

If you have a relationship question or need advice, the internet/books can be helpful tools.  There is nothing wrong with getting some perspective and advice from outside sources.

10. Value each other’s interests.

If you have different interests, which is perfectly fine, make sure you value what their interests are.  Even if vintage airplanes or nail art don’t interest you, do your best to pay attention and have respect for what your partner likes.

11. If you are not getting something you need, ask for it.

Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.  Your partner is not a mind reader.

12. Do NOT get your sex tips from Cosmo.

13. Nobody understands your relationship.

And you don’t understand anyone else’s.  There are no exceptions to this rule.

14. Follow the Harry Burns Airport Rule.

Do not stop doing things you used to do in the beginning of the relationship.  If you used to take your guy/girl to the airport, still take them.  You should never stop trying to show your significant other that you care.  Nothing is worse than hearing “How come you never ____________ anymore?”

15. Spite will get you nowhere.

If the other person hurts you in a relationship, hurting them back on purpose will likely destroy your relationship.  If you feel the need to “get back at” the person you’re with, you shouldn’t be with them.

16. Split the bills.

Relationships should be even or close to even.  It is not a romantic idea, but it is fair.  Communicate about what you each feel comfortable with.  No one person should put more effort into a relationship than the other, so no one person should put more money into a relationship.  It will allow resentment and discomfort to build.

17. Accept that no one is perfect.

It’s about finding the right person, not the perfect person.  The perfect person doesn’t exist.  Everyone has flaws.  Everyone makes mistakes.  Prince Charming probably had one beer too many on occasion.  Cinderella probably spent too much on shoes.

18. Don’t be afraid to have the tough conversations.

If the relationship is strong and going somewhere, you should bring up the tough stuff.  If you’re falling in love but have some concerns, bring them up sooner rather than later.  It’s difficult to have serious conversations but it’s better to discover deal breakers earlier on.

19. Trust your instincts.

If you feel in your gut something is wrong, bring it up.  9 times out of 10 your instincts are correct and ignoring them will get you nowhere.

20. Be wary when discussing relationship troubles with your friends.

To a certain extent, it is healthy to discuss your relationship with your friends, but be cautious.  If you discuss every little worry, every argument, if you air every grievance, you will poison your friends against your significant other.  Find a healthy way/source to vent to that won’t backfire.

 

INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE AFRICAN YOUTH ALLIANCE (AYAP) ON POST-2015

 

As the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) winds down by 2015, it is a delight to know that discussions are already reaching a frightening peak given the myriad of developmental needs of the world; especially for the developing nations of Africa.  The African Youth Alliance (AYA), which is an alliance of young people from various networks with spread on the continent met for three days in Abuja, Nigeria between April 23^rd and 25^th, 2014 at the World Bank Office. Participants were from Kenya, Uganda, The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria and the Africa Youth Panel, Demark.

Following deliberations at the meeting, the following were agreed upon –

1. That the Millennium Development Goals despite the challenges and relative to past development programmes on the continent is a success story. There are evidences that there have been changes on the African continent in the areas where the goals are targeted. We are however concerned that none of the eight goals of the MDGs was youth specific like that on women.
2. At the meeting, we expressed worries about the poor definition of youth participation by several stakeholders especially government institutions. The alliance submits that having young people attend meetings and deliberations at national, regional and international level is not the appropriate definition of participation as decisions are most times taken without their input. In essence, they are seen and not heard at these decision making tables.
3. The alliance therefore decided that the most important issue which it will push relentlessly to be included in the post-2015 agenda is productive youth participation and influence especially at the phase of planning and decision making of policies. This would therefore be fed in to top areas of concern highlighted during the meeting – youth employment, quality and skilled education; security, justice and peace; open data and citizenry identification.
4. That, the alliance also listened to country-specific experiences, My World Survey launched by the United Nations Millennium Campaign and partners, the African Youth Voices on Project and is impressed with the experience in Uganda where young people now have good representation in the country’s parliament which is presently at 35%.
5. The alliance seeks ultimately to have a permanent forum on youth at the United Nations, whilst also agreeing that it has a lot to learn from the women movement that today has been able to push for 35% affirmative action.
6. The alliance seeks to advocate for the removal of all existing barriers to inclusive active youth engagements (vulnerable groups and young people with disabilities) while also working on a buy in from other groups.
7. The meeting reached a consensus that given the huge resources that young people are and their huge population on the continent, put at about 60%, it is no longer decent to argue that youth issues are cross-cutting without being specific. We also opine that it is no longer enough to simply have young people at pre-conferences. We argue passionately that young people should sit in the room and not the corridors; an even in the room, they should have a front seat with the decision makers and be allowed visibility at every stage including when deciding on signing bilateral agreements.
8. That we have highlighted entry points to begin this onerous task and we will be proactive in mainstreaming youth voices into the 2016 agenda of the Africa Union.

For more information about the work of AYAP 2015, email AYAP Chair: Ibrahim.ceesay@africanyouthpanel.org or AYAP Co-Chair jamesani09@gmail.com 

 

ABDUCTED SCHOOLGIRLS: SENATORS OPEN CAN OF WORMS, EXPOSE JONATHAN, MILITARY. IS JONATHAN’s GOVERNMENT BENEFITING FROM THE INSURGENCIES?

Senators from Nigeria’s terrorist-torn Borno State yesterday opened a can of worms, painting a clear picture of how the country’s military and the Jonathan administration have woefully failed to act on intelligence reports that could have led to the rescue of the over 200 innocent girls abducted over two weeks ago from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok.

Senators Ahmed Zannah (Borno Central) and Ali Ndume (Borno South) gave the heart-rending expose while contributing to a motion entitled “Abduction of School girls in Chibok, Borno State” sponsored by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba and 107 others.

Below are their exact words:

Senator Ahmed Zannah (Borno Central): “Since the beginning of this siege, I kept mute on this issue as far as press releases and press interviews are concerned. “I have been constantly in touch with the security agencies, telling them the developments, the movement of the girls from one place to the other and then the splitting of the girls and eventually the marriage of these girls by the insurgents. “What bothers me most is that whenever I inform where these are, after two to three days, they will be moved from that place to another and still, I will go back and inform them that see, this is what is happening. “I lost hope two days ago when I found out that some of them were moved to Chad and Cameroon.

“Actually, some of them move through the Mandara mountain that is in Gwoza and some of them are just a stone throw from their barracks, even now as I am talking to you, in Cameroon because it is in Kolofata, which is in Cameroon about 15 kilometres or even less to the borders because one of the insurgents called somebody in Bama and said: ‘I just got married and I am now settling in Kolofata’. “Then three or four days ago, some Fulani men reported that they saw some girls being taken by boats into the Island in Lake Chad and that some of them happened to be between Marte and Mungonu.

“Maybe, those ones might still be within Nigeria, but that is the current and new base of the insurgents. They just took over that place less than a week and that village is called Chikungudua. The place is the constituency of Senator Maina Mai’ji Lawan. “But I informed the security agents about the situation and from that place, they can just go into the lake and go to either Chad or Cameroon because it is very open, there are no weeds in the lake and so they can go anywhere. “They have snatched all the boats around that area, including the one for NNPC, and so they are free to go anywhere without being chased by anybody. “There are about 40 islands there and they have ejected most of the occupants of the islands and they have occupied the islands. “What is most disturbing is that hitherto, Sambisa was their base and is well known to the military and Nigerian security.

“Even before then, I had been discussing with the military and they said they were going to attack that place, about 15 or 20 days ago, I don’t know what delayed them. “But, eventually when they launched the attack, all the insurgents had already gone out of the place.

So, I don’t know what is happening. “Even before then, I even told them about the shrubs in Northern Borno where they stayed last year till after the rainy season. “Since rainy season is approaching, I told them that these people will leave Sambisa and other areas and go to that shrub but it seems there is no much presence of military around that area up till now and they are now much moving into those shrubs.

“And when they go in, the shrub has some canopy whereby the ground is empty and you cannot see any human or animal movement under that canopy even with aircraft. “It is the same place where they hid last year and came out after the rainy season without any challenge; they came into the hinterland.

“I don’t know if the military can take very serious and willing action in this matter but if there is no way to fight them, I think we are wasting our time. It all depends on their willingness. “I was interviewed by the press on whether if the state of emergency was extended, the military would succeed and I said ‘yes, if there was willingness, they will’.

“Their number is not all that much as being touted and without cooperation from certain group of people within the security agencies, there is no way these people will survive like this. “But when we talk, they will say we are against them; we are exposing them; we are demoralising their troops. These are the facts. “So, unless there is spirit of seriousness on the part of our military, we have no hope of getting those girls; even if we are going to get them, we are going to get them in trickles; maybe getting two, three, four, and five. They are now scattered. So it is not possible for us to get 50, 60, 100 in one particular position. This is the position as at today.”

Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South): “The 53 girls we have were those that escaped. We have to speak the truth. “I am a little bit emotional because you cannot understand what we are going through until you visit these areas. The only place there is relative peace is where there are civilian JTF. “The military deployed there are doing their best, but I cannot ask any of them to do more than what they are doing.

You need to see their equipment and there is no motivation. “Whenever we go there, we buy food. As days go by, most of these girls are divided and forcefully married out. How they do that and where they passed remain a mystery.

“I appreciate the motion but there is no action. We speak to commanders on ground and their complaints are the same: no motivation.

“Their number is few and there is no equipment to match their opponents. Every time we budget trillions of naira for defence but I have not seen any new equipment on ground. The armoured vehicles are those of 1950s.””

 

The Builders’ Burden by Awi Ayodele

 Our homeland has been destroyed during the Great War and the beautiful gate now lies in waste. I discovered I could use WHAT I HAVE (my position as the King’s cup bearer) to get WHAT I WANT (to rebuild our beloved Nation). This taught me my first lesson; for every VISION there is a ‘PRO+VISION’ (Resources provided in advance waiting to be discovered).

But after speaking to my people so we could join hands to build our nation, I was perplexed by the excuses & complaints they gave as many rants in the air;

• We have many children, their well being is our concern. “Na you people sabi”, let them do whatever they like after all its easier to carpet your foot than to rug the whole world!
• We have sold our lands & properties because of the dearth in the land and are now too poor to afford the resources to build.
• We have borrowed money for school fees and are still in debt from the afterlife celebration of our in-laws – the king’s cousins. How much will you pay us to help you build our nation?

Then I realized that the strength of the wicked, used in oppressing the weak lies in the continuous maintenance of ignorance. How I wish their eyes of understanding could be opened so they could see the other side of the carefully plotted story they have sold to them.

But many of our elders have profited much from the desolation of our homeland, they have made their fortune from the mischief of others and have sold our lands to the oppressors having sworn allegiance for the continuous enslavement of our people in exchange for red pottage & meat.

News of our actions spread quickly that they became troubled when they heard that we have started rebuilding the collapsed structures of our Nation for fear that their secrets will be exposed and their oath with their wicked allies would be broken which may have severe consequences. It is important to say that their allies have publicly written our land off and have declared us “A failed state” in advance.

How could they have done this to us? Isn’t it better to starve than to sell one’s birthright for a plate of red pottage which will be for just an evening and will eventually be emptied out as waste? Is obedience not better than sacrifice? Have we not learned our lessons from the mistakes of our fathers? Shall we continue to condemn our children yet unborn to perpetual life in penury? All our talents and resources are no more, what shall we feed our next generation with? This is a TIME BOMB ticking!

We became grieved even to our soul and hated them with passion for the evil they have done to us. Many of us hence LOST the ZEAL to TRUST again as observed by my brother when he yelled, “The strength of the bearers of the burden is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so  we are not able to build the wall”.  It is true after all that the Capacity to TRUST, is the Greatest Treasure of Life…Because Without It Neither LOVE nor PRAYER is Possible…

Then our elders cursed and mocked us saying; What do these feeble ones know? Will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they make an end in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?

But then I rose up and said to my people, “Within you there is a spirit able to reach the stars. Within you is the ability to achieve your goals and realize your dreams. Do not listen to others or competition issues, do not worry if you mess up. In each experiment wisdom is gained. Have faith in yourself and move forward with confidence, fully believing your ability as the special person that has been designed to be – A Generation that is Empowered, Motivated and Stirred To Operate With Natural Excellence, you are GEMSTONE!

And then it happened that our enemies heard that God had brought their counsel to nought, that we have returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. Great fear fell upon them that they said within themselves, the only way to stop the building is to cause great panic among them

And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the people, Be not afraid and remember the LORD your God which is great and terrible, He will fight our battles. Therefore, let every one with his servant lodge here, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour during the day.

We have made our prayer unto our God. Nevertheless, set a WATCH against them DAY & NIGHT. Do not lower your guard, build with one hand and watch against evil with the other.

The appointed singers help us to keep going as they joyfully sing the melodious anthem;

We will change the situation

We will make a contribution

Every tribe and every nation

We will shine the light

To a greater height

We must save this generation

We are part of the solution

With peace and love secure our future

Standing hand in hand all across the land

We ARE the CHANGE

VICTORY is Ours!
…..

Dedicated to fela DUROTOYE and every #NationBuilder giving hope to the hopeless.

You can reach the author via;

Ayodele AWI

BB pin:284B68F7
Tel: +234-806-016-9982
✉ awiayodele@yahoo.com,
http://www.awiayodele.com

 

#BringBackOurGirls: Everything you need to know about the kidnapping of 234 girls in Nigeria

The girls have been missing for weeks and the case is finally getting media attention. Here are all the facts you need to know.

 

On April 14, 234 girls between 16 and 18 years old were stolen from a school in Chibok, a small town in Borno state in northeastern Nigeria. They have not been rescued, and for a long time the case received little media attention, but as weeks drag on with no progress it’s gradually becoming the subject of international concern. Here’s what you need to know.

The girls were kidnapped during a physics test.

Schools in Borno state closed on March 18 because of security concerns. Boko Haram, the militant group that has been terrorizing northeast Nigeria for the past five years, opposes Western education — its name means “Western education is forbidden” — and has killed hundreds of students by attacking and burning schools. They still haven’t reopened, but these girls were brought back to take a physics test.

They were kidnapped by terrorist group Boko Haram, which opposes Western education.

The group has not publicly accepted responsibility, but a Borno state community leader told the Associated Press that a member of a presidential committee that arranged a ceasefire with Boko Haram last year had received a message from the militant group asking for ransom. Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group, has been clashing with Nigerian forces for five years, trying to establish an Islamic state in the country’s northeast. Amnesty International reports that 1,500 people died in the insurgency this year, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced.

Two girls have died, and 30 to 50 have escaped, but most are still missing.

The anonymous community leader says that according to Boko Haram’s message, two girls have died from snakebite. A few dozen (the exact numbers being reported vary) also managed to escape through sheer bravery and luck, running away or jumping off the backs of trucks.

The government isn’t helping.

First the Nigerian government understated the number of children abducted, claiming that 129 girls were missing when parents and school officials count 234. Then the military claimed it had rescued most of the girls, only to backtrack and say it hadn’t rescued any. A federal senator from the region says he has been keeping the military updated almost daily on Boko Haram’s movements with the girls, but so far there has been no response.

The AP reports that the girls’ families and neighbors suspect this inaction is a punishment for not supporting Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan comes from the predominantly Christian southern part of Nigeria, whereas Borno state is in the Muslim northeast, where local politicians oppose Jonathan’s People’s Democratic Party.

Without military support, parents have been reduced to searching for the girls themselves.

They pooled savings to buy fuel for their motorbikes and went out — armed only with knives and machetes — to patrol militant-controlled forests where the military wouldn’t go. But they’ve come back empty-handed.

Now there are rumors that girls are being forcibly married to their kidnappers.

There’s no proof of these claims, but Halite Aliyu of the Borno-Yobe People’s Forum told the Associated Press that villagers on the Nigeria/Cameroon border say that the girls are being taken to Cameroon and Chad and paid the equivalent of $12 to marry Boko Haram militants.

It’s not clear what the government will do, if anything.

Jonathan did convene an emergency security council meeting last week, after which Kayode Fayemi, governer of the southern Ekiti state, told press that “the military assured us that they are working on it.” Well. That ought to be solved any minute, then.

 

Vacancy at Concern Universal

Concern Universal is an international NGO that works to sustainably reduce poverty and improve the lives of some of the poorest people in nine countries across Africa, Asia & South America.

In Nigeria we have worked for 13 years with local partners and communities in the county’s South East. We manage projects funded by major donors that address gender inequalities and rights abuses, improve sanitation and access to water, develop livelihoods and preserve environments.

We require a skilled and experienced Finance and Administration Manager to lead committed and talented team core team of staff covering functions of Finance and Administration in the Nigeria office. The goal of the core team is to provide a solid and seamless support environment for our work with national partners in reducing poverty and addressing key development issues in poor and disadvantaged communities. We offer a competitive salary and generous benefits package, an empowering working environment and the opportunity to make a real difference!

Finanance and Administration Manager

Main Duties and Responsibilities

•     Provide high-quality financial management of all operations. This includes ensuring accurate and timely cash management, supporting project staff to prepare and adhere to budgets, and ensuring that financial practices meet local and international standards.
•     Responsible for ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting to Concern Universal’s Board and project donors, as well as managing external and internal audit processes.
•     Manage the day-to-day operation of the office in Calabar. This involves line managing all finance and support staff, overseeing the effective functioning of all assets, and ensuring that effective operating and governance systems and policies are in place and adhered to.
•     Work closely with the Country Director to improve and update policies and procedures, evaluate staff performance and recruit new staff, and other tasks as required.

Person Specification

•     Professional qualification in Accounting (CPA/ACCA/CIMA) or Finance Management
•     At least 5 years’ experience in a Financial Management position, especially for an NGO
•     At least 5 years’ experience in a staff and office supervisory role (Admin/HR/Systems)
•     Proven knowledge of IT & computerised accounting systems, preferably Sage Peachtree
•     Excellent attention to detail and ability to demonstrate error-free writing in English
•     Strong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to train others in financial systems
•     Ability to work independently and prioritise effectively to achieve results and solve problems

Method of Application

The full job description can be downloaded on the link above, but if you are having difficulties please visit http://www.concern-universal.org/finance_and_administration_manager_nigeria to download the Job Description and Application Form.

Applicants should use the standard application form provided above and sent to: olivia.sawyer@concern-universal.org by 17:00 31st May. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.