UNIZIK, NOA collaborate to fight examination malpractice, drug abuse, cultism

The vice chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, has described examination malpractice as one of the major challenges besetting Nigeria’s education system.

Speaking while playing host to the Anambra State’s director of the National Orientation Agency, Mr Charles Nwoji who visited him in his office, Professor Esimone also noted that drug abuse is causing depression among members of the society.

He, however, promised that UNIZIK would partner the NOA in the fight against drug abuse, examination malpractice and cultism.

Briefing the vice chancellor on the motive behind the visit, Mr Nwoji said the agency in March last year obtained permission from the Anambra State Commissioner for Basic Education to interact with secondary school students in the state on the inherent dangers of cultism, examination malpractice and drug abuse.

He said that what he came for was to sensitise the newly admitted students to the need to desist from drug abuse, examination malpractice and cultism.

The NOA director said that the agency commenced the programme 2014 with the University of Calabar, and urged the vice chancellor to give the agency a chance to interact with the new students during their orientation programmes.

In a related development, the Anambra State government in partnership with Nnamdi Azikiwe University Business School, Awka, has commenced the training of 300 youths in various vocational skills.

The youths, across the 21 local government areas of the state, will be trained in various vocations such as ICT, agric products processing, digital skills, solar installation, phone repair, shoe making and several other skills.

Speaking during a press briefing recently to commence the training programme at the Conference Hall of the state Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Hon. Afam Mbanefo said the programme was specifically designed to create, on an annual basis, 300 youth entrepreneurs who will also be employers of labour.

The Director, UNIZIK Business School, Professor A.U Nnonyelu, in his partnership speech, said the programme represents one way through which the university hopes to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

He reiterated the commitment of the university to provide sustainable alternatives to the crisis of unemployment in the country through training in various marketable skills for the nation’s youths.