by Dr. Aliyu Yaya Aliyu and Genevieve Balance Kupang, PHD

 

“We navigate challenges with passion, resilience, and wisdom, shaping curricula, fostering innovation, and celebrating collaborations to transform society.”
Genevieve Balance Kupang, PhD
WCCI Chair, Special Interest Groups (SIG)

The World Council for Curriculum and Instruction (WCCI) is an NGO in consultative status with the UN. It was founded in 1970 at a conference in Asilomar, California, USA. The Region 2 of the organization is made up of African countries, South of the Sahara among which is the Nigerian chapter. The Nigerian chapter has seven branches: one of which is the Kano branch which comprises members from North-West Nigeria, especially Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa.

The Nigerian chapter of the organization held its 11th Biannual Conference at Imo State University (IMSU) Owerri, between 19th and 22 October 2016 during which the National Executive Meeting was held. In the meeting, a decision was made to reactivate the Kano branch of the organization which had gone comatose since the branch hosted the Chapter’s National Biannual Conference in October 2010. The national executive directed that the reactivation of the branch should be done by organizing the Branch National Conference.

As a result, a five-member Caretaker Committee was appointed, with Dr. Halima Rabiu Abdullahi from the Faculty of Education at Bayero University Kano serving as Chairperson and Dr. Aliyu Yaya Aliyu from the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Technology at the Federal College of Education, Kano, as Secretary.

These appointments were based on their immense contributions when the branch hosted the chapter’s National Conference in 2010, as well as the many ways they had shown interest in the affairs of the organization both at the national and international levels.

(L-R) At the inaugural national conference of WCCI Kano Branch, Assistant Editor of WCCI Nigeria Chapter Mike Adeyi, Secretary Dr. Aliyu Y. Aliyu, and Chairperson, WCCI Kano Branch Caretaker Committee, Dr. Halima R. Abdullahi, convened on November 16, 2017, at the Murtala Muh’d Library Complex, Kano.

The Kano Branch hosted its inaugural conference from November 14-17, 2017, focusing on “Curriculum, Peace, and National Unity in Nigeria.” Chaired by Prof. Grace Offorma, the National President of the Nigerian Chapter, the conference aimed to tackle persistent challenges to peace and national unity. Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, OON, a Curriculum Studies professor at Bayero University Kano and former Minister of Education of Nigeria, delivered the Keynote Address, while Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano, presented the Lead Paper.

Former Minister of Education & Keynote Speaker Prof. Rukayya Ahmad Rufai (center)) with participants during the WCCI Kano Branch Maiden Annual National Conference, Murtala Muh’d Library Complex Kano, Nov. 15, 2017.

Goodwill messages were also conveyed by the Emir of Kano, HRM Muhammad Sunusi II CON, who served as the Royal Father of the Day and was represented by the Bauran Kano, Hakimin Rogo, Alhaji Mohammad Maharaz Karaye. Additionally, Haj. Aishatu Ja’afar Yusif, the Hon. Commissioner of Planning and Budget for Kano State, represented Her Excellency, the wife of the Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr. Hafsat Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

National President WCCI Nigeria Prof. Grace Offorma (center) with Royal Father of the Day, Bauran Kano, Hakimin Rogo, Alh. Mohammad M. Karaye, WCCI Kano branch conference, Murtala Muh’d Library Complex Kano, Nov. 15, 2017.

The conference drew 130 participants from diverse educational backgrounds, spanning various states across the federation. This inclusive group featured distinguished scholars, experienced educators, administrators, school principals, and traditional rulers.

WCCI Kano Branch Maiden Annual National Conference participants, Murtala Muh’d Library Complex Kano, Nov. 17, 2017.

After in-depth discussions on the presented papers, participants observed that the threat to peace and national unity in Nigeria stems from deep divisions along religious and ethnic lines. These divisions have become increasingly polarizing in recent times, posing a significant challenge to the country’s cohesive existence.

Concurrent sessions, Murtala Muh’d Library Complex Kano, Nov. 16, 2017.

Thus, the Nigerian education curriculum must align with national development goals and the aspiration to foster a peaceful and unified nation.

Plenary deliberations, Murtala Muh’d Library Complex Kano, Nov. 16, 2017.

It’s essential to reevaluate our current curriculum and its implementation to make it effectively promote peace and national unity. All conference papers were peer-reviewed and featured in the inaugural edition of WCCI Kano Branch Journal of Curriculum Enrichment (JCE), which aligns with WCCI International’s mission to enhance intercultural communication, encourage global collaboration in curriculum research, and address global social issues. This journal publishes twice yearly (June and December), maintaining its commitment to scholarly discourse, featuring contributions from both domestic and international sources.

Scholarly articles from international contributors include:
1. Harmony through Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue: Highlights of a Decade of Commemorating the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week by Dr. Genevieve Balance Kupang, Chair of the Special Interest Groups and Peace Education coordinator of WCCI International.
2. Racism and the Identity of Blackness in America by Genevieve Balance Kupang and Dr. Emmanuel Sogah, American Center for Education and Global Leadership.
3. Situating Teacher Readiness in the Developmental Structures of Instructional Supervision by Danny Osboken Balance, University of Santo Tomas, Manila.

The Kano Branch hosted the 11th Biennial Seminar of the WCCI Nigerian chapter on October 16-18, 2019 on the theme: Access to Higher Education in Nigeria. The aim addresses the sector’s inability to provide equal access to students which results in lowering the rate of student enrollment in higher institutions of learning.

Vice Chancellor, National Open University, Nigeria, and Presenter Prof. Dr. Abdalla Uba Adamu at the 11th Biennial Seminar, WCCI Nigeria chapter, Federal College of Education Kano, Oct. 16, 2019.

Prof. Grace Offorma from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the National President of the Nigerian Chapter of the Council chaired the seminar. Prof. Dr. Abdalla Uba Adamu, a professor at Bayero University Kano and Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), delivered the seminar paper. Special Guest of Honour Alhaji Abbas Muhammad Dalhatu, Yan’ Dakan Kano, conveyed goodwill messages.

Koroso traditional dancers entertain the participants. 11th Biennial Seminar, WCCI Nigeria chapter, Federal College of Education Kano, Oct. 16, 2019.

Over 500 participants attended the gathering from a wide spectrum of educational practitioners from different states across the federation.

Cross section of participants at the 11th Biennial Seminar, WCCI Nigeria chapter, TETfund Theater, Federal College of Education Kano, Oct. 16, 2019.

Following thorough discussions on the seminar paper, participants made critical observations, highlighting the urgency of implementing eLearning to address educational access challenges and promote equal access to higher education in Nigeria. The consensus was that Nigerian tertiary institutions should promptly establish additional distance learning centers to broaden educational opportunities for all.

In conclusion, the Kano branch has effectively grown its membership and consistently published its journal. It has also upheld an active online platform to support members’ academic and career development, along with disseminating WCCI-related information. The Kano branch remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering collaboration among Nigerian educators to fulfill the constitution’s outlined responsibilities.

About the Author and Editor:

Dr. Aliyu Yaya Aliyu

Dr. Yaya Aliyu, Chair of the WCCI Kano Branch in Nigeria, is a principal lecturer in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Technology at the Federal College of Education, Kano, Nigeria. His dedication to education is further evidenced by his appointment as the editorial adviser for the Journal Studies in Technical Teacher Education (SITTED). Dr. Aliyu’s commitment extends globally, as he actively networks with WCCI members from diverse continents, fostering a collaborative environment to embrace and uphold the spirit of WCCI.

Genevieve Balance Kupang is a Leadership Team Member for the Exceptional Woman of Peace Award at Pathways to Peace, a UN Peace Messenger Organization. She is the Dean of the Graduate School at Baguio Central University, Philippines. She Chairs the Special Interest Groups while concurrently serving as the Peace Education Coordinator of the World Council for Curriculum and Instruction.