•Hail senator for investment in education

Students under the  auspices of the Akwa Ubok Abasi Students Campaign Organisation in Akwa Ibom State, last week celebrated the international students’ day.

The event which  had as theme: “Evaluating the state of  education In Akwa Ibom”, was well attended by students and stakeholders.

It was an occasion for them to examine  the strength of tertiary education development and students well-being in the state.

Secretary of the organisation, Emediong Benson, noted that this  year’s event was significant with students baring their minds on the state of education in their various campuses. Meanwhile, the leadership of  National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS), National Association of University Students(NAUS), National Association Of Polytechnic Students(NAPS) in the state hailed Sen. Bassey Albert, representing Uyo Senatorial District, for his investment in tertiary education.

In a statement, they said  he had funded funding over 480  students through university since 2016, and organised  holiday tech trainings for students in core applied science disciplines,among others.

“The senator has given a model on how education challenges could be handled. Certainly not by proliferation of schools, but by investing in massive infrastructural development, adequate funding and staff capacity development and motivation,” they said. They pledged their support for the senator and donated  materials to his  campaign organisation. The students also thanked stakeholders  who have consistently  supported  and funded the organisation.

Former Special Adviser to the Governor of Enugu, Mr Anayo Agu, has re-emphasised the need to revive reading culture in  the country to speed up development.

He noted that until the country revives its reading culture by building modern libraries across the country, it will continue to lag behind developed countries.

Agu advised  parents to  prioritise reading for  their wards  at a young age.

He spoke at the launch of ‘The Undergraduate’, a book written by Ifeanyi Uba.

He said: ” As we remove our bookshelves from living rooms and retire the books from our homes, things have not been the same again; and will not be the same again until we bring back books. The country cannot continue without having public libraries. “Our people are no longer reading books, and this remains a huge challenge for the educational sector.

“The declining quality of education in the country to a lack of modern libraries and poor reading culture among citizens.

“The nation must return to the era of building public libraries while more families must adopt a deliberate position in teaching their wards to read books.”

‘The Undergraduate’ chronicles  the adventure of the fictional character Ifeanyi Uba in  his university days. It mirrors the life of youths in universities.

He said: “It is a journey to adulthood. It is a journey to maturity, and it is a journey of discovery of self as the book was based on many of my experiences.”

Uba berated government for paying lip service to education and failing   to invest in youth development.

He decried the rate at which internet has taken the attention of the youths and students from reading. He said swift  attention was  needed  from the government, parents and educators to help address the issue.

”A lot of young people are not willing to read to better themselves, they are not also ready to work to better their lives. If it’s not a thirty second video where somebody is taking his clothes off, then they’re not interested. These are the people that the country will be handed over to. We really need to pray and encourage our youths,” he said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) ,over 34 per cent (or  of women die monthly due to maternal mortality. Death of  women during pregnancy or childbirth is a  major issue.

Maternity is a state of being a mother,which is related to pregnancy and childbirth and being a mother doesn’t comes easy.  Many pregnant women who we reached confessed  that ‘being pregnant comes with lots of task and stages which all mothers pass through with different symptoms’.

The rate at which pregnant women die during pregnancy and childbirth  is alarming. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the maternal mortality rate of Nigeria is 814 (per 100,000 live births).The lifetime risk of a Nigerian woman dying during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum or post-abortion is 1 in 22, in comparison to the lifetime risk in developed countries estimated at 1 in 4900.

Therefore,there is need to prevent maternal mortality and improve the maternal health of  women in the country. This can be achieved through these safety measures: pregnant women should eat healthy foods,take daily prenatal vitamins, always go for prenatal  checkup regularly,daily exercise and planning the right time to get pregnant.

However,quality maternal health care in  is key to reducing mortality and could also make menstrual cycle easier than before because healthy childbirth decreases menstrual pains, paves way for better conjugal life and also reduces the risk of certain cancerous growth. It also   lowers the risk of breast cancer and  helps being tolerant and patient in terms of caring for the baby.

Nigeria  is the second largest contributor to maternal mortality  globally,the country estimated annual 40,000 pregnancy related deaths of about 19 per cent of the global total,everyday 109 Nigerian women die during childbirth.

In addition,some of the barriers of maternal health include delay in making decisions to seek maternal health care, delay in locating and arriving at a medical facility, and delay in receiving better  pregnancy care when the woman gets to the health facility which could lead to death, premature childbirth and miscarriage.

However,the government and stakeholders in the country should help improve  maternal health care and develop more effective and efficient national health systems. It should support use of reproductive health service and focus  on assisted delivery and family planning and also  invest in community-based midwives.

Most importantly,the government should organise a programme to educate women on how to improve their health,this will also  enhance maternal health outcomes.

• Adeyemo is a Mass Communication student at University of Maiduguri.

It is imperative for government to be serious in funding  science and technology-related projects and research.

This was the position of the former Director Centre for General Nigerian Studies, Lagos State University, Prof. Biodun Akinpelu.

He was the guest lecturer at the 10th Convocation ceremony of Escae University,Porto-Novo, Benin Republic. The lecture was entitled: “Changing the perspective of Africa: Focus on Science and Technology”.

He said: “Funding of science and technology-related projects and research must be taken seriously by African governments. Education must take a larger share of national budgets with special emphasis on science and technology development.”

Akinpelu said efforts in research and innovation along the line of science and technology should be specifically compensated and rewarded. This, he said, would serve   as a morale booster for researchers.The don noted that youths must be the key participants in the implementation of science and technology development projects through training and meaningful exposure, adding that they must be the focus of research and development.  He said adequate attention should be be given to Technical and Vocational Education across the continent.  The don said it was imperative for the private sector  to work with higher institutions of learning to bring about a formidable change in the science and technology perspective in Africa.

“Technology comes with its digital skills. It is rightly predicted that by 2030, machines and robots will rule more than 50 per cent of the world activities. The  future of work globally will be technology driven. The question is how prepared and equipped is Africa in the utilisation of science and technology  development components for meaningful growth?

“To state that there is a dearth of knowledge and technical competence in Africa as par the practical aspects of science and technology is to state the obvious,” he said.

Akinpelu said lifelong learning, with its focus on sustainable education, needs to be a critical component of educational systems in Africa.  ” Reading habits that go beyond academic needs have to be encouraged to enhance creativity and     knowledge discovery. It is only then, that African students will be able to meaningfully compete with their counterparts in different parts of the world.

For improved academic accomplishments of students and eventual provision of trained manpower in Applied Sciences and Technology in Africa, adequate attention has to be given to Technical and Vocational Education across the continent,” he added.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lotus Bank, Mrs. Kafilat Araoye, has urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) and National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to make entrepreneurial studies compulsory in tertiary institutions.

Araoye was the guest lecturer at the 34th convocation lecture of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), on Tuesday in Lagos. The lecture was entitled: “Emergence of successful young entrepreneurs in the current Nigerian economy, the place of integrity”.

She said: “NUC and NBTE should make it obligatory for tertiary institutions to infuse at least one module on Entrepreneurship or Business Management in all degrees or diploma programmes.

“This will help our society, our youth and our future. She said entrepreneurship was an appropriate avenue to wealth, stressing the importance of small scale enterprises.

“It has been established that the bedrock of every robust national economy is not just the large corporates and industries but essentially the Micro Medium and Small-Scale Enterprises (MSMEs).

“MSMEs are the starting point of industrialisation, and engine room of every economy, as they play a big role in the development of national economies because they create job opportunities for self. “MSMEs (about 50 million of them) account for almost half (50%) of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), MSMEs promote economic diversification, stability, high value-added products, partnership, progress and prosperity.

“These go a long way to the development of regional economies and produce much of the creativity and innovation that fuel economic growth.

“It was in the thick of COVID-19 Pandemic that the bank processed, got its licence and started operations, when our society was generally despondent, withdrawn and not adventurous after a global lockdown,” she added.

Meanwhile, she  offered automatic employment to the best graduating student , with cash gift of N500,000.

She also offered a job to the best female graduate, with N350,000, and an 18-seater  bus to YABATECH.

Araoye also noted that opportunity would be given to outstanding students of Banking/Finance department of the institution to have their one year Industrial Training in the bank.

The Rector, Mr. Obafemi Omokungbe, said  convocation lecture was a significant part of graduation   to examine issues of national and global interest and give solutions.

He said the recommendations from the lecture would  help  government get ideas for formulation and implementation of policies that would aid nation building.

“The academic board carefully selected the theme of our 34th convocation lecture as ‘Emergence of successful young entrepreneurs in the current Nigerian economy’, the place for integrity.

“The topic is the only basis of our existence as a polytechnic and it is very auspicious in view of our national downturn,” he said.

“In recognition of this role expected of our young entrepreneurs, our College established Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) in 2001, the first of its kind to be set up by any tertiary Institution.

“The centre has empowered many of our graduates, some of whom have established reputable businesses in their various locations; young entrepreneurs are no doubt catalyst of change and innovation.

“YABATECH will continue to provide platform that will generate new ideas and create opportunities for the development of our graduates as well as young entrepreneurs who desire to be empowered,” he said.

The University of Lagos Mass Communication Alumni Association (UMCAA) will hold its annual dinner and awards night on December 3, 2022

The venue of the event is De Rembrandt Hotel, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos.

This year, new categories of awards have been introduced to appreciate illustrious members – individuals and sets – who have contributed immensely to the development of the department and the growth of the association.

The new categories include Grand Star Award, for that individual who has stood out over time in contributing to the development of the department.

Close Knit Award is for the set or class that has a close-knit association. Members look out for each other, building a family bond and connection, donating to support our Alma Mater. There will also be special recognition awards for 10 veterans.

Regular categories of award include: Broadcast Journalist of the year, Public Relations Professional of the year, Advertising Professional of the year, Print Journalist of the year, Online Professional of the year, Lecturer of the year, UMCAAite of the year and Most
Participatory set of the year.

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According to Pastor Eniola Mayowa, Chairman, Award Sub-Committee, the 2021 dinner and awards was big and loud but this year’s would be big and better.

Addressing the alumni, she said: “You have seen the sights and sounds of 2021 dinner and awards, 2022 edition promises to be bigger and better. You will have to do the nominations. And it is more awards and recognitions. It is a beautiful way to end the year”.

Elder Tunde Awobiyi, Chairman of the Dinner and Awards Committee stated that the 2022 dinner and awards will be bigger and colourful, an unforgettable event that reunites old folks. “This year dinner will be different and special because it will be 3-in-1 event: the dinner proper, swearing in of the new exco and awards for deserving UMCAAites,” he said.
Established in 1966, the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos is one of the oldest in the country. It boasts of many of Nigeria’s finest journalists, educators, administrators and leading media professionals who dot the nation’s communication and media industry.

If you want to get a Black African to surrender his critical thinking ability, introduce religion”.

Religion has become a  potent tool used by political gladiators to manipulate and polarise our people for their interest.

Merely observing the socio political and economic happenstances  under  Buhari’s administration, one would have wished for a better nation.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s choice for Senator Kashim Shettima should not be seen as a big deal.

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We need to know that the first target of a political party is to win elections. That’s what comes first for any party who is serious about being in government. Therefore, a party would not only settle for whether a candidate is competent, but his political capacity to win an election. Do you think the election would be favourable for him if he  picks a minority Muslim from the North? Tinubu’s choice of Shettima is not a slap to the face of the Christians like we thought, it is a strategic political move.

So, Tinubu’s choice of Shettima is not in any way conspirational, it is solely political. He is a Muslim from the south, and he would understand the plight of Christians, especially when his wife is a Christian. Senator Kashim Shettima is also a leader who has proved to be a bridge builder   despite religious differences through his benevolence to the Christian communities in Borno State. He rebuilt  burnt churches by the Boko Haram insurgents, sponsored hundreds of Christians to pilgrimages during his administration, and paid attention to Christians’ grievances. Hence, the Christian communities in the state endorsed him.

Some critics believe the  Muslim-Muslim ticket is a move to islamise Nigeria. However, according to the 1999 Constitution, Nigeria is a secular state. And if this is to be changed, it would require the 2/3 majority of the National Assembly.

Good governance should be prioritised by citizens and not  religion-based governance. But, emotions attached to one’s faith cannot be taken away from one’s psychology, nevertheless, it should be minimised.

• Obebe is a student at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko.

It is imperative to address technological challenges of nurses and nursing in Nigeria and to provide  insights into the digitalisation pathway of nurses especially in academics and practice.

This was the position of Chief Executive Officer of MyCare Assistant Ltd, Mrs Abiola Ayilara, while announcing activities lined up for its annual summit tagged: “Nurse Digital Transformation 2.0”, and with the theme: ”From awareness to action.”

Ayilara stated that the Nurse Digital Transformation (NDT)  is a platform that promotes nursing development in education and practice. She added that it was borne out of the need to create awareness and  address technological challenges of nurses and nursing in the country.

“Nursing education, practice and development is continuously evolving. The need to meet up with the world standard of care is based on the premise that nursing education, practice and development is at the forefront of all healthcare related improvement works.

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“The NDT has partnered with educational technological companies to offer free training on data incubation, accelerator programmes and global opportunities for nursing seeking nursing informatics education.

“Interestingly, in developed countries such as the United Kingdom, Asia or the United States, nursing informatics is actively gaining recognition with nurses holding positions of Chief Nursing officers, digital champions in clinical settings, decision makers in patient outcomes based on technological solutions of the patient problems,” she said.

Ayilara said  feedback from   previous NDT 1.0  Virtual bootcamp which had   over 200 nursing students in attendance revealed  that 69 per cent of the participants lack awareness on opportunities existing in  nursing technological advancement.

She said 21 per cent of  participants are aware, but due to lack of resources and knowledge of the use of computer systems for data management, there is still a need to intentionally provide opportunities for nurses to harness digitalisation in their study.

Ayilara, however,  said 10 per cent of the participants got scholarships to study healthcare technological related courses in the UK and the USA.

“The opportunities that healthcare professionals can tap into include, e-health rostering, software management, remote patient care support services, data analytics and many more,” she said.

A student at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Clarion Olusegun, has called for a  stop to  violence against women, stating that females should be treated with care.

Olusegun, through the Female Speaks Initiative (FSI)  founded by her, is determined to build and strengthen the female gender globally and  find a solution to violence against girls/women.

She spoke at a seminar in Lagos organised by FSI and a non-governmental organisation, Female and More (FAM).

She said: “I feel great, knowing that it is an opportunity for me to impact and give back to society. Violence against women and girls should be urgently tackled.

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This  project is  aimed at ending female-based violence which has eaten deep into the society.

‘’Acts of  violence against women should be reported to the appropriate authority.

“ We need  to be watchful and shun violence against women in the society. Security agencies should swing into action once any  act of violence is reported.  Government should  also enlighten people on how to be self-defensive once they are being assaulted or attacked.”

Mrs.  Helen Oladele, a teen counsellor and parenting advocate, urged government to help fight violence  against female-children, adding that the society can also contribute in that regard.

She also advised females to  be careful with  males they relate with.