Category: Education

  • GotoCourse set to train 1000 teachers on AI tools

    GotoCourse set to train 1000 teachers on AI tools

    A leading digital learning platform, GotoCourse has concluded plans to train over 1000 teachers on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to enhance teaching and learning experiences, making education more personalized, efficient, and engaging.

    The founder and chief executive officer of GotoCourse, Dr Sucess Ojo said this recently at a press conference organized by GotoCourse in Ibadan. 

    The event’s theme was: Leveraging technology to Elevate Education Through Gotocourse Platform and G-Mind AI.

    Ojo said effective education is no longer confined to classroom walls or traditional pedagogical approaches.

    She said that from the chalkboard to textbooks, to e-books, education has witnessed a drastic transformation over the years.

    She said that technology, as a dynamic enabler of education, is at the forefront of these transformations, driving the evolution of teaching and learning at a pace never before witnessed.

    The Gotocourse boss noted that training teachers to be able to use AI tools for efficient performance is so essential for teachers around the world, especially in Africa because of the boundless opportunities that AI offers teachers. 

    She added that the use of AI saves time, builds capacity and enables teachers to compete globally.

    She said the Gotcourse platform is an exemplar of this shift. 

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    She said: “As a digital learning platform, Gotocourse has removed geographic and temporally-bound constraints, making education accessible to everyone, everywhere and anytime. It has redefined how knowledge is consumed and shared, with features like virtual classrooms, quizzes, live conference tools, forum discussions, and the ability to track progress, attendance, and whiteboards.”

    She posited further that while the streamlining of digital education is an accomplishment, the potential for further enhancement remains vast. This brings us to G-MIND AI, an extraordinary AI system designed to augment the capacities of educators.

    “G-Mind is not just a tool but a virtual assistant that helps teachers with curriculum and content generation. Instead of spending hours creating a curriculum or devising lesson plans, teachers can now leverage G-MIND to generate comprehensive, expertly designed curricula within minutes. Content generation further aids teachers in creating rich, well-crafted learning materials that are informative and engaging for the students”, she said.

    Ojo added that G-Mind features don’t stop there. It also facilitates text-to-speech and speech-to-text capabilities. This means that if a teacher wishes to deliver a lesson orally, G-MIND can convert speech into written text. Conversely written lesson plans or textbook content can be converted to speech, creating an auditory experience that caters to the varied types of students.

    She posited that G-MIND can also convert text to slides, dramatically reducing the time and effort that educators often invest in presentation preparation. This means more time focused on enhancing the learning experience, rather than worrying about the logistics of lesson delivery. 

    Ojo called on the federal and state governments to encourage and support local Edtech solutions so that it will strengthen their offerings and they can serve the country better.

    She stressed that Nigeria has a lot of indigenous Edtech solutions that can compete with any Edtech solutions around the world. 

    She noted: “We have quality Edtech solutions that can serve various educational institutions, business organisations, government, learning agencies, and vocational centres across the country.

  • Ede prize for language unveils board of trustees

    Ede prize for language unveils board of trustees

    The EDE Prize for Language has announced its esteemed Board of Trustees. 

    The board comprises individuals from various backgrounds and areas of expertise who bring unique knowledge and a strong commitment to promote indigenous literacy and culture preservation. 

    The Board of Trustees of the EDE Prize for Language include Dr. (Mrs.) Olufemi Ogunsanya, Otunba Lekan Bello, Mr. Rotimi Eyitayo, Alhaji Femi Omotayo, Ms. Yemi Adamolekun, Basheer Tosin Ashafa, Ms. Ugoma Ebilah, Mr. Wale Irokosu and Mrs. Nana-Aisha Ibrahim.

    Dr. Ogunsanya, on his part is a former University of Lagos lecturer who founded Oxbridge Tutorial College in 1993. Oxbridge was Nigeria’s first Sixth Form College and is now the foremost specialised Sixth Form College. 

    She is also the Chairman of the Boards of Governors of the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN), the Lagos Anglican Schools Management Board (LASMAB), and Igbobi College in Yaba. 

    Otunba Bello is the Group Managing Director at F&SCL. He started his professional career in 1978 with UBA. After several years in banking in various capacities, he left Fidelity Bank as General Manager in 1993 to establish the F&CSL Group, a stockbroking and financial services firm. 

    He was appointed Commissioner of Finance for Ogun State in 2003, where he was responsible for policy formulation, budget implementation, revenue collection, and correct statutory allocation usage.

    As the CEO and Managing Director of Teammasters Limited, Rotimi is a well-known speaker and change agent who has led retreats and strategy sessions for companies in and out of Nigeria. 

    Alhaji Omotayo is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years of international oil and gas industry expertise. His extensive technical skills have catapulted him to Executive Management positions with international blue-chip companies such as Shell, Halliburton, AMEC, and Talisman Energy. After 18 years in Europe, he was appointed Managing Director of Orwell Oil and Gas International in 2000, guiding the company through a successful merger that resulted in AOS Orwell Limited, one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest indigenous oilfield service firms.

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    With strong roots in advocacy, Yemi Adamolekun is the current Executive Director of Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), a coalition of individuals and organizations committed to advancing good governance and public accountability in Nigeria through active citizenship. 

    Yemi has 20 years of diverse experience in the public and private sectors of the United States and Nigeria. 

    She volunteers with the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), which supports women’s rights, and Kaleyewa House, an elderly-focused non-governmental organization founded by her late mother. She is committed to educating and empowering Nigerians to understand their rights and responsibilities. 

    Basheer is a co-founder of Mezovest Ltd. Basheer is a serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of expertise in property development, marketing, and engineering/project management.

     He has also made substantial investments in construction, gas trading, logistics, capital markets, media, and technology. He is a true cultural custodian who is passionate about maintaining Yoruba culture through language, music, and art.

    Perhaps Ms. Ugoma Ebilah needs no introduction. Ugoma is the founder and curator of BLOOM Art, a portfolio gallery and private art salon. She has produced and staged exhibitions for some of today’s most successful modern and contemporary artists. She also oversaw Nigeria’s largest private secondary market art sale to date. 

    Ugoma is widely acknowledged as a driving force in Nigerian art, having created several art and cultural initiatives for clients such as First Bank, Microsoft, Rand Merchant Bank, McKinsey, and Coronation. She is now launching Mbari Kola, a development center for artists and art fans. 

    A legal practitioner par excellence, Wale Irokosu is the Managing Partner, Probitas Partners LLP, a leading specialist law firm; Editor-in-Chief, Electricity Law Reports; and Creative Director, RapJointLagos. 

    Wale is a consummate public servant and currently serve on the Governing Council, Yaba College of Technology; Board of Governors, Ansar Ud-Deen Grammar School, Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos; Board of Trustees, Youth Party; and Culture Committee, Isale Eko Descendants’ Union.

    Nana-Aisha is the registrar for the British International Primary School in Lagos. She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Lagos. She is well-traveled and compassionate, with strong interpersonal and communication skills, and she works effectively with a wide range of constituents. 

    The EDE Prize for Language Annual Speaking, Reading, and Spelling Competition is a Yoruba speaking, reading, and spelling bee competition that aims to preserve and promote the Yoruba language. This is intended to be a unique platform that promotes Yoruba language proficiency and pride. There would be a strong emphasis on the Yoruba language’s rich cultural heritage and the importance of celebrating and preserving it.

    “The appointment of these distinguished individuals to our Board of Trustees further underscores our commitment to excellence,” said Bobo Omotayo, the Prize’s Creator. “Their collective expertise and dedication to our mission will ensure the success and impact of the Prize.” 

    “In addition to enhancing the Indigenous Language Spelling Bee’s reputation, the esteemed members of our Board of Trustees will play an essential role in gaining stakeholder support. We are confident that with their help and leadership, we will be able to attract stakeholders that share our commitment to Indigenous literacy and cultural preservation.

    Students from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Osun states can compete for the prize in its inaugural year. Schools interested in participating can sign up their students for free at www.edeprize.com. Registration will close on Friday, March 29, 2024.

  • Six ways to pass WAEC exams well

    Six ways to pass WAEC exams well

    Are you looking forward to taking WAEC SSCE in 2024? If it is your dream to smile your way to a desired tertiary institution with amazing results, you’re in the right place.

    The West African Examination Council (WAEC) is an institution that conducts the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) – a final year exam for Secondary School leavers.

    The following are six important tips to help you pass your WAEC exams:

    Know the syllabus

    There is always a syllabus for every WAEC exam. You must Familiarise yourself with it. In it, you’ll find all the necessary textbooks and topics you should know.

    Compare the syllabus with what you have in your school notes and identify if there are any gaps. That way, you’ve prepared yourself against any surprising shocker from possible strange questions.

    Have a study plan

    You must plan for your examination. This helps you deal with anxiety. Before examination draws nearer you must have identified subjects that easily sink into you and the ones you are having difficulty with. It is even possible not to have issues with any subject. Yes, you can be the master in all.

    Regardless of the category you fall into, you must discipline yourself, get serious, and create a plan like a timetable with each subject including the time you intend to read or study each. Don’t blur the lines between your study plan and something else; it is a guide for you to excel.

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    Start studying early

    Unless you have a different plan from what we’re planning for you, you should study early. Just joking, I’m sure you aim to excel. So, don’t give yourself an excuse for not studying, probably because of school work or extra lessons.

    Again, for you to conquer exam anxiety, you should start reading early; start writing down major points or short notes to revise what you’ve read. This style helps many people including myself. You’ll be able to comprehend more topics very well.

    Trial exam

    How about a trial exam to know how well you understand each subject? Yes, it’s very important. When you acquaint yourself with past questions, you will learn time management and your strong and weak areas.

    You have to treat it as the exact examination and prepare your mind for it. You may even get a strict face among your siblings to invigilate. If you constantly adhere to this, you’ll be more relaxed and looking forward to WASSCE.

    Seek help

    It’s normal to find some topics difficult. Yes, but what is not normal is refusing to ask for help. It could be your teacher, classmate, or your tutor. From there, you have a clearer picture on what you’re not getting right.

    Take a rest

    Once you’re convinced, make sure you take a rest in between your studies. It is not good enough to overwhelm yourself with multiple tasks without any gain. Let there be a gap in your schedule because if you don’t embrace rest, it can cause fatigue which can affect your mental preparedness.

  • School outlines events for 35th anniversary

    School outlines events for 35th anniversary

    AbDek Private Schools, Somolu Lagos, has kicked off its 35th anniversary celebration with what it termed ‘Gratitude Tree/Memory Lane’, where its alumni came to relive  memories of their time in the school and its impact on their lives.

    Speaking on activities lined up for the celebration, proprietor of the school, Olugbenga Akeem Abdullai said events of celebration will span the month of April, through May to July.

    According to him, on Tuesday, April 23,  the school would visit  orphanage homes and hospitals, while on Saturday, April 27, there would be  house numbering exercise on streets within the school’s neighbourhood.

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    This will be followed by ‘Alumi Assembly’  on Monday, May  20.  Inter-school quiz competition and  talk on ‘Effects of Social Media on Pupils’ Academic Performance/Mental Health would be for Tuesday, May 21; an Alumni reunion/Cocktail party would hold Friday, May 24; Cultural Day is billed for June 9, while the grand finale and Thanksgiving/prize-giving/fundraising would be for July 18.

    Tracing the history of the school, Abdullai said he founded the school to fill a yearning gap for quality education in the Somolu area, right after he finished his second degree at the University of Lagos.

    The son of a teacher himself, Abdullai said he never bothered to look for a job when his peers were job-hunting, choosing instead to run summer schools for WAEC and JAMB students, which he kick-started in 1981/82 before establishing the school in 1989.

    “To the glory of God. Our pupils came out among the best in the common entrance exams when the result came out. We even had one of our children in the gifted children category.”

    Abdullai, however, lamented the challenges of finance, which he said was almost making parents jettison the huge admission opportunities of their wards.

  • One-day principal urges action on kidnapped pupils

    One-day principal urges action on kidnapped pupils

    A pupil of Anglican Comprehensive High School, Ipaja, Lagos, Ndieze Chinonzo Chibueze, has urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the release of abducted pupils  by armed bandits in Kaduna and Borno states.

    Ndieze acted as one-day principal of the school in recognition of his academic brilliance in having six distinctions from seven subjects in the last Cambridge O’ Level Examinations.

    Cambridge O’ Level Examination is an internationally recognised qualification equivalent to Cambridge IGCSE and the UK GCSE which provides learners with excellent preparation for Cambridge Advanced as well as other progression routes.

    The one-day principal called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently secure the release of the innocent children and ensure they are reunited with their parents.

    “While it is important to commend the efforts of both the Federal and state governments in tackling issues of insecurity in the country, it is equally important to say that all security agencies in the country must be adequately prepared to proactively deal with future occurrences,” he said.

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    Ndieze praised the school authorities for the honour done to him and his colleagues.

     He advised  his fellow pupils to focus more on their studies and shun any form of anti-social behaviour that may truncate their dreams.

    Ndieze noted that the experience earned as a one-day school principal has exposed him to leadership traits that will positively shape his future.

    Principal of the school, The Ven. Joseph Adedeji said it is remarkable that the school is holding the maiden edition of the One-Day School Principal programme to mark the beginning of its 51st year of existence. 

    “The One-Day School Principal programme expected to be a yearly affair, is designed to celebrate and promote academic excellence among pupils on one hand, and also more importantly, to inculcate leadership skills in them and prepare them for future endeavours,” he said.

  • Book for unveiling

    Book for unveiling

    A Book, Alpha Omega Coin Mirror, that explains cryptocurrency more clearly is billed for unveiling in Lagos.

    The pre-launch will be held today at the Amazing Grace Plaza, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

      The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alpha Omega Coin (AOC), Abraham Mankponse Samuel, said the book is a marketing and working document. Also known as White Paper in the cryptocurrency subsector, the book will enable investors to make informed decisions.

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     He added that Alpha Omega Coin is a faith-based cryptocurrency designed to liberate people from poverty.

    The book also contains the philosophy, mission and vision of the company as well as the ecosystem and Tokenomics of AOC project. It covers topics such as AOC Monetary, Financial and Economic Galaxy. Besides, it treats an anti-manipulation strategy to assure funds’ security and sustainability.

  • Spelling Bee contest for Saturday

    Spelling Bee contest for Saturday

    Ronik Comprehensive School (RCS), Ejigbo, Lagos is organising Spelling Bee competition for primary schools in the state.

    In a statement, the Principal, Mrs Victoria Duru, said:  “The Spelling Bee competition holds on Saturday, March 16, 2024 between 10am and 2pm in the school hall.”

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    Participating schools include Daisy School, Weenoble School, Ronik Intl Primary School, Don Michael School, Hansberg School, Proper Child School, Grandmates School, Word of Power School, Book Workshop School, Master Ville School.and Top Laurel School.

    She noted that prizes would be presented to finalists and winners of the competition.

    Duru said the competition is aimed at uplifting the standard of education and performance among primary school pupils.

  • Praise for parents amid hardship

    Praise for parents amid hardship

    • By Ganiyat Mumuni

    The Director of AR-Rahman Montessori Schools, Lagos, AbdulKabir Sulaimon, has praised parents for their relentless support to the school  in the face of economic hardship in the country.

    He spoke  at the school’s 2024 sport fiesta, held at Unilag Sport Complex, Akoka, Lagos.

    He noted the parents’ support and cooperation were outstanding.

    “With the implication of the present state of economy, the support we get from parents whose children attend our school, are very promising notwithstanding everything. We are grateful to receive your co-operation and I’m sure  that today points to the fact that the school is out for excellence.

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    “The success of any child in life is not limited to the four walls of the classroom.  We do some extra curricular activities and it’s our hope that we add more to the history that we have already maintained in the school community,” he said.

    Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Chairman of the school, Yahaya Bashiru also urged Nigerians to cut down their expenses and focus more on their basic needs, to sustain life, as the economy is not friendly as it ought to.

    Bashiru said the economy isn’t biting hard on only the most vulnerable in the society but also on the average,rich and everybody.

    “The only thing we need, is to cut down our expenses.Feeding consumes more of our expenses. Everybody needs to focus on their basic needs; which are food, transportation and health. These are the most important things to focus on and not parties, social gathering and others,” he said.

    Mrs Kudirat Tiamiyu lauded the school’s vision which aims at achieving excellence in child mentorship and development.

    She said: “My daughter just started last year and they are really trying academically and there is much  improvement, most especially the Arabic education and Western aspect. She reads well at home once she’s back from school.”

    She encouraged the school not to change their mode of operations, nor plan to increase fees as it will affect their vision of offering good quality Arabic and Western education.

    The sporting event featured relay race, hurdles,tug-of-war, passing the balls, sack race, among others.

    Red House came first,  Blue house took second position; while Yellow house and Green house came 3rd and 4th respectively.

  • Strategies for a prosperous nation, by don

    Strategies for a prosperous nation, by don

    If the nation’s fundamental challenges are favourably addressed, it will be well positioned to leverage abundant opportunities for development across multiple sectors. Thus, areas of comparative advantage should be mapped out and thoroughly explored. DAMOLA KOLA-DARE reports.

    It is imperative for the nation to rise above its current challenges  to foster a new and prosperous state where critical sectors like education, business, judiciary,power, among others, are fail-safe.

    This was the position of erstwhile Lagos State University (LASU) Vice Chancellor Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun,SAN, when he delivered the 21st Annual Public Lecture and Luncheon of the  Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA) Lagos chapter.

    The lecture entitled: “Harnessing opportunities for a new Nigeria,” was organised in honour of Justice Adewale Abiru, and Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN. The duo are distinguished members of the  societywho got elevated in their various fields of endeavour. Abiru was promoted to the position of Justice of the Supreme Court, while Ali was appointed a Professor of Legal Practice by the Federal University,Oye-Ekiti(FUOYE), Ekiti State.

    Fagbohun noted that if the   nation’s fundamental problems are tackled, it would foster the much desired change and a new Nigeria.  According to him,  six fundamental issues to be addressed include, insecurity, poor education system, erratic electricity supply, lack of transparency from leaders, ineffective judiciary, deficient federalism.

    Highlighting the significance of education to national development, the Professor of Environmental Law noted that South Korea which was plagued by financial crisis, capitalism and political naivety, made rapid economic progress as a result of its education system.

    He said the country’s ‘single track’ approach guaranteed universal access to education at all levels and guided by rigorous academic standards known as ‘education fever’.

    While underscoring the significance of funding tertiary institutions, Fagbohun said Nigeria needed an education revolution.

    “Reform efforts should address the entire system rather than the usual sporadic disconnected initiatives.Creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking should be the guiding principles for our strategic planning and the mapping of our curriculum. Our institutions must be capable of attracting  and retaining top graduates and talents,both within and outside the country to serve as teachers. Nigeria needs an education revolution,” he said.

    The don said the country’s areas of strength should be marked out and thoroughly explored.He listed the entertainment industry, tourism and agriculture and gold mines for economic prosperity.

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    “With proper structuring, Nigeria has the potential to emerge as an international entertainment and tourist destination that will attract millions of foreign tourists each year.In agriculture, there is opportunity to move  beyond the export of raw materials by focusing on creating more value-added products.Similarly, in the solid minerals and blue economy, there is potential for value addition. However,realising these potentials will require implementing consistent and favourable policies, reforms and regulations that prioritise long term productivity and export-led growth,” he said.

    Fagbohun urged government to address infrastructure deficit, improve business ecosystem, evolve strategies to encourage responsible micro lending and guarantee access to long term capital for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises(SMEs).

    He said if success is made in reforming the judicial sector, the country would undergo transformation.

    “On the path of the judiciary, which should serve as a check on corrupt practices by leaders, reforms intended to simplify proceedings have paradoxically become more technical and burdensome  than the processes they aim to reform. Procedure, rather than justice had taken precedence and rights are routinely  defeated by wrongs. The once-respected esteem for the law has disappeared, leaving society hugely demoralised,” he said.

  • Group gifts candidates UTME forms

    Group gifts candidates UTME forms

    Amana  Foundation has purchased  Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination forms(UTME) for over 2,000 candidates in Kwara State.

    The foundation added that it had also sponsored scores of youths into tertiary institutions in the state.

    The foundation sponsored by Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studiies (NILDS) Prof.  Abubakar Suleiman, had also purchased forms for scores of National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) candidates.

    National Coordinator of the foundation,  Dare  Magobon said this in Ilorin, the state capital at the inauguration of the executives of the group.

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    He said : “Our founder through the foundation over the years, has paid the school fees of some Arabic and Islamic students covering all the local governments in the state.

    “The foundation through its boss, has empowered not less than 100 market women.

    “The renovation of Ajikobi community health is a testimony of its founder’s commitment towards the well-being of the people and payment of hospital bills of sick people and pregnant women upon delivery.

    “In the days, months and years ahead, let us be guided by the principles of empathy, collaboration and sustainable development towards our people.

    “Together, we can a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve and inspire positive change that echoes through generations.”