The Nation Newspaper

Category: Education

  • Teachers urged to lead task in promoting high-quality education

    Teachers urged to lead task in promoting high-quality education

    A non-governmental organisation, PristineSACC Education and Technology Initiative recently organised a roundtable discussion on teachers’ socio-economic status, teachers’ job performance and students’ academic achievement with the purpose of empowering teachers.

    With the theme focused on “Inspire and empower to adopt, adapt and improve”, the roundtable also presented the teachers with the opportunity to consider variety of ways to structure activeness and effective teaching that enables multiple modes of engagement.

    It was also an opportunity to create various pathways for students’ achievement and accessibility in the classrooms while maintaining their optimal well-being.

    Read Also: FG, media firm mark successful conclusion of teachers’ competition

    Executive Director, Mrs Umar Aishat who was ably represented by Ms Balogun Hanifat, emphasised that organisation’s mission is to promote SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

    Programme Manager, Mr. S.A. Odore, charged teachers to lead the task in promoting high-quality education in Nigeria.

    He said: “Although teachers are important stakeholders in educational institutions and should lead the task in promoting high-quality education in Nigeria, teachers are not to be blamed for the ineffectiveness of education in Nigeria because of the reward system.

    “Teachers are under-recognised, under-appreciated, and un-motivated, and their pay does not cover their costs. However, the socio-economic position of teachers needs to be addressed to curb these difficulties.”

    Odore emphasized the value of technology in reducing the workload for educators, stressing on the importance of using artificial intelligence to create and build lesson plans and notes.

    At the roundtable discussion, five syndicate groups were formed and given various questions to analyse.

    Programme Director, Mr. Sodiq Ajala commended the speakers and attendees for their thought-provoking contributions and also encouraged educators to be optimistic, and consistent, and to pursue knowledge via study and self-improvement.

  • Study abroad with ease is achievable – AECC Global

    Study abroad with ease is achievable – AECC Global

    Affable Education Career Consultant LTD (AECC), a study abroad consultant company in Nigeria has said that studying abroad is achievable without stress.

    The AECC made this known during a counselling session tagged “Nursing and Social Work, Spot Admission and Work” at its head office at Premier Hub and Innovation Center, Yaba, Lagos State.

    The counselling session facilitated by an Australian health lecturer treated questions commonly asked about the rigours of studying abroad, fees, requirements, and barriers, among others.

    Speaking with the facilitator of the event, Simon Schweigert, who is the Director of International Student Recruitment and Management (IHM) in Australia, said with quality funding and a good age range, interested participants are allowed to study any course of their choice in any Australian university of their choice stress-free.

    He said: “There are some universities in Australia and they all offer different programs, so if you are looking at secondary school students who have just completed their secondary education, they would be looking to go into a diploma or a bachelor program, and obviously in Nigeria some students have already done their bachelor and diploma programs so they might be looking at postgraduate programs, there are thousands of options and it’s based on the preference of the student”

    Speaking on Nursing and Social Work, Simon stressed that his school, IHM, has only two faculties which makes them more focused and graduates from the school get jobs very smoothly.

    “The Institute of Health and Management, Australia, is a higher education provider, based in Melbourne, and we have other campuses around the city, so we focus on Nursing, Social Work, Public Health and Human Services, we have two faculties, unlike other schools with ten or twenty faculties, we have two named faculty of Nursing and Faculty of Social Work and Human Services, that means because we are focused we can provide a strong education and we are very connected with the industry which means once our students graduate, they can move into jobs very smoothly. “

    In Australia, an undergraduate program is a 3-year course and in the case of social work it’s a 4-year program, while diploma programs are between 1 and a half or 2 years.

    Speaking on the fees and financial commitments, Simon stressed that it varies across universities in Australia.

    “Fees are very different in Australia, but if you look at IHM, we keep our fees very low and affordable, a 2-year master’s program in Nursing is 48,000 Australian dollars, compared to other schools who offer same programme for around 65,000 to 70,000 Australian dollars.

    “We have built in a scholarship program in our fees for all students, in our school all students pay the same fee, Diplomas range between 15,000 to 20,000 AUS dollars for the 1 and a half or 2-year programme.”

    Simon spoke on the availability of jobs for Nurses and Social Workers in Australia following their job crisis in recent times

    Read Also: We Have Got Your Back: Your Study Abroad Journey Starts Here

    “Australia has got a huge job crisis at the moment, especially in the health care sector and the community health care sector, and there’s a very strong demand for workers, and that’s why we have a third division in our company in charge of recruitment specifically to help our students into jobs, the strong demand has made it possible for our students to move into a job straight after they graduate”

    Interested applicants in Nigeria and Africa are urged to submit an application letter to applications.nigeria@aeccglobal.com or contact AECC Global at +2349124497923.

    AECC is a leading study abroad consultant in Nigeria with the vision to help Nigerian students achieve their dreams of studying and working abroad, and over 14 years of practice helped over 70,000 Nigerians achieve their dreams of studying abroad.

  • JAN empowers students with entrepreneurial skills in managing businesses

    JAN empowers students with entrepreneurial skills in managing businesses

    Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) has embarked on the implementation of its 2024 flagship program – the JA company programme, aimed at instilling entrepreneurial skills in senior secondary school students across twelve (12) states in Nigeria.

    According to the organisation, this year-long initiative will empower young minds to kick-start and manage their businesses effectively.

    In a statement, it said: “The JA Company Program goes beyond traditional classroom teachings, providing students with practical insights into a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship.

    “Participants collaborate to establish a company, elect officers, and navigate the exciting and daunting experience of running a business under the supervision of dedicated volunteers.

    “Throughout the program, students engage in entrepreneurial activities, including market research, business development, capital fundraising through stock sales, production, marketing/sales, financial record-keeping, dividend distribution, and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

    “This hands-on approach ensures that students experience the practical challenges and triumphs of real-world business operations.

    “At the program conclusion, successful participants who submit annual reports to JA Nigeria become eligible for regional competitions.

    “The best student companies from each region then vie for the National Company of the Year (NCOY) title in Lagos. The winning school from the 2024 NCOY competition will represent Nigeria at the 2024 Africa Company of the Year (ACOY) competition in Mauritius.”

    Read Also: Nigeria’s oil production up by 177,000bpd in January

    The Acting Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria, Olaolu Akogun, in his remarks, said: “The JA Company Program offers students a transformative experience, providing them with practical skills and the right mindset to excel in the business realm.

    “With “Greenovation” as this year’s theme, we anticipate the innovative ideas that hundreds of student companies across Nigeria will present to address challenges within their communities, and ultimately yielding profits.

    “We extend our gratitude to our sponsors, the Project Management Institute and Boeing, for their steadfast support in bringing this initiative to reality.”

  • VC decries invasion of ESUT premises by thieves

    VC decries invasion of ESUT premises by thieves

    The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has cried out following the theft of several expensive solar panels from the institution.

    The university under the administration of the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Alloysius Michaels-Okolie, had initiated the installation of solar-powered street lights within its main campus at Agbani in Nkanu West local government area of the state late last year.

    However, during the installation process, the panels were stolen by unidentified thieves.

    During a speech at the donation event by the Obe and Umueze autonomous communities in the Nkanu West local government area, where they contributed an additional 30 plots of land for ESUT’s nursery, primary, and secondary school projects, VC Prof. Okolie, expressed concern over the university’s vulnerability to theft and encroachment by private developers. He also highlighted the issue of road blockages leading to the university campus.

    The VC said: “We have been having issues of theft here in the university. People come in from different directions to loot our property.

    “Our solar panels were stolen as they were being mounted. Let’s help ourselves. We have been enduring some things because we want peace

    “Also, people who build houses, are blocking our roads. Let’s respect the right of way. We need peace here in ESUT.”

    While commending the people of Obe and Umueze autonomous communities for sacrificing a lot for the university through the donation of land, Okolie urged them to see the university and its property as their own.

    He informed them that Governor Peter Mbah had already approved the construction of perimeter fencing to protect the university from further encroachment and theft.

    Okolie, who announced the employment of 10 security personnel from the host communities, assured them that as long as they continued to treat the university as their personal property, more privileges would be extended to them.

    The communities vowed to do everything possible to apprehend those who stole the street lights and panels, promising that henceforth, “Anybody who steals from ESUT is now fighting us.”

    One of the community leaders and traditional ruler of Obe Community, HRH Igwe Stephen Nweke, said the decision to cede the land to the university was due to the newly established cordial relationship existing between the host communities and the university, which he said was made possible by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Alloysius Michaels-Okolie.

    Read Also: Communities donate land to ESUT school projects

    The monarch, who stated that the two communities had resolved to own the university to protect its property, said with the performance of the VC and the vision of Governor Peter Mbah for the state, nothing could be too much for them to do for the university that had brought development to the community.

    Igwe Nweke said: “Today, we are here to hand over the land documents which are owned by the Umueze and Obe communities for the establishment of ESUT Nursery, Primary and Secondary school to you and the management of ESUT. We’re here because we have seen a better approach in you than the past VCs.”

  • Benue to pay WAEC fees for students in public schools

    Benue to pay WAEC fees for students in public schools

    The Benue State Government has unfolded plans to pay Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) registration fees for students in government-established schools.

    The Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Rev. Frederick Ikyaan, disclosed this during a meeting with Principals of Post-Primary Schools, Area Education Officers and other stakeholders in the education sector in Makurdi, the state capital.

    Rev. Ikyaan announced that Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia adminstration will pay the  registration fees for final year students of only Government Secondary Schools (GSS’s), in the state.

    He cautioned the principals against engaging in unethical practices such as illegal admission of students in the name taking undue advantage of the good gesture that the state Government is offering to her citizens.

    According to the governor’s Principal Print Media Assistant to the governor, Donald Kumun, the commissioner  instructed all the principals of post primary schools not to collect money from students for such registration, unless approvals that would come from the ministry.

    The Commissioner called on parents of benefited students to encourage their children to study hard to compliment the efforts of the state government, so as not to see it as a wasted opportunity.

    Read Also: Ensure in-depth probe of Benue killings, Reps tell police

    The Director General, Benue State Education Quality Assurance Agency (BEQA), Dr. Terna Francis, thanked the Commissioner for bringing innovations in the education sector that are already yielding positive results, saying that, the agency under him is aimed at improving the quality of teaching and learning in the state, and warned against examination malpractice and other vices in the sector.

    The Executive Secretary, Benue State Teaching Service Board (TSB), Mr. Tsea Ahule, also thanked  the commissioner for the meeting with heads of the institutions, as well as administrators in the education sector, and called on the  principals to always seek approvals from the board before taking any action in their respective schools.

  • Zenith Bank trains Premiere Academy students in financial literacy

    Zenith Bank trains Premiere Academy students in financial literacy

    Zenith Bank has organised a one-day financial training for students of Premiere Academy, Lugbe, Abuja. 

    The training, which held as part of Premiere Academy’s institutional co-curricular Money Matter Programme, focused on how to leverage Intentional Savings, Investments and Philanthropic Spendings as vehicles of wealth building and management. 

    It also featured an open competition where the participants demonstrated aptitude for Money Management, with Mirabelle Effiong, a JSS 2 student of the school, going home with the N50,000 Star Prize.

    Zenith Bank’s Senior Executive Officer, Training, Nancy Osuagwuh and Toluwalope Adediji, Relationship Manager, led the team of Zenith Bank personnel that conducted the training while several top officers and staff of the School were also in attendance to take in life-shaping nuggets from the interactions.

    Osuagwuh praised the school for instituting the Money Matter Programme which she described as an important platform for giving the students valuable life tips to help them become best managers and complete leaders armed with excellent knowledge to impact the world.

    She said: “The excellent ambience of the school, together with the rich academic and co-curricular programmes the students are exposed to, is a stand-out characteristic that speaks volume for the bright future of these students. 

    Read Also: Zenith Bank is Best Bank for digital solutions, says Euromoney

    “The component and design of the Money Matter Programme, for example, and other impactful activities the School regularly undertakes represent one of the best approaches to total education anywhere in the world for which the Management of the School deserve a big applause”

    While thanking the Zenith Bank team for conducting the training, Premiere Academy’s Principal, Mr. John Olugbenro, stressed the School’s commitment to ensuring the students receive well-rounded education that could help them rub shoulders with the best of their contemporaries globally.

    “We shall continue to evolve our systems and environments holistically in line with emerging global trends to not only set our students on a path of academic excellence but to also ensure that they are well-rounded in other vital areas of life with essential life skills that foster confidence, creativity, teamwork and all-round leadership in order for them to be fully ready to shine in all aspects of life”, he stated.

  • Luminary awards set to recognise individuals impacting communities

    Luminary awards set to recognise individuals impacting communities

    The Luminary Awards is set to reward and celebrate individuals championing community development.

    The nomination phase, according to the organisers, began in December last year and will end on Thursday, February 15.

    The award winner will be announced and presented with a cash gift on May 1, 2024.

    It aims to provide financial support of 1 million Naira to the ultimate winner (the luminary laureate).

    Founded by Napa Onwusah, a multinational business leader and advocate for human empowerment, the Luminary Awards was created to acknowledge individuals who have made profound impacts within their communities.

    According to Napa: “The Luminary Awards are more than mere recognition; it stands as a testament to the profound ability of individuals to effect meaningful change despite all odds.

    Read Also: Fayemi confers ‘Oni Uyi’ awards on distinguished Ekiti indigenes

    “Our mission is to spotlight the everyday heroes whose impact is felt within and outside their immediate communities.”

    A statement by the organisers said: “Eligibility for participation is open to Nigerian individuals aged 18 and above who address critical needs or issues within their communities, demonstrate a positive impact, and possess a consistent track record of community development.

    “The luminary awards seek to honour those whose tireless efforts, often behind the scenes, usually go unnoticed.

    “A distinguished panel of four independent judges, including Ayokanmi Ayuba, Deputy Country Director at TechnoServe Nigeria; D.J.O. Majekodunmi, CEO of Pact Universal; Eliezer Ajah, Learning and Development Specialist; and Oluwaseyi Kehinde-Peters, Founder of PAWEN, will meticulously evaluate nomination entries.

    “The top 20 nominees will be announced on March 1, 2024, and subjected to public voting until April 15, 2024.

    “Beyond the ultimate winner, the Luminary Awards hopes to also recognize the top 20 nominees by presenting them with cash gifts and consolation prizes. However, this can only be possible with the support of sponsors and partners interested in this noble initiative.

    “For nominations, sponsorship, and partnership inquiries, or additional information, please visit our website: luminaryaward.com.”

  • Imo sponsors 107 graduates to Law School

    Imo sponsors 107 graduates to Law School

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has approved the sponsorship of 107 graduates to Law School.

    The state government would pay N500,000 for each of the graduates as tuition, totalling N53.5 million.

    A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs. Oby Amadiobi, said the gesture by the governor was to ensure that no Imo indigene is denied the opportunity of attending law school as a result of lack of funds.

    According to her, the gesture is also aimed at strengthening the capacity of the state’s manpower in a critical area of human resources.

    Read Also: ‘Law School experience was stressful’

    She enjoined the beneficiaries to ensure that they worked harder to justify the confidence that the governor has on them.

    The statement recalled that state indigenes had always excelled at different bar examinations and charged the current set to follow the footsteps of their predecessors. It pledged that the governor would also extend similar gestures to other core professionals in the realisation of his 3R mantra of reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery.

  • Foundation gifts pupils uniform

    Foundation gifts pupils uniform

    Some pupils of Estate Primary School, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos have received free uniforms from the Bola Oyebade Foundation (BOf) as part of activities marking its sixth anniversary.

    Founder/Trustees Chair, BOF, Bola Oyebade, said his “vision is to uplift the lives of individuals through economic empowerment and improve the overall quality of living of Nigerians’ and “grow a community of self-empowered people”.

    He recalled that as a pupil, he won an award for cleanliness and this was because he had three pairs of uniforms so that when one was dirty, he fell back on another. He advised parents to buy more than a pair of uniforms for their wards so they could look neat at all times.

    He urged Nigerians to assist the less-privileged, adding that one did not need to be a rich man before he could provide assistance.

    In the next three years, he planned to award scholarships to primary and secondary pupils as well as students of higher institutions.

    Oyebade, therefore, urged public-spirited Nigerians to support the foundation to achieve its objectives, adding that nothing was too small to be given to it.

    BoF Board member, Olatunbosun Ajayi, congratulated the pupils on the gifts, advising them to take care of them. He said their main objective was empowering people and that this year they added uniforms after they were cleared by the school authorities to do so.

    Read Also: N33m life-line for 400 pupils with special needs in four schools

    He recalled that the foundation had provided10 units of sewing machines, 15 units of barbing kits, and five units of industrial machines to empower youths and women. Others were five units of pepper grinders and cash to 50 petty traders. It had also trained skilled and unskilled entrepreneurs on snail farming and value chain of agribusiness.

     He announced that the foundation planned to empower more women in cassava processing plants in five communities in Lagos State, namely Epe, Ota, Abigi, Akute and Ikorodu; roll out an Agricultural Out-Grower Scheme for unemployed youths and graduates; agricultural training schemes on new areas for better yields and provision of fertiliser and germicides to select rural farmers.

     In the next one year, Ajayi added, it also planned to train 500 Nigerians in micro businesses such as making of plantain chips, wash soap, shampoo, starch and paper bags. Others, he added, were bags, beads, shoes, make-up artistry and hairdressing and barbing.

    Guest speaker, David Kolade Oluga, a retired Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, told the pupils that the economy is tough. As such, they should be prepared to weather the storm.

    They could do so, he advised, by creating multiple streams of income. He also advised the government to provide an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to excel. He said the youth should rely on their talents and hone their skills in that direction.

  • First Lady announces N50m endowment fund

    First Lady announces N50m endowment fund

    The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced a N50 million endowment fund for the best graduating law student of the Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano.

    Mrs. Tinubu made the announcement at the inauguration of the institution’s School of Law Building, which was named after her by the university’s management.

     The first lady, who unveiled the building, expressed satisfaction with the facilities put in place and thanked the founder of the university, Prof. Adamu Gwarzo, for naming the school building after her.

    She also lauded Gwarzo for his contribution towards uplifting the standard of education in Nigeria and beyond.

    “I am delighted for being honoured at this occasion and I am not taking it for granted as I will continue to support the youths because education is the key to freedom,” she said.

    Mrs. Tinubu recalled that she did her one year mandatory National Youth Service in Kano State and how she stayed at the popular Sabon Gari area in the ancient city

    Gwarzo said MAAUN’s vision is to be a world-class university renowned in teaching, research and service for global mankind.

    Read Also: Lent: First lady urges positive attitudes among citizens

    He said the mission of the university is to “offer the world with well-educated and talented leaders and captains of industries by providing affordable and acceptable qualitative education and skills to all”.

    Narrating the history of the school, Gwarzo recalled that the university started in Maradi, Niger Republic.

    He restated the commitment of the institution to providing quality education and high moral standard to the students.

    After inaaugurating the edifice, the first lady was conducted round the School of Law and the Murtala Ramat Mohammed library.

    Mrs. Tinubu was accompanied to the event by former First Lady, Hajia Maryam Abacha, Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Mariya Bunkure, former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen and wife of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mrs. George Akume.

    Other personalities that accompanied the First Lady were wives of governors from 17 states, including, Niger, Borno, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Ogun, Nasarawa, Gombe, Plateau and Jigawa.

    Other states were Katsina, Taraba, Adamawa, Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Lagos and the host state, Kano.