Category: Education

Members of staff of the Federal University Oye- Ekiti (FUOYE) have lauded the management of the institution for providing a new 60-seater bus for them.

The bus, according to the management led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasinato, is to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.

The Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Funso Ogunmodede, who spoke on behalf of the staff, noted that the vice chancellor had never betrayed their expectations.

Ogunmodede said that this was in spite of the various ongoing projects within the twin campuses in Oye and Ikole-Ekiti.

“We cannot thank God enough for making Prof. Abayomi Fasina, the FUOYE Vice Chancellor at a time like this.

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“The vice chancellor has changed the face of leadership in FUOYE with his numerous achievements in providing infrastructure, promoting staff welfare and enhancing an enabling environment for the students.

“This no doubt, with his administration’s open door policy, is the best to have happened to FUOYE in recent times because he has no doubt registered his name in gold as the best administrator of FUOYE.”

He noted that the bus would go a long way in tackling the effects of the fuel subsidy removal, adding that the staff were excited with the development because the VC had not deviated from ensuring that the staff got the best treatment.

“We are very happy, because Prof. Fasina has transformed every aspect of the university. We are happy for this latest gesture, God bless him for us,” he said.

Nigeria’s quest for quality education for its teeming citizens at all levels has remained largely a pipe-dream. With increasing population of youths seeking tertiary education, coupled with limited resources and space, federal and state governments have continued to struggle to meet the gap.

However, the creation of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), an interventionist agency established by Act of Parliament with responsibility of disbursement, management, and monitoring of education tax to government-owned tertiary institutions, has provided rare hope for the nation’s tertiary educational development.

One of such institutions is the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, which recently witnessed inauguration of five projects by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The iconic projects worth N697, 924, 427.23 included Multipurpose Hall, ICT Main Building, School of Renewable Energy Building, Agricultural Technology Engineering Building and Chemical Engineering Laboratory.

Two other capital projects, namely Dean’s Complex and Food Technology Laboratory were also inaugurated by the Ag. Chairman of Governing Council of the institution, Hon. Omonibeke Kemelayefa.

Speaking during the event, Buhari described education as critical element in socio-economic development of nations, stressing that the projects would in no small measure further enhance teaching and learning and improvement of academic standards.

Represented by former Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Opiah, Buhari urged the polytechnic to take full advantage of the facilities and make good use of them for educational and vocational development of the students.

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Also speaking, Executive Secretary, TETFund, Sonny Echono, stated that the projects were testimony to government’s commitment to ensuring institutions across the country attained high global ranking, at the sametime become more competitive in their mandate as tertiary institutions.

Represented by Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Babatunde Olajide, Echono added that the commissioning of the projects was a major way of showcasing achievements of the current government in the tertiary education sub-sector in view of the large volume of funds released for the provision of needed infrastructure through the fund.

Commending the polytechnic management for sticking substantially to the guidelines of the fund in managing the projects to completion, the TETFund boss implored her to ensure proper usage and maintenance of the buildings, to serve generations coming behind to acquire learning in the institution.

Rector of the institution, Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo reiterated her administration’s committment to ensuring that the polytechnic remained a world class Institution.

She praised the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for its massive support to the polytechnic, revealing  that the institution was almost 100 per cent accreditation compliant, including mounting of new programmes namely Chemical Engineering and Viticulture with NBTE’s approval.

Dr. Nwafulugo, however, raised the alarm over rampaging gully erosion that had posed serious threats to lives and infrastructure in the campus.

She regretted that the 1.23km road built in the institution three years ago had already been washed away by the erosion, calling for Federal Government’s quick intervention.

Ronik Academic Development Foundation, owners of co-educational Ronik Intl Primary School, Ronik Comprehensive Secondary School and Ronik Polytechnic, Ejigbo, Lagos, is holding a memorial lecture in honour of the late proprietress, Mrs. Rachael Oyenike Alabi-Oyo, on June 15, at 2p.m. at Ronik Comprehensive Secondary School, Ejigbo, Lagos.

 The event has its theme, “Education as the bedrock of national development: The example of Ronik Citadel”. It will be delivered by Dr. Afolabi Tajudeen Alebiosu.

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 According to Mr. Olalekan Otun, a member of the Ronik Board of Governors, “the first memorial lecture is to celebrate the life and times of the renowned educationist and proprietress of Ronik Group of Schools, and further institutionalise her significant contributions to our nation’s education and socio-cultural development.”

 He added: “In the same vein, a one-year memorial service in her honour holds on June 18, at noon at Triumphant Baptist Church, Shasha Road, Akowonjo, Lagos.”

The Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB) and Greensprings Schools Proprietress Mrs. Lai Koiki and have urged the Federal Government and stakeholders in the education sector to promote and implement inclusive education for people with special needs.

FNSB  and  Mrs. Koiki said this at the society’s 65th Annual General Meeting at the Conference Room, Vocational Training Centre for the Blind in Oshodi, Lagos.

Speaking on the theme: “Special needs: Inclusion as a 21st Century Imperative”, she said inclusion was not only a moral imperative, but also a strategic advantage.

According to her, “research evidence shows that inclusive societies are more innovative, productive, resilient, prosperous, peaceful, harmonious, and democratic.

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“Inclusion is essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goals and fulfilling the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

She said inclusion is not yet a reality for many people with special needs in Nigeria and around the world, especially for those with vision impairment and hearing impairment.

Chairman of the Executive Council of FNSB Fusi Akinkugbe said the challenge facing income generation is one of sustainability.

Akinkugbe noted that depending on traditional sources of income has proved inadequate in view of the current hard times.

He called on the government, corporate organisations, and individuals for funding to ensure the sustainability of society, especially in terms of the establishment of Vocational Training Centre (VTC).

The National Coordinator of Spelling Bee Africa Organization, Queeneth Owolabi, has said the winners of the forthcoming spelling bee competition will be awarded N10 million.

Owolabi, in a chat with journalists, during a working visit to Ado Ekiti announced that 31 States would be participating in the programme across the 36 States of the Federation.

She added that besides N10 million cash gift for winners, the overall best will get an overseas excursion with a cash gift at the programme’s grand finale slated for August 15, 2023, in Lagos.

The organiser announced that laptop computers will be distributed as consolation prizes to participants at the event conceptualised to boost education at the secondary school cadre across Nigeria.

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The National Coordinator stated that the programme targeted at promoting education in Nigeria will be co-sponsored by  MTN, Maltina, and Zinox Technology.

Owolabi said: ” We are also reaching out to other Education-friendly organisations like Elizade Motors, BUA Cement, Geregu Power Limited,  AA Rano, Tony Elumelu Foundation and Cuppy Foundation so that we can have enough funding to help in propelling this programme.

“Education all over the world is not funded by government alone, it has assumed a Public-Private Partnership dimension, and such practice must be brought to bear in our country.

“Partnering with reputable organisations becomes imperative because Nigeria remains one the most educated countries globally, but with the high level of poverty.

“Our organisation thought of overseas excursion for the overall best student so that such candidate can get more experiences and exposure about education”.

To commemorate this year’s Children’s Day, a non-profit organisation, Ovie Brume Foundation, hosted over 700 students from 40 schools in Lagos.

Students from schools in Lagos Island and Mainland participated in match past, Taekwando, cultural dances, talent hunt and games. Winners went home with Notepads, water bottles and vests.

Speaking on the effectiveness of foundation in the lives of the youth, chairman of the foundation, Evelyn Oputu, said it has helped to shape all round development of the younger ones.

 “One of the things this foundation does is the development of youth. You know there are lot of youths with potential but with the kind of background they come from, they’re not able to reach their full potential.

 “We tend to help this children achieve their potential to the best height. We opened up a youth centre in Victoria Island and we teach them everything and it’s for free. We take them on vacation and we do our best for them,” she said.

Speaking on the theme of the programme,  “Investing in our future is investing in our children”, Executive Director of the foundation, said: “We can invest in our children by giving them our time, listening to them, advising them, being present for them and engaging interactively with them.’

 Elated for participating in the event, a student of Adebola Baptist Senior High School Surulere, Favour Nwasia, thanked the foundation.

 One of the event’s sponsors from Access bank, Oyingbo branch, Michael Ekwote, said: “Access bank partners in all forms of educational aspects. We believe that children are the leaders of tommorow’’.

Access Bank has educational platforms where they reach out to some schools to ensure students with potential are discovered.”

Director of Lagos State Library Board Asimiyu Amoo Oyadipe has advised pupils to imbibe reading culture since it is an important activity that promotes academic excellence in schools.

Oyadipe encouraged pupils to continue to read and study in the libraries provided by the government in their various schools and at the same time keep making use of any of the state’s functional public libraries.

Addressing invited guests, teachers, and pupils at this year’s LagosReads Inter-Schools Quiz Competition organised by the board for selected public schools at Old Secretariat, Ikeja, he said his agency was committed to ensuring that reading culture improved in the state.

The director said in realisation of the importance of reading to its citizenry, the state government, through the board, initiated LagosReads Advocacy Programme in 2018 and this year marked the fourth edition geared towards promoting the reading culture in the state.

The programme, he said, is geared at improving the reading culture of Lagosians by enabling, facilitating and promoting reading in schools as well as in public and private libraries.

At the end of the competition, Okeira Senior Grammar School, Ikeja, representing District VI, placed first position; Ijesha-Tedo Senior High School, Surulere (District IV) took second position and Ikorodu Senior High School, Ikorodu, representing District II, placed third.

The quiz covers the following senior secondary school’s subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Government, Economics, Literature in English, English and Mathematics.

Leading toothpaste brand, in collaboration with Nigeria Dental Association (NDA) and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has kicked off its school activation programme in primary schools across the nation to promote oral health education.

The programme, titled: ‘Pepsodent Brush Day and Night School Programme’, is targeted at educating and reaching a minimum of 2,000,000 pupils between the age of six and 11 in six states that include Lagos, Rivers, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna and Edo.

Speaking during the kick-off at St. Saviour Primary School in Lagos,  Marketing Head, Beauty& Wellbeing and Personal Care, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Oiza Gyang, noted that the oral hygiene programme has been designed to engage children in primary schools for the next three months after which students will be rewarded for their full participation.

Speaking on the mechanism of the 21-day challenge, Gyang stated that the activation would happen five days a week while the activation team would return after 21 days to reward students who complete the challenge.

Studies have shown that behavioural change happens 21 days after repeated action. Oral conditions are among the world’s most widespread chronic diseases. In Nigeria, it is the leading cause of absenteeism among school children.

“The whole idea about this challenge is to encourage young kids to imbibe the habits of good oral behaviour. As you are aware, oral health is critical to any individual’s well-being and productivity. We are passionate about families and children, and we believe that complete oral protection for the family is achievable. We believe that with this activation and the level of awareness we are creating, a lot of young pupils would see the significance of having good oral hygiene,” she said.

She stressed that the activation programme aims to encourage oral behavioural change among young school kids, which would lead to their general well-being and good quality of life.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Category Manager, Oral Care, Pepsodent, Eva Ogudu, stated that Unilever as a company, remains a force for good in the quest to entrench a culture of oral hygiene that would consequently lead to the overall well-being of Nigerians.

Ogudu noted that the activation is being carried out in line with the mission of spreading outstanding oral health around the world such that people can unlock the power of their smiles.

She added that the company’s ambitious target is to reach 10 million children by 2025, disclosing that the campaign has reached over six million school children nationwide.

    In his remarks, the Chairman, the Nigerian Dental Association, Lagos Chapter, Dr. Oluwole Olusanya,  stressed the need for parents and caregivers to inculcate the habits of regular brushing of teeth among their children relatively early to keep bacteria under control and consequently prevent oral infections such as tooth decay or gum diseases.

    Olusanya noted that failure to take care of one’s oral health could have a profound negative effect on other parts of the body and result in severe health conditions.

    Globally, Pepsodent has been at the forefront of driving behavioural change in oral health.

It was a parade of his former students, family members and friends at the final funeral rites for renowned former school principal, Alhaji J.A. Gbadamosi, in Lagos.

  Gbadamosi, who was the principal of Anwar-Ul Islam College, Agege, between 1960 and 1976, died in Lagos on May 15 and was buried the next day. He was 96.

  The Arcade Hall of Eko Club was filled to the brim as people came from far and near to attend  the  eighth day Fidau and final rites organised by the Anwar-Ul Islam Movement of Nigeria, which founded the school in 1948.

   Speakers described Gbadamosi as an astute principal and teacher who impacted the lives of thousands of students who passed through him.

  Among the speakers were president of the movement and a former student of the deceased, Alhaji Mubashir  Ojelade, another old student and one-time Communications Minister, Maj. Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju, a politician, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Prof. Adele Jinadu of the University of Lagos and a businessman and old student, Alhaji Remi Makanjuola.

  Ojelade described Gbadamosi, who was a former secretary of the movement as an upright figure, who comported himself always.

  “He was hardworking, thorough and fair-minded. He was kind, firm and could be tough on matters of indiscipline. He had zero-tolerance for Indiscipline. He was peculiarly a disciplinarian. We thank God for his life,” Ojelade said.

  Adebanjo noted that Gbadamosi was committed to, and passionate about, education, especially the grooming of young Muslim students.

  “When you talk about the educational advancement of Muslims, particularly in Nigeria, Gbadamosi is number one and would never be forgotten. He was a selfless educationist and a great patriot and a man who was very humble, energetic and religious,” Adebanjo said.

  Olanrewaju said Gbadamosi was his in-law for over 60 years, principal and teacher at Ahmadiyya College (now Anwar-Ul Islam College), Agege, between 1961 and 1965.

  Gbadamosi’s son, Biodun, a former General Manager with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), said his father’s death was a big lesson to the living in selflessness.

  “My father was kindhearted, strict and a philanthropist, who lived by example. You heard what many people have been saying about him. Look around you, look at the happiness, though we are all sad. Baba left a legacy of honesty, dedication, punctuality and contentment.

“He lived a fulfilled and happy life; he will be greatly missed by his immediate family, extended family, students, friends and associates,” he said.

  National Chief Missioner of the Movement, Alhaji Ahmad Yoosuf, prayed for Al-Janna Fridaus for Gbadamosi and divine protection for his family.