The Federal Government has distributed feeding utensils to public primary schools in Ogun State in benefiting from the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, who distributed the items at the weekend to the beneficiaries in Abeokuta, said about 9,041,393 pupils enjoy the one-day meal provided by the NHGSFP.

The scheme began over four years ago.

The minister said the scheme had improved the nutritional requirements of the school children, boosted school enrolment figure and created jobs as well as income to others.

Nationwide, 102,097 cooks have been engaged to prepare meals for pupils drawn from 54,619 public schools while 80,000 small holder farmers were contracted to supply food items.

Hajiya Sadiya Farouq who was represented by the Director in the Ministry, Mr. Jaji Babatunde, added that the programme at its core was designed to address poverty in all its forms and is a collaboration between the Federal and state governments, where the Federal government takes responsibility for the release of funds, guidelines policies and monitoring, while the states carry out the day to day implementation, including procurement of food items and selection of cooks.

In his remarks, Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Funmi Efuwape, praised the Federal Government for the initiative.

“Undoubtedly, the NHGSP would continue to provide great empowerment opportunities for women, thereby improving the standard of living amongst families in the state,” he said

Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday congratulated the state contingent that won the president’s schools debate which ended on Thursday, telling the students their feat has again strengthened confidence in the public school system and pledging government’s continuous investment in human capital development.

“I commend the public school children for the feat that is another first in the history of the state. Since this debate began many years ago, this is the first time Kwara is getting the first prize.

“The government and people of Kwara State are proud of these students, their teachers, authorities of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education (KWSUBEB), and especially their parents for a job well done,” the Governor said in a statement.

“We were all glued to the Facebook live-streaming of the superlative performance. It was another emotional moment that speaks eloquently to how far the state has risen from the stagnation and blacklist of the past, especially in basic education.

“The brilliance, eloquence, and composure of the students are a bold statement about the current state of public education in Kwara State, and we invite members of the public and relevant stakeholders to support our ongoing efforts in the sector.

“It is gratifying to note that team Kwara will now represent Nigeria on world debate championship next year, and we commit to do everything to support this journey every step of the way.

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“For their feat, the government of Kwara State is hereby offering scholarship to all the students who took part in and won the national debate up to the first degree in any Nigerian tertiary institution.

“It is the least we could do to encourage them and their peers to continue to be at their best and be good ambassadors of the state.”

The statement said the Governor will host the pupils and their teachers to accord them necessary state recognition for their historic efforts.

The six-student Kwara debating team comprises Ajenifuja Quareebullahi Sheu (Ilorin Grammar School JSS); Dunmoye Sheriffdeen (Offa Grammar School JSS); Adisa Robiat Jaji (Government Girls Day JSS Pakata); Mohammed Halimat (United Community Junior Secondary School Ilorin); Agboola Amdalat (Zango Okesuna, JSS Pake); and Apaokagi Fauziyat Ahmad (Government Girls Day JSS Pakata).

The Kwara team was led by their teachers (Mallam Uthman Otta; Mr Babayemi Opeyemi; Mrs Yusuf Mutiyat Adepeju; and Mrs Obodo Mary; Yero Sheu Abdulazeez; Akinbinu Dayo Augustine; Aliyu Taiye Hassan) and SUBEB management team led by its chairman Professor Abdulraheem Shehu Adaramaja.

Affiliated to the Office of the First Lady, Hajia Aishat Muhammadu Buhari the debate was organised by the President’s School Debate of Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Apart from the feat at the debate competition, Kwara’s Adaramaja also won an award as the best SUBEB chairman in north Central.

Mea Mater Elizabeth High School, Agbani, in Enugu State is to reward 33 pupils who scored multiple As in the just-released 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

In a statement issued by the director, Mr. Jude Isienyi, the school said the gesture was to recognise the pupils for maintaining the school’s tradition of academic excellence in recent past.

It noted with delight that from the results released by the recent examination body, a student of the school made eight A1s, four made seven A1s each, eight made six A1s each, 14 made five A1s each, while 21 made four A1s each, out of the total number of nine subjects.

The best performing student, Sibeudu Ogechukwu Akunne, it was learned, scored eight straight A1s in English Language, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Studies and Civic Education, with the only B3 in Data Processing.

The multiple A1s are mainly concentrated on English Language and Mathematics, as well as the core science subjects of Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

The school stated that it would use the reward system to encourage hard work amongst its pupils.

The 1991/92 Set of Anwar U Islam College Agege (formerly Ahmadiyya College) Old Students Association (ACAOSA) will on Saturday mark 30th anniversary of leaving school with the inauguration of project and awards to outstanding pupils of the school.

President of the Set, Mr. Rafiu Mohammed, and the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr. Abayomi Fajimi, said activities for the celebration will commence tomorrow with a special Jumat Service at the school mosque.

This will be followed by a novelty football match between ACAOSA 1991/92 Set and the school’s team.

Highlight of Saturday’s event would be the inauguration of the first phase of the school’s newly renovated Physics laboratory.  The project will be completed and handed over to the school early next year.

Outstanding pupils who excelled in the 2020/2021 academic session will also be rewarded with prizes same day.

The award is a partnership between ACAOSA 1991/92 Set and the late Alhaji Muhammed Adebola Badmus Foundation. The late Alhaji Badmus was an educationist par excellence and a former Principal of Anwar-Ul Islam College Agege from 1987 to 1991. The three-day anniversary would climax with a Thanksgiving service on Sunday.

Dignitaries expected at the event include former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro; newly promoted Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo; Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Mr. Mojeed Balogun; President General of ACAOSA Worldwide, Alhaji Lawal Pedro, former teachers, among others.

Ahead of the event, the set donated branded notebooks and writing materials to all the pupils of the school last week.

With a membership strength of over 300 old students (in Nigeria and the Diaspora) that graduated from the College in 1991 and 1992, the Set was conferred with the prestigious ”Young Inspiring Set Award” at the 70th founder’s day of the College in 2018. The body has evolved to become a very strong, united and resourceful one committed to enhancing the development of members, the school and society in a sustainable manner.

During its 25th anniversary celebration in 2016, ACAOSA 1991/92 Set funded the entire renovation of the interior and exterior of the building that houses the Biology and Chemistry laboratories of the school, the Vice Principal’s Office and that of the Bursar. The Set also produced and donated branded notebooks to the entire students of the school.

Awards of excellence and gifts were also presented to former teachers for their outstanding contributions to humanity, the school and society at large.

Unubiko Foundation has launched a N250 million intervention fund to rebuild the Ovukwu-Abam Secondary School, Atan Abam in Abia State.

Its Chairman/founder, Chief James Ume, said the fund was a demonstration of his commitment to develop his community.

Speaking in Lagos at the launch of a book titled: “Technology and Development – An African Perspective,” written by the Business Editor of THE PUNCH, Mr. Everest Amaefule, Ume said the foundation had before now implemented many intervention programmes in Nigeria in areas of skills acquisition in digital technology and other areas, youths and women empowerment, job creation and poverty reduction among others.

Ume, who was the Chief Presenter at the launch said, “It is worthwhile to state that in my commitment to the development of our people both infrastructural-wise and in capacity, the Unubiko Foundation has just launched a N250m intervention fund to rebuild the Ovukwu-Abam Secondary School, Atan Abam in Abia State and I invite all of us to be part of the future we are building.”

As a measure of his support, Ume bought 10 copies of the book at N2 million for the library of the NUJ National Secretariat.

He also bought 10 more copies each for the FCT and Abia Councils of the NUJ for N2m each, and additional 10 copies for Unubiko Foundation for N2 million.

Similarly, Ume who was represented at the event by The Deputy Editor, THISDAY, Obinna Chima, purchased another 10 copies of the book for Ovukwu-Abam Secondary School, also for N2 million, bringing his total support to N10 million.

He praised the author’s commitment towards offering insights through his writings on Nigeria and the global economy.

He said: “In other parts of the world, it is a given for journalists to write books and offer their deep insights into issues that shape and can potentially impact on the course of events in their societies. It is not that common in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

“It is in this wise that when we find journalists such as Mr. Amaefule bringing their wealth of experience garnered over many years in a book form, we should applaud their industry and commitment to better and grow society.

“This book is a challenge to other journalists not to rest on their oars but to continue to strive to develop themselves and be part of living history by documenting their perspectives on issues of growth, development, politics, economy and security.”

The Agency for Mass Education kicked off the second phase of its vocational sensitisation and mobilisation programmes in major communities in Agege and Ikorodu areas of Lagos State.

The sensitization held Tuesday in Agege and Wednesday in Ikorodu drew the attention of youths and other residents of the area to newly refurbished vocational training centres in both areas.  The training centre in Agege is located within the Scholarship Board premises on Ipaja Road, while the Ikorodu Centre is located in Etunrenren.

Head of Vocational Department at the Agency, Mrs. Ayodele Salu and other members of staff urged youths and adults in the area to enroll to learn various skills for free  when they visited Iyana-Ipaja, Dopemu and Orile-Agege markets to distribute fliers and enlighten traders and other residents about the trades they could learn, including fashion designing, hair dressing, digital training, shoe making, catering, barbing, and phone repairs.

Salu noted that the sensitization was done to popularise vocational training and increase enrolment at the centre.

“A new session is coming on board. The last set just finished their practicals and they are gone. We need new learners to come to the centre. We need new people to come and enroll,” she said.

She lauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for renovating the centre and urged people to embrace government programmes at the grassroots.

“The governor has done so much for us and the agency of mass education this year. The essence of this sensitisation and mobilisation is to ensure that people are aware and they key into all government programmes especially the education technology which is a part of the THEMES agenda,” she said.

The Coordinator advised them to embrace vocational training as it could boost employment opportunities.

“The only way to generate employment in Nigeria today is to learn a trade. The only way to eradicate poverty and become self-employed is to learn a trade and a skill and I want to implore  everybody to engage in one training or another,” she said.

At Ikorodu last Wednesday, Mrs. Salu said the residents could enroll for courses that run for three, six or nine months to become self-reliant.

“A new and very big edifice has been provided for the indigenes of Ikorodu called Etunrenren Vocational training center where adults, youths, graduates, illiterates can come and learn skills.

“We are saying that unemployment is the major problem of the youths today and with trades like these offered here, then they can become not only self-employed, but also create employment for others,” she said.

Similoluwa Shokunbi, a trainee learning fashion design at the centre said: “I have been learning since October. This is a good opportunity for me because just staying at home is not helping. I’ve been looking for something like this before and I say a big thank you to Lagos State government for creating this opportunity for people like us.”

An award winning book, ‘Prophetic Engagement: Issachar Mandate,’ written by a Nigerian, Obii Pax-Harry, has been adopted as a recommended text for Master’s degree programme in women leadership by two American universities, Wagner University, Pasadena and Shiloh University.

According to a statement issued by Nehemiah Resource Centre, Abuja , the book is the first in the Christian genre to be adopted as a recommended text by the academia in the United States.

The  book won the Fred Grossmith’s award six weeks out of press in 2006. Nearly 16 years after it was published, the book is still making impact.

It was also  translated into Spanish, Korean and Portuguese as well as three Nigerian languages, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa.

Obii is a barrister and solicitor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and  the United Kingdom.

She has served in the UK, Africa and the USA for over two decades, at various leadership levels, including the media, serving as an executive member on the Christian Broadcasting Council of Great Britain, and as  member, Editorial Advisory Board of Sundiata Post.

The Vice Chancellor of Babcock University  Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, Prof. Ademola Tayo, has said for private universities to benefit from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) grants,the law which established the fund should be reviewed by the National Assembly.

He  spoke at a media luncheon held at the Babcock Guest House, last Sunday.

The VC said the law that established TETFund did not include private institutions as beneficiaries.

“For  private institutions to benefit from TETFund grants, the law that established the fund must be reviewed by the National Assembly,” he said.

He also  urged Federal Government and media owners to enhance the welfare  and standard of living of journalists in the country. This,he said,would make them more committed and also rub off positively on the profession.

” I use this opportunity to call on government and media owners to do more than they currently do to enhance the practice and living standards of Nigerian journalists. It is high time that lifetime retirement benefits for journalist were put in place. This will ensure more commitment of journalists to their profession and enhance standard of practice,” he said.

The don  said the institution had contributed to the nation’s socio-political, industrial and cultural development through innovations.

“Our greatest asset as a university remains our human resource. Professor Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia, a Professor of Law at our School of Law and Security Studies, won the 2021 NLG Prize for Literature.

“Another of our faculty members, Prof. Bankole  Sodipo,  is one of the 72 eminent lawyers who have been elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Stakeholders in the education sector including the government have been tasked to invest heavily in providing the much-needed infrastructure and requisite manpower to boost Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics(STEM) education in Nigeria.

This was the consensus by panelists at the November edition of Ed-tech Monday titled: “Getting to the root to strengthen STEM” held recently.

Ed-Tech Monday, an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with ccHub Limited featured panelists from the academia and the organised private sector including  Dean of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Professor Jerry Orhue, Programme Manager, Stemcafe, Elohor Udubrae, and Founder, Vinsight Technologies, Tomisin Kolawole and moderated by social engineering practitioner, Joyce Daniel.

Speaking during the panel session, the Dean of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Prof. Jerry Orhue stressed that there is the need to give priority attention to providing infrastructure and needed manpower to halt the decline in science enrolment in Nigerian institutions, especially in secondary schools.

While admitting that science education was capital intensive,Orhue urged governments at all levels to return to the good old days by ensuring that science education takes the lead in their quest to contribute towards national development.

“I went to secondary school at a time when science was in vogue. As a student, we were inspired because the government placed emphasis on science. It was always a thing of pride to be referred to as a science student back then but somewhere along the line the incentive for science was eroded. If we are serious about revamping science education, we need to go back to the basics. There is a decline in enrolment because the level of commitment on the part of the government in the areas of time and other resources required is dying”, he said.