Category: Uncategorized

By Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

Rivers State government has begun refunding fees paid for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to candidates.

Commissioner for Education Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, in a statement, said the refund applies to candidates who are indigenes of Rivers State.

He said the refund will be through E-payment, and urged candidates to visit the State Education Management Information System platform (RIvEmis) to supply the necessary information for the reimbursement.

Read Also: UTME candidates can print examination slips —JAMB

The commissioner said only those captured on the platform would benefit from the gesture.

Ebeku also directed proprietors of recently approved private schools to visit the RIvEmis platform to pay their approval fees as a precondition for the issuance of approval certificate. Applications for upgrade for private schools are also open on the platform, he added.

The Commission of Inquiry set up by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to investigate activities of four state tertiary institutions in the last 10 years, has said it will commence public hearing on the activities of the College of Education, Ekiadolor from Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

In a statement, Secretary of the Commission, Obobairibhojie John, said the public hearing will hold from Tuesday 17th to Friday 20th March, 2020 at the Board Room, Office of the Secretary to Edo State Government, Governor’s Office, in Benin City.

READ ALSO: Edo Commissioner advocates 35 percent affirmative action for women

According to the statement, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the commission of inquiry into the activities of Colleges of Education, Ekiadolor and Igueben; Michael Imoudu College of Physical Education, Afuze; College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi and the College of Agricultural Technology, Agenebode will commence public hearing in respect of College of Education, Ekiadolor.”

The Commission’s Secretary urged interested stakeholders willing to testify before the commission in respect of the College to appear before the commission as from 09:00am each day.

Moses Emorinken, Abuja

In its effort to reduce the preponderance of gender based violence in the country, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is partnering with the federal and states government to increase capacity, monitor progress and engender positive behavioural changes.

Gender based violence such as domestic violence, forced marriage, obstetric fistula, female genital mutilation, early child marriage, and other harmful customary or traditional practices, are the bane of the country’s social and economic development.

This was disclosed by the UNFPA Nigeria representative, Ms. Ulla Elisabeth Muller, during the stakeholders’ orientation workshop and project steering committee meeting of the UNFPA/Canadian High Commission, on gender based violence, on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to her, “We have this particular meeting because there are challenges we are facing in Nigeria around the prevention of gender based violence, Vistula, and traditional harmful practices. The reason it is challenging is because the empowerment of women and girls is a key driver to achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and sustainable economic and social growth in any society.

“This is a joint project between UNFPA Nigeria and Canadian High Commission, and it is implemented by local organizations who are deeply rooted in the states and working closely with the state governments. Also, we are working with the federal government as one of our key partners.

“The idea of working with local partners is that it increases long term sustainability and will help us with solid monitoring of the results, and will give us almost real time information on where we are in the project. Stakeholders need to have conversations, especially with community and religious leaders because they are the ones who help communities drive and understand social norms.

“Therefore, we need to engage them in order to change social norms and to take the conversation to communities as to why they need to delay the age of marriage for girls, why it is important we delay the first pregnancy, and what we lose as a society when we fail to ensure that women and girls have access to reproductive health care”.

She added, “The three zeros is a vision 2030 that the UNFPA is work tirelessly to deliver. We have chosen three transformative resources, and we call them our three zeros. Zero unmet need for contraception; zero preventable maternal deaths; and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation by 2030.

READ ALSO: 818m women suffer gender based violence globally

“These three zeros are transformational for any society because they will contribute to releasing the potential of women and girls this project gives us hope and calls for optimism.

“I know that the vision to end gender based violence can be delivered, and I have no doubt. It can be delivered through collective leadership and together we can improve the well being of women and girls in Nigeria.

“I want to reaffirm UNFPA support to ending gender based violence in Nigeria. We also stand with the government and are ready and available for timely review of the 2016 – 2019 strategy to address gender based violence in the country. We will be there to support the government in that process.

“I must stress that cooperation at all levels is what is going to take us there. I also know that apart from delivering the vision, Nigeria has the capacity, knowledge and the people to do so.

“There is also the responsibility that we don’t talk about because the success of Nigeria is also Africa’s success. In delivering the 3 zeros, we will leave no one behind.”

Also, in her remark, the First Secretary and Senior Development Officer of the High Commission of Canada, Kibeza Kasubi, added that the project will create an enabling en vironment and provide treatment and care for affected women and girls of gender based violence.

According to her, “Direct beneficiaries of this project include: 20,000 girls at risk of child marriage; 6,000 young women affected by fistula; 900 health workers trained on female genital mutilation and fistula; 15 communities declared abandonment of female genital mutilation; and 1,000 female teachers trained as girls mentors.”

 

100 recent graduates from the Faculty of Education, University of Maiduguri have been deployed to provide afternoon education services in Borno communities and Q’uranic centres.

The teachers will strengthen the quality of teaching and learning and provide numeracy and literacy classes in selected Tsangaya centres and Islamiyah schools in the state.

Education Manager, UNICEF Borno Field Office, Nasser Kaddoura, stated these on Tuesday during a five-day training session for the teachers on the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) methodology and tools.

The TaRL training deploys a progressive model of initial, middle and final assessments for children to track their learning abilities.

Supported by the European Union’s Early Recovery and Resilience programme in Borno State, the training is a programme of the United Nations Children’s Fund, in partnership with the Borno State Universal Basic Education Board, Ministry of Religious Affairs and the University of Maiduguri.

Kaddoura said the training of teachers on TaRL to ensure the availability and quality assurance of education services for out-of-school children in the state.

He added that the training on TaRL methodology was necessary to track the progress of the children as they enroll and attend classes.

He said: “UNICEF and its partners are collaborating to ensure that access to education translates to qualitative learning.

“This will ensure that children are learning as part of increasing access through non-formal education settings.

“That is why this partnership will use the right teaching methods to ensure that children receive qualitative basic education after which they can opt for a further educational or vocational pathway.

READ ALSO: Data critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goals – UNICEF

“The Ministry of Religious Affairs has shown its commitment by directing Tsangaya centers and Islamiyyah schools to be part of this intervention.

“The teachers have also indicated their readiness to make a difference. UNICEF is happy that children who were hitherto out-of-school can receive education in their own communities and be equipped for the future.’’

The Focal Person at the MoRA, Mallam Umar Ali Muhammad, said the state government is ready to invest in quality education for children.

One of the teachers, Amina Amatiao, 30, is positive that the gains of the project would be visible in a few months after deploying the TaRL baseline, midline and endline assessment tools.

“I am a trained teacher, but I have leant so much these few days. I have new approach to classroom management and assessment tools now.

“I do not need to wait till the end of the term to assess the children. I will assess at the beginning of the project so that I will know whether they improved in their numeracy and literacy skills or not,’’ she said.

No fewer than 49 persons bagged First Class from different departments at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka.

Prof. Charles Esimone, Vice Chancellor of the University disclosed this at a news conference heralding the 14th Convocation Ceremony of the institution on Monday.

Esimone said a total of 2, 821persons would receive post graduate honors including 339 doctorate degrees while 6, 750 would be awarded their degrees at the ceremony.

The VC said Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanudi, Emir of Kano, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman of INNOSON Motors and Chief Daniel Chkuwudozie were among eminent Nigerians that would be conferred with honorary doctorate degrees for their contributions to education and society.

READ ALSO: Why cultism is on decline in UNIZIK, by don

He congratulated the graduates and urged Nigerians to join in the week-long programme which would last from March 9 to March 13.

Esimone dismissed the rumour that there was increase in tuition fee of the university, adding that what was done was the aggregation of all fees and levies.

He said every form of collection of money from students by departments, faculties and student’ union dues was now illegal.

According to him, all what the student should pay was built into the tuition as students are better off under the current dispensation.

(NAN)

• High in Vitamin C

Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C. One orange offers 116.2 per cent of the daily value for vitamin C. Good intake of vitamin C is associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer as it helps to get of free radicals that cause damage to our DNA.

• Healthy immune system

Vitamin C, which is also vital for the proper function of a healthy immune system, is good for preventing colds and preventing recurrent ear infections.

• Prevents skin damage

Anti-oxidants in oranges help protect skin from free radical damage known to cause signs of aging. An orange a day can help you look young even at 50!

• Keeps blood pressure under check

Oranges, being rich in Vitamins B6, help support the production of haemoglobin and also help keep blood pressure under check due to the presence of magnesium.

• Lowers cholesterol

According to a study by US and Canadian researchers, a class of compounds found in citrus fruit peels called Polymethoxylated Flavones (PMFs) have the potential to lower cholesterol more effectively than some prescription drugs without side effects.

• Controls blood sugar level

Fibre in oranges help by keeping blood sugar levels under control thereby making oranges a healthy snack for people with diabetes. Moreover, oranges have simple sugars. The natural fruit sugar in oranges, fructose, can help keep blood sugar levels from rising too high after eating. Its glycemic index is 40 and normally whatever foods fall under 50 are considered to be low in sugar. However, that does not mean you go about eating too many oranges in one go. Eating too much can spike insulin and may even lead to weight gain.

• Lowers the risk of cancer

Oranges contain D- limonene, a compound that is touted to prevent cancers like lung cancer, skin cancer and even breast cancer. Vitamin C and antioxidants present in oranges are both important to build body’s immunity – they help in fighting cancer. The fibrous nature of the fruit also makes it cancer protective. According to a study, up to 15 per cent of cancer cases happen because of mutations in the DNA, which can be prevented with Vitamin C.

• Alkalizes the body

While the basic nature of oranges is acidic before you actually digest them, they have a lot of alkaline minerals that play a role in the process of digestion. This property of oranges is similar to that of lemons, which are without doubt among the most alkaline foods.

• Good eye health

Oranges are a rich source of carotenoid. The Vitamin A present in them play an important role in keeping the mucus membranes in the eyes healthy. Vitamin A is also responsible to prevent age-related mascular degeneration, which in extreme cases can lead to blindness. It also helps eyes to absorb the light.

• Safeguards against constipation

Oranges have both soluble and insoluble fibre. This helps in keeping your intestines and stomach function smooth, preventing irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, the fibre helps treat constipation to a greater extent.

• Useful tip

Oranges like most citrus fruits, produce more juice when warmer – juice them when they are at room temperature. Rolling the orange under the palm of your hand on a flat surface will also help to extract more juice. Vitamin C gets destroyed fast when exposed to air, so eat an orange quickly once cut up.

• History of oranges

Oranges have a very interesting history. The first set of oranges was grown in the north eastern part of India, southeast Asia and the south of China. They first cultivated in China in 2500 BC. It was in first century AD, that Roman took young orange trees from India to Rome.

Christopher Columbus planted orange orchards in Haiti. He had bought the seeds in 1493. By year 1518, Panama and Mexico also got their first taste of oranges and shortly thereafter Brazil started growing their own.

Pastor Faith Oyedepo

 

Dear reader, Peace and blessings in Jesus name. You are welcome to the second segment of this teaching for the month. Last week I began by explaining what personal development is and why it is vital for you and every member of your family. Today and for the remaining weeks in the month, I shall focus on one area where development is required.

Personal development covers the three dimension of man- spirit, soul and body. Today our focus shall be on spiritual development. The spirit man is the real you; it is the first dimension of development and the most important. Therefore, you have to take spiritual steps to develop your spirit man.

The principal key to spiritual progress is a studious life. This means that you must be committed to a careful and deliberate study of God’s Word and other anointed materials such as books, messages etc. Paul in his letter, admonishing Timothy said:  Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

I have observed that when it is examination time in schools, even students who have been playing during lecture hours suddenly sit up and pay serious attention to their studies.  I remember when I was writing my ‘A’ level examinations many years ago, there were some students who preferred to stand up and study all night, rather than sitting down, just to be able to keep awake. Some would even put their feet into a bucket of cold water. Why? “Examination is on the way, I must study.”

That picture clearly shows how important studying is to success. Unfortunately, however, when it comes to studying spiritual materials, many are very complacent. Very few transfer that kind of zeal in studying for examinations to studying the Bible. How much time do you invest in studying God’s Word in a day? It amazes me how many cannot afford to miss just a meal a day, but can go through one whole week without studying one chapter from the Bible!

Let me show you certain keys that will help you to develop spiritually.

1. Develop a Quality Prayer life

Are you that person who always wish they can study the Word more and this always form part of your new year’s resolutions? Thank God, because this is a good wish but as someone rightly said, it takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.  Therefore, the first key to spiritual development is to plan your study of the Word. In studying the Word of God, it is usually helpful to follow a consistent programme. For instance, if you plan to read a particular Book of the Bible, read it from the beginning and finish it, before you start another. Be consistent in your study of the Word of God.

Personally, I mostly follow the book-by-book study method. I take a particular book of the Bible and ensure I read it through. I also read from books of the Bible each day, including Psalms and Proverbs. I don’t do this so I can have what to preach, but so that I can have what to live on and develop spiritually. Whatever method you adopt; it is important to be consistent.

2. Read Anointed Books

Another very significant method of personal development is reading anointed Christian books. “Only readers are leaders,” my husband says. So, go for books. As you read them, you will discover that it will enhance your capacity to develop, thereby affecting your world positively.  Apostle Paul told Timothy that he must study, if he must be an approved minister of God (2 Timothy 2:15).

You can determine to read a book or two on particular topic as it relates to you to develop in such areas.  When you commit to a studious Word study, the grace of God is available for you to guarantee a victorious life.

3. Develop a Quality Prayer Life

Another way you can develop spiritually, is to constantly improve on the quality of your prayer life. I mean quality, not necessarily quantity. Ephesians 6:18 says: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Do you know that you can stay in the prayer room for one hour and make less impact than another who stays for only 30 minutes? The secret is the quality.

Increase the quality of your prayers by praying all kinds of prayer. The Bible says: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). Be fervent in your prayers as you pray both in your understanding and in the spirit!

4. Listen to Anointed Messages

You know your areas of need; therefore, buy and listen to tapes that address those specific areas. I always admonish, don’t borrow the tapes, but buy them, so that you can listen to them again and again. Whenever you come across the Word that addresses specific areas of your life, write them down and go over them again and again.

Today, technological advancement has made messages portable and readily available. You could listen to messages on your iPod, the inter-net, DVD, CDs etc. The good thing about listening to messages on tapes is that even if you are busy doing other things, you can still benefit.

Personally, I never travelled to anywhere in the world without messages either on tapes, DVD, CD, iPod or a walkman; just to develop myself. Things don’t happen by chance; you have to make them happen.

5. Develop your spirit man

The Bible says, The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly (Proverbs 20:27). You must commit to developing your spirit man to be in tune with the Spirit of God. This will help you to be spiritually sensitive; lack of sensitivity brings about calamity. That is not your portion in Jesus name.

One major way to develop your spirit man is to play down on self. A carnal person cannot be spiritually sensitive. He or she cannot hear the voice of God, because of worldly concerns of what to eat, wear, etc.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Make your Life Count, Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).