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The World Diabetes Day is celebrated globally on November 14, 2019. The theme for this year’s celebration is “The family and diabetes”.

This year’s theme like many other years in the past was put in place by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) with the aim of raising awareness of the impart that diabetes has on the family and support network of those affected, while at the same time promoting the role of the family in the management, care, prevention, and education of diabetes.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar and if not treated can cause high blood pressure, damage nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs.

Over 425million people are currently living with diabetes worldwide and. It could be type 1or 2, prediabetes, gestational diabetes but most cases are of type 2 diabetes which is largely preventable through regular physical activity, a healthy and balanced diet and the promotion of healthy living environments.

Mr. Emmanuel Onuoha, a retiree from Imo state has been living with type 2 diabetes for the past 7-8 years.

According to him, “It all started when I began to urinate frequently and after test, I learnt my blood level had increased above the normal which is 100 to 150.”

He was ignorant of the effect of diabetes and could not detect it on time till it got to type 2.

Family support in diabetes care has been shown to have a substantial effect in improving health outcomes for people with diabetes.

Mr. Onuoha corroborated with this assertion. He added “It is important that ongoing diabetes self-management education and support be accessible to all people with diabetes and their families to reduce the emotional impact of disease that can result in a negative quality of life.”

He however lamented that “the disease is a painful one that makes your life boring”

READ ALSO: World Diabetes Day: Experts recommend natural remedies

“It stops you from eating what you desire to eat, like yam, fufu which used to be my best same as garri, rice, even fruits that contains sugar.

“It gets to a point where it causes stroke and prostrate that hinders you from moving round and doing things.”

He added that “it is something you should never think of having because it is incurable and can only be managed by the use of variety of expensive medications to be taken regularly and use of expensive instruments to check your blood and sugar level daily.”

He advised Nigerians to mind what they take into their systems in order to avoid being a diabetic patient. “It is something you live with till you die,” he said.

He urged the government and health officials to educate the masses especially those in remote areas on diabetes and also improve the access to affordable diabetes medicines and care in order to avoid the increased cost for individuals and families.

Ahead of the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), prospective candidates on Thursday thronged the National Identity Number (NIN) registration centre in Omu-Aran, Kwara, to obtain their numbers.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had told candidates willing to partake in the 2020 UTME to obtain their NIN.

A correspondent of NAN reports that the students, especially those in SS3 and other UTME prospective external candidates, had arrived the centre in large number as early as 7.00 a.m. to be registered.

Some of the applicants, who spoke with NAN at the NIN centre inside Irepodun Local Government Secretariat in Omu-Aran, lauded the collaboration between JAMB and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) over the initiative.

They described the development as “using a stone to kill two birds’’.

Mr. Ojekemi Benson, an SS3 Student of Ogbo Grammar School, Omu-Aran and a UTME candidate, described the registration process as very smooth and stress-free.

Benson also expressed satisfaction with JAMB’s requirement for National Identity Number for the 2020 UTME examinations, saying such a gesture would promote national growth and development.

Read Also: JAMB to create platform for high-scoring candidates

Miss Rebecca Adelodun, a prospective UTME external candidate, called for the establishment of more registration centres to accommodate the high number of applicants.

Mr. Tope Jimoh, the NIMC Supervisor in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, told NAN that the centre had envisaged the high number of applicants and had made adequate arrangements in that regard.

“We had envisaged the upsurge in the number of applicants based on the new development and we are very much on top of the situation,’’ Jimoh said.

The Spokesman for JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, had in a statement in September noted that National Identity Card requirement would help check examination malpractices.

“Candidates are enjoined to register as the board will no longer be responsible for the capturing of candidates’ biometrics ahead of the examination, as all information required will be uploaded from the data captured by the NIMC.

“Henceforth, the NIN will be compulsory for the UTME registration,’’ Benjamin said.

(NAN)

The National Identification Number (NIN) is now more important than ever to candidates planning to take the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as they would not be able to register without it. However, enrolling for the NIN is not a tea party, reports KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE and DAMOLA KOLA-DARE.

 

Registration for next year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) would be different. The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has informed intending candidates that registration for the examination would only be possible with their National Identification Number (NIN).

Its spokesman, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, urged prospective candidates to get their NIN to avoid missing out on the 2020 UTME, which would open for registration in January.

He said: “We want to further appeal and remind prospective candidates on the need to get themselves registered centrally under the NIN scheme.

“They must consider this as compulsory, if they intend to participate in the examination when the time comes. There is no other means of acquiring our registration documents for the examination except through the NIN and that is why we are calling on them now to intensify efforts in getting registered to avoid ‘Had I Known’.

“No excuses will be entertained and that is the essence of this constant reminder so that nobody will be left out.”

According to the NIMC website, the NIN “is a set of numbers assigned to an individual upon successful enrolment. Enrolment consists of the recording of an individual’s demographic data and capture of the 10 fingerprints, head-to-shoulder facial picture and digital signature, which are all used to cross-check data in the National Identity Database to confirm that there is no previous entry of the same data.”

JAMB’s interest in the NIN is in its usefulness in managing logistics and checking fraud.

The NIN would help JAMB harmonise the data of candidates for the UTME to address the challenges of underage registration, examination malpractice, multiple registration, and reduce registration costs.

On underage registration for the UTME, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, is particularly interested in how the NIN would help weed out candidates not up to 15.

During a meeting of JAMB, NIMC, and the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in Abuja, Oloyede said: “So, for me, if we have 15 years as they have agreed, nobody who is below 15 years should register; and anybody who is below 15 let’s come and address that person specifically.”

 

Registration journey ahead

of candidates

The NIMC began registering Nigerians for the NIN in September 2010 and had registered over 36.6 million and legal citizens aged zero and above as at last September.

On the average, about 1.6 million candidates register for the UTME yearly. It means about that number of candidates may need to get the NIN if they have not already done so before they can attempt registering for next year’s examination for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

However, enrolment for the NIN is not without hassles. Though no deadline has been announced for the NIN, since last year, the Federal Government made it mandatory for anyone seeking to obtain the international passport to get the NIN before processing the travel document. So, candidates registering for the UTME are not the only group of people in need of the NIN for official use.

Registration for the NIN entails the enrollee visiting designated NIMC centres or local government area secretariats to fill forms, do biometrics (photographs and fingerprints).  Once done, the enrollee is asked to return, usually after two weeks, for the NIN.

However, the process is not that straight forward and involves long waits and delays – at a time no national deadline has been announced.  Some people even bribe to shorten their wait time at the centre.

A mother of three told The Nation  she had to pay N1,500 to do her biometrics at the NIMC, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos when she needed to renew her international passport.

‘’At first, I wanted to wait but when I realised I would save time, I just paid the N1,500.  I observed that the NIMC workers have their customers who pay them. So, while others on the queue are waiting to be captured, one official would just come to the person capturing and say, ‘after the one you’re doing, do this, this, and this people.’ Another official would come and tell the person to do ‘these 1,2,3, 4 for me.’ All this while, people who did not pay were on the queue and the queue would not move,” she said.

Sunday, a resident of Ikotun, Lagos lamented that when he attempted to register for his National ID Card, it was a daunting task because the centre was crowded and not only that, there was shortage of manpower to attend to the large crowd.

He queried why the NIN would be made mandatory for candidates seeking to write UTME because it is not always easy getting enrolled at NIMC centres.

He said: “I do not know why young prospective candidates would be made to undergo the stress of registering for NIN. Even those of us who are old did not find it easy to register let alone getting the National ID card.  I just hope the NIMC will make sure the candidates are enrolled in time for the examination.”

A prospective UTME candidate who spoke to The Nation at a tutorial centre in Lagos appealed to the NIMC to ensure there were enough personnel to attend to those who want to enrol because, according to her, when she got a centre around Ikola, a Lagos suburb, to register, there was only one agent attending to a large number of people.

“When I got to an enrolment centre around Ikola, there was only one agent attending to a large number of people. It was frustrating, so I had to leave. Even a friend who had got there early told me she could not register for the NIN,” said the candidate who simply called herself Rose.

 

Awareness still low

Though JAMB has made its stand on NIN clear since September, awareness is still low among prospective candidates.

Most of the prospective candidates interviewed by The Nation said they did not know about NIN being mandatory for the UTME.

A candidate, who simply called himself Timileyin, noted that he had not registered for NIN. He decried the lack of awareness.  He said he did not hear of it not until his friend who saw it on JAMB’s Twitter handle called his attention to it.

Read Also: JAMB urges 2020 UTME prospective candidates acquire NIN

He said: “The awareness generated on the rule is not enough. I did not hear it on radio or television.  A friend called my attention to it, and all efforts to register have been fruitless because many candidates are trying to register at the same time.  Nobody wants to be left out because the examination is fast approaching.”

A parent approached by The Nation, who did not want to be named, said she had not hear anything concerning NIN enrolment for UTME registration.  She wondered when such pronouncement was made.

She said: “I have not heard about this. When was it announced?  I don’t know our children now have to get NIN compulsorily before they are eligible to write the exam. I just hope this will not cause panic because registration centres will now be overcrowded with candidates since it is compulsory to have it.”

A father, who simply identified as Mr Olushola, expressed his dissatisfaction with the NIN rule.

Questioning the rationale behind using NIN as a prerequisite for UTME, he said: “I do not really understand what is going in this country.  Those in power just create rules in arbitrary fashion without considering the implications.You just wake up one day and you are told without enrolling for NIN, you won’t be allowed to sit for UTME. I recall some years back when a certain Minister of Education introduced Post-UTME, which still operates till today. Everything we do in this country we claim it is to eradicate corruption.  The Post-UTME, for me, is needless. In advanced countries, admission into tertiary institutions is not as stringent as ours. We like making things difficult for ourselves and that is why our students seek admission in foreign countries.

“It is hard to understand if malpractice has been reduced or eradicated now that the exam is computer-based.”

Some tutorial centre managers, who prepare candidates for public examinations, are however aware.They spoke of sensitising their students to the importance of the NIN registration before registration begins in January.

On his part, Mr. Johnson, a teacher at a tutorial centre in Ayobo area of Lagos, called on the NIMC to expedite action on the registration so that candidates would be duly registered before the UTME portal opens.

“Time was when gaining admission into our tertiary institutions was very easy.Then, once you passed your West African School Certificate (WASC) exam and UTME (then UME), you would be admitted into the university of your choice.  Now that NIN has been made compulsory for candidates, in the next five years, nobody can tell what the new rule would be. My appeal to NIMC is to work relentlessly to make sure all candidates are registered.”

Another teacher, Mr Olufemi, said he had plans to take all candidates in his study centre to an enrollment office to be registered once and for all.

He said:” I heard about the rule just recently.  My plan is to contact an agent friend of mine to assist in enrolling my candidates because very soon registration for the examination would commence.

Then even if the government wants to curb malpractice and underage registration, there should have been a sensitisation campaign for all intending candidates through the media before making the pronouncement, not when the examination is almost here.”

 

JAMB/NIMC’s plans for 2020 UTME

Going by previous registration exercises in Nigeria – like that of the Bank Verification Number (BVN); and the SIM registration for all mobile phone users, deadlines usually cause a lot of problems for enrollees. With candidates already facing issues trying to enrol, there are concerns the situation would worsen as the examination approaches.

When The Nation visited the NIMC Office in Alausa, an official, who refused to give her name because she was not authorised to talk, said the Commission would address the issues in the NIN registration.

“I am not in a position to talk.  It is the duty of the Commission’s PRO to talk on the issue. But no matter the challenges encountered by candidates, we are working to address and make sure everyone gets registered before UTME registration commences,” she said.

However, JAMB Spokesman, Dr Benjamin, said the board would work something out with NIMC.

He said: “We are talking with NIMC about the registration.  We have not come up with anything yet.  But we are looking at a situation whereby we can do the registration for the candidates. We are hoping we will come up with something that can be of mutual benefit to the candidates, NIMC and every other person involved.”

 

There is no other means of acquiring our registration documents for the examination except through the NIN and that is why we are calling on them now to intensify efforts in getting registered to avoid ‘Had I Known

McPherson University, Abeokuta, will graduate its fourth set of 92 students on Saturday.

Speaking at a pre-convocation Press Conference on Tuesday, its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adeniyi Agunbiade said 15 of the 92 students made First class; 38 second class upper; 31 second class lower and eight, third class.

The event would feature the Convocation lecture titled: “Saving Capitalism from The Capitalists” by Professor of Political Economy and Entrepreneurship, Pat Utomi.

Speaking on the institution’s strides, Agubiade said all its academic programmes were fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

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He added that a new programme, Nursing Science, would undergo resource verification in two weeks, while others like Political Science, Software Engineering, and Information Technology, were yet to be scheduled.

Next year, the VC said the university would begin it postgraduate programmes.

 

“And before next year’s convocation exercise, our post graduate programmes would have kicked off with Master’s in Accounting, Computer Science, Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management, Management, Diplomacy and Strategic Studies, PGD computer science, PGD Finance, PGD Management Studies and Masters in Business Administration(MBA),” he said.

 

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie and Adegunle Olugbamila

 

Corps members posted to Lagos State have been told to make their service year a learning period by being open minded.

They got the advice from the Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the opening of the three week orientation camp for Batch C Stream 1 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) corps members last Thursday at the Iyana Ipaja Orientation camp.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Dr. Yusuf Jimoh, said: “The NYSC scheme was founded primarily on the vision of promoting the peas and sustaining unity owing to the heterogeneous composition of our nation.  It provides you with a unique opportunity to get to know your country more and appreciate the diversity in the culture, language, customs and beliefs of the people.

“This three weeks orientation programme and the regimented life here on camp have been specifically planned for you to imbibe core values such as discipline, tolerance, perseverance, and time consciousness.  Although these values are meant to guide your conduce during the orientation course, they will be of great benefit to you beyond the service year.”

In his speech, the Lagos State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Sunday Aroni, urged the corps members to participate fully in all camp activities.

“The activities are packaged for your mental, emotional and physical development.  I therefore encourage you to be actively involved in all camp activities for your present and future benefits,” he said.

Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Kazeem Alogba, represented by Justice Bukola Adebiyi, administered the oath of allegiance on the corps members – made up of 998 males and 1,446 females from tertiary institutions across the country.

At the Ogun State NYSC camp in Sagamu, Governor Dapo Abiodun, assured the new corps members deployed to the state that of ‘absolute security.’

The Governor, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Job Creation and Youth Empowerment Mr Olalekan Olude, added that they would be well received in the state:

Read Also: Why we evicted Corps Members from Ebonyi Camp- NYSC

 

“The people of Ogun State are peace loving and hospitable. Rest assured that you are all home away from home. I enjoin you to take advantage of this opportunity to fire your imaginative and creative instincts and leave bold imprints on the sands of time.”

NYSC Coordinator, Ogun State, Dr. Belinda Faniyi, said the scheme’s partnership on the Ogun State Skills Acquisition Village was yielding results.

“There have been deliberate and bold strides to ensure its existence as plans have reached advanced stage to cultivate variety of crops such as plantains, vegetables, and cassava.  We are collaborating with IITA Ibadan, Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in the areas of plantain suckers,” she said.

She thanked the host state for ensuring maintenance of the camp describing the gesture as a ‘show of concern to the welfare of youths in the state.

Chief Judge of Ogun State Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, represented by Justice M.I. Agbelu, conducted the oath.

 

From Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

A Professor of Mathematics from the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife, Samuel Segun Okoya, has hinged attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4, which is ‘Quality Education’ by 2030 in Nigeria on effective passage of knowledge and its correct application by the society.

Okoya stated this in his paper titled, “Implications of helping students understand lectures in Advanced Mathematical Physics” at the 30th Annual Colloquium and Congress of Nigeria Association of Mathematical Physics, NAMP, held at the Igbinedion University, Okada.

Okoya, who is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Nigerian Mathematics Society (NMS), described impartation of knowledge as an essential act of service to the nation at this time that the country is approaching 60 years of Independence.

“As a child in elementary school, you recite the multiplication table and it stucks in the memory with the force of a magnet.

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“We can reliably turn to this, many years later in times of questions/tests in multiplication. We simply recall the multiplication table from our subconscious without hesitation and follow up with other mathematical signs of addition, division, square, square root etc.

“This re-establishes the old age truth, ‘practice makes perfection and perfection involves the investment of time’. But this preferred attitude to studying mathematics is being threatened in today’s world filled with TV, social media, and the likes.

He therefore emphasised the need for improved teaching strategies among university and college teachers, and more attention to students learning processes, in order to ensure effective impartation of knowledge.

“Teachers/lecturers, as well as students, have a part to play to ensure that the rigour of continuous practice is sustained, so that students can respond to mathematical physics’ questions with instinct.”

Okoya further recommended the internalisation and standardisation of school curriculums, to accommodate the purpose of exchange programs with other universities.

“These are specific and deliberate steps to achieve especially goal 4 of the SDGs, Quality Education,” he said.

 

Secretary to the Imo State government, Uche Onyeaguocha has underscored the importance of Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in secondary schools to the state’s quest for technological advancement.

He said this at the maiden Education of Imo State Science festival competition grand finale at Government Secondary School, Owerri, organised by Ministry of Education.

Onyeaguocha, who was represented by his special Assistant, Tobechi Chigbu, advised Imo youths to shun vices that could make them lose focus in their education.

Commissioner of Education Prof. Viola Onwuliri, represented by Mrs. Patricia Eleberi, a Director in the ministry, said the world was becoming a global village through science and technology, adding that every state was making frantic efforts to cue into the emerging trends and that Imo could not be left behind in the scheme of scientific challenges as she is blessed with young and talented youths who are eager to specialise in science or science-related fields.

Read Also: Is science about to make Nigerians live up to 150 years?

 

At the end of the competition Chukwuocha Chukwunaza of Bethel College, Ezinihitte Mbaise came first in the science quiz competition, Ozuzu Adaeze of Logos International Secondary School, Awo-Omamma came second and Chikameto Ebiringa of Living Word Academy, Nkwerre came third.

In the Debate, Enyosiobi Mary Jane of Girls’ Secondary School, Akwakuma came first; Ahaneku Michaiah of Nguru Secondary Commercial School, Aboh Mbaise came second; and Nwanyanwu Malvin of Holy Ghost College, Owerri came third.

For the science exhibition, first position went to two pupils, Inaku David  of CRM International College, Migbirichi and Emmanuel Victoria, Ajaero Natachi of Handmaids Holy child, Amumara; while second position went to Bede Utochukwu of CRM International College, Migbirichi, prizes and gifts  presented to the winners include Laptops, Tablets and other prizes.

End

 

By Adegunle Olugbamila

 

Nigerian Association for Young Adults (NAYA), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has urged the youths not to be so obsessed with seeking greener pastures outside the country’s shores, but be determined to contribute to the development of their fatherland.

The organisation, which is based in Canada, also admonished the young ones to embrace the culture of giving despite the country’s socio-economic challenges.

NAYA President, Mr. Shola Agboola, spoke to CAMPUSLIFE ahead of the the organisation’s donations of medical equipment valued at N784 million across some hospitals in Niger State.

Agboola said aside its various humanitarian efforts, NAYA established 18 years ago, has been at the vanguard of championing a new leadership which will have more representation from the youth segment.

Read Also: ‘Youth should be involved in national development’

 

Balogun, who is serving his second term, notes that NAYA believes in the value of giving. He said membership of NAYA comprises mostly youths and young adults in Canada who understand the socio-economic challenges back at home, and have therefore been making selfless donations of items ranging from laptop computers, books on STEM, hospital equipment as well as instructional materials for pupils.

Agboola recalled that in January, NAYA donated some instructional materials and hospital equipment to some hospital and schools in Abia, adding that the organisatiion had just taken consignment of another set of items that would be distributed at a another yet-to-be announced state.

Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Inmates at the Custodial Centre, Nigerian Correctional Service in Awka, Anambra State have been urged to take advantage of their stay in the centres to improve their educational qualifications through increased reading.

Chief Executive Officer, National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Lenrie Aina, gave the charge in Awka during the Nigeria National Readership Promotion Campaign with the theme, Reading: A tool for empowering the vulnerable.

He regretted the dimension reading culture has assumed in Nigeria, saying it could impede development, if not urgently addressed.

Aina, who spoke through the Assistant Chief librarian, Gloria Okeagu, said the campaign was an effort with other stakeholders to proffer solutions that would checkmate the trend.

He said: “The extension of the exercise to the correctional services across the country is in line with the present administration’s policy of reaching out to the vulnerable and the poor.

“I urge the inmates to take advantage of the provision of reading opportunities in the centre to read instead of wasting their time with idle talks.”

Assuring of the provision of carefully-selected books to meet the inmates’ information needs, Aina promised to ensure that the Nigerian Correctional Service policy would not allow restricted books at the centres to be abused.

Earlier, the Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Service, Custodial Centre, Awka, Nwakaeze Emmanuel, said he was optimistic that the visit would further rejuvenate the reading culture among the inmates.

He said: “I receive our guests with every spirit of nostalgia because when we’re in secondary schools and universities, we boasted of the number of literature books we’ve read.

Read Also: Correctional Service, Justice system and restructuring

 

“But all of a sudden, the whole thing went down like candle light. Instead of reading, people now spend their time on whatsapp, instagram, facebook and other social media platforms.

“The culture is even affecting me because it’s contagious. As a lawyer, when I see voluminous books, I’m excited, but it’s no longer the same today.”

While commending the National library of Nigeria for donating books to the centre, the comptroller pledged that the inmates would make good use of them.

The head of branch, National library of Nigeria, Enugu, Mrs. Rachel Eboh urged the inmates to embrace  reading, describing it as a ladder to the pinnacle of their chosen careers.

The event featured presentations of books and food items to the inmates.

 

 

 Damola Kola-Dare

 

Notable professionals from various fields of endeavour came together to counsel pupils of Home Science Association Secondary School, Alakuko, Lagos State, during their 2019 Career Day last Wednesday.

The session featured professionals from the media, aviation, medicine, agriculture and guidance and counselling.

Principal of the school, John Kenny Olokose, said unlike in the past, when parents limited their wards’ career choices, there were many more fields now in which they could excel.

Olokose  said the decision on which direction to head after secondary school solely rested on the pupils.

He said opportunities now abound in several fields, with pupils having the freedom to decide where to go.

He said: “Many of you have dreams. You can now contextualise the dreams. In the next 10 years, you can be a big achiever. If you do not have a dream, start having one now. Dream your dreams. But note that it takes sacrifice to actualise your dream.”

Speaking on journalism, Editor of The Nation, Mr. Adeniyi Adesina, told the pupils there were two ways to become a journalist – by studying Mass Communication, or acquiring a degree in any course of study and then getting on-the-job training.

He said other professionals, including doctors, architects and lawyers, are journalists. He identified the ability to write as a crucial skill for journalism.

Beyond acquiring a certificate, Adesina said being a journalist required hard work. He said a journalist does not sit in the office but goes to the beat to gather information and then returns to his desk to write stories or feature articles.

He stated that the profession has a constitutional role and as such helps in making leaders accountable to the nation.

He said: “This is the only profession recognised by the constitution.

“You must hold the government of the day accountable as a journalist because your role is to serve the people.”

He also educated the students on the different aspects of journalism: print, broadcast and online.

Read Also: Council gets schools, ICT centre

When asked if it is safe to practise journalism considering the fact that ace journalist, Dele Giwa died as a result of parcel bomb, he said the attack on journalists in the past was largely carried out during military rule.

He said with the return to democracy, things are stabilising and the government now observes the rule of law.

Doyin Kukoyi, presenter of the popular programme, Gbajumo Osere, on DStv Channel 157, told the students they would need to excel in English and Mathematics to study journalism.

She said studying Mass Communication could also take them into different aspects of journalism as well as public relations and advertising.

She added: “One of the greatest powers you have is the ability to pass on information to every human being.  The power is in passing the message across to a mass audience.”

Kukoyi said every journalist must be distinct in the use of English Language and also have a Unique Selling Point.

Other professionals who spoke included a pilot with Air Peace and a former student of the school, Captain Adebayo Manuwa; a medical doctor, Dr. Macaulay Abimbola; an agriculturist, Nurat Omotayo Atoba; and a counsellor, Oluwatoyin Williams.