The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 11%

  • Kaduna recruits 11,395 teachers

    The Kaduna State government has recruited 11,395 teachers, with plans to recruit another 13,665 primary school teachers soon.

    The government also said it will adopt technology-based teaching in primary schools to enhance quality teaching and learning.

    Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ja’afaru Sani, said the government would give teachers and pupils tablets and install smart boards in schools.

    Sani noted that of over 40,000 applicants, 27,639 were invited for oral interview; 15,897 were successful and underwent further screening.

    The commissioner added that applications for the remaining 13,665 have been received and the process will begin with Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s approval.

    His words: “At the end of the exercise, 4,562 incompetent ones, believed to have been smuggled in, were fished out, leaving 11,335 competent ones.

    “The 11,335 newly recruited teachers, predominantly degree holders, including a few with masters’ degree, have been deployed in over 4,000 primary schools based on needs. They have all reported.

    “We hope that between now and May ending, we would conclude the recruitment process of the remaining 13,665 teachers.”

  • Scholarship for 11 pupils

    Scholarship for 11 pupils

    IT is true that Nigeria is ranked among countries with the lowest literacy rates in Africa.

    Resource persons from the several education summits held in Nigeria since the nation’s independence in 1960 have blamed the phenomenon bad governance, poverty and other unfavourable conditions arising from inconsistent educational policies.

    But for Prince Lawrence Eze, the son of the traditional ruler of Mburubu in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, the war to fight illiteracy in the country and Enugu State in particular, should not be left for government alone.

    And to match his resolution with action, the prince, at a colourful ceremony, put smiles on 11 brilliant pupils of the Community Secondary School, Mburubu, Enugu State, with scholarship awards.

    The lucky pupils will enjoy a comprehensive scholarship scheme from JS1 to SSIII. Apart from taking care of all financial obligations, the scholarship captures the general upkeep of the students during the six year period of their study.

    Prince Eze said the scholarship to the eleven brilliant pupils was to serve as lifeline for them to become whatever they wanted to be in future, the poverty level of their parents notwithstanding.

    He believed  that with a secondary school education, the sky would be their limit, since according to him, education remains the greatest gift to any child.

    The philanthropist, who was in company of his wife, Princess Lina Onyekachi Eze, stated that when the award committee selected the students in collaboration with the school principal who provided information on their academic performance, he had no choice than to go ahead with the project, adding that his action became inevitable in view of the poverty level of their parents as well as to give the students hope.

    According to him “When I was in primary school, I had two brilliant school mates who unfortunately could not go further because their parents were poor, one of them ended up as a firewood seller in the village while the other managed a little shop and died last year, partly as a result of hardship. If anyone with resources had come with help at that time, such as scholarship, they could have been more useful to society by now.”

    He continued:”If you invest millions and billions of naira to train your children in the best schools, and forgets to touch on the lives of those around you, the children of your neighbours who are not richly endowed like you, could pose danger to society.”

    While calling on the wealthy to give succour to the downtrodden, Prince Lawrence Eze, promised to continue to embark on such humanitarian projects as his little contribution to give back to society part of his God’s blessings.

    The principal of the school Mr. Robert Okorie, commended Prince Lawrence Eze for his kind gesture, stressing that the scholarship award was historic, as that was the first time any student of the school had received scholarship from anyone since its inception.

    Okorie, explained that the scholarship would reduce the burden of their parents and urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their study and be of good behaviour to justify the confidence reposed in them.

    Mr. Elias Nwannaja, who spoke on behalf of the parents, expressed joy with the scholarship award and prayed God to bless Prince Eze and his wife with good health and more resources, as they continue to spray love to the needy. They said the scholarship was a great relief to them.

    The ceremony which attracted a large crowd from the community, featured cultural dances and drama presentations by the students.

  • 11, 000 apply for CBN loan

    11, 000 apply for CBN loan

    Over 11,000 small and medium scale entrepreneurs in Ekiti State have applied for loans through the state government under the N2billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Scheme (MSMES).

    Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives Michael Ayodele said the biometric data of over 8,080 of the applicants have been captured in the exercise.

    According to him, the first tranche of N5million would be disbursed as soon as the verification was completed, adding that 5,000 people would benefit from the tranche.

    The commissioner explained that the scheme was being managed by the Ekiti State Government/Central Bank of Nigeria/Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund Technical Committee (EKSG/CBN/MSMES) and would be disbursed through selected micro-finance banks to successful applicants.

     

  • Corps members offset medical bills of 11 patients

    Some corps members serving in Cross River State have given succor to 11 patients in the General Hospital in Calabar, the state capital. The youths, who are members of charity Community Development Service (CDS) group, offset the patients’ medical bills.

    The beneficiaries could not hold back their joy as the corps members presented cash gift to them. An old woman, who simply gave her name as Esther, prayed for several minutes after receiving the cash.

    The group also presented gift items such as beverages and toiletries worth over N50,000 to the hospital management for patients’ use.

    President of the CDS group, Faith Odey, said the gesture was in line with the mission of the NYSC and part of the group’s project to improve living condition in host communities.

    “We come to the hospital because this is where we can find the needy and those who really need our help to do one thing or the other,” she said.

    Faith said the gifts were handed over to the patients directly to prevent diversion.

    Receiving a set of six plastic chairs and three mattresses on behalf of the hospital management, the General Administrator, Eta Eteng, praised the youths for helping the poor in need.

    He said: “For young ladies and men to gather their resources for this wonderful venture, it is, indeed, a good gesture. The people who will use the material will forever be grateful to you.” He promised that the items would be used judiciously.

    Earlier, the Chief Nursing Officer thanked the CDS members for identifying with the hospital. She urged other group to emulate the gesture, while praying that God bless and replenish donors in all fronts.