The Nation Newspaper

Tag: centre

  • Centre seeks increased funding

    National Productivity Centre Director-General Kashim Akor has called for increased funding of the centre to make  it actualise its mandate of promoting socio-economic growth and development through productivity improvement.

    He spoke while addressing members of the House of Representatives Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, who were on an oversight visit to the centre.

    Akor said the budgetary allocation was inadequate in view of the mandate, programmes and activities designed by the centre to stimulate and promote productivity growth in the economy, as well as engender competitiveness.

    He said the centre’s greatest challenge was low funding from the budgetary allocation over the years, which manifests in the lack of a corporate head office and accumulated debts to landlords, inability to enhance the centre’s human resources capacity through training and retraining,

  • Centre advises health workers against lassa fever

    Centre advises health workers against lassa fever

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned  healthcare providers against contracting lassa fever.

    In a statement, it said to prevent lassa fever transmission in healthcare settings, professionals should adhere to universal precautions. Doctors and nurses, the centre said,  should insist on these precautions.

    NCDC said the warning was important to ensure infection prevention and control practices at points of care. ‘’This is because all febrile illnesses must be tested for malaria before treatment; tests that return negative for malaria may be lassa fever and must flag suspicion. It encouraged frontline health workers to report all suspected cases of lassa to their local government disease surveillance and notification officers and/or state epidemiologists.

    The statement signed by the Technical Assistant Communication, Dr Lawal Bakare, said it was encouraging to see that where patients present early and where healthcare workers have a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever, Lassa fever patients were walking out of the treatment centres in good health.

    “When diagnosis and treatment are late, they reduce the likelihood of recovery. Lassa fever is curable when there is rapid laboratory testing to confirm the disease, leading to early commencement of treatment,” he said.

    The centre urged Nigerians to cooperate with their state governments. ‘’Lassa is endemic in Nigeria, and a lassa fever working group has been set-up at NCDC to ensure no state is left behind. Reports from states show prepositioned materials have been critical for states to respond immediately to cases,’’ he said.

    Bakare said the prevention of lassa fever began with awareness, adding that the disease is not only preventable, but also  treatable.

    “Improving food and personal hygiene is key to prevention at the household level. A high index of suspicion and observing Universal safety precautions is important to prevention at the health facility level. For further information on how to protect yourself and family from Lassa Fever contact the NCDC through the toll-free call centre on 080097000010. We also receive feedback through our Facebook and Twitter accounts @NCDCgov.

    ‘’Nigerians can also visit www.ncdc.gov.ng for more information on how the NCDC is protecting the health of Nigerians from Lassa fever and other disease threats,”  Bakare added.

  • Children’s centre calls for support for people with disability

    Children’s centre calls for support for people with disability

    The Children’s Development Centre (CDC) in Nigeria has reiterated the need for parents, communities and governments to provide better  support to people living with disabilities through the provision of care and services as well as policy directions.

    The CDC, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), dedicated to the care and support of people living with disabilities, made the call at a Parents’ Summit  in Lagos. It formed part of activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the organisation.

    The Summit, tagged: “Overriding Stigma with Compassion in the Community: Is this a Family’s Solution?”, addressed the need for communities to provide adequate support structures devoid of stigmatisation for the care and management of people, particularly children living with disabilities.

    Director, CDC, Dr Yinka Akindayomi, lamented that very little progress has been made in  addressing the challenges and needs of special people as families and the society largely live in denial and unwilling to provide the necessary support.

    According to him, it was the need to change the attitude and direct attention to this area of need that the Centre organised the Parents’ Summit. “For far too long, parents and families have worked in silos, trying to provide care and services to their children with special needs. For as long as parents do not get together to address these issues as a group, it would be difficult to get support from the government and policy makers,” Dr Akindayomi said.

    “It is indeed, disturbing that governments at both the state and federal levels are paying little attention to this area. For instance, only Lagos State has enacted a Disability Act, and that is not even comprehensive enough as it fails to address the issue of stigmatisation of special people,” Dr Akindayomi added.

    The  summit addressed issues such as early detection of disabilities in children and intervention, access to quality and timely information, family financial management and health insurance, nutrition and management of diets to reduce risk factors and child abuse, among others.

    Parents recounted their experiences and challenges, providing care and support for their children with disabilities, while experts in nutrition, insurance, family and behaviourial health services, financial planning and relationships provided the perspective. Parents were encouraged to work as a team to prevent burnout as well as ensure that governments provide the right infrastructure and support. It was resolved at the summit that  parents’ forum as a support group be instituted to gain the government’s attention.

    The CDC is a service oriented, not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to provide a broad range of educational and support services for children, young people and their families within the community. It is a place where children and young people with developmental disability have a “sense of belonging”. It was established 20 years ago. “It is a facility donated by the Lagos State Government, where we have begun to meet our children’s needs for the future and the present,”Akindayomi said.

  • Etisalat opens Samsung experience centre

    Etisalat opens Samsung experience centre

    Etisalat has launched a Samsung Experience Zone within the Etisalat Experience Centre in Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The telecoms giant and Samsung West Africa unveiled the first of many Samsung Experience Zones, which it aims to launch in major Etisalat Experience Centres, across the country.

    Etisalat Nigeria,Vice President, Marketing, Adebisi Idowu, said the initiative was borne out of the need to enrich the experience of customers on the network.

    He expressed delight at the partnership, applauding the two global brands for building a mutually benefitting relationship since the telecoms firms started operations in Nigeria.

    Also, Samsung West Africa Managing Director, Paul Lee, described the Experience Zone as a breakthrough platform that empowers customers to use innovation and technology to improve their standard of living.

  • Centre unveils job creation template

    The Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), Lagos has unveiled how it could help graduates land dream jobs.

    Its Director, Prof Anthony Kila, in a statement, said the centre’s new fast- track programmes for graduates have been designed specifically to address gaps identified by recruiters.

    He said CIAPS OBE Programmes “are Outcome Based Educational programmes built on research” adding “the inputs we get from dynamic organisations about their recruitment needs as well as their employment and development strategies is commendable.”

    Kila explained that many firms partnering the centre had expressed difficulties in finding the right kind of employees because many graduates are not work ready.

    He said CIAPS programmes by next month, would expose graduates to practical training in Media and Journalism, Business Administration, Production and Operations Management, Business Development, Project Management, Event Management, Banking and Finance, and Graduate Diploma for Senior PAs Executive Assistants.

    The programmes would also help young people and graduates familiarise themselves with the working environment as a fundamental part of their study, Kila added.

    Kila said the centre hopes to generate over 100 jobs through the scheme.

    However, he said selection of applicants would be stringent.

    In addition to good grades earned from the university or polytechnic, Kila said the applicants would undergo written assessments and verbal interview in which they must demonstrate “good imagination and creative thinking; written and verbal communication skills; ability and willingness to learn; sense of responsibility and ability to work in a team; resilience and stability; and integrity and respect for others’’.

     

  • Group to Rivers govt: revitalise vocational centre

    Group to Rivers govt: revitalise vocational centre

    The Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF) has urged the Rivers State government to revitalise the abandoned Port Harcourt Technical and Vocational Centre.

    The Chairman of NYPF, Moses Siasia, gave the admonition in Port Harcourt, the Rives state capital, while speaking shortly after he led members of the forum to inspect the abandoned centre and its equipment.

    Siasia said: “This is a training centre that has been abandoned and that is the reason why we are here to plead with the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the state government to revisit whatever agreement or negotiations that they have with the facilitators of this institution.

    “I believe that the infrastructure governor of Rivers State will also ensure that he looks at areas that concern human infrastructure, because if you do not build the human beings, it becomes a lot of problems.

    “Today, the world is talking about sustainability for young people, how young people can partner with stakeholders and government across board to ensure that we bring the much-needed development and growth to our people.”

    The chairman of NYPF also stated that when reopened, the school would help in giving vocational and technical training to youths of the state and beyond, thereby reducing crime and other anti-social vices in Rivers.

    He said: “We are here to visit this wonderful centre that has been abandoned since three years ago. We got wind of this information, because we believe that this is one of the training institutions or vocational centres that can be used in building the capacity of young people, who are seen as trustees of prosperity.

    “Every day on the pages of newspapers and in the television, we see young people who are involved in criminality, young people who are involved in social vices and it gives us a lot of concern that the society we find ourselves is being nourished by generations of broken promises.”

    The representatives of the German Association of Vocational Training, Uwe Theimer, while also speaking, stated that the aim of the association, which is partnering Rivers State government in the vocational centre, was to bring German quality of education to the state.

    Theimer said: “Our aim is to bring the same quality of German education to Nigeria and we want to follow the concept, which is over 200 years old.”

    The Head Teacher, Port Harcourt Technical and Vocational Centre, Augustine Awoyesuku, in his remarks, regretted that the state-of-the-art equipment procured for the school had been lying waste for the past three years, which he said must be urgently addressed.

  • ‘Centre offers world-class Cardio treatment’

    ‘Centre offers world-class Cardio treatment’

    Do you know there is a specialist hospital in the country that is solely devoted to the care of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)? It is Tristate Heart and Vascular Centre, Ogun State.

    Tristate Heart and Vascular Centre is located at Babcock University, Ogun State.Other branches are in Oyo, Kano and the services will soon be available in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    The Chief Executive Officer/ Founder, Tristate Heart and Vascular Centre, Professor Kamal Adeleke said it hurts anytime he hears of people dying of CVDs or seeing  people with stroke when a place such as this exists.

    “Tristate has world standard  in terms of latest technology and qualified expertise, and it can compete with hospitals in the United States (U.S), all our machines and equipments are world class. Since its commissioning in 2014, Tristate has conducted 75 open heart surgeries and has recorded 98 percent success, 70 percent of which where children.”

    Adeleke explained that 2.4 billion naira was spent in setting up the Centre at Ogun, a bulk of the money went to infrastructure, equipment and consumables. ‘’The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) partners with us. It pays half of the treatment fee for children below age five, meaning they pay two million off every child below the age of five. We at Tristate formed a foundation called Tristate Heart Foundation (THF) to help raise funds for people who need surgery. We organise awareness campaigns talking about the heart and all things related to the heart, how to prevent high blood pressures, how to prevent sudden death. But due to FOREX, the hospital still owes about N700million.That does not mean we compromise on services.”

    A congenital cardiologist (adult), Dr Tosin Majekodumi said it is good to know what to do when a family member collapses. “So we conduct trainings on how to do immediate resuscitation, cardio pulmonary resuscitation (C.P.R). And that have helped us to receive patients, especially referrals. When these patients are brought to us, we investigate them thoroughly, check pressure in the lungs, their blood types are checked in the laboratory, checked for infections after which a cold central fluid machine is used to separate blood parts into its different components (red and white blood cells, blood platelets),” he said.

    Chief Operating Officer (COO), Tristate, Dr Olukunle Iyanda, said Tristate has conducted cardiac surgeries, open heart surgeries, vascular surgeries, valve replacement and anything that has to do with blood vessels. But we can do more with the assistance of Federal Government, because as a private entity, we cannot do it all alone, we need government assistance.

    Speaking on high blood pressure, an adult/paediatric and cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Michael Sanusi said: “High Blood Pressure (HBP) is the most important risk factor for stroke, HBP adds to your heart’s workload and damages your arteries and organs over time, compared to people with normal BP. People with HBP are more likely to have  stroke. A blood pressure reading 120 over 80 is considered normal for adults, a blood pressure reading equal to or higher than 140 over 90 is high. Blood pressure between 120-139/ 80-90 is considered as “prehypertenstion and requires like style changes to reduce the risks of stroke.

    “People at higher risks for HBP are people with a family history of HBP, people of African descent, people of 35 years or older, overweight or obese people, people who eat too much salt, alcohol, people who are not physically active, women who use birth control pills and pregnant women. To control HBP one needs to lose weight if overweight, eat a healthy diet that is low in salt, saturated and trans fat, eat fruits and vegetables and low-fat diary products, enjoy regular physical activity, take all medicines prescribed by the doctor to control your blood pressure, know what your blood pressure level should be and try to keep it at that level,” said Dr Sanusi.

    A  spouse, who is a beneficiary of the facility, Mrs Philippa Onyekwelu, whose husband, Mr Chuma Onyekwelu needed valve replacement shared her joy as her husband became well after being treated at Tristate Heart and Vascular Centre,  “We have been managing this illness for almost two years. During the last attack, we were told he had one week to live, at that point we needed to rush him abroad we got to the airport only for him to be too weak to move not to talk of embarking on a long flight. A doctor referred us here and we came. The operation was conducted last night (mid week) and he is well and sound. We never knew Nigeria had a place like this, people need to come here rather than waste money abroad.”

  • Centre partners firm on skilled technicians

    To plug the shortfall in the supply of highly skilled technicians in Nigeria, the Educational Advancement Centre (EAC), Ibadan, has partnered with an Indian training institute, Orion Edutech, to offer world-class vocational training to willing youths and women.

    Unveiling the project in its Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State headquarters last week, EAC Director, Mr Muyiwa Bamgbose, said the firm embarked on the initiative because of the alarming rate of unemployment and the acute shortage of skilled technicians in Nigeria which many times, create employment opportunities for skilled technicians who are nationals of neighboring countries.

    Besides, Bamgbose said many Nigerian graduates are unemployable due to the wide gap between the gown and town as well as lack of opportunities for graduates to acquire relevant experience in their chosen careers due to unemployment.

    But the project will offer quality and affordable vocational training to enrollees in several areas such as Catering, Mobile Phones and Computer Repair, Hotel and Hospitality Management, Beauty and Wellness, Apparel Manufacturing and Design, IT/ITES/Computing and Networking, BPO and Retail Management as well as Nursing.

    “You see a newly built house and find out that the plumbing work is terribly done or you see the mechanic doing trial-and-error on your car. That’s why I concluded that Nigeria needs a vocational skills programme.” he said.

    While addressing stakeholders at the launch, the Head, Global Alliance of the firm, Mr Rohit Venaik, explained that Orion Edutech’s programme is run from India, stressing that online learning is the firm’s greatest strength. He said it was the reason the firm has made deep penetration in India and countries across South East Asia and Africa with over 250 state-of-the-art training and counseling centres across the countries.

    He added that Orion’s methods combine traditional and modern teaching methods which include Computer Based Training, Blended training through Learning Management System (LMS) and face-to-face learning, Live Instructor-Led Online Training on desktops, laptops, tablets and smart devices, E-learning, M-learning and Educational e-governance

    Mr. Venaik explained that apart from teaching the actual skills, instructors equip the students with three other skills – Domain Knowledge (knowledge of the industry interested in), People Skills and Industry Experience.

    According Venaik, the online teaching method is very effective as the students learn through direct online communication with their tutors as well as videos for demonstration. He added that offline materials are also provided in case of internet network failures or fluctuations.

    An Indian based course, like other foreign courses, is ordinarily expected to be expensive but Venaik said that that pricing is the most important factor in the training. The courses cost as low as $200, according to him.

    Launching the project, Oyo State Governor,  Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Bureau for Investments Promotion and Public Private Partnerships, Mr. Yinka Fatoki, expressed government’s support for the new initiative.

    The governor said the firm came at the right time. He commended the EAC  for the initiative and disclosed that the introduction of the project in the state was in line with the government’s current promotion of self-employment and entrepreneurship as solutions to unemployment.

    He promised that graduates of the  EAC-Orion Edutech programme were welcome to explore the N2 billion funding for Small and Medium Enterprises.

    His  words: “Part of what the government is doing to encourage self employment is the creation of ‘Agri Oyo’ progrmme to encourage Agriculture. Also the government has created a N2 billion funding programme for SMEs in conjunction with the CBN and another N1 billion funding programme with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to support manufacturing-related enterprises. So, graduates of this programme will be welcome to tap into these windows.”

    The training involves live lectures from eminent professors from India, United Dtates of America (USA) and Canada, international placement assistance, opportunities for internships, 24/7 dedicated call centre helpline from India and certifications from diploma to PhD level.

    o plug the shortfall in the supply of highly skilled technicians in Nigeria, the Educational Advancement Centre (EAC), Ibadan, has partnered with an Indian training institute, Orion Edutech, to offer world-class vocational training to willing youths and women.

    Unveiling the project in its Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State headquarters last week, EAC Director, Mr Muyiwa Bamgbose, said the firm embarked on the initiative because of the alarming rate of unemployment and the acute shortage of skilled technicians in Nigeria which many times, create employment opportunities for skilled technicians who are nationals of neighboring countries.

    Besides, Bamgbose said many Nigerian graduates are unemployable due to the wide gap between the gown and town as well as lack of opportunities for graduates to acquire relevant experience in their chosen careers due to unemployment.

    But the project will offer quality and affordable vocational training to enrollees in several areas such as Catering, Mobile Phones and Computer Repair, Hotel and Hospitality Management, Beauty and Wellness, Apparel Manufacturing and Design, IT/ITES/Computing and Networking, BPO and Retail Management as well as Nursing.

    “You see a newly built house and find out that the plumbing work is terribly done or you see the mechanic doing trial-and-error on your car. That’s why I concluded that Nigeria needs a vocational skills programme.” he said.

    While addressing stakeholders at the launch, the Head, Global Alliance of the firm, Mr Rohit Venaik, explained that Orion Edutech’s programme is run from India, stressing that online learning is the firm’s greatest strength. He said it was the reason the firm has made deep penetration in India and countries across South East Asia and Africa with over 250 state-of-the-art training and counseling centres across the countries.

    He added that Orion’s methods combine traditional and modern teaching methods which include Computer Based Training, Blended training through Learning Management System (LMS) and face-to-face learning, Live Instructor-Led Online Training on desktops, laptops, tablets and smart devices, E-learning, M-learning and Educational e-governance

    Mr. Venaik explained that apart from teaching the actual skills, instructors equip the students with three other skills – Domain Knowledge (knowledge of the industry interested in), People Skills and Industry Experience.

    According Venaik, the online teaching method is very effective as the students learn through direct online communication with their tutors as well as videos for demonstration. He added that offline materials are also provided in case of internet network failures or fluctuations.

    An Indian based course, like other foreign courses, is ordinarily expected to be expensive but Venaik said that that pricing is the most important factor in the training. The courses cost as low as $200, according to him.

    Launching the project, Oyo State Governor,  Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Bureau for Investments Promotion and Public Private Partnerships, Mr. Yinka Fatoki, expressed government’s support for the new initiative.

    The governor said the firm came at the right time. He commended the EAC  for the initiative and disclosed that the introduction of the project in the state was in line with the government’s current promotion of self-employment and entrepreneurship as solutions to unemployment.

    He promised that graduates of the  EAC-Orion Edutech programme were welcome to explore the N2 billion funding for Small and Medium Enterprises.

    His  words: “Part of what the government is doing to encourage self employment is the creation of ‘Agri Oyo’ progrmme to encourage Agriculture. Also the government has created a N2 billion funding programme for SMEs in conjunction with the CBN and another N1 billion funding programme with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to support manufacturing-related enterprises. So, graduates of this programme will be welcome to tap into these windows.”

    The training involves live lectures from eminent professors from India, United Dtates of America (USA) and Canada, international placement assistance, opportunities for internships, 24/7 dedicated call centre helpline from India and certifications from diploma to PhD level.

  • Centre partners firm on skilled technicians

    Centre partners firm on skilled technicians

    To plug the shortfall in the supply of highly skilled technicians in Nigeria, the Educational Advancement Centre (EAC), Ibadan, has partnered with an Indian training institute, Orion Edutech, to offer world-class vocational training to willing youths and women.
    Unveiling the project in its Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State headquarters last week, EAC Director, Mr Muyiwa Bamgbose, said the firm embarked on the initiative because of the alarming rate of unemployment and the acute shortage of skilled technicians in Nigeria which many times, create employment opportunities for skilled technicians who are nationals of neighboring countries.
    Besides, Bamgbose said many Nigerian graduates are unemployable due to the wide gap between the gown and town as well as lack of opportunities for graduates to acquire relevant experience in their chosen careers due to unemployment.
    But the project will offer quality and affordable vocational training to enrollees in several areas such as Catering, Mobile Phones and Computer Repair, Hotel and Hospitality Management, Beauty and Wellness, Apparel Manufacturing and Design, IT/ITES/Computing and Networking, BPO and Retail Management as well as Nursing.
    “You see a newly built house and find out that the plumbing work is terribly done or you see the mechanic doing trial-and-error on your car. That’s why I concluded that Nigeria needs a vocational skills programme.” he said.
    While addressing stakeholders at the launch, the Head, Global Alliance of the firm, Mr Rohit Venaik, explained that Orion Edutech’s programme is run from India, stressing that online learning is the firm’s greatest strength. He said it was the reason the firm has made deep penetration in India and countries across South East Asia and Africa with over 250 state-of-the-art training and counseling centres across the countries.
    He added that Orion’s methods combine traditional and modern teaching methods which include Computer Based Training, Blended training through Learning Management System (LMS) and face-to-face learning, Live Instructor-Led Online Training on desktops, laptops, tablets and smart devices, E-learning, M-learning and Educational e-governance
    Mr. Venaik explained that apart from teaching the actual skills, instructors equip the students with three other skills – Domain Knowledge (knowledge of the industry interested in), People Skills and Industry Experience.
    According Venaik, the online teaching method is very effective as the students learn through direct online communication with their tutors as well as videos for demonstration. He added that offline materials are also provided in case of internet network failures or fluctuations.
    An Indian based course, like other foreign courses, is ordinarily expected to be expensive but Venaik said that that pricing is the most important factor in the training. The courses cost as low as $200, according to him.
    Launching the project, Oyo State Governor,  Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Bureau for Investments Promotion and Public Private Partnerships, Mr. Yinka Fatoki, expressed government’s support for the new initiative.
    The governor said the firm came at the right time. He commended the EAC  for the initiative and disclosed that the introduction of the project in the state was in line with the government’s current promotion of self-employment and entrepreneurship as solutions to unemployment.
    He promised that graduates of the  EAC-Orion Edutech programme were welcome to explore the N2 billion funding for Small and Medium Enterprises.
    His  words: “Part of what the government is doing to encourage self employment is the creation of ‘Agri Oyo’ progrmme to encourage Agriculture. Also the government has created a N2 billion funding programme for SMEs in conjunction with the CBN and another N1 billion funding programme with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to support manufacturing-related enterprises. So, graduates of this programme will be welcome to tap into these windows.”
    The training involves live lectures from eminent professors from India, United Dtates of America (USA) and Canada, international placement assistance, opportunities for internships, 24/7 dedicated call centre helpline from India and certifications from diploma to PhD level.

  • Capacity development centre will boost economy

    Capacity development centre will boost economy

    To help revive the national economy,  the Personnel Practitioners’ Consultative Association (PPCA), Ikeja chapter has established a capacity development centre to enhance the knowledge and skills of its members and non-members.

    PPCA is the grassroots professional arm of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) that advances  human resource development

    The Chairman of the association, Jide Ologun, said it was the initiative of the group to empower its members to brace up with the current economic realities facing the country expressing the concern many employees were rather losing their jobs.

    He said there was urgent need to build entrepreneurial skills in the people including the young ones so that they could be self employed rather than searching for white collar jobs which according to him were not available

    “If you are seeking employment it is because you have value to offer, you can come about establishing a business that you can still offer that value”, he added

    Ologun, a lawyer told the Nation in Lagos the group would collaborate with the government at different levels and corporate organizations to ensure it delivered on its core promises adding to get the people right would give the right result

    According to him, any government that does not pay attention to training the workforce was out to fail because whether you like it or not even when you have the best of policies you need human resources to implement them adding if they are not in tune with your vision you will be working in the opposite direction

    He said the group embarked on all encompassing trainings to help members add value not only to their different organizations but also to the nation’s economy

    He argued people had capacities that when developed would manifest in good result, it’s all about helping the mind to add value to the workplace, he expressed adding the centre was well equipped with modern infrastructure and also opens to people who operate seminars and workshops.