The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Children

  • Jigawa decries high rate of out-of-school children

    THE Jigawa State Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Rabi Ishak has announced plans to raise the standard of education in the state to international standard under the present administration.

    The commissioner in an exclusive interview with The Nation expressed worried over speedy increases of children out of school in the state and northern parts of the country.

    Hajiya Rabi Ishak explained that “the situation is alarming and there is need for proactive measures by the federal and the effected states government”, adding that “despite the policies of so many subsidy in education by governments, even free education by some states yet there is still children out of school, it is even increasing”.

    According to her “according to UNICEF over 10.5 million children dropped out of schools in the country as of August this year and the sittuation is worsen in the north western states”.

    She expressed the urgent need for the Federal Government to redefine Almajiri modern education system esterblished by the immediate fast administration to made some changes that would made parents and local Malams to accepts its fully.

    The commissioer said there is resistance by the parents and local malams on the progromme due total sideline the local Malams whom were more belives and trust by the parent and even the child by the government on the system, this and other things need to be address before success of the project.

    Hajiya Rabi Ishaq has restated her commitment to improve educational sector in the state to meet international standard, adding that the new administration in the state inherited a lot of problems particularly in educational sector which need urgent attention to be address.

    According to her some of the problems include inadequate teachers, inadequate classrooms,lacks of learning materials with student overcrowd in the class as well as larger number of children who are out of the school.

     

  • Troops rescues 14 children, six women

    Troops rescues 14 children, six women

    •Continue assault on terrorists’ camps in Borno

    Soldiers attached to the 103 Battalion under the 21 Brigade in Borno State yesterday rescued 20 held captive by Boko Haram in the Bama axis of the state.

    Rescued, according to the Media Coordinator of Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Sani Tukur, were 14 children and six women.

    Tukur also said that four Boko Haram enclaves were cleared in the course of the operation, while  two suspected  terrorists  were arrested.

    Some others were killed.

    He said: “In continuation of the offensive operations to clear the North East of Boko Haram terrorists activities, the Troops of 103 Battalion under 21 Brigade early this morning (yesterday) conducted 23 kilometer wide clearance operations in Rigaga and its adjourning villages in Bama axis.

    “The operation recorded a major success. Four Boko Haram terrorists’ enclaves along the route of the operations were cleared and a number of terrorists were killed while two were captured alive and currently undergoing investigation in accordance with the Nigerian Army rules of engagement.

    “Similarly, in furtherance to offensive operations towards the clearance of Lagaran Fulani and Ango  Baya villages, troops of 28 Task Force Brigade conducted reconnaissance patrol to identify possible blocking positions along Bitta Yamteke Road.

    “During the conduct of the operation troops recovered the following items at Sasawa terrorists’ camp. The items include IEDS making materials, two cylinders, one Motorola Radio, one Garmin GPS Detonating Cords and one RPG bombs.”

  • Making a change in your problematic children

    Dear Reader,

    You are welcome to Family Forum, a column for your marriage fulfilment. I shall be teaching on Making a Change in Your Problematic Children throughout this month. Today, I shall begin with The Root Causes of the Problems of Children.

    I want you to know that children, like most adults, are often products of their environment. Also, problem children are products of a problem-filled environment, which the enemy is very quick to take advantage of.

     

    Causes Of Problematic Children:

    Parents’ Reactions To The Way They Were Brought Up

    Some parents, in reacting to the way they were brought up under strict discipline, tend to be lenient and inconsistent in disciplining their own children. On the other hand, those reacting to their parent’s leniency tend to be strict and inconsistent in disciplining their own children. It is an unending cycle, from one generation to another that causes deep resentment on the part of the children. The Word of God says: Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged (Colossians 3:21).

    These parental reactions tend to build walls between them and their children. It could cause a lack of respect, inability to confide in parents, bitterness whenever there is an attempt to discipline the child even when the child is clearly wrong, and not be able to receive counsel from them. In most cases, the child’s reaction to this inconsistency in discipline is what leads them to cultivate unwise friendship outside the home, secretiveness and in extreme cases, rebellion.

    Homes Where There Is No Peace and Harmony

    Children are products of what they see much more than what they are told. Being exposed to violence, irrational behaviour, and inconsistency in their parent’s relationship makes them unbearable to harsh realities without the maturity to handle them. Some parents are so consumed with their own problems that they do not pay adequate attention to their children; thereby, leaving them to their own devices. This lack of attention and affection from parents causes the children to become violent, take laws into their hands and become hardened.

    Some children take advantage of the disunity between their parents to manipulate situations to their advantage. When they find out that it works at home, they will try it outside; thus, inevitably becoming schemers.

     

    The Problem of Rejection

    Instability in a child’s personality is also often caused by wounds of rejection. Some children are rejected even before they are born, on the grounds of: a child comes too soon after the last one, when there are already many children in the family; the wrong sex preference, or when they have some physical defects. Children also feel rejected by parents, who verbally, physically or sexually abuse them. They also react to peer rejection. Such rejections could be on the grounds of being affluent or snobbish, poor and badly dressed, insecure, domineering, or when one has some exaggerated physical features such as big ears, nose, mouth or the like.

    Some rejections are also as a result of negative comments from school teachers, such as being told that they will never make it or succeed in life. Others are church-related hurts from Sunday school teachers. Lack of love, especially from parents is probably the hardest blow.

    It is important for you to know that these rejections lead to various reactions from the child. He or she might easily be lured into the arms of someone who promises love, but who ends up taking advantage of him or her lustfully. This is more rampant among the girls. A child, in seeking a sense of self-worth, would try all manner of attention-getting devices. Many spend their lifetime trying to be somebody else as a result of this rejection. In most cases, this leads to their being double-minded, unstable and having dual personalities (saint at home and beasts outside).

    Rejection also causes paranoia in some children. This is a mental illness in which someone believes that other people are trying to harm him or that he is much more important than he really is. This might cause children to want to attack before they are attacked; make them suspicious of the intentions of others and often become either full of pride or hatred. Rejection as a result of physical defects or dullness at school, might lead to a hatred of self, inferiority complex and insecurity, which might lead to rebellion, resentment, self-pity or cause deep-rooted depression and escapism.

    Other reactions to rejection include: reading (where the child projects himself into one of the principal characters in the story), watching television soap operas (in an attempt to forget hurtful pasts), going to sleep and not wanting to get up in the morning, resorting to drinking alcohol and/or drugs. Others are self-blame or accusation, fear, death wishes, becoming judgmental or always finding faults (a child who is criticized will become judgmental), distrust and disrespect, hardness (he feels that this way nobody will hurt him again), promiscuity and possessiveness (not wanting to lose a good friend and eventually end up being rejected for being over-possessive).

    It takes your accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour to be able to handle your children. That is what being born again is all about. If you want to be born again, say this prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

    If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now 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).

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 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: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • Daily egg intake ‘ll improve children nutrition

    •Funtuna inaugurates quadpak

    The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has urged Nigerians, especially children to consume eggs daily because it is rich in essential nutrients.

    PAN President Dr Ayoola Oduntan, who spoke in Lagos at the World Egg Day (WED) with the theme: “Benefits of an egg a day for the Nigerian child,” said regular consumption of eggs will reduce malnourishment in children.

    Moreover, people who are denied egg as part of their daily nutrients are losing.

    “So, failure to consume egg daily may have a huge negative impact on the nutritional health of vulnerable group (expectant mothers and children),” he said.

    Quoting the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), it said, no fewer than 1.7 million Nigerian under-five children are severely malnourished. This, he said, accounts for 10 per cent of the world total of malnourished children.

    He said regular consumption of eggs will help to address some nutritional challenges.

    Oduntan identified egg as God’s natural pill that can conquer hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, adding that it contains the best proteins,vitamins and minerals.

    Besides, it contains naturally occurring vitamin D, useful for calcium and phosphorus absorption for strong bones and teeth.

    “Egg contains other very important nutrients, such as selenium, vitamin A and E, folate, riboflavin, choline and lutein. Eggs are the best follow up to breast milk in children as it contains the richest mix of essential amino acids. It contains the perfect combination of protein, 12 vitamins and 12 minerals,” Oduntan said.

    He said egg helps to regulate the brain, nervous and cardiovascular system because one egg yolk has about 300 micrograms of choline to support memory and mental capacity.

    Director-General of the association, Onallo Akpa said eggs for breakfast assist dieters to lose weight because of the feeling of fullness or satisfaction it stimulates.

    He said some studies conducted across the world showed that egg may prevent breast cancer, as women who consume at least six eggs per week reduce their risk of breast cancer by 44 per cent. It also prevents ageing of the skin and helps to increase the red blood cell count in infants as well as aiding their brain development.

    “Eggs are best brain and body food for expectant mothers, their unborn children and lactating mothers. Egg improves a child’s concentration level, attention span and scholarly performance for ‘eggcellent’ grades.”

    He continued: “In March, 2002, the American Heart Association guidelines were charged to allow an egg per day into the average healthy American diet thereby ending the Association’s 30 years old campaign that limited egg consumption to three eggs per week.

    “In the same light, the Harvard School of Public Health published that moderate egg consumption which is defined as one egg per day is not associated with increased risk of heart disease and does not have a negative impact on cholesterol neither does it affect a person’s lipid profile. The research finding suggests that it is saturated fat that raises cholesterol rather than dietary cholesterol.”

    Funtuna Egg, an arm of Animal Care Services Konsult (ACSK) has inaugurated four egg quadpak product.

    President, Animal Care Services Konsult (ACSK) Dr Olatunde Agbato underscored the importance of egg to healthy diet.

    He described an egg as the best protein source nature provides as it is rich in lots of essential vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy diet.

    “Eggs are packed full of goodness from Vitamin A which is needed for the healthy development of the body cells, B12 which is necessary for the formation of red blood cells; right through to Choline which is vital for nerves and muscles to function properly and proven to lower the risk of heart disease.”

  • Tragedy as rock crushes mother, children to death in Ogun

    … father, two others critically injured

    Four persons, including mother, two children and a grandchild were crushed to death by over 1000 years old rock that tipped off its base and rammed lethally on them after knocking down the wall of their bedroom.

    The incident which happened in the rocky Iberekodo community in Abeokuta North Local Government Council of Ogun state on Friday night, took the grieving residents in shock.

    However, the man of the house Ismail Lawal, Sukurat and Rofiat survived the assault on the modest home by the deadly rock because they happened to be relaxing at the sitting room when it struck but that is not without injuring them seriously.

    The victims – Mrs Silifat Lawal, her two children: Raaheedat (15), Semia(4) and a grandchild – Mariam, had barely fallen into a deep sleep on their bed after a Friday dinner when the rock killed them while the injured were taken to hospital for treatment.
    .
    The Nation gathered that the rock has been in existence in Iberekodo community before the Egba people settled in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital around 1830 AD.

    The Nation gathered further that the heavy downpour on Friday night which had softened the base of the rock situating on a location overlooking Ismail Lawal’s home, caused the ground to give way, and the rock having lost its balance tumbled and rolled lethally on Lawal’s home beneath.

  • Autistic teen shows special children can shine too

    Autistic teen shows special children can shine too

    Chidubem Emuwa was one of the athletes who brought back 71 medals (36 Gold, 26 Silver and 9 Bronze) from the World Special Olympics Games held in United States.  The teenager, a pupil of Greensprings School, Lekki, Lagos won a gold medal in Cycling, a first for Nigeria.  His mother, Angela, urges parents and schools to give opportunities to special needs children, reports KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE.

    MRS Angela Emuwa is as proud of Chidubem, her autistic son, as she is of his older siblings who do not battle any intellectual challenges.

    Today, she is glad she invested resources, time, and love in the teenager despite his challenges.  This is because he has moved from an 18-month-old who could not achieve the milestones for his age to an award winning athlete who now has two gold medals to his credit.

    He won the latest medal in cycling during the 2015 World Special Olympics Games held in United States held recently.  It was the first time Nigeria was participating in the cycling event.  In 2011, Chidubem also won a gold medal in the basketball event of the competition held in Athens, Greece.

    Mrs Emuwa attributes her son’s success in sports to the opportunities he got to learn despite his disability.

    “Sports has helped him discover new abilities in himself. I’ve always believed that children should be exposed to as many opportunities as possible in order to discover their strengths and areas of interest. This is very important especially when a child has intellectual challenges/learning difficulties.

    “I got to know about the Special Olympics through Greensprings. The school was very much involved with Special Olympics Nigeria (SONigeria) at the time and three students from Greensprings qualified for the basketball team for Athens 2011,” she said.

    Despite no assurances that her son would be able to excel, Mrs Emuwa was not discouraged and gave him all the resources and support she could afford.

    She said: “I have always been extremely proud of Chidubem because he works twice as hard to achieve the results he gets because his brain processes information slower than his other ‘neurotypical’ children. On a typical school day, he’s reading and learning from 8am – 8pm. After school, his home tutor is waiting for him and he does another four hours minimum with him. His French teacher also comes thrice a week. Experience and observing other children abroad and seeing the progress made with consistent input from parents and teachers who believe in them have taught me not to limit my expectations for Chidubem. We know we are coming from a total loss of speech and memory of things previously learnt by 18months. And we know where we are now to the glory of God.”

    Mrs Emuwa is also grateful that Greensprings helps challenged children to excel.

    “The school has always supported children from challenging backgrounds, intellectual, behavioural etc. Mrs Lai Koiki, director of the school has always believed that children, should be given a chance to maximise their potential no matter their circumstances. Implementation is sometimes a challenge but there is no doubt that Greensprings is putting in a great deal of effort in this regard,” she said.

     

  • Foundation seeks support for children born with Down syndrome

    A not-for-profit organisation, Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN), is seeking support for children born with Down syndrome – a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops physically and mentally.

    At a briefing on this year Down awareness week with the theme: Accept, educate and inspire, the foundation said, there was need to advocate the right of people living with the condition.

    A parent of a Down syndrome child, Mr Muyiwa Majekodunmi said there was need for more awareness on the condition.

    He advised Nigerians to accept, educate and inspire people on Down syndrome.

    A film maker from the United States, Steven Gatlin said people should create and share the awareness on the condition.

    “As a film maker, I have to take what I am learning to share with the others what the condition is all about across the world. I have a four years old son who is living with the condition. It all starts with you accepting your child and being aware that they have something called Down syndrome. When my child was born I knew he had Down syndrome but I never had an experience with it. I basically do what I can as I share what I learn as he grows. ,” he said.

    He said as he learns more and share his experience on the condition he hopes that other people would same to elevate awareness on Down syndrome.

  • Medical students educate children on hygiene

    Medical students educate children on hygiene

    The Nigerian Child Initiative (NCI) with Association of Medical Students of University of Lagos (AMSUL) has organised a health outreach for children at correctional centres in Mushin, Lagos.

    Some of the places visited included Special Correction for Girls, Special Correctional Centre for Children and Children Centre. The organisers said the initiative was floated out of concern for children’s health.

    Their Co-ordinator, Yusuf Shittu, a final year student, who spoke on personal hygiene, advised the children to imbibe the habit of washing their hands to prevent germs.

    Clean hands, he said, are vital to living a healthy life. He said: “If you protect your hands from germs by washing them regularly, then you can safeguard your health. It will protect you from diarrhea, cholera and Ebola Virus Disease”.

    He added: “Wash your hands before and after eating. You should also wash after using the toilet. Transmission of infection diseases can be prevented by regular hand cleaning.”

    Miss Oyewunmi Tamilore, while speaking on malaria prevention, urged the children to always report changes in health to their supervisors or guardians whenever they are not feeling fine. Malaria, she said, can lead to death if not treated on time.

    On how to prevent malaria, Tamilore advised the children to always keep their environment clean and avoid uncovered water. She said: “Eat good foods to gain strength without forgetting to spray insecticide to kill mosquitoes.”

    Miss Idayat Adegoke, who spoke on dental health, told the children to avoid hard texture toothbrush. She said the recommended toothbrush for children was medium texture.

    According to her, rinsing the mouth with water after taking sweet, chocolate and biscuit would avoid bacteria in the mouth.

    She advised them to inform their supervisor whenever they feel pain in their teeth, adding: “Dentist should be visited twice in a year for proper check-up of the teeth.”

    Miss Taiwo Agbaosi told the children to always take balanced diet, saying: “It is good for the body.”

  • UNICEF ambassadors back new development era for children

    UNICEF ambassadors back new development era for children

    UNICEF Goodwill ambassadors, Shakira and Angélique Kidjo have joined in celebrating the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals with powerful performances before an audience at the United Nations General Assembly including over 130 heads of state and government.
    Following an address from His Holiness Pope Francis, Shakira on Friday took to the stage to sing “Imagine”, John Lennon’s iconic anthem of love and peace.
    “We live in a world in which many who are born poor will die poor. It is up to us to be the first society to eradicate poverty and bring justice and equality to the most disenfranchised people on earth,” Shakira, a passionate advocate of children’s rights, told the assembled world leaders before her performance. “Our children have the right to equal opportunities; to thrive, to be happy, healthy, and safe.”
    Angélique Kidjo, who has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2002, sang a moving version of ‘Afirika’ – her hymn to the continent she calls home.
    “Africa and its children have the most to gain from the Sustainable Development Goals, but they also have the most to lose if our leaders do not fully commit to this new agenda for peace and prosperity,” Kidjo said. “As an artist I want to use my voice to make sure that people around the world understand the new global goals and why they matter, so that they can hold their leaders accountable for their success or failure.”
    Flanked by a group of young people from across the world, Malala Yousafzai then delivered a message of hope for today’s children before the SDGs were ratified by world leaders.
    The Sustainable Development Goals represent an ambitious plan of action that aims to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger, provide quality lifelong education for all, protect the planet and promote peaceful and inclusive societies.
    These new global goals offer a historic opportunity to provide children with the fair start in life.

  • ‘2000 children had measles in 2000’

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB) has revealed that about 2000 children were infected with measles in the territory last year, adding that 16 of them died of the disease.

    The Executive Secretary  of PHCDB,  Dr. Rilwan Mohammed made this know to journalists at the Integrated Measles Campaign (IMC) stakeholders meeting in Abuja in respect to the forthcoming measles Campaign which is bid to commence in November 7 to 12,  2015.

    According to Dr. Mohammed, despite the immunisation is been done at nine months,  there have been a lot of outbreak of measles in the FCT,  because the highest outbreak of measles in the world is in Nigeria as a result of the numbers of people infected in the states which are not reported.

    “In the FCT last year, we had almost 2000 people who were infected with measles and about 16 died from our statistic.  We did not know of those that were not reported. This year,  we have had so many outbreak of measles from across the FCT in all the area councils.

    “The federal government has said that since there are so many outbreak because the measles campaign was not done  properly,  we should bring the stakeholders together early and discuss with them,  because it is a facility based intervention.

    “Because unlike the polio immunisation we do not go to house to house to give injection, the stakeholders should come in and buy in and tell us where we can go in and improve in this campaign,  because the government does not have a lot of money and we need to achieve what we want to achieve,” he said.

    According to the Executive Secretary,  for now they are going to be immunizing from nine months to five years old,  because they do not have enough money those beyond five years, saying that if they have the money they would have immunised up to 12 years old.

    “Since it is not house to house immunisation, people have to come to the facilities to get immunised and most of the ages that are infected are between 9 and 12 years,  because they were not immunised at the age of nine months.

    “This infection affects the eyes, ears,  chest, skin will be with rashes and even the intestine and the child can die. So,  we are trying to bring together the stakeholders early in order to make this year’s campaign a success,  because there are two area councils the we did not do well and they are Gwagwalada and Bwari area councils and we are going to improve on that,” he said.