The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Educationist

  • Educationist seeks urgent reforms

    Educationist seeks urgent reforms

    A Renowned educationist, Mrs. Yetunde Kamson, has urgently called for a transformative overhaul of the country’s education system.

    In an interview with reporters, Mrs. Kamson discussed the current strength of education and areas needing significant improvement.

    She drew inspiration from successful education reforms in countries like Finland and South Korea, where innovative approaches to teaching, robust teacher training programmes, and equitable resource distribution have led to significant improvements in educational outcomes.

    The Abuja-based educationist highlighted that Nigeria’s education sector is marked by a growing emphasis on its importance, various educational opportunities, and a vibrant community of educators and learners.

    According to her, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to quality education in rural areas, inconsistent policies, teacher training and development issues still need to be addressed.

    Speaking on the pressing challenges educators and students face, Mrs. Kamson pointed to inadequate funding, overcrowded classrooms, insufficient resources, and a stark disparity in educational quality between urban and rural areas.

    She also underscored the high number of out-of-school children, teacher recruitment and retention difficulties as critical issues.

    Read Also: CBN insists on enforcement of stringent criteria for bank recapitalisation

    Kamson emphasised that technology holds immense potential to revolutionise learning across Nigeria, advocating  for better technology integration through access to online resources, digital literacy promotion, personalised learning experiences and improved communication between stakeholders.

    “For technology to be truly transformative, there must be substantial investment in infrastructure, educator training, and digital tool incorporation within the curriculum,” she stated.

    The educationist noted the need for robust initiatives and reforms to address the disparities in educational access across different regions.

    Her words: “These initiatives are not just a local concern, but also aligned with the global commitment to education as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030.”

  • Educationist decries poor support from corporate sector

    Principal Consultant Edumark, Yinka Ogunde,  has lamented that the corporate sector is not doing enough to lift education, particularly in capacity building.

    Speaking at a briefing to announce this year’s Total School Support Seminar and Exhibition (TOSSE), Mrs Ogunde said the lip service that corporate organisations pay to education was detrimental to the sector’s development.

    She said lack of support from corporate organisations, particularly banks, had terminated significant projects that would have improved the education sector.

    Mrs Ogunde explained, that these organisations had failed to understand the depth of the problem because they do not see themselves playing roles beyond being business ventures.

    As a result, she said, many educationists forgo their projects when faced with banks’ mandatory requests on number of schools, parents among others that would sign up for – say – insurance schemes – or would open accounts with the banks.

    She said: “I am saddened by the number of projects that would have transformed our teachers  but never saw the light of the day.  All of us cannot afford to just fold our arms and say it is not the job of Corporate Nigeria to look after education. That is the reason we are where we are today. But Corporate Nigeria funds hundreds of reality shows that do not add value. There are too many problems for people to just stay in their comfort zones.”

    Mrs Ogunde said the responsibility of education was no longer that of government and school owners alone.

    “It is no longer something the government alone can solve. It is no longer what owners of our private institutions can address.

    “We must make our corporate world realise that what we are talking about goes beyond donation of classrooms, toilets or computers. We are talking about our human capital. We are looking at students who are holding certificates and yet cannot write a letter; we are looking at a sector where the early crucial years have been handed over to teachers who are not sufficiently trained to know what to do,” she said.

    Speaking on TOSSE’s 10th exhibition, which holds from June 7-8 at the 10 Degrees Event Centre, Oregun, Lagos, Mrs Ogunde said four companies from Finland would be part of the foreign exhibitors. The Finland Ambassador to Nigeria is expected to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony.

    The event would also feature seminars from Concerned Parents and Educators (CPE) Network, school owners and various education associations.

    Visitors from 23 states as well as other African countries are expected to attend the event.

    International Data Management (IDM)  Managing Director, Mr Atul Kshetry, a partner with TOSSE, decried the poor Information Communication Technology (ICT) education taught in schools.

    “I am not happy with the kind of IT training being offered in schools. The curriculum and ways they are delivered are archaic. Many school owners and proprietors do not know the kind of IT to set up. A computer laboratory today is not about hardware or having numerous computers because that is the idea I get when I visit schools.

    “Secondly, one teacher to teach every area in the IT space is totally not possible. It is like asking one teacher to teach all science, art and commercial subjects. IT education is very vast. Annually, 18 percent of my budget is spent training the teachers.”

  • Educationist wants Fed Govt to increase allocation for education

    An educationist, Mrs Oluwakemi Waniko, has advised the Federal Government to increase the yearly budgetary allocation for the education sector to improve standard.

    Mrs Waniko made the appeal during the second edition of the Scholars Quiz Primary Spelling Competition in Ota, Ogun State.

    According to her, the six per cent allocation last year and the proposed seven percent this year are not sufficient if Nigeria must wake up from her slumber in science and technology.

    “The Federal Government needs to do more in the area of allocating additional funds for the ministry of education so that a sustainable goal could be achieved in the sector,” Waniko argued.

    “No nation can develop without massive investment in educational system because an educated nation is a developed nation, “she added.

    Waniko, the organiser of the competition, appealed to stakeholders and corporate bodies to support laudable programmes that could boost development in the sector.

    According to her, the Federal Government does not have the capacity to fund the sector alone.

    According to her, the objective of the competition is to improve the spelling skills, vocabulary, learning concepts of children as well as create academic and social interaction among pupils in different schools.

    Waniko explained that the contest was developed out of the desire to eradicate poor spelling among pupils.

    “It is pertinent that we take seriously the effect of incorrect spellings and wrong usage in order to reduce the high rate of failure in our educational system today,” she added.

    “We want to see how we can help our children at this tender age to develop their spelling skills so as to improve the standard of education in the country,’’ she said.

    Thirty private primary schools took part in the contest with Bells Nursery/Primary School, Ota, emerging the overall winner.

    Kingdom Way Schools, and Emmanuel Children School, both in Ota, emerged first and second runners up.

    The overall winner, Miss Odunjo Toluwanimi, received a trophy, plaque, N15, 000 and products from the sponsors, while the first and second runners up got a plaque, N10, 000 and N5, 000 cash.

    She said her hard work had paid off after coming third in the first edition of the competition organised in collaboration with Standards Organisations of Nigeria (SON).

    Mr Samuel Ushe, SON Coordinator in Ogun State, said the agency was determined to rid the nation of sub-standard and expired products and advised the people to purchase products from identifiable sources.

  • Educationist canvasses A/Level course

    An educationist and founder of Showers Group of Schools in Rivers State,  Mrs.  Ekama Akpan,  has urged parents to take advantage of ‘A’ Level studies in some  schools to grow children into maturity before sending them to universities.

    Mrs. Akpan  spoke at a media chat in Port Harcourt.

    She said young students are at a disadvantage when they get into universities at tender age, both at home and abroad.

    Mrs.  Akpan said: “The way forward is ‘A’ Level studies. This is important because children are leaving secondary school these days at 14 years.

    “At this age,  they can’t stand for themselves and resist temptations thrown at them by older students, but with ‘A’ Level studies,  the children will get matured and  say no to what is not right.

    “Parents should also not be in a hurry to send the children to the university to study. This is because cult boys are waiting for them. They are not allowed to enter the classrooms unknown to their parents…

    “If they decide to send them abroad,  it is not better there,  because the cult in Nigeria is duplicated in another way abroad.

    “Three-quarter of children sent abroad early to study never realise the purpose of which they are there; most end up in prison, while some come back with drugs,” she said.

    She went on: “We started the school to stop the situation where no Rivers indigene could be found in the upper echeleon of oil industries in the state.

    “The reason is that the people are not qualified. The oil companies are investors;  they must get value for their investments.

    “They cannot put their money where they cannot have value just because they are in your state. To please the government and communities, they hire a few indigenes, who went to universities to study just anything, and then hire those that are qualified in management cadres because they will help their business to succeed.”

  • Educationist advises parents to assist children in developing spelling skill

    An Educationist Mrs Oluwakemi Waniko, has advised parents to assist their children in developing proficiency in spelling.

    Waniko gave the advice at the 5th Scholars Quiz Primary Spelling Competition in Ota, Ogun State, an event the educationist said was born to reduce the rate of failure in English Language in Nigeria.

    She said the motive is to save children from the negative effect of technological advancement, which oftentimes has created addiction for abbreviation among children of nowadays.

    “It is pertinent that we take seriously the effect of incorrect spellings and wrong usage in order to reduce the mass failure in our education system today,” she said.

    According to her, two pupils each represented 25 participating primary schools in the competition.

    Waniko said that there was the need for more competitions that could help children boost their academic performance.

    “We want to see how we can help our children at this tender age to develop their spelling skills so as to improve the standard of education in the country,” she said.

    She recalled that the first edition of the Scholars Quiz Spelling competition was held in Kwara State, adding that subsequent editions would be extended to the nursery category by next month.

    Waniko noted that an ‘educated nation is a developed nation,’ arguing that if the country invested more, Nigeria would develop technologically.

    She equally urged the Federal Government to increase the annual budgetary allocation for education, adding that it is about time the nation began a journey into joining a league of fast developing nations.

    Waniko equally implored corporate organisations across the country to support laudable programmes like the quiz competition that could boost national development.

    At the event, Kingdom Way School, Ota took the trophy while Little Saint Private Schools, Ota, and The Bells Nursery and Primary Schools emerged first and second runners up respectively.

    For their feat, Kingdom Way Schools received a trophy, plaque and N10, 000 cash, while the first runner and second runners up got a plague and N5, 000 cash respectively.

    Speaking with The Nation, Miss Afusat Balogun, of the Kingdom Way Schools, heaped praises on the organizser, urging them to continue with the initiative.

    Another participant Miss Idowu Fopeoluwa, said that the competition was highly educative and she has gained a lot from it.

  • Educationist to govt: match policies with action

    Government’s desire to see Nigeria among the most industrialised nations of the world would remain wishful thinking without corresponding good educational policies that are well implemented.

    This is the view of Mr Biodun Agbaje, Director, New Hall International School, a co-educational, located in Chevy View Estate, Lekki.

    Agbaje said in an interview that the government should start by reviewing the education curriculum, which he said was not internationally competitive.

    He said: “The present national educational curriculum puts our country far behind international standard of education. The reasons for this are obvious and range from inconsistencies in the federal, state and local government educational policies as well as poor budgetary allocation to the education sector. These have culminated in poor national infrastructures, lack of modern teaching facilities, inadequate class rooms and non-conducive learning environment. Besides, well trained Teachers and administrators are lacking in our public educational institutions”.

    Agbaje however noted that New Hall International School had aligned itself with the nation’s aspiration and is preparing its pupils to fill the human capacity gaps that would place Nigeria in a place of pride internationally.

    “Over the years, we strive to bring the best of international educational content to add to best of Nigerian curriculum which earned our earlier heroes like Prof Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Hezekiah Oluwasanmi, Aboyade Cole etc, the rightful place in the world stage in education. We are also equipped to provide a solution and alternative  to dwindling quality of education in the country and offer succour to those seeking overseas education in the country or desirous for quality education and can’t afford to go overseas”, said Agbaje.

    Speaking on the school’s curriculum offerings, Agbaje said New Hall International School offers a dynamic college preparatory curriculum that stimulates the learners’ interest in the learning process.

    He said: “The academic programme in our primary is based on Montessori. Both the Lower and Upper School programs strive to create in students a strong desire to become world citizens who have a sense of honour, discipline, and compassion.

    “The school was set up to inspire students to work hard, take pride in their ability with appreciation of their cultural heritage and in doing this explore international affiliations and exchange programmes with the ultimate aim of exposing the students internationally.”

    Agbaje said the broadness of the schools unique curriculum helps to prepare its students for the jobs of the future in line with its motor, “Strive Ahead and Above”.

    “We as a school work tirelessly to impart knowledge through a broad and balanced curriculum working effectively in the three areas of learning, the cognitive, affective and psychomotor of every child in our care,” he said.

    Agbaje also said the school had sport facilities that focus on psychomotor development.

    “With well-robust extracurricular activities to galvanise the psychomotor of students, we have a magnificent school sport hall that houses all our indoor games, Basket Ball court, long tennis court, volley ball, hand ball, badminton and table tennis. The school also has a standard swimming pool, and ultra modern stadium almost completed with artificial grass. This helps in developing rounded children outside the outstanding performance in academics,” he said.

     

  • Educationist hits 80

    Educationist hits 80

    PHILANTROPIST and educationist Chief Florence Oyenihun Odujole was all smiles penultimate weekend when she hit 80.

    Her family and friends celebrated her at a party held at the Civic Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where they presented her a big birthday cake. Earlier, there was a thanksgiving in her honour at the Methodist Church, Agodi. Well wishers, in various gorgeous traditional outfits with women displaying various styles of head gear,  who came from far and near to felicitate with her filled the venue.

    The event featured singing and dancing. Some of the church priests described Mrs. Odujole as an epitome of truth. They said she does not follow the wrong path.

    They also said she loves people and is there to settle issues in accordance with the Christianity teachings.

    They prayed God to continue to keep and give her long life, good health and prosperity. One of the guests, who came from the United States, Mr. Aderemi Atas, said Mrs. Odujole has touched lives.

    Another guest from the US, Dr. Patience Turtoe-Sanders, described Mrs. Odujole as God-fearing, patient, compassionate and deeply faithful. She said she raised all her children in the fear of God. She wished her good health.

    Mrs. Odujole was born on May 17, 1937, to the family of Pa Joseph Olanrewaju and Mariam Adetoke of Aro Compound, Idofin, Igbo Ora, Oyo State.

    Her father was one of those who converted to Christianity in Igbo Ora, following the arrival of Methodist missionaries. Her parents and grandparents were traders and farmers whose ancestors migrated from Oyo with the early settlers of Igbo Ora.

    Mrs. Odujole enrolled at Agogo Methodist Primary School in 1944 at  age seven and was later retained as a  teacher in the same school after  completing the elementary education.

    She obtained a certificate in Nursing at the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesha, Osun State, in 1959, after which she proceeded to obtain a certificate in Public Health at the Mount Vernon Hospital Middlesex, England in 1959-1964. She started midwifery training the same year and became a qualified Queens Nurse specialising in home nursing after she returned to the country in 1965.

    Upon her return from abroad, Mrs. Odujole got a job with the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. Besides, she was an activist on improved nursing standards as well as better conditions of service for nurses.

    In 1980, the call of her home community at Igbo Ora necessitated a change of career from nursing to education when she was asked to be the pioneer head teacher of Adegoke Nursery and Primary School, an initiative of Chief Amos Adegoke, in Igbo Ora, the assignment that made her return to University of Ibadan, where she obtained certificate in childhood education.  Mrs Odujole  later founded Calvary Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan.

    Chief Odujole received some awards. They include: 2014 Life Member of Joint Bible Society of Nigeria, Southeast Vice Chairman of Auxiliary Nursing (Agodi), Justice of Peace 1992, Member of Oyo State Prisons Prison Committee, Member of Juvenile Court Panel in Oyo State, Member, Oyo State Committee for the Prerogative of Mercy and Executive Member of Oyo State National Association of Private School Proprietors (NAPPS).

    Others are: Lay Preacher Methodist Church Nigeria, Susan Wesley Pioneer merit awardee 2006, distinguished member of Methodist Church Nigeria 2015, distinguished Diocesan Merit Awardee (Ibadan Diocese), Faithful Order MSSN 2014 and Awarded Chieftaincy title of Iya-Ewe of Igbo Ora land.

     

  • Nigerian men are romantic – GINNEFINE KANU

    Nigerian men are romantic – GINNEFINE KANU

    Nollywood actress, nurse and educationist, Ginnefine Kanu says that although she is Sierra Leonean, she is more drawn to Nigeria than any other country. Her school, Ecole Est Belle Acedemy recently held its first valedictory ceremony and OVWE MEDEME was there to witness the occasion. 

    HOW does it feel holding your first valedictory service?

    I thank God. I feel blessed. We are just nine months and we are already graduating some students. I think that is a milestone for us.

    Are you an educationist by training?

    Yes, I studied education, and I’m also s nurse and an actress. I studied in the USA after which I decided to come back to Nigeria to do my bit.

    What motivated you to come to Nigeria to do this despite the recession?

    The passion is my motivation. Also, I love kids. So that also motivated me to come. I didn’t think about the recession when I made the decision. I just decided that I will come here and do it.

    How have the nine months been?

    It’s been good. It’s been challenging, but I can’t complain.

    How do you pick your teachers?

    They are all well qualified. I don’t have anybody working for me who does not have a teacher’s degree. They all studied education, so none of them are here because they want to teach or because they see teaching as a way out.

    What is the overall vision of the school?

    The overall vision is for kids to look forward to going to school. That is the vision and I would say we are achieving that.

    Where do you intend to take this institution to?

    I intend taking it to the world. I want the world to know what we are doing here. I want it to grow, bigger than this. For now, we are a crèche, nursery and primary institution. And we would love to expand it to include a secondary institution. With time, we intend to do that. But I want this to grow first. If we have the resources, we would do it, but we want to nurture this first.

    Why did you choose Nigeria to establish this?

    Oh, I love Nigeria. I’m in love with Nigeria. I love the accent here. The pidgin mostly is what got me. I have been visiting Nigeria for the past 10 years so there is nothing new to me. I’m not used to my country as much as I’m used to Nigeria. I’m from Sierra Leone, but all my friends and all my ex-boyfriends are all from Nigeria.

    Are you married to a Nigerian?

    No comments.

    Which of our food is your favourite?

    I love Egusi soup.

    Do you know how to prepare it?

    I am actually a good cook, so yes, I can prepare it.

    How has your acting career been progressing?

    It’s been good. I’ve been acting since 2007, so it’s on and off. I first produced my movie with Desmond Elliot. It was titled Too Much. Also, I’ve been doing movies with Emem Isong. She produces movies with my brother. I’ve done Midnight Whisper featuring Ini Edo. I’ve also done several other movies. I just featured in a movie with Mercy Johnson and Saka. I also just produced one starring Oge Okoye, Chelsea Eze. I was also in 3 Wise Men, although I did just one scene with RMD.

    How do you cope with all of these activities?

    I don’t act in movies as a fulltime job. I only act when I have the time, so I balance it. I pay more attention here than I do to movies. I am also a pediatric nurse and I practice in the United States. I’m mostly here though. I only go back when we have a long vacation.

    How do your co-actors relate with you, especially given the fact that you are not a Nigerian?

    They don’t see me as a Sierra Leonean or anything like that. To them, I’m just another actor. They embrace me. And they have been wonderful to me. They try to be wonderful to me, especially when I’m acting in a movie

    Are you coming up with your own production?

    Yes, it is about relationships. It is titled Love, Friendship and Betrayal. Like I said, it stars Oge Okoye, Chelsea Eze, Nino and a host of others. It was shot here in Lagos.

    Why betrayal? Has any Nigerian man ever betrayed you?

    No, I’ve not been a victim, but generally it is about being married and facing betrayal from a spouse. It is about friendship gone wrong; betraying each other, even as girls.

    Is it a personal story?

    No it’s not. It’s just a story that we decided to make into a movie.

    How do you unwind?

    I cook. I love to cook. So cooking relaxes me. I don’t go out. So whenever I have a free time, I just stay home and cook.

    How often do you go back home for vacation?

    Sometimes when I’m on vacation, I go there.

    What similarities or differences do you see between Nigeria and Sierra Leone?

    It’s basically the same thing for me. They are welcoming, they are nice. Nigerians are a little bit sensitive.

    What about the men. How different are they?

    I’ve never dated any Sierra Leonean guy. I’ve dated mostly Nigerian men.

    Do you have anything against Sierra Leoneans?

    No I don’t. I’m just used to Nigerians.

    What are those qualities that draw you to Nigerians?

    They are so many. Nigerian men are romantic; they are nice and they respect women a lot. That’s what I’ve come to notice about them.

  • Educationist admonishes pupils on skills

    Tutor-General and Permamnent Secretary Education District III Ikoyi Lagos Mrs Margaret Titilayo Sholarin, has urged parents to support their wards in any skill they express interest.

    According to Sholarin, children can accomplish this by not focusing only on academic work but identifying their vocational strength.

    Sholarin gave the charge during a three-day programme organised by the district as part of its contribution to celebrate Lagos State at 50 at the Banquet Hall, of the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

    Sholarin, who spoke on the theme: Enhance the heritage;Advance the future, charged  participants comprising  four local government areas under the district, to have positive mindset towards vocational skills and push against any limit that might hinder their progress through academic works alone. She noted that skills and not high school certificates alone could make youths maximise their future opportunities.

    Students need to acquire the right vocational skills and being in the right place at the right time, she added.

    According to her, opportunities abound in vocational skills. “You need to grab them through your involvement in skills, if you must succeed in life,” Sholarin admonished.

    Highlights of the programme include cultural display, music and dance competition, exhibition of vocational skills, among others by participants’ schools.

    Prizes were also given to the best schools in vocational skills, cultural display as well as music and dance competition

     

  • Educationist urges Fed Govt to make youths job creators

    An educationist, Mrs Toyin Oboh, has urged the Federal Government to make  entrepreneurship studies  a compulsory subject from the elementary school to the tertiary level of education in order to make the youth job creators.
    Oboh, the Proprietress of Jewels Lights Leading Academy, Gwarinpa, made this call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.
    “If our students are taught entrepreneurship in primary, secondary schools and institutions of higher learning, even during the National Youth Service Corps Scheme, they would not rely on government for employment.
    “It can be packaged in form of a subject just like Mathematics or English Language and should be made  compulsory for all students in sciences, arts or social sciences.
    “This will no doubt revolutionise the mentality of our children, who are nursing the hope to graduate and start looking  for jobs,’’ Oboh said.
    She said that education should be made functional and tailored towards the present-day realities  and current trends, even as she called for a review of the nation’s education curriculum periodically.