The Nation Newspaper

Tag: gem

  • UNESCO proposes new model on textbooks availability

    The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will on Tuesday unveil a new model on textbooks availability for sub-Saharan Africa.

    The model was conceived by UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report (GEM) research team which carried out study on availability of textbooks and other learning materials in sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world.

    The report considered  suitable economic models on  textbooks and their availability in countries and regions visited.

    According to the study, every child should have a textbook, in addition to centralized financing mechanisms that could allow for a $3 reduction in the price of each textbook and save almost $1 billion a year from the cost of learning materials in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Kenya, for example, could save $64 million from its textbook bill and Malawi $33 million, it added.

    The report argued that improved financial models could help triple the number of textbooks available for children worldwide, thereby improving educational achievements, particularly in poor countries hampered by the high cost of textbooks.

    Providing textbooks to all students, the study noted could increase literacy scores by 5-20 per cent.

    The business model presented in the report recommends that countries centralize textbook procurement and pool demand to facilitate long-term financing, and help increase their availability.

    A survey of primary schools in 11 developing countries – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, Malaysia, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, and Uruguay showed that on average, up to 20 per cent of fourth grade pupils do not have any textbooks or have to share.

    In Cameroon, there is only one reading textbook per 12 students and only one mathematics textbook per 14 students in second grade, the report stated.

    “Next to a good teacher, well-designed textbooks in sufficient quantities are the most effective way to improve students’ learning. This has been recognized by some countries – notably Swaziland, Guatemala and Nicaragua – but many others have yet to follow,” Aaron Benavot, Director of the GEM Report, said

     

  • BOA disburses N1.5bn to farmers in Bauchi

    BOA disburses N1.5bn to farmers in Bauchi

    The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) on Monday said that it had disbursed more than N1.5 billion loan to 8,494 farmers in Bauchi State from 2001 to date.

    Malam Aliyu Maman, Head of Loans Department at BOA, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi.

    Maman said that more than N1 billion was disbursed as micro loans to 7,952 clients, N16.68 million short-term loans to nine clients and N1.81 million medium-term loans to 86 clients.

    He said that N250 million was also disbursed under the bank’s on-lending programme to Bauchi State Co-operative Financing Agency, and N49 million to 446 other clients, in collaboration with third parties.

    The official said the loans were disbursed through the bank’s outlets in Bauchi, Dass, Azare, Jama’are and Shira Local Government areas, to enhance the development of agriculture in the state and the country at large.

    According to him, the bank has developed new programmes tagged Youth Agribusiness Revolution in Nigeria (YARN) to cater for vulnerable youths, and Grow and Earn More (GEM) for women.

    Maman further added that under the programmes, a maximum of N1 million could be accessed per individual or group without providing any collateral.

    According to him, all that would be required from the beneficiaries are two reliable guarantors.

    “One million naira is a quantum of loan that requires collateral, but these are special loans designed specifically for vulnerable youths and women who may not be able to provide any collateral.

    “Therefore, states and local governments can harness the YARN and GEM windows to empower vulnerable youths and women farmers,” Maman noted.

     

  • Nigeria has lost a gem, says ex-correspondent

    A former correspondent with an Abuja-based agricultural magazine, Comrade Akeem Awokunle, has described the death of the ex-Director-General of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili, as a great loss to the country.

    He said the country had lost a rare gem.

    Awokunle spoke yesterday in a statement in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    He expressed shock about the death of Mrs. Akunyili, a delegate to the National Conference in Abuja, describing her as a role model.

    Awokunle said the former Minister of Information and Communication was an enigma and a woman of virtue, who lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation, adding that she showed an uncommon courage throughout her service to humanity.

    He hailed her commitment to service, fearless soul, transparency, accountability, intellectual prowess and commitment to the growth of democratic governance.

    Comrade Awokunle recalled how he got close to the deceased when reporting NAFDAC’s activities for his magazine.

    According to him, her enthusiasm made her to wage a war against fake drugs, despite threats to her life.

  • We lost a gem, say Chief Judge, others

    We lost a gem, say Chief Judge, others

    The remains of Justice Wasilat Ayo of the Lagos State High Court have been buried. She took ill while serving as chairman of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Delta State and died on December 30, last year, JOSEPH JIBUEZE reports.

    May premature death never occur again in the Lagos State judiciary.”

    Those were the words of the Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Ayotunde Phillips, during a valedictory court session held at the High Court foyer, Igbosere, last Friday for the late Justice Wasilat Abisoye Ayo.

    She died last December 30. She was 47.

    Justice Ayo, who was overseeing the court’s bid to deploy a Judiciary Information System, was interred at the Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens.

    About a few minutes to 10am, her body arrived the foyer where judges, all robed, were waiting.

    Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who wore a dark suit, soon joined them.

    Also among the guests were royal fathers, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, dressed in their ceremonial robes, Justice Ayo’s husband, Olabode, two daughters, and other relatives.

    Soon after the valedictory session, the body was taken to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Goshen Parish, Lekki Phase 1 where a funeral service was held.

    A wake-keep had been held on Thursday night at the church.

    Justice Phillips, represented by the Head Judge, Justice Funmilayo Atilade, said Justice Ayo’s death was “saddening”.

    According to her, although they knew she had been battling with a serious ailment, they still hoped she would recover.

    She described the late judge as a colleague, friend, boss and sister. “We’re especially saddened to be burying a younger judge. God knows best,” she said.

    Justice Phillips said the late judge made significant contributions towards the development of law and the state judiciary, especially her role in the court’s computerisation exercise.

    The Judiciary Information System, she said, would soon be launched.

    “It’s not how long, but how well. She has done well. She has played her part effectively. She will be sorely missed.”

    The CJ praised the widower, saying he “showed a great sense of character and deep sense of devotion to her better-half.”

    She asked God to console the entire family through the dark period, praying that untimely death would not reoccur again in the state judiciary.

    Justice Ayo’s younger brother, Mr Obafemi Shitta-Bey, who responded on behalf of the family, said her death left the household devastated. “My heart is heavy right now,” he said.

    “She discharged her duties honourably, impeccably. May her gentle soul rest in peace,” said Mr Shitta-Bey.

    Until her death, Justice Ayo was a judge in the Lands Division of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere.

    She tool ill while serving as Chairman of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Delta State early last year.

    Her husband said she had been going for regular treatment in England since last January, and was making a recovery before suffering a relapse.

    According to him, she had completed her treatment before returning to Nigeria in November, and was to go back for a check-up.

    Her doctors, he said, had asked her to take a holiday. Sadly, while in Nigeria, she took ill and passed on while hospitalised in a Lagos hospital.

    Justice Ayo attended the Methodist Girls High School, Yaba (1975-1981); Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1981-1983) and the University of Lagos, Akoka (1983-1985).

    She attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, and was called to Bar in 1986.

    Prior to joining the Lagos judiciary, she was an Associate Attorney at S.A. Shitta-Bey & Company between October 1986 and February 1997.

    Between February 1995 and February 1997, she served as Head of Loan Work-Out/Recovery and Credit Administration Department, Commercial Trust Bank Nigeria Limited, Lagos.

    Justice Ayo moved to the United States where she worked with several companies, serving as Loan Portfolio Manager at Suntrust Banks Inc., Atlanta Georgia.

    She underwent further training in computing, attending courses in Microsoft Visual Basic, Web Application Development, Java Programming Language, among others.

    She worked as Software Engineer, MAPICS Inc. Alpharetta, Georgia, USA.

    She was appointed a judge of the High Court of Lagos State, Commercial Division, on May 24, 2001.