The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ikeja

  • Nigerians urged to embrace STEM

    Nigerians urged to embrace STEM

    The need to introduce pupils early in life to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education has prompted the pupils of Carol School, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos to pay a visit to the Lagos office of Huawei Technologies Ltd, Lagos office.

    The pupils whose  ages were  between four to 14 were welcomed in Huawei Innovation and Experience  Center by the ICT giant’s staff.

    Speaking at the Huawei Innovation and Experience  Center , Mrs. Okorodion Juliet who led the pupils to the center said any nation that really loves her  youths must be ready to promote and embrace STEM education, which is right tools for the children.

    According to her, “STEM as a tool will not just excite the children to learn, it will also make them be eager to learn difficult things in an entertaining mood. They will be proud later in the future in any field they found themselves because the culture has been imbibed in them very early in life.

    “The importance of STEM cannot be waived asides by any nation that wants to grow, mostly in these millennium age where ICT has made may jobs easier and has also allowed income earners to earn more with less stress,”. Okorodion said.

    Welcoming the pupils, Product  Manager,  Huawei  Technology,  Mr.Oluwaseun Ologun, said that  such occasion was part of his organization’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) drive in ensuring that children were not left out of the digital race in a developing environment.

    Oluwaseun who took time to listen and answer the  pupils question said the   development of ICT culture amongst children was  crucial to the growth  and development of a nation.

    According to him, globally, the impact of ICT education in children would help their learning experiences  both at home and in schools. Not only this, imbibing the ICT culture in them will enable them grow with it and be at the same level with their counterparts worldwide. They will superior and not inferior.

    Also, the head of the Public Relations, Mr. Quanwei,  said Huawei is dedicated to popularizing information  technology and knowledge, developing ICT professionals, and increasing educational opportunities in any environment it operates.

    “We just don’t believe in making profit alone, we  strive to make our CSR visible in all our operational areas. Having these children here today is that we believe that they will grow up to become leaders of tomorrow. And promoting ICT education for them at this age will broaden their knowledge and ability to learn, putting in mind that children learn faster most times than adults” Mr. Q declared.

    The pupils were treated to  ‘magic’ moments where they learned how to make conference phone calls through television. They were paired into two; written on their faces were smiles that they could interact without being in same location.

  • ‘Teach all religions in schools’

    THE Principal, Avi-Cenna International School, Ikeja, Lagos, Mr David Ogburn, has advised the government to tread softly on the issue of including a religion in the curriculum to ensure that all religions are taught together in schools.

    Speaking against the background of the outcry over the subsuming merger of Christian and Islamic religions in the school’s curriculum and he said worldwide, the practice is that no religion should stand alone in order not to give the impression that one is given preference over the other.

    Ogburn, who has spent nine years as the school’s administrator, said though the government had retraced its steps by reverting to the old practice of making each religion to stand alone, it would have been better if the government involved educationists in resolving the matter rather than treating it as a political issue. He warned: ”Religion is quite emotive. It should be at harmonious force in the society.”

    On early education, he said the best way to teach it is through plays, adding that children learn through various ways, rather than sit in one place.

    ‘”What we develop in children have emotions and they learn through them, but all these they do through plays,” he said.

    Ogburn also said there was the need to teach indigenous cultures, adding that though the school operates the British curriculum and it emphasises Nigerian cultures.

    “We inculcate values in our children, not necessarily the Nigerian or the Asian. However, we celebrate everything Nigerian, for example, the Independence anniversary on October 1. We do traditional dances and singing” he said.

    Besides, he said schools should go outside the box to teach their pupils. He said a topic subject like entrepreneurship should be of interest to educators.

    ”Education is much more than what happens in the classrooms.  We do a lot of home economics. We have banks that come here to teach our children basic financial practices. We hold a Marketing Day once a year. Pupils set up and run a business, make plastic cups and go through a process of business,” Ogburn said, adding that all these help to make the child a total pupil on graduation.

    Ogburn advised parents to look out for schools that can deliver quality education and treat their wards uniquely when choosing schools. He warned them against taking their children to quack schools where they will not be benefit at the end of the day.

    He urged schools to give back to society as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He noted that Avi-Cenna gives out 15 scholarship yearly,  has installed an oxygen machine at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), built a domestic science laboratory at the Ikeja High School among others.

  • Police arrest alleged car snatcher 

    Police arrest alleged car snatcher 

    Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Ikeja have arrested a suspected notorious car snatcher, Bolaji Hafiz.

    Hafiz, 35, was apprehended at the weekend by a team of policemen led by the Officer-in-Charge of FSARS, Sanusi Mohammed, a Chief Superintendent (CSP) at Lagos Island.

    It was gathered that an unregistered black 2008 RAV4 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) was recovered from him.

    A source who hinted on the arrest said that the suspect usually went to car shops and fleece owners of their vehicles after generating fake bank alerts.

    It was gathered that the police have commenced actions to recover several other stolen vehicles allegedly in his custody.

     

  • School fetes its First Class ambassadors

    This year’s graduation at the Mind Builders High School, Ikeja, was an home coming of sorts for some of its alumni, notably four who had distinguished themselves, graduating with First Class degrees from various universities.

    The distinguished alumni all attended the Mind Builders Primary School, Omole Phase 1, Ikeja.

    The quartet was honoured with the First Class Ambassadors of Mind Builders Primary School award at the event.

    The four Ambassadors are: Bolaji Olukayode Oluwasona who bagged first Class in Computer Technology from Babcock University, with an outstanding 5.0. CGPA in 2016/2017 academic session; Opeoluwa Fasoro (First Class, Microbiology and best graduating student of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, 2015/2016); Abidemi Ojudu (First Class in Accounting and Finance from Durham University, UK in 2016/2017); and Adefolarin Badejo (First Class in Accounting, Babcock University, 2016/2017).

    All the ambassadors were present at the ceremony except for Badejo who was represented by his father, Mr Gbenga Badejo, a Chartered Accountant.

    Coincidentally, Adefolarin was said to have also qualified as a Chartered Accountant making him the first Chartered Accountant to be produced by the institution.

    Parents of the celebrated alumni were happy. They praised Mind Builders for building a good foundation for their wards to excel.

    In their responses, the Ambassadors credited their academic excellence to God and hard work and as well as personal decision to excel.

    They requested others who finished from Mind Builders to join the institution next January to mark its 20th Anniversary.

  • Be persistent, Mind Builders graduands told

    TO succeed in life, graduands of Mind Builders High School, Ikeja, have been told to be persistent.

    They heard from no other than the Commissioner of Police, Police Medical Services, Ikoyi, Dr Efunsola Sowewimo, to incorporate the three Ps (Pray, Plan and Perform) into their daily activities as the work towards their goals.

    In her keynote speech titled: “Persistence, a vital key to Success”, she advised the 22 graduands never to give up, sharing examples of great men who won because of persistence.

    “You may have to tweak your plans.  Thomas Edison tried 2,000 times to create the light bulb.  If he had given up we won’t have light today.

    “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.  Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talents.  Genius will not take the place of persistence,” she said.

    The school’s Education Director, Mrs Bolajoko Falore, also shared her three Ps – Patience, Persistence and Perspiration.

    She told the graduands they were responsible for their success and otherwise.

    “Dream big; patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success..

    “Finally, remember that obstacles cannot stop you; problems cannot derail you; people cannot stop you.  The only one who can stop you is yourself,” she said.

    As good ambassadors of the school, she charged them not to forget the school’s pillars of character; be kind and good to people; be guided by God’s words, and think big.

    Forty-four awards were presented to the graduating class, while pupils in the other levels shared 23 awards.  Awards were also presented to outstanding parents and special guests, including Mrs Yinka Ogunde, CEO, Edumark Consult Ltd.

    One of the graduands, who won prizes for distinguishing herself in sports, Zainab Yunusa, said her sojourn in Mind Builders exposed her to a variety of activities.

    “We were exposed to so many things.  We had so many outings.  The school taught me to be independent and not rely on others.  Mind Builders taught me to speak up for myself,” she said.

    The event was spiced with choreography, duet, ball joggling/hoopla as presentations by the school choir and the orchestra.

  • ‘Lagos govt committed to Ikeja model city’s master-plan’

    The Lagos State government yesterday reiterated its commitment to the renewed Ikeja Model City Master Plan originally conceived to address infrastructural challenges.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode plannd to make Ikeja a model city and actualise the relocation of the Computer Village to the new site at Katangowa in Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, in line with the reviewed master plan.

    The statement said the Ikeja Model City Master Plan designated the Computer Village for residential use, adding that the government will follow the plans to make the area more organised, serene and habitable.

    It said the government had not issued any permit to any individual or organisation to build an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) specialised mall beside the new Ikeja Bus Terminal.

    The government noted that such move is not in sync with the government’s regeneration plan for the capital city.

    It said as a sign of its commitment to the relocation of the Computer Village from Ikeja to Katangowa, the take-off of the Katangowa project was in its final stage of implementation.

    The government said it would ensure its speedy completion.

  • N5b Silicon Valley coming to Ikeja

    N5b Silicon Valley coming to Ikeja

    The private sector is not relenting in contributing to the mega city status of Lagos State. Across the real estate sector, especially in the retail mall sub sector, it is a common sight to behold mega, ultra-modern plazas.

    In furtherance of this trend, a real estate firm, Messrs Masters Reality International Concepts Limited, has unveiled plans that will change the face of shopping malls in Ikeja.

    The firm hopes to replicate the American ‘Silicon Valley’ concept in Lagos with the construction of an Information Technology (IT) Mart within the central business district of Ikeja.

    The Mall, to be known as “Ikeja IT House”, is slated for completion within 18 months after securing approval from the Lagos State government.

    The IT mart is planned as a three-storey building, to be built on three acres of land situate at Simbiat Abiola Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

    It will also come with 1, 800 shops; a multi-storey car park for 280 vehicles, banking hall, and an IT laboratory, among other facilities.

    The IT laboratory will be a place where theoretical understanding of practical work is first understood. When completed, it will be a hub for IT needs in the country, including a research and development centre to provide solutions to IT problems.

    The Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Masters Reality International Concepts Limited, Mr. Lai Omotola, said the project, for which international funding has been secured, will cost N5 billion, noting that at this time of the country’s history, entrepreneurs that will come out with new projects to boost the economy is what is needed.

    “We have international funding for the project already; you are aware that local banks are no longer  lending money to developers. IT content is the nation’s  next crude oil; almost 10 billionaires in the world have something to do with IT,” he said.

    Already, Omotola explained, the project, had received comprehensive endorsement of all global brands, adding that both local and international brands have indicated interests to be part of the project.

    “Our company is pioneering the value chain end of IT. The initiative will bring Nigeria to global recognition as an IT power house. It is about building our own silicon valley. The mall will serve as a specialised operations of IT and compete globally. It will bring Nigeria to global recognition as IT power house,” he explained.

  • Commercial bus driver, gets N100, 000 bail

    Commercial bus driver, gets N100, 000 bail

    A 33-year-old commercial bus driver docked for allegedly driving in a reckless manner and causing the death of his conductor, was on Thursday in Lagos granted a N100, 000 bail.

    Odumade Muyiwa, the accused, who resides at Ilaje Road, Bariga, had pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of dangerous and reckless driving and manslaughter.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. O. Sule-Amzat, who gave the ruling at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, also told the accused to produce two sureties in like sum, one of whom must be gainfully employed.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Ihiehie Lucky, had told the court that the accused drove recklessly, which caused the vehicle to summersault on the highway.

    “All the passengers were rushed to the Lagos State Emergency Centre, Old Toll Gate, Ikeja for medical treatment and later discharged,’’ he said.

    The prosecutor said that only the conductor to the vehicle, Adeyekun Babarinde, 36, was rushed to the Lagos Island General Hospital for further treatment, but later died.

    Ihiehie said Muyiwa, who drove a Volkswagen Vanagan commercial bus with Lagos Reg. No. BDG 370 X5, committed the offences on May 1, by a petrol station along the Lagos-Gbagada Expressway inward Oworonshoki.

    He said that a team of traffic management officials rushed to the scene and took the passengers to the hospital.

    The offences, he said, contravened Sections 20 and 18(1) of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The magistrate adjourned the case until July 4, for mention.

     

  • Father arraigned for raping daughter

    An incestuous father, Folorunsho Oluwaseun, who allegedly turned his 17-year-old daughter into a sex object, was on Friday granted a reprieve by an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    Oluwaseun was released on N300,000 bail with two sureties in like sum after he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The 51-year-old electrician, who resides at 40, Popoola St., Offin in Ikorodu, Lagos State, is facing a charge of rape.

    Police Prosecutor Clifford Ogu told the court that the accused committed the offence between Aug. 8, 2016 and April 2017 at his residence.

    Ogu said the accused, who has separated from his wife since 2013, was awarded the custody of his three children including the girl.

    “The accused started abusing his 17-year-old daughter sexually since August last year.

    “The girl wrote in her statement to the police that any time she refuses her father’s sexual advances, he would not give her and her siblings food,” he said.

    “The girl narrated her ordeal to her mother when she visited them.

    “The woman reported the case to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team at Ikeja and the case was brought to the Police station.”

    The offence contravened Section 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, adjourned the case until June 5 for mention.

     

  • Rapist jailed 10 years in Lagos

    A 27-year-old bricklayer, Samuel Adedeji, is to spend the next 10 years in jail for raping a 20-year-old girl at knife-point, at

    Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court ruled on Wednesday.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, handed down the verdict after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

    She ruled: “The accused is hereby sentenced 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine. This will serve as a deterrent to others.”

    The accused, who resides at Okobo Street, off Afia Road, Badagry, was arraigned for rape.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu told the court that the offence was committed on Feb. 8 at Nkem Igborosun Street, Badagry.

    Ogu said the accused went to collect his money from his friend who lives in the same compound with the complainant, the 20-year-old girl.

    “The accused did not meet his friend at home, however, saw the complainant who tied a wrapper sweeping.’’

    Ogu said the accused brought out a knife and ordered the girl to move to her room or be killed.

    “The accused followed the girl to her room, shut the door and raped her at knife-point.

    “The accused was about leaving the compound when the girl shouted for help,” he said.

    Ogu said the accused was apprehended by passers-by, who took him to the police station.

    The offence contravened Section 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 which stipulates life imprisonment.