The Nation Newspaper

Tag: kids

  • ‘Our kids shouldn’t study under trees

    ‘Our kids shouldn’t study under trees

    It is not entirely strange that trees have long provided shelter for pupils in some parts of the country but in Benue State, chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board or SUBEB, Dr. Philip Tachin has said the practice must stop forthwith.

    On a tour of projects being built or rehabilitated in the state schools, Tachin found pupils studying under a mango tree because classrooms were inadequate.

    The SUBEB chair seized the opportunity to urge contractors handling school projects to expedite action and save children the agony of learning under trees, among other inconveniences.

    In some places, Tachin read the riot act, saying any contractor who did a shoddy job or was lazy would not be paid until the work was redone or finished according to schedule.

    He, alongside management and members of a special task force, inspected projects whose contracts were awarded under the UBEC/Benue State Government intervention funds for the years 2012 to 2015. In the state’s northwest senatorial zone, they inspected primary school projects comprising Local Government Authority (LGEA) Gbajimba, RCM Primary School Daudu in Guma Local Government Area. Others included Col. Nenge LGEA Primary School and LGEA Primary School, Tarhembe in Tarka Local Government Area as well as LGEA Primary School Adem, Uchen CAC Primary School, Wadadta in Makurdi Local Government Area.

    At Gbajima, the SUBEB chair praised the contractor for the good work done, but urged him to ensure he met the three months deadline. From Gbajimba, the team headed to Daudu where a block of four classrooms was completed with modern toilet facilities, though Tachin noticed some shoddy work and asked that it be corrected before payment.

    At Tarka Local Government Area, the county home of the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator George Akume, Tachin and his team expressed satisfaction with the work done Nenge, the SUBEB chair was less satisfied with the dressing of a school teacher, which he described as shabby.

    “You are dressed like those on construction site,” he charged the teacher.

    At Tarhembe, he sought better work attitude, asking for the number of teachers at a junior secondly school and warning that he would return for a head count.

    In Makurdi, the state capital, there were some leaky roofs, which must be fixed before contractors could expect pay.

    The team also saw a school which was razed down by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The entire school is to be renovated.

    In some other places, it was observed that pupils now have good water supply, thanks to a borehole which also served the community.

    Addressing journalists, Tachin expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done and the professionalism of the contractors. He also hailed the state governor Samuel Ortom for releasing funds to enable the SUBEB change the face of schools in the state.

  • Yobe targets kids in anti-polio road show

    Yobe targets kids in anti-polio road show

    Following the resurgence of the polio virus in neighbouring Borno State, Yobe is not taking anything for granted, targeting children coming into the state through the major highways.

    The State primary healthcare agency, the World Bank, UNICEF and the state Committee on Polio Prevention and Eradication headed by the state Deputy Governor Abubakar Aliyu has organised immunisation points on the Maiduguri-Kano-Jos Road  to track and immunise all children coming or passing through the state.

    According to the immunisation of officials, over 500 children have so far been immunised in this initiative.

    During one such advocacy and inspection of the exercise at one of the entry points from Maiduguri, Aliyu  said the state decided to take such a proactive measure of tracking children in transit due to the insurgence of the virus in neighboring Borno State.

    Aliyu who was in company of the State Commissioner for Health Dr. Bello Kawuwa, stated that Yobe has devised several ways to eradicate  the virus in the state with the highway immunisation initiative as one of them.

    “Because of the three cases of polio that we got in Borno State ,we decided to scale up the campaign against the virus by devising so many means of eradicating the diseases and stopping it from coming into our state. This measure is one of our own measures as a state to ensure that the certification of Nigeria as a polio free nation by the WHO is not dragged backward further because of what happened in Borno State.

    “This exercise that you see is a response of what happened in Borno State. As you are aware, this checkpoint where we are is the one leading to Maiduguri where those three cases were discovered, so the idea is to target those children of polio age at the entrance point in Yobe State. These vaccinators are in all other entrances to the state carrying out the exercise,” Engr. Aliyu said.

    Another cheery news has emerged that immunisation officials have started accessing the Boko Haram liberated communities in Gujba and Gulani Local Government areas, the deputy governor has announced at the advocacy visit on the highway where he administered the oral polio vaccines to children travelling with their parents through the state.

    The Executive Secretary Yobe State Primary Healthcare Management Board Dr. Hauwa Goni Fika also collaborated the news of the deputy governor  at a polio survivor rally held in Damaturu  that health officials have started accessing the hard-reached areas of Gujba and Gulani that were hitherto taken over by Boko Haram.

    “The good news is that our people have started accessing those hard-to-reach areas of Gujba and Gulani which were no go area because of the Boko Haram crisis,” Dr. Hauwa informed.

    During the survivors rally, Dr. Hauwa called on the victims to desist from begging but rather identify meaningful trades that would change their lives while charging them to be ambassadors of kicking out the disease from Nigeria.

    The Nation reports that the survivors of polio victim penultimate week staged a grand rally in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, to sensitise the community on the need to accept the vaccine and kick out the disease out of the state and Nigeria at large.

    The rally which is one of the campaigns against the disease in the state   had in attendance hundreds of polio victims including men and women ridding on their wheelchairs with others on their rollers, members of the Yobe State Social Mobilization Committee, drum beaters and members of the press  began at the head office of the Cripple Association Damaturu behind KeyStone Bank opposite the Damaturu Ram Market and went through some of the major  settlements cutting through some major streets in the metropolis singing, dancing and distributing pamphlets to the locales.

     

     

     

  • Boko Haram: Kids battle malnutrition in IDPs camp

    Boko Haram: Kids battle malnutrition in IDPs camp

    Children who escaped the terror of Boko Haram are now facing starvation in Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camps.

    The youngsters, some of them only infants, are being treated in a feeding centre run by Doctors Without Borders in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, according to a report by The Mail of London.

    Up to one in four of the youngsters in the 110-bed centre are dying, Doctors Without Borders spokeswoman Shaista Aziz was quoted by the newspaper in a report published yesterday.

    Most of the children were brought from the IDPs camps, she added.

    Parents living in the camps complain that there is not enough food, and when it does arrive, it is insubstantial.

    Dr Natalie Roberts, deputy emergency desk manager for the medical aid group, said the feeding programme in Maiduguri “has quadrupled in size in the last weeks, but each time it expands it becomes rapidly full’.

    In one camp, Muna Garage, 20 children under the age of five died in a single week.

    At Farm Centre Camp, on Maiduguri’s outskirts, residents said they had received no food in more than one month.

    They and displaced persons at other camps said that when they do get meals, it consists only of rice and beans. They get one shovelful a day – literally delivered from a shovel – whether a household has six people or 12, they said.

     

  • Fidson rewards brilliant kids

    Fidson rewards brilliant kids

    Riding on the success of previous editions and its impact on children’s academic development and performance in the last five years, Fidson Healthcare Plc. is set to begin this year’s edition of its flagship children academic reward programme – Astymin Brilliance Reward.

    The yearly event is scheduled to hold tomorrow, at the Grange School, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The programme, which began in 2010, is aimed at developing the mental and academic performance, while rewarding hard work and academic excellence amongst primary school pupils, through special acknowledgment and provision of educational materials.

    This year’s programme will witness the convergence of the best graduating pupils from over two 200 private and public schools across the south-west and South-eastern region, as well as parents, teachers and stakeholders in the educational system. The kids will be recognised and rewarded with certificates of excellence and valuable prizes.

    According to the General Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc., Mr Ola Ijimakin, this year’s edition is an evidence of Fidson’s unrelenting commitment to supporting the kids in all their academic endeavours, through its Astymin brand, in line with the corporate brand promise of valuing lives.

    “Like we have always emphasised, the ABR is our attempt to bring back the glory days of our education by throwing our weight behind the children’s drive for academic excellence. This is another season of delight for the kids who have worked so hard and perform exceptionally in their academics; but for us as a brand, it is another day of celebrating excellence”, he said.

    Expressing concern over the dwindling reading culture amongst teenagers and youths in Nigeria, and the untamed passion for fast money, fame and interests in social or political affluence, for which academic excellence has been traded, Ijimakin explained that Astymin Brilliance Reward is one of the ways the company is partnering with government and other well-meaning stakeholders to develop the country’s educational system.

  • ‘KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS’ ENTERS SEASON 2

    FOLLOWING the successful debut edition of the television show, Kids Say the Darndest Things (KSDT) last year, telecommunications giant Etisalat has kicked off the second edition of the programme.

    The show which is hosted by Tony Okungbowa saw children from different parts of the country audition for spots to feature on the programme. And the first edition features internet sensation and child actor Emmanuella. The comic actor flew in from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Powered by Etisalat Cliqlite, a product designed to make learning fun for children between the age of eight and 15, this year’s show with the theme ‘Let your little star shine bright’ features children from different walks of life expressing themselves. They are interviewed on various topical issues ranging from family to career, politics, sport, nature and spirituality amongst others.

    “The program is aimed at giving every child a voice and letting them shine bright with confidence,” said Orah Egwu, Manager, Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria.

    “At Etisalat, we are very passionate about young people and we are obliged to continuously find avenues to engage and empower them.”

    The show airs on select terrestrial and cable television stations following premieres in Lagos and Abuja.

  • Free education for 15 Calabar street kids

    Free education for 15 Calabar street kids

    Fifteen street children, popularly known as “Skolombo Boys”, are to enjoy free education. All thanks to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Ministry of Women Affairs.

    The children were picked off the streets and offered free education during a rally in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, yesterday.

    Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs Stella Odey said the state would not relent in its effort to ensure that it is fit for children.

    She condemned parents who abandoned their children or perpetrated any kind of violence against them.

    UNICEF Child Protection Specialist Mrs Nkiru Maduechesi said violence against children is prevalent and more efforts should be made by the society to check the scourge.

    She urged stakeholders, such as the government, security agencies, the media, traditional institutions and families, to step up the fight against it.

    The launch of the campaign on violence against children would be flagged of in Calabar today at the Tinapa Resort in Calabar.

    Cross River is the second state to do so after Lagos State.

    It was launched at the federal level by President Muhammadu Buhari in September 2015.

  • Indomie launches award for kids

    Indomie launches award for kids

    Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie instant noodles, has called for entries for this year’s Indomie Independence Day Award for Heroes of Nigeria (IIDA).

    Speaking at a briefing in Lagos, the Group Managing Director, Deepak Singhal, said the ceremony has been successful in the last eight years with awards for 24 heroic children.

    Singhal, who was represented by Ashiwaju Temitope, the Group Head, Public Relations and Event Manager, said the selection scope has been expanded to accommodate, encourage and reward more children who have displayed an unmatched physical, intellectual and social bravery in the face of hazards and unfavourable conditions.

    The IIDA, now in its ninth year, is to recognise children from 15 years and below who have exhibited extraordinary acts of bravery in the face of danger and societal challenges.

    According to Singhal, the event, which will hold in October, has been divided into three categories, including: Physical Bravery award, which acknowledges  children  who at great personal risk save lives or prevent extensive damage to lives and properties, the Social Bravery award will reward children who work against social ills, such as child marriage, illiteracy and environmental issues and the Intellectual Bravery award will reward children with innate ability who performed remarkably despite physical, mental and emotional challenges.

    Each winner in the three categories will take home N1million; there will be consolation prizes for others.

  • Begging: Lagos rehabilitates mum, kids

    Begging: Lagos rehabilitates mum, kids

    The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development has rehabilitated a 44-year-old woman simply identified as Esther and her three children found begging near the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) at Ikeja.

    Esther was said to have been abandoned by relatives and friends, following an illness which left her with a protruding stomach. She took to begging for survival.

    The woman and her children have been moved to the Lagos State Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre in Majidun, Ikorodu.

    Our correspondent gathered that the woman is from Ijaw in Delta State, and stays around Agbado Railway Crossing in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    The leader of the rescue team, Mr Kessington Fatai, said the operation was in line with the campaign against street begging.

    The Nation learnt that the ministry has since contacted Esther’s family. A meeting will be held this week on how to reunite them.

    The ministry’s Director of Rehabilitation Centres, Mr Joseph Olufemi Olatoye said: “We have contacted her family members, and the Commissioner, Princess Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, would have a meeting with them this week.

    “The three children are supposed to be in school, but they would instead sit with their mother to beg for alms from passersby. Meanwhile, the Child Protection Unit of the ministry has placed the children according to their ages in the Children Centre at Majidun, Ikorodu,” Fatai said.

  • Group advocates mother tongue for kids

    Group advocates mother tongue for kids

    Moms Africa, a women/children advocacy group, has called on the government to promote teaching and speaking of mother tongue in schools to prevent them from going extinct.

    President of the group Mrs Mary Ikoku, said research has proven that children who learn their mother tongues while growing up are more likely to succeed in their educational pursuits and learn a second language faster than others who did not.

    Speaking at the commemoration of International Mother Language Day at Citi Lodge, Lekki, Ikoku faulted parents who accrue excessive importance to English language. She said benefits of speaking one’s mother tongue include saving lives and staying true to one’s identity.

    She said: “There is something spiritual about the mother tongue, so we are trying to reinforce that culture which is also a United Nations (UN) requirement. English is only a target language, not our primary language. Speaking English does not make you classy. What defines and stands you out is your language. It could even save your life. People can warn you of dangers with your native language to prevent a foreigner from harming you. What defines you is the language that you speak when you are separated from the English language.”

    Head of Imperial Gate Schools, Lekki, Mrs Victoria Duru also corroborated Ikoku, saying skills acquired in the first language can easily be incorporated into the second.

    Coordinating the event, a polyglot and on-air presenter Dr Yolanda George-David, popularly known as Aunt Landa, who speaks Isreali, Portugese and Gaa Dangbe of Ghana among others, suggested inculcating mother tongue in kids at infancy to make them learn easier.

    Meanwhile, a pupil of Imperial Gates School, Aisha Mujahie-Kabir, gave a presentation in Hausa language advised parents to use songs and stories to teach their children their mother language.

    “I think our mother tongue is important because it helps us to understand our families and origin better than when we speak English,” she said.

    While, schools, parents and stakeholders discussed the way forward for promoting mother language in the country during the symposium, many parents admitted their faults in not promoting the language in their homes and promised to do so hence forth.

  • Why parents should teach kids by example

    DEAR Harriet, My concern is the level of moral decadence in our society today. Parents who are supposed to be role models to their children are really not leading by example. Instead, some are the ones that are really taking these children through the wrong paths of life.

    Let’s look at the mode of dressing. Some young girls are provocative in their dressing. In addition, it will amaze you to know that a high number of these girls are sexually active with or without their parents’ knowledge.

    The question is who is to blame? Mothers don’t guide and lead their children in the ways of God any more. How many mothers actually give their children moral instructions, or pray with them as the case may be. They would rather sit to watch negative films that have no value added to their lives but destroy them.

    Daughters dress looking like club girls, exposing themselves to danger and all sorts of vices. Correction is totally out of it because their parents see it as the way to belong so they get offended when you try to correct them.

    In addition, the internet access is also an area that most parents have failed because a lot of these young children are pretending to be doing their home work, while all they do is visiting or downloading pornographic films. It beats my heart that in Port Harcourt it has become a common act and a very high percentage of mothers who are meant to be role models to their children engage in extra marital affairs.

    It is so bad that the singles are complaining. Some married women have converted hotels to be their second home. Some are going out with younger boys all with the excuse that their husbands cannot satisfy them in bed. Please, tell me if mothers that are supposed to teach their children how to be decent and how to respect their bodies are busy having affairs.

    Thanks

    Malachi Onumajuru. Port Harcourt.

     

    Thanks for sending us your message. The issue raised is one major challenge that affects our youth. Teach a child the way in which he should go and he will not depart from it.

    Children very carefully observe their parents and unknowingly and unconsciously become just like their parents. It is said that charity begins at home. Everything begins at home: respect, obedience, kindness, attitude, manner and skills.

    Sexuality and sex education is one topic that I will say we put out there almost every other month because of how it affects youngsters. Sex education is so important to the growing up of a youth and must be taught at home first before school. The information about sexuality must be clear and appropriate, according to their ages with good explanation about the physical and emotional changes.

    The reasons for the happenings and how to live a chaste life, to imagine parents encouraging their children in the way of destruction is a great issue of concern because parents are the role models to their children aforementioned, from what you wear as a parent, to your attitude towards others and the kind of life style you live, set out objectives for children’s zeal to achieve their vision and dreams independently. If a parent wants her children to be in a certain way, she must set the pace by living a life worth copying.

    Children act on what they see their parents do. As a result, they can only give what they have. The behaviour of your children tells a lot about you. Indecent mode of dressing exposes young ones to danger, if care is not taken. Parents should learn to teach their children all that they need to know about values through living by example. Let’s face it, a child’s negative way of life comes back to hurt the parents who lead them into it.

    The internet is such a big and open world that anybody can do anything. As a result, a lot of children have been hurt, for example some are experiencing cyber bulling, sexual abuse and verbal abuse at present. Trust me, the motive of parents in providing these technologies is to aid children not to harm them so it’s is your responsibility to know how to keep them safe on line. Some parents feel they don’t really understand how the internet works that their children know more than them, forgetting that technology changes on a day-to- day basis and the best way to stay informed is to get involved (understand the internet and how it works). Sometimes sit with your children, tell them to show you what they are doing and how it works who said it is too late to learn. Parents should monitor the site their children visit online. More so, the aspect of infidelity is also a great issue that we have high number of texts and emails on.

    Tips had been given in the past on this page on specific aspect of infidelity. However, for this present case of married women who are supposed to be role models to their children are now engaging in extra marital affairs, whether to younger boys or men with the excuse that their husbands cannot satisfy them in bed is not acceptable, there is no moral justification to the act of infidelity.

    Marriage is a union ordained by God and must be respected. If a woman discovers that her husband is not meeting up to her sexual desire, instead of bringing destruction to her home, have a discussion with your husband. Be open to him and tell him how it is affecting you or if possible, go with him to see a counsellor who will guide you on how to handle the situation. Your body as a married woman/ man must be respected and protected. Take care of yourself and each other.

     

    Harriet Ogbobine is a counsellor and a motivational speaker. Send your questions and suggestions to her on bineharriet@gmail.com or txt message only 08054682598. You can also follow her on twitter: @bineharrietj