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  • Mathematics bedrock of science and technology – NTIC

    Mathematics bedrock of science and technology – NTIC

    The managing director of Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC), Feyzullah Bilgin, has described mathematics as the bedrock of science, technology, innovation and agriculture.

    He stated this at the weekend in Abuja during the 22nd Annual National Mathematics Competition (ANMC), organised for math enthusiasts in Primary 5, Primary 6, JSS 1, and JSS 3, by NTIC in collaboration with the National Mathematics Centre (NMC).

    The examination, one of Nigeria’s largest and most prestigious mathematics competitions, was held in selected centers across 31 states including the FCT.

    Bilgin said: “Mathematics is a very crucial discipline, which is the basics and fundamentals for different important subjects and areas in life. So, it is like a bedrock for science, technology, innovation, development, agriculture and even bridge engineering. All these things come from mathematics.

    “Also, currently, the world is witnessing AI technology, IT. All these things, again, depend on algorithms and mathematics. So we want our students and the participants taking the examination to study mathematics, demystify it, and see that it is not something difficult.

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    “With this knowledge and background they are getting from the preparation of the math competition, we believe that it is going to be a great background for the rest of their lives in whatever they want to achieve in their careers.”

    Head of Academics (secondary), Mr. Erdal Yilmaz, said: “We believe that everyone has the potential to excel in maths, and the competition provides a platform for students to challenge themselves, discover their strengths, and build confidence.

    “Every year, we see incredible enthusiasm and impressive performances from participants from all corners of the country. The competition not only identifies and celebrates exceptional talent, but it also inspires a new generation of mathematicians, engineers, scientists, and innovators. We’re investing in the future of our nation by encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation for this essential subject.”

  • Maths vital to development, growth, says NTIC

    Maths vital to development, growth, says NTIC

    • School clinches 100 medals at Maths contest

    The Managing Director of Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), Mr. Feyzullah Bilgin, has said taking Mathematics seriously will aid national growth and development.

    Bilgin said this while announcing that pupils of NTIC had won over 100 medals in the first round of National Mathematical Centre’s (NMC’s) competition.

    The college boss said Mathematics is not as difficult as many believe, insisting that all it requires is the interest and a good tutor.

    He said the NMC competition aims at identifying and encouraging young talents; stimulating enthusiasm among students and attracting distinguished mathematical scientists.

    Bilgin listed some of the outstanding achievements of the NTIC to include winning 27 gold, 38 silver, and 35 bronze medals in various subjects, including Maths, science and informatics Olympiads.

    He said: “Our schools also achieved a record-breaking number of 293 students that qualified for the second round of the competitions.

    “In the whole of Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Yobe states, our schools clinched the best in Mathematics Olympiad.”

    “In the whole of the FCT, Abuja, our schools are the best in biology, chemistry, junior mathematics, and physics Olympiads.

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    “In the FCT, our students clinched the top three in biology Olympiad; nine of our students emerged in the top 10 in junior math; six of our students emerged in the top 10 and half of the students that qualified for the second round are our students in senior math.

    “It would also interest you to know that one of our Junior Secondary School (JSS) I students surpassed several JSS II and III students to clinch third position in the state.

    “In the same Abuja, one of our students, Chiemela Ahachi, clinched the best positions in both physics and chemistry Olympiads.

    “In the whole of Kano State, our schools are the best in junior informatics, junior Math, senior informatics, and senior Maths.”

  • NTIC pupils embrace innovation

    Four products stood out among 64 project stands during the science and art fair organised by the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC) Abuja recently.

    They were: a robot produced using locally-sourced materials, solar-powered water heater, bio-body cream and liquid soap.

    Mr Rotimi Bello Suleiman, Head of the school’s Department of Social Sciences, said the products were a result of the school’s efforts “to promote, inspire and instill in the students entrepreneurial and innovative mindset which is a paradigm shift from the conventional school curriculum”.

    The robot was made from empty plastic drinking cans held in place with gum and tape.

    Components of the solar water heater produced under the supervision of the physics teacher, Mr. Ibrahim Yusuf, included a framed metal box with a glass surface containing radiation converters (solar glassing), linked to two plastic water tanks by a copper pipe. Cold water passed from one tank through the metal box which heat the hot water to the other tank.

    Umar Misbau Umar, one of the pupils that took part in the project said: “I like to make something out of nothing, I initially wanted to be a medical doctor but after participating in this project, I am inspired to be an inventor and a manufacturer,” he said.

    Kenneth Nwaichi, Chemistry teacher, said the bio-body cream was made from “shea butter, bee wax, aloe vera plant, cucumber, avocado pear, lemon, corn starch, and others”

  • Students invent products, hold exhibition

    Students invent products, hold exhibition

    Students of Nigeria Tulip International College (NTIC), Ogun on Thursday showcased their inventions as the school held its 2017/2018 ScCultural Art Exhibitionience Fair and Cultural Art Exhibition.

    The students exhibited 80 different products at the programme, tagged: ‘Science Discoveries: Human Advancement’.

    Mr Ercan Yilmaz, the College Principal, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the event was geared toward encouraging the students to show their talents.

    Yilmaz said that the students, through the exhibition, explained areas where scientific discoveries have contributed to comfortable living and advancement of the human race.

    According to him, so many entrepreneurs and industries within its environs have been able to grasp and develop some ideas and innovations that help their investment grow.

    “With this, the nation in turn will benefit; the various chemicals used to produce different substances and materials are exposed to such industries, which some of them now use for their production.

    “Through the cultural display, we are showcasing unity in diversity,’’ he said.

    Yilmaz said the event cost millions for material, service rendered and logistics, but the consolation is the fact that the students are better for it, which is more important.

    “At the science fair, students explain some discoveries and equally answer questions.

    “They get to display or exhibit what they have learned in laboratories, classes and even in various practical lessons.

    “This serves the co-curricular purpose, while the extra-curricular activities are the presentation of plays and dances from different parts of the country and a number of cultural art activities.

    “Skilful production of artworks also forms part of the exhibition”.

    The principal said that each exhibition stand of the students would be rated.

    He said they would be credited, and those who did not do well would be queried for an explanation of what went wrong.

    A parent, Alhaji Ayinde Gaffar, hailed the college for the yearly initiative and commitment to making the fair better, educative and innovative.

    Gaffar said the fair had been a source of inspiration to the students and promoted their intellectual and mutual understanding.

    NAN reports that the students, displayed items and materials such as the magic mirror, liquid soap, paper-made Automated Teller Machine (ATM), chemical substances, toys, games, fabrics and accessories among others.

    They also entertained the audience with drama, dance and songs from different tribes.

    Several schools within Lagos and Ogun States were also present to grace the occasion and be enlightened.

    The Nigeria Tulip International College was formerly called Nigeria Turkish International College.

  • Excitement as NTIC graduates 53

    THE dreary weather last Saturday was not enough to dampen the enthusiasm of the 53 graduands of the Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), as well as their parents, teachers and well-wishers.

    The mood within the NECA Hall, Agidingbi, Lagos, where the event held was merry as the school formally handed over the teenagers it had groomed for about six years back to their parents/guardians as fully-formed teenagers prepared for the next stage of their educational pursuits.

    Principal of the school, Ercan Yilmaz, said in his speech that the school had adequately equipped them academically and morally.

    “I am also to add that our school though doing well in academics; we do not compromise on strong character for each student. We emphasised to our students the importance of academic brilliance and high level of moral integrity, hence the mantra NTIC ‘for academic brilliance and moral development’”, he said.

    Though the school faced challenges at the beginning of the session, notably the kidnapping of eight of its pupils and two workers, Yilmaz said they were able to recover lost ground and adequately prepared for the external examinations this year.

    “This set is particularly lucky in that we are able to, right from the beginning of the session, double our efforts to cover some lost grounds occasioned by the stoppage at the very beginning of the session. With this mindset, both teachers and students faced the task squarely and, at the end, we not only covered but also surpassed what we had set to accomplish. By the end of February 2017, we were ready for their final-year exam,” he said.

    Hon Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and father of one of the graduands, praised parents for the supportive role they played during the kidnap saga in January.

    He however counseled them to extend helping hands to less privileged people around them who may take to crime because of hardship.

    “Parents, I believe you are in your comfort zone that is why you can pay the fees here.  And you open your windows and see people in your community who cannot afford to pay school fees.  Look at your neighbours who are not doing well; provide something for them.  It is only when your neighbour is educated that your children can walk safely.  You must not leave everything to the government,” he said.

    In his speech, the guest speaker, Prof Olalekan Arikeuyo, Dean Students’ Affairs, Olabisi Onabanjo University, urged the graduands to embrace hard work, be focused and to succeed in their endeavours.

    Highpoints of the event were the Epe dance presentation by the boys’ school and a dance drama by the girls’ school, and presentation of prizes to the outgoing pupils who were rewarded for excellence in academics, skills (music, sports) and character.

    Abubakar Olatoyinbo and Aisha Adebayo, the best pupils in Art, as well as Aisha Agboola and Malik Ajibade best pupils in Science, were presented with 100 per cent scholarship to undergo their university education at the Nigerian Nile University in Abuja.

    Mrs Adejoke Ajibade, Malik’s mother was overjoyed at the news.  It was the second scholarship her son would be getting (Malik studied at NTIC on scholarship).

    The ecstatic mother, a public school teacher, said: “I am short of words because I cannot believe this.  I thank God he has done everything I was afraid of.  He got into NTIC on scholarship. I am a teacher at Omole Grammar School, where would I have got the money to attend this school? To train a doctor is not easy and that is what my son said he wants to do.  I have been asking colleagues how they paid for medical education for their wards.  God has done it.”

    Awards were also presented to distinguished staff and parents.

    The best teacher award for the boys’ school went to Afeez Ekundayo, while Maduabuchi Ahumadu won in the girls’ school, for the fourth time.

  • NTIC Foundation: A worthy CSR initiative

    NTIC Foundation: A worthy CSR initiative

    Such encounters are rare. Most times, we see them in bestsellers and fictio-nal novels. But the story of baby Ibrahim is real, and it happened in Yobe State.

    Ibrahim is a six-month-old baby who was diagnosed with bilateral cataracts when a group of doctors and nurses from Nizamiye hospital Abuja visited Yobe for a medical outreach. The medical outreach was facilitated by the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges Foundation (NTICF) as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in schools.

    According to Mr. Behlül Fat-ih Baaran, the director of NTIC foundation, the medical outreach in Yobe State is amongst the numerous initiatives lined up for the NTICF in 2017.

    “The choice of Yobe State is informed by the fact that we wanted to reach out to people in high need of medicare,” he stated. “We at NTICF do not believe there should be barriers or excuses in reaching out to individuals in need especially in health-related issues.”

    The case of baby Ibrahim is one out of the numerous medical conditions that were diagnosed during the programme. One of the team members, Dr. Muammer Abdu-llahi, a consultant ophthalmologist, said Ibrahim’s case is a rare condition that would have led to blindness if it was not detected.

    “Ibrahim was diagnosed with bilateral cataract, which is a clouding of the lens in the eye which leads to a decrease in vision and if left untreated, would have caused blindness.”

    Basaran said, “Baby Ibrahim is among the 1700 patients attended to by the team of doctors and nurses in Yobe State under the outreach programme.”

    He further added that Ibrahim some others with eye defects would be treated free of charge at the Nizamiyehospital.”

    The NTIC Foundation was established in June 2013 with initiatives designed to heal the sick, feed the hungry, provide succour for the fatherless and the motherless, protect entire communities against preventable diseases provide nutritional support for poor households, among others.

    “We are concerned about the less privileged in the society, that is why our initiatives are designed to have an impact in their daily lives,” says Mr. Basaran.

    “In the past four years, the NTIC foundation has embarked on free medical services that have seen over 300 beneficiaries whose eyesight has been restored through the cataract removal program in collaboration with the Nizamye Hospital.”

    There is also its “Clean Water Project” which aims to protect millions of children who are especially vulnerable to waterborne diseases. On its motivation for the clean water project, Mr. Baºaran says “We realised that a substantial percentage of Nigerians in rural areas do not have access to portable water. So far, the foundation has constructed over 300 boreholes inrural areas in Kano, Kaduna, and Abuja, Yobe, Bauchi, and Lagos states.

    The NTICF also operates a unique scheme called I Support a Child’s Education where stationery items are distributed to primary school pupils in rural areas. “What we do here is to source for funds from our parents, partners, and well-wishers. Afterward, we purchase stationery items like mathematical sets, notebooks, sketching books, pens and pencils, erasers, sharpeners and other stationary materials for students,” says Baºaran. So far, “we have distributed over 41,500 stationary packs to schools in the last four years in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.” he also added.

    The Foundation also carries out visitation to orphanages on a regular basis. “Orphans are the children of the whole nation, for that reason we feel their responsibility is on our shoulders.” Mr. Basaran stated in an emotional voice. Recently, the Foundation launched a project to donate new clothes, toys and provides food stuff and renovates some orphanages in the country.  ”We also intend to visit some IDP camps in Yobe state with over 5000 brand new clothing to give them a sense of belonging and show some love to them.”

    The NTIC foundation interventions in the critical areas of health, education, and water cannot be overemphasized in a country like Nigeria. It has redefined the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. It has also gone ahead to serve as a worthy example to other institutions in Nigeria on how to give back to the society. “We want to make positive impact hence the choice of health, water, and education. And we have strived to put smiles on the faces of people in need in these critical areas.”

    The NTIC Foundation seemed to have imbibed the traditional wel-farist philosophy from everyone according to his ability and everyone according to his needs ‘. But whether or not the NTIC formally adopts it as its guiding philosophy, it is evident that Nigeria is not just a market; it is home and a place they are desirous of its growth and development.

    “Nigeria is home to us. We are committed to the positive growth and development of Nigeria.”

    • Ocheja writes from Abuja

  • 32, 400 pupils battle for NTIC maths scholarship

    A total of 32, 400 Primary Five and Six pupils are now in the race for 15 special scholarships tenable at any of the 17 branches of the Nigeria Tulip International Colleges (NTIC) nationwide.

    The 14th edition of the competition jointly organised by the NTIC and the National Mathematics Centre (NMC) took place in 52 locations across the entire federation.

    NTIC’s Managing Director, Mr. Orhan Kertim, said the second stage of the competition would hold at NTIC schools in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Ogun and Yobe states on Saturday, after which the best pupils would be rewarded at an award ceremony to hold in Abuja and Kano on March 15.

    He said the aim of the competition is to address the phobia for mathematics among young ones.

    “Our objective for organizing this competition is the recognition that Mathematics is the key subject for science-oriented courses and there is a well-known problem of pupils being afraid of Mathematics.  We decided to organise this competition towards eliminating the phobia or fear for Mathematics.

    “First, they prepare keenly for this competition and by the time they gain admission into junior secondary school, they discover that it assisted in building their interest in the subject and they easily demonstrate better performance,” he said..

    He said winners will get different categories of scholarship.

    “The best student wins N300, 000 and there are gifts for his/her school and Mathematics teacher.  The main prize is 100 per cent scholarship through the junior and senior secondary schools while the best student in each state gets 50 per cent scholarship,” he said.

    “Also, we offer scholarship for successful pupils; the competition has two legs; in the first one, the best three pupils in each state are offered 100 percent scholarship in an NTIC school.

  • Four arrested over Turkish school abduction

    Four arrested over Turkish school abduction

    The Police said it has arrested four suspects over their alleged involvement in the abduction of teachers and students of Turkish International School in Ogun state on January 13.

    The suspects arrested are – Bekewei Agbojule, aka Prince Yellow, Are Philip Joel Kakadu aka General Kakadu, a militant leader, Romeo Council aka Raw and Totki Okoda.

    One of the suspects, Okoda according to the police, resides in the creeks behind the school at the Ijaw fishermen settlement and he was allegedly responsible for providing information to the gang about the school and the victims.

    The police had recovered N1, 200,000 cash believed to be part of the money paid to them for ransom on the victims.

    A statement issued in Abuja, Thursday by the Force Spokesman, Don Awunah, said: “The IGP’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT), working in synergy with the Tactical Intelligence Unit (TIU) of the Nigeria Police Force in a joint operation supervised by AIG Kayode Aderanti, AIG Zone 2, Lagos successfully smashed a notorious kidnap gang and arrested four  vicious kidnappers who are active members of the gang responsible for the kidnap for ransom of five  Turkish school children and three  members of staff of the school in Ogun State on January 13, 2017.

    “In the course of investigation into the dastardly crime, three suspects namely Are Philip Joel Kakadu aka ‘General Kakadu’ a militant leader; Romeo Council aka ‘Raw’ and Totki Okoda who lives in the fishermen’s community behind the school and provided information about the victims to his gang, were trailed and arrested at different locations in Delta, Ogun and Lagos States respectively, for the criminal roles they played in the commission of the crime.

    “Further investigation and sustained pursuit of the matter by the Intelligence Response Team, led to the arrest of Bekewei Agbojule aka ‘Prince Yellow’, a principal suspect and one of the key members of the gang on January 25, 2017, at about 0700hrs in the morning.   The suspect who is an Ijaw from Arogbo town in Ondo State was arrested after he came out of the creeks to enjoy his loot.”

     

     

  • NTIC: Police recover cash from suspected kidnapper

    he police yesterday announced the arrest of one of the suspected kidnappers of three pupils and five officials of the Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) in Ogun State. This brings to four the number of suspects so far arrested over the incident.

    The victims were freed on Tuesday.

    Suspected ringleaders Philip Kakadu, alias General Kakadu, and Romeo Council, alias Raw, were apprehended on Monday 16 in Warri, Delta State, while another suspect identified as Turkey was apprehended at Riverview Estate, Isheri on Monday 23.

    Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone II Kayode Aderanti told reporters yesterday that the police would make “some shocking revelations” about the case in a couple of days. The “revelations,” he said would contain kidnapping.

    The AIG said he was unaware of the payment of N50 million ransom before the victims were released, insisting that the kidnappers succumbed to superior pressure from the police.

    The kidnappers, he said, gave up after the police blew their cover, adding that some of their relatives were held to pressure them into releasing the victims.

    Although Aderanti declined to give details of the arrest, it was gathered that the suspect was caught in Lagos after he fled the creek where the victims were held.

    The Nation gathered that the suspect had on him some of the ransom money allegedly paid by parents and relatives of the victims.

    Aderanti said: “The victims were taken to a hospital in Ikeja. All the victims are in good health and the school management on Wednesday (yesterday) took them to meet with the Ogun State Governor. I am not aware if any ransom was paid. Police was not involved in ransom.

    “It is complete falsehood to say the police didn’t do anything to rescue the victims. It is wrong for anyone to say the police took glory for what it didn’t do. I think the problem the Nigeria Police faces is that of lack of trust and poor perception.

    “Myself and my team haven’t slept in days because of this issue. We were working day and night and so many relatives of the kidnappers were held. We mounted so much pressure on them. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) deployed so many special forces and gadgets to ensure the rescue of these victims. The kidnappers knew that their cover had been blown. Already, we have arrested one of the kidnappers who fled the creek. More revelations would be made soon.

    “On our side, we are putting in place strategies to contain such issues. I have had meetings with strategic commanders for about two hours today (yesterday). We have invigorated marine patrol with more boats on the waterways to intercept criminals.

    There are so many things the police would unfold. Even the schools have their blames but I can assure you it would no longer be business as usual. These schools must ensure that security measures are put in place.”

  • NTIC: Police arrest kidnap suspect, recover money

    One of the suspected kidnappers of three pupils and five officials of the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC), Ogun, has been arrested.

    This disclosure was made by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone II, Kayode Aderanti, during an interaction with journalists on Wednesday.

    According to him, the police would make some shocking revelations on the matter in a couple of days.

    The AIG denied knowledge of the payment of N50 million, insisting that the kidnappers succumbed to superior pressure from the police.

    Aderanti said the kidnappers gave up after they realised that their identities were known by policemen, adding that some of their relatives were held to pressure them into releasing the victims.