The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Orientation

  • Insecurity: Borno corps members observe Orientation in Katsina

    AS a result of growing insecurity in Borno State, occasioned by increased attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, the 2018 Batch ‘C’ National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to serve in the state have been relocated to Katsina State where they began their three-week orientation course on Thursday.

    Speaking at their swearing-in ceremony at the temporary camp located within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Training College in Katsina, the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, noted that their relocation was due to the temporary security situation in his state, urging the corps members to re-dedicate themselves to nation building.

    Shettima, who was represented by the State Chairman, NYSC Governing Board, Mahdi Gazali, however said “The government and good people of Borno State are doing everything humanly possible through our programme of reconstruction and rehabilitation to return the state to the pedestal of peace, security and development it has been known for before the insurgency problem that nearly crippled the socio-economic life of the state’’.

    “I therefore wish to assure you of your safety during the three weeks orientation exercise and the service ahead. It behoves you to be part of the problem solving team by expressing your potentials through rendering honest and dedicated services to your host communities’’.

    “I urge you to summon courage to come and stay in Borno and you will understand the fact that the security situation of the state is not bad as it is being propagated by some media,” he said.

    Speaking earlier, the Borno State NYSC Coordinator, Rabiu Aminu, said 1,350 corps members were posted to the state and enjoined them to exhibit high level of respect and discipline, adding that the camping period is filled with vigorous activities which need active participation.

  • Minister assures on completion of NYSC orientation camp

    ‘Without any doubt I believe that almost every person in this hall is a beneficiary of the NYSC scheme. The NYSC is one of the laudable projects established by past leadership of this country that has endured and continued to serve its purpose, for that I think we should be eternally grateful’

    In order to ameliorate the challenges being experienced at the FCT National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Kubwa due to overstretched facilities, the Federal Capital Territory Administration is doing all that is necessary to make the permanent orientation camp habitable in no distant time.

    The FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello disclosed this when the Director-General of the Corps paid him a courtesy call

    The Minister described the NYSC as a veritable instrument of nation-building that has benefitted the nation immensely by engendering unity and the spirit of selfless service among Nigerians.

    His words: “Without any doubt I believe that almost every person in this hall is a beneficiary of the NYSC scheme. The NYSC is one of the laudable projects established by past leadership of this country that has endured and continued to serve its purpose, for that I think we should be eternally grateful”.

    On the complaints about the congestion and the overstretched facilities at the Kubwa NYSC camp, the Minister said the FCT Administration has tried as much as possible to upgrade the facilities and make the camp habitable but lamented that the reality is that the facilities there are grossly over stretched and the ultimate solution is to move to the Permanent orientation Camp.

    According to a statement issued by the FCT, Chief Press Secretary, Cosmos Uzodinma, the minister said: ”There is no doubt that the Kubwa camp of the FCT NYSC obviously is now overstretched by a combination of factors: the urbanisation of Abuja itself is a factor because at the time when the camp was established it was considered to be out of town, very far and remote. But you can see now that the town has literally engulfed it. But more importantly the number of the NYSC Corps members has also increased beyond our imaginations”. The reality is that the facilities are grossly over stretched and there is nothing you can do. So ultimately the solution is for us to move to the Permanent orientation Camp”.

    Bello recalled that when he visited the FCT NYSC office about six weeks ago, he observed that the office space was not sufficient for the staff and therefore not conducive for the very important work they are doing.

    “From what I saw, I totally agree with you that the office is inadequate. So I think the best solution is to identify an office where you would be on your own and we would work and see if we can achieve that in 2017 or if not in the early part of next year”, the Minister said.

    The NYSC Director-General Brig. Gen. Suleiman Zakari Kazaure commended the FCT Administration for its commitment to providing a conducive environment for the NYSC.

    Kazaure thanked the Minister for the completion of the water reticulation project in the Kubwa camp as well as regular approval of fund for the feeding and welfare of corps members during camping among others.

    He appealed to the Minister for the allocation of a plot land to the agency for housing purposes to the staff as well as an official vehicle for its activities in the FCT.

     

  • Nigerians must change their orientation

    We need to change our thoughts and mindsets from before we can retrieve our lost glory. Nigerians need to change their mindsets because every sector in the country is corrupt including the religious circle.”

    These were the submission of Kwara State Chief Imam and Missioner of Zumuratul Islamiyat Society of Nigeria (ZISN) Sheikh Tajudeen Alashela, at a lecture held in Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island.

    He spoke on Rebalancing the Nigerian dwindling economy, the youth and the future.

    Alashela attributed the nation’s ailing economy to the selfish and reckless tendencies of political leaders.

    He lamented that the political leaders also play politics with the future of the youth.

    The cleric stressed that the problem can only be rectified, if Nigerians can change their mindset and operate on a goal to make the country better for all.

    The group appealed to the state government to extend the gesture enjoyed by Ansar Ud-Deen and Nawair Ud-Deen to return their own school.

    Highpoint of the event was the special prayer for the country led by its National Chief Imam and Missioner Sheikh Musbaudeen Surakat.

    Chairman of British International School Chief Tunde Fanimokun, donated the N1m to the society with a promissory note to support the association with a million naira, every December 27 in commemoration of the date the association was founded and his own birthday.

  • A new orientation in sports

    President Muhammadu Buhari has turned his attention to sports, seeking to revolutionise it.

    He wants Nigeria to be second to none in major sporting events not only in Africa but globally.

    As a starting point, the President last Monday tasked the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Alhassan Yakmut to do everything possible for Nigeria to top medals table in swimming and other sporting events at the 11th All African Games holding in Brazzaville, Congo from next Thursday to 19th of September. 2015.

    From his body language, he was not satisfied with the levels of Nigeria’s performance in the various sporting events.

    Nigeria, which was ranked 3rd in Africa based on her performance at the 2011 All Africa Games with 29 Gold, 29 Silver and 42 Bronze medals, has now been ranked 2nd based on the result from the 2015 African Championship.

    At the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glassgow, Nigeria was ranked 9th with 11 Gold, 11 Silver and 14 Bronze medals.

    Nigeria Female Football Team, the Falconets won the Silver Medal at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada.

    Before flopping in Beijing, China last week, Blessing Okagbare was ranked 2nd in the world in the 100m event, while Aruna Qadri is currently rated 2nd in Africa in Table Tennis.

    But Nigeria, however, currently holds number one position in power-lifting and scrabble.

    Buhari is now determined to develop Nigeria’s sports sector to world class level for a number of reasons.

    Apart from exploiting agriculture and other non oil sectors to reposition the Nigeria economy, President Buhari is also focusing on sports to address youth restiveness and ethical orientation.

    Through sports, he also wants to promote national unity and social development in the country.

    He plans to use sports to prevent crimes in the country by gainfully engaging a large segment of the youth population in sports.

    The President also aims to boost the image of Nigeria internationally through sports.

    To further raise sports as a cross-cutting sector in the Nigeria economy, Buhari wants to use it for infrastructural development, foreign currency earner and to boost tourism and the environment.

    The President did not mince words last Monday when he gave his mind on the direction he wants sports to now take in the country.

    Yakmut as a technocrat, who is normally referred to as ‘Armored Tank’ in the sports circle for his ability to evolve strategies that can demolish Nigeria’s sporting opponents and his experiences of transforming raw talents to champions, promised the President to carry out the directive of turning around the fortunes of Nigeria sports.

    Speaking with State House correspondents, Yakmut said: “We briefed Mr. President on sports development in Nigeria and its retinue of social economic values. Mr. President was impressed with the presentation but he raised observation on the need for us to rekindle the exploitation of the medals available in swimming in order to make Nigeria top in All African Games table in future and that is actually the presidential observation that we have taken technical interest to ensure that it is implemented to the letter.

    “You know that we also have cultures that are oriented with gymnastics and that culture is the one that we will first of all technically invest in terms of facilities, coaches and programmes to make sure we compete with other … in swimming.” He added

    Despite commending President Buhari for his supports to sports from the federal government purse, he pointed out that a major challenge was inadequate funding from the private sector and the Nigeria Lottery Trust Fund.

    Besides the issue of inadequate funding, some of the weaknesses facing the Nigeria sports sector include sports medicine and sports science, coaching and officiating, policy implementation and poor sporting facilities at local government level.

    Threats to the sector include insensitivity of private sector, technology and innovation, advanced sports medicine and science, inadequate International Technical Officials (ITOs) and representation in international sports bodies, high leadership turnover and doping.

    It is hoped that these challenges would be adequately tackled in order to take sports in Nigeria to higher heights.

     

    Celebrating Buhari’s media aides

     

    The day 21st August, 2015 is a day that the two Presidential media aides to President Muhammadu Buhari will not forget in a hurry.

    It was a day drums were rolled out to celebrate the appointments of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

    The dinner, which was organized by the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, was attended by who-is-who in the journalism profession.

    The joy of the two presidential aides knew no bound as the night was dedicated to them, and standing tall as their citations were read.

    The duo, who were at one time or the other President of the NGE, were also made to dance before other guests joined them on the dancing floor.

    They did not leave the hall without first getting gifts presented to them by their colleagues.

    The two aides, who got the promises of the NGE to back them up on their new assignments, expressed their appreciation to the group.

    With all these, they can now settle down with all confidence to continue with their national assignment.

     

    Buhari as SSS

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari, due to his unique style of governance has been given another acronym, SSS.

    The acronym, which describes what Nigerians should expect from his pace of work, was given to the President by some Nigerians in Diaspora.

    The former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa disclosed this while speaking during the commemoration of the 2015 Diaspora Day at the Presidential Villa, last Tuesday.

    According to her, Nigerians abroad now refer to President Buhari as Slow, Steady with Surprises (SSS).

    Nigerians are definitely waiting patiently for those surprises that will turn around the fortunes of the country.

     

  • Orientation for students

    The Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) chapter of the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students has held an orientation for its members.

    The guest speaker and the former Dean of the School of Environmental Studies, Mr Inyang Udoh, charged the students to adapt to the process of learning, with valuable skills, competence and discipline. He stressed the need for them to be focused and more proactive in the learning process.

    The College’s Deputy Security Officer, Mr. Eku Richard, told the students to be security conscious, and avoid treading dark areas at night. He maintained that the college is doing everything in its capacity to curb security threat, and other vices. He also encouraged them to be of good conduct and worthy ambassadors of the state and institution.

    In a related development, the National Association of Delta State Students, (NADESSTU) of the College also held an orientation for its members. The event brought in some of the backbones of the association, which are; Mr. Austin Okon, former Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, YABATECH chapter, Mr. Edwin Nwamife, Mr. Joe Ejiofor among others.

    They all made the case for focus, hard-work, and study as pathways to academic excellence.

  • Ekiti gives N5 million to NYSC

    Ekiti gives N5 million to NYSC

    THE Ekiti State government has announced a N5 million lifeline for the upgrade of the National Youth Service Corps’ (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp at Ise/Orun/Emure-Ekiti.

    The government announced the gesture when the Chairman of NYSC Governing Board, Chief Gordon Bozimo, led a delegation to the Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The deputy governor said the cash donation should be used for the expansion of the Multi-Purpose Hall at the camp and the provision of additional beddings for Corps members deployed for the compulsory one-year service.

    Mrs. Adelabu, who acknowledged the significant contributions of corps members to the state’s educational and economic development, said no amount was too much for the comfort of youths serving their father’s land.

    She said the government had always extended a helping hand to ensure the success of the NYSC programme in its domain, listing the regular renovation and upgrading of facilities at the camp.

    Mrs. Adelabu, who said the recent donation of one 18-seaters Toyota by the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration was a demonstration of the state’s commitment to the NYSC ideal, assured that the scheme would continue to enjoy support of the state government.

    Her words: “The government is not unmindful of the numerous challenges of the NYSC, which resulted from the yearly increase in the population of graduates who are due for the compulsory youth service programme. I assure you that our government will not relent in providing the necessary assistance.”

    Speaking earlier, Bozimo praised the existing cordial relationship between the state and the NYSC, after which he presented a list to her host for possible assistance.

    Bozimo acknowledged that the government had never shied away from supporting the NYSC scheme.

    He said Ekiti, like other states, has been a driving force for the actualisation of the NYSC objectives.

    He praised the state for the provision of a permanent camp site for the NYSC, adding that the extent of the infrastructural development that has taken place in the camp has clearly shown the commitment to the success of the programme.

  • Teaching practice orientation for students

    As a prerequisite for the teaching practice programme for all prospective student-teachers, 200-Level students of the Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), have participated in a one-week orientation.

    The orientation was held at the Education Lecture Theatre of the university.

    Speaking during the programme, the guest speaker, Dr  A.T. Alabi said: “Teaching provides an individual the opportunity to observe oneself. It goes beyond standing in front of a class with a chalk or a marker in your hand and talking to the students. Teaching requires a whole lot of technicalities and adequate experience.”

    She enjoined the students to be dutiful during the exercise, stating that teaching was a very rewarding and fulfilling profession.

    The Sub-Dean of Students Affairs Unit of the university, Dr Abdulraheem Yusuf, encouraged the students to comport themselves responsibly.

  • Akwa Ibom medical students hold orientation

    he national body of the Federated Association of Akwa Ibom Medical Students (FAAKIMS) has held orientation for its members admitted into the University of Calabar (UNICAL) in the 2012/2013 academic session. The programme was held at the Medical Laboratory Science lecture room II.

    The national president, Daniel Johnson, in his address, congratulated the freshers for being among the selected candidates offered admission into the institution.

    Johnson, 400-Level Medical Laboratory Science, told the students the essence of the association, which he noted was to forge a common front for indigenous students across the country studying medical and medical-related courses.

    He said the association was fine-tuning modalities towards ensuring that members were paid medical study grant to assist them in their various courses of study.

    Johnson advised the freshers to obey all rules and regulations of the school, urging them to behave like typical indigene of Akwa Ibom State.

    The national secretary, Raymond Ekemini, advised the freshers to attach importance to their studies, as well as disregard all acts capable of undermining their studies. “Do not allow the true essence of your being in the university to be overshadowed by frivolities such as cultism, examination malpractices among others which have been source of worry in present day society,” he warned.

    Iniobong Augustine, one of the new students in Medical Laboratory Science, said the orientation was an eye opener to the realities of campus life.

    Present at the event were the association’s Financial Secretary, Umoh Ebiti, Treasurer and Patricia Umoren, among others.

     

  • Covenant Poly holds orientation

    The Covenant Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State, has held orientation for new students. The event was held to help the students know the institution’s code of conduct and regulations.

    The Rector, Deaconess Bukky Nwoke, reminded the freshers that the polytechnic was a faith-based institution, which, she added, would not tolerate any form of immorality. She said the management had developed zero-tolerance for indecent dressing and misconduct.

    Nwoke said any student that faults the dress code would be arrested by the school’s security outfit. She listed some of the banned dressing styles to include show back, low waist, sagging and show armpit among others. She also noted that excessive application of cosmetics by female students remains banned.

    Nwoke said the institution had strict regulation against exam malpractice, saying the management had collaborated with the institution’s Students’ Representative Assembly (SRA) to battle the vice. She stressed that any student caught in the act would be sanctioned accordingly.

    Ending her speech, Nwoke advised the students to be focused and take their studies seriously, adding that discipline was a virtue every student must work hard to acquire.

  • Dept orientates freshers

    Dept orientates freshers

    The Association of Mass Communication Students (AMCOMS), University of Jos (UNIJOS) chapter, has freshers to be committed to their academic work.

    Its Staff Adviser, Mr Taye Obateru, asked the students to be focused and dedicated to their studies. He told the freshmen justify their admission because many wrote the entrance test to be in the department.

    He said: “You should count yourselves privileged for being among the few admitted into the department. You must, therefore, work hard to achieve excellence in your academic pursuit and also build and maintain positive relationship with your course mates and lecturers.”

    Also speaking, Mr Francis Ogbe, a staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), encouraged the students to remain focused and make themselves creative communicators in future.

    Hundung Gyang, an on-air personality with Peace FM, Jos, spoke on the need to have good communication skills as well as development of personal style, especially when presenting programmes and casting news. She noted that there were challenges that came with being journalists and advised the students to give their best despite challenges that may stand against their academic pursuit.

    The AMCOMS president, Adams Ijah, said the programme served as a platform for all students to interact. The event, which took place at the ASUU secretariat, was attended by guests from Plateau Radio Television (PRTV), Jos, journalists, lecturers and students of the department.