The Nation Newspaper

Tag: programme

  • Fayose: Ekiti won’t contribute to school feeding programme

    Fayose: Ekiti won’t contribute to school feeding programme

    The school feeding rogramme proposed by the Federal Government should be done without any financial contribution from the states, Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose said yesterday.

    He said it was wrong for the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to ask state governments for a 40 per cent counterpart funding for the project.

    “The Federal Government is already looking for excuses for the impending failure of the programme by asking states to contribute 40 per cent to the scheme,” Fayose said in a statement.

    He said the school feeding programme was purely a contract between the APC-led Federal Government and Nigerians.

    “Were the states consulted before the APC made the promise during the presidential campaign?” the governor queried.

    “How can you make a promise and win election on the basis of that promise and now expect states to help you to fulfil the promise? That to me is fraud,” he added.

    According to Fayose, Ekiti State and other states in the country deserve to benefit from the programme without assisting the Federal Government with any 40 per cent counterpart funding.

    The governor said the APC-led Federal Government should rather blame itself for failing to do proper study on the practicability of the scheme before promising Nigerians, instead of looking for who to blame for not fulfilling the school feeding promise.

    “Apart from the fact that Ekiti State lacked the financial wherewithal to provide counterpart fund for such a programme, it is the duty of President Muhammed Buhari and his APC that won election on the basis of their promise to give free meal to school pupils to fulfil the promise without placing any burden on other tiers of government.

    “Nigerians should come to terms with the reality that the Federal Government is already looking for a ready alibi for the impending failure of the school feeding programme.

    “The Federal Government knows that 80 per cent of the states lack the financial will to be able to contribute the 40 per cent counterpart fund for the programme and the time the programme eventually fails, Nigerians will be told that it failed because states did not key in to it.

  • 120 teachers for Australian exchange programme

    Abia State government has approved an exchange programme for capacity building of 120 public primary school teachers with an Australian based Non-Governmental Agency [NGO], Precious Kids Education Empowerment [PKEE].

    The Australian educators, who are already in the state, have met with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for commencement of the programme.

    The Train-the-Trainer exchange programme is expected to hold in the three Senatorial districts of the state.

    President of PKEE, Mrs Vivian Peters, who is an Abia indigene based in Australia, said the training has been tailored to the needs of the state and would focus on classroom management, teacher-student relationship, first aid and security alert.

    Peters said that the inclusion of security alertness was as a result of the rising insecurity problems in the country.

    “We are very concerned about the security of the kids. The teachers would be put through on all the necessary areas that teachers would require to protect children while in schools,” she said.

    Peters said her organisation is partnering with the state because of its (government) commitment to the development of primary school teachers.

    A member of the PKEE training team, Alnoor Dawood, said the training would be interactive, “so that we can instruct people on how to teach in more interesting, engaging ways so that the students can learn better”.

    Also speaking, the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board [ASUBEB], Mr Kelechukwu Nwosu, said through the training, Ikpeazu has demonstrated his appreciation to teachers and enhanced quality education at the primary school level.

    He said that the programme will complement  what the Board is doing in the areas of supervision of schools and training and re-training of primary school teachers in the state.

     

  • Old students organise career programme

    The Old Students’ Association of Community Senior Secondary School, Mushin, recently organised a programme to guide pupils of the school in choosing their careers.

    The first lecture delivered by the school’s guidance counselor, Mrs Christiana Uzor, focused on the topic “Career Choice”.

    Mrs Uzor counseled the pupils that choosing a career requires taking decisions that should not be done in a hurry.

    She told them to consider their interests, passion and job security before making a choice.

    “Students who are experiencing difficulties in career choice need to pray because there is nothing one can do in life without God’s endorsement. Also, going against your parents’ wishes sometimes can be very challenging so students will need to work hard to convince their parents,” she said.

    Other speakers at the programme concentrated on various areas of careers like science, art and engineering.

    Mr Abiodun Amodu, who spoke on engineering and science, told the pupils to take such subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry and agricultural science serious if they were interested in science or engineering.

    He told them of the benefits of working in both fields of endeavour as well as career opportunities in them.

    However, he advised the pupils to gain vocational skills in metal work, wood work, building, cultural and creative art, short hand and typing and all others so as to be self employed.

    Speaking on Arts as a specialisation, Mr. Kareem Jimson, a security consultant, said art is a system of doing things.

    He advised the art students to identify who they are and not feel bad when mocked by others because ssss’art is doing what you know best that gives you an edge.”

  • Surveyors urge govt to reform housing programme

    The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) President, Dr. Patunola-Ajayi, has urged the Federal Government to reform its programme on housing. He stated that there are people that cannot afford to buy houses, but if built for the masses and are affordable, they can try to access it.

    PatunolaAjayi, who made the call at the Institution’s 46th Annual General Meeting in Abuja, said by the time the government reforms its programme on housing, there will be enough housing for the masses.

    He said: “The government should inject money into housing and power, any money available now should be injected into these projects, they are projects that will generate quick employment for all cadres.

    “The situation in the country presently is really tense, the people need a programme that will give relief to the people. By the time some of these projects are kicked off, activities will start and by the end of the year when we are accessing we will see that things have really improved.

    “If there is power supply we can boost that 50 per cent of our national problems are solved. Money available right now should be injected into housing and power.”

    Patunola-Ajayi said the beauty of housing projects is job generation for all cadres. Government, he said should take quick action to ensure that projects are initiated, adding that by the time these projects kick off, there would be a relief in all sectors.

    According to him, the situation now is tense, adding that there is a need for a programme that will give relief so that at the end of the year, it will be obvious that things have taken a new turn.

    “On the government’s activities on road, power and housing, they are still working on the budget, when I saw the proposed budget, it is obvious that there is need for a re-think on putting more into capital project, especially on works and housing, the government should move in any  way they can to produce houses for rent,”he said.

    Patunola-Ajayi said the government had not started work, as the budget has not been sorted out, and until money is allocated and contractors are mobilised, nothing would be kick started.

  • NGO holds programme for polio

    NGO holds programme for polio

    A non-governmental organisation, Restraint Initiative held a walk, tagged: Walk Beyond Freedom.

    According to Executive Director, Ms Anongiah Abei, the initiative is aimed at promoting the well being and improve the quality of life of polio survivors to enable them lead a life of dignity.  The train was held at 647b Olutoyin Eleoramo Street, Omole Phase 2, Lagos.

    The organisation, which was founded by Dr Dapo Oshoniyi and Ms Abei, is holding a full-fledged campaign calling for care for people affected by polio. The patient also held a lecture entitled: Enabling Survivors through Rehabilitation as part of the Christmas season’s celebration.

    The lecture was delivered by the Coordinator of Polio Rescue, Olugbenga J. Kuye. The organisation also donating wheelchairs, crutches and other supportive aids to identified beneficiaries at the end of the lecture.

  • Church begins programme

    The  Motar Prophetic Ministry has kicked off this year’s Feast of Grace. It will feature an 11-day crusade/thanksgiving tagged Unmerited Favour.

    The event, whose theme is “Amazing Testimonies” began on Thursday, November 26 and will close on Sunday, December 6 at Gethsemane Church Hall, 9, Adejonwo Street Abogunloko by Ikotun Clinic off Carwash bus stop, Ijegun Road, Ikotun in Alimosho area of Lagos State.

    The crusade/thanksgiving service featured Prophetic Hour on Thursday, November 26 at 10:00 a.m., Choir Night on Friday, December 4 beginning from 10:00 p.m. till dawn and closes with thanksgiving service on Sunday, December 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

    Briefing journalists on activities lined up for the event in Lagos and what anyone who attends the programme stands to gain, the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Ndubuisi Awom said: “This year’s event promises great manifestations and demonstrations of the unlimited powers of God Almighty who has been showering unmerited favours on His children. Many God’s children would testify the goodness of God and would remain unflinching in their desire to worship Him in truth and in spirit.

    “The challenge among God’s children is the unjustifiable reason to doubt that God is always there for us. These doubts mostly stem from what many regard as unanswered or delayed prayers. God’s ways are not our ways. He surely answers our prayers in accordance to how key He considers the objects of our prayers are to our well-being.”

  • Church begins programme

    The Motar Prophetic Ministry has concluded arrangements for this year’s Feast of Grace. It will feature an 11-day crusade/thanksgiving tagged Unmerited Favour.

    The event, whose theme is “Amazing Testimonies” will begin tomorrow and closes on Sunday, December 6 at Gethsemane Church Hall, 9, Adejonwo Street Abogunloko by Ikotun Clinic off Carwash bus stop, Ijegun Road, Ikotun in Alimosho area of Lagos State.

    The crusade/thanksgiving service would feature Prophetic Hour on Thursday, November 26, Choir Night on Friday, December 4 and closes with thanksgiving service on Sunday, December 6.

    Speaking while briefing journalists on activities lined up for the event in Lagos and what anyone who attends the programme stands to gain, the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Ndubuisi Awom said: “This year’s event promises great manifestations and demonstrations of the unlimited powers of God Almighty who has been showering unmerited favours on His children. Many God’s children would testify the goodness of God and would remain unflinching in their desire to worship Him in truth and in spirit.

    “The challenge among God’s children is the unjustifiable reason to doubt that God is always there for us. These doubts mostly stem from what many regard as unanswered or delayed prayers. God’s ways are not our ways. He surely answers our prayers in accordance to how key He considers the objects of our prayers are to our well-being.”

  • Edo drums support for rural finance programme

    The Edo state government has restated its commitment to the Rural Finance Institution Building programme to ensure availability of funds for rural dwellers in the state.

    Mr Joe Okojie, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, made the promise in Benin when RUFIN’s Leader of 11th Supervision Mission, Mr Swandip Sihna, ýpaid a courtesy visit to the state.

    The commissioner said the government was mapping out strategies to take ownership of the programme when the project was over.

    While noting that the state is an agrarian society with more than 67 per cent of the residents involved in different form of agricultural activities, he however assured that the state government is putting in place measures that would boost agricultural production, especially in the rural areas.

    “RUFIN is a programme through which help and relief can be given to people at the grassroots,” he said, adding: “That is why when I took over office, I took interest in the project and I made itý my project.”

    “I am doing my best so that, we as a government will fulfill our own end of the project.

    “I promise you that we will do the needful and will do more to take ownership of the programme when RUFIN is gone.

    “My hope is that, going forward, we will have better synergy so that we are able to deliver on our promises.”

    Earlier, RUFIN’s Deputy National Project Coordinator, Mrs Unekwu Ufaruna, said the programme was targeted at building informal rural financial institutions, and linking them to formal micro finance institutions to access loans without collateral.

    She said RUFIN had formed 700 village savings and credit groups also known as ‘Esusu’ mainly made up of women.

    Ufaruna said the programme was working with seven Micro Finance Institutions in the state, through which N1.2ýbn had been disbursed as loans to rural farmers, since its inception.

    She said at the beginning of RUFIN Edo government was regular at paying counterpart financing, stressing that this should be sustained.

  • UNIABUJA plans pharmacy programme

    UNIABUJA plans pharmacy programme

    The University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) has commenced the process of establishing a school of Pharmacy as a complement to its College of Health Sciences.

    Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Michael Adikwu, said this while inaugurating a six-man committee to work out modalities for the successful take-off of the Faculty Pharmaceutical Sciences programme.

    The VC in a statement issued by the Deputy Registrar (Information and Publications), Waziri Garba, said that the committee would utilize existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on academic matters between the university and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Abuja, to facilitate the commencement of the pharmaceutical programme.

    Adikwu said that the committee headed by Prof U.A. Asunkwo of the College of Medical Sciences, would design an academic curriculum for the Faculty including details of how all levels of the students would receive their training within and outside the university, and provide a timeline for the possible commencement of studies.

    He noted that the four new programmes recently introduced by the institution, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Engineering and Agriculture, were on course having been approved by their professional bodies.

    The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that the University Governing Council had approved the allocation of land to the Entomological Society of Nigeria on the main campus for the building of the National Secretariat of the Society.

    He said that part of the conditions for the provision of the land was that the society would provide lecture facilities within the secretariat for use by the university when completed as part of its corporate social responsibility.

     

  • Fun at Etisalat career counseling programme

    Pupils of the six secondary schools in Ikeja who attended the 13th Etisalat career counseling programme held in Ikeja, must have thanked their fortune for being selected to attend the event.

    The programme organised in collaboration with the Lagos Empowerment & Resource Network (LEARN), provided a platform for them to learn about careers, compete, and be entertained by music sensation, Seyi Shay.

    The career counseling talks, anchored by members of staff of Etisalat, was interspersed with spelling bee and debate contests which gave opportunity for the pupils and schools to win attractive prizes.

    There were three career talks centred around the career fields of highflying workers of the telecommunication network, namely: Chimeka Garricks, Manager, Legal Services; Funmi Kayode, Project Manager, Corporate Quality and Excellence; and Niyi Adefabi, Manager, Digital Medial.

    In his presentation, Garricks, a lawyer, informed the pupils they could choose to study Law if they were unsure of what careers to do as the profession has a lot of career opportunities.

    “With Law, you can do almost anything you like,” Garricks said.  But he counseled that self discovery (learning their interests, talents, strengths and weaknesses) was crucial to making the right career choice.

    As a lawyer at Etisalat, he said he drafts contracts, advises on legal matters, and coordinates the ethics and compliance policy.

    The second speaker, Mrs Kayode, spoke about how she moved from being an engineer to a project manager.  She helped the pupils understand that any activity that involves coordinating people and resources to achieve set objectives could be regarded as project management.

    She noted that companies need project managers to support business objectives, and add value, among others.

    On his part Adefabi said he started out as a technician then grew on the job. He counseled the pupils to be open to learning and develop their soft skills.

    “As you grow in your career you will realise that 15 per cent of technical skills and 85 per cent of soft skills gets you ahead in your career,” he said.

    Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, represented by the Company Secretary, Aidevo Odu-Thomas, said the firm is supporting the initiative to help more pupils make career choices wisely.

    “The choice of a career path is a decision that many have made mistakes about overtime and at Etisalat we are committed to making sure we equip the Nigerian youth with the skills, nuggets and doctrines needed to excel after school. Career counselling is one of our numerous initiatives targeted at making sure students are able to develop their potentials and deliver optimally in the labour market,” he said.

    The schools in attendance at the Career Counseling Programme were: Army Cantonment Junior Secondary School; Army Cantonment Senior Secondary School; Army Children Junior Secondary School; Army Children Senior Secondary School; Community Junior High School, Maryland; Community Senior High School, Maryland; Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Junior Secondary School; Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Senior Secondary School; Mende Junior High School and Mende Senior High School; all in Lagos State.