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Tag: pupils

  • Pupils get relief

    Pupils get relief

    An aspirant for Ibadan North East II seat in Oyo State House of Assembly, Musa Kolawole, has given N500,000 learning aid to 50 pupils.

    He said he wants to reduce out of school children and guarantee smooth schooling inthe 2025/2026 session.

    Speaking with reporters in Ibadan, the aspirant, a member of APC, stressed the essence of formal education at a young age, saying failure to learn would increase poverty.

    Kolawole, who decried alleged poor educational programmes under Governor Seyi Makinde, hailed former governors for giving incentives to keep children in the classroom.

    He said his aid for the 50 will keep them in school and serve as a relief for their parents.

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    Kolawole described the educational packages, which included stationery and transport allowances, as a testament of his readiness to cater for youths, women, men and the elderly.

    He said: “I know what my constituency needs- education empowerment and good representation. This is another way of giving democracy dividends to our youths.’’

    The aspirant urged Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which introduced students’ loans and gave other incentives to students.

    He said his initiative was patterned on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

  • Pupils test skills in essay contest

    Pupils test skills in essay contest

    Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights has announced preliminaries for 2025 Nduka Obaigbena National Secondary Schools Essay Competition on July 1 to 14.

     The event will conclude with a prize-giving ceremony at  Government College Ughelli in Delta State.

    A statement by Board of Trustees Chair, Gbenga Onayiga, said the event is to honNduka Obaigbena, chair of ThisDay/ARISE Group, whose birthday is  July 14.

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    He said the annual competition is to inspire pupils to develop strong writing skills, while focusing on creative writing, critical thinking, research, and a deep commitment to truth, the core principles of responsible journalism.

    He said: “In  an age challenged by misinformation, online abuse, and erosion of ethical communication, the competition guides the young to values of integrity, clarity, and accuracy in expression.

    This initiative celebrates Obaigbena’s contributions to advancing excellence in journalism and broadcasting.”

  • BIC to empower pupils, teachers

    BIC to empower pupils, teachers

    BIC, stationery, lighters, and shavers maker, has restated its commitment to improving education.

    This is in line with its initiatives to mark Global Education Week (GEW) 2024, and the resolve to create better learning for 250 million by 2025.

    This year’s GEW focused on empowering students and teachers and fostering inclusive learning environments.

    Partnering  Let It Shine Academy (LISA), Morit International School, and Local Government Nursery/Primary School and Inclusive Unit in Igando, BIC equipped classrooms with writing, self-expression, as well as learning materials and hosted teachers at a virtual workshop  on inclusive learning: ‘Fostering Inclusive Classrooms: Strategies for Empowering Every Learner’.

    The workshop was led by BIC’s strategic education partners,  Founder of Schoolinka, Oluwaseun Kayode, Founder of Olasukanmi Opeifa Educational Foundation, Olasukanmi Opeifa, and Founder of Raising Star Africa, Michael Showunmi.

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    General Manager of BIC Nigeria, Anthony Amahwe, said its  commitment to education is rooted in the vision to build a future where learning is inclusive, sustainable, and accessible.

    He said through a holistic approach by equipping classrooms to support learners and educators, creating inspirational learning environments, unleashing students’ creativity, and supporting learners, the aim is to deliver meaningful and lasting impact.

    “Our long-term vision is to foster an environment where education not only shapes knowledge but also equips young people with the skills to thrive in a complex world.

    “Global Education Week is marked globally in November where team members dedicate their time to connecting and giving back to their communities, through on ground activity including donations and school refurbishment. Run by BIC’s philanthropic arm, The BIC Corporate Foundation, Global Education Week has expanded its offerings to include a teacher’s Guide to help educators incorporate creativity into their curriculum and in the classroom.

    “BIC’s commitment to education is translated into action throughout the year, as part of the commitment of its sustainable development program, Writing the Future Together,” he said.

  • Works supervisor distributes books to pupils

    Works supervisor distributes books to pupils

    In a demonstration of community service and dedication to education, Babatunde Yusuf, Supervisor for Works in Ikosi-Ejinrin Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has distributed exercise books to 1,200 primary school pupils in four schools.

    The initiative, with Babatunde Yusuf Grassroot Foundation, supports education and alleviate the financial burden on parents.

    Each pupil received five exercise books. Benefiting schools are Methodist Primary School, Agbowa, UPE School, Odo-Ayandelu, UPE Iganke, LG Primary School, Otta-Ikosi.

    Yusuf noted that this gesture was rooted in his belief in giving back to the community.

    Read Also: Independence: Ijede LCDA distributes uniforms, books to pupils

    He said the initiative aligns with the educational and social welfare programmes championed by Akogun Raji Anomo-led administration of Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA.

     Yusuf noted that the objective was to complement the chairman’s efforts in education and social welfare given challenges faced by families.

    He explained that the exercise books would ease the financial burden on parents while ensuring  pupils have materials to succeed.

    The distribution was appreciated by teachers, administrators, and pupils.

  • 500 vulnerable pupils get educational materials in Niger

    500 vulnerable pupils get educational materials in Niger

    Five hundred vulnerable pupils from three schools in Niger State have benefited from the educational outreach of a support group of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the aegis of the BOS/BAT Movement.

    Each of the pupils, who were selected from IBB Central Primary School, Minna; Wushishi Central Primary School and Dusten Kura Gwari Primary School, received a bag, socks, sandals and writing materials.

    The Coordinator of BOS/BAT Movement, Hon. Medemakun Samuel, said the intervention was aimed at complimenting the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu in education.

    He said the President is working to ensure that no child is left behind in the area of education, adding that the impact of the President’s policy would soon be felt.

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    “There are a lot of people complaining that things are difficult, but our President has a plan for the nation, and soon we will start feeling the breeze of the renewed hope,” he said.

    Samuel said that the initiative is meant to encourage the children to be in school as the government cannot do it alone, saying that no child should be out of school as education is a right.

    The Head Teacher of IBB Central School, Minna, Comrade Husseini Ibrahim, said the gesture would go a long way in keeping the children in school as majority of the pupils who benefitted were selected from the most vulnerable households, as they often attend school without wearing shoes or having writing materials.

    He applauded the President Bola Tinubu support group for the initiative, saying that it is coming at the time when the pupils need it most as the promotion examinations are close by and pupils need to remain in school.

    The Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, said that NECO have keyed into the renewed hope agenda of the President, which is the reason why they are supporting the initiative by the BOS/BAT Movement.

    The Registrar, who was represented by the Director of General Services Abdullahi Kuta, said that NECO, through its corporate social responsibility, has done its part in ensuring that no child is left behind in education.

  • ‘Innovative teaching method boosts pupils’ performance in Maths’

    ‘Innovative teaching method boosts pupils’ performance in Maths’

    Research has shown that innovative teaching approach has boosted primary school pupils’ performance in mathematics in Kwara State. Recent study by a Kwara State University (KWASU) lecturer, Dr. Kayode Ezecheal Obafemi ,shows that the inside-outside circle instructional strategy significantly improves primary school pupils’ mathematics performance.

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    Dr. Obafemi of the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education KWASU added that “study found that those taught with this method outperformed their peers taught with traditional method, with a notable improvement in test scores.  “The findings suggest that this innovative teaching approach could enhance pupil engagement and understanding, offering a promising solution to the persistent challenge of poor mathematics achievement in Nigerian primary schools.”

  • All 137 abducted pupils rescued, says governor

    All 137 abducted pupils rescued, says governor

    • Teacher died in captivity
    • ’287-figure figment of imagination’

    Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has said that, contrary to reports, 137 schoolchildren, and not 287, were abducted on March 7, from Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor, who made the clarification on a national television programme, said all the schoolchildren abducted by marauding bandits were rescued by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State, where the hostages were moved by their kidnappers.

    The relieved governor said the number released by the military is the authentic figure, describing “287”, as a figment of some people’s imagination.

    One of the secondary school teachers, Sani Abdullahi who briefed Governor Sani at Kuriga hours after the incident, said  287 were marched into the bush by the armed attackers.

    There was no independent confirmation of the number of pupils.

    Thereafter, neither the police nor the Kaduna State government gave a figure of those kidnapped until yesterday, when they were rescued.

    Governor Sani added in yesterday’s interview: “I don’t want to join issues with anyone in terms of numbers. What is more important to me is the safe return of the children. Today, I am happy that they are back safely, in high spirit, but those numbers were just figment of some people’s imagination,” the governor stated.

    “Today, I met with the families of the children and they confirmed to me that the number given by the military is correct,” he added, describing the “287” as works of propangadists.

    Read Also: Rescued pupils, teachers to reunite with families soon, says Ekiti govt

    Sani, however, regretted that, a teacher who was kidnapped alongside the pupils couldn’t make it out alive as he developed some complications while in captivity.

    He commiserated with the family of the deceased teacher and consoled the families of the released schoolchildren.

    He said: “It’s only one person that has not returned and that is the teacher. That is the fact of the matter but all of the 137 children are safely back. We had the unfortunate incident that the teacher couldn’t make it because he had some complications; he was sick — that was the report we got from the military and the security agencies but the rest of the children, all of them are back with us.”

    The Governor also said Kaduna-based Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was not involved in the safe return of the pupils, though the cleric had offered to negotiate with bandits for the release of the pupils.

    Sani said: “All those speculations you are hearing today are figment of some people’s imagination. I can tell you that without any fear of contradiction. There was nothing like Gumi in this operation. I can tell you. I won’t undermine the efforts of our Armed Forces.”

  • Junior Achievers upskills pupils in managing businesses

    Junior Achievers upskills pupils in managing businesses

    Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) has implemented its 2024 flagship programme – JA company programme to instil entrepreneurial skills in senior secondary school pupils in 12 states. 

    It said this year-long initiative will empower young minds to kick-start and manage their businesses well.

    “The JA Company Programme goes beyond traditional classroom teaching, providing pupils with practical insight into a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship.

    “Participants collaborate to establish a company, elect officers, and navigate the exciting and daunting experience of running a business under supervision of dedicated volunteers.

    “Throughout the programme, pupils engage in market research, business development, capital fundraising through stock sales, production, marketing/sales, financial record-keeping, dividend distribution, and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

    “This hands-on approach ensures that pupils experience the practical challenges and triumphs of real-world business operations.

    “At the conclusion, participants, who submit annual reports to JA Nigeria, are eligible for regional competitions.

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    “The best pupil companies from each region vie for National Company of the Year (NCOY) title in Lagos. The winning school from 2024 NCOY competition will represent Nigeria at 2024 Africa Company of the Year (ACOY)  in Mauritius.”

    Acting Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria, Olaolu Akogun, said: “The JA Company Programme offers pupils a transformative experience, providing them with practical skills and the right mindset to excel in the business realm.

    “With “Greenovation” as this year’s theme, we anticipate the innovative ideas that hundreds of student-companies across the Nigeria will present to address challenges within their communities, and ultimately yielding profits.

    “We extend our gratitude to our sponsors, the Project Management Institute and Boeing, for their steadfast support in bringing this initiative to reality.”

  • Pressure mounts on abductors of Ekiti pupils

    Pressure mounts on abductors of Ekiti pupils

    Gunmen who kidnapped five pupils and four members of staff of the Apostolic Faith Church Primary and Secondary School, Emure in Emure Local Government Area of Ekiti State, are under pressure to release the captives,  it was learnt yesterday.

    The kidnappers have slashed their ransom demand from N100 million to N15 million.

    The gunmen, on Monday, ambushed a  bus conveying their victims to Eporo, a suburb of Emure, and took them away.

    They, thereafter, demanded N100 million for their release.

    But yesterday, a relative of one of the victims said the ransom was reduced after serious negotiation with the kidnappers.

    He said: “What we need now is money to secure the release of our children and wives because I just had a conversation with the kidnappers.   They have called four to five times to say the ransom is now N15 million.

    “We are currently begging them to take N4 million,  but they insisted they want N15 million, and that we should hasten up with the payment because the children are already weak. They even threatened to kill them if the ransom is not paid on time.”

    Asked how much the families have raised, the source said that  N3 million has been raised so far.

    He appealed to the state and federal governments, as well as public-spirited individuals  to urgently come to their aid.

    The state police command spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, denied knowledge of ransom being requested by the kidnappers.

    *Police arrest eight suspects linked to  pupils’ abduction

    Abutu later issued a statement in which he said that eight persons believed to be involved in the abduction of the  pupils, their teachers and driver had been arrested.

    The arrests, according to him, were effected in Ekiti and Ondo forests by a combined team of security operatives.

    Three cutlasses, an axe, dagger, a cow and food items were recovered from the suspects, who are currently undergoing investigations.

    Abutu’s statement reads in part: “During an operation through Emure Forest, Ise/Ogbese Forest to Emure-Ile Forest in Ondo State, eight suspects were arrested – Yaya Sumaila, Idrisu Abubakar, Hassan Abdulahi, Abdullahi Abdullahi, Haruna Abubakar, Usman Abdullahi, Haruna Sule, including one Babusa Alhaji Lede,  who was arrested inside Ayedun/ Ayebode Ekiti forest in Ikole.

    “The suspects are being investigated and are giving credible information that can lead to the arrest of other fleeing suspects.”

    *IGP Egbetokun deploys Asabi in troubled state

    The  Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun deployed Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Abiodun Asabi to Zone 17 Akure, with additional personnel and assets.

    According to him, preliminary investigations have led to the arrest of 13 suspects.

    The IG urged  Asabi to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated security response to end the insecurity menace in Ekiti and parts of Ondo State.

    The AIG  is also to ensure proper coordination among security agencies for tackling the security in the two states.

    A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Asabi’s deployment reads: “The Inspector-General expresses his deepest condolences to the government and people of Ekiti State, the families and loved ones of the deceased monarchs whose lives were tragically cut short.

    “The IG hereby reiterates the commitment of the police force to ensuring that justice is served, and those responsible for these heinous acts are brought to book. He also assured the public that every necessary measure would be taken to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent a recurrence.

    “The public is urged to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with the Police and other security agencies, as we work to restore peace and security to the affected areas.”

    *Oyebanji seeks more security presence

    Governor Biodun Oyebanji has sought more security presence in Ekiti State.

    Oyebanji made the call when he visited the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

    The governor was in company with Senate Leader  Opeyemi Bamidele and top government functionaries of the state.

    Read Also: Tinubu to University unions: prioritise dialogue to avoid frequent strikes

    He said that insecurity would have been worse in the state without the intervention and contributions of the military and other security forces.

    Gen. Musa condoled with the governor and assured him of the military’s continuous support to ensure the safety of all Nigerians.

    He urged the governor to consider using locals to complement security agencies in curbing crimes.

    The CDS also said there was a need for the country to have a comprehensive database of visitors in and out of the nation.

    *Igboho calls for arrest, prosecution of killers

    Yoruba Nation agitator Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho),  called for immediate arrest and prosecution of the killers of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State.

    Igboho, in a statement yesterday also called for the rescue of the pupils, their teachers and a driver.

    “It is my appeal and encouragement to government at all levels to allow us to mobilise local community vigilantes to complement security agencies in protecting our people. This is very painful. Our people deserve to live. All those connected to such wicked acts, be it for politics, criminality, or sheer wickedness, should know that the end is near,” he added.

  • Pupils get training on project management

    Pupils get training on project management

    Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF) will collaborate with Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) to implement the Project Management initiative, under the theme: “Elevating Project Management in Youth Ecosystems.”

     The programme, holding from January 15 to June 2024, focuses on teaching secondary schools pupils project management skills to empower them to track, monitor, and assess projects.

     The programme will foster development by integrating project management principles, and offering guidance to participants as they embark on business ventures to enrich their learning experiences.

     Besides,  Junior Achievement  (JA) staff will receive with the skills for effective monitoring and evaluation of business initiatives.

     Foluso Gbadamosi, executive director of JAN, said: “The objectives align with our commitment to investing in young people, equipping them with skills, and instilling in them a project management mindset.

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     “Through this initiative, we aim to develop thriving communities and a skilled workforce to drive growth. We hail PMIEF for enabling us to empower more pupils.”

     Ashley Forsyth, executive director of PMIEF  said: “JA Africa is an exceptional partner and we’re proud of the work we’ve accomplished.

     “In the last two years, we equipped 30,000 emerging African leaders with project management skills. The work demonstrates our vision and commitment to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy…’’