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Tag: pupils

  • Pupils urged to be ’Goal’ champions

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Youth Empowerment Foundation (YEF), has trained teenage girls aged 10-16 on life skills needed to be role models.

    Executive Secretary of the NGO, Mrs Iwalola Akin-Jimoh, said the exercise is a continuous process, called ‘Goal’, where secondary school girls are taught self-confidence, boldness, self-esteem, to shun negativity and mentor their peers.

    She said the trainees are called goal champions after one year of training and are expected to have other peer receivers from their neighbourhoods, schools and the society, whom they are mentoring to be goal champions.

    Mrs Akin-Jimoh spoke during an inspection of the project by its sponsors, Standard Chartered Bank, at Akoka Junior Secondary School.

    She said: “We teach you to be yourself no matter who you are. We have the health sessions that discuss malaria, HIV/AIDS, among others. There is also the ‘Be empowered’ section where they are taught about their environment, sexual abuse, domestic violence; the rights are also taught but in line with the responsibilities of the child. Then there is the money savvy session through which we train the girls to save, invest no matter how little they earn, among others.”

    She described the programme as a corporate social responsibility project of the bank, with a view to exposing teenage girls in developing countries to opportunities to make them useful in life.

    Global head, Public Affairs and Sustainability Unit of the bank, Mr Shastry Vasuki, described the project as an amazing journey that has touched over 60, 000 lives in Africa.

    He said: “We operate in over 70 countries and we want to ensure that we contribute in every community we are. We work with local NGOs to give teenage girls an opportunity through sports and education. We expose them to opportunities of life so that when they go out there, they are useful to themselves and the society. We want them to know that they have tremendous potential and can be as good as any male in the country.”

    Head, corporate affairs, brand and marketing, West Africa, Dayo Aderugbo explained the girls’ transition process from timid to outspoken.

    “When we started, most of them had no sense of confidence. We have taken them through the courses which have boosted their confidence and improved their intelligence. Their parents’ testimonies on the changes in their lives have been pouring in. They even now mentor other girls. We follow them up and we have contact persons in each of their schools and we also engage their parents,” she said.

    The girls also demonstrated team spirit and confidence in a sports competition and at the feedback session of the programme.

     

  • MSSN rewards pupils

    MSSN rewards pupils

    Muslim students have been charged to achieve excellence in all they do.

    The call was made at an award/reception programme for the Lagos State One-Day Governor and his team by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area Unit (LSAU) held at Homat College Hall in Ikorodu, Lagos.

    The guest speaker, Dr Mutiu Qasim, a lecturer at Lagos State University (LASU) urged them to excel, adding that it is easier to attain excellence than to sustain it.

    Giving the tips on how to achieve excellence, he enjoined them to discover themselves.

    He said: “Be what you are; it is the first step to discovering yourself. Set achievable goals; celebrate what you have accomplished but raise the bar higher whenever you achieve a goal.  Develop the attitude of excellence by being dedicated, determined and disciplined; have a continuous desire to win, succeed and to reach the peak; make excellent people your mentors; be pious and always rely on Allah. The reformation of this world lies in our hands.”

    MSSN Amir (President), Mallam Saheed Ashafa said the award was initiated to encourage Muslims who have excelled.

    “We initiated this Distinguished Muslims Personality Award (DIMPA) as a means to support Muslims who are performing excellently in their fields. The award seeks among other things to elevate the spirit of greatness among Muslim youths in the competitive society that we find ourselves,” he said.

    Those honoured were: Olufemi Olasehinde, winner of the Lagos State Spelling Bee, who will act as the Governor for one day; first runner-up, Kehinde Abdulrafiu, who will act as the Deputy Governor; second runner-up, Rashidat Okinbaloye (Speaker), and winner of the Schools Governor’s Quiz and Asiyat AbdulKarim (Commissioner for Education).

    Responding to his award, Olasehinde said: “I became the winner by God’s grace because I participated last year but went home with nothing. But because of determination, I worked hard and became the winner. My advice to you all is that you can be better than I am. Always create time for things that are meaningful.”

    Rashidat, who also participated last year without winning, said she was determined.

    “Success is not meant for one person, it is meant to be shared. We should all try hard to succeed in whatever we want,” she said.

  • Prioritise education, pupils told

    Graduating pupils of Kole Best International School, Oshodi, Lagos, have been advised to make education their priority to achieve their goals in life.

    The Proprietor, Mr Lekan Bankole, said this at the school’s graduation.

    He said: “Every year, we see the school like we are just starting for the first time, just to give our best to our pupils. Today, we are graduating pupils who are the products of our work, and I am grateful to the teachers and parents because I didn’t do it all by myself but with their help and encouragement. I want to say thank you for bringing your children to our school, and we hope we have not disappointed you so far.”

    HeadTeacher, Mrs Francis Olorunfemi, expressed confidence in her pupils, saying they were the most important part of the fulfillment of the school’s vision.

    She advised the pupils never to give up their dreams and aspire for the best among their peers because everyone has talent and intellectual skills.

    One of the primary six graduands, Precious Adelani, told The Nation, she was happy to go.

    “I am happy and excited to be among the graduands and I won’t lie, it has been an excellent and difficult task, but all thanks to God for making today possible and my teachers, parents and the schools for their support,” she said.

    Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding pupils in academics and in character, as well as presentation of certificates to the graduating pupils by Bankole.

    Guests were entertained with ballet presentation, choreography, nursery miming and primary school miming, among other activities.

  • Pupils ‘kick diarrhoea out’ of Lagos

    Two non-governmental organisations (NGO), Save the Children and Stop Diarrhea Initiative, are inspiring public schools in Bariga Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) and Shomolu Local Government Area (LGA), to intensify a campaign against diarrhea.

    With the support of Reckitt Benckiser and the Lagos State Government, the event tagged: ‘kick diarrhea out of Lagos,’ saw participating schools engage in a football that saw their contemporaries and guest applauding to no end.

    Head of School (support) of Shomolu LGA Mr Tajudeen Lawal, said the competition was uniquely designed to generate enthusiasm among participants particularly concerning their health

    He said: “We aim to increase the awareness of the project in all Shomolu communities and also to enhance the participation of pupils beyond the project. It will also help shape the teaching-learning process for pupils in the school project so that they can share the learned health message of diarrhea preventions and control when they go home.”

    The football contest was witnessed by about 1,500 pupils drawn from 48 public schools in the two aforementioned councils witnessing attendees that included; School Based Management Committee (SBMC), Local Government Authority (LGEA), Lagos State Universal Basic Education board (SUBEB) and Parent Forum (PF).

    Bishop Howell Memorial School dwarfed others to clinch the star prize.  St. Augustine Primary School and Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School came second and third, while Saviour Primary School took the fourth position. The first three positions were given branded educational materials while others got consolation prizes. Similarly, the trio-Victor Opara, Tobi Abdullah and Kehinde Azeez who emerged best player, goalkeeper and goal scorer were presented with medals by Roy Chikum of Save the Children.

    Pupils of the Health Club from each school also enlightened participants on how to prevent and control the disease.

    Mr Olaniran Josef, Sport Director to Shomolu Council thanked the organisers for the competition.

    “This will help shape them to be good players and to see themselves as role models. It has not only encouraged them but also made them happy and ready to do more,” he said.

  • NGO teaches ethical leadership to pupils

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), The Future Builders, has taught pupils to imbibe the tenets of ethical leadership to check bad governance in the country.

    The pupils, from over 10 schools, were enlightened in a lecture with the theme: “Ethical Leadership and the challenges of good Government in Nigeria,” organised by the NGO at the Afromedia town hall, Ajangbadi, Lagos State.

    One of the speakers, Mr Azeez Fatai Akinbode, said leadership without direction and ethics is worthless.

    He advised the pupils to imbibe the culture of laying personal examples, unlike Nigerian leaders.

    Listing the features of good governance, Akinbode said: “It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law, which is the ethics of any society.”

    He added: “For you to become a good leader, you must posses certain characteristics, which include devoting your time and energy to leading the process of value creation that empowers leaders to incorporate and be explicit about their own values and ethics.”

    He advised them to manage their time wisely, have a to-do list, avoid time wasters, learn to say no, eat well, be focused, determine their learning style, read to understand and test themselves as preparations for success.

    The second speaker, Mr Olalekan Hakeem, dvised the pupils to be hard working, as preparation precedes success.

    He said: “I have observed that a lot of students are really distracted today either by their phones or what they watch on TV and other avenues. We need to reduce those things so that they can give education and their books more time because it is this book that will make them become great in future.”

    A pupil of Mc Martins International College, Ijanikin, Seun Aderogba said she has learnt the importance of leadership and how it affects the people.

    Segun Odesogun of Anglican Primary School, Badagry, said he was determined to be known as a good and compassionate leader in future.

    Schools in attendance were: Iman College Ojo, Sheffyville Private School Ojo, Funak College Ojo, Mc Martins International College Ijanikin, Gumi School Ojo, Absolute Success College, Glory Ville College Ojo, The Sublime School Ojo, Blessed Winners College and  Anglican Primary School Badagry.

     

  • Students train 1,000 pupils

    Students train 1,000 pupils

    The Hope for African Girls Initiative (HAGI) has organised Girl-Child Empowerment Seminars in 10 schools in 10 communities in the country. The programme, designed for public secondary school pupils, was created in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), so as to end poverty, provide equitable and inclusive quality education and give pupils learning opportunities, among others.

    Mary Anurika, one of the coordinators, said the programme was initiated to solve women and young girls’ challenges. She said HAGI  would promote gender equality and inspire young girls to create opportunities in education and business.

    She said: “HAGI intends to provide the much-needed guidance for young girls by building leadership and personal skills, to give them confidence to dream big and contribute to the society at large.”

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the organisers, who are mainly tertiary institution students, used the seminar to empower over 1,000 young girls in six states, mentoring and equipping them with critical skills to build confidence and leadership capacity.

    The HAGI Executive Director, Miss Jennifer Umeh, a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY), said education of the girl child remained crucial to national development. She said there was need for sustained sensitisation and enlightenment of the public to give priority to girls’ education.

    “Education is very important, because when you train a child, you have trained a nation. We also believe training a child will boost the economy of the nation,” she said.

    While praising government’s effort at giving the girl-child the right to education, Jennifer noted that government alone could not do, urging corporate and non-profit organisations to assist in providing quality education in public schools.

    The programme was held in schools, including Kwara, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos, Rivers, Abuja, Ogun and Imo states. The event also featured spoken words contest, which had 120 tertiary institution students participating. The winner was rewarded with N100,000 cash prize.

    Winner of the competition, Valentine Ogunaka, said: “Winning the competition gladdens my heart and it will prod me to keep my voice loud amid the massive waves of silence on critical issue. I do humbly appreciate believing that being heard and getting rewarded at the same time signify a win-win for the girl child, as well as people that are passionate about stemming the tide of poverty.”

  • Diamonds Mine School graduates pupils

    Nursery and primary pupils of Diamonds Mine Schools, Ogba graduated amid cheers from their parents and teachers.

    The Proprietor, Mrs Grace Aderibegbe told The Nation at the ceremony that she was grateful to God for her pupils’ success academically and otherwise.

    She said: “I have been the proprietor of the school for its eight years of existence. Since the school started, I have graduated pupils with the willingness to be the best in everything they do. Today’s graduands may be small in number but mighty in ideas and also great pupils in making.”

    She advised the pupils to always be willing to learn and listen to their teachers and be good in school and at home.

    A parent, Mrs Bimpe Yaya thanked the proprietor for her care for the children.

    “I am happy and thank the proprietor for making this day possible because she is a woman who understands other mothers’ needs. She is a considerate mother and a disciplined woman. She also takes all the pupils as her own children and she is an education inclined person which is why she has been able to move so far.”

  • Graduating pupils urged to learn from Brexit vote

    Graduating pupils of Edgewood College, Lekki, have been advised to pick basic lessons from the Brexit vote to guide them through their future endevours.

    Guest Speaker at the school’s valedictory service and graduation, Mr Kola Ayeye, pointed out major lessons he got from the vote, which he said if considered, could have earned a good legacy for the British Prime Minister, David Cameron.

    He said: “Don’t gamble or be over confident. Cameron has led a good legacy all through his stay in the government, but he was overconfident and now, he may be remembered as the man who broke Britain. Work very hard and master your art or science. Make sure your choices are guided by wisdom; shun homosexuality. It is glorious to honour God with your body; run away from substance abuse. Be determined to work for a fairer world in your own little corner, even if you cannot change the world; fundamentally, always know that no matter how many passports you carry, you are a Nigerian.”

    The ceremony held for Advanced Level (A’ Level), The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the pioneer secondary school graduates of the school, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Christ The Lord Parish, Lekki.

    Director of the College, Mrs Kehinde Phillips, expressed confidence in her pupils, saying that her school has nurtured their spirit, soul and body.

    “We are nurturing a total child who knows that his life must honour God. We pay attention to those values we grew up on that seem to have been forgotten today and we do it armed with the word of God. These are values of integrity, self confidence, community service, Christian ethos, among others,” she said.

    Mrs Phillips advised them to live as beacons of light to the world and counseled their parents to encourage them to manifest the leadership qualities the school has built in them.

    Giving her valedictory speech, the head girl, Adaeze Okorie, who bagged three awards, charged her peers to open their hearts to guidance from their elders who want to help them become the best of themselves and leave a good legacy.

    The event was coloured with music renditions from the school orchestra, and from Okorie, who is known for her music prowess with her friends, and a saxophone solo by a pupil.

  • Glamour as District rewards workers, pupils

    It was glamour at a level never seen before in the history of education merit awards programmes in Lagos State when Education District I honoured deserving workers, retirees, schools and pupils. It was at a star-studded programme at the Excellence Hotel and Conference Centre, Ogba, penultimate Wednesday.

    The banquet hall of the hotel was tastefully furnished – a far cry from the Government College, Agege school hall that had hosted previous editions of the honours programme. The guests dressed the part – with principals of the over 300 junior and senior secondary schools in the district turning up in suits and matching ties for men, and scarves for women.

    The officiating of the programme was also different.  Unlike in the past when awardees were known before the event, there was a surprise element in this year’s edition.  In each category, the names of shortlisted candidates were listed before the winners were announced.  Once announced, the plaques were borne to the stage by pupils from various schools in the district who had performed well in academics, competition, sports and other areas of life.

    The brain behind the colourful event was Dr Olufolayimika Ayandele, the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TGPS) of the district, who said the programme was made possible because of the support of key stakeholders in the state, including the government, Hon Yinka Ogundimu, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, as well as Zenith Bank, Arik Plc and MTN, among others.

    Dr Ayandele got them to sponsor various awards – the most glamourous of which was two Arik Airline return tickets to any West African country as well as N100,000 spending money presented to the best principals, junior and senior categories.

    The prizes were picked by Mrs Adeniyi Ladigbolu of Keke Junior High School; and Mrs Modupe Akinbami of Ijaiye Housing Estate Senior High School, Ifako-Ijaiye.

    The best school award, which Dr Ayandele said was endowed by Ogundimu, went to Iju Junior Grammar School.  She directed that the plaque be placed in a vantage position so that pupils and workers can feel they contributed to the success story and work hard to maintain it.

    Iju Junior Grammar School also won the best Vice Principal Award (Mrs Edema Titilayo), and the best teacher award, junior category (Mrs  Philips Taiwo); while Abibat Mogaji Millennium Senior High School, Agege, produced the best teacher in senior category, Mr Toluwalope Odusanya.

    Pupils recognised included Tobiloba Opadotun of Vetland Junior Grammar School, who had the best result in the 2015 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE); Calistus Okonkwo of Ijaiye Housing Estate Senior High School, the best candidate in the 2015 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    A new category of award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to Mrs Florence Ogunfidodo, Dr Ayandele’s predecessor.

    In her address, Dr Ayandele praised the pupils, teachers and other administrative workers for contributions to the district’s success – measured by the number of awards the school had received in recent times.

    The TG/PS said she met a high standard when she was posted to the district about three months ago, and is working hard to build on it.

    “By the time I got here, I knew I had a high standard to meet up,” she said.

    Speaking on the selection process for the awards, Dr Ayandele said the selection panel only accepted online applications.

    “We had 250 applications online for the best teacher award.  About 125 were screened because they had evidences to back their applications. One thing is certain, all teachers are valuable. Everybody has contributed positively, but today we are celebrating everybody and public schools, to showcase that public school is a great place for our children and that anybody coming in to work would have its own benefit, so everybody is a winner,” she said.

    In her keynote address, the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, urged the recipients to keep up the good work by working even harder.

    “The recognition you have been accorded today should continue to spur you and others to exhibit uncommon sense of responsibility and greater commitment to duty.  See the award as a challenge to do more and be committed to what you know how to do best,” said Adebule, who was represented by Mrs Ajoke Gbeleyi, Director, Private Education and Special Programmes, Lagos State Ministry of Education.

    Praising the teachers, Ogundimu said they cannot be rewarded enough for their contributions.  He however urged them to do more to reduce the number of pupils that drop out.

    “We need more from you.  We have a lot of social problems.  Many children are running away from home/school.  We have problem with pickpockets; some have graduated to armed robbery.  If only we can catch them young and train them, it will reduce the money government has to spend on security,” he said.

    Ogundimu was presented with a self portrait produced by Daniel Ogunde, a special needs pupil attending the Sanngo Inclusive Junior Secondary School.

  • Perm Sec tasks teachers, pupils on academic excellence

    Teachers and pupils in Alimosho Educational District have been urged to strive to attain academic excellence.

    Speaking yesterday at the 10th Annual Awards and Honours of the Education District 1, the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufolayinka Abiose Ayandele enjoined them not relent in their efforts saying: “Education District 1 has always been known for its academic excellence. Series of awards and prizes have been won by this district. We must not relent in our efforts.”

    At the ceremony, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI) donated books on Physics, Chemistry, Account, Commerce, Literature and Government to Alimosho Senior Grammar School through Education District I.

    AEI Agege Zone Project Coordinator Prince Adesegun Ogungbayi, pledged that the public schools would be benefiting from AEI programs such as Guidance and Counselling sessions, mentorship, and learning centres beginning from the next academic session.

    Ogungbayi sought partnership with the state education ministry in order to add to the value and better performance of the sector.

    The book donation, he said, was in recognition of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s gestures towards achieving academic excellence in the state.

    The Principal of Alimosho Senior Grammar School, Mrs Olatunji Eunice Adedola thanked the AEI officials for their gesture.