The Nation Newspaper

Tag: pupils

  • Google, censor agencies train pupils on Internet safety

    Google in collaboration with Nigeria Integrity Film Awards (HomeVida) and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) have embarked on a safer Internet programme for Nigerian children.

    HomeVida Communications officer Ugochi Ekwueme said the training is focused on helping young people to avoid dangers online.

    She said: “Today we will be training over 500 students on the safe use of the Internet.  The world has become digital and it is very important that our children know how to stay safe on the internet because there are lots of online predators so children know the kind of information they share online and how to avoid such people.

    “Homevida is known for driving positive messages through film.  We have seen that this is a positive message that we want kids to learn from.  We made a short film on cyber bullying which we play to them because we believe that when people watch films they learn from it.

    “We partner with NFVCB to help censor movies and videos that children have access to, including videos on Youtube.  We are trying to get our government.  We want the government to help regulate some of these things so that our children are not exposed to dangers on the Internet.”

    Last year, Ugochi said the organisations trained over 2,000 pupils through the initiative.  This quarter, she also said they would visit schools in Ibadan and Lagos after Abuja.

    “Google is supporting the programme, they brought up the initiative and were only looking for an organisation that could help them drive the message in, they have been organising safer Internet programmes and started the Web rangers programme in other countries so they want to implement it in Nigeria because they have seen that the Internet is taking over in Nigeria.”

    Nollywood actor and Safer Internet Ambassador (SIA), Femi Jacobs, said some other countries in the world have advanced by putting up safety nets and laws for their children against cyber bullying and paedophiles.

    “We just returned from a conference in Dublin.  Other parts of the world have advanced in terms of how they have safety nets and laws for their kids and we don’t have such things here.  But we need to start with the children because they are mostly the target of such things. Children these days have mobile phones in their hands with easy access to the Internet and most times they do not know the degree of what they have,” he said.

     

  • Highway safety: FRSC targets secondary schools’ pupils

    Highway safety: FRSC targets secondary schools’ pupils

    To inculcate road safety in youths, the Federal Road Safety Corps in Lagos State has taken the campaign to secondary schools’ pupils.

    As part of the campaign, it organised a quiz competition for selected 20 schools to commemorate the 2016 children’s Day.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition was organised separately by the Lekki and Yaba Units of the corps to inculcate the Highway Code in the students.

    Mr Azuibike Onyemeh, Unit Commander of Lekki told NAN that the campaign was to prepare the children to start thinking of the challenges of being future leaders in various aspects of life.

    “The objective is to inculcate in them and put into practicel road safety education and the culture of road safety in children because they are the future leaders.

    “This is the reason for the road safety related quiz competition in which five schools are competing.

    “If their parents are driving on a high speed or making calls while driving, the children will be able to correct them since they have learnt the necessary precautions,” he said.

    In her remarks, Mrs Nimota Okoro, the officer of Yaba Unit of FRSC, observed that most parents or drivers pay little or no attention to the safety of children, especially while driving.

    “Evidence from patrol and enforcement activities show that several children are not protected with seatbelt while sitting in a vehicle and there are a lot of underage drivers.

    “This act of negligence exposes them to great danger especially in the event of road crashes.

    “Often you see mothers carrying their babies on their laps or children standing while on the wheels; or parents sending their underage children on errand with their cars.

    “This is wrong and it must stop,’’ he added.

    She, therefore, urged all stakeholders to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of children in their environment.

    Mrs Owoupele Diseph, a parent, commended the FRSC for the initiative and urged other parents to ensure that the safety of their children was accorded priority attention.

    Another parent and teacher, Mrs Tinuke Ogunleye, said the programme was educative, especially the rules and driving code..

    “Parents need to expose their children to such knowledge because it teaches the children the hazards of disobeying the road safety rules.”

    Miss Ijeoma Ubah, a student of Ayomi School in Lekki, said the event had enlightened her on road signs and driving code.

    “Before now I did not know much about the various road signs and code but preparing for the quiz competition made me to know more,’’ she told NAN.

     

  • How pupils can excel, by Tutor-General

    How pupils can excel, by Tutor-General

    The Tutor-General, Lagos State Ministry of Education District I Dr. Olufolayinka Abiose Ayandele, has said the zeal and determination to succeed are key to reaching the top.

    Speaking at the maiden edition of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI) of Alimosho Unit’s Award/Scholars’ Day, Dr Ayandele, represented by the Director of Education, Education District 1, Mrs Juliana Agunbiade told the pupils that not all of them can win in every competition, adding: “participation itself is a winning spirit. If you have the zeal and challenge to excel, no matter how many challenges you face, you would come out on top. Hard work does not kill, it only makes you stronger and at the end of the day, you would be the best.”

    Speaking on Education: The pivot of change, a lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU) Dr Idowu Kazeem, urged the pupils to be creative.

    He said: “As change agents, education is needed for the required change. You need to have a goal which would give you a sense of direction and focus on your goal. Change your attitude positively and to do that, you have to be dedicated, determined and disciplined. You also need to know your priorities and set them right. Nigeria looks up to you as the future of tomorrow. You are the actors, don’t become the spectators. You must have a mentor and your mentor should be someone who would change your lives positively. Education is a tool for positive change.”

    Kazeem urged the government to honour teachers by employing the best graduates, paying them attractive salaries and providing an enabling environment for them to teach.

    Speaking on Shun examination malpractice and achieve academic excellence, Mr Kunle Lawore told the pupils that it is better to fail by honour than to pass by disgrace, adding that they would all pass if they worked hard.

    He said there were always three alternatives in an examination. The first is to join the bandwagon by cheating; the second is to bite the bullet and fail and the third is to soar above the storm and achieve excellence.

    Fifteen schools participated in a quiz competition with Tommia Community Secondary School coming top with 25 marks. Baptist Model High School is the first runner-up; Elias International Secondary School, the second runner-up.

    The winning schools were presented with a laptop; the two pupils that represented each school were awarded a tablet each. Other schools received consolation prizes.

    The Tutor-General received an award for the Humanitarian Educator of the Year. The Chairman on the occasion, Olamigoke Philip also received an award.

  • Two pupils of FGC Okposi abducted

    Two Junior Secondary School (JSS) III pupils of the Federal Government College, Okposi, in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Tochukwu Eneh and Chukwuemeka Ugwu, have been abducted.

    The teenagers were last seen on May 12.

    Tochukwu is from Obioma while Chukwuemeka hails from Nsude, both in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    The boys were reportedly abducted from their school that Thursday.

    A family source said the pupils, who had just finished their final examinations that same day, were preparing to go home the next day when they were snatched.

    It was learnt that a group of schoolboys, including the duo, decided to get hair cut outside the school.

    They were said to be returning to the school when they were accosted by suspected kidnappers, who ordered them to stop.

    The teenagers reportedly ran towards different directions but their assailants were said to have caught up with them and carried them away.

    It was gathered that the other pupils, except the two, returned to school.

    But the boys were said to have been frightened beyond raising the alarm.

    The incident was said to have remained unreported until the following day (May 13) when Tochukwu’s guardian did not see him as they had agreed.

    The guardian, said to be a lady and a worker at the college, reportedly had some items she wanted Tochukwu to take to his mum in Enugu.

    When she learnt about what happened, the lady was said to have notified the school authorities and the parents of the victims.

    Police spokesman George Okafor, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said he was not aware of the incident.

    The spokesman said he was just returning from Abuja on an assignment.

     

  • Obi cheers up college pupils

    Obi cheers up college pupils

    Former governor of Anambra State Peter Obi has lifted the spirits of pupils of Crowther Memorial College, Umuikwu Anam, in Anambra West Local Government Area of the state. On a visit to the school, Mr Obi presented the authorities with N1m cheque, a gesture which excited the pupils and the school authorities.

    The former governor did more than that. He also provided mentorship and leadership, asking the pupils to pray not just for themselves and their teachers, but also the state and the country.

    Presenting the cheque to the school after inspecting their facilities, including a computer classroom and library, Obi  said that the visit was in fulfillment of the promise to the proprietor of the school, Bishop Benry Okeke of the Anglican Diocese of Mbamili, that he would remain part of the progress of the school.

    Obi commended the bishop for the positive ways through which he touches the lives of the people in that rural community and called on men of goodwill to assist him in any way possible.

    “The last time I visited the school as governor, the building was just started. I am delighted that the school is completed. I urge Nigerians to assist you because you are indeed working for God through serving His people.

    The Bishop who described Mr. Obi as a lover of the Diocese, called on other leaders to emulate his love for education and the manner he tirelessly work for the advancement of humanity.

  • Methodist Old boys inspire pupils

    Pupils of the Methodist Boys High School, Expressway Ibadan, had the opportunity of getting success tips from the 91 Set of the school recently.

    On hand as speakers were two distinguished old boys – Bukola Faturoti and Dayo Omisore – whose words of inspiration drew applause from the pupils and their teachers.

    Faturoti is Senior lecturer at the School of Law of the Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University Aberdeen UK, while Omisore is a public analyst/author.

    Faturoti shared how after an average secondary school performance, he became a scholar at the Olabisi Onabanjo University where he studied English (2006) and the University of Ibadan where he was the first to make a First Class in Law.

    “Right from my secondary school days, I wanted to be a lawyer.  I did well in my School Certificate but did not in my JAMB, so I had to settle for English. Yet my passion for Law never diminished. After I graduated from OOU, I had to return to the University of Ibadan to study Law which has always been my passion.”

    To make it to the top, Faturoti counseled the pupils to set targets now.

    “Where do you see yourselves in 10 years time? You need to know now, because if you don’t have a destination, wherever you find yourselves is your destination,” he said.

    He also admonished teachers to give the pupils their best, saying some of his mates either failed woefully or passed certain subjects because of the subject teacher.

    “I urge you teachers to take these children as if they were yours. I owe my success stories today to what my teachers planted in me; and as I remember and pray for them today, these children will also remember you,” he said.

    Omisore in his address themed: “In pursuit of Academic excellence and personal development”, told the pupils to discover themselves. He added that their passion and not what they hope to study in higher institutions would see them through.

    Underscoring the importance of education, Omisore shared the story of Segun Odegbami, who got education regardless of his football skills.

    “Today, Odegbami is a prominent broadcaster because he acquired education, which many of his contemporaries did not.  So when their football careers were over, many of them had nothing else to do and nowhere they could fit in,” he said.

    Some other members of the set also shared their memories of attending the one-time boarding school – stories of what made ‘Methoe Boys’ as it was popularly called, tick, in its heydays.

    Principal of the School, Mr Abimbola Idowu, thanked the old boys for remembering their alma mater.  He however said the school’s greatest challenges were ‘unfulfilled promises made by many old boys.

    “This school is in dire state especially in terms of infrastructure and this is a challenge for the old boys,” he lamented.

    Chairman of the 91 Set, Abdulganiyy Kareem, said the speakers were deliberately chosen to inspire the young ones.

    Two of the participants, Adebayo Anulope and Tajudeen Okiki, both in JSS3, noted that the talks renewed their hopes of succeeding regardless of their backgrounds.

  • District fetes teachers, pupils

    District fetes teachers, pupils

    Mrs Temitope Banmeke, a teacher at Oriwu Senior Model College Ikorodu, Lagos, has emerged the best teacher of the Lagos State Education District II. Mrs Banmeke who has put in 29 years of meritorious service in the state, was honoured alongside teachers and administrative workers at the 10th annual merit award of the district held at the SUBEB hall, Maryland, Lagos.

    Mrs Banmeke emerged after careful evaluation of her selfless attitude, hard work and other good virtues she exhibited over the years before she was recognised at the event which had as theme: “Aiming Higher.”

    The assessors acknowledged that Mrs Banmeke positively influenced teachers in her school.

    Mr Osundeko Idowu of Eva Adelaja Junior Girls Secondary School Bariga, won the ‘best teacher’ at the junior secondary school level’; Mrs Odunuga Olufunmilayo from Ikosi Junior High School, Ketu clinched the ‘best Junior School Principal award’, while Mrs Alimi Rabiat of Angus Memorial Senior Grammar School  Shomolu, won in the senior secondary school category. Mrs Afolabi Taiwo of Morocco Comprehensive Junior High School, Shomolu, won the ‘best non-teaching staff’ in the junior school category, while Mrs Adesanya Falilat of Oriwu Senior Model College topped the Senior School category.

    The duo of Agiri Esther from Oriwu Junior Model College and Oluwafemi Ifemide of Oriwu Senior Model College Olu won ‘the best pupil awards’ for their performance in the Basic Education Certificate Examination 2015 and the May/June 2015 West African Senior School Certificate Examination .

    Lagos State Civil Service Model Junior College, Igbogbo claimed the ‘best overall junior school’ while Ajayi Crowther Memorial Senior Grammar school won the senior category.

    Speaking at the event,  Lagos State  Deputy Governor, Dr Oluranti Adebule, who congratulated the awardees, also urged them not to relent in their contribution towards education sector. Mrs Adebule was represented by the Commissioner for Youths, Culture and Social development, Mrs Uzamat Akingbile-Yussuf.

    She said: “I enjoin you not to relent in your contributions to achieving our dreams of providing functional and quality education to our children. Education is the bedrock of development and teachers are strategic in helping to drive this vision to reality.”

    Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS) of the district, Mrs Margaret Solarin, said the programme was organised to motivate the workers and pupils to do better.

    “To maintain excellence, hard work must be rewarded so as to improve and increase efficiency among staff and students”.

    Cash and gift prizes such as deep freezers, washing machines, and cookers were presented to the recipients.

  • NGO educates pupils on clean environment

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Friends of the Environment, has engaged secondary school pupils in Mushin, Lagos State, at a one-day seminar on the benefits of clean environment.

    The event with the theme: “Operation catch them young,” held at the Community Senior School, Mushin, was aimed at making the pupils to understand the importance of preserving their environment and the detriment of harming it.

    The Chairman on the occasion, Dr Samuel Akintayo, an insurance practitioner, said the event’s objective was to educate the pupils on their future.

    Akintayo said: “The youth are very important, so is our environment. Therefore, we are to keep our environment very clean to make Nigeria what it is supposed to be. Besides, to become something great in life, our environment matters. When these students become leaders of tomorrow, we will be certain of a clean environment, both in the financial, educational and economical sectors, among others. If all these institutions are clean, then we are assured of a clean nation. If we travel to other countries, it won’t be a new thing because we have a clean nation.”

    The Vice Principal of the school, Mrs. Ololade Taiwo, cautioned against acts that are capable of polluting the environment. She noted that the effects of noise and abandoned vehicles harm the social environment where plants, animals and humans live.

    Founder and co-ordinator of the NGO, Mrs. Iyabo Akinsiju said the organisation is aimed at upgrading the community and initiating a change of heart among the citizens.

    She said with their little efforts, children can change things for the better. “The environment is the only thing the rich and the poor share which cannot be dictated by the government; therefore, such a place needs to be given fair treatment. We believe if we get to the younger ones, we have reached the older ones. My advice to the young ones is to imbibe the habit of keeping a clean environment and try not to live in a polluted one,” she said.

    Happiness Nwankwo, an SSS 2 pupil at the seminar, said the eevnt has taught her the need for cleanliness and engaging in consistent environmental cleaning, both at home and school.

    Similarly, an SSS3 pupil of Itire Community Senior Secondary School, Itire, Blessing Okafor, said she has learnt the importance of maintaining a clean environment as well as the consequences of having a bad one.

    The pupils were also taught songs about the environment and were asked to teach their friends and colleagues, while the SS1 and SS2 class prefects were made ambassadors of the environment.

  • Pupils win Linux scholarships

    Two students of the Fountain Heights School, Surulere, Lagos, Mosope Odukoya and Efemena Agbaire, have won scholarships for their performances in Linux Systems Administration from foremost Linux Programme Training Manager, VNigeria.

    On the award, which was set up to mark the third anniversary of the company, Chief Executive, Adedayo Adasanya commended Mosope, who pooled the highest votes through an online election as the best Linux System Administrator of the school.  He was rewarded with a Linux-enabled computer, which would help with his education.

    Efemena, on the other hand, was voted the most active student in class and won a scholarship worth $3,500 from the company.

    Adesanya described the success recorded by the students as a huge challenge to other schools which are yet to embrace Linux Information Technology, saying the mode of programming is widely utilised.

    “There is no doubt that the benefits of Linux Programme are numerous. For example, Facebook was built on Linux, Twitter was built on Linux, Amazon was built on Linux, Android is a mobile distribution of Linux, 70 per cent of our Television sets run Linux and Military weapons too run Linux,” said Adesanya.

    He added that Nigeria being the only certified Red Hat training partner in West Africa, aims at bringing Linux (using Red Hat as a standard) to Nigerian students by providing them with Linux administration modules while focusing on core administration tasks.

    Already, two institutions, Yaba College of Technology (Computer Science Department) and The University of Lagos (Systems Engineering Department) are set to introduce Linux as a course from next session.

  • 850 pupils march for clean Lagos campaign

    850 pupils march for clean Lagos campaign

    Eight Hundred and fifty secondary school pupils from Ilupeju and environs, and Corps members trooped out to support an enlightenment campaign on environmental sanitation.

    The campaign, organised by Brand Phase Empowerment Initiative in collaboration with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Lagos State Ministry of Education.

    The ‘environmentalists’, bearing a banner with the inscription “Project Clean up: One Community at a time, marched round Ilupeju with waste bags picking up litter on the streets and in the drains.

    They were led by the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District VI, Mrs Anifowoshe Amidat, Mrs Funmi Fadiji, District Counsellor, Mr Odeyemi Joshua, Principal, Ilupeju Junior Grammar School, and Mrs Bola Olufowobi, among others.

    Mrs Anifowoshe said the exercise was aimed at keeping the environment clean and inculcating in pupils the importance of sanitation to prevent diseases.

    “Encouraging the young ones to know the importance of cleaning the environment will help reduce the rate of sickness in the country and also hospitals will have fewer patients to attend to and it will also prevent the Ebola and Lassa fever diseases in the country,” she said.

    Mr Moses Emorinken, coordinator of Brand Phase Empowerment Initiative, said he hoped that through the project youngsters would start disposing their waste properly and not in undesignated public places.

    “The common thing people do is that when they finish with a drink they just discard on the ground and such behaviour is not good for the environment, so this project is to persuade the people to keep away from such acts and to let them know such acts can endanger their health,” he said.

    Mrs Fadiji described the project as good for the pupils.  If trained, she said, they could be relied upon to pass on the lessons to others.