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Tag: pupils

  • Mind Builders welcomes pupils

    Mind Builders welcomes pupils

    After a refreshing Christmas Holidays, pupils of Mind Builders School, Ikeja, Lagos enjoyed a warm welcome back to school on Monday.

    In the Omole Phase 1, Phase 2 and Central Business District (CBD) arms of the school, the pupils looked bright and happy to begin the second term.

    Last term had ended on an exciting note for them, with a winter wonderland concert that featured 13 presentations held at the CBD arm of the school.

    Snowmen lined the bottom of the high stage, artificial snowflakes hung from the roof in the blue and white themed hall as the pupils demonstrated their talents while focusing on God’s Love for the world.

    The joy and warmth the pupils showed at seeing each other after the holidays were pointers that the purpose of the concert, which was to teach them to love, had made some impact.

    The school administrator, Mr Olatunde Opeyemi said: “We are trying to teach the children love; how to love one another in whatever way or situation they find themselves,” he said.

    A parent, Mrs Olayinka Bukunayo, hoped that the children would grow up in love.

    She said: “I hope they would grow the spirit of love and sharing, because the school has laid examples of that by bringing together the three different branches.”

  • 80,000 pupils smile courtesy of Indomie ‘Xmas parties

    Dufil Prima Foods Plc end of year parties for 80,000 members of the Indomie Fan Club across the country set the tone for the yuletide celebrations for school children.

    In various venues, over a 14-day period, the children enjoyed music, dance, and play on the endless array of park games, as well as a good dish of Indomie noodles and mixed vegetables.

    At The Parkland, Maryland, one of the venues in Lagos, hundreds of primary school children from various schools had fun dancing to trending music selected by the DJ, enjoyed face painting, made repeated visits to the bouncing castles, and took numerous train rides.

    Mr Tope Ashiwaju, head, Public Relations and Events, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, and the Coordinator, IFC, Mrs Ibe Ifeyinwa, joined children on the dance floor and to cut the heart-shaped Christmas-themed cake that was provided for the occasion.

    Ashiwaju said the event was organised to ensure the children enjoyed outdoors during the season, which may not be possible for those whose parents are too busy to take them to fun parks.

    “The fan club was launched in July 2005 with the aim of creating fun, excitement, bonding and an enabling environment for children as well as a way of appreciating the kids.  It has remained a passion of the company to show appreciation and love to the children, who remain loyal to our brand. We continue to place premium on the well being and overall development of the Nigerian child as they are no doubt the seed of greater future for our nation.”

    For children, who because of their under privileged background could not attend the IFC parties, Ashiwaju said the firm would reach out to them as well.

    On her part, Mrs  Ifeyinwa praised Dufil Prima Foods for giving Nigerian children a memorable end of the year party across different regions.

    She said the club had been supportive of schools both in recreation and academics.

    “Indomie Fan Club organises excursion for children in order to enhance their learning experience, quiz and essay competitions, music competition and art and craft competition for children to develop mentally.

    “Also, teachers are engaged in series of trainings in order to help build better leaders for the nation,” she said.

    Other venues where IFC hosted children in Lagos were: Apapa Amusement Park, Brainfield Igando, Faith Plaza Bariga, FAOB Amusement Park, and DE Fun Park, Ikorodu.

    Parties also held in Ibadan, Benin, Ogun, Akure and Abuja.

     

  • Pupils of Pacelli School for the blind share Xmas plans

    Pupils of Pacelli School for the blind share Xmas plans

    It was celebration galore at the Pacelli School for the blind last week, as pupils and management held their annual Christmas carol and also lunched their 2016 calender. Olusegun Johnson was there.

    The PACELLI School for the blind and partially sighted children had its annual Christmas Carol during the week. The colourful event which had a creative rendition of songs by the pupils also witnessed the launch of its 2016 calender.

    The principal of the school Rev. Jane Onyeneri said the event was memorable and would certainly be a source of inspiration for many. Her words: “It is with great pleasure and immense gratitude to God that I welcome you all to this Christmas Carol and launch of 2016 Calendar for the Blind and Partially Sighted children here in Pacelli.”

    Happily she goes down memory lane to recall that: “There are people who have been supporting this school for years and that is why we celebrate our Christmas carol this way every year as a way of thanking them for their love and support.”

    She added that: “We are appealing to Lagos state to come to our aid to support the school. The total number of students we have here is 135, and they belong to the state. We however need Lagos State to step forward to support us financially to pay our staffs salaries and all individuals because they belong to all of us”.

    To buttress her point, Onyeneri informed that: “We are doing this fund-raising for the children, so that they will not run out of cash next year when the session begins. This is also why we are launching our calendar”.

    Apart from the core educational programs, the 135 students in Pacelli School also engage in vocational skills such as tye and die, making of perfumes, table mats, key-holders, bags, necklace among other items”.

    Former PDP gubernatorial candidate of Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje was a guest and he talked about the need to show love to the less privileged this season.  “Christmas is a season of love, a day to remember those that are less-privileged like this. It is a season of hope; hope that Nigeria will become a better country. Pacelli School for the blind has always being there for the blind. Pacelli School has been able to bring about children who might have been thrown away to the backyard. They are here to develop themselves in a way that is unique; this way they would be able to hold their own and compete with those that are sighted”.

    The Chairman of the event, retired Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith was represented by Engineer Saheed, a retired permanent secretary with the Lagos State civil service. “Today is a celebration and we’re happy to be here just as we were here last year. We need to thank God for keeping us alive. I have the privilege to tell you that the retired I.G has promised that he will continue to support Pacelli School for the blind. And to the physically challenged children here, we will never forget you; we always have you in mind. That is why we are here for this gathering and we pray you endure this session.”

    On his part, Alhaji Hammed Quamel, a parent of one of the physically challenged students, “We should all learn to see beyond the disability of these children. We have a lot to do and the first step is to come together to look at how we can help. We should not wait or look at what the government will do for us every time”.

    Bernard Okodua, a priest with Saint Anthony Catholic Church, Igbaja talked about the vision and mission of the School, as well as some of the achievements recorded over the years.

    “It is mainly for the pastoral, spiritual and educational care for the less-privileged children who are visually handicapped. The idea is to give this people the opportunity to realise their potential in the society, despite their disability. Being blind is not the end of life but it is painful to live in darkness. Pacelli School for the blind has gone a step higher to take care of the blind. There are some of them in the universities. We have some lawyers, musicians, teachers and other professionals, who have gone through this school”.

    Okodua adds that: “It is a non-fee paying school. The school clothes them, feeds them, buys books for them and educates them. Most especially, Pacelli is not for catholic members alone. Irrespective of your religion, you are always welcome. The government does not fund it, but individuals and private organisations from time to time make donations.

    ‘Our Christmas plans’ by Pacelli students

    Some of the students also spoke about how they intend to spend this Christmas.

    Faith Iyejuwa

    I see Christmas as a day of joy. A day Christ came into this world and a day to be remembered at all times. During this Christmas, I pray that I have a wonderful time. I will like to visit places, friends and family and I will also be preparing for my JAMB examinations next year.

    Moses Udoh

    Christmas is a wonderful time and something that I look forward to every year. For me, it will be spent in a glorious way, by the grace of God.  During that time, I will be reading my books and visiting friends. These include people I know and those I don’t know.

    Nelson Onaja

    Christmas is a time to share and give. During Christmas, I will be spending more time with my family by going on trips, visiting different places like restaurants because they promised me that they will take me out. I also look forward to going to the beach.

    Lazarus Immanuel

    Christmas is something we must commemorate every year for the lord died for our sins. During this Christmas, I will really enjoy going out with friends and going to church to celebrate our Lord Christ Jesus for keeping us alive from January to December.

    Afolabi Oluwapelumi

    During Christmas, I will like to spend time with my friends and family and I will like to showcase my talent in drama with other people when I go out during the Christmas season.

    Femi Adedayo

    I will spend time with people at home and travel out with my family. I will also perform the talent we are taught, such as how to make perfumes and beads during the Christmas for my family.

  • Honour for outstanding pupils, teachers

    Honour for outstanding pupils, teachers

    It was a day of honour for seven candidates who distinguished themselves in the June/July 2015 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) during the national category of the Learn Africa/NECO Excellence Awards held at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos recently.

    The three candidates with the best result in examination, as well as four others who excelled in specific subjects were rewarded with cash and prize awards at the well-attended event sponsored by the Learn Africa Education Development Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Learn Africa Plc.

    For recording the best result nationwide, Alabi Philip Toluwase of Our Lady & St. Francis Catholic College, Osogbo, Osun State, was rewarded with N100,000, a laptop and a plaque.  Second placed Justin Nwaoha of Isolog College, Ojodu, Lagos State, got N80,000, a plaque and laptop, while David Babalola of Oritamefa Baptist Model School, Ibadan, Oyo State got N80,000 and a plaque for coming third.

    The schools of the top three winners, as well as their teachers were rewarded with books and cash awards by the foundation.

    A cash prize of N50,000 and laptops were presented to each of the four candidates who won the four subject awards (biology, history, English and Mathematics).

    Nanpon Sodhan of Government Secondary School, Kamkun (Plateau State), won the New Concept Prize for English Language;  Oseghare William Herbert from O.A.U. International School, Ile-Ife (Osun State), won the New Concept Prize for Mathematics; Keziah John of Imperial High School, Bauchi-Wunti Dada, Bauchi State, received the Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh Prize for Biology; while Muhammad Ishaka got the J.F. Ade-Ajayi Prize for History.

    All the winners, who from their citations that was read, had proven to be excellent in their academics, were full of praise for the foundation, their teachers and parents for achieving such feat on a national stage.

    Over all best, Alabi, who has been offered admission to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan said: “I really appreciate God because it is not just by reading.  I thank my parents and others who helped me.  This award has come at the right time and I pray Learn Africa will continue to grow from strength to strength.”

    Keziah, the only female among the winners, was emotional about her award, which she said was unexpected.

    “Words cannot express the joy in my heart.  I never expected it because it hasn’t been easy for me.  But thank God.  I will not let your flag down,” said the nursing student.

    Chairman of Learn Africa, Chief Emeke Iwerebon, said the candidates and their teachers were worthy of reward because they decided to work hard.

    He called for more avenues for rewards like the one sponsored by Learn  Africa to inspire pupils and schools to do things the right way.

    “I wish to admonish us all that all hands must be on deck to encourage the school teachers, schools and students to do the needful, so that this great country can continue to grow in leaps and bounds.  The talents in our children will largely remain uncultivated and untapped until necessary steps are taken by all stakeholders to discover them and help them to be what they need to be,” he said.

  • NGO educates pupils on their rights

    To commemorate the 2015 International Human Rights Day, a non-governmental organisation, Women Rights and Health Project, WRAHP, educated over 100 pupils drawn from 13 schools around Ejigbo Local Government Area of Lagos State on their rights.

    Themed: “Our rights, our freedom always”, the convener of the programme, Mrs Bose Ironsi said children have rights and the rights must be protected.

    She said the training exposed the pupils to the concept of rights, how to apply the rights and how to demand for their rights.

    “We need to children who are the future to understand all these so that we can have a better society. I am sure that they now also know that it is their right to go to school and their responsibility to read their books,” she said.

    Adebowale Ayo, a pupil of Durable Comprehensive High School, Ikotun, said she learnt a lot, including causes of human rights abuses and how to protect her rights from being violated.

    She promised to enlighten her school mates about their rights.

    She called on government to make sure that the organisations set up to look into issues of human rights are functional. Obijiaku Chukwuemeka of Ronik Comprehensive School, Ejigbo also promised to spread the word.

    “When I leave here, I will tell others about it because many are ignorant,” he said.

     

  • Greenlife sponsors writing contest for pupils

    Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Limited has bankrolled the Rising Star Writing Competition for school-aged children.

    The aim of the creative writing competition, a brain child of The Writers Corner, in collaboration with Vuvuzela Communications, is to help develop children’s creative thinking and writing skills, a factor necessary for healthy mental development.

    At a press conference held in Lagos to call for entries, Project Coordinator, The Writers Corner, Uchegbunam Udoji said the project would provide a platform for young people to express themselves and be positively engaged.

    “In our environment today, violent crimes and other forms of defiant behaviour have been on the increase largely because young people have no creative preoccupation. With projects such as the Rising Star Writing Competition, they will be given the opportunity to develop their creative energies and become contributors to the body of knowledge that will drive future generations,” she said.

    Also speaking, Marketing Manager, Greenlife Pharmaceuticals, Derrick Osondu said the company decided to support the competition as part of its commitment to give back to society and also contribute to the mental wellness of the growing generation.

    “We are in the health and wellness business, but we also know that the foundation of a healthy society is the mental wellness of the population. We are sure that when children and young people are given the chance to creatively exercise their intellect, the society will be a better place,” he said.

    Winners of the writing competition opened to children aged six to 16 will be announced in April 2016. They would compete in two categories – Junior (6 – 11 years) and Senior (12 – 17years) categories.

    Entries can be either a poem or a short story exploring the theme “Our Troubled Planet.”

    Winning entries shall be published in Rising Star Creative Writing Annual (an Anthology of Children Creative Writing).

    Also speaking on the competition, Ike Ezugwu, Project Director and managing Director, Vuvuzela Communications emphasised the importance of education in the overall wellness of the individual and society.

    “If you don’t read, you cannot write and if you cannot write, you cannot read. We are working hard to encourage the deepening of reading and writing culture among our children because that is the only age such skills and habits can be acquired,” he noted.

     

  • Pupils donate N300,000 to IDPs

    Pupils donate N300,000 to IDPs

    The pictures taken with members of the House of Representatives could be framed for life, but the more enduring gesture by pupils of Straitgate School, Magodo, Lagos was donating to children displaced by the insurgents. DELE ANOFI reports

    For many, if not all of the pupils of Straitgate school, Magodo, Lagos who visited the House of Representatives, it was history fit to be frozen in pictures. Yet, it was their donation of N300,000, to children forced from their homes by Boko Haram that will outlast their moments with the lawmakers. The recipients are those in camps in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

    The gesture triggered a standing ovation from the federal lawmakers.

    The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, while introducing the school children who came to the House to observe legislative proceedings, urged the pupils to keep pressing on for excellence.

    He said: “I want to say that this is a first and an historic gesture because no school has ever done this in this House.

    “I asked them to keep standing so that I can read what they have in this envelope.

    “These children have donated N100,000 to the children of displaced persons in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Adamawa.”

    The Speaker said that was not all as he removed a cheque leaf from the envelope and showed the lawmakers.

    “This is another cheque of N100,000 for children in Yobe IDP camp, and this is another one of the same amount signed for children in Borno IDP camp.

    Mr. Omoniyi Olasehan, who led the children and two other staff to the National Assembly, said the Head of School, Mrs Tolu Orojo was enthusiastic about the gesture.

    “She was very enthusiastic and supportive when it was suggested to her that this was what the children wanted to do.

    “The school decided to present the cheques to the Speaker because we are aware that he was instrumental to the creation of a committee on IDPs and very keen about the situation in the Northeast.

    “The children just want to send a mesaage to their counterparts in such situation, saying that they are not alone.

    “I want to believe also that our children are in another way sending a message to those in authority and well-meaning Nigerians to do more for the children in IDP camps while making efforts to put a stop to the cause of the sad situation.”

  • Pupils learn discipline at military base

    Pupils learn discipline at military base

    The Royal Masters School (RMS) Agidingbi, Lagos, moved its classroom to the military base when its pupils embarked on an excursion to the Military Cantonment, Ikeja, to learn discipline.

    Captain Mamuda Husseni gathered the pupils in front of the camp’s  9 Brigade Garrison, where soldiers displayed a welcome routine for them.

    The pupils, who clapped enthusiastically after each routine, also enquired on grey areas.

    The idea of a cell seemed to intrigue them as they asked, to Sgt Adewale David’s negative response, “Can we see the suspects in the cells?”

    They moved to the 9 Brigade Supply and Transport department, where Lt Col Okorie and Oliseh showed them military vehicles and supplies.

    Finally, the 9 Brigade band entertained the pupils with musical notes and intriguing instruments.

    Year 4 pupil, Obinna Amaechi said: “I now understand how the soldiers need discipline to follow commands so that they won’t get in each other’s way.”

    Public Relations Officer of the school, Mrs Olabisi Adeosun, said the theme of this term is discipline; hence the choice of the military base.

    Adeosun who coordinated the excursion advised pupils to “take the lesson now, because it is easier to learn and make a part of you.”

    She continued: “It is more difficult to try to make over what you missed later in life. You can’t be successful in any area of life without being disciplined. You can’t make success in a place where you don’t fit in and fitting in takes discipline.”

    Cpt Husseni, who acted as their escort in the cantonment said: “I believe the experience is good for them, because I am sure they have learnt enough to make them see how discipline can facilitate their achievement of goals in school and later in life.”

  • Pupils learn discipline at military base

    Pupils learn discipline at military base

    The Royal Masters School (RMS) Agidingbi, Lagos, moved its classroom to the military base when its pupils embarked on an excursion to the Military Cantonment, Ikeja, to learn discipline.

    Captain Mamuda Husseni gathered the pupils in front of the camp’s  9 Brigade Garrison, where soldiers displayed a welcome routine for them.

    The pupils, who clapped enthusiastically after each routine, also enquired on grey areas.

    The idea of a cell seemed to intrigue them as they asked, to Sgt Adewale David’s negative response, “Can we see the suspects in the cells?”

    They moved to the 9 Brigade Supply and Transport department, where Lt Col Okorie and Oliseh showed them military vehicles and supplies.

    Finally, the 9 Brigade band entertained the pupils with musical notes and intriguing instruments.

    Year 4 pupil, Obinna Amaechi said: “I now understand how the soldiers need discipline to follow commands so that they won’t get in each other’s way.”

    Public Relations Officer of the school, Mrs Olabisi Adeosun, said the theme of this term is discipline; hence the choice of the military base.

    Adeosun who coordinated the excursion advised pupils to “take the lesson now, because it is easier to learn and make a part of you.”

    She continued: “It is more difficult to try to make over what you missed later in life. You can’t be successful in any area of life without being disciplined. You can’t make success in a place where you don’t fit in and fitting in takes discipline.”

    Cpt Husseni, who acted as their escort in the cantonment said: “I believe the experience is good for them, because I am sure they have learnt enough to make them see how discipline can facilitate their achievement of goals in school and later in life.”

  • New E-centre helps public school pupils learn programming

    New E-centre helps public school pupils learn programming

    Five years after re-constructing Obalende Nursery/Primary School, Obalende, Lagos, ExxonMobil, in collaboration with some partners, have endowed the school with an ICT Centre that comes with relevant solutions.

    The school, and two others, Ansar Ud-Deen Nursery/Primary School, Ebute Metta, and Awoyaya Nursery/Primary School, Victoria Island, now boast of e-centres equipped with furniture, modems for internet connections, and computers uploaded with e-library resources and e-learning software – thanks to the Community Assistance Programme of the Erha North Phase 2 Project (EPC3) which ExxonMobil is undertaking with the NNPC and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).

    In addition to the facility, Crestsage Limited, implementing partner on the project, also trained 18 teachers and 60 pupils from the three schools to make optimum use of the facility.

    Its CEO, Mr Charles Emembolu, said at the inauguration of the centre that beyond providing a platform for the pupils to be computer literate, they would learn to use the computers to code programs.

    “The project leverages cutting edge virtualization technology with a high end server that hosts over 30 educational software and several other learning aids including an e-library management system.  Some notable programs include Scratch, HTML, BrainFriend amongst other educational bundles,” he said.

    To address the challenges of power supply, he added that an inverter had been provided that could ensure power for three days.

    Project Executive, ExxonMobil Affiliates, Mr John Unietis, represented by Mr Wale Bishi, Senior Project Manager, said the initiative would allow pupils from low-income homes to level with their more privileged counterparts attending private schools.

    “Today’s programme is yet another significant step we are taking in our quest to improve the quality of education available to our young ones through social investment in critical infrastructure required to equip them with the requisite skills for competing in today’s knowledge economy, especially from their early years.

    “By availing the young ones in these schools with modern facilities comparable to some of the best primary institutions in the country, we are enhancing their chances of competing on equal footing with their counterparts in those schools and empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian economy in due course,” he said.

    Mr Utomi Ebodaghe of Aker Solutions Nigeria Ltd, which manages the EPC3 Project on behalf of the oil company, urged head teachers to ensure that the centres are put to regular use in the school.

    “We thank all the teachers who have been trained.  Please train the children.  It (the centre) is not for sightseeing.  Any one we see not having kids at any time using them, we will ask why.  It is for learning,” he said.

    Mrs Toyin Caxton-Martins, Executive Secretary, Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA), thanked ExxonMobil for the initiative.  She was particularly excited that the pupils would learn to program.

    Head Teacher of the school, Mr Thomas Anyanwu, promised to ensure the centre is put to good use.

    “I made a promise that it can never be locked up.  ExxonMobil has promised that if we use it judiciously, they will provide more computers.  The children are very happy about the facility and always ask to use it,” he said.