The Nation Newspaper

Tag: pupils

  • Group targets 10,000 pupils for ICT contest

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Talent Hunt in partnership with Siama Technologies Limited and Nova Strategy for School Growth, has pledged to involve about 10,000 pupils from both public and private primary schools in Lagos State in its 2014 talent hunt computer competition.

    The group’s National Coordinator, Mr Kingsley Kalu spoke at the second annual presentation of prizes to winners of 2013 talent hunt competition.

    Kingsley said the 2012 and 2013 editions were restricted to private schools because of limited resources, promising that with the two partners coming on board, more pupils would participate in 2014.

    A pleasant surprise for Kingsley and other judges was that the best contestants did not come from elitist schools.

    This means that pupils have what it takes to prevail irrespective of where they are from if given the necessary assistance and exposure, he also said the competition, though only in its second edition, has helped to expose the innate abilities of the children, none of whom are above 12 years.

    He urged other Nigerians and corporate bodies to work together to invest in children and stop waiting for the government to do everything.

    Five schools were presented with prizes at the event. The first prize of a laptop computer went to Evans Happy Home Nursery/Primary School, Ojodu. Double Glory Nursery/Primary School won a desktop computer for coming second; while Yemkem International Nursery/Primary School got a standing fan for placing third. The fourth and fifth placed prizes were taken by Children Home Nursery/Primary School and Spring flower Nursery/Primary Schools which got wall clocks.

    The chairman of the programme and proprietor of Barachel Group of Schools, Pastor Joshua Alonge, who was represented by Mr Agidi Albert Kayode, Head Teacher, admonished all school owners to take the issue of computer education seriously stressing that no meaningful development can take place without effective use of the computer.

    The Managing Director of Siama Technologies Limited, Mr Iyke Nwaneche assured schools in the state that the firm has a flexible policy aimed at assisting them acquire computers – including free installation of application and educational softwares, and free internet installation.

    Addressing school proprietors at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nova Strategy for School Growth, Mr Samuel Sayo Ajayi, said running a successful school business has gone beyond acquiring classrooms and gathering children and teachers together.

    He underscored the importance of relationship building and management to the success of schools.

    “To win and keep relationships, your sentences have to be appealing, you have to put in empathy, place yourself in the shoe of the clients. The modern school success is not only dependent on teaching of ABC but equally on relationship building and management. Thought on how to make your life a center of attraction and the way you present and relate with your clients (parents and staff members) is the key to the success you want for your school”, he said.

     

  • Five pupils win place on Indomitables

    Five pupils win place on Indomitables

    Five pupils who emerged winners in the just-concluded ‘Indomitables Team’ promo organised by Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie Instant noodles, will feature in the much-anticipated Indomitables cartoon TV series next year.

    They are: Moyosore Bamisaiye, 10, from Ikorodu, Lagos; Chidinma Ewuniye, 11, Anambra; 10-year-old Oluwaseyi Olukolu, Lagos Island; Sultan Akindele – Ayobo, Ogun State; and 13-year-old Chioma Ekuka, Agege, Lagos.

    The winners were randomly selected via digital means at the draws held Wednesday last week at the corporate headquarters of Dufil Prima Foods Plc in Lagos. They emerged from the indomie magnetic promo across Nigeria.

    Speaking at the occasion, Head of Marketing, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Manpreet Singh, said they will transported to the venue and get to visit choice locations, during the shooting of the cartoon series which will begin airing next year.

    “It is part of the plan that the emerged winners will get the opportunity to feature in the upcoming Indomitables cartoon TV series scheduled to hit the airwaves by next year. They will also be treated to a memorable experience indeed and more importantly, win cash prizes worth a year’s scholarship,” Singh said.

  • Osun pupils in debate contest

    Osun pupils in debate contest

    The-Bait Debate Tournament, a Community Development Service project by a group of Batch “A” National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Osun State, was held last week.

    The contest took place at the Open Forum Hall of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) at Oke Baale in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    The Osun Central Coordinator of The-Bait, Oroghene enlightened participants on the nature of the project. He explained that the contest was divided into three stages, saying the first was an essay competition in which all high schools were invited to participate.

    The entries were pruned to nine finalists from all three districts of the state after which the second stage, a workshop followed.

    It was held in the Open forum Hall where Corps members, Omotayo Alo, Chokor and Chisom Ojukwu tutored the pupils in writing, media communication and debate. This paved the way for the third and final stages a series of debates to nurture the skills of the participants in research, astuteness, creative thinking and oratory.

    At the commencement of the tournament, the nine finalists who had earlier been split into Groups 1, 2 and 3 duelled like titans over three debates the last of which was a round of impromptu motions randomly picked on the spot by the finalists. After the preliminaries, the victors from the three groups were pitted against each other in a final three rounds of debates on topics ranging from politics and society to sports and tourism.

    An NYSC representative, Mr Sola Bolaji, commended the corps members whose zeal to impact their immediate environment gave birth to the The-Bait contest. He encouraged students to maximise such opportunities whenever they present themselves.

    Lawal Kabirat of Rex Varsity Comprehensive College, Osogbo, emerged winner of the tourney with a cumulative average of 89 per cent. Oyelade Adedoyin of Adventist High School and Ogungbe Blessing of Goodness Comprehensive College, Ikire, emerged as first and second runners-up with 84 and 64 per cent. Plaques were awarded to the winners in addition to electronic gadgets and books

    The other students were awarded certificate, of participation and the winning schools got books.

    State Coordinator of The-Bait, in Chisom Ojukwu thanked God, members of the organising committee, NYSC, OSBC and the Osun State Government for the success of the project.

  • 42 pupils battle for LIRS essay trophy

    Forty-two pupils drawn from private and public secondary schools in the six education districts of Lagos State have defended the essays submitted for the sixth Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) Secondary School Essay Ccompetition.

    They made oral presentations of their entries to a panel of judges at the LIRS headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

    LIRS Executive Chairman, Mr Babatunde Fowler, said the contest was put together by the LIRS management to enlighten the pupils about the essence and use of tax revenue in the Lagos.

    Fowler said 315 schools were selected to submit entries. Of the lot, he said 300 schools participated, from which 142 entries were received from junior secondary school (JSS) participants; and 158 from their senior secondary school (SSS) counterparts.

    After grading based on the 80 per cent qualification mark, he said only 17 JSS pupils and 25 SS pupils made the benchmark.

    Fowler referred to the 42 students as ‘best among others’.

    He said winners of the contest would be would be presented with scholarships, computers and other consolation prizes during the next edition of the Lagos State Tax conference coming up January next year .

    The junior pupils wrote on : The impact of tax payment on the Lagos of our dreams, while the senior category debated the topic: Tax payment empowers government to achieve its objectives.

    The pupils spoke extensively about education, transportation, health, and infrastructures among others, called on the public to fulfil their civic obligation to achieve the state’s mega city dream.

     

  • Professionals counsel pupils

    Pupils have been urged to be focused and study well in order to become what they desire to be.

    They got the advice from professionals who gave career talks to the Orile-Agege Community Junior High School 1, Oko-Oba, Agege, during this year’s career counseling day.

    The professionals include Dr Gabriel Omonaye; Mr Tony Agunbiade, an engineer; Mr Wole Asagidigbi, a lawyer; Adenson Yomi, a chartered accountant; Arch Yemi Olowoyo; ASP Anthony Ezra and Mrs Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha who spoke on choosing a career in Journalism.

    The school’s Vice Principal (Academic 1), Mr Abdulrauf Yusuf said the career talk was timely, especially for pupils in Junior Secondary School (JSS) III, “who are at the brink of sitting for their exams and move on to specialised Senior Secondary School (SSS) classes soon.”

    Similarly, Vice Principal (Academic 2), Mrs Victoria Coker, said the talk would prepare them for the future.

    The Parent Forum Chairman, Alhaji Shobowale Lateef, thanked the school for organising the event.

    “Parents too benefited and were enlightened on the dangers of forcing a child to pursue his parents’ interest rather than his own natural inclinations.”

    The School Counsellor, Mrs F.O Oluwaniyi also counseled the pupils on the need to make right choices maritally, “because the partner you choose can make or mar your life. That is why you must decide very well on that person before you finally sign the dotted lines.”

     

  • Olashore rewards six pupils

    Six pupil, Salaudeen Taslim, Samson Adam, Anthonia Byron, Prudence Ogeloh-Wohor, Komolafe Abimbola, and Omolara Olaosebikan of the Olashore International Secondary School, Iloko-Ijesha, Osun state were the stars of the school’s speech and prize giving day.

    Salaudeen was the best in 2013/2014 entrance examination and won the Iloko-Ijesha local Authority primary school scholarship; Samson was the best pupil in Year 7; Anthonia, the best for Year 8; Prudence, Year 9; Komolafe, Year 10; and Omolara, Year 11.

    The event, which was part of the activities to marking the school’s 20th anniversary, also recognised and rewarded brilliant and industrious pupils.

    Special guest of honour, Mr Segun Aina, gave a lecture titled: ‘Your future is in your hands,’ urging them to plan their lives.

    He said: “If one does not design his life plan, chances are he might fall into someone else’s plan.”

     

  • Oil sector seeks prepared pupils

    Oil sector seeks prepared pupils

    Despite high unemployment rates, senior secondary school pupils have been told that job opportunities abound in the energy sector. However, to benefit from them, they were told they must have the right qualifications, in addition to good character and attitudes that are valued in the multi-billion dollar industry.

    The pupils, drawn from secondary schools in Abuja, learnt this during the 17th edition of the Vision 20:2020 Career Counselling, Industry Awareness and Youth Empowerment workshop held at the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja.

    Various speakers representing government and private entities addressed the pupils on the value of preparing themselves for the future by setting goals, being focused on their education, and being determined.

    In her speech, Vision 20: 2020 initiator and Project Consultant, Dr Lola Amao said the pupils must begin preparing now to take advantage of the Nigerian Local Content policy which stipulates that more Nigerians must benefit from the oil and gas industry.

    She said: “The Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act is in the third year of its implementation. Huge opportunities abound for Nigerians who are prepared to take advantage of them. To enjoy its benefits, we all must have a continuous improvement of aptitude, positive change of attitude and focus on developing capable and competent Nigerians which is the reason we are here today. With Nigeria now being on the watch list for frequent act(s) of terrorism, militancy, hooliganism and fraudulent activities it is now imperative that we guide our youths to make the right decisions and choices. If we teach our youths aright, they will develop the ability to turn the bad image that Nigeria currently suffers to one which is lofty and admirable.”

    Two other speakers, Mrs Seyi Afolabi of ExxonMobil and Mr Soji Oyawoye, Chief Eexcutive Officer, Resourcery Intermediaries challenged the pupils to adopt lives of excellence.

    Mrs Afolabi, who spoke on: The Potential Nigerian oil and gas employee, told the pupils that with other countries increasingly finding huge oil reserves, Nigeria must harness its resources to compete better.

    “Nigeria is not the only country that has oil now, so we have competition. Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique have found huge oil and gas reserves. The challenge for you is to think of how we can retain the investments (multinationals) so they don’t go elsewhere. We need to raise people ready to take over. It takes a lot of money to develop oil and gas. ExxonMobil spends close to N4 billion. That money needs to be well managed,” she said.

    On his part, Oyawoye gave the pupils an assignment that would assist them in mapping their future.

    “Write down separately on these topics: ‘Who am I; Who do I want to become? How do I get there? In life more important than speed is knowing where you are headed,” he said.

    The innovativeness of the participants was also put to test during the event as many of the schools displayed science projects targeted at addressing various challenges in the society.

    The projects included bio gas generator, security alert system; sawdust briquette; solar ovens among others.

    However, at the end of judging it was the Simple Manual Electrical Generator of the Government Secondary School, Jabi that won the Science and Technology award of the workshop with 75 marks.

    The Solar Water Heater produced by Army Day Secondary School, Maitama, won second place with 67marks while the Government Science Secondary School, Tunga Maje came third for its Audio Amplifier project which garnered 62marks. The winning schools were rewarded with cash prizes and plaques. GSS Jabi got N50,000; Army Day got N30,000, while GSSS, Tunga Maje got N20,000.

     

  • Pupils get session with author, The Nation columnist

    Pupils get session with author, The Nation columnist

    The unavailability of a school library with e-resources is no longer a problem for some pupils of Wahab Folawiyo Senior High School, and Akande Dahunsi Memorial Senior High School, both in Osborne, Ikoyi, thanks to the Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML).

    They have been inducted as members of the ZODML and therefore, have access to use physical and e-resources anytime they visit the library located in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The pupils – about 30 from both schools – participated in an interactive session that ZODML organised with an author, Dr Tony Marinho to familiarise them with the intricacies of writing and benefits of reading.

    During the session, Dr Marinho, who writes a column in The Nation shared his childhood and writing experiences with them. He challenged them to be inquisitive and seek out the meaning of things they do not know.

    Marinho, a gynaecologist, responded to many questions from the pupils, including telling them his favourite among the 10 books he has written so far.

    “My favourite book is Nene and other stories. Nene is a book I wrote 25 years ago. It is about my University of Ibadan experience – how to avoid being raped; how to enter the right relationship; among others.

    The pupils took turns to read from one of his poetry books, The Laterite Soil, a copy of which had been given to each participant prior to the event. Some of the pupils also read from poems they had written based on the book’s title and the best three were awarded prizes by the organisers.

    Marinho also presented the winners, Onyedikachi Eke (first), Joseph Solomon (second) and Peace Shalom Ogbe (third) with another of his books, Hope’s Wristwatch.

    Executive Coach for ZODML, Mrs Ifeoma Esiri, said the programme aims to stimulate a healthy reading habit in the teenagers.

    She said: “It helps us fulfill some of our mission statements which is to provide resources for Nigerians to improve themselves. We always look out for children in disadvantaged education sector. It has given us the opportunity to meet them and bring them to the library and make them members. Thereafter, we engage them to use resources to educate themselves and learn more. We have internet access so they can get information pertaining to their school work – inducting them into the habit of coming to the library.”

    On his part, Marinho said he was delighted to interact with the pupils. He urged parents to buy books for their wards to improve their reading habits.

    “Parents don’t give or buy books for their kids during festivities. If you all buy books, we will solve the problem of dwindling reading culture. We can solve the problem if we want to,” he said.

  • Breaking: Three pupils killed in Lagos auto crash

    Three school pupils were on Monday morning killed in an accident in the Ikota area of Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos.

    Eyewitness said several pupils were knocked down while trying to cross the road. They were reportedly on their way to a school located within the area.

    However, three of them died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.

    The remaining victims were rushed rushed to the hospital by policemen present at the scene of the incident.

    Following the incident, a fracas erupted among some residents of the area, this led to sporadic shooting by security personnel to disperse the raging residents.

    As at the time of filing this report, both vehicular and human movement around the area had been restricted.

  • Pupils to Oshiomhole: we don’t have a school building

    Pupils of Community Primary School, Omorodion, in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State are suffering.

    Investigation showed that their classrooms are an eyesore. They have collapsed, forcing the pupils to learn in the open.

    A source said they were relocated to a nearby church whenever it rained.

    He said the headmaster had abandoned his office to reptiles and there were no chairs and tables in the classrooms.

    When the pupils heard that Governor Adams Oshiomhole would visit the village to inaugurate an electricity project by a lawmaker, Mr. Isaac Osahon, they barricaded the road leading to the community, chanting: “Governor, we don’t have a school building. Please come to our rescue.”

    Government officials thought the pupils wanted to welcome them. They were surprised to hear them singing about the deplorable condition of their school.

    The pupils, who were not aware that the governor sent a representative to the event, wore their uniforms despite it being a weekend and pointed at their school building as the convoy approached the barricade.

    Omorodion is a camp settlement inhabited by Yoruba farmers. It is about 7km from the nearest village and lacks basic amenities until Osahon, representing Ovia Federal Constituency, established an electricity project.

    The source said the inhabitants of the village do not have access to potable water. They rely on streams.

    Checks by The Nation showed that there are eight teachers in the school, but they live in the city.

    A farmer, who gave his name as Badejo, said the pupils learn inside a church whenever it rained, adding that the school’s increasing population was a cause for concern.

    The community head, Mustapha Owolabi, thanked the legislator for fulfilling his promise by establishing an electricity project in the community. He urged government to pay attention to the school.

    Commissioner for Oil and Gas Mr. Orobosa Omo-Ojo, who represented the governor said the project was in line with the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) administration to curb rural-urban drift.

    He said the request of the pupils would be communicated to the governor, who had enjoined them to search for rural schools in need of government attention.

    The Chairman of the local government, Morrison Ovia Ogunrobo, said the school would be rehabilitated as the local government had paid the counterpart funding for schools’ rehabilitation and construction in the locality.