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  • Taraba school marks 100 years’ anniversary today

    Taraba school marks 100 years’ anniversary today

    Katsina-Ala Old Boys Association (KAOBA) holds its 10th National Convention to celebrate 100years of Government College Katsina-Ala (GCK) today. Senior Correspondent FANEN IHYONGO, a member of the 1994 set, writes that the convention seeks to, among other things, revive the famous school following its debilitation due to neglect by the government. 

    THE memories are sweet and everlasting. Picturing back to when one got admitted into Government College Katsina-Ala (GCK); attending  classes for five or six years;  life in the dormitory; participating in games and sports;  relationship with teachers.These can never be deleted from one’s heart for ever.

    Many are dead, but for those who are still living, schooling in GCK ranks as one of life’s biggest experiences, the type you would not find even in the university.

    Perhaps, the relationship between juniors and seniors in GCK is the most memorable, a sort of unforgettable sweet-bitter story. In the junior classes you were caned, sent on errands, asked to cut grass or  sweep part of the school compound as punishment  by a senior student. When you were in the final year, it was your time to ‘revenge’ what was done to you. And it has been so for over 100years now. How time flies!

    This reporter was in GCK from 1989 to 1994. When he met the present Principal Stephen Gber  in the school last Monday for an interview, he discovered he was talking to another old student belonging to the 1972-1975.

    Gber, the 46th principal, is a member of  the planning committee for the centenary celebration. Interestingly, the principal was sitting next to his senior, Denen Akaa ( 1969-1973 set). Akaa who retired as Deputy Comptroller General of Immigration in August 2013  returned to GCK as Principal between March 19, 1986 and May 20, 1987. Besides Akaa was Haruna Usman who was a student of Akaa. The three men recalled the “good old days.”

    “GCK used to be  famous for  cleanliness/sanitation and punctuality,” Akaa said. Akaa was as good at academics as he was at tennis. Gber and Usman’s interest lay  in football.

    The monuments and structures that made the school look beautiful in those days are now in a state of decay. Its academic standard which had been its strength is now diminished.

    The principal blamed government for the situation and said  KAOBA must now do something to arrest the situation and restore the past glory.

    “I met a population of less than 100 students. Parents were disappointed in the school because of the dilapidated structures and other policies of government,” he said.

    “Now we have about 225 students because I am eradicating the culture I met on ground since I took over as principal on October 10, 2014. There are 44 government teaching staff, four non-teaching staff and eight PTA staff.”

    The principal however, noted that the laboratories, particularly that of Physics, remain the best in the country.Such is  the high quality of the  equipment and apparatuses.

    National President of KAOBA, Haroun Adamu, (KAOBA 1964),said  all is set for the national convention holding at the school’s auditorium today, to mark the centenary of the  college. Scores of old boys stormed  Katsina-Ala yesterday for a gala.

    Spokesman for the association, Iyoo Rov-Ikpah, said that former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, also a  KAOBA member  will chair the convention. Danjuma was the national president of the association in 1990.

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom is chief host, while Taraba State Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura and the Governor of Plateau State Simon Lalong are Guests of Honour. Education Minister Adamu Adamu is also to grace the occasion.

    The Emir of Lafia, Nasarawa State, HRH Isa Mustapha Agwai will be the Royal Father of the event. Agwai of the 1957 set was a year ahead of Danjuma.

    At the convention, the ‘old boys’ will ratify the KAOBA Constitution, after electing new members of the Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee (NEC).

    They will also  take a decision on the  planned launch of a  N500 million appeal fund  to aimed at the “preservation, protection and development” of the school.

    The school has been renovated and given a face lift ahead of  today’s event.

    The planning sub-committee on venue, protocol, security and entertainment, headed by Emmanuel Atini said the town is already agog.

    GCK was founded as Benue School in 1915 by Rev. GP Bargery and originally cited at Wannune. It moved to Katsina-Ala in 1923 and was renamed  Middle School Katsina-Ala.

    It transformed into Benue Provisional Secondary School in 1952, Government Secondary School in 1960 and Government College Katsina-Ala in 1981.

    Over the years, GCK has produced army generals, emirs, admirals, police commissioners, professors, doctors, lawyers, engineers,  journalists, governors and other prominent personalities.

    GCK is a leading light  in the north , providing a learning environment that has been both inspiring and nurturing, and creating opportunities for its products to excel wherever they go from there. It is the third oldest public school in the north and thirteenth in the country.

    It provides instructions  in the  Arts and Social Sciences, Science and Technical education.

    There are five hostels: Sloan, East, Philips, Byewi and Tor-Tiv house. The first three were named after the school’s colonial administrators before Nigeria’s amalgamation. Adi Byewi was one of the greatest old boys and pioneering principals from 1943-1946 and 1948-1949. He returned again in 1952 and bowed out in 1953. Tor-Tiv House was created to immortalise two old boys who became Tor-Tiv -the first-class chief and paramount ruler of Benue State, Gondo Aluor (Tor-Tiv II) and Akperan Orshi (Tor-Tiv III).

    Other famous KAOBAs expected at the 10th national convention include: Abu Shuluwa (1962-65), Joseph Kasar (set 1963-67), former ALGON Chairman of Benue State Augustine Avaan and Martins Aondona Ujoh who is the present the Caretaker Chairman of Katsina-Ala and member of the planning committee.

  • Colour at Potter’s School sport meet

    The second inter-house sports competition of The Potter’s School, Ikorodu, Lagos, State, which was won by Yellow House, would be remembered for its colour.

    The highlights of the competition held at Strong Tower Academy, Ikorodu, Lagos, were the entertaining football match which pitted parents against workers of the school, the Taekwondo and Calisthenics display, as well as the March Past.

    House of Joy (Yellow) got 13 gold, six silver and 11 bronze medals; House of Love (Red) came second with 11 gold, nine silver and 11 bronze medals; House of Faith (Blue) placed third with nine gold, 15 silver and seven bronze medals while House of Peace (Green) was fourth with five gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals.

    Proprietress of The Potter’s Schools, Mrs. Abiodun Arele, said the sport competition is part of the school’s curriculum.

    She said: “For you to have a total child, the child must be sound academically, morally, emotionally and physically, which is what the inter-house sport is taking care of and also meant to give the children a spirit of sportsmanship and to get the best out of them”.

    Special guest of honour, Pastor Anthoniette Omo-Osagie, who is the Principal of Christ Redeemer’s School, was so pleased with the event that she praised the effort and support of the teachers, parents and school authorities in grooming the children.

    Represented by Mrs. Bunmi Akin-Joseph, she said: “It takes a purposeful visionary to bring this to stage; I say a big congratulations to our mummy and daddy for this laudable effort. I wish you many years of milestone achievements in your school in Jesus name. I also want to commend the Parents Teachers Forum (PTF), they have been quite supportive; and I commend the pupils because I see excellence in their works of life.”

    The PTF Chairman and Super Sport Presenter, Mr. Mozez Praiz, described the contest as an Olympic event.

    “I want to call this event an Olympic Inter-house sport competition; the event is absolutely amazing, 100 per cent better than last year and I know it can also get better,” he said.

    A parent, Mr. Samuel Folorunsho, advised the pupils to see the competition as a medium of appreciating one another and a place of learning.

    “I want the children to know that life is not only about competition but also about complement. Everything they are doing today is not just pitching against one other but complementing one other’s strength,” he said.

    The invited schools’ relay race, Kith and Kin Nursery and Primary School, Ibeshe came first; Zion Saint Nursery and Primary School, Odogunyan, Ikorodu was second, while Olivevine Nursery and Primary School finished third.

  • Unease over mass sack at Ebonyi School

    Unease over mass sack at Ebonyi School

    There are fears that the Ebonyi State College of Education in Ikwo may lose the accreditation of some of its courses, because of the sack of 83 workers, including 30 teachers. The workers and students are seeking a reversal of the decision. But the government says the situation is not that bad. OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE, reports.

    There is unease at the Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo following last month’s sack of 83 workers, among them 30 teachers. Many are afraid that the school may lose the accreditation of some courses because of the development.

    But, the Dave Umahi-led administration, which ordered the workers’ sack March 21, because their employment did not follow due process, has allayed such fear.

    A panel constituted by Umahi alleged that the workers were illegally employed between 2011 and 2016. The panel investigated allegations of administrative lapses and corrupt practices against the Provost, Prof Silas Omebe, by the unions in the college.

    The Fidelis Nwankwo-led panel absolved Omebe of the accusations, but queried how the 83 workers were employed.

    “Their employment did not follow due process and laid down procedure including advertisement of the vacancies in the media amongst other steps. It is normal to recruit staff to achieve institutions’ accreditation objectives but the fact remains that they are not permanent staff,” said Nwankwo, who also chairs the college’s governing council.

    On receiving the report, Umahi ordered the workers’ sack before the government reviews the report or visits the institution as the panel recommended.

    The affected workers’ colleagues, students and the unions are not happy with the development.

    Some of the affected workers have petitioned the Governing Council in protest.

    One of them, Ogel Abel, of the Educational Foundation Department, is alleging injustice over his sack.

    “I resumed work after hospitalisation, but I was not paid my salaries. After several oral appeals, I decided to appeal in writing through my head of department (HOD) to the provost on the issue.

    “My HOD minuted on my letter and forwarded same to the provost, who, among other things, demanded for evidence that I had resumed work.

    “But, shockingly, without waiting for the evidence, the management served me a dismissal letter the following day without facing any disciplinary committee”, he said.

    Another worker, John Nnaji, who also petitioned the Council, alleged that he was employed on January 1, 2014 as a driver attached to the provost; but was dismissed three months after without any reason.

    “From the moment I was so deployed, my monthly pay was at the mercy of my boss, the provost, who initially told me that the state government was no longer able to pay the monthly salaries of the college staff and, as such, the staff would not be receiving their full salaries at the end of every month until when government can meet its obligation fully.

    “I accepted the information as the true position. From that moment the provost started giving me N5,000 or N7,000 every month and some months nothing.

    “I was shocked to discover recently that my salary has been running fully since April, 2014 till date without my account being credited for confirmation,” he claimed.

    A sacked teacher, who spoke in confidence, appealed to the government to reconsider his sack, considering the “untold hardship” it has caused him.  He said he did not know his employment was not legal.

    He said:  “I have worked for the school for about four years. I didn’t know that my employment was illegal. If it was illegal why then was the state government paying us salaries?

    “I developed a stroke because of the sack and was hospitalised for a week. I survived only by the grace of God. My family is facing eviction as I have been given a quit notice by my landlord. Even to eat now is a problem not to talk of paying my children’s school fees.”

    The Chairman, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Comrade Greg Esheya,  refused to comment.

    But, a source in the union said it was not the workers’ fault that they were employed illegally, adding that they should not be victimised for what he called management’s “mistake.”

    He said the management should also be punished for its role in the matter.

    The teacher, however, urged the government to initiate a fresh recruitment to fill the vacancies created by the sack.

    “The sacked staff should be given the right of first refusal to apply for the jobs because it wasn’t their fault that their appointments were not regularised. Many of them have families and with the situation of the economy it will not be easy for them if they are dumped into the labour market.

    “These workers have worked for many years, some up to four years. They should be allowed to apply and be properly screened and if they are qualified, should be re-employed while those who are found wanting can be thrown out,” the source said.

    Students are worried about the implication of the sack on the completion of their programmes.

    Some of them told The Nation that more than six departments in the institution risk being shut by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

    A final year student of the department of Primary Education, Ifeoma Obinwa, in tears, said with the sack, the department is now left with five lecturers – three short of the minimum required for a department to exist.

    Obinwa said: “The governor’s directive which led to the sack of the lecturers does not just affect the lecturers, the students and parents who have children in the affected departments are the most hit because when the departments are shut, we have no other option than to either start looking for admission into other tertiary institutions as year one students or we would become dropouts.

    “That’s not all; the money our parents must have spent from our first year to our final year would now be fruitless venture. How many of them would survive the shock of getting to hear that their children who are in their final year turned out to drop out of school for no fault of theirs?”

    Obinwa said the worst hit was the Staff School, where only one teacher was retained.  The staff school serves as a prerequisite for the primary education department of the institution.

    “Even if the department meets up with the required eight lecturers, the primary school which is a prerequisite to establishing the Primary Education department is now left with only one teacher which automatically would be shut down by NCCE,” she said.

    A final year student of Mathematics, Chukwubuike Igwe, appealed to Governor Umahi to consider the plight of the students, their parents and benefactors.

    “We believe our governor is a listening father who is interested in seeing to the success of students in the different institutions in the state and we are optimistic that he would not wish that hundreds of students especially indigenes of Ebonyi state would drop out of school.

    “In mathematics department, after the sack, we were left with just five lecturers while the prerequisite is at least 12 lecturers. There is no doubt that the NCCE would soon clamp down on the institution,” he said.

    Igwe said their dream of graduating before the end of the year may not be realised even if new workers were employed.

    “By the time they conclude the recruitment one or two semesters must have elapsed. The governor should intervene urgently to save our career and future,” he said.

    But, Nwankwo disagreed that the institution may lose its accreditation because of the sack, arguing that it could devise remedial measures to handle the situation.

    “The governor is somebody who is interested in uplifting the standard of education in the state and I am sure he will ensure that replacements are immediately found for the sacked staff,” he said.

    Prof Omebe and the registrar, Mr Samuel Nwarisi, refused to comment.  The Commissioner for Education, Prof John Ekeh, also did not comment, saying he was out of the state on health grounds.

    However, an Ebonyi State Ministry of Education official told our reporter that the ministry is liaising with the government and the college to give the sacked workers a soft landing or re-employ them.

  • Texan donor gets rousing welcome at community school

    Texan donor gets rousing welcome at community school

    WHEN the founder, The Nigerian School Foundation (TNSF), Deena Grushkin, returned to the school the body built for Tomaro-Onisiwo, a coastline community in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State eight years ago recently, sshe received a rousing welcome from citizens of the community.

    Those who welcomed him include the Baale of Tomaro, Rafiu Rufai, who presented her with gifts, and robed her in the traditional attire of the community.

    Tomaro Junior Secondary School came to be because of an appeal by the Baale to Grushkin, when she visited the community in 2008.

    She said: “I’ve been around since 2004 erecting schools on the mainland,” Grushkin a schoolteacher from Texas, United States told our reporter.

    “In 2008, I came to one of the communities on this island to see a health clinic a colleague of mine was doing. The Baale of this place came to find me and brought me here. Then he stood on this property and asked me to help him build a school for his community.”

    Today, the school, which serves 19 other coastal communities, has a senior secondary school arm.

    Project Coordinator, TNSF, Rev. Andrew Duya, said the school has since added a six-apartment quarters, which houses about 15 teachers paid by the PTA; a perimeter fence to protect the school’s property as well as the solar system given the school by the Lagos State government because of its incredible performance in BECE exams; and a new building that houses both JSS and SSS sections.  The building that housed the junior school  serves administrative purposes.

    Duya said the school has excelled in Basic Senior School Certificate Examination (BECE) exams.

    Principal of the school, Mr Ekuigbo Dumas, who was transferred from Alakoto Junior High School, attributed the school’s progress to a culture of excellence he introduced.

    “When I tell people we now have teachers, they always wonder how Tomaro which started few years has achieved it in big way.

    “When I took over, we were nowhere near 100 (in ranking), but now, we are 33 in ranking in the state in 2014. Last year, we moved up to 19 and in Amuwo Odofin, we are no. 1,” he added.

    Head Girl of the school, Beauty Anani, recalled how she was unwilling to join the school at inception.

    “I told my parents this place is local and so I would not enrol; but on a second thought, I stayed back, and I did not regret it.  Today, I can type, do tie and dye, make beads and do other vocations. That’s what we are exposed to here,” she said.

    Baale Rufai, who thanked the foundation for the gesture, however, urged the government to post teachers to the school.

    “The teachers we have here are on support from the community; so, we are urging the government to give us teachers.  We also need electricity and a general hospital. We have a borehole but it stopped working long ago,” Rufai lamented.

    Other coastal communities the school serves include Araromi, Irede, Sagbekoji, Ifako, Oko Ata, Siku and Igala (1&2).

  • School petitions assembly over filling station’s site

    The Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development is investigating a petition by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of MD Nursery and Primary School on Olaniyi Street, New Oko-Oba in Agege on the siting of a petrol station close to the school.

    In the petition, the PTA alleged that the petrol station poses serious security, health and environmental hazards to the over 400 pupils and threatens the structure.

    PTA spokesperson Mr Peter Osuere said: “After considering the health hazards the petrol station could cause to the students, the parents unanimously concluded that the issue be brought to the attention of the assembly to intervene and rescue the children whose lives are being endangered”.

    He said a parent, whose child is asthmatic called for quick intervention because fuel fume could trigger a lot of respiratory problems for pupils.

    But the Ministry of Physical Planning, Permanent Secretary, Mrs Dapo Thomas, said the station’s owner got an approval from the government before erecting the structure.

    Tunde Braimoh (Kosofe 2) said closeness of the filling station to the school should not create problems as such filling stations in advanced countries have hotels and other relaxation centres, without harming people’s health, but promote commerce and trade.

    He called for better understanding among neighbours to foster harmonious co-existence.

    The committee adjourned for a week to take input from other agencies mentioned during deliberation and for the school to produce its approval.

  • NOWA school gets equipped science labs

    NOWA school gets equipped science labs

    To improve the quality of education of its students, the Navy Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) at the weekend unveiled the newly refurbished and equipped science laboratories at its Secondary School in Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos.

    The association’s President Mrs. Theresa Ibas, who unveiled the laboratories, said she embarked on the multimillion naira project because she was disturbed by the deplorable standard of the school’s laboratories.

    “I could not but make it a priority as the lack of a standard science laboratory could mean that our school will not be considered for WAEC examinations… I am delighted that our children now have a conducive environment to put to practice all they have learnt theoretically,” she said.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command  (WNC), Rear Admiral Raphael Osondu, hailed the association, highlighting the importance of sciences in any society.

    According to him, science laboratories are essential because they are the basis for technological development.

    Osondu urged the school’s management and students to put the laboratories to good use.

    He said: “These laboratories are giant strides. NOWA deserves commendation for conceiving the idea to improve educational standards of children, who are leaders of tomorrow.”

    The school’s Commandant, Lt-Com Felicia Abe said the computer laboratory had also been equipped, putting an end to their previous practice of hiring computers from traders at Alaba International Market, Lagos, during examinations.

  • Lagos schools resume April 11

    Lagos schools resume April 11

    Schools in Lagos State will resume the third term academic session as
    scheduled on Monday,April, 11.

    Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Idiat Adebule stated this following speculations that the resumption date has been postponed.

    While noting that the Ministry recognise the stress associated with the current fuel scarcity and its attendant consequences, She said higher premium must
    be placed on the development of the leaders of tomorrow.

    She therefore appealed to parents to look beyond the present situation and
    encourage the children to face their future with renewed vigour as the call
    for a shift in the resumption date will only distort the academic calendar.

    She urged proprietors of Private Schools, Head Teachers/ Principals of
    public schools to do everything humanly possible to see that the school
    calendar runs smoothly.

  • Cultism: Edo expels 8 students, 20 on suspension

    Edo state government has expelled eight secondary school students for their alleged involvement in secret cult activities in various schools in the state.

    Commissioner for Education, Hon. Gideon Obhakhan disclosed this on Wednesday in an interview with newsmen in Benin the State capital.

    He also stated that over twenty students suspected to be members of secret cult groups in different schools who are currently being investigated by the police have been suspended by the state government.

    Obhakhan pointed out that if those under investigation by the police are found to be culpable, they would be expelled from their various schools to serve as a deterrent to others.

    He explained that the ongoing clampdown by the state government was aimed at checking the wave of secret cult activities now spreading across secondary and primary schools in the state.

     The commissioner added that the state government was working in collaboration with the anti cultism unit of the Edo state police command to flush out the menace of secret cult activities amongst pupils and students in all the primary and secondary schools across the three senatorial districts of the state.

    Obhakhan also explained that the state government will soon embark on the reconstruction of dilapidated office complex of the ministry of education now that the red roof revolution has gone round all the local government councils of the state.

    He further dispelled the rumour making the rounds that the newly Edo state university, Iyhamo, is jointly owned by private/public partnership, stressing that Edo state has the full ownership of the multi million project.

  • Club donates hospital, school facilities to Ogun community

    Club donates hospital, school facilities to Ogun community

    The District 404-B Governor of International Association of Lions Club, Mrs Idowu Omolola Anobili, has handed over items donated by the Region 7 and 8 of the Club to primary health care centres at Ifo and Ota Ward II Annex.

    Apart from the handover of these health centres, she also inaugurated 13 blocks of toilet at St James Primary School, Ota, as well as donation of bakery equipment to graduating students of skills acquisition and empowerment programme sponsored by the Club in Ado-Odo/Ota and Ifo local government areas of Ogun State.

    She also visited the skills acquisition centres built by the Club at Ewupe in Ado-Odo/Ota where residents of the areas would receive trainings on different skills.

    Mrs Anobili was at these places to perform one of the Club’s yearly programmes, ‘District Governor’s Visitation’, and to fulfill her promises of making life better for the less-privileged in the society during her tenure.

    The event featured singing and dancing by residents of the community, especially the patients, expectant mothers in the hospitals, the graduating students and their parents.

    Speaking at the events, Mrs Anobili said the gesture was to sustain the humanitarian services which are the priority and mission of the Club.

    According to her, Lions Club was established to mobilise and empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding. These, she said, have made the Club attain the global leader in community and humanitarian services.

    She said the Club has been partnering with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in campaigning against measles and other deadly diseases, donating to hospitals and empowering youths among others were to make life better for the less-privilege and society at large.

    Mrs Anobili urges the legitimate members to continue to make the humanitarian services their priority by focusing on a wide variety of service projects that would meet the international goals of the Club as well as the needs of their local communities.

    She appealed to them to ensure they deploy their talents to work for the improvement of their communities and the larger society.

    The Matron, Primary Health Care Centre, Olose, Ifo, Mrs Comfort Ojodu, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked the Club for the gesture. She also said the gesture would go a long way in enhancing the well-being of the hospitals.

    She urged governments, clubs, political stalwarts, corporate organisations and individuals to assist in tackling infrastructure problems facing primary health care centres across the country.

    The major problems, she said included equipment, electricity, water, beds and chairs.

    She said it’s an awkward situation to use candles or lanterns to assist women when in labour rooms in the hospitals.

    She appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to assist in sinking borehole systems, power generating sets and modern technology equipment.

     

     

     

  • CSR: Union Bank adopts school in Kano

    CSR: Union Bank adopts school in Kano

    Union Bank of Nigeria has adopted Maryam Alooma Muhktar Girls Secondary School, Kano, as part of the activities marking this year’s Global Money Week.

    Global Money Week is a money awareness celebration from Monday, March 14, to Sunday, March 20, 2016. The globally recognised initiative is aimed at engaging children on aspects of financial education, including saving, creating livelihoods, gaining employment and entrepreneurship.

    The Bankers’ Committee of Nigeria designated Thursday, March 17, 2016 as Financial Literacy Day. The day has been marked to positively impact youths in primary and secondary schools by educating them on the basics of financial literacy and planning skills.

    “At Union Bank, we recognise the significance of promoting Financial Inclusion in Nigeria. We have developed a range of banking solutions tailored to service the under-banked businesses, communities and individuals across Nigeria.

    ‘’With our extensive network of over 300 banking centres, we have demonstrated our continued commitment to serve the public,”said the Group Managing Director, Union Bank and Chair of the Financial Literacy and Public Enlightenment Sub-committee of the Bankers’ Committee, Emeka Emuwa.

    They added: “Beyond this, we recognise that Financial Literacy is a key enabler in our quest for Financial Inclusion and that we must begin by ensuring that our children are properly empowered with a sound financial education.”

    Union Bank’s executives and a team of staff volunteers have visited the school.

    Its Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Mr Kunle Sonola taught the pupils Financial Literacy from a curriculum developed by Junior Achievement–Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, focused on educating children on economic matters.

    The bank’s Executive Director, Public Sector, Ibrahim Kwargana said there was need to equip youths on how to handle and manage their finances.

    Meanwhile, the state Deputy Governor, Prof Hafiz Abubakar, represented by the Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Danlami Garba, described the programme as a wonderful initiative which the youth can gain from.