The Nation Newspaper

Tag: school

  • School rewards brilliant pupils with ‘Blue Tie’

    As a parent, how would you feel if your child dons a distinct uniform which simply distinguishes him as an intelligent chap among his peers?

    At Unique Heights School, Isheri Magodo,Lagos that is the tradition. For the exceptionally brilliant boys and girls in the school, their ‘blue tie’ is their trademark logo.

    Last Friday at the school premises, 32 new pupils were ‘garlanded’ with blue ties as a mark of honour.

    The initiative, which is the second edition, says the school proprietor/CEO Mrs Esther Ayere-Alatise, is to encourage brilliant performance among pupils.

    The event had in attendance parents, guardians, the parents teacher association of the school and other dignitaries that praised the awardees.

    Those that qualified for the award were pupils in the junior school who had scored ‘As’ in 10 of the subjects they studied including English and Mathematics; while in the senior secondary school they might have scored ‘As’ in seven subjects including English Language and Mathematics.

    Mrs Ayere-Alatise said the award will further spur the recipients to continue firing from all cylinders in their academic pursuits.

    She praised parents for cooperating with the management in this drive and other important facets.

    The principal, Mrs Olufunmilayo Olatunbode said the blue tie, which the awardees would henceforth wear, is a distinguishing emblem of their excellence among their peers.

    She stressed that the essence of the event is to motivate and sensitise the students to be the best and by so doing encourage them to set achievable goals that will make them stand out.

    “Today we celebrate our achievers who have zealously and diligently worked hard, studied smart to earn awards and bagged the “Blue Tie.”

    She added that at Unique Heights, having the fear of God takes the front seat among the students. Other qualities she said are reverence to God; the wonders of knowledge; the power of wisdom; the edge of creativity; the art of interpersonal skills; the love for fellow human; the grace of humility and service; the wonder of truth; and diligence and laughter, among others.

    A cleric, Pastor John Afolabi told non blue tie pupils to always put extra efforts to be part of those being honoured in subsequent editions. He admonished them to always put more effort in whatever they do.

    Afolabi said what differentiates the scholars from their colleagues is the extra efforts they put into their studies. He advised parents not to indulge their wards in frivolous activities, adding that all these have adverse effects on their academic performance in future.

    One of the recipients, Nkechi Anukwe, an SS 1 pupil expressed her happiness. She promised neither to disappoint the school nor her parents.

    The event also featured the inauguration of new prefects for the 2013/2014 academic year.

     

  • School repairs Lagos/Ibadan expressway

    School repairs Lagos/Ibadan expressway

    Worried by the traffic gridlock and commuters’ agony caused by bad portions on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, Access International School in Magboro, Ogun State has embarked on some repairs of the ever-busy road.

    The school’s Proprietor, Dr Jonathan Akpan said it has mobilised Mataba Construction for the exercise as part its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the society.

    Akpan told The Nation that the bad portions in four major places between Mowe and Magboro – opposite the NASFAT praying ground, Red Cross office at Ibafo, Yetkem filling station, and Mountain Top University were filled up.

    Akpan said the school embarked on the project which cost up to half a million naira because of the pains commuters, especially workers and pupils, have been going through since last year.

    “Out of pity, I did this because both local and state governments are trading blames on who should repair the road and their conclusion has been that the road is a Federal road, so nobody was ready to repair it. I sought permission from the Federal Road Safety Commission and they appointed some of their men to work with us in order to help us control the traffic while the construction lasts.

    “I believe this will be a big relief to many Nigerians who ply this road because of the trauma they have experienced in the past,” he said.

    Apart from the road, Akpan said Access has supported many areas, including donating four laptops to the Early Childhood Department of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun, Ogun State to ease the processing of students results.

    The Proprietor, however, called on corporate bodies and individuals to emulate this kind gesture by giving back to their society while calling on governments at all levels to make the welfare of citizens a top priority.

    He called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to come to the aid of Ikot Udofia community in Nsit-Atai Local Government Area of the state by providing basic amenities, such as public schools, electricity, hospitals, and potable water, saying he dug the only borehole in the community five years ago.

     

  • Shopping for a new school term

    Shopping for a new school term

    Pupils are poised to return to school as a new academic session begins soon. It is time for parents and guardians to go shopping. Gone are the days when, perhaps, for economic reasons, pupils returned to school with items used by their older siblings. This is another era. Departmental, online stores and major markets of school items are brimming with shoppers out to get easy bargains and good value for their money.

    With the beginning of a new school term, retailers get busy promoting back-to-school sales and stocking their stores with school items, such as calculators, school uniforms, sandals, lunch boxes and what have you! No doubt, it’s time for serious business for parents, guardians and sellers.

    Major markets and retail stores in Lagos are selling school items in various categories at cheap rates. An example is the Balogun Market on Lagos Island. It was jam-packed at the weekend with women who went to buy school items.

    “Give me a strong item that will last long” was on their lips, despite knowing that they would still need to buy new ones at the start of another term.

    However, buying school items for each new term has become an infectious syndrome among parents today.

    At the market, a woman was seen carrying a ‘Ghana must go’ bag on her head, filled with school items. One would have thought she visited the market to buy and resell school items. She had eight pairs of each item in the bag.

    The shopper, Mrs Afusat Karim, has nine children. Five of them are in secondary school; three in primary school and the last child is yet to be enrolled.

    According to the retailer who sells to her at the start of each term, Mr Agu Alozie: “Mrs Afusat is my very good customer; she places her order on phone at the close of each term and pays money into my account. I do not hesitate to stock her bag as she sometimes buys school supplies worth N85,000 per term. Her children live with her mother outside Lagos, which is why she prefers to buy in bulk to last the whole term and save her mother the rigours of going to the market.”

    As major markets and stores continue to play a vital role in shoppers’ spending decisions, retailers offer good bargains to save money in their stores and on their websites, to attract value-focused back-to-school shoppers.

    Hoping to spread spending, more parents have begun shopping earlier than they did last term. The budget-conscious consumer has not forgotten about price, quality or value; she has become more practical in her shopping; and with school purchases considered a necessity, parents have been saving to be able to fully afford all their children’s needs .

    Parents determine what item their wards need each term. As a result, academic needs seem to be shifting towards products that provide the latest features. In recent times, secondary students consider a laptop a necessity, believing it will lift their grades.

    If only parents buy what is necessary during holidays, it is much cheaper and they won’t be overwhelmed with the prices later. Therefore, they need to go through their bill line by line, for unnecessary add-ons. ‘When’ to buy school items should often be given priority.

    According to a money expert, “the best time to buy school supplies is during the holidays when there will be enough time to do little research and comparison, thereby saving money.”

    The process can be challenging for parents, particularly, the busy ones who are expected to create the environment and materials that provide the necessary items to transform their children’s learning experience.

    “When it comes to children, there’s nothing more important to a parent than making sure they have everything they need, even in a tough economy – and especially when it comes to back-to-school shopping,” said the National Retail Federation President and CEO, Matthew Shay.

    On the other hand, secondary school pupils and their parents are much more likely to look for ways to cut corners as much of their costs come in the form of tuition and living arrangements.

    According to the marketing manager of Jumia online store, Mr Afam Anyika, “we stock a variety of back-to-school items and they are quite affordable. We advise shoppers to check our website and take advantage of these items.”

  • School celebrates 30th anniversary

    It was an excitement-packed programme by pupils and teachers of Pampers Private School, Alaka, Lagos, to commemorate the school’s 30th anniversary last Friday.

    There were musical, drama and poetry presentations by the pupils and teachers interspersed with hymns, scripture readings and prayers. Though the wet weather interrupted the programme and forced guests and pupils into the school’s small chapel, it did not dampen the joyous mood in the room.

    The highlights of the event were the musical presentation by teachers and the recognition of academic and non-academic staff that had spent 20 years or more in the school.

    During the musical presentation, the teachers, dressed in grey apparels with a touch of red, filed to the podium from two aisles while two of them sang the solo of Whitney Houston’s I believe the children are the future; others joined in the singing on the stage.

    As the song ended, they filed back to their seats, hugging the pupils as they went along.

    For the staff recognition segment, Director, Quality Assurance, Mrs O.M Aderonmu, called out more than 20 teaching and non-teaching staff some of whom had stuck with the school from when it started on April 23, 1983 at No 39, Johnson Street in Bode Thomas, Lagos, until it expanded to its present expansive location in Alaka Estate, to join in the cutting of the anniversary cake.

    Mrs Aderonmu, who stood in for her mother and founder of the school, Mrs Dolapo Odunlami, thanked them for their support and contributions to the school’s success.

    “At this moment in time, with a heart filled with gratitude, admiration, pride and joy, I would like to acknowledge some special members of staff, who have served this school for 20 years and above. Thank you for your years of sacrifice, loyalty and dedication. The King of Kings will reward your labour of love in Jesus name, Amen,” she said.

    She also thanked parents for believing in the school, and the pupils, who she said were the reason for its establishment in the first place. However, her best words were reserved for her mother, whom she described as courageous, determined, resourceful and hardworking.

    Mrs Odunlami was also eulogised by some of the long-serving teachers who told The Nation, they remained with the school because of her nurturing attribute.

    Mrs Christiana Iwoka, who said next January 9 would mark her 30th year in the school, said Mrs Odunlami is the ideal employer.

    “I think I find joy working with Mrs Odunlami. In payment of salaries, she does not delay. As a teacher, she provides all the teaching aids you need to teach. She gives opportunity for further education. I came in with a Grade II certificate and I am proud to say I am a graduate today,” she said.

    Another teacher who preferred not to be named said he has stayed on for 23 years in the school because of his passion for young children, and the accommodating virtue of the proprietress.

    “I have been here for about 23 years because of the passion to work with children and because of the motherly nature of the proprietor who is very accommodating, tolerant, god fearing and who corrects with love.

     

  • Corps member builds toilet for school

    A 2012 Batch ‘B’ member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Miss Ogochukwu Okoro, has donated three toilets to the Ansar-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Akungba-Akoko.

    Miss Ogochukwu, an indigene of Anambra State and a graduate of Microbiology from the Anambra State University, Uli, also donated 12 school uniforms and 10 pairs of sandals to indigent pupils in the school.

    She said the materials and facility cost about N800,000, praising the management of AAUA and some staff of the university for their contributions to the project.

    She said: “I thank God for giving me the grace to make people happy. I want to specially appreciate Prof Femi Mimiko, the Vice-Chancellor of AAUA, and the members of staff for their support during the course of the project.”

    The Corps member, who said she was fulfilled with the handing over of the facility to the secondary school, noted: “Life is not just how happy you are but how happy others can be through you. I have always had the desire to affect the society positively; that is why I embarked on project we are inaugurating today.”

    Thanking the Corps member, the Principal, Mr Sulaiman Arogundade, who was excited by the project, said: “It is a surprise for us that a Corps member could have the wisdom to do something like this. Imagine, a Christian corps member executing a project of this magnitude in a Muslim school.”

    He said the Corps member had demonstrated good leadership ability and prayed to God to give her grace to contribute more to the society.

    The NYSC Zonal Inspector, Mr A.O. Ogunfidodo, praised Ogochukwu for exhibiting one of the core motives of the NYSC scheme.

    The inspector called on individuals, communities, corporate bodies and government agencies to continue to give support to Corps members in their areas, stressing that such support would enhance the development of the society.

    A special prayer session was held for the Corps member by pupils of the school. The Akungba chapter of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria conferred a title of Yeye Atunluse Adinni of Akungba land on the Corps member, while the beneficiary school honoured her with a plaque of meritorious award.

  • School celebrates cultural heritage

    School celebrates cultural heritage

    The Cultural Day programme of the City Pride School, Amuwo Odofin was as interesting as it was colourful. The programme featured cultural dances of many tribes in Nigeria including Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Calabar and Edo.

    The event witnessed a large turnout of parents and guests who praised the pupils as they twisted their waists, flapped hands and twirled to the beats of drums tailored to the cultures of each tribe. The parents appreciated not only the dances and music but the way the pupils were dressed. Their colourful costumes and hairdo decorated with beads made for a perfect photograph and parents struggled for space with one another, sometimes obscuring the view of the audience to get that perfect shot of their wards dancing.

    The programme was not limited to showcasing only the Nigerian culture as the pupils also featured dances from Scotland, Japan, South Africa, India and Ghana.

    Proprietor of the school, Mrs Monica Lori said the aim of the programme was to familiarise the pupils with their cultures and even the foreign cultures so they can fit into any cultural setting they find themselves.

    “This is about the sixth time we are holding the Cultural Day programme. It is held to help the pupils know their culture and cultural practices from other parts of the world,” she said.

    Underscoring the importance of children learning their culture, Head of School, Dr Emah Sunday said by learning the way of lives of particular cultures, they would know what is acceptable behaviour or otherwise.

    “The programme is to create awareness of different cultures, not only in Nigeria but other parts of the world. This will help the children determine what is right or wrong – the right way of dressing and the acceptable behaviour. It is really to harness our cultural heritage – Africa as a whole. We must not be relegated to the background,” he said.

    He cautioned parents against promoting foreign culture over their own, saying: “We realised that sometimes until we teach the children Yoruba, some that are Yoruba do not know how to greet in their language. So we called parents and told them to teach their children their language,” he said.

     

  • Edo may relocate school

    Succour may be coming the way of pupils and staff of Etete Primary School in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State following the decision by the state government to relocate the school.

    Etete Primary School, which is built under a Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria (PHCN) high tension line by Sapele road transmission station has students population which stands at 1,110.

    The Commissioner for Basic Education, Patrick Agwinede during an inspection tour of some schools under his ministry in Oredo Local government area, said the step is to reduce the risk and health danger posed to the pupils.

    Agwinede, who just assumed duties as commissioner, said the ministry will no longer tolerate laxity and indiscipline on the part of staff and teachers.

    He said attempts must be made to protect the various facilities that have been put in place by the state government aimed at creating conducive environment for learning and teaching.

    He said: “I am of the view that some of the risks we can avoid should be avoided. We have seen it that since it is a very bad situation, I am strongly of the view that we make recommendation to the state government to relocate these pupils.”

     

  • School clinches top three trophies

    Three pupils of the Ansa-Ud-Deen Girls’ High School, Itire, have won the top three prizes of the Alhaja Nusiratu Amope Sonibare Quranic and Islamic Quiz competition organised by the Duro-Emanuel Education Foundation Board.

    The three girls – Akinsanmi Zeenatullah, KosokoYeqeenah, and Ahmed Faidat – won the best three prizes leaving nothing for pupils from the Ansa-Ud-Deen College, Isolo, and the Ansa-Ud-Deen Girls High Schoo, Surulere where the competition was held.

    Zeenatullahi, 16 and a Senior Secondary School 3 student went home with a computer set and N100,000 paid into her school account; Yeqeenah also got a computer set and N50,000 paid into her school account, while Faidat got a computer.

    Speaking at the event, the President, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Abdul-lateef Okunnu, said the competition is useful to the students, as it will help increase their knowledge of Islam.

    Okunnu, who also spoke on security challenges in the country, urged those in attendance especially the participants that Islam which they profess is a peaceful religion.

    He told the participants not to be deceived by the Boko Haram sect adding that they are not Muslims and are going against the teachings of Islam.

    He said: “Nigerian has been facing security challenges, the latest being engineered by those that call themselves Boko Haram. Don’t follow their footsteps, don’t allow them deceive you. Islam is knowledge and knowledge is embedded in Islam. Anyone who says knowledge is not Islam is not a true Muslim.

    “Islam does not say we should kill ourselves. Those who are committing suicide are not following the induction of Islam.”

    He thanked the members of the Duro-emanuel family for giving the pupils the opportunity.

    In his own remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture Dr OlajideBasorun, who also donated a complete public address system to the school, enjoined everyone to support Islamic education in Lagos State. “Build the future of the children in the right way and donate to the course of Islam. Whatever you donate is an investment in your tomorrow,” he said.

    The Chairman of the Foundation, Dr Abdulwaheed Smith called for support and donations from individuals and corporate bodies, to keep the foundation running.

    He said the aim of the competition is to honour their late mother whom he described as ‘very religious’ adding that if she were still alive, she would love to impart the knowledge of Islam to as many children as possible.

    All 30 previous participants that were later reduced to 10 finalists got scholarships.

     

  • Re: Centenary of Ibadan Grammar School

    SIR: The write-up with the above topic was a lucidly written one by Professor Akinjide Osuntokun, undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s fore-most historians, diplomat and international relation experts in The Nation of Thursday march 14. In his usual style, Professor Osuntokun went back on memory lane to the good old days of secondary education in western Nigeria, particularly in Ibadan and how years of inept leadership have ruined everything good about the educational institutions and perhaps Ibadan Grammar school, where he was a student in the early 1960s.

    As a matter of fact, I have never had any cause to dispute anything written by Professor Osuntokun because apart from being a most junior colleague to him, I have benefited immensely from his fountain of knowledge through his write-ups. However, in the above mentioned article, his submission that the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria-led governments’ in free education policy in the then western Nigeria was a disaster is debatable. Rather than free education policy, lack of continuity in government policies after the collapse of the second republic, lack of maintenance by schools authorities, negligence on the part of the old students’ associations, parents and teachers associations and communities were responsible for the collapse of infrastructures in our secondary schools in post UPN years. In fact, the facilities provided for all schools particularly in Oyo State in terms of class rooms, lockers and chairs, text books etc. could last a generation if well preserved and maintained. Aside, it was the free education policy that decentralised secondary education in western Nigeria. Only that time did communities that never thought of having separate secondary schools become proud owners. Equally, the fact that education was made free made it possible for many indigene students who would have had no opportunity of secondary education. This accounts for the edge that western Nigeria had over other regions in terms of school enrollment till date. Professor Osuntokun justified his postulation about the “ideologically driven program of free education at all levels as a disaster” with bad and untared road leading to Ibadan Grammar School, blown off roofs of some of the buildings of the school, abandoned boarding houses, absence of library and dilapidated classrooms.

    It is crystal clear that the aforementioned did not happen between 1979 and 1983; they were products of inept leadership since 1983. Nevertheless, I concur with Professor Osuntokun’s suggestions on the way out of the decline of facilities to some of our schools. Governments in the South-west, old students, parents and teachers and communities have a role to play in the rehabilitation and maintenance of the infrastructures in our schools.

     

    • Adewuyi Adegbite

    Apake, Ogbomoso.

  • School matriculates 519

    oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora, Oyo State, has matriculated 519 students.According to a statement from the institution, 49 Higher National Diploma (HND) and 470 National Diploma (ND) students matriculated. It was the highest number of students to be matriculated since the inception of the institution.

    The acting provost of the college, Prof. Jacob Gbemiga Adewale, said the college was recently rated as the third best College of Agriculture in Nigeria.

    He added that the main objective of the school is the provision of sufficient food and self employment. Adewale, therefore, implored the new intakes to be serious with their academic in order to achieve the best.

    He warned the matriculating students to shun anti-social activities that could puncture their academic attainment. He assured the students that they would soon become employers of labour and food providers considering the practical training that the students would be exposed to in the college.

    He urged well meaning individuals, philanthropists and community leaders for their contributions to the development of the college in terms of special projects execution for the college.

    Prof. Adewale appreciated Governor Abiola Ajimobi for his support and commitment to the college.