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Tag: schools

  • Aregbesola inaugurates N750m schools

    Aregbesola inaugurates N750m schools

    Determined to leave a legacy that would be difficult for posterity to ignore, especially in the education sector, the Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola recently inaugurated an imposing N750 school building in Ejigbo, Ejigbo Local Government Area.

    To some, such a giant step was not new because his administration has already put in place world-class school structures. These included 14 elementary schools, 15 middle schools and 11 high schools.

    The gigantic edifice has the following facilities well equipped and furnished: 72 classrooms of 49 square-meters each and capable of containing 49 students, six offices for study groups, six laboratories; 18 toilets for ladies, 18 toilets for gents, 1 science library; one art library; one facility manager’s office, one bookshop and a sick bay.

    In addition, it has one bursar’s office, three principals’ offices, three general staff offices, one senior principal’s office, one record store, one security shed/reception, a 1,000 capacity hall for external examinations.

    Other facilities include: storage for equipment and utility storage, a stage office space, storage for documents, four female toilets, four male toilets, borehole and transformer to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

    The new school, named after Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, is a magnificent three-in-one school, which has the capacity for 3,000 pupils.

    The government had earlier inaugurated the Salvation Government Middle School, Alekuwodo, Osogbo, Baptist Elementary Government School, Ilare, Ile-Ife as well as the Ansar-rul-Deen Government Elementary School, Isale Osun, Osogbo.

    Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Governor Aregbesola stated that the cost of the school though huge, considering the lean resources of the state, is an investment worth making.

    Aregbesola said within the first quarter of next year the government would also inaugurated another set of schools in the same category.

    He stressed that no government can overspend on the education of the people, saying ýeducation translates to a total development of the human person. He added that it is the best way the people of the state can get a lasting benefit from government.

    The governor noted that one of his first actions in office after inauguration in 2010 was to hold an education summit chaired by Prof. Wole Soyinka, adding that the rehabilitation of schools and construction of new ones were derived from the outcome of that summit.

    Aregbesola stated that it is befitting that Osun State named the school after Prof. Wole Soyinka who he described as an excellent product of public education in Nigeria and a distinguished academic who brought honour to Yoruba land, Nigeria, Africa and the black race with his Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.

    He said: “We can construct a good road that will last for 50 years and we are doing that, but this can never be compared to the enlightenment an educated person receives in terms of its value to the society and humanity.

    “The state of education prior to our coming was appalling and frighteningly so. Zoos were better than the places where the pupils were receiving education. Many of them were dilapidated and falling down.

    “These schools were therefore not encouraging any serious learning or character building. The result was that the pupils themselves were behaving like animals. They were forming cult groups, fighting regularly with dangerous weapons and engaged in all immoral acts.

    “These are children aged seven and above. My heart bleeds to see the public education system disintegrate and become dysfunctional.”

    The governor added that the inauguration of the school was Osun’s way of making a statement that public schools can be the best and be returned to the pre-eminent position it occupied in the past.

    He reiterated his commitment to complete all ongoing projects embarked upon by his administration despite the dwindling economic fortune of the country and the state in particular.

    Speaking earlier, the Deputy Governor who is also in charge of education, Otunba Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori said the administration of Aregbesola has brought a lot of laurels to the state with his giant strides in education in Osun.

    She noted that the state is redefining the environment of learning hence the construction of 100 new state-of-the-art schools.

    In his remark at the event, the Nobel Laureate commended Governor Aregbesola for doing a great job with the construction of the schools, saying he is elated that such honour is bestowed on him. He pledged to visit the schools frequently to see how they are faring.

    Prof. Soyinka, who spoke in Yoruba language, enjoined leaders in the country to ensure that children are brought up with a feeling that one religion is not superior to the other to avoid creating ill feelings in their reasoning faculty.

    He stated that all hands must be on deck to see to it that children in schools are not differentiated along religious lines for a better Nigeria.

    His words: “I sympathise with the religious policy of governments in schools. Children must not be brought up with a feeling that religion inhibits knowledge.

    “In schools, we need not distinguish our children. The fatalistic religious holiness and the holier-than-thou attitude must be reduced among our students.”

  • Sosan calls for security in schools

    Sosan calls for security in schools

    Former Lagos State Deputy Governor Princess Sarah Sosan has urged government and parents to pool resources together to promote a healthy and conducive learning environment within the education sector.

    She said this during a tour of schools within Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area and Oriade Local Council Development Area, in her personal capacity as a passionate advocate of excellent education.

    The former deputy governor gave a message of hope to the head teacher, teachers, staff and pupils of Awori Ajeromi Secondary School Agboju (her alma mater 1967-1972).

    She said: “Looking at the environment, it brings back memories. You are lucky to have these facilities now. We used lanterns and drank water from the nearby stream but today we give God the glory.

    “Make the best use of what you have because facilities will never be enough and be good ambassadors for the school.”

    Former Lagos State Deputy Governor Princess Sarah Sosan has urged government and parents to pool resources together to promote a healthy and conducive learning environment within the education sector.

    She said this during a tour of schools within Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area and Oriade Local Council Development Area, in her personal capacity as a passionate advocate of excellent education.

    The former deputy governor gave a message of hope to the head teacher, teachers, staff and pupils of Awori Ajeromi Secondary School Agboju (her alma mater 1967-1972).

    She said: “Looking at the environment, it brings back memories. You are lucky to have these facilities now. We used lanterns and drank water from the nearby stream but today we give God the glory.

    “Make the best use of what you have because facilities will never be enough and be good ambassadors for the school.”

  • Creativity imperative in 21st century schools

    The era of cram and pour is over in schools, educators were told at the 6th annual conference of the Association of Private School Educations in Nigeria (APEN), recently.

    Various speakers who spoke on the theme: “Beyond the Limits” at the three-day conference held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, urged schools to evolve ways to revolutionalise learning in line with 21st century realities.

    APEN Chairman, Dr Femi Ogunsanya, set the ball rolling when she said the group was aware that schools need to produce children who can tackle the complex problems the Nigerian society is increasingly faced with.

    “At the core of this event is a call for a rethink; a shift in our perspectives and practices in developing and educating our students. The world, and related problems our students will encounter will become increasingly complex, multifaceted, continuously evolving and therefore always changing.  As educators, we need to collaboratively rethink, seek and develop ways to strengthen the holistic development of our students,” she said.

    In his keynote speech, Founder/Group Managing Director, Custodian Group, Mr Wole Oshin, advocated for an education premised on curiosity and creativity.

    He argued that with most of what is taught in the classroom irrelevant in real life situation, schools should seek ways to equip their students with skills to learn themselves.

    He said: “Most of what is taught in the classroom is forgotten and what you remember is irrelevant.

    “Curiosity, passion and self-education are the key factors that determine sound education and lifelong success.

    “Creativity is now as important as literature and numeracy and we should treat it with the same importance. Subjects like creative writing, critical thinking etc. should be taken more seriously.”

    Another speaker, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, who facilitated a workshop on “Taking your Teaching into the 21st Century: Infusing Literacy across the Curriculum”, said while there is no one best method to teaching, schools must discourage children from cramming to pass.

    “Get away from cram and pour.  It is surface learning.  There is no single best way to teach. No matter the learning style of the pupils you have, you should try and cover various styles in your class,” she said.

    British Deputy High Commissioner Mr Ray Kyles, represented by Alessandra Lustrati, Private Sector Development Adviser for Lagos at the UK Department for International Development (DfID), underscored the importance of private participation in education.

    “While government schools remain very important, they alone cannot cope with the ever-growing demand of this mega-city. Private education is not only crucial in extending the outreach to new generations of students, but it also allows for substantial fiscal savings at the State level – while at the same time creating sustainable employment and exploring models of ‘social entrepreneurship’ and educational innovation,” he said.

    In her remarks, the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, also thanked APEN for supporting the government to run the education sector.

    “Lagos State has enjoyed the unalloyed support and cooperation of APEN over the years and it is indeed heartwarming that these support and cooperation have yielded positive fruits. A manifestation is the harmonised Schools’ Calendar, Curriculum and Examination for public and private schools, the brain child of a standing committee made up of some of your members and public officials,” said Dr Adebule, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Olabisi Ariyo.

  • Waiting for Oshiomhole’s model schools

    Waiting for Oshiomhole’s model schools

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s dream is to build three model secondary schools  before leaving office next year. Though the schools are near completion, work is stalled because of abandonment by contractors and lack of funds, reports OSAGIE OTABOR (Benin).

    When he assumed office seven years ago, Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole promised to build three model secondary schools before his tenure expires. He is leaving office next year, but the schools are yet to be completed. Why? Politics? Paucity of funds? Sabotage? Contractors, falure to deliver?

    His Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Prince Kassim Afegbua blames it all on “contractors who disappointed the government.” He promised that the governor will deliver the schools before his exit next year.

    It all began in 2009 when in his maiden budget presentation to the House of Assembly, Oshiomhole pledged to build the model schools in Benin, the Edo State capital, Iyamho in Estako West Local Government and Ewohinmi in Esan South East Local Government.

    Then, the House of Assembly was controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with Garuba Zakawanu as Speaker.

    The lawmakers initially refused to approve the budget. When it was approved, the model schools were one of the projects removed from it.  In 2011, the projects were again included in the budget; and it was approved.

    Their construction began in July of that year.  Each college on completion, will boast of two blocks of 27 classrooms, three fully-equipped science laboratories, a fully-stocked library, canteen, 1,500-capacity hall and sporting facilities.

    At the foundation laying of the schools, Oshiomhole said the government wanted to fix what was wrong and give Edo children a platform  to realise their potential.

    “The schools have been designed to ensure that when completed, they would compare favourably with any secondary school anywhere in the world.  Our policy is that our people deserve the best and if you look at the schools we have renovated, you would agree that we are not just talking; we are practicing what we are talking.  When the schools are completed, Edo people will be proud of what they have.”

    One of the schools on the premises of New Era College, on Upper Mission Road, Benin City, is at the roofing stage.

    Few workers were seen around the structure though they were not working when The Nation visited.  They told our reporter that they just did some repairs.

    Some pupils who spoke with The Nation expressed disappointment that the school was yet to be completed, noting that its construction started when they were in JSS2. They said  they had looked forward to attending the school.

    One of them, who refused to give his name, said: “I was in JSS2 when they started the school and was very happy. I am sad that I might not attend the school.”

    Another pupil, now in SS1, expressed the hope that the school would be completed next year so that she would be part of it before she leaves school.

    “I just want the government to hasten the construction so that I will join others to enjoy the facilities,” she said.

    Some teachers refused to comment, saying they were not authorised to speak as civil servants.

    Explaining the delay in the project, Afegbua blamed it on contractors, who abandoned the job.

    He said: “The one in Benin City has reached the roofing stage but there was some sort of hiccup from the contractor, ditto for the one in Edo Central which has also been commenced. We had to convert the one in Edo North to be part of the almost completed University of Science and Technology. We may not have applied the initial speed with which we started off because the contractors sort of disappointed us but we are on with the projects.

    “There was a little set back in the area of contractors because we wanted the best. Some of these contractors absconded. We have put in machinery in motion to see how we can repackage our approach to building them. We are now financially handicap.”

    Afegbua said the government would do its best to complete the projects.

    “If situation improves, we might continue to a point that the successive government will finish them. It is an idea we cannot run away from.

    “Oshiomhole is very serious about education that is why he has been able to renovate a lot of schools and do a lot in the tertiary institutions. As much as we are willing to do so much, the revenue accruing to the state is so little that a lot of our capital projects are being affected. The good news is that we have continuously maintained that whatever project we have started, we are going to complete at the expiration of the tenure of Governor Oshiomhole. We are not going to handover uncompleted projects.”

     

  • Abia to revive technical schools

    Abia State Governor, Dr. Okeze Ikpeazu, said his administration has begun the revival of technical schools to boost the economy.

    The governor, who said this during his visit to the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, in Abuja, said one technical school from each senatorial district in the state would be revived.

    He said: “We are looking at turning around our technical schools starting with one in each senatorial zone. The reason is that in Abia State naturally, we have a calling for trade and commerce and it is incontrovertible to say that Abia is the SME capital of Nigeria.

    “There is no doubt we are good with what we can do with our hands.  We make good shoes.  We make good dresses and we can also do a lot of welding and produce goods.  So we want to see what we can do to drive our economy in the days ahead.”

    The governor said the initiative would start with schools in the poorest environment.

    “We started with the poorest four schools in the local government. We also found out that there was problem on how our people perceive our schools.

    “So we decided to speak with those our children without shirts and those that are exposed to bad weather,” he said.

    Replying, the NUC boss called on state governments to provide stable leadership in state universities.

    He urged the governor to build good structures and systems for the state.

    Okojie explained that the placement of education on the concurrent list was partly responsible for the decay in the sector.

    He, therefore, urged governments to go back to the old school system, adding that staff and student audit of the nation’s universities be carried out.

  • Group to address schools’ safety at summit

    Borne out of  the loss of their daughter, Morenike  Toye-Arulogun seven years ago as a result of alleged negligence by her school, a couple has planned child health and safety summit for tomorrow.

    The summit themed: “How safe is your child in school?” is being organised by the Movement Against Negligence In Schools (MANIS), an advocacy group formed by Mrs Idorenyin Toye-Arulogun, the late Morenike’s mother to monitor health and safety standards in boarding schools.

    The event, which holds at NECA House, Ikeja, would sensitise stakeholders in the education sector about the importance of safety in schools.

    Speaking at a briefing in Ikeja, co-founder and father of the deceased, Toye Arulogun, said: “Seven years ago we lost our daughter in a boarding school.  She was in JSS 1 in Faith Academy. She became sick of Malaria and degenerated to Cerebral Malaria and five days after we were called, she passed on. That is the long and short of it. However, in reviewing the case, we were able to establish negligence. We realised that such is prevalent in our Nigerian schools. So, we felt the need to take on a course that will mitigate such incidences of injuries, incapacitation, and deaths to the barest minimum.”

    Arulogun called on the new Minister of Education to focus more on what is happening in schools, in collaboration with the Minister of Health, to ensure that standard health facilities are in place for the safety of the pupils.

    On her part, Mrs Arulogun decried parents’ lackadaisical attitude to the welfare of their children in schools.

    “If you go to the ministry I am sure it is in black and white what is required to establish a school.  But the thing is ‘do they follow up?’ It still boils down to the fact that it does not take only the ministry to effect change, we the parents need to speak up; if you do not speak up, it will continue to degenerate. One thing I know for sure in Nigeria is that anything that you make noise about will be addressed.

     

  • Election: Kogi orders closure of schools

    Election: Kogi orders closure of schools

    Kogi government has ordered the closure of all public and private schools in the state from Tuesday, Nov. 18 to Monday, Nov. 23.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, Alhaji Adamu Sheidu, confirmed the closure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lokoja.

    He said that the order affects only all primary and secondary schools in the state.

    He said that the step became necessary as many of the schools will serve as temporary camps for security agents being deployed to the state for the Nov. 21 governorship election.

    Sheidu said that the closure order which came into effect on Tuesday will last till Monday, Nov. 23.

    The PRO advised parents and guardians to take note of the development and keep watch on the movement of their children during the period of the election.

    He also warned proprietors of private secondary and primary schools in the state against violating the order.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Sunday Arase, had on Tuesday in Lokoja announced that 12, 000 policemen will be deployed for the election.

    According to him, a unit of mobile policemen will be sent to each of the 21 local government councils in the state.

    He explained further that a Deputy-Inspector General of Police, one Assistant Inspector-General of Police and no fewer than three Police Commissioners will be on the ground to coordinate the operation.

     

  • Borno schools to re-open Monday – Shettima

    Borno schools to re-open Monday – Shettima

    Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno on Tuesday said public secondary schools in the state, shut down since March 2013, would re-open for academic activities next Monday.

    Shettima gave the directives while receiving Mr Rolf Ree, the Norwegian Ambassador in Nigeria in his office in Maiduguri.

    He said however that the action was limited to day schools only.

    “As from Monday, academic activities will commence in earnest in all day secondary schools across the state.

    “Very soon, we will make effort to re-open all the boarding schools too,” Shettima said.

    He commended the Norwegian government for its numerous support to the state.

    “I wish to thank you for the numerous support you have given to us; you have done so much to us.

    “You have shown so much support to our traumatised people,” Shettima said.

    Ree had told the governor that his visit was aimed at solidifying relationships between the two governments.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the schools were closed down, after deadly attacks by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in schools in neighbouring Yobe.

    The state government had last week commenced the construction of 2, 500 family shelters for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge in public schools in Maiduguri to give room for the relocation of the IDPs and allow the schools to re-open.

  • School’s fate shaky over teachers’, Corps member’s abduction

    School’s fate shaky over teachers’, Corps member’s abduction

    Who will rescue two teachers, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member and a labourer kidnapped at Rundele High School in Agba -Ndele in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State?  The abductors have reduced their ransom from N25 million to N6 million.  But, their rescue and the reopening of the school, the only one in the community, remain uncertain, reports PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA.

    It’s been 31 days since their abduction and there is no trace yet of them. Two teachers, a corps member and a labourer were kidnapped from Rundele High School in Agba Ndele Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State on October 12. The incident is still fresh in the memory of Mr. Sylvester Awute, a teacher, who escaped being taken away because of his injury.

    The school was in session when the kidnappers came through a river linking the community to Abuah and Abonnema.  The teachers, Christie Mbadigwe and Martha; Mr. Joseph Wofurum, the labourer, and Duru Obinna Chizitere, the Corps member, fondly called Azubuike, were abducted in a commando style. Azubuike’s service year ended two weeks ago.

    • Awute
    • Awute

    Though Awute is still nursing the wounds he sustained in his attempt to escape, he is happy that he was not abducted along with the others.

    “At the time they surrounded me with their arms, they told me not to run. I made an attempt to run through the window. When I got to the other side I met another person.  The one that told me not to run became angry and hit me with his gun and I fell down. He told me to follow them. On getting to the water side where they had their speed boat ready, their leader saw how I was bleeding and became angry over how I was treated. He told them to search me and take away everything I had. So, they took away my phone, my money and asked me to go. And they took the other victims, entered the speed boat and left. I think the community needs to do something about insecurity if teachers are to continue teaching in that community.”

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Rivers State and the Ministry of Education have pleaded with the victims’ families to be patient for security agents to fish out the kidnappers.

    The gunmen reduced the initial ransom from N25 million to N8 million; and then to N6 million last week.  Members of the community say the victims cannot even afford N1 million.   The school has been shut since the incident.

    Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC), Elder Ikechi Chimezie, said everything is being done to rescue the victims. He urged the government to assist the community to rescue the victims so that the school can be reopened.

    He said if nothing is done to rescue the teachers, the community would stage a protest on the East-West Road in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Chimezie is worried that the school, the only government presence in the community, has stopped classes.  He added that teachers were relocating out of fear.

    “That school is the only thing we have in this community and now that the school has been shut down. All the teachers are packing out of the community; the community cannot get anything good again. Imagine, since the incident took place, the school automatically closed down and the children are no longer going to school. And if the gunmen succeed in closing down this school permanently what would be the hope of our children?  They will have to trek from this community to the next which is about three or four miles away. For children to go to school with that distance is not possible,” he said.

    Chimezie said the ransom reduction to even N2 million would not make a difference because the community lacks the capacity to pay. The best option is to release the victims unconditionally, he said, adding: “We cannot afford the N8 million ransom, which the gunmen have insisted is the lowest they can negotiate or they close down the school permanently. But we are pleading with them that we cannot pay such amount. The two teachers receive meagre salaries.  The poor labourer’s condition is the worst; so where do we get the money.

    “The community has sent letters to Governor Nyesom Wike, Rivers Police Command, the Department of State Service (DSS) and the school board begging them to assist us but as I am talking to you none of them had replied us. So, we have decided to carry out a peaceful protest to create awareness over our plight. Though we got a signal that our delegation is going to brief us at the weekend on their discussion with the Ministry of Education, we will no longer sit on the fence and watch our school close down and children suffer because of the development; we must do something about our plight.”

    Some corps members in the state lamented that the rate of abduction of corps members was becoming alarming. They demanded the unconditional release of their colleague.

    One of them, Emmanuel Baba, an Accounting graduate, said: “I felt so sad when I heard about his (Azubuike’s) kidnap. We were doing counting and everybody was jubilating when the news broke. We are praying to God and calling on the kidnappers to release our colleague unconditionally.”

    Another corps member, Ononogbo Chibuike, a Mathematics graduate, said: “The government should provide adequate security in all the Corpers’ Lodges. Sometimes, they post us to places where we cannot understand their security challenges. I want to beg the government to assist in the release of the kidnapped corps member.”

    The Nigerian Democratic Awareness Forum (NIDAF), a non-governmental organisation, claimed that the NYSC has not done enough to get the corps member freed.

    Its leader, Comrade Obiajunwo Paul, said: “We are not happy over the nonchalant attitude of the NYSC State Coordinator.  They have done nothing to create awareness to the public on how the kidnapped corps member would regain his freedom. We will not take it for granted if NYSC fails to show serious concern.”

    But, NYSC Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Violet Apolo, said NYSC could not be accused of not showing concern about something directly related to it.

    Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mohammad Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said the command was doing everything to rescue the victims.

    •Worluh
    •Worluh

    Mr. Lucky Worluh, a former member of Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), is worried by the implications of the school’s continued closure.

    He said: “The same community, Agba Ndele, has produced prominent personalities. The worst thing now is that if teaching and learning are not going on there then, there will be crisis. There will be a break down of law and order.

    “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.  If the children don’t go to school they will look for another school whether formal or informal. They will learn how to steal which for them is part of school; even learning how to kidnap and rob. I have spoken before that this institution shouldn’t be brought down, we are putting more concentration on Boko Haram. What is happening in Rivers state today and in my community is worse than Boko Haram.

    “The former administration in Rivers State did so well in building schools. Governor Rotimi Amaechi left office not longer than six months ago and now they are kidnapping teachers. Any society that kidnaps a teacher is a gone society. What is happening here in Rivers State is not happening anywhere in the world even in Iraq. Go and check all the bombings and killings going on; they did not touch teachers. It is a noble profession and teachers are noble people.

    Worluh called for improved security, noting that insecurity had made teachers victims to kidnapping.

    “Because of the oil and gas deposit in Rivers State, the Federal Government owes us a responsibility to provide security. This is not the first time kidnapping is taking place in that same community and nobody has come to our aid. I’ve not heard that there was the presence of the security agency in that community. Two nights ago, another teacher was kidnapped from her house, there was no presence of security agency trying to find out from the royal highness and support them,” he said.

     

  • Beauty queen fights malaria in Anambra schools

    Beauty queen fights malaria in Anambra schools

    The reckoned that it was not enough to be a queen and have everybody dote on her. That informed the decision by Miss Goodluck 2015, Southeast Zone Jennifer Okorie to take her anti-malaria campaign to schools in Anambra State.

    The institutions she visited were Demonstration Nursery and Primary School, Ifite Awka and Be Good Academy, Agu-Awka.

    Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reforms Programme (WSSSRP), the beauty queen’s initiative, was represented by Mrs. Chioma Samuel who talked on the importance of hand-washing.

    •Miss Goodluck 2015, Southeast Zone Jennifer Okorie with pupils during her campaign against malaria in Anambra State
    •Miss Goodluck 2015, Southeast Zone Jennifer Okorie with pupils during her campaign against malaria in Anambra State

    Okorie told the pupils what malaria is all about, how it spreads, signs and symptoms and the prevention.

    Some of the symptoms, according to the beauty queen, included profuse sweating, malaise, constant headache, confusion, loss of appetite, diarrhea, cough, anemia among others.

    She said, “The parasite is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected female Anopheles species mosquitoes. The parasites multiply in the liver and the bloodstream of the infected person.”

    “The parasite may be taken up by another mosquito when it bites an infected person. The mosquito is then infected for the duration of its life and can infect other humans when it bites them”

    “Occasionally malaria is transmitted by blood transfusion”

    “For this reason, people who have travelled to countries where malaria occurs may be deferred from giving blood for a short period. Malaria can also be transmitted from a mother to her foetus,” she said.

    Mrs. Chioma said, “Kids don’t always listen when parents tell them to wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, or when they come inside from playing. But it’s a message worth repeating— hand washing is by far the best way to prevent germs from spreading and to keep kids from getting sick. Germs can spread in many ways, including: touching dirty hands, changing dirty diapers, through contaminated water and food, through droplets in the air released during a cough or sneeze, on contaminated surfaces, through contact with a sick person’s body fluids”

    “When kids come into contact with germs, they can unknowingly become infected simply by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. And once they’re infected, it’s usually just a matter of time before the whole family comes down with the same illness”

    “Good hand-washing is the first line of defence against the spread of many illnesses, from the common cold to more serious infections, such as meningitis, bronchiolitis, the flu, hepatitis A, and most types of infectious diarrhoea.

    “Although people around the world clean their hands with water, very few use soap to wash their hands because soap and water for hand-washing might be less accessible in developing countries. Even when soap is available, it might be reserved primarily for laundry and bathing instead of for hand-washing. Washing hands with ‘soap removes germs much more effectively.

    “Millions of children under the age of 5 years die from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, the top two killers of young children around the world. Hand-washing is not only simple and inexpensive, but remarkably, hand-washing with soap can dramatically cut the number of young children who get sick. Hand-washing with soap could prevent about 1 out of every 3 episodes of diarrheal illnesses and almost 1 out of 6 episodes of respiratory infection like pneumonia.”

    The principal of Be Good Academy, Mrs. Philo Enemuoh appreciated the queen and her crew on their efforts in reaching out to the children on what she described as killing disease.

    One of the students Kenechukwu Okafor, told The Nation that some of the things they did not know about malaria were taught them by the people.

    She said they were grateful to the beauty queen for the lecture and closeness she had with them, adding that some of them had learnt a lot during the exercise.