The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Students

  • Students receive awards

    The Association of Lagos Titled Chiefs has given awards to three students in support of Lagos at 50 during an essay competition. The awards were presented by Mr Abiodun Oni from Ministry of Education, who represented Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The essay competition had the theme “Building a Better Lagos for the Future.”

    It was held at V. Ade Allen Hall of Yoruba Tennis Club, Ikoyi. The competition was open to interested students between ages 15 and 18 from the Lagos State public senior secondary schools.

    There were 30 essay written by 30 shortlisted students, showing the quality of education in public schools. They sat for the essay on Saturday, May 20, and three candidates emerged best.

    The three best candidates were Olayinka Esther Mohammed of Ikorodu Senior Grammar School, Ikorodu; Gideon Testimoy Ogundeko of United Senior High School, Ikorodu and Boluwatife Rukayat Calfos of Eko Akete Senior Grammar School, Lagos.

    It was organised by the Association of Lagos Titled Chiefs to recognise the important role that young people can play towards building a better Lagos for the future.

    The competition tested the knowledge of the students on Lagos affairs, versatility of content, organisation, expression and accuracy.

    The President of the association and Iya Abiye of Lagos, Chief (Mrs) Iyabo Foresythe said: “The effort of the teachers and school administrators is, no doubt, producing good students that can compete and excel in any internal or external examination”.

    Her view reinforces the mission of the Lagos State government in building putting in place an atmosphere that is enabling, inspiring and conducive to teaching and learning for Lagos youths.

    The chairman of the planning committee, Bashorun J. K. Randle praised Lagos State government for its efforts to improve education in public schools, even as he called for more involvement of the private sector, individuals and organisations in the total reform of the education landscape of Lagos.

    He also praised the efforts of the past and current administrations of Lagos State. He urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to build a better Lagos for the future through incremental development in education.

    The secretary of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Chief Olawumi Gasper said: “The association can only support the Lagos State government to achieve its mission through such activities.

    “The students have been given hope that it is possible to excel with hard work and determination.

    Present at the event were: Chief Folarin Coker, Chief E. K. Aina, Chief (Mrs) Onikepo Oshodi, Chief Femi Adeniyi-Williams, Chief and Chief (Mrs) Joseph Oyebanji and Chief (Mrs) Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, among others.

     

  • Eghagha: my students’ Facebook comments scared my abductors

    The Head of Department of English at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Hope Eghagha, at the weekend, relived his ordeal in the hands of kidnappers.

    The university don spoke of how the comments and threats of his students on Facebook overwhelmed his abductors to release him.

    Prof Eghagha was abducted on September 30, 2012, while he was Delta State Commissioner for Education.

    He was returning from Warri to Asaba, the state capital, after a family visit.

    His abductors were said to have killed his police orderly on the spot.

    The academic spoke at the weekend in Lagos during a reunion dinner where he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by his former students at Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti (OSUA), where he taught from 1988 to 1994.

    He noted that of his 5,000 Facebook friends, 4,000 were his students.

    He said it was from the social media platform he monitored their progresses over the years.

    According to him, one of his students is a pilot.

    Prof Eghagha said: “I have monitored your progress through Facebook and your comments and prayers for me during my ordeal overwhelmed my kidnappers, who acknowledged that I have a lot of followers.”

    Clad in a white agbada, a pair of glasses and a black cap, the academic said he noted that the experience he passed through made him value the beauty of life, having been given a second opportunity to live after such near-death experience.

    He said the negative experience forced him into series of therapy, adding that he would document his experiences in a forthcoming book.

    Eghagha said: “They (abductors) intimidated me so much that I said my last prayers thrice. They told me my death hour was 10 o’clock. The room where they put me was always dark and I was blindfolded.”

  • Children’s Day: Unity Bank MD hosts Holy Child College students

    Children’s Day: Unity Bank MD hosts Holy Child College students

    The Unity Bank Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Mrs. Tomi Somefun has advised students to be cautious in embracing  social media.

    The bank chief said that addiction to all forms ‘gadgetisation’ and social media tools could result  to major distraction and negative influences that may derail their future.

    Mrs. Somefun gave the advice when Unity Bank hosted students of the   Holy Child College, Ikoyi, as part of the activities to mark the 2017 Children’s day celebration. The high point of the activities was the role played  by Miss Stephanie Okafor, who was the One-Day CEO of Unity Bank.

    “The internet is a good resource for academic work as well as for sharing of information in a cost effective manner and there is no doubt about the values it has brought to the society. However, there is need for caution as excessive exposure/use of the internet and other social media tools could adversely affect children in their formative years”, she stated.

    She tasked the students to remain focused and work hard for the attainment of their respective dreams while making career choices. “You can be anything you want to be. No dream is too big, keep your focus and never allow anything to distract you”, she advised.

    She had informed the students of the core values of the Bank which include: teamwork, honesty, integrity, excellence, dependability, empathy and passion, adding that the values are philosophies that guide the business in fulfilling its obligation to stakeholders

    The hosting of the Holy Child College students by the MD/CEO of Unity Bank at the bank’s Head Office in Lagos was the climax of week-long activities which witnessed the excursion of many schools across the country to different branches of Unity Bank in commemoration of this years’ Children’s Day celebration. Mrs. Tomi Somefun is an alumnus of Holy Child College, Ikoyi.

  • Students praise Skye Bank on USSD

    Students praise Skye Bank on USSD

    A cross section of students in select universities have praised Skye Bank for the introduction of *833# Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code solution on campus life, describing the evolution as a defining development that has simplified banking transactions for undergraduates on campus.

    Commenting on the introduction of the Skye Bank *833# USSD code, Stephanie Okoro, a 400 level student of English, Obafemi  Awolowo University said: “Sincerely life has been made so easy for me with the introduction of the USSD code as I can now do practically everything with my phone.”

    Speaking from Amadu Bello University, ABU, Danladi Garba, 200 level student of Geography and Town Planning, noted with excitement that: “Gone are the days when to buy airtime, you’d have to walk long distances and buy with physical cash, but nowadays, in the comfort of your hostel or wherever, just dial *833#, and you are home and dry.”

    On the other hand, Ekundayo Koleosho, a 500 level student of Chemical Engineering, University of Lagos, noted with emphasis, the freedom and ease with which transactions are now being carried out, stating that: “The fascinating thing for me is that no internet connection is required to consummate any transaction. The code works on all phone types and is a faster and more convenient way of carrying out transactions seamlessly.”

  • Akeredolu wins as Ondo students elect leaders at 10th convention

    Members of the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS) have elected leaders who will oversee the association’s affairs for one year.

    The election took place during the 10th convention of the body  on Saturday in Akure, the Ondo State capital. The electoral process was conducted under close supervision of independent observers and security agents.

    About 105 delegates from 55 recognised tertiary institutions nationwide were accredited to elect the leaders.

    The electoral committee chairman, Oluwatobi Ebiwonjumi, while announcing the results, declared Comrade Emmanuel Akeredolu as president-elect after polling 87 votes of the 104 total votes cast. Emmanuel defeated Ayomipo Oloyede, who got 10 votes, and Wealth Akerele, who got six votes. A vote was voided.

    Ebiwonjumi described the election as peaceful and credible, thanking the candidates for displaying maturity during and after the election.

    The outgoing president, Charles Iwakun, congratulated his successor, noting that his determination to conduct free and fair election was achieved. According to him, the outgoing administration set good pace for the development of the association, advising Akeredolu to consulate on his achievement. He urged his successor to be magnanimous in victory by extending a hand of fellowship to his opponents.

    Akeredolu, a student of Ekiti State University (EKSU), thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him. He promised to bring positive change to the association, pledging to work with his opponents.

    Mr Alex Gbologe, an observer from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), who spoke on behalf of the independent observers, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election. He said the process was devoid of rancour, fighting and abusive words.

    Other elected include Vice President, Omotayo Olibamoyo, General Secretary, Gbenga Ogunderu, Public Relations Officer, Alex Adesuyi, Treasurer, Oluwagbenga Ogunji, Director of Special Duties, Oluwaseun Aruwajoye, Financial Secretary, Opemipo Amusa, and Social Director, John Daudu.

    Others are Sports Director, Temitope Menawonu, Assistant General Secretary, Janet Akinyuwa, Senate President, Lawrence Oguniyi, Deputy Senate President, Tony Odimayo, Chief Whip, Excel Oloriegbe and Clerk, Oluwafemi Omolaja.

  • Firm to train students on ICT

    Firm to train students on ICT

    Information and Communication Technology (ICT) consultancy firm BSO Mega System Computer, is set to organise ICT trainings for secondary school students in Lagos State.

    The training is meant to acquaint the students with in-depth knowledge of ICT beyond the popular social interactive sites such as facebook, whasapp and others which many of the students have become addicted to at the detriment of the core ICT knowledge which they can master for their self-development.

    The trainings, which will begin at the resumption of the third term, will be purely practical as against the theory many schools are used to.

    The firm’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bello Dada Obashua, said the exercise is imperative because ICT has become an integral part of human existence in the contemporary world.

    He noted that with the introduction of computer-based examinations by Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and other professional bodies as well as the demand for ICT knowledge for prospective job seekers, the workshop would be able to equip the students for the challenges ahead.

    “We want to ensure that no student fails because of his/ her deficiency in computers knowledge. ICT has impacted on nearly every aspect of our lives; from working to socialising, learning to playing. In fact, ICT has become even embedded in our culture, so we must provide the students with relevant and contemporary experiences that will engage them successfully,” he said.

    He identified some of the programmes to include: computer-based examination technology, data processing, networking, web designing, internet technology, video and picture editing among others, adding that participants would be issued certificates at the of the workshops.

    He added that the exercise which is being organised in partnership with Vienie Communications, a media and branding firm, would be so flexible that the duration would be determined by each participating school.

    “Since the workshops would be taking place from one school to another, each school may determine how long they want their students to be trained. This is even an opportunity for ICT teachers in the schools to upgrade their knowledge of computer because as experts , we intend to give the participants the best of the best trainings,” Obashua concluded.

  • VC advises students on tolerance,religious harmony

    The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Benjamin Ozumba has urged students to be tolerant and refrain from divisive religious conducts.

    He said students’good conducts and message of unity could help in overcoming ethno-religious problem plaguing the country.

    Ozumba spoke at a party organised by the UNN chapter of the Muslim Students’ Association of Nigeria (MSSN) to mark its Week.

    The VC praised members of the association for their commitment to religious harmony on the campus, urging them to fight teachings that could lead to disagreement with other faiths.

    He said efforts were being made by his administration to eradicate religious discrimination and ethnicity in the university to promote peace.

    Ozumba said the institution would continue to engage both Christian and Islamic groups to make the campus peaceful, pledging the school’s support for the completion of the UNN Central Mosque before end of his administration.

    Speaking on the theme: General misconceptions about Islam: Redirecting the public perceptions for a symbiotic relationship, Alhaji Abu Sufiyan Ridwanullan Sulaiman, the guest lecturer from Osun State, dismissed the notion that Islam is violent, noting that the religion should not be judged by immoral conducts of a few Muslims.

    Abu Sufiyan said Islam promotes peaceful coexistence among Muslims and adherents of other faiths, adding that the religion detests forced conversion and baseless killing of innocents.

    On marriage, he said Islam permit a capable man to marry two or more wives but that he must be fair to all of them. He said men that are not capable of taking care of two women should not marry two wives.

    Chief Imam of Nsukka Central Mosque, Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Idoko, harped on tolerance, noting that religious leaders must speak up against religious discrimination and injustice. This, he said, would promote harmony.

    Highpoint was the presentation of an award to Imam Idoko for his commitment to religious harmony in the state.

    Other activities marking the MSSN Week included members’visit to the Nigerian Prisons Service in Nsukka, and orphanage. The students also held sanitation and prayer for the nation.

  • Etisalat,film maker give career tips to students

    In furtherance of its commitment to education and youth development, Nigeria’s telecommunication company, Etisalat, and global education advocate/film maker, Zuriel Oduwole, have inspired hundreds of secondary school students across Lagos State with career counselling sessions sponsored by the telecom firm.

    The Etisalat Career Counselling Programme is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of the company, and it is part of the Etisalat Employee Volunteering Scheme. This programme is designed to guide students of secondary schools in junior and senior levels towards making sound, positive and fulfilling career decisions which will provide long-term benefits for them, their families, organisations, and ultimately the nation.

    The career counselling sessions, which held at the Adeyemi Bero auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, afforded the students the opportunity to receive inspiration from 14-year-old Zuriel Oduwole and staff of Etisalat Nigeria on career opportunities and how to make the right career choice.

    Oduwole encouraged the students drawn from 11 secondary schools across the state to dream big and pursue their dreams. Further, Oduwole showed them the documentary of her girl-child education advocacy, for which she has met 24 heads of state and other world leaders.

    Three employees of Etisalat Nigeria including Head, Commercial and Corporate Services, Legal, Kenneth Uzim; Manager, IT Demand and Business Relationship Management, Nkechi Obigho; and Manager, Products & Products Information, Olaniyi Adefabi, took turns to educate and motivate pupils.

    Uzim took the students through what lawyers do; Obigho gave an expose on what it entails to build a career in Information Technology, while Adefabi taught on digital media and entrepreneurship.

    Speaking about the initiative, Director, Regulatory and Corporate Social Responsibility, Ikenna Ikeme, said it highlights the company’s commitment to partnering with relevant authorities and organisations to drive the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal on quality education.

    He said: “At Etisalat, we take Corporate Social Responsibility seriously, and education is one aspect we are very passionate about. We also have big interventions in health and environment but we believe that education is the pillar of national development. We are happy to partner with the Lagos State Government to equip the students with the right knowledge they need to choose future careers.”

    “Today, we are empowering these students to make informed decisions about their future career paths, and also give them some ideas about the different and emerging career paths that exist”, he added.

    Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, thanked the telecom firm for its intervention.

    “I want to thank Etisalat for collaborating and supporting education with lot of interventions. As we appreciate Etisalat, we believe that they will do more towards the development of education in Lagos State. I hope the students will take advantage of this opportunity of receiving great career counselling, which will help them succeed in life”, he said.

    The event also featured debates, spelling and quiz competitions which saw Sodiq Ayansina, a student of Babs Fafunwa Millennium Senior Grammar School, win a Cliqlite Tab.

  • PTI students tour The Nation, other media houses

    PTI students tour The Nation, other media houses

    To learn the rudiment of print and broadcast journalism, members of Press Club of Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) in Effurun, Delta State, were in Lagos, last week, on excursion to five media houses.

    The campus journalists under the aegis of Actualizers’ Team visited The Nation, Encomium magazine, Raypower FM, Faaji FM and Africa Independent Television (AIT) to gather knowledge on journalism.

    The Nation Online Editor, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, received the students to the company’s corporate headquarters. While conducting them round the facilities, Otufodunrin gave the press club members tips on journalism practice and code of ethics of a journalist. He also tutored the students on how to write news, feature and opinions stories. He advised the students to take advantage of CAMPUSLIFE, The Nation’s youth-focused platform, to hone their writing and journalism skills while in school.

    The student-writers moved to Encomium Magazine, where they were received by a senior reporter, Mrs Shade Wesley-Metiboguno, who represented the magazine’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kunle Bakare.

    Bakare charged the students to channel their journalism skills towards exposing corruption and misconducts on their campus. The magazine’s Deputy Editor, Mr Tade Asifat, advised the young journalists always get their facts before putting pen on paper.

    The students learnt about broadcast journalism when they visited Raypower FM, Faaji FM and AIT to round off the excursion. They also visited Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), National Stadium, and Oniru Beach for fun.

    A member of the club, Ada Nwoke, an Industrial Safety and Environmental Technology student, described the experience as “interesting” and “educative”. She said: “It is an interesting and educative tour for me. I learnt many things about journalism.”

    Another member, Prosper Osakwe, an Electrical and Electronics Engineering student, described her experience as “eye-opening”, saying: “With all I have learnt, I am considering practising journalism after my graduation.”

  • Rector challenges students on entrepreneurship

    Fresh students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, have been urged to key into the institution’s determination to produce graduates who will be entrepreneurs.

    Rector of the institution, Dr Taiwo Akande, gave the advice while speaking at the matriculation of about 3000 ND and HND students for the 2016/2017 academic session.

    Akande admonished the new students that since the future belongs to those who have extra skills beyond certificates, all of them must aspire to make themselves marketable.

    She urged them to discover and unleash their talents, so that whatever training they received in the course of their studies wouldbe complemtry to their potentials.

    According to her, the school management has put in place a vigilant security network to closely monitor and sniff out bad eggs among them.

    “Any unscrupulous element caught will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” Akande warned

    The Rector enjoined the students to make the best use of the facilities on campus so that they can derive optimum benefits. “The Management of the institution is striving hard within the limits of the resources at its disposal to make the environment conducive for serious academic work,” she added.

    Highlight of the event was the signing of oath of matriculation, as well as presentation of prizes to ‘Rector’s Scholars’, who emerged the best students in ND I and HND I classes of 2015/2016 academic year.