The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Students

  • Cleric advocates English Language lessons for Al-majiri students

    Cleric advocates English Language lessons for Al-majiri students

    An Islamic Scholar, Alhaji Miftaudeen Balogun, on Thursday advocated for English Language lessons for students in Almajiri Integrated Schools in the country.

    Balogun, the leader of Abuja Chapter of Dairat Jafariyat Fitorikat Tijaniyat Islamic organisation of Nigeria, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    He said that understanding English language, which was general language of communication in the classroom, was one of the major problems faced by the students.

    The cleric said that this challenge scared many students to escape from the school and return to the streets to beg for alms.

    “The school should organise extra lessons for the students, especially in English language and Mathematics.

    “The school environment should be made more convenient and conducive for learning.’’

    Balogun stressed the need for school administrators and teachers to be closer to the students and give them listening ears.

    “Adequate and updated instructional materials should be provided by the government, NGOs, philanthropists, and other stakeholders in Almajiri education.

    “Other major notable problem is the inadequacy of food given to the students.

    “However, the schools have qualified teachers who are NCE and university graduates.

    “Likewise the teachers are not only experienced but also punctual and committed to their duty.’’

    Balogun said the food supply to the school should be adequate and regular.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government established the Almajiri Integrated Schools (AIS) to curtail the menace of street begging by children and youths in the name of pursuing Qur’anic Education.

  • UNIUYO VC seeks ties with unions, students

    UNIUYO VC seeks ties with unions, students

    The new Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State, Prof Enefiok Essien, has assured members of the academic community of greater development during his tenure, noting that such can be achieved in an atmosphere devoid of rancour.

    Speaking at a party organised to usher him in as the fifth VC of the institution and send off for his predecessor, Prof Comfort Ekpo, at the Onyema Ogochukwu Hall, Essien also assured all unions on campus of better welfare.

    Pledging to take the institution to greater heights among the comity of world universities, the Professor of Commercial Law, craved for a peaceful environment to thrive.

    “During my administration, the university cannot go down.  Workers’ welfare will be key,” he said, and enjoined the various unions to pursue their legitimate dues within the ambit of the law through dialogue.

    Essien, who pledged to run a transparent system, however, said the university management would only be amenable to genuine demands, and would not be cowed into implementing demands that were not part of the original welfare arrangement for workers of the institution.

    Chairman of the occasion, Prof Etim Essien, who acknowledged the development strides achieved by Prof Ekpo, urged the university community to work with the new VC to sustain the tempo of development.

    The Registrar, Mrs Edak Umondak, was also full of praise for Ekpo who entrenched academic excellence and improved the school’s infrastructure.

    Responding, Mrs Ekpo, a Professor of Educational Technology, thanked all stakeholders for rallying round her to achieve the goal of making the institution a centre for teaching, research and manpower development.

    Represented by her husband, Prof Memfin Ekpo, the former Vice Chancellor, tasked her successor to consolidate on her achievements and appealed for closer working relationship with stakeholders.

     

  • UNILORIN awards scholarship to 246 students

    UNILORIN awards scholarship to 246 students

    The Senate of the University of Ilorin has awarded scholarships to 246 students during the 2014/2015 academic session.

    According to the University Bulletin issued on Wednesday in Ilorin, the gesture was in recognition of the students’ brilliant academic performances at their various levels across all faculties of the University.

    The bulletin stated that the breakdown of the awards was contained in the just published University of Ilorin 2014/2015 Annual Report.

    It stated that the scholarships were awarded to 12 students of the Faculty of Agriculture, 32 students of the Faculty of Arts, 14 from the Faculty of Basic Medical Science and six from the Faculty of Clinical Science.

    It said that 16 were from the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, 37 from the Faculty of Education and 36 students from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology.

    Further breakdown showed that one student from the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, 13 students from the Faculty of Law, 16 from the Faculty of Life Sciences, 12 from the Faculty of Management Sciences and six from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, among others.

    It said that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, noted that the scholarship award was “basically to reward hard work and to serve as morale booster for the recipients while it will further motivate and encourage other students to strive hard to attain that great height.”

    Ambali, however, commended the University scholars and advised other students to attach seriousness to their studies for them to be recipients of the award in the 2015/2016 academic session.

    The VC pointed out that the University of Ilorin “is known for the best’’ and pledged that his leadership would continue to do everything humanly possible not only to sustain the feat and to consolidate on the existing achievements.

  • Boost for widows, students, artisans

    In honour of the memory of his late parents, Chief Leemon Ikpea, Executive Chairman of Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited has given out cash awards to 25 widows at Ewatto in Esan South East Local Government.

    Also, 62 secondary school students and 15 students in tertiary institutions were offered scholarship ranging from N50,000 and N100,000.

    The empowerment cash scheme was part of activities to mark the third anniversary of the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation (ALIF) a body through which scholarships have been offered to 384 students and many lives touched.

    Founder of ALIF, Chief Leemon who lost his parents in 1973 (mother) and 1952 (father) said he decided to share part of his blessings because life was difficult and tough for him and his siblings.

    Leemon who recalled how he was sent home from school over inability to pay school fees said his desire was to stop seeing students sent home because of school fees.

    He noted that the purpose of setting up the foundation was to assist widows and artisans to set up small businesses, provide access to primary health care for people living in rural areas, offer a lifeline to helpless and brilliant students and ameliorate hardship in the rural areas through provision of water boreholes.

    Chief Leemon explained that the foundation was dedicated to the memory of his parents because they bequeathed to him and his sibling virtues that made them become who they are today.

    His words, “Though my parents have no material things to give us, they loved and taught us the virtues of hard work, integrity and honesty which has sustained us till date. ALIF is our little way of saying thank you to their memories by identifying with the less privileged, the sick and the aged.”

    Executive Director of ALIF, Visible Difference Irabor, listed bursary awards to law students, payment of monthly stipend to 140 old people, organising mentoring programmes for youth development as other achievements of the foundation.

    Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Odein Henry Ajumogobia, said empowering the less privileged was a magnificent way to celebrate one’s parents.

    Ajumogobia noted that Leemon had become a father to many orphans because of the support given to them.

     

  • Provost warns students against cultism

    Authorities of the Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo, have urged new students admitted for the 2015/2016 academic session to shun cultism and other social vices.

    The Provost, Prof Olukoya Ogen, gave the charge during the opening of the 2015/2016 orientation programme for new students. He urged them to comport themselves and act in line with the school’s vision.

    The Provost noted that the institution is known for its high academic standard which it has sustained since inception in 1964.

    Congratulating the freshers on their admission into the college, which is affiliated with three notable institutions in the country, Ogen urged them to be obedient, studious and shun cultism.

    He assured them that the management had made adequate provisions for basic facilities needed for their studies.

    The new students learnt about “Students and Financial Transactions in the College” from the Bursar, Mr. Ganiyu Abdul.

    He educated them about various requirements that would qualify them to be bonafide students of the college like the JAMB certification, payment of tuition fees, and administration of oaths among other things.

    In his address, the Dean, Student of Affairs, Mr Olaniyi Olaluwoye admonished them to jealously protect the good image of the institution and shun vices.

    He said: “I will enjoin you to shun acts that will put you in trouble. Such acts among others are: cultism, drug addiction, examination malpractice, prostitution and other societal vices.”

    Miss Awe Taiwo and Akinkuotu Love, who have been admitted to study Economics and Physics/Mathematics, expressed their enthusiasm at being among the lucky ones admitted into the school.

     

     

  • Ecobank deepens CSR support for indigent students

    Ecobank deepens CSR support for indigent students

    Ecobank Nigeria has awarded scholarships, enrolled the West African Examinations  Council (WAEC) exams for several students of Government Secondary School, Lugbe, Abuja.  The bank also donated various learning materials to the school as part of this year’s Financial Literacy Day.

    Breakdown of the bank’s gesture showed that 100 students benefited from the one year scholarship, 20 students got WAEC enrollment fees, while 1000 exercise books  and  27 white boards were handed  to the school.

    The Financial Literacy Day, an initiative of  the Bankers’ Committee is set aside to focus attention on children and youths in primary and secondary schools in the country  and to empower them by enhancing their financial knowledge and planning skills. It was held in collaboration with Junior Achievement of Nigeria (JAN).

    Speaking at the event, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Jibril Aku, said the support to the school worth millions of naira was one of the several ways of promoting education and supporting indigent students across the country.

    Represented by Business Executive, Public Sector, Ecobank Nigeria, Shehu Jafiya, the MD enjoined the students and school authourity to put to good use the ‘’kind gestures from the bank.’

    “We believe this gesture will help indigent students who are unable to pay fees or enroll for WAEC. I advise you to face your studies. The importance of education cannot be over emphasised. We are interested to help you succeed in life,” he  said.

    He tutored the students some financial tips, how to manage money, make right decisions and gain financial freedom. Responding, Principal of the school, Mr Gilla Ishaku John,  commended Ecobank for the gesture.

  • Students, parents laud Airtel’s support for education

    Outstanding students in this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculations Examinations (UTME) who were honoured at the maiden edition of the Pass.ng Excellence Awards have lauded Airtel Nigeria, and the exams preparatory ande-testing platform, Pass.ng for contributing to the success in their education.

    The 10 elated students, Joshua Ani, Faith Bamidele, Segun Popoola, Benjamin Alegbeleye, Abiodun Wasiu, Prince Andrew, Abdulrazak Lawal, Ekpunobi Nzube, Jomiloju Ojewale and Blessed Omoghene were all presented with brand new laptops at the Pass.ng Excellence awards event.

    They noted that the Pass.ng app made available on Airtel network enabled them to prepare adequately for their examinations and it contributed to their outstanding performance in the 2015 UTME.

    Joshua Ani, who is studying Economics at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) said: “I thank Jehovah God for everything, and I say a sincere thank you to the team of scholars at Pass.ng. I appreciate all your efforts for exposing the secret of the great UTME. Keep on with the good work of excellence.”

    Now a 100 level Law student of University of Ilorin, Abdulrazak Lawal said: “I came across a link which I opened only to see the home page of Pass.ng. I took the JAMB tests every other day till I did my exam and came out in flying colours. I thank the people behind this idea. “

    Mrs. Elizabeth Alegbeleye, mother of the outstanding students, commended the network provider and Pass.ng for making the preparation and examination easier for students. She said: “Through the Pass.ng my son was able to prepare well because he could check the past questions just through his mobile phone. This is a very good service by the network and Pass.ng. We thank them for honouring the students as well.”

    The event which held at Moorhouse Hotel, in Ikoyi, Lagos was attended by families, friends and parents of some of the awardees, while the team from Airtel Nigeria included Vice President, Digital Services, Airtel Nigeria, Nitin Anand; Digital & PR Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Erhumu Bayagbon and Dan Obi of Business Day and Alex Daxton of Blue Management Group also graced the evening.

    Founder of Pass.ng, Samson Abioye noted that the platform said: “We are passionate about rewarding outstanding academic excellence across all major examinations. This year w, we are focused on the UTME because this is our flagship examination as well as one of the biggest examinations held annually.”

  • Foundation rewards outstanding students

    Foundation rewards outstanding students

    For excelling in their academic work, despite obvious socio-economic challenges and ‘adversity’, some students selected from across secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Imo State have been rewarded by the R.I. Uzoma Educational Foundation (RIUEF).

    A total of 13 students from secondary schools and four students from tertiary institutions, including the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State Polytechnic and Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, got cash award ranging from N50,000 to N100,000 each in the maiden “Excellence in Adversity” Award of the foundation.

    In his address at the presentation ceremony held at the R.I. Uzoma Memorial Cathedral Hall, Bishop’s Court Nkwerre, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the foundation and the Archbishop of Anglican Diocese of Orlu, Most Reverend Bennett Okoro said the foundation was established in the memory of a one-time Minister of Education in the defunct Eastern Region, Sir Rueben Ibekwe Uzoma, who propounded the Free Universal Primary Education (UPE) following the Macpherson Constitution of 1951.

    According to him, the foundation has the core objectives of promoting quality education for Nigerian youths, irrespective of social, gender or religious background through the institution of awards, bursaries and prizes for students and educators alike, to promote awareness on educational needs in Nigeria and network with similar organisations in and outside Nigeria for the benefit of education and to support the provision of modern educational facilities towards the enhancement of learning in Nigeria.

    Presenting the awards, a member of the Board of Trustees of the foundation and daughter of the late educationist, Dame Ada Okwuosa, said the beneficiaries were selected on a “non-denominational and non-partisan basis from independent secondary schools  and both state and Federal Government-owned tertiary institutions,” to underscore the public-service role and philosophy of the late Uzoma.

    She further stated that “the foundation is also a tribute to his passion for equal access to education for all, which led him in his lifetime to have personally sponsored the education of several individuals who were not his children.

    “We don’t refer to the beneficiaries as indigent students but they are students who have excelled in their academic work despite the challenges that could have made them do otherwise. They conquered socio-economic challenges to be the best in their respective classes and that is why this edition of the award is tagged Excellence in Adversity.

    “The foundation’s programmes have kicked off in Imo State with a view to extending it to the national platform in the next few years when more funding will be available.”

    A Principal in one of the benefitting schools, Anglican Secondary School Okigwe, Mr. Orji Idimakale, commended the foundation for the initiative, noting that the monetary award will go a long way to assisting the beneficiaries.

    Mr. Ahioha Ndubuisi, the Dean of School of Business, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo, described the initiative as a noble gesture that will assist the students in reaching their goals.

    He maintained that the current economic situation in the country has placed a lot of burden on the students and has inhibited their success in many ways.

    “What the foundation has done will go a long way to assist the students with their financial needs and will spur others to work harder with the hope of clinching the award in the next edition.

  • Boost for 65 Rivers Law students

    Boost for 65 Rivers Law students

    Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and the needy. This is the work of lawyers and attorneys; High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs (O.B. Lulu-Briggs) and his wife, Dr. Sienye O.B.Lulu-Briggs are already doing this through their years of philanthropic gestures to the indigents of the society.”

    These were the words of the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, at the 6th edition of High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs Foundation’s Nigeria Law School Scholarship Award for the 2015/2016 set held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Wogu, also a lawyer, was the guest speaker at the event.  He spoke on the topic, “Expectations and challenges of a Legal Practitioner’s career”.

    He noted that Law profession is the hope of the common man and the public have a lot of expectations from them, adding that lawyers cannot afford to disappoint the public by bending the rule to favour the rich.  He urged them to speak for both the rich and the poor in accordance with the rules.

    The minister outlined some of the challenges faced by lawyers in the course of practice to include, high cost of Law books, activities of lawyers caught in the web of rich- quick syndrome, and the difficulty/inability of some young lawyers to procure their wig and gown, as well as undue pressure following the high expectations of the public on lawyers.

    He thanked the Foundation for its efforts in moulding future leaders for the Ijaw nation starting from Rivers State, and urged them on diversification of their chosen career.

    Sixty five lucky Law students of Rivers State origin, who are on their way to the Law School for their qualifying course before joining Law practice, bagged the award this year.

    They smiled home with brand new HP Laptop and cash gift from their benefactor, O.B.Lulu-Briggs Foundation, to assist them offset the crunchy financial difficulties usually faced by students at Law School; with the view of helping them face their studies and graduate with flying colours.

    The scholarship award is one of the five programmes of the Foundation founded in 2001. Other fields of the Non-Governmental/ not-for-profit organisation are: The Care for Life, Education and Scholarships, Free Medical Missions, Micro-credit and Entrepreneurship and Water purification and Access to clean Water, especially for river-rine communities  without good drinking water.

    No fewer than 442 students have benefited from the Law students award since it began six years ago.

    The Executive Director of the Foundation and wife of the founder, Dr.  O. B. Lulu-Briggs, expressed satisfaction at the feedback from past awardees who have graduated from the School and now practicing in parts of the country, stressing that “This informed our reason and encouragement to continue with the kindness and to even expand it further.

    “It is interesting to note that this grant scheme which was initially awarded only to natives of the Kalabari Kingdom is now open to all Nigerian Law School students who are of Rivers State origin.

    “In a bid to scale up our activities in the educational sector and also encourage academic excellence, we have raised the stake higher as the selection criteria is now quite challenging. By so doing, we hope that an atmosphere for healthy competition amongst students of Rivers State will be created.”

    Mrs. Lulu-Briggs released some fundamental tips that would make the new awardees more successful in the school and their chosen career, but also threw a challenge on them.

    “For you grantees, I would like you to seize the moment at hand and take a deeper reflection to understand the purpose of your selection. You were obviously not selected by chance, you must also understand that our World is rapidly changing, with advancement in technology and knowledge being updated constantly.

    “The Legal profession today to a large extent is interwoven, it is an interplay of what you know and how well you can build relationship with people. I urge you therefore to take advantage of the opportunity to network and also sign up as protégés of some of the senior advocates/legal professionals in your chosen career, as the membership they provide will accelerate your growth and development.”

    The clergy further explained reasons for the Foundation’s decision to extend hands of fellowship to this category of Rivers’ students when she said: “We are doing this, not because we just want to do good, but to impact positively on the society, using this arm of society as an avenue.”

    Past grantees and their parents at the occasion could not stop testifying of the immense succour the Foundation’s gesture gave to them.

    Benibo Reginald Wiyoka of the 20014/2015 set said: “I will like to express my profound gratitude to the High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs and his dear wife, the Executive Director of the Foundation Dr. (Mrs.) O.B. Lulu-Briggs and the entire staff of the Foundation. I was a beneficiary of the Foundation’s the grant early this year.

    “The grant impacted me in various ways that I cannot recount, but I must say that the grant enhanced me generally especially as a young Lawyer. After much consideration on how to utilise the cash award given to us, I decided to use it to develop myself further in-line with the advice of the Director of Programmes of the Foundation, Miebaka Nabiebo. This led to my registration into the Institute of chartered Secretaries of Nigeria, and as I speak now, I have almost rounded off the programme as the last examination will be taken this December.

    “This has added to my feather. Without this wonderful family and their candid advice this would not have been possible. Again the importance of the brand new Laptop that accompanied the cash cannot be over-emphasized as a Lawyer and student. I remain internally grateful to them for this rare gesture and pray that God will sustain the life of this family and reward their kind deeds.”

    Also Opumabo Georgewill and Mercy of 2013/2014 set, in their separate speeches noted that the Foundation’s intervention came to them when it was most needed.

    “They told the story of how the Foundation’ grant greatly enhanced their comfort stay in Law School, by helping them get their wig and gown and other necessary materials required by the school with ease; when it was not easy task for most of their counterparts.

    Also some parents at the event, Mr. M. D. Yellow and Mrs. Peace Williams, described the High Chief and his wife as Living Legends who have injected so much positive things into the society and its people through their glaring love for education in general and Law Profession in particular and prayed that the kindness continues as God continues to keep their lives.

  • Foundation rewards indigent students

    For excelling in their academic work, despite obvious socio-economic challenges, some students selected from across secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Imo State have been rewarded by the R.I Uzoma Educational Foundation (RIUEF).

    The students, 13 of them, were randomly selected from secondary schools, and four from tertiary institutions including the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State Polytechnic and Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education.

    They got cash award of between N50,000 and N100,000 during the maiden “Excellence in Adversity” Award of the Foundation.

    Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Foundation and the Archbishop of Anglican Diocese of Orlu, Most Reverend Bennett Okoro, said at the presentation held at the R.I Uzoma Memorial Cathedral Hall, Bishop’s Court Nkwerre, that the Foundation was established in the memory of  one-time Minister of Education in the defunct Eastern Region, Sir Rueben Ibekwe Uzoma, who propounded the free Universal Primary Education (UPE) following the Macpherson Constitution of 1951.

    Presenting the awards, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation and daughter of the late educationist, Dame Ada Okwuosa, said the beneficiaries had surmounted difficulties to continue their education.

    “We don’t refer to the beneficiaries as indigent students, but students who have excelled in their academic work despite the challenges that could have made them do otherwise. They conquered socio-economic challenges to be the best in their respective classes and that is why this edition of the award is tagged Excellence in Adversity,” she said.