NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
CNG-SPROUT Project: P-CNGi to train students on conversion, others
Oil & Gas

CNG-SPROUT Project: P-CNGi to train students on conversion, others

108 total views today

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI) says it will train students of various Nigerian universities on how to convert and maintain CNG vehicles.

Mr Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director/Chief Executive, P-CNGI, who disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, said the capacity building would be achieved under the Special Palliative Relief on University Transportation (CNG – SPROUT) Projects.

Oluwagbemi made this known at the commissioning of the pilot phase of the project CNG SPROUT at the FEMADEC AutoGas Centre, Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, formerly UniAbuja.

The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, alongside other dignitaries commissioned the project which would be delivered in 20 university campuses across the country.

The CNG – SPROUT Project is an initiative aimed at deploying and promoting CNG- powered buses, tricycles, conversion centres and refueling infrastructure to university campuses nationwide to cushion transportation cost.

Oluwagbemi said through hands-on training and technical facilitators, students would not just ride in CNG vehicles but would learn how to convert and maintain vehicles.

Oluwagbemi described the training as a critical step toward building a green-skilled workforce for Nigeria’s energy transition.

“The PCNGI is proud to contribute CNG-powered buses and tricycles to university campuses — a cleaner, more affordable, and sustainable mode of transport that not only reduces our carbon footprint but also eases the burden on students and staff.

“But we didn’t stop there.

“With conversion kits and technical facilitators, we are planting the seeds of capacity-building.

“Through hands-on training, students will not just ride in CNG vehicles — they will learn how to convert and maintain them,” he said.

He described the project as a timely, transformative initiative born of true collaboration.

He said through the strategic partnership between the P-CNGI, the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), and other partners it would deliver more than just buses and tricycles.

We are delivering hope, innovation, and a future-forward solution to the mobility and energy challenges facing our academic communities in line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu.

“If you recall in his first address after May 29, 2023 the President indeed promised deploying CNG buses and particularly on our campuses.

“We are here fulfilling that promise after doing the needful to build awareness and an ecosystem for CNG in Nigeria.

“Project SPROUT is more than a name, it is a symbol. A symbol of how targeted intervention, powered by collaboration and guided by vision, can yield lasting impact,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Fate of Nigerian medical students from Sudan hangs in balance
Education

Fate of Nigerian medical students from Sudan hangs in balance

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By Folasade Akpan/Funmilayo Adeyemi

A group of 47 Nigerian medical students who escaped war-torn Sudan in May 2023 are now struggling to register for the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council (MDCN) examination due to a document snag.

 

The students, many of who fled or were evacuated by the Federal Government without exit visas, are currently racing against time to meet the registration deadline, with their future careers hanging in the balance.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that these students, who were enrolled at Sudan International University (SIU), were evacuated to Nigeria during the 2023 conflict in Sudan while in final year of study.

 

According to the students, with the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC), they were permitted to continue their academic programme at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) in Sokoto.

 

Speaking to NAN on Sunday in Abuja, one student said: “We successfully completed our studies and graduated in 2024, receiving our certificates as students of SIU.”

 

He added that they were currently preparing to sit for the MDCN examinations.

 

The student, however, added that one of the requirements was presenting a first entry visa and a last exit visa.

 

“Unfortunately, none of us have these documents as most of our passports remained in Sudan due to the emergency evacuation.

 

“We respectfully request permission to sit for the examinations scheduled for June 2025,” he said.

 

The President of the Nigerian Students Association at SIU, Najid Hassan, confirmed that due to the war in Sudan, Nigerian students were evacuated by the Federal Government.

 

Hassan explained that with NUC approval, the affected students were allowed to continue their academic programme at UDUTH following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SIU and UDUTH.

 

“After the MoU, we resumed studies at UDUTH in December 2023 and spent one year there.

 

“We completed clinical rotations, lectures in gynaecology, pediatrics, surgery, and medicine, and graduated in October 2024.

 

“We took examinations supervised by consultants at UDUTH,” Hassan said.

 

He added that after graduation, students were awarded certificates bearing the SIU name.

 

Hassan, however, said that when they approached MDCN for registration, the process, expected to be seamless, became challenging.

 

“We are currently preparing for the MDCN exams, but one requirement is the submission of a ‘first entry visa and a last exit visa.’

 

“Unfortunately, none of us have these documents because most passports remain in Sudan due to emergency evacuation,” Hassan said.

 

He appealed to the Federal Government to intervene.

 

NAN reports that MDCN is the regulatory body for Medicine and Dentistry in Nigeria and was established by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act.

 

The Act had been operational since Dec. 18, 1963, and updated under the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

 

The council’s statutory functions include setting and reviewing standards for medical and dental education.

 

Section 9(3) and (4) of the Act empowers the council to conduct assessment exams for holders of foreign medical or dental qualifications recognised by their countries of origin.

 

Candidates expected to sit for these examinations are trained outside Nigeria at institutions listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.

 

One of the application requirements is submitting relevant portions of international passports, including visa and arrival/departure stamps.

 

In a 2024 publication addressing students returning from conflict zones, MDCN Registrar Dr Fatima Kyari, reaffirmed these rules but expressed sympathy for students affected by COVID-19 and conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan.

 

“The council has held extensive consultations and developed remediation pathways to facilitate integration.”

 

“Students graduating in 2023 or later were advised to return to a designated campus of their foreign university to complete studies physically.

 

“They can also transfer to an accredited Nigerian university, subject to NUC approval; or integrate into a Nigerian university per NUC guidelines.

 

“Many students from Sudan and Ukraine have successfully integrated through these pathways, exempting them from the foreign-trained medical and dental graduates (FTMDG) exams if graduating from Nigerian institutions,” Kyari said.

 

She explained that the MoU with UDUTH was an academic collaboration and did not equate to clinical training for medical qualification recognised by MDCN.

 

She noted that students who properly transferred and graduated from Nigerian universities approved by MDCN had been indexed, graduated, and registered as doctors.

 

The Federal Ministry of Education, through the Director of University Education, Hajiya Rakiya Ilyasu, acknowledged the situation.

 

She advised the affected students to formally write to the Minister of Education, including their names, and to copy the Director of Education Support Services to help facilitate a resolution.

 

Similarly, NUC Deputy Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, confirmed awareness of the development and advised students to contact the Ministry of Education to resolve the issues.

 

However, all efforts by NAN to obtain a response from Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), regarding the students’ plea proved unsuccessful.

 

Similarly, all efforts to get a reaction from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) failed.

 

The Deputy Provost of the Medical School, said he had no authority to speak on the issue, while the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bashir Garba, said he was on transit and would respond appropriately.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Social media, internet, negatively affect students’ performance, say experts
Science & Tech

Social media, internet, negatively affect students’ performance, say experts

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By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

Some educationists say that the internet and social media in spite of their positive impacts, when abused, negatively influenced students’ academic performance and reduced the quality of education in the country.

They said this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

They told NAN that the widespread use of social media and its misuse had made students become lazy and pay less attention to their studies.

Sadiq Mohammed, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural and Bio-resources Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, said social media had encouraged examination malpractices among students.

Mohammed said that social media, Artificial Intelligence, and other emerging technologies, though meant to help developing societies, were being misused, particularly in the education sector.

“With the way our education sector is going, we seem doomed because many students go to `magic centres` to write their examinations.

“You see a lot of them leaving the city centres to villages where pre-answered scripts will be passed around in exam halls.

“You realise that they gain admission into the university with fantastic results but along the line they find it difficult to measure up.

“With the coming of AI, most students now relax, they spend more time on their phones, using different applications to write examinations,’’ he said.

According to him, the government needs to empower the education sector on how to checkmate the misuse of AI by students.

Mohammed said that there was a need to implement measures that will guarantee the integrity of the education system.

He said this could be done by scrutinising research papers and addressing the prevailing challenge of copy-and-paste.

He called for an education system that would instil academic discipline among learners.

Mrs Judy Eke, a retired principal, said that it was unfortunate that many parents were encouraging their wards to indulge in examination malpractice through social media.

She said in some instances parents finance such anti-academic behaviour and even provide data for their wards to access the internet for the purpose of exam fraud.

“Parents too are helping to spoil the children by giving them money to go and register for examinations in faraway villages.

“It is so bad that even the educated ones hire machineries to write exams for their children.

“These practices are not helping the students; they no longer value hard work.

“Social media generally is helping to avoid hard work. They believe that every answer that comes from the internet is correct,’’ Eke said.

She further a situation whereby emphasis was placed more on academic qualification and grades instead of capability was encouraging reliance on the internet to perpetrate exam malpractices.

Eke said it was time for the government to declare a state of emergency in the education sector.

Mr Adebayo Adewole, a teacher, said that social media had created access to information, learning opportunities, global connectivity but was also a source of distraction for many students.

According to him, many social media contents misinform the public, especially students.

He said addiction to social media was also affecting students’ performance in both internal and external exams.

“Students spend up to four hours online, yet struggle to commit 30 minutes to their books.

“This is unlike in the past, when students were more focused. Today’s youth are more interested in social media trends than in their education,’ he said.

Adewole added that social media had encouraged cybercrime, exposed the young people to immoral behaviour and urged the authorities to regulate the social media space.

“The educational sector should also help in encouraging students to study the hard copy instead of the soft copy because students no longer study their books; they rely more on the internet.

“You see teachers give students assignments that ordinarily should be done with the aid of the textbook, but you see them going on the internet, making use of AI to do the assignments,’’ he said. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

Entrepreneurship: Glisten Int. Academy wins FCT-Brunel innovation challenge 
Education

Entrepreneurship: Glisten Int. Academy wins FCT-Brunel innovation challenge 

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By Philip Yatai

Glisten International Academy, Abuja, has emerged the winner of the FCT-Brunel Innovation Challenge, organised to promote entrepreneurship and innovation among secondary school students.

The challenge, titled “Building a Better Abuja,” was organised to encourage young Nigerians to explore their local environment, identify needs, and develop solutions using entrepreneurial skills.

The programme was a collaboration between Brunel University Business School, London, and the FCT Administration to foster entrepreneurship, sustainability, and innovation among Nigerian students.

Announcing the final results, via zoom, Dr Nan Jiang, Lead, Entrepreneurship Education Programme, Brunel University, explained that the Glisten International Academy won the challenge with a low-cost water purification solution initiative.

Their idea involved the use of chemical-free purifiers made from moringa oleifera, activated carbon, fine sand, and gravel, designed to provide affordable clean water to residents.

Jiang added that Government Secondary School (GSS) Gwagwalada came second with its plastic waste management and recycling innovation.

The concept involved collecting plastic waste and transforming them into useful products such as bags, flower vases, skipping ropes, baskets, torchlights, pencil and brush holders, and room decorations

The initiative aimed to provide sustainable income for the students while addressing plastic waste in local communities.

She also declared that the third position goes to GSS Kwali, for introducing a nutrition-rich poultry feed project aimed at improving poultry production in communities.

The feed is made from locally sourced ingredients like maize, papaya leaves, moringa, grain bran, soya beans, groundnut, and animal bone.

Jiang explained that the students were rated based on the statement of the problem, solution, target market business model, social and environmental impact, and alignment with SDGs.

Other criteria, she said, included team entrepreneurial experiences and skills among others.

The coordinator of the competition in FCT, Mr Musa Zuru, said that 26 schools sent entries for the competition, out of which five schools were selected.

Zuru added that the winner, the first and second runner up were selected from the five schools that scaled through the final.

He said that the goal of the challenge was to prepare future entrepreneurs who would use their creative thinking to solve societal problems.

Also, Mr Victor Oriafor, Principal, GSS Gwagwalada, said that the FCT Administration was determined to nurture the entrepreneurship mindset of students.

“What we want to see is a society where our young ones will become employers of labour rather than waiting for white collar jobs,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the winning school, Fatima Abubakar of Glisten International Academy, who could not hide her excitement, described the feat as a “new journey” for the team.

She said that the FCT entrepreneurship development programme has given students a chance to bring out their creativity and scientific minds.

“The programme has given students a platform to express themselves and create something beneficial to the world.

“It has given room for students to express their creative thinking – what they want to add to the world and what they want to innovate for the world,” she said.

Similarly, Alade Joshua of GSS Gwagwalada, who spoke on behalf of the team, said that the school emerged the first runner up due to the commitment of the team.

Joshua, who commended the FCT for the opportunity to test their innovation and creativity skills, said that the school would do better in the next competition. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Entrepreneurship: FCT students present innovative solutions to societal problems
Education

Entrepreneurship: FCT students present innovative solutions to societal problems

358 total views today

By Philip Yatai

Some secondary school students from five schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday, presented innovative and entrepreneurial ideas to solve societal problems.

The presentations were made to officials of Brunel University, London, via Zoom, under the Nigerian-Brunel Innovation Challenge in Abuja.

The participating schools were Government Secondary School (GSS) Gudun-Karya, GSS Gwagwalada, GSS Kubwa, GSS Kwali, and Glisten International Academy, Abuja.

The challenge, titled “Building a Better Abuja,” encourages young Nigerians to explore their local environment, identify needs, and develop solutions using entrepreneurial skills.

Students from GSS Gudun-Karya presented a sustainable agriculture idea called “Project Green Tuition,” which aims to raise funds for education, especially among students from low-income households.

The project integrated palm farming with educational support, using income from palm products like palm oil, palm kernel, broom, and basket to pay school fees, targeting N2.17 million annually from 29 palm trees.

GSS Gwagwalada students introduced an idea on plastic waste management and recycling.

The concept involved collecting plastic waste, sterilising it, and transforming it into useful products such as bags, flower vases, skipping ropes, baskets, torchlights, and pencil and brush holders, room decorations.

The initiative aimed to provide sustainable income for the students while addressing plastic waste in local communities.

The GSS Kubwa team, “Team Lumina,” presented a mobile application that connects school dropouts with individuals, NGOs, and institutions to help them return to school and complete their education.

The app would generate revenue through subscriptions and downloads.

Students from GSS Kwali introduced a nutrition-rich poultry feed project aimed at improving poultry production in communities.

The feed is made from locally sourced ingredients like maize, papaya leaves, moringa, grain bran, soya beans, groundnut, and animal bone, and would be sold for N15,000 per 25-kilogram bag, generating a N2,000 profit margin.

Students of Glisten International Academy, Abuja, tagged “Cleandrops Initiative Team, presenting a low-cost water purification idea, designed to provide affordable clean water to residents, during the final lap of the Nigerian-Brunel Innovation Challenge, in Abuja.

The Glisten International Academy team, known as “Cleandrops Initiative Team,” proposed a low-cost water purification solution.

Their idea involved the use of chemical-free purifiers made from moringa oleifera, activated carbon, fine sand, and gravel, designed to provide affordable clean water to residents.

Dr Mohammed Ladan, Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, said the programme was collaboration between Brunel University and the FCT to foster entrepreneurship, sustainability, and innovation among Nigerian students.

He noted that 26 schools participated in the competition, out of which the five schools that scaled to the final stage emerged and presented their innovative ideas for assessment.

Ladan said that the challenge was designed to empower students to develop sustainable businesses that could thrive in both local and international markets.

He added that the FCT Administration was committed to ensuring that no student would graduate from secondary school without acquiring a skill.

“With these innovative and creative ideas displayed by the students, I am very confident that we will achieve that.

“We are also exposing students to international packaging for global markets, so whatever they produce will meet international standards,” he said.

Mr Musa Zuru, the coordinator of the competition, highlighted that the goal of the challenge was to uncover hidden talents among school students, enabling them to initiate and nurture business ideas for the benefit of their communities.

Mrs Helen Idakoji, Coordinator of the FCT-Brunel Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme, stated that the innovation challenge would become an annual event aimed at sharpening students’ creativity and critical thinking.

She said that the top three schools would be exposed to industries in London, where they would receive support to turn their ideas into tangible products for both national and international markets. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Group trains 30,000 students in environmental sustainability
Environment

Group trains 30,000 students in environmental sustainability

336 total views today

By Mercy Omoike

The Foundation for a Better Foundation (FABE foundation) has trained over 30,000 schoolchildren in environmental sustainability skills through its EcoschoolNg project introduced in 2016.

The founder, FABE foundation and convener of the EcoschoolNg project, Mrs Temitope Okunnu, said this at the project’s 2024 closeout ceremony on Thursday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EcoSchoolsNG initiative was borne out of a vision to empower young people with knowledge, skills, and mindset to become champions of sustainability, stewards of the environment, and pioneers of the circular economy.

The project is being sponsored by Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation (ACT Foundation) Access bank to promote environmental sustainability.

In her welcome remarks, Okunnu reiterated the importance of collaboration and commitment to raise young eco-conscious leaders of tomorrow.

“It is with immense joy, pride, and gratitude that we welcome you to the EcoSchoolsNG Close-out Ceremony. It marks 10 months of hard work and commitment to sustainability and climate action.

“We are celebrating the completion of a programme and witnessing the birth of a new generation of eco-conscious leaders, climate advocates, green entrepreneurs and Eco-Ambassadors ready to take bold steps in protecting our environment and shaping a more sustainable future for Nigeria and beyond.

“Over the past 10 months, these students have been engaged in hands-on learning experiences, gaining real-world insights into waste-to-wealth solutions, climate action strategies, conservation practices, and eco-preneurial business models.

“20 secondary schools across different communities engaged in sustainability education, with hundreds of students trained in environmental responsibility,” Okunnu said.

She restated the need for commitment to ensuring environmental sustainability,

“Let us commit to being not just spectators but active participants in the fight against climate change.

“The fight against climate change is not something we can put off for the future. The reality is that no one is immune from the impacts of climate change.

“That is why it is no longer enough to simply talk about sustainability—we must act.

“Hence, we want to take this moment to call upon everyone here today—our partners, donors, corporate leaders, and policymakers—to join us in taking EcoSchoolsNG to the next level,” she said.

Addressing the participants of the EcoschoolNg project, Mrs Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, urged the students to be worthy eco-ambassadors.

“Since 2016, EcoschoolNg project has trained and empowered over 30,000 students, youths, and women, a testament to what happens when knowledge meets action.

“You students have learned how to turn plastic waste into useful materials, how food scraps can become rich compost, and how even an old tire can have a second life.

“You are the superheroes our planet needs. Just like how superheroes save the day, you are saving our environment, one recycled bottle, one compost heap, one eco-garden at a time.

“This is what the circular economy is all about, not just reducing waste, but turning it into something valuable.

“The skills you have learned here are tools for life. You can be the generation that makes Lagos, Nigeria, and the world more sustainable,” Oshodi said.

On his part, Dr Gaji Tajudeen, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, represented by Mrs Bolaji Badru, commended the foundation’s efforts in training the children.

“We are here to celebrate the remarkable success of the EcoschoolNg project, an inspiring initiative of FABE foundation, that has been at the forefront of advancing environmental sustainability in Lagos State.

“This ground-breaking project has not only instilled eco-conscious values in young minds but has also empowered students and teachers with practical skills in sustainable living thereby paving a way for a greener, healthier and more prosperous future.

“We are shaping eco-conscious leaders who will champion sustainability across communities by equipping the next generation with knowledge in conservation, recycling and environmental stewardship.

“Through innovation and dedication the Conchology project has nurtured a generation committed to lasting solutions for climate change and pollution we face today.

“Let us reaffirm our collective responsibility to protect and preserve our environment. Together through collaboration and commitment we can drive lasting change and build sustainable future for generations to come,” Tajudeen said.

Partners and sponsors of the EcoschoolNg project, Mrs Abiodun Owo, Programmes Manager at Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation, commended the innovation.

“We are very proud of what FABE Foundation is doing with young people on environmental sustainability.

“The impact of this training will result in a more, a greener environment, more trees planted, where we have more organic foods being produced.

“ We will no longer have single-use products, but then those products can also be put into other use.

“And at the end of the day, we will be protecting our planet, which is the long-term goal for climate action,” Owo said. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Kano governor bans student labour in schools
General News

Kano governor bans student labour in schools

293 total views today

Labour

By Aminu Garko

Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has issued a stern warning to teachers, prohibiting them from involving students in hard labour, both on and off school grounds.

This is contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa.

The governor emphasised that schools are for education and moral guidance, not for manual labour.

During an unscheduled visit to the School for Arabic Studies in Kano, the governor had found students digging a toilet pipeline.

Visibly displeased, the governor questioned the headmaster about assigning such tasks to students.

The headmaster explained that the work was assigned after school hours. However, Yusuf ordered the practice to cease immediately.

The governor assured the school management that his administration would renovate all dilapidated buildings, including the attached mosque.

He also instructed that any school projects be submitted to the Ministry of Education or his office for execution.

Yusuf, however, inspected ongoing reconstruction projects at Kano Printing Press, damaged during the End-Bad-Governance protests.

He directed the contractor to adhere strictly to the contract, expressing concerns that some structures did not meet government standards. (NAN)

Edited by Hajara Leman / Kamal Tayo Oropo

NAFOWA donates educational materials to indigent students in Abuja
Defence/Security

NAFOWA donates educational materials to indigent students in Abuja

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA) on Thursday, distributed educational materials to indigent students of Junior Secondary School, Asokoro, Abuja in commemoration of the 2025 International Day of Education.

The items included school bags, writing materials, text books and  cheque for payment of school fees.

The President of NAFOWA, Mrs Rakiya Abubakar, said the event was part of NAFOWA’s humanitarian activities to celebrate the world education day usually celebrated on Jan. 24 every year.

Abubakar said that NAFOWA recognised the power of learning and the doors it could open for all, adding that education remained the key to a bright future.

“Education gives you the tools to overcome challenges because it teaches you how to think, solve problems and create new opportunities not just for yourselves or your families, but for your community, your country and the world at large.

“Never let anyone tell you that you cannot succeed because you are strong, you are capable and full of potential,” she said.

Abubakar said the association, as a non-governmental organisation, understood the importance of education and felt the need to extend the gesture to outside the military community.

“Though we have schools, and we do that among our children in schools, we felt we should go to neighboring communities and also encourage the students to study,” she added.

The Principal of the School, Malam Jafaru Madaki, expressed gratitude to the air force officers’ wives for choosing his school out of many schools in the city.

Madaki said the assistance would support the students, especially those whose parents could not afford to buy them exercise books and school bags.

“This association came and gave this to the school and they were also able to pay school charges for some students. It is a great day for us,” the principal said. (NAN)

Edited by Shuaib Sadiq and Yakubu Uba

UniAbuja awards N5.45m grant to 6 undergraduates for research
Education

UniAbuja awards N5.45m grant to 6 undergraduates for research

358 total views today

By Uche Bibilari

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has presented a total of N5.450 million in grants to six undergraduate students from different departments in the university for research projects.

The Vice Chancellor, UniAbuja, Prof. Aisha Maikudi presented the cheque to the students at the 6th Undergraduate Research Day organised by the Centre for Undergraduates Research on Tuesday in Abuja.

The research day has its theme as: Promoting National Development Through Research.

Maikudi said that the event was an important platform that underscores the critical role of research in driving national development.

She said that UniAbuja was committed to fostering an environment where curiosity thrives, creativity flourishes, and innovation leads to solutions for societal challenges.

“This commitment aligns perfectly with our theme, Promoting National Development Through Research, which calls for purposeful inquiry and actionable outcomes.

“As undergraduates, you are the next generation of thought leaders and change-makers.

“Your involvement in research today prepares you not only for academic excellence but also for contributing meaningfully to our nation’s growth.

“Whether it is in addressing health challenges, advancing technology, enhancing governance, or ensuring sustainability, the solutions to our greatest national issues lie in the quality of ideas that emerge from platforms like this,” she said.

The vice chancellor said that the purpose of the research was not just to acquire knowledge but to transform it into progress for society.

She encouraged all participants to engage actively, collaborate effectively, and think boldly.

Maikudi said the university would continue to sponsor the students, saying there was a need to catch them young.

She advised the researcher to use the money for the purpose which it was meant for.

The VC commended the centre and staff who mentored the students for their dedication to nurturing young minds and providing them with the tools to tackle real-world problems.

Similarly, the Director, Centre for Undergraduates Research, Prof. Taibat Atoyebi said the centre was established to promote research and create opportunities for undergraduate students across all departments in the university.

Atoyebi said the centre has helped students achieve and nurture their research potentials by building and developing their research skills to find solutions to the challenges plaguing the society.

According to her, for a student to be eligible for grant, the student’s research must be original, acceptable, practicable, sustainable and mentored.

She said that the researches were expected to cover areas such as; economic prosperity, food security, educational opportunity, quality health, climate change, environmental protection, among others.

The director said the goal of the centre was to foster growth that would have a lasting impact on our immediate community.

She explained that in preparation for the research day, twenty groups of students expressed interest in the centre’s research grant.

“Thirteen teams were shortlisted to submit research proposals, and were given the opportunity to orally defend their proposals. Six research proposals scaled through and are being presented today.

“A total of N5.45 million is the total grant being awarded. We are currently receiving applications and proposals from interested groups of students for the next batch of grants.

“We have modified our criteria to include sustainable development goals (SDGs), that is our student researches must directly be traced to any of the SDGs and must be able to solve our pertinent societal needs, ” she said.

She said that research output from the proposal of the 6th research would be presented during the 7th research day in the second semester.

She thanked the vice chancellor for her support to the centre and also the mentors for their dedication.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the presentation of the cheque to the six researchers. (NAN)

Edited by Peter Amine

Group unveils iLead Nigeria to build student leaders
General News

Group unveils iLead Nigeria to build student leaders

361 total views today

By Felicia Imohimi

The Maxwell Leadership Foundation has launched the iLead Nigeria Student Transformation Training and Workshop in Northern Nigeria to promote core values and foster leadership skills among students.

Mr Samuel Gbenga, iLead Nigeria Programme Manager, stated in Abuja that the programme, themed “Driving Transformation Through Leadership and Character”, aims to enhance students’ leadership capabilities, values, attitudes, and social skills.

Gbenga explained that the initiative seeks to help students, young leaders, and the next generation of leaders learn and internalise values that will shape them into better individuals.

“Values are the foundation of good leadership,” he said.

He further noted that iLead is a values-based youth leadership programme inspired by Dr John Maxwell.

“We believe that, to prepare the next generation, schools must be equipped and willing to help students embrace the right values.

“Studies show that investing in students’ leadership skills fosters cognitive growth by developing attitudes and values that also enhance their academic performance.

“Through iLead’s values-based peer-to-peer groups, we can mentor tomorrow’s leaders and provide them with a foundation for success now and in the future,” Gbenga added.

He highlighted the iLead curriculum, known as “iChoose + iDo,” which focuses on core values such as choices, attitudes, relationships, forgiveness, and responsibility.

Other values are initiative, teachability, resilience, growth, commitment, character, self-worth, courage, priorities, self-discipline, and influence.

Gbenga emphasised that choices are a gift and that life is a reflection of the decisions one makes.

“The benefits of choice include having freedom, control over your life, the ability to improve your circumstances, and the potential to reach your goals,” he said.

He identified the primary outcome of the programme as transforming students’ lives by equipping them to make better choices, improve academic performance, and develop strong character.

“We want to see students saying that, because of these values, they are making better life choices, excelling academically, and building better character.

“iLead is a global programme operating across continents, and over five million students have benefited from it,” Gbenga said.

Mrs Mute Olori, Convener of iLead, described it as a peer-to-peer mentoring initiative.

She explained that the programme involves training teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other northern states, who will, in turn, pass on the training to students.

This cascading model, she said, is expected to impact no fewer than 1.3 million youths in secondary schools.

“This programme provides a significant opportunity to shape the nation’s future.

“Young people are often told what to do, but this initiative enables students to discover values within themselves.

“They will hold themselves accountable and take responsibility for their actions,” Olori said.

Dr Ajayi Oluyemi, Deputy Director of the FCT Secondary Education Board, praised the programme for its potential to influence young adults positively.

He noted that its focus on character development is critical for achieving meaningful progress in life. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

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