NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Environment

Group trains 30,000 students in environmental sustainability

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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

General News

Kano governor bans student labour in schools

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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

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

Education

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

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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

General News

Group unveils iLead Nigeria to build student leaders

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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

Education

Nigerian smart schools get KOICA’s N9.5m grant

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By Sarafina Christopher

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has awarded N9.5 million in cash grants and laptops to smart schools in Nasarawa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bauchi, Cross River, Ekiti, and Kano States.

The awards were distributed in four categories to include best smart school, best teachers, best students, and best content which were given during the first best practice conference of KOICA Smart Schools which was held on Dec. 9 and 10 in Abuja.

In a statement made available to NAN on Thursday, Nasarawa Smart School, led by the Principal, Mr Ja’afar Adi and Head Teacher, Mrs Fatima Sani, emerged the overall best smart school in Nigeria, securing a cash grant of N3 million and laptops.

Kano and Bauchi states smart schools followed in second and third places, receiving N2 million and N1.5 million grants along with laptops. Other participating schools also received N1 million in support grants.

In the individual categories, Mr Ruslana Aminu from Kano State was honored as the best primary school teacher, while Mr Liyel Eyo from Cross River won the best junior secondary school Teacher award.

Saminu Shafi’u and Ahmad Shafi’u, both from Kano State won the best student primary and junior secondary schools category.

Cross River smart school was recognised for producing the best content in both mathematics and science subjects.

KOICA Country Director, Mr Son Sungil said that the conference serves as a platform for KOICA-supported smart schools from the aforementioned states to showcase their innovative practices, review school management strategies, and enhance their curriculum operations.

“School principals, head teachers, teachers, and students demonstrated their teaching methodologies, skills in digital content creation, and effective use of storytelling through digital technology,” he stated.

Son also noted that since the launch of its Smart education initiative in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in 2021, KOICA has been instrumental in advancing educational standards in Nigeria.

“KOICA started a smart education project with UBEC, installing modern education content development Studios in 6 smart schools across 6 states, training over 250 teachers, principals and education stakeholders in Korea and Nigeria on smart education,

“Developing Smart education guidelines for school operation and handing over 1,662 educational contents on mathematics and science subjects to smart schools in Nigeria through UBEC.

He also expressed his satisfaction with the project’s outcomes, highlighting its role in enhancing basic education in Nigeria.

Malam Mamoud Muhammed, Director of Technical Services at UBEC, noted that the conference provided an excellent opportunity for both UBEC and KOICA to assess the impacts of the smart school projects across the states.

NAN reports that all the winners received laptops, tablets, and additional incentives for their outstanding achievements.(NAN)

Edited by Halima Sheji

Defence/Security

Foundation mobilises 500 FCT students to fight drug abuse

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By Philip Yatai

Al Masaareef Foundation, working to address gaps in education, healthcare and sustainable development, has mobilised 500 secondary school students to fight drug abuse among youths in Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The foundation’s initiator and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Hauwa Wambai, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday at its Rise Above Conference with the theme, “United for a Drug-Free Life”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was organised in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Wambai explained that each of the 500 students, drawn from 62 wards across the six area councils of the FCT, would be expected to train five other persons.

She added that each of the five would also train at least one person; a strategy expected to reach at least 2,500 youths with key messages against drug abuse.

Describing drug abuse as a menace to society, the founder says it also robs drug abusers of their integrity and self-respect.

According to her, drug and substance abuse leaves parents traumatised and devastated, while the youths, who indulge in the practice, are usually affected educationally, economically and socially.

“This is why today’s message is ‘Rise Above: United for a Drug-Free Society’.

“This means that the drug fight is not only for the NDLEA, who have the mandate to fight drugs in Nigeria.

“It is a societal issue that concerns parents, traditional rulers, religious rulers, the students themselves, and non-governmental organisations among others.

“So, united we stand at the community level, at the national level and the individual level.

“We all have to join our hands together to fight drug abuse and totally eradicate it in our society,” she said.

The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, said the prevalence of drug and substance abuse was higher among people between the ages of 25 and 39 years.

“This is the productive age group of any country. So, we are in a big mess with drug abuse in Nigeria.

“We need to start doing something as soon as possible,” said Marwa, who was represented by Mrs Chizoba Etuka, the agency’s Assistant Director, NGO and Liaison.

The NDLEA boss said efforts were ongoing to prevent, educate and treat drug abusers.

He identified prevention as the key to winning the war against drug abuse, adding that prevention should, however, begin early enough by catching the youths at younger ages.

“We are going to schools to educate students because we want to catch them young; we don’t want to wait until it becomes a big problem.

“We are being proactive,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mrs Josie Mudashiru, founder, JAM Intervention for Vulnerable Children and Climate Change Initiative, identified partnership as critical to reducing the prevalence of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.

Expressing concern over the rate of drug use among youths, Mudashiru says it is not enough to keep saying the children or the youths are the future of Nigeria.

“If we don’t do anything about it now, then we will not have who to hand over Nigeria’s future to.

“We want to try to catch them young so that they will know the effects of drug abuse and stay away from it,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Moses Solanke

Business , Defence/Security

Drug abuse destroying Nigeria’s future leaders – Etsu Kwali

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By Philip Yatai

Mr Luka Nizassan, Etsu of Kwali, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says Nigeria’s future is at stake following the high rate of drug abuse among the youths.

Nizassan expressed the concern in Abuja on Tuesday, at a one-day Rise Above Conference, with the theme, “United for a Drug-free Life.”

The conference was organised by Al Masaareef Foundation, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), targeting more than 500 secondary school students.

He pointed out that Nigeria was losing potential future leaders who were addicted to drug and substance abuse.

He said that the prevalence of drug and substance abuse was alarming, not only among the youths, but even adults, particularly parents.

“Unfortunately, even some of the mentors and educators ate into drugs and it has become conventional that nobody sees anything wrong with it.

“The songs that we listen to today are promoting drugs.

“Drug abuse is prevalent everywhere, in the market, it’s in mosques, it’s in churches, in villages and in the government; it is everywhere.

“Until we decide to be concerted in our efforts towards dealing with drug related issues, our nation will not have the leaders that will take over this country tomorrow,” he said.

He said that the key stimulant to insecurity in the country was drug abuse, adding that a lot of persons were making money out of it, “yet, it is destroying the fabrics of this nation.”

The royal father advised students to be among persons that would rise above drug abuse, responsible for 40 per cent of Nigeria’s problems, particularly insecurity.

Nizassan said that insecurity had continued to stall development in the country because the problem of drug abuse, its key stimulant, had not been addressed.

According to him, stakeholders must stop paying lip service to drug abuse and be deliberate about addressing the menace.

“First, we need to crack down all the channels where these drugs are made available.

“As stakeholders, we need to wake up to our responsibilities and tackle the challenge, from where the drugs are produced to where the end users are.

“We all have roles to play at various stages of the supply chain, and when we wake up to our roles, we will be able to address the issue of drugs squarely.

“Until stakeholders wake up to their responsibilities, Nigeria will not be able to address the problem of drug abuse that is already affecting the future of children in the country.”

At community level, the royal father said that community leaders have a role to play in changing the narrative through concerted advocacies against drug abuse.

“We will continue to speak to our people, speak to our women, to our children, and our religious leaders,” he said.

Earlier, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Al Masaareef Foundation, Dr Hauwa Wambai, said that the 500 secondary school students were being mobilised to fight drug abuse among youth in the FCT.

Wambai explained that each of the 500 students, drawn from 62 wards across the six area councils of the FCT, would be expected to train five persons.

She added that each of the five persons would also train at least one person, adding that the strategy was expected to reach at least 2,500 youths with key messages against drug abuse. (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

General News

Imo students receive bank’s educational materials donation

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By Peter Okolie

No fewer than 300 students of Imo state schools have received educational materials donation from the Polaris Bank Limited, in collaboration with Evolve Charity Trust, to inspire learning, especially among the girl-child.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that three schools namely: National High School Arondizuogu, Iheme Memorial Secondary School, and Akokwa High School, all in Ideato North Local Government Area, benefitted from the gesture.

 

Presenting the items, the bank’s Managing Director, Mr Kayode Lawal, represented by the Business Development Manager, Urualla branch, Mrs Ifeyinwa Nwokoro, charged students to embrace the opportunities that education offers.

 

Lawal said the intervention was in line with the bank’s ongoing sustainability efforts aimed at reducing Nigeria’s current out-of-school children population and increase access to quality education especially for the girl-child.

 

“The intervention aims at educating the girl-child without limitations as some parents lament that they do not have the resources to educate them.

 

“It is also expected to support the Imo State Government’s free education efforts in public schools as well as discourage early marriages among the girl-child,” he added.

 

He added that the school essentials including sandals, bags, school uniforms, books and other writing materials would help the beneficiaries attain a certain level of education in life.

 

Lawal said since the commencement of the Corporate Social Responsibility intervention in 2020, the bank had been working with Evolve and other stakeholders.

 

According to him, the bank has reached out to 15,000 students in over 35 schools across Imo, Kano, Lagos, Abuja, Kogi, Rivers, Edo, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.

 

“The project which contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4) of United Nations (UN) hopes to reach 50,000 young girls in eight years.

 

“This year, 1,000 students across 10 designated public secondary schools, will be reached in five states,” he disclosed.

 

Also speaking, Mr Godwin Ejeh, the Project Manager of Evolve Charity Trust, a non-governmental organisation, said the objective was essentially to reverse the effect of global warming.

 

“The objective is essentially to reverse the effect of global warming following a research that if you educate the girl-child, you contribute to reversing the impact of global warming which is what gave birth to the project vision.

 

“So far, the global number of students that have benefited is over 25,000,” he disclosed.

 

While appreciating the donors, the Principal of National High School, Arondizuogu, Mrs Chike Anaekwe, commended Polaris bank and the NGO for the items.

 

“The school, parents and students appreciate what Polaris bank and partners have been doing over the years. Not every parent can afford some of these items at the moment.

 

“We will be very grateful if Polaris bank continues this gestures,” Anaekwe said.

 

Two elated beneficiaries, Miss Victory Chukwuye from Iheme Memorial Secondary School, and Master Chika Utazi from Akokwa High School, expressed their excitement over the gesture.

 

“These educational items will help us to further our education and achieve our life goals,” Chukwuye stressed.

 

“I am so excited about this. I have been wearing slippers to school, but now I can wear sandals and good uniform to school,” Utazi said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Metro

Brunel University, FCTA partner to commercialise students’ entrepreneurial ideas

481 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Education Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Brunel Business School, Brunel University, London, have partnered to strengthen entrepreneurship among secondary school students.

Ainurul Rosli, Professor of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, Brunel University, stated this in Abuja on Monday, at the unveiling of the Brunel-FCT Innovation Challenge, towards building a better Abuja.

Rosli said that the partnership was designed to transform students’ ideas to bankable products that solved societal problems.

She explained that the challenge was to encourage young Nigerians in Abuja to explore their local environment, identify needs and gaps and develop innovative solutions to improve their community.

“The students will assess what their local area offers, identify what is missing, and propose improvements or future development for the community to benefit through entrepreneurship.

“They will also explore science and technology-based products, services and innovations to address local challenges.

“The main goal is towards building a better Abuja for everyone, making it a safer, fairer, greener and more prosperous city for all Nigerians,” she said.

She said that the programme, which would run from January to March 2025, would be opened to all secondary schools in FCT.

According to her, the students will work in groups of five, to find solutions to local problems entrepreneurly.

Rosli added that Brunel team would mentor the students, through monthly online sessions, and guide the teachers and the students to upgrade and make their ideas commercial.

“The goal is to make sure that our students are equipped to become entrepreneurs by choice.

“This will not only support the economy of Nigeria but also empower communities to collaborate in solving local problems.

“Nigerian students have spectacular ideas, but the next step is how to support them to grow these ideas – how can we commercialise it; how can we make it better, and I think that is what we came here to do,” she said.

She said that making a better Abuja and better Nigeria was not only about coming up with a product, but the product that addressed community needs.

She, however, said that in doing this, the product should not hurt the environment and the people it was designed to help.

According to her, most of the previous entrepreneurship narrative is all about coming up with products to make money.

“I think entrepreneurship for better Nigerian and better Abuja is about the community and about the heart of Nigeria, in line with the nation’s anthem.

“If we can get children to solve the problems at the heart of Nigeria in Abuja, we will see a better Abuja and a better Nigeria.”

She disclosed that the partnership had also reached out to several partners, such as banks, government agencies, Abuja Chambers of Commerce, and Lagos Chambers of Commerce among others.

“These are the intermediary partners that we will be working with, and hopefully, some of the pitch that the students would come up with, would be commercialised with their support,” she said.

Also speaking, Mr Olobashola Kolawale, Director, Science, Technology and Innovation, FCTA Education Secretariat, said that the partnership had reinforced entrepreneurship training in FCT secondary schools.

Kolawale noted that entrepreneurship training in FCT schools was not yielding the desired results because of the gap between transforming ideas to reality.

He said that principals of secondary schools had been trained under the partnership on how to entrench practical aspects of entrepreneurship training in secondary schools.

“The partnership with Brunel University is already changing this narrative, because it has equipped us with practical knowledge on how to support students bring their ideas to fruition,” he said.

One of the trainees, Mr Musa Zuru, Principal, Government Secondary School, Kubwa, said that the training had helped him to support students to practicalise what they have learned.

“Now our students are thinking and promising solutions to environmental and community challenges profitably,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

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