NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
ECOWAS Court tasks law students on strengthening jurisprudence
Foreign

ECOWAS Court tasks law students on strengthening jurisprudence

153 total views today

By Mark Longyen

The ECOWAS Court has called on West African universities’ law students participating in its inaugural Moot Court competition to deepen their jurisprudence and regional legal frameworks understanding to become better lawyers.

Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, President of the Court, represented by Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama, the Chief Registrar, threw the challenge to the participants during the orientation session of the moot court.

He explained that the orientation programme was an opportunity for the students to also better understand the court’s mission and mandate by interacting directly with the court’s personnel at all levels.

“It is an opportunity for you to better understand the mission and mandate of the ECOWAS Court, to deepen your engagement with regional legal frameworks, and interact directly with the Chief Registrar, the directors, the lawyers of the Community Court of Justice, the Excellencies, judges, and fellow law students.

“As future advocates, judges and policy makers, your participation in this Moot Court reflects a shared dedication to upholding justice, fostering regional cooperation, and advancing  legal excellence across West Africa.

“As we commence this interactive session, may it inspire collaboration, stimulate critical thoughts, and reinforce the vital role of justice in building a peaceful and unified West Africa,” he said.

The Community Court President said that he was very impressed by the law students’ legal arguments, court cases, and all their demonstrations during the opening session of the moot court competition.

According to him, their sterling performance gives the court joy and hope that the future generation is moving forward to perhaps do more than what they are doing today.

He said the orientation session was pivotal to provide participants with more clarity about the court, while their presence demonstrated a shared commitment to excellence, dialogue and the advancement of regional jurisprudence.

“Now, we wish that you keep it up in order to ensure that you have a bright  legal career after your legal  studies in the university,” he added.

Also speaking, Mr Ghislain Agbozo, ECOWAS Court’s Principal Research Officer, gave a presentation to clarify the court’s Jurisdiction, Protocol, Articles, Access, and Admissibility, among others.

He explained that the ECOWAS Court has  one Protocol, which was  adopted on the 6th of July, 1991, and was amended  on the 19th of Jan., 2005 as its Supplementary Protocol.

Agbozo said that Article 9.4 of the court’s Protocol regarding jurisdiction on human rights cases stipulates that the court has jurisdiction to determine cases of violation of human rights that occur within any member state’s territory.

He further explained that in human rights cases, the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain a dispute  between individuals, that is, an individual suing another individual, as well as non-state actors like corporations.

“First, the source of human rights obligation within ECOWAS is the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights  and the human rights instrument adopted under the auspices of the United Nations to which member states are parties.

“The court has jurisdiction over the member states if It has signed a supplementary protocol  of 19th January 2005 and has ratified the universal  or African human rights instruments invoked.

“Only member states can be brought before the Court of Human Rights violation because member states are the sole parties to the regional and the universal instruments which the court has jurisdiction over,” he said.

On admissibility, he explained that the pendency of the same suit before a domestic court or an international court of equal jurisdiction cannot oust the court’s competence to determine the case on alleged human rights violation.

“The court also has consistently held its position that there is no need to exhaust local remedy before bringing an action before the court,” Agbozo stressed.

Mr Yusuf Danmadami, ECOWAS Court’s Senior Legal Officer, described the court as the principal judicial organ of ECOWAS, which was established to ensure the interpretation and application of the ECOWAS Treaty.

He said the court represented a significant achievement in enhancing West African and African regional integration framework, having established itself as an institution for protecting human rights, and promoting the Rule of Law.

“The mission and vision of the court is to remain an independent, reliable, efficient, and accessible legal and judicial institution of the community playing a strategic role in establishing, sustaining and enabling the legal environment for the achievement of community aims and objectives.

“Now the mission of the court is to remain an independent, reliable, efficient and accessible legal and judicial institution of the community playing a strategic role in establishing a sustaining and enabling legal environment for the achievement of community  aims and objectives,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that four Nigerian universities qualified for the semi-final round of the moot court competition which was due to take place later on Friday.

They are the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the University of Jos, the Lagos State University and the University of Uyo.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

ECOWAS Court inaugurates moot court competition for W/African law students
Foreign

ECOWAS Court inaugurates moot court competition for W/African law students

166 total views today

By Mark Longyen

The ECOWAS Court of Justice on Wednesday inaugurated a moot court competition for W/African law students aimed at fostering legal interaction and empowering the youth in the subregion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had as its theme: “Promoting Regional Integration and Human Rights Through Judicial Processes in West Africa.”

The competition brought together West African law students to simulate proceedings before the court, offer them first hand exposure to an international tribunal’s working, and the opportunity to refine their advocacy skills.

The Community Court’s President, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, while declaring the event opened, described it as a landmark initiative in advancing legal education and regional integration in West Africa.

He emphasised that the event was an embodiment academic exercise, and a strategic platform for building a more engaged, informed, and cohesive legal community across the subregion.

According to him, the ECOWAS Court is the principal judicial organ of ECOWAS, which is tasked with delivering justice and fostering judicial understanding and accessibility.

“This moot court competition reflects our enduring commitment to public engagement and nurturing the next generation of legal minds.

“Regional integration is not solely an economic or political pursuit, it is also a legal one. It is built on institutions that are transparent, fair, and accessible to all,” Gonçalves said.

The President highlighted the initiative’s aims, which, he said, included deepening participants’ knowledge of the ECOWAS Court’s mandate and its contributions to regional peace, human rights, and integration.

He noted that the competition was also designed to sharpen the advocacy, research, and legal writing skills of aspiring lawyers, and tools that were critical both in the courtroom and in public service.

The court’s president explained that the competition also aimed at raising awareness about the court’s work throughout the region and to build public trust in regional justice mechanisms.

Gonçalves added that the event also served as a unique opportunity to foster meaningful connections among students, academics, legal practitioners, and ECOWAS institutions.

“This event is both timely and transformative, this is your moment. Be bold in legal reasoning, rigorous in your arguments, and be always guided by ethics.

“This contest is not just about winning; it is about shaping jurists who are critical thinkers and champions of justice.

“May this competition inspire a new generation to uphold the ideals of justice, solidarity, and integration in West Africa, and may the best team win,” he said.

He said the maiden edition of the competition, which featured eight Nigerian universities, would be an annual event, eventually expanding to all West African universities’ law faculties.

Speaking earlier, the court’s Chief Registrar, Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama, described the event as a “historic moment” that would enrich legal education, promote youth engagement, regional integration, and justice advancement.

He said that the competition was also a practical learning platform that reflected real courtroom procedures.

“This moot court is more than a competition. It is a vital educational tool that cultivates critical thinking, advocacy, and a deep respect for due process.

“To our participants, may this experience inspire you, challenge you, and deepen your commitment to justice,” he said.

NAN reports that the participating universities were selected from thirteen institutions which had earlier applied and chosen based on their outstanding performances in the memorial submission stage.

The highpoint of the event, which was attended by judges, academics, legal professionals, university representatives, among others, was the official opening of the moot court competition among the participating universities. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Abstain from tobacco products, foundation urges students
General News

Abstain from tobacco products, foundation urges students

138 total views today

By Blessing Ibegbu

The Executive Director, Cedars Refuge Foundation (CRF), Mr Peter Unekwu-Ojo, has called on young Nigerians to abstain from taking flavoured tobacco products that pose dangers to their health.

Unekwu-Ojo made the call during an anti-tobacco campaign at Klinnicaps Academy in Koroduma, Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State on Tuesday.

The theme of the campaign is: “Exposing Lies, Protecting Lives: Unmasking the Appeal of Tobacco and Nicotine Products.”

According to him, the campaign focuses on exposing the deceptive strategies of the tobacco industry.

“The campaign is aimed at combating the rising tobacco use among young Nigerians.

“We are engaging the students in an enlightening and interactive session aimed at unmasking the harmful realities behind flashy advertisements and flavoured tobacco products,’’ he said.

Addressing the students and school officials, Unekwu-Ojo denounced the manipulative tactics employed by tobacco companies, accusing them of deliberately targeting children and youths.

“These industries are setting young people up against their future. They sandwich their products with glamorous colourful packaging, enticing flavours and high-profile adverts, hiding the dangerous consequences of addiction.

“The educational session not only delivered hard-hitting facts, but also encouraged vibrant feedback and critical reflection from students.

“The campaign emphasises that the glitz associated with tobacco products is a smokescreen concealing long-term health risks and dependency

“Every child deserves a future free from the industry’s traps flavoured nicotine, flashy adverts and peer-induced pressure.

“Tobacco use is not a fashion statement, it is a death sentence disguised in shiny colours,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr John Egla, Executive Director, Development Initiatives for Societal Health, reiterated the irreversible danger posed by tobacco use.

According to him, Tobacco is a killer; there is no safe level of smoking.

He said that Cedars Refuge Foundation would be establishing Tobacco-Free Clubs in 10 high schools across Nasarawa State.

“These clubs will empower students with knowledge, peer leadership and advocacy tools to resist and counter tobacco industry influence.

“The 2018 Tobacco Atlas revealed alarming statistics that over 942 million men and 175 million women worldwide aged 15 and older are smokers, with usage rising across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria,” he said.

He attributed this growth to increased affordability and aggressive marketing strategies by tobacco companies aimed at vulnerable youth populations.

Mr Patrick Ori, the school principal, expressed deep appreciation for the initiative, acknowledging the importance of early intervention and continuous education.

Ori urged the students to resist peer pressure, adding that the critical role of parental supervision in safeguarding their future could not be overemphasised.

The Dean of Studies, Mrs Precious Ojiaku, urged students to uphold strong moral values.

She advised them  to avoid falling prey to nicotine hooks and flavor packages that were designed to entice and trap the unsuspecting living a morally grounded life.

“Living a morally grounded life, avoidance is the most effective resistance against an industry that profits from addiction and suffering,”she said.

She added that the campaign marks a significant step in the broader Smoke-Free Campaign led by Cedars Refuge Foundation.

Ojiaku said that the campaign also targets hotel operators, market leaders, motor park managers, primary health care centres, influencers, Policy makers and relevant stakeholders.

“It is important that stakeholders enforce the smoke-free provisions of the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act and Regulations, in collaboration with relevant enforcement agencies.

“The message is clear as well as resounding that ‘Tobacco has no place in the future of Nigerian youth’,” she added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high point of the campaign was the official establishment of a Tobacco-Free Club at Klinnicaps Academy, Karu.

NAN reports that the foundation distributed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to support the club’s activities and empower students with facts and skills to stand against tobacco use. (NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Joseph Edeh

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

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

302 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

260 total views today

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

282 total views today

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 

267 total views today

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

472 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

411 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

344 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

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email