NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Nigerian smart schools get KOICA’s N9.5m grant
Education

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

702 total views today

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

Foundation mobilises 500 FCT students to fight drug abuse
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

Drug abuse destroying Nigeria’s future leaders – Etsu Kwali
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

Imo students receive bank’s educational materials donation
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

Brunel University, FCTA partner to commercialise students’ entrepreneurial ideas
Metro

Brunel University, FCTA partner to commercialise students’ entrepreneurial ideas

611 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

Excitement as students with low vision see whiteboard, teacher clearer
Health

Excitement as students with low vision see whiteboard, teacher clearer

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By Angela Atabo

Some students with low vision on Thursday, expressed excitement after seeing the whiteboard and their teachers clearer for the first time in years.

The students were among 115 children that benefited from free eye care outreach, organised by Women and Girls with Albinism Network in collaboration with Public Health Department, Federal Capital Territory Administration.

The outreach was organised with support from CBM Global Disability Inclusion in Abuja, to commemorate the 2024 World Sight Day, with the theme, “Love Your Eyes Kids”.

Among the beneficiaries were students from Junior Secondary School, Gbazango, Kubwa and Government Secondary School, Kubwa II, with many of them commending the organisers for making them see clearly and better.

One of them, Miss Rejoice Chinonso, a 12-year-old student with albinism, told the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) that it had not been easy struggling to see what is written on the board.

“Sometimes, I don’t even see the board or my teacher, but thanks to Women and Girls with Albinism Network in Abuja, I can see clearly now. I feel very happy.

“Now my academic performance will improve. I really thank the NGO for giving children with albinism a chance to focus on their future,” she said.

Also reacting, Abubakar Usman, a junior secondary school student in Gbazango said his vision was a bit cloudy until now, saying, “with the help of glasses, I can see my friends clearly.”

Another beneficiary, Zafanaya Gideon, thanked the organisers for the gesture, which she described as a “game changer” in her life.

“The free eye check and the glasses will change my life in an immeasurable way. Thank you. I can see very well now,” she said.

Musa Shuaibu, another student, said his sight has significantly improved after the treatment.

The visibly excited Shuaibu added that with the help of glasses, he could see everybody, saying, “now my academic performance will improve.”

The story was no different for Miss Rose Chukwuemeka, who said she could not see small letters, but could now see everything with the help of glasses.

A child with albinism undergoing eye check up during the outreach in Junior Secondary School Gbazango,Kubwa on Wednesday in Abuja.

Earlier, the founder and Chief Executive Director of the NGO, Constance Onyemaechi, shared her experience growing up as a person with albinism, which she simply described as “not easy.”

Onyemaechi said that the outreach would help a lot of children who were struggling with their eyesight to cope well in school, social life and build their self-esteem.

“We decided to do this in commemoration of World Sight Day; we have done the first phase, which is the eye screening.

“We are now on the second phase, which is refractive screening for children who were referred for refractive testing, especially children with albinism.

“The impact of this event is to ensure that every child gets proper health care services, especially when it comes to eye health,” she said.

Dr Garba Abdulrazaq, Programme Manager, Eye Care Disease Programme, Public Health Department, FCTA, said that the theme for the 2024 Eye Sight Day, ““Love Your Eyes Kids’’ beamed the light on children, hence the concentration on them.

Abdulrazaq said that the organisations were able to provide free eye screening services for kids, teachers and parents.

“We also have free glasses for children that will be refracted after detection and will need glasses and eye medications.

“We have also been able to educate the children and the staff about reducing stigma amongst people that wear glasses,” he said.

Abdulrazaq said that the project supported inclusiveness, ensuring that everybody was carried along, especially people with disabilities.

“This is why we also have students with albinism that are here today; it is very crucial to also educate students in the schools to let them know that persons with albinism are just like you and I,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola and Benson Iziama

NELFUND to disburse N90bn in tuition, stipends- MD
General News

NELFUND to disburse N90bn in tuition, stipends- MD

1,054 total views today

By EricJames Ochigbo

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, has announced the fund’s commitment to disbursing 90 billion naira for student’s tuition and stipends.

Sawyerr said this at a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships, and Higher Education Financing on Wednesday in Abuja.

He noted that the fund has received over 350,000 applications and has so far disbursed more than N10 billion.

According to him, the fund is inclusive, ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location or background, has access to the education they deserve.

Sawyerr emphasised that NELFUND is an institution designed to provide relief, particularly in these challenging economic times, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He stated that the fund offers not just immediate palliative relief but a long-term solution aimed at fostering stability and growth in Nigeria.

“Applications are coming in at an average of over 1,000 per day, and we are making special provisions for students with disabilities.

“We are also focused on addressing barriers to girl-child education, recognising that denying girls the opportunity for further education denies the nation the chance to benefit from their leadership potential.

“With 70 per cent of our population under the age of 35, failing to provide education for this segment exposes Nigeria to a future fraught with instability and violence, this intervention by President Tinubu could not have come at a better time”.

Sawyerr further stated that deliberate efforts are being made to proactively reach out to regions that feel left behind, particularly the South East.

He noted that following multiple rounds of sensitisation in local communities, there has been significant progress with a surge in applications.

He reiterated NELFUND’s commitment to working closely with the committee to achieve its goals.

“This collaboration is crucial in shaping a student loan system that truly serves the interests of all Nigerians.

“As we continue to work together, let us remember that our collective goal is the betterment of Nigeria and its youth.

“By ensuring education remains accessible and equitable, we are securing the future of millions of young Nigerians and building a stronger, more prosperous nation”.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Gboyega Isiaka (APC-Oyo), described NELFUND as a critical agency.

He noted that the fund is about creating a future where every Nigerian youth has the opportunity to realise their potential and contribute to national development.

Isiaka expressed concerns about the management’s capacity to handle the fund, given its potential.

“As we proceed with proper oversight of this institution, we will focus on several key issues. For instance, we need to be able to ask ourselves: Where will NELFUND be in the next three to five years?

“How will it achieve its goals, and what challenges need to be addressed to get there?” he said.

Isiaka reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency, pledging to work within the law to meet the aspirations of Nigerians, especially the youth. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Tosin Kolade

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