Education
Foundation drums support for public schools, donates exercise books to pupils in Kogi

By Friday Idachaba
Philanthropists and development agencies have been urged to rechannel and scale up their support for public schools and education of the children of the poor and less privileged in the society.
Miss Victory Samuel, Founder and President of “Tory’s Care Foundation” made the call when she led members of the foundation to donate writing materials to pupils of Sabongari I and II Nursery and Primary Schools in Lokoja.

Samuel who is also a 400-level History and International Studies student of the Federal University, Lokoja (FUL) said quality of human infrastructure would continue to dwindle as long as public schools are neglected.
The Foundation President regretted the neglect of public schools with high enrollment of children of the poor and less privileged and urged government to prioritise the needs of pupils and students in such schools.

She said that the Foundation was in the two schools to support the pupils who were mostly children of the less privileged with exercise books adding, “We are here to give our own little form of care and support for the education of the children.
“We giving 200 each to Sabongari I and Sabongari II. In all, we are giving 400 exercise books as our own little way of showing that we care. This is our fourth outreach and we are doing this as part of programmes to mark our one year anniversary.
“Today is actually one year anniversary of Tory’s Care Foundation. We are driven by love and passion for humanity, reaching to people and showing that we care for children, in particular
This time around, we decided to have an educational outreach. Our previous outreach were visits to orphanage homes and giving food items to over 100 children on the streets at Paparanda Square area of Lokoja.”, she said.
Responding on behalf of the school management and students, Mrs Naomi Ogwuche, Assistant Headmistress, Sabongari II Primary School, Lokoja thanked God for for laying it on the hearts of the donors to assist the children.
“They came up at the time of need for the children because we have discovered that the children are willing to study and be imparted but they lack writing materials.
“Many of their parents find it difficult to afford the writing materials. The coming of Tory’s Care Foundation is a big relief for us, making the job easier for us.
“So, we pray that God will continue to strengthen them and make them to continue to remember us. What they do this afternoon will go extra mile in relieving the parents and address our frustrations as teachers.
“We pray that the jar from which this funds were taken from will never run dry as the Lord will continue to replenished and increase them a hundred fold”, Ogwuche said.
Two pupils, Rashidat Hassan, Primary Five and Ibrahim Mukhtar, primary two, expressed their gratitude to the Foundation for the exercise books gifts and for counting their schools worthy of the gesture.(Ends)
Education
Don Advocates Govt Funding Of Research In Universities For Economic, Social Devt.

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
University Don, Prof. Benjamin Mopah Dauda, has called on the Federal and State Governments to provide adequate funding for research in universities in the country to accelerate the nation’s economic and social development.
Dauda, a Professor of Polymer Chemistry and Technology at Federal University Lokoja (FUL) made the call in his Inaugural Lecture titled, “Polymer: Material Driving Technological Advancement”, on Wednesday in Lokoja.
At the lecture which is the 15th in the FUL Inaugural Lecture Series, the Polymer expert said Nigerian professors and scholars had the know-how to evolve innovations to address the nation’s economic and social challenges.
“Government must fund research in universities for economic and social development. We have the knowhow and we can synergize with colleagues in other fields to proffer solutions”, he said.
The University Don also called on the authorities of the Federal University Lokoja to develop Post Graduate (PG) programmes that would provoke researches that can address economic and social challenges of the Country.
He said that it would be such that “every year of the PG programme, students must publish at least one paper in reputable journal or Conference proceeding such that at the end of Masters or PhD programmes their work will be a compilation of these publications.”
Prof. Dauda who is also the Dean, Faculty of Sciences and Head of Department (HOD), Department of Industrial Chemistry in FUL, urged companies to partner with Universities to help solve processing problems and improve quality of their products.
“To this end, Nigerian Companies producing for global market should have their own Research and Documentation (R&D) units where they employ researchers to conduct research that will help improve processing and quality of products”, he said.
On the use of polymer in everyday life, the Professor of Polymer said the world is in the polymer age and every effort must be made to advance the technology of polymer to help the economy.
According to him, Humans use a staggering one million plastic bottles every minute adding that the plastic bottles and lots of other containers and casings are products of polymer.
“The vehicle of Information Technology (IT) and the Internet is the “Personal Computer”, more than 70% of which is Polymer. The science and technology of polymers must therefore tag along with developments in IT.
“Such industries as in IT, Transportation, Aerospace, Music, Textiles, Medical, Construction, Packaging, etc. are totally dependent on polymers.
“Chemistry forms the basis and starting point of Polymer Science but it also depends on other scientific study-areas such as physics, engineering and manufacturing”, he said.
On crude oil spillage and devastating effect on human, aquatic lives and revenue, Prof. Dauda called for more investigation and research into oil-sorbent that would address the menace.
According to him, investigation is required to explore the complex interplay between the newly developed oil-sorbent and other environmental parameters to obtain useful information on oil spill treatment in real situations.
He said that the Oil sector provides 95 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange and 80 per cent of its budgetary revenue adding that annually, a total number of 16,476 spills occur and approximately three million barrels spilled into the environment in Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi,
Vice-Chancellor (VC) Federal University Lokoja (FUL), said that in our ever-evolving world, the importance of materials science and its impact on technological advancement could not be overstated.
The VC noted that Mopah-Dauda’s extensive knowledge, dedication, and pioneering research in the field of Polymer Chemistry and Technology have not only contributed significantly to the academic community but have also played a pivotal role in shaping the technological landscape of our society. (Ends)
Education
Increased quest for UK education: UK schools’ principals to visit Nigeria in October

Nigeria is set to play host to Principals and Leaders of certain schools in London who are expected in Lagos next month due to increased quest for education in the United Kingdom by Nigerians.
The event codenamed, “UK Boarding Schools Week,” will take place in Lagos from 13-15 October at The Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to a statement issued to newsmen by the organisers, Mark Brooks Education in association with the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, activities lined up for the event includes, reception, seminar, and exhibition.
The first event will be a networking reception from 6pm – 8pm on Friday for visiting heads to meet school leaders and parents.
On Saturday, there will be a 30-minute seminar from education specialists on ‘Helping Teenagers to Thrive’
The entire programme would be concluded on Sunday 15th with a a new event ‘Lagos to London’.
Mark summed up the objective behind the summit and what it was expected to achieve.
He said:” It will create an opportunity for prospective parents to find out more and even sit entrance tests and interviews to beat the rush for places.
“An overseas education is increasingly popular for Nigerian families for a variety of reasons, an international experience, academic and sporting excellence, and a greater chance to secure a top university place.”
Some of the Principals equally revealed educational facilities and attendant advantages for prospective students.
According to Stuart Ansell, COO at Box Hill School, apart from strong academic results, the institution also ” deliver fantastic pastoral care and a ‘home away from home’ for boarding students.”
Henrietta Lightwood from Cardiff Sixth Form College disclosed that academic achievement is another reason for choosing UK school. West African students add tremendously to the community and gain “offers from world’s best universities.”
Sarah Matthews, Head at Truro High School for Girls, who is coming on the education summit for the first time said she looks “forward to spending more time in West Africa where I always receive such a warm welcome.”
She also spoke in glowing terms about her school.
“We offer a safe and affordable learning environment where girls thrive.”
Stuart Higgins of the Hereford Cathedral School said she was “delighted to be representing the school.”
“Awarded ‘great for music’ by a national publication, the school has strong Christian ethos and “offers a wide range of sporting opportunities.”
Some of the top schools in the UK to be part of the Boarding Schools Week include, Abbey College Cambridge, Bishop’s Stortford College, Bromsgrove School, among others.
Education
Akpabio declares support for Obot in quest to break Guinness World record for longest reading aloud marathon

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has declared support for an Akwa Ibom man, Mr John Obot in his official attempt to break the Guinness World Record for longest reading aloud marathon.
In a letter he sent to the Teacher, titled: “A note to encourage you” Senator Akpabio expressed his hope that Mr Obot would have the stamina and focus to reach his target of 145 hours to beat a previous record of 124 hours set in September 2022 by a Kyrgyzstan, Rysbai Isakov, in Bursa, Turkey.
According to the Senate President: “I am thrilled by your quest. This is especially true because you have chosen to seek global laurels on a road less travelled and in a state we have benefitted from the audacious and uncommon free and compulsory education started by my administration.
“You have shown courage. You have displayed the resourcefulness of our forebears and focus of the Akwa Ibom man in our recent history. Your dedication to this cause you believe in is unrivaled.
“I am to encourage you by reminding you that only those who stay the course eventually win the race.
“Keep up the quest, and never give up. Bring your light to shine on others who may have shown genuine interest but lack the courage to take the first step. Go ahead to inspire them and lead them through the courageous path – the only path that leads to victory.
“Keep it up, John. Your place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the 145 hours reading aloud marathon is assured on the content of your character, resilience and a spirit that never gives up,” Akpabio said.
Senator Akpabio said the quest by Obot to break the Guinness World Record will encourage other Nigerian youths to engage their energies in productive ventures rather than crime and other vices.
-
News From Kogi3 weeks ago
Echocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
Appointment5 days ago
Tinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
Appointment2 weeks ago
Reps member commends Tinubu over critical appointments for Akwa Ibom people
-
News From Kogi3 weeks ago
Tribunal voids Kogi East senatorial election, orders rerun
-
News3 days ago
Tribunal declares Nasir Gawuna, winner of Kano governorship election, as it Sacks AbbaYusuf
-
Politics1 day ago
Ododo/Oyibo campaign in harvest of decampees as NNPP reps candidate, Amanabo Joins APC with Supporters
-
News From Kogi2 weeks ago
Natasha is the authentic winner of Kogi Central senatorial election, Tribunal declares
-
Law2 days ago
Nasarawa Guber: Agabi knocks INEC over inability to defend Sule’s purported victory