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100 Students Get Trained On Digital Skills In Oyo School

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Ambassador Trains 100 Students On Digital Skills In Oyo School

 

An ambassador of The Education Sustainability and Vocational Development Initiative, Mutiat Temitope Ibrahim has trained 100 students of Novelty International Academy, Kishi, Oyo State, Nigeria, on digital literacy.

 

The training is part of the Digital Champions Project Digital Literacy Training on Computer fundamentals, skills, working with design techniques & tools, communication, netiquette and understanding the Web (World Wide Web).

Speaking on the project on Friday, Mutiat said, “the project took place in the school from 7th – 26th, and we we impacted 100 students in digital literacy. We also provided the school with Wi-Fi, so they could have access to the internet to practice their lessons.

“As a quality education and girl-child advocate, this programme is conceived due to being a global ambassador for Educational Sustainability and Vocation Development, so basically this is to improve literacy and each child has access to digital skills and others.

“We aimed to impact thousands of children. An ambassador is meant to impact 100 students, that’s how I came about the programme.

“We have planned this for a while now and I’m happy it finally worked. We tried bring it on the fore in Cameroon.

“We provided them with Wi-Fi, so after the training they would fall back in digital studies and skills. We are looking at monthly subscriptions for the school.

“The challenge we have is in funding. We did fundraising yet could not raise enough money for the project,” she said.

Also, the project manager, Wakilat Kikelomo Zakariyah said, “being a World Literacy Foundation Ambassador in 2020 sets the precedence for all my advocacy works, as it relates to Quality Education and Literacy. As an SDG4 (Quality Education) Advocate, the underlying purpose and impact of my literacy work is to promote Quality Education and make it accessible at the grassroots to children, especially the Girl-Child from the deprived sector.

“I want children in the grassroots to have access and to obtain quality education which starts from basic literacy skills which is the ability to read and write.

“Hence my track records revolve around SDG4 and the Girl-Child. Acting as the Project Lead and Manager for Digital Champions Project executed at Novelty Academy, Kishi, Oyo State, is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve experienced this year. It goes without saying that it is one of my 2022 Bucket List.

“I conceived the idea when I was serving at the sister branch of the school– Novelty Polytechnic. Then I found how far away the students were from technology and innovation and I wanted to bridge the gap but I was constraint by human and material resources. After my National service, I harnessed the support that I needed through READ Initiative and kickstarted the project.

“We had no real challenges. I had a solid, indefatigable team and working with them was seamless. What would’ve been the challenge would be the distance but technology and the support I got from my team made it all work out well. I did not have to be present before they got the job done. In fact, I was only there on the grand finale throughout the three weeks training.”

Wakilat, who was also a World Literacy Foundation Ambassador 2020 said that the most fulfilling moment was seeing the joy on the children’s faces.

Acting Head of Department, Computer Science, Novelty Polytechnic, Kishi, Abdulmuqtadir Yunus said his involvement in the project was due to passion.

“My passion for training the coming generation led to my first campaign which is techknow-kids. I have organized series of training classes ever since then till date using different platform. Afterwards, I co-founded the biggest tech-community in Kishi.

“The most fulfilling moment is that against all odd, I saw to the success of the training. The joy at the end is immeasurable.

“My prospective plan is to ceate a great space profile on the internet.”

Furthermore, a volunteer, Adeola Musbaudeen Bakare said his involvement in the project born out from passion to impart in young talents.

Adeola, who is also an agriculturist and a learning facilitator at Novelty International Academy, stated that “in this 21st century, digital skill is actually dominion over all other skills. Without the knowledge of computer, then other skills cannot function to their full lengths. This means that, it’s an indispensable skill to getting other things done properly in this generation of ours.

“This is why I was enthusiastic to be involved immediately I was informed.

The little challenge encountered was when there was power outage that caused the programme not to hold for the day and challenge is the limited available PC for the students but every problem was overcome.

“Continuity of the programme would be fine if there can be a standby tutor in the school. Financial support and follow up would equally be helpful in the long run.”

The Education Sustainability and Vocational Development Initiative is a national development organization dedicated to empowering one child, one school, one teacher, and one community to ensure equal access to educational opportunities by working through volunteers and partners.

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Ibadan Funfair Tragedy: Former Ooni’s Wife, Others Remanded Over Stampede

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A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Iyaganku, Ibadan, has ordered the remand of Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, along with Oriyomi Hamzat, the CEO of Agidigbo FM, and Abdullahi Fasasi, the Principal of Islamic High School, at the Agodi Correctional Centre.

The trio was arraigned on Tuesday in connection with the recent tragic stampede that occurred during a Christmas funfair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.

The incident, which claimed the lives of 35 children and injured six others, has drawn widespread public and legal attention.

Presiding over the case, Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi issued the remand order following charges brought against the defendants. The police prosecutor stated that their alleged offences contravened Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

READ MORE: States Tighten Measures To Prevent Stampedes At Events

The prosecution accused the defendants of being involved in the organization of the event, which turned disastrous, leading to the stampede. Pending legal advice from the Oyo State Director of Public Prosecutions, the court directed their detention at the correctional facility.

The court session, held amidst heavy security, attracted significant public interest. Law enforcement officers were seen providing tight security as the suspects were escorted to and from the courtroom.

Further updates on the legal proceedings are expected as investigations continue.

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Labour Kicks Against N935/Litre Petrol, Wants More

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A cry has gone out for further reduction of the pump prices of premium motor spirit (PMS) in Nigeria to reflect local domestic production of refined products.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)has urged further reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol, insisting that the recent drop in price to N935/litre was begging the situation.

Recall that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in partnership with MRS recently announced a reduction in petrol price to N935/litre.

Before the announcement, the commodity sold for over N1,030/litre in Lagos and environs, while it cost more than N1,060/litre in Abuja and Northern states.

ALSO READ: CSOs Urge Further Reduction Of Pump Prices Of Petrol

In a swift reaction, on Sunday, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said its members would be selling petrol at N935/litre from Monday based on the latest arrangement with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

IPMAN’s National President, Maigandi Garima,, according The Punch, said the reduction in Dangote refinery’s ex-depot price for petrol and the uniform arrangement being put in place, would enable marketers to sell at N935 in their outlets nationwide.

They had set aside N36/litre as cost of logistics.

However, the announcement did not excite the NLC, which insisted on Monday that the cost of petrol should drop further.

A senior official of the NLC, Chris Onyeka, unequivocally rejected any commendation for the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) over the recent reduction in the pump price of petrol.

He argued that the current pricing mechanism does not reflect the true cost of the commodity, according to The Punch.

“Do you want us to clap for them? How can we be okay with a price of N935/litre of PMS? This is not the right price for PMS. You cannot base the price on imported products when we have refining capacity in Nigeria,” he said.

He argued that the costs embedded in the current pricing framework — including foreign labour, freight charges, insurance, logistics, and profits accrued abroad — unfairly burden Nigerians.

“Products are refined in Nigeria, yet the price you give Nigerians is based on imported products. Why should we applaud that? It is akin to someone stealing your money and returning only part of it, then expecting you to clap. We cannot applaud this,” he stated.

Onyeka stressed that the only way to ascertain the correct price of PMS is by determining the actual cost of refining it domestically.

“We need to know how much it costs the NNPC to refine a litre of PMS in our local refineries, such as the Port Harcourt refinery. That is the price Nigerians should be paying,” he emphasised.

He called on the government to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians by ensuring that fuel pricing aligns with local realities.

“This country belongs to all Nigerians. Let the government do the right thing that allows Nigerians to breathe. Let the poor breathe.

“The NLC’s position underscores growing discontent among Nigerians over the rising cost of living, with fuel prices being a major contributor to inflation and economic hardship,” he stated.

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No Regrets On Subsidy Removal, Tax Reforms To Continue – Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu, during his first Presidential Media Chat aired on the Nigerian Television Authority on Monday, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the ongoing tax reforms and subsidy removal, maintaining that the measures are essential to securing Nigeria’s economic future.

The tax reforms, designed to eliminate colonial-era practices and widen the tax net, have faced significant resistance from some quarters, particularly from northern lawmakers and governors. Despite this, Tinubu declared, “Tax reform is here to stay. We cannot just continue to do what we were doing yesteryears in today’s economy.”

The reforms, encapsulated in four bills transmitted to the National Assembly, aim to streamline taxation and revenue generation.

However, critics, including Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, have argued for caution. “The Petroleum Industry Bill took almost 20 years before it was finally passed. This tax reform bill is being transmitted and receiving legislative attention within a week. It should be treated carefully and with caution,” Zulum said in an interview with BBC.

Despite calls for broader consultations and delays, Tinubu emphasized the pro-poor nature of the reforms, noting that the vulnerable would not be taxed. “The essence of the tax reform is to eliminate colonial-based assumptions in our tax environment,” he stated.

READ MORE: President Tinubu Set For First Nationwide Media Chat Tonight

No Regrets Over Subsidy Removal

Addressing the economic hardship resulting from the removal of the petrol subsidy, Tinubu defended his decision as necessary to prevent Nigeria from “spending its future.” He dismissed the notion of a phased removal, stating, “Phased removal is part of unnecessary fear. No matter how you cut it, you still have to meet the bills.”

The President highlighted the benefits of subsidy removal, pointing out that the policy had curtailed smuggling and freed up resources for more productive uses. “There is no way that you give out fuel and allow all the neighbouring countries as Father Christmas. I don’t have any regret whatsoever in removing the subsidy,” he said.

Tackling Inflation and Corruption

Tinubu also discussed his administration’s strategies to reduce inflation, emphasizing local production and import reduction. “If one produces more for consumption locally, stop imports, give a reasonable level of funding and assistance… we have what it takes,” he explained.

On corruption, the President cited increased earnings for workers and stricter oversight by anti-corruption agencies as key measures. He pointed to the recent seizure of hundreds of properties reportedly owned by a former Central Bank Governor as evidence of his administration’s efforts. “Part of the anti-corruption is removal of subsidy. It is very difficult to eliminate but you reduce it to the barest minimum,” Tinubu stated.

Food Stampedes and Governance

The President expressed condolences over recent tragic stampedes during food distribution events, attributing the incidents to poor organization by event planners. “If you don’t have enough to give, don’t attempt to give or publicize it,” he warned.

Tinubu concluded by reaffirming his commitment to efficient governance and economic reforms, stating, “The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to do what you have to do at the time it has to be done.”

The reforms continue to spark nationwide debates, with stakeholders divided over their potential long-term impacts.

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