Education
Siemens Partners EAE On IT Training For Students
In a bid to improve the skills of secondary school students, Siemens Stiftung has partnered with Empowering Africans through Education (EAE) Initiative to launch the BeMINT Project in Lagos State.
The programme is a first-of-its-kind hands-on Information Technology (IT) training project for high school students and fresh graduates in Lagos.
The year-long training programme, funded by BMZ and other partners, will train 300 students and 60 teachers from low-income communities in order to prepare them for the future.
BeMINT (MINT is the German abbreviation for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
(STEM), is a year-long project providing IT and life-skills training for students and fresh graduates.
About 100 students in high schools and 200 school graduates are expected to receive IT training in smaller groups.
Beneficiaries will also attend workshops with private sector employees with a view to giving them a taste of real-work scenarios through company visits and learning how to use digital platforms to exchange information with potential employers.
Project Manager, EAE, Chioma Aniagolu, said, “The Nigerian youth hold the key to unlocking the country’s economic prospects. They need up-skilling in IT to diversify our largely agricultural economy to the growth-enhancing digital sector. This project will contribute to the educational equity and opportunity for the youth from low-income households through after-school STEM and digital literacy education training, ultimately improving their job prospects.”
He said the partnership would ensure that youths and individuals remain innovative by up-skilling and expanding their mindset to sustain relevance and make them more competitive in a globally changing work environment.
Germany’s development cooperation aims to increase employment, especially for youth and women. It supports the Nigerian Government in improving living conditions of the broader population and strengthening the transition to a climate-compatible and socially equitable economy, he said.
Deputy Head of the Division for Cooperation with Civil Society at BMZ explained that, “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics – the links between theoretical knowledge and practical skills have never been more important. Siemens Stiftung’s approach will equip both students and teachers with this expertise. The project is tailored to meet the growing demand in Africa’s largest economy.”
Managing Director and spokesperson of the Board at Siemens Stiftung, said the demographic boom in Nigeria makes technical and vocational training crucial to integrate youths into the labour market and combat poverty.
He said: “We are thankful to BMZ for identifying our field experience in Africa and tasking us with implementation of IT and soft skills training for students and teachers from underserved communities in Lagos.”
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the need for students to go beyond academic achievements during the university’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The theme, “The University Culture In Practice, The IAUE Experience,” highlights the importance of embracing cherished traditions and intellectual values that define great universities.
Prof. Onuchuku encouraged the new graduates to work hard and persevere, noting that their convocation marks a new beginning in their careers and personal lives. He emphasised that they must prove themselves worthy of the certificates and prizes they have received.
According to him, out of 2,887 first-degree graduands, four made First Class, 403 secured Second Class Upper, 2,030 got Second Class Lower, and 450 graduated with Third Class. Additionally, 1,492 postgraduate students graduated, including 306 PhD holders.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), praised the university’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional maturity. He commended the Acting Vice Chancellor for achieving full accreditation for 47 academic programmes and implementing the NUC’s Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards.
The administrator urged the new graduates to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and strive for continuous knowledge and improvement.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Students Union Government, Rivers State Chapter (NIDSUG), has suspended its planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) state office in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed an intervention by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The students had planned to protest on Thursday, citing alleged neglect by the NDDC, particularly in welfare and capacity-building programmes for students from the state. However, after the police intervention, the students agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with the commission to address their concerns.
NIDSUG leader, Comrade Loveday Njoku, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s alleged exclusion of students from benefiting from its programmes. He presented a seven-point demand, including the reintroduction of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Njoku emphasised that education is crucial for community development and urged the commission to invest in the future leaders of the state.
The students warned that if their demands are not met, they will resume the protest and occupy the state commission office until their demands are addressed. Despite previous attempts to reach out to the commission’s management team, the students claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
By: Akujobi Amadi
As part of efforts to improve the welfare and overall quality of education for students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Sir (Dr.) Clifford Ndu Walter DSSRS, FCAI, JP, paid an unscheduled visit to Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi.
During the visit, Sir Walter expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the school and its surrounding environment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector, stressing its critical role in nation-building.
“I have visited the primary school in Ogbogoro, and now I’m here at the Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi. I am not satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he stated, indicating that more surprise visits to schools would follow.
To address the issues, the Sole Administrator directed the Council Engineer to commence process for rehabilitation of the school.
The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at conducting on-the-spot assessments of educational facilities to determine the level of intervention required by the local government council.
Dr. Walter also assured the teachers of his unwavering commitment to revamp the school and improve the learning environment for both staff and students.