Education
NGO Sensitises Teachers, Security Guards On Safety, Child Rights
Talentplus Resources International (TRI), an NGO, on Saturday in Ikorodu sensitised teachers and security guards on child rights and safety in primary schools in Lagos State.
The Tide source reports that the NGO is supported by Development Research and Project Centre (DRPC), and Ford Foundation.
Executive Director, TRI, Mrs Aderonke K-Eseka, said their primary objective was to sensitise teachers and head teachers to know that they had responsibility as co-parents to ensure the safety of children in schools.
K-Eseka noted that the organisation’s mission was geared towards child education, youths development, women empowerment, research and child’s right in the society.
“Some of the things we look at is the safe school declaration and the four pillars on the policy of security and safety.
“We also look at child’s rights, roles and responsibilities of taking care of these children while they are in schools.
“We also look at the evacuation of children in times of emergencies,” she said.
According the director, the current insecurity challenges in the country are worrisome and students of primary and secondary schools are not left out.
She said that Lagos Safe School Technical Working Group was set up for training and advocacy for head teachers, teachers and guards in all public schools across the state.
She also appealed to the state government to increase education budget, set aside funds for school safety and put in place all safety parameters like fences, guards, good toilet and a conducive and environment safe for learning.
K-Eseka advised parents to prioritise nuturing and education of their children, teaching them good morals, provision of basic amenities like writing materials because government alone could not do all.
“Recently, we paid advocacy visit to Lagos state government and also looking forward to meeting the local government chairmen and community leaders because safety of children during school hours is key.
“This is why we are advocating and engaging both teachers, school managers, local government authorities, state ministry and stakeholders in education sector.
“We want to do more, go into schools to educate them as we have done at the local government area level.
“Lagos State Government has taken care of 80 per cent basic needs of primary school pupils, providing textbooks, uniform, shoes; parents should also provide the writing materials .
“We want to ensure that every school in Lagos State conforms with minimum standard of safe school and conduct pasted on school walls for students to read,” she said.
Mrs Adeyinka Ajobiewe, a teacher at Owode Primary school, Ibelefun, Ikorodu, commended the organisers and promised to take the advocacy back to her school for assessment and implementation, saying “it’s very educative and impactful”.
Also, Mrs Ayo Otubamowo, a staff at the LGEA Basic Education, urged the NGO to sustain the training so that more schools could benefit and get aquainted with safety measures.
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.