For a better world, Education cannot wait.

125 million people are living in crisis around the world, and we are in the throes of the greatest humanitarian emergency since World War II. People are fleeing violence and famine in record numbers, seeking a better future for themselves, and most importantly, their children.

For these reasons the UN Secretary General convened the first ever World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul to gather leaders, UN delegates, civil society, and advocates to discuss what must change in the humanitarian system to better serve people facing emergencies and crises.

From the opening ceremony to special sessions and the exhibition space, the conversation often turned to the 75 million school-aged children directly affected by crises who cannot afford to lose out on their right to education and the potential to chart their own destinies.

Below are the three messages the Global Partnership for Education delegation (lead by its board chair Julia Gillard) reinforced throughout the two-day gathering.

1. Education cannot wait

The new Education Cannot Wait fund was launched on May 23. It is expected to better coordinate support for, and drive investment in, education for children and youth affected by humanitarian emergencies and protracted crises. Development organizations, donors, and private sector representatives pledged financial, technical, and political support to Education Cannot Wait.

On behalf of GPE, Julia Gillard remarked:

“Today, we have come together to say we can and will do better. Thanks to the work of technical experts, Education Cannot Wait has been well designed and will combine new resources with new ways of working. Responding to educational crisis will be better coordinated and our capacity to act will be improved. GPE has and will continue to support Education Cannot Wait. We are wholeheartedly committed to ensuring its success.”

UNICEF Executive Director Tony Lake summarized the urgent need for the fund:

“Education cannot wait, because it offers safety. Education cannot wait because it ensures the futures of individuals and entire societies. Education cannot wait because it saves lives.”

Education Cannot Wait was one of the most prominent outcomes of the summit. It was referenced as a crucial first step to ensuring that education is prioritized during and in the aftermath of conflict and crises Leaders stressed that the world cannot afford to leave any child stranded without education if we are to achieve our sustainable development goals and build peaceful and stable societies.

2. Education is under attack and must be protected

“Education is a strong shield helping prevent children from radicalization, against recruitment to arranged marriages and trafficking. Education can save lives.”

That’s what EU Commissioner Christos Stylianides remarked at a side event Education in Emergencies: Towards a Strengthened Response in African Nations jointly organized by GPE, the EU Commission for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, UNHCR and UNICEF.

According to the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, though, there have been attacks on schools, students, or teachers in more than 70 countries between 2009 and 2013.

Students in many countries undergoing crises do not always feel safe on their way to school or at school and this is a major barrier to their schooling, as well as a violation of their human right to education. Girls, along with the parents and teachers who champion their education, are particularly at risk.

A lot can be done to make schools and education safer. Improved conflict-sensitive planning, for example, is an important preventive measures that can be taken by any country. Communities can be supported in protecting education when necessary. School infrastructure can be better secured.

“It all starts with sensitizing governments and making sure that ministries are prepared when crisis erupts. It’s all about strengthening systems during peaceful times – so they can withstand troubled times,”

said Julia Gillard.

3. Education can bridge the divide between development and humanitarian assistance

One of the main objectives of the summit was to discuss with both humanitarian and development actors how best to ensure a continuum of support from the immediate emergency phase through to long-term development.

“Education Cannot Wait will help to make the crucial link between humanitarian aid and long-term development ensuring that children’s education is not forgotten,”

said Julia Gillard.

Affected children and their parents cite education as their top priority, but it is often the first intervention to be sacrificed in the immediate response to an emergency. The less than 2% of humanitarian aid spent on education cannot possibly meet the needs of 75 million children and the already under-financed education development actors cannot fill that gap alone.

In the words of UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova,

“Without children in safe schools, there can be no sustainable development, and there can be no peace.”

GPE has experience in providing funds rapidly, in restructuring development grants so they can finance humanitarian work.  For example in Sierra Leone, GPE funding provided TV and radio educational content when schools were closed because of Ebola.  In Somalia, the partnership worked to shift away from fragmented, emergency activities to having solid education plans in place for Somaliland, Puntland, and the federal government. While, in Yemen money was used to rebuild schools and provide psychosocial support for traumatized children.

Student, 17, charged with N85,000 laptop theft

A 17-year-old student, Mutiu Olawuyi, was on Friday brought before a Surulere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a HP laptop valued at N85,000.

Olawuyi, who lives at No. 1, Gunny Odubena St., off Omilani Street, Ijeshatedo, Lagos, is facing a three-count charge bordering on malicious damage and theft.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. Osanyande Anthonia said the accused committed the offences at Ijeshatedo at about 4.00 p.m on May 1.

According to him, the accused asked the complainant, Mayowa Ibraheem, to give him her laptop to help repair at a computer workshop.

``The accused absconded with the laptop after collecting it.

``The woman came to the Police Station at Ijeshatedo to report the incident, leading o the arrest of the accused at his residence at Ijeshatedo.’’

The offences contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

Ruling on the accused’s bail application, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Ekpaye Nwachukwu, granted him bail in the sum of 100,000 with one surety in like sum.

She said the surety must be a grade level 14 officer in the civil service.

The case has been adjourned to July 4 for mention. 

Nigerian students threaten to shut down schools in 11 states

The National Association of Nigeria Students,NANS, zone B, yesterday threatened to shutdown all tertiary institutions in the zone, comprising 11 states today in protest against the decision of the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy.

The students’ body in a communique issued at the end of its meeting held on Tuesday at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, main campus, lamented the hike in pump price of fuel that has brought untold hardship on Nigerians.

The students in the communique signed by the Zone B Coordinator, Comrade Pedro Obi, the Assistant Secretary General in the zone, Comrade Jennifer Eze, and three others, said; “The senate discussed extensively and exhaustively on the state of the economy, particularly the hardship unleashed on Nigerians courtesy of the obnoxious policy occasioned by the astronomical hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS.

“In the past few months, the Federal Government has aided artificial scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), subjecting the Nigerian masses to untold hardship from N86 and N 86.50 to N145.

“This no doubt, is an indictment on the Federal Government, a government that has failed to tell Nigerians the true position of things, a government where senior officials are dishing out counter statements in defence of the fuel price hike, defending the indefensible.

“NANS Zone B sympathizes with Nigerians on this unfortunate and sorry state of the Nigerian economy. NANS Zone B condemns in strong terms the manner in which the administration is managing the fuel crisis and unanimously rejects the conspiracy between the Federal Government and Independent Marketers of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in impoverishing Nigerians.”

Rejecting the fuel hike in totality and calling for a return to status quo, the communique further reads that: “The Senate of NANS Zone B will close down all campuses in the eleven States of the Zone starting from Friday 27th May, 2016.”

GBC-Education to mobilise $100m for new Education Cannot Wait fund

Global Business Coalition for Education (GBC-Education) has announced that it will mobilise $100m (£67.96mn, €89.41m) in financial aid and relevant contributions for a new fund called the Education Cannot Wait, to educate children in emergency situations.

The new fund by Unicef was announced on 23 May at the World Humanitarian Summit, a two-day conference held in Istanbul, Turkey.

"In emergency situations, education is the last priority, leaving millions of children and youth on the streets and impacting growth, stability, innovation and opportunity. The negative long term implications of children not getting a quality education are huge. The business community finds it unacceptable to stand by and lose generations of young people," said Sarah Brown, executive chair of  GBC-Education.

Started in 2012, GBC-Education is a business-led, action-oriented federation of over 100+ businesses worldwide. It engages the business community in strategic partnerships to accelerate progress in delivering quality education for children and youth in crisis.

"We believe that education is the birthright of every child, the key to expanded opportunity, future employment and the cornerstone of greater economic development and social prosperity," the institution said in a press release.

GBC-Education will work with Education Cannot Wait to spot top-challenges in delivering education in crises and tap the capabilities of private sector business leaders and companies to develop new solutions.

To start with, GBC-Education has committed to developing the first-ever database of potential corporate in-kind support for education in crisis.

"The vision is to create a database that can be activated when crisis or emergency strikes, making it possible to identify partners willing to provide expertise, products or services necessary to restore hope and opportunity to children," the statement read.

In February 2016, GBC-Education mobilised $75 million from the private sector to support education initiatives targeting one million Syrian refugees.

Also in 2014, following the kidnapping of the Chibok girls in Nigeria, the organisation along with business leaders came forward for action and created Safe Schools Initiative, which led to the creation of a $30m multi-donor trust fund dedicated to creating safe learning opportunities in Nigeria.

Since then, GBC-Education has expanded this initiative to include work in Pakistan, Ebola-affected countries, Latin-America and in war-torn Middle Eastern countries.

Although, the institution faces several challenges – like reintroducing affected children to the school or to help accelerate students who have fallen behind so that they re-join their apt grade levels – it aims to continue its work in crisis area.

Job engagement and Employee performance: Toward Organisational Growth and Employee Motivation-1

Studies have shown in recent years that there are more disengaged and actively disengaged employees in today's organizations in many countries than engaged employees. Job engagement simply means “passion for work". To crown it all, it is even much harder to build engagement within the specific group of employees in a situation when the knowledge about the specifics of their work-life is relatively missing. Thus, to CEO's, job engagement is one of the top five most important challenges for management.

An individual's expressed intention to leave their organization is generally regarded as an important measure of how they are feeling about their work. Engaged employees are likely to have greater attachment to their organization and a lower tendency to quit.
From research findings, according to (Buckingham 2001) identified three discrete groups of employees, engaged employee, non-engaged employees and actively disengaged employees. The findings indicated that the majority (63%) of employees fell into the non-engaged employee’s category. These employees were characterized as being productive in the sense of doing what are asked of them but were not instrumentally motivated; they could be tempted by job vacancy elsewhere and were responsive to financial incentives, but cynical about higher-order appears to loyalty.

Of the sample, 17% fell into the engaged employees category; these employees were characterized as being loyalty committed, productive and task-effective. Actively disengaged formed the remaining 20% of the sample and comprised employees who were physically present, but psychologically absent. These employees demonstrated behavioural attitudes that were negative, unco-operative and even hostile.  Thus, how do we  make sure  the employees are satisfied ? so that there can be full optimization of their skills thereby having a trickle down effect on their performance.

Job Engagement and Employee Performance: Toward Organizational growth and Employee Motivation.-2

Job Engagement and Employee Performance: Toward Organizational growth and Employee Motivation.

Studies have shown in recent years that there are more disengaged and actively disengaged employees in today's organizations in many countries than engaged employees . Job engagement simply means " passion for work". To crown it all, it is even much more harder to build engagement within the specific group of employees in a situation when the knowledge about the specifics of their work-life is relatively missing. Thus, to CEO's job engagement is one of the top five most important challenges for management.


An individual's expressed intention to leave  their organization is generally regarded as an important measure of how they are feeling about their work. Engaged employees are likely to have greater attachment to their organization and  a lower tendency to quit.
From research findings, according to (Buckingham 2001) identified three discrete groups of employees, engaged employee, non engaged employees and actively disengaged employees. the findings indicated that the majority (63%) of employees fell into the non engange employees category. These employees were characterized as  being productive in the sense of doing what ere asked of them but where not instrumentally motivated; they could be tempted  by job vacancy else where and were responsive to financial incentives, but cynical about higher-order appears to loyalty.



Of the sample, 17% fell into the engaged employees category; these employees where characterized as being loyal committed, productive and task-effective. Actively disengaged formed the remaining  20% of the sample and comprised employees who were physically present, but psychologically absent. These employees demonstrated behavioral attitudes that were negative, unco-operative and even hostile.  Thus, what is the way forward?
 

A future of Possibilities through Education. let's help save the world.

An average of four schools or hospitals are attacked or occupied by armed forces and groups every day – according to UNICEF analysis released ahead of the World Humanitarian Summit.

The findings, drawn from the most recent Report of the UN Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict, come in the wake of recent attacks on education and health facilities and workers – including the bombing of schools in Yemen, and a strike on a hospital in Aleppo, Syria on 27 April, that killed at least 50 people, including one of the last paediatricians in the area. 

“Children are being killed, wounded, and permanently disabled in the very places where they should be protected and feel safe,” said Afshan Khan, UNICEF’s Director of Emergency Programmes.

“Attacks against schools and hospitals during conflict are an alarming, and disgraceful, trend. Intentional and direct strikes on these facilities, and on health workers and teachers, can be war crimes.  Governments and other actors need to urgently protect schools and hospitals by upholding the provisions of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and states must sign the Safe Schools Declaration.”

Attacks against schools and hospitals are one of the six grave violations against children identified and addressed by the UN Security Council. The last Report of the UN Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict documented more than 1500 incidents of attacks on, or military use of, schools and hospitals in 2014, including:

• In Afghanistan 163 schools and 38 health facilities were attacked.
• In Syria, 60 attacks on education facilities were recorded, as well as nine cases of military use of schools and 28 attacks on health facilities.
• In Yemen, 92 schools were used for military purposes by armed forces and groups.
• In South Sudan, there were seven incidents of attacks on schools and 60 involving military use.
• A total of 543 educational facilities were damaged or destroyed in the State of Palestine and three attacks were documented on Israeli schools.
• According to education authorities in Northeast Nigeria, a total of 338 schools were destroyed and damaged between 2012 and 2014.

Over the past year, the UN monitoring system has also documented so-called ‘double-tap’, or even ‘triple-tap’, strikes on healthcare facilities in which civilians are attacked, as well as the first responders arriving on the scene. 

Beyond attacks on buildings, conflict has other far-reaching consequences on children’s education and healthcare. In Syria, for example, as well as attacks on hospitals, the removal of medical kits and surgical supplies from aid convoys, restrictions on medical evacuations, and killing of medical personnel, mean that access to critical and lifesaving healthcare for civilians in affected areas is diminishing day by day.

“Children are being abducted from their schools in horrific circumstances in countries like Nigeria and South Sudan, while others are being raped, or recruited and used as child soldiers,” said Khan.
The very first World Humanitarian Summit will take place in Istanbul on the 23rd and 24th of May. Global leaders will discuss how to effectively respond to major humanitarian emergencies, and how to be better prepared to meet challenges of the future.

Building a brighter future through Education

Building a brighter future through Education

 

For us to be where we wanna be, education is  a necessary ingredient for every nation and thus,must pay adequate attention to education

WHAT’S NEXT?- Sandra Efeya

Sunny day as I wait upon the loving mercy of nature to send me some cool breeze. Frustrated at the tingling sensations I felt as it got hotter in the room. What’s next for me? I look around the hotel premises and figured they had no pool. Oh darn! I cursed at that, I’m not even lodged here so how do I get myself to feel as good as new.

Pacing up and down literally loitering about the lobby, fate decides to shine on me. Man as fine as wine about 5’9 slowly passes by me and I think to myself how could one person smell so nice, I was captivated by the smell of his cologne. I immediately snap myself back to reality and in a flash; the thought of the unbearable heat comes back.

But wait, how would a hotel this big be crap at giving cool or should I say refined air to its customers. Darn this I say, I would basically sue if I lodged here. It’s about that time, my colleagues are calling on me as the meeting we gathered for in this crap like hotel is about to start and I’m thinking weren’t they better hotels with standard and reliable power supply? I’m not paying by the way, the company is. I walk on to the conference room and still, powers out but at least it’s cooler than the lobby was.

As I get settled awaiting others so we could begin fully, I remember I’d have to make a presentation at some point; I’ve been travelling, I’m jet lagged, I’m not ready. Beating myself up about how unprepared I am someone lends the attention of everyone in the room. With my seat backing the entrance, I slowly turn to give a warm welcome to the attention lender, lo! The heavens open and a light shines down on him; it was like he had a halo. Mixed feelings I’m excited to see him but then at the same time I do want an earthquake, can the hardwood floor just become quicksand? Swallow me up please I say to myself. The tingling sensations are gone now shivers making my skin strike a resemblance as that of a chicken.

Quick flash, light fills the room; hey! The power is back and I looked up snapping back to reality for the second time in an hour. Now I realize I’ve got the whole room focused on me. What! Have I been starring at him? Now he says hello and I slowly slide into my chair like a child in kindergarten would when he gets shy. Brief introduction, he says his name is Ryan and I’m lost in his voce again this time with my arms on my chin gazing lustfully into his eyes fantasizing about his lips on mine.

Then I hear my name, what! I’m called? How so soon? Oh! Darn it, I almost said that out. Pheew! I’m not ready is say to myself. I hear the applause; come on up he says. All that comes to mind is should I, should I not, can the power go out again? Oh that’s so stupid, not so long had I wished for nature’s mercy for air to be directed to me and did I get an artificial one. Taking a deep sigh, I walked up front and give me presentation.

Dang! He said, oh! Finally we have something in common. He commends my work and there I was smiling uncontrollably at his comment. I walk out of the conference room with smiles all over my face as pink as blush. How that turned out great, how did I do that? Well I’ve always had potential, feeling myself already.

A cold tap over my shoulder eh! Chai! It’s him again, the one fine as wine with all that sugar and spice, I guess he should just be twice as nice in all ramification. My lips opened without my consent saying those three words “you are cute”. What!!! I could just slap myself to refresh my memory; I didn’t just do that did I? I do need some soothing words to cover up my mouth overlap; shall I say I was actually complementing your shoes or shirt? Nah that sounds stupid. Ok I did say that no two ways about it. Expecting a breathtaking response or even a complement but all I got was a smirk. 

Now I’m somewhere between I want him and shut up. I close my eyes for a minute and when I open them the first thing I sight was a symbol of signed, sealed, and delivered.

Wait, a wedding ring? Is he married? He is married. I did get my hopes up so much wishing something would spark up; how do I get out of this awkward conversation? I’ll fade out slowly but what’s next?

Educationist urges admission-seekers to embrace e-learning

Mr Ishan Abeywardena, an Open Educational Resources Adviser with the Commonwealth of Learning based in Canada, on Wednesday urged Nigerian youths to embrace online-open-distance -learning institutions.

Abeywardena told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that these learning institutions have the same credibility as the conventional institutions.

He said that the open distance learning was a very essential tool to educate the masses and increase access to western education.

The adviser said that the world had moved from `a stage- on- a stage to a guide on the side,’ adding 

that online learning was the future of higher institutions of learning.

According to him, usually in a conventional institution, lecturers or professors stand in front of their classes, dictate notes and assignments.

They also direct their students on whatever topics they wanted their students to learn, he said.

“However, in the open-and-distance learning, students are giving self-directed materials, which they 

can goggle from the internet, and study at their own pace.

“The accuracy of the materials given out to students in the open-and- distance learning situation is better than what a lecturer or professor is teaching in a conventional institution.

“Also in countries like Nigeria and India, with large population waiting to gain admissions into higher institutions of learning and universities, online learning is a quick solution.

“It is not a very visible proposition for developing countries like Nigeria for its government to establish tertiary institutions of learning that can accommodate all those seeking admissions,’’ he said.

Abeywardena urged government to provide platforms and policies that would support and encourage admission seekers to embrace online education.

He said if policies were not formulated, discrimination and common interests would impede the growth and development of distance learning.

The education expert urged youths, especially admission seekers, to consider working and learning simultaneously.

He said youths could seek employment while schooling to save time and resources.

“Why not work while you learn; nowadays, employers prefer to employ workers who are studying on part-time basis because they are more adaptable to workplace and serious situations,’’ he said.

Abeywardena said that flexible and open distance learning would encourage youths to work while studying as part-time students.

“Online students can adapt to different situations, they are good workers because they can hit the ground running, they come with a burden level which are secured, especially, for communication skills.

“Open-distance learning is a very positive step; the Open University of UK is constantly ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK.

“There is no discrimination between accredited universities and the open universities in developed countries anymore because most universities are also embracing online.

“Very soon, there will be no line between open distance learning and the conventional learning,’’ he said.

Learning in South Sudan

School is a magical place, but for most children in South Sudan, it’s just a dream. Even before the current conflict, there were more than one million children out of school, with a further 400,000 children losing out on an education due to the fighting. The world’s newest country now has the highest proportion of out-of-school children globally.

Nearly one in every three schools in conflict-affected areas has been destroyed, damaged, occupied or closed. Across the country, only 36 per cent of functioning schools have access to water and only 49 per cent have toilets. Children often have long and dangerous journeys to attend classes. Other barriers like early marriage, educational costs, overcrowded classrooms, and untrained teachers are keeping kids out of school.

The ideas and concepts behind the Education Cannot Wait Fund were explored at country level in South Sudan to better understand how the Fund would work on the ground. These findings have determined the shape, approach and functions of the Fund.

Meet Eunice and Nelson, two South Sudanese teenagers sharing the obstacles to education and hopes for the future. Share their stories and raise awareness about the lack of opportunities for so many in South Sudan

Don advocates regulation of anatomy practice

A university lecturer, Dr Tijani Adekilekun, has called on relevant agencies of government to give priority attention to effective regulation of anatomy practice in Nigeria.

Adekilekun, who is an anatomy expert, made the call in an interview with the newsmen on Wednesday in AdoEkiti.

The don, a senior lecturer in the Department of Anatomy, Ekiti State University, said lack of adequate regulation of anatomy practice in the country was affecting its relevance to human existence.

He also called for urgent review of the Anatomy Act Cap 17 Laws of Nigeria made since 1933 without any major review.

The don described the law as not only moribund and weak but also no longer in tune with global best practices.

According to him, the law is overdue for a major review to save human lives as well as guarantee respect and honour for human bodies.

He said though the 83-year old law was amended via Order 47 of 1951; LN 131 of 1954; CAP 17 of 1990 as well as CAP A16 of 2010, no concrete change had ever occurred in its outlook and implementation.

Adekilekun regretted that this was against what obtained in the laws guiding seven other health disciplines, inspite of the fact that the Anatomy Act was the first health related act in the law.

According to him, the old anatomy law, if properly amended, would have the capacity to practically regulate issues relating to registration and licensing off practitioners, training and re-training as well as discipline.

“It is alarming that despite the fact that the Anatomy Act was the first health act to be made, it is still the least developed and the most neglected.

“ While other health related laws made provision for establishment of regulatory bodies with full powers and adequate funding from the government, the existing Anatomy Act does not even have any link to the Ministry of Health,’’ he said.

Adekilekun expressed worry that even with the provision in the old laws that practising anatomists in Nigeria should be licensed to practise their profession, not even the eldest anatomist in the country today could provide an old copy of a single licence to practise.

Importance of Education

Education is most at risk in times of crisis. But this is exactly when children and young people need it the most. 75 million school-aged children and youth are in desperate need of educational support, either in danger of, or already missing out on their education. Communities highlight the importance of education during times of crises, yet education appeals receive less than 2% of humanitarian funding. The right to education is most at risk during emergencies but it is also the exact time when it is needed the most. 34 million out-of-school children and youth live in conflict-affected countries. These children are more than twice as likely to be out of school as those in other countries. Youth are two thirds more likely to be out of school. Governments need an extra $8.5 billion a year to close the funding gap for education in emergencies.
UNESCO supports the new Global Fund, which aims to raise nearly US$4 billion to reach 13.6 million children and youth in need of education in emergencies within five years, with the goal to reach 75 million children and youth by 2030.

More than 800 schools destroyed in South Sudan since December 2013. Destruction of schools=destruction of children's future.Let's support the children to thrive to their full potential

Education should encompass peace, non-discrimination, equality, non-violence & respect for human dignity

9,000 Nigerian studying in Malaysia - envoy

No fewer than 9,000 Nigerian students are currently studying in Malaysian universities, the country's High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Lim Juay Jin, has said.

Jin disclosed this in Ado Ekiti on Sunday at the Afe Babalola University during a visit.

He spoke at a programme tagged “Diplomatic Talk“, organised by the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy of the university.

Jin said that the affected Nigerians chose to study in Malaysia because they realised that his country was ``one of the top tertiary education destinations in the world''.

He said that the students were studying at all levels of education including undergraduate, masters as well as doctoral levels.

The envoy attributed the development to availability of facilities, affordable fees, friendly learning environment, quality tutors, good governance and stable economy.

Jin said that the GDP of his country with a population of just 30 million people, stood at 237b dollars, while its per capita income was 8,800 dollars.

He said that Malaysia was also doing well in the areas of agriculture, especially palm oil, which he said, his country that gained independence from Britain in 1957, had been able to use to its advantage.

The envoy expressed the desire of his country to further deepen its bilateral relations with Nigeria.

He said that a total of 450 Nigerians had so far attended Nigeria/Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP).

The founder of the university, Chief Afe Babalola, said that it was unbelievable that Malaysia, a smaller country that could not compete with many years ago, had overtaken Nigeria.

He canvassed a return of the country to the days of smaller units of regional governance so that too much powers would not be concentrated at the centre.

Babalola said that such smaller units would make Nigeria easier to administer.

“If we had maintained the regional government as they were in the 1960s, we would have developed even better than Malaysia.

“Our forefathers considered the population, land and resources as very large, that was why they introduced regional government.

"It has always been the smaller, the better”, he said.

NYSC denies plot to attack corps members

The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC) on Monday described as false, rumours of a plot to attack corps members serving in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers.

Mrs Violet Appolo, NYSC Public Relations Officer in the state, made the denial via a text message sent to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“It is not true that corps member are to be attacked. It is just a rumour," she stated.

Mr Pekins Kelo, Caretaker Committee Chairman of the local government, however, said that the threat to attack corps members posted to the area emanated from the social media.

Kelo said the threat was posted on May 21, adding that the local council had since alerted security agencies on the threat.

"It is a social media problem, it was posted that political thugs will attack corps members in Tai.

"So, I reached out to the Department of State Security and Nigeria Police Force, Rivers Command to make security arrangements for all corps members in Tai," he said.

Kelo said the local government and security agencies were on top of the situation. 

JSS II student stabbed in school by classmate

A 13-year-old JSS II student, Samuel Oladimeji, is on admission at Ikorodu General Hospital after his classmate allegedly stabbed him in the stomach, bringing out his intestines.

According to sources,  Samuel was allegedly stabbed by his 16-year-old class mate (name withheld) following a dispute over a handkerchief.

It was learnt that the incident happened at Isiuwu Grammar School, Isiuwu, near Ikorodu on May 11 at about 9.30 a.m.

The victim was taken to Ikorodu General Hospital where a surgery was successfully carried out on him while the suspect was arrested and detained at Imota Police Station for interrogation, it was learnt.

``Samuel came to school with a handkerchief and the classmate wanted to forcefully collect the item from him but was resisted.

“The suspect brought out a knife and stabbed him in the abdomen and the boy’s intestines came out.

``His mother was contacted immediately, while some teachers rushed him to Ikorodu General Hospital,” a police source said.

Confirming the incident, the mother of the victim, Mrs Bola Oladimeji, told newsmen  that her son would have died if not for God’s mercy and the prompt attention by doctors at Ikorodu General Hospital.

“As soon as I sighted my son’s intestines dripping blood profusely, I lost hope that he would survive.

“I am most grateful to the doctors in the hospital for their prompt response. I also thank the Lagos State Government for paying the bills for the treatment.

“Now, my son has recovered and is prepared to go home," said the victim’s mother who lives close to the school.

Oladimeji said that the parents of the suspect had been pleading for mercy on behalf of their child, attributing the attack to the devil’s handiwork.

A reliable source at Imota Police Station told media men that both families were hoping to resolve the matter amicably.

“The boy was arrested on the day of incident; the school and the two families have met to resolve the matter amicably.

`` The state’s ministries of health and education are also involved in this matter,” the source said.

The Commissioner for Information in Lagos State, Mr Steve Ayorinde, who also confirmed the incident, described the operation as a remarkable feat for Ikorodu General Hospital.

Ayorinde commended the doctors for saving Samuel’s life, stressing that the operation was a reflection of the capacity of the state government hospitals.

Queens College PTA hails FG findings on alleged sexual harrassment

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos on Tuesday hailed the Federal Government’s findings on the allegation of sexual harassment against a teacher of the school.

The Chairperson of the Association, Mrs Beatrice Akhetuamen, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the government’s findings on the matter was victory for the college.

NAN reports that the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, had last Friday cleared the accused teacher for lack of evidence against him.

Anwukah said that the investigation committee did not establish any credible evidence against the accused teacher, considering the fact that the said student alleged to have been affected remained unidentified, faceless and inaccessible.

An online blogger, OloriSupergal, had reported that a female student was allegedly harassed sexually by a male teacher, Mr Olaseni Osifala, and that the college was frantically trying to cover up the complaints.

The report generated a lot of row within and outside the college following which the Federal Ministry of Education on March 22, set up a committee to investigate the alleged sexual molestation.

According to Akhetuamen, the PTA of the college was overwhelmed with joy when the government released its White Paper over the issue.

Oshifala

 ``I want to on behalf of the parents forum of this association commend the Federal Ministry of Education for doing a great job and intervening in the matter.

``I feel particularly glad because to a large extent I have also been vindicated.

``As the chairperson, I will always do all I can to protect the interest of the parents as well as the children under our care in this college.

``I have always stood for the truth and I had vowed not to stop short at anything until we get to the root of this whole ugly incidence.

``I still stand on my resolve that should any parent come forward with evidence over any of such issue, the PTA will rally round and give such parent all the necessary backing,’’ she said.

Akhetuamen said that the college, as a premier all-girls college in the country, would continue do all it takes to promote girl-child education.