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  • Remodelled Almajiri Education: Kano Govt. recruits 600 teachers,‎ approves N200m for books‎

    Remodelled Almajiri Education: Kano Govt. recruits 600 teachers,‎ approves N200m for books‎

    By Our Reporter

    The Kano State Government on Monday said it had recruited 600 teachers to teach in remodelled Almajiri schools as part of efforts to stop the Almaji school students from roaming the streets and begging‎.

    The state governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje disclosed this during the induction of the 600 teachers at the Government House, Kano.

    Ganduje said that the teachers were recruited under the Best Education for State Delivery for All (BESDA) programme.‎

    Represented by the state Head of Service, Dr Kabiru Shehu, Ganduje said that the government was concerned by the plight of children begging and roaming the streets under the guise of attending Qur’anic schools.‎

    He said that 393 Almajiri schools were selected across the 44 local government areas of the state for the pilot project.

    Ganduje added that the pupils would be taught English, mathematics and other relevant subjects on Thursdays and Fridays.‎

    He said that the 600 teachers recruited were not part of the 3,000 teachers to be recruited in the state.

    ‎The governor added that the new initiative of integrating Almajiri schools into the mainstream curriculum-based education system was long overdue.

    “The new initiative will checkmate the menace of street begging among almajiris because more measures would be put in place to bring forth the dignity and resourcefulness of pupils for the overall development of the state,” he said.

    The governor said transport fares would be given to all the Qur’anic teachers.

    Earlier, the Executive Chairman of State Universal Basic Education, Dr. Danlami Haido, said that the state government had approved over N200 million for the purchase of books for the Almajiri schools.

    ‎He stressed that the state government had declared free education in basic and senior secondary school levels and will recruit 3,000 volunteers teachers in order to reduce teachers’ deficit in the state.‎

    Some of the Qur’anic teachers interviewed expressed happiness over the development, noting that our society had been left behind by advanced Muslim countries who combined both Islamic and western education.(NAN)

  • Ambition of detractors to destabilize Nigeria effectively being frustrated – Buhari

    Ambition of detractors to destabilize Nigeria effectively being frustrated – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said the government has effectively frustrated the ambition of detractors to destabilize the country.
    President Buhari made the remarks in a message to the commissioning of 111 cadets into the Nigerian Air Force as Pilot Officers, held at the NAF Base in Kaduna.
    The President was represented by Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin.
    “Let me emphasize that the Armed Forces of Nigeria has recorded tremendous progress in degrading the capacity of Boko Haram terrorist thereby securing the territorial integrity of the country.
    “In this regard, the ambition of our detractors to destabilize the country is being frustrated even as they continue to attack soft targets, carry out hit and run attacks on isolated military formations and utilize social media propaganda to disseminate fake news.
    “I therefore challenge you as newly commissioned officers coming on board at this digital era, to brace up for these new tactics of our common enemies.
    “Your approach to our security challenges should be ingenious, taking advantage of applications in a digital era to win the war alongside use of sophisticated arsenals,” Buhari stressed.
    The President explained that current scorecards in agriculture, oil production, manufacturing, information communication technology, entertainment and other sectors were clear indications that the country was taking good strides to the next level of development.
    “You should remember that these achievements could not have been possible if not for the support of the military.
    “As young and vibrant newly commissioned officers, you are admonished to sustain and improve upon your patriotic zeal beyond religious, ethnic and social classes.”
    Buhari commended the efforts of NAF to checkmate current security challenges in the country.
    “I am sure you are aware of the gallant achievement of NAF in our ongoing operations.
    “It is also on record that in the past four years the NAF has continued to reactivate grounded aircraft, inducts new fleet and still meet up sufficiently with the administrative and welfare needs of its personnel.
    “You are being commissioned at a time when Nigeria is tackling security challenges of terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, armed banditry, communal clashes, cultism, militancy, herdsmen-farmers clashes and other security challenges across our country .
    “You are however advised to be diligent and committed in the discharge of your assigned military duties and responsibilities to the nation,” said the Commander-in-Chief.(NAN)

  • ‘Sex for grades’: Undercover in West African universities

    ‘Sex for grades’: Undercover in West African universities

    By Lawrence Ekworonu

    Academic institutions in West Africa have increasingly been facing allegations of sexual harassment by lecturers. This type of abuse is said to be endemic, but it’s almost never proven.

    After gathering dozens of testimonies, BBC Africa Eye sent undercover journalists posing as students inside the University of Lagos and the University of Ghana.

    It was disclosed that female reporters were sexually harassed, propositioned and put under pressure by senior lecturers at the institutions – all the while wearing secret cameras in a 13-minutes video documentary released.

    A UNILAG senior lecturer, Faculty of Arts, who doubles as the head pastor of a Foursquare Gospel Church in Lagos, Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu, was exposed as one of the culprits.

    The undercover journalist posed as a 17-year-old student who wanted an admission at the University of Lagos.
    The “student” endured a couple of sexual harassment from the Dr. Igbeneghu.

    Igbeneghu, who invited the teenager to his office for a number of tutorials, subsequently began to have inappropriate conversations with her.
    On their first meeting, he commented on her appearance.

    In the 13-minutes secret filming, the lecturer revealed how his colleagues tossed and passed around UNILAG female students for sex.
    He disclosed further how his colleagues patronised UNILAG Staff club ‘Cold room’ to commit series of atrocities on female students.

    “Do you know that you are a very beautiful girl,” he asked her.
    “Do you know that I am a pastor and I’m in my fifties. What will shock you is that even at my age now, if I want a girl of your age – a 17-year-old, all I need is to sweet tongue her and put some money in her hand and I’ll get her,” Igbeneghu said to her on camera.

    Despite repeated requests, the lecturer failed to react to the BBC’s allegations.
    Also, authorities of UNILAG dissociated itself from the lecturer’s actions.
    It revealed to the BBC that the institution had a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment.

    Furthermore, it refused to comment on the alleged ‘cold room.’
    Meanwhile, another lecturer from College of Education in Ghana, Dr. Paul Kwame was also indicted in the video documentary.

    Another lecturer, Samuel Oladipo of the Economics department of the University of Lagos who was not specifically targeted by the BBC Africa Eye team, approached the reporter, Kiki Mordi, while the team was reporting on the university campus, and made sexual advances towards her with the promise of helping her with her studies.

    In a twitter post by its official handle, @BBCAfricaEye, it said; “for the past year, BBC Africa Eye has been secretly investigating sexual harassment by lecturers at West Africa’s most prestigious universities.

    According to the BBC Africa Eye Reporter, @kikimordi who conducted the investigations, she revealed that the investigation was carried out due to the clamour to expose these bad lecturers.
    She said: “Hundreds of you asked us to do this investigation. We heard your call #SexForGrades”

    Kiki Mordi, who was once a victim of sexual harassment, revealed what happens behind closed doors at some of the region’s most prestigious universities in the video documentary.
    Over the years, there have been issues of female students being harassed for sex in return for marks in Nigerian Universities.

    Sex-for-mark practice is a common problem in Nigerian institutions, which over the years may had been encouraged by Nigerian universities due to their failure to appropriately sanction erring lecturers.

    It should be recalled that last year, an embattled former lecturer of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Prof. Richard Iyiola Akindele was reportedly sentenced to two years in prison for sexually molesting female students.

    Here is the video link extract – https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-49907376/sex-for-grades-undercover-in-west-african-universities

  • 12 Tips and Techniques on typing fast

    12 Tips and Techniques on typing fast

    Typing is a lot of fun, especially if you’re the type of person who loves to write. Whenever an idea comes to your head or you just want to communicate something, the feeling of scribbling things down in a computer is awesome.

    Do you know that being able to type faster makes you more productive? In fact, it’ll save you 21 days every year just by typing faster!

    Many people look up to master typists and wish that to handle a keyboard like they do. The truth is that none of them started that way, and they had to learn.

    In this piece, you’ll learn how to type faster with some useful tips and techniques:

    1. Work on Your Workspace and Typing Area
    A lot of people believe that fast and correct typing will start when you can master the keyboard. But the truth is, you will need to begin with getting a workspace that is clean, properly ventilated, and comfortable. Also, for optimal typing, you will need to get a table and not out your laptop or computer on your lap.

    If you will be working for an extended period, make sure that you’re comfortable.

    2. Fix Your Posture
    If you want to type well, the correct posture will be seated, straight backed, and with your feet planted a little apart, flat on the ground. You wrists should also be positioned in such a way that your fingers can cover the keyboard. Tilt your head a bit as you can look at the screen properly as well.

    Adjust your office chair so you’ll be able to easily play with the seat and get a proper posture.

    3. Hold Your Posture
    It is also very important that you keep this position as you type. Ensure that your posture is good, and this way, you will be able to avoid getting aches on your wrists. These aches have a way of slowing you down and keeping you out of rhythm.

    Keep your back and shoulders from hunching, and while relaxation should be your key goal as you work on, also be sure to stay upright.

    4. Familiarize Yourself with the Keyboard
    The keyboard is your tool here, so you will need to get to know it. Fortunately for you, most keyboards that you see will make use of the same layout; the QWERTY layout. It is called that because of the letters that make the top left corner. You’ll also find that a lot of keyboards have keys around these main ones that do several things.

    So, work on memorizing the positions of the letter keys, as well as some of the most used punctuation marks. You will need to understand where they are without looking at the keyboard. This is the only way you can learn to type fast.

    5. Close Your Eyes and Say the Keys out Loud as You Press Them
    Another great way to get to know the positions of these letters is to look away from them and directly at the screen. Then, pronounce the keys as you press them and see if you’re correct. This step will go a long way in helping you to memorize the keys, and it can easily help you

    6. Start Slowly with Touch-Typing
    Improving your speed as you type is a matter of developing your skill over time. However, the quickest way to master typing will be touch typing. If this is your first time with touch typing, then you might spend a lot of time on this step. However, once you can type without looking at the keys, your speed will increase.

    Now, this typing method might feel a bit alien, but you’ll improve with time.

    7. Stick with It and Don’t Look at Your Hands
    The whole essence of this step is to keep you from looking at your keyboard as you type, so that your fingers are made to learn how the keys work.

    Again, you might find that your speed reduces when you begin, but just stick to it. Touch typing will help you to reach higher speeds and master it.

    8. Practice, Practice, Practice
    Mastering the touch typing technique will prove to be a bit finicky, but once your posture is up and you get your fingers where they should be, you can only improve by practicing.

    Spare some time on a daily basis to practice and master both accuracy and speed. With continuous practice, you will also notice that you make fewer errors with time.

    9. Check out Some Online Games
    There are also some websites that can help you with your practicing. They score you and record your words per minute, so you can try improving your record and competing with others as well. Here’re some of the nice sites:

    1. Typing Club
    2. The Typing Cat
    3. Typing.com

    10. Dictation Practice
    If you don’t know what you can type, another alternative to getting good practice is to listen to something and try to type as you hear the words. There is no limit to the kind of things you can type, and you can even make the practice process more fun. So, get an e-book, an online lecture, or listen to a talk show and type. You could watch a TV show as well.

    11. Monitor Your Progress
    Ensure that you keep track of the progress you make as you go on. But it is important that you don’t get obsessed with how many words you are able to type in a minute. Rather, ensure that you stay comfortable while you type. With time, your words per minute will increase, and you’ll be able to clock up some high numbers.

    12. Get Some Formal Training If You Want
    There are actually a lot of specially designed courses and programs that will boost your typing ability. If you’re willing to improve your skill, get any of these and see how well they work for you:

    1. Byte Back
    2. Peter’s Online Typing Course

    Don’t just finish reading this article and expect that you’ll type faster. You do need to work on your skills. It takes time to type fast but, practice makes perfect!

  • Umahi swears in 14 new permanent secretaries

    Umahi swears in 14 new permanent secretaries

    By Our Reporter

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Monday swore in 14 new Permanent Secretaries for the state’s Civil Service.

    The governor, at a ceremony held at the Government House, Abakaliki urged the appointees to discharge their duties creditably in line with the vision of the state.

    The 14 new permanent secretaries inaugurated was in addition to the previous 12.

    The new permanent secretaries includes Mr Christian Achi, Ministry of Health; Mrs Patricia Okiri, Ministry of Budget, Planning and Research and Mr Ogbonnaya Otta, Ministry of Internal Security.

    Other are: Mr Martin Uguru, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development; Eze Sunday Silas, Ministry of Water Resources and Dr Emmanuel Nwafor, Ministry of Environment.

    The new appointtees also includes Mr Emeokoro Chukwuma, Ministry of Solid Minerals producing communities; Okoronkwo Jonathan, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development and Mr Ituma Elijah, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

    “We are integrating you totally into the mainstream of government activities. And you must also know that you are now 50 and 100 per cent civil and public servants,” Umahi said.

    Meanwhile, the State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Cletus Ofoke enjoined the new appointees to justify the confidence reposed on them by the state government.

    “I urge you to follow the rules of your various offices,” Ofoke said.

    Otta, who spoke unbehalf of other appointees, promised to deliver their duties deligently.

  • Niger speaker decries inefficiency of LG system

    Niger speaker decries inefficiency of LG system

    By Our Reporter

    The Speaker of the Niger House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdullahi Wuse, has decried the inefficiency and unproductivity of the local government system in the state.

    Wuse stated this on Monday when the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) paid the leadership of the House a courtesy visit in Minna.

    “The local government system of the early 90’s is quite different from what we have today and for me it is not a good thing.

    “We must bring back the productivity and efficiency that characterized the local government administration in the past,” he added.

    He noted the overbloated wage bill of the local governments in the state, saying the issue needed to be addressed urgently.

    He restated the resolve of the assembly to fashion out reforms and amendment of local government laws in the state.

    “The 9th assembly will do everything within its powers to bring back our local government system to what it used to be.

    “Even if we don’t perfect that, we can start something and see that things work,” he said.

    In his remarks, the state president of NULGE, Idrees Lafene, said the union would partner with the state assembly to improve local government administration. (NAN)

  • Lalong inaugurates 23 commissioners, emphasises tangible results

    Lalong inaugurates 23 commissioners, emphasises tangible results

    By Our Reporter

    Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau on Monday inaugurated 23 commissioners with a call on them to work toward achieving “tangible results”.

    “I will drive you hard to achieve results; I won’t settle for anything less,” Lalong told the new officials shortly after they took their oaths of office in Jos.

    The governor tasked the commissioners on loyalty, diligence, commitment, probity and accountability, noting that the attributes were crucial to the state’s development plans and key to realising the three-pillar policy thrust of the administration.

    “The policy thrusts are hinged on peace, security and good governance, physical infrastructural development and sustainable economic rebirth.

    “I will not hesitate to reprimand, chastise, query and, where necessary, discipline by removal from office, anyone who goes contrary to the agenda of the “Rescue Administration” and extant public civil service rules,” he warned.

    The governor emphasised the need to fulfill the challenges of leaving a lasting legacy, and cautioned the officials against distractions from relations, friends and party loyalists.

    Lalong said that the administration had much to do toward making Plateau the destination of investors and true home of peace and tourism, and disclosed that a project monitoring unit had been established to ensure faithful implementation of projects and programmes.

    He said that the unit would be headed by the Chief of Staff, Mr Noel Danjur, adding that it would ensure Plateau had value for its money by tracking the implementation of projects and programmes.

    The governor said that government had approved the setting up of a Liquidity Management Committee as part of efforts to deepen transparency and ensure the prudent management of resources.

    “The idea is to ensure that budgetary provisions and approvals, efficient financial management and adequate project financing are built into our governance system,” he said.

    Among those who took the oaths were Mr Dan Manjang, a journalist and former science and technology commissioner, who was deployed to the information and communication ministry to replace Yakubu Dati, who was moved to land and survey.

    Others included Mr Pam Bot Mang, Works, Mr Victor Lapang, Sports and Youth Development, Mrs. Elizabeth Wapmuk, Education (Secondary), and Mr Sylvanus Tapgun, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    Also sworn in was Mr Bitrus Zulfa, Housing, Mr Ibrahim Bello, Water Resources and Energy, Mr Chrisantus Ahmadu, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Nimkong Ndam, Health, and Alhaji Dayyabu Garga, Physical Planning and Urban Development.

    Dr Istifanus Finangwai was deployed to Agriculture, Mr Tamakat Weli, Culture Tourism and Hospitality, Dr Regina Soemlat, Finance, Kakmena Audu, Higher Education and Mr Usman Idi, Environment.

    Mr Jude Dakur is Commissioner for Mineral Development, Mr Sylvester Wallangko, Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Dung Gyang, Science and Technology and Mr Jerry Werr, Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

    Also sworn in was Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, Transport, while Mrs. Rebecca Sambo was posted to the women affairs ministry. (NAN)

  • 40 teams to feature as Kaduna Polo Club clocks 100 years

    40 teams to feature as Kaduna Polo Club clocks 100 years

    By Our Reporter

    No fewer than 40 teams are expected in Kaduna for the 2019 Georgian cup polo tournament billed for October 11.

    President of the club, Suleiman Abubakar, who made the disclosure during a press briefing in Kaduna on Monday, said the tournament will mark it’s 100 years anniversary.

    Abubakar said since the inception of the tournament in 1919, Kaduna Polo club had occupied a prime position in the league of Polo Clubs on the African continent.

    He said the teams are expected to feature in 50 matches within the 10 days of the Georgian Cup tournament.

    The president added that five of the 40 teams will feature at handicap level.

    “In this year’s tournament, we are going to see Polo excitement that fans had never seen before.

    “ Last year was a spectacular year in terms of fund raising and this year is looking very good.

    “We are extremely proud of our sponsors, and we are making history together as we clock one hundred years.

    “Today’s event is the kick-off of the 2019 Kaduna Polo tournament which is expected to last for 10 days,“ Abubakar said.

    A member of the club’s Board of Trustees, Shehu Mu’azu called on the Army to show interest and start participating in the Polo tournament as “Polo is a game of leisure and for disciplined minded persons.“

  • 2 NYSC members to repeat service year in Sokoto

    2 NYSC members to repeat service year in Sokoto

    By Our Reporter

    The Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Sokoto State, Mr Philip Enaberue, says two corps members are to repeat their service year.

    Enaberue, who made this disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto, said the affected persons were among the 1,18 corps members who passed out under 2018 Batch C Stream l.

    He said that the corps members passed out on Oct. 3, in a low keyed event and were issued certificates of service.

    He disclosed that one other corps member had his service period extended by three months for absenteeism.

    Enaberue added that those to repeat their service year were found guilty of absconding from their places of primary assignment.

    According to him, three corps members have been shortlisted for honours, adding

    He noted that the state has recorded first inter-marriage among corps members that served in the state

    The Coordinator explained that married corps members were Bello Abfulatif-Tobi and Fatima Hakeem emphasizing that the couple heeded to the NYSC Director General’s encouragement on inter-marriage.

    He said they were indigenes of Osun and Oyo states respectively.

    The Coordinator said the marriage was contracted while couple were serving at Government Secondary School Tangaza.

    According to him, the marriage was also blessed with a boy named Abdulkhalid.

    and urged incoming corps members to emulate them.

    He said 20 among the passed out corps members would undergo certificates verification at NYSC Headquarters in Abuja in line with maximum screening exercise.

    He lauded the outgoing corps members for their contributions to the development of the state, especially in education, health, agriculture, rural infrastructure and involvement in the concluded general elections.

    The coordinator advised the corps members to continue to practise the skills acquired during the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Training organised for them during the service year.

    Enaberue called on well-to-do persons and organizations in the state to assist serving corps members in the execution of community development projects.

    He explained that corps members were not allowed to use their personal money for the execution of any community development projects.

    The coordinator expressed regret that many of them had designed projects and programmes but were not able to execute them due to lack of funds. (NAN)

  • FG gets 30.5m Euros from German govt to strenghten health care system

    FG gets 30.5m Euros from German govt to strenghten health care system

    By Joyce Asuquo
    The  Federal Government is set to get the sum  of30.5 million Euros from theGerman governmentnment  to strengthen the Nigerian Health care system.
    Minister of Health, Dr Osagie  Ehanire who disclosed this to newsmen after a bilateral talks with his German minister of health counterpart,Jens Spahn said that the two countries have reached an agreement towards
    improving and strengthening the health care sector for the health of Nigerians.
    Ehanire disclosed the two countries are seeking ways to improve the health system in Nigeria especially in areas of  aeradication of diseases like polio, public Health emergencies (patients’ transportation), knowledge sharing and training of Trainers.
    The Minister noted that Nigeria is looking for areas of Technical Corporation​ from developed countries​ in the areas of medicine, oncology, surgery.
    According to him,  the country could benefit through the involvement of foreign experts from  Europe and possibly retired Doctors as volunteers​ to lead Nigerian Doctors in enhancing quality of service and strengthening the sector.

    Dr. Ehanire stressed that, Technical cooperation and improvement are needed  to boost service delivery and strengthen the Nigeria Health system which if  effectively and efficiently managed ,would help to boost the Country’s economy.

    ​ Dr. Ehanire hinted that the knowledge, experience, and expertise from other developed countries like Germany could support Nigeria in E- health, mobile health, and means of transportation of the sick to hospitals, efficient and service delivery to enhance the health system in Nigeria.

    Speaking on brain-drain,  the Minister disclosed that the Federal Government is working assiduously towards arresting the situation by creating opportunities and improving the working environment of health workers.

    The German Minister of Health, on his part informed that Nigeria and Germany already have a strong partnership,  with five Hospitals in Nigeria that would be supported by German Ministry of Economic development as pilot scheme to train the trainers  concept towards better health care delivery.