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General news

Group offers to pay fees, donates materials to 50 pupils in Kwara schools

Donation

By Yinusa Ishola

Osi (Kwara), Feb. 5, 2020 (NAN) No fewer than 50 pupils at Osi in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara on Wednesday received school uniforms and scholarship from `We Care Group,’ an NGO.

`We Care Group’, a community development youth group, is aimed at educating the younger ones for their future benefit.

Mr Suleiman Kayode, the group’s Chairman, said that the payment of fees for the primary school pupils was part of the organisation’s corporate social responsibility to the community.

Kayode said that offsetting the school fees was also to complement the efforts of parents, especially the less-privileged, toward improving education standard and performance of students.

“The NGO regard the pupils as potential representative, ambassador and leaders of the community in the nearest future,’’ the chairman said.

He said that the gesture would be a continuous exercise as benefactors would be sponsored till they complete  their primary education.

Mr Lawrence Ajiboye, Social Mobilisation Officer, Ekiti Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), in his remarks, described the gesture as useful, timely and beneficial.

Also, Dr Ajiboye Mayun, Chairman, School Based Management Committee (SBMC) in the council, said he was optimistic that the donation would spur pupils to improve their academic performance.

Mayun described the gesture as “unprecedented in the history of the community”.

Some of the beneficiaries thanked the donor and promised to reciprocate the gesture by excelling in their academic pursuit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the donation is targeted toward the less-privileged and cuts across five public primary schools in the council.

The affected schools are; Community LGEA, CAC primary school, St Brigid’s, SDA primary school and Ansaru Islam Primary Schools, all in Osi.

Ten pupils were selected as beneficiaries from each of the schools.

Other items distributed to the beneficiaries aside school uniforms and scholarship, were school sandals, mathematical sets and education instructional materials.(NAN)

ISHO/CHIN/WOJ

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Wale Ojetimi

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Education

UTME Registration: low turnout in Kwara CBT centres

A typical JAMB approved CBT centres for 2020 UTME registration

By Yinusa Ishola

UTME

Omu-Aran (Kwara), Feb. 4, 2020 (NAN) Registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in some centres in Kwara South Senatorial District on Tuesday experienced low turnout of prospective candidates.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who monitored the exercise in centres in Omu-Aran, Aran-Orin, Offa and Erin-Ile reports that the centres recorded low patronage, compared to what obtained in 2019.

The Kwara South Senatorial District comprised of seven Local Government Areas of Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin, Ifelodun, Offa, Oyun and Oke-Ero.

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) began UTME registration on Jan. 13 and to close on Feb. 17.

Few prospective candidates were seen queueing for registration in many of the centres visited.

This is despite the dropping of the National Identity Number (NIN) for the registration by JAMB.

Some candidates and centre coordinators, in separate interviews, attributed the development to dearth of funds and nonchalant attitude of some candidates toward the exercise.

Adebisi Oreoluwa, a UTME candidate, told NAN that she knew of few candidates who are desperate to register but could not finance it.

“Two of such candidates, who are my friends told me that they are still expecting their parents, who are civil servants, to fund their registration.

“My prayers is that they get the required amount to register before the closing date,’’ Oreoluwa said.

Another prospective candidate, Ajayi Abioye, said that some parents were still struggling to maintain financial stability after the Yuletide celebrations.

“Aside such spending, some parents still have to pay for the educational needs of their children,’’ he said.

Mr Kazeem Ojiwusi, the CBT centre coordinator for Omu-Aran and Aran-Orin, said some candidates “are fond of waiting for the last-minute rush to come out to register’’.

According to him, the availability of online registration can also be a genuine factor for the low turnout at CBT centres.

“Presently, the network is working perfectly and smoothly without hitch.

“Although, the turn-out is very low compared to the last registration.

“But we are used to last-minute rush by candidates who are fond of taking their time before coming out to register.

“So, we are very optimistic that more candidates will still come out to register,’’ Ojiwusi said.

Contributing, Chief Festus Awoniyi, a community leader and retired administrator said the unimpressive state of the nation’s economy was negatively affecting the education system.

“It’s not limited to UTME registration but every sphere of the education is now capital intensive and almost beyond the reach of average Nigerians.

“But we are optimistic that with the present administration’s ongoing reform in the sector, there is going to be a light at the end of the tunnel,’’ Awoniyi said. (NAN)
ISHO/AIB/MST

Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

NEMA distributes relief materials to 2019 flood victims in Kwara

Flood
By Yinusa Ishola

Omu-Aran (Kwara), Feb. 3, 2020 (NAN) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it has distributed relief materials to 1,200 persons affected by the 2019 flooding across four local government areas in Kwara State.

The Director – General of NEMA, Mr Mustapha Maihaja, said in a statement that the distribution exercise took place at Omu – Aran for the beneficiaries from Irepodun, Isin, Oke-Ero and Ekiti local government areas of the state.

According to the statement, the Director- General was represented at the exercise by Mrs Lydia Wagami, Head of NEMA, Minna Operations Office covering Niger and Kwara States.

Items distributed included food and non -food items such as rice, beans, maize, vegetable oil, cement, roofing sheets and assorted nails, the statement added.

The statement added  that the exercise was coordinated by NEMA in collaboration with Kwara State Emergency Management Agency (KWASEMA) in the presence of Mr Abdulraheem Olawuyi, lawmaker representing Oke Ero/Irepodun/Ekiti/Isin Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Three of the beneficiaries – Alhaji Oseni Abidoye, Michael Olawuyi, and Rachael Adeyemi – thanked the Federal Government for showing genuine concern for those affected by the flooding.(NAN)

ISHO/BHB/WOJ

Edited by Buhari Bolaji/Wale Ojetimi

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General news

Collapsed bridge: Kwara communities renew appeal to govt. for assistance

Bridge
By Yinusa Ishola
Idofin Odo-Ashe (Kwara), Feb. 3, 2020 (NAN) The Idofin Odo-Ashe Community in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara, has renewed the appeal to the state government to expedite action on the reconstruction of the collapsed Omin-Eyin Bridge.

Oba Samuel Dada, the Alofa of Iloffa and Chairman, Oke-Ero Traditional Council, made the plea on behalf of his subjects during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Iloffa on Monday.

NAN reports that the collapsed bridge, built about four years ago, had cut off three communities of Idofin Odo-Aga, Eyin-Afo and Idofin Odo-Ashe from the rest of the neighbouring communities.

No fewer than 14 other smaller settlements are affected since the bridge collapsed few months ago.

NAN reports that farmers and traders in the affected areas are worst hit as they now incurred additional cost to transport their agricultural produce and wares to the markets in the neighbouring communities.

Dada appealed to the state government to expedite action on the reconstruction of the bridge and rehabilitation of roads in the communities to alleviate the sufferings of people in the areas.

The monarch said: “It is very disheartening to see people being cut off from other communities and going through this kind of hardship in carrying out their daily activities.

“Every facet of life and human services of these people have been retarded, talking about trading, education, agriculture and other essential daily activities.

“To the best of my knowledge, we have it on good authority that the bridge reconstruction had been approved and awarded by the state government.

“We sincerely commend Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his promptness and magnanimity.

“Nonetheless, we are still calling on government for work to commence on the bridge reconstruction before the rain sets in again.’’

The traditional ruler described the bridge collapse as “very unfortunate, considering the untold hardship being faced by the residents”.

Also, Oba Oni Oluwole, the Traditional Ruler of Idofin Odo-Ashe, who spoke on behalf of the affected communities, said the collapsed bridge had paralysed commercial and other social activities of the residents.

“No adjective is enough to describe our sufferings since the bridge collapsed.

“It has become difficult for our children to go to school; likewise movement of our farm produce have also become a nightmare.

“We are totally cut off from the rest of the state and we are using this opportunity to call on government at all levels for assistance,’’ the monarch said.

Also speaking, Mr Stephen Kazum, President, Idofin Odo-Ashe Development Association, decried the difficulties being encountered as a result of the bridge collapse.

Kazum said that the development had gone beyond what the association could manage, calling on governments and other stakeholders to assist the affected communities. (NAN)
ISHO/AOS/AJA
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Adeleye Ajayi

Education

Be wary of unapproved institutions, courses, Educationist advises UTME candidates

Be wary of unapproved institutions, courses, Educationist advises UTME candidates

Advice
By Yinusa Ishola
Omu-Aran (Kwara State), Feb. 1, 2020 (NAN) An educationist, Mr Clement Adebayo, has advised candidates for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), to be wary of unapproved institutions and unaccredited courses in their bid to further their studies.

 

Adebayo, a retired Principal and Proprietor, Success Academy, Omu-Aran in Kwara, gave the advice on Saturday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Omu-Aran, Irepodun LGA of Kwara.

 

Adebayo emphasised the need for the candidates to consult widely on the genuineness of available institutions and courses before finalising their choices.

 

According to him, experience has shown that embarking on such illegal academic venture would amount to waste of energy and resources.

 

“Many stories abound about students who are being denied participation in the National Youths Service Corps upon graduation due to their enrollment in such illegal institutions or unaccredited courses.

 

“Scores of victims of this dastardly act are also denied their certificates upon graduation or such certificates, when even presented, are rendered useless,” he said.

 

Adebayo said cases of students embarking on protests over such acts abound in newspapers and  social media platforms.

 

He advised students to dedicate enough time toward studying the status of every institution and their courses, adding that they should not to be carried away by the excitement of admission.

 

“It is better to do it right in the beginning than suffering and regretting at the end.

 

“The National Universities Commission (NUC) had, time without number, rolled out lists of unapproved institutions and unaccredited courses in institutions across the country.

 

“So, it is the duty of every student, either already in higher institutions or seeking for admission, to do thorough investigation on schools and their courses.

 

“This is the only way they will not fall for the antics of these illegal school operators who are only bent on making illicit money at the expense of genuine academic standard,” he said.

 

Adebayo urged NUC to evolve workable synergy and work closely with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in enlightening students more on the important issue.

 

The educationist said it was not enough to list illegal schools and unaccredited courses on social media or other platforms.

 

Adebayo advised that a periodic pamphlet or journal dedicated to this should be made available to students, especially at the point of entry.

 

He said that no institution would come out boldly to say it was operating illegally or that so and so numbers of its courses were not accredited.

 

“Some of them will only tell you that the approval or accreditation processes are already on, but in actual sense, nothing is on ground.

 

“So, the students need to be thorough in scrutinising the institutions and their courses to know the truth before enrolling,” he said.

 

Adebayo also advocated that education regulators should put in place stringent punishments for defaulters in order to serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.

 

He charged members of the National Assembly to beam their searchlight on the issue of unaccredited institutions and courses prevalence under a matter of urgent and national importance.

 

“Education is the best legacy a government can give to its citizens, and it must not be toyed with in any ramification,” he said. (NAN)
ISHO/YMU/DCU
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Edited by Yakubu Uba/Donald Ugwu

Health

Omu-Aran community hails Kwara govt’s efforts to boost healthcare

Healthcare
By Yinusa Ishola
Omu-Aran (Kwara) Jan. 15, 2020 (NAN) The people of Omu-Aran community in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara on Wednesday commended the state government’s efforts toward bringing healthcare services closer to the people at the grassroots.

Chief Bisi Adeyemi, President, Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA) gave the commendation during the installation of a vaccine storage freezer and electricity solar panels at Ofe-Aran Primary healthcare centre, Omu-Aran.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the installation was being executed by the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KSPHDA) in collaboration with National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunisation (Gavi).

Adeyemi, represented at the event by Dr Sule Popoola, the association’s Auditor, said the once moribund primary healthcare services had received the desired boost since Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq came into office.

According to him, the state government under Gov Abdulrazaq have been matching words with action since assuming office in seeing that our various healthcare facilities, especially at the grassroots, becomes functional to serve the teeming populace.

He expressed the community’s appreciation and that of the traditional ruler of Omu-Aran , Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, over the installation of the vaccine storage freezers and the electricity solar panels.

He said the facilities would not only provide availability and timely distribution of vaccines to deserving beneficiaries, but would also help to reduce high rate diseases among children and adults.

Adeyemi also used the opportunity to assure the team from the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KSPHDA) of adequate maintenance of the facilities to serve its intended purpose.

Mrs Abolarin Justina, Officer-in-Charge, Ofe-Aran Primary Healthcare Centre, in her remarks, said the facilities would assist in overcoming the challenges of vaccine storage that is being encountered in the centre.

“To keep these vaccines in their required state and form you need this kind of specific freezer with readily available power supply.

According to her, keeping these vaccines in their required state and form has been a major concern impeding routine and periodical immunisation exercises in the centre.

“But today, we are saying a big thank you to His Excellency, the various agencies and partners, for bailing us out of these predicaments,’’ she said.

Dr Femi Joseph, the Chief Medical Director, Omu-Aran general hospital, on his part, commended the government for giving utmost priority to offsetting already accumulated counterpart funds to foreign medical bodies to bring back the state on track.

“All these benefits are products of government’s magnanimity towards keeping its obligations as regard payment of medical counterpart funds and we are optimistic such gesture will be sustained,’’ he said.

Mr Abdulkareem Garuba, the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KSPHDA) Team Lead, disclosed that the installation exercise would cover the entire 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

According to him, the exercise is part of a larger plan by the state government towards ensuring that healthcare centres, outposts, cottage hospitals, are equipped with necessary facilities to function effectively.

“More importantly, this is very critical toward the full take-off of the proposed comprehensive health insurance scheme set to be rolled-out by the state government in due course.

He said the vaccine storage installation team had already covered Offa, Oyun and Ifelodun Local Government Areas of the State. (NAN)

ISHO/AIJ/AFA

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Edited by Abigael Joshua/Felix Ajide

 

Education

UTME: Stakeholders urge JAMB to sustain collaboration with NIMC

Call
By Yinusa Ishola
Omu-Aran (Kwara), Jan. 13, 2020 (NAN) Some stakeholders in the education sector on Monday called on the management of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to sustain its collaboration with the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC).

The stakeholders made their position known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

They expressed the need for JAMB to channel adequate resources toward ensuring the workability of using the National Identity Cards for future Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations in spite of its recent suspension for the 2020 UTME exercise.

It would be recalled that the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, had few days ago announced the suspension while briefing journalists in Abuja, saying the move was to provide more time for candidates to get their National Identification Number (NIN).

He said that the suspension was also to address the technical challenges experienced at some centres.

Oloyede asked candidates to disregard the use of NIN for the 2020 registration and strictly comply with other procedures for the registration.

He, however, said that JAMB would consider the use of NIN for 2021 UTME.

Alhaji Azeez Salawudeen, a community leader, said that JAMB and NIMC collaboration on the use of national identity cards, would boost national planning and human capital development.

“The collaboration has not only created the necessary awareness among the eligible students, but afforded them the opportunity to obtain their identity card as genuine citizens.

“Some students, in spite of attaining the required age brackets to obtain the cards, have developed a kind of nonchalant attitude toward it.

“But when it became a vital requirement for the UTME registration, the students have no other alternative than to comply.

“JAMB should ensure the collaboration is further sustained to ensure accurate and genuine data collection of candidates for future UTME examinations,” he said

Mrs Debora Abiodun, the proprietress of Success International Academy, Odo-owa, said that the collaboration was a well taught out scheme that would engender growth, efficiency and credibility in the education sector.

“I was happy when JAMB announced the national identity card as a requirement for UTME registration because such was long overdue to curb impersonation.

” There is no reform without its teething problems, JAMB should not be deterred by the suspension, but should strive to work on the noticeable grey areas in order to achieve the desired success,” she said.

Mr John Aransiola, Head of Counseling Unit, Irepodun Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), on his part, said that the collaboration between JAMB and NIMC would add value and credibility to UTME examinations if well planned and executed.

“As education counsellor, we come across a lot of atrocities being perpetrated by students on daily basis.

“Such unpleasant acts, especially during examinations, have done more damage to the credibility of our examinations and portrayed the system in bad light.

“So with this initiative between JAMB and NIMC, there is still brighter light at the end of the tunnel.

“There is the need for JAMB to sustain the laudable initiative and for those students who are yet to obtain their identity cards to do so, for them to also be eligible for future UTME,” he said.

Wale Adelodun and Patrick Alebiosu, both UTME prospective candidates, said they would still strive to process and obtain their identity cards, inspite of its suspension for the 2020 UTME registration.

“The suspension will not stop us from getting our national identity cards as most of my friends and colleagues have gotten theirs.

“Apart from being a requirement for UTME, the other benefits are unquantifiable.

“JAMB’s collaboration with NIMC on UTME registration is an eye-opener for us as students and should not be jettisoned but be sustained and improved upon,” they said. (NAN)
ISHO/NNO/OJO
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(Edited by Nick Nicholas/Mufutau Ojo)