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Educationist task parents on girl-child education

Educationist task parents on girl-child education

By Lydia Ngwakwe
Education
Lagos, May 16, 2019 (NAN) Mrs Chinelo Ujubuonu, an Educationist, has advised families to educate girl-children to build their confidence to speak for themselves and build their own lives.
Ujubuonu, the Managing Director, My School Arena, an online community of creche, nursery, primary and secondary schools in Nigeria, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
She was reacting to the emotional and psychological damage early marriage causes a girl-child.
According to her, lack of proper education within the family and the society is what causes poverty and families to be vulnerable.
“Early marriage can be as a result of what the parents want for their daughter.
“Parents should also know that, that thing that they want from their children, they can even get more when the child is educated.
“Early marriage in some places is cultural, the girls are already groomed to accept a man; but in a place where somebody feels that she is being denied of something and acts against it to the detriment of her family, I think it is not even permissible.
“But overall, we should as a society, start looking at giving our daughters basic education so that they can speak for themselves and be able to say this is what I want for myself,’’ she said.
Ujubuonu called on governments to join hands in educating the girl child, adding that families are cornerstones of every society.
She urged government to do all that was within its power to reduce poverty.
She stressed that when families are educated, there would be a change in their living condition and they would be able to take action.
She added also that education would give them knowledge and skills of a trade that would make them competitive in a particular productive field.
Besides, she said they needed to live in safe places where everyone’s basic needs would be met. (NAN)
LED/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Social ills: Nasarawa stakeholders tasks parents on education

Social ills: Nasarawa stakeholders tasks parents on education
By Awayi Kuje
Education
Akun (Nasarawa State), April 28, 2019 (NAN) Some stakeholders in Nasarawa State have urged parents to send their children to school to reduce social ills and entrench a better society.
They made the call at Ezhiba, Akun Development Area of the state, at a dedication and Thanksgiving mass of a baby boy, Godspower Awayi, born to the family of Mr Awayi Kuje, a Senior Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The stakeholders underscored the importance of education to the development of any society at the event on Sunday evening.
Mr Makka Nangba, the District Head of Wakama, and Mr Bala Joshua, the Commander, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Nasarawa state command, said no society would achieve meaningful progress without sound education.
They also said that education is the bed rock of any society, as knowledge is power.
Nangba said: “It is in view of this that I call on parents to make education a priority for the children.
“As it is the leeway to success in life and a route to escape from poverty box.
On his part, Joshua said: “As we are also aware that when one is well informed, he or she can move to places beyond his local environment.”
Mr Jacob Kudu, the 2019 African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Nasarawa Eggon East Constituency, also called on youths to embrace education in their interest and in the interest of development.
He called on Nigerians to support government policies and programmes in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.
The stakeholders described the NAN reporter as a humble journalist and prayed that only the sky would be Kuje’s limit if he maintained his present behaviour.
They called on other youths to emulate his character for the betterment of the society.
Earlier, the Village Head of Ezhiba, Chief Paul Angbre, and Mr David Boka, the Chairman, Eggon Cultural Development Association, Ezhiba chapter, commended Kuje for dedicating his child to God and for appreciating God.
Angbre also enjoined Nigerians to continue to live in peace and tolerate one another in the interest of development.
In his vote of thanks, Kuje thanked God for blessing him with two children, Godswill and Godspower, and prayed for God;s protection over his family.
NAN also reports that other stakeholders who attended the ceremony included Mrs Mary Enwongulu, the Nasarawa state Commissioner for Women Affairs; Mr Monday Nanza, former Administrator, Akun Development Area, and Mr Andrew Affi, former Permanent Secretary in the state.
The Press Secretary to Nasarawa state House of Assembly Speaker, Mr Jibrin Gwamna, was among other journalists and well wishers that graced the occasion. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Unplanned pregnancy: Gender exper advocates open discussion among teens, parents

Unplanned pregnancy: Gender expert advocates open discussion among teens, parents

By Yashim Katurak
Sexuality
Abuja, Jan. 26, 2019 (NAN) Mrs Eneh Edeh, a Veteran Activist and Gender Advisor, has called on parents, religious leaders and civil society groups to encourage open discussion with adolescents on use of contraceptive to address the spate unplanned pregnancies and abortions in the country.

Edeh made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

The expert said that the time to keep silent about sexuality education was past as more and more adolescents were getting exposed to sexual content through the internet.

She said that this exposure to the internet has facilitated their involvement in sexual activities and experiments from an early age, putting them at risk of having unplanned pregnancies and abortions.

According to Edeh, in a complex society like Nigeria, there is so much denial and refusal to face reality about how fast the world and technology is changing the way people think which inarguably is affecting the lives of adolescents negatively.

“Parents, guardians, religious leaders and Civil Society Organisations need to face reality that adolescents are exposed to the internet now more than ever before.

“We must all start addressing this problem by first facing the reality that adolescents are becoming sexually active at an early age and begin to relate and talk to them in a realistic and practical manner.

“If we face the reality of what is happening around us then we will know the right thing to do. This issue is a very delicate one because even talking about sexuality education and getting people to understand and accept basic things they get embarrassed and say this should not be discussed in the open.

“But the reality still remains that this age bracket is sexually active and because of their exposure to ICT, which has no restrictions, you find adolescents knowing things fast and mostly things they should not be exposed to at their age.

“The church, civil right groups, corporate Nigerians and Federal Government should work towards organising and encouraging a sexuality education that will not be harmful to the society.

“You need to teach and enlighten adolescents on a level of sexuality that is practical and realistic. “They should be able to relate to this including the dangers involved and allow them to have knowledge and make choices about the use of contraceptive.”

The gender advisor said that it was paramount that adolescents receive this education very early as the danger of abortion and the danger of ignorance had far more dangerous consequences than the use of contraceptives.

Edeh said: “This does not mean I encourage it but adolescents need to be educated and informed so that they are better able to make informed decisions and choices.”

She noted that there was still a lot of ‘hypocrisy’ among civil right groups concerning the issue which stalled the process of finding better and realistic solution to the problem.

She said that it also fuelled an increase in the spate of unplanned pregnancies and abortions in the country.

“Other countries across the globe and even in Africa discuss this issue openly. Open discussions are held everywhere and the youth ask questions about their sexuality and they are not victimised for that.

“This is what should be happening here in Nigeria; we need to have open dialogue on the issue and religious leaders, parents, civil society groups, religious bodies need to see the reality and get involved.”

Edeh also called on the federal government to expand its health facilities to provide basic education on sexuality and involve individuals and stakeholders who were not extremists, vindictive, partial or religious bigots to be there and provide support.

NAN recalls that at the 2018 commemoration of “World Contraception Day”, Mr Effiom Effiom, the Country Director, Marie Stopes International Organisation Nigeria, an NGO, said that an estimated 20 to 40 per cent of maternal deaths result from abortion complications with a procedure-related death rate of 680 per 100,000 abortions in Nigeria.

Effiom said that abortion remained a public health problem in Nigeria that needs to be addressed.

He said that studies by Guttmacher Institute showed that over 1.2 million unsafe abortions were done in Nigeria every year as against previous studies in 1996 which indicated a figure of just 610,000.

The institute is a research organisation that works to study, educate and advance sexual and reproductive health and rights in the United States with focus also on developing countries.

Effiom said that these unsafe abortions were carried out on women aged 15 to 49 years, adding that over 80 per cent of induced abortions were done by doctors in private settings.

The country director said that six per cent of unintended pregnancies are resolved by abortion and most females who have had an abortion were younger than 25 years.

He however said that with the support of partners, the organisation was in 2017 able to avert over 1.1 million unintended pregnancies through the use of contraceptive. (NAN)
KRY/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Foundation drums support for children with special needs

Foundation drums support for children with special needs
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Children
Abuja, Jan. 10, 2019 (NAN) The Coordinator, Our Lady of Guadalupe (OLG) Health Foundation and Autism Centre, Mrs Chioma Onyeanu, has called on relevant stakeholders to support children living with special needs to enable them contribute their quota to national development.
Onyeanu made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
She identified such special needs as developmental delays, medical conditions, psychiatric and congenital conditions that require accommodation so children can reach their potentials.
“Poverty related factors were one of the most prominent barriers inhibiting families, communities participating in the training and education of persons with special needs in the country.
“For instance, in our high ways and streets today, one cannot but notice countless number of both `fit’ and `unfit’ children and adults begging for alms.
“A family dealing with developmental delays will have different concerns from one dealing with chronic illness. These families will have different anxieties than ones dealing with mental illness, learning problems or behavioural challenges,’’ she said.
Onyeanu said people with special needs face different challenges apart from the birth condition which could be physical, technological, systemic, financial or attitudinal, or due to government failure to make available the needed accommodation and infrastructural provisions.
She said giving birth to a child who has any form of disorder is often seen as a taboo, saying it is a cultural belief barrier.
“The child is seen as a reincarnation of a long-dead relative who has come back to punish the parents for a certain misdeed.
“This fear or ideology instantly makes the parents regard the child as an abnormally and often leads to discrimination,” Onyeanu said.
She however said the family was the first and basic institution in our culture and the primary place in which children learn to interact with their environment.
Onyeanu said the very important position of the family in the development of the individual cannot be quantified.
She said families and communities should have a change in attitude towards persons with special needs, saying that the community with most of the superstitious beliefs, values and customs that powerfully affect the persons with special needs negatively are rooted in the communities.
Onyeanu however underscored the need to have parents support groups where they can share their stories and proffer solutions.
“Talking to other parents, especially parents who live in the area can become a true personal connection, is essential to the coping ability of these parents,” she advised. (NAN)
OEO/AZA/MST
Edited by Polycarp Auta/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Mrs Bagudu urges parents to guard children against political violence

Aisha Bagudu urges parents to guard children against political violence

By Shuaibu Tatu
Violence
Birnin Kebbi, Nov. 25,v2018v(NAN) The Wife of Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Aisha Bagudu, has advised parents to enjoin their children to desist from violence ahead of the 2019 general election.

MRS Bagudu made this call on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi during a lecture organised by MALLPAI Foundation on ”continues peaceful coexistence in Kebbi State during the campaign and after the 2019 general election”.

”Please women we have a role to play in this country by calling the attention of our children especially youths to desist from violence during 2019 general election.

”During violence, most people that suffer most are women and the children. When violence start, every body would run away for protection, but mothers will always look for their children, at the end, majority of casualties will be women”, she said.

She said mothers need to be protected and secured because they are first teachers of children in any society, saying that the children are the leaders of tomorrow; the future of children and youths is in the hand of mothers.

The wife of the governor also advised youths not to allow themselves to be used for political thuggery before, during and after elections, reminding them that the development of the country lay in their hands.

”Our youths can learn how to be more productive instead of fighting, involving in violence which is uncalled for,” she said.

The Speaker, Kebbi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kamba, commended the wife of the governor and MALLPAI foundation for organising the programme to educate citizens on the importance of peaceful coexistence among the people ahead of the general election.

Kamba said the state legislature is the most peaceful House of Assembly in the country, stressing that “we should embrace peace and harmonious coexistence in 2019 general election”.

The State Commissioner of police, Mr Ibrahim Kabiru, represented by ACP Musa Wada, said politics was all about development not about fighting each other.

Kabiru advised politicians to desist from hate speech during rallies, campaign and possession of offensive weapons in the state.

”Politicians should desist from using electronic or print media to ridicule opponents and buying drugs for youths in the name of thuggery is prohibited.

”Security services had been put in place ahead of 2019 general election in the state”, he said.

He also called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to preach against corruption and violence during the forthcoming general election in the state. (NAN)
SZT/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Gov. Ganduje tasks parents on immunisation for children

Gov. Ganduje tasks parents on immunisation for children

By Aisha Ahmed
Immunisation
Kumbotso (Kano State), Nov. 10, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has called on parents in the state to ensure full routine immunisation for their children.
The governor gave the charge on Saturday while inaugurating immunisation for the month of November at Panshekara Ward in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Kabiru Getso, the governor said there was need for parents to support in sustaining the successes recorded in immunisation in the state.
According to him, “About 3 million children below the age of five are expected to be immunised across the 44 local government areas of the state.”
He added that the state had recorded over 52 months now without any case of wild polio virus in all the local government areas in the state.
The governor also stressed the importance of regular environmental hygiene to guard against infectious diseases in the communities.
Ganduje said his administration has placed high premium on the health sector by provision of infrastructure, financing, human resources, procurements and drugs chain supply system, among others.
He enjoined the people to continue to rally round the administration for more meaningful achievements in effective health care provision.
The Chairman Kumbotso Local Government Council, Alhaji Kabiru Panshekara, expressed commitment towards ensuring the success of immunisation in the area. (NAN)
AAA /JPE/MST
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Nurse advises teachers, parents to inculcate personal hygiene habit in children

Nurse advises teachers, parents to inculcate personal hygiene habit in children
By Maureen Ojinaka
Hygiene
Enugu, Nov. 1, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Ruth Onyia, a retired Senior Nurse, has urged parents and teachers to inculcate personal hygiene habit in their children for healthy living.
Onyia, formally with the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Thursday.
She noted that lack of awareness on personal hygiene could lead to contamination of various diseases in human beings.
She explained that diarrhoea, dental and skin diseases, worm infestations are most commonly associated with poor personal hygiene, adding that one of the major problems faced by school children are infections.
The medical officer pointed out that infection and malnutrition form a vicious circle and retard children’s physical development as well as their academic performances.
“Repeated attacks of infections often compound the existing poor health of children, compromising children’s attendance and performance at school.
“However, majority of the childhood illnesses are preventable by promotion of hygienic practices among school children through proper health education by their parents and teachers,” she said.
She added that the origins of many illnesses of adulthood have their roots in the health behaviours of childhood and adolescents. (NAN)
OJI/OIF/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

World Polio Day: Kano Govt urge parents to embrace immunisation

World Polio Day: Kano Govt urge parents to embrace immunisation
By Aisha Ahmed
Polio
Kano, Oct. 25, 2018 (NAN) The Kano State Government has urged parents to embrace routine immunisation to keep their children fit and immune to child-killer diseases.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Kabiru Getso, made the appeal at a news conference to mark the World Polio Day in Kano on Thursday.
He said that the Ganduje administration had increased its counterpart funding in order to sustain the status of Kano of being polio-free for over a year.
Getso explained that the state had empowered more health personnel to man the routine immunisation across all the local governments.
According to the commissioner,“the administration has renovated and equipped health facilities to strengthen routine immunisation exercises for polio and other diseases’’.
He commended stakeholders, especially the Kano Emirate Council, for supporting the cause for the benefit of children.
Getso emphasised the commitment of the administration towards boosting the state’s healthcare system.
NAN reports that Oct. 24 of every year has been set aside to mark the World Polio Day to create awareness on poliomyelitis. (NAN)
AAA/COF/MST
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Drug Abuse: Niger Govt task parents child upbringing

Drug Abuse: Niger Govt task parents child upbringing
By Mercy Osajiugo
Training
Minna, Oct. 6, 2018 (NAN) The Niger Government has urged parents to monitor their teenage children against drug abuse in order to reduce crimes in the society.
The state Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatima Madugu, made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Minna.
Madugu said that it was wrong and dangerous for parents to leave their children and wards’ surveillance solely to teachers and house helps.
She therefore advised parents and guardians to pay close attention to their children by knowing their friends and acquaintances.
“It is harmful for parents to allow any lad to be a friend to their children or ward; I say this because every child has different background, and they come along with different traits to school.
“This is why parents should monitor their children and wards by going as far as searching their school bags occasionally, and even their pockets, to know what content they have there,” she said.
She noted that peer group had a lot of negative and positive influences, urging parents to be mindful of such influences which could be harmful to them and the society at large.
“It is a necessity for parents to instill discipline of no to self medication to their children.
“Parents should not allow their children or wards take drugs indiscriminately; rather, they should be in the know of any medication,” she said.
The commissioner also called on parents to sharpen their thinking skills, to enable them understand promptly tact their children might exhibit to hide certain clandestine behaviours. (NAN)
MNO/JTJ/MST
Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Social vices: Emir urges parents to monitor children

Social vices: Emir urges parents to monitor children
By Awayi Kuje
Drugs
Keffi (Nasarawa State), June 16, 2018 (NAN) The Emir of Keffi in Nasarawa State, Dr Shehu Chindo-Yamusa III, has urged parents and guardians to monitor and prevent their children against the intake of hard drugs and engaging in social vices for the good of the society.
Chindo-Yamusa III, a first class traditional ruler, made the call in his Eid-el-Fitr message to his subjects in his palace in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of the state.
He noted that consumption of hard drugs by some youths had affected their lives and their education negatively, hence the need for parents to closely monitor their wards to curb the growing menace.
The monarch also appealed to Muslim faithful and other Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and development of the country, adding that peace is the necessary requirement for the development of any society.
The emir maintained that sustained prayers by Nigerians would overcome devilish acts threatening the peaceful co-existence of the country.
Chindo-Yamusa III added that Eid-el-Fitr is not only for merry making, but a time to emulate what Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was sent by Almighty God to preach to humanity.
The traditional ruler said that Prophet Muhammad preaches peace, love and unity, while urging Muslims to emulate his good attributes in order to enjoy the blessings of Allah here and in the hereafter.
“We must maintain and use the good lessons of the Ramadan which includes brotherhood, bond of charity and love sharing, among others, in the interest of peace.
“Muslims worldwide should endeavour to continue to sustain their good acts and behaviour beyond the one-month period of the Ramadan fast, so that we would continue to get Allah’s blessings and favour,” he said.
He also called on Nigerians to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and live in peace with one another irrespective of religious, political and ethnic differences.
Besides, Chindo-Yamusa III enjoined Nigerians to embrace good government policies and programmes in the interest of national development.
He further urged his subjects to continue to embrace agriculture considering its importance to national economic development.
Earlier, the Chief Imam of Keffi Central Mosque, Alhaji Muhammadu Auwal, charged Muslim faithful to adhere strictly to the teaching of the Holy Qur’an in the interest of peace and national development.
The cleric also called on Muslims to shun all negative acts capable of tarnishing their personal integrity, the image of the state and the country at large. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola