143 school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory got trained on cyber bullying and strategies to prevent the act in an event organised by Access Bank and Xploit Consulting Company Limited.

Director, Communication of Xploit Company, Grace Taiwo, said that the training was meant to create awareness in both teachers and students on how to manage the internet.

Taiwo said that the training was organised by the two organizations, adding that it was done for some selected schools in the FCT.

She added that the teachers were from Bwari, Kuje and Gwagwalada local government councils.

According to her, cyber bullying is the act of using the internet to bully people by sending messages that are intimidating or threatening in nature.

Taiwo said that cyber bullying involved using the internet to harm or frighten people especially on social media platforms.

“The aim of this training is to enlighten the teachers on the preventive measures they can use on internet through their handset, ipad, laptop and other devices.

“We are training the teachers after which they will be encouraged to train the students as well so that they (students) can train their other families and relatives around, to enable a retraining trend.

“In other countries, cyber bullying has made children go as far as committing suicide and so, we decided to collaborate to create awareness through trainings in schools,’’ she said.

One of the facilitators of the training and Manager, Ayem and Bayts Consulting Limited, Daniel Ojo, said that one of the ways of exposing people to cyber bullying is when their accounts or passwords are not protected.

He advised people to always ensure that their accounts are not exposed to strangers.

Also speaking, another facilitator, Inya Ode, stressed the need to be safe and responsible, while using the internet, adding that such would help to avoid cyber bullying.

Ode, Principal Partner, Nobleherald Consulting Limited, also urged the trained teachers to ensure that they mentored the students on the risk of cyber bullying and measures to prevent such act.

Another facilitator, Edward Enejoh, expressed worries over the damaging role that cyber bullying could play on the mental development of people.

Enejoh, however, advised Nigerians to always be careful with how they exposed their accounts and passwords on internet platforms.

Vice Principal, Academics, Capital Science School, Kuje, Bunuyaminu Yeti, commended the two organisations for training the teachers over measures to prevent cyber bullying in the country.

Yeti, who spoke on behalf of the other teachers from the various schools, said that the teachers would ensure that the training was extended to other students. 

The UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Girls’ Education, Helen Grant, has completed a regional tour of West Africa where she visited girls’ education, gender and inclusion projects in both Ghana and Sierra Leone.

The visit comes ahead of the UK and Kenya’s co-hosting the Global Education Summit with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) taking place in London in July 2021.

Concluding her West Africa visit, the UK’s Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Girls’ Education Helen Grant said investing in girls’ education is a game-changer and vital to building back stronger from the COVID-19 fiasco.

She said: the UK has set ambitious global targets to get 40 million more girls into school and 20 million more girls reading by the age of 10, which have now been adopted by the G7 under the UK’s presidency.

She added: “I am delighted that both Ghana and Sierra Leone share our ambition on getting girls learning, and it was a privilege to meet inspiring girls and boys who are supported to learn with the UK’s support. As we look ahead to the Global Education Summit, the UK’s partnership with Ghana and Sierra Leone is a vital example of how international collaboration can ensure all children, including girls, benefit from at least 12 years quality education.”

Speaking after the Special Envoy’s visit British High Commissioner to Ghana, Iain Walker said: “This week I have seen the enduring UK-Ghana partnership in action. Alongside the Special Envoy Helen Grant, I met some of those young women and girls whose lives have been changed through education, and, I have seen the work of those leaders, teachers and officials who are delivering the lessons, projects and support that is making the difference.

If we want to change the world for the better, girls’ education is the place to start. But it is only through firm resolve and collaboration that we will achieve our global ambition of ensuring all children across Ghana and around the world receive at least 12 years quality education.”

British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Simon Mustard, added: “The UK is committed to ensuring that all girls access 12 years of quality education. The Government of Sierra Leone shares this commitment and has taken important policy steps in the past year in that direction. I am proud of the support that the UK is providing in Sierra Leone to play our part in turning these commitments into a reality.”

Grant took up the role of UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Girls’ Education in January 2021. Mrs Grant is also the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria.

In her role as Special Envoy for Girls’ Education, Grant is working to accelerate progress towards getting more girls into school and benefitting from quality learning.

Students who did not attain the minimum university entry grade of C+ (Plus) in the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination results have been asked to enrol for technical courses which will give them vital skills needed in the job market.

While decrying low uptake of courses at the local technical and vocational training centre in Merti, Isiolo County Commissioner Herman Shambi urged the students to take advantage of the courses in order to improve their chances of securing employment and becoming self-reliant.

He said this when he met Isiolo’s top student Abdi Mohammed Warsamed who attained an A (minus) of 76 points at Barracks Secondary School.

The county administrator said Isiolo is grappling with shortage of artisans and skilled labour, adding that increased uptake of the courses will help address the issue.

According to him, the demand for artisans in the county is high and people should seize the opportunity to empower themselves economically,” adding that there are very few plumbers, masons and carpenters in the county.

Shambi appealed to parents to take their children’s education seriously and support them to achieve their dreams.

He said his office is in talks with local leaders in a bid to support students who are interested in taking various courses at the local institution.