Akwa Ibom State Government says it is expecting a huge increase in enrollment of pupils in public primary schools across the State, with the ongoing massive investments in remodeling and improving teachers’ workforce in the public education sector.
The State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, gave the indication while inspecting ongoing work at Christ the King Primary School, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo which is undergoing remodeling as the pilot model primary school in the State.
Pastor Eno, who was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, expressed appreciation for the pace and quality of work at the project site and was optimistic that the project will be completed as scheduled to enable pupils return to the school.
He noted that the project, once completed, will meet the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda model for education infrastructure which is aimed at providing conducive learning environment for the children, adding that contracts have been awarded for replication of the model primary school across the state.
He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that people of the state enjoy the dividends of their support for his emergence as governor through lofty investments in various sectors of the state’s economy.
the governor assured that As God gives the state grace and the funds, the government will continue to invest in education, health, tourism, agriculture, everything else as the government continues to pursue the Arise Agenda.
National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has hit back at the National Universities Commission (NUC) over the Commission’s opposition to recent introduction of the one-year top-up programme for graduates of Polytechnics to convert their Higher National Diploma (HND) to Bachelor’s degree certificates.
Executive Secretary of NBTE, Professor Idris Bugaje, in a strong-worded statement expressed the Board’s dissatisfaction with NUC’s stance on its conversion policy in a letter to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, in response to questions bordering on the newly initiated HND Top-Up Program using offshore credit transfer admission.
Recall that NUC had in a statement during, objected to the plan by NBTE to introduce degree conversion programmes for HND graduates of Nigerian Polytechnics, as that was not within his purview.
Acting Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, had told NBTE that the Commission is the only constitutionally empowered regulatory agency for university education in Nigeria.
NBTE spokesperson, Fatima Abubakar, in response to NUC’s position, quoted Prof. Bugaje saying that only the Federal Ministry Education (FME) Division of Evaluation and Accreditation has the power to assess the foreign degrees after the students have graduated and may seek the same.
Abubakar commended products of Nigerian Polytechnics and advised NUC against further discrimination against HND graduates.
He said NBTE only provides HND Curricula content for credit mapping and eventual credit transfer admissions. The admissions are made by foreign universities, and their Senates make awards of degrees, not NBTE. In fact, the entire process is designed to operate seamlessly without NBTE.
He said NBTE also has no financial benefit in the whole exercise, though the board had requested low tuition of a maximum of about 10% of regular fees since course delivery is online,
abubakar added that Online programmes are today a globally accepted mode of Education delivery, especially in the 21st Century and Nigerian educational policy has accommodated that with an Open University approved by the Federal Government and NBTE-approved Open Distance Flexible and e-learning Centres being operated by 36 Polytechnics at the moment, and the number is growing.
he further said that Nigerian HNDs are much respected globally with Many European countries giving them direct admissions for Masters programmes.
The government of Kogi State has announced a strategic partnership with An educational technology company, EDVES, to transform over 2,000 public schools that are yet to leverage on technology for learning.
The partnership was made known during a visit to some schools in Lagos using EDVES solutions, including Dansol High School, Divine Offspring School, and Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls.
Speaking on the reason for the collaboration, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of EDVES, Dare Adebayo, said the partnership with the Kogi State government was to help in the use of technology to drive teaching and learning.
The educational technology company currently has a presence in over 1,600 schools spread across 10 countries in Africa.
He said the collaboration was part of the decision to spread their solutions to public schools.
He explained that EDVES solution helps schools to manage data, infrastructure and improve learning outcomes.
He added that With EDVES technology, schools will be able to track students academic performance on a weekly and monthly basis and expose their weaknesses in some of the subjects.
He said the school can also mark attendance, among other features, to make learning and teaching in schools smarter.
Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State on Economy, Finance and Investment, Abdulkareem Siyaka, said the state government, led by Governor Yahaya Bello, has declared free education across all levels.
He said this inspired the need for the partnership to overhaul the education system in the state.
Siyaka, who was on a visitation trip to the schools to interact with users of EDVES educational technology, said the Kogi State government is interested in building 15 vocational centres across three senatorial districts for over 800,000 school leavers to acquire skills.
Defending the state government’s sudden introduction of free education a few months to the end of his tenure, Siyaka said the decision was not new.
School Administrator, Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, Olufunke Fowler-Amba, said their partnership with EDVES, was part of moves to address the challenges of girl-child education.
She called for concerted efforts from stakeholders to promote girl-child education in the country.
At Divine Offspring School, the Director, Anunobi Okechukwu, commended EDVES for its innovative education technology platform, saying it is helping in delivering qualitative education to their students.
Okechukwu said with the platform, they have been able to track and monitor the character of their students who are mandated to solve critical thinking questions on the platform.
The Inner City Missions network of free schools is providing education for indigent children in deprived communities.
From one school in Ikeja Lagos, the Inner City Missions for Children now has a network of 13 schools spread across Africa and Asia, providing free and quality education to the most vulnerable.
The latest of the organisation’s education interventions is situated in Iguobazuwa, a community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to revitalizing the education sector.
He stated while he conducted an inspection tour of the College of Nursing and Command Science Secondary School (Girls) in the state capital, Gusau.
According to a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the inspection tour was characterised by a meticulous assessment of the facilities, considering every detail to ensure that these educational institutions meet the highest standards.
He added that throughout the tour, Governor Lawal demonstrated his commitment to the education sector by closely examining every aspect of the facilities and leaving no stone unturned in his quest to identify areas for improvement.
According to the statement, the inspection tour began with Command Science Secondary School (Girls), where Major SN Odeh received and briefed the Governor and his entourage on the condition of the school and the management’s prayers to the government.
In his remarks, Governor Lawal noted that he met with the Commander of the Army Education Corps last week and had promised to conduct an inspection tour of the Army schools in Zamfara.
He said the objective of the visit was to evaluate the schools and identify areas that needed improvement so that the government can enhance the education standard of the state.
Following a thorough inspection of the classrooms, dormitory, kitchen, and dining hall, Governor Dauda Lawal firmly reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to enhancing the overall condition of the Command Science Secondary School.
At the Zamfara State College of Nursing Sciences, Gusau, the Governor was received by the Provost, Zayyanu Muhammad Isa.
The Provost acknowledged the Governor’s past contributions to the College, including constructing 250-capacity hostels for males and females and other facilities before he was elected Governor.
The Governor vowed to do more in the College and other institutions of learning across the state.
The President, Nigeria Optometric Association, Dr. Chimeziri Anderson, says that routine blood pressure and fasting blood sugar tests play critical roles in ensuring comprehensive eye health care.
He said this during a rally carried out at the weekend as part of week-long activities to mark World Sight Day in Abuja.
The Community Eye Health Epidemiologist said it was necessary to ensure that those tests were integrated into Primary Care Services covered by the Health Maintenance Organisations.
This, he said would make them accessible and affordable.
He further said that as an association, NOA aims to promote holistic health and early detection of underlying conditions that can impact vision, and called for collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.
“We believe that collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health, Primary Health Care Development Agency, HMOs and the Nigerian Health Insurance Authority is essential to successfully driving this initiative”, he added.
Anderson said the theme of this year’s World Sight Day, Love Your Eyes At Work, captures the essence of promoting a culture of love and care for the eyes.
He, therefore, advised Nigerians to go for regular eye checkups, practice eye safety, live healthy lifestyles and spread awareness of the importance of eye health.
He also called on NOA members to use the opportunity of the commemoration to engage policymakers and community leaders on eye health.
“Let us reach out on advocacy visits to policymakers and community leaders to make more funds available for eye care.
“They should also recognise the need to deploy eye care professionals to underserved communities and regions,” he advised.
World Sight Day is an annual event observed every October 12, as an opportunity to focus the world’s attention on the importance of eye care.
NOA said collaboration between it and other stakeholders would not only enhance eye health but also contribute to overall well-being, thereby, aligning with its shared goal of comprehensive healthcare for all Nigerians.
On this year’s occasion, the association also advocates the assurance of high-quality standards in optical lenses, tools, and equipment imported into the country.
“We are committed to safeguarding the visual health of our citizens, and this can only be achieved through stringent adherence to internationally recognised standards.
“We recognise the importance of a close partnership with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to ensure that all optical products entering the Nigerian market meet the required quality and safety benchmarks”, Anderson further said.
An alleged notorious criminal, Nasiru Abdullahi, popularly known as Chile Maidoki, recently declared wanted, has joined the Nigeria Police Force as a police constabulary.
In trending photos, Abdullahi was seen with a senior police officer at one of the Police Colleges and Training Schools.
He is among the 10,000 police constabularies undergoing a six-month-long training exercise to enhance community policing across the country.
In August, Abdullahi and two others were declared wanted by the Kano command with a bounty of N100,000 each.
However, upon hearing the declaration of a N100,000 bounty for his arrest he turned himself in at the Bompai headquarters of the command a few days later.
According to Abdullahi, he was quoted saying he slept “at burial ground yards in Kano city just to evade detection by security personnel”.
“This brings a total of 100 documented and profiled Repentant Criminals being that so far surrendered themselves to the police command.
“He is now appealing to the Police and the good people of the State to forgive him, that he has repented and is now ready to work with the Police to promote sustainable peace and development in the State. He is therefore not to be arrested by the Police or stigmatized by members of the public.
“The remaining two with N100,000 bounty on each for clues or information leading to their arrests. They are: Abba Burakita of Dorayi Quarters and Hantar Daba of Kwanar Disu.
Ouagadougou announced that it has signed an agreement with Russia for the construction of a nuclear power plant as it seeks energy self-sufficiency.
As Russia and Burkina continue to strengthen ties an agreement has been signed according to reports of a proposed plan to build a nuclear power plant in the sahelian country where less than a quarter of the population has access to electricity.
The signing of this agreement took place on the occasion of the Russian Energy Week which was held in Moscow, in which the Minister of Energy of Burkina, Simon-Pierre Boussim, participated.
On the Russian side, the document was signed by Nikolay Spasski, deputy director general of the nuclear agency Rosatom.
At the end of 2020, only 22.5% of Burkinabè (67.4% in urban areas, 5.3% in rural areas) had access to electricity, according to figures from the African Development Bank.
It seems to be a departure from the relationship it has had with its former ally France whome many hold has been exploitative. It does give an opportunity for Russia to define how the west should deal with Africa as a partner and not a dependent.
Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation might have one or two lessons to learn here in its dealings with western interests. It revives the discussion over what should be Nigeria’s foreign policy direction and African nations as members of the African Union (AU) block.
If the continent is to rise and assert itself as a force to content within the global marketplace, from a source of raw materials for the west to production of finished goods. It must see the example of Burkina Faso as a template when dealing with industrialised nations like China, America and the like, who have exploited Africa for decades.
The announcement of the construction of the nuclear power plant in Burkina,is however, seen by some as a new illustration of Russian propaganda on the continent but that should not deter other African nations from borrowing a leaf and even seeing to the success of the deal.
For the Burkinabè Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries, Simon-Pierre Boussim, Burkina Faso hopes to be able to build this nuclear power plant by 2030 to thus resolve the problem of energy shortage, a vital energy for the national industry.
They say, “Health is Wealth”… and all over the world, people prioritize Health and their Well-being. Public Health is also a huge deal and the Pharmaceutical Industries makes Billions of dollars annually from supply of medicines for the management of sickness and disease. There are however some people who have switched to the path to alternative medicine which they say works wonders.
However, the road to holistic wellness and Health is not always an easy one and is sometimes being hampered by some of the challenges which come with urbanization and modern life as well as changes in lifestyle and nutrition.
Added to that is the increased use of Pharmaceutical products and medicines in efforts to manage sickness and medical Conditions and somehow stay healthy. These drugs have largely replaced the olden and robust Natural Health solutions which exist and abounded in the past.
What is the background of Natural or Herbal Health solutions? What is the debate for and against it and how do we return to using healthier and natural options in treating illness? If we can answer these questions, then we will be well on way to unravel to path to holistic Health and wellbeing.
The use of these natural growing plants and herbs in treating sickness and maintaining holistic wellness is not a new concept. As a matter of fact, Herbal medicines are one of the oldest methods used for healing in Africa, even before the advent of Colonial Masters.
This is more so because the continent of Africa has a rich array of vegetation made up of plants which grow naturally and which are used to treat a variety of diseases.
Also, the knowledge on which plants treat specific ailments or which plants are safe to be used for wellness has been orally transmitted by the Elders from one Generation to another.
As a matter of fact, many modern medicines have their origins in natural remedies and some researchers say traditional herbal cures hold clues for more medical advances.
However, urbanization, challenges of modern life and environmental degradation have resulted in a reduction in both the quantity and the quality of nature experiences which have given way to pharmaceutical products and medicines.
BACKGROUND AND ORIGIN OF NATURAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS
Engaging with nature is an important part of many people’s lives, and the health and wellbeing benefits of nature-based activities are becoming increasingly recognised across disciplines from city planning to medicine.
Africa is endowed with over 45,000 plant species – about 25% of the world’s plant genetic resources. More than 5,000 plant species from this enormous African resource are used in traditional medicines.
Interestingly…Plants have directly contributed to the development of some known conventional medicines. For instance, antimalarial treatment artemisinin, pain medication morphine, and cancer chemotherapy taxol are some examples of drugs derived from plants.
Other Plants like Artemisia afra or (African wormwood) is highly popular for its diverse uses in African traditional medicine. It has been used for coughs, colds, influenza and malaria.
Catharanthus roseus – also known as bright eyes, Cape periwinkle, a plant native and endemic to Madagascar is commonly used as a tonic and emetic for the treatment of many health conditions including rheumatism, diabetes, and skin-related and venereal diseases.
Other popular and commonly used herbs in Africa are Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), Buchu (Agathosma betulina), Cape Aloe (Aloe ferox) and Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii)
The list is endless…..
Most medicines grow naturally and can even be grown in a backyard. They are easily accessible to people and this accessibility reduces the amount of money paid at hospitals and for pharmacy bills.
In order to better understand the role of Holistic or nature based interventions for health & wellness, we visited Carib Nutrition Hospital & Wellness Centre in, ikoyi, Victoria Island. It was a real eye-opener as Dr. Parick Ijewere took us round the facility and spoke to us about Natural wellness solutions. Please watch the video for the tour.
ADVANTAGES TO EXPLORING NATURAL OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING YOUR WELL-BEING:
There are certainly many advantages to exploring natural options in order to improve wellbeing.
For the most they address root causes and try to aim to get to the source of health issues rather than just masking symptoms. This can provide longer-lasting results.
Natural solutions also boost the body’s natural healing abilities thereby reducing dependency on medication. Natural remedies and therapies tend to be low risk compared to conventional treatments or drugs.
They reduce environmental toxins. From wholesome food to natural skincare and using organic and natural products, such as herbal based products, can help avoid harmful chemicals that disrupt health.
They also improve quality of life. Who doesn’t want more energy, better sleep, and less stress? Natural wellness solutions lead to an enhanced sense of well-being
CHALLENGES FACING THE HERBAL AND PLANT BASED TREATMENTS
There are however many challenges with these natural based solutions. Some problems have arisen when consumers did not take correct and measurable doses, taking either too much or too little.
Prescriptions of traditional Herbal medicines are based on knowledge passed from generation to generation which can result in vague doses, prone to overuse or underuse.
Another problem is some people have used traditional or herbal remedies together with prescribed medicines.
MAKING A CASE FOR HERBAL AND NATURAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS
But with all these challenges, many are of the opinion that the documentation of Natural interventions in the form of medicinal uses of African plants and traditional systems is becoming more and more vital.
Especially due to an erosion of valuable traditional knowledge as well as the rapid loss of the natural habitats of some of these plants.
As such there is need to highlight the importance and potential of medicinal plants from the African biodiversity which have short- as well as long-term potential to be developed as future solutions to treat infectious and chronic conditions.
Knowledge is key. Scientists need to continue to conduct proper research and study to understand the impact of herbs and plants in the treatment of diseases..
African countries also need to improve their regulation around traditional medicines and Natural Interventions and incorporate their traditional African medicines into their adverse drug reaction reporting systems.
The skills and treatment of diseases using natural means just might be something we need to highlight again. Because that might well be the key to long and consistent wellbeing.
Do you advocate for natural and plant based treatments or are you against it? Drop me a comment and let me know….
Let us know… our media handles are right there on your screen…”
I am zoe okafor… and I will see you in the next one….
The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a $1.5 billion concessional loan for budget support from the World Bank.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, revealed this while briefing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Edun also disclosed that an $80 million financing from the African Development Bank was also approved by the Council, this is to Finance a project in Ekiti called Project EKZ basically to support young people and towards advancement of technology in the country.
On his part, the Minister of Budget and National planning, Atiku Bagudu said the Executive is in talks with the Legislature on consideration of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework 2024 to 2026, and also the projected presentation of the 2024 Budget of 26.01 Trillion naira to the National Assembly.
Also the ministers of Labour and Employment, and industry, trade and investment said they presented memos on various interventions including the approval for implementation of the federal government’s agreement with the organised labour.
The finance minister also reiterated that President Tinubu will not breach statutory limits in obtaining budget support facilities from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the Ways and Means Advance.
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