UN calls for protection of civilians and schools in Nigeria - ITREALMS

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The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, has expressed deep concern over recent attacks in Niger State, calling for stronger protection of civilians, civilian spaces, and schools, reports ITREALMS.

On January 3, over 30 people were killed and several others abducted in an attack on a village market in Kasuwan Daji, Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State.

Awba-Ofemili health committee donates 7 First Aid boxes to schools - ITREALMS

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…as Nweke donates books, Red Cross partners on school health

The Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU), through its Health Committee, has donated First Aid boxes to seven schools in Awba-Ofemili, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as part of its 2025 Community Health Awareness Campaign themed “Buruli Ulcer (Elu-Ulee): Know the Signs, Stop the Spread.”

The beneficiary schools are Progressive Primary School, Unity Primary School, Waterside Primary School, Central Primary School, Ege Migrant School, Community Secondary School, and Favour of Grace Academy.

Anambra shines with Nine prizes @2025 President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards - ITREALMS

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Anambra State has reaffirmed its dominance in Nigeria’s education sector, clinching nine major honours at the 2025 President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards held on Sunday in Abuja.

Leading the pack, Woliwo Primary School II, Onitsha, emerged as the Overall Best School in Nigeria, a feat that underscores the state’s tradition of academic excellence and innovation. The remarkable outing also saw Pinkberry International School, Odume, Obosi, named First Runner-up for Best Approved Private School, while Emmanuel Ndibe of St. Theresa’s Secondary School, Enugwu Ukwu, received recognition as First Runner-up in the Approved Private Senior Secondary School category.

1m laptops: Zinox partners KongaCares to computerise schools - ITREALMS

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GITEX Nigeria 2025 was not only a great success but also a landmark event that showcased Nigeria’s rising stature in the global technology space, attracting thousands of technology professionals and stakeholders from across the continent. 

Among the most astounding highlights was the official unveiling of the Computerise Nigeria Initiative by Nigeria’s integrated ICT solution company and OEM Zinox Technologies, in partnership with KongaCares, at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.

NITDA, UBEB to foster digital literacy @FCT schools - ITREALMS

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is set to collaborate with the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Educational Board (FCT-UBEB) towards revolutionising the way young Nigerians engage with technology and equipping them with necessary skills to thrive in an increasingly digital world, reports ITREALMS.

The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa made this known when he hosted a delegation from the Head-to-Head Debate Committee of FCT UBEB led by its Acting Executive Chairman, Dr Alhassan Sule, at the agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja to discuss possible areas of collaboration.

FGN approves N24.2bn for Internet @airports, schools, markets - ITREALMS

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Arising from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of Wednesday, March 29, 2023, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) approved the sum of N24.20bn for the provision of broadband internet connection in at least 20 airports, 43 schools and six marketplaces nationwide.

The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, disclosed this to State House correspondents after this week’s FEC session
chaired by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Lagos CBOs extend outreach to private schools on ATM - ITREALMS

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Some Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) have started to extend their advocacy outreach for improved health sector to private schools in Lagos on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM)-related, reports ITREALMS.

Confirming this to ITREALMS, after the October Coordinating Meeting of ATM in Lagos, the Lagos State Advocacy Team (SAT) lead, Mrs. Bunmi Tejumola said that some members of the team have in recently extended in the Isheri part of the state.

9mobile counsels secondary schools in Bichi Emirate - ITREALMS

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9mobile has organized a career counselling session for Junior Secondary Students (JSS 3) in Government Secondary School; Government Girls Secondary School, Bichi Education Foundation Community Secondary School all in Bichi Emirate Council, Kano State, reports ITREALMS.

Addressing participants, the Chairman, Board of Directors of EMTS (9mobile), and the Emir of Bichi, His Highness, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, who was the Special guest of honour stated that the career counselling session was designed as a springboard to set the right path for students to aspire for greatness in any chosen career of their choice.

Lagos closes all Chrisland Schools - ITREALMS

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The Lagos State government has closed all branches of Chrisland Schools in various parts of the state over an alleged sexual abuse of one of its pupils, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement from the government available to ITREALMS, said the issue involving some pupils of the school who went on a Dubai trip, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and has commenced investigation.

Education: Parents besiege Oyo public schools over new policy - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Government of Oyo State has announced that it was pleased to discover that measures taken thus far in the implementation of the free education policy have started yielding fruits.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa made available to newsmen on Monday indicated that the huge number of parents applying to register their wards in the state’s public primary and secondary schools is a clear evidence that the free education policy of the administration is well received by the people.

“We are particularly pleased that a number of parents have been besieging the Oyo State Ministry of Education in the past few weeks to make inquiries on steps to be taken to transfer their wards from private schools to public schools.

“The huge turnout of parents and guardians seeking transfer for their wards to our public schools in view of the free education policy of Governor Makinde’s administration, has, therefore, necessitated the introduction of some administrative measures which are meant to control admission and safeguard illegality in the admission process.

Some costs have, therefore, been introduced to offset administration procedures as approved by the administration.

The cost of obtaining forms for transfer of pupils/students to Oyo State public schools are stated as follows:

i. Inter-state; from major cities across the country including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt-N15,000 (Fifteen thousand Naira);

ii. Other states of the federation-N10,000 (Ten Thousand Naira);

iii. Those seeking transfer from within Oyo State-N7,500.00 (seven thousand five hundred Naira;

iv. Transfer from outside Nigeria-N20,000.00 (Twenty thousand Naira).

The statement further read: “As we have started before now, the policy of the state government is to promote free education in line with its desire to uplift the standards and enhance excellence in educational pursuits.

“In line with the current administration’s four-point service agenda, Education, Health, Security and Economic expansion via agriculture value chain have been so designated as the major pillars. The administration hereby assures the people of its commitment to implement the agenda for the good of all in Oyo State.

“Let us also place on record that the decision to implement the charges listed above is not aimed at constraining the people, but to ensure standardization in the process of transferring pupils and students from private to public schools.”

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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‘Nigeria schools deliberately set on fire’ - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

An estimated 20 per cent of Nigerian schools are deliberately set on fire, says the latest United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports ITREALMS.

According to the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report summary made available to ITREALMS, UN noted that out of the estimated 260 school sites in Nigeria’s north-east, 20 per cent had been deliberately set on fire, which amounts to some 52 schools.

The report endorsed by chair  of GEM Hon. Helen Clark also reported that 28 per cent had been damaged by bullets, shells or shrapnel, 32 per cent had been looted and 29 per cent were in close proximity to armed groups or military.

ITREALMS also gathered that there are 19.9 million refugees under the protection of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), of whom about 52 per cent are under 18.

 “Around 39 per cent of refugees live in managed, self-settled or transit camps or collective centres, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of the rest live in individual accommodation in urban areas,” part of the summary showed.

The GEM summary which is on migration, displacement and education has as theme: Building Bridges, Not walls; showed that in many conflict-affected countries, internal displacement has strained already struggling education systems.

The report further posited that education has a role in preventing violent extremism, pointing out that whereas violent extremism, terrorist attacks and state and non-state civilian targeting undoubtedly directly cause migration and displacement, public opinion in high income countries has come to overemphasize the reverse, associating migration with terrorism.

“Yet any such relationship is very tenuous; attacks by foreigners represent a fraction of those by nationals and pathways to radicalization can take numerous forms. Preventing the emergence of extremism is a key line of defence against terrorism.

“Extremists tend to instrumentalize development challenges or exacerbate them to create and exploit a vicious circle of marginalization, particularly affecting the poorest and most vulnerable. By promoting respect for diversity, peace and economic advancement, education can be a buffer against radicalization.

“Violent extremists often see education as a threat and target schools for attacks, as with the Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria,” the GEM report stated.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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MainOne boost schools with CSR

ITRealms:

The acclaimed West Africa’s leading connectivity and data center solutions provider, MainOne, has given a boost to schools with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, reports ITRealms.

The initiative tagged Changing Lives… Impacting the Future (CLIF), ITRealms gathered, saw MainOne adopting Mayeigun Community Primary School and Gbara Junior Secondary School located in Jakande-Lekki, Lagos by lifting the school environment.

ITRealms reports that the company supplied educational materials and toys and beautified the environment by planting flowers around the premises and landscaping the schools.

According to Coordinator, Health, Safety and Environment at MainOne, Oluyomi Johnson, the CLIF initiative is part of the company’s efforts to positively impact education in Nigeria.

“The major thrust of our community engagement has been in the education sector. Since 2011, we have assisted various schools in Lekki, Ajah and environs, identifying their needs and exploring how we can provide for them. We plan to continue our support for schools across Lagos, renovating their facilities, providing them internet and educational materials and more importantly, volunteering the service of our employees” Johnson said.

Acknowledging the uplifting of the school, the Head Teachers of Mayeigun Community Primary School and Gbara Junior Secondary School, Mrs. Oyeyipo and Mrs. Fashola respectively, expressed their delight at the re-painted facilities and urged other companies to take CSR to schools more seriously.

ITRealms recalls that since 2011, MainOne has been supporting educational institutions in Nigeria with yearly donations of study materials including school bags, text and exercise books, and renovation of critical infrastructure facilities. The Company’s contribution to the development of these schools forms a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility focus in Education and Information and Communications Technology.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Three ICT girls win FG's N1 Million prize

ITRealms

Three ICT girls representing different schools in Nigeria recently won the Federal Government's N1 million Application Innovation Awards in Abuja for their technological know-how, reports ITRealms.

The three students, ITRealms ascertained, came tops in a keenly contested challenge involving over 89 other entries for developing website and software applications on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Child Adoption and Health.

The names of the victorious students are Omotayo Ogunnaike of Lagoon Secondary School Lagos, who developed the original website and apps to help the country solve some of its humanitarian problems in the areas of IDPs, child adoption and health, .Zainab Aliyu Gebi of International Community Secondary School Abuja, Praise Sanni Adeniyi of International School University of Lagos, learnt ITRealms.

The successful girls were rewarded with cash prizes of N500, 000, N300,000 and N200,000 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively by the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology.

 
Presenting the awards, the Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, said the winners were rewarded as part of activities for Federal Government to commemorate the Girls in ICT Day celebration in Nigeria.

"This effort is good because if they don't overcome that fear of technology, they can never venture into science and ICTs. Also for being able to fight cultural and social bars they can now pursue careers in ICT”.

Cyriacus Nnaji/ GEE

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Omatek set to address irregular electricity in factories, schools, hotels

ITRealms:

The Group Managing Director of Omatek Ventures Plc, Mrs. Florence Seriki, has said the Omatek solar energy, will address irregular supply of electricity in factories, schools, public offices, hospitals, hotels as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) business across Nigeria, reports ITRealms.
 

Speaking in Lagos recently, Mrs. Seriki noted that as a local computer manufacturer and provider of reliable solar power solutions in Nigeria, Omatek is set to cause a revolution in the Nigerian economy by offering cost efficient solar power solutions to schools, small businesses and big organisations in the country.

"The use of our solar/Light Emitting Diode (LED) solution can result in provision of power and in significant operational and maintenance cost savings for factories, schools, public offices, hospitals, hotels and SMEs in the country," she said.

The company, she said, has commissioned its 50KVA 3-phase off-grid solar solution factory that will represent the solar solution for factories, banks, telecommunications firms, government and other organisations that require big power installations.

She explained that off-grid solutions, on-grid solutions as well as LED bulbs are available at affordable prices. 

Omatek Solar Solution, she pointed out, is a hybrid solution that provides 24 hours lighting/power solution, while providing 70 – 90 per cent cut/deduction in power consumption and drastically reducing power consumption by an average of 90 per cent on the overall, grid, thus enhancing growth in the real sector and general economic development, she said.

She listed some of the benefits of Omatek solar powered solution to include noise free, zero heat emission, brighter lighting, zero contribution to global warming, eco-friendly solution, zero maintenance costs, local content, health and safety benefits, long-life LED bulbs of 3-5 years and cost saving, among others. 

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms)
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Pix: Seriki

Use of CBT in Secondary Schools improper, says Lagos NUT

 ITRealms

 The introduction of Computer-Based Test (CBT) in secondary schools has been crticised by the Lagos chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), ITRealms reports.

The state NUT Chairman, Mr. Segun Raheem, made this known in Lagos recently while addressing newsmen, and said  that the Computer-Based Test is sure to encounter hitches  because most of the students were not adequately prepared for the test

He also said the non-availability of Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities and human resources make the NUT unprepared, adding "Computer Science has just been introduced to secondary schools as a compulsory subject which is coming rather late."

Further, ITRealms gathered, he said that only a few Lagos schools have computer science teachers and some schools gave temporary appointment to computer science teachers. Others got the teachers through the efforts of the Parents' Forum (PF)." The unionist noted that most of the secondary schools in the state had a desktop or a laptop which they used mostly for administrative work.

He noted that a few schools have ICT laboratories with internet facilities, asserting "With the present situation, in my own view, I doubt if the use of CBT is result-oriented for students in secondary schools in the state."

 "Except if crash programmes on computer studies and practice is introduced in schools, which must allow each student to have a free practice with computer, CBT will not achieve the desired aim,  

ITRealms learnt.

Cyriacus Nnaji/ED,OPs

 

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Yoruba language now taught in Scandinavian schools

ITRealms:

Efforts at deepening the adoption of Yoruba language globally has received green light in the Scandinavian countries as it has been approved for teaching schools in the region, reports ITRealms.

A press statement from the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) in Europe made available to ITRealms, showed that the Scandinavia, made up of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, granted the consent in late last year.

Confirming this development, Sweden-based newly elected deputy coordinator of Oodua Progressive Union, Mr. Victor Mobolaji Adewale, said at a meeting in Istanbul, Turkey that the approved was received following a formal launch of OPU in Sweden on November 29, 2014.

Adewale, who also emerged Deputy Coordinator of OPU Europe, told correspondent that the launch was attended by government officials from the Scandinavian countries who thereafter okayed the teaching of Yoruba language in their schools.

He said the Union also has the OPU radio functioning in the Scandinavian countries, using it as a medium of popularising the Yoruba language and reaching out to people of like minds.

"We are happy to report that the Yoruba language has got the approval of the authorities for it to e taught in schools in the Scandinavian countries. It’ is a major breakthrough for us in popularising our mother tongue. We look forward to doing more."

The Convener of the OPU and National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, had expressed happiness at the development, pointing out that key reasons for the summit was capacity building.

Adams also advised the European chapter of the OPU to aggressively expand by building more chapters.

He equally said the duty and responsibility of the European chapter should be to cover 25 countries out of the 28 in Europe, stressing that OPU could use Europe as a base to mobilise others.

Adams further said that OPU was now present in 56 countries, noting that "Protecting the image of Nigeria is important. Liaise with the embassies, the Missions of Nigeria in all the countries where you are based. They are the representatives of Nigeria out here."

He implored OPU members to operate with singleness of purpose, stating "If there is no unity, nothing can be achieved. We are building the OPU for the benefit of the Yorubas. We will soon expand strongly in America.”

The publisher of Freedom Online, Gabriel Akinadewo who delivered a lecture on "Leadership and the Nigerian challenge" admonished OPU members to develop leadership capacity in order to run a truly strong organisation.

Among those who attended the meeting was the paramount ruler of Arigidi Akoko in Ekiti State, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, whereas one of the major highlights of the meeting was the emergence of the executive members of Europe chapter.

The Coordinator of the chapter is Akogun Banjo Ojo, while Mr. Victor Mobolaji Adewale became the Deputy Coordinator.

The Europe chapter also agreed to commence the construction of an estate in Ikorodu area of Lagos State at a subsidised rate. 


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