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NGO harps on STEM education for girls, holds science-themed schools debate in Kaduna

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A Non-Governmental Organisation, Education and Empowerment Centre for Women (EECW) has called for the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education for girls in rural areas in Kaduna state.

The EECW project coordinator, Mr Ben Dankaka, made the call during a science-themed schools debate in Kagoro, Kaura Local Government Area.

EECW organised the debate under it’s Laraba Deyjih Akapson Science Innovation Prize for Girls initiative.

Dankaka explained that the initiative seeks to educate and empower young girls in rural areas who have limited access to STEM education and resources.

“The Laraba Deyjih Akapson Science Innovation Prize for Girls is an initiative by EECW, established in honour of the late Mrs Laraba Deyjih Akapson.

“She was the mother of EECW founder, Senator Nenadi Usman, and lived a life dedicated to serving others.

“To continue her legacy, this initiative seeks to bring STEM learning to girls who wouldn’t normally have access to it.

“Since girls make up a large portion of Nigeria’s population, it’s important to provide them with more opportunities to learn about science and technology.

Dankaka stated that the focus on STEM had become necessity as a result of the lack of adequate awareness about it, especially in rural areas.

“Right now, not many students in Africa, including Nigeria study STEM subjects especially compared to countries like China and India.

“In Nigeria, fewer than 25 percent of students choose STEM, and only a small number of them finish with STEM degrees,” he added.

The guest speaker, Mrs Gillian Ashio, Head of Department, Technical Education, Kaduna State College of Education, delivered a paper titled “The Future of Education: How Young Innovators Can Change The World”.

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Ashio noted that Nigeria’s youthful population has the potential to transform it’s educational system through creativity, technology and lessons from other countries.

“Young people like you can help solve educational problems by bringing new ideas where traditional methods have failed.

“Finland for example focuses on practical learning instead of too many tests and examinations.

“Students engage in hands on projects such as building models or conducting experiments thereby promoting creativity,” she stated.

Highlight of the event was a debate contest between Girls Science Secondary School (GSSS) Kwoi; Government Girls College (GGC), Zonkwa and Government Secondary School (GSS), Kagoro.

The topic of the debate was “Girls in Nigeria face more barriers in STEM due to cultural beliefs, not lack of interest”.

While GSS Kagoro came first, winning three desktop computers, GGC Zonkwa emerged first runner up and was rewarded with two desktop computers while GSSS Kwoi took home one desktop computer for finishing third.

Flora Samuel from GSS Kagoro, who spoke on behalf of the students, thanked the organisers for coming up with initiatives aimed at encouraging girls from rural communities to explore careers in STEM fields.

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FCT Minister Wike, Emir Ado Bayero Image Sparks Reactions On Social Media

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A striking image of the dethroned Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, engaged in an intense discussion with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has sparked widespread speculation.

Could this meeting signal a political manoeuvre or a bid for influence in Abuja’s corridors of power?

A recently surfaced image of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the deposed Emir of Kano, deep in conversation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ignited a firestorm of reactions on social media. The picture, circulating widely, has led to intense debates about its political implications.

Renowned political analyst Shehu Mahdi took to social media platform X to share his enigmatic reaction:

“YOUR GUESS COULD BE CORRECT: What comes to your mind on seeing this picture? Politics? Justice on the plate? Saving grace away from home? Seeking refuge?

How the mighty have fallen? Spirit dancing to the devil? End of the game? Casualty on the way? Another sole administrator?”

This cryptic message has only fuelled speculation, leaving many to wonder whether the meeting was a strategic move by Ado Bayero to reclaim his throne or if it was simply a routine discussion.

Following his dethronement, Ado Bayero’s future remains uncertain, and many believe his meeting with Wike was not a mere coincidence. Wike, a seasoned political strategist with strong ties to the current administration, is known for his calculated moves. The timing of this encounter suggests that something significant could be unfolding behind closed doors.

Sources close to the situation indicate that the former Emir may be exploring legal and political avenues to challenge his removal. Others speculate that he could be negotiating a favourable political settlement, ensuring that his influence remains intact despite losing the throne.

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Wike’s role in this saga cannot be overlooked. As a key figure in the government, he wields significant influence in the nation’s political landscape. Given his history of bold and strategic decisions, his meeting with Ado Bayero is bound to raise eyebrows.

Is Wike offering support, or is he merely playing a neutral role in the unfolding drama? Some political analysts argue that the discussion could be an attempt to align interests, especially if Ado Bayero seeks federal backing to mount a legal or political challenge against his dethronement.

Shehu Mahdi’s cryptic statement has left many wondering whether there are deeper forces influencing Kano’s leadership crisis. Could external players be pulling the strings behind the scenes? His reference to “justice on the plate” and “casualty on the way” hints at the possibility of larger forces at work, shaping the destiny of Kano’s traditional institution.

As speculation continues to mount, only time will reveal the true purpose of this meeting.

For now, the nation watches closely, waiting to see if this encounter will alter the political landscape in Kano and beyond.

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Fire guts 1-storey building in Lagos

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Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed that a one-storey building at Alapere area of the state was gutted by fire.

The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

According to him, the agency received distress calls at about 8:55 a.m. regarding the incident at No. 16B, Agidi Road, Osogun Bus Stop, Alapere.

He said LASEMA activated the state’s Emergency Response Plans from its Command and Control Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.

“Upon arrival at the scene, LASEMA discovered that the upper floor of a one-storey building, comprising four self-contained apartments, had been engulfed by fire.

“Fortunately, the inferno did not spread to the ground floor of the building,” he said.

Oke-Osanyintolu said preliminary investigations revealed that the fire originated from one of the kitchens due to an electrical power surge, which rapidly spread to other parts of the apartment, causing significant damage.

“No casualties or fatalities were recorded in the incident.

“The LASEMA Response Team, in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, successfully contained and extinguished the fire.

“Necessary safety precautions were implemented to prevent further spread and secondary incidents, while search and rescue operations confirmed that no individuals were trapped,” he added.

He stated that while the affected apartment suffered substantial structural and material losses, the lower floor remained intact.
“The incident has been brought under control, and the inferno has finally been put off. Operation activities have been concluded,” he said. (NAN)

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Policeman goes ‘berserk’, shoots 3 in Cross River

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A police Inspector, Effiong Bassey, suspected to have gone berserk, has shot three persons in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, Ugbo Irene, the incident happened in the early hours of Sunday at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Atakpa, Calabar.

She said Bassey “returned from his night duty at Ekondo Microfinance Bank and began to exhibit abnormal behaviour.”

“Inspector Bassey refused to hand over the AK-47 rifle he was assigned and instead proceeded to block the station’s gate, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the premises. Despite attempts at peaceful dialogue to resolve the situation, the officer’s actions escalated,” the statement read.

“Subsequently, Tactical Units/Patrol teams were deployed to the scene, where Inspector Bassey, suspected to be mentally deranged, opened fire on bystanders who had been instructed to leave the area.

“Tragically, three individuals were struck by the officer’s stray bullets, including Ijeoma Wilson Obot, a 41-year-old female, who later succumbed to her injuries. The other two victims, Charles Mkpang and another individual, are currently receiving medical treatment and are in stable condition.”

The Command’s spokesperson stated that the officer was eventually subdued, disarmed, and is now in police custody, adding that he is undergoing further investigation into the incident.

Worried by the incident, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, and the Cross River State Command Management Team visited the hospital where the victims were receiving care.

At the hospital, the AIG made a donation to support the immediate treatment of the injured.

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The Command explained that police authorities were engaging with key stakeholders to ensure that the tension in the community is de-escalated.

It also called on the families of the victims and the public to remain calm as the investigation into this unfortunate incident continues.

“The Cross River State Police Command is committed to ensuring that justice, fairness, and equity prevail, and the outcome of the investigation will be made public in due course.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the statement said.

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