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Five students get eStar awards as UK platform partner Chrisland Schools
Five students from Chrisland Schools have emerged first in Africa to receive an eStars award.
Estars is an innovative educational esports platform in the United Kingdom.The students, Khadijah Alege, Khalid Olatunji, Brian Leghemo, Adeolu Adewumi, and Ayomide Ojo were recognised at the launch of Estars in Nigeria, which was held at the British High Commission in Lagos on Tuesday.Eleven-year-old Alege, a Year 7 student, earned a star award as the top of five students honoured by eStars at an event marking the launch of a strategic partnership between Chrisland Schools Limited and eStars.The stellar performances of Chrisland Schools’ students globally explain why platforms like eStars introduce innovative academic and game-changing initiatives to the school.It would be recalled that Chrisland Schools’ Mmesomachukwu Okonkwo emerged as the top candidate in the world in English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement) at the 2022 Cambridge IGCSE, while Oluwabukolami Adeyemi secured the top spot in the world in law and received the High Achievement Award for Cambridge AS Level Psychology in 2022.Also, recently, Zara Sule emerged as the Gold Medalist at the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 (Senior Category).The Managing Director of Chrisland Schools Limited, Mrs. Ibironke Adeyemi at the official launch, applauded the timely partnership with eStars, noting that education in this current century should be forward-thinking, innovative, engaging, and fascinating.Hosting the eStars team to a dinner on Wednesday, Mrs. Adeyemi, on behalf of the founder and chairman of Chrisland Schools, High Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Winifred Awosika, welcomed the team to Nigeria and extolled the enduring legacy of the school over 47 years.She said, “We are proud of our brand and proud that we are contributing tremendously to education in Nigeria and Africa.”At the dinner, 10-year-old Falomo Ernest (Year 7), who had interacted with the platform, described it as having a beautiful outlook and sectors from which a player can choose. He noted that the platform includes sections where a player can see their progress, average score, and time spent on the game.
“The platform has taught me cooperative skills as I have had to play football with a team online, quick decision-making, and how to explore more,” he said, recommending the platform to all young people as it boosts every aspect of education.The school’s PTA chairman, Reverend ThankGod Oganwo, commended the initiative and assured the school of maximum cooperation from parents.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of eStars, Mags Byrne, affirmed that Chrisland was the first school approached by the team for the pilot programme in Nigeria.According to Byrne, eStars aims to revolutionise education and equip students for prosperous careers in the rapidly growing gaming industry by integrating eSports into school curricula.
This, she said, offers students a unique and engaging way to learn essential skills such as teamwork, innovation, leadership, and time management.
“We are not just teaching them to be gamers. We are teaching them about business, jobs, and career prospects, using our qualifications as reference points for universities.
This approach ensures that students not only develop gaming skills but also acquire valuable transferable skills applicable to various other fields.“eStars’ commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, as the platform is actively collaborating with stakeholders across different sectors, including government, education, and business, to establish Nigeria as a leading eSports hub in Africa,” she said.She expressed her team’s desire to see the platform adopted by all schools across the country, whether privately or publicly owned.
“Nigeria is the first place, and we want to use Nigeria as the hub for Africa.”Commenting further on the partnership, the Executive Head of School Academics, Mr. Segun Ogunsola, expressed satisfaction with the partnership, stating that eStars uses gaming to teach skills, while Chrisland ensures learners develop the competitive skills needed to excel globally.
According to him, the school, in its quest to provide the best education and a leading edge to learners, has embraced technology, highlighting that eStars aligns with the school’s pursuits and programme.
He explained that through eStars e-sport, learners are exposed to technology-driven games that develop 21st-century skills like teamwork, collaboration, critical thinking, strategic thinking, and planning.
Ogunsola emphasised that child protection and safeguarding are key focuses of the school, with policies and strategies in place. He assured that while the school is aware of cyberbullying and harmful online activities, eStars has incorporated security measures to control and protect learners’ online activities.“It is restricted to what learners are supposed to benefit from the platform.
So it is a controlled platform with access limitations, ensuring everyone is safe,” he said.
An IT expert and member of the advisory board of Chrisland Schools, Mr. Adeniyi Olowoniyi, described eStars as a platform where learners can use gaming to learn.On whether gaming can distract learners, Olowoniyi, an alumnus of the school, explained that games enhance coordination, time management, and critical thinking.“For you to understand how to play a game, it means you can think properly and coordinate, which is very critical for students,” he added.
A coalition of civil society organisations in Zamfara Central has publicly called on philanthropist Yazeed Danfulani to contest for the senatorial seat in the National Assembly in the 2027 elections, citing his extensive humanitarian contributions and commitment to community development.
In a statement released on Sunday, the group’s spokesperson, Nuraddeen Garba Gusau, emphasised that the growing support for Danfulani transcends mere political sentiment.
“This is about Yazeed Danfulani’s proven dedication to the welfare of our people, demonstrated consistently without ever holding elected office,” Gusau said.
Danfulani, a prominent figure in Zamfara Central, has earned widespread admiration for his charitable initiatives.
He has funded the education of numerous children, offering opportunities to those who previously faced bleak prospects.
” His generosity also extends to providing financial and material aid to the less fortunate, helping families meet their basic needs.”
He said “Beyond individual support, Danfulani has bolstered small-scale entrepreneurs by distributing cars, tricycles, and financial capital, enabling many to achieve self-reliance.
“His efforts have significantly improved livelihoods across the region. Additionally, as a key supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, Danfulani has played a vital role in strengthening the party’s unity and presence in the state.
The coalition believes Danfulani’s track record as a private citizen is a testament to his potential as a legislator.
“His selfless contributions are merely a glimpse of what he could achieve with the authority to legislate and attract development at the national level,” Gusau added.
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Kaduna: Group calls EFCC, National Assembly, Kaduna state government’s intervention on alleged diversion of public funds
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The Executive Director of a non-governmental organization, Eagle Brain Youth Transformative and Development Initiative (EBYTDI), Mr Daniel Ejembi, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Assembly and Kaduna state government to intervene on alleged hijacking of a federal constituency project intended for public schools in Dokan Mai Jama’a, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A statement issued by the Executive Director described the alleged diversion of the public resources to a private entity is a grave injustice to the children of Dokan Mai Jama’a.
According to him, “This diversion of public resources to a private entity is a grave injustice to the children of Dokan Mai Jama’a. We demand swift intervention by the Kaduna State Government, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the National Assembly to recover misused funds and prioritize education for all.”
The statement stated that investigation reveals that a federal project sponsored by Yakubu Umar Barde, former member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, was alleged to have been unlawfully diverted to Fatima Academy, a private school owned by Abdulhadi Abubakar.
Ejembi explained, “The project, initially earmarked for constructing a public school, was instead executed at Fatima Academy, which lacks registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).”
He added that the contractor, Amrah Farms Nigeria Limited (RC-1523474), with directors including Abdulyekin Bello Tahir and Bello Halimat Sadiq, executed the project in violation of its original mandate, lamenting that public schools in Dokan Mai Jama’a faced severe deficits, including dilapidated classrooms, lack of sanitation facilities, and inadequate learning resources, exacerbating educational inequalities.
The Executive Director called for immediate probe into the alleged diversion of funds by relevant anti-corruption agencies and also called for urgent construction and renovation of classrooms, toilets, and perimeter fencing in the public schools.
He also appealed for the provision of desks, learning materials, and safe water systems for students and advised for legal action against unregistered institutions like Fatima Academy and accountability for involved parties.
Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Easter Monday morning.
Late Pope had been in and out of hospital in the last few weeks. He made a surprise appearance at the Easter Sunday service at Vatican on Sunday.
Details Later…