Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013—27
USPF distributes 120,000 PCs to schools
BY EMEKA AGINAM
•Gets NAS nod to wire all Nigerian schools
CPN inducts 33 computer science graduates of KWASU T
BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE
BY EMEKA AGINAM
N
O fewer than 33 graduate students of the Computer Science graduates of the Computer, Library and Information Science Department, Kwara State University, ( K WASU) Malete, Ilorin were on Monday inducted by the Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria, (CPN). By this induction, the students being the first set to be inducted by the CPN among the Nigerian Universities become graduate members of the Nigerian IT profession and will be exempted from some levels of the Computer professional examinations conducted by the Council The CPN Registrar, Mr. Shehu S.A in his address during the induction ceremony told the new entrants that their journey into professionalism in IT has just begun. “You still have lots of hurdles to scale in order to attain global competitiveness in IT. Therefore, I will advise you to work hard in order to measure up to the required standards. “In order to develop and nuture your potentials, the Council puts in place a professional examination which I believe that most of you are familiar with. Please, note that
From left: Specialist, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Ifeoluwa Oyeyipo; Counsellor, Unit Division of Student Affairs, Obafemi Awolowo University, Olanisebe Yetunde and Head of Counselling Unit Division of Student Affairs, Obafemi Awolowo University, Obisakin Busayo, at the Etisalat Cliqfest Seminar at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
high standard of good and ethical conduct are what is expected from IT professionals and that they should be good ambassadors of the profession always. “Therefore, I will want all of you here today to see yourself as ambassadors of the profession and thread the path of honor and integrity al all times. As graduate members being inducted and having being following the content and quality of the programme of the de-
partment, you are going to be exempted from some levels of the CPE professional examination” he explained. He also told the gathering that the best most outstanding three students of the department will be given scholarship qualification examination free of charge. He added that the Council hopes to induct about 50 Universities across the nation in the current financial year. “We have just started. You
are the first set ever. Go out to the world and use the knowledge gained in the school to make in part in the society. Your destiny lies in hands” he said. Earlier in his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Abdulrashewed Naallah who was represented by the academic Cordinator to the VC, Dr. Saka Mamud, told the students to make a difference in their lives with knowledge gained in the school.
HE Universal Service Provision Fund, USPF has distributed about 120,000 personal computers to 1200 public secondary schools across the country. The Executive Secretary of USPF, Abdullahi Maikanu disclosed this yesterday when the House Committee on Communication visited one of the USPF School Access projects in Jabi Junior Secondary school, Abuja. He said that Jabi Government Secondary school is one of the 1200 schools that have benefited from the scheme with 100 PCs and internet facilities to aid the students in their learning processes and also place them at a vantage position to compete with peers globally. According to him, USPF had since inception in 2007 covered about 1200 schools scattered all over the country with a plan to reach out to all secondary school in Nigeria. “We intend to do more until every secondary school in the country benefits from this School Access programme. It started way back in 2007 and over a thousand secondary schools have benefitted and we intend to do a lot more. The one in Jabi started six months ago but the implementer has one year maintenance. “It is our hope that ev-
ery child in Nigeria will have access to computer and internet service to simplify leaning and also preparing them for future challenges,” . On his part, the Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji expressed satisfaction with USPF, saying that the project has rubbed off on the lives of the students to become better leaders of tomorrow. “My impression on this tour has been very lovely. The communication centre at Minna and the School Access programme at Dikko and Jabi show that Nigeria is moving forward. You could see the children very happy and the Principal said the Parents Teachers Association, PTA contributed money for the renovation of the computer centre. They did not wait for government. “With these 100 computers given to them, by the time they are in SS3 the knowledge is already in their head and will use it to help the country. “I urge USPF to do more of this. This is why we have always ask for previous budget performance before we can approve new one. This kind of performance will encourage us to put in more fund. I will not deny these children of ICT knowledge because they are the future leaders."
CSR: MTN devotes 21 days to educational development BY JOY OBOMASE
M
TN Nigeria, Monday announced that it would devote the next 21 days to promoting campaigns that would assist the nation in developing its educational sector. Speaking during the opening ceremony of its 21 Days Yellow care campaign in Lagos, the chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Pascal Dozie said that the 21days of yellow care translates to various community building activities which MTN engages itself in to reciprocate the support of various communities in which it operates. Explaining why this year’s theme is Investing in education for all, Dozie said that, “each year's activity is guided by an overarching theme i am pleased that this year's theme touches on investment on education. “As with MTN well-esC M Y K
tablished corporate Social Investment initiatives in the area of education, our efforts through out this year's yellow care programme are aimed at shaping Nigeria’s future through education. This is because we recognise the pivotal role that education plays in the development of our nation. “Given the current state of affairs, I believe that the private sector, civil society, parents and indeed everyone have a collective role to play in ensuring that our children receive quality education. A look at some of the statistics might help us better understand the enormity of our current educational challenges and the need for urgent action. According to the United Nations Educational, scientific and cultural organization {UNESCO}10.5 Million Nigerian children of school-age are out of school, making Nige-
ria home to the largest number of out-school in Africa. 40% Of Nigeria children aged 6-11 do not attend primary school. “30% of Nigerian children drop out of primary
school Only 54% of Nigerian students transit to junior secondary school The proportion of girls to boys in school in Nigeria is approximately 1 girl to 3 boys.
"There also continues to be insufficient funding to cover the education of our growing population, particularly in science and technology. "The reality, is that the
future of our children, the future of this great nation rests on our willingness to make a commitment to contribute in any way we can to the growth of education in Nigeria" he added.
Nigeria grabs excellence award at US Science, Engineering show BY PRINCE OSUAGWU
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IGERIA’S repre sentatives at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in Phoenix, US last week clinched the United Technology Company (UTC) Award for Excellence in Science and Engineering. The duo of Duro-Aina Adebola and Zainab Bello from Doregos Private Academy Iyana Ipaja, Lagos invented a urine-powered generator to win the award
and prize money of US$3000 in scholarship. The award-winning invention seeks to provide affordable and sustainable energy sources as a solution to the epileptic power supply in developing countries without the attendant consequences caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. According to the students’ teacher who supervised the invention and accompanied them on the trip, Mr Oluseyi Lawal, “the project
works on the principle of electrolysis and energy conversion. It works like the conventional generator; the direct current output of the generator is connected to the urine electrolytic cell to ensure continuous production of the hydrogen-oxygen which ensures the continuous running of the engine”. Lawal added that, “the generator is environmental friendly. The exhaust gas produced from the generator is water vapour, which is non-tox-
ic, compared to carbon monoxide of conventional carbon based fuels. I commend the students for their ingenuity, innovation and creativity.” Speaking on the need to drive and encourage innovation among youth, Corporate Affairs Manager, Intel Corporation, Mr. Osagie Ogunbor stressed that Intel was committed to encouraging interests in Science and Technology especially among the youths.