30—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016
Public schools shine at debate on technology By Tare Youdeowei
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WINNERS: From left, Chairman of the day, Mr Mustapha Mustapha; Father of the day, Alhaji Abdulfatai Adeshina; Red (Orchid) House ownerl Alhaji Abimbola Quadri; Yellow (Marigold) house owner, Alhaji Lukman Malumah and Proprietor, Ar-Rahman Monterssori School, Magodo, Mr. Abdukabir Sulaimon, with Marigold House, winners of the inter-house sports competition of the school.
Drug discovery: Don urges Africans to explore use of herbs By Dayo Adesulu
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ROFESSOR Humphrey Rang has challenged African governments to look inwards by exploring the use of natural plants (herbs) which are in abundance in the region in knowledge of drug discovery. Rang, a Professor of Pharmacology said this at an International Symposium/ Doctoral colloquium with the theme: “Drug Discovery in a Changing World” organized by the University of Benin, Benin City. The professor who is regarded in academic circles as the father of modern day pharmacology intimated his audience on the phases associated with drug discovery. He went down memory lane to when drug discovery began in the 18th century which was based mainly on plant products just as he acknowledged the changing nature of the world which he said was a source of inspiration to himself and his colleagues to carrying out more researches.
Complex processes Complex processes in drug regulation professor Rang said was a major challenge to the industry. He said “Regulations surrounding drugs are not too accommodating and even in the advanced world, it’s a big challenge. Also, the current state of drugs discovery is an extremely slow process because of its expensive nature. This is not usually an encouraging venture to governments across the world especially in developing countries”. He urges Africans to make a global statement by standing up to the challenges of drug discovery because of the abundant resources that would make Africa the home of drugs,
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stressing that with the right will from government and given their intellectual capacity, the continent would go places. The erudite professor advised swift authentication of products while also encouraging young and aspiring pharmacologists to think outside the box and be persistent even as he charged them not to be discouraged by the setbacks associated with pharmacy practice but instead be challenged by the undeniable importance of the profession which is primarily to
save lives. The two-day epoch making event which attracted dignitaries from the medical and pharmaceutical professions was rounded off with a doctoral colloquium which availed post graduate students the opportunity to know more about grants, funding and researches. Highpoint of the event was the display of researches and innovations by members of the university community-to the delight.
Peoples Forum awards scholarship to indigent students By Simon Adewale
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WENTY Indigent students of Issele-Uku origin have been presented with 2015/2016 Rev. S.W. Martins Memorial Educational Scholarship by the Eminent Issele-Uku Peoples Forum. The official presentation of the award was performed by the Regent of Issele-Uku, Prince Dominic Egbune in a brief, but impressive ceremony witnessed by Prominent Chiefs and elders of Issele-Uku at the Oligbo Royal Palace, Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government area, Delta State. The Twenty indigent students comprise of Nine (9) for the Senior Secondary (SS1) and Eleven (11) for the Junior Secondary (JSS1) ,all drawn from the three Public Secondary Schools in Issele-Uku which includes Pilgrim Baptist Grammar School (PBGS), IsseleUku Technical Collage and Martins Collage. The Rev. (Dr.) S.W. Martins Scholarship Fund was instituted by Eminent Issele-Uku Peoples Forum made up of Sons and Daughters of Issele-Uku based in Nigeria and America with the objective of working towards Human and infrastructural
development of the Town in line with the developmental efforts of Late Rev. S.W. Martins. Speaking at the occasion, the representative of the forum, Mr. Frank Mordi said that the scholarship is not automatic, adding that for a child to be qualified for the Scholarship award that child must be indigent and be able to pass the qualifying exams.
Human capital development In his remarks after the presentation of the Cheques to the awardees, the Regent of Issele-Uku Kingdom, Prince Dominic Egbune commended the Eminent Issele-Uku Forum for their dogged efforts towards the human capital development of the children of the poor in the society, which he noted goes a long way in immortalizing the Late Dr. S.W. Martins whom he said brought unparalleled development of Issele-Uku in all areas of human endeavour. The Regent called for the sustainability of the scholarship scheme, adding that it will be of great benefit for the indigents in the town while appealing to other sons and daughters of Issele-Uku to key-in into the project with a view to sustaining it.
OR the reward of one academic session scholarship and the winning school getting funds for a project, Jibowu Junior High School has come first with 23.8 points out of eight schools which vied for the position, at the recently concluded Concept Nova Debate Competition. Concept Nova, one of Nigeria’s fastest growing information technology service and software development companies, had junior high schools; Eletu Odibo, Akoka, Aje Comprehensive, Mobolaji Bank Anthony, Onike Girls, Wesley, Jibowu, Herbert Macaulay, pitted for and against the topic, Technology: Reducing the Quality of Human Interaction, where they showcased their prowess and mastery of English language at ECWA hall, Yaba, Lagos. Speaking on the essence of the debate and the focus on junior secondary school students, Executive Director, Concept Nova, Mr. Chukwuma Ochonogor revealed; “Our organisation has a strong societal outlook, it means that not only do
we look to the success of our organisation, we recognise that the success of our society as well, is of paramount importance. The most pertinent aspect is the education of our young ones because they are the future leaders, they are the ones that will propel us in the future and take care of us when we grow old, they need to be properly groomed and educated. “We chose junior secondary because it is the formative years when they are going from being children to forming an opinion as to what their life would be. As was revealed from the quality of interaction submitted in the debate, these are young adults that have a good appreciation of society and now is the best time to impact them.” Expressing delight the teacher of the winning school, Jibowu Junior High School, Arise Morenike said; “I am very happy we won. I am particularly happy because they are JSS 1 students and they were able to do this. I trusted them and I am so happy. and proud that I trained them and they won. It is the joy of every teacher that when you go for competition, your children, no matter their age, win.
OIS canvasses for ‘emotionally literate' teachers By Amaka Abayomi
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N its bid to improve the academic performance of students, Olashore International School, OIS, is canvassing for emotionally literate teachers that will be well equipped to deal with students through the students’ Social and Emotional Aspect of Learning, SEAL. This was the main focus of the Olashore Teachers Training Programme for Olashore st Partner Schools. Themed “21 Century Challenges and Remedies in Teaching And Learning’, the training programme is a geared at creating a forum where teachers from partner schools can share ideas on improving self and effectiveness. Highlighting the relevance of SEAL, one of the facilitators and a Bradford College trained teacher, Mr. Jatto John, who is
Olashore Master Teacher in Physics department, said to be emotionally literate is to be able to handle emotions in a way that improves your personal power, quality of life and the quality of life for the people around you. He said “SEAL can affect a student’s academic performance both positively and negatively. It will be good for a teacher to have a reasonable insight into the background of the child in order to manage interactions. If a child knows that you empathize with him or her, they pay more attention during classes, and positive responses will be seen in the child’s academics. In order to manage students’ behavior, certain skills should be employed such as Self-awareness, emotional management, empathy, motivation, and social interaction.”
NECO releases Cowbellpedia qualifying results
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HE National Examinations Council, NECO has released the results of the 2016 Cowbellpedia Mathematics Qualifying Examination, conducted on Saturday, 19th March, 2016. There are four perfect scores from three schools. A total of 46,698 students, comprising 4,892 (junior category) and 22,443 (senior category), sat for the qualifying exam in 235 centers across the country. This year’s enrolment is forty per cent above last year’s figure, with three states recording the highest enrolment growth. These states are Kaduna, 214 per cent; Kebbi, 164 per cent; and Sokoto, 146 per cent. From the 46,698, enrolment figure, 108 students (54 each for junior and senior categories) are to proceed to the second stage, which is the Television Quiz Show. This figure is made up of the top 20 for the two categories; and 34 best scores, based on one per state. The second stage, which will be in a quiz format, will be further sub-divided into preliminary, semifinals and finals. The show will serialize into 13 episodes and will be aired on 14 television stations across the country.