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CATCHING THEM YOUNG’ THROUGH TECHNOLOGY TO STAY AHEAD OF COVID-19

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By KEHINDE TAIWO

The coronavirus pandemic has adversely affected many countries in various ways; from the loss of lives to the congestion and exhaustion of health facilities, then the global economy which is not left out of the damage, dwindling various business and economic activities.

Many organisations have since resorted to alternative means of doing business, exploring remote working opportunities for staff including; virtual meetings, webinars and a host of other ways to ensure their adherence to the lockdown enforcement, thus limiting the physical interaction of people – one of the ways to control the spread of the virus. The ‘new normal’ has remained integral to ensuring the economy is not at a standstill, whilst the battle against the invincible enemy persists, a war that no one knows its end.

The educational sector has not been left out of the fight against the coronavirus, with schools advised to remain closed until further notice due to the dangers it poses to a community spread at very high levels. According to the World Economic Forum, “there are currently more than 1.2 billion children in 186 countries affected by school closures due to the pandemic. In Denmark, children up to the age of 11 are returning to nurseries and schools after initially closing on 12 March, but in South Korea students are responding to roll calls from their teachers online.”

Nigeria is not left out of these numbers, as an estimated 46 million schoolchildren have been affected by the closure of schools on Monday 23 March 2020.

However, whilst a handful of schools – private – have the required infrastructure to ensure its academic activities and school calendar is not adversely affected, the majority are deficient of the needed facilities, restricted to remaining hopeful on when they would be directed to resume.

Understanding the impact of education towards national development and the growth of any given economy, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, announced its support of the Lagos State government and Roducate e-learning initiative. The initiative was noted to include the government accredited curriculum for primary, secondary and tertiary schools designed to ensure children are adequately guided and engaged through their learning experience. 
This partnership is among the various ingredients by the Bank to help ensure the educational sector is not malnourished but reinforced to stay healthy for the school children, Another notable partnership in the bank’s resolve to move one million children to e-learning includes that with IBM, which is providing opportunities for the acquisition of digital skills including Coding, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science & Analytics which would promote opportunities to learn skills of the future. These measures are taken in identifying with the roles of children at securing the future of any country.
Reflecting on the words of Benjamin Franklin, thus ‘an investment in knowledge pays the best interest’ Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, CEO, FirstBank said “in keeping with who we are at FirstBank, our commitment to self-development and continuous improvement is never far from our thinking. As such we are encouraging all to consider and register for any of the excellent programmes being offered free by Ivy League schools and we are curating a list of them covering topics such as management, personal development, and entrepreneurship that would be provided in due course.

Another institution impacting education is Jos-based uLesson founded by Sim Shagaya. In an interview with techcabal, Shagaya noted that “when we launched, to solve the problem of data, we bundled our content into an SD card and dongle and shipped to the user,” Vice President, Marketing and Analytics, Al-Hassan Yusuf Junior said. “But because of COVID-19, we had to create a stream-only service for our customers.”

uLesson’s content database comprises over 3,000 richly animated, curriculum-based, personalized video learning modules, quizzes and tests in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology tailored to help students excel in continental examinations like the West African School Certificate Exams (WAEC), GCSE, SAT and more. 

Without these and other laudable support on the horizon, the problems posed by the lockdown are a threat to the educational sector in particular. Without the functioning of schools, the economy would be handicapped to explore imminent developmental opportunities. And in the current global age, infusing technology to the development of the child cannot be overemphasized and a compulsion to any meaningful government that takes the business of securing the future of its country.
This concern is in tandem with the phrase “catch them young”, a phrase I opine speaks to the curiosity of the essence of life and living by adolescents – school children – as they develop into adulthood. The teenage cycle of one is largely the defining moment in one’s behavioural pattern and attraction to ways of living which subconsciously become a lifestyle, as the child – notably teenager – is most vulnerable at this point and if not well guided is at risk of attitudinal dysfunction.

Times of India defines ‘catch them young’ as that phrase which expresses the desire of the adolescents as far as their demand for information, education and preventive programmes for enhancing positive sexual health and responsible behaviour is concerned”.

From these, I opine that the demand for information is central to the mould of a child’s behavioural pattern on all fronts as regards his or her development and with the internet being the primary source of information in the current age, children are indeed at risk of being misguided, losing focus, thus diminishing the essence of moral value.

The learning in one’s teenage years are most times manifested at adulthood, a scenario I would best illustrate with the popular computer terminology, GIGO; entailing the ‘Garbage In’ occurring at the adolescent phase and ‘Garbage Out’ at the adult phase.

At this point, the million-dollar questions to us are; as a parent, what is your child – especially the teenagers – exposed to and as an adolescent – be you a teenager or young adult – what are you exposed to?… Information indeed remains key to one’s growth and development until one’s final breath.

The internet means many things to different people, with each individual actively or transiently participating in various activities considered fun to him or her. Fun no doubt is relative!

But with today’s world being a global village, without the internet, one would be lost and subconsciously taken back to the stone-age.

What then is the Internet? According to the oxford learners dictionary, the internet is “an international computer network connecting other networks and computers from companies, universities, etc.”

The internet as a whole has indeed made the world less difficult, more fun, travelling one through the world with a press of the cell-phone screen. From the comfort of one’s bedroom, the internet could create a feeling of touring the world.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The advantages of being on the internet are unprecedented, with diverse benefits essential for ease of acclimatisation to all spheres of global activities; economically, sports, fashion and entertainment, business and of course, education.  Regardless of where one is, one has the world at one’s fingertips.

The internet has been instrumental to promoting the development of children and this period of the coronavirus, when schools are not in operation has created that opportunity for kids to develop themselves and learn various skills, thereby exploring various avenues for their continued growth.

In general, the internet and technology is a coin with two sides. Its advantages, amongst which are; it serves as a connecting point for trade – regardless of business size, it bridges the gap between people, whilst being a place where information and knowledge are easily accessed amongst others– irrespective of country, culture, age or distance.

On the other hand, its disadvantages are central to one’s distraction when abused, especially without close monitoring by parents and guardians. The negatives are indeed troubling and could change the course of a child’s life forever which is why it is very pivotal for parental guidance to be closely implemented by parents through this period. 

How well do you interact with your child, how often do you interact with your kids on opportunities on the internet for their continued growth, how often do you subtly check through your kids’ activities on the internet. These are just a tip of the iceberg in having children better shaped for the future.
As children spend more time, learning and exploring amazing ways of developing themselves, by activating parental guidance and control on mobile phones and computer devices, parents play the biggest role at ensuring the internet use is optimally maximised.

Without these, the child would be exposed to lots of misfits that could hinder his or her moral and educational development.

Education

Baloyi Hlavutelo Locreetia Shines Bright with Honours Degree from University of Pretoria

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Baloyi Hlavutelo Locreetia Shines Bright with Honours Degree from University of Pretoria

 

Pretoria – May 5, 2025

 

In a vibrant and heartwarming celebration held at the University of Pretoria on Monday, May 5, 2025, Baloyi Hlavutelo Locreetia proudly graduated with an Honours degree in Public Administration and Management.

 

Baloyi Hlavutelo Locreetia Shines Bright with Honours Degree from University of Pretoria

 

Dressed in academic regalia and beaming with pride, Hlavutelo walked across the graduation stage to thunderous applause from her family, friends, and fellow graduates. The event was a joyful culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

 

Baloyi Hlavutelo Locreetia Shines Bright with Honours Degree from University of Pretoria

 

Her parents, visibly emotional and proud, described the moment as one of the happiest of their lives. “We are overwhelmed with joy,” said her mother. “Watching our daughter achieve this milestone is a dream come true.”

 

Baloyi Hlavutelo Locreetia Shines Bright with Honours Degree from University of Pretoria

 

The colourful ceremony, filled with music, traditional attire, and jubilant celebrations, marked a significant chapter in Hlavutelo’s academic journey. She expressed gratitude to her family, lecturers, and peers for their unwavering support, adding that she hopes to use her qualification to serve her community and contribute to ethical governance in South Africa.

 

Baloyi Hlavutelo Locreetia Shines Bright with Honours Degree from University of Pretoria

 

Baloyi Hlavutelo Locreetia’s achievement stands as an inspiration to many young South Africans, reminding them that with determination and support, anything is possible.

Baloyi Hlavutelo Locreetia Shines Bright with Honours Degree from University of Pretoria

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Education

From Rejection to Record-Breaker: LASU’s Best Graduating Student Thought She Had Failed in Life

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From Rejection to Record-Breaker: LASU’s Best Graduating Student Thought She Had Failed in Life

From Rejection to Record-Breaker: LASU’s Best Graduating Student Thought She Had Failed in Life

In an inspiring twist of fate, Miss Isioma Nwosu, who once believed she had failed in life after missing out on her dream course, emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student of Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2023/2024 academic session with an astounding CGPA of 4.93.

Nwosu, a graduate of Biochemistry, captivated the audience with her moving valedictory speech at LASU’s 28th Convocation Ceremony, held at the university’s main campus in Ojo.

“I thought I had failed in life,” she confessed, recounting the heartbreak of not gaining admission to study Medicine and Surgery—her lifelong ambition.

After finishing secondary school as her set’s valedictorian in 2019, Nwosu faced a major blow: she scored just two points below the cut-off mark to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan. The setback forced her to retake UTME, a decision she said left her humiliated and defeated.

“A valedictorian writing UTME again? It was a bitter pill to swallow,” she recalled.

When she eventually reapplied to study Medicine and Surgery—this time at LASU—fate again dealt her a curveball. She was offered Biochemistry, a course she admitted she had “never heard of” until that moment.

“My heart broke a second time. I couldn’t embrace the course at first,” she said.

But through perseverance, and the encouragement of her lecturers and friends, Isioma not only embraced Biochemistry—she excelled beyond all expectations, finishing top of a graduating class of 11,917 students.

“Dreams Can Be Delayed, Not Denied”

In a stirring message to fellow graduates and aspiring students, Nwosu urged young people not to abandon their dreams in the face of rejection or redirection.

“Never be afraid of having big dreams. Your dreams are the seeds of greatness. You are resilient, capable, and prepared for the future,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of surrounding oneself with “friends of value, vision, and ambition.”

VC Urges Graduates to Shape Their Legacy

In her address, LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, praised the class of 2023/2024, reminding them that they hold the pen to write the next chapter of their lives.

“You’ve demonstrated excellence in both character and learning. Now use that knowledge to drive meaningful change,” she charged.

The university awarded diplomas, degrees, and certificates across various disciplines, celebrating not just academic success but stories of resilience and transformation—none more powerful than that of Isioma Nwosu, who turned disappointment into distinction.

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NAPS Applauds Progress on Bill to Abolish HND-Bachelor’s Degree Dichotomy

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NAPS National Convention: Polytechnic Students Call for Reforms, Elect New Leaders

NAPS Applauds Progress on Bill to Abolish HND-Bachelor’s Degree Dichotomy

 

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), under the leadership of Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, has expressed strong support for the bill seeking to abolish the longstanding disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) holders and Bachelor’s degree graduates.

The bill, which recently passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, is seen as a crucial step toward promoting educational equality and ensuring that all Nigerian students receive fair recognition, regardless of their institution or degree type.

In a statement, NAPS reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for polytechnic students’ rights and called on lawmakers to expedite the process to ensure the bill becomes law.

“As an association, we have always championed the interests of polytechnic students. The passage of this bill will be a major milestone in our efforts to secure equal opportunities for all graduates,” Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide stated.

He emphasized that under his leadership, NAPS has made significant strides in pushing for reforms that benefit its members. He also urged all stakeholders, including the government, educational institutions, and civil society organizations, to rally behind the bill to create a more inclusive and equitable education system.

NAPS reiterated its unwavering commitment to supporting the bill’s passage and expressed optimism that it would pave the way for a brighter future for all Nigerian students.

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