Business

We teach public speaking skills, speed reading – School proprietress

Published

9 years ago

June 7, 2017

Most schools are established to accomplish some tasks; what is the idea behind your school?
The idea is to train kids that are globally competent and can make a difference wherever they go, whether America, Russia or Asia. And the fact that the kids are in Africa should not limit how far they can go.

I was educated in Nigeria but when I got to the US, I realized that there were few gaps that I felt were not addressed and I also realised that most of what you get in Nigeria in terms of education depends on how wealthy your parents are or your background. So, it was in an attempt to mitigate those missing components that my family conceived the idea of establishing this school. We hope to get things right, we may make a few mistakes, but ultimately the idea is to help the child build a solid foundation.
What are the missing factors?
The average Nigerian education is very linear or straight. In fact Nigerian students in the US are topping the chart and getting admissions to all schools but when you think about creativity -the boldness a child needs to address democratic issues, most students are not prepared for them. I went back to school in the US and whenever I was in school, I felt that I was missing those pieces. We are good at mathematics and sciences, but the real skills, critical thinking and fundamentals in terms of building the business by yourself are not covered by the Nigerian curriculum.
So it’s basically to give the kids what is best in both the American and Nigerian curriculum. We mainly use the Nigerian curriculum but a lot of American components. One of the components missing here is in-depth research which the American system pays attention to. We expose our children to research. My youngest child who is studying in the US recently came and taught some of our pupils how to carry out research using the computer. The kids should be able to find data using the computer. Again, American students are more mature in the sense that when they leave school, their interest is being enabled and they are ready to hit the ground running or work because of the practices they conducted. Again, libraries in the US are well stocked and that is what I want to have in my school here. This enables the kids to read as much as they want.
Research is the component of every subject we offer apart from creative writing and public speaking. Public speaking enables the children to directly express themselves or speak to live audiences. Nigerian kids know what to say and have great ideas but need to learn communication skills with public speaking tips and not when they become politicians. I attended a political campaign in 2014 and listened to various speakers on their party manifestos. With due respect, I was disappointed when I left the venue. When I compare that with the American politics, I feel that I know the candidates and I know what they can offer. I can figure out where each candidate is going or whether they are telling the truth or not. So, I want the kids to understand the issues and speak about them. They learn that through debate and competitions.
Sport seems to be disappearing from schools unlike what was obtainable during our school days. We want our kids to engage in sports because it brings people together.
Our pupils are allowed to bring their own devices such as i-pad and phones to carry out research. We conduct video tele conferences and connect to schools abroad where our kids talk to their colleagues there. They are happy and curious to exchange ideas. It’s better to give the right information at this age.
Standards are guide posts for schools.
Do you encounter difficulty in adhering to required class sizes considering high enrolment demand by parents?
We try to maintain international standard in terms of teacher-pupil ratio and other aspects which is why we employ qualified teachers who are mostly degree holders and few with advanced degrees. They come to the school as early as 6:30a.m. to prepare for their respective lessons and they close after school hours. The school tries to encourage them to learn new skills not because we pay them high but just to ensure that their knowledge and skills remain relevant. One of the keys to success is having the right personnel; you can have every facility but if you don’t have the right teachers, there will be problems. The teachers should be able to grasp the vision of the school too. The dedication of staff is high. For example, I have someone who started as a driver and now he is the head of transport unit and does all the logistics work. The school doesn’t owe teachers’ salaries because we want to motivate them.
In terms of admission, we obviously have standards and conduct entrance tests based on age and ability. A candidate must meet the minimum entry requirement and where they could not meet the requirement, we have other options. The child will be made to attend extra lessons or remedial classes until he catches up.
You mentioned that public speaking is part of your school extra curricular activities. How do you ensure that students overcome public speaking anxiety?
We have a teacher who conducts practices on public speaking skills and we allow the students speak on the assembly ground. The reason is that children are curious and they need to be empowered to speak intelligently about anything they know about. At the moment, we are conducting in-house debates before the students could compete with their counterparts from other schools. The teacher usually gives them topics and allows them to carry out research before the debate is conducted. The kids are also allowed to talk during the end of year activities or prize giving day.
The school runs crèche, kindergarten to sixth grade but we intend to start secondary section in the new session; we have already acquired a property for that purpose. Initially, there was no plan for high school, the idea was envisaged later.
We have started some intervention programs in which we allow other students to register with us and take lessons in preparation for external exams. Here, we try to help the kids prepare for the next level in their lives. We have a mathematics club meant to inspire students because most students hate maths and avoid anything that involves calculations. The students learn some nuances or strategies to motivate them in mathematics.
The school conducts creative writing lessons designed to help kids develop writing skills and also speed reading classes to improve their ability to read quickly.

Bank

ZENITH BANK EXPANDS FRONTIERS WITH CÔTE D’IVOIRE SUBSIDIARY, DEEPENS FRANCOPHONE WEST AFRICA PUSH

Published

14 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Sahara Weekly

ZENITH BANK EXPANDS FRONTIERS WITH CÔTE D’IVOIRE SUBSIDIARY, DEEPENS FRANCOPHONE WEST AFRICA PUSH

Zenith Bank Plc has taken a major step in its Pan-African growth journey with the official launch of its Côte d’Ivoire subsidiary, reinforcing its strategic ambition to dominate key markets across the continent.

The grand opening ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, is expected to draw top-tier government officials and regulators from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, alongside leading business executives and members of the diplomatic corps—underscoring the growing economic ties and investment flows between Anglophone and Francophone Africa.

Licensed in December 2025 by Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Finance and Budget and regulated by the UMOA Banking Commission, the new subsidiary will operate from its headquarters at SCI Wall Street, Avenue Noguès, Plateau, Abidjan—one of the region’s most important financial hubs.

The move signals a calculated expansion into Francophone West Africa and positions Zenith Bank as a key financial bridge within the West African Economic and Monetary Union. The subsidiary is designed to drive cross-border trade, offering corporate banking, trade finance, offshore banking, and structured financial solutions tailored to businesses operating across Africa and beyond.

Speaking on the milestone, Group Managing Director/CEO Adaora Umeoji said the expansion aligns with the founding vision of Chairman Jim Ovia to build a globally competitive African bank.

“The launch of Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire is a bold step in realising that vision. It opens a strategic corridor into Francophone West Africa and reinforces our commitment to facilitating trade, investment, and enterprise growth across the continent,” she stated.

The subsidiary will be led by Managing Director/CEO Cédric Tano, who brings over two decades of industry experience. He noted that the bank is entering the Ivorian market at a time of strong economic momentum and increasing regional integration.

“Our goal is to position Zenith Bank as a customer-centric institution that blends global best practices with deep local expertise, while supporting businesses with innovative financing and enabling seamless cross-border transactions,” Tano said.

Beyond Côte d’Ivoire, Zenith Bank is accelerating its expansion into Central Africa, with plans underway to enter the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, using Cameroon as a strategic gateway.
With an established presence in multiple markets—including Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, the United Kingdom, France, the UAE, and China—the bank continues to strengthen its role as a conduit linking African economies to global capital and trade networks.

Founded in 1990, Zenith Bank has evolved into one of Africa’s most formidable financial institutions, maintaining the highest Tier-1 capital position in Nigeria’s banking industry for 16 consecutive years. Built on its core pillars of People, Technology, and Service, the bank has consistently delivered strong financial performance and earned widespread local and international recognition.

Business

ADVAN Wins Global Honour at WFA Awards for “Project Freedom” Initiative

Published

5 days ago

April 25, 2026

Sahara Weekly

ADVAN Earns Global Recognition As WFA President’s Award Winner For “Project Freedom”

The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has been recognised on the global stage as a recipient of the prestigious WFA President’s Award, presented by the World Federation of Advertisers during its Global Marketer Week in Stockholm. The recognition places ADVAN among a select group of leading industry associations worldwide acknowledged for driving meaningful impact in marketing and society.

The WFA President’s Awards, established in 2010, celebrate national industry associations whose initiatives advance the marketer’s agenda and contribute to positive change. This year’s honours were awarded following a rigorous selection process involving 38 submissions from associations across the WFA’s global network, with winners chosen for their measurable impact and potential for replication across markets.

ADVAN’s recognition comes through its advocacy initiative, Project Freedom, a bold and strategic effort focused on addressing the challenges of stifling, non–data-driven regulations affecting businesses in Nigeria and across Africa. The initiative underscores the importance of evidence-based policymaking while championing the constitutional right to freedom of commerce.

Through Project Freedom, ADVAN has taken a proactive leadership role in engaging key stakeholders and shaping conversations around fair, balanced, and transparent regulation. The initiative reflects a shift toward constructive dialogue and collaboration, ensuring that regulatory frameworks support innovation, protect consumer interests, and enable sustainable business growth.

By earning this global recognition, ADVAN reinforces the growing influence of African marketing institutions in shaping international discourse. Its work highlights how local advocacy, when rooted in data and guided by clear principles, can deliver impact not just within national borders but across the global marketing ecosystem.

The award also affirms ADVAN’s commitment to strengthening self-regulation within the industry, fostering accountability, and promoting standards that align with global best practices while remaining relevant to local realities.

As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, ADVAN’s recognition by the World Federation of Advertisers signals a strong endorsement of its leadership and vision. It positions the association as a key voice in advancing responsible marketing, advocating for enabling policies, and ensuring that businesses can operate in an environment that supports both innovation and economic freedom.

Business

PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status

Published

6 days ago

April 24, 2026

Sahara Weekly

***PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status**

To prevent any misunderstanding regarding our affiliation with the United Nations, we hereby provide a formal clarification on the status and identity of the United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), formerly known as IPGC.

UNIPGC is an independent Civil Society Organization and Non-Governmental Organization with continental chapters registered in the United States, Germany, Canada, and several countries across Africa. The organization is committed to promoting the values and principles of the United Nations, particularly in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), as well as advocating for good governance globally.

In furtherance of its mandate, UNIPGC has established partnerships with reputable diplomatic civil society organizations, including the United Nations Association of Nigeria and the United Nations Association of Ghana. These collaborations are aimed at strengthening its engagement with initiatives aligned with United Nations ideals.

Additionally, UNIPGC has entered into diplomatic relations with the International Organization for Economic Development (IOED), an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), to enhance its capacity for international cooperation and diplomatic engagement.

We wish to clearly state that UNIPGC is **not** an entity, agency, or organ of the United Nations.

Members of the public and media practitioners are respectfully advised to refer to the organization by its full and correct name: **United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC)**, and not as the United Nations.

Thank you.