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Digital Literacy: RYD Learning platform trains over 1,000 children

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***Envisages a generation of highly skilled tech-savvy future leaders

By Friday Idachaba

In a bid to make digital literacy accessible to all children for a revolution in technology education, RYD-Learning, a virtual learning platform focused on programming education for children, has trained over 1,000 children.

Michael Boyo, Co-founder and Managing Partner of RYD-Learning disclosed this while speaking at the end of a transformative 12-Day Free Digital Literacy Programme for about 300 children in Lagos.

He said that in the organisation’s quest to extend the frontiers of digital Literacy and building future architects of innovation with a commitment to excellence,
RYD Learning aimed at evolving a digital literacy revolution.

The 12-day programme, he said, helped to arm and equip the young minds including children with disabilities, with essential and vital tools of the digital age – programming, interactive communication, and critical thinking.

According to him, RYD-Learning, in partnership with world-class educational organizations, organized training for about 700 children between January and August, to ignite young minds and shape the tech titans of tomorrow.

“RYD Learning is a dynamic virtual learning platform focused on empowering children and teenagers in the age range of 6-17 through hands-on digital literacy and technology education.

“Our mission is to democratize tech education by providing free, accessible, and high-quality training programmes to students, particularly those from underserved communities.

“Since our inception, we have successfully trained over 1,000 children globally, including in Nigeria and the diaspora, helping them build foundational skills in programming, digital literacy, and collaboration.”

He said that the platform’s success in the 12-day programme was a testament to the dedication of its founders and partners, who are united in their vision to empower the next generation of tech-savvy leaders.

Boyo, who shared his thoughts on the mission of the platform said: “As a Computer Science graduate from one of Nigeria’s top universities, I didn’t own a computer until my early 20s.

“This experience showed me how much more advantage great inventors had by accessing computers early in life. Through RYD Learning, we aim to change this narrative for children worldwide.”

Aderonke Iyiola, the Programme Lead, said she was passionate about inspiring and empowering the next generation of tech innovators through dynamic, hands-on learning in coding and digital literacy.

She said that the virtual training would entail cutting-edge curricula implementation and mentorship in an inclusive environment that nurtures creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking, preparing students to excel in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Damilola Odunaike, another co-founder, emphasized the importance of a seamless learning experience: “After graduating, I discovered a significant gap in technology education.

“At RYD Learning, I ensure our engineering team builds a platform that makes connecting kids to our facilitators easy, ensuring they have a positive and impactful learning experience”, she said.

Ayodele Aransiola, another co-founder, expressed his commitment to bridging the significant gap in global tech education by introducing children to the tech world early, “so they can grow into future tech leaders.”

John Akadi, and Remi Odunaike, also co-founders of the platform, emphasized critical global need and demand for tech experts as they underscored the importance of nurturing young minds saying, “By setting them on the right path now, we ensure a brighter future for our world.” (Ends)

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Education

BOI MD Advocates for University Curriculum Overhaul to Boost Practical Skills

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Dr. Olasupo Olusi

The Managing Director and CEO of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi, has called for a comprehensive curriculum overhaul in Nigerian universities to better align with global trends and equip graduates with practical skills. Speaking at the 10th special convention of the Ekiti State University Alumni Association in Abuja, Dr. Olusi highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gap between theory and practical application in Nigerian higher education.

Dr. Olusi noted that while Nigeria is rich in human and natural resources, progress in technology and economic development remains slow due to universities’ focus on theoretical knowledge over hands-on training. He emphasized that significant investments in research and technical skill development are essential for positioning Nigeria as a competitive force in the global economy.

Echoing this sentiment, Ekiti State University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ayodele, called on alumni to contribute to their alma mater, emphasizing that alumni support plays a critical role in building a strong academic foundation and fostering innovative research. The institution’s Chancellor, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, similarly urged alumni associations to prioritize initiatives that support university growth and student success.

Global President of the Ekiti State University Alumni Association, Dipo Bamisaye, stressed the need for Nigerian universities to continuously pursue excellence to remain competitive globally. Dr. Wale Jegede, Chairman of the institution’s Board of Trustees, commended the state governor for his dedication to quality education, particularly through the appointment of capable academics to guide the university’s progress.

The convention also honored notable alumni who have made significant contributions to the university’s development. Among those recognized were Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, former presidential aide Mr. Kingsley Kuku, Chancellor Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, Vice-Chancellor Professor Joseph Ayodele, and BOI MD Dr. Olasupo Olusi.

Reinforcing its commitment to the institution’s advancement, the Bank of Industry recently proposed a 2.5 billion Naira development fund to Ekiti State University, underscoring its dedication to driving growth in Nigeria’s educational sector.

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Education

NASU, SSANU Announce Indefinite Strike Starting Monday Over Withheld Salaries

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The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have announced a nationwide indefinite strike beginning Monday.
This decision, coordinated by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching university staff unions, is in protest of unpaid salaries withheld during a past strike involving the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) under the previous administration.

The JAC, in a circular addressed to branch chairmen of NASU and SSANU, stated that the strike, initially set for October 23, was postponed to October 27 to align with the Trade Group Council meeting held in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The document, signed by NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, cited delays from the Ministry of Finance in implementing President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to release 50 percent of the outstanding four-month salaries.

The unions expressed frustration over the government’s perceived lack of commitment to resolve the issue, emphasizing their readiness to maintain the strike until all withheld salaries are released.
The JAC’s circular read: “We express our deepest appreciation for your steadfast commitment to the leadership and we affirm our determination to persist in this struggle until ultimate victory is secured.”

The decision highlights ongoing labor tensions in Nigeria’s education sector, as non-teaching staff urge the government to uphold previous agreements and fulfill financial obligations.

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Don advocates reimagining of Nigerian Universities, decries poor funding

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Prof. Nahzeem Olufemi Mimiko,

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
A professor of Political Science and former Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akoko Akungba, Prof. Nahzeem Olufemi Mimiko, has advocated reimagining as the only way to overcome challenges bedeviling Nigerian universities.

He said that reimagining was requisite to make the institutions to be competitive, and capable of driving wholesome national development

Prof. Mimiko made the remarks in a lecture at the 8th Convocation Lecture of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) on the the topic: “Reimaging Nigeria’s (University) Education For Wholesome National Development” held at Felele Campus, Lokoja.

He also identified poor funding and corruption in the system as some of the major obstacles to the nation’s university education system

Mimiko noted that corruption has assumed endemic proportion requiring reimaging, radical rethink to reposition Nigeria’s university education system away from the negative status quo.

The foremost Nigeria. Educational Administrator and the only Vice Chancellor delegate at the National Conference in Nigeria held in 2014 under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan decried what he called mediocre level of funding of universities in Nigeria.

According to him Nigeria remains one of the countries in the world that are yet to meet the UNESCO-recommended threshold for education funding, at 15 to 20 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (UNESCO, 2015)”

Prof. Mimiko noted that physical facilities for teaching and learning in the Nigeria’s tertiary education were inadequate, dilapidated, overstretched/overcrowded and improvised.

The Professor of Political Science and International Relations reiterated his stance that the dearth of basic learning resources could equally be attributed to corruption adding that majority of the universities in the country were grossly understaffed.

“I reference corruption here not just in the narrow sense as financial corruption, but also reflected in inanities like provincialism; and cultivation of crop of indolent staff.

“The only way to overcome challenges bedeviling Nigerian universities is the reimagining requisite for making these institutions to be competitive, and capable of driving wholesome national development”

Comparing university education with that of Polytechnic, Professor Mimiko recommended that university education in Nigeria should remain focused on the more conceptual dimension of the knowledge enterprise.

He said that technical education as being administered by polytechnics should be devoted to producing middle level manpower in technical competencies.

Prof. Mimiko also maintained that the nation must adopt learning and teaching in local languages for it to grow and develop adding that teaching in the local languages remain the panacea.

He stated that the nation’s present educational system where learning is done in foreign languages was counterproductive urging Nigeria to take a cue from China, India, Japan among others that teach in their local languages.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi said that the lecture is geared towards providing intellectual discuss and described the guest lecturer as erudite scholar who knows his onions.

“We are committed to celebrating our academic excellence as the topic of the lecture is very relevant to our future career and guidance

“The lecture no doubt will contribute immensely to Nigeria’s educational and economic landscape” Professor Olayemi Akinwumi said. (Ends)

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