***Distributes books, instructional materials to schools

The commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Nigerian Army Maj. General Kelvin O. Aligbe has urged the personnel of the Nigerian Army to imbibe the culture of reading in other to improve their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Gen Aligbe stated this at the TRADOC headquarters in Minna the Niger capital on Tuesday when he distributed text books, exercise books and other instructional material to students and pupils of various primary and secondary schools within and outside the 31 Artillery Brigade cantonment Minna.
The gesture he said is part of activities to mark the 2024 TRADOC Nigerian Army library day study period.
The TRADOC Nigerian Army Library Day Study Period is organized by the Directorate of Army Training Support Centre annually to engage and collaborate with other professionals on contemporary issues on the use and application of library resources.
According to the TRADOC commander, the Study Period is one of the major schedules of training activities of Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army for the year 2024.
Gen Aligbe pointed out that “It is important to note that, the forum is coming up at a time when all efforts are being geared towards training, research and innovation as well as educational development of personnel in line with the Chief of Army Staff command philosophy, which is ‘’to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained equipped and highly effective force to fulfilled our constitutional responsibilities in a joint environment.
“This is with a view to enhance reading culture of the Nigerian Army personnel towards improving their critical thinking and problem-solving skill”.
In addition to this, he maintained that “it is to provide free access to information that will develop the research potentials and educational development of TRADOC Nigerian Army personnel through practical utilization of library resources”.
Gen Aligbe stated further that the importance of the study period cannot be overemphasized especially in the era of social media distractions, leading to readers reduced concentration and fragmented attentions, “Hence, it is to refresh our minds on the all-important roles of libraries”.
He disclosed that the theme for this year’s study period which is “Enhancing Research Potentials and Reading Culture of the Nigerian Army Personnel through Effective use of Library” was to imbibe the culture of reading despite the busy schedule and the engagement of the officers and soldiers.
This, he pointed out has become necessary because despite advancement in technology, a lot of individuals lack proper knowledge on how to use information retrieval skills and computer knowledge in accessing information in modern library.
Major General Aligbe also disclosed that the transformation of the Nigerian Army which started in earnest a few years ago has gone through various stages of educational developments, stressing that “The dynamic approach and pragmatic planning of the Chief of Army Staff is a manifestation of his desire to improve the Nigerian Army and translate it into a professional force. Hence this Study Period is seen as one of the platforms to actualize the command philosophy of the COAS”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director Army training support center TRADOC, Brigadier General Victor Ita said that despite the important roles of libraries in training, research and educational development, they are faced with common challenges of low patronage as well as lack of modern facilities, adding that “This also affect the TRADOC NA Library”.
He Underscored the importance of study period which he pointed out is used to enlighten and refresh officers, soldiers and students of the barracks community on the contemporary developments in the use and application of library resources.
“It also provides the enabling environment where participants would rub minds through interactions and exchange of ideas on some selected applications which affects

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

PROF. Ayodele Anthony Bamidele, a professor of English and African Literature, has called on African writers to begin to envision and invent imaginatively, a better and brighter image of Africa, full of hope for a better tomorrow.

Prof. Bamidele made the call while presenting the 22nd Inaugural Lecture of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) with the theme: “Beyond Entertainment: Unravelling the African Novel as a Utilitarian Art”, on Wednesday in Lokoja.

He urged that the African novel necessarily, has to be committed to the agenda of making Africa a better place to live in rather than pursue the bourgeois formalist school of thought which negates the colonial and post-colonial reality of Africa.

The professor said that after colonialism came the struggle for nationalism which saw African writers file up side by side with politicians to agitate for the independence of African countries.

He described the eventual “Flag Independence” as a sham because the gains of independence did not diffuse from the new men of power to the masses thereby, negating the essence of the agitation.

The Professor of African Literature pointed out that with African leaders imbibing exploitative capitalism of the West, the flag independence became a huge disappointment leading to disenchantment and disillusionment that enveloped the entire African
continent.

He said that what the vast majority of the people did not know about the flag independence was that it was a mere treacherous exchange of batons between the outgoing master and his few trusted heirs.

As a result, he noted that the Africans who took over power from the colonialists had their loyalties to the external authority in Europe and America instead of Africa with Brenton wood institutions dictating the economic growth and pace of African nations.

“Since independence, in most African nations, it has been tales of woe that betide Africa. It is a sorry tale of coups d’état, civil wars that occasioned bloodshed, political trickery, and socio-economic
dysfunctionality.

These he said, culminated in estrangement and disillusionment on the part of the masses of Africa adding that the scenario set the stage for the poetics of liberation struggle in Africa and highlighting the nexus between Literature and Politics.

Prof. Bamidele faulted the argument by some scholars that literature should have nothing to do with politics describing the statement itself as a political statement.

“Literature
finds content and sustenance in every facet of society and is thus necessarily emblematic of the society that that produces it”, he said.

He therefore implored African writers not to be daunted or circumscribed by Neo-colonialism apologists but envision Africa from a new perspective of brighter light at the end of the tunnel.

In his welcome address, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice Chancellor of the University reiterated the place of inaugural lectures as requirement for confirmation of an academic professorship.

Prof. Akinwumi applauded the inaugural Lecturer, Prof. Bamidele as he scored his presentation, composition, currency, choice of words, resourcefulness and analysis all above board and more than “fantastic”.

The Vice Chancellor announced that the Professor of English and African Literature did not disappoint him saying that Bamidele, had proved his mettle and was therefore, “discharged and acquitted” and now, fully confirmed as a professor. (Ends)

***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)