Education
College students develop APP to promote tree planting
Five final year students of the Bethel American International School have developed an App that will promote tree planting initiative Projects in Nigeria
The college under the name TechBuzs Group entered into partnership with T.R.E.E. Initiative an NGO advocating for massive tree planting to mitigate climate change across Nigeria.
At the signing of the MOU which was the highpoint of 18 months engagement between the NGO and the TechBuzz Group, ‘Sola Kolawole who is the Founder and Executive Director T.R.E.E. Initiative appreciated the Secondary School students for taking such a bold step to promote the SDGs.
He said the use of the APP will protect the planet earth from the devastating effects of deforestation and desertification adding that the App will help tackle climate change.
According to him, the partnership between T.R.E.E. Initiative and TechBuzs Group, at the Bethel American International School culminated into the signing of an MOU in November 2021 at the school premise located within the Good Samaritan Society Mission Village in Oyo State.
According to him, the college students are passionate and committed to making the world a better place using a technology driven medium to hasten the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adding that by so doing they are making a huge impact on the environment globally.
“TechBuzs Group developed the GREENEVA App through which donations can be made globally by the App users to donate trees to be planted and nurtured in Nigeria by T.R.E.E. Initiative.
Also at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding which was attended by the School Management and Students, T.R.E.E. Kolawole commended the school for raising such talented and well cultured crop of Students.
He told the story of how the students reached out to him via email during the COVID Lockdown in 2020 and talked about their work on the GREENEVA App.
“It took several months of virtual meetings and email exchanges until the first physical meeting was held at T.R.E.E. Initiative headquaters sometimes in July 2021.
“Eventually, we agreed on collaborating and that was how the GREENEVA App was birthed.
Also in his remarks, T.R.E.E. Initiative Founder, mentioned that the National Shea Tree Restoration Project (NASTREP) conceived by his organization to restore Shea Parklands across the 22 States under the Shea Butter Belt in Nigeria will benefit from trees donated via the GREENEVA App. T.R.E.E. Initiative over the next 5 years.
He said initiative is mobilizing resources and funds to nurture and grow 2 million improved Shea tree seedlings on 800,000 hectares of land under a unique Agroforestry Model that will sequest between more than 200,000 tons of carbon and empower about 200,000 smallholder women farmers in communities across Nigeria.
“With such an App as GREENEVA, it will be easy to reach and surpass this milestone in record time leveraging on the power of technology.”
On the TechBuzs Group are five Grade 12 students Adewale Adeyemi (18), Oreofe Solarin (16), Adewole-Oriade Adeoluwa (16), Gbeminiyi Isiade (15) and Michael Ayodele (15)
While making his remarks during the signing, sixteen year old Oreofe Solarin, the Team Lead spoke of their interest in the environment based on the orientation they got in school and the passion that led his team, TechBuzs Group to think of creating such an App to support the SDGs, particularly Goals 13 and 15. He also talked about how they searched and got in touch with T.R.E.E. Initiative and the Executive Director, Sola Kolawole to achieve their goal.
The Director of the Bethel American International School, Dr. Wole Aderinkomi was elated that such a remarkable feat was coming from his own students and he appreciated T.R.E.E. Initiative for opting to work and guide the Students to achieve this goal. He was optimistic that the GREENEVA App will make significant impact and many more breakthroughs as it attempts to raise a community working collectively for the success of the SDGs, as well as environmental and biodiversity conservation.
The GREENEVA App can be download from Google Play Store. Once the App has been installed, you need to create an account using either Google, Twitter, Facebook, or non-Google affiliated emails, like Yahoo, ProtonMail, and AOL, after which you can now choose to donate to plant trees.
With the APP We can now plant more trees in Nigeria from anywhere on earth.
Education
Senate Commits to Making Nigeria a Hub of Educational Excellence
The Senate has reaffirmed its commitment to making Nigeria a beacon of educational excellence, emphasizing the critical role of education in driving national progress.
This pledge was made on Thursday during a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund to discuss two bills: The Federal Polytechnic Onueke, Ezza South, Ebonyi (Establishment) Bill, 2024 and The Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri (Establishment) Bill, 2024
Representing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Senator Titus Zam (Benue North West) highlighted the Senate’s dedication to fostering inclusive and sustainable development through education.
“Education remains a cornerstone for national progress,” Senator Zam noted. “Its accessibility to all Nigerians, irrespective of geographical or socio-economic status, is a priority for this Senate.”
He emphasized that the input of stakeholders at the hearing would underscore a shared resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s educational framework, expand opportunities for intellectual growth, and provide technical and vocational training for the nation’s youth.
Akpabio, through Senator Zam, assured Nigerians of the Senate’s dedication to legislative measures that promote equity, national growth, and prosperity.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse, explained that the Federal Polytechnic Onueke Bill aims to bolster technical and vocational education, aligning with the government’s efforts to reduce unemployment and enhance socio-economic conditions.
Similarly, Senator Kenneth Eze (Ebonyi Central), sponsor of the Federal Polytechnic Onueke Bill, emphasized that the institution would address pressing challenges in the labor market by focusing on skill-based education, ICT, and applied sciences.
“This initiative represents a paradigm shift for a nation grappling with high unemployment rates. It is a step toward advancing human capital development and securing a brighter future for Nigerian youths, particularly those in Ebonyi State,” Senator Eze said.
The Senate reiterated its commitment to legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening the education sector and creating opportunities for skill acquisition and intellectual development. By supporting these bills, the Senate seeks to position Nigeria as a global leader in education and human capital development.
Education
In Response to Viral Bullying Incident, FG Suspends 13 FGC Enugu Students
The Federal Government has suspended 13 students of the Federal Government College (FGC) Enugu for six weeks following an alleged bullying incident that was widely circulated on social media.
The suspension was ordered by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who emphasized that safety and discipline are paramount in federal schools.
According to Folashade Boriowo, the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, the incident involved a gang assault on an SS1 day student and raised serious concerns about student welfare at FGC Enugu.
The viral video prompted the ministry to establish a disciplinary committee to investigate, leading to the temporary suspension of the students involved.
Dr. Alausa has directed the School-Based Management Committee to collaborate with security agencies to conduct a thorough probe into any possible external influences.
In addition, the government has introduced enhanced security measures at the college, with law enforcement presence and strengthened safety protocols.
As part of the response, the ministry will also provide counseling and rehabilitation services to promote a safe, positive school environment for all students involved.
Education
BOI MD Advocates for University Curriculum Overhaul to Boost Practical Skills
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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