EDUCATION
Everything You Need to Know about the 2024 Akada Children’s Book Festival
… Come Experience a Day of Literary Celebration on October 26, 2024, at the UPBEAT Recreation Centre in Lekki, Lagos
The Nigerian literary industry has seen significant growth and expansion in recent years, with a surge in book festivals and literary events. One such event that has gained significant prominence is the Akada Children’s Book Festival (ACBF). Since its inception, the festival has been dedicated to cultivating a passion for reading among young audiences and fostering an appreciation for literature within the Nigerian community. With just one week until the eagerly anticipated festival opens its doors for another year of literary festivities, here’s everything you need to know to prepare for this exciting event.What exactly is the Akada Children’s Book Festival?Established in 2019, the Akada Children’s Book Festival (ACBF) is an annual event dedicated to celebrating children’s literature, promoting reading among young audiences, and showcasing the work of local authors and illustrators. The name “Akada” comes from the Yoruba language and means “a lover of literacy and books.” ACBF is committed to providing a prominent platform for Indigenous authors while nurturing a passion for reading in young minds. This annual event has become a key fixture on the literary calendar, highlighting both Nigerian and international literature. As the first and largest Nigerian book festival dedicated exclusively to children, ACBF offers a vibrant space for children aged 13 and below, engaging with books and storytelling, helping them develop a lifelong love for literature and creativity.Why the Festival MattersChildren’s literacy is crucial as it lays the foundation for lifelong learning and development, ultimately empowering individuals to contribute meaningfully to society. However, a 2023 report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reveals a significant challenge: 75 per cent of children aged 7 to 14 years in Nigeria cannot read simple sentences.Addressing this need, the Akada Children’s Book Festival (ACBF) plays a pivotal role in providing children with access to quality literature and engaging reading experiences. The festival aims to spark a love for reading at an early age, support the development of essential literacy skills, and encourage a culture of reading within families and communities. The festival also plays a vital role in providing quality reading materials to children who might otherwise lack access. Its commitment to accessibility is demonstrated by the donation of over 4,206 books to schools and communities.When and Where Will the 2024 ACBF Take Place? The 2024 edition of ACBF will take place on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at UPBEAT Recreation Centre in Lekki, Lagos. This year’s festival theme, “Read Your Way,” emphasizes the importance of promoting literacy and fostering a reading culture among children aged 13 and below.What to Expect from the 2024 ACBF?The 2024 ACBF will feature an array of engaging activities that promises to delight and educate children, parents, and educators alike, including: 1. Author-led book readings 2. Book chats and Storytime sessions 3. Book and art exhibitions 4. Chess tournaments & Sip n Paint 5. Professional workshops for writers, illustrators, and publishers In addition, the festival will also highlight 32 original titles by local authors and illustrators, with special appearances by renowned figures like Atinuke, author of the Anna Hibiscus series. Additionally, there will be insightful workshops for parents, teachers, and young authors.How to Register for the 2024 ACBF?The event is free for all attendees. All you need to do is register – https://bit.ly/acbf2. You can also follow @akadafestival on social media for updates. The Akada Children’s Book Festival promises to be a transformative experience, uniting readers of all ages in celebration of African stories and the profound influence of children’s literature.
EDUCATION
Governor AbdulRazaq putting smiles on faces of teachers: Confederation of Principals
Kwara Govt distributes educational materials to Public School Students across•Govt tasks Principals to shun illegal collectionAs part of measures to promote and inculcate a positive attitude to reading, the Kwara State Government has distributed education materials to public secondary school students across the Local Government Areas, while reiterating its commitment to the provision of quality education in the State.The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, stated this yesterday at the official flag-off of the distribution of education materials to learners across the State, held at Saint Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin.The Commissioner disclosed that the intention was to encourage and revive a reading habit, which was gradually going extinct due to the advent of computers, among others.According to her, a reading culture promotion is a strategy adopted by the government to improve the learners’ vocabulary and enhance their communication skills. “Appropriate measures would, therefore, be adopted to turn the State to a reading State and her citizens to reading people”, she said.“Government will also strive to provide necessary support to schools and libraries that will encourage a reading culture across board”, Hajia Modibbo Kawu further explained.The Commissioner also advised Kwarans to encourage shared reading, saying that children should be educated on the importance of books and reading to their educational pursuit.Hajia Modibbo Kawu particularly enjoined parents to form the habit of reading always to the admiration of their wards with a view to encouraging them.The Commissioner charged students across the State to reciprocate government’s gesture by remaining committed to their academic pursuits and shunning acts capable of truncating their education ambitions. The students, who responded, commended the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahmanAbdulRazaq for providing the materials that would enhance their education. In another development, the Kwara State Government has tasked Principals of Senior Secondary Schools across the State to continue to contribute their quota towards securing the future of the State, as leaders that build future leaders. .The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, said this, while addressing the Principals of all Senior Secondary Schools across the State at the floating exercise, which marked the commencement of West African Schools Certificate Examination (WAEC) registration, at Saint Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin.Hajia Modibbo Kawu appreciated the unrelenting efforts of the principals in ensuring good working relationships with the State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to enhance quality education in the State.She warned the principals to shun extortion during the registration, saying whoever is found wanting would face the consequences of such an act. The Commissioner stressed that the Ministry will not tolerate extra charges from any principal apart from the ones approved by the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, warning them against all acts that can dent their images during the examination.She also solicited the support of the principals for the present administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who she said is wholeheartedly committed to the welfare of teachers and citizens.Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission, Mallam Bello Tauheed Abubakar, applauded Governor AbdulRazaq for moving the education sector forward in the State, explaining that the present administration has done justice to improving teachers’ welfare.The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Olanrewaju Rebecca Bake, applauded the Governor for his unalloyed effort at revamping the education sector in the State and called on teachers in the State to be on top of their jobs.Earlier, the Director, Curriculum and Assessment Department of the Ministry, Mrs. Adewuyi Victoria Funmilayo, gave the breakdown of the approved registration fees for WAEC 2024/2025 as highlighted below:WAEC Charges: N27,000.00E-registration Charges: N1,250.00Administrative Charges: N2,000.00Total fees to be paid: N30,250.00In his own contribution, the President of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, Kwara State wing, Comrade Mohammad Salihu Baba, applauded Governor AbdulRazaq for putting smiles on the faces of teachers across the State.Comrade Baba thanked the Governor for revamping the education system in the State through the rehabilitation and construction of schools across the State as well as prompt payment of salaries and promotion of teachers. He promised to justify the confidence reposed in them by being up and doing in discharging their professional duties.Peter Amogbonjaye,Press Secretary,Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development.
EDUCATION
Pan-Atlantic University Partners With Cesel And University Of Lincoln To Revolutionise Biogas Production In Nigeria
Pan-Atlantic University is proud to announce its partnership with CESEL and the University of Lincoln, UK, on a groundbreaking project funded by a £219,000 Innovate UK grant. This collaborative effort aims to develop and implement advanced biodigesters at a large-scale poultry farm in Aikun, Osun State, Nigeria.By converting poultry waste into renewable biogas, this project will address Nigeria’s energy challenges while promoting environmental sustainability. The innovative biodigesters will replace traditional, unsystematic models, significantly improving efficiency, safety, and the overall impact of biogas production.Dr. Patrick Tolani, CEO of CESEL, highlighted the project’s potential, stating, “This grant provides a unique opportunity to showcase a pathway toward environmental sustainability in Nigeria’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors. With Nigeria’s potential to generate 25,000 megawatts of electricity from biogas, as per the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), this project can contribute significantly to addressing the nation’s energy deficit and fostering economic growth.”Dr. Norbert Edomah, Associate Professor (Reader) in Energy Systems & Policy at School of Science and Technology, Pan-Atlantic University, highlighted the project’s potential to empower local communities, promote sustainable energy practices, and address energy challenges in rural areas. “Thanks to the support from Innovate UK, this knowledge transfer partnership aims at developing local competencies and innovative solutions that addresses local energy needs through production of biogas from agricultural and animal waste for diverse use in the farms, including electricity generation”Pan-Atlantic University will serve as the initial site for prototyping the biodigester, with plans to scale up the technology at the Osun State farm. Real-time monitoring sensors will be integrated to optimize performance and set new standards for energy innovation in Nigeria.This partnership between Pan-Atlantic University, CESEL, and the University of Lincoln demonstrates a commitment to sustainable development and technological advancement. By driving innovation in renewable energy, this project will contribute to a greener and more prosperous future for Nigeria.About Pan-Atlantic UniversityPan-Atlantic University is a private, non-profit educational institution located in Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria. It’s known for its strong focus on practical education and its commitment to producing well-rounded graduates.To learn more about us, visit www.pau.edu.ng.For more information, please contact: Dr. Temitope Falade Phone: via +234 806 237 5832 Email: tfalade@pau.edu.ng Follow us on: Instagram – @pau_nigeria Facebook – @PanAtlanticUniversityNG X/Twitter – @pau_nigeria LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/school/pan-atlantic-university
EDUCATION
GOVERNOR ABDULRAHMAN ABDULRAZAQ: CHANGING THE NARRATIVES IN KWARA TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
No doubt the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq led administration is changing the narrative by rising up to the challenges facing tertiary institutions in the State with utmost priority. You would recall that shortly after his emergence in 2019,Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq provided funds for accreditation and cleared outstanding salaries of staff within the first six months of his inauguration and has subsequently been supporting some of the tertiary institutions with bailout funds as a result of his passion for education in the State Without mincing words, it suffices to say that the tertiary education sector in the State has witnessed tremendous progress as well as academic stability under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. His sterling leadership has created a safe haven for all-round season of progress in tertiary institutions in the State.Education being the heartbeat of the present administration has enjoyed a huge investment some of which will be X-rayed in this piece. The most recent is the appointment of an Acting Vice Chancellor for the Kwara State University of Education in Ilorin, which had secured approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and currently undergoing process for the commencement of academic activities, a pointer to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s passion for Education Worthy of mention is the ongoing construction projects of the Kwara State University’s Satellite campus at Osi and Ilesha-Baruba which has attained 90% completionIt is heartwarming to also announce that Kwara State government has successfully facilitated the absorption of 105 Kwara State University Malete (KWASU) Law Students who were previously denied admission to the Nigerian law School by the Council on legal Education in Nigeria due to non-accreditation issues,this had since been amicably resolvedAs part of the government’s effort to ease the burden of students around the Igbaja community, the present administration has provided a set of 250 computers to the CBT centre in Igbaja, Ifelodun local Government area of Kwara State The approval and release of significant funds for the procurement of aviation equipment as recommended by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), including sponsorship training for two Engineers and an instructor from the international Aviation College, ilorin and also the provision of a 33KVA transformer to address power supply challenges is a giant stride by the State government While awaiting the Convocation of the 6th set at the international Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship college (IVTEC), Ajasse-ipo, over 450 youths accross the 16 local Government Areas have been trained in various entrepreneurial skills and will graduate in November 2024, Several Kwarans have also been enjoying the magnanimity of the present administration through sponsorship of scholarships abroad for higher learning and professional advancements The AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Midas touch is equally manifesting at the State College of Health Technology in Offa, Offa Local Governnent Area of the state as it witnessed its maiden Convocation in August 2024 during, which witnessed several projects commissioning by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education Dr Mary Ronke ArindeThe school in the last four years of the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has deployed state of art facilities to train people who can apply scientific knowledge to solve environmental problems for the convenience of man, offers an opportunity for students to personally practice the theoretical models in the classroom and provide technical knowledge and skills necessary for industrial, commercial and economic development of the nation. The school is also working round the clock to groom technicians, technologists and other skilled personnel to support core medical staff in providing quality healthcare to the citizenry. Apart from that, the Kwara State College of Health Technology, in its bid to produce job providers and not job seekers is harnessing the opportunities in teeth fabrication and ophthalmology for the purpose of students’ training, community service and to boost their internally generated revenue.A recent facility tour led by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr Mary Ronke Arinde shows that the State government owned institution has capacity and manpower in teeth fabrication and render dental care services to the public. Similarly, the newly constructed ophthalmology centre at the College will also help students to access world class training in eye care services, glasses production and the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. The Ophthalmology centre has modern facilities not limited only to training but rendering services to the community. It’s exciting to know that the people of Offa and its environs are already enjoying their services at affordable rates. Furthermore, the College Management, with the support of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is constructing an Entrepreneurship Centre to provide vocational training for students in addition to their main course of study. Entrepreneurship education is fast becoming the in-thing across tertiary institutions as part of efforts to reduce unemployment and instil entrepreneurial spirit in students courtesy of our Visionary and youth friendly Governor. Mansurat Amuda-Kannike Press SecretaryKwara State Ministry of Tertiary Education.
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