News

UNICEF Moves To Advance Digital Education In Bauchi Schools

Published

1 year ago

January 31, 2025

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office, has taken measures to advance digital education in government schools in Bauchi state to improve education outcomes.

Mr Abdulrahman Ado, UNICEF’ Education Specialist, Bauchi Field Office, stated this on Friday in Toro Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, as part of the measures taken to ensure that digital education is well rooted in government schools in the state, UNICEF had in 2022, supported 55 selected schools with 22 tablets each, loaded with Nigeria Learning Passport(NPL) platform.

Ado explained that digital learning would improve on learning outcomes and address factors of inadequate manpower in schools.

He added that Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital platform that contains Foundation literacy and numeracy of what learners are taught in school, transferable life skills and job specific skills among others.

The UNICEF Specialist said “multiple Indicator Cluster Survey revealed that three out of four children in Nigeria cannot read with meaning or solve simple maths problems.

“UNICEF principles for digital learning is that it should not be only in school, not only online but it should also be offline.

“Not too high technology and not only digital literacy but to include skills for adolescents”.

He charged the Bauchi state government to strengthen Information Technology infrastructure, availability of security and power supply in schools.

“I also want to use this opportunity to call on the state government to also champion the training of teachers and head teachers on Education Management Information System.”

Also speaking, Mrs Aisha Amin, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Bauchi state Ministry of Education, said that training and development of EMIS was in its final stage.

She reiterated the commitment of the state government to training of teachers and officials from state to local government level on EMIS for quality data.

She said the tool would support the ministry to monitor and ensure quality learning processes in schools.

Mr Yakubu Gayawa, Principal, Junior Secondary School Magama-Gumau, one of the benefiting schools, appreciated the state government for creating an enabling environment for partners like UNICEF to support state activities and programmes.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.