Ghana library showcases black and African literature

A small group of visitors waits eagerly at the entrance to a single-storey building in Ghana's capital Accra, looking to explore the literary treasure inside.

This is the Library of Africa and the African Diaspora -- a passion project launched by Ghanaian-British writer Sylvia Arthur.

Based around Arthur's personal book collection, the library provides a remarkable opportunity to bring literature from the global black community to a country considered a cradle of African civilisation, and which was once a hub of the transatlantic slave trade |||READ MORE

 

COVID-19: Private schools defy FG, prepare to participate in WASSCE

Private schools across the country have said they are ready to participate in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) being conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) despite the stance of the federal government that no Nigerian school would participate in the exams.

The minister of education, Adamu Adamu, had announced that Nigerian schools would not participate in the (WASSCE) scheduled to hold from August 5 to September 5, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But private schools across the country have differed with the ministry of education over the issue, Premium Times reported |||READ MORE

Trump's push to reopen schools part of bid to boost suburban standing

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's demand for U.S. schools to fully reopen this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic is central to an emerging re-election strategy that seeks to resuscitate his flagging support in the nation's critical suburbs.

Trump in recent weeks has taken stances on hot-button issues his campaign hopes will appeal to suburban voters, particularly women, who have soured on the Republican president since his 2016 election and continue to move away as the virus rages across the country and the economy sputters.

Along with aggressively pushing for students to return to classrooms - "Schools must be open in the Fall," he tweeted on Friday - Trump has warned of rising urban crime rates and threats to civil order in the wake of protests over racial injustice while pointing to the vibrant stock market as a marker of economic health |||READ MORE

 

Court restores four demoted profs in Bayelsa varsity

The National Industrial Court, Yenagoa Judicial Division, has ordered the authorities of Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, to reinstate four professors who were demoted by the institution.

Justice Bashir Attahiru Alkali, in a judgment on the case on Monday also awarded N20m to the affected professors as damages against the management of FUO.

The four dons are Steve Nwabuzor, Felina Nwadike, Sepribo Lawson-Jack, and Evans Eze, who were the claimants in the case that lasted three years |||READ MORE

Bowen varsity sacks 127 workers

Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, has sacked about 10 per cent its workforce.

The affected staff were said to have received mail intimating them of the termination of their appointment on Tuesday after their salaries for the month of June were paid.

One of the affected staff members said 127 workers across all departments and sections of the institution were affected |||READ MORE

Conditions for reopening schools: Provide facilities in schools, ASUU, NUT, others tell FG

Critical stakeholders in the education sector have called on the government to lead by example by providing all the facilities required for a safe reopening of schools during this COVID-19 pandemic in those schools it owns.

The stakeholders, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the Nigeria Union. of Teachers. NUT, the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN, and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, stated this in chats with Vanguard on Thursday.

While describing the conditions listed by the government as good, they, however, faulted it, saying most of the conditions cannot be met in government-owned schools |||READ MORE

 

10 of the best books set in Ireland – that will take you there

I was born in Toronto and moved to Ireland as a boy, where I spent some formative years in a planned, Khrushchevian-style satellite town in south County Clare. Settlers arrived in waves from Belfast, London, New York or further afield – from cities throughout Chile and South Africa. In this multicultural outpost, populated by residential tourists, we became wry observers of traditional nuances.

For me, Ireland’s political, historical and cultural landscapes were first properly discovered in the country’s literature. The greats, such as Wilde, Yeats and Joyce, offered signposts to the past while more contemporary writers, including Roddy Doyle, Flann O’Brien and Jamie O’Neill, shone a light on lesser-heard Irish voices. And so my selection of novels echoes Ireland’s literary journey from pre-famine to the present day |||READ MORE

FG lists conditions for reopening schools, varsities

The Federal Government has given conditions for the reopening of schools and tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, announced the conditions in Abuja on Tuesday.

He spoke at the 2020 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board |||READ MORE

2020 UTME: JAMB to announce cut-off marks today

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and Heads of Tertiary Institutions are expected to announce cut-off marks and other guidelines for the 2020/2021 Admission exercise today.

The exam body and institution heads are holding the 2020 Policy Meeting of tertiary institutions virtually at present in Abuja.

During the meeting, the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, told the heads of institutions not to reopen without the approval of the Federal Government |||READ MORE

 

24-Year-old Ekiti indigene bags PhD in Law in American Varsity

An Indigene of Ekiti State, Dr. Damilola Arowolaju, has bagged a PhD in Law from The George Washington University, Washington DC, United States of America.

Damilola who hails from Omuo Ekiti, in Ekiti East Local Government area of Ekiti State is the son of a former Special Adviser to Governor Segun Oni on Due Process, Dr. Bayo Arowolaju

He was decorated with the honour at the university’s virtual convocation ceremonies held on Thursday, May 21, 2020 |||READ MORE

MOVE YOUR COSMETIC BUSINESS FROM YOUR KITCHEN TO THE MARKETPLACE

Hello, I am very glad to let you know that Beyond Formulation, the online course that is guaranteed to cut your journey to success in the cosmetic business by 90% is finally out.

My name is Atilola, the founder of African Naturalistas. I help small Cosmetic Businesses grow their business from small to medium scale, with my course, Beyond Formulation. I have grown African Naturalistas from just N3000.00 capital to an eight figure business, and I want to help you do the same.

I have worked for months, dotted the Is, and crossed the Ts, just to ensure that I prepare the perfect course to take your cosmetic business from the Kitchen to the marketplace. And I can tell you that the dish we prepared is the most delicious one you will ever it |||READ MORE ….

WAEC introduces candidates’ interactive portal

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has launched an interactive platform for WASSCE candidates to interface with the Council.

A statement by the Head of Public Affairs, WAEC, Nigeria, Demianus Ojijeogu, noted that log in details to the portal, WAECKonnect.com, have been sent to the emails they used in registering for the examination.

The statement reads: “This is an interactive information sharing platform that allows the Council to effectively engage candidates before, during and after examinations |||READ MORE …

UNILAG suspends convocation

Four days after it announced a four-day programme to marks its 51st convocation, the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has suspended the events, scheduled to start on March 9.

A circular on the institution’s website signed by the institution’s Registrar, Mr Oladejo Azeez, who announced the cancellation, gave no reason.

But a leaked memo to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Ochono, noted that the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the varsity’s Governing Council, Dr. Wale Babalakin, had informed the Education Minister, Adamu Adamu in a letter dated March 2, that the programme was not approved by the his board |||READ MORE …

Nigeria Will Never Make Progress Without Education – Helen Prest

My early years were spent in England. I was fortunate to have a sound primary education. I loved school and excelled at it. It is only when I became a full-fledged adult that I came to understand how important a good primary education is to your thought process and the ability to build your knowledge base going forward.

I realised that most of my views and values were formed in my early years and what I was taught in primary school. My attitude to hygiene for instance. I distinctly remember being taught that cleanliness was next to godliness. I also remember that it was in primary school I formed my voracious love for reading. I remember that literacy and the acquisition of reading and writing skills were taken very seriously.

We were drilled endlessly in a fun way though, with games and songs. I can’t remember ever doing a serious exam in primary school. It was mostly small tests to see whether you understood and were able to recall what you were being taught |||READ MORE …

Okowa Inaugurates 700-Capacity Hostel, Other Projects At Delta NYSC Camp

The Governor of Delta, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, has assured authorities of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of the state government’s continued support to the scheme.

The governor gave the assurance on Thursday while inaugurating a 720-capacity hostel for NYSC members at the Permanent Orientation Camp in Issele-Uku.

He recalled that the camp was in a poor state when he visited in 2018, and expressed delight that the camp had begun to wear a look befitting a place where Corps members spent time before being deployed to parts of the state for primary assignment |||READ MORE …

OAU suspends another lecturer for sexually harassing teenage student

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife Osun state has suspended another lecturer, Monday Omo-Etan of the school’s distance learning centre for allegedly harassing a 19-year-old female student.

A statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju disclosed that the university authority also handed the tutor over to the police for investigation.

It added the institution would not condone any type of harassment against any member of its community |||READ MORE …

Long walk to school feeding programme

The National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) being implemented in 31 states across the country, and now in Abuja, is  an off-shoot of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

It was formally launched in 2016. The promoters said it was conceived to tackle poverty and hunger across the country, while encouraging more school enrolment,  especially among the school- disadvantaged areas in the country.

Inside Abuja‘s findings showed that “the NHGSFP delivers school feeding to young children with a specific focus on increasing school enrollment, reducing the incidence of malnutrition (especially among the poor and those ordinarily unable to eat a meal-a-day), empowering community women as cooks and supporting small farmers that help stimulate economic growth” |||READ MORE …

Duke University professor removed over ‘speak English’ email

More than 1,000 people signed a petition calling for an investigation into the email sent to medical students at Duke University ( iStock )

A senior academic has stepped down from her role at a top US university after emails emerged in which she urged Chinese students to speak English.

Dr Megan Neely left her post as director of graduate studies at Duke University in North Carolina after sending a message stating staff members had been “disappointed” to hear a group of first-year Master’s degree students speaking Chinese in a study area.

Dr Neely will stay on at the university as an assistant professor |||READ MORE …

Nwosu commends Buhari for increasing corps member’s allowances

The governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA) in 2019 Imo state election, Chief Uche Nwosu, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government for increasing the allowances of the National Youth Corps Members (NYSC).

Nwosu also said the issue of security in the country should be an all inclusive thing adding that Nigerians should not vilify President Muhammadu Buhari  for the present security situation in the country.

He said the issue of security all over the world is a collective responsibility of all the citizens. |||READ MORE …

Lagos to reward 20 best teachers with vehicles

Twenty outstanding teachers in public schools in Lagos State will be acknowledged and rewarded with brand new vehicle each as part of efforts to motivate teachers in the state.

The State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said this on Saturday during the formal launch and graduation ceremony of EKOEXCEL teachers professional development and training programme in Ikeja, Lagos.

The governor, who promised that the selection process would be transparent, said there was nothing too big to motivate teachers with and that their reward should not be left to be got in heaven only. |||READ MORE ...