NEWS
RYD Learning Empowers over 1,000 Children on Digital Training
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
In an effort to make digital literacy accessible to all children, RYD-Learning, a virtual learning platform focused on programming education for children, has initiated a self-sustaining training programme for children.Michael Boyo, Co-founder and Managing Partner of RYD-Learning while speaking at the end of a transformative 12-Day Free Digital Literacy Programme for children aimed at evolving a digital literacy revolution recently in Lagos.
He said that in the organisation’s quest to extend the frontiers of digital Literacy and building the architects of innovation with a commitment to excellence, RYD Learning held the 12-day programme for 300 children. The programme, he said, helped to arm and equip the young minds with the 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, this year 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 between 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.”NEWS
Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to UNGA
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)NEWS
NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
NEWS
NDDC Unveils Initiative to Enhance food Security in N’ Delta Programmes
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security and sustainable growth in the region.Chief Monday Igbuya, the Delta representative on the NDDC Board, made this pledge in a statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Igbuya spoke at the inauguration of a training and empowerment programme for women and youths in livestock and agro processing in Amukpe, Sapele area of Delta. He stated that the NDDC was prioritising livestock training in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.“NDDC is focussed on implementing programmes to ensure food security and agricultural growth in multi sectors, aiming to improve living standards.“It is our belief that for socio-economic development to take place, there is need to develop manpower in the agricultural sector,” he said.Igbuya expressed confidence that training farmers would enhance livestock production, create jobs, and alleviate poverty in the Niger Delta.Mrs Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that training farmers and entrepreneurs was essential for improving productivity and market access.“The commission has been promoting research and development through various institutions and providing farming techniques to beneficiaries,” she said.The Project Consultant, Dr Simon Akhaine, said that 200 women and youths had registered for the livestock and agro-business skill acquisition programme.According to him, the programme aims to equip them with the essential knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency in livestock farming, thereby boosting regional food security. (NAN)