Education
Kogi-born University of Ibadan Scholar, Wins Inaugural American LEADS Conference Award.
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The American Chemical Society, has selected Kogi State-born University of Ibadan (UI) Alumnus, Dr Ekundayo Samuel to participate in the American Chemical Society Lasting Encounters between Aspiring and Distinguished Scientists (LEADS) Conference.
The American Chemical Society, is arguably the world largest scientific society.
Samuel disclosed this while speaking with DAILY ASSET on the feat attained.
He said that he was among the 70 participants including four Nobel Laureates selected from a large pool of scientists across the globe.
According to him, the participants who are mix of undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and early career professionals, spent three days in the company of renowned industry and academic leaders, including Nobel laureates Fraser Stoddart, Jennifer Doudna, David MacMillan, and Roald Hoffmann.
Dr Samuel joined the highly esteemed chemists, scientists, professionals, and Nobel Laureates for networking, self-reflection, career exploration, mentoring, and technical discussions from July 18 to 20, 2022, in Hamilton Hotel, Washington, D.C., United States of America.
The medical doctor was selected based on his passion for the chemical sciences, commitment to using biochemistry to address larger societal challenges, and dedication to continuous personal and professional development.
During the event, his Team that presented a project plan that addresses the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 emerged as one of the best two.
All expenses and incidentals were covered for all attendees.
Dr Ekundayo Samuel is a mentee of Prof. Oyeronke A. Odunola of the Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Dr Samuel is the current Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association, Nigeria, a one-time University of Ibadan Scholar, and a 2017 Commonwealth Split-site Ph.D. Scholar to the University of Bath, UK.
He was recently awarded the 2020 prestigious leadership program award; Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Future Leaders Program. He is one of 30 elite Ph.D. and Postdoctoral scholars from across the world to win the award.
In addition, he is the first time scholar from any Nigerian University to be selected.
This is a great honour for Kogi State and the University of Ibadan, ‘the first and the best’ .
Also, Dr Samuel was a recipient of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) Mentoring Network award that participated in the Coaching for Career Development Program from 2019 to 2020.
Again, Dr Samuel is the first student from any Nigerian university and one of two in any African University to receive this award since its inception in 2016.
This Mentoring Network program was designed to supplement the training that graduate students and postdoctoral trainees receive through their University programme.
Dr Ekundayo Samuel is the Founder and Executive Director of Dove-Haven Foundation, a cancer-focused charity organisation based in Isanlu, Kogi State.
The good people of Kogi State and Nigeria at large jointly congratulated the young erudite scholar, Dr Ekundayo Samuel, for this great feat.
Education
NECO Reschedules 2024 Common Entrance Exam into Unity Colleges
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has re-scheduled the 2024 National Common Entrance Examination into Federal Unity Colleges and the entrance examination into Federal Government Academy, Suleja.
This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday by Azeez Sani, acting Director, Information and Digital Communication of the council.
Sani stated that the common entrance examination earlier scheduled for April 20, 2024, would now hold on June 1, 2024.
He also said that the entrance examination for Gifted and Talented Children into Federal Government Academy, Suleja, earlier scheduled to hold on May 4,
2024 would now hold on May 25, 2024.
He added that the rescheduling of the two examinations was due to low enrollment of candidates.
He enjoined candidates, parents, guardians, schools and relevant stakeholders to take note of the new dates.
Sani said that registration of candidates would continue till the new dates of the examinations. (NAN)
Education
Six Nigerian Universities to Benefit from EU’s €27m Funding
By Eddy Ochigbo
No fewer than six Nigerian Universities have been selected to benefit from the 15 Intra-Africa Mobility Scheme Projects funded by the European Union (EU) with €27 million under the flagship Youth Mobility for Africa.
Permanent Secretary, of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs.
Didi Walson-Jack, who signed the agreement at the Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education in Brussels, said Nigeria would also benefit from the regional Team Europe Initiative on Opportunity-driven Skills, Vocational Education and Training in AfricaUnder the initiative, the European Union would spend €27 million, allocating €1.
8 million to each of the Projects in the education and healthcare sectors in Africa.These Projects, which are to be facilitated by various Universities, aim to enhance learning mobility opportunities for Students, Trainees, and Staff across the Continent, focusing on developing high-level green and digital skills.
The participating Universities include the University of Lagos, the University of Port-Harcourt, Ebonyi State University, the Federal University of Technology, and the University of Nigeria.
Education
UTME: Police, JAMB Warn Candidates Against Patronising Fake Websitess
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the police have warned candidates preparing for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) against patronising fake websites.
The two bodies gave the warning at a joint news conference in Abuja on Saturday.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said there were several fake websites created by unscrupulous individuals with the intention of misleading candidates.
He urged candidates to be wary of their tactics, saying the fake web sites were designed to deceive innocent candidates into providing personal details such as registration numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers.
“Both JAMB and the Nigeria Police Force condemn these fraudulent activities and hereby reiterate the readiness to safeguard the interests of candidates and maintain the integrity of the examination process.
“We urge parents, guardians, and all stakeholders to ensure that candidates print their UTME Notification Slips only from the Board’s approved website: www.jamb.gov.ng.
“Candidates can print their slips from the comfort of their homes or visit any of the over 700 accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide,” he said.
Adejobi explained that the force was familiar with the tactics employed by fraudsters, especially during the annual assessment and admission exercises.
He, therefore, said that both organisations was actively sensitising candidates and the public about these deceptive practices.
“Any candidate who visits these fake sites will definitely have unreliable information and thereby miss out in the forthcoming exams.
“Candidates are advised to print their UTME Notification Slips before Friday, 19th April, 2024, to access vital information about their examinations.
“Any website other than www.jamb.gov.ng offering UTME slip printing services is fake and designed to defraud candidates,” he said.
He also called on candidates to beware of web sites offering ‘live’ questions and answers, as they were false and deceptive, saying that accessing such materials was prohibited.
He further said the board was partnering with the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) to address online scam-related issues seamlessly.
He assured candidates and the public of the force firm dedication to ensuring a fair and transparent examination process.
He also stressed that the Inspector General of Police had ordered the NPF-NCCC to go after scammers and fraudsters who engage in cyber related crimes and create phishing sites/portals.
On his part, the JAMB spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, pledged the Board’s commitment to continue in playing its role
He, therefore, urged candidates to ignore any unsolicited messages noting that they were from elements who aim at defrauding candidates.
The 2024 UTME is scheduled to commence on Friday, April 19, and end on April 29. (NAN)