News
InterswitchSPAK 5.0 to Premiere in Nigeria, Kenya
Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, is set to commence airing of the fifth edition of the National Science Competition, InterswitchSPAK, its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
According to press release, the competition will premiere in Nigeria and Kenya on October 29, 2023, “signifying Interswitch’s unwavering commitment to fostering educational excellence and empowering Africa’s youth by rewarding their passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).”
The statement said: “Each thrilling and suspense-filled episode will feature a set of contestants slugging it out for the grand prize. Viewers can catch the twists and turns of the show as it unravels on their TV screens every Sunday at 6:00 p.m. on DSTV Africa Magic Family Channel 154, and on the AIT network at 7.30pm with a repeat broadcast every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. on DSTV Africa Magic Family Channel.”
It further said that at the end of the competition, the top 3 contestants will be rewarded with the sum of N12.5 million. Specifically, the winner will receive N7.5 million, spread across a period of five years, a laptop, and monthly stipends; the second-place winner will cart away N4 million worth of scholarships, spread over three years, a laptop, and monthly stipends, while the third-place winner will be rewarded with a N1 million scholarship for one- year, monthly stipends, and a laptop.
Furthermore, the statement said that in order to reward more participants in this year’s commemorative edition, the 4th to 24th top candidates will also receive varying cash rewards up to the tune of N250,000, “for their grit, passion and outstanding participation during the finals and semi-finals, premised on the principle that every SPAKster, as they are fondly called, is a winner.”
It added that this year’s competition would recognise and reward exceptional teachers with the top 27 teachers in Nigeria and the top 6 teachers in Kenya receiving cash prizes in recognition of their efforts in preparing their students and laying the foundational bricks for a bright future ahead.
According to the statement, InterswitchSPAK has also awarded 54 of the top-scoring students from across the country with free JAMB e-pins, during the pre-qualifying stages of the competition (the national qualifying examinations) held earlier this year, further enabling their pursuit of higher education.
News
Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria
Legit.ng recently joined forces with the Shade of Life Foundation to become a voice of autism, and drive advocacy for improved media support during Autism Awareness Month.
Conversations around media support exploration was led by Joseph Omotayo, head of Department for Human Interest Stories at Legit.ng, and Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and CEO of the Shade of Life Foundation,
This partnership is a response to the concerns raised by organizations like the Shade of Life Foundation about the level of support received from the media in discussing autism as a disability.
While other disabilities may receive attention, autism, with its critical developmental implications often lacks adequate representation in mainstream media.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Legit.ng took proactive steps by integrating itself into the essence of autism awareness.
It facilitated a one-hour workshop with Dr. Nwokolo, the founder of the foundation, to deepen our understanding of autism, its various spectrums, and the language boundaries associated with it.
Other steps we took in advocating autism awareness in the media, can be seen in our attached press release.
Legit.ng believes that by amplifying the voices of autism and advocating for better media representation, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
News
As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply
While 85 per cent of Nigeria is in darkness, Tanzania, an African country has shut down five hydroelectric stations in a bid to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.
Kassim Majaliwa, prime minister, Tanzania, has said the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, alone generated enough electricity to power major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.
It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations due to excess production.
“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from state-run power company, Tanesco, said.
The 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam is said to be almost filled with water following heavy rains that started early this year.
Meanwhile, while the country has an installed capacity of 1,938MW and the grid installed capacity of 1,899MW, Nigeria which has an installed capacity of 13,000MW is struggling to electrify 85 per cent of its electricity consumers.
News
President Tinubu Appoints Jim Ovia as Student Loan Fund Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jim Ovia, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Ovia’s appointment is contained in a State House statement titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,’ and issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President, Media & Publicity.
The statement noted that “Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.”
The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.
“The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds,” the statement partly read.
Ovia’s appointment will also ensure “that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.”
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