News
Unilag, Microsoft Empower Lecturers, Students with Laptops
The opportunity to own a brand-new laptop by students and lectures of the University of Lagos has been made easy with the Private Public Alliance (PPA) initiative the institution entered with Microsoft Corporation. Professor Tolu Odugbemi, vice chancellor of the university, at the Senate Chambers of the campus last week announced the launch of the ‘Laptops for All Staff and Students’ scheme. By that feat, Unilag becomes the first ever tertiary institution in Nigeria to be certified as a Microsoft IT Academy under a Private Public Alliance (PPA) Initiative with Microsoft Corporation.
The PPA, which the vice chancellor initiated in May 2009, was developed between Unilag, Microsoft and a number of Microsoft’s hardware partners, namely; Hewlett Packard, Zinox Technologies, Brian Integrated Systems and MSI, to provide the university with affordable laptops – loaded with Vista Business and Microsoft Office software. These computers will be used by the staff and students of the university.
Another attraction of the scheme is a flexible PC acquisition model which will allow staff and students to purchase computers and laptops on an installment payment arrangement.
“The project is a landmark initiative intended to empower staff and students of our university to harness the power of information and communication technology in order to supplement their academic work,” said Professor Tolu Odugbemi.
To date, a shipment of 2000 laptops has already been received by Unilag. Wireless networks will also be set up on campus – including the Idi-Araba and Yaba campuses.
The Microsoft IT Academy programme aims to enable educational institutions to offer a world-class curriculum, which will help their students learn about, and utilize, the latest Microsoft technologies so that they may earn Microsoft technology certifications.
The programme also links academic learning to real-world job skills, thus allowing students to graduate with the IT skills required to advance in their future careers.
“We believe that ICT combined with education provides the path that enables individuals, communities and nations to achieve their full potential – a well educated and technology-savvy population is vital to ensuring a successful future for Nigeria,” said Adefolu Majekodunmi, Microsoft BMO Lead .
Professor Odugbemi concurs, adding that this is particularly important for Nigeria with its large population of close to 150 million people -many of whom are students – and a rapidly-growing economy.
“It is for this reason that it is our responsibility as the educators of Nigeria’s future workforce to transfer relevant skills to our students so that they are able to remain up to date in this ever-changing technology landscape,” he said.
The PPA consists of three components which include: access to hardware, software and connectivity; access to affordable financing and enabling ICT skills acquisition through content and training.
Microsoft will also fund the skills training and development of lecturers at UNILAG so that a train-the-trainers programme can be instituted ensuring that efficient skills transfer is taking place.
“Technology has the potential to empower teachers, expand curricula, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of an institution’s governance and, most importantly, give students a broader educational experience,” said Adefolu Majekodunmi.
“We are honoured to be the first tertiary IT Academy in Nigeria,” said Professor Odugbemi. “By partnering with Microsoft and its partners we are confident that we will be able to make a difference to the lives of our large student body as well as make the jobs of our academic and non-academic staff far more manageable,” he concluded.
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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