Education

Science Competition: FG Should Create Jobs, Working Environment For Science Graduates -Principal

Published

4 years ago

February 25, 2021

The Principal, Louisville Girls Secondary School Abuja, Revd. Sr. Veronica Orunmoluyi, has appealed to the Federal Government to create jobs and a good working environment for science-oriented graduates in the country.

Orunmoluyi made the appeal in Abuja on Thursday at the 2021 Inter-house Science Competition of the school.

She said that doing this would allow graduates remain and use the knowledge acquired in the course of studies to develop the country rather than looking for greener pastures in foreign countries.

The competition which featured debate on trending topics, quiz and 60 seconds of fame, attracted awards of excellence in science from the school and sponsors.

According to her, the competition has afforded the opportunity to develop the girls academically but if government can provide jobs for them with good package, they will stay here to develop the country.

“ The competition is to develop the children academically. We actually started in 2015 and it was just among the girls either in inter-house or interclass.

“But as time went on, we started it with schools but with this COVID-19, we went back to the way we use to do it just to have it among the girls and it is really bringing a lot of talents out.

“We realise that we need to develop them more to be able to go out and make positive change.

“ With more girls coming up in the field of science that means there is a better hope for Nigeria because women are major and so gifted because we are able to multitask, we are gentle and calm.

“When women come into science that means there is a better hope for the country to move from the theoretical approach to the real application in terms of research and developing instead of depending on other countries to bringing things that we can make.

“My advice to the government is that they should please pump more money into education, into research and also make job available for the young ones.’’

Also, Sr. Francisca Akinwumi, language teacher of the school called on the government to identify talented students in the fields of sciences and offer them scholarships opportunity so as to encourage others key into science fields.

“ There should be more encouragement in the offering of scholarships for girl-child that has done very well in sciences.

“This is so that that it will serve as encouragement to other girls.

“ I also think that the government can promote science in girls’ schools by going to girls’ schools and identifying those doing well, this is because encouragement can push them to want to do more,” She said.

Similarly, Mrs Ifeoma Ukeachu, also a teacher said that science was an important part of national development, hence the need for special attention on science scholarship.

“Science cannot move on without research, we need government to come in by creating more research centres.

“Research has to be carried out for actual practical so government should come in by creating research centers at different strategic areas where we can easily assess and carry out research anyway in the country,” She said.

Also, Mr Joseph John, a biology teacher in the school said there was need to give special attention to science subjects in all schools as a way of developing potentiality in the students.

John said that the study of science he helped country of the world find lasting solutions to problems confronting their economy.

He therefore called on government atoll levels to take education especially science education serious saying that this can translate to better economy of sciences were given prominent.

He called on the students not to relent in their oars saying that the learning of sciences acquired would translate into other skills that would be of benefit to them.

NAN

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Education

NELFUND assures students of smart system to improve loan access

Published

1 month ago

May 7, 2025

The Gleamer

Mariam Abeeb

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has assured students it was working assiduously towards building a technology driven system that would improve easy access to its loans.

This was as the FUND disclosed that no fewer than 320,000 students have thus far been paid with many more currently undergoing verification process to enable their payments.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr gave the assurances in Abuja, while addressing Polytechnics , Monotechnics and Institutes at a Stakeholders Engagement Session/ Technical Workshop on NELFUND System Automation and Loan Application Processes.

Sawyerr noted that the FUND was targeting a platform where students could access loan with confidence and without stress in a manner that was transparent and accountable.

He said: “At NELFUND our mission goes beyond giving loans. It’s about opening doors, it’s about making sure every young Nigerian who is willing to learn and grow has a real shot regardless of their background, location, or chosen path of study.

“For too long, many students, especially in technical institutions, have faced steep financial barriers; some drop out, others have never even applied. This is the gap we at NELFUND are here to close. But we know we can’t do it alone.

“This is a shared mission. It belongs to all of us, government institutions and the private sector alike. This technical workshop marks a major step forward.

“We’re not only providing financing, we’re building a technology-driven system that makes it easier for students to apply, for institutions to verify, and for funds to be disbursed with speed, fairness, and accountability.

“We’re aiming for access without stress, a platform students can use with confidence; transparency and trust so that no one is left wondering where their application stands; partnership with purpose because your feedback, your data, and your cooperation are critical to making this work. We rely on you as our institutional partners to help us bring this vision to life.”

Sawyerr who commended the institutions for providing technical expertise, practical hands-on training that fuels industries and empowers communities over the years, said besides teaching skills, they have built careers, created employers and strengthened economies.

“You know your students, you understand their struggles, your insights will help us tailor this system to reflect the realities on ground, not just assumptions on paper.

“To NBTE, we value your steady leadership in shaping and regulating technical education. Your collaboration is key as we move forward fully.”

The NELFUND boss urged the institutions to partner with the FUND to deliver a system that was not just functional or sustainable, but one that was transformative

“As we move forward fully, integrating NELFUND processes with institutional systems and standards, let us remember at the heart of all of this is a student, a young Nigerian with dreams, with ambition, and the courage to pursue them. Everything we do must serve that student.

“The only way to make it happen is by working together, listening to one another, and staying grounded in real-world challenges. I encourage you all to engage fully today share what’s working and what is not, and together let’s build something that lasts.”

NELFUND ‘s Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Iyal Mustapha, disclosed that apart from the 320,000 students who have so far been paid, more verifications are currently ongoing.

Mustapha, who explained that the failure of not having the number of registered students tally with the number of students whose application process was deemed successful was from the part of students and not NELFUND, said there was an urgent need to bridge the gap.

He also disclosed that the FUND was considering connecting directly to institution’s portal to get the data they need, and how student could apply to their institutions portal without necessarily reaching out to NELFUND.

“One other thing that we’re trying to do going forward is to send some of our IT to all the institutions so that we can see how possible it is we connect directly to your portal instead of saying please send us data. How can we connect using an API which makes it easier to get the data of any student coming to us directly from your portal and not from our portal. So we don’t need to be collecting any data again.

“At the same time, we’re thinking of seeing how is it possible that a student can apply to your portal without coming to us. So it makes it so easy for the student when they’re doing registration, when they’re doing payments, they can select either to apply for NELFUND loans and the process will go through your portal. So you have all the data without ever reaching to NELFUND. All we need is for you to give assurance these are your students and if we have that, we pay you directly. It makes it simpler and faster for all the students.”

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