Education

Education Will Not Remain The Same-Mrs Dr Olonisakin

Published

5 years ago

October 15, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The President Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Dr (Mrs) Omobolanle Olonisakin has averred that the educational system will not remain the same until the cure for COVID:19 pandemic is discovered. The DEPOWA President made the disclosure at a three-day capacity building workshop organized for teachers and instructors of the DEPOWA Schools and Skills Acquisition centre, in Abuja.

According to Dr Olonisakin, “we are all aware education cannot remain the same until a cure for coronavirus is available. So with this workshop on Post COVID-19 blended teaching techniques, our teachers have been updated on how to complement face to face learning with online learning option.”

Mrs Olonisakin said the training and retraining of teachers is a panacea in the teaching profession towards optimizing the academic performance of students in external and internal examinations, as well as meeting the dynamics of the ever-changing world.

On the theme of the workshop, which was “Post COVID-19: Customized Blended Teaching Techniques,” the wife of the Defence Chief explained that due to the pandemic, schools around the world are adopting blended learning as a new normal which is part of curriculum restructuring and redesigning efforts.

She explained that blended learning strives to provide students face to face and online experiences, describing blended classroom structures as instructive techniques which include: direct instruction, lecture group discussions and small group work, as well as the application of technology to aid in-class online learning to enable students to study while at home.

Dr Olonisakin appreciated the IB8 Ventures resource persons for updating DEPOWA teachers with the requisite skills on how to complement physical and online learning while urging the teachers to inculcate the knowledge gained on their students to enable them be creative and innovative in solving issues. She commended the teachers’ resilience in imparting knowledge to the students as reflected in their performance in previous common entrance examinations.

In his remarks, the Lead Consultant of IB8 Ventures, Mr Kunle Olatunji, COVID-19 pandemic has enforced individuals and organizations in adapting to the global change, adding that is the reason IB8 ventures is working closely with DEPOWA in order to ensure its teachers are well trained with this new reality.

Mr Olatunji who commended the DEPOWA leadership for the partnership pointed out that DEPOWA school teachers were now better informed and equipped on the implication of blended teaching technique.

The Commandant of DEPOWA Schools, Lieutenant Commander Caroline Njoku, expressed her appreciation to the DEPOWA President for her commitment and support towards ensuring that the school retained its feats as a centre for academic excellence.

The Commandant expressed optimism that the DEPOWA schools were keying into the post-COVID-19 dispensation learning process, noting that the knowledge acquired by the participants during the workshop would further enhance their technological skill.

Lectures delivered during the workshop include An overview of blended teaching techniques and the new normal, blended learning strategies, transitioning to blended learning – the duties and roles of the creative teachers, the teacher and blended teaching/learning techniques-teachers roles and duties, among others.

It would be recalled that DEPOWA in 2019 held a three-day teachers’ workshop with the theme, “Higher Orders Thinking and Teaching Skills – A Recipe for National Development.”

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Education

Inclusive Education Boost as Deaf-Tech, Federal University of Lafia Roll Out Master’s in Disability Studies

Published

1 week ago

September 26, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

In a major step toward advancing inclusive education in Nigeria, Deaf-in-Tech, an initiative of Data-Lead Africa, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA) to establish a Professional Master’s Degree in Disability Studies.

The signing ceremony, held at Deaf-in-Tech’s headquarters in Abuja, featured a goodwill message from Prof. Adaka Terfa Ahon, Director of the Centre for Disability Studies, who represented FULAFIA’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to championing disability and inclusion in its academic innovation and planning.

The new Master’s programme will adopt a hybrid learning model, with online classes complemented by in-person sessions at Deaf-in-Tech’s training facility in Abuja. It is designed to build expertise in disability-inclusive governance, education, and development across sectors.

Executive Director of Deaf-in-Tech and Co-Founder of Data-Lead Africa, Dr. Arowolo Ayoola, described the collaboration as a “structural shift” in how institutions and professionals engage with disability issues. “The inclusion journey must begin with knowledge, and we are proud to partner with a progressive university like FULAFIA,” he said.

Beyond the postgraduate programme, the partnership will also establish a Deaf-in-Tech Club on FULAFIA’s campus — the first of its kind — to empower Deaf students with technology skills, mentorship, and innovation opportunities. Additional initiatives include a ₦1 million academic excellence reward for any Deaf student who graduates with a First Class, as well as the development of a disability-accessible website and digital database for the Centre for Disability Studies, built to WCAG 2.1 global accessibility standards.

The alliance underscores both institutions’ commitment to building inclusive systems and celebrating excellence, while positioning Deaf-in-Tech as a catalyst for bridging the gap between disability and the digital economy.

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