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Ado Girls Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra State, has received international recognition after winning the Outstanding Organization Award at the global AI Youth Competition, presented by the International AI Youth Education Society (AIYES).

This milestone comes as part of the Digital Access Program implemented by TechQuest STEM Academy in partnership with Cummins Inc., which is currently equipping 750 students and 10 teachers with foundational and emerging digital skills.

The award recognizes the school’s outstanding achievement in the competition held between December 2025 and February 2026, highlighting the rapid progress of students just two months into the programme.

This achievement underscores the transformative impact of early access to structured digital and AI education, particularly for young girls in public secondary schools.

Speaking on the milestone, the Head of Service, Anambra State, Barr. Ngozi Anuli Iwouno stated: “It is particularly gratifying to note that your school, under the TechQuest Digital Access Programme (TQDAP), funded by the Cummins Foundation Inc., competed creditably alongside student. teams from advanced countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, China, and Russia, and distinguished itself with multiple international recognitions”

Also commenting, Corporate Responsibility Leader, Africa and the Middle East, Cummins Inc. Ify Alex Anene, said the organization is committed to giving back to its host communities.: “At Cummins, we are committed to powering a positive difference in the communities where our employees work and live. The achievements of the students at Ado Girls Secondary School are a powerful reflection of what can happen when young girls are given access to the right tools, mentorship and opportunities to thrive in the digital age,” Anene said.

Co-Founder of TechQuest STEM Academy, Charles Emembolu, said the victory of the students at the global stage is signal to what is achievable when the right infrastructure is provided.

“This is not just a win for Ado Girls. It is a signal of what is possible at scale. When we provide the right infrastructure, curriculum and support, our young people can deliver outcomes that meet global standards. Our focus now is to expand this model across more schools,” he said.

The award, originally presented virtually, was brought to life through an in-person celebration at the school’s Career Fair Day, where students showcased their achievements alongside school leadership, representatives from Cummins, and the TechQuest team.

Beyond recognition, the Digital Access Program is designed to deliver-long term impact by strengthening teacher capacity, embedding digital skills into the school ecosystem, and creating pathways into advanced learning, innovation, and global opportunities.

The initiative reflects a shared commitment to bridging the digital divide, advancing gender inclusion, and building a future ready workforce.

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The Police Command in Kwara has condemned the killing of three worshippers and abduction of 15 others at a prayer ground in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Sunday in Ilorin, said that the incident occurred at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in Ekiti LGA.

The Police spokesman stated that the incident was reported on Sunday by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, Ekiti LGA.

She said that the pastor reported that armed men invaded the prayer ground during a vigil on Saturday at about 8:30 p.m., firing sporadically and killing three persons while abducting 15 others to an unknown destination.

“Upon receipt of the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer in Ekiti Division immediately mobilised operatives to the scene.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, directed a comprehensive tactical and intelligence-driven operation involving the Police Drone Team, PMF personnel, intelligence units and other operational assets for a coordinated rescue mission,” Ejire-Adeyemi stated.

The CP described the attack as barbaric, callous and unacceptable, assuring families of the victims that the command was committed to rescuing those abducted and apprehending the perpetrators.

He also assured residents of Ekiti LGA and the state of ongoing security operations, including bush combing and intelligence gathering, to track down the assailants.

Adekimi urged members of the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to provide credible information that could assist ongoing operations.

(NAN)

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Nigeria’s pioneer Head of Mission to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Ambassador Sani Bako, has stated that diplomatic relations between the two post-colonial states, which began as political solidarity 50 years ago, have evolved into a partnership delivering results in trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

The partnership deepened with the establishment of resident missions. Nigeria opened its Embassy in Hanoi, the administrative capital, in 2007, and Vietnam reciprocated by opening an Embassy in Abuja in the same year.

Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of Nigeria-Vietnam relations, which took effect on 25th May 1976, Ambassador Bako noted that the volume of trade between the two countries stood at $1 billion as of 2024.

“Vietnam currently exports electronics, garments, textiles, and other consumer goods to Nigeria, while importing crude oil, cashew nuts, and several raw materials,” he said. “Interestingly, the trade balance favours Nigeria.”

He stressed that the time has come for economic ties between both countries to evolve into a partnership that would lead to technology transfer, manufacturing, and agricultural investment. He added that Vietnam has expertise in modern agriculture that Nigeria could leverage.

Ambassador Bako, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria-Vietnam Trade and Cultural Association (NVETCA), added that the association is facilitating private sector engagement to deliver visible partnerships in farming, manufacturing, and other ventures that will strengthen economic ties in the near future.

He recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a recent meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador Bui Quoc Hung, emphasized that Nigeria is open for business with Vietnam. “Vietnam is a partner we want to grow with,” the President stressed.

Ambassador Bako also noted that Ambassador Hung has called on Nigeria to address lingering visa obstacles affecting officials and business travelers. He pointed out that a 2019 visa waiver agreement reached by both countries has not been fully implemented, adding that resolving this would be critical to sustaining momentum in bilateral relations.