News

Parents, students shun holiday classes over hardship, others

Published

7 months ago

August 11, 2024

“I don’t believe summer school is important because schools in Nigeria give students assignments during summer school instead of teaching them new things and new skills. That is not how summer school is supposed to be. I will never attend it,” said a 16-year-old student, Nnamdi Sean Enwemadu.

Another student, Joy Emmanuel, who said she was also not going to attend the holiday classes, explained that she did not achieve much in the previous ones she attended and that most times they played and did little learning.

“But this time my mother said she cannot pay extra money because things are hard and she prefers I help her in her business and read at my leisure,” she said.

She noted that teachers used the holiday to continue what they were supposed to do during school hours and nothing new, adding that students needed to rest too during the holiday so that they could function properly when school resumed.

However, the concept of holiday classes, known as summer school, has been in the system for long, which is a period where short form of education is delivered to students outside the regular term course.

With the changes in the education system globally, where technological and other skills are considered important and being incorporated into learning, many schools, especially private ones, have introduced all forms of learning for their students, but they are not without a prize.

Some parents told Daily Trust that the situation in the country would not permit them to pay some of the charges and as such preferred their children to stay home and rest during the holiday.

A parent, Abdulhamid Yunus, said his children would not be attending holiday classes this time.

He said, “Every day and time, the children go to school to learn and return home to do their assignments. Weekends, more home classes take place. They hardly have time to rest. The brain and body need some rest from stress. I decided to allow them some breathing space.

“Certainly, the cost is part of the consideration. The lesson teacher charges more, and with competition for food to feed the family, I had to step down for now.”

Another parent, Victoria Julius, said her children were not attending classes this time because she had no money to pay for any lesson when they were looking for feeding money.

“They have been attending lessons in the past and there is no much difference because they go there to play and learn little, so they should play at home and read at their own pace, now it is not easy to pay for fees and still pay for holiday classes, we need to look for food to survive in this country, “ she said.

Another parent, Sydney Ogriga, said his children were supposed to attend and that he was expected to pay N30,000 but the school postponed it and might be likely be due to low turnout.

He said though the school cited that the postponement was due to the ongoing nationwide protest that had restricted movement and activities and shifted to 17th August, 2024, as starting day, many parents had not indicated interest in paying for their wards.

“I now many parents that said their children are not attending the summer classes because of the hardship and that they rather use the money in feeding them at home because going to school will require extra food and expenses for transportation and other things,” he said.

Another parent, who did not want to be named, told Daly Trust that her children’s school was doing lessons on skills but that the charges were outrageous.

She said her children chose bead making and swimming and that they were expected to pay N40,000 each just for just a day’s training for swimming while they paid N12,000 for bead making.

“I have two children and that means paying N80,000 for them to learn swimming, I said they should go for the other one instead,” she said.

She said they are looking ways round exploit parents ‘besides children are supposed to relax and rest for the holidays to regain lost strength .”

The proprietor of a private school in Abuja said the charges were high because most times they brought in people from outside to teach the children some of the skills.

He said that the turn out for this term was low as many parents cited the economic hardship in the country.

He further said, “You cannot blame anyone, things are really hard in fact some parents are yet to even complete the fees of their children and keep begging for more time; that is how bad it is.”

However, the Chairman of Voyage International Schools, Abuja, Yussuff Oriyomi, said the summer school was not a regular class and that’s why activities like math, English and other everyday subjects were excluded.

He said, “We are doing Qur’an memorisation classes, plus some play activities for children such as swimming, football competition and martial art.

“The turnout is good. Not below our expectation. Despite the hard times, it’s important to keep the children productively engaged as part of efforts to even safeguard them.”

Reacting, Hanatu A. Enwemadu Esq, a child and family wellbeing advocate and Executive Director at Mother’s Love Initiative, said a child’s development was a complex interplay of physical, cognitive, emotional and moral growth influenced by factors such as environment, nutrition, education, parenting and genetics, hence that this formative period required careful attention and nurturing.

She said rather than focusing solely on academic pursuit, parents should view summer as a precious opportunity for their children to rest, recharge and explore, and that by creating a stimulating yet relaxed environment, parents could foster a strong parent-child bond, encourage creativity and build a lifelong love of learning.

“Unstructured play, new experiences and laughter are essential components of a fulfilling summer. It’s a time for children to reconnect with nature, develop social skills and simply be kids. While academic enrichment programmes may have their place, the true value of summer lies in its potential to ignite curiosity, foster imagination and prepare children for a successful return to school,” she said.

“Understanding the importance of this developmental stage can help parents create optimal conditions for their children’s growth. Let’s prioritise experiences over academics and make this summer a truly unforgettable one for the Nigerian child,” she said.

News

Saudi Arabia donates 100 tonnes of dates to Nigeria as fasting approaches

Published

3 hours ago

February 23, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Abuja has held an official ceremony to distribute 100 tonnes (100,000kg) of dates to Nigeria as part of its annual humanitarian relief efforts.

The initiative, facilitated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), aims to support vulnerable families across the country and strengthen the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.

During the ceremony, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Nigeria, Faisal bin Ibrahim, conveyed the Kingdom’s dedication to humanitarian causes.

He expressed his profound gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their unwavering support in providing aid to Muslims and underserved communities worldwide.

He emphasised that Saudi Arabia remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering Islamic solidarity and providing relief to those in need.

Mr Al-Ghamdi explained that this year’s distribution includes 50 tonnes of dates for Abuja and another 50 tonnes for Kano, continuing Saudi Arabia’s tradition of assisting Nigeria through humanitarian donations.

He noted that the initiative represents the Kingdom’s broader mission to uplift Muslim communities, alleviate suffering, and promote unity, particularly during significant religious periods such as Ramadan.

The embassy, in collaboration with local authorities and humanitarian organisations, will ensure the proper distribution of the dates so that they reach the most vulnerable families in various regions of Nigeria

Saudi Arabia has been a longstanding partner in providing humanitarian aid to nations across the globe, including Nigeria. The Kingdom’s continued efforts in supporting food security and welfare initiatives exemplify its role as a global leader in charitable and humanitarian endeavours.

Through Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia seeks to expand its contributions to international humanitarian causes, reinforcing its dedication to fostering peace, stability, and prosperity worldwide. The ongoing provision of aid to Nigeria is a testament to these commitments and highlights the decades-long partnership between the two brotherly nations.

News

Babangida’s Book is filled with distorted facts, collection of lies, says Dele Farotimi

Published

3 hours ago

February 23, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Dele Farotimi, a human rights lawyer, has launched a heavy attack on former dictator Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), describing his reign as “ruinous”.

Farotimi, who lived through Babangida’s rule, recounted his experiences as a participant in the fight against the former leader’s “evil actions and inactions

Farotimi’s comments come after Babangida’s recent admission that Chief M.K.O. Abiola won the 1993 presidential election, which Babangida annulled.

The human rights lawyer expressed his disappointment, but not surprise, at the “mixed bag of lies, half-truths, urban legends, and obfuscations” in Babangida’s recent statements.

Farotimi’s criticism is not isolated, as many Nigerians have questioned Babangida’s legacy and the lack of consequences for his actions. The annulment of the 1993 election led to widespread protests and a prolonged struggle for democracy in Nigeria.

In a statement, Farotimi concluded, “No hagiographic allocutus can redeem the Evil Genius of Minna”.

The statement was shared on X while he was reacting to a comment made by Adnan Abdullahi Adam, which stated that “it’s better to read every side of exposition before forming your own judgement”.

With the cover picture of the IBB’s memoir “A Journey In Service” @realadnantweet wrote:

“I think IBB’s memoir: “A Journey in Service” exposes a fresh perspective on everything.

“It’s better to read every side of exposition before forming your own judgement.

“Everyone should try reading the book as jury to the plea of the accused.”

Responding Farotimi wrote: “I lived through his ruinous reign. I wasn’t a passive victim of his evil actions and inactions, I was a participant in the fight to be freed of him.

“I am painfully aware of the extent of his evil capabilities, and I have not been disappointed by the mixed bag of lies, half truths, urban legends, and obfuscations contained in the excerpts already in the public domain. No hagiographic allocutus can redeem the Evil Genius of Minna.”

On Thursday, February 20, 2025, former Nigerian military ruler General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) released his long-anticipated autobiography, “A Journey in Service.”

The memoir has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with critics accusing Babangida of distorting historical events and maligning deceased individuals who cannot defend themselves.

This development has reopened debates about his tenure and its lasting impact on Nigeria’s political and economic landscape.

Babangida’s tenure from 1985 to 1993 was marked by the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), among others. In “A Journey in Service,” he provides an insider’s perspective on the adoption of SAP, aiming to offer context for the controversial policy that aimed to liberalize Nigeria’s economy.

While intended to address economic challenges, SAP led to widespread protests and debates due to its harsh austerity measures and the social hardships it imposed.

Critics, however, contend that Babangida’s memoir serves as a self-exoneration tool, selectively presenting events to absolve himself of blame.

Human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, described the book as a “pack of lies,” accusing Babangida of making allegations against deceased individuals who cannot contest his claims.

Odinkalu further criticized Babangida for portraying himself as a victim of circumstances orchestrated by those who are no longer alive to defend themselves.

The memoir has also rekindled discussions about Babangida’s annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s freest and fairest elections. In the book, Babangida attempts to justify the annulment, a move that plunged the nation into political turmoil and prolonged military rule. Many Nigerians view this action as a significant setback to the country’s democratic progress.

News

Saudi Arabia plans to invest $600bn in new US trade over 4 years

Published

3 hours ago

February 23, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told President Donald Trump that the kingdom wants to put $600 billion into expanded investment and trade with the United States over the next four years, the Saudi State news agency said early on Thursday.
In a phone call between the two leaders, the crown prince said the Trump administration’s expected reforms could create “unprecedented economic prosperity”, the state news agency reported.

The report said Saudi Arabia wants its investments to capitalize on these conditions. It did not detail the source of the $600 billion, whether it would be public or private spending nor how the money would be deployed.
The investment “could increase further if additional opportunities arise”, the agency quoted Bin Salman as telling Trump.
Trump fostered close ties with Gulf states including Saudi Arabia during his first term. The country invested $2 billion in a firm formed by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former aide, after Trump left office.

Trump said following his inauguration on Monday that he would consider making Saudi Arabia his first destination for a foreign visit if Riyadh agreed to buy $500 billion worth of American products, similar to what he did in his first term.
“I did it with Saudi Arabia last time because they agreed to buy $450 billion worth of our product. I said I’ll do it but you have to buy American product, and they agreed to do that,” Trump said, referring to his 2017 visit to the Gulf kingdom.
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Reporting by Hatem Maher; Editing by Leslie Adler and Cynthia Osterman