By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Popular Ilorin-born musician cum comedian, Alhaji Mukaila Senwele, is dead

Announcing his death, a friend of the deceased, Alhaji Omotosho Owofitimi, wrote: ‘R.I.P, my friend Mukaila Senwele.’

At the time of filing this report, the cause of his death could not be ascertained

Details soon……

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Federal Government has announced an update to its basic education curriculum, introducing 15 new trades to improve students’ practical skills and employability.

This new curriculum is set to take effect in January 2025 for primary and junior secondary students across the country.

The revised curriculum is expected to improve job prospects for students when it is implemented in January 2025, helping them meet the challenges of a rapidly changing economic environment.

These changes are expected to provide students with a broader range of skills and better prepare them for the job market after completing their education.

New trades introduced in the curriculum

The updated curriculum includes 15 new trades, covering various sectors, including construction, technology, and agriculture. Among the new trades introduced are plumbing, tiling and floor works, and POP (Plaster of Paris) installation.

These skills are expected to give students a foundation for work in the construction and building industries. Additionally, trades like event decoration and management, bakery and confectioneries, and hairstyling have been added to offer students opportunities in the service sector.

The perceived goal is to help students develop skills they can use in their careers, whether they choose to work for a company or start their own businesses,” the National Orientation Agency noted in its post.

The inclusion of these practical skills seeks to meet the growing demand for vocational expertise in Nigeria’s economy.

Preparing students for a changing job market

With these updates, the government aims to make students more competitive in the labour market by equipping them with practical skills. In addition to construction and service-related skills, the curriculum now includes courses on GSM repairs, satellite/TV antenna installation, and CCTV and intercom installation. These technical skills are particularly relevant as technology continues to drive global job markets.

The curriculum also includes a focus on agriculture, with students being taught skills related to crop production, beekeeping, horticulture, and livestock farming, including poultry and rabbit rearing.

These agricultural skills are designed to support the country’s vast agricultural sector, giving students the knowledge to contribute to Nigeria’s food production and rural development.

Incorporating digital literacy and emerging technologies
Another important addition to the curriculum is the inclusion of basic digital literacy, which covers IT and robotics.

The government has prioritized teaching these skills to students from an early age, preparing them for the growing digital economy.

By incorporating IT and robotics into the curriculum, Nigeria drives to foster a new generation of professionals who are well-versed in emerging technologies, ensuring they are ready for the demands of a modern workforce.

The National Orientation Agency highlighted that this update in education will not only provide students with the skills required for current jobs but also prepare them for future opportunities in fields that are rapidly evolving, such as tech and digital services.

Impact on Nigerian youth and employment
The introduction of these vocational skills is also seen as a response to the high unemployment rates in Nigeria, especially among young people.
By teaching students practical trades, the government hopes to reduce youth unemployment by providing more pathways for self-employment and increasing the availability of skilled labor in key industries.
The revised curriculum is expected to improve job prospects for students when it is implemented in January 2025, helping them meet the challenges of a rapidly changing economic environment.
The government’s efforts to provide relevant skills training will hopefully have a long-term impact on Nigeria’s workforce.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Hon. Shola Olofin as Chairman of Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and 44 eminent Nigerians as chairpersons and Chief executive officers into various boards.

Tinubu also appointed Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as board chairman of Federal Airport Authority Of Nigeria (FAAN) and the 2023 governorship candidate of the APC in Kano State, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna as the chairman of Federal Mortgage Bank Of Nigeria (FMBN).

According to a statement by the Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, made available to journalists on Friday, Senator Magnus Abe was also appointed as board chairman of National Agency For Great Green Wall, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi as board chairman of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Hon. Hilliard Etta as named Chairman of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The statement read in part: “The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).

“President Tinubu directs the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive”.

See full statement below:

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

APPOINTMENT OF BOARD CHAIRPERSONS AND CEOS

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services.

The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).

President Tinubu directs the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.

All the appointments take immediate effect:

1. NIGERIAN SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND
– Hon. Shola Olofin, Chairman (Ekiti)

2. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
– Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman (Lagos)

3. FEDERAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF NIGERIA, MINISTRY OF AVIATION
– H. E. Abdullahi U. Ganduje, Chairman (Kano)

4. NATIONAL SUGAR DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
– Sen. Surajudeen Bashiru Ajibola, Chairman (Osun)

5. NIGERIA BULK ELECTRICITY TRADING COMPANY
– H. E. Sulaiman Argungu, Chairman (Kebbi)

6. NATIONAL AGENCY FOR GREAT GREEN WALL
– Sen. Magnus Abe, Chairman (Rivers)

7. NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE
– Barr. Festus Fuanter, Chairman (Plateau)

8. NATIONAL BOARD FOR TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION (NBTI)
– Raji, Kazeem Kolawole, Director-General (Oyo)

9. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
– Chief Victor Tombari Giadom, Chairman (Rivers)

10. TEACHERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NIGERIA
– Comrade Mustapha Salihu, Chairman (Adamawa)

11. INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND
– Hon. Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Chairman (Gombe)

12. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY
– Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa, Chairman (Abia)

13. SHEDA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX
– Sen. Abubakar Maikafi, Chairman (Bauchi)

14. FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA
– H. E. Nasiru Gawuna, Chairman (Kano)

15. NATIONAL OFFICE FOR TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND PROMOTION
– Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Chairman (Lagos)

16. NIGERIAN POSTAL SERVICE
– Chief D. J. Kekemeke, Chairman (Ondo)

17. NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY
– Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, Chairman (Sokoto)

18. NATIONAL STEEL COUNCIL
– Prof. Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Chairman (Nasarawa)

19. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
– Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad, Chairman (Kaduna)

20. NATIONAL BIO-SAFETY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
– Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, Chairman (Niger)

22. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, GOMBE
– Hajia Zainab A. Ibrahim, Chairman (Taraba)

23. NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION
– Dr.Kayode Isiak Opeifa, Managing Director (Lagos)

24. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, IDO-EKITI
– Aare (Hon.) Durotolu Oyebode Bankole, Chairman (Ogun)

25. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABEOKUTA
– Mr Abdullahi Dayo Israel, Chairman (Lagos)

26. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ASABA
– Dr. Mrs. Mary Alile Idele, Chairman (Edo)

27. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, LOKOJA
– Nze Chidi Duru (OON), Chairman (Anambra)

28. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWERRI
– Hon. Emma Eneukwu, Chairman (Enugu)

29. CIVIL DEFENCE, IMMIGRATION AND PRISONS SERVICES BOARD
– Major Gen. Jubril Abdulmalik Rtd, Secretary (Kano)

30. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, UMUAHIA
– Mr. Uguru Mathew Ofoke, Chairman (Ebonyi)

31. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YENAGOA
– Barr. Felix Chukwumenoye Morka, Chairman (Delta)

32. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YOLA
– Alh. Bashir Usman Gumel, Chairman (Jigawa)

33. DAVID UMAHI FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, UBUHU, EBONYI STATE
– Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, Chairman (Imo)

34. NATIONAL OIL SPILL DETECTION AND RESPONSE AGENCY
– Chief Edward Omo-Erewa, Chairman (Edo)

35. NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA)
– Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, Chairman (Kaduna)

36. NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE
– Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, Chairman (Borno)

37. AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SHIKA, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE
– Hon. Lawal M. Liman (Chairman)

38. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE KATSINA
– Dr. Abubakar Isa Maiha (Chairman)

39. RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RMRDC)
– Isa Sadiq Achida, Chairman (Sokoto)

40. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE BIRNIN KUDU
– Dr. Mohammed Gusau Hassan, Chairman Zamfara

41. NATIONAL BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
– Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa, Chairman (Nasarawa)

42. SOKOTO-RIMA RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
– Amb. Abubakar Shehu Wurno, Chairman (Sokoto)

43. AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL
– Augustine Chukwu Umahi, Chairman (Ebonyi)

44. FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP BOARD
– Engr. Babatunde Fakoyede, Chairman (Ekiti)

45. NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS, MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
– Hon. Hillard Eta Chairman (Cross River)