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InterswitchSPAK 2.0 Hits Airwaves

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airing of InterswitchSPAK 2.0

Interswitch Group, the leading Pan-African payment solution company, commenced the airing of the InterswitchSPAK 2.0 TV show on Saturday, November 2, 2019.

The InterswitchSPAK TV show is another aspect of the Interswitch Switch-a-Future project, a CSR initiative of the company focused on driving increased interest in the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects among Senior Secondary School students across Africa.

The first episode of the TV show featured a critical segment of the CSR initiative – The InterswitchSPAK 2.0 Masterclass. This was an engagement session, where the 81 finalists from the qualifying examination interacted with some successful men and women in the society, as they shared knowledge and experiences from school, work and family life to inspire the students.

Mitchell Elegbe, GMD/Founder, Interswitch Group, spoke about the need to be trustworthy. He said to become successful in life, it was necessary to be trustworthy.

Alongside Mitchell Elegbe, other speakers who engaged the students were Dr. Ola Orekunrin-Brown, MD/Founder, Flying Doctors Nigeria and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade, and Investment, who was represented by Ayokunnu Ojeniyi, Project Manager, Enabling Business Environment Secretariat, office of the Vice-President.

Another highlight of Episode One was the grouping of the students into their respective teams. The students were grouped into nine teams and each team was expected to analyse a problem in a selected sector of the economy, and present the best possible solution to the problem, leveraging technology.

The selected sectors under review included: agriculture, electoral processes and financial services. Each team is made up of nine members, with two team captains who are volunteers from Interswitch. They were to guide and mentor the students as they tried to proffers solutions to the given challenge.

The second episode of the TV show introduced the Innovation Challenge. Innovation Challenge, you wonder? Well, the Innovation Challenge is to inspire and motivate students to think outside-the-box while solving problems and pushing the limits of innovation to address Africa’s many challenges.

So far, Team Mercury has presented their brilliant technological solution after identifying a problem in Agriculture. The team gave a good account of themselves leveraging technology to unite key players in the Nigerian Agricultural system for easy access to goods, information, funds etc.

The winning team from the Innovation Challenge gets the Founder’s Award. Each member gets a laptop and the opportunity to work on the solution at the Interswitch Lab as an intern at Interswitch Headquarters for two weeks.

You will recall that the InterswitchSPAK 1.0 Innovation Challenge was won by Team Neptune who proposed a technological solution in the Nigerian healthcare sector; specifically proposing easier access to National Health Insurance.

Incidentally, Interswitch recently acquired majority stake in e-Clat Healthcare Ltd. As a result of this acquisition, the combined healthcare and payment technology solutions are expected to position the Interswitch Group as both a health-tech solution and payments provider of choice to the healthcare industry going forward.

Another interesting part of Episode Two, is the swift shift from a spirit of camaraderie to that of competition among the team members. After the collaboration to present the solution for the Innovation Challenge, the student will move into another phase of the show for the quiz competition where the nine- member team is pruned down to three for the next stage of the competition.

Sounds interesting, right?

So, would you want to know the next STEM innovators? Do you want to know the team that goes home with the Founder’s Award? Keep watching the InterswitchSPAK 2.0 TV Show. And if you are not already watching, get a seat in front of your TV set again this Saturday.

The show airs on Africa Magic 154 on Saturday, at 5pm till 6pm.  There will also be a repeat broadcast on at 2:30 – 3:30pm.

Other television stations broadcasting the show are AIT Network on Saturday, at (7pm) , TVC Lagos on Saturday, at (8pm) and Sunday, at(5:30), STV Jos on Sunday, (6pm) NTA Kano on Sunday, at (8pm), EBS Edo on Sunday, at (4pm), NTA Port-Harcourt on Sunday, at (5pm), DBS Asaba on Sunday, at (7pm)and OSRC Akure on Saturday, at( 6pm).

Each episode will also be uploaded on YouTube, should you miss any.

Amazing right?

Then, join us for the next 14 Saturdays (till February 8, 2020) as we witness the making of another team of African innovators.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Education

Orire School Abduction: Oyo Teachers Begin Indefinite Strike

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Orire School Abduction

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Teachers in Oyo State on Monday, June 1, 2026, commenced an indefinite strike to protest the abduction of their colleagues and some pupils about two weeks ago.

The teachers withdraw their services from schools until further notice in compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

In a statement on Sunday, the group said the industrial action affects all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State.

They are aggrieved over the continued captivity of abducted teachers and pupils, whose rescue and safe release remain uncertain.

According to the union, the prolonged detention of the victims has created fear and anxiety among teachers, discouraged parents from sending their children to school, and heightened tension across communities in the state.

The NUT said the industrial action is aimed at drawing the attention of government authorities to the urgent need to intensify efforts toward securing the safe release of the abductees without further delay.

It urged all teachers to comply fully with the directive, remain law-abiding, and stay safe in their respective homes throughout the period of the strike.

The association also reaffirmed its solidarity with the abducted teachers, pupils, and their families, stressing that lawful engagements with relevant government authorities would continue until the victims regain their freedom.

The NUT assured members that it remains committed to protecting the welfare and security of teachers and learners across the country.

A few weeks ago, some terrorists stormed the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and kidnapped dozens of children and teachers. They have remained in captivity, with the federal government only sending a delegation to the town on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

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KolaDaisi University Hosts Career Fair June 10 in Ibadan

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KolaDaisi University Career Fair

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, KolaDaisi University (KDU), in a bid to strengthen the talent-to-industry pipeline, will hold its inaugural Career Fair at its campus in Ibadan, Oyo State, with over 200 final-year students, alumni, and a diverse range of leading employers across multiple sectors expected to partake in the programme.

The one-day event, organised by the Directorate of Advancement and Alumni Relations, will feature participation from top-tier organisations spanning finance, consulting, technology, manufacturing, and other key industries.

Participating companies will engage directly with students, offering opportunities for graduate trainee programmes, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) placements, internships, and entry-level employment.

In addition to recruitment opportunities, the Career Fair will include a series of industry-led sessions, panel discussions, and networking engagements designed to provide students with insights into workplace expectations, emerging career trends, and professional development pathways.

“At KolaDaisi University, we are deliberate about preparing our students for life beyond the classroom. This Career Fair represents a critical platform for fostering meaningful engagement between our students and industry leaders.

“It is not just an event, but a long-term investment in partnerships that will drive innovation, talent development, and economic growth,” the President of the Directorate of Advancement and Alumni Relations, Mrs Olasumbo Obaseki, stated.

The Career Fair underscores the university’s commitment to equipping its students with not only academic excellence but also the practical skills, professional exposure, and networks required for success in today’s competitive labour market.

It is put together in collaboration with key industry partners, including Chapel Hill Denham, Mobile Screens and Sound Limited, SKOT Communications, LEADWAY Assurance, HighlerLife Properties Consult Ltd, Idea Konsult, New Horizons Nigeria, alongside several other organisations committed to nurturing emerging talent.

These partnerships reflect a shared vision of developing a workforce that is both competent and responsive to evolving industry needs.

This impactful and timely initiative is an essential platform for aligning academic outcomes with industry expectations.

The initiative forms part of KDU’s broader institutional strategy to enhance graduate employability through sustained industry engagement, career readiness programmes, and alumni relations.

By creating structured opportunities for interaction between students and employers, the institution continues to position itself as a forward-thinking institution committed to producing globally competitive graduates.

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Education

Tinubu Appoints 39-Year-Old Prof Segun Aina as New JAMB Registrar

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prof segun aina JAMB

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Professor Segun Aina has been appointed to replace Professor Is-haq Oloyede as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The two-term tenure of his successor expires on July 31, 2026.

Mr Aina was chosen for the position by President Bola Tinubu, and he is expected to bring to bear his vast experience, knowledge and practical insight into the operations of the board, to take the critical educational organisation beyond the laudable heights achieved by his predecessor.

According to a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Professor Aina, who will be 40 in July, is a distinguished academic and systems expert with extensive experience in national examination systems, digital infrastructure, and public-sector institutional reform.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security, and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing, both from Loughborough University, United Kingdom. He has also completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School.

A Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr Aina began his career with JAMB during his National Youth Service, gaining foundational experience in national admissions and data-driven institutional processes. These insights have shaped his ongoing contributions to examination reform and systems optimisation.

With over 15 years of post-graduation experience, Professor Aina operates at the intersection of technology, policy, and institutional transformation, advising federal and state governments on system design, digital transition, and operational reform. At 39, he became one of Nigeria’s youngest Computer Engineering professors and will now make history as JAMB’s youngest registrar.

He has served as a consultant to major examination bodies, including NECO, NABTEB, and various State Ministries of Education, providing expertise on ICT systems, examination integrity, and digital process optimisation.

Professor Aina is a member of several professional bodies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

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