Education
Nigerian Beer Manufacturers Launch Underage Drinking Scheme
By Dipo Olowookere
As part of ways to break the culture of underage drinking and reduce alcohol-related harm among Nigerian youths, makers of beer under the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have teamed up to launch what it called a SMASHED program.
The initiative, done under the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) of MAN with support of the Collingwood Learning Incorporated and Thespian Theatre, is endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Health and backed by local health and education authorities in the country.
The scheme started in May 2019 in Edo State and is expected to move on to Anambra and Enugu States in September and October, covering over 60 public and private schools and reaching over 14,000 students.
A global theatre-in-education project initiated by Collingwood Learning Incorporated in the United Kingdom, SMASHED has engaged over half a million young persons in 20 countries of the world, since its inception in 2004.
It involves the delivery of key learning on the dangers of underage drinking and alcohol-related harm to secondary school students, using drama presentations, while engaging participants in a motivational learning environment and equipping them with the facts, skills and confidence to make responsible choices and develop responsible attitudes in health-related matters.
Commenting on the initiative, Chairman of BSG, Mr Jordi Borut Bel, who doubles as CEO of Nigerian Breweries Plc, stated that, “We are delighted to support the adoption of the SMASHED underage drinking program as it strengthens activities that are currently being undertaken by individual member companies to ensure that our products are not sold to or consumed by persons under the age of eighteen years.”
Mr Borut Bel noted that “the expectation of the BSG is that the program will be scaled-up to involve at least six additional States in Nigeria by 2020 with plans for wider coverage in the coming years.”
In her comments, Ms Ayo Jaiyesinmi, CEO of Thespian Theatre assured “we will continue to partner with the BSG and local health and education authorities in ensuring that the program addresses issues related with underage drinking among Nigerian youths.”
While affirming the endorsement of the initiative by the Federal Ministry of Health, Pharm Celine Onunkwo, Deputy Director, Food and Drug Services Department of the Ministry explained that “the objective of the SMASHED project is in line with the global strategy to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol, which was put together by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2010 and the WHO Global Action Plan for the prevention and control of STDs in 2013 – 2020”.
She assured that “the Federal Ministry of Health will continue to work with BSG, using our existing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, in order to ensure that the activities continue to be in the best interest of public health.”.
The BSG is an umbrella body for leading brewing companies in Nigeria who are members of the Manufactures Association of Nigeria, with members including Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc and International Breweries Plc.
Broadcast Schedule.
|
S/N |
STATION |
FREQUENCY |
DATE |
AIRING TIME |
| 1. | Channels TV | DSTV/ GOTV | Wednesday, September 4, 2019 | 10: 00 PM |
| 2. | Classic FM | 97.3 FM | Thursday, September 5, 2019 | 6: 30 AM |
| 3. | FRCN Network | 103.5 FM
97.7 FM |
Thursday, September 5, 2019 | 7: 00 AM |
By Adedapo Adesanya
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, with 61.54 per cent of candidates obtaining credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
The Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, Mr Amos Dangut, announced the results at a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday.
Mr Dangut said 1,200,514 candidates met the benchmark for admission to higher institutions, out of the 1,950,726 candidates who sat the examination nationwide, held between April 24 and June 19.
He said 102,708 examiners were engaged in the marking exercise held at 88 marking venues across the country between 2 July and 20 July.
“Today, I am happy to inform you that all the processes leading to the release of results have been completed. It is now my pleasure to announce the release of the results of candidates who sat the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2026 in Nigeria,” he said, directing candidates to the agency’s portal to access their results.
“UPDATE: 2026 WASSCE (SC) results have been released. Generate your PIN at waec.org and check your results now on waecdirect.org,” the examination body said, noting that candidates must obtain their Serial Number and PIN before they can check their results.
To generate the required credentials, candidates are expected to visit WAEC’s official website and select the “Serial Number and PIN” option at the top of the page.
They are then required to select the appropriate examination year and diet, enter their examination number and National Identification Number (NIN), and ensure that the NIN provided is the same one used during registration for the examination.
Candidates must also provide their email address and phone number to receive a One-Time Password (OTP).
After entering the OTP, candidates can recover their Serial Number and PIN, which they can subsequently use to check their results through WAEC Direct.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Over 200 senior students of Cleggs Girls High School, Surulere, Lagos, were on July 23, 2026, engaged in practical knowledge about the risks associated with smoking, vaping, and shisha.
This engagement was made possible through a collaboration between Breathe Life Foundation and Teach Nigeria Fellow.
Participants were students aged 15–19 years. They were also informed about the misconception that shisha is a safer alternative to cigarettes or other substances.
Through an engaging and interactive discussion, students explored the influence of peer pressure and learned practical strategies for making healthier, more informed lifestyle choices.
They also gained a better understanding of common environmental triggers of asthma and other respiratory conditions, including cigarette smoke, generator fumes, bush burning, mosquito coil smoke, candles, charcoal, and firewood.
The session highlighted an important reality: young people may not always recognise how seemingly routine lifestyle choices and environmental exposures can gradually affect their respiratory health, quality of life, and long-term wellbeing.
For Breathe Life Foundation, this reinforces the importance of shifting the conversation from treatment to prevention through awareness and education.
By equipping young people with the knowledge to identify risks and make healthier choices early, the foundation is helping to build a generation that is more conscious of – and better prepared to protect – its respiratory health.
The organisation said it is dedicated to advancing respiratory health, an often-neglected public health priority. Healthy lungs are essential to life, yet respiratory diseases remain among the world’s leading causes of death and disability, even though many are preventable and treatable.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) schemes, the Obajana Plant of Dangote Cement Plc has distributed some educational materials to some pupils in Kogi State.
The items shared to the beneficiaries included school bags, exercise books, writing materials, water bottles, and other essential learning aids aimed at enhancing the learning experience of the pupils and preparing them for the next academic session.
The General Manager for the Social Performance Department of Dangote Cement at Obajana Plant, Mr Ademola Adeyemi, said the materials were donated days after Dangote Cement distributed similar education materials to pupils in public schools in its catchment communities of Oyo, Iwaa, Obajana and Apata; and commissioned a multi-million-naira hospital in Obajana, which added to the growing list of social investments that includes an earlier hospital project in Iwaa and Oyo Communities.
He noted that, over the years, the company has invested billions of naira in a wide range of social programmes for host communities, including empowerment programmes, road construction, and potable water projects, and it remains resolute in its commitment to sustaining and expanding its interventions.
He noted that the company’s corporate social responsibility programmes are aligned with government development priorities and are implemented through sustained, mutually beneficial partnerships.
“The intervention was informed by findings from a needs assessment conducted by Dangote Cement. During the assessment, it was observed that several pupils attended school without school bags, while others carried their books by hand. It was also discovered that many students lacked essential learning materials such as exercise books, pens, pencils, and other basic learning materials,” the cement firm said.
The Head Teacher of UBE LGEA School, St. Luke Model II, Adankolo, Lokoja Local Government Area, Mr Abubakar Sanni, expressed profound appreciation to the management of Dangote Cement for the gesture.
The Head Teacher expressed gratitude to the Group President of the conglomerate, Aliko Dangote, for extending the company’s educational support programme beyond its host and impacted communities to schools located at the state headquarters.
The beneficiaries, school management, parents, and community stakeholders expressed gratitude to Dangote Cement for the timely intervention and prayed for the continued growth and success of the company in its efforts to improve lives and support sustainable community development.
