Education
Oyo: FG Feeds 209,123 Pupils in 2,448 Public Primary Schools
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP) is already having a positive impact in Oyo State as the scheme has benefited not less than 209,123 pupils drawn from 2,448 public primary schools.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Christiana Abioye, while speaking at an event organised for 66 trained personnel from the state, noted that the initiative has ensured more equitable distribution of resources to vulnerable populations.
According to her, the programme has helped the vulnerable population to have improved and sustainable living conditions, with an increase in the economic growth of the state.
In view of this, the Oyo State government has praised the federal government for coming up with the scheme, noting that it was attracting more children to schools.
In a statement issued by the Ministry’s Media Officer, Temilola Akarah, it was disclosed that the training exercise was for independent monitors, who were selected across the 33 local government areas for timely reports of the scheme. They were also given engagement letters and tablets.
Mrs Abioye, who reiterated that the scheme was a right step in the right direction, noted that the federal government social investment programme was in line with the poverty alleviation programme of the state Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde.
“This administrative believes in quality education, good health and adequate security as well as the thriving economy which are in tandem with the aims and objectives of the federal government, NSIP,” she said.
The Perm Sec, however, appealed to the federal government to expand the social investment programme in view of the increasing population in the state.
The Minister, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, said the 66 youths had earlier been trained on the assignment.
Represented by the Assistant Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, in the Ministry, Mrs Jumai Abdu-Ali, the Minister added that a re-training on the application of the social investment management information system (SIMIS) became imperative for effective service delivery.
“The application allows the Ministry to have visibility up to the local government level which will guide us at the federal level to ensure that the programme is working in line with their objectives which will essentially help us to deliver on our mandate and contribute to Mr President’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty,” she said.
Hajia Farouk said the sum of N30,000 would be paid as a stipend to the participants while the contract would last for one year.
The Minister who said 4,452 applicants were shortlisted out of 5,000 applicants Nationwide, stressed the need for the participants to handle the task given them diligently.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Disability Matters, Barrister Ayodele Adekanmbi and the State Director, National Orientation Agency, Oyo State, Mrs Folake Ayoola commended the efforts of the Federal government and urged the independent monitors to carry out the assignment with the heart of sincerity and use the gadgets for the purpose meant for.
Also, two of the participants, Mr Olayinka Babarinde and Mrs Jumoke Ismail lauded the programme and appealed to the federal government to sustain the scheme, so as to enable them to plan their future through the stipends that would be given to them.
The independent monitoring officials are to undertake periodic reports on the performance of all federal government programmes in their respective local governments in Oyo State.
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.
