18082019 -Anxiety over " Next Level" Ministers

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PAGE 44 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 18, 2019 Tribute IN 1970 when Austin Avuru got into Orogun Grammar School (OGS), STEM referred to one thing, a structural axis or branch of a tree. But today, as Judith Hallinen writes in an April 12, 2017 brittanica.com article, STEM now refers to a new field of study encompassing “science, technology, engineering, and mathematics…introduced in 2001 by scientific administrators at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The organization previously used the acronym SMET when referring to the career fields in those disciplines or a curriculum that integrated knowledge and skills from those fields. In 2001, however, American biologist Judith Ramaley, then assistant director of education and human resources at NSF, rearranged the words to form the STEM acronym. Since then, STEM-focused curriculum has been extended to many countries beyond the United States, with programs developed in places such as Australia, China, France, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. What does STEM have to do with Austin Avuru who grew up in rural Abbi of the late 60s and early 70s and attended school at the provincial but well regarded OGS ? Plenty as we will soon see. But first some rumination. If life was fair and we all get what we wish for, Austin Avuru may not be the CEO of Nigeria’s pre-eminent oil and gas independent. “He would probably be a poorly paid journalist sweating it out in a musty newsroom with poor lighting and faulty air conditioning. Or maybe he would be a poor writer, famous across Africa and the rest of the world but unable to pay his bills or his children’s school fees. But maybe, not to be too pessimistic, he could have become a top level economist, working for the Central Bank or the Africa Development Bank or maybe the IMF. As he remembers it, his natural inclination was to the arts and social sciences. Science was not in his purview. He liked his English Literature as well as Economics and Commerce. He had grown up the son of a business woman who had married one of the richest men in their village so there was a natural or maybe reflex reaction to business. The year was 1973 and Austin Avuru was about to choose the subjects he would enter for his West African School Certificate exams. Choosing a subject was a momentous occasion because the subjects you chose in Form 3 defined, in many ways, your subsequent academic and career trajectory. I was going to choose these social sciences,” he recalls but he had a new teacher, a 25 years old chain smoking geologist who had been posted to OGS to teach physics. His name was Solomon Abba and as Austin recalls it one day, his young teacher asked him what subjects he was planning to choose and what he was planning to study at University. I said I will study Business Administration in the university. He said why? I said I want to be a businessman. And he said, but you can be a businessman even if you read engineering. I said really? He said yes. So, that’s how I dropped a few subjects. I brought in Physics then dropped French and Commerce. I also brought in Geography and kept Economics. My strength was in the social sciences. So, if I had read Economics, Sociology, especially Economics or Sociology or even the Arts, if I had read English Language or Literature in English, maybe I would have made a First Class without having to even work as hard as I did. But finishing secondary school, we were told that if you are a brilliant student you should be studying the sciences. Today, that youth corps teacher is an Emeritus Professor at the Federal University, Bauchi. His name is Solomon Abba. Austin Avuru credits him with steering the ship of his destiny unto the path of STEM. “If there was any real influence on me in my secondary school, it was Mr. Abba who is now Professor Abba. Professor Abba’s influence cannot be glossed over because Austin Avuru came from a home where there was no real influence academically. His mother was not schooled and the only educated adult in the family was his aunt Margaret who was married to the brilliant whip wielding teacher, Steve Emuh. But even then, how educated were they?“And this was not peculiar to Austin Avuru. It was the same for his bosom friend Pius Opute. He was also influenced by Abba to study the sciences because their natural brilliance made them STEM candidates. Before Abba came to OGS and turned the Tribute @ 61: How Austin Avuru became a science student •Austin Avuru youngster’s gazes towards the sciences Austin and Pius had a favourite teacher. His name was Mr. Iwebema and he taught them English. He wasn’t a graduate but the boys didn’t even realise it. He had an NCE but his students thought he was a professor and the best teacher on earth. He tooled around town in a spiffy Vespa and taught English Language as if he was first cousin to the Queen. Thanks to him, Austin made A3 in English which was remarkably impressive in a village school like OGS. Why was Abba so influential in the lives of the two young Abbi boys and their eventual academic choices...? First was a perception of cool.“Solomon Abba was just 25 in 1973. Born in 1948 he had graduated with a 2:1 in Geology from Ahmadu Bello University and had come to Abbi among the first set of youth corps members when the scheme was launched in 1973. He was a young man just like the 17- year-old boys he was teaching Physics. His cool If life was fair and we all get what we wish for, Austin Avuru may not be the CEO of Nigeria’s pre-eminent oil and gas independent quotient was ratcheted higher by the fact that he was a chain smoking geology graduate who made physics look like arithmetic. We just liked him,” Austin Avuru says with a fond smile. “Pius and I thought he was the most brilliant person on earth. He would come and teach us Physics and he had a way of dramatizing things. He always had a cigarette in one hand. He would be teaching and smoking a cigarette and when we told him to slow down that it was getting too difficult to follow he would laugh and say “wait till we get to Almighty formula.” Secondly, Solomon Abba’s counsel was sought after and accepted because these were brilliant young boys with no role models when it came to academics. By the time they were choosing their subjects and preparing for WAEC, there was really no one in their families to go to provide sound counsel. So, following Abba’s counsel, Austin Avuru settled for Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Biology and then English Language, Literature in English, Economics and Geography. If he hadn’t met Abba, Austin Avuru would never have read Physics and mostly probably wouldn’t have toed the science line at all. By the time he and his friend, Pius Opute sat for their school certificate exams, Solomon Abba was long gone but the seed he had sown in them had germinated and the impact he had on them is best captured by this quote attributed to William Arthur Ward: “The mediocre teacher tells/The good teacher explains/The superior teacher demonstrates/ The great teacher inspires. They were so inspired that they finished with the two best results in their year. Out of 118 students, Austin Avuru and Pius Opute emerged the only ones with Division 1.“After finishing school, the two friends had a few options. Go to university; go for A-levels or teach.“They chose to teach to the chagrin of their former principal, Mr. Demas Akpore. By this time, Demas Akpore had handed over the school he founded to the state government “without collecting a dime” Austin Avuru recalls. After the take-over, Akpore, who would later gain national prominence as Deputy Governor of Bendel state under Ambrose Alli, went to Ughelli as principal of Government College, Ughelli.“He was disappointed that his two best students were choosing to teach instead of gaining more knowledge and preparing for university by going for their A’Levels. So, that was how the duo applied to become teachers. They were accepted and posted to some primary school near Ughelli. But the new principal, Mr. Ozulu intervened. He went out of his way to change their posting from the primary school they had been posted to by the school management board back to OGS and so, between the two of them, they taught Mathematics, Physics and Biology to students in Classes 3 – 5. Austin Avuru was just 17 years old. (Excerpted from A Safe Pair of Hands, The Austin Avuru Biography” by Peju Akande and Toni Kan.)“ Fayemi’s aide bags UN award By Paschaline Nwakudo pecial Adviser on Development S Partnership, to Ekiti State governor, Mrs. Margaret Taiwo Fagboyo, has been conferred with a leadership award by the United Nations. The award, “Distinguished Leader and Role Model Award,” was bestowed on her for her exemplary support for the development and empowerment of youths. Before her appointment as an aide, Mrs. Fagboyo was the Programme Manager, South-West for the Department for International Development (DFID) The UN award was by Centre for Leadership and Good Governance International in conjunction with NGM Group. It was part of activities marking the United Nations’ 2019 International Youth Day. Delivering a keynote address at the event, Fagboyo declared to the distinguished gathering that “Human capital, particularly the youths, not oil, will determine Nigeria’s future”. Speaking further on the topic “Transforming Education”, she said population growth will make Africa’s youth to be 10 times the size of the young population of the European Union by 2050, which could be a demographic dividend if the right action is taken on time. New enter ertainment hub, ‘Kohinoor Lagos’ ups the ante T he city of Lagos recently shook to its roots as one of the new leading lounges, Kohinoor Lagos, partnered with Dublin Irish Whiskey, Jameson, to thrill fun-seekers to a delightful experience at its Kusenla, Ikate- Elegushi location in Lagos. Nigerians seeking various lifestyle experiences had their most expectations fulfilled at the night when soul music singer and multi-instrumentalist, Bez, alongside Lagos based ‘Afrocentric influenced’ band, Cavemen by Kingsley and Benjamin Okorie took the center stage with their performance of Afro-beats, highlife, jazz, R&B and soul music. With about 10-business units, The Kohinoor Hub is a one-stop center which hosts a supermarket – Madiba Mart, a restaurant, lounge and bar – Kohinoor Lounge, a pharmacy, a bakery, a fast food place, a farmers’ mart, an ice creams place, a café, a work zone with amazing work stations for lease. The mall has complimenting short let apartments, which as well, hosts on its rooftop, the Skyline Lounge, Skyline Spar and Skyline Gym. Within few months of opening, the hub has positioned itself as a fascinating go-to-place for all lifestyle desires of her customers by providing the convenience of shopping at affordable prices that gives one value for money; a place to relax with friends and a work zone that enables networking, amongst other offers. To further provide convenience to customers, an online shopping is available, where customers can purchase online and their orders will be delivered to their doorsteps. There is also two automated teller machines (ATMs) set up outside the mall to serve buyers and residents in the environment. My passion and joy is seeing the youth discover themselves —Agatha Amata The Chief Executive Officer, Rave Tv, Mrs Agatha Amata has disclosed that her passion and joy is seeing the youth discover themselves and be more productive in the country. Disclosing this at Rave Tv unveiling of a new logo to commemorate her 5th anniversary on national digital terrestrial television, Agatha said her passion for the youth has endeared her to work more with young people. She noted that Rave Tv, just like inside out, is a bigger platform for youths and people who wants to express themselves to the world. “Many of the people working with me are very young talented people who are working for the first time and that is the essence of Rave tv because they have been able to discover themselves. With the relaunch and unveiling of its new logo, that is youthful, approachable, timeless and fit for the 21st century audience to leave a top of the mind rave experience amongst our viewers, online and offline” she stated. She disclosed that Rave Tv will be repositioning her stand in the digital broadcast space as Nigeria’s first so exciting, interactive youth focused television with the relaunch and unveiling of its new logo. According to her, Nigerians wants to err their views and Rave Tv has alot of programs that gives room for that. “In the twenty years plus that I hosted Inside out, we give people opportunity to err their views and think right and they have a voice that can be heard. We have been able to provide that space for them to experiment and after five years, its going to be bigger and better” she stated.
African Games: I’m not under pressure to break Ajunwa’s record, says Brume By Ben Efe Nigeria’s long jump sensation, Ese Brume has been tipped to win the gold at Africa Games which is expected to go in full swing today in Rabat, Morocco. Brume leads the African jump with a massive 7.05m the second world leading time after Tanzania born German jumper Malaika Mihambo’s 7.16m. Ese is bustling with a good form this season is being tipped to do more for herself in the days to come with Chioma Ajunwa’s 7.12m long standing African record in sight, but humble Brume said yesterday that she isn’t under any kind of pressure to surpass the mark even though it is something she would gladly record as a personal life time achievement. “No I’m not under any kind of pressure to break the African record. I know that people are looking up to me to do it but... Im just taking every step as it comes. Glory to God when that record breaking distance comes,” said Brume. She maintained that she is focused on her training and would be joining the Nigerian team in Morocco from her base in Cyprus. “I’m going out there to do my best and better myself and also give God the glory,” Brume added. Osinbajo urges Nigerian masters to brace up for World Championships Vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has urged Nigerian athletics masters to brace up for the challenges of the IAAF World Athletics Masters Championships billed for Canada next year. Prof. Osinbajo made the charge when a group of Nigerian masters paid him a courtesy call during the week in Abuja, to intimate the Nigerian number two with their plans and aspiration for the championships meant to keep retired athletes busy in their old age. Osinbajo commended the dedication of the athletes led by Falilat Ogunkoya, reigning African 400m record holder at 49.10 seconds. Osinbajo said it was a good thing retired athletes were still looking fit and strong, he added that other sports order than athletes should also embrace the concept. He offered his moral and financial support for the masters in their quest to represent Nigeria in the championships next year. “The vice president appreciated our efforts,” said Ogunkoya. “We are doing our best to give a good representation to Nigeria next year at the Cham- pionships and the good thing is that we have support of the Vice President, sports ministry and though we still need more support from members of the public, our plans are well on track.” Other members present at the villa for the visit are Mr Samuel Onikeku (Executive Board Member of NAM) Mr Peters Femi Olajide (Medallist) Mr Abudullahi Mekudi (Medallist) Mr Dele Ige (Medallist) Mrs Abosede Funke Ogunfuye ( Facilitator) Mr Omisakin Alabi Olatokunbo ( Journalist / Media Consultant For NAM). Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo greets members of the Nigeria Athletics Masters in Abuja Guinea put Put out for life The Guinea Football Federation (Feguifoot) has placed a life ban on former Guinea coach Paul Put and a seven year suspension on the federation’s vice president, Amadou Diaby. Feguifoot’s ethics commission ruled that both Put and Diaby had allegedly breached the institution’s code of ethics and its code of discipline. 63-year-old Put was in charge of Guinea at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations where the Syli Nationale exited the tournament in the round of 16. Feguifoot’s ethics commission confirmed both men have also been handed hefty fines following an investigation, with Paul Put ordered to pay 100,000 euros (approximately US$ 110,944) while Amadou Diaby has been fined 25,000 euros (approximately US$ 27,736) . Belgian tactician Paul Put was sacked by Guinea last month amidst an “atmosphere of mistrust,” according to the Guinea Federation. *Paul Put Bring it On... Ese Brume D’Tigers’ trip to China under threat D ’Tigers’ earlier scheduled trip to China in continuation of their preparation for the FIBA World Cup may have suffered a setback over paucity of funds as the Nigeria Basketball Federation continues struggling to make funds available. This much was made known to journalists at the weekend by the General Manager of the team, Musa Adamu when asked about the team’s plan for the FIBA 2019 World Cup in China. “I cannot tell you exactly when the team is leaving for China, the basketball federation has been doing a lot for this team. We started this elimination over a year ago and now going to two years and the federation has been funding the trips for each window. “Each window, we had to bring players, fly them down, accommodate them and also pay insurance and all these things have been done single-highhandedly by the federation with a promise from the ministry to support us, but we are still expecting and hoping that they will do so before we leave for China,” Adamu continued. The former Nigerian international revealed that despite plans to adequately prepare the team for the apex global sports fiesta, the unavailability of funds might just be the clog in the wheel of the team’s preparation.- “The team is here in Nigeria, so we hope that they will act because we don’t know when we will leave. There are no funds available for now. The federation is looking up to the Ministry with the hope that the funds will be released for us to leave” Vanguard, SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2019 — 45 Siasia faces hard choices after FIFA ban Former Super Eagles striker and coach, Samson Siasia failed to address the media yesterday to give his own account of the story following a life ban slammed on him by world soccer governing body FIFA over match fixing allegations. Siasia denied any knowledge of the matching fixing allegations, it was revealed that FIFA wrote to him twice in February 13 2019 and March 7 2019 to defend himself and he failed to do so, hence the decision to give him a life ban a fine of N18m. Though he was not involved in any match fixing, but the fact that he accepted to collect bribes and throw a match is the expression of intent and was enough for FIFA to slam the coach. He is now left with the choice 2019 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket final D’Tigress chase historic fourth title against Senegal By John Egbokhan Nigeria’s women national basketball side, D’Tigress will today in the 15,000 seater Dakar Arena, go up in arms against Senegal in the final of the 2019 FIFA Women’s AfroBasket Championship, with the Nigerians chasing an historic fourth title, while the hosts are bidding for a record 13th crown It is the second time in two years that both sides will clash in the final of Africa’s premier basketball tournament for women. With four impressive wins under their belt against Tunisia, Cameroon, Congo Democratic Republic and Mali, it would not be a walk in the park for D’Tigress who face a Senegal side yet to lose a match so far in front of their fans On the evidence of Friday’s semifinal tie against Mozambique, where they came back from the dead, overturning an 18 point deficit to overcome a strong Mozambique charge 60- 57 to book their third straight Final, the hosts will be buzzing with self D’Tigress *Siasia of appealing the ban or accepting it. “I believe Siasia should access the situation thoroughly especially with the two letters confirmed he was given room to defend himself,” said former NFF technical director Chris Greene. belief that they can finally stop the rampaging Nigerians from running away with a second successive title and make up for the loss to D’Tigress, in the final two years ago. Senegal head coach, Cheikh Sarr hopes his star performers like captain Astou Traore, who slammed home 16 points, nine rebounds against Mozambique, Bintou Dieme and Sy- Diop will turn up big time against D’Tigress. Having looked flawless so far and playing in their fifth FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Final, all eyes will be on D’Tigress star, Ezinne Kalu, who for the second match in a row, top scored with 19 points, made five assists and two rebounds to continue her impressive run, which Nigerians hope will not abate against Senegal. Captain Adaora Elonu, Evelyn Akhator and Atonye Nyingifa who added 13, 12 and 10 points against Mali are also ready to seize their chances in today’s final, with Akhator stating that “”we are going for the title and believe that we will get’’.
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