Business News
Lagos State partners Microsoft to train 18,000 teachers
“We are looking at the pandemic. The main thing for us is safety first, safety second, safety third. If we are certain that our children are fairly safe, we will open school.” – Lagos State’s Commissioner for education
In a bid to improve the quality of teachers through the adoption of global best teaching and learning practices in the state’s education system, Lagos State Government has partnered Microsoft to train 18, 000 teachers on the Microsoft office suite.
According to Lagos State’s Commissioner for Education Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, the ministry decided to use the lockdown period to improve the teachers and by so doing, partnered with Microsoft to train the teachers on digital literacy.
Talking on the Eko Excel Programme, which was part of the administration’s THEMES agenda, Adefisayo noted that it had helped improve the teaching and learning experiences in the classroom between the teachers and pupils.
(READ MORE: Interview with Sam Egube, LASG Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget.)
Regular employment to replace retired teachers
In a related development, the state government is also considering the quarterly recruitment of teachers into the state civil service, given the high rate of retirement in the state. Adefisayo disclosed this during an online show, Covinspiration, which was moderated by Special Representative to the United Nations, and British Council Global Change-maker, Mr Dayo Israel, and reported by NAN.
While discussing plans of the current administration for education, the commissioner said that the state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has granted the Ministry of Education permission to replace retired teachers and prevent gaps in the system.
“The most important aspect of learning is the quality of teachers and we did not have enough teachers to actualise the set plan for learning in our public schools,” she explained.
Adefisayo added that the state ministry of education is currently in the final stage of recruiting 2,000 to boost primary school education in the state.
(READ MORE: Lagos State conducts social media poll on whether to lock down or not.)
No date fixed for resumption yet
Adefisayo noted that no date has been fixed for school resumption because the government is still observing the trends, discussing with federal agencies, and putting the needed facilities in place.
“We are looking at the pandemic. The main thing for us is safety first, safety second, safety third. If we are certain that our children are fairly safe, we will open school,” she said.
The commissioner also assured that online digital classes would not end after schools resume. Instead, online classes would be used to reinforce classroom teaching. She added that the ministry has received devices from donors and would be giving the same it out to the pupils to aid their learning in the coming weeks.
Business
Hyundai and Kia to set up an assembly plants in Ghana by 2022
The automobile giants will join Toyota-Suzuki, Nissan, Kantanka, Volkswagen, and Sinotruck who already have plants in Ghana.
Few weeks after Twitter announced its plans to open its first African office in Ghana, Hyundai and Kia have also concluded plans to set up an assembly plants in Ghana by 2022. The automobile giants will join Toyota-Suzuki, Nissan, Kantanka, Volkswagen, and Sinotruck who already have plants.
Ghana’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen announced this on Twitter.
Pleased to announce that Hyundai & KIA are set to establish assembly plants in Ghana by the end of 2022 to join Toyota-Suzuki, Nissan, Kantanka, Volkswagen & Sinotruck. The Ghana Auto Development programme = 3,600 assembly & 6,600 manufacturing parts jobs in Ghana. #InvestforJobs pic.twitter.com/JMHAmlM5VI
— Alan John Kyerematen (@AlanKyerematen) April 22, 2021
READ: This is the New Tarrif Structure For Importing Tokunbo & Brand New Cars
“Pleased to announce that Hyundai & KIA are set to establish assembly plants in Ghana by the end of 2022 to join Toyota-Suzuki, Nissan, Kantanka, Volkswagen & Sinotruck. The Ghana Auto Development program = 3,600 assemblies & 6,600 manufacturing parts jobs in Ghana.
“The local assembly of vehicles, 3,600 direct and indirect jobs would be created in Ghana, and the addition of components and parts manufacturing will also add about 6,600 direct and indirect jobs.”
READ: Toyota snubs Nigeria as it moves to establish assembly plants in Ghana, Ivory Coast
Why this matters
More foreign companies are shunning Nigeria in favour of Ghana. Recently, Nairametrics reported that Amazon is set to situate its African Headquarters in South Africa, a multi-billion dollar investment that is projected to create over 20,000 jobs both directly and indirectly.
Following its move to Ghana, Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey cited a number of human rights-related reasons for the choice of Ghana over Nigeria. Added to this are rising insecurity, stifling government regulations and the gapping infrastructural deficit bedevilling Nigeria. Consequently, our nation is steadily losing opportunities to attract foreign companies that could be very instrumental in bridging its unemployment gap which is currently over 30%.
Business
Passports: Backlog of undelievered passports to be fixed before May 31st – Minister
The government also announced the launch of a new passport application system, which would be aided by fast track services nationwide.
