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The federal government said with the new curriculum set to roll out for Basic and Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria, every student must graduate with at least two skills.

The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman who stated this said the new curriculum is designed to incorporate knowledge, skills and values at Basic and Senior Secondary Education levels.

He stated this at the 68th National Council on Education (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, with the theme, “Innovation, Digital Technology Entrepreneurship: Tools for Educational and National Development in the 21st Century. “He said the new curriculum is designed to incorporate knowledge, skills and values, especially with a special focus on skills, so that students, when they graduate, will have skills that they can connect with the economy and have a productive life.

He explained that today, they share a common challenge that the country’s educational curriculum is all in danger of becoming obsolete as technology is disrupting every industry, including education. “A well-designed and effective curriculum determines a sustainable development, quality, and the relevance of education. This is the main reason why this administration places priority on the institutionalisation of curriculum development in the overall context of education,” he said.

The ministry, according to him, is implementing the Education Transformation Agenda of Mr. President designed to comprehensively overhaul the education sector to ensure quality learning, skill development, access and equity. Prof Mamman reaffirmed that government has the primary responsibility of protecting and ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels for all learners.

“The government therefore, is committed to observing all relevant international protocols, conventions and treaties for the protection of our learners, teachers, learning institutions and facilities from atta3k and any other instrument on education, which the country has domesticated.”

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu said any nation that is desirous of growth must in essence embrace the new culture of creative ideas, entrepreneurship and the use of digital technology. He said: “To meet the challenges posed by new technological development, we must ensure that the educational system is structured and made more relevant to the needs and aspirations of the society.”

Sununu noted that new and relevant ideas must be injected into the system to enhance national development, adding that education at all levels needs renewal in order to meet up with the present globalisation.

Also, the Chairman Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Muntari Mohammed said digital literacy must be a fundamental component of the curriculum, adding that their leadership remains focused to ensure stability in the education sector.

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Six of the 11 journalists reportedly kidnapped while travelling to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State through Anambra State to cover the Super Eagles’ game against Libya have been rescued by security agents.

The journalists were said to have been abducted on Wednesday on a bus travelling through Isseke, near Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

However, it is reported that one of the journalists was shot d£ad by the kidnappers during the atta3k

Confirming the incident, the state police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated, “Joint security forces have successfully rescued six members of the media crew who were abducted while travelling from Lagos to Uyo along the Isseke-Orlu Road in Ihiala. Operations are still ongoing for the possible rescue of a seventh crew member. Further developments shall be communicated.”

In response to the situation, the National Secretariat of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria issued a statement by Ikenna Okonkwo, urging state chapters to provide the full list and identities of their members covering the Super Eagles’ qualifying match. “Following the rumoured kidnap of some sports writers said to be on their way to Uyo to cover the Super Eagles match against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya, we urge the state chapter leaderships to immediately furnish the national secretariat with any necessary information regarding any SWAN member who might be involved.

At the moment, the SWAN President, Mr Isaiah Benjamin, and indeed the National Executive Committee are committed to the welfare and well-being of members and have been inundated with calls on the situation, but nothing has been confirmed yet,” the statement read. The association also advised members to always inform their local secretariats of their movements during critical times such as this in Nigeria.

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American consumers remain cautious about making "big ticket" purchases like appliances, electronics, and home improvement projects, Bank of America analysts wrote Thursday.

There is "little sign today of any recessionary warning lights from durables," the analysts wrote. But recent editions of the survey behind the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index, they added, indicated that Americans felt that it wasn't a good time to buy household goods.

"This suggests to us that consumers may be making a conscious decision to rein in relatively expensive durable purchases, possibly as they skew their spending towards more ‘value’ products," the analysts wrote.

Bank of America's analysts found that spending on other discretionary sectors like restaurants, airlines, and hotels has remained steadier, suggesting consumers are opting for value in as many purchases as possible, shifting bigger-ticket spending to experiences like travel and dining out.

A number of retailers like Home Depot (HD) and Lowe's (LOW) have noted the trend in recent quarters, with executives saying home improvement projects spiked during the pandemic, but have slowed as inflation led to higher spending on essentials and many postponed projects.

The analysts said that the durables category has "forward momentum" based on sales data, but value-hunting shoppers and a preference for experiences "injects a note of caution" into their projections for the sector.

Prices for consumer goods and services rose faster than expected last month, according to fresh inflation data reported earlier today. Read more of Investopedia's coverage of that data here.

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