How can technology make a Nigeria child a better citizen

 Nigeria is a country with a growing population of children, who are the future leaders of the nation. Therefore, it is important to prepare them to become better citizens, with an understanding of their roles and responsibilities towards the nation. One way to achieve this is through the use of technology.

Technology has become an essential part of our lives, and it can be used to enhance the education and development of children. With the increasing availability of affordable technology, such as smartphones and tablets, it is now possible to reach children in remote areas, and provide them with the tools they need to become better citizens.

One of the ways technology can be used to make Nigerian children better citizens is through e-learning. E-learning platforms can provide children with access to educational resources, such as books, videos, and tutorials. These resources can be used to teach them about their history, culture, and values, which are important for building their sense of identity and belonging to the nation.

Furthermore, e-learning can also be used to teach children about citizenship and their responsibilities towards the nation. Through online forums, children can engage with other students and teachers, discussing issues related to citizenship, such as patriotism, volunteerism, and community service.

In addition, technology can be used to teach children English, which is the official language of Nigeria and an important tool for communication and economic development. With the use of language-learning apps and online resources, children can improve their English skills, which will help them to better communicate with people from different regions of the country, and to compete in the global market.

Another way technology can be used to make Nigerian children better citizens is through online mentoring programs. These programs can connect children with mentors who can guide and inspire them to become better citizens. Mentors can provide children with advice, support, and encouragement, helping them to develop the skills and values they need to succeed in life.

In conclusion, technology has the potential to play a crucial role in the development of Nigerian children as better citizens. By providing them with access to educational resources, e-learning platforms, and online mentoring programs, we can empower them to become active, engaged, and responsible members of society. Through the use of technology, we can help build a better future for Nigeria, one child at a time.

Women of Methodist Church Nigeria

 

Women of Methodist Church Nigeria have been spotted at the popular OPET junction in Umuahia, capital of Abia State soliciting for good leaders in the state.

They formed a cycle with their full body to the ground as they prayed. Though they did not speak with newsmen when approached, they were heard loudly praying for God to send good leaders to salvage Abia State.

CREDIT: ABN TV

ASUU strike: Buhari told us not to sign agreement govt cannot implement, says minister

 By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, Tuesday, disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari warned the government team involved in the negotiation with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, against signing an agreement that government would be unable to implement.

The minister, in his speech at the ongoing meeting of Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities, at the National Universities Commission, said the meeting convened at the instance of NUC, became “necessary and urgent due to certain misconceptions and misinformation in the public domain, regarding the ongoing strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.”

“Not only is our interaction today necessary, it is also urgent to clarify the misrepresentations and draw your attention to the facts which you, as Managers of our Universities, ought to know by virtue of your assigned duties. It is indeed one of your statutory duties to negotiate with your workers on matters of their welfare and conditions of service,”he said.

He recalled that the “current industrial action in our Public Universities started on 14th February, 2022 when ASUU commenced a two-week warning strike over the non Implementation of agreements reached between Government and the Union.

“In all we have been doing, our guide has been the directive of Mr President Muhammadu Buhari, namely, that while the unions should be persuaded to return to work, Government should not repeat the past mistakes of accepting to sign an agreement it will be unable to implement. Government should not, in the guise of resolving current challenges, sow seeds for future disruptions,”he said.

He regretted that,”To confound matters further, the three other university non-teaching staff unions – SSANU, NASU and NAAT also declared trade disputes against the Federal Government and commenced nationwide Industrial actions a few weeks later. NAAT started its strike on March 17, 2022 while the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU followed suit on March 27, 2022.”

“In response to the Unions’ demands, the Federal Government reconstituted the FGN/University-based Unions 2009 Agreement Renegotiation Committee, with Emeritus Professor Nimi Briggs as Chairman on 7th March, 2022. The Committee was charged with the responsibility of concluding the ongoing Federal Government renegotiation efforts with the University-based Unions and producing appropriate solutions, workable and enduring agreements for the improvement of the Nigerian University System (NUS),”he said.

The minister’s speech read further:”While the Briggs Committee was busy interacting with the Unions on all the issues, a Federal Government Inter-ministerial Team, under the leadership of the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, was simultaneously engaging the Unions and resolving some of their minor demands, such as salary shortages and payment of arrears of the minimum wage consequential adjustments as well as payment of promotion arrears. The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning was able to resolve most of these issues by the end of July, 2022.

“On May 12, 2022, about three months into the strike, a high powered Tripartite Plus Conciliation Meeting was held at State House Banquet Hall, at the instance of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, with a view to finding solutions to those issues that were considered thorny and generic to both the teaching staff (ASUU) and non-teaching staff Unions (SSANU, NASU and NAAT). Two of the issues specified during the meeting were categorised under the following:University Transparency and Accountability Solutions (UTAS) by ASUU and the University Peculiar Personnel and Payroll System (U3PS) b. Delay in Re-Negotiation of 2009 Agreements-conditions of service, wages and allowances

“It is important to note that this special conciliation meeting was chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari and had in attendance the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Ministers of Labour, Education and Finance, the Head of Service and top government officials. The meeting was also attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and all the other critical stakeholders, including the leadership of the four University-based Unions (ASUU, NASU, SSANU and NAAT).

“There were two major outcomes of the meeting. The first was the decision to test the two proposed salary payment solutions, developed by the Unions namely, the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) proposed by ASUU, and the University Peculiar Personnel and Payroll system (U3PS), jointly proposed by SSANU and NASU, The two solutions were to be tested alongside the existing Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The report of the Presidential Committee that was charged with the responsibility of harmonizing the three payment platforms for effective deployment in the system, would be made public as soon as the process is concluded.

“The second outcome of the meeting was an agreement on the need to speedily conclude the renegotiation process in a manner that would be in tune with the realities of the national economy. This would require the Government to carefully and critically examine and review any draft agreement emanating from the Renegotiation Committee to ensure that the financial implications contained therein are sustainable by the current realities of the national economy.

“Soon after the Conciliatory Tripartite Meeting in May, the Nimi Briggs Team concluded the re-negotiation with ASUU and produced a Draft Agreement, which was forwarded to the Federal Government, through the Honourable Minister of Education, for consideration and approval. Similarly, the re-negotiation with the non-teaching staff unions had since commenced, and an appreciable progress had been made towards producing the desired agreements for consideration and approval by their respective principals.

“In the course of the exercise, the FGN Team made several attempts to wade into the Industrial crises between the FGN and the University-based Unions, with a view to finding a lasting and amicable solution to the challenges.

“After a series of meetings with His Excellency Mr President and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Minister of Labour and Productivity; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy as well as the DG of Budget and the Chairman, Salaries and Wages Commission and the Minister of Education, the Draft Agreement was critically reviewed and the proposed salary increment considered unrealistic and out of tune with the current realities of the national economy.”

On government’s offer,he said:”It was at this meeting that Mr. President approved that the Minister of Education should take over the negotiation and resolution of the crisis. Soon after the meeting, the Minister of Education conveyed the Federal Government’s offer to the Nimi Briggs Renegotiation Committee and to each of the four Unions.

“The package offered made centred around the four positions agreed upon by the government. It is as follows:That the Federal Government can only afford a 23.5% salary increase for all category of the workforce in Federal Universities, except for the professorial cadre which will enjoy a 35% upward review;

“That henceforth allowances that pertain to ad-hoc duties of the academic and non-academic staff shall be paid as at when due by the Governing Councils of Universities to which such services are rendered and to the staff who perform them;

“That a sum of 150 billion Naira shall be provided for in the 2023 Budget as funds for the revitalization of Federal Universities, to be disbursed to the Institutions in the First Quarter of the year, and

“That a sum of 50 billion Naira shall be provided for in the 2023 Budget for the payment of outstanding areas of earned academic allowances, to be paid in the First Quarter of the year.”

The four University-based Unions, in separate letters addressed to the Chairman of the Government Re-negotiating Team, rejected Government’s offer which they described as inadequate to meet their respective demands needed to tackle the challenges confronting the university system.

“Following the above development, I held several meetings with the individual striking University-based Unions, during which I explained the prevailing economic situation limiting the ability of Government to accede to all their demands. On those occasions, I also appealed to the Unions to consider and accept the Government’s offer and call off the on-going industrial actions in the interest of the nation’s educational system. Consequently, the Joint Action Committee of NASU/SSANU and NAAT suspended their industrial action. Unexpectedly, and quite fortunately, on Monday, 29th August, 2022, ASUU decided to extend its strike indefinitely. I want to say, categorically, however, that all is not lost: We have secured successes elsewhere.”

7 Roles and Responsibilities to Boost Your Media Ministry

The only agenda on a church media team should be to spread the Gospel in a strategic way that reaches as many people as possible.

Having a team and media leader in place who will act in the best interest of, both, the church and the pastor should be a top priority of using media as a ministry.

When composing your media team, seek out those members who are not only interested and creative, but those who have the heart and trust of the leader.

After all, there will be times when the media team will have to make media decisions on behalf of the pastor.

As you read the team roles below, keep in mind that these are not mandatory, nor is it an exhaustive list of all roles in the realm of church media.

Your church may not have the capacity or interest for all of these roles. They are listed to help kickstart your thinking in terms of what you should expect from (and expect to invest in) the individuals serving in those roles.

Team roles

Advertising Manager

Reports to Media Manager

Develops relationships with local media (radio/tv/print/outdoor), oversees and strategizes with them to develop an effective media strategy that provides the most bang for your buck

Closely monitors airplay, ensuring that all contractual obligations are met

Oversees advertising budget

Works closely with Social Media Manager and Website Manager to ensure consistency and oneness across all platforms

Media Manager

Delegates all duties of the media team

Monitors and keeps the leader informed of all media movement

Crafts, monitors, and implements media strategy

Responsible for staying abreast of media trends and determines if/how they are to be used

Photographer

Reports to Media Manager

Collects images of church happenings

Recommends equipment

Organizes and stores files weekly

Stays current on photography trends

Works closely with videographer (may also serve as videographer)

Print Liason

Reports of Media Manager

Proficient in a quality print/layout software such as Adobe in Design

Works closely with Advertising Manager for all projects involving printing

Responsible for ensure proper resolutions, file sizes, etc. necessary for optimal printing results

Social Media Manager

Reports to Media Manager

Responsible for crafting the social media message of the church (This is done by gathering relevant content and strategically posting it.

Responsible for searching for and sharing positive mentions of church name or happenings

Demonstrates timely responses and interaction with followers

Responsible for staying abreast of world news and determining its relevance to the overall media message and vision of the church (the two should already coincide)

Videographer

Reports to Media Manager

Responsible for collecting and editing videos church happenings

Stays current on video trends

Works closely with photographer (may also serve as photographer)

Website Manager

Reports to Media Manager

Responsible for keeping website updated (calendar dates/events are current, overall look is modern, typo-free, information is accurate, pictures/videos/audio are clear)

How to Effectively Build a Social Media Team for your Church Ministry

Social media is a powerful tool for any ministry that wants to serve people in this digital age. But it takes an army to keep it going. Having the right social media team can help you fulfil your ministry communication and promotional goals successfully.

Social media campaigns require multiple components to work together and various skill sets to execute them. For example, one simple image-based social media post on your Facebook page needs a minimum of 5 components – the image, the title, the body text, the link and the hashtags.

And to create these 5 components, you need 8 different skill sets (and one or more team members with these skills) – a strategist to come up with the strategy of why you are posting what you are posting, the leadership team to decide on the goal or objective of the post, a designer to work on the image for the post, a copywriter to create the posting content and title, a marketer to decide the landing page & the hashtags that go with the post, the IT web technology team to create the landing page for the post, the social media team to post it and a coordinator or manager to manage them all.

All this for just one social media post, in one social media channel!

That is why understanding the multiple skill sets required to run a social media campaign and having a plan to acquire these skills within your ministry team or volunteers team can be critical.

 Skills required for the efficient functioning of an effective social media team:

The various skills required and the various roles that need to be played by team members who run social media campaigns for your ministry are:

1. Source content creator

Team member(s) in your ministry who will preach, teach, advise and counsel people on a particular topic and create the source material for the ministry. This material could be in written format or spoken format – video or audio.

2. Digital strategist

Team member(s) who will use the source content to come up with digital & social media marketing campaigns, strategies, ideas and innovative ways of presenting your core message. This person should have knowledge of current industry trends and stay on top of developments in digital marketing.

3. Project manager

Team member(s) who will convert the social media strategy into an actionable plan with tasks, calendars, campaigns, timelines and more, coordinating with the rest of the team on a regular basis to bring the plan to life and measuring impact on a regular basis. The project leader should have an in-depth knowledge of your operations since they will be the coordinator for the entire social media effort of your ministry.

4. Content manager

Team member(s) who will take the original source content and work on it, customise it, package it, edit it and make it suitable for various social media channels.

5. Visual content producer

Team member(s) who are graphic designers and video editors with the responsibility of creating visual elements to represent an idea. Visual elements are vital for social media.

6. Social media manager

Team member(s) who will release or post the content and visual elements on various social media channels. This team will monitor all the social media accounts and engage with people on a regular basis, and they will also measure and track the progress of all the social media activities and report back to the rest of the team on what changes need to be made.

Strategies for building an A-team for your social media ministry

As a ministry, there are multiple ways for you to put together an effective social media team with people who can play these roles. You can use a combination of the following 5 ways:

1. Recruit one person with multiple skills (a one-man army)

If you are a small church and you are the only person in the social media division, you can work on the roles and responsibilities listed above by yourself. Even though it looks like a lot of work (and it is), if you manage your time efficiently and use the right tools, you can handle it. But as you reach a stage where your ministry grows and you are unable to manage the workload, then you might have to think about getting help.

2. Recruit a social media team on staff

If you have the resources to do it, you could build a social media team as part of your staff by hiring people with the required skill sets given above and start the operations.

3. Recruit a team of volunteers

You can get access to some of the skillsets using a combination of in-house team and volunteers. But make sure you have at least one coordinator or leader who can guide the volunteers and implement processes/systems.

4. Hire a digital marketing consultant

If you already have a team and you need a bit of direction and focus, you can hire a social media & digital marketing consultant to help you put these systems in place, set up the tools, train the team and ensure that you are on your way to being efficient and successful in your social media ministry.

5. Hire a social media agency

If you are not sure about handling all of this in-house, then you can hire an agency, partnering with people specialised in this niche activity. You can assign one coordinator from the ministry to be the point of contact, and allow the agency to handle all the activities. Any good agency will have experienced people on their team for each of the roles listed above. So, you get access to all the skill sets and since it is managed by someone else on a regular basis, you are freed up to focus on your ministry while they handle all the social media operations. You can get weekly and monthly reports from the agency in order to stay on top of the campaigns and activities.

When you have the right team, you have won half the battle. A good team can help you save time and accelerate your ministry’s growth plans. So spend time and effort on this very important piece of the social media puzzle.

Do you have any specific question related to the people-component of social media in your ministry? If so, let me know and I will be happy to help you answer them. To share your thoughts about social media teams for churches and to ask questions, please use the comments section below.

The 'Joker' Virus Has Returned to Android: It Can Empty Your Bank Accounts Without You Noticing It and It Is Hidden in These Apps in the Google Play Store

 The Belgian Police warned about the return of the 'Joker' virus , which attacks Android devices and hides itself in various applications on the Google Play Store . This malware is capable of subscribing the user to payment services without their authorization and emptying their bank accounts without them noticing.

"This malicious program has been detected in eight Play Store applications that Google has suppressed," say the Belgian authorities in a statement published this Friday on their website.

It may interest you: Did you get a free ebook for Kindle from Amazon? This new hacking method can access your bank details

The 'Joker' malware became famous in 2017 for infecting and robbing its victims by hiding in different applications. Since then, the Google Play Store defense systems have removed around 1,700 apps with the 'Joker' malware before they were downloaded by users.

In September 2020, the 'Joker' virus was found in 24 Android applications that registered more than 500 thousand downloads before being removed. It is estimated that that time it affected more than 30 countries including the United States, Brazil and Spain. Through unauthorized subscriptions, hackers could steal up to $ 7 (about 140 Mexican pesos) per subscription weekly, a figure that has most likely increased in recent months.

How does the Joker virus work in Android apps?

The 'Joker' Trojan virus belongs to a family of malware known as Bread , whose objective is to hack cell phone bills and authorize operations without the user's consent.

Researchers from the cybersecurity company Quick Heal Security Lab, cited in the statement, explain that this virus can enter text messages , contacts and other information on the infected smartphone.

What makes this malware more dangerous is its ability to subscribe the affected Android user to paid services , usually Premium or the most expensive version, without their prior authorization.

In the beginning, apps infected with 'Joker' or another Malware from this family carried out fraud via SMS , but then began to attack online payments . These two techniques take advantage of the integration of telephone operators with vendors, to facilitate the payment of services with the mobile bill . Both require verification of the device, but not the user, thus they manage to automate payments without requiring any user interaction.

#FinanzasPersonales The excess of streaming platforms, apps, online services and others, they make a hole in your portfolio. See how to do a subscription 'detox' to have a healthier monthly budget and take care of your money. 

- Entrepreneur in Spanish (@chrisyoung computers) August 26, 2021

"You risk a big surprise at the end of the month in your bank account or on your credit card," said the Belgian police, referring to the unknown charges that the victim will see at the end of the month.

In fact, it is very common for those affected by 'Joker' to become aware of the theft until they review their account statement in detail. This is because the bank does not suspect an apparently 'normal' subscription and, generally, the charges are so small that they are not detected as unusual movements, so they do not even send a usage alert to the account holder.

In which Android apps could the 'Joker virus be?

On this occasion, the harmful applications that the Google Play Store eliminated after detecting that they contained the 'Joker' virus are:

Auxiliary Message

Element Scanner

Fast Magic SMS

Free Cam Scanner

Go Messages

Super Message

Super SMS

Travel Wallpapers

However, other specialists warn that more apps are affected and, therefore, millions of users who do not know that they are already victims of this cyber fraud.

We recommend: Uber, Facebook, Instagram and other apps that are slowly killing your smartphone

The cybersecurity company Zscaler, cited by La Razón , made public the names of 16 other apps that, according to their analysis, also contain this malicious code:

Private SMS

Hummingbird PDF Converter - Photo to PDF

Style Photo Collage

Talent Photo Editor - Blur focus

Paper Doc Scanner

All Good PDF Scanner

Care Message

Part Message

Blue Scanner

Direct Messenger

One Sentence Translator - Multifunctional Translator

Mint Leaf Message-Your Private Message

Unique Keyboard - Fancy Fonts & Free Emoticons

Tangram App Lock

Desire Translate

Meticulous Scanner

Of course, the recommendation for Andriod users is to check if they have any of these apps installed on their smartphone and delete them immediately, since the fact that they are deleted from the Google Play Store does not imply automatic uninstallation from the computers where they were downloaded.

15-seconds to illness how tiktok is contributing to an eating disorder epidemic

 Today, the idea that social media has a great effect on mental health is hardly a revelation. As more individuals join these social networks and harmful content becomes easier and easier to disguise, the number of affected children and teens continues to grow. In particular, new social media networks such as TikTok have contributed to a higher, and still growing, number of eating disorders than ever before – globally. Eating disorders (EDs), mental health problems affecting an individual’s relationship with food and body image, have more than doubled in prevalence over the last twenty years. In fact, they affect thirty million Americans and are the second most lethal mental illness after opioid overdose.

While eating disorders are arguably one of the most commonly known mental illnesses, their recognized history is very recent. Descriptions of ED-like behaviors date back to the Middle Ages, but it wasn’t until 1980 that bulimia and anorexia were listed, albeit as childhood disorders, in the DSM-III.[1] It took almost two decades for anorexia and bulimia to be recognized as their own diagnostic grouping in the DSM-IV (1994) and an additional seventeen years for binge-eating disorder to be distinguished, in the DSM-5 (2013).

Of course, along with these changes in recognition came changes in societal view and treatment. During the early 1900s, EDs were largely regarded as issues of the endocrine system, specifically having to do with the pituitary gland. In the 1940s, however, the psychiatric community began to realize that these disorders were associated with mental illness. As a result, the 1970s saw work from both psychiatric and psychoanalytical professionals as well as an increase in rates of anorexia and bulimia (or perhaps greater rates of diagnosis).

The first attempts at appropriate treatment were introduced in the 1980s coinciding with increased awareness in the public eye towards eating disorders. Methods included cognitive-behavioral, meal, group, and exposure therapies. Additionally, colleges began to offer ED counseling, allowing for greater treatment accessibility. The 2000s brought about the treatments we know today. These include comprehensive methods that combine medicine, psychology, and dietetics, emphasizing personal healing, family, and group therapy. In addition, in-patient care through residential treatment centers has become increasingly available, along with in-hospital treatment for severe cases. Novel treatment options continue to be studied, sparking hope for innovative methods like repetitive transcranial stimulation in the future.

One would think that today’s seemingly successful body positivity movements would have led to a decrease in eating disorder prevalence, but this is simply not the case. It seems as though social media is still split: one side is focused on self-acceptance, while the other portrays unrealistic ideals of beauty and body image.

With 689 million monthly users and 33 million app store downloads, making it Apple’s 2019 most downloaded app, it’s no wonder that TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media networks. The app is full of challenges, dance videos, funny clips, and eating disorder content disguised as health advice and body positivity. An enormous number of videos on the platform feature diet, exercise, weight-loss advice, and dramatic body transformations. While these matters are extremely individualized, it doesn’t stop millions of young TikTok users from comparing themselves to those they see on screen. One popular trend is the “what I eat in a day” video, which showcases a (usually fit) TikToker’s every meal, snack, and sometimes even calorie count for a given day. Individuals who post seem relatable because they appear to be everyday people, in their home kitchens, eating after-school meals instead of celebrities with personal chefs. This makes it exceptionally simple for young users to directly compare their bodies and meals, or perhaps lack thereof, to the person on screen.

Millions of young TikTok users compare themselves to those they see on screen. (Courtesy Pexels)

Psychologists warn that this comparison game encourages negative body image, disordered thoughts, and the desire to change one’s appearance to fit a perceived ideal. In fact, eating disorder specialist Dr. Alix Timko explains that this exposure alone can cause the development of, or lead to the perpetuation of, an existing ED. Another expert, Melissa Harrison, confirms these fears after working with twelve-year-old clients who gained knowledge on limiting their eating through TikTok. Harrison says that some of her patients are so young that they don’t understand why purging after a meal is harmful.

When these are the possible effects of benevolent “inspiration” videos, it is frightening to consider the consequences of videos featuring ED supportive content either explicitly or under the guise of “ED recovery.” It is easy to find videos outwardly promoting anorexic, bulimic, and binge behaviors with comment sections congratulating users on “achievements” like getting through the day on just 300 calories. Needless to say, those watching and attempting to recover themselves or desiring a certain body image are put in great danger. Moreover, once one takes an interest, such content is almost impossible to escape. TikTok’s algorithm ensures that users consistently see what they are most interested in; interacting with a video by leaving a comment, like, or viewing the user’s page ensures they're consistently shown similar videos. While TikTok has addressed and attempted to filter for such content, little has changed.

Ultimately, the responsibility of preventing children and teens from being exposed to such harmful content must be shared. TikTok and other social platforms must be more vigilant in removing and filtering for possibly triggering or suggestive ED content. Additionally, parents must play an active role in their children’s social media consumption paying special attention to the types of creators and subject matter their children watch. However, simply banning such videos or stopping children from watching certain creators is not enough. One 2015 study showed that prohibiting ED content on social media without providing support or educational resources in their place is ineffective.[2] Social media platforms, parents, schools, and physicians must work together to put an end to the idea of the unrealistic, ideal body and instead encourage a healthy, balanced lifestyle as beautiful no matter one’s appearance. After all, a meager 15 seconds should never be enough to make someone hate themselves.