Education

Nobel peace prize awarded to Japanese atomic bomb survivors’ group

Published

1 year ago

October 11, 2024

Survivors of the atomic bombings of Japan almost eight decades ago have won the Nobel peace prize for their campaign to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisations – commonly known as Nihon Hidankyo – received the accolade one year before the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and at a time of growing concern about the possible use of nuclear weapons.

The Nobel committee said it had decided to award the prize to Nihon Hidankyo “for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again”.

The Norwegian committee said testimony by hibakusha – survivors of the August 1945 bombings by the US – had “helped to generate and consolidate widespread opposition to nuclear weapons around the world by drawing on personal stories, creating educational campaigns based on their own experience, and issuing urgent warnings against the spread and use of nuclear weapons”.

It added: “The hibakusha help us to describe the indescribable, to think the unthinkable, and to somehow grasp the incomprehensible pain and suffering caused by nuclear weapons.”

Japan’s prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, who is attending the East Asia summit in Laos, told reporters: “It’s extremely meaningful that the organisation that has worked toward abolishing nuclear weapons received the Nobel peace prize.”

While the committee noted that nuclear weapons had not been used since the end of the second world war, it said the “taboo” against their use was “under pressure”.

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has refused to rule out the use of tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine, while North Korea has continued to develop nuclear weapons that some experts believe are capable of striking the US mainland.

Some will see the prize as a rebuke to Japan’s conservative government, which is dependent for its defence on the US nuclear umbrella and is not among the more than 60 countries that have ratified a 2021 treaty to ban the possession and use of nuclear weapons.

“At this moment in human history, it is worth reminding ourselves what nuclear weapons are: the most destructive weapons the world has ever seen,” the Nobel committee said.

Between 60,000 and 80,000 people died instantly after the Enola Gay, a US B-29 bomber, dropped a 15-kiloton nuclear bomb on Hiroshima on the morning of 6 August 1945, with the death toll rising to 140,000 by the end of the year. Three days later, the Americans dropped a plutonium bomb on Nagasaki, killing 74,000.

Today, the number of people officially recognised as having died from the effects of the bombings stands at 344,306 in Hiroshima and 198,785 in Nagasaki. The average age of the 106,000 survivors is almost 86, according to Japan’s health ministry.

“One day, the hibakusha will no longer be among us as witnesses to history,” the Nobel committee said. “But with a strong culture of remembrance and continued commitment, new generations in Japan are carrying forward the experience and the message of the witnesses.”

Nihon Hidankyo’s co-chair, Toshiyuki Mimaki, 81, told a news conference in Hiroshima that the group’s recognition would give a major boost to its efforts to demonstrate that the abolition of nuclear weapons was possible, Reuters and Agence France-Presse reported.

“It would be a great force to appeal to the world that the abolition of nuclear weapons can be achieved,” Mimaki said. “Nuclear weapons should absolutely be abolished.”

He said the idea that nuclear weapons brought peace was a fallacy. “It has been said that because of nuclear weapons, the world maintains peace. But nuclear weapons can be used by terrorists,” he said. “For example, if Russia uses them against Ukraine, Israel against Gaza, it won’t end there. Politicians should know these things.”

MG Sheftall, the author of Hiroshima: The Last Witnesses, which was published last month, said he was “absolutely elated” by the news. “Since the nadir of the cold war, I don’t think the world has needed renewed awareness of the horror of nuclear weapons more than it needs it now,” he said.

Education

Federal Government Denies Approving History Textbook Without Igbo Section

Published

3 days ago

February 4, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Federal Ministry of Education denies approval of “Living History” textbook. Photo credit: TunjiAlausa/x Source: Twitter

The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed claims that it approved the “Living History” textbook, which reportedly excluded Igbo content Officials confirmed the book was never submitted to the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and is not on the list of approved instructional materials The Ministry urged schools and parents to disregard misinformation, stressing that only authorized textbooks reflect Nigeria’s cultural diversity and national values

The Federal Ministry of Education has denied approving the “Living History” textbook, which reportedly excluded Igbo content. As reported by Dailytrust, officials clarified that the book was not authorized for use in any Nigerian school.

In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the Ministry stressed that “Living History” had never been submitted to the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).

The Council is the statutory body responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and approving instructional materials under the national curriculum.

As a result, the Ministry confirmed that the book was neither recommended by NERDC nor included on the official list of approved History textbooks.

The Ministry explained that consultations with NERDC leadership and a review of officially endorsed materials confirmed that “Living History” did not form part of the approved instructional resources for schools nationwide. Warning against misinformation Parents, teachers, school proprietors, and administrators were urged to disregard speculation, misinformation, and what the Ministry described as “emotionally charged narratives” surrounding the book. Officials warned that unapproved materials could undermine curriculum standards and negatively affect teaching and learning outcomes. “All approved textbooks strictly comply with the national curriculum and reflect Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity, shared history, and core national values, while promoting inclusivity, balance, and unity,” the statement noted.

Call for responsible discourse Folasade further appealed to the public to support responsible discourse, reject divisive misinformation, and verify the approval status of educational materials through official channels before adoption.

“The public is encouraged to consult NERDC for verified information on approved textbooks. Education thrives on truth. Unity thrives on understanding,” the statement added.

Ministry urges schools and parents to reject misinformation on unapproved textbooks. Photo credit: Tunji Alausa/x Source: Twitter

FG addresses claim it abandoned Nigerian students in Morocco Legit.ng earlier reported that the Federal Government has rejected reports suggesting that Nigerian students studying in Morocco under a bilateral scholarship scheme were abandoned or denied funding. Education authorities described the circulating claims as misleading and deliberately crafted to distort public understanding.

In a post on its official social handles, the Education ministry clarified that every beneficiary admitted into the Bilateral Education Scholarship programme before 2024 received payments up to the approved 2024 budget cycle. Any outstanding delays were linked to fiscal adjustments currently being resolved through engagements between the education and finance ministries. Education Minister Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa confirmed that no fresh bilateral scholarship awards were issued from October 2025 onward. Documents circulating online claiming otherwise were described as unauthenticated and designed to discredit government policy. According to the ministry, the decision to discontinue government-funded overseas bilateral scholarships followed a policy assessment which showed that Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education now possess the capacity to deliver similar academic programmes locally. Source: Legit.ng

Education

FG Opens Applications for 2026 PTDF-Funded Overseas Scholarship

Published

2 weeks ago

January 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The Federal Government has opened applications for the 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Overseas Scholarship Scheme.

The announcement in a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, said the programme offers Nigerian postgraduate students the opportunity to study abroad.

According to the post, successful applicants will pursue studies in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Malaysia under the fully funded scholarship scheme.

“FG has announced the commencement of applications for 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Scholarships overseas,” the post stated.

Details published on the PTDF scholarship portal show that the scheme is open to MSc and PhD candidates in disciplines relevant to the oil and gas sector. Benefits include full tuition, return air tickets, accommodation, living allowances, health insurance and bench fees where applicable.

The agency said the initiative is designed to strengthen local expertise in the energy sector.

“The 2026 Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships provide access to world-class training, research facilities, and global expertise, while developing indigenous capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector,” PTDF said.

For MSc applicants, eligibility requirements include a minimum of a Second Class Lower (2.2) degree or higher, completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, computer literacy, and at least five O’Level credits, including English Language and Mathematics.

PhD applicants are also required to submit a research proposal of no more than five pages detailing their objectives, methodology and data collection strategy.

PTDF explained that PhD candidates studying in the United Kingdom will follow a split-site arrangement, conducting research between the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), and selected partner universities, including Robert Gordon University, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Portsmouth.

The agency noted that the scholarship is highly competitive and selection will be strictly merit-based.

“Only candidates who demonstrate outstanding merit and suitability will be considered,” the statement said.

Applicants will be assessed based on academic performance, quality of research proposals, professional memberships and the relevance of their chosen fields to the oil and gas industry.

PTDF also warned that applicants must verify their National Identity Number (NIN) before applying, adding that multiple submissions or falsified documents would lead to automatic disqualification.

Interested candidates are to apply online via scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng for approved programmes at PTDF partner institutions.

The deadline for applications is February 27, 2026.

Education

Report all forms of sexual pressure from lecturers – Rector tells students

Published

2 weeks ago

January 20, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ukana, Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Eduma Essien, has encouraged students of the institution to report any form of sexual pressure or harassment from lecturers to the management or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Unit of the Polytechnic for appropriate investigation and sanctions.

Essien also cautioned students against engaging in examination malpractices, cultism or any form of antisocial behaviors, adding that the school will not condone any of the vices.

She also charged them to be conversant with the polytechnic’s policies, rules and regulations.

Speaking during the 12th Orientation Exercise for newly admitted students on Tuesday, the rector also stated that the sale of handouts is prohibited in the polytechnic, saying students should only purchase approved textbooks.

Essien assured the students that as long as she remains at the helm of affairs, learning would be made easy in an environment that promotes discipline, safety and academic excellence.

She said, “I encourage you to report any form of sexual pressure from lecturers to the management or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Unit. This institution frowns at the exchange of gifts for marks.

“We also have zero tolerance for cultism and examination malpractice because we want to produce graduates who can confidently defend their certificates anywhere.”

The rector explained that students of the polytechnic would not only graduate with academic certificates but acquire practical skills through the institution’s mandatory skills acquisition program.

According to her, the world is increasingly focused on what individuals can offer to society.

Essien equally encouraged the students to cooperate with their lecturers by diligently carrying out their assignments to make teaching and learning effective and rewarding.

The orientation exercise also featured resource persons who delivered lectures on various aspects of the polytechnic system. They include the Registrar, Mr Idhigu Lucky, the Bursar, Sir Emmanuel Esomonu, the Polytechnic Librarian, Mr Ehikioya Uduebor, among others.