I have never lived with anyone who has autism, but I have seen people with the condition in my community, and I have friends whose siblings are autistic. This has made me curious and concerned because of how I have seen them treated by society and, in some cases, by their own families.

I rarely see them playing with other children or going out to interact with others. This left me confused and worried, so I decided to learn more about autism and understand why people living with the condition are often treated unfairly or isolated from the rest of the community.

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world around them. It is called a “spectrum” because every autistic person is unique. Some people with autism require significant support in their daily lives, while others live independently, and you may not even realise they are autistic. This is because autism affects people in different ways.

From my research, I discovered that autism is not an illness that can be caught or cured. It is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. That is why I want to educate my community, as well as parents and siblings of children with autism, that it is not a death sentence.

People living with autism can live happy and fulfilling lives, just like everyone else. They can attend school, make friends, pursue careers, and contribute meaningfully to society. However, this begins with all of us creating a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for them.

Some autistic people may be sensitive to loud noises, bright lights or changes in routine. Others may have exceptional talents in areas such as mathematics, music, art, fashion, baking or technology. With patience, understanding and the right support, they can thrive academically, socially and professionally, becoming outstanding in their chosen fields.

It is time we replace ignorance with understanding. Ignorance creates barriers, but understanding builds bridges and helps everyone feel accepted and valued.

Let us remember that autism is not a death sentence. It is a neurodevelopmental condition, and people living with autism deserve the same love, respect, opportunities and acceptance as everyone else.

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The future is arriving faster than ever. Many of today’s jobs will evolve, new careers will emerge, and technology will continue to reshape how we live, learn and work. This means that academic excellence alone is no longer enough. Our children need the right skills to thrive in a world defined by constant change.

At Lagooz Schools, we believe in raising confident, capable and future-ready learners. Beyond achieving academic excellence, we intentionally nurture the skills that will help every child succeed in life.

We equip our learners with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling them to analyse situations and develop creative solutions. We also build digital literacy, ensuring they use technology confidently and responsibly. Through collaborative learning, they develop strong communication and teamwork skills that prepare them for leadership and success.

In addition, we encourage an entrepreneurial mindset by promoting creativity, innovation, adaptability and financial awareness.

Emotional intelligence is another key focus because children who understand and manage their emotions are better equipped to build healthy relationships and make sound decisions. Most importantly, we cultivate resilience, helping our learners embrace challenges, adapt to change and grow stronger through every experience. At Lagooz Schools, we are not just preparing children for examinations; we are preparing them for life.

The post Future-proofing your child for tomorrow’s world appeared first on Teen Trust News.

A healthy lifestyle is built on balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, adequate sleep and effective stress management. Adopting simple, sustainable habits such as eating wholesome foods, staying active, drinking enough water and getting sufficient rest can boost your energy levels and strengthen your immune system.

One of the most important steps to good health is maintaining a balanced diet. Prioritise whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins while limiting ultra-processed foods, added sugars and excessive salt. It is also important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Aim for about six to eight glasses daily to support brain function, digestion and overall energy levels.

Regular physical activity is another essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week through activities such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling. If you spend long hours sitting, remember to take short breaks to stand, stretch and walk around. This helps prevent stiffness and reduces long-term health risks.

Rest and recovery are just as important as healthy eating and exercise. Aim for seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night to support your immune system, improve concentration and promote good mental health. Managing stress is also essential. Practising mindfulness through deep breathing, meditation or spending time outdoors can help you stay calm and maintain emotional well-being.

Living a healthy life does not require drastic changes. By making small, consistent choices every day, you can build habits that improve your health, increase your energy and help you enjoy a happier, healthier future.

The post Building a healthy life appeared first on Teen Trust News.

There is no doubt that poor parenting is a major contributor to the moral decline in our society today. Many parents themselves were not properly raised and, as a result, have little or nothing positive to pass on to their children. This has created a vicious cycle in which poor parenting produces another generation of ill-equipped parents.

The consequences of poor parenting cannot be overstated. Problems such as poor leadership, corruption, nepotism, criminality, insecurity and general lawlessness can all be traced, in part, to a lack of proper values and discipline instilled from childhood.

There is an urgent need to return to the basics by raising children in line with the moral values and cultural norms that promote responsibility, integrity and respect for others. Doing so will help reverse the growing social decay that threatens our nation’s future.

Schools also have an important role to play by promoting high moral standards, encouraging discipline and rewarding good behaviour. If children are raised with the right values at home and in school, they are more likely to become responsible parents and citizens, helping to build a better society for future generations.

The post Why parenting matters more than ever appeared first on Teen Trust News.

Forty private secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have joined the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Students Anti-Corruption Clubs as the agency expands its integrity campaign to private schools.

Speaking at the inauguration of the clubs in Abuja on Thursday, the ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), said the commission was shifting part of its strategy to directly engage students through regular visits to schools.

The inauguration marks the first time the commission is extending the Students Anti-Corruption Clubs to private secondary schools in the FCT, a move aimed at exposing more students to integrity and ethical leadership from an early age

“We are now shifting our policy. From time to time, I will be visiting schools impromptu to talk to students for about 20 minutes to tell them why they need to have good moral values. I will also encourage them to study well so they can acquire sound education that will help this country in the future,” he said.

Aliyu said the initiative marked a major shift, as the commission had over the years concentrated on establishing anti-corruption clubs in public secondary schools.

He explained that involving private schools would broaden efforts to instil integrity, honesty and accountability in young Nigerians.

According to him, youth engagement remains one of the commission’s major anti-corruption strategies, adding that more than 20 million young Nigerians have passed through its integrity reorientation programmes since 2003.

“It is estimated that over 20 million Nigerian youths have passed through this integrity reorientation from 2003 to date,” he said.

The ICPC chairman urged students to respect their parents and teachers, remain disciplined and take their education seriously.

“You are our future leaders. Respect your teachers, respect your parents and acquire knowledge. Among you, we will have future governors, ministers, professors, medical doctors, engineers and even future ICPC chairmen,” he said.

The FCT Chairperson of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Dorothy Okwuenu, who represented the association’s national president, welcomed the inclusion of private schools in the programme.

She said education should focus not only on academic excellence but also on character development.

“We remain committed to partnering with stakeholders to promote ethical values and create learning environments where honesty, discipline and integrity flourish,” she said.

Gina Essien, a representative of Step Up Nigeria, said corruption often begins with everyday actions such as examination malpractice, lying and jumping queues.

“Integrity begins by telling the truth when it is difficult, returning what does not belong to you and choosing to do the right thing even when nobody is watching,” she said.

Students inducted into the clubs said they would promote integrity in their schools by discouraging examination malpractice and other dishonest practices.

The Head Boy of Adeola International School, Kubwa, Tiamiyu Riliwan Ishola, said the fight against corruption begins with personal choices.

“I feel the best thing I can do is to be someone with integrity by saying no to things that are not right, like cheating and stealing,” he said.

Another student, Emeka Ebube of Unity High School, Kubwa, said he would encourage his classmates to practise integrity and spread the values across the school.

The inauguration was attended by representatives of partner organisations, including Women Aid Collective (WACOL), Step Up Nigeria, Gender Mobile Initiative, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and NAPPS.

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A 16-year-old girl, Osasere Okundaye, has made history as Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant, inspiring many young Nigerians with her determination and resilience.

Okundaye, who completed her secondary school education at the age of 13, said she began her journey to becoming a chartered accountant instead of waiting to gain admission into university.

She shared her story during the Power Must Change Hands monthly programme held at the headquarters of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries in Magboro, Ogun State.

According to her, her parents encouraged her to enrol in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria’s (ICAN) Accounting Technicians Scheme (ATS), giving her the opportunity to begin writing professional examinations while waiting to further her education.

“I started this ICAN journey three years ago after finishing secondary school early,” she said.

“My parents encouraged me to start writing the ICAN examinations through ATS instead of just waiting until I was old enough for university.”

Despite her determination, Okundaye said the journey was challenging because she had not studied accounting in secondary school.

“I wasn’t an accounting student, so the first stage of the examinations was very difficult for me,” she said.

“But I put in extra effort, and by the grace of God, I passed. Since then, it has been a success.

The teenager also revealed that she experienced setbacks along the way. She failed one of her final professional papers last year but refused to give up. She rewrote the examination during the May 2026 diet and passed.

“To the glory of God, I passed the examination, and now I can say that I am a qualified accountant at 16 years old,” she said.

Her achievement has attracted praise from across the country. The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described her accomplishment as a reflection of hard work, discipline, resilience and a commitment to excellence.

Education stakeholders have also hailed Okundaye’s success as proof that determination, discipline and early preparation can help young people achieve extraordinary goals.

Her achievement comes about a year after 18-year-old Temilola Blossom Arise, a student of the University of Ilorin, made headlines for passing ICAN’s professional stage examination.

The post 16-year-old becomes Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant appeared first on Teen Trust News.

During the examination, candidates writing Mathematics and Agricultural Science in several states sat for their papers late into the evening following delays in the delivery of question papers and answer booklets.

WAEC had attributed the disruption to logistical and operational challenges, including a fatal road accident on the Gombe-Yola highway that claimed the lives of three of its officials.

Dangut made the clarification on Thursday while receiving a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by its Secretary-General, Oladimeji Uthman, at the council’s headquarters in Yaba, Lagos.

He said that although the examination faced security, logistics and other operational challenges, its integrity was never compromised.

According to him, new measures introduced by WAEC, including enhanced cyber monitoring, helped reduce examination malpractice and prevented question papers from being leaked online.

“This year, I want to make it clear that the rate of examination malpractice reduced significantly. The circulation of our examination papers on the internet also reduced greatly.

“Based on reports from our cyber monitoring team and feedback from stakeholders, there was no leakage of question papers during this examination,” Dangut said.

He added that any glitches recorded in a few states were promptly detected and addressed.

“Whatever glitches occurred in a few states, we have systems in place to detect and correct them. They will not affect candidates’ performance because we have ways of resolving each issue as it arises,” he said.

Dangut explained that some of the logistical challenges were caused by the late conclusion of candidates’ registration, following adjustments to the national curriculum.

He said registration ended in April after an extension approved by the Federal Ministry of Education, leaving WAEC with limited time to print examination materials before the examinations began in May.

“Registration closed in April. Between April and the start of the examinations in May, there was very little time for printing. The delay was due to timing, not because WAEC was unprepared,” he said.

To prevent a recurrence, Dangut announced that registration for the 2027 WASSCE for school candidates would begin in September and end in December 2026.

He also reaffirmed WAEC’s commitment to expanding Computer-Based WASSCE (CB-WASSCE), describing it as a long-term solution to examination malpractice and question-paper leakage.

“Computer-based WASSCE is the way forward. It eliminates the need to transport question papers to examination centres, ensuring they are released at the right time,” he said.

Dangut explained that question papers are most vulnerable after they are handed over to supervisors for distribution to examination centres, adding that computer-based testing removes that risk.

The post No WASSCE question papers leaked despite delays — WAEC appeared first on Teen Trust News.

The appeal was made by the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Abubakar Isa, during the state finals of the 2025 UBEC/SUBEB Basic Education Schools Sports Competition held at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Abubakar Mansur, Isa described sports as a powerful tool for engaging young people positively, building discipline and nurturing talent.

“Sports have continued to serve as an effective tool for engaging young people positively. We therefore call on government, parents and other stakeholders to invest more in sports development in schools and at the grassroots to keep our children away from social vices,” he said.

The SUBEB chairman also commended the officials, coaches, games masters and pupils for their commitment to the success of the competition.

Also speaking, the North-East Zonal Director of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Abdullahi Jarma, congratulated the participants on their performances and urged them to remain committed to sports.

“This competition is part of the preparations for the national finals, which will be held in Delta State later this year. We urge all stakeholders to sustain their support for the development of school sports,” he said.

Earlier, the Director of School Services at SUBEB, Zuhairu Usman, said the use of genuine pupils from schools across the state’s local government areas had strengthened the credibility of the competition.

According to him, selecting only eligible pupils had enhanced public confidence in the event, adding that coaches and officials must remain transparent when choosing athletes who will represent Bauchi State at the national finals.

The post Bauchi urges parents to support school sports to keep children off social vices appeared first on Teen Trust News.

HR officers do much more than hire new employees. They help companies find talented people, organise training, solve workplace problems, celebrate achievements and make sure everyone is treated fairly. They are great listeners, problem-solvers and team builders who help create workplaces where people can grow and do their best.

If you enjoy helping others, working with people and finding solutions to problems, then a career in human resources might be a perfect fit for you. The good news is that you can start building the skills you need right now—even while you’re still in school!

Here are some tips to help you prepare for a future as a human resource officer: 

1. Learn to communicate well: HR officers spend a lot of time talking and listening to people. Start practising good communication now. Speak politely, listen carefully when others are talking, and learn to express your ideas clearly. These skills will help you build trust with others.
2. Be friendly and respectful: A great HR officer treats everyone fairly, no matter who they are. Be kind to your classmates, respect different opinions and learn to work with people from different backgrounds. Good relationships are at the heart of every successful workplace.
3. Build problem-solving skills: Sometimes employees disagree or face challenges at work. HR officers help find solutions that are fair to everyone. You can develop this skill by learning to stay calm during disagreements and thinking of ways to solve problems without making them worse.
4. Stay organised: HR officers handle important information, such as job applications, training records and employee files. Keeping your school notes, assignments and timetable organised is a great way to practise being responsible and organised.
5. Develop leadership skills: You do not have to be the class captain to become a leader. You can show leadership by helping classmates, volunteering for school activities or taking responsibility when working on group projects.
6. Improve your computer skills: Many HR officers use computers every day to write reports, organise information and communicate with employees. Learning how to use programs like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint will give you a head start.
7. Study hard: Subjects such as English, mathematics, business studies, economics and civic education can help prepare you for a career in human resources. Reading widely also improves your vocabulary and communication skills.
8. Be honest and fair: People trust HR officers with important information. That is why honesty and fairness are essential qualities. Always try to tell the truth, keep promises and treat everyone equally. 

Your future starts today

You do not have to wait until you are an adult to start preparing for your dream career. Every time you show kindness, solve a problem, work well with others or take responsibility, you are developing the skills of a future human resource officer. Who knows? One day, you could be the person helping others find their dream jobs and making workplaces happier for everyone!

The post Could you be the workplace hero? A kid’s guide to becoming a human resource officer appeared first on Teen Trust News.

The Ndebele are one of the many ethnic groups in South Africa. For hundreds of years, they have decorated the outside walls of their homes with colourful shapes and patterns. These paintings are made by hand and often include squares, triangles, diamonds, and straight lines. The colours are bright and cheerful, such as red, blue, yellow, green, black, and white.

Long ago, the paintings were made using natural colours from clay, ash, and plants. Today, many artists use modern paint so the colours can stay bright for a longer time.

One interesting thing about this tradition is that women are the main artists. Mothers teach their daughters how to paint the patterns, and the skill is passed from one generation to the next. Every design is carefully planned. Although the patterns may look simple, they take time, patience, and creativity to complete.

The paintings are not just for decoration. They also tell stories. Some patterns can show a family’s history, beliefs, or important events. In the past, the paintings even helped the Ndebele people keep their culture alive during difficult times. Through their colourful artwork, they proudly showed who they were.

The Ndebele people are also known for making beautiful beadwork. They create colourful necklaces, bracelets, aprons, and headbands using tiny beads. Just like the wall paintings, the bead designs can have special meanings. Some colours and patterns may show a person’s age, family, or whether they are married.

Today, people from all over the world admire Ndebele art. Artists use these colourful designs on clothes, bags, shoes, furniture, and even cars. Their unique style has become famous around the world, but it still reminds people of the rich culture and traditions of the Ndebele community.

The story of the Ndebele teaches us that art is more than just making something look beautiful. It can tell stories, preserve history, and bring people together. It also reminds us to be proud of our culture and to pass our traditions on to future generations.

Africa is filled with many wonderful cultures, and the colourful homes of the Ndebele people are a perfect example of how creativity can become part of everyday life.

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