THE NEW SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION CURRICULUM(FOR NIGERIA) AT A GLANCE

A: COMPULSORY SUBJECTS (to be offered by all      students)
1. English Language
2. General Mathematics
3. Civic Education
4. One Trade/Entrepreneurship Subject( see list)
5. Computer Science/ICT

B. FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION (Students to choose subjects from one field of specialization of their choice) 
(a) Science and Mathematics:
     1. Biology
     2. Chemistry
     3. Physics
     4. Agricultural Science
     5. Further Mathematics
     6. Physical Education
     7. Health Education
(b) Humanities
     1. Literature in English
     2. Nigerian Languages
     3. Government
     4. Christian Religious Studies
     5. Islamic Religious Studies
     6. Economics
     7. Geography
     8. Arabic
     9. French
   10. Music
(c) Business Studies
     1. Commerce
     2. Accounting
     3. Office Practice
     4. Stores Management
     5. Insurance
(d) Technology
     This includes all the technical subjects as well as Home Management; Clothing and Textiles; and Foods and Nutrition.

Guidelines on selection of subjects: 1. A student is to offer 8 or 9 subjects made up of 5 compulsory subjects and 3 or 4 subjects from his/her chosen field of specialization.
2. A student may select a subject from another field of specialization(elective subject) only if the number of subjects already selected as stated in 1 above is not up to 9.

This guideline is as published by N.E.R.D.C. (Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council)

HARVEST OF BUSINESS IDEAS

Do you dream of starting any business? Do you have a type of business in mind or making consultations on which type business to go for a start?

Here is a list of some businesses you may consider. Links to more information on the intricacies of taking a business off the ground to success are also provided.

Examples of these business ideas include:

1.        Cake Designing

2.        Tricycle Rentals

3.        Day Care Center

4.        Outdoor Catering

5.        Home Delivery Breakfast Business

6.        Organic Manure Business

7.         Satellite TV/Video Viewing        Center

8.         Laptop Reselling Business

9.         Cybercafe Internet Business

10. Tile Cleaning Services

11. Hair Dressing Business

12. Evening School Business

13. Money Lending Agency

14. Mobile Photography Business

15. Information marketing

16. Fashion Designing Center

17. Event Planning Business

18. Home Tutors Services

19. Vegetable Gardening

20. Investment Club Business

21. Car Rental Business

22. Driving School Business

23. Candle Production Business

24. Sales of GSM Phones/Accessories

25. Handicrafts Business

26. Dry Cleaning Business

27. Camping Business

28. Fast food Business

29. Laptop Repair Services

30. Physical Fitness Club

31. Children’s Clothing Business

32. Fund Raising Consultancy

33. Car Hiring Services

34. Savings Society Business

35. Poultry Farming

36. Snail Farming

37. Web Consultancy Business

38. Nursery School Business

39. Master of Ceremony Services

   Good luck as you turn your ideas to reality.For more information, visit:

SUCCESS TIPS FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

Planning to become an entrepreneur should be the dream of all who wish to bypass the depleted job market of today.

The reason for the above assertion is not farfetched! With increase in the number of highly qualified professionals in all fields of endeavour and the concomitant dearth in job openings in both the public and private sectors of the economy, what else can be done than to set up a personal business.

 The entrepreneur does not only provide job for himself but also becomes an employer of labour thereby reducing the rate of unemployment in the country.

A successful business owner is an encouragement to others who hitherto were afraid of venturing into entrepreneurship.

It is worthy to note however, that, researches into startup businesses have shown that more than eighty percent fizzle out within the first five years of establishment.

Factors responsible for the high mortality of the new businesses most of which are resident in the business owner have also been adduced.

 What then are the content of the ‘business success box’ from which an entrepreneur should tap from for a successful and an enduring outing in the business world?

 Top among the list is the dogged determination to succeed. The top businesses found in the world today as one man enterprises and became what they are today through the doggedness and business instinct of their owners. As an upcoming business owner therefore, you must have guts and plunge head on not minding the hazy atmosphere of the business world.

Appropriate training in the business of interest is a sine qua non to succeed in any business set up. Even when you have acquired years of academic knowledge in a particular discipline, on the job training in an area of interest becomes an added advantage.

It is not mandatory for you to obtain a degree in chemical engineering or biochemistry before you set up a small scale soap, detergent or pomade factory. Learning from a similar factory is a short cut that usually pays off not only in terms of duration but also financially.

 Capital is required to start and run any business venture for no matter how bright your ideas may look, you cannot turn it into reality without personal or borrowed funds. Most small business owners start with little capital either from their savings or from family members and nurture the business until they achieve positive cash flow.

Fortunately today, there are several agencies of government at various levels charged with the responsibility of assisting small and medium scale enterprises grow their businesses to successful stages.

The time to turn your bright ideas into tangible business outfits is now. Good Luck.  

The Art Of Public Speaking

THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

(A guide to upcoming orators)

As you all are aware, much of your work in the school involves speaking, improving your speaking ability is therefore a must.

Several opportunities for oral presentations abound in and out of the classroom. They include answering questions in the class, asking questions, dictating notes, giving announcements to fellow students, making presentations before teachers and/or parents, taking part in debates, quizzes and dramas, etc. All these situations demand that you speak well and audibly too. In fact, they provide opportunities for you to improve your communications skills.

POINTS TO NOTE IN PUBLIC SPEAKING.

1. Uneasiness is normal: If you feel a little uneasy and nervous when speaking in public, it is a proof that you are normal. Being nervous is understandable in as much as you have to speak alone, you a facing a crowd (some of who may be analytical or critical), and in all possibility you have not had much experience speaking in public. All these add up to nervousness.

To overcome nervousness, you have to learn more about speaking as practice makes for perfection. 2. Preparation brings confidence: There is nothing that dispels fear and uneasiness like adequate preparation. If you what you are going to say and how you are going to say it, you will begin to focus on your subject and your techniques rather than on yourself. If possible, find an opportunity to say the speech aloud to somebody or some object, perhaps in your room.

An easy presentation is achieved by a little verbal practice.

  3. Selecting a topic: If you  are given the choice of selecting the topic, then note that it does not mean a title but the subject on which you choose to speak. Therefore in selecting a topic, ask yourself if it would interest you if someone else in the class were giving it.

Do a little thinking about several topics then select one for your presentation.

4. Outlining the topic: Make a brief outline of your topic. It will reveal whether the topic can be broken down into several sub-topics and whether it is  worthy of using. One of the easiest ways to develop a subject is to use words like; who, where, what, why, how, and when.

The use of these six pertinent words have proved successful daily for those who make a living by speaking professionally.

 5. The Introduction: Your introduction is important because it puts your best foot forward. It captures the attention of your audience. It also gives you confidence. Always have a draft of several introductions and pick one for presentation.

6. Filling in the outlines: After you have written the basic outline for your speech, you can start filling it in. You should sufficiently focus on each point so that you can easily say what needs to be said.

7. Re-arranging the outline: After you have filled in the outline, you will see that some of the major points should be re-arranged. Do not hesitate to do so if it will enable you to make a balanced presentation.

8. Adding illustrations: Look at each point you have written and see where you may insert illustrations. This will make your talk alive and interesting to your audience. Your illustrations may be from real life or those you have created to fit the point. They may also come from something you have heard or read about. At any rate, they will add luster and meaningfulness to what you say.

9. Raising questions and resolving them: Outstanding speakers know that it is good to ask questions, then discuss the answer at various points in the speech.

This is always arresting and it is a way of focusing people’s attention on the main points. It also gives drive and motion to your speech.

10. Using quotations: It is easy to dress up your speech by including a few appropriate quotations. You can consult a book of quotations to be able to do this effectively. These important sayings will add weight to what you are saying and also give your presentation a literary touch.

11. A touch of humour: Everybody likes a laugh now and then. Look over your outline and see where you might sprinkle in a clever statement, a humourous quotation, or some other statement that will give your speech a touch of lightness.

 12. Appropriate Scripture: Adding some quotations from the bible where appropriate will lift your entire presentation out of the ordinary and give it ultimate authority.

13. Summarizing at a close: Most oral presentations are best if they end with a measure of summary. This not only re-emphasizes the major points but tells your audience psychologically that the presentation is being brought to a close.

TECHNIQUES OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

From the discussion so far, we have seen that the most important thing about ones speech is the level of preparation.

If you have worthwhile material that is beautifully connected, people will listen.

However, the following techniques of speaking should not be over-looked:

(a) Look at your audience. This brings you close to them and gives your speech a personal touch.  (b) Speak distinctly and also sufficiently aloud that everyone can hear. Speaking loudly involves projection. Think not of speaking to the person on the first row but lift your voice enough to reach the last row comfortably.

(c) Make simple, natural gestures with your eyes, hands, lips, etc.

(d) During your speech, move forward just a step, or perhaps move to one side a little as this brings new interest to your listeners and also makes you to be in a relaxed mood. 

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the speaking which you do in school will not only help you now but also throughout life. Many people are now making a living by becoming motivational speakers, politicians, lawyers, journalists, public relations practitioners, masters of ceremony, teachers, pastors, rights activists, and many other professionals need to develop the power of public speaking to excel in their professions. 

The Secrets To A Successful Llife

1.           If you cannot fly, run. If you cannot run, walk. If you cannot walk, crawl. By all means keep moving.

2.           Great men are ordinary men with extraordinary determination.

3.           What you will become must first be seen in your mind.

4.           One man’s problem is another man’s opportunity.

5.           Don’t give up until you make your last attempt, and don’t make your last attempt until you succeed.

6.           You can never rise above the light you are looking up to.

7.           You can never change your life until you change what you do daily.

8.           At the end the only people who fail are those who never try again.

9.           The fact that you failed does not mean that you are a failure but it means that you have not yet succeeded.

10.  If a man has no purpose for living, then he is not worthy to live.

11.  He who does not look ahead remains behind.

12.  Success will smile at the man who refuses to lie down at the corridor of failure.

13.  Listen to your conscience; it is the  key to your real success.

14.  A person who sleeps in the night and wakes up in the morning to become great had sleepless nights.

15.  Champions are those who never quit and never accepted defeat.

16.  If you wish to get to the highest, begin from the lowest.

17.  Those who fail don’t plan to fail but fail to plan.

18.  Use what you have to achieve what you need.

19.  Ninety-nine percent of failures are those who make excess things.

20.  He who knows nothing doubts nothing.

21.  The disease of ignorance can only be cured in the school of knowledge. When you know little more than others, you will lead without stress.