School resumption: Osun parents lament high cost of tuition fees, fuel, others

Parents in Osun State have expressed concern over the high school fees, rising cost of food and high cost of fuel as students and pupils resume for the third term of the 2023/2024 academic session.

In a chat with DAILY POST on Sunday, a parent, Florence Oluwagbemiga, a banker, said things have not been easy with regards to the high cost of food stuffs.

She also revealed that towards the close of the second term, the school notified parents of an increase in tuition fees payable on resumption of this term.

According to her, “I send my children to a private school. We all know that public schools in this state is just a shadow of itself.

“The increment in school fees is becoming worrisome. Schools increase the fees at their own convenience. You can imagine increment in schools thrice in an academic session. That is the reality we are faced with all because we want our children to get the best education we can afford.

“Now, the children have resumed. We all know what that means. They will feed at home, feed in the school and also we will have to get them snacks and all others. This is eating deep into our pockets. There is need for some things to be done fast to arrest the situation.”

Another parent, Rashidat Jimoh, a fashion designer, said when her children vacated, she heaved a sigh of relief but also conscious that resumption would not take long.

She recalled the nightmare of transport fare she always encountered taking her children to school from her house and then back at the end of the day.

“I used to have a car until it got damaged. Now, I have to get the children onto a commercial motorcycle from my house to the main road. From there we will take a minibus (korope) to the school.

“After closing, I will have to go to their school from my shop to fetch them back to my shop.

“After closing of business for the day, we will board a minibus back home and take another commercial motorcycle from the main road back to our house. Most times, this is around 8 or 9pm. We get so tired that we just go to bed.

“Although, we always have our supper in my shop.”

She lamented that with the recent fuel scarcity being felt in the state, the transportation cost for her and her children is a major cause for concern.

“I don’t even know how to start. I foresee transport fare increasing by 100 per cent due to this unnecessary fuel scarcity,” she said.

A civil servant, Hussein Arogun, regretted that there were no good schools in his community located after Fountain University, Osogbo.

He said he brings his six children from his community to town from Monday to Friday before going to work and after closing hours.

“We take commercial motorcycles from my community to Isale-Osun and from there we take minibus to Ogo-Oluwa area where their school is located.

“After that, I’d go to my office at the state government Secretariat, Abere. After closing, I will go and pick them at school and back home. The same process will continue the next day. It has not been easy as this fuel scarcity will add to my predicament now that schools will resume on Monday. I don’t know how to cope with six children because I have no car yet,” he said.

A school proprietress, identified as Florence, who spoke to DAILY POST on Monday morning in Osogbo, also said she looked forward to a rewarding academic term.

She said she is aware of the fact that some parents are complaining of the high school fees being imposed by some schools.

“This is not our fault entirely. Many factors make us to increase our school fees.

“These factors she said include salaries to staff, administrative costs, fuels where the school has generators, purchase of stationery and atimes rentals.

“We need to survive and we also need to stay afloat. We are all trying to survive in this Nigeria. Our demands are legitimate and it is not meant to punish our extended parents,” she concluded.

Due to the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, the Osun State Government, through its taskforce on Petroleum Price Monitoring, on Sunday, warned owners of petrol stations across the State against hoarding petroleum products to create artificial scarcity.

The warning was issued in a statement by the taskforce Chairman and the Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Kazeem Akinleye, on Sunday in Osogbo.

The warning became necessary after reported cases of hike in pump price of PMS, also known as petrol, and resurgence of long queues in filling stations in some parts of the country.

The government said it came to the decision to issue the warning after surveillance reports indicated a trend towards the situation.

The state government, while reminding marketers of the already harsh economic situation on the members of the public, urged them to be public spirited in their pricing of petroleum products, the taskforce.

The government also warned that hoarders arrested will face the full wrath of the law.

School resumption: Osun parents lament high cost of tuition fees, fuel, others

JAMB set to release results of 2024 UTME

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, is set to release the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, is scheduled to address the media in Abuja on Monday.

During the press briefing, Oloyede will give updates on the release of the results.

This was contained in a notice circulated to journalists and made available by the Board’s Head of Public Relations, Fabian Benjamin, on Sunday.

There are indications that the 2024 UTME results that would be released on Monday, are for candidates who wrote the exams in the first few days.

Others would be released after “due diligence” is completed.

In the last week, over 1.9 million candidates enrolled for the 2024 UTME across over 700 Computer-Based Test centers nationwide.

JAMB set to release results of 2024 UTME

Tinubu reveals two policies resetting Nigeria’s economy growth

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange liberation policies have put Nigeria at the forefront of economic growth.

In a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, he said Tinubu highlighted this during a high-level panel session at the World Economic Forum, WEF, Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.

Ngelale quoted the president as saying that he had to take tough but essential decisions like removing fuel subsidy – with its attendant perils – to reposition Nigeria’s economy.

“Concerning the question of subsidy removal, there is no doubt that it was a necessary action for my country not to go bankrupt and to reset the economy and the pathway to growth. It was going to be difficult, but the hallmark of leadership is making difficult decisions when they need to be made.

“That was necessary for the country. Yes, there have been drawbacks. Yes, there was an expectation that more people would feel the difficulty. But, of course, our people’s interest was the government’s primary focus.

“Along the line, there was an arrangement to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on the country’s vulnerable population. We shared the pain across the board. We cannot but include those who are very vulnerable.

“Luckily, we have a very vibrant youth population interested in innovation and highly ready to leverage technology and good education, and they remain committed to growth.

“We managed that and partitioned the economic drawback and the fallout of the subsidy removal equally, engendering transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline for the country. And that is most important, focusing on what direction we should head in. I will pursue that rigorously,” he said.

Tinubu explained that the government under his leadership manages the nation’s currency and effectively removes corruption-laden arbitrage.

“Currency management was necessary to remove the artificial value element in our currency. Hence, our local currency finds its level and competes with the rest of the world’s currencies as we remove corrupt arbitrage and opaqueness.

“That we did. At the same time, that is a two-engine problem that is a very turbulent situation for the government.

“But we can manage that turbulence because we prepared for this with inclusivity in governance and rapid communication with the public,” the president said.

Recall that in June last year, Tinubu’s administration removed subsidies on petrol and liberalized the FX market.

The development had led to soaring inflation in Nigeria, which stood at 33.20 per cent in March, and currency fluctuation.

Tinubu reveals two policies resetting Nigeria’s economy growth

Imo leads table as South East Basketball tournament ends in Umuahia

The South East Basketball tournament has ended in Umuahia with the Imo State Basketball team maintaining their lead on the table.

They concluded their last match by defeating Abia Stars of Abia State with a score of 43-42 points.

Imo also emerged victorious against the Anambra team with a score of 48-36 points.

Abia Stars, on the other hand, had won their first game by defeating Anambra 50-26.

Speaking after the conclusion of the competition, the coach of the Imo State Basketball team, Coach Victor Ogugua, emphasized the importance of young people combining education with sports to create a bright future. He stated that they are making efforts to encourage the athletes to pursue a better career in basketball.

Coach Ogugua expressed his satisfaction with the performance of his team at the South East basketball competition.

He said they would not stop there but would review their performance and prepare for the next level of the competition.

Also, the head coach of Abia Stars Basketball, Coach Oriakhi Osagbovo, lauded Governor Alex Otti, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Nwaobilor Ananaba and the Abia State Director of Sports, Mr Obioma George, for their efforts in promoting basketball in Abia State.

He added that they are determined to build a formidable team that will bring glory to Abia and Nigeria, especially with the modern basketball equipment acquired by Governor Otti.

Imo leads table as South East Basketball tournament ends in Umuahia

Why government should subsidise, untax menstrual pads – Groups

A coalition of non-profit organizations have called on the government to provide subsidies and exempt menstrual pads from taxes to enhance menstrual hygiene among women and girls nationwide.

The group feared that women and girls might go down with avoidable diseases emanating from alternatives to menstrual pad.

The organisations had formed a movement tagged “Untax My Menstrual Pad” to advocate for the danger associated with skyrocketed prices of modern menstrual pad.

Some of the NGOs include; Kairos Initiative, Al-Wadata Lifeline Initiative, Attah Sisters Helping Hands Foundation, Child is Gold Foundation and others.

At the end of a three-day stakeholders’ meeting on Sunday, the coalition in a communique resolved to demand for subsidised and untaxed menstrual pad.

According to the group, there is a need to sensitise rural and urban communities in Bauchi State on the prevention of stigmatisation of the girl child, particularly during cycle and when abused.

Part of the communique reads, “To support and encourage survivors to ensure no girl misses school because of menstrual pain through capacity building and the provision of first pad banks in all schools.

“Also to advocate to the ministry of education and ministry of health to ensure there is a policy on pad and free distribution for schools as a way of reducing the number of girls who miss school during their menstrual period. Advocate to schools and community heads on the importance of a menstrual stigma free society.”

Why government should subsidise, untax menstrual pads – Groups

Removal of fuel subsidy necessary to reset Nigeria’s economy – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu says the removal of fuel subsidy was needed to reset Nigeria’s economy.

Tinubu made the statement while speaking as one of the panelists at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.

DAILY POST reports that the World Economic Forum meeting focuses on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development.

The President said the subsidy was removed to prevent Nigeria from going bankrupt.

DAILY POST recalls that Tinubu announced the removal of subsidy on petrol the day he was inaugurated into office.

The policy, however, saw prices of commodities spike, leading to increased hardship in the country.

“For Nigeria, we are immensely consistent with belief that the economic collaboration and inclusiveness is necessary to engender stability in the rest of the world.

“Concerning the question of the subsidy removal, there is no doubt that it was a necessary action for my country not to go bankrupt, to reset the economy and pathway to growth,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu added that he was convinced the decision was in the best interest of the people.

He said, “It is going to be difficult, but the hallmark of leadership is taking difficult decision at the time it ought to be taken decisively. That was necessary for the country.

“Yes, there will be blowback, there is expectation that the difficulty in it will be felt by greater number of the people, but once I believe it is their interest that is the focus of the government, it is easier to manage and explain the difficulties.

“Along the line, there is a parallel arrangement to really cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on the vulnerable population of the country. We share the pain across board, we cannot but include those who are vulnerable.

“Luckily, we have a very vibrant youthful population interested in discoveries by themselves and they are highly ready for technology, good education committed to growth.

“We are able to manage that and partition the economic drawback and the fallout of subsidy removal.”

According to him, the fuel subsidy removal equally engendered accountability, transparency and physical discipline for the country.

Removal of fuel subsidy necessary to reset Nigeria’s economy – Tinubu

Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Sunday morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:

1. Tragedy struck in Rivers State on Friday night when fire from a fuel-laden tanker consumed four persons and about 100 vehicles at the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State. It was learnt that the tanker collided with another vehicle, exploded and burst into flames that spread to other tankers and many other vehicles trapped in the gridlock.

2. The executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has appointed Michael Nzekwe as his chief of staff. He also appointed zonal directors for each of the 14 zonal commands of the commission.

3. One person died on Saturday when a gas tanker explosion occurred after an accident at Ita Oshin area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State. Chief Route Commander and Education Officer for Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Florence Okpe, who confirmed the incident, on behalf of the sector commander, Anthony Uga, said the accident occurred at about 4:16 pm.

4. The Naira yesterday recovered against the US dollar at the parallel market as it appreciated to N1280/$, according to market information obtained by Nairametrics from currency traders. This implied that the Naira appreciated by N120, representing a gain of 8.57 per cent when compared to the N1,400 to a dollar at which it traded on Friday.

5. Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has said there is a fierce fight to destroy the state. He said this at the country home of Sir Celestine Omehia in Ubima community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers, on Saturday.

6. A resident of Osogbo, simply identified as Seun and the motorcyclist conveying her have been crushed to death in a road accident that occurred in Osogbo, Osun State. Seun was said to be a fashion designer and was also working with a real estate firm. It was gathered that the accident occurred Friday evening around OgoOluwa Area of Osogbo.

7. The All Progressives Congress has demanded the cancellation of the just conducted local government election in Oyo State. The party claimed that the election was a “sham,” warning that if allowed to proceed, it may damage the state’s reputation.

8. The retired Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Aderemi Adeoye has recounted how he fought the dreaded Niger Delta militants, the Boko Haram terrorists in the North East and the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, insurgents in the South East and survived all of them without a scar. Speaking during his pullout ceremony at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, Adeoye said it was the grace of God that saved him during the dangerous moments.

9. Five officials in the Benin Kingdom have been suspended for allegedly engaging in sacrilegious conduct against Benin custom. The Benin Traditional Council, BTC, said their suspension was because they visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, where they “falsely” claimed to be emissaries of the Oba of Benin and rendered inaccurate account of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.

10. The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 16 notorious cultists and declared 21 others wanted. In a statement by the command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in Awka on Saturday, the feat was achieved following intensified efforts to end the resurgence of cult-related killings in Awka, the state capital.

Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Sunday morning

Oborevwori grants employment to DELSU’s best graduating student

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Saturday approved automatic employment for Ilebe Joshua, the overall Best Graduating Student of Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka.

Joshua graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy with a 4.83 CGPA.

Governor Oborevwori, who approved the automatic employment at the 16th Convocation of the university, challenged graduates not to think only of getting paid jobs but to think of becoming entrepreneurs.

Governor Oborevwori said: “As you launch out into the world today, it is my earnest expectation that you will put to good use the academic knowledge and life lessons you have garnered during your sojourn here.

“Do not think only of getting a paid job; I challenge you to be entrepreneurial in your approach to life. Money is a reward for creating value. One of the things a quality university education does for you is that it makes you see challenges as part of life.”

Governor Oborevwori commended the university’s governing council and management for the impressive growth recorded by the institution over the years.

“This administration is also committed to sustaining timely and predictable delivery of academic programmes in the state’s tertiary institutions,” he added.

Governor Oborevwori, on arrival, had inaugurated the Faculty of Science Extension and the Microbiology Laboratory Complex built by the university.

Welcoming guests earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Andy Egwunyenga, said that a total of 4,776 students graduated from the 2022–2023 academic session, comprising 730 postgraduate degrees, 99 Doctor of Philosophy degrees, 522 Masters degrees and 109 postgraduate diplomas.

The graduands, according to him, include 3,611 first degrees, comprising 54 first class, 1,207 second class honours (upper division), 380 second class honours (lower division) and 380 third class honours.

At the ceremony, Prof. Chukwuemeke Peter Aloamaka was decorated as Professor Emeritus of the university, recognising his outstanding accomplishments as an academic scholar and administrator. At the same time, former Minister of Information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, was formally conferred with the Honorary Doctor of Letters of the university.

Oborevwori grants employment to DELSU’s best graduating student

Yiaga Africa tasks electorates on deeper consciousness of LG polls

Yiaga Africa, a Civil Society Organisation in Nigeria has challenged electorates at the local level to awaken their consciousness on issues about local government elections by not just voting at the polls but participating fully at the governance process.

The Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reforms, Ezenwa Nwagwu, who gave the charge during an Advocacy Roundtable on Legislative Reform for Improved Local Government Elections in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital,

observed that local government elections have not been accorded the right attention.

Nwagwu, in his Keynote Address tagged, “Local Government Elections: A Necessity for Democratic Development,” described local government election as important tool for deepening of democracy but regretted that such was almost illusory as local government elections have been allegedly “ambushed” by the governors, thereby making the party in power to take it all.

He, therefore urged other civil society organisations including the media, to intensify efforts in carrying out voter and civic education at the grassroots so that people will be conscious of governance vis a vis budgets of the local government.

His words, “There is no critical questioning of issues of governance within the local government level. Budget is made at the local government level but no one seems to question how these are done. There should be a deeper consciousness of sub national elections so that there will be full participation. Crimes will reduce when local governments work and function optimally.

“Where we should learn democracy is at the sub-national level but it’s difficult because, because of the ambush of that structure by the Chief executive of the states, the ruling party of that state takes about 97 Percent of the vote cast in election even the opposition parties are not even interested in going to court.”

In her presentation, Cynthia Mbamalu said election is not just a political process but a human right issue that should be exercised by legible voters.

Mbamalu, who noted that Akwa Ibom is one the States taking the lead in reviewing its State Electoral Law

explained that the last electoral act enables financial autonomy for INEC and same should be applied to SIEC to enable the body function optimally.

The Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission, Aniedi Ikoiwak, blamed the limitations of local government elections on loopholes of the constitution, querying why the constitution was silent on the required tenure of the council chairmen, unlike the president at the national level and the governors at the state level.

He noted that instead of calls to scrap SIEC, efforts should be made to strengthen it for the development and workability of the local government.

Also speaking, Safiya Bichi of Yiaga Africa urged the CSOs to look out for the factors restricting citizens participation in elections and tinker with ways of addressing them by reawakening their interests through vigorous voter education.

The Chairman, Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, Anthony Bassey, identified voter apathy as a potent factor undermining elections at the grassroots, noting that people already have a predetermined mindset that governors had already picked their loyalists.

He called on lawmakers to strengthen some of the legislations as well as the CSOs to constantly engage the media with the aim of unravelling some of the electoral infractions.

Yiaga Africa tasks electorates on deeper consciousness of LG polls

BenPoly: Purge yourself of ethnic favouritism – Group tells Alia

The Idoma Intellectual Forum, IIF, has called on Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to douse the palpable tension in the Benue State Polytechnic community and abort the growing acrimony, cautious distrust and ill feelings by appointing a substantive Rector for the school immediately.

This was contained in statement on Friday, at Abuja by the National Secretary of IIF, Dr. Sunday Ochigbo.

According to the group, they subscribed to the vision and commitment of the Governor Alia’s administration to overhaul, rejig and reform the educational sector in Benue State for optimal and excellent output.

The group emphasized that the decision of the governor to sack all heads of the state-owned higher institutions was not out of place, so long as it was targeted towards bringing on board more qualified and competent hands.

“What bewildered us now is the long period it has taken to fill up the vacancy occasioned by the sack of the heads of the higher institutions, especially Benue Polytechnic, Ugbokolo.

“Almost immediately after the sack, a substantive Provost for the Benue State College of Education, Oju was appointed and earlier today, a substantive Rector for the Alfred Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Makurdi was also appointed.

“We now wonder why the process of appointing a substantive Rector for Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo is being delayed or taking more time than necessary,” they questioned.

The group said the composition of the management team of the Benpoly was unpleasant to the mind of the Idoma people and completely against state character.

“A situation where the acting rector of the Polytechnic is a Tiv man, Bursar is a Tiv man, Registrar is a Tiv man, Director of works is a Tiv man, and every other critical management position is being hijacked by our Tiv brothers in an institution located in Idoma Land is unacceptable,” the group declared.

The IIF frowned at the sacking of an Idoma Rector and the appointment of a Tiv acting Rector by the Alia administration.

They condemned the grand plot to continue to marginalise and shortchange the Idoma people in every sector of Benue State, and even in a state-owned Polytechnic located in Idoma land.

BenPoly: Purge yourself of ethnic favouritism – Group tells Alia

Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Saturday morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:

1. The American International School of Abuja has paid $760,910.84 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from the $845,852 school fees allegedly deposited by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello in respect of five of his children in the school.

2. Movement would be restricted for the duration of today’s local government election in Oyo State, the State Government announced on Friday evening. The restriction will help officials of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC, to conduct the poll without hindrance.

3. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, were among the dignitaries who attended the wedding fatiha of the children of emirs of Kano and Bichi, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, on Saturday.

4. President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Jim Ovia, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND. This is contained in a statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, on Friday.

5. Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, on Friday, urged his predecessors including Chief Samuel Ortom, to refrain from interfering in his administration, warning that he would not allow anyone to destabilise his government. Alia while briefing journalists on his return from the USA, Friday morning, said the past governors have had their own term.

6. The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has said the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, led government in Kano State is behind the various protests against him in Abuja. Ganduje in a statement by his aide, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, alleged that the Kano government had been hiring protesters from the streets, mostly Kwankwasiyya members, some of whom are from the North Central geo-political zone to demand his resignation.

7. Military commander of an army camp located at Sabon Garin Dan’Ali, in Danmusa local government area of Katsina state has been killed in an ambush. Sources said the incident happened Thursday evening and the corpse of the deceased, a major in the army, was deposited at a hospital in Katsina.

8. Bandits have attacked the palace of the Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Bello Muhammad Bunu, killing three people and abducting some residents of the town. The bandits, who stormed the town around 10pm on Wednesday, according to locals, also attacked the residence of the former Military Administrator of Nasarawa State, Colonel Bala Muhammad Mande (rtd).

9. The Nigeria Correctional Service has stepped up efforts to track down and recapture escaped inmates of the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, Niger State. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Thursday, said the government would relocate a lot of correctional centres to create better infrastructure and security.

10. Men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, assigned to tackle currency mutilation, dollarisation of the economy, and forex malpractice, have arrested 34 suspected currency speculators accused of foreign exchange fraud. This was made known in a statement shared on the commission’s website on Friday.

Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Saturday morning

Tinubu appoints Zenith Bank founder Jim Ovia Chairman of NELFUND

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Jim Ovia, a renowned banker and businessman, as the chairman of the board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.

Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Ovia is the founder of Zenith Bank and a respected business leader with a proven track record of benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.

Accordingly, the President believed Ovia would bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student is denied the pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds.

The development came after President Tinubu signed the amended copy of the student loan bill on April 3, 2024.

The student loan scheme aims to solve the hardships facing Nigerians.

Tinubu appoints Zenith Bank founder Jim Ovia Chairman of NELFUND

Ekiti Govt reiterates commitment to welfare of PWDs

Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun has reiterated the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration to the welfare of persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in the state.

Olatunbosun, who gave the assurance in Ado Ekiti, urged interested individuals and corporate organizations not to fan the embers of hatred and strife but support the efforts of the state government to make life more meaningful for all stakeholders in the state, particularly the PWDs.

Olatunbosun recalled that in January this year, the state government launched a free healthcare programme that allows people with disabilities access to healthcare services at no cost in the state.

He said that the healthcare programme organized by the Office of Special Education and Social Inclusion in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health was designed to enable all people living with disabilities in the state to enjoy free healthcare services in all government-owned primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities across the state.

Stressing the efforts of the state government to sensitize and inform all concerned of the the programme, Olatunbosun said that the programme was highly advertised.

According to him, people living with disabilities in the state are to register with the Ministry of Health with their National Identification Number (NIN) and one passport photograph each to benefit from the programme.

Ekiti Govt reiterates commitment to welfare of PWDs

‘Join APC’ – Uche Nwosu woos Ihedioha, other ex-Imo PDP chiefs

Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, a former Commissioner for Lands in Imo State, has urged an ex-governor of the state, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, to join the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ihedioha recently resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

In his resignation letter, addressed to the PDP chairman in Mbutu Ward, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Ihedioha cited a misalignment between his personal beliefs and the current trajectory of the main opposition party.

The former governor lamented recent developments within the PDP, stating that the party has deviated from its core principles.

He voiced concerns over the party’s inability to enact internal reforms, uphold its own regulations, and effectively oppose the ruling APC.

“Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs. Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is, sadly, no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“It is in the light of the foregoing, that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party effective immediately,” Ihedioha said in the resignation letter.

Ihedioha’s action led to a wave of high profile resignations in the PDP in Imo State, as the state chairman, Chief Charles Ugwu, a former deputy governor, Engr Gerald Irona, and one-time Education Commissioner, Prof Jude Njoku, also quit the party.

Reacting to the development in an interview with journalists, Nwosu, who served as Chief of Staff to ex-Imo governor Rochas Okorocha, urged Ihedioha and the other former Imo PDP chieftains to join the APC and work with Governor Hope Uzodimma for the development and growth of the state.

According to him, joining the ruling APC would afford them the opportunity to work together with the governor and other patriotic citizens to move lmo forward.

Nwosu also noted that joining the APC would give Ihedioha and the other former Imo PDP chieftains a platform to effectively contribute to the success of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

Nwosu said, “l have been watching and following the developments in the Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and l know that some big names in the party have resigned their membership, including Rt. Hon. lhedioha, his deputy in the 2019 governorship election, Hon. lrona, and a good number of other leaders and key members of the party.

“l know that since they left, a lot of people including my humble self, have been wondering what could be or what is likely to be their next political action or move and there have been a lot of speculations to that effect.

“I have also considered a lot of factors or indices and have seen that the most popular action for them to take in this situation is to join the ruling party, APC.

“This is the most progressive action for them to take. Joining APC is the only people-orientated action they should take now. And that would give them room to work with President Bola Tinubu, Governor Hope Uzodimma and other leaders in the party at both the national and state levels, for the progress of our dear country.

“I also know that the moment they decide to join the APC, they would be most welcome and everybody would work as a team to move the state forward and by extension, the South East and the entire nation.”

Nwosu described lhedioha and the others as big political assets and commended them for their decision to leave the PDP.

According to him, “there is no better option or alternative for them as a matter of fact than to move into the APC immediately and be on the same political lane with the President, the governor and other stakeholders in the APC”.

He prayed that God would guide them to see the reasons or wisdom in toeing his line of thought.

‘Join APC’ – Uche Nwosu woos Ihedioha, other ex-Imo PDP chiefs

JAMB extends 2024 Direct Entry registration

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has announced that the registration for Direct Entry has been extended until a later date.

Dr Fabian Benjamin, Public Communication Advisor of the board, stated this on Thursday.

According to him, in a bid to ensure that no Nigerian child is denied access to quality higher education, the board has decided to move the closing date for Direct Entry registration to a later date.

JAMB had announced the commencement of registration for the 2024 Direct Entry from February 28 to March 28.

The board also extended the exercise by two weeks, bringing the closing date for registration to April 11, due to some factors.

“Again, the report reaching us is that there is a surge by candidates, especially in Lagos, to beat this registration deadline. The board wants to call on all candidates yet to register for the DE to calm down, as the registration deadline is again extended.

“This is because of the ongoing UTME in centres across the country. Again, it is also our mandate to ensure that no Nigerian desirous of access to quality education is left behind. The board will soon announce a new date for the end of this year’s DE registration and so, candidates should relax, but ensure they register as soon as possible,” Benjamin said.

JAMB extends 2024 Direct Entry registration

FG to upgrade 50 secondary schools

The Federal Government has commenced the upgrading of 50 selected senior secondary schools across the country.

Dr Iyela Ajayi, the Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission, NSSCE, disclosed this while speaking in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, during a recent courtesy visit by Commissioner of Education, Dr John Mamman.

A statement by NSSCE’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol, Fatima Ahmed Bappare, said Dr Ajayi explained that Government College, Nasarawa, was among the selected schools for the upgrade.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu placed a high priority on the development of the education sector, as evident in the budget allocation to the sector in the 2024 Appropriation Act.

He further stated: “The upgrade of the 50 selected senior secondary schools across the nation, which was captured in the 2024 budget, is a clear testimony of this administration’s commitment to the development of senior secondary education in the country.”

Dr Ajayi called for cooperation between the Nasarawa State Ministry of Education and the consultant that would be on site for a smooth take-off during the upgrade.

The Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Education, Mal. Mohammed Sani Bala, who represented the Commissioner of Education, responded by expressing appreciation for selecting the state among the pullout states, promising to give every necessary support needed for the success of the upgrade.

FG to upgrade 50 secondary schools

Fraudulent sales of 36 houses: Kano Science Board secretary denies allegations

The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Science and Technical Board, Associate Professor Dahiru Sale Muhammad, has recently come under heavy scrutiny for allegedly selling over 36 houses belonging to the board without government approval.

Muhammad was accused of disbursing over 36 government-owned properties situated in Tiga Town, Bebeji Local Government Area of the state.

However, in a quick reaction to the allegations against him, Muhammad told newsmen that all the insinuations levelled against him were baseless because there was no sale of any house by his office.

He said: “What exactly happened was that a former Commissioner of Education under the administration of Ganduje was the one who sold houses belonging to the Science and Technical Board, not this Abba Kabir Yusuf Government.

“As at the time I assumed office, there was nothing like selling any houses. All I know is that some staff of Technical College Tiga took the principal of the school to court for allegedly selling houses and the court found him guilty and he was adequately prosecuted.”

In the same vein, the Executive Secretary of the board was accused of unduly transferring and removing some level 15 principals and allegedly replacing them with friends and cronies who are below level 12.

Responding to the allegation, Muhammad noted that all those he removed from their positions were found to be unqualified as principals of technical colleges because they lacked basic qualifications in science and technical subjects.

“You can imagine somebody having Arabic or Hausas as the principal of a Science and Technical College. What do you think would happen? Indeed, that was why all the practical equipment of the science and technical schools has not been put to use over the years,” he explained.

He also added: “What we did was redeploy these sets of principals who don’t have the required qualifications and appointed qualified ones with science and technical knowledge, and even at that, we have given them targets upon which we want to see results.”

Professor Dahiru Sale Muhammad explained that most of the science and technical practical lessons tools were kept for over 10 years since the Kwankwaso government purchased them and they were not put to use.

Fraudulent sales of 36 houses: Kano Science Board secretary denies allegations