News
Enugu Gov’t shuts down illegal, low-quality school
By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu
The Enugu State Government has commenced the enforcement of educational policies which has led to the closure of some illegally run and low quality schools, stressing that the move will rid the state of poor-quality education and skill deficiency.
This was even as parents as well as stakeholders in the public and private academic system commended the state governor, Peter Mbah, over what they described as “critical reforms” in education that will reposition the state’s standard of learning and equip the young ones with the requisite skills to compete globally.
The Commissioner for Education, Ndubueze Mbah, disclosed, Friday in Enugu, during the enforcement exercise, that the state government would not compromise its determination to raise the bar of education in the state, which include competent and qualified teachers, adherence to the education curriculum, conducive learning environment and other safety measures for students.
He described as worrisome and unacceptable the proliferation of illegal schools across the state where unscrupulous proprietors rip off parents of resources without providing commensurate quality education for their children, adding that some schools parade unqualified teachers while cramping children in dilapidated structures which put their lives in danger.
The exercise followed an earlier directive by the ministry requiring all operators of educational institutions across the basic and secondary school levels to comply with the state regulations, which mandate registration and approval by the ministry before commencing operation.
“You will recall that we held extensive stakeholders’ engagements with practitioners, both public and private in the education sector. We sensitized our people about the state government’s educational policies and how education must align with the most advanced global practices if our children can have a chance to acquire 21st Century skills and modern workforce knowledge, to be able to compete with their global peers.
“Pursuant to the law which allows us to maintain minimum standards of education for both private and public schools, and also empowers our ministry to streamline and enhance effective administration, monitoring and supervision of private schools.
“We gave the grace of four months for all schools to register or obtain provisional licenses to do so. The four-month window period for schools to align with these directives has elapsed prompting our ministry to begin the enforcement on non-compliant schools. We are doing this to checkmate abuses and restore the dignity of education in our state,” the commissioner said.
According to him, the team has discovered several schools that had been operating under life-threatening conditions, subjecting children to unsafe and unhealthy learning environments, insisting that some of the structures housing the school children could collapse at any time.
He lamented that some of the schools visited were operating under open-roof, fallen rafters and severely cracked walls housing hundreds of pupils under an abysmal learning environment, saying they were in complete disregard of the rules guiding the establishment and management of educational institutions.
Some of the illegal schools that were shut down included Evangel School where students were crammed inside a little church with barricades, and concealed in toilets when the management saw the ministry’s enforcement team; Ivory Education Centre, located along Owerri Road, Asata, which was conducting classes in makeshift garages and amid a structure under construction; Eastview Nursery and Primary School at Railway Quarters, Njemanze, which is a dilapidated barn; St. Michael Nursery and Primary School, Asata; St. Bartholomew Nursery, Primary, and Secondary School, Asata; and Olive Grove Nursery and Primary Academy, Njemanze.
Speaking on the closures, Mbah reiterated the government’s bullish stance against substandard education, warning that operators of illegal and substandard institutions risked imprisonment under the state laws. “The safety and quality of education our children receive must be prioritized. We will not allow any school to operate below the required minimum standards. This is about the future of our state, and we owe it to our children to give them the best foundation,” he added.
The commissioner, who also reassured law-abiding schools that their compliance with the law and policy of the state will continue to be reciprocated with the right support by the government, urged the public to report any unregistered or substandard schools within their communities to help maintain the integrity of education across the state.
Meanwhile, some of the parents who spoke to newsmen lauded the government’s effort to sanitize the education sector, saying they were regaining confidence in the state’s educational system.
Arch Ezea Ugwu, who runs an architectural firm at Ogui Road, said they would not hesitate to support future steps taken by the government to reposition state education and make it the best in the country.
Speaking, Mrs Onyinye Onuigbo, whose two children were formerly in one of the schools that were closed for non-compliance, said she withdrew them in May this year after discovering that the school was only charging excessively without quality education.
She accused some of the schools planning to stage protests as a “form of corruption fighting back” because their dubious means of livelihood had been cracked.
“We will continue to support any policy like this. I heard that some dishonest proprietors who have been engaging in these criminal enterprises are calling on parents to stage protests. They should be explaining themselves in prison in a sane society. Our people must resist and shame them,” Mrs Onuigbo said.
By Mark Akudu, Kogi
A group, Movement for true federalism has called for the scrapping of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC) claiming the institution was founded on illegality and for long being used to legally fight illegality.
Spokesperson of the group, Abdullahi Sanusi in a statement on Friday noted that the anti-graft agency has been operating on illegality since the agency was established in 2004 with the aim to mitigate corruption.
He recalled that the EFCC which is an act was enacted pursuant to a treaty known as United Nations convention against corruption ( UNCAC) which was brought into force by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 58/4 of 31st of October, 2003.
Sanusi, who has vast knowledge of the Nigeria Constitution asserted that Kofi Anan the then United Nations Secretary General at the said convention noted that the convention introduces a comprehensive set of standards, measures and rules that all countries can apply in order to strengthen their legal and regulatory regime to fight corruption.
Making reference to the constitution, Sanusi said “Section 12 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended which is the Apex Law of the land provides; No treaty between the Federation and any other country shall have the force of the law except to the extent to which any such treaty has been enacted into law by the National Assembly.
” Section 12 (2) states that the National Assembly may make laws for the Federation or any part thereof with respect to matters not included in the Exclusive Legislative List for the purpose of implementing a treaty.
“SECTION 12 (3)A bill for an Act of the National Assembly passed pursuant to the provision of subsection (2) of this section shall not be presented to the President for assent and shall not be enacted unless it is ratified by a majority of all the Houses of Assembly in the Federation,Our emphasis here is subsection (3) as underlined.
“I have carried a background check and have consulted various statute books and gazette and have not found where and when the majority of all the Houses of Assembly ratified the ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION (ESTABLISHMENT BILL) prior to when same was presented to the President who signed same into law as EFCC Act, 2004 within the contemplation and intendment Section 12 (3) of the Constitution.
“If my finding is true and correct, which I reasonably believed to be true and correct, then it’s high time our judiciary rose up to the occasion to scrap and disband EFCC now and save this nation a sure to happen National embarrassment or disaster in the future”.
He called on the Federal Government led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to leave the above board and do the needful to put an end to what he described as national embarrassment occasioned by the operation of EFCC without a constitutional validity for over 20 years .
“I am fortified by this clarion call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to either overhaul, scrap and or disband EFCC by the extant principle of Nigeria Constitutional jurisprudence that all laws must take its validity from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
He added that ” corruption and crime are not on the exclusive legislative list and as such the majority of the house of assemblies should have been made to back the EFCC bill before it’s enactment by the National Assembly in line with section 12 of the constitution a process not done making establishment of EFCC , a moral institution to be founded on illegality to chase illegality “
The spokesperson of the group also went further to state that since the constitution backs the House of Assembly to make laws regarding taxations, charges and finances of all states , the assemblies also should have superior power regarding investigation, conviction and punishment of diversion of such funds.
He urged the House of Assembly across the Country to rise up to their legislative duties to avoid duplication of functions by the EFCC.
News
Ebonyi: Go back to site, support gov Nwifuru by delivering quality jobs – Obichukwu tells contractors
By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki
Ebonyi state commissioner for aviation and transport technology, Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu has tasked contractors handling various projects at the Chuba Okadigbo international airport to go back to site, and should support governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration by delivering quality projects in the state.
The Nations News Nigeria reports that the commissioner, Obichukwu inaugurated a 5-man committee led by the permanent secretary, Mrs. Linda Alo to inspect and scrutinize the quality of work done by the contractors at the airport.
Obichukwu who spoke to newsmen shortly after a close door meeting with the contractors at her office located at the Chuba Okadigbo Airport, Onueke Ezza South LGA, however gave ultimatum of 30th October, 2024
for all contractors to submit a letter/proof of award of contract to them by the state government.
She further urged the contractors to be patient and should give maximum support to the governor, Nwifuru, to succeed in his administration, just as she assured them of the government’s readiness to pay them funds owed to them by the previous administration.
According to her: “Airport management is not like other transport services, there are aspects of it that will last many years. Some of the contractors had an agreement with the state government that will last for five to ten years.
“And now that Chuba Okadigbo airport is ready, we wait for the approval to commence flight operation. We invited the contractors we engaged, and we want them to go back to site and complete what they had a contextual agreement with the state government to complete, especially the airfield lightning to enable flight to land at night. We want them to complete the air-condition installation, solar panel installation, and others.
Obichukwu however reiterated the committed efforts of the governor, Nwifuru to complete and put the Chuba Okadigbo airport in perfect use; “The governor, Francis Nwifuru wants the Airport to be of good international standard, and so, we are pleading with the contractors to go back to site, and complete what they had an agreement with the former governor to complete. They will equally be paid the balances owed to them by the previous administration.
She noted further: “the fear that the governor may terminate their jobs, this is one year and four months, the governor will not terminate their jobs, he is equally interested in them to complete their jobs. But they have to show proof that contracts were actually awarded to them, and that they are real contractors that should be trusted. They should work hard at the same pace as the governor, who wants all the jobs to be done perfectly well” she stressed.
Earlier in an acceptance speech, the permanent secretary, Mrs Linda Alo vowed not to leave any stone unturned in ensuring that quality jobs are done at the airport by the contractors.
According to her: “we were charged to come up with a reason and need to pay the contractors balances who did different projects at the Chuba Okadigbo’s airport.
“We are going to interface with the contractors and they have to bring all the necessary documents beginning from the bill of quantity, stages of payments etc, and we will represent the governor to ensure that quality of work is delivered by the contractors at the airport” she said.
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
Following the sociopolitical crises that have bedeviled Rivers State in recent times, the spiritual leader of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu has assured Governor Sim Fubara of protection, restoration of peace and success of his administration.
To this end, the spiritual leader has ordered his teeming faithful to converge in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State for what he described as Peace and Unity Feast, which one week activity commenced last Monday in the state.
It is billed to climax on Saturday 12 October 2024 with a 3-hour procession round the city centre with prayers to avert further untoward developments.
It is learnt that the spiritual leader despatched a delegation from the headquarters of his organisation in Calabar led by Patriarch Amah William’s who is spokesman of the organisation as well as the administrator of the fold Rivers state, Archbishop Amaewhule Ogwutum to visit Governor Fubara
Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo received the delegation on behalf of the governor.
Addressing the governor, Amah Williams stressed the importance of global peace, particularly in the state and why all should sheath their swords, reminding that the spiritual leader had declared Port Harcourt as the port of peace.
He assured that the pronouncement still stands, emphasizing that Peace will certainly return.
He also assured that their organization as a development partner in peace-building and sustainable projects, will work to enthroned peace in the state.
Also speaking, the administrator of the organization in the state, Archbishop Amaewhule expressed gratitude for the governor’s warm reception.
He said the Peace and Unity feast is an annual event by the organisation but that this year’s celebration will bring about spiritual intervention in the State.
Secretary to the State Government, Danagogo regretted the unavoidable absence of the Governor and expressed gratitude for spiritual interventions of BCS in the state and assurances of peace and protection.
“The assurances of peace, unity and protection of the governor and safety in Rivers State are heart warming. The assurances from the influential spiritual leader are very important to the Governor at this moment in the State.” he stated.
By Mark Akudu, Kogi
The management of Dangote Cement Plant ,Obajana has handed over a Security House worth millions of Naira to Kogi State House of Assembly as a way to prevent insecurity in the area..
Speaking during the handing over of the Security House, the Speaker ,Kogi State House of Assembly, Yusuf Umar appreciated the gesture and described the fire incident that previously razed down the assembly complex as unfortunate.
The Speaker who stressed the importance of security to lives and properties , said the gesture would go down well in history, saying the company has written its name in gold in the anal of Kogi State.
While stating that the facility would go a long way to enhance the security of the assembly complex, he said the gesture would not be taken for granted.
Responding, the Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plant Obajana ,Hazard Nawabudeen who was represented by the General Manager Human Assets, Mr Adeniyi Azeez, described the gesture as one of the corporate/ social responsibilities of the company towards host communities.
He also stressed the importance of security, pointing out that interacting with a porous organisation is not safe .
Nawabudeen assured that this gesture was not the end as he assured of more cooperations and support for Kogi State and the state assembly in particular.
He added that this gesture would engender a robust relationship between the company and Kogi Assembly.
In a remark, the Clerk and Head of Legislative Service of Kogi Assembly, Alh Chogudo Sule Ahmed reiterated the appreciation of staff and management but requested for furniture and office facilities for the security house.
He said the requests were urgently needed , saying they are needed to enhance the jobs of the security men.
By: Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Mohammed Auwal Jatau has said that taxation is the backbone of the government’s ability to provide essential services, infrastructure, and support for citizens.
He noted further that it is through the revenue generated from taxes that the government can fund education, healthcare, and development projects that benefit all citizens in the country.
Jatau made this known during an interaction with FIRS officials from Bauchi office of the service who paid him an advocacy visit as part of the celebration of the 2024 FIRS Customer Service Week.
He noted that the advocacy visit is not only timely, but also crucial “as we work together to enhance tax compliance in our state,”
“We appreciate the efforts of the FIRS in improving customer service and simplifying tax processes. These initiatives not only ease the burden on taxpayers but also promote a sense of trust and accountability between the government and the governed. I assure you that the Bauchi State Government is prepared to support these initiatives and provide any necessary support to enhance tax compliance.”
He applauded the Federal Inland Revenue Service for initiating the Customer Service Week, saying it would serve as a reminder of the vital role that effective communication and customer service play in tax administration and, by extension, in the socio-economic development of Bauchi State.
Jatau assured the visitors that Governor Bala Mohammed is fully committed to fostering a culture of tax compliance among the citizens through working closely with the FIRS to ensure that citizens understand the importance of their contributions and the positive impact it has on the state’s economic growth.
The deputy governor of the state, Mohammed Auwal Jatau said that “As we celebrate Customer Service Week, let us remember that our mutual goal is to create a fair and efficient tax system that serves the interests of our citizens. I encourage us to engage with our communities, listen to their concerns, and to educate them on their rights and responsibilities regarding tax payments.”
In his part, Sani Dahiru who is the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) incharge of Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states expressed his appreciation to the state government for supporting the service to deliver on its assigned responsibilities effectively in the state.
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