₦airaland Forum

By Samuel Ogundipe

The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, on Tuesday said fresh intelligence had exposed the complicity of some "highly-placed traditional rulers" in the ongoing killings of Nigerians across the northern parts of the country.

Deadly attacks blamed on "bandits" have increased in north west states of Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina, with hundreds killed in recent months.

In the north east, attacks by the insurgent group Boko Haram have continued, affecting mostly Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

The widespread killings by rampaging armed bandits had prompted a surge in military and police deployment in those states, with President Muhammadu Buhari promising an escalation of security response if required.

The government on Sunday ordered the immediate stoppage of artisanal mining in Zamfara saying it had confirmed the attacks had links to illegal exploration of solid minerals in the area.

Mr Dan Ali in a Tuesday morning statement to PREMIUM TIMES said unnamed but high-profile traditional leaders had been identified as culpable in the violence, and vowed that they would not be sparred.

Mr Dan Ali said locals, especially in Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and other parts of northern Nigeria ravaged by faceless gunmen, should "rise in unison to support all government's efforts" aimed at addressing the crisis, especially because soldiers and other elements in the armed forces cannot combat it alone.

"It is instructive to mention here that insurgency and terrorism are global phenomena that cannot be addressed through military actions only," Mr Dan Ali said.

"However, in spite of the concerted efforts of the Armed Forces and other security some unpatriotic persons including highly placed traditional rulers in the areas were identified as helping the bandits with intelligence to perpetuate their nefarious actions or to compromise military operations," the minister said.

Mr Dan Ali did mention names of traditional leaders suspected to be fueling the violence, or whether any of them had been arrested.

A spokesperson for the ministry did not immediately answer requests seeking comments.

The minister also said the suspension of mining across Zamfara was amongst the key decisions the administration believed were key to returning normalcy to the region.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/324588-nigerian-govt-blames-traditional-leaders-for-violence-in-north.html

Mr Akitoye showed the PREMIUM TIMES correspondent a document capturing Methodist Primary School, Ewu Tuntun, as one of the schools to be renovated.

He also added that the board would seek partnership with night and neighbourhood watchers to help prevent hoodlums from gaining access to the school premises.

Hmm after all the taxes raised year after year they do this. They lucky they arent coming for their heads. Premiumtimes should have pressed him for more details. The article implies there's more schools like this.

“They have to put on tights before they can enter that school because they are girls,” she said.

“Do you know how many times they have come from SUBEB that they will do the school? They will not come.”

Lady think you should just take your kids somewhere else. Better safe than sorry.

For Ndidi Godwin, switching her children’s education from a private to a public school has turned out to be a huge mistake. The Methodist Primary School, Ewu-Tuntun, which her two daughters attend has gradually – but steadily – become a shadow of itself over the past years. And there seems to be no succour in sight.

“I removed them from private school and brought them here because I know what I got in a public school,” said Mrs Godwin, who runs a shop near the primary school.

“It’s public school I went to in Lagos State. For primary, I went to Ajubiliee Primary school, secondary is Bolade Grammar School, then Lagos State Polytechnic, have I not achieved?”

But the current state of Methodist Primary School, Ewu Tuntun in Oshodi, Lagos, is a far cry from what Mrs Godwin experienced in her days.

Established in 1953, the school with a pupil population of 374 consists of three buildings housing 18 classrooms. Ten of the classrooms are not in use while the remaining eight are in advanced stages of disrepair – no windows, broken ceilings, cracked walls, and tattered, leaky roofs.

A haven for hoodlums

Methodist Primary School, Ewu Tuntun, is situated in Oshodi, a bustling community in the heart of Lagos popular for hosting major motor parks as well as housing hoodlums. About 10 kilometres from the school, the state government’s ambitious multi-billion naira Oshodi Transport Interchange springs into view as the project enters its final stages of completion.

But the decrepit state of facilities in the primary school at Ewu Tuntun remains in need of urgent, total rehabilitation. In the meantime, it serves as a haven for hoodlums who not only come to smoke Indian Hemp but also defecate on the premises. The abandoned classrooms have been turned to sleeping spaces for the homeless.

During a recent visit by a PREMIUM TIMES correspondent, the stench of stale urine and overnight faeces hung thick in the air.

https://i1.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2019/03/A-classroom-turned-toilet-for-hoodlums-at-Ogundele-community-where-Methodist-School-Ewu-tuntun-Oshodi-is-located.jpg?zoom=3&w=600&h=800&ssl=1

A classroom turned toilet for hoodlums at Ogundele community where Methodist School, Ewu-tuntun, Oshodi is located "

The smell filters into the pupils’ classrooms during school hours.

“All the classrooms are in totally bad states, if you enter the classrooms, they smell like drainage,” said Mrs Godwin.

“No fence, no security for our children, even the classrooms are not good for learning. Many big people attended this school, in fact, there are many old students of the school living in this area, but nothing has been done.

“We hope that the government will do something about the condition of the school.”

Another parent said the school premises have become a playground for hoodlums.

“There was even a time a classroom got burnt as a result of remnant of a cigarette left in the classroom. Bola Tinubu visited this place when that happened but nothing has been done about the school,” said the parent who preferred not to be named.

https://i2.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2019/03/The-front-view-of-a-building-where-pupils-learn-at-Methodist-School-Ewu-tuntun-Oshodi.jpg?zoom=3&w=600&h=338&ssl=1

The front view of a building where pupils learn at Methodist School, Ewu-tuntun, Oshodi

The office of the head teacher, a Deputy Director and a Grade Level 16 officer in the state’s civil service, is not left out in the ruins.

There is nearly no ceiling under the leaky roof and a wall clock near a wooden locker dangles from the cracked wall.

A teacher in the school told PREMIUM TIMES that the poor state of the building dampens their morale, adding that the insufficient classrooms in the school are causing the classes to be overcrowded. For instance, three arms of a class are merged into one and they are taught by two or three teachers.

https://i2.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2019/03/The-front-view-of-a-building-where-pupils-learn-at-Methodist-School-Ewu-tuntun-Oshodi.jpg?zoom=3&w=600&h=338&ssl=1

The Primary 6 classroom of Methodist School, Ewu-tuntun, Oshodi

Another teacher said whenever it rains, the pupils are exposed to droplets of water from the leaky roof and that there is an overpowering putrid stench in the classrooms during the rainy season.

‘Limited funds’

The Universal Basic Education (UBE), a Nigerian government initiative, replaced the Universal Primary Education and is intended to enhance the success of the first nine years of schooling in a child’s life, starting with six years of primary education.

Each of the 36 states and the federal capital territory has a UBE arm to enhance proper co-ordination between the federal and state governments.

In Lagos State, the Lagos State Universal Basic Education, an agency under the Lagos State Ministry of Education, is charged with coordinating, managing, and implementing the UBE programme of the state government in conjunction with the federal government.

The federal government through the UBE releases an annual grant which each state is expected to provide an equal amount of money as counterpart fund – a matching grant – before it could access the money.

https://i2.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2019/03/An-abandoned-building-at-Methodist-School-Ewu-tuntun-Oshodi.jpg?zoom=3&w=600&h=338&ssl=1

An abandoned building at Methodist School, Ewu-tuntun, Oshodi

As at April 2018, Lagos State is among the 13 states that had met the condition and had received N1.3 billion from the federal government.

Ganiyu Sopeyin, the executive chairman of SUBEB in Lagos State, said many schools in the state need attention but there are limited funds.

“We only have to attend to some schools while others will have to wait,” Mr Sopeyin told PREMIUM TIMES, adding that the condition of the school, as well as the population, are some of the criteria SUBEB uses in selecting the schools for renovation.

“Because of the situations in the country, we will not be able to get everything done. In spite of the rapport we have with NGOs, civil society organizations and so many societies, we will still not be able to have everything done.”

Seyi Akitoye, the public relations officer of Lagos State SUBEB, said there are 1,013 primary schools in the state and 20 are selected every year for rehabilitation.

https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2019/03/A-classroom-at-Methodist-Primary-School-Ewu-Tuntun-Oshodi.jpg?zoom=3&w=600&h=338&ssl=1

A classroom at Methodist Primary School, Ewu-Tuntun, Oshodi

“We don’t depend on the counter-part fund we receive from federal government, the state because of its passion for education also give fund for infrastructural development,” Mr Akitoye said.

Mr Akitoye showed the PREMIUM TIMES correspondent a document capturing Methodist Primary School, Ewu Tuntun, as one of the schools to be renovated.

He also added that the board would seek partnership with night and neighbourhood watchers to help prevent hoodlums from gaining access to the school premises.

Recently, a teacher in the school told PREMIUM TIMES that SUBEB officials visited the school and took pictures of the buildings, but added that “this is not the first time, they do come but we have not seen any sign.”

https://i2.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2019/03/An-abandoned-classroom-at-Methodist-School-Ewu-tuntun-Oshodi.jpg?zoom=3&w=600&h=800&ssl=1

An abandoned classroom at Methodist School, Ewu-tuntun, Oshodi

For Mrs Godwin, whose elder child in the school is in Primary Five, the government’s intervention is not coming anytime soon. She said she takes extra caution to protect her two daughters from the hoodlums who besiege the school premises daily.

“They have to put on tights before they can enter that school because they are girls,” she said.

“Do you know how many times they have come from SUBEB that they will do the school? They will not come.”

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/320705-special-report-lagos-ramshackle-school-where-hoodlums-defecate-in-classrooms.html#disqus_thread

Front page: Lalasticlala

‘Akpu’, as one of the cheapest foods in Nigeria, is also reportedly making house owners of women who venture into the business in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja reveals that though akpu is associated with people from Eastern Nigeria, it is also a popular food consumed by other Nigerians.

Adanne Kalu, an akpu seller, said she has been in the business for the past 15 years and the business has taken her family out of poverty.

She said that anyone who has a good culture of saving can get something tangible out of the business.

Mrs Kalu added that she now has a house of her own because of the profit from the business. She said it is a business that young people can engage in for self-reliance and export.

“I started this business 15 years ago. Since then, my family don’t know anything like poverty. I started the business when my husband lost his job and I had to sustain the family.

“We built a house through this business, my children are also in school through this business because it is profitable.

“I make close to N5,000 to N10,000 daily when the market is good, while if the market is bad I make N2,000 to N3,000 daily. So, I have room to save something tangible on a weekly basis.

“I advise the youth to venture into the business. If they have the strength for it because it is difficult to make.”

However, another akpu seller at New Nyanya, Oromene Lazarus, said that even though the business was profiting, it is also difficult to process.

She said: ”the business is for those who have the passion for it and the strength. Otherwise, one can easily get discouraged. But its a good way of making money.

“I have to buy the cassava, peel it, then soak it for three days depending on the type of cassava.

“After fermentation then we grind it, we also soak it in water for like two days then sieve it and take the chaff out.”

She, however, explained that the remaining left overs after removing the chaff would be put in a bag for it to drain out water before cooking.

“The price largely depends on the size, as a wrap of Akpu goes for N50 to N100; so people can afford it easily.”

Similarly, Rose Arinze in Dutse said that akpu business has really helped her family and the education of her children in various schools.

“Life is difficult but this akpu business is really helping me, as I use the money I make to send my children to school.

“The business also helped me to be a land lady, as I used my savings from the business to build my house. I also supply to some restaurants far and near and the patronage is really high.

“Only a few people produce good Akpu in Abuja and I’m one of them because I prepare it well,” she said.

A consumer, Oladayo Kayode, a resident of Dutse, disclosed that akpu has been a lifesaver to him for a long time because that is what he consumes mainly.

“Even though I’m not from the eastern part of the country, ever since I discovered akpu, I have been enjoying it. Not everyone can prepare it because it’s stressful and requires a clean person to make it.”

He, however, advised akpu consumers to be careful of places they eat akpu, as most of them have a bad smell and are not properly processed.

(NAN)

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/324363-inside-the-thriving-akpu-business-in-abuja.html

omoadeleye:
so government should force them to school fa?

The education minister threatened parents a few weeks ago. Its sn empty threat for now.

Dandsome:
Okay but hope it's not the FG that will bear the cost of educating them?

The Federal government already does through UBEC. The states simply have to give counter part funding to access grant.

A Fulani leader in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state, Ardo Babuga, pointed out that engaging bandits in dialogues were a very difficult task.

You cant negotiate with unreasonable people. They steal your belongings, kidnap your children, and murder people. What exactly is there to negotiate? They need to be eradicated.

Ok there's nothing wrong with providing more education. It wouldnt end the crisis. The region needs permanent police presence. When the army swoops in then the bandits run to neighboring states.

Chatham House: Security reform suggestions

• End Security votes
•Create US-style inspector general offices tasked with exposing corruption, revealing waste and protecting whistle-blowers.
• Consolidate the numerous security agencies and integrate each of them into either the military and police.
• Consolidate Military support functions by creating joint combat support agencies that could help the force improve its dismal ratio of non-combat elements to frontline units.

Ibrahim Suleman, the Zamfara Chairman ofMiyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, has suggested how the government can put an end to killings in the state.

He said that for the state to have lasting peace, children of nomadic Fulani must be educated.

He urged the state government to encourage Fulani children to go to school, saying education is the permanent solution to the rising waves of insecurity in the state.

Suleman, who made the call at a stakeholder’s meeting held in Gusau on Wednesday, said most of the Fulani children indulging in criminal activities such as banditry, do so due to ignorance and poor parenting.

He stressed the need for parents and government to collaborate by ensuring that nomadic children acquire sound education that can make them compete favourably with other children in the state.

“It is only when nomadic children are educated that lasting peace can be achieved in the state,” Suleman said.

A Fulani leader in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state, Ardo Babuga, pointed out that engaging bandits in dialogues were a very difficult task.

Babuga said the Fulani community had suffered most from the activities of bandits, saying thousands of their cattle had been rustled, with many cattle rearers displaced and their women and children kidnapped.

“We are not safe from these bandits. I am living as a refugee in Tsafe as a result of incessant bandits’ attacks,” he said.

Source: https://www.concisenews.global/2019/04/03/zamfara-killings-miyetti-allah-profers-solutions/

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which is the Designated Authority (DA) for implementation of the ISPS Code in Nigeria, of taking little or no action to curtail the attacks.

The country needs to start taking piracy and sea robbery seriously. Robbers boarding berthing ships isnt unheard of.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has imposed conditions of entry on ships that have visited some port terminals in Nigeria in their last five port calls over lapses in the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), SHIPS & PORTS authoritatively reports. 

Other countries sanctioned by the USCG over infractions in the ISPS Code implementation include Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Micronesia, Nauru, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Syria, Timor-Leste, Venezuela, and Yemen.   

On May 8, 2018, SHIPS & PORTS had reported exclusively that no fewer than nine ships were robbed at berths in various port terminals across the country between March and April 2018, even as stakeholders accused the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which is the Designated Authority (DA) for implementation of the ISPS Code in Nigeria, of taking little or no action to curtail the attacks. 

In an official statement it issued yesterday and which was exclusively obtained by SHIPS & PORTS, the U.S. Coast Guard said the conditions of entry, which will come into effect on April 12, 2019, are intended to protect the United States from vessels arriving from countries that have been found to have deficient anti-terrorism port measures in place. 

According to the Coast Guard, “The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) has mandated that the United States Coast Guard evaluate the effectiveness of anti-terrorism measures in foreign ports and provides for the imposition of conditions of entry on vessels arriving to the United States from countries that do not maintain effective anti-terrorism measures.”

The Coast Guard’s sanctions on Nigerian ports, however, exempts 20 terminals, which are fully compliant with the provisions of the ISPS Code. They are Apapa Bulk Terminals, APM Terminals Apapa, Bert Operation Platform (BOP Jetty), Bonny River Terminal, ENL Consortium Terminals, Escravos BOP, Federal Lighter Terminal Onne, Federal Ocean Terminal Onne, Five Star Logistics, FSO Yoho, Greenview Terminal and Intels Nigeria Limited Terminal.

Other compliant terminals include LPG FSO, MRS Oil Gas Jetty, Nigerdock Jetty, Port & Cargo, PTML Terminal, Shell Bonny Oil & Gas Terminal, Shell Export Terminal Forcadoes, Shoreline Logistics Jetty and the Tincan Island Container Terminal.

The Coast Guard stated that all vessels arriving to the United States that visited the listed countries during their last five port calls must take certain actions while in the countries as a condition of entry into U.S. ports.

Source: http://shipsandports.com.ng/exclusive-u-s-sanctions-nigeria-17-others-port-security-lapses/

Kusherman:
Pls what meeting bro. Any link? I dey Gh like this o

Yeah here you.


https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/323113-nigerian-ghanaian-officials-hold-crucial-meeting-amidst-deportation-of-each-others-citizens.html

Some Ghanaians are already calling for strict immigration rules to at least screen and monitor the activities of foreigners who enter the country.

Immigration issues lead to nationalist populist politicians getting power. Im sure the government going to look into this.

izzou:


This country is on a self destruct mode.

How do you suggest they handle criminal alliens? How does Nigeria handle it?

Ask you state legislators to vote on the amendment.

Approved for LG autonomy: Benue, Plateau, Niger, Bauchi, Sokoto, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Kwara and Ogun

Voted Against LG autonomy: Edo, Rivers and Imo

We are going to ensure that we map up strategies to deal ruthlessly with this kind of crime,” she said.

She said the Service will not hesitate to deport them if they are found guilty of a crime.

Ghana is doing the right thing. I dont understand why some people were thinking Ghana was going to go soft after the meeting in Abuja.

The Accra Regional Police Command has issued a stern warning to foreigners living in Ghana urging them to abide by the laws of the country and eschew all forms of criminal acts. 

The Command said it will however not accord preferential treatment to Ghanaians who also break that law. 

The warning comes on the back of a series of criminal activities in the country involving foreigners. 

The recently reported case involving a foreigner in the country was the kidnapping of a 50-year-old woman at her home at Amasaman by two Nigerians. 

One of the suspects in the matter, Isaac Aigbona, has been arrested, while the other is at large. 

The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, DSP Afia Tenge gave the advice in a Citi News interview.

“What the police service is stating is that the foreigners, those who are here and are doing genuine businesses should not take the hospitality of Ghanaians for granted and decide to ride on it because this kind of emerging crime of kidnapping that we are seeing in our country is quite unknown to the Ghanaian community. If we are having this type of crime, we will not create the enabling environment for them to perpetrate this kind of crime. We are going to ensure that we map up strategies to deal ruthlessly with this kind of crime,” she said. 

The case of three girls who were kidnapped in the Western Region last year also has a Nigerian as the key suspect. 

Some Ghanaians are already calling for strict immigration rules to at least screen and monitor the activities of foreigners who enter the country. 

The situation has reached such as height that the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of operations at the Ghana Immigration Service, Lord Afrifah had the cause to send a word of caution to foreign nationals in the country. 

She said the Service will not hesitate to deport them if they are found guilty of a crime.

It is reported that over 800 foreign nationals from the sub-region were deported in 2018 for various offences including cyber fraud.

Source: https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Respect-our-laws-or-be-dealt-with-Police-to-foreigners-735698

Hindi Livinus, Yola

Adamawa State Governor-elect, Ahmadu Fintiri, has pledged to meet the expectations of the people of the state within the shortest possible time by ensuring local government autonomy.

Finitiri made the promise in Yola, the state capital, on Monday, during the inauguration of a 65-member transition committee.

“Our people expect so much from us and we will not delay in doing whatever we can to meet their expectations as soon as possible,” he said.

He charged members of transition committee to obtain the detail of assets and liabilities of the state and to also work with a parallel committee to be set up by the outgoing government, with a view to obtaining an up-to-date general state of the financial situation of the state that would help his government hit the ground running.

He said his administration’s plan for the development of the state would be anchored on autonomy for the local government areas and a lean government.

He said local government autonomy would be prioritised, adding that the councils would  work towards providing quality service at the grassroots for the people.

Source: https://punchng.com/fintiri-promises-to-ensure-local-government-autonomy/

“We are pleading with President Buhari as the father of the nation to grant presidential pardon to Nnamdi Kanu, as a way of showing compassion to Ndigbo”, the statement reads in part.

• Kanu and legal counsel aren't asking for a pardon. IPOB hasn't admitted guilt or apologized.

• IPOB ≠ Igbo. Pardoning him isnt a favor to Igbo tribe. Unless you feel Igbos are collectively guilty. It would be like saying give Bloods pardon to show compassion to blacks.

• Consider asking for gubernatorial pardon for imprisoned ipobs if possible. The chances of Buhari doing it are slim. Lets not forget SE governors proscribed IPOB before FG.

There is no need to compound our loss by allowing Nnamdi Kanu return now until Igbo Christians and Traditional leaders intervene in the process.

Lol Buhari giving IPOB presidential pardon no way. Maybe Atiku of Cameroon would have done that and more. What do they mean by intervene?

This news was also carried by The cable and Sahara Reporter's as well.

Igbo youths under the auspices of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council has begged for the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari in stopping the arrest order handed down by a Federal High Court, Abuja against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

It would be recalled that the Abuja court had on Thursday ordered the arrest of Kanu and ordered that his trial on charges of treasonable felony should proceed in absentia.

Kanu’s bail granted in 2017 was also revoked by the court.

The President-General of the youth group Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Secretary General, Okwu Nnabuike, made the plea in a statement on Saturday, adding that such action might destabilise the fragile peace that had returned to the South-East region.

According to them, Kanu’s first arrest witnessed widespread instability in the region.

They pleaded with President Buhari to pardon Biafra agitators as a way of showing compassion to Igbo.

“The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide received the pronouncement and re-arrest order of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, by a Federal High Court in Abuja with rude shock and disbelief.

“Weighing the implications of such action, it may destabilise the fragile peace that have returned to the southern part of Nigeria, especially the South-East and South-South after the sad experiences witnessed during his first arrest and subsequently the untimely death of innocent Igbo youths and women that characterised his first arrest and detention.

“And there is no need to escalate the tension already established in the South-East over the menace of herdsmen ravaging parts of Igboland. There is no need to compound our loss by allowing Nnamdi Kanu return now until Igbo Christians and Traditional leaders intervene in the process.

“We are pleading with President Buhari as the father of the nation to grant presidential pardon to Nnamdi Kanu, as a way of showing compassion to Ndigbo”, the statement reads in part.

Source: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/kanu-ohaneze-ndigbo-youths-beg-buhari-for-pardon/

Ubenedictus:
UBEC does not cover those costs, so what do you want the teachers to do?

Teachers unions should lobby and stike if need be. Pressue the state and local governments on raising revenue for such activities that UBEC doesnt cover. If parents and teachers actually care about these issues it would get done.

What is the state government generating IGR for if school funding so bad? These need to become election issues. Delta has $60,000 to throw at national football team. They should find the funds unless they're collectively incompetent or dont car.

Ubenedictus:
You are just saying this because u are not the teacher.

Government doesnt provide for the day to day runing of the school, should the teacher run the schools with their blood? even the ministy of education collects something per admission.

how will uniforms be provided? badge nkor? who will print exam questions? where there are only 2 teachers in the school how will they augument it? they will want inter house sport but they cant pay fees or buy wears. who will provide books, marker or chalk 4 teachers or repair seats etc when they are broken?

I wont excuse teachers fraudulently extorting students and parents or ill have to give every corrupt institution a pass. If UBEC covers these costthey have no business committing these crimes. Schools are funded through Tax revenue by the people who live there. The state and local governments supposed to budget every year to pay for these items. Use property taxes to fund education.

SmartMen:
Okay, so it's the teachers fault also that many more schools are in dilapidated states? They have hurriedly fix success school because it went viral while leaving hundreds in poor state.

The dilapidated schools just reflect the ineptitude of the society. They pay taxes with nothing to show, the teachers union dont complain instead opting to extort parents. After they'll reelect these clowns. Nigerian government officials only react to being shamed and exposed.

Lol even opposition candidates aren't smart enough to call out these issues. They dont care and the voters dont make it election issue.

Man people's ignorance allows them to be taken advantage of by crooks. Honestly people need to grow a spine and not let themselves be taken advantage of. You would think taxes would cover all these basic expenses. These scammers need to punished.

Comrade Pat Ochei said the head teacher shouldn't have been punished for the illegal school fees collection rather, the education authorities must be held accountable.

We have sanctioned school heads and CIEs; some were demoted, others were withdrawn from urban to rural areas, while CIEs have been recalled from their duty posts," Ebie revealed.

What absolves the teacher of responsibility? The head teacher knowingly collected illegal fees. The state should fire frauds instead of reshuffling them.

The Federal Government had in 1999 introduced the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme to provide free primary and junior secondary education for all. Still, the cost of attending public schools varies by state such that while Ekiti and many other states have abolished school fees, pupils in other states pay fees to access schools.

Many schools are said to turn away pupils who could not pay their fees. A case in point is the video of a 7-year-old primary 3 pupil of Okotie Eboh Primary School, Sapele, Delta State, sent away from school over exam fees, which went viral on the social media. The state authorities later said the levies imposed on pupils in the school were illegal and subsequently suspended the head teacher.

The Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Chiedu Ebie said by virtue of the UBE Act, education at the basic level in the state was free and the provision was also extended to senior secondary level.

However, many stakeholders in the state have voiced out their observation on payment of school fees by pupils and the suspension of the head teacher.

But a parent in Warri, Akure Ovie said parents and guardians are to blame for any illegal levies imposed by teachers because they have the right to resist or report to the authorities.

"My child once told me of exam fees and when I got to the school, the head teacher denied asking for the fee. Even when my daughter pointed out the teacher, she denied it. Since then, they never troubled my daughter and I never paid any such money," he said.

According to him, preliminary investigation proved that students in many schools paid exam fees last year and that there was no public school that hasn't imposed illegal fees on students, which includes exam fees, enrollment fees and scratch card money to check results.

He said education could not be free in the state because pupils paid for sports and even school badge.

However, the vice chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Delta State Council, Comrade Pat Ochei said the head teacher shouldn't have been punished for the illegal school fees collection rather, the education authorities must be held accountable.

In the meantime, parents have continued to protest Common Entrance Examination fees charged by government for primary school pupils seeking admission to secondary schools.

Parents said pupils in various public schools were compelled to pay monies ranging from N7,000, N10,000 to N12,000 as registration fees for the entrance examination, while external pupils were made to register for as much as N17,000.

A parent in one of the primary schools in Asaba, the Delta State capital said, "After paying N10,000, I also paid N500 as lesson fees and N100 for consumables. I don't know what they mean by consumables. I paid another N150 for test and they are now asking us to pay N400 for report card.

"Government says it offers free education in public schools, but what we are seeing now is a different thing."

Daily Trust findings also revealed that some of the private schools that were yet to obtain approval as entrance exam centres, were collecting additional N7,000 from their pupils to enroll them into public schools, a sort of discreet arrangement reached between heads of schools, but which the education ministry may not be unaware of.

Commenting on illegal fees, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Schools, Mr Ebie, stated that a circular on fees and levies was issued in September 2018 to all basic and secondary schools across the state, listing government approved levies.

"The approved levy for the schools is N100 and N750 for sportswear per term. Beside these, government does not approve collection of examination fees or imposed books on students. But as you know in every system, there are people that are deviant.

"Any school head doing this is doing so in defiance of the government order and should be reported to the ministry for appropriate sanctions. We have sanctioned school heads and CIEs; some were demoted, others were withdrawn from urban to rural areas, while CIEs have been recalled from their duty posts," Ebie revealed.

Ebie said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa's administration has paid more attention to improving quality at 1,145 public primary schools, 465 secondary schools and six technical colleges. It has also established 46 primary and secondary schools across the state, especially in difficult terrains.

The commissioner stated that at inception, the administration organized an education summit and espoused an 18-point working plan for the education sector, pointing out that one issue that emerged from the summit was the establishment of a Teachers Professional Development Centre, which was currently about 70 percent completed; to improve the teacher's professional delivery and impact.

Another line of action from the summit was the increase of access to vocational and technical education on which government came up with policies to attract students to the new technical colleges across the state.

The commissioner said government was making effort to recruit fresh teachers to reduce the shortfall of 3,000 teachers, but that prospective applicants must be prepared to serve in the rural and riverine areas.

Source: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/delta-says-public-schools-pupils-shouldnt-pay-fees.html

• Production is 6.8m tonnes, while demand is 7.8m yearly

The claim that Nigeria is now self-sufficient in rice production is fallacious and deceitful.

A rice research centre told The Guardian that though the Anchor Borrowers’ scheme, especially on rice production, had been helpful in boosting the quantity of paddies produced in the country in the last few years, Nigeria is not self-sufficient in rice production now.

Coordinator of the centre said: “My brother, it is a big issue and I don’t want to go into that. I was quoted to have said we are self-sufficient at 4.0 million tonnes by OCP, a fertiliser group owned by the King of Morocco, but how could I say that when I know well that we need 7.8 million metric tonnes to be self-sufficient and currently we produce about 6.8 million tonnes.

“So, there is a deficit of at least one million tonnes of rice per annum. Reporters have been coming here for interviews but I refer them to our head office. I don’t want to get myself involved in the controversial issue.”

President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Kabir, confirmed that the country is not yet producing enough rice to meet up with the home demand by telling The Guardian in a text message that “Nigeria has made giant strides in this regard but we need to do more to attain self-sufficiency.”

By deduction from his statement, Kabir admitted that though Nigeria had increased rice production, it had not attained self-sufficiency, and would have to invest more in irrigation facilities for dry season farming; supply more improved varieties of rice seeds; rev up local blending of fertiliser and encourage farm mechanisation by making tractor hiring services available at the doorsteps of farmers at reasonable rates.

Sahabi Augie, chairman of the Rice Farmers Association in Kebbi State, said last year, farmers harvested 1.1 million tonnes of rice, while 1.5 million tonnes are expected this year.

He too expressed that Nigeria could do more annually until it produces more than annual consumption figures, saying this would discourage smuggling and make the price of locally produced brands of rice more affordable.

Smuggling of rice and way forward

The scientist said rice is a huge business globally, and smuggling cabals in Nigeria do not want to let go of the illegal trade.
He disclosed smugglers do re-bag foreign rice at the border towns as local brands of rice to deceive the law enforcement agents and Nigerian consumers.

It has been reported that in Katsina State, smuggling of rice is one of the thriving illegal trades the majority of the people living along the Nigeria-Niger borders live on.

At the Seme border, rice is smuggled daily from the Republic of Benin into Badagry, Lagos State, and eventually into Lagos and other parts of the country either by regular rice dealers or car smugglers using the opportunity to smuggle the product as additional means of illegal income.

Small-scale smugglers use motorcycles, buses, canoes and cars to convey rice across the borders in Katsina, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Kwara and other states flanking neighbouring countries.

Sometimes, it was reported, the trailers from Benin Republic convey rice to Hirji, a border village in Katsina, to off-load, and from there youths are engaged to transport to Magama in Jibia, with a bag of rice selling between N9,000 to N11,000 at Hirji, far below the selling price of locally produced and processed brands of rice.

Three factors, the rice centre boss said, are responsible for high rate of smuggling, and they are porous nature of the borders; high average cost of locally produced rice due to low productivity per hectare and grossly inadequate power supply to processors, and unbridled taste for foreign goods of many Nigerians.

He recommended that the Nigerian Custom Service should be more proactive and shun compromise; Nigerian farmers should be more empowered with high-yielding varieties of rice seeds developed by the centre, trained on new production techniques and agronomical practices; and that Nigerians should reject foreign rice, as well as doing all necessary investments to generate and distribute adequate and cheaper electricity.

If nobody buys foreign rice, smugglers will lose their jobs, he argued, because nobody sells what nobody else buys.

He revealed to The Guardian that Egypt, as a result of rice farm destruction by floods, had charged scientists in the country to develop upland varieties of rice that could yield up to 10 tonnes per hectare, in the next three to four years.

The country currently cultivates low-land varieties of rice which require waterlogged areas, exposing such farms to flooding.

Upland varieties of rice are cultivated on drain farmland like maize, cassava and other crops which flourish with rainfalls.

Source: https://m.guardian.ng/features/nigeria-is-not-rice-self-sufficient-yet-says-africa-rice-centre/

Lol Osun and Anambra are on the same wavelength looking for Chinese to bankroll airport projects. If the Chinese are funding either I guess it would get off drawing board. Let's see if Lagos will appeal to China next concerning Lekki International airport project next.

Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola weekend appealed to the Chinese Government to collaborate with the state to facilitate the completion of the MKO Abiola International Airport in Ido-Osun.

The governor spoke in Osogbo while receiving Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Dr Zhou Pingjian.

According to the governor, the state is endowed ‎with mineral resources available for investment and the climate is conducive for investors.

He also spoke of the reign of peace in the state, the availability of arable land and the policy on land bank, which enables investors to access land with ease for their operations.

“We are committed to developing the state by encouraging both local and international investors. This is the way to go and we are resolute to attain this feat,” the governor said.

Pingjian said China would help lift the socio-economic development of Osun State through collaboration in infrastructural development‎, education, agriculture, mining and commerce

He said his visit to Osun was to strengthen the cordial relations between China and Nigeria as well as promote cooperation and exchanges at the sub-national level.

“Osun is doing well in all areas of the economy particular in the education sector. I have seen the quality of the schools built around the state and I have seen so many reasons to invest in this state,” he said.

Source: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/osun-gov-seeks-chinas-support-for-airport-project.html

otokx:
How many more other states have passed the FOI bill?

None so far. Most states dont want to bound by the federal law on principle of states rights. Seeing that this a niche issue to voters it wont catch on quick.

They have virtually stolen the local governments’ money in what they called “Joint Account”. They are to contribute 10% but they never contribute anything.”

Lol if the federal government cut off the state from allocation the governor would be crying blood. This wont stop them giving their 10% IGR to local governments or dipping joint accounts.

This great for Delta hopefully more states that care about transparency will copy. Activist can start looking into their books to see if any funny business went on in the state or local government. Even if Federal FOIA law doesn't apply to states this is alternative solution.

The speaker, who commended members for their support toward the passage of the bill, said the bill, if assented to by the governor, would enhance the principles of democracy.

Even if he doesn't you guys can veto him.

Looks like pike a good deal.

The Delta House of Assembly on Thursday passed the State Freedom of Information Bill.

The passage of the bill followed the consideration of the report of the Joint House Committee on the bill during the plenary in Asaba.

Speaker of the House Sheriff Oborevwori said that having gone through the report of the committee, he directed the House to suspend its rules and pass the bill.

Consequently, the Majority Leader, Mr Tim Owhefere, moved a motion for the House to suspend orders 77, 78 and 79 and took the third reading to enable the House pass the bill.

The motion which was unanimously adopted by the Assembly when put to a voice vote by the speaker was seconded by Mr Samuel Mariere, representing Ughelli North I.

The speaker, who commended members for their support toward the passage of the bill, said the bill, if assented to by the governor, would enhance the principles of democracy.

He expressed the optimism that the signing the bill into law would also allow the people access to information.

The bill is for a law to make public records and information more freely available, provide for public access to public records and information.

It is also meant to protect public records and information to an extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy.

The bill will also help to protect serving public officers from adverse consequences of disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorisation. (NAN)

Source: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/delta-assembly-passes-foi-bill.html