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World Teachers’ Day: “We’ll Continue to Provide Enabling Environment for Teachers”- Oyo SUBEB Boss
Oyo State Government has said that it will continue to provide an enabling environment for teachers to thrive in Oyo State, adding that it would also ensure uninterrupted payment of their allowances, while it initiates benefitting training for them.
The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran said this today, during the World Teachers’ Day Celebration.
He also said the State Government would not rest on its oars in providing incentives to teachers, especially in the rural areas to encourage young talents to join the teaching profession.
“Teachers are one of the most influential forces for equity, access and quality in education. Engr. Seyi Makinde’s administration places much emphasis on human capital development.
“We will give more attention to training and re-training of teachers in order to enhance their capacities for effective service delivery,” he said.
Adeniran also assured teachers that the State Government is progressively addressing some of the fundamental issues of teachers and education in the state.
He added that, to revitalise the sector, there was a need to unleash potentials for socio-economic development.
He noted that revitalising the sector had given rise to the training and re-training of teachers, adding that the process would be extended to teachers in the rural areas.
He also commended the efforts of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Association of Primary School Head Teachers and other bodies who pursue teachers’ professionalism in a bid to strengthen teacher quality.
October 5, 2020
Edo Election: Ize-Iyamu heads to court to challenge Obaseki’s victory
Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the September 19, 2020 governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has expressed his resolve to challenge the victory of governor Godwin Obaseki in court.
The APC candidate said though there were enough grounds to challenge the outcome of the election at the election petition tribunal, he would not be approaching the tribunal but rather continue his pre-election suits against the governor at the law court.
Ize-Iyamu stressed that while the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its flagbearer had instituted 13 pre-election cases against him and his party, he would continue with the two pre-election cases against the PDP and its flagbearer challenging their eligibility to contest the election, believing that the outcome of the suit would have direct effect on the election.
Ize-Iyamu who stated this in a statement issued Monday said, “Contrary to orchestrated media reports, the election was neither free nor fair. There were several episodes of violence, voter intimidation and falsification of results.”
He added that “there were unlawful cancellations of results particularly from Urhonigbe South and North in Orhiomwon, while results were falsified from many polling units in Ofunama in Ovia South West, and in parts of Ovia North East, Owan West, Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Esan North East, Esan West, Esan South East, and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas.”
He also alleged that “two persons were killed during the election, while gun-wielding thugs took over collation centres in many locations without the intervention of law-enforcement agents.”
“There were also several cases of malfunctioning card readers, which disenfranchised duly registered voters, in addition to many cases of unregistered voters voting with pre-purchased voters’ cards not collected by their actual owners.
“These malpractices could easily form the basis to challenge the election results. We have however decided not to commence an election petition. This is to avoid further tension in the state. We are also mindful that the leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and many well-placed individuals have made pronouncements endorsing the process, which we have chosen to respect.
“Nonetheless, we must emphasize that elections are far more than actual voting, just as democracy includes more than just elections. It is in this light that we draw attention to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its flagbearers have continued to pursue several pre-election suits in various courts against us, all totalling 13. One of such cases came up in the High Court, Benin on 2nd October, 2020, days after the election.
“On our part, we had filed two pre-election cases against the PDP and its flagbearer challenging their eligibility to contest the election. These are all lawful and integral parts of the electoral process in any democracy, which we must all respect and acknowledge as genuine democrats.
“The outcome of these pending cases have direct effect on the election. Consequently, we have decided to continue with our pre-election cases in full exercise of our legal rights, just as our opponents have considered it their prerogative to also continue with their pre-election cases against us,” he averred.
While thanking his numerous supporters for their steadfast support and tremendous show of love, Ize-Iyamu urged them “to remain calm while keeping faith alive for a better Edo State which we shall all be proud of.”
October 5, 2020
Buhari will not succumb to threats, undue pressure – Presidency
The Presidency has reacted to the calls by some individuals and socio-ethnic groups calling for the immediate restructuring of Nigeria, saying the Buhari administration will not succumb to threats and undue pressure over the matter.
Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, stated this in a statement on Monday morning when he responded to the renewed agitation in some quarters for the restructuring of the country.
Reports had it that the leadership of some socio-cultural groups including Ohaneze Ndigbo and Afenifere as well as Niger Delta agitators and individuals have reiterated the call for restructuring of Nigeria.
According to them, the country needs a home-grown constitution that will usher in new political and economic arrangements based on regional structures or ”the country will break up”.
The presidential aide, however, dismissed the recurring threats as unpatriotic outbursts, saying the Buhari administration would not take any decision against the interest of 200 million Nigerians.
The statement read in part: ”The Presidency responds to the recurring threats to the corporate existence of the country with factions giving specific timelines for the President to to do one thing or another or else, in their language, “the nation will break up.”
”This is to warn that such unpatriotic outbursts are both unhelpful and unwarranted as this government will not succumb to threats and take any decision out of pressure at a time when the nation’s full attention is needed to deal with the security challenges facing it at a time of the Covid-19 health crisis.
”Repeat: this administration will not take any decision against the the interests of 200 million Nigerians, who are the President’s first responsibility under the constitution, out of fear or threats especially in this hour of health crisis.
”The President as an elected leader under this constitution will continue to work with patriotic Nigerians, through and in line with the Parliamentary processes to finding solutions to structural and other impediments to the growth and wellbeing of the nation and its people.
October 5, 2020
Omo-Agege condemns alleged atrocities of SARS
The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, has expressed dismay over the alleged atrocious activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Police in Delta.
Omo-Agege gave the expression in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga in Abuja on Sunday.
He expressed concern over the alleged incessant cases of extrajudicial killings and harassment of defenceless citizen by men of SARS.
He also expressed worry that some officials attached to SARS in different parts of Nigeria were harassing defenceless citizens.
Specifically, the Deputy President of the Senate cited the alleged shooting of a man by operatives of SARS in his constituency in Ughelli, Delta for alleged refusal to allow the operatives to search his phone.
According to him, there is another shooting of a youth in the town by men of the ‘Operation Delta Safe’ over the victim’s alleged refusal to also allow the operatives to search his phone.
This, Omo-Agege said, buttress his argument on the need for comprehensive reforms and overhaul of security units in the country.
Read more: Osinbajo concerned, angry over activities of FSARS
The senator called on the police authorities to fish out the culprits for the prosecution to serve as deterrent to others.
While calling on security personnel to always maintain the rules of engagement, the lawmaker urged youth in the area to exercise utmost restraint while investigation is ongoing.
“Those who are authorised to carry arms and maintain law and order in the country ought to understand that such must be exercised with responsibility, especially when human life is sacrosanct.
“I hope those, who are quick at pulling the trigger, would adopt strategies that would foster mutual understanding between them and those they are tasked to protect.
“It would be a depressing twist of fate for them to be listed among those contributing to the list of the dead in this challenging period globally,’’ Omo-Agege said.
October 5, 2020
Osinbajo concerned, angry over activities of FSARS
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says he is concerned and angry that young men and women who are arrested, are in some cases, maimed or killed by men of the Nigeria Police Force.
Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement, said the Vice President expressed this view on Sunday in Abuja.
The Inspector-General of Police (IG-P), Mohammed Adamu, had on Sunday banned the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), the Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from undertaking routine patrols as well as stop and search duties.
The Vice President, who had earlier, held a meeting with the I-G at his residence, said the President and himself had discussed the matter on a number of occasions.
He said that the President was displeased about reports on activities of FSARS and was resolved to ensure reforms.
“Such violations are completely unacceptable because these are individuals who are meant to protect Nigerians.
“The arrest, maiming or killing of young people or anyone at all, is completely wrong.
“It is unlawful and illegal and anyone involved in this act ought to be investigated and prosecuted.
“Today, I had a meeting with the I-G and we reviewed several of these issues.
“The President is very concerned about it; he wants to see a reform.
“You are probably aware that the I-G has issued a statement looking at all these issues, in particular, the warning against the use of these tactical units such as SARS for purposes of doing anything other than anti-robbery.
“For example, he specifically said that you cannot have a situation where SARS says they are investigating cybercrime by arresting young men and women carrying their laptops and phones.
“Cybercrime is an electronic crime.
“I don’t see how you can investigate that by seizing people’s phones in a taxi or in their cars,’’ Osinbajo said.
He said it was obvious that a few bad eggs in the Police were causing all of the problems because it was all over the place, in different states.
Osinbajo said that the I-G’s statement, banning FSARS and others, was the first step.
“He has said clearly that police men must wear police uniforms.
“You cannot say that because you belong to a tactical unit, you can dress in your casual clothing and be armed.’’
By dressing casually, the vice president said that people “can’t even tell the difference between robbers and the police if you are not properly dressed in police uniform.
“So, clearly, a reform is in the offing’’.
“So, I will like to encourage civil society activists, young men and women, who bring this regularly, by the way, to the attention of government and the police.
Read more: Two FSARS operatives, civilian accomplice arrested in Lagos for extortion and intimidation of citizens
Osinbajo also said that activism was important because “they have been able to bring a lot of these issues to the attention of the Police and government.
“And that is an important part of the process of the reform’’.
He said that the Federal Government would ensure that every one of those allegations against FSARS was properly investigated.
According to him, those found responsible will be prosecuted and publicised so that people will know that prosecution has taken place.
“I am very confident that we will have a reformed police force and that process has already begun’’.
October 5, 2020
#ENDSARS: Blackface attacks Wizkid over comment to president on police brutality
Member of the defunct music group, Plantashun Boiz, Blackface, has taken to his Twitter account to lash out at Wizkid over his comments on police brutality which he posted earlier today on his verified Twitter account.
Earlier today, Wizkid had lent his voice on the #EndSars campaign.
While responding to a message the President Muhammadu Buhari sent to the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, over his ill health, Wizkid said, “Donald Trump is not your business! Old man! Police/Sarz still killing Nigerian youth on a daily! Do something! Nothing concern you for America! Face your country !!”
Apparently, the Ojuelegba singer’s tweet did not go down well with Blackface and he made his feelings known via a series of tweets.
Blackface tweeted, “Why don’t you face your music small man? I understand why that is difficult because it doesn’t have any substance #ChildrenOfNowAdays
“No be every verified account the person name on top dey control So it is possible that that @wizkidayo account is being handled by an agent because I don’t believe Wizkid is that dumb to insult his father or his father’s mate(sic).”
October 4, 2020
#ENDSARS: ‘Send SARS to Borno to terrorize Boko Haram terrorists’ – Reno Omokri
Former aide to former Nigeria president Goodluck Jonathan and author, Reno Omokri, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to send operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, F-SARS of the Nigeria Police Force to Borno state to help in combating terrorism rather than “harming innocent Nigerians.”
According to Omokri, Buhari should stop ‘rehabilitating Boko Haram terrorists’ but instead rehabilitate Nigerians by sending SARS to Borno State to face the deadly terrorists who have been terrorising Northern Nigerians for over a decade.
According to Omokri, since “SARS operatives already know how to terrorise,” they would be able to fight Boko Haram terrorists.
He tweeted on Sunday afternoon October 4;
“General @MBuhari, stop rehabilitating Boko Haram. Rehabilitate Nigerians by disbanding SARS immediately and sending them to Borno let them TERRORISE the TERRORISTS. Since they already know how to terrorise, they are tailor made for the job of fighting terrorists!”
Omokri’s tweet comes after the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, on Sunday announced the ban on operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other Tactical Squads of the Force, including the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels, from carrying out routine stop and search patrols.
October 4, 2020
Lecturer commit suicide over 13 months delayed salary arrears – COEASU
By Ujah Simon, kaduna
It was tragic for friends, family, and colleagues of Mr Friday Orobator, principal lecturer of defunct College of Education, now Tayo Akpata University, Ekiadolor, Edo State who commit suicide by hanging himself at his Obakhazbaye residence last Friday.
Orobator’s lifeless body was discovered behind his apartment at about 1:30 pm with a rope tied around his neck. The tragic incident attracted a large crowd of neighbours, sympathizers, and passersby, who expressed shock over his death.
The late Orobator was a member of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), and a principal lecturer at the department of Adult Education.
He was said to have complained bitterly to close associates, of his inability and lack of money to attend to his failing health.
It was learnt that last Wednesday, the late lecturer said to be in his 50s had told a colleague that he was tired of begging for money from friends to cater for his family needs and his health challenges.
Attempts to get his family members at his Obakhazwaye residence to comment on the incident were unsuccessful, as they were mourning the demise of their breadwinner.
However, the chairman of COEASU, Comrade Fred Omonuwa, said their colleagues died as a result of lack of money to access medical facilities.
The chairman therefore appealed to the state government to pay the workers their 13 months salary arrears.
“It is clear the death came as a result of lack and inability to access medical facilities. Some months ago, he became very sick and depended on friends for assistance, but very recently he started complaining of getting tired of consistently begging to survive.
“Of course, everybody knows that Edo State owe us 13 months of salary which we have continued to agitate for even before the election, but it was tagged, “Political agitation”; the man couldn’t provide for himself. His wife just had a baby. We were surprised yesterday Friday, that he took his own life.
Before he committed suicide, he spoke to some colleagues on Wednesday complaining bitterly his inability to access medical facilities and that he is becoming very ashamed of begging friends for money to treat himself. “We are aware some friends in Lagos and Benin have done their best in the past few weeks by providing money for him, and yesterday he took his life by hanging. We are very much aware that the suicide he committed was as a result of lack of money,” Omonuwa said.
October 4, 2020
#ENDSARS: Naira Marley, Runtown set to lead protest against police brutality
Popular singers, Naira Marley and Runtown have each taken to their social media accounts to announce that they would lead protests against the incessant police brutality in the country.
Tesumole singer, Naira Marley, stated that he would stage his peaceful protest on Tuesday. He further told his 1.9 million followers via his twitter account that some police officers would join the protest.
Naira Marley urged his fans to ensure that the protest remained peaceful and there should not be any form of violence.
“So on Tuesday, we got some SARS coming out with us. The ones that claim to only come out for big operations and not the dirty works on the road they are coming out to show support and to answer some questions, we also got some police officers and soldiers joining the protest.
“Don’t forget guys just in case you see any SARS or any forces there on Tuesday don’t start any fight. We are allowed to ask questions? But remember no fight, no vandalism. Peaceful protest. Thanks,” the singer tweeted.
Singer, Runtown, announced to his 1.3 million followers that he will lead a peaceful protest on Thursday against police brutality. The singer told his followers that it would be a peaceful protest.
“This has gone long enough and now we must take action! I’ll be leading a protest to #ENDSARS on Thursday, October 8th 2020. They MUST listen to us, they MUST make/effect real and visible changes! Empty promises won’t work this time!!!
“Let’s all come out to peacefully reach out to our “Elected” leaders beyond social media!!! Venue/Take Off Point: Lekki Phase 1, Toll Gate. 10 am,” Runtown tweeted.
October 4, 2020
Two FSARS operatives, civilian accomplice arrested in Lagos for extortion and intimidation of citizens
Lagos State Police Command have arrested two operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) Inspector Sale James, Inspector Monday Uchiola and their civilian accomplice Okechukwu Ogbonna, for acts of professional misconduct including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens.
Force spokesperson, DCP Frank Mba, who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Sunday, October 4, said the operational vehicle of the men has also been impounded and disciplinary procedure has already commenced against the defaulters.
“The IGP reaffirms his commitment to bequeathing to Nigerians, a reformed Police Force that is accountable, responsible and ever ready to defend and uphold the rights of the citizens while discharging its duties of keeping the people safe and secure,” said Mba.
He enjoined the citizens not to allow the misconduct by a few personnel of the Force to negatively impact on their belief, confidence and trust in the Police.
October 4, 2020