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No school is safe until FG negotiates with bandits – Gumi
Popular Islamic cleric, Sheik Abubakar Gumi, has said there are about 100,000 armed bandits in the North-West alone.
Gumi said the bandits kidnapping school pupils were disappointed that he negotiated with them without the involvement of the Federal Government.
The cleric insisted that until the government engaged with the herdsmen, no school could be safe.
He stated these during an interview with The PUNCH on efforts to rescue the kidnapped pupils of Tegina Islamic School, Niger State.
The bandits had demanded N200m from the victims’ parents, which was later reduced to N150m. Gumi said despite efforts to get the pupils out, the bandits were adamant in their financial demand.
He said, “But we are trying to talk sense to them that these are just innocent schoolchildren. We don’t even have any idea of the condition of the children. We are just saying these are young children trying to study and they did nothing, so why are you trying to take dirty money from their families?
“This (kidnap of Islamic pupils) actually proves to the nation that the bandits are not really indoctrinated, they are just looking for money and I think that this is a good prognosis. They are not targeting a religion; they are not ideologues, which are difficult to deal with. We should not forget that they are not educated, formally or informally. They are just going about with cattle, and suddenly they found a lucrative way of finding money.
“But with good engagement, education and enticements like jobs and other things, they will leave this work. But we need a partner and we need the government to understand. Individuals like me alone cannot do it.
“All those we met (have stopped kidnapping), except for one of them who is kidnapping again, and he told us his reason, that he was neglected and he thought we had the mandate to negotiate. But when he realised that we did not have the mandate from anybody, he said he was going back to his business.
“So, the earlier we go into engaging them, the better. The ones who have agreed to lay down arms, you can engineer them to take care of the rest.”
Gumi said the Niger State Government had been making efforts to get the children released, adding that the state had limited resources.
He insisted that the government could not protect schools without first finding means to end banditry in the country.
“To secure schools, why not engage the bandits. Engage them; they are not many. You can count them with your fingers. How can you guard schools? It is not possible. In the whole North-West, they may not be more than 100,000 bandits. And that is just a drop in the ocean. That is talking about those with weapons; because not all of them have weapons. Ninety per cent of those who have weapons use them to protect themselves against cattle rustlers. They are victims too. Aerial bombardments will only worsen the situation because when you start killing their children, you remember they also have our children,” he added.
June 22, 2021
Boko Haram Attacks Yobe Community, Burns School, Healthcare Centre
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Tuesday attacked Katarko community in Gujba Local Government Council of Yobe State.
The insurgents also burnt down a primary school and a healthcare centre located in the community.
The classroom also burnt by Boko Haram
The primary healthcare in Katarko burnt down by Boko Haram
Confirming the attack, a resident Fantami Kura told our correspondent that the gunmen stormed the community at about 5:30 am when they were going to the mosque for prayers.
“We came out as usual around 5.30 am for prayers, we sighted the gunmen, we immediately alerted our people and run into bush for safety.
“They proceeded straight to the military formation in Katarko shooting sporadically and later set the base on fire”
The number of casualties is still unknown at the time of this report, however efforts to contact the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of the Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole in Damaturu, Lieutenant Kennedy Anyanwu proved abortive.
Katarko community which is 18 kilometers south of Damaturu the state capital, has been under attack over 10 times.
March 16, 2021
Each School Year Increases Woman’s Earning By 20%–Osinbajo
By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto
Sokoto is in itself a citadel of learning, home to revered leaders and revolutionary Sheikh Usman Ibn Fodio. We are justly proud of the quality of scholarship deeply entrenched in the research works of the founding fathers of the Caliphate.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made this known when he visited Sultan Abubakar 111 at his Palace during the maiden convocation of the Sokoto State University where he shared some thoughts where society can engage in the great work of thinking, planning ahead and proffering solutions.
He said the difference between failure and success is usually planning and preparation. And it is our duty to find answers to the difficult issues which will undoubtedly impact our future as a nation.
“We are projected to quadruple our population at the end of the century. To handle this, education is important – especially that of the girl child. We also need to redesign the speed, scale and quality of our educational system to allow for creativity, technology and innovation.
” The importance of girl child education cannot be over emphasized. It has been said that each additional school year increases a woman’s earning by 20%. Considering that women make almost half of our population, ignoring this will be a major disservice to us as a country. Women empowerment also has a trickledown effect as seen in the case of Nana Asma’u, who back in the 18th century, educated women who went on to educate and empower other women across West Africa”, he averred.
He further explained that, Climate change threatens our food and actual security by way of the farmers-herdsmen clash. To mitigate this, we are working with state governments through the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP). Solar power as an alternative to oil and gas is also being implemented.
To handle insecurity, technology will be crucial for both smart surveillance and interception of criminals. Also, now more than ever, we need a decentralized policing system and we have proposals before the NASS to bring this to fruition. We are working to safeguard ALL Nigerians.
March 14, 2021
El-Rufai dragged to Court Over Indefinite Closure of school
By Gabriel Udeh,, Kaduna
Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s indefinite closures of schools in Kaduna state over Covid-19 infections has been challenged in court by a Kaduna based Human Rights lawyer.
In a case reference: Suit No.KDH/46/21 before High Court 8, Kaduna, presided by Justice Binta Zubairu, Barrister Desmond Dadu Tabakwot, said that el-Rufai has no powers to keep all private and public schools closed indefinitely because his executive order on the matter was an infringement on the constitutional rights of affected students.
Governor el-Rufai, who is the 1st Respondent is joined in the case with Kaduna State Attorney General and Kaduna State Commissioner of Education as the 2nd and 3rd Respondent respectively.
Arguing his submission, Tabakwot, also Public Interest Litigator, and father of two school pupils, who is suing on behalf of his two children, Mitchel and Mildred Tabakwot argued that federal government directed all public and.private should resumed since on 18th January 2021.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday, January, 14th 2021 in Abuja directed that all public and private schools across the country should resume on Monday, January, 18th, 2021, and the schools should adhere strictly to Covid-19 protocols.
“That pursuant to the directive of the Federal Government of Nigeria, as stated in paragraph 4 above, the Lagos State Government announced that all schools in the Southwest State are to reopen on Monday, January, 18, 2021.
“That similarly, schools in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory and Kano State have also resumed as directed by the Federal Government.
“That the Statement of the Government of Kaduna State and by extension the 1st Respondent above is a breach of the rights of students in the state enshrined under section 18 (1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“That other schools and institutions in other States like Lagos State the F.C.T. and Kano State have resumed full academic session with normal academics activities going on in compliance with the Federal Governments directives of adhering to Covid-19 protocols.
“In fact, other public places with higher risk of Covid-19 spread and contact such as Mosques, Churches and various markets within Kaduna metropolis, have been functioning optimally while complying with the Covid-19 protocols among others”, he stated
Tabkwot is therefore, seeking among Declarations
“That all the students (in every Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions) in Kaduna State are entitled to the enjoyment of the objectives set out under section 18 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“That all the students (in every Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions) in Kaduna State are entitled to the enjoyment of the rights enshrined under Article 17 (1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That the continuous closure of, and refusal to open the Schools in Kaduna State and the failure of the 1st Respondent to discharge his constitutional duties and responsibilities under section 18 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) amounts to a breach or violation of the right to education of all the students in Kaduna State enshrined and protected under Article 17 (1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That the continuous closure of, and refusal to open all the Schools in Kaduna State and the failure of the 1st Respondent to discharge his constitutional duties and responsibilities under section 18 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) amount to a breach or violation of the right to freedom from discrimination of all the students in Kaduna State enshrined and protected under section 42 (1) (a) of the same Constitution.
He then enjoined that court to make and Order compelling the Respondents to, “forthwith open the all the Schools (Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions) in Kaduna State to enable normal academic activities to resume thereat.
He also sought any other reliefs that the court may deem just and fit to make in the circumstances of his Application.
January 25, 2021
BREAKING: LASG approves resumption of all classes in Lagos
The Lagos State Government has approved the resumption of all classes in pre-primary, primary, and schools.
The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, announced this in a statement on Monday.
She said the remaining classes in both public and private schools in the state can resume from Monday, 19th of October, 2020.
She enjoined school owners and managers of all private schools to ensure that they are cleared by the Office of Education Quality Assurance before physical resumption.
Part of the statement read, “The physical resumption which is for 2020/2021 academic session will now include pupils in pre-primary i.e, daycare, kindergarten and nursery schools.
“All public and private schools are strongly advised to put safety first by adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocols and hygiene guidelines as instructed by the State Government through the Ministry of Education.
“The Office of Education Quality Assurance will continue to monitor and evaluate schools preparedness. The necessary resumption protocols must be adhered to and cleared “satisfactory” by the OEQA.”
October 12, 2020
BREAKING: Ekiti Govt to reopen schools Sept 21
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has announced that primary and secondary schools in the state will reopen from September 21.
Fayemi, who disclosed this in a state-wide broadcast on Sunday evening, also directed that tertiary institutions in the state be opened to students from October 2, subject to each institution’s Governing Council decision and strict adherence to safety protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The Governor said, “Students in SSS II, JSS III, and Primary 6 are to resume on September 21, while students in SSS I, JSS II and Primary 5 and 4 are to resume from September 28.
“Students in JSS I and Primary 1-3 are to resume on October 19, while pupils in Kindergarten and Nursery Schools are expected to resume on November 2, when more assurances of safety for their age bracket would have been established.”
The governor noted that the decision to open more classes was taken because there has been no spike traceable to students in exit classes who are writing their certificate examinations.
He said, “This shows that our preventive measures to safeguard them from being infected has been effective.”
Fayemi noted that worship centres can now hold two services on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays while midweek services and night vigils are still prohibited.
He said, “After a careful review and advice by the experts, I am glad to announce that worship centres can now hold two services on Friday, Saturday or Sunday as the case may be but mid-week activities and night vigils remain suspended for now. Other protocols and regulations concerning worship centres reopening still subsist.”
On halls and event centres, Fayemi added, “Owners of halls and event centres may now be allowed to rent out their facilities but under no condition should such a facility contain more than 50 per cent of its normal capacity.
“This is to allow for social distancing. Events centers are expected to observe all protocols prescribed for religious centers and to obtain certificate of readiness before opening.”
September 13, 2020
Schools Reopening; Kogi govt. Assures, Parents, Students of Safety Of Lives
From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Ahead of schools’ resumption on Monday 14th September in Kogi,
the State Commissioner for Education , Science and Technology Mr. Wemi Jones has assured stakeholders, Parents, Students of safety of lives and property.
The Commissioner gave the assurance Tuesday when he paid assessment visit to the three tertiary institutions in the East Senatorial district of the state on their level of preparedness for the resumption of schools on 14th Sept. 2020.
He called on the institutions to ensure that cultism and other social misbehaviors on their campuses are checkmated in line with the governor’s directives , saying that the government has put in place a security model using the latest technology to guarantee safety and security of the institution’s communities.
He said, the government is collaborating with the Security Trust Fund for the implementation , which requires all the institutions to key into it.
The Commissioner also assured them that the government frowns at insufficiency of hostels on the campus and had worked out a model at no cost to the schools , asking them to key into the scheme to help stem tide up campus residence by the students.
The commissioner who commended the governor Yahaya Bello whose posture against merchandising , commercialisation, and promotion of Covid 19 have made the state to be the only state in the country without the presence of the pandemic.
He urged them to adjust their academic calender to address the current reality to cover the five months lost to the covid 19 .
Meanwhile, the Provost college of Education Ankpa, Dr. Mohammad Badaru Salihu, the Vice Chancellor of the State University Anyigba, Professor Morietu O. Tenuche and the Provost, college of Health Sciences and Technology Idah, Comrade Nuhu Solomon Anyegwu,
Jointly assured him of the adjustment of the academic calender that will cover the lost ground , which will not affect the quality and standard of education, commending the government for demarketing the pandemic in the state .
The Commissioner who was accompanied by the Special Adviser to the governor on Education Dr. Gabriel Ottah and other principal officers of the Ministry noted that with level of preparation he has seen in these schools, there would be no need of panicking on resumption.
September 9, 2020
COVID-19: Akwa Ibom Proprietors ready For Re-Opening Of Schools
By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Proprietors of private schools in Akwa Ibom State under the aegis of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, said they are ready for re-opening of schools, describing the guidelines released by the state government as realistic.
The Akwa Ibom State Chairman of NAPPS, Mr. Ime Davies Udofia who spoke with journalists in Uyo today stated that some of the guidelines given by the government have already been put in place by private schools Proprietors, assuring that they are ready to abide by the directive.
Udofia who was reacting to a publication in one of the National Dailies with the caption “Akwa Ibom State Schools Re-opening Guidelines Unrealistic…Proprietors”, explained that he was misquoted by the reporter of the said publication.
“I was misquoted by some people. In a stakeholders meeting we had recently, the Honorable Commissioner of Education rolled out guidelines which are okay for proprietors of schools in Akwa Ibom State and we are ready to abide by it. Before now, some of the guidelines given by government have already been put in place by the proprietors.” He stated.
The Chairman further hinted that a committee to handle covid-19 awareness and prevention tips as well as decontamination of all the private schools has been constituted. “We have also set-up another committee to look into the welfare of our teachers so as to reduce the sufferings and hardship faced by them as a result of the coronavirus pandemic”, said NAPPS Chairman.
Udofia used the occasion to commend the Commissioner of Education, Prof. Nse Essien for always carrying proprietors of Private Schools in the state along and appreciated the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel on steps so far taken to prevent the spread of covid-19 in the state.
The NAPPS Chairman also appreciated Governor Emmanuel for granting the proprietors tax relief.
He showered praises on the National President of NAPPS, Otunba Yomi Otubola for his pragmatic approach in handling the covid-19 issues, especially for liaising with the federal government to secure sector oriented palliatives including moratorium on current loans, financial grant, support for workers’ wages among others and pledged their continuous support to his leadership.
The NAPPS Chairman however regretted any damage or inconvenience the publication might have caused the government and the public.
July 19, 2020
NEC, PTF to have further discussions on reopening of economy, schools
The National Economic Council(NEC) says it will hold further discussions with the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 (PTF) on reopening of the economy and schools.
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta made this known while briefing State House correspondents after the virtual NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Okowa said the council took the report on the interface between NEC’s Adhoc Committee and the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 on the ease of the lockdown and reopening of the economy.
“A lot has been done because we have had several meetings with the PTF and our inputs have been taken in the briefings to the president and the guidelines have been released.
“Since we started the meeting on May 28, lots of decisions have been taken and these decisions have already started to impact on the economy.
“Currently, both the formal and informal sectors of the economy have gradually been reopened apart from a few segments that still need to be discussed and we have also realised that the rural areas have also been opened to farming activities.
“And we have also in the course of our discussion agreed on the need to open the interstate borders to travels which also means travels by both road and train services is now possible and domestic flights are suppose to have resumed from yesterday July 8.’’
According to him, there are still other sectors of the economy that may not be open until further discussions are held.
He said the interface also discussed the issue concerning the reopening of worship centres and in many states of the federation, including FCT.
“Worship centres have been reopened with good protocols to be put in place which ought to be monitored by the various states and the FCT.
“So, a lot is actually been done; we talked about the issue of opening up schools but this will be further be discussed later today following the press briefing that was given by the Minister of Education.
“So, we will be meeting with the PTF on COVID-19 this evening at 8pm to further discuss issues surrounding the opening of schools but the economy is open now apart from restrictions to international travels and restrictions to sporting activities.
“The other course that had to be stood down is the resumption of higher institutions and other classes aside the graduating classes and also in the work place.
“In the work place, there are still some restrictions; not all civil servants are allowed to come to work because of the likelihood of crowding; so that is being further discussed in various states.
“I do know that civil servants in various categories are allowed to come but not the totality of the workforce.’’
He said that the reopening of bars, night clubs and other entertainment centres was still on hold until further discussions were taken.
Okowa said that advice was being taken from consultants who were ac monitoring the rate of transmission in the country.
“We have already entered community transmission and we are careful to ensure that as we open up the economy, we do not create a danger to the lives of Nigerians.
“So, generally, we think the best we can do as a country is to open up the economy; the economy is actually opening and we have to do it in a manner that we do not cause further health hazards,’’ he said.(NAN)
July 9, 2020