Connect with us

Education

Gov Okpebholo under fire after releasing public schools to Catholic Mission in Edo

Published

on

Tension is brewing in Edo State as Muslim organisations have voiced strong opposition to the decision of Governor Monday Okpebholo to hand over eight public schools back to the Catholic Mission.

The protest is being spearheaded by two prominent groups, Edo Muslims for Equity and Good Governance, EMEGG, and the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Edo State chapter.

They argued that the move does not serve the interests of Muslim students and teachers currently in those institutions and are urging the governor to reconsider the decision.

Ekwutosblog reports that Governor Okpebholo had, on Monday, approved the handover of eight government-owned schools to the Catholic Church.

This was announced in a statement by his media aide, Fred Itua, following a meeting between the governor and Bishop Gabriel G. Dunia of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi.

 

The governor clarified that any of the schools currently undergoing government-funded renovations will remain under state management until those works are completed.

Bishop Dunia, commenting on the development, said the Church had long sought the return of its original schools but previous administrations failed to respond positively.

He added that the mission’s role is not only to provide academic instruction but also to instil sound moral values that support a better society.

However, the decision has drawn criticism from the Muslim community. EMEGG, in a joint statement issued by General Coordinator Sirajudeen Muhammad and Secretary Abdullah Umar, argued that although the Catholic mission may have initiated some of the schools, the lands were largely donated by host communities, many of which are Muslim-majority.

They emphasized that these institutions have been sustained with public funds over the years, taxes contributed by both Muslims and Christians in the state, and should therefore remain inclusive.

The group warned that the handover could jeopardize the rights and representation of Muslims in the affected schools and called on the government to protect the interests of all citizens, regardless of religious affiliation.

Similarly, the Edo State Chairman of NSCIA, Abdulaziz Igbinidu, questioned the rationale behind returning the schools to a religious body after the government had invested substantial funds into their rehabilitation. He stressed that the Muslim community feels excluded and overlooked in the decision-making process.

Zakariyah Musa, Chairman of the Edo North Council of Ulama, also condemned the decision, describing it as unfair to Muslim pupils currently enrolled in the schools.

He added that as a leader for all, Governor Okpebholo should have ensured inclusive dialogue before making such a critical decision.

He revealed that the Ulama Council, alongside other Islamic stakeholders, plans to meet with the governor to seek clarity and possibly reverse the action, asking, “What becomes of Muslim students and teachers in these schools?”

Imam Harun Umar of the Edo South Council of Ulama warned that the move could have far-reaching consequences beyond its educational intent.

While acknowledging that the governor may have intended to improve discipline and academic excellence, he maintained that such goals can be achieved through other inclusive means.

Umar emphasized the need for broad consultations, urging the governor to engage widely before proceeding further. He noted that a five-member implementation committee has been set up by the government, expressing hope that the committee would involve religious and community stakeholders in its discussions.

He also advised that the process be put on hold until further consultations are carried out, warning that the handover could alienate not just Muslims but also Christians who are not Catholics.

The affected institutions include: Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi; St. Angela’s Grammar School, Uzairue; St. John Grammar School, Fugar; St. Peter’s Grammar School, Agenebode; St. James’s Grammar School, Afuze; St. Joseph College, Otuo; St. Mary’s Grammar School, Eme-Ora; and St. Aloysius Gonzaga Grammar School, Ososo.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Education

NYSC Official Arrested Over Female Corper’s D3ath After Abortion

Published

on

An official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State, Abass Olalekan, has been arrested in connection with the de@th of a female corps member.

The corps member, Victoria Ariyo, serving under the Abeokuta South Local Government Area (LGA) of the NYSC, reportedly d!ed last Tuesday after undergoing abortion.

It was gathered that the corps member had terminated her pregnancy and d!ed from complications that followed the procedure.

Her remains were buried at Kobape Cemetery on Kobape-Sagamu Road in Abeokuta.

According to Daily Trust, Ariyo’s d3ath came barely a month after another female corps member, Adeleye Mary, d!ed in what has been described as mysterious circumstance.

Mary, who was serving under the same Abeokuta South LG, was attached to the Ogun State Television (OGTV) as her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA).

A source told the publication that both deceased corps members were friends.

“The first lady d!ed at her residence, which is not far from her PPA. They found her lifeless body in the apartment and, up till now, nobody can tell the cause of her d3ath,” the source said.

However, the second corps member who d!ed on Tuesday was said to have died from complications arising from an abortion procedure.

It was alleged that the NYSC official, who is the Local Government Inspector (LGI) for Abeokuta South, Abass Olalekan was culpable in the process leading to the corps member’s d3ath.

Sources told the publication that the LGI was allegedly involved in a romantic relationship with the deceased, which eventually led to pregnancy, and it was the termination that led to her d3ath.

“That is the fact in issue,” a police source who confirmed the NYSC official’s arrest told Daily Trust on Thursday.

The police source said the development raises questions about the legality of romancing “someone that should be in your care.”

Confirming Olalekan’s arrest, the source said, “He is in our custody at the command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.”

The police source, however, said there is no connection between the current incident and the one that occurred last month.

Spokesperson for the police in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed death of Ariyo and said that the investigation was ongoing.

However, he failed to respond to questions on the arrest of the LGI and the alleged involvement.

“I can confirm that the case of the demise of Victoria Ariyo is under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department,” Babaseyi said in a terse statement.

Continue Reading

Education

Teacher Reportedly Suspended In Kebbi After Rejecting Ramadan Palliative

Published

on

A classroom teacher in Kebbi State, Abduljalal Usman, has reportedly been suspended for three months without salary after rejecting a Ramadan palliative reportedly distributed by the state government.

The teacher allegedly declined the offer of one mudu of maize and one mudu of millet and also criticized what he described as poor governance in the state.

According to claims circulating online, the action was taken under the administration of Nasir Idris, prompting criticism from some commentators who described the suspension as an attempt to silence dissent and punish a public worker for speaking out.

Critics argue that educators deserve better working conditions, fair compensation, and respect, rather than disciplinary action for expressing their views.

@Mallam_jabeer who shared the report, said …

“A classroom teacher in Kebbi, Abduljalal Usman has been suspended for 3 months without salary simply for rejecting one mudu of maize and one mudu of millet offered as Ramadan palliative from the government and for speaking out against the bad governance.

 

Under the leadership of
@NasiridrisKG
, the Kebbi State Government is now punishing teachers for refusing humiliation and for criticizing the weaponization of poverty.

This is bias, incompetence and total abuse of power.

 

Continue Reading

Education

Tinubu makes new appointment

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Makoji Stephen as the new Rector of Federal Polytechnic Ugep in Cross River State.

The approval was granted by the Federal Government, and the appointment will take effect from March 17, 2026.

Dr. Stephen will serve a single term of five years in line with the Polytechnic Act 2019 as amended.

The decision is seen as part of efforts to strengthen leadership and improve the academic and administrative structure of the institution.

Before this new role, Dr. Stephen worked as a Chief Lecturer in the Department of Public Administration at Federal Polytechnic, Idah.

He also served as an Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Miva Open University, Nigeria.

Dr. Stephen began his academic journey at Ahmadu Bello University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration in 1998 with Second Class Upper Division.

He later obtained a Master of Science degree in Public Administration from Benue State University.

In 2009, he earned another Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Salford in the United Kingdom.

He further completed a Ph.D. in Business and Management with a focus on Human Resource Management at the University of Salford Business School in 2016.

His doctoral studies were supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

Continue Reading

Trending