Education

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

Published

6 months ago

June 18, 2025

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.

Education

Nigerian Law School Student Reportedly Takes His Own Life Following Disqualification From Bar Final Exam In Yola

Published

20 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Ayomiposi Ojajuni, a Nigerian Law School student, has passed away after reportedly being barred from taking the Bar Final examinations at the Yola Campus.

According to SaharaReporters, sources said that Ojajuni, a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, became visibly distressed on Saturday morning, December 6, upon learning he had been barred from participating in the professional examination, which began that day.

He was later said to have ingested a harmful substance shortly after receiving the news.

It was further gathered that the decision to deny him access to the exam was taken as a disciplinary action, following multiple queries previously issued to him by the institution.

Ojajuni was rushed to the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola, where he died on Sunday.

Education

Borno Kids Stole The Show At NYSC Camp With Flawless March Past (Video)

Published

2 days ago

December 6, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

A group of primary school pupils from host communities in Borno State captivated participants at the NYSC orientation camp in Maiduguri with a precise and energetic marching display during the inter-platoon parade competition.

The viral footage shows four children marching confidently beside corps members, sparking loud cheers from onlookers who were visibly delighted by their coordination and enthusiasm.

The heartwarming moment quickly gained traction on social media, where users applauded the Army and the NYSC for creating an atmosphere of joy and normalcy in a region often defined by insecurity.

The children later received warm praise and encouragement from military officials and corps members at the camp, rounding off a memorable day marked by wide smiles and excitement.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR4aCOMAh4d/?igsh=dnZtdHN1azZqcnJq

Education

Teachers strike looms in Kwara over unmet demands

Published

2 days ago

December 6, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

A statewide industrial action by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, looms in Kwara State as a result of unmet demands to the state government.

The national body of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) criticised the state government for what it described as continued failure to address long-standing welfare concerns affecting teachers across the state.

In a letter addressed to Governor Abdulraham Abdulrazaq, the union condemned the government’s refusal to implement the 27.5% Teachers Specific Allowance (TSA) and the National Harmonized Teachers Retirement Age Act, 2022.

The letter, dated November 13, 2025, and acknowledged by the Governor’s Office on November 17, was jointly signed by the NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, and the Secretary-General, Dr Clinton Ikpitibo.

The NUT stated in the letter that several engagements with government officials between 2023 and 2025 did not yield any positive outcome.

The union expressed disappointment that while the government had approved consolidated salary structures for medical workers, nurses, and judiciary staff, the long-standing demands of teachers remained unaddressed.

It warned that the refusal to implement the 27.5% TSA for TRCN-certified teachers and 21% for non-TRCN-certified teachers had pushed teachers in the state “into a riotous mode,” noting that frustration within the system had reached breaking point.

The NUT also criticized the government’s failure to implement the National Harmonized Teachers Retirement Age Act, which extends teachers’ retirement age to 65 years or 40 years in service.

The letter added that over 25 states had already complied with the law, lamenting that Kwara State despite being led by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, had failed to follow suit.

The union called on the governor to convene an emergency meeting before December 13, 2025, stressing that there was still room for peaceful resolution if the government acted promptly.

“We do hope that our interventionist approach is accepted, because to jaw-jaw will be better than to war-war,” the NUT said.

Copies of the letter were sent to the Acting Head of Service, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, the State Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Kwara chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the NUT.

With tension rising among teachers, the union warned that failure to address the issues urgently, could trigger a fresh industrial action that may disrupt academic activities across the state.