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Reverse decision to hand over public schools to missionaries – NUT tells Okpebholo

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The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, on Sunday urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to rescind his decision to hand over public schools to Catholic missionaries.

The NUT said the development may bring about inequalities, inaccessible to marginalized group

Ekwutosblog reports that state chairman of the union, Bernard Gbenga Ajobiewe, made the demand in his speech at the celebration of the 2025 World Teachers’ Day in Benin City.

 

The 2025 World Teachers’ Day has the theme, ‘Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession’.

Ajobiewe appealed to the government to take a second look into the issue.

He opined that the handing over of schools to missionary organisations may deprive marginalized groups the opportunity to benefit from religious affiliate institutions.

“As a union, we are committed to advocating for the right, welfare of our people at the same time development of education in our State.

“Sir, we strongly appeal to you to take a second look into the issue of handing over schools to Missionaries organisations in the State. As a union, we are not in support of this agenda,” he said.

Ajobiewe further said the union believes that education should be secular, noting that any attempt to handover schools to missionaries will jeopardize the good intention of the state government.

He noted that the intention of the state government is to ensure that all Edo children receive quality and affordable education.

“The union observed that handing over schools to missionaries in Edo State is complex and needs to be handled with sensitivity and foresight to avert the unforeseen damages it may cause to the education sector in the state and society at large,” he said.

Ekwutosblog recalls that the Nigeria Union of Teachers, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, and the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria, had in June 2025 faulted the planned return of schools to missionaries by the Edo State government.

 

The unions in a joint letter to the government expressed concern and disagreement over the decision of the government to hand over Catholic missionary schools to their original owners.

They posited that the move may seem like a positive step towards restoring autonomy and promoting religious freedom, but it poses significant dangers to the education sector and the state as a whole.

In his remarks, the State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Bernard Egwuakhide, said despite the difficulties inherent in the teaching profession, teachers put in their best to mentor and mould children who are the future leaders of the country.

“As teachers, you are the oil that makes the wheel of progress and growth of any and every society keep moving and moving towards the desired goal.

“As the Nigeria labour congress, Edo state council chairman, I congratulate you today as you continue to ensure that the economic, social, cultural and political development of Nigeria and indeed the world is continuous through your impartation.

“You are the momentum that continues to champion a society where men and women have relative equality and for this the whole world is grateful.

“Let us not also forget that the job of teaching is better done when parents, guardians and indeed the government collaborate to make the teacher wake up to performing their everyday wonders with great excitement, hope and a sense of fulfillment.

“I want to use this opportunity to implore the government in all its ramifications to encourage our teachers so that they can better do their jobs,” he added.

On her part, the Edo State Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Mrs Ebanehita Sonia Omonzane urged teachers in the state to to continue shaping young minds with patience and integrity, describing them as “true nation builders”.

Omonzane also urged every teacher to continue to embrace learning, teamwork and collaboration among themselves.

Education

NANS Vows Action Against Sponsored Misinformation Targeting FUTO, Its Leadership

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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has vowed to take urgent action against some persons it said are cooking up and sponsoring falsehood against the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and its leadership.

NANS took the position in a release signed by Comr. Olushola Oladoja, NANS President, and Comr. Nduka Chibueze (Paparazzi), NANS Director of Travel and Exchange, and made available to the media on Saturday.

“The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has observed with deep concern the activities of some unscrupulous and mischievous elements who appear to be acting in concert to tarnish the image and credibility of our institution, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and its leadership through the circulation of false, misleading and malicious information across various online platforms.

“These individuals, whose actions clearly suggest a calculated agenda driven by selfish interests and external influence, have continued to propagate unfounded claims capable of bringing the institution into disrepute and misleading members of the public.

“It is unfortunate that certain persons have chosen to allow themselves to be used as instruments of propaganda and destabilization against an institution that represents the collective pride and aspiration of thousands of students and alumni.

“We wish to state categorically that such coordinated attempts to blackmail, ridicule, or undermine the institution and its leadership will not be tolerated henceforth. The university’s integrity and reputation must not be sacrificed on the altar of personal interest, sponsored misinformation, or politically motivated attacks.

“The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) remains committed to protecting the image, unity, and values of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and will continue to resist every desperate attempt aimed at causing disaffection within the institution, using every legitimate mechanism and arsenal within our disposition.

“We have activated the forces of Aluta to identify and expose the charlatans involved. Our aim is to deal with them in a manner that serves the overall interest of our institution. This should act as a deterrent to anyone whose actions are aimed at destroying the institutional reputation we all worked to build. Forewarned is forearmed,” NANS maintained.

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NYSC Official Arrested Over Female Corper’s D3ath After Abortion

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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.

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Education

Teacher Reportedly Suspended In Kebbi After Rejecting Ramadan Palliative

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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.

 

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