Home Blog Page 349

Mahama, Obasanjo, Kukah headline Goodluck Jonathan Foundation 2025 Democracy Dialogue in Accra

By
The Source
-
0
Goodluck Jonathan
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan:

The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) has assembled many distinguished African statesman and global development experts for the 2025 Democracy Dialogue scheduled to hold in Accra, Ghana, on September 17, 2025.

The leaders headlining the event include Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama, former Nigeria Presidents Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, former Prime Minister of Burkina Faso and former President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, current President of the ECOWAS Commission Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, as well as Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese.

This year’s dialogue with the theme, ‘Why Democracies Die’, which will be co-hosted by the Foundation in collaboration with the Government of Ghana will give participants the opportunity to beam their searchlights on the progress, challenges and prospects of decades of democratic rule in the sub-region. It will be chaired by Chief Obasanjo while Bishop Kukah will serve as the keynote speaker.

The 2025 Dialogue is the 4th in the series since 2021 when the Foundation launched the annual discourse as a way of constantly interrogating democratic governance in the sub-region as a means of gauging its sustainability and impact on the lives of the people.

Last year’s dialogue which focused on purposeful education featured Prof. Olubayi Olubayi, a seasoned educationist and Chief Academic Officer at Maarifa Education, in Kenya and former Vice Chancellor of the International University of East Africa (IUEA) in Uganda. It will be recalled that in his keynote speech, Prof. Olubayi made a strong case for African countries to establish highly selective merit-based institutions and elite research-intensive universities to serve as the anchors of functional education and drivers of technological growth.

It is expected that the keynote speaker, Bishop Kukah, panelists and other resource persons at the 2025 Dialogue would throw more light on  what needs to be done to arrest the pattern of decline and gradual erosion of rules and norms which democracies have continued to experience in Africa.

Speaking ahead of the programme, Ms Ann Iyonu, the executive director Goodluck Jonathan Foundation stated that the event would bring together a cross-section of key political leaders, policy makers, elected representatives and pro-democracy civil society organisations from across the world.

She described the theme of the conference, ‘Why Democracies Die’ as a logical next step to the previous themes which had  focused on “how states gain legitimacy, how democracy delivers, and how leadership is cultivated.”

Speaking further, she said: “This is now the time for the Dialogue to boldly pose the hardest question bordering on why democracies die.”

Ikechukwu Eze

Special Adviser to H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

2025/2026 Academic Session: FG Releases Subjects For Basic, Secondary Schools

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Dr Morufu Alausa

By Akinwale Kasali

A few days to the resumption of the 2025/2026 Academic Session nationwide, the Federal Government has released the approved subject – offerings for Nigeria’s Newly Revised Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curriculum.

The FG has, also,   warned stakeholders against fake versions in circulation.

In a press statement released by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, NERDC, the Agency said: “We fervently call on all critical stakeholders to disregard any other fake and unauthentic list that is at variance with the authentic and approved list provided above.”

NERDC said that the reforms, undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Education, FME, under its National Education Sector Reform Initiatives, NESRI, are designed to reduce overload and ensure “positive learning outcomes” for pupils across the country.

Prof. Salisu Shehu, Executive Secretary of NERDC, appended his signature on the notice dated 8th September 2025, confirming that implementation will begin at the start of each 3-year Education Circle (Primary 1, Primary 4, JSS1, and SS1).

NERDC also cautioned against misinformation, declaring: “nationwide sensitization and teacher capacity building have been slated to commence immediately for effective implementation.”

It assured that the reforms mark a new phase in Nigeria’s education sector, ensuring relevance, flexibility, and skill acquisition from the earliest stages of learning.

Underlisted, the approved subjects for both Basic and Secondary Schools.

PRIMARY SCHOOL SUBJECTS

Primary 1–3

Minimum: 9 subjects | Maximum: 10 subjects

  • English Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Nigerian Languages (One Nigerian Language)
  • Basic Science
  • Physical & ●Health Education

□Christian Religious Studies (CRS) for Christian pupils / ●Islamic Studies (IS) for Muslim pupils

  • Nigerian History.
  • Social and Citizenship Studies.
  • Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA).
  • Arabic Language (Optional).

For Primary 4–6

Minimum: 11 subjects | Maximum: 12 or 13 subjects

  • English Studies, □Mathematics, ●Nigerian Languages (One Nigerian Language).
  • Basic Science and Technology, ●Physical & Health Education, ●Basic Digital Literacy
  • CRS (For Christian Pupils Only) / IS (For ●Muslim Pupils Only).
  • Nigerian History, Social and Citizenship Studies
  • Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA), ●Pre-vocational Studies.
  • French (Optional) and Arabic Language (Optional)

JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL (JSS 1–3)

Minimum: 12 subjects | Maximum: 13 or 14 subjects

  • English Studies, ●Mathematics, ●Nigerian Languages (One Nigerian Language), ●Intermediate Science
  • Physical & ●Health Education, Digital Technologies, CRS (For Christian Pupils Only) / IS (For Muslim Pupils Only).
  • Nigerian History, Social and Citizenship Studies.
  • Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)
  • Trade Subjects (Choose one):Solar Photovoltaic Installation & Maintenance, ●Fashion Design & Garment Making
  • Livestock Farming
  • Beauty & Cosmetology, Computer Hardware & GSM Repairs.
  • Horticulture & Crop Production, Business Studies, French (Optional), Arabic Language (Optional).

FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

5 Core and Compulsory Subjects that include:

  • English Language, ●General Mathematics
  • One Trade Subject Citizenship and Heritage Studies ●Digital Technologies Science
  • Biology, ●Chemistry, ●Physics, ●Agriculture, ●Further Mathematics, ●Physical Education
  • Health Education
  • Foods & Nutrition, Geography.
  • Technical Drawing ●Humanities, ●Nigerian History ●Government ●Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies.

□One Nigerian Language;

  • French, Arabic, Visual Arts
  • Music
  • Literature in English
  • Home Management ●Catering Craft, ●Business ●Accounting ●Commerce ●Marketing, ●Economics

Trade Subjects (Choose one)

  • Solar Photovoltaic Installation & Maintenance, ●Fashion Design & Garment Making
  • Livestock ●Farming,

Beauty & Cosmetology, ●Computer Hardware & GSM Repairs

  • Horticulture & Crop Production.

This development has however led to brickbats between the FG and Stakeholders, but the FG has remain defiant,  insisting that the implementation of the new curriculum for basic, secondary, and technical education will begin with the 2025/2026 academic session.

  • Solar Photovoltaic Installation & Maintenance, ●Fashion Design & Garment Making
  • Livestock Farming, Beauty & Cosmetology, ●Computer Hardware & GSM Repairs
  • Horticulture & Crop Production.

This development has led to brickbats between the FG and Stakeholders, but the FG remains defiant,  insisting that the implementation of the new curriculum for basic, secondary, and technical education will begin with the 2025/2026 academic session.

13 Domestic Airlines Summoned By NCAA Over Flight Cancellations,  Delays

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Following series of complains that have trailed the indifferent approach of 13 Domestic Airlines to Cancellation and Delays, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has  summoned them.

The NCAA called for an Emergency Meeting over the growing number of flight delays, cancellations and affecting passengers across the country.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja.

This was confirmed by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, via his X handle on Tuesday.

This intervention comes amid rising complaints from air travelers and a series of incidents involving unruly passenger behavior at airports, a trend NCAA attributes partly to poor airline adherence to aviation rules.

Achimugu disclosed that the meeting would address a range of critical issues, including persistent flight delays and cancellations, Passenger handling protocols and welfare obligations, unresolved refund and compensation complaints, enforcement of safety measures like the phone switch-off directive, protection for cabin crew and NCAA officials, and the Introduction of RFID baggage tagging and real-time flight monitoring technology.

The NCAA had emphasised that airlines must uphold the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, particularly Part 19, which outlines specific obligations to passengers in the event of delays or cancellations, including providing hotel accommodations for stranded travelers between 10:00pm and 4:00am.

The regulatory body stated its readiness to begin “naming and shaming” airlines that consistently flout aviation rules particularly those that delay or cancel flights without due process or passenger support.

Achimugu noted that airlines cancel flights late at night without making provisions for passenger welfare, leaving NCAA consumer protection officers to manage agitated travelers. This, he said, exposes officials to unnecessary risk.

He warned that the era of leniency is over, stating, “For infractions that are sanctionable, the Authority will apply the fullest measures possible. We will not abandon the letters of our regulations.”

Achimugu, however, reiterated that while the NCAA acknowledges the challenges faced by domestic carriers, operators must meet the expected standards if they wish to be regarded as world-class.

Anger, Outrage Flow, As Gov Soludo’s OCHA Brigade Allegedly Kills Four Onitsha Traders

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Charles Soludo - Governor of Anambra State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The infamous activities of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Enforcement  agency, the OCHA Brigade, was  on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, once again on the spot, following the shooting and killing of no fewer than four persons including, a pregnant woman.

The Source reports that operatives of the Anambra State Government – owned revenue enforcers  stormed the popular Sir Emeka Offor axis of the Onitsha Main Market, shooting sporadically.

The incident, which according to eye witness accounts, occurred Tuesday morning, resulted in the death of four persons, among whom was a pregnant woman. Several others are believed to have sustained varying degrees of injuries while scampering to safety.

Expectedly, the unfortunate incident ,which not  a few believe is in tandem with the activities of the notorious outfit, provoked widespread panic and outrage among both traders and residents of the Commercial nerve centre of Anambra State.

Since its establishment by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to purportedly coordinate the collection of levies/taxes and rents, mostly in markets and parks, the outfit has continued to come under intense scrutiny and condemnation for its brutal and violent conducts.

The group has been caught, on a number if times,  unleashing serious violent activities on unsuspecting residents, mostly traders and commercial vehicle owners and operators.

A distraught trader lamented: “This is heartbreaking. Four innocent people who left their homes this morning have been brutally murdered in cold blood.

“Among them is a pregnant woman. Anambra people are now living in fear because criminals, and blood thirsty individuals have been handed down guns and uniforms in the name of enforcement.”

Amidst growing anxiety, anger  and palpable apprehension among residents, the authorities, including the Police and State Government are yet to react to the development as at the time of reporting.

But  it was gathered that security has since been enhanced in the area to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

UK Govt Supports Climate-Resilient Facilities In Nigeria With £19m

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Cynthia Rowe - UK Country Director in Nigeria

By Ayodele Oni

United Kingdom, (UK) Government has announced a £19 million funding commitment to develop climate-resilient health and education facilities in Nigeria.

This was revealed at a joint inauguration of 84 climate-resilient schools and healthcare facilities under the Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) initiative.

The schools are joint collaboration by the UK Government, UNICEF, Federal Ministry of Health and the Government of Kano and Jigawa States.

CRIBS is a pioneering and innovative programme that is piloting a new approach to protect essential health and education services from the growing threats of climate change.

Nigeria ranks second globally in climate-related risks to children, with millions affected annually by floods, droughts, and extreme heat.

The UK Development Director in Nigeria, Cynthia Rowe said, the CRIBS approach has been developed to assess and strengthen 84 facilities, 39 primary healthcare centres and 45 schools in Kano and Jigawa through targeted climate adaptation measures.

She said, the inauguration of the model facilities marks a significant milestone in demonstrating scalable, community-owned solutions to climate vulnerability that can be adopted by the Federal and state governments.

According to her, the UK Government is proud to support the Government of Nigeria through this £19m commitment to the CRIBS programme.

Rowe further explained that, this work has been developed through a partnership of organisations and experts including the Federal Government of Nigeria, the UK Government, UNICEF, World Bank, World Health Organization, Sextant Foundation, JigSaw, Fab Inc, Crown Agent and UK Lafiya Programme.

She added that, the inauguration aligns with national and state priorities in climate action, health, and education, and reflects the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to mitigate climate risks and improve service delivery.

“CRIBS demonstrates how climate-resilient infrastructure can improve access to basic services for vulnerable populations. We hope this model inspires broader replication across Nigeria.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, noted that “This initiative is a testament to what strong partnerships can achieve.

“By investing in climate-smart infrastructure, we are not only protecting services, but also empowering communities to safeguard their children’s future.

“CRIBS is a model for how we can build resilience where it matters most, at the frontline of service delivery.”

PAP Disowns 5000 Delta Students’ Debt To Private University

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Presidential Amnesty Programme - PAP

By Ayodele Oni

The Presidential Amnesty Programme, (PAP) has clarified that there are no records in a private institution, Novena University and the Amnesty Office concerning award of scholarship to the 5000 Itsekiri students in Delta State

PAP, also, stated that it is not owing school fees for 5000 students of Itsekiri extraction in Novena University, Ogume, Delta State.

This was contained in  a statement on Tuesday signed by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator.

The statement added that the Amnesty office is not owing fees in Novena or any institution within or outside the country.

The agency was reacting to claims by the  Office of the Sole Representative of  Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri to NNPLC, that the Amnesty Programme is “indebted” to Novena University concerning “all Itsekiri students” that graduated from the institution purportedly under the programme’s scholarship scheme.

The Monarch’s agent, Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema, claimed in a statement that the alleged liability made the Olu’s Palace to announce an intervention to settle the “outstanding tuition and clearance fees” of all the affected Itsekiri graduates of Novena.

PAP explained that the report of an inquiry into the issue by previous heads of the agency revealed that the 5000 Itsekiri indigenes were sent to the Management of Novena university by the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) in 2017 without the involvement of the Agency.

It added that it was not conceivable for the PAP to take responsibility for the students who were not deployed by the agency.

The statement reads: “The management of PAP wishes to state unequivocally that it is not owing Novena university any tuition fees on account of the said Itsekiri graduates and any claim to the contrary is totally false, baseless, and represents an attempt to stand truth on its head.

“PAP wishes to say also that it is not owing tuition fees in any institution within or outside the country.

“To set the records straight, it is necessary to inform the public that the affected Itsekiri graduates were a subject of a formal investigation launched by a previous PAP leadership into allegations of scholarship admission racketeering under the programme’s formal education at Novena. Three other partnering Universities were also investigated.

“The report of the inquiry showed that the affected Itsekiri graduates constituted a list of 5000 Itsekiri indigenes that was sent to the management of Novena university by the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) in 2017 purporting them to be PAP scholarship beneficiaries.

“The investigation revealed that the list in question did not emanate from the PAP, and did not also have any authorization or approval of the Amnesty Programme office.

“Therefore, the affected Itsekiri indigenes could not have been deemed to be beneficiaries of the PAP scholarship scheme.

“Additionally, the inquiry also revealed that there was no correspondence between the PAP and Novena university indicating that the PAP approved the purported list of 5000 Itsekiri students to be deployed to the institution.

“The investigative committee, during its work, met with the INYC President and the secretary, as well as Principal officers of Novena university led by its Vice-Chancellor, who could not produce any documentation between the PAP and the institution on the affected Itsekiri graduates.

“At the end of the exercise, the PAP duly informed the management of Novena university that the Amnesty Programme office would not bear any liability for the affected students. Doing so would have amounted to encouraging sharp practices.

“Therefore, the PAP could not have accepted responsibility and obligation where it had none. The affected Itsekiri graduates of Novena university that the Olu’s palace is intervening for, were never beneficiaries of the amnesty programme’s scholarship.

“All the PAP administrations that preceded the current one headed by the Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, had seen the official report of the investigation and they respected the incontrovertible truth so established.

“Thankfully, Dr Otuaro has expanded the PAP scholarship scheme in order to create more access to higher education for ex-agitators and beneficiaries, and aggressively bridge the human capital development gap in the Niger Delta.

“His noble reforms and initiatives to ensure that the PAP renders efficient service to the people of the Niger Delta have been applauded in official quarters, as well as by all well-meaning individuals and organisations.

“Dr Otuaro remains unwaveringly committed to deepening the implementation of the programme’s mandate, especially through his policy of inclusivity, to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for the Niger Delta.”

US, NAF, Collaborate In Protecting Civilians During Operations

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
US and NAF Collaboration

By Ayodele Oni

The adoption of Air-to-Ground Integration (AGI) during operations by the Nigerian Air Force, (NAF) has sharpened capacity to deliver firepower at the right place and at the right time with precision and restraint.

It has also reinforced NAF’s commitment to safeguard civilian lives in conflict zones.

The Air-to-Ground Integration is a joint collaboration between the Nigerian Air force and the United States Government with both countries reaffirming their resolve to deepen cooperation in advancing precision firepower delivery and strengthening civilian protection in conflict zones.

The renewed commitment was made on Tuesday, during a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, by a delegation from the United States Institute of Security Governance, led by retired Major General Miguel Castellanos.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed in a statement, that the meeting centred on ongoing collaboration through the Air-to-Ground Integration (AGI) programme, a joint initiative that has already enhanced the NAF’s operational capabilities.

Air Marshal Abubakar praised the AGI programme as a transformative tool that has significantly boosted the Air Force’s ability to deliver precise air-to-ground firepower in support of ground troops, while drastically reducing risks to civilian populations.

He described the programme as vital to strengthening synergy across the Services and embedding global best practices in Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM).

“The Air-Ground Integration programme has sharpened our capacity to deliver firepower at the right place and at the right time with precision and restraint.

“Beyond enhancing synergy, it reinforces our commitment to safeguarding civilian lives in conflict zones. The technical and advisory support provided by the United States has been instrumental in making this progress possible.”

Responding, Major General Castellanos commended the Nigerian Air Force for its professionalism and visionary leadership, stressing that Nigeria had taken bold steps toward becoming a regional model in integrating civilian protection into military operations.

He reassured that the United States would remain a steadfast partner in consolidating the gains of the AGI programme through continuous technical support, training, and expertise.

“What we are developing together is more than operational capability, it is a system that ensures effectiveness while protecting civilian populations.

“Nigeria’s leadership in embedding Civilian Harm Mitigation into military operations sets a strong example for the region, and the United States is proud to stand as a partner in this endeavour.”

Both parties agreed that the long-term objective of the AGI initiative is to institutionalize enduring joint processes across Nigeria’s Armed Forces, enabling them to decisively counter emerging threats while upholding humanitarian standards.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the growing Nigeria–US defence partnership, with commitments to broaden collaboration in precision targeting, inter-agency coordination, and civilian protection, recognised as essential pillars of modern counter-terrorism and peace support operations.

Troops Rescue Military Officer Abducted By Gunmen In Delta

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Soliders on Duty

By Ayodele Oni

Troops of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued a senior officer, Major M.D. Josiah, who was abducted by gunmen in Bomadi, Delta State on Monday.

Report revealed that Gunmen forced their way into the residence of the military officer around 2.00am and took him away in a car while others watched helplessly.

The car was, however, abandoned along the way while the abductors disappeared with the victim.

A statement signed by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 63 Brigade, Captain Iliyasu Bawa Rijau,  disclosed that the operation was carried out on Tuesday, following intelligence gathering and close collaboration with community leaders and residents of Bomadi.

The synergy, according to the statement, enabled troops to track the abductors and rescued the officer at Tuomor Waterside in Bomadi Local Government Area.

The statement further revealed that Major Josiah sustained gunshot wounds during the operation, but has since been evacuated to a medical facility, where he is receiving adequate treatment and care.

Commander of 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 1, Joint Task Force South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, Brigadier General M.A. Shonibare, lauded the courage, tactical skills, and professionalism of the troops that executed the operation.

He reassured the public that the Nigerian Army remains unwavering in its commitment to maintaining peace and security across Delta State and the wider South-South region.

Brigadier General Shonibare also extended deep appreciation to the people of Bomadi Local Government Area for their cooperation and support, which he described as a demonstration of growing trust and partnership between the Nigerian Army and local communities in combating criminal activities.

He stressed that the success of the rescue operation underlined the Army’s capacity to respond swiftly and decisively to security challenges, reaffirming its resolve to protect the lives and property of all citizens.

Police Arrest Akwa Ibom Traditional Ruler For Shooting Sister

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Police on Duty

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, announced the arrest of the Village Head of Ibagwa, in Abak Local Council of the State, for allegedly attempting to kill his 32-year old sister.

The suspect was alleged to have shot the victim in the head with a double-barrelled gun over disagreements arising from the ownership of palm trees and fruits.

A statement  from the State Police Command spokesperson Timfon John, said that operatives of the  service received a report from a man alleging an attempted murder by the Village Head of Ibagwa   at about 2:30 pm on Saturday September 6, 2025 .

According to John, the Police swiftly responded, with the arrest and detention of the suspect.

During the arrest, the Police said it also recovered the double-barrelled gun believed to have been used by the suspect in shooting his sister.

The police authorities informed that a full scale investigation has been launched to get to the root of the incident.

However, preliminary findings according to the Police indicated that the incident was ignited by a disagreement over palm fruits between the suspect and victim.

Meanwhile, the Police stated that the victim was immediately taken to a medical facility where she is presently receiving attention. Report indicates that she is responding well to treatment.

Notorious Yahoo Boy, Oladimeji Nabbed In US Over $1m Fraud, Faces Deportation

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0

Rotimi Oladimeji, a Nigerian-born international fraud kingpin has been arrested by the United States of America, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE,  team in New Orleans.

ICE announced Oladimeji’s arrest in a post on its official X platform on Monday, describing him as a ‘criminal’ from Nigeria.

Before his arrest yesterday, Oladimeji has been in the US wanted list, following his record of wire and internet fraud, also known as Yahoo Boys.

According to message posted on X, ICE said he has been ordered to pay over $1 million in restitution, and will serve be charged to court, and possibly a jail term, after which he will be deported to Nigeria.

1...348349350...2,878Page 349 of 2,878