News

Bauchi Govt. To Revitalise 6 Boarding Schools – Commissioner

Published

11 months ago

September 23, 2024

Editor

Dr Jemila Dahiru, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Education has said the the state government was on the verge of revitalising six boarding schools that were de-boarded due to low enrollment.

Dahiru stated this in Dambam Local Government Area of the state at the end of an inspection visit to the six schools on Sunday.

She explained that Gov. Bala Mohammed gave directions for the ministry to strategically identify the schools so as to commence complete rehabilitation, renovation and construction of structures to ensure a conducive environment for the students.

This, she said, would be done through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, (AGILE), a World Bank assisted project of the Federal Ministry of Education geared at improving secondary education opportunities in the country.

“We are here for an inspection visit, more of inspection for preparedness based on the approval of Gov. Bala Mohammed for the re-boarding of about six schools.

“We can say that it has been a successful one because in each of the schools we went to, we have been able to meet up with the community and engage with them.

“We are aware of the conditions of the schools and that was one of the reasons why the schools were actually de-boarded and the governor has approved for the rehabilitation and renovation of these schools through AGILE fund,” she said.

According to her, most of the schools visited already have the facilities that could be transformed and be utilised for the effective use of the students that would be re-boarded.

Dahiru recalled that there were issues of low enrollment which was also part of the reasons why some schools in the state were de-boarded.

“But you can see from the community enthusiasm that they have learned from their lessons that they were actually lagging and left behind.

“Now you can see how they are willing to mobilise and sensitise their communities so that they get their children enrolled. They even wrote to the ministry requesting for this to be done for them.

“Also, these schools are not only meant for the communities they are situated, we from the ministry of education would ensure that we are posting students to these locations so that we will have more enrollment,” said the Commissioner.

In his vote of thanks, Mr Iliya Isa, Deputy Chairman, Dambam LGA lauded governor Mohammed through the state’s Education Commissioner for listening to their yearnings and promised to mobilise members of their communities for enrollment drive.

The six schools included; Government Secondary School, Dagauda in Dambam LGA, Government Secondary School, Futuk, Alkaleri LGA, Government Day Secondary School, Kirfi LGA.

Others were; Government Secondary School, Sade, Darazo LGA, Government Secondary School, Udubo, Gamawa LGA and Government Secondary School, Madara in Katagum LGA.

News

By-election: Low Turnout In Ibadan North Federal Constituency

Published

2 hours ago

August 16, 2025

Editor

The Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election on Saturday began on a shaky note as only a few voters turned out at polling centres.

The by-election followed the death of Olajide Akinremi of the All Progressives Congress on July 10.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission arrived as early as 7:30 a.m. at various polling centres, but voter presence was scanty.

At Bodija Ward 10 Unit 26 (8:22 a.m.) and Ward 5 Unit 19 (8:27 a.m.), INEC officials were already on the ground, setting up for the exercise.

“We are 100 per cent ready at Methodist Grammar School, Bodija, Ward 5, Unit 26. As you can see, we are setting up and waiting for voters. Their list will be pasted soon,” Omolara Gbamigbade, an INEC official, said.

Similarly, Bolaji Abiona, a PDP agent at Ward 10 Unit 26, noted: “Everything is set. INEC is here, the police are here. We are waiting for people so accreditation and voting can commence.”

The first voter at Ward 10 Unit 27, Police Station, Bodija Housing Corporation, Miss Oluwaseun Omisakin, arrived at 9:07 a.m. and cast her vote within five minutes.

According to her, the process was smooth. “I got to where the voters’ list was pasted and saw my name. I wasn’t even expecting it. The comportment of the INEC officials was excellent, especially how the BVAS official handled the minor glitch that occurred. It showed they were prepared,” she said.

NAN, however, reports that apart from Omisakin and one other voter, no one else had turned up at the polling unit by the time of filing the report.

At Sango, Oju Irin, opposite Gateway Baptist Church, Ward 8 Unit 031, PDP party agent, Ajayi Lucas, lamented the late arrival of officials.

“We have been calling the collation officer to alert him that INEC officials were not on ground, only for them to arrive at 9:50 a.m. This is not acceptable, it ought not to be so,” Lucas said.

INEC officials were also yet to be seen at Ward 8 Unit 1, Sango Ibadan, at the time of reporting.

News

By-election: Voters Attack Edo PDP Agent For Allegedly Hoarding PVCs

Published

2 hours ago

August 16, 2025

Editor

An agent of the Peoples Democratic Party was attacked on Saturday at Ozolua Model Primary School, Iguobazuwa East Ward, headquarters of Ovia South-West Local Government Area, Edo State, for allegedly refusing to release Permanent Voter Cards to eligible voters.

The agent, whose name was withheld, was accused of hoarding the cards.

A voter, who identified himself as Robert, said, “The PDP agent has our voter cards and we need them to vote, but he refused to release them. People got angry and descended on him.

“The fact is that he mobilised us for the registration, so when the cards came, many people handed them over to him, believing they would collect them during the election. However, he refused to release them because most of the people wanted to vote for the APC candidate, Omosede Igbinedion.”

The swift intervention of the police saved the agent from being lynched.

News

By-election: Low Turnout As Voting Begins In Anambra South Senatorial District

Published

2 hours ago

August 16, 2025

Editor

Observers say the low turnout could affect the pace and energy of the election, emphasising the need for more residents to participate to ensure robust representation.

Voting kicked off on Saturday at Igbo-Ukwu 1 Polling Unit in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State, for the Anambra South Senatorial District bye-election, but voter turnout remained low despite the early arrival of materials.

Accreditation and voting began on time at Ihua-Afor Ward III and Afaukwu College Ward II, but many polling units recorded thin crowds, with residents slow to show up.

The bye-election, covering seven local government areas, seeks to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in 2024.

Dominic Okafor, Member representing Aguata Federal Constituency, who voted at Igbo-Ukwu Polling Unit, acknowledged the low turnout but urged residents to exercise their civic duty.

“First and foremost, we pray for the repose of the soul of our former Senator, Ifeanyi Ubah. Voting has started, but we urge more people to come out. Almost a year without representation is too long, and every vote counts,” Okafor said.

Eighty-year-old voter, Madam Victoria Okeke, said she was pleased with the process, even though turnout was low.

“Materials came early, around 7:30 am. I was accredited and have voted. It was good and smooth, but not many people have come out yet,” she said.

An INEC official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that all machines were working and the process was seamless. She noted that voters began arriving as early as 7:00 am, conducting themselves orderly while security personnel monitored the units.

Observers say the low turnout could affect the pace and energy of the election, emphasising the need for more residents to participate to ensure robust representation.