News

Benue Gov Sacks 12,000 Civil Servants, Gives Reason

Published

2 years ago

June 12, 2023

The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has explained that his administration resolved to cancel the employment of over 12,000 civil servants recruited by the last administration and also reverted all promotions to the rank of Permanent Secretary because the entire exercise which lacked due process was full of irregularities and was also lopsided.

The Governor who made the clarification on Monday during his Democracy Day broadcast to the people of the state, insisted that the last administration failed to take cognizance of the State Character Principle during the processes assuring that his administration was out to right perceived wrongs and not on a witch hunt mission.

It would be recalled that the administration had in a recent press statement cancelled all employments made by the last administration from May 2022 and also nullified all promotions to the rank of Permanent Secretary effected by that administration from January 2023.

Governor Alia, during his broadcast hinted that it was important to brief the people of the state on some of the key decisions his administration took in the last two weeks.

He said: “On the issue of recruitments/appointments, we noted that it was full of irregularities. Specifically; the Civil Service Secretariat through the out-gone administration recruited 2,194 persons.

“The State Universal Basic Education, SUBEB, employed 3,028 against the approved number of 2,500 only; while Replacements made were over 5,000.

“Teaching Service Board, TSB, employed 2,500 that is, for Grant-in-Aid Schools, four in number, 120 Teachers. Replacements were 2,484. In the entire exercise, due process was not adopted.

“In addition, the employment was lopsided in favour of few Local Government Areas, LGAs, and did not take the principle of State Character into consideration; also, no budgetary provision was made to cater for the recruitments just as there was no advertisement in any media as required by the provisions of the rules guiding the Service on the matter; and no Interviews were conducted to determine suitability or otherwise of candidates. Above all, the Solicitor-General of the State was not involved at any stage of the recruitment process.

“Also the appointment of persons to the post of Permanent Secretaries from January, 2023 to May, 2023 was reversed because the appointments were politically motivated, the due process required was not observed.

“The eventual postings of the appointed Permanent Secretaries were mainly for cover up. In making the appointments, the State Character Principle was not observed.

“In view of all the above, the hard decisions we are taking are for the common good. We have no room for witch hunt in our Government. But we will not shy away from taking those decisions that may look harsh but have become the foundations on which to build the peaceful and prosperous Benue of our dreams.”

While suing for patience and understanding over backlog of unpaid salaries, pensions and gratuity, the Governor promised that by June 25, 2023 civil servants would start receiving their payments.

He said: “We see our mandate as an opportunity to right the wrongs, to rekindle hope in the electorate that a better Benue is possible and indeed at hand.

“In other ways, we will always count on your prayers, co-operation and support to succeed. We assure you that we are not a Government for any particular Party, any ethnic group or any religion. As a matter of fact, we are not only for Benue indigenes. We see all legitimate Benue residents as our people and would always treat them fairly, with respect and decorum.”

News

New Curriculum: Full List Of JSS, SS Subjects

Published

22 minutes ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The full list of subjects in the newly introduced school curriculum has surfaced online after the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, shared it on Wednesday.

Olusegun, in a post on his X handle, displayed an unsigned and unmarked image said to contain the subjects for Junior Secondary School and Senior Secondary School.

“The new curriculum for Nigerian Schools which will commence from the next session in September 2025 has been released,” he said.

The curriculum, which was unveiled by the Federal Government on Sunday, introduces compulsory digital literacy and basic entrepreneurship at the JSS level, while programming, artificial intelligence, and new languages feature prominently at the SSS level.

Below is the full list of subjects for JSS and SSS as shared:

JUNIOR SECONDARY (JSS 1–3)
Mathematics & Measurement: Numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, rates, geometry (angles, area, volume), algebra, statistics, graphs, measurement (km, m, cm, g, kg, ml, °C, time zones).
English Language: Essay writing (narrative, descriptive), advanced grammar (clauses, idioms), comprehension, vocabulary, oral (debates, speeches, drama).
Integrated Science: Physics (motion, forces, energy), chemistry (matter, mixtures, reactions), biology (cells, reproduction, ecology), earth science (climate, resources), technology, lab safety.
Digital Literacy & Coding: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet research, coding (Python basics, Scratch advanced), robotics (basic kits).
Social Studies: Nigerian and African history, geography, civics, economy (trade, money, entrepreneurship basics), global issues.
Languages: Advanced mother tongue, conversational fluency in foreign language (French/Arabic).

Creative Arts: Drawing, painting, crafts, drama, theatre, film basics, music.
Physical & Health Education: Sports, fitness, nutrition, reproductive health, first aid, drug abuse awareness.
SENIOR SECONDARY (SS 1–3)
Mathematics & Advanced Applications: Algebra, trigonometry, calculus basics, probability, statistics, financial maths, applied maths.
English & Communication: Advanced essays, academic writing, literary analysis, world literature, research skills, public speaking, journalism, fact-checking.
Sciences: Physics (mechanics, waves, electricity, nuclear physics), chemistry (organic, inorganic, industrial, analytical), biology (genetics, ecology, biotechnology), environmental science.
Technology & Innovation: Programming (Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS), data science basics, AI & robotics, digital entrepreneurship, cybersecurity.
Social Sciences: Government & law, economics (micro, macro, trade), history (Africa, world revolutions), philosophy & ethics, entrepreneurship.
Languages: Advanced mother tongue literature, fluency in international language (French/Arabic/Chinese optional).
Creative Arts & Innovation: Fine arts, music, drama, film/media production.
Physical & Health Education: Advanced sports, mental health, first aid & CPR, leadership.
Research & Project Work: Final-year project, data collection, analysis, presentation & defense.

News

NECO To Streamline English Exam, Slashes Questions

Published

4 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The National Examinations Council has announced a reduction in the number of objective questions for the English Language Paper III in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination Internal. Effective from the 2026 SSCE Internal exams, the total number of questions will be reduced from 100 to 80.

In an official notification made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday, signed by the State Coordinator for Osun State, Sunday K. Bolaji, dated September 1, 2025, stated that the new paper structure includes six sections.

Antonyms (10 questions), Appropriateness of Registers (10 questions), Appropriate Interpretation of Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Foreign Words (10 questions), Synonyms (10 questions), Grammatical Structures (30 questions), and Cloze Text (10 questions).

The time allocated for Paper III will also be adjusted to 50 minutes. This change aims to streamline the examination process and enhance the testing experience for students.

Previously reported by The PUNCH, on August 29, NECO confirmed it will fully transition from the traditional paper-and-pencil examination method to a computer-based testing system, starting with the November/December 2025 SSCE external.

This shift aligns with the Federal Government’s July 2025 directive to deploy private and public CBT centres nationwide for school-based SSCEs by 2026.

NECO has invited interested CBT centre operators across Nigeria to apply for accreditation, subject to strict technical, infrastructural, and security requirements to ensure examination integrity and smooth implementation.

This move aims to modernise Nigeria’s examination system, reduce malpractice, and improve operational efficiency while expanding digital education access nationwide.

News

JUST IN: Ex-Ondo SDP Governorship Candidate Dies

Published

7 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the November 16, 2024, Ondo State governorship election, Bamidele Akingboye, is dead.

His death was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement by his aide, Oyeniyi Iwakun.

According to the statement, Akingboye died earlier on Wednesday at his residence in Victoria Garden City, Lagos.

The statement read, “Known for his unwavering integrity, humility, and generosity, Akingboye left an indelible mark as a successful businessman and a mentor to many across Nigeria and beyond.

“He is survived by his wives, children, grandchildren, and siblings. The family has requested privacy during this period of grief, adding that burial arrangements and further details will be communicated in due course.”

Akingboye contested the November 2024 governorship election but lost to the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

After the poll, Akingboye and the SDP rejected the result, alleging widespread irregularities.

The party claimed its agents were harassed and chased away from polling units, while voters were intimidated.

Akingboye himself insisted that the exercise was marred by malpractices and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to cancel the election.