News

Edo: Church Founder’s Son Raises Alarm Over Alleged Deviation From Father’s Vision

Published

2 years ago

August 24, 2023

The first son of the founder of the Christ Apostolic Church of God Mission (CACGM) Rev. Emmanuel Ogbonmwan, has alleged that the current leadership of the church has deviated from the principles of the founder of the church, late Apostle (Dr) Samuel Enoragbon Ogbonmwan.

Ogbonmwan, who is currently a district pastor in the church, stated this in a chat with newsmen shortly after a ceremony to mark the 16th year anniversary of the death of his late father and the second anniversary of the death of his mother, late Deaconess Grace Ogbonmwan.

He said though he expected the new leadership of the church to correct some of these things, so much has gone wrong to the extent that some leaders of the church now feed on the sweat of his late father without recourse to himself and his siblings.

He said: “He (father) was not a man that cut corners. He would tell you how it is and he tried as much as possible to inculcate that in the lives of those who were with him particularly his children.

“But looking at what is happening right now, favouritism has crept in and it is not going to help at all. In 2021, when my mother died, I became sick after the burial, and during the period, many things happened and I saw a lot of things that ought not to have been. It is quite unfortunate that today, a lot of people are shying away from the truth.

“I don’t think I am selfish, my father is the founder of this mission, you lied that I am a member of the BoT but going through the Corporate Affairs Commission records, there was nothing to prove that.

“I also know that there is a deliberate refusal to pay annual returns to the CAC, thereby making the mission’s status inactive. The church’s properties and assets are being sold off without due consultation with relevant stakeholders and many other infractions.

“Whatever is happening right now is not ideal, it is not authentic.

“So, I would have loved a system whereby things will be put in right perspective and we know where we are going.

“My message to members is that I want the members to know what is actually going on. If we are saying we stand for truth, let it be truth, not a feeble and a system that doesn’t add up.

“To me, that is not how the church ought to be operated. I have just said a little, so many things have happened. Those who stand by the truth; they know what is happening; they know what is going on and they would know that the notices are not right and I want things to be right. That is where I stand.”

However, an elder of the church who does not want his name mentioned because he’s not authorized to speak for the church said: “The founder did a lot to put this church where it is and whatever is happening, I expect the new GS to look into them.”

News

FG Makes History Compulsory Subject In Primary, Secondary Schools

Published

8 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has announced the reintroduction of Nigerian History as a compulsory subject from primary to senior secondary school, 16 years after it was removed from the curriculum in 2009, under the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced this in a statement posted on its X handle on Wednesday.

It said the reintroduction aimed at strengthening national identity, unity, and patriotism among diverse citizens.

“For the first time in decades, Nigerian pupils will study History continuously from Primary 1 to JSS3, while SSS1–3 students will take the new Civic and Heritage Studies, integrating History with Civic Education.

“Primary 1–6: Pupils will learn about Nigeria’s origins, heroes, rulers, culture, politics, economy, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance.

“JSS1–3: Students will study civilisations, empires, trade, European contacts, amalgamation, independence, democracy, and civic values,” the statement read.

The Ministry said the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, CON, together with the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing the reform.

“They emphasised that History is not merely a record of the past, but a vital foundation for shaping responsible and patriotic citizens.”

According to the Ministers, the reform is a priceless gift to the nation, reconnecting children with their roots while inspiring pride, unity, and commitment to national development.

The Ministry has released the revised curriculum and will retrain teachers, provide resources, and strengthen monitoring.

The former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua-led government in 2009 removed history from Nigeria’s basic education curriculum.

Then, it was justified that students were avoiding it with the claim that there were few jobs for history graduates, and that there was dearth of history teachers.

In 2022, the Ministry of Education under former Minister Adamu Adamu inaugurated the reintroduction of the subject.

The Ministry also trained history teachers at the basic education level in Abuja.

However, history has always remained optional in the few schools that offer it.

News

Police Announce Burial Arrangements For Ex-IG Arase

Published

8 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has released the burial arrangements for former Inspector-General of Police Solomon Ehigiator Arase, who died on August 31, 2025, at the age of 69.

Arase, who served as the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, was described by the Force as a dedicated officer remembered for his leadership, philanthropy and commitment to police reforms.

According to the programme of events signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, released on Wednesday, the burial rites will begin in Abuja on September 24 with a Day of Tribute at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi.

A requiem mass will follow on September 26 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, while a lying-in-state is scheduled for September 27 at his Abuja residence. His body will then depart for Benin City, Edo State.

In his hometown, Sabongida Ora, a candlelight procession is slated for September 29.

A valedictory session organised by the Edo State judiciary and the Nigerian Bar Association will hold at the Edo State High Court, Benin, on October 2.

Other activities include a service of songs at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin, on October 2, followed by a family lying-in-state.

The funeral mass will take place on October 3 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, after which interment will be held at his private residence in Benin City.

A reception is planned at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, while a thanksgiving mass will round off the events on October 5.

Arase, who held national honours including CFR, and was also a PhD holder, was appointed Inspector-General of Police in April 2015 and retired in June 2016.

He died at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja after a brief illness.

News

Lagos Begins Monitoring As Schools Resume

Published

8 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Education Quality Assurance, has commenced the monitoring of schools for compliance with standards as students resumed activities this week.

The OEQA spokesperson, Adepeju Adeyemi, said in a Wednesday statement sent to newsmen that the inspection began on Monday across the state for schools below the tertiary level.

The monitoring team, led by the Coordinating Director of OEQA, Remi Abdul, visited several schools, including Dolphin Senior High School, Lagos Island, where the team was received by the Principal/Director, Comfort Agunlejika.

Abdul explained that the purpose of the monitoring was to ensure compliance with the approved resumption date as stated in the Year 2025/2026 Harmonised Academic Calendar.

The PUNCH reports that basic and secondary schools in Lagos resumed on September 15, 2025, for the First Term of the Y2025/2026 session.

According to the approved 2025/2026 harmonised calendar made available to our correspondent, the First Half of the term is scheduled for September 15 to October 31, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. The second half will commence from November 10 to December 19, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. In between the halves are Open Day and Mid-Term Break.

Abdul noted that the monitoring team deployed was also verifying whether school administrators held pre-resumption meetings and whether key teaching and statutory records, such as lesson notes, diaries, and makeshift attendance registers, were in place for the smooth take-off of the new academic session.

“While addressing SSS 3 students, Abdul encouraged them to take their academics seriously, noting that how well they perform this term would determine their transition to higher education. He urged them to read well, stay focused, avoid skipping classes and begin early preparation for their WASSCE examinations,” the statement said.

He also encouraged teachers to remain dedicated and committed to delivering quality education.