News

Group Charges North-East Governors On Domestication Of Safe-school Policy

Published

1 year ago

August 6, 2024

Editor

A group, Civil Society Organisation clusters, have called on the North-Eastern governors of Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states to expedite the implementation and domestication of the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-free schools (NPSSVS).

Ms Noadiah Babas, Communications and Knowledge Officer, Young Leaders Network, made the call on behalf of the group in Bauchi on Monday.

The group, Babas said, also advocated for increased budgetary releases and performance in education for infrastructure and training on school safety and disaster risk reduction (DRR) by the year 2025.

According to her, one of the goals of the project embarked upon by the CSO’s cluster ‘Enhance Safe & Secure Education 4 All (ESSEA), was to enhance basic, inclusive and safe quality education in North-east Nigeria through advocacy for increased investments in education.

“A key focus of the project will be to demand accountability of the state education budget by advocating for increased budgetary releases and performance in education for infrastructure, training on school safety and disaster risk reduction across the focal states.

“The team will initiate a series of capacity enhancement initiatives to enhance the capacity of Clusters for advocacy and collaboration towards effective advocacy deliveries.

“Cluster’s members would also build capacity in budget analysis skills, development of factsheets around budget allocation, releases, and performance.

“The Project will strategically build relationships with education stakeholders in the Project States and create opportunities for decision makers to learn and engage around the adoption and implementation of NPSSVS.

“The project will leverage on learning and awareness raising in policy engagement by creating platforms to empower citizens to know the NPSSVSs, empower them to be involved in the implementation of the policy and build ownership of the policy implementation,” she said.

Babas explained that the project is being sponsored by USAID and Palladium.

Also speaking, Mr Nicholas Oshojah from Leadtots Development Initiative, Bauchi State, said schools must be safe as they represented spaces where learners were comprehensively educated and developed.

“This development, however, can be guaranteed only if learning takes place in a safe and secure environment

“Therefore, a holistic school safety and security plan is critical to ensure that all learners, staff members and school property as well as school communities are protected from human-induced and natural hazards,” he said.

He called on the media practitioners in the three selected states to disseminate information about the policy to the public so as to raise awareness.

In his address, the Bauchi state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Umar Sa’idu, promised that the partnership between the Union and the group would be effectively justified.

The cluster organisations in the group are; Bauchi State Network of CSOs; Thamani for Women and Youth Development Initiative, Innovative Childcare and Women Empowerment Initiative, Borno.

Others included; Northeast Youth Initiative for Development, Yobe; Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Yobe and Bauchi State Council.

News

Otuaro Felicitates Tompolo On Honorary Doctorate Award

Published

3 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro has congratulated High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, on the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) by the E.K. Clark University.

Otuaro described the recognition as well-deserved and befitting, noting that Tompolo has, over the years, demonstrated uncommon commitment to the peace, progress, and stability of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

According to him, Tompolo’s role in sustaining peace in the region, particularly through his steadfast support for dialogue, community engagement, and nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution, has made a significant contribution to national security and economic stability.

He further noted that, beyond his contributions to peacebuilding, Tompolo has demonstrated extraordinary compassion, philanthropy, and devotion to humanitarian causes.

He added that his investments in youth empowerment stand as clear evidence of a man whose heart is truly with his people.

“Tompolo’s good heart, generosity, and love for humanity distinguish him as a leader of rare character,” Otuaro said.

The PAP Administrator commended E.K. Clark University for identifying and honouring a personality whose impact continues to resonate across the Niger Delta and beyond.

He urged other institutions to emulate such gestures that celebrate individuals advancing society through selfless service.

Dr Otuaro prayed for God’s continued guidance, long life, and strength for High Chief Ekpemupolo as he continues to serve the Niger Delta and Nigeria with dignity, wisdom, and compassion.

News

JUST IN: Defence Minister, Badaru Mohammed Resigns

Published

3 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has resigned his appointment with immediate effect.

His resignation was contained in a letter addressed to President Tinubu and dated December 1.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this on Monday.

The presidential spokesman said Abubakar resigned on health grounds.

News

Police Deny Opening Recruitment Portal, Warn Nigerians Against Fake Adverts

Published

4 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Editor

The Police Service Commission has debunked reports circulating on social media and several unofficial websites claiming that it has opened a portal for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force.

The Commission described the publications as fake, warning that they were created by fraudsters seeking to deceive and exploit unsuspecting Nigerians.

In a statement published on its official website on Monday, the PSC said it had not commenced any recruitment exercise.

“The general public is hereby informed that these publications are fake and entirely misleading.

“They are the handiwork of fraudsters attempting to exploit innocent citizens,” the Commission said.

It added that no recruitment portal had been opened by the Commission.

“There is currently no ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force.

“The Police Service Commission has not opened any portal for such an exercise,” the statement added.

The PSC stressed that whenever recruitment begins, the announcement will be made strictly through authorised platforms.

According to the statement, official channels include advertisements in reputable national newspapers, announcements posted on the Commission’s verified website (www.psc.gov.ng), and formal press releases.

“We urge Nigerians to rely only on information published through these official channels.

“Any recruitment portal not listed on our website is fraudulent and should be reported to the police,” the commission said.

The PSC advised the public to ignore the fake recruitment claims to avoid falling victim to scams.

The PUNCH had reported that the Police Service Commission has cautioned Nigerians seeking a career in the Nigeria Police Force to beware of fake recruitment adverts circulating online, insisting that it has not yet commenced the 2025 recruitment exercise.