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JUST IN: Coalition Of Private Schools In Edo Threatens To Boycutt Sept. 11 Resumption Date
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
Coalition of Private Schools in Edo State has threatened to boycutt the September 11th resumption date for public and private schools in the state.
The coalition, under the body of Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED); Association of Private Schools Owners of Nigeria (APSON) and National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) said the body decided to take such action after several efforts made to see Governor Godwin Obaseki to discuss issues affecting the body failed.
“All efforts to reach His Excellency to make our plights known to him directly and proffer possible solutions to the overall challenges of the second largest Employers of Labour in Edo State has proven abortive as official correspondences have not yielded any positive results,” the body added.
In a statement signed by DR Lemmy Oare Russel, State Chairman, NAPPS; Pastor (Mrs) Faith Abudu, Acting State Controller, AFED and DR Christy Egbune, State Chairperson, APSON, the body lamented that among other many issues, private schools are been over burdened with tax.
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The coalition statement read by Dr Russel during a press conference in Benin reads: “Among many is the issues of Private Schools being over burdened with Corporate Tax by Federal Inland Revenue, FIRS. Personal Income Tax by the State Government and Annual Renewal not to mention the different Officials that comes around to collect one fee or the other in name of Government agents.” (Sic)
The statement added: “Closure of schools in the current economic realities in Nigeria is tantamount to increasing the number of Out school Children and Unemployment in the already World capital of Poverty.”
The coalition demanded: “That no Private school be closed, instead, let there be regulatory control with regards to school site, landmass and classroom population.
“Scrap the huge Annual Renewal Fee or have one consolidated fee/Tax payable by Private Schools as against the numerous bills charge by Government MDAs.
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“Fund/Loan be made available to Private Schools at very low interest rate with period of at least 5years to pay back. This will help drive the implementation of disarticulation policies of schools and improve learning environment in Schools.
“A Committee comprising of Association Leaders, Ministry Of Education Representatives and other critical Stakeholders in Education be set up to meet and review the policy checklist and deliberate on its implementations.”
Dissociating itself from a viral video wherein the Commissioner for Education, Dr Joan Osa Oviawe and Dr Dr Rosaline Okosun Director General, Quality Assurance Directorate was insulted, the coalition described the video as politically motivated, adding that the coalition is apolitical.
The coalition added: “That, the purported viral video circulating on the social media insulting or using derogatories remarks on highly Profiled Ministry Of Education officials such as Dr Rosaline Okosun and the Honourable Commissioner, Dr Joan Osa Oviawe is cheap blackmail, childish and doesn’t represent the interest.
“We have absolute confidence in the Honourable Commissioner For Education, Dr Joan Osa Oviawe. The choice of Dr Rosaline Okosun as the Director General, Quality Assurance Directorate is another round peg in round hole by His Excellency.”
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Immigration Issues Travel Advisory To Nigerians On US Visas
Published
16 minutes agoon
August 2, 2025By
Editor
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has issued a travel advisory for Nigerians who currently hold or intend to apply for a US visa, highlighting strict warnings regarding recent developments related to the use of US visas.
The NIS’s Public Relations Officer, ACI Akimsola Akinlabi in Abuja on August 1, stated that the NIS and US mission in Abuja have reinforced their commitment to ensuring secure and efficient visa processes.
According to Akinlabi, “The NIS has issued a travel advisory to Nigerians on the responsible use of US visas, reminding visa holders to strictly adhere to the purpose stated in their visa applications and comply with US immigration laws.”
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The US government has expressed concerns regarding the misuse of US visas by Nigerians, and the NIS is working closely with the US Mission to address these issues.
Nigerian students in the US are required to maintain an active study status to avoid visa cancellation and potential future eligibility issues.
US consular officers will deny tourist visa applications if they suspect that the primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States to secure US citizenship for the child.
READ ALSO:FG Gives Overstaying Foreigners Ultimatum To Regularise Visa
The NIS and the US Mission in Abuja are collaborating to ensure that Nigeria is not subject to expanded visa restrictions.
This joint effort underscores the commitment of both countries to maintaining secure and transparent visa processes.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that our citizens comply with visa regulations and respect the laws of other countries,” said ACI Akinlabi.
News
FEC Approves N145bn Electrification Projects For UNILAG, UI, Six Others
Published
32 minutes agoon
August 2, 2025By
Editor
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Thursday approved ₦145 billion for electrification projects in eight federal universities and one teaching hospital.
The Council also approved the sum of ₦68.7 billion for solar power for some rural communities and agricultural clusters that remain off-grid.
The two strategic electrification projects are targeted at expanding access to clean, renewable energy across Nigeria’s educational and rural agricultural sectors, in line with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, speaking shortly after the FEC meeting, said the approved projects are part of a deliberate shift toward sustainable energy delivery, aimed at reducing dependence on the national grid while promoting development, innovation, and inclusivity.
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Giving the breakdown of the projects, the Minister said the first major approval is for the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) of solar hybrid power systems under the Energizing Education Programme (EEP), to be executed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
This initiative targets eight federal universities and one teaching hospital and is funded through the Special Intervention Window of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.
According to Adelabu, the total cost of this component is ₦145 billion, which is inclusive of 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT). Implementation is scheduled for completion within 7 to 9 months.
“This is a major milestone in the transformation of our tertiary education infrastructure,” the Minister said.
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“It will significantly lower energy costs, reduce reliance on diesel generators, and provide a clean, stable source of power to support learning, research, and healthcare delivery.”
The Minister disclosed that the beneficiary institutions under this new phase are:
University of Lagos (UNILAG), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), University of Ibadan (UI), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and Federal University, Wukari (Taraba State).
The Minister said the others are to be confirmed upon project kickoff.
This project builds on earlier World Bank-supported phases that delivered solar mini-grid systems to institutions such as the University of Abuja (3MW), UNN (12MW), University of Calabar (8MW), and the Nigerian Defence Academy (2.6MW).
The second approval covers the rollout of solar-powered infrastructure in Agricultural Centres of Excellence, also under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund and implemented by the REA.
According to the Minister, this phase targets rural communities and agricultural clusters that remain off-grid.
With a total contract value of ₦68.7 billion, inclusive of VAT, this component is expected to be delivered within three months. It is designed to power homes, agro-processing units, cold storage systems, and small rural enterprises, boosting productivity and rural economies.
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“The goal here is not just lighting homes, but energizing agriculture, creating jobs, and enabling value addition right in the communities,” Adelabu said.
Both interventions, the Minister stressed, reflect the Tinubu administration’s resolve to make access to reliable electricity a key driver of inclusive development.
He added that the projects will serve as models for scaling renewable energy adoption across other sectors, particularly education, health, and agriculture.
“These approvals reaffirm our commitment to bridging the energy access gap, ensuring no Nigerian is left behind as we transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable, and economically viable power sector,” Adelabu added.
News
Over 35,000 Nigerians Apply For 27,000 RHEI Job Slots Within 24 Hours
Published
34 minutes agoon
August 2, 2025By
Editor
Barely 24 hours after the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) opened its portal for the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), a staggering 35,819 unemployed Nigerians aged between 18 and 45 have already applied for the 27,000 available training and job slots.
The overwhelming response underscores the scale of youth unemployment and the eagerness of Nigerians to acquire skills that can secure them sustainable livelihoods.
The Director-General of NDE, Mr. Silas Agara, officially launched the digital portal for the initiative’s second phase on Monday 11 July. He said the rapid registration is a strong signal that the initiative is both timely and relevant to the realities facing Nigerians, especially the youth.
“In a determined effort to tackle youth unemployment and equip Nigerians with viable, state-relevant skills, we officially unveiled the registration portal for Phase Two of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative,” Mr. Agara stated.
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He emphasised that this second phase has undergone significant improvements and is fully digital. “After the first phase of RHEI, we went back to work for the second phase. Our directors tirelessly worked round the clock to ensure that this second phase is very robust and good. This time around our programme will be entirely digital,” he declared.
To ensure seamless operation across the country, the NDE has deployed extensive infrastructure upgrades. According to Agara, robust software and hardware, including internet facilities, have been installed in all 37 states of the Federation, including the FCT.
“As we speak today, we have robustly provided software and hardware, as well as internet facilities to all the 37 States of the Federation including FCT, so that they can link to the NDE Headquarters for the implementation of this second phase and help us achieve a hundred percent digital success. These facilities are made available even in all our six zonal offices,” he explained.
Mr. Agara stressed that registration must be done online and that only applicants who register within the two-week window will be considered. He also highlighted the importance of transparency, saying, “Nobody will be allowed to import any name into the system. So it is only those that have applied within the stipulated time that shall be processed and considered.”
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A major eligibility requirement is the use of the National Identification Number (NIN), which is now mandatory for all NDE programmes. Mr. Agara further clarified that a person’s state of residence, not state of origin, is the determining factor for eligibility.
“Part of the guidelines to key into RHEI, which is very critical, is that all participants must register with their NIN. It is a mandatory requirement in all our programmes and activities today. And in this programme, the state of residence of beneficiaries is what matters, not state of origin. You are eligible to apply once you are a Nigerian and resident in any of the states of the Federation. The age bracket this time around is from 18 to 45 years,” he said.
Participants selected for this phase will undergo training in over 30 vocational and digital skills tailored to the economic needs of their respective states.
“Beneficiaries will be engaged in over 30 different skills. The skill sets vary from state to state. What is applicable to Abia may not be in Adamawa. We planned it in such a way that state-based skills—that is, certain skills that are very lucrative in specific states are considered,” he noted.
READ ALSO:FG Secures $5m Loan To Upgrade Power Distribution Infrastructure
The online registration, which commenced on Monday, July 28, 2025, will close on Monday, August 11. Application processing is slated for August 12 to August 22.
Mr. Agara also issued a stern warning against fraudsters attempting to exploit the initiative. He appealed to both the media and the general public to help in exposing scammers and ensuring that applicants rely solely on official NDE channels.
“I want to plead with the members of the press to help us educate the public. Because even before we opened this website, we saw and noticed scammers are already out there deceiving members of the public. Some are asking for financial gratification and different kinds of requirements that are not what we in NDE require from participants,” he cautioned.
“We want to plead with the general public to be watchful. No staff of NDE will ask for any gratification from any members of the public. We have not commissioned anybody in any capacity to act on behalf of NDE. Solely, it is the responsibility of NDE Headquarters and state offices to manage this programme. Where any member of the public is confused about any information, such a person should contact our Headquarters, zonal or state offices for clarification. We have job centres in all 37 states of the Federation including FCT,” Mr. Agara added.
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