News

JUST IN: Coalition Of Private Schools In Edo Threatens To Boycutt Sept. 11 Resumption Date

Published

2 years ago

September 4, 2023

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.

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.

“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.”

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

23 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

23 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

23 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.