News

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

Published

2 years ago

September 4, 2023

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.

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

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

5 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

5 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

5 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.