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Lockdown: Group Wants Courts exempted To Address Rising Abuses

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A civil society organisation, Citizens’ Gavel, Tuesday, April 4, said courts should be exempted in the 14-day lockdown by the Federal Government to attend to rising cases of human rights abuses and other sensitive cases.

Communication Associate, Citizens’ Gavel,
Taiwo Makanjuola, in a release said the Federal Government should review the lockdown and allow the justice system to go on to guard against a ‘pandemic of human rights’ abuses.’

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The organisation said in the alternative, the Chief Judges of states could also designate some courts for arraignment of such cases, noting that the “closure of the criminal justice system in Nigeria has brought the wheel of justice to a halt.”

RAea ALSO: BREAKING: COVID-19: Major Markets To Shut Down Temporarily In Edo, Says Deputy Governor

PUNCH quoted the group saying, “The outbreak of COVID-19 and the ensuing lockdown have drastically affected our way of life and system. One of such systems affected is the criminal justice system of Nigeria. The shutdown of the judicial process has raised several issues; how do the police and other law enforcement agencies arraign defendants during this pandemic to prevent violation of the constitutionally guaranteed rights in Section 35 of the constitution?

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“Two, how are suspects arrested for various crimes prosecuted? Are they left to languish in the police cells thereby exposing them and other inmates to the risk of infections?

“With a potential increase in domestic violence, child defilement and other sexual and gender-based violence issues, how do victims of abuse get recompense during this trying time? The law enforcement and court will obviously need to urgently redesign the way they carry out their statutory activities. We propose a periodic sitting of courts or in the alternative the Chief Judge of respective states designate courts for arraignment.

READ ALSO: COVID-19 : Group Urges Nigerians To Support Buhari To Eradicate Virus

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“We propose that Magistrates pursuant to Section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act should help checkmate inordinate detention of citizens.

(PUNCH)

(PHOTO: File)

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FG Makes History Compulsory Subject In Primary, Secondary Schools

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO:Back To School: What Parents Must Know As 2025/2026 Session Begins

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“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.

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

READ ALSO:Plant Trees Alongside With School Construction, Bauchi SUBEB Tells Contractors

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.

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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.

READ ALSO:Lagos Begins Monitoring As Schools Resume

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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.

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

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Police Announce Burial Arrangements For Ex-IG Arase

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO:Things To Know About Late Ex-IG Solomon Arase

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.

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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.

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READ ALSO:BREAKING: Former Inspector-General Of Police, Solomon Arase, Is Dead

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.

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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.

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Lagos Begins Monitoring As Schools Resume

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO:Back To School: What Parents Must Know As 2025/2026 Session Begins

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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.

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READ ALSO:Kano, Lagos, Oyo Lead As Over 60% Pass 2025 NECO SSCE

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.

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