Headline

Obaseki Inaugurates 1000-member Parent’s Council

Published

2 years ago

June 12, 2024

… tasks parents, traditional rulers to insist on sustaining reforms

… Cardinal Onaiyekan commends Obaseki for creating new era of excellence in education

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has tasked parents and traditional rulers in communities across the State to get involved in ensuring gains recorded by his administration are sustained.

The governor gave the charge during the inauguration of a 1000-members Parents’ Council at the Parent’s Summit held as part of activities to mark the Education Week in Benin City, the State capital.

He said sustainability is only possible when the citizens insist that things should be done properly and done right.

In a keynote address, titled: “Parents, School and Education”, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan commended Governor Obaseki for creating a new era of excellence in education in the State and for inaugurating the Parent’s Council.

Obaseki who said Edo children are the future of Nigeria, noted: “Our children are our greatest assets. Human capital development begins with them as they are the future of Edo State and Nigeria. That is why it is very important that we spare no resources in building critical institutions and structures to ensure that systems required are put in place to secure a better future for them.”

He said, “This Parents’ Summit is important and can’t be over emphasized because the actions, decisions and choices which we make today will greatly impact the lives and shape the future of our children.

“This gathering will provide a perfect umbrella for bringing parents, guardians, educators, policy makers, leaders and other stakeholders in the education ecosystem together to discuss various challenges and opportunities related to parenting and the development of our children not only for today but also in the future.”

Obaseki continued: “When we began the reforms in education, we knew the challenges were enormous. We decided to start with the foundation – the basic education level. As we thought through the reform process, we looked at five pillars. The most important element in the reform process are the teachers. We had to focus on them and make sure teachers are supported and encouraged to teach the child properly so that they can learn.

“One key pillar we introduced is the communities in the governance of our school system. That pillar led to setting up of the school-based management committee, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), alumni association for various schools as well as the Parents’ Summit, which is holding today.

“As a government, we have moved from a situation where the government feels arrogantly that it knows everything and owns everything to a situation where we know that our citizens know more than us. That is why we rely on our people to make the decisions we have implemented.

“The input of the community is key in terms of the educational outcomes we seek for our children. Education is not only a responsibility of the government but a shared responsibility. Parents have a larger share of that responsibility.”

Obaseki further stated, “In the last few years, one thing stands out for us in Edo State, which is the Edo Basic Education Section Transformation (EdoBEST) programme. Edo is now the best in Nigeria. For Edo to become the best, we must focus on the next generation. We must move from schooling to learning.

“We have over 400,000 children in our basic school system learning today. They are going to be our stars tomorrow and form the bulk of human capital for Nigeria. This has been made possible because of the cooperation of communities and parents.

“Sustaining the progress of eight years is possible if only parents and traditional rulers in our communities get involved. Sustainability is only possible when the citizens insist that things should be done properly and done right.

“For sustainability of what we have created, we want to establish the right structures. That’s why I am here today to formally inaugurate the Parents’ Councils of schools in Edo State to further emphasize the role of parents and parents’ participation in our educational system.”

He added, “I congratulate the 1,000 parents who are representatives of the Parents’ Council. As we inaugurate this Parents’ Council today, I believe these parents will lead and advocate for quality education and should be champions of their welfare and ambassadors of good parenting.”

On his part, Cardinal John Onaiyekan noted that governor Obaseki has been able to raise the standard of public schools in the State to compete with private schools, saying that achievement is good news for all.

Onaiyekan noted, “Every Nigerian child’s education deserves to be funded by the State. There should be a forum where leaders and education stakeholders will gather to discuss the funding of Nigeria’s educational system. I congratulate Edo State Governor for his contributions to improve education in the State.”

In her welcome address, a primary 3 pupil of Obaseki Primary School, Osaigbovo Melody, thanked the governor for the reforms in the education sector, noting that the EdoBEST Programme has improved the learning and reading ability of Edo children.

Headline

British Family Accused Of Boarding Dead Grandmother On EasyJet Flight

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2025

Editor

A British family has been accused of trying to board a dead relative onto an EasyJet flight from Málaga, Spain, to London Gatwick on Thursday, passengers said.

The woman, reportedly 89 years old, was wheeled onto the plane by five family members, who told airline staff she was unwell and had fallen asleep.

Witnesses said the woman was pushed in a wheelchair to the rear of the plane and lifted into her seat. Some claimed they overheard a family member tell a boarding clerk, “It’s OK, she’s just tired,” adding, “It’s OK, we’re doctors.”

Just before takeoff, the cabin crew realized the woman had died, and the plane was turned around, delaying the flight by 12 hours.

Petra Boddington, a passenger, said: “easyJet, when did you start letting dead people onto planes? Seriously!” Another, Tracy-Ann Kitching, added: “I saw her being wheeled onto the plane; someone was holding her head as they passed me! A doctor on board confirmed that was already dead when they sat her down.”

EasyJet has denied that a deceased person boarded the plane. The airline said the passenger had a fit-to-fly certificate and was alive when she boarded.

“The flight returned to the stand prior to take-off due to a customer on board requiring urgent medical assistance. The flight was met by emergency services, but sadly the customer passed away,” a spokesperson said.

The Guardia Civil in Málaga confirmed officers attended the aircraft, and the woman was declared dead on board. No arrests have been made.

Headline

Russian Strike On Odesa Region Kills Eight, Injures 27

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2025

Editor

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service has reported at least eight people killed and 27 others injured on Friday night after a Russian ballistic missile strike hit the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the attack targeted port infrastructure facilities in the town of Pivdenne, near Odesa, and damaged nearby civilian vehicles.

The strike came one week after much of Odesa was left without power, heat, and water following a “severe” aerial assault.

“Some of the injured were on a bus that was at the epicenter of the shelling. Trucks caught fire in the parking lot, and cars were also damaged,” the State Emergency Service said.

Emergency officials said the deaths occurred at a port infrastructure facility. Medical teams and first responders were deployed after the strike, but their work was disrupted by “ongoing air raid alerts,” according to Oleh Kiper, head of Odesa’s regional administration.

Russia has carried out repeated attacks on Odesa in recent days, damaging port facilities, civilian vessels, and key infrastructure.

Two major bridges linking the northern and southern parts of the Odesa region have also been hit, with repairs under way, Kiper said.

Elsewhere, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported a “massive” drone attack on the southern Mykolayiv region, which damaged civilian infrastructure and vehicles. No casualties were reported.

Odesa, Ukraine’s largest seaport and a major hub in the Black Sea region, has been a frequent target since the start of the war.

Last week, civilian, energy, and industrial sites in the city suffered extensive damage after what regional officials described as “one of the enemy’s most severe airstrikes,” leaving many areas without power and water.

Russia’s Defence Ministry has not commented on the attack.

Speaking hours before the strike during his annual Direct Line call-in show, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia was yet to “see Ukraine’s readiness for peace”.

“[Russia] is ready for negotiations and for ending the conflict via peaceful means,” Putin said, adding that it was up to Russia’s “Western opponents” to end the war.

(CNN)

Headline

Aircraft Crashes In Owerri With Four Persons Onboard

Published

6 days ago

December 17, 2025

Editor

Photo: File copy

A Cessna 172 aircraft with registration number 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express, has crashed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.

The aircraft had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt International Airport before diverting to Owerri after the crew declared an emergency.

The crash occurred at about 8:00 pm on the airport premises, with four passengers and crew members onboard.

Confirming the incident, the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, said the agency had been notified of the crash.

According to the NSIB, the aircraft crashed on the approach area of Runway 17, but no fatalities have been recorded so far.

The statement said: “Following the occurrence, airport emergency services were successfully activated and arrived on site promptly. Reports indicate that there was no post-crash fire, and the runway remains active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.

“Efforts are currently underway to coordinate the recovery and evacuation of the distressed aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination.”

The NSIB said it has officially activated its investigation protocols in line with its statutory mandate

The Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., sympathised with the management of Skypower Express over the incident and expressed relief that no lives were lost.

Badeh Jr. added that the Bureau’s investigation team is already coordinating with relevant authorities to secure the crash site and commence a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident.

Two days ago, 11 persons narrowly escaped death as a private jet crash-landed at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Sunday morning.

The occupants, including passengers and cabin crew, were safely evacuated amid an intense atmosphere, eyewitnesses told The Guardian.

The private jet, owned by Flybird Aviation, crash-landed at about 9:30 a.m. while approaching Kano Airport en route to Abuja.

The incident attracted urgent attention, with emergency staff and other stakeholders converging at the runway to render rescue operations.

The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is yet to release an official statement on the incident. Unofficial sources disclosed that the passengers have been taken to an unknown destination.

Several aircraft incidents have occurred at Kano Airport, with several lives lost.

The last incident occurred in May 2002, when an EAS Airline aircraft departed the runway at Aminu Kano International Airport at 1:29 p.m. local time en route to Lagos.