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Religious Leaders Harp On Tolerance At Grassroots Sensitisation Programme In Benin

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo 

The need for religious tolerance in Nigeria took the centre stage in Benin on Friday at a Grassroots Sensitisation Programme on survey report on Freedom of Religion and Belief (FORB) in Nigeria.

The programme, themed
MECHANISM TO MONITOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF IN NIGERIA, was implemented by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); the Kukah Center (1KC) and Nasrul-lahi-l-Fathiu
Society (NASFAT), while King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz International Center for
Interreligious and Intercultura Dialogue (KAICIID) provided the fund.

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In her opening remarks, Project Coordinator, FORB, Hajia Halimat Oyedele, said the project aimed at increasing the level of coexistence and the opportunity for peace in the country, and also addressing the existing structural limitations.

She added that the project also aims at the “promoting changes to existing policies in order to ensure existing laws and mechanisms promote social cohesion and the respect of Freedom of Religion and Belief.”

READ ALSO: Obasanjo Makes Shocking Revelation About His Birth

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She continued: “In addition, to prevent possible future violations, the project will also focus on spreading a culture of respect of difference through targeted awareness raising activities on Interreligious Dialogue (1RD) and the respect of Freedom of Religion and Belief.

“This will increase the level of tolerance of the population and, hence, the possibility for peaceful coexistence between communities.”

On his part, keynote speaker, Barrister Nurudeen Asunogie, while stating that all the major religions in Nigeria preache justice, stressed: “Religion preaches justice. You can’t take everything because you think you are the majority. You can’t take everything just because you think you have the opportunity. Let it go round because the one who doesn’t get would create a situation where you have no peace. Everything you do must be on the wheel of ethics.”

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Also speaking, Mr. Joseph Atang, Country Expert Representative, KAICIID, while emphasising on the need for freedom of religion in Nigeria, warned that disrespect for individuals’ religious beliefs would result in conflict as currently experience in the country.

READ ALSO: Barack Obama, Wife Endorse Kamala Harris For US President

Some persons faith is disrespected so it becomes a source of conflict. Every human loves respect. Every human loves honour. Every human wants to have source of of belonging. Where you don’t have all these, you are angry and it could lead conflict,” he added.

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Also lending his voice, Dr. Adesoye Mustapha, South-South Coordinator, NASFAT, while stating that religion is being used as a weapon at the grassroots by people in authority, however, noted that such religious intolerance experience among the masses is not obtainable among the politicians.

In his goodwill message, the Chief Imam of Benin, Alhaji Abdulfatai Enabulele, who stated that God is one and that there’s no need for the religious strive in the country, appealed to religious leaders in the country to be more accommodating.

Also in his goodwill message, Humphrey Iriabe, Director of Evangelism & Inter-faith of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Edo State branch, noted: “We must see ourselves as the children of Abraham. Religious leaders need to educate their people that we are one. We are all human created by one God.”

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Nigeria Needs 1.2 Million Teachers — FEDCOLE Ofeme Chairman

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Chairman, Governing Council, Federal College of Education, Ofeme-Ohuhu in Umuahia North LGA, Hajjia Rabia Hussain Adamu, has said that Nigeria is in dire need of over 1.2 million teachers, describing this deficit in the education sector as the biggest crisis.

Adamu disclosed this on Friday on the occasion of the maiden matriculation ceremony of the college.

She said, “The biggest crisis point in Nigeria is the teacher crisis. We have a gap of about 1.2 million teachers. We need 1.2 million teachers minimum for Nigerian classes to be adequately provided for.

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“The ratio that we have is supposed to be 1 to 25, one teacher to 25 pupils. But there are schools in this country where you have one teacher to 300, one teacher to 400, one teacher to 500. I would like to believe that the interest that you have shown in coming to a college of education is to become a teacher”.

Taking a critical look of the departmentmental spread of the 160 matriculants, Hajjia Adamu regretted, “a hundred and sixty students are matriculating today.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Federal Colleges Of Education To now Award Bachelor’s Degrees

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Across all the subject areas, I have noticed that there is a lot of people, a lot of interest in business, education sector, followed by political science, social studies. From my mental calculation, I think there are about 44 people wanting to study business.

“About 20 in social sciences, sociology, social work, social studies rather, and then there are about 15 in political science or thereabout. This is very good, but as a teacher and as a player in the education team, in the education sector, as a team leader of some sort in any activity that relates to education in Nigeria, I think that this admission profile is saying a lot. Nigeria is at the threshold of a crisis in the education sector, and we all know that”.

Addressing the matriculants, she warned, “I know many people would not agree with me, even most of you there. So you go for a business education, I hope I will not come back after five years and find you in the markets, not in my classrooms. I hope I will not come back in three or five years and find you in customs, immigration, and so on and so forth.

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“This is what is happening to the teaching profession. So please, my message to you all today, please, we need teachers. If there are no teachers, there is no future. And if there is no future, who will teach your children? Who will teach your grandchildren? Who will provide the leaders of tomorrow? The teachers make the presidents. The teachers make the engineers. They make the architects, the doctors, the lawyers, and everybody else.

“So if you all run away from teaching, there is going to be a bigger crisis. So please, I would like to call upon you all matriculating students, to ensure that you remain within this profession. I promise you, Nigeria will not disappoint you. And I believe that your reward is not only in heaven. Your reward definitely, you deserve it here on earth. I don’t know whether I can make a promise, but I want to believe the work that the provost and his team will be doing here will ensure that we keep engaging the critical stakeholders, the critical providers, to make sure teaching is once more restored. So we are having problems not only in general classrooms, but in the rural areas especially we don’t have teachers.

READ ALSO:FG To Split Unity Colleges Into Basic, Secondary Schools

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She stated that Nigeria is thinking towards moving forward and thinking of giving teachers the requisite recognition through a policy called the National Teacher Education Policy, explaining, “that policy is talking about how to make teachers’ salaries, welfare, at the forefront of the government of the day, especially. So a lot of reforms are coming. And the reforms are supposed to make sure that the teaching profession is restored to its previous glorious days.

“So I know that most of you will be going to the rural areas, but I am appealing to you to consider going to rural areas because that is where the work is. We need to do that. We cannot continue to have zero access to education in the rural areas. But we find a lot of the NCEE graduates preferring to teach in the urban areas and also in secondary schools. That is why the quality of education in this country is getting worse and worse and worse every day. You find that the unqualified teachers are the ones teaching the foundation years. Foundation schools are very important. And that brings my mind to another issue that I noticed in the profile of the graduating students today.

“Primary education is the bedrock of the education sector. I’d like to see more people coming into the PAS department, the Primary Education Studies department, to provide quality teachers for the primary education sector. I know that you’re also teaching in the junior secondary school sector, but the most important foundational stage is the primary school. This is the way to go in Nigeria if we want to change the education profile of this country”.

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In her speech, the state Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Uche Eme-Uche, represented by her Permanent Secretary, Barr Chinyere Okeziem-Nwoko explained, “teacher education, is the backbone of any progressive society. As aspiring educators, you are not just pursuing a career you are embracing a calling. You are being prepared to become leaders in classrooms, mentors in communities, and role models in our society.

READ ALSO:Bauchi Govt. Shuts 39 Colleges Of Education

“In Abia State, our education loving Governor Dr Alex Chioma Otti, recognizes the vital role that Colleges of Education play in the training of qualified teachers. This is why the State through Ministry of Tertiary Education continues to work closely with our institutions to improve infrastructure, revise curriculum to meet contemporary needs, enhance research capacity, and ensure the overall quality of teacher training. The world is changing rapidly, and the classrooms of today are not the same as those of yesterday. As future teachers, you must be equipped not only to teach but also to inspire creativity resilience, and innovation among your future students”.

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Earlier in his speech, the Provost of the school, Dr. Titus Ezeme informed, “the College has been allocated a take-off grant by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND). We also look forward, with optimism, to further interventions from TETFUND and other relevant agencies, which will help consolidate the infrastructural foundation of our young institution.”

While highlighting federal government interventions in the institution, the construction of a 74-room female hostel, the Provost called for assistance over modern lecture theatres and academic staff blocks, building complexes, a reliable generating set and solar lighting system, construction of the college access road and internal roads, modern administrative block, modern library complex, ICT building, college clinic, perimeter fencing and operational and utility vehicles.
(TRIBUNE)

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‘Your Suffering Is Pain Of Painful Surgery’, Tinubu Tells Nigerians At Ladoja’s Coronation

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that there would be light at the end of the tunnel, saying their “suffering is a pain of painful surgery”.

This comes on the heels of economic hardship caused by his reforms since assuming office as president.

Tinubu, while giving his remarks at the coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja, thanked Nigerians for standing with his government.

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His words; “Thanks for taking care of me (referring to the people of Ibadan). I’m here today to tell you to stand with me, and that it is my turn, and we are there.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Tinubu Arrives At Olubadan Coronation

“To many of you here present, today I’m honoured and very proud to give you the cheering news that economy has turned the corner. There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. Your suffering is a pain of a painful a surgery, but is now returned to the moment of growth and prosperity is awaiting us ahead”.

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Earlier, Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde presented the Staff of Office to Oba Rashidi Ladoja, as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The governor made the presentation at the coronation ceremony of the new Olubadan, held at the historic Mapo Hall on Friday.
(TRIBUNE)

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Navy Opens Recruitment For Basic Training School Batch 38

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The Nigerian Navy has opened applications for its Basic Training School (BTS) Batch 38 recruitment exercise, scheduled to run from October 2 to October 31, 2025.

According to an official statement, the recruitment process is free, and interested applicants must submit their applications online at https://www.joinnigeriannavy.navy.mil.ng/https://www.joinnigeriannavy.navy.mil.ng.

Successful candidates will undergo basic military training before being officially enlisted as Ordinary Seamen.

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The Navy stressed that eligibility is restricted to Nigerian citizens by birth with a valid National Identification Number (NIN). Applicants must have no criminal record and must not be affiliated with secret societies, cults, or fraternities.

READ ALSO:NUC Begins Nationwide Recruitment, Opens Application Portal

Educational and age requirements were clearly outlined. Candidates applying with O’level results must be between 18 and 22 years old as of December 31, 2025.

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Those with OND/NCE qualifications must be aged 18 to 26, while Chaplain/Imam Assistants and Drivers/Mechanics must fall within the 18 to 28 age bracket.

In all cases, applicants are required to have at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings in WAEC, NECO, GCE, or NABTEB, with certificates not older than 2015.

The Navy added that special professions, such as Medical Assistants and Nurses, require proof of registration with relevant professional bodies.

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READ ALSO:Air Peace Announces Recruitment For 1,000 Fresh Graduates [SEE How To APPLY]

Applicants for technical trades including tailoring, plumbing, carpentry, welding, and electrical works must present valid Trade Test certificates in addition to academic qualifications.

Similarly, candidates applying as sportsmen and women are expected to provide certificates and medals as evidence of their sporting achievements.

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The recruitment examination is scheduled for November 29, 2025, at designated centers nationwide.

READ ALSO:UK Bars Over 100 Job Roles From Foreign Recruitment To Curb Migration

Candidates are required to bring their Attestation Form, duly signed with a passport photograph of the signer, along with valid identification such as a Driver’s License, International Passport, or National ID Card.

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Applicants have been cautioned against multiple applications, which will lead to disqualification.

The Navy further advised candidates to seek clarification only through official communication channels provided on the recruitment portal.

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