News

Religious Leaders Task Govt, Traditional Rulers On Protection Of Persons With Abinism

Published

2 years ago

October 30, 2023

Religious leaders have tasked the Edo State Government and traditional rulers on protection of persons with albinism especially women and children, against discrimination and stigmatization to enable them achieve their potentials.

They made the call in Benin over the weekend during a sensitization workshop for religion and traditional leaders on tackling myths and superstitions beliefs associated with persons with albinism.

The workshop was organised by the Initiative for Advancement of the Albinism Cause (INAAC) and funded by Nigeria Women Trust Fund.

Speaking during the programme, the Chief Iman of Benin, Abdulfatai Enabulele, attributed the discrimination against persons with albinism to tradition and custom of the people.

He said Islam doesn’t discriminate against people including persons with albinism, seeking more engagements with traditional rulers, who are the custodian of custom and traditions of the people.

On his part. Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Eromosele said the state government was not doing enough in protecting the persons with albinism in the society

According to him, albinism is not a form of deformity that warrant stigmatisation and discrimination, as persons with albinism are expression of the distributive power of nature and should not be discriminated against.

Earlier, INAAC Executive Director, Joy Obehi Odigie, lamented that the stigmatisation and discrimination against persons with albinism was affecting them in achieving their potentials.

She the workshop was to meant to sensitize religious and traditional leaders on the eradication of harmful myths and superstitions associated with albinism with a view to preventing gender based violence against women, girls and children with albinism.

“We must work together towards creating a society that not only accepting people with albinism but also actively celebrates their uniqueness and diversity and also stand against discrimination and harmful practices against them,” she said.

While lamenting the absence of traditional rulers at the event, she said religious and traditional leaders, must all work towards creating a more compassionate, inclusive and just society every one valued.

However, Dr.Georgina Eromosele of the Edo State Gender Based Violence, said Edo State government was against all forms of discrimination and violence against any persons including persons with albinism.

She called on the public to help in reducing the myth and belief about people with albinism, saying rather than the discrimination and stigmatization, they should help them to achieve their potentials.

We are all created by God and but we are different in various aspect and expression of human being should not be reduced because they are living with albinism.

In African some culture are religion themselves, some of the statements of discrimination against albinism comes as a result of such cultures which are the People’s religion.

I believe that religion should play a greater role in breaking down the the stronghold reinforce by culture that believe that are less inferior or fit more in the society than the other.

He called on religion leader to do their work and speak the truth to the people.

News

FG Makes History Compulsory Subject In Primary, Secondary Schools

Published

12 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

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.

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.

“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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

News

Police Announce Burial Arrangements For Ex-IG Arase

Published

12 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

News

Lagos Begins Monitoring As Schools Resume

Published

12 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

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.

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.

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.

“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.