News

Safety Tips To Protect Kids From Predators, Kidnappers

Published

4 years ago

September 24, 2022

Predators are everywhere and are usually people friendly or close to kids. One must ensure to safeguard one’s children from harm especially as a new term has started in earnest.

A professor of sociology and expert in criminology and security issues, John Gyong, stated that parents were expected to be protective of their children as they played a prominent role in the home. He also said that when kids were taken to school, it was the responsibility of the school authority to ensure kids’ safety. He advised parents to be responsible for their kids’ safety at all times or ensure they are in safe hands when they are unavailable.

In his view, the national president, Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr Wilson Esangbedo, opined that parents/guardians must ensure strict safety of their kids because no one could be trusted with them. He noted that everyone was a potential predator/kidnapper, stating that parents should not be too busy to keep watch over their kids.

Esangbedo, who is also the executive secretary, Nigerian Institute for Industrial Security, highlighted some safety tips to keep kids secure from predators.

Educate them

Educating kids on how to identify predators and kidnappers is important because if they are aware of the danger they will be able to protect themselves by fleeing from such persons or calling for help. Gyong said that children should be educated on how to recognise certain traits of predators and kidnappers, stating that kids should not trust anyone outside the home, especially those who are not members of the family or anyone being unnecessarily friendly, caring, or generous to them.

He added that parents must ensure their children do not eat any food outside the home or take anything from strangers since the predators were known to use drugged food items to get children. The security expert noted that parents must create time to teach their children to trust them and not to respond to strangers.

Give them codes

The sociologist advised parents to give codes to their kids to prevent strangers and predators from gaining access to them anywhere and at any time. Esangbedo added that if parents assigned anyone to pick their kids from school, they should give the kids a code to allow the person to pick them up. He stated that the code could also be used when the kids were left alone at home. He gave an example of a lady who wanted to kidnap her sister’s children but couldn’t succeed because she was unable to provide the code the parents gave to the kids when they demanded it.

Take them to school

“Parents need to ensure they take their kids to school themselves or have a reliable driver to do so while verifying they are handed over directly to the school authorities. Parents must find time to pick their kids up from school because if there is a delay, the kids might be tired and hungry and anyone could deceive them with food or some sort of assistance,” Gyong stated. Furthermore, he said that children should not be allowed to hang around the school premises unguarded, adding that they must be within the confinement of the school until they were picked up by their parents or guardians. This, he said, would prevent them from being prone to kidnappers or predators.

Double-check

Parents must be overly conscious and double-check those assigned to pick their children from school. Besides, the security expert stated that parents or guardians should not rely on the school bus but ensure to confirm the driver or that of the teacher on the bus before handing over their kids/wards to them. “Some parents don’t check, once they see the name of the school bus they tell their kids to enter. They must double-check and verify their identities,” he added.

Teach kids security consciousness

Generally, kids pay more attention to their teachers, therefore apart from the lectures at home, schools must dedicate time to lecture kids on security consciousness and teach them using examples. Esangbedo added that kids should be told the truth about the dangers of security carelessness without mincing words.

Give instructions

The security expert advised parents to give instructions to their kids whenever they left them at home, school, or anywhere else. This, he said, would help the children see anyone who approached them as potential predators or kidnappers notwithstanding whether they were close relatives or friends.

Take responsibility

Kids are vulnerable to predators and should be under watch at all times. Esangbedo advised parents to ensure their kids do not go to and fro school on their own. “I see a lot of kids roaming the streets, crossing the expressway on their own. Some of them get killed by oncoming vehicles or get kidnapped. Parents should take responsibility for the safety of their kids,” he said.

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News

NiMet Warns Of Flash Flooding In 19 States

Published

15 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned that 19 states across the country may experience flash flooding.

In an advisory issued yesterday, NiMet said increased surface runoff and flash flooding could occur during heavy early rains due to dry and hardened soils that prevent water from properly soaking into the ground.

The agency listed the states likely to be affected as Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, and Bayelsa.

NiMet said the possible impacts include flooded roads, traffic disruption, damage to homes, farmlands, and infrastructure, blocked drainage systems, power outages, telecommunication disruptions, and increased risks of injuries and water-borne diseases.

The agency advised residents to clear blocked drainage and stay updated with weather and flood alerts.

NiMet also cautioned motorists and pedestrians against driving or walking through flooded areas.

The agency asked relevant authorities and stakeholders to strengthen coordination, preparedness, and emergency response measures to reduce flood-related risks.

“An informed community is a prepared community. Know the risks and act early,” the advisory read.

The Federal Government had warned that 14,118 communities in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at risk of severe flooding in 2026.

The states include Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Kano.

Others are Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara, and the FCT.

Meanwhile, Nimet and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have intensified efforts to improve disaster management in the country with plans to develop a national early warning system roadmap.

The move was announced yesterday during a courtesy visit by the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, to the Director General of NiMet, Charles Anosike, at the NiMet headquarters in Abuja.

Mrs Umar applauded NiMet for the timely release of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and its consistent weather forecasts, noting that the agency had recorded significant improvements under Prof. Anosike’s leadership.

News

‘Nothing New’ – Wike Defends Houses For Judges, Dismisses NBA Criticism

Published

16 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Friday defended the construction of houses for judges and justices in Abuja, dismissing concerns that the projects could compromise the independence of the judiciary.

Wike spoke after inspecting ongoing judicial infrastructure projects, including judges’ residences, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division and proposed residential projects for judges of the Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The minister’s remarks followed criticisms reportedly raised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over executive involvement in the provision of infrastructure for the judiciary.

Rejecting the concerns, Wike argued that government provision of facilities for judicial officers was neither new nor a threat to judicial autonomy.

He said: “The mere fact that the executive constructs buildings does not mean it will interfere with the judiciary.

“We have built public houses for the National Assembly and for the judiciary before. The Supreme Court was built by government. So there is nothing new in this.”

Wike accused the NBA leadership of inconsistency, alleging that the association frequently sought financial support from state governments for its conferences and activities while criticising government interventions in the judiciary.

“All they are interested in is when state governments will sponsor NBA activities. If governments fund their conferences, does that mean they are no longer independent?” he queried.

He maintained that the FCT Administration would not be distracted from implementing projects designed to improve the welfare and working conditions of judges and justices.

“This is a voluntary act by government to make judicial officers comfortable and focused on their work. It is not done to erode judicial independence,” the minister added.

Wike said the projects formed part of activities lined up to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.

He expressed satisfaction with the completion level of the judges’ quarters, describing the project as well executed and nearly ready for inauguration.

“We’ve seen the judges’ quarters beautiful. I’m very elated that the job was done well. The houses are well furnished and almost 99 per cent ready,” he stated.

The minister also disclosed that preparations had begun for the groundbreaking ceremony of residences for judges of the Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

However, he expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the finishing at the Court of Appeal Abuja Division project, despite its advanced stage of completion.

“Almost 90 per cent complete, but I must say it’s not the quality I expected. I have told the contractor that several errors must be corrected before inauguration,” he said.

Wike assured that the administration would continue monitoring contractors to ensure all projects are delivered according to specification and within schedule.

“All the promises that have been made, we are going to fulfil them. That is why we are going around to inspect and ensure contractors are ready,” he added.

News

LASG Fixes Dates For Public Service Exams, Releases CBT Guidelines

Published

1 day ago

May 7, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Lagos State Examinations Board, has released the timetable and guidelines for the 2026 Public Service Examinations.

In a statement by the Lagos State Government, the announcement, which aligns with a prior circular from the Head of Service with Ref No: CIR/HOS/’26/005 dated January 21, 2026, sets out key instructions for candidates preparing for the exercise.

The examinations will hold between Tuesday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Lagos State Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Magodo, Lagos.

They include the Compulsory Examination for all cadres in the State Public Service, the Combined Confirmation/Promotion Examination for Clerical Officers II (CO II) and Clerical Assistants (CA), as well as the External Secretarial Examination.

According to the board, candidates are expected to begin printing their examination slips from Tuesday, May 5, 2026, through the official portal using their registration login details.

The slip will contain key information such as each candidate’s exam date and time.

“All candidates are required to present valid identification at the examination centre. Acceptable forms of identification include Staff Identity Cards, National Identification Number (NIN) slips, and Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) cards,” the statement said.

Candidates are also required to bring printed copies of their examination slips to the venue and must strictly follow the date and time allocated to them.

The board further advised candidates to acquaint themselves with basic computer skills ahead of the exercise, as the examinations will be conducted using a Computer-Based Test, CBT, format.

It also warned that dressing must be formal, adding that inappropriate dressing will not be allowed at the examination centre.

Candidates were urged to comply fully with all instructions to ensure a smooth and orderly process.

“The Lagos State Examinations Board urges all candidates to comply fully with these guidelines to ensure a smooth and orderly examination process,” the statement added.