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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results, with 60.26 percent of candidates obtaining at least five credits, including Mathematics and English.

Announcing the results in Minna, Niger State, on Wednesday, NECO Registrar, Professor Ibrahim Wushishi, said 818,492 of the 1,358,339 candidates who sat for the examination achieved five credits and above, including English and Mathematics.

He added that 1,144,496 candidates, representing 84.26 percent, scored five credits and above, irrespective of the two core subjects.

“The number of candidates that registered for the examination is 1,367,210, comprising 685,514 males and 681,696 females, while 1,358,339 candidates actually sat for the exam,” Wushishi said.

READ ALSO:NECO To Streamline English Exam, Slashes Questions

He noted that the results were released 54 days after the last written paper, held between June 16 and July 25, 2025.

Wushishi disclosed that 1,622 candidates had special needs, including 941 with hearing impairment and 191 with visual impairment.

On examination malpractice, he said 3,878 candidates were involved in various offences, representing a 61.58 percent reduction compared to 2024.

He revealed that 38 schools across 13 states were implicated in mass cheating and would be invited for discussions before sanctions are applied. Nine supervisors in Rivers, Niger, FCT, Kano, and Osun States were recommended for blacklisting over poor supervision and other misconduct.

READ ALSO:Reps Query NECO For Spending IGR, Postpones Budget Defence

He also confirmed that eight schools in Lamorde Local Government Area of Adamawa State had their examinations disrupted by a communal clash, affecting 13 subjects and 29 papers. Discussions with the state government are ongoing to reconduct the exams for the affected students.

Providing a state-by-state breakdown, Wushishi said Kano topped with 68,159 candidates (5.02%) scoring five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, followed by Lagos with 67,007 (4.93%) and Oyo with 48,742.

Gabon was the least performing centre, with no candidate meeting the benchmark.