The Edo State Government Friday, took on primary school teachers in the state over the planned strike action by the teachers commencing from February 1,2021.
The primary school teachers through their body, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Edo State Government, stating that their entitlements should be paid before resumption of schools which had remained unresolved.
Arising from this, the NUT on Wednesday, issue directives to all primary school teachers in the state to shun the February 1, 2021, resumption date proposed by the state government.
In the statement, the union accused the state government of not “demonstrating any reasonable commitment to resolve the issues presented to it and unanimously agreed that dialogue/negotiation between it and the state government should continue while the strike persists.”
But in a twist, the state government yesterday issued a warning to the teachers, stating its resolve to invoke the “no work no pay” policy.
The government in a press statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Osarodion Ogie in Benin City, directed all primary school teachers to resume on the February 1, 2021.
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The statement reads in part: “This is to inform all parents, teachers and the general public that all public primary schools in Edo State shall resume full activities on Monday 1st February 2021.
“Parents are expected to make their children and wards ready for resumption on this date. Government wishes to reemphasize that all public-school teachers and head teachers are required to be present in their various schools. Failure to resume work would be considered forfeiture of salary as the Edo State Government has activated the No Work, No Pay policy.
“Head Teachers and Teachers who are desirous of staying away from work in support of the sponsored strike action by certain elements of the Edo State Branch of the National Union of Teachers, are required to hand over all school property in their custody to their respective Education Secretaries.
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“The Board is collaborating with the relevant security agencies to ensure the protection of all public schools and any willful destruction of government property will be met with criminal prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.” The statement concluded.
A university don, Prof. Olufemi Olufunmilade, has said that deployment of Foreign Intelligence in Nigeria security architecture is germane to acquiring skills and technology needed for self-reliant security systems and enduring economic prosperity.
Olufunmilade, a Professor of International Relations and Strategic Studies, stated this while delivering the 25th Inaugural Lecture of Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State, Thursday, titled: Foreign Intelligence: The Means to Advancing Nigeria’s Security and Prosperity.
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According to him, in order to make foreign intelligence functional means of advancing national security and economic prosperity, the Nigerian government and other stakeholders must take some concrete measures.
Olufunmilade noted that in making foreign intelligence functional and achieving the desired results, the Federal Government should ensure “it puts round pegs in round holes in Nigerian embassies and diplomatic missions where it seeks to conduct intelligence activities in line with the focus of this lecture.”
L-R: Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adebayo Adewole; Vice-Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Prof. Olufemi Olufunmilade; Mrs. Olufunmilade and others at the Inaugural Lecture on Thursday.
He continued: “In this regard, to advance Nigeria’s security interest and needs, the defence attaches, who are normally drawn from the military and usually made to undergo a relevant course at the Defence Intelligence College before they are posted abroad, should be strictly drawn from the Intelligence Corps of the three arms of the military.Not from non-intelligence corps.”
On economic prosperity, the university don said “to advance economic prosperity, Nigeria will need to put economic/commercial attaches with requisite economic and commercial skills in-charge of the economic and commercial desks of its foreign missions.”
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“It should consider seconding staff of Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and allied agencies who possess skills at attracting critically needed investments, technology, and expertise to the Nigerian economy. The bottom-line for all personnel is intelligence skills required for optimal performance on their beats.”
He, therefore, recommended that Nigerians should “report activities inimical to the peace and security of Nigeria to the security agencies,” adding: “That will be human intelligence collection in practice and it is a patriotic act.”
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Igbinedion University Okada, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, described the Inaugural Lecture as an avenue to sharing discoveries, ideas and insights with the public and the larger academic community.
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He added that it’s also an avenue for professors to showcase to members of the public what the research they have carried out on issues over the years and taught for years.
The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has released the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations, WASSCE, results.
The Council stated that it was able to surmount challenges of insecurity, and cash policy among others, via technological innovation that saw over 91 percent of candidates’ results released 44 days after the examination ended.
WAEC’s Head of Nigeria Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan, said this at a briefing on Monday, at the body’s national office, Yaba, Lagos.
SMS charges will be applied when checking your WASSCE result using text messages.
You will need to have purchased the WAEC Direct Scratch card in order to check your result via text message. The scratch card pin is what is needed in the PIN section of the SMS you will send to 32327.
Candidates who registered for the May/June examination can do also access their results through the portal of WAEC.
Eight states owing the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, for various services rendered, will not have their candidates’ 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE results, released.
This was stated at a press briefing on Monday at Press Briefing Hall, WAEC national office, Yaba, where the body lamented that the inability to pay for services rendered was posing a great challenge in the activities of the examination body.
Responding to a statement on the number of States owing WAEC, the National Office of the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, Mr. Patrick Areghan noted that: About eight States are owing WAEC. We won’t mention them all as some are going to pay.
“However, Zamfara and Niger states are the highest debtors. Again Zamfara did not present any candidate for this year’s WASSCE.” Areghan noted.