News

SUBEB Urges LG Chairmen To Sack Absentee Teachers In Bauchi

Published

1 month ago

September 5, 2025

The Bauchi State Universal Basic Education (BASUBEB) has called on all the 20 Local Government Chairmen in the state to sack absentee teachers.

Alh. Adamu Mohammed, the Executive Chairman, BASUBEB, made the call on Friday during the official flag off ceremony of the 2025/2026 state wide enrolment campaign in Kirfi Local Government Area of the state.

Mohammed, who said that the move would serve as a deterrent and make others to be up and doing, added that the chairmen only need to inform SUBEB about the decision.

He also expressed the commitment of the Board to reward teachers who are diligent, committed, punctual and dedicated to service so as to encourage them.

The SUBEB boss who lamented the lack of enrolment of school aged children in schools across the state, said the development is detrimental to the future of the children.

According to him, the state government was doing everything possible to improve the quality of education at the Basic level, saying that members of the communities were not supportive of the efforts by not sending their children to school.

He also stressed that Girl child education is important to the development and growth of the society, calling on parents to send their girl children to School.

“I want to call on all the Local Government Chairmen in the state to take responsibility of supervising and monitoring schools in their respective areas because SUBEB can’t be everywhere at the same time.

“The Board will not rest in its oars until Basic education becomes the envy of others in line with what UNICEF and UBEC set as guidelines,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr Mohammed Lawal, the state’s Commissioner for Education, said the aim of the enrolment campaign is to mobilise traditional institutions to support enrolment drive in the state by sensitising parents and guardians on the need to send their children to school.

He added that the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) would also support whatever the traditional institutions are doing to achieve greater enrolment as well as continuity in education.

Earlier, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, the Chief of Field Office, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi, recalled how the number of out-of-school children was reduced from 1.5 million to 500,000 through the effort of the governor with support from traditional, religious leaders, communities and parents.

“This is a huge progress but still, having 500,000 children out of school is one of the main goals for us to bring them also into schools.

“Education is the right of every child. No child should be out of school and that is my humble request that as the government is putting in policies, steps and strategies to bring these children back to school, everybody should key into it.”

While assuring UNICEF’s commitment and support to the development of basic education in the state, she called on all stakeholders to work together and ensure that every child is back to school.

News

UK High Commissioner Concludes Anambra Visit, Urges Transparent Election

Published

4 hours ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, has completed a two-day visit to Anambra State, meeting with political and security leaders to discuss preparations for the upcoming gubernatorial election.

The visit comes just weeks before the election, scheduled for 8 November.

During his stay, Montgomery held talks with Governor Charles Soludo, gubernatorial candidates, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the state Commissioner of Police, and representatives from civil society organizations.

According to a statement from the British High Commission in Abuja on Thursday, the discussions centered around the technical and logistical preparations needed to ensure a smooth election.

Among the key topics were securing the 5,720 polling units across Anambra, addressing voter turnout concerns, and managing the security situation across the state’s 21 local government areas, the statement noted.

Speaking at the end of his visit, Montgomery emphasized the importance of a transparent and peaceful electoral process.

“Our focus is solely on the electoral process itself – that it should be transparent, peaceful, inclusive, and enjoy the confidence of the Anambra people.

“We do not endorse any particular candidate or political party. I encourage all eligible voters to exercise their democratic rights and to engage peacefully in the election,” he said.

The High Commissioner reaffirmed the UK’s continued support for Nigeria in strengthening its democratic institutions and promoting good governance, stressing that the UK would remain a committed partner in the lead-up to the election and beyond.

News

PSC Promotes Over 400 Officers, Appoints New DIG For North-East

Published

4 hours ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

The Police Service Commission has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector General of Police, Dankwara Mohammed, as a Deputy Inspector General of Police to represent the North-East geopolitical zone.

Mohammed replaces DIG Sahabu Abubakar Yahaya, who recently retired from service.

In a statement by the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, on Friday, the Commission also approved the promotion of Commissioner of Police, Abibo Deinma Reuben, to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

Eleven Deputy Commissioners were also elevated to substantive Commissioners.

The statement partly read, “The Commission also approved the promotion of CP Abibo Deinma Reuben from the rank of Commissioner to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

“The Commission further approved the promotion of eleven Deputy Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Substantive Commissioners. They are Naziru Bello Kankarofi; Nendel Joseph Gomwalk; Tijani Olaiwola Fatai; Wilson Aniefiok Akpan; Morkwap Dongshal, and Abdullateef Ajape Yusuf. Others are Cletus Nwadiogbu, Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration, Taraba State; Ahmed Mohammed Bello; Abdulraheem Nurudeen; Patrick Daaor and Umar Mohammed Hadejia.”

Thirteen Assistant Commissioners were promoted to Deputy Commissioners, while 44 Chief Superintendents advanced to Assistant Commissioners.

Similarly, 412 Superintendents rose to the rank of Chief Superintendents, with several Deputy Superintendents confirmed as substantive Superintendents.

The PSC chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd) congratulated the newly promoted officers and urged them to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation, stressing that promotion in the police comes with higher responsibilities and expectations.

The promotions come amid a series of recent promotions in the Nigeria Police Force.

News

PHOTOS: Obi Meets Commonwealth Chief In London, Urges Youth Empowerment

Published

5 hours ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

A former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has called for deeper investment in education, innovation, and youth empowerment.

This is as he noted that they are foundation for strengthening democracy and driving development across Commonwealth nations.

Obi made the call after meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, at the organisation’s headquarters in London on Thursday, October 16.

Writing on X on Friday, Obi said the meeting — which he attended with his wife — focused on “promoting democracy, deepening the rule of law, expanding access to education, and empowering young people across Commonwealth nations.”

“With over 2.5 billion of the Commonwealth’s population under the age of 30, young people remain the organisation’s greatest asset and hope for the future,” Obi said.

He stressed that for Nigeria, “a nation richly endowed with human and natural resources, meaningful investment in education, innovation, and entrepreneurship is key to unlocking the vast potential of our youth.”

“When properly equipped, our young people will not only drive national development but also contribute significantly to global progress,” he added.

Obi described youth unemployment as “one of the most pressing challenges of our time,” noting that solving it requires “intentional and practical action — through skills development, access to quality education, and the creation of an enabling environment for small and medium-scale enterprises to thrive.”

The Commonwealth Secretary-General who recently became the first African woman to lead the 56-member organisation, reaffirmed that her top priorities include “education, youth engagement, and employment creation.”

According to Obi, Botchwey “spoke passionately about the need to build inclusive societies that promote democracy, good governance, justice, and equal opportunity for all.”

“Her visionary, reform-minded leadership continues to amplify the voices of developing nations within the Commonwealth and inspire greater cooperation among member states,” Obi wrote.

He quoted the Secretary-General as stressing that “empowering young people is not only vital to sustaining democracy but also indispensable to shaping a stable, peaceful, and prosperous future for all Commonwealth citizens.”

Obi described Botchwey as “a trailblazer whose dedication to education, youth empowerment, and democratic ideals strengthens the global Commonwealth community.”

“I remain confident that with leaders like her, the Commonwealth will continue to serve as a beacon of unity, hope, and shared progress for its member nations,” he said.

Meanwhile, checks by The PUNCH shows that the body is yet to issue an official statement on the meeting or related developments.