News

Symptoms Of Revolt Looming Large, Bauchi Deputy Gov Warns

Published

11 months ago

October 8, 2024

Alh. Sule Katagum, the former Deputy Governor of Bauchi state has said that there are symptoms of revolt looming large in the horizon of Nigeria.

Katagum stated this in Bauchi on Tuesday during the 1st Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Youth summit while quoting the late Dan Masanin Kano, Alh. Yusuf Sule.

He said that the symptoms of revolt were as a result of the fact that the country lacked philosophy and lack of creativity in literature among others.

“Insecurity has taken all the polity, chaos in our politics, immorality in our society, corruption in our economy and lack of creativity in literature.

“Because of all these, there are symptoms of revolt looming large in the horizon,” he stated as he was quoting the late Dan Masanin Kano.

According to him, the situation is still the same now if not even worse, saying It is sad that the youth who are the future leaders of tomorrow have to grow up and mature through this dark dungeon of pity and hopelessness.

“I don’t blame the youth for what is happening in Nigeria right now, I blame we, the parents because we are the ones who gave birth to you, guided you but up till today, we have not been able to make Nigeria the kind of country that everyone wants to live in.

“We have not made Nigeria a place to be proud of. It is our fault. It is us your parents, guardians, elders who have imbibed corruption and have cut corners to achieve their aims and objectives in life.

“It is us who used Western education we have acquired to capture the state and acquired state assets.

“We are the ones who have left the teachings of our religions both Islam and Christianity and have adopted the religion of greed and primitive acquisition of wealth.

“As a father, I’m accepting that we have failed in all aspects in bringing up the youth in Nigeria,” he said.

Katagum, who is also a former Chief of Staff to the Bauchi state government, however called on the youth to make the difference by being careful in choosing the leaders of the country.

He urged them not to be fooled by the sweet mouth of politicians or temporary things that are being brought to deceive them into voting a politician into power.

Also speaking, a former governor of the state, Mohammed Abdullahi (SAN), advised the youth not to relegate themselves into the background by becoming the supporters or thugs of politicians.

He said they have all what it takes and the numbers to make a difference and change the world.

In his address, Mohammed Salis, the state’s Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development, tasked the youth in the state to be more innovative and creative so as to stand out among millions of youth in the country.

He said “you can use smartphones to embrace digital training and stop abusing your smartphone on frivolities”.

News

FG Makes History Compulsory Subject In Primary, Secondary Schools

Published

10 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

11 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

11 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.