News

Train Attack: ‘I Saw Hell,’ FCT UBEB Chairman Recounts Ordeal

Published

2 years ago

July 10, 2022

Editor

Dr Hassan Suleiman, Director of the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has prayed against his enemy being kidnapped.

Suleiman, who was among the passengers abducted on the Kaduna-bound train in March, was among the seven persons freed on Saturday.

While narrating his experience in the hands of the terrorists, in an audio sent to our reporter via WhatsApp, he said it was hell being under terrorists captivity for three months.

He said it was unfortunate that he left Abuja, while on his way to Kaduna on March, 28, 2022 to attend education progarmme, which he said was organized by FCT UBEB.

He said he thanked God he did not sustain any injury during the attack but said some lives were lost while some sustained injuries.

The FCT UBEB boss, however, appreciated people of the FCT, especially members of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary (ANCOPPS) as well as other well wishers.

“Good morning, my brothers and sisters in FCT ANCOPPS, and other well wishers. This is Dr Hassan Sule, I just want to extend my warm appreciation over prayers that led to our release by terrorists on Saturday,” he said.

He called for prayers for Nigeria to overcome the security challenges.

News

Viral Video: Bullied Student Sues Abuja School For N500m, Public Apology

Published

10 mins ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

Namitra Bwala, the student at the centre of a recently viral video depicting her being bullied by fellow students, on Monday, has initiated legal proceedings against Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

On April 22, an X user, #mooyeeeeeee, posted videos of a female student of Lead British International School, who was seen being bullied by her classmates.

In one of the videos, the victim was seen being slapped repeatedly by another female student while asking “Who broke my heart?”

In another video, the victim was seen sitting next to a male classmate who was heard saying “I spoilt her relationship”.

However, the lawsuit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory under case number FCT/HC/CV/2341/24: MISS NAMTIRA BWALA v LEAD BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL LTD, seeks damages from the educational institution for its alleged failure to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for the plaintiff.

According to a public statement on Monday issued by Marvin Omorogbe., the founding partner of the law firm representing Bwala, the legal action is aimed at holding the school accountable for its negligent conduct regarding the highly publicized incident.

The lawsuit further requested, “the Defendant to issue a public apology to the Clamant in two national daily newspapers.

“An order directing the Defendant to pay the Claimant the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) as general damages for the Defendant’s breach of the duty of care it owes to the Claimant, and its negligent conduct in failing to prevent the assault, torment, emotional distress, pain, trauma and breach of privacy suffered by the Claimant while under the Defendant’s custody and supervision.”

The law firm emphasised its client’s hopes that the lawsuit would catalyse meaningful changes and prompt the implementation of adequate measures to prevent similar occurrences within the school premises.

“Our client hopes that this lawsuit will bring about drastic changes and adequate measures to prevent a reoccurrence of similar issues in the school,” the statement added.

The viral video, which sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, depicted Ms Bwala being subjected to bullying by her peers, raising concerns about the school’s ability to ensure the safety and well-being of its students.

News

Edo, Ondo Polls: INEC To Begin Continuous Voters’ Registration

Published

20 mins ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

Ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship polls, the Independent National Electoral Commission is poised to launch the Continuous Voters’ Registration.

The INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this during a meeting with political parties held on Monday at the commission’s Abuja headquarters.

The CVR is set to commence from May 27 to June 5, 2024.

Details later…

News

Tariff Hike: Nigerians Wallowing In Power Poverty – Ajaero Laments

Published

1 hour ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero said Nigerians are currently wallowing in power poverty given the abysmal low supply of electricity.

Ajaero said this at the ongoing protest at the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission in Abuja.

Recall that the Organized Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, and their affiliates, vowed to ground offices of the NERC nationwide on Monday about the recent hike in electricity tariffs.

While addressing protesters and management of the NERC, Ajaero noted that the current supply generated by Nigeria is not even enough for Lagos, which is just one state in Nigeria.

Ajaero also faulted the move by the NERC to hike tariff without engagements with stakeholders in the power sector.

He said, “We are here on a peaceful protest, having written so many letters to NERC to remind them that they cannot increase tariffs without meeting with Nigerians. We reminded them that the process of increasing tariffs requires that they meet with all stakeholders, including labour.

“We do not know where this current tariff is coming from. NERC is not oblivious to the fact that Nigeria is wallowing in lower poverty. Nigeria is down the line as one of the countries in the world that are poor in terms of power supply.

“What Nigeria is generating Today is not enough for Lagos alone and it is bad enough for you now to tell us that some Nigerians are bigger than the others. It is bad enough for you to say some Nigerians will get 20 hours while other Nigerians will get two hours.”

The NERC announced the hike in the electricity tariff for Band A customers at a press briefing in Abuja on April 3, revealing that those affected would pay N225 per kilowatt-hour, up from the previous rate of N68/kWh.

The hike represented a 240 per cent increase.

The development marked the removal of subsidy from the tariff of customers in the Band A category, who constituted about 15 per cent of the total 12.82 million power consumers across the country.

Based on the tariff hike, the Federal Government said it would save N1.5tn.

The government stated that the decision took effect on April 3, 2024, adding that Band A customers would enjoy up to 20 hours of power supply daily.