News

UNICEF Moves To Address Out-of-school Children Problem In Bauchi State

Published

3 years ago

July 28, 2023

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office has taken measures to tackle the problem of out-of-school children in the state.

It is no news that Bauchi state had been tagged as one of the states of the federation with the highest number of out-of-school children, a development UNICEF found worrisome, hence its collaboration with the state government to tackle the problem headlong.

Speaking with journalists in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state on Friday, during a field trip organised by the international NGO, Mr. Raphael Aiyedipe, Education Officer, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, said it was necessary for both parties to understand the situation by going to the communities along with the media.

He explained that this would allow them to meet with some of the out-of-school children, interact with them, their parents and guardians as well as the community structures to understand their plights and the underlying factors as to why the children were out of school.

“Over the years, UNICEF has been working with the state government and local government authorities to make sure that we reduce this number of out-of-school children.

“That’s why we decided to have this media engagement, if we do this, maybe we will be able to understand better, why the issue of out-of-school children is increasing instead of it to be reducing.

“Now we are also going back to use the traditional structure where every Emirate will understand the situation of out-of-school children within their own Emirates.

“They will talk with their District Heads and then, during the enrollment drive campaign, we will bring them into the structure and work with them effectively,” he said.

According to him, this move would allow UNICEF to effectively reduce the high number of out-of-school children in Bauchi state.

Meanwhile, a cross section of Women in Masori Community in Alkaleri LGA, recommended that the state government should introduce a community driven empowerment programme for women to support their children in obtaining basic education.

One of the women, Mrs. Fatima Mohammed, said that women had no or limited resources to support the quest of their children to basic literacy in the interest of human development.

According to her, trades and skills were the backbone for human capital development, adding that most of their men have neglected their parental roles of the child’s rights to education.

Also speaking, Lami Ibrahim, a mother of six, revealed that all her children were out of school due to lack of educational materials to aid the learning process.

She said: “Women are left with the responsibility of providing educational materials and financing their children’s education.

“We are full time housewives without a source of income. So, we send them on street hawking during school break time to get money for their educational needs.

In her contribution, Asabe Baba, a mother of four, lamented that despite several attempts to enroll her children, poverty was instrumental in denying the children access to school.

“Our husbands are mostly peasant farmers and this has made it difficult for us to send our children to school,” she said.

Our correspondent who spoke with some of the out-of-school children in the area, observed that most of them have passion for education but were left at the mercy of their mother who could do little or nothing at all for them to obtain their basic education.

Hauwa Ismailla and Amina Abubakar expressed sadness for not being able to go to school for the past three years due to lack of money from their parents.

They however, called on UNICEF, the Bauchi state government and well as all development partners to come up with plans or initiatives to help them get back to school.

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

20 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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