Connect with us

EDUCATION

Insecurity Fear Of Students’ Safety As Schools Resume In FCT And Others

Published

3 years ago

on

Insecurity Fear Of Students’ Safety As Schools Resume In FCT And Others....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The security situation in the country has instilled fear in some parents and guardians as primary and secondary schools begin their third-term academic session on Monday.

DAILY POST recalls that some schools, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its neighboring state, Kaduna, had, prior to the Easter break, shut down due to security threats. Many schools also adjusted their calendar to enable them to conclude their second-term examinations while terrorists were on a rampage, abducting schoolchildren mostly in the northern part of the country.

From March 6 to March 11, about 800 unsuspecting Nigerians, including schoolchildren, were kidnapped by the daredevil terrorists causing mayhem across the nation. Prior to the Easter break, there were reports that kidnappers were planning to launch attacks on some government-owned schools, particularly in Bwari, Bwari Area Council. However, parents had a sigh of relief when schools concluded their terminal examinations and proceeded for holidays from March 27 to March 29.

The holidays have, however, ended, and both private and public schools are expected to resume on Monday, April 22. DAILY POST observed on Saturday that many schools within the territory have beefed up security in and around their facilities in a bid to ensure the safety of students.

But parents, who spoke with our correspondent on Saturday, expressed fear of possible attacks on schools and abduction of children.

Pastor Daniel Abimbola told DAILY POST on Saturday that although there is a need for the government to provide adequate security for students, parents should also pray to God to protect their children.

“While we are happy that schools are resuming and children will continue to progress in their learning, the issue of insecurity is one big problem that can give parents high blood pressure. If you are someone who listens to the news every time and you are conversant with the activities of these bad boys, you will need to have enough faith before you can send your child to school.

“But I urge all of us to find solace in Jesus Christ. We should put our faith in Him and believe that our children are in his hands. The truth of the matter is that being worried won’t solve any problem. If you are talking of security agencies, if God did not secure them and give them power, they would also be vulnerable before these evil people called kidnappers.

“I think it is time for us all to turn to God and seek the face of the Almighty regarding the security situation and other issues troubling us as a country. I believe that if we turn to God, he will also turn to us as he promised in Zechariah 1:3,” he said.

Similarly, Mrs. Paulina Odoh, in a chat with DAILY POST on Saturday, appealed to the Federal Government to prioritize the security of schoolchildren.

She said, “Kidnapping has become a business for many people to the extent that people now kidnap themselves and demand ransom. The government should not be relaxed and think that all is well just because we have not heard of abductions in Abuja recently. We all thought it was over before they struck again and kidnapped many innocent children.

“We should not always wait for things to happen before we act. Let’s be proactive. If they want, they can beef up security in all the schools. If they are short of personnel, then let’s recruit more officers. Nigeria has the money and all it takes to be safe.”

DAILY POST gathered on Saturday that some schools in parts of Kaduna, especially the Kuriga community, Chikun Local Government Area, are not preparing for resumption due to fear of attacks.

But when contacted by DAILY POST, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, simply said “there is no security threat anywhere.”

On his own part, the spokesman of Nasarawa State Police Command, DSP Ramhan Nansel, told DAILY POST that the state is safe for students’ resumption on Monday.

Asked about the security situation in the state, the PPRO said, “Nasarawa State is peaceful, and there’s no cause for alarm.”

Similarly, the PPRO, FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said all schools remain fortified, stressing that there would be no intimidation from any quarters.

Meanwhile, the National Coordinator, Financing Safe Schools Initiative, Mrs. Halima Iliya, last week said plans were underway to actively engage hunters and vigilantes in intelligence gathering to curb attacks on schools across the country.

In an interview with NAN, the Coordinator said that aggressive community engagements and sensitization of students, parents, and teachers would kick off in the second quarter of the year.

“As a component of the plan, for states with local vigilantes, we intend to train their hunters, vigilantes, and volunteers. While for states without registered vigilantes, we intend to advocate using youths. Youths will volunteer to protect their communities because we cannot achieve anything within a community without their involvement.

“We will bring them to the security architecture for them to

Related Topics:
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

EDUCATION

North-West Commission Launches Foreign Scholarship Drive for 2025/2026 Academic Year

Published

2 years ago

on

May 1, 2025

By

The North-West Development Commission (NWDC) has officially commenced applications for its 2025/2026 Foreign Scholarship Programme, targeting undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD candidates from the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In an announcement released by the Commission, the initiative was described as a strategic effort to cultivate academic excellence and develop human capital within the region. The scholarship is intended to give outstanding students from Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara the opportunity to pursue higher education in prestigious international institutions.

The programme, enabled by the NWDC Act of 2024 signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aligns with the Commission’s broader mandate to drive socio-economic development and regional transformation.

Applicants may apply for scholarships in key fields such as Engineering, Medical Sciences, ICT, and Education. Eligibility criteria differ by academic level:

  • Undergraduate applicants must have at least five O’Level credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.

  • Master’s degree seekers must hold a minimum of Second Class Upper in their Bachelor’s degree.

  • PhD candidates require a Master’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 4.00.

  • Age limits are 35 years for Undergraduate and Master’s applicants, and 40 years for PhD candidates.

To apply, candidates must submit documents including a CV, academic certificates, transcripts, proof of indigene status, international passport, motivation letter, and NYSC discharge or exemption certificate via the Commission’s scholarship portal: nwdc.gov.ng/scholarships.

This scholarship announcement coincides with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)’s own launch of the 2025/2026 Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. The PTDF programme offers fully funded MSc and PhD education in countries like the UK, Germany, and Malaysia, and is aimed at building technical capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Both scholarship programmes reflect a coordinated effort by the Nigerian government to strengthen local expertise and expand access to quality global education.

Continue Reading

EDUCATION

WAEC Unveils Nigeria’s First Computer-Based WASSCE, Over 1.9 Million Students to Participate

Published

2 years ago

on

April 17, 2025

By

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially announced the introduction of Nigeria’s first Computer-Based Test (CBT) format for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, starting in 2025. This move signals a major shift towards digital examination processes in the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, made the announcement during a press briefing at the Council’s office in Yaba, Lagos. According to him, the introduction of CBT for WASSCE aligns with efforts to modernize exam administration and significantly reduce incidents of malpractice.

He disclosed that no two candidates will receive identical questions, as individualized question sets will now be generated to uphold academic integrity. This innovation is part of a broader strategy to enhance transparency and fairness during examinations.

For the 2025 WASSCE, 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 secondary schools nationwide have registered—an increase of over 158,000 candidates compared to last year. The gender breakdown includes 979,228 males (49.63%) and 994,025 females (50.37%), underscoring a continued rise in female participation.

The examination will cover 74 subjects across 196 papers, and over 26,000 senior secondary school teachers are expected to act as supervisors across the country.

While acknowledging past security challenges, Dr. Dangut assured the public that WAEC has effectively tackled these issues through strategic partnerships with the Nigeria Police Force and various state governments, ensuring a smooth conduct of the examinations.

He also issued a stern warning against exam malpractice. Candidates are expected to stick to their allocated subject papers, as switching papers will lead to serious consequences. WAEC has also implemented a range of digital platforms to aid candidates in preparing for the exams. These include:

  • WAEC E-Study Portal: Provides access to past questions, marking guides, and learning plans.

  • WAEC E-Learning Portal: Offers performance insights and solutions to common problems.

  • WAEC Konnect: A platform for real-time updates and communication with candidates and stakeholders.

Additionally, the Council cautioned against the use of fraudulent websites that claim to offer leaked exam materials. Parents and guardians were advised to avoid engaging with such platforms, which jeopardize students’ academic futures.

The results of the 2025 CBT-WASSCE are expected to be released within 45 days of the final paper, while certificates—also available in digital format—will be issued within 90 days.

Dr. Dangut reaffirmed WAEC’s dedication to conducting credible and transparent examinations, while expressing appreciation to stakeholders and the media for their ongoing support in ensuring the success of the upcoming examination.

Continue Reading

EDUCATION

Federal Government Bars Acting Tertiary Institution Heads from Contesting for Permanent Positions

Published

2 years ago

on

April 8, 2025

By

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a new policy disqualifying individuals serving as acting Vice Chancellors, Rectors, or Provosts from vying for the same positions on a substantive basis while still holding the acting role.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This decision, which affects federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Boriowo Folasade.

According to the ministry, the policy aims to prevent conflicts of interest and eliminate the undue advantage typically enjoyed by acting office holders during the selection process. It was observed that such individuals often leverage their temporary leadership positions to influence appointment outcomes, undermining the fairness and integrity of the recruitment process.

To address this, the new guideline stipulates that any acting VC, Rector, or Provost wishing to apply for the substantive role must first resign from their acting capacity. This resignation must occur within their six-month, non-renewable acting tenure for them to qualify as a candidate.

Dr. Alausa emphasized that the Federal Ministry of Education is committed to reinforcing transparency, equity, and good governance in the tertiary education sector. He stated that the policy aligns with existing guidelines issued in 2013 and seeks to foster a more level playing field for all eligible candidates.

All governing councils, school management boards, and stakeholders have been urged to strictly comply with the directive, which is seen as a necessary step toward restoring public trust in leadership appointments across the nation’s tertiary institutions.

The Ministry further expressed gratitude for stakeholders’ continued support and reaffirmed its dedication to advancing quality education through transparent and accountable leadership.

Continue Reading

Trending