Some secondary schools in Abia state have been delisted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

WAEC also barred the schools from participating in the regional body’s exams for involving in examination malpractice.

Commissioner for Education, Professor Uche Eme Uche, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Umuahia, the state capital, said that the state had just been informed by the exam body about the ugly development.

Although she failed to disclose the affected schools, the commissioner stated that most of the schools affected were private schools.

The commissioner, who frowned at any act capable of tarnishing the image of the state, said the operational licences of the affected schools would be withdrawn as a deterrent to others.

She explained that the state supported the action by WAEC as it would help halt the bastardization and lowering of academic standards in schools by some dubious operators.

Professor Uche said that the state had previously shut down some of the affected schools due to their unwholesome practices, regretting that instead of heeding the warnings, they continued to cut corners.

Speaking earlier, the commissioner for information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed that the governor of the state, Dr. Alex had approved the immediate renovation of 170 primary and 51 public secondary schools across the state.

He said ten primary and three secondary schools would be selected from each of the 17 Local Government Areas in the state.

The renovation, according to him, is to give a facelift to public schools in the state and make them conducive and attractive for learning.

He explained that this was in addition to the six model schools currently being established in the three senatorial districts.

The government spokesman further disclosed that the governor had also approved the disbursement of N62 million in bursaries to Abia law undergraduates in different tertiary institutions across the country.

This, he said, was to assist them following the increase in their fees and cost of training amid the biting economic hardship.

On the schools’ renovation, the commissioner for education said each of the benefiting schools would have staff quarters, a Head teacher’ house, and a caretaker’s house to ensure water-tight security of the school property.

The gesture, according to her, is a demonstration of the high premium that the Otti-led administration attaches to education as the cornerstone of any society.

She said that the state government had resolved to revive and promote education in the state, adding that the renovation will be done in phases until all public schools in the state have received a facelift.

A dismissed soldier, Gabriel David Elihu, of Apo Mechanic Village, alongside one Alex Iorjaa of Gboko L.G.A of Benue State, have been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), for armed robbery and kidnapping in Abuja.

FCT Police Commissioner, CP Ben Igweh, made this known during a media briefing on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

According to the CP, the suspects were arrested on March 17, after receiving a distress call at about 02:30pm, through the Mabushi Division from two victims; Blessing Mafulul Damia and Haliru Zakari, that some men in an unregistered Toyota Hilux trailed them while on their way home from a medical store in Gwarimpa to Gishiri village, robbed them of their valuables and attempted to kidnap them.

“Upon receipt of the information, Police operatives of the Division swung into action, trailed the vehicle and arrested the two suspects Elihu and Iorjaa. A black coloured Toyota Hilux with Reg No. NBB 03 AH (Nasarawa), a jackknife, and some military accoutrements were recovered from them. Suspects will be charged to court soon,” the CP stated.

Popular clergyman, Apostle Johnson Suleman has revealed what killed late actor John Okafor aka Mr Ibu and billionaire, Herbert Wigwe.

According to him, the two popular people died as a result of generational curse.

The senior pastor and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International stated this during a church service.

He noted some curious patterns that have followed the death of Mr Ibu and that of Herbert Wigwe.

Apostle Johnson Suleman spoke on how Mr Ibu’s grand father and father died from poisoning and similar fate had occurred to Mr Ibu.

Also, he pointed out that Herbert Wigwe’s elder brother died of accident, the sister died of same while returning from honeymoon and he, Herbert, met similar fate.

The pastor maintained that foundational curses exist.

Watch him speak below:

Renowned lslamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, says if found guilty of terrorism, Mallam Tukur Mamu, a Kaduna-based publisher, should be punished.

Mamu, the lead negotiator between bandits and families of passengers kidnapped from a Kaduna-bound train in March 2022, was picked up on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj with his family members.

Since he was arrested in Cairo, capital of Egypt, in September 2022, he has been in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS.

Mamu, alongside 14 others, were listed as terrorist financiers on Wednesday.

Featuring on Twitter spaces organised by Daily Trust on Wednesday, Gumi said the security agencies had no right to label anyone a terrorist financier since the case was before the court.

He said such pronouncement ought to be made by the court, not security agencies.

According to him, what happened between Mamu and the security agency was a clear case of misunderstanding, stressing that he did not want to comment on it at the moment since the case was before the court.

He reiterated, “Who declares someone a terrorist financer? Is it the court of law or a security agency? Security agency has no right to declare anyone a terrorist financer. The case is already in court, so why are they judging him on the pages of the newspaper? Once a case is in court, you allow the court to decide.”

The cleric said God has a way of testing a believer, pointing out that his arrest was God’s way of testing his faith and prayed that he would overcome it.

He suggested that Mamu should be taken to court to face trial, keeping him in custody despite being a family man was just to intimidate him, saying that the intimidation is also terrorism.

“Arresting people unjustly is also terrorism; just like the terrorists do by going to somebody’s house to kidnap him,” he stressed.

DSS had arraigned Mamu before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism financing, among others, but he pleaded not guilty.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said posterity will remember President Bola Tinubu for being a decisive leader.

He said Tinubu has played an important role in guiding the country towards economic prosperity and stability.

The Vice President’s remark was disclosed on the X handle of the Presidency.

According to Shettima, Tinubu does not apportion blame over the current economic situation in the country.

He said: “We have crossed the Rubicon, and the nation is on the path to sustained growth. Some nations have gone through worse cases in the annals of their history than us.

“The President means well for the nation. He has a good heart for the nation and we have the moral imperative to support him in whatever way we can to salvage the ship of the state.

“The President doesn’t subscribe to the idea of apportioning of blame, the buck stops on his desk and he has not shied away from taking those decisive actions.

“Be rest assured that in the fullness of time, posterity will be very kind to him.”

A report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that out of the total loans of N10.3 trillion disbursed as intervention, N193 billion has been declared lost and another N418.9 billion remains doubtful.

According to the report, which was last updated in September 2023, detailed the breakdown of the bank’s intervention funds over the years.

A doubtful loan is one for which full repayment is questionable and uncertain. The degree of repayment of loans in question ranges from a complete loss to an uncertain loss unless corrective actions are taken.

According to the report, out of the N10.3 trillion in intervention funds, N4.4 trillion has been repaid, while approximately N5.8 trillion remains outstanding. Some of the loans are tenured, meaning they only fall due when the principal repayments mature.

However, only N969.8 billion of the outstanding amount was past due, as some loans had repayment tenures extending years beyond 2023. Based on this, the report claimed the percentage of repayments to amounts due was 75.8%.

The apex bank report also indicates that N289 billion of the loans are performing, N67.9 billion is substandard and N418.9 billion is doubtful and N193.9 billion of the loans are lost.

The apex bank governor, Yemi Cardoso, has repeatedly criticised the intervention funds carried out under the leadership of Godwin Emefiele, claiming that the bank could not implement the interventions appropriately.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the National Assembly’s constant summons could disturb and distract his appointees from carrying out their primary duties.

The Nigerian leader asked the lawmakers to be accommodating enough and ‘let the poor breathe’.

Naija News reports that President Tinubu stated this during the Ramadan fast-breaking event in Abuja on Wednesday, March 20.

At the religious event, Tinubu acknowledged the importance of oversight in ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. However, he said that excessive summoning of officials can lead to disruptions in operations and affect service delivery to citizens.

Tinubu advised lawmakers to exercise discretion in carrying out their oversight responsibilities.

He said: ”I have been watching various committees summon ministers and agency heads. I have complained to the Speaker to let the poor breathe. Let these people do the job. We are not saying you are not influential. We are not saying you cannot do your oversight.

“But consider the primary duty of each agency, its personnel, or the responsibilities of the Governor of the Central Bank or the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to you and the entire nation.

”If they are distracted or disturbed, maybe we will shift parliamentary sitting all through the night. We must find a way to accommodate one another. This is an appeal to you. See if you can accept representatives in some instances or even documentation.”

President Tinubu expressed his trust in the National Assembly’s capacity to maintain good governance and commended the positive rapport between the executive and legislative branches.

He noted that the collaborative efforts have led to the swift approval of numerous bills aimed at enhancing the well-being of the Nigerian people.

Tinubu encouraged lawmakers to remain connected with their constituents and utilize the holy month of Ramadan as an opportunity to demonstrate kindness and aid to those in need.

”We are making sacrifices for the country, and we are assuring citizens that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel.

”We must have faith, and please do not forget your constituencies and remember what they are going through.

”I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing, but it is for our country. There is nothing personal about this. It is for Nigeria, and we have no other country but Nigeria,” the President was quoted as saying by Daily Trust.

Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu, has berated Nigerians abroad who have taken on jobs they couldn’t do in Nigeria.

The First Lady stated this during an interview with Arise News on Thursday March 21.

The former senator, while encouraging Nigerians to help each other amid the economic crisis, queried those who “japa” to take on work they couldn’t do in Nigeria.

“Nigerians we can help each other.

“It’s not that the government will begin to give food to everybody.

“It is for people God has blessed to help the poor,” she said.

She added, “Even those people saying they are going to Japa, they go there. What work are they going to do?

“Work that you refused to do at home where you have loved ones, you end up going to do that.

“Even with all their education, they are driving cabs but won’t drive cabs here.”

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani yesterday convened an emergency meeting with heads of security agencies and stakeholders from the frontline communities in Kaduna Central.

The resurgence of banditry and kidnapping dominated talks at the parley, which was attended by stakeholders from seven local governments of Chikun, Birnin Gwari, Kajuru, Igabi, Kachia, and Kagarko local government areas.

The governor, who said efforts were being made to rescue the 287 schoolchildren abducted from Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area, expressed concerns about the rising number of informants in the communities, pledging efforts to identify and apprehend them.

Also yesterday, the House of Assembly member representing the Kajuru Constituency, Usman Danlami Stingo, told reporters that members of the communities affected by the recent attacks have been traumatized and economically impoverished.

The governor told his audience that had assurances from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, during his meetings with them that the abducted school pupils will all be rescued safely.

He, however, urged local government chairmen and traditional rulers to report any strange face in their community to security agencies to curb infiltration by informants and other people with dastard intentions.

Sani said: “I have series of discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the service chiefs, they have done so much. Lots of progress have been made, and I can assure you that our children will return back home safely.

“We will continue to fight until we get our children back. At the end of this meeting, we will have enough information, idea and strategy to work together. We would do everything to assist the security agencies in protecting our citizens. We are working to ensure their safe release.”

“We are here this afternoon to have a meeting which would be interactive between Kaduna state government, local government chairmen, security heads, traditional rulers, and members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly from the seven local governments affected by the incident of insecurity in the last few weeks. We are here to look at the efforts towards intelligence gathering and sharing especially at the grassroots level.

“In the last six months, we have been having meetings which showed that we have enough synergy between state, local government, traditional rulers and security heads.

“This is to support the security agencies in the state towards intelligence gathering and sharing. We have some setbacks in the last few weeks. The Local government chairmen and Kaduna state House of Assembly members, we have to look at other areas especially the incident in Kajuru local government area with series of incidents within 48 hours.

“We have people within the community who should have alerted the security agencies when the first incident happened before the second incident.

“We believe that the traditional rulers have important roles to play in monitoring the community and they should have enough knowledge of their subjects to raise the alarm over anything that is strange. They should fish out strange individuals and report them to security agencies.”

He added: “We realised in this meeting that, there are a lot of complaints about some disgruntling elements that are penetrating some communities.

“The issue of security is pertinent to everyone and we believe traditional rulers have massive responsibility in assisting the security agencies and particularly ensuring that all the strangers that come into the communities are identified.

“We are suspecting that some of them are informants and today I have instructed the traditional rulers and the local government chairmen to fish out most of these strange individuals and report to the security agencies immediately. It will go a long way in enhancing security efforts and also deepening our intelligence gathering and sharing information.

“I have also instructed the Local Government chairmen to go back to their local governments and stay there and also report to us any suspicious movement.

“We also discussed the progress we have made so far and I can say here, most of the children in Kuriga community, we are having a lot of interface with the parents in the community.

“Yesterday, the IG deployed some mobile policeman to Kuriga community, we are making progress and we are also having a lot of support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the service Chiefs are also trying. So it’s only a matter of time.”

Shyngle Wigwe, the father of deceased Access Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe, has explained why well-wishers and loved ones of the ex-bank boss shouldn’t cry over his death.

Mr. Wigwe said this while receiving leaders of the Ohaneze Ndi’Igbo, emphasizing that there was no point crying as everybody would eventually die someday.

The clergyman, who said that he was happy that God gave him Herbert, however, said that Herbert was not dead but had been promoted to a greater realm.

He said, “As a child of God, I’m happy with the gift of God in the person of Herbert, that gift he gave to me for 57 years, gave so much joy, and when it pleased him to take Herbert, yes he called Herbert home.”

“Naturally, one would be sad. I tell you today Herbert is not dead, indeed he has been promoted to another realm. When people come to see me crying, when you look around, there is hardly anybody who is likely to live here for another 70 years. I would want to go to that same place Herbert has gone to.

We are just crossing over; this is like a normal market that we go to, everybody goes and buys and goes back home, we are in transit here, this is a temporary place.

And here in this place, one thing we know is that death has no respect for anybody…One thing is definite, everyone of us here will go, and so there’s no point crying, and what is important is where you are going to.”