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Parents rush to withdraw children from 41 FGCs amid insecurity
Parents and guardians, on Saturday, besieged the 41 Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs), otherwise known as Federal Government Colleges (FGCs), to pick up their children following the recent rise in terror attacks targeting children in boarding schools.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, in a letter signed by Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, directed that principals of the affected schools shut down the schools with immediate effect and students be vacated immediately.
He said the decision was part of precautionary measures against the heightened insecurity in some parts of Nigeria, particularly northern Nigeria.
The affected schools are: Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Minjibir, Kano State; Federal Technical College (FTC), Ganduje, Kano State; FGGC, Zaria; FTC, Kafanchan, Kaduna State; FGGC, Bakori; FTC, Dayi; FGC, Daura; FGGC, Tambuwal; Federal Science College (FSC), Sokoto; FTC, Wurono; FGC, Gusau; FGC, Anka; FGGC, Gwandu; FGC, Birnin Yauri; FTC, Zuru; FGGC, Kazaure; FGC, Kiyawa; FTC, Hadejia; FGGC, Bida; FGC, New-Bussa; and FTC, Kura-Shiroro.
Others are: Federal Government Academy, Suleja; FGC, Ilorin; FGGC, Omu-Aran; FTC, Gwanara; FGC, Ugwolawo; FGGC, Kabba; FTC, Ogugu; FGGC, Bwari; FGC, Rubochi; FGGC, Abaji; FGGC, Potiskum; FGC, Buni-Yadi; FTC, Gashua; FTC, Michika; FGC, Ganye; FGC, Azare; FTC, Misau; FGGC, Bajoga; FGC, Billiri; and FTC, Zambuk.
A parent at FGGC, Bwari, Abuja, who identified herself as Kemi, described the situation as “unfortunate”. “I have been worried since the news of abduction of school children happened in Kebbi and Niger states a few days ago.
“So, when my husband got a notification yesterday (Friday) to come pick up our daughter who is in SS1, I wasted no time to rush to the school this morning (Saturday). They said the reason for this sudden closure of school was insecurity.
“It’s unfortunate that we are back to this heightened insecurity in the country, and mass abduction of school children. This was a repeat of the same script played in 2014 that led to the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls. I hope this matter will be resolved as soon as possible.”
*Sunday Sun* also confirmed that parents and guardians also besieged FGC, Rubochi, Abuja, to pick up their children in response to the directive by the Federal Government.
A parent, Ifeoma Okoh, said the parents were also notified about the development on Friday and were asked to come pick up their children on Saturday pending when security improves and school reopens. “It was a chaotic environment at the school on Saturday morning. Parents and guardians were rushing in and out to pick their children.
“It has become a thing of shame for Nigeria. But it’s better for the children to be at home in the care of their parents than to be in an unsafe school environment,” she said.
*Sunday Sun* also confirmed that many of the affected Unity Schools across the country have been shut down as at Saturday. At Federal Technical College (FTC), Kafanchan, Kaduna State, a parent confirmed that she was also notified and asked to come pick her child, which she did on Saturday morning.
“There was palpable panic on Saturday morning as parents besieged the school as early as they could to pick up their children. We don’t want the Chibok or Dapchi school children horrible experience. It’s better the children are with their parents than the parents are living fear.”
In Kaduna State, St Joseph Seminary, Bassawa, Zaria, also announced temporary closure of the school directing parents to pick up their children on Saturday, unfailingly.
The Rector, Rev Fr Michael Ibrahim Bazai, in a message to the parents on Friday said: “As you are aware, the current insecurity in the country is a concern, especially with schools being a major target.
“After careful analysis and consultation with our Proprietor, and considering the preciousness of life, as Pope St John Paul II would say, ‘defend it’, we have decided that it is best for parents to come and take their children home.
“Therefore, we request that parents come to collect their children on Saturday 22/11/2025, and Sunday 23/11/2025. This is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our children. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education, in a press statement on Saturday, clarified that the directive was not binding on all schools in Nigeria as being circulated in some social media reports.
Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, in the statement informed the public that a message currently circulating on social media platforms, alleging that schools nationwide have been directed to close from 24th November 2025, is false, misleading, and did not originate from the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education, any State Ministry of Education or any recognised security agency.
She advised that any announcement, advisory, or notice coming from unofficial or unverified sources should be ignored and not shared, urging members of the public to always verify the authenticity of information before circulating it in order to curb the spread of misinformation.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) will soon be inaugurated as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The party disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director Esq., on September 21, 2026.
According to the statement, the NDC is currently consulting with relevant stakeholders to develop and inaugurate what it described as a robust Presidential Campaign Council.
The party said its Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and Vice-Presidential Candidate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had held several meetings with the National Leader and leadership of the party as part of the process.
The NDC said Obi and Kwankwaso had been given the opportunity to nominate key officials of the campaign council in consultation with the party.
Those positions include the Director-General of the Campaign, Deputy Director-General (North), Campaign Spokesman, Deputy Spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director and other positions.
The party said the arrangement was designed to promote inclusiveness and cohesion within the campaign structure.
It added that a full organogram of the campaign structure had been developed since August and made available to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while nominations had also been received from other stakeholders across the country.
The NDC said it would announce and inaugurate the PCC after receiving the inputs of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
It also disclosed that a campaign timetable had been proposed since August, with arrangements for campaign funding and fundraising still being concluded.
According to the party, funds raised for the presidential campaign would be paid into the presidential campaign account and managed by officers nominated by the presidential candidate and his running mate alongside the party’s National Treasurer.
The party said the PCC inauguration, initially scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed because of the travel schedule of the presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, the NDC has directed its state and Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen to commence the compilation and harmonisation of party agents ahead of the 2027 elections.
The directive, according to the party, is in line with the Electoral Act, 2026, and requires state and LGA chairmen to meet with candidates and relevant stakeholders to produce comprehensive lists of agents.
The agents will be divided into two categories: those for National Assembly elections and those for governorship and State Assembly elections.
The party said the lists would be scrutinised and ratified by its leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate, before training commences.
The exercise is expected to be completed and the final lists submitted within two weeks of the directive.
The committee responsible for the appointment of party agents is chaired by the NDC Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli. Vin Martin Ilo serves as secretary, while Dr Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the National Vice Chairmen of the six geopolitical zones are members.
The party also appealed to its candidates at all levels to discourage supporters and support groups from engaging in internal battles, urging them instead to concentrate on winning the elections.
“There are no battles to fight within the NDC,” the party stated, identifying the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as its common opponent.
The NDC said it remained committed to supporting its candidates and urged them to focus on winning elections, stressing that its candidates were contesting under the party and not as independent candidates.
The party expressed its desire for all its candidates to win their respective elections and called on members and supporters to remain focused on the 2027 electoral contest.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has described the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as a major pillar of support for President Bola Tinubu in particular and Nigerians, especially the vulnerable ones in general.
The FCT Minister, in a goodwill message to the First Lady on her 66th birthday, commended her for the transformation of the Abuja City Gate, saying “the roles the First Lady played in transforming the Abuja City Gate into how it is today, is a manifestation of her commitment to the success of her husband’s administration.”
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the Minister also hailed the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative, noting that it has brought succor to several vulnerable Nigerians in the last three years.
Wike said; “At 66, the simple way of life of the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has remained an inspiration to women in the country, and it is my prayer that God will continue to uphold her.
“Most importantly, this new age is a confirmation of God’s love for her, and I pray that the good Lord will continue to grant her good health.
“I celebrate and rejoice with our ever caring and development oriented First Lady on the attainment of this significant age in her life and wish her many more years of service to our country, Nigeria.”
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has sacked one of its staff members for allegedly extorting unsuspecting candidates.
The Board made this known on Monday in its bulletin, stating that the action was part of its renewed efforts to eliminate fraudulent practices within the admission and examination system.
According to JAMB, the sanction against the unnamed staff member showed that its fight against exploitation was not limited to external fraudsters but also applied to employees found abusing their positions.
“The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has terminated the appointment of one of its staff members for extorting unsuspecting candidates, in further demonstration of its renewed commitment to flushing out bad eggs from the system,” the board stated.
It further cautioned its employees against engaging in activities capable of undermining its credibility or exploiting candidates and members of the public.
The Board stressed that any staff members found guilty of misconduct would face severe consequences in line with established regulations.
“The Board noted that the action sends a clear and unequivocal message that its zero-tolerance policy on corruption and misconduct applies to everyone, irrespective of status or position,” it added.
The tertiary examination body reiterated that it would not shield any employee who abuses the trust placed in them by candidates or members of the public.
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