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No going back on stopping below-18 pupils from writing WASSCE, says minister
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The Federal Government has defended its ban on pupils under 18 years old sitting for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), accusing parents of hurrying their children/wards.
Education Minister Tahir Mamman said this yesterday in Abuja at a briefing by government officials on the preparations for next week’s celebration of the nation’s Independence anniversary on October 1.
In July, Mamman had announced that that starting from 2025, candidates below 18 would not be allowed to sit for the SSCE.
Although the minister said the development was in line with the country’s laws, the move had created ripples across the country, prompting a backlash from several quarters.
But at the Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, Mamman defended the policy, saying it would pay the country in the long run.
“Our laws, the Universal Basic Education Act, and the Minimum Standards Policy Act established in 1993 prescribed specific age limits and provisions for every level of education: six years in primary school, three years in junior secondary school, three years in senior secondary school, and then five to six years before primary school (in pre-primary school). A child is expected to enter school at the age of six.
“But what has been happening is that our parents have been in a hurry. They frog-jump their children, get them into school at the age of four, skip level six at primary school, and also skip level six at secondary school. So, the children finish quite too young.
“Now, what we have done is that with the type of curriculum that we have introduced, we need them to be in place as prescribed by the acts,” he said.
The minister said the ministry was only implementing already existing laws and not introducing new ones, as many were speculating.
“As for those two acts that I have mentioned, we need them to be in place (for the pupils) to learn and acquire knowledge and skills. I remember these acts are not the ones prescribed by the government. They were not enacted during this government’s time.
“This is an Act that was established in 1993. The 6-3-3-4 came into being around 1982. So, this is already a very, very old policy.
“All that the Minister of Education did is say: ‘Ok, we come back to implementing these policies so that students can remain in school and learn skills so that when they finish, they will be able to be engaged productively, even if they don’t go to college of education or universities, they will have skills that they can be employed with or be even self-employed’,” Mamman added.
The minister said the ministry was only implementing already existing laws and not introducing new ones, as many were speculating.
“As for those two acts that I have mentioned, we need them to be in place (for the pupils) to learn and acquire knowledge and skills. I remember these acts are not the ones prescribed by the government. They were not enacted during this government’s time.
“This is an Act that was established in 1993. The 6-3-3-4 came into being around 1982. So, this is already a very, very old policy.
“All that the Minister of Education did is say: ‘Ok, we come back to implementing these policies so that students can remain in school and learn skills so that when they finish, they will be able to be engaged productively, even if they don’t go to college of education or universities, they will have skills that they can be employed with or be even self-employed’,” Mamman added.
The minister said all efforts were being made to prevent the planned strike by the Academic Staff Union of the Universities (ASUU).
The union has issues a 14-day ultimatum to the government on its plan to embark on a strike.
Mamman said a panel, led by a former Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Alhaja Yayale Ahmed, had been set up and that the ASUU leadership would be invited for discussion to attend to the union’s grievances.
He added that non-academic workers in the universities would be paid two months’ outstanding salaries, following payment approval by the Federal Government.
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‘Na God go punish you and your family.’ — Davido hits back at critic
Nigerian music star, Davido, has engaged in a heated exchange on social media after a user reacted to a post in which he expressed concern over the state of affairs in Nigeria.
The remarks were contained in a post shared on the singer’s official social media page.
Davido admitted that entertainers, including himself, had not done enough to speak up against the challenges confronting Nigerians, stressing that the level of injustice in the country had become alarming.
His comments, however, drew criticism from a social media user identified as Princess Luna, who questioned the sincerity of the singer’s concerns and accused him of being hypocritical.
“Na God go punish you and your family. Go and do that performative rubbish in your City Boys group chat and get out of my face with all this pretentious nonsense. Na foolish Nigerians I blame,” she wrote.
In response, Davido denied belonging to any political group and defended his history of speaking out on national issues.
The singer recalled facing criticism after publicly commenting on governance issues during an appearance on American media platforms.
He also clarified that his relationship with President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, was purely personal, stating that they had been friends for years and that he regularly voiced his concerns about the country’s situation to him.
Davido subsequently fired back at the critic, ending the exchange with a strongly worded rebuke directed at her generation.
“I can’t lie, we entertainers… we dey fuck up, I won’t lie, including me. We need to speak up. It’s too much injustice going on. Our country don go,”
“I no dey part of any City Boy group. When I called out the government on American media, you guys rained curses on me.
“I’ve been friends with ST for years and that’s where it stops, and I call and complain to him all the time, even in person.
“God punish your generation,” the singer wrote.
News
US set to resume attacks on Iran if talks fail — Hegseth
The United States has warned that it is prepared to restart military strikes against Iran if ongoing negotiations fail to produce a lasting agreement, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday, Hegseth said Washington possessed the capability and military resources to resume operations if diplomacy breaks down.
“Our ability to recommence if necessary, we are more than capable,” Hegseth said, adding that U.S. weapons stockpiles were sufficient to sustain military action if required.
The Pentagon chief stressed that the U.S. remained committed to security in the Indo-Pacific region despite its involvement in the conflict with Iran, insisting that Washington could simultaneously manage challenges in multiple regions.
“We can do two things at one time. We’re super-charging our defence industrial base so that we’re building two, three and four times the munitions needed to ensure our operational plans are properly funded around the world,” he said.
Hegseth also praised U.S. President Donald Trump for pursuing a diplomatic solution, describing him as “patient” and focused on securing an agreement that would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
His comments came as U.S. and Iranian negotiators continued efforts to bridge major differences that have stalled talks aimed at ending months of conflict. Trump said on Friday that he would meet with senior advisers in a secure room at the White House to make a “final determination” on a proposal that could extend an early-April truce by another 60 days and provide additional time for negotiations.
The war, launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, has reportedly claimed thousands of lives, particularly in Iran and Lebanon, while also contributing to higher global energy prices.
News
We’re using 31 days to commission projects in FCT to mark Tinubu’s 3rd year anniversary – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced an unprecedented 31-day marathon project commissionings across the nation’s capital to celebrate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
Speaking at a political luncheon in Port Harcourt, the Minister showcased the administrative landmark achievements under his watch, attributing the massive infrastructural development to the strategic backing and vision of the President.
According to Wike, the month-long commissioning circuit will feature major road networks, public utilities, and massive urban renewal projects designed to completely reshape the nation’s capital.
Brushing aside critics, the Minister issued a direct challenge regarding the scale and quality of his administration’s output in the FCT.
”This third year of Mr. President alone…, we are taking 31 days for commissioning of projects in Abuja. I’m not talking about boreholes. I challenge anybody to contradict this” Wike stated.
He emphasized that the rapid development unfolding in Abuja is a direct testament to purposeful leadership, throwing down a challenge to opposition figures to match the scale of the ongoing works.
While highlighting his milestones in the FCT, the former Rivers State Governor pivoted to a surprisingly reconciliatory tone regarding the intense political friction in his home state, offering a blanket pardon to all political opponents.
”I use this opportunity today, to announce that I have forgiven everybody,” Wike declared, stressing that prolonged political warfare serves no constructive purpose.
”I want you to come back home sincerely… We have played politics, we have abused ourselves, this is the right time for you to come back,” he added, urging estranged allies and adversaries alike to swallow their pride and return to a unified fold.
Despite the sweeping offer of peace, the Minister did not mince words regarding the resilience of his political structure back home, which he described as an invincible “rainbow coalition.”
Wike issued strong warnings and assertions regarding the political landscape.
He explicitly warned external forces against attempting to destabilize Rivers State, stating, “Anybody from another state who is trying to destroy Rivers State, the person will have problems… You put your hand, you get fire.”
He asserted that his political machinery has effectively locked down future electoral cycles.
“If you are talking about the governorship election in this state, forget it, it’s gone… If you are thinking that any miracle will happen to overturn, to pull the rug off us, it’s a lie,” he stated.
Reassuring his supporters of their strategic dominance, he noted, “We are very over-alerted anytime, any day. We’ll take you back, we’ll work with everybody. We are not selfish.”
While other states grapple with internal party crises and bitter conflicts within both the PDP and APC, Wike maintained that his political coalition remained secured and fully prepared to maintain its dominance for the next eight years and beyond.
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