News
Ekiti gov gifts N48m to outstanding school teachers
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Saturday awarded N47.8 million to outstanding primary and secondary school teachers in the state as a gesture of appreciation, encouragement, and motivation for others.
The awards were presented during the 2024 World Teachers’ Day celebration, themed “Valuing Teachers’ Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education.” The event, held at Ekitikete Pavilion, New Iyin Road, Ado Ekiti, was attended by teachers under the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, and their counterparts from private schools.
The best teachers in the public primary and secondary school categories, Mrs. Folayemi Modupe of St. Francis Nursery and Primary School, Igbara Odo Ekiti, and Mr. Joshua Oriloye of Notre Dame Grammar School, Usi Ekiti, each received N6m.
First runners-up were awarded N2m each, while second runners-up received N1.5m each. Additionally, the two best school administrators were rewarded with N2m each. Other beneficiaries included the best private school teacher, distinguished teachers in digital skills and e-teaching, outstanding teachers with disabilities, and 26 teachers who received consolation prizes, totalling N47.8m.
Governor Oyebanji, represented by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, praised the pivotal role of teachers in human development, assuring that “this administration will continue to prioritise teachers’ welfare and ensure a more conducive learning environment in schools.”
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to education, Oyebanji highlighted key achievements, including the renovation of school buildings across all primary and junior secondary schools, and the training of 1,103 teachers in digital education.
He also noted, “We have paid over N2.5 billion as counterpart funding for Universal Basic Education Commission 2022 and 2023 projects under the State Universal Basic Education Board and undertaken massive infrastructure development in schools, alongside the distribution of learning and instructional materials.”
The Ekiti State NUT Chairman, Olaitan Daodu, praised Oyebanji’s efforts in advancing primary, secondary, and technical education, commending his commitment to free and compulsory education, tackling teacher misconduct, and paying leave bonuses. However, Daodu called for the payment of the 2018 leave bonus for secondary school teachers and the “immediate implementation of the 65 years of age or 40 years of service retirement policy,” which has been adopted by several other states.
ASUSS State Chairman, Sola Adigun, also praised Oyebanji’s contributions to teachers’ welfare, advocating for the elevation of teachers to grade level 17.
News
Insecurity! Troops arrest Bello Turji’s ally Bako, silence 211 terrorists in 7 days
A suspected terrorist has been nabbed by the troops in the North West theatre of operation.
The arrested high profile and notorious terrorist was identified as Bako Wurgi. The terror leader is linked to the murder of the Sokoto Monarch and a staunch ally of wanted high profile terrorist Bello Turji’s.
In a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Abuja, the Defence Director Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said the arrested terrorist leader, Bako Wurgi, eventually succumbed to gun shot injuries sustained during the fire fight.
According to General Buba, the terrorist leader Wurgi provided valuable intelligence to support troops operations before he eventually passed on.
General Buba also disclosed that another two high profile terrorists identified as Hamisu Sale (aka Master) and Abubakar Muhammad were arrested during seperate operations conducted in North Central theatre of operation.
In his words, the duo are cooperating and providing valuable intelligence on the terror network.
The DHQ spokesman was deadpan when he said that, “Troops are on high alert and have increased readiness to protect the country from further terrorist aggression, particularly during the yuletide.
Accordingly, robust operations targeted at terrorist leadership are being conducted across the various theatres of operations.”
He disclosed that during the week under review, troops neutralised 212 and arrested 272 persons.
The DHQ publicist informed that troops recovered 247 assorted weapons and 6,174 assorted ammunition.
Giving the breakdown, General Buba said 2 RPG UXO4, 110 AK47 rifles, 56 fabricated rifles, 36 dane guns and 2 FN rifles were recovered during the week under review.
Others include, 2 baretta pistols, 15 locally made pistols, 2 revolver pistols, 12 pump action guns, 2 double barrel guns, one single barrel gun, one RPG bomb, one RPG tube, 2 exploded RPG chargers, one PKM link, one link of GPMG and 70 AK47 magazines.
Also recovered are 3,235 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,583 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 130 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 400 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 92 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 107 rounds of 9mm ammo, 311 live cartridges, one FN magazine, 3 bandoliers, 5 baofeng radios, 8 vehicles, 51 motorcycles and 103 mobile phones amongst other items.
News
Speaker Abbas Refutes Claims of Outstanding Land Payment to FCTA
By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has clarified reports alleging that his land title in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was revoked due to unpaid dues.
In a press statement issued on December 20, 2024, the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, affirmed that Speaker Abbas owns only one land title in the FCT and had fully settled the required payment in October 2024. This payment was made promptly after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) issued public notices in the newspapers regarding outstanding obligations.
The Speaker described the inclusion of his name among defaulters as an error on the part of the FCTA and urged the agency to exercise greater caution in managing such matters.
He also called on the media to verify facts thoroughly before publishing reports, cautioning against the dissemination of misleading information that could tarnish his reputation.
The Speaker therefore appealed for restraint in circulating inaccurate.
News
Wike gives final ultimatum to land owners to pay for C-of-O
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has given owners of the 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone, A10, Abuja, a fresh two-week ultimatum to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or risk final revocation of their allocations.
According to a statement on Friday, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister reiterated that the primary interest was not for people to lose their lands, but to get them to make necessary payments to the government.
The statement read: “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published. They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.
Yesterday, notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.
“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”
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