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Tinubu Endorses Elevation of 11 Directors for Permanent Secretary Roles

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially approved the elevation of 11 directors, who are part of the 19 candidates selected for the final stage of the permanent secretaries’ qualifying examination. This development, which follows a rigorous selection process, was confirmed in a memo issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).
According to a report by Gists9ja, this confirmation comes after the initial stages of a highly competitive process aimed at filling vacancies for permanent secretaries across various federal government ministries. The announcement also highlights the continued efforts of the Tinubu administration to ensure that capable and qualified individuals are appointed to crucial civil service positions.
The process began earlier in October when the Federal Government, through the OHCSF, initiated the appointment procedure for new permanent secretaries, focusing on addressing vacancies in eight states. A memorandum issued by the OHCSF and signed by Didi Walson-Jack, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, outlined the terms for the selection. Notably, the memo specified that individuals under any form of disciplinary action would be ineligible to apply for the permanent secretary roles, ensuring the integrity of the recruitment process.
The official memo from the OHCSF, signed by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole on behalf of the examination committee, announced that the 11 directors, who had excelled in the initial stages of the examination, were invited to the next phase. The document read: “The under-listed eleven (11) candidates are invited to the oral interview stage of the process for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service, following their successful performance in Stages I and II of the exercise.”
Initially, 38 directors participated in the first stage of the process. Out of these, 19 directors advanced to the second stage, and following their exceptional performance, 11 directors were shortlisted for the final stage. These individuals are now set to face the oral interview, a critical step before the formal appointments are made.
This move is seen as part of President Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the federal bureaucracy and fill critical leadership positions within the civil service. Upon completion of the recruitment process, it is expected that President Tinubu will officially announce the newly appointed permanent secretaries.
The process of selecting permanent secretaries has always been highly anticipated due to the significant role these individuals play in the day-to-day operations of government ministries and the implementation of key national policies. With the current stage of the recruitment process nearing completion, all eyes are on the final appointments, which are expected to be revealed once the interview process concludes.
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IGP Launches Safe School Squad In Bauchi

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday, launched a new police-led school protection squad under the Safe School Initiative.
Egbetokun said the unit is part of the national strategy to fortify educational institutions against rising security threats.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Schools Protection Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, performed the unveiling on behalf of the IGP and stressed the urgent need for coordinated security measures to safeguard students, staff, and school infrastructure across the country.
Shogunle, who spoke at a stakeholders’ forum on school security, said Nigeria has increasingly battled threats such as kidnapping, homicide, and the destruction of school property.
He explained that these challenges have forced many schools to shut down, thereby worsening the problem of out-of-school children and affecting surrounding communities.
He cited the 2021 National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, revealing that “more than 600 teachers were killed in attacks, while more than 19,000 were displaced between 2012 and 2016”.
Shogunle said, “Today’s event, Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities, aligns with the national plan on financing safe schools in Nigeria.
“The plan has a national investment response aimed at protecting schools, learners, teachers and non-teaching staff from attacks in all parts of Nigeria and was designed to achieve measurable outcomes such as reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving Nigeria’s rating in the human capital index in the long run.”
Bauchi State Police Commissioner Sani-Omolori Aliyu also addressed participants at the forum. He confirmed that Nigeria has recorded a disturbing increase in kidnappings, banditry, and attacks targeting students and school staff.
He said these incidents have disrupted learning and spread fear among parents, pupils, and the broader society.
Aliyu revealed, “It was in response to the development that the Nigerian Police collaborated with the federal and state governments and various stakeholders to develop the safe school programme aimed at creating a safe school environment that allows children to pursue their education, free from the spectre of violence or fear.”
He continued, “The Safe School Program is a comprehensive initiative that involves multiple stakeholders and agencies working in unison to prevent attacks, respond effectively in emergencies, and support communities and schools affected by violence.
“The Safe School Squad will be guided by a comprehensive policy framework that delineates its mandate, functions, and operational protocols.”
Aliyu noted that the unit would collaborate with schools, local communities, and relevant bodies to detect and respond to threats swiftly.
He added that the formation of the squad signifies a major leap in the police force’s dedication to school safety.
“This squad will be rigorously trained and dedicated to tirelessly preventing attacks and effectively addressing emergencies as they arise,” he said.
He emphasised that “The Safe School Program transcends a mere police initiative; it is a collaborative effort necessitating the engagement of all stakeholders. We earnestly encourage parents, educators, students, and the wider community to support this initiative and join hands with us in ensuring that our schools remain sanctuaries for learning.”
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Viral Video: Aiyedatiwa reenters classroom, educate pupils in Ondo school

A recent viral video has captured Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, returning to his roots as a teacher, engaging with students at an unnamed school.
The video, which was shared on the Governor’s official Facebook page, shows him writing the word “Drugs” on the board and interacting with the pupils during a lesson.
The Governor encouraged the students to name three forms of drugs, prompting active participation from the class.
The video, which quickly gained traction online, was accompanied by the caption, “Once a teacher, always a teacher.” This gesture comes shortly after the Governor’s approval in March 2025 for the recruitment of 1,100 primary school teachers across all 18 local government areas of Ondo State, part of a broader initiative to improve the state’s education system.
Governor Aiyedatiwa has been vocal about his commitment to educational reform. In his message accompanying the video, he highlighted recent efforts to enhance education in the state, including the distribution of textbooks, Android tablets, and sports equipment to public schools. “This initiative, funded through the 2023/2024 UBEC/SUBEB intervention, underscores our unwavering commitment to quality education for every child, regardless of background,” the Governor said.
Further updates on the state’s educational progress included the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms in over 100 schools, the distribution of more than 75,000 textbooks and digital learning resources, and the recruitment and training of over 2,100 new teachers. Additionally, Aiyedatiwa emphasized his administration’s support for extracurricular activities, such as sports, as an essential part of students’ development.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s return to the classroom serves as a reminder of his dedication to education and the future of Ondo State’s children. As part of his continued efforts to advance education, he said, “With every book, tablet, and sports kit, we are investing in the leaders of tomorrow.”
Watch video below: https://web.facebook.com/reel/563785076763901
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Four children injured, one loses hand in Borno IED explosion

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, injuring five children, one of whom suffered the traumatic loss of a hand.
The incident occurred on Thursday, May 8, 2025, around 2:25pm near a culvert along the access road leading to a construction site at the New Mafa Central Mosque.
According to preliminary findings, the children accidentally triggered the hidden IED, which had been concealed in block holes at the site.
The victims, identified as Abdullahi Umar, Musa Mele, Fatima Abatcha, Abba Kawu Muhammed, and Khalid Alhaji Bukar, all residents of Mafa town, sustained varying degrees of injuries from the blast.
A coordinated emergency response was launched by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, officers from the Mafa Police Division, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
The area was secured, and a thorough search for secondary devices was conducted. Fragments of the IED, crafted using tin containers, were recovered and safely neutralized.
Four of the injured children were transferred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for advanced medical care, while the fifth, who sustained minor injuries, was treated and discharged from Mafa General Hospital.
In the aftermath, the EOD-CBRN team launched an Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) campaign to sensitize children and residents in Mafa on the dangers of unexploded devices, an ongoing threat in communities still recovering from years of insurgency.
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