Connect with us

News

Governor Otti Swears In Edo Man, Benson Ojeikere As Abia Head Of Service

Published

on

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has sworn in Benson Ojeikere, an indigene of Edo State, as the new Head of Service for the state.

Ojeikere, who was initially posted to Abia as a youth corps member in the late 90s, stood out as the best corps member, which led to his automatic employment in the state’s civil service.

He was appointed Permanent Secretary in 2023 under Governor Otti’s administration.

Having excelled in the selection process for the Head of Service position, Ojeikere’s appointment was based on merit and competence.

Advertisement

The state government emphasized that this decision underscores Governor Otti’s commitment to meritocracy and his policy of “If you live in Abia, you are Abian,” reflecting the true spirit of “One Nigeria,” as encapsulated in the National Anthem’s words: “Though Tribe and Tongue May Differ, In Brotherhood We Stand.”

During the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Otti congratulated Ojeikere for his success in the selection process and urged him to work towards transforming the State Civil Service into a more efficient and effective workforce.

In his remarks, the newly sworn-in Head of Service, Benson Ojeikere, expressed his gratitude to the Governor for the rare opportunity to serve as the state’s top civil servant.

He promised to work with the Government to reposition the State Civil Service and make it a model that other States within and outside Nigeria will come to learn from.

Advertisement

Meanwhile the appointment of Ojeikere has received commendations from all quartets as many called on other governors to emulate the action of governor Otti, which they maintained was a more proactive way of promoting unity and integration among Nigerians.

News

IGP Launches Safe School Squad In Bauchi

Published

on

By

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.

Advertisement

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.”

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

“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.

Advertisement

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.”

Continue Reading

News

Viral Video: Aiyedatiwa reenters classroom, educate pupils in Ondo school

Published

on

By

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.

Advertisement

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

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Four children injured, one loses hand in Borno IED explosion

Published

on

By

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News