News

Parents rush to withdraw children from 41 FGCs amid insecurity

Published

2 weeks ago

November 23, 2025

Admin

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.

News

PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

Published

39 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Minister of FCT today inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike today, Friday inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa.

The project is titled; Full scope development of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with Two Interchange Bridges at N16/RRII and N16/RIII intersections.

The portion from RRI to Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) within Katampe District was developed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to mark 2nd year Anniversary of his Administration.

The portion from N20 to RRII is being developed under Jahi District Infrastructure Project, leaving the undeveloped portion from RRIII to Arterial Road N40 to link the road that leads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana Districts.

The portion of this Arterial Road N16 under reference traverses the Gwarimpa Housing Estate and this segment of the road when developed will provide access to the Gwarimpa Housing Estate located within Bunkoro and Wupa Districts as well as Sector Center E which is the hub of commercial and social activities comprising group of four districts namely; Gwarimpa II – C03, Kafe – C05, Wupa – C15 and Bunkoro – C18 Districts in Phase III of the Federal Capital City.

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News

“Why I dumped PDP for APC “- Rivers Speaker, Amaewhule

Published

2 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, on Friday gave reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the PDP,” Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, told the lawmakers on Friday.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for some programmes embarked upon by his administration that have benefited Nigerians, especially Rivers people.

According to the Speaker, his defection would enable him to partner with President Tinubu for the overall good of the Rivers people.

Amaewhule said, “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.

“APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country. I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress.”

Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Since returning to civil rule in 1999, the PDP has maintained a tight grip on the oil-rich Rivers state, until the protracted crisis rocked the state, which pitched the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The crisis led to the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces allegedly loyal to Fubara as well as the attempted moves to impeach the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Worried by the development, President Bola Tinubu waded in to douse the tensions and declared a state of emergency on March 18.

The emergency declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers.

At the expiration of the exercise, he reinstated Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers on September 17.

News

Finally Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Assembly Members Dump PDP , join APC

Published

4 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the All Progressives Congress.

Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

The House of Assembly is currently in session with the defectors blaming their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the crisis in the party.

Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Details shortly…