society
World Teachers’ day: Oyebanji splashes over N35 Million on best teachers in Ekiti
World Teachers’ day: Oyebanji splashes over N35 Million on best teachers in Ekiti
… Says over N2 billion expended on school renovation, upgrade
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji on Thursday doled out over N35 million to teachers and administrators for their impressive performances in uplifting education in the state.
Presenting the Cheques at the well-attended event held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado Ekiti Governor Oyebanji congratulated the teachers for their strong commitment to duty, patriotism, resilience and hard work in promoting education in the state.
The Governor also said his administration has committed over 2Billion Naira to massive renovation and upgrade of schools throughout the sixteen local government areas of the state to make learning environment more conducive and interesting for both teachers and learners.
Governor Oyebanji, who said his administration recognized the roles of teachers and their sacrifices despite obvious inadequacies, explained that it was the reason his government has focused attention on meeting some of the basic needs of the teachers which included payment of outstanding salaries, promotion areas, leave bonuses, car loan, among others.
Speaking on the theme for this year’s World Teachers Day, “The teachers we need for the education we want: the global imperative to reverse the teachers’ shortage”, Governor Oyebanji said the challenge of shortage of teachers is a global phenomenon that needs concerted efforts to address which is why his administration has undertaken two consecutive recruitment exercise since he assumed office.
He explained that his administration had cumulatively recruited 1500 teachers into the primary schools segment and 500 teachers in the secondary school segment with an assurance that his government would continue to employ more teachers to fill vacancies occasioned by retirement and change of career.
While commending the teachers for their dedication and steadfastness to duty, the Governor charged them to continue to do their best to ensure the students are well educated in all domains of education. He also urged the teachers to continue to improve their profession by taking the advantage of modern technology devices in modernizing their teaching skills in order to make learning more robust, all-round and relevant for today.
The highpoint of the ceremony attended by teachers from the 16 local government and the LCDAs was the presentation of cheques of N5million each to the best teachers in both Primary and secondary schools categories. The beneficiaries were Osaranmaye Yetunde of St. Marks Nursery & Primary School, Ilupeju Ekiti for the Primary category and Owoseeni Tolulope of Harding Memorial College, Ado Ekiti for the Secondary Category.
Other awards include twenty-six consolation prizes of N100,000 each cutting across both Primary and secondary schools while the first runners-up got N1.5million each and the second runners-up got N1 million each.
Also, N2million went to each of the two best administrators from primary and secondary schools categories in the state. They are Ogunruku Blessing Adebimpe of SUBEB Nursery & Primary School, Oye Ekiti and Oso Ebenezer Oluwarotimi of Christ School, Ado Ekiti.
“As you are now well familiar with our Six Pillars of Administration, youth development and human capital development are the number one and two respectively in the six pillars. For us, the most urgent need today and the nearest future is the empowerment of our youths through quality education, skill acquisition and innovation. To achieve these pillars, you are at the central of the process.
“It is for this reason that we have focused attention on meeting some of your basic welfare needs including the payment of outstanding salaries, promotion arrears, leave bonus, car loans among others. We recognize your dedication to duty and contribution to the development of our state and we will continue to give you necessary incentives to make you to do more.
“Our administration has undertaken two consecutive recruitment exercises since I assumed office. As at today, we have cumulatively recruited 1500 teachers into the primary school segment and 500 teachers into the secondary schools, bringing the total number of newly recruited teachers to 2000.” The Governor stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi applauded the Governor on the respect and motivations he accorded teachers, adding that various achievements of the Governor in educational sector has shown that he is really a teacher-friendly Governor.
In their separate goodwill messages, the SUBEB Chairman, Prof Femi Akinwumi who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Mr. Afolabi Adebiyi, NUT National President who was represented by the former South West vice president, Comrade Kayode Akosile, Ekiti NUT President, Comrade Dauda Olaitan, ASUSS Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, all commended the Governor for all his giant strides in education sector which has taken the state to an enviable position.
They all commended the Governor for prompt payment of salaries, running grants, transformation of technical colleges, and renovation of schools buildings among others. They assured the Governor that teachers in the state would be more committed and dedicated to the overall interest of the state.
Also at the event were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; his Oyo State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; members of the House of Assembly; members of the State Executive Council, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro among others.
Alleged Manipulation of Defilement Case Sparks Call for Review of Legal Advice in Lagos
By Ifeoma Ikem
A legal controversy has emerged in Lagos following a petition seeking a review of a legal advice issued in a case involving two female teachers accused of negligence in a child injury incident at a nursery school in Ikorodu.
The petition, submitted by Crown Cannan Attorneys, urges the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to reconsider the legal advice issued on September 16, 2022, in the case titled Commissioner of Police vs. Ambassador Rukayat Tobiloba and Rukayat Lawal.
Addressed to the former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, the application argues that the legal advice may have been influenced by what the petition describes as a “deliberate manipulation of facts.”
According to counsel representing the defendants, the allegations stem from an incident that allegedly occurred on October 26, 2021, at Great Kezino Nursery and Primary School located in the Adamo area of Ikorodu, Lagos.
The defendants, Ambassador Rukayat Tobiloba, 26, and Rukayat Lawal, 24, were reportedly the class teacher and assistant class teacher respectively in charge of a Nursery One class where the incident occurred.
Court documents indicate that a three-year-old pupil, identified as Victim A, was reportedly injured after another pupil allegedly pierced a pencil into her private part during school hours.
The prosecution claims the incident occurred due to the failure of the teachers to exercise adequate care and supervision over the children under their custody.
Based on this allegation, the two educators were charged with negligence under Section 252 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which addresses acts that may cause harm through lack of proper care.
The defendants were subsequently arraigned before Magistrate Court No. 2 in Ikeja on April 19, 2022, where they faced a one-count charge relating to the incident.
During the investigation conducted at the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja, several civil society groups reportedly monitored the proceedings.
Among them were representatives of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) and other non-governmental organizations.
These groups reportedly raised concerns about what they described as a growing tendency to weaponise allegations of child abuse in ways that could unfairly damage reputations and careers.
In its petition, the defence team argued that the case deserves a fresh review to ensure that justice is served based on verified facts rather than assumptions or public pressure.
They urged the Ministry of Justice to carefully reassess the legal advice and the circumstances surrounding the investigation to determine whether the prosecution should proceed as currently framed.
Legal observers say the outcome of the requested review could determine the next stage of the case and may also highlight broader concerns about investigative procedures and child protection cases within the justice system.
Reacting to a viral social media post by Ambassador Rukayat Tobiloba, who claimed she might be jailed for defilement, the head teacher of Great Kezino Nursery and Primary School, Mrs. Edaolaropin Toyin, provided the school’s account of events.
According to her, the pupil identified as Victim A was enrolled in the Nursery One class on September 20, 2021, which had about 15 pupils.
She explained that on October 26, 2021, the pupil was transported home on the school bus after closing hours and handed over to her father around 4:30 p.m.
“Later that night, the pupil’s mother allegedly contacted the head teacher, claiming her daughter cried while bathing and alleged that a male classmate, Victim B, had inserted a pencil into her private part during school hours,” she said.
The school, however, rejected the allegation, maintaining that no such incident occurred while the child was in its custody.
“The following morning, the teacher visited the pupil’s home, where the father reportedly denied the mother’s account of the incident,” Toyin added.
She said the situation escalated later that day when the child’s parents arrived at the school with police officers from Imota Police Station demanding that the alleged male classmate be produced.
The head teacher further stated that the school management had supported Tobiloba throughout the legal process.
“Since the incident happened, the school management has never stopped supporting Tobiloba’s welfare until last year when she sent a WhatsApp message saying she was no longer interested in the court matter, claiming she had relocated to Ibadan,” she said.
She described the claims currently circulating on social media as “defamatory narratives.”
*GEN CG MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE MOURNS FALLEN HEROES AND URGES UNITY IN SECURITY SUPPORT
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative (GCGMSI) expresses its heartfelt condolences to His Excellency Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Grand Patron of the Initiative, and the families of the fallen heroes who courageously lost their lives in a recent attack by ISWAP in Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Dalori in Borno State, northeast Nigeria. Among the tragic losses were three senior military commanders: Major U.I. Mairiga, Lt-Col Umar Faruq, and Lt-Col S.I. Iliyasu, who dedicated their lives to the service of our nation.
The GCGMSI implores the public to continue supporting our security agencies, emphasizing that the safety and security of our nation is a collective responsibility. Every day, our security forces pay the ultimate price to safeguard our country. We urge the public to remain supportive, pray for their success, and refrain from politicizing the security challenges we face.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Convener, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, which has been made available to the press. The statement highlights the initiative’s profound concern for the losses sustained by our security personnel and reflects on the broader security situation in Nigeria.
In his unwavering commitment to addressing the insecurity plaguing our nation, the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, has consistently engaged in urgent meetings with service chiefs, reinforcing strategic plans to combat threats and enhance national security. His leadership and decisive actions demonstrate a dedication to restoring peace and stability across our regions, ensuring a safer environment for all Nigerians.
society
SECURITY IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY: BACKING OUR MINISTER OF DEFENCE GEN. CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA OFR
SECURITY IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY: BACKING OUR MINISTER OF DEFENCE GEN. CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA OFR
By Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani
In these challenging times, it is essential for all Nigerians to rally behind our leaders, particularly His Excellency Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, the Minister of Defence. The security of our nation is not a matter to be taken lightly or politicized. Gen. Musa, recognized for his unwavering dedication and sacrifice, has served our country commendably throughout his life.
Following the recent reshuffle of service chiefs by President Asiwaju Bola Ahamed Tinubu GCFR, which resulted in Gen. Musa’s retirement as Chief of Defence Staff, many voiced their concerns. Yet, upon his appointment as Minister of Defence, there was a renewed sense of hope among the populace. Gen. Musa has embraced his role with an unwavering commitment, often sacrificing his rest to ensure the safety and security of our great nation.
While it is undeniable that Nigeria faces security challenges, we must approach these issues with unity rather than division. It is crucial to recognize that those who politicize our national security are often those who have not contributed positively to the success of our security agencies. Instead of spreading negativity, we should support Gen. Musa in his mission to restore peace and stability.
To achieve our collective goal of a secure Nigeria, we must provide Gen. Musa with the trust he deserves. His vision and determination, paired with our support and prayers, can pave the way to overcoming the challenges we face. It’s time for every Nigerian to put aside political differences and work together for the common good. Let us have faith in our leaders and trust in Gen. Musa’s ability to steer our nation towards safety and security.
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