News
Ministry has road map to address challenges in education sector, says Opiah
Minister of State for Education, Rt Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah has disclosed that his ministry has enormous programs to tackle challenges facing the education sector in the country.
In his presentations to two different committees of the National Assembly who came on oversight function of the main ministry of education, the new minister presented a document that provides a road map to address the fundamental challenges facing the sector.
Both the House of Reps Committee on Tertiary Education and Services and that of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education paid separate visits to the Ministry of Education on Tuesday and Thursday respectively, for oversight functions
In his introductory remarks before the two committees during the visits, Opiah who expressed delight with the coming of the federal lawmakers for the oversight on the 2021 Appropriation Act of the main ministry, used the opportunity to appreciate their immense contribution to the sector in terms of support.
He opined that the Ministry will always be strategic partners with the other arms of government, especially the legislative for improvement in the education sector.
Talking about the road map, tagged; Implementation of Ministerial Strategic Plan,(MSP) 2018-2022, the minister disclosed that it was developed to achieve the reduction in out-of-school children and achieving youth and adult literacy in basic and secondary education.
Other key areas of the road map contained in the document made available to the National Assembly members are science, technology, engineering and mathematics, (STEM), and technical education and vocational and training, (TVET) as well as promoting access to and quality of tertiary education in the country, teacher education and professional capacity development.
Rt Hon Opiah further informed the National Assembly committees that part of the strategic plan remains ensuring production of education data and effective planning planning for results and reporting, leveraging information and communication technology in education while improving library services, promoting reading culture and development of Nigerian languages are not left out.
Speaking further on the visits, Opiah expressed that the ministry will continue to relate with the National Assembly members on the oversight function of the education sector.
The excercise which saw the lawmakers and ministry officials embark on interactive sessions during the meeting witnessed sessions of questions and answers for clarifications.
In the outline of presentation, the Ministry gave highlights of the Budget Thrust, Review of Appropriation, Summary of the 2021 Appropriation Act sector wide and other matters connected to 2021 budget.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubaka mini visited the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Umar Dikko Umaru Radda, at the Government House in Katsina to express condolences following the passing of his beloved mother, Hajiya Safara’u Umar Bare-Bari Radda.
During the visit, Minister Abubakar, on behalf of himself, his family, the Minister of State for Defence H.E. Dr. Bello Matawalle MON and the entire staff of the Ministry of Defence, conveyed heartfelt condolences to Governor Radda, his family, and the people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
In his remarks, he prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased, grant her mercy, and bestow upon her a place in Jannatul Firdaus. He also offered prayers for the Governor and his family, asking for strength and fortitude to bear this profound loss.
The Minister was accompanied by Hon. Idris Garba Jahun, former Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, along with Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Jallo and Hon. Mas’ud A. Naruwa, members of the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Hadejia and Babura, respectively.
All political office holders who were appointed by the embattled governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara have been suspended from office by the Sole Administrator of the State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
They were suspended from office with immediate effect, according to a statement by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator, saying the decision followed powers granted the Sole Administrator by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to Fubara were among those suspended from office.
Commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals, as well as all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants were all relieved of their appointments.
“This suspension takes effect from Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The affected officers are to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their MDAs.
“Where there may be no permanent secretary, they are to hand over to the most senior director/head of administration,” the statement read.
Ibas was sworn in as Sole Administrator on Wednesday, March 19, by President Bola Tinubu after the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The President also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Ibas, who is a former Chief of Naval Staff, vowed to maintain law and order in the state.
“If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have,” he said to State House correspondents after the swearing-in.
He also promised to work together with other stakeholders to ensure that order is restored in the state.
Agency Report
The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, has announced the cancellation of the Eid-el-Fitr Durbar celebration due to security concerns in the state.
Emir Bayero made this announcement while briefing newsmen at his Nasarawa Mini Palace in Kano on Wednesday night.
He said that the peaceful coexistence of the people takes precedence over the Durbar celebration.
Emir Bayero had initially planned to hold the Durbar celebration, which would have coincided with his fifth year anniversary on the throne.
He noted that respected Islamic clerics, elders, stakeholders, and his council members advised him to cancel the celebration to maintain peace.
Emir Bayero urged the people of Kano to use the Sallah celebration period to visit families and friends and to observe the festivities in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
He prayed for Allah’s blessings and mercy during the month of Ramadan, hoping that the people of Kano would receive forgiveness and mercy.
NAN
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