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Only 18% of School Children Transit from Primary to Junior Secondary School in Bauchi

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The United Nations Children’s Fund Bauchi Field office has expressed it’s worry over the low transition rate of school children from primary to junior secondary school.

This concern was expressed by the Chief of Bauchi Field Office Mr. Tushar Rane at the opening ceremony of a three days children’s creative workshop for students, organised by the National Troupe of Nigeria (TNT) in Bauchi.

Mr. Rane said that as it is there are 3,183 primary schools, with only 753 Junior Secondary Schools and 191 Senior Secondary Schools in Bauchi State.

He said over 1.2M children enrolled in Primary out of which only 200 thousand transit to Junior Secondary Schools and 130 thousand to Senior Secondary Schools, which put the transition rate from primary to Junior Secondary School at only 18%.

“Every state should invest in young generation and ensure that every child is loved, cared for and protected. Achieving that means promoting quality call for action, investing in early year and adolescent programmes to harness qualitative efforts”, said Rane.

While appreciating Bauchi State Government in collaborating with NTN for organising the creative workshop at school level, he reminded guests that UNICEF work towards improving the lives of Children and Women in Nigeria and also committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Education for All (EFA) goals of educating all children at all levels and in all groups.

“UNICEF has a vision to collaborate with Government institutions, Civil Society Organisations, Faith Based Organisations, Communities and other Partners to discuss issues around children and Adolescent Education programmes; hence the “Children’s Creative Station” workshop organised by the National Troupe of Nigeria in collaboration with Bauchi State Government, the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) and UNICEF.

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“The programme aims at equipping children with the rudiments of theatre for expression of prime national aspirations such as promotion of unity in diversity, patriotism, and rights of the child as fundamental Human Rights.

“It is a common knowledge that the Adolescence stage is a second window of opportunity in a child’s cognitive and growth development. Besides the physiological importance, adolescent development is also a human right as stated in the Convention on Rights of the Child and the general commitment to the implementation of the Convention on Rights of the Child during Adolescence”.

He stressed that strong evidence suggests that promoting adolescent development and their protection will lead to better short and long term public health, economic and demographic benefits.

Mr. Rane said that the school environment provides the most effective and efficient way to reach adolescents because it offers the opportunity to get students at an influential stage in their lives, during childhood and adolescence.

The Chief of Field office, who sounded optimistic, maintained that school-going adolescents can also be used to reach out-of-school adolescents and even become the role models for them.

“UNICEF is stepping up its engagement with rural young people, including adolescent girls. And thanks to the generosity of Bauchi State Government and other partners for the difference being made.

“We are committed to work with all the arms of the Federal Government of Nigeria, CSOs, development partners, private sectors, families and communities to increase support for the young children through the existing community systems, building on the positive practices that already exists.

“All our children across the country and in Bauchi State have a better start to life using evidence-based implementation strategy as a support for national priority achieving the SDGs for child survival, growth and development. It is morally right and economical to invest in adolescent programmes”, said the chief field officer.

While congratulating the schools selected for the training, Mr. Rane said that, “I hope you will be able to explore how to scale up what works and to learn from sharing experiences – the less successful as well as the good. And I hope that, at the end of this workshop, you will convey the case for rural adolescent children back to the schools and communities.

Mr. Rane concluded his address saying, “Life is not about us, but about children, so if we start wrong, we get it wrong, but if we start right, we get it right in every facet of the society”.

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Breaking: Tinubu Orders Release of Minors Arrested Over Endbadgovernance Protest

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President Bola Ahmad Tinubu

President Tinubu Orders release of all minors who participated in the Endbadgovernance protest .

 

The minister of information and national orientation Muhammad Idris stated this to state House correspondents.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents, on Monday.

The Minister was flanked by the Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy; Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Public Communications and orientation.

Idris stated that the President has instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to begin the process of securing the minors’ release without delay.

“The President has directed that all minors be released on the and also reunited with their families anywhere they are in the country. A committee has been set up to look at the issues surrounding their arrest, detention and release. All the law enforcement agents related to the case will be investigated and anyone found wanting will be brought to book,” he said.

 

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76 Detained Children: Northwest Youth-Students Forum hails Senator Barau, AGF’s prompt intervention

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The Northwest Youth and Students Forum (NWYSF) has expressed its heartfelt appreciation to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin and the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for their prompt intervention in the detention of minors by the Nigeria Police Force, following the End Bad Governance Protest.

The forum in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Abubakar Isyaku Balan said the swift action by the leaders will brings hope to the affected families and demonstrates a commitment to protecting the rights of vulnerable citizens nationwide.

He said “The giant move of the Deputy President of the Senate and the Attorney General of the Federal is no doubt a commendable one. We are proud of this and look forward to the release of the children courtesy of this movement.”

According to the statement, the NWYSF, as a forum comprising of talented youth and students, deemed it necessary to protectively initiate awareness programs that will enlighten the teeming youth on human rights and activism.

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“We acknowledge that the minors actions were driven by ignorance and a lack of proper orientation, underscoring the need for civic education and sensitization in the Northwest region. Addressing the underlying issues that led to this situation is crucial, rather than simply punishing the minors. This approach will foster a more informed and empowered youth.

“Considering the economic situation in the North, we urge the Federal Government to show compassion and release the detained minors, taking into account their age and circumstances. We also call on the government to provide support for their rehabilitation and education.

“In partnership with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders, NWYSF will develop sensitization initiatives focusing on empowering youths with knowledge of their rights and responsibilities, promoting understanding and respect for human rights and teaching alternative dispute resolution methods.

“In view of the above, by working together, we can prevent similar incidents and foster a more informed, peaceful, and inclusive society,” the statement added.

 

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ICPC Arraigns Provost, Lecturer for Certificate Forgery in Sokoto

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Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu ,ICPC Chairman

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Hauwau Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim, the serving Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) (FCET), Gusau, alongside Abdullahi Boyi, a lecturer with the Sokoto State College of Education (SSCE), on alleged certificate forgery.

The duo were arraigned on a six-count charge, registered as charge No. SS/213c/2024, before Hon. Justice Muhammad Aliyu Sambo at the Sokoto State High Court. ICPC accused the two defendants of forging an appointment letter and using it to apply for the position of Provost at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau, Zamfara State.

The defendants were also accused of making false statements to ICPC officers during the investigation, which is an offence under Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(ii)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. “Both defendants, however, pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all six charges when read to them by the Court’s Registrar,” the ICPC revealed in a statement.

Counsel for the defendants, Dr. Muhammad Mansur Aliyu and Mr. M.S. Diri SAN, moved for bail applications on behalf of their clients. They requested the court to consider reasonable bail terms, citing the defendants’ “established positions and cooperation during the investigation.”

Counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Suleiman Ahmad, did not oppose the bail applications. Following the consideration of the applications, Hon. Justice Sambo granted bail under specific conditions designed to ensure the defendants’ continued presence throughout the trial proceedings.

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The bail conditions require each defendant to provide two sureties who are permanent residents of Sokoto State, with each surety signing a bond of one million naira (₦1,000,000). After granting bail, the ICPC prosecutor requested a date for the trial to commence, emphasizing the Commission’s preparedness to present witnesses and evidence in support of the charges.

Hon. Justice Sambo adjourned the matter to November 21, 2024, when the hearing is set to begin. The prosecution is expected to call witnesses and introduce material evidence to substantiate the allegations.

The ICPC press release was signed by Demola Bakare, Acting Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, and Spokesperson for the Commission.

 

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