Education
FCTA Suspends Teachers Over Sexual Molestation of Blind Students

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has suspended two teachers of the FCT School for the Blind, Jabi, for alleged molestation of some female students of the school.
A visibly angry Permanent Secretary of the FCTA, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, who paid an unscheduled visit to the school, following reports of incidences of molestation of some female students by teachers, directed the immediate suspension of the accused teachers, Mr.
Ilo Chukwuma and Mr Ebenezer Olateju, pending the conclusion of investigations on the matter.The Permanent Secretary also directed that Chukwuma, who was accommodated in the school’s residential quarters, vacates the school within the week, stressing that both teachers should steer clear of the school premises as investigations continue.
He further directed the Director of Security Services in the FCTA, Mr. Adamu Gwary to ensure full compliance and implementation of the directive.
While addressing the issue of alleged rape of a student against Olateju, Ohaa pointed out that the image of the country and the FCTA was at stake.
According to him, “While we are working round the clock to give every physically challenged student the best of education, we cannot have incidences as this mar our progress and achievements.”
On why the teachers were suspended instead of being dismissed immediately, the Permanent Secretary said, “We want to be fair and follow due process. So, we will allow the committee do its work and report by next week. But let me assure parents that anyone found culpable in any of these incidences, not only in this school, will be dismissed and prosecuted.
Our teachers, like Caesar’s wife, must be above board.”
Ohaa expressed disgust over the actions of the accused teachers as he listened to victims narrate their ordeals.
He lamented that teachers who are supposed to be protectors are now the students’ nightmare.
“We cannot allow this kind of behaviour to continue. These children more or less are helpless and they depend on teachers here.
They have confidence and trust in you, that you will protect them from immorality and even outside invasion and you turn to be the person they are now afraid of. As a government we cannot just fold our arms”, he said.
One of the Victims disclosed that the accused, Chukwuma, had touched her inappropriately while they were in the school bus on an excursion to Kwali two weeks ago.
Another victim also claimed the accused had always singled her out to berate after she had indicated that she would not condone his inappropriate action.
Addressing the Permanent Secretary and management staff of the Universal Basic Education Board who accompanied the Permanent Secretary on the visit, the school’s Head Teacher, Abdulrazaq Suraju Ademola, explained that already, a committee had been set up to investigate the issue and the report had been forwarded to the Secretary of the Local
Education Authority for onward transmission to the FCT UBEB.
Also speaking, the Chairman, FCT UBEB, Dr Kabir Matazu, said that the directives of the Permanent Secretary were already being implemented.
He also said that a note of warning had been sounded to all school heads that such behaviour will not be condoned in FCT schools and they will henceforth be held liable if such incidences occurred.
Education
Eight Thousand bed LASU hostel ready for allocation – VC

The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, says a section of an 8,000-bed students hostel in the Ojo Campus of the university has been completed and ready for allocation.
Olatunji-Bello made this known at a news conference with student-journalists and influencers, to mark the second anniversary of her assumption of office as LASU vice-chancellor.
The event held on Wednesday in Lagos.
She said that students would start getting hostel spaces from the next academic session.
“LASU management expresses its commitment to addressing concerns raised by students.
“I approved the provision of free transportation for students commuting between LASU Iba Gate and Iyana-School, morning and evening, daily.
“This is a measure to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on the students,” she said.
The vice-chancellor said that she also approved extension of the second semester of the 2023/2024 academic session by two weeks.
“Examination will now commence mid of Nov. 2023,” Olatunji-Bello said.
She added that in response to overcrowding of classes, the institution had adopted hybrid (physical and online) mode of teaching for large classes.
“LASU is already making provision for facilities to support hybrid teaching.
“Also, work-study scheme is being implemented in the university; students can volunteer to work and get stipends at various centres in the university.
“There is a plan by the university to co-host the African Universities Games with the University of Lagos; the competition will come up later this year,” Olatunji-Bello said.
Education
Jigawa Presents Employment Letters to 1000 Teachers

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa has presented provisional employment letters to 1000 graduates under the state J-Teach Programme, where university graduates are recruited on temporary basis to teach in Secondary Schools in the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, Namadi charged the teachers to work hard in order to justify the confidence reposed on them.
He said the recruitment was aimed at addressing dearth of teachers in the state.
The governor told the beneficiaries that their absorption into the civil service would be based on their performances and dedication to duty.
Namadi said that the programme would serve as a training ground for teachers who would be absorbed into the civil service based on their commitment.
“The recruitment of the temporary J-Teach teachers is based on the need of teachers in secondary schools across the state.
“And your recruitment is done based on merit and needs, I can boldly say none of my members of the state executive council will say this is his sister or brother.
“As J-Teach teachers you will be evaluated and those of you who have performed well will be given permanent and pensionable appointments,” Namadi said.
The governor said the beneficiaries would be posted to serve in their respective communities. (NAN)
Education
NAUS Lauds Gov Sheriff Over Appointments Of Ex-students Leaders In Govt

The Comrade Marshall Uchenna Obaji led National Association of University Students (NAUS), has commended the Executive Governor of Delta State, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori over the recent appointment of notable ex-students leaders to head the Student Affairs Directorates of the Delta State Government for the present dispensation.
The NAUS National Leadership noted that the appointment of prominent student leaders who have served the students movement with positive impacts, is an indication of the willingness of the Delta State Government to work with the interests of students and Youths of the state.
The students body spoke through the Director of TETFund Projects and Special Duties, Comr.
Obichie Ogochukwu Favour in a statement released to the newsmen.Favour stated ” On behalf of the National President Comrade Marshall Obaji and executives of the National Association of University Students NAUS, I extend commendations to the Executive Governor of Delta State over the appointment of prominent student leaders as leaders of the Student Affairs Directorate in the State, as Executive Assistant, Senior Special Assistant and Special Assistants to the State Government.
“The National leadership of NAUS receives the appointment of Dr. Ezekiel Okoh, Comrade Obaro Egagifo, Comrade Umukoro Mario Puzo, I and Comrade Okocha Ike as student advisors to the Governor, with happiness and good assurances.
“These individuals while as students, led and served with credits the students movement.
From their past activities for students welfare and development, the National Secretariat of NAUS has strong confidence in their abilities to deliver dividends of democracy to Delta State Students.
“On this note, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori deserves commendation for his befitting choice and selections.
In the statement, the NAUS Director of Special Duties also urged the appointees “to be good ambassadors of the Students Movement and Comrade community, working to deliver the trust reposed in them by the Governor, and perfect the lives and welfare of Delta State Students and others schooling in the state.
Favour further charged the students in the state to be ready to work with the government of Delta state for their benefit and advancement.