The Anambra State Government has suspended nine headteachers and principals for two weeks over low attendance of pupils and students in their schools on Mondays.

Dr Vera Nwadinobi, Chairperson, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), said the suspension followed findings from a state-wide monitoring exercise.

Nwadinobi said the exercise assessed compliance with a government directive abolishing school closures linked to the Monday sit-at-home order.

She said the directive was issued through an Executive Order announced during the State Executive Council retreat held on Jan. 21.

According to her, the government had warned that teachers and non-teaching staff who fail to comply with the directive risk sanctions, including salary deductions or forfeiture.

The affected schools include Union Primary School and Walter Eze Secondary School, both in Ukpo; Aguoji Primary School and Hilltop Primary School in Ifitedunu; and Chukwurah Primary School, Abatete.

Others are Uzubi Primary School and Union Primary School in Eziowelle; Umunebo Primary School, Nteje and Central School, Atani, all government-owned institutions across different local government areas of the state.

Nwadinobi, who led the monitoring team, expressed disappointment over the continued low turnout of pupils and students in spite of government directives.

She said the exercise was part of efforts to ensure strict compliance with the Executive Order restoring normal academic activities on Mondays.

“The government approved the immediate suspension of the affected school heads for an initial period of two weeks.

“They were also directed to hand over duties to the next most senior officers to ensure continuity of administrative and academic activities,” she said.

Nwadinobi described the action as a demonstration of the government’s zero tolerance for negligence and warned that future infractions could attract stiffer sanctions, including dismissal from service.

She said findings from the monitoring exercise showed widespread absenteeism among pupils and students, even though some teachers were present in several schools visited.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The management of CRC Credit Bureau during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Insurance, Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, is seeking partnership with the agency.

During the strategic meeting with NAICOM, CRC Credit’s Managing Director/CEO Dr.

Tunde Popoola expressed interest in partnering with the Commission to integrate insurance sector data into national credit reporting systems, driving digital adoption, reducing fraud, and enhancing underwriting and claims management in Nigeria’s insurance industry.

The Commissioner for Insurance, in response, expressed the Commission’s strong interest to collaborate with the CRC to leverage its data and analytics for regulatory oversight, KYC, fraud detection and industry capacity building.

Both parties agreed to pursue concrete steps including product demonstrations and analytics showcases; develop a proposal for an insurance-sector database and integration framework; deliver capacity-building/training sessions, a proposal for a dedicated insurance-sector database, and closer operational collaboration.

Integrating insurance data can boost the sector in several ways: More accurate underwriting and risk-based pricing, Speedier, more accurate claims processing and fraud prevention, Detecting and monitoring fraudulent activities, including multiple claims, Enhanced KYC and customer verification leveraging CRC’s datasets and Support for digital insurance products and financial inclusion through automated deaccessioning.

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Benue Chapter, has appointed the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, as Grand Patron of the association.

NVMA Chairman, Benue chapter, Dr. Andrew Amine formally announced the appointment during an appreciation and courtesy visit on the traditional ruler by the NVMA leadership on Tuesday in Gboko.

Amine said that the appointment was in recognition of Ayatse’s enduring contributions to the growth of veterinary education and professional practice in the state.

The chairman added that the decision to appoint Ayatse as grand patron was largely informed by his pivotal role in the establishment of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, during his tenure as vice chancellor.

He noted that the Tor Tiv had consistently used his influence and voice to promote the profession and advance public interest in animal health and food safety.

He further congratulated Ayatse on the successful resurrection and hosting of Tiv Day and for being a strong voice for the Tiv nation.

Amine prayed to God to grant him wisdom throughout your reign.

The chairman expressed the association’s desire to build a strong working relationship with the Tor Tiv that would benefit Benue and Nigeria at large.

He described the visit as a potential turning point for the association.

Amine recalled the Tor Tiv’s support during the association’s bid to host a national veterinary event in Jalingo in the year 2025 and emphasised that his interview and moral weight gave them a huge edge.

The chairman explained that Benue narrowly lost the hosting right to Akwa Ibom due to stronger financial backing.

“We remain hopeful that with government support this year, Benue will secure the hosting right, which comes with significant economic benefits,” he said.

He also outlined key challenges confronting the veterinary profession in the state, including unemployment, lack of mobility, and the absence of a permanent secretariat.

Amine disclosed that fewer than 200 veterinarians were currently practising across the state.

The chairman stated that many of them were unemployed, and appealed to the Tor Tiv to advocate for the engagement of at least one veterinarian in each of the state’s 23 local government councils.

He further said that the association’s outreach activities had been constrained by transportation challenges and revealed that the NVMA currently operates from a rented apartment.

Amine expressed the need for a permanent secretariat to enhance administrative efficiency.

In his response, the Tor Tiv warmly accepted the role of grand patron and pledged unwavering support for the association.

Ayatse assured the veterinarians that they could count on him at all times, promising to do whatever was necessary to move the association forward.