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Soludo approves payment of new minimum wage, declares total free education for all secondary school students in Anambra state

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Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has announced the new policy of free education for senior secondary students in all public schools in the state.

Governor Soludo gave the disclosure at Professor Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, Awka, while exchanging views with principals and head teachers in all public schools in the state.

This is in addition to the ongoing policy of free education for pupils from kindergarten to JSS 3.

The Governor equally directed that senior secondary students who have paid their school fees for the term should be refunded their monies.

“Yes! we now have a truly free education in Anambra.

“In all public schools, we should be able to guarantee that every child has access to free and qualitative education, especially to the poorest of the poor.

“For those who have collected, refund the school fees money back to the parents.

“We have posted over 2000 teachers to mission schools as a way of subsidizing education.

“There are no smart teachers without smart schools. We are gradually upscaling technology in our schools, with the current laying of over 2000 fibre optic cables.

“Because we declared truly free education from Nursery, primary and JSS three pupils and students, enrolment in public schools increased by 18 percent and out-of-school children dropped by 2 percent, making Anambra the number one state with the lowest percentage of out-of-school children.

“Human capital is our greatest asset. We are working to create a human capital that is productive at home and exportable abroad, leaving no one behind as true progressives.

“With this latest initiative, we will be putting thousands of money back to the pockets of ndị Anambra,” the Governor stressed.

According to Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to the Governor, in a statement Thursday, Soludo equally disclosed that there are about 77 communities in Anambra without public schools, pointing out that his administration is working to address the concern and provide options for ụmụ Anambra, assuring to continue to provide the resources for continuous learning by teachers.

“Securing our future is a collective effort. We must seize the opportunity now.

“It is the greatest investment we can make”; Governor Soludo added.

Governor Soludo also used the opportunity to announce that Anambra State government will begin payment of the 70,000 naira minimum wage from October, 2024, saying that in spite of the binding resource constraint, his administration will continue to work round the clock, to deliver on their mandate.

“We inherited arrears of pensions and gratuities. We will soon complete the payments.

“Anyone that retires under my watch usually get their entitlements after successful documentation.

“Though I have approval to borrow 100 billion naira since I came in, we haven’t borrowed. This is because we don’t want to encumber the future. I will borrow to build capacity for the future.

“Under my watch, we are going to maintain fiscal sustainability”.

The Governor enumerated the strides of his administration in all sectors of the state economy, including recruitment of 8115 teachers, recruitment of over 1000 doctors and health personnel, empowerment of 5000 youths with additional 8000 youths, for the “one youth, two skills” entrepreneurship scheme, rebranding of three general hospitals, building of five brand new general hospitals, renovation of primary healthcare centers, free antenatal care and delivery services for pregnant mothers, leading to near zero mortality, ongoing construction of the Solution Innovation District, palm and coconut seedlings’ revolution, updating of the STEM education, payment for funding of UBEC, among others.

Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, Commissioner for Local Government, Mr. Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, their Budget and Economic Planning counterpart, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, National President of Anambra Association of Town Unions, Barr. Titus Akpudo, Chairman of Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB Prof. Vera Nwadinobi and her Post Primary Schools Service Commission, PPSSC counterpart, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu attended the event.

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Generator fumes suspected for death of UNN students

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Strong indications has emerged that the use of a generator in a poorly ventilated environment may have caused the death of some students of the University of Nigeria, Nssuka.

The suspicion emerged after a survivor of the incident disclosed that a generator was operating outside the corridor of the apartment where they gathered, while the doors and windows remained shut.

According to the 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, about 10 people attended the party organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.

The gathering reportedly started around 11:30 a.m. at the host’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with participants sharing alcoholic drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting his experience, the survivor said he suddenly lost consciousness after helping one of the participants who had vomited and returning to clean the floor.

He disclosed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before eventually passing out. The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., only to discover that his friends were lying motionless on the floor.

“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that the host was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he recounted.

He said he subsequently contacted friends for assistance, before one of them eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.

The survivor further explained that the apartment was poorly ventilated, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was running outside in the corridor. A fan was also operating inside the room.

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Speed Darlington begs Burna Boy to drop case

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Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye popularly known as Speed Darlington, has apologised to Grammy-winning musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, asking him to withdraw the charges against him and promising to stop making comments about his sexuality.

Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, in which he expressed regret over the pain and embarrassment he might have caused the singer.

“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.

The singer admitted that he was wrong to assume that everyone had the same temperament, adding that he wanted an end to their disagreement.

“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.

He further pledged to refrain from making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality, making the withdrawal of the charges a condition for his promise.

“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality. “Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.

Speed Darlington also promised not to mention the singer’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.

“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.

 

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Why I left Peter Obi- Yinusa Tanko

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Yinusa Tanko, former national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, says he experienced a betrayal of trust and loyalty in Peter Obi’s camp, which led to his exit from the movement.

Tanko spoke on Thursday shortly after his unveiling as the coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign council.

Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.

He was later redeployed as Obi’s political adviser (north), a position he held until October 30, when he resigned.

However, Tanko said he never wanted to leave Obi’s camp, insisting that he was pushed out rather than choosing to exit the movement.

Tanko said although he appreciated the opportunity to serve Obi, he could not remain in a political group where his contributions were no longer valued.

“Well, you know, as you move along in politics, there may be a time when your group does not want you, does not need you or does not appreciate what you do,” he said.

“You don’t stay where you are being tolerated; you go where you are appreciated.

“As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate all the work I have done, and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity. But the only thing I have suffered in that particular movement is betrayal of trust and betrayal of loyalty.”

Tanko said he served the former Anambra governor with diligence, honesty and integrity, adding that he still held him in high regard despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.

“Everybody knows that I have served with diligence, determination, honesty and integrity. That was how I served Peter Obi, and I continue to respect him,” he said.

“But now, since they don’t want me, people who appreciate me have picked me from the dustbin and made me a bride.”

Asked whether Obi would be pleased to see him in another political party, Tanko said he could not determine what was on the former governor’s mind.

“You cannot say what is on his mind; only he can speak for himself,” he said.

He added that his new political associates had recognised his contributions to nation-building and offered him another opportunity to serve.

 

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