20m out-of-school children ticking time bomb – Obasanjo – Newstrends
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20m out-of-school children ticking time bomb – Obasanjo

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Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has likened the almost 20 million out-of -school children in the country to a time bomb.

Obasanjo, who spoke at a National Tertiary Education Summit organised by the House of Representatives, as part of efforts towards addressing challenges in the educational sector, expressed dismay that the country was unable to key into the global education for all initiative, warning that if the children remain out of school, Nigeria would be building an army for insurgents in the near future.

The retired army general stated that the country must be mindful of its growing population, noting that there must be conscious efforts to address issues associated with the growing population.

“The issues to me are that we are cutting more than we can chew. Who is looking at our population ahead of time, five years from now and ten years from now? And what can we do about it? Apart from food which is very important, who are the people thinking about that and working forward on that.

“After food and after health, the next important aspect of our life is education. Now, if this is the position and these are rights that we must have, what do we do? We know that if we continue the way we are going, by the year 2030, 2040, 2050 what our population would be.

“We have to think about it and how we would sort it. And I believe that you asked where did we miss the road? We missed the road when the whole world was talking of education for all and we did not follow that. It was bad news. We today we have 20 million out-of-school children. Almost 10 percent of the population. We continue to miss and we are still missing. That is a very bad one. Can we do anything about it? I believe we can.

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“Those 20 million children that are out of school, we can get them back to school. If we do not get them back to school, we are preparing them for Boko Haram of tomorrow. It will happen as sure as daylight. What can we do? Where are these 20 million children? Where are they located? 

“Can we have schools in the morning and afternoon to get them in at least for six years? In the period of six years where this is happening, we would prepare for the transition from primary school to secondary school. And if we are able to do that, we have started the process of lifting education, an instrument of nation building.”

Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the summit with the theme: “Re-imagining tertiary education in Nigeria: Issues, challenges and solutions” was in line with the resolve of the ninth Assembly to reform public tertiary education.

He noted that for the country to attain its potentials, it must invest in human capital development.

“The nation’s greatest resource is not the oil that flows through our deltas nor the abundant minerals that lie underground in every corner of our country.  Our most incredible resource has always been the Nigerian people.  This immense collection of tongues and tribes bound together under one flag, striving through adversity and achieving despite every obstacle.  As we are gathered here this morning, our cause is more than to seek solutions to the challenges of tertiary education in Nigeria.  In fact, we are here today on a mission to save Nigeria.

“ We must provide the resources to modernise and improve our education infrastructure and provide the right training for young people from primary through tertiary education.  This goes to the heart of our survival as a nation and as a people.  I say that because I believe our country will not survive long if our children cease to believe their best dreams are possible here.

“Education is the silver bullet that eliminates poverty and lack; it presents hope and confidence and reduces violence and strife.  Education offers us the promise that by the application of our minds and the works of our hands, we can make this world better and improve the life of man on this earth.  Education is the gift that keeps on giving through generations. 

“A university degree, or tertiary qualification of some other kind, can be the catalyst that changes the trajectory of an entire family.  Evidence abounds of the transformations that can happen when ambition and diligence are amplified by access to quality education and training.”

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Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars

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Rivers State Police Commissioner, Olatunji Dosu

Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a fake Inspector who engages in armed robbery and car snatching, among other crimes. 

This was disclosed by the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Olatunji Dosu while parading the suspect among other suspected criminals on Wednesday.

According to the Dosu, Monday Igbali, the fake inspector, was a former sergeant who was dismissed after being charged in a kidnapping case in 2021.

He noted that three fancy cars were recovered from Igbali, who runs a gang of five criminals.

Dosu states, “The command commenced an investigation in response to a report filed on August 11, 2023, by one Fibika Kingsley that his Lexus EX330 had been stolen at gunpoint along Agip Road by five gunmen.’’

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“The investigations led to the arrest of one Monday Igbali, aged 43, a native of Okwuzi in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State.

“He is a former police sergeant who was dismissed after being indicted in a kidnapping case in 2021.

“Since his dismissal, he has continued to parade himself as a police officer, even claiming to be an Inspector of Police, a rank he did not attain before his dismissal.

“He works with a gang of five, with four gang members still at large.

“He has robbed a total of nine cars and sold them for between N1.3m and N2.5m each. He was arrested on March 8, 2024, at his home in Chokocho, Etche, after the police conducted due surveillance following investigations.

“We have recovered three cars from him: a Lexus 330, a Lexus IS250, and a Toyota Highlander.”

Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars

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Breaking: Military releases FirstNews editor, Segun Olatunji

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Breaking: Military releases FirstNews editor, Segun Olatunji

The military has finally released Segun Olatunji, editor of FirstNews, who has been in their custody since March 15.

Olatunji was released on Thursday to Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) General Secretary Iyobosa Uwugiaren and The Nation Deputy Editor Yomi Odunuga under a bridge in Asokoro, Abuja.

It was also learnt that the documents for his release were signed inside a security vehicle with heavily armed operatives.

The security agents were said to be masked and the number plates of their vehicles covered up.

The editor was abducted by armed men in his home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos, on March 15.

His family members were kept in the dark on his whereabouts and why he was arrested.

Several groups, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors, almost daily mounted pressure on the government for Olatunji’s release.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute said the journalist was in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

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BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists

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BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists

A Federal High Court in Borno State has ordered the release of at least 313 suspected terrorists detained by the military.

The court ordered their release due to a lack of evidence to charge the suspects after the investigation.

Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, the Director of Defence Media Operations, announced this during the operational briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

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He said, “The court ordered the release for want of evidence after the conclusion of investigation and other ancillary matters.

“Accordingly, they would be handed over to the Borno State Government for further action.”

BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists

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