Education

Panic at King’s College Lagos over diphtheria outbreak

Published

1 year ago

March 9, 2025

King’s College

Panic at King’s College Lagos over diphtheria outbreak

Parents of students at King’s College, Lagos (KCL), have expressed deep concern following reports of a suspected diphtheria outbreak that resulted in some students being hospitalized.

Speaking on Sunday, several parents attributed the situation to the school’s poor sanitation conditions, raising questions about the management’s handling of the incident.

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, criticized the school authorities for their lack of immediate action and limited communication about the outbreak.

The parent said, “If there are no cases, why are the students mandated to wear nose masks and some of them taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for treatment? There were cases late last year.

“We heard that officials of the World Health Organisation (WHO) were in the school yesterday (March 8), to sensitise the students on preventive measures against diphtheria disease. Why is the school secretive about the issue?

“Parents had complained several times about the poor environmental sanitation of the school and toilets, including food given to the students. Students even complain about some members of the food committee and what they do.

“A few weeks ago, some parents raised concerns that their children had fallen sick and were diagnosed with diphtheria at the hospital. Even, some PTA Exco don’t like parents to openly complain about such.
“Last week, the school sent a message to parents to sign a consent form that would enable their children to receive diphtheria vaccines in the school premises.”

A copy of the consent indicated that the routine immunisation was organized by the school in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board through Eti-Osa Local Government.

Another parent voiced frustration about the state of the school clinic, emphasizing the need for a regular medical doctor to ensure better healthcare services.

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Two parents confirmed that their children had been hospitalized in December with diphtheria.

“It was by GOD’S grace that my son survived. I was called to pick him up. He complained of sore throat. His neck was swollen and he had high fever. When we got to the hospital, he was on admission for over a week.

“In fact, there was another student who was hospitalised for same ailment the same time, but he didn’t pull through,” one of the parents said, calling for more stringent preventive measures and ongoing health education for students.

“These are still children, most of them restless and full of play. They need constant supervision especially in their toilet, washing and also eating and recreational habits.”

A relative of a student who was taken to LUTH on Saturday shared her distress:

“Let’s keep praying for the children. My sister is panicking and distraught especially since she heard a student died from the disease in December. I believe that all will be well.

“However, the Federal Government and schools management should look more into improving the standards of KCL and indeed all unity schools. The PTA should work to better the lot of schools and students and not cover up things that aren’t right. These schools are very good and should not be allowed to continuously fall below standards all round.”

In response, Mrs. Ngozi Ogbonna, Public Relations Officer of the King’s College Parents Teachers Association (KCPTA), urged parents to remain calm, assuring them that measures were being taken to contain the situation.

Ogbonna stated in a message titled, “Issue of Diphtheria Disease in Annex Campus, King’s College”:

“As part of their efforts, the management and PTA EXCO met and contacted the relevant government health agencies, who, in collaboration, advised that booster doses of vaccines should be administered to the students.

“However, some of the students who manifested symptoms have been isolated, taken to LUTH for diagnosis and results awaited. Other students who manifest symptoms subsequently would be taken to LUTH accordingly, and parents contacted for follow-up.

“Delegates of the World Health Organisation visited the Annex Campus this evening to play their own role in controlling the situation.

“On this note, we, therefore, implore parents to remain calm and prayerful as everything is under control. We shall overcome,” Ogbonna said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), diphtheria is a contagious disease caused by toxin-producing bacteria that spread through respiratory droplets. The disease can damage the respiratory tract and spread to other parts of the body, with symptoms including fever, sore throat, and swollen neck glands.

WHO emphasized that while diphtheria can affect anyone, unvaccinated children are most at risk. The agency also highlighted that overcrowded living conditions can increase the spread of infection, but early treatment significantly reduces the risk of severe complications or death.

Preventive measures include vaccination, with WHO recommending six doses of a diphtheria-containing vaccine from infancy through adolescence for long-term protection.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported that 41,336 suspected cases of diphtheria were recorded across 37 states between 2022 and early 2025, underscoring the ongoing public health challenge.

Parents are now calling for urgent improvements to infrastructure, water supply, and sanitation facilities at the college, alongside efforts to enhance teaching quality and staff attitudes to ensure the well-being of students in King’s College and other unity schools nationwide.

Panic at King’s College Lagos over diphtheria outbreak

Related Topics:diphtheria King’s College Lagos

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Law School Sanctions Best Ethics Student Over Attire in Circulated Photo

Published

7 hours ago

August 25, 2026

Trends Admin

Law School Sanctions Best Ethics Student Over Attire in Circulated Photo

The Council of Legal Education (CLE), governing body of the Nigerian Law School, has withdrawn the prize awarded to the institution’s best graduating student in professional ethics following the circulation of a photograph online that the council deemed inconsistent with professional standards and decorum.

The council announced its decision after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the award and the photograph involving the recipient. In a statement dated August 19, 2026, signed by Aderonke Osho, Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration, the CLE said the attire worn by the recipient in the photograph was considered inconsistent with the standards expected of legal professionals. The statement reads in part: “The council considered the circumstances surrounding the award of the prize for the best graduating student in professional ethics and approved the withdrawal of the prize from the recipient, arising from the circulation of a photograph online depicting the recipient in attire considered inconsistent with the professional standards and decorum.”

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Although the council did not officially disclose the name of the affected graduate or the specific graduating set, reports have identified the 2026 best graduating student in professional ethics as Ogechi Ifezie. Ifezie was among the students honoured during the 2026 Call to Bar ceremonies held from July 7 to 10 at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja. Records from the 2026 Nigerian Law School awards show that Ifezie, who studied at the Nigerian Law School‘s Lagos Campus after graduating from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was listed as the first-prize winner for Professional Ethics. The Ike Obiora Foundation, which supported her as a scholarship beneficiary, had previously described her as a first-class graduate and noted her achievement as the overall best student in Professional Ethics.

The 2026 Call to Bar ceremonies also recognised several other outstanding graduates across various law subjects. Israel Adeniyi emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student, while other course leaders included Ifeoluwa Ajaiyeoba for Civil Litigation, Timilehin Adebayo for Criminal Litigation, Emmanuel Oyelami for Corporate Law, and Francis Obiahu Alu for Property Law.

Beyond the withdrawal of the prize, the CLE also approved sanctions against two other students found culpable of indiscipline-related misconduct, though the details of these sanctions were not disclosed. The council reiterated its commitment to maintaining discipline, professionalism, and appropriate conduct among students of the Nigerian Law School. The council did not provide further details about the photograph, including where or when it was taken, beyond its reference to the image being circulated online. It also did not state whether the decision affects the recipient’s status as a newly qualified lawyer or any other awards received during the Call to Bar ceremonies. The council’s action underscores its role in upholding professional standards and signals that academic excellence is expected to be matched by conduct considered appropriate for members of the legal profession.

Law School Sanctions Best Ethics Student Over Attire in Circulated Photo

Education

FG releases 2026/2027 Unity Schools admission list for JSS1 candidates

Published

11 hours ago

August 25, 2026

Trends Admin

FG releases 2026/2027 Unity Schools admission list for JSS1 candidates

The Federal Government has released the 2026/2027 admission list for Federal Unity Colleges, with successful candidates offered admission into Junior Secondary School One (JSS1) across the country.

The admission list, approved by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, marks the commencement of the admission process for candidates seeking placement in the nation’s Federal Unity Colleges, popularly known as Unity Schools.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced the release in a statement issued by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.

The ministry said the development was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring a transparent, accessible and orderly admission process for prospective students.

Parents and guardians can now check the 2026/2027 Unity Schools admission status of their children and wards through the designated Federal Ministry of Education admission platform or the notice board of the relevant Federal Unity College.

Successful candidates are required to print their admission slips and proceed to the Federal Unity College indicated on the slip for confirmation and completion of the necessary admission formalities.

The ministry specifically directed parents and guardians to check admission status and print admission slips through the FME Posting Portal.

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Candidates and their parents or guardians should log into the portal with the required details, check the placement information and print the admission slip where admission has been offered.

Those who encounter difficulties accessing their admission information online may also check the notice board of the relevant Federal Unity College, according to the ministry.

The ministry urged parents and guardians to check the admission status promptly and ensure that successful candidates report to their assigned colleges as required.

The 2026/2027 Unity Schools admission exercise follows the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), which serves as the basis for admission into JSS1 in Federal Unity Colleges.

A total of 60,357 candidates registered for the 2026 NCEE, while 56,950 candidates sat for the examination. The remaining registered candidates were recorded as absent.

The number of candidates competing for admission highlights the demand for places in the Federal Unity Colleges, which provide secondary education to students from different parts of Nigeria.

The Unity Schools system includes federal government colleges, federal government girls’ colleges, federal science colleges and federal science and technical colleges located in various parts of the country.

Beyond providing access to secondary education, the Federal Unity Colleges are designed to promote national integration by bringing students from different states, regions and backgrounds together in a shared learning environment.

The Federal Government has continued efforts to improve the administration of the Unity Schools admission process, including the use of digital platforms to make placement and admission procedures more accessible to candidates and their families.

Minister of Education Tunji Alausa congratulated all successful candidates and their families on the admission offers.

He urged the newly admitted students to approach their secondary education with discipline, diligence and a strong commitment to academic excellence.

Parents and guardians were also encouraged to provide the necessary support as their children and wards prepare to begin studies at their respective Federal Unity Colleges.

Candidates offered admission should carefully check the college stated on their admission slips and comply with the reporting, documentation and other requirements communicated by the institution.

The release of the 2026/2027 Federal Unity Colleges admission list now allows successful JSS1 candidates to proceed with admission confirmation and other formalities ahead of the new academic session.

How to check the 2026/2027 Unity Schools admission status

Parents, guardians and candidates can check the Unity Schools admission list through the FME Posting Portal.

They should log into the platform using the required candidate details, check the admission status and placement, and print the admission slip if admission has been offered.

Successful candidates should then proceed to the Federal Unity College stated on their admission slips to complete the required admission formalities.

Parents and guardians are advised to rely on the information contained in the official admission slip and follow the instructions provided by the assigned college.

FG releases 2026/2027 Unity Schools admission list for JSS1 candidates

Education

JAMB Moves O’Level Upload Online, Ends CBT Centre Visits for 2026 UTME Candidates

Published

1 day ago

August 24, 2026

Trends Admin

JAMB Moves O’Level Upload Online, Ends CBT Centre Visits for 2026 UTME Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has introduced a home-based system allowing candidates to verify and upload their O’Level results directly from their homes, eliminating the need for physical visits to CBT centres.

NIGERIA – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced an online system allowing candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions through the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to verify and upload their O’Level results from home. The new service, initially covering results issued by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), is expected to reduce candidates’ dependence on Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres for O’Level result uploads, particularly during periods of high patronage. In a statement issued on Monday, August 24, 2026, JAMB’s Acting Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said the initiative was designed to make the Board’s services “easier, faster, safer and more convenient” for candidates. He explained that under the arrangement, JAMB’s e-Facility platform will integrate directly with examination bodies, allowing candidates’ results to be checked against official records held by the issuing bodies before being downloaded into their JAMB profiles.

According to JAMB, the system will address several challenges associated with the traditional manual upload process, including misplaced or mixed-up paper certificates, submission of unverified or fraudulent results, and errors in the manual entry of subjects and grades. The electronic process will reduce mistakes that can occur when candidates manually enter their subjects and grades, which could create complications during admission processing. The Board said the innovation forms part of its renewed customer-focused service delivery agenda under its sixth Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, with technology being deployed to reduce unnecessary physical visits, queues and paperwork. Prof. Aina, who recently unveiled a five-year reform agenda titled “JAMB 2031: Building Trust, Reducing Trauma,” has pledged to make the Board more transparent, technology-driven, and candidate-friendly.

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JAMB explained that the process involves two stages. The first stage requires candidates to visit the designated result verification portal at buyresultsverificationcode.ng and provide their National Identification Number (NIN), select the number of O’Level sittings (one or two), select the relevant examination body or bodies, provide their email address and GSM number, make payment through the available payment gateway using a debit card or bank transfer, and enter their examination number, examination series, and examination year. Upon successful verification, JAMB will issue a Verification Code. The second stage involves candidates sending “VERIFY” followed by their Verification Code to 55019 or 66019. The verified result will then be uploaded, and candidates will receive a notification confirming the submission.

For candidates with two O’Level sittings, they must log into their JAMB e-Facility dashboard and select “2026 UTME O’Level Upload”. After entering the Verification Code, the two verified results will be displayed, enabling candidates to select the required subjects. Candidates must select a minimum of five and a maximum of nine subjects, with no subject selected more than once, before clicking “Apply the O’Level Results”. A notification will be sent to candidates upon successful completion of the upload.

The new system is expected to provide relief for candidates who have previously had to visit CBT centres to complete O’Level result uploads, particularly during periods when the centres experience heavy patronage. JAMB said the online service would provide a useful alternative when candidates are confronted with long queues, network-related difficulties, and other challenges associated with physical visits to CBT centres. The Board said it would continue to strengthen collaboration with examination bodies and other government agencies while deploying technology to simplify its processes and improve the overall candidate experience. The latest innovation marks another step in JAMB’s digital transformation, moving a process that previously required physical intervention towards a technology-driven system that allows candidates to complete critical admission-related processes remotely.