News
FG sustains 18 years entry age for SSCE, UTME candidates
The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education has confirmed that the minimum age for candidates sitting for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination remains at 18 years.
The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, had in July stated that with effect from 2025, any candidate below the age of 18 will not be allowed to sit the SSSCE and without which such students cannot secure admission to higher institutions of learning.
The announcement generated heated debate among parents and education stakeholders.
Following this, the Committees on Basic Education and Examination Boards took this matter to the leadership of the House of Representatives.
The speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, promptly appointed the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvere, to moderate a meeting between the two committees and the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman.
“The meeting was held on Wednesday, September 4, and the minister attended together with the Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu, as well as the heads of basic education examination bodies.
The minister explained that the policy that relates to the 18 years age requirement for entry into the university is a policy that was developed before the adoption of the 6-3-3-4 system.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education, Mark Useni, gave reasons the Federal Government might not likely reverse the decision.
The minister explained that the policy that relates to the 18 years age requirement for entry into the university is a policy that was developed before the adoption of the 6-3-3-4 system.
He explained that the policy also has a root in the Universal Basic Education Act.
Useni, a member of the All Progressives Congress representing Takum/Donga/Ussa Federal Constituency, Taraba State, frowned on the situation where children not older than 12 “are being made to seek admission into universities.
“While the policy is meant to ensure that children pursue their education alongside their cognitive and physical development and maturity, the Ministry of Education should develop a framework for proper transition into a full policy implementation.
“The Ministry of Education must ensure that students who are already progressing in the senior classes in secondary schools are not left stranded after completion of that level of education.
“We mandated the minister and his team to work out ways of handling the policy based on data available to the ministry and ensure that the policy does not jeopardise public interest,” he added.
Earlier, Prof Tahir said the policy is not peculiar to Nigeria, while also making reference to military and paramilitary institutions which place the entry age at 18 years.
He also said that the voting age in Nigeria is pegged at 18 years.
News
I did not authorise manhandling of Obaseki, says Oba of Benin
The Benin monarch, who spoke in a statement signed by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, advised youth not to take the laws into their hands on any issue no matter the degree of provocation.
The Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has said that he never authorised the manhandling of a former Managing Director of Daar Communication, Dr. Pedro Obaseki.Oba Ewuare II said he remained a father of all.
The former Daar Communication boss was, last Sunday, abducted where he was playing football by suspected thugs.
He was beaten, stripped naked and paraded through the streets of Benin City on allegation of being an ‘Oghionba’ (enemy of the Oba).
Obaseki was taken to the Oba’s Palace from where he was taken to the police station.
He was beaten, stripped naked and paraded through the streets of Benin City on allegation of being an ‘Oghionba’ (enemy of the Oba).Obaseki was taken to the Oba’s Palace from where he was taken to the police station.
But the Benin monarch, who spoke in a statement signed by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, advised youth not to take the laws into their hands on any issue no matter the degree of provocation.
In the statement, “The Benin Traditional Council use this medium to inform the general public that the unfortunate incidence in which Pedro Obaseki was manhandled was not authorized by the Oba of Benin.
And it cannot be authorized because it is not in the character of our revered monarch to do so. The Oba of Benin is a peace-loving father to all.
“The Benin Traditional Council also wish to advice our youth not to take the laws into their hands on any issue no matter the degree of provocation.
They should always respect the laws of the land in all actions and utterances and allow appropriate Security Agencies handle all matters.
“Social media users should equally endeavour to cross-check information appropriately before posting.”
News
Police arrests Kidnappers in “Love Nwantiti” with victims
During their captivity, the women reportedly pretended to reciprocate the suspects’ affections to survive, even exchanging phone numbers.
Kaduna police have arrested two suspected kidnappers who allegedly developed romantic feelings for the women they abducted.
The suspects are accused of abducting and sexually assaulting two married women.
During their captivity, the women reportedly pretended to reciprocate the suspects’ affections to survive, even exchanging phone numbers.
Acting on intelligence, police intercepted and arrested the suspects at the meeting location on Tuesday.
After being released, the women continued communication with the suspects and arranged a meeting under the pretense of a romantic encounter.
News
BREAKING: Kebbi Rice Mill Collapse , one dead, 5 trapped
The Kebbi State Government has expressed deep sympathy to the management and staff of NIA-AGRI following the partial collapse of a section of its rice mill in the state capital.

Photo: Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, who led a high-powered delegation on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the facility…
A tragedy has struck in Kebbi State as a private Rice Milks Located in Birnin Kebbi metropolis has collapsed causing the death of a staff member while five other persons were trapped under the metal wreckage of the facility.
Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Umar Tafida has visited the site, where rescue efforts are still ongoing to save the five trapped victims.
The Kebbi State Government has expressed deep sympathy to the management and staff of NIA-AGRI following the partial collapse of a section of its rice mill in the state capital.
Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, who led a high-powered delegation on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the facility on Tuesday evening, said the visit was aimed at ascertaining the extent of the damage and overseeing the emergency response.
Tragically, the delegation was informed at the site by the Project Engineer that the incident had resulted in at least one fatality.
It was further reported that five other individuals remained trapped under the rubble as of the time of the visit, with intensive rescue operations ongoing.
A combined team of the State Fire Service and Government Emergency Response workers has been engaged in continuous efforts to locate and rescue the trapped workers.
The cause of the collapse is yet to be determined.
The Deputy Governor indicated that a full investigation would be launched once the rescue phase is concluded.
The Kebbi State Government has pledged to continue supporting the rescue operation until all affected individuals are accounted for.
-
News3 days agoIndustrialist Nuel Ojei, dies at 74, Governor Oborevwori mourns
-
Politics2 days agoWike tells Fubara “Supporting Tinubu won’t earn you return ticket as governor 2027”
-
Crime3 days agoJUST IN: DSS Arrests Gang Leader, Accomplice in 2023 Murder of Prof. Ekanem Philip Ephraim
-
Business2 days agoNigerians consume 1.236 million terabytes mobile data Nov’25– NCC
-
Politics2 days agoLagos APC to begin e-registration in 20 LGAs
-
News2 days agoOperation Awatse nabs six suspected drug dealers in Lagos
-
News2 days agoEx- AGF Malami ‘s court trial begins at FHC Abuja
-
International2 days agoChina to launch digital yuan” or “e-CNY” Jan 1
