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
Google to allow users sign in with selfie video
According to Google, the feature is designed to distinguish real users from cybercriminals attempting to use fake images or AI-generated videos to bypass security measures.
Google has introduced a new selfie video sign-in feature that allows users to access their accounts using facial verification.
The company announced on Thursday that the feature is designed to provide users with an alternative way to regain access to their accounts if they are locked out or unable to use their regular device, marking another step in the technology industry’s shift away from traditional passwords toward biometric authentication.
To activate the feature, users will record a short selfie video by following on-screen prompts that require simple head movements, such as turning left, turning right, or nodding. The video captures different angles of the user’s face and is securely saved to their account.
When users later need to verify their identity, they can record another selfie video. Google will compare the new recording with the original one created during setup to confirm the person’s identity before granting access.According to Google, the feature is designed to distinguish real users from cybercriminals attempting to use fake images or AI-generated videos to bypass security measures.
News
Tinubu approves expanding Nigerian Army to 12 new divisions
The establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to 12 divisions.
A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said that the approval underscores the president’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.
According to Onanuga, the expansion builds on the Administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation.
He explained that under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions, strategically positioned across the country .
“The establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide,” said the statement.
News
FAAN evacuate 68 Passengers as Enugu Air crash-lands in Benin Airport
The flight was said to have originated from Lagos to Benin and had reportedly been cleared to land but overshot the runway, apparently due to heavy rainfall.
Sixty-eight passengers narrowly escaped death when an Enugu Air aircraft crash-landed at the Benin Airport on Thursday.
The aircraft, with Registration Number 5N-ENR, reportedly had 68 passengers on board, apart from the crew members.
The aircraft was on an Enugu-Benin-Lagos commercial flight when the incident occurred.
The aircraft overshot the runway and entered the nearby bush.
Following this, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), immediately swung into action and all the passengers were evacuated. No casualty was recorded.
Further details of the crash emerged later, indicating that some of the passengers sustained injuries.
The flight was said to have originated from Lagos to Benin and had reportedly been cleared to land but overshot the runway, apparently due to heavy rainfall.
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