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Fadirepo urge continuous support for private school operators by govt
The Federal and state governments have been urged to continue to support school operators in its commitment to the reduction in the population of out of school children.
The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) had conservatively put the population of out of school children in Nigeria at over 10 million.
Speaking at the 13th graduation and Prize Giving Ceremony of Diamonds Mine Nursery and Primary School, Ifako-Ijaiye, on Tuesday, a businessman Mr Olasoji Isaac Fadirepo, said the government needs to make the sector attractive to investors.
Fadirepo who was Chairman at the event said the federal government needs to continue to support private schools investors who are helping to bridge the gap and ensure more pupils are taken away from the streets and trained to become responsible citizens.
Fadirepo who commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to increase investment to the education sector by 50 percent, said government must continue to provide an enabling environment to the private investors in the sector for the nation to succeed in the quest to make education available to all.
Addressing the graduands, Fadirepo said the graduands should continue to be a good ambassador of the school wherever they found themselves.
He praised the parents for investing their time and resources on their children, urging them to continue to do more as the secondary level of education to which the pupils aspire is more intensive and would demand more from both parents and pupils.
He commended the school for the quality of academic excellence imparted on the pupils, adding that as a parent himself, he can attest to the quality of sound training and teaching by the school.
“I can say authoritatively that any discerning parent who desires the best for their children needs to come to Diamonds Mine School. Within the short time that I have brought my children here, I have seen the difference in their academic lives. The school is trying and the children are proof of what they are doing in the school.”
Earlier in her speech, the school Proprietress, Mrs Romoke Aderibigbe, said she is proud that all the graduating pupils can hold their own and compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.
She said just like their predecessors who from the reports from various schools where they continue to win accolades and top their classes, this set, who have been seasoned by the quality teachers, would continue to make the school proud.
She said during the session, the school competed in Mathematics competition as well as the Lagos State Spelling Bee competition where they were rated 13 overall best school in the state.
This is apart from the various extra curricular activities to which they belonged among them are the Indomitable Club by Indomie, the Little Champions Club by Milo drink and several others, adding that the school had been picked as a centre of excellence by Milo for teens champions club.
Mrs Aderibigbe commended all the parents whose commitment to their children in the payment of school fees and appropriate textbooks have continued to make the difference in the lives of their wards. She urged them not to relent in investing in their children in spite of the trying times as nothing invested in the children is wasted..
“I can only urge you to continue to be a good parent to these kids. Continue to show them you care. Continue to show them that you are interested in their future. Continue to put their needs above yours and continue to find a way of paying their school fees.”
Addressing the graduands, the Proprietress urged them to continue to be good ambassadors of the school. “I want you to know that as you have graduated from here, you have become a member of the alumni of this school. You should know that it is not time to relax in your academics as secondary school requires more and would tax you more. Continue to read your books because readers are leaders.
“Don’t join bad gangs. Don’t allow peer pressure to derail your glorious future. Continue to be good and dutiful children. Show more understanding to your parents. Be good, studious pupils and let us continue to hear good reports from.you and your school.”
Parents were entertained to various presentations by the graduating and other pupils ranging from Bata dance, South African Dance, Ape Dance from Ijebu and a dance drama titled Courage in tough times.
There were other presentations like radio news broadcast, kindergarten presentations and farewell presentations.
Highlights of the event were Prize Giving to selected pupils from kindergarten school and primary schools, as well as cash awards to the overall staff and two runners up.
Serial winner Mrs Temitope Amos, who again emerged winner went home with a commendation letter and N10,000 cash, while the first and second runners up, Mr Akeem Adetunji, (school driver) and Mrs Blessing Alaafia (cleaner), won N5,000 and N3,000 respectively..
…Edun, Dangiwa exit FEC
…Darma named Housing minister-designate
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle, effecting changes in the membership of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) with the exit of two ministers and the appointment of replacements.
The decision, conveyed in a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, directed the immediate redeployment of portfolios to strengthen governance delivery.
According to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the SGF on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Mr. Wale Edun has been relieved of his duties as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy under the reshuffle.
He is to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, who has now been elevated to the position from his previous role as Minister of State in the ministry.
Similarly, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, is to exit the cabinet, with the President naming Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma as ministerial nominee and minister-designate for the ministry.
The directive also mandates that Dangiwa hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry, pending Darma’s confirmation and assumption of office.
According to the memo, all handover and takeover processes are to be completed by close of business on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Explaining the rationale for the changes, Akume said the reshuffle was designed to “strengthen cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieve more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He added that the President exercised his constitutional powers under Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in effecting the changes.
The President expressed appreciation to the outgoing ministers for their service to the nation and wished them success in their future endeavours.
Akume further conveyed the President’s assurance to cabinet members that the process of reinvigorating the government would be continuous and in line with the administration’s policy objectives.
The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against six individuals, including two retired senior military officers and a serving police inspector, over an alleged plot to wage war against Nigeria and commit acts of terrorism.
The defendants—retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani—are scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Also listed in the charge, but said to be at large, is a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
The charge, filed on Monday by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), accuses the defendants of offences ranging from treason and terrorism to failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired in 2025 “to levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
The Federal Government further alleged that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to alert authorities.
According to the charge, the defendants, “knowing that a treasonable act was intended to be committed, did not give information thereof with all reasonable despatch to either the President… or a peace officer.”
They were also accused of failing to take preventive steps, as the charge stated that they “did not use any reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence.”
Beyond treason, the defendants are facing terrorism-related charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Prosecutors alleged that they “conspired with one another to commit an act of terrorism in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were specifically accused of attending meetings linked to the alleged plot, “in a bid to further a political ideology which may seriously destabilise the constitutional structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The charge also accused the defendants of providing support for terrorism, alleging that they “knowingly and indirectly rendered support” to facilitate acts of terror.
In addition, the prosecution alleged deliberate suppression of intelligence, stating that the defendants “had information which would be of material assistance in preventing the commission of the act of terrorism, but failed to disclose the information to the relevant agency as soon as practicable.”
On the financial aspect, several defendants were accused of handling funds linked to terrorism financing, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“indirectly retained the aggregate sum of N50,000,000, which forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: terrorism financing,” while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly retained N2m from a similar source.
Zekeri Umoru, according to the charge, “without going through a financial institution accepted a cash payment of the sum of N10,000,000,” and also retained an additional N8.8m suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing.
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim was also accused of taking possession of “the sum of N1,000,000, being part of proceeds of terrorism financing.”
The case is expected to test the Federal Government’s resolve to prosecute alleged threats to national security as proceedings commence before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In October 2025, the Federal Government announced the cancellation of a ceremonial parade earlier scheduled to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary on October 1.
Days after the announcement, reports emerged linking the cancellation to an alleged coup plot. However, the Defence Headquarters dismissed the claims, insisting that the decision had no connection with any coup attempt.
Later that month, on October 31, authorities confirmed that 16 military officers had been arrested in the first week of October over the alleged plot, while two others were declared at large.
In January 2026, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that there was indeed a plan to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, said investigations carried out in line with military procedures uncovered the involvement of some personnel in the alleged coup plot.
Uba added that those implicated would be arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels.
In March, family members of the detained officers appealed to President Tinubu to ensure that the suspects were tried in an open court.
At a press conference in Abuja, wives and relatives of the detained officers also demanded access to the accused, whom they described as alleged coup masterminds.
The agitation continued in April, as families of the detained officers staged a protest at the entrance of the National Assembly, calling for a speedy trial and improved access to their relatives in custody.
The All Progressives Congress has released its timetable for the 2027 general elections, fixing its presidential primary for May 15 to 16, 2026.
According to the schedule signed by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, on Monday, the party will begin the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms at its National Secretariat from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while submission of completed forms will close on May 4.
The APC pegged its presidential form at ₦100m, comprising ₦30m for expression of interest and ₦70m for nomination.
Governorship aspirants are to pay ₦50m, while Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly forms cost ₦20m, ₦10m and ₦6m respectively.
The timetable indicates that screening of aspirants will hold between May 6 and May 8, while screening results will be released on May 11, followed by appeals from May 12 to May 13.
Photo: X/@OfficialAPCNg
Presidential primaries are scheduled for May 15 and 16, while those for the House of Representatives, Senate, State House of Assembly and governorship will hold on May 18, May 20, May 21 and May 23, respectively.
The party also fixed May 25 for the conclusion of election appeals across all categories.
The schedule shows that all primary elections will be conducted within eight days.
The party, however, granted concessions to female aspirants, youths and persons living with disabilities, who are to pay for only the expression of interest forms and 50 per cent of the nomination fees.
The timetable stated that the schedule was in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines
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