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UNESCO hails Otti’s education reforms, pledges support

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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has commended Abia State Governor Alex Otti for prioritising education and human capital development, describing the state’s reforms as a strong foundation for improving learning outcomes.

The UNESCO Head of Office and Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr Jean-Paul Ngome-Abiaga, gave the commendation during a visit by a UNESCO delegation to the governor in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, on Tuesday.

Ngome-Abiaga further commended Otti for the progress made in Abia State since 2023, particularly in infrastructure development, fiscal discipline, and education.

He noted that the reforms introduced by the Otti-led administration since assuming office were already yielding visible results.

Ngome-Abiaga lauded the state government for allocating 20 per cent of its budget to the education sector and disclosed that UNESCO has been working closely with the state government and its institutions, especially in the area of health education.

He said, “Our collaboration has resulted in the training of more than 1,000 teachers on health education, the engagement of over 700 community and religious leaders on HIV and health awareness, and the involvement of more than 300 schools under the Abia First Education Programme.

“And all this started when you launched the Abia First Education Programme. So we would like to thank you for that, and we would like to continue to support you in that very important agenda.”

Ngome-Abiaga urged the state government to further deepen collaboration with UNESCO, increase budgetary provisions for health education, and expand partnerships in areas within the organisation’s mandate.

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He added that UNESCO is ready to provide technical expertise and institutional support to the Abia State Government in designing and implementing programmes in education, health education, and other areas within its mandate.

“We are here in this country because our mandate focuses on education, science, culture, communication, and information, and we are here for you.

“We are here to assist you, to support your work, and we would like you to know that we are available any time you need such support.

“We would like to continue together and to support you. We will put all our technical expertise at your disposal in any area you need it,” he assured.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, highlighted the Africa Social Impact Summit, a platform convened with the United Nations system in Nigeria to accelerate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

She said the summit, launched in 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic, was designed to promote multi-sector partnerships among government, the private sector, and development organisations, adding that it has already helped unlock more than $100m in development financing.

Ibekwe also spoke about the Business Coalition for Education, launched in partnership with the Office of the Vice President to address the challenge of out-of-school children in Nigeria through private sector participation.

She invited Otti to participate in the summit scheduled for July 22–23 at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos and urged Abia State to join as a pioneer public sector partner in the coalition.

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In his remarks, Otti thanked the delegation for the visit and expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with UNESCO and other development partners.

“What you came with is a request that no one can say no to — partnership, support to reduce the number of out-of-school children, and a call for more investment in health education.

“Those are good, and they are imperative for a government that is serious,” the governor said.

He explained that the Abia State Government currently devotes 20 per cent of its budget to education and 15 per cent to health.

The governor recounted how his administration introduced free and compulsory education after discovering that school fees were a major factor keeping children out of school.

He said the policy led to a surge in school enrolment, prompting the government to recruit thousands of teachers and embark on massive school reconstruction, the introduction of smart schools, curriculum standardisation, and improved security for school facilities.

Otti assured the delegation that Abia State would continue to work closely with UNESCO and other partners to strengthen the education sector and reduce the number of out-of-school children.

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Education

FUOYE suspends two students over leaked private video of suspended ex-SUG president

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The management of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has suspended two students with immediate effect over allegations that they cyberbullied the institution’s suspended Students’ Union Government president, James Iyanuoluwa Adio.

This was contained in a statement published on the university’s official news portal on Friday, attributed to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Tajudeen Opoola, who is the Acting Vice-Chancellor.

The two students, identified as Alao Iyanuoluwa Odunayo and Olawale Abiodun Samuel, were accused of conspiring to cyberbully Adio “by posting his private affairs online for Adio’s inability to meet their financial demands.”

The management said it frowned at the duo’s involvement in what it described as conduct capable of denting the image of the university.

It added that investigations into the matter were ongoing, but ordered the two students to proceed on suspension immediately, stressing that the institution was determined to purge itself of any behaviour likely to tarnish its image.

Adio was suspended by the university last week alongside the Deputy Director, Students Affairs, over allegations bordering on extortion.

He was accused of being indirectly involved in the illegal collection of ₦1,000 from first-year students for practical sessions, with ₦700,000 said to have been traced to his personal account.

His suspension was followed by the circulation of an explicit video allegedly involving him, which trended widely on social media and drew the intervention of the National Association of Nigerian Students.

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JAMB releases 2026 UTME original result slips for printing

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates can now print their 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination original result slips within two hours of issuance.

This was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement issued by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin.

According to the statement, the original result slips contain candidates’ photographs, national ranking, and other security features required for post-UTME screening and admission processes in tertiary institutions.

“The 2026 UTME Original Result Slip will be available for printing within the next two hours today, Wednesday, 17th June, 2026,” the statement read.

It added, “The Original Result Slip contains the candidate’s photograph, national ranking, and other security features. It is part of the official document required for post-UTME processing and consideration by tertiary institutions.

“Candidates can conveniently print their Original Result Slip from any internet-enabled device, whether at home, in the office, or at accredited business centres.”

JAMB urged candidates to ensure they carefully review their details after printing and keep copies for future admission-related use.

The 2026 UTME main examinations took place in April 2026, with a mop-up examination held on June 13, 2026, for candidates affected by technical glitches or biometric issues during the primary exercise.

Results from the mop-up were released on Tuesday, June 16.

Printing of original result slips had been delayed earlier to allow completion of foreign-based examinations and the mop-up round.

On May 19, JAMB had urged patience as it wrapped up these processes.

The release of printable slips will enable candidates to proceed with applications to tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 admission cycle.

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Many schools have already begun or are about to commence post-UTME registrations.

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Education

Oyo NUT strike leaves pupils idle, parents raise concerns

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The indefinite strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State has continued to generate concern among parents and education stakeholders over its impact on pupils and students.

Some parents and teachers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Wednesday said the prolonged closure of public schools had left many children idle, exposed to negative influences and disrupted their academic activities.

NAN recalls that the Nigeria Union of Teachers directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike beginning on June 1.

This was in reaction to the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15.

A teacher, Mrs Yemisi Alao, lamented what she described as the nonchalant attitude of some parents towards the future of their children.

She said some parents leave their wards unattended while they go to work or attend to their businesses during the strike.

“Ignorance has led many parents to neglect their children’s future. They believe the government should do everything without them lifting a finger.

“The children are not well monitored, and some of those placed under apprenticeship are also not serious about learning the trade,” she said.

Alao described the situation as unfortunate, noting that the nation often reacts to challenges rather than taking proactive steps to address issues affecting children.

“As we pray and believe in God for the release of the abducted children, we should not forget to put measures in place to secure the future of every child,” she said.

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She added that the strike came at a critical period when pupils and students were about to commence continuous assessment exercises.

According to her, the eventual resumption of schools may lead to rushed academic activities in an attempt to cover the curriculum.

“This is a collective call to action. People should be interested in mentoring children around them and engaging them meaningfully with books, sports and other productive activities so that their minds will be occupied with positive ideas rather than fraudulent ones,” she said.

Also, a parent living in the Mokola area of Ibadan, Mr Godwin Obinna, said the strike had led to many children roaming the streets, while others engaged in hawking products for their parents.

“My children are already worried and keep asking whether there will be no schooling again.

“I keep reassuring them that the situation is temporary and things will get better.

“This whole situation is unfair,” he said.

Obinna urged the state government to intensify efforts toward resolving the issues that led to the strike while strengthening security measures in schools.

“The government should put adequate security measures in place in schools to prevent unauthorised access,” he said.

Another parent living in the Alaadorin area of Yemetu, Mrs Bolajoko Yusuf, said many children now spend their time playing football, singing and engaging in other leisure activities.

She said parents in her neighbourhood had adopted a community approach to child supervision during the strike.

“What we do in my neighbourhood is watch over the children and ensure they are safe because not all parents can stay at home.

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“Parents usually leave instructions for their wards before going to work to play safe and avoid fighting,” Yusuf said.

Another parent, Mrs Adeola Aina, a resident of the Nalende area of Ibadan, said she enrolled her wards in tailoring apprenticeships to keep them occupied and away from negative influences.

She, however, noted that younger children between the ages of three and seven, who were too young for apprenticeship programmes, were the worst affected by the school closure.

“They just play around while their parents leave them in the care of neighbours or sometimes alone,” she said.

Similarly, Mrs Tunrayo Adeyemo, who lives in the Total Garden area, said her children spent most of their day playing after completing household chores.

“We are not happy that our children are at home when they ought to be in school, but there is nothing we can do about it.

“We can only pray that the abducted children are released soon,” she said. (NAN)

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