General News
Senate Summons Education Minister over plot to implement new curriculum
By Our Correspondent
The Senate on Tuesday at plenary mandated its Committee on Basic and Secondary Education to summon the Minister of Education and heads of other relevant agencies over what it described as a sudden implementation of a new curriculum and registration guideline issued by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
This followed strong reservations expressed by Senators during debate on motion over the sudden implementation of the new curriculum and registration guideline issued by WAEC.
They warned that the move could cause widespread failure among students scheduled to sit for the 2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).
The motion, sponsored by Karimi Sunday-Steve, highlighted an abrupt and “ill-prepared” policy change by the Federal Ministry of Education and WAEC. He said while leading the debate, that the new guideline requires all SS3 students nationwide to adopt a new curriculum originally planned to take effect in two years’ time, for candidates currently in SS1 and billed to write WAEC in 2027–2028.
Karimi noted that the shift had led to the removal of subjects such as Computer Studies, Civic Education and other pre-existing courses from the WAEC syllabus for the May/June 2026 examination, despite students’ years of preparation, warning that most students would now be left with only six examinable subjects instead of the required minimum of eight and maximum of nine.
The Senate, he said, must act in line with Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which places the welfare of citizens at the centre of governance, and Section 18 which mandates government to ensure equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.
Contributing to the debate, Adams Oshiomhole, who seconded the motion, condemned what he called a “culture of anarchism” in policy implementation. He faulted the introduction of a new curriculum without adequate teachers, laboratories, equipment or proper notification to parents and schools.
“You cannot wake up overnight and say that in June students will be examined in a subject they have not been taught,” Oshiomhole said. “Intentions are not enough. Proper homework must be done.”
He urged the Senate to invite the Minister of Education and relevant agencies to provide evidence of preparedness before such a major policy shift is allowed.
Similarly, Idiat Oluranti Adebule supported the motion but noted that major educational decisions must pass through the National Council on Education involving all state commissioners. She called for a wider investigation into the entire proposed curriculum review.
Senator Solomon Adeola also backed the motion, observing that many of the newly introduced subjects including cosmetology, fashion design, garment making, livestock farming, GSM repairs and solar installation, were highly practical and required facilities most schools do not have.
After extensive deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled that the Minister of Education, heads of relevant education agencies, and the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education should meet to address the concerns raised.
Akpabio noted that the Senate had already adopted one of the prayers regarding exclusion of current SS3 students but agreed that full engagement with the ministry was necessary before any final directive.
“These are very weighty issues,” he said. “We cannot risk mass failure in the 2026 WAEC examinations. The relevant committees should invite the Minister immediately and report back within two weeks.”
The Senate insisted that the matter must be resolved before the end of the year to safeguard academic future of students nationwide.
General News
OBYC Worldwide fault Ineife led IYC over planned protest against Bayelsà Industrialist. ….urges IYC to respect for Court Process
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council (OBYC) Worldwide has condemned the planned protest over the legal dispute involving Azikel Group President, Dr. Azibapu Godbless Eruani, CFR, and Mr. Kariyai Daukoru, describing the action as unnecessary while the matter remains before a competent court.
OBYC, in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen, urged Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone Chairman, Comrade Peres Ineife, to suspend the proposed protest and allow the judicial process to run its course.
It also appealed to the newly elected IYC Worldwide President, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, to promote dialogue and reconciliation among the parties involved in the Aviation Training initiative.
OBYC maintained that Dr. Eruani’s aviation training initiative was a philanthropic programme designed to empower Bayelsa youths and rejected allegations that he intended to victimise anyone.
The Council further called on Ijaw youths, political leaders and stakeholders to exercise restraint, respect the rule of law, and avoid actions capable of undermining the judiciary or disrupting peace.
General News
OBYC Worldwide fault Ineife led IYC over planned protest against Bayelsà Industrialist. ….urges IYC to respect for Court Process The Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council (OBYC) Worldwide has condemned the planned protest over the legal dispute involving Azikel Group President, Dr. Azibapu Godbless Eruani, CFR, and Mr. Kariyai Daukoru, describing the action as unnecessary while the matter remains before a competent court. OBYC, in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen, urged Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone Chairman, Comrade Peres Ineife, to suspend the proposed protest and allow the judicial process to run its course. It also appealed to the newly elected IYC Worldwide President, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, to promote dialogue and reconciliation among the parties involved in the Aviation Training initiative. OBYC maintained that Dr. Eruani’s aviation training initiative was a philanthropic programme designed to empower Bayelsa youths and rejected allegations that he intended to victimise anyone. The Council further called on Ijaw youths, political leaders and stakeholders to exercise restraint, respect the rule of law, and avoid actions capable of undermining the judiciary or disrupting peace.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council (OBYC) Worldwide has condemned the planned protest over the legal dispute involving Azikel Group President, Dr. Azibapu Godbless Eruani, CFR, and Mr. Kariyai Daukoru, describing the action as unnecessary while the matter remains before a competent court.
OBYC, in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen, urged Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone Chairman, Comrade Peres Ineife, to suspend the proposed protest and allow the judicial process to run its course.
It also appealed to the newly elected IYC Worldwide President, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, to promote dialogue and reconciliation among the parties involved in the Aviation Training initiative.
OBYC maintained that Dr. Eruani’s aviation training initiative was a philanthropic programme designed to empower Bayelsa youths and rejected allegations that he intended to victimise anyone.
The Council further called on Ijaw youths, political leaders and stakeholders to exercise restraint, respect the rule of law, and avoid actions capable of undermining the judiciary or disrupting peace.
General News
Two Fishermen Feared Dead ln Bayelsa Ocean
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Two fishermen have been declared missing after their boat capsized off the coast of Opu-Okumbiri in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
It was gathered that the missing fishermen were identified as Elder Sunday Sample Timothy and his assistant, Mr. Avarada.
According to a source, Chief Saturday Akimi-Omunhuo, a community leader, the two men left for a fishing expedition at about 1:00 a.m. on Friday when the outboard engine of their fishing boat reportedly developed a fault while they were far out at sea.
Chief Akimi-Omunhuo said a rescue boat towed the disabled vessel toward the continental shelf and the Atlantic coastline. However, as they approached the shore, strong waves reportedly capsized the faulty boat, throwing the two fishermen into the water.
He narrated that the rescue boat and those aboard reached the shore safely, but the two fishermen have remained missing.
Community members were said to immediately launch a search operation along the coastline and surrounding waters. The search team later recovered the fishermen’s fishing gear, but there was no sign of the missing men as of the time of filing this report.
Chief Akimi-Omunhuo described the incident as tragic, noting that similar accidents have occurred over the years in the coastal communities.
He appealed to the Brass Local Government Council, the Bayelsa State Government, the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to provide improved safety equipment, weather monitoring systems and other support for fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on the sea.
“Our people depend on fishing for survival. We need better safety measures to reduce the loss of lives on our waterways,” he said.
Search efforts for the two missing fishermen were still ongoing at the time of this report.
Authorities were yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
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