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The Imo State Government said it had started investigation into the death of Queendaline Ekezie, a 15 year old pupil of Army Day Secondary School, Obinze , Owerri , who collapsed and died during an intense punishment by soldiers in the school. The state Commissioner for Education, Gertrud Oduka, on Thursday said government officials were in touch with the deceased ’s family, adding that due diligence would be done in the case .

She noted that the state would not issue a statement until investigations were concluded. She said, “We don ’ t want to issue a statement in a hurry . We have launched an investigation to ascertain the actual cause of the death of the pupil . Some senior officers of the ministry are in the girl ’s village . The matter is a sensitive one and we are being careful .”

Punch had reported that Queendaline, a Junior Secondary School 3 pupil, and her colleague, Delight Aguocha, had got to school late on Thursday, February 15, 2018. They were said to have met two soldiers on the school premises, who insisted that they frogmarched as punishment for the lateness. The soldiers reportedly asked them to repeat the punishment three times , as the victim collapsed and was rushed to an army hospital where she died.

Punch correspondent reported that the victim’s father, Hyginus, passed out on hearing the news. He was reportedly taken to a hospital in the community for treatment. Hyginus, who had returned to his house in Umuoso, in the Ohaji /Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State on Thursday , said there had been pressures on his family to let go of the case.

The victim’s father, who spoke in Igbo, told Punch during a visit to the house that his relatives asked him to forgive the soldiers who allegedly killed his daughter. While noting that he wanted a peaceful resolution of the matter, he said no date had been fixed for Queendaline ’s burial. Meanwhile, some Nigerians, who read the report on Online and other social media platforms, expressed anger at the incident, saying the soldiers should be brought to book.

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President Tinubu Orders Reintroduction Of History In Basic School Curriculum

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Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, says President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that “history” should and will be reintroduced as a subject in Nigeria’s basic schools.

“History,” reports indicate, was removed from Nigeria’s basic school curriculum in 2007, eliciting sharp criticism that spanned years.

In many cases from then on, historical topics were taught with little depth as part of “social studies.”

In 2018, the federal government ordered the nationwide re-introduction of “history” as an independent subject in the curriculum of primary and junior secondary schools in the country.

Adamu Adamu, the then minister of education, had stated that the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) would need to first carry out a disarticulation of “history” from the social studies curriculum.

He said a curriculum would be designed with topics to help students appreciate “history” as a national integration and nation-building tool.

The ex-minister said a total of 3,700 “history” teachers were shortlisted for the first round of training to enhance the teaching of “history.”

Education ministries at the state level, including those of Lagos and Taraba, have since been moving to implement the federal policy.

Tunji Alausa spoke on a Tuesday Channels TV show where he expressed concern that Nigeria’s youth are disconnected from its “history.”

“Let me go to basic education, the curriculum is good. What has been missing in the past is Nigerian “history.” We now have people of 30 years disconnected from our “history.” It doesn’t happen in any part of the world,” the minister said.

“President Bola Tinubu has mandated that we put that back in our curriculum and that is back. From 2025 our students in primary and secondary schools will have that as part of their studies.”

While validating the federal policy of re-introducing “history” as a basic school subject, the former minister Adamu Adamu argued that its absence had led to declining morals, erosion of civic values, and a disconnection of the citizenry from the country’s past.

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2025: President Tinubu’s Reforms Will Unlock Nigeria’s Potentials — First Lady To Nigerians

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The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed optimism about the nation’s future, describing 2025 as a year of “prosperity and abundance.”

In a New Year message to Nigerians posted on X on Wednesday, she called for unity and renewed efforts toward building a thriving nation.

Tinubu emphasised the need for collective investment in rebuilding societal bonds and fostering inclusivity across all regions and demographics.

She urged Nigerians to rise above divisions and work toward mutual respect and understanding.

“As we journey through 2025, let us rise above our differences and rebuild the bridges that connect us—bridges of love, respect, and understanding.”

“It is a year to invest in one another; to nurture our youth and protect the dignity of our elders; to create a country where every Nigerian can thrive, regardless of where they are born, what they believe, or what language they speak,” she said.

The First Lady highlighted the administration’s commitment to ongoing economic reforms aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s vast potential under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

She stated, “I assure you all that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is truly committed to and is already undertaking deepening reforms that will unlock our nation’s economic potentials.”

Senator Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to stand together and support one another, pledging that the government remains steadfast in its vision for a prosperous nation.

“Together, we can build the Nigeria we all desire. Together, we will. Happy New Year, Nigeria,” she added.

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Federal Government To Establish Credit Guarantee Company, Targets 15% Inflation In 2025

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President Bola Tinubu says his administration will establish a National Credit Guarantee Company before the end of the second quarter (Q2) of 2025.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday during his New Year speech.

The president said his administration would consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.

“In 2025, our government is committed to intensifying efforts to lower these costs by boosting “food production” and promoting local manufacturing of essential “drugs” and other “medical supplies,” he said.

“We are resolute in our ambition to reduce inflation from its current high of 34.6% to 15%. With diligent work and God’s help, we will achieve this goal and provide relief to all our people.

“In this new year, my administration will further consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.

“To achieve this, the federal government will establish the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises.

“The company—expected to start operations before the end of the second quarter—is a partnership of government institutions, such as the Bank of Industry, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, the private sector, and multilateral institutions.”

Tinubu said the initiative would strengthen the confidence of the financial system, expand credit access, and support underserved groups such as “women” and “youth.”

The president also said the company would drive growth, reindustrialisation, and better living standards for Nigerians.

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