Connect with us


BIG STORY

Oromoni: Dowen College To Remain Shut As Other Lagos Schools Resume Tuesday

Published

on

As public and private primary and secondary schools in Lagos prepare to resume for the commencement of the second term on Tuesday, authorities in the state have said the embattled Dowen College, a secondary school located in Lekki, will not be reopening.

The government said until investigations into the unfortunate incident of the death of one of its junior secondary school two students, Sylvester Oromoni Junior, who was reportedly beaten and forced to drink a poisonous substance allegedly by some bullying seniors, reach a logical conclusion, the school shall not be permitted to resume.

This is as the government has advised school administrators to step up school safety measures and reduce unfavorable safety incidences across schools and their neighbourhood.

On resumption

Speaking exclusively with Premium Times reporter on Monday, an assistant director in charge of the public affairs unit, ministry of education, Ganiu Lawal, said very soon the school will also join others to resume but “not until ongoing investigations into the unfortunate incident reach an advanced stage.”

According to Mr Lawal, since the matter is not strictly a state matter and with the involvement of the police and other parties, “it would be ideal for all “ts” to be crossed and “is” to be dotted.

“But I can assure you that very soon the issue will be resolved, but they are not resuming tomorrow,” Mr Lawal said.

On safety measures

Speaking via a press statement issued on Monday and signed by Mr Lawal, the state’s commissioner for education, Folasade Adefisayo, said bullying, cultism, and other vices will not be tolerated in any part of the school.

The caution was coming some weeks after the death of Master Oromoni.

Admonishing school administrators to increase counseling of students against these vices, the commissioner welcomed students, teachers, and school administrators to the beginning of a new year and second term of the 2021/2022 school session.

She directed school administrators to ensure exposure of students to danger within the school premises is neutralized while identified possible dangers outside the walls of the schools are escalated to appropriate state safety and enforcement agencies through prescribed channels.

“Devise appropriate strategies to advance teacher, student interaction in order to gain insight and expose negative tendencies before they metamorphose into unfortunate situations. Adequate monitoring, especially as it affects boarding school students should be enforced to prevent the incidence of bullying and all other vices,” the commissioner advised.

The commissioner noted that all public and private schools in the state are expected to resume for the 2nd term of 2021/2022 school session on Tuesday 4th January 2022 while students in boarding schools are expected back in the hostel by Monday, 3rd January 2022.

BIG STORY

Donald Trump Threatens Additional 10% Tariffs On BRICS, Partner Countries

Published

on

United States President Donald Trump has declared that countries aligning with the “Anti-American policies of BRICS” will face an extra 10 percent tariff.

“There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump stated in a Truth Social post.

His statement comes as the US begins formally notifying affected countries of the tariffs announced earlier this year, with letters and deals scheduled to roll out on Monday.

Trump has consistently criticised BRICS, an economic bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The group was initially formed to strengthen the international positions of its members and counterbalance the US and western Europe.

The bloc later expanded to welcome Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2024, with Indonesia becoming the first Southeast Asian member the following year.

In January, Nigeria joined Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan as BRICS’ ninth partner country after the creation of the partner-country category at the 16th BRICS Summit in 2024.

Nigeria has continued to pursue full membership.

Since assuming office in January, Trump has rolled out a series of import tariffs on goods from other nations, including a 14 percent tariff on Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Brazil reported that BRICS foreign ministers had expressed “serious concern at the prospect of a fragmented global economy and the weakening of multilateralism” during a meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil’s statement was not a joint declaration by the bloc, as divisions among its members have grown.

The statement also did not specifically mention the United States, whose unilateral tariffs have triggered worries over a potential global economic slowdown.

When the tariffs were initially introduced, Trump encouraged affected countries to strike deals with the US in hopes of gaining concessions.

As the tariff letters are sent out on Monday, the US president told global counterparts to “take it or leave it”.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Aare Bisoye Fagade Pays Tribute To Late Olubadan

Published

on

With deep sorrow and solemn reverence, I, Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, the Aare Asojuoba of Ibadanland, join the Olubadan-in-Council, the people of Ibadanland, and the entire Yoruba nation in mourning the passing of our highly esteemed monarch, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Kabiyesi answered the call of his ancestors barely a year after ascending the revered throne, leaving behind a legacy of peace, quiet strength, and decades of meritorious service to our traditional system. His reign, though short, was a symbol of continuity, tradition, and grace. He brought calm to the kingdom and bore the crown with dignity, humility, and honour.

This loss is also personal to me. Nearly twenty years after the passing of my late father, Elder David Oladokun Fagade, who shared a deep and brotherly bond with Kabiyesi, I find myself once again reflecting on the values they both upheld: integrity, loyalty to Ibadan, and unshakable devotion to the Yoruba heritage. The Olubadan was not only a king; he was family, a father figure, and a respected elder whose counsel and presence meant so much to many of us.

As we mourn his passing, we also look to the future with hope and trust in the well-structured traditional succession system that has long been the pride of Ibadan. In accordance with custom and seniority, the next Olubadan is expected to emerge from the Balogun line, with Oba Rashidi Ladoja, former governor and a respected High Chief, as the most senior in line. We await the formal processes and pronouncements of the Olubadan-in-Council.

May the soul of His Imperial Majesty find eternal rest among the ancestors, and may Ibadanland continue to flourish under divine guidance and cultural unity.

O digba, Kabiyesi. Ibadanland salutes you.

Signed,
Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade fimc
Aare Asojuoba of Ibadanland
7th July 2025

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

President Tinubu Demands Equity For Developing Nations At 17th BRICS Meeting

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu says there must be equity and inclusion for low-income and emerging economies in global systems. Tinubu explained that these measures should extend across governance, finance, healthcare, and climate change issues.

The president made these remarks at the 17th BRICS meeting on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Nigeria became a partner country to the bloc in January.

According to a statement on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Tinubu highlighted that environmental degradation, the climate crisis, and healthcare inequalities deserve more focus, as they slow development and growth.

“Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” he added.

Tinubu emphasized the importance of a new path of justice, anchored on fairness, sustainable technology transfer, and accessible financing, to help emerging economies fully benefit from various initiatives.

“The African continent is creating the path through the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall. We believe that COP-30 will strengthen our resolve to adopt a strategic approach to achieving a healthy global environment,” the president said.

“Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We can, therefore, not be passive participants in global decision-making on financial restructuring, debt forgiveness, climate change, environmental issues, and healthcare.

“We must be the architects of a future that addresses the specific needs and concerns of youths, who represent 70 per cent of our population in Nigeria. Therefore, Nigeria remains guided by our long-term vision, 2050, and nationally determined contribution.

“We are taking bold steps to accelerate renewable energy adoption, mainstream climate action, promote nature-based solutions, strengthen urban resilience, champion South-South cooperation, align with the global renewal framework and achieve universal health coverage for all.

“As we approach COP-30 and look to strengthen the global health system, we believe the BRICS must not only be a bloc for emerging economies but also a beacon for emerging solutions and resolutions rooted in solidarity, self-reliance, sustainability, and shared prosperity of a common future.”

Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strategic collaboration that results in sustainable and inclusive development.

Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, and Wale Edun, minister of finance, accompanied the president to the summit.

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular