News
Stakeholders push for passage of Safe School Declaration Bill

Stakeholders push for passage of Safe School Declaration Bill
Sanyaolu, Idris charge journalists on safety amplification
The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), newspaper editors and stakeholders in the newsroom have called on the National Assembly to pass the Safe School Declaration Bill into law and follow up with its implementation.
They also called on state governments to implement it and make it a working document.
They gave the charge in Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend, during a high-level roundtable meeting for media executives on advocacy for safe and secured schools in Nigeria, organised by WARDC, in continuation of its advocacy for safe school in the country.
Head of Programme, WARDC, Emmanuella Azu, said the group brought together stakeholders in the newsroom to get them into full conversation on school safety and what to do next.
She said that WARDC believes that the media could amplify the conversation, hold the government accountable and push the relevant authorities to take necessary actions.
“The National Assembly does not see education as a national issue because if they understand the impact of education and how it impacts development and growth in the country and how safe school could impact the development of Nigeria, it will take it more seriously,” she added.
News
Metro
Politics
Sports
Business
Health
Life
Tech
Videos
Opinion
Stakeholders push for passage of Safe School Declaration Bill
By : Eniola Daniel
Date: 28 Apr 2025
Share :
IMG-20250426-WA0021
PHOTO: NAN
Sanyaolu, Idris charge journalists on safety amplification
The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), newspaper editors and stakeholders in the newsroom have called on the National Assembly to pass the Safe School Declaration Bill into law and follow up with its implementation.
They also called on state governments to implement it and make it a working document.
They gave the charge in Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend, during a high-level roundtable meeting for media executives on advocacy for safe and secured schools in Nigeria, organised by WARDC, in continuation of its advocacy for safe school in the country.
Head of Programme, WARDC, Emmanuella Azu, said the group brought together stakeholders in the newsroom to get them into full conversation on school safety and what to do next.
She said that WARDC believes that the media could amplify the conversation, hold the government accountable and push the relevant authorities to take necessary actions.
“The National Assembly does not see education as a national issue because if they understand the impact of education and how it impacts development and growth in the country and how safe school could impact the development of Nigeria, it will take it more seriously,” she added.
Related News
Lean hope for gender bills three years after
With campaign advocates tackle maternal mortality
WARDC tells govt to priortise protection of women, girls
On his part, Editorial Page Editor of The Guardian, Kunle Sanyaolu, said that the duty of the newsroom does not end with reporting, but also analysing news, writing editorials and taking a position, as well as publishing informed and analytical articles by stakeholders.
“These can go a long way to guide governments and complement the efforts to secure schools. Very importantly, the newsroom should put pressure on the government to implement the laws that it enacted on terrorism and other crimes causing insecurity in schools. The failure of governments at various levels to abide by their own rules is a major reason for the new perpetual festering of factors responsible for insecurity in schools.”
Also speaking, Acting Editor-in-Chief of Daily Trust Newspapers, Hamzat Idris, lamented that most newsrooms are lagging in bringing out the existential problems around safety and security in schools.
“Education is the future of Nigeria; it remains the future of humanity. If we don’t have schools that are secured, we are doomed.”
Idris, who is also the Chairman, Editorial Board of the newspaper, added: “Where is the missing link? As a reporter and an editor, I think the missing link is that we are yet to get it right in our newsrooms. Most education pages in our newspapers are placed from Page 30 while politics stories take the front page. Some of us only carry report on education once in a week. So, we are also culprits. Reporters, editors and other stakeholders in newsrooms should get involved in safety of schools.”
News
200 Beneficiaries Receive NDDC Foreign Post Graduate Scholarship

200 Beneficiaries Receive NDDC Foreign Post Graduate Scholarship
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has awarded Foreign Post Graduate Scholarships to 200 successful candidates for its 2025 scholarship programme.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, observed that the 200 beneficiaries underwent a qualification process that was free from political interferences or external influences.
He stated: “The panel, which was constituted to carry out this qualification process, worked hard to produce the best candidates. I want to commend the panellists for doing a great job. They raised the bar, leading to the best results”
Ogbuku announced that last year, one of the beneficiaries of the NDDC foreign scholarship programme produced the best results, which is an indication of quality in the selection process.
He added that, barring unforeseen circumstances, the Commission would consider resuming the award of scholarships for doctoral studies given the brilliant performance of the past beneficiaries.
He further described the programme as one of the NDDC’s obligations aimed at improving the successes of the Commission and exposing the people of the region to the experience and development of other civilisations.
He admonished the beneficiaries to refrain from criminality and any other act that could tarnish the image of the Commission and the country as a whole.
The programme consultant, Chief Godson Idozo, in his remarks, hinted that 30,000 persons applied for the programme, and 6,000 were shortlisted for the aptitude test. At the same time, 200 applicants hit the foreign scholarship award merit lists.
The NDDC Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Dr George Uzonwanne, congratulated the beneficiaries for passing through the various stages of the examination process, while urging them to remain focused and determined in their academic pursuits.
The Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, and the Managing Director took turns to present award letters to the successful candidates.
Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs
June 19, 2025
News
Ogun College Of Nursing Begins Sale Of 2025 Post-UTME Forms, Application Period Runs From June 16 To July 25

Ogun College Of Nursing Begins Sale Of 2025 Post-UTME Forms, Application Period Runs From June 16 To July 25
The Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences has commenced the sale of application forms for the 2025 Post-UTME Computer-Based Screening into the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to a release signed by the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, the application window opened on Monday, June 16 and will close on Friday, July 25, 2025.
The statement outlines that prospective candidates must be at least 16 years old by August 6, 2025, and must have selected Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, or Ilaro campus of the College as their first choice during JAMB and Post-UTME registration.
Alternatively, candidates must effect a change of institution before the screening date. A minimum JAMB score of 180 is also required for eligibility.
In addition, applicants must possess a WASSCE, NECO, or GCE result with at least five credits in no more than two sittings. The compulsory subjects include English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
The application fee is Twenty Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira (₦20,700) and must be paid online via the College’s official application portal at apply.ogcon.edu.ng.
The release also strongly cautioned prospective applicants against dealing with touts or fraudsters, stating that the College does not appoint admission agents, either online or in person. For further enquiries, candidates are advised to contact the College directly via [email protected].
News
Arase Foundation Awards Scholarships to Outstanding Students, Honours Legacy of Service and Excellence

Arase Foundation Awards Scholarships to Outstanding Students, Honours Legacy of Service and Excellence
The Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF) has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to education, youth empowerment, and social impact with the hosting of its Annual Scholarship Grant ceremony.
The initiative celebrates academic excellence while providing financial support to deserving Nigerian students, particularly from underserved backgrounds.
This year’s beneficiaries include high-achieving students enrolled in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, selected for their academic merit, leadership potential, and community engagement. The scholarship also specifically supports children of deceased rank-and-file police officers as well as students from the seven Local Government Areas in Edo South—a nod to Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase’s roots and values.
The Foundation, established on the pillars of integrity, service, and excellence—principles that have defined Dr. Arase’s illustrious career in public service—continues to expand its impact by nurturing a new generation of changemakers.
“This is more than a financial award,” a spokesperson from the Foundation noted. “It is a seed of hope, a recognition of hard work, and a call to leadership.”
This year’s grant spans a wide range of academic disciplines, underscoring the Foundation’s inclusive approach to development. The breakdown of the scholarship recipients is as follows:
the scholarship recipients is as follows:
Medicine & Surgery – 13
Dentistry – 1
Mechanical Engineering – 1
Political Science – 1
Remote Sensing & Geoscience Information System – 1
Business Administration – 1
Agricultural Economics & Extension – 1
Criminology & Security Studies – 1
Guidance & Counseling – 2
Biology Education – 1
Pharmacy – 1
History and Diplomatic Studies – 1
Language & Linguistics – 1
Microbiology – 1
Science Laboratory Technology – 1
Human Nutrition & Dietetics – 1
The scholarship grant not only eases financial burdens for the recipients but also inspires them to strive for excellence and societal impact, mirroring the values of the man in whose name the Foundation was created.
SEAF’s annual initiative remains a vital instrument in promoting equitable access to higher education, with the long-term goal of building a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.
“By investing in these young minds today,” the Foundation asserts, “we are building the architects of tomorrow’s Nigeria.”
-
News2 weeks ago
Nigerian National School Awards 2025
-
News1 month ago
Anambra Government Sanctions School for Allegedly Selling Head Prefect Position
-
News1 month ago
Dangote Donates N15billion To University • Offers Automatic jobs To Best graduating Students
-
News1 month ago
SAFE SCHOOL: NSCDC TAKES PROACTIVE STEPS TOWARDS SECURITY OF SCHOOLS IN FCT, ORGANISES REFRESHER TRAINING FOR PERSONNEL.
-
News2 months ago
UNILAG VC Tasks Students On Problem Solving, Inaugurates Resource Hub
-
News1 month ago
Oborevwori, Diri Awarded Honorary Doctorates at Nigerian Maritime University Convocation
-
News2 months ago
Unity Bank Launches GenFi, Targets Children, Teens with Gamified Banking Platform
-
Videos1 year ago
Google hit with record EU fine over Shopping service