INSTANT NEWS

The Presidential Task Force, PTF on COVID-19, has given the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, the go-ahead to reopen orientation camps across the country.

Speaking at their daily media briefing in Abuja on Monday, the PTF National Coordinator, Dr Sani Aliyu, however, said that announcing the date for the reopening remains the responsibility of the NYSC.

“We have had further conversations with the NYSC; we have actually given them a date but the announcement of that date remains the responsibility of the NYSC,” he said.

Mr Aliyu lamented that all the states of the federation had failed to meet the testing target set for them, saying, however, that it was only the Federal Capital Territory that met its target.

According to him, Nigeria set a target of conducting 600,000 tests for the virus.

He said:

“With the reopening of schools, the PTF remains concerned about the long-term impact of COVID-19 on education and eventually our economy.

“As of today, we are approaching about 600,000 Nigerians that have been tested for COVID-19. This might sound like a huge figure but it is actually quite low.

“Our target is for every state to test at least one per cent of its population. Only the FCT has achieved this target.

“Lagos is fast approaching (target), with about 97 per cent achievement. But other states are barely above 25 per cent.

“What it means is that most of us do not actually know our status and this becomes even more important as we continue to relax our restrictions.

“We know that coronavirus spreads silently and it spreads quickly, which is why we must follow safety measures at all times especially in our schools.”

In his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the PTF, Boss Mustapha, warned against a second wave of the pandemic in Nigeria.

The PTF Chairman said the taskforce would soon unveil the next steps regarding the remaining phase of the eased lockdown.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has set up the Special Weapons and Tactics Team that will replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

The prospective members of the new team, who would undergo tactical training next week, will undergo a psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.

A statement by the Force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, in Abuja on Tuesday, disclosed that the personnel from police commands in the South-East and the South-South will be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State.

Those from the police commands in the North and the South-West will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende, Nasarawa State and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, respectively.

The statement was entitled, ‘IGP orders all defunct SARS personnel to report at the force headquarters for psychological and medical examination’.

It also disclosed that the IGP had ordered all personnel of the defunct SARS to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for debriefing, psychological and medical examination.

The officers are expected to undergo the process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.

The statement read:-

“The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, today, 13th October 2020, in accordance with section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020, ordered all personnel of the defunct SARS to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination.

“The officers are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.

“The medical examination will be carried out by the newly set-up Police Counselling and Support Unit, a unit, which henceforth, shall engage in psychological management, re-orientation and training of officers of the Force deployed for tactical operations and other duties. “

The unit, which is domiciled with the Force Medical Department and coordinated by the Force Medical Officer, has its membership drawn from psychiatrists, psychologists, medics, pastors and imams, public relations practitioners, civil society and other human rights groups with relevant qualifications and expertise.

While reaffirming his commitment towards the successful and holistic implementation of the police reforms, the IG enjoined members of the public, particularly protesting citizens to “exercise restraint and allow measures being put in place to come to fruition and engender a police force that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.”

The senator representing Imo West Senatorial District of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, on Saturday, made a strong case for almajiris, saying that they should be seen as human beings and children of all.

Okorocha, a two-term governor of Imo State stated this in an interview with journalists in Bauchi shortly after attending this year’s Maulud celebration of the Tijjaniyya Movement held at the IBB Square in Bauchi metropolis.

According to Okorocha, seeing the almajiris as our children and human beings is the best way to tackle the menace of almajiri in the country, especially in the Northern part of Nigeria.

He also called for the integration of the Arabic system of education with the conventional school system and empowerment of the almajiris.

“I am calling on all and sundry, the rich and government to see what they can do to help the situation and to see how we can fight poverty together, and not blaming the children (almajiris) and making them become guilty of offences they didn’t commit because they did not bring themselves to this world.

“The best way to address the almajiria issue is first of all, the government must accept the fact that these almajiris are our children and once we accept that fact, then we have done 50 per cent of the job.

“Then we have to think about how to combine this school system, the Arabic schools, with conventional schools and empowerment.

“If they reach the age that they should go to farm there must be something they can do because I don’t think that there is anybody created by God that is useless.

It is only when there is no idea that people look useless but there is no useless person in this world,” the former governor said.

He informed that he attended the Maulud celebration, where he was conferred with the titles of Sarkin Yakin Talakawa and Garkwuwan almajairi, on the invitation of revered cleric, Sheik Usman Dahiru Bauchi.

“I am in Bauchi on the invitation of Sheik Usman Dahiru Bauchi, who invited me for this year’s Maulud.

I was given an award as Sarkin Yakin Talakawa by the Tijjaniyya and also the Garkwuwan almajairi (Ambassador of almajiris) and I think it has to do with my passionate appeal that the lives of the almajiris should be made better in this country,” he informed.

Meanwhile, Okorocha has advocated an Igbo presidency in 2023 to give everybody a sense of belonging, saying that he stands for a united Nigeria, which he said is most important to him.

According to him, since other regions have produced the President of Nigeria, it would be good to allow an Igbo man to lead the country to see what it would look like.

“Talking about the Presidency of Igbo extraction is rather to give everyone a sense of belonging but that is not doing the job.

“What I propose is that a Nigerian President who will guarantee the unity of this nation irrespective of religion or tribe, a Nigerian President that will alleviate poverty, a Nigerian President who will make education available and affordable for everybody.

“This is what we should be talking about more importantly. But the issue of Nigerian President of Igbo extraction for me, is more like a competition, the north had produced a President, the Southwest has produced a President and the south-south has produced a President, let us see when the South-East produce a President, what Nigeria will look like.

“I think from that kind of Chelsea, Man U match kind of a thing, when they belong to the same country and they play matches, that’s exactly the way I see it, but it’s only fairness, fairness calls for that,” Okorocha submitted.

He, however, noted that presidency is not about the title but getting the job done, adding that, “if you have a President and yet people are still hungry, people are suffering, of what use is that?”

A former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday said the Nigerian government should provide an enabling environment for the Anti-Special Robbery Squad, SARS, protesters across the country.

Atiku said the Nigerian government should provide a non-toxic environment for youths to protest.

He made the call while declaring his support for the ongoing anti-SARS protest nationwide.

In a series of tweets, the former Vice President, said a new policy that would enthrone the interest of Nigerians should be considered by the government.

Atiku tweeted:

“Nigerians should be provided with a non-toxic environment for #EndSARSProtests. It is their constitutional right and an ingredient of democracy.

“They deserve to be heard and not killed or maimed.

“I stand with you all as you peacefully protest to #EndPoliceBrutality and enthrone a new policing order that underscores interest of the citizens.”

Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries has urged all pastors across Nigeria to have a moment of silence on Sunday for everyone who has unjustly been killed by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.

Suleman said this on Saturday while lending his voice to support the ongoing End SARS campaign around Nigeria.

We recalls that Nigerians across the country have been protesting the illegality and unconstitutional activities of SARS operatives.

In a tweet via his Twitter handle, Suleman wrote:

“Tomorrow morning before preaching, I shall be having a moment of silence for everyone who has unjustly been killed by SARS.

“I advise all pastors to do the same…#EndSars.”

Recall that Suleman had last week explained that SARS was a disgrace to the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, hence should be proscribed.

Can Nigerians bank on this?? Cause it was merely tweeted and I don’t think this can hold water when we’re confronted by the pop (Police).

The Nigeria Police Force official Twitter page took to their Page to announce through the PRO, Frank Mba that the SARS unit of the Police has been dissolved (Ended).

See what the Police want us to know about the decision; But then, after a series of Peaceful protest at every angle of the Nation, should the answer to our mass protest be through a mere tweet?

Well, I won’t advise that we stop this protest until the President himself takes to Live TV and make an announcement that SARS has been dissolved.

Until then, We MOVE!!!

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State following his re-election for a second term and believes the development is an indication of the people’s choice.

Akeredolu was on Sunday declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement on Sunday quoted his principal as saying “the people know the person and party that truly serves them, and have spoken in [a] clear voice and unmistakable terms.”

The Nigerian President noted that Akeredolu’s win coupled with the number of votes he got, “show that one good turn surely deserves another.”

While calling on Akeredolu who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the poll to be humble and magnanimous in victory, he urged him to serve the people, stressing that “when you serve with heart and might, the people respond in like manner, and we can easily get to where we are headed as a country.”

Buhari was equally full of praise for voters in Ondo State for conducting themselves decently, saying the development shows Nigeria is making progress in its electoral process behaviour.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also received praises from the Nigerian leader.

He lauded the electoral body for conducting a free and fair election, just as Buhari commended security agencies for enthroning and maintaining orderliness before, during and after the exercise.

Bukola Saraki, former Senate President, on Friday urged the Federal government to listen to Nigerian youths protesting against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

Saraki urged the government to engage the protesting youths on matters concerning their well being.

In a tweet, the former Senate President expressed hope that his approach would help calm the aggrieved youths.

“The reports of the aggression meted out to young Nigerians protesting the high handedness of rogue units of @PoliceNG are deeply disturbing.

“Leaders of our nation ought to listen to and engage with our youths on matters concerning their wellbeing. I hope this approach changes soon,” Saraki tweeted.

This is coming at a time policemen attacked protesters in Abuja with tear gas.

Also, Saraki’s former aide, Olu Onemola was arrested over his involvement in the protest in Abuja.

Lagos State Governor, Mr @jidesanwoolu has approved the release of 56 inmates from various correctional Centres and granted State pardon to @funkeakindele and her husband, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bello, who are both non-custodial convicts for offences related to the disobedience of COVID-19 lockdown regulations.

A statement signed by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, said Mr. Sanwo-Olu acted based on the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, under the powers conferred on the Governor by Section 212 (1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The 56 released inmates were recommended by the Advisory Council after due examination of their case files and consideration of the length of time served, the gravity of offence, old age and ill-health among other parameters. The Attorney General has also enjoined the beneficiaries to be good citizens and stay away from crime.

The eight-member Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, headed by Dr. Abayomi Finnih was inaugurated Governor Sanwo-Olu in December 2019.

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Friday demanded the proscription of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery and the introduction of a new and well-structured security outfit in its place.

The House also called on the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, to provide protection for the protesters while they express their grievances.

The call was made at an emergency sitting presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, to add a voice to the current call across the nation for an end to the widely reported alleged inhuman activities of the body.

Late Thursday, Obasa and some lawmakers had addressed some residents of Lagos who protested to the House of Assembly demanding for an end to F-SARS with some of them alleging that innocent people had become the major victims of the body.

Among the seven-point resolution passed after an extensive deliberation was also that the Senate and the House of Representatives should carry out a probe of the allegations against F-SARS including killing, maiming and dehumanising of Nigerians.

Below is the list of demands made by the House of Assembly:

RESOLUTION ON END SARS PROTEST

The House Resolved as Follows,that:

1. The Commissioner of Police Lagos State should protect End-SARS Protesters in the state and ensure that they are not molested

2. The Commissioner of Police should stop unwarranted molestation of our youths by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad otherwise known as F-SARS and its counterparts in the State

3. The Senate President and the Speaker of National Assembly should institute public enquiry on the extra judicial activities, killings,maiming and dehumanization of our youths by the Anti- Robbery Squad ; ensure that the victims are duly compensated while erring officers sanctioned appropriately

4. SARS be proscribed and a new security outfit which will be more efficient with clearly spelt out code of conduct and rule of engagements be established while sanction is imposed for misdemeanor

5. Mr President to ensure that culpable officials of SARS receive the punishment as prescribed by the National Assembly

6. Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions liaise with the Commissioner of Police and Attorney General of the State to fashion out ways and means to address allegations of ruthlessness and extra judicial killings contained in the petition against SARS in the state.

7. The Governor of Lasgos State Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu engage relevant institutions to protect lives and property in the state such that phones, laptops and other means of communication belonging to youths are not confiscated indiscriminately without warrant.

Popular Nigerian musician, Wizkid is still on the head on the president, Muhammadu Buhari.

After referring to him to as an old man, he has also reacted to a photo of him and the national security adviser of the country.

A tweet by the presidency read:

“President @MBuhari received briefing from National Security Adviser Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), accompanied by Coordinator Presidential Amnesty Programme Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (Rtd) at the State House, Abuja.”

Upon seeing the tweet, Wizkid wrote;

“You think they had some time to discuss SARS?”

 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it was not aware the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the Returning Officer for Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo.

The commission said it neither received any letter nor communication from the main opposition party on its rejection of Prof. Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede, the Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

INEC spokesman in Ondo, Babalola Lebile, told The Nation he was hearing the said rejection for the first time.

The PDP on Thursday afternoon said the people of Ondo would not be getting free and fair elections with the present composition of INEC.

Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council, Governor Seyi Makinde, who spoke at a briefing in Akure said Prof. Ogunbodede was a known crony of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and also hails from Owo, hometown of Akeredolu.

Makinde, who insisted that Prof. Ogunbodede would not be a fair party in the proceedings by virtue of his association with Akeredolu, called on INEC to immediately replace him.

 Presidency said President Muhammadu Buhari has been briefed about the grievances of Nigerian on police brutality- Media aide to the president, Bashir Ahmad, said Buhari was notified on Thursday by the police IG Mohammed Adamu- Ahmad assured aggrieved Nigerians that President Buhari will give fresh directives in the interest of the people 

118 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;

Lagos-41
Rivers-19
Osun-17
Nasarawa-13
Kaduna-5
Anambra-5
Edo-3
Ogun-3
Kwara-3
Ondo-3
Katsina-2
Niger-2
Plateau-1
Akwa Ibom-1

59,583 confirmed
51,308 discharged

Highlights

On the 6th of October 2020, 118 new confirmed cases were recorded in Nigeria.

Till date, 59583 cases have been confirmed, 51308 cases have been discharged and 1113 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory

The 118 new cases are reported from 13 states- Lagos (41), Rivers (19), Osun (17), Nasarawa (13), Kaduna (5), Anambra (5), Edo (3), Ogun (3), Ondo (3), Katsina (2), Niger (2), Plateau (1), Akwa Ibom (1)

A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities.

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday, admitted that millions of Nigerians are living below the poverty line.

Osinbajo lamented that the COVID-19 pandemic had further worsened the unemployment and poverty rate in the country.

The Vice President disclosed this after several sessions at the two-day retreat, which reviewed the challenges of the relationship and interdependence between the executive and legislative arms of government.

He, however, urged the executive and legislatures to work together in addressing the challenges confronting Nigerians.

A statement forwarded to DAILY POST by his spokesman, Laolu Akande quoted Osinbajo as saying: “Every generation of leadership must understand context. Law itself must be interpreted and implemented in context. What is the reality of the context that we operate in today?

“We all know, our nation has millions of extremely poor people, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened unemployment and poverty.

“We have huge deficits in infrastructure, many children are out of school. If that is our context, we will be callous and irresponsible if we don’t come together, work together to sort out these grave life threatening problems our people have to confront every day. The dogmatic emphasis on procedural niceties is a luxury we cannot afford.”

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has advised the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, to with immediate effect, resign his position and return to farm.

ASUU gave this advice while reacting to a statement credited to Nwajiuba where he (Nwajiuba) told the striking lecturers to return to farm.

Our correspondent gathered that Nwajiuba had earlier urged university teachers under the umbrella of ASUU to consider farming as an alternative profession.

Nwajiuba, while participating on a television program, had suggested farming to the lecturers saying they cannot dictate how they should be paid to their employers.

ASUU, while reacting noted that the statement made by Nwajiuba is a reflection of his shallow understanding of the academic profession and a reflection of the low premium that the government he is serving placed on education.

ASUU Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter, Professor Ayo Akinwole said the Minister of State has “displayed his naivety on educational matters.

Akinwole said that the scarcity of farmers is a reflection of the failure of the government he is part of to make farming secured for legitimate farmers.

Akinwole asked Nwajiuba to resign his appointment and take farming as a worthy national service.

He said the union remained resolute not to pursue only welfare of its members while downplaying the infrastructure collapse and underfunding of public universities but decided to continue to fight parasites like Nwajiuba who preside over a Ministry where no Nigerian University is in the top one hundred in the world.

Akinwole stated that if the Muhammadu Buhari government is not paying lip service to education, he would not have consistently reduced budgetary allocation and funding to education since assumption of office.

He stated that public varsity lecturers are owed earned academic allowances from 2013 to date challenging the Minister of State for Education to declare if he has been owed allowances and how much since he assumed office.

“As Scientists, experts in Agriculture faculties continue to conduct research mainly with external funding or personal monies. But Nigerian government who failed to protect farmers and exposed Nigerians to excruciating poverty is not making use of research findings.

“If the Minister of State for Education is interested in farming, he should resign his appointment and stop displaying his cluelessness of the problems in the education sector. We are on a just fight to ensure that those in public offices become responsive and responsible to the masses they swore to serve. They must fund public education. We have been on the same salary since 2009. That is no longer sustainable.

“The universities are being run with personal sweats of lecturers while politicians siphon monies for personal aggrandisement. We cannot accept IPPIS that is against the laws of the land and which fails to recognise the uniqueness of academic profession and culture. We have brought an alternative using our members’ money. People like this Minister of State mirrors the disdain of the ruling class for the workers and people of the country”.

Actual resumption of academic activities in Nigerian universities may not take place after Federal Government issued directive for reopening of higher institutions next Monday. Issues of revitalisation of universities, Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), Earned Academic Allowances and inadequate funding may stall reopening.

Although the universities were shut in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had been on strike over government’s decision to implement IPPIS, a payroll system, which teachers considered a denigration of university autonomy. Government, on its part, has refused to pay them for many months until they willingly subscribe to the new platform.

ASUU president, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi said members would continue to stay away from classes until all pending issues were responsible.

Ogunyemi said since Federal Government’s implementation of IPPIS, payment to ASUU members had been haphazard and inconsistent, as lecturers were owed salaries, ranging from three to eight months.
ASUU also accused the Federal Government of non-remittance of five months dues of the union to its purse.
It said the Federal Government between February and June this year deducted check-off dues on its behalf and refused to remit same.

ASUU Chairman at the University of Ibadan, Professor Ayo Akinwole, alleged evil conspiracy among the ruling elite to wipe out public university education, which caters for more than 90 per cent of Nigerian students, to elevate private universities owned by the elite and their collaborators.

He said that the union had been on strike for over six months to draw government’s attention to the implications of criminal negligence of funding public universities in the light of rising insecurity and other social problems.

Akinwole declared that government’s plan to use salary stoppage to punish university lecturers for being concerned with the parlous state of affairs in the nations’ tertiary education had failed, as members were resolved to ensure that government becomes responsive and responsible.

He maintained that, while the Union was ready to discuss outstanding issues on implementation of the February 2019 MOA signed with ASUU and other conditions of service, Federal Government had not been forthcoming but had resorted to propaganda against the union.

Akinwole also denied the claim that ASUU would call off its strike as claimed by the Labour and Employment Minister, Dr Chris Ngige He added that while the lecturers are ready to work, they would not do until government fully attends to all demands, including immediate implementation.

“As of today October 4, 2020 ASUU members are being owed three months salaries.

In some universities, our members have not received salary for up to six months. Federal Government, through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, has criminally withheld five months (February-June, 2020) Check-Off deducted from our members’ salaries without remittance to the union.

“FG has forcefully enlisted our members on the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme and has consistently been illegally deducting money for this from our members’ salaries.

“Our ongoing total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action would continue if this propaganda and lies against ASUU by appointees and representatives of the Federal Government like the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige persists,” he said.

While ASUU laments non-payment of salaries, the breakaway faction of the union, Congress of University Academics (CONUA), said members’ salaries had been paid up to date and are ready to resume if all necessary COVID-19 safety guidelines were put in place.

THIS came as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) today (Monday) begins a 14-day warning strike over government’s failure to implement agreements reached with members.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, had last Friday directed tertiary institutions to resume on October 12, with a caveat that each school would determine its own opening schedule.

But Ogunyemi insisted that members of the union, who had been on strike since March, would not resume work until their demands were met.

He stated that government had failed to put in place the minimum COVID-19 safety requirements across public schools, wondering how students and lecturers would be able to maintain physical distancing considering the state of lecture rooms and hostels in those institusector“Government,” he said, “is free to reopen its institutions but our members reserve the right to insist that, until and unless what is due to them are paid, and other conditions for restoring the university are met, they are not going back.

“I don’t know how many of our public universities can guarantee social or physical distancing, which is essentially about facilities. Do we even have hostels in those universities? Where we have hostels, the rooms that some of us occupied in the 80s and early 90s meant for four students are now being occupied by 12 students and they are sleeping in shifts. So, what are we talking about here?

“The real issue about universities is about facilities. Have they expanded what they have?  See the way they constructed emergency isolation centres; see the billions that went into that. They could raise emergency funds to address the rot in the health sector, but ASUU has been talking about emergency in the education sector since 2012, yet government has not deemed it fit to talk of emergency fund in the educatinstitusector on.

The ASUU chief said the country was in dire need of research and development, and the only way to actualise it would be to invest in the sector.

Ogunyemi described the IPPIS scheme as a fraud, which ASUU would resist.

He said an alternative payment platform developed by the union, University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) was ready and had been tested at the Ministry of Education, wondering why the Accountant General would withhold salaries of ASUU members.

Ogunyemi said: “The Accountant General of the Federation has decided to withhold the salary of our members, ranging from three to eight months. Some were paid February and March, while others were not even paid. Some were paid March and June while some members did not receive anything. Those paid were given amputated salaries, no clear explanations for what they were paid.

The ASUU chief listed the demands of the union to include renegotiation of the Memorandum of Agreement reached with the union in 2013, payment of earned academic allowances, revitalisation of universities, proliferation of universities as well as funding.

National Coordinator, Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Dr Niyi Sunmonu, said although their salaries were being paid as and when due, the union members would resume once coronavirus safety guidelines are met in all the institution.

In commemoration of the World Teachers Day on October 5, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a special salary scale for teachers in the country

He also increased the number of years of service from 35 to 40.

Mr Buhari said this in Abuja on Tuesday during the celebration of the 2020 World Teachers Day.

The education minister, Adamu Adamu, who represented President Buhari, said the implementation of the new salary scheme is to encourage teachers in delivering better service.

The 2020 theme of the World Teachers’ Day is Teachers: leading in crisis, reimagining the future.

He said teachers have the power to shape and reshape the lives of young people and help learners to enhance their potentials.

“Only great teachers can produce excellent people and students that will make the future of our country great. A positive or negative influence of a teacher on any child will have an effect on that child. Therefore the federal government is ensuring quality education to access,” he said.

Mr Buhari also said his administration has resolved that quality education of teachers in terms of engagement of continued professional development has to be given priority.

“To address these challenges, my administration has approved the following for teachers and the teaching profession. In order to attract investment in the teaching profession, the quality of the introduction of the bursary award has been restored,” he said.

Source:Premiumtimesng