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Minister calls for institutionalisation of debate in FCT public schools
Dr Mariya Mahmoud, the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has advocated the institutionalisation of debate in public schools across the FCT, to foster healthy conversations on topical issues among students.
Mahmoud made the call in Abuja on Friday, at the grand finale of the 2024 Head to Head Debate Reality House.
The debate, with the topic, “Poverty a Threat to School Population”, was organised for public schools by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board, in collaboration with the FCT Reform Coordination and Service Improvement.
The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mrs Grace Adayilo, said that the debate would remind Nigerians of the power of conversation.
She added that debate would also instil the importance of understanding different viewpoints to any issue among school students.
According to her, debate represents a significant component in the academic journey of students.
“Debate is much more than a competitive exercise; it is an art and a powerful tool for developing critical thinking, effective communication, and a deep understanding of complex issues.
“It challenges participants and students to view problems from multiple perspectives, engage in constructive dialogue, and to present their arguments with clarity and conviction.
“As we witness the final round of this debate amongst our students in public schools, we celebrate not only the skills of our participants, but also the spirit of intellectual inquiry and respectful discourse that this competition embodies.
“Ability to articulate your points, respond to counter-arguments, and engage your peers in a respectful and thoughtful manner was commendable.”
She reminded the students that the true victory lies not just in winning or losing, but in the knowledge gained, the ideas exchanged, and the friendships forged.
The minister also commended the teachers for the guidance, encouragement, dedication and mentorship, and for teaching the students the mechanics of debate.
“More importantly, I commended the teachers for instilling in the students ,the value of perseverance, resilience, and the importance of informed discourse,” she added.
In his remarks, the Acting Executive Chairman, FCT Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Alhassan Sule, explained that the debate was to explore the hidden potential of public school students and inculcate good moral values in them.
Sule urged stakeholders to compliment the efforts of the Federal Government in the development of the education sector.
On his part, Mr Ola Olukoyode, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), lauded the initiative, noting that the move would inculcate good morals among secondary school students.
Represented by the Assistant Commander of the Commission, in charge of Enlightenment and Re-orientation, Aisha Mohammed, the chairman stressed the need to adequately prepare school children towards building a better world.
“You have a choice: to accept the status quo or challenge it; to be part of the problem or part of the solution.
“I urge you to choose integrity, transparency, and accountability.
“Be the foot soldiers of the EFCC, see something, say something and rest assured EFCC will do something about it.
“I charge you all to stand together against corruption, and build a world where honesty is the norm and not the exception,” he said.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the suit filed by the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to March 25, 2025.
The adjournment followed a submission by the respondents, who informed the court that they had not been served with the necessary documents.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the Federal High Court, seeking an order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from investigating her.
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Delivering a ruling on the application on March 5, 2025, the trial judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, barred the committee from proceeding with the probe.
Details shortly…
The Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspected gun runners and recovered a cache of firearms and ammunition.
The arrests were made during stop-and-search operations along the Warri/Benin Road and Asaba/Benin Expressway on separate dates.
On 3rd March, operatives intercepted a Toyota Camry driven by one Peter James, 55, from Akwa Ibom State.
Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered three AK-47 rifles, 2,080 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition, and 1,040 rounds of 5.1mm ammunition.
State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Monday, said that the suspect was arrested near Western Delta University, Oghara, after operatives intercepted a blue Toyota Camry with registration number PHC 257 NT.
Police arrest 2 suspected gun runners in Delta, recover arms
Police arrest 2 suspected gun runners in Delta, recover arms
“The driver was asked to open the trunk of the vehicle, during which it was observed that the trunk of the said Camry, popularly known as ‘big daddy,’ was unusually small. This aroused the suspicion of the men who were convinced that the vehicle had been modified for malicious purpose.
“The policemen then proceeded and removed the seat of the vehicle, only to discover three (3) AK-47 rifles, Two Thousand and Eighty (2,080) rounds of 7.62 mm AK-47 ammunition, one thousand and forty (1,040) rounds of 51mm ammunition loaded in four boxes.
“The exhibit has been recovered, the suspect is in custody, and investigation is ongoing,” he added.
In a separate operation on 6th March, police arrested Yahuza Magaji, 69, and Abba Sani, 17, from Kaduna State, and recovered seven pump-action guns and 1,600 rounds of live cartridges.
Edafe said that operatives attached to Dragon Patrol Team 02 arrested the suspects while on stop-and-search duty along the Asaba/Benin Expressway by the National Open University, Onicha-Ugbo.
He said that police had intercepted a navy blue Sharon space bus with registration number DKA 408 LM, driven by one Yahuza Magaji, in the company of one Abba Sani, both of Lere LGA in Kaduna State.
“They disguised as traders transporting palm oil and garri, but the police, who insisted on a thorough search of the vehicle, recovered seven (7) pump action guns, five (5) cartons containing one thousand six hundred (1,600) rounds of live cartridges concealed under the back seat of the vehicle.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that suspects bought the arms from Onitsha and were transporting them to Kaduna State. The suspects are in custody, and investigation is ongoing,” he added.
Commenting on the development, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, expressed delight that the marching orders he gave to all tactical commanders, area commanders, and DPOs to up their game were yielding results.
“We are determined to flush out all criminal elements in the state,” said CP Abaniwonda.
“I commend the effort and determination of our men for going the extra mile to detect the hidden firearms,” he said.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a warrant for the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), to appear before it.
The Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly issued the arrest warrant on Monday during plenary, after the expiration of its 72-hour ultimatum for the electoral chief to appear before the House.
Enebeli had fixed August 9, 2025, to conduct a fresh Local Government (LG) poll in the state following a Supreme Court verdict that annulled the October 5, 2024 local government poll conducted in the state.
The Amaewhule-led Assembly had vowed to probe the conduct of Enebeli regarding the conduct of the annulled LG poll last year.
Over the weekend, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, invited members of the Assembly to a dialogue on the implementation the Supreme Court’s verdict.
The Supreme Court had also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the court had unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Amaewhule as the Speaker.
In dismissing Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.