Breaking News
Kwara State Govt Warns Secondary School Principals Against Unauthorized Charges
Kwara State Government has warned principals of senior secondary schools across the state against unauthorised charges during the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination registration exercise.
The state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, issued the warning on Tuesday during the floating exercise marking the commencement of the registration process at St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin, the state capital.
Olohungbebe, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Rebecca Olanrewaju Bake, reiterated that the Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq-led administration remained committed to providing affordable and quality education for all students in Kwara State.
He emphasised that the state government will not condone any form of extortion, mismanagement or misappropriation of students’ examination registration fees by school heads.
“It is unacceptable and contrary to the policy thrust of this administration. No student or parent should be burdened with extra charges beyond the Ministry’s approved fees,” the Commissioner said.
Olohungbebe, reminded principals that the approved total registration fee for 2026 WAEC is N30,500, comprising N27,000 for entry, N1,500 for e-registration and N2,000 administrative charges.
The Commissioner urged principals to convene meetings with Parents-Teachers Associations to sensitise parents on the benefits of early registration and the penalties for late submission of forms.
Olohungbebe, also charged them to maintain integrity and transparency in handling the exercise, stressing that any principal found engaging in irregularities would face strict disciplinary action.
While acknowledging their unrelenting contributions, the Commissioner applauded the principals for their continued support of government educational policies and their dedication to nurturing excellence in schools.
“Permit me to express heartfelt gratitude for your hard work and commitment to shaping the future of our children. Your efforts in school building are deeply appreciated,” he said.
Olohungbebe called for sustained collaboration with the state government, assuring that Governor AbdulRazaq remains steadfast in improving education through massive school rehabilitation, supply of learning materials and teachers’ welfare.
Earlier, the Director of Curriculum and Assessment, Sulaiman Ajape, urged principals to handle the registration exercise with utmost honesty and professionalism.
In his remarks, the State President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Comrade Mohammed Baba Saliu advised members to avoid malpractices and align with the ministry’s directives.
The meeting, attended by directors, ministry staff and all principals across the 16 Local Government Areas, ended with a renewed commitment to uphold transparency and accountability in education administration.
Breaking News
Ogun State Government Announces Pension, Gratuity Backlog Clearance Between 2012 and 2020
The Ogun State Government has announced the clearance of pension and gratuity arrears owed to workers who retired between 2012 and 2020, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of retirees.
The Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media parley organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Budget and Planning.
Okubadejo explained that the backlog was linked to the Defined Benefits Scheme, under which retirees receive monthly pension payments, stressing that the present administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has not defaulted on pension obligations since assuming office.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have not missed a single month of pension payment. What we inherited were arrears tied to the Defined Benefits Scheme,” he said.
According to him, annual pension payments rose from ₦6.7 billion in 2019 to ₦20 billion in 2025, with projections showing a possible increase to ₦40 billion by 2029.
He disclosed that the state had so far paid ₦23.3 billion in gratuities covering retirees from 2012 to 2020, alongside ₦32.8 billion in outstanding gratuities for local government retirees inherited by the administration.
Okubadejo added that between 2019 and July 2, 2025, the state disbursed ₦93.26 billion in pensions under the Defined Benefits Scheme and ₦94.78 billion to local government pensioners.
He assured that the remaining backlog would be cleared as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) continues to improve, noting that over 300 workers who retired in July 2025 are currently receiving six-month palliatives pending the completion of their pension documentation.
The commissioner also described the newly approved Additional Pension Benefits (APB) as the first of its kind in Nigeria, adding that amendments to the state’s pension law would be pursued to formally integrate the scheme.
On the state’s fiscal outlook, Okubadejo revealed that the 2026 budget increased from ₦1.054 trillion in 2025 to ₦1.668 trillion, while Ogun’s economy expanded from ₦3.5 trillion in 2019 to ₦18.96 trillion in 2026.
He added that IGR grew from ₦50 billion in 2019 to ₦240 billion in 2025, with projections of ₦512 billion this year.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the 2026 budget reflects strong fiscal reforms, noting an 85 per cent budget execution rate in 2024 and sustained financial stability.
Other commissioners highlighted sectoral achievements, including massive road construction, increased healthcare funding, rail extension plans, education support programmes, and expanded housing projects across the state.
African Democratic Congress, ADC, chieftain, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to focus on the country’s future and vote for a change in leadership.
Obi spoke at a meeting with Hausa/Fulani chiefs in Abuja on Wednesday.
“We have to talk about the future of our country. All of you know what is happening to our country today. That’s why we are campaigning that you vote out this government,” he said.
He described the situation in Nigeria as dire, citing insecurity, hunger and hardship.
“today we have insecurity across Nigeria. We have hunger across Nigeria. We are suffering across Nigeria. The only thing that is working in Nigeria today is bad news. Every morning you wake up is bad news,” Obi stated.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate said a new administration would prioritize social services.
“We’re urging you to vote for a change and bring a new Nigeria, where our children will be in school. Our hospitals will work,” he added.
Obi also questioned government spending priorities, particularly in the health sector.
“today, if you’re sick in Nigeria you’re praying to Almighty God because we’re now in a country where our president spends 360 billion to buy and refit his plane and spends 36 million in capital vote for the Ministry of Health. There’s nothing working,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to use their votes to usher in what he described as a “new Nigeria” focused on improving citizens’ welfare and restoring key public services.
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