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International Day of Education: NHRC Calls for Inclusive Education for All
International Day of Education: NHRC Calls for Inclusive Education for All
By: Michael Mike
The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu has tasked stakeholders on the need to push for quality, equitable and inclusive education for all.
He gave the message on Wednesday as Nigeria joins the rest of the Global Community to commemorate the International Day of Education, which is marked every 24th of January, with this year’s theme: “Learning For Lasting Peace”.
Speaking on the eve of the commemoration, Ojukwu said Education is the key that facilitates the achievement of other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that: “When people are able to get quality education, they can break the cycle of poverty and there will be peace”.
He observed that Education helps to reduce inequalities and empowers people to live more healthy and sustainable live, stressing that education is also crucial to fostering tolerance between people as it contributes to peaceful societies.
He affirmed the need to deliver on SDG Goal 4 (education financing), advising that it should become a national investment priority.
He stated that measures such as making education free and compulsory, increasing the number of teachers, improving basic school infrastructure and embracing digital transformation are essential towards achieving quality and accessible education.
Ojukwu added that while progress has been made towards the Agenda 2030 education targets set by the United Nations, continued efforts are required to address persistent challenges to ensure that quality education is accessible to all, leaving no one behind.
He further stated that: “Economic constraints, coupled with issues of high learning dropout rates in marginalized areas, underscore the need for continued global commitment to ensuring inclusive and equitable education for all”. He added that “low levels of information and communications technology (ICT) skills are also major barriers to achieving universal and meaningful quality education for all”.
He however lamented that Sub-Saharan Africa faces the biggest challenges in providing schools with basic resources. According to him the situation is extreme at the primary and lower secondary levels, where less than half of schools in sub-Saharan Africa have access to drinking water, electricity, computers and the Internet.
Ojukwu decried that women and girls are the most disadvantaged in the enjoyment of rights to education. He noted that studies have revealed that about 40 per cent of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have not achieved gender parity in primary education. These disadvantages in education also translate into lack of access to skills and limited opportunities in the labour market for young women, he lamented.
The Executive Secretary therefore said as a matter of urgency, the government needs to place education as a priority in both policy and practice. “There is a need for governments to make firm commitments to provide more resources and budget for inclusive opportunities for learning” he added.
International Day of Education: NHRC Calls for Inclusive Education for All
Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
Five soldiers were killed and three others declared missing following a clash between Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS) and suspected Islamic State fighters in Sanam, Tillabéri Region of western Niger.
Security sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 12, 2026, during a confrontation between troops and suspected members of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) operating in the area.
The clash reportedly took place in Sanam Zone, a locality near the Niger–Mali border known for recurrent armed attacks by jihadist groups.
According to the sources, the soldiers were engaged in an operation when they came under heavy attack, leading to a standoff. Five personnel were confirmed dead, while three others were declared missing after the encounter.
The Tillabéri Region has remained a hotspot of insurgent activities due to its proximity to Mali and Burkina Faso, with security forces frequently conducting operations to contain armed groups.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the latest incident, while search efforts are reportedly ongoing to locate the missing soldiers.
Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger
Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack
By: Zagazola Makama
A Combined Army and Police operatives have rescued 12 kidnapped victims following an armed attack by suspected kidnappers in Oke-Ako area of Ekiti State.
Sources disclosed that the incident occurred on Feb. 13 at about 9:00 a.m., when sporadic gunfire was heard near their base. Preliminary assessment indicated the gunshots were from an assault launched by suspected kidnappers in the area.
Army troops, in collaboration RRS,Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS), and local security outfits, swiftly mobilised to the scene. On sighting the security forces, the attackers engaged in a gun duel, but were overpowered and forced to retreat into the forest, taking two victims with them.
Through intensified operations, the security forces successfully rescued 12 victims unhurt, while one, identified as Jeremiah Gambo, sustained a gunshot injury and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital in Ikole Local Government Area for treatment.
The troops also recovered an unregistered Boxer Bajaj motorcycle, a white Nissan Cabstar pick-up with registration number EJG-96XB, and a wine-coloured Toyota Corolla with registration number KLE-575AE, all belonging to the victims.
Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack
Forest guard arrested for allegedly killing son in Monguno, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A member of the Forest Guard in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State has been arrested for allegedly shooting his son to death.
Sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 13 at about 5:40 p.m. at the RRR Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Monguno.
The case was reported to the Monguno Division at about 6:20 p.m. by Maidugu Mustapha of Gana Ali Ward, who alleged that Mohammed Ibrahim Angoli, 28, a Forest Guard member, fatally shot his 24-year-old son, Ajiya Mustapha, in the back with an AK-47 rifle.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Monguno led a patrol team to the scene, where photographs were taken and the victim was evacuated to General Hospital, Monguno.
A medical doctor on duty confirmed the victim dead on arrival. The corpse was subsequently deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.
The suspect has been arrested and the firearm recovered as exhibit.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Maiduguri, has commenced investigation into the incident.
Forest guard arrested for allegedly killing son in Monguno, Borno
Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger
Benue Police repel bandits attack in Ugba, one suspect arrested, one bandit killed
Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack
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