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Why Borno refused to sack 10,566 unqualified teachers
Why Borno refused to sack 10,566 unqualified teachers
… Zulum approves N1 billion for teachers’ training
By Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi
Long before the administration of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, Borno State was faced with a crisis of teacher recruitment and remuneration.
Some of the issues surrounding primary school education in Borno are complex, including the decision by Governor Zulum to retain those that were confirmed to be unqualified and the concern about their salaries.
Many people are angry and dismayed and have shared sentiments that are now trending on social media about why a state governed by a professor of repute like Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum will have some teachers still receiving paltry sums as salary.
The truth is that these category of teachers should be learners in a classroom and not teachers.
In 2020, the Zulum-led administration had sought to sanitise the state’s primary education system to ensure that quality education is imparted, following the devastation caused by Boko Haram insrgency. He constituted a committee headed by Dr. Shettima Kullima to determine the actual workforce of teachers and their competence to impart quality education. The final report revealed a scary outcome that less than 33% were fit to teach.
According to the 2020 report, a list of 26,450 teachers and non-teaching staff was submitted before the verification committee; among them, 18,451 teachers participated, and 2,628 with fake certificates were identified.
Zulum then constituted another committee in February 2022, headed by the current Commissioner for Education, Engr. Abba Wakilbe, to conduct a competency test on basic literacy and numeracy for the teachers who had been cleared for biometric capture.
The committee’s report confirmed that about 10,566 teachers out of 15,823, representing 66% of all Borno primary school teachers, failed the test and are not qualified to teach.
More so, 6,227 teachers were identified to be trainable, and 4,339 teachers were untrainable.
Upon receiving the report from the Engr. Wakilbe-led committee, Zulum instantly directed that 5,257 who have passed the test and are confirmed to be qualified to teach should be upgraded and start receiving N30,000 as minimum wage. I can confirm that the directive has been fully implemented and they have started enjoying the minimum wage.
The government also decided to retain those that were confirmed to be unqualified, because in a state like Borno that is coming out of the insurgency, sacking this number of people will further compound the rate of unemployment.
If not for his compassion, Zulum had the option to relieve all of them, but decided they should remain on government payroll and that all of them should be posted to work in other sectors within the local government workforce, including involvement in the planting of trees in the Ministry of Environment.
Among them, Governor Zulum directed 1,468 that had undergone Emergency Teacher Upgrade Programme with the National Teachers Institute and are certified to have obtained the minimum teaching qualifications start receiving the minimum wage salary next month.
Furthermore, an additional 3,000 under the trainable category were shortlisted for another training that would allow them to obtain the requisite teaching qualifications.
… Zulum approves N1b for teachers’ training
Resulting from the competency test, Gov. Umara Zulum has also approved that about 6,227 teachers that were certified to be fit for training should be sponsored to obtain the required qualifications and sent back to classrooms. Zulum, had on 19th of March 2024, approved N1b for the training of these teachers.
These feats were widely reported by Nigerian newspapers, including the LEADERSHIP, DAILY INDEPENDENT, THE SUN among other news outlets open for verification by the general public.
Since assuming office in 2019, Zulum has prioritised the enhancement of education in Borno State by putting in place all the necessary infrastructure and improving the workforce deficit.
The governor has, on other occasions, approved the recruitment of over 4,000 teachers, 1,000 for secondary schools and 3,000 for primary schools.
Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi
Senior Special Assistant on New Media
Why Borno refused to sack 10,566 unqualified teachers
News
Troops Raid Suspected Cultists’ Hideout, Arrest Three in Enugu State
Troops Raid Suspected Cultists’ Hideout, Arrest Three in Enugu State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 103 Battalion, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have raided a suspected cultists’ hideout in Achi town, Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, arresting three suspects and recovering items believed to be linked to criminal activities.
Security sources disclosed that the operation was carried out at about 4:30 a.m. on May 23 following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected cultists and other criminal elements operating in the area.
According to the sources, the troops stormed a residential building suspected to be used as a hideout by the criminal group.
During the raid, three suspects were apprehended, while items recovered include eight motorcycles and two buckets of locally made gunpowder.
The suspects and recovered items were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and necessary action.
Security authorities have continued to intensify joint operations in Enugu State and surrounding areas to curb cult-related activities and other forms of violent crime.
Troops Raid Suspected Cultists’ Hideout, Arrest Three in Enugu State
News
Troops Launch Manhunt for Berom Militia After Attack on Cattle in Plateau Community
Troops Launch Manhunt for Berom Militia After Attack on Cattle in Plateau Community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 4 Operation Enduring Peace have launched efforts to track down Berom Militia following an attack on cattle in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources disclosed that the troops responded to a distress report at about 5:12 p.m. on May 23 concerning an attack on cattle belonging to a local herder identified as Alhaji Tambari at Gassa village.
According to the sources, the cattle were grazing in the area when the attackers struck and fled before the arrival of security personnel.
Upon reaching the scene, troops discovered that one cow had been shot dead during the incident.
The Berom militia were said to have escaped from the area before security operatives arrived.
Troops have since intensified efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack while patrols have been heightened within the community and surrounding areas to prevent further incidents.
Security authorities reiterated the commitment of Operation Enduring Peace to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace in communities across Plateau State.
Troops Launch Manhunt for Berom Militia After Attack on Cattle in Plateau Community
News
Gombe 2027: Pantamiyya Movement to galvanise grassroots support for Gwamna’s guber bid
Gombe 2027: Pantamiyya Movement to galvanise grassroots support for Gwamna’s guber bid
The Pantamiyya Movement Brothers, led by prominent grassroots mobiliser, Sanusi Hamisu Usman, popularly known as Ameer Sanusin-Gombe, has declared its full support for the governorship ambition of APC candidate in Gombe State, Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a solidarity visit to Dr Gwamna, Ameer Sanusin-Gombe described the meeting as strategic and timely, noting that the movement was determined to support what he called “the emergence of a worthy successor” capable of consolidating the achievements of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
The movement, which boasts more than 100 coordinators spread across all wards in the 11 local government areas of the state, said its decision to align with Dr Gwamna was driven by his growing acceptability within the APC family and among the wider grassroots population.
Sanusin-Gombe appealed to the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, and other aspirants in the APC governorship race to close ranks with Dr. Gwamna in the overall interest of the party and the development of Gombe State.
He stressed that unity among party stakeholders remained critical to securing a landslide victory for the APC in both the governorship and presidential elections.
According to him, Dr Gwamna’s political experience, grassroots connection, and wide acceptance across different blocs within the party made him the right choice for the task ahead.
“We are here to demonstrate our solidarity and commitment to the project of ensuring APC remains united and victorious in 2027. Dr. Gwamna has shown humility, experience, and the capacity to carry everyone along,” he said.
Responding, Dr. Gwamna expressed appreciation to the Pantamiyya Movement for placing party unity above other interests, describing the visit as a demonstration of political maturity and commitment to the future of the APC in the state.
The APC governorship candidate assured party members that he would pursue an inclusive leadership style that accommodates all interests and tendencies within the party.
He called on all former contestants and stakeholders to set aside differences arising from the primaries and work together as one family toward sustaining the developmental strides recorded under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration.
Dr. Gwamna, therefore reaffirmed his commitment to mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates in the 2027 elections, insisting that unity and collective purpose would remain the party’s greatest strength in Gombe State.
Gombe 2027: Pantamiyya Movement to galvanise grassroots support for Gwamna’s guber bid
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