Some bandits stormed the school in the wee hours of today kidnapping not fewer than one hundred and twenty six students.
The aggrieved parents and loved ones have since blocked the Mararaba Rido road, a major entrance to the state Capital from southern Kaduna, Plateau and Nassarawa states.
Details soon…
By Emman Ovuakporie
There is a new ‘craze’ in Nigeria particularly among Christian faithful’s that it is better to celebrate the living rather than celebrating the dead.
TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) two Sundays ago dug into this new strong belief’ of celebrating aged parents rather than spending a fortune for burial ceremonies.
Recently, a popular pastor joined the vogue the vogue – Pastor Kinu Kabirwa threw all his friends and accomplices off balance two weeks ago when he sent invite out that he was going to celebrate his aged parents.
His friends frantically called him demanding to know what killed his parents, he laughed and simply informed them that”I want to celebrate them while they are still breathing.
By 4pm all guests well over 250 were already seated waiting for the grand entry of ‘Papey’and mama Kabirwa both well above 85years.
They both strolled into the venue, Church of Worship in Zone Three Abuja as Papey Kabirwa a retired Warrant Officer(WO) wheeled his wife on a wheelchair into the venue at about 4.30om with a standing massive ovation from all the guests who continued to clap until Pa Kabirwa and his wife of over 60 years in matrimony were gallantly seated.
Pastor Kinu Kabirwa, his siblings and their wives formed a choir and a praise and worship session ensued followed by prayers, it was a sight to behold indeed.
The climax of the event was when “Papey’ Kabirwa declared that he could still do up to 50 press ups at 85 and the bewildered guests could not believe when he started the press ups.
After the count of ten all the guests stood up to beg’ papey’ Kabirwa to stop as nobody actually believed he could even attempt five press ups, the old man baffled all the guests.
In a chat with TNG Pastor Kabirwa, an astute administrator with a chain of business in school administration and agriculture revealed that”I got this whole idea in 2016 when my friend invited me to Lagos to celebrate his 90-year old mother.
“Initially I thought the old woman had passed on but he explained to me that my friend is it not better to celebrate her while she is still alive after she’s gone will she enjoy anything in her burial ceremonies.
“I saw a lot of sense in what he said and there and then I made up my mind that once my parents hit 85years I must celebrate them.
“Honestly my brother when they die I won’t send invite to anybody but as long as they live I will continue to celebrate them.
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Grammy award-winning artiste, Burna Boy, has received his Grammy award, which was delivered to him on Thursday.
The ‘Odogwu’ crooner noted that all his siblings delivered on the promises they made to their parents.
TheNewsGuru recalls that Burna Boy won his Grammy award in the Best Global Music Album category at the 2021 Grammy Awards with his ‘Twice as Tall’ album.
Burna further revealed that while his sisters promised their parents of an excellent result, he promised them a Grammy award.
Showing off the plaque his plaque, the ‘Way too big’ singer wrote, “Early Morning deliveries from across the pond! My parents prayed for excellent children, not houses, cars or ‘things’.
“They asked my sisters for stellar degrees; one got a first-class in Finance, the other got a Distinction in Engineering. They asked me for a Grammy, and here we are. I am a product of sacrifice! Thank God and thank you all again!”
A-list artistes in the music industry took to his comment section to applaud him.
Popular disc jockey, DJ Spinall, lauded the talented singer. He wrote, “Congratulations again brother.”
In addition, melodious singer, Waje wrote, “Congratulations.”
Ace music producer, Don Jazzy said:” Odogwu congrats again oooo”
Lagos State Government will henceforth punish parents of children convicted of cultism, the State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Sanwo-Olu stated this while reaffirming commitment towards providing quality education and a safe learning environment for children in the State.
The Lagos State Governor declared that education remains a veritable means towards attaining greatness.
Sanwo-Olu, who stated this while addressing pupils and students at the Children’s Day parade organised by the State Government and held at the Police College ground in lkeja, added that his administration has completed over 1,097 school infrastructure projects with the integration of technology to enhance education in Lagos.
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat at the event, said the theme of this year’s celebration “Unite to Reverse the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Children”, is quite apt as it underscores the importance of ensuring that the effect of the pandemic does not affect the children, stressing that all kids, irrespective of their status and prevailing global situation, should enjoy their rights to survival and development.
He highlighted some of the major interventions by the State Government towards ensuring that learning continues despite the global pandemic, saying, “the various steps we have taken since the outbreak of the pandemic have yielded commendation and positive feedback from parents, students and stakeholders in the society”.
“We introduced electronic teaching on television, radio and the internet as well as provision of mobile devices and mp3 players preloaded with the school curriculum for students through a partnership with various organisations and individuals, who are passionate about the welfare and development of our children”, the Governor said.
Sanwo-Olu, therefore, encouraged the students to strive towards excellence in learning and character, emphasising the need to acquaint themselves with the use of modern technology provided by the State Government to enhance learning outcomes in public schools.
While also commending the efforts of the teachers and advising parents/guardians to be vigilant and effectively monitor the activities of their children, the Governor revealed that a new law against cultism has been introduced by the State government to punish parents of young people convicted of cultism.
His words: “We owe them a duty to ensure that their dreams and aspirations are realised through continuous training, guidance and mentoring. Therefore, I urge you, as parents, to inculcate the right values in them, which will enable them to shun all social vices”.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, submitted that Lagos State students have continued to distinguish themselves in national and international competitions, winning several laurels and trophies for the State in the process.
Mrs. Adefisayo applauded the State’s free education policy from primary to secondary school level, observing that despite the various contending needs struggling for resource allocation against the large number of schools and huge population of learners, Governor Sanwo-Olu has continued to commit huge resources to the upbringing and wellbeing of the children.
“It is not by accident that the education sector of the State got the highest budget in 2020 and 2021. It was because of the needs assessment, commitment and passion of our dear Governor towards providing a conducive environment for teaching and learning by our students across the State”, she said
The Commissioner disclosed further that the celebration of children’s day started last week with a lineup of activities to mark the annual event, noting that the events included special prayer session during jumat service for Muslim students, thanksgiving service for Christian pupils, career talk/youth forum and cultural display, among others, to commemorate the Y2021 Children’s Day.
Parents of the abducted students of the College of Forestry Mechanization Afaka in Kaduna State on Tuesday took their grievances to the National Assembly complex in Abuja but were denied entry into the facility.
The protesting parents were joined by members of the Students Union Government (SUG) of the institution as well as civil society organisations.
They lamented negligence of State and Federal Government in securing the release of their children.
They blocked the entrance to the Federal Secretariat axis of the complex as they were not allowed entry through the one kilometer drive way leading to the main gate of the National Assembly.
They carried placard and chanted songs of solidarity for the immediate rescue of the students.
“Education is our right! Safety is our right! Freedom is our right!, Free Afaka 29, ” they chanted.
TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that on March 11, 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization Afaka in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State were kidnapped from their hostels by bandits dressed in military uniforms.
Ten of the students have been released with 29 still with their abductors.
Meanwhile the Governor Nasir El-Rufai led Kaduna State Government has said it will never negotiate nor pay the bandits a kobo from the state coffers as ransom.
Today makes it exactly two weeks since the dare devil Kaduna bandits invaded the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation Afaka Igabi LGA Kaduna State, where they kidnapped 39 students.
Parents of the kidnapped students have raised concerns over the continuous silence of the state government over the progress made so far in the attempt to rescue their wards.
Speaking to TheNewsGuru.com in an exclusive Interview one the parents of the diseased Mr. Ibrahim (incomplete name) said he is afraid for the situation not to become like that of the Chibok girls going by the unthinkable reports that suggest that the bandits Currently have an alliance with Boko Haram.
“I am afraid of the situation in Kaduna my Daughter is currently in captivity, despite people’s talk I still have faith in this government that this situation will not be like that of the Chibok girls.”
“I am calling on the Federal government to support governor Nasir El-Rufai to see that this situation did not enter three weeks” Ibrahim said.
Another parent who claimed his daughter is among the hostages expressed displeasure over the continuous silent.
“We are bittered by the Kaduna government’s silence, this is not fare, the rains are here and out children are dying….” He said
“….This government must wake up….” He added
Parents of the abducted students of Federal College Of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna State on Thursday advised the state government to negotiate with the bandits and not use force to secure the release of the students.
Sani Friday, who is also representative of the affected parents, disclosed this on Thursday during a monitored interview on Channels Television.
He said the parents demand action from the state and Federal government rather than the long silence they have been witnessing.
“We want the government to do something. They are not negotiating; they have not put up any machinery for the release of the students.
“The best way we want the government to go about this is to first of all negotiate. If they want to put up security measures, it should be after this,” Friday said.
The parent expressed fear over the plan of the government to use force to rescue the victims. According to Friday, this could be disastrous.
“One of the fears we have is that if the government feels that they can use force to bring out these children it will be a disastrous move because these bandits are well equipped and may decide to eliminate the children if they discover that the government wants to use force on them,” he added.
TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the students were abducted from their hostels on Thursday, March 11, 2021, at about 11:00 pm, by gunmen who stormed the college dressed in military uniform.
Meanwhile, families, students, and lecturers of the 39 students have embarked on a peaceful rally and prayers for the victims.
Exactly two weeks after the abduction the students are yet to be released a situation which the affected families are worried about.
The rally and prayers are held within the college premises at Afaka, Kaduna State.
The parents, students, and staff first visit the mosque where some students and their staff led the prayer.
They later moved to the College Chapel and prayed for the safe return of the students.
Niger State government has urged parents not to allow the abduction of students in the state to dissuade them from sending their wards to school.
This was stated by the Commissioner of Education, Hajiya Hanatu Jibrin Salihu, while handing over the released students who were abducted from Government Science College, Kagara to their relatives in Minna, the state capital.
Salihu also revealed that the state has promised to secure all its schools from all criminal elements to allow students and pupils to pursue their education.
The Commissioner who spoke on behalf of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello said that plans were already on toward making sure that schools are safe in the state especially the boarding schools.
The Commissioner also said that arrangements have commenced to allow the SS3 students to write their final examination
“We are in contact with the SS3 students and working out how best we can help them so that they will write their exams. And I am sure at the end of the day, we will come out with something productive for them”, she said.
An Ilorin Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, remanded two pastors: Olumide Peter and Jasulayomi Adetola, for allegedly brainwashing their congregation to disown their biological parents and burn their certificates.
The defendants were charged with criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, wrongful confinement and putting persons in fear of injury in order to commit extortion.
The Magistrate, Ibrahim Dasuki, ordered the defendants to be remanded in Oke-Kura Correctional Centre, Ilorin.
He, thereafter, adjourned the case till Jan. 28, for further mention.
Earlier, Counsel to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Ajide Kehinde, said that two children and four adults, who were reportedly abducted by the pastors, were rescued by the corps.
He said that the defendants, who are pastors at Evidence of Christ Fellowship International Church, Agbo-Oba, Ilorin, kicked against Western education, claiming that it was a sin and that any certificate acquired through it was evil.
Kehinde said that the pastors had been extorting money from international organisations by sending recorded videos of the children, claiming that they were victims of natural disasters and internally-displaced persons.
Kehinde said further investigation revealed that the pastors kicked against Western education, urging its congregation to see it as ungodly.
He said that the offences were contrary to Sections 96, 100, 260 and 293 of the Penal Code Law.
The counsel prayed the court to remand the defendants on the basis that one of them was still at large.
He said that releasing the defendants on bail might jeopardise efforts to carry out proper investigation into the matter.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.