TheNewsGuru

Tag: Parents

  • We’ll do headcount to ascertain numbers of abducted Dapchi girls released – Parent Association

    Confirming the reports on the release of abducted Dapchi schoolgirls, Chairman of Dapchi schoolgirls parents association, Bashir Manzo, said an headcount is imperative to ascertain the numbers of girls released.

    According to reports, the girls were said to be brought and dumped in the village by unknown persons believed to be Boko Haram.

    The chairman of the Dapchi schoolgirls parents association, Bashir Manzo, confirmed that the girls were brought to Dapchi.

    “My relatives and colleagues in Dapchi just informed me that the girls were brought this morning,” he said.

    “I am heading to Dapchi now from Damaturu. When I get there we will do a head count to see if all of them have been released.”

    It is not yet clear if all the 110 kidnapped girls were freed.

    Recall that the federal government recently assured that the Dapchi schoolgirls will soon regain freedom.

    According to the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, gave the assurance during an interview session on Dateline Abuja, a Channels Television’s programme.

    He said: “It can be earlier; maybe a week, it can be two weeks, but we are on it, and I’m telling you with all sense of sincerity that we are closing in on them”.

    “We have dispatched all the surveillance devices we have in terms of air, human resource, intelligence, and other forces that needed to be in place by all possible means and we have made sure that all that’s needed is being done to see that these girls are being found, wherever they are.”

    Dan-Ali was also confident that the girls would return in the shortest time owing to the intelligence at the government’s disposal, though he could not say the exact time when this would be.

    A faction of Boko Haram is believed to have kidnapped students of Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, in Yobe State on February 19.

  • Mistakes parents make when travelling with kids

    As a parent or would-be parent, travelling with your children for the first time can feel daunting and stress-inducing; from figuring out what to pack to being concerned for your child.

    Why these are the real fears of parents, regardless, there are mistakes you should avoid when travelling with your children or kids. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares some of these mistakes.

    Reducing screen time

    In your house, you might have a policy about how much time your kids can spend playing games or watching movies on devices. But when you’re travelling, you might have to bend the rules a little to survive your travel. Make sure any device you’re bringing is fully loaded with approved videos and apps and allow them to have as much screen time as they want to keep them distracted.

    Overplanning

    You have ideas about what destination you want to visit during your trip, but remember that when you have kids, flexibility is everything. Just know that kids will create better memories – swimming in a vacation home pool and eating vacation food than they will trek or climb a mountain. It is really not difficult to satisfy them. In fact, it is probably better to allow the kids to decide where they want to go.

    Choosing the wrong time of day to travel

    You might not have your kids’ sleep cycle at the top of your mind when you’re trying to book an affordable flight, but if you have the flexibility to book based on your kid’s energy, sleep and food needs, it can be a huge help. You can choose a flight departure that is closest to your child’s bedtime and avoid day flights that mean your kids will be awake.

    Not bringing entertainment or toys

    It’s worth leaving space in your luggage for a few items that help entertain and soothe your kids. Pack your child’s favourite toy, animal or blanket so they can feel comfortable and at home wherever you are. Never forget their toys and entertainment if you want peace during your trip.

    Overpacking

    It’s not smart to under-pack when you’re travelling with kids. But, at the same, you don’t want to overpack. In your desire not to forget anything your kids might need, you risk bringing way too much, which only adds to stress. The rule of thumb should be to pack what is really important.

     

  • OBJ@81: My parents didn’t wait to see the results of their sacrifices – Obasanjo

    OBJ@81: My parents didn’t wait to see the results of their sacrifices – Obasanjo

    Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, disclosed that his major regret in life is that his parents left too early in life without reaping from the fruits of their sacrifices in his life.

    The two-time Nigerian leader who is marking his 81st birthday, said the early death of his parents and their failure to enjoy the fruits of the sacrifice they made while raising him continues to make him sad.

    He made the disclosure at a ceremony to mark his birthday at Marque Events Centre located within the premises of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

    Obasanjo said he wished his parents lived long to witness his success in life.

    “One thing I always miss and remember is that my parents left this world too early. The sacrifice they made, they did not wait to see the results. How I wish they had waited to see and eat fruits of their labour,’ Obasanjo said.

    The former president, however, said he draws consolation from the Yoruba belief that the dead always look behind to see happenings after them on earth.

    With that belief, he said he was sure his late parents would still be happy in their graves even now.

    “But going by what Yoruba believe and say, that the dead always watch over their beloved ones and see happenings around them, I am convinced that my parents are happy in their graves, as they watch over me,” he said.

    On his birthday, Mr. Obasanjo said he would continue to appreciate, praise adore and worship God, just as he admitted that all those who worked and are still working with him are loyal.

    He expressed his appreciation to his aides and workers. Obasanjo said his success would not be without their commitment and loyalty.

    He advised people to serve humanity, noting that it is when humanity is serve that one can serve God.

    He said he did not believe that God has created a bad situation for Nigeria, or in any particularly country in Africa.

    “We must be able to serve humanity, if we can’t serve humanity, we can’t serve God. I do not believe God had created bad situation for Nigeria, or any particular country in Africa. If things are not going right, we must blame ourselves,” he said.

    The former president urged Nigerians to take seriously governance and moral values among other things to get things right in the country.

     

  • Yobe school attack: Over 105 girls still missing – Parents cry out

    Yobe school attack: Over 105 girls still missing – Parents cry out

    …submits names of missing girls to state government

    Parents of the abducted schoolgirls at Government Girls’ Science Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State have cried out that 105 of their children were still accounted for following the aftermath of the invasion by the Boko Haram sect on Monday.

    The names were personally submitted to the school’s authorities by the parents of the affected students, according to the Chairman, Forum of Parents of the missing Dapchi Girls, Mallam Bashir Manzo.

    Recall that Governor Ibrahim Gaidam had earlier said 84 students were missing.

    The list contains name of each missing student, her local government area and telephone numbers of her parents.

    A mix of tension and mourning pervaded the community for the fifth day running yesterday when The Nation visited the area.

    Residents said it was clear from the behaviour of invaders on Monday that their mission was solely to abduct the students.

    Manzo said when the gunmen demanded that they be shown the way to the school, some residents tried to play a fast one on them and sent them in a wrong direction.

    However, the gunmen soon found out their destination when they heard the students shouting.

    Manzo, recalling the sequence of events on the fateful day, said: “On Monday, Boko Haram entered our town and started shouting. We just came out from Magrib prayers when the shooting started.

    “The shooting by Boko Haram sparked confusion at the school with everyone running helter-skelter.

    “When they came, they didn’t even know where the school was located. They came and asked some people to show them the girls’ school.

    “The first person they asked to show them the school took them to Central Primary School.

    “They eventually found out the girls’ school when the students were screaming and trying to jump over the fence in a bid to escape.

    “They rounded up as many girls as they could lay their hands on and packed them into their vehicles.

    “They then escaped.

    “The following day, the school authorities took a roll call of children in the school, but they did not give us the figure.

    “The list we have here is from the parents that came themselves and reported that they had not seen their children up till this moment (yesterday).

    “When a parent comes, he gives us his name himself, the name of his child, his town, local government area and his phone number. We are not collating these names by any phone call or text message. You have to come yourself and give your name and the name of your daughter that is missing, otherwise, we will not accept anything short of that.

    “The list we have got now is one hundred and five students that have not been found up till today (yesterday).

    “We had a report that these children were found at Gaidam and people celebrated. We even gathered that the children would be handed over to the governor here in Dapchi.

    “When the governor came, we were gathered at the house of the District Head and the governor told us that none of the girls had been rescued. The governor said he was not sure whether our children are in Boko Haram’s captivity, but we are sure that Boko Haram took our children. We have evidence.

    “When they took them (children), they were crying and screaming for help. They came through the Gumsa Road and went back on the same road.

    “Residents of villages along that road heard the children crying and screaming in the vehicles.

    “In one of the villages, residents overheard the insurgents saying they needed to tie the children well so that they won’t escape.

    “We are calling on those that would help us get back our children to help us. We are sure Boko Haram took our children. This one is an undisputable fact. That is the truth. We gave our children to the school authorities and so they should bring back our children. We will go as far as meeting President Buhari.

    “They only came to get the girls and not to do anything in this town.

    “We took the photographs of the store of the school and everything is intact. No single food item was removed.

    “We are not happy with the delegation of the Federal Government. They did not look for the principal or the parents of the missing girls or enter any office of the principal or a classroom in the school when they visited Dapchi.”

    Governor Gaidam, however, said that from the figures available to him, 84 students remain missing.

    He put the students’ population at 906 out of which 822 were marked present after the attack.

    Gaidam spoke on Friday when his Kano State counterpart, Abdullahi Ganduje paid him a visit in Damaturu.

    The Yobe governor expressed surprise that security men were unexpectedly withdrawn from the town a few hours before the attack.

    He said the attack is a major setback in the war against Boko Haram.

     

  • Chrisland school attacks journalists, calls ‘rape story’ conspiracy against its brand

    Chrisland school attacks journalists, calls ‘rape story’ conspiracy against its brand

    The Chrisland School on Tuesday sought to protect its brand and reputation in a letter to parents as the news of the defilement of a two year, 11 month old female pupil, by the school’s supervisor went viral.

    The story captured courtroom proceedings on Monday of the trial of Adegboyega Adenekan, the school’s supervisor, who allegedly defiled the female pupil.

    A video of the pupil in which she narrated how she was allegedly and serially defiled by Adenekan was played at an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court during the testimony of a clinical psychologist.

    Chrisland School, however, on Feb. 13 in an email sent to parents of pupils of the school which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) noted that it has an untarnished reputation in its 40-year existence.

    The school claimed that it had put in place measures to protect children and blamed the media for trying to tarnish its brand.

    The school management wondered why the media were feasting on the case, which started since November 2016.

    “Ours is an organisation with zero tolerance to abuse in whatever form and we have put in place structures and policies to ensure child protection in all our schools,” the email said.

    Chrisland School clarified that the alleged incident took place at the Victoria Garden City (VGC) branch of the school and not the Lekki branch as reported in some quarters.

    Throwing light on events that transpired in the case, the school said “It all started when a mother alleged that her daughter was molested.

    “We were baffled that a mother could keep quiet and not notify the school or report it for two weeks.

    “We also wondered why she left the child in the school for a month if indeed she was molested in the same school.”

    Chrisland School claimed that it immediately set up a committee to investigate the allegation and reported the matter to the Ajah Police Station.

    The school expressed doubts that the alleged defilement occurred on their premises noting that it had cooperated with the police, and the agencies involved in the case and had vowed to prosecute Adenekan if he was found guilty.

    “The Lagos State Quality Assurance officers visited the school twice, interviewed many people including parents, staff and pupil and conducted an extensive investigation but nothing was found,” the email said.

    The school further claimed that journalists who attended court proceedings and reported the trial were in “solidarity” with the child’s mother.

    According to Chrisland School: “The issue erupted and took a fierce dimension when journalists who witnessed the court sitting last week in solidarity with the plaintiff who is a blogger started writing malicious stories (which are not a true picture of court proceedings) being circulated online.

    “At the court proceedings, journalists were warned to be mindful of their stories since the matter is still in court.

    “And is still an allegation until the accused is found guilty but they have continued with reckless abandon.”

    Chrisland School alleged that journalists were paid to publish the allegedly malicious stories and there was a conspiracy against the brand of the school.

    “We believe there is a conspiracy against the Chrisland brand and this is nothing but paid journalism.

    “We pray that the good Lord will vindicate us.

    “Please be assured that your children are in safe hands. We have successfully built a solid reputation over the last 40-years and we continue to stand for excellence,” the school said.

  • Monkey pox: Ministry allays fears, appeals to parents to send wards back to school

    The Enugu State Ministry of Education has appealed to parents to send their wards back to school, assuring them that no unapproved activities were carried out in any school.

    The state commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, gave the assurance in a signed statement issued in Enugu on Friday.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that on Wednesday, virtually all schools in South East abruptly suspended academic activities over an unconfirmed rumour of vaccination being administered on pupils in primary schools by soldiers.

    It was alleged that some military personnel were forcing people to engage in a free medical vaccination and were been injected with Monkey pox virus.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that parents in the state especially in Enugu metropolis quickly withdrew their children and wards from schools as early as 10 a.m. that fateful day.

    While some schools which gates were locked with padlock , were forcefully opened, some of them had their gates damaged due to the stampede to get the children out from schools.

    But Eze said that his ministry’s investigation revealed that the Monkey pox news had been found out to be untrue and unfounded.

    “We are appealing to parents to do the needful by sending their wards and children back to school.

    “The ministry had taken appropriate pro-active steps to ensure that our schools are safe and no unauthorized and unapproved activities are carried out in any school in the state.

    “The ministry had strengthened its supervisory and monitoring units with more hands as well as given them additional mandates in order to keep a close eye on schools especially on activities on-going in and round schools,’’ he assured.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that since Wednesday, after the unfounded Monkey pox rumour incident, school attendance has dropped slightly in the state.

     

     

  • Photos: Parents fly to US from India to beat their son’s wife for being disobedient

    A man’s parents flew out to Florida from their native India to help their son beat his wife for being disobedient, police say.

    The woman was rescued by Florida authorities after they received a call from India that she was being beaten and held against her will by her husband and his parents.

    The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said 33-year-old Silky Gaind called her parents in India on Saturday to tell them of the abuse. They then called authorities.

    When a deputy arrived, no one responded to repeated knocks. Then Gaind attempted to open the door and screamed for him to help her and her 1-year-old daughter. The deputy forced his way in and found Gaind severely bruised.

    Investigators say 33-year-old Devbir Kalsi told his parents he needed help with a disobedient wife, and they traveled from India and participated in the beatings.

    It escalated on Friday, when Devbir and his wife got into an argument.

    The arrest report states that Kalsi struck her ‘repeatedly and forcefully’, and when Gaind attempted to defend herself, his parents began hitting her too, leaving bruises on her face, neck and torso.

    Gaind’s young daughter, who was in her arms during the attack, was also struck in the face.

    Kalsi then allegedly held a kitchen knife to her throat and threatened to stab her.

    ‘Awful, nobody should go through that,’ an unidentified neighbor told Fox 13. ‘It really is heartbreaking. There’s a brand new baby. But who beats their wife up and his mother and dad help him? Who does that?’

    Kalsi in his parents were being held in jail. It was unknown if they have a lawyer.

  • Freedom comes with concomitant responsibility – Francis Ewherido

    Freedom comes with concomitant responsibility – Francis Ewherido

    By Francis Ewherido

    As parents gathered in the chapel of St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos, for the Holy Mass to kick off the graduation ceremonies of their children last Saturday, one feeling was mutual: joy. Beyond that, there were divergent feelings.

    For some parents, St. Gregory’s was a refuge for their children while away from home. Now they are moving to the university with cultism and other social vices and they are worried about how their children would cope. Some are worried about how their children will manage the newfound freedom when they get to the university.

    Those who will send their children to private universities or foreign universities were probably dealing with the arithmetic of the increased expenses. But while parents were struggling with their mixed emotions, the graduating students, seated on the next row of pews to their parents, were in their own world.

    Unlike their parents, they looked like people without worries, as they chatted away in low tones, hugged and back-slapped themselves before the Mass started. They were certainly looking forward to their impending “freedom,” away from the regimented life at St. Gregory’s: low hair cut, waking up at a specific hour, food timetable, etc.

    The homilist and St. Gregory’s Assistant Administrator, the very cerebral Rev. Fr. John Njorteah, correctly gauged the feelings of the students. Seizing the opportunity of talking to them together for probably the last time, he told them some home truths about life out there. Parents kept nodding as Fr. John spoke. Please find below excerpts of the homily, a reference for every teenager and young adult.

    My dear little ones, as you step out of this college today to go into the world, I humbly implore you to listen attentively to me as I share with you the word of God on this auspicious occasion. First, I would like you all (the graduands) to look around and see yourselves again. Today marks the end of your gathering together as a group.

    Never shall you all be complete as a class. You have journeyed together as a group and today you are beginning another journey on your own. Yes, your individuality will be key in determining the extent you will go in life.

    My dear friends, for some years now the college has taught and protected you, and now you are being unleashed into the world.

    This is the world that is full of evils and times have really changed. Insecurity is at its peak, kidnapping has become commonplace, economic hardship is killing our people, suicides and suicidal attempts are becoming rife among our people. Our cultural values are being eroded in the wake of imitating western trends and fashions, and there is less of everything in the world today.

    Our phones have become wireless; cars, keyless; our dresses have become sleeveless, our youths, jobless; our leaders, shameless; our relationships, meaningless; our attitudes, careless; our feelings, heartless; our education, valueless and our children “manner-less” (ill-mannered).

    Do not, therefore, fail to make recourse to the good training you had in the College. Indeed friends, you have been given the flesh of moral discipline and uprightness. Remain firm and sturdy in this path. Lies fill the length and breadth of the social media and move faster than the speed of light; thanks to the power of the internet.

    Your academic foundation is one that is the envy of many who are not privileged and who might have desired to be beneficiaries. Let it not amount to naught. Your desire for freedom is realised. Know your freedom comes with responsibility. The era of pushing the blame to someone else gives way to the era of “I did it.” Put your future in good hands – your own.

    Remember that we led you to God, allow him to accompany you through your life. You were always instructed that there is a God who seeks the response of your love and wants you never to forget Him. Today there is a neo-atheism. Denial of spiritual realities and replacing God with money. We see the extent to which money has driven people to do the unimaginable in the country. Do not live above your means. Do not impress anyone. Practice your faith, live your faith and be glad to share it. Do not be ashamed to live for God.

    Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of other people’s opinion drown your own inner voice.

    Be focused and firm on whatever path you want to tow in the university and with God’s help you will succeed. Remember that bad company corrupts good manners. Choose your friends and do not let your friends choose you, and ensure that you do not make friends with people of questionable character.

    Today, you have a new mother in this institution, please do not put her to shame by your conduct and ways of life. Just as Jesus Christ enjoined his disciples in Mt. 28:19 to ‘Go therefore make disciples of all nations,’ in the same way you are being charged to become ambassadors of this college, and see to it that you contribute your own quota to the growth and development of this institution.

    Continue to rely on the promise of Christ to you in the gospel reading when he says, ‘In the world you will suffer, take courage for I have overcome the world’. You are being charged then to heal and not contaminate the world, to build and not to destroy, to uplift and not to bring down, to support and not to oppose, to renew and not to ruin.

     

  • Photos: Amazing Talents Schools celebrates 10th year anniversary, urges parents to invest in children

    The proprietor and Chairman of Amazing Talents Schools, Idimu, Mr Eddy Odivwri, has urged parents not to relent in investing their time and resources in the upbringing and education of their children stating that it is the only guaranty for a reliable future both for the children and the parents themselves.

    Odivwri made the call during the 10th-anniversary celebration of the school last Thursday in Lagos.

    He noted that the school has devoted greater attention in inculcating good knowledge, technology, moral and discipline in the children, stressing that, “parents should not spare anything to get the best for their children”.

    Photos: Amazing Talents Schools celebrates 10th year anniversary, urges parents to invest in children

    He stressed that the school was determined to producing children who are “sound in their heads and sound in their hearts”; as the school scored 100 percent in the recent Lagos State Model College entrance examination.

    The event which was also a graduation and prize-giving ceremony was chaired by the publisher of TheNewsGuru.com (TNG), Mr Mideno Bayagbon, who also encouraged parents to devote time for the proper upbringing of the children as well as co-operating with the school authorities to maximise the benefit of education for their children.

    The Special Guest of Honour, Chief Lucky Arhere who extolled the invaluable benefits of sound education, endowed a N100, 000 scholarship scheme to facilitate greater access to quality education.

    Photos: Amazing Talents Schools celebrates 10th year anniversary, urges parents to invest in children

    Other dignitaries at the colourful ceremony include Messrs Abraham Ogbodo, AIabi Williams, Editors of The Guardian and Guardian on Sunday, respectively. Also present are Mrs Yemi Kolapo, Publisher of The Point Newspaper, Mr Chidi Uzor, the Chief Executive officer of BC Kash Micro Finance Bank, as well as several other Education stakeholders.

    The celebration was rounded off last Sunday with a thanksgiving service at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Idimu.

  • Worried! Parents of Abducted Lagos pupils make payment of N31m ransom

    Parents of six abducted pupils of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla Epe have paid N31 million as ransom.

    According to reports, some of the parents took the money to an undisclosed place and paid in two tranches.

    The pupils have however not been released, 53 days after they were abducted from school.

    A source told Punch that the parents paid the ransom, stating that the kidnappers promised to release them last Sunday.

    A source said, “We don’t know what else these people want. The parents are stranded. The first time, three parents met with them somewhere and gave them N10m.

    “They demanded another N21m ransom. The parents took the money to the place and gave it to some gang members. They told the parents that they had done all the necessary things and promised to release the children in the next two days. They have been expecting the children since last week.”

    A parent of one of the children said the kidnappers confirmed that the ransom was complete but have failed to release the pupils.

    “We gave them N31m cash. We didn’t send it through a third party and they confirmed the money was complete. They promised to release our children soon.

    “We were confused when we heard that they demanded another N1.5m before the children could be released,” the parent added.

    Recall that the kids were kidnapped three days after the gunmen notified the school management of their plans.

    They had picked 10 students but later released 4, after screening them with family background.

    The six pupils identified as Peter Jonah, Isiaq Rahmon, Adebayo George, Judah Agbausi, Pelumi Philips and Farouq Yusuf were whisked away in a speedboat.