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FG, World Bank applaud Kwara education reforms, investments

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Federal government and World Bank teams on Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) have applauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his administration’s reforms and commitments in improving learning outcomes for children in the state.

AGILE is a World Bank-assisted Project of the Federal Government. Kwara has qualified to be enrolled into the programme that seeks better girl child education, especially in senior secondary school.

“Your Excellency, we know the story of Kwara State. We have seen the performance of Kwara State in education quality assurance. You have been a pace setter. Also, in the monitoring of learning achievements of performance of learners when it comes to basic education and post basic education, you are doing so well,” National Project Coordinator of AGILE project in the Federal Ministry of Education Hajia Aminah Haruna said during a visit to Government House Ilorin on Tuesday.

“We have gone round and we have seen some schools and the possibility of intervening. We have seen commitments. We know you are coming from a long journey. But you have shown signs of strong commitments. We really appreciate that.

World Bank’s Senior Education Specialist in Nigeria Tunde Adekola, for his part, said the team was in Kwara for its appraisal mission as the state is eligible for the AGILE project among the 11 additional states.

“Our coming here is to tell you that Kwara State is now eligible for the AGILE project. We are happy about this, and we call it an appraisal mission. It is after appraisal mission that we will do negotiations. This is very important to us because we have the original AGILE project in seven states and out of the 11 states that we are extending the project to, it is only six states that are ready now and Kwara is one of them,” he said, adding that the administration has really done well for the education sector.

“We hope that by September, this project should be able to take off and start implementation in terms of resources we are bringing to the state because you have contributed N150m to support the project.

“Part of the resources is to do construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, issue of digital literacy, girls empowerment among others.

“You are doing well in terms of basic education with construction. We have been to some schools, and we have seen a lot of efforts by the state government. More still need to done. That is why we are here. We appreciate you and your efforts and, more importantly, the support you have given to AGILE project.”

Adekola explained that the intervention of the AbdulRazaq’s administration in the education sector has created a platform for the smooth take off of AGILE project in the state.

“You have really demonstrated that if there is commitment from government and there is interest to deliver for our people, it is not going to be difficult.

Kwara State Project Coordinator Adesina Salami noted that the Governor’s enthusiasm and love for education in Kwara State made it possible for the state to fulfill all the conditions set by the World Bank for the AGILE project.

“(His Excellency’s) love for female folk and education development of the state has made it possible to key into the adolescent girls’ initiative for learning and empowerment. By this, the females who are out of schools for one reason or the other (economic or social stigmatisation) will be brought back to schools, retain and make to transcend beyond secondary education under the project,” he said.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his part, said the administration has addressed many of the challenges facing the sector, including non-payment of salary and general infrastructural decay, but added that a lot still needs to be done.

“The challenges are huge. But we have addressed some of them. For the neglect of many years, it will take us time to cover some of these schools. And we are not doing concentric development by staying only in the state capital. We spread what we do across all the local government areas. The digital literacy centres, too, are spread across the state,” he said.

“We have engaged New Globe to bring technology into our classrooms. With that, every teacher must know how to use a tablet…. That has helped us in issues of enumeration, curriculum, and check students’ absenteeism. KwaraLEARN programme is very effective.”

AbdulRazaq promised improved budgetary provisions to support the education sector to address schools’ infrastructural deficits and improve teaching and learning across the state.

“For us, there are huge challenges and gaps. We will increase our budget in education and refocus more on the sector. I was in the School for Special Needs a few weeks ago, and we have sent a contractor in order to fix it. We will up our games in several areas. That is why we are happy with the aids we are getting in the AGILE project to see how we can expand what we are doing. Girl-child issue is very important and the issue of out of school children. Kwara is a pioneer state on the issue of SDG 5. We have passed a law that guarantees 35% political appointment for women,” he added.

“When we came in in 2019, there was no single female legislator in the house of assembly. Today, we have five female lawmakers and the youngest female lawmaker in Nigeria today is from Kwara. It is a big challenge, but it is a gradual process. That is what AGILE project is all about: it is to make sure we attain SDG 5.”

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

June 21, 2023

General

Osun Pensioners: Governor Adeleke is Committed to Payment of Pensions, Entitlements

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The government of Governor Ademola Adeleke has reacted to the rumor of accrued pensions not paid by his government as alleged by opposition in the state, upon which some unscrupulous elements are allegedly planning a protest march.

We want the public to note that the current government has been consistent in paying some of the accrued pensions, owed by previous governments, from inception of his administration

While we have ascertained and confirmed that the rumour of a planned protest is not true,we alert the public to the spreading of the fake news designed to offend and confuse the contributory pensioners who are strong supporters of Governor Adeleke.

We assert that the pensioners and other stakeholders are aware of sustained efforts of the current government to pay up the inherited pensions.

It may also interest stakeholders to note that the Governor has 48 hours ago directed the hosting of an emergency consultative meeting with contributory pensioners to table full data before them and agree on a path to further payments.

Details of the meeting are to be communicated to relevant stakeholders.

Ahead of the meeting, we take liberty to release part of the records with renewed commitment of the administration to accelerate the payment process.

The records according to the Local Government Staff Pension Bureau in the state, shows that the government of Ademola Adeleke has made payment to both the contributory pensioners and old pensioners in the state, with effect from 28th November, 2022 till date.

The breakdown is as follows:

MONTHLY PENSION (Old Pension Scheme) – Three billion naira (N3 billion).

PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS – Two billion, nine hundred and sixteen million, two hundred and twenty-four thousand, three hundred and forty-one naira and thirty kobo (N2,916,224,341: 30).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF PENSIONERS – One billion, Sixty-two million, Four Hundred and Sixty-nine thousand, Seven hundred and Forty-three naira, Eighty-six Kobo (N1,062,469,743 : 86).

Regarding Death Benefits:

PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS – Three hundred and Twenty-four million, Two hundred and Eighty-nine thousand, Five hundred and Ninety naira, Sixty-two Kobo (N324,289,590: 62).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF PENSIONERS – Nine-six million, One hundred and Eighty-one thousand, Thirty-two naira, Ninety-two Kobo (N96,181,032: 92).

MONTHLY PENSION (Contributory Pension) Remittances:

PRIMARY SCHOOL – One billion, Eighty-three million,One hundred and Ninety-seven thousand,two hundred and Sixty-five naira, Thirty-six Kobo (N1,083,197,265:36).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF PENSIONERS – Six hundred and One million, Seven hundred and Seventy-four thousand, Thirty-two naira, Thirty-two kobo (N601,774,032:32).

PRESENTATION OF BOND CERTIFICATES:

PRIMARY SCHOOL – One billion, Nine hundred and Eleven million, Three hundred and Seventy thousand, Two hundred and Eleven naira, Forty-four Kobo (N1,911,370,211:44).

LOCAL GOVT STAFF PENSIONERS – Seven hundred and Eight million, Forty-one thousand, Three hundred and Seventy-eight naira, Ninety-seven Kobo (N708,041,378:97).

The government appreciates the Pensioners and especially the contributory pensioners for their understanding, resilience and appreciation of the high level of commitment already shown by the government and urge them to distance themselves from evil operatives of the previous regime who were responsible for the pension debt in the first place.

As we remind the public and pensioners that Governor Adeleke has workers welfare as a number on his agenda, we affirm that the Governor has the best interest of workers, pensioners and the public at heart and his government will therefore not under any circumstances deny retirees their due rights and privileges.

The government reiterates its commitment to the good people of Osun state, and asked that the lying opposition party be shunned, as they are mischief makers.

Signed:

Oluomo Kolapo Alimi

Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment

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Mohbad: I Disguised To Candlelight, Shameful Things People Did – FPRO

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The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has said that he was one of those who attended the candlelight and night of tribe held for Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, in Lagos.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, however, said the conduct of some of those there did not serve the purpose.

In a tweet on his X handle, Adejobi said inasmuch as candlelight processions are a right, it should be done with decorum.

He tweeted: “None could recognise me, I disguised.

“But I intentionally attended to see things for myself and have an opinion about the whole thing.

“I gathered some intelligence there yesterday.

“Sincerely, many guys are our problem.

“You dey mourn, u con dey smoke, dey hit or attack people, dey drive reckless, etc.

“May his soul rest in peace.

“While I commend the organisers of the lagos procession for their steadfastness and understanding.

“I hope others will emulate them.

“It’s reasonable to end all processions at the latest 7pm.

“Candle light procession is a rite and must be purposeful.”

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Ramsdale’s Time At Arsenal Coming To An End —Premier League Legend

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Premier League legendary American goalkeeper Brad Friedel has said he is certain that Aaron Ramsdale’s time at Arsenal is coming to an end.

Ramsdale has been overlooked for selection in past two games, with summer signing David Raya getting the nod.

The Spanish goalkeeper joined Arsenal from Brentford on a £3million loan deal with a purchase option of £27m.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has insisted to the media that he will pick his goalkeeper based on tactical reasons.

But the fact that Raya has started in both the Premier League and now Champions League has many questioning his statements.

One of those is Friedel, who has the third-most appearances of any goalkeeper in Premier League history.

When asked if it’s over for Ramsdale if Raya starts this weekend’s north London derby against Tottenham, the American replied on talkSPORT: “Absolutely.”

“I thought from the second they signed him they signed him to be the new no.1, I don’t think you pay that much money for someone with one year left on their contract, I know he signed an extra contract and went on loan, but that was for other reasons.

“I think they really liked Raya so when he became available they pushed for him.”

“It’s very harsh on Ramsdale but it’s the coach’s decision,” the former Liverpool and Tottenham keeper said.

“I’m assuming Ramsdale at the end of this season will end up having to do what Matt Turner did at the end of the previous season and find another place to play.

“I know it’s early and people will say you have to see what he does, but I think Raya was brought in as the no.1, you thought maybe they could be swapping if they’d played Ramsdale in the Champions League, but that didn’t happen.

“I think we’ll see Raya in goal and he’ll be the incumbent no.1 this season.”

Ramsdale joined Arsenal in the summer of 2021, leaving Sheffield United in a £30m deal.

Last season the 25-year-old almost helped the Gunners to a first league title in almost two decades, which Friedel thinks will see him join another top club where he can play every match

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