By Vincent Tyosuugh

Two academic institutions, Orenda Opal Schools have been closed by the Benue State Government over alleged textbook policy violation which allows students to reuse old text books or source them from the open market.

Giving reasons for the seal, the Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board, BEQAEB, said its action followed petitions from parents that their wards were forced to buy textbooks from the schools and that their assignments were not being marked for not buying the prescribed textbooks from the schools. It further pointed to failure of the school proprietor and administrators to honour an invitation to address the complaints.

The board’s Executive Secretary, Dr Terna Francis, led officials of its Directorate of Enforcement and Compliance to the schools, where a court order authorising the sealing of the premises was served on the proprietor before the facilities were locked.

According to a statement issued by the board’s Information Officer, Jeffrey Adzam, on Thursday, the government’s policy allows parents to reuse textbooks previously purchased for older children.

“Parents are also permitted to obtain textbook lists from schools and purchase the required books from bookstores outside the schools.”

However, the board alleged that the affected schools insisted that parents must purchase textbooks directly from them, contrary to the new policy.

Francis said the board received reports that some pupils whose parents had paid their school fees but could not afford the prescribed textbooks were subjected to punitive treatment, including having their homework left unmarked.

The statement added that some parents who had already bought the books from external vendors alleged that the schools refused to allow their children to use them during the current academic session.

According to the board, the parents were told to either purchase new textbooks directly from the schools or withdraw their children and enrol them elsewhere.

BEQAEB further alleged that pupils were barred from bringing textbooks bought outside the schools into their classrooms, leaving some of them demoralised.

“Dr Francis described the alleged practices as unacceptable and inconsistent with the protection of learners’ rights and welfare under applicable laws in Benue State and Nigeria.

“He explained that the government’s policy was intended to provide flexibility for parents, promote the reuse of textbooks where appropriate and prevent schools from imposing unnecessary restrictions that undermine the interests of learners and their families,” the statement said.

He said the board had invited the proprietor and school administrators to a meeting to resolve the complaints, but they turned it down.

According to the statement, the board subsequently approached the court through the Benue State Attorney-General and obtained an order authorising the sealing of the school premises.

The proprietor, Onyinye Okoye, allegedly led members of staff to attack Francis and his team after the court order had been served.

The statement said the incident involved verbal assaults on the officials and the destruction of an official vehicle belonging to the board.

The board condemned the reported incident, saying disputes with regulatory authorities should be resolved through lawful channels rather than violence or intimidation.

It said the schools would remain sealed until their proprietors and administrators met its conditions, complied with government regulations and demonstrated a commitment to protecting the rights of pupils and parents.

“He urged parents and guardians whose children experience similar forms of alleged victimisation or violations of government education policies to submit formal petitions to BEQAEB, accompanied by relevant evidence.

“He assured the public that such complaints would be investigated and appropriate action taken in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

By Seyi Balogun, Lagos

The emergence of Nigeria’s Overall Best Teacher for 2026 at the Federal Government’s President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards, Mary Oluwaseun Adebayo, once a private school teacher, shows that where you start in life does not matter.

Adebayo received the national recognition during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Abuja, where she was rewarded with a brand-new car as the star prize.

While receiving the car on Teacher’s Day, she expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying she had continued teaching without any inkling that her efforts would earn her such a reward. In her words:

“I started this work in a private school. I kept doing the work, I did not know the Lord will reward me this way.”

From the Best Public Senior Secondary School Teacher category, she went on to emerge the overall best teacher in the country.

For achieving the feat, Nawair-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Obantoko Old Students Association, NUDGOSA, on Friday, congratulated her describing her achievement as a source of pride for the school and its community.

NUDGOSA in a statement signed by the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Sanni Damilola, said her recognition reflected her commitment to teaching and the advancement of education in Nigeria.

It added that her emergence had brought honour to the school, from whose classrooms she rose to national recognition.

“NUDGOSA is particularly proud that one of our own has risen to the pinnacle of the teaching profession in Nigeria.”

The association also said the award was an inspiration to current students, teachers, alumni and the wider school community, noting that it demonstrated how dedication and commitment to service could earn national recognition.

On behalf of the association’s national executive and members, its National President, Hon. Fasiu Bakenne, congratulated Adebayo, the school’s management and staff, and the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission.

Relatedly, a
lawmaker, Nasir Gboyega Isiaka, also congratulated Adebayo, describing her emergence as Nigeria’s Overall Best Teacher as a source of pride for Afon, Imeko-Afon and the wider constituency.

In a congratulatory message on Friday titled, “Celebrating Excellence: Congratulations to Nigeria’s Best Teacher,” Isiaka described Adebayo as an illustrious daughter of Afon, Imeko-Afon, and said her achievement demonstrated the level of excellence within local communities.

He said education remained important to his service to the constituency, adding that investing in education was essential to expanding opportunities for young people.

“Dr. Adebayo’s achievement therefore resonates deeply with the work we have continued to pursue in strengthening education and supporting those who dedicate their lives to it,” he said.

Isiaka said the award had brought honour to Afon, Imeko-Afon and the entire constituency, while wishing Adebayo greater success in her professional service and future endeavours.

The 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration was held under the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing the Status and Shaping Our Future.”

By Son Tertsea

The Governing Council of Philomath University, Abuja, has appointed Professor Ukertor Gabriel Moti as Acting Vice Chancellor, succeeding Professor Gylych Jelilov whose tenure has abated.

Professor Ukertor Gabriel Moti is currently on sabbatical at Philomath University.

This was announced in a statement signed by Engr. Damilola Silas, the Registrar of Philomath University, Abuja

Professor Moti is a distinguished scholar, accomplished administrator and internationally recognised expert in public sector management, governance and leadership. He brings to the role decades of experience in teaching, research, institutional administration, programme evaluation and educational reform. He’s widely regarded as an adaptable, resourceful and results-oriented professional, who has consistently developed and implemented strategies that enhance academic standards and organisational performance.

An international leadership expert, speaker and trainer, Professor Moti is certified by the Maxwell Leadership team to facilitate, coach and deliver leadership and professional development programmes worldwide. He is also a Certified Management Consultant and Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants. He previously served as President of the Institute of Management Consultants Nigeria and is licensed to provide training on the ISO 20700:2017 standard on behalf of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes.

Professor Moti made history as the first Nigerian and second African to be inducted as a CMC-Global Academic Fellow by the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes in Zurich. His international engagements include involvement with the International Conference on Management, Leadership and Governance in the United Kingdom and the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM).

He also serves as Chief Editor of the African Journal of Public Administration and Management (AJPAM) in Nairobi.

His extensive governance experience includes service at the University of Abuja and the International Commission on the Accreditation of Public Administration Education and Training. He is a member of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), Belgium. A former member of the Governing Council of the University of Abuja, he currently chairs the Governing Council of the College of Education, Katsina-Ala.

Professor Moti has served as a Visiting Scholar at KU Leuven, Belgium, where he contributed to African-European academic collaborations. He is also a Research Fellow at the African Centre for the Study of the United States, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, and is affiliated with the Gulf Research Center at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

From 2021 to 2025, he served two terms as Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies at the University of Abuja. He also served briefly as Director of the Abuja Leadership Centre, a TETFund Centre of Excellence in Governance and Leadership.

Professor Moti holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political and Administrative Studies from the University of Port Harcourt, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Lagos and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Benin. Having risen through the academic ranks from Lecturer II to Professor, he has presented scholarly papers at international conferences in more than 40 countries.

The Governing Council and the entire Philomath University community warmly welcome Professor Ukertor Gabriel Moti to his new role. The University is confident that his wealth of experience, academic distinction and visionary leadership will strengthen the institution and advance its pursuit of excellence, innovation and global relevance.