By Seyi Balogun

The 174th Governing Council meeting of the University of Calabar has approved the dismissal of eight members of staff and sanctioned another with a two-year promotion delay.

The offences range from examination malpractice to fund diversion and vandalism.

Dr Mrs Icha Chukwuka, the University Registrar, who signed the memo doubles as Secretary to Council, disclosed that the sanctions followed a review of disciplinary cases presented before Council members.

Those dismissed include Prof. Emilia Oyira of the Department of Nursing Science, over alleged examination misconduct; Mr Ukachukwu Echezunachi Darlington of Chemical Pathology, Mrs Akinrinade Opayemi Ogunluyi of Microbiology, Dr Arum Priscilia Nchekwube of Internal Medicine, and Mrs Okoi Nyesam Eni of the Clinical Medical Hostel, all sacked over absence and abandonment of duty.

Furthermore, the memo stated that Mr Joseph Edet Okon of the Works Department, was dismissed over allegations of vandalism and carting away of armoured cables, and Mr Eworo Valentine Ibor of Pure and Applied Chemistry, dismissed for allegedly falsifying and altering examination results.

Similarly, Mr Emmanuel Adariku of the Alumni Relations Office was dismissed over unauthorized withdrawal of funds from the Friends of Malabor/Alumni Trust Funds account, while Dr Mathias Agba of Nursing Science was handed a two-year promotion delay and forfeiture of 50 percent of his withheld salary over negligence linked to an examination misconduct case.

The Registrar’s memo added that the University “continues to reiterate its zero tolerance for all forms of unethical practices,” noting that the administration of Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong “remains resolute in its determination to rebrand the institution on a foundation of integrity and excellence in service delivery.”

The University’s Public Relations Unit, which released the statement, said the affected staff were dismissed in line with due process, following Council’s deliberation on the disciplinary reports presented to it.

By Isa Abdul

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has countered claims that Government Secondary School, Olowa, in Dekina LGA of Kogi state, where five persons were abducted during the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), is a “miracle centre”.

Gunmen abducted students from the school around 5:25pm, on Tuesday while candidates were writing the ongoing NECO examinations.

The principal of the school and a NECO ad hoc staff were also kidnapped during the incident.

Godiya Solomon Monde, commanding officer, 21 battalion, Nigerian Army, while speaking to journalists alleged that the school was a renowned place for examination malpractice, popularly referred to as “miracle centre”.

“The issue is that this school is definitely isolated as you can see; it’s actually tagged as a miracle centre for the students. Ten students were brought here for the literature,-in-English exams, and around 16:00 hours we got the call that the school was attacked,” Monde said.

“Even to locate the school was not easy, but we finally got here with the aid of somebody from the community. When we got here, we saw some papers littered on the ground.”

On Thursday, the Kogi state government referred to the school where four persons were kidnapped during the recent attack as an “unauthorised” examination centre.

Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications, said that the rescue followed a coordinated security operation ordered by Ahmed Ododo, governor of Kogi.

But responding to the “Miracle Centre” allegation in a statement on Friday, Azeez Sani, NECO’s acting director of information and public relations, said the council disagreed with comments attributed to the army and Fanwo.

Sani expressed sympathy for the victims and commended the Kogi state government and security agencies for prompt efforts that led to the rescue of the remaining four abductees.

He said Government Secondary School, Olowa, is a state-owned institution that has existed for more than 40 years also presenting candidates for the NECO SSCE examinations since 2000. The added:

“The principal of the school, Daniel Iyamaa, who was among those abducted, is a Grade Level 17 officer in the Kogi state civil service.

“Similarly, the kidnapped supervisor, Solomon Audu, is a Grade Level 12 officer employed by the Kogi state government and posted to Community Secondary School, Effin.

“Available records also show that the abducted candidates are duly registered students of Government Secondary School, Olowa, who were presented for the 2026 NECO SSCE by the school in conjunction with the Kogi state government.”

The council stressed that the 28 candidates registered by the school for the 2026 SSCE are bona fide students and not external candidates, contrary to the impression created by the commissioner’s remarks.

By Michael Lim

For the financial strain on parents, guardians and the commercialisation of school celebrations, the Niger Private Schools Board has directed the discontinuation of the conduct of graduation ceremonies in all private schools across the state with immediate effect.

The Director of Information Services, Niger State Ministry of Information and Orientation, Mr Yunusa Ibrahim, made this statement available to the press on Tuesday in Minna.

Instead, Ibrahim explained, private schools are now required to adopt speech and prize-giving ceremonies as the approved platform for celebrating learners and recognising academic excellence, exemplary conduct, leadership and other outstanding achievements.

The directive, according to him, applies to all proprietors of private schools, school administrators and management teams, parents and guardians, as well as other stakeholders in the private education sector.

He added that the policy was introduced to promote uniformity in end-of-session activities across private schools, preserve the educational significance of school celebrations, strengthen effective regulation of private educational institutions, and discourage extravagant ceremonies.

He further said the policy aims to encourage schools to prioritise academic achievement and character development.

He clarified that the directive does not prevent schools from celebrating learners or recognising their achievements.

He added that speech and prize-giving ceremonies remain appropriate platforms for awarding prizes and certificates, recognising outstanding academic performance, honouring exemplary behaviour and leadership, and showcasing the achievements of pupils and students.

“Graduation ceremonies in some private schools have become increasingly elaborate and expensive in recent years, resulting in high financial demands on parents and guardians, and unnecessary competition among schools.

“This is a shift from the educational purpose of end-of-session activities and has led to the commercialisation of school celebrations.”

The Director of Information Services added that the board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Orientation and other relevant stakeholders, would embark on public enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns across the state to promote understanding and compliance.