Delight Chinedum 

Anambra State government has suspended six headteachers in various public schools across the state over illegal collections of fees and levies from parents and guardians of pupils.

Two headteachers in Awka North Council Area were also demoted from their positions and stepped down following negligence to duty and corrupt leadership.

Executive Chairman, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr Vera Nwadinobi who disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference, said the decision followed reports of the culprits’ sabotage of government’s efforts.

She listed the headteachers to include Mrs Okoye Uju of Awada Primary School, Mrs Nwafor Eunice Nwanneka of Awada Primary School and Mrs Nwakaku patience Obioma of Awada Primary School.

Others are Mrs Aniwetalu Elizabeth Ekene of Awada Primary School, Mrs Odionu Gloria Nkolika of Awada Primary School and Mrs Muluako Augustine Chinwe of Awada Primary School.

She mandated the culprits to refund all monies collected from learners, hand over to the next ranking officer and step down from their positions as Headteachers.

She vowed more stringent disciplinary measures for others who were unwilling to comply with government policy on free and compulsory education in the state.

She said, “I must state that I am compelled to address you today sequel to the disturbing incidents currently happening in some of our Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in the State.

“All of you are probably aware that recently, the State Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, introduced a free and compulsory education policy in the state. The idea is to ensure that no child of school going age is deprived of the opportunity and benefits of basic education.

“This policy, since inception, has run smoothly in the state leading to increased and encouraging enrollment in the public schools and the elimination of out-of school syndrome. Most indigent parents and guardians have since heaved a sigh of relief as the burden of school fees and other sundry expenses placed on them have drastically reduced.

“To ensure a seamless transition from the past, the state government immediately commenced the payment of imprest and running costs of extra 50,000 to school heads for smooth running of schools and provision of requisite teaching tools, such as markers, chalks, exams fees and portals if any, etc.

“Also the state government has come up with the payment of 1500 per pupil in all the pure public schools so as to cover all manner of levies. PTA levies was abolished with the employment of 3115 teachers to add to the 5000 teachers recruited in 2022.

“Reports reaching us, however, indicate that some school heads in the state are sabotaging the efforts of the state government in this direction by introducing payment of certain unauthorized fees.

“Following these reports, the board recently set up an investigation team to go round some public schools in the state to determine the extent to which parents and guardians are being extorted in the guise of payment of running costs by some unscrupulous school heads.

“I must inform you that the reports we got from the investigation team are amazingly alarming and disturbing. For instance, in Awada Primary School 1-6, Obosi, it was gathered that the Headteachers charged fees for extra lesson to all the pupils, ink fillers for markers, blue pens and red pens.

“In the schools mentioned, the head teachers allegedly got the PTA to agree that every learner will be paying the sum of 200 Naira for the cleaning of the school toilets. The 50,000 monthly running cost and imprest was supposed to cover this.

“Other items for which fees were allegedly paid for include: compiled questions and answers for verbal and quantitative subjects, certain novels, lesson fees, send-forth for retiring or transferred teachers, burial levy, Common Entrance Exam fees above the official approved amount of 2,900 , Exam portal and passport photos which was against the directive of the board.

“Other items for which fees were allegedly charged include; forms for learners, scratch cards, fees for marking of present at PTA meetings and a certain sum for absenteeism. There were also fees charged for tissue papers and soaps among others.

“Last week, two Headteachers in Awka North LGA were demoted from their positions and stepped down by the Board as a result of their negligence to duty and corrupt leadership. Many more stringent disciplinary measures await others if they do not willingly comply with the policy of Mr. Governor on free and compulsory education in the state.

“Henceforth, we will not just demote but recommend outright dismissal from service for any headteacher or principal who goes contrary to the free education policy. We cannot continue to condone such irresponsible conduct by any teacher or school head to extort money from parents and guardians who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the free education and zero levies policy by the Solution Government in our dear state.”

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has said the State Executive Council will present a bill for legislation on the 32-year development plan from 2024 to 2056.

Governor Ododo made this known while presenting the 2025 Budget estimate to the Kogi State House of Assembly on Tuesday.

According to the Governor, providing legislative backing for the 32-year development plan of the Kogi State government is to ensure continuity and consolidation of on-going development in infrastructure and human capital development, enhancement of the quality of lives and livelihood of people in urban and rural areas, support for new initiatives in solid minerals development, law, justice and public service reforms, among others which he said have to be sustained to prevent project abandonment and deviation from the strategic vision to position Kogi state as an investment destination.

“As part of our efforts to build a new and prosperous Kogi State, we have developed a 32-year state development plan with the theme ‘Shared Hope and Prosperity’. The document is a comprehensive roadmap designed to transform Kogi State into a thriving, inclusive and sustainable economy,” he stated.

Governor Ododo further said the state development plan is anchored on three pillars of fostering prosperity, building resilience and providing direction for sustainable development through exceptional innovation, wealth creation, healthcare and human capital development established on the foundation of peace and exemplary governance.

He noted the state development plan which is now operational is in three phases beginning with its first phase from 2024 to 2033 to lay the foundation for growth with investment in critical infrastructure, human capital development and economic diversification, adding that the phases two and three from 2034 to 2043 and 2043 to 2056 will focus on accelerating economic growth, improving governance and enhancing environmental sustainability; and consolidating on the gains of the earlier phases promoting innovation and ensuring the state remains competitive and attractive for investment.

Meanwhile, the proposed Budget estimates presented by the Governor for the next fiscal year is N584,404,119,489.00 (five hundred and eighty-two billion, four hundred and four million, one hundred and nineteen thousand, four hundred and eighty-nine Naira) to the Kogi State House of Assembly.

The breakdown of the 2025 budget proposal shows that the sum of N302, 813, 903,802 (three hundred and two billion, eight hundred and thirteen million, nine hundred and three thousand, eight hundred and two) Naira representing 51.99% is allocated for capital expenditure while N279, 590,215,687 (two hundred and seventy nine billion, five hundred and ninety million, two hundred anf fifteen thousand, six hundred and eighty seven Naira) representing 48.01% is allocated for recurrent expenditure.

The 2025 budget estimates christened budget of consolidation and continuity for inclusive development is N176, 82,989,476 (one hundred and seventy-six billion, eighty-two million, nine hundred and eighty-nine thousand, four hundred and seventy-six Naira) higher than the 2024 revised budget representing a 43.34% increase from the 2024 budget.

The allocation to sectors indicates that the sum of N120, 047, 367,416 Naira which is 20.61% is allocated to administration; N227, 820,142,196 Naira which is 39.12% is allocated to economic matters; N23,754,514,351 Naira which is 4.08% is allocated to law and Justice, and N210,782,095,526 which is 36.19%
is allocated to social services bring the total to N582,404,119,489 Naira as the 2025 budget proposal presented to the state house of assembly.

Governor Ododo also outlined the policy direction of the 2025 budget proposal anchored on the state’s fiscal strategy and its Public Financial Management Reform to include improvements in efficiency and effectiveness of spending, greater control of the state wage bill, boosting revenue generation by identifying and blocking leakages, and directing capital expenditure to critical infrastructure such as road, housing, education, health, and other thematic areas of job creation, youth engagement, infrastructure, and utilities, public sector and pension reforms.

The Governor noted that the objective of the 2025 budget is to improve quality of education at all levels, improve access to healthcare, ensure food security, expand trade and commerce, create opportunities for youth development, improve road networks in urban and rural areas improve the quantity, quality and access to safe water among others.

The Kogi State Governor further noted that the key goals of the 2025 budget are to boost internally generated revenue, pursue debt repayment, foster conducive business environment, encourage public private partnerships, block wastages and leakages in revenue streams and prioritise completion of ongoing projects and programmes while introducing new critical projects aligned with the state’s 32-year development plan.

 by Myke Uzendu, Abuja

Stakeholders have attributed the high cost of food items in December through to the New Year to the rising cost of transportation in the country.

The rising costs have also been attributed to a number of other factors including multiple taxation, police and other secirty road blocks and increasing transportation fare.

They urged the government to take swift action to ease their struggles and maintain the steady distribution of food across the country.

Amid growing economic hardship and surging inflation, the cost of food items is expected to soar this December as the Yuletide season approaches.

This warning comes from the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN), whose members have highlighted various challenges affecting their operations.

Prices of rice, garri, other food items set to skyrocket this December as transport costs soar.  In its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated that Nigeria’s inflation rate surged to 21.09% in October 2022, the highest level on record.

Speaking with journalists recently, AUFCDN’s National President, Mohammed Tahir, cited the rising prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel, along with frequent extortion and double taxation on federal highways, as major factors burdening foodstuff transporters.

Tahir revealed that transporting a trailer-load of rice, beans, corn, and other food items from Sokoto to Port Harcourt costs N2.25 million. A similar expense is incurred when moving goods to other southern regions.

He cautioned that food prices are likely to rise further as the Christmas season nears, intensifying the existing hardships faced by Nigerians.

He said: “The price increase will continue into the New Year.

“Transportation costs are significantly inflated by multiple layers of taxation, including levies imposed by local and state government revenue officials, roadblocks by security agencies, and extortion by “agberos” (street hustlers), along with extra charges at markets”.

Tahir highlighted that areas like the South-East, South-South, and parts of the South-West are especially challenging, with reports of drivers and their assistants facing harassment and physical assaults.

He stated that a significant number of union members have ceased transporting food items because of the escalating costs associated with the business. He also expressed disappointment that the government has failed to engage with foodstuff transporters to resolve these challenges, despite their crucial role in ensuring the nation’s food supply.

Tahir stressed that, despite the significant challenges, the union is reluctant to embark on a strike due to the potential hardship it would cause for vulnerable Nigerians.

He however called on the government to take swift action to ease their struggles and maintain the steady distribution of food across the country.