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Gov Mbah’s education policy to contribute to fourth industrial revolution – Enugu SSG

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The Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), Prof Chidiebere Onyia, has disclosed that the education policy of the present administration is geared towards contributing to the bio-digital-technology that would drive the fourth industrial revolution across the globe through the introduction of innovative technologies in education, particularly in the state’s basic education system.

The SSG, while delivering a keynote address titled, “Smart Basic Education and the Future of Africa” at a quadrennial convention organised by the Union Secondary School Awkunanaw Enugu Old Boys Association (UNISSOBA) in Enugu on Thursday, said the administration of Governor Peter Mbah has taken some deliberate steps at reforming the education system to meet the much needed changing global demands.

He noted that with the African continent constituting the world’s youngest and largest population compared with other continents with declining and ageing populations, it has the greatest human capital opportunity, and future talent pool with enormous opportunities.

He, however, expressed regret that the continent is lagging behind in terms of quality education with a high rate of schooling and learning poverty rate which could rob the continent of the emerging future opportunities.

“We recently conducted a Baseline Assessment of our primary schools in Enugu State in November 2023. Our findings were shocking. After four years of primary schooling, 50% of our children cannot read a single word in English. Those who can read struggle with comprehension. After six years of primary schooling, 50% of our children cannot solve simple subtraction challenges. What we found out in Enugu State is writ large across our nation. In Nigeria, 3 out of 4 children who complete basic education lack numeracy and literacy proficiency. The World Bank, UNICEF, and UNESCO have defined this as “the Nigerian Learning Crisis.” On top of this, our children suffer a “Skills Gap” because existing modes of rote teaching do not equip children with scientific, technological, productive, and digital competences,” he observed.

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Speaking further, Prof Onyia expressed optimism that the challenges were being addressed by the well-thought out radical policy-initiatives by the state government which would not only equip students with emerging future technological skills, but would also afford them opportunities to compete with their peers globally.

He explained that with the introduction of the smart school model across the 260 electoral wards in the state, which has new facilities such as the centre for artificial intelligence, interactive smart boards, centre for robotics, among others, the state is set to lead in the fourth industrial revolution, adding that the academic curricula would now emphasize on experiential learning methods, problem-solving and case studies.

“In Enugu State, we now believe that in addition to providing continuous training and professional development to teachers within the school systems, we must also transform how teachers teach, as well as how students learn, by adopting Experiential Learning, as a robust and lasting solution to the learning crisis and skills gap. Experiential Learning requires multisensory instruction to support project- or solutions-based learning beyond classrooms. It requires introducing innovative technologies in education, encouraging children to engage in experimentation, critical inquiry, and research early in life, and supporting them to solve real life problems as a normal part of their education experience. This is the only way that our education system can create a skilled labour force that can contribute to the emerging fourth industrial revolution. Experiential Learning is the pathway for Africa’s youth to become leading global citizens.

“The objective is to build the human capital of Enugu State, which will enable us to increase our GDP from $4.4b to $30b USD per annum and achieve zero poverty headcount over the next four-eight years. This revolution begins with the establishment Smart Green Schools, one in each of the 260 wards within the State. Each Smart Green School is equipped with an internet system, a robotics and artificial intelligence centre, a modern ICT centre, two science laboratories, a hybrid multimedia library, a technology laboratory, a creative production studio, 25 inclusive classrooms with digital white boards, and 700 android tablets,” Prof Onyia stated.

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Nigerian woman commits suicide two years after relocating to UK on skilled worker visa

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UK-based Nigerian, Beatrice Solomon, 27, was found dead in her home on Wednesday
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A United Kingdom UK-based Nigerian, Beatrice Solomon, 27, was found dead in her home on Wednesday.

A coroner in the United Kingdom ruled that a 27-year-old Nigerian woman, Beatrice Solomon, died by suicide after an inquest into her death.

Beatrice, a mother of one, was found unresponsive at her home on Norris Road in Stanfield by her husband, Damian Butler, on March 4.

According to evidence presented at the inquest, Butler, 40, had left for his delivery job at about 4:30 p.m. before returning home roughly two hours later to use the toilet, where he made the tragic discovery.

Police Constable Hinchliffe told the hearing that paramedics arrived shortly afterwards, but Beatrice was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:21 p.m. Officers also ruled out any third-party involvement.

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The inquest heard that Beatrice moved from Nigeria to Stoke-on-Trent in November 2023 on a skilled worker visa, where she worked as a carer. She is survived by her young son and siblings.

Giving evidence, Butler said Beatrice had struggled with her mental health over the previous 12 months due to ongoing issues involving Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

He also revealed that he later discovered she had made two previous attempts to take her own life.

Pathologist Dr Jones told the inquest that Beatrice died from oxygen deprivation.

Delivering her conclusion, Coroner Li Hammond-Naylor ruled that Beatrice died by suicide.

She said: “It is clear to me that Beatrice had researched and planned how to take her own life. I can only extend my sincere condolences to Beatrice’s family and friends.”

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Police arrest ‘PFIPC Director-General’, Adeyemi

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• My life is in danger – ‘Fake’ PFIPC DG’ Adeyemi claims

The “Director-General” of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, has been arrested by security operatives following a warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Adeyemi was picked up on Tuesday at his hideout in Osun State, shortly after Justice Mohammed Umar ordered his arrest over his failure to appear in court for his arraignment.

The Police PRO confirmed that he was arrested by a team of FID/IRT in Osun.

Details of the arrest remain sketchy as of press time, but sources said the suspect would be taken to the Police Headquarters in Abuja for further action.

The arrest followed a brief ruling by Justice Umar, who issued a bench warrant after Adeyemi failed to appear before the court despite several adjournments.

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Earlier in the proceedings, Adeyemi’s counsel, Genesis Francis, told the court that he could not convince his client to attend the hearing, citing concerns raised by the defendant.

The lawyer informed the court that Adeyemi had expressed fears for his safety in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, noting that the matter had generated significant public attention.

However, prosecuting counsel, Wisdom Madaki, argued that the case had suffered repeated delays due to the defendant’s absence.

Madaki urged the court to issue a warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest in line with Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Granting the request, Justice Umar held that the charges were filed on November 27, 2025, while proceedings commenced on December 4, 2025.

The judge noted that Adeyemi had appeared in court only once and had failed to attend subsequent proceedings.

He consequently ordered his arrest and adjourned the matter until September 30.

Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man accused of forging government appointment letters and parading himself as the PFIPC DG, had earlier expressed fears for his life saying he was  not in any way hiding from law enforcement agents.

While speaking on Channels TV on Monday night July 13, Adeyemi said

“I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding. I’m only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger,” he said on the current affairs programme, alleging threats to his life. There have been several attempts on my life,” Adeyemi said.

Adeyemi also alleged that there had been multiple attempts on his life but did not disclose further details or identity of those allegedly behind the attacks.

“And I’m ready for that. There are several attempts to… my life,” he added.

Adeyemi’s remarks come as controversy continues to trail the purported PFIPC, which the Presidency has repeatedly described as a non-existent government agency.

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Adeniyi Adeyemi: I borrowed N100m to secure PFIPC DG appointment — lenders have reported me to EFCC

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Adeniyi Adeyemi
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Adeniyi Adeyemi, director-general (DG) of the “controversial” presidential foreign intervention promotion council (PFIPC), says those who lent him N100 million to secure the appointment have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over repayment.

Adeyemi, who is facing allegations of forgery and impersonation over the existence of the PFIPC, spoke on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

The presidency has said the council does not exist and that Adeyemi was never appointed by the office of the chief of staff to the president.

On July 7, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the PFIPC controversy.

Responding to questions about the source of the funds he used to operate and resources at his disposal, Adeyemi said the money was borrowed.

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“Mr. Seun, I borrowed this money. In fact, those that I borrowed this N100 million have reported to EFCC,” he said.

“I borrowed this money to pay for this appointment. In fact, I can tell you, they have reported to the EFCC, asking me to refund their money. I borrowed this money.”

Adeyemi also dismissed allegations that he falsely claimed to have received an appointment from the United Nations (UN).

“It’s all sponsored. It’s a campaign of calumny. They should let us face the facts and documents. It is unfortunate that some actors in the government are taking up this matter. It’s unfortunate, and it’s embarrassing,” he said.

“Honestly, imagine the government claiming that one man, and called me a con artist, manoeuvred the whole system; it is unfortunate.”

Reacting to reports that a US-based lobbying firm is helping him seek asylum abroad, Adeyemi denied planning to leave Nigeria.

“I just ignored it because they sponsor a lot of people to bring my social media handle down,” he said.

“I don’t really know much about what is going on again. They said I was about to run away out of Nigeria. I’m still in Nigeria. I’m not going anywhere.”

Source: TheCable

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