In a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, the Council, led by its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, expressed outrage over the attack, during which a teacher was killed while several students and teachers were abducted.

The Council said the incident underscores the persistent threat posed by terrorism and called for an uncompromising national response to protect schools and vulnerable communities.

Daily Dates Nigeria reports that NSCIA describes the continued targeting of educational institutions as “a national disgrace that strikes at the very heart of Nigeria’s future” and must be brought to an immediate end.

The Council noted with concern that the latest attack occurred only weeks after the abduction of 42 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in the same Askira Uba Local Government Area on May 15, as well as the kidnapping of 49 pupils and their teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on the same day. It observed that many of the victims remain in captivity.

The Islamic body further expressed concern that the attackers reportedly took advantage of Lassa Town’s market day to infiltrate the community before launching the assault, saying the development demonstrates the evolving tactics of terrorist groups and the need for stronger intelligence gathering, surveillance, inter-agency collaboration and community-based early warning systems.

The NSCIA also urged governments at all levels to adopt technology-driven security measures, citing the Enugu State Government’s recently introduced AI-powered security architecture, which features a Command and Control Centre, surveillance drones and AI-enabled patrol vehicles capable of identifying threats and tracking criminals in real time.

While commending the Armed Forces, particularly troops of Operation HADIN KAI, for their swift deployment of ground and air assets that led to the rescue of some abducted students and teachers, the Council insisted that security operations should continue until all those still in captivity are safely rescued and reunited with their families.

The Council also paid tribute to the soldier and the member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) who lost their lives during the rescue mission, describing their sacrifice as a demonstration of courage and patriotism in the fight against terrorism.

Reaffirming Islam’s position on violence, the NSCIA declared that terrorism has no place in the religion, stressing that Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are enemies of both Islam and humanity.

It stated that the activities of the terrorist groups violate the Islamic principles of justice, mercy, the sanctity of human life and the pursuit of knowledge, adding that those who kill innocent people, abduct children and destroy schools cannot claim to represent Islam or any recognised faith.

The Council extended its condolences to the Government and people of Borno State, the management of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, families of the victims and all those affected by the attack.

It called on the Federal Government and security agencies to sustain efforts to defeat terrorism, rescue all abductees and ensure that those responsible for attacks on innocent citizens are apprehended and brought to justice.

The post Sultan Condemns School Attacks, Says ISWAP, Boko Haram Are Enemies of Islam appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

Daily Dates Nigeria reports that Enugu State government said this in a statement it issued following the declaration of Ogundele wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, early Friday morning over alleged money laundering and find diversion.

The Sujimoto company boss had in reaction to the EFCC declaration made a video in which he bursted into tears while explaining how a contract he had with Enugu State Government went sour.

Ogundele had claimed that the State Government did not release enough funds for him to execute the projects while it dragged him to EFCC.

The Sujimoto company boss had also denied the claim that he was on the run.

In a statement on Friday evening, Enugu urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as “theatrics and crocodile tears,” of Ogundele over the failed contract issue.

Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo who issued the statement vowed that it “is determined to and will surely recover every penny of Ndi Enugu fraudulently obtained by Mr. Olasijibomi Ogundele (Sujimoto),” as it explained how the real estate mogul allegedly duped it of the N5.7 billion.

In the statement, Enugu government accused Ogundele of premeditated fraud, with claim that while he presented a bond issued by Jaiz Bank to secure the contract, he used the company’s Zenith Bank account registered with the state’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to receive the said payment.

The State Government said this made it impossible for them to hold Jaiz Bank liable when Ogundele defaulted on the contract.

The statement said, “For the avoidance of doubt, on July 2, 2024, the Enugu State Government awarded a contract in the sum of N11,457,930,950.52 to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd for the construction of 22 Smart Schools.

The post How Sujimoto boss Ogundele defrauded us of N5.7bn – Enugu govt appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

The Saudi civil defence spokesperson in the Mecca province announced the deaths on Twitter and urged residents to remain indoors unless for urgent needs.

The floods have also caused flight delays at King Abdulaziz International Airport, school closures and blocked the road to Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, state media reported.

According to Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology, the rainfall in Jeddah’s southern area between 8am and 2pm on Thursday, which stood at 179 millimeters, was the “highest” ever recorded. It exceeded the amount of rainfall registered in 2009 when dozens of people died in flash floods.

Images posted to social media on Thursday showed cars being swept along streets through raging torrents of water.

The city’s King Abdulaziz International Airport said that “due to weather conditions, the departure of some flights has been delayed” and urged passengers to contact carriers for up-to-date schedules.

The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported before dawn that schools in the city would be closed, as rains were forecast to continue throughout the day.

Schools were also closed in the nearby towns of Rabigh and Khulais “to preserve the safety of male and female students”, SPA said.

The post Saudi Arabia: Two Killed, Schools Shutdown In Devastating Jeddah Floods appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

This is just as schools in the state will be resuming the new academic session on Monday.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, announced the government’s decision during an interactive meeting with education secretaries of public and mission schools held at the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board hall, Awka, on Saturday.

Chuma-Udeh decried the growing trend of female pupils putting on miniskirt uniforms to schools.

She pointed out that it was morally wrong and unacceptable to the standards desired for the children by the state government.

She said the acceptable length for uniforms in the state remained knee length and not above the knee as was fast becoming the fashion.

The commissioner charged the education secretaries to ensure schools comply with the directives to salvage the future of the pupils in the state.

She charged the participants to infuse the right morals and discipline in pupils so that they would grow to be good behavior and conduct.

According to her, a student should look smart, well-groomed, project positive vibes, and not be indecently dressed for school.

“A student should look smart, well-groomed, project positive vibes, and not be indecently dressed for school,” she pointed out.

The post Anambra Bans Miniskirts In Private, Public Schools appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

Adamu Adamu at the national briefing on COVID-19 said “in fact, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Ministry of Education had agreed on suspending resumption of schools due to the increasing cases of covid-19 in the country”.

The Education Minister explained that the State Governors and other stakeholders in the states have refused to accept further closure of schools as advised by the Presidential Task Force.

“We do not own or control the state schools” he said. He assured that the PTF and the Ministry of Education will continue to engage the stakeholders in order to keep the children and schools safe.

The post We Didn’t Wish To Reopen Schools, Education Minister Explains appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

This was disclosed during the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Press briefing.

Details soon.

The post FG Approves Re-opening Of Schools,Lifts Ban On Inter-state Travels appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.