WAFFI TV | Feature

PTA Backs 12~Year Entry Age For Secondary School

The Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria has endorsed the newly introduced policy that sets 12 years as the minimum age for pupils entering Junior Secondary School. Outlined in the Federal Ministry of Education’s policy document on Non-State Schools, the guideline requires that children must complete six years of primary education and be at least 12 years old before progressing to Junior Secondary School. Non-State Schools—also known as private, independent, or nongovernmental schools—are educational institutions not operated by the government. The policy says, “Basic education shall be of nine years’ duration. There shall be a six-year primary and a three-year Junior Secondary School. Children shall be admitted into Primary One when they attain the age of six years.” The policy also stipulates that nursery education will last for three years: Nursery One for children aged three, Nursery Two at age four, and a mandatory year of pre-primary education (kindergarten) at age five, in accordance with Section 2(17) of the 2013 edition of the National Policy on Education. In an interview with *Sunday PUNCH*, the National President of the Parent-Teacher Association, Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, welcomed the policy, describing it as a positive step that aligns with the association’s longstanding advocacy. “This is what we have also been telling them. So, what the government has done is a good development in line with our position. Let them attain this age before entering secondary school,” he said. Danjuma added that the structure ensured children were mentally and emotionally prepared for each academic phase. He said, “We sat down as parents and stakeholders and agreed that by 18 years, children would have attained adulthood before entering the university. If a child enters JSS1 at 12, they would spend six years through JSS1 to SS3 and finish at 18.” The PTA chairman warned against enrolling underaged children in tertiary institutions, stating, “If a child of 12 years old enters the university, certainly he is underaged and would be in a circle he would not understand.” The PUNCH

7/27/2025, 11:03:25 AM

Nigeria To Become Africa’s Third~Largest Economy 2025~ NOA

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has projected that Nigeria is on track to surpass Algeria as Africa’s third-largest economy by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025, following a significant economic boost that led to a 38% increase in GDP. According to the NOA’s weekly publication, The Explainer, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that Nigeria’s GDP rose to ₦372.8 trillion in 2024 after the base year for calculation was updated to 2019. The NOA, whose editorial board is led by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that Nigeria is steadily closing the gap with Algeria. The agency further noted that the latest NBS data for 2024, expressed in U.S. dollars, indicated that Nigeria maintained its position as the fourth-largest economy in Africa—despite increasing its GDP from an earlier estimate of $187.8 billion to $243.7 billion. With Algeria’s GDP standing at $247.63 billion, NOA said Nigeria is now putting pressure on the North African nation and is expected to overtake it by the first quarter of 2025. “The 52nd edition of this publication focuses on the rebasing of Nigeria’s GDP by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The rebased GDP grew to N372.8 trillion ($243.7 billion) using 2019 as the new base year while incorporating previously excluded sectors like e-commerce, mining, and informal activities. “This reflects a 38 per cent increase from prior estimates, making Nigeria Africa’s fourth-largest economy, close to overtaking Algeria. Services dominate at 53.09 per cent, followed by agriculture (25.83 per cent) and industries (21.08 per cent). “Despite naira depreciation affecting dollar-denominated GDP, Nigeria’s economy grew 81.8 per cent from 2019–2024. The rebasing highlights economic diversification and informal sector potential,” NOA said it the publication.

7/27/2025, 10:58:57 AM

Ogulagha Kingdom Peoples' Front Congratulates Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi On National Appointment

The leadership and members of the Ogulagha Kingdom Peoples' Front, a prominent socio-cultural group in the Ogulagha kingdom of Burutu Local Government Area, have extended warm congratulations to Rt. Honourable Julius Gbabojor Pondi, Member representing Burutu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, on his recent appointment and official inauguration as Chairman, House Committee on South South Development Commission. Below is the full message as released by the group: The leadership and members of the Ogulagha Kingdom Peoples' Front of Ogulagha in Burutu Local Government Council Area, extend our warmest congratulations to Rt. Honourable Julius Gbabojor Pondi, the distinguished Member representing Burutu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, on your recent appointment and official inauguration as the Chairman, House Committee on South South Development Commission. This well-deserved appointment is a testament to your unwavering commitment, consistent leadership, and tireless advocacy for the sustainable development of the South South region. Your elevation to this strategic role not only brings pride to the good people of Burutu Federal Constituency but also reinforces our collective belief in your capacity to champion the aspirations of the Niger Delta and advance the developmental mandate of the South South region. We are confident that under your chairmanship, the Committee will deliver purposeful oversight, drive impactful policies, and work closely with stakeholders to ensure the full realization of the South South Development Commission’s objectives—especially as they relate to equity, empowerment, and economic transformation of oil-producing communities. As a proud son of Ogulagha kingdom and an illustrious voice of the Niger Delta, your leadership continues to inspire hope, unity, and progressive action. The Ogulagha Kingdom Peoples' Front stands solidly behind you and pledges our continuous support as you embark on this important national assignment. Once again, congratulations, Honourable. May God grant you wisdom, strength, and favour in this noble service to our people. Signed: Elder F. E. Seimode, Esq. Chairman, Ogulagha Kingdom Peoples' Front Comrade Shedrack L. Agediga Mobilisation Coordinator, Ogulagha Kingdom Peoples' Front

7/25/2025, 1:33:04 PM

Arex Akemotubo Hails Chief Dan Yingi On Birthday, Lauds His Impactful Legacy

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of WAFFI TV, Pastor Arex Akemotubo, has extended warm birthday greetings to a respected elder statesman and political figure in Delta State, Chief Hon. Dan Yingi. In a message released on Thursday, Pastor Akemotubo, speaking on behalf of his family and the entire WAFFI TV team, described Chief Yingi as a "distinguished leader, elder statesman, and man of unwavering integrity." He praised Chief Yingi’s sterling record in public service, noting that his years of selfless dedication had left an indelible imprint on the political landscape of Delta State. According to him, the celebrant's humility, passion, and steadfast commitment to the welfare of his people continue to serve as a model for emerging leaders. Arex said, "On behalf of my family, the entire WAFFI TV team, and myself, I extend my heartfelt birthday wishes to a distinguished leader, elder statesman, and man of unwavering integrity—Chief Hon. Dan Yingi. "Today, we thank the Almighty God for preserving you and for the grace He has continually bestowed upon your life. Your years in public service have left an indelible mark on the political landscape of Delta State. Your passion, humility, and firm dedication to the welfare of your people remain exemplary. "As you celebrate another year of life, may the Lord continue to strengthen you with divine health, renewed wisdom, and greater peace. May this new chapter bring with it more moments of joy, increased impact, and fulfillment in all you do. "Thank you, Sir, for your fatherly guidance, your consistent leadership, and for being a light to this generation.

7/25/2025, 11:55:51 AM

FG Sets 12 as Minimum Age for JSS1 Admission

The Federal Government has issued a new directive setting **12 years** as the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1), following the mandatory completion of six years of primary education. This new guideline is outlined in a recently launched policy document on **Non-State Schools**, released by the **Federal Ministry of Education** last week. Non-state schools—also referred to as **private, independent, or non-government schools**—operate outside of government control and are primarily funded through **tuition fees, donations, and support from individuals, communities, religious bodies, businesses, and philanthropic organizations**. The policy emphasizes the increasing role of these schools in providing education nationwide, despite noticeable disparities in **quality and standards** across institutions. Detailing the recommended age-based educational progression, the Ministry stated: > “Nursery education shall span three years. Children shall be admitted into Nursery One at age three, Nursery Two at age four, and a one-year compulsory Kindergarten (pre-primary) at age five, in line with Section 2(17) of the 2013 edition of the National Policy on Education (NPE).” On the transition into formal schooling, the policy further specifies: > “Basic education shall last nine years—comprising six years of primary and three years of junior secondary education. Children shall begin Primary One at age six and must complete all six years before proceeding to JSS1 at approximately age twelve.” This structure implies that students would typically finish secondary education by age 18, in line with earlier recommendations for university admission age. While former Education Minister, **Prof. Tahir Mamman**, had declared 18 years as the minimum university entry age, the current Minister, **Dr. Tunji Alausa**, has since adjusted the age requirement back to **16 years**. Meanwhile, data from the **Nigeria Education Digest 2022** reveals the expanding footprint of non-state schools, particularly at the junior secondary level. According to the report: > “Non-state schools outnumber state-owned schools in at least **26 states** at the junior secondary level. However, at the primary level, government schools are more dominant in **19 states** of the federation.” It also notes significant growth in the private education sector over the past five years: “The growth in the number of non-state schools between 2017 and 2022 (the last five years reported) has been faster than that of state schools. Non-state primary schools grew in number by 31.56 per cent between 2017 and 2022, while state schools grew in number by 3.3 per cent within the same period. At the Junior Secondary level, non-state schools grew in number by 35.06 per cent between 2017 and 2022, while state schools grew in number by 6.8 per cent only within the same period.”

7/25/2025, 11:19:25 AM

Reps Move To Establish Independent Body For Tracking Federal Projects

The House of Representatives is set to hold a public hearing to gather stakeholders’ input on a bill seeking to establish the National Independent Project and Monitoring Agency, aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and effective monitoring and evaluation of projects nationwide. The bill, sponsored by Chinedu Martins, who represents the Ahiazu/Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency in Imo State, is designed to ensure that federal projects meet quality standards and are completed within specified timeframes and budgets. Once established, the agency will serve as an independent oversight body to curb collusion, enhance accountability, and significantly reduce the incidence of abandoned projects across the country. The legislation also aims to detect inflated project costs early and ensure value for money—an initiative intended to safeguard public funds. Speaking in Abuja on Thursday on the general principles of the proposed legislation, Martins said, “You will agree with me that, year after year, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria presents an Appropriation Bill to this honourable House, detailing capital expenditures running into trillions of naira for the execution of developmental projects across the country. “These projects are domiciled in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies and implemented by contractors who are issued letters of award in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Public Procurement Act of 2007. “However, the reality paints a distressing picture. Across the country, we encounter the scars of abandoned, substandard, or poorly executed projects by MDAs. This is not only wasteful, it is unacceptable. “One of the major contributors to this failure is the absence of an independent, transparent, and credible monitoring system in the execution of projects by MDAs. “The same MDAs that award these contracts are also the same MDAs responsible for monitoring the execution of the same projects. “This arrangement is inherently defective. As the saying goes, you cannot be a judge in your case. This model of self-supervision breeds inefficiency, fosters compromise, and enables contractors to cut corners, which is a major reason for the numerous abandoned projects, while billions of naira remain unaccounted for.” Given this governance challenge, the legislator said he came up with the bill for the establishment of NIPMA to serve as a statutory institution mandated to monitor, track and report on the implementation status of all federally funded projects across the country. He added, “The advantages of this bill are far-reaching: With NIPMA in place, we can ensure that projects are executed to standard, within budget, and within stipulated timeframes. “Independent oversight will eliminate collusion, reinforce accountability, and significantly reduce the trend of abandoned projects. “The establishment of the agency will generate employment opportunities for engineers, auditors, quantity surveyors, data analysts, and other professionals. It will also stimulate local economies in project-hosting communities. “Effective monitoring will detect inflated project costs early and ensure value for money, saving the nation billions of naira annually. Citizens will regain trust in government when they see that public funds are being utilised transparently and judiciously. “When infrastructure projects are properly implemented, they catalyse commerce, attract investment, and promote national development, thereby expanding the economy and reducing poverty.” He noted that when established, the agency “Will not conflict with existing institutions such as the Bureau of Public Procurement or the Office of the Auditor-General. Rather, it will complement them by addressing the urgent need for real-time, on-the-ground monitoring of capital projects.”

7/24/2025, 8:10:40 PM

NYSC Urges Employers To Fund Corps Members’ Transport, Accommodation

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has urged employers of corps members to support the scheme by either picking up corps members from orientation camps or reimbursing their transport fares when unable to do so. NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made the appeal on Thursday in Bauchi during the 2025 NYSC/Corps Employers’ Workshop organized by the scheme in the state. He emphasized that providing suitable accommodation or offering monetary compensation in its place would significantly motivate corps members to deliver quality and effective service. Represented by Agatha Banki, Director of the Northeast Area Office 1, Bauchi, the DG noted that the workshop is a yearly event that fosters strategic interaction between NYSC officials and corps employers, providing a platform for exchanging ideas to improve their collaboration. “From addressing grey areas to enhancing healthy relationships between our various organisations, the workshops always produce ideas and recommendations that are factored into the operations of the Scheme. “I am convinced that the 2025 workshop would not be any different,” said the DG He further highlighted the roles of corps employers to include the provision of accommodation, payment of transportation allowance, Healthcare provision as is available to regular staff, and provision of a healthy working environment. Nafiu added that at the end of the workshop, participants must recommend steps to help build a proactive and enduring partnership between the NYSC Scheme and corps employers. “You must hammer out more effective formats of communication among our organisations and come up with implementable solutions to the numerous problems that challenge corps administration and proffer solutions. “I call on you to make individual and collective contributions in shaping the nation-building efforts of the corps members,” he said.

7/24/2025, 5:36:12 PM

Reps To Probe Maintenance Of Refineries, Others

The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has initiated an investigation into key challenges facing Nigeria’s downstream oil sector. As part of its mandate, the committee will examine the controversial turnaround maintenance of the nation’s refineries, the acquisition of OVH Energy, and growing concerns about potential market dominance by the Dangote Refinery. Chairman of the Committee, Ikenga Ugochinyere, announced the probe during a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday. He expressed concern over the recent shutdown of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries despite the widespread publicity surrounding their return to operation. “We are not out to protect anybody. If anybody is found to have been engaged in corrupt activities, the law should be allowed its course,” Ugochinyere said.

7/24/2025, 2:47:08 PM

Okpoye Hosts Voice Of The Ijaw Girl Child, Backs NADIS Student Summit Initiative

The Commissioner representing the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality on the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Hon. Amb. Sencer Okubo Okpoye, has pledged his full support to the Voice of the Ijaw Girl Child, an advocacy group dedicated to championing the rights and welfare of the Ijaw girl child. Hon. Okpoye made this commitment on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, while receiving members of the group in his Warri office. He commended their advocacy efforts, particularly their campaigns against gender-based violence and empowerment initiatives, and assured them of DESOPADEC’s collaboration in skill acquisition programmes, bursary support, and other empowerment schemes. Reaffirming the importance of gender equity, the Commissioner expressed concern over the continued violence against the girl child, stressing that such acts must no longer be tolerated in society. Speaking on behalf of the team, the Programme Officer, Nwamenim Blessing Ewere—who represented the Executive Director, Timipre Tobi Ebiringa—appreciated the Commissioner for granting audience. She noted that the visit was to introduce the group to the Commission through him, and to seek areas of partnership and support, especially in ongoing skill acquisition and sensitization campaigns against gender-based violence in Ijaw communities. Members of the Voice of the Ijaw Girl Child delegation included: 1. Nwamenim Blessing Ewere – Programme Officer 2. Betty Ekpokeme Fianka – Member 3. Victory Tamaradenyefa Karewei – Member 4. Joan Tamaraukarebi Oyibo – Member 5. Cynthia Perekebina Gbamowei – Member 6. Martha Ezebri – Member 7. Osuo Tamarau-Ebi Deborah – Member In a related development, Hon. Amb. Okpoye also received executive members of the National Association of Delta Ijaw Students (NADIS), who visited to seek DESOPADEC’s endorsement and support for their upcoming entrepreneurial summit. Endorsing the summit on behalf of the Commission’s Board, Hon. Okpoye pledged to present the proposal to the Executive Director of Social Services, Chief Favour Izoukumor, for possible sponsorship. He also encouraged the student leaders to reach out to local government chairmen and other stakeholders for broader support. NADIS President, Comr. Aweh Johnson, who led the delegation, expressed gratitude to the Commissioner and explained that the proposed one-day summit aims to train students from oil-producing communities in entrepreneurship and digital skills, thereby preparing them for post-graduation self-sufficiency. He disclosed that the initiative would target about 20 students each from Bomadi, Burutu, Patani, Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West LGAs. Other members of the NADIS delegation included: 1. Comr. Aweh Johnson – President 2. Ogori Blessing Perekemepam-ere – Vice President 3. Ama-Ebi Tarifagha – Assistant Secretary 4. Goroh K. Mathias – President, National Association of Egbema Students 5. Moi Smart – President, National Association of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Students 6. Karewei Tamara-Denyefa – Vice President, National Association of Ogulagha Students 7. Ajama Precious – Member 8. Ikpidi John – Former Secretary, National Association of Delta State Students

7/24/2025, 6:49:50 AM

Delta Assembly Passes State Community Security Corps Agency Bill

The Delta State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed the State Community Security Corps Agency Bill, 2025. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the bill is aimed at strengthening community-based security, fostering collaboration with existing security agencies, and addressing issues such as training, funding, and other related concerns. The bill, sponsored by Dr. Isaac Anwuzi (APC – Aniocha South) along with 27 other lawmakers, scaled through its second and third readings during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Dennis Guwor. To fast-track the legislative process, the Majority Leader, Dr. Emeka Nwaobi, moved a motion to suspend House Rule 12, as well as Orders 80, 82, and 83, to allow the Assembly take the third reading and final passage of the bill. The motion was seconded by Deputy Speaker Arthur Akpowowo (APC – Ethiope East) and adopted unanimously through a voice vote. Speaker Guwor noted that once signed into law, the legislation would provide a legal framework for the establishment of the State Security Corps Agency. He explained that the agency would work in support of the police and other security bodies to carry out lawful duties aimed at maintaining peace and order across the state. ”Dear colleagues, Section 14, sub-section (2), paragraph (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered) provides that: “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government ”With the successful passage of the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency Bill, 2025 we have once again demonstrated our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our people. ”There cannot be meaningful development without secure and safe environment, ” he said. He added, ”This bill that has been sufficiently debated and passed is a critical step towards strengthening our community security architecture. ”It reflects our collective understanding of the evolving security challenges and our proactive response to ensure that every Deltan can live and work in peace. ”To the sponsors of this bill and indeed every single member of this House, I extend my profound appreciation. ”Your diligence, your incisive contributions during the debates and your dedication to the consideration of the Bill are truly commendable. ”I am optimistic that this bill once signed into law will significantly enhance peace, order and security across all nooks and crannies of our beloved State.”

7/23/2025, 4:29:22 PM

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