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Mamman, Bichi, Abubakar, Akpabio, Dino in the news this week

Some significant events sparked discussions and reactions this week. The 18-year age limit directive for writing WAEC and NECO exams by the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman is generating debate about the future of Nigeria’s educational system. In the realm of security, the exit of Magaji Bichi as Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Ahmed Rufai Abubakar as Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) dominated the media space this week. Also in the news this week was Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s statement that the return of the old National Anthem was to serve as a tool for nation-building. This review delves into these events and more.

Mamman’s 18-year age limit for writing WAEC, NECO exams

The directive of the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman that only students who have attained 18 years will be allowed to sit for secondary school leaving examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), has continued to generate reactions across the country. 

Mamman, who confirmed this directive during a recent appearance on a television programme, said the policy will take effect from 2025.

The minister said it was not a new policy but a reinforcement of existing regulations.

He explained that the policy ensures students have spent the requisite number of years in each educational phase before taking these exams.

He pointed out that the educational journey from early child care to senior secondary school should ideally culminate when a student is about 17 and a half years old, thus aligning with the 18-year minimum age requirement.

Mamman also reiterated that the age limit for UTME candidates is 18 years, and starting next year, the policy will be strictly enforced.

Meanwhile, education stakeholders, parents and other prominent personalities have kicked against the policy, saying, it will be a setback for the education sector.

The Nigeria Union of Teacher ((NUT) while reacting through its Secretary General, Dr Mike Ene, expressed disappointment at the development.

According to him, the government’s declaration will negatively affect the education sector.

The Deputy National President of National Association of Parents, Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, while condemning the policy, said the body would challenge the matter in court.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the new 18-year age requirement for students taking the NECO and WAEC exams.

Atiku, who posted on his official Facebook account on Wednesday, described the policy as absurd and a hindrance to educational opportunities and scholarships.

He denounced the policy, describing it as outdated and counterproductive.

Atiku urged those who value intellectual freedom and access to education to reject the policy.

Akpabio on return of old national anthem

Senate President Godswill Akpabio was also in the news this week with his claim that the 10th National Assembly agreed with President Bola Tinubu’s government to return to the old national anthem because they want to rebuild Nigeria.

Akpabio said this while speaking at the ongoing 2024 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos State, where he urged Nigerian lawyers and legal practitioners to embrace their profession as agents of positive change in the country.

The Senate President said, “We are diligently working hard to create a robust legal framework that will support the aspirations of all Nigerians. We believe strongly that there is no stain in our country that we cannot erase if we stand together in brotherhood.

“That is why we went back to that National Anthem, that though tribes and tongues may differ, though professions may differ, in brotherhood we stand. 

“We went back because we want to rebuild the future of this country; remembering that we may come from different tribes, different backgrounds, different ethnic groups, different tongues, but in brotherhood we stand.

“Together with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we can rebuild Nigeria. This is the formula: if our dream should ignite a tiny spark of aspiration amongst those gathered here, it will mark a pivotal moment for Nigeria, and the Renewed Hope programme will definitely be a success.”

Bichi, Abubakar exit DSS, NIA

Also in the news this week were the exits of two top security chiefs; Magaji Bichi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Ahmed Abubakar, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).  

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu named Adeola Ajayi as the new DSS boss while he appointed Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed as the new helmsman of the NIA. 

Both Bichi and Abubakar had earlier tendered their resignation letters to the president.

 Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced the development in a statement on Monday, August 26.

The president thanked the outgoing DGs and urged the new security chiefs to work together to improve the country’s security situation.

Recall that Bichi and Abubakar were appointed to lead the agencies in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dino Melaye and ‘PDP is dead’ salvo

A former senator representing Kogi West district, Dino Melaye was also in the news with his comment that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is dead and now “once upon a time” party.

Melaye, a chieftain of the party and former governorship candidate in Kogi, in a tweet on X decried the crisis plaguing the party, saying it has been destroyed by the acting chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum and others.

He said he would talk about the commercialisation and privatisation of the PDP later.

Melaye wrote: “End of the road for PDP as Damagum, Bature and Anyanwu irredeemably destroyed the party. We will talk about the commercialisation and privatisation of PDP. PDP is now once upon a time.”

However, the national leadership and the Kogi State chapter of the party tackled Melaye over his scathing remarks about the party.

The Kogi State chapter of the PDP fired back at Melaye over his comment, describing him as a liability to the party.

This was contained in a statement on Sunday by the party’s elders, led by Alhaji Ibrahim Dansofo.

“Melaye’s political ambitions have crumbled to the point where he can no longer secure even a local councillor position.

“Senator Melaye has become a burden to the party. His accusations against the current leadership are hypocritical, as he himself was granted a governorship ticket despite the party’s awareness of his inability to win even a primary election,” the statement said.

The party accused him of using his PDP affiliation merely to negotiate personal gains with the ruling party, rather than contributing to the party’s growth.