The Ogun State Government has shut down Obada Grammar School, Obada, Idi-Emi over the death of an SS2 student of the school, Monday Arijo.

This followed the arrest and suspension of the teacher allegedly responsible for the death of the student on Friday last week as a result of corporal punishment.

The principal of the school, Mrs. Tamrat Onaolapo, who was earlier issued a query for allowing corporal punishment to be used on the pupil against the established rules and regulations in the state, has also been suspended.

This was according to a statement sent by Mr Lekan Adeniran, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov Dapo Abiodun to journalists on Tuesday.

The statement partly read, “The closure of the school was based on the directive of the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, who has also directed that a panel should be set up to investigate the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident.

“The governor has promised that those liable by the outcome of the investigation will be made to face the full wrath of the law”.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology were also said to have visited the family of the late student.

The visit was to offer condolences to the family and express the Ministry’s sorrow over their loss as well as collect first-hand accounts of the incident for a thorough investigation.

The government’s delegation includes the Director, the Secondary and Higher Education Department in the Ministry, the Principals General, Egba and Yewa Divisions, the Zonal Education Officer, Imeko Afon, representatives of ANCOPPS, Ogun State President, Trade Union Congress and the Ogun State Chairman of ASSUS.

The Principals General, Egba and Yewa Divisions as well as the Director of Education, Secondary and Higher Education, who spoke during the visit, expressed their heartfelt condolences even as they pledged the support of the state government to the family during this challenging time.

The officials assured the family that a thorough investigation would be launched to determine the facts surrounding the incident and that accountability would be pursued.

They reiterated the government’s commitment to learners’ safety, the creation of a more supportive school environment, and justice for the bereaved family over the sudden death of their son.

The DPO, Idi-Emi, assured the family that the situation around the ugly incident would be unraveled to the core, and justice would be served. He assured them of the safety of their wards in the school.

A condolence letter to commiserate with the bereaved family over the loss as well as a cash gift of N500,000 were handed over to the representative of the deceased family.

The officials were received by the family who expressed their grief and shock at the sudden loss of their child.

The Imo state police have arrested a 17-year-old student of Imo State University (IMSU) for faking her abduction.

The student, arrested in Owerri, has been identified as Jesse Chidiebere.

Henry Okoye, the Imo police spokesperson, said the command received a distress call from concerned citizens reporting Jesse’s disappearance.

The text had asked her family to go to Orji police station for confirmation.

Okoye said police operatives launched a search and discovered that the missing girl was alive.

He said the student was found to have fabricated the story as a social media prank.

“On October 26, 2024, at approximately 10:00 pm, police received a distress call from concerned citizens reporting Chidiebere missing,” Okoye said.

“A message sent from her WhatsApp account claimed she had been abducted and killed, urging her family to go to the Orji Police Station for confirmation.

“In response, police operatives launched a search and discovered the following morning, October 27, 2024, that Chidiebere was alive and had fabricated the story as a prank on social media.

“An investigation is ongoing to ascertain her motives for such mischief and would certainly face prosecution.

“The commissioner of police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has expressed concern over such irresponsible behaviour, which wastes valuable resources and causes public panic.

“He urges parents to caution their children against engaging in dangerous pranks and spreading misinformation.

“The Command remains committed to combating misinformation and ensuring a safe environment for all and sundry in the state.”

The joint action committee of non-teaching staff unions in federal universities has directed its members to proceed on an indefinite nationwide strike.

The strike, which begins on October 28, follows the non-payment of its members’ four months withheld salaries.

The JAC comprises the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

The committee in Abuja issued a circular to all branch chairpersons in the universities and inter-university centres.

The general secretary of NASU Peters Adeyemi and the president of SSANU Mohammed Ibrahim signed the document.

The federal government, under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, had withheld the salaries of university staff who participated in an eight-month strike in 2022.

In October 2023, President Bola Tinubu approved the release of four months of the withheld salaries of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Left out in the payments, SSANU and NASU alleged unfair treatment and discrimination against non-academic staff by the government.

In July, SSANU and NASU planned a pre-strike protest to evoke a federal response on the unpaid salaries.

The unions have since been at loggerheads with the federal government, initiating talks with the education and labour ministries.

The SSANU-NASU committee said it has issued multiple notices to seek redress on the matter but payment has yet to be made.

“Because of this, the leadership of JAC has decided that the effective date for the strike be moved to midnight of Sunday, 27th October 2024,” the committee’s circular reads in part.

“This is to allow the branch officers of NASU to be on the ground before commencing the strike.

“We have to do this strategic change in timing for effective co-ordination and for both unions to be on the same page.

“We express our deepest appreciation for your steadfast commitment to the leadership and we affirm our determination to persist in this struggle until ultimate victory is secured.”

A strike by non-teaching staff, who oversee administrative operations like admissions, examinations, maintenance, and security in federal universities, typically disrupts academic activities.