Education
Premiere Academy: Family, Human Rights Groups Mark Memorial of Late 14 year old Rape Victim
***Organise Public Speaking event for secondary school students
***Deceased’s mother says Govt, Police failed them
A public speaking event to mark the 2nd year memorial late 14 year old boarding student of Premiere Academy, Lugbe, Abuja, Keren-Happuch Aondodoo Akpagher has been organised by family and human rights groups – Keren’s Safe Haven Foundation and Men Against Rape Foundation.
Keren died on the 22nd of June 2021 after being raped and the condom left inside her by a killer-rapist, which infected her with sepsis, compromised her immunity and spiked her blood sugar.
Speaking during the public speaking event tagged Abuja Public Secondary School Challenge on Public Speaking To Raise Awareness of rape and Child Sexual Abuse among students, mother of late Keren and co-convener of the event, Mrs Vivien Vihimga Akpagher said the event was aimed at empowering the students.
“While we continue to seek #justice4keren , we are determined to empower our children with knowledge to identify the “red flag” and courage to speak up and speak out against any semblance of abuse or threat of abuse.
“This is why we are organising this event and this is what Keren would have wanted. Keren would not want the fate that befell her to befall any other child”, she stated.
On the quest for justice for her late child, Mrs Akpagher decried the failure and lack of commitment of government, the police and other relevant institutions of government in bringing her daughter’s killler-rapist to book.
“They failed my daughter while alive and unto death they have all continued to fail her. They are neither committed nor honest with the process of getting the culprits”, she stated.
Shedding light further she explained thus:
“The police compromise things they should not compromise. Imagine that we told them to share samples of the condom and spermatozoa found in it which was extracted from my daughter and safely preserved by the doctor who first detected that she had been abuse, Dr. Amugo.
“We told them not to carry the entire sample, but share with me and the school for all of us to go do our individual DNA test and matchings with samples taken from the male staff of Premiere Academy, Lugbe, Abuja. We told them our request is to enable both parties balance out their results with that of the police for transparency and credibility of the exercise.
“They ignored our official request and went behind us with Premiere Academy officials to Dr. Amugo’s hospital to retrieve the materials without us. You can guess what will become of this compromised process. There is so much to say on this. And at the right time, we will expose all the police did that tainted the process and question their credibility.
Also speaking at the event, the co-convener and Executive Director of Men Against Rape Foundation (MARF), Lemmy Ughegbe reiterated his pledge that “Keren will not be a mere statistics. We shall continue to call out government and the police to do right by God and Keren by bringing the culprit to book.”
“It’s a shame that after two years the police refused and woefully failed to get the CCTV footages from the school Keren attended as a boarding student, which would either vindicate the school or indict it”, Ughegbe lamented.
“The school has 54 CCTV cameras and we told the police that the answers lie in their footages. They failed to act on it. They did not explain why they failed to get those footages. Instead, we heard the school on police radio explaining that their CCTV cameras automatically deletes footages monthly. This claim is quite laughable. And the police with all its expertise failed to recover those deleted footages”, he added.
On the sad coincidence of his birthday being the deathday of Keren, Ughegbe noted “sadly I celebrate my birthday these days very sober as it is the same day this beloved child from rape complications. So, every year from last year, this is my way of celebrating my birthday. If we save, at least, one child each year, then my life is meaningful.
Speaking further, he said “the world is becoming increasingly unsafe for our children especially. Pedophiles are on the prowl. Safe spaces are becoming a mirage. To give our children a fighting chance of safety, we must empower them with knowledge and fortify them with courage to speak out.”
Meanwhile, during the explosive public speaking event, students of Government Secondary School emerged first position, Government Secondary School, Wuye came 2nd and Government Secondary School, Garki came 3rd position.
The Federal Government has suspended 13 students of the Federal Government College (FGC) Enugu for six weeks following an alleged bullying incident that was widely circulated on social media.
The suspension was ordered by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who emphasized that safety and discipline are paramount in federal schools.
According to Folashade Boriowo, the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, the incident involved a gang assault on an SS1 day student and raised serious concerns about student welfare at FGC Enugu.
The viral video prompted the ministry to establish a disciplinary committee to investigate, leading to the temporary suspension of the students involved.
Dr. Alausa has directed the School-Based Management Committee to collaborate with security agencies to conduct a thorough probe into any possible external influences.
In addition, the government has introduced enhanced security measures at the college, with law enforcement presence and strengthened safety protocols.
As part of the response, the ministry will also provide counseling and rehabilitation services to promote a safe, positive school environment for all students involved.
The Managing Director and CEO of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi, has called for a comprehensive curriculum overhaul in Nigerian universities to better align with global trends and equip graduates with practical skills. Speaking at the 10th special convention of the Ekiti State University Alumni Association in Abuja, Dr. Olusi highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gap between theory and practical application in Nigerian higher education.
Dr. Olusi noted that while Nigeria is rich in human and natural resources, progress in technology and economic development remains slow due to universities’ focus on theoretical knowledge over hands-on training. He emphasized that significant investments in research and technical skill development are essential for positioning Nigeria as a competitive force in the global economy.
Echoing this sentiment, Ekiti State University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ayodele, called on alumni to contribute to their alma mater, emphasizing that alumni support plays a critical role in building a strong academic foundation and fostering innovative research. The institution’s Chancellor, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, similarly urged alumni associations to prioritize initiatives that support university growth and student success.
Global President of the Ekiti State University Alumni Association, Dipo Bamisaye, stressed the need for Nigerian universities to continuously pursue excellence to remain competitive globally. Dr. Wale Jegede, Chairman of the institution’s Board of Trustees, commended the state governor for his dedication to quality education, particularly through the appointment of capable academics to guide the university’s progress.
The convention also honored notable alumni who have made significant contributions to the university’s development. Among those recognized were Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, former presidential aide Mr. Kingsley Kuku, Chancellor Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, Vice-Chancellor Professor Joseph Ayodele, and BOI MD Dr. Olasupo Olusi.
Reinforcing its commitment to the institution’s advancement, the Bank of Industry recently proposed a 2.5 billion Naira development fund to Ekiti State University, underscoring its dedication to driving growth in Nigeria’s educational sector.
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have announced a nationwide indefinite strike beginning Monday.
This decision, coordinated by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching university staff unions, is in protest of unpaid salaries withheld during a past strike involving the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) under the previous administration.
The JAC, in a circular addressed to branch chairmen of NASU and SSANU, stated that the strike, initially set for October 23, was postponed to October 27 to align with the Trade Group Council meeting held in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The document, signed by NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, cited delays from the Ministry of Finance in implementing President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to release 50 percent of the outstanding four-month salaries.
The unions expressed frustration over the government’s perceived lack of commitment to resolve the issue, emphasizing their readiness to maintain the strike until all withheld salaries are released.
The JAC’s circular read: “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.”
The decision highlights ongoing labor tensions in Nigeria’s education sector, as non-teaching staff urge the government to uphold previous agreements and fulfill financial obligations.
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