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 National Examinations Council (NECO) has expanded its international footprint by accrediting more schools in Equatorial Guinea to conduct its Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
According to a statement released in Minna on Wednesday by NECO’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mallam Azeez Sani, the newly accredited schools are located in Bata, the largest city in Equatorial Guinea. This expansion adds to the existing NECO-accredited schools in the country.
The accreditation process involved a comprehensive assessment by NECO’s team, which evaluated the schools’ classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer labs, workshops, examination halls, sports facilities, continuous assessment systems, teacher adequacy, and security standards.
Following a thorough review, the schools were granted full accreditation to conduct both SSCE and BECE examinations.
Mallam Azeez Sani emphasized that this development underscores NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and standardized assessments beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“With its expanding global presence, NECO is positioning itself as a leading examination body in Africa, creating opportunities for Nigerian students and other foreign nationals to benefit from its expertise and contribute to educational advancement across the continent,” he stated.
NECO examinations are currently written in Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, further cementing its role as a key player in Africa’s educational landscape.
***Insists, no Students, No Meeting
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a final ultimatum to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), demanding immediate student representation on its board.
The association has vowed to shut down the upcoming board meeting if its demand is ignored.
In a letter dated February 13, 2025, addressed to NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, and Board Chairman, Jim Ovia, NANS President Lucky Emonefe condemned the exclusion of students as “completely unacceptable.”
Emonefe indicated that excluding students from the NELFUND Board is tantamount to shaving a man’s head in his absence emphasizing that decisions about student loans should not be made without their input.
Representing over 50 million students nationwide, NANS insisted that students, as the primary beneficiaries of the fund, must have a seat at the table.
The letter warned that failure to comply would result in a mass mobilization to prevent the board meeting from taking place.
“This is not an appeal; it is a final warning. Nigerian students refuse to be spectators in decisions that shape their future. No student, no meeting!” the letter concluded.
With tensions rising, all eyes are now on NELFUND’s leadership to see whether they will yield to NANS’ demands or risk a major student uprising.
By James Ojochegbe
As September approaches, excitement continues to build around Rugby School Nigeria, a prestigious institution set to redefine secondary education in West Africa.
With its campus rising in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, and preparations in full swing, the school’s leadership remains committed to delivering an elite academic experience rooted in the traditions of its UK counterpart.
International Development Director of Rugby School Global,
Ian McIntyre, recently toured the campus and expressed confidence in meeting the projected launch date.
“The facilities here will reflect the highest standards of excellence and innovation,” he remarked, underscoring the institution’s goal of blending academic rigor with holistic student development.
While the school’s full senior program will open in 2026, its debut this year will focus on an advanced Sixth Form curriculum designed to propel students into the world’s top universities.
The program, led by expert instructors, covers a diverse range of subjects, from Mathematics and Sciences to Business Studies and the Arts.
James Whitehead, Director of Education at Rugby School Global, highlighted the school’s unique approach: “At Rugby School Nigeria, we embrace the ‘Whole Person, Whole Point’ philosophy, ensuring students not only achieve academic excellence but also develop key life skills.”
Beyond academics, Rugby School Nigeria aims to cultivate leadership, creativity, and resilience—qualities that will prepare students for success in an evolving global landscape. As enrollment begins, families across the region are eager to secure a place in what promises to be a transformative educational institution.
In a deal sealed by
Nick Bacon Chairman, Governing Body of Rugby School and Mr Ronald Chagoury, Chairman of Eko Atlantic, Rugby School Nigeria will initially offer a Sixth Form programme for day students aged 16 and above, emphasizing
academic excellence and a diverse range of extra-curricular activities, preparing students for entry to the world’s
leading universities.
With the school set to welcome its first A Level students this September, and the full senior school opening in September 2026, excitement has continued to build around this transformative educational institution for aspiring students from across West Africa.
Expressing his excitement at the progress made so far,
Ian McIntyre, said,
“It is truly inspiring to see the remarkable progress being made on the world-class campus of Rugby School Nigeria. The facilities here will reflect the highest standards of excellence and innovation, ensuring that students will experience an education that is both academically rigorous and holistically enriching.
“With the launch of our full A-level programme this September and the full opening of the senior school in 2026, we are excited to bring the proud heritage and values of Rugby School to Nigeria. This campus will undoubtedly become a beacon of learning in West Africa.”
According to the statement from Rugby School Global, the A-Level students will benefit from expert instruction by specialist teachers in a broad range of subjects, including: English Literature, Mathematics & Further Mathematics; Biology, Chemistry, Physics; History, Geography, French; Art, Economics, Business Studies; Physical Education, and Computer Studies.
James Whitehead, Director of Education at Rugby School Global, equally highlighted the school’s distinctive philosophy
“At Rugby School Nigeria, we embrace the ‘Rugby Way’ teaching & learning philosophy and the ‘Whole Person, Whole Point’ approach—ensuring that students not only excel academically but also grow holistically, preparing them for the world’s top universities and life beyond.”
The first phase of the school campus will include a reception and welcome area, numerous classrooms, sports and social spaces and a sixth form centre.
The statement further urged ”
prospective families to register their interest and “secure a place for their child at this groundbreaking educational institution. ”
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