The Nigerian Army says soldiers killed in the Okuama community in Delta State are to be buried today (Wednesday), at the National Cemetery, Abuja.

This was disclosed in a statement posted on the Nigerian Army’s X handle on Tuesday, adding that the burial will be held by 3 pm.

President Bola Tinubu is billed to be the Special Guest of Honour at the event.

At least 17 military personnel were killed by irate youths during a communal clash over a land dispute in Bomadi and Okuoma communities in the state.

While the Defence Headquarters vowed that there would be injurious consequences, it released the names of the Army personnel who were killed during a peace mission to Okuama.

Meanwhile, Tinubu and the Senate ordered the military to apprehend the killers of the military men.

In carrying out the order, it was gathered on Sunday that the military combed the warring communities and arrested a lot of persons, including three prime suspects, as the President declared that the Defence Headquarters and the Defence Chief had full authority to bring anybody responsible to justice.

Also, retired army generals and civil society organisations lambasted the killers of the soldiers and called for their apprehension and speedy prosecution in order to serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements.

On Tuesday in Abuja, the immediate-past Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.), called for further analysis and conversations over the killings of the soldiers.

Speaking during the Chief of Defence Staff Joint Task Force Commanders Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Irabor said there was no justification for the gruesome manner in which the military personnel were killed.

NIGER EDUCATION COMMISSIONER CHARGES PRINCIPALS,HEAD TEACHERS ON DUE DILIGENCE; RECEIVES ROYAL BLESSINGS

Niger State Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed has charged Public School Principals and Head Teachers on proactiveness and discipline in managing the activities of their various Schools.

She gave the charge in Bida yesterday, during an interactive session with all the Public School Principals and Head Teachers in Zone (A) of the State.

The Commissioner said the interaction was to intimate the School Managers on the yearnings and aspirations of the Government of RT. Hon. Umaru Mohammad Bago to changing the narratives in the Education sector.

The Commissioner further informed that the Ministry is working round the clock to provide a conducive environment for learners and Teachers for a better quality education in the State, leveraging on the world Bank’s AGILE intervention which will provide 54 well equipped brand new mega Schools across the State.

Dr. Hadiza used the occasion to announce that very soon a competency Examination will be conducted for all Principals, Head Teachers and other Teachers to sanitize the education system, thus paving way for new recruitment of professionals Teachers to cater for the shortage in Schools.

According to her, the State Governor is willing to improve on the wages and welfare of the Teachers hence the need for them to put in their best in providing quality education to the Students.

The Commissioner observed that the Issues of lack of promotion implementation for Teachers, training and retraining among others would be addressed soonest, assuring that the government will from next year start giving monthly impress to all Principals to cushion the effects of some of the things lacking in their Schools, thus they should desist from extorting money from Students and Parents.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman Bida Local Government council, Hon. Bala Shaba who was represented by the Council Secretary, Hon. Mohammad Danjuma Idris commended the Governor for appointing a professional as the Education Commissioner, positing that the commissioner has so far exhibited high level of professionalism especially by interacting with School managers, the first of its kind.

After the interface with the Principals and Head Teachers, the Commissioner and her entourage proceeded to the Emirs Palace to receive royal blessings from the Etsu Nupe, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, the chairman Niger State Council of traditional rulers.

The Commissioner informed the monarch that the State Government under the leadership of the Executive Governor, RT. Hon. Umaru Mohammad Bago is taking stringent measures in changing the narratives in the Education sector, hence the need to interact with Principals and Head Teachers who are the managers of Schools.

In his response the Monarch lauded the efforts of the Governor towards improving the Standards of Education in the State.

While congratulating the Commissioner on her well deserved appointment, the Monarch praised her foresight for galvanizing the School managers and prayed for her success throughout her tenure.