Nigerian Government to Phase Out 6-3-3-4 Education System

The Federal Government has said the 6-3-3-4 system of education introduced during the military administration of former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, would be phased out.

Minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi, said this at a meeting with executives of the National Association of Private Proprietors of Schools (NAPPS) led by its Chairman, Saidu Ahmed Mijinyawa in Abuja late Tuesday, where he apologized to them over the closure of primary and secondary schools for voters' registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Goodluck Jonathan had earlier agreed on the phasing out of the 6-3-3-4 system of education last year at the National Education Summit and asked those that introduced it to apologise to Nigerians because of its failure.

Gbagi said the national curriculum of education would be redesigned to phase out the present system of 6-3-3-4.

This he said would give way for the reintroduction of the old system of education which he referred to as better.

He also apologised on behalf of the Federal Government to the proprietors private schools for the sudden decision to extend the reopening date of primary and secondary schools in January to allow for the conduct of the voters' registration without any consultation or input from private schools. The minister added that they would be engaged in dialogue to gain their input towards the resolution of issues that affect stakeholders in the education sector.

He also directed examination bodies to discontinue with the registration of "magic centres" across the country.

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Osaze Odemwingie Escapes Siasia Axe

West Bromwich Albion striker Osaze Odemwingie was only hours from being thrown out of the Nigeria team by a furious Eagles coach Samson Siasia ahead of the friendly against Sierra Leone yesterday.

A top team official disclosed that Siasia was seething with anger after he learnt that Osaze was one of the first to arrive Nigeria from Europe ahead of the friendly international, but chose to stay away from the team.

"Siasia was just very angry when he learnt that Osaze has been in Lagos for at least two days, but had yet to report to the team's hotel and he was just about to tell Osaze Odemwingie to stay clear of the team before the player reported Sunday evening," an official said.

Siasia and the former Locomotive Moscow star fell out during the 2008 Beijing Olympics with Osaze even threatening to walk out on the team in China because the coach was not giving him enough respect.

The late arrival of players for the Sierra Leone game would force Siasia to cancel training on Monday, meaning the Eagles only trained twice Tuesday before the match.

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Super Eagles in Scrappy 2-1 Win Over Leone Stars

Super Eagles returned to winning ways with a less than convincing 2-1 defeat of Sierra Leone in an international friendly at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos yesterday. It was new coach Samson Siasia's first game in charge of the team.

Two first half goals from Marseille defender Taye Taiwo and debutant Warri Wolves' Ekigho Ehiosun put the Eagles in the lead to the delight of Lagos fans who were seeing the team for the first time since 2002.

The Leone Stars' goal was scored by Mohammed Bangura late in the second half.

Taiwo the Eagles ahead in the 15th minute after Peter Utaka was fouled in the penalty box. Taiwo's shot into the low right corner beat John Tryre in the Sierra Leonean goal and sent the fans into early cerebration.

Nigeria increased the tally in the 45th minutes when substitute Ehiosun got on the end of a Joel Obi.

Ehiosun, the Nigeria Premier League's leading scorer came on for another debutant Emmanuel Emenike who was stretched out after a collision with a Leone Stars player.

It was the Leone Stars who made the first impression of the game when Bangura sent a cheeky cross that almost beat Nigeria keeper Dele Aiyenugba who punched for a corner kick.

Veteran Mohammed Kallon tried to spur on his team but they were met by a stoic defence led by Joseph Yobo who started out shaky but soon gained confidence.

Afterwards it was the Super Eagles who dominated the match with debutant Inter's Joel Obi leading the midfield charge. Soon enough the home crowd began to chant his praise screaming "Obi, Obi, Obi" into the night air.

It was not long after when Obi sent in the cross to Ehiosun to seal both players' debut with an assist and a goal.

Siasia also handed debuts to Sienna defender Michael Odibe, Kano Pillars' Wasiu Sowemimo and Osas Okoro in the absence of Obiora Nwankwo.

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Nigerian Teenagers Caught With U.S.$9.7 Million at Airport

Following the arrest of two teenagers at the old domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, on Thursday night , shortly after arriving with $9.7m, 664,100 euro aboard an Arik Air flight from Kano, a senior police officer has called for community policing.

Narrating how the teenagers, identified as Abdul Bashir and Rabiu Bashir, were arrested, the officer, who pleaded for anonymity said, "I believe if the people, in the spirit of community policing, give information to the police, crime will be reduced to its barest minimum."

The officer at the Murtala Muhammed domestic airport police station disclosed that the suspects were arrested at the MMA2. "Men of the Nigerian Air Force got to the scene of arrest first. The boys were found out when one of them cried out that his money had been tampered with.

He said $50, 000 had been removed from his money. That drew the attention of people, the security and they were arrested and detained at the police station."

He said since they were northerners and claimed to be bureau de change operators, the police invited some bureau de change people who witnessed the counting of the money. " The bureau de change people came here. They helped in the counting of the money because it was so huge and we couldn't do it alone. They were in four big bags."

Explaining how the case was transferred to Abuja on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, the officer said,

"When they were brought in, the DPO got an IPO to take their statements. I didn't go through the statements; so I cannot comment on that."

The source added, "We didn't sleep that day. Upon their arrest, the DPO contacted the commissioner in charge of the Airport Command who in turn informed the Inspector General of Police. The IG then ordered that the case be transferred to the antifraud unit of the Force CID in Abuja.

"The police commissioner, anti fraud unit came in from Abuja following the Inspector General's order to take over the case. They were taken to Abuja yesterday (Friday)."

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