Imo State Government, through the Ministry of Education, Primary and Secondary, has banned frequent changing of textbooks both in private and public schools in the state.

It also banned graduation ceremonies for certain levels in both private and public schools.

The new policy, according to the Commissioner in charge of primary and secondary schools, Prof. BTO, Ikegwuoha, is to reduce financial burdens on parents and guardians who are saddled with the responsibility of training their wards in school amid economic hardship.

The Commissioner, in a press statement made available to journalists, stated that the ministry has issued a firm warning to private and public schools reaffirming its strict stand on the new policy.

He added that the State Government had directed all private school proprietors, head teachers, and principals to comply immediately or face severe consequences, which include license revocation.

“Under the existing policy, graduation ceremonies are completely prohibited for, Kindergarten, Nursery, Junior Secondary School 3, JSS 3.

“Only Primary 6 pupils and Senior Secondary School 3 students are allowed to hold graduation ceremonies; also, no levies for send-forth events.

“The Ministry also barred students in Primary 1–5, JSS 1–3, and SSS 1–2 from being forced to contribute money for any farewell or graduation celebrations organized for others.

“While Primary 6 and SSS 3 graduates can make personal or family arrangements, schools are forbidden from organizing, supervising, or collecting funds for such events,” the statement said.

Ikegwuoha also hinted that the ban on what he termed arbitrary and frequent changing of textbooks remained active till 2030, asserting that schools cannot force parents to buy new editions or entirely new titles every year solely for profit.

He maintained that henceforth, approved textbooks must stay stable for at least four years.

“A new list of State-approved textbooks will be introduced in August 2026 and remain valid until August 2030.

“Any private school found breaking these rules could face immediate license withdrawal, de-listing from the State’s approved schools register,” he warned.

The Nigeria Police Force has condemned the fatal shooting of a suspect, Mene Ogidi, which occurred in Effurun, Delta State.

Reports indicate that operatives attached to the Effurun Area Command responded to credible information from Benin Motor Park along the Warri–Sapele Expressway regarding a suspect apprehended by members of a transport union while attempting to waybill a parcel containing a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition.

While efforts were being made to take the suspect into lawful custody, the team leader, ASP Nuhu Usman, discharged his firearm in clear violation of extant regulations, resulting in the death of the suspect.

A statement signed by DCP Anthony Okon, Force Public Relations Officer, said the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force has directed the immediate transfer of the officer and his team to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where they would face the Force Disciplinary Committee for summary disciplinary measures and prosecution.

The statement added that the Inspector-General of Police extends his condolences to the family of the deceased and assures them that justice will be served in accordance with the law.

He further urges members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding as the disciplinary and legal processes take their course.

It said that the Nigeria Police Force maintains a zero-tolerance stance on extra-judicial actions, abuse of authority, and any conduct that undermines public trust.

A claim attributed to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, alleging that six out of ten university students in Nigeria are involved in cybercrime, also known as “yahoo yahoo”, has been rejected by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

A statement issued by its Senate President, Usman Adamu Nagwaza, on Tuesday, described the claim as misleading and damaging to the image of Nigerian students both within and outside the country.

NANS lamented that the assertion was unfounded and does not reflect the image of students across Nigerian universities, expressing concern over what it called a “fallacious and unfortunate assertion.”

The statement warned that such generalisations risk painting students in a negative light.

While the student body supports efforts to tackle financial crimes, it noted that it is wrong for public officials to make broad statements that suggest most students are involved in illegal activities.

It explained that such comments could erode trust in the education system and unfairly stigmatise young people, lamenting that the anti-graft agency appears to be placing more focus on cyber-related offences while allegedly giving less attention to corruption cases involving political figures.

The association insisted that Nigerian students are largely law-abiding and focusing on their academic and personal growth.

According to the statement, “Nigerian students are not defined by criminality. We are individuals striving to acquire knowledge, build capacity, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”

NANS called on the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede to retract the statement, saying it is necessary in the interest of fairness and national integrity.

It warned that such remarks could harm the reputation of Nigerian students and weaken public confidence in higher education, while reiterating its support for the fight against financial crimes.

The student body stressed the need for accuracy, balance, and responsibility in public communication by government agencies.

A public affairs commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has advised Nigerians to be more careful and thoughtful in choosing their leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a post shared on X on Monday, Shehu urged voters not to be swayed by catchy campaign slogans, religious sentiments, or public displays of piety by politicians.

“As 2027 elections get closer, it will be important that voters are given a pro bono advisory,” he said.

He called on citizens to reflect deeply before deciding who to support.

He warned that many political slogans are misleading.

“Don’t be carried away by slogans, because almost all party slogans are deceptive and a trap to lure voters,” he said.

Shehu also cautioned against voting based on religion, noting that such appeals may not reflect the true character of candidates.

“Don’t be carried away by religious claims and sentiments,” he said, adding that such actions often contradict.

He further criticised politicians who suddenly become visibly religious during election periods, attending different mosques and churches with donations.

“Irrespective of party platforms, don’t be carried away by those politicians who begin to frequent Friday prayers in different mosques or Sunday services in different churches with donations,” he said

The commentator urged voters to investigate the background of candidates thoroughly before supporting them.

“Dig deep into their past history,” he said.

He stressed that aspirants should have no criminal convictions either in Nigeria or abroad.

He also advised Nigerians to check that candidates have no links to crimes such as human trafficking, organ harvesting, or drug trafficking, and that their sources of wealth are legitimate.

“Make sure that they have a clearly identified and verifiable family lineage and that their source of wealth is not rooted in fraud and such other crimes,” he added.

Shehu further warned against electing candidates who have a history of abandoning their constituencies after winning elections.

“Confirm that such an aspirant is not one of those who had in the past or who is likely in the future to abandon his constituency and relocate to Abuja after winning elections,” he said.

“Carry out a thorough personality and character audit. Don’t be carried away by their physical looks, mode of dressing and automobiles they parade,” he said.

In addition, he suggested that voters should demand written commitments from candidates.

“Pin them down to a written and enforceable Memorandum of Understanding and make a video recording of the same for rainy days,” he advised.

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as the most shameless government in Nigeria’s history.

Referring to the latest crisis in the People’s Redemption Party, PRP, Abdullahi warned that, a political strategy that is anchored on sabotaging every opposition platform is self-destructive.

Abdullahi made the remarks in a post shared on his official X handle on Tuesday, where he accused the government of undermining opposition parties and shrinking Nigeria’s democratic space.

According to him, recent developments within the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) point to a troubling pattern.

He explained that about three weeks ago, the PRP leadership, led by its National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, paid a courtesy visit to the ADC leadership.

However, shortly after the visit, rumours began to spread that a political coalition was considering the PRP as an option.

“Although this is not true, it took only that single whiff of speculation for a faction to emerge almost overnight in what had been a historically tranquil political party, challenging the leadership of Baba-Ahmed,” he said.

Abdullahi argued that the situation reflects a wider trend under the APC-led government.

“This is the reality of Nigeria’s shrinking democratic space under the APC,” he stated.

He said while the government may deny involvement in internal crises within opposition parties, the pattern is becoming increasingly clear.

“The government may continue to deny any involvement in the crises within other parties, insisting that these are merely internal failures, but the pattern is visible. The world can see what is happening. More importantly, they can see where this path leads,” he said.

The ADC spokesman questioned whether there were voices within the ruling party willing to caution against such actions.

“But here is the question: is there no one within the APC who can caution those engineering crises in opposition parties that they are, in fact, sowing the seeds of national instability?” he asked.

He warned that a political approach focusing on weakening all opposition platforms could backfire.

“A political strategy that is anchored on sabotaging every opposition platform is ultimately self-destructive. When people are left with no options, they are, in reality, left with no choice,” he added.