THE HEADLINES

• FG to ban unrated textbooks in schools from September 2026
  
• APC welcome Shekarau, Gwarzo, assures full integration, equal opportunity
  
• Iran foreign minister arrives in Russia as US talks remain stalled
  
• NFF, Agali disagree over ‘unpaid pension’

DETAILS

The Federal Government has announced the introduction of a National Textbook Ranking System for primary, junior and senior secondary schools as part of efforts to improve quality and standardization in Nigeria’s education sector.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the Ministry of Education said the initiative is designed to curb the proliferation of substandard textbooks and ensure that only curriculum-compliant and high-quality materials are used in classrooms.

The statement said the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council will retain its statutory responsibility of approving textbooks.

According to the government, the NERDC will establish Standing Subject Committees made up of experts to carry out detailed assessments based on academic and pedagogical standards.

The statement noted that the policy also stipulates that any textbook that is not ranked under the new system will not be allowed for use in schools, regardless of its previous approval status

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano has welcome former Governor Mal. Ibrahim Shekarau and Senator Bello Ayatullah Gwarzo back to the party with assurance of their full integration.

The party Chairman Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa in a message on Sunday believed the defection of the leaders to APC will consolidates experience, institutional memory, and grassroots structures of the party ahead of future elections.

Doguwa maintained that APC under his stewardship will guarantee new members of a level playing field and the opportunity to contribute their quota to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the progressive transformative Kano First Agenda of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The family of a National Youth Service Corps member, Abdulsamad Jamiu, has rejected the Nigerian Army’s account of the circumstances surrounding his death in Dei-Dei, Abuja.

In a statement on Saturday, the brigade’s spokesperson, Odunola Olawuyi, said troops responded to a distress call about an armed robbery and came under fire from fleeing suspects, stating that Jamiu’s death occurred during the security operation

However, in a detailed rebuttal issued on Monday, the family described the Army’s version of events as “false, misleading, and an affront to the memory of an innocent young man.”

The family further called for answers from the military, including “an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation,” the suspension and prosecution of those responsible, a retraction of the Army’s statement, and a public apology.

The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress,APC, has defended its internal candidate selection process amid renewed allegations of imposition.

The party dismissed claims linking the State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to any plan to impose candidates on the party structure.

The state chairman of the party, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, who spoke through the party’s Secretary, Mr Alex Kalejaye, maintained that the APC constitution provides for consensus approach as a legitimate method of selecting candidates during primary elections.

According to him, the party consistently adopts the consensus approach through wide consultations among leaders at various levels before arriving at agreed candidates.

FOREIGN

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday for talks with President Vladimir Putin, as negotiations between Tehran and Washington remain stalled.

Araghchi’s visit comes after a regional tour that included stops in Pakistan and Oman, where mediators have been trying to revive talks between the United States and Iran.

Efforts to restart negotiations have faltered in recent days, with disagreements persisting over key issues including Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security concerns.

The United States and Iran have remained at odds despite a ceasefire, with both sides unwilling to make concessions needed to resume meaningful dialogue.

Araghchi’s trip to Russia is seen as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to coordinate positions with Moscow amid the continued impasse in talks with Washington.

SPORTS

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has faulted former Super Eagles striker, Victor Agali’s claim that the federation has failed to pay pensions to retired international stars from funds the body receives from the world football governing body, FIFA, for that purpose.

Agali, who played for Nigeria from 1999 to 2005, scoring five goals in 11 games, at the weekend, told Home Turf podcast that, unknown to many people, FIFA pays ex-internationals a form of pension through their football federations.

He said that retired Internationals are entitled to a stipend from FIFA, through the NFF, but they’re yet to receive any.

Reacting to Agali’s claims, the NFF’s Secretary General, Mohammed Sanusi said ",it is funny because I have never heard of it in my life. Whatever FIFA does is known to everybody. It has never happened. These people should stop disgracing themselves by making such wild claims when people can verify such claims. Anybody can get the information from FIFA. This type of thing is not hidden,"