By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Graduation and end-of-session parties have been banned in public and private schools in Ogun State by the state government.

In a circular signed by the Director of Education (Private Schools), on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, A.A. Bisiriyu, it was emphasised schools must adhere to this directive.

“No school owner should organise such gatherings henceforth,” the state government emphasised in the disclosure, warning that appropriate sanctions await defaulters.

It was gathered that this step was taken following allegations that some schools were extorting parents for such ceremonies.

According to the statement, such actions are contrary to resolutions reached during the 2025/2026 pre-resumption stakeholders’ meeting held in September 2025 at Lisabi Grammar School Hall, Abeokuta, the state capital.

The circulated noted, “It is pertinent to state that the state government frowns at organising graduation and end-of-session parties [for pupils and students] in all classes in both public and private schools in the state.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed reports alleging that the Nigeria Education Management Information System (NEMIS) suffered a cyber attack, insisting that the platform remains secure and that no data was compromised.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 16, by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Folasade Boriowo, the Ministry described as inaccurate and misleading a report published by a media firm (not Business Post) headlined — Suspected Cyberattack Hits FG’s Education Data Platform.

According to the Ministry, the NEMIS platform was neither hacked nor breached at any time, stressing that the integrity, confidentiality and availability of data on the system remain intact.

The Ministry explained that the warning message encountered by some users was caused by a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate configuration issue at the hosting level, which temporarily affected the platform’s secure access certification.

It noted that the incident was purely technical and did not involve unauthorised access, data loss, alteration of records or exposure of sensitive information.

The Ministry said its technical team, working alongside the hosting service provider, swiftly resolved the issue and restored normal operations, adding that the platform remains fully functional and accessible to authorised users.

It further stated that browser security warnings or SSL certificate alerts should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of a cyberattack or data breach, noting that such warnings can arise from routine technical or configuration-related issues.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting education data, the Ministry said NEMIS remains a critical platform for the collection, management and utilisation of education statistics across the country. It added that robust security measures, continuous system monitoring, infrastructure safeguards and periodic security assessments are in place to ensure the platform’s reliability and security.

The Ministry also highlighted the role of the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI), describing it as the Federal Government’s flagship framework for strengthening education data governance, integration, accessibility and evidence-based planning within the sector.

It urged media organisations and members of the public to avoid disseminating unverified information capable of creating unnecessary concern and eroding public confidence in government digital platforms.

The Ministry advised stakeholders to seek clarification through official channels before publishing or sharing claims relating to government digital systems and urged the public to disregard reports suggesting that NEMIS had been compromised.

It reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of information security, digital governance, transparency and accountability in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated renowned playwright, poet, novelist and scholar, Mr Femi Osofisan, on his 80th birthday, describing him as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished intellectuals whose works have consistently championed social justice and national rebirth.

In a statement personally signed on Monday, June 15, the President lauded Mr Osofisan’s enduring contributions to literature, theatre arts and academia, noting that the emeritus professor has devoted his life to addressing societal challenges through his creative works.

President Tinubu said the literary maverick exemplifies the rare combination of talent, dedication and service, adding that the celebrated writer has enriched Nigeria’s cultural and intellectual landscape through decades of scholarship and artistic excellence.

“Few men live in the full expression of the abundance of their talents. Professor Babafemi Adeyemi Osofisan is one of those incredibly brilliant individuals who have blessed our world with their creativity,” the President said.

Mr Osofisan is known for some of his works, which include Behind the Ballot Box (1967), Oduduwa Don’t Go! (1968), A Restless Run of Locusts (1975), The Chattering and the Song (1976), Who’s Afraid of Solarin? (1978), Once Upon Four Robbers (1980), Morountodun (1983), Esu and the Vagabond Minstrels (1991), Aringindin and the Nightwatchmen (1992), Yungba-Yungba and the Dance Contest (1993), The Album of the Midnight Blackout (1994), Tegonni: An African Antigone (1999), Reel Rwanda! (1996), and Women of Owu (2006), among others.

In prose fiction, Osofisan authored Kolera Kolej (1975), Cordelia (1989), Ma’ami, Abigail, and Pirates of Hurt. As a poet writing under the pseudonym Okinba Launko, he published notable collections such as Minted Coins (1987), Dream-Seeker in Divining Chain (1993), and Pain Remembers, Love Rekindles (2001).

The President highlighted Mr Osofisan’s distinguished career as a playwright, poet, novelist, teacher, scholar and newspaper columnist, noting that his works have consistently called for moral reawakening and social transformation.

President Tinubu recalled that Mr Osofisan, a native of Erunwon in Ogun State, attended Government College, Ibadan, before studying French at the University of Ibadan and later pursuing graduate studies at the Sorbonne in Paris.

He also acknowledged the literary icon’s long academic career at the University of Ibadan, where he rose through the ranks and retired as a professor, as well as his international recognition, including the prestigious Thalia Prize awarded to him in 2016 for his contributions to theatre arts.

“I warmly congratulate this literary colossus as he turns 80 on June 16. His life and accomplishments are a demonstration of service, dedication, and hard work,” Tinubu stated.

The President further commended Osofisan’s “enormous contributions to scholarship and the theatre arts” and his “consistent advocacy for a national rebirth,” describing him as “one of our nation’s finest minds.”

“As Professor Osofisan celebrates this milestone, I join his family, friends, and the literary community in wishing him excellent health and praying that his fount of wisdom continues to flourish,” the President added.