Maroc - NEWSLINENG.COM.NG - A La Une - 03/Feb 19:00

Govt shuts schools till February 16

The Kogi State Government has said that the temporary closure of schools across the state was a preventive decision, taken on the basis of credible intelligence and the overriding need to put protective measures in place around schools to safeguard pupils, students, and teachers.Speaking to newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, explained that the decision was not borne out of panic, but of responsibility, stressing that the government chose to act proactively rather than wait for avoidable incidents.He said, “Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed all relevant agencies to immediately deploy necessary modalities to ensure that schools resume academic activities as soon as it is safe, so as not to disrupt the state’s academic calendar.”Fanwo commended the security agencies for their timely and actionable intelligence, noting that such cooperation underscores the effectiveness of the state’s security architecture.He reassured the people of Kogi State that the government is fully on top of the situation, adding that security agencies are already working around the clock to identify, locate, and decisively deal with criminal hideouts.“The safety of our children, teachers, and educational institutions remains non-negotiable. This administration will always prioritise lives while ensuring continuity in governance and education,” Fanwo said.Meanwhile, a message from the Kogi State Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Pastor Reuben Jimoh, to his members stated that the state government has decided to fast-track the midterm break into the emergency lockdown.‎”The midterm break for school has been fast-forwarded and we shall be resuming back on 16/02/2026. ‎Therefore, there will be no school tomorrow until 16th/02/2026.“No school should go against this adjustment,” Jimoh said.Punch