First Light Publishers Ltd.

09/09/2025

THE NATION’S EYES NEWSPAPER
September 7, 2025

New Law: Nigerians Must Obtain Tax ID to Operate Bank Accounts, Businesses by 2026
BY NOEL CHIAGOROM

Beginning January 1, 2026, Nigerians will no longer be able to open or operate bank accounts, run businesses, or access financial services without a Taxpayer Identification Number (Tax ID or TIN).

This landmark reform, contained in the newly signed Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, is being described as the most significant change in Nigeria’s financial and tax system in decades.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

Signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August, the Act makes it compulsory for:

Individuals: No bank account can be opened or operated without a Tax ID.

Businesses: From roadside traders to multinationals, all must register for a Tax ID.

Government Agencies (MDAs): Required to obtain Tax IDs before entering contracts.

Foreign Suppliers: Must register with the new Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) before doing business in Nigeria.

👉 Under Section 8(2) of the Act, banks, insurers, and stockbrokers will be barred from providing services to anyone without a valid Tax ID.

WHY THE REFORM MATTERS

Nigeria has long struggled with weak tax compliance:

Nigeria – 10% tax-to-GDP ratio

Ghana – 13%

Kenya – 16%

South Africa – 27%+

Global Average – 34%

Out of 200 million+ citizens, only 10 million are registered taxpayers, while more than 60 million Nigerians hold bank accounts.

This gap explains why revenue remains poor despite Nigeria’s economic size. Past reforms like the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the National Identification Number (NIN) improved identity management. Now, the Tax ID mandate is seen as the next bold step to widen the tax net and cut reliance on oil.

The Act also abolishes the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), replacing it with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) — a major institutional shake-up.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CITIZENS & BUSINESSES

Bank Customers: No deposits, withdrawals, or transfers without a Tax ID.

Small Businesses: Informal traders must register, creating new compliance obligations.

Corporate Nigeria: Stricter oversight will reduce tax loopholes.

Foreign Firms: Non-resident suppliers must comply before doing business in Nigeria.

PUBLIC REACTIONS

A civil servant in Abuja expressed concern:

> “It’s good for accountability, but I fear delays and corruption in the process.”

A Lagos-based tax consultant welcomed it:

> “This is long overdue. Without linking tax IDs to financial services, compliance will never improve.”

RISKS AND CONCERNS

Exclusion of the Poor: With 38 million adults unbanked, the reform could sideline vulnerable groups.

Bureaucratic Delays & Corruption: Risk of officials exploiting the registration process.

Awareness Gap: Millions may miss the deadline, creating chaos at tax offices.

📌 5 THINGS NIGERIANS MUST KNOW ABOUT THE TAX ID LAW

1️⃣ Effective Date: January 1, 2026 — no Tax ID, no financial services.
2️⃣ Who Must Register: Individuals, businesses, MDAs, foreign suppliers.
3️⃣ Where It Applies: Banks, insurance, stock market, contracts, and business registration.
4️⃣ Why It Matters: Expands tax net; boosts revenue for development.
5️⃣ Risks: Exclusion, corruption, delays, low awareness.

❓ Q & A for Nigerians

Q1: What is a Tax ID?
A unique number issued by the NRS for tax purposes, likely linked to BVN and NIN.

Q2: Who needs it?
Everyone — individuals, businesses, MDAs, and foreign suppliers.

Q3: When does it take effect?
From January 1, 2026.

Q4: How to register?
The NRS will publish guidelines. Expected steps include:

Visit NRS office/center

Fill application form

Provide NIN, BVN, valid ID, address, and business documents (if applicable)

Receive Tax ID

Q5: What happens if I don’t register?
You will be unable to operate bank accounts, access insurance/stockbroking, sign government contracts, or run a registered business.

From January 2026, tax compliance will become a ticket to financial access in Nigeria. This reform is a test of whether government can implement change without worsening hardship. For citizens, it is both a challenge and a call to prepare before the deadline.

✍️ By Noel Chiagorom
For THE NATION’S EYES NEWSPAPER.

01/07/2025

12/06/2025

HAPPY DEMOCRACY DAY!
*"JUNE 12 IN RETROSPECT: POWER, BETRAYAL, MARTYRDOM, AND THE TRIUMPH OF DEMOCRACY"*

*Penned By: AYENI, Rufus Oladele, FCA*
*(Tax Audit Consultant / Forensic and Investigation Expert)*

*1. The Genesis of June 12:* Salient Historical Facts, Dates and the Key Players
*June 12, 1993*, represents a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. This date marks the presidential election widely regarded as the freest, fairest, and most credible in Nigeria’s history. It was the day Nigerians defied ethnic, religious, and regional differences to vote for *Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O.) Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)* against *Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).*

The road to this historic event was paved with decades of military dictatorship, economic decline, and political instability. After the 1983 coup that overthrew the civilian government of *President Shehu Shagari, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari* seized power. In 1985, he was ousted by *General Ibrahim † Babangida (IBB),* who promised a transition to democratic rule.

*Key players in this epochal saga include:*

*Chief M.K.O. Abiola* – Business mogul, philanthropist, and presumed winner of the 1993 election.

*General Ibrahim Babangida* – Military president who annulled the *June 12 election.*

*Professor Humphrey Nwosu* – Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), who oversaw the 1993 elections.

*Alhaji Bashir Tofa* – NRC presidential candidate.

*Rear Admiral Augustus Aikhomu* – Then Chief of General Staff.

*General Sani Abacha* – The military strongman who later seized power and ruled with an iron fist.

Despite the credible conduct of the elections, *Babangida* annulled the results on June 23, 1993, plunging the country into chaos and political crisis.

2. The Symbolism of June 12 in Nigeria’s History
*June 12* is more than a date; it is a national metaphor for democratic aspiration, unity, resistance to tyranny, and the right of the people to choose their leaders. It exposed the fragility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions under military rule and simultaneously demonstrated the capacity of Nigerians to transcend ethnoreligious divides in the pursuit of national progress.

*The election was unique:* *Abiola,* a Yoruba Muslim, overwhelmingly won in the northern and southeastern regions – areas traditionally suspicious of southern candidates. *June 12* shattered identity politics, becoming a symbol of political hope and national integration.

*The declaration of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari* was a long-overdue recognition of the historic significance of the day and its principal hero, *M.K.O. Abiola.*

*3. The Attackers – The Barracks Boys and Their Victims*
Following the annulment, a shadowy alliance of military elites, known in popular parlance as the "Barracks Boys," moved to suppress dissent and quash democratic demands. This junta, led by Generals like Sani Abacha, Aikhomu, and others, resorted to systematic oppression:

Pro-democracy protesters were brutalized.

Media houses such as Tell Magazine, The Guardian, and Punch Newspapers were shut down.

Activists and politicians were jailed without trial.

Civil society groups like Campaign for Democracy (CD) and NADECO were targeted.

The victims were countless—journalists, activists, students, and ordinary Nigerians who dared to demand that the mandate of June 12 be respected.

*4. The 1993 Election: Evil’s Expectations and the Unexpected Outcome*
The military had anticipated a continuation of status quo politics—regionalism, voter apathy, and easy manipulation. However, the unexpected happened:

Over 14 million Nigerians voted across ethnic lines.

M.K.O. Abiola's message of "Hope '93" resonated deeply.

Even in Tofa’s Kano stronghold, Abiola performed strongly.

The unexpected national consensus terrified the ruling elite. The fear of a truly democratic Nigeria, where the power base could no longer be controlled by the military oligarchy, prompted the annulment.

It was a classic instance of democracy confronting authoritarianism—and for that moment, democracy had won the heart of the people.

*5. The Breaking of Chains at the Barracks*
The tide began to turn gradually against military rule. The international community imposed sanctions. Local resistance surged. Underground movements, covert publications, and diplomatic pressure mounted.

The death of *General Abacha* on June 8, 1998, and the emergence of *General Abdulsalami Abubakar* set the stage for transition. Under mounting internal and external pressure, the military bowed out.

By May 29, 1999, Nigeria returned to civilian rule, breaking the chains of 16 years of consecutive military dictatorship. But the scars of *June 12* remained indelible.

*6. Martyrs’ Arrest and Elimination: A Litany of Heroes*
The price of June 12 was paid in blood and tears by many, notably:

*Alhaja Kudirat Abiola (Assassinated: June 4, 1996) – Wife of M.K.O.,* gunned down in Lagos by state-sponsored assassins under Abacha’s regime.

*Chief M.K.O. Abiola (Died: July 7, 1998)* – Arrested after declaring himself president; died mysteriously in detention under suspicious circumstances.

*Alhaja Simbiat Abiola – First wife of M.K.O.,* died on November 11, 1992, shortly before the elections, a woman of immense courage and backbone.

*Pa Alfred Rewane* (Assassinated: October 6, 1995) – NADECO financier, killed in his home.

*Bagauda Kaltho (Disappeared: 1996)* – Courageous journalist allegedly killed via a planted bomb.

Countless unnamed students, activists, and civilians perished in protest and prison.

These names must be engraved in the annals of national heroes.

*7. The Military Take-Over and Their Tyranny*
After Babangida’s “stepping aside,” a contrived interim government under Chief Ernest Shonekan emerged. It was short-lived, overthrown in November 1993 by *General Sani Abacha*, who ruled until his death in 1998.

*Abacha's tyranny featured:*

Systematic arrests of pro-democracy activists like *Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Beko Ransome-Kuti, and Femi Falana.*

Kangaroo trials and secret executions, such as the hanging of *Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 Ogoni activists* in 1995.

Massive looting of public funds, with over $5 billion later recovered from his foreign accounts.

His rule was marked by paranoia, repression, and unprecedented corruption.

*8. 26 Years of Unbroken Democracy: The Journey So Far*
Since 1999, Nigeria has experienced six consecutive electoral cycles. While flawed, this uninterrupted civilian governance is a triumph of the June 12 spirit. Key milestones include:

*2003–2007: Political transition from President Obasanjo to Yar’Adua* – the first civilian-to-civilian handover.

*2011:* Peaceful transfer despite intense post-election violence.

*2015:* Historic defeat of an incumbent by an opposition party *(Buhari defeating Jonathan)*.

*2023: Election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a known NADECO veteran, as president.*

Democratic institutions like INEC, civil society, and the judiciary have grown stronger, though challenges of electoral integrity, insecurity, and executive overreach persist.

*Conclusion: The Way Forward – Lessons from Similar Global Struggles*
The June 12 saga remains a potent lesson in resilience and people’s power. Like South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, or Chile’s ousting of Pinochet, Nigeria’s democratic evolution was fueled by persistent civic engagement.

*Recommendations:*

*Memorialization* – National curriculum must include June 12. Monuments should honor martyrs.

*Electoral Reforms* – Strengthen INEC, ensure electronic transmission of results.

*Justice for Victims* – Set up a truth and reconciliation tribunal for families of June 12 victims.

*Civic Education* – Promote active citizen participation and political literacy.

*Protection of Press and Activists* – Guarantee press freedom and protect whistleblowers.

Nigeria must never forget *June 12.* Not just as a date, but as a declaration—that the people’s will is sacred.

*Penned By:*
*AYENI, Rufus Oladele, FCA*
*(Tax Audit Consultant / Forensic and Investigation Expert)*

10/05/2025

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04/05/2025

𝑭𝑹𝑶𝑴: ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES (𝑨𝑺𝑼𝑼)*
*𝑻𝑶: 𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑺𝑬𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑫𝑨𝑹𝒀 𝑺𝑪𝑯𝑶𝑶𝑳 𝑻𝑬𝑨𝑪𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑺, 𝑺𝑪𝑯𝑶𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑷𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑻𝑶R𝑺 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑷𝑨𝑹𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑺*

𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒕𝒐𝒓s 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆, 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒚 𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝑺𝑺𝑪𝑬 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔.

𝑾𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑨1 𝒊𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒔.

𝑾𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑷𝒉𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏.

𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆, 𝑮𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝑹𝑺/ *IRS* , 𝒚𝒆𝒕 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑫𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔.

𝑾𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒔𝒌 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑱𝑺3 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝑺1 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 16 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒊𝒏 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑺𝑺𝑪𝑬 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝑨𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌.
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝑨1'𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑩3'𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝑾𝑨𝑬𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔.

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒂𝒄𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒆𝒏𝒅, 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒔𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓.

𝑺𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒂 𝒗𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅.

𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒖𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔, 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔.

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒔 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒕𝒐 "𝑷𝒖𝒔𝒉-𝑼𝒑" 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝑺 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝑾𝑨𝑬𝑪/𝑵𝑬𝑪𝑶/𝑱𝑨𝑴𝑩, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒑𝒂re𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 "𝑷𝒖𝒔𝒉-𝑼𝒑 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒓 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔.
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒖𝒔𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝒈𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒍 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 "𝑷𝒖𝒔𝒉-𝑼𝒑" 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔.

𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒂𝒕 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍, 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍?

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒏, 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒚, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒖𝒔 𝒀𝒂𝒉𝒐𝒐, *_𝑪𝒖𝒍𝒕ism group, Gen Z bangers,_* 𝑺𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒔, 𝑳𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒔, "watsup" knower, non-academic students, 𝒆𝒕𝒄.

𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒅, 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒆𝒙𝒖𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒏ce, 𝒊𝒎𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒚𝒍𝒆𝒔.

𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆, 𝒔𝒐𝒘 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒔𝒐 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒓, 𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒆, 𝒋𝒐𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝑭𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.

*𝑷𝑳𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑬 𝑩𝑬 𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑫 𝑻𝑶 𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑰𝑹 𝑭𝑼𝑻𝑼𝑹𝑬*
THIS CHANGE BEGINS WITH US ( individually).

HELP SHARE to RELIGIOUS, CIVIL, AND ACADEMIC PLATFORMS.

01/05/2025

HAPPY NEW MONTH TO
OUR ESTEEMED CUSTOMERS.
We ❤️ You.
First Light Publishers Ltd.

11/02/2025

09/11/2024

Prefect ABIOLA IS DEAD

Please read patiently, and pass to all Parents and Teachers.

The Teaching and Non-teaching Staff of Ever-Best Grammar School were summoned for an emergency meeting with the Principal during their lunch break. The members of staff sat in twos in the assembly hall, discussing in low tones, as they waited for the Principal to arrive for the meeting.

It was not long before the Principal, Mrs. Julian Yemisi Agbaje, joined the staff in the hall. “Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I guess most of you know why I called for this meeting. But in case you do not know, I will tell you now. It is with a heavy heart I want to confirm to you that the news that filtered in when we came to school this morning has been verified and found to be true.

There were rumors this morning that we lost one of our students yesterday evening. Well, I want to tell you that it is no longer a rumor; it is now the truth. It has been verified. I went to their house this morning and saw things for myself; and the truth is that Abiola, Our Assistant Head Girl, died yesterday at night. So, if you saw her yesterday evening, as I did when we had a meeting with all the prefects, that was the last time you would see her alive”.

There were groaning, weeping, bitter cries, etc., among the staff. Both men and women broke down in tears. By the way, some were already crying even before the Principal made the announcement. Abiola was such a nice girl that all who knew her could not hold back their tears.

But what happened to Abiola?

The Principal continued her story…

“From what I gathered when I went to their home this morning, Abiola committed su***de inside her room last night. The mum went to her room after their morning prayer to find out why she did not come out for the usual family prayers and found her stone dead!”

At this juncture, the Principal could not hold it further and had to make use of the handkerchief in her hands as she buried her face on the table. More weeping, sighing, sobbing… among the staff.

After what seemed like forever, the Principal continued her story…

“Abiola dropped a letter for her mum on the floor, or she was probably holding it in her hands when death overpowered her. In the letter, she appreciated her mum for all she did to take care of her and her younger brother since their father died five years ago.

She acknowledged that her mum worked hard to make sure that she and her brother were enrolled in the best school around, and that they lacked nothing, which could make them feel the absence of their dad”.

“Why then did she take her life?” Someone asked.

In answer to that question, the Principal said…

“That is why I called every one of you here. We all failed Abiola! (at this juncture she stood up). After appreciating her mum, Abiola went ahead to explain the reasons why she decided to end it all. I may not go into all the detail but the summary is that the girl has been battling with low self-esteem and prejudice since the day she was made a prefect till yesterday when she could not bear it any longer.

I learned that one of you here told Abiola’s mum that she was supposed to be the Head Girl but Nifemi was chosen instead because she (Nifemi) smiles a lot while Abiola has a stony face.

And the mother believed that devilish self-sent messenger. I am going to deploy everything available to me to make sure I fish him or her out. Abiola’s mum never allowed a day to pass without taunting the poor girl about her failure to become the Head Girl. So each time she came to school and saw Nifemi she was filled with resentment, then she would go home to meet her mum who would jeeringly ask her, ‘How is that cheerful girl, Nifemi? I love her jare! If you like keep tightening your face!’

According to the nanny who talked with me, when Abiola got home yesterday, her mum asked the usual question about Nifemi and she simply said, ‘Mum why don’t you ever tell me that you love me? Am I not a human being?’

And instead of the woman to retrace her steps she started calling the poor girl unprintable names and reminding her how she has been working like a jackal to give her the best possible, yet all she could do was to play the second fiddle.

She went to bed without eating. And as fate would have it, the nanny bought a bottle of Sniper two days ago, which she kept very close to the washing machine. Nobody knew when Abiola got up in the night took the bottle and emptied the contents into her mouth.

She ended the note she dropped for her mum with, ‘Mum I love you and I have always told you so, even though I can’t say whether you love me or not. You can transfer all your love to your cheerful Nifemi, but please do not abandon my little brother the way you abandoned me.’

That morning when we were there, she kept shouting, ‘Abiola, I love you! Abiola, look at me now, I said I love you! I love you Abiola…’ I suppose that by now they might have taken her mother to a doctor because it seemed she had lost her senses

Man! What a loss! I couldn’t keep this to myself, and that is why I had to call all of you to relay it. I also want to use this to remind us that we are not here just to teach them arts or sciences; we are supposed to attend to the emotional needs of these children! How come none of us even noticed that that girl was hurting?

And the mother is now confessing her love to a dead body. Let me tell you, the words I LOVE YOU are golden to every growing person. May you not utter those golden words to a ghost as Abiola's mother is doing right now!”

The Principal ended her story thus and other things followed, which I would not bother my readers with.

I want to ask every parent or TEACHER reading this piece, do you know that those three words are golden to every child? Are you using them wisely now or are you waiting to use them for a ghost?

I pray that you will not tell your son or daughter that you love them when it is already too late.

You can talk about any issue you have with your child; no child is irredeemable if you know what to do and what to say.
Let’s talk about it NOW!

Please kindly forward this to any PTA platform

My people are sure we have learned one or two things from this story.Thanks