Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger state has directed primary and secondary schools in the state to resume for the new first term academic session on 10 October.

Aliyu gave the directive on Wednesday when he received a delegation from the JAMB, WAEC and NECO in Minna.

The governor said that the extension from the Sept. 22 given by the Federal Government was to allow the children to celebrate the Muslim Eid-el-Kabir festival with parents and loved ones.

“It seems the time of resumption will coincide with the Sallah holidays. So, if the Sallah is going to be Oct. 4 which is a weekend, then the children can resume on Oct. 10,” he said.

Aliyu also urged the educational bodies to be alive to their duties of improving the standard of education in the country.

He decried the poor performance by students in examinations, adding that efforts should be made to redress it.

“Everybody has a stake in reversing this ugly trend. Individually, we must contribute our quota towards making a change we want to see in our children and wards,” Aliyu said.

Responding on behalf of the delegation, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, said that they were in the state for a consultative meeting.

Ojerinde said that the state was chosen as venue of the event due to its unique priority on education, especially the girl-child education.