Viral video: Niger state summons teachers over use of ‘vulgar’ language by pupil during debate

The Niger government has summoned the class teacher and headmaster of Kassim Primary School in Agaie LGA over the use of “vulgar language” by a pupil during a debate.

In a viral video on X, the pupil identified as Abdulkabir Abdulkadir is seen speaking in a debate in which he argued against the motion advocating for mandatory voting in Nigeria.

The pupil argued that using force to make electorate vote is unconstitutional and added that any government that attempts to compel people against their wish becomes authoritarian.

He said ” considering the kind of politicians we have in this country and how politics is being practiced, who and who are we making voting compulsory for?”

The pupil, who is very vocal in his argument, said the masses voted President Bola Tinubu last year to make things better.

He lamented that the president threw the country into hardship by removing the petroleum subsidy.

“Prices of goods and services continue to rise. Tinubu with all his charisma, can not handle this country the way we want,” he said.

“Presently, we are experiencing the scarcity of dollars, our lawmakers who have the constitutional power to call everyone to order, including the president kept mute, including the Senate.

“Instead, they are busy bargaining for N160 million flashy cars, and housing allowances etc. Is this the kind of leaders we want to make voting mandatory for?

“Leaders that have turned out to bunch of thieves, gold diggers, and betrayers. The most painful part of this argument is that our retirees who have served this country  for 35 years are being neglected, particularly our teachers who taught and make the country great are being denied their gratuities.”

During the debate, the pupil invoked thunder to strike and eliminate all the leaders so as to have peace in the country.

“CHOICE OF WORDS DISTURBING”

Reacting to the issue in a statement, Hadiza Mohammed, comissiomer for basic and secondary education in Niger state, condemned the choice of words by the pupil.

Mohammed said the pupil was “coached to use violence and vulgar language in his presentation” and described the content of the video as “disturbing”.

She said the “use of vulgar and violent languages not only reflects poor orientation for  the individual pupil but also on the school and the educational system as a whole”.

“The reaction of the ministry is rooted on a video circulating on social media, showing a primary school pupil using inappropriate language during a debate competition in one of the schools in Niger state,” the statement reads.

“The ministry observed with dismay the disturbing content of the video, where it was evident that the student had been coached to use violence and vulgar language in his presentation.

“Such behavior is not only unacceptable by the ministry but also goes against the values of respect and decorum that should be upheld in educational settings.”

Speaking with TheCable on Monday, Jibrin Kodo, information officer of the ministry of education, said the class teacher and headmaster were invited for “cautioning” by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

“They were invited to be cautioned against teaching children violent language,” Rodo said.

“The teachers and students were invited by SUBEB just to caution them to desist from such acts as the pupil is a minor. He shouldn’t be saying that.”