NEWS
Ododo Pledges to Boost Healthcare Investment in Kogi
The Kogi Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, has pledged to heavily invest in healthcare services for the wellbeing of citizens of the state.
Ododo made the pledge on Monday while addressing members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and other healthcare professionals in Lokoja, after the conclusion of a three-day medical outreach in the state.
The governor said that his commitment to sustain investment in the health sector and the just-concluded free medical outreach were in line with his campaign promises to make healthcare more affordable and accessible to citizens.
“It’s my desire to ensure that healthcare remains the top priority of my administration.
“This is because a healthy society is a wealthy society. I will continue to support you, the medical professionals, in this exercise and ensure that it reaches our people in all parts of the state.
“I want you to count on my support as we work together to make the free medical outreach a flagship programme in our calendar of medical activities in the state.
“So that we can make healthcare more accessible and affordable to our people,” he said.
He disclosed that he was set to unveil a flagship healthcare intervention that would deliver free medical services to residents in all parts of the state.
The governor called on all medical practitioners to sustain their support for his administration and expand the scope of their collaboration with the government through the state Ministry of Health.
In his remarks, Dr Abdulazeez Adams, the state Commissioner for Health, commended the medical team for the successful conduct of the free medical outreach.
He expressed pleasure that the medical outreach was a clear testament to the dedication of medical professionals working in Kogi State.
Adams commended Gov. Ododo for the attention given to the welfare of healthcare professionals in the state and for providing enabling environment for medical professionals to excel in delivery of healthcare services to people of the state.
Also speaking, the spokesman of the committee of NMA Past Chairmen, Dr David Aimila, described the free medical outreach as a high-powered intervention that delivered unprecedented interventions in various fields of medicine and healthcare services.
Aimila praised Gov. Ododo for the priority accorded to the health sector and professionals by the administration.
In his remarks, Prof. Solomon Avidime, Chief Medical Director, Reference Hospital Okene, and host of the medical team, applauded the governor for the health-friendly posture of the administration.
The CMD said that Reference Hospital Okene was eager to host many such medical missions, which he noted complemented the free health insurance policy of the state government by bridging the gap in healthcare coverage across the state.(NAN)
NEWS
Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to UNGA
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)NEWS
NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
NEWS
NDDC Unveils Initiative to Enhance food Security in N’ Delta Programmes
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security and sustainable growth in the region.Chief Monday Igbuya, the Delta representative on the NDDC Board, made this pledge in a statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Igbuya spoke at the inauguration of a training and empowerment programme for women and youths in livestock and agro processing in Amukpe, Sapele area of Delta. He stated that the NDDC was prioritising livestock training in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.“NDDC is focussed on implementing programmes to ensure food security and agricultural growth in multi sectors, aiming to improve living standards.“It is our belief that for socio-economic development to take place, there is need to develop manpower in the agricultural sector,” he said.Igbuya expressed confidence that training farmers would enhance livestock production, create jobs, and alleviate poverty in the Niger Delta.Mrs Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that training farmers and entrepreneurs was essential for improving productivity and market access.“The commission has been promoting research and development through various institutions and providing farming techniques to beneficiaries,” she said.The Project Consultant, Dr Simon Akhaine, said that 200 women and youths had registered for the livestock and agro-business skill acquisition programme.According to him, the programme aims to equip them with the essential knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency in livestock farming, thereby boosting regional food security. (NAN)