NEWS
Zamfara: Troops Neutralise Notorious Bandits’ kingpin, Kachalla, others
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa has confirmed the killing of a notorious bandits’ leader, Kachalla Halilu and scores of other bandits in the ongoing operations in Zamfara.The Defense Chief confirmed the development during a visit to Gov. Dauda Lawal in Government House, Gusau on Friday.
He said Halilu and a score of his followers were neutralised during an encounter with troops deployed to Mayanci general area in Maru Local Government. He congratulated Zamfara people over the killing of the notorious bandits’ leader and assured them of more efforts to eliminate banditry in the North-West region.“I am using this medium to congratulate Gov. Dauda Lawal and good people of Zamfara for the great success recorded.“Killing of Kachalla Halilu is just the begining; more bandits will be killed in Zamfara by the ongoing security operations.“I commend our gallant troops for their dedication and hard work in the ongoing operations in this state,” Musa said.The defence chief noted that the ongoing military operations was part of the federal government’s strategies towards ending banditry in the North-West region.“My visit to Zamfara today is to convey President Bola Tinubu’s readiness to fight banditry and other security challenges in Zamfara.“More troops of security personnel will be deployed to Zamfara, they are to be supported with more weapons, security helicopters and vehicles to aide their operations,” he assured.Musa commended Gov. Lawal for his support to the security agencies in the fight against insecurity.He appealed to the people of the state to continue to give necessary support in form of credible intelligence to security agencies to enable them discharge their duties diligently.According to him, without support from the communities, “we cannot succeed”.He, however, cautioned people of the state against rendering any kind of support to bandits, “as that will jeopardise the successes being recorded by the troops”.“You should avoid conniving with bandits to destroy your state and Nigeria as a whole.”Responding, Gov. Lawal described the CDS’ visit to the state as very fundamental and apt.“This is timely, we are happy to receive you today, this visit boost our morale, infact, it increases our confidence in the security agencies.“Since my inception, our administration has been collaborating and supporting the security agencies, this is with a view to securing our dear state.“We appreciate the ongoing operations by the security agencies, we are ready to support them to succeed,” the governor assured.Gov. Lawal noted with dismay how Zamfara had become an epic center of banditry activities in the North-West region.“If we are able to join hands and tackle banditry activities in Zamfara, all other security challenges in the North-West will be easily addressed,” Lawal added.The defence chief, who later addressed military personnel at the 1 Brigade Command, Gusau, commended the troops for the successes being recorded in the ongoing operations in the state.“I want to commend you particularly for yesterday’s operation which recorded tremendous success.“Scores of bandits were killed, over 30 motorcycles and weapons were recovered from them.“I am here to encourage you to do more, as soldiers, you may not have all what you need.“We must finish the war we have started, we must end this war, I believe we can do it,” Musa said.He, however, expressed sadness over the four soldiers killed during an encounter with bandits along Gusau-Tsafe road on Thursday.“I am very bitter about the killing of those soldiers by the bandits. This is not acceptable. Enough is enough,” he said.NAN reports that during the visit, the CDS and troops observed one minute silence for the soul of the deceased army personnel. (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)