NEWS
Wike Honours AIG Igweh, Mu’azu for Improving Security in FCT
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has honoured two heads of security agencies for their roles in improving security in the FCT.The honourees are Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, Benneth Igweh and Assistant Director-General (D-G), Department of State Services, Ado Muazu.
Igwe, the immediate past Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, has been promoted to AIG in charge of Zone 7. Also, Mu’azu, the immediate past State Director of DSS, FCT Command, was equally promoted to Assistant D-G and deployed to the National Headquarters of the service. In a dinner organised in their honour on Saturday in Abuja, the minister described the duo as committed security officers, who gave their all for the safety of all residents.Wike particularly described Igweh as a man who was out to fight criminality and criminals in the FCT.He thanked God for sparing Igweh’s life while working day and night to keep FCT residents safe.He said that Muazu was a quiet but very committed officer, who served FCT exceptionally well.According to him, the two officers have done very well in securing lives and properties in the FCT.“We are here today, to celebrate and give God the glory; that people who worked with us have been promoted because of their hard work; because of their commitment to service to FCT and the nation.“I have always said that people who are committed; people who make sacrifices; that I don’t believe it is only when you die people will honour you; people will reward you.“While you are alive, and you have worked hard, you should be remembered.“That is why we said, these two gentlemen, who have worked with us, to make all of us sleep well with our two eyes closed; it is important we honour them; we thanked them for their services.”Wike added: “On behalf of FCT, we say thank you. You have done well and these places you are going to, please, continue with that spirit of serving your father land.“Continue with that spirit of supporting the current government to protect properties and to protect your father land.”The minister announced a donation of a Prado Jeep to each of the officers by the FCT Administration, to support logistics in their new offices.“Chief of staff, make sure the AIG and the Assistant D-G get their Prado Jeeps. You have really done well for us and God will bless you,” he said.Wike also thanked all security agencies in FCT, saying “this work wouldn’t have been easy if not for your collaborative efforts in making sure that FCT is safe.Responding, Igweh, who spoke on behalf of himself and Muazu, thanked the minister and the FCT Administration for recognising their efforts and for honouring them.He promised that he and Mu’azu would continue to provide the needed support to improve the security situation in FCT.“I want to inform Abuja residents; I am still around.“I have told the criminals that I am not moving anywhere; I am around. Now that I have more power to do something, I don’t know where you will run to.“If you know where you want to pack and go you better start now, because I am now an AIG; I have more power to safeguard Abuja,” he said.He said that he and Mu’azu were happy to have worked with Wike and expressed their readiness to continue working with him to keep Abuja residents safe. (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)