NEWS
Bandits are Boko Haram Remnants- NGF
Nigeria Governors Forum Chainman and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has declared that bandits terrorising the North West and North Central states are remnant of Boko Haram and ISWA terrorist whose agenda is to destroy Nigeria.
Fayemi stated this when he led five other governors to console and pledge their solidarity with their Niger state counterpart, Abubakar Sani Bello at Government House, Minna.
He said contrary to what some groups and individuals say,, the so called bandits were actually terrorists, who may have fled the North East and now found a safe haven in part of the North Central and North West to wreak havoc on innocent Nigerians.
“Let’s make no mistake about it, what we are witnessing today is terrorism, it is the remnant of Shekau’s Boko Haram who are out to destroy the country “, he said.
He noted that, time has come for all Nigerians to come together as a country to chart a way forward, instead of engaging in blame game either as leaders or citizens.
“Their agenda is to destroy Nigeria, it is either we fight against it or we succumb to their plans”, he saud.
Governor Fayemi noted that as governors, they were aware that most Nigerians were not interested in lamentation about the security situation in the country or their respective states, but practical and workable solutions to violence, banditry and other crimes in the country.
“Our citizens want us to find permanent and lasting solution to the cycle of violence, bloodletting and criminality prevailing in the country at the moment
“The Federal Government is doing its best to see that we do away with it, but giving the nature of security our people our there do not have some privilege information, it is our duty as their leaders to secure them”
The chairman of the Nigeria Governors forum pointed out that, there is urgent need for all security institutions to come together for intelligence sharing and better coordination inorder to defeat the current bandatry menace.
Fayemi, however, added that there was the need for government to explore other avenues side by side with whatever the military was doing to bring the situation under control.
“If that means engaging in dialogue, we have no other choice, before we adopt a long term solution of identifying the root causes this social dislocation, which can be traced to poverty, illiteracy and ignorance
” This conflict is no longer confined to the North East, Farmer/ Herders clash, Kidnapping in South East, or South west/ Herders clash nor Militancy in the South South, Every part is cut up”
While commiserating with the Governor and people of Niger state, the forum assured the Governor that they are with them all the way until the situation is brought under control.
Responding Governor Abubakar Sani Bello thank his guest for identifying with the state at a very trying moment and reiterated his pledge that all the Kagara science college abductees will soon regain their freedom.
The governors on the entourage of the NGF were vice chairman, Hon Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, Engr. Abdullahi Suleiman of Nasarawa state, chairman Northern Governors Forum and Plateau state Governor, Mr. Simeon Lalong as well as Governor Abdullahi Abdulrazak of Kwara state
NEWS
Ohanaeze Ndigbo President Iwuanyanwu for Burial Nov. 1
By David Torough, Abuja
The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have been slated for burial on November 1.
Chairman of the burial committee, Senator Ben Obi, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Alongside with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb Okey Emuchay and burial sub-committee chairmen, Senator Osita Izunaso, Gen.
Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and others, Obi unveiled a series of activities culminating into the actual burial ceremony.“Our message today is to convey the dates for the burial of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Lagos day of tributes, Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Eko Hotels and Convention Centre.
“Abuja Day of Tributes Friday 18th October, 2024 at the National Ecumenical Centre.
“Enugu Day of tributes, Saturday 26th October with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will be held at the Okpara Square.
“Owerri Service of Songs Tuesday 29th October 2024. Commendation Service on 1st November in Owerri and Imo day of burial on Friday, 1st November 2024,” he said.
He added that further details will be communicated in due course.
On whether the Federal Government would participate in the burial, Senator Obi said the committee will visit President Bola Tinubu to intimate him about the transition of the statesman and details of his burial.
“We will be visiting President Tinubu to formally announce to him details of this transition and I am sure the President knows all that Chief Iwuanyanwu had done and he will do the needful,” he said.
Asked whether the late newspaper publisher had regrets about his inability to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure the realization of a restructure federation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said Chief Iwuanyanwu died a fulfilled man because he never shies away from doing his best in the circumstance.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu and I visited Kanu in jail and I think that was his last official assignment before his demise.
“Prior to that, he had never missed any opportunity to call for the release of Kanu.
“On restructuring, he never minced his words on equity, fairness and justice and he knew that he couldn’t do it alone.
“So he operated with the South-South PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere. He asked for parity in the number of states in each geopolitical zone.
“We in Ohanaeze will continue to pursue these issues that were very dear to his heart and we want to give the assurances that we will not fail,” Obi said.
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)