NEWS
Flood Kills Eight, Destroys N180m Property in Bauchi
From Mohammed Muktar Umar Bauchi
Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has revealed that property, including houses in 57 villages across 11 local government areas of the state, farmlands and livestock, worth N180million have been destroyed by floods in which eight lives were loss so far in the state.
This was disclosed by the SEMA Coordinator, Dr Abubakar Umar Gabarin, who revealed that 567 people were affected by flooding, adding that three people died in Ningi, three died in Gamawa and one person each in Jama’are and Toro Local Government Areas respectively.
According to the SEMA coordinator, the figures were only tentative as the Agency was still counting, adding that it would submit an interim report to the state governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, to enable the state government to assist the victims.
Also speaking, Director, Research and Statistics of the agency, Adamu Nayola, warned people living in flood plains and waterways across the state to relocate as the peak of rains is yet to come in order to avoid disastrous effects of floods.
He also warned people to avoid swimming in rivers whenever they see heavy downpour, saying that, “they don’t know what the rivers bring along. Sometimes, it comes with sharp objects that will injure and kill people.”
Nayola lamented that majority of flood victims are regular victims who are being affected by flood annually as a result of their refusal to vacate flood plains and riverine areas where many of them live in weak buildings.
He blamed flooding on natural disasters and poor drainage systems caused by uncontrolled physical development in parts of the state.
“You can see the results. Besides the high number of casualties recorded, many houses were washed away, while others collapsed. Several farmlands were submerged just as foodstuffs and livestock were also lost to floods,” he lamented.
In another development, Governor Mohammed has directed the state Ministries of Land and Housing to demolish buildings on waterways at the Unguwar Yankari behind the Department of State Services (DSS) in Bauchi.
The governor gave the directive when he visited the area to assess the havoc wrecked by flooding in the area, adding that the people who buildings are to be demolished should be compensated properly.
According to him, the demolition was inevitable as it was the only way to solve the perennial flooding in the area.
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)