NEWS
NYSC Decries Deplorable Condition of Niger Orientation Camp
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has expressed concerns over the deplorable condition of facilities, especially toilet and hostel accommodation at the State Orientation Camp at Paiko, in Paikoro Local Government Area of the state.
Ambassador Fatima Abubakar, Chairman, NYSC National Governing Board, said this when she led a delegation to paid a courtesy visit to the Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello, in Minna on Monday.
The delegation had earlier visited the state NYSC orientation camp to inspect facilities at the camp and the scheme’s garment factory.
Abubakar expressed disappointment that facilities at the orientation camp were still left in such condition as they were two years ago despite the state government assurance to improve on the facilities.
She lamented that the toilet facilities and hostel accommodation at the orientation camp were inadequate to carter for the needs and welfare of the corps members posted to the state.
“I have gone to the orientation camp to inspect facilities and interacted with corps members, but what I saw at the camp is not encouraging, therefore, I have come to plead with you to improve on the facilities.
“The camp is very huge, but the facilities there are inadequate, hostel accommodation for both female and male corp members are not comfortable especially in this era of COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
She said that there was shortage of facilities to accommodate corps members and security officials as well as lack of modern kitchen and cooking equipment.
The chairman added that there was need for additional boreholes for adequate water supply, provision of conducive parade ground and sport center for camp activities.
Responding, Bello, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, gave assurance that the state government would improve and prioritise welfare and well-being of corps members posted to the state in order to sustain its partnership with the scheme.
Also, Alhaji Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the state Government and Chairman of the state NYSC Govern ring Board, said that renovation of orientation camp had started which was interrupted by COVID-19 pandemic and insecurity challenges bedeviling the state.
He said that resources of the state government was channeled into fighting insecurity, assuring that work would soon commenced where they stopped as it has been captured in the state 2022 appropriation.
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)