NEWS
Alia Inaugurates 41-Member Planning C’ttee For Akume’s Homecoming Reception
From David Torough, Makurdi
Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday inaugurated the Central Planning Committee (CPC) for a thanksgiving service and homecoming reception in honour of Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in his home state, Benue.
The CPC is chaired by Arc.
Sunny Echono, the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) with members drawn from all the six states in the North -Central geo-political zone, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).Alia described the SGF as the most senior-ranking member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who has made his people proud hence the need to give him special recognition and honour.
“Let us give appropriately, honour to whom honour is due”, Governor Alia stated during the inauguration.
The governor added that the home-coming of the SGF was not only a Benue event but that of the entire North Central and should be given proper planning.
Responding, the committee’s chairperson, Echono, thanked APC North Central and the Government of Benue State for finding them worthy to serve in that capacity.
He promised on behalf of other members to commit their time and work diligently with a view to making the event a huge success.
The governor, who is a political godson of Senator Akume, did not say who will bankroll the thanksgiving ceremony and reception, and how much the event would cost or may have been budgeted.
It is however, assumed that the bill, which will include accommodation, feeding, transportation, allowances and logistics, will be paid by the Benue State government, a situation seen by many as extravagant in view of the poor state of the state’s treasury, with several months of owed salaries and pensions.
In his welcome address, Austin Agada, the Chairman of APC in Benue State, paid tribute to Akume for his political exploits and accomplishments, emphasising the need for the North Central states to honour him with a grand reception.
The committee’s members include Prof. Joseph Alakali, Hon. Mrs. Beckie Orpin, Hon. Mrs. Dorothy Mato, Hon. James Ornguga, Senator Emmanuel Udende, Dr. Stephen Tsav, Chief Mike Onoja, Barr. Mike Aondoakaa, Mukhtar Shagaya (Kwara), Prince Mathew Kolawole (Kogi), Alhaji Nma Kolo (Niger), Hon. Yakubu Kwanta (Nasarawa), Hon. Jude Dakor (Plateau), Hon. Yakubu Adamu (FCT), Hon. Asema Achado, Hon. Lady Helen Atom, Hon. Godwin Dajoh, Senator Titus Zam, Alhaji Mohammed Hassan, Hon. Terhemen Shom, Moses Atagher, Joe Abaagu, Hon. Tony Sende, Terdoo Kenti, Asema Lazarus, Aondoaver Alfred Emberga (Berger), Cephas Sado Adom, Moses Okoh and Jacob Obande Ajene.
Others include Edire Lina, Christiana Samu, Prof. Christopher Obute, Barr. Vincent Uji, Hon. James Tor, Bishop Pinot Ogbaji, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, Mrs Theresa Ikwe, Linda Ene Dirisu, Barr Pius Akutah, and Comrade Vitalis Hwande, Secretary
No date has been fixed yet for the homecoming, reception which is believed will feature an interdenominational thanksgiving church service in Makurdi.
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)