NEWS
Gov. Alia’s Appointments Skewed, Favour own clan – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue has accused Gov. Hyacinth Alia of negating the federal character principle in his appointments.
The opposition party, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Bemgba Iortyom, specifically accused the governor of appointing “mostly persons from his Kunav clan”.
“Only this morning, the governor announced the appointment of another Kunav man, Mr Raymond Asemakaha, as Managing Director of Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC).
“The appointment of Asemakaha at BIPC adds to the growing list of Kunav sons heading crucial outfits.
“Among these outfits are the Benue Internal Revenue Service, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
“Another Kunav son is heading the State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
“PDP finds this development unacceptable as it blatantly negates the principle of federal character as enshrined in the constitution.
“The federal character principle emphasises inclusivity of all component parts of the state in the holding and wielding of power and influence vested in such sensitive positions as listed above.
“The PDP is mindful of the need for merit as a basis for making appointments into sensitive positions and is aware that Benue is endowed with an abundance of competent persons from all groups.
“The tendency to choose mostly persons from his Kunav clan for appointment into powerful public offices certainly does not promote unity, harmony and public partnership.”
The PDP urged Alia to borrow a leaf from the wisdom deployed under previous administrations when there was never such a concentration of power and influence in just one, out of the numerous clans in Benue.
Reacting to the allegation, the state government said that no part of federal character regulation insists on the number of initial appointments in a government that MUST be shared “equally”.
“Gov. Alia is exactly five months in office today. He is yet to exhaust appointments into Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and political offices,” Sir Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, said.
He said that there are enough offices to go round.
“As far as appointments so far are concerned, no part of the state has been marginalised.
“Though Alia is in the saddle to cleanse the squalor Benue became, and is not out to follow the regrettable steps of the last administration, PDP should be the last to venture into any criticism of any policy of government including the issue of “federal character”.
“Where people are development-inclined, the query would have been whether the persons appointed so far are qualified or possess the right skills, or are meeting up with their assigned responsibilities, or whether their antecedents are in question.
“But these claims coming from PDP, we are not surprised. A group who ran a system where merit was murdered and sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity and anything goes sure cannot do better outside power.
“Alia is focused. No amount of distraction can make him waver,” Kula said. (NAN)
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.
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)
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)
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