NEWS
Foundation Confers Award On Best Student in WASC, JAMB in Cross River
Patrick Abang, Calabar
A student of Emerald Field Schools Miss Grace in Calabar has been awarded Certificate of Excellence who distinguished herself by obtaining five credits in the Senior Secondary School Examination, SSCE, and scored 326 in Joint University Matriculation Examinations.
celebrated by a foundation, Joseph Odey Foundation.The fifteen- year old who passed out of the school with outstanding results was handed a laptop, books and cash sum of five hundred thousand naira by the Foundation.
President of the Foundation, Mr Joseph Odey said the award is to encourage her to be more committed to her studies and also inspire others to work hard and excel academically.
“At a time where some people say school is a scam, some of our going ones are doing this country proud by excelling in academics which to a large extent lays the foundation for their future and that of our country.”
He said a diligent background check was carried out to confirm that the result was achieved through individual effort before granting her the award.
“Her brilliant performance in SSCE and UTME is not a fluke or a one off brilliance but my interactions with the school and her teachers show that she is a model for young people and can be relied on in character and academics”.
He encouraged other students of the school to take on the right path by obeying what their teachers teach and instruct them to do which will instill the spirit of excellence in them.
Mr Ijom Ukam, the Cross River State Commissioner for Youth Development said education is the key to a balanced and successful future and called on youths to cultivate the right attitude and mentality to plan a good future for themselves and the society.
He said youths need more encouragement from government and private sector through scholarships and grants to keep them committed to studies.
“I tell you if Miss Grace had won a beauty contest, many individuals and organisations would be here lavishing her with gifts and award but since it is academic performance, many people take it for granted”
Mr Ukam said there is a need to mentor, equip, encourage and inspire young people to excel in their academics because it builds the body, morally develops and equips the minds for future engagements.
“What makes a person great or a real celebrity is how developed his or her brain is and to change the world, you have to be academically well developed”.
NEWS
Kwara NSCDC Organises Medical Outreach, Award Night
From Samuel James, Ilorin
The Kwara state command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has organized a Medical Outreach, Security Summit and Award Night to mark its end-of-year activities in the state.
The event which was organized by the Tanke Division highlighted the Corp’s commitment to community service, security enhancement and the recognition of excellence.
The event started with a Medical Outreach that aimed at improving health and well-being of elderly residents in the Tanke community, as free medical tests were conducted to demonstrate the Corps’ dedication to social responsibility and care for the welfare of citizens.
The Security Summit, which followed, focused on strategies to enlighten neighborhood safety and foster greater collaboration among stakeholders. It also centered its discussions on proactive measures to tackle security challenges and to enhance collective efforts toward ensuring a safe society.
The event also culminated in an Award Night to celebrate officers and stakeholders who have shown outstanding dedication, professionalism, and contributions to public safety.
While addressing the gathering, the State Commandant, Dr. Umar J.G. Mohammed, who was represented by the Area K Commander, ACC Kehinde Adebayo, extolled the officers for their unwavering commitment to duty, and explained that recognizing hard work and dedication is not only to motivate personnel but also to inspire excellence and strengthen service delivery.
In his remarks, the Tanke Divisional Officer, SC Oyinloye Yinka, explained the importance of the event, describing it as a platform to appreciate officers for their resilience and to encourage stakeholders’ involvement while reinforcing the Corps’ mandate of safeguarding lives and property.
Oyinloye further appreciated the stakeholders for their unwavering support, acknowledging that the division’s achievements were made possible through the collaborative efforts and partnerships.
The State Command however reassured of its readiness to sustain these initiatives and to deepen community engagement, and enhance operational efficiency in the years to come.
NEWS
Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 1,850 Personnel in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 1,850 personnel to guarantee a seamless and secured yuletide celebration in Kogi State.
In a statement signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Aliyu, noted that the Kogi State Commandant of NSCDC, Esther Akinlade, carefully chose these personnel from various units, encompassing the Operations department, Special Rapid response,Agro rangers, Female squad Intelligence, and Critical National Assets Infrastructure departments.
According to the statement, the Commandant emphasized that NSCDC in conjunction with sister agencies, is dedicated to ensure a crime-free environment in the State before, during, and after the festive period considering the peculiarity of kogi State bordering nine different States including FCT.
“Commandant Akinlade urged the youth to abstain from involvement in any form of social misconduct or unlawful activities that could disrupt law and order as anyone caught will face the full wrath of the law.
“She urged the public to observe the celebrations with moderation and to relay any credible information concerning any form of criminal activities and hideouts to the relevant authority thereby contributing to the preservation of the relative peace prevalent in the state” the statement added.
NEWS
Wike Gives Landowners Fresh Two-week Ultimatum to Settle on C-of-O
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has given owners of the 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone, A10, Abuja, a fresh two-week ultimatum to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or risk final revocation of their allocation.
This was contained in a statement issued at the weekend, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister reiterated that the primary interest was not for people to lose their lands, but to get them to make necessary payments to the government.
The statement read; “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, a list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published.
They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.“Yesterday, notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.
“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
“After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”