NEWS
NUJ Press-Week: Don’t Give up Holding Gov’t Accountable, Cleric Tells Journalists
From Nicholas Dekera, Kaduna
Kaduna State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Sunday received prayers of protection, blessings and success for the 2024 edition of its annual Press Week from the Assistant Priest of the Cathedral of ST. Michael, Kaduna Diocese of Anglican Communion, Dr.
Tunde Yusuf.Yusuf charged journalists not to give up in the face of intimidation and harassment while performing their constitutional role in holding the government accountable. ”Without journalists the entire society is in a mess, there will be no accountability, there will be no information flow, we will be in total darkness about what is happening around us,” he said.He also prayed to God to protect journalists and their jobs, just as he urged them to be resilient, saying, “don’t give up in holding the government accountable, continue to perform your professional obligations without fear or favour”.He however, expressed empathy with Kaduna NUJ over the recent kidnapping and subsequent release of two journalists in the State.”We heard over the news that two of your colleagues were kidnapped. We thanked God for their freedom. May God continue to protect you all. Don’t be intimidated over the incident; continue to do your work with only the fear of God by reporting the truth to the society.”Be upright in the course of your duty and report accordingly without any fear or favour, because your uprightness will lead to progress and development of our dear country, Nigeria”. Priest Yusuf said.The Sunday prayer service for the week offered journalists who were in attendance at the Church the opportunity to pray for the progress, unity and safety of journalists across the country.Kaduna NUJ Veteran journalists; Elder John Fwah, Chief Olu Ajayi, Asabe Ndoma, Nathaniel Jibrin, Noah Ebije were in attendance.Others who attended the church service included the Vice chairman of NUJ, Daniel Duniya, Frederick Peter of Kabido Chapel, among reporters and cameramen from NTA and KSTV stations.The Vice Chairman of NUJ, Daniel Duniya who represented the Chairman, Hajiya Asmau Halilu appreciated members who turned up for the Sunday prayer service, and urged all members to grace the press week event on July 30.The Church service came on the heels of Juma’at prayer which was held penultimate Friday at the Ansar-Deen Central Mosque.The programmes for the press week include a lecture with the theme “The Role of the Media in Holding Government Accountable: Prospects and Challenges.Kaduna State governor Uba Sani would be the Special Guest of Honour, the National President, NUT, Comrade Titus Amba would chair the occasion, while the Speaker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas is expected to grace the occasion as the Distinguished Guest of Honor.
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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