NEWS
Nutrition, World’s Most Critical Health, Human Dev. Challenge – CS-SUNN
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State government has been charged to provide the needed leadership for the implementation of food and nutrition related policies through the timely release of allocated funds for nutrition in the state.
These were part of resolutions reached at a One Day Policy Dialogue on the extension of paid maternity leave from three months to six months in a stakeholders meeting organised by the Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) and government officials in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
CS-SUNN Former Steering Committee Chairman Ifedilichukwu Innocent noted that malnutrition is one of the world’s most critical health and human development challenges hence there is a need for proper funding of nutrition as it contributes to health improvement.
“Good nutrition is the key to economic growth and development in any state or nation, so we must mobilize resources, gets partners, philanthropists, corporate organizations in our state to support nutrition policies”
Coordinator, CS-SUNN, Bayelsa State, Ekinabhari Unity Ototo pointed out that the essence of the dialogue was to secure the commitment of policy makers for the extension of maternity leave and to ensure the increase of funding for nutrition in the state.
“We are soliciting and dialoguing for women to go on six months maternity leave also there should be paternity leave of at least one month for the men to support their women”
However, she commended the state government for supporting the activities of CS-SUNN in the state to achieve its objective of improving nutrition.
The group also solicits government efforts in creating a conducive environment for the establishment of Creche Center in the Ministry of Health to enable working class mothers to have intimacy with their mothers.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Felix Asingbi who appreciated all those present at the meeting gave assurance that the state government is working through all the relevant ministries, departments and agencies to ensure that there is sustainable funding for nutrition in the state.
In their separate goodwill messages, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Children Affairs Empowerment and Social Development, Stephanie Ekinabhari and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Oluwatoyin Azebi said they would support CS-SUNN to achieve their set objectives.
The group has earlier paid a courtesy visit on the commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning Hon. Flint Ekpotuatein George to solicit for quick release of funds for the implementation of Nutrition activities in the state.
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)