NEWS
Avoid Destructive Criticism, Abure Urges Labour Party Stakeholders
By Jude Opara, Abuja
The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) Barr. Julius Abure has charged stakeholders in the party to think of how to reposition the party instead of engaging in what he described as destructive criticisms.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, National Publicity Secretary (NPS) of the LP, Obiora Ifoh said a letter said to have been written by members of the party who called on the National Chairman to resign was in unnecessary; adding that after the impressive showing of the party in the 2023 general elections, members of the party at all levels ought to have concentrated on how to deepen the gains so far made.
Ifoh said the authors of the said statement that is circulating in the social media made a lot of unsubstantiated accusations against the Abure led National Working Committee (NWC) all in an attempt to justify their demands which he said is nothing but self-serving and unproductive.
The NPS added that a careful look at the authors revealed that most of them were new in the party and may not have known where the party was before Abure and his team piloted it to the enviable height it is today, hence the interest of most Nigerians old and young to identify with the party.
“On the allegation that the leadership of the party has not been able to translate to success the support given by the members of the party and the Obidient Movement. It is pertinent to state categorically that this would be the first time in the history of the Labour Party to have contested vigorously in a presidential election. Yet, after all the manipulations of the result, the Labour Party won 12 states in the Presidential election, One governorship seat, 8 seats in the Senate, 35 seats at the Federal House of Representatives and numerous other seats in the State Houses of Assembly.
“This is also the first time, the Labour Party will be a major political force to be reckoned with and as at today in Nigeria, going by INEC’s records and the performances of the various political parties, Labour Party can best be described as the Third Force in Nigeria and these achievements were recorded by the party within five months, the shortest possible time in the history of political parties in Nigeria”.
The party also rejected the statement that the LP has become a transactional party and that its founding fathers have been distanced from the affairs of the party.
“Under the present leadership, the team has been committed to the growth and development of the party. We will not bother them with several offers that were made and rejected by Abure leadership in order to build, consolidate and make the Labour Party a truly alternative political party that it has become today.
“We want to state clearly that this would be the first time that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) will be enjoying a cordial and harmonious relationship with the party. It will interest you to know that towards the preparation for the 2023 general election, both NLC and TUC had a summit in conjunction with the Labour Party where they came up with the modus operandi on how to work together for the purpose of that election.
“Unknown to the authors of the statement, over 50 members of the Organised Labour were members of the National Campaign Council at various levels including the directorate of Labour Services headed by a former President of the TUC, Olaleye Quadri. They equally participated in all the campaigns across the states through their state councils, and their representatives in the campaign council. Both NLC and TUC have active representations in the National Working Committee of the party and they are still serving as Deputy National Chairman as mandated by the constitution of the party. There is no doubt that the Labour Party enjoys a cordial and harmonious working relationship with the NLC and TUC.”
The statement also said the leadership of the LP is not aware of any court judgement that has terminated the tenure of Abure as claimed by the authors who want the national Chairman out.
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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