NEWS
Diri’s Proposed N45b Secretariat Complex Misplaced Priority, Says BOOT Chieftain
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The proposed plan by Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State to construct a N45 billion nine story Secretariat Complex for civil servants has been described as a misplaced priority by BOOT chairman in the state.Felix Wilson who was BOOT party candidate for Sagbama Constituency 2 in the 2023 election into the Bayelsa State House of Assembly said in a press statement in Yenagoa on Tuesday that Diri’s action is wrong “in view of the chronic hardship and pervasive poverty in the state.
”Wilson pointed out that the project was not a high impact one that will trigger the desired multiplier effect on the already wobbling economy especially as Bayelsa residents are grappling with so many socio-economic issues such as flooding, lack of potable water, hyperinflation, huge unemployment and persistent power black-out which the Prosperity Administration has failed to address.He said it is laughable that though the state is surrounded by water, residents cannot access clean drinking water and called on Diri to have a rethink and instead channel the resources of the state to quick impact projects that will ease the pains of the suffering masses.According to him, “the nationwide economic strangulation has had a more telling effect in Bayelsa State than in any order state in Nigeria; with many families struggling to have a single meal each day as prices of foodstuffs hit the rooftop in Yenagoa and environs.”Wilson alleged that “the proposed Secretariat Complex with a 30-month completion date was likely to become yet another white elephant project for siphoning public money just like the uncompleted Tower Hotel which has gulped billions of state funds with no end in sight.”He said Bayelsans were watching his actions in relation to his campaign promises referencing the recent recruitment of secondary school teachers where he made a pronouncement to employ 2,000 teachers last year, and about 22,000 Bayelsans applied out of which 7,000 were shortlisted for oral interview after a written examination, and only 950 were employed.He said Bayelsa should focus on areas of strong comparative economic advantage such as glass manufacturing, deep sea fish trawling, aquaculture, rice production, the abandoned Igbogene fish farm, the moribund Bayelsa Oil Palm and plastic industry.Wilson, who is also a businessman, said with the right leadership and a responsive and responsible governance culture in place, the areas of comparative economic advantage will “all potential money spinners waiting to be harnessed and revamped.”He said Diri does not know what to do with the scarce resources of the state while noting “it was worrisome that in the 28 years since its creation, there was not a single industry operational in Bayelsa State.”When contacted, the state Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiowou Koku-Obiyai, said the project was due request over the years by civil servants for a befitting working environment.Koku-Obiyai said the tag of misplaced priority is the opinion of Wilson saying that other Bayelsans are happy with the proposed project which will be a legacy project of the Prosperity Government.She said the project will be prosecuted alongside other ongoing projects including the three senatorial roads and other priority projects of the state government asking if people are not happy at the Nigerian Content Tower building.”The first, second and third floors will have conference rooms. There will be a restaurant in the iconic building. Civil servants have longed for such a work environment,” she said.
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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