The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kaduna State Command ,on Monday lauded the conduct of 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), in Kaduna.

NSCDC State Commandant, Mrs Lucy Fakoya, made the commendation while on tour of examination centres in the state.

She commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for making perfect arrangements for the examination.

 According to her,  from the security point of view, the halls’ arrangements were perfect.

She explained that they had pre-assessment of areas where the examination conducted.

“We had a series of engagements with stakeholders.

“At the end of the examinations, she said they expected satisfaction that the examination was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere  devoid of threats to security.

“Those that conducted the examination and the candidates themselves will be happy that they wrote it in a peaceful atmosphere thereby expecting credible results, “Fakoya said.

She called on all the stakeholders in the examination to accept its  outcome, stressing, they were free and fair.

Also, the JAMB  Director, National Headquarters Annex  Office Kaduna, Mr Sa’ad Yusuf, said Kaduna has had peaceful examination, devoid of security and facilities challenges.

He said at the end, they expected themselves being the examiners to be happy that they did the right things and the candidates also to feel the same in writing it in a peaceful and orderly manner.

He thanked the security agencies for giving them the necessary security covers which yielded success throughout the examinations.(NAN)

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has announced plans to revamp orphanages in FCT to international standards.

The Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, disclosed this at an event organised to commemorate the 2024 International Orphanage Day.

The event was held at Redeemed Christian Church of God, in Abuja.

Benjamins-Laniyi explained that the move was to provide specialised care and support for children in vulnerable situations, particularly those with disabilities.

She said that the orphanages would be overhauled under a comprehensive initiative designed to redefine and upscale the services being provided by orphanages across the FCT.

“Key components of the initiative include a thorough review of existing orphanages by a Ministerial Committee, focusing on recertification and adoption processes within the city.

“There is also a dedicated committee that was assigned to conduct on-site inspections of certified orphanages under the FCT Secretariat.

“The overarching goal of the initiative is to revamp interventions related to child protection and combating violence against children.

“This includes efforts to align local laws with international standards, particularly those outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she said.

The mandate secretary added that the initiative also sought to enhance institutional reforms within the FCT Administration, with key priority in education, health, and nutrition sectors, including socio-economic development.

The aim, according to her, is to establish a new standard of engagement between government entities and Non-Governmental Organisations operating in the realm of child welfare.

“Through these concerted efforts, the FCTA aims to provide a more supportive and nurturing environment for orphaned children.

“The administration also hopes to ensure that orphans’ rights and well-being are safeguarded effectively,” she added.

In her remarks, the convener of the event, Ms Felicia Olorungbami, said that the event was organised to create awareness on the need to be deliberate on how people show love to orphans.

Olorungbami, who is the founder of Hospital, Orphanage and Prison Evangelism-HOPE Ministry, urged government at all levels to be compassionate to children and promote policies that would help upgrade their standard of living.

The Pastor of the Church, Mr Ola Omosebi, stressed the need to give children in orphanages across the country hope so they could have a sense of belonging.

“Being in those orphanage homes alone is secluded.

“These children need exposure, and it’s okay for us to have gatherings like this where they will socialise,” he added.

Also speaking, Ms Ngozi Judge, Director, and founder of Facado Orphanage, identified poor funding as one of the key challenges affecting smooth operation of orphanage homes.

Judge urged relevant government agencies and charitable Nigerians to come to the aid of orphanage homes to improve the welfare of orphans.

“People donate food stuff like rice and beans, but that’s not enough to make a meal.

“When we go to the market, the high cost of things makes it very difficult for us to get enough. We need support in their education, feeding and health,” she pleaded. (NAN)

The Joint House Committee on Aviation and Aviation Technology has described the alleged relocation of a  Simulator and Fire Fighting Simulators away from the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria as false and baseless.

Alhaji Suleiman Richifa, the Joint Committee Chairman made the disclosure on Monday in Zaria during a fact finding visit to the college.

Richifa said the visit was sequel to a resolution reached at the investigative hearing of the joint committee on March 26.

The investigative hearing was attended by the Minister of Aviation, the Rector of NCAT and other Stakeholders on the purported planned relocation of the Simulator and Firefighting Equipment from NCAT to an unknown destination.

“At the hearing, it was unanimously resolved that a 7-Man committee be constituted to undertake a fact finding visit to NCAT.

“The visit was to ascertain the claims of both, the Hon. Minister of Aviation and the Rector of NCAT that the Simulator and Fire Fighting Machines are still within the precinct of NCAT, Zaria.

“We are here today primarily for this purpose,” he said.

He added that the committee were not on a witch hunting exercise but only in furtherance of our mandate, to ascertain the fact and report back to the joint committee.

“This assignment is serious and we need your cooperation and uprightness to ascertain the truth. Please treat it with all seriousness.

“This exercise, though a form of oversight, is purely a fact finding mission, specifically for the simulator/fire fighting training equipment, is not the actual oversight of the committee.

“The committee will at the appropriate time undertake a holistic oversight visit of the college. For now, will limit our visit to the simulator/ fire fighting training equipment,” he said.

However, Richifa said, the committee was satisfied with what it saw at the college, and commended the college over the state-of-the-art facilities.

He also urges Nigerians to key into the transformation drive of the college to strengthen the aviation industry.

Earlier, Mr Joseph-Shaka Imaligwe, the Acting Rector, NCAT, commended the committee for the visit, adding that there were fabrications and lies over movement of equipment from the college to an unknown location.

“There is nothing on ground like that, the committee can now testify that the equipment are on ground, therefore, they can write a comprehensive and favorable report on the issue,” he advised. (NAN)