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.
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)
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)
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