NEWS
Our Approaches in tackling Insecurity are Yielding Results – Niger Gov’t
From Dan Amasingha, Minna.
Despite the relentless banditry attacks on Niger State communities, the state government has disclosed that its recent approaches are started yielding results.
The government expressed optimism that before the end of the year, insecurity in the state would be reduced.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar stated this to newsmen in Minna during a two day Peace Dialogue, organized by the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) for Mashegu Community of Niger state.
According to him, the government is using the best approaches to resolve the insecurity challenges bedeviling the state, adding that one of the approaches is the non-kinetic approach which recorded successes in other countries.
“In our approach towards the insecurity bedeviling the state, we will use the best approach to resolve the problem. The government is putting in every effort in dialogue.
The government will confront this issue of insecurity headlong, support security agencies and engage the community leaders in early warning.
“We are optimistic that the approaches we have adopted are solving the security problems we have. It could have been worst if not for the steps we are putting in. We are seeing results and we are ready to take these terrorists out of the way”, Umar declared.
The Commissioner who is a security consultant before his appointment said that Mashegu Community was chosen for the Peace Dialogue because of the internal crisis and other peculiar security issues it has been having in recent times.
He stated that although the government is using kinetic approach, it has decided to bring the community, religious and traditional leaders together to dialogue, find solutions and build resilience towards countering every form of violence and community clashes
“Mashegu was chosen because of its internal crisis and its peculiar issues where there have been accusations and counter-accusations. It is a result of the incidents that have been recurring in Mashegu. We need the people to understand that they need peace as only peace can bring development.”
Umar further pointed out that the state government was trying its best to understand the root cause and triggers of the internal crisis appealing to communities to sheath their swords as the government cannot afford to have an internal crisis when it is still battling against terrorists.
In his address, the facilitator, Dr Mutala Ahmed Rufai said that the Center for Democracy and Development selected Mashegu because it is becoming a hotspot and there is the need for the people to understand themselves.
He noted that the non-kinetic approach was the best towards solving the conflicts that have bedevil the state and country.
Rufai who is a Fellow with the Centre for Peace Studies from the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto said that after the dialogue, the community leaders will be appointed as peace ambassadors to spread peace in their communities.
He also stated that these leaders would be equipped with ways of identifying informants who are aiding the activities of terrorists in their communities.
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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