NEWS
Plateau Journalists commemorate International day of peace with roundtable
The Plateau Peace Media Network (PPMN), a media initiative, on Thursday commemorated the UN International day of Peace, with a roundtable for stakeholders.
The event, which aimed to change narratives to achieve lasting peace in Plateau, took place in Jos, with stakeholders from the media, traditional rulers, CSO’s and other representatives present.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the International Day of Peace is celebrated every Sept.
21, and the theme for 2023 is “Actions for Peace, Our Ambition For The Global Goals”Mr Mathew Tegha, Coordinator of PPMN, while reiterating the importance of promoting peace as Journalists and citizens, noted that achieving tranquility was a collective and continuous pursuit.
Tegba, who noted that the conflicts in Plateau had been multi-dimensional, said the situation also required a multi-dimensional approach to address it.
“Today, we come together, not only to celebrate peace, but to reaffirm our shared commitment to building a world where harmony, understanding, and cooperation prevail.
“The International Day of Peace reminds us that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but a dynamic and collective pursuit, a journey that requires continuous effort, dialogue, and action.
“Our gathering today is further enriched by the sub-theme: “Actions for Peace: The Prospects and Challenges for Addressing the Multi-dimensional Crises in Plateau State.”
“This sub-theme acknowledges the complex landscape within our beloved Plateau State, and underscores the urgency of addressing the multi-faceted challenges that have impacted our communities,” he said.
While calling on citizens of Plateau to ensure that they continued to promote peace through their actions and inactions, Tegba noted that this was the first time journalists had gathered in the state to factor how to promote the peace narrative, describing it as an effort worthy of note.
“We must begin to look at our actions and inactions and how that has contributed to the peace in our communities, or how it has further led to the break down of law and order where we find ourselves.
“So this is a call to everybody that we must begin to look at the actions, and also begin to generate same to build peace in the state.
“It is worthy of note that this is the first time journalists, media practitioners and heads of media organisations, are coming together to explore ways of pushing the peace narrative, and also correcting the wrong narratives that we have out there,” Tegba said.
On his part, Mr Taiye Lukas, Senior Programme Coordinator for the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP), emphasised that the roundtable was a deliberate attempt to re-awaken the public on the need for peace.
“This is a deliberate strategy for the CIPP project to ensure that people are aware of the importance of peace; it is to ensure that we live at peace with each other in the communities we find ourselves.
“Issues would come, but let us sit down and resolve them.
“That is why we are bringing every stakeholder here, there is no better time to talk about this like now, especially looking at the recent incidents in Mangu, where many lives were lost.
“It is easier for us to tell people when somebody dies that they should “rest in peace”, why can’t we live in peace? That’s our emphasis” Lukas said.
NAN also reports that the event is in collaboration with Mercy Corps, and sponsored by the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
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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