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WAEC At 70, Promises Further Reduction In Result Processing Period

By
Grace Itodu
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The Nigeria National Office of the body has assured the public that it would further reduce the period for the processing of results of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

This is as the regional examination body, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) marks platinum jubilee.

The Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Mr. Patrick Areghan expressed the commitment at the pre-conference press briefing for the 70th annual council meeting in Abuja in March.

Areghan hinted that with the deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT), the organization has reduced the period for the processing of WASSCE results of WASSCE for school candidates from an average of 84 days in the past to an average of 45 days.

According to him, “Most aspects of WAEC’s operations and activities have been computerized. Its transactions and interactions with stakeholders across the globe are internet-driven.

“The Council has, therefore, continued to upgrade and install modern equipment and state-of-the-art facilities in line with global trends. It also seeks to satisfy the expectations of its stakeholders through efficient service delivery.

“Over the years, the Nigeria National Office of the Council has consistently maintained very active and informative websites, in addition to other Information Communication Technology (ICT) installations, towards the accomplishment of the Council’s goals,” he said.

The West African Examinations Council WAEC, has expressed dissatisfaction at the rate at which some schools still frustrate their efforts to end examination malpractices in Nigeria.

Speaking during a questions and answers session, expressed unhappiness that some schools predominantly, the private sector still fail to support WAEC in addressing the problem of examination malpractices in the conduct of its test and aided students and their accomplice to abet examination misconducts.

Areghan, however, expressed regrets that several private school owners still charge candidates outside the official fee announced by the Council in a bid to circumvent examination procedures and rules to assist candidates to cheat in various ways during the examination.

Besides, he identified non-compliance to the deadline for candidates’ registration by Principals of schools, saying such was not in the interest of the examination body’s preparations towards the conduct of the examination.

He , therefore, appealed to school authorities to do all that is required of them to avoid the late rush of candidates’ registration and unnecessary extension for the May/June WAEC examination.

Speaking on the platinum jubilee programmes, Areghan explained that the Annual Council Meeting of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) rotated amongst the five-member countries is used to deliberate on providing qualitative and reliable educational assessment, encouraging academic and moral excellence, promoting sustainable human resource development and promoting international cooperation among the five member countries.

He attributed the successes recorded by the Council on the support it garners from the governments of the five-member countries, most especially the Nigeria National Office that flaunts its scorecard in the comity of Educational Assessment Institutions.

“WAEC owes a lot of gratitude to the governments and good people of its member nations. I, therefore, wish to use the opportunity provided by this occasion to express appreciation to all stakeholders in the education sector, for the huge amounts of funding, human and material resources, which have gone into the Council’s operations and activities in the past 70 years.”

He appealed for greater cooperation, support, encouragement and goodwill from all stakeholders to give the Council assurances of further successes, achievements and continued existence in the years ahead.

NMDC, NIMG, Vital To Minerals, Metals Sector growth- Adegbite

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite has hinted that the roles played by the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) and the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG) would help in achieving the desired growth in the mining sector.

He made this known over the weekend during his working visit to the two organizations under his Ministry in Jos, Plateau State.

Adegbite in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Director Press, Mrs Etore Thomas expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the two (2) Agencies, said he was not surprised by the achievements recorded since the assumption to office of the two Chief Executives, pointing out that results easily come when competent hands take charge of critical Agencies of government.

He referred to them as experts who have done a lot of researches in different areas relating to minerals and metals sector.

The statement reads: “On the contributions of NIMG to the economy, Adegbite disclosed that the Agency is currently training a lot of people in gemstones identification, cutting, polishing and so on, which according to him, would enable Nigerians make use of the gemstones that are in quantum in the country rather than exporting them in the raw forms.

“Some of the faculties in the School are also part of the jewelry making training that is ongoing in Abuja, adding that they are also a repository of knowledge and technical expertise on how different gemstones can be identified, cut, polished and made into jewelry.

“Speaking on the positive impacts the NMDC has played, the Minister said that any Nation that desired to be independent and wants to make progress, technologically, must have its own steel production.

“This Centre is a technological hub without which Nigeria cannot make it. A lot has been done here and a lot more needs to be done, where they are today is no mean feat, they have done so much and they can also do more”, the statement further stated.

He cited an MoU signed with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), on local production of armaments for the Nigerian armed forces as a step in the right direction.

According to him, “DICON had to look inward during Covid-19 restrictions and found out that what they have been importing into the country, could be done even better locally in NMDC, Jos.

He noted that the two Agencies need more funds to achieve their mandates and ensure Nigeria takes its pride of place in the global minerals and metals sector. He promised to address the funding issue before the current administration winds down.

In his remarks, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NMDC, Prof Linus Asuquo said the activities of the Agency are crucial in value additions and development of processes for the entire processing chain; from exploration to extraction and to fabrication.

He stated that the mandate of the Centre vested the responsibility of the conduct of research and development work in minerals and metallurgy in all their ramifications in the Centre.

Asuquo said significant progress has been recorded since the inception of the current administration most especially in renewing infrastructure and building capacity which is aimed at bringing the Centre at par with similar Research and Development establishments in other developing countries such as Mintek in South Africa, CMRDI in Egypt and even Mefos in Sweden.

He appreciated the dynamic leadership of the Hon. Minister for the acquisition and supply of new state-of-the-art equipment. These equipment according to him, enhanced the Centre’s capacity for minerals identification, processing, metallurgical research and analysis as well the conduct of forensic science.

The DG however pointed out that a lot still needs to be done to succeed in Research and Development works for the diversification of the economy.

He appealed for Ministry’s continuous support to the Centre in its efforts at attaining the level where it will not only contribute effectively to government’s objective of transforming the minerals and metals sector into major contributors to GDP but also rely on itself by generating the income it needs to fund its expenses and research work

Meanwhile, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, NIMG, Prof Bolaji Hassan said the mission of the agency is to be an international centre of excellence in the training of manpower and the conduct of research in the exploration and exploitation of minerals for national development.

Hassan said NIMG is committed to the ideal of resuscitating Mining and Minerals processing Engineering and Skills Acquisition in Nigeria.

“To achieve these laudable programs, we must be proactive in developing our human capacity requirements to bridge the gap through training, research and skill acquisition, short courses specifically tailored to meet the present and future needs of our Mining, Minerals and Metal Sector”, he further explained.

He disclosed that the agency is committed to rendering professional knowledge and expertise through short duration courses, to enable them train and equip Nigerians with skills in specialized areas such as: Lapidary, Gemstone Cutting & Polishing; Jewelry Making, Basic Mining Practice for Miners and Quarry Management among others.

He solicited for more funding to assist the agency develop its infrastructure and deliver on its mandate.

FG, World Bank Improves MCO To International Best Practices

By
Toyin Adebayo
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…Says You Can Apply For Mineral Title World Over, MCO DG

The Director General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom has hinted that the partnership between the Federal Government and the World Bank has helped in upgrading the Agency’s system to international best practices

He stated that the best time to invest in Nigerian mineral sector is now as Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) is now online.

He also added that with electronic Mining Cadastre (eMC+) application based system, a ready-made platform has been provided for investors all over the world to come on board.

Nkom gave this hint when a delegation of Optiva Resources Limited, a London based Investment organisation, in company of their Investment Advisers, NPL Advisors recently paid a courtesy visit to the Agency in Abuja to explore investment opportunities for the development of mineral resources in Nigeria.

His words; “We ungraded from regular polygon to the online system we have now. We are talking about real time administration and these are the series of upgrades that will align with best international practices.”

“With the new system, you can apply for mineral title from anywhere in the world. Currently, we are crossing and dotting wherever is necessary for us to have a sustainable system.”

“We have also opened offices in the six geo political zones to equally receive applications from different zones and states.

“The creation of RDS unit for the purpose of ongoing mining research all over the world to be able to “look into the future of minerals and mineral application” and added that Nigeria is indeed far ahead in cadastre than most of the African countries”, he said.

The MCO boss also expressed that Public- Private Partnership can drive huge investment into mining to achieve the mandate of the present administration in the sector.

He listed types of Mineral Titles namely; Exploration Licence, Quarry Lease, Small Scale mining Lease, Water Use Permit and Mining Lease which is particularly open to foreign investors, the Director General assured of a more conducive environment, saying that the principles adapted by the Agency made the process very transparent.

He added that other principles of Security of Tenure, First Come First Serve and that of “Use it or Lose it” particularly triggered a publication of over 4,000 Mineral Titles to remedy their default, failure of which their licences would be revoked.

More so, the Director, Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade (IPMT) Yunusa Mohammed, earlier stated that the organisation’s courtesy visit is sequel to the Ministry’s participation in the London Mines and Money Conference in December, 2021, adding that participation at such conferences is in order.

The Chief Executive Officer, Optiva Securities Limited, Christian Dennis who led the Team to Abuja disclosed that the company has been across Africa stated that they are on fact-finding mission to Nigeria because of key interest in exploring investment opportunities in the precious metals and battery metals.

The members of the team include; Technical Director, Optiva Resources Limited, Charles Douglas Hamilton; Corporate Finance Executive Optiva Securites Limited, Mariela Jaho; Managing Director NPL advisors, Francis Nwokedi and Executive Director NPL Advisors, Confidence ShieluPresent at the Courtesy Visit were Management Staff of MCO and The Team from Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade (IPMT)Sade FatokeHead (Press)

APC Crisis: Buni Sacked As CECPC Boss, As Sani Bello Steps In

By
Ola Akinola
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Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has taken over the leadership the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC).

He arrived the party’s Secretariat in a show of force, accompanied by gun trotting policemen and went straight to the office of the of National Chairman of the party, Mai Mala Buni.

About nine of the 12- member Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) are presently locked up in a crucial meeting being chaired by Sani Bello, who by the way is the Deputy Chairman of the Central Coordinating Committee of the March 26 convention. Senator John James Akpanudedehe, Secretary of the CECPC was also attending the meeting.

Some APC State Chairmen are also seen around the Secretariat. Some of those accosted said they are not aware of the reasons why they were summoned to the Secretariat.

Earlier Akpanudedehe had dismissed as fake news the trending online news that Buni has been removed.

The whereabouts of the Yobe State governor is not know as at Press time .

Sunday Adeyemo Ighoho Released

By
Ola Akinola
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Yoruba Nation Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Ighoho, has been released by the Government of Republic of Benin.

He was released on Monday to a Yoruba Leader and Leader of the Umbrella body of Yoruba Self-determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Banji Akintoye and a French Language Expert/ Deputy Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Wale Adeniran.

The Communications Secretary to Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, Akintoye confirmed this in a press statement on Monday.

The Yoruba group described the release of Ighoho as a Triumph of Truth over Darkness in Yoruba Land.

2023 Election: Tinubu’s Cash Gift Tears Ondo Monarchs Apart

By
Ola Akinola
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A frontline leader and presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid courtesy visit on traditional rulers in the three Senatorial Districts of Ondo State and rained cash gifts on the Obas, which led to a rat race of sorts.

The huge political largesse, as at today, has created a wide gulf between the minority Class A kings and the majority 130 Crowns in the Sunshine State, who belong to the B and C grades.

A reliable source told our correspondent that, the Presidential aspirant and former Governor of Lagos State brought sacks of Naira as homage to the royal fathers in their domains.

His entourage’s first port of call was Ondo South Senatorial District, where they met the Obas at an Events Centre in Okitipupa.

After exchanges of pleasantries and declaration of his intention to contest the 2023 Presidential Election, Tinubu’s aides were said to have rolled in millions of Naira notes stacked in Ghana-Must-Go bags, for the kings to share.

A source alleged that N30m was allocated to each of the three political zones.

Whereas things went according to plan under the supervision of HRM Olugbo, what obtained in Central and North Senatorial Districts were outright row and chaos. A cold war indeed!

In Akure, 18 Monarchs met Tinubu in the Palace of the Deji of Akure, but only 3 of them are Grade A while 15 are in B and C categories.

Interestingly, we learnt from insiders that only a meagre N5m was doled out to the 15 rulers to share while the chunk was kept by the few three.

To worsen the situation, no information on the actual largesse was given to the second class Obas. Rage set in and the N5m offered, by a popular politician in Ondo State, was reportedly dumped at the doorstep of the Paramount ruler of Akure land. The protesting royals later staged a walk out without collecting the money.

Similar ugly incident happened in North Senatorial District meeting held in Owo, where Monarchs converged in the Palace of the new Olowo of Owo. The 7 Grade A Obas present were said to have outsmarted the 26 B and C kings, whom were blocked from knowing what transpired between the August Visitor and the royals.

At the end of the day, after Team Tinubu had left, a paltry sum of N5.7m was dished out by the Coordinating Grade A Oba Olowo, to the 26 representatives of the lower cadre royals.

Having failed to disclose the total monetary gift from the Lagos frontline politician; anger took the best of the cheated Grade B and C Obas, who politely declined collecting their own ‘share’ of the ‘Tinubu’s cake.’

As at press time, frantic efforts are said to being made by mediators to settle the matter equitably and fairly, in order to keep the issue off public notice.

The aggrieved Obas, who control majority of communities in the State, are said to be waiting patiently to do the damage to the electoral interest of the ‘chosen candidate’ of the First Class Obas, at the polls.

However, analysts see the visitations by Tinubu to Yoruba Obas in all the States, with huge kolanuts, as a political strategy to mark the South West territorial zone, as a safe haven for himself, in case any other aspirant wants to venture into the presidential race from the region.

FCT Chief Laments Alarming Illegalities In His Domain, Seek Removal Of Shanties , Roadside Shops

By
Toyin Adebayo
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A first class chief in Abuja Municipal Area Council ( AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Sakaruyi of Karu, HRM Emmanuel Yepwi has decried the alarming rate of illegalities in his domain.

While pleading that FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, immediately come to his domain to demolish the shanties where the suspects hibernate under different guises. 

The Monarch who made this known when the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Comrade Ikharo Attah paid a courtesy visit on him over the weekend.

He said that the illegalities being perpetrated by some of these criminal elements, who  lived in makeshift shanties and other illegal structures around the community, while some who pretend to be traders have defied all rules and taken over the roadside for their activities. 

Yepwi who expressed worry over the situation, said the suspects  law breakers initially came in as law abiding citizens to the community,  but over time has revealed their real characters, by disregarding procedures and extant laws. 

He hinted that he has been mobilising the powers within his constitutional reach to fight the illegalities being orchestrated by these elements, but now  needs government’s support  to defeat them and restore sanity to his troubled  domain.

He said with dismay, that some of the people who disguise as traders at Karu Market, but may have other nefarious plans, have taken over the roadsides, and are causing unbearable traffic stress and inevitable disaster. 

Yepwi charged the Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation to quickly interven by removing all illegal structures within Karu, one of the largest satellite towns in FCT.

His words, ” karu is a major satellite town sitting on  major road corridors in the FCT. Karu links  to Orozo and up to karshi. It should be the best. Sadly most people choose to sell on the road and cause traffic problems” 

” Please help us fully clear Karu of some illegal structures and batchers that are not good for our community” 

” Tell the minister we support him fully for whatever he wants to do to remove all these traders from the roads. We have been warning them to leave but they refuse to. 

Earlier,  Attah said the FCT Minister,  Malam Muhammad Musa Bello had expressed worries over the illegalities in the Karu satellite town and would work in synergy with all stakeholders to address them. 

He also disclosed that the visit to the Sakaruyi’s Palace was motivated by the myriad of complaints that have continued to trickle in from residents living in Karu axis.

Attah added, that more worrisome was a situation where some traders have arrogantly abandoned the empty spaces in the Karu Market,  and opted to sell by the roadsides, not minding the traffic problems being created by their actions.

Attah hinted, ” It is a pathetic scene at the entry point into  the Karu Model market as trader now occupy the entire road allowing only one care to pass at a time. Those selling fresh catfish and vegetables now occupy better part of the road” 

He expressed worry that, ” some traders are selling directly under high tension wire.  There are those who has decided to build makeshift shops and cover the Trasformer. All this, your Royal Highness are not good for Karu in particular and the city at Large”

“With sensitive security agencies having/ offices and residential quarters  from Karu to Karshi complaints keep pouring in daily of difficulties crossing the Karu Market portion of the road. Also FCT residents including staff of the Satellite Town development Department at karshi waste manhours daily on the  road.”

Meanwhile, the Head of Department of Works in  Abuja Municipal Area Council,  Architect Andrew Gaza who was with the team hailed plans of the FCT Administration to rid the area if those illegalities saying  , ” we at AMAC has plans to clear areas in and around the market.  Now that FCT Administration is coming in we support it fully. All these illegality must stop”.

Gaza added that, ” If you look inside the market, you will see that AMAC was the first to mark the worrisome illegal structures for demolition.  They have completely and badly changed the approved plan for the market.”

Amaechi Unhappy Over Kano-Kaduna Rail Project, Accuses Contractor of Playing Politics

By
Ekaette Ibuot
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The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has expressed displeasure over the slow pace of work at Kano-Kaduna rail project.

Amaechi while speaking at the routine inspection tour of the project in Kano said, the CCECC has lost focus and is now playing politics by deliberately frustrating the targeted delivery period of the project.

The Minister promised a more detailed information on the project after Wednesday Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

“I think the CCECC is beginning to play politics. They should move away from politics and focus on construction. And I think they need to complete the Kaduna-Kano rail as planned.

“I think what they’re doing is to delay the project for this government to come to an end,” he said.

He added that provisions have been made for 2,000 equipment on the project, but only 500 has been delivered by the contractor.

“They are supposed to have over 2,000 equipment on this project, they have just 541 so far. They claimed that over 300 are in Kaduna. We have sent a team to check. But even if you add that, you will still have just over 800. Just over 800 equipment compared to 2,000, means something is wrong somewhere” he said.

“I know they will claim that we haven’t funded them but part of their responsibility as the contract is for them to look for the money. CCECC hasn’t given us money. Chinese haven’t given us money. So they can’t afford to delay it because is their responsibility to look for the money. That’s what the CCECC must do. But I will address the press and Nigerians on Wednesday after we meet with CCECC. If there is no difference, I will tell the country what’s going on”.

He said the report from the project consultant show the project is just about five percent completed, which is unacceptable.

The Minister however assured Nigerians that when completed, the project would be of high standard, saying, “quality is guaranteed. Quality is not our problem. Our problem is speed.”

The 204km rail corridor consists of 13 large and medium sized bridges, 17 framed bridges, 60 highway overpasses, 12 pedestrian overpasses and three stations.

Amaechi also visited the Dala Inland Dry Port, Kano where work was going on at impressive speed.

Managing Director, Dala Inland Dry Port, Ahmad Rabiu, told the Minister that all that was left were electrical fittings and minor works for operations to begin at the port just in weeks.

First Batch Of Nigerians Arrive Abuja From Ukraine

By
Grace Itodu
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0

The first batch of Ukraine based Nigerians have arrived in Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT).

The Ukraine based students and other Nigerians arrived the country on Friday morning.

The Max Air flight VM602 from Bucharest landed Abuja at about 7:10 AM with a next flight from Hungary currently being expected.

Aviation Workers’ Week: Members collaborate with FG on Automation Culture

By
Ekaette Ibuot
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0

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Mr Abel Enitan has charge the Aviation workers to adopt the Automation Culture in their daily lives, especially while dispensing their duties as professionals in their field of endeavours, as the process has become the norm in contemporary world of business and governance by every standard.
He made the call in Abuja, at the 9th Edition of the Aviation workers’ week and award night.
The Perm Sec.said that, considering the fact that, aviation industry plays a critical role in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, automation has become indispensable to the workers.

“In consideration of the critical roles the Aviation Industry plays in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adopting the Automation culture in our daily lives has become totally indispensable. I would like to reiterate further that the relevance of the theme for discussion by the team of professionals is most likely to change the perception of our workers and speedily embrace the automation system in our various work places”.

He added that ” government’s recent stance on the need for a paperless work system and the launching of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, all lend credence to the seriousness attached to issues of computerization, digitalization and automation. The Ministry, in conjunction with the unions has taken the initiative to encourage and sensitize all stakeholders in the six Geo-political zones on this paradigm shift”.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Joint Consultative and Negotiating Council, Comrade Hector Nnadi, said that the countless potentialities of the automation system in driving the various sectors of any nation’s economy, cannot be overemphasized.

“This trend has been in currency for some decades with countries moving further to other areas of digitization. The quantum leap as experienced in most advanced countries of the world through adoption of Automation is a visible testimony”.

“The unions have resolved to push through the Automation culture through series of activities which, we hope will lead to total adoption of this concept with a view to attaining the status of global citizens”.

The theme of the event is “the gains of an Automated Personnel Management system in the Aviation Sector.

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