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We released SSCE results in 43 days – NECO

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The National Examinations Council has said it released the last Senior Secondary Certificate Examination results in 43 days.

Acting NECO Registrar, Abubakar Gana, said  this  while receiving the National Association of Nigerian Students in Abuja on Monday.

He said  the body would ensure that candidates seeking admission to universities and other tertiary institutions did not wait long before receiving  their results.

NANS, led by its Senate President, Abubakar Gambo, presented an  award  to the registrar on the occasion of the 20th year of the establishment of the council.

Gana  said, “NECO came into being in 1999 because of  the agitations  for it  and  based on the recommendations of various committees. Since 2000, we have been conducting examinations and one advantage is that we have given the West African Examinations Council a wake-up call.

“There were times in the past where universities and other tertiary institutions took very long periods  to admit students. But with our coming, we started releasing results within 90 days.

“We started like that but as I am talking to you, the last release we had was done in 43 days.”

Gambo said the “prudent management of resources by the council had enhanced the elimination of wastage and stealing thus giving rise to the remittance of almost N1bn to the Federal Government.”

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Literature

Oladokun and Odunlade Shine in ‘Te Oku’, A Mesmerizing Movie – A Literary Review

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By Tola Adeniyi
 
Ite Oku is a simple story but built into a very complex and complicated plot and catapulted over the roof by the ingenious interpretation of the characters by the star-studded cast assembled by producers Zentury Pictures and Sir Folly Film International.
 
It is the story of a very ambitious cab driver who is very much unsatisfied with his state in life and hastily seeks a get-rich-quick ladder to climb to opulence, prosperity and the attendant reckoning in society.
 
He fishes out a very wealthy woman and begs for money and fortune. Consequently the beautiful lady of high net-worth leads him to the mysterious abode of the dead where money rituals are performed and the huge wealth sought came in stupendous proportions.
 
Unknown to the greedy upstart, the beautiful lady belongs in the realm of the dead and she only assumes the body of the living for the sole purpose of dispensing largess to the needy as agreed upon by her husband in the grave! But with conditionality: whosoever becomes rich through her money rituals is bound by an irrevocable oath of chastity and barrenness throughout his or her life time. His or her spouse dwelling in the grave is wedded to him or her at the initiation of money rituals. Death, non-negotiable is the punishment for defaulters!
 
Fast forward, cab driver Aderoju acted by veteran Odunlade Adekola is courted by a bevy of ladies all over the community. These gold-digger dazzling ladies include Morenikeji acted by Yemisi Oke [who out of desperation enlists the supernatural powers of her mystical father], Layo played by Wunmi Toriola, Folake played by Ayisat Raji and Ajibike acted by Emiola Iyiola among others.
 
Full of suspense, viewers would not know how Yemisi, acted by vivacious legendary Bukky Wright emerges as the wealthy lady from the abode of the Dead, ‘Ite Oku’ or how Feyisara, acted by Temitope Adeniyi became Yemisi as the Dead living in the body of Yemisi acted by Bukky Wright. The knotty riddle becomes clearer when apprentice mechanic Femi, acted by multi-talented Murphy Afolabi is shown as the earthly fiancé of Feyisara [Temitope Adeniyi] who lost her life as a result of enforced abortion of the pregnancy she had for Femi by her upper-class parents who stoutly disapproved her relationship with apprentice Femi. Her untimely death provoked the unnatural death of Femi [Afolabi] and both then found themselves living happily together in the land of the Dead.
 
Femi had come by some fortune through money making rituals to counter his rejection by Feyisara’s parents. It’s this huge wealth he commands his dead fiancée Feyisara, in the body of Yemisi to go out to the land of the living and dispense to the needy where and how Aderoju falls into trap.
 
It is this entanglement that gives the plot its complexity and eerie weirdness and the experienced actors the opportunity to display their dexterity and super-star status in acting.
 
Long suffering widow, Mama Aderoju, magnificently portrayed by another legendary actor Tola Oladokun comes face-to-face with the heart-breaking realisation that her son, the only son, is a millionaire in cohort with money-making ritualists in the haven of the Dead. From that moment on, motherhood; emotional, harried, weeping, wailing and ecstatic, charges the atmosphere of the movie, garnering for Tola Oladokun the medal of the champion of the day. She is a delight.
 
But she is not alone. Bukky Wright, Murphy Afolabi and Yemisi Oke will not let go without creating dilemma for the viewers as to whom the ‘Victor Ludorum’ should go. 
Watching Bukky Wright with the ease of her acting and delivering of her lines one is tempted to believe they are having a natural conversation with the lady next door or a family member in a family setting. She is so natural and naturalistic. 
Odunlade Adekola is a man for all seasons and acting has become so natural that he is, in reality, the character he portrays. 
Murphy Afolabi couldn’t have acted a dead man in the grave better nor could Tola Oladokun be more convincing as an agonizing mother in the throes of a grown son with death sentence on his head.
 
The costumes, the lighting, the audio, and other acoustics contribute in no little measure to the greatness of the movie *Ite Oku* which makes it one of the most outstanding movies in recent times.
 
It is entertaining, educative, and instructive while its visuals are both thrilling, captivating and alluring. Nothing was spared in making Ite Oku a movie for all time.
 
It was a big relief that the writer of the story, Shonde Afolabi did not insult African spiritual essence like several writers of stories in Nollywood who often times would portray the Bible or the Quran as being superior or more potent or more efficacious or more edifying than our [Africa’s] own cherished and revered traditions, cultures, beliefs and mores. Every religion is a product of people’s culture and tradition.
 
Tola Oladokun, Odunlade Adekola, Bukky Wright and Murphy Afolabi, you make acting a pleasure!
 
High Chief Tola Adeniyi is an Actor, Dramatist, Playwright, Choreographer, Producer, Director and Chairman Tola Adeniyi Foundation for Theatre and the Arts [TAFTA]

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Literature

Azuh Arinze Dedicates New Book ‘Anything And Everything Journalism’ to Dele Giwa, Dimgba Igwe

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The publisher/editor-in-chief of YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine, Azuh Arinze is out with a new book.

Entitled Anything And Everything Journalism, the 448-page book is dedicated to two of Nigeria’s greatest journalists whose sudden deaths shook the nation, Dele Giwa and Dimgba Igwe.

Giwa, one of Nigeria’s most colourful and charismatic journalists, was the founding editor of Newswatch. He was killed via a parcel bomb on 19th October, 1986.

Igwe, on the other hand, was an astute journalist and founded The Sun newspaper alongside his “twin brother”, Mike Awoyinfa. He died under controversial circumstances on 6th September, 2014.

Anything And Everything Journalism could be rightly summed up as the “Bible” of journalism. It features 37 detailed and diligently-conducted interviews with some of the best and brightest journalists that this country has produced on how they made it to the top, and cuts across print, broadcast and online.

Among them are Segun Osoba, Ray Ekpu, Bayo Onanuga, Mike Awoyinfa, Dele Momodu, Femi Adesina, Reuben Abati, Olusegun Adeniyi, Azu Ishiekwene, Simon Kolawole, Ikechukwu Amaechi, Gbenga Omotoso, Dare Babarinsa, Musikilu Mojeed, Dotun Oladipo and Lanre Idowu.

Also included are Eze Anaba, Christopher Isiguzo, Ali M. Ali, Bisi Olatilo, Larry Izamoje, Soni Irabor, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Femi Sowoolu, Bimbo Oloyede, Seye Kehinde, Louis Odion, Gbenga Adefaye, Funke Egbemode, Lekan Otufodunrin, Ibim Semenitari, Shola Oshunkeye, etc.

On why he dedicated the book to Dele Giwa and Dimgba Igwe, the author, Azuh Arinze said: “It’s first and foremost, to ensure that their memory continues to live, especially in a profession they gave their all. And secondly, because the works of our heroes past must never be in vain.”

Shedding more light on the book, he revealed that it took him years to have a one-on-one session with all those featured in the book. Adding that he embarked on the massive project because of his love for the profession. Also, because he wants up and coming journalists, aspiring journalists, the current practitioners and even lovers of the noble profession to know and understand that it could be rewarding if practiced professionally and without cutting corners.

According to respected journalist, columnist and biographer, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju who wrote the foreword: “I strongly recommend this book to students of journalism, practicing journalists, persons in public relations and image management and to all who seek to understand why journalists do what they do and how they do it.”

Anything And Everything Journalism will be presented to the public, alongside Azuh’s other book, My Story Of Many Colours, on Monday, 25th March, 2024, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Dr. Dakuku Peterside, former DG of NIMASA, will be the chairman. The books’ reviewer is Chief Uche Nworah, Ph.D, former MD, Anambra Broadcasting Service; the Royal Father of the Day is HRM Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Elerinmo of Erinmo Kingdom while the Books’ Presenter is Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Chairman, Odu’a Investment Company Nigeria Limited.

Among the special guests expected are Mr. Udeme Ufot, MFR, GMD SO&U, Lady Onyeka Onwenu, MFR, accomplished musician, Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, Executive Vice Chairman, Verdant Zeal, Rotarian Ify Ejezie, District Governor, Rotary International, District 9110, Rotarian Wole Kukoyi, Incoming District Governor, Rotary International, District 9111, Rotarian Femi Adenekan, Incoming District Governor, Rotary International, District 9112, Rotarian Omotunde Lawson, First Female District Governor, Rotary International, District 9110, etc.

The event which will begin at 11am prompt will be anchored by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st.

My Story Of Many Colours and Anything And Everything Journalism are Azuh’s 8th and 9th books. The previous ones were The CEO’s Bible 1 & 2, Success Is Not Served A La Carte, A Taste Of Success, Conversations With Showbiz Stars, Encounters: Lessons From My Journalism Career and Tested And Trusted Success Secrets Of The Rich And Famous.

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Literature

Poetry: The Mourner’s Gentle Smile

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By John Favour Orodiran

 

Sitting on the terrace at night,

Thinking about the memories we shared,

Though my vision is dim and bleak,

I can still hear your piercing cries.

 

But deep inside, my thoughts are laid bare,

To the moon shining above,

Expressing my sadness and worry,

As the moonlight whispers in the night.

 

Then, a soothing breeze comes from the night,

Turning my world into a peaceful place,

Easing my pain and bringing comfort,

With gentle words to soothe my soul.

 

And that’s when a smile graces my face,

Prompted by cheerful jokes and banter.

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