News

Archbishop Martins Condemns Ethnic Profiling, Calls for Peace and Tolerance

Published

1 year ago

March 23, 2023

Eric

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins has condemned in very strong terms all forms of ethnic profiling, utterances, and violence witnessed in some parts of Lagos state, before, during and after the recent elections, warning that the trend if not urgently check-mated, could truncate the peaceful co-existence of residents of the state.

The Archbishop described as unfortunate and unacceptable, the tension, hate speech and violence, especially before, during and after the recent Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in some parts of the state.

In a statement signed by the Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, the prelate urged the state government as a matter of urgency to call all parties to order and to put in place a machinery for the quick restoration of peace and normalcy.

He equally implored the law enforcement agencies to safeguard the lives and properties of all residents irrespective of tribe, religion, or ethnic groups.

Archbishop Martins also urged the residents of Lagos to remain calm and not allow themselves to be divided against their neighbours.

According to him, “the ethnic and discriminatory comments making the rounds particularly on social media, are not a reflection of the true nature of Lagosians, who are known to be very peace-loving, accommodating and cosmopolitan, including by promoting inter-tribal marriages for many decades.

“I call on everyone to put a stop to the spread of hate speech and fake news and to shun all forms of rancor. The divisive comments and behaviours, particularly along ethnic or tribal line is not conducive to good neigbourliness and peaceful coexistence. The people of Lagos must not allow the political class to whip up such divisive sentiments to disrupt their lives and livelihood. We are all equal before God and the only man-made distinction among people is between the poor and the rich, the privileged and the underprivileged.

“We are all Nigerians and have lived and interacted together as one people for decades in Lagos and other parts of our country.

“With the elections over, we hope that all those who have been fanning the embers of ethnic division will be more circumspect and desist from further heating up the polity. We must be law-abiding citizens and not take the law into our hands in any guise”.

While commiserating with families that lost their loved ones and persons whose properties were destroyed in the violence in the state and across the country, Archbishop Martins also called on law enforcement agencies to do the needful where offences have been committed, as part of efforts to facilitate a national healing process.

News

I Stand by PDP Constitution, Resolution of Party’s Governors’ Forum – Gov Adeleke

Published

13 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Eric

Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has clarified his position on the raging leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he stands by the relevant provisions of the PDP Constitution, according to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The statement also quoted the governor as saying that he stand by the resolution of the Party, “which I am an integral part.”

“I stand by the Constitution of our great party which clearly spelt out the succession procedure in case of the exit of an elected chairman.

“I also stand by the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum of which I am an integral part.

“Our party must adhere to its Constitution at this critical time and at all times. That is the way to build a responsible political party.

News

NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results

Published

17 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Eric

The National Examinations Council has released the results of the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination, with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.

The Registrar of NECO, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, made this known while briefing journalists at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger State.

Prof. Wushishi disclosed that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, comprising 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.

The NECO boss provided a further breakdown of the results: “The number of candidates that sat for the exam is 1,367,736, comprising 702,112 males and 665,624 females.

“The number of candidates with five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, is 828,284, representing 60.55%.

“The number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, is 1,147,597, representing 83.90%.”

Regarding examination malpractice, Wushishi noted that this year’s figures showed a significant reduction compared to last year.

He stated: “The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437, compared to 12,030 in 2023, indicating a reduction of 30.1%.”

The registrar, however, revealed that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.

“During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination, 40 schools were found to have engaged in whole-school (mass) cheating in 17 states. They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied. One school in Ekiti has been recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and one Science subject.

“Similarly, 21 supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness, and negligence in 12 states.”

He urged candidates who sat for the examination to visit the NECO website to access their results.

“At this juncture, I wish to formally declare that the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results are hereby released to the public. By this release, candidates can now access their results on the NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” Wushishi said.

News

Yahaya Bello Not in Our Custody, Still a Wanted Man, Says EFCC

Published

2 days ago

September 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified that the embattled former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is not in its custody.

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the former governor remains wanted “for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges”.

“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.

“Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale said.

The EFCC, by the Wednesday statement, puts a lie to the claim of Bello’s aide that his principal had honoured the invitation from the anti-graft agency.

The Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, had earlier claimed that the former governor honoured EFCC invitation “after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies”.

Michael, however, did not provide further details or photo of the ex-governor’s visit to the EFCC.

Earlier in April, the EFCC declared Bello wanted for alleged financial crime to the tune of N80.2 billion.

The EFCC had stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and attempt to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor in office, Usman Ododo.

The matter has been in court but the former governor has not appeared before the trial judge despite many adjournments.

Bello served as the governor of Kogi State from January 27, 2016 to January 27, 2024, when he handed over to Ododo, his fellow party man in the All Progressives Congress (APC).