Day: September 23, 2023

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says plans to introduce the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode in the administration of its examinations are at advanced stage.

The Head of National Office (HNO), Mr Patrick Areghan, gave the hint in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

Areghan was speaking against the backdrop of notable achievements and advancements of the council under his watch, as he prepared to bow out of office on Oct. 1.

He would be bowing out after completing his three-year tenure.

Areghan said that introducing the CBT mode of administrating some of the council’s examination had been part of his vision for the body in the near future.

”We have already started something in terms of CBT examination. We have gone far with our planning and all of that, even in the sub region, the registrar to council is also doing something.

“But this is not as easy as some people will think. This is because we ask ourselves, how do we conduct CBT for practicals and essay papers?

“We can only readily do that in the case of objective questions. But so many people will not see it from that angle. They argue that some others are doing it, why can’t WAEC do same.

“Now, no one even talks about energy; how many schools are exposed to computer literacy? How many have computer facilities and how many have electricity to run these things?

“Even where you have all these things on ground, how do you handle the issue of theory and practical papers? So, these are the issues, but that is what I want the council to do in the very near future.

“We should be able to conduct CBT examinations, even if it means starting with the objective questions,” he said.

The outgoing WAEC boss noted that already, the council had concluded on introducing the administration of its examination using the CBT platform under his watch, in no distant time, starting with the objective questions and later theory and practicals.

“But you can still be sure that not all schools will be ready. Maybe we can have a segregated market. Those who cannot afford the CBT will go for the pencil and paper mode.

“So, I will like to see WAEC in that light,” he said.

Areghan said asides the introduction of the CBT, he would also like to see all the operations of the council fully digitalised in the near future.

He noted that almost every section of the council had been digitalised under his watch.

“I have almost digitalised everywhere now. Talk of certificate, checking of results and verification of results and more.

“I will live to see more massive deployment of technology so that the vision of council can change from just being a world class examination body to a technology-driven examination body.

“I also want WAEC to be more visible in the international stage. I want to see, through the cooperation of the sub region, how we can take WAEC overseas, that is, how Nigerian children in the diaspora can sit for WASSCE overseas.

“That, again, is what I want WAEC to do in the very near future. That is one thing I wanted to do under my watch, but, again like I said, it needs the cooperation of the sub region, not just Nigeria, to take WASSCE overseas.

“I also want to see its digital certificate that we have successfully launched in Nigeria replicated in the entire sub region, so that any candidate that has taken WASSCE, can be in any part of the world to access the digital certificate; that is a legacy.

“For instance, if your certificate gets missing, soaked, destroyed by fire and so on, with one touch on the bottom, it appears.

“For me, this is a great legacy,” the WAEC boss stated.

He also stated that the council’s Digital Security Printing Press is another milestone achievement under his watch.

According to him, after 71 years of council’s existence the introduction of the digital security printing press is a worthy legacy.

This is alongside other internal ones, such as the Staff Bus scheme, meant to cushion the effect of high transportation fare, occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal, he said.

“We are going to do more to motivate staff. I am counting on my successor to follow suit, being a very committed and intelligent person. It is my prayer that he achieves more than me,” he stated.

Speaking on his greatest achievement, Areghan highlighted the successful conduct of examinations, release of results within stipulated time and printing and release of certificates to deserving candidates as key.

“That is my greatest achievement. That is because when you work in the council and you fail to conduct any examination, no matter the other levels of achievements, you have failed.

“So, I give God all the glory that I have been able to conduct all the examinations, even in the COVID-19 years, from 2020 to 2023,” the outgoing council boss told NAN. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Forward Operating Base (FOB), Nigerian Navy, Badagry, on Saturday warned petroleum dealers in the town over smuggling of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol to neighbouring countries.

Capt. Adams Aliu, the Commanding Officer, FOB, NN, gave the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting with Petroleum Dealers Association, Badagry Chapter, at the Base office.

“If the Federal Government makes a decision that petrol that is meant for Nigeria market should be sold in Nigeria, I cannot pretend when someone is carrying it across waterways to neighbouring countries.

“I have to react and ask why they are carrying petrol in jerrycan and where they get it and where they are taking it to.

“This is where you come in as the petroleum dealers in Badagry.

“As I am, I can’t get petrol here unless I get to filling stations within Badagry.

“So, it is you that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) supplies petrol and you are the ones that can explain how the product gets to all these neighbouring countries.

“The opposite of this is that when they smuggle petrol to neighbouring countries, they will bring rice into the country.

“It is now necessary on me to check the boundary, why there is such movement and make the arrest, if necessary,” he said.

According to him, smuggling of petroleum products outside the country is having adverse effects on the economy of the nation, urging marketers to shun the practice.

Aliu said that there was a recent online report that Naval officers were harassing and extorting petrol stations in Badagry communities.

He, however, said that since he assumed office on March 23, no personnel had come out of the waterways to filling stations or land to check any smuggling.

The commanding officer, who gave out his phone number, urged members of the association to call him anytime and not to hesitate on reporting erring personnel in their filling station found harassing people.

Responding, Alhaji Ganiyu Adelani, the PDA Chairman, Badagry, said that the association had been having issues with officers and men of the Nigerian Navy.

“There was a time some filling stations had issues with Naval operatives but you had not assumed office then.

“We are very grateful to you for inviting us to this meeting today and we promise to assist you from checking smuggling on waterways,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, Gloria Akobundu, says the AU agency is backing the food systems priorities of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Akobundu said this on the sidelines of High Level Meeting on “Attracting investments in Land Restoration, Food Systems, and Rural Transformation in Africa” organised by AUDA-NEPAD on margins of the 78th session of UN General Assembly in New York.

The UN correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria Secretariat in collaboration with its continental counterpart (AUDA-NEPAD) Contiental.

“President Tinubu has set his target and his goals and we are so grateful that food systems and education are priorities to his goals and his great vision for Nigeria and Africa.

“For us in Africa Union Development Agency, our mandate centres on driving the vision of the heads of state and government, ensuring its implementation and reporting back.

“So, we’re so grateful to him as our leader and our president. We’re grateful for his passion, for his commitment and dedication in realising a peaceful and vibrant economy in Nigeria, of which there will be an overflow to other African countries.

“So, coming here today on Global Financing for food systems, is very welcoming to development for the country and it’s in line with Tinubu’s vision on realising food security, and also in line with African Union agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she said.

Akobundu, also the National Coordinator of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, said the agency was grateful for the commitment and support of the Nigerian government.

“Education and food become priorities and the bedrock for development and there’s no doubt if achieved will curb insecurity, create jobs, ensure exports, grow our GDP and add a lot to the economy of our country.

“So, it’s a welcome development, and you can see we have development partners. We have been working with them, they’re very much interested. They’re very happy with the Nigerian government,” she said.

According to her, the partners are happy with the set goals, the policies as President Tinubu promised to remove every bottleneck to ensure that these priorities succeed.

“We are collaborating with the Continental Secretariat to mobilise development partners, to market, educate and inform the global community on the priority of the Nigerian government and Africa at large.

“Also, to woo investors and ensure that in every sector of the economy, investors come into partnership with Nigeria, following the vision of our leader, President Bola Tinubu,” said Akobundu.

Earlier in her speech, she informed the participants of the smallholder farmers’ project in Nigeria, targeted at building the capacity of local farmers in order to increase their contribution to the nation’s food production and improved nutrition.

“The project was initiated by AUDA-NEPAD as a response to the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“More than 20,000 smallholder farmers spread across 22 states of Nigeria have been enrolled into the scheme and have been grouped into cooperatives in order to facilitate assess to financing,” she said.

According to her, the project is in line with Zero hunger Policy of AU Agenda 2063: “The Africa We Want” and also Goal 2 of the UN SDGs.

“It aims to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, and ensure that all people–especially children–have sufficient and nutritious food all year.

“The smallholder farmers’ project also serves as a vehicle for the restoration of one million hectares of degraded land in Nigeria,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has sought for the support of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in strengthening the infrastructural development of tertiary institutions in the state.

Adeleke was speaking during a courtesy visit on the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono in Abuja on Friday.

The governor who noted the educational decline of the state, said that the visit was necessary to ensure education takes its place.

While commending the fund on its role in giving tertiary education a face, Adeleke said that hardly would there be any development in tertiary institutions that would not be traceable to TETFund.

“Let me first commend TETFund for the great job it is doing cut across Nigeria. There is no institution that you will not see TETFund presence, so any right thinking governor must commend their work so they can do more.

“In Osun, greatest of Nigeria education is due to TETFund efforts. We are enjoying tetfund in the areas of infrastructure.

” I am here for the support from TETFund for osun state and to come and ask for more because we still need a lot of support because our education has really dropped.

“And maybe it is because I have not come to see you that is why we have not paid attention to osun state and that is why I am here. You are doing great job and you must continue,” he said.

Responding, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said that tertiary education plays a special role in the affairs and even the destiny of any country.

Echono said this is because tertiary education is where greatest level of production, creativity and the greatest impact happen, especially in terms of new ideas, new product and services, and also better ways of doing things.

He said that adequate attention must be placed on tertiary education because innovations, creativity and enterprises are usually at its highest level.

“We believe strongly that tertiary education plays a special role in the affairs and even the destiny of any country because that is the level where greatest level of production, creativity and the greatest impact happens.

“Whether it is in terms of new ideas, in terms of new product and services, in terms of better ways of doing things, it is at that level that innovation is at its highest, that creativity and enterprises are at its highest.

“And it is that body of knowledge of expertise that service the various sectors of every economy whether it’s health, media in any field.

“So if we get our tertiary education right, we can even export that to other African countries and indeed other parts of the world because Nigerians are known and we are endowed by God-very intelligent and hardworking people,” he said .

Echono explained that when Nigerians are equipped with the best facilities and the enabling environment to excel, they do better in every field.

” The task before everyone of us is how do we prepare our people, how do we improve on their living standards, how do we give them the necessary tools to transform to the end of other places in the world.

“And as a state we see you as one who can give this.

“On the specific of the request as it is usual, we discussed on specific issues in terms of infrastructure in our schools, we have to deal with some specific projects that we want it completed.

“We have to deal with issues and challenges that arise from security, climate change and flooding and other issues and we could work together in promoting arts and culture-our own indigenous technology, how collectively we can translate some of those in term of areas of research and innovation.

“Osun has taken a lot of lead even at technical levels called STEM, trying to promote technical education and the governor has been talking to me on how we can work together to take this beyond the basic and secondary education to the tertiary level,” he added.

He commended the state governor for paying attention to education while also underlying how important to lay a solid foundation so that collectively the country could be developed.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Police Command in Ekiti has alerted the general public about the sudden disappearance of a female undergraduate of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.

The alert is contained in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Sunday Abutu on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti.

“This is to inform members of the public that one Hellen Okorie of No.15, Ayoba Quarters, Behind Sadiat Hotel Irona Area, Ado Ekiti, left home on Sept. 13, at about 08:00 hrs to an unknown destination and never returned.

“She is 23-year-old, chocolate in complexion, speaks English and lbo languages fluently and has no tribal mark. She is a 500 level student of Ekiti State University.

“While the command has commenced investigation to unravel her whereabouts, anyone with useful information concerning her present location should kindly contact the nearest police station or call 09064050086,” the statement said.

It urged members of the public to ensure adequate dissemination of the information.(NAN)(nannews.ng).

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The CrimsonBow Sickle Cell Initiative on Saturday urged the Federal Government not to ignore people with sickle cell aneamia in its policies and and programmes.

The Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) made this appeal during an empowerment programme for sickle cell patients in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NGO carried out the empowerment at its Project Empower A Warrior 2.0, titled: “Adapt and Thrive : Empowering Resilience in the New Economy”.

Miss Timi Edwin, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CrimsonBow, however, urged the patients not to give up on life because of the present economic realities.

Edwin, who is also a patient, said that government across levels needed to pay attention to people living with sickle cell in terms of affordable healthcare and empowerments.

“We have been talking to the government several times and telling them about healthcare for people living with sickle cell.

“We also like to engage this government to say that, please, don’t ignore people living with sickle cell in policies, projects and entrepreneurship,” she said.

Speaking on the empowerment programme, Edwin said that the NGO provided a business clinic on how to run businesses, and empowerment packages for about 200 patients to alleviate their sufferings.

She said that the initiative had brought different business experts together to train and inspire the sickle cell patients on how to navigate the current economic situation and to stay healthy and alive.

“We are giving three different cash categories and several mini grants. The first cost category is N250,000, the second category is N150,000 and the third category is N100,000, to support businesses of sickle cell warriors.

“And, we also know that there are several people who are petty traders, so we provide micro grants of the sum of N25,000 each to put into their businesses,” she said.

Edwin, who noted that sickle cell comes with so many challenges, advocated free medical services and drugs for patients through the national or state health insurance schemes.

“We cannot give everyone grants, but we will keep trying to expand the net to help the patients. We will keep thinking on what more to do and how to do it better,” she said.

Dr Olufunto Kalejaiye, a Consultant Physician and Hematologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, who noted that though there had been a lot of awareness on sickle cell by different groups, said that the nation still had a long way to go in the management of the disorder.

Kalejaiye, who emphasised the need for early diagnosis for continuous management of the sickle cell disorder, said that this would prevent many complications that could occur.

According to her, there is also the need for parents and community participation in the management of sickle cell aneamia.

“We must not isolate these children. We must be able to seek for care early. We must be aware of the complications of the disorder and strategise on how to go about them.

“Basically, it is very important that many of the patients be attached to centres where they have specialists to manage the disorder,” she added.

The medical practitioner said that it was also important for intending couples to know their genotype so as to make informed decision before marriage.

Kalejaiye joined the initiative to call on governments to include sickle cell treatment in various health insurance scheme to help the patients paying out of pockets.

Mrs Debisi Alokolaro,. a Marketing Expert, stressed the need for government and employers of labour to ensure diversity and inclusion of sickle cell patients in empowerment opportunities.

“We should also give opportunities to people living with disabilities, especially sickle cell warriors, to grow and to thrive. Sickle cell warriors I have met are very resilient and tenacious and very strong set of people,” Alokolaro said.

Also speaking, Mrs Adebola Adedeji, the Managing Director, Ecobank Nominees Ltd. (A member of Ecobank Group ), emphasised the need for more support from government, corporate organisations, individuals and the immediate community for the patients to aid their survival.

“So, we need private partners to come on board. Government can also do some policy changes that can really make life better for sickle cell warriors,” Adedeji, also a patient, said.

Earlier in her welcome address, Mrs Folashade Shinkaiye, who commended sponsors and board members, emphasised the need o empower, inspire, and uplift those in need, especially people living with sickle cell anemia.

“As we embark on this transformative journey together, let us celebrate the power of collaboration, the strength of unity, and the promise of positive change,” Shinkaiye.

The event involved a panel discussion with several stakeholders creating awareness about sickle cell and how to help the patients to stay alive in the current nation’s economy. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Roads Authority of Namibia Chief Executive Officer, Conrad Lutombi said the road between Gobabis and Aminuis will be completed in a matter of months this year.

Lutombi during a media briefing on Friday at the Office of the Omaheke Governor said the Gobabis-Aminuis and Aranos road construction are well on course and they are targeting to open the first road in Aminuis by December 2023.

“Our target is that December 2024, we will complete the road from Gobabis to Aranos, and we are making progress in that regard,” he said.

Furthermore, he indicated that they have presented to their board the extension of the road between Aminuis and Hukus. According to him they are waiting for approval next week for the road to be tarred and the commencement is yet to be announced.

“We are also happy to report that as part of this project we also identified Corridor 13, we are working very hard to ensure that before the contractor moves out of that area we could also do that,” Lutombi said.

On the Du Plessis-Epukiro road Lutombi said they are done with the first phase and they are starting with the second phase the Minister of Works and Transport John Mutorwa opened the same day.

“The intention moving forward is that before we complete phase two we also want to make sure that the continuation of the final phase is in place. We do not want to put a gap like we had this time,” he said.

“The whole intention is to have that road extended from Epukiro to Eiseb Block, and from Eiseb Block to Gam. That it can link Gam with Tsumkwe and Tsumkwe with Grootfontein, that is the whole idea that is reflecting in our strategic plan,” he expanded.

During the briefing Mutorwa urged political leaders to desist from fuelling tensions among people with reference to employing local people during road and other projects, as according to him all Namibians are local people.

“Appreciate that projects like road constructions are for us that are living today and those who will follow us and that it does not discriminate,” said the minister.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Two men on Friday were arrested at Tsumkwe settlement after they were allegedly found in possession of four large parcels of skunk cannabis in their vehicle.

Namibian Police Force head of community affairs in the Otjozondjupa Region, Inspector Maureen Mbeha in an interview with Nampa on Saturday said the suspects are a 24-year-old Namibian and 32-year-old Angolan national.

The two suspects were arrested after the police stopped their vehicle at approximately seven kilometres west of Tsumkwe settlement on the Tsumkwe-Grootfontein gravel road.

The vehicle was searched by the police, and four large parcels with skunk cannabis weighing 2 670 grams, with an estimated street value of N.dollars 133 500 were discovered in the vehicle, said Mbeha.

The two were arrested for dealing in cannabis and possession of prohibited drugs, while the white Toyota RunX sedan was impounded and is kept at Tsumkwe Police Station, added Mbeha.

The two are expected to appear in the Tsumkwe Periodical Court on Monday.

Police investigations in the matter continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency