News
Tinubu committed to ending poverty in Nigeria — Kaduna gov
By Francesca Hangeior.
Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani has assured Nigerians of President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to eradicating poverty across the country.
He disclosed this at a town hall meeting on the Presidential Grants and Loans Scheme for Small and Medium Enterprises held in Kaduna, on Tuesday said that the administration is focused on empowering small businesses to drive economic growth.
The event, organised in partnership with the Bank of Industry, sought to engage and prepare potential beneficiaries of the N200 billion Presidential Intervention Fund aimed at supporting SMEs and manufacturers nationwide.
Governor Sani, represented by his Special Adviser on Economic Matters, Ibrahim Mohammed, highlighted that Tinubu’s administration is prioritising poverty alleviation through sustainable support for MSMEs, which he described as the “backbone of our economy” and vital contributors to job creation and innovation.
“This intervention fund couldn’t have come at a better time. It aligns with Kaduna State’s ongoing efforts to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and foster an ecosystem where visions and innovative ideas can flourish,” he stated.
The governor further explained that the state has taken significant steps to bolster MSMEs through initiatives led by the Kaduna State Enterprise Development Agency, offering grants, subsidies, and business development services to local entrepreneurs.
“We are committed to building Skills Cities to develop 21st-century skills, constructing roads to ease trade, and partnering with Afrexim Bank to improve product quality and export readiness through the African Quality Assurance Centre,” he noted, adding that these efforts will strengthen Kaduna’s economy and empower local businesses.
Sani urged entrepreneurs to seize the opportunities provided by the N200 billion Presidential Intervention Fund to expand their businesses and create employment.
He called for stakeholder collaboration, emphasising that government alone cannot accomplish the project’s objectives.
“We must reach out across every sector and community to promote these efforts. I encourage stakeholders to spread the word so more entrepreneurs can benefit,” he added.
According to him, Tinubu’s administration is resolute in tackling poverty and supporting MSMEs as a pathway to economic transformation.
“This initiative demonstrates that President Bola Tinubu is a listening leader, responsive to the challenges faced by small businesses and manufacturers,” he remarked.
In her address, Mrs Joy Oghiadomhe, representing the Bank of Industry, detailed the eligibility criteria for the grant and loan schemes, noting that MSMEs are central to the administration’s plan to address economic challenges.
She disclosed that over 100 Kaduna-based entrepreneurs had already benefited from grants under the initiative.
News
NECO accredits more foreign schools for SSCE, BECE
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has given accreditation to more foreign schools to write the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani, disclosed this in a statement.
The newly accredited schools are in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea.
“NECO Accreditation Team visited the Schools to assess their readiness to write the SSCE and BECE.
“The Accreditation Team inspected classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer laboratories, workshops, examination halls and sport facilities to determine their adequacy and suitability for NECO Examinations.
“After a thorough evaluation and comprehensive assessment, the schools were granted full SSCE and full BECE accreditation status,” the statement said.
The statement added that the accreditation of additional foreign schools is a testament to NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and assessment beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for students worldwide to benefits from its expertise, thus contributing to the advancement of education in Africa and beyond.”
In another development, the statement disclosed that candidates are participating in the on-going NECO SSCE External in Diffa, Niger Republic.
“The UNHCR School, Diffa, Niger Republic is the first NECO SSCE External Centre outside Nigeria.”
NECO examinations are now written by candidates in Benin Republic, Togo, Cote’ d’Ivoire, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Saudi Arabia.
News
Guardiola suffers worst defeat of career as Tottenham hammer Man City 4-0
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, suffered the worst defeat of his managerial career as they lost 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday night.
The Premier League champions were already on a run of four consecutive defeats ahead of the visit of the North London side.
James Maddison scored twice in the first half to set Spurs on their way to a sensational win.
Pedro Porro drilled in a third, before Brennan Johnson got on the scoresheet late in the game.
The result leaves City in second place with 23 points. They could go eight points behind Liverpool by the end of this Game Week.
Guardiola takes his men to Anfield next weekend.
News
FUOYE Re-Marks Exam Papers of Student Failed By Lecturer Over Sex-for-Grade Scandal, Secures Justice
The Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, has cleared a female student, Ramota Olahanloye, to graduate following the re-marking of her final-year examination scripts.
Olahanloye had alleged that a lecturer, Dr. Anthony Agbegbedia, demanded sexual favours from her, and when she declined, he deliberately failed her in two final-year courses.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser on Media to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Wole Balogun, the university confirmed that Olahanloye’s allegations were investigated, and her scripts were re-marked.
“The young lady’s scripts were re-marked, and she performed fairly better than the scores initially awarded by Dr. Anthony Agbegbedia,” the statement read.
According to Balogun, the university management approved Olahanloye’s revised results, which qualified her for graduation.
“The university management has given executive approval for her results to be processed. She has since commenced her final clearance from relevant units of the university,” the statement added.
Balogun also disclosed that Agbegbedia had been sanctioned by the institution for his misconduct.
Olahanloye expressed her joy over the resolution of the case, saying, “I am happy that I have gotten justice, and I really appreciate the university Vice-Chancellor for setting up the committee that investigated the matter.
“I was shown my entire results, including the graduation list with my name on it. I have started my clearance as a graduating student of the university, and I am truly happy.”
Her father, Rasaki Olahanloye, also lauded the university for its commitment to justice.
“I can confirm to the world that FUOYE has served justice to my daughter. I was shown her upgraded results after her scripts were re-marked, and it is clear that she passed.
“The university fulfilled its promise to ensure fairness, and I appreciate the VC, Prof. Sunday Fasina, and the committee members for ensuring my daughter gets justice,” he said.
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