News

WASSCE: NASS wades into controversy

Published

10 months ago

August 29, 2024

33 Views

The National Assembly yesterday waded into the controversy generated by the Federal Government’s plan to peg the age limit for students to write the West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate, WASSCE, examination at 18 years.

It will be recalled that the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, announced plans on Sunday by the federal government to set the age limit for the examination to 18 years.

This is even as the government’s decision yesterday elicited more condemnations, as former Vice President Abubakar Atiku and civil society organisations, CSOs, described it as archaic and draconian.

They also asked the government to put it on hold and call a meeting of stakeholders in the education sector to deliberate on the matter.

Reacting to the development yesterday, the Senate said it would subject the issue to public hearing when it comes before senators.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), said: “The Senate will consider, through it’s relevant committee, public views on any government policy brought to our legislative notice.

Whatever is brought to the Senate for constitutional and statutory stamps shall be subjected to legislative crucible which includes public hearings.”

On his part, spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, said the Green Chamber has no position on the matter yet, as members have not been briefed. ‘’I cannot say anything for now.

When the House resumes and the matter is brought before it, it will be looked into,” he said. Source: Vanguard NCC Ends NIN-SIM linkage Sept 14 The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by Sept. 14, 2024.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Mr Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs at NCC, on Wednesday.

The statement said that the directive aimed at ensuring full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy.

It said that the NCC was pleased to announce significant progress in the Federal Government’s 2020 policy to link all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NINs).

According to the statement, to date, over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to their NINs, reflecting an impressive compliance rate of 96 per cent, a substantial increase from 69.7 per cent in January 2024.

“As we approach the final phase of this critical process, the NCC seeks the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve 100 per cent compliance.

“The complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is essential for enhancing the trust and security of our digital economy.

“By verifying all mobile users, this policy strengthens confidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supports greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services.

“This, in turn, promotes financial inclusion and drives economic growth,” it said.

News

Akpabio “Vindicated” as Court Ruling Upholds Senate Seating Arrangement

Published

4 minutes ago

July 4, 2025

Charles Flames

1 Views

Senator Godswill Akpabio has expressed feelings of vindication following a court verdict that has upheld the current seating arrangement within the Nigerian Senate.

The ruling, details of which were released today, appears to have a direct bearing on the Senator’s position within the chamber.

While the specific details of the legal challenge to the seating arrangement have not been fully disclosed, the court’s decision seems to have affirmed the existing order.

This outcome has been warmly received by Senator Akpabio, who has publicly stated his satisfaction with the court’s ruling.

Sources close to the Senator suggest that the case was closely watched, and the verdict is seen as a significant win.

The impact of this ruling will likely extend beyond the individual Senator, potentially influencing the dynamics of the Senate as a whole.

The court’s decision reinforces the established protocols, and the Senate is expected to continue its proceedings as usual.

Further developments regarding the case may emerge in the coming days, but for now, Senator Akpabio is celebrating the outcome, expressing a sense of vindication.

COURT VERDICT: AKPABIO FEELS VINDICATED ON SEATING ARRANGEMENTAKPABIO WELCOMES VERDICT ON APOLOGY TO COURT, SENATE SP SILENT ON COURT’S POSITION TO REINSTATE NATASHA [PRES]President of the Senate Godswill OOVAccording to Akpabio, the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, gave the Order which vindicated him in the case filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to challenge her referral to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions as well as her subsequent suspension.He said the court upheld his application that borders on contempt, and ruled that the publication was contemptuous, deliberately ridiculing both the Senate President , the judicial process, and deemed it necessary to impose a ₦5 million fine on Akpoti-Uduagan payable to the Federal Government.Akpabio said it was on the strength of this that the court order Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish a public apology within seven days in two national newspapers and on the same Facebook page where the contemptuous publication was made.On the substantive suit, Akpabio said the court also resolved all the questions for determination against Akpoti-Uduaghan when it ruled that the Senate has the constitutional authority to discipline its members for violating its Standing Orders; and that his actionin reallocating Senator Natasha’s seat, was lawful and within his administrative powers under Section 6(1) of the Senate Standing Rules.The senate President was however silent on the position of the court to reinstate the suspended senator , representing Kogi Central , after the court pointed out that the punishment was too stringent as it it capable of denying the people of Kogi central representation in the senate.

Crime

Plateau: Military Operation Neutralizes Bandits

Published

6 hours ago

July 4, 2025

Charles Flames

7 Views

Troops of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) under Operation Lafiyan Jama’a have neutralized several bandits during joint operations in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

A statement issued on Friday by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) stated that the clearance operation which took place on Thursday, July 3, led to the killing of scores of bandits.

The statement reads: “In continuation of ongoing efforts to rid the Joint Operations Area (JOA) of criminal elements, troops of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN under Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A have sustained aggressive kinetic operations in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, yielding commendable outcomes.

“On 3 July, 2025, troops carried out a clearance operation in the rugged terrains of Tulus and Hokk Communities, located along the Plateau–Nasarawa State border.

“During the mission, contact was made with armed militias in Hokk, leading to a brief but decisive firefight. Several bandits were neutralised, while others fled into surrounding forests.

“Troops conducted a thorough exploitation of the area and, though no further contact was established, have maintained control through mobile and static patrols to disrupt any regrouping attempts.

“These successful actions reaffirm the resolve of security forces to dismantle criminal syndicates and prevent the proliferation of illicit weapons threatening peace and security within the Joint Operations Area.”