News
WASSCE: NASS wades into controversy
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
Governor Oyebanji Raises State’s monthly Subvention By N438.9 million
Similarly, the Governor has also approved payment of the outstanding 2020 leave bonus to local government workers
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has approved a major increment in the monthly subvention to the Judiciary and the legislative arm of government as well as the subvented institutions in the state.
The increment which amounts to N438.9 million monthly is to enable the institutions take care of the new minimum wage and the attendant consequential adjustment for workers.
In a statement,Olayinka OyebodeSpecial Adviser (Media) to the Governor, disclosed that the
beneficiaries of the increment include the Ekiti State Customary Court of Appeal, Ekiti State High Court of Justice; Ekiti State Judicial Service Commission, and Ekiti State House of Assembly Service Commission.
Others are Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, (EKSU); Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH); Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Ikere Ekiti; Ekiti State Polythecnic, Isan Ekiti; College of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti and Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and associated Institutions.
Similarly, the Governor has also approved payment of the outstanding 2020 leave bonus to local government workers, in fulfilment of his promise to defray all outstanding entitlements of workers inherited from previous administrations.
While restating the commitment of his administration to the wellbeing and welfare of workers and retirees, Governor Oyebanji says efforts are being made to ensure payment of all outstanding entitlements including gratuities in line with the continuity and shared prosperity agenda of the government.
He urges workers in the state to remain focused on excellent service delivery and to see themselves as strategic stakeholders in the Ekiti Project.
The first child of the immediate past governor of Oyo State, late Abiola Ajimobi’s, known as Bisola Ajimobi Kola-Daisi, is dead.
It was gathered that Bisola who is married to Mr Kolapo Kola-Daisi died in the early hours of Thursday.
She died at the age of 42.
According to reports, she died in the United Kingdom.
Until her death, she was the Special Adviser to the Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu.
The Special Adviser to the former governor, Mr Bolaji Tunji confirmed the incident to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.
Tunji said, “Yes. It has been confirmed”.
The House of Representatives on Thursday reversed its decision on the second reading of a bill which sought to strip the vice-president, governors and deputy governors of immunity.
The lower legislative chamber made the U-turn after the Majority Leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere, moved a motion.
The bill, which is sponsored by Solomon Bob, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Rivers State, passed second reading on Wednesday.
Bob noted that the bill seeks to “promote accountability in public office” by removing the immunity currently granted to the vice-president, governors and their deputies.
Section 308 of the Constitution states that “the president, vice-president, governor, and deputy governor, during the period he/she is holding the office, shall not be subjected to civil or criminal proceedings.
“The occupants of the office shall not also be arrested or imprisoned and no process of any court requiring or compelling their appearance.
”Bob stated said the move is to curb corruption, curb immunity, eradicate impunity and enhance accountability in public office.
The green chamber also rescinded its decision on the bill to abolish the death penalty.
The bill also passed second reading during plenary on Wednesday.
Governor Oyebanji Raises State’s monthly Subvention By N438.9 million
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