The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of 2019 June/July examinations with 829,787 candidates, representing 71.59 per cent, making five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

Its Acting Registrar/Chief Executive, Abubakar Mohammed Gana, added that the number of candidates, who made five credits and above, irrespective of English Language and Mathematics, is 1,041,986 – representing 89.90 per cent.

Gana, who announced the release at the NECO Headquarters in Minna, adjudged the 2019 June/July SSCE as a huge success, stating that NECO has “once again delivered on its mandate”.

He recommended three schools in Kastina, Kebbi and Oyo states for de-recognition from conducting its Senior Secondary School Examinations (SSCE) for two years.

According to him, the schools were de-recognised for their involvements in mass cheating and being special centres.

Gana said 17 supervisors were also blacklisted for various offences ranging from poor supervision, aiding and abetting and connivance with non-candidates to write answers on the chalkboard.

He added that 40,630, representing 3.53 per cent of the candidates who sat for the examination, were involved in various forms of malpractice. The number of malpractice cases when compared to 2019 increased with over 50 per cent, the Acting Registrar said.

He explained that the reason for the higher figure of malpractice cases in 2019 was not unconnected with the deployment of the new biometric verification device used in the 2019 SSCE, “more robust monitoring by staff and external monitors also contributed to more sensitivity in detecting malpractices”.

Gana said some members of NECO staff alleged to have been involved in malpractice cases have been recommended to face the appropriate disciplinary measures, stressing that once they fail to satisfactorily defend themselves, they would be dismissed or punished appropriately.

Giving an analysis of the performance of the candidates, the acting registrar said 1,151,016 candidates, including 146 blind candidates, sat for the 2019 June/July SSCE examination.

He said 984,152, representing 85.50 per cent of the candidates, made credit and above in English Language while 954,399, representing 83.03 per cent of candidates, made credit and above in mathematics.

The registrar also debunked an online publication which urged candidates to log on to a different website to assess their results even when the results were not yet released by purchasing scratch cards.

Gana emphasised: “NECO has abolished the use of card in all its operations as everything is now 100 per cent online.

“The approved website of NECO remains www.neco. gov.ng and has not changed. We advise parents, schools and candidates to disregard that publication and to visit only the approved site to check their results as well as to get information on our operations.”

THE Presidency came hard on Tuesday on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the February 23 presidential election Atiku Abubakar over the latter’s allegation that President Muhammadu Buhari plans to frame former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

It said the former vice president got it wrong by assuming that the one-time president could be framed by any other person more that he (Atiku) had done.

Atiku had on Monday declared that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was bent on framing Obasanjo to stop his criticism of the  Buhari’s administration.

In a statement by his media office, Atiku also alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was feeding the media with falsehood to cause disaffection between him and Obasanjo on one hand, and between Obasanjo and Nigerians in general.

But a Presidency source told The Nation in confidence that Atiku had so much framed Obasanjo that nobody could beat his record.

The source said: “When Mr. Atiku Abubakar reflects on some of the things he said of President Obasanjo, he will realise that having framed the former President so well in the past, Obasanjo cannot anymore be framed by anyone, no matter how he tries.

“On the unresolved issue of the mismanagement of the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) under their government, Mr Atiku’s revelation before the Senate was that Obasanjo took N10 billion to kick-start his third term campaign.

“This is how the press captured it: ‘Abuja — The ill-fated third term agenda re-echoed yesterday in Abuja at the public sitting of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) when Vice President Atiku Abubakar alleged that President Olusegun Obasanjo approved the immediate release of N10 billion in the thick of the battle to push the agenda in the National Assembly.’”

Another source recalled what Atiku said about Obasanjo on the $16 billion spending on electricity, which he noted nothing to show.

The second source quoted Atiku as saying: “The issue of electricity is a thing that I feel very emotional about it, because I believe if we had handled the issue of electricity when we were in office by 2005 we would have provided enough electricity for the people of this country; but unfortunately we did not follow that route.

All products from The La Casera Company (TLCC) conform to the highest quality standards, having not only been produced in line with the globally accepted code of good manufacturing practice (GMP) but also been continuously certified by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON). The Managing Director of TLCC, Mr Chinedum Okereke, said this in a statement released to the media.

Managing Director, The La Casera Company (TLCC), Mr Chinedum Okereke

According to Okereke, “the meticulous work including rigorous quality assurance that precedes the final production of all our products, has a singular objective: to ensure that our consumers enjoy products that are healthy, wholesome and refreshing.”

Referring to TLCC production facilities located at Mile 2, Okereke stated that every one of the automated production lines continues to work to exceed target standards in areas such as quality, human safety and environmental preservation. “On an incremental basis we continue to automate our processes,” said Okereke. “Indeed, with a multi-billion naira investment in improving our manufacturing processes, our production plants would rank favourably among the most automated and modern beverage plants around the world.” The company’s major aim is the continuous enhancement of the quality of products it makes available to its consumers, he added.

According to Okereke, the global nature of our business requires that TLCC system has the highest standards and processes for ensuring consistent product safety and quality across our entire value chain – from concentrate production to bottling and product delivery. We measure key product and package quality attributes indices to ensure our beverage products in the marketplace meet statutory/regulatory, company requirements and consumer expectations. To establish a governance process, each business within TLCC system implements, documents and maintains a safety and quality system in accordance with global best practices in the industry. Compliance is monitored system-wide to further support the integrity of our products as consistency and reliability are critical to our product quality and to meeting regulatory requirements and company standards.

Our consumers deserve safe, refreshing and high-quality beverages and across TLCC system, we work tirelessly to meet the highest standards of product safety and quality. We follow stringent product and ingredient standards, designed to ensure the safety and quality of each of our products and we will continuously deliver quality products through application of the highest standards of good manufacturing practice.

“Each of these steps is rigorously monitored for conformity to all necessary global standards which we regard as basic, as we always aspire to exceed the much higher standards that have been set internally by TLCC”. The high quality of products from TLCC factory,” he said, “has been attested to continually not only by NAFDAC but also by SON, as well as the internal quality controls of TLCC.”

The La Casera Company Plc established its factory in Mile 2, Badagry Expressway, Lagos, Nigeria in 1999. Since then it has remained an integral player in Nigeria’s manufacturing space, introducing PET bottle into the market. It has been commended on several occasions not only for its commitment to quality and safety but also towards the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.

A truck loaded with granite on Friday, crushed a soldier, identified as R. A Nata’ala, to death in Abeokuta.

The accident occurred at Iyana-Mortuary near Oja-Gbangba, Ijaye, Abeokuta around 10:30 a.m.

The victim was said to be on his motorcycle when the truck with registration number JJJ833XW suffered brake failure, swerved off its lane and crushed the soldier to death.

An eye witness told our correspondent that the truck was coming from  Ajebo-Idi-Aba Road, and heading towards Ijaye when the incident occurred.

The eye witness explained that the traffic light had stopped some vehicles going towards Idi-Aba including the victim’s motorcycle when the truck rammed into his motorcycle and dismembered his body.

It was learnt that soldiers from 35 Artillery brigade, Alamala have come to take the remains of their colleague.

The Public Relations Officer of Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Babatunde Akinbiyi confirmed the incident.

The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District,  Senator Dino Melaye, on Friday described the ruling of the Kogi West National Assembly/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal nullifying his victory in the March 22 election and ordering a fresh election as a total miscarriage of justice.

In a statement, he said his legal team was already studying the judgement, adding that he would appeal it.

He said he was confident that the Appeal Court would upturn the judgement of the lower tribunal.

According to him, the judgement was full of importation of information that was alien to the case.

Melaye said, “I, however, commend the courage and moral strength of the Chairman of the tribunal for resisting evil and standing on the part of justice.”

“I have confidence in the Appeal Court to right the wrongs as contained in the pronouncements of the judgement.”

He added, “I also want to tell those jubilating that their jubilation will be short-lived while appealing to my teeming supporters to remain calm as their mandate is safe and secure and cannot be taken through any mischievous means.

“However, our legal team is already working on appealing the judgment and I assure all that justice will prevail.”

Singer, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke has asked fans to help him title his upcoming album.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that the ‘Fia’ singer posed the challenge to his fans through his Twitter account @iam_davido on Thursday.

He tweeted, “Gimme a name for my Album. Three songs left to record !! I want a fan to name my Album.”

Fans went on to give their opinions on what the new album should be named, often debating among themselves.

Most of them, however, asked that the album be named Psalms after the bible book written by his namesake, King David.

@Jaymiller1 said, “You can also use ‘Psalms’  ’cause guess who wrote it? King David.”

@Badass_Nigerian wrote, “Psalm. Psalm was written by King David. This would be an album made by a king named Davido.”

@Bawaolayinka tweeted, “Imade would actually make sense. I am not your fan tho just saying.”

@ItsOladeni said, “Billboard We Coming” will be a good name. It’ll attract billboard and you’ll appear on their hot 200.”

@BallerOxlade said, “Livin davido loca.”

NAN reports that fans had repeatedly asked the singer to release a new album following the success of his singles.

All may not be well in the camp of Team Nigeria as athletes are currently at daggers drawn with officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports over their daily allowance.

Some of the athletes who spoke to NationSport on condition of anonymity, said unlike in 2015 when they were given $150 daily allowance, the officials are insisting on giving them $100 daily in Morocco.

“I am surprised with the way our officials have been treating athletes especially in major competitions like this. They are always eager to see us excel but they are not ready to motivate us. How can you think that four years ago we got $150 as daily allowance and now in 2019, they want to give us $100? I don’t know where it is done globally. We are the ones that will be competing while they will just be sitting down waiting to be counting medals. This is very unfair,” a female athlete lamented. Already, the athletes lamented the number of officials in Rabat, adding that rather than motivate the athletes with money, hundreds of officials including government delegation were lodged in hotels all over Morocco.

“This is the most uninspiring African Games because in 2015, we were well-motivated and we gave our best but it seems we are not ready for the games. Some of us that came from Europe were not given grants and I wonder what they expect from us in Morocco,” a male athlete regretted.

In one of the major hotels in Rabat on Thursday, August 22, some government delegation were seen trying to check into the hotel as they were part of the second batch of the contingent that came through the chartered flight from Abuja.

Super Falcons’ head coach Thomas Dennerby has stated that six players invited for the first leg of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Women Football qualifier bill for August 28th in Blida, Algeria, will not be available due to club duties.

The players who opted out of the match and have duly informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are Asisat Oshoala, Fracisca Ordega, Ngozi Okobi, Ngozi Ebere, Rashidat Ajibade and Osinachi Ohale.

Dennerby disclosed that the players have club matches on 25th and 26th and it will be difficult for them to arrive in Nigeria a day after their engagements to secure visas as Algeria doesn’t issue a visa at the point of entry.

“I know I will miss them but the players I picked for the qualifier are equally good to win the match.

Algeria Women Football Team is not a threat to our girls. I will not underrate them but they will not beat us in Algeria,” Dennerby boasted.

He also revealed that the six players will be available for the return leg scheduled for October 3rd, at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

Cadbury Bournvita, in collaboration with Edusko Africa and Techeduhub, organised a free five-day Tech Bootcamp for 50 children between the ages of 8 and 16, from 5th to 9th August 2019, in Lagos.

The aim of the training was to improve their technological knowledge and enhance their learning skills, in the light of the current global digital revolution. The kids learnt about Programming, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and Life Skills, to boost their creativity, communication and collaboration skills.

In just five days, participants programmed calculators using Python. They also programmed drones, 2D games with the Unity Game Engine, and built their first robotic cars. At the end of the Bootcamp, the Bournvita kids received a certificate of participation in the training.

Cadbury Bournvita, in collaboration with Edusko Africa and Techeduhub, organised a free five-day Tech Bootcamp for 50 children between the ages of 8 and 16, from 5th to 9th August 2019, in Lagos.

The aim of the training was to improve their technological knowledge and enhance their learning skills, in the light of the current global digital revolution. The kids learnt about Programming, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and Life Skills, to boost their creativity, communication and collaboration skills.

In just five days, participants programmed calculators using Python. They also programmed drones, 2D games with the Unity Game Engine, and built their first robotic cars. At the end of the Bootcamp, the Bournvita kids received a certificate of participation in the training.

A parent of one of the participants, Phiona Effoh said, “Prior to this programme, my son always told me he wants to be an Aeronautic Engineer, but he came back and said ‘

mummy, I want to be a Programmer or a Robotic Engineer.’ He sounded so affirmative, and for this, I want to thank Bournvita, Edusko and Techeduhub, for this wonderful initiative.”

Also speaking at the end of the programme, Oluwakemi Awonusi, Head, Consumer Engagement and Media, West Africa, CADBURY Nigeria, a subsidiary of Mondelēz International, said the initiative projects the brand’s essence, as Bournvita nourishes kids and enhances learning skills.

“We are excited with the outcome of this initiative and we will try to expand the scope to accommodate more participants from other States of the Federation in the next edition,” she said.

The programme ended with Bournvita mums and kids expressing gratitude to Cadbury Bournvita and the other organisers.

The Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye has reacted to the Kogi State National Assembly/State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal’s nullification of his victory at the senatorial poll.

It was reported that Melaye polled a total of 85,395 votes to defeat his APC opponent who scored 66,902 votes. 

But the APC candidate, Sam Adeyemi went on to challenge Melaye’s election on three grounds of irregularities, over voting and non compliance with the electoral act.

On Friday, a three-man panel led by Justice A. O. Chijioke, in a unanimous judgment, accepted Adeyemi’s ground and ordered for a fresh election in the senatorial district.

Reacting on Twitter, Melaye said he would get judgement at the Appeal court.

He wrote, ”On Tribunal judgement. No cause for alarm at all. Even if it went my way they will still go to the Appeal Court. Our mandate can not be taken. We will get judgment at the Appeal Court.

”There will be fresh election in Kogi West because I will be Governor. For my Senate mandate no shaking.”