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May 30: Enugu State Government frowns at attempt to scuttle WAEC Exams

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… assures candidates, officials of adequate security
… no public holiday on 30th May, Head of Service warns

The Enugu State Government has reiterated its displeasure over what it described as an attempt to scuttle the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in the state.

The government said the consequences of candidates of the state and the entire South East region not sitting for their General Mathematics papers were massive and held nothing but gloom for the future, contrary to what their forebears fought for.

The state made its stand known in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Aka Eze Aka, on Wednesday, urging candidates and those involved in the conduct of the examination and other enterprises to go about their legitimate businesses, as the state had taken steps to ensure adequate security of lives and property.

This was also as the state’s Head of Service, Ken Ugwu, had earlier, in a circular dated Tuesday, May 28, 2024, clarified that there would be no public holiday on May 30, 2024, warning civil servants and political appointees that failure to report to work would attract severe sanctions.

The statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communication reads: “The Enugu State Government notes with deep concern the statement credited to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IBOB) directing the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to postpone the General Mathematics (Theory and Objectives) examinations scheduled for Thursday, May 30, 2024, which the IPOB had designated ‘Biafra Heroes Day.’

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“We note with particular concern IPOB’s statement that ‘WAEC board should not endanger the lives of small children because that day is not safe for any individual in Biafra territory.’

“This is unacceptable to us, not only because of the well-known position of the Enugu State Government on illegal sit-at-home orders, which have dealt a great blow on the socio-economic life and fortunes of the South East region, but also because of the far-reaching consequences of a whole generation of Enugu children failing to sit for a fundamental subject such as Mathematics in one year.

“Let no one make a mistake about it, Ndigbo excel on the wings of industry, education and human capital development. Therefore, any pronouncement or action that tends to deny our children their rights to education, which is their ticket to the future, is offensive to our sensibilities and surely the sensibilities of our founding fathers and fallen heroes, who must be turning in their graves, wondering what could have happened to us as a people. Moreso, when many of the architects of such unjust and evil agenda live in the comfort of civilised societies where they go to work and their children go to school every workday.

“The Enugu State Government recognises the sacrifices of our gallant forebears, who gave their all, including their lives, to defend the Igbo land. But we also recognise that they died that we may not just have life, but to have the best of it, which can only come from developing our human capital to be able to excel in all that we do as individuals and collectively as a people.

“The government will not sit by and watch the future of our children aborted by such ill-conceived pronouncement intended to keep them at home. WAEC, as the name implies, is a regional body organising SSCE, not just in Nigeria, but also across West Africa. The subregion will certainly not wait for us.

“The Enugu State Government, therefore, enjoins candidates sitting for the ongoing SSCE in Enugu State to feel free to go to their respective centres to sit for their papers on Thursday, May 30, 2024, without any fears, while the officials involved in the conduct of the examination should also go about their legitimate duties without apprehension.

“As underscored at the beginning of this administration, no one has the right to impose any illegal and involuntary restriction of movement or business activities on anybody within the territory of Enugu State. Such will be met with the full weight of the law.

“Consequently, the government has put the security agencies on red alert to ensure security of lives and property and also deal, according to the laws of the land, with anyone or group bent on scuttling the SSCE scheduled for May 30, 2024 or causing a breach of peace and security of any type.

Meanwhile, in a circular entitled “Clarification on Attendance to Duty on Thursday 30th May, 2024” issued on Tuesday, the state’s Head of Service, Mr. Ugwu, said: “It has become expedient to clarify that the State Government has not declared Thursday, 30th May, 2024 as a public holiday or sit-at-home day contrary to misconceptions from some quarters.

“May I, therefore, remind our workers that failure to be in their duty posts on the above date will attract summary dismissal from Service in line with the enabling provisions of the Public Service Rules.

“It must be noted that such purported public holiday/sit-at-home will have far-reaching consequences on the academic pursuit of our children, who are taking part in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations holding simultaneously across the nation, including the South Eastem region.

“Enugu State Govemment strongly frowns at any calculated attempt to mortgage the future of our children and has, therefore, put in place necessary security arrangements to guarantee the safety and unrestricted movement of all citizens and residents within the State.

“All Permanent Secretaries, Directors of Administration, Heads of Departments, and agencies of Government are directed to take a roll call of all those who came to work and return the same to the Office of the Head of Service before 11 am on Thursday, 30th May, 2024.

“To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

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Pastor Jimmy Odukoya Remarries, Introduces New Wife Mo Jasyme to Church Congregation

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Pastor Jimmy Odukoya with his new wife Mo Jasyme
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Pastor Jimmy Odukoya, Senior Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, has officially introduced his new wife, Pastor Mo Jasyme, to members of his congregation during a Sunday service on November 1, 2026.

The introduction took place at the church’s headquarters in Ilupeju, Lagos, days after Odukoya sparked speculation about his marital status by sharing a photograph of two hands wearing wedding rings with the caption, “To New Beginnings.”

During the service, Odukoya said he had been navigating life alone since becoming the church’s senior pastor before finding a suitable partner.

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He described Mo as the woman he had been searching for and presented her to the congregation as the church’s new first lady.

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Mo also addressed the congregation, expressing her delight at standing alongside her husband.

Pastor Tunde Bakare, General Overseer of The Citadel Global Community Church, who reportedly blessed the couple’s marriage in the United States, prayed for them and their union.

Bakare also disclosed that Mo is the daughter of Reverend Theophilus and Bolaji Daniel.

The marriage marks a new chapter in Odukoya’s personal life. His previous marriage to Oluwakemi Banjoko took place in London in March 2013, and the union produced two children before the couple separated.

Odukoya became Senior Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church in 2023 following the death of his father, the church’s founder, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya.

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Tinubu concludes five-day Saudi Arabia visit

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President Tinubu Performs Umrah In Makkah
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President Bola Tinubu has concluded his five-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where he performed Umrah, the lesser Hajj, and prayed for Nigeria’s peace, unity and prosperity.

The President disclosed this on his verified X handle, @OfficialPBAT, on Monday, saying he used the opportunity to pray for the nation and its citizens.

Tinubu stated in a four-paragraph post: “I have concluded my visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where, together with members of my delegation, I had the rare honour of entering the Holy Kaaba to pray, and of performing Umrah.

“I am deeply grateful to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud @KingSalman, and to Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for extending this privilege to us, and for their gracious hospitality and brotherly care.

“It reflects the enduring bonds of faith and friendship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

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“In those sacred moments, I prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for our dear nation and for all Nigerians.”

The President arrived in Saudi Arabia last Thursday night through the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, where he was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, and Saudi Arabia’s Head of Royal Protocol, Ahmad bin Thafir.

Tinubu’s visit to Makkah focused on performing the religious rites associated with Umrah and offering prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and continued progress.

The President is expected to return to Nigeria this week following the completion of the spiritual exercise. (AriseNews TV)

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Power Belongs To Allah, He Can Take It From Me And Give Another Person, Tinubu Says During Mecca Visit

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President Bola Tinubu has said that political power belongs to Allah, who has the authority to give it to anyone and take it away, declaring that those entrusted with leadership must exercise it in accordance with God’s dictates.

Tinubu made the remarks while reflecting on his recent Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, where he was granted access to enter and pray inside the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah.

The President said his emergence as Nigeria’s leader was an extraordinary blessing from Allah, adding that he recognised that his position as President and Commander-in-Chief was not something he could claim to have attained solely through human effort.

Speaking about his understanding of divine authority, Tinubu said Allah was the ultimate giver and taker of power and that anyone who received such a privilege must use it responsibly.

“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority. He says, ‘If I give you, use it well. If you don’t use it in accordance with my dictates, I can take it from you and give it to another person. I am the only One who has that authority,” Tinubu said.

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He described his emergence as President as a special favour from God, given the large number of people in the country.

“Out of many millions of people, to be the President and Commander-in-Chief is a favour that only Almighty God can do to a human being,” he said.

The President also expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting him and members of his delegation access to the Ka’abah, describing the experience as historic.

He said the green-white-green colours on the fencing around the Ka’abah reminded him of Nigeria’s national identity.

“I want to say a big thank you for the faith, for the recognition. I can’t believe the fencing of the Ka’abah is in Green-White-Green, which reminds us of the Nigerian identity,” he said.

“I thank the Crown Prince and all the administrators of the holy land. I thank them for the hospitality and recognition given to me as the leader of the delegation and the country.

“We are all facing challenges and hostility around us. We will overcome them with faith in God Almighty. I’m grateful forever. I thank the King and the royal Crown Prince.”

Tinubu was accompanied on the pilgrimage by several members of his cabinet, governors and business leaders.

Those in the delegation included Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate; and governors from Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara states.

Business leaders accompanying him included BUA Group Chairman, Abdulsamad Isiaka Rabiu, and Oando Chief Executive Officer, Wale Tinubu.

The President’s remarks come amid his administration’s continued efforts to defend its policies and record in office.

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