84,000 candidates sit for rescheduled Mock -UTME

reschedule the examination for Tuesday (today) adding that the glitches earlier observed in the Mock-UTME in some centres that prompted it to be rescheduled was as a result of deployments of innovations .

Oloyede stated that the Mock-UTME was held in 387 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country, with

16 of the centres having two sessions, adding that the results of the exam would be out today.

On his part, JAMB’s Director of Information Technology Services (ITS), Fabian Okoro, who was on ground at the control room domiciled in the exam body’s headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, said real time information from all CBT centres revealed that the exam was conducted smoothly.

During a visit to some of the CBT centres in Abuja which include the one in Total Child Model College, Dutse, JAMB CBT Centre, Kogo, among others, candidates were seen taking part in the exam in an orderly manner.

One of the candidates, Luka

Mercy, commended JAMB for ensuring that the mock exam went on as planned without any issue.

“The JAMB (exam) was actually a good and successful one, no problem at all, no worries. The computer did not go off and I finished successfully and I really enjoyed the questions that were set,” she said.

We’ll create enabling environment for Benue citizens – Deputy Governor-Elect

The Deputy Governorelect of Benue, Mr Sam

Ode, has said that the All Progressives Congress( APC) led government in the state would create an enabling environment and opportunities for residents of the state to thrive.

Ode stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after a visit by a delegation from a Support Group, Alia Alliance World Wide in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that to achieve this, the administration would declare an emergency on the payment of outstanding salaries and pensions of civil servants in the state.

Ode said that because of the importance of wages to the well-being of the workforce, the government intends to clear all arrears of pensions and salaries.

“We also cannot say that the payment of salaries is an achievement but it is a stepping stone to doing more,”he said.

Ode, who is a former Minister of State for Niger Delta, said that the move would also serve as motivation for service delivery in the state’s civil service.

“The civil service remains the engine of every society, we will ensure that the civil service is functional before other things could come up.

“We are not taking the opportunity being given to us by the Benue people for granted.

“Even the holy Bible tells us that every worker is worthy of his wages, when anyone works, his wages should be paid. It is not questionable.

“It is our intention to clear the backlog of salaries and wages. We know that pensioners are suffering and we want to halt that trend.

“If people will work after 35 years and they cannot be guaranteed of their pension, it means that the motivation to put in their best on the job will not be there.

“We will declare an emergency on the outstanding pensions, salaries of local government and state workers,” he said.

Ode said that as a deputy, he was in the shadow of his principal, adding that they would not rest until outstanding salaries, pension and gratuities of workers are paid.

“I am very sure that with the assumption of office on May 29, the outstanding salaries, pensions and gratuities will be settled,“ he said.

He said that the security and welfare of the people would also be a priority to their government.

The deputy governor-elect said measures would be put in place to curb insecurity and enhance growth in the state.

He also said the new administration intends to improve the facility of the education of Benue children.

”The average girl or boy is brilliant, what they are looking for is a good and conducive environment to study.”

He thanked the group for their support and urged them to set up a platform for the government to take off.

“Develop a new structure for the government to take off, plan ,organise retreats for elected members for good governance.

“I remain hopeful in any group, association that will produce and create avenues for peace and economic growth of the state. We will not take your trust for granted,” he said.

Mr Kelvins Dzeremo and Mr Kenneth Gyado who led the delegation, urged the deputy governor-elect to work harmoniously with the governor- elect to continue to win the trust of the people.

They promised to support the new government to achieve positive reforms in the state. (NAN)

Association tasks President-elect on development of mining sector

The Gold Miners Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (GMPMA) has urged the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu to place priority on the development of the mining sector of the economy.

Mr Auwal Bununu, the GMPMA president, said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

Bununu said the sector was faced with lack of government attention, adding that such had hindered effective implementation of projects and policies in the sector.

“The sector is expected to be a major contractor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“In the 1960s and 70s, the sector contributed about 15 per cent of GDP because there was attention and strong support by relevant authorities.

“But today, the GDP contribution is low as the sector is no longer receiving such support and attention.

“The financial institutes and fiscal policies are not capturing the sector very well in the policy formulation, thereby making the sector not functioning effectively as its being expected,” he said.

Bununu, also the Technical Adviser to Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Miners and Agriculture (NACCIMA), a mining group, said the association’s target was to promote the economic development of the country.

He said that the NACCIMA was an umbrella body of the GMPMA, adding that the association was working with stakeholders to achieve its objectives.

Bununu said that the association welcomed the president-elect pronouncement of plans forming a government of competence, which would ensure development in all the sectors in the economy.

” I am happy to hear the President-elect saying that he is going to form a government of competence.

“What that means is that from my own understanding, the administration will bake the national cake and ensure that it gets to everyone in all sectors in the country. What we have been experiencing is sharing formulas, but not baking the cake.

“So, in as much as the president elect has promised a government of competence, it means that he will not only bake the cake but everybody will benefit from the sharing.

“So, if he is baking the cake, mining is the most important sector that brings not only revenue generation but also industrial development,” he said.

Bununu added:“The president-elect cannot bake the cake without developing the mining industries where the country benefit from with heavy revenue and creating job opportunities.

“The association is now developing a private sector framework of mineral and metal development which will serve as a cake baking alternative for the new administration.

“The framework is a very critical thing, so we are working on the strategy to ensure it brings good result.

“We are also going to dialogue with the incoming administration as soon as he sworn-in.”

(NAN)