By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi, Abuja

Veterinary Council of Nigeria, VCN has reaffirmed its commitment to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu-led federal government in order to boost the production and productivity levels of livestock sector for direct impact on the nation’s economy.

President of the VCN, Prof. Matthew Adamu made the pledge during the inauguration of the 12th board of the Council in Abuja.

Adamu, who maintained that the Council which was created over seven decades ago has the effective manpower and maximum political would make Nigeria livestock sector, a business hub for African nations.

He said: “There is no room for failure, pioneer minister, sir. The Veterinary Council of Nigeria, as far as records are concerned, have been in existence for 72 years now. We celebrated 70 years two years ago. We are saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that we regulate the training and practice of veterinary medicine in Nigeria.”

Adamu, who was just elected as the President of the inaugurated Board of the VCN, said the Council had registered over 10,000 veterinarians and 50,000 paraprofessionals to ensure people in the line of production in the livestock sector adhere strictly to the rules and regulations of the profession in the interest of the country.

While thanking the federal government under President Bola Tinubu for what he described as bold initiative of creating the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Adamu gave assurance to the Minister of Livestock Development the readiness of the newly inaugurated boards to transform the sector.

He said if the ministry had been created since the nation’s independence, the sector would have achieve more economic fortunes for the country.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi urged the board members to justify the confidence reposed in them by ensuring accelerating progress in the Ministry of Livestock Development.

“Let me congratulate all of you for today. I want us to use this as an opportunity, because it is coming at the time in which a very profound development has happened in the sector, through this very esteemed ministry, the Ministry of Livestock Development,” he said.

Senator Abdullahi was optimistic of strategic move under the leadership of the new board.

He implored the board members to make rapid change in the sector through effective implementation of the federal government policies and programmes

“I think the best we can do for ourselves is now that we are opportune to do what is right. And doing what is right is the mark of statesmanship and I want to assure you that we’re going to do just that,” the minister said.

While inaugurating the 12th board members of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, VCN, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha expressed hope that with the newly inaugurated board members of the VCN, there was brighter future in the livestock sector.

Maiha told the gathering and most especially the board that there are many opportunities in the livestock sub-sector and they must tap into the opportunities for the benefit of the country and humanity in general.

The minister enumerated on his experiences in Brazil where livestock development took a centre stage and Nigeria must not get an exception with the confidence reposed in the ministry by President Bola Tinubu

Also at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Akunjobi promised the board an unalloyed support of the ministry especially in the area of technical and skill development,as well as training and retraining of the staff of the ministry to have first hand information on modern veterinary.

“Let’s use this opportunity to ensure that we provide the necessary technical backstopping and support for the livestock sector to grow as a very robust part of the Nigerian economy,” he said.

Akunjobi, who is also a veterinarian described minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha as well breed practitioner and a critical stakeholder in the industry and ever ready to lure investors into livestock sector in Nigeria.

The 12-member board had professionals from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Surgeon of Nigeria, Director of Veterinary Services and College of Veterinary Medicine from reputable tertiary institutions across the country.

The Authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has faulted pervasive claims that one of its members representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for accusing the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.

Rather, the upper chamber clarified that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended specifically due to her flagrant disobedience to Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and her unparliamentary behaviour during its plenaries and proceedings.

The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele made these clarifications in a three-page statement released on Saturday amid the deliberate misinformation and false narratives being circulated by certain media organisations.

Contingent on the report of its Committee on Ethics and Privileges, the Senate had suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged misconduct and refusal to comply with its sitting arrangement during the plenary.

The Senate upheld her suspension with a proviso that if Akpoti-Uduaghan “submits a written apology, the leadership of the chamber may consider lifting the suspension before the six-month period expires.”

Rather than submitting to the Authority of the Senate, Akpoti-Uduaghan had been misinforming the unsuspecting public that she was suspended because she accused the senate president of sexual harassment.

In a statement he released on Saturday, however, Bamidele clarified that the disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan was unequivocally a response to her repeated violations of legislative decorum.

In the same vein, the statement further clarified that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition on sexual harassment failed to meet the clear and established procedural requirements for submitting petitions to the Senate.

The statement reads in part: “It has come to the attention of the Senate that some media reports are attempting to falsely suggest that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was due to allegations of sexual harassment.

“This is completely untrue, misleading, and a calculated attempt to distort the facts. If Akpoti-Uduaghan had strictly followed our guiding principles, the Senate would have treated her petition based on merit in line with its practice. But she never obeyed the established practices of the institution where she was serving,” the statement said.

Specifically, the statement revealed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was “a decision of the Committee of the Whole Senate, following the submission of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.”

The statement noted that the report found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and recommended her immediate suspension.

As established in the findings of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, the statement pointed out that the disciplinary action was “a response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s repeated violations of legislative decorum stated as follows:

” Refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on 25th February 2025, despite multiple pleas from the Minority Leader and other ranking Senators—an act of open defiance and disorderly conduct.

“Speaking without being recognized by the presiding officer, in clear violation of parliamentary practices and procedures on 25th February 2025.

“Engaging in unruly and disruptive behavior, obstructing the orderly conduct of Senate proceedings. Making abusive and disrespectful remarks against the leadership of the Senate.

“Defying and refusing to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges mandated to investigate cases of misconduct,” the statement highlighted violations of the Senate Standing Order 2023 (As Amended) by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The statement, therefore, noted that these actions represented a direct challenge to the Authority of the Senate and a violation of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) that govern the business of the Senate and the conduct of all its members without any exception.

The statement noted that the disciplinary measure was imperative, necessary and justified to restore order and uphold the integrity of the Senate as the country’s foremost democratic institution.

“Contrary to the false claims being circulated, Akpoti-Uduaghan was not suspended for making any sexual harassment or for submitting a petition. Her petition was rightfully discountenanced because it failed to meet the clear and established procedural requirements for submitting petitions to the Senate.

” The rules of the Senate apply to all members without exception, and no petition—regardless of its subject—can be considered if it does not follow due process. To suggest that her suspension was linked to her petition is not only a distortion of facts but an intentional and malicious attempt to mislead the public,” the statement noted.

While thanking some media organisations for their culture of objective reporting, the statement urged the media not to distort facts to suit a false narrative expressing dissatisfaction with an attempt to politicise a disciplinary action that was strictly based on clear violations of Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended).

The statement said: “This coordinated misinformation campaign is nothing more than an attempt to politicise a disciplinary action that was strictly based on clear violations of Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended).

“It is reckless, misleading, and a disservice to the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who deserve truthful and factual reporting. We, therefore, urge all foreign correspondents and responsible media houses to correct these misrepresentations and avoid propagating falsehoods that undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative process.”

By Uthman Baba-Al-Naseer, Minna

National Examinations Council NECO has procured a Scandron Insight 1500C to enhance efficiency, credibility and security of the conduct of the council examination assessment process easier.

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi made this known while commissioning the equipment at NECO Scanning center in Minna, saying that the mechine has the capacity of scanning and scoring marks with inbuilt digital camera.

Professor Dantani Wushishi emphasized on the need to leverage on electronic technology with high speed to ease processes, enhance data based capacity, to ensure accuracy and reliability in the conduct of world class examinations in the country.

He appreciated the unwavering support of the council workforce for embracing the innovation as a pivotal role in ensuring effective and efficient service delivery.

NECO Boss reaffirmed the commitment in using technology fast track markings and reduced the time line for the release of results after their examinations, saying that the Scandron Insight 1500C can scan 250 sheets per minute and 15,000 sheets per hour is commendable

On his part, the NECO ICT Director, Mr Goddy Usioboh explained that Scana high performance Optimal Mark Recognition (OMR) Scanner known for its precision, speed,NECO Commissions Scandron Insight 1500C to Ease Exams Process

BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA

National Examinations Council NECO has procured a Scandron Insight 1500C to enhance efficiency, credibility and security of the conduct of the council examination assessment process easier.

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi made this known while commissioning the equipment at NECO Scanning center in Minna, saying that the mechine has the capacity of scanning and scoring marks with inbuilt digital camera.

Professor Dantani Wushishi emphasized on the need to leverage on electronic technology with high speed to ease processes, enhance data based capacity, to ensure accuracy and reliability in the conduct of world class examinations in the country.

He appreciated the unwavering support of the council workforce for embracing the innovation as a pivotal role in ensuring effective and efficient service delivery.

NECO Boss reaffirmed the commitment in using technology fast track markings and reduced the time line for the release of results after their examinations, saying that the Scandron Insight 1500C can scan 250 sheets per minute and 15,000 sheets per hour is commendable

On his part, the NECO ICT Director, Mr Goddy Usioboh explained that Scandron Insight 1500C is a high performance Optimal Mark Recognition (OMR) Scanner known for its precision, speed, and ability to handle large volumes of scripts efficiently.

He added that this will enhance data processing capacities, ensuring faster and more accurate results processing for millions of candidates across the country while he encouraged staff members to embrace the development and maximize its potential in their daily activities. and ability to handle large volumes of scripts efficiently.

He added that this will enhance data processing capacities, ensuring faster and more accurate results processing for millions of candidates across the country while he encouraged staff members to embrace the development and maximize its potential in their daily activities.