By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The National Examinations Council (NECO),has revealed that One Thousand, Four Hundred and Six candidates were involved in various forms of examinations malpractice in the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examinations(SSCE) Internal.

Registrar/Chief Executive, NECO, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi disclosed this while announcing the official release of the 2026 SSCE Internal Examinations results,at the council headquarters Minna, Thursday.

According to Wushishi, number of the candidates involved in the exam malpractice in 2026,is (1,406) candidates,as against (3,878) candidates in 2025, which shows a decrease of 64.74%.He noted.

Dantani Ibrahim while highlighting the results, hinted that 1,378,048, representing 682,352 male and 695,696 female candidates registered for the examination.

He further explained that 1,371,992, representing 678,903 male and 693,089 female candidates sat for the examinations.

The NECO boss noted that candidates with Five (5) credits and above, irrespective of English Language and Mathematics is 1,162,118, representing 84.70%

In his words”.NECO didn’t believe in miracles centers,saying if there are any miracles centers,it means that the state governments established such center”.He emphasized.

Professor Wushishi stated that the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) internal was conducted in the Thirty (36)states of the federation and FCT,as well as Six (6) foreign countries of Benin Republic, Equatorial Guinea,Niger Republic,Cote d’Ivoire,Togo and Saudi Arabia.

“. Today marks Sixty Three(63)days of the successful release of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examinations SSCE internal results.

He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding him worthy of reappointment as Registrar for a second term,and for the continued belief in NECO’s mandate of dependable national examinations.

By George Mgbeleke

The Ministry of Regional Development has feted 24 retirees, appealing to them to remain active in whatever way they can after retirement, while noting the challenges many people face during the transition from active service to retirement.

In a statement by Head, Information and Public Relations, Sani Datti,the Permanent Secretary, Dr Mary Ada Ogbe, stated this in her remarks at the retirement celebration held today.

She said the Federal Government and the Ministry appreciate the retirees’ contributions to Nigeria’s development, particularly the time, dedication, and achievements they devoted to the service, and prayed that God would reward them abundantly.

Dr Ogbe drew the retirees’ attention to the government’s welfare packages and severance benefits available to them, noting that the benefits are expected to provide some financial stability before they begin receiving their pensions.“We are celebrating 24 retirees this morning. We celebrate you, and we are grateful for your commitment, dedication, and service to the nation,” Dr Mary said.

She urged the retirees to continue sharing their voices, knowledge, and experiences in whatever ways they can, so that the service can continue to benefit from their wealth of experience.“To those who worked directly with me, I sincerely thank you for your patience, understanding, and support throughout our time together,” she added.

In her welcome address, the Director of Human Resources Management, Mrs Tabitha Dagyol, told the retirees that they were the reason for the gathering. “You have served this nation, and in particular, the Ministry of Regional Development, with unquantifiable loyalty, integrity, and commitment. For years, some for over three decades, you bore the burden of national development.

“You implemented policies, nurtured younger officers, and kept the system running even when it was difficult. You have written your names in the history of this Ministry.”

She said that between May 2025 and September 2026, the Ministry had bid farewell to the “gallant officers,” cutting across grade levels and cadres, from the Directorate cadre to Administrative, Technical, and Support staff.

“Each one of you carried a brick in building this Ministry from its formative stage as the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to its present expanded mandate as the Ministry of Regional Development. Your footprints are indelible,” she said.

Mrs Tabitha added that the Ministry recognises that retirement is not the end of life but the beginning of a new and more rewarding chapter.

According to her, it is a transition from active public service to a well-deserved period of rest, family, community service, and personal pursuits that time may not have permitted while in service.

She also appealed to staff still in service to learn from the retirees’ dedication and commitment. “Let today be a lesson for us. Let us learn from the dedication of our retirees.

“Let us serve with the consciousness that one day, we will also be celebrated in this manner. Let us be punctual, let us be diligent, and let us leave this Ministry better than we met it.”

Speaking on behalf of the retirees, the former Director of Finance and Accounts, Akpan Etop Andy, thanked the Ministry and its management for organising the celebration.

He urged serving staff to remain kind and supportive towards their colleagues, so that they would be remembered positively and spoken of highly by others when they retire.

By George Mgbeleke

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says Rivers State will take centre stage at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York, as his administration moves to showcase the State’s huge investment potentials to the world.

In a statement by his Chief Pres Secretary,Onwuka Nzeshi,the governor said the UNGA platform provides a unique opportunity to market Rivers State as Nigeria’s number one investment destination in oil and gas as well as other critical sectors.

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the conference in New York, the Governor said the essence of his participation at the global meeting is to give visibility to Rivers State and showcase its economic endowments and woo investors to the state.

“The issue is very simple. We’re trying to give visibility to the state and also showcase the areas where God has really endowed us in the oil and gas sector and other aspects of the state.

“I strongly believe that at the end of this conference and other side meetings, business opportunities will be made open and presented to interested investors who might have very serious and immediate needs to come to our dear state, knowing full well the position of Rivers State in the oil and gas industry.

“I also strongly believe that we are also going to make some inroad into financing and investors opportunities for our dear state,” he stated.

Fubara explained that the investment drive at UNGA 81 is in sync with the deliberate economic reforms of his administration, particularly the establishment of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) as a one-stop shop to facilitate and protect investments.

“This is not different from what we have already done before in establishing what we call the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency. What we are doing here will also aid the programme of that agency.

“Overall, I will say that Rivers State will be visible and prominent in this conference and we will come home with some good investments for our dear state,” he stated.

The Governor assured investors that Rivers State remains peaceful, stable, and open for business, with vast opportunities in oil and gas, agriculture, blue economy, manufacturing, and renewable energy.

Rivers State is among the few Nigerian sub-nationals participating actively at UNGA 81, with engagements lined up with development finance institutions, multinational corporations, and diaspora investors.