The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced the release of the 2024 SSCE internal results.

This was made known by the NECO Registrar/Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Wushishi, during a press briefing on Thursday, September 19, 2024, in Minna.

Additionally, Professor Wushishi revealed that NECO had blacklisted 21 supervisors across 12 states, and de-recognized one school in Ekiti State due to widespread cheating in three subjects.

Steps to Check NECO 2024 Results Online:

1. Visit the NECO Portal: Go to https://www.neco.gov.ng, the only official platform for checking results.
2. Select ‘NECO Results’: On the homepage, choose the ‘NECO Results’ option.
3. This will direct you to the result-checking section. Alternatively, you can directly visit https://results.neco.gov.ng.
4. Enter Examination Details: Provide your exam year (2024), exam type (June/July or Nov/Dec), and your unique examination number.
5. Input Your Token: Purchase the result-checker token from the NECO website or authorised retailers. Enter the token in the appropriate field.
6. View Your Results: After entering the necessary details, click ‘Check Results’. Your results will be displayed within a few seconds.

Special Notes:

Tokens can be purchased from: a) The official NECO website for secure transactions. b) Authorised third-party retailers. Ensure they are officially approved by NECO.

A result-checker token allows you to check a candidate’s result up to five times. Any further checks will require using the NECO E-Verify Result Verification Portal.

The Presidency has announced that President Bola Tinubu will not be attending the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.

According to a statement released by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, President Tinubu has decided to prioritise domestic issues and address the country’s challenges, particularly in the aftermath of the recent devastating flooding.

As a result, Vice President Kashim Shettima has been directed to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA 79.

During the session, which runs from September 24 to 28, 2024, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, participate in key sideline events, and engage in bilateral meetings.

The high-level general debate will focus on the theme “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, South West zone, on Thursday rejected the N70,000 minimum wage that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) negotiated, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

They urged organised labour to return to the negotiating table while blaming them for allowing the Federal Government to trick them into accepting the amount in the first place.

The NUP Southwest noted that before the N70,000 was even implemented, the federal government had gone ahead to further increase the price of petrol, saying that the NLC and TUC that went into that negotiation were blindfolded and naïve.

The pensioners also said that they wholeheartedly support the autonomy of the local government, provided that whatever arrangement is being put in place, the pensions of primary school teachers and the local government pensioners at the local level are not to be tampered with.

The NUP Zonal Public Relations Officer and Secretary of Oyo State NUP, Dr Olusegun Abatan, stated this in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while addressing newsmen after the zonal meeting of the pensioners.

He said that labour leaders ought to be more clever when dealing with politicians.

“There are two burning issues that we need to put forward to the public domain. The first issue is the agreement between labour and the Federal Government over the minimum wage of N70,000,” he said.

“The NUP Southwest debated it extensively and we found out that before the N70,000 was even implemented, the federal government had gone ahead to further increase the price of petrol. And we concluded that the two labour centres that went into that negotiation were blindfolded; they went there naïve.

“They forgot that when you are dining with the devil, your spoon must be very long, and when you are dining with the politicians, your spoon must be longer than that of the devil. So, the federal government took advantage of their naivety and the inexperience of Comrade Ajaero and Osifo by tricking them into accepting N70,000 and that they would not increase fuel prices.

“But no sooner did they agree than the federal government went ahead to increase the price. To that extent, the NUP Southwest is rejecting the minimum wage that the labour has negotiated and advises that they should go back to the negotiating table and insist on the N250,000 they initially wanted.

“What is the value of N70,000? It is just about sixty litres of fuel. We say they should return to the negotiating table, and if going on strike will bring about an improvement, then we will support it. These people are not reducing their level of enjoyment; rather, their level of profligacy is increasing minute by minute. It is only the workers that are expected to tighten their belts; they don’t even have belts because their stomachs are too big to take a belt.”

On Local Government Autonomy, Abatan said, “NUP wholeheartedly supports it. But with the condition that whatever arrangement is being put in place, the pensions of primary school teachers and the local government pensioners at the local level are not to be tampered with. The salaries of working teachers should also continue. The salaries of LG workers and allowances of the traditional rulers should be taken care of as the first-line charges.”

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have retained their 39th position in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings released on Thursday. During the review period, the Super Eagles played two matches.

They secured a 3-0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic and were held to a 0-0 draw by the Amavubi of Rwanda. Both matches were qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

On the African continent, the three-time AFCON champions are ranked sixth.

The top five teams in Africa are Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire, and Tunisia.

The kitchen, often considered the heart of the home, has evolved into a space where functionality meets style. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of interior design, 2024 brings forth a fresh wave of kitchen trends that blend innovation, sustainability, and timeless elegance. In this article, we’ll delve into the most sought-after kitchen styles, exploring their defining features, materials, and color palettes to inspire your next renovation or design project.

1. Modern Farmhouse

Characterized by:

• Exposed beams and shiplap.
• Rustic wood accents.
• Matte black fixtures.
• Soft neutral color schemes.

Image: A modern farmhouse kitchen featuring reclaimed wood cabinets, metal pendant lights, and a large island.

2. Industrial Chic

Defined by:

• Exposed brick and concrete.
• Metal accents and piping.
• Reclaimed wood.
• Bold color contrasts.

Image: An industrial-chic kitchen showcasing metal beam ceilings, concrete countertops, and vintage appliances.

3. Coastal Cool

Features:

• Light, airy color palettes
• White or pastel-hued cabinets
• Natural textures (woven baskets, jute rugs)
• Glass or stainless steel accents

Image: A coastal kitchen with soft blue cabinets, white marble countertops, and a nautical-themed backsplash.

4. Mid-Century Modern

Characterized by:

• Clean lines and minimal ornamentation
• Walnut or teak cabinetry
• Retro-inspired appliances
• Bold, geometric patterns

Image: A mid-century modern kitchen featuring walnut cabinets, vintage-style lighting, and a geometric-tiled backsplash.

5. Scandinavian Minimalism

Defined by:

• Light woods (birch, beech)
• Minimal ornamentation
• Functional, handle-less cabinets
• Monochromatic color schemes

Image: A Scandinavian-inspired kitchen with birch cabinets, a minimalist island, and sleek, handle-less drawers.

6. Rustic Reimagined

Features:

• Reclaimed or distressed wood
• Earthy color palettes
• Natural stone or brick
• Vintage decorative accents

Image: A rustic kitchen with reclaimed wood cabinets, natural stone countertops, and vintage metalware.

7. Smart Kitchens

Characterized by:

• Integrated smart home technology
• Touchless faucets and voice-controlled appliances
• High-gloss finishes
• Sleek, modern cabinetry

Image: A smart kitchen featuring touchless faucets, voice-controlled lighting, and a sleek, high-gloss island.

8. Sustainable Kitchens

Defined by:

• Eco-friendly materials (recycled glass, bamboo)
• Energy-efficient appliances
• Water-conserving fixtures
• Natural, non-toxic finishes

Image: A sustainable kitchen showcasing recycled glass countertops, bamboo cabinets, and energy-efficient appliances.

As we explore these trending kitchen styles, remember to balance functionality with personal taste. Whether you’re drawn to modern farmhouse charm or Scandinavian minimalism, incorporate elements that reflect your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. With inspiration from these designs, create a kitchen that’s both beautiful and functional – the perfect heart of your home.

The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Haitham Al Ghais, has attributed rising fuel costs primarily to the taxes imposed by major oil-consuming nations, rather than the price of oil itself.

In a recent statement, Al Ghais clarified that fuel prices at the pump are influenced by multiple factors, including crude oil prices, refining, transportation, marketing costs, oil company margins, and most notably, taxes.

His comments come at a time when Nigeria has witnessed several petrol price hikes over the past year.

The latest increase, announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on Monday, saw prices rise to between N950 and N1,019.22 per liter at its retail outlets.

Al Ghais emphasized that revenues generated by oil-producing countries are frequently reinvested into their domestic oil sectors, supporting activities such as exploration, production, and transportation.

However, he noted that governments in oil-consuming nations collect substantial revenue through taxes on petroleum products.

He pointed out that in 2023, taxes made up an average of 44 percent of the final retail fuel price in Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, showing a year-on-year increase.

For many consumers, he explained, these taxes have a greater impact on their wallets than the crude oil price itself.

“It is the sovereign right of countries to set their own tax policies,” Al Ghais remarked.

“But when concerns arise about the impact of high fuel prices on people’s disposable income, it’s crucial to remember how much of the cost is due to taxes funneled to finance ministries globally.”