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Agency Presents Medications To Health Facilities In Zamfara State

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has presented drugs and medicaments to five health facilities in Zamfara State.

The move is to complement the Nigerian Government’s efforts in providing quality healthcare services to victims of the flood, banditry, kidnapping, and social vices.

The items were donated by MAP International, an international charity organisation for medical support.

The benefiting health facilities are Federal Medical Centre Gusau, Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital Gusau, General Hospitals in Talata-Mafara, Gummi and Kaura Namoda.

The Coordinator, Sokoto NEMA’s Operations’ Office, Alhaji Aliyu Shehu-Kafindangi, urged the management of the hospitals to ensure judicious utilisation of the items.

Shehu-Kafindangi was represented by the Head of Planning, Research and Forecasting, NEMA Sokoto Operations Office, Mr. Tukur Abubakar. 

Responding on behalf of the state government, the Deputy Speaker, Zamfara House of Assembly, Alhaji Musa Bawa-Musa, said the gesture was a timely and welcomed development.

Bawa-Musa said ”the gesture was good support from the NEMA and Map International for boosting healthcare services and delivery.”

He appealed to other stakeholders to emulate NEMA, stressing that healthcare delivery required collective responsibility.

Bawa-Musa said; “Both the state government and the House of Assembly, we extend our appreciation to NEMA.”

“We will continue to be committed towards partnership with NEMA and other development partners for the progress of the state and our people.’’ 

The Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Alhaji Mustafa Ahmad, commended NEMA for the gesture.

Ahmad noted that the support for the health sector would reduce the burden of various health challenges due to financial difficulties faced by vulnerable groups in society.

“I once again appreciate NEMA for always considering Zamfara on emergency issues,’’ he added.

The Medical Directors, Federal Medical Centre Gusau and Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital Gusau, Dr. Bello Kwatarkwashi, and Dr. Usman Shanawa, promised judicious use of the items by the hospitals.

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere 

Mourners and Protesters Clash at Cardinal’s Sydney Funeral

Shakirat Sadiq
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At Cardinal George Pell’s funeral in Australia on Thursday, mourners muttered prayers and softly sung hymns but were at times drowned out by protesters condemning him to hell.

The Catholic cleric – who died last of surgery complications last month aged 81 – leaves a complicated legacy.

Formerly one of the Pope’s top aides, he was Australia’s top-ranked Catholic.

“But his public image was tainted by unproven allegations he both concealed and committed child sexual abuse.”

Those allegations loomed large in Sydney on Thursday. At one point, police outside St Mary’s Cathedral intervened to separate angry mourners from chanting protesters. Earlier, one protester was arrested.

Inside the church, where Cardinal Pell served as the city’s archbishop for over a decade, dignitaries including former Prime Ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott filled pews. Hundreds more gathered in a forecourt to watch the ‘requiem Mass’ on big screens.

Noticeably absent were Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet – himself a devout Catholic. Both sent delegates.

In a message read to the congregation, Pope Francis praised Cardinal Pell’s “dedication to the gospel and to the CHURCH,” while Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher lauded him as “giant of the Catholic Church in Australia” who had been wrongly demonised.

Over six decades, Cardinal Pell rose to prominence in the Church as a strong supporter of traditional Catholic Values.

 

 

 

BBC /Shakirat

NAFDAC Arrests 8 Producers Of Unhealthy Yoghurt

Lateefat Ibrahim
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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Niger State, said it arrested eight suspects for allegedly producing unhealthy ice cream, yoghurt and bread.

Mr Shaba Mohammed, Director, North Central Zone of the agency said this on Wednesday in Minna.

She said this after a surveillance by the agency in Suleja area of the state.

“During our surveillance in Suleja today, we discovered a cluster of 15 sites producing unhealthy ice cream, yoghurt and bread for school children in Suleja.

“We immediately swung into action and eight suspects were arrested in connection with the unwholesome practices,” he said.

Mohammed explained that the suspects produced the products and sold to unsuspecting school children in Suleja.

He said that during the raid, one bakery that engaged in using potassium bromate to produce bread, was also discovered.

The Director said that NAFDAC also discovered that the products were not registered and certified by the agency.

“These products are unwholesome, we discovered the use of harmful chemicals in the products.
“The products are being produced in an unhealthy environment.
“Some of these products can cause cholera, cancer and other health issues,” he said.

He admonished parents, guardians and school management to be conscious of what children consume to ensure healthy living.

“We want parents and school management to stop persons into such unwholesome activities from bringing their products into the school environment and report them to NAFDAC,” he said.

Apprehend the real owners

Similarly, the Director of Enforcement in the agency, Mr Francis Ononiwo said the suspects, who were with the police, would be investigated and prosecuted accordingly.

Mr Ahmed Yusuf, an Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer, said that the agency would intensify efforts with the police to apprehend the real owners of the production outlets.

However, the state Coordinator, Mr James Kigbu said that the exercise was a continuous measure to protect and safeguard public health.

NAN/Lateefah Ibrahim

Commission Moves To Tackle Emerging Wages Challenges

Confidence Okwuchi
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The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NSWIC says it is poised to building the capacity of its staff to tackle emerging wages challenges.

The Chairman of the commission, Mr Ekpo Nta, said this while signing a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU between the commission and National Centre for Technology Management NACETEM on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the signing of the document would go a long way in ensuring specialised training modules for the commission in data gathering, research methodology and analytical tools.

According to him, one of the ways for the commission to be abreast of emerging trends with regards to its mandate is to reinvent itself.

“The collaboration that  culminated in the signing of this MoU started in 2020 when we received a proposal from NACETEM  requesting for participants for the trainings they organise.

“Thereafter we met with NACETEM zonal team to work out specialised training module for the commission.

“The meeting led to a capacity building exercise for 55 staff in the operation and other support departments in NSIWC.

“We followed this up with further trainings for staff of the commission in Akure in 2021 and in Abuja in 2022,” he said.

The wages commission boss said the MoU that was signed would help exchange ideas, concepts and training manuals.

He further said it would help with sharing of data for research purposes, among other things.

Nta said it was necessary for government agencies to collaborate to better deliver on their mandates.

 

 

NAN/Confidence Okwuchi

 

Anambra State Sports Commission To Reposition Sports Associations

Emmanuel Ukoh
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The Anambra State Sports Commission in Southeastern Nigeria is set to unveil sports associations for sports development in the state, its Chairman Patrick-Estate Onyedum says.

Onyedum said this during a familiarisation visit to his office by the newly elected Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Mr Tony Nezianya in Awka the state capital.

According to Onyedum, the Commission has taken inventory of the performance and contributions of the previous boards, whose tenures have elapsed.

“We have identified that this will be the way to begin our quest for sports development from the grassroots.

“There is no doubt that a few made sterling contributions for which we are indeed happy but a number of them are moribund.

“We shall seek the approval of the government to reactivate the associations by formally dissolving the previous boards,” Onyedum said.

He said the idea was to use the association to discover the numerous talents that abound in the state which must be made clear to the chairman of their executive committee members.

“We shall certainly have some goals in mind in reconstituting the boards. We shall allow new associations and new sports to be grown in our state.

“They must hold regular meetings and competitions by raising funds from the private sector in support of their sport that will invariably be supported by the government. Government cannot develop sports on its own”.

Onyedum, who served the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, said he hoped to allow relatively new federations to be established in the state.

“We shall allow them so long as it will facilitate the human development index of the state as well as our quest for medals and honours to the state from local and international competitions.

“We do not have all the resources we require to develop our sports and infrastructure. We shall encourage those that will attract the development of infrastructure to support the growth and development of sports in Anambra” Onyedum said.

Affiliate associations

Earlier, Nezianya requested Onyedum to allow federations like the Nigeria Triathlon Federation to start an affiliate Association in the state.

Triathlon, an Olympic sport, comprises three-in-one sports including Cycling, distance running and swimming, where an athlete can win an Olympic Gold by amassing points.

“There are some others that may wish to make similar requests. Let us welcome them. They may be the ones that can secure the state the honours they have been looking for,” he said.

Nezianya had served twice in two Olympiads from 2001 to 2005 and 2005 to 2009.

 

 

 

 

NAN/Emmanuel Ukoh

29 Nigerian Referees Get FIFA Badges

Emmanuel Ukoh
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Twenty-nine Nigerian referees are to officiate as FIFA match officials in the year 2023.

The referees received their badges at a special ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday.

Seven of the referees were badged as centre referees, while another seven were decorated as assistant referees.

Four are women referees and three are women assistant referees.

Another batch of four are beach soccer referees, while another four are futsal referees.

According to NAN only two of the 29 referees, Muhammed Yakubu and Tijjani Ahmad, who are assistant referees are new to the topmost rank of referees.

Below are the names of the referees:

FIFA Referees: Ogabor Joseph; Nurudeen Abubakr; Quadri Adebimpe; Kassim Abdulsalam; Abdullahi Abubakar; Bashir Salihu; Grema Mohammed

FIFA Assistant Referees: Samuel Pwadutakam; Usman Abdulmajeed; Efosa Celestine; Hope Igho; Tejiri Digbori; Muhammed Yakubu; Tijjani Ahmad

FIFA Beach Soccer Referees: Jelili Ogunmuyiwa; Fawole Olawale; Olayinka Olajide; Rabiu Ahmad

FIFA Futsal Referees: Bello Alhassan; Musa Davou; Paul Umuago; Uhah Ndubuisi

FIFA Women Referees: Ndidi Patience; Hannah Eliagwu; Olufunmilayo Alaba; Yemisi Akintoye

FIFA Women Assistant Referees: Mfon Akpan; Beauty Terah; Abibat Yusuf.

 

 

 

 

NAN/Emmanuel Ukoh

Osun Governor Approves Welfare Packages For State, LG Workers

Oluwasola Akintonde
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Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has approved welfare packages for civil servants in the state.
A memo raised to the effect and signed by K.N. Akintola on behalf of the State Head of Service; said payment would take immediate effect.
The memo, titled Matters Affecting Public Servants (Active and Retired), noted that Governor Adeleke had directed immediate payment of arrears of half salaries and cash backing of promotion exercises.
The memo further said the welfare packages were for active and retired workers at the state and Local Government levels.
The Governor’s directives according to the memo, specifically ordered immediate payment of arrears of half salaries for January, 2016.
It further directed subsequent payment of arrears of half salaries once in a quarter, beginning with the second quarter of year 2023.
Other directives as laid out in the memo included: “Monthly payment of arrears of half salaries to Contributory Pensioners (State and Local) who have not received their bonds
with effect from February, 2023.
“Payment of four (4) months outstanding deductions (May and June, 2019, February, 2020 and October, 2022) starting with the immediate payment of May 2019 deduction and the other three
(3) months deductions at once per quarter; and cash backing of the years 2019 to 2022 promotion exercises”.
The memo was addressed to Senior Management Services, The Permanent Secretary, Local Government Staff Pension Board, The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget & Development, The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs and Office of the Accountant General of the state.

 

 

Olusola Akintonde

Murder Charges After Football Fans Clash in Uganda

Emmanuel Ukoh
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At least two Ugandan football fans are facing murder charges after a man was killed in the capital, Kampala in a row over the result of a match in England.

A youth councillor died from stab wounds after intervening in a fight after Arsenal lost to Manchester City on Friday.

Allan Kakumba died moments after being admitted to the hospital the following day, the Daily Monitor newspaper reports.

Police said in a statement that two suspects were in custody.

“We shall be arraigning the suspect in court soon,” the spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police, Luke Oweyesigire said.

Mr Oweyesigire said Mr Kakumba, 25, had intervened when his brother Titus Kyendo, an Arsenal fan, was caught up in a fight with Manchester City supporters.

This comes less than a week after an Arsenal fan was bludgeoned to death in Adjumani in the West Nile district.

Richard Ukuyo was hit on the back of the head with a club after infuriating an anguished Manchester United supporter following Arsenal’s victory against them last month.

Police said the deceased was a well-known Arsenal fan.

He had been arguing over Eddie Nketiah’s last-gasp goal for Arsenal, according to local online site Daily Express.

Fanatic followership

English football is widely followed in Uganda, as in many countries across Africa.

Its popularity has been further boosted by the spread of betting, which may explain why some are taking the results even more seriously than in the past, according to Joseph Kabuleta, former head of the Uganda Sports Press Association.

The resurgence of Arsenal this season has given their fans rare hope, which some have taken to extreme lengths.

When Arsenal beat rivals Manchester United 3-2 in January to go five points clear at the top of the Premier League, eight Arsenal fans were arrested in the eastern city of Jinja after they paraded through the streets with a replica Premier League trophy to celebrate the win.

Police said the group did not have a permit to hold the procession, which is a public order offence in Uganda.

 

 

 

 

BBC/Emmanuel Ukoh

Lagos Opens 18.7km Six-lane Expressway

Confidence Okwuchi
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Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has delivered and opened the first phase of the reconstruction and upgrading of the18.75-kilometre road at Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway.

The 18.75-kilometre long stretch from Eleko to Epe T-Junction which was hitherto a two-lane rural roadway, is now upgraded to a six-lane rigid concrete carriageway, accompanied with basic Infrastructure.

The construction feat according to the government marked a significant improvement in the effort to redevelop the rural road, built over 40 years ago.

Positive Impact

The Governor said the development marked another effort by his administration at investing in infrastructure that would impact positively on the socio-economic well-being of the residents.

Before the intervention, Sanwo-Olu said the expressway was in critical condition, creating agony for travellers and causing pain in the movement of goods and services.

“Inauguration of this road project we are opening today is coming after 40 years the infrastructure was originally constructed as a rural cross-section without drain. Our administration flagged off the reconstruction and upgrading of the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway from the existing two-lane to a three-lane dual carriageway with a reinforced concrete pavement and with a lane in each direction dedicated for trucks to accommodate the envisaged axle loads.

“This event does not only mark the opening of Phase 1 of the project, we are also flagging off the commencement of the Phase 2 of the work. The entire project will set the Lekki-Epe corridor on the path of socio-economic prosperity and progress. This corridor is fast emerging as an urban economic hub. The growth must come with infrastructure investment that will support the development. The infrastructure will not only bring relief to residents plying the road, it will also ease the transportation of goods, while encouraging industrial development in the Lekki Free Zone.” he said.

Sanwo-Olu who appreciated the Community Development Associations for their support urged however residents to take ownership of the infrastructure, asking them to protect its facilities from vandals in order to continue to serve them.

Second Phase

After inaugurating the completed first phase of the road, Sanwo-Olu immediately flagged off the second phase of the road project, which will extend the construction from Eleko axis to Abraham Adesanya Roundabout.

The Governor said the project’s second phase would be done in two segments for ease of funding and to reduce the traffic impact of the construction work on commuters.

The 18.6km first segment, Sanwo-Olu said, would take off from Eleko to Awoyaya and to critical sections around Majek and Ogidan. Second segment, which is 11km, will kick off at Ogidan to Abraham Adesanya Roundabout.

Long Overdue

Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, said the Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway was long overdue for upgrading, given its deplorable condition that reduced journey from 35 minutes to over four hours.

She said the commuters’ pains were compounded by upsurge in activities of Lekki recently commissioned Deep Sea Port, Dangote Refinery and other multinational businesses sites around the Lekki Free Trade Zone corridor.

Adeyoye said repairs hitherto carried out on the carriageway only delivered short-term and could no longer be sustainable, justifying the need for permanent solution to address drainages, outfalls and weariness.

According to her “The reconstruction of the Lekki-Epe Expressway is, no doubt, a laudable project that will impact positively the lives of residents, eliminate traffic gridlocks, drastically reduce the travel time of commuters, and businesses as well as improve the socio-economic activities around the axis. I, therefore, implore us all as stakeholders to take ownership of it and be wary of vandals by carefully guarding it so it can continue to serve us as long as we so desire.”

Chairman of Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area, Mr. Abdullah Olowa, expressed appreciation to the Governor for delivering the project at a record time, stressing that the delivery of the first phase of the infrastructure had started changing residents’ agonising story.

 

Confidence Okwuchi

Malawi Suspends Anti-Graft Chief

Christopher Ojilere
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The head of Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau, ACB Martha Chizuma, has been suspended over a leaked piece of audio.

According to the piece of audio, she can allegedly be heard discussing official matters with a person not employed by her office.

Report says the comments that she allegedly made could prejudice the trial of people charged with corruption.

The audio was leaked a year ago and at the time President Lazarus Chakwera said that it was recorded and circulated in a bid to force him to sack her.

Ms. Chizuma remained in the job with the president’s backing and went ahead to indict several high-profile officials, including Vice-President Saulos Chilima and a cabinet minister, on various corruption-related charges.

They have denied wrongdoing.

On Wednesday, her suspension was announced by the secretary to the cabinet, Colen Zamba, but some legal experts have questioned the protocol used.

President Chakwera’s office has not commented on the suspension.

 

BBC/Christopher Ojilere

 

 

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