Voice of Nigeria Broadcasting Service

Nigerian Government urges NARD to go back to work

Health

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August 6, 2021

The Nigerian minister of health, Dr Osagie Ehanire has urged Resident Doctors to go back to work, especially at this critical time of pandemic.

The minister reiterated government’s commitment to protect the lives of its citizens and advised the National Association of Resident Doctors to shelve the strike in the interest of the citizens.

Dr Osagie made the call while addressing journalists in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on the issue of the industrial action by the National Association of Resident Doctors.

The Minister also said that going on strike was not the best thing to do because it can put the lives of many people at risk and the image of the profession.

He assured Resident Doctors that the government is on its side to help resolve all issues raised by them.

“ I advise young doctors that going on strike is not the best thing to do, it is not the best thing to do at all, not because it can only put the lives of innocent people at risk some money no matter how much but am also worried because as a doctor, I also have concerns about our image before the public, whether the public is beginning to lose respect for our profession or not, we must bear that in mind, this is the third time we are seeing a strike of this nature this year’’ Dr. Ehanire said.

The minister also said that at the time when the country is facing the third wave of COVID-19.

“I want to assure you that we are on your side to help you resolve the issues but striking is not a tool to use at this time of need and I want to advise that you go back to work. We need to correct some of the impression that have been given, there have been some disinformation and misinformation that if not state the fact accurately or completely or in the true colour, so the ministry of health have received the communiqué issued by the national executive council of the Nigeria Association Resident Doctors known as NARD in a letter dated 25th of June and in the served letter the communiqué raised 12 observations and resolutions after due consideration of the demand that NARD made an approval was granted that NARD be engaged in talks with the department of hospitals services that supervises the activities on behave of the federal ministry of health” the minister said.

The minister said that engagement wad ongoing to seek an amicable resolution of issues for a quick resolution of all problems.

“7 out of the 12 issues raised by NARD are for state government while 5 of the issues are for federal government which federal governments are on processes level, so I will like to advise NARD that if they have any issue with state, they should limit the solution to the issue with that state government” he said.

The minister urged all resident doctors to please go back to work so the effort of the government to protect the lives of citizens will not be wasted at this critical time.

Africa reports highest COVID-19 weekly death toll

Health

Mosunmola Ore

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August 6, 2021

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that weekly deaths from COVID-19 in Africa had reached a record peak in the week that ended on Aug. 1, marking the highest seven-day toll since the onset of the pandemic in the continent.

This was disclosed by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, disclosed this in a briefing to Correspondents at the UN headquarters, in New York, on the COVID-19 situation in Africa.

“More than 6,400 deaths were recorded in the week, marking the highest seven-day toll since the onset of the pandemic on the continent.

“South Africa and Tunisia accounted for more than 55 per cent of the fatalities.

“WHO said that the latest data shows that Africa is still on the crest of the third wave, though vaccine shipments to Africa are ramping up, with nearly 12 million doses having arrived through COVAX in July,’’ he said.

“The continent had so far received 91 million doses, with some 24 million people, just 1.7 per cent of Africa’s population – fully vaccinated.

“Africa needs up to 183 million more doses to fully vaccinate 10 per cent of its population by the end of September.

“It needs up to 729 million more doses to meet the end of year goal of fully vaccinating 30 per cent of Africa’s population.’’ Dujarric said.

Briefing on Ethiopia, Dujarric said the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs had confirmed the arrival of humanitarian supplies in Tigray, on Wednesday.

He said 175 trucks with humanitarian supplies, including food, non-food items, and fuel had arrived in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray.

“These include 50 trucks that crossed into Tigray over the past month with the remaining trucks crossing only in recent days.

“These are among at least 223 trucks with humanitarian supplies for the UN and international NGOs that left Semera, the capital of the Afar Region, toward Mekelle.

“Most of the remaining trucks are being scanned at a checkpoint and a few trucks are in Abala, the last entry point into Tigray. Two trucks were reportedly blocked by civilians and looted at a checkpoint in Afar, 97 km from Semera, on 28 July,’’ the official said.

He quoted OCHA as stressing that while this recent entry of supplies was a positive step, it was still insufficient, with an estimated 100 trucks needed every day to assist 5.2 million people in need.

MTO/Punch

CSO campaigns to address ill-practices against humans

Nigeria

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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August 6, 2021

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A Civil Society Organisation in Abuja Nigeria’s capital, ” Afrodition Consults Limited” (ACL) has taken steps by leading a campaign that would address ill-practices that are against the well-being of people in the society.

During a programme tagged, ‘The effect of ethnic and religious bias on mental health in Nigeria’ recently organised by the group, the leader of the group, Bashirat Abdulwahab said the initiative was to bridge the gap of taboos and stigmatization against some persons in the society.

The group explained that there is no health without mental health, “we understand the role our cultural and religious upbringing could play in our mental and emotional well-being and our daily living.

“This is why we put together this conference in association with Woddi to discuss, taboos and stigmas of the effect of ethnic and religious bias on mental health in Nigeria”.

She said that more plans are underway to work out effective solutions and action plans to effectively bring solutions to communities.

The group said its solutions include early help and support for substance misuse-induced mental health, perinatal mental health, dedicated dementia support service and dedicated autism support service.

Others are children and adolescent mental health, workplace stress and continuity of care (aftercare services) to those that have received clinical intervention.

However, Special Assistant/Focal Person to the Minister of State for the FCT on Social Investment Programme (SIP) Mrs. Chinwendu Eteyen Amba – who represented the Minister of State for FCT, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu commended the initiative.

There were other key presentations from the president of Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Abuja, Jumai Ahmadu, with Chairman Senate Committee on Health and Chairman House Committee on Health Care Services.

Nnenna.O

Abia community cries out for help over erosion menace

News Feature

Kamila Bello

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August 6, 2021

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Abia state residents of Arochukwu community in Arochukwu Local Government cries out for help by both the federal and the state government to support their efforts towards fixing the road abandoned for over 20 years, as erosion threatens their only link road.

The one-kilometer road in Agbagwu village links the Arochukwu/Ohafia federal road with the Old Ministry of Works and Housing garage, the Abia Hotel complex, churches, schools and residential buildings in the area.

Some indigenes of the community who narrated their ordeal following the collapse of the road described their experience as hellish.

According to one of the residents, Mr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu, apart from the deplorable nature of the road, gully erosion had also eaten up a great portion of the road.

“For many years we have forgotten about driving our cars into our houses, until recently when one of our brother’s Pastor and Mrs Eberechkwu Oji, decided to intervene in fixing the road.

“They were the people that started the drainage work that is ongoing on this road, that is why we are calling on the government and other good-spirited individuals to collaborate with them and complete the job for the benefits of all and sundry.

“This road is very strategic because it connects many villages to our Central market, Hospital, Police station. But most importantly this road leads to the Abia Hotel complex which used to be a big tourist centre in this community starting from the old Imo state but is now abandoned for many years.”

Pastor Eberechkwu Oji, confirmed that the quest to contribute his quotas to society made him take up the onerous responsibility of fixing the road through the Nestar Corporate Services Limited.

He said that he had spent over N10 million in managing the road while urging Government to come to the rescue of his people.

“My wife and I embarked on the project to give back to our hometown. My house is on the road and I was shocked to see that erosion had completely destroyed the road and it was no longer motorable. People who live on both ends of the road have to suffer a long journey to cross what was ordinarily a short road.

“We need partners, both private individuals of like minds, corporate organizations, government agencies like the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, the Niger Delta Development Commission, and the Ministry of Works to join hands with us to fast track and complete the road construction work,” he added.

Kamila/Vanguard

Olympics: Nigerian Wrestler Idris Adijat Outclassed By Ukraine’s Livach

Sports

Chidi Uduma Nwoke

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August 6, 2021

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Team Nigeria’s hopes of adding another medal was ended after Idris Adijat, fighting in the women’s freestyle 50 kg Wrestling event, succumbed to the superior power of Oksana Livach of Ukraine at the Tokyo Olympics on Friday.

Idris had no answer to everything Livach threw at her as the Nigerian lost 10-0 to bow out of the games. The outcome of Idris’ result means Team Nigeria can no longer contest for a medal.

Team Nigeria currently ranks 71st on the medals table that has 81 participating countries and the log is subject to change considering a few games that will go down before the end of the games in a couple of days.

Read more: Team Nigeria’s 2020 Tokyo Olympics Day 15 Preview

Lionel Messi Set For Barcelona Departure

Sports

Chidi Uduma Nwoke

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August 6, 2021

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Barcelona legend Lionel Messi will leave the club despite both parties having reached an agreement over a new contract, the La Liga club said, citing economic and structural obstacles to the renewal of the deal.

The Six-time Ballon d’Or winner, who joined Barcelona’s youth set-up at the age of 13, is the club’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals in 778 games in all competitions.

Messi was free to negotiate a transfer with other clubs after his deal ran out at the end of June, but Barcelona had always maintained he wanted to stay with the club. Messi has spent his entire career at Barcelona and had been expected to sign a new five-year deal with the Catalan club, which would have included a salary reduction of 50%.

“Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish La Liga regulations),” Barcelona said in a statement.

“As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.”

“FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life.”

Barcelona needed to financially restructure in order to get the deal over the line, which proved impossible in the end as they failed to reduce their wage bill and stay within La Liga’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

Read more: Messi arrives in Barcelona to sign new deal

La Liga chief Javier Tebas said last month that Barcelona, who have a total debt of more than 1 billion euros ($1.18 billion), would not be shown any leniency when it comes to obeying the league’s strict financial control rules.

The news of Messi’s exit comes a day after La Liga agreed in principle to sell 10% of a newly formed company housing most of its business to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners for 2.7 billion euros ($3.2 billion).

Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.

Team Nigeria’s 2020 Tokyo Olympics Day 15 Preview

Sports

Chidi Uduma Nwoke

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August 6, 2021

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Voice of Nigeria brings the full schedule of all Team Nigeria events on Day 15 of the Olympic Games taking place in Tokyo. Follow us for the latest fixtures and results of the ongoing 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Idris Adijat (WRESTLING)

Nigerian wrestler Idris Adijat will be competing against Livach Oksana of Ukraine in the Women’s Freestyle 50kg Round of 16 match by 3am at the Makuhari Messe Hall A Mat B and C in Tokyo, Japan.

Adijat, 19, qualified for Tokyo 2020 after a runner-up finish at the 2021 African & Oceania Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament.

Read more: Aisha Buhari Cup: Lagos commits to showcase football extravaganza

Nigerian Government restates commitment to equip, motivate Armed Forces

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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August 6, 2021

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The Minister of Defence retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi has reiterated the Nigerian Government’s commitment to equip and motivate the personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria adequately to achieve their statutory mandate.

The Minister gave the assurance at the inauguration of the National Defence College (NDC) 1st Directing Staff Quarters at the college’s permanent site in Piwoyi, Abuja.

He said the inauguration of the first two 9-storey buildings of 56 flats and 56 units of boys’ quarters for NDC was in fulfilment of the government’s commitment.

According to Magashi, for any organisation to succeed, it requires the services of a vibrant and well-motivated workforce.

He said that effectiveness could only be achieved when the expectations of staff were met through the provision of welfare facilities such as a befitting accommodation.

“It is, therefore, my firm belief that the accommodation will further motivate the staff to perform their duties expeditiously.

“As Minister of Defence, I shall continue to encourage and galvanise efforts towards ensuring that the armed forces is sufficiently equipped, well trained and adequately motivated to achieve their statutory mandate.

“The ministry of defence, under my leadership will continue to support the National Defence College at all times in sustaining its achievements as a centre of excellence and attain further enviable heights among other defence colleges globally.

“I also assured my full support in fast-tracking the completion of other ongoing projects in the college to ensure its relocation to the permanent site here in Piwoyi within the shortest possible time.

“The block of 56 flats and 56 Boys’ Quarters, being commissioned here today is a testimony of the president’s resolve to ensure the Nigerian military is given the necessary support in terms of training, capacity development and improved welfare towards achieving its constitutional mandates,” he said.

The minister said that the timely completion of this building project that started in 2018 was another demonstration of the government’s resolve to improve the welfare of the armed forces.

He said that the new edifice would substantially reduce accommodation challenges currently facing the college and also improve the living conditions of the staff.

He commended the commandant and management of NDC for the timely completion of the project and urged the occupants to make good use of the facilities by observing an effective maintenance culture.

The Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), Rear Adm. Oladele Daji, said the new edifice would help to ameliorate the challenge of accommodation being faced by the college over the years.

Daji said that concerted efforts had been made towards the relocation of the college from its current temporary sites in the Central Business District to the permanent site since 2007.

He said that the contract for infrastructural development and building construction was awarded in 2007, adding that the projects suffered some delays due to budgetary constraints and inflation.

“The relocation of the college to the permanent site will ensure that both the faculty and administrative staff operate from a commonplace, thereby ensuring that college activities are well harmonised.

“Currently, most of the college staff reside in different locations such as Gwarimpa, Apo, Maitama and Ushafa.

“Recently, there has been pressure from the FCT Administration for the college to relocate its staff residing at Apo following the sales of the Apo quarters.

“With the completion of the directing staff quarter 1, a sizable number of staff will be relocated from Apo while the remaining will be relocated on completion of the directing staff quarters 2 sometime in 2023,” he said.

The commandant said that the college had completed four blocks of building housing its participants and some members of staff while the work on the administrative building was ongoing.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the minister of defence for giving the college the needed support to make it a centre of excellence.

NAN/Nnenna.O

COVID-19: Nigeria confirms 566 new cases, 11 deaths

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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August 6, 2021

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Nigeria has confirmed 566 new cases of the deadly coronavirus also known as COVID-19.

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control NCDC, while confirming the cases on Thursday night via its official website, stated that 11 deaths were recorded.

According to the NCDC, the cases were confirmed from 12 states-Lagos (283), Akwa Ibom (88), Oyo (62), Rivers (62), FCT (18), Ogun (17), Ekiti (12), Kwara (11), Plateau (6), Zamfara (3), Kaduna (2), and Katsina (2).

These new figures bring the total confirmed cases to 176,577 with 165,323 discharged and 2178 deaths.

More Terrorists surrender to troops in North East

Lateefat Ibrahim

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August 5, 2021

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56 terrorists and their families have laid down their arms abandoning the groups and their illicit course.

This is as a result of sustained air and artillery bombardments on the enclaves of terrorists in Sambisa forest and its environment.

The terrorists groups have in recent times suffered enormous set back and recorded several casualties as a result of ferocious offensives by gallant troops of Operation Hadin Kai.

According to a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyeam Nwachukwu, eighteen male fighters of the terrorists groups came out to surrender to own troops with their arms and ammunition, along with their families including 18 adult females and 19 children from Chingori and other surrounding villages around the Sambisa forest of Borno State, North East Nigeria on Wednesday 4 August 2021.

The arms recovered from the surrendered terrorists include, 5 AK 47 rifles, 1 foreign AK 47 rifle with telescopic sight, 1 Fabrique Nationale rifle, 8 AK 47 rifle magazines, 1 FN rifle magazine, 1 Bandolier, 3 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition and the sum of Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred naira (#7,700.00) only.

A Boko Haram fighter from Abuja Asamau Village in Sambisa Forest also surrendered to own troops of with his AK 47 rifle, 2 magazines, 1 Magazine holder, 1 round of 7.62mm special and the sum of Five Thousand Naira (N5,000:).

In less than 2 weeks, over 100 BHTs/ISWAP terrorists and their families have succumbed to ferocious offensive operations of Nigerian troops by laying down their arms and giving up the fight as their enclaves are being bombarded by the combined efforts of the Air component and ground troops of Operation Hadin Kai.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya has lauded the troops for their effort and charged them to remain dedicated and committed in the fight, until the terrorists are completely decimated.

Lateefah Ibrahim

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