Voice of Nigeria Broadcasting Service

President Buhari renews governing council tenures, appoints new Chancellors

Emmanuel Ukoh

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July 8, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the renewal of tenures of Prof Attahiru Jega and Prof. Peter Okebukola as Chairmen Governing Councils of the University of Jos and the National Open University of Nigeria, respectively.

The President also approved the reconstitution of tenures of 21 other Federal Universities and four Inter-University Centres, IUCs.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu made this known on Thursday in Abuja while briefing journalists on key developments in the education sector.

On the list of the Chairmen of Councils of Federal universities are Dr Sonny Kuku, the Chairman of Council for the University of Benin; Mallam Adamu Fika, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Former Minister of State for Education Anthony Anwukah, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurum; Udoma Udo Udoma, Bayero University Kano, and Prof Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo to serve as the Chairman governing Council of University of Abuja.

Also the tenure of retired Gen. Martin Lurther Agwai as the Chairman council of University of Calabar was renewed as well as that of Senator Abubakar Sodangi, Micheal Okpara University, Senator Jack Tilley Gyado; Federal University of Technology Owerri, Prof Olu Obafemi, Federal University of Technology Minna among others.

For the four Inter-University centres, Prof Remi Sonaiya, National French village, Badagry and Prof James Adedayo Oguntuwase as the Chairman governing Council of the National Mathematical Centre Abuja.

According to the Minister, “the Councils, which are intended to reinvigorate governance through appropriate policies and guidance to the Institutions, would be inaugurated on Thursday, 15th July, 2021”.

Appointment of Chancellors

In a related development, the President also approved the appointment and reassignment of Chancellors to 42 Federal Universities. The exercise will also replace deceased Chancellors of some Federal Universities.

The Obi of Onitsha, Obi Ofala Nnaemeka Alfred, is re-assigned as the Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto, University of Ibadan; Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, CFR, the Etsu Nupe, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, University of Lagos and Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero Emir of Kano as the Pro-chancellor of University of Calabar.

Others are Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, University of Benin; Alayeluwa Oba Rilwanu Babatunde Akiolu I, Oba of Lagos, Usmanu Danfodiyo University; Da Jacob Gyang Buba, Gbong Gwon Jos, Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Oba Aremu Gbadebo Alake of Egbala, Alex Ekwueme University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State among others

The Minister added that the Royal Fathers are expected to be the moral compass of the various universities to which they are assigned.

“They have been taken from their kingdoms and primary constituencies to other kingdoms and these appointments are expected to play a role in cementing relationships between communities in the country”

Emmanuel Ukoh

S.Africa’s ex-leader Zuma may be out of jail in 4 months

Africa

Oluwasola Akintonde

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July 8, 2021

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South Africa’s ex-president Jacob Zuma, whose decision to turn himself in to start a 15-month jail term was seen a victory for the post-Apartheid state’s efforts to enforce the rule of law, could be out in four months, the justice minister said on Thursday.

Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said outside Estcourt Correctional Centre, where Zuma was being held, that the former leader would be eligible for parole.

Zuma stunned his compatriots late on Wednesday by handing himself in to police, after initially indicating he regarded the sentence as biased and illegitimate.

The constitutional court ordered Zuma jailed last week for refusing to give evidence at an inquiry into corruption covering his period in power from 2009 to 2018.

It marked a fall from grace for one of the leading lights of the African National Congress (ANC), who was jailed by South Africa’s white minority rulers for his efforts to establish a state that would treat all citizens fairly.

Zuma’s alleged tendency to flout the law however alarmed many former comrades and initiated the inquiries against him.

“This is not a moment of celebration or triumphalism, it is a moment of restraint and to be human,” Lamola said, promising to treat Zuma like any other inmate.

The allegations against Zuma have divided the ANC, which includes a powerful pro-Zuma camp. Over the weekend, hundreds of supporters, some with guns and spears, threatened to fight to prevent his arrest.

Jail

Experts said Zuma’s legal options were running out.

He has already asking the court to cancel his sentence, saying he has been unfairly treated and might succumb to COVID-19 in jail.

“There are no grounds for such an application,” Executive secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, Lawson Naidoo, said.

Zuma’s efforts would only work “if there was an obvious error of fact in the judgment, which is not the case, (or) the applicant did not participate through no fault of their own, and in this case Mr Zuma deliberately opted not to,” Naidoo said.

Lamola said strict COVID-19 protocols will be followed in jail.

The court will hear his application on Monday.

Zuma, 79, denies widespread corruption and has maintained he was the victim of a political witch-hunt.

The inquiry commission is examining allegations that he allowed three Indian-born businessmen, Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta, to plunder state resources and peddle influence over government policy. He and the Gupta brothers, who have fled to Dubai, deny wrongdoing.

Zuma also faces another case relating to a $2 billion arms deal in 1999 when he was deputy president. He denies the charges.

“It is tempting to regard Mr Zuma’s arrest as the end of the road. But this is merely another phase in what we believe will be a long and fraught journey,” the Nelson Mandela Foundation said.

“It is vital that Mr Zuma and his supporters be held accountable every step of the way,” it added.

Olusola Akintonde/Reuters/Africa

Colombia protests: Rights Body Criticises forceful response

World

Oluwasola Akintonde

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July 8, 2021

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An international human rights body has condemned Colombia for “excessive and disproportionate” use of force in response to this year’s anti-government protests, in which dozens died.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights also said the security forces used “lethal force” in many situations.

The government said those cases were the exception, and that claims of abuse were already under investigation.

The protests were largely peaceful but occasionally turned violent.

They started in April amid anger over a proposed reform that would have lowered the threshold at which salaries are taxed. The plan was withdrawn but the protests grew to cover other issues including police violence and poverty.

The country’s ombudsman said more than 50 deaths linked to clashes between the security forces and demonstrators. About 2,300 civilians and members of the security forces have been injured.

The long-awaited report by the commission, an autonomous arm of the Organization of American States, was published based on a visit in June, when it interviewed more than 500 people.

The allegations of human rights violations include the indiscriminate use of firearms by police against both protesters and bystanders, gender-based violence and claims of sexual abuse.

“The commission confirmed that, repeatedly and in various regions of the country, the response of the state was characterised by excessive and disproportionate use of force.”

The commission’s president, Antonia Urrejola said.

“In many cases those actions included lethal force.” She added.

The report urged the government to investigate the accusations of abuse, punish those responsible and compensate victims and their families. It also said the national police should be removed from defence ministry control, a long-held demand from protesters.

Reacting to the report, the Colombian government said the constitution allowed the police to be managed by the defence ministry, and that officers were not allowed to use lethal firearms at protests.

President Iván Duque has come under criticism for how the security forces responded to the demonstrations. Speaking to journalists, he said he was “respectful of peaceful protest’ but not vandalism’ [or] low intensity urban terrorism.”

He rejected a recommendation to revoke an automatic ban on the use of road blocks as a form of protest, saying: “No-one can recommend that a country be tolerant of criminal acts.”

The major protest groups have temporarily suspended demonstrations.

Olawunmi Sadiq/Aljazeera

Ebonyi records 12 suspected cases of cholera, 3 deaths

Health

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July 8, 2021

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Ebonyi state has recorded 12 suspected cases of cholera outbreak and 3 deaths in Amachi-Igwebuike village of Agba in Ishielu Local Government Area.

The Acting Commissioner for Health, Dr. Richard Nnabu who confirmed it, immediately after the visit of the State Epidemiologist to the area said that, the outbreak has so far been put under control.

“Three deaths and 12 suspected cases were being handled at Agba General Hospital, sensitization and enlightenment have been given to the people of the area on how best to prevent the spread of the disease.

“The sensitization on how to prevent cholera includes, keeping the environments clean and hygienic, drinking safe water, and good preservation of food items,” he said.

Dr. Nnabu maintained that the three deaths recorded were because of the refusal of the patients to go to the hospital for immediate treatment.

He also directed that those affected should be treated free of charge and then implored the people to report any case of cholera to the nearest health facility or go straight to the General Hospital where drugs have been provided for the treatment.

Meanwhile, the Amachi-Igwebuike people who spoke through their village head explained that none availability of potable water in their village was the root cause of the outbreak.

Gynaecologist encourages women on fibroid operation, procedure is safe

Health

Kamila Bello

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July 8, 2021

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A Consultant Gynaecologist at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Dr Nathaniel Adewole, Gwagwalada, has advised women with fibroids not to be afraid of operation as the procedure is safe.

Dr Nathaniel Adewole, gave the advice in an interview in Abuja, that fibroids affect over 60 per cent of the women population.

Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus, sometimes they are quite large and cause severe abdominal pain and heavy periods.

Most people with fibroids experienced no symptoms while some could have lower backache, constipation and excessive or painful uterine, bleeding leading to anemia.

“death from fibroid operation is very low, in fact, this is the period we have one of the safest times compared to previously because we have advanced technically,” Adewole said.

“Sincerely, fibroids operation is very safe now in terms of blood loss because there is a way we secure it to prevent bleeding and it is very effective; the majority of fibroid operations will not need a blood transfusion.

“It is just like any normal operation people can die from it due to some unforeseen complications.
“nobody can say this is the real cause of fibroids, that is why it makes prevention a little bit more difficult technically,” he added.

One thing that is common that may predispose to fibroid is low parity either when the woman starts having children late or the interval between children is so wide, these factors could lead to more occurrences of fibroids.

According to him, some of the women that got pregnant early had some form of fibroids, although pregnancy could reduce the chances of one having fibroid, it does not prevent it.

When somebody has fibroid, there are three options, one in most cases fibroid may be asymptomatic, may be small and there will be no need for intervention.

The ones that need intervention are of two types, those fibroids that are big leading to the enlargement of the uterus or if the fibroid causes symptoms.

Women that started delivering early or normally without much spacing had a low risk of fibroids formation.

He, therefore, advised that women of childbearing age should start giving birth timely and people that have had fibroids operations for it not to reoccur should start childbearing immediately after the operation.

“Because even after the operation it may reoccur especially if the person went through myomectomy (removal of fibroid).

“Although it is not in every woman who has had the operation that it will reoccur but about 20 per cent of them,’’ he explained.

Adewole further urged that for somebody who is still desirous of pregnancy the treatment for fibroids could be through myomectomy and it could be done through open surgery or laparoscopy.

The best treatment and curative for those that have completed their family size, is actually to remove the womb. In this case, there will be no chance of reoccurrence.

Kamila/The nation

UNICEF expresses worry on spate of kidnapping in West/Central Africa

Africa

Lateefat Ibrahim

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July 8, 2021

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The Executive Director of UNICEF has expressed worry at the spate of attacks against children and their abductions, including students, in Nigeria and parts of West and Central Africa.

Henrietta Fore made this known in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja.

Fore cited the latest report by the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict, which said that one in three child victims of grave violations had been in West and Central Africa.

“She said that it is not enough to condemn these crimes and stressed that non-State armed groups and all parties to conflict, who are committing violations of children’s rights, have a moral and legal obligation to immediately cease attacks against children,’’ he said.

Fore said that the incidents appeared to be increasing in frequency, raising fears for the safety and wellbeing of children in the region.

Reacting to the kidnapping of some 140 students from a boarding school in Kaduna State, she said “we deeply concerned that as in years past, non-State armed groups and parties to conflict in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Niger and Nigeria will ramp up these violent activities over the coming weeks, ahead of the rainy season when their movements could be restricted by flooding,” he said.

Fore reported that in Burkina Faso, attacks against civilians, as well as other violations of international humanitarian law had “spiked significantly” in recent weeks.

At least 130 people were killed on Monday in an assault on a village in Yagha Province which, she said, was the single deadliest attack in the country since violence broke out in 2015.

“Additionally, 178 civilians there, including children, had been killed so far this month, while violence had displaced upwards of 1.2 million people, a ten-fold increase over three years,” he said.

The UNICEF chief listed more examples of attacks, abductions and other violations affecting children that had occurred in other countries in the region in recent months.

Fore stressed that it was not enough to just condemn the crimes, but to take concerted action so that children can live in safety.

“They have a moral and legal obligation to immediately cease attacks against civilians, and to respect and protect civilians and civilian objects during any military operations.

They should also not impede but facilitate the efforts of UNICEF and other humanitarian actors on the ground working to reach vulnerable children,” she stated.

she said that the international community has important role to play specifically by increasing donor contributions to humanitarian organisations .

Lateefah Ibrahim

Plateau state records 953 cholera cases, 14 deaths

Health

Kamila Bello

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July 8, 2021

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Plateau state has recorded 953 cases of cholera and 14 deaths, the state has also treated and discharged 910 cholera patients while 29 others are currently receiving treatment in various health facilities.

The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nimkong Lar, disclosed the figures at a press briefing at the end of the state executive meeting at Government House Jos.

The disease, which was previously recorded in Jos North Local Government, has spread to 13 local Government areas, requiring concerted efforts to address.

Lar said that, the National Centre for Disease Control was in the state to help tackle the outbreaks.

“Jos North has the highest number of cholera with 484 cases while Jos South and Bassa Local Governments follow with 307 and 57 cases respectively.

“Over 100,154 doses of vaccine were administered in the state out of the 105,600 doses given by the federal government, 5,000 were returned because of their expiry date of June 28.”

He explained that the state has no COVID-19 vaccine currently, explaining that a request would have to be made for allocation for those who are yet to receive their second dose.

Also speaking, the commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Dan Manjang, said the council has approved the procurement of hospital equipment.

The equipments would facilitate access to quality and affordable health care service delivery to the residents of the state.

Other contracts approved include, over N65 Million award for renovation and remodeling of the state primary health care board and provision of office furniture and the renovation of the governor and deputy governor lodges in Kaduna.

The commissioner for finance, Dr. Regina Soemalat, said that the projects would be funded through bank loans, explaining that the state has never defaulted in its loans.

Kamila/Punch

NHGSFP: more pupils enroll in schools in Cross River state

Nigeria

Emmanuel Ukoh

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July 8, 2021

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The Cross River State Government says more children of school going age are enrolling into schools.

The Deputy Governor, Ivara Ejemot Esu said the progress was as a result of the National Home Grown School Feeding programme NHGSFP.

Speaking in Calabar, the Cross River State capital ahead of the school feeding enumeration in the State, Esu said the programme has positively improved enrollment of primary school pupils in the state.

He appreciated the Federal Government for the initiation of the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

He also praised the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq for her steadfastness in ensuring that the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration drastically reduced poverty and improved the literacy standards of Nigerian children through the school feeding programme.

“I want to thank the federal government and the Minister for her focus in initiating poverty reduction programs in the state especially the National Home Grown Feeding Programme. Since the commencement of the programme in Cross River state, there has been an increase in school enrolment.

“This is good news for the education sector as every country will like to reduce the illiteracy population of its citizenry. The Minister has been doing so much in her Ministry with many social investment programs to help the poor in the country for which I will greatly commend her”.

“We in Cross River state are committed to the success of the NHGSFP and will collaborate with the Project Task team to ensure an accurate enumeration excercise in the state”he said.

Fighting poverty

Earlier, the Minister, who was represented by the Zonal Monitor, Sunday Okoh stated that President Muhammadu Buhari recognizes the social challenges in the country, hence the decision to put up decisive measures to fight poverty.

“The implementation of the National Social Investment Program NSIP is made up of four unique clusters that are integrated to provide the maximum impact. In its implementation, the NSIP is strategically designed to fully involve all stakeholders, most especially the State governments.

“Today, we are here in Cross River state on the strength of our partnership and mutual recognition of the need to do more on the NHGSFP. We will bring more Nigerians under the umbrella of the Government’s social protection mechanism and scale up the numbers of the pupils benefiting from the program as directed by His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari” the Minister said.

Over 9 million pupils are currently benefiting from 1 free nutritious meal a day during school term nationwide, with a mandate of reaching an additional 5 million pupils by 2023.

Emmanuel Ukoh

FEC approves N16bn for erosion control in 12 states, FCT

News Feature

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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July 8, 2021

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The Federal Executive Council has approved N16 billion for erosion control in 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, made this known when he briefed State House Correspondents on the outcome of the Council meeting, chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Wednesday, July 7, 2021.

The presidential aide listed the benefitting states to include Abia, Imo, Ogun, Osun, Cross River, Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba, Jigawa, Katsina, Kwara, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Adesina said: “The Ecological Fund projects for the third and fourth quarters of last year were approved. They are soil and pollution control intervention projects.

“These are the projects that were approved: erosion flood control, bridge reconstruction and road improvement at Umonyi-Nkpa communities of Bende Local Government Area of Abia and Gully erosion control works at Umukoro lower Okata community in Ihite Ogoma Local Government Area of Imo.

“Imaluomi erosion control project phase II, Ogun State; afforestation combating land degradation road improvement measures in Osun State and erosion control at Calabar Free Trade Zone in Cross River.

“Erosion and Road improvement works at Yelwa Private School and Police Station Road, Yola, Adamawa; ecological problems at Federal College of Education (Technical) Gombe; flood and erosion menace affecting community and environs in Lau Local Government Area phase II in Taraba.

“Others are erosion and flood control at Birnin Kudu-Kafingana, Tsamiya Local Government in Jigawa; flood erosion control works from Kano road to main water channel in Daura, Katsina State, phase II; Asa river erosion and flood control project at Ilorin in Kwara.

“Erosion flood control and environmental degradation at Agai and Lapai communities in Niger State and finally, soil erosion, river channelization and slope protection within Maitama District, phase III FCT, in Abuja.”

FAO to Boost Farm Irrigation in Nigeria

News Feature

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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July 8, 2021

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The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has provided $350,000 in technical support for irrigation farming in Nigeria.

This is as a result of the Technical Cooperation Programme which member states enjoy through the sectors under the agency’s mandate.

During a visit to the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu, FAO Country Representative, Fred Kafeero, stated that the FAO made the money available following the request of the minister to increase and promote irrigation farming, especially in Niger State.

Recapitulating on the availability of FAO in interfacing with the ministry on regular basis, Kafeero expressed that this was aimed at achieving food security and enhancing economic growth in Nigeria.

In his words, “Today we want to talk a little about the technical cooperation program which FAO has been discussing with the Ministry for some time and for which we managed to set aside $350,000 as part of our technical assistance to the request that was made by the minister to increase and promote irrigation farming.

“We also have got activities that we do in the area of crop and livestock to ensure that farmers are able to produce all year round and that farmers livestock get water for use, and therefore the way we manage these resources is very important and that’s why we need to strengthen our cooperation,” he added.

On his part, the Deputy FAO Country Representative, Suleiman Abubakar, clarified that the Technical Cooperation Program was normally internal affairs or resources that are set aside to support the request of member countries, specifically the governments addressing technical issues or releasing any constrain to sectors linked to FAO’s areas of mandate.

He said, “Normally, these amounts are not much in terms of quantity but it would provide support to either demonstrate some technologies as in the case of the current technical cooperation program that we are developing with the Ministry of Water Resources in the area of drip irrigation system.

“This has been identified by the irrigation department of the Ministry as an innovative approach to promote access to irrigation facilities particularly for smallholder farmers and also to building institutional capacity to existing River Basin authorities that have the mandate as well to promote access to water for agriculture and agro related production systems.

“The activities of the project include an appraisal or design review of the identified pilot project to benchmark existing performance efficiency of the scheme, carry out feasibility and detailed design reports for the implementation of drip irrigation system, support the installation process of drip irrigation facilities until commissioning and testing at project sites, among others.”

According to Abubakar, the project is for the identification and conversion of a suitable (and existing) public irrigation project from a flood-based irrigation system to a low-energy drip irrigation system.

Stating further, he said the concept will provide the opportunity to bring more land under cultivation utilizing existing irrigation facilities while also assisting the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR) efforts towards job creation and increased self-sufficiency in food production.

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