The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has completed the re-conducting of its new 130KM 132kV double circuit Sokoto-Birnin Kebbi Transmission Line, and also energized it.

The new  high capacity 132kV Transmission line which affects/ transverses 405 towers along the Birnin Kebbi – Sokoto line route, now transmits about 170MW, which is more than double the 70MW capacity previously transmitted by the decommissioned old 132kV transmission line.

The new 132kV transmission line has solved the low voltage and attendant poor power situation that used to be prevalent in the Sokoto axis.

TCN is now enabled to substantially transmit increased bulk power electricity to Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company’s distribution load centers in Sokoto State and environs.

This also means that Kaduna Disco would equally be able to deliver more stable and quality power to its customers in that axis.

Prior to the re-conducting of the line, the Sokoto – Birnin Kebbi 132kV transmission line, was overloaded due to increased demand, arising from massive increase in human population and attendant socio-economic activities in the area.

The new line has solved the problem of overloading/ suppressed load and has ample capacity for anticipated load increase.

The Project which commenced in November last year, was carried out in phases, in order to ameliorate the effect of scheduled outages on electricity consumers during the period.

Some areas did not experience outage through the period as they were back fed through another line.

TCN therefore appreciated the government and people of Sokoto State and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, for their patience and cooperation during the period of the transmission line re-conducting.

Dominica Nwabufo

The Governor of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on Muslims in the country to rally support for the Federal government’s Covid-19 vaccination programme that is targeted at stemming the spread of the virus.

Oyetola made the call on Saturday while speaking at the 26th Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Abuja Branch.

This is even as the Guest Lecturer, Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello, noted that there was nothing unIslamic about the vaccination, saying that Allah enjoins the Muslims to obey Him, the Prophet and those in authority.

The theme of the lecture is “Islamic Perspectives on Covid-19 Pandemic and Vaccination.”

 Represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Prince Abdullah Adeyanju Binuyo, the governor stressed the need for religious leaders and informed followers to correct whatever misconceptions surround vaccination against COVID-19 and complement government’s efforts at combating the virus.

 “Vaccination sustains life while Coronavirus threatens it. Winning the war against Coronavirus is a collective responsibility. We must, as Nigerians, regardless of our religious and political affiliations, unite to fight the virus that is threatening our lives, our economy and all we labour and stand for as a people.

 “We must see coronavirus as our common enemy; it poses a threat to our lives and livelihood. We put ourselves, our families and livelihood in jeopardy when we pander to ignorance and play politics with a life-snuffing virus,” the governor said.

Oyetola disclosed that his Administration is “doing everything possible to halt the spread of the virus through consistent advocacy on the need for our citizens to not only present themselves for vaccination but also to continue to follow all the safety protocols even after vaccination.”

The governor who was the first person to receive COVID-19 vaccine in Osun after the frontline workers, commended the people of the State for their response to the vaccination exercise since it began in the State.

He further said, “as a demonstration of leadership, just as I was the first Osun citizen to present myself for the voluntary Covid-19 test after the pandemic broke out last year, I received my first jab of the vaccine on March 10, less than 24 hours after they were delivered to us.

 “I am happy to report that since then till date, the response from residents and citizens of Osun has been tremendous. I therefore commend our people so far for their understanding and support for our Administration in our efforts towards curbing the spread of the virus.”

Oyetola, who recalled that Muslims could not gather during last year’s Ramadan for any public lecture or observe prayers at mosques, thanked Allah for easing the situation this year.  He however urged the Muslim faithful to always adhere to Covid-19 safety protocols while performing their religious obligations in public places.

“Last year, we could not gather during Ramadan, let alone hold any public Lecture or even observe our Taraweeh in congregation at our respective mosques. But we thank Allah for easing it for us this year.

 “However, while worshipping during this period, we must take cognisance of the fact that Coronavirus is still here with us. I therefore appeal to us to continue to observe safety protocols by maintaining social distance at our places of worship, use our nose masks and wash our hands with soap and water regularly. And where we cannot find soap and water, let’s make use of our hand sanitiser,” he added.

He also charged Muslim faithful to take the advantage of the month of Ramandan to “intensify prayers for the continued peace, progress and development of Nigeria, ” saying “I strongly believe that with passion, commitment, dedication and determination to do what is right at all times, and with fear of the Almighty Allah, I am optimistic that Nigeria shall rise again!”

Dominica Nwabufo

Professionals in Health Promotion and Education HPE have come together to share experiences and provide guidance, about the profession, to up and coming practitioners so they can become successful in future.

In a virtual talk show, held on Friday, by the Alumni Association of the Department of Health Promotion and Education, HPE, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, some of the professionals highlighted a few useful skills needed by aspiring HPE practitioners.

A professor of HPE, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyedunni Arulogun, during the talk show noted that some of the most useful skills needed to succeed in the profession include: Groups dynamics, that is, knowing who one is dealing with, and community organisation, whereby one can run intervention programmes seamlessly in different communities without upturning the existing structures in the communities.

Concerning the challenges faced, Arulogun advised that an HPE practitioner must learn to be a team player wherever he finds himself, as he is expected to be a problem solver, leader, care giver and role model, saying the ability to be able to maintain sanity in one’s workplace is one of the greatest challenges faced.

She said, “a whole lot of responsibility is put on you, therefore you have the challenge of defending the degree you hold, especially if you find yourself in an environment where you have some inter or intra professional conflicts. The conflicts are getting greater. Training has groomed me to be able to maneuver with minimal conflict anywhere I find myself.”

On the issue of entrepreneurial possibilities for health promotion, Prof. Arulogun affirmed that being entrepreneurial means adding value, saying not everybody can become an entrepreneur but all can be entrepreneurial in their mindset by adding value and doing things differently from what others are doing.

The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Women Friendly Initiative, an NGO, Dr Francis Eremutha, stressed that for an HPE practitioner to work in an international organisation, he must realise that every international organisation is peculiar, having its own values, philosophies, tactics and strategies of operation, which make one different in one’s orientation to life and work.

He noted,” the reality is that everyone is like others in certain ways but like no other in several ways. However, the culture of work at the international organisation level is excellent and purpose-driven, there is no room for truancy. A culture that anyone working for an international organisation must exhibit, regardless of his background.”

 Talking about career success, Dr Eremutha said an HPE practitioner must be impact driven and result-oriented; aspirational and have foresight, looking beyond the immediate environment of wellness into the future; realistic in demand for a change in people’s behaviour for good living and optimistic and possibility-driven, as he cannot afford to disappoint the client and donor who expect his intervention to translate into wellness for everybody.

He revealed that, apart from lecturing and working for international organisations, there are other career opportunities to make impact in health promotion and education, such as: prevention and control methods, nutrition, health education on relevant issues in one’s environment, marketing health products and independent consultancy, among others.

The virtual talk show tagged, the First Grand Alumni Talk Show, with the topic: Carrer Path in Public Health Promotion and Education, was hosted by Prof. Emmanuel Otolorin, President, Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association.

Dominica Nwabufo