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World AIDS Day: Oyo state targets 10,000 for screening

Health

Ime Njoku

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November 27, 2020

By Olubunmi Osoteku, Ibadan

The Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA) has said it is targeting no fewer than 10, 000 people for HIV screening throughout the State, as part of activities to mark this year’s World’s AIDS Day.

The Agency said the targeted testing is focused on the key drivers of the epidemic which comprises female sex workers, men who sleep with men, people who inject drugs and the transgender, in order to stem the spread of the virus amongst the groups, as well as the general population.

The Chairperson of the Agency who is also the wife of the State Governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, made the disclosure on Thursday during a Press Conference to herald the commemoration of the 2020 World AIDS Day themed: “United to End AIDS Amidst Covid-19, Get Tested”.

Mrs Makinde noted that the world’s attention has been shifted to the COVID-19 pandemic which ravaged many things, including lives and livelihood, with high mortality rate and loss of job globally.

She noted that the coming of COVID-19 has attracted the attention of the whole world by becoming a wake-up call and an opportunity to do things differently, better and together.

Speaking through the Executive Secretary, OYSACA, Dr Lanre Abass, the wife of the Governor noted that, “It is very crucial at this time to work harmoniously and show love, eliminate stigmatisation and discrimination, individualised centre attention and grounding our responses in human rights and gender-responsive approaches that are key to ending the simultaneously occuring pandemics of HIV and COVID-19.”

Mrs Makinde disclosed that as at June 2020, over 765, 000 people had been counselled and tested for HIV and 0.9 percent were positive, over 230,000 pregnant women were screened for HIV and 0.3 percent of them tested positive, saying females are twice more affected than males, with 15,199 females on treatment as against 6,253 make on treatment, according to the available State service data.

She said,”Availability of commodities is critical to the success of HIV/AIDS response like any other communicable diseases. In this regards, the Oyo State government has so far procured test kits, condoms and consumables worth about N34million, while process is on-going to procure about N45million worth of test kits and other commodities.”

The wife of the Governor also highlighted a week-long list of activities planned to commemorate the year’s occasion, noting that the event would terminate on December 1, with a rally and mega jam at Sango Market, Saki.

Speaker restates commitment to January-December Budget Cycle

Nigeria

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November 27, 2020

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Lawan Hamidu, Abuja

The Nigerian House of Representatives has reiterated its commitment to the January-December Budget Cycle for the interest and overall development of the Nation.

Speaker of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila made the pledge while addressing the lawmakers on resumption of plenary after one month break to allow the government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies to defend their 2021 budget proposal before various House Committees.

Mr. Gbajabiamila who mandated all standing committees of the House to unfailingly submit their budget defence reports to the Committee on Appropriation on or before Thursday for the House to meet up with the deadline sets for itself.

“Efforts are in full swing to ensure that we will pass the budget on time in keeping with the standard we set last year, and which the Nigerian people now rightly expect of us.

I have observed during the recent budget defence process that there are still some ministries, departments and agencies that consider the exercise of the legislative authority to review their budget proposals as an undue incursion on the management of their offices. This posture stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the legislative role in the appropriations process.

Let me at this time reiterate that when the Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate convene to review the heads of expenditure contained in the Appropriation Bill, we do so in the exercise of clear and concise constitutional authority. Let me also state very clearly that this is a responsibility we take seriously, and will not evade, regardless of whatever objections may arise from any quarters.

It is in the best interests of our country that all parties concerned subject themselves to this process in good faith, knowing that this too is an obligation of service to our country. We will pass the budget, and we will do it early, and we will do it right. The Nigerian people expect as much from us. I thank all of you for the work you have put in thus far, and I encourage you to continue in this regard.” Mr. Gbajabiamila explained.

The Speaker who revealed that the Special Committee on the Review of the Constitution has been inaugurated, and have resumed their essential work while amendment to electoral act 2010 has also commenced to ensure credible polls in the country.

He said “The Committee has put out a request for memoranda and other submissions that will guide their work. It is through the aggregation of the many and varied opinions of all Nigerians that we will arrive at a constitution that meets all the best expectations we have for our country.

In the same vein, the House has commenced long-anticipated efforts to review and amend the Electoral Act well in advance of the next general elections. Perfecting the process through which we choose the people that will serve in government is an essential requirement for the continued development of our democracy.

Therefore, I encourage all of you to reach out to your various constituencies and encourage your constituents to participate in both the Constitutional Review and Electoral Amendment processes by articulating and submitting the changes they wish to see. This too is part of the joint task of nation-building.”

On the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB and the institutionalization of the National Social Investment Program being considered by the House, Mr, Gbajabiamila urged all the relevant committees to increase public participation in the legislative process to build support for the policy initiatives and promote relations between the House of Representatives and the public.

“As much as is possible, I encourage all the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the House Committees to seek out innovative avenues for public engagement, stakeholder collaboration and cross-pollination of policy ideas in the legislative process which is also part of our Legislative Agenda.” The Speaker argued.

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Reps advocate action plan to eliminate violence against women

Nigeria

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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November 27, 2020

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By Lawan Hamidu, Abuja

Federal, States and Local Governments in Nigeria have been urged to galvanise action plans to support the elimination of violence against women in the country.

The call was contained in a motion under matters of urgent public importance unanimously adopted by the House of Representatives on International Day for the elimination of violence against women.

Presenting the motion, Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, a Member from State explained that the action plan shall reduce the impunity as well as encourage victims to speak out.

She said “It is also a day to honour women organisations as first responders and to acknowledge their leadership roles in ending violence and activate the United Nation’s wide mobilization under the umbrella of the 16 Days Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign for the promotion of zero tolerance across all spheres of society including Nigeria.”

Mrs. Onyejeocha expressed concern that the wide spread violence against women and girls is largely unreported due to stigma and shame surrounding it.

The theme of this year’s celebration is; Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent and Collect as part of measures to acknowledge the crucial roles women played in the development of every society.

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Cabinet approves ₦21bn for rehabilitation of roads

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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November 27, 2020

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By Timothy Choji, Abuja

The Federal Executive Council has approved twenty-one billion naira for the rehabilitation of some roads in the country.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola revealed this while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s cabinet meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Fashola said Yobe, Edo and Taraba States would benefit from the projects managed by the Federal roads Maintenance Agency FERMA.

He said: “During the meetings of the Economic Sustainability Committee set up to manage the impact of COVID-19, one of the responsibilities of FERMA is to execute extensive labour works on road repairs and the budget of 2020 was then amended to deal with COVID-19 impact.

“As a result of that, FERMA then had a total of 191 road repairs, road rehabilitation, road intervention projects nationwide. 92 of those projects have been awarded by FERMA at its threshold level. 89 of them have been approved by the ministry at the ministerial tenders’ board threshold level. So, all of those projects are now being issued letters of award, mobilization, and others.

“Now, there are 10 that are required to come to the Federal Executive Council because of their financial threshold level. Out of those 10 projects, three were presented today. So, those three presented and approved by council today was for Gasamu-amshi-Gogoram road in Yobe State for N14.528billion, the link road connecting Uneme-Tusamu-Odoga to Okpekpe in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State for N991.851million, and Mamabu Donga Local Government Area road in Taraba South Local Government Area of Taraba State for N6.397 billion.”

Fashola said the three projects approved by the cabinet are late third quarter, early fourth quarter interventions to respond to the COVID-19 impact on the economy.

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Nigeria prioritizes clean campaign to drive social, economic initiatives—VP Osinbajo

News Feature

Ime Njoku

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November 27, 2020

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Cyril Okonkwo, Abuja

Nigeria is prioritizing the Clean Nigeria Campaign to drive key social economic initiatives of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stated this on Thursday in his remarks delivered virtually at a ceremony organized to mark the first anniversary of Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign.

Prof. Osinbajo said that the success of the Clean Nigeria Campaign would enhance social inclusion; poverty reduction; business growth, and entrepreneurship; greater access to quality education and affordable healthcare, among others.

The Vice President said: “the success of the Clean Nigeria Campaign will contribute to some of the key priority areas of this Government which include enhancing social inclusion and poverty reduction, expanding business growth and entrepreneurship; and expanding access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians.

“We are aware that access to adequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services is a critical factor in the socio-economic development of any nation and contributes to human capital outcomes such as early childhood survival, health and educational attainment.

“Access to WASH services is also one of the key preventive measures in the raging global COVID-19 pandemic.”

Osinbajo said that the initiative of the Organized Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH) tagged ‘FLUSHIT,’ which aims at promoting private sector-led innovative financial strategies in WASH, is a welcome development.

“The role of the private sector is critical in building a virile sanitation economy which will drive the sustenance of the results being achieved under the Clean Nigeria Campaign,” he said.

The vice president restated the commitment of the Nigerian government to the success of the campaign especially by appointing campaign ambassadors to support the process.

He said that government desired to aggressively mobilize the entire country towards ending the practice of open defecation and has identified Campaign Ambassadors to support the national drive towards open defecation free status.

“These are citizens who have contributed to the existing successes achieved so far under the campaign or have been identified as persons of influence who can significantly advance the campaign.

“Clean Nigeria Campaign Ambassador will be required to provide leadership in advancing the objectives of the Campaign and engage in Campaign activities as may be initiated by you or other stakeholders.”

Prof. Osinbajo explained that the Clean Nigeria Campaign is backed by Presidential Executive Order 009, which gives effect to its implementation.

“The Executive Order provides that the National Open Defecation Free (ODF) Roadmap be put into effect towards meeting the national target of ending open defecation by 2025.

“It mandates the ‘Clean Nigeria Campaign Secretariat’ in collaboration with relevant government institutions to ensure that all public places including schools, hotels, fuel stations, places of worship, market places, hospitals and offices have accessible toilets within their premises.

“It also provides for the enactment of legislation appropriate sanctions and penalties to back up the fight against open defecation while ensuring that all developmental projects include the construction of sanitation facilities as an integral part of the approval and implementation process.”

Prof. Osinbajo, however, pointed out that ending open defecation is not just about access to toilets, but also involves generating demand for toilets and changing people’s behaviour regarding toilet usage.

“The Clean Nigeria Campaign as a transformational and behaviour change campaign will require the contribution and commitment of everyone: government at all levels, civil society, private sector, development partners and the entire populace in building a new culture of safe sanitation.”

The campaign to end open defecation in Nigeria was launched about a year ago to galvanize efforts from both public and private sectors to promote water, sanitation and hygiene in the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the country.

So far, 33 LGAs in the country are known to be open defecation free.

Spokesman to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, said in a release that the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu, Minister of State for FCT, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu; representatives of Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, and development partners and the organized private sector attended the event.

Federal Executive Council approves ₦17bn for erosion control

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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November 27, 2020

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By Timothy Choji, Abuja

The Federal Executive Council has approved over seventeen billion naira for erosion control across the country.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents.

He said: “Approval for award of contracts for emergency procurement of first and second quarters 2020 soil erosion/flood and pollution control accelerated intervention projects in favour of various contractors in the sum of N17.754,717,234.41 inclusive of 7.5 percent VAT with various completion/delivery periods.”

Adesina listed the benefiting States to include Anambra, Ekiti, Lagos, Delta, Bauchi, Kano, Benue, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Giving further details on Wednesday’s approval, the Presidential Spokesperson said:

“Gully erosion and control along Ndam/Agbor road, Nnobi and Alor towns in Idemili/South LGA, Phase two, Anambra State, N.495,878,764 – 18 months. Erosion and flood menace beside Yem Kem House along Oye-Ifaki road, Oye LGA, N792,311,211.11 – nine months

“Somolu/Bariga LGA/Akoka/Ilaje community, Akoka-Lagos flood and erosion control project, Lagos State, N1.786,146,630.98 – 10 months. Gully erosion control at Egbo-Ideh community, Ugheli South LGA, Delta State, N1,328,306,924.00 – 24 months

“Gully erosion control and road improvement work in Darazo LGA, Bauchi State, N3,897,577,627.79 – 24 months. Gully erosion control works at Ladanal community, Nasarawa LGA, Kano, N1,337,681,584.69 – eight months

“Devastating effect of gully erosion in Gboko township, Benue State, N1.503,970.714.83 – 12 months. Erosion and flood control work in Wase and Bashar towns, Wase LGA, Plateau State, N1,687,162,328.95 – 14 months.

“And gully erosion control and road improvement work along Plot 1398, off Kainji Crescent and Katampe Extension, FCT, Abuja, N555,569,610.76 – six months. Soil erosion, River channelisation and slope protection within Maitama District (Phase II, FCT, Abuja, N1,887,495,486.63 – 12 months,” he said.

Adesina said the approved projects were for the first and second quarters of the current year, in line with government’s desire of making life better for its citizens.

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We don’t have issues with workers’ salary – Finance Minister

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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November 27, 2020

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By Timothy Choji, Abuja

The Nigerian government has assured its workers that despite the effects of COVID-19 and the sliding of the country into recession, their salaries would be paid promptly.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed gave the assurance on Wednesday, at the end of this week’s cabinet meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

She said already salaries for November have been paid and that of December would also be paid.

“On the issue of Federal workers’ salary, there is no issue with their salary. We have paid salaries for November and we will pay salaries for December. So, there is no issue at all with Federal workers salary,” she affirmed.

The Finance Minister explained that only agencies whose budget funding on the Government Integrated Financial and Management Information System (GIFMIS) have been exhausted had issues with their salaries but that had since been corrected.

“If you hear about any issue it is for agencies whose budget funding under the GIFMIS was exhausted and we have had to make an adjustment.

“When we were doing the 2020 budget, we made estimates of the consequential adjustment that is required as a result of the minimum wage and we had sent the budget before a decision was taken and approval given on that consequential adjustment.

“So, we anticipated that some agencies might run short and we made a block provision in the service-wide vote of the budget. So, when we have such a situation, what we simply do is to remove funds from the service-wide vote to the agencies so that they pay their budget. Therefore, there is no problem with payment of salaries at all,” the Minister explained.

Commenting on the reopening of Nigerian borders, she said the committee saddled with the responsibility of advising the President on the matter has finished its job and would soon submit its report to the Nigerian leader.

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Nigerian women are promoters of peace – President Buhari

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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November 27, 2020

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By Timothy Choji, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigerian women are stabilizers of peace in all parts of the country.

He made the declaration on Thursday, when he hosted the representatives of women at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Nigerian leader therefore urged women to engage the youths in the aftermath of the EndSARS protests, on the need for dialogue, to avoid a repeat of such protests.

He said: “Your visit here today comes in the wake of growing youth restiveness which engulfed parts of the country in the last few weeks. As mothers of Nigeria, you play a critical role in bringing about lasting peace. We very much regret the loss of lives during the protests and damages to businesses including medium and small-scale enterprises.

“I urge you to engage with our children and youth on the need for dialogue that will yield better understanding going forward. Our youth remain our most treasured asset and it is our collective responsibility to present to them a pathway to realising their huge potential.

“I wish to recognise the value Nigerian women bring to our society especially when they are supported and given a voice. This administration is a beneficiary of the strong support of Nigerian women and I truly thank you all for the display of resilience throughout our journey.”

President Buhari informed the women that Nigeria remains fully committed to ending the budding rise of violence against women in Nigeria and the rest of the world.

“At the global level, we will show our firm commitment to bring an end to the extent of exponential rise of violence against women and girls by supporting the Chairman of the African Union, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa in his call for a treaty to end violence against women and girls at the African Union Summit in February next year,” the President said.

He said although the country has not achieved the 35 percent affirmation on the participation of women in governance, the current administration intends to exceed the benchmark.

“We have not reached the 35 percent benchmark for women’s participation in governance as recommended in the National Gender Policy, but the current female appointees represent the first step in a strategic intervention for the inclusion of women in the affairs of this administration.

“I truly understand that when equity becomes the guiding principle and women hold strategic leadership positions, not only will our development be accelerated but also the diversity in richness in the quality of our policy design engagement and execution will be improved. I want to assure you that this administration remains resolute to not only meet the 35 percent National Gender Policy but to exceed it across key decision-making roles in government,” he affirmed.

President Buhari also reaffirmed his commitment to end child marriage as well as boost girl child education in all parts of the country.

Earlier, Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Talen, who led the delegation, thanked President Buhari for always supporting Nigerian women, especially in the fight against rape and gender violence.

“This support that you have given by lending your voice and declaring Nigeria’s zero-based tolerance against rape and gender violence has clearly placed Nigeria on the global map to harvesting best practices around such issues as was spotlighted at the UN General Assembly in September 2020,” she said.

The Minister also appealed to the President on behalf of all Nigerian mothers, to ensure that the issues responsible for the ongoing strike by university lecturers are resolved amicably, to enable universities reopen and students go back to school.

Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of an award tagged “He for She award of excellence” by the National Council for Women Affairs as special champion for Nigerian women, children and the vulnerable as well as his overwhelming commitment toward moving women into the mainstream of governance.

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Nigeria poised to strengthen ties with Algeria

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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November 27, 2020

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By Timothy Choji, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria will encourage and support every move that will enhance economic cooperation between her and the Republic of Algeria.

Receiving a special envoy of the Algerian President, who is also the country’s Foreign Minister, Mr Sabri Boukadoum, at State House, Abuja, on Thursday, the President said projects like the Trans-Sahara road, international gas pipelines, and other areas of economic cooperation would be given adequate attention for the good of the people of the two countries.

President Buhari stressed the need for peace, tranquillity and security in African countries, saying; “unless you secure your environment, you can’t manage it well. We should all secure our countries, because if we don’t, what do we then bequeath to the next generation? We can’t grow or develop in an insecure environment.”

The Special Envoy said Nigeria was the pillar of Africa, and he had brought messages from his President, “so that we consult, and see what we can do together.”

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Nigeria to host headquarters of African Petroleum Producers

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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November 27, 2020

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Timothy Choji, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the decision of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) to cite the headquarters of the African Energy Investment Corporation in Abuja, pledging the full support of the country in ensuring the successful take off of the organisation.

At a meeting at the State House on Thursday with Nigeria’s Dr. Omar Farouk, who is the Secretary General of the organisation, President Buhari also gave assurance that Nigeria will pay for its share subscription.

The President, who received praises for the vision of setting up the APPO and the ratification of its charter by Nigeria back in 1985 as Military Head of State, said the peculiarities of the challenges facing African oil producers required them to come together under the association to share experiences and solve their problems collectively.

The President said the growing clamour for a reduction in the use of fossil fuels notwithstanding, countries like Nigeria needed to produce more oil to feed the Petro-chemical industry and create jobs.

Peculiar Challenges

On the peculiar challenges facing the country amid its large population and immense deficit in infrastructure, President Buhari urged the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to consider the weight of the responsibility of the nation with “200 million poor people, with severe deficit in infrastructure” when sharing oil production cuts.

In his remarks, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva informed the President that the proposed APPO Energy Investment Corporation to be sited in Abuja will start with USD 1 billion from the AFRO-EXIM Bank and is expected to bring employment and other benefits to Nigeria.

The Secretary General of APPO was accompanied on the visit by Dr Adedapo Odulaji, the OPEC Governor in Nigeria.

He expressed hope that members of the 16-member organisation will surmount the challenges posed by COVID-19 as well as that from receding fossil fuel use as a result of the climate change treaties signed by member states and other nations.

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