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  • KDSG sensitises residents on risks of poor environmental hygiene

    KDSG sensitises residents on risks of poor environmental hygiene

    hygiene

    By Ezra Musa

    Kaduna, June. 28, 2024 (NAN) The Kaduna State Government on Friday began a state-wide sensitisation campaign on the health risks of poor environmental hygiene.

    Dr Hadiza Balarabe, the Deputy Governor, made this known during a road walk exercise to mark the World Sanitation Day on Friday in Kaduna.

    The 28th of June every year was declared National Environmental Sanitation Day by the Federal Government in 2005.

    It is a day set aside to create awareness on the essence of proper hygiene practices for the prevention of communicable diseases.

    The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Environmental sanitation in the era of climate change, Go greener, Stay clean; Climate change is real”.

    According to her, the aim is to sensitise the residents on proper environmental sanitation and hygiene practices in the face of the Cholera outbreak in the country.

    Balarabe said, ” We all know that unsanitary environment are responsible for diseases, so we are raising awareness to ensure that the environment is devoid of harm arising from poor environmental hygiene.”

    She said it was also necessary to keep the environment safe in the face of climate change, adding, ”so people can make informed decisions while felling trees and practices that affect the environment.”

    Balarabe assured that the state would maintain a clean sanitary environment for a greener state.

    Also speaking, Abubakar Buba, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, said the exercise was to help nurture community responsibility and the importance of a healthy environment in the minds of the residents.

    He said that the state would close all community dumpsites while commencing on house to house refuse pick-ups.

    On sustainability of the sanitation, Buba, assured that the state would be resuming the monthly sanitation exercise for a cleaner environment.

    He called on all the residents to ensure that wastes were being packaged properly for evacuation.

    Usman Hassan, Chairman, Solid Waste Association, Kaduna chapter, said its members would continue to motivate the residents towards maintaining good hygiene.

    He assured that the efforts of the scheme to maintain a clean environment would  not be compromised.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    EMZ/BRM

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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Russia says NATO conducting nuclear strike drills near its border

    Russia says NATO conducting nuclear strike drills near its border

    Nuclear

    Moscow, May 28, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) NATO is practising nuclear strikes against Russia, Army General Vladimir Kulishov, first deputy director of Russia’s Federal Security Service and Head of the Border Service, said on Tuesday.

    “Near the Russian border, NATO reconnaissance activity is increasing, and the intensity of operational combat training of the alliance’s troops is increasing.

    “During which scenarios for conducting combat operations against the Russian Federation are being practised, including launching nuclear strikes on our territory,’’ he said in an interview with Russia’s RIA Novosti.

    “All this requires us to take adequate measures to protect and secure our borders,’’ Kulishov said.

    The Russian military earlier launched military drills involving tactical nuclear weapons as a “response to provocative statements and threats of individual Western officials against the Russian Federation,’’ according to the defence ministry. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/BHB

    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Buhari Bolaji

     

  • Business mogul urges African countries to focus on innovative collaboration

    Mr Kennedy Finta- Nnaji, President of Nigeria Union in Japan

     

     

     

     

     

    Collaboration

    By Oladele Eniola

    Lagos, June 28, 2024 (NAN) A business mogul and songwriter, Mr Kennedy Finta- Nnaji, has called on African countries to focus on innovative collaboration for development of the continent.

    Finta-Nnaji said this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

    “African countries should endeavour to focus more on innovative collaboration with countries who truly have their best interest at heart and they must desist from receiving aid from the western world.

    “Western world uses aid as an old fashion tactic of extorting from African countries as they always find a way to get it back and when this happens, the ripple effects of this is always negative.

    “We must focus on developing ourselves by looking inward so as to find solutions because the truth of the matter is that no one would solve our problems except we do that by ourselves,” he said.

    Finta-Nnaji, who is also the President of Nigeria Union in Japan, said his new song titled “Japan x Africa – A brighter future”, is aimed at promoting collaboration between Africa and Japan.

    “The song passes the message to everyone from our leaders to the youth in the country and most importantly, we must utilise the message the song passes.” he said.

    He urged African countries to strengthen their bilateral relationship with Japan, noting that the country has good intentions in developing African countries.

    He noted that Japan had a good history with African countries over the years, urging African leaders to leverage it.

    “African countries and Japan can collaborate through innovation as this would help both nations to invest together for mutual benefits.

    “Japan has little or no bad history with Africa and this goes to show their true intent in developing countries through proper channels as this would benefit both sides equally.

    “There are a whole lot of things that Japan has to offer through innovation collaboration and we must ensure that we benefit from this.” he said.

    Fintan-Nnaji, who is also a patron of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos chapter, noted that the song-Japan x Africa – A brighter future- is available for streaming and listening on all musical platforms. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ENI/FAA

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    Edited by Folasade Adeniran

     

  • FUL gets NUC’s accreditation for 42 programmes – VC

    FUL gets NUC’s accreditation for 42 programmes – VC

     

    Accreditation

    By Thompson Yamput

    Lokoja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted accreditation to 42 academic programmes run by the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) in Kogi.

    The FUL Vice Chancellor, Prof Olayemi Akinwumi, made this known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Friday.

    Akinwumi said that the good news was conveyed to the university via a letter signed by the acting Director of Accreditation, Engr. Abraham Chundusu on behalf of the Acting NUC Executive Secretary, Mr Chris Maiyaki.

    The VC noted that accreditation was sequel to the October/November 2023 accreditation exercise which has now been released to the University.

    He thanked the NUC, a supervisory agency of the Federal Government, saddled with the statutory mandate of accrediting academic programmes in all Nigerian Universities, for the accreditation of the 42 programmes.

    “We are glad that all the 42 programmes assessed by NUC (most for the first time) in the last year’s exercise have been accredited.

    “This is because upon my assumption of office in 2021, I inherited most of these new programmes established by my predecessor which were not resource verified by NUC or recognized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

    “I then took it upon myself to ensure that these programmes undergo resource verification by the supervisory bodies as the first step and prerequisite before presenting them also for subsequent accreditation as government is a continuum.

    “This was in spite of the daunting challenges of sourcing for the huge financial resources needed to ensure a smooth and successful resource verification of such a large number of new programmes inherited.

    “Indeed, this is a milestone received with great joy by members of the University community, particularly the 400L students whose hope and chances of graduating this year and mobilized for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme were uncertain before now, ” he said.

    He said that the university had earlier secured the re-accreditation of the existing programmes in the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, while the administration, in line with its five-year vision plan, went ahead to also establish new programmes including Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory, Engineering, Law, Agriculture, Educational Management and Planning, among others.

    Akinwumi  expressed profound appreciation to the NUC, members of Senate, Staff and Students of the University for their cooperation and tireless efforts that led to thw remarkable achievement.

    He gave the list of the newly accredited programmes which cut across different Departments and Faculties to include: administration, accounting, banking and finance, business administration and public administration.

    Others are arts, arabic, archaeology, christian religious studies, islamic religious studies, linguistics, music, philosophy, theatre arts, communication and media studies.

    Others are mass communication, computing, computer science, business education, education Biology, . Education Chemistry, Education Computer,  Education Economics, Education English Language, Education Geography and  Education History.

    He said the others are  Education Mathematics, Education Physics. Education Political Science. Guidance and Counseling, Integrated Science, Library and Information Science. Social Studies, Science, Biochemistry, Biology and  Biotechnolog.

    Others are Botany, Chemistry, Geolog, Industrial Chemistry, Mathematics, Microbiology. Physics,   Statistics, Zoology, Social Science and. Sociology. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    TYC/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Army to offer free medical services to 500 Auchi indigents

    Services

    By George Edomwonyi

    Auchi (Edo), June. 28, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (NASEME) says no fewer than 500 people will benefit from its free healthcare services.

    The Commandant, NASEME, Maj.-Gen. Oladele Arogundade, stated this on Friday during the flag-off of the Maiden Medical Outreach in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo.

    Arogundade said the free medical outreach affirmed the Chief of Army Staff’s commitment to improve civil military relations and to give back to its host community.

    According to him, the programme is aimed at promoting the well-being of indigent persons at the grassroots by granting them easier access to free and quality healthcare.

    “The free medical outreach exercise organised by NASEME is for the benefit of the good people of Auchi in particular, and the entire Etsako West Local Government Area.

    “The Nigerian Army understands the importance of good health as it is necessary for improved productivity in all spheres of live,” he said.

    Arogundade underscored the importance of health to the well being, saying that as physical security is important, health security is also important.

    “We have realised that in as much as physical security is important, which we do our best to provide, health security is equally important for all round well being and productivity.

    “A man that is not well cannot go to farm or market to do business,” he said.

    The commandant disclosed that the school would partner with the council and the hospital management of Irrua Specialist Hospital for future medical outreach.

    A medical consultant, Dr Sebastian Oiwho, said that the outreach to indigent people in key areas included general consultation, free eye examination, checking of high blood pressure, diabetes, malaria test as well as the distribution of free drugs.

    “During the exercise, medical volunteers will carry out diagnosis, treatment and medical procedures while drugs and other medical consumables will also be given to patients free of charge.”

    He said that the school would also focus on sensitising the people toward handling threats posed by deadly viral diseases to complement government efforts in preventing diseases.

    He urged communities to imbibe personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness as preventive measures against an outbreak.

    The Chairman of Etsako Local Government, Marvelous Zibiri, thanked NASEME for the gesture and urged people in the community to come out en mass to benefit from the free medical services.

    “This is a great initiative and we appreciate NASEME for the outreach,” he said (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    GE/ADA

    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

  • Group, UNFPA task stakeholders on prevention, justice for GBV survivors

    Group, UNFPA task stakeholders on prevention, justice for GBV survivors

    Violence

    By Ibrahim Kado

    Michika (Adamawa) June 28, 2024 (NAN) Chabash Development and Health Initiative in collaboration with American University of Nigeria, tasked stakeholders to double effort in preventing and responding to Gender Based Violence (GBV) and improve justice for survivors.

    Jamaima Msheliza, Executive Director of Chabash made the call at the advocacy engagement and media dialogue with key stakeholders to champion GBV prevention and response in Michika Local Government Area, on Friday.

    Msheliza, who was represented by Joy Adamu, GBV project manager said the engagement was with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

    According to her, GBV is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations.

    She added that one in three women have experienced physical, sexual or intimate -partner violence, while some are victims of trafficking and social norms such as Female Genital Mutilation.

    “It is therefore imperative that we all as change makers join hands and our voices together to fight the menace of GBV in our communities.

    “This should be done through raising awareness and policies on how to improve access to justice for GBV survivors,” he said.

    Insp. Joseph Ayuba of Michika division, advised the participants to always report GBV case to police and other security agencies for further action.

    According to him, the action will help in improving access to justice for survivors and to serve as deterrent to others.

    Ayuba Audu, District Head of Vi community, appreciated the contribution of the partners and other stakeholders in the fight against GBV in the area.

    He promised that as traditional leaders, they would continue to sensitise their people to understand that GBV is a crime and might lead the offenders to prison.

    Mary Luka, Women leader of Vivoca community, assured participants of redoubling effort on creating awareness among women, especially during religious gathering, schools and other places for more people to be educated on GBV.(NAN) (www.nannews.g)

    IMK/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • Mechanic pleads guilty to stealing, gets sentence Sept. 16

    Mechanic pleads guilty to stealing, gets sentence Sept. 16
    Stealing
    By Raji Rasak
    Badagry (Lagos State), June 28, 2024 (NAN) A Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, on Friday, ordered the remand of a 25-year-old man, Rasheed Adisa, in a correctional centre, after pleading guilty to stealing.
    Adisa pleaded guilty to stealing motor spare parts worth N600,000.
    The Chief Magistrate, Mr A J. Aina, ordered that the defendant be remanded in Awhajigoh Correctional Centre, Badagry, and  adjourned the case until Sept.16, for facts and sentencing.
    The prosecutor, Clement Okuoimose, earlier told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 14, at about 5.00.p.m, at Mechanic workshop, No 111, Aka Road, Okokomaiko, Lagos.
     He said that defendant stole vehicle spare parts valued at N600,000, property of one Mustapha Taiwo, the complainant.
    Okuoimose said that the offence violated Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)
    ROR/SOA
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    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

  • Electricity Bills: NASS to increase budgetary allocation of teaching hospitals

    Electricity Bills: NASS to increase budgetary allocation of teaching hospitals

    Electricity

    By Mustapha Yauri

    Zaria (Kaduna State), June 28, 2024 (NAN) The House of Representatives, said it would increase budgetary allocations of tertiary health facilities towards addressing high electricity bills, and strengthening quality healthcare delivery services across Nigeria.

     Mr Amos Magaji, Chairman, House Committee on Health, stated this on Friday in Zaria during an oversight visit to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria.

    He said that beyond increasing overhead of these facilities, the committee would discuss with the Federal Ministry of Power and other key stakeholders in the sector to address the challenge.

    Magaji said some hospitals were threatening to close down over what he described as exorbitant  electricity bills.

    “While we are here the chief medical director of ABUTH received an SMS from Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company about the bills.

    “ABUTH used to have N10 million electricity bills monthly but from N10 million, the bill has increased to over N70 million per month and the situation is similar in most of the hospitals across the country.

    “If the overhead for 2024 was N100 million or N120 million, you are spending such an amount on electricity alone in two months, it will then be very difficult for you to cope,’’ he said.

    Magaji said the National Assembly and management of tertiary health facilities would also leverage on renewable energy to reduce burden on electricity and diesel for generators.

    The chairman expressed concern over the poor number of personnel of the hospital, adding that ABUTH was a prestigious tertiary health facility with 1,000-bed capacity.

    He said that the number of workers to man the facility was far less than the staff in the hospitals with less bed capacity.

    The chairman, therefore, urged Nigerians to take advantage of the equipment and qualified medical personnel at the facility to reverse medical tourism.

    Magaji tasked the medical personnel to improve their attitude towards patients, and charged the institution to reclaim its reputation for providing quality and affordable health care services.

    This, according to him, can be achieved through strict adherence to ethics and improved commitment to the system.

    Magaji commended the unions in the hospital for staying to serve their country while many medical personnel were moving out of the country.

    Earlier, Prof. Hamid Umdagas, Chief Medical Director of the Hospital told the committee that the manpower and electricity was the major challenge of the hospital.

    He said that the 1, 000-bed capacity hospital which has six satellite stations, 40 clinical and non-clinical departments was grappling with 2, 805 staff strength as of Thursday.

    According to him, the `japa syndrome’ hit hard on the human resources for health at the facility, some of the staff just disappeared while few had retired.

    He said cumulative monthly generation from both HSRF and Drug Revolving Fund stands at N64, 271, 387.68.million.

    “In May, the hospital received an electricity bill of N75 million while in ABUTH Shika alone, we paid between N18 million and N20 million for  diesel to power generators.

    “This has superseded our monthly IGR including our overhead cost and led to a sharp decrease in health outcomes at the facility,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AM/JPE

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    Edited by Joseph Edeh

  • Court remands handyman for stealing  ”Fila” sneakers

    Court remands handyman for stealing  ”Fila” sneakers

     

    Remand

    By Olaitan Idris

    Lagos, June 28, 2024 (NAN) A Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Lagos, on Friday remanded a 24-year-old handyman, Paul Kofi, for allegedlly stealing two bundles of Fila sneakers worth N1 million.

    The Magistrate, Mrs O.O Otitoju ordered the remand  until July 12 for review of facts of the case and sentencing.

    The defendant whose house address was not provided, had pleaded guilty to conspiracy and thegt.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Courage Ekhueorohan, told the court that Kofi and some others at large, committed the offence at No 21, Olajuwon st., off Ojuelegba Road.Yaba Lagos.

    Ekhueorohan submitted that while Kofi was employed to fix the POP (Plaster Of Paris) in the building, he conspired with some others to steal two bundles of Fila sneakers worth N1 million.

    He added that the stolen property belonged to Zealluck Resource Nigeria Ltd.

    He said that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 287 (7) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 411 carries two years imprisonment for offenders. (NAN)

    IOI/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

     

  • Nigeria seeks ECOWAS unity to enhance regional water supply

    ECOWAS

    By Tosin Kolade

    Abuja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Nigerian Government has called on member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to unite in their efforts to improve water supply in the region.

    Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, made this call at the 5th Ordinary Session of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee (MMC) of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in West Africa on Friday in Abuja.

    Utsev said West Africa was blessed with abundance water resources and commended the Water Resources Management Centre (WRMC) for choosing Nigeria to host the meeting.

    According to him, if properly harnessed and coordinated, it will serve as a cornerstone for development; impacting positively on health, education, tourism, food security and energy.

    “However, lack of proper coordination will lead to underdevelopment and conflict among countries because activities of one country at the upstream could constitute danger to other countries downstream.

    “Permit me at this juncture to emphasise on the need for unity amongst member states in the West African sub-region.

    “There is a saying that “teamwork makes the dream work”, this can also be said about our sub-region.

    “To truly see growth in the sub-region; we need to be united and work as a team especially when it comes to the management of our water resources, both surface and underground.’’

    The minister said the sub-region had great potential and, by working together, could address challenges like climate change, poverty, unemployment and inequality.

    Utsev thanked the Water Resources Management Centre (WRMC) for selecting Nigeria as one of the few West African countries to benefit from the 2024 ECOWAS Special Project for Access to Drinking Water in Rural Areas.

    “We are grateful for this privilege and will use our expertise to ensure the project is delivered seamlessly,’’ he said.

    Earlier, Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, represented by Mr Sediko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitisation, expressed gratitude to Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu for hosting the event.

    He noted West African states’ ongoing dedication to Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), which began in 1998 after the UN Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro.

    According to him, this commitment led to the adoption of a Regional IWRM Action Plan in 2000 and the establishment of a Permanent Coordination and Monitoring Framework (PCMF) in 2001.

    Touray said the relationship between challenges in the water and energy sectors, emphasising the urgency to expedite projects that provide clean water and sanitation.

    He called for technical and financial support for a regional programme focused on improving access to clean water in rural and peri-urban areas.

    Touray expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for hosting the meeting and expressed confidence that the discussions would be a significant milestone for implementing IWRM in West Africa.

    He also thanked the Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for his leadership in the PCMF.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Abuja meeting, held nearly nine years after the last session in Dakar, Senegal.

    It aims to rejuvenate the PCMF and evaluate the implementation of the West Africa Water Resources Policy (WAWRP), adopted in 2008.

    The WAWRP is a distinctive initiative aimed at developing a unified sectoral policy among West African regional organisations.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    TAK/CJ/

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    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo