Blog

Surgery
By Bosede Olufemi

Kano, Dec. 30, 2018 (NAN) The Kano state government in collaboration with international Islamic Relief Organisation (IIRO) has conducted free surgery on more than 60 patients suffering from urinary tract problems.

The surgery was conducted on patients with urinary tract problems like cancers, birth defects, urinary Strictures, Benign Prostatic Enlargements, hypospodias and other urogenital abnomalities of male and female patients.

This is contained in a statement by the Chairman, Organizing Committee and Director General, Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA), Dr Usman Bashir and made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Sunday.

According to him, a team of 10 Urologists from IIRO Saudi Arabia and the state based Urologists conducted the surgery in four theather suites at Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, Kano.
He said the team conducted the surgery from Dec. 21st to Dec. 28th adding that mop up would continue on Monday.

Bashir quoted the state Commissioner of Health, Dr Kabiru Getso as saying “The IIRO has contributed with shared expertise, equipnment and consurmables worth about N20 million.”

“The state government provided them with an accomodation, feeding, transport and other logistics throughout their stay.

The commissioner disclosed that this kind of Urological surgery collaboration was the first of its kind in Nigeria. stressing that a door is now opened for both parties to continue with similar partnerships in the nearest future.

Getso revealed that most of the patients operated were discharged while the rest were still being taken care of at the centre.

Meanwhile, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje had organised a dinner party in honour of the IIRO team at the Government House, Kano on Saturday night.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Nasiru Gawuna thanked the team for coming to the state to contribute their quota in supporting Health care delivery.

In his remark, the IIRO team leader, Dr Jamal Al Barry on behalf of his colleagues expressed satisfaction with the reception accorded to them since their arrival the state.

Also in his remarks, the IIRO Regional Officer, Sheikh Abdallah bn Salem Al-howairini,said they were very happy with the initiative, adding that the Relief agency is ready to do more in this regards.

Some of the patients who benefitted from the gesture, Alhaji Saidu Ibrahim with five years urinary problems and Bilkisu Umar who suffered kidney stones thanked tthe state government and IIRO team for treating them free. (NAN)
BO/MTM
Edited by Tukur Muntari.

Bandits
By Doris Esa
Abuja, Dec. 30, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Air Force said the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation DIRAN MIKIYA successfully neutralised an armed bandits hideout at a compound West of Tsamari in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara.

Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He explained that the attack was conducted at dawn on Dec. 28, following intelligence reports indicating that the compound was being used by the armed bandits as a camp from where they launch attacks on innocent civilians.

Accordingly, the ATF detailed a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, which confirmed the presence of bandits armed with high calibre weapons at the location.

“Consequently, an Alpha Jet aircraft was dispatched to strike the compound, recording direct hits on the target area and resulting in significant damage to the structures and neutralisation of some bandits.

“This was later confirmed by credible human intelligence sources,’’ he said.

Daramola said surface troops later invaded the compound and recovered some motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing criminals.

“The ATF working in concert with surface forces and other security agencies, will continue to conduct reconnaissance and air interdiction missions with a view to restoring normalcy to the affected states in the North-west.’’ (NAN)
ORD/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

Shagari
My Chioma Ugboma
Lagos, Dec. 30, 2018 ( NAN) The bereaved family of late Dr Frederick Fasehun, Founder of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), has expressed sadness over the news of the passing on of elder statesman, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

Shagari, a former President of Nigeria who died on Friday at the age of 93, was buried on Saturday at his residence located in the Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Mr Oluremi Fasehun, who spoke for the family on Sunday in Lagos, lamented the passing away of another Nigeria’s great icon just weeks after the devastating news of the death of their own father.

Fasehun died on Dec. 1, at the age of 83.

“We, the family of Dr Frederick Isiotan Fasehun, are further saddened at this moment to hear the sorrowful news of the passing away of another great icon in Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

“Even while we ourselves are still devastated by the death of our own father and a great pillar, we wish to use this medium to express our deepest condolences to the surviving family members, friends, associates, and compatriots of late Shagari.

“It is even more painful that these deaths occured at a time when men of their stock are needed the most.

“This nation will never forget the role nationalists like Shagari played in the making of our history and the building of our national identity.

“And even as we mourn our own father, we pray that the almighty God who comforts us in all our trials, give you the strength to bear this great loss.

“On behalf of Dr Frederick Fasehun Family and the Frederick Isiotan Fasehun Foundation, we express our deepest condolences once again,” oluremi said.

Meanwhile, the Fasehun family disclosed that all was now set for the burial of their late patriarch and nationalist.

According to Fasehun, the funeral arrangements for the late Patriach, as announced by the family remains as scheduled.

“Monday 7th January 2019, there will be Service of Songs at St Peter’s Church 3, Ajele Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, by 5:00pm.

” On Tuesday 8th January 2019, there will be a Lying in state/Night of Tributes @ Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere, Lagos, from 12pm to 7pm. Wednesday the 9th of January 2019 will be for Commendation Service at St Peter’s Church, 3, Ajele Street, Lagos Island, Lagos at 9am.

“Then his body will depart for his hometown of Ondo same day for the Lying in State and Wake Keep Service at Dr Fasehun’s residence, White house, Molaseun Street, Off Esther Dada Avenue, Jolaco bus stop, Ondo-Ife Road, Ondo State at 5pm.

The Funeral Service is scheduled for Thursday 10th January 2019 at The Cathedral of St. Stephen, Oke Aluko, Ondo, Ondo State, at 10am.

The body of the late nationalist will be interred immediately, while Reception of guests starts at 2pm at the Civic Centre Ondo. Sunday 13th January 2019, Outing Service at The Cathedral of St Stephens, Oke Aluko Ondo at 10:00am,” he said.

Dr Frederick Fasehun, was the first Acupuncturist in Nigeria and arguably, in Africa. (NAN)
CHOM/AMY
Edited by Chioma Ugboma and Abdullahi Yusuf

Endorsement

Enugu, Dec 29. 2018 (NAN) The Enugu West Concerned Citizens Forum (EWCCF) in Enugu State has endorsed the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu for the 2019 general elections.

The forum said its members would vote en masse for Ibekaku-Nwagwu for her dogmatism and antecedents as the former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Justice Reforms.

The forum made this known in a six-point communiqué issued at the end of its meeting at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu on Saturday.

Its Coordinator, Elder Ben Ezeamuha, who read the communiqué, identified the senate seat as the highest political elective position for the entire five council areas.

He said the Enugu West Senatorial District comprising Udi, Ezeagu, Aninri, Awgu and Oji River Local Government Areas deserved a change from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) represented by the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

He said that indigenes of other four council areas of Oji River, Awgu, Ezeagu and currently Aninri had at various times occupied the exalted seat except Udi.

Ezeanuha said that Udi North should reject the paltry Seat of the House of Representative, which had not added any significant development to the zone.

He said that all Udi and Ezeagu sons and daughters should adopt this position and canvass for it.

In a related development, Mr Gabriel Onoh, son of the former Governor of old Anambra State, has said that the people of Ngwo were completely neglected from the PDP 16 years’ representation of Enugu West in the Senate.

“We have nothing to show that we have been supporting PDP for the past 19 years,” Onoh said at a meeting of leaders and stakeholders of Ngwo Iri in Udi Local Government Area of the state.

The meeting was held at Isi-Okpoto with leaders and representatives of the 10 villages that make up Ngwo clan namely Uboji, Ameke, Amachala, Amabor, Ukaka , Amankwo, Umuase, Etiti, Okwojo and Enugu Ngwo.

According to Onoh, you cannot do the same thing repeatedly for 16 years and expect the same result, as is the case in Enugu West.

He said their decision to shift the support base of the people of Ngwo to the APC candidate, Mrs Ibekaku-Nwagwu was informed by her track record.

In a similar development, the entire Umumba comprising Umumba Ndi-Uno and Umumba Ndi-Agu in Ezeagu council area and the Association of Igala Youths resident in Udi LGA and the 9th mile in particular also threw their weight behind the senatorial ambition of Ibekaku-Nwagwu.

Ibekaku-Nwagwu, in her response thanked all the groups that adopted her, especially the Enugu West Concerned Citizens Forum (EWCCF) forum, the Women Wing of the Enugu State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

She condemned the unruly attitude of some members of the National Assembly during the President’s Budget presentation and described such as `unbefitting’ of persons of presumably distinguished personalities.

She emphasized the need for the electorate to examine the character of persons they intend to elect into various positions, especially the National Assembly at the forthcoming 2019 General Election for responsive and quality representation.

She frowned at the alleged incessant destruction of her billboards by unidentified persons and called on her supporters to remain calm in the face of such provocation, while calling on the security agents to do the needful.   

“All the groups should also give President Muhammadu Buhari the same support so that Enugu State would join the government at the centre because the South East has unanimously vowed to vote for Mr. President totally come 2019”, she said.(NAN)

IFO/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Serie A
Naples (Italy), Dec. 29, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Napoli’s Dries Mertens scored two minutes from time to give his second-placed side a 3-2 win over Bologna after the struggling visitors twice fought back to equalise on Saturday.

Arkadiusz Milik put Napoli ahead on two occasions but Bologna, without a win in 12 Serie A matches, hit back with goals by Federico Santander and Danilo.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli side stayed nine points behind leaders Juventus, who have 53 points after a 2-1 win at home to Sampdoria, as the championship reached the halfway mark.

Napoli fans carried pictures and banners of support for defender Kalidou Koulibaly who was subjected to racist insults during the 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan on Wednesday.

The Senegalese was sent off in that game, with Ancelotti blaming the player’s loss of temper on the taunts, and was suspended on Saturday.

Milik scored in the 16th minute, prodding the ball home after a series of rebounds, only for Santander to level for Bologna just after the half hour.

The Paraguayan got in front of his marker at a free-kick to power home a header.

Napoli regained the lead with a Milik header six minutes after the restart, only to concede another goal from a set-piece.

This time Danilo scored in the 80th minute as Koulibaly’s absence was sorely felt.

Belgian Mertens then came to the rescue, cutting inside to score from the edge of the area with a shot which bounced under Lukasz Skorupski.

Bologna nearly levelled again when Napoli’s Mario Rui had to clear off the line following a corner-kick, but the home team held on.

The defeat kept Bologna in the relegation zone in 18th place with 13 points.(Reuters/NAN)
KIA/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Hat-trick
Liverpool (UK), Dec. 29, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Roberto Firmino struck a hat-trick as rampant Liverpool opened up a nine-point lead at the top of the English Premier League after crushing Arsenal 5-1 at Anfield on Saturday.

Arsenal stunned the home crowd by taking the lead in the 11th minute.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles scoring his first league goal for the club as he connected at the back post with an Alex Iwobi cross.

It was the first time Juergen Klopp’s side had trailed at home since Dec. 30 of 2017, but just three minutes later they were back on level terms.

Mohamed Salah jinked into the box and went down under a challenge but the ball fell to Firmino who made no mistake with a cheeky “no look’’ finish.

Firmino then showed his full range of skills with a brilliant solo goal as he dribbled past three Arsenal defenders before slotting home with his left foot.

Sadio Mane made it 3-1, converting a low Salah cross after a brilliant cross-field pass from Andy Robertson.

And then on the stroke of halftime Salah made it 4-1 from the spot after he had been brought down in the box.

Firmino completed his hat-trick, from the penalty kick spot, driving home in front of the Kop after Sead Kolasinac was ruled to have pushed over Dejan Lovren.

Liverpool are nine points clear of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who lost 3-1 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Third-place Manchester City, who are 10 points behind Liverpool, can close the gap if they beat Southampton on Sunday.(Reuters/NAN)
VO/KIA/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Weather

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Dec. 29, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has predicted dust haze to moderate dust haze weather conditions with reduced visibility over most parts of the country and misty morning over the coastal south on Sunday.

NiMet’s Weather Outlook on Saturday, in Abuja, predicted dust haze condition with visibility range of two to five kilometres over the central region throughout the forecast period.

It added that day and night temperatures of 28 to 35 and 11 to 20 degrees Celsius respectively would prevail over the region.

The agency predicted that the Northern States would experience slight dust haze conditions in the morning hours with day and night temperatures of 29 to 32 and 17 to 19 degrees Celsius respectively.

It also predicted that as the day progresses, dust haze condition with visibility range of two to five kilometres was expected to prevail with localised visibility of less than or equal to 1000m over the region.

According to NiMet, Southern States will experience dust haze condition with visibility range of two to five kilometres over the inland cities with early morning mist and fog over the coastal cities.

“Later in the day, dust haze condition is anticipated over the region with day and night temperatures of 32 to 36 and 18 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.

“Dust haze conditions are likely to prevail over the entire country in the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicted. (NAN)
OYS/IKU/DUA

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Dada Ahmed

Warri: 8 feared dead as 2 vehicles plunge into river
 
Accident
 
Edeki Igafe
 
Warri(Delta), Dec. 29, 2018 (NAN) No fewer than eight persons allegedly lost their lives on Saturday in an accident that involved two vehicles in Warri.
Eyewitness account said the two vehicles which included a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a commercial bus rammed each other and plunged into a river along the ever busy NPA Expressway in Warri.
The source explained that the two vehicles were on the same lane of the dual carriageway around the Ekpan community axis of the expressway.
According to the source, the commercial bus was parking on the side of the road to pick a passenger when the SUV allegedly rammed into it and both plunged into the river with the eight persons on board.
“The bus was picking a passenger around that spot when the Jeep (SUV) on high speed ran into it and pushed the bus and itself into the river.
“Eight bodies were recovered from the wreckage inside the water.
“It took the intervention of sympathisers as well as men of the Nigeria Police Force, Ekpan Divisional Headquarters to recover the corpses and evacuate the vehicles from the scene of incident,” the eyewitness said.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta Command, Mr Andrew Aniamaka,when contacted said though he was yet to get an official report on the accident, but he had been informed about it.
“Yes, I have heard about it, but I am yet to get a situation report from the new Ekpan DPO. I will get back to you later,” he said. (NAN)
EDI/MZA
 

Shagari

By Muhammad Nasir Bello

Sokoto Dec. 29, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, has declared Monday, Dec. 31, as public holiday in the state to enable residents offer special prayer for the repose of the soul of former President, Shehu Shagari.

This is contained in a statement by Tambuwal’s Director General, Media and Public Affairs, Malam Abubakar Shekara, and issued to newsmen on Saturday in Sokoto.

Tambuwal said that the declaration followed consultation with the Sultanate Council.

“The state government therefore, requests Imams across Sokoto and the general public to dedicate the day for special prayers for the repose of the soul of the former President and for peace and progress of the nation at large.

“The government also directs all flags at public and private premises be flown at half mast in honor of the late former President, Shehu Shagari,” it said. (NAN)

BMN/MZA
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