Blog

NAN-H-36
Partnership
By Sunday John
Lafia, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) A coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), in Nasarawa State, will partner the House of Assembly to amend the law establishing Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in the state.

A leader of the coalition, Mr Nawani Aboki, made the announcement on Tuesday in Lafia during an advocacy visit to the chairman and members of the House of Assembly Committee on Health.

Aboki, who is also the Executive Director, Centre for Women, Youths and Community Action (NACWYCA), said the NGOs want the agency to be restructured in line with the national standard for effective service delivery.

The NGOs he said, want the office of the agency’s chairman to be created different from the chairman of the agency.

He added that the government should also be saddled with the responsibility of appointing members of the board of the agency.

Aboki said that the NGOs also want offices of the agency to be established in all the 13 Local Government Areas of the state to meet national standards.

“If the agency is properly structured, it will give room for check and balance and enable it access support from donor agencies to improve healthcare delivery at the local level.

“If so much power is vested on an individual, it gives room for abuse of office and scepticism in terms of transparency that international donors look out for, “Aboki added.

The executive director commended the state government for making efforts to bring all the components of Primary Health Care in the state under one umbrella through the establishment of an agency.

He expressed the determination of the coalition to complement government’s efforts to improve health care at the local level.

In his response, Mohammadu Okpede, the chairman, House Committee on Health, commended the NGOs for the visit and promised to do everything possible to amend the law establishing the agency.

“In no distance time our committee will work out modalities to amend the law to meet up with the national standards,” he promised.

Okpeded urged the coalition to put their s advice and suggestions in written and forwards it to the committee to facilitate its work. (NAN)
SDJ/FAT/AEA
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Edited by Fatima Sule/Archibong Asuquo

Adamawa Govt. flags off maternal, newborn, child health campaign

NAN-HG-3

Campaign

Mayo-Belwa (Adamawa), Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Adamawa Government on Tuesday flagged off the second phase of 2016 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week Campaign in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of the state.

Launching the campaign in Mayo-Belwa, Mrs Miracle Babale, the wife of the Deputy Governor, said that the main objective of the exercise was to boost the healthcare delivery system in the state.

Babale explained that the core objective of the programme was to improve and promote delivery and utilisation of health and nutrition services by women and children.

“The Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week Campaign exercise will take place in all the 21 local government areas of the state from today.

“During the exercise, children from 0-59 months and pregnant women are expected to visit the nearest health facility or other designated places for MNCH interventions,” Babale said.

She said that the exercise was designed to increase the coverage of MNCH interventions, improve the capacity of health workers to deliver good quality services and to improve facility based health seeking behaviour of the people.

She explained that the event was a bi-annual activity adopted by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Council on Health (NCH).

According to her, the development come up as a result of backdrop of unacceptably poor maternal and under-5 health indices in the country, and urgent need to interrupt and reverse the trend.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Fatima Atiku, noted that the state government has supported the State Primary Health Care Development Agency with necessary logistics to facilitate training of various cadres of personnel at state, local and ward levels as well as posting of senior supervisors from the Ministry of Health to ensure the success of the exercise.

Atiku, therefore, called on all communities, health workers and other personnel participating in the campaign to ensure that the aim and objectives of the programme were fully achieved.

“Parents and care givers should be rest assured that the interventions are safe and cost effective, and will boost the immune system of our children,” Atiku said. (NAN)
AMA/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-7
Bail
By Tomisin Erogbogbo
Lagos, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) A Tinubu Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday granted N20,000 bail to a 31-year-old man, Tunde Ayinla, who allegedly stole a bundle of lace material valued at N100,000.

The accused, who was brought before the court on one-count charge of stealing, pleaded not guilty to stealing from the shop at Oshodi Market in Lagos.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Richard Odigie, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 8 at about 11.30 a.m. at Oshodi Market, Lagos.

He said that the accused entered into a shop belonging to one Mrs Olaide Ojetekun pretending to be a customer and stole a bundle of lace material valued at N100, 000.

He alleged that Ayinla was sighted by the sales girl in the shop who ordered the accused to open his bag for search.

The offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, the prosecutor said.

The Magistrate, Mrs F.O. Ikobayo, granted the accused N20,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

The case is adjourned to Dec. 11 for mention. (NAN)
TME/DEB/PDE
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(Edited by Debo Oshundun/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-HE-12
Honour
Lagos, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) says it is set to honour some outstanding individuals, who have distinguished themselves in the oil and gas industry.

A statement in Lagos on Tuesday by the Chairman of the association, Mr Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, said the individuals would be honoured at PETAN’s annual oil industry awards dinner.

According to the statement, the dinner will hold in Lagos on Dec. 1.

Okoroafor said NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru, would deliver a keynote address with the title: `Local Content Compliance in an Extended Low Oil Price Environment’.

The delivery, the statement added, was expected to shed some light on NNPC’s intentions and strategies in the present times, the future of the oil industry vis-à-vis the role of NNPC and the Nigerian economy as a whole.

It identified the institutional and professional competence awards recipients as Shell Petroleum Development Company, Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, Oilserv Limted and Nigeria Agip Exploration (NAE).

According to the statement, PETAN’s annual Industry Achievement Awards’ Ceremony offers eminent industry players an opportunity to interact and network under a cosy atmosphere, where the tone for ending the year of hard work is set.

PETAN has as its members, indigenous oilfield servicing companies.

It was set up to take advantage of the technical know-how acquired in the oil and gas industry by Nigerians as a springboard for economic and technological advancement of the country.

Members of PETAN employ more than 20,000 engineers and other technical personnel with a direct employment of no fewer than 80,000 people.

PETAN offers 250 distinct technical services to the Nigerian oil industry and many of these companies now offer similar services in Mauritania, Ghana, Cameroun, Equitorial Guinea, Congo, Gabon, the Middle East, South East Asia and the United States. (NAN)
YO/YEE/IA

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
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Microsoft tasks entrepreneurs on breaking business established habits

NAN-HE-3
Entrepreneur
By Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) Mr Perry Kamel, Microsoft Senior Business Development Manager for Small and Medium Enterprises in Africa, says breaking an established habit makes one an entrepreneur.

Kamel made the observation in statement in Lagos on Tuesday, stressing that ‘’with passion, determination and a willingness to try and fail, and try again, the world could be people’s oyster.

“The many stories about the common traits of an entrepreneur are written as if there are magical properties that you are either born with or not, and if you do not possess them you will never succeed.

“However, what you often find is that many entrepreneurs that seem to display these ‘common traits’ still often fail, while those who do not fail, make it.

“What you think it takes to succeed may be all wrong,” he said.

Kamel said that there was the need for entrepreneurs to understand some five entrepreneurial myths and where entrepreneurs are going wrong in their businesses.

He listed them as: being a risk taker, having start-up capital, know when to quit, entrepreneurs being extroverted leaders and having a business plan.

He said that more important than risk appetite, was how risk was managed when the wrong step was taken.

“An entrepreneur needs to be a risk taker, diving head first into your brilliant idea does not make one an entrepreneur.

“ In South African for example, a business started by two engineers to develop a radar system that alerts cyclists of potential hazards on the road made them leave their corporate jobs.

“Building their innovation is not what defined them. It was how they responded to failure. They battled for nine years to sell the radar software technology, even trying door-to-door sales.

“They could not get a big break, did not give up though. They adapted, learned and realised that they needed an accelerator.

“The product is proof that agility and determination is a better determinant of success than being able to take a risk,” he said.

Kamel urged entrepreneurs to have a start-up capital, adding that keeping the business floating should be uppermost in their mind.

“Many businesses can start with very little capital, particularly those that operate online. The trick is sustaining and growing your business for the next 18 to 36 months which is the most difficult.

“This is often where we see entrepreneurs sell their homes, work 18-hour days and borrow money from family and friendsi doing whatever it takes to make the business work.

“This makes for real entrepreneurs. There is a saying in the Small and Medium Enterprises ecosystem that if entrepreneurs are not prepared to invest and lose everything, they will not be taken seriously by investors,” he said.

He also urged entrepreneurs to know when to quit, when an idea did not work, or had taken a wrong turn, to let go.

“There is a saying that when you fail, fail quickly, pivot quickly. Quit what is not working, but never quit the dream.

“Prepare just the minimum viable product or service to see if it will fly. If it does not, move on.

“Good entrepreneurs do not get so attached to their solutions that they are blinded by their desire to make that specific solution work,” he said.

He said that all entrepreneurs were not extroverts as there are many ‘quiet’ leaders who demonstrated the resilience, listening skills and analytical insight to build great businesses.

Kamel said that one of the best things an entrepreneur could do was to surround themselves with people who had different styles.

He said that an entrepreneur must have a business plan that would be used to project financials to secure investment.

He, however, said that many successful entrepreneurs never had a formal business plan and called for fine-tuning of assumptions before defining a specific plan with financials based only on dreams and passion.

“Instead of getting fixated on a business plan, rather focus on a business model.

“This complements the business idea by describing the customer journey and more importantly, the channels to acquire new clients.

“There is need to focus on Strategic Growth Plans that show how Go-to-Market can occur for entrepreneurs, thereby bringing customers to the business,“ he said. (NAN)
CAN/TA

Edited by Fela Fashoro/Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-ELS-3
Prince
Minneapolis (U.S.), Nov.29, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Influential pop star, Prince will be celebrated over a four-day festival at his Paisley Park Studios compound in Minnesota, on the first anniversary of his death, organisers said on Monday.

“Celebration 2017″ will take place from April 20 to April 23, with tickets starting at $499 for the four-day event.

Prince’s band, The Revolution; Morris Day; and another Prince band, 3RDEYEGIRL will perform at the upcoming show.

More artists will be announced at later dates.

Prince, known for songs including “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry,” died on April 21 of an accidental overdose of the powerful painkiller fentanyl at his Paisley Park estate in the Minneapolis suburb of Chanhassen.

He was 57.

Organisers said the event will “reflect the spirit” of the singer’s inaugural “Prince: A Celebration” June 2000 concert, which featured performances and events over four days.

Fans of the late singer have been able to pay their respects at Paisley Park since it opened to the public last month, allowing visitors to see instruments, artwork, wardrobe and other items belonging to Prince.

Last month, Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan topped the bill for an all-star concert tribute in memory of Prince.

The concert held at an arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, about 30 miles (48 km) west of Paisley Park. (Reuters/NAN)

ERO/MZA

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NAN-H-5
Deployment
By Aminu Muuhammed Garko
Minna,  Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)in Niger has deployed 600 personnels on 24 hours patrol on all Federal Highways in the state to ensure safe driving during and after Christmas festivities in the state.

The Sector Commander, Mrs Suzan Ajenge made this known Tursday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.

Ajenge said that the personnel would monitor drivers to ensure safe driving and respect for traffic rules while on wheel.

“We have deployed sufficient personnel to all the major federal highways to checked the activities of reckless drivers” she said.

She warned motorists against overloading, dangerous driving and speed limit violation in order to reduce road accidents during the yuletide.

She also called on motorists to desist from  making phone calls while driving as well as allowing underage children on wheel.

Ajenge appealed to religious leaders to compliment the efforts of the command by sensitising roads users on the need to obey traffic rules and regulations.

She also advised motorists to ensure proper services of their vehicles and avoid the use of worn-out and expired tyres.

She reminded motorists that overloading of vehicles could make the drivers to lose control while driving especially when on high speed. (NAN)
AAG/YMU

NAN-H-92
Solar
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) Malam Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education, on Monday performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a 10MW solar power plant estimated to cost four billion naira at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

The project, located at Biye Village, Sabongari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, is expected to be completed in six months and is meant to address the energy needs of the university.

It was designed, initiated and financed by ABU in collaboration with Nigeria-German Energy Partnership with assistance from Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

During the foundation laying ceremony, the minister commended the university for its foresight and urged it to sustain the tempo.

Adamu was represented by Hajiya Fatima Jidda-Ahmed, Director, Tertiary Institutions in the Federal Ministry of Education.

He expressed the hoped that the institution would take advantage of the partnership with Germany, not only in power generation, but in encouraging engineering students gain from the partnership.

In his speech, the German Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Regina Hess, said the partnership was based on the passion Germany had for university education in Nigeria.

She said universities would perform better if the education budget was used judiciously.

“With this project, our passion for Germany has become the passion for Nigerian government too,” she said.

Hess promised to train engineers from the ABU to become experts in the field of solar energy.

Dr Jeremy Gains, the Coordinator, Nigeria-German Energy Partnership, recalled that the project started in 2008 in Berlin when the late President Umaru ‘Yar’adu’a and his wife visited Germany.

“Both Yar’adu’a and his wife were alumni of the university. He met Chancellor Martha and she asked how Germany can help Nigeria.

“The late president said wisely in just three words and those three words were; power, power, power, adding that electricity is the key to development,” he said.

Gains said another alumni of ABU who also facilitated the project was the late Dr Rilwanu Lukman, when he was both minister and Secretary-General of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

(The) “German company will come to Nigeria to create power stations while in return, Nigeria will guarantee energy security in the form of gas,” he noted.

Earlier, the ABU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, said ABU, the largest university, not only in Nigeria but in West Africa, had high demand for electricity.

He said the university spent about N85 million monthly on electricity, “that’s why we need our own power source to use and probably sell out to consumers out there.”

Garba said, all things being equal, the project, which initial cost stood at four billion naira, would be completed in the next six months. (NAN)
KLM/CEO/JCE
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Edited by Chidi Opara/Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-H-90

Wives

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Abuja, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, on Monday expressed her readiness to support the wives of governors to tackle challenges facing women and children in their states.

She gave the assurance when Southern Governors` Wives Forum led by its Chairperson, Mrs Nkechi Okorocha, paid her a courtesy visit at the State House, Abuja on Monday.

Mrs Buhari, who said she supported the creation of the southern governors` wives forum, noted that it would ensure unity and development among womenfolk.

She, therefore, promised to work closely with them to combat domestic violence, encourage girl child education as well as fight maternal and child mortality through her NGO, the “Future Assured Initiative.“

She said the forum, initiated in Jan. 2016, was aimed at addressing the socio-economic and health challenges of women and children in Southern Nigeria.

The wife of the President praised the wives of southern governors for their determination to improve the condition of living of women and children in their states.

“I am really proud of you’’, Mrs Buhari said.

Mrs Okorocha told State House Correspondents that they came to brief Mrs Buhari on their achievements so far and strategise on how to address domestic violence and challenges of girl-child education in the region.

Mrs Okorocha was accompanied by the 17 southern governors’ wives including the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, wife of Abia Governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu and wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, among others. (NAN)

AMU/MOL/IEA
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Idahisa Asowata.
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