Blog

Healthcare: Reps laud Kano’s corporate responsibility

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Healthcare

By Aisha Ahmed

Kano, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The House of Representatives Committee on Health has lauded the commitment of Kano people in equipping the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala.

The committee Chairman, Rep. Muhammed Jega, made the commendation during a courtesy visit to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State.

He said the committee was in the state for an over sight function at the Dala Orthopaedic Hospital since Oct. 31.

Jega noted that they were delighted at the provision of equipment by many philanthropists, including the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammau Sanusi II.

The committee said they were informed that Alhaji Aminu Dantata and Alhaji Isyaku Rabiu made tremendous contributions in providing portable water at the hospital.

Responding, Ganduje expressed gratitude with the committee for closely monitoring activities in the hospital, saying that change is all about that.

He said that the committee had done well by ensuring the provision of equipment and better services at Federal Government-owned hospitals across the state.

Ganduje assured the committee that the people of Kano would continue to demonstrate humility and kindness by supporting the health sector. (NAN)

AAA /JEO/MST

Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

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Economy

By Kola Adeyemi

Lokoja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State said on Tuesday that the state was very crucial to Nigeria’s economic recovery and attainment of prosperity.

Bello spoke through his Director-General, Media and Publicity, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, while addressing members of a socio-political group, Kogi Hope Alive in Lokoja.

According to him, 27 out of the 36 solid minerals found to be in large commercial deposits in the country are located in the state alone.

He said that the state, blessed with a large arable farmland suitable for cultivation of variety of crops, was also endowed with tourism sites that could be developed to global standards to attract foreign exchange.

The governor said that these factors, among others, had made the state to become one of the most important drivers for the anticipated diversified economy that would be less dependent on oil.

“The Ajaokuta Steel Company, if completed, can spark a beehive of economic and industrial activities. Steel production is one of the surest paths to becoming a global player politically, economically and industrially.

“Ajaokuta Steel can provide a steady path to national greatness,” he said.

Bello said that the state government was aware of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel Company, but insisted that a private sector-led economy was the best way out.

“A private sector-led economy will reduce our cost of running government, as the size of the civil service will be such that our resources can manage.

“We call on the Federal Government to expedite action on the Ajaokuta Steel and the National Iron Ore Mining Company at Itakpe to help the administration’s quest for economic diversification and industrial revolution.

The two projects will have a massive impact on our economy as well as create thousands of jobs,” Bello said.

He expressed confidence in the Federal Government’s ability to weather the storm and put Nigeria back on sound economic footing.

Bello pleaded with investors to come to the state, saying that his administration had put in place a less rigorous process to enhance ease of doing business.

According to him, government will provide adequate security for all investments and  personnel. (NAN)
KKA/SOA

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NDE trains Adamawa graduates on employment techniques

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Training

Yola, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) on Tuesday in Yola commenced a five-day training for 45 beneficiaries of the Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP) in Adamawa.

The Acting Director General of NDE, Mr. Kunle Obayan, who was represented by the Adamawa State Coordinator of NDE, Mallam Ismaila Yaradua, said the training by the Special Public Works Department (SPW) of the directorate was meant to enhance the graduates so that they would be retained in their areas of attachment.

“This training on enhancing employability of GAP beneficiaries is designed to provide skills and personal attributes for the beneficiaries as part of the innovations not just by SPW department but by the entire NDE to be in tune with evolving technological advancement and meeting with current realities.

“The modification also is to prepare the beneficiaries for proactive and productive performance in carrying out their assignment in the various places of attachment that may lead to their retention and to discover themselves for self employment.”

Obayan disclosed that NDE was currently modified with new employment schemes targeted at new diverse groups such as the  School-To-Work  scheme  for secondary school students now being tried in some selected states.

“The initial target group of the scheme is secondary school students in JSS 2 to SS 2. This initiative is aimed at imparting vocational skills on students as part of their schools’ curricular.

“The trades the students will be engaged in cut across numerous aspects of vocational and technical skills.”

The DG also listed the  “Smart Farmer” as another new scheme embarked on by the directorate.

While noting that NDE would continue to strive in meeting the demands of the present unemployment situation, he lauded Adamawa government for its support to NDE programmes in the state.

The Assistant Director in charge of Special Public Works (SPW) of the directorate, Mr Christopher Bamsida, urged the beneficiaries to optimize the opportunity given them by  taking  the training seriously.

Bamsida said that the directorate, with the commitment of the trainees, wanted to ensure that about 70 per cent of them were retained at the end of their six-month attachment. (NAN)
YMU/IA

Edited by Idris abdulrahman

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Victory
By Modupe Seriboh
Ibadan, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) A former governor of Oyo State, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, has urged Accord Party members in the state to work for the party’s victory in the forthcoming local council election in the state.

Ladoja made the plea on Tuesday in Ibadan at the swearing -in for the new executive members of the party at the state level and the 33 local government areas of the state.

The party chieftain, who expressed scepticism over the plans of the APC-led government to conduct council elections, however, urged the new executives to cooperate and ensure victory for the party.

‘’By this inauguration today in Accord party we are giving leadership to the new executives who were democratically elected in accordance with our party’s constitution to lead us to the promised land.

‘’In the past governorship election, we were told that we lost but we know it was in our favour.
“ By the grace of God, we will excel in this coming council election,’’ he said.

Ladoja, who was also a governorship candidate of Accord Party in the state, urged members to shun rancour and give peace a chance.

“ The first challenge for you as new executive members is to ensure that we excel in the council election, although we still do not believe they are actually set for the election.
“ Let us still prepare ahead.

“ Oyo people will not forget us, especially during our administration and in spite of the allocation we were getting then when compared to what they are getting now,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among the newly elected state executives are  Alhaji Waheed Oyelade, Chairman and Dr Nureni Adeniran, Secretary.

Others are Mrs Yetunde Ajibola, Women Leader; Akeem Olatunji, Publicity Secretary and Adekola Adeoye, Youth Leader.(NAN)
MAM/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

No proven ways to prevent asthma diseases – Commissioner

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Asthma

By Tinuade Adeshiyan
Lagos, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) Dr Jide Idris, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, on Tuesday said there are no proven ways to prevent asthma diseases but early detection can control it.

Idris made this assertion at a book presentation titled “Guidelines for Asthma Management” in Lagos.

The event was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health supported by GlaxoSmithkline (GSK) Pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book is the first of its kind in Nigeria and developed by seasoned physicians and scholars from various medical disciplines.

Idris said that the public focus of asthma should rely on early case detection and placement of affected individuals on appropriate and largely lifelong treatment to control the disease.

“Asthma is one of the commonest chronic diseases in the world and the prevalence of this disease appears to be increasing in most parts of the world including developing countries.

“In Nigeria, studies that have been carried out suggest that the disease is common and affects up to 10 per cent of adolescents and adult population.

“This disease appears to be more common in urban areas compared to rural areas.

“The major push is to rapidly identify persons who suffer asthma and provision of effective treatment to reduce asthma morbidity and mortality.

“It will be the duty of the Ministries of Health in Nigeria to ensure that the essential products needed to provide basic and quality care to asthma patients.

“I hope these guidelines will be widely disseminated and used by all healthcare providers to promote asthma care practices in Nigeria,” he said.

The General Manager, GSK, Mr Cesar Morval, said that his organisation is committed to improve asthma management and respiratory issues.

“We aim to help improve the appropriate diagnosis and management of asthma by supporting the lunch of the guidelines.

“For us at GSK this programme aligns with our mission to improve the quality of human life and help people to live better and longer and to also help health care deliveries in Nigeria.

“We are also supporting asthma clinics with diagnosis and monitoring kits, increasing awareness of asthma and providing solutions to health care challenges,” he said.

Marval also said that GSK is set to train 2000 general practitioners in Lagos State on appropriate management of asthma.

The Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Wale Oke, called for collaborative effort of healthcare practitioners and families to improve the quality of life of asthmatic patients. (NAN)

TAL/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

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NDE
Aisha Ahmed
Kano, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) said it was conceptualising new employment creation schemes targeted at secondary schools students.

The Acting Director General of the directorate, Mr Kunle Obayan, said this on Tuesday in Kano at the opening of  a 5-day Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP).

Obayan, represented by the Kano state Coordinator of the NDE, Malam Iliyasu Ahmed, said the scheme was targeted at JSS 2 to SSS 2 students.

“This initiative is aimed at imparting vocational skills to the students as part of their schools’ curricula.

“The trades that the students will be engaged in cut across numerous aspects of vocational and technical skills,’’ he explained.

Obayan said there was another scheme tagged “The Smart Farmer.”

The scheme, he noted, would provide agricultural intelligence, reliable data, as well as quality and cost effective demographical information.

He urged the beneficiaries of GAP to put in their best to benefit from the scheme which was highly competitive.

“About 45 graduates are under-going the training on enhancing employability of the beneficiaries which was designed to provide skills and personal attributes to them, ” he said. (NAN)

AAA/OIF/LDA

(Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Lawal Ado)

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Letter
By Ekemini Ladejobi
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Columbian Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Claudia Turbay Quintero, has formally received President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter congratulating President Santos for winning the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize.
 
A statement by Clement Aduku, spokesperson, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja said the letter was presented by Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, on behalf of President Buhari.
 
According to the statement, President Buhari noted that the Nobel Peace Prize was a reaffirmation of the historic role played by President Santos in negotiating a ceasefire with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) rebels.
 
The President expressed the hope that the award would further encourage the Columbian President to ensure that lasting peace is achieved in Columbia.
 
Also, Enikanolaiye and Quintero at the occasion shared counter-insurgency experiences and committed themselves to expanding the level of bilateral relations through exchange of visits at both Foreign Ministries level.
 
NAN reports that Quintero, who is based in Ghana, had earlier presented her letters of credence to ECOWAS President, Mr Marcel Alain de Saouza. (NAN)
EAL/EAL/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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Killing

Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Tuesday decried the killing of its officers on the field by drivers.

Mr Bisi Kazeem, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on behalf of  the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, said that henceforth any driver found to be responsible for the death of FRSC officers would be brought to book.

“The deaths of the corps are becoming a reoccurring issue that needs to be checked.

“We lost an officer of the corps in Talata Mafara and a special marshal in Sagamu last week to hit and run drivers; the latter was later caught.”

Oyeyemi expressed worry about the deaths of corps marshals, especially by hit and run drivers, adding that the incidence was getting more frequent.

He said that henceforth, any culprit would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

He also said that the corps was re-strategizing and deploying its senior officers to coach marshals on patrol ethics and ways to avoid such occurrences.

The corps marshal said that FRSC management was already looking into changing the corps’ patrol tactics so as not to be susceptible to such accidents in the future.

He urged the corps marshals not to relent in their efforts to achieve the FRSC mandate noting that such accidents could occur occasionally in the course of the job.

Oyeyemi said that the FRSC was already in discussions with government officials to proffer ways to tackle such incidences and protect the lives of officers on the field. (NAN)
ATAB/HAS/YAZ
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Yusuf Zango

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Deaths

Lokoja, Nov. 1, 2016 ( NAN) Six people , including a mother, three of her children and two of their neighbours on Tuesday lost their lives in Ogaminana area of Okene in Kogi  after eating a meal made from cassava flour.

The Public Relations Officer of the Adavi Local Government, Mr Abdulhamid Salahudeen told newsmen on phone that three of the victims died on Tuesday at the Okene General Hospital while the woman and two of her children had earlier died on Monday in their house.

He said that the woman died along side three of her children, two sons and a daughter

According to him two male children of her neighbour that partook in the meal also died .

He put the ages of the dead five children at between 9 and 15 years.

Salaudeen said that the mother had in the evening of Sunday, Oct. 30 brought the cassava flour ( white Amala) from her farmland at Ohuepe village.

He said that the woman prepared a dinner from the yam flour for the family and extended the food to her neighbour.

The officer said the victims later went to bed but developed severe stomach pain over the night which later resulted in the death of the woman and two of her children.

He said that neighbours who sensed that the sudden deaths might be due to the cassava flour dinner quickly rushed the remaining three children that partook in the eating to Okene General Hospital where they died on Tuesday.

Salaudeen said that the authority of the local government believed that the cassava flour was poisoned and had informed the police for appropriate  action.

A senior nursing officer at the Okene General Hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the death of the three victims at the hospital on Tuesday .

The nurse said that the victims were brought in late Monday afternoon. ( NAN)
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Toilet
By Uche Bibilari
Gwagwalada (FCT), Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Some residents of Gwagwalada Area Council have urged the authorities to construct public toilets in designated places to curb the menace of open defecation.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who spoke to some residents on Tuesday in Gwagwalada, reports that open defecation has become the norm in some areas in the council due to the absence of  public toilets.

Most people are seen defecating indiscriminately in bushes, under the bridge along the Abuja-Lokoja road, and some hidden places, especially in the early hours of the day.

The respondents said that to to avoid the possible outbreak of epidemic in the council due to the practice, the provision of public toilets had become imperative.

Mr Yahaya Isah, an okada rider, admitted engaging in open defecation, saying that he found it difficult to go home anytime wanted to use the toilet.

Isah therefore, urged the government to provide public toilets and charge little token for the use of such facilities.

“I want the government to build toilets in some places and employ people to clean and manage them

“It will be more convenient to use the facilities instead of coming out for work and going back anytime one needed to use the toilet.

“I know that defecating outside is not good but there is nothing I can do about it,” Isah said.

Another resident, Mr Ephraim Idoko, also said he was guilty of the act, adding that he preferred open defecation rater than using a public toilet, even if it was provided.

According to him, ensuring the cleanliness of such facilities is more important than just providing them.

“I cannot use a public toilet because that is the easiest place you can get infection; I cannot share a toilet with too many people.

“I prefer to defecate in the open although I know it is not hygienic but it will be better that contracting a disease after using the toilet,’’ he said.

Also commenting on the issue, Mrs Comfort Agu, a Civil Servant, said it was embarrassing that people were still engaging in open defecation in the 21st century.

Agu urged the government to provide public toilets in some strategic places in the council and penalise anyone caught defecating in the open.

According to her, some areas are so messed up with faeces that one could hardly pass through the roads without being overwhelmed with the stench.

Agu said that with open defection on the increase, the council was faced with the risk of an outbreak of epidemic.

“The government should do their part by providing public toilets first, then penalise anyone caught defecating in the open.

“People should learn to do the right thing; I do not see the reason while someone will leave his home and go outside to defecate.

She said that the council officials should engage in the inspection of homes and penalise landlords who built houses without providing toilet facilities. (NAN)
UU/NKO/NKO

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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo