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VSF pledges support in reconstruction of affected communities in Yobe

NAN-H-101

Reconstruction

By Lizzy Agbaji

Abuja, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Sunday Ochehe, the Executive Director, Victims Support Fund (VSF), on Monday pledged the continued support of the organisation in rebuilding communities affected by insurgency in Yobe State.

Ochehe made the commitment during an advocacy visit of Mr Abubakar Ali, Deputy Governor of the state to the organisation’s office in Abuja.

He said that VSF would assist the state government with its reconstruction and rehabilitation plans to alleviate the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

He said the visit was timely because achieving meaningful progress in the reconstruction of the North-East required partnership, collaboration, technical and support as no government organisation could do it alone.

“We have emphasised partnership because we recognise that no government or organization has the power to do it all by itself and to make meaningful progress, we have to work together.

“We need to leverage on existing capacities rather than wasting resources on creating capacities that are already in place.

“We emphasised that we are not setting up a parallel government or institution, but to be efficient, which includes utilising some of the capacities that exist in your state, including the technical capacity.

“We are bringing on board civil societies like the Economic Empowerment Programme. These are all Yobe- state based NGOs that are working with us to ensure the implementation of all we have been doing.’’

Ocheche assured the deputy governor of VSF partnership with the state government in the reconstruction of Buni Yadi community, identified as one of the worst hit by the Boko Haram insurgents.

According to him, VSF has launched its Agriculture-Based Economic Empowerment Project that has already benefitted 4,000 households as part of its North-East reconstructions schemes.

He explained that the beneficiaries, who included 2,000 farmers from Yobe and 2,000 others from Taraba, were supplied with seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, and cash support.

Ocheche further said that VSF had donated N250 million for the rebuilding of more than 40 structures and facilities in Dikwa, Borno State, to facilitate the return of IDPs.

He noted that N35 million was also donated to hospitals for the free treatment of victims of insurgency while also assisting more than 20,000 school children to gain access to educational materials.

Furthermore, he said that no fewer than 1,000 women had been successfully involved in income generating activities.

Earlier, the deputy governor, who is also the Chairman, Yobe State Committee on rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement of IDPs, solicited the continued support of VSF.

Ali said that the enormity of the destruction of facilities in the state was too much for the state and the Federal government to shoulder.

“ As a state government, we will continue to do our best because we are in an interface now, when we are leaving the phase of relief donation to the reconstruction stage.

“Most IDPs have returned to their original settlements; we have helped them to cultivate their farms and we expect that after the harvest, they would have enough to sustain them before the next rainy season.

“Last week, we released some building materials with the support of the state government and the Presidential Initiative to the people of Buni Yadi so that they can build the houses for themselves.

“Our idea of reconstruction is to support the people to construct their homes, then the Federal and state governments and our partners can assist us in rebuilding public infrastructures, Ali said.

He thanked VSF for its concern and pledge in rebuilding schools and hospitals in Yobe State. (NAN)

LIZ/FAT/NKO
(Edited by Fatima Sule/Nkechi Okoronkwo)
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NAN-HG-15
NHIS
Jos, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Usman Yusuf, Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has called on governors of the 36 states to adopt the scheme in order to achieve universal health coverage in Nigeria.

He made the call on Monday in Jos during the Progressive Governance Lecture Series held in Plateau state capital.

He said that the aim of the partnership between the NHIS and state governors was to extend healthcare to most Nigerians and also create strategies to improve health care financing across the states.

Yusuf said that the scheme had recorded low level of health coverage.

He said that most countries such as Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda had achieved over 50 per cent coverage of its citizens.

“Nigeria has one of the worst figures in health coverage all over the world with only four per cent despite our huge human and capital resources.

“Majority of Nigerians live in the states, towns and villages and the scheme covers just a little fraction of the population essentially federal government workers.

“We however seek the governor’s support to adopt the scheme because most Nigerians reside in the states and rural communities,’’ he said.

The executive secretary said the partnership would also create a platform for governors, traditional rulers and stakeholders to formulate policies that would be implementable for various states.

He said the primary goal of the agency was to increase healthcare coverage for all Nigerians especially the vulnerable, children under five, the disabled, prisoners, the aged among others.

Analyzing the challenges confronting the agency, Yusuf said that the scheme, established in 1999 and became operational in 2005 had performed poorly in the past 11 years.

“The NHIS has been sleeping on duty; corrupt, inefficient, lacks vision, not responsible and accountable to enrollees, complacent on health care financing and not good stewards of peoples trust.

“The healthcare providers have also defaulted on their solemn oath to patients.

“NHIS patients go to hospitals and are treated like lepers; some doctors are criminally negligent and disrespectful.

“While the health care maintenance organizations (HMOs) have been eating bread without sweating and grown fat on enrollees contribution, they are fraudulent, uncaring, full of impunity  corrupting the health care financing,’’ Prof Yusuf added.

He said his presidential mandate was to make NHIS work for all Nigerians; cleanse the scheme of inefficiency, endemic corruption, impunity and political patronage.

The NHIS boss said that his agenda would be to chart a new course for the agency that Nigerians would be proud of, refocus it, motivate the staff and change the culture.

He said that he would empower the enrollees to have access to their HMO’s and the ability to decide which hospital they want to subscribe to.

Also Speaking, Secretary to Kogi state government Mrs Ayo-Adefolashade Arike, lauded the efforts of the executive secretary, saying that Kogi state would soon launch into the NHIS scheme.

“Health is one of the focal point of the governor’s agenda and in the next two weeks we would raise a memo at the state executive council to launch into the NHIS scheme,’’ she said.

The Director-General of the governors’ forum, Prof. Saliu Usman, said that the all progressive governance lecture series was to create a frame work to identify key governance challenges and proffer recommendations.

He said that the policy recommendation would be factored into the states plans for governor’s consideration for the 2017 agenda. (NAN)

TIM/AEA/AEA
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Edited and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

Ex-EFCC boss Ribadu says fighting corruption is statutory duty of president

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Corruption
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The former EFCC Chairman, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, says it is the statutory responsibility of a country’s president to fight corruption from all angles.

Ribadu said this at the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) (Chartered), 2016 Annual Conference in Abuja on Monday.

“Nobody else, it is not the duty of any governor or any chairman of a local government; it rests on the shoulder of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria; if any one steals one naira in Uyo or Bayelsa State, it is the responsibility of the president to stop and bring him to justice.
“I think it is something the federation and the Federal Government should do a lot to ensure that they carry out constitutional duties and responsibilities.’’
Ribadu called for the celebration of good people “and let there be acceptance that this is what we want and let there be disgrace for the opposite; it must be we who can do that’’.

On recovered monies, he said there was no way anybody could steal the recovered monies, adding that recovery by EFCC had process which took time.

Ribadu said there was no recovery without a court order, adding that the recovered monies were exhibits and the ultimate was the court order.

He noted that the recovered monies from governors were usually sent back to the state the money was stolen.

He cited the James Ibori’s case, which the court ordered that the money recovered from the ex-Delta Governor should be sent to the Federation Account.

The former chairman said all those monies recovered went nowhere but the federation account, saying he was surprised that people were saying that the money could be stolen again.
He called for a national conversation where the heads of the executives, legislature and the judiciary would sit together to accept that they would set an order to fight corruption.

He said it was only through that the fight against corruption would succeed in the country.
He also called for the formation of a National Centre where information and data on every Nigerian could be accessed.

The conference is focused on, “Building a new Nigeria: Strategic options and policy imperatives.”

The event has a dual theme on the diversification of Nigerian economy and minimising corruption in public life.(NAN)

KM/IA

(Edited by Idris Abdulrahman)

NAN-AE-8
Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has predicted cloudy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Tuesday with prospects of morning isolated thunderstorms over Abuja, Lokoja, Mambila and Yola.

The predictions are contained in the Weather Outlook issued by NiMet’s Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Monday in Abuja.

It said that localised thunderstorms were expected over the high grounds of Abuja, Kaduna, Bauchi, Jos and Lafia in the afternoon and evening hours with maximum temperatures of 27 to 31 degrees Celsius.

The agency predicted localised rains over the inland of the southwest and the southeast coast in the morning with maximum temperatures of 30 to 31 degrees Celsius.

It also predicted localised rains/showers in coastal cities of Lagos, Calabar and Port-Harcourt in the Delta, 

According to the prediction, rains/showers are also expected in inland cities of Osogbo, Ilorin, Iseyin, Ibadan, Enugu and Akwa in the afternoon and evening hours.

The agency predicted partly cloudy conditions over the Northern states in the morning with sunny conditions over Sokoto, Gusau, Kano, Yelwa and Maiduguri and maximum temperatures of 31 to 35 degrees Celsius.

It also predicted that partly cloudy morning, sunny situation will prevail over the extreme north in the afternoon while localised thunderstorms and rains over the central and southern cities in the next 24 hours. (NAN)
OYS/AEA/AEA
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Edited and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

APC ready for Edo guber polls, says Gov. Oshiomhole

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Polls

By Donald Ugwu
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is ready for the Sept. 28 gubernatorial elections.

Oshiomhole, who spoke with State House Correspondents, said that the ruling party was also sure of victory having worked for Edo people in the past seven and half years.

“We work for Edo people. There is no ward in the state that you won’t find the government’s standard projects whether it is roads, school, health centre, and water.

“These are things that they have never seen for the 10 years of PDP in the state,’’ he said.

He added that the state had climbed from 30th position to 2nd position in the School Certificate examination showing that the state was no longer regarded as `miracle’ centre for students.

He said that before his administration came into office, public schools were dead and had to be resurrected to save the future of the children and the entire state.

He said that in the past student paid their way to obtain certificates in NECO and WAEC and continued in that mode when they got admitted into tertiary institutions.

The governor said the APC launched the one-man-one-vote campaign in the state, adding that with the power of the permanent voter card (PVC) everyone had the right to make a reasonable choice.

He said that the choice in Edo was whether to bring back the Lucky Igbinedion era, which he described as retrogressive, or to continue with the progressive Oshiomhole era.

“I have no doubt, any day anywhere, Edo man will vote APC,’’ he said.

He also defended and acknowledged the role that former governor Samuel Ogbemudia, an octogenarian, had played in Edo politics.

He described him as a statesman and father of the state, adding that no one could deny him that status giving his own achievements as governor.

He said Ogbemudia formed the Edo Mass Movement in order to look at personalities of candidates rather than party on a non-partisan basis.

Oshiomhole said that the movement had the right after interaction with the candidates to endorse any of them.

The governor appealed to those who planned to foment trouble in the Edo guber polls by importing thugs into the state to desist as such attempt would be resisted by the electorate.

He noted that some states in the South-South region had the history of violence and deaths during elections and such should not be brought into Edo.

He emphasised the need for credible polls in the state where the vote of the people would count.

The governor further denied influencing the postponement of the governorship polls adding that he had no links with INEC or the security agencies.(NAN)
DCU/OFN
(Edited by Felix Nwadioha)

NAN-HG-14

UNFPA
By Cecilia Ologunagba
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) Ms. Ratidzai Ndhlovu, Nigeria Resident Representative, UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has appreciated Nigeria for the support she received from the country during her tenure.

This is contained in a letter signed by Ndhlovu and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

According to her, I have been reassigned from Nigeria effective from Friday Sept. 16.

“I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation for the cooperation you have extended to me during my tenure in Nigeria as UNFPA Resident Representative.

“This reflects the friendly relations, both personal and official that have existed between the UN agencies and other diplomatic corps,’’ she said.

Ndhlovu, however, urged the government to continue to work hard to save the lives of pregnant women.

“I know you will continue to work hard to save lives, ensuring that every live, every pregnancy is wanted, every child birth is safe and potential of every young person is fulfilled.

“I wish you all the best and may God bless you,’’ she said.

Ndhlovu contributed so much to improving reproductive healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

She also assisted in the scale-up and partnership with states and development partners to increase the level of girl-child enrolment in schools in Kaduna, Sokoto and Kebbi states.

She said that pending the arrival of a new UNFPA Resident Representative, Ms Beatrice Mutali would be the Officer-in-Charge. (NAN)
CIA/MO/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
===============

Global Fund provides 659m mosquito nets globally to prevent malaria

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Nets
By Cecilia Ologunagba
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said it has provided 659 million mosquito nets around the world to prevent malaria.

This is contained in a statement issued by the organisation and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

The Global Fund partnership brings together governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by the diseases.

The statement said that the organisation had supported the people through its programmes designed and implemented by local experts.

It stated that the number of deaths caused by malaria had declined by 50 per cent in more than 100 countries.

“It declined by 50 per cent where the Global Fund invested between 2000 and 2015 and with continued support, 21 countries could eliminate malaria by 2020.’’

According to the statement, the Global Fund has saved 20 million lives through the distribution of the mosquito nets.

It stated that the organisation was on track to reach 22 million lives saved by the end of 2016.

“ As a result of prevention and control interventions in more than 100 countries, Global Fund-supported programmes averted 146 million new infections from the three diseases since 2012 alone.’’

It said that in Africa specifically, malaria mortality rates had fallen by 66 per cent among all age groups and 71 per cent among children under five years old since 2000.

“Still, malaria remains one of the top causes of morbidity in pregnant women and mortality in children under five, which is why a renewed effort is key to achieve a malaria-free world,’’ it stated.

In addition, the statement stated that the replenishment of the Global Fund for 2017-19 was confirmed on Sept. 16 at the Global Fund Replenishment Conference, taking place in Montreal, Canada.

The statement quoted Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) at the Replenishment conference as reaffirming the commitment to end the diseases.

The three diseases are AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

“Today at the Global Fund Replenishment Conference, leaders from around the world reaffirmed their commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and to end the three devastating diseases.

“African leadership and ownership are essential in the fight against malaria.

The Global Fund works in close partnership with African countries as countries commit more of their own resources to the fight against malaria.

“The African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) wholeheartedly supports the work of the Global Fund, which has helped to save millions of lives in Africa.

“We thank all partners for their generous contributions to the Global Fund and we look forward to working together to continue progress towards a malaria-free Africa,’’ the statement quoted Phumaphi as saying. (NAN)
CIA/FAT/AFA
Edited by Fatima Sule/Felix Ajide
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(more…)

NAN-AE-7

Market

By David Adeoye

Ikole (Ekiti) Sept 19, 2016 (NAN) Ikole Local Government Council in Ekiti has implored traders and people patronizing Ikole Main Market and other markets in the council area to make use of facilities provided in the markets.

Mr Tunde Famuyisan, Head of the Department of Environment in the council area, made this call while addressing some traders at the Ikole Main market on Monday.

He urged the market men and women to maximize use of latrine, dustbins and clinic provided in the market.

Famuyisan said the council made provision of these facilities to those visiting the market for one activity or the other; so that buying and selling would be carried out under good hygienic environment.

“The health centre located in the market is to provide healthcare delivery for people since we all know that anybody can fall sick unexpectedly.

“But some traders prefer self medication which is hazardous to their well-being instead of visiting the clinic,“ he stated.

Famuyisan further decried the flagrant abuse of environmental sanitation regulations such as littering the market with wastes, open defecation and indiscriminate dumping of faeces and refuse.

“The Council has zero tolerance to all forms of environmental abuses and will henceforth penalize traders caught littering the market with nylon, sachet of pure water, and other form of wastes or whoever display goods on road setbacks and verges.

“Every trader should endeavour to evacuate refuse to the designated points where dustbins are located at the end of every market day,“ he said.

He assured the traders of prompt response to their demands whenever they were faced with any challenge.

He urged them to support government in maintaining good sanitary condition in the market. (NAN)
DAK/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-98

Jibrin

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Ezzamgbo (Ebonyi), Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) Sen. Sam Egwu (PDP-Ebonyi North) has described the former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmunini Jibrin, as an attention seeker.

Egwu, a former governor of Ebonyi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at his home town, Ezzamgbo, in Ohaukwu local government on Monday that Jibrin chose the wrong time to speak on the budget, having kept quiet since the controversy started.

“Jibrin had the choice to make the allegations long ago, as I am aware that many legislators wanted to belong to the appropriation committees of both arms of the National Assembly.

“The issues of budget padding among other things gave rise to the controversies surrounding the 2016 budget and this affected its smooth passage at the National Assembly,” he said.

The former minister of education remarked that before Jibrin’s allegation, the legislators who belonged to the appropriation committees alleged that he was the cause of the problems that bedeviled the budget passage.

“The legislators even alleged that Jibrin hijacked the budget process and handled the whole process and its activities alone.

“One can then ask why he is shouting now because he should be among those that should be investigated, being part of the process from the beginning,” he said.

Egwu blamed the current economic recession in the country on the recklessness of the country’s past leaders in economic matters, with the populace also being culpable.

“The country imported virtually every item without paying attention to production, with the populace having the wrong notion that all locally-made goods are inferior.

“The country depended entirely on oil revenue as the government worsened the situation by giving concession to import goods which discouraged manufacturers and intending ones.

“The situation made the manufacturers view importation as an easy way to make money and we got to a point that the country depended on its foreign reserves for importation,” he said.

He noted that because importation could not be done with local currency, the foreign reserves started depleting and drastically affected the country economically.

“It is accepted that the present administration met a terrible condition on ground with the young peoples’ perception of making easy money without working worsening the situation,” he said.

He remarked that the issue of the National Assembly giving President Muhammadu Buhari emergency powers to handle the recession was a temporary measure, especially on procurement.

“I know as a former minister of education that procurement processes take time and there is already a bill on the issue before the National Assembly which I support wholeheartedly.

“Allowing the National Assembly to pass the law will be for the nation’s economic good,” he said. (NAN)

RCO/ESAN/MVO

(Edited by Abiodun Esan/Mbadiwe Okwor)