Blog

NAN-H-23
Pharmacy
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 17, 2016 (NAN) A Pharmacist, Mr Lanre Alege, has said that registered pharmacists in Nigeria are grossly inadequate, considering the population of the country.

Alege of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), said this on Saturday in Ilorin in a lecture delivered during the monthly Keep Fit exercise for members of staff of the institution at the Kwara Stadium Complex.

He said that according to the records of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN). Nigeria has 17,000 registered pharmacists,

“Nigeria, the most populous black nation in the world with estimated 170 million people (2012 population) can only have a pharmacist to 10,000 Nigerians by that number,’’ he said.

He defined pharmacy as an International profession which deals with the art and science of cultivating, collecting, compounding, manufacturing and dispensing of drugs and poisons.

The pharmacist said that pharmacy involved training, research, drug development and provision of pharmaceutical care.

Alege, also the National Auditor of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), said that, “The World Pharmacists Day is being celebrated every September 25 and recognised by the WHO’’.

According to him, the theme for this year’s celebration is: “Pharmacists; caring for you’’.

He said that in UITH, a tertiary health institution of 640 beds complement with an average of 20,000 monthly patients’ attendance is boosted with only 33 registered pharmacists carrying out various activities in 17 decentralised pharmacy units.

Alege said that the roles of pharmacists could not be overemphasised.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the Keep Fit exercise, as usual, started with walking and jogging, and ended with flexibility exercise. (NAN)
OOH/AJA
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(Controlled by Adeleye Ajayi)

Jigawa Govt directs LGs to launch tree planting campaign

NAN-H-34

Campaign

By Muhammad Bashir

Dutse, Sept. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Jigawa Commissioner for
Local Governments Affairs, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammad, has directed the 27 local governments to launch the 2016 Tree Planting Campaign in their respective areas.

Muhammad gave the directives when he inspected the launch of tree planting campaign in Buji Local Government Area.

The commissioner urged people to plant trees in their farms and houses so as to curtail desert encroachment.

Represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmad, the Director Agricultural Services in the ministry, Muhammad said that planting a tree was vital for the environment.

The Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Barau Abdullahi, warned that the state government would not tolerate indiscriminate felling of trees, especially by road sides.

Abdullah, represented by Director Environment, Alhaji Umar Idris, also charged people to always protect their environment.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the council, Alhaji Hashim Ahmad, said the council would distribute free seedlings to people to plant in their houses and farms.

Ahmad said 10,000 assorted tree seedlings would be distributed to farmers and other interested individuals in the area for planting. (NAN)

MNB/ECN

(Edited by Felix Nwadioha

FG to spend N1.6b on rehabilitation of Zaria-Pambegua road
NAN-H-18
Rehabilitation
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Sep. 17, 2016 (NAN) A member of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajuddeen on Saturday said the Federal Government would spend N1.6 billion on the rehabilitation of Zaria-Pambegua road in Kaduna State.

Tajuddeen, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria shortly after a meeting with his constituents.

He said the rehabilitation work would begin this year and would cover over 100 kilometres.

The lawmaker explained that the project was initiated to save lives due to frequent accidents because of the deplorable nature of the road.

“The project is included in this year’s budget and when completed, would not only ease transportation difficulties but would boost economic activities in the area.

“Hopefully, work will soon commence, so that members of my constituency will further reap the fruits or dividends of democracy,” he said.

He cited other road projects to be executed in the constituency to include the Kofar Doka-Prison-Kwarbai, Old Jos-Dakace road; and NNPC booster station-Gabari village road.

On education, Tajuddeen said he had constructed an ICT centre at Kofar Doka in Zaria, and awarded scholarship to about 800 students this year.

The lawmaker assured people in the constituency of even spread of projects, so as to give all and sundry a sense of belonging.

On the essence of the meeting, Tajuddeen said it was organised to inform members of APC on the activities of government and its plans for the constituency.

He pleaded with the people to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari and other elected officials, assuring that things would soon improve.(NAN)
KLM/MZA
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[Edited and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed]

NAN-DS-2
Robbery
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, Sept. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Osun Government on Saturday deployed an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to Ibokun community in the state for bank to reopen for commercial activities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WEMA bank, the only commercial bank in the town was shut for business activities in December 2015 due to a robbery attack.

NAN recalls that a gang of armed robbers had on Dec. 15, 2015 attacked the bank, during which two people were killed, many injured and a large sum of money was carted away by the robbers.

One of the conditions listed by the bank’s management to resume operation was the provision of an armoured vehicle by the government to guarantee the security of their businesses.

The deployment of the vehicle, which was facilitated and renovated by Mr Bosun Oyintiloye, a lawmaker representing the community at the State House of Assembly, was received with joy by the residents.

Oyintiloye, while handling over the vehicle to the Divisional Police Officer in the town, Mr Durodola Taofeeq, said he took the decision to assure the people and business operators in the community of their safety.

He said that the reopening of the bank in the town would revive its commercial and economic activities.

Oyintiloye thanked Gov. Rauf Aregbesola for providing an enabling environment for business to thrive in the state.

He called on the management of the bank to resume business activities, adding that the environment was now secure for them to operate.

The traditional ruler of the town, the Oba’bokun of Ibokunland, Oba Festus Awogboro commended the efforts of the state government and the lawmaker towards ensuring security of lives and property.

Oba Awogboro said that the residents of Ibokun and its environ had been experiencing hardship in banking transactions since the armed robbery attack.

Mrs Adeyemo Ramat, the Iyaloja of lbokun, said that the reopening of the bank would boost the economic development in the town. (NAN)
VE/KOLE/BOS

Edited by Remi Koleoso, controlled by Dele Bodunde

Industrialist blames recession on non-portfolio billionaires

NAN-H-33

Recession

By Emmanuel Antswen

Makurdi, Sept. 17, 2016 (NAN) Mr Peter Chieshe, Nigerian industrialists and President Newland Group, has blamed the economic recession on the rise of Nigerian billionaires who has no business establishments.

Chieshe, who had diversified interests in the agricultural value chain, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Saturday.

He said that the growing increase of Nigerian billionaires without a single productive business was responsible for the current recession.

According to him,lack of productive businesses in any country ultimately leads to economic recession.

He said that the source of wealth of many Nigerian billionaires was questionable as their only businesses were what he termed “at best their long finger in the public commonwealth.

“Nigeria produces billionaires who have no productive businesses, all that they have at best are their long fingers in our commonwealth,” he said.

He said that governments over the years had consistently failed to pursue particularly beneficial economic development policies to make the economy strong.

“The Private sector has always been touted as the engine of growth by the government; unfortunately, this has been more of rhetorics than in action.

“Government policymakers have never paid enough attention to the manufacturing sectors which offers great opportunities to economic prosperity.

“Rather government chooses to undermine issue that will stimulate growth of the economy for a predatory rent-seeking economy that has relegated industrial production to the side alleys and made corruption the centre stage.

“Our governments have made less than satisfactory efforts to smoothen the path of its would be private entrepreneurs thereby neglecting a crucial lesson from the post World War II experience of today’s developed and rapidly developing countries.

“Our government also refused to develop a robust light manufacturing industry to take care of both the domestic market and export-led manufacturing that will have earned us forex.

“We lost track; we derailed,” he said

Chieshe said lack of governmental concern over the years led Nigerians to live deceitful and unproductive existence of affluence, endemic corruption, dependence on Federal allocations, faulty economic policy thrusts, among other utopian existence.

“These are the reason for our collective economic failure,” he said.

The industrialist said that it was not late for the government to move the nation forward by implementing action that would lead to economic success and grassroots prosperity.

He noted that economic development would not come by happenstance, but through smart policy measures pursued over a sustainable period by committed leadership.

He also said that the world was about global exchanges of products and services that make for the economic prosperity of nations.

“For any state or nation to be prosperous, it must make and sell to the world, what the world needs; we have no other way around this.

“Nigeria must undergo structural economic transformation from traditional agriculture toward an industrial economy which will begin with light manufacturing,” he said. (NAN)

AEB/ECN/OFN

Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye//Felix Nwadioha

Kano State loses 2 pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

NAN-H-22
Death
Kano, Sept. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has confirmed the death of two pilgrims from the state in Saudi Arabia during the  2016 Hajj.

The Public Relations Officer of the board, Alhaji Nuhu Badamasi confirmed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Kano.

NAN recalls that the National Hajj Commission had announced that 18 Nigerians lost their lives during this year Hajj.

Badamasi said the two male victims from Kano died after brief illness in Mina and Mecca respectively.

He said one of them hail from Kano Municipal Local Government Area, while the other came from Gaya Local Government Area.

Badamasi said the deceased had since been buried in accordance with the Islamic rites in Mecca.

He said the board had concluded arrangements to begin the transportation of pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, from next week.

“This is expected to begin hopefully on Wednesday or Thursday next week according to the flight schedule,’’ he said.

NAN reports that no fewer than 5,808 pilgrims performed the 2016 Hajj from Kano state. (NAN)
Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Rotimi Ijikanmi

Recession: Cleric seeks support for FG’s intervention measures

NAN-H-15

Recession

By Mohammad Tijjani

Kaduna, Sept 17, 2016 (NAN) The Chief Imam of Bida Road Central Mosque, Kaduna, Malam Muhammad Nafi’u, on Saturday urged Nigerians to support the measures taken by the Federal Government to steer Nigeria out of the current economic recession.

Nafi’u, who made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna, said Nigerians, irrespective of political parties must help to end the situation, as it had affected every citizen.

According to him, those still engaged in blame game should shift ground and face the reality.

“Each and everyone of us must contribute to see to the nation’s economic stability.

“The federal government has shown commitment in addressing the recession, so why not support it, so that all Nigerians will benefit.

“Nobody should claim monopoly of knowledge, as such we must contribute our quota to end the recession and set Nigeria on the path of development.”

Nafi’u expressed the hope that the measures being adopted by the government would bear fruits soon.

He also urged Nigerians to pray for God’s intervention in ending the problem.

“Lets us submit all our problems to Allah, to see us through, and we should always pray for our leaders not condemn them.“ (NAN)

TJ/MZA

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[Edited and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed]

Doctors appeal to Ajimobi to pay their full salaries

NAN-H-21
Salary
By Akeem Abas
Ogbomoso, Sept. 17, 2016(NAN) The Association of Resident Doctors , Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso has appealed to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo to pay them their full salaries.

This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Ogbomoso by Dr Sebastine Oiwoh and Dr Ayobami Alabi  the Presdient and General Secretaryof the association respectively.

They expressed concern that members of the association had only been paid 50 per cent of their salaries from January to March, describing it as “unfair.’’

“We beckon on the listening ears and tender heart of our father, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi not to single our members out amidst other health workers in Oyo state civil service.

“All other doctors and health workers in the state civil service are receiving full salary.

“They have been paid their full salaries from January to March 2016, while we received half ,’’ they said.

The officials noted that doctors’ services bothered on “saving lives and maintaining health of the citizens of the state, who see the hospital as their only hope no matter the social class’’.

They commended the state government for its foresight in establishing the teaching hospital and urged it not to renege on its promise in the area of funding of residency training.

They also urged the government to install essential equipment and complete infrastructures in the hospital to match its blue print. (NAN)
Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Rotimi Ijikanmi

Gidan Waya College matriculates 215 part-time students

NAN-H-10

Matriculation

Kafanchan (Kaduna) Sept. 16, 2016 (NAN) Kaduna State College of Education (KDCOE), Gidan Waya  has matriculated 215 NCE part-time students for 2016 session, admonishing them to uphold academic standard.

The Administrator of the College, Prof. Emmanuel Chom gave the charge on Saturday during the matriculation ceremony held at the temporary site
of the college in Kafanchan.

The administrator who was represented by the Dean,
School of General Studies, Mrs Barnabas Deshi urged the students to be committed to their studies.

He urged them to cooperate with the College Authority to pave way for conducive teaching and learning environment.

The administrator reminded the students that “the teaching profession is unique and its relevance to the society cannot be overemphasised’’.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Director, Center of Continuing Education, Dr Iliya Amos challenged the students to lift the banner of the college to greater height through hard work and dedication to studies.

Amos advised them to shun all tendencies that could undermine their stay in the college especially examination malpractices.

The matriculation oath was administered by Mr Pius Akawu, a Chief Magistrate in the Kafanchan Magistrate Court. (NAN)

MGK/ROT
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Navy’s operation in South-South a huge success, says Naval Chief

NAN-DS-1

Commitment

By Yahaya Isah

Abuja, Sept. 17, 2016 (NAN ) The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, on Saturday said recent operations by the navy in the South-South and other parts of the country, have recorded huge success.

Ibas stated this while briefing newsmen at the end of the Third Quarter Route March, in Abuja.

The naval chief was represented by Rear Adm. Adeniyi Osinowo, Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Naval Headquarters.

He said that the operations, carried out in partnership with other security agencies, were in line with the navy’s mandate to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Ibas attributed the successes to concerted efforts of the personnel in strategic and tactical levels of operations.

“We have significant cooperation as well from all cooperating agencies; w e have sharpened our skills as operational concept.

“We also have dedicated anti-piracy units in place within the past few months.

“All these to a reasonable extent have decimated the undesireable series of attacks we noticed in the early part of this year.

“As it is now, we have limited attacks on offshore and on the oil and gas infrastructure,” Ibas said.

On the route march, the chief of naval staff said it was to test the fitness level of personnel in line with military tradition.

“Physical fitness is important and indeed an essental requirement for combat readiness and efficiency in all our operations both afloat and ashore.

“What we are witnessing today is part of the NN programme for the year, the third quarter 10 kilometer route march.

“It is designed to not only test our physical fitness but to also equip ourselves whether ashore or afloat,” Ibas said.

Ibas explained further that every officer was expected to meet this minimum requirement as a military personnel.

“You can see all the men and women went together and came back together without anybody dropping behind.

“It simply demonstrates how fit the officers are, and the importance of physical fitness to the operations of the military,” he said.(NAN )

YI /MZA
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[Edited and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed]