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Youth Corps Member Donates N1 Million Worth Of Drugs, Nets To IDPs In Bayelsa

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Youth Corps Member Donates N1 Million Worth Of Drugs, Nets To IDPs In Bayelsa
A Cross section of National Youth Service Corps Members
A Cross section of National Youth Service Corps Members

A Youth Corps members serving in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State has brought succor to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camped at the Samson Siasia stadium, with donation of drugs and mosquito treated nets worth one million naira.

The drugs and items were part of the Corps member’s Community Development Project.

Iniabasi Bassey, who was serving with the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, in Yenagoa said her visit to the camp early this year was to see what she could do to assist the women and children suffering in the camp.

Addressing the beneficiaries, she said that she was moved by the deplorable situation at the camp and took it upon herself as part of her primary assignment to put a smile on their faces.

“When I visited the camp early this year, it was a horrible situation and I took it upon myself to render the little assistance I can to alleviate the suffering of the people medically because health is wealth,” she said.

She advised them to make judicious use of the drugs and the treated mosquito nets, urging them to promptly seek medical attention whenever the need arises.

Accepting the items from the corps member, Noel Meshack, Chairman of the IDPs in Bayelsa, thanked her for her kind gesture and promised to make good use of the items donated to them.

He also used the opportunity to call on other donor agencies to borrow a leave from Bassey and come to their aide.

Director of Sports in Bayelsa,  Ayerite Judgenut represented the Commissioner for Sports,  Igbete Dasime, at the ceremony which was also attended by officials of the NYSC and the JTF.

 

Army Warns Borno Residents Against Using Unauthorised Motor Parks

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Army Warns Borno Residents Against Using Unauthorised Motor Parks

Army bans movement

The Nigerian Army has alerted the public, particularly residents of Borno State, about the possibility of fleeing Boko Haram members boarding vehicles at unauthorised parks to avoid prying eyes of security personnel stationed at the parks.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by spokesperson for 7 Division Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Salisu Mustapha, a Major.

“This becomes necessary so as to avoid a situation where remnants of dissipated and depleted Boko Haram Terrorists would disguised themselves and board vehicles loading at unauthorised locations in order to avoid being detected and apprehended by security agents,” the statement read.

The army urged the public to take the warning seriously and report any suspected persons or activities to security agents.

 Jibrin’s Fight To Stop Alleged Planned Suspension By House Suffers In Court

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 Jibrin’s Fight To Stop Alleged Planned Suspension By House Suffers In Court
Abdulmumin Jibrin
Abdulmumin Jibrin

Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja Federal High Court has declined to entertain the suit by former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation,  Abdulmumin Jibrin, seeking to stop the alleged plan by the House to suspend him.

Justice Abang, who is sitting as the court’s vacation judge, returned the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment to another judge when the regular court resumes in September.

The judge explained that it will not be possible for him to conclude the case before he winds up as vacation judge next week,

Jibrin’s lawyer, Abdulamid Mohammed, on Thursday informed the court that the defendants served him with their notice of preliminary objection on Wednesday and that he has filed a response.

He sought a short stand down of the proceedings to enable him to retrieve a copy of his response from the court’s registry so that the hearing could proceed.

But defendants’ lawyer, Kalu Onuoha objected to Mohammed’s request for a stand down.

He sought an adjournment to enable him to study the plaintiff’s response and decide whether or not to equally respond.

But Justice Abang noted that it was unnecessary to commence hearing in the case during vacation since he would not be able to conclude hearing and determination of the case before the end of the court’s vacation on September 9.

Defendants in the suit are the House of Representatives, the House Clerk, Speaker Yakubu Dogara; Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, House whip, Alhassan Doguwa, minority leader, Leo Ogor, and eight other members of the House.

Jibrin has made series of corruption allegations against Speaker Dogara and three other principal officers of the house, as well as some other House members.

The Kano State lawmaker is accusing them of illegally padding the 2016 budget by billions of naira.

FG Gets $125 Million To Tackle Polio Resurgence

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FG Gets $125 Million To Tackle Polio Resurgence
Minister for Health, Isaac Adewole
Minister for Health, Isaac Adewole

The Federal Government has obtained a $125 million loan from the World Bank to tackle the resurgence of the wild polio virus and other health challenges in the country.

Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, made this known while briefing the Senate Committee on Primary Health and Communicable Diseases on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that with approval from the National Assembly, 60 million dollars would be earmarked for polio, while the remaining 65 million dollars would be used for the provision of vaccines.

He also disclosed that government had released N10 billion from the 2016 budget to tackle the epidemic.

Adewole noted at least 800,000 children under the age of five years had been immunised in five local government areas in Borno since the latest cases were recorded.

The local government areas include Jere, Gwoza, Mafa, Maiduguri Municipality and Bama.

“The resurgence of polio is an unusual development and a major setback considering the investment of the international community, and the whole world was looking forward to celebrate Nigeria next year,” the minister said.

He added, “I wasn’t expecting polio as a challenge; I was expecting teenage pregnancy and other health challenges,’’

Adewole said the ministry was not leaving anything to chance in its renewed fight against polio.

He disclosed that the health ministry will embark on six-round response programmes to immunize children under five in the whole of the country and neighbouring countries, to ensure that every potential child is immunized.

Adewole disclosed that 300 million doses of vaccine were required to be able to carry out immunization in the country to curtail the spread of the virus.

He, however, said that only 100 million doses of vaccine were on ground, adding that plans were ongoing to make up the required doses.

The minister also hinted that the ministry was considering the idea of administering injectable vaccines due to its efficacy, particularly in Borno, rather than relying solely on oral vaccine.

He also said that due to the security situation in the North-East, the medical team from the military had equally been deployed to assist experts from the ministry.

On recent case of Lassa fever that claimed the life of a medical doctor in Delta, the minister said that measures have been put in place to curb further spread.

Chairman of the Senate Health Committee, Mao Ohuabunwa, urged the ministry to carry out more sensitisation and advocacy.

He urged the ministry to carry the legislature along in its activities, while pledging the committee’s support to the ministry in tackling challenges in the health sector.

 

 

Burundi President Set To Scrap Presidential Term Limits

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Burundi President Set To Scrap Presidential Term Limits
Burundi President, Pierre Nkurunziza
Burundi President, Pierre Nkurunziza

The government of Burundi has said it was planning to remove presidential term limits from the country’s constitution.

A commission, set up by President Pierre Nkurunziza last year to hear public views on the political system, said it found that most Burundians were against limiting the presidential tenure to two terms.

The latest move has been described by the opposition as against the will of the people.

One of the opposition figures, Pancrace Cimpaye, said “The findings are manipulated, because the citizens don’t dare to say anything that displeases the president, out of fear.”

“The commission was not independent and its findings were misrepresentation, because people from only 49 out of Burundi’s 119 districts were interviewed, Cimpaye said.

The commission’s report will be presented to the president, after which a possible amendment of the constitution will be debated in parliament.

CNARED, a coalition that claims to uphold the Arusha peace accord that brought Burundi’s civil war to an end in 2006, opposed the move.

The coalition accuses President Pierre Nkurunziza of violating the Arusha agreement.

Burundi has been thrown into crisis since Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office despite a constitutional limit of two terms.

His election victory in July 2015 unleashed a wave of political violence in which hundreds have been killed.

Ijaw Leaders List Conditions To End Crisis In Niger Delta

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Ijaw Leaders List Conditions To End Crisis In Niger Delta
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu (Middle) poses with the Niger Delta Monarchs
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu (Middle) poses with the Niger Delta Monarchs

Some traditional rulers from the Niger Delta Coastal States have given six conditions in order to restore peace in the region.

They gave the condition during a visit to the Minister of State for petroleum, Ibe kachikwu, on Thursday.

Williston Okirika, the traditional ruler of Gbaramatu kingdom, read out the conditions on behalf of the chiefs when they visited the

“We wish to state here that as a matter of urgency, the Federal government should appoint or constitute a federal government dialogue team.

“Release of 10 innocent school children arrested by the Nigerian Army on May 28th in Oporoza and others in detention on trumped up charges.

“Return of the golden sword, being the symbol of Authority of the gbaramatu traditional institution,” he said

Okirika added that the Nigerian Army must return the three traditional council speed boats in its custody.

He said the Military must cease the hostilities perpetrated by its personnel in the Niger Delta Region.

“Equally important, the federal government should make a categorical statement about the opening of the Maritime University- Okerenkoko, Delta State for academic activities in 2016 /2017 session,” Okirika said

He assured that traditional authorities in the Niger Delta would continue to support efforts that would restore peace and normalcy in the area.

Kachikwu commended the monarchs for the visit, saying that it was imperative that peace returns to the region.

He said the ceasefire announced by the Niger Delta Avengers was a welcome development, adding that every effort must be made to sustain it.

He however regretted that after the reported ceasefire, another pipeline was blown up in Nembe community, leading to the loss of about 150 barrels of oil and a high quantity of gas.

“This inability to stay steadfast creates military intervention because government cannot seat down and watch production go down,” the minister said.

“The president has shown a lot of patience and believed that engaging the communities is the best model.

“You should continue to reach out to others to ensure total cease fire because as production goes down it affects both states in tackling the financial burdens,” he said

Kachikwu noted that FG had spent about 40 billion dollars in refurbishing the Niger Delta region in the last 10 years.

He charged the royal father’s to ensure that money were channeled in the proper way for the region.

Buhari Commiserates With Italy Over Earthquake Tragedy

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Buhari Commiserates With Italy Over Earthquake Tragedy
Rescuers pulled a survivor from the rubble several hours after
Rescuers pulled a survivor from the rubble several hours after

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Italy over the earthquake that occurred in the country.

The disaster has so far claimed more than 240 lives, with several others still missing.

The president’s condolence was conveyed by Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu, through his social media handle,

Shehu said Buhari “has expressed deep grief & sympathy with Italy over the deadly earthquake that has claimed more than two hundred lives.”

“My heart and prayers go out to the people of Italy at this time of national mourning, caused by the devastating earthquake.”

The message added that “PMB told the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Matteo Renzi, that his family, the government and the people of Nigeria shared the grief of Italian citizens over this deadly natural disaster.”

President Buhari also prayed God to comfort the mourning “and grant them the fortitude to overcome their grief at this emotionally challenging time.”

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake had hit Central Italy on Wednesday, causing massive destruction of goods and property.

Several aftershocks were also reported, making rescue works more difficult.

Rescuers continue scouring the rubbles, using earthmoving machines and, some, their bare hands.

Official reports put the number of dead at 241, while unconfirmed reports say it is much higher.

There are fears the toll could rise taking into consideration that a good number of people are yet to be accounted for.

Soyinka Urges Buhari To Expedite Action On Niger Delta

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Soyinka Urges Buhari To Expedite Action On Niger Delta
Wole Soyinka met with President Buhari not long ago but won't disclose the agenda of the meeting
Wole Soyinka met with President Buhari not long ago but won’t disclose the agenda of the meeting

Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to be more proactive in dealing with the problems of the Niger Delta region.

Soyinka made the call during a press conference in Lagos and was of the opinion that federal government was not doing enough to douse “the tension in the Niger Delta region”.

He called on President Buhari to change its government’s style and move swiftly to deal with the issues of the Niger Delta.

The resurgence in militant activities in the Niger Delta has badly affected the Nation’s revenue generation.

Bombings of oil installations have reduced Nigeria’s oil output by 700,000 barrels per day to 1.56 million bpd.

However, one of the militant groups, the Niger Delta Avengers, has agreed to a ceasefire and commencement of negotiation with government

On the Nation’s Education Sector, Soyinka condemned the removal of History as a subject in the nation’s school curriculum.

He said the decision was responsible for what he called the low quality of the nation’s learning.

The Noble Laureate also condemned the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast of Nigeria.

He said the Boko Haram insurgency was a result of religious lunacy and called on security agencies to wipe terrorists out of the country.

Soyinka, who met with President Buhari in the Aso Villa recently, said that the meeting was to discuss issues about his interactions in the House of Commons with the President.

Cross River To Legalise Hawking For Poverty Alleviation

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Cross River To Legalise Hawking For Poverty Alleviation
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State

The Cross River State government has moved to legalise hawking in the state

Governor Ben Ayade made this known during an interaction with newsmen in his office in Calabar.

He disclosed that he has sent a Hawkers’ Right Bill to the State House of Assembly.

Ayade said it was insensitive for a government to ban hawking without any alternative.

“I have just sent the Hawkers’ Right Bill to the House of Assembly, to provide a right for hawking,” he said.

“You cannot tell a man not to sell his goods because he does not have money to rent a store. And you tell the man not to steal?

“Just provide a regulatory framework; there should be reflective outfits, there should be a minimum age of 18 to hawk, you will have a time frame when you come out so that you don’t constitute nuisance.

“But to prohibit hawking is to tell a man I don’t want to give you food, and I don’t want you to steal. It is unfair.

“They have right to seek and determine how they chose to live within the ambits of the law,” the governor said.

Ayade pointed out that “Cross River would be the first state that would officially recognize hawking.

He said: “The core mandate of a leader should be the social security of his people.

“If a man choses to hawk, if you are government that is sensitive and understands the real principle and objective of the law, then you will know that the hawker has a right.

“Governance is about how you protect the weakest in the society and that is why even with the way things are, Cross River is still doing tax exemption for the poor.”

The governor explained that the expansion of his new government by engaging about 800 appointees was deliberate to ensure many people were empowered financially.

He announced that he was going to announce 300 more appointees in the coming week.

Ayade said he would rather spend four years paying salaries to reduce hunger and quit as governor than spend money on projects and politicians.

The governor also said the Presidential System adopted from America was not the best in running the country.

Four World Bank Officials Drown In Ekiti

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Four World Bank Officials Drown In Ekiti

Ekiti Dam

Four officials of the World Bank have reportedly drowned at Egbe Dam in Egbe Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reported that the Chairman of the Local Government, Folasade Akinrinmola and the Ekiti state police command confirmed the incident to journalists on Thursday.

According to Akinrinmola, the incident occurred on Wednesday’s night during an assessment mission to the dam by a team of seven contractors employed by the World Bank.

Egbe Dam is reportedly the biggest of the six dams in Ekiti state.

Akinrinmola said that it was the traditional ruler of Egbe that notified her of the incident.

“We immediately mobilised a rescue team and an ambulance, and in the process, those wearing life jackets were rescued.

“The rescued people were the ones who told us that others were in the water.

“The bodies of those that had drowned were later retrieved by the local fishermen.”

“One of the dead victims was said to be the son of the leader of the team who providentially escaped unhurt.

“We believe that they came to Ekiti based on some of the proposals we had written on the dam on how it can be put to use.

Akinrinmola described the incident as sad and unfortunate, adding that the bodies of the dead had since been deposited at the mortuary in Ode-Ekiti, the headquarters of the council area.

DSP Alberto Adeyemi, the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, also confirmed the incident.

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