By Philip Yatai

The Centre for Media Advocacy for Mother and Child (CAMAC) has donated menstrual emergency kits to Brainstrust College, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna, as part of the activities to commemorate the 2020 World Toilet Day.

The Executive Director of CAMAC, Mr Alex Uangbaoje, explained in Kaduna on Friday while handing over the kits to the school Principal, Mr Godwin Ogar, that the support was equally part of the NGOs period-friendly facility campaign.

Uangbaoje, who was represented by Ms Christie Alex, Programme Officer, identified some of the kits to include menstrual emergency box, sanitary pads, painkiller drugs, waste bin, detergents and disinfectants.

He said that women and young girls could only be comfortable in public places during their monthly menstrual period if they had access to sanitary materials and other suitable facilities.

According to him, public and private schools should not only build toilets, but make them friendly and comfortable for young girls.

It is imperative to support young girls to maintain personal hygiene before, during and after their menstrual period.

We are here today to sensitise girls on the importance of menstrual hygiene and how to maintain a good and hygienic environment, especially toilet facilities for healthy use.

Young girls need to be aware of the dangers of using unhygienic items during their menstrual period where sanitary pads are not available.

So as CAMAC, we are here to help you understand how important it is to maintain personal and menstrual hygiene and clean environment, he said.

The executive director encouraged schoolgirls to become advocates for cleanliness and hygiene in their school.

Responding, Ogar thanked CAMAC for the support, noting that schoolgirls needed critical support on menstrual hygiene.

We are hopeful that from now onward they will be doing the right things, he said.

Speaking on behalf of the students, the Health Prefect, Asmau Abdulahi, also thanked the NGO for the support, describing it as critical for young girls.

She urged the school management to improve the condition of the schools toilet facilities and make them hygienic and friendly for girls. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan

By Naomi Sharang

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan says the National Assembly will pass the 2021 budget of N13. 08 trillion by the second week of December.

Lawan made this known while declaring open a retreat for members of National Assembly Management and National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) in Abuja on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate had in October, adjourned plenary for budget defence by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

We are working to pass the 2021 budget by the second week of December and we are working very assiduously, we will ensure there is every possible scrutiny of the budget presented by the executive arm of government.

So far, we achieved that in 2020 budget. We believe that we did the right thing, we promised Nigerians we will do that and it is going to be part of our legacy in the 9th National Assembly, Lawan said.

The President of the Senate said that other critical areas that will be considered when the Upper Chamber resume on Nov. 24 ,was the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

The PIB which is one of the most essential legislations to have in this country, we intend to pass it before the end of the second quarter of 2021.

And then again, we will take our time because this is a very delicate and sensitive piece of legislation.

We will ensure what comes out of the National Assembly in the PIB is a product of legislation that will ensure that Nigeria earns its revenues from the oil and gas, as it should.

And of course, also, we will support our business people, the oil companies that are investing, and in fact retain and encourage new ones to invest in Nigeria, he said.

Lawan aded:So it has to be a win situation, win for all of us. We will not be selfish as a country, trying to take everything; no, oil is like water now. Almost every country now has oil.

So if you dont provide a competitive environment, the oil companies will have no difficulty relocating to other countries.

So we will ensure that we have a competitive environment for business and for investments.

He said that the two committees on Constitution amendment at the Senate and House of Representatives were already working behind the scene to ensure that the amendment was done in 2021.

As soon as we pass the budget, the Constitution amendment activities will start in earnest.

We believe that we should pass our amendments within 2021, he said.

Lawan added that the amendment of the Electoral Act will also be done within 2021 in good time to prevent unnecessary distractions.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Buhari receiving final report from Salami Probe Panel

Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday received the final report of the Justice Ayo Salami-led probe panel on alleged infractions by the suspended Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the report containing four boxes of exhibits were presented to the president at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

The Salami Panel, which was inaugurated by the president in July, was given 45 days to carry out its assignment but the timeframe was later extended after the panel requested for more time.

Magu was allegedly accused of corruption, mismanagement, lack of transparency in managing recovered assets by the commission as well as abuse of office by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 test kits

To help and support Mongolia in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, China has decided to provide urgent assistance to the country with testing facilities and kits for COVID-19.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian said on Friday.

Mongolia has raised its virus alert to the highest level after a continuous increase in domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases.

The country has also imposed prevention and control measures to contain the spread of the virus.

China is following the situation closely and maintaining close communication with Mongolia, Zhao said, adding that China and Mongolia are friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, and both countries have joined hands in fighting the epidemic and achieved positive results.

He said, in the face of the worsening situation, the Mongolian government and people have taken relevant measures to fight against the pandemic.

The Chinese government has decided to provide urgent assistance to Mongolia with a batch of test facilities and kits for COVID-19 to help and support the country.

China will continue to provide due support in light of Mongolias needs. We hope and believe that under the leadership of the Mongolian government, Mongolia will overcome the epidemic at an early date, Zhao said. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Divorce Decree

Adedeji Egbebi

A Customary Court in Ikole-Ekiti on Friday dissolved an 18-year-old marriage between Mr Olusola Abiodun and his wife, Kehinde.

The President of the court, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, put an end to the marriage on the grounds that Abiodun, along with his family, was not being accorded due respect by the respondent, Kehinde.

Abiodun also accused the wife of adultery, among other allegations.

The court president in her judgment said every effort made by the court to save the marriage failed.

She subsequently dissolved the union and ordered the couple to go their separate ways.

Ojo awarded the custody of their three children, 16 years, 14 years and seven years to the petitioner.

The court president ordered Abiodun, 51, to be responsible for the upkeep of the children, including footing their education bills.
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She granted the children unlimited access to their mother, adding that they could sleep over in her house only during weekends and school holiday.

Earlier, the petitioner told the court that he was instituting the divorce suit because the respondent had not been submissive to him and would not heed his advice not to do menial jobs.

He told the court that the wife constantly embarrassed him and was fond of making friends with those he called uncultured people.

The petitioner prayed to the court to order the wife to change her ways, promising to withdraw the case if she complied.

The respondent, Kehinde, 50, in her defence told the court that she took to menial jobs because the husband was not adequately providing for the family.

Kehinde said that she was ready to change if the petitioner would also mend his ways.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Buhari after receiving the Justice Ayo Salami-led probe panel report

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the commitment of his administration to fight corruption to a standstill, saying no one is too big to tackle, as no individual is bigger than the Nigerian State.

The president stated this when he received the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Investigation of Ibrahim Magu, the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Abuja on Friday.

The Commission was headed by Justice Ayo Salami, a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal.

According to Buhari, the desire of his administration is to make Nigeria a country that has no tolerance for corruption, but one where the menace is vigorously battled.

He said: The sad reality confronting us as a people is that there is corruption almost everywhere; at many levels of government, and nearly every stratum of our society.

Mindful of the threat that corruption poses to us as a nation, this administration has specifically focused on the fight against corruption.

Corruption is present in all countries. Some Governments treat it with levity. Some fight it all the time.

I want Nigeria to be counted among those countries that do not tolerate but fight corruption.

The President called on all stakeholders, and indeed every Nigerian to own the fight against corruption at their respective levels In order to protect Nigerias political and economic systems, and the continuous existence of the Nigerian State from the serious threat of corruption

While pledging that the fight against corruption is one that must be fought without fear or favour, Buhari thanked members of the Commission for their dedication and commitment to the fight against corruption.

The president noted that a lot of efforts had gone into building and development of anti-corruption institutions in the country.

As a government, and in furtherance of our anti-corruption programme, we have since inception engaged in many reforms in removing corruption including but not limited to the enforcement of Treasury Single Account (TSA), strict implementation of the Bank Verification Number Policy and signing unto the Open Government Partnership, he added.

According to him, the Federal Government has so far kept faith with its promise and shall remain committed until Nigeria triumphs over the evil of corruption, attain a prosperous economic status and surmounts her security challenges.

However, the stark reality of widespread corruption becomes poignant when allegations of corruption touches on the leadership of an institution set up by law to coordinate and enforce all economic and financial crimes.

It is an abomination that strikes at the root, and undermines the Governments anti-corruption programme.

It was in response to the serious allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that I set up a Panel headed by Justice Isa Ayo Salami, retired President of the Court of Appeal, via an Instrument dated 3rd July 2020 pursuant to the Tribunals of Inquiry Act (Cap T21, LFN, 2004).

We recognize that there are more grounds to cover in the war against corruption, and we are prepared to go out to possess those lands by cutting off any stream that nourishes the seed of corruption and supports its growth.

Let it be known that in the fight against corruption, no one is too big to tackle, as no individual is bigger than the Nigerian State! he said.

In his remarks, Salami said that the suspended Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, and 113 witnesses appeared and testified before the Commission.

He also revealed that 46 petitions and memoranda were presented by individuals and organisations with complaints against the suspended Acting Chairman, EFCC or both.

Salami disclosed that the Commission also embarked on a nationwide physical verification of recovered forfeited assets, comprising real estates, automobiles, vessels and non-cash assets.

He commended the president for the initiative to dispose all forfeited assets because of the poor condition of the assets we saw during our physical verification nationwide.

While noting that the four chairmen of EFCC since inception were from the police, Salami also recommended that in appointing a new chairman consideration should be given to candidates from other law enforcement or security agencies and core staff of the EFCC as provided in the EFCC establishment Act of 2004.

He expressed gratitude to the president for giving the Commission members a wonderful opportunity to serve the nation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Heavily-polluted Milan metropolis, Italys business and fashion capital, has decided to ban smoking at bus stops and other public places, with effect from Jan. 1, 2021.

The measure is part of the clean air bill that aims to curb Milans chronically high emission levels of carcinogenic PM10 fine dust particles.

Milan municipality in a statement on Friday said from Jan. 1, 2021 people were not allowed to smoke unless they could stand at least 10 metres apart from other people.

This will mean no more smoking in open air sports stadiums, cemeteries and parks, as well as at bus stops, the city said.

Outdoor smoking, even in isolated areas, is to be prohibited completely from Jan. 1, 2025.

Italy was last week reprimanded by the European Court of Justice for systematically and persistently breaching EU rules against PM10 pollution in large parts of the country, including Milan. (dpa/NAN)

The city said it would progressively tighten traffic restrictions on older vehicles, force petrol stations to install charging points for electric cars, and ban diesel home heating.

Other clean air measures included curbs on wood-fired ovens in pizzerias, a ban on barbecues and fireworks, and a requirement for shops to keep their front doors closed.

Source: NAN News

By Solomon Asowata

The Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (NLPGA) will hold its 10th International Annual LPG Conference on Dec. 4.

The association made the announcement in a statement issued by its President, Mr Nuhu Yakubu on Friday in Lagos.

Yakubu said the conference, which would be hosted virtually, has the theme: LPG: Pivoting Economic Recovery for Households and Industries in Nigeria and Africa.

According to him, the discourse will focus on interrogating industry issues, proffering actionable and measurable solutions towards achieving an accelerated Post-COVID-19 economic recovery, with gas as a pivotal enabler.

Yakubu noted that the conferences objective was crucial to the overarching recovery-led goal of the economy following the pandemic and recent occurrences around the world.

Owing to the economic upheavals experienced globally, it is the response of every forward-thinking organisation to identify actions and amplify sector-driven solutions towards rebuilding the economy.

This years theme, topics of discussion, speakers and panelists were painstakingly selected to provide diverse, yet specific solutions targeted at adding the sectors quota towards the economic build, he said.

Yakubu said beyond the affordability and safety benefits of LPG for households and industries, it was not far-fetched to state that the growing adoption of LPG would advertently result in economic growth through job and wealth creation.

He said speakers expected at the conference included Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva and other gas experts across the globe. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Okowa and Jonathan

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated former President Goodluck Jonathan, as he clocks 63-years on Friday.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Thursday in Asaba, commended the former president for his unique statesmanship and graceful disposition to issues.

He said that Jonathans bourgeoning role in entrenching democracy across Africa through his observer-mission activities was impactful and laudable.

He recalled the former presidents role in the peace process in Mali, describing it as truly statesmanlike.

According to the governor, Jonathans exemplary contributions aided the institutionalisation of democracy and improvement of elections in Nigeria and Africa through his personal sacrifice and leadership by example.

On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate our leader and statesman, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, as he celebrates his 63rd birth anniversary.

Your Excellency, it gives me pleasure to celebrate you for your continuous role in deepening democracy in our dear country and Africa.

Your administration will long be remembered as the government that practiced the rule of law and freedom of expression as there were no records of human rights abuses throughout your tenure.

As our dear former President clocks 63 years today, it is my prayer and that of millions of Nigerians, that God will continue to strengthen him in his avowed commitment to ensuring greater peace, good governance and enduring democracy in Africa, he said.(NAN).

Source: NAN News

Yul Edochie signing a contract as brand ambassador for paint company

By Emmanuel Acha

Veteran Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has bagged a one year endorsement as the Brand Ambassador of rising Nigerian paint manufacturing company, Roxettes Nig. Ltd.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the actor and the company was signed on Thursday at the corporate office of the organisation in Enugu.

Edochie who spoke to newsmen after signing the MoU, said that it was an honour to represent such a reputable brand.

The actor said that it was an easy decision to team up with the company as it had brought enormous innovation and technology advancement in the coating industry in Africa.

I accepted this assignment because I see in Paint Roxettes, a carefully packaged product eager to make the difference.

I compare the endorsement today to a movie perfectly scripted by a wise man from the East and I must say that I am not in any way surprised about the way the product is dominating the market, he said.

Edochie said that as the face of the company, he would not engage in any activity that would bring disrepute to the company.

Also, Chief Executive Officer of Paint Roxettes, Mr Kaycee Orji, said that Yul would add value to their products by raising awareness on their activities.

Our choice for Yul as our brand ambassador is in line with our vision of providing our teeming customers with high-end painting and decorating services and unparalleled customer service.

We want to remain the only source for the best products in terms of quality and colour options, affordability and quality control in the premium paint industry in Africa, he said.

Orji described Yul as an inspiration to young Nigerians, adding that the relationship would add much value to the company.

Our goal remains to make Paint Roxettes the most innovative and respected brand in the building and paint industry.

Our unique feature is that our product is a 5 hightech-in-1 eco-friendly quality paint, Orji said.

Anambra-born Yul is the son of veteran actor, Pete Edochie.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deal signing was witnessed by several celebrities including hip-hop star, J. Martins. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerian athletes during trials

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development is set to commence national camping for athletes and officials in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Mr John Joshua-Akanji, Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will now take place in the summer of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the camping is aimed at bringing back athletes to their individual sports having been on recess for so long due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joshua-Akanji explained that the local camping which is coming at the resumption of sporting activities in the country is geared towards early preparations for athletes who have qualified for the Games.

He noted that the Ministry in collaboration with the Delta State Government had organised the COVID-19 OKOWA Athletics Resumption Meet in Asaba on Nov. 6, to test the application of the COVID-19 Sports Code in a competition environment.

According to him, the first phase of camping will commence in Abuja and Lagos with Taekwondo, Rowing/Para-Rowing, Canoeing/Para-Canoeing in Abuja while Para-Powerlifting opens in Lagos.

Other Sports Federations where athletes have qualified for both Games will commence camping shortly afterwards in batches, he added.

He said the Ministry in its effort to revamp the middle and long distance athletic culture is also opening a training camp in Pankshin, Plateau state specifically for road races within this period.

Joshua-Akanji stressed that all camps are to strictly observe the COVID-19 Sports Code and Resumption Protocol already developed by the Ministry in both training and accommodation venues. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo, says the Federal Government has embarked on the development of a draft national policy on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Adebayo, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media) Ifedayo Sayo, on Thursday in Abuja, said the policy was among steps taken by the federal government to ensure growth of MSMEs in the country.

The minister delivered the keynote address at the 5th Lagos Small Business Summit 2020 which held virtually.

The minister said the actions were taken through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

He said that the government would also outline key strategies and programmes for development of MSMEs.

According to him, the government was conducting 26 MSMEs clinic events at various locations across the country to boost the skills and capabilities of the segment in which about 400,000 MSMEs have benefitted

The government had launched an innovative portal to provide access to various resources required by SMEs operators.

Government had also established a matching fund programme targetted at labour-intensive, SMEs operating in the real sector with innovative value-added products, he said.

Adebayo said that at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government initiated a proactive approach by creating an Emergency Operations Centre (EDC), which facilitated availability and movement of food items, pharmaceutical and other essential products across the six Geo-Political Zones.

He said that the centre assisted over 100 companies to boost the production of Personal Protective Equipment, hand sanitisers, face mask and ventilators during the lockdown.

The government also launched various palliative measures such as the N100 billion MSMEs Investment Fund, N15 billion MSMEs Guranteed Off-take Stimulus Scheme, and the N60 billion MSMEs Survival Fund to help cushion COVID-19 pandemic impact and stimulate industrial activities and secure jobs.

Our palliative measures are part of a broader N2.3 trillion Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) to limit expected decline in economic growth from the coronavirus outbreak.

It will also minimise the accompanying prospects of business failures, job losses and increased poverty, the minister said.

He pointed out that the recent approval of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement would create a single continental market for goods and services, free movement of business persons and investment, expand intra-African trade and enhance competitiveness for industries and MSMEs.

There is no doubt that a properly nurtured and well structured MSMEs sub-sector will contribute significantly to the attainment of President Muhammadu Buharis aspiration of lifting 100 million people out of poverty over the next ten years, he added.

The minister, however, stressed the federal governments commitment to support the expansion of the countrys leasing industry, saying it had maintained a growth of 13.5 per cent as at 2019.

He also said the equipment leasing industry had remained a major contributor to national economic development with outstanding lease volume of N1.9 trillion as at 2019 against N1.68 trillion in 2018. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Commissioner of internal security and home affairs ,Mr Samuel Aruwan , engaging community leaders of Akilubu village on Thursday in Kaduna

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Kaduna State Government on Thursday dismissed reports that motorists and travelers have stopped using the Kaduna-Abuja Road.

The states Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan made the denial during a visit to some communities along the highway.

He said troops have been deployed to conduct aggressive patrol, while government and security agencies have been meeting with communities along the road to solicit their support for timely information on the activities of bandits and other criminals.

Vehicular movement is active on the double lane road, as commercial activities are also visible in local markets in Akilubu, Rijana, Kateri, Jere, Doka, Sabon Gayan and other communities surrounding the main road.

Ground troops of the Operation Thunder Strike (OPTS) and Police Operatives of the Operation Puff Adder are presently carrying out aggressive fighting patrols on the route, that stretches through three local government areas.

Aruwan added that a state government team and Coordinator of OPTS, Col. Ibrahim Gambari have been touring the route soliciting support from communities for the security agencies.

In one of such engagement on Thursday with religious, traditional and community leaders at Akilubu village, the commissioner urged them to provide credible information and actionable intelligence, to enable security agencies deal decisively with bandits.

As you are all witnessing, troops have been taking the battle to the bandits and this is made possible because they got credible intelligence.

So, please cooperate with them and support them so that we will get it right and maintain security on the road.

Aruwan told journalists during the visit that, contrary to reports that motorists and travelers have abandoned the road, you can see for yourselves that motorists are plying both sides of the dual carriageway.

He assured that the state government would continue to work with the military, police and all agencies in the battle against bandits in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

An illegal refinery

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the military has immobilised four illegal refineries and impounded stolen crude oil and petroleum products and 389 bags of smuggled rice in the South south zone.

Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, said this while briefing newsmen on the operations of the Armed Forces between Nov. 12 and Nov. 18 on Thursday in Abuja.

Enenche said the troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed two illegal refining sites and wooden boat loaded with crude oil at Tupsoi in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State within the period.

He disclosed that the troops also immobilised an illegal refining sites containing six boilers, one 8-HP engine and seven storage tanks loaded with crude oil at Orutoru in Bonny Local Government Area.

According to him, troops of 3 Battalion intercepted a Toyota Sequoia loaded with unspecified quantities of refined AGO at Alele in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta during the period.

Similarly, troops of 146 Battalion discovered and immobilized two reactivated illegal refineries containing unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO at Samkiri in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Troops of 29 Battalion also intercepted two boats conveying substance suspected to be crude oil along Ibaa/Rumuji Waterways in Emohua Local Government Area, he said.

Enenche also disclosed that FOB Ibaka gunboats on patrol at Mbo River intercepted two medium size wooden boats laden with 68 bags of 50kg parboiled foreign rice on Nov. 16.

He said the smuggled bags of rice were suspected to have come from the Republic of Cameroon.

According to him, the items are currently in custody to be handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service for necessary action.

Also, within the period, about 321 bags of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice as well as two suspects were arrested and handed over to Nigeria Customs Service.

Other items intercepted were two wooden boats and a speedboat laden with 21,600 litres of petroleum products.

The Military High Command encourages the troops and personnel of other security agencies to remain determined and sustain the tempo in all the Joint Operations Areas. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ehanire and Zulum

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on Thursday laid the foundation of the Teaching Hospital of Borno State School of Health Sciences at Njimtilo, near the universitys campus on Maiduguri-Damaturu road.

Ehanire, who was in Maiduguri for the inauguration of some landmark projects at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), was invited by Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno to lay foundation of the building.

In his address, Zulum said in fulfillment of the criteria for the establishment of medical colleges, we are here to witness the foundation laying ceremony for the two important projects.

We want to start medical courses, especially medicine, in the State University so that we can produce healthcare providers and undertake research, as well as cater for the health needs of citizens.

We know that there is increasing population in Maiduguri and we have only one teaching hospital, and Maiduguri has a population of over three million people.

According to him, a new teaching hospital will serve the increasing population, which is in line with the states development plan.

Zulum added that just five days ago, we launched our 25-year development plan, and the State University Teaching Hospital and the College of Medical Sciences are part of the plan.

Prof. Othman Kyari, the Chairman of a high powered committee for the establishment of the Borno State University Teaching Hospital/Medical College, said that the launch of the projects was the first phase.

The requirements of all the regulatory bodies (medicine and surgery, dentistry, radiology pharmacy, etc) were put into consideration.

We believe that by the time this complex is completed, it will probably be one of the best in the country.

The project is being carried out through the Ministry for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, whose commissioner, Dr Babagana Malumbe, received Gov. Zulum and the Health Minister on arrival at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The states Ministry of Health and relevant government establishments are expected to play vital roles as the project passes through developmental stages. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rotary Club logo

By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju

Rotary Club of Ibadan-Jericho Metro on Thursday donated baby cots worth more than N1 million to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the club donated 10 baby cots and 10 shoes for UCH health officials.

Mr Seyi Alaba, President of the club, told NAN at the presentation that UCH was one hospital that served the whole of South-West.

Alaba said that the donation would aid the hospital in discharging its responsibilities.

Today is a day we celebrate Family Health Day in Rotary Club and one of our areas of focus is Maternal and Child Health.

We discovered that UCH is a big hospital and handles a lot of cases. When things get out of hand at private and state hospitals they come to UCH for comprehensive test and treatment.

Most facilities here are always overwhelmed and even the members of staff. We are just playing our role as a club to humanity in view of saving new horns life, he said.

Dr Olukemi Tongo, the Consultant pediatrician at UCH, commended Rotary for the donation and expressed delight for the kind gesture.

These donations to our unit will go a very long way. We are happy that people are appreciating what we are doing here in our little way, she said.

Prof. Abiodun Otegbayo, Chief Medical Director of UCH, thanked Rotary Club for the philanthropic activity.

Otegbayo said that the token was much appreciated and looked forward to more gestures from the club.

We appreciate what Rotary is doing; our appreciation is not just to what has been donated today but to the statement that we would still get many other things from the club.

UCH is known for standard and we pride ourselves as the flagship Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. However we are hampered by resources that makes it impossible for us to discharge our duties as we ought to.

Our intention is to make UCH number one in Africa and be able to render clinical services effectively and the most important thing to the management is to improve clinical service of the hospital and todays donations are in in tandem with our vision.

We also need some other items such as baby warmers, cardiac monitors, incubators, oxygen concentrators, apnoea monitor, pulse oximetery, among others, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan

By Kingsley Okoye

President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan has advised the Federal Government to explore relevant technology for revenue collection by Ministries, Departments and Agencies to prevent diversion of public funds into private pockets.

He also said the National Assembly would expeditiously consider the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Professionals of Nigeria (CIFIPN) Bill presently before the Ninth Assembly.

Lawan made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja during his investiture and induction as Patron by CIFIPN.

Lawan, reiterating commitment of President Muhammadu Buharis administration toward the fight against corruption, said deployment of technology would prevent, detect, and assist in investigation of fraudulent practice.

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari believes very strongly in fighting corruption, and we equally believe in same regardless of our political persuasion.

So, this group will definitely add tangible value to the fight against corruption.

The fight against corruption is worthy, considering the damage it is causing and has caused over the years.

The angle from which the CIFIPN is coming from, is surely a practical approach.

The quantum of monies and revenues that we have as a country, that can make us perform in the area of infrastructural development, is dependent on how efficiently and prudently we are able to deploy those resources.

We once had a lot of resources in this country and yet the bulk of it went into private pockets and, therefore, we could achieve very little.

Today, we get little and we can achieve much because genuine fear has gripped everyone that if you embezzle or steal the law will catch up with you.

In whatever way we want to fight corruption, we must ensure that we emphasise on prevention because corruption has been in existence for long; so people will always try to take advantage of the system.

Therefore, we must emphasise on how to prevent it, and make it difficult for those who are entrusted with public funds to have undue access and opportunity to divert public funds.

We must prevent it because some believe that if they try they can get away with it and of course the best way to deal with this is to make it difficult and impossible to access public funds, Lawan said.

He said the anti-corruption group could enhance the prosecution and sanctioning process of corrupt practices.

We have emphasised prevention as a good route to reducing corruption, given the tendency of individuals to exploit weaknesses in systems.

People are more likely to take advantage of loopholes than they can create it.

Technologies are additionally expected to reduce loopholes because of their sophistication, the skills required, and for the fact that they are structured.

Using technologies therefore limits, or prevents the chances of infractions, and eventually saves prosecutorial time and resources.

He said while many countries had reduced corruption through science and technology, the National Assembly recently unearthed discrepancies which showed that many revenue generating agencies of government failed to remit all revenues collected to the appropriate accounts of government.

We believe that we can do better if we deploy technology in the collection and transmission of revenues.

Thats why the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has received complete support from the National Assembly to go digital in the area of collecting revenues, so that we limit leakages, and of course embezzlement that some officers will try to engage in.

But it is not only in government agencies that we have this attitude, it is also in private organisations.

So, our anti-corruption agencies should go beyond what government agencies are doing, they should also look at what our banks are doing.

Some of these banks dont have figures or names, a lot of times play complicit roles in how monies are diverted, and open accounts that have no approval of the Accountant-General to be operated.

Before the introduction of Treasury Single Account (TSA), we had stories of hundreds of bank accounts operated by some agencies.

But of course we know the limit which the Account-General of the Federation has approved for agencies of government to operate.

It is a very reasonable route, as it is consistent with the new age of technology, where devices are replacing humans in social, economic, or business relations.

Earlier, Protem President of CIFIPN, Dr Victoria Enape, said that the forensic and investigative profession involved practitioners made up of people of diverse academic backgrounds cutting across law, criminology, cyber security, police detectives, economists, and finance specialists.

According to her, the procedures deployed by the professional body in investigations involve the skillful deployment of science and technological tools to prevent, detect, or resolve or expose possible criminal activity emanating from economic transactions.

She said the establishment of forensic and investigative profession on the global scene was based on the realisation that fraudsters had become sophisticated.

She said the fraudsters were taking advantage of the 21st digital revolution to perpetrate corrupt practices that were undetectable by conventional investigative approach. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Chris Ngige

By Joan Nwagwu

As members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) continue their 10-month old strike, the Federal Government has commenced the process of registering a rival union.

Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, dropped this on Thursday in Abuja when the leadership of Congress of University Academics (CONUA), led by its National Coordinator, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, paid him a courtesy visit.

CONUAs membership is drawn from university lecturers opposed to ASUU.

Ngige regretted the long strike by ASUU, saying that it had negatively affected the educational development of the country.

We are receiving you in audience formally today in this ministry. We have the right to receive associations of persons that are workers, whether we have registered them or not, just as you have the right to apply for registration which is the lawful thing to do.

We have the right to receive and hold meetings with you. The journey to have you registered has just started.

You have done the right thing by applying and this ministry has also done the right thing by processing your registration.

The review of your application for registration is ongoing. I have put up a committee to look into that review. I will ask the committee to wind up its work.

We are giving them four weeks from today to turn in their report to the ministry.

Part of our job here is to register unions; it is also part of our job to make sure that unions that are not functional are helped, Ngige said.

He, however, commended the university lecturers for initiating the process to register the union.

Earlier, Sunmonu had said that CONUA was enjoying large followeship with many universities registering more members by the day since it came on board in February 2018.

He said that CONUA was established due to irreconcilable differences between its members and ASUU.

CONUA members are not members of ASUU and we are not ready to be part of ASUU due to irreconcilable differences and modes of operation.

ASUU no longer represent our interest and aspirations. CONUA fits to be described as a group of people who are independent academics and who have decided to come together to form a union committed to the advancement of education in Nigeria.

Sunmonu condemned the prolonged strike in the university system, and urged unions to choose to engage the government constructively rather than down tools every time, considering the negative effect of that on the educational system.

He said that CONUA, if finally registered, would always constructively engage the government.

The government cannot see what we see and we will not see what the government sees, but when we have our mind made up in a constructive manner, we will come to a reasonable agreement to further progress our universities and for the advancement of the nation.

We want to ensure a seamless and uninterrupted academic calendar in the university system.

This strike has done more damage than good. As academics and researchers, we are supposed to have evaluated the effect of the strike on our institutions, especially on our collective psychic.

From the preliminary report that we have, the strike has done more harm than good to our universities. Nigerian Universities should rank comfortably with any other university in any part of the world.

On Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System(IPPIS), he said that CONUA members were keen on registering in spite of series of threats.

He appealed to the minister to provide a conducive environment for its members to undergo the registration process without any encumbrances.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government will be meeting with ASUU on Friday over the protracted strike. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Iraqi President Barham Salih

Iraqi President Barham Salih on Thursday called for continued international cooperation to combat terrorism and asserted the need to ease regional tensions to prevent terrorist groups

Salihs comments came during his meeting with British Defence Senior Advisor Sir John Lorimer and British Ambassador to Iraq Stephen Hickey in the presidential palace in Baghdad, a statement by the media office of the Presidency said.

The war against terrorism continues and there is a need for international cooperation to continue the war on terrorist organisations as a cross-border threat that threatening all countries, the statement quoted Salih as saying.

Barham said that some of the extremist Islamic State (IS) militants seek from time to time to threaten the security and stability of citizens in some Iraqi towns.

But the Iraqi security forces, in coordination with the anti-IS international coalition, continue to track the terrorists to prevent them from achieving their goals, according to the statement.

The president also stressed the importance of reducing the regional tension to prevent extremist terrorist organisations from exploiting crises to achieve their goals of threatening societal peace and security, the statement said.

For his part, Lorimer affirmed the importance of cooperation to combat terrorism, as well as his countrys commitment to supporting the Iraqi security forces in training and arming to achieve security and stability in Iraq, it added. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Director Spike Lee, best known for making movies about the experience of being Black in America, is switching course with a musical on the subject of Viagra.

Lee will direct the as-yet-untitled film from a screenplay he has co-written about the discovery and launch of the erectile dysfunction drug. It is based on a 2018 article in Esquire magazine called All Rise, producers said on Tuesday.

The 63-year-old Brooklyn native said in a statement that he had grown up hating musicals in spite of the efforts of his mother. Finally Going Into My 4th Decade As A Filmmaker I Will Be Directing A DANCIN, ALL SINGIN MUSICAL, he added.

Lee also directed a movie musical in 1988 called School Daze.

Lee won his first Oscar in 2019 for the screenplay of Ku Klux Klan satire BlacKkKlansman.

His more than 50 movies and documentaries include classics such as Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X and this years Vietnam War survivor drama Da 5 Bloods. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News