By Rukayat Moisemhe

The House of Representatives Committee on Industry has tasked the Bank of Industry (BOI) to intensify efforts in alleviating poverty in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Dolapo Badru, gave the charge during the committees oversight visit to BOI headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday.

Badru noted that the bank had a key role to play in repositioning Nigeria economically, following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: The Bank of Industry is doing a fantastic job because they have been able to help industries to remain afloat in this COVID-19 era.

Do not forget that the commercial banks charge the least minimum of 18 per cent, but BOI has gone from 10 per cent to 8 per cent.

They are not only dealing with corporate institutions, but Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as well.

We are trying to let them know that they have to do better in the area of orientation so that more Nigerians can benefit.

There are lots of unemployed youths out there that can benefit from the youth programmes.

A lot of women have benefited so far in the minimum of five million naira or more in terms of loans and the vulnerable people are the women and youths.

They have gone so far to ameliorate the suffering of the people. There is still a lot to be done, there are still lots of communities to be reached and many lives to be touched.

On his part, Mr Olukayode Pitan, BOI Managing Director, thanked the lawmakers for the visit, adding that it provided an opportunity to deliberate on how to move the bank forward using legislative instruments.

Pitan said: This is the primary committee that oversees the Bank of Industry.

We also have the Senate Committee on Industry, we are a licenced bank and we have the Central Bank of Nigeria also.

We have Fitch Rating, we have Moodys Rating and these are done annually, there is also KPMG so there are many areas of control.

He said the BOI had done well and was able to do more interventions in the past year, but would double its efforts to ensure that more Nigerians benefit from its interventions. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

SDG interventions and healthcare delivery in Adamawa

A news analysis by Muhammad Auwal Adam
Adamawa in the North East zone of Nigeria has 21 local government areas with an estimated population of about four million being served by three general hospitals in Mubi, Numan and Ganye and a Specialists Hospital in Yola.

Efforts by the previous administrations in the state to improve the health sector have not yielded much result.

According to the state Ministry of Health report, there are some local government headquarters that have no access to standard health facility.

However, with the recent Federal Government health intervention programme through Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) , Adamawa state healthcare delivery have recorded gigantic improvement.

The Yola Specialist hospital was established in 1938 by the Colonial Administration as a general hospital to cater for the people of present-day Adamawa.

Since the establishment of the hospital 83 years ago it has never experienced a general rehabilitation and upgrade like what is currently going now under the Sustainable Development Goal project.

The hospital structures had been completely changed to a healthcare facility of international standard. The revamping is noticed right from the main entrance gate, access road and walkway in the Specialists Hospital.

All the wards in the Hospital were rehabilitated and furnished with new standard facilities that include beds and other important equipment that make healthcare provision easy and hospitable. Other facilities provided include the hospital Laboratories, Theatre Units, Pharmacist department and Morgue.

The SDG project was also extended to our parts of the state. In Hong local government area, the SDG built a 100-bed standard Referral Hospital with 20 blocks of Doctors quarters and standard laboratories.

The project was completed and waiting for formal inauguration.

Also, under the SDG health care projects, the Great Yola Cottage Hospital in Girei local government area has reached a high level of completion.

The 40-bed capacity cottage Hospital was equipped with standard Laboratories with MRI, and Doctors quarters as well as Emergency Unit and road network.

The Sustainable Development Goal was also involved in the building of another 40-bed cottage Hospital with laboratory and staff quarters in Yolde Pate area in Yola South local government area of the state.

Another SDG health project in Adamawa was the 20-bed capacity Hospital in Paria village in Fufore local government area.

According to Dr Amos Haruna, a private health practitioner in Yola, the SDG health intervention was the most comprehensive health intervention in the state.

Haruna said that with the rehabilitation of Yola Specialists Hospital and construction of four new standard health facilities by SDG in the state, the issue of health care service and referral had been solved.

When I entered Yola Specialists Hospital last week , I was bemused with the changes that has taken place in the legendary health institution. I saw a new beautiful outlook of the Hospital.

In fact, the hospital now can compete with any standard health facility in the country.

However, I want to see this gesture extended to the staff where their capacity will be improved, Haruna said.

Dr Isa Gambo, also a health practitioner based in Yola, said that from the huge healthcare intervention of SDG, accessing of standard healthcare by residents would now be easy and affordable.

The SDG huge Healthcare intervention in the state will really solve many health challenges facing the state. The development will assist in reducing rate of morbidity and mortality in the state.

It will also make available some treatments that people have to be referred to other states , such as cancer treatment, MRI laboratory check-up among other useful treatment, Gambo said. (NAN)

*Please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) if used

Source: NAN News

By Sandra Umeh

A former Minsiter of Education Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili on Wednesday, called for the inclusion of more women in leadership positions and decision making process in Nigeria.

Ezekwesili spoke at the inaugural virtual conference of the International Womens Day hosted by the Nigerian Bar Association Womens Forum (NBA-WF)

The conference had as its theme: Pathways to Diversity: Challenging blind spots and powering up for inclusion.

Delivering the key note address, Ezekwesili congratulated the leadership of the NBA-WF for their initiative in putting the conference together.

She noted that the deliberations on diversity or differences was being driven by those considered as the marginalised in the society.

In all the differences or diversities that we have seen, gender difference has become so pronounced in terms of a lack of recognition of it as an important factor for building resilence in society.

Society, according to the divine who created it, is not made up of one gender, men and women make up society.

In most societies and even globally, data shows that it divides equally in a unique way; so, women are 50 per cent of the population even in Nigeria, she said

According to Ezekwesili, everytime people make the mistake of ignoring this data, they build a homogenous and exclusive society as well as companies which are not representative of gender profile.

She noted that in most parts of the world, women are visibly absent in decision making process as well as in the formulation of economic and monetary policies.

In relation to law as a discipline, she also noted that only about 25 per cent of women are in full legal practice, adding that motherhood or maternity which was perceived in the past as a hinderance, should no more be the case today as women are vested with potentials.

She urged the leadership of the NBA-WF to identify obstacles standing in the way of full participation of female lawyers in bar activities, and work out modalities in tackling these obstacles so as to ensure inclusiveness of women.

With this, Ezekwesili then declared the conference open.

Earlier in his welcome address, President of the NBA, Mr Olumide Akpata, congratulated the womens forum for putting in place such conference

According to him, the conferences theme is as topical and it is critical adding that International Womens Day is a global day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

Regrettably, however, there remains those less talked about issues and unconscious biases which have historically contributed and continued to contribute to the suppression of the female folk.

It is in this regard that we must applaud the organisers of this conference for selecting the theme.

I have always said that we have not scratched the surface in terms of the role that the legal profession in Nigerian can play in, and for, the Nigerian economy.

This is why I continue to espouse the view that relative to our population, we do not have too many lawyers in Nigeria; We just have too many of our lawyers crowded in the same practice area.

I have therefore, made it a cardinal policy of my administration to emphasise on the opening up of new frontiers of practice for our lawyer

I also promised to support the NBA-WF in the quest to establish a sexual harassment policy for the legal profession in Nigeria amd I wish to use this occasion to restate that promise, he said

Akpata pledged the NBAs continued effort in promoting inclusiveness at the bar.

In her opening remarks, chairperson, of the conference planning committee, Mrs Chinyere Okorocha, said that there should now be a desire for women to rise up and explore opportunities.

She said that indeed, women in diverse fields and in law, have come a long way in rewriting the stereotypical narratives imposed by society.

Today, we can give a little girl born in any state, the dream of not only becoming a lawyer, but of striving for and attaining the very pinnacle of the legal career, whether as a private practitioner, an in-house counsel, a public defender or on the bench.

Whilst many challenges still abound, we must recognise that the price for the successes achieved so far, did not come easy.

She said that the onus is therefore, on us to ensure that the sacrifices were not in vain and women must now push further and harder until the work is done.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dignitaries recognised at the event included: The First Lady of Taraba State, Mrs Anna Isiaku, First Lady of Imo State, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mrs Folake Solanke among other dignitaries. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abiodun Lawal

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, on Wednesday, paid a total sum of N500 million to some state and local government retirees.

Presenting cheques to the retirees at Cultural Centre, Abeokuta,the governor apologised on behalf of the past administration for the delay in the payment of their gratuities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had, in an agreement between government and labour leaders, promised to be paying N500 million quarterly as gratuities to the pensioners.

Abiodun, who noted that many of the payments were inherited liabilities from the past government,assured that the process of paying the gratuities had started and would definitely continue.

He said that the N500 million, presented to 257 beneficiaries, represented the quarterlypayment of gratuity to them.

This is a promise made and promise kept. I promise to do this on quarterly basis.

We are gradually getting out of the economics of COVID-19 and it is just reasonable that as we give other sectors of the economy due attention for their post COVID-19 sustainability, our elder statesmen and women also deserve due attention.

Apart from the payment of monetary entitlements, let me also assure our elder statesmen and women that we are committed to providing other opportunities for them under our social welfare scheme.

I enjoin our dear elders to take advantage of our administrations various social intervention programmes.

For those of you, who are into micro and small businesses, you can key into Okowo Dapo, a micro-credit scheme that provides a window for women to access financial resources.

It empowers our people to expand their micro and small businesses, he said.

The governoralso urged the retirees to continue in their support, cooperation and prayers, not only for the successful implementation of government programmes, but also, for the continued development of the state.

As retirees, you have served Ogun, you are an embodiment of wisdom and no responsible government will toy with its source of wisdom.

We enjoin you to continue to put forward your contributions and elderly advice at all times, he said.

Earlier,the state Chairman,Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Waheed Oloyede,commended the governor for the gesture.

Oloyede, however,appealed to Abiodun to increase the payment of gratuities to N1billion quarterly. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Femi Ogunshola

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the report of the Auditor General for the Federation on accounting and financial infractions by Government and International Organisations.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Rep Abdullahi Abdulkadir (APCBauchi) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Moving the motion, Abdulkadir said that the AGF had raised several queries on the federation account, particularly covering 2015 to 2017 as regards losses of income due to leakages.

He said that the quarries further bothered on financial misapplication, misappropriation, under-reporting and falsification.

He added that this was corroborated by the Forensic Audit Report by KPMG that indicted some agencies over losses of up to N526 billion and 21 billion dollars.

He noted that the losses were allegedly occasioned by an interplay of activities of persons both in the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy.

This according to him, include multinational companies and the continued exploitation of Nigerias economy through the deployment of deceitful and irregular accounting practices.

He said that that had resulted in huge capital flight, deficit balances and a weakened economy.

Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) confer on the legislature power to investigate with the aim of exposing corruption, he said.

The lawmaker said that if urgent steps were not taken to address the hydra-headed issues, they might lead to a total collapse of the economy with its attendant social and political crisis;

Meanwhile, the House has mandate the Committee on Public Accounts to investigate the allegations and report back within eight weeks for further legislative action. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to contribute to the successful implementation of the UN- Habitat activities in the country.

The Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMWH), Mrs Bolade Akinola, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Akinola quoted he Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, as making the reaffirmation when a delegation from the UN-Habitat Mission paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Wednesday.

Aliyu assured the UNHabitat that the ministry would continue to ensue more of Federal Government voluntary contribution to its activities.

The minister added that the agenda of establishing a regional Multi Country office, West Africa in Abuja for the organisation was being pursued by the ministry.

He expressed Nigerias desire to initiate the establishment of a broad based Multi Sectoral National Habitat Advisory Committee.

The committee, he said, would be charged with the responsibility of advising the government on the domestication and implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) in Nigeria.

It would seek intervention programmes for implementation pertaining to the NUA and mobilising sources of donor to UN Habitat activities.

While urging the UN body to fast track the Yobe Project because of the slow procurement process, Aliyu also stressed the need to coordinate the implementation of the HAPSO and African Urban Agenda Work plans.

We are able to restore normalcy in the area. I urge you to fast track the Yobe project which we discussed earlier, the procurement process is slow, he said.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation Mr Mathias Spaliviero said his team was in the country to engage national partners with respect to proposed and ongoing COViD-19 intervention project and implementation of the New Urban Agenda.

Spaliviero, also the Senior Human Settlements Officer, Regional Office for Africa, said he wanted to intimate the minister on their activities on the Sustainable Development Goals amongst other activities.

He gave the status of the on-going Karu Swedish International Development Agency, (SIDA)/UN-Habitat project and its replication in the North East especially Yobe State before taking it to other areas of the country as a National Programme of intervention.

The officer stated that the SIDA had made available a grant of 220 dollars to carry out emergency wash, health and other Urban Planning interventions in Karu peri-urban settlements in Nassarawa State.

The official said that was to help mitigate the negative health and social economic impacts of COVID 19 pandemic. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Zainab Oyekan

A Central Area Court sitting in Kasuwan Nama in Jos on Wednesday, sentenced a 34 year-old , Chinese businessman, Arvin Wu to three months imprisonment for receiving stolen rproperty of the

A panel of two magistrates, Ghazali Adam and Hyacinth Dolnaan, sentenced Arvin, after he pleaded guilty to the offence.

Magistrates Adam and Dolmaan, however, gave him an option to pay a fine of N50,000.

Earlier, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Dec. 27, 2020 arrested the convict.

The NSCDC said that the stolen property were recovered from Arwin.

The offence, the NSCDC said, contravenes the provisions of Section 302 of Plateau Penal Code Law and also Section 3(1) (e) (i ) (f) of the NSCDC. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Eritrea Ministry of Education announced, on Tuesday, it will resume educational classes in April.

Classes have been suspended for almost a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the ministry said that educational institutions ranging from kindergarten level to high schools will reopen on April 1.

Easing of restrictions is prompted by the imperative to ensure academic continuity and will be undertaken under robust preventive measures, said the statement.

Eritrea has so far recorded 3,118 COVID-19 cases and seven COVID-19 related deaths.

The country confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on March 21, 2020. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Amen Gajira

A Customary Court in Kafanchan on Wednesday sentenced a teenager, Isaac John, to three years in a correctional facility for stealing a motorcycle.

The presiding Judge, George Gwani, however, gave the convict an option of N60, 000 fine.

The Police had charged John with theft, an offence contrary to the provisions of Section 270 of the Kaduna State Penal Code.

The prosecutor, Insp. Esther Bishen, told the court that one Adamu Garba, a commercial motorcyclist, reported the matter at the Kafanchan Divisional Police Station on March 17.

Bishen said that Garba alleged that John boarded his motorcycle from BCC to Sabo area of Kafanchan.

The complaint however said that on getting to a bush along the road, the defendant sprayed pepper on his face and went away with the motorcycle.

According to her, the defendant was arrested with the motorcycle two days later.

When the charge was read to him, John pleaded guilty and prayed the court for leniency.

The prosecutor, thereafter, prayed the court to try the defendant summarily in line with Section 125(8) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ramatu Garba

A Magistrate on Wednesday ordered a 25-year-old man, Adamu Sabiu, to sweep the court premises for seven days for cheating.

Chief Magistrate, Mustapha Saad-Datti, convictedSabiu, who lives in Dandago Quarters Kano, of two counts of cheating, contrary to section 322 of the Penal Code.

Saad-Datti also cautioned Sabiu against committing crimes and to be of good behaviour.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Asmau Ado, told the court that the complainant, Bashir Suleiman, who resides in Kwanar Jaba Quarters Kano, reported the matter at the State Criminal Investigation Department(SCID) on March 9.

Ado said on March 1, at about 10 a.m. the defendant begged the complainant to give him his Infinix S5 cell phone worth N55,000 to enable him call his relatives.

The defendant, he said, ran away with the saidcell phone.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. (NAN)

Source: NAN News