Drugs

By Felicia Imohimi

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), says it would shut down open drug markets in Onitsha, Aba and others across the country for non-compliance to the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG).

Dr Elijah Mohammed, PCN Registrar said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mohammed noted that the closure of the drug markets became necessary following violations of drug distribution policy.

He explained that the policy provided for the relocation of the open drug markets to a Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs).

The PCN boss said that a lot of emphasis was placed on operators of open drug markets being the biggest players in the NDDG framework.

He said so far, PCN has registered several Mega Wholesale centres and they have also fully commenced operations.

Mohammed identified the markets as a major source of fake and falsified medicines and other health related products.

Open Drug Markets are unregulated open markets where professionalism have no place as medicines are sold in shops and stores not duly registered.

The conditions and the environment are not in tandem with approved guidelines for drug distribution. There are no pharmacists to oversee the operations and ethical practices, he said.

Mohamed noted that their operations have major negative impact on the health of the citizens.

Existence of the markets also have its impact on the pharmaceutical sector as it contributes to the chaotic drug distribution with negative impacts on the economy.

It is a common fact that where faking and falsification exists, the growth and development of the local pharmaceutical industry will be severely affected, he said.

The registrar explained that CWCs are facilities registered by thePCN for purposes of drug distribution within the framework of the NDDG.

It will operate under the direction of a Superintendent Pharmacist and with a designated number of subsidiaries to be manned by distribution managers.

The PCN and NAFDAC being the regulators will have offices in the facilities to ensure compliance with regulations, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Sanwo-Olu

By Kemi Akintokun

The Lagos State Health Service Commission has commenced training of 2,200 of its healthcare personnel on capacity development programs.

Dr Benjamin Eniayewun, the commissions Permanent Secretary, while speaking during the opening programme at the Lagos Island Maternity hospital on Tuesday, said the training was initiated to promote impeccable healthcare delivery.

Eniayewun said the training scheduled for personnel across all cadres in the 27 secondary health facilities of the state would run for three months, to ensure an all encompassing qualitative medical delivery among healthcare workers.

This training will be in batches, while the management and leadership modules are for officers on grade level 15 to 17 with prerequisite knowledge on skills to prepare them for managerial and leadership roles.

Training is on principles of financial management in healthcare, marketing in healthcare, creativity and innovations, as well as development of analytical competencies to enable them manage hospital operations effectively.

Workers on grades level 7 to 14 will be trained on modules that will positively affect their general perception which is focused on effective patient centered care.

The transfer of knowledge is designed to engender a service culture in the states general hospitals toward improved patient satisfaction and outcomes, he explained.

The permanent secretary added that the staff on grades level 1 to 6, would also be trained to further improve their technical competencies, skills and safety in the work place towards high capacity stress management.

Dr Shola Pitan, the Coordinator/Acting Director , Medical Services, said that 600 personnel would be on management level, 1,200 personnel on mid-career level, and 400 officers would be on the junior level cadre respectively.

All participants are personnel of the 27 secondary health facilities in the state.

They are actively involved in batches to acquire knowledge, using reading materials, interactive sessions and team work, toward a productive initiative, Pitan said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal

By Muhammad Bello

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State,said the state government required N1.9 billion for the total rehabilitation of electricity in the 23 local government areas of the state.

Tambuwal, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Muhammad Bello, gave the figures when he received the report of a committee set up on the epileptic power supply in the state.

The seven-man committee, headed by the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Manir DanIya, was set up by the governor to find out the root causes of epileptic power supply and recommend the way forward in the state.

Tambuwal said the state government will collaborate with the Ministry of Local Government Affairs to see how best to execute the projects identified and suggested by the committee.

The state government will do its own bit in order to improve the electricity network in the state, particularly in rural areas.

Though, fixing the short and epileptic electricity supply is not the responsibility of the state, but there is the need for us to set up an inter-ministerial committee to conduct an assessment on how the government can intervene.

Moreover there is need for reliable transmission process and distribution across the state, so that members of the public can benefit, he said.

He commended the Federal government for the current upgrading of the electricity line from Kebbi state to Sokoto by the Minister of Power.

Tambuwal assured that the committees recommendations will be properly studied to ensure speedy implementation.

Earlier, the Chairman of the committee and Deputy Governor, Daniya, said that after the first meeting of the committee, it co-opted technical experts to assist in order to perform its duty effectively.

Daniya added that the committee also reached out to all the 23 local government Sole Administrators and visited all the affected rural communities with a view to verifying faults and assess their conditions. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Some youths during skill acquisition

By Florence Onuegbu

Stakeholders at the Internal Security and Conflict Resolution Engagement in Lagos state have resolved that more attention should be on the youth to ensure a secured environment.

In a communique read at the end of the engagement by the Director, Joint Services, Ministry of Interior, Mr Peter Egbodo, on Tuesday, it said that the youth should also be engaged in policy making.

It is imperative to expose youths to counselling and the knowledge of God, for proper guidance.

More attention should be paid to the youths as they also have ideas that could assist in formulating policies for government.

It is also essential to create jobs in order to reduce social security challenges, the communique said.

It said that there was the need for the reintroduction of value-driven programmes such as Boys Scout, Girls Guide in the schools to meaningfully engage the youth.

The communique called for adequate training and grooming of the wards by their parents.

According to the communique, governments interest in security is self-interest, as socio-economic development can only be possible in a secured environment.

It said that notwithstanding the present challenges, the government should not take security issues, especially in Lagos State, for granted as it remained home to all Nigerians.

Lagos deserves special status in Nigeria; security in Lagos State is a national issue because of its teeming population.

Security challenges in the state include armed robbery, killings, cyber-crimes, vandalism, fraud, among others.

While crime is a global challenge, the society should be re-engineered to deter thuggery and adopt better policing strategy and crowd control without the use of excessive force.

It is needful to adequately equip the Fire Service as emergency response apparatus.

Government at all levels must strive to create a system that would discourage criminality rather than demonising dissent views, it said.

The communique said that government must move from the phase of advocacy on security improvement to the phase of action and restructure the Police Force as a reflection of true federalism.

It said that charlatans among well-meaning youths must be identified to forestall their destructive activities, which if unchecked, could set the state back several years.

The communique said that security agencies should increase intelligence gatherings by working with neighbourhood security apparatus.

The communique also said that the process of conflict resolution must be peaceful in the interest of all.

Government is committed to security and should demonstrate same through the provision of better welfare packages, review of remunerations, Training and well equipped security personnel to global acceptable standard.

Acquisition of adequate crowd control equipment and non lethal weapons for management of civil protests and demonstration.

Designation of special areas for protest, so as not to impede the rights of others, the communique said.

The one-day engagement was organised by the Lagos State Government, in conjunction with the Ministries of Interior and Police Affairs.

It had in attendance members of military, para-military and other security apparatus, the Council of Obas in the state, members of the Organised Private Sector and Civil Society Organisations.

Others were representatives of Religious Bodies, members of the market men and women associations and youth representatives. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

British Govt. eases Coronavirus restriction for Christmas

People in Britain will be able to celebrate Christmas with other families under a relaxation of Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions for the holiday period.

Three households will be allowed to celebrate together as a Christmas bubble, the government announced.

The grouping would be exclusive, meaning one household could not change and meet another household outside their bubble during the period Dec 23-27.

The rules would apply for all parts of the United Kingdom: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

There will also be a relaxation of travel restrictions.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said the announcement represented a balanced and workable set of rules that we hope will allow people to spend time together at this important time of year.

England is returning to a tiered system of coronavirus restrictions at the beginning of December, after a partial lockdown lasting four weeks.

Food outlets such as restaurants will be able to reopen from Dec. 2 under certain conditions and in areas with lower infection rates.

The same goes for non-essential businesses, fitness studios and hairdressers.

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, over the passing on of his daughter, Aisha.

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, over the passing on of his daughter, Aisha.

Malam Garba Shehu, the presidents spokesman confirmed Buharis condolence message in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Shehu said that the president, who placed a call to the minister on Monday evening, condoled with all members of the family on the sad event.

The presidents aide also quoted the him as urging the family to take comfort in the teachings of the Holy Prophet on the transient nature of life.

Buhari prayed that Allah would accept the soul of the departed and grant her Jannah tul Firdaus.

Source: NAN News

Joe Biden

U.S.) president-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday presented his future national security team to the public, highlighting their decades of experience in public service.

Biden stressed that his nominees would help return the U.S. to its position as a global leader following the unpredictable years of the Trump administration.

If confirmed by the Senate, his nominees would include the first Latino to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the first woman to be director of national intelligence.

Ive long said that America leads not only by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.

And Im proud to put forward this incredible team that will lead by example, Biden said.

Both Antony Blinken, Bidens pick for secretary of state, and Alejandro Mayorkas, the future administrations nominee for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, described how their families fled communist regimes in Europe and Latin America and eventually settled in the U.S.

Among the speakers was former secretary of state John Kerry, who Biden nominated to be the first presidential envoy for climate.

Kerry noted that the U.S. will rejoin the Paris climate agreement on the first day after Biden takes office, and will take additional steps to combat climate change over the next four years.

America is back, multilateralism is back, diplomacy is back, said Bidens nominee for ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Source: NAN News

Nuhu Ribadu @60

By Naomi Sharang

Sen. Elisha Abbo (PDP- Adamawa), has felicitated with Malam Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on his 60th birthday.

Abbo said this in statement in Abuja on Monday.

He described Ribadu as a detribalised Nigerian.

You live an honest and simple life that which you committed in the hands of God Almighty, you are one of the most connected and respected Nigerians alive. Nigeria is lucky to have you.

Congratulations once more, wishing you more years of sacrifice and prosperity, he said.

The lawmaker added:In 2010, I resigned my appointment as Special Adviser to the governor of Adamawa to join your team as a volunteer.

Eventually, I became your Personal Assistant, then Special Assistant and much more Personal Confidant, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Australias second-wave virus hotspot records zero active cases

The state that was at the centre of Australias second wave of the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday recorded no active COVID-19 cases for the first time in nearly nine months.

Victorias Department of Health and Human Services disclosed this in a tweet on Tuesday.

The last time there were zero active cases in the state was Feb. 29.

We send thanks to you, for doing your part. Lets keep it up, Victoria, the department said.

The last active case was a man in his 90s who was discharged from hospital on Monday.

The countrys second most populous state has recorded 25 consecutive doughnut days with no new coronavirus cases or deaths.

The state government and local media have been using the doughnut as a symbol of sweet victory to tally with Victorias ongoing post-lockdown success.

Victoria made international headlines for its strict stage-four lockdown, which was imposed early August when new daily infections were topping 700.

Under the heavily-policed restrictions, a six-week night-time curfew was imposed.

Thus, residents could only travel within 5 kilometres of their homes and were limited to one hour of daily outdoor exercise.

Most remaining restrictions were eased on Oct. 28.

In total, the state capital Melbourne a city of 4.9 million residents had been under stay at home orders for 112 days.

Australia has been taking a swift and stringent lockdown approach alongside rigorous testing and contact tracing to curb the spread of the virus.

Since the start of the pandemic, the country of around 25 million people has recorded a little more than 27,800 coronavirus cases significantly a lower per capita rate than most developed countries.

Source: NAN News

Gombe State House of Assembly

By Peter Uwumarogie

The Gombe State House of Assembly on Tuesday impeached its Speaker, Abubakar Ibrahim from Yamaltu west constituency while Abubakar Luggerewo emerged as the new speaker.

The former speaker was impeached on Tuesday following a voice vote by 16 members out of the 24 members of the house.

The motion for the removal of Ibrahim was moved by Shuaibu Haruna, the member representing Kwami state constituency.

The new speaker, Luggerewo, who is the 7th speaker of the Assembly is from Akko Central constituency.

Luggerewo was sworn-in by the deputy speaker, Siddi Buba from Kwami West constituency.

The house also removed the majority leader, Samuel Markus from Pero-Chongi and replaced him with Yerima Gaule representing Kaltungo East.

The deputy chief whip, Yahaya Kaka was removed and replaced with Saidu Mohammed, representing Deba constituency.

The house also dissolved all its standing committees.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the house did not give any reason for the removal of the speaker.

The chief whip of the house, Musa Buba, from Balanga North constituency however, told newsmen that the members no longer have confidence and trust in him.

The former speaker lacked the trust of the members and in a number of times he went contrary to the provisions of our guiding principles, he said.

The new speaker, Luggerewo while addressing newsmen, appreciated the members for the action taken in the house.

He said the action was for the best interest of our constituents and Gombe state at large.

We took the action to ensure that all the needs of citizens of Gombe state have been delivered, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News