UAE donates 7.5 tonnes of medical supplies to Nigerian Govt.

By Maureen Okon

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday donated 7.5 tonnes of medical supplies to the Nigerian Government to support it in its response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The consignment which arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Saturday. comprised thousands of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).

Handing over the items, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Fahad Al-Taffaq, represented by his deputy, Mr Khalifa Al Mehrizi, said the UAEs was committed to supporting Nigeria in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Al-Taffaq said the donation was an initiative of the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Al-Maktoum.

The UAE believes that concerted efforts across board is key to effectively mitigating the socio-economic effect of the pandemic, hence the donation of these aid, he said.

The ambassador said the supplies were meant to boost the provision of adequate healthcare response in the management of the pandemic.

I express my profound gratitude to the Vice President Al Maktoum for the donation of these supplies which ispart of a series of humanitarian response operations by the UAE to support friendly countries in the fight against COVID-19.

The embassy has executed several humanitarian projects during this health crisisand we will continue to collaborate with Nigeria to effectively fight the spread of COVID-19.

The UAE strongly commends the unrelenting efforts and excellent work ofthe Nigerian Government in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We also salute all Nigerian frontline workers, doctors, nurses, educators and the media who are working tirelessly to overcome this pandemic, he said.

Receiving the items on behalf of government, the Director of Drugs and Vaccine Development, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs Olubukola Ajayi, said the Nigerian government appreciated the UAEs donation.

She added that the federal government welcomed all support it could get in its fight against the pandemic.

We thank the UAE for providing Nigeria with the much-needed medical support to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The whole world is in need of medical aid to support the existing resources of individual countries. Thisshipment will boost the supply of medical equipment that will help manage the pandemic.

The UAE continues to remain an active partner with the Nigerian People and government and we will continue to partner for the greater good of ours, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Flood

Isaiah Eka

The Akwa Ibom Government on Saturday sensitised 948 villages in the flood prone Local Government Areas of the state on the need for adequate preparation against the impendingflood tne areas.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had predicted heavy rainfal in the country this year that would result in flooding of coastal communities.

In an address at the event in Uyo, the Deputy Governor, of the state, Mr Moses Ekpo, said the state government had adopted a multi-prong approach aimed at sensitising the communities on the dangers of flooding.

Ekpo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governors Office, Mr Nkpouruk Ekaiko, said the sensitisation meeting was strategise and come up with strict preventive measures to avert flooding.

He said that strategic awareness campaigns was the key to saving lives and combating the scourge of floods in the country.

The current anti-flooding campaigns in 948 villages in the 16 flood-prone local government areas of the state is in order to ensure preparedness on the part of the residents.

Therefore, I urged you to strategise and come up with measures that will ensure strict preventive efforts against the impending dangers, he said.

The deputy governor directed Chairmen of the affected local government areas to ensure the distribution of flood prevention analytical materials and establish feedback mechanisms.

He said that was necessary to ensure peoples timely report in the event of flooding to avoid casualties.

Ekpo noted that for the current campaign to succeed, all available traditional and modern mass media must be used to address the scourge.

He also directed the mobilisation of all village heads and the traditional institution to use all traditional methods of communication in reaching out to the indigenes, especially those living in coastal areas.

The deputy governor said that the state government had inaugurated a massive anti-flooding media campaign in major radio stations in the state.

Ekpo called on relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with environmental laws by ensuring that people living in low-lying coastal areas relocated upland for safety.

He said the people should ensure regular clearing of gutters and dumping of refuse only in authorised places.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Frank Archibong, stressed the need for preventive measures against flooding.

Archibong, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Mbuk Inyang, said local government chairmen should be proactive in tackling the menace.

He said they should build a strong synergy with their respective communities to ensure that they were not involved in unsafe environmental practice. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

INEC

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged stakeholders in the electoral process to join the commission in deepening the use of technology and instituting a regime of transparency in electoral process.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, represented byMr Festus Okoye,INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee,made the call at a virtual workshop on reversed INEC Communication Policy, held on Friday.

Yakubu said the commission was fully aware that the old ways of doing things must gradually give way to the new bydeepening the use of technology in the electoral process.

This is the basis of the introduction of the INEC party nomination portal, the election observer accreditation portal and the media accreditation portal.

Transparency in the result transmission process led to the development and deployment of the INEC Result Viewing Portal wherein the commission uploads Forms EC8A for public viewing.

We at the commission will continue to deepen our knowledge of global trends in election management and communication.

We will continue to enhance our knowledge of electoral issues and processes and we urge the media, civil society groups and indeed all relevant stakeholders to join the commission in deepening the use of technology in the electoral process.

We urge critical stakeholders to join the commission in instituting a regime of transparency in election and result management and transparency. This desire to achieve these noble goals is at the heart of the development of this Communication Policy, Yakubu said.

He described the INEC Communication Policy as a composite document designed to address both internal and external communication processes and procedures of the commission and for the commission.

Informing that it was designed to eliminate ad-hocism in the entire gamut of the Commissions communication system, Yakubu implored all the participants to familiarise themselves with the clear intendment and intentions of the document.

He also told them to see it as a tool not only of understanding INEC communication policies but also of seeing the challenges.

He said that it was difficult communicating internally and externally when individuals and groups were facing existential challenges occasioned by a pandemic.

It is difficult getting individuals, groups and organisations to focus on the conduct and management of elections in a period of fear, anxiety or worse.

It is difficult getting individuals and groups to focus on elections when the dominant issues in global lexicon relates to a virus and protocols relating to managing it.

It is difficult getting people to focus on elections and electoral matters when there is looming danger that they may be out of job or already out of work or are in Internally Displaced Persons Camps. It is difficult getting people to focus on elections in a period of uncertainty.

Yakubu added that communicating what people may see as non-essential service in a period of a pandemic or uncertainty requires a new form of capacity and skill, which required new thinking and new methodologies and strategy.

Consequently, information/ communication experts and managers must design ways and means of getting the people to focus on messages that are related to the electoral process.

It is also important to disseminate such messages and information using means that the people can relate to in a new setting of physical distancing, lock down and daily rise in infection level.

Information managers must therefore communicate in such a way that people will see and appreciate election as an essential service.

The commission chairman added that Communication Policy was designed to enable INEC communicate effectively.

Yakubusought the cooperation of all the critical stakeholders in INEC external communication drive, pledging that the commission, more than before needs the understanding, cooperation and reach of the media to get its messages across to the Nigerian people.

Presenting the overview of revised INEC Communication Policy,the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, MrRotimi Oyekanmi, said that the 55 pages document covered different areas that would enhance effective communications of the commission.

Oyekanmi said that the document emphasised that as much as possible, only professionals or personnel that have received appropriate training should be put in charge of handling media relations and voter education programmes of the commission at all levels.

Source: NAN News

FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique

FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says radical changes are needed from top to bottom after his side were annihilated 8-2 by Bayern Munich on Friday.

The loss meant they made their exit from the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League in one of the Catalan sides darkest ever nights.

We feel devastated, although shame is the real word Im looking for.

We cannot afford to compete like this because its not the first, the second or the third time that something like this has happened, a tearful Pique told reporters after the quarter-final drubbing, their worst-ever result in Europe.

This is very painful but I hope it serves some purpose.

Pique is one of the surviving members of the team who won the UEFA Champions League in 2009 under Pep Guardiola to begin a golden era for the Catalans.

But he said he was ready to leave the club in order to ensure they improve.

Pique also appeared to blame the Barca hierarchy, which includes president Josep Maria Bartomeu, for the teams predicament as he called for changes at the very top.

We all need to reflect deeply. The club needs lots of changes.

Im not talking about the coach, players - I dont want to point the finger at anyone, but the club needs changes on a structural level, he said.

If new blood needs to come for the club to change course then Im not untouchable and Ill be the first to leave if needs be, because it seems as if weve hit rock bottom.

We all have to reflect about what is the best thing for the club and for Barca.

Barca coach Quique Setien is unlikely to survive overseeing such a debacle, although he did not say whether or not he saw himself continuing in charge of the team.

Im not going to go into all that as Ive only been here for six months. But seeing as this is Pique, surely some of what he said is true, said the coach.

Right now we feel enormous frustration and all we can do is make conclusions and think about the future.

Barca is a club that is so great that this will cause us a lot of damage and obviously some things will have to change.

The truth is this is a tremendously painful defeat.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health

The National Council on Health (NCH), has approved the 2020 Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), Guideline aimed at expanding the fiscal space for health.

Mr Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Information, Media and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

According to the statement, Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health describes the BHCPF, enshrined in the national health Act 2014, as an irrevocable testament of Nigerias commitment to achieving universal health coverage.

It is a large-scale reform, aimed at expanding the fiscal space for health and shifting financial resource to the frontlines of care.

The BHCPF represents a sustainable model for ensuring equity and financial risk protection for the nations vulnerable populations by guaranteeing effective access to a basic minimum package of health services.

It is funded from not less than one per cent of the consolidated revenue fund, financial grants from local and international donor partners, the private sector and philanthropic individuals.

It is envisaged that the prudent application of the fund will positively reverse the national health indices and place the country firmly on the path to Universal Health Coverage, the statement said.

It also said that the BCHPF had undergone processes which allayed the earlier objections from the state governors who were not willing to accommodate health financing arrangement.

It added that the NCH meeting which approved the BHCPF was the second in the series of emergency meeting held virtually with Ehanire presiding.

Source: NAN News

United Nations

By Harrison Arubu

The United Nations has strongly and unequivocally condemned reported cases of serious human rights violations and abuses in Cameroon.

UN spokesperson, Stphane Dujarric, stated the organisations position during his daily news briefing in New York on Friday.

On Cameroon, we have seen recent reports of serious human rights violations and abuses in that country.

These include a shocking video allegedly showing the brutal murder of a young woman in Muyuka in the South-West.

We strongly and unequivocally condemn this atrocious act of violence.

We call on the authorities to swiftly launch an investigation into these allegations and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, Dujarric said.

The Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon have seen armed confrontations between security forces and Anglophone separatists, since 2017.

On Feb. 14, no fewer than 23 civilians, including 15 children and two pregnant women were massacred in the north-western village of Ngarbuh.

Three Cameroonian soldiers were arrested and charged with murder in connection to the incident, following an investigation ordered by President Paul Biya.

Dujarric reiterated the UNs call on armed actors to refrain from attacks against civilians and to respect international humanitarian and human rights law.

He also urged all sides to join the Secretary-Generals call for a global ceasefire as the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic.

We reiterate the readiness of the UN to work with all stakeholders towards a political solution to the crisis in the North-West and South-West of Cameroon through meaningful dialogue, he added.

Source: NAN News

Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau, with the DG of NTA, Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, during the Lalongs visit to NTA Headquarters Abuja on Friday

By Martha Agas

Director-General of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Yakubu Ibn-Mohammed, has lauded Gov. Simon Lalong on his initiative for peace efforts in Plateau.

The DG gave the commendation when the governor paid a courtesy visit to NTA Headquarters on Friday in Abuja.

I want to congratulate Gov. Lalong for providing leadership in the state.

From 2000 to 2020, Plateau has not experienced a long period of peace as it has enjoyed from 2015 till date, Ibn-Muhammed said.

He expressed delight that Plateau was gradually regaining its status as the home of peace and hospitality, thus creating an enabling environment for development.

The NTA boss also congratulated Lalong for his efforts as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum that is tackling numerous challenges in the region, especially terrorism and banditry.

You have been able to consolidate and coordinate your colleagues by providing leadership to tackle security challenges in the region.

He also thanked the governor for supporting NTA through availing himself for its programmes, saying the gesture was adding value to the organisation.

The DG said the organisation was desirous to work with progressive minds for the advancement of federal government goals.

He then prayed for wisdom, guidance and Gods protection for Lalong to enable him discharge his duties.

Responding, Lalong congratulated the DG on his appointment for another tenure, saying he had always been confident of his (Ibn-Muhammed) capacity to run the organisation.

He commended the DG on his contributions toward restoring peace in Plateau, through the programme Glorious Moments and other counsel on critical issues.

Glorious moments was introduced to bring back lives to the state, by bringing those who enjoyed it to give testimonies of their experiences, Lalong said.

He said the state had planned to host the programme, alongside the economic summit earlier in the year, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event will still hold at a later date, he assured.

Lalong appreciated the DG for the platform to inform the public on his administrations activities.

He prayed for wisdom and guidance for the NTA boss to discharge his duties.

Source: NAN News

By Okon Okon

The Federal Government has inaugurated an Inter-ministerial Technical Experts Committee to oversee the activities of the arms of government, ministries and agencies to give a boost and reduce the cost of its governance.

Dr George Akume, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, who performed the inauguration, in Abuja, said the committee, comprising of selected technical experts from various ministries would partner to achieve the objectives of the ministry.

Akume represented by Mr Festus Dauda, a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, explained that one of the mandates of establishing the ministry was to coordinate the activities of other ministries, agencies, as well as arms of governments.

He said in order to achieve the mandates; there was a need for synergy among the professionals and their experts to put heads together to avoid duplication of efforts by the ministries.

The Ministry of Special Duties is saddled with the responsibility to coordinating activities of all ministries and agencies in order to achieve seemliness cooperation and collaboration.

Also to achieve synergy between ministries, agencies, between the arms of governance as well as the levels of governance-federal, state and local governments.

So in order to achieve this particular mandates of cooperation and collaboration among all these arms of governance, the honourable minister thought it wise that the inter-ministerial committee should be established.

This forms a forum whereby all operation of various ministries and agencies come together so that we see how we can collaborate and work together.

According to him, the initiative will give a boost to the activity of the Federal Government in terms of making sure that there is no duplication of efforts by ministries, agencies and other arms of governments.

He expressed optimism that at the end of the day, the objectives of establishing Ministry of Special Duties would be achieved and at long run, there would be reduction in cost of governance.

Akume said government in its wisdom and efforts was trying to see how cost of governance could be reduced, adding that setting up this particular committee, we would be able to achieve the set goals.

In addition, Akume gave assurance that the committee would work to ensure the execution of lifting one million Nigerians out of poverty line within the next 10 years as promised by Mr President on Democracy Day.

This particular committee will look at that particular promise and see how to develop roadmap, come up with a blue print in such a way that this promise that President made to Nigerians can be achieved, he said.

Responding, Dr Bassey Etim, Director Human Resources in the ministry and who is also the coordinator of the committee, said the task was enormous but he assured that the committee would device strategies for accomplishment.

We are devising strategy and methods on how we can within one month; get the results of the task given to us.

You know we have experts from different ministries, so our job is like, 30 per cent done already with the caliber of people on ground.

Source: NAN News

Gov, Babagana Zulum

By: Hamza Suleiman

Borno State Government, says it has resettled 2,800 displaced persons at Ajiri community in Mafa Local Government Area of the state.

The displaced families fled their homes and took refuge in Maiduguri, after the Boko Haram insurgents sacked the community in the past five years.

Mustapha Gubio, the Commissioner for Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement (RRR), made the disclosure at the presentation of over 500 housing units to the resettled families, on Friday in Mafa, Borno.

Gubio said that the displaced persons, hitherto took refuge at the Customs House Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Maiduguri, willingly opted to return to their homes, to enable them resume their normal way of life.

He said that the resettlement process was implemented in accordance with the humanitarian principles due to improved security in the area.

The Commissioner said: The village was razed in the attack; the state government through the Ministry of RRR, constructed 500 new houses and reinstalled necessary basic amenities to encourage the IDPs to return.

Gubio said that the Ministry distributed assorted food and relief items to each of the resettled families such as rice; cooking oil, mosquito nets, blankets, textile materials and mattresses.

He added that each of the displaced persons would be supported with N50,000 resettlement package, to enable them engage in meaningful activities.

According to him, the state government has set up a Mega Farms and artificial dam in the settlement, to enable them engage in agricultural activities and become self reliant.

The state government also deployed a team of Agro Rangers comprising of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), to protect them in their farmlands, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was euphoria in the settlement as thousands of men, women and children return to their ancestral homes to reunite with their loved ones.

Mala Umara, one of the resettled persons, said he was excited to return home after spending five years in IDPs camp.

Umara lauded the support given to them by the state government, adding that it would go a long way to alleviate their sufferings.

Also, Aisha Modu, a mother of four, expressed joy for reuniting with her sister, Bilkisu, who she met for the first time in many years.

I did not see my sister for five years, we ran in separate directions during the attack and there was no communication between us. God made it possible for us to survived and reunite again,she said.

Modu also thanked Gov. Babagana Zulum, for the housing project that facilitated their dignified resettlement.

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ijuo

The Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) says it is partnering with All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) to insure over 40 million farmers across Nigeria against flooding and other disasters.

The Managing Director of NAIC, Mrs Folashade Joseph, made this known at a meeting with AFAN on Friday in Abuja.

She said the move had become necessary in view of losses incurred by farmers owing to flooding and other forms of disasters.

Joseph said efforts were already being put in place to come up with a scheme that would ensure farmers, particularly smallholder farmers, were able to pay affordable premium.

AFAN is paying a visit to an establishment that has been marching alongside Nigerian farmers in their onerous duty of securing the nation from being decimated through hunger and malnutrition.

NAICs drive has consistently been that every Nigerian farmer deserves to be protected from the effects of weather and other natural hazards.

These hazards are mostly unpredictable and inescapable in the process of primary production of agricultural commodities.

It is noteworthy that the impact of these natural hazards on investment of these categories of farmers could be devastating to the point of driving such farmers into hopelessness and despondency, she said.

The managing director said part of NAICs effort to help farmers mitigate effect of losses was the annual sensitisation programmes organised to discuss on the importance of insurance.

She added that the target of NAIC was to give effective insurance cover to at least 10 million farmers, majority of whom do not have access to credit.

According to her, the insurance cover will be such that the guarantee given by the corporation would secure them during disaster of any sort.

Joseph expressed pleasure for the opportunity to partner with AFAN to reach vulnerable small holder farmers whose investments were self-funded and vulnerable to the effects of nature and climate change.

It is important to state that the corporation is determined to make a special arrangement that will provide insurance cover for these categories of Nigerian farmers.

This will be done under a special sub-scheme that will put smiles. on their faces all year round.

She called on AFAN to help put mechanism in place to reach out to members on the benefits of taking the NAIC Insurance cover for their investments.

She assured them that the corporation was prepared to welcome suggestions that would lead to provision of effective and satisfactory insurance cover to farmers.

The President of AFAN, Mr Kabiru Ibrahim, said it was time farmers took the issue of insurance seriously in view of its importance, particularly in times of losses.

He said farmers in some parts of the country had begun to count their losses to flooding owing to the onset of rains.

According to him, the insurance of their produce will provide succour in times of disaster.

He said, we are looking at agribusiness as a country and as such insurance is important.

What this development will do to farmers is to give them the assurance that there is succour in the case of any form of loss.

I want to assure you that AFAN is ready to partner with NAIC to make Nigeria a great nation.

Source: NAN News