By Vivian Ihechu

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has commended Coca Cola Nigerias Safe Birth Initiative (SBI), saying it is a laudable project toward achieving reduction in the countrys high maternal mortality indices.

Adewole, represented by Dr Adedamola Dada, Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebutte-Meta, Lagos, said this at a stakeholders workshop on Saturday in Lagos with theme: Enabling Safe Birth in Nigeria.

The event was organised by the SBI sponsored by Coca-Cola, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals and an NGO, Medshare International Inc.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that according to the National Demography and Health Survey (NDHS, 2013), Nigeria loses as many as 576 women per 100,000 childbirths.

Also, the country records 37 newborn deaths per 1,000 live births, placing the country among the worst ratios for both maternal and newborn deaths globally.

Consequently, the Safe Birth Initiative aims to support the attainment of the SDG targets on maternal and newborn deaths reduction.

It focuses on strengthening the capacity of selected public hospitals through procurement of vital maternal and neonatal medical equipment and supplies.

It also focuses on training biomedical engineering technicians to improve equipment maintenance and uptime and reactivating a large stock of abandoned medical equipment wasting away in public hospitals.

Adewole said: We have always believed that our healthcare would improve with active collaboration and partnership from the private sector.

The Safe Birth Initiative is a good example of such a partnership.

Meticulous planning and identification of the needs of the beneficiary hospitals have been carried out with active involvement of partners and beneficiaries.

We commend our partners on this programme, Coca-Cola, the SDG Office, Medshare International and the Engineering World Health, and use this opportunity to call on other private sector players to join us in this battle to free our nation from diseases and major challenges in maternal and childhood health, he said.

Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said that the Coca-Cola Safe Birth Initiative is working toward the third Sustainable Development Goal Health and Wellbeing for all, including our mothers and our children.

Orelope-Adefulire, represented by Dr Bala Yusuf, said: This partnership is a classic example of what we can do when we combine our expertise and resources in support of the 2030 SDG agenda.

We hope this event will strengthen our resolve to continue to work together as policy makers, development practitioners, academics, but more importantly as concerned citizens, in support of the 2030 agenda of the sustainable development goals, she said.

In his remarks, Mr Clem Ugorji, the Public Affairs and Communications Director for Coca-Cola West Africa, shared highlights of the SBI rationale and implementation plan.

According to him, In addition to completing the first batch of the biomedical engineering technicians training, the consignment of equipment and supplies required for the National Hospital, Abuja, has been fully delivered.

The consignments for Federal Medical Centres in Ebute-Metta and Owerri and General Hospital, Alimosho, Lagos, are scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks.

The needs assessments are ongoing at six other approved hospitals to determine their specific needs, he said.

Ugorji said that Coca-Colas commitment goes beyond donating equipment.

Through the SBI, the company hopes to promote effective maintenance culture by empowering biomedical engineering technicians with the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence to take responsibility for ensuring maximum uptime for the new equipment.

It also aims to empower them on reactivation of abandoned biomedical equipment in the target hospitals.

There is a limit to what our doctors and nurses can do with just their skills and passion, in the absence of the vital life-saving equipment required for effective diagnosis, testing and treatment, Ugorji said.

NAN reports that the workshop also marked the completion of the maiden SBI capacity training for 20 biomedical engineering technicians from 10 leading medical institutions across the country.

The institutions comprise university hospitals, federal medical centres and general hospitals.

The two-week training was conducted by US-based Engineering World Health (EWH) at the School of Biomedical Engineering, Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

The workshop also had a panel discussion session that shed light on the challenges of maternal and newborn healthcare in the country; the national SDG targets on maternal and child health.

It also discussed the measures government is taking to meet these targets, as well as how the SBI will support these measures.

The discussants included Prof. Chinyere Ezeaka, Past President, Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine, Dada, Bala and Ugorji.

Others present were Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Editor, Todays Woman; Prof. Carmen Walker, Chief Operating Officer, Nigeria BMET Programme, Engineering World Health, and Mr Eben Amstrong, Director of Biomedical Engineering Training and Technical Service, Medshare International.

The official launch of the Safe Birth Initiative and inauguration of the first set of SBI equipment in the country would be performed by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, at the National Hospital in Abuja next week.

Source: NAN

A Spanish magistrate leading an investigation into alleged irregularities in Neymars move to Barcelona in 2013 said Wednesday the Brazilian superstar could face up to six years in prison.

The term imposed, in principle, could be between four and six years, said a decree issued by judge Jose Maria Vazquez Honrubia, a copy of which was seen by AFP.

Neymar, his parents, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his predecessor Sandro Rosell are all awaiting trial over alleged corruption concerning Neymars move to the Spanish La Liga giants in 2013.

The Brazilian international forward is now with Paris Saint-Germain in Frances Ligue 1.

The case, which follows a complaint by DIS, a Brazilian group which part-owned the rights to Neymar, surrounds allegations of corruption and fraud in the players move to Barcelona.

Neymar moved to the Spanish La Liga giants in May 2013 for a reported fee of 57.1m euros. Although no financial details of the deal were revealed by either Barcelona or his Brazilian club FC Santos, Neymars parents were said to have received receive 40m euros and FC Santos 17.1m.

In January 2014, prosecutors in Madrid began investigating the transfer because documents requested by the authorities contained contradictory information.

Rosell resigned from his post as president a week later and Barcelona subsequently revealed they had actually paid 86.2m euros for the Brazilian star.

DIS, who received 6m euros of the 17.1m given to FC Santos, alleges that Barcelona and the Brazilian club colluded to mask the true cost of the deal.

Bartomeu, Rosell, Barcelona, FC Santos and its former president, Odilio Rodrigues Filho, are now expected to answer charges of fraud, according to the decree.

Because the prison term involved exceeds five years, three judges are set to preside over Neymars trial which is expected to be heard at the Audiencia Nacional, a high court with jurisdiction over Spanish territory as well as over international crimes which come under the jurisdiction of Spanish courts.

Whether Neymar faces a prison term remains to be seen, however.

In May 2017 the Spanish authorities said Neymar should stand trial but no date has yet been set.

Source: NAN

Members of the Shiite Movement on Monday in Nyanya, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Mararaba, Nasarawa state, protested the continued detention of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

NAN recalls that El-Zakzakky was arrested in 2015 after his members had a confrontation with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Zaria, Kaduna state.

An eye witness, who pleaded anonymity, told NANthat trouble started when the police tried to stop the protesters from moving deeper in the FCT.

He said that the protesters resisted the push by the police for them to retreat and that triggered the skirmish.

The source said that some persons lost their lives in the clash but could not state the figure.

NAN also recall that 53 members of the group also known as Islamic Movement of Nigeria, were recently arrested by the Police in Abuja following a violent protest.

Since the arrest and detention of El-Zakzakky, his followers had organised series of protests in some cities in the country, calling for his release.

When contacted, Spokesman of the Police Command in the FCT, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, said that he had not been briefed on the incident and therefore declined further comment.

The Army on Sunday confirmed that three members of the sect died on Saturday, while two soldiers sustained injuries when they clashed with troops at Zuba in the FCT.

In the wake of the disturbances at the weekend, the FCT command had assured residents of adequate security against planned protests by the sect in the territory.

Source: NAN

The Presidency warned Monday that the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP) facing an imminent defeat in the February polls, has embarked on various moves to sow division and chaos, in the country.

They are attacking the courts and the police, they are molesting INEC commissioners. They are theatrical in spreading falsehoods against persons including the President, said Garba Shehu, SSA to the President.

What provoked the latest reaction from the Presidency was PDPs decision to ask the court make a declaration on President Buharis West African School Certificate.

Garba Shehu said the move was unwarranted and a waste of time as the Presidency has the record of this and of higher qualifications obtained by hard work and truly merited by Mr President.

Beside, he said the effort would amount to nothing.

This certificate story is an old one. As Femi Adesina stated clearly, it is a settled issue in the courts. To approach the court to pursue a matter long settled by the temple of justice is an abuse of the judicial system. It is shameful, disgusting and disgraceful.

It is clear to all at this time that the PDP, facing an imminent humiliating defeat wants to sow division and chaos by seeking the destruction of the institutional structures that support our young democracy.

By doing these, they assume that they can take away attention from the discussions on issues gaining momentum in the country; the issue of internal security which has been jeopardised by years of near-zero investment under 16 years of the PDP; the provision of long-delayed infrastructure which the President is pioneering; corruption to which the PDP is incurably tied and the sustenance of the prevailing good days in the economy, a business-friendly government working day and night, creating more jobs and affordable life for the poor.

This election isnt about the settled issues of certification.

No matter how honeyed their sweet words, dont believe them.

Their evil record can never be washed away. The PDP set a record of murdering opponents of government and corruption on a scale never seen anywhere before.

They put the national security at stake by diverting huge budgetary allocations to service their greed. Dont believe their honeyed promises, Garba Shehu said.

Source: NAN

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has assured members of the public of adequate security in the wake of violent protests by members of the Shiite Movement.

NPF Spokesman, DCP Jimoh Moshood who gave the assurance, also urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighbouring communities to go about their lawful businesses peacefully.

NAN recalls that El-Zakzakky was arrested in 2015 after members of his movement had a confrontation with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Zaria, Kaduna state.

Since the arrest and detention of El-Zakzakky, his followers have organised series of protests in some cities in the country, to demand his release.

NAN reports that 53 members of the group were recently arrested by the Police in Abuja following a violent clash with the Army, resulting in the death of three members of the sect.

The Nigerian Army confirmed the deaths.

The Army also said that two soldiers sustained injuries during the clash in Zuba, while another soldier was injured in Kugbo-Karu, both suburbs of the FCT. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Buhari administration is concerned about the plight of ordinary Nigerians and would continue to carry out programmes that would improve their lives, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Prof. Osinbajo said this today on Brekete Family, Reality Radio Talk Magazine programme on Human Rights Radio, Abuja, where he was featured.

During the programme, the Vice President emphasised that, The focus of our government is on how things can be better for the common man.

We are not in the business of trying to deceive Nigerians. You can accuse myself and the President of anything, but you will never find us deceiving Nigerians.

While making references to the Buhari administrations National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP), the VP noted that the administration is able to do so much more with less resources.

This he said is possible because, The President has ensured that nobody steals money from the treasury. The major problem Nigeria had before now was the fact that people stole from the nations coffers. Once the country is able to stop corruption, it would be better.

The first thing we did was tackle unemployment by employing young men and women through the N-Power job scheme, which has so far employed 500,000 young graduates. The paid volunteer programme has a two-year duration, but it has now been extended for a batch.

Prof. Osinbajo said, Every state has N-Power, noting that there are plans to employ more because of the number of graduates. This is a social safety net for young unemployed Nigerian graduates.

So far, we have given about 400,000 MarketMoni loans, but the target is to give 1 million loans to artisans and traders, while TraderMoni loans is a N10,000 interest-free loans to petty traders, of which 2 million are expected to be reached in the first phase.

He also highlighted the Federal Governments Energizing Economies Initiative, which provides clean, affordable, and constant power to economic clusters such as big markets and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria.

Last week Friday, the Vice President commissioned the Sura Market Independent Power Project in Sura shopping complex in Lagos State; a 1.5MW independent mini-grid power supply system to provide clean and affordable electricity to over 1,000 shops in the market.

The Buhari administrations Energizing Economies Initiative, which is being implemented by Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is designed to provide clean, stable and affordable electricity to Nigerians in these economic clusters.

So far, thousand of shops in Sabon Gari in Kano State, Ariaria Market in Aba, Isinkan Market in Akure, Ondo State, Edaiken Market in Benin, Edo State, and Sura Market, Lagos, have been provided solar power through the initiative.

Power is a major problem in Nigeria and our efforts is to solve this through alternative energy such as solar power. We are not relying on the national grid alone. We are also encouraging the private sector to provide power. The new strategy of the government is to put power in different places so as to make life easy for Nigerians without relying on the national grid. We are still working on the national grid. This country is very big, thats why we have to decentralize, Prof. Osinbajo said.

Speaking further on the benefits of the N-SIP, the Vice President assured Nigerians that the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme was authentic and was a major part of the administrations plan to improve lives of Nigerians.

Currently, it feeds daily over 9 million schoolchildren in public primary schools in 26 states. Also, the products are sourced from local farmers, which improve local economy.

Prof. Osinbajo further stated the administrations commitment to developing the Niger Delta region and how its engagement has helped to maintain peace and stability in the region, which has also improved oil production and the countrys revenue.

The host of the programme, Ahmad Isah, a.k.a ordinary president, as well as studio audience and callers praised the Vice President and the Buhari administration for its commitment to the welfare of Nigerians and improving the countrys fortunes. Isah also praised the administrations efforts in paying the pension arrears of staff of Nigeria Airways and its Social Investment Programmes.

Likewise, callers and members of the studio audience commended the Buhari administration and the Vice President for showing exemplary leadership.

Because of the importance he attaches to the family, development and progress of this nation, the Vice President (having just returned from a trip to Lagos) came directly from the Abuja airport to be with us today, Isah noted.

Noting that government will look into complaints raised during the edition of the programme, the Vice President stated that he would choose liaison officers to look into complaints from listeners/viewers of the programme. This was applauded by the audience and listeners. One of the callers described the decision as the best thing that has happened to us.

During the programme, the Vice President met with Olympic medalist, Jerry Okorodudu, who had appealed for his salary arrears to be paid by the Ministry of Sports.

On his arrival to and departure from the popular Abuja radio station, the Vice President received a very warm welcome from a section of Nigerians who lined up the road leading to the station to receive him.

Source: NAN

A petitioners witness on Tuesday told the Ekiti Election Petition Tribunal, that votes for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),were deliberately voided by staff of INEC during the July 14 governorship election.

The witness, Omobulujo Bankole, specifically said that the PDP votes were voided in Unit 009, Ward 4 of Ido -Osi Local Government Area.

Bankole stated this while testifying before the tribunal , headed by Justice Suleiman Belgore, sitting at the FCT High Court, Apo.

The petitioners, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its candidate in the Ekiti July 14 governorship election, Prof. Olusola Kolapo had approached the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election.

The respondents in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Gov. Kayode Fayemi.

Answering a question during cross examination by Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), counsel to APC, Bankole stated that his party scored more than 119 votes during the election in his unit.

According to the witness, I was there when they deliberately voided the PDPs votes in Unit 9 (Ward 4, Ido -Osi LGA). The male polling clerk of INEC voided 27 votes,he said.

Meanwhile, the petitioners called five witnesses on Tuesday , bringing the total number of witnesses called so far to 69.

The witnesses informed the tribunal in their written statements on oath, which they adopted as their testimony before the tribunal, of deliberate voiding of votes by INEC officers and over voting in their respective polling units where they served as PDP agents.

During a cross examination by INEC counsel, a witness, Yisa Ibrahim (PW66), from Ado Ekiti LGA, informed the tribunal that he was at his unit throughout the election, adding that PDP polled 362 votes, while APC scored 192.

He stated that counting was done based on thumb printing, and defined voided votes as votes that cannot be counted for any party.

He also said that only INEC has the power to declare a vote voided, but insisted that INEC staff voided votes that were for PDP during the election.

Source: NAN

APDA identifies poverty, education, religion and leadership as core challenges of the country

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Alhaji Shitu Mohammed, the Presidential Candidate of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) has identified issues of poverty, education, religion and leadership as the core challenges of the country.

Mohammed disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday that the problems facing the nation were well known to all patriotic Nigerians, stressing that they have remained a daunting challenge.

He said that many governments in the past had pledged to solve the problems of Nigerians but have unfortunately failed to do so in the last decades.

The core challenges of Nigerian remains the issue of poverty, education, religion and leadership, these are issues I want to take up as president if elected by Nigerians in 2019, he said.

He, however said that Nigerians now had another opportunity in 2019 to take a decision that would either shape or mar the nations future, noting that the political climate was already charged.

This undoubtedly is not new; it has of course become a tradition in democracies all over the world. The APDA is set to make a difference this time.

The APDA is set to bring to Nigerians ideas that work, ideas that will change the perception and misgivings of Nigerians about what their leaders should do for them and what they stand to gain.

The APDA wants to recreate Nigeria. We are not inventing the wheel neither are we retrogressing because of the hard realities that stares us in the face currently.

We want to give Nigerians a new lease of life that they would have a stake in, he said.

Mohammed said the APDA would initiate policies and programmes that would promote consumer rights, sustainable development and financial market reforms to create a stronger, more democratic nation and a better future for Nigerians.

He further said that the party`s priority was to fight unemployment and to ensure a fairer society for all, adding that it was determined to restore hope and trust of Nigerians.

We pledged to recreate a Nigeria that guarantees all its citizens the right to pursue their aspirations and achieve their full potentials, he said.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated right-wing politician, Mr Jair Bolsonaro on his victory in Brazils presidential election run-off on Sunday.

The President also felicitated with the people of Brazil for successfully going through the two rounds of the election and making their choice, thereby enhancing the democratic credentials of their country.

Buhari noted that Nigeria shares historical and cultural ties with Brazil and that his administration hoped for the deepening of such relations as well as expansion of current political, trade and military ties.

The Nigerian leader wished Bolsonaro, who will take office in January 2019 a successful tenure in confronting his countrys current socio-economic challenges.

Bolsonaro defeated his Leftist opponent Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party 55.5 per cent against 44.5 per cent of the votes with 96 per cent of ballots counted.

Far-right Bolsonaro now has a task of leading Latin Americas biggest country and the worlds fourth-largest democracy to traditional Brazilian values which he promised during his campaign.

Bolsonaro, who cast himself as a political outsider despite a 27-year career in Congress, is the latest of several leaders around the globe to gain prominence by mixing tough, often violent talk with right-wing positions.

But he also is very much a product of a political tempest in Brazil that made his messages less marginalised: widespread anger at the political class amid years of corruption, an economy that has struggled to recover after a punishing recession and a surge in violence.

The name of his party, PSL, translates to Social Liberal Party, although it largely abandoned its socially liberal platforms after he joined.

Bolstering his rebel image is his reputation for offensive statements and sometimes extreme views, including insulting women, black people and the LGBT community.

Source: NAN

By Max-Iyaye Samuel and Khadija Adamu

The Women trafficking and child labour eradication foundation (WOTCLEF) says it has rendered support to over 10,600 victims of trafficking in 19 years.

The founder, Chief Titi Abubakar stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the event to mark WOTCLEF 19th anniversary.

The theme of the celebrations is: Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation Reflections, Prospects and Challenges: Way Forward.

She explained that the support included sustainable micro-credit, entrepreneurship development and training programmes.

Abubakar said also that WOTCLEF successfully repatriated 52 victims from Ghana, Italy, Swaziland and rehabilitated 22 victims (16 females and 6 males) and sensitised 8230 Nigerian youths under the year reviewed.

WOTCLEF has done this through commitment to our operation conceptual framework 4Ps R (prevention, protection, policy, partnership and rehabilitation).

She explained further that WOTCLEF has not only replicated its structures and programmes nationwide, it has institutionalised and sustained the fight against trafficking in persons and forced labour.

WOTCLEF has also collaborated with international and local organizations also.

Abubakar expressed concerns that women and youths were still vulnerable to trafficking and forced labour through deception and coercion.

She used the opportunity to thank all of the partners for their assistance to WOTCLEF since inception.

we want to thank former president Olusegun Obasanjo for signing the bills into law. Today the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is a success national story.

We rely on them to sustain our present tempo of achievement and with NAPTIP which was established through a private bill initiated and sponsored by WOTCLEF, she added.

NAN reports that WOTCLEF was founded in 1999 by Abubakar and towards the eradication of trafficking in persons, and violent abuses of the rights of women and children.

Source: NAN