All Posts in "Day: April 8, 2021"

We Won’t Suspend Strike- Resident Doctors

Resident Doctors Suspend Strike - Western Post News
The National Executive Council (NEC) Nigerian of the Association of Resident Doctors (NARD),says its ongoing strike  will continue  until the federal and state governments of Nigeria meet the demands of its members .
The association conveyed this in a communique issued at the end of a meeting to review the ongoing strike action and the offers of Federal Government so far.
They reiterated their commitment to the smooth running of all tertiary institutions in the country and the  provision of specialist healthcare to Nigerians .
They expressed the need to give priority to their  to  health and welfare in order to give standard care to their  patients.
They  observed that despite all the efforts of by the National officers committee ( NOC )to ensure that the Federal Government do the needful to prevent the ongoing strike, it has continued in their insincerity of promises hence the current stalemate.
“The NEC expressed her disappointment over the spurious misinformation spewed out by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment.They noted that NARD gave a 2 month ultimatum before declaring her industrial action when it became apparent that the Ministry of Health was not interested in any form of settlement to avert the avoidable action. This is at variance with the falsehood being peddled by the Honourable Minister.
“They also noted that the Memorandum of Action signed was after 12 midnight on 31st of March, 2021 when the ultimatum had elapsed. Without prejudice to the labour laws and other extant laws of the land, the industrial action had already begun before the MOA was signed and as such, not tenable.”
“They noted the admittance of the Hon Minister of state for health who wholeheartedly agreed that all the issues raised by NARD in her communique are germane and legitimate and further admitted that bureaucratic bottlenecks in government led to delay/ non-implementation of previous memoranda signed with NARD.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC stated clearly that the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors is not a financial arm of the Nigerian government and therefore not involved in any form of payment of residency training funding as was alleged in the meeting called at the instance of the HMOL&E. To set the record straight, the offices and officers involved are the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and her Registrar as well as the Office of Hospital services and her Director. When the errors in payment were noticed, NARD informed both bodies appropriately for further action as may be necessary”.
Online Editor by — April 8, 2021 in News 0
Over  6million Illegal  Weapons In Circulation —Gen Abubakar 

Over 6 Million Illegal Weapons In Circulation Across Nigeria — Abdulsalami Abubakar | Sahara Reporters
General  Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), former Head of State has expressed displeasure over the alarming proliferation of calibre weapons in estimated at over six million.
He also blamed the worrisome situation for the surge in number of victims of insecurity put at about 80,000 deaths and  equally alarming displacement of 3million internally.
Abubakar, also the chairman of the National Peace Commitee (NPC),who spoke at a dialogue session of the committee  in Abuja,said the trouble facing the country
has assumed a dangerous  dimension.
These challenges,according  to him, include, the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, increasing poverty, the calls for balkanization of the country from different quarters, the threat of hunger arising from insecurity that farmers have faced and continue to face, the increasing sense of collective despair and despondency among the populace.
He said: ” The proliferation of all calibre of weapons not only in our sub-region in general and in Nigeria in particular is worrying. It is estimated that there are over 6 million of such weapons in circulation in the country. This certainly exacerbated the insecurity that led to over 80,000 deaths and close to 3 million internally displaced persons”.
He lamented that the nation’s security agencies are not have not been over stretched but under funded, adding that in the circumstance, the perform better with more sophisticated weapons, equipment and more funding.
“We believe Nigeria must find a way out of these problems. Our hope is that perhaps among us, by listening to your different perspectives, we can begin to build up confidence among our people so that we can hold together. So our hope is that we shall not only share our collective lamentations about the current situation, bit propose some concrete suggestions that can point the way forward, suggestions that can inspire more confidence among our people and ensure that our country remains one,” he said.
In his remarks,   Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence King Sa’ad Abubakar 111,emphasized the need for value creation with a view to moving Nigeria forward.
“As individuals we need to add value into ourselves , we should know that we did not create ourselves, God created us and when God was creating us he did not ask us where do you want me to bring you into the world. We just found ourselves in some various places”.
Online Editor by — April 8, 2021 in News 0
Our Mothers Have Withdrawn Us From School,Children Of Slain Cops Tell Makinde

#ENDSARS: Slain Police Children Beg Makinde For Scholarships | Naija News
The children of the police officers,who  murdered by ENDSARS protesters in Ibadan, have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to make good of his promises to them, as regards their education pursuit.
Five police officers nam James Akanmu, Rotimi Oladele, Adegoke Ajibola, Alidu Yusuf Wada, Mr. Peter Agunbiade, were murdered during the ENDSARS protest between October 20th and 22nd of 2020.
Speaking on behalf of the children of the victims, a 12-year-old Kehinde Agunbiade said their mothers had withdrawn them from school because they could not afford to pay their school fees.
“I am on my kneel as I speak. Governor Seyi Makinde should consider our future as very important. We don’t need cash but we need education. He should give us scholarship.
“Since the gruesome murdered of our fathers, it has been very hard for our mothers to feed us let alone sending us to school. My father was running his masters when he met his untimely death. He told us that he was going to give us education to masters level before we all get married but he could not do it because of his death”, Kehinde said.
Speaking on behalf of their mothers, wife of Rotimi Oladele, Feranmi Oladele asked the state government to assist their children to have a proper education.
“My husband was about to equip my shop before he died. I don’t have money and I don’t know how to care for my children. I need government to help us support our children. Their education is very important. We need help,” he said.
Online Editor by — April 8, 2021 in Oduduwa 0

Group raises alarm over water shortage, calls for declaration of emergency - Vanguard News
The Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP) otherwise known as Nigerian Borehole Drillers Association has alerted the government of water scarcity and possible health dangers occasioned by current economic hardship in the country.
The President of the association, Engr. Michael Ale,who  spoke at a press conference on Wednesday, warned of looming dangers of exposing vulnerable citizens to health risks of consuming unclean water.
Ale maintained that Abuja, Taraba, imo, Bauchi and others are states where scarcity of water is endemic,adding that the development  was due  to high cost of drilling which mounts pressure on government to provide potable water for its citizens.
He  said the situation has given rise to individuals and corporate organizations to patronize unprofessional drillers which degenerates to haphazard drillings while many operators engage in dubious acts.
He  tasked the government to take drastic action to address the anomalies before it gets out of hands.
He said: “Water scarcity is hitting many states now and the cost of drilling is getting high because of the exchange rate and the materials for borehole drilling for example, casings. Invariably, the cost of drilling is high which is mounting more pressure on government to provide water.
“This scenario is making the vulnerable more exposed to health risk which will in turn make government spend more on health.
“My advise to the state where such instance is precarious is to have a Water Supply resilient plan where emergency response is prompt. It is important to also note that government have responsibility to make water available to the citizen that is, access to potable water at different cost human and financial as the case may inferred.
“States battling with water scarcity include Abuja, Taraba, imo, Bauchi, others and my call to development partners is to make a conceited effort in making sure the result  for the program they are supporting is sustainable.
Online Editor by — April 8, 2021 in Environment 0
UCH  Delivers First Triplets Through IVF

UCH delivers first IVF triplets | Tribune Online
The University College Hospital, Ibadan,Wednesday  took delivery of  triplets of the first InVitro Fertilization carried out in the Hospital.
The procedure for the delivery commenced at about 1pm and  lasted for  46 minutes.
The Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital,Ibadan, Professor Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo while expressing his delight for the delivery of the triplets enthused that it was another success story for UCH.
Professor Otegbayo pointed out that the commitment to take UCH to an enviable level had played out with the commencement of the IVF in 2020, and delivery of the first set of babies through the process.
He appreciated the team that took part in the delivery.
The  father of the babies,Dr. Kehinde Osiki of the Department of History and Strategic Studies at the University of Lagos,said  that technology has brought relief to problems often attributed to spirituality.
Online Editor by — April 8, 2021 in Health 0
Owerri Jail Break:Prison Officials Arrest  48 Escapees 

Nigeria prison break: More than 1,800 inmates escape after gunmen attack jail | World News | Sky News
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says it has so far recovered  48 escapee inmates at Owerri Custodial Centre by unknown gunmen, raising the figure of inmates following the attack at the Owerri Custodial Centre to 84.
It expressed suspicion  that the attack was  carried out by members of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB).
Francis Enobore spokesman of the NCoS also announced that peace has finally returned to the custodial centre from where a total of 1844 inmates .
He said that 11 of the escapees were recaptured by men of 211Nigerian Ariforce Base Owerri .
“Among the escapees, 11 were recaptured by men of the 211 Nigerian Airforce Base, Owerri while others either came back on their own volition or were returned by their relations, traditional rulers and religious leaders”.
The acting Controller General of Corrections, John Mrabure has charged all staff in the Command to go after the fleeing inmates and smoke them out of hiding at all cost.
” He read the riot act during the interactive session with personnel attached to the Custodial Centre including those at the State Headquarters.
Online Editor by — April 8, 2021 in News 0
Nigeria’s Maternal Mortality Rate Frightening  – Actionaid 

ActionAid Nigeria Empowers 25,844 Women, Young People, Says Country DirectorTHISDAYLIVE
Ene Obi,the Country Director, Actionaid Nigeria, Ene Obi has decried the nation’s high maternal mortality rate,saying the development was worrisome.
Obi,who  blamed the negative trend on high level corruption and poor policy implementation, lamented that every pregnant woman in Nigeria walks on a maternity death road.
She spoke at a training for media practitioners on Public Finance Management (PFM) System in Nigeria,where he challenged the Federal government of Nigeria to quite paying lip service to fight against corruption..
She emphasized the need for a gender responsive public service to empower women in the society to rise to the challenges of womanhood.
“With the kind of corruption in Nigeria now, we need to stop paying lip service to the issue of corruption because corruption is a cankerworm in the nation’s system
“Some hospitals in this country were built by the colonial masters. Many states are not building new hospitals and  when they build, they are not equipping it. So, some women in Nigeria, even the educated ones, when they are pregnant, are  on a maternity death road.
“The maternal mortality in Nigeria is quite high, i think Nigeria is the number one now, even while  we are not at war. When you now have the government negotiating with bandits, you know that we are finished,”. she said
Online Editor by — April 8, 2021 in Health 0
 I Won’t Fail Nigerians- New IGP

Usman Alkali Baba,the new  acting Inspector General of Police (Ag.IGP), assured Nigerians of adequate security in line with global standards of policing.
He gave the assurance  during the handing over ceremony  at the Force Headquarters, Abuja on Wednesday,where he also implored Nigerians to cooperate with him in his renewed drive to ensure adequate security in the country.
He said, “Being appointed to head the largest Police Force in Africa both in terms of personnel profile and operational jurisdiction is to me, more than a fulfilment of destiny.
“It is a call to national duty, particularly, at this critical time that our nation is experiencing increasingly complex and pervasive security threats occasioned by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, secessionist agitation and sundry highly organized crimes.
“Much as the challenge of leading the Force to address these threats in the shortest possible time frame, restore security order, and return our beloved nation to the path of national unity may appear daunting, I am inspired by the fact that from my extensive years of service, I can confidently say that the Nigeria Police is endowed with some of the finest, courageous and patriotic officers who, undoubtedly, shall support me to advance the internal security vision of Mr. President.
“I am also encouraged by the fact that the outgoing Inspector General of Police has laid a solid foundation and entrenched a culture of professional efficiency in the Force.
“These will stimulate me in my capacity as the new Acting Inspector General of Police, to strengthen our strategies and provide the requisite leadership that will change the narratives in relation to our operational approach to the current security threats.”
Online Editor by — April 8, 2021 in News 0
Scores Killed In Akwa Ibom Air Strikes 

Scores Killed In Akwa Ibom Air Strikes Over Killing Of Policemen – Independent Newspapers Nigeria
Scores of suspected criminals have been killed by military air strikes conducted in Akwa Ibom state, over attacks on police formations and killing of some policemen in the state.
 Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, the Director of Army Public Relations, (DAPR), said that following the new security threats springing up from Essien Udim Local Government Area of the state, a combined team of military and security agencies in the state  conducted a clearance operation at Ntak Ikot Akpan in order to flush out the miscreants.
“The operation was successfully executed and resulted in the dislogment of the criminals while fleeing hoodlums were neutralised by the Air Component.”
The statement complained said  “the general security situation in Akwa Ibom state has been very peaceful until recently when the security situation around Essien Udim Local Government Area of the State became tensed occasioned by activities of some hoodlums and criminal elements.
“The miscreants exploited various avenues to acquire weapons to perpetrate their heinous crimes.In the past few weeks, the group has attacked various security agencies which resulted in the loss of lives and carting away of weapons.
“The last incident led to the killing of some Policemen including a CSP. The hoodlums continued to terrorise law abiding citizens through extortions and infringement on their rights.Normalcy has been restored in the area while the Police personnel have since assumed full control and carrying out normal duties.
Online Editor by — April 8, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
PDP Moves To Reconcile Makinde, Fayose

PDP moves to reconcile Makinde, Fayose | Ripples Nigeria
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),yesterday  commenced  moves  to reconcile the governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde and former governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose to avoid further escalation of the crisis.
The party, after its meeting on Wednesday scaled up processes for reconciliation and as it affects South West Zonal Congress of the party.
The party, in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, after its meeting, summoned Makinde and Fayose to an emergency meeting for urgent solution to the crisis bedeveling the party in the region.
The party, in its resolution said: “Beyond the legal conundrum in our party’s formation in the zone, the PDP must win the South West.
“Consequent upon this, the NWC further resolved that a meeting comprising of the National Chairman, the Deputy National Chairman, the National Secretary, the Senator Bukola Saraki-led Reconciliation and Strategic Committee, Governor Seyi Makinde and former Governor Ayo Fayose, be held immediately for urgent resolution of all issues concerning the South West.
Online Editor by — April 8, 2021 in Politics 0