All Posts in "Month: August 2021"

FG,Firm Sign Agreement On  Production Of  Ebola Test Kits

FMSTI, tech firm sign agreement on test kits production - TechEconomy.ng
The Federal Government has  signed an agreement with CLINOTECH Laboratory Limited on the production and distribution of rapid diagnostic test kits to stop. diseases like Ebola and other tropical diseases.
The agreement was signed on Monday in Abuja between the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Nigerian Institute of Laboratory Science Technology (NILST) and CLINOTECH Laboratory Ltd.
At the ceremony, the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Barr Mohammed Abdullahi,explained that  the agreement was signed at a delicate time, especially when the global community is strengthening healthcare facilities and delivery.
He pledged the support of the ministry to the agreement, stressing that the agreement was of mutual benefit to all parties.
Speaking,the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Laboratory Science Technology (NILST), Dr Yemi Gbadegesin, said the NILST would have the ability to develop reagents indigenously through the agreement reached.
Gbadegesin said kits will help fight diseases like Ebola and other tropical diseases.
Online Editor by — August 31, 2021 in News 0
Cleric Docked  For Stealing  N870,000 Meant For ‘Spiritual Oil’

Clergyman Docked For Alleged N870,000 Oil Fraud | Wikki Times
A-70- year-old clergyman has been arraigned in  court after collecting N870,000 to buy “spiritual oil” for washing and cleaning dollar notes.
He was brought before an Ikeja magistrate’s court in Lagos to face three counts of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.
According to prosecutors,Bello fraudulently obtained the money from Mrs Bilikisu Olabisi, with a promise to supply “spiritual oil “ for the washing and cleaning of dollar notes.
The cleric  and others, at large, committed the offence on March 2 at Council area of Idimu, Lagos State, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Mojirade Edeme, told the court.
The prosecutor said:“After the defendant collected the money, he absconded and all efforts to retrieve her money failed.The complainant reported the case and the defendant was eventually arrested.
The offence contravened the provisions of sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Magistrate O.O Raji admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum.
Raji said that the surety should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government(LASG).
Online Editor by — August 31, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
 NAFDAC Cautions Nigerians On Consumption Of Herbal Medicine

NAFDAC warns Nigerians against apple, blackcurrant from Australia
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has cautioned  Nigerians to use herbal medicine with utmost care to prevent avoidable death and complications.
She also  advised against the simultaneous use of both herbal and conventional medicine by members of the public.
Adeyeye,who gave the warning in Abuja in a message to mark the World Herbal Medicine Day,said: “The general public should use herbal medicine with care. First of all, we don’t know the quantity that you are supposed to take. And the fact that it is natural doesn’t mean it is not toxic.
“Toxicity is not about the volume consumed. It is not about the amount. Something can be in a micro quantity and kill. It just depends on the type of drug or chemical. It is extremely important not to take it as you see it. Just because you prepare it in your house doesn’t mean you can drink it like water. It may be dangerous.”
She  further advised that for safety reasons, no liquid herbal formulation should be ingested after 14 days of preparation, and such medicine should always be kept refrigerated.
She explained that after 14 days if it is liquid, it may start to develop bacteria that can make people sick.
She added that the problem associated with herbal medicine are many because people don’t understand that it is supposed to be driven by science.
‘’If you prepare a herbal medicine in liquid form, you don’t know how stable the medicine is going to be in the water. If it is not stable and it is degrading to another thing, it may hurt,” Adeyeye said.
Adeyeye also advised against the simultaneous use of both herbal and conventional medicines by members of the public.
She said: ‘’If someone is using herbal medicine and a conventional medicine simultaneously, there may be a problem.
‘’Let’s say that medicine is supposed to lower the blood pressure or lower sugar content for diabetes, and that person took conventional medicine and the sugar level is lower and he now takes a herbal remedy, that person may go into hypoglycemic shock. Meaning the level of sugar in the blood is too low because the two are now working synergistically.’’
According to her, sometimes a herbal medicine may actually reduce the effectiveness of conventional medicine.
‘’That’s why studies need to be done. A lot of people use herbal medicine today. But if they now combine it with the conventional medicine that is supposed to be used for the same thing, it may harm them,’’ she said, adding: ‘’There is drug-herbal medicine interaction that may cause a lot of harm. Whoever is taking herbal medicine should talk to their pharmacist and medical doctor for professional advice.’’
The NAFDAC DG said that in order to achieve rapid development of the herbal medicine industry in Nigeria, there is the need for both herbal medicine practitioners and researchers to collaborate.
She said that NAFDAC had set up a herbal medicine product committee in March 2019 to advance research in herbal medicine.
‘’The goal for that was to make sure that the herbalist and the researcher are collaborating so that whatever the herbalist knows from ancestral history that does not have research to back it up, collaboration with researcher will enable that herbal medicine to be advanced to be listed by NAFDAC if it’s deemed safe.
‘’Right now, there is no single herbal medicine that has gone through full clinical trial the way clinical trial is supposed to be done. Of course, there could be herbal medicines that have been used to treat a symptom of COVID–19 or whatever, but it has not been published. In which case it is not an official clinical trial,’’ she said.
Online Editor by — August 31, 2021 in Health 0
Nigeria’s Data Usage Grows By 202Percent-NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that  Nigeria has attained 202.08 percent increase in data usage, indicating 205,880 terabytes in three years.
According to the subscriber/network data reports of 2018, 2019, and 2020, data usage rose from 68,154.12 terabytes in 2018 to 125,149.86TB in 2019 and 205,880.4TB in 2020.
The total national and local outgoing voice calls were 121,935,927,123.15 in 2018. The calls grew to 149,584,465,210 in 2019 to 150,825,830,687.40.
The NCC said  in 2018, broadband penetration figures stood at 31.48 percent. The total active 3G connections were 47,325,726 while 4G connections were 12,761,473 subscriptions.
It added that In 2019, broadband penetration grew to 37.80 percent, with the total active 3G connections growing to 50,441,608 while 4G grew to 21,712,216.
In 2020, broadband penetration stood at 45.02 percent, with the total active 3G connection falling to 49,402,994, while 4G grew to 36,538,228.
In the period under review, GSM internet subscribers grew by 53,639,503 from 100,234,283 in January 2018 to 153,873,786 in December 2020.
MTN had the largest market share. In 2018, it had an internet subscriber base of 37,201,086, which grew to 59,594,891 in December 2020.
In 2018, MTN made N164.79bn from data and N674.78bn from voice. Its data revenue rose from N218.69bn in 2019 to N332.37bn in 2020 while voice revenue increased from N723.92bn to N766.39bn.
The agency  attributed the increase in data usage in 2020 to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the pandemic disrupted normal activities and most functions had to pivot to virtual forms.
Online Editor by — August 31, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
Kia Launches Ownership Reward Program 

Kia Unveils Ownership Rewards Programme, KORP, Offers Huge Discount To Old Car Owners Page 1 of 0 -
Kia Nigeria has launched the Ownership Reward Program with combined discounts of over 70% and loads of Free Value-Added Services for customers.
The company’s resolve to compensate customers for their loyalty over the years is to ensure that all Kia owners enjoy the most pleasurable driving experience at a pocket-friendly cost. Customers’ evolving needs to keep their cars in shape at an affordable cost and enjoy a hitch-free ride despite the years of usage of their Kia are the basis for this year’s Kia Ownership Reward Program [KORP].
The program is aimed at offering greater value, convenience, and support to customers who have owned KIA from a month to nine years or more.
 It offers waivers ranging from 15% to 25% on service cost and up to 50% discount on aggregated parts like audio, engine, and transmission assembly amongst others.
These discounted offerings are premised on the years of Kia ownership, as it progressively reduces the cost of maintenance based on the years the car has been in operation. KORP is set to substantially bring down the cost of maintenance as Kia vehicles get older. Weaved into the underlining exceptional service delivery of Kia Nigeria’s aftersales service, the program will provide greater value for our customers.
“Following the success of the launch of this program in the year 2019, its wide acceptance and the satisfaction it brought to our customers, we’ve deemed it necessary to even take it to a whole new level by increasing the discounts up to 70% for our customers. This will further foster ‘peace of mind’ in our customers and affordability to engage them meaningfully and ensure an enjoyably hitch-free driving experience with their Kia regardless of the age of the vehicle. The huge discounts and free value-added service are what make the KORP a unique program in the industry and continuously drive customer satisfaction to its peak. This program is set to reward customers throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle” said, Sanjay Tatpati, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Nigeria.
The KORP goes the distance to deliver a more fulfilling experience for old Kia owners with discounted pricing and exceptional service delivery. Service and parts pricing flexibility and the undying resolve of Kia Nigeria to always roll out customer-driven initiatives that match customers’ active lifestyles are hallmarks of the KORP. The program is Kia’s way of saying thank you to old customers for their continued trust while servicing and maintaining at the accredited service center.
Over the years, Kia prides itself as the leading auto brand with a host of owners’ loyalty initiatives that are customer-oriented. With the relaunch of KORP, Kia is strengthening its place and setting a pace as the most customer-conscious brand with not only exceptional service deliveries that exceed expectations but with affordable pricing that’s value-driven. Ownership reward programs aren’t new in the industry but this year’s KORP caps it all by genuinely offering a program that makes the ownership experience better. The program is accessible to customers at all accredited service centers nationwide.
Online Editor by — August 31, 2021 in Motoring 0
NBS  Sees 5% GDP Growth By December

the Simon Harry, The new Statistician General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS),Simon Harry, has said that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) may witness 5 % growth by the end of the year if agriculture and other subsectors are improved in third quarter.
He disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists at a press conference organised by Minister of Finance Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, and Alh. Lai Mohammed, in response to the latest report by the NBS on the growth of the economy.
He advocated the need to channel efforts towards putting in place deliberate policies in order to sustain the recent growth and even improve on it.
He said :”As we are all aware, without sustaining the growth definitely you don’t expect any impact. That is why from the producer side as much as possible, what we do is to encourage govt that deliberate policies should be put in place for us to be able to sustain the growth and even improve on it. From what is happening now and the improvement in the funding of government business there is hope that Q3 of 2021 will see a lot of improvement.
“This year has been witnessing timely release of budgetary provisions to all MDAs and we expect that to have multiplyer effect on other sectors of the economy. So all I will encourage policy makers is for us to look at those Sectors that are not performing eg in Q2 agriculture performance was not encouraging and I think that with improvement in funding, if agriculture and other subsectors under it are improved Q3 will be a lot better.overall I think by the end of the year, we should be able to grow above 5 %” .
Speaking, Clem Agba, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, at the conference also disclosed that Federal Government plans to ensure that at the end of the year, the 2021 budget is funded 100%.
Agba said that currently the 2021 budget saw 25% funding at the first quarter, adding that 50% was approved recently to bring it to 75%.
“Apart from that the 2020 budget was funded 100 %, the 2021 budget, 25 % funding first Q, 50% was approved recently to bring it to 75%. Our plan is to ensure that at the end of the year, the 2021 budget is funded 100%” he said.
He explained that  part of the reasons the economy witnessed growth had fully funded the economic sustainability plan of N500 billion.
“We are borrowing but with clear set objective of the Sustainability of the borrowing. The borrowing level of Nigeria today is 23% of GDP. I have said severally that the problem we have in Nigeria is that of revenue.
“We are borrowing sensibly and we are borrowing to invest in infrastructure like power,water, roads and railway. These Investment that will enhance business and Productivity in the country, businesses will grow,pay taxes and employ people.if we don’t do these Investments now we will regress from where we are. We are borrowing responsibly , the way we are borrowing is to ensure we invest in infrastructure that will return Revenue to the government.
Online Editor by — August 31, 2021 in News 0
DPR Explains Reorganisation 

DPR: reorganisation in line with FG's aspirations for oil, gas industry – Spokesman - National Accord Newspaper
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR),has said that its corporate reorganisation as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari has enabled the successful  conclusion of the marginal field bid round award program after eighteen years wait.
Paul Osu, Head, Public Affairs of DPR,  said the President’s directive also help the agency  to align with the government’s aspirations for the oil and gas industry and to ensure delivery of its regulatory mandate.
“The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) wishes to reiterate that following the appointment  of a substantive Director/CEO,  Engr. Sarki  Auwalu the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria/Honorable Minister for Petroleum Resources,  Muhammadu Buhari gave approval for the corporate reorganisation of DPR to align with the government’s aspirations for the oil and gas industry and to ensure delivery of its regulatory mandate.
“The reorganisation necessitated the realignment of job functions,  creation of new strategic buisness units, promotion of deserving staff  to various positions and retirement of some management staff to pave the way for smooth implementation of the corporate restructuring.
“We wish to restate that  the reorganisation has brought a new lease to the affairs of the Department given the successes recorded in the entire oil and gas industry value chain.
“These include the successful  conclusion of the marginal field bid round award program after eighteen years wait, the inauguration of the National oil and gas excellence centre (NOGEC), a centre designed as a one-stop shop to create value, safety  and cost efficiency for the oil and gas industry, conclusion of  first of its kind Nigeria Gas flare Commercialization program ( NGFCP), a program to commercialize gas flare and protect the environment amongst others.
“The reorganisation has most importantly created industrial harmony, which has ensured  oil and gas business sustainability.
“The Department wishes to emphasise that it will continue to create opportunities for investors and stakeholders in the oil and gas industry as well as enable the success of businesses using our service instruments of licences,  permits and approvals” reads the statement in parts.
Online Editor by — August 31, 2021 in Oil&Gas 0
PDP Crisis: CJN Summons  Six Chief Judges Over  Conflicting Orders 

CJN summons 6 chief judges over conflicting orders to political parties - Vanguard News
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad has summoned six Chief Judges in the country to explain the circumstances surrounding the conflicting court orders that emanated in their states in the last one month.
He issued the summons to the affected Chief Judges in Abuja, on Monday.
The  affected Judges summoned are those of Rivers, Kebbi, Cross River, Anambra, Jigawa and Imo states and would appear before the CJN prior to an enlarged one by the NJC to explain the rationale behind the issuance of conflicting orders by courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
The summons read :“My attention has been drawn to media reports to the effect that some courts of coordinate jurisdiction were granting conflicting exparte orders on the same subject matter. It has become expedient for me to invite you for a detailed briefing on the development.
“This is even more compelling having regard to earlier NJC warning to judicial officers on the need to be circumspect in granting exparte applications”.
Online Editor by — August 31, 2021 in Politics 0
NNPC/Chevron Donate Medical To Community Hospitals in Delta State

NNPC/CNL JV donates 186 hospital equipment to Ijaw, Itsekiri cottage hospitals
The NNPC/ Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture has donated modern medical equipment worth millions of Naira to the Oporoza and Tsekelewu Cottage hospitals in Egbema-Gbaramatu kingdoms as well as the Government hospital in Ogidigben.
The Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF) received the items for the Oporoza and Tsekelewu cottage hospitals while the Itsekiri Regional Development Committee (IRDC) received the ones for the Ogidigben Cottage hospital.
The medical items donated for use at the cottage hospitals include: wheel-chairs, ultrasound scanners, nebulisers, oxygen cylinder with trolley, stethoscopes, genotype machine, patient monitors and binoculars microscope.  Others include pediatric UV light system, baby incubators, auto urine analyser, laboratory incubators, Manual Suction Machine, Electric Suction Machine, Mercurial Sphygmomanometer and Genotype machine, electronic scale for children/adult among others.
Speaking at the handover of the equipment, the  Commissioner for Health, Delta State, Dr Ononye Mordi, who was represented by Managing Director, Central Hospital, Warri, Dr Patrick Omu, said the government was happy to always partner with people and corporately-responsible companies like Chevron. He promised that the state would ensure that the equipment are well maintained and used for the healthcare of the target communities.
Esimaje Brikinn, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, CNL, explained that the donated  equipment and pharmaceutical products are designed to be part of  his company’s contributions to help the benefitting communities meet United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) on healthcare.
He said:“We believe that our business success is tied to the progress and prosperity of the people we collaborate with and the communities where we work. Everywhere we work, we demonstrate ethical, environmentally responsible, safe and respectful business practices. We also contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. As we would say, we are in the business of driving human progress”
Speaking,Dr Ben Nkechika, Director General – Delta State Contributory Health Commission commended CNL for the donation adding that  it would help the cottage hospitals in Oporoza and Tsekelewu to provide more qualitative Medicare to the benefitting communities and also provide support for the Delta State Governments’ initiatives to bring affordable healthcare services to indigent people and the rural communities.
Receiving the items on behalf of the communities, chairman of EGCDF, Joseph Wuruyai, and Public Relations Officer (PRO) of IRDC, Moses Fregene, who stood in for the chairman, thanked Chevron, the state government and other stakeholders for the donations and genuine passion for the  well-being of the people.
Online Editor by — August 31, 2021 in Oil&Gas 0
Adesina Advocates  Transformational Leadership In Africa

AfDB's Akinwumi Adesina to speak at Salt Institute's lecture on Transformational Leadership in Africa - Graphic Online
African Development Bank Group President Akinwumi A. Adesina has  advocated  for bolder measures to grow the next generation into competent leaders to transform Africa in the wake of current global uncertainty.
He gave the advice  in a virtual public lecture  organized by the Accra-based Sundoulos Advanced Leadership Training Institute ( SALT Institute)
He said:“With the Covid-19 pandemic, the challenges of debt and insecurity in Africa, and globally, with the situation in Afghanistan…effective and accountable leadership is more crucial today than ever before,”
The audience included policymakers, civil society groups, young professionals and university undergraduates, members of academia, security agencies, church-based organizations and professional bodies across Africa.
“The absence of integrity is the equivalent of building castles in the sand. Without the foundational integrity, there can be no national or continental transformation,” Adesina said. He cited South African anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as leaders worthy of emulation.
Adesina shared personal experience and achievements with the audience, particularly during his tenure as Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister and his current position as head of the African Development Bank.
He also shared with the audience many socio-economic interventions and achievements by the African Development Bank to ease the impact of the pandemic and improve livelihoods in Africa.
Change and transformational leadership require zero tolerance for corruption in whatever form it appears, he said.
Online Editor by — August 31, 2021 in News 0