Tinubu Move To Save Nigeria :Highlights of Federal Executive Council decisions on Monday 26 February

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February 27, 2024

Here are some of the highlights of the far reaching decisions taken today at the Federal Executive Council meeting, chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

1. FEC approved construction of Lagos-Port Harcourt-Calabar Coastal Superhighway to Messrs Hitech Construction Africa. The First phase made up of 47 kms will begin in Lagos.

2. Social security payments to the vulnerable households to begin immediately. Recipients will be those with NIN and BVN.

3. Social security payments to be extended to graduates from NCE and upwards

4. Consumer Credit to be established very urgently. Chief of Staff to lead a committee that includes Budget Minister, Attorney-General, Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance, to make the scheme a reality.

5. The Council in order to enhance efficiency in the Federal service, and reduce the cost of governance, decided to implement the recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye panel on the restructuring and rationalisation of Federal agencies, parastatals and commissions.

The implementation involves merging, subsuming and scrapping agencies with similar functions.

The Oronsaye report was submitted in 2012 to the Jonathan administration. In 2014, the Jonathan government released a white paper on the report. The Buhari administration after re-examining the white paper also released a second white paper in August 2022, but did not implement the report.

However, the Tinubu administration has decided to confront the monster of high governance cost by implementing elements of the report.

An eight-man committee has a 12-week deadline to ensure that the necessary legislative amendments and administrative restructuring needed to implement the reforms are effected in an efficient manner.

The committee comprises Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Head of the Civil Service, Attorney General and Justice Minister, Budget and Planning Minister, DG Bureau of Public Service Reform, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Special assistant to the president on National Assembly. The Cabinet Affairs Office will serve as the secretariat.

Key recommendations for implementation:

National Salaries, Income and wages Commission to be subsumed under Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission. The National Assembly will need to amend the constitution as RMAFC was established by the constitution.

Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission to be merged with Bureau of Public Enterprise and be rechristened as `Public Enterprises and Infrastructural Concession Commission

National Human Rights Commission to swallow Public Complaints Commission

Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate(PTAD) to be scrapped and functions to be taken over by Federal Ministry of Finance

NEMA and National Commission for Refugees to be fused to become National Emergency and Refugee Management Commission

Border Communities Development Agency to become a department under National Boundary Commission

NACA and NCDC to be merged

SERVICOM to become a department under the Bureau for Public Service Reform(BPSR)

NALDA to return to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Federal Ministry of Science to supervise a new agency that combines NCAM, NASENI and PRODA

National Commission for Museums and Monuments and National Gallery of Arts to become one entity that will be known as National Commission for Museums, Monuments and Gallery of Arts.

National Theatre to be merged with National Troupe.
13. Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa and Directorate of Technical Aid Corp to be merged under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to become an agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Federal Radio Corporation and Voice of Nigeria to be one entity to be known as Federal Broadcasting Corporation of Nigeria

National Biotechnology Development Agency(NABDA) and National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology to be emerged into an agency to be known as National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency(NBRDA).

National Institute for Leather Science Technology and National Institute for Chemical Technology to become one agency.

Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development to become one agency.

The National Metallurgical Development Centre and National Metallurgical Training Institute will be merged.

National Institute for Trypanosomiasis to be subsumed under Institute of Veterinary Research in Vom, Jos.

The list is not exhaustive.

Loveday Chika Ogbonna
State Director NIMC ANAMBRA

Action Group Of Rotary Club International Tasks Anambra Legislature On Creativity In Lawmaking

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Joseph Albert

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February 26, 2024

… as Dr. Akpua enjoins colleagues to go beyond partnership, join Rotary to better society.

Action Group, a subsidiary of Rotary Club International District 9142 Onitsha, Anambra State, has urged members of the state legislature to be more creative in their primary responsibilities, and fashion out ways to alleviate the plights of the masses, especially at the current economic hardship ravaging Nigeria.

The group made the call when they paid courtesy visit to the member representing Njikoka Two Constituency, Dr. Jude Akpua.

Addressing their host and other state lawmakers who joined in receiving them, the leader of the group, Comrade Chinedu Ogbuefi, said the visit was necessary due to the importance of the legislature in addressing the needs of the masses they are representing.

He described Rotary Club International as a charitable organization renowned for selflessly improving the wellbeing of humanity irrespective race, religion or tribe.

Responding Dr. Akpua, who is the Deputy Majority Leader of Anambra State House Of Assembly, and other members of the state legislature commended the efforts of Rotary Club International in uplifting humanity, and promised to partner with them for more people-oriented programmes in the state assembly.

They noted that having been elected by the people for the people, they would continue to serve their people selflessly and without seeking personal aggrandizement of any sort, which the lawmakers said is in tandem with the working principle of Rotary Club International.

Dr. Akpua, a Rotarian, enjoined his colleagues at the state legislature to go beyond partnership and become members of Rotary Club International for more impacts in making the society better.

Highlight of the visit was decoration of members of the Anambra State House of Assembly present.

Tinubu Reacts As Qatar Rejects His Visitation Request

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bvichannel1

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February 25, 2024

President Bola Tinubu has vowed to proceed with his planned visit to Qatar despite the authorities’ unwillingness to welcome the Nigerian leader.

Francisca Omayuli, spokesperson of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Saturday that read, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the forthcoming visit by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the State of Qatar on 2-3 March, as scheduled.”

The foreign affairs minister, Yusuf Tuggar, said Qatar and Nigeria are strong allies with a “long history of friendship and close bilateral relations,” adding that.

Mr Tinubu’s upcoming visit to Doha “will help build on this important relationship.”

The ministry, according to Ms Omayuli, was aware that the diplomatic memo expressing Qatar’s unwillingness to host the Nigerian leader had been leaked to the media, but it would not comment on “leaks.”

“The Ministry is aware of the circulation in the media of diplomatic correspondence and wishes to confirm that it will not comment on leaks,” the spokesperson said.

Earlier the Qatari government rejected Mr Tinubu’s proposed visit for a business parley on March 2 and 3 because the nation’s commerce minister would be outside the country on the days the Nigerian leader intended to visit.

Qatari authorities in the Note Verbale also stated that they had no signed agreement with Nigeria on investment promotion and protection.

“The embassy has the honour to inform that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar apologises that it will not be able to hold a business and investment forum as proposed by the Nigerian side,” the Note Verbale sent by the Qatari government to the Nigerian government on Thursday stated.

Yoruba Nation: Buhari sent DSS to assassinate me – Sunday Igboho

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Adamma Ikeogu

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February 23, 2024

Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Igboho, on Friday, said he came back to Nigeria by the power of God.

Addressing his followers in Oyo State in Yoruba language, he claimed that his agitation against Fulani herders killing of farmers in the Southwest was behind the move to assassinate him.

He said: “Buhari sent his soldiers and DSS to arrest me in my house because I said Yorubas are not slaves to Fulanis, they can’t suppress us in our father’s land.

“Fulanis can’t stop our fathers and mothers from going to their farms. But, I’m back with the power of God and authority not that of man.”

Source : Nation Newspaper

BREAKING: Olumide Akpata emerges Edo LP Gov candidate

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Adamma Ikeogu

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February 23, 2024

Former National Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Olumide Akpata has been declared winner of Edo Labor Party (LP) Governorship primary election.

The Deputy governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, who is the returning officer for the poll made the declaration after collating the results.

Akpata scored 316 votes to win the exercise held in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Friday.

Source : Nation Newspaper

Lassa fever killed 84 in seven weeks — NCDC

By

Adamma Ikeogu

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February 23, 2024

he Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said it has recorded 2,621 Lassa fever cases and 84 deaths with a case fatality rate of 18.6 percent.

The NCDC said 476 cases were confirmed from the suspected cases from 23 states across 84 Local Government Areas, as of February 18, 2024.

The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris disclosed this on Friday at a press briefing in Abuja.

Dr Idris said, “The NCDC was notified yesterday by the Kaduna State Ministry of Health of the report of deaths from suspected viral hemorrhagic fever at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna. Following this notification, the NCDC has been working with both institutions to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the suspected cases as well as ramp up response activities.

“Four of the six blood samples from suspected cases sent to the Bayero University Teaching Hospital in Kano have been confirmed for Lassa fever. Furthermore, twenty-five close contacts of all these cases are now under follow-up and placed on prophylactic medicine.

“The State Ministry of Health has also activated their Incident Management System with all the response pillars including intensified risk communication and community engagement for the prevention and control of Lassa fever in the affected communities.

“As of February 18, 2024 (end of week 7), 84 Local Government Areas in 23 states of the country have reported a total of 2,621 suspected cases, 476 confirmed, and 84 deaths with a case fatality rate of 18.6 per cent. Our condolences go to the families and friends of those (including the health workers) who lost their lives to this disease across the country.”

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. The natural host organism for the virus is the Mastomys natalenced rodent (commonly known as the multimammate rat or the African rat). Other rodents can also be carriers of the virus.

The virus spreads through direct contact with droppings ( urine, faeces, saliva, or blood) from the infected rats; contact with objects, household items, and surfaces contaminated with these droppings; consuming food or water contaminated with these droppings; and person-to-person transmission can also occur through direct contact with an infected person’s blood, urine, faeces, vomits, and other body fluids.

The disease initially presents like any other common illnesses accompanied by a fever, such as malaria. Other symptoms include headache, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.

Meanwhile, the NCDC boss said the activated multi-sectoral multi-disciplinary Incident Management System has distributed medical supplies for case management, infection prevention and control, laboratory diagnosis, etc. in all Lassafever treatment centers in the country, among others.

He urged Nigerians to always keep their environment clean, and block all holes in their house to prevent the entry of rats and other rodents.

“Cover your dust or waste bins and dispose of your refuse properly, communities should set up dump sites far from their homes to reduce the chances of the entry of rodents into their homes, safely store food items such as rice, garri, beans, corn/maize, etc., in tightly sealed or well-covered containers.

“Avoid drying food stuff outside on the ground or roadside, where it is at risk of contamination, discourage bush burning as this destroys the homes and food sources of rodents and drives them to migrate from the bushes to human residences to find food, eliminate rats in homes and communities by using rat traps and other appropriate and safe means.

Palliative palaver: Govs tackle Akpabio, deny receiving FG N1tn lifeline

By

Adamma Ikeogu

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February 23, 2024

Governors on Thursday denied a claim by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that the Federal Government disbursed N1.08tn to states to address the food crisis in the country.

During the inauguration of the renovated central mosque in the Iseyin area of Oyo State on Thursday, the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, said as the Vice-Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, he could attest to the fact that state governors did not receive N30bn each as claimed by the Senate President.

Also, officials of Lagos, Zamfara, Benue, Osun, Katsina, and Enugu states told The PUNCH on Thursday that their state governments did not receive N30bn.

State governments had in September 2023 received N2bn each out of the N5bn loan offered to them by the Federal Government as a palliative to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.

The economic reforms, including the subsidy removal implemented by the Federal Government, had precipitated a cost of living crisis across the country following higher transport costs, food inflation, and the plummeting value of the naira.

Speaking during the plenary on Tuesday, Akpabio said an unconfirmed report indicated that state governors received N30bn each from the Federation Account to ameliorate inflation and the high cost of food in their respective states.

“I must say that unverified report has it that each of the state governments in the last few months has received additional N30bn from Federal Inland Revenue Service outside their normal allocations from the Federation Account to assist them in ameliorating the food situation,” he reportedly said.

Akpabio challenges govs

The senate president, Akpabio, advised the governors to utilize the funds judiciously to reduce the high cost of food items and other challenges facing the country.

“We believe that every state government should utilize the funds received towards ensuring that food is available in the country.

“So, the state governments have a lot to do. They are closer to the people and I do not want to mention local government because most of the local governments are controlled by the state governors.

“My belief is that if the state government does what is needed, then the local government will be involved in sharing to make sure that these things get to the people. But we must not overlook the fact that Nigerians are not going to be interested in stories.

“Nigerians want to see action. Nigerians want to eat and we will provide food for them, there is no excuse. Despite what we met on the ground,” Akpabio added.

However, the Vice-Chairman of the NGF, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, at Iseyin, denied receiving N30bn from the central government.

Anambra Youth Development Commissioner, Aghamba Speaks On Targeted Impact Of Gov. Soludo’s Youth Empowerment Program

By

Joseph Albert

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February 21, 2024

Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Aghamba, has emphasized that the “1 Youth 2 Skills” program of the Soludo administration will help to realize the 130, 000 private sector jobs, and 1000 youth millionaires annually as envisioned by the Governor.

Mr Aghamba stated this in Awka while addressing the media on the targeted impact of the youth empowerment program.

According to the Youth Development Commissioner, the program has expanded the skills from 21 as captioned in pilot phase to 47 in the coming phase.

He noted that more youths will be trained, empowered to create businesses, employment opportunities, as well as empower others.

The Commissioner maintained that those who benefited from the phase one has opportunity to access loans through Anambra State Small Business Agency to improve their capacity and expand their business scope.

Mr Aghamba noted that the Soludo administration is determined to building productive youths that will contribute to the growth and development of the state, and improve their families well-being.

While assuring that the ministry of youth development will ensure the that best is given in terms of training and mentorship, the Commissioner called on the beneficiaries and potential ones to maximize the opportunity.

Christopher Ndubuisi’s Sun Award, Testament To Extraordinary Achievements In Investment Industry – Ide Umuawulu

By

Joseph Albert

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February 21, 2024

The Founder of Ide Global Movement, High Chief Dr Azubuike Austin Ekweozor, Rff, has described the “Sun Investor of the Year Award” received by High Chief Dr Christopher Ndubuisi as a well-deserved recognition for a visionary leader who has positively impacted the youths and the entire society through his investments.

He spoke on the sidelines of the 21st Sun awards organized at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday to celebrate Nigeria’s leading lights in all walks of life.

Chief Ekweozor said the award is a prestigious accolade that befits Ikenga Umuawulu’s remarkable contributions to the investment landscape, and reflects not only his exceptional expertise, but also his unwavering dedication, astute decision-making and ability to identify and seize lucrative opportunities.

Describing Ikenga Umuawulu as not just an investor, but also a philanthropist who has transformed Umuawulu community, and has continued to reach out to the needy Ide Umuawulu expressed confidence that the award will serve as an encouragement to continue his remarkable trajectory of success.

THE NIGERIA POLICE PERSONNEL AND THE NEED FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS- Nkeiruka Nwode

By

bvichannel1

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February 20, 2024

The psychology in fighting crime is incomplete without mentioning a mental/sound health. This aspect of human thought can not be over emphasized.

When a man is healthy and strong, the attendant outcome is an impressive production. Hence, a fantastic policy framework and implementation is a reflection of a healthy mind and body.

This goes to compliment the saying that a healthy man, is a wealthy man. It is to say that wealth goes with health. When the country security architecture is unhealthy, it affects wealth creation and development.

The task before the police is so enormous and complicated on daily basis, considering the growing need for survival. Population explosion, Urban migration, unemployment, and technological challenges further frustrate the ability of the Police in curbing incidents of insecurity, thereby, increasing crime wave and leaving citizens at the mercy of poverty, hardship, and vulnerable.

The Police chief(001) should bring in physical fitness exercise as a program for all personnel of the force from 6am to 7am everyday which will inturn reduce health challenges that the personnel of the force faces and as well, strengthen them physically to do the job.

Many times police personnel lost their life because of the inability to navigate difficult terrain as a result of over-weight, pot belly(afo ukwu), and health complications occasioned by lack of fitness exercise.

Therefore, when fitness is being observed, practice, and inculcated as a routine before duty, it would help in building a strong, vibrant, and responsive Police force ready to face the day challenge with vigor.

Sports department should not be limited to competitions but everyday activity and six months of the Nigeria Police Fitness Test (NPFT).

The Nigeria Police Fitness Test(NPFT) as coined by me; should be used to examine and evaluate a Police Officer physical fitness. The test should consist of (5) Five events, administered in the following order:

1. Three Repetition Maximum Deadlift
2: Standing Power Throw
3. Push-up
4.Two-mile run
5. Plank…all as will be stipulated for your age.

We have observed during many occasions where officers slump and died in office, along the road, inside car, bedroom/bathroom, and in combat operation, thereby, putting untold burden on their immediate dependents and family at large. Hence, the significance of fitness cannot be over emphasized.

There is utmost need to breach the gap created by societal complicity which seem to undermine police mandate in maintaining peace and orderly society, focus is mostly targeted at preventing crime, neglecting fitness that drives the body, mind,and soul.

Physical fitness is often an integral aspect of any group that is sensitive with it’s human potential. Because the human potential pilot every other structure of the society.

The security organization in other parts of the country, sees physical fitness as number one priority and every day activity.

Thank God for the Inspector General of Police IGP KAYODE EGBETOKUN, ph.D, NPM. whom i can best describe as a man with a difference, his superb body build up and brilliant personnel driven policy making, is a testament of a sound mind, and could be liken to that of the Rtd IGP M.D.Abubakar.

It is in my humble opinion that you make policy that would encourage and promote physical fitness within the Nigeria Police Force. Let every personnel be a replica of your body build and sportsmanship, it would go along way in guaranteeing personnel mental and physical health.

Just #Negodi 001🤭

Written by Nwode Nkeiruka.
February 20th, 2024.