Author: The Nation

Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola and others will,  on Tuesday, join governors, ministers at the presentation of a book: 101 Nigerian Women of Impact.

The book is written by Zainab Marwa, daughter of former Lagos military administrator and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa.

Zainab, a lawyer, is a member of Presidential Transition Committee (PTC).

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, will chair the launch at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, are royal fathers of the day.

The author said the book “documents achievements of women who excelled in diversified career paths to serve as  inspiration to more women.”

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina will present the book  while compère, Ebere Young, is the master of ceremonies.

Women Affairs Minister Mrs. Pauline Tallen and Director-General of National Centre for Women Development, Dr. Asabe Bashir will lead top functionaries to the occas

Also expected are wives of state governors, top female politicians and members of the diplomatic corps and heads of foreign missions in Nigeria, including United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale and UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Oliver Stolpe.

On March 8, the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations (UN) hosted the unveiling of the book in New York, United States (U.S.). It was in commemoration of International Women’s Day.

Those who graced the unveiling include: Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Ambassador George Edokpa; former Ekiti State governor’s wife/one-time Chairperson of Nigerian Governors Wives Forum, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Ambassador Lot Egopija; Imo State governor’s wife Mrs. Chioma Hope Uzodimma and Special Adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Fatima Kakuri.

Retired professor of sociology at University of Lagos, Lai Olurode, has said political appointment is not for those driven by desire for fame and self-enrichment

Advising incoming federal and state administrations, Olurode noted an instrument should be designed to assist elected officials to capture previous contributions to service.

He added health conditions of nominees are important.

“This is where age of appointees become relevant. In key sectors critical to development, such as education, works, health, department and rural transformation, young people in their 30s or 40s should be searched for. The cut off age for sectors that are livewire of the economy should be about 55. Of course, we recognise there may be individuals outside this bracket but, are nevertheless, savvy and healthy. An allowance can be made for such cases.

“Appointees must represent and reflect Nigeria’s diversities, ethno-religipus complexity. This would enable all to have confidence in the new governments. This would also promote synergy between state and society. A non inclusive government cannot work in Nigeria.”

Olurode admonished new governments to stay away from the winners-take-all syndrome which can breed rivalry and run the government down mentality.

“Those who could not make the list rightly or wrongly  should realise service to society or state is elastic and the objective can be met in or out of government circles…’’

Political party members, campaign managers among other social groups shouldn’t mount too much pressure on members of the new governments. They should concede some breathing space to them to enable them think through policy documents that are central to good governance. Too much pressure on elected officials is inimical to their health and good governance,” he said.

He advised Nigerians to emulate the attitudes of late Lateef Jakande, Chief Bisi Akande and Governor Nasir El-Rufai whose attitude to governance is one of service which can be achieved even outside of political office.

Abuja Mega Lions Club has renovated and inaugurated a child and adolescent mental health unit at Karu General Hospital in Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The club noted while treatment of mental health is mostly adult focused, children are becoming more vulnerable, hence ascertaining their mental illness should be professionally.

President, Samuel Egbuchiri, who spoke during at the event, said: “Today’s event should raise the level of awareness of pediatric mental health treatment, rather than our handing over of the project. This project is a creation of proper needs assessment, in conjunction with hospital Management. Therefore, the project is not an imposition but an effective outcome of extensive deliberation with the management. The project spanned through a period of 26 months.”

Charter President, Anthonia Opusunju, added: “This project is not just a structure made of bricks and mortar; it is a symbol of progress, healing of the weak, saving of lives and protection of future generation by providing psychiatric intervention for children and youths.”

National youth leader of Osun State has called on the executives to introduce innovations to break new grounds in the state.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Gbenga Ajayi, in a statement, said the election of Sunday Bisi, Jacob Areola and others is welcome.

Ajayi noted the party conducted a  credible congress  and has produced fine leadership to consolidate gains achieved by the past leadership.

“I join  others to congratulate  Sunday Bisi  as state chairman and Jacob Areola as publicity secretary of PDP in Osun.

“This is a testament of your acceptability and reward for sacrifices and commitment to the party in Osun”.

He said his  focus is to assist the leadership to succeed.

TAG Energy Group, leading oil and gas integrated service company, has partnered South African’s Bosch Rexroth Africa Development, manufacturer and supplier of hydraulic, pneumatic, and automation products.

With the partnership, TAG Energy will distribute Bosch’s products and services.

TAG’s Chief Executive Officer, Yemi Gbadamosi, said the partnership showed the firm’s commitment to providing  customers with best solutions to meet their needs.

“We are excited to partner Bosch and to bring their  products and services to our customers in Nigeria.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to providing customers with best  solutions to meet their needs. Together, we will offer comprehensive  solutions to increase efficiency and productivity while reducing costs…” he said.

Chief Operating Officer of Bosch, Mike Harrison, said TAG’s capabilities are further strengthened by its capacity to make impact on our economy.

“TAG Energy will provide customers with the full scope of Bosch Rexroth SA Group products. As a supplier of hydraulic, pneumatic, and automation products to the Nigerian market,” he added.

Three students of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, (ABUAD), have described their Clinical Posting experience at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, U.S.A, as fresh and inspiring.

Boluwatife Akinoso, Odafe Angela Okparanyote and Moyinoluwa Omoyajowo, all 600 Level medical students of ABUAD, were the pioneer beneficiaries of the Tripartite Partnership Agreement between ABUAD, Little-by-Little Foundation and Johns Hopkins Hospital, for an Elective Clinical Posting of selected ABUAD Medical Students, signed on January 10, 2023.

Okparanyote said: “The rotation experience has been stunning and educative. I began my rotation in Endocrinology for my first week and the level of attention to details, the synchrony among everyone in the system and the quality of treatment given has been incredible. The environment is welcoming and friendly. Supervisors/Consultants are willing and ready to share as much knowledge as they can. The patients I’ve personally interacted with have been kind and open, willing to give information when asked and comfortable to be examined.

“My first week was really exciting and insightful, and I am hoping the following weeks in the other rotations will be of greater impact.”

Omoyajowo said: “For the first week, I was assigned to the Emergency Response (ER) Department where I accessed the hospital’s electronic system containing patients’ records and viewed their charts. This gave me a broader information about their previous admissions and their current medications.

“I was really intrigued by the speed of work in the hospital, and the laboratories were up to support in due time. I followed my attending doctor daily to understudy how she interacted with her patients. I observed that immediately patients arrived, the blood works were done and sent to the laboratory. The laboratory report was received within a few minutes to help in determining the exact mode of patient’s case management…”

Akinoso said: “One thing I have noticed at Johns Hopkins Medicine is the division of labor. Here, the patients have primary healthcare doctors before they are presented to the hospital. The Pulmonology Department where I am assigned consists of about three doctors, and each has a different role to play in caring for the patient. Once a patient is present at the hospital, blood is already taken as fast as possible and most of the laboratory results are ready in a few minutes and uploaded on the patient’s electronic medical record. History taking is more concise here because most of the information is already in the electronic medical records.

“I was also exposed to medical equipment, such as Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) device and the Sequential Compressive Device. The PET scan is utilised in the diagnosis of cancer to determine if it truly exists, and/or if there is metastasis. It has the added advantage of whole-body scan, therefore limiting multiple CT scans and reduces patient exposures to radiation…”

The Chairman of Maigida MultiBiz Global Oil and Gas Ltd, Samson Adegoke, has said the era of Senators Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim will herald a new dawn of peace, stability and prosperity in Nigeria.

A statement by the All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart reads: “I congratulate President-elect Bola Tinubu and Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima on their victory. The mandate by millions of Nigerians attests to their confidence in your leadership, strength and ability to berth a stronger, virile and peaceful country that will bring prosperity, peace and unity to our great country.

“Your political dynamism, vision and purpose-driven initiatives, which laid the foundation for a greater Lagos, convinced Nigerians to vote for you, believing that you will replicate the same feat at the Federal level. Nigerians look forward to the implementation of your strategic Blueprint for economic growth, political stability, peace, unity and enduring legacy.

“Your vast experience, administrative ingenuity while working in the corporate world and Lagos State will be brought to bear in this onerous task of rebuilding our great nation.”

Adegoke was one of the delegates to the convention where Tinubu emerged winner of the presidential primary election.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and four Nigerian airlines approved for the airlift of pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj have reached an agreement.

The airlines had earlier declined to sign an agreement with NAHCON due to the ongoing crisis in Sudan. They are Max Air (16,326 allocations); Air Peace (11,348); Azman Air (8,660) and Aero Contractors (7,833). Only the Saudi Arabian designated airline, Flynas, that will transport 28,515 pilgrims, signed the agreement early on.

Chairman of the Commission, Zikrullah Hassan, in a statement yesterday by the Deputy Director (Information and Publications), NAHCON, Malam Mousa Ubandawaki, praised the local airlines for their sacrifices in the face of the challenge posed by the Sudan crisis.

It reads: “We are not unmindful of the challenge posed by the closure of the Sudan airspace to Hajj operations. However, I appeal to your conscience and sense of patriotism not to further burden the pilgrims with additional costs or changes.”

Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi, said the airlines were mindful of the plight of pilgrims who had paid their hajj fare before the crises broke out. “But we are constrained to take that decision because of logistics and operational needs. We won’t like anything to disrupt our operation halfway.”

In the same vein, Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyeama, said their call for the review of the transportation agreement with NAHCON was not to exploit the Sudan crises for business gains or opportunities. “We care for the Nigerian pilgrims, many of whom we know to have made personal sacrifices in paying for Hajj. We are also mindful of the fact that the pilgrims had already paid before this crisis broke out. We don’t want to deprive them of this opportunity to make the journey to the Holy land.

“We are doing it for national pride.”

NAN reports that the formal signing of the agreement rests the disagreement between the commission and the approved 2023 Hajj carriers.

It also represents remarkable progress in the march towards the start of transportation of prospective pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, which would be inaugurated on May 21, with the Advance Team airlifted from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.