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  • Special Olympics to Nigerians: shun stigmatisation of special need persons

    Special Olympics to Nigerians: shun stigmatisation of special need persons

    National Director of Special Olympics Nigeria, Naomi Ejobe has urged Nigerians to stop stigmatizing intellectually disabled persons in sport.

      She said they are human beings too.

     Ejobe spoke at a sideline of an event  to mark  its 20th anniversary in Lagos.

    She said when it opened in January 2001, Special Olympics Nigeria, which is an affiliate of Special Olympics International, was set out to bring Special Olympics opportunities to individuals with intellectual disabilities in Nigerian society.

     Special Olympics Nigeria was introduced to Nigerian society by displaying the abilities possessed by its athletes to break the barrier of cultural inhibitions as regards the issue of intellectual disability in the Nigerian society.

     Over the past two decades, the global non-profit organization has evolved into a phenomenal sport competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities participating in year round training and competition in 10 Olympic-type Sports including  Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cycling, Football (Soccer), Floor Ball, Floor Hockey, Swimming (Aquatics), Table-tennis and Volleyball.

      Ejobe said that Special Olympics Nigeria is free and open for any intellectually disabled persons to participate, adding that the special sport platform also works with all the special schools and centres in Nigeria in selecting its sport persons.

     “Right now, special needs schools are in 28 out of the 36 states, so we travel to different states and we work with the special schools and we get them on the database. We also go to their schools to host sports competitions and when it is time for us to go for international competition; we host national games and pick the best to represent us.

     She said: “Special Olympics athletes have used this platform to showcase that there is a contribution they are bringing to society and the country. They have been to showcase that even though they are intellectually disabled, they are not physically disabled, they are still human beings like all of us and they can do great things.

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     “You can see a lot of them are Olympians, they have all gone to compete in sports outside the country and even locally, and they always come back with medals. We need the stigmatisation to stop for people to know that people with special needs are still part of society.

    On the journey so far at 20 years, Ejobe, who expressed excitement said, “It is a milestone. When we started we didn’t know how it would turn out. When we started, we didn’t know how it would turn out and how it would be.

     “But we are so happy that we are 20 years strong and we hope to celebrate another 20 years in the future. It has been a great journey and marvelous, we have had our down and up times but more up times than down times. It is so impactful for the athletes, families and the board directors.”

    “In the next 20 years we hope for greater things, we hope to have more athletes in our database that we are working with. Right now, we have 30,000 but we hope that in the next 20 years, we can achieve up to 100,000 or even more and this we can do with support from everybody,” she said.

    Special Olympics Nigeria has participated in five Special Olympics World Summer Games including Ireland, China, Greece, USA, and UAE and two Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea and Austria.

  • Expert seeks strategic approach to boost manufacturing industry

    Expert seeks strategic approach to boost manufacturing industry

    It is imperative to deploy a deliberate and strategic approach to encourage the growth of local factories and the manufacturing of goods instead of  construction of mere assembly. This was the position of Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Coleman Technical Industries Limited, Mr. George Onafowokan.

    Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, he noted that fostering a supportive environment and building local capacity, Nigeria can establish itself as a manufacturing hub and create more opportunities for businesses and economic growth.

     Onafowokan, who emphasised the need to  replicate  the success achieved in the petroleum industry in the manufacturing sector, noted that it was important to build human capacity and empower individuals within an organisation, adding that integrating capable team members and giving them responsibilities would enable them  perform their jobs effectively.

    He said his firm’s  collaboration with the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) was  instrumental in their success as it leveraged opportunities provided by local content law.

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     “The company has been working closely with the board since 2017, leveraging the opportunities provided by the local content law. Coleman has managed to break into the oil and gas industry, supplying cables to major companies such as NLNG, Shell, and Mobil. Their ability to provide cables that no other Nigerian company can produce has solidified their reputation as a trusted and innovative supplier in the industry,” he said.

     He added that the firm is poised to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth through its robust export and plans  to supply markets in West and Central Africa, with further expansion into East Africa. 

     The CEO said through strategic growth and a vision to become the preferred choice for wires and cables in the country, the firm  gradually expanded its operations, diversified its product range and became the first in Nigeria and West Africa to produce high-voltage cables. 

     On overcoming setbacks and expanding its reach, he said: “When faced with business and economic setbacks, Coleman took proactive measures to ensure its survival and growth. The company underwent a restructuring process and minimised losses. By reducing its size and scrutinising positions, itwas able to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, the company managed to build two new factories without relying on foreign expertise, showcasing its resilience and commitment to in-country capacity enhancement.”

  • Firm wins agro innovation award

    Firm wins agro innovation award

    A global conglomerate, TGI Group has clinched the coveted 2022 Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) Employers’ Excellence Award in the Agro and Agro-Allied category. 

    According to award organisers, the recognition underscoring the conglomerate’s unparalleled contributions to the advancement of, and innovation in, the Agro and Agro-Allied sector.

    The award, presented during the third NECA Annual Employers’ Excellence Award ceremony, highlights TGI Group’s commitment to positive change and its pivotal role in Nigeria’s diverse business landscape.

    NECA President Taiwo Adeniyi, speaking at the event, emphasized that the award acknowledges TGI’s resolute efforts in driving transformative initiatives and contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth.

    On his part, TGI Group’s Managing Director, Rahul Savara expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying, “Receiving the NECA 2022 Employers’ Excellence Award in the Agro and Agro-Allied Sector is a validation of our strategic vision and unwavering commitment to excellence. We take pride in leading by example and contributing meaningfully to the economic development of Nigeria.”

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    The award not only recognized TGI Group’s innovative practices but also highlighted its dedication to revolutionizing agriculture through sustainable business models.

    Acknowledging the collective effort of TGI’s team, Akinkunle Akinpelu, the Group Human Resources Director, remarked, “This award reflects our dedication to our most valuable asset, our employees. At TGI, we prioritize creating an inclusive and supportive work environment that fosters professional growth and development. This recognition is also a validation of the tenacity and hard work of our entire team.”

    TGI Group is the parent company of WACOT Rice, CORMART, and CHI Farms, among others.

  • Minister okays operation of teaching hospital annex

    Minister okays operation of teaching hospital annex

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has approved the commencement of operation of the new Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, (FETHI) annex at Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti state  in the incoming year.

    The Chief Medical Director, Prof Adekunle Ajayi,  who announced the approval, said there were plans to expand the hospital’s scope of  operations next year.

    He said  the hospital will start new areas of practice, adding that the new annex  will open from January.

    Ajayi spoke with reporters in Ido Ekiti i after receiving members of the House of Representatives Committee on Health, who visited the institution on a facility inspection tour.

    The CMD said the hospital had been judiciously utilising the resources available to it to meet infrastructure, equipment and workers needs.

    He said: “For next year, we will expand the scope of what we do. We are going to ensure that we link all our Electronic Medical Records so that the hospital in terms of clinical practice can go 100 per cent paperless.

    “By next year, about 80 per cent of whatever allocation we get from the budget will be to improve the facilities in terms of medical equipment. We will also ensure that we create an integration of all the bit by by bit things that we have done in the last five years.

    “Also, the hospital will begin operations at Ilawe Ekiti Annex early next year. This will be an addition to the existing ones at Ado Ekiti and Igogo Ekiti. The Minister of Health has given the directive for the Ilawe Ekiti Annex to begin operations next year”.

    The visit of the House of Representatives Committee, led by the chairman, Dr Amos Magaji, to FETHI , he said, was beneficial, saying, “Our gain from the visit is huge. They (committee members) have seen the facility and our challenges. They expressed commitment to help us address some of these challenges.

    “Not only in terms of budgetary allocation, but the hospital now has partners in the committee members, who we can always discuss our issues with. With this, the hospital will definitely make rapid progress towards achieving our aims”.

    Among the challenges of FETHI which the CMD enumerated before the Amos Magaji-led House Committee were huge power cost, inadequate water supply, poor access roads, ecological challenges, uncertain manpower planning and need to upgrade medical facility.

    The federal lawmakers, among others, inspected the Isolation Ward, new Histopathology building; new Accident and Emergency Ward, Assisted Reproductive Technology building, 150-bedded building, Molecular Laboratory and Physiotherapy Building.

    The committee chairman, Magaji, lauded FETHI management for utilizing the available space and the huge expansion, saying, “We are impressed with what they have done with the resources that Federal Government has given them”.

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    Magaji, has said that the legislative body is to push for declaration of emergency in the health sector with a view to repositioning it to meet the needs of Nigerians.

    The House Committee chairman, who said the problems hospitals in Nigeria were generic, said that resolving the problems in the nation’s health sector required multi-pronged approach, assured that it would soon bounce back when the needful was done.

    He said, “We have gone round many health institutions and the problems are basically the same, lack of equipment, the manpower is a problem, equipment is a problem, the infrastructure in health institutions is also massively inadequate and of course very critical, the issue of power is killing the health institutions,” he said.

    As part of efforts to resolve issues in the sector, Magaji said that the committee would invite the national leadership of all health unions to a meeting and as well all relevant MDAs over issue of non-payment of some of the arrears, bonus and salaries of some health workers.

    “We are also looking at how to expand the quotas in medical admission in universities. One of the solutions is enrolment of students in medical colleges, making the study of medicine attractive in Nigeria. If we have many young people studying Medicine, even if there is japa, we will still have enough people to practice medicine in Nigeria,” Magaji said.

  • Mortgage bank gets new chairman

    Mortgage bank gets new chairman

    The Board of Directors of Abbey Mortgage Bank Plc has announced the appointment of High Chief Samuel Oni as the new Chairman and the retirement of Mazi Emmanuel Kanu Ivi and Air Vice-Marshal Olufemi Soewu (rtd).

    Mazi Ivi, a member of the Board, will officially retire on December 31.

    He has been an integral part of Abbey for the past 30 years, first as a Director and later as the Chairman.

    The Board expressed its deepest appreciation for his unparalleled and exemplary leadership, which played a pivotal role in the bank’s success.

    High Chief Oni was appointed as the new chairman effective January 1.

    A distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Association of Certified and Chartered Accountants London, he brings extensive experience to the role.

    His career included roles such as Director of Other Financial Institutions Department, Internal Audit, and Bank Examination at the Central Bank of Nigeria. He had also served as a Director of United Bank for Africa Plc and Chairman of UBA Capital, London.

    In addition to the retirement of Mazi Ivi, the board announced the retirement of Air Vice-Marshal Olufemi Soewu (rtd) with effect from December 31.

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    The board expressed its gratitude for  Soewu’s 18 years of unbroken and meritorious service to Abbey Mortgage Bank.

    Abbey Mortgage Bank had thrived as a trailblazing institution under the leadership of Mazi Emmanuel Kanu Ivi and Air Vice-Marshal Olufemi Soewu (rtd). Through highs and lows, the bank experienced transformation and success under their guidance.

    The retirement of both Mazi Ivi and Air Vice-Marshal Soewu (rtd) was marked by a lovely valedictory dinner held on December 14, 2023. The event was attended by the families of the outgoing members, and member of the Managing Committee of the bank. During his speech at the Valedictory Dinner, Managing Director Mobolaji Adewumi expressed his heartfelt appreciation, stating, “From my heart, sincere thanks to Mazi Emmanuel Kanu Ivi and Air Vice-Marshal Olufemi Soewu (rtd) for their invaluable support. Mazi’s handling of challenges has been truly impressive. Their dedication has left a lasting mark on Abbey Mortgage Bank. We draw inspiration from their leadership.”

    The Board looks back at a successful era and is confident that the wealth of experience and leadership qualities of High Chief Samuel Oni will contribute to the continued growth and success of Abbey Mortgage Bank.

  • Ososa indigenes seek support for multi-million naira projects

    Ososa indigenes seek support for multi-million naira projects

    Ososa Traditional Council and the entire Ososa community in Odogbolu Local Government of Ogun State have fixed Saturday for the grand finale of activities for the celebration of Ososa (Omoroyo) Day 2023.

    The weeklong event began yesterday and will end on Sunday with activities lined up on different days.

    Ososa (Omoroyo) Day Planning Committee made this known yesterday at Chief Hubert Ogunde Hall of the palace of the traditional ruler of the town, Gbegande of Ososa, Oba Dr Mojeed Adetoye Alatshe (Ogunroyega IV).

    The Chairman Omoroyo Day Planning Committee, Chief Abayomi  Adewunmi and members of the committee, including Prof. Olatunde Adetila and Boye Ogunbadejo, an architect; President,  Ososa United Society, Lagos, said the high point of the celebration was the launching of an appeal fund in aid of development projects in the community.

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    They called for the support of well-meaning indigenes, their friends and associates and good spirited Nigerians to come to the aid of the community.

    Adewunmi said: “The objectives of Ososa Day are to attract funds for the gradual development of our town; and to engage in cultural rebirth/reforms with a view to improving Traditional Council Administration”.

    Oba Alatise said: “We planned Ososa Day celebration for a week. Although the grand finale is on Sunday, we have started today with a news briefing. We have always been talking about this and that’s why I have always been an advocate of primary health care.

    “We have started this week’s celebration with medical outreach. We have brought doctors, we have brought nurses.”

  • Association celebrates members

    Association celebrates members

    The Association of Lagos State Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (ALARHOSPS) has celebrated its end of year and last quarter happy hour to also mark the association’s 10th anniversary. 

    President of ALARHOSPS Dr Femi Olugbile congratulated members for their commitment and service through the years, saying it shows the association will continue to give advisory support to the public service and government. 

    He said: “We are a body of people who have invested the substantial part of our life into building and operating the service. And, of course, we want to see it continue to operate at the best level possible. We interface with existing office holders whenever we have the opportunity. Our yearly summit addresses topical issues that are in the best interest of the society, proffer solutions to problems and we advise on ways to improve situations.”

    Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Bashorun Babatunde Rotinwa, said the association has brought life back to retired public servants and permanent secretaries. Hereiterated that through the association, retired public servants are able to come together, link up, share joys and aspiration, as well help each other in areas of need.

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    Immediate past president of the association

    Mohammed Olagbaye appreciated Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu for consistently paying their pension and also attending to the association’s requests. 

    Olagbaye added: “We are technocrats, seasoned men and women who have served the state and are at the pinnacle of our career. One of our objectives, apart from the welfare of members, is to ensure that we continue to give back the service to make it more respectful.”

    The happy hour featured games, dance and other interesting activities for the elderly. 

    Dignitaries present were representative of the Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) Babatunde Yusuf, General Manager, Radio Lagos/Eko FM Mr. Jide Lawal, General Manager, Traffic Radio Mr. Tayo Akanle, among others. 

  • NAFDAC shuts Eziukwu market

    NAFDAC shuts Eziukwu market

    • Confiscates, destroys N750m counterfeited drinks

    National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off Eziukwu market (Cemetery market) in Aba, Abia State.

    The closure, without a specified reopening date, was initiated, following the discovery and interception of counterfeiters engaged in the production of a range of beverages, including wines, soft drinks and consumables.

    At a media interactive session on the agency’s 2023 journey yesterday, Director General (DG), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said based on an intelligence tip-off, NAFDAC conducted extensive weeks of intelligence gathering and data collation “on the activities of these merchants of death.”

    The effort resulted in a sting operation, carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, leading to the apprehension of the culprits and the seizure of their counterfeited products, she said.

    Adeyeye said the agency used intelligence gathering and a collaborative sting operation because the problem was extensive in scope, involving audacious perpetrators.

    She said: “It is worthy of note that this dastard activity has been going on for a long time. They operate like a cartel threatening anyone who dares challenge them.

    “Some of the nefarious activities of the counterfeiters included the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products, especially different kinds of wine from a wide variety of brands, ranging from Seaman Schnapps to Henessy, Four Cousins, Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Schnapp Dry Gin, McDowells, Black Labels, Gordons, Martell, Campari, Smirnoff ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, Evra Non-Alcoholic Drink, Cartel and others.

    “There is also date revalidation for expired products such as Peak milk, Powdered milk, Ketchups, Yoghurt, Coca Cola products, packaging of fake and substandard products, which are later sold to unsuspecting members of the public for consumption.

    “Because of the extensive operation, the agency raided over 240 shops- turned factories where the harmful products were being produced and marketed.

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    “The shops-turned factories are very filthy. Water from very unhygienic sources is used. Also used are harmful chemicals, saccharin, colouring, dirty recycled bottles and cloned packaging materials of other brands.

    “The adulteration of alcoholic beverages by criminals in the country is done by mixing of cheaper sources of sugar and starch, besides grapes or fruit, among other harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption.

    “Over 1,500 cartons of fake and substandard products were destroyed during the operation, while 300 hundred cartons were evacuated to NAFDAC warehouse.”

    Adeyeye stressed the need for consumers to be vigilant, to avoid drinking adulterated alcohol that could cause nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness and dizziness, blue tinged or pale skin, irregular or slow breathing, low body temperature, unconsciousness or passing out.

    “It can also lead to kidney and liver failure or even death. Methanol, a substance which can be used in fake vodka, may cause permanent blindness.”

  • IG: 4,000 calibres of ammunition recovered within 10 weeks

    IG: 4,000 calibres of ammunition recovered within 10 weeks

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday said 4,235 ammunition of various calibres were recovered within 10  weeks.

    He said this at the last conference with strategic police managers for the year 2023.

    He said the conference focused on discussing the salient achievements of the Nigeria Police Force within a period of 10 weeks prior to reinforcing deployments for the upcoming Yuletide.

    The IGP noted that the efforts of police operatives within the said weeks also led to the rescue of 134 kidnap victims, arrest of 375 suspected kidnappers, 578 armed robbery suspects, 431 suspects for rape and other sexual related offences, 724 murder/homicide suspects, 2,343 suspects for other criminal offences, as well as the recovery of 419 firearms.

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    Notable among the cases busted within the period under review, Egbetokun said, included the arrest of the ‘daredevil’ robbers responsible for the deadly Otukpo bank robbery of October 20, 2023, during which the Divisional Police Officer, Otukpo Division and many other innocent Nigerians lost their lives and huge sums of money were carted away from three commercial banks: “the rescue of eight students of the Federal University Lafia who were kidnapped on December 7, 2023 in Nasarawa State; and the interception of a consignment of illicit arms intended for distribution to IPOB/ESN camps, the arrest of the gunrunner and recovery of 22 semi-automatic pump action guns and 625 live cartridges”.

    Egbetokun underscored the critical importance of seamless collaboration and efficient coordination among the police and other law enforcement and security agencies, particularly as the festive season approaches.

    He lauded the Police Force for its substantial strides in crime prevention and control.

  • NDLEA, military join force to combat drug abuse

    NDLEA, military join force to combat drug abuse

    The military has promised to strengthen its synergy with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to curtail the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

    Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, made the promise when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja yesterday, a statement by the agency’s director on Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, indicated.

    According to the statement, Marwa commended the Nigerian Armed Forces under the leadership of the CDS for their loyalty, sacrifices and hard work to keep the country safe. 

    He also thanked the military for supporting the agency in terms of logistics and training.

    While emphasising the significance of the partnership between the military and the NDLEA, Marwa said substance abuse is at the root of crime and criminalities across the country. 

    “The criminals rely on drugs to carry out their criminalities. This is why we have been very ferocious in our offensive action against them to cut access and availability of these illicit drugs.

    “As a result, in about three years we have arrested 42, 105 drug offenders, including 46 barons; seized 7, 500 tons of drugs; 1, 057 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed and 8, 350 offenders convicted, while 29,400 drug users have been counselled and rehabilitated within the same period,” he said.

    He urged the Armed Forces to consider constructing central rehabilitation centre and creating rehabilitation facilities in existing military hospitals to attend to the treatment of their personnel that may have issues of substance abuse.

    The CDS hailed Marwa and his management team for the great turn around on the drug war, which has positively changed the negative perception about Nigeria in the international community. 

    He assured Nigerians of the continued support of the Armed Forces to NDLEA in its renewed fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. 

    He said the agency’s efforts have motivated the military to introduce drug test as a requirement for training and promotion in the armed forces.

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    He said the nexus between drug abuse and insecurity could not be over-emphasised, adding that if the nation was able to curb the scourge of substance abuse, the current security challenges would have been drastically reduced. 

    He said the menace must be tackled holistically, promising to consider the suggestion by the NDLEA boss for the military to have its own central rehabilitation centre.

    He said: “We know the challenges of drugs and how the use of illicit drugs has affected Nigeria’s name. And when Nigeria is mentioned abroad, everybody thinks about drugs, but you and your team have turned that around, at least now, people have seen that sense of sincerity in addressing the drug issue in Nigeria. We know it is not easy, because a lot of people have benefited so much from it and they will do anything to sustain their illicit businesses.

    “I want to assure you that the members of Nigerian Armed Forces are fully behind you. We are proud of you and what you have been achieving and we will continue to support you until the menace of drugs is totally eliminated in the country.”