The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Replacing oil with agriculture

    Revival of agriculture in Nigeria has not only been described as the new money-making sector, but has been tipped to replace the oil and gas sector.

    Over the years, petroleum has been the mainstay of the Nigerian economy with agriculture relegated to the background.

    While the administration aims to diversify the economy through its many agricultural programmes and the establishment of commercial farmers and agribusiness leaders known as Nagropreneurs, the government is certain that the effort will take Nigeria to lift the country to higher heights.

    In the new effort, Nigeria also plans to collect all the hoes, cutlasses and obsolete equipment in every part of the country and place them in a museum. The tools would be immediately replaced with tractors and other modern agricultural equipment.

    Seven young farmers were on parade during the Official Launch of the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) and Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN) at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja last Tuesday to give their testimonies on how their businesses have been boosted in the last three years.

    At the occasion, President Goodluck Jonathan was not only described as the ‘Koko Master’ by Nigerian top musician, D’Banj, but he was also given award and referred to as Nigeria’s number one farmer.

    Recalling the past three years in the sector, Jonathan said that the implementation of the agricultural transformation agenda has created many jobs and led to the production of 21 million metric tons of food in the period, above its earlier target to add 20 million metric tons of food by 2015.

    Looking ahead, he said: “The Youth Employment in Agriculture Program (YEAP), which I am flagging off today, will further change the face of Nigeria’s agriculture. YEAP has been designed to create a new generation of 750,000 young commercial farmers and agribusiness leaders (Nagropreneurs) that will make Nigeria’s agriculture more efficient, profitable and competitive.”

    “They will become the CEOs of their own farms and agribusinesses, create jobs in the rural areas and reverse the trend of high rural to urban migration. They will help to change the mindset of the younger generation on agriculture.”

    “These Nagropreneurs will become models and champions for our newly launched National Agriculture Schools Initiative, as they project to younger school children, the image of agriculture as an attractive and wealth creating sector.” he said

    The Minister of State for Finance, Isa Yuguda, at the occasion, maintained that all statistics reeled out in the sector are verifiable and showed that the transformation agenda is working.

    But the only evidence the masses on the street want to see is for the increasing food production in the country to force down the prices of foodstuffs in the country in line with the forces of supply and demand.

     

    Paying last respect to Ashiru

    Members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) might not have dressed in black or white cloths last Wedesday to mourn the former Minister of Foreign Affiairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, but it was a gloomy session when tributes was paid to him.

    Many good things were said about the deceased with no one in the Chamber recalling any negative thing or encounter with Ashiru who died in South Africa on the 29th of last month from brain tumor complications.

    Ashiru, who was said to have impacted positively on the Nigeria foreign policy during his tenure was relieved of the appointment on the 11th September, 2013 along with other 8 ministers.

    The former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku had told journalists then that the changes in the cabinet were due to the President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians by bringing in new hands and ideas and that it had nothing to do with the crisis in the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) then.

    While 15 cabinet members inluding President Jonathan paid tributes to Ashiru during the sesson last week, only the Minister of Agriculture, Adesina Akinwunmi, who hails from the same state with the deceased, Ogun State, could not hold back his tears.

    Adesina, who referred to the deceased as his ‘Egbon’ (senior brother), was given the role to second the moton for one-minute silent in honour of the deceased.

    Struggling to hold back the tears, Adesina said: “His passing is a huge loss to the nation, Nigeria has lost an outstanding diplomat, one of its very finest, the one I amiably called the ambassador of ambassadors. As minister of foreign affairs, he represented Nigeria extremely well on the global stage, he is a giant in diplomacy, under him Nigeria got so many of international recognitions.

    “He was a senior brother, we shared the same name, Ayodeji. He was therefore my mentor, a friend, a wiseman I went to always for counsel. His doors were always open, his heart always open, warm at all times. I always enjoyed his presence in readiness always to help others. I called him Egbon (senior brother), he will in turn to my surprise call me Honourable minister. And the world of diplomacy is empty today because of his death. Sun re o, Egbon, sun re o! May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

    President Jonathan said; “So he worked very hard. He assisted me in terms of the foreign policies and so on and streamlined most of our relationship to most countries within and outside Africa. In terms of international values, I will say he worked very hard if you listen to others who have made comments. The UN is a typical example, Nigeria was voted back as a member of the Security Council within four years, it is a feat most countries has never attained.”

    “We would have had some problems with the World when the President of Sudan Omar Albashir came visiting during our centenary celebrations. He came in and the world was alerted, and they were looking at Nigeria. Although he left, still we had issues with the world but he had to move immediately with the Attorney General of the Federation and was able to calm the situation because of the personal relationship he had with the global players. We thank him for that.”

    “Today we have lost ambassador Ashiru God knows best why he took him at this time that his services are still needed by this great nation,” he said.

     

  • ‘Let’s fix streetlights to keep criminals away’

    ‘Let’s fix streetlights to keep criminals away’

    To discourage criminality under the cover of darkness, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has directed that streetlight poles knocked down by vehicles be immediately replaced.

    Mohammed asked the Department of Facilities Maintenance and Management to replaced the damaged poles in order to brighten up the nation’s capital and make it difficult for criminals to operate.

    The Minister, who gave this directive in Abuja, said that the replacement of these streetlight poles would go a long way in providing full illumination of the entire city at night, thereby enhancing the security surveillance of the nation’s capital.

    Mohammed reminded the Department that maintenance of public facilities has always been part and parcel of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The Minister also directed that all the potholes found in the city should be patched to further enhance ease movement of vehicles thereby reducing traffic gridlock often experienced at peak hours in the Abuja metropolis.

    He further instructed that all drainages be cleared and maintained to de-flood the roads and streets within the Federal Capital City, Abuja in preparation for the next raining season.

    He, however, commended the department for the patching of potholes on some major streets and roads in the Federal Capital City namely; Tafawa Balewa Street before and after Garki District Hospital; Nnewi Street, Area 2, Garki; Imo Crescent/Moshood Abiola Junction, Area 2, Garki; and Birnin Kebbi Street in Garki II District, Abuja.

    According to him, other streets that have been patched include the junction of Yakubu Gowon Crescent and Murtala Muhammad Way; Junction of Muhammad Ribadu Street and Yakubu Gowon Crescent and Roundabout near SS Quarters-Murtala Muhammad Way all in the Asokoro District, Abuja.

    “In Wuse I District, Mambolo Street, Zone 2; Gabes Street, Zone 2; Aswan Street, Zone 3; Suez Crescent, Zone 4; Tunis Street, Zone 6 and Makeni Street Zone 6 have been adequately patched in addition to the Obafemi Awolowo Way in Jabi District and J.T. Useni Way as well as Salihu Iliyasu Street in Gwarinpa I District (Life-Camp),” he added.

    The Minister noted the strides achieved in the maintenance of drainages in the efforts made to de-flooding of roads and streets in Garki I District, Asokoro District, Central Business District and Wuse II District, Abuja.

    The Minister disclosed that the activities of undesirable elements vandalizing Manhole and Gully inlet covers would soon be a thing of the past as his Administration is already working to replace the stolen covers with ductile iron, which would remain worthless, if stolen.

    He therefore called on all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory to join hands with the authorities in maintaining all the public facilities in the Territory for the common good of all Nigerians.

     

  • Minister unveils business plan competition

    The FCT Administration (FCTA) has flagged off its Third Abuja Business Plan Competition (ABPC) in a bid to support and grow businesses as well as encourage healthy competition among entrepreneurs.

    Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, while unveiling the competition said the it presents an exciting opportunity for young people to develop and present business plans for new and emerging ventures.

    Akinjide who was represented by her Senior Special Assistant (SSA), Mrs. Jumai Kwanashie, added that the key objective of the competition is to generate jobs by encouraging and supporting aspiring young entrepreneurs, especially those whose plans may lead to job creation.

    She said: “The competition will no doubt provide aspiring youths the platform to showcase their business acumen, skills and aspirations to business leaders, investors and captains of industry in Nigeria.”

    She said the competition is open to all potential and existing businesses as long as it is viable and has a demonstrable capacity to create jobs.

    She added that FCTA will continue to support the hosting of this competition and indeed all other programmes of Abuja Enterprise Agency as part of our resolve to provide better life for residents of the territory.

    AEA Managing Director, Aisha Abubakar, said, the intention is to initiate an arena to enable large businesses, financial institutions and other corporate entities and support upcoming entrepreneurs.

    She added that apart from prizes to be won, such business plans will receive the assistance and possible sponsorship which include access to N10 million grants by corporate organizations, angel investors and other stakeholders.

    Only 20 successful entrepreneurs will be shortlisted out of which only three will win the N1 million prize money each

    A former beneficiary, Saidat Shonaiki, said “it is an avenue that all our youths should avail themselves of. AEA has made me come out of my shell; they have boosted my business. AEA gave us the opportunity to plan our business to run a profitable company and we are doing that.”

     

  • Challenges of keeping fit at the Villa

    The vision of keeping staff fit in the multi-million naira State House Gym appears to be getting blurred.

    The facility, which is one of the best in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was set up to encourage physical exercise among staff towards enhancing or maintaining their physical fitness and overall health and wellness.

    Benefits of physical exercise, which health care providers often call the “miracle” or “wonder” drug, helps to boost the immune system, prevent the “diseases of the affluent” such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and promote physiological well-being, while reducing surgical risks.

    It also prevents depression, promotes and maintains positive self-esteem, improves mental health, and can augment an individual’s sex appeal or body image just as it strengthens muscles, and ensures weight loss, among other things.

    But the ability of the State House gym to effectively provide these critical services to staff is hanging in the balance due to utilities challenges.

    There is presently no electricity supply to the gym. The electricity transformer by its fence has packed up for several weeks now.

    Rather than coming together to repair the faulty transformer, many of the neighbours surrounding the gym building have acquired smaller transformers to supply electricity to their individual houses.

    In the interim, the 200 litres of diesel being provided weekly for the gym’s generator set is like a drop in an ocean as it hardly lasts a day.

    Since the Gym’s generator set consumes an estimated 19.6 litres of diesel per hour, the 200 litres meant for one week only last for about 10 hours. The gym is open 64 hours a week, including 12 hours daily from Mondays to Fridays and four hours on Saturdays.

    Water supply to the gym also cannot be taken for granted as the gym users most times always find dry taps when they want to freshen up after their exercises.

    This development has not only discouraged many users from exercising in the gym, but it threatens to worsen some of the staff’s already bad medical cases.

    One staff, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, said: “I cannot remember the last time I met light in the gym. Most times I work out on the treadmill and that machine cannot work without electricity. I have stopped going to the gym.”

    Another user, who does not want his name in print, said: “My Doctor has warned me to intensify my exercises so as to keep my blood pressure within the normal range. That is why I registered at the gym. But this problem is working against that.”

    A female staff, who also uses the gym said: “Since this power outage problem started, I have resorted to my skipping rope at home. But, you know, this cannot be very effective like coming to use the equipment in the gym and having the instructors around to help you. One is even motivated to do more in the company of friends.”

    “I was lucky one day to meet the generator set on and I stayed on the treadmill for 45 minutes before going to the bathroom. I was shocked when I got there. There was no water to wash my face and hands let alone to take my bath.”

    Since no standard gym can effectively operate without electricity for the machines and water for users to freshen up, it is hoped that this write-up will be a wake-up call to those in charge to take steps to ensure continuous wellness of State House staff.

    The Presidency, no doubt, deserves healthy staff for its day-to-day activities.

     

    A day of gaffes

     

    There were too many inexcusable mistakes by one of the Master of Ceremony (MC) in the full glare of President Goodluck Jonathan at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja last Monday.

    The occasion was the launching of the 2015 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem and Appeal Fund.

    There were two MCs for the occasion, one civilian man and a woman from the military.

    While the female MC performed the role well, the male MC was coming up with one error after the other during the programme that was carried live on the national television station.

    The first error that took those in the hall by surprise came at the beginning of the function when the male MC mentioned the names of Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Senate President, David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal while acknowledging the dignitaries in the hall.

    The number two, three and four citizens were conspicuously absent at the function and they were not represented.

    When the MC mentioned the three names, especially Tambuwal, some people in the hall stood up to have a glimpse of the Speaker, who has become a subject of intrigue and power-play since he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The MC, who was standing at the podium which was about 30 feet away from the high table and with nothing obstructing his view, was completely in his own world and oblivious of happenings in the hall as he appeared to be the only one who did not know that the three people he mentioned were not in the hall.

    He was probably acknowledging the dignitaries based on the photographs and names of leaders in the event programme without looking around.

    It was also surprising for him to repeat the same mistake towards the end of the function.

    After the President had made a remark and launched the emblem, it was time for dignitaries to be decorated by the chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Col. Micah Gayya.

    President Jonathan was decorated first. Then the MC called the names of Vice President Namadi Sambo and Senate President David Mark, who were not at the function, to stand up to be decorated.

    The President must have been embarrassed with what was going on but did not show it.

    Another error occurred when it was time for launchers and co-launchers to be decorated.  The Publisher of National Mirror Newspapers, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, was the only co-launcher in the hall.

    When the MC got to the name of Jimoh Ibrahim on his list, to invite him to stand up to be decorated, the MC said “representative of Jimoh Ibrahim should please step forward”.

  • Show us what you’ve done with our taxes’

    Show us what you’ve done with our taxes’

    They have no problems paying tax. Their only worry is whether their remittances are put to good use.

    That was why residents of Bwari Area Council have demanded that administrators of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) be transparent and accountable in handling their taxes.

    The residents said they were aware of the obligation to pay taxes but it was important for the FCTA to prove to the public the taxes were judiciously used.

    Some of the residents who lamented over multiple taxes spoke at the popular Kubwa market and Mpape District respectively during a community mobilization campaign for tax. The sensitization was organized by Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP) with support from Christian Aid.

    Mr. Solomon Terfa who spoke to The Nation at the market advocated need for tax justice. He said government should stop tax abuse and digitize tax administration.

    A trader, Mr. Kolawole Oloyede said for the government to achieve quality public services, taxes should be managed with utmost fairness.

    At Mpape district, a female trader, Miss Adaugo Ogamba who specializes in women wears emphasized that government should promote progressive and fair taxation.

    “Make our tax system gender sensitive,” she added.

    Mr. Johnson Igbokwe stated that payment of tax ought to foster development.

    He said many time, government demands for taxes such as withholding tax, Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Import Duty, Value Added Tax, Environmental Levy, Excise Duty, Registration Fees and Local Excise Duty (LED) with little accountability.

    “With all these taxes the government collects from us, we still do not have access to good roads and good living. We need to know how, when and where our money is been used. It is our right to know,” he stated.

    The Executive Director, CAPP Kyauta Giwa, said the event was organized to encourage tax payment and demand for justice in taxation in the country.

    “We realise that government finds every means to get income through tax so we are interested in encouraging accountability in tax payment.People should understand why they are paying money and they should pay the correct tax, not double or multiple taxes”.

    According to her, the initiative was at its pilot stage to sensitize the people on reasons they should pay tax. So far, he said different unions such as Market Women and Men Association, Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders an Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN).

    She said about 18 representatives from the associations have emerged as advocates, who will thereafter demand for accountability on tax paid to the council.

    Giwa who was represented by Programme Officer, Stephen Olanrewaju stated that after a while the public are expected to be enlightened on the kind of taxes they pay.

    She said, “If there is any kind of injustice, they will report to us and we will engage a consultant who will carry out rapid assessment to determine gaps between the market people and revenue activities.”

    She added that CAPP would soon come up with a policy brief which will be submitted to the government on strengthening and monitoring taxation.

     

  • A perfect bilateral gift

    He walked into an unlit hall simply dressed in a long sleeve shirt and a pair of brown chinos. Then, on came the lights and echoes of Happy Birthday greeted him on all sides. The party was soon to begin.

    Was Mr Giovanni De Berti embarrassed? No; only pleasantly surprised. It was the handiwork of his friend, Capt. Shehu Iyal, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Aviation.

    Was it just another birthday bash? No, for De Berti is not just another guy. He is Italian-Nigerian, having just nationalised. So, what better way to show vintage friendship and hospitality than springing a well-packaged surprise on a day Berti was a year older? But there seems to be more to it than that. Such a treat may send a nice message back to Italy that Berti is in good company in his new home.

    De Berti said he felt like a young lad celebrating his birthday for the first time. He was full of excitement. Friends, dignitaries and associates poured champagne and celebrated with him. Captain Iyal sat closely by his side as they enjoyed the ambience.

    In his short speech, he said, “I felt honoured. I am so happy. This is the first time in my life I am being celebrated this way. I am just happy.”

    He cut the cake and the party began. The guests danced to a series of soft music that suited the atmosphere. The flashlights of paparazzi cameras flooded the hall.

    Berti narrated how supportive his host has been during his three-year stay in the country. He stressed the bond between them.

    “The party, for me, was something incredible. My brother Shehu gave me an incredible surprise and I am grateful. I am very happy that my brother and I celebrated this birthday together and it was an honour for me.”

    He spoke about his experience in the country. “My life in Nigeria and Abuja has been very nice and I have spent almost three years in Nigeria. He is really a brother, a brother forever. In any part of the world, in any moment, he can count on me like the most important version of his life.

    “He is a special person, a real friend with capital F. Nigeria is my home.”

    As the celebration ended, the memory would linger in the mind of everyone who attended and made the night a memorable one for De Berti and his friend.

  • Jonathan and the economy czar

    Their number is insignificant compared to the total figure of companies and businesses operating in the country. Still, they are known as the custodians of the Nigerian economy.

    They are the top 100 businesses in Nigeria out of the over 3.6 million firms and enterprises scattered in all tiers of the economy. Without them, the economy will crumble.

    Not only are they providing jobs; they also consistently fund the government through their taxes.

    The 100 companies, which are less than 1% of the companies in Nigeria, contribute about 20% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    No wonder President Goodluck Jonathan is looking up to them and other upcoming companies to move the Nigerian economy to the top 10 economies in the world in the shortest possible time.

    Unveiling the top 100 companies at a presidential dinner in the State House last week Monday, Jonathan said: “You are shining stars, the central component of our economy. It is companies like yours that bring government’s economic policies to life.”

    “This is because you are in the trenches every day, investing, expanding and ensuring that your businesses keep working. The entire nation and I are very proud of you.”

    You are all truly Nigerians; your achievements have been remarkable. You have shown boldness and vision in enterprise and confidence in this country.

    “Through your investments, you have contributed significantly to employment generation, wealth creation and our overall economic development.” he stated

    Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, disclosed that the 100 companies were selected using simple criteria including turnover, which was extracted from their audited financial statements.

    The data, he said, was obtained from the Financial Reporting Council, Corporate Affairs Commission, Nigerian Stock Exchange and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

    The first10 of the top 100 businesses are ExxonMobil Nig (Oil and Gas), Shell Nig (Oil and Gas), Chevron Nig (Oil and Gas), Nigeria LNG, Total Nig (Oil and Gas), MTN Nig. (Telecomms), Dangote Group, Oando (Oil and Gas), Eni Agip (Oil and Gas), First Bank (Financial Services).

     

    Honour to whom it is due

     

    The government has been criticised in various quarters for the calibre of persons listed for some national awards. The critics had argued that there were more worthy and deserving Nigerians who have been left out of such awards.

    But this was not the case last Thursday when Prof. Niyi Osundare was conferred with the 2014 Nigerian National Order of Merit Award (NNMA) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The poet, dramatist and essayist beat 21 other nominees with every voice acknowledging him as the right choice among the lot.

    Conferring the award, President Goodluck Jonathan noted: “I have no doubt that Prof. Niyi Osundare, our awardee this year, meets our nation’s expectation.”

    “There is no doubt also that the knowledge, expertise and contributions of today’s recipient will be of immense benefit to our overall development agenda, in particular, the successful implementation of this administration’s transformation efforts,” he said

    It is hoped that all subsequent national awards will continue to be devoid of politics and other insignificant criteria and really go to deserving persons.

     

    Breaking records in a row

     

    The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke may be seen as one of the most controversial and highly investigated ministers to occupy the seat, but she somehow has broken records in the petroleum industry and other areas.

    The first record she broke was becoming the first woman Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria and later the first woman on the board of the company.

    She was named as the first woman Minister of Transport in July, 2007.

    As if that was not enough, she became the first female minister to occupy the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in April, 2010 with all her predecessors been male.

    Apart from been the first woman to head any country’s delegation to the annual Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) conference in October 2010, she got elected as the first female President of OPEC on November 27, 2014.

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan last Wednesday congratulated her on the feat.

    Speaking with State House correspndents on the latest position, Diezani said: “First of all, it wouldn’t have happened if the President had not had the courage to appoint a woman into the portfolio of Ministry of Petroleum Resources, which meant that I now headed the country’s delegation to OPEC.”

    “I must say that that was daunting thing, it happened about three and half years ago, I went into a body which is completely male dominated and mostly Arab dominated as well. But I have found that they have come to respect me and respect Nigeria’s voice over the last three years in OPEC very highly,” she said

    Only time will tell what records she will break next. Will she aim to achieve this feat in Bayelsa State Government House or aim to be the first woman Nigerian president?

     

  • Kidney patient needs N7.5m to live

    Kidney patient needs N7.5m to live

    Except an urgent kidney transplant is carried out on him, the hope of 40-year old technician, Chika Igwilo, to fulfil his dreams in life may soon be cut short.

    Chika who hails from Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State and resides in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, was diagnosed of a chronic kidney failure three months ago at the National Hospital.

    He hangs on to life through a weekly dialysis which requires a payment of N100,000 at a private specialist clinic in Abuja.

    According to Ada Blessing Igwilo, his younger sister who has been taking the responsibility of taking him around hospitals for treatment as well as footing the hospital bills, Chika’s ill health started with malaria symptoms.

    “The kidney failure started about three months ago when he complained of malaria symptoms,” she said.

    “He was having constant malaria, itching, frequent urinary, dizziness and later swollen legs” Ada Blessing added.

    She disclosed that her brother was admitted at Kubwa General Hospital where he was treated for two weeks before he was referred to a specialist hospital.

    The strike by medical staff of National Hospital however forced her to take him away to a private facility, Zenith Medical and Kidney Center, where he currently undergoes dialysis twice or thrice a week.

    While speaking with Abuja Review on the dialysis bed, Chika who coughs intermitently pleaded with well meaning Nigerians to save his life.

    His words: “what I need now is to reach out to fellow Nigerians to help raise money for me to undergo kidney transplant in India or in this country. I need N7.5million to be able to undergo the transplant and I plead with Nigerians to help me. God will not leave all of you alone, they should please save my life.”

    Lamenting the health status of his brother, Ada Blessing, who said that Chika’s case wouldn’t have required kidney transplant if it were acute kidney failure saying “ doctors told us that mere dialysis would have been enough for the kidney to pick up and function well again if it is acute kidney failure”

    She noted that his present condition is preventing him to consume more liquid as the more he drinks, the more fluids his body possesses which would also have to be removed with dialysis “otherwise he would be in more pains.”

    “Now I have exhausted all our savings and I can’t even attend to my own business because I can’t leave him alone. We want Nigerians to come to our aide and save my brother. I don’t want him to die,” she cried.

    For any financial help, his account number is: Igwilo Chika, A/c 3089460224, First Bank.

    You can also contact Chika through 08034940624.

     

  • ‘Demand accurate lab test results’

    Nigerians have been urged to start demanding accurate and reliable test results from medical laboratories.

    Speaking in Abuja at the induction of new members of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSC), the Registrar and chief executive of the council, Prof Anthony Emeribe noted that accurate and reliable test results help save the life of the patient, while inaccurate ones could lead to death.

    He urged that people desist from walking into any facility and submitting themselves for investigation without asking questions as to whether the lab is approved or whether the personnel are licensed to perform such important investigations.

    “We must all accept responsibility for our health and this includes demanding as of right that the facility to which we are submitting ourselves is duly approved by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, that it is manned by the right calibre of personnel, and that it has the quality equipment, regents, kits, chemicals and consumables otherwise known as in-vitro diagnostics. That will go a long way in ensuring that the results emanating from such a facility can be relied upon,” he noted.

    Emeribe regretted that some patients, including the educated and well-off in the society, still continue to walk into any facility no matter how awkward-looking, how dirty and ill-equipped, simply because there is a signboard announcing that it is a “computerized laboratory”. “They won’t even bother to ask relevant questions in spite of warning signs that the place might not be fit for purpose,” he noted, adding that, “the quack medical laboratory scientist would not continue to operate once he starts receiving probing questions regarding the facility”. He said the law of supply and demand also applies in the delivery of medical laboratory services to the extent that the patients through their insistence on getting quality lab results can make the practice lucrative for the conscientious practitioners while helping to weed out the quacks and unserious by turning their back on such people.

    As part of the measures to sanitize the medical laboratory services sector, Emeribe said MLSCN had put in place a National Taskforce on Laboratory and In-vitro Diagnostics Inspection  team,  which according to him, will soon commence work to ensure compliance and flush out undesirable elements whose nefarious activities are hurting innocent citizens.

    “It can no longer be business as usual in the medical laboratory services sector as we are determined to do whatever is required to ensure that only approved facilities with the right calibre of personnel, equipment and kits or consumables continue to function. Facilities which have nothing to hide are often eager to get due approval and are also quick to display evidence of such for their patients to see unlike those, which should not be there in the first place,” he said while assuring citizens that Council will continue to work relentless to overcome any challenge militating against quality medical laboratory services delivery in the country.

    He urged the inductees to always abide by Council Code of Practice and Ethics and keep abreast of rapid developments in lab diagnosis and services through mandatory CPD required for annual licensure.

     

  • Insurgency increases influx into Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has lamented that the insurgency in the Northeast and the recent bomb blast at Kano Central Mosque have increased the influx of displaced people into the city.

    The Coordinator Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Mr Reuben Okoya disclosed this in Abuja at a press briefing where he informed journalists about the activities of the agency this year.

    He revealed that AMMC is in charge of managing the nation’s capital in terms of development control, environmental issues, parks and recreation, relocation and outdoor advertising among other functions.

    He said the sudden increase in the FCT population has taken its toll on the existing infrastructure which is now being overstretched.

    Okoya stated:  ”The unrest in the Northeast and Southsouth is driving many people into Abuja as a safe haven. The number of IDPs in Abuja is growing. I can tell you the last Kano bomb blast has driven a lot of people to Abuja. We cannot stop people from coming in. The best we can do is to manage them.”

    The coordinator, however, blamed various state governments across the state for failing  to make their states work.

    “Until the various state government in Nigeria start succeeding, because they have failed, people won’t stop coming into the FCT.”

    Okoya emphasises that the agency has continued to manage the city in the face of challenges without being deterred in spite of the dwindling revenues.

    Meanwhile, Director of Department of Development Control, Yahaya Yusuf said that a total of 436 abandoned buildings were identified in the city, adding that 59 of the buildings have undergone integrity test after which the owners have commenced the redevelopment of the affected buildings.

    He revealed that development control has demolished 2,636 shanties and 639 illegal structures this year.