The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Mothers relish family planning

    The World Health Organisation preaches it. The government makes some pronouncements on it, not that everbody believes everything it says. Now, here is the best part: mothers are keying into it. They are planning their families and are the happier for it.

    One of such women is 32-year-Margaret Michael. As soon as she got married, she agreed in principle with her husband to have only three children, which they believe will form a manageable size family for them. But she was not been able to keep faith with the plan. She started giving birth almost on a yearly basis. Although she would not say when she got married or the number of children she has, she was quoted as saying, “For a very long time I have been hoping to see how I will plan my family by spacing my children but I keep giving birth almost every year. This is how fertile I can be…I don’t want to get pregnant. This has been a major worry in my martial home”.

    Margaret, a resident of Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, was scared of family planning because she had a very vague notion of it. The information she heard was coupled with scary stories of strife and side effects.

    She said, “I used to think that family planning destroyed the womb and made one to add weight. In short, so many side effects even our forefathers forbade it because a woman was meant to give birth to as many as she can”. However, Margret said that a chance meeting with a team of social mobilizers representing the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) changed her notion and today, she said she is better off. The team, she said referred her to a health facility and “I am happy now and my oga (husband) are happy. Now we can enjoy ourselves without worrying about pregnancy.”

  • 4,560 patients treated in Ochekpe’s outreach

    4,560 patients treated in Ochekpe’s outreach

    Over 4,560 ailing people have been treated in Zamko, Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State in a medical outreach launched by the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe. The effort is directed at drumming up support for President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Of the number, 126 people had eye surgeries, 348 were given reading glasses while over 4,000 treated mosquito nets were distributed to nursing mothers and children.

    Also, a total numbers of 118 major and minor surgeries were carried out successfully. The surgeries include hernia, fibroid and appendicitis. A total 3,833 HTC counseling were conducted.

    In related development, about 33 snake bite patients were rushed to the centre and administered with Anti snake venom-EchiTAbG 10ml. According to the Nurses on duty, one of such Anti snake venom cost between N20, 000 to N25,000 and one or two doses were given depending on the level of complication.

    A sixty years old woman, Hanatu Dashe and eleven years old little girl, Satya Ventnom both victims of snake bite were full of thanks to Mrs. Ochekpe who made it possible for them to get treatment quickly, which would have been impossible for them as treatment costs about N90,000 per patient.

    Commenting on the entire exercise, Pastor Sonnie Reng, the General Administrator of the Outreach, disclosed that over 4,500 people were  treated during the five days Free Medical Outreach in Langtang  North.

    According to him, the figure kept increasing day by day and therefore called on Mrs. Ochekpe not to relent in doing more for the people. “Though when you reach out to people in this manner, you hardly get their appreciation back because most of them don’t know you in person, but their shout of glory announces your name in heaven”, he said.

    In his remarks, the Lead Consultant on the Outreach, Dr. Talemoh Wycliffe Dah who is also the Director, Soteria-Afrique Rural Health Initiative one of the collaborating organizations in the Outreach, said that minor surgeries cost between N30, 000 to N40, 000 and major ones cost between N60, 000 to N70, 000 in rural areas like Langtang and could cost much more in the city.

    He further “thanked Mrs. Ochekpe for bringing succor to the teeming population of this area that needed urgent and serious medical care who ordinarily could not afford these services due to financial constraint”.

    He praised the zeal and patience of the medical team, doctors, nurses, lab. scientists and attendants, pharmacists and other auxiliary workers who were up to 230 and volunteers willing to work for the five days.  According to him,” all these workers mentioned here were doing these services free of charge, they were volunteers moved with passion for the plight of the ordinary people and their desire was to see that the Project succeeded.

    Mrs. Ochekpe is full of gratitude to God for the successful completion of the 4th Edition of the Outreach to the South Senatorial District of Plateau State.  She is deeply touched by the commitment and passion of the volunteers led by Dr. Talemoh Wycliffe of Soteria Afrique.  She prayed God to bless them richly and grant quick recovery to all those treated.

  • ‘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.”

     

  • Displaced by Boko Haram, neglected in Abuja

    Displaced by Boko Haram, neglected in Abuja

    Fleeing from the guns and bombs of insurgents, internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the Northeast hoping to find shelter and relief in the Federal Capital Territory are ignored by the authorities. GBENGA OMOKHUNU and GRACE OBIKE report that they are grappling with the worst circumstances

    They must be grateful for surviving the insurgents but after that, daily living has presented internally displaced people (IDPs) from the Northeast with unspeakable challenges. Several towns in their home states have been overrun by Boko Haram fighters, the invaders’ black flags announcing the conquest. So many have been gunned down or killed by bombs. A good number have been kidnapped. Many more, though, survived and have fled to just about anywhere they can find shelter and relief. The less terrorised parts of the region are saturated with these fleeing residents of the frontline states such as Yobe, Adamawa and Borno.

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is not spared. The IDPs are continuously streaming in, first finding shelter with relatives and friends but soon discovering that they are putting undue pressure on their hosts. Such problems as overcrowding and feeding challenges have pushed them further on to various locations.

    At those locations, life is almost unbearable. Neither the FCT leadership nor the Federal Government has made any provisions for them. Feeding is as much a problem as is shelter. When they find something to eat, there is no water, so they make do with filthy stream water. With the cold season setting in, the displaced people are at the mercy of the elements, too.

    Some individuals once offered the IDPs farmlands to build temporary shanties until they could return home but some yet-to-be-identified armed people, said to be security agents, raided the location and reportedly shot at some of the displaced people, even arresting a few. Some escaped with bullet wounds and fled to Nasarawa State and some villages in the FCT.

    Although the Federal Government and FCT administration are aware of the existence of these people, they have refused to assist or associate with them. The IDPs now survive from assistance from well-meaning Nigerians or on odd jobs since they do not have any certificate or means of identification that can provide them with better jobs at the seat of power.

    The Nation discovered that there are about eight settlements of IDPs in Abuja alone documented by the organisation, Ending Terrorism and the Restoration of our Ancestral Homeland, Northeast Nigeria. There are four settlements around Apo which include Waru, Wa’asa, Zintili and Panteka; there is another around Jabi Airport Road after the bridge and some around Area 1 but they are living inside and one can hardly identify them until you go there with some aid. They are scared after the experience with the security agents.

    Although well-meaning Nigerians have tried to assist the displaced people, there are reports that some politicians about a month ago tried to take advantage of their situation. The report said that the politicians visited the displaced people and offered them T-shirts and cap, promising to give them N10,000 if they agreed to return to their troubled communities to vote for them.

    A non-governmental organisa-tion was said to have visited the IDPs, attracting much media presence only to give the over 1,000 displaced people very little relief materials which caused a fight among them as they struggled to get the little they saw.

    Aisha Hammid, an IDP from Gwoza, who is now sheltering in Wa’asa, said: “My husband is a welder but since we have been here only one organisation came to present some items to us but they were not enough. They brought ten bags of rice, one bag of sugar and nine blankets. They were shared and at the end of the day people fought because some did not get and my family did not even get any of the materials.

    “The living conditions in most of the IDP settlements are so horrible and these people who obviously had comfortable houses back home have to live in degrading conditions; some live in shanties, others sleep in open fields while a few who can be said to be a bit lucky, like the Wa’asa community, live in an abandoned estate with no light and water and in some cases, no toilets, so they have to defecate in the bushes.

    The stream in the Wa’asa community is almost dried up; snakes and cattle drink and defecate in the dirty yellowish water that the people drink and bathe in. When asked, the women explained that they throw alum into the water and lets it sit for a while before drinking. They also complained of the effects that the water was having on their children who now easily fall sick and have contracted various skin diseases.

    A resident of Wa’asa, Mariam Muhammed, said, “I have five children. We have Gwoza, Bama people here and many others. We ran for our lives to settle here in Waasa village and we are about 3000. We are staying in an uncompleted estate by the mercy of those who are taking care of the houses. If by tomorrow peace is restored to these troubled villages we are willing to go back. We are struggling to survive here.

    “Things are hard to come by. We the women stay at home while our husbands go out to look for what we will eat. My husband drives taxi while others ride Okada; the children are no more going to school because there is not much money; even to feed is a problem. We have been here now for about four months. Many of our people are still joining us but there is no more accommodation in this settlement. Many families are managing; for example, two families of 12 are sharing two rooms. No electricity, no potable water. The only water we drink, cook and wash with is from a dirty stream. We defecate inside the forest because there is no toilet facility. We are begging Government to come to our aid and save our soul. We are also Nigerians.”

    Acting coordinator, Ending Terrorism and the Restoration of our Ancestral Homeland, Northeast Nigeria, Mr. Baba Oliver, an engineer, said that Northeastern youths are ready to take up arms and assist the military in the fight against Boko Haram to take back their ancestral homes if only the government is willing to train and give them weapons.

    He also lamented that most aged parents, including his, are still trapped in their troubled communities, with some dying of hunger and exhaustion in caves and bushes since they cannot walk long distances like the younger ones to escape the insurgency.

    His words, “From Gwoza, Madagali, Michika, up to Mubi, there is no way anybody can go back to Maiduguri; all those people displaced there ran through Cameroon to Yola and Yola is congested with no place to sleep; now what happened is that Abuja happens to be the centre of Nigeria where everybody from every Local Government has a brother, so if you run to your headquarters and there is nowhere for you to lay your head, what do you do? You try to run to where you can see your brothers to seek help.

    “That was why people rushed to Abuja but when they came to Abuja, the houses of the brothers got filled up. What did they do? They now tried to live in camps which, we know, government went to disperse like the one in Durumi where security agents attacked the IDPs at night shooting at them, so they now dispersed all over like in Nasarawa State and some villages in Abuja like towards the end of Apo and other places.

    “We have to talk because our first need is for the government to recapture our land for us; let us go back and cast our votes for the leaders we want and so that we can continue our businesses; all of us lost our houses, businesses; we lost everything. Our communities are now filled with dead bodies and burnt-down houses; we are just asking for the return of our land.

    “We are not only willing but on standby; if today we see that killing has stopped, by tomorrow, almost 90% of the IDPs in Abuja will go back because they do not have a source of living; most of them are in farm settlements and stay there trying to farm to feed or engage in menial jobs.”

    He also said, “In our letter to the President and speech at the National Assembly, we made it known that we the youths came out to protest because our leaders have refused to talk; they will go to a board room or hotel room and sit down to pass a memorandum on paper which they have never acted on, or they have never come out to tell the government anything tangible or put any pressure.

    “That is why this insurgency is coming out because the government does not do anything that people do in a civilised way; the only good thing that I know is that the youths are willing to even go to the war front because what happened in Mubi, everybody knows that it is the determination of local hunters and vigilante groups that went with the army together to fight Boko Haram.

    “Right now, the survival of the Abuja IDPs is by the grace of God and sheer determination of the people. Our people are hardworking most of them are farmers so they go out there to engage in menial jobs to earn money to take care of their families; then there are good-hearted Nigerians who go there every day to give them money or foodstuff.

    “If the government refuses to recognise the existence of IDPs in Abuja, then what will NEMA do, since it is a parastatal under the government, this people are simply surviving from the help of well-meaning Nigerians and their sheer determination.

    “To be honest, I cannot tell you the actual number of IDPs in Abuja but I will speak from the records we have. As of today, we have the records of about eight settlements; we have four settlements around Apo and they include Waru, Wa’asa, Zintili and Panteka, we have one around Jabi airport road after the bridge, we have some around Area 1 but the people are inside and you can hardly identify them except you go there with some aid. They are scared of people after what happened in Durumi.

     

     

     

  • Our healthcare plan, by doctors

    Our healthcare plan, by doctors

    Worried about the decline in the health system, the Nigeria Medical Association has gathered in Jos, the Plateau State capital, to chart the way forward. The doctors, at the end of their meeting, issued what they called the Jos Declaration.

    National President of the NMA Dr. Lawrence Kayode Obembe who signed the 10-point communique on behalf of his members, said Nigeria is not lacking in qualified medical doctors, only the political will of government to take care of the health needs of its own citizens.

    “At the moment, the federal government has been starving the health sector of required funds. What the federal government has been giving to its health sector annual is less than 5% of its annual budget. But what the sector desires is 15% of the annual budget.

    “This 15% we are demanding for is not an outrageous demand; this is the universal minimum standard for health coverage of a nation. Every Nigerian citizens is entitled to qualitative health coverage, this is the universal health declaration which Nigeria is signatory, we cannot afford to lag behind for this long.

    “We wish to remind the three tiers of government on the need to ensure the setting aside of a minimum of 15% of the nation’s budgetary allocation to health. This is in consonance with the African Union’s 2000 treaty in Abuja Nigeria, knowing full well that this is the recommended minimal percentage for health. Universal Health Care coverage cannot be actualised without a reliable and realistic budgeting into the nation’s healthcare services.

    The NMA further stated in their communiqué: “The NMA appreciates the FG’s recent initiative tagged “The 2014 Declaration” which aimed to ensure that the 30 per cent Coverage (UHC) target by 2015 set by the president is achievable. The declaration sought to develop a blueprint on how to ensure UHC in the country, and charged all levels of government in the country to increase budgetary allocation to health with a portion earmarked for UHC priority interventions; define a standard benefits package of essential health services that address priority health care needs of Nigerians, and inaugurate appropriate committees that will initiate actions towards the realisation of the recommendations of the Presidential Summit.

    “The NMA views this action as a right step in the right direction. The NMA commends the organisers of this summit and charge the Federal, State and Local Government authorities to faithfully implement the recommendations in the UHC 2014 Declaration to achieve the desired objectives.

    “There is no gain doubting the critical role of a healthy population in promoting sustainable economic growth and national development. To achieve this, we must not only institutionalise UHC, we need to develop our healthcare delivery systems. Adequately staffed and equipped hospitals need to be made available throughout the country, including the rural areas, where most Nigerians live.

    “The UHC Declaration has rightly identified unequal quality of health care services, and shortage and mal-distribution of human resources for health as key challenges. These manifest in the shortage and quality of health care services and human resources in our rural areas. The relevant authorities must resolve to redress this.

    The NMA supports the Federal Government’s position on the importance of health to national development, and its identification of insurance as the best vehicle to achieve universal health coverage.

    The socio-economic realities in the country at this time dictate that there is a dire need for the expansion of access to healthcare in the present-day Nigeria, requiring all levels of government and even non-governmental organisations to do everything possible to make health care available to all, especially those on the lower rungs of the social ladder. In this regard, the plan by the NHIS to enroll pregnant women and children under the age of five in the scheme by 2015 is also a step in the right direction. It will help to increase the base of participants, reduce infant and maternal mortality, and move the nation closer towards the attainment of the objectives of the scheme.

    Health insurance is one sure way to provide health care for the poor. It is, indeed, the best way to ensure that both the rich and the poor can access healthcare wherever they live in the country. It is the panacea for sustainable growth and development. NMA strongly believes that UHC will help to reduce Nigerians’ penchant for medical tourism, as it will provide a pool of funds to improve health care services in the country.

    “It is our view that the presidential mandate of 30 percent coverage of Nigerians in the NHIS by 2015 is conservative enough. The relevant agencies of government should be able to achieve and even exceed this, if they demonstrate the necessary commitment to achieving the objective. The Federal Government has rightly set the ball rolling towards the achievement of this objective with the 2014 Declaration on UHC. The challenge now is in the courts of the three tiers of government to work towards the institutionalization of the scheme. Sadly, only very few states have embraced the NHIS at the moment. It has become imperative for all states to bring their workers on board. There is the need for greater commitment of the states to UHC. It is also necessary to increase the participation of the formal sector, which has not been impressive so far, while strategies are designed to bring in the largely untapped informal sector.

    “To achieve UHC and increase enrollment in the NHIS, all hands must be on deck to promote public   enlightenment on the benefits of health insurance. The NHIS must, however, intensify improvement (e.g. digitalisation) of its operations on its ongoing biometric data capturing of participants, which has already reportedly thrown up 100,000 fake enrollees. Fraudsters must not be allowed to hijack and make nonsense of this very noble scheme.

    Commenting on the ongoing strike by medical workers across the country, the medical doctors said, “The NMA is deeply perturbed by the burden of health challenges bedeviling the nation. This is compounded by the rat-race power tussle among healthcare givers threatening the already ravaged health care system in the country. For the avoidance of doubt, the NMA wishes to inform Nigerians that doctors in Nigeria remain committed to providing qualitative health care services to the nation, even in the face of several challenges and difficulties. We hereby bring to the public notice that the members of the NMA are NOT on strike, but rather have continued to render services and keep the nation’s public health care facilities functional despite the current strike action being embarked upon by health workers. Members of the NMA will continue to keep health services running and shall not succumb to cheap blackmail. We, however, urge the government to honor all agreements so far reached with the Nigerian Medical Association, to boost the already bashed morale of the Nigeria doctor.

     

     

  • 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”.

  • Lawmaker launches micro-credit loans

    Lawmaker launches micro-credit loans

    There is something to cheer among the Yagba people of Kogi State. Hon. Sunday Karimi who represents them at the House of Representatives has launched his jobs scheme called Yagba People Empowerment Initiative (YAPEIN).

    It thrilled hundreds of beneficiaries of the micro-credit loan facility.

    The lawmaker said he floated the scheme to assist low-income business entrepreneurs and start-up access to revolving soft loans to develop or grow their businesses.

    On the occasion held at the Town Hall, Isanlu, Yagba East Local Council, Kogi State, each of 112 Cooperative Societies representing 1,120 soft loan beneficiaries in Mopamuro, Yagba East and Yagba West local Government Areas received their cheques for N200,000 per group.

    Shedding more light on the programme, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of YAPEIN, Otunba Funsho Ibrahim, who is also the Chairman of Yagba East Local Government Council, said the initiative was aimed at empowering the-people at the grass roots level to create economics clusters for wealth creation thereby reducing  unemployment.

    Ibrahim said 4,400 people applied for the micro-credit soft loans out of which 112 groups representing 1,120 individuals benefited from the first phase. He said the second phase is billed for January 2015.

    Hon Karimi said the success of the pilot scheme has dispelled the rumour making the rounds that YAPEIN was not real or a ploy to deceive the people of the area.

    “I want to empower my people and make them happy. As you can see, the Yagba People Empowerment Initiative programme is real.”

    He added, “Yagba People Empowerment Initiative has the sole purpose of economically empowering the resident indigenes of Yagba, improving their standard of Living and increasing the financial output of Yagbaland. This initiative is borne out of the realisation of the fact that the resident natives of Yagbaland are also adversely affected by the high level of Poverty prevalent in Nigeria. My passion for qualitative representation of Yagbaland in the National Assembly includes taking steps and initiatives to alleviate the poverty of the people back at home. If extreme poverty is to be eradicated and become a thing of the past, dashing out paltry or meagre sums of money upon calls from the people cannot be a permanent solution to poverty, (if it is a solution at all). This is because for poverty to be effectively attacked, the causes of poverty need be addressed. The causes of poverty include unemployment, lack of capital for small businesses and handcrafts, idleness, non-performance of the real sector and death of small scale businesses in Nigeria.

    The launch witnessed the donation of eight Pathfinder Sports Utility Vans (SUVs) to traditional rulers in the constituency, three buses to the Peoples Democratic Party executives in the three local governments comprising Yagba Federal Constituency, while 80 motorcycles and 20 deep freezing refrigerators were also shared among youths and women respectively.

    Karimi disclosed that out of the N200m target, he had lodged an initial sum of N34 million with the banks, representing the number of the electoral wards in the constituency, at N1m  each.

    Governor Idris Wada who was present at the ceremony inaugurated the trustees.

    In April 2014, Hon Karimi added 13 more cars to various beneficiaries. It was on occasion of the 2014 Isanlu Day celebration. The empowerment items said to be worth over N10 million included nine Golf cars and four Ford space buses, all given out to new beneficiaries in addition to those distributed in December 2013.

    Hon. Karimi also pointed out that the initiative, launched in 2013, would soon take off, noting that the administrative staff to run the programme had already been recruited. He added that forms were available for collection at various designated points in the three LGAs.

    A beneficiary, Gbenga Bello, a commercial motorcyclist, from Okedisin, Egbe, Yagba West Council, who got N20,000, the little support from YAPEIN has helped him in his business in many ways.

    “I have a monthly contribution of N5,000. I can now effectively pay for two months upfront, which means I am covered for the rest of the year. I still have N10,000 left to fuel and maintain my motorcycle. It has brought me a relief because I can now plan and focus on other things including domestic needs of my family especially now that the Christmas and New Year season is fast approaching”.

    Ileri Oluwa Cooperative Society  and Empowerment Cooperative Society which got N200,000 each commended Hon Karimi for the initiative, describing YAPEIN as unprecedented in the area.

    The groups who have as members peasants, artisans and junior civil servants assured of judicious use of the facilities.

     

  • Honour for Suswam’s wife

    Honour for Suswam’s wife

    After raising the profile of Benue women for seven years, wife of the state governor, Mrs Yemisi Suswam has herself been honoured.

    Through her project, the Sev Av Foundation, she helped women, the needy and children, among others. Now, the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) in the state has singled her out for recognition, calling her mother par excellence.

    Several dignitaries attended the event which took place at IBB Square, Makurdi, the state capital. First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan was represented by the wife of Senate president, Helen Mark.

    From the 23 local government areas the state women groups turned up too. They also came with a truck-load of presents which included oranges, fish, meat and all kind of farm produce in their locality. The Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Steven Lawani also graced the occasion.

    It was a day Benue women demonstrated their love and admiration for the governor’s wife as they marched past her while she took the salute.

    In their goodwill message, representatives of Benue Zone A, B and C, Mrs Margaret Igbetar, Elizabeth Ivase and Susan Adoba said Mrs Suswam has made a great impact in the lives of the state women.

    The guest speaker and Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri commended the NCWS for honouring the governor’s wife, urging them to keep supporting her. Chairman of the occasion and Minister of Interior Comrade Abba Moro and lady chair of the occasion, former deputy governor of Plateau State Mrs Pauline Tallen both spoke in the same vein, saying Mrs Suswam has positively affected women and the less privileged.

    Dame Patience Jonathan described the honoree as a kind and dependable friend deserving of honour.

    The governor’s wife thanked the NCWS for the honour, urging more women to participate in politics and governance.

    Governor Gabriel Suswam, who came late to the event, congratulated his wife, saying that soon he would set up a committee to celebrate men as well.

  • Senior Advocate ordained

    Senior Advocate ordained

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), John Olusola Baiyeshea, has been ordained a Reverend of United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. The former counsel of University of Ilorin and three others, David Abolarin, Samuel Adesina and Sola Babatunde, were chosen as priests in a colourful ceremony.

    Baiyeshea described their choice to serve as “a matter of absolute privilege for us”.

    The newly ordained reverends were senior pastors of the church.

    Before performing the ordination, President of UMCA, Rev Paul Awojobi urged members of the congregation that was predisposed to any secret sins that could disqualify then would-be reverends to come up with such.

    Rev Awojobi added that ordained child of God should “not be self-willed; not so angry; not giving to wine; not a striver; not given to filthy lucre but a lover of hospitality; a lover of good measure; sober; just; holy and temperate.”

    In his message entitled: “I will build my church,” the guest lecturer, Rev Sunday Chini said their ordination was meant to assist in the building of the church.

    Admonishing the new reverends, Rev. Chini said that ministry work is not avenue to amass wealth, but opportunity for the extending the frontiers of the kingdom of God on earth.

    “If you are concerned about the church you will relate with all members equally. Jesus Christ came into this world because of the church. Everyman that wants peace in his life should not take any step that will trouble the church. But if you are looking for confusion and challenges in life then begin to take step to affect the church negatively,” the lecturer said.

    Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Ilorin-based lawyer said in the reckoning of man they were the least qualified.

    His words: “On behalf of my colleagues and our wives, I stand here for the first time after our ordination to address the congregation of the people. Beyond that it is a period of very sober reflection for us. We just imagine ourselves coming into the church; hide in some corner just to worship God; jump out after service and go to our houses. Come again next Sunday make be during the week if there is programme you come again.

    “Just quietly hideaway and go; but God said no. We don’t know how it happened. God is awesome and He just used his people to fish us out from our hiding places and bring us where we are today. The journey really started seven years ago. It is what God orders that He makes all through. So we have become reverends by his will not by our own qualifications at all. Because, if it were so we wouldn’t have been considered at all. As there are by far several more qualified people on ground, but God has chosen to visit us.

    “Our response majorly and mainly is to appreciate God in our lives and in the life of the congregation. We want to thank you all for your patient and waiting since morning.

    We acknowledge the presence of our lord Jesus Christ in the order of the church and who has assured us that he would build the church and the gate of hell will never be able to prevail.

    Actually, one thing I would have taken away from the occasion of today is that whereas some people may wear their own promotion on their shoulders wherever they go by way of pride to showcase their pride all over the place. Our own is hanging on our throats. In fact, it is hanging on our necks, but I know by his grace and your prayers we shall not be strangulated.

    We want to thank our elders and leaders of faith; people whom God has used ahead of time to go ahead of us as good examples for us to follow.

    “We were privileged to be trained for five years at the theological college. That is the most difficult aspect of the training we ever had in all the schools we attended. Professors, engineers and lawyers are there but not enough for that place.

    We needed to put that aside. Not because you are a lawyer and a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN). When you get there you will discover that there is more than the position you carry. We thank you for supporting and raising us.”