The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • 18 die from Lassa Fever in Taraba

    18 die from Lassa Fever in Taraba

    At least 18 persons have died from Lassa Fever in Taraba State this year, the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, said yesterday.

    Acting Head, Clinical Services, Dr. Joseph Kumi, revealed this during an interactive session with select journalists.

    He said a medical doctor who contracted the disease survived and was recently discharged from hospital after treatment.

    Kumi said the FMC sent 105 samples for testing between January and February, adding that 60 of the samples returned positive, 39 were negative and the remaining six results were being awaited.

    Kumi said the samples were being tested at Abuja or Bauchi because the centre’s molecular laboratory got burnt.

    Read Also: Security forces rescue 56 kidnap victims in Taraba, Kogi

    He said: “It is true that one of our doctors was affected. In fact, he was discharged last Saturday.

    “The fact is that this year, the number of patients that were presented to the centre was actually on the high side compared to previous seasons and that is why it is a challenging thing to us.

    “In fact we have written for more assistance from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the state government despite the fact that they have been doing well in assisting us.

    “The number keeps increasing. Presently, we have 10 patients in our isolation wards. Some of them, the results are still being awaited.”

    Kumi added that the centre usually educated their patients about the disease and on quick response whether they tested positive or negative.

    He urged the people to maintain good hygiene and desist from exposing their food to “rats that are the main carriers of the disease”.

  • Shelter Afrique to improve on $220 million worth of housing loans

    Shelter Afrique to improve on $220 million worth of housing loans

    Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), said it is committed to improve upon its $220 million worth of housing loans already approved in Nigeria with $117.6 million disbursed.

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer ShafDB, Mr. Thierno-Habib Hann revealed plans to explore more areas of entry into the Nigerian housing market, pledging its support to assist the country in her effort to bridge the housing deficit.

    He said the institution, is enthusiastic about the Pulaku Resettlement Scheme of the Federal Government, which aims to provide shelter for displaced Nigerians affected by banditry in selected states across the country.

    Hann stated this during the Institutions one-week working mission to meet critical government leaders towards deepening its capacity and housing development plans in the country.

    Read Also: Shelter Afrique to improve on $220 million worth of housing loans

    He said, “We are enthusiastic about the PULAAKU Resettlement Scheme of the Federal Government, which aims to provide shelter for displaced Nigerians affected by banditry in selected states across the country. I will like to express the bank’s interest in playing a part in such initiatives like PULAAKU and the National Social Housing Fund (NSHF), as we looks to improve upon our $220 million worth of housing loans already approved in Nigeria with $117.6 million disbursed.

     “We are looking for more ways to collaborate with Nigeria on housing delivery. We believe the PULAAKU Initiative, and the National Social Housing Fund provide us an opportunity to further drive our mandate, which is to eradicate slums in Africa. We have done a lot of work already with several financial institutions, reputable developers, and some state governments, and we intend to do more.

    “Since October 2023, the Bank has undergone major transformations thanks to the leadership of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who is the Chairperson of the institution’s 42nd AGM Bureau. We are better positioned to create wealth, increase GDP, and address security through our housing finance model.”

  • Fed Govt backs mine centre

    Fed Govt backs mine centre

    The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle said the Federal Government will provide necessary technical support for the establishment of a National Mine Action Center in the North East.

    He also assured that the government would continue to support the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) programmes in the region.

    Matawalle gave the assurance during a meeting with the UNMAS delegation, led by the Director, Ileen Cohn, in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the since its deployment in July 2018 at the request of the Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, UNMAS Nigeria has provided critical life-saving assistance.

    The main objectives are to develop the national capacities to protect the civilians from the threats of mines and explosives, and to mitigate immediate threats for the vulnerable population in the North-east.

    Read Also: Fed Govt’s N3m lifeline for 200 exhibitors at Ogun SMSE clinics

    The activities include coordination, risk reduction, victim assistance, nontechnical survey, and capacity development for the national and state authorities as well as a civil society organizations.

    The minister said that the national mine action center would support efforts to not only resettle displaced persons, but also enable Internally Displaced Persons to access education.

    Matawalle emphasised the government’s commitment to collaborating with UNMAS to facilitate the full reintegration of IDPs and farmers, and return of economic activities for improved livelihood.

    He stressed that efforts were being intensified to realise this crucial initiative, adding “we are focused on developing action plans that will facilitate the return of IDPs and farmers to their lands”.

    Earlier, Cohn commended the minister’s efforts in bringing the Government of Borno to support and facilitate the initiative by providing residential and office accommodation to the UNMAS.

  • Tinubu should intervene in health worker’s suspension

    Tinubu should intervene in health worker’s suspension

    Labour unions at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu (FNHE) chapter, have asked President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the suspension of the Medical Director, Prof Monday Igwe.

    The unions included the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), National Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), and Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN).

    Read Also: Our economy not in distress, says Tinubu

    They made the appeal in a letter addressed to the President which was signed by the Chairman JOHESU FNHE, Obinna Eze, NANNM FNHE Chairman, Eric Ugwu, President NARD FNHE, Dr. Ezea Christian and Chairman MDCAN FNHE, Dr. Nnabuchi Jane.

    According to the Labour unions, Prof Igwe was suspended last September 20 over allegations from a civil society organisation without proper investigations.

    They lamented that despite full cooperation, they have not received feedback from the Ministry of Health’s investigation team.

    The unions urge President Tinubu to ensure transparent reinstatement by demanding a detailed report based on truth and public service rules, clarifying reasons for Igwe’s extended suspension.

    They argued that Prof Igwe, known for his dedication and compassion, should receive fair treatment and respect, not unfounded accusations and unfair penalties.

  • Yusuf commits to Kano educational devt

    Yusuf commits to Kano educational devt

    Kano State Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf, yesterday restated his administration’s commitment to reinvigorate the education sector for sustainable social and economic development in the state.

    He said the state government had allocated 30 per cent in the 2024 budget to the education sector and sponsored 1,001 postgraduate students on foreign scholarship.

    Kabir-Yusuf said this during the inauguration of infrastructure projects at the Bayero University Kano (BUK).

    The facilities inaugurated include Provost’s Office; offices at the College of Natural and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences.

    Read Also: Yusuf seeks clerics’ advise, criticism to deliver good governance

    He said the facilities would enhance learning, research and expand the quality of the university education, adding that the gesture represents significant investment in medical research in the state.

    The governor said the government assisted indigent students and reduced registration fee by 50 per cent in all tertiary institutions in the state.

    “We will continue to have a mutual relationship with the leadership of the University and other tertiary institutions in the state. Bayero University will be one of the best achievements in the state,” he said.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sagir Abbas said that each of the Colleges was designed with three faculties and three departments.

    “The state government paid registration fees for over 6,000 students, adding that it’s the highest number of fees paid so far,’’ he said.

    Abbas said the University would continue to work with the state government to achieve academic excellence.

  • How polio can be eradicated, by Sultan

    How polio can be eradicated, by Sultan

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, had said that polio can be eradicated if citizens embrace the culture of routine personal and environmental hygiene.

    He spoke as vaccination exercise kicked off on Saturday across the state.

    The revered monarch also charged parents to make available their children for the vaccination during the exercise in the state.

    He attributed the presence of the polio variant in the state to negligence and failure to sustain measures adopted to wipe WPV in 2020.

    However, Sokoto state is leading the chart with 61 fresh cases of polio variant according to records available.

    The royal father said absolute health measures were key in the drive to eradicating polio pointing out that health was a fundamental aspect for survival.

    “No sickness that has not come with cure and we are capable of ending polio. We were able to eradicate the WPV in 2020. I believe we can also wipe the polio variant,” he said.

    The vaccination exercise is a collaboration between Sokoto State Ministry of Health and others partners which include Chigari Foundation, UNICEF, CDC, WHO.

    The monarch who was represented by the Wazirin Sokoto, Prof Sambo Wali Junaidu, said the Sultanate Council was committed to sustaining it stakes against all child killer diseases to save lives.

    The Representative OIC UNICEF in Sokoto, Dr Danjuma Mustapha said achieving the desired results of the mission against polio variant in the state needed active synergy through robust advocacy that would attract compliance by parents to allow their children vaccinated.

    “Sufficiently, government must also key in actively with personnel, infrastructure and funding to sustain the drive by also engaging NGOs CBOs, CSOs at communities’ level.

    “All polio eradication initiatives including using the media platforms must be put in place to break the barriers,” he stated.

    Also, UNICEF/SBC Health Specialist, Tessa Rintala, said donor agencies and organisation was committed to extending support to the mission to ensure the eradication of polio.

    Read Also: Dangote names Lagos refinery road after Wigwe

    Rintala said: “We will collectively work as a team to ensure every child is administered the vaccine for their protection.”

    Special Adviser to the Governor on PHC, Bello Garba, who also reiterated the need for parents and relevant stakeholders to brace up towards ending the polio variant cases in the state, said all hands must be on deck to ensure the protection and survival of children under 5 against the killer disease.

    He decried that the polio variant was alarming in Sokoto North and Sokoto South, urging parents not to ignore the importance of presenting their children for vaccination. I recall the issue of measles where many households refuse their children to be vaccinated.

  • Wike: I monitor contractors to achieve results in FCT

    Wike: I monitor contractors to achieve results in FCT

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said his constant monitoring of ongoing projects in the FCT is to keep contractors on their toes.

    Wike stated this in Abuja yesterday, after inspecting ongoing road projects in Guzape and the full-scale development of arterial road ‘N20′ at Jahi District.

    The N20 begins from Northern Parkway (Shehu Musa Yar’adua Expressway), to Outer Northern Expressway (Murtala Mohammed Expressway).

    The minister explained that his constant and unscheduled visit to project sites was to ensure that the protractors deliver on agreed timelines and within expected quality.

    Wike said the contractors had promised to deliver most of the projects by May, adding that he was on their toes to ensure that they deliver as promised.

    He said: “We make sure that we go round to see the commitments made by the various contractors to see whether they are going to fulfil the promises they have made.

    Read Also: Dangote names Lagos refinery road after Wigwe

    “On Saturday, we also had this kind of inspection and today, we went to Guzape, the diplomatic zone and now we are on N20 road.

    “The last time I came here, the work was not up to this extent, and I am very much impressed with what I have seen.

    “This shows that God willing, by May, they will hand over these projects to us and then we will hand them over to the public”.

  • Fed Govt to go after NGO’s using donor fund for technical support

    Fed Govt to go after NGO’s using donor fund for technical support

    The Federal Government (FG) said it intends to go after Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) and institutions using donor monies for technical support, trainings, research and others.

    Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, said most of the organisations are having millions of dollars allocated to them with the excuse of assisting especially Nigerian women but the funds do not impact Nigerians directly.

    She said most organisations who apply for donor funding on behalf of Nigerians, spend a large sum of the money on consultancy fees, technical support, workshops, research while Nigerian women who should be the original beneficiaries get nothing.

    She said this yesterday in Abuja at a briefing organised to inform the media on the formation of the Integrity/transparency brigade.

    The brigade, which would be formed under the P-BAT cares for Nigerian women initiative, would be launched by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday.

    Read Also: FG organises National Minimum Wage Review public hearings

    The initiative would include P-BAT cared for women E-Market portal, national women helpline, naija save Nigeria Intergrity/transparency brigade and Nigeria be informed national broadcast channel.

     Kennedy-Ohanenye said: “With the Intergrity brigade, we want to make sure that every decision that will be made concerning Nigeria must be the one that will benefit Nigeria, nothing that will not benefit Nigerians will be allowed for anybody to make such a decision.

    “Even if you’re an NGO, if you want to write for support for Nigeria, you must do support that will bring sustainability. We do not want support that you will use advocacies meetings, consultancies and syphon monies you brought on behalf of Nigerians.”

  • Sani inaugurates committee to resettle IDPs

    Sani inaugurates committee to resettle IDPs

    Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has inaugurated a committee for the resettlement of people and communities displaced by banditry and violent conflicts in the Southern part of the State.

    The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe while inaugurating the committee at government House Kaduna pointed out that, Southern part of Kaduna State has faced its share of displacement of individuals and families due to the incidents of violence currently debilitating many parts of Kaduna State.

    The Committee which has the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Abdulkadir Meyere, Overseeing Commissioner Internal Security and Hone Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Lawal Shehu among others as members, is chaired by the Deputy Governor.

    Permanent Secretary Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kabiru Mainasibi is the Secretary of the Committee.

    Speaking as she chaired the inaugural meeting, the Deputy Governor said: “Our primary objective of the committee, is to devise comprehensive strategies for the effective resettlement of displaced persons in the Southern part of Kaduna State.

    “As chairman of this vital committee, I am acutely aware of the significance of our task and the responsibility we bear towards our fellow citizens who have been displaced from their homes due to various challenges.

    Read Also: Dangote names Lagos refinery road after Wigwe

    “The Southern part of Kaduna State has faced its share of displacement of individuals and families due to the incidents of violence currently debilitating many parts of Kaduna State. The plight of these displaced persons weighs heavily on our collective conscience, and it is imperative that we take decisive action to address their needs and facilitate their resettlement.

    “Our primary objective is clear: to devise comprehensive strategies for the effective resettlement of displaced persons in the Southern part of Kaduna State. This entails also facilitating them access to basic amenities, healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities. Moreover, we must prioritize the restoration of their sense of dignity and belonging within their communities.”

  • I harbour no grievance against Wike, Sen Kingibe

    I harbour no grievance against Wike, Sen Kingibe

    Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, Ireti Kingibe, has said that there is no misunderstanding between her and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike despite his disregards for the role of the legislature.

    Kingibe stressed that the ambiguity in the separation of power in the FCT warrants careful examination.

    She stated: “It’s important to recognize that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) operates differently from other regions; here, the highest elected official is the Senator, as opposed to a Governor. Moreover, we only have two representatives in the House of Representatives.

    “The division of powers between the executive and the legislature in the FCT is ambiguous and warrants careful examination.

    “Historically, despite the structural issues, previous ministers have acknowledged the legislators as the people’s representatives and collaborated with them to address the populace’s needs, thereby mitigating these systemic flaws.

    Read Also: FG organises National Minimum Wage Review public hearings

    “Currently, however, there seems to be a disconnect with the minister, who appears to have disregarded the legislature’s role. This neglect has exposed the underlying problems with the FCT’s governance structure. It is imperative for every minister to recognize that the National Assembly and its members have a supervisory role over their actions. This oversight appears to be the crux of the current contention.