By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

A total of 21 health institutions across the six geopolitical zones of the country have benefitted from Sir Emeka Offor Foundation’s 2021 National Distribution of Medicine/Medical Supplies in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra state.

Speaking during the presentation, Sir Emeka Offor said the drugs worth about N1billion were distributed to the health institutions based on their judicious usage after close monitoring.

Offor, who was represented by the organisation’s Coordinator, Tony Obi said the foundation had been involved in providing succour to the needy, revealing that it spent over 50% of its annual budget on health.

He said, “Since the over 18 years existence of the foundation, it has focused on education, health and empowerment. Today is the second time we’re distributing drugs to 21 selected health institutions within the six geopolitical zones of the country.

“It has become an annual event. We’re not biased, we sampled opinion of people around the areas where the institutions are located. We have ways of monitoring our beneficiaries, those who were judicious and didn’t monitise theirs are at advantage for another round.”

Appealing to beneficiaries on judicious distribution of the items to the less privileged, Offor expressed optimism of multiplier effect, including reduction in cases of detaining patients who could not afford paying for the drugs.

Also speaking, Managing Director of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Praveen Chorghade said the benefactor had over the years, deployed his personal resources to the benefits of mankind through numerous interventions in education, health and capacity building.

Represented by the Head, Communications, Emeka Eze said the gesture which had been consistent, was in line with the institution’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

One of the beneficiary institutions, University of Maidugiri Teaching hospital, represented by its Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo said it was the third time the institution was benefiting from the gesture following judicious use of the items.

Ahidjo, who spoke through Dr. Chigozie Nwobi said the quality drugs and Personal Protective Equipment would go a long in improving health and wealth of the people of the area.

By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has decorated the Commander of the state’s special security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo, Ibrahim Bakori with his new rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

DCP Bakori was a one-time Escort Commander under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Diri, during the decoration, urged the new Commissioner of Police in the state, Echeng Eworo Echeng, to among other things check the rate of kidnapping in Yenagoa and other parts of the state.

He stressed that the ugly trend could no longer be tolerated in the state.

Diri described the coming of the new commissioner as a blessing to the state given his profile and track record of achievements.

Stating that Bayelsa had a policy of zero-tolerance for crime and criminality, he assured the new police boss of his administration’s readiness to partner with the force to rid the state of crime.

He urged the people of the state to cooperate with the police to make it safe, saying security is a collective responsibility.

“As a government, we have said it that criminality does not discriminate. Our common resolve is to ensure that Bayelsa State is free of criminality and the policy of this government is zero – tolerance for crime and criminality.”

In his remarks, CP Echeng stated that his visit to the governor was in recognition of his office as the Chief Security Officer of the state and to seek his support.

By Elo Edremoda, Warri

The Nigeria Medical Association, Delta State branch has said high taxation on members’ earnings in the state is causing an exodus of competent and experienced hands from the state.

The NMA appealed to the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for a tax waiver on call duty/shift duty, specialist and teaching allowances.

This was contained in a communiqué, signed by its chairman and secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Nwose and Dr. Okoacha Innocent and issued at the end of its annual general Meeting/Scientific Conference (AGM/SC) held at NMA Delta State Secretariat in Asaba, the state capital.

Governor Okowa, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye was Special Guest of Honour.

The AGM/SC with the theme, ‘Substance Abuse: A Precursor to Insecurity and Its health Implications in Nigeria,’ further x-rayed contemporary issues on health care delivery, substance abuse, insecurity, governance and members’ welfare.

The statement noted that the high taxation on medical workers salaries was responsible for health workers leaving the state services to other places where taxes are more favourable.

“AGM noted with great concern the high taxation on our earnings compared to our colleagues in some other were States. This has made doctors and other healthcare workers to leave the services of the state to where they have a more favourable tax regime.

“Painfully, some experienced and competent colleagues have left the State because of high taxation, and this ultimately affects efficient healthcare delivery to Deltans.

“We are optimistic that the exemption of these earned allowances from being taxed would put an end to the exodus of healthcare workers from the state, thus ultimately promoting a well packaged health care delivery to Deltans,” a part of the communiqué stated.

By Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief

The representative of Edo South Senatorial District, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, has expressed shock over last Sunday’s painful passing of billionaire industrialist, Captain Hosa Okunbo, 63, at a London hospital from pancreatic cancer.

He said yesterday in Benin that with Okunbo’s death, Edo State and the nation had lost a business guru, philanthropist, illustrious son and a patriot.

Urhoghide described Captain Hosa, as he was fondly called, as not only a blessing to Edo state and Nigeria, but to humanity.

He said: “His (Okunbo’s) death undoubtedly came as a rude shock. The pain of his death is piercing. The vacuum created by his demise will be difficult to fill.

“He was a dependable friend, brother, an astute business man, philanthropist, a man of peace, who was firmly loved by his people.

“The people have lost a committed giver and a consummate business man. We will continue to remember him, especially his contributions to the humanity.”

The senator also commiserated with the business mogul’s immediate family, loved ones, friends and associates.

By Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief

Criminals have laid siege to Edo State, especially in Esanland in Edo Central Senatorial District, with the indigenes raising the alarm over the frightening insecurity and the imminent famine over herdsmen’s attacks.

The indigenes of Esanland, consisting of five Edo Local Government Areas of Esan West, Esan Central, Esan Northeast, Esan Southeast and Igueben, yesterday at their maiden news conference at the Press Centre of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin, declared that enough was enough.

They condemned the incessant kidnappings  and other criminal activities on the ever-busy and strategic Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Abuja Road, which has Ambrose Alli University (in Ekpoma) and the Federal Polytechnic (in Auchi), while urging the government and security agencies to brace up to tackle the menace.

Esan critical stakeholders, under the aegis of Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI), a non-political and socio-cultural group for unity, had their text read by the President, Matthew Egbadon, a former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, while the Esan indigenes earlier yesterday visited Governor Godwin Obaseki at Government House, Benin.

The group also strongly decried the spate of marginalisation of Esan people in federal and state appointments, stressing that Edo state which was founded on a tripod 30 years ago, should be run on the basis of equity, fairness and justice to all its component parts.

The concerned indigenes called on Edo government, to as a matter of exigency, enact the state’s anti-open grazing law, in line with the recent decision of the governors of the southern states of Nigeria, while also lamenting the waning of Esan language, and called for industrialisation of Esanland.

The group said: “EOI is concerned about insecurity on the highway between Benin City and Ekpoma; and particularly within Esanland. Our people can no longer travel to Benin City, the state capital, to transact business without the risk of falling into the hands of kidnappers and bandits.

“We wonder whether the security forces have given up and allow these criminal gangs to operate freely without inhibitions day and night, on this road.

“In addition, the entire Esanland has been seized by the jugular by these marauders and kidnappers, who have killed scores, maimed, raped our women, destroyed farmlands and property, and induced payment of ransoms by their hapless victims.

“No day has passed in recent times, without reports of these bandits wreaking havoc on innocent and law-abiding Esan people, many of whom have been forced to abandon their farmlands and trades for fear of being raped, maimed, killed or kidnapped, and made an object of ransom negotiations and payments.

“The situation has become dire, as our people, who are subsistent farmers, are now faced with scarcity of farm produce and high prices of the few available goods.

“Famine is imminent, as farmers have abandoned their farms, as the bandits have laid siege to all farmlands and major roads in Esanland.

“While we, in EOI, appreciate that the issue of insecurity is a nationwide challenge, the seemingly helpless situation of our people in Esanland, in the face of coordinated attacks and abductions, is of grave concern to u.

EOI also urged Obaseki’s administration to ensure, as a matter of importance, that the bushes, on both sides of the road, between Benin and Ekpoma, should be cleared, to ensure that the bandits and kidnappers would no longer have a ready hiding abode, from where they launch their ambush and attack unsuspecting road users.

By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

The Permanent Secretary in Edo State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Peter Aikhuomobhogbe, has said Governor Godwin Obaseki’s approval of the creation of Department of Animal Husbandry Services in the ministry is to ensure effective service delivery.

He said the department would help in the formulation of animal husbandry policies and provide quality breeding services, to enhance productivity.

Aikhuomobhogbe, yesterday in Benin, said the department would ensure management of animals.

He said: ‘“We are happy that Governor Obaseki approved the creation of the department to focus on modern, efficient and humane ways to care for animals.”

The National President, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), Prof. Baba Yusuf-Abubakar, hailed the governor for the creation of the department.

Yusuf-Abubakar, represented by the first Vice-President, Chief Simon Ohwofa, said the department would ensure management and regulation of livestock production.

He said: “We are hopeful that the department will add value to the service delivery by the government to the people, especially in animal husbandry.

“We say a big thank you to Governor Obaseki for approving an office accommodation in the ministry for the institute’s new zonal office, which has enabled the zone, which was created this year, to take off and to oversee the institute’s activities in Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.”

The national president implored the governor to provide an operational vehicle and funding for the department, to enhance its performance.

He pledged the institute’s and the Animal Science Association of Nigeria’s (ASAN’s) support to the Edo State Government, saying the institute, through its Department of Training and Internship, was ready to partner the state government.

The Director of the new department, Mr. Eno Otamere, said members of staff would justify the confidence reposed in them by putting in their best.

By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has hailed the victory of the people of Ejama-Ebubu community in Ogoni land, Rivers State, on the payment of N45.9 billion compensation by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDCN), for oil spills.

HOMEF, through its Director, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, yesterday in Benin praised the Ogoni for their non-violent struggle over the years.

It said: “The rights of people of communities in the Niger Delta have been abused for decades, to the benefit of multinational companies that have exploited their natural resources with scant accountability. Pollution has sadly become the norm, as those who ought to protect, regulate and bring the polluters to book have been complicit in the suppression and oppression of community voices.

“News of the agreement of liability by SPDCN for the longest drawn case concerning pollution in the Niger Delta is warmly received by HOMEF, as the peaceful resolution of the matter is an interesting indicator that Shell may be waking up to the broader reality of its culpability, after years of polluting the Niger Delta and denying the fact.

“The Ejama-Ebubu’s suit was instituted in 1991, thereby taking 30 years to get to a final decision. The community’s pollution case is very significant, because the spill occurred during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, while Shell’s initial claim that the spill was caused by third parties eventually fell flat on its face.

“Considering the widespread nature of the socio-ecological crimes in the oilfield communities, this is the time for the government to require that the polluters pay for a comprehensive environmental auditing of the Niger Delta and also deposit at least $100 billion for the kick-off of a region-wide clean-up and restoration exercise.”

Businessman, Dr Olatunde Ayeni, CON, has expressed condolences to the family of late Business Icon, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo who passed on Saturday night in a London Hospital.

In a condolence message by his Media Adviser, Ademola Adedoyin, Ayeni paid tributes to the late businessman, describing him as a rare personage who combined profound business skills with his role as the patriarch of his family which he loved deeply.

“With this sad passage of Captain Okunbo, who I fondly called Baba mi, just as he also affectionately addressed me, Nigeria has lost one of the greatest contributors to her economic growth.

“As a brother and a business partner, even though there were moments of great disagreements, especially in the very recent past, I never lost sight of the intimacy in our relationship and the unique attributes of this great entrepreneur.”

Read Also: 11 things to know about late Captain Hosa

“His uncommon devotion to goals attainment, his entrepreneurial skills, his business acumen and, above all, his compassion for the people he loved will be sorely missed.”

“This death is particularly painful as we always had faith that in spite of the health challenges that he was battling, he was going to pull through, more so because he was a man of faith who believed in divine intervention.”

Ayeni noted that while the death of the business mogul “is a great loss to his family and to us all, we take solace in the fact that Captain left an indelible mark on the sands of time and his legacies are imperishable and will endure for ages.”

“Biola and I are saddened by the passing of a brother and business partner and our hearts and prayers are with the entire Okunbo family at these very trying times.

“We pray that God Almighty will grant the entire family the fortitude and strength that a most challenging time like this requires even as we pray for the repose of the soul of Captain.”

By Chris Njoku, Owerri

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has said it is not possible for the society to quantify the value of youths as future leaders and change agents.

He said his government will stop at nothing to ensure that the well-being of the youth is taken into consideration.

In a message yesterday to mark the 2021 International Youth Day, Governor Uzodimma acknowledged the communal spirit of youths, particularly Imo youths, who, he noted, have continued to work for the overall benefit of the populace.

The governor reiterated the value his administration placed on youths generally and youths in Imo in particular, for which youth empowerment schemes have been rolled out.

“I affirm the value we place on our youths, the future of our dear state and we will stop at nothing in ensuring your well-being is taken into consideration at all times,”  Uzodimma said.

He told the youth that the theme of this year’s celebration, which takes into account the gains in agriculture and other Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), cannot be over-emphasised, “as the government is determined to invest in those areas as a way of creating jobs for our unemployed youths and making them self-reliant.”

Congratulating the youth for being part of this year’s event, the governor urged them to shun vices.

He listed the crimes capable of destroying the future of youths to include armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, corruption, banditry, terrorism, ritual killing, among others, and advised that they flee from them.

The governor, who noted that youths have shown commendable demeanour “by resisting attempts to be drafted into acts capable of portraying our state in bad light”, advised them to say no to the wishes of those who do not mean well for Imo.

He reiterated his administration’s willingness to partner youths in  positive areas, in the interest of the society, and promised not to take their welfare for granted.”.

Troops of Operation Delta Safe have deactivated illegal refining sites and recovered large volumes of refined petroleum products and crude oil in the last two weeks.

The acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja while giving updates on the operations of the military across the country.

He said the troops conducted and recorded successes in anti-illegal oil operations in Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states during the period.

Onyeuko said the operations led to the discovery and deactivation of illegal refining sites with 21 ovens, 12 dugout pits and 58 metal storage tanks.

He said the storage tanks had 2.329 million litres of illegally refined diesel and 2.19 million litres of stolen crude oil.

Also recovered were two boilers and 750 bags of illegally refined petroleum products.

“During the operations, troops also recovered one speed boat, one AK-47 rifle, one FN rifle, three smoke gun rifles, 12 fabricated RPGs, 263 live cartridges, 20 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 7.62mm special ammunition among others,’’ he said.

Onyeuko said that in the Southeast, troops eliminated six members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN and arrested three members who were involved in the killing of a Divisional Police Officer in Imo State.

He said troops also arrested one notorious IPOB/ESN member, Obumneke Gabriel, at Umueli Amaraku in Isiala Mbano Local Government of Imo during the period.

Onyeuko said the criminal was in possession of firearms and ammunition during the arrest.

“Relatedly, troops raided IPOB/ESN members’ hideout at Amaechi Idodo community in Nkanu Local Government  of Enugu State and Nguzu Edda in Afikpo South in Ebonyi.

“During the operations, one ESN commander was neutralised and another apprehended.

“Cumulatively, six IPOB/ESN members were neutralised and 13 criminals were arrested by troops and other security forces operating in the zone within the period.

“Troops also recovered 19 AK-47 rifles, two Dane guns, one G3 assault rifle and three locally-made pistols.”

“Other items recovered were 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three daggers and one locally-made double barrel pistol loaded with 10 rounds of cartridges,’’ he said.

The defence spokesman said that the armed forces and other security agencies remained committed to fighting all forms of criminality until sustainable peace was achieved.