By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

A governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Godwin Maduka, has said the 2021 election is not for war but to lead the state to the Promised Land. Maduka is seeking to contest on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Read Also; ‘Anambra 2021 will determine Igbo’s place in politics’

According to him, collective effort was a sure way to good governance. He explained that through collective efforts, sound minds would be entrusted with public offices to guarantee good governance. He said: “This is not war; you should understand that when you have democracy and use democratic process you have to go with the best. “The best is not in looking good or having the best education. The best is whoever that can come up with ideas that will make a change. People who have been tasted, people who have been through life, people who have done it before without being a governor.”

By Chris Oji, Enugu

About 922,463 persons will be vaccinated against yellow fever three council areas of Enugu State where there is a confirmed yellow fever outbreak, it was learnt on Thursday.

Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA) George Ugwu said the councils are Igboeze North (333,551); Nsukka (398,094) and Isi-Uzo (190,818).

Read Also: Anambra vaccinates 5.5 million against yellow fever

According to him, the government has procured enough vaccines as well as trained and mobilised vaccinators to fixed Primary Health Centres (PHCs), special outreach centres and house-to-house approach. He added that the massive vaccination was meant for people between nine months and 44 years.

Ugwu said the vaccination would be extended to 10 neighbouring councils before the entire state is covered.

“There is no need to panic or send the wrong information; the government is in control of the outbreak clinically and has taken the right and appropriate steps to see that our people are protected…”

By Chris Njoku, Owerri

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has condemned the kick off of Operation Crocodile Smile VI in the region.

President-General of the coalition Goodluck Ibem, in a statement on Thursday, described the move as ill-timed and ill-advised. He said it was a calculated attempt to use brute force in administering a peaceful region.

The statement reads: “Such operations by the Army usually end in cutting our youths in the name and under the pretext of security enforcement. The infamous operation Python Dance or Egwu Eke, in 2017, still haunts the collective memory of Southeast youth to this day.

Read Also: Army to launch Exercise Crocodile Smile in Enugu

“The Army should rather focus its operation in Borno State and other northern states where Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents have taken root. We are convinced that there could be sinister motives by the Army’s Operation Crocodile Smile VI in the Southeast and Southsouth.

“We advise the Army to take its Operation Crocodile Smile Vl to Borno, Katsina, Adamawa and other northern states ravaged by Boko Haram terrorists and bandits. The Southeast is not in any war and is very peaceful; it is totally out of place to bring in the Army to a peaceful locality.”

By Nsa Gill, Calabar

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Cross River State has said its indefinite strike continues.

The association, on November 4, embarked on strike to protest incessant kidnapping of its members. Dr Godwin Udo of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) was kidnapped on November 1 and released on November 7.

A communiqué by the Chairman Dr Innocent Abang and Spokesman Dr Besong Akotanchi said there was no plan to suspend the strike until the security architecture improves.

Read Also: Resident doctors, Legal officers begin indefinite strike in Ondo

The communiqué reads: “The congress will continue with the ongoing withdrawal of services until concrete and tangible steps to curb insecurity are seen to be made by the government. While this decision may appear painful and insensitive to the public, NMA wants to state that the rising spate of kidnapping of about 10 more victims since the onset of this strike further justifies its position.

“We appeal to our members to remain steadfast and committed to this decision as nobody is immune to this devilish act. NMA calls on other professional bodies and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to support us in demanding for improved security from the government.”

By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said his administration would focus on the people to make Edo great again. He said his administration will focus on the people, who he described as the most cherished asset.

The governor also promised that his government would, next year, commit N6.1 billion to inject requisite skills into the civil service to ensure efficiency, productivity and drive sustainable development.

Obaseki, in a statement on Thursday, said his administration has concluded plans to recruit 725 professionals into the civil service. He promised to focus on strengthening the civil service, bestowing the workers with tools and skills that would stand them out, make for a better work-life balance and assure better service.

Read Also: Obaseki re-appoints Ogie as SSG

He said: “Though we have embarked on far-reaching reforms to retool the civil service for efficiency and productivity in the last four years, the progress we have seen has buoyed us to pursue even more systemic reforms.

“We will be injecting more resources in enhancing the capacity of our civil and public servants, which includes training packages that will restore the service’ pride of place.

“With the completion of the John Odigie-Oyegun Training Academy, we are set to collaborate with local and international partners on top-of-the-range short and long-term courses.”

The governor added that his target was to make the workforce the envy of all, bestow the workers with tools and skills that stand them out, make for a better work-life balance and assure better service.