The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • Aisha Buhari condoles Pauline Tallen

    Aisha Buhari condoles Pauline Tallen

    The Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari has expressed condolences to Mrs. Pauline Tallen, former Deputy Governor of Plateau state, over the death of her husband, Elder John Katkwap Tallen, who died at 83.

    In a statement by the Director of Information, Office of the Wife of the President, Suleiman Haruna, she described him as an elder statesman, whose contributions to national development would not be forgotten.

    She was speaking during a condolence visit to the home of the late statesman, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

    She prayed God to repose his soul and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Mrs. Buhari was received by the widow, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, and other close family members and friends.

  • Perm Sec tenure extension: Reps fault President’s Chief of Staff’s letter

    Perm Sec tenure extension: Reps fault President’s Chief of Staff’s letter

    Tempers flared on Tuesday at the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education meeting with the Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita over the extension of the tenure of the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr Jamilah Shu’ara.

    The committee had insisted on the need to be intimated with the extant laws on which her extension as permanent secretary was hinged, but the Head of Service could not provide any constitutional backing for her action, except a letter from the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

    It demanded to see the letter the HOS wrote which the Chief of Staff was responding to and also wondered why it took the Chief of Staff a year to respond, particularly only when the extension was under probe by the House committee.

    The Head of Service refused to produce the letter prompting lawmakers to insist that she must produce it by Thursday.

    The committee members were angry that the investigative sessions of the committee had been postponed twice at the instance of the HOS and a third one was given on Tuesday, effectively slowing the committee’s investigation.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Zakari Mohammed, faulted the letter by the Chief of Staff saying anyone in the Civil Service who has attained the age of 60 years or 35 years in Service ought to retire. The only other option is if the person is appointed by the President under section Kyari quoted ” but not an extension of tenure”.

    [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#dd9e40″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]The letter from the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari dated 20th, March 2017 to the HOS purported to have approved the extension of Shu’ara tenure indicted the HOS by showing it was in response to a letter from her.

    The letter reads in part: “I write to acknowledge receipt of your letter ref. No. HCSF/1013/I dated March 17th, 2016.
    “In line with the provisions of 171 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, Mr.President has approved the extension of the appointment of Dr Mrs Jamila Shu’ara by one year in a special dispensation which should not be cited as policy[/quote]

    The committee has vowed to get to the bottom of the matter by Thursday.

    According to the Chairman of the committee, “the HOS is frustrating this committee from doing its job.”

    The lawmakers have been trying to investigate the mystery behind the second time extension of the tenure of Dr Jamilah Shu’ara a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education who was supposedly retired.

    Her tenure was extended from February 2016 to 2017 and again from 2017 to 2018.

    In the first instance, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu had appeared on behalf of Dr Jamilah Shu’ara when he was not invited prompting curiously from Rep members on his motive particularly when Shu’ara did not put up an appearance on that date.

    The ministry later wrote the committee that she has been removed as Permanent Secretary. Surprisingly, she was said to have been reinstated again and her tenure extended a second time.

     

     

  • Film on child education ‘Code Girls’ screened in Abuja

    Film on child education ‘Code Girls’ screened in Abuja

    “Code Girl”, a documentary film that seeks to encourage secondary school-aged girls to pursue innovative careers in Science and Technology was on Tuesday screened in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the screening was organised by the United State Embassy in Nigeria.

    The film, directed by American filmmaker Lesley Chilcott, features the story of five Nigerian girls who won the Technovation Challenge in 2015.

    Technovation Challenge is an American initiative that offers girls around the world the opportunity to learn the skills they need to emerge as tech entrepreneurs and leaders.

    It invites girls annually to identify a problem in their community, and then challenge them to solve it, supported by mentors and guided by a curriculum.

    The new United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, who spoke at the event, said the screening was to expose young Nigerian girls to the importance of pursuing innovative careers.

    “The screening is to reinforce the U.S Mission’s support for increased participation by Nigeria’s youth, especially girls, in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

    “Our hope is for this film to inspire young high school girls to pursue a career in science education for them to develop applications that improve their communities,” he said.

    Selected female Secondary School students from the Federal Capital and delegates from the Federal Ministry of Education were present at the screening

     

  • Court sentences ten men to jail for loitering

     A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Tuesday sentenced 10 men to two weeks imprisonment each for loitering.

    The men – Emmanuel Hassan, Bagu Ayuba, Nicholas Jeremiah, Uchenna Hysinth, Tunde Musa, Daniel Abel, Paul Bago, Adeniyi Oladepo, Nicholas Titus, and Awalu Usman, were arraigned on a charge of constituting public nuisance.

    The convicts were accused of loitering around Gwarimpa area, Abuja, an offence they admitted committing.

    The judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, however, gave the men an option of N2,000 fine each and warned them to desist from committing crimes.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Florence Auhioboh, told the court that a police patrol team attached to Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, led by DSP Solomon Adebayo, arrested the men on March 25.

    Auhioboh said that the men were arrested while loitering at an area in Gwarimpa notorious for committing of crimes.

    She said that when the police quizzed the men, they could not give satisfactory explanation of their mission in the area.

    The prosecutor said that the offence committed was punishable under Section 183 of the Penal Code.

    The men who pleaded guilty prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as they did not know the area was a black spot. 

  • ‘US endorsement of terrorism strategy will boost Nigeria’s image’

    ‘US endorsement of terrorism strategy will boost Nigeria’s image’

    A group, the Concerned Professionals’ Congress (CPC), has lauded an endorsement recently by the United States of America of Nigeria-terrorism strategy, describing the move as capable of enhancing and consolidating the nation’s image as a leading figure in the global coalition against terrorism and violent extremism.

    It also said that it will ultimately boost the morale of troops currently engaged in the final operations to rid the North East of the scourge of Boko Haram.

    The group said this in a joint statement issued on Monday in Abuja by its National Coordinator, Musa Tukur Tilde and the Chief Media Strategist, Emeka Nwapa while reacting to remarks in Washington D.C by the U.S Secretary of State, Mr Rex Tillerson who spoke at a World Conference on Global Coalition Against Terrorism.

    Tillerson, in his opening remarks, while emphasising the need for intelligence and information-sharing in combating terror averred that Nigeria and West Africa have done very well using synergy, intelligence and information sharing to halt terrorists’ attacks thereby defeating Boko Haram.boko haram victim

    He urged countries with challenges of domestic terrorist groups to build and adopt the excellent examples of synergy, intelligence and information sharing system which Nigeria employed to win the war against Boko Haram.

    The CPC, an advocacy group that is in the vanguard of mobilising public support for the military’s counter-terrorism war as well as promoting democracy, good governance and citizen engagement in the country maintained that the United States’ public praise of President Muhammadu Buhari’s strategy to defeat Boko Haram is highly commendable.

    “To President Muhammadu Buhari whose uncommon zeal, sincerity, commitment and clear-headedness about how to defeat Boko Haram within 18 months in office, we say a big thank you.

    “To the Nigerian delegation to the Washington counter-terrorism summit led the CDS, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin whose purpose-driven leadership of the Armed Forces anchored on synergy and doggedness in actualizing Mr President’s objectives, we say big kudos.

    “To our courageous and gallant troops and the commanders of Operation Lafiya Dole, either fallen or standing, may God bless you all for doing us very proud,’’ the group said, pointing out however that it was the entire Nigerian people that the United States singled out at the World Conference for recognition and commendation.

    Recalling that not too long ago, President Buhari had received a phone call in London from the new U.S President Donald Trump who commended Nigeria for her giant counter-terrorism strides, the group noted that at the last 71st United Nations General Assembly in New York late last year came an unprecedented endorsement from former U.S President Barack Obama who openly praised President Muhammadu Buhari and the gallant Nigerian military for defeating Boko Haram.

    •President Buhari (middle) with United States President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle during a visit in 2015
    •President Buhari (middle) with United States President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle during a visit in 2015

    “It is worth noting that these endorsements of President Muhammadu Buhari’s successful counter-terrorism strategy by two successive bi-partisan political dispensations in the U.S in a space of three months is perhaps Nigeria’s greatest achievement now. It is our greatest feat as a nation of hope and promise against threats to our national unity, security, stability and prosperity‘’, the group said.  

    The group observed that such endorsement by the United States is not cheap, pointing out that the U.S has the strongest fighting force in the world apart from being the champion and leader of this free world where violent extremism and terrorism pose great dangers.

    “With all the intelligence and information at his disposal, any President of the United States says what he means and means what he says. Therefore, when he says Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy is good enough for adoption by other countries, it is the best endorsement by the world’s acclaimed counter-terrorism leader. As an affiliate to ISIS, Boko Haram is the world’s most deadly terrorist group after ISIS and al-Queda. The U.S is, therefore, convinced about our military’s gallantry over Boko Haram,’’ it said.

    “The United States is at the forefront of the global coalition against terrorism. Al Qaeda attacked the twin towers in New York 16 years ago. September 2017 is the 16th anniversary of 9/11 so the memory is still fresh in the average American. When they cite their experience with terrorists, the world should listen. For President Obama and President Donald Trump to single out our military for special commendation is a headliner. It is a vote of international confidence on our Armed Forces under the Chief of Defence Staff,” the group said.

  • FG to revamp SERVICOM for efficient service delivery – SGF

    FG to revamp SERVICOM for efficient service delivery – SGF

    The Federal Government on Monday expressed its commitment to revamp the Service Compact (SERVICOM) agency to ensure effective and efficient public service delivery in the country.

    Mr Babachir Lawal, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) made this known in Abuja at the National Policy Dialogue on Strategies for Improving Service Delivery in Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Commissions.

    The event which was tagged: “Efficient and Effective Service Delivery: Imperative for Driving the Change Agenda’’ was organised by SERVICOM to brainstorm on ways to boost citizen focused service delivery.

    SERVICOM is an acronym derived from the words SERVICE COMPACT, an initiative of the Federal Government developed out of the consensus emerging from a Special Presidential Retreat on Service Delivery.

    It is an agreement between the Federal Government and the citizens to guide and sustain the drive for improved service delivery by ensuring that MDAs are more citizen-focused in their operations.

    According to Lawal, the revamping of the agency will mark a significant step in government’s effort to enhance and sustain the culture of effective service delivery in all government establishments, to serve the people better.

    He said that the dialogue was timely as the existence of SERVICOM initiative would be appraised and frameworks developed to improve public service delivery.

    “The importance of our gathering today is to reflect on Nigeria’s public service delivery journey in the past 12 years of the SERVICOM Initiative, appraise the gains and setbacks.

    “Also to develop a framework that will translate governments’ efforts into to tangible improvements in public service delivery.

    “Therefore, I urge you to kindly embrace Government’s reaffirmation of the ideals of SERVICOM, by developing a holistic framework to facilitate the anticipated improvements in performance by MDAs as a precursor for better service delivery,’’he said.

    He noted that improving service delivery was part of the change agenda of the present administration, adding that it would enhance government’s connection with the citizenry.

    The SGF said there was need to sensitise citizens on their rights to demand high quality services; and articulate new pathways for gaining more efficiency in service delivery.

    He noted that this could be done through a review of Global best practices in governance and periodic evaluation of the quality of services delivered to citizens.

    Earlier, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, Acting National Coordinator, SERVICOM said that a citizen centred approach in service delivery would be adopted in reviving the agency.

    She added that the redesigning the internal processes of government agencies was imperative to achieving the set goal.

    Akajemeli also said that to ensure the change agenda of the present administration public servants should see themselves as servants of the citizenry and not masters.

    “Public Service in this democratic dispensation comes with legitimate expectations of the populace and the meeting of such needs and expectations is the fundamental objective of this administration.

    “ In order to achieve this there must be re-orientation of government institutions to optimise access to their sectors by all citizens.

    “There must be shift in public service culture orientating public servants to view themselves as servants of citizenry rather than masters as government recognises the need to deliver high quality efficient service delivery at reduced cost’’, she said.

    Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head Civil Service of the Federation, said that before the establishment of SERVICOM Nigerians were surcharged in the service delivered to them.

    She added that Nigerians deserve better service delivery, saying that the present administration is committed to revamping of SERVICOM.

    She noted that the dialogue was timely, when focus was on enhancing effective and efficient service delivery to all Nigerians which was critical to the change agenda.

  • Tola Solomon rules Lagos, Abuja social circles

    Erelu Tola Solomon is a popular name in the Lagos and Abuja social circles, and for good reason too. She is the life of any party, the star attraction at any event she decides to grace with her stylish presence. The woman of means is always on hand to honour invitations, and this has made her the toast of party hosts in Abuja and Lagos.

    One look at the warm and charming woman would clear any lingering doubts about her top notch sense of fashion and style. Never would she be seen sporting mismatching outfits. She is trendy without being outlandish, stylish without being loud, and carries herself with the confidence of a queen.

    The beautiful woman maintains a range of fashion wears designed right from her fashion house, Hair Xcellence. Most of what she wears is based on her own designs. She is a proud ambassador of locally-made products. Her fashion house and boutique are in the business of making others look good.

    Since her marriage to Alfred Solomon crashed, she has pitched her tent with Otunba Lekan Osifeso, the man who now means the world to her.

  • Leadership crisis: Rep urges PDP members to shun sentiments

    Leadership crisis: Rep urges PDP members to shun sentiments

    A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Johnson Agbonayinma (Edo-PDP), said the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could be resolved if members dropped sentiments.

    Agbonayinma said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

    He said that was no problem without solution and the ability to look beyond issues without being passionate would go a long way in bringing peace back to the party.

    “So, I align with Gov. Seriake Dickson’s recommendations on ways to restore peace to the party.

    “I must appreciate him and I believe his efforts will never be in vain.

    “I think Dickson’s report and recommendation is the only way forward and that is what Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, Chairman of PDP, has been saying.

    “We must stop the impunity in our party; we must give the party back to the people. When you say, `PDP, power to the people’, we must exhibit that; we must show to the world that we really care for the people.

    “It is not about being selfish but about selflessness. Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff is not on trial, those that are on trial are those trying to blackmail him, castigate him and paint him black,’’ he said.

    The lawmaker said that some people did not mean well for the party and therefore called on all members to ensure that the party bounced back.

    “Some people who don’t mean well for our party are being used by some external forces to cause crisis for PDP because they are financially buoyant.

    “I tell you the truth, Nigerians are wiser than what they think and they are watching too,” he said.

     

  • Gynaecologist cautions women against multiple sexual partners

    An Abuja-based gynaecologist, Dr Nnamdi Ezenwa, has warned that multiple sexual partners can expose women to Cervicitis, an Inflammation of the cervix.

    Ezenwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday that the Inflammation could be as a result of irritation, infection or injury to cells that line the cervix.

    According to him, the irritated or infected tissues might become red, swollen, ooze mucus and pus, and might also bleed easily when touched.

    “Severe cases of inflammation are usually caused by infections that are passed during sexual activity and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) that may cause cervicitis include “gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, trichomoniasis, mycoplasma and ureaplasma.

    “But many women with cervicitis don’t test positive for any type of infection; other causes of the inflammation may include allergies to chemicals in spermicides, douches or the latex rubber in condoms.

    “Another cause can be hormonal imbalance such as having relatively low estrogen or high progesterone which may interfere with the body’s ability to maintain healthy cervical tissue.

    “Rarely, radiation therapy or cancer may cause changes to the cervix consistent with cervicitis.”

    Furthermore, Ezenwa said that many women with cervicitis do not have any symptoms, adding that the condition might be discovered only after a routine examination or test.

    He identified symptoms of cervicitis as grayish or pale yellow vaginal discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after sex or between periods or pain during sex.

    According to him, extreme symptoms of cervicitis include difficult, painful or frequent urination, pelvic or abdominal pain or fever, in rare cases.

    “Those who are at a higher risk of contracting cervicitis are women who recently had sexual intercourse without a condom and women with multiple sexual partners.

    “Studies show that cervicitis will recur in eight per cent to 25 per cent of women.

    The expert explained that if an infection was suspected, the main goal of treatment was to eliminate the infection and prevent it from spreading to the uterus and fallopian tubes, or to the baby, in the case of a pregnant woman.

    “Depending on what organism is causing the infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, anti-fungal medications or anti-viral medications.

    “Your doctor may also recommend that your partner be treated to make sure you don’t get infected again. You should not have sex until you and your partner have finished treatment.

    “Treatment is especially important if you are HIV positive because cervicitis increases the amount of virus that is shed from the cervix and it may increase your chances of infecting a partner.”

    Ezenwa, therefore, urged women to limit their sex partners and always use condoms during sex.

    He also advised women to desist from using feminine hygiene products as they might cause irritation in the vagina and cervix.

    He added that diabetic patients should try to maintain good control of blood sugar.

  • Naira: Senator commends CBN over bullish intervention

    Naira: Senator commends CBN over bullish intervention

    A member of the National Assembly, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, has commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its effort at strengthening the Naira against the dollar.

    Uzodinma, who represents Imo West Senatorial District, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the recent appreciation of the naira was commendable and should be sustained to put the economy back on track.

    He called on relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, to support the CBN in taking further measures that would check the exchange rate.

    “The Central Bank of Nigeria must be supported in its efforts at bringing down the foreign exchange rate and make Naira stronger.

    “If trade facilitation is to be realised, if business will blossom in Nigeria, we need a strong currency and the key to any strong economy is predominantly based on the value and concept of the exchange rate.

    “So, if our local currency is strong, if our purchasing power is strong, it means that our economy will be strong.

    “The only way this can happen is to support the current effort of the Central Bank of Nigeria to encourage them to ensure that the exchange rate for US dollar to a naira will come up.

    “Government has a responsibility to support our policy managers and economic managers in their various policies.

    “Whatever has made the exchange rate as at today to be better than few weeks back, we have a responsibility and a duty as a matter of fact to support it,’’ he said.

    Uzodinma, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff, urged the CBN to ensure that commercial banks complied with foreign exchange guidelines, particularly on import and export.

    “The guidelines as produced by the CBN are very straight and strict.

    “But, what has happened over the years, why is the government revenue missing, is it because of poor monitoring?

    “If the commercial banks, the importers and exporters are made to comply with the foreign exchange rate, the comprehensive import supervision scheme will be able to produce the expected result,’’ he said.