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Tag: Abuja

  • FCTA director says no confirmed case of monkey pox in Abuja

    FCTA director says no confirmed case of monkey pox in Abuja

    Dr Humpherey Okoroukwu, Acting Director, Public Health of the Federal Capital Territory Administration said there is no confirmed case of monkey pox in Abuja.

    Okoroukwu in an interview in Abuja on Thursday said that though there  were two suspected cases reported at Gwarimpa General Hospital in Abuja.

    He explained that he was called by the Medical Director of the hospital that cases suspected to be monkey pox were  reported and he led a team of health workers to investigate them.

    According to him, the sample of the suspected cases of a man and a woman had been taken to a reference laboratory for a test and they were waiting for the result.

    “I can tell you authoritatively that there is no confirmed case of monkey pox in the territory.

    “Nobody should panic because we have not confirmed any case and do not hope to confirm any and there is nothing wrong for people to report any suspected case” he said

    The Director urged people to imbibe culture of cleanliness to ,imi,ise chances of contracting the disease.

    He added that rodents and monkey of Africa specie are the vectors of monkey pox and urged the residents  to avoid direct contact with such animals, dead or alive, as well as the people suspected to be infected.

    Okoroukwu enjoined health workers to take universal precautions prescribed while discharging their duties.

    NAN

  • PDP criticizes FG’s $5.5bn loan bid

    PDP criticizes FG’s $5.5bn loan bid

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has expressed concern over the plan by the Federal government to obtain 5.5 billion dollars foreign loan.

    The party in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by National Publicity Secretary of its National Caretaker Committee, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, said the proposed borrowing was needless.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday written to the National Assembly requesting the approval of the loan.

    PDP said that the loan if approved by the National Assembly, would plunge Nigeria into further debt, and consciously mortgage the future of the unborn generations of the country.

    It added that it was an attempt to push the nation into more debt that would affect the future negatively.

    It noted that as a party that governed Nigeria “meritoriously for 16 years and handed over a buoyant economy to the APC in 2015’’, it was worried about the development.

    “We are dismayed at the rate at which the APC government is plunging the nation into debt through local and foreign borrowing.

    “The figure released recently by the Debt Management Office ( DMO ) stating that the nation under the administration of the APC government in the last two years has borrowed N7.51 trillion is mind-boggling.

    “As major stakeholders in the Nigerian project, we are worried,” it said.

    The party urged the National Assembly to stop “this latest demand for foreign loan”.

    NAN

  • FG won’t relent in its yam export initiative – Ogbeh

    FG won’t relent in its yam export initiative – Ogbeh

    The Federal Government ( FG ) says it will not relent in its yam export policy which is aimed at attracting foreign exchange for the country.

    Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said this during a sensitisation walk in commemoration of the World Food Day in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Ogbeh, who was reacting to reports that some yams recently exported to Britain were rejected, said that the policy had come to stay.

    The minister said that the set back would not deter the dealers of the produce from exporting it, pointing out that the current world market for yams was worth $12 billion.

    He said that the country could not afford to stay away from it because it was the highest producers of yams in the world.

    “I read some news report about some yams arriving in Britain and being rejected. They stayed so long en route and if they stay that long, they are bound to rot.

    “It happens to yams from Ghana as well. We will not stop the policy of the exportation of yam. I can assure you that.

    “It is a policy that will stay because we are the largest producers of yams in the world. We produce 67 per cent of the yams.

    “We will continue to help exporters; we will not as an institute export yams. We only support the private sector to do that and if there are problems we will solve them,’’ he said.

    The yam export initiative was flagged off on June 29 and the consignment exported to the US recently was rejected.

    Exporters of yam include Messrs Wan-Nyikwagh Farms Nig. Ltd, Gboko, Nigeria and Oklanbest Limited, Ibadan, Nigeria.

    Meanwhile, an exporter of the product, Mr Yandev Amaabai, has identified the challenges that government should addressed to ease the exportation yams.

    He said they included lack of refrigerated container and the long time the produce stay on the before its arrival to Europe of America.

    NAN

  • Ministry to introduce tourism as a subject in senior sec. schools

    Ministry to introduce tourism as a subject in senior sec. schools

    Mrs Patricia Narai, Deputy Director, Domestic Tourism in the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture said plans have been concluded to introduce it as a subject at the senior secondary school level.

    Narai said this in an interview on Tuesday in Abuja.

    “The Nigerian Educational Development Council has proposed 34 trades and identified tourism as one of the trades to be thought at the entrepreneurship level.

    “So students from SS I to SS III will soon start studying tourism and at that level they can come out victorious and establish a tourism business of their own.

    “And they can also further their education on that line.

    “What is left now is the approval, and am sure that soon, the curriculum will be out and the students will start studying tourism,” Narai said.

    On its impact, the deputy director said the students would be empowered with skills and knowledge on the section.

    She maintained that after graduation from secondary school, such a person could become a tour guard, event manager, visa professional or get employment in the sector.

    “This is because he or she would have acquired the needed skills and knowledge to effectively carry out responsibilities that will encourage tourists and boost the positive image of the country.”

    On getting the propose tourism subject into Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Examination, she explained that it would be a gradual process.

    “We have done the curriculum, when it is approved, the teachers guide will follow to enable them know what they are going to teach and subsequently it will go into JAMB and NECO examinations.

    “The essence of this is to catch them young; by the time tourism is studied in all senior secondary schools across the country, it will go a long way to produce large workforce for the sector,” Narai said.

    NAN

  • Kinsmen, others fete Atiku

    Kinsmen, others fete Atiku

    Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja was filled to the rafters with indigenes of Adamawa State living in Abuja who came to honour their illustrious kinsman, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. They were led by Governor Bindo Jibrilla.

    The Adamawa indigenes under the aegis of Adamawa Community Association (ACA), Abuja, together with friends, feted Atiku, who was elevated from Turakin Adamawa in June to Wazirin Adamawa by His Royal Highness (HRH) Muhammadu Aliyu Mustapha.

    Those at the reception included former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Umar Ghali Na’Abba, former House of Representatives Leader, Muhammed Kumaila,  Senator Binta Garba, Senator Grace Bent and husband Jackson, former Ministers, Hassan Adamu, Dauda Brima and Idi Hong. Among several others are Prof Adamu Modibo, the secretary to the State Government Buba Bindir and other cabinet members.

    Royal fathers were led by the Lamido of Mubi, Alhaji  Isa Ahmadu, who represented Lamidon Adamawa.

    Serving members of the federal and state legislatures led by members of House of Representatives Abdulrazaq Namdas, Sadiq Ibrahim and a host of close associates ushered in the former Vice President, who wore a sky-blue babanriga and white turban.

    Abubakar’s entrance kicked off the event in earnest with a welcome speech by ACA President, a former Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Bello Sali, who said he had to be celebrated by Adamawa community in Abuja being a pillar of support, not only to the ACA but to Adamawa State in general.

    He noted that the association was non-partisan, adding that the reception would have held immediately after being conferred with the title but for unavoidable postponements. He urged citizens of the state to emulate local empowerment initiatives of the former Vice President by setting up their businesses in the state.

    Entertainment at the packed hall followed with performances by a local artiste and a Senegalese performer after which goodwill messages were read by the state governor Jibrilla.

    Speaking in Hausa, the governor urged citizens of the state to consider the development of the state as a collective task that must be accomplished.

    The conferment of the Turakin Adamawa on Abubakar was due to hard work, while the elevation to the position of Waziri was merited due to more hard work, he added.

    Hon Abu Zahri, who  represented FCT Minister wished Abubakar long life, while the Lamido asserted that he is a worthy leader.

    “We are happy with him,” said the Lamido.

    Presentation of gifts by Senator  Binta Garba followed after which Abubabar appreciated the group’s gesture. He also said Adamawa should not be judged by the years of insurgency that ravaged parts of the state but by its contributions to the growth and preservation of the unity of the country as a whole.

    He reeled out a list of Adamawa indigenes that have excelled in various fields while serving the country in public and private sectors. He challenged any state in the country that has contributed more to the country than Adamawa. He urged the state to prioritise education. While he emphasised that he will continue to think of Adamawa first in his endeavours, Abubakar also advised the elites and industrialists from the state to look inward towards the development of the state.

    The former Vice President also used the opportunity to dispel rumours of a rift between him and the governor, saying there was no such thing.

    He said, “My elevation is a call to greater contribution, I will continue to contribute to state. We are to mentor the young ones and make them greater because we will be remembered by the people we lifted. Let us continue to help one another especially the younger ones to help grow the state. I urge our business men and women to invest in Adamawa and contribute to its growth, visit home regularly and set up your businesses there so that our people can benefit from the immense multiplier effect it will generate for our collective and individual economic growth. We should also not relent in our efforts until all displaced persons in camps return to their home and normal life.”

     

  • Buhari’s wife laments poor service at State House Clinic 

    Buhari’s wife laments poor service at State House Clinic 

    …Says broken machines, poor services not befitting State House Clinic

     

    The Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari on Monday lamented the poor services at the State House Clinic, Abuja.

    Her daughter, Zahra through her Twitter account, had also condemned services in the clinic few weeks back.

    Zahra had pushed for the management to give account of the N3 billion allocated to the clinic.

    Reacting to the allegations of poor services in the clinic, the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Jalal Arabi, last week said that the clinic was being repositioned for efficient services.

    But confirming that the services at the clinic are really bad, the Wife of the President on Monday urged those in charge to do the right thing.

    She spoke during a one day stakeholders meeting of the Reproductive Maternal New-born Child Adolescent Health plus Nutrition at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    Specifically lamenting the lack of drugs and equipment at the State House Clinic, she said that the management must explain the use of funds allocated to the medical facility.

    Mrs. Buhari who called out the State House Medical Center, Chief Medical Director, Dr. Hussain Munir, at the event, described Nigeria’s health sector as very poor.

    She was angry that she could not get treatment at the State House Clinic few weeks ago when she fell sick and did not want to travel abroad for such ailment.

    According to her, she was shocked that the x-ray machine was not working despite the huge funds allocated to the clinic.

    She had no option but to make do with a foreign-owned hospital in Abuja as she wondered what the fate of the ordinary Nigerian in the states, who falls sick, would be if such circumstances could happen in Abuja.

    She queried why the management of the clinic would be constructing new projects when medical items as ordinary as syringes are not available for patients at the facility.

    She said: “Before I commenced my speech I will like to be realistic and say a few words concerning health in Nigeria and health delivery system in Nigeria.

    “The Nigeria health sector is in very, very, very poor state, sorry to say the least. I am happy the CMD of Aso Clinic is here.

    “Munir I’m happy you are here. As you are all aware for the last six months, Nigeria wasn’t stable because of my husband’s ill health. We thank God he is fully recovered now.

    “If somebody like Mr. President can spend several months outside Nigeria, then you wonder what will happen to a common man on the street in Nigeria.

    “Few weeks ago I was sick as well, they advised me to take the first flight out to London, I refused to go. I said I must be treated in Nigeria because there is a budget for an assigned clinic to take care of us.

    “If the budget is N100 million, we need to know how the budget is spent. Along the line I insisted they call Aso Clinic to find out if the X-tray machine is working, they said it is not working. They didn’t know I am the one that was supposed to be in that hospital at that very time.

    “I had to go to a hospital that was established by foreigners in and out 100 percent. What does that mean?

    “So, I think is high time for us to do the right thing. If something like this can happen to me no need for me to ask the governors wives what is happening in their states. This is Abuja and this is the highest seat of government, and this is presidential villa. One of the speakers have already said we have very good policies in Nigeria, in fact we have the best policies in Africa. Yes of course we have but the implementation has been the problem.

    “So we need to change our minds set and do the right thing. I’m sure Dr. Munir will not like me saying this but I have to say it out. As the Chief Medical Director, there are a lot of constructions going on in this hospital but there is no single syringe there what does that mean? Who will use the building? We have to be good in reasoning. You are building new building and there is no equipment, no consumables in the hospital and the construction is still going on.” she added

    According to her, the stakeholders meeting is to build alliances that will help strengthen advocacy for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) at the state level.

    She said by creating a strong coalition, will in turn increase awareness on the  importance of improving RMNCAH+N, promote advocacy for better service and increased utilization of RMNCAH+N services.

    The event was organized by her pet project, Future Assured and had all state governors’ wives, development partners, primary health care coordinators and other state holders in attendance.

    The highlight of the event was the investiture of governors’ wives as advocates of RMNCAH+N – Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition and their signing of commitment forms.

  • Domestic airlines airlift 3m passengers in 6 months

    Domestic airlines airlift 3m passengers in 6 months

    Domestic airlines in Nigeria lifted a total of 3,287,310 passengers in the first six months of this year.

    The figure, however, represents a 21 per cent decrease, compared to the 4,193,862 passengers airlifted within the period last year.

    According to the Consumer Protection Directorate of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA ), the decrease is due to the current economic hardships in the country, which is affecting air travels adversely.

    Records obtained from the NCAA show that only 45 airplanes are currently in active service out of the 74 planes in the fleet of the eight domestic airlines servicing Africa’s most populous nation at present.

    The airlines are Aero Contractors, Arik Air, Azman Air, Dana Air, Med-View, Overland, First Nation and Air Peace.

    The top three performing domestic airlines in the first half of this year are Air Peace, which leads the performance chart with 6,715 flights, Arik Air 4,069 flights and Dana Air 3,261 flights.

    But the flights operated by the airlines also declined by 28 per cent as they were only able to operate 21,662 flights in the first half this year.

    The eight airlines collectively operated 30,100 flights within the first six months of 2016, according to NCAA records.

    The drop in the number of flights operated by the airlines was not unconnected with the steady depletion of airplanes in the fleet of the airlines.

    Commenting on the development, the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria ( AON ), Capt. Noggie Meggisson, argued that a safety and economic policy must have to be put in place for the airlines to survive.

    He noted that some critical issues also needed to be addressed before the sector could actualise its potential fully.

    Meggisson said that some of the issues that needed to be addressed included removal of value-added tax for domestic airlines and a review of the five per cent ticket sales charge to a flat rate.

    The AON chief also called for a harmonisation of what he called the over 35 multiple charges that were becoming huge burdens to the airlines.

    Meggisson named other problems plaguing the airlines as poor navigational and landing aids that were limiting operations to only daytime at most Nigerian airports.

    He similarly, identified high cost and epileptic supply of aviation fuel, Jet A1, saying that the problems were hindering the ease of doing business in the aviation sector.

    Also, the President of the Aviation Round Table, Mr Gbenga Olowo, advised the Federal Government to urgently review Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Service Agreements ( BASAs ), which he said, had granted multiple entry points to foreign airlines.

    “The issue of giving multiple destinations to the foreign airlines is not good for the country economically because it is killing our domestic airlines.

    “My advice is that the BASAs should be reviewed to stop this open-sky arrangement, where one foreign airline can fly to Abuja, Lagos or any other of our international airports.’’

    He also advised the domestic airlines to consolidate to survive the harsh operating environment in Nigeria.

    Olowo said that operators should stop their cut-throat competition, which according to him, is doing no good to the aviation industry.

    http://nan.ngNAN

  • Ex-UN man for Africa Today summit in Abuja

    The third Africa Today conference  will hold at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on October 17. It will discuss a germane topic, particularly as it relates to Nigeria and Africa. This year’s topic is Energy Options in Low-cost and Low-Carbon World: Which Way Nigeria and Africa?

    The special guest of honour and keynote speaker is energy expert, international technocrat and renowned sustainable development specialist Dr Kandeh Yumkella.

    A former United Nations under-secretary general, 2013-2015, Yumkella was the chief executive officer and representative of the secretary general’s Sustainable Energy for All Initiative and UNIDO Director-General, from 2005 to 2013.

    He will be supported by British High Commissioner Mr Paul Arkwright; Dr. Frank Jacobs, president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; Mr. Olukayode Pitan, managing director of Bank of Industry; Mr. Nir Marom, co-founder and president of Lumos; and Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye, managing director of Infrastructure Bank, among others.

    Mr. Victor Eromosele, former general manager (Finance) at the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd is the guest speaker, while Minister of Power Babatunde Fashola will give the keynote address.

    Africa Today Publisher Mr Kayode Soyinka said: “Dr. Yumkella is someone who is well known in Nigeria and Africa, especially for his work as director-general of UNIDO and as UN under-secretary-general and representative of the secretary-general on Sustainable Energy for All.

    ‘’His presence at this year’s edition follows Africa Today dream of bringing to Nigeria and Africa international figures to speak, share and impart their knowledge and experiences with us on this Policy Conversation Platform, which Africa Today has endowed.”

    Africa Today, through its Conference and Summit Unit, has been at the forefront of innovative continental discussions. The first edition, which featured a former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Sir Shridath (Sonny) Ramphal in 2015, focused on the controversial Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and Africa at a time the continent was being pressured to sign the agreement. The second edition last year focused on China’s increasing influence in Africa and what its entry portends for the continent. The conference had as its keynote speaker, Sir Vince Cable, a former Business Secretary in the British cabinet. There were two other speakers, Prof. Howard French from Columbia University, New York, and Prof. Yun Sun from the Brookings Institution, Washington DC.

  • Ogun, Abuja show class at 2017 Cowbellpedia Maths TV Quiz

    Representatives of Ogun, Osun and Abia states the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have cruised into the semi-final of the on-going 2017 Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics Television Quiz Show sponsored by Cowbell.

    In the preliminary group 8 contest last weekend, Chukelu Egboka of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, and Joel Ndoh of Marist Brothers Juniorate Aba, Abia State,  scaled the hurdle in the junior category.

    The duo edged past Charles Abasiofon of Rayfield International Secondary School, Uyo, Akwa Ibom; Obichukwu Enibe of University of Nigeria Secondary School, Nsukka, Enugu State; Harry Biobele of Access High School, Calabar, Cross River State and Michael Simon of Air Force Comprehensive School, Yola, Adamawa State.

    Ndoh thanked Cowbell and Promasidor for the “good work and encouragement given to students across the country.” The 14-year-old, who scored 96 percent in the qualifying examination, disclosed that his expectation was to get to the final and win the prize. “My expectation is to get to the final and win, though I don’t know what to do with the money yet,” he said.

    Egboka, who is participating in the competition for the first time, also hopes to win the ultimate prize. “My expectation is to win. And if I win, I will take my family out for a special dinner and save the rest of the money,” he told newsmen outside the studio in Lagos last week.

    In the senior category, Favour Abusomwan of Iganmode Grammar School, Ota, Ogun State, and Blessing Olaleye of Reality High School, Ilesha, Osun State, also crossed the hurdles into the semi-finals.

    They eliminated Akanyo Ebipade of Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State and Oreoluwa Arosanyin of Chapel Secondary School, Ilorin, Kwara State. Others who did not make it were Saudat Ayuba of Kunatu Science Academy, Kano, Kano State, and Samson Madamidola of Global Kids Academy, Sokoto, Sokoto State.

    The ultimate prize in the senior and junior categories is N1 million each and an all-expenses-paid educational excursion outside the country. The first and second runners-up for each category will go home with N750,000 and N500,000 respectively.

    Each teacher of the 2017 champions will be awarded N400,000, while those of the first and second runners-up will receive N300,000 and N200,000 respectively. Also, the winning schools will be rewarded with Mathematics textbooks, desktop computers and printers.

  • Thousands stranded, as fuel tanker explodes in Kaduna

    Thousands of passengers either coming from or going to Abuja are stranded as a result of an explosion and fire at Tafa along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

    It was gathered that the explosion occurred after a tanker loaded with petroleum products avoided collision on the highway with a commercial Golf car, skidded off the highway and exploded.

    The number of casualties from the accident is not yet certain, but many are feared dead from inhaling the smoke, burnt by the fire, or as a result of the explosion.

    The spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Yushau Shuaib, said a place of worship was burnt, but insisted that no life was lost.

    It was gathered that several houses were burnt in the area, but NEMA explained that quick intervention that saw to evacuation of the residents ensured many lives were saved.

    The ever busy Kaduna-Abuja highway links the Federal Capital Territory with the North West and  North East, with thousands of vehicles plying it everyday.

    It also links the  North with the South through Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

    Bad portions of the road cannot be ruled out as a cause of the accident on this very important Federal Road, as the road which was rehabilitated earlier this year has gone bad few months after