The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Director

  • Director laments inability of patients to pay bills

    Director laments inability of patients to pay bills

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Dr. Darlington Obaseki, has said the inability of patients to pay bills made the hospital to grant a waiver of N35 million owed by them last year.

    He said the situation was getting worse due to the economic situation.

    Addressing reporters in Benin City at a ceremony to mark his 50th birthday, Obaseki said the waiver granted was part of the hospital’s contributions to the society.

    He noted that he had stopped strikes at the hospital since he became the CMD.

    His words: “As at last month we gave a waiver of over N35 million bills owed by patients. That is a lot of money. It is a big problem. Many people cannot afford hospital bills and we cannot turn them back. We have to offer services to people and we are finding a way to do that.

    “When we came on board, we noticed that there was despondency and a demoralised workforce. We realised that the first action was to lift workers’ morale.

    “We assured them that what was due to them would be given to them. We made them realise that our priority would be workers’ welfare. We kept telling them and we have demonstrated this in the last five, six months. We are happy that the workers are happy with us today.

    “We will go the extra mile to make them happy because this is the key to motivate them. My dream is that in the next four years we will not experience any chapter strike. We hope to actualise this. We have started on a good note.

    “We met a fragile system, yes the system was functional but fragile.

     

  • Gosa dumpsite road for expansion

    In a bid to ensure free movement of trucks in and out of Gosa dumpsite, Permanent Secretary of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa has indicated that FCT Administration would soon expand the dumpsite road to make for easy truck movement in the dumpsite area.

    The Permanent Secretary disclosed this during an inspection tour of Gosa dump site and WUPA Sewage Treatment Plant along Airport Road.

    Ohaa, who expressed satisfaction with the state of the dumpsite, in a statement issued by his press Secretary, Tony Odey, further revealed that the visit would afford him the opportunity to have first-hand information on the state of the dumpsite and make swift intervention where necessary.

    He said, “I am very much pleased with what I have seen here so far. No doubt, we are doing tremendous work and we hope to surpass whatever feat we have achieved.

    “We will ensure we expand the road in order to ensure free movement of trucks going into the dumpsite.”

    According to the Permanent Secretary, the FCT administration would continue to work assiduously to ensure that all the critical infrastructures are in functional state.

    He also revealed that in order to sustain the tremendous feats, the administration has recorded across all sectors, he would ensure the culture of succession plan is instituted.

    The Permanent Secretary was accompanied by Cordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) Malam Shuaibu Umar and Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Mrs. Omolola Olanipekun and other management staff.

  • ‘SEC director’s murder’:Family queries AGF’s plan to substitute prosecutor

    ‘SEC director’s murder’:Family queries AGF’s plan to substitute prosecutor

    Why would Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) seek to change the prosecuting lawyer in a murder case simply because the defence has expressed discomfort about the way the prosecution was conducting its case?

    This forms the plank of a query raised by relatives of a deceased Director of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mrs. Louisa Amenaghawon Eni Umukoro, whose widower, Charles Eni Umukoro, is being tried for being behind her death.

    Charles, said to be an ex-Deputy Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area in Delta State, was arraigned before Justice Mary Anne Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital territory (FCT), Maitama in May, by the police on a one-count charge of culpable homicide, which was filed in the name of the Inspector General (IG).

    The prosecution alleged that Charles caused the death of his late wife by “hitting her on the head, which caused internal haemorrhage, with the knowledge that her death would be the probable consequence”.

    It produced an autopsy report from the National Hospital, Abuja, which disclosed that the deceased died on April 21, 2016, from “subdural haemorrhage” as a result of two bruises on both sides of her neck.

    The defendant denied the allegation by pleading not guilty, and said the injuries that led to his wife’s death resulted from “domestic accident”.

    The case had proceeded unhindered, with a private lawyer engaged by the IG, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), prosecuting until November 7, when a lawyer, A.B. Mamman, emerged in the proceedings, claiming to be from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    Mamman said he had been instructed to take over the prosecution.

    An infuriated Okutepa urged the court to disregard the information from Mamman.

    He said he was perturbed that the AGF decided to take over the case upon a petition by the defence lawyer. He said the defence failed to avail him with a copy of the petition on which the AGF acted.

    The trial judge has adjourned to December 5 to take a position.

    But the deceased’s relatives have expressed surprise at the turn of event and the role the AGF has assumed in the trial of a man accused of murdering their sister.

    Addressing a news conference in Abuja on Friday, the deceased’s senior brother, Nosa Ukponwan, an engineer, said the relatives were worried about the role of the AGF in the case. He accused the defence lawyer of being behind the scheming to frustrate the trial.

    Ukponwan, who said the complainants were comfortable with Okutepa as the prosecuting lawyer, urged the AGF not to lend his office in support of some dubious minds bent on frustrating Charles’ trial in relation to their sister’s death.

    He said: “However, we are encouraged by the person and capacity of the AGF to critically examine the facts of the case. We have no doubt that the AGF will, at the end of the day, direct that Mr. Okutepa (SAN), who is a seasoned prosecutor, proceeds with the prosecution of the matter.”

  • Director owed 11 months salaries, commits sucide in Kogi

    Director owed 11 months salaries, commits sucide in Kogi

    •Died after wife of 17 years delivered triplets

    Tragedy has befallen the home of a director in the employ of the Kogi State public service, Edward Soje (54). He committed suicide barely 10 days after his wife was delivered of a set of male triplets.

    The couple had been childless in their over 17 years of marriage.

    Soje, a director with the Kogi State civil service, reportedly hung himself with rope on a tree in Lokoja, the state capital.

    The Nation gathered on yesterday that Soje’s dangling body was discovered on a tree behind the mammy market at the Maigumeri Barracks, housing the Nigeria Army Command Record.

    Soje, a Grade Level 16 officer in the Kogi State Teaching Service Commission (TSC) decided to take his life barely 10 days after his wife was delivered of a set of male triplets in a private hospital in Abuja.

    Soje, who hailed from Ogori town in Ogori-Magongo local government of Kogi, was allegedly being owed 11 months’ salary arrears as at the time he took his own life.

    He reportedly travelled to Abuja, leaving a suicide note for the wife who is said to be a federal civil servant, before committing suicide.

    The suicide note read, “Psalm 121:3: God will not suffer your foot to be moved: He that keepeth you will not slumber. Amen. You and the three boys, God Almighty keep you and make you prosperous. Amen. I love you.”

    Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. William Aya said that the dangling body of Soje was found on a tree behind the barracks, around 5.55 pm on October 16.

    Aya, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) said that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Area D Division received information about the incident from the military intelligence office in the barracks.

    He said, “Police moved to the scene and removed the corpse to the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre in Lokoja. Investigation is on-going.”

    According to the police, nothing was found on the man to help trace his address and family.

    However, a search party organised by some relations and friends, led them to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), where his corpse was discovered at the morgue of the hospital on October 20.

    Family sources said that Soje had been going through a tough patch occasioned by financial pressure and non-payment of his salary for 11 months.

    He was said to have sold his car and a yet-to-be completed three-bedroom bungalow he was putting up at the Otokiti area of Lokoja.

    The property, said a source, was sold at a give-away price of N1.5 million in April, to meet pressing family needs.

    According to the source, Soje’s woes were compounded when the wife gave birth to a set of triplets through caesarean operation in a private hospital in Abuja on October 7.

    He remained at the hospital looking after the wife and new born children till October 13, a day before their naming ceremony, when he returned to Lokoja.

    On his return to Lokoja, Soje was said to have headed straight to his bank, where he withdrew the N30,000 balance in his account, and thereafter notified the bank in writing, of his decision to close the account.

    He subsequently returned to the hospital in Abuja, and handed over the N30,000 to the wife. Soje and wife were joined by two clergymen and some relatives for a brief naming ceremony of the triplets in the hospital.

    He later left the hospital with the excuse that he wanted to pick some things from the wife’s apartment in Abuja with a promise to come back quickly.

    But for hours, he did not return and did not pick any of the many calls made to his telephone line, a development which forced the wife to send somebody to the house to go and ascertain what was happening to him.

    The person, on getting to the apartment knocked the door severally but got no response and thereafter called his telephone number. On hearing the telephone ring out from the apartment, he was said to have knocked severally again but no response, which made him seek the help of neighbours to force open the door.

    On entering the apartment, they saw Soje’s mobile handset placed on a suicide note on the centre table in the sitting room, while he was nowhere to be found.

    When the wife was informed, she quickly contacted people for a search for him in Abuja while relations and friends in Lokoja were also informed of the development.

    Efforts made to locate him did not yield result until relations decided to visit hospitals in Lokoja, where the corpse of Soje was found in the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja on Friday, October 20.

    A family member said that the management of the hospital explained to them that Soje’s corpse was brought in by the police who found it dangling on a tree. He described the late Soje as a very quiet and lovable human being.

    He said that some members of the family have been sent to Abuja to break the news to the wife.

     

  • Security, others critical to economy, says NAFDAC director

    Security, others critical to economy, says NAFDAC director

    The Director, Special Duties, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, has identified security, economic transformation and manpower development as critical elements for national growth and development.

    Speaking to reporters ahead of the launch of The Presidential Diary magazine to project the Change Mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari, he said over the last two years, these critical requisites have been the focus of the Federal Government.

    He said: “In the last two and a half years of this administration, a lot has been achieved from security to economy and manpower development.”

    On the magazine, he said the publication was borne out of the need to give voice to the administration of Buhari.

    “It is a magazine conceived and designed to provide a platform for projecting the noble intentions, change agenda and vision of Mr. President. So far, we are happy that a lot of people, including doubting Thomases believe in this administration and they want to see it succeed,” said Jimoh.

    According to him, the president and his team are also happy with the group’s contribution to this administration.

    Experts say the publication is borne out of the need to give voice, resoundingly, to the administration of the President Buhari. “It is a magazine conceived and designed to provide a platform for projecting the noble intentions, change agenda and vision of Mr. President.  So far, we are happy that a lot of people, including Doubting Thomases believe in this administration and they want to see it succeed,” said Jimoh.

    He said the President and his team are also happy with the group’s contribution to this administration.  “The wife of the President, Her Excellency, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adeshina, SSA (Media and Publicity) to the President, Malam Garba Shehu and other top government functionaries have actively supported our efforts,” explained Jimoh.

    On how the idea was berthed , Jimoh said he and a host of other professional colleagues conceived the initiative to begin this magazine, “We believe in this administration, and believe also that the task of informing, educating and sensitising Nigerians cannot be left only for government agencies and their spokesmen. The Presidential Diary Magazine was conceived by a group of like-minds- those who believe in the administration of President Buhari.  These persons are made of seasoned journalists, public affairs analysts, alongside men and women, young and old, irrespective of language, culture and tribe, who believe in the change agenda of the administration,” stated Jimoh.

    He added:  “Before the coming of this administration, these persons yearned for change because they were tired of the state-of-affairs as it were.  We therefore decided to come together to rebuild this confidence in Nigeria that this government can reclaim our lost glory and take us to that pristine age.  The only channel for doing this is not by carrying out propaganda or engaging in all sorts of media hypes, but by articulating the policies and programmes of this government in this magazine; through constructive narratives and photographs of what is on ground .”

    Hinting on the edge the magazine as Jimoh said, “pictures speak volumes of words, therefore, we don’t just tell, we show.  In the last two and a half years of this administration, a lot has been achieved from security to economy and manpower development.  All these achievements are captured monthly in every edition of the magazine.  You can confirm this in every edition that you pick up.  None of these achievements and many more are left out, and we hope to sustain this as long as President Buhari remains in office to deliver on his change agenda to Nigerians in all walks of life.”

    How long has this magazine been at the public space? Jimoh explained: “Like I have said before, this magazine was conceived out of love for Mr. President and his agenda for the people.  The magazine officially came on board in 2015, months after the inauguration of this administration.  Before the debut of the magazine, I and men and women of goodwill sat down to articulate the policies and programmes of the government that was coming. When we found that they fit into the yearnings and expectations of the people, we decided to key in and give it the needed support.  It is only a blind man who will not appreciate a good soup; even at that, he should be convinced by its aroma and agrees that the soup is indeed a good one.”

    And to what extent is he achieving this task of informing and sensitising Nigerians on the policies and programmes of the government? Jimoh said: “We have never thought it will be easy to do this.  There are those who have eyes but cannot see.  There are also those who can see but are not convinced, and there are those who may be convinced but pretend they are not.  To these die-hard skeptics, we trying as much as possible to back up our facts with figures and photographs.  For instance, we cannot say activities of Boko Haram have truly been degraded by this administration without providing you with evidences.  We don’t just tell, we show.”

    On how the magazine will circulate and its targeted readership strength, Jimoh said: “At the moment, our presence is being felt all over the country.  We are in all States of the Federation, especially in States that believe in this change agenda.  We are happy to announce the support of State governments that are identifying with us.  We enjoy the support of a good number of them and that of certain individuals and corporate organizations in and outside the country.  Embassies and foreign missions of Nigeria are also identifying with us in numerous ways.

    “At the moments, many of them use and process the information contained in this magazine in rating the achievements of this administration.  Every month, we avail them of copies, the way we do to all Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), group and organisations in and outside the country.  This we do without charge.  It will interest you to know that we give out every edition of the magazine free and we state it clearly ‘Not for Sale’ on the cover.  In order to get the desired effect, in terms of wide readership, we decided not to sell the magazines.  This does not mean that they are printed free.  This group of like minds including my humble self who is the initiator pulls our meager resources, time and energies together to ensure the publication of this magazine.  And we believe that our efforts and commitments to this course are not in vain.”

    What will be the fate of this magazine if the current administration is not returned to power in 2019? To this Jimoh replied: “We believe in policies and programmes that are people oriented.  For us, people-oriented programmes outlive people, governments and administrations.  Therefore, we believe that the seed Mr. President and his team is planting has started yielding fruits.  We will continue to defend and nurture them and sensitise Nigerians towards national growth and development.  So we cannot begin to contemplate this question because millions of Nigerians know that there is a silent revolution taking place now and more time is required to gain traction and firm foundation.”

  • Educationist to govt: match policies with action

    Government’s desire to see Nigeria among the most industrialised nations of the world would remain wishful thinking without corresponding good educational policies that are well implemented.

    This is the view of Mr Biodun Agbaje, Director, New Hall International School, a co-educational, located in Chevy View Estate, Lekki.

    Agbaje said in an interview that the government should start by reviewing the education curriculum, which he said was not internationally competitive.

    He said: “The present national educational curriculum puts our country far behind international standard of education. The reasons for this are obvious and range from inconsistencies in the federal, state and local government educational policies as well as poor budgetary allocation to the education sector. These have culminated in poor national infrastructures, lack of modern teaching facilities, inadequate class rooms and non-conducive learning environment. Besides, well trained Teachers and administrators are lacking in our public educational institutions”.

    Agbaje however noted that New Hall International School had aligned itself with the nation’s aspiration and is preparing its pupils to fill the human capacity gaps that would place Nigeria in a place of pride internationally.

    “Over the years, we strive to bring the best of international educational content to add to best of Nigerian curriculum which earned our earlier heroes like Prof Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Hezekiah Oluwasanmi, Aboyade Cole etc, the rightful place in the world stage in education. We are also equipped to provide a solution and alternative  to dwindling quality of education in the country and offer succour to those seeking overseas education in the country or desirous for quality education and can’t afford to go overseas”, said Agbaje.

    Speaking on the school’s curriculum offerings, Agbaje said New Hall International School offers a dynamic college preparatory curriculum that stimulates the learners’ interest in the learning process.

    He said: “The academic programme in our primary is based on Montessori. Both the Lower and Upper School programs strive to create in students a strong desire to become world citizens who have a sense of honour, discipline, and compassion.

    “The school was set up to inspire students to work hard, take pride in their ability with appreciation of their cultural heritage and in doing this explore international affiliations and exchange programmes with the ultimate aim of exposing the students internationally.”

    Agbaje said the broadness of the schools unique curriculum helps to prepare its students for the jobs of the future in line with its motor, “Strive Ahead and Above”.

    “We as a school work tirelessly to impart knowledge through a broad and balanced curriculum working effectively in the three areas of learning, the cognitive, affective and psychomotor of every child in our care,” he said.

    Agbaje also said the school had sport facilities that focus on psychomotor development.

    “With well-robust extracurricular activities to galvanise the psychomotor of students, we have a magnificent school sport hall that houses all our indoor games, Basket Ball court, long tennis court, volley ball, hand ball, badminton and table tennis. The school also has a standard swimming pool, and ultra modern stadium almost completed with artificial grass. This helps in developing rounded children outside the outstanding performance in academics,” he said.

     

  • NYSC elevates six to Director, promotes 1,655

    The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC has promoted six Deputy Directors to the rank of Substantive Director on Grade Leve1l 17.

    They are Stephen Alabi,  Ehoda Adi Yusuf Steven,  Nasamu Hilary,  Salawu Abdulrazak, Abiodun Adeleke and Dauda Daniel.

    This elevation followed their success at the 2017 Senior Staff Promotion Examination, which took place in Enugu.

    Speaking while handing them their promotion letters in his office yesterday, the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Sulaiman Kazaure,  congratulated them, and urged them to see their elevation as a call to greater responsibilities.

    Kazaure advised the  Directors to key into the existing policy on inclusive administration, and to always imbibe the principles of equity and justice in dealing with officials

    According to the DG “promotion is a lubricant for more excellent performance on the job and l am sure you will make us proud in the discharge of your responsibilities.”

    Replying on behalf of others Directors and staff, Mr. Stephen Ehoda Adi, thanked the Management for ensuring equity and fair play in the conduct of the promotion examination.

    He pledged continued loyalty of all promoted officers to the Scheme, adding that all hands would be on deck for the success of its mandate.

    One thousand six hundred and fifty-five  other officers of different cadres were promoted to their next ranks in the exercise.

    They include one thousand three hundred and sixty-seven senior staff and two hundred and seventy-four juniors as well as fourteen converted junior staff.

  • IPOB a terror organisation – Defence Headquarters

    IPOB a terror organisation – Defence Headquarters

    The Defence Headquarters on Friday branded the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB ) as a “terror organisation’’ and urged parents to dissuade their wards from joining the group.

    In a statement  on Friday, the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, restated the commitment of the armed forces to confront all security challenges facing the country.’

    He said military would ensure the  protection of lives and property in all parts of Nigeria.

    The spokesman said IPOB posed a security challenge to the country and had been metamorphosing from one stage to another.

    Enenche said: “After due professional analysis and recent developments, it has become expedient to notify the general public that the claim by IPOB actors that the organisation is non-violent is not true.

    “Hence, the need to bring to public awareness the true and current state of IPOB.

    “In this regard, some of their actions, clandestinely and actively, that have been terrorising the general public include:

    “The formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, unauthorised blocking of public access roads and extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks.

    “Militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles, among others) on a military patrol on September 10, 2017

    “Physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other Indigenous People of Biafra( IPOB ) actors at a check point on September 11, 2017 and also attempt to snatch their rifles.

    “Attack by  IPOB members on a military checkpoint on September 12, 2017, at Isialangwa, where one IPOB actor attempted to snatch a female soldier’s rifle.’

    “From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wish to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation.”

  • UNN seeks partnership to boost agric

    UNN seeks partnership to boost agric

    The management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State has reinstated its commitment to partnering relevant agencies to promote agriculture in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to diversify the economy.

    Director, UNN Consultancy Services Limited (UNN CONSULT), Prof Obi Njoku, said the university had been carrying out various projects aimed at enhancing agricultural development and encouraging students’ participation.

    He made this known during the inspection of agricultural projects by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Benjamin Ozumba.

    Highlighting some of the projects, Njoku said: “The UNN CONSULT is partnering Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Vocational Teaching Education (VTE) to revitalise the university’s agriculture farm at the instance of the VC. Some of the ongoing projects include dairy farm, snail farm, fish farm with about 32 pounds, cassava flour project and feed mill for the poultry farm. The cassava would form part of the feed for our diary projects. We are going to have different types of flour, both for industrial use and domestic consumption. Currently, the snail farm has about 500 snails from different locations in Nigeria and outside the country.”

    Besides, the UNN CONSULT boss said the school had started to tackle the erosion problem on the campus.

    He added: “We are working on fabricating and installing a green house which would be a research building at the Faculty of Agriculture. The project has started. It is expected that in the next one month, the feed mill, the flour mill will be operational. This project is in partnership with the faculties of Agriculture and Bio-resources Engineering, which are carrying out the fabrication and installation of most of the equipment, such as cassava drilling machine, cassava grater and flour hammer mill.”

    Njoku explained that the partnership was informed by the VC’s concern over some facilities that could turn around the fortunes of the institution but have remained moribund in the past. He said that the efforts were in line with the government’s goals to develop the agricultural sector.

    He said the firm would continue to live up to its mandate in bridging the gap between town and gown and to embark on academic research that would be geared towards improving farming for industrial and commercial purposes. This, Njoku said, is the school effort at harnessing its landmass to enhance agricultural development.

     

     

     

  • 5,000 benefit from NGO’s free eyeglasses

    A United States of America-based non-government organisation (NGO), Eyes4Africa Foundation, has distributed 5,000 eyeglasses to people having eye problems in Nigeria.

    The Director, Dr. Michelle J. McCollin, said the programme was taken to 30 cities, towns and villages across eight states, which included Lagos, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Kwara, Ekiti and Osun.

    She said the programme, tagged: “Changing the world one person at a time”, was aimed at providing aid to people having visual problems.

    According to her, “we brought 5,000 eyeglasses to Nigeria and are concluding the distribution this week. We provide education, coordination, resources and aid by conducting free eyeglass clinics and distributing free eyeglasses to people who are tested. We also provide school supplies, such as books, bags, shoes and school uniforms to children in Africa and the West Indies.

    “I will plan a big show in the next summer. I was flabbergasted by the award received from the people, especially in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government of Ogun State.”

    The coordinator of the scheme in Oshodi, Lagos State, Mrs. Oluwaseun Agboola, said she supervised the distribution of over 200 eyeglasses in Oshodi and the Togolese community, adding that Ayoni Primary Health Centre in Mafoluku, Oshodi, was used for the distribution.

    In Sango Otta, Ogun State, Oluwo Fashola Faniyi Babatunde said he created awareness before the beginning of distribution at the local government secretariat, adding that the award received by the chairperson of the NGO from the local government administrator was a source of encouragement.

    He said: “The young and old benefited from the scheme. We created enough awareness before the programme, which gave us leverage on the distribution.”