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Tag: Kaduna

  • NAF opens cancer centre, registry in Kaduna

    NAF opens cancer centre, registry in Kaduna

    The Air Force yesterday opened a cancer screening centre and registry in Kaduna State.
    Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who was represented by the Air Officer Commanding, Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Nurudeen Balogun, said in the last 18 months, the Air Force established hospitals, expanded and upgraded 33 health care facilities.
    Balogun noted that the establishment of screening centres in hospitals will enable officers, dependants and the public access medical services, thereby ensuring early diagnosis and treatment.
    His words: “The health of an individual is one of the most essential pre-requisite to carry out his or her duties effectively and efficiently. When an officer or airman is unwell, not only will he or she be unable to do his job properly, but his safety and that of the equipment he is working with becomes compromised.
    “Hence, the cost to the service could be unimaginable if we neglect the health of our personnel and dependants.
    “It is for this reason that we have, in the last 18 months, embarked on the general upgrade of our medical facilities, which saw the establishment of hospitals, expansion of existing ones and provision of modern high-tech equipment to virtually all existing 33 facilities.
    “We have made significant efforts in addressing the manpower problem in the medical trade through increased enlistment of professionals. This is evident as the medical trade had a total of 21 officers among the inaugurated DSSC 25, which passed out on December 16.
    “It is hoped that these cancer screening centres will provide our personnel and their families, as well the people around our base, the opportunity to carry out regular checks to detect cancers early enough.”
    Chief Medical Officer Air Vice Marshal Saleh Shinkafi said the facility was equipped to cater for different types of cancer and treatment at an early stage.
    He added that the centre will provide best of training facilities to health care providers, both within and outside the Air Force.

  • NAF commissions cancer screening centre, registry in Kaduna

    As part of its commitment to protect Nigerians, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commissioned  a cancer screening centre and registry in Kaduna.
    Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said the health of its officers, men and members of their family is important as the cost of neglecting such is greater.
    The chief of staff who was represented by Air Officer Commanding, Training Command of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Nurudeen Balogun, said in the past one year and half the NAF has established new hospitals, expanded and upgraded 33 health care facilities.
    As regards the short for in the numbers of medical personal, Balogun said 21 medical officers were  among the newly commissioned Direct Short Service Course 25 that passed out on 16 December 19, 2016.
    He said it became important to establish a cancer screening owing to the high death rate as a result of the silent killer citing that death of most women between ages 15-45 years are cancer related as one in every 25 women stand the risk of developing breast cancer.
    Balogun  said the establishment of screening centers at various hospitals will provide easy access to medical attention to personnel, their dependants and members of the public, thereby assuring early diagnosis and treatment.
    His words : “ health of an individual is one is one of the most essential pre-requisite to carry out his or her duties effectively and efficiently, when an officer or airman is unwell not only that he or she will be unable to do his job properly but his safety and that of the equipment he is working with becomes compromised.  Hence the cost of to the service could be unimaginable if we neglect the health of our personnel and dependants.
    “ It is for this reason that we have in the past one and half years embarked on the general upgrade of our medical facilities which saw the establishment of new hospitals, expansion of the existing ones and provision of modern high-tech equipments to virtually all of our existing 33 health care facilities.
    “We have made significant efforts in addressing the manpower problem in the medical trade through increased enlistment of medical professionals. This is evident as the medical trade had a total of 21 officers amongst the newly commissioned DSSC 25 out on 16 December 2016.
    “ According to the world health Organization (WHO), Breast  and cervical cancers are the most common causes of cancer related death in women between ages 15-45 years. It is estimated that one in every 25 women are at risk of developing breast cancer in her life time, while 1 in every 400 women will develop cervical cancer in her life time. Hence it is important to detect these cancers early through screening in order to prevent untimely death associated with late detection.
    “It is hoped that, establishing these cancer screening centers in our hospitals will provide our personnel ns their families as well as teaming populations around our bases, the opportunity to carry out regular checks in order to detect cancers early enough”. He added
    Chief Medical Officer, Air  Vice Marshal Saleh Shinkafi disclosed that the facility has been equipped with equipment that can cater for different types cancer and treatment at early stage.
    Shinkafi said the center will also provide best of training facilities to all heath care provides both within and outside the NAF.
    He however said the registry will serve as a data base as practiced in other countries, which will aide in research and planning in the health scetor.
    According to Shinkafi :”This centre has been equipped with facilities for screening of cancer of the breast, cervix, prostrate colon and liver among others.
    “The centre will provide excellent training facilities for health care providers outside the NAF.
    “We believe the cancer registry will provide a reliable data base for use in research and planning for public health intervention programmes for cancer in the nation,” he added.

  • 24- hour curfew imposed on Kafanchan

    Jema’a Local Government Council authority of Kaduna State has imposed a 24 hour curfew on Kafanchan and its environs to prevent further break down of law and order following a massive protest by youths of Kafanchan.

    The youths have been protesting what they called unending killings in Southern Kaduna and the inability of the government and security agents to put the situation under control.

    Interim Chairman of Jema’a local government, Dr. Bege Katuka who confirmed the development via a telephone interview hinted that the decision became necessary to forestall any possible breakdown of law and order in his jurisdiction.

    According to the council chair, “as a responsible government, it was incumbent on the Council to take proactive measures to guarantee the safety of lives and property.”

    He urged the people to be calm and remain indoors until the situation improves.

    The protest, which was staged on Monday morning alleged government of insensitivity to the unending terror acts that have claimed scores of lives and property.

    Spokesperson of the youths, Mr. Nathan Chaweson regretted the high level of impunity exhibited by the the attackers even with the presence of security operatives at flashpoints.

    Chaweson lamented government’s failure to guarantee the security of the people, adding that for the period the attacks lasted, no single arrest had been recorded.

    According to him, “We are pushed to the wall to question the innocence of the government in what has been happening”.

    He however demanded that the government rise to its responsibility of protecting lives and property in all parts of the state to give everyone a sense of belonging.

    The protesting youths were seen with leaves and placards with different inscriptions, including, ‘government should end killings in Southern Kaduna’ and ‘arrest our attackers’, among others.

    Jema’a and Kauru Local Government Areas, both in the Southern Kaduna have in the recent past suffered series of attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen, leading to killings of many people and property destroyed.

  • Indigenes, Fulani community meet over Kaduna killings

    •‘Crisis fuelled by rumours’

    Indigenous communities in Southern Kaduna and the Fulani community met at the weekend to find ways to end incessant attacks and killings.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting, convened by Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada (rtd), at St. Thaddeus Science Academy, Madakiya, was attended by representatives of 87 wards of the eight councils making up Kaduna South, tribal heads and youth groups.

    Jekada noted that the gesture was part of his “little contribution” to efforts by the Kaduna State government towards ending the attacks.

    “As a concerned citizen, I am trying to support peace moves by the Kaduna State government and as a military man, I want youths to understand that war does not lead to peace. It only leads to more wars, as it is being experienced in Southern Sudan and the Middle East,” he said.

    NAN reports that the meeting was divided into eight groups, according to local governments, with each given posers and questions on possible causes of violence  and how best to address them.

    According to the presentations by the groups, the causes of the violence include poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, religious and tribal sentiments, as well as perceived injustices.

    Other causes include abandonment of culture and tradition, bad leadership, intolerance, bad teachings by some religious leaders, political manipulations and rumour peddling.

    Also identified are destruction of farm produce and killing of cattle, unprovoked attacks and insincerity by the government and its agents.

    The participants said security personnel deployed to restore law and order should be fair, insisting that suspects be prosecuted to deter others.

    Individual Fulani contributors, however, exonerated resident herdsmen from the attacks, but blamed foreign herdsmen.

    On their part, the natives alleged that the government was being misinformed on the true nature and causes of the crises. They advised the government to always insist on hearing from all sides to be well guided into taking informed decisions.

    They also advised the Fulani communities to help the security personnel and the government by reporting strangers among them.

    Jekada said the resolutions would be forwarded to the government to help its efforts in ending the bloodshed.

    He advised the media to be more security-conscious in their reportage, and cautioned against sentiments that could worsen the bad situation.

    Rumours and unsubstantiated claims have, however, been identified as factors responsible for the killings.

    Convener of the Southern Kaduna Peace Initiative and President, Community for Peace and Corrupt-Free Society (CPCFS), Ahmed Zakari Nguroje, who spoke at the Southern Kaduna Peace Initiative interactive session in Kafanchan, at the weekend, said parties involved in the conflict acted on hearsay, only to regret their actions later.

    “For the people of Southern Kaduna, I urge you to always confirm your information before acting. If someone runs to tell you that the Fulani are planning to attack you, confront the leader of the Fulani and ask him; that way, you will prevent the loss of life and property.

    “And for the Fulani, if you hear any information about an attack, go to the village head or district head and relay what you heard,” he said.

    Nguroje stressed that those spreading rumours were the real enemies of peace, not indigenes or Fulani herdsmen.

    He advised herdsmen to fish out members whose cattle enter people’s farms to destroy crops, as it will build peaceful co-existence.

  • APC raises panel on Kaduna crisis

    APC raises panel on Kaduna crisis

    •‘Sani’s suspension continues’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) in Northwest has raised a committee to look into the internal crises in its Kaduna State chapter and the suspension of Senator Shehu Sani.

    The committee is chaired by Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari.

    National Vice Chairman, Northwest Inuwa Abdulkadir spoke in his keynote address at the party’s zonal Executive Council Committee Meeting in Dutse, Jigawa capital, at the weekend.

    He said: “We will not condone arbitrary disciplinary action against loyal party members. Therefore, laid down party constitution must be followed before such decisions could stand.”

    Abdulkadir urged warring factions to respect the reconciliation committee.

    The Kaduna State chapter yesterday denied reports that the indefinite suspension of Senator Shehu Sani was lifted at the zonal meeting in Jigawa State.

    A statement by the state Secretary, Yahaya Baba-Pate, said the issue was not discussed at the meeting. He insisted Sani’s indefinite suspension stands.

    The statement reads: “Shehu Sani, without sense of shame, hired a journalist to report the purported lifting of his indefinite suspension and credited the charade to the Vice Chairman, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir.

    “His suspension was not discussed and was never mentioned. Knowing he is on indefinite suspension, he was not allowed to speak at the meeting.

    “It did not come to us as a surprise that he sponsored the false reports but whatever his wishful thinking may be, it cannot change the fact that he is being disciplined. And just as he did not join the party via media statements, he cannot alter party decisions using the media.

    “Sani’s tantrums are entertaining for the media; he may enjoy being ridiculed, but our party cherishes its reputation.”

  • Police foil attack on Kaduna APC secretariat 

    •Party ratifies Sani’s suspension

    The police yesterday prevented thugs from attacking the secretariat of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State.

    The attack was allegedly sponsored by supporters of the embattled Senator Shehu Sani.

    According to Acting State Secretary, Yahaya Pate, the hoodlums arrived at the secretariat about 11am just as officials were meeting to ratify Sani’s suspension as announced last Thursday.

    Sani, who represents Kaduna Central, had been engaged in a running battle with the party’s leadership in the state.

    A detachment of armed police were said to have dispersed the mob.

    Pate said: “About 11am, some hired thugs wearing t-shirts and fez caps with Senator Sani’s portrait and carrying sticks came to attack people at the secretariat.

    “We had to alert the police who came and dispersed them and security was beefed up”.

    Meanwhile, the state executives have affirmed the indefinite suspension of Senator Sani.

    Publicity Secretary Salisu Wusono said the decision taken by Sani’s ward was in order.

    “We, as APC state executives, today confirm the resolution taken by his Ward 6 for his indefinite suspension. We are telling the public and the world that we have confirmed the indefinite suspension of Comrade Shehu Sani by the APC Ward 6, Kaduna South,” he said.

    According to him, Sani was suspended for alleged “betrayal of the party” as well as “attempts at causing divisions within the party in the state by sponsoring frivolous petitions and trouble making”.

  • NPFL UNPAID WAGES: Dikko blames players, coaches

    NPFL UNPAID WAGES: Dikko blames players, coaches

     

    The chairman League Management Company (LMC), Shehu Dikko has advised Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) coaches and players to get good lawyers or advisers to negotiate on their behalf before signing contracts with any club.
    The second vice-chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who was a guest on the Nigeria Football Support Platform (NFSP) blamed them for most of the problems they encounter over backlogs of unpaid wages at their various clubs.
    Dikko absolved the body of any responsibility for the players and coaches’ poor welfare in the league, insisting that they have no business negotiating their contract on their own.
    “The current issue is not about LMC or NFF not enforcing players’ welfare but we are trying to work within the reality on ground and set out strategy to eliminate the issue completely. But the biggest problem mostly comes from the players and coaches themselves? How? They go sign contracts without advisers and only run to us when they get into problems. A player or coach has no business going about chasing money but rather his lawyer and or intermediary should be doing that and believe me even the clubs would sit up,” Dikko said.
    The Kaduna State-born administrator said that LMC his doing everything in ensuring that government pays players’ salaries as and when due.
    “To start with it’s a reality that most clubs are owned by Government and we are in Nigeria today where even the government is in default paying salaries. So likely they may owe clubs. And we always know Government is never bankrupt and can always pay so we always tried to put pressure on the government to pay rather that pushing them away as that would not make them pay and it’s the players that would still suffer at the end.
    “We have passed level of clubs receiving funds for players and not paying. So when clubs owing it’s because government has not paid. So punishing clubs heavily on this may end being double jeopardy for the players. So our objectives is work always to get the government to pay off what they owed and also working to get more sponsors and investment into the league to take away this clubs from government or at least part off. Even if one deducts points from a club no one is hurt and it’s the player that would see their sweat going down.”

  • Violence: Kaduna adopts Plateau blueprint

    Violence: Kaduna adopts Plateau blueprint

    Faced with unending violence, Kaduna State has borrowed the peace strategy which helped to douse tensions in neighbouring Plateau State. ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE reports

    They have a lot in common: a shared border, variety of ethnic groups and a mix of Christian and Muslim populations. That is not all. Kaduna and Plateau states are also troubled by communal tensions which are often violent. Thankfully, Plateau seems to have figured out the path to peace, thanks to the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD), a conflict-resolution non-governmental organisation. Communities which intermittently hacked at one another are finding good reason to dwell together in peace.

    Kaduna, on the other hand, has not been that lucky, but that is not to say it has been a long stretch of darkness there. After the 2011 post-presidential election violence in which many lives were lost and worship centres and other property were destroyed, crisis broke out in parts of the state, especially in its southern parts. But since Governor Nasir el-Rufai came into office, there was quite a considerable spell of peace. It came as a result of interventions by a peace and reconciliation committee headed by Gen Martin Luther Agwai. The committee was said to have traced some aggrieved Fulani herdsmen connected to the violence to faraway Niger Republic, Chad and other neighbouring countries where the herders said they lost cattle and other things in the Kaduna crises. The committee pleaded with them to let bygone be bygone; in some cases compensations were paid for the sake of peace.

    It worked, but only for a year. Thereafter crisis erupted intermittently especially in Southern Kaduna. There were isolated killings though not just in the south but also in the north and central zones of the state, especially Birnin Gwari axis. Herdsmen and crop farmers blamed one another for the violence. Herders accused the growers of intolerance, while the farmers blamed the allocation of grazing reserves to herdsmen as cause of the violence.

    Now there is some good news. Representatives of 29 communities  in southern Kaduna have unveiled a Peace Apology Billboard in Samaru-Kataf, saying sorry to everyone affected by the violence. They hope the latest effort will end all hostilities.

    The community representatives were trained by the CHD, which helped to restore peace in Plateau. The Chairman of Plateau State Council of Chiefs, Gbong-Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba was at the unveiling of the peace billboard.

    He spoke passionately on the violence racking the two states and recommended the Plateau antidote. The traditional ruler relived the wonders of the CHD and its leading figure.

    He said, “Alice Nderitu and her team from Center for Humanitarian Dialogue came to me and gave me a brief of exactly what is happening here in Kaduna. And they appealed to me to come here so that we can talk to our brothers and sisters here about how to stay in peace.

    “They did this because like you all know we have had our serious challenges in Plateau State; challenges that are very distasteful. Lives were lost, communities torn apart. Up till today, there are some villages that are still vacant; the natives have not gone back to their villages but we want to thank God Almighty for the relative peace we are enjoying on the plateau. And we will want to thank Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue that came in to Plateau over three years ago.  They came to the palace and requested that we give them people from the communities to work with. Today I thank God for the relative peace we are enjoying.

    “The governor of Plateau, upon coming on to the seat of governance, immediately called the Berom community. I hope you all know that I am Berom anyway?  I know His Excellency, Governor Nasir el-Rufai knows, and he had serious discussions with us after which he called the Fulani communities and had serious discussions with them. Thereafter he called both the Berom and Fulani communities and had a discussion with them.

    “At the end of which he suggested that we get representatives of the Fulani and the Berom, and that government was going to put in place a committee to work with these groups so that they can dialogue and talk to themselves. He encouraged that nobody should shy away from the issues that are creating problems. And this team sat together and they came up with a very beautiful report that virtually tallied with the report that the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue had packaged with very serious recommendations.

    “It will interest you to know that in the Gazette for the selection of kings in Berom land, the head of Fulani is a king maker despite not being a historical indigene, but because we stayed together for so long that it was the wisdom of the elders to ensure that since we have stayed particularly with them, let them have a sense of belonging and that is why the ’Ardos’ (head of Fulani) participate as king makers in the selection of District Heads in the entirety of Berom land. I met it there and we are working with that. We will continue to work with that.

    “Having told you I am Berom, I am sure you will be wondering why is my name Buba? Buba is a Fulani name. But this is because my grandfather had a very intimate Fulani friend called Buba. So when they gave birth to my father, the Fulani man said this boy is my namesake and my father was named Buba. After that they never gave him any Berom name again and that is why I bear Buba. If at that time these old people could do this, why are we tearing ourselves apart? Why can’t we find common ground on which to rejoice in?

    “It is embarrassing to all of us seated here that a young lady from Kenya, Alice Nderitu, has gathered us here to talk peace. Look at us and look at her age. The passion with which she talks is so touching, that’s why I conceded to come. Governor Nasir el-Rufai is someone I have had privilege to work with. He was a minister in the Obasanjo regime while I was traversing the country chasing smugglers.”

    The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue boss, Alice Nderitu who is a Kenyan, said Nigeria as the leader of the black nation in the world ought to set the example for other African countries on peaceful co-existence.

    She suggested that, as part of efforts to restore peace in Southern Kaduna, churches, mosques and vehicles destroyed during previous crisis should be rebuilt, saying leaving them in their state of destruction leaves negative and devastating impressions on the minds of children growing up.

    In reaction to her request, el-Rufai donated N100 to support the rebuilding of damaged churches and mosques, saying, his government has drafted a bill to set up the Kaduna State Peace Commission in fulfillment of the promises he made in 2015.

    In a speech entitled ‘Apology, Forgiveness, Key to Peace’ the governor said the Commission will enable inclusion of all citizens on plans for peaceful co-existence of the peoples of the state.

    According to him, “In recognition of the vital importance of showing concrete manifestations of peace, the government has decided to support civic efforts to rebuild damaged churches and mosques with a seed fund of N100m. The challenge of achieving peace and justice is a complex process that requires imagination, wide consultations, technical support, research and time. I have promised you change. I will not be derailed from the legacy of peace that Southern Kaduna deserves from my generation.

    “This state belongs to everyone that has chosen to make it home. Let us respect each other, abide by the law, do our duty to uphold harmony and firmly reject division and violence! Today we are here to launch a Public Apology Billboard, as we grieve  over the lives sadly taken in the recent violence in the Godogodo chiefdom. Why, our children ask, are we able to discuss peace for decades but not find it on the ground?”

  • Former Minister Bagudu Hirse kidnapped in Kaduna

    Former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bagudu Hirse, was yesterday afternoon kidnapped in Kaduna city.

    Spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Aliyu Usman, who confirmed his kidnap, said the command has launched a manhunt for the abductors.

    The Nation gathered that Hirse was snatched in front of Alhaji Mamman Daura’s residence on Inuwa Wada road.

    According to sources, the former minister was on a condolence visit to the family of the late 18th Sultan of Sokoto, Ibrahim Dasuki, a street next to Inuwa Wada road, and he decided to pay homepage to Mamman Daura.

    “From what I could hear, they told him to get into their car but he was trying to seek further explanations from them and as soon as people started approaching the scene, one of them fired into the air.

    “That was when they forced him into the car but removed his ‘babariga’ and cap, threw it on the floor and drove away,” he stated.

    A local security man told reporters that when the kidnappers shot, people ran away and so could not make out what they told the former minister.

    “After the gunmen drove away, Daura was informed about the incident and more security agents were deployed in the house before he departed for Abuja.”

    Meanwhile, no demand was said to have been made last night but Usman promised that the kidnappers will be nabbed.

  • Kaduna, General Electric to equip 278 hospitals

    Kaduna, General Electric to equip 278 hospitals

    The Kaduna State government and General Electric (GE) are partnering to equip 278 health care facilities in the state.

    The programme highlights the government’s effort at providing a comprehensive solution to health care challenges.

    Aspects to be addressed include maternal and infant mortality, communicable illnesses, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

    At its first health summit last year, Governor Nasir El-Rufai stated the government’s determination to combat maternal and infant death.

    El-Rufai said the government would enhance primary health care and improve quality and readiness of service delivery by ramping up supply and quality of health professionals.

    Under the partnership, 255 primary health centres will be equipped, in addition to 23 general hospitals. The programme includes training of health care professionals and a three-year equipment maintenance.

    The project will deliver at least one re-fitted hospital in each of the 255 wards in the state.

    “The Kaduna State government is seeking better health outcomes for its people. This partnership with GE will accelerate the development of our health facilities and equip them to deliver better services.

    “The equipment, technologies and training our state is getting under this partnership will improve standards of maternal and infant care, implant safer surgical standards and raise our capacity for disease prevention and infection control,” El-Rufai said.

    Chief Executive Officer of GE Healthcare Africa Farid Fezoua lauded the government for its vision to improve the health of its citizens.