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Tag: leave

  • Fashola approves six-month leave for nursing mothers

    Fashola approves six-month leave for nursing mothers

    •Fathers to go on 10-day break

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has reviewed nursing mothers’ maternity leave from three months to six months.

    The governor also approved 10 days paternity leave for fathers.

    Head of Service, Mrs. Oluseyi Williams, who spoke with reporters in Alausa yesterday, said the maternity leave would be with full pay in the case of first two deliveries.

    She said government was concerned about the trend that parents spend more time at work at the expense of the home front.

    She said: “Medical science has also proved that the first few months of a child’s life has a great deal to play in the latter development of that child physically, mentally and emotionally.

    “However, at six months, that is 24 weeks, a baby is considered strong enough to be left in a decent crèche for proper care having gone through close affection and nurturing by the mother for those important and delicate first few months of his or her life”.

    The Head of Service expressed optimism that the new leave policy expected to take effect immediately would advance a balanced family-work life, “with the ultimate intent of having future leader who, as neonates, had enjoyed parental care and affection”.

    Outlining the health benefit of the new policy, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, said aside the opportunity it presents for mother and child to enjoy emotional and social bond, the advocacy for six months exclusive breastfeeding can now be achieved without any hindrance.

    He said: “Mothers will also have no excuse not to take their children for the regular immunisation within the period and also monitor the health of their babies adequately.

    “It would allow the mothers stay with their children so they can sense when they are having a fever, when they are feeding well and seek intervention early, this will go a long way to check the cases of maternal and child mortality. With the policy, both the babies and mothers are winners”.

  • Let’s leave Shekau’s death story like that, says Fed Govt

    Let’s leave Shekau’s death story like that, says Fed Govt

    IS Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau dead – as claimed by the Joint Task Force? The question remained knotty yesterday, with Information Minister Labaran Maku saying the issue should not be discussed.

    The defunct JTF in Borno State, in a statement on Sunday, claimed that Shekau may have died from gunshot wounds he sustained in an attack in Borno last June.

    But the death claim has not been independently verified and the military did not take possession of the body, thereby casting doubts on it.

    Yesterday at a news conference after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Maku told reporters when asked about the death of Shekau: “Relating to the story that we have read, I think it is better we leave it at that. These people are on the run and we will allow the military to tell the story.

    “The military said that it would appear that in one of their operations, the leader of the insurgent group was mortally wounded and they were rushing him from place to place and they believe that he could indeed be dead.”

    Maku added: “What it means is that the security forces are closing in on some of the kingpins of this murderous group that has denied thousands of Nigerians their lives. Some of the key leaders have been pronounced dead. I think that rather than losing confidence, we should continue to pray for the military and continue to hope that in the end they succeed and they are succeeding.”

    The minister urged Nigerians not to expect a sudden end to the Boko Haram insurgency, saying some countries facing similar terrorists’ attacks have been battling with the menace for many years.

    Maku said: “Every operation against a guerrilla-styled insurgency is not something that can be contained overnight. In Iraq, we are still having occasional attacks after the Americans left, just as we are having in Pakistan and other places.”

    “The presumption by Nigerians is that the insurgency will end tomorrow. No. We are regaining territories; we are regaining confidence and stability. What the insurgents are doing is to go to remote places and start striking at innocent people, like they did recently at Danboa.”

    The minister said the recent activities of the sect: “shows the desperation of these people”. “We must be proud of our security forces. As we clock three months of the state of emergency, the military has just announced the creation of a new division, which means that the operation would further go up from what it is.

    “One of the fallouts of the declaration of state of emergency is the increased confidence by members of the public to come out clearly to interface with the security forces in identifying some of the hideouts of the criminals and murderers involved in the terrorist attacks on innocent Nigerians.”

    Maku claimed that “economic activities in Borno and Yobe have resumed significantly”.

    Also yesterday, FEC ratified three United Nations Conventions on arms trading, hostage taking and terrorism.

    Maku said: “Following a memorandum presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, council ratified the Arms Trade Treaty adopted by the UN General Assembly on April 2, 2013.”

    The treaty will regulate the transfer of conventional arms in order to control access by non-state actors.

    Maku said the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), also brought a memo to council for the ratification of the two other UN conventions.

    The conventions are: UN Convention against Taking of Hostages adopted in December 1979, and the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorists Bombings, adopted December in 1997.

    “In order to attain and maintain global standards, the council approved the ratification/accession to the two conventions.

    “The council also directed the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice to prepare the instruments of the ratification/accession of the two conventions,” he said.

    The two conventions are aimed at containing the incidence of hostage taking and the heinous crime of bombings by terrorists.

  • KESHI TO MIKEL: Leave Chelsea now

    KESHI TO MIKEL: Leave Chelsea now

    Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi has advised Mikel Obi to consider leaving Chelsea if that would guaratee him regular playing time.

    The Big Boss said it would amount to nothing for the mercurial midfielder to be in Chelsea without commanding a regular shirt.

    “If I were to advise him, I would tell him to look elsewhere if he is not going to have the attention of the new coach.

    “Mikel is a good player, that many clubs would be desperate to have. There is no need for him to be in Chelsea without commanding a regular shirt,“ Keshi said.

    Mikel faces a tough battle for a starting shirt under Jose Mourinho because of the return of Ghanaian Michael Essien from a one-year loan deal at Real Madrid.

  • Ekiti church vicar sent on leave

    The Vicar–in-charge of St Paul’s Millennium Anglican Church in Odo Owa-Ekiti, Rev. Mike Ogunniyi, has been relieved of his position.

    This was a fallout of the controversy trailing the N5 million gift given to the church by Governor Kayode Fayemi during the burial of the former primate of the Anglican Church, Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye, on January 19.

    It was gathered that the diocese also passed a vote-of-confidence in the Bishop of Ekiti West, the Most Rev. Oludare Oke “for the way he has been running the affairs of the Diocese.”

    Rev. Ogunniyi, through the Provincial Council of the church, spent the money to buy a bus for evangelism and renovate the church, despite having been directed to keep it in a special account until a more enduring need was found for the money.

    In a statement yesterday by Otunba Kunle Olasope and Prince Sola Adetule, the Emeritus and Diocesan Communicator on behalf of the Diocese, the Bishop was “directed to proceed on compulsory leave by May 31 and retire fully in August 31.”

    According to the statement, Rev. Ogunniyi has been demoted from Archdeacon to Canon, but the Odo Owa-Ekiti Church maintains its status.

    The statement said “the Bishop had nothing against the reverend”, adding that “the bus he (Ogunniyi) bought had been dedicated by the Bishop. Rev. Ogunniyi has since been using it as an official car.

    The letter dared those who threatened to approach thecourt for redress over the demotion of Rev Ogunniyi to go ahead, adding that “the church would be vindicated in the end.”

    In a telephone interview with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, Rev. Ogunniyi said he had “accepted the retirement option in good faith”.

    He urged the church members to embrace peace. Ogunniyi, 68, who admitted that the purchase of the bus generated the unrest, said he was due for retirement in 2017.

     

  • Pension probe: We leave Maina to God, says Senate

    Pension probe: We leave Maina to God, says Senate

    The Senate committee probing the management of pension funds yesterday adjourned its sitting indefinitely.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Aloysius Etok, who announced the adjournment, said the decision was taken because of the frustration members of the committee had suffered due to the absence of the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina.

    While members of the committee were waiting for Maina, the PRTT boss was reportedly addressing his supporters who stormed the National Assembly gate.

    Besides Maina’s supporters who carried placards, another group also protested his continued stay as the PRTT boss.

    It was chaotic for senators and House of Representatives members to gain access to the National Assembly due to the large number of the opposing protesters.

    Some of the lawmakers made a detour, following the Aso Rock Villa gate to enter the National Assembly.

    While some of the protesters hailed Maina and asked the Senate to leave him alone, others demanded his removal.

    Some of the placards read: ‘Leave Maina alone’, ‘Maina is a good man’, ‘Maina has saved pensioners’, ‘Maina has done what nobody could before him’, ‘The Senate committee has been bought over by pension thieves’.

    The anti-Maina group had placards that read: ‘Maina must go’, ‘Maina is not above the law’, ‘Maina must be prosecuted’, ‘Enough is enough’.

    Most lawmakers were forced to park their cars at the nearby National Arcade.

    It took the intervention of the heavily-armed security personnel to clear the barricade mounted by the protesters.

    Etok, who could not hide his anger over the alleged disrespect of Maina to his committee, complained that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), who was mandated to bring the PRTT boss to the National Assembly, failed to comply with the order.

    He said: “We have been here and believing that we want to give the Acting Director of Customs, Immigration, Prison Pension Office (CIPPO), Dr. Maina, a fair hearing.

    “We have been sitting and adjourning to make sure he is here so that we can give him a fair hearing because in the other pension public hearing, he said he did not have a fair hearing.

    “Today we have been here and we’ve kept these people waiting for one hour. Incidentally the IGP is not here.

    “The Senate under Senate President David Mark issued a warrant of arrest and directed the IGP to present and compel Maina’s appearance before this committee by 12 noon today.

    “We have been waiting here for more than one hour and we have not seen him.

    “Today we are not going to waste your time. Since we have promised, we want to make sure we give him a fair hearing.

    “After consultation with members of this committee, we have decided to adjourn this sitting indefinitely.”

    The Co-chairman of the committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya, also expressed frustration.

    He said: “I have information from the police that Maina is at the gate addressing his supporters, instead of coming here.

    “We want him to be here. The committee will decide what to do.

    “One thing is that we have been honest and sincere. We want to put it on record. God knows we have tried. We leave him to God.”

    Etok said the committee will not invite stakeholders again until an action is taken on the issues raised by the committee.

     

  • Imoke on two-month leave

    Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke yesterday proceeded on a two-month accumulated leave.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Assistant on Media, Christian Ita, said Imoke communicated his decision to the State House of Assembly through a letter to Speaker Larry Odey.

    The statement said Imoke’s Deputy Efiok Cobham will act for the duration of the leave in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

    “Three weeks ago, His Excellency took a short break after a long hectic, and eventful year all preparatory to the start of the busy Calabar festival season.

    “He used the opportunity to undergo medicals and in the course of so doing, was advised by his doctors to undergo further evaluation.

    “Accordingly, His Excellency will be proceeding on a two-month accumulated leave with effect from today.

    “In line with the provisions of the constitution Deputy Governor Efiok Cobham will act in his place during the period of his leave,” the statement read .

    It also quoted the governor as wishing all Cross Riverians the very best in the yuletide season.

  • Flood victims leave camps in Anambra

    Despite warnings from the Anambra State Government that those displaced by floods should remain in the camps, most Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have begun to leave the various camps.

    Though the floods have receded, the government noted that the dangers of contracting diseases were among the reasons the Peter Obi administration and some notable individuals were warning the victims.

    But the Office of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been receiving relief materials.

    The Sir Emeka Offor Foundation yesterday visited some of the camps at Ogbaru and Ekwusigo with materials worth millions of naira.

    The items included over 100 bags of rice, 10 big bags of beans, over 100 cartons of assorted soap, rolls of tissue papers, cartons of detergent and several cartons of disinfectants, among others.

    The Coordinator of the foundation, Sir Tony Obi, told the victims that hopes were not lost.

    He noted that the gesture was humanitarian and not for political.

    The foundation coordinator urged the IDPs to have faith in God, adding that nothing happens without His knowledge.

    Obi assured the IDPs that the foundation would identify with their plight until they vacate the camps.

    The doctor in charge of the foundation, Dr. Godson Okeke, told the IDPs that the foundation will, on Thursday, provide a mobile clinic at the two camps to attend to their health needs.

    Receiving the items, the Anglican Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese, Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, hailed the foundation for its assistance.

    The cleric assured that the materials would be judiciously shared to the victims

  • Better still leave many things unsaid

    Better still leave many things unsaid

    I do not agree with most of the things Mr Arthur Anyaduba said or implied in his rejoinder to last week’s Palladium, and particularly the ferocity and emotionality of his arguments; but he couched his unpersuasive intervention in brilliant prose deserving publication. I also recognise that the Achebe book has evoked critical and even bitter reviews, excerpt of which book I took up here last week. It would, therefore, be unfair if I debarred others from having their say. I think it is proper to discharge my obligation to my readers by publishing the rejoinder above.

    Anyaduba is free to interpret my “pre-review” as he deems sensible, but he exaggeratedly rebutted positions I did not take and inferences I did not make. He thought me a reader of motives, and he used that as licence to ascribe motives to things I did not, and probably will never, say. Mind reading, I am sure he knows, is a perilous exercise the best of us sometimes miscarry very badly. I am not sure by describing Achebe as traumatised by the war I said anything extraordinarily unobvious. Importantly, Anyaduba felt I was also an ethnic jingoist by appearing to defend Awolowo, a problem he thought afflicted many in the Southwest, but which the nation must honestly grapple with for progress and reconciliation to occur. He said so many other things that were clearly either wrongly inferred from my essay or wrongly attributed. I regret I do not have the space to go into all these.

    Perhaps we should first review the book before consenting to a meaningful exchange on what Achebe said, thought or implied. But I thought I made it clear Achebe could not mean the book to be taken as a historical work in the sense of historiography. When the book is finally reviewed, that unsettling objective should come out in bold relief, just as it should also be indisputable that it is unlikely to fall below the literary standards we are used to. If at all I betrayed ethnic jingoism, as Anyaduba claimed, I think he did much worse. But I believe it is always helpful to first focus on the integrity, or lack of it, of a writer’s logic than to fish for his backgrounds, be it religious, cultural or ideological. The danger in not drawing the line in the right place is to fall into the error of controversially charging a critic with influences that are inapplicable to his work.

    Let me restate once again the two reasons that informed my contribution to the Achebe excerpt. After observing the Rwandan genocide, I appreciated better the fearsome capacity writers, musicians, media professionals and other sundry artists have to instigate either genuine change or genocide. I do not think that even in the name of candour or of coming to terms with our infamous past we should fail to summon the circumspection required for peaceful co-existence. History by all means; literature by all means; but peace without doubt. Otherwise, we would, after the damage is done and depending on whether we are on the winning or losing side, begin to nonsensically romanticise war and suggest that one form of killing – by sword or by hunger, or whether the dead are soldiers or children – is preferable.

    The second reason I commented on the excerpt is valid for all ages – the virtue of sometimes maintaining dignified taciturnity, not silence, as Anyaduba wrongly interpreted, especially decades after an event. I do not know whether Anyaduba is married. If he is, does he tell his wife everything about herself – maybe her plain looks, her awkward gait, her repulsively broad smile, etc. – especially when there is disagreement between the two of them? Yes, I love candour with all my heart, but if I want peace, I had better leave some things, indeed nearly all things, unsaid. If Anyaduba has not learnt this lesson, it is probably because he is not yet married.

     

    • Palladium

     

  • Lato: 90% of my players won’t leave Kaduna Utd

    Lato: 90% of my players won’t leave Kaduna Utd

    Kaduna United chief coach, Saleh Tanko Lato has said that he will retain majority of his players for the next season if he get 100% commitment from them.

    The former Ranchers Bees of Kaduna ace told SportingLife that the team will try to avoid the difficulty witnessed last season when a majority of experienced players left for other clubs.

    The former Iwuanyau National of Owerri star, who replaced the former Technical Adviser Maurice Cooreman when the Belgian left for Warri Wolves, said he would build a team around his present crop of players for the next season for the sake of continuity.

    Two weeks to the end of 2011/2012 season the team parted ways with ten players.

    “The team has resumed training and we have started screening of new players. We want to do everything fast and by the end of the week we will know who will stay and who will go,” Lato, who captained the Home-Based Eagles under Clemence Westerhorf in 1990, told SportingLife.

    “We don’t want the repeat of last season when we lost most of our valuable players to other clubs. Two weeks to end the 2011/2012 season, we sacked 10 players and worked on the rest to achieve what we were able to achieve last season. Majority of players are new and, if I have my way, I will keep 90% of them for the sake of continuity and to build around them for next season, which I believe will make my job very easy.

    “At the moment we don’t know who among of them may have the interest of moving to another club, because you can’t predict players. That is why I want to sort this out quickly. But if I get 100% commitment and assurance from them, majority of them will stay.”

    The former Zamalek of Egypt player also informed SportingLife of his intention to beef-up his squad with ten more players.

    “As it is now, there is no board on ground and we will present our proposal to the ministry. They (ministry) are the policy makers and we don’t know what their intention will be, whether they will agree with us or not. I think 35 players will be okay for the team to prosecute our programme next season, meaning that we may sign at least 10 more players.”

  • Ahmed urges Fed Govt to leave states,

    Ahmed urges Fed Govt to leave states,

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed yesterday urged the Federal Government to hands off its projects in the state for sustainability and maintenance.

    The governor spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, at the beginning of a tour of federal projects in the state, under the National Good Governance Monitoring Team, led by the Information Minister Labaran Maku.

    He noted that there is usually no budgetary provision for the maintenance of such projects after inauguration.

    Ahmed hailed the minister for leading the monitoring team.

    The governor urged the residents not to see the programme as a one-off event but an opportunity for states and the Federal Government to work together.

    He said: “The tours should be an opportunity for the Federal Government to see the impact of its programmes on the people and help in determining resource allocation.

    “The tour is a platform that will enable the Federal Government to see where there are completed, ongoing, abandoned and untouched projects in the states. It will also enable the government to see how resources are allocated. Therefore, we need a strong collective effort in driving democracy.”

    Maku said the tour was packaged to ensure that Nigerians know more about government efforts at providing the dividends of democracy.

    He said: “It is important in democracy that you carry people along in whatever you are doing. Democracy is about contest and competition and we must not fail to let people know what we are doing.

    “The idea is to let the states explain not only progress being made but also their challenges. There is no way the states and the Federal Government can work separately, because we share the same objectives of meeting the needs of our people.”