The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria News

  • ‘Nigeria records 58,000 maternal mortality’

    ‘Nigeria records 58,000 maternal mortality’

    A joint report by World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nation Population Fund ( UNFPA ), United Nations Children Fund ( UNICEF ) and World Bank has said Nigeria recorded 58,000 maternal mortality in 2015.

    The report was presented by Dr Olusola Odujinrin at the 2017 Annual Faculty Day Lecture by the Faculty of Public Health and Community Medicine, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

    The conference with the theme “Transition in Global Health Paradigms: What Hope for the Nigerian Women and Children?”, was held at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital ( LASUTH ), Ikeja.

    The guest lecturer, Odujinrin said it was rather alarming to see Nigeria down the ladder of the Millennium Development Goals ( MDGs ) in spite of the abundance of its economic strength.

    She identified the factors that contributed to the Maternal Mortality Rate ( MMR )as flawed government policies, education, culture, religion among others.

    “It is most unfortunate that we are at this level of needless death as recorded by the international agencies where Nigerian women lost their lives to pregnancy and child related causes.

    “The factors that contribute to this are diverse including education, culture, religion and lack of access to skilled health workers and necessary drugs.

    “The prevalence also depend on several factors, including living in an urban or rural area, socio-economic status and geo-political zone.

    “The most worrisome is the report from North-East where MMR is highest: 1,549/100,000 live births in comparison to the South-West zone where 165/100,000 was recorded,” she said.

    Odujinrin said the MMR statistics from Nigeria needed to be given immediate attention, warning that the country might be on the brink.

    “Currently, Nigeria has the second highest burden of maternal mortality in the world, and contributes about 15 per cent of the annual total global deaths which represent two per cent of the global population.

    “The progress in reducing maternal ratio has been to slow. According to the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey ( NDHS ) reports for 2008 and 2013, Nigeria achieved practically no reduction in MMR.

    “Lifetime risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes according to NDHS reports also showed practically no change in the year under review.

    “With this we all need to join the vanguard in making Nigerian women life a meaning if we don’t want to be on the brink,” she said.

    Odujinrin said poor medical facilities in Nigeria was a hindrance to the attainment of the MDG Project, adding that the country’s policy makers needed to “roll up their sleeves.”

    “The overall contributions of poor quality of health services to the huge burden of MMR in Nigeria, as revealed in the various situation analyses and assessment is alarming.

    “There is a need to tackle the huge challenges and perform better in the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) in relation to MMR under Goal 3.

    “It is imperative that we have a national focus in providing quality health care facilities and our efforts be dedicated to ensuring high quality of care to our mothers and children.

    “It is not that we are bereft of ideas, but we lack political will and financial commitment enough to tackle this menance. No amount is too much for the lives of mothers, newborn and children,” she said.

    Prof. Tolu Odugbemi, the Chairman of the occasion, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof Wale Oke were among other dignitaries who graced the occasion.

  • EFCC lauds CJN’s move to prioritise corruption cases

    EFCC lauds CJN’s move to prioritise corruption cases

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) has commended recent move by the judiciary to prioritise corruption and financial crime cases brought before it.

    The commendation is in a statement by Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Uwujaren quoted the commission’s Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, as saying the development was right step in the right direction.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, announced the initiative at the opening of the 2017/2018 Legal Year in Abuja on Monday.

    Onnoghen directed  all heads of courts to compile and farward comprehensive lists of corruption and financial crime cases before them to National Judicial Council (NJC).

    He said where such cases came on appeal to the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, special dates should be fixed for them every week.

    “In order for the NJC to monitor and effectively enforce the foregoing policy, anti-corruption cases trial monitoring committee will be constituted at the next council meeting.

    “This committee would be saddled with, among other things, the responsibility of ensuring that both trial and appellate courts handling corruption and financial crime cases key into and abide by our renewed efforts at ridding our country of the cankerworm,” the CJN had said.

    He also directed heads of courts to clamp down on both prosecution and defence counsel who indulged in delay tactics to stall criminal trials.

    The EFCC boss lauded the initiative, which he said would curtail “unnecessary delays in prosecution of corruption cases.”

    Uwujaren stated that Magu had expressed optimism that the innovation would strengthen the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country.

    He quoted the EFCC boss as saying “the spate of frivolous and unwarranted adjournments at instances of defence  for the purpose of stalling proceedings is over.

    “With special courts, cases stand great chance of being disposed of quickly.

    “We had clamoured for the creation of special or dedicated courts for over six years.

    “So, the action of the CJN is commendable.”

  • Kogi court remands Boko Haram member

    Kogi court remands Boko Haram member

    A Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of a suspected Boko Haram member, Mustapha Adinoyi over alleged involvement in terrorist activities and illegal possession of firearms.

    Chief Magistrate Levi Animoku, who gave the order after the state Counsel had arraigned the accused in Lokoja, described the alleged offence as “a fearful one”.

    He said that Boko Haram activities had claimed lives of many Nigerians adding, that ”Bail is not granted as a matter of course. The offence is grievous and carries high penalty.

    “The presumptuous of innocence notwithstanding, I refuse the bail of the accused. Consequently, the accused shall be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe,” he said.

    Animoku, thereafter, adjourned the case until Oct. 17 for mention.

    Earlier, the prosecution led by Mohammed Abaji of the state Ministry of Justice told the court that Adinoyi was arrested following intelligence reports by a joint team of the Nigerian Army and the DSS.

    Abaji said that Adinoyi’s handset and SIM card analysis further revealed that he had several meetings with one Dauda Momoh also known as “General”, a Boko Haram commander on the wanted list of the DSS.

    He said that the accused also took the commander to the house of another member of the gang, one Abdul fatai where two single barrel guns, one toy gun, six assorted SIM cards and other weapons were recovered.

    The counsel prayed the court to take cognisance of the offences of criminal conspiracy contrary to Section 97(1) of the Penal Code and belonging to terrorist group contrary to Section four of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

    The alleged offences also included illegal possession of firearms contrary to Section three of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act CAP R11 2004.

  • Delta approves N600m fund for SDGs

    Delta approves N600m fund for SDGs

    Delta Government has approved the release of N600 million counterpart fund for the implementation of the 2017 Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) cycle in the state.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, who disclosed this to newsmen in Asaba, said it was part of the resolutions reached at the State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday in Asaba.

    Ukah said that the council also approved the construction and rehabilitation of more roads across the state to open up linkages between rural communities and urban centers.

    He also said that at the completion of the roads, agrarian communities would be encouraged to evacuate their produce to various markets in line with the Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa agenda of prosperity for all Deltans.

    Also the State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Vincent Uduaghan, who responded to questions on the state divestment of its 60 per cent share in Delta Line Transport Company, said the move was apt.

    Uduaghan said that the state transport company had degenerated to the extent that it could not pay salaries of its workers among other bills despite many years of government investments and support.

    According to the commissioner, Delta Line debt now stands at over N500 million.

    “Year in, year out, the record is there that government has invested in Delta Line but the expectation is not what happened.

    “So, in looking for a way forward, the state divesting 60 per cent of its share in Delta Line is the right way to ensure an effective, efficient and result oriented transport company for all Deltans and Nigerians to enjoy,” he said.

    Also, the Commissioner for Finance, David Edevwie, said that the 60 per cent share in the company amounted to about N160 million, adding that negotiation was on to ensure that most of the over 800 staff of Delta Line were retained.

    He said that though the government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) with the preferred bidder, God is Good Motors; discussion was on to ensure that the right staff were recruited.

    According to Edevwie, the preferred bidder has the expertise and would introduce new technologies to make the transport company safer, accountable and viable.

    “To the best of my knowledge, I can count three times that government had pumped in millions into Delta Line and at the end there is no result to show for it.

    “The company cannot pay its workers salary, creditors, so the issue has been debated in the Council before we arrived at where we are today, which is the signing of MoU.

    “We have not completed the process, there is still going to be lots of discussion with union of Delta Line Company and I am sure at the end we will fare better than we have had over the past 17 years that the company had existed,” the commissioner said.

    Edevwie said that the new management would also shoulder the company’s liabilities of well over N500 million.

    The commissioner also spoke on the delay in completing the Multi-billion Naira Independent Power Plant (IPP) at Oghara, Ethiope East Local Government Area, saying it was due to paucity of fund.

    He said that government was considering to divest part of its share in the project, or sell it off, after a complete review of the project.

    Edevwie disclosed that the government had engaged an adviser on the way forward on the IPP project, adding that a definite decision would be taken before December.

  • Buhari lauds Jordan for military donation

    Buhari lauds Jordan for military donation

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in New York lauded the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the donation of hardware in support of Nigeria’s campaign against terrorism and insurgency.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Femi Adesina.

    He said that Buhari made the commendation at a bilateral meeting with Femi AdesinaII of Jordan on the sideline of the ongoing 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    Adesina said the President was delighted with the pledge by the Jordanian government to further supply helicopters to Nigeria.

    He quoted Buhari saying that “the very expensive donation of about 200 Armoured Fighting Vehicles reflects true concern for Nigeria’s security situation and genuine goodwill towards a friendly nation.’’

    The presidential aide said Buhari also reassured the King of Nigeria’s commitment towards the proposed Aqaba Process with countries in the region.

    Aqaba is the only coastal city in Jordan and the largest and most populous city on the Gulf of Aqaba

    “Nigeria is willing to play a leading role in bringing together countries in the West African sub-region into this collective security arrangement.”

    He said the president pledged Nigeria’s continued desire for enhanced bilateral ties with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

    The Jordanian King had earlier informed Buhari that his Government was in the process of opening an embassy in Abuja in the next few months.

    He, therefore, expressed appreciation over the support being extended to his country by the Nigerian government in this regard.

    He told Buhari that his National Security Adviser ( NSA ) would soon be working out the finer details of the Aqaba Process with his Nigerian counterpart.

    The President was accompanied to the bilateral meeting, the third of its kind since the inception of the current administration, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and the NSA, retired Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno.

    Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Tijjani Bande also attended the meeting.

    The statement recalled that soon after President Buhari took office in 2015, the Jordanian King had offered a hand of friendship, cooperation and support for Nigeria in its fight against terrorism and insurgency.

    This resulted in the NSA undertaking two visits to Jordan to follow up on issues previously discussed with the King, and the donation of military hardware and pledge of further support.

    These gestures were aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s operational capabilities in the fight against terror both within the country and the Lake Chad Basin.

    The security situation in Nigeria affects neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger where the Multinational Joint Task Force is engaging the Boko Haram insurgents and terrorists.

    The NSA’s second trip to Jordan on the invitation of the King in January 2016 to attend the 3rd Aqaba Process also resulted in a renewed commitment between the two countries to consider multilateral action in confronting the menace of terrorism.

    The Kingdom of Jordan has similar Aqaba arrangement with the East African countries battling protracted terrorist menace.

    Nigeria has agreed to work with countries in the region on a similar arrangement with Jordan.

    “It is anticipated that the first Aqaba Process for Nigeria and sister countries within the sub-region with Jordan will be held in late November or early December 2017,’’ the statement said.

  • Mass literacy: Commission targets 10m Nigerians

    Mass literacy: Commission targets 10m Nigerians

    The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult Education and Non-Formal Education ( NMEC ), says it has developed an operational plan for a “National Mass Literacy Programme’’ aimed at reaching no fewer than 10 million Nigerians.

    Prof. Abba Haladu, NMEC Executive Secretary, said this on Tuesday on sidelines of the Ministerial Press Briefing in celebration of The International Literacy Day in collaboration with UNESCO in Abuja.

    He said the plan would speed up goverment efforts of addressing the issue of illiteracy in the country.

    “In the National Mass Literacy Programme that we have developed, it is actually envisioning that in the next three years over 10 million Nigerians will actually be targeted.

    “So we are actually soliciting the support of the federal government and of course we have to collaborate with the state government and local governments and other partners.

    “So we will continue to mobilise and we hope that the government will actually finance it and we hope the government will give the sector the attention it deserves.

    “We hope that the private sector will also give its helping hand and contribution so that through this every Nigerian we have the opportunity to acquire basic literacy skills.’’

    He stressed that the non-formal education sector should be given as much priority as the formal sector in order to achieve sustainable development in the country.

    Haladu said that there must be the political will by state and local governments to provide the necessary material support for the eradication of illiteracy in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

    “The non-formal education sector is very important just like the formal education sector and it needs to be accorded greater prominence in terms of political will and in terms of funding from all tiers or levels of government.

    “So once we have this realisation and the fact that all political office holders from top to bottom give the sector a priority, I assure you within a few years a lot of the challenges and problems we have in the sector will actually be addressed.

    “Nigerians are ready and we should mobilise them to ensure each and everyone gives his own contribution to educate our children, to educate our youths, to educate our adults for sustainable development.

    “No development can take place so far as a significant percentage of our population of our country remains illiterate.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this year marks the 51st International Literacy Day since the day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1966.

    The theme of this year’s celebration is “Literacy in a Digital World’’ and it highlights the challenges and opportunities in the promotion of literacy in the digital world.

  • Biafra: Ex-Senate President denies link to Blessing Anyim

    Biafra: Ex-Senate President denies link to Blessing Anyim

    Former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim has denied link with the United State-based Nigerian actress, Blessing Anyim, who spoke about the on-going Biafra agitations in Nigeria.

    Anyim in a statement in an online media platform said he never had any child by that name, and that all his children are based in Nigeria.

    According to him:

    My attention has been drawn to a publication credited to one “Blessing, Anyim Pius Anyim’s daughter” in Nairaland online platform.

    I want to use this opportunity to clarify the following:

    1. That none of my children lives or had ever lived outside Nigeria
    2. That I have no daughter that is an actress. My only daughter just finished her first degree examination in Nigeria last month and so is yet to undergo her National Youth Service talk less of engaging in any carrier.
    3. That as at today, I am the only politician in my house and so none of my children or even my wife has any political interest or any opinion on national issues.

    May I state that the statement though may not be hurtful but is not from anybody related to me in anyway and as a matter of fact nobody in my family knows the actress under reference.

    It is my wish that our mass communicators should always verify their facts.

    OUR ERROR: Contrary to our earlier report, it has been confirmed that Blessing Anyim is not the daughter of former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim. Error regretted.

  • NLC threatens to name, shame governors owing salaries

    NLC threatens to name, shame governors owing salaries

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to name and shame state governors, who refused to pay complete salaries to workers in the country, in spite of the bailout funds.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President said this at the National Executive Council meeting of the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Wabba said that some state governors have refused to effectively utilise both the bailout funds and the Paris Club refund given to them by the Federal Government.

    According to him, 10 out of the 36 states are particularly guilty of the offence, while six of the ten states were in terrible situation. We have promised to name and shame them.

    “The congress has directed all states chapters whose members are owed more than three months’ salaries arrears to declare an industrial action and we have promised to name and shame them.

    “The states include Imo that has been paying workers’ salaries in percentage and has not declared utilization of the bailout fund and Paris club refund.

    “”They paid 40 per cent pension to their pensioners without their consent and provided a form for them to sign under duress. That is not allowed in law.

    “We have Bayelsa which has between five to 10 months’ arrears, Ondo is owing between four and six, Ekiti, (five to eight), Benue (five to eight) and Kogi which is the worst case scenario.

    “We have three category of workers in Kogi. We have 40 per cent that are being paid up to date, we have 25 per cent that had not been paid between eight and sixteen months.

    “We also have another 25 per cent that have not been paid between eight and twenty-one months.

    “In all the sectors, they have categorised the workers into three categories,” he said.

    The president also listed Osun, Ebonyi, Zamfara and Abia among others still owing salaries and non-implementation of the 2011 National Minimum Wage for workers.

    Wabba while speaking on the issue of increase tariff, warned the government against approving another increase in electricity tariff.

    He said that the congress would mobilise its affiliates, social partners and other Nigerians to resist any further increase.

    He noted that Nigerians were yet to get good services for the previous increment which has been declared illegal by the court.

    “The twin issue of fuel price increase and electricity tariff has made nonsense of the minimum wage. We have not been able to justify that 45 per cent increase.

    “But now, they are coming again with another increase. Let me say emphatically that NLC as an Organisation and all our affiliates will resist any attempt to increase the electricity tariff again,”he warned.

    Earlier, Mr Chris Ani, National President of NASU, said the current agitation for restructuring and fiscal federalism were attempts to divert attention from misgovernance and ineptitude the nation has been going through.

    Ani said that Nigerians should not be distracted by elements that have actively participated in the looting and mismanagement of our economy and can be found in the two major political parties.

    “What Nigeria workers need at this point in time is not whether more power should be given to states, but to know how they have managed the power at their disposal at the moment,”he said.

    He, however, urged the government to ensure improved welfare and benefits, jobs security, prompt payment of salaries, among others for workers in the country.

  • NSE market indicators dip further by 0.08%

    NSE market indicators dip further by 0.08%

    A total of 174.65 million shares valued at N2.83 billion were traded in 3,783 deals on the Nigerian Stock Exchange ( NSE ) on Tuesday.

    These were against the 162.74 million shares worth N1.54 billion traded in 3,225 deals on Monday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NSE market capitalisation depreciated further by N9 billion or 0.08 per cent to close at N12.012 trillion from N12.021 trillion recorded on Monday.

    The All-Share Index, which opened at 34,873.07, lost 26.25 basis points to close at 34,846.82.

    Seplat led the losers’ chart with a loss of N6.76 to close at N450 per share.

    7UP followed, depreciating by N4.48 to close at N85.82, while Nigerian Breweries dropped N2.01 to close at N167.99 per share.

    Total Oil dipped by N1.9 to close at N223.1, while PZ Cussons depreciated by N1 to close at N24 per share.

    Conversely, Nestle topped the gainers’ table with N23.9 to close at N12228.9 per share.

    It was trailed by GTBank which gained 54k to close at N38.54 per share.

    Stanbic IBTC gained 5k to close at N40, while Unilever appreciated by 2k to close at N42 per share.

    Also, Guinness up by 15k to close at N96.8 per share.

    GTBank was the toast of investors, trading 33.84 million shares worth N1.29 billion.

    FCMB came second, trading 12.58 million shares worth N12.88 million, while FBNH sold 12.53 million shares valued at N65.22 million.

    Mansard traded 11.62 million shares worth N23.12 million, while Zenith Bank sold 10.56 million valued at N232.62 million.

  • FAAN, NiMet get international certification – Minister

    FAAN, NiMet get international certification – Minister

    Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) has received international certification for Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA ).

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika while receiving the certification of FAAN and Nigerian Meteorological Agency ( NiMet ) in
Abuja on Tuesday, said both certificates were huge achievements toward security and safety in the aviation sector.

    He said that Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, was the first international Airport in Nigeria to meet the requirement by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and NCAA regulations.

    “This is indeed a huge achievement as far as we are concerned, Mr President had told us to secure this country and manage it, therefore, inline with his vision we align in building institutions and getting them to work well.
    “Because once that is achieved it means that we are managing the country well, strong institutions will definitely begets strong nation.

    The country had tried time and again to certify our airports in the past.

    “It is a global requirements by International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO ) convention and Aerodrome requires that airports must be standardised.
    “Under different ownership, under different cultures and climates, under different conditions all over the world and they must be standardise and they must reflect certain minimum standard of safety and security.

    “This made it very paramount to ensure that our airports are certified.

    “We promised the nation that we will get these airports certified, today by the grace of God we have achieved that milestone,” he said.

    According to him, they are beginning to certify the airports with the Murtala Muhammed International Airport been the first to be certified by NCAA through ICAO standards.

    He said this certification borders on safety which is a huge achievement in making sure that the nation institutions are strong, dynamic, focused and sensitive.

    Sirika, however, commended the Ministry of Transportation for making the certification achievable and possible, stating that they hope to get certification for Nnamdi Nzikiwe airport before the end of the year.

    He said they would ensure that both international and domestic airports get certified which would increase the value, the insurance would be low, charges and ticket would be lower as a result of the certification.

    The Minister of State noted that the world will be at peace to know that Nigeria aviation is secured with flight operation being safe and secured within and outside the country.

    He said that Mr President and the National Council had approved the concessioning of four major airports in the country which are Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.

    Sirika further said that Nigeria will host the International Civil Aviation Organisation World Aviation Forum taking place on the Nov. 20 to Nov. 22 in Abuja, which is the first time the forum will be held outside Canada.

    Speaking earlier, Managing Director of FAAN, Saleh Dunoma said FAAN has successfully completed the Aerodrome certification process of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

    He said that the Aerodrome certification is an international requirement with the primary objective to ensure that all international Airports meets international safety standards.

    “Aerodrome certification means ensuring the standardisation and harmonisation of airport service, facilities and procedures, as well as ensuring uniformity in safety.”

    He said that the drive toward certification of Nigeria airports was yielding positive result as Nigeria was implementing one of the critical safety targets.

    He said that Nigeria started the process of certification 11 years ago but due to several reasons they were unable to certify the airports until now.

    According to him, with the certification of the Murtala Muhammad Airport, they will concentrate on the Nmandi Nzikiwe international Airport in Abuja, then to other airport.

    He said FAAN was committed in the drive to get the aerodrome certification for all the airports in Nigeria.

    Dunoma said that the certification would be renewed after three years, which will be year 2020.

    Director for Western and Central Africa, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

    Mr Sani Marshi, the Director-General of NiMet presented the International Standard Organisation (ISO) 2015 certification to the minister.

    He said that NiMet was the first in the continent to have been given the international certification in compliance with international best practices.

    He said that this is a huge achievement in the Nigerian aviation sector as Nigeria would become an example to other African countries.

    Mr Mam Sait Jallow, ICAO Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said that both certifications are two key standards related to safety as most of the aircraft accidents are due to issued related to runway safety and also weather conditions.

    “These are really key achievements which we wanted to witness and we won’t stop here because we are still in house and we have to climb on the roofs to publish what we have done.

    “Technically, we have just concluded phase four and as far as certification is concerned, we now need to publish aeronautical information to the world for them to know that the Murtala Mohammed Airport is now certified likewise NiMet,” Jallow said.