The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • FCTA, ITF to collaborate on skills development

    FCTA, ITF to collaborate on skills development

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA ), has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Industrial Training Fund ( ITF ) to train youths in the territory on necessary entrepreneurial and vocational skills.

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, said this when the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of ITF, Sir Joseph Ari paid him a courtesy visit on Friday in Abuja.

    “We are ready to partner with ITF to reduce unemployment in the Territory by ensuring that our youths acquire the necessary skills that would make them self-employed and employers of labour.

    “This is especially very important now that there is so much influx of people from every part of the country into the Territory,’’ he said.

    According to him, this is in a bid to curtail the rate of unemployment in the territory and the country in general.

    The minister, represented by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Chinyeaka Ohaa lauded the enormous contributions of the ITF in repositioning the nation’s economy on the path of sustainable growth and development.

    “We know that ITF is one of the foremost institutions that have helped Nigeria’s economy tremendously.

    “In fact, your role is even more critical now that we are having unemployment issues,’’ he added.

    Earlier, Ari, the ITF director-general, said that given the position of FCT as the gateway of Nigeria, the agency believed in partnership with FCTA.

    “This partnership particularly in the area of skills acquisition will assist immensely to achieve the dream of President Muhammadu Buhari, to empower young people with requisite skills.

    “We are here to synergise with FCTA being the gateway of Nigeria to achieve the dream of Buhari which is hinged on empowering people with skills in different areas,’’ he explained.

    The ITF boss further said that the agency had keyed into the policy of Federal Government on the “Ease of Doing Business and other international trends.

    NAN

  • Akwa Ibom seals up two hospitals for malpractices

    Akwa Ibom seals up two hospitals for malpractices

    The Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, said on Friday that two hospitals had been sealed up for malpractices.

    Ukpong made this known to newsmen in Eket.

    “I have shut down two hospitals for malpractices. We inspected them and found that they do not conform to hospital standards.

    “We have shut them down and we are not going to re-open them again.”

    Ukpong refused to give the names of the hospitals but only said that one of them was owned by someone from a neighbouring state.

    He added that the ministry had sacked one medical doctor for allegedly stealing beds while some health practitioners were also sanctioned for negligence in their duties.

    “I caught some health workers either sleeping on duty or careless about their patients.

    “Those who were negligent in their duties, I have moved them to my office.

    “They cannot practice their profession again.”

    Ukpong said that the ministry conducts regular checks to identify negligent health workers.

    According to him, the state government has commenced the construction of a state-owned hospital at Itu-Mbang in Uyo which will be inaugurated by May 2018.

    “We are constructing a state-owned hospital at Itu-Mbang; we don’t have a state-owned hospital in Uyo, the state capital.

    The commissioner said that state government also planned to build quarters for doctors and house officers.

    NAN

  • UPDATE: Buhari signs eight bills into law

    UPDATE: Buhari signs eight bills into law

    President Muhammadu Buhari has signed eight bills into law including the National Senior Citizens Center Act, 2018. 

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Ita Enang, briefed State House correspondents on Friday. 

    According to him, the National Senior Citizens Center Act, 2018, establishes the National Senior Citizens Center in the country to cater for the needs of the senior citizens.

    Others bills signed into law are Legislative Houses (Power and Privileges), 2018, National Institute of Legislative Studies (Amendment) Act, 2018, and Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Spain (Domestication and Enforcement ) Act, 2018.

    Others are Rail Loan (International Bank) (Repeal) Act, 2018, Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2018, Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration Act, 2018 and Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (Establishment), Act, 2018.

    The Legislative House Power and Privileges Act, Enang said, grants the Legislative Houses in the National Assembly and State Houses of  Assembly immunity from litigation for actions taken in plenary or committee proceedings of the House or committee. 

    It strengthens the power of the Legislators to carry out their Legislative functions.

    The powers include powers to summon any person to appear before her, give evidence, including power of an officer of the legislative House to arrest any person who commits an offense against the Act.

    The National Institute for Legislative Studies (Amendment) Act establishing the Institute and widens her Powers to include powers to provide training courses and Award Degrees on Democracy, Party Politics, Electoral Process, Legislative Practice and Procedures among others.

  • FRSC to reduce road crashes, fatality in Zamfara

    FRSC to reduce road crashes, fatality in Zamfara

    The Zamfara Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) said on Friday in Gusau that it was determined to reduce road crashes and road fatality this year.

    The Sector Commander, Mr Jones Malomo, told our reporter in an interview that the command would reduce crashes by 15 per cent and fatality by 30 per cent.

    Malomo said that part of the command’s 2018 strategic goal was to reduce road crashes, enhance professionalism and enforce rescue services.

    “Road safety is a professional job; so there is need for regular in-house training, seminars, and retreats as well as practical aspect of road traffic management,’’ he said.

    The sector commander also urged road users to get the new driver’s licences, adding that it was very important and useful in Nigeria and other countries.

    “The patronage of new driver’s licence is low and there are some drivers’ licences at the Board of Internal Revenue waiting to be collected by their owners.

    “The new driver’s licence entails going to driving school and undergoing a driving test at the VIO’s office and the licence is valid for between three and five years.

    He said that the validity period depended on the amount paid during registration, emphasising that a driver’s licence was an important document to any driver.

    NAN

  • Buhari signs eight bills into law

    Buhari signs eight bills into law

    President Muhammadu Buhari has signed eight bills into law.
    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Ita Enang, briefed State House correspondents on Friday.
    Details Later.
  • FG inaugurates Committee to implement Water Resources master plan

    FG inaugurates Committee to implement Water Resources master plan

    The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, on Friday inaugurated a 14-member Policy Advisory Committee to help in implementing the National Water Resources Master plan.

    At the event in Abuja, Adamu said the committee became necessary considering the nation’s diverse and economic water resources which needed coordinated and integrated management.

    According to him, continuous growth in population, urban migration, varied and increase in water demand requires well researched policies and effective planning.

    “The Policy Advisory Committee shall advise the Minister of water resources concerning local and international developments in the water sector including the implementation of the National Water Resources Master Plan.

    “They are to advise on climate change issues, Water Law and Policy implementation, Transboundary Water Issues, tracking of National Council on Water Resources decisions. ”

    Adamu expressed hope that with the combined wealth of experience of the committee members, they would be able to meet the target before them.

    He also expressed hope that the National Water Resources Bill before the National Assembly would be passed into law towards effective management of the water resources potential of the country.

    The minister urged the members to brainstorm of what could be done to change the narrative of the water resources sector in the country, adding that Federal Government was more committed to improve the lives of all Nigerians.

    The Chairman of the committee, Prof. Suleiman Mustapha, pledged the commitment of the team to actively engage between themselves towers better water resources management and integration.

    READ ALSO: ‘Why Solid Minerals Fund was restructured’

    Mustapha said the Terms of Reference highlights the urgent issues of the water resources sector, citing the issues of climate change, Lake chad receding, adding that concerted efforts was needed to reverse the trend.

    “It’s an onerous task that must be done, We must shun every dishonesty and ensure that the targeted goal is met.

    “Water resources over the years have not been given the necessary attention, with this committee in place, we will go forward.”

    Another committee member, Mr Michael Adesina, said it was saddening to note that Water resources development has not been given priority of attention, saying more commitment was needed from all stakeholders to move the sector forward.

    He cited the 2012 floods which saw some villages washed away due to the inability of the Benue basin to to accommodate the water.

    He added that there was the need to keep the momentum high on the importance of water resources as it affects health, socio-economic development.

    “If you go round the cities, no less than 50 per cent of hospital attendance and admission are as a result of water borne disease, we need to keep talking about these issues. ”

    Others members of the committee are Prof. Ben Nwachukwu, Prof. Lekan Oyebande, Nurudeen Rafindadi, Dr Dauda Gowon, James Obong-Bassey and Musa Ibrahim.

    Others are Dr Emmanuel Adanu, Tanwa Koya, Garba Iliya among others.

    NAN

  • Man bags five strokes of cane for shouting Allah in front of barracks’ gate

    Man bags five strokes of cane for shouting Allah in front of barracks’ gate

    A Kubwa Grade 1 Area Court on Friday sentenced one Saidu Adamu ‎to five strokes of cane for criminal trespass.

    Adamu of Dutse Alhaji in Abuja had pleaded guilty to a count charge of criminal trespass.

    The accused told the court that while he was in front of the gate he trespassed into, he shouted the name of `Allah’ and the gate opened wide for him to gain entrance.

    The judge, Mohammed Marafa, however, warned Adamu to be of good behaviour and desist from committing crime.

    The Prosecutor, Babajide Olanipekun, had told the court that ASP Ekennebe‎ Friemeya of MD Abubakar Barracks, Deidei, Abuja, reported the matter at the Kubwa Police Station on January 21.

    Also Read: Brothers in court for stealing Christmas chickens

    He said Adamu criminally trespassed into the camp at the said barracks and remained there with intent to commit an offence.

    The prosecutor said Adamu was arrested when he attempted to escape adding that the offence contravened Section 342 of the Penal Code.

    (NAN)

  • Sick people no longer rely on doctors’ advice – Study

    Sick people no longer rely on doctors’ advice – Study

    Sick people are no longer prepared to rely on what the doctor tells them, while almost half of them go online to glean unverified health advice from internet, a German study has said.

    According to the survey published on Friday by the Bertelsmann Foundation and based in part on in-depth interviews, some 46 per cent of people who sought information on health issues over the past 12 months used the internet.

    The survey found that 58 per cent of these patients went online for information before going to their doctor; while as many as 62 per cent went onto the internet even after the doctor’s appointment.

    Report says the reasons vary since patients check the advice they receive from the doctor and also look for alternative methods of treatment.

    They seek to exchange ideas with others and look for emotional support, as the evaluation of 36 in-depth interviews revealed.

    Some 52 per cent are “always” or “usually” satisfied with the results found, although this information is not thoroughly scrutinised.

    Marion Grote-Westrick of the Bertelsmann Foundation said the in-depth interviews showed that online advice was often trusted too easily.

    “Patients barely checked to see whether the information they found was scientifically based,’’ she said.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • Trump asked to finalise details of visit to Britain – May

    Trump asked to finalise details of visit to Britain – May

    British Prime Minister Theresa May and U.S. President Donald Trump have asked officials to “work together on finalising the details of Trump’s visit to the UK later this year,’’ May’s office reports.

    May and Trump met on Thursday on the sidelines on the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a day ahead of a scheduled keynote speech by Trump.

    They discussed Iran and Syria, while May briefed the U.S. president on the “good progress’’ in Britain’s negotiations on leaving the European Union, Downing Street said.

    “The two leaders reiterated their desire for a strong trading relationship post-Brexit, which would be in the interests of both countries,’’ it said.

    Trump announced earlier this month that he had cancelled a visit to London coinciding with the opening of a new U.S. embassy on February 26, when mass protests against him were planned in London.

    He said he did not like the building and thought it was a “bad deal’’ financially.

    Critics said the real reason for Trump’s cancellation of the trip was the strong opposition to him in Britain.

    Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Monday blamed the opposition Labour party for whipping up anti-Trump sentiment, which risks “damaging the national interest.’’ (dpa/NAN)

  • Edo LG polls: Religious leaders, market women warn hired militants to stay away

    Edo LG polls: Religious leaders, market women warn hired militants to stay away

    Prominent religious leaders in Edo State and the leader of market women in the state have thrown their weight behind the resolve of the Edo State Government to ensure peaceful local council polls scheduled for March 3, 2018.

    They urged the people planning to disrupt the local government elections to stay away from the state and called on the security agents to do all within their powers to guarantee a peaceful atmosphere for the electorates to cast their votes.

    In a telephone interview, the Archbishop of Bendel Province and Bishop of Esan Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Dr. Friday John Imaekhai, said: “There are rules for the conduct of elections and my advice to the candidates participating in the elections is that they should abide by the rules. The contestants should not see as it do or die affair. We do not want violence in Edo State.”

    He added: “The law enforcement agents should ensure that there is an atmosphere of peace for voters cast their votes.”

    The Archbishop denounced any plot by any party or individuals to cause mayhem in the state and said “we should avoid violence. Election is not a do or die affair. We must respect the dignity of the human being. We are praying for the Edo State government because so far, we appreciate the work of the state government. We are one people with a common destiny and must continue to sue for peace. No bloodshed.”

    Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Edo State, Bishop Mond Igbinosa, called for a free, fair and peaceful election, stressing that “There must be no multiplicity of voting, everyone should act in a very civil manner while voting so that we can have a better Nigeria.”

    In his words: “It is high time we all grew up and made Nigeria work. I am aware of the generally peaceful primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo Central and we hope the exercise continues to be peaceful. It is time to make things work in the nation.”

    Leader of Edo Market Women, Madam Blackie Ogiamien, challenged the merchants of violence planning to cause mayhem in the state to seek a location outside Edo State for their evil plot and said that “we do not want fight in Edo State. We are one family in the state and the man that God has ordained is the one that will emerge.”

    The calls by the religious leaders and Edo market women follow similar calls by a coalition of civil society organisations led by the Concerned Citizens of Edo State (CCES) on the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) not test the will and might of Edo people, with media reports that the PDP is plotting to derail the electoral process.

    “We have read news reports of a clandestine design by the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) to subvert the forthcoming local government elections, using the instruments of the court and where that fails, recourse to arm youths and engage Niger Delta militias to stop the election.

    “We have commissioned an independent investigation to establish the veracity of this report and a cursory appraisal of our findings validate the fears raised by the Edo State Government, that there is indeed a grand plan by the PDP to sabotage the election. We wish to put on record that we have reasons to believe the reports because the PDP had earlier kicked against the planned elections and told Nigerians of their plan to approach the court to challenge the planned local government elections,” leader of the organisation, Aghedo Ogbewi was quoted as saying by several news outlets.

     He was reported to have warned that “gone are the days our youths were deceived or cowed by the PDP. Edo youths are wiser now and will resist any self-serving plot by the PDP or any other political party or group, to disrupt a process that will bring socio-economic development to the ordinary Edo people in the various local government areas of the state.”