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Ogun lawmaker denies news of decamping to PDP

Mr Olusola Odofin-Sonuga, a member of Ogun House of Assembly, on Tuesday denied the news that he had left All Progressives Congress ( APC ) for Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ).

Odofin-Sonuga, representing Ikenne Constituency, said in Abeokuta that he had no issues with his party, APC.

He said he had no reasons to dump APC for another party.

The social media was awash with reports that the lawmaker had dumped APC ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“My attention has been drawn to the fake news going round the public that I have decamped to the PDP.

“That is not true and it is important to address the issue immediately.

Read also: No plan to dump PDP for APGA – Oduah

“Last week Tuesday, I visited Ladi Adebutu, House of Representatives member under the platform of the PDP, in his house in Iperu Remo, Ogun State.

“I paid him a visit to commiserate with him over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted a building in his house.

“But to my surprise, I received news from social media that I had decamped and there were several calls to confirm if I had decamped to the PDP.

“I want to state categorically that I was not the only prominent APC member that visited Adebutu that day to commiserate with him.

“Moreover, I don’t think visiting a senior colleague and a good friend has anything to do with me decamping from my party to the PDP.

“I, Olusola Odofin-Sonuga, hereby publicly declare that I have not decamped to the PDP and any news of such should be ignored,’’ he said.

The lawmaker urged his supporters not to be distracted, saying that the current government at the state and national levels meant well for citizens.

NAN

January 16, 2018
Barca’s Dembele suffers another hamstring injury

Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele has suffered another hamstring injury and will be out of action for between three and four weeks, the La Liga leaders said on Monday.

The French winger, signed last year from Borussia Dortmund for a fee which could rise to 147 million euros, suffered a hamstring tear in September that kept him out until January.

Dembele featured in four games after returning, starting one, before suffering a new problem in the 4-2 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday.

“Tests have confirmed that the player has suffered a hamstring injury of the semitendinosus muscle that does not affect the area operated on earlier in the season,” Barcelona said in a statement.

Dembele will miss King’s Cup and La Liga matches, but should return before the Champions League last-16 clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Feb. 20.

Captain Andres Iniesta, who was on the bench against Real Sociedad, also has a problem in his right calf and is a doubt for the King’s Cup match at Espanyol on Wednesday.

NAN

January 16, 2018
Ajimobi charges governing council of state varsities on value addition

Oyo state Governor Abiola Ajimobi has charged members of the newly inaugurated governing council for the six state owned tertiary institutions to come up with creative ideas that would add value and turn around the fortune of the institutions.

The governor gave the charge at the Executive Chamber of his office while inaugurating the councils, following their appointment which was announced on Tuesday, January 9.

The six government owned tertiary institutions including, The Polytechnic, Ibadan; Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo; Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora; The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa; The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, and College of Education, Lanlate have been on indefinite strike since November 2 over issues bothering on salary arrears and reduction of subvention to the institutions to 25 percent.

Ajimobi urged the new appointees to demonstrate creativity and commitment aimed at adding value that would bring new lease of life to the institutions, saying “our institutions have been bedeviled by lots of challenges which are not from us as a government but the present challenges.

“We have carefully selected you, having found you to be men and women of proven integrity to add value to our institutions.

“I know all of you by your professionalism, value and competence. We believe in your ability to reposition the institutions. There is no doubt in my mind that you all are equal to the task and will make a difference”

Clearing the air on the issue of salary arrears that have led to the closure of the institutions by the workers unions, Ajimobi said government was not responsible for the payment of salaries but has been “magnanimous in giving quarterly subventions to the institutions.”

He urged the governing councils and management of the institutions to work out survival strategies by diversifying out of the traditional source of revenue.

“We have employed KPMG Advisory Service to audit the institutions. KPMG in its report has advised that some institutions were unsustainable and some should be close down.

“I charge you to come forth with ideas that will add value and bring a new lease of life to the institutions. We are hopeful that government could review its reduction in subvention as the economy becomes more buoyant,” he said.

The governor said that the country today was training clerks and not technological staff or entrepreneurs, saying such was the reason for the establishment of Technical University, Ibadan to make a difference.

Ajimobi said that the institution has commenced academic activities with much emphasis on technology and entrepreneurship.

Chairman, Governing Council of the Polytechnic Ibadan, Prof. I.A Adeyemi who spoke on behalf of the newly inaugurated councils appreciated the governor for the careful and meticulous selection assuring that they would not let the governor by putting in their best and more so to prove they were men and women of proven integrity.

“We hope to build strategic idea to bring solutions to the challenges bedeviling the institutions. I assure you that we have already started the efforts here. We should be able to come up with a strategic plan for each institution that will bring about the desired development and expected difference,” he said.

The event was attended by members of the state executive council and heads of the various institutions.

January 16, 2018
FG approves tertiary military hospital for Sokoto

Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Tuesday commended the Nigerian Army for the establishment of a tertiary military hospital in Sokoto.

Accordingly, the hospital facility will serve as centre of excellence for diseases of military importance.

A statement issued to reporters in Sokoto by Malam Imam Imam, spokesman to the Governor said the hospital, the first of its kind in the country, will also serve as a research institution with a United Nations’-grade international public health laboratory.

The government according to the statement had provided space at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital for temporary use by the hospital pending completion of its permanent site.

The statement quoted Tambuwal as saying that some states have applied to be given the right to host the facility, but Sokoto emerged the preferred destination.

His words: “First of all, I want to inform the people of Sokoto state that our efforts in attracting important projects from within and outside the country has continued to yield positive results.

“This hospital is of great importance not just to the military but to our people as a whole. Diseases of military importance are areas of concern globally because of the large population of people that can be infected after outbreaks.

“Such diseases are subject of importance in efforts to counter bioterrorism and bio-weapons by aggressor nations. These infectious diseases include among others dengue fever, ebola, lassa fever, anthrax among others.

“Having a centre in Sokoto dedicated to countering these likely outbreaks is a welcome development. We will support the hospital with facilities and logistics to properly take off until it is fully on its feet,” he added.

The statement also dispelled the notion that the government has permanently handed over the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital to the military.

“We just sent a bill to the state House of Assembly to establish the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital as property of the state government. Its position has not changed. The military will use the facility pending when all facilities for the newly-established Nigerian Army’s 8 Division, Sokoto, are fully ready,” the Governor added.

January 16, 2018
OAU releases new procedure for accommodation

The Division of Student Affairs ( DSA ), Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU ) released a new procedure for accommodation processes recently, stating how bed spaces will be allocated to students in the forthcoming 2017/2018 session.

Prior to this, the issue of accommodation has always been a major issue for many students of the University as the process of securing accommodation has been a very rigorous one which the majority of students eventually do not acquire.

The DSA in line with the decision of the school management has decided to reduce the number of bed spaces in each room, thereby reducing the population of students in the halls of residence.

The factor responsible for this decision is to reduce the number of students in each room and to allow convenience of students and for proper management of the halls of residence, which in turn would be an improvement in the living condition of the students in the halls of residence.

Consequently, the bed spaces provided will be limited and accommodation is therefore not guaranteed for any student. This decision is favourable towards the fresh students (first year students) and the final year students; however, securing accommodation will be based on first – come, first – served application.

However, there will be no special request for bed spaces either by staff or students. The DSA advises every student to look out for information concerning accommodation on the E- portal, the OAU website and the DSA notice board before the session 2016/2017 comes to an end.

January 16, 2018
Paracetamol abuse damages liver, Kidney says PSN chairman

Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria ( PSN ) has warned against indiscriminate or misuse of Paracetamol, saying such practice damages the liver and kidney.

Mr Jelili Kilani, PSN Chairman, FCT Chapter, who disclosed this in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday emphasised that Paracetamol, an analgesic, was not suppose to be misused.

Kilani defined drug misuse as the use of drug for purposes for which it was not intended or using a drug in excessive quantities.

He further described drug abuse as an ill-wind which its effect might not manifest immediately but later in life.

The chairman, however, decried the usual practice of taking about three or more tablet of Paracetamol at once to fast track healing processes.

Read also: Your kidney is your life

“By engaging in such practice, you are damaging your internal organs like the liver and kidney, which if care is not taken, such damages cannot be remedy.’’

Kilani, therefore, urged the general public to desist from misuse of Paracetamol in order to avert inflicting injury to their system.

“Misuse of drug is when somebody is tired and decides to take three or more tablet of Paracetamol simply because he wanted a quicker or higher effect.

“As good as Paracetamol is, if not properly taken, it damages the liver and kidney; the only drug that is harmless to the body is water.

“I advise the public to desist from self medication.

“If anyone is experiencing feverish condition or body pains after taking Paracetamol once and the symptoms persist, they should consult medical doctors rather than taking the drug continuously,” he said.

NAN

January 16, 2018
FCC Chairman wants synergy with NASS

The Acting Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC), Dr Shettima Abba, has called for close synergy between the commission, governors, National Assembly ( NASS ) members and other stakeholders.

This is contained in a statement issued on Monday by Mr Dipo Akinsola, Director, Public Affairs and Communication, FCC, Abuja.

The acting chairman made the call at an engagement with the Senate Committee public hearing on FCC’s 2018 budget defence.

Abba said this synergy was necessary in order to ensure that all anomalies in terms of under-representations are adequately addressed.

He solicited for the assistance of the senators particularly from the states where the commission had no state officers to interface with the governors of those states.

He said such collaboration would help the commission secure land to build its state offices, enable it meet its mandate of monitoring manpower, and even distribution of amenities and infrastructural facilities.

The statement also quoted Abba debunking some media reports on Jan. 12 as telling the Senate Committee that Commissioners indulge in job racketeering.

“The report was not true and did not represent what transpired at the Senate Committee hearing on the Federal Character Commission’s 2018 budget defence,’’ it said.

It therefore advised the media to always seek for clarification before going to press, assuring that “our doors are always open’’.

NAN

January 16, 2018
TETFund boss inaugurates 14 projects worth N1.4bn at Dutse varsity

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETFund ) on Monday inaugurated 14 projects worth over N1.4 billion at the Federal University Dutse ( FUD ), Jigawa.

The projects inaugurated are: Faculty of Agriculture phase I, II and III, Faculty of General Studies, Centre for Entrepreneurship, Centre for E-Learning, Academic Staff Office Block for Faculty of Arts, Biotechnology Laboratory.

Others are: Computer Science Department, Classrooms and Offices Block, Faculty of of Management Science Phase I, University Clinic and Postgraduate Hostel Phase I.

TETFUND Executive Secretary, Dr Abdullahi Baffa, who inaugurated the projects, commended the university for executing the projects prudently.

“I want to congratulate the Vice-Chancellor for achieving this feat.

“Since the establishment of the TETFUND, this is the first time we are inaugurating the highest number of projects in a single day.

“We commend you for supervising these projects to completion, while many universities are battling corruption charges against contractors the FUD had the mindset to organise themselves to achieve such feat.

“I salute your mindset to deliver these projects, in fact, you delivered them qualitatively.

“And for you to prudently execute these 14 gigantic projects, I am happy to inform you that over N3 billion was allocated to this university in 2017,” Baffa said.

He also urged the university to start the process of accessing the N100 million fund approved to it as zonal intervention for its services and students’ shuttle buses.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Fatima Batul-Mukhtar said that N1.4 billion was expended by the University on the construction of all the projects inaugurated from the 2013 and 2014 special and normal interventions funds.

She added that the college of medicine and health sciences complex and the university sports complex also sponsored by TETFund would be inaugurated in February to serve as part of its third pre-convocation programmes.

“I will like to extend our profound gratitude to TETFUND and the Federal Government for these lofty interventions.

“I also want to appreciate the efforts of the the various contractors that successfully executed these projects,” she added.

NAN

January 16, 2018
Nigerian army has succeeded in keeping the country united – Secondus

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) Prince Uche Secondus has said that the nation’s armed forces have succeeded in keeping the country united.

Prince Secondus said in a statement today, Sunday, to mark the armed forces Remembrance Day, emphasised that Nigeria is standing as one country today due largely to the contributions of the armed forces to keep it United.

The PDP boss noted the gallantry of Nigeria troops in containing the Boko Haram insurgency and the supreme sacrifice paid by federal troops and urged them to remain focused to the cause of a United Nigeria.

“You must remain committed to your profession and to the development of the country’s armed forces in particular and the country in general,” Secondus advised the rest of the citizens, especially political leaders to appreciate the huge contributions of the soldiers and those who paid the supreme sacrifice by being more patriotic and accommodating.

The PDP leader called on the security agencies to be more civil in carrying out their obligations and know that their responsibility is to the country and its citizens and not to only government in power.

January 15, 2018
Obasanjo successfully completes PhD programme at NOUN

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is among 14, 771 persons expected to receive honours at the 7^th convocation of National Open University of Nigeria ( NOUN ), Prof. Abdalla Adamu, NOUN’s Vice-Chancellor, has said.

The former president is expected to receive a doctorate in Christian Theology, Adamu said at a news briefing on the institution’s 2018 convocation scheduled for Jan. 20 at its s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

He said Obasanjo would be considered for an appointment as a facilitator or supervisor as PhD was the least qualification for one to teach in the institution.

The vice-chancellor said 14,771 was the highest number any institution in Nigeria had ever graduated at a convocation ceremony.

He said in spite of being a former president, Obasanjo conducted himself properly and deservedly bagged Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Theology.

“One of the graduands is the first PhD graduate the institution will produce; a university must graduate students at academic Masters Level before graduating PhD.

“Only one candidate has been able to do that and that is Obasanjo; the Senate has found him worthy of the award and approved the conferment of PhD on him.

Read also: Obasanjo, seven governors and Buhari’s second term

“There are lessons to be learnt from Obasanjo’s feat – one is never too old to learn; Obasanjo was about 80 years when he started the programme and has finished it at 82.

“Again, one is never too powerful to learn; he was the president twice and yet subjected himself to learning; learning is a humbling process.

“We will consider him for the post of a facilitator or supervisor; maybe for our Abeokuta Study Centre; we will suggest it to him.’’

Adamu said that because of Obasanjo’s achievement, NOUN had received requests from other older citizens.

He said the institution was able to graduate such a huge number of students because it had created its own internal data management which was previously handled by external vendors.

The vice-chancellor said students who were hitherto not cleared by the external vendors had been cleared.

He said that NOUN’s Business School would soon take off and would run nine professional programmes.

Adamu said the institution had created Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies which would generate employment opportunities for the graduates.

According to him, NOUN has opened linkages with foreign universities in order to broaden its scope.

“Sussex University in the UK has reached out to us-to be its hub in Nigeria; Open University of UK, University of South Africa among other are partnering with us.

“We are expanding to create Diaspora study centres in Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Gambia, Senegal, among others.

“These are still subject to approval from the National Universities Commission, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,’’ he said.

On the standoff between NOUN and the Council for Legal Education over the status of Law graduates, he said that the Senate had passed the NOUN Act Amendment Bill.

He said once both chambers harmonise the bill, it would be sent for presidential assent.

Adamu said once the amendment was signed into law, all controversies surrounding the Law programme as well that concerning the National Youth Service Corps would be resolved.

NAN

January 15, 2018