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Tag: Nigerian news

  • OCHA partner NEMA to tackle disaster

    OCHA partner NEMA to tackle disaster

    The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ( OCHA ), Nigeria, says it is partnering National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ) on strategic planning and coordination of humanitarian agencies, to strengthen disaster response.

    Mrs Alta Bell, UN OCHA Representative, said this at the opening of a four-day workshop organised by NEMA in collaboration with UNICEF on the review and update of the National Multi-Hazard Contingency Plan in Keffi, Nassarawa State.

    Bell noted that the major challenge of humanitarian agencies such as NEMA was coordinating with other agencies during disaster response, which usually delayed conflict resolution.

    She said that the workshop was aimed at bringing together all humanitarian agencies to plan toward proper coordination and early preparation for disaster-prone areas.

    “As a representative of the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), I think our organisation shares a special bond with some organisations like NEMA.

    “We have a challenging role of coordinating across many different organisations and agencies.

    “Even at the international level, we are working with the governments and in the case of NEMA, they have the challenge of trying to work together, coordinate and consolidate across the whole country.

    “They are faced with the challenge to coordinate all the different levels of government and also to bring the different organisations and agencies to work together.

    “To bring everyone together is not a very easy thing; coordination is one of those challenges difficult to define.”

    According to her, coordinating means bringing people together; meeting on a regular basis, doing strategic planning and doing preparation, continuous planning such as the focus of the workshop.

    She urged participants to brainstorm and evolve plans that would help mitigate and improve response to disasters.

    Also speaking, the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Yunusa Maihaja, said that the workshop was aimed at strengthening the commitments and collaborations of stakeholders to identify and delineate roles and responsibilities, to reduce and prevent disasters.

    Maihaja said the review and update of the National Multi-Hazard Contingency plan was of critical national significance.

    According to him, an integrated proactive disaster management is being employed as a necessary strategy for the assurance of human security and promotion of sustainable development.

    He said that it also focused on reducing risk and vulnerability at household, community and at national levels.

    He said that NEMA considered its collaboration with UNICEF a priority and valuable in concerted efforts to build a culture of prevention, preparedness, response and community resilience to disasters.

    The NEMA director-general said that the workshop had further created a platform for exchange of ideas between the UN systems, international NGOs and the private and public sector emergency response stakeholders.

    He said that the recent flood disasters in some parts of the country, especially Benue, Imo and Lagos, were sad reminders of the 2012 flooding which caused a lot of displacement, food insecurity, malnutrition and epidemic.

    Maihaja said that the 2012 flooding and the ongoing humanitarian crises in the North-East were huge economic losses which destroyed national assets as well as claimed lives.

    NAN

  • FAAN inaugurates multi-storey car park at Lagos airport

    FAAN inaugurates multi-storey car park at Lagos airport

    Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ), in partnership with Seymour Aviation Ltd on Wednesday inaugurated a multi-storey car park with a capacity for about 1, 300 cars at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport ( MMIA ), Lagos.

    The six-storey facility, built through a Public Private Partnership ( PPP ) was financed by Fidelity Bank Plc.

    The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Saleh Dunoma, said at the occasion that the facility which would be for a 30-year tenor, would solve the problem of indiscriminate parking within and around the airport.

    He said: “I wish to state that this facility is long overdue and equally timely as it will improve passenger facilitation and reduce the menace of indiscriminate parking within and around the airport.

    “This project is one of the numerous partnerships FAAN has, and is still exploring to improve the infrastructure development at our airports. ”

    Dunoma, who was represented by Alhaji Salisu Daura, the Director of Engineering Services in the agency, said the authority had introduced some measures to ensure a seamless management of the car park by the concessionaire.

    These include restriction at the departure frontage to a drop zone only, enforcement of a no-pick -up zone at the “D” and “E” arrival of the terminal building and designation of parking lots to all escort vehicles at the old temporary car park.

    He added that a task force comprising of MMIA management staff, aviation security, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Police and tow vehicle operators, had been constituted to enforce the restrictions and tow any vehicle parked in front of the terminal building and in the airport vicinity.

    Dunoma appealed to stakeholders, passengers and other airport users to cooperate with the airport management for an effective operation.

    Also speaking, the Managing Director of Seymour Aviation Ltd, Mr Francis Ikenga, described the car park as a milestone for the country as it met all international standards.

    Ikenga said it was equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities including Closed Circuit Television ( CCTV ) cameras mounted on every floor and around the premises, adequate conveniences for both male and female users on every floor and elevators.

    “To ensure uninterrupted power supply, the facility is equipped with a standby generator that can provide power for 24 hours.

    “Passengers will also enjoy protection from the effects of weather elements as they disembark from their vehicles within the facility and move into the terminal without using an umbrella,”he said.

    On his part, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, said the facility would be of great benefit to passengers and airport users.

    NAN

  • LG primaries: PDP in Ekiti adopts Option A4

    LG primaries: PDP in Ekiti adopts Option A4

    Gov. Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has said that the PDP in the state adopted Option A4 in its primaries for candidates for the Dec. 23 council poll to ensure transparency.

  • 41m children under five are obese – WHO

    41m children under five are obese – WHO

    An estimated 41 million children under five worldwide are obese or overweight, the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) has said.

    The UN health agency experts on Wednesday issued the warning at the launch of new guidelines to tackle what they called a global epidemic.

    WHO said it was faced with evidence indicating that the problem affected rich and poor countries alike.

    The UN health agency released details on how trained professionals could better identify youngsters in need of help.

    The just-published obesity guidelines included counselling and dieting, an assessment of eating habits along with the more usual weight and height measurements.

    WHO said the prevalence of obesity in children reflected changing patterns towards unhealthy diets and physical inactivity.

    “Urbanisation, increased incomes, availability of fast foods, educational demands, television viewing and gaming have led to a rise in the consumption of foods high in fats, sugar and salt and lower levels of physical activity.

    “While there have been major public health interventions to promote improved diet and patterns of physical activity in adults, the contribution of antenatal and young-child interventions to reducing the risk of obesity in later life have not been significantly reviewed.”

    NAN

  • Late Mohammed: I have lost a colleague in war and peace – Buhari

    Late Mohammed: I have lost a colleague in war and peace – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep pain and sorrow over the death of the former Military Administrator of Kaduna State, retired Air Vice Marshal Mukhtar Mohammed.

    The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said the president made his feelings known in a letter he wrote to the governments of Jigawa and Kano States.

    He said the letter was handed to Gov. Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa by a Federal Government delegation on Thursday.

    In the letter, President Buhari revealed the intimate nature of the relationship between him and the deceased military top brass, saying he had lost a friend in peace and in war.

    “The delegation, which was led by the Chief of Staff in the Presidency, Abba Kyari with four ministers and three presidential aides, was in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital where a similar letter of condolence signed by the President was handed over to the Emir, Dr Muhammadu Sunusi,’’ the statement said.

    The presidential aide said the team was also in Kano where they met both the Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje and the Emir Muhammadu Sunusi II before participating in the funeral prayers which took place at night due to the late arrival of the body from United Kingdom.

    President Buhari’s condolence letter said, “Late Mukhtar was my friend in war and in peace. He was a brilliant Air Force officer, a good administrator and a patriot.

    “All those who came in contact with him have recognized him as a brave man of vision and energy. These qualities he brought to bear in his service to Nigeria.

    ““In politics, he was dogged and determined to enthrone a good government, to clean up government business and establish democracy and rule of law.

    “The late Waziri was a highly intelligent person and very brave in the face of challenges. He was prepared, and did leave his post on a point of honor and principle. He was a worthy and a true son of Nigeria.’’

    The two state Governors and the Emirs praised the the exemplary qualities the late military officer and thanked the President for standing by their people in their hour of trial.

    The federal government delegation included the Ministers of Interior, retired Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau; Defence, retired Brig. Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali; Education, Adamu Adamu and the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

    Others were the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar Sadiq, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Garba Shehu, that of Special Duties, Ya’u Darazo, Sha’aban Sharada and Musa Daura, a nephew of the President.

    Late Muhammad, who was the Wazirin Dutse in Jigawa, died on Sunday in a London hospital after a protracted illness.

    NAN

  • Nigerians united to defeat Boko Haram – FG

    Nigerians united to defeat Boko Haram – FG

    The Federal Government says Nigerians from are united in their resolve to defeat the Boko Haram terrorist group.

    Amb. Hussein Abdullahi, former Under-Secretary, Regions and International Organisations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated this while delivering Nigeria’s statement on ‘Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism’ at the UN headquarters, New York.

    Abdullahi regretted that Nigeria was confronted with the challenge of terrorism as manifested in the brutality of Boko Haram activities against the population.

    He said, however, the Nigerian Government introduced many measures to fight the terrorist group from different fronts and in compliance with human rights obligations in the fight against terrorism.

    “In August, 2016 President Muhammadu Buhari launched the revised National Counter Terrorism Strategy ( NACTEST ) and urged Nigerians to team up to win the psychological battle against terrorism.

    “The President called for multi-sectoral collaboration and urged all government establishments to cue into NACTEST for maximum achievements.

    “The revised strategy was meant to confront the dynamism of the perpetrators and involve all stakeholders in the battle by encouraging Nigerians to unite against terror in spite of their religious, tribal and political leanings.

    “Since the president’s launch of this revised National Counter Terrorism Strategy, Nigerians have equipped themselves psychologically to win the war against the terrorist group.

    “The strategy succeeded in uniting Nigerians from all walks of life towards defeating Boko Haram.

    “It also encourages religious leaders to use their various places of worship to enlighten their followers through change of mindset to embrace morality and love of God,” he said.

    Abdullahi said with the measures taken by Nigerians and the Federal Government in confronting the Boko Haram terrorist organisation head-on, their activities had been completely degraded.

    “Nigerian forces have been able to clear Boko Haram out of many areas in the northeast by reclaiming territories captured by the organisation and restoring peace and stability in the affected states.

    “Today, residents in the North-Eastern states now move about their daily businesses in relative safety,” he said.

    According to him, Nigeria has trained and equipped the military forces in counterterrorism and counter-insurgency on subjects ranging from urban patrol to unarmed combat and humanitarian law.

    He said the Special Forces of the Nigerian military had been training a mobile strike team of some officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps and the Nigerian Police.

    “As additional measure, Nigeria has developed huge capacity for the prompt and timely prosecution of Boko Haram suspects.

    “This has been made possible by the establishment of a Complex Case Group to specifically address all terrorist-related matters.

    “The Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force of the UN has successfully trained many government officials in the areas of human rights, rule of law and counter-terrorism,” he said.

    The Nigerian official also said that there was a programme for de-radicalisation, rehabilitation, reorientation and re-integration for repentant Boko Haram suspects.

    “In order to assist the victims of Boko Haram, government initiated a Victims Support Fund and the Presidential Initiative for the North East as well as the Safe Schools Initiative.

    “These initiatives have facilitated the provision of humanitarian relief, socio-economic stabilisation and resettlement of persons displaced by the terror organization.

    “It is remarkable to note that Nigeria has indeed recorded significant progress in the fight against terrorism through international cooperation from some friendly countries around the world,” Abdullahi said.

    He pointed out the closer cooperation Nigeria enjoyed with its neighbours,  Cameroon, Chad, Niger Republic and Benin Republic, within the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission to form a Multinational Joint Task Force ( MNJTF ).

    “Consistent with our faith in the need for a collective fight against terrorism, I like to re-affirm Nigeria’s commitment to work closely with all UN counter-terrorism entities.

    “These include the United Nations Centre for Counter Terrorism as well as the Centre and the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force,” Abdullahi said.

    NAN

  • Bayelsa investigates suspected outbreak of monkeypox virus

    Bayelsa investigates suspected outbreak of monkeypox virus

    The Bayelsa Government is investigating suspected cases of monkeypox outbreak in its communities, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu, has said.

    Etebu spoke in Yenagoa on Wednesday following reports that some 11 persons, including a medical doctor, had been placed on surveillance in Yenagoa.

    Those with the suspected cases had been quarantined at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital ( NDUTH ) , Okolobiri,  Yenagoa Local Government Area.

    The centre was established by Nigerian Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ) and the epidemiological team of the state Ministry of Health to control the spread of the virus.

    NAN also learnt that NCDC and the epidemiological team were tracing 49 persons, who were in contact with persons suspected to have been infected.

    Etebu said that samples of the virus had been sent to the World Health Organisation laboratory in Dakar for confirmation.

    He described monkeypox as a viral illness caused by a group of viruses that include chickenpox and smallpox.

    The commissioner said the first case was noticed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and subsequent outbreaks in West Africa.

    He said the virus had the Central African and the West African types but that the West African type was  milder and had no records of mortality.

    “Recently in Bayelsa, we noticed a suspected outbreak of monkeypox.

    “It has not been confirmed. We have sent samples to the World Health Organisation reference laboratory in Dakar.

    “When that comes out we will be sure that it is confirmed. But from all indications, it points towards it.

    “As the name implies, the virus was first seen in monkeys but can also be found in all bush animals, such as rats, squirrels and antelopes.

    “The source is usually all animals. It was first seen in monkeys and that is why it is called monkey pox.

    “But every bush animal, such as rats, squirrels, antelopes are involved. So, the secretions from particularly dead animals are highly contagious.. Etebu said.

    He listed the symptoms of monkeypox as severe headache, fever, back pain, among others.

    Etebu said that most worrisome of all the signs were rashes bigger than those caused by chickenpox.

    The commissioner said the rashes were usually very discomforting and spread to the whole body of an infected person.

    “We noticed the first index case from Agbura where somebody was purported to have killed and eaten a monkey and after that the people who are neighbours and families started developing the rashes.

    “We have seen cases from as far as Biseni. We invited the NCDC together with our own epidemiological team from the Bayelsa Ministry of Health.

    “We have been able to trace most of the people who have come in contact with the patients.

    “So far, we have 10 patients and we have created an isolation centre at the NDUTH and most of them are on admission and we are following up the 49 cases that we are suspecting might come down with the illness.

    “As a state we are taking care of all the expenses of all the isolated cases.

    “The disease has an incubation period and it is also self-limiting in the sense that within two to four weeks, you get healed and it confers you with immunity for life.

    “We have mobilised virtually every arsenal at our disposal in terms of sensitising the general public and making them aware by radio programmes, jingles and fliers.

    “So the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control has mobilised fully to Bayelsa State. We are on top the situation.” Etebu said.

    NAN

  • NDLEA destroys 16 hectares of hemp farm in Osun

    NDLEA destroys 16 hectares of hemp farm in Osun

    The Osun State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) on Wednesday announced that 16.8 hectares of Indian hemp ( Cannabis Sativa ) farm located in Ikoyi community in the state had been destroyed.

    The Commandant, Mr Samuel Egbeola, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Osogbo on the achievements of the agency in Osun.

    He said that the farm was destroyed on Sept. 26.

    The commandant said that the farm was discovered and destroyed by the NDLEA, following a tip-off by an intelligence source.

    He said that during the operation, 25 kilogrammes of already harvested hemp were found on the farm.

    The NDLEA chief said, however, that no arrest was made during the operation because nobody was found on the farm.

    Egbeola re-assured people of the state that the agency would not rest on its oars until those involved in illicit drug operations were apprehended.

    He called on members of the public to cooperate with the agency by always giving useful information that would lead to the arrest of anyone involved in India hemp plantations.

    “We are appealing to the people of the state to always relate information on plantations, especially cannabis plantations to the NDLEA.

    “Our office is always open, so people with useful information are always welcome at anytime so we can all work together in ensuring a drug free state.

    “It is our mandate to rid the state of illicit drugs and this can only be made possible with the support and cooperation of the people.

    “We also use this medium to solicit for the support of the press”, he said.

    NAN

  • One Corner Dance- The darling of parties, events

    One Corner Dance- The darling of parties, events

    Dance forms a very important aspect of our identity as a people. It most times is at the epi-centre of our culture and tradition.

    We communicate and share our essence with global audiences when we dance, especially our traditional dances.

    Although, to be a good dancer you need a lot of practice and training and would be easier if the talent is inborn.

    However, when dance loses its rhythm and essence, it not only becomes a ‘demonstration of craze’, but reduces man to states of bestial tendencies; more or less like a macabre dance.

    Social media have been set ablaze with the trending song called ‘one corner dance’. This song by Patapaa Amisty, a Ghanian musician, requires some level of craziness to flow with it.

    The winning strategy for this song was the introduction of a dance competition online; this meant that the winner carts away with a huge sum of money.

    The dance competition made the song more popular (or should we say – notorious?), because both the old, young, celebrity and ordinary person danced enthusiastically and posts it on their various social media platforms.

    This song has spread like wildfire such that it has become the darling of wedding parties and youth events, not just in its place of origin (Ghana), but also in our beloved country – Nigeria.

    The question that readily comes to mind is – Is there a possessive spirit behind this song or is it an avenue for people to escape from the harsh economic and social realities that continues to stare them in the face like a one-eyed monster?

    Can we say that those who dance to this song in weird manners do so without any sense of reasoning? Please before you start to throw tantrums on the writer…HOLD UP!

    This should be an appropriate point for our regulatory bodies like the National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC ) to step up and take charge of the airwaves because apart from the fact that this ‘alien’ song has been surreptitiously introduced into our country, this song is gradually eating deep into the comportment and perceived sanity, especially among our youths and teenagers who have too much energy to burn.

    The One Corner song is powered by merriment dance, which is hilarious in its notion. It is a sexualized dance movement in the sense that you move your waist in a sexual form.

    Obviously, we (the youths) are already drowning in the ocean of ignorance and have thrown caution to the wind when it comes to ‘dancing.’

    Although culture (dance inclusive) can be a viable source of revenue for the country, however, it is also very expedient that we tell the narrative of our rich tradition in the right way.

    In Conclusion, Nigerians especially the youths should be more innovative and creative, and stop waiting for the chance to feed on another man’s creativity, especially when it is bereft of cultural ideals.

  • Court docks man for alleged theft

    Court docks man for alleged theft

    A 20-year-old, Akeem Alhassan, who allegedly stole his girlfriend’s mobile tablet valued at N45,000 and sold it, on Wednesday appeared in a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.

    The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing a charge of stealing to which he pleaded not guilty.

    According to Police Prosecutor Akpan Ikem, the accused committed the offence on Sept. 18 at J5 area of Seme border between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

    Ikem said the accused’s girlfriend, Beatrice Agbor, gave him the tablet for safekeeping when she was travelling.

    “The accused sold off the tablet and used the money to buy some cartons of biscuits.”

    Ikem said the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The section provides three years imprisonment for offenders.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Magistrate Jimoh Adefioye granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,000 with a surety in like sum and adjourned the case until Oct. 25 for mention.

    NAN