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Re-positioning of Rivers health sector is on course – Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the process for the re-positioning of all levels of the health sector is effectively on course, with the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment for Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital.

The governor also declared that the total rehabilitation of structures at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital will create the right environment for quality tertiary healthcare.

In an interview after an inspection visit to the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital in Port Harcourt on Monday, Governor Wike said that the health sector will continue to recover priority attention from his administration.

The governor who was accompanied on the project inspection by the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said that majority of the equipment procured by the State Government for the hospital have arrived.

He said: “Our objective is to improve the standard of the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital as a centre of excellence in tertiary healthcare.

“In terms of equipment, the contractors have done well. Eighty percent of the equipment have arrived the hospital premises and they will be installed as soon as the rehabilitation “.

He, however, noted that the progress of work on the structural rehabilitation is slow, hence the contractors should expedite action.

“We believe the contractors should deploy more workforce for the rehabilitation of the hospital. The State Government is doing what is necessary to enhance the quality of the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital “, he said.

The governor also inspected the ongoing reconstruction of the Doctors Quarters at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital . He advised the contractors to improve on the pace of work.

He assured that funding of the the projects will be sustained early completion.

The governor was briefed during the project inspection by Dr. Paul Kua, Medical Director of Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, and Mrs. Ajumoke Okpu, Director of Nursing.

The Wike administration has completed the reconstruction and equipping of 13 General Hospitals spread across the three senatorial districts of the state.

January 29, 2018
IGP Idris vows to sustain fight against crime

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris yesterday reiterated the force commitment to ensuring the security of lives and property of citizens of the country, stressing that the police would sustain its resilience and tempo at combating crime across the country.

Speaking at the opening of a 5 day training programme for 81 senior police officers of the force on National Counter -Terrorism Incident Site Commanders Management of the Zone10 Headquarters, Sokoto, Idris said is resolute to police the country based on international core values that would ensure proactiveness so as to rid the country of rime and criminals.

“We will ensire that the country is secured for all innocent and law abiding citizens”, he assured.

Participants at the police Mess venue of the training programme being facilitated by CSP Okon Asuquo and SP Manir Madugu include 79 conventional and mobile police officers drawn from the zone, 1 each from NSCDC, DSS and Fire Service.

The police Boss represented by the Assistan Inspector General of Police Zone 10, Mr Yakubu Usman urged the participants of the all important course to abail themselves of the opportunity to add value to their capacity and competence in the course of their operations.

He said” the training is primarily to equip you with the needed capacity to adequately and rapidly respond to incidents especially on terrorism.

” I therefore, urge you to listen attentively, ask questions and teach others not here so they can leatn from the knowledge you acquired”, he said.

Also speaking on the sidelines, the Sokoto police Commissioner, Murtala Usman Mani said the programme was timely and coming when the country was faced with security challenges.

According to Mani” we are more concern about the security of Nigerians that is why the police is encouraging all necessary measures to synergise with relevant agencies in order to fight crime and criminals for the safety of an average citizen.

” Basically, we are faced with more of lesser crimes which is what we will focus on and to build a template for proactive operations against and ahead of any act of terrorism “, stated.

January 29, 2018
Herdsmen/farmers killings purely political – Bafarawa

Former Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa has described as purely political the spade of alleged killings of farmers by herdsmen in parts of the country.

He blamed the federal government for not heeding to advise ‎that would give people the opportunity to evolve measures that would address the menace.

‎In an interview with reporters in Sokoto Sunday evening, Bafarawa described as unfortunate what the country was going through at a time lots of challenges were before its domain.

According to him” politicians have succeeded in penetrating the two sides involved in the crisis.

”What has conventional herdsmen have to do with guns and why now?”, he rhetorically asked.

”If the FG had listened to the views of the people right from time the killings we are witnessing would not have continued”, he said.

While commenting on the administration of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the former governor noted that Tambuwal’s government owe Sokoto people lot of explanations especially his refusal to declare what he inherited from his predecessor.

”He has problems but maybe for fear of exposing him that is why he refuses to talk.

”For me, I did not leave Wamakko with problems because I made everything clear to him even to the extend of making public every detail concerning the N13bn I left behind. I still have the prove which both Wamakko and Mukhtari his deputy later admitted.‎

”He should have toe my path to declare what he inherited.”

However, on the sidelines, the state PDP chairman, ‎Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma said the party has the capacity to win elections in 2019.

According to him” we will capitalise on the weaknesses of the ruling APC to have a smooth sail.

”Our party is not a small party. He said the seeming lack of opposition in the state does not make PDP weak or non existent rather we are studying happenings.

”Secondly, the governor respects us. And if there is need to raise or take him on over issues on state affairs, we will do that for him to take correction”, he concluded.

January 29, 2018
Ekwueme had impeccable integrity, courage, selflessness – Osinbajo

*Ngige: Ekwueme rejected Senate President offer from Obasanjo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday said that the late Vice President in the Second Republic, Dr. Alex Ekwueme had impeccable integrity, courage and selflessness.

Ekwueme had died in a London hospital last year.

Speaking at the Night of Song service organized by the Federal Government in honour of the deceased, Osinbajo said that the late Ekwueme worked tirelessly to build and maintain bridges across the country.

According to him, Ekwueme understood the symbolism of leaders of the nation to honour God.

He said, “Dr. Alex Ekwuene is perhaps one of the most remarkable persons who have served our nation. Despite being probably one of the most thoroughly educated persons anywhere in the world with degrees in disciplines as distinct as architecture, philosophy, sociology and law.

“He possess the profound humility that comes from understanding how much more there was to learn and he demonstrated it by his willingness to listen and to learn at all time.

“As Vice President he set an excellent example with loyalty, discipline, team spirit and fidelity to the nation.

“He was fearless and with the courage of his conviction, he led the G-34, a group of eminent Nigerians who confronted military dictatorship in its darkest and most fiercesome days in Nigerian history.

‘In public discourse nationally and regionally as an elder in ECOWAS even in the most emotive subject, he spoke truthfully but maintaining a forthful balance ensuring that his words built rather than destroyed.

“He worked tirelessly to build and maintain the bridges established across ethnic and religious lines. He never once doubted the validity of one indivisible Nigeria.” he added

Also speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige disclosed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, offered the late Ekwueme, Senate Presidency, after the later lost the Jos primaries of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ).

Ngige said he personally advised the late Ekwueme to reject the offer as he was sure that the former Vice President was too rigid to be a Senate President and that he would be impeached within three months.

He said, “I told Ide (Dr. Ekwueme) that he was too rigid and that he would not be able to do that job.  When the committees come to you and say do this and do that, you will not agree and the next thing they will go and gather signatures and in no time, the will impeach you.

“Ide was very strict on accountability.  Even when we were campaigning, whenever we returned, he would call you and ask you to give account of how you spent the campaign money.  He will have his paper and pen in his hands.  You know politicians don’t like that.  They don’t like accountability.” he said

Ngige also disclosed that the late Vice President, lost the Jos PDP presidential primary ticket because he refused to bribe the delegates.

He said that Ekwueme failed in bribery and corruption and refused to give false promises, which were the hallmark of typical politicians.

Stressing that the late former VP was not a religious bigot, as his father was an Anglican pastor, Ngige said that Ekwueme never discriminated against people of other faiths.

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, urged Nigerians to learn from late Dr. Ekwueme’s courage, which made him confront late dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, with the G34 initiative.

He also urged Nigerians to imbibe Dr. Ekwueme’s patriotic zeal.

He said “We must first see ourselves as Nigerians, irrespective of our religions and tribes.”

Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, who was also the former Secretary of the G34 and political ally of the Late Dr. Ekwueme, said that Ekwueme was “a great son of Nigeria, a loving leader, creative designer, first class architect, wise counselor, elder statesman, a great patriot, defender of the people, an advocate of social justice, fairness and equity.”

He said that Dr. Ekwueme led the G34 which confronted Late Gen. Sani Abacha to stop his self-succession bid, and was at the vanguard of the return to democracy after more than two and half decades of military dictatorship.

Prof. Gana also revealed that the letter by the G 34 was written by himself and Dr. Iyorchia Ayu but that Dr. Ekwueme, who was the chairman of the group personally edited and submitted it at the Aso Rock Villa, to ensure it got to Late Gen. Abacha.

Prof. Jerry Gana described the late Ekwueme as a defender of the people, a political colossus and an advocate of social justice and equity.

The President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo said he didn’t come to mourn rather to rejoice for the gift of nature from God to Igboland.

He said, “He was multi disciplinary and distinctive in what he set out to do and loyal in his convictions and believed in his intellectual perception.

“I haven’t come here to mourn on behalf of the Igbos, I have come here to rejoice that God gave us an exemplary son.

“On a night like this what is important is to christenize the distinctive achievements and characteristics of Dr. Alex Ekwueme and I’m the process hope that those of us who are living will derive example from it and create a better society.”

He said that Dr. Ekwueme was very loyal to Shehu Shagari.

He said “Dr. Ekwueme never thought of leaving PDP.  What was important to him was his sense of contribution.  Whether or not he made money from it or not.  Ekwueme was a very humble man.  Chief Nwodo urged Nigerians politicians to emulate.”

Also speaking, Prof. Uzodimma Nwala who worked closely with the late Vice President said he respected him for his great intellect and not the typical Nigerian politician, adding that he had the carriage.

He said that Ekwueme came up with the establishment of six geopolitical zones as basis for optical and resources sharing.

“We are celebrating a man that had contributed in laying the foundation of unity in Nigeria.

“The true components of Nigeria is the ethnic nationalities.  We must come back to a loose federation.”

“Dr. Alex Ekwueme was not a typical Nigerian politician,” and urged Nigerian politicians to take lessons from the departed VP.” he said

The former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari represented by his son, Aminu Shagari said late Ekwueme lived a simple and uncomplicated life and that his father’s choice of Ekwueme as his Vice President was a right choice.

He said the late former Vice President exhibited tolerance and total loyalty, describing him as patriotic and a statesman.

January 29, 2018
PHOTO: Governor Ajimobi with the President George Opong Weah

BILATERAL HANDSHAKE: Governor Abiola Ajimobi with the new Liberian President, Ambassador George Opong Weah, at the Liberia House in Monrovia, earlier in the week.

January 29, 2018
Dangote donates N1.2b structure for Business School in Bayero University

The Business Schools being undertaken by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, according to the President of Dangote Group is part of the efforts to build entrepreneurship in the sub-consciousness of Nigerians through education at the highest level.

In his avowed commitment to encouraging entrepreneurship in the country as a way out of the economic doldrums, Nigeria’s business magnate, Aliko Dangote, is donating another N1.2 billion structure for running of business school in Bayero University, Kano ( BUK ).

The building which will be handed over to the university management formally next month is a state of the art edifice and will effectively mark the commencement of study of business in the institution and the first in the Northern part of Nigeria.

It would be recalled that Dangote is also building a similar business school in the University of Ibadan and would be commissioned anytime soon.

The Business Schools being undertaken by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, according to the President of Dangote Group it is part of the efforts to build entrepreneurship in the sub-consciousness of Nigerians through education at the highest level.

He explained that the situation Nigeria has found itself necessitates revisiting school curriculums to reflect the new consciousness of entrepreneurship and manufacturing and efforts made to encourage study of business especially at the second level in the university.

When visited, the building which has been completed and awaiting commissioning, is a modern Business School within the premises of Bayero University, Kano. It comprises of auditoriums, lecture theatres, offices, classes, library, and complete electrical fittings and cooling system, among others.

Speaking on the gesture by Africa’s richest man, the BUK Dean of Faculty of Dangote Business School, Professor Murtala Sagagi said that there was no Business School in Bayero University, Kano (BUK) until Dangote started the project.

“We have an ambition to have a business school and we could not go ahead with the project because there was no befitting structure to accommodate the kind of dream we had but with Dangote coming in about five years ago and that was when the University decided to say this is the time to have the business school,” he said.

He noted that Kano is the second most vibrant commercial city in the country after Lagos, saying “we have industries, banks, different type of businesses, micro, small, medium and large enterprises.”

“We are having large scale investors from China, Spain and all over the world coming to Kano to make investment and this means the State needs an institution, a kind of faculty, school that can able to develop the capacity not only the management of those organisation but those people who are working in different units or department within the organisation.”

“Looking at the public sector, we have limited capacity in budget, project management, which has led to things not moving well in the country. With our unique disadvantage here in Northern Nigeria, the South is far ahead in terms of capacity level, for example there are about 20 universities in Ogun State, while in Kano State we have only three Universities and all of them owned either by the state government or federal government. It is just of recent we are getting private investors coming in.”

Sagagi pointed out that all these show that there is a need for massive capacity building in Management, Finance, Marketing, E-Business, and particularly entrepreneurship and innovation in this part of the country and also for the entire country.

He noted further that “Bayero University has a unique reputation in the whole country and this explains why in the last National Institution Accreditation exercise, BUK became the best University in the Country, not because we have the best of everything but because of the quality of our curriculum, faculty and most importantly the quality of the students.”

The dean added that “the Dangote Business School is a great development and we hope that this business school will not only be seen as a Kano business school or Northern business school because I can tell you about 40 per cent of our students are not from Kano and more than 22 per cent of our student are from Southern part of the country.”

He urged other eminent Nigerians with wealth to emulate Dangote and contribute to the education advancement of the nation as a way of boosting the country’s economic development pointing out that “if Nigeria is blessed with two of Alhaji Dangote, Nigeria will witness unprecedented economic boost in terms of job creation, employment and poverty reduction.”

January 29, 2018
Buhari congratulates Super Eagles over victory against Angola

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday congratulated the Super Eagles on the spectacular 2-1 win over Angola in the CHAN quarter-final match in Morocco.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that the President watched the match in his hotel room in Addis Ababa after a long day of meetings.

The President, he said, wished the team the very best in the upcoming matches.

January 29, 2018
Firemen rescue woman from pit latrine in Kano

The Kano State Fire Service on Friday rescued a 50-year-old woman, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, after she accidentally fell into a pit latrine at her residence.

The Public Relations Officer of the service, Alhaji Saidu Mohammed, stated this in Kano.

Mohammed said the incident occurred while the woman was trying to use the latrine at her residence in Dambatta Kofar Kudu, Dambatta local government area of the state.

He said the service received a distress call from Mohammed Rabiu, the victim’s brother, shortly after the incident at about 10:00 a.m.

Also Read: Obasanjo lacks moral, political credibility – Kano Rep

He said: “Upon receiving the information, we quickly dispatched our rescue team and a vehicle to the scene at 10:09 a.m.”

Mohammed said the woman, who sustained slight injury was rescued alive and taken to Dambatta General Hospital for proper medical attention.

He advised residents to be cautious in using pit latrines to avoid such accident.

NAN

January 27, 2018
Suspected cultists remanded for smashing teenager’s head

Two suspected cultists – Sikiru Ajibade and Gafar Isah – who allegedly smashed the head of a teenager, are to cool their heels at Kirikiri Prisons on the orders of an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Ajibade, 34, a.k.a. Farakin and Isah, 25, a.k.a. Eti, who allegedly belong to O-Strong and Ijikenji Confraternity, were brought before the court on a charge of murder.

Their pleas were not taken by the magistrate, who said the court lacked the jurisdiction to try murder case.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr M.O. Olajuwon, said the accused should be kept behind bars pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ).

Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Insp. Babatope Julius, told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in October 2016 on Lagos Island.

Also Read: Army raids cultists ’ hideout, kills ring leader

He alleged that the accused, suspected cultists, had unlawfully killed a 19-year-old, Charles Igbinovia, by smashing his head with a stone.

The offence violates Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

The case was adjourned until February 28 pending the DPP’s advice.

NAN

January 27, 2018
Let’s restructure before 2019 elections, says Dickson

The Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson has called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to ensure that the country is restructured before the 2019 general elections.

Dickson said restructuring and other recommendations contained in the report released during the week by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) should be treated as a matter of urgent national importance.

The governor charged the ruling party to convince the Nigerian people of its sincerity fast tracking work on the report and ensuring that implementation takes off before the general elections.

He however, called for a multi-party committee to be set up for the purpose of studying the report, with the view to engendering popular participation and fine tuning it to reflect a broader view. This, he said, must be done before a final submission to the National Assembly.

Commending the leadership of the APC for coming up with the report, the governor said the recommendations contained in the document had further strengthened the agitations for true federalism and resource control in the Niger Delta.

Urging the Federal Government to be sincere in the implementation of the recommendations, Dickson also enjoined other stakeholders to shed primordial considerations for the overriding interests of the country.

He expressed optimism that restructuring Nigeria would go a long way in calming frayed nerves and violent agitations and would also strengthen the unity of the country.

Among others, the APC committee report had recommended state ownership of onshore mineral resources including oil and state control of the police, prisons etc.

According to Dickson said had emanated from “unexpected quarters”, having been produced by a committee headed by Governor Nasir el Rufai of Kaduna State. El Rufai had been one of the strident voices opposed to restructuring of the country.

The Governor said the committee’s report addressed some fundamental issues that have been bothering the minds of patriotic Nigerians.

Dickson said, “This development came from an unexpected quarters in a matter that is dear to us; the subject matter of restructuring to address the inequalities in our country.

Yesterday, Governor El Rufai, who chaired the APC committee submitted the report; While it is true that we are dealing with a proposal, this is coming from an unexpected quarters, and in the light of the opposition to structuring from some leaders, I thought that what the APC did was unexpected.

“Let me start by commending the committee and the leadership of that party for making what I will call the most fundamental proposal dealing with the issue of restructuring.

“This is very refreshing, and for me, when I see what is right, I commend it; when I see what is in the best interest of our country, I commend it because my politics is driven by conviction and not by convenience.

“With the kind of recommendations that they have made, I thought I should appreciate their patriotism and commitment to building an equitable and prosperous Nigeria”.

He advised the the job of mobilising national consensus on the report should start in earnest, with active involvement of the National Assembly.

“All of us need to mobilise national consensus to engage the National Assembly. So that we can drive all these issues before the next election. That is the test of sincerity”.

On his part, the Governor said he would intensify consultations across party lines to work towards the actualisation of the desired implementation of the report.

On the possibility or otherwise of meeting up with the 2019 general elections, Dickson insisted that it would not be too late to implement the report before the polls.

According to him, this is possible because the APC controls majority in the National and state assemblies and that given genuine commitment on the part of everyone, there is hope for timely implementation.

January 27, 2018