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Ambode inaugurates access road to LASUTH

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday inaugurated a road connecting the premises of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital ( LASUTH ) and Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way in Ikeja.

Ambode, who also inspected work on the LASUTH Maternity Hospital popularly known as Ayinke House, ordered contractors handing the project to complete it the next six months.

Ambode expressed delight at the timely completion of the road project, noting that the road was designed for faster access to health care services to save lives.

The 400 metre-long road was designed with street light and drains.

Ambode expressed satisfaction that another access road to LASUTH was constructed after more than three decades.

“We believe strongly that the major cornerstone for the growth of the economy of Lagos actually lies in the hands of all of you here because if we do not have a healthy state, we cannot have a productive economy.

“That is why we decided that we will pay greater attention to the health sector,” he said.

Ambode commended the management of the institution and gave the assurance that his administration would continue to implement policies and projects to develop the health sector.

Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Adewale Oke, commended Ambode for his commitment to the health sector.

Oke said that the Akinwunmi Ambode administration had executed several projects in the institution.

“This is a dream come true. For many years, we had a problem with movement of patients into the hospital.

“Sometimes, they are in the ambulance for 15 or 20 minutes before they can get in, but this road has solved that problem.

“It is going to save our patients; it is going to make access to the hospital very easy even for the workers.

“It is beautiful,” he said.

Prof. Babatunde Sholagbero, Provost of the Lagos State University College of Medicine, expressed satisfaction that the administration fulfilled its promise of completing the road project.

Sholagbero also thanked the governor for facilitating the accreditation of dentistry in the Lagos State University.

“This makes LASUTH the only state university in Nigeria that awards dentistry degree,” he said.

NAN

November 8, 2017
El-Zakzaky: Falana withdraws petition against Nigerian Army

Mr Femi Falana (SAN), counsel to detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria ( IMN ) on Wednesday withdrew the petition against the Nigerian Army at the Presidential Investigation Panel on Human Right Violations.

Falana said although it was painful, he had to withdrew the petition in view of the fact that there was already a judicial commission of inquiry, currently handling the case.

He, however, said that the panel could on its own, decide to listen to any witness in the case, and urged the panel to keep the petition in view

Falana also urged the panel to issue an order directing the Federal Government to comply with the ruling of the Federal High Court that ordered for the release of El-Zakzaky from detention.

He berated the Federal Government for not obeying the ruling of the Federal High Court on El-Zakzaky, adding that since Nigeria’s independence, he had never seen a couple detain together.

He said that the couple should be released based on the premise that the country was operating the rule of law, adding that it was painful he could not put the petition through.

“We are already taking other steps to ensure that El-Zakzaky is released, because this is the first time in the history of this country that a couple will be detained,” he said.

Prof. Akinseye George, (SAN), counsel to the Nigerian Army said that the matter should be expunge from the panel list.

He said that the panel was magnanimous enough to accommodate the petition by shifting dates and time for the petitioner.

He said that the panel should disregard the petitioner’s plea that the petition be kept in view, stressing that the petition ended with the withdrawal.

Justice Biobele George, Chairman of the panel, struck out the petition based on voluntary withdrawal by the petitioner

The Presidential Investigation Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement sittings ended on Nov.8.

The panel had traveled round the six geo-political zones to receive petitions and listen to petitioners’ allegations of human rights violation by the military.

NAN

November 8, 2017
EU Commission proposes 30% cut to carbon emissions by cars

The European Union ( EU ) Commission has proposed to 30-per cent reduction of car carbon emissions by 2030, compared to 2021 levels.

“Europe is currently not on the right track,” said European Commissioner, Miguel Canete.

“To drive and lead the global shift to electric, Europe has to get its house in order.’’

He said the proposal aimed to amend current trends in the European car industry, including the low number of electric cars sold on the continent.

He added that jobs in the electric car industry had flowed to other parts of the world, such as the U.S.

The commissioner said that the target would also help to restore trust in European car makers after they were engulfed in the emissions-testing scandal.

NAN

November 8, 2017
PTAD commences verification of 2,490 pensioners in Benue

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate ( PTAD ) on Wednesday commenced the verification of 2,490 pensioners in Benue to determine the authentic ones.

PTAD Team Elader, Mr Jimmy Adeyemi, said in Makurdi that 2,490 pensioners in the state would undergo various screening procedures, including taking of biometrics to determine their genuineness.

“Pensioners will be made to go through various verification procedures which terminate at the quality assurance desk where they will be issued slips signifying they are genuine.

“It is only after the quality assurance check that they are free to go. Their entitlements can then be computed for payment,” Adeyemi said.

He said the exercise was essentially for the former Federal Government workers but accommodated those that worked before the creation of states in 1976.

The team leader said the exercise was going on smoothly and expected to end on Saturday.

“So far, we have received no cases of falsification of pension documents. We have verified 852 pensioners and there have been no falsified documents. We have three more days to finish this exercise.”

A pensioner, Mr Vincent Azer, commended the conduct of the exercise and said it was aimed at checking ghost pensioners”.

“There could be some who are receiving pensions that never worked anywhere; so, this type of exercise will fish them out.

“This type of exercise was carried out four years ago and that is a long time now” Azer said.

NAN

November 8, 2017
NAFDAC take steps to ease cost of registering products

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control ( NAFDAC ) says it has taken steps to ease costs of registering products by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Mr Ademola Mogbojuri, said this on Wednesday in Enugu, during the South-East Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Implementation of Executive Order on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.

Mogbojuri, said that the essence of the forum was to find ways to resolve complaints against the agency and tackle the problems producers face in establishing their own businesses.

The acting director-general was represented by the agency’s Director of Special Duties, Dr Abubakar Jimoh.

He said that the agency was concerned about the growth of small businesses and willing to help young entrepreneurs to start businesses and create more jobs for Nigerians.

“We have recently directed 50 per cent reduction of registration of products for companies with five or less than five employees while reducing registration time to 90 days for all MSMEs.

“NAFDAC has established Small Business Support Desk (SBSD) to guide small businesses through registration processes and also serve as inquiry point for small businesses on regulatory issues.

“Also, we now have electronic submission of documents to line Directorates in Lagos as well as NAFDAC Product Registration Outreach (NPRO).

“This is to provide interactive engagement and advice on documentation, labeling and other requirements so as to facilitate the registration process.

“Fees charged for registration of locally manufactured products are lower than those charged for imported products. The Agency is always discouraging the use of consultants by companies,’’ Mogbojuri said.

Earlier, the Enugu State Coordinator of the agency, Mr Chike Obiano, said that the consultative forum would be sustained and made more frequent because of its importance.

“NAFDAC is committed to zero tolerance on fake drugs, unwholesome processed food and sub-standard regulated products,” he said.

He noted that the agency could not effectively discharge its statutory responsibilities without the collaborative efforts of critical stakeholders, and appealed for the cooperation of the residents.

More than 200 producers participated in the forum.

NAN

November 8, 2017
Court dissolves eight-year-old marriage over wife’s brutalisation

Alleged brutalisation of a woman by her husband attracted sanction by an Idi-Ogungun Customary Court sitting at Agodi, Ibadan, on Wednesday as the eight-year-old loveless marriage was dissolved.

The union between Abayomi Idowu and his wife, Adekemi, was pronounced a nullity over complaints of brutality and lack of care by the estranged wife.

Adekemi had approached the bar for the dissolution of her marriage on the grounds that her husband denied her access to the only child of the union and constant battering.

“Idowu has failed to take care of me and the only child of the marriage.

“He is not a responsible husband because I shouldered the responsibilities alone, I even feed and clothe him.

“I managed to cope with him until he started beating me and would not hesitate to hit me with anything he sees.

“So I packed out of his house when I realised that he wanted to kill me,” she told the court.

“I urge the court to dissolve the marriage and order him (the man) to allow me access to my child.”

Chief Mukaila Balogun, the President of the court, noted that the defendant was not in court to state his own side of the story in spite of several summonses.

“The court has no choice than to uphold the request of the plaintiff (the wife),” he said, ordering the defendant to allow Adekemi access to her child.

He directed the court’s registrar to send a copy of the judgment to the ex-husband.

NAN

November 8, 2017
PHOTO: President Buhari Presides over FEC meeting

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday presided over the meeting of the Federal Executive Council ( FEC ) with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and cabinet ministers in attendance.

PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER FEC 1. President Muhammadu Buhari in chat with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the Federal Executive Council Meeting held at the Council Chambers State House. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE/ NOV 8 2017

PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER FEC MEETING 6. Cross Section of Ministers during the FEC Meeting held at the Council Chambers State House in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE/NOV 8 2017

PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER FEC 11. R-L; Chief of Staff, Mal Abba Kyari embraced the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita while the NSA Major General Babagan Monguno Rtd looks on during the Federal Executive Council Meeting held at the Council Chambers State House. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE/ NOV 8 2017

PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER FEC MEETING 8A. R-L; Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, Permanent Secretary Office of the SGF, Roy Ugo Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs WInifred Oyo-Ita and NSA Major General Babagana Monguno Rtd during the FEC Meeting held at the Council Chambers State House in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE/NOV 8 2017

PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER FEC MEETING 9. R-L; Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, Minister of State Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs WInifred Oyo-Ita and NSA Major General Babagana Monguno Rtd during the FEC Meeting held at the Council Chambers State House in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE/NOV 8 2017

PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER FEC 12. R-L; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Environment Alhaji Ibrahim Jibrin, Minister of State Hajiya Khadija Buka Abba Ibrahim and Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh during the Federal Executive Council Meeting held at the Council Chambers State House. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE/ NOV 8 2017

November 8, 2017
PTI reduces tuition as NANS intervenes

The Management of the Petroleum Training Institute ( PTI ), Effurun, Delta, has reviewed down the tuition paid by the students, following the intervention of the National Association on Nigerian Students ( NANS ).

The tuition was increased by about 130 per cent, leading to a face-off between the students and the management.

The fee was however reviewed down, following the meeting between the management of the institute and the leadership of NANS in Effurun on Wednesday.

The Principal of the institute, Mr Sunny Iyuke and NANS President, Chinonso Obasi, led the two parties during the meeting that lasted for hours.

Iyuke said after the deliberation that the institution had decided to reduce the fee but pointed out that it needed to increase it because it was underfunded.

The principal said that the management needed to execute projects in the institution but had very lean resources.

“The school fee was increased because the costs of things have also risen. Four years ago, we were paying N14,000 as school fee but things have changed now.

“We want to provide quality education for our students and we also need funding to be able to justify the purpose for which PTI was established.

“Everything we are doing at this moment in the institution is on loan,’’ he said.

Obasi said that before the increase, students of General Welding paid N51,000 as tuition; National Diploma (ND) 1 students paid N42,000 while Higher National Diploma (HND) 1 students paid N43,000.

The NASN’s president said that the management raised the tuition to N115,800 for the General Welding students, N99,800 for the ND 1 students and N103,800 for the HND 1 students.

He said after the dialogue, the management agreed to shift ground and reduced the fees to N81,600, N67,200 and N68,800 for General Welding, ND 1 and HND 1 students respectively.

“We had given the PTI a 24-hours ultimatum to unconditionally reverse the tuition and the management quickly invited us for a dialogue.

“We have been able to bring the increment down from about 130 per cent to 60 per cent.

“It is a pity that a national asset like this has been experiencing inadequate funding for a long time.

“We have agreed to partner with the management to see how we can generate more funds from internal sources for the institution,” he said.

Obasi appealed to the management to always create an enabling environment for dialogue with students on issues that affect them.

He also advised the students to take their academic work seriously assuring them that the association would continue to promote meaningful negotiation and dialogue on their behalf.

NAN

November 8, 2017
Court of Appeal sets up election petition tribunal for Anambra

Ahead of the Nov. 18 Anambra governorship election, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Adamu-Bulkachuwa has constituted an Election Petition Tribunal for the state.

Adamu-Bulkachuwa, via a statement signed by Mr Surajo Gusau, the tribunal’s secretary and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Awka, said the court would be situated at the High Court Complex, Awka.

“Sequel to forthcoming governorship election, I hereby inform the general public that the election petition tribunal for governorship election has been constituted in Anambra.

“The tribunal is located at the High Court Complex, Awka.

“Any aggrieved party/parties that wish to file petition in respect of the conduct of the election should do so through the registry of the above mentioned tribunal/court,” Gusau said.

NAN

November 8, 2017
NHIS: ‘We’ve attained 98% coverage of formal sector’

Malam Attahiru Ibrahim, Acting Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme ( NHIS ), says that 98 percent of the Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme ( FSSHIS ) had been covered under the scheme.

Ibrahim made the disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday in an interview.

The acting executive secretary stated that the coverage was one of NHIS’s greatest achievements since the scheme commenced operations in 2005.

‘‘One of our mandates in the scheme is to cover the formal sector and with that we have covered 98 percent of the work force at the federal level.

‘‘The formal sector consists of the public sector, organised private sector, armed forces, police and other uniformed services.

‘‘The programme is, however, a social health security system where health care of employees in the formal sector is paid for, from funds created by pooling the contributions of employees and employers,’’ he said.

Ibrahim stated that universal health coverage needed universal contribution, hence the need for the Federal Government to contribute into the pool to cover for the vulnerable groups.

‘‘Health insurance is contributory and if one is not contributing then he cannot access care, so there is need for equity funds that will care for the old, poor, children and persons with disabilities.

‘‘Presently we are talking about ‘Innovative Financing’ where various companies such as telecommunications, beverages and alcohol companies can be taxed and some percentage could go into the pool for the vulnerable groups.

‘‘However, for this to work we will need a legislation by the National Assembly, after which the President will assent to it, as well as the support from stakeholders and political will from the state governments,’’ he said.

The NHIS boss further appealed to state governors to implement the State Social Health Insurance Scheme ( SSHIS ) for the actualisation of Universal Health Coverage in the country.

NAN

November 8, 2017