The Nation Newspaper

Tag: relief

  • Delayed Gratification

    Delayed Gratification

    IN the first instance, gratification means pleasure, especially when gained from the satisfaction of a desire. It also means satisfaction, fulfillment, and relief.

    Delayed gratification, or deferred gratification, is the ability to resist the temptation for an immediate reward and wait for a later reward. Generally, delayed gratification is associated with resisting a smaller but more immediate reward in order to receive a larger or more enduring reward later. A person’s ability to delay gratification relates to other similar skills such as patience, impulse control, self-control and willpower, all of which are involved in self-regulation. I imagine a parent reading this wondering if it’s possible for today’s youth to practice self-regulation. Well, no matter how bad the situation is, especially with the get-rich-quick syndrome without sweating for it the right way, a good number of youth who are destined for unusual greatness are aware that the very best of things still come to those who wait. Next week, God willing, I’ll be discussing this topic and from experience give you its advantages and how it can bring you far better than what you wanted.

    I am so glad A.U. was wise enough to rebuff the amorous advances of her so-called helper whose type litter all higher institutions waiting for gullible or better put, loose girls. Any girl who engages in sex with a man to gain an admission into the higher institution would certainly do same with her lecturers, her future employers and every man she needs a favour from. What you believe in your youth imprints on your soul and carries you through life – all the way; except by some divine intervention and that is if some major damage hasn’t occurred in your life’s trajectory. Also, whether anyone believes or not, your first sexual intercourse and every other carry heavy spiritual significance. If you get involved with the wrong person, your life may go down-hill and that is why at Girls Club we preach chastity. Girls, beware, be wise!

  • Bomb kills six as Nigeria donates relief materials to Mali

    Bomb kills six as Nigeria donates relief materials to Mali

    A suicide car bombing killed six government allies in the northern city of Kidal, as French confirm that they are engaged in heavy fighting in northern Mali.

    The suicide bomber exploded his vehicle Tuesday evening at a checkpoint at an entrance to Kidal, said Ag Alghabas Intalla, a leader of the Islamic Movement of Azawad, or MIA, reached by phone in Kidal. He said he counted six dead and others wounded. The MIA group is fighting with the Malian army and French troops against Islamic extremists.

    Responsibility for the suicide attack has not been claimed, but it is suspected to be the work of the Islamic extremists of the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, or MUJAO.

    French troops are involved in “very violent fighting” in the Adrar des Ifoghas mountains of northeastern Mali, said France’s defense minister Tuesday. Jean-Yves Le Drian said that it’s too early to talk about a quick French pullout from Mali, despite the growing cost of the intervention.

    The French intervention in Mali has cost more than €100 million ($133 million) since it started Jan. 11, said Le Drian on France’s RTL radio.

    “We are now at the heart of the conflict,” in protracted fighting against Islamic extremist rebels in the Ifoghas mountains, Le Drian said.

    While some expected the 4,000-strong French force to pull out next month, Le Drian said he couldn’t talk about a quick withdrawal while the mountain fighting goes on. A clash in the area killed 23 soldiers from neighboring Chad last week, according to French President Francois Hollande, who expressed condolences to his Chadian counterpart.

    Soldiers from Chad and a few other African countries have joined the French-led operation to help Mali’s weak military push back the Islamic extremists who had imposed harsh rule on northern Mali and started moving southward toward the capital, Bamako, last month.

    In Timbuktu, they imposed strict Shariah law and forced thousands to flee; others were tortured and executed. But the French-led intervention in January brought the Islamic radicals to quit the northern cities of Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal and retreat to mountainous hideouts near the Algeria border.

    In the first weeks of the campaign, French and Malian forces easily took back cities in northern Mali. But the fighting is rougher now that it has reached more remote terrain in the mountains of the southern Sahara.

    At the United Nations in New York, a top U.N. humanitarian official said Tuesday that as security improves in Mali, the world must seize the moment to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid.

    John Ging, a senior humanitarian affairs official who just visited Mali, said that country’s northern region is stabilizing but needs help re-opening schools, markets and health clinics. The U.N. is appealing for $373 million in aid, but has only received $17 million.

    Even before fighting erupted last year among government forces, Taureg rebels and radical Islamists, Ging said Mali was suffering from the severe food crisis that has hit Africa’s arid Sahel region.

    Ging said more than 430,000 Malians have been displaced.

    On Tuesday, the Obama administration imposed sanctions on an Islamic rebel leader whose extremist group seized much of northern Mali last year and prompted the French military intervention. The United States State Department designated Iyad Ag Ghali, head of the Islamic group Ansar Dine, a global terrorist. The action blocks any assets he holds in the U.S. and prohibits Americans from doing business with him.

    As a result of the armed conflict, Nigeria has donated 1110 metric tons of assorted relief materials to the Malian government.

    In a statement by the Head Public Relations, Yushau Shuaib, the items were transported by 37 trucks and delivered by NEMA in Bamako, the capital of Mali at the weekend.

    The items included food, clothing, household utensils, detergent, antiseptic, mosquito nets and beddings.

    The Director-General, NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, said the intervention was on the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    NEMA’s Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Charles Otegbade, who led the team of aid and emergency workers to Mali, said the recent draught and the ongoing armed conflict in Northern Mali, have created a serious humanitarian crisis and displacement of persons.

    He said: “It has become necessary for friendly nations to render logistic and humanitarian assistance and to restore normalcy and avert the spillover of the unfortunate event to the border areas of Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritain and other countries of the sub-region.”

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mali Iliya Ali Nuhu, who presented the items to Malian Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Mamadou Sidibe at the Nigerian Embassy in Bamako, said the humanitarian gesture was in line with mutual cooperation and the friendly relations between the two countries, saying the gesture also demonstrates collective solidarity towards sustaining peace and stability in the West African sub-region.

    Sidibe described the gesture as timely, and Thanked people and government of Nigeria for the humanitarian effort, which, he said, would further strengthen the existing ties between the two countries.

    He said Malians would continue to appreciate Nigeria’s participation in the military support mission.

    The minister said the relief items would be delivered to the victims within a week.

    He said Mali urgently needs humanitarian assistance, following the closure of Mauritanian and Algerian borders because of the armed conflict in northern Mali.

  • Relief comes for Plateau conflict victims

    Relief comes for Plateau conflict victims

    Lawmaker provides free health care

     

    Frequent conflicts left residents of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State traumatised and also without medical care, but after the intervention of a lawmaker in the state, a smile has come to their faces.

    Hon. Daniel Dem, representing the area at the state House of Assembly provided free health care for over 10,000 residents of Riyom.

    The legislator, who is the Majority Leader in the House, said the plight of the people of his constituency prompted him to initiate the free health programme.

    Hon Dem said: “For a very long time, these people have been experiencing various forms of violence. Within the period, the people hardly had access to medical services. But now that peace has returned to the area and the people being rehabilitated, such medical programme will help them in no small measure. I noticed that all of them are suffering from one form of ailment or the other. Majority of them cannot afford to pay for normal medical service and they may be dying in silence.

    “Since I live among them and we interact enough, I have realised that they needed medical attention. So, I had to intervene in this direction to complement the efforts of the state and local governments.”

    While declaring the programme open at Primary Health Clinic, Ra-Hoss, Riyom Local Government Area, he said: “The medical services which will last for four days is free of charge and will be carried out in collaboration with a team of final year medical students of the University of Jos.

    Hon Dem advised members of his constituency to be orderly during the programme, even as he urged them to abide by instruction they will receive from the team. He also told his constituents to take advantage of the free medical services to ascertain their health status.

    The lawmaker lamented that due to the prolonged strike by the local government workers, his people were denied the needed medical service that are most paramount to healthy living, hence the need to assist them with the free medical services.

    In his remarks, head of the medical team, Goffen Cornelius said: “The legislator has provided relevant drugs for the exercise. We are here with 30 medical students of the University of Jos to render service to the people. Though the exercise is targeted at 10,000 people, the legislator has provided medical facilities that can cater for as many as 14,000 people. We are sure that at the end of the exercise, every resident of the area will benefit from the exercise.

    Mr. Goffen further said that the team will concentrate on assessment of ailments, dispensing of drugs and screening in areas of HIV and AIDS, hepatitis B, diabetes, high blood pressure, blood level, and malaria, among other common ailments.

    He assured people who might be living with the HIV virus of their privacy, stating that all results of ailments examined will be confidently treated.

    Goffen appealed to the people to be orderliness to enable the doctors to offer their best. He also noted that better explanations from the patients will assist the medical personnel to apply the necessary medications to their cases.

    Chairman of Riyom Local Government Area Sam Gyang and Hon. Danyap Fredrick, the council’s Supervisor for Health, praised the lawmaker on the initiative. The council chief called on other political leaders from the local government to emulate Hon Dem.

  • Ahmadu Bello Foundation donates relief materials to Benue

    Ahmadu Bello Foundation (ABF) has donated relief materials to victims of Benue flood disasters.

    The materials were presented by the foundation’s Chairman Advisory Council (CAC), Justice Mamman Nasir yesterday. They were received by Governor Gabriel Suswam and his deputy, Chef Steven Lawani.

    Justice Nasir said the materials were part of efforts by the foundation to ameliorate the hardship face by those affected by the floods.

    Justice Nasir advised that rivers in Cameroon should be diverted to Lake Chad to avoid destruction of lives and farmlands to flood.

    He said if Sir Ahmadu Bello was alive, he would have personally brought the relief materials because of his concern for the welfare of the people.

    Suswam praised the foundation for the gesture.

    The Director, National Center for Remote Sensing (NCRS), Efron Gajere, has said the proper use of the environment would help curb flooding and other disasters.

    Gajere spoke in Jos as part of the activities marking the world space week.

    He said: “The Nigerian population is completely ignorant of the best way to make use of our environments, we are using the environment negatively and the consequence is heavy on Nigerians and the Federal Government.

    “If the society is adequately informed and enlightened on best practices of managing our environments, we will not have natural disaster like flooding and desertification.

    “All the disaster we called natural disasters are man-made and this is largely due to our ignorance of how to use this free gift from God.

    “So, flooding and desertification can be prevented if we are equipped with adequate knowledge of usage of our environment and this is where the Ministry of Environment should come in and put up serious public enlightenment, educate our children in schools so that we can all together have a better use of our environment.

    “We owe it to our children a befitting environment, if we destroy it now what are they going to inherit tomorrow.

    The director NCRS advised Nigerians living on water ways to vacate before the rain set in next year, those living by drainage channels should clear them as this is the only way to avoid another flooding in the next rainy season.

    “Our negative attitude against the environment should change so that we can enjoy this environment.”

  • Edo distributes relief materials to flood victims

    Edo distributes relief materials to flood victims

    The Edo State Government yesterday began the distribution of relief materials to flood victims.

    Over 30 communities in three local government areas of the state have been submerged.

    The materials include mattresses, blankets, clothing, food, toiletries, beverages and drugs.

    Doctors and nurses were also on ground to attend to the victims’ medical needs.

    The distribution was handled by the Edo Relief Committee and the State Emergency Relief Agency.

    Committee Chairman Hajia Maimuna Momodu assured the materials would be evenly distributed.

    She urged the Federal Government to assist the state in alleviating the suffering of the victims.

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole had earlier ordered the release of N100 million for the provision of relief materials to the victims.

    When the governor visited the submerged communities, many of them were no longer accessible.

    He had to inspect some in a helicopter and others in a canoe. Oshiomhole said: “What has happened is an act of God and no one can challenge the will of God. In other parts of the country, we have heard of the loss of lives, but, so far, we have not recorded any death. Let us pray that the river goes back to its boundary.

    “President Goodluck Jonathan is concerned about this calamity. The government will try as much as possible to reduce the hardship suffered by the people by providing relief materials. What we cannot change we will bear.

    “We will send relief materials, which must be shared to everybody, irrespective of party affiliation.

    “Doctors would be sent to treat the sick. We will also send buses to take those trapped in the flooded communities to the rehabilitation centres.”

     

     

    “The entire area is in a terrible shape. We could not even land the helicopter because everywhere was flooded. I was surprised, because I passed through these communities a few months back and everything was okay. This is a serious natural disaster and it is not limited to riverside communities. Even communities that are more than three-four kilometres away from the river have been taken over by water.

    “Farmlands have been destroyed and property lost. I saw dead goats and sheep floating on the water. I had to paddle the canoe to move round the affected areas. A whole church is right inside water; it is unbelievable.

    “Nature is angry. We can only pray that God takes control and the water recedes. Of course there are immediate and long terms social and economic consequences, but in the long run, I believe the state and Federal government would find long and short term solutions, should this kind of thing happens again.

    “Presently, I do not see any scientific thing we can do to get rid of the water. We have serious humanitarian challenges and I think the immediate one is to provide food and shelter.”

    Richard Okowele (41), who has lived all his life in Illushi, said he has lost a part of his house and what is left of it is on the verge of collapse.

    For Isaac Isimoni, his two wives and 11 children, they are hoping that help gets to them before the Ilushi Secondary School, where they are squatting, is completely taken over by flood.

    At Udochi, Mallam Musa Aliu said: “We woke up one morning and saw that water had taken over our community. Several houses have been submerged and we have lost our property. We were forced to abandon all we had. I have no clothes anymore. I have been wearing this cloth for the past two weeks. Many people were injured, but we thank God that no one died. The council chairman brought food for us and that is how we have been feeding.”

    President of the Udochi Development Asociation Zakari Jubril, an engineer, said: “We were scared of an epidemic, but the evacuation of victims to relief centres has alleviated our fears. We pray the water level subsides, so that the people can go about their normal life again. People had to climb trees for survival; it was a pitiable sight.”

     

  • Relief coming for floods victims, says Jonathan

    Relief coming for floods victims, says Jonathan

    TRYING floods victims may soon get some help from the Federal Government.

    President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that the Federal Government would collaborate with the affected states and local governments in reaching out to the victims. Many have lost their homes and businesses since the ravaging floods became serious last month.

    Besides, Dr. Jonathan assured Nigerians of better days ahead, saying that there has been inflow of foreign investments, which is an indication of economic growth.

    The President spoke in a national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 52nd Independence anniversary.

    “In the last few weeks, for example, many of our communities have been ravaged by floods, resulting in the loss of lives and property and the displacement of persons.

    “I want to reassure all affected Nigerians that I share in their grief, and our administration is taking steps to address these incidents, in collaboration with the states and local governments.

    “We have received the interim report of the presidential team that was set up to assess the flooding situation across the country.

    “The Federal Government has taken measures to assist the affected states, while considering long-term measures to check future reoccurrence.’’

    The President noted that the various challenges confronting the nation would not deter the efforts of his administration on several fronts at transforming the nation.

    He said the proactive measures put in place to check the spate of insecurity in the nation were yielding results.

    Specifically, he said the government’s consultation and collaboration with neighbours and friendly nations internal and cross-border security had helped to check security challenges.

    He said: “Our security agencies are constantly being strengthened and repositioned for greater efficiency. Many Nigerians have acknowledged that there has been a significant decline in the spate of security breaches.

    “While expressing our condolences to affected families; let me reiterate the commitment of this administration to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians.’’

    Jonathan said the government was succeeding in the fight against corruption in all facets of the economy.

    “We have put an end to several decades of endemic corruption associated with fertiliser and tractor procurement and distribution.

    “We have exposed decades of scam in the management of pensions and fuel subsidy, and ensured that the culprits are being brought to book.

    “In its latest report, Transparency International noted that Nigeria is the second most improved country in the effort to curb corruption.

    “We will sustain the effort in this direction with an even stronger determination to strengthen the institutions that are statutorily entrusted with the task of ending this scourge.’’

    He reassured of his commitment to non-interference in the work of the relevant anti-corruption agencies.

    The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to the pursuit of fundamental objectives of an open society.

    He said he would remain steadfast in the pursuit of freedom, security and prosperity for the Nigerian people, and for the rule of law.

    Dr. Jonathan said Nigeria will continue to be a source of pride to its citizens, to Africa, and to the human race.

    “On this special day, I call on every Nigerian to remain steadfast, because our nation is indeed making progress. I call on every Nigerian to rediscover that special spirit that enables us to triumph over every adversity as a people.

    “I bring to you today, a message of renewed hope and faith in the immense possibilities that lie ahead.

    “Fellow citizens, I have an unshaken belief in the future of our great country.

    “I consider it a priority and sacred duty to continue to strengthen the bond of unity that holds our nation together and to promote and nourish the creative energies of our people.

    “This is a central objective of our administration’s transformation agenda. Nigeria, I assure you, will continue to grow from strength to strength.’’

    President Jonathan urged Nigerians to remain steadfast as the nation was making progress in addressing socio-economic challenges facing the country.

    “Our vision is encapsulated in the transformation agenda. We are working hard and making progress on many fronts.

    He saluted the efforts of the nation’s founding fathers who, he said, brought joy and hope to the hearts of Nigerians when they won independence from Britain on Oct.1, 1960.

    “Nigeria made a clean break with more than six decades of colonial rule, and emerged as a truly independent nation.”

    The President said Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), driven mainly by non-oil sector, has grown by 7.1 per cent, while the economy attracted N6.8 trillion investments in nine months.

    “Over the past five years, the global economy has been going through a weak and uncertain recovery. During the same period and particularly in the last two years, the Nigerian economy has done appreciably well, in spite of the global financial crisis.

    “Nigeria’s real GDP has grown by 7.1 per cent on average.

    “It is also significant to state that the GDP growth has been driven largely by the non-oil sector,’’ he said.

    According to him, the nation has improved on its investment environment as more corporate bodies are investing in the Nigerian economy.

    “Our Investment Climate Reform Programme has helped to attract over N6.8 trillion local and foreign direct investment commitments.’’

    He said that Nigeria had become the preferred destination for investment in Africa.

    “It is ranked first in the top five host economies for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa, accounting for over 20 per cent of total FDI flows into the continent.’’

    The president said his administration had streamlined bureaucratic activities at the ports to ensure greater efficiency in the handling of ports and port-related businesses.

    “Specifically, we have drastically reduced the goods clearing period in our ports from about six weeks to about one week and under. We have an ultimate target of 48 hours.’’

    He said a new visa policy has made it easier for legitimate investors to receive long stay visas.

    “We have achieved a 24-hour timeline for registration of new businesses, leading to the registration of close to 7,000 companies within the second quarter of 2012.

    “The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has disclosed that as at July 2012, 249 new members across the country had joined the association, and that capacity utilisation has also improved.

    “The multiplier effect of this development on our job creation programme cannot be over-emphasised.’’

    On the country’s power supply situation, Jonathan expressed delight that electricity supply nationwide is gradually improving.

    “We are successfully implementing a well-integrated power sector reform programme, which includes institutional arrangements to facilitate and strengthen private-sector-led power generation, transmission and distribution.

    “We have also put in place a cost-reflective tariff structure that reduces the cost of power for a majority of electricity consumers.

    “I am pleased with the feedback from across the country, of improvements in power supply.’’

    The President also noted that the country had continued to improve and stabilise its crude production volumes.

    He said that the 12-month gas supply emergency plan put in place earlier this year had produced more than the targeted volume of gas for power generation.

    “A robust Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has been put before the National Assembly.

    “Its passage into law will ensure far-reaching reforms, transparency, accountability, increased government revenue and predictability for investors in the Oil and Gas sector,’’ he said.

    He said that several government programmes and projects were creating wealth and millions of job opportunities for the youths and general population.

    Jonathan said that such programmes include “You-Win’’, both for the youths and for women, public works, the local content initiative in the Oil and Gas Sector, and the agricultural transformation programme.

     

  • NEMA distributes relief materials

    NEMA distributes relief materials

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday began the distribution of relief materials to flood victims in 14 local government areas of Niger State.

    An official of the agency said the gesture is to cushion the effect of the flood.

    He added that the materials would alleviate the condition of the people.

    The items distributed include mattresses, nylon mats, buckets, mosquito nets, blankets, bags of rice, guinea corn, maize, millets and sugar, cartons of soap, powdered milk, beverages, noddles, water, palm oil and clothing materials.

    Handing over the materials to Sani Kutigi, a member of the House of Representatives, the Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Sidi, said they were donated to cushion the effect of the flood.