The Nation Newspaper

Tag: safer

  • SAfER II: Oyo begins distribution of 10kg rice to 30,000 residents

    SAfER II: Oyo begins distribution of 10kg rice to 30,000 residents

    The Oyo State government has begun the second phase of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER).

    The state government kick-started the phase with the distribution of 10kg bags of rice to 30,000 residents on Wednesday.

    Speaking at the presentation of the food relief item held at the Local Government Training School, Secretariat, Ibadan, the Secretary of the SAfER Committee and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Musibau Babatunde, said the food distribution was aimed at alleviating poverty among residents.

    He added that the food relief items would also improve the welfare of the residents, especially the socially disadvantaged groups in the state.

    According to Babatunde, the beneficiaries of the food relief item were selected across the 33 local government areas of the state and they included widows, the underprivileged, people living with disabilities, the aged and other vulnerable people.

    He said, “This ceremony is a symbolic presentation of rice that was given to Oyo State by the Aliko Dangote Foundation.

    “The state is already in the second phase of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER), which has been put together by the governor of the state to alleviate poverty and improve the welfare of the residents. This is part of the strategic partnership the state is forming with the private sector.

    “This initiative will cut across socially disadvantaged groups in the state, from the physically challenged to the vulnerable groups and the elderly.

    “We are expecting about 30,000 beneficiaries, and we are going to ensure it touches all the local government areas in the state.”

    Earlier in his speech, the Head of Operations, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Lagos, Mr Edero Victor Ejiro, said the initiative to distribute one million bags of 10kg rice to the vulnerable, widows, underprivileged, and people going through hardship across the country started in 2024.

    He commended the Governor Makinde administration for supporting the poorest of the poor, the needy and the vulnerable in the state, stressing that the Aliko Dangote Foundation would complement the efforts through the donations of food materials for nutritional and economic empowerment.

    He urged the beneficiaries to also share with people around them, saying: “I am here to present 30,000 bags of 10kg rice to Oyo State.

    “Our chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, came up with this initiative last year, that we should distribute one million bags across the nation. We did it last year, and we are also doing it now.

    “So, I am here to deliver the package to Oyo State. I want to also state categorically that the Foundation has been in existence for over 30 years and we are grounded in three key areas, including empowerment, nutrition and education.

    “We are here to help on the nutritional aspect and that of the economic empowerment aspect, because we know that the country is bedevilled with hardship and the governors of various states, especially in Oyo State, are coming up with various initiatives to combat hunger and other crises.

    “So, this one is just a kind of complementary effort to what the governor of the state is doing for the needy and the vulnerable in society.

    Read Also: Oyo Assembly aspirant seeks democratisation of education, health sectors

    “We are very sure that the committee in place meant to handle the distribution would do a thorough job to make sure this rice gets to the vulnerable and our target audience.

    “So far, we are impressed with what we have seen and we know they will do a good job to ensure everything goes round.”

    Delivering a vote of thanks, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Disability Matters, Hon. Olufemi Timothy, appreciated Governor Makinde and the donor, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, for their support to the needy.

    Some of the beneficiaries, Mrs Omotayo Borode, Alhaji Tajudeen Olapade and Mr Emmanuel Adepoju, expressed their gratitude to Governor Makinde and the Aliko Dangote Foundation for their support.

    The event had in attendance some government functionaries and selected beneficiaries across the 33 local governments in the state.

  • SAfER: Oyo empowers 1,407 farmers with N460m

    SAfER: Oyo empowers 1,407 farmers with N460m

    • Gives 24,000 bags of 50kg maize to 2,000 poultry farmers, feeds to 1,000 fish farmers

    As part of its Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative to cushion the effect of economic hardship on residents, Oyo State Government has given out N460million loan to farmers to grow their farming businesses.

    The sum is part of the N1billion promised by Governor Seyi Makinde to ensure food security, following the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol.

    Food security is one of the key components of the SAfER initiative.

    The loans, made available to farmers from all parts of the state, were routed through banks, including Bank of Agriculture, Ibadan branch; Bank of Agriculture, Iseyin branch; Bank of Agriculture, Oyo branch; Onibu-Ore Microfinance Bank, Ibadan; Ifedapo Microfinance Bank, Saki; Igboora Microfinance Bank, Igboora and Randalpha Microfinance Bank, Ogbomoso.

    Speaking about the single-digit loans to farmers, the Chairman of SAfER Committee, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, said the second phase, which would witness the disbursement of N550million to different categories of farmers, would soon begin.

    Read Also: Dollarisation: EFCC raises 14 task forces, arrests racketeers

    Urging the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity to ensure Oyo State has food security, Ogunwuyi, who is also the Chief of Staff to the Governor, said the state would continue to support farmers.

    He said the loans are available to farmers irrespective of their religious or political leanings.

    Said he: “No farmer needs to know anyone in government to access the loans. All anyone interested in the loan has to do is to obtain the form from one of the banks, fill it and return it to the bank. The bank will carry out their assessment and provide the loan for any farmer who satisfies the requirements.”

    The state government had, through the SAfER initiative, also given out 24,000 bags of 50kg maize to 2,000 poultry farmers, just as it distributed fish feeds to 1,000 farmers.

  • ‘17,000 Oyo residents get daily support through SAfER transport’

    ‘17,000 Oyo residents get daily support through SAfER transport’

    The Executive Chairman and Sole Administrator of the Pacesetter Transport Service, Dr. Ibrahim Salami (Dikko), has said the state’s Mass Transit Scheme commutes no fewer than 17,000 residents at half price on intra-city and inter-city routes.

    He said the effort is part of efforts to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy on residents of Oyo State.

    Salami stated this in an interview, noting that the effort is part of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative introduced by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde.

    According to him, the state government introduced the SAfER Transport initiative, which allows residents to pay as low as N100 to N200 on routes within Ibadan and other major cities of the state, and at most N1,500 for inter-city transportation from Ibadan, the state capital, to other parts of the state such as Oyo, Ogbomoso, Eruwa, Iseyin and Saki.

    He noted, however, that while residents pay half price for commuting, as part of government’s efforts to support families, households and individuals across the state to mitigate the effect of the economic hardship on them, the state augments the cost of fuelling and maintenance of the 55 buses in the fleet of the transport service.

    He said: “We have 55 buses in the Pacesetter Transport Services’ fleet and all our buses have been deployed for the SAfER intervention. That is the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER), an initiative put in place by the state governor to cushion the effect of the economic hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.

    “You will recall that there are many segments in the SAfER initiative, including food support, support for agriculture, entrepreneurship and health as well as transportation.”

    “Under the SAfER Transport, we commute 13,000 people daily on routes inside Ibadan, the state capital, alone. Outside Ibadan, we commute about 3,276 people daily, making it about 17,000 people every day.

    Read Also: APC pegs Edo guber nomination fee at N50m, holds primary Feb. 17

    “What the governor asked us to do was to reduce the prices of our mass transit to 50 per cent across the state and we did that. That is why even on buses that are going to Saki, Iseyin, Ogbomoso, Eruwa and Oyo from Ibadan, our people are boarding them and enjoying the 50 per cent slashed rate. We have also added the Oyo-Saki route. The bus will take off at Oyo, stopover in Iseyin and then move to Saki.

    “For instance, in Ibadan, the highest rate to move from one spot to another is N200 no matter how far you are going. The only place we charge N500 is when you are boarding from the Train Station in Moniya. But moving intra-city, the highest is N150 to N200 and we are using 34 buses in Ibadan currently.

    “Within Saki, Iseyin, Ogbomoso, Oyo, and Ibarapa, the highest is N100 because they are not as wide as Ibadan. We are always considering our people. We fuel each bus with 70 litres of diesel, which we buy at the rate of N1,200 per litre, which means that we spend above N70,000 but we only make around N40,000 daily on each bus.

    “I would like to thank the governor who has been subsidising everything for us. Right from the time we started the SAfER programme, he has been providing the funds to subsidise everything and that is why we are still in operation now in terms of fuelling and maintenance of the buses.”

  • Caesarean section now safer method of delivery

    Caesarean section now safer method of delivery

    Caesarean Section, CS, though not an option for women when it comes to delivery, most women nowadays still prefers it because, according to them, the pain you go through is less. In this interview with OMOLARA AKINTOYE, an obstetrician/gynaecologist, Dr Adeleke Kaka, explains that it is advised that from age 40 women should consider CS as an option to avoid complications 

    Which one is safer, Caesarean Section or Vaginal birth? Evidence has shown that CS actually carries more morbidity than vaginal birth. Normal delivery is safer. There are lots of risks involved in CS. They include some cases requiring anesthesia (the loss of sensation caused by damage to a nerve). Nowadays, patients don’t sleep again as injection administered on them will only induce loss of sensitivity to pain in all or a part of the body for medical reasons. The risk involved in terms of anesthesia includes numbness, and hypotension (blood pressure dropping) which can be very severe. That of anesthesia can go beyond what is expected. Others include cardiovascular collapse or paralysis. In serious emergency cases whereby the patient is from a Traditional Birth Attendant or Faith-Based Home, when she has been labouring for days before being transferred to another hospital and the gastric content might have reduced, this will no doubt put both the mother and the baby at risk. There can be inadvertent injury at the point of cut.

    At what point will a woman be considered for CS?

    Looking at it from the time when the woman is pregnant to that of labour, placing a woman on CS can be for the following reasons: If the mother has severe hypertension or enclampsia which are dangerous, we can’t subject such a woman to normal delivery to avoid complications. Another instance is when the baby’s position is abnormal in the womb or if the mother has fibroid around the cervix or in the lower part of the womb or if the baby is too big, like 4.5kg upwards. Another instance is when the placenta is at the lower segment before the baby. Another instance is when the pregnant woman after having undergone scan is said to have placenta previa, i.e. the placenta is at the lower part of the abdomen while the fetus is up. If such a woman is allowed to go through normal delivery she will bleed to death. It is advised that such a woman go through CS to save the life of the mother and the baby.

    Speaking about the advantages of vaginal delivery, Dr Kaka said babies born vaginally have a decreased risk of certain immune system disorders, including asthma and allergies, compared with those born by Caesarean Section. According to recent studies, researchers now think they know why entering the world via the vagina exposes babies to several kinds of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus; these normally comprise more than 95 percent of vaginal bacteria and go on to colonise the newborn’s intestine.

    The type of bacteria on new borns’ skins seems to influence the development of their digestive and immune systems, according to reports.

    Ceasarean Section, according to Dr. Kaka, also has lots of advantages. “Yes, a Caesarean birth is a major abdominal surgery and it involves all the risks associated with that. However, medical science is now so advanced as to lower the risk so significantly that women can consider elective CS birth. C sections are now much safer than they used to be, and with them becoming more routine, surgeons are more skilled at this than ever before.

    “Also, labour pains can be a very real downside to a vaginal delivery. Since labour pains can extend over a long period of time, it can be a harrowingly difficult and painful time for a woman.

    There are many benefits to a Caesarean section delivery as well, which should be noted so that a woman can make an informed decision about an elective CS if she so wishes.

    “There is of course the pain of an abdominal surgery to overcome, but after the first few days the pain is very manageable in most cases. Remember even in a vaginal delivery there is usually an episiotomy performed so there are those stitches to deal with. In any case, proponents of a CS will tell you that with this form of delivery you know the amount and duration of pain, whereas with a vaginal delivery you don’t know how long and severe your labour will be. You can be conscious throughout and not have to suffer any pain of delivery. Post-delivery issues like haemorrhoids, etc, are also not an issue with a CS.

    “A vaginal delivery is not the most private of things, with doctors and nurses milling around to check how dilated you are, and you being in a less than flattering position for any number of hours. A CS is over in a matter of some minutes. Coming through the birth canal is quite an arduous process for a baby, who often comes out with an elongated or slightly misshapen head. In a CS the child is simply lifted out and has to undergo none of the rigours of a vaginal delivery.”

    Proponents of natural childbirth, generally, he explained, are of the view that it is a process that should happen in due course rather than something you schedule, but this has to be a personal choice that a woman should be permitted to make without having to deal with guilt. In conclusion, Kaka pointed out that when it comes to labour, mothers should bear in mind that there is nothing to be afraid of, “since there is a team of doctors and nurses who are there to help you, to make sure that everything goes well during delivery. No matter how scary it may sound, when the instincts kick in so you will know what to do. Before the big day comes you should make sure that you will find out things to know about labour and you should talk about stages of labour with your doctor.”

  • Lafarge Africa commits to safer environment

    Lafarge Africa commits to safer environment

    •Inaugurates logistics academy

    Lafarge Africa Plc has pledged further commitment to ensuring safer environment in its business operations.

    To this end, the firm, last week, inaugurated a logistics academy at its Ewekoro cement plant in Ogun State.

    The academy to train and upgrade  drivers’ skills, transport firms’ owners, employees and other stakeholder groups in the logistics process of its cement business, is situated across four locations in three regions of the country where the firm operates.

    According to the Managing Director, Lafarge Africa, Mr. Michel Puchercos, the academy is in line with the company’s vision to build a stronger Nigeria safely, ethically and sustainably through innovative construction solutions.

    “One of the ways to achieve this is through the safe delivery of our products across the country. We commit to operational excellence, enhanced  quality of logistics services, strong road transport safety management, and attainment of our overall safety objective of Clean, Green, Zero Harm environment,” he stressed.

    Puchercos explained that the initiative would impact the firm’s business positively and aid in achieving the desired Operational Performance Improvement.

    The scheme, he further said, would focus on three ‘Ps’- People development; Process efficiency and Performance improvement – factors, he explained, are driven by the pillars of drivers training and development, contractors/transporters development, and logistics staff training and development.

    The Logistics Director, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Hans Mielants, argued that the majority of accidents   on the roads were avoidable. This, he said, was why key logistic stakeholders must continue to develop the requisite skills and constantly enhance their levels of professionalism, which will ultimately make the environment safer.

    He said the Lafarge Africa Plc, is, through this initiative, proactively closing this gap and raise the required level of proficiency for sustained improvement of business and the environment.

    It will be recalled that the firm, in May 2014, launched a Drivers’ Academy for the engagement of certified drivers, who would have passed through a systematic qualification process.

    The successes recorded from this effort, as well as the urge to continue to improve its safety records, Puchercos explained, culminated in the launch of the more, inclusive Lafarge Africa Logistics Academy.

  • Lafarge emphasises on safer structures

    Lafarge emphasises on safer structures

    The General Manager, Independent Power Projects, Lafarge Holcin, Mr. Lanre Opakunle, has called for collaboration among stakeholders, professional bodies, especially the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Institute of Quantity Surveyors, and others to support the Build Safe, Live Safe campaign. He made this known at a media parley designed to educate and enlighten the public and professional builders on the need to engage professional structural and civil engineers in construction. The ‘Build Safe campaign’ was created to reduce the incidence of collapsed building which has remained a recurring decimal.

    According to the Director Ready Mix Operations, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Fred Amobi, most of  the cases of building collapse  occur as a result of poor mixture of concrete. He said until people are ready to mix concrete in proper proportion, it might be difficult to curtail the menace. He said with the Lafarge Build Safe, Live Safe campaign, stakeholders are expected to come together to rub minds on how to stop unwholesome practices in the sector.

    Amobi, therefore, urged professionals to opt for ready mix concrete which is both affordable and durable in construction, rather than allowing building contractors to put them into trouble while trying to be economical with building materials. This method, he explained, can save millions of home owners from calamity, and also make construction works more profitable for building professionals.

    “Ready-mix concrete is concrete that is manufactured in a factory or batching plant, according to a set recipe, and then delivered to a work site, by truck mounted in–transit mixers. This results in a precise mixture, allowing specialty concrete mixtures to be developed and implemented on construction sites. Ready Mix concrete construction is the future of the construction industry,” he insisted.

    Amobi said Lafarge interacts with all actors in the construction chain and makes a net positive contribution to society through sustainable developments which is part of the company’s DNA.

    A property consultant with TELL Communications Ltd, Mr. Boye Ajayi, urged Nigerians to be weary of whom they consult for construction works. He also used the occasion to challenge Lafarge on the sustainability of the campaign by continuously sensitising the public.

    “As for Lafarge, I will urge them to sustain this campaign and platform. We should structure this forum and partner with various institutions and schools to deepen the Build Safe, Live Safe campaign,” he said.

    Amobi assured that Lafarge Africa will strive to create more value for customers and end-users by providing them with the highest quality products and solutions.

    Indeed, the rate of buildings collapse in Nigeria has become alarming, with its attendant loss of lives and destroying properties. Concerned by the number of lives and properties lost to collapsed buildings, many civil, structural engineers as well as other practitioners many property owners have been left homeless to the scourge.

  • Make your kitchen a safer place

    Make your kitchen a safer place

    Your kitchen is one of the most dangerous rooms in the house. But you can make it safer with these 10 expert tips from weight watchers magazines.

    Sharpen your knives. Struggling with a dull blade, you can easily lose your grip and slice your fingers. Surprisingly, knives are the most hazardous items inyour home.

    Avoid outlet overload. Plugging two heating or cooking appliances such as electric boiler rings, popcorn poppers, toaster ovens, or electric frying pans into the circuit could blow a fuse or cause a fire.

    Refrigerate all left overs promptly. When cooked food sits out for more than two hours, bacteria multiply to levels that can make you sick. Heat properly stored left overs thoroughly

    Set your refrigerator at or below 40 degrees. Your freezer should be set at 0 degrees.

    Marinate meat in the fridge; it will prevent bacteria from multiplying. Bring marinade to a boil for a few minutes before serving as a sauce.

    Thaw carefully. To defrost frozen foods, place them on a plate in the refrigerator or in a bowl of cold water that you’ empty and refill frequently. If you are ready to cook, it is alright to thaw in the microwave.

    Head off cross-contamination. You can spread hazardous bacteria, including salmonella and E. Coli, by handling raw meat, poultry, fish and eggs, then touching other foods and surfaces. Wash contaminated surfaces with plain soap and hot water to clean them adequately expert’s advice. Use an antibacterial cleaner for extra protection

    Scrub food that grows on the ground. The skins of melons and squash can carry dangerous bacteria. Before cutting, rinse them thoroughly under cold water and scrub to remove any clinging soil.

  • Orji: Southeast safer with PDP

    The Southeast is safer under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abia State Governor Theodore Orji said yesterday.

    He urged the people not to be deceived that there is a better choice than the PDP.

    The governor spoke in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Public Communication, Ben Onyechere.

    He said based on “past experiences the Igbo have undergone in the politics of this country, this is the reason we should stay away from people who may want to mislead us for selfish intentions.

    “In plain language, the PDP is a party that is not owned by anybody as against the rest, which are built on individuals and ethnic affinity that can never be considerate for Igbo interest.

    “When the chips are down, those behind the other political affiliations will certainly take decisions that will be inimical to the desired goals of the Igbo.

    “Let us tell ourselves the truth that the Igbo have suffered unjustly in the political calculus of this nation but with the amount of time and commitment we have invested in the PDP, the time to reap from what we have sown is near. The devil you know is better and a bird in hand is preferable than 10 in the bush, which predisposes that we should not waiver in our support for President Goodluck Jonathan because in the end, we shall be better for it.

    “The important point to note is that the PDP has laid a solid foundation whose future is predictable even though there may arise altercations once in a while.”