The Nation Newspaper

Tag: The Nation newspaper

  • Gates Foundation report hails Nigeria for improved immunisation

    The 2019 Goalkeeper Report of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) has praised states in the Northwest for improvement in routine immunisation.

    According to the report, which has sub-themes on climate adaption, gender inequality, digital inclusion and data exploration of countries all over the world, Sokoto, Kaduna, Zamfara and Kebbi states were specifically praised for improvement in their routine immunisation.

    Health Advocates, under the aegis of Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health at Scale (PACFaH@Scale) project, reviewed the report and said it was done to draw lessons for Nigeria.

    The group noted that although the aim was on reporting successes and challenges in the report, they were focused on the implications of the healthcare delivery section of the report for Nigeria.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Abuja, where they issued a communique on the report review, members of the group said the challenge of healthcare delivery was of direct focus for the PACFaH@Scale project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

    Project Chairman Nura Faggo said: “If you go through the report, there is a paragraph under routine immunisation where the North Western states of Sokoto, Kaduna, Zamfara and Kebbi axis were commended for improvement in routine immunisation. But note that the primary health care delivery is the cornerstone of healthcare the world over.

    Read Also: Gates foundation honours 16-year-old activist who refused child marriage

    “So, you cannot say that the fact that Nigeria is putting structures in place to make it better, that it is enough. We are still asking for more because if the primary health care system is okay, the secondary and tertiary health care system will have less burdens.

    “We acknowledge the progress, the implementation of the universal health coverage and approval of the basic health care provision fund, which is in the 2019 budget and will be made a statutory allocation by next year, where one per cent of the federation’s collection is set aside for the fund for states to access is quite commendable for the Nigerian government and shows that we are aligning ourselves with the sustainable development goals.”

    Reading the communique, he added: “The challenge of healthcare delivery is of direct focus for the PACFaH@Scale project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

    “As the Federal Government of Nigeria prepares to submit the 2020 annual budget, it behoves us to use this medium to draw the attention of government to the opportunity of strengthening healthcare delivery through the mechanism of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) within the framework of Primary Healthcare Under One Roof (PHCUOR) policy.

    “We, therefore, call on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at national and state levels to expanded universal health coverage within national and state adopted Primary Healthcare under one roof policies…”

  • Gates exposed me to challenges in our health system, says Dangote

    The Chairman of Dangote Group of Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has said he did not know the level of neglect in Nigeria’s Health sector until he had a conversation with American billionaire, Mr Bill Gates.

    Dangote spoke yesterday in New York at this year’s goalkeepers meeting of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

    He recalled that after his conversion with Mr Gates, he became more interested in doing something to improve children’s access to nutritional food and healthcare system in the country.

    Dangote said his work through his foundation had helped to shape policy around nutrition in Nigeria.

    For example, the Federal Government now has a policy on food fortification, making it compulsory for producers of certain products, such as rice, sugar, wheat, spaghetti and noodles, to include vitamin supplements in their products.

    “When I started my foundation in 1994, I never realised we had this massive challenge in the Health sector.

    “Really, it was mind-boggling when we had this agreement to collaborate with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and that really opened my eyes to realise that there are a lot of challenges in health.

    Read Also: UN Sec-Gen appoints Dangote, Adesina, 25 others to fight global malnutrition

    “At that time, I didn’t have the opportunity of meeting Bill, but meeting him changed me into a different person.

    “This is somebody who has nothing to do with us in Africa or Nigeria, but he is putting his money and his soul into everything.

    “He is very committed to helping humanity and that really surprises me a lot. I realised that he is a simple person; I never knew Bill would be this simple. He is a very soft-spoken guy and kind-hearted. It is very difficult to find people like Bill in this world. My only prayer is that in the next few years, I will try and give my chunk of wealth to charity too,” he said.

    Also, the Co-founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill Gates, said he would not have had the kind of relationship he currently has in Africa without Dangote.

    He hailed Dangote for helping children overcome malnutrition in Nigeria through food fortification.

    The American said balanced diet is important because a child’s ultimate survival after the age of five depends on the nutrition he or she gets.

    Gates also thanked Dangote for being a true friend and teaching him how to communicate with people.

  • Tinubu distributes books to three schools

    The President of Fatima Charity Foundation (FCF) Chief Bintu Fatima Tinubu has distributed exercise books to pupils in three schools.

    The schools are Lagos Island East Montessori Nursery and Primary School, Lagos Island, Ladipo Primary School, Sari-Iganmu and Ikosi Primary School, Ikosi-Isheri.

    Chief Tinubu, who is the Iyalode of Lagos, said the gesture was to complement the effort of the state government in education.

    “We decided that there is a lot to be done by the Lagos State government and they cannot do it alone. We decided to help the children to make their study easier,” she said.

    The Iyalode of Lagos said the Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Comrade Kamal Salau-Bashua did a great job by building a modern school capable of competing with private schools.

    Nigeria, she said, will gain more if all school-age children are enrolled in school.

    Read Also: Tribunal victory: Tinubu congratulates Ogun governor

    She urged the youth to shun cultism and other criminal activities.

    “Be determined to succeed and work towards achieving that success. You don’t need the government to get yourself to succeed, it’s what you do to yourself – your determination, energy, focus, that will make the world a better place for you,” she said.

    Comrade Salau-Bashua hailed Chief Tinubu for coming to the aid of the schools.

    He described private sector partnership with government as perfect, urging other non-governmental organisations to emulate the foundation.

    “We don’t expect our youths to be on the streets while their peers are in the classrooms. They should seize the opportunity of learning under a condusive atmosphere we are creating and make a good future for themselves,” he said.

  • Reps to probe AMCON’s N5.4tr debt profile

    The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate the Asset Management Corporation’ of Nigeria (AMCON) for its huge debt stock, said to be beyond its statutory ceiling.

    It mandated its Committee on Banking and Currency to probe the corporation’s N5.4 trillion debt portfolio as well as the alleged unwillingness of some of the debtors to pay.

    The need for the probe followed a motion presented by Cornelius Nnaji and passed by majority of the members.
    Presenting the motion, the lawmaker said the accumulation of the debts was in excess of its N800 billion debt ceiling.

    He said: “The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) was established 2015 to, among other functions, acquire eligible bank assets from eligible financial institutions and to hold, manage, realise and dispose of eligible bank assets (including the collection of interest, principal and capital due and taking over of collateral securing such assets).

    Read Also: N5.4tr debt: AMCON seeks INEC’s backing to block 12,537 mega debtors

    “AMCON is currently challenged by difficulties in recovery of debts owed by debtors to the tune of N5.4 trillion.”
    Nnaji said AMCON claimed that 20 individuals/entities were responsible for about 67 per cent of the N5.4 trillion debt portfolio, “an amount which is over 50 per cent of the 2018 budget of Nigeria”.

    He expressed concern that some of the debtors were alleged to be unwilling to pay.

    The motion was not debated but was passed when Deputy Speaker Idlris Wase called for a vote.

    The committee is also to “evaluate the status of the debts and the practical, legal and other strategies for the recovery of the debts, including recommending a timeframe and other options, such as amendment of the AMCON Act”.

    The committee is to report back within three weeks for further legislative action.

  • Lagos to housing partners: deliver or lose contract

    LAGOS State Government has threatened to revoke housing scheme contracts with private partners unless they delivered within the stipulated time.

    Commissioner for Housing Moruf Akinderu-Fatai said this yesterday during a meeting with the private sectors partners and joint venture investors at Alausa, Ikeja.

    Akinderu-Fatai lamented that many investors have not complied with the timeframe stipulated in their contract agreements.

    “Many of the private partners have not met up with the timelines thereby littering the state with many uncompleted housing schemes and causing delays in actualisation of government’s mandate.

    Read Also: ‘Lagos Assembly will not fail Lagosians’

    “All housing schemes that had been contracted out to private sector partners and joint investors are to be completed within the time-frame indicated in the contractual agreements or have them cancelled,” he warned.

    Earlier, the participating investors cited encumbrances, disappointments from funding partners and conflicts with various host communities as major difficulties faced.

    Akinderu-Fatai in his response advised the investors to prove their capabilities and justify the government’s confidence through working out solutions to these challenges.

    “While the government will do its best to intervene in some of the situations, we expect every investor to have engaged in self-audit before coming forward to take up the responsibilities of state housing scheme,” he said.

    According to him, the need to bridge the housing deficit is urgent and cannot wait till eternity to be solved.

    He reaffirmed government’s determination to make more Lagosians homeowners within the next two years, adding “we are committed to delivering our mandate in ensuring that more Lagosians gain access to homeownership irrespective of their ethnicity or political dispensation within the next 24 months. The completion of all ongoing housing schemes is a major strategy which the state intends to deploy in meeting its target.

     

     

     

     

  • How to avoid fire outbreaks, by experts

    THE Lagos State Government in collaboration with safety experts yesterday clearly explained the causes of fire outbreaks and how to avoid them.

    The Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Safety Commission, Dr Lanre Mojola said dry weather is a major cause of fires,  but also identified other causes such as storage of petrol in homes and markets, careless disposal of cigarette stubs, adulterated fuel, power surges, petrol tank explosions, electricity sparks and illegal connection of electrical wires.

    He said people should note these causes of fires and ensure they are prevented.

    He spoke during the second Lagos Fire Safety conference organised by the Commission in collaboration with safety experts.

    The conference with the theme, “Fire safety development plan- A sustainable approach” had speakers from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nigeria Insurance Association (NIA), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Emmergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigerian Red Cross.

    Represented by Dr Iyabo Phillip’s, Dr Mojola noted that in line with Occupational Safety and Health Acts, employers are mandated to provide proper firefighting equipment, including fire alarm panels, fire extinguishers, fire dampers, fire hydrants as well as ensuring appropriate fire evacuation plans by having designated fire exits and emergency escape routes for the safety of their employees.

     

  • Man ‘sells’ marijuana at NDLEA office

    A FEDERAL High Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded a man, Ayobiojo Hammed, who was allegedly caught peddling marijuana at the Lagos Command of the National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Justice Sule Hassan kept Hammed, of 7, Moshalashi Street, Empire, Surulere, Lagos, in prison custody following his guilty plea to a one-count charge of unlawfully distributing 630 grammes of the narcotic drug.

    He adjourned till October 11 for review of the facts of the case and sentencing.

    Earlier, NDLEA prosecutor Fingere Dinneys alleged that Hammed was arrested on March 26, while distributing 630 grammes of the substance to some construction workers on the NDLEA’s premises, 4, Shaw Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The court heard that the defendant’s offence infringed Section 20(1)(a) of the NDLEA Act, 2004 and was punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the same Act.

    Read Also: Man held with 17 bags of suspected Marijuana

    Following Hammed’s plea, his counsel, C. W. Ezeonyeziaku, who stood in for Mrs. Susan Agu, did not oppose the prosecution’s remand application.

    The charge against the defendant marked FHC/L/198c/19, reads: “That you Ayobiojo Hammed, Male, Adult, of 7, Moshalashi Street, Empire Surulere, Lagos on or about 26th March, 2019, at 4, Shaw Road, Ikoyi, Lagos without lawful authority distributed 630 grammes of Cannabis Sativa otherwise known as Marijuana, a narcotic drug similar to Cocaine, LSD and Heroin and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 20(1)(a) and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the NDLEA Act 2004”.

  • Mobile Money agent rapes’ colleague to death in Ogun

    A MOBILE money agent, Eniola Adenuga, on Wednesday gave insight into why and how he ‘raped’ his female co-worker Faith Jude to death in their office around Lafenwa area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    Adenuga said the girl just joined the company and quickly picked interest in her but added that despite having made countless advances to her with promises of treating her fine, she refused to accept his romantic overtures.

    He added that as the affection for her kept building up, he contemplated seeking to have his way by force and an opportunity provided itself on a particular rainy evening when the victim came to the office to collect the day’s proceeds for their master.

    A subdued Adenuga who spoke with reporters at the Ogun State Police Command headquarters, Eleweran, while being paraded by the police, said he grabbed the girl, wrestled her to the ground and raped her after gagging her.

    He added that he had scarcely concluded the rape  act when the girl died of suffocation.

    The suspect is pleading for mercy,  saying he never meant to kill Faith Jude.

    He said, “I raped her in the shop and she died in the process. I kept her corpse in the store.

    “In early hours of the third day of the incident,  I placed her corpse in front of the shop and went to report at Lafenwa police station that I found a corpse in front of our shop.

    “I had to confess during investigation that I actually covered her mouth with her underwear while I raped her to death.”

    The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Mr Edward Ajogun, who paraded  Adenuga,

    Read Also: Ladies identify ‘one chance robber’ in Ogun

    said the suspect had on September 19 reported at the  Lafenwa Police division  that he came to his office and found the lifeless body of Jude in front of the office covered with a canopy.

    Ajogun said upon his report,  the detectives from Lafenwa division went to the scene, carried out forensic examination of the place, took picture of the corpse and it was  discovered that there were marks of violence on the deceased body, suggesting she was murdered .

    Ajogun said: “Based on the recovery,  the complainant was professionally interrogated,  and it was discovered that he was the person that actually killed the victim.

    “He confessed to the crime and stated that the deceased, a co-worker came to the shop to collect money for their boss.

    “He took advantage of the heavy downpour on the day to grab the deceased, gagged her mouth with a piece of cloth while he raped her.

    “Having had his way with the girl,  he discovered that she had given up the ghost due to suffocation,” he said.

    According to the Deputy Police Commissioner, the case is being investigated by the Homicide section of the command’s Criminal Investigation Department.

  • How Nigeria can keep the lights on, by experts

    What is wrong with the power sector? Will tariff increase do the magic? Experts discussed these and more at the Power Nigeria Agenda conference and exhibition, which had several dignitaries and government officials in attendance. Deputy News Editor JOSEPH JIBUEZE reports.

     

    Some recommendations

    • Synergy among value chain players critical
    • More investments needed
    • Develop electricity-focused mutual funds/collective investment schemes
    • Enhance customer relations to reduce unpaid bills
    • Close sector’s financial gap, clea r legacy debt, inject private funding
    • Exploit alternative energy sources
    • Meter all consumers before tariff increase
    • Sustainable model for energy production, consumption needed

     

    DESPITE being the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria’s economic growth has been constrained by power sector limitations.

    The country is endowed with large oil, gas, hydro and solar resource, with the potential to generate 12,522 megawatts (MW) of electric power from existing plants.

    However, it is only able to generate between 4,000 to 7,000 megawatts (MW), sometimes below 4,000 MW, which is grossly insufficient.

    The problem has been attributed to challenges in the generation/distribution chain.

    In a bid to address it, the Federal Government divested its interest in the six power generating companies (GenCos), while 60 per cent of its shares in the 11 distribution companies (DisCos) were sold to private operators.

    Despite the privatisation, the Federal Government’s financial intervention in the industry has risen to N1.5trillion, according to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. Yet, the problems persist.

    At the 2019 Power Nigeria Exhibition and Conference in Lagos, organsed by Informa Markets, experts said more investments and funding are needed.

    Dangote Industries Power and Energy Strategy Head Dr Damola Omole said merely increasing electricity tariff would not solve the sector’s problems.

    He said consumers should be metered before effecting tariff increase, adding that estimated billing was generally unfair.

    Omole, a penalist in one of yesterday’s sessions, urged the government to intensify efforts to encourage more players to invest in the sector.

    He urged government to look into the issue of supply and cost of gas to the thermal power plants.

    He said there was the need to reduce the over N7.5 trillion lost annually to irregular power supply.

    He was of the view that the country’s manufacturing sector was worst hit by the irregular supply.

    According to Omole, some 17 million small and medium scale businesses spend over N2 trillion annually on generators.

    Omole said: “Manufacturers only get seven hours of supply on average, with the balance of over two-third self-sourced.

    “Grid supply should be 20,000MW for manufacturing sector to thrive, but supply is currently less than 4,000MW.

    “Grid power supply is irregular and unpredictable for manufacturing processes.”

    Omole explained that electricity consumed through alternative means cost N78 per kilowatt while supply from the grid was at N32 per kilowatt.

    This, he said, increases the cost of production for manufacturers.

    Power shortage has a ripple effect, Omole said. It results in reduced production, job losses, and outright closure of factories or relocation to other African countries where power supply is stable.

    The consequences, he pointed out, are job losses and a weak economy.

    Omole said the power sector reforms failed to yield the desired result due to generating companies’ alleged failure.

    He said the lack of synergy among the players in the energy value chain resulted in over 2,000MW of electricity not being supplied to end users.

    Omole also decried the lack of industrial clusters across the country, which he said would have enabled manufacturers compete with their contemporaries.

    He said: “Energy strategy is built around energy efficiencies and this is part of our response as stakeholders to the challenge of moving Nigeria to a more sustainable model for energy production and consumption.

    “The Nigerian power sector requires investment, technical changes and policy dialogues to promote efficiencies.

    “With an integrated view of reducing energy consumption whilst ensuring efficient energy production, the scope of the Nigerian energy strategy will be defined in such a way that the focus on energy generation, distribution and transmission will promote sustainability in the use of energy.”

    Director of Procurement at the Federal Ministry of Power, Ahmed Abdu, an engineer, believes the current power generation capacity as impressive.

    He said: “It is indeed unfortunate that the power sector was neglected in the past.

    “However, when the negative effects of this became evident, the government re-strategised, creating a momentum for improvement in the sector.

    “Investment in the procurement process of the sector has impacted projects in the industry.

    “Our current power generation capacity is impressive, with a distribution network of 5,000 Megawatts and a transmission network of the 7,000 Megawatts of electricity.”

     

    Wanted: more funding

     

    Experts highlighted the need for adequate financing of the energy sector.

    They shed light on the reforms needed in the energy sector to attain its full potential and yield returns on investments.

    They also discussed how lack of access to capital is hindering the electricity sector.

    Also highlighted were frameworks for assisting companies with funding requests, as well as risk mitigation tools in projects or expansions.

    Speakers highlighted the need for electricity-focused mutual funds/collective investment schemes, and how lending rates can be improved.

    Ekiti State Commissioner for Infrastructure & Public Utilities, Bamidele Faparusi, who opened the event on Tuesday, called for collaborative efforts between the government, private sector and end-users.

    Faparusi explained how good customer relationships are essential.

    Using Ekiti as a case study, he said: “Improving the power sector in Nigeria calls for collaborative effort between the government, private sector and end users.

    “Unpaid electricity bills affect the proper running of the sector, hence, a need for DisCos to build trust and maintain good relationships with the end users so as to minimise default in payments and address power issues.

    “In addition, huge financial investments should be made in distribution networks to attain smartness and profitability while regulatory agencies should ensure compliance with stipulated rules and guidelines.”

    FBNQuest Merchant Bank Energy and Natural Resources Head, Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, said there was a huge financial gap in the sector that must be urgently addressed.

    She said: “The Nigerian Power Sector needs to rid itself of legacy debt of over N300billion if any progress is to be made.

    “There is a need for private funding to be injected into the system and for an urgent shift in the funding landscape from investment banks to SME initiatives.

    “Private sector investment could come in terms of advisory, capacity building for project developers as well as financing for capital projects.”

    The organisers said Power Nigeria Agenda exists to serve the West African and Nigerian energy market, and has become an annual hub for suppliers to meet buyers.

    Informa Market Group Exhibition Director Gareth Rapley said the event was organised to find solutions to the challenges facing the power sector.

    According to him, the energy problem was not peculiar to Nigeria and could be overcome with collaboration between the government and the private sector.

    He said the conference, which ends today, was an opportunity for players in the energy sector to exchange ideas on how best to address the issues confronting the sector.

  • A death so gory!

    A DEATH so gory!  A death so senseless!  A death so diminishing, pushing savages to be savage with envy!

    Pondering the gruesome hacking of Navy Commander Oluwayemisi Ogundana, you begin to wonder where R.M. Ballantyne, in his The Coral Island (1858), got the fib that humankind was essentially good.

    Or how it took two World Wars, of epic madness and gargantuan slaughter, before William Golding plotted his Lord of the Flies (1954), which at last conceded human beings perhaps are worse than beasts, with their wanton propensity to destroy life they cannot not create.

    How can the Ogundana murder happen in 21st century Nigeria, in a military education facility to boot, and you still doubt that Golding was right and Ballantyne was wrong; and that the human is essentially evil?  Well, that would appear a tad too sweeping for there are still very decent human beings.  But isn’t the chain as strong as its weakest parts?

    The suspect killer of Navy Commander Ogundana, reportedly now under arrest, is said to have confessed that he indeed killed her, because she shoved him off an illicit gravy, as chair of the Armed Forces Command Secondary School (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State., Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)!

    Pray, what deal, no matter how sweet, is worth taking life?  But even if you must indulge in such abomination, must you kill a person in her bedroom, chop her body into bits — just imagine the excruciating pains of the dying and the fearsome bestiality of the killer! — pack the grisly cargo in a bag; and drop the odious bag inside a shallow well?

    Good God! Does blood run through the veins of this alleged killer and his accomplices?

    As if that was not grim enough, the suspects must sell off her car, and pretend none the wiser as the school authorities launched a search party for their quarry?

    This is even one moment you tend to be angry at the slow grinding of justice.  If the man has really confessed, and his co-suspects are already nabbed, why the wait?  Still, it is the procedure; and as civilized people, we must bear with it — fair enough!

    Let the military authorities painstakingly investigate this murder and bring the beasts responsible swiftly to justice.  Humankind is far better off without those dregs!

    What soulless killing!  What savagery!