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Economy

COVID-19: Ex minister seeks relief for Nigerians before total shutdown

COVID-19: Ex minister seeks relief for Nigerians before total shutdown

COVID-19

By Chimezie Anaso

Awka, March 29, 2020(NAN) Chief Osita Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation has urged states and Federal Government to provide relief items for Nigerians before shutting down the economy occasioned by Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Chidoka made the call in a statement made available by Mr Ikechukwu Okafor, his aide on Media and Publicity on Sunday in Awka, Anambra.

He said though a total lockdown could help curb the spread of Coronavirus, Nigeria should work out a palliative that would sustain the people while in isolation.

The former minister called on the Federal Government to rejig the Federal COVID-19 action committee and make it more proactive.

“We need a Nigerian solution that harnesses its strength, overcome the structural weaknesses while curbing spread of the virus.

“We cannot afford a shut down without clear thinking and plans to mitigate impact on our cash economy where majority are on daily pay. We are not China, US or Italy.

“The critical mass of the Nigerian population rely on daily pay to survive and as such, have to be protected in the model the government adopts,” he said.(NAN)
APC/MNA
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Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Sport

240 for finals of maiden Anaocha U-17 athletics championship

Athletics
By Chimezie Anaso
Neni (Anambra), Feb. 24, 2020 (NAN) Two hundred and forty young athletes from primary and secondary schools in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra have qualified for the semi final stage of the Anaocha U-17 athletics championship.

The championship is organised by Chief Patrick Onyedum, the Chairman of the council and also Chairman, Anambra Athletics Association.

The elimination series of the grassroots championship, the first in the state commenced on Feb. 3 and had gone round the 10 towns in the council.

They are Agulu, Ichida, Nri, Aguluzigbo,  Obeledu, Adazi Ani, Adazi Nnukwu, Adazi Enu, Neni and Akwueze.

Johnny Igboka, Chief Coach, Anambra Athletics Association, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Neni on Monday, said the young athletics had shown a lot of promise.

Igboka said the finalists comprised the best male and female athletes in the 12 events featured in the championship.

He said semi finals would hold on Feb. 28, while the grand finale took place on Feb. 29 at Community Secondary School, Ichida.

He said no fewer than 450 budding athletes from schools drawn from the 10 communities making up the council participated in the championship.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Anaocha LGA said the competition was to re-enact the old tradition of competition among schools as well as using them as hunting ground for future athletes.

Onyedum said apart from serving as a motivation for other councils in the state, the championship would be used to hunt for athletes that would dominate Nigeria field and tracks in future.

“At the end of the championship, the athletes will be handed over to the Anambra Athletics Association for proper training.

“The choice of athletics is simple, I was an athlete, I am into administration of athletics and athletics have potential for medal haul at competitions because it is not a group event like football games.

“So far, the children have been doing well, meaning they have been looking for opportunity to express themselves.

“That is why we named it Anaocha championship, championship that can continue after my tenure as the council chairman,’’ Onyedum said. (NAN)
APC/JEY/MNA
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Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/ Maureen Atuonwu

 

 

 

Health

398 benefit from NYSC free medical outreach in Anambra community–Coordinator

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Outreach
By Chimezie Anaso
Awka, Feb. 22, 2020 (NAN) No fewer than 398 persons on Saturday benefitted from the free medical outreach organised by the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) for people of Umuoba-Anam Community in Anambra East local government of Anambra.

While speaking on the free medical outreach with the theme: “Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers”, the NYSC Coordinator in Anambra, Mr Kehinde Aremu, said it was in response to the rate of maternal related deaths among the poor and rural people; most of which were avoidable.

Aremu said that it was regrettable that people in the rural areas did not have access to minimal health care services, either because they did not exist or they were costly.

He said that in reaction to this, NYSC engaged the services of Corps doctors and other medical related graduates to reach out to those in need.

According to him, malaria has the highest number of cases with 116, followed by hypertension, diabetes and osteoarthritis, which recorded 87, 62 and 39 cases respectively.

Others were Childhood diarrhoea 28; respiratory tract infections 16; suspected tuberculosis five; anaemia 23; hepatitis B+ 16; jaw tumors three and three unspecified ailments.

He said that a total of 194 patients were referred to specialist hospitals for follow up due to the nature of their ailments, while 80 mosquito nets were distributed to pregnant women, nursing mothers, under-five children and the elderly.

Aremu commended the corps members for their dedication to service while describing them as very qualified to give the best medical services.

The coordinator promised that the medical outreach would be a continuous exercise.

He thanked the people for the massive turnout and their cooperation towards the success of the outreach. (NAN)

APC/KOLE/IU
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Edited by Remi Koleoso and Isaac Ukpoju

Economy

SON advises firms on measures to boost consumers’ confidence, global competitiveness

SON advises firms on measures to boost consumers’ confidence, global competitiveness

MANCAP
By Chimezie Anaso
Awka, Feb. 19, 2020 (NAN) The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has called on Nigerian manufacturers to maintain high standard quality of their products to boost consumers’ confidence and position themselves for global competitiveness.

Mr Osita Aboloma, the Director-General of SON, made the call on Wednesday in Awka, when he issued Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificates to 19 manufacturing companies in Anambra.

Aboloma, who was represented by Mr William Okpe, Regional Coordinator, Enugu Zonal Operations of SON, said the MANCAP certificates were an attestation that their products successfully underwent evaluation.

He said that if the recipients adhered to the regulatory standards that earned them the certificates, they would enjoy the benefits, which included safe, increased efficiency, cost reduction and enhanced market access for their products.

The D-G congratulated the awardees but warned that the certificates were on loan to them and could be withdrawn whenever they fell short of the recommended industrial standard.

“The certificates are to attest to the conformity of these certified products to standard after undergoing intensive conformity assessment processes.
“The MANCAP certificates thus serve the purpose of promoting consumers’ confidence in the products and also guarantee that the certified products can be sold all over Nigeria and across the borders,” he said.

Aboloma commended Anambra industrialists for subjecting themselves to assessment and urged them to join forces with SON in its bid to ensure that only high quality locally produced products were in the Nigerian markets.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the awardees included Zobis Electrical Cables (manufacturers of wire and cable), Dilly Investment (producers of serviettes), Citizen Chemical Industries (makers plastics buckets) and Integrated Production Limited (manufacturers of PVC pipes).

Others were Deco Foams and Chemical Industries Limited, Donna Summer Nigeria Limited (makers soaps), Nkiruka/Iruka Industries Limited (makers of Bread), De-Eze Packaging Industries Limited and Samana Foods Limited, among others.

Presenting the awardees earlier, the Coordinator of SON in Anambra, Mr Omoniyi Olalekan, said the agency would continue to offer surveillance and regulatory assistance to ensure that Anambra markets became the best destination for seekers of quality products.

Olalekan lauded the companies for going through the evaluation and coming out successful and urged them not to go to sleep with their certificates but work harder to maintain the standard.

The Chairman of Zobis Electrical Cables, Mr John Ezeobi, pledged that they would ensure that the certificates were defended at all times by keeping to the standards.

Ezeobi said the firms could now go into the market and face the competition in their various industries with the confidence that they had products that met customers’ satisfaction and value for their money. (NAN)
APC/AIJ/USO

(Edited by Abigael Joshua/Sam Oditah)

Sport

National Police Games to hold at 6 venues in Anambra, 2 neighbouring states

Games
By Chimezie Anaso
Awka, Feb. 19, 2020 (NAN) The 12th edition of the National Police Games (NPG) will hold in six venues, Tony Oli, Chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ASDC), said on Wednesday in Awka.

Oli told newsmen that venues for the games were: Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, Otuocha Stadium, Rojenny Stadium in Oba and NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp at Umuawulu/Mbaukwu.

He said because of non-availability of facilities golf and shooting events would hold at Port Harcourt in Rivers and Oji River in Enugu respectively.

The commission chairman said that some indoor games would take place at Tansi International School Okpuno, GoldenTulip Hotel, Amawbia and Regent Hotel, Awka.

“A new swimming pool is being constructed at Ekwueme Square, while handball, volleyball, basketball, beach soccer and combat games will be hosted at Rojenny and other venues.

“Track and field events will equally hold at Rojenny Stadium,’’ he said.

Oli also said there would be 50-kilometre cycling and 21km marathon events during the games expected to last for 10 days from Feb. 29.

Also speaking, Usman Alkali, Chairman of the Games’ Main Organising Committee, said the competition would feature between 200 and 300 police athletes from each of the country’s 12 zonal commands.

Alkali, who is a police Assistant Inspector-General (AIG), said his committee was satisfied with the level of preparedness for the games so far.

He called on athletic Anambra youths to take part in the competition as those who did well might have the opportunity of being recruited as policemen.

Solo Chukwulobelu, the Secretary to Anambra State Government, said the state was proud to be  the first to host the games in the South East zone.

Chukwulobelu assured participants and organisers of a serene environment and good reception from the people and government of the state during the games period.

Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), said he and officers in his Department would ensure that journalists who would cover the games worked within a conducive atmosphere.(NAN)
APC/FEO/OLAL
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(Edited by Francis Onyeukwu and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Rojenny Stadium ready to host Police Games in Anambra

Rojenny Stadium ready to host Police Games

The new face of Rojenny

Games
By Chimezie Anaso
Awka, Feb. 17, 2020 (NAN) Rommy Ezeonwuka, Proprietor of Rojenny Stadium and Games Village, Oba, near Onitsha says the facility is now in top shape for the staging of the 2020 National Police Games (NPG) due to commence on Feb. 29 in Anambra.

Ezeonwuka, told the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) in Oba on Monday said the renovation works were at 98 per cent complete.

NAN reports that Rojenny Stadium is an Olympic (all-in-one) stadium with in-built facilities, including an Olympic size Swimming Pool capable of hosting about 18 events at the same time.

The top facility investor, said he was approved to host track and field events and football only, thus limiting sports activities during the game to the main bowl.

According to him, the police games is going to be successful because the governor is prepared.

As a proprietor, I am changing the face of Rojenny Stadium as you can see, all track and field events will take place here because this is the only place in the state and the facilities here are of internal standard.

We have one biggest swimming pool in the south East here in Rojenny, but unfortunately we are not going to hold the event here.

“A lot of games were moved away from here to other parts of the state, may be because it is an Anambra affair,“he said.

Rojenny Tartan tracks

Ezeonwuka said that apart from the sports facility, the hospitality aspect was also top notch as accommodation and leisure facilities have been provided and upgraded.

A sports enthusiast, who pleaded anonymity thanked Anambra government for supporting the Police command in the state to bring the biennial games to the state in spite lack of public sector owned facilities.

The enthusiast said it would have been more convenient if the facilities at Rojenny were fully exploited before moving the remaining games to other locations.

“If all facilities here are going to be used, this will make the athletes to have the experience of a real games village, it will ease logistics challenges and create better bonding among them.

“Let us wait till the games starts for us to know where they are moving these games to because I know we don’t have stadium where those games can be staged,”the source said.

CP John Abang, Commissioner of Police in Anambra and Chairman, Local Organising Committee of National Police Games, said the athletes expected at the games would start arriving from Feb. 26 while the opening ceremony will hold at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka on Feb. 29.

No fewer than 3,000 athletes from all the police commands in Nigeria are expected to compete in about 20 events during the games. (NAN)
APC/KOLE/MNA
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Maureen Atuonwu