NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

Tag Abuja

General news

Passengers stranded at Abuja international airport

Passengers stranded at Abuja international airport

By Chinenye Offor
Passengers
Abuja, July 12, 2019 (NAN) Passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,  have expressed disappointment in Dana airline meant to fly them from Abuja to Port-Harcourt.

A cross section of the passengers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday at the airport described their experience as unfortunate.

One of the passengers, Mr waribo Kuku, said he was supposed to board Dana flight from Abuja to Port-harcourt since Wednesday (July 10), but no flight was available.

Kuku called on the management of Dana airline to compensate him for the delay and inconvenience.

He also appealed to relevant authorities, such as the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Consumers Protection Council and SERVICOM, to address such grievances and ensure that customers were adequately compensated to serve as adeterrent.

Another passenger, Mr Jerry Wanodi, told NAN that he was booked a Dana flight from Abuja to Port-harcourt since Thursday but couldn’t board the flight due to rescheduling and cancellation of the flight .

Wanodi said that he had been at the airport since 2 p.m on July 11, up till the 6.30 p.m and there was no sign of any Dana Air flight on ground.

Another passenger of the same airline who pleaded for anonymity said he was disappointed with Dana and threatened to sue them for damages.

“I have to go back to my family, you know how women think. It’s like I have been giving excuses on why I haven’t come home yet.

“I am so disappointed with Dana Air and I want relevant authorities to ban Dana from flying in Nigeria

“I also want them to pay compensation to me for keeping me at the airport since Thursday,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Berepelebo George told NAN that he has lost an opportunity to be gainfully employed because of the cancelled flight.

“I have an interview appointment with an organisation in Port-harcourt which I have missed due to flight cancellations.

“I want the relevant authorities to have regulations on airlines to tackle this impunity,” he urged.

Mrs Amaka Ojeka, another sad passenger, described the development as a national embarrassment.

Ojeka narrated how she flew in from Germany, noting that there was no stroller at the international wing and had to wait for 45 minites before she was able to secure one.

She also expresded regretd that she has been waiting to board Dana to Port-Harcourt but found out that there was no aircraft on ground.

“I am disappointed by what is going on at the airport because you can’t find this in a developed society.

“They are not organised and why is Dana not returning my money but they sent a message  via email for me to come to the airport and there was no plane on ground.

“I went back and paid a hotel bill of N10,000 as well as airport taxi.

“Government should look into the matter and take appropriate measures to address it,” she said.

The FAAN authorities and Dana Air management were yet to react to the development in spite of media inquiries.

NAN reports that the passengers waiting to board Dana Airline flight to Portharcourt and Lagos have been kept in suspence amidst mounting anxiety. (NAN)
CSO/OOA/MST
Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Metro

Abuja Airport: FAAN deploys CCTV cameras

Abuja Airport: FAAN deploys CCTV cameras

Abuja Airport: FAAN deploys CCTV cameras
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Camera
Abuja, April 30, 2019 (NAN) The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has deployed over 50 Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to check criminal activities at the new terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.
Mrs Hajara Musa, International Terminal Manager, NAIA, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen during the inaugural flight of British Airways at the new terminal on Tuesday in Abuja.
Musa said that the management had recorded smooth operation since the commencement of flight operations at the terminal in January when Asky Airlines started using the facility.
She said that the authority was aware of the possibility of insider threat that associated with most crimes at the airport, adding that FAAN has put adequate measures in place to checkmate it.
“Haven identified the risk attached to insider threat, we have over 500 cameras already installed and we are still going to put more.
“Every day we discover open area and we call the attention of the contractor on the need to empower the place with camera and there is always somebody at the control room who will alert you immediately he sees anything that is abnormal going on.
“So far so good, we have been enjoying that and there are more improvements than what we have been enjoying before.
“There are no blind spots around the baggage area because it is full of cameras, personnel are at alert, the control room is at alert and we are moving round and round the clock we are on ground,” she said.
Musa said the management had not received any complaint from passengers or airlines, adding that the authority will ensure that it met expectations of both passengers and airlines.
According to her, the edifice is very big, the airlines expect that the offices would be surplus but the new concept of aviation is less offices, more space for passengers’ comfort and more facilities for passengers use.
“Before the commencement of this project, there were series of facilitation meetings, security meetings, safety meetings all singing the same song pleading that this edifice is the same as where we are coming from.
“So we were already prepared that people would comply and so far so good, they are,” she added. (NAN)
OYS/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Pathologist decries shortage of practitioners

Pathologist decries shortage of practitioners

By Ummul Idris
Pathologist
Abuja, Jan. 26, 2019 (NAN) Dr Precious Obinna, a Pathologist based in Abuja, has called on the Federal Government to recruit more pathologists to bridge the shortage of practitioners in the country.

She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja that the number of pathologists in the country was grossly inadequate.

NAN reports that a Pathologist is a medical doctor who studies blood, body fluids, organs and diagnose disease and illness.

She stated that the job of a pathologist is to provide doctors with information needed to ensure appropriate treatment.

She said that though they might not be directly responsible for dealing with patients directly, but they play a vital role in daily medical practice.

Obinna advised parents to encourage their children to study pathology in university, adding that most parents tend to prefer surgical or clinical specialties, reason pathology was underrepresented.

According to her, more hands are needed to ensure expedited diagnosis in Nigeria as there are very few pathologists.

“I can say that I am proud and privileged to be a pathologist because we are physician’s physician,” she said.

She noted that although pathologists have no direct interaction with patients, they however interact with patient’s doctor thereby telling them what was wrong with the patient.

According to her, Nigeria has about 500 practising pathologists serving a population of about 200 million, translating to a ratio of about one pathologist to 400,000 persons as against the standard of one pathologist to 20,000 persons. (NAN)
UMD/FF/MST
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NAFDAC seals bakery in Abuja for filthy production environment

NAFDAC seals bakery in Abuja for filthy production environment
By Mustapha Sumaila
Bakery
Abuja, Aug. 13, 2018 (NAN) The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said it has sealed Lovers Bakery at Jikwoyi, Abuja, for filthy and unhealthy production environment.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Adeyeye said that the bakery, located in a commercial area of Jikwoyi Phase 1, was sealed following a tip off by consumers and an investigation at the bakery.
She explained that the bakery was very untidy and had a toilet inside the production area as well as Pets (dogs) were seen roaming about in and out of the baking area.
She said that the personnel met at the bakery were not properly dressed and it was obvious that the production staff live in the baking premises.
According to her, the cloak room was converted to a living quarter for bakery staff while the oven is made of firewood which makes the whole environment very untidy at the time of visit.
She said that when this was discovered by the NAFDAC team, the bakery was sealed off and placed on hold.
“A second visit was made to the bakery on the July 23, 2018, following information that activities were still going on in the bakery.
“The inspectors observed that there was evidence to show that the HOLD label on the facility had been tampered with, as some of the baking pans containing dough during the initial visit had been taken away.
“And it was obvious they gained access by jumping the fence.
“The manager claimed the place was probably burgled without his knowledge because he travelled when the incidence occurred.
“Another HOLD label has now been placed on the bakery and administrative charge imposed on the company,” she explained.
The director-general renewed the commitment and determination of the agency to ensure people do not consume unwholesome food or drinks in accordance with its mandate. (NAN)
MS/MUYI/MST
Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

National Hospital trains medical experts in IVF services

National Hospital trains medical experts in IVF services
By Talatu Maiwada
Training
Abuja, June 21, 2018 (NAN) The National Hospital, Abuja, says it has commenced the training of medical personnel from across the country in In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) services at its IVF Centre.
Dr Rais Ibraheem, the Coordinator of the centre, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
He spoke on the sideline event to mark 13 years anniversary of IVF centre at the hospital.
He said the centre, which had focused on sustainability and provision of IVF services at an affordable rate to Nigerians in 13 years, had achieved great success since its inception.
Ibraheem said moving forward, the centre would become a national training centre for the country which would engage in training experts such as doctors, nurses and scientists in IVF services.
He said the vision was aimed at training home grown experts that would be adequately trained to provide IVF service to Nigerians and the West African sub-region.
“There are a lot of collaboration going on presently especially with the training institutions in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
“We have commenced training with the West Africa College of Surgeons, the National Medical Post Graduate College and many others that we are yet to engage.
“Training experts from other states means IVF services will be available, accessible and more affordable to any couple that desires to have their children without having to travel outside the country,’’ the coordinator said.
Also speaking, Dr Ibrahim Wada, Consultant Gyneacologist, and Pioneer of IVF National Hospital, said no fewer than 100,000 people were in need of IVF services in the country.
He added that there would indeed be an increase in future, hence the need for the National Hospital to train experts from all over the country that would help childless families.
Wada said there was need for the hospital to advance the programme to the next level through training and breaking through the levels of technological science.
“IVF is a cutting edge scientific technology management of infertility that open doors to other aspects of health diagnosis.
“Parental diagnosis of sickle cell diseases, genetic abnormalities, gender diagnosis, among others, can be treated early through scientific knowledge.
“Also embryo testing and selection can be done at the centre, so that women at risk of sickle cell babies can be helped and also have the desired genotype for their babies.
“This will go a long way to wipe away tears from childless mothers in our country,’’ Wada said. (NAN)
TIM/ADA/MST
Edited by Abdulwahab Deji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Abuja residents seek safer environment for children

Abuja residents seek safer environment for children
By Talatu Maiwada
Safety
Abuja, June 1, 2018 (NAN) Some parents and children in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have called on families to provide a safe and healthy environment for the development of their children.
They made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday against the backdrop of the Global Day for Parents celebration.
The respondents said children could only arrive and maximise their potentials in a healthy and friendly atmosphere.
The Global Day of Parents proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, is observed every June 1, and aims at paying tribute to parents around the world, for their sacrifices and commitments.
Miss Chinoye Okafor, Head Teacher, Claret International School, Abuja, appreciated parents for their unique ability and lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing, mentoring and educating their children.
Okafor however advised parents to provide a safe and healthy environment in the upbringing and development of the wards.
She said children should be protected against sexual abuse, child abuse, battering, act of hawking and exposure from social vices in the society.
Mr Suleiman Tauheed, a father and businessman, emphasised the essential role of parents in educating their children, providing basic needs of shelter, food and clothing while ensuring their protection.
He advised parents not to limit their children in relating and associating with other children, but encourage them to explore life in a healthy way.
Mrs Deborah Menegbe, a Guidance and Counselling Officer at African International School, Abuja, said the development of a child’s personality depended on his or her parents.
Menegbe said it was important to honor parents for the hard work they do of raising the next generation, to become responsible citizens in their communities and country at large.
She encouraged parents to nurture their children in the fear of God, ensuring they grow up in an atmosphere of peace, happiness, love and understanding, which would encourage wholesome personality development.
Ms Aisha Bello, a 10-year-old pupil, said her parents are the best in the world, while celebrating them for providing her basic needs and giving her education.
Mr John Auta, a 15-year-old student of Mabushi Secondary School, Abuja, also appreciated his parents for giving birth to him and providing his needs.
However, Auta called on parents to provide a safe environment for their children especially the girl-child because of their vulnerability. (NAN)
TIM/AO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Abuja residents demand malaria vaccine prevention

Abuja residents demand malaria vaccine prevention
By Ummul Idris
Vaccine
Abuja, April 16, 2018 (NAN) Some residents of Abuja on Monday appealed to the Federal Government to make malaria vaccine available to arrest the scourge in the country.
A cross section of residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja urged the government to be proactive in eradicating malaria.
Mrs Sandra Dominion, a resident of Abuja, appealed to government to provide malaria vaccine since the problem was peculiar to the tropical region where Nigeria belongs.
“You know malaria is not the problem of America and other developed countries, because if they experience such disease they would have provided a better solution as they did to typhoid.
“I am pleading with the government to find a better way and solution like vaccine prevention to tackle the scourge of malaria,” she said.
Mrs Christiana Obande, a civil servant, said that it was shameful that the country could not provide malaria vaccine despite the danger it posed to the citizenry.
According to her, malaria poses a great threat to humanity especially in Africa and government must proffer a lasting solution.
Mr Dauda Ibrahim, another resident, said that it was disheartening that government had not done enough to ensure that malaria vaccine was available in the country.
“It is the responsibility of government to create the enabling environment that will encourage researcher to do the needful and make the vaccine available.
“Malaria could pose serious threat to human existence, if nothing is done,’’ he said.

A study showed that several malaria vaccine trials were going on across the globe but no malaria vaccine has been recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
But in 2017, the World was greeted with the news of discovery of an effective vaccine that offered up to 100 per cent protection from malaria by German researcher at the University of Tubingen in collaboration with a biotech company, Sonaria Incorporated.
The researcher demonstrated in a clinical trial that a new vaccine for malaria called sanaria PfSPZ-CVac has been up to 100 per cent effective when assessed at 10 weeks after last dose of vaccine.
Meanwhile, Dr Samuel Awolola, a Nigerian Entomologist and Coordinator, Malaria Research Programme, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, cautioned Nigerians not to be carried away by result of the clinical trials.
Awolola said that there was no effective malaria vaccine yet. (NAN)
UMD/OIF/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Abuja expectant mothers say ante-natal better in public hospitals

Abuja expectant mothers say ante-natal better in public hospitals
By Ummul Idris
Ante-natal
Abuja, March 14, 2018 (NAN) Some expectant mothers in the FCT have expressed preference for ante-natal and eventual delivery in public hospitals because of accessibility and cost.
The expectant mothers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that government health facilities have more qualified personnel and equipment than private healthcare centres.
They also said that services at public hospitals were subsidised while private clinics charge higher fees.
Mrs Grace Ogbonna, an expectant mother, said that she registered in government hospital because it was better equipped than private health facilities.
However, she noted that some of medical and health workers as well auxiliary staff in public hospitals lack friendly attitude towards patients and their relatives.
According to her, some doctors, nurses, midwives and support staff in private hospitals demonstrate better discipline.
Ogbonna said that most times private hospitals poach consultants from government hospitals to attend patients on some specific days and asked what happens when there is an emergency.
Madam Azumi Bola said that she prefers public healthcare centres because of moderate charges compared to the high rates in private hospitals.
She also said it was cheaper to register in a public hospital for ante-natal and deliver babies than private hospitals especially with the prevailing economic situation.
But Bola said that she attended ante-natal in a public hospital for her first pregnancy, delivered there and was satisfied with the services.
She noted that in spite of huge crowd and delays in public hospitals patients were sure of meeting consultants and not just any doctor.
Another expectant mother, Mrs Anita Phillip, said she earlier wanted to patronise private hospitals, because they attend to people promptly.
Phillip however said that she was advised to register at the public hospital because of the availability of diverse medical experts with experience compared to what the private hospitals offer.
“Some of the private hospitals don’t even have a gynaecologist, not even a good scanning machine.
“They keep telling you go and do scanning outside and bring the result or they refer you somewhere to do the scan,’’ she said.
On her part, Mrs Halima Sani said that she prefers private hospitals because of the large turnout at public hospitals on ante-natal clinic days.
Sani said that even though the charges at the public hospitals were usually moderate compared to the high rates in private hospitals, she cannot bear with the crowd. (NAN)
UMD/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Human trafficking: NAPTIP rescues 14 victims at Nnamdi Azikiwe airport

Human trafficking: NAPTIP rescues 14 victims at Nnamdi Azikiwe airport
NAN-H-54
Arrest
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, Feb. 15, 2018 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 14 victims at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Head of Press and Public Relations of NAPTIP, Mr Josiah Emerole, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday that the operation followed a tip off.
Emerole explained that the victims, who were rescued around the mosque at the airport, comprised of 14 women and two men.
“Officers of NAPTIP, following a tip-off, intercepted a group of 14 women between the ages of 15-60 years travelling to Saudi Arabia via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
“The two agents from Kano who accompanied them on the trip had been arrested and detained by the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Department of State Services as investigation is ongoing.
“The interception and arrest of two agents travelling with the women came as a result of a patriotic Nigerian’s observations of the women’s movement and activities at the airport.
“It is unclear yet as to the purpose of their trip to Saudi Arabia, though, in recent time, there have been increasing reports of exploitation being experienced by labour migrants in countries in the Middle East,” he said.
Emerole assured that NAPTIP would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that more Nigerians do not end up as victims of exploitative domestic servitude in foreign countries.
He said that the victims were being profiled at the NAPTIP headquarters to ascertain their proper and correct identities.
NAN checks revealed that that the suspects wanted to take the victims to their destination in Saudi Arabia through Abuja en-route Lagos before they were nabbed at the Abuja airport. (NAN)
MS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Abuja private hospitals owners decry multiple taxes, levies

Abuja private hospital owners decry multiple taxes, levies
NAN-HG-6
Taxes
By Ummul Idris
Abuja, Feb. 8, 2018 (NAN) Proprietors of Abuja private hospitals have called for the urgent intervention of the Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Finance over alleged multiple taxes and levies slammed on them by Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Dr Wisdom Ihejieto, a member of the Abuja Guild of Medical Directors, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
The taxes and levies paid by the private hospital owners, he said, was taking a toll on the overall healthcare delivery, especially on private practitioners.
Ihejieto, an Abuja-based family physician, said a situation where you have 14 subsidiaries of AMAC coming to ask for different levies and taxes was worrisome.
He said that some of these taxes and levies were duplicated, adding that there is no way the private medical practitioners can survive because they pay other bills.
According to him, they pay other bills such as water, electricity, house, environmental and security bills, among others.
”Now if you have all that, then it becomes difficult for the patient to come to the private hospitals and get healthcare delivery at much reduced cost.
“In fact the multiple taxes increases the operational cost of private hospitals and by extension increases the bill of the patients,’’ he said.
According to him, the government has a lot of role to play here; the government is like a father to all.
“What they can do now is to give a waver that the multiplicity of taxes should not be.’’
He said that the health establishment render social service, stressing that “the government can say don’t over tax these people anymore.
“And if government do this, the private health practitioners will reduce the cost of health delivery on patients”.
He said “the government could instruct that the hospitals should not be disturbed”.
Ihejieto said that if religious institutions were not paying multiple taxes, the government could also help the health establishments so that in the long run, the patient could also enjoy some subsidy. (NAN)
UMD/OFN/MST
Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Muhammad Suleiman Tola