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Health

Association says `blood is national asset’

Association says `blood is national asset’
By Talatu Maiwada
Blood
Abuja, July 18, 2019 (NAN) The Haematology and Blood Transfusion Scientists Society of Nigeria (HBTSSN) has appealed to Nigerians to build a culture of blood donation to help save lives.
Mrs Uzoamaka Anoke, the Assistant Director, Medical Laboratory Science, National Hospital, Abuja, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
She spoke on the side line of the 2019 Haematology and Blood Transfusion Scientists Society of Nigeria (HBTSSN), FCT and Northern Region Workshop.
Anoke, a member of the society, said blood is classified as a National Asset in the country.
“It is important that citizens are aware of its importance in achieving a healthy nation,’’ she stressed.
She however decried the low level of awareness of blood donation and the desire of persons to voluntarily approach health and blood centres to donate blood.
“Blood is a National Asset, but the level of awareness and willingness for people to freely donate blood is not too fantastic and this gesture will go a long way to save lives.
“The need for blood is huge, we don’t have enough. The more voluntary donors we have the happier we will be, because people like women in labour, accident victims and babies are always in need.
“Obedience to this call will help save lives. June 14 annually is World blood donor day, but our door at the national hospital is always opened for voluntary donors,’’ she said.
Anoke listed the benefits of donating blood to include that donors do not pay any fee for their blood to be screened in any health facility.
She said both girls and boys from the ages of 17 and above are eligible to donate blood at any blood centre by getting themselves checked and screened before collection.
According to her, some health benefits of blood donation include mini medical check-up through blood screening, reduction of the risk of health complications, such as heart diseases and cholesterol.
Others are making the bone marrow work more effectively, maintaining a healthy heart and liver, and the joy of saving a human life, which is priceless.
Anoke further stated that the national hospital has acquired improved technological equipment for blood transfusion through the use of modern automation, known as Aphaeresis.
“The Aphaeresis is an excellent technique used in preparation of blood product, using modern automation.
“National hospital is the largest users. We export the products of Aphaeresis and it has helped improve patients’ care in Nigeria.
“We are creating awareness so that other stakeholders would obtain it for care of their patients,’’ she added. (NAN)
TIM/OOA/MST
Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Education

Nasarawa varsity, great asset of Nasarawa State – Speaker

By Awayi Kuje
Asset
Lafia, May 13,2019(NAN) The Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, has said that the state university in Keffi would remain a great and outstanding asset of the state government.

Abdullahi said this on Monday when he received the Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Prof. Suleiman Mohammed, and his management team, during a courtesy call in Lafia.

He said the state was proud to own the institution, adding that the state House of Assembly would support the university with every necessary legislation.

He said that legislative backing that would enable the university achieve its prospects of being one of the world class citidals of learning in tbe country would be ensured.

“Nasarawa State University is one of the great and outstanding assets of the state.

“The state assembly will continue to give the institution every necessary support through legislative backing to enable it succeed.

“Education is the best legacy government should leave for its citizenry, hence the need for our support,” he said.

Abdullahi while felicitating with the VC for his recent confirmation from Acting to substantive Vice Chancellor, enjoined him to build on the solid foundation he put in place so far.

The speaker restated the continued commitment of the House to pass resolutions and enact bills that have direct bearing on the education sector and called for its sustenance.

Earlier, Mohammed told the speaker that they were in his office to felicitate with him for his re-election to the state Assembly considering his track records of achievements.

The vice chancellor urged the speaker to consolidate on his achievements by initiating people’s oriented programmes that would have direct bearing on the people of his constituency and the state at large. (NAN)
AKW/BOLA/MST
Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Nasarawa Speaker says Al-Makura `great asset’

Nasarawa Speaker says Gov. Al-Makura `great asset’
By Awayi Kuje
Al-Makura
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Nov. 15, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has described Gov. Tanko Al-Makura as “a great asset” to the state.
Abdullahi said this in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Alhaji Jibrin Gwamna, in Keffi on Thursday.
The Speaker made the commendation to mark the seven and half years of Al-Makura’s administration and 66th birthday anniversary of the governor.
He urged the people of the state to appreciate Al-Makura’s contributions to the overall development of the state by supporting and praying for the governor to succeed in the task ahead of him.
Abdullahi praised the giant strides of the governor in all facets of life in the state, urging him to keep the flag flying to enable the residents of the state to enjoy more dividends of democracy.
He lauded the projects executed by the governor in the last seven and half years which have impacted the lives of the people of the state and called for sustenance of these projects.
While felicitating with the governor on his birthday, he observed that the 66 birthday of the governor was worth celebrating in the light of his giant strides in almost all sectors of the state’s economy.
According to the speaker, what the present administration has done since its inception in the areas of education, agricultural, economic, health, judicial, commercial sector, among others, have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.
Abdullahi however advised the governor to remain focused and committed, assuring him of the assembly’s continued support in the implementation of his good policies and programmes.
The statement further called on the people of the state and Nigerians to pray for the governor and president as well as other leaders to enable them succeed in delivering more people-oriented projects, noting that prayer is key to the success of every individual and government.
Besides, the speaker urged the people of the state and Nigerians to continue to live in peace and tolerance irrespective of their affiliation. (NAN)
AKW/OSA/MST
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Investment in ageing an asset, not burden – Foundation

Investment in ageing an asset, not burden – Foundation
NAN-HG-2
Ageing
Abuja, March 10, 2018 (NAN) Dr Emem Omokaro, Executive Director, Dave Omokaro Foundation, has called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to invest in ageing as a profitable venture and not a burden.
She made the appeal on Friday in Abuja during a training jointly organised by the foundation and International Institute on Ageing, United Nations – Malta (INIA)
According to her, older persons are not homogenous and should be seen as national assets because some of them still earn income as well as supporting their families.
She stressed the need for governments to empower the older persons, noting that it will present opportunities of new enterprise for the youths.
“If you make older persons productive, you have removed burdens from the youths.
“Where you do not include the older persons, there is an assumption that they are not relevant.
“It is time to begin to see ageing as a way of giving work to the youths because you create employment in solving challenges of older persons.
“Empowering the aged will boost income security of them, eradicate poverty, promote social enterprise, preserve their independence, long life learning as well as keeping them connected,’’ she said.
Omokaro said that developed countries are using older persons as a national resource of proportional dimensions.
She noted that research and practical evidence has enabled some of the nations with the perspective in ensuring and recognising that ageing population was assets to their society.
Omokaro further stated that focusing on maintenance of functional capacity, ensuring enabling environment and promoting community livelihood will help the elderly live long.
She, however, said that having a context for policy and legislation, budgeting on ageing as well as monitoring would stop ageism.
She noted that “ageism denies a nation its conceptional framework that unlocks a hidden treasure, a framework and model of a society that spins gold out of silver haired citizens which signify a model of healthy ageing’’.
She, therefore, called on stakeholders, MDAs on inclusion of all older persons, the frail, the vulnerable and the strong in order to have a friendly ageing society. (NAN)
CSO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

$558m Neconde asset under threat over severance package – Official

$558m Neconde asset under threat over severance package – Official

NAN-H-41

Oil

By Yunus Yusuf Lagos, May 14, 2017 (NAN) The Management of Neconde Energy Limited, a member of the Obijackson Group and operator of the Oil Mining Lease (OML 42), has raised the alarm over threat to its $558 million (about N200.8 billion) assets.

Mr Frank Edozie, the Managing Director of the company, disclosed this during an interactive session with newsmen on Sunday in Lagos while cautioning PENGASSAN over picket plans on May 15.

Edozie alerted the public on plans by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to picket the company over issues relating to severance package.

He explained that in March 2016, Neconde and PENGASSAN entered into an agreement over welfare issues, including increased severance package, transfer and 13th month allowance with a caveat that the agreement will only be implemented once production hits 70,000 Barrels Per Day (BDP).

However, he expressed surprise that despite the fact that the current production level remained at 15,000 bpd, PENGASSAN in alliance with some workers of Neconde have concluded arrangement to picket the company on May 15.

The Neconde boss said that a component of its strategic goal for the year to achieve the 70,000bpd target has led it to develop “barged production” as an alternative to crude evacuation using the Trans Forcados Pipeline which has been out of service since Feb. 13, 2016.

“We have also undertaken some strategic steps, such as rehabilitation of Batan and Odidi Flow Stations to enable the achievement of our targeted peak gross production rate.

“Revamping of Jones Creek and Egwa Fields for work over of existing wells and development of other infrastructure which includes refurbishing a gas Central Processing Facility (CPF) in Odidi as well as commencement of re-entry of Odidi, Jones Creek fields Egwa 1 & 2.

“Despite the idle state of the asset, he said the company has remained committed to workers welfare and prompt the payment of salaries, especially during the period when oil prices remained at its lowest ebb.

“Additionally, we had to relocate our operations to Warri from Lagos, for us to be closer to the base to better enable us to meet our goals of increasing our contributions to the Nigerian economy.

“Expectedly, this relocation meant redeployment of employees to the new location, and this was executed in a manner that the associated inconveniences to employees were duly considered and properly mitigated,” he said.

According to Edozie, “we are currently in talks with the leadership of PENASSAN to ensure that we reach a mutually beneficial agreement on some of the demands presented by the association.

“The management provided the association with an update and called for a meeting to discuss any remaining potential areas that may still exist.

“So far, management and the company have enjoyed their co-operation and hope that the association will continue to abide by best-in-class labour union practices by exploring negotiation and collaboration as labour relations tactics.”

Edozie said that Neconde, an indigenous Exploration and Production company with strong management and extensive in-country experience, is fully aware of the challenges facing the sector, and as a key Nigerian player.

He said that the company’s goals and aspirations include creating value from every constituent of stakeholder network which includes employees and host communities.

Similarly, the Chairman of Obijackson Group, Mr Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, expressed shock that PENGASSAN will decide to shut down offices of the company having agreed with the union that by August 2017 they would review the review package and salaries.

Azudialu-Obiejesi assured that the agreement reached in March 2017, regarding the review of the severance packages, would be implemented.

According to him, “in March, we agreed with the union that by August 2017, we will pay the severance allowance and the 13th month salary based on our projections that by then we would have achieved our 70,000 bpd target’’.

“We owe 10 banks from which we obtained the $558 million we paid Shell in 2012 for 45 per cent stake acquisition of OML 42.

“We have also invested billions of dollars to develop the field but due to unfortunate incidents of pipeline attacks by the militants last year, we have been having cash flow challenges and the banks are also on our neck to service the loans.

“We have over 2,500 workers on our payroll and despite not producing at optimal capacity, we are not owing salaries,’’ he said.

On the effect of such strike action on Federal Government efforts to attract investment into the economy, he argued that investors, both local and foreign, will run away if such labour practices continue to sabotage company’s efforts to grow. (NAN)

YO/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola