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Health

Association urges health workers to shun unethical practices, corruption

Association urges health workers to shun unethical practices, corruption
By Awayi Kuje
Ethics
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has tasked its members to shun unethical practices and corruption as part of their contribution to improve service delivery.
Mr Hussaini Ahmed, the National Vice President of the association, gave the task on Thursday in Keffi, Nasarawa State, while speaking at a one-day seminar on: “The Role of Health Workers In Clients’ Satisfaction: FMC Keffi in Focus”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar was organised by members of the association at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi.
Ahmed enjoined them to adhere strictly to their professional ethics in the interest of the health sector.
In his paper titled: “The Importance of Membership in a Union”, he challenged the members to shame their detractors and temptations that would smear profession.
He noted that unethical practices engaged by some members had affected the lives of many Nigerians negatively, hence the need for health workers to shun unethical conducts.
“For us to satisfy patients adequately, we must shun unethical and other sharp practices capable of tarnishing our image, that of the health sector and country at large,” he urged.
The labour leader said the union would continue to promote and protect the interest of members through improved welfare and working conditions.
Ahmed assured the members of the union readiness to continue to initiate good programmes that would have direct bearing on their lives and Nigerians in general.
Mr Monday Otso, the state Chairman of the union, said the seminar was organised for members to acquaint them with modern knowledge of ensuring clients’ satisfaction in the centre.
While describing patients as “kings’’, Otso urged them and other health workers to always respect the right of patients to save human lives.
More than 1,400 members of the union are expected to be trained on patients’ satisfaction for quality healthcare delivery.
NAN recalls that the association had in July 2017 organised a one-day seminar on “Work Ethics: A Panacea for Effective Service Delivery in a Tertiary Health Institution, FMC Keffi in Focus”. (NAN)
AKW/KOLE/MST
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Fayose pledges to submit self to EFCC

Fayose pledges to submit self to EFCC
By Ariwodola Idowu
Fayose
Ado Ekiti, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) Outgoing Ekiti State Gov. Ayodele Fayose on Wednesday promised to submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) less than 24 hours after his hand-over day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fayose decision would fault speculations of his plan to escape EFCC arrest and investigation over alleged corruption cases pending before anti-graft agency.
The governor stated this in a letter he personally signed and addressed to the EFCC, pledging to surrender himself on Oct. 16, the last day of his tenure.
Fayose explained that his decision to make himself available to the EFCC was to clarify issues or answer questions on issues within his knowledge.
In the letter addressed to the Chairman of EFCC, he said his desire to submit to the commission was consequent upon several and serial actions of the commission for some time now.
These, he said included, but not limited to freezing of his accounts and attempts to secure temporary forfeiture of his properties.
The governor said these were indicative of the commission’s desire to have him clarify some issues or answer some questions, but for the immunity he enjoyed under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as a serving governor.
“I wish to inform you that my term of office pursuant to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution under the above provision shall lapse by effluxion of time on Monday, 15th October, 2018.
“As a responsible citizen of our great country, who believes in the rule of law, I wish to inform you of my decision to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, 16th October 2018 at 1pm to clarify issues or answer questions within my knowledge.
“Kindly confirm the suitability of the above date or indicate by return, the commission’s convenient date,” the letter read in part.
NAN recalls that the EFCC had once frozen Fayose’s two bank accounts, but a court described the action as illegal because of the immunity he enjoyed as a sitting governor. (NAN)
ARIS/ESAN/MST
Edited by Abiodun Esan/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Alleged Corruption: NMA dissolves FCT exco

Alleged Corruption: NMA dissolves FCT exco
By Ummul Idris
NMA
Abuja, July 9, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has dissolved its FCT chapter executive council over alleged corruption.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the development followed an emergency meeting held on Monday in Abuja.
Prof. Lovett Lawson, who presided over the emergency Congress of the association, announced the dissolution and appointed of a caretaker committee.
Lawson, a Professor of Tropical Medicine and Chif Executive Officer Zankli Clinic, Abuja, said at the end of the meeting that the caretaker committee would conduct elections to field the vacant positions.
He said that the dissolution became necessary due to the alleged high level of corrupt activities by the sacked officials.
The association appointed Dr Chira Obiora, a Consultant Family Physician, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, as the Chairman of the caretaker committee.
Obiora explained that the dissolution of the current executive was necessitated by the allegation, proof of recklessness and insubordination in the management of the affairs of NMA.
He said that the former executive was mandated to screen some members that were going for election into the NMA FCT chapter.
“But they introduced kangaroo activities, corruption, financial misappropriation, favouritism and lots more.
“The congress demanded for fairness in the activities from them that led to collection of signatures and we got 600 signature.
“We only need 20 signatures from centres that made up FCT to come here today and 15 members to set up a quorum but we had like 200 members.
“That is to show that we are way beyond the required number to set up a quorum.
“The candidates that were disqualified by the sacked executives were screened and were all qualified to run for their various positions,’’ Obiora explained.
He announced that the Annual General Meeting of the association would now hold on July 19, and therefore the candidates had only two weeks to campaign.
He therefore called on members of the association to support the caretaker committee succeed in delivering its mandate. (NAN)
UMD/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Police boss warns Special Fraud Unit detectives against corruption

Police boss warns Special Fraud Unit detectives against corruption
By Moses Omorogieva
Corruption
Lagos, July 1, 2018 (NAN) The newly promoted Commissioner of Police (CP) Damian Okoro has warned officers at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, to shun corruption or be shown the way out of the force.
Okoro gave the warning on Sunday at Ikoyi, Lagos, while decorating 27 officers who were recently promoted by the Police Service Commission (PSC).
The police boss, who was earlier decorated with the rank of CP by the Inspector-General of Police (IG-P) Ibrahim Idris on Friday, said he would not tolerate lukewarm attitude and laziness in the unit.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, until his promotion, Okoro was a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) at the PSFU, Ikoyi, a unit once headed by Mr Ibrahim Lamorde.
With his new rank, Okoro had been appointed as the CP in charge of the Police Anti-Fraud Unit, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.
He reminded the decorated officers that PSFU was known for its transparency and professionalism.
“No senior officer wants to work with lukewarm personnel. You all must make good names for yourselves in the force. You have to be known as fearless, incorruptible officers.
“Be strict, decent and very professional. Do not disappoint your families nor bring the force to disrepute. Be counted among the good eggs. The I-G has no tolerance for indiscipline and corruption.
“He does not hesitate to show the exit to officers who soil their hands. Also, the SFU has been known for its transparency and professionalism.
“As you serve your tour of duty, be sure to respect and uphold those values,” he warned. (NAN)
MIO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

LG boss warn councillors against corruption

LG boss warn councillors against corruption
By Awayi Kuje
Corruption
Kokona (Nasarawa State), June 5, 2018 (NAN) Mr Saidu Kurki, the Chairman, Kokona Local Government Council, Nasarawa State, has warned the Deputy Chairman and 11 councillors to shun corruption and other sharp practices.
Kurki issued the warning while inaugurating the newly elected council members on Tuesday in Garaku, the local government headquarters.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) conducted the Local Government election on May 26.
Kurki advised them to be transparent and accountable in discharging their duties at all times in the interest of peace and development of the area.
He said the call for transparency became imperative in order to ensure prudent management of resources to better the lives of the people of the area.
While soliciting for the support of the people to enable him and his management team succeed, the council boss promised to operate a transparent, honest and open door administration.
“I want to call on you all to be prudent, transparent and accountable in the discharge of your duties in order to justify the confidence of your people that have elected you.
“Transparency and accountability should be your watch words because corruption and injustice, among others ills, have affected our lives and the socio-economic development of the country negatively.
“Both the Executive and the Legislature need to work together as a team for the progress and development of this area,” he said.
Kurki also assured the people of his readiness to initiate good policies and programmes that have direct bearing on their lives.
He commended Gov. Tanko Al-Makura for creating an enabling environment for the conduct of the council poll.
The chairman enjoined the people of the area to be law abiding and live in peace irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliation.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the deputy chairman, Mr Ahmed Musa, promised to discharge their duties with the fear of God.
Musa also promised to abide by the oath of office and to carry everybody along while discharging their duties in the interest of peace and for the development of the state. (NAN)
AKW/JPE//MST
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Buhari bad business for corrupt politicians, civil servants – Presidency

Buhari bad business for corrupt politicians, civil servants – Presidency
By Ismaila Chafe
Corruption
Abuja, May 20, 2018 (NAN) Presidential Spokesman Garba Shehu says the Buhari government is bad business for a number of parliamentarians, civil servants and security agents.
Shehu said corrupt politicians, public officers, policemen, Customs and Immigration officials who hitherto benefited from corrupt practices during previous administrations were uncomfortable with the Buhari administration.
Shehu, who is the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, stated this in a special feature titled: “The Real Price of Changing the Change (1)’’, issued in Abuja on Sunday.
According to the presidential aide, as Buhari is busy fighting corruption the corrupt politicians and civil servants are equally busy praying for return of the old order where they had their days illegally amassing public wealth.
He said: “The list of people who oppose the Buhari government and yearning to `change the change’ include a number of parliamentarians, policemen, customs officials, immigration officials, civil servants now rooting for other political parties, not leaving out those various businesses and platforms owned by these political parties directly or indirectly.
“The Buhari win in 2015, and the possibility of four more years have crumbled their dreams of endlessly looting the state and the growing list of achievements of the administration is not doing any good for them.’’
Shehu observed that top opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members had been granting interviews and addressing zonal political rallies talking about “CHANGING THE CHANGE” in next year’s general elections, without defining what exactly that means.
He, however, stated that Nigerians needed to be reminded of what the reversal of the achievements of the three years of the Buhari government would amount to.
“The real meaning and cost of the `Changing the Change,’ is that if they win the next election, they will not take us back to where we were in 2015, they will mostly reverse the progress the APC has brought to the nation.
“The main reason for the defeat of the PDP in 2015 was corruption. The present administration at the centre led by President Muhammadu Buhari has so far presented a corrupt-free image of itself,’’ he said.
He added that the Buhari administration had also succeeded in abolishing grand corruption at the top and as attested to by the American President, Donald Trump.
He said the government had significantly brought down the level of corruption in the country but, however, warned that corruption was fighting back.
“Although he said he was unafraid and would not bend, the President’s concern, and fear on the part of many is that if a corrupt leader takes over, it will be happy days all over again for former Oil Minister Diezani Allison-Maduekwe who has so far forfeited 153 million dollars, N23.4 billion, and 4 million dollars and 5 million dollars in separate accounts.
“Change the Change’ would mean she will get the money back. So would the former Managing Director of the maritime agency, NIMASA, get back GBP 578,080 seized from him and the Ikoyi apartment owners have back their 43.4 million dollars; N23 million and GBP 27,800.
“The hidden owner of the Lagos cash shop may then step forward to reclaim their N449.6 million; the ex-Naval Chiefs will have returned to them the already forfeited N1.8 billion; the Governors Forum paid back their N1.4 billion and the major oil marketers, from whom the EFCC has so far seized N328.9 billion will smile their ways to the bank.
“The banks themselves will equally join the party, happily getting back N27.7 billion they `ate’ from taxes they failed to remit; the scion of the Akinjides, Jumoke will have N650 million awarded to her,’’ he said.
Shehu further stated that those scammers in INEC who coughed out N1 billion would equally get the money back and charges standing against them in court may be dropped.
“But the happiest of them all will be Mrs Jonathan, who will get the first priority when the refunds start coming for obvious reasons.
“The former First Lady would not anymore need lawyers to keep her mountain of gifts, counted in huge millions of dollars, billions of Naira, hotels and buildings,’’ he added.
He equally noted that the early casualties of ‘changing the change’ may include initiatives like the Whistle Blower policy by which the government was able to recover stolen or concealed assets through information provided by citizens.
According to him, this has changed the ethical and moral tone of the business transaction space in the country.
The whistle blower is entitled to between 2.5 and five per cent of amount recovered.
The presidential aide said that `change the change’ might also result to scrapping the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), which he described as the biggest tax revolution since independence.
“The Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) now being implemented, and about which many of our rich citizens are unhappy may be scrapped.
“A recent report shows that there are four million new taxpayers, including companies and individuals, resulting in N700 billion increase in tax revenue in 2017,’’ he said.
According to him, Buhari is also bad business for importers of diesel and generators because he had raised electric power availability from 2,600 MW in 2015 to 7,000 MW.
He said the Buhari-administration was targeting 10,000 megawatts by the end of 2018.
“Another formidable group unhappy with the change and wish it reversed are the importers of diesel and generators. Nigeria ranks as the second biggest importer of generators all over the world.
“Buhari is bad business for them because he has raised electric power availability from 2,600 MW in 2015 to 7,000 MW and is targeting 10,000 megawatts by the year’s end.
“Increased power availability means less purchase of generators and less consumption of diesel.
“Noticeably, they are rooting for parties that are bent on changing the change,’’ he maintained.
The presidential aide also identified other rooters of `changing the change’ campaign to include the beneficiaries of the malaria economy which costs Nigeria N132 billion and 300,000 lives annually.
According to him, this is an economy now threatened by the administration’s National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) by which tens of millions of long-lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITN) are being freely distributed.
“A part of this order is now made in Aba, Nigeria,’’ Shehu explained. (NAN)
SYC/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Be God-fearing in your dealings –Traditional ruler urges leaders

NAN-H-7
Corruption
By Awayi Kuje
Akun (Nasarawa) Feb. 27, 2018 (NAN) The Aren Akun of Akun Chiefdom in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Usman Umbugadu, has advised leaders at all levels in the country to be God-fearing and shun corrupt practice.

Umbugadu made the call on Tuesday in his palace in Akun while receiving the new executive of Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA), Ezhiba Chapter of the state.

The monarch said leaders must strive hard to be fair and just in their dealings, in order to promote peace and speedy development of he society and ensure public confidence repose in them.

He called on the new executive members of the association to be open in their dealings with members of the association, carry everybody along and key into peace-promoting activities in the area.

Umbugadu also called on stakeholders in the community to join hands with the executive by contributing their quota toward the development of the community and the the state in general.
The traditional ruler assured the executive of his readiness to support the association, where necessary.

Umbugadu urged parents to ensure that they enrol their children in school, noting that education was the bedrock of every society.

“The development of any society is dependent on the quality of education given to its citizens. It is the lee-way to success in life and a route to escape from poverty box.

“It is in view of this that I appeal to our youths to carry on with their educational pursuit with the seriousness it deserves,’’ he said.
Earlier, Mr bDavid Boka, the chairman of the association, said the visit was aimed at seeking for royal blessing and prayers from the monarch.

“We are also here to thank you for gracing our inauguration and to seek for your blessings and supports to enable us succeed in the task ahead.

Boka promised to operate an open-door policy by carrying everybody along in the discharge of his duties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the village head of Ezhiba, Chief Paul Angbre, among other community leaders were present during the event.

Other executive members of the association present include; Mr Awayi Kuje- Secretary-General, Mr Jatau Umbugadu-Vice Chairman, Mr Umbugadu Angbashim-Treasurer, Mr Sunday Ali Attah-Assistant Secretary among others.(NAN)
AKW/ABI/DUA
Edited by Ali Inuwa/Dada Ahmed

Judiciary

Time to open new page in anti-graft fight, says Osinbajo

NAN-H-68
Graft
By Donald Ugwu
Abuja, Oct. 25, 2017(NAN) Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday declared that the anti-corruption fight in the country must take a new turn for it to succeed.

Osinbajo stated this at the opening of a two-day capacity building workshop for justices and judges, organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.

He said that the administration was reviving the entire anti-corruption system for speedy dispensation of justice.

Cue-in audio

“We are re-jigging the entire system; the Chief Justice of the Federation has laid down the rules and he has encouraged everyone to follow suit.

“There is no question at all that this is the time for us to open a new page in the entire anti-corruption fight.’’

Cue-out audio

The Vice President, who expressed joy that the judiciary was on board, assured of the executive’s support in ensuring effective investigation of cases and speedy dispensation of justice.

According to him; “this is a collaborative venture of all, and the executive, judiciary and legislature must see this as a fight for the soul of our nation.’’

Osinbajo hailed the CJNs new initiatives and the practice directions issued by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal in the Administration of Justice Act.

He further commended the recent Supreme Court decision which stopped the dilatory tactics of staying proceedings in criminal cases on account of interlocutory applications.

Osinbajo observed that all the nations that succeeded in winning the war against graft had to change their administration of justice system as well as the methods of investigation and trial of corruption cases.

“Investigations must be conducted properly and thoroughly, not on the pages of newspapers, but before cases go to court, so that when such cases reach the court; what is presented will be the best possible case that the prosecution can present.

“Most of the countries that have successfully dealt with corruption have had to dispense with needless technicality and focused on the offence.

“In the case of public officers, they recognise that there can be no real explanation for a public officer whose pay is public knowledge to have cash and assets several times more than his earnings, let alone his savings.

“If somebody earns in excess of what he should possibly even save in several lifetime, freeing him technically can never make sense, it will always seem that something has gone wrong with the system,’’ he stated.

The Vice President also noted that most countries recognised that even the whole process of decision making must make sense“ otherwise it would undermine the very fundamentals of judiciary and justice.’’

“If the fundament of justice is undermined, everything is undermined,’’ he said.

According to Osinbajo, the misery and loss of lives on account of corruption far exceeds that of any other single crime, adding “if you look at the extent of damage caused by corruption it surely is a crime against humanity”.

He noted that “impunity seems magnified when trial of alleged perpetrators of corruption never seems to end.

“And that such individuals can afford the best legal assistance only deepens the course of hopelessness that the corrupt will never be punished.’’

The Vice President noted that the Boko Haram insurgency also escalated because of the diversion of funds meant to prosecute the war.

He added that the reason the country did not build any new infrastructure in the last six years in spite of the huge oil revenue was because of corruption by government officials.

“Corruption threatens our security, health, education and even our corporate existence’’ he said adding that it was the reason that Garvey, a global health fund for vaccine provision in developing countries, withdrew support for Nigeria for alleged mismanagement of funds between 2011 and 2013.

He stated that the country had to refund $2.2 million adding that the drugs were meant to fight HIV/Aids, TB and Malaria amongst the poor.

He said that a lot of funds in the hands of the corrupt were used to subvert justice, bribe government officials, judicial officers, media and subvert legislature. (NAN)
DCU/DOR/IS
===========
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Health

`NHIS not hub of corruption’ – Acting ES

`NHIS not hub of corruption’ – Acting ES
NAN-HG-6
NHIS
By Talatu Maiwada/Mustapha Yauri
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2017 (NAN) Malam Attahiru Ibrahim, the Acting Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), says attempt to smear the corporate image of the scheme as hub of corruption is untrue and unacceptable.
Ibrahim said this while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja on the activities of the scheme.
He said that NHIS strongly support the rule of law.
He assured that anyone found wanting whether within or outside the scheme would be handed over to the agencies of government with appropriate mandate to make such people accountable.
“Those who have been abusing their privileges around the scheme should be made to face the consequences of their actions in full measure,’’ Ibrahim said.
However, he noted that the scheme has not done badly in the implementation of its mandate 12 years after its official inauguration.
“The scheme through the diligence and integrity of members of staff grew the pool of the fund significantly.
“The scheme has also achieved close to 100 per cent coverage of all contributors in the formal sector, which includes employees of Federal Government, Community Based Social Health Insurance Programme, among others,’’ he said.
According to him, “the scheme is rapidly emerging from the distractions of the last one year, and it will be giving a lot of energy to its activities’’.
He reassured Nigerians that the scheme would continue in its tradition of being a socially responsible public institution.
Meanwhile, the executive secretary has appealed for the amendment of the Act establishing the scheme.
He said that the section that made enrolment into the scheme optional should be amended to make enrolment into the scheme compulsory to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
Ibrahim said the scheme was working closely with state governments to establish state health insurance scheme and ensure that enrolment was made compulsory. (NAN)
TIM/AM/JPE/MST
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

NNPC restates commitment to fight corruption, re-constitutes anti-corruption committee

NNPC restates commitment to fight corruption, re-constitutes anti-corruption committee

NAN-HE-12

Corruption

By Kingsley  Okoye

Abuja, Aug 7,2017 (NAN) The Nigerian  National  Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Monday restated its commitment to fighting corruption in the nation’s oil and gas industry.

Its Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr Maikanti Baru,  said this while  inaugurating  members of the corporation’s re-constituted anti corruption committee in Abuja.

Baru said that the Corporation was the first among MDAs to constitute the committee in October 2000,  following  the establishment  of  Independent Corrupt  Practices and other Offences  Commission (ICPC).

He said that the committee had consistently carried out its mission of eradicating official corruption through  various enlightenment  campaigns.

According to Baru, the  investigation of corrupt practices  had  helped  the NNPC to take some  actions resulting in dismissals and termination of appointments.

“NNPC is obviously ahead in the anti corruption war,“ he said.

He said that the commission was also collaborating  with the Federal  Government’s anti corruption agencies like Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC,) Independent Corrupt  Practices and other Offences  Commission (ICPC ) and Code of Conduct Bureau.

Baru said it was important for Nigerians to appreciate the values of accountability and integrity in all areas of life, given the recently  launched “ change begins with me campaign“ by the Federal Government.

“It is important to change from our old ways of doing business; NNPC has a zero tolerance for corruption, and we will continue to do business with transparency so as to  retain  the current progress made.

He  commended the previous committee members for  their efforts in championing  anti corruption strategies  in the corporation.

The GMD, however, urged the new members of the committee to ensure that transparency and accountability became a way of life in the corporation.

He noted that the NNPC had also provided a whistle blowing platform, for members of staff to report any corrupt practices to the authority for investigation and necessary actions.

Baru also called on all Managing Directors of the various units in the Corporation to set up the anti-corruption committees in their various departments, adding that the selection of the new members was based on their track record of integrity.

Responding, the New Chairman of the committee,  Mr Mike  Balami, urged members of the staff to  always imbibe the virtues of  integrity in the conduct of their duties.

He said that the corporation had provided conducive environment for members of staff, adding that there was no reason people should be involved in corrupt practices.

Balami said that the committee would remain committed to promoting the virtues of transparency and accountability in the corporation.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that membership of the committee comprises senior staff of the corporation with  representatives from  The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG), and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.(NAN)
KC/CHOM/IA
Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Idris Abdulrahman