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General news

Minimum wage: Bauchi Govt inaugurates 41-man council

By Ayinde Olaide
Minimum wage
Bauchi, Dec. 23, 2019 (NAN) The Bauchi State Government has inaugurated a 41-member Joint Public Service Negotiation Council for the implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.

Alhaji Mohammed Baba, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who inaugurated the council on Mondayin Bauchi, said they were expected to submit their report on Dec. 27.

Baba said the objective was to recommend to the government on modalities of ensuring effective implementation of the new minimum wage.

He said with their recommendations, the state government would ensure commencement of the full implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.

The SSG therefore called on members of the council to justify the confidence reposed in them by doing justice in the discharge of their assigned responsibilities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alhaji Ahmed Ma’aji, the State Head of Service, is the chairman of the council with members comprising government and labour officials.

Ma’aji promised on behalf of the council members to do justice to the assignment. (NAN)
EED/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

14 political parties to participate in Adamawa local council election

14 political parties to participate in Adamawa local council election

By Muhammad Adam
Election
Yola, Nov. 12, 2019 (NAN) No fewer than 14 political parties will participate in the Adamawa Local Government Council elections scheduled for Dec. 7, an official has said.
Mr Innocent Daniel, the Information Officer of the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIECOM) made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Yola.
Daniel equally stated that the commission has commenced the screening of chairmen, vice chairmen and councillorship candidates.
“A total of 14 political parties fielded their candidates to contest for the Adamawa local government council elections.
“The commission also start screening of candidates vying for chairman and vice chairmanship and councillorship,” Daniel said.
He said the participating parties include Accord, Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Young Progressive Party (YPP).
Others are Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), KOWA Party and All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also included are Alliance of Social Democrats (ASD), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Movement for Restoration and Defence for Democracy (MRDD) and Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN).
He explained that the commission had prepared for the election and was yet to receive any complain from any political party. (NAN)
AMA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Buhari inaugurates, sets agenda for Economic Advisory Council

Buhari inaugurates, sets agenda for Economic Advisory Council

By Ismaila Chafe
Agenda
Abuja, Oct. 9, 2019 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday administered oaths of office on members of the newly constituted Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).
Inaugurating the 8-man council at the presidential villa, Abuja, Buhari set an agenda of what they should accomplish in the shortest possible time.
The president at a meeting with the council chaired by Prof. Doyin Salami charged them to focus on developing reliable data that would properly reflect what is happening in the country.
Buhari described the task before the PEAC as “most important national assignment’’.
“As you develop your baseline study, I would like you to focus on primary data collection. Today, most of the statistics quoted about Nigeria are developed abroad by the World Bank, IMF and other foreign bodies.
“Some of the statistics we get relating to Nigeria are wild estimates and bear little relation to the facts on the ground.
“This is disturbing as it implies we are not fully aware of what is happening in our own country.
“We can only plan realistically when we have reliable data. As you are aware, as a government, we prioritised agriculture as a critical sector to create jobs and bring prosperity to our rural communities.
“Our programmes covered the entire agricultural value chain from seed to fertiliser to grains and ultimately, our dishes.
“As you travel in some rural communities, you can clearly see the impact. However, the absence of reliable data is hindering our ability to upgrade these programmes and assure their sustainability,” he said.
The president also used the occasion to set agenda and expectations from the council, constituted on Sept. 16, to replace the Economic Management Team (EMT).
On the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs), the president told members that his administration was working to measure the impact of the programme targeted at improving the well-being of millions of poor and vulnerable citizens.
To this end, Buhari said he had directed the new Minister for Humanitarian Affairs to commence a comprehensive data-gathering exercise in all Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the North East.
He said: “Today, we hear international organisations claiming to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on IDPs in the North East. But when you visit the camps, you rarely see the impact.
“In 2017, when the National Emergency Management Agency took over the feeding of some IDPs in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, the amount we spent was significantly lower than the claims made by these international organisations.
“Therefore, actionable data is critical to implement effective strategies to address pressing problems such as these humanitarian issues.
“I, therefore, look forward to receiving your baseline study as this will help us shape ideas for a sustainable and prosperous future,’’ the president said.
On his expectations from the council, Buhari urged them to proffer solutions on how to move the country and economy forward.
He directed the council to coordinate and synthesise ideas and efforts on how to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years, working in collaboration with various employment generating agencies of government.
“I am told you worked throughout last weekend in preparation for this meeting.
“I have listened attentively to findings and ideas on how to move the country and the economy forward.
“Yes, Nigeria has exited the recession. But our reported growth rate is still not fast enough to create the jobs we need to meet our national ambition of collective prosperity.
“Reason being we had to tread carefully in view of the mess we inherited.
“Many of the ideas we developed in the last four years were targeted at returning Nigeria back to the path of growth.
“I am sure you will also appreciate that during that time, our country was also facing serious challenges especially in the areas of insecurity and massive corruption.
“Therefore, I will be the first to admit that our plans were conservative. We had to avoid reckless and not well thought out policies.
“However, it was very clear to me after we exited the recession that we needed to re-energise our economic growth plans. This is what I expect from you,” the president said.
Buhari also assured the council that the Federal Government would ensure that all their needs and requests were met before the next technical sessions in November.
He said all key ministries, departments and agencies would be available to meet and discuss with them on how to collectively build a new Nigeria that caters for all.
“Now, no one person or a group of persons has a monopoly of knowledge or wisdom or patriotism.
“In the circumstances, you may feel free to co-opt, consult and defer to any knowledgeable person if in your opinion such a move enriches your deliberations and add to the quality of your decisions,” Buhari said.
The chairman of the council said the mandate was about “Nigeria first, Nigeria second, and Nigeria always,” adding that it is about Nigerians, not as numbers, but as people.
“Our goal is that the economy grows in a manner that is rapid, inclusive, sustained and sustainable, so that Nigerians will feel the impact,” Salami said. (NAN)
SYC/IAA/MST
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Council calls for unity in health sector

Council calls for unity in health sector

By Nana Musa/Amos Rebecca
Healthcare
Abuja, Sept. 3, 2019 (NAN) The Chairman, Governing Board, Medical Laboratory Scientists Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Prof. Muhammad Gwarzo, had called for unity amongst stakeholders in the health sector.

Gwarzo made the appeal at the 55th Annual Scientific Conference and Workshop organised by the association on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said althoug the country consisted of several health related arms, promoting unity is key to achieve meaningful development.

Gwarzo said: “In the health sector they are many divisions and unity is a must for us to be able to achieve our objective of detecting, preventing and responding to health needs.”

Gwarzo said that the theme of conference was timely as there are many emerging diseases which requires all hands to be on deck, to ensure early detection of and prevention.

Mr Tosan Erhabor, the Registrar of MLSCN, assured that the council would improve medical laboratory system.

According to him, the council will improve laboratory services delivery through timely response to treatment of diseases.

“We will continue to regulate the accreditation of school laboratories, inspection of medical laboratories facilities, fight against quackery and promote quality assurance in health services.

“A new dawn is here and an event like this will give room for the immediate training and contribution to quality services of our national health,” Erahabor said.

Eariler, the National President of AMLSN, Mr Bassey Enya, commended the theme of the conference titled “Global Health Security”, saying it will tackle challenges in the sector.

He said that the Medical Laboratory Agenda for the Sub-Saharan Africa was carefully chosen to reflect the current dangers posed by severe pathogens.

Enya said that pathogens have epidemic potential and role the medical laboratory could play in early detection and response.

He also said that the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) is an effort by nations, international organisations and civil societies to accelerate progress toward a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats.

He also said that the theme is to promote global health security as an international priority and to spur progress toward full implementation of international health regulation 2005.

“To prevent another devastating event like Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, we need a resilient and inclusive health system That extend to rural areas.

“A sensitive early warning system coupled with rapid response capacity, informed and engaged communities that trust their government and health services it provides,” Enya said.

He identified poor implementation of the national laboratory policy, inadequate training of medical laboratory personnel, weak medical laboratory infrastructure and limited quality assurance, to be among other challenges facin facing the sector.

He also noted that laboratories are usually given low priority and recognition in most national health delivery systems.

Mr Joseph David, the Chairman AMLSN, Abuja branch, said the theme was to plan to establish a network to interconnect laboratories.

“I am glad to have the privilege 15 years after to host an international conference of this magnitude.”

He commended partners for making this conference a huge success, most especially the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, the US Centre for Disease Control, the University of Maryland, the Institute of Human Virology Of Nigeria.
NHM/RAB/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Nasarawa Govt seeks harmony among council administrators

Nasarawa Govt seeks harmony among council administrators
By Awayi Kuje
Harmony
Dari (Nasarawa State), July 17, 2019 (NAN) The Nasarawa State Government has called on local government chairmen and development area overseers to work together for the growth of the state.
Mr John Mamman, the Special Adviser to Gov. Abdullahi Sule on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, made the call on Wednesday at Dari-Kokona while fielding questions from newsmen on local government autonomy.
He said that such harmonious working relationship would help in boosting grassroots development, improving the welfare of the people and promoting peaceful co-existence in the state.
“The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) law is very clear; it recognises the local government, but development areas are also important part of the state.
“I don’t think there should be any friction between the elected chairmen and appointed overseers of development areas in the state.
“What we did during the Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC) is that we gave the chairmen of various local governments their salary templates.
“The templates contained salaries of local government staff, those of the staff of development areas and the traditional rulers, among others.
“What the chairmen need to do therefore is to follow those templates and disburse the money appropriated to their councils in the interest of peace and harmony.
“It is in view of this that I want to call on the chairmen of local governments and overseers of development areas to work in harmony so that we have peaceful co-existence,” he said.
While calling on council workers to be dedicated to their duties so as to bring about the needed development, the special adviser assured them of government’s commitment to improving their standard of living. (NAN)
AKW/WAS/MST
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Education

Council to collaborate with Nasarawa varsity on science communication education

Council to collaborate with Nasarawa varsity on science communication
By Awayi Kuje
Education
Keffi (Nasarawa State), March 22, 2019 (NAN) The African Council for Communication Education has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), to boost science communication education in the state.
Prof. Nnamdi Ekeanyanwu, the National President of the council, disclosed this when he led other council members on a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Suleiman Mohammed, on Friday in Keffi.
Ekeanyanwu said that the collaboration would go a long way to enable the council project the science image of the university to the outside world.
“Science communication is the public communication of science-related topics to non-experts.
“This often involves professional scientists (called “outreach’’ or “popularisation’’), but has also evolved into a professional field in its own right.
“It includes science exhibitions, aref=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_journalism”>journalism, policy or media production, among others,’’ he said.
The professor of International Communication added that the collaboration would also enhance the science communication of the institution, considering its importance to societal development.
Ekeanyawu also expressed readiness to synergise with the university in the area of manpower development, among others, of mutual respect and benefits in the interest of development.
He thanked the management of the university for accepting to host the council’s International Conference scheduled to hold in October 2019.
“I urge the university community to take advantage of this conference to enrich your scope of science education.
“So far, the management of the university is to be commended for promoting science communication education,’’ the council’s president said.
Responding, the NSUK vice-chancellor thanked the council for choosing the university as venue for its forthcoming conference.
He promised to support the council throughout the programme, while saying that the importance of any conference to societal development could not be over-emphasised.
Mohammed restated his commitment to continue to key into good policies and programmes that would promote the standard of education in the state. (NAN)
AKW/COF/MST
Editing by Oluyinka Fadare/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Jigawa Council to sponsor wedding of 10 orphaned girls

Jigawa Council to sponsor wedding of 10 orphaned girls
By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
Wedding
Dutse, Nov. 22, 2018 (NAN) The Ringim Local Government Council of Jigawa says it will sponsor the wedding of 10 orphaned girls in the area.
The Information Officer of the council, Malam Yau Garba, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Thursday.
Garba, who did not disclose the identities of the girls, said the council had already set up an 11-member committee to screen them.
According to him, the council Chairman, Alhaji Abdurrashid Illa, has charged members of the committee to be fair and just, and discharge their duty with the fear of Allah in view of the significance of the task.
NAN reports that the council is also expected to provide the beneficiaries with complete house furniture and kitchen equipment. (NAN)
MNB/JEO/MST
Edited by Janefrances Oraka/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

Nasarawa Council inaugurates revenue collection committee

Nasarawa Council inaugurates revenue collection committee

Revenue
By Awayi Kuje
Agidi (Nasarawa State), Nov. 7, 2018 (NAN) Mr Amos Tsaku, the Overseer, Agidi Development Area of Nasarawa State, on Wednesday inaugurated a 11-man committee on revenue collection.

Tsaku, while inaugurating the committee in Agidi, Nasarawa State, charged the members to ensure that all revenues accruing to the council was properly remitted.

He tasked members of the committee to explore possible new ways to generate more revenue for the development of the area.

He urged residents to give the committee the much needed support and cooperation to enable them to succeed in the task ahead.

“We cannot continue to depend on federal and state government allocations; there is the need for us to explore more ways of generating revenue to the coffers of the local government, in order to improve on the standard of living of our people.”

He further charged the committee to be transparent and accountable in the discharge of their duties so as to justify the confidence reposed in them.

“I charge you to be diligent while discharging your duties to enable us to deliver the much needed dividends of democracy for the benefit of our people.”

Tsaku also urged staff members of the council to be dedicated and committed to their duties in the interest of peace and national development.

He advised them to shun truancy and other negative tendencies in their interest and for the overall development of the council.

Besides, he urged the people to support government’s efforts by playing active roles toward peace building, adding that only peaceful co-existence can bring development.

Responding on behalf of other members, Mr Iliya Abimiku, the Chairman of the committee, expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in them.

He pledged that they would do their best to succeed in the assignment. (NAN)
AKW/JIE/NKO
Edited by Julius Enehikhuere/Nkechi Okoronkwo

Health

Governing Council suspends NHIS boss indefinitely

Alleged Maladministration: Governing Council suspends NHIS boss indefinitely
By Talatu Maiwada
Suspension
Abuja, Oct. 18, 2018 (NAN) The Governing Council of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has suspended the Executive Secretary of the scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf, indefinitely over alleged gross misconduct.
Mrs Eyantu Efene, the Chairman of the council, announced this while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.
She said that the council resolved to suspend the scribe after several deliberations and with the approval of the Minister of Health.
“The council has received a lot of petitions and have observed infractions in the system that cannot be ignored.
“Based on detailed examination and review of the documents, the council has decided to set up an administrative panel within three months to carry out a thorough investigation of the issues.
“The Council has also suspended the Executive Secretary, NHIS, Prof. Usman Yusuf, indefinitely to allow the panel carryout their investigation.
“The Acting Executive Secretary will now be Mallam Sadiq Adamu,’’ she said.
However, Efene assured that the council was committed to transparency and accountability particularly as it relates to the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
She explained that the council has the powers to manage NHIS in accordance with the provision of the Act establishing the scheme, and to determine the overall policies of the scheme including financial and operative procedures.
“Our powers as a council is derived from the law and our decisions are based on appropriate actions to ensure that the objectives of the scheme are achieved.
“We want to ensure that the scheme works in transparency and delivers best services to Nigerians,’’ she added.
Efene listed about nine alleged gross infractions committed by Yusuf from July 29, 2016, when he was appointed, to date.
They included his (executive secretary) involvement in the 2018 budget crisis, which included the removal of N264 million perfected through budget padding.
“The removal of N100 million posting and transfer provisions, the removal of the frivolous provision of N50 million for an additional SUV for the ES considering that one was acquired for him last year.
“Fraudulent inflation of the cost of biometric capturing machines at a unit cost of N11,500,000.00, whereas the market cost is only between N700,000.00 and N1,4000,000.00 depending on specifications.
“An attempt to illegally execute N30 billion investment in FGN bond, the unlawful staff posting and wilful defiance of council directives, superfluous arrogation of project vehicles, insubordinate conduct by the ES, among others,” she said.
NAN recalls that Yusuf was earlier suspended by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, in June 2017 over alleged official misconduct.
But the executive secretary was reinstated by the Federal Government on Feb. 6, 2018, after he was found clean of the allegations by an administrative panel. (NAN)
TIM/AOM/MST
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

FCT council records progress in immunisation

FCT council records progress in immunisation
By Veronica Dariya
Immunisation
Bwari (FCT), July 6, 2018 (NAN) The Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday said it had made significant progress in various immunisation conducted in the last two years.

The council’s Chairman, Mr Musa Dikko, said that the health sector had been a major focus of his administration that received a boost within the period.

This is contained in a documented report produced by the Primary Health Care Department of the council which was made exclusively available to NAN by the chairman.

He noted that the council had implemented five rounds of National immunisation Plus Days (NIPDS) and Sub-immunisation Days (SIPD).

Dikko said that an average success rate of 131.7 per cent was achieved, in addition to 131 per cent success rate recorded during the 2018 measles vaccination campaign.

He also said that the council had implemented Maternal, Child Health Care and Family Planning Programmes “with a high degree of success”.

The chairman said that capacity building workshops were conducted both for Health Management Information System and Health staff.

Dikko said that a total of 180 participants benefited from both private and public facilities within the council.

He also said that the council had in collaboration with some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) succeeded in inaugurating more healthcare centres in some rural communities.

“We inaugurated three health facilities in Shere, Tunga Kwaso and Jikoko in collaboration with Citizen Education Development Initiative, Business and Professional Women Organisation and Tabitha Cumi Foundation,” the chairman said.

Dikko said that the council would not relent its efforts in curbing the outbreak of communicable diseases.

He assured residents that the distribution of treated mosquito nets and other necessary materials such as malaria logistic commodities would always be available in all the council’s wards. (NAN)
DVK/AOM/MST
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Muhammad Suleiman Tola