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Health

Hygiene: FCT residents want govt to conduct unscheduled visits to restaurants, eateries

Hygiene: FCT residents want govt to conduct unscheduled visits to restaurants, eateries

By Justina Auta
Visits
Abuja, Oct. 17, 2019 (NAN) Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to various government health agencies to conduct unscheduled visits to restaurants and eateries to monitor and ensure adequate hygienic conditions.
They made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
The residents called on the agencies saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and enforcing food hygiene laws to beam their searchlights on food vendors and operators.
Mr Emmanuel Nonso, a businessman, advised community health officials to also beam their searchlights on restaurant operators to ensure proper and hygienic cooking environment.
“Government needs to embark on impromptu visits to well established hotels and restaurants in order to monitor the cooking environment to ensure safety and hygiene of the areas, they should not concentrate only on markets and shops to arrest or seize substandard items,” he said.
Ms Joy Abu, a former hotel staff, decried the unhealthy cooking environment of some hotels and popular eateries.
“Most of these eateries have very poor hygiene environment, but people do not know because customers are not allowed into the kitchen or cooking areas.
“It is only the government officials that can carry out impromptu visits to all the big restaurants and hotel kitchens to supervise and ensure that the cooking environments are clean,’’ she said.
Mr Femi Adegoke, a civil servant, said he had treated various types of diseases caused by food poisoning as a result of patronising eateries.
“My family is not based here in Abuja and I close late from work. So most times, I rely on food vendors to eat, which had made me fall ill severally and received treatment for food poisoning.’’
Mrs Gloria Joseph, a nurse, said unhealthy food and unhygienic environment could cause diseases and infections that could pose serious risk to the health of an individual.
“These could result to food poisoning, vomiting, stomach upset, constipation, irregularities in blood pressure due to the use of untreated salts, ingredients that could be harmful to our hearts and other complications.’’
She, therefore, advised Nigerians to patronise eateries and restaurants less, and ensure they cook themselves using highest quality ingredients and prepare it in a hygienic manner. (NAN)
JAD/NNO/MST
Edited by Nick Nicholas/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NGOs partner to provide menstrual hygiene education for FCT girls

NGOs partner to provide menstrual hygiene education for FCT girls
By Ummul Idris
Menstruation
Abuja, May 30, 2019 (NAN) Mercy Corps, an NGO, says it is partnering Procter and Gamble to provide menstrual hygiene management education for girl- children in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ms Wemimo Onikan, the Communication Officer, Educating Nigerian Girls in New Enterprises (ENGINE) II, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
She said this is coming as the world commemorates Menstrual Hygiene Day.
She stated that globally, 2.3 billion people lacked basic sanitation services, adding that in developing countries, the situation is more challenging.
She noted that Nigeria as a developing country was struggling to provide adequate sanitation services that would benefit girls in all schools, but nothing had significantly contributed to girls missing out of school.
Onikan who said that education was a right, stated that girls had the right to attend school and engage in their education without interference, irrespective of their menstruation.
According to her, the inability of in-school girls to manage menstruation properly often results in discomforts, poor self-esteem and absenteeism from school.
She stated that this often made it difficult for them to maximally participate in academics and complete a cycle of learning.
“Menstruation is a normal biological process and should not negatively affect the social wellbeing of girls.
“In the FCT, Procter and Gamble’s always Keeping Girls In School (AKGIS) project, implemented by Mercy Corps Nigeria as a complementary intervention to the DFID funded Educating Nigerian Girls In New Enterprises (ENGINE) II programme.
“This is reaching over 2,000 girls and secondary school teachers in the territory,’’ the spokesperson said.
She stated that the project provided training to adolescent girls, boys and teachers on Menstrual Health Management (MHM) in schools, provision of psychosocial support, counselling services and life skills.
According to her, over 73,440 sanitary pads have been provided as emergency sanitary pads for adolescent girls in 29 secondary schools in the FCT.
“With teachers and principals trained to build MHM into their various school systems, increasing awareness on the proper management of menstruation in schools,’’ she added.
She said that it also addressed myths and creating a conducive environment for girls to stay in school during their periods. (NAN)
UMD/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

FCT resident doctors take oral health campaign to schools

 

Dr Roland Aigbovo, branch Chairman of ARD leading colleagues on oral hygiene campaign

FCT resident doctors take oral health campaign to schools
By Ummul Idris
Hygiene
Abuja, March 21, 2019 (NAN) The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, has taken its sensitisation on oral health to Government Science Secondary School, Maitama and Roberto Group of Schools, Wuse.
Dr Roland Aigbovo, the branch Chairman of the association, who led his colleagues to the schools, told the students and teachers that the issue of oral hygiene must be tackled from the grassroots.
He said that it was necessary to carry out oral health talks and provide free dental check for the students and staff as a way of giving back to the community.
“I encourage that everyone should go for a routine oral check for a healthy life. Oral hygiene is a sure way to a robust life,’’ he said.
Aigbovo said that a person’s mouth was the first part of their body that would project them to the world, adding that there is need to take adequate care of the mouth.
He called on the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHDA) to hasten the integration of oral health services into primary healthcare.
The ARD chairman said that this would further increase access to basic dental services.
Aigbovo said: “We appeal for the domestication and implementation of National Oral Health Policy in the country.
“The policy has the goal of achieving optimal oral health for all Nigerians, and this can be achieved by setting up dental units in all districts and general hospitals.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that free tooth brushes and toothpaste were distributed to students and teachers at the schools visited, while they were being examined. (NAN)
UMD/COF/MST
Editing by Oluyinka Fadare/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

Why I’m still voting at age 90 – Nonagenarian

Pic attached

Why I’m still voting at age 90 – Nonagenarian

By Mustapha Sumaila
Nonagenarian
Kwali (Abuja), March 9, 2019 (NAN) A Nonagenarian voter in Kwali, Federal Capital Terrritory, Hajiya Amina Muhammadu, says she is participating in the ongoing Chairmanship and Councillorship elections to ensure a better future for her grand and great grand children.
Muhammadu, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after casting her vote at Polling Unit 005 in Kwali township, said education should be the focus of any grassroots leader.
“At age 90, I still come out to participate in general elections of this nature because I believe we can still elect leaders that will cater for the well being of citizens.
“I am so concerned about education of our children and grand children because without it, there won’t be a good future for them.
“I want the winner of this election to provide quality basic education for our children,” she said.
She appealed to whoever emerged as the area council’s chairman to provide quality healthcare service to the people in the area.
The 90-year-old woman who said she had been voting since the return of democracy in the country, expressed happiness for being alive and to participate in the 2019 general elections.
“I trust my people. I know they will vote for only people that have capacity to deliver,” she stressed. (NAN)
MS/JEO/MST
Edited by Janefrances Oraka/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

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Politics

Polls: FCT Minister commends residents for orderly conduct

Polls: FCT Minister commend residents for orderly conduct

By Kabir Muhammad
Commendation
Abuja, Feb. 27, 2019 (NAN) The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has congratulated residents of the FCT for the peaceful conduct of the Feb. 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections in the territory.

Bello said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja by the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Mr Anthony Ogunleye.

He noted with satisfaction that residents of the FCT performed their civic responsibility in an atmosphere characterised by peace and orderliness.

The minister also heartily congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on winning the presidential poll, noting that his victory is a testament to the acceptance of his people-oriented policies over the last four years.

He further enjoined residents of the FCT to be restrained in their celebration of the president’s victory and be mindful of their utterances and actions while expressing their elation.

Bello called on the losers to accept the outcome of the polls as the will of the Almighty.

The minister reminded all that as residents of the Centre of Unity, they all had a responsibility to come together to build a capital city of our dreams.

He also commended the efforts of law enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order throughout the elections.

Bello however enjoined the residents to continue to replicate their peaceful conduct as they turn out to vote for the Area Council elections on March 9. (NAN)
KM/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

Atiku wins all voting points at Unit 007 Pyakasa in FCT

By Alexandra Oladipo
PDP
Abuja, Feb. 24, 2019 (NAN) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won in the eight voting points at Unit 007 Pyakas, Lugbe, FCT

Mr Sadiqu Abdulrazak, the Presiding Officer for the unit, said Abubakar scored 1,205 votes while President Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) got 173 votes.

Abdulrazak also announced that the Senatorial candidate for PDP got 913 votes while APC got 444 votes.

For House of Representatives, the candidate for PDP won with 1,102 votes while APC candidate scored a total of 240 votes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that sorting and counting of votes at polling unit 007 Pyakasa lasted till 4.30 a.m on Sunday.

Reacting, the SDP agent, Mr Haruna Dauda, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the process, stating that every thing was transparent.

Mr Joshua Shawula, the PDP agent, also noted that INEC staff were fair and the election at the unit was free and fair. (NAN)
ATO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Sirleaf leads ECOWAS election observers in FCT

Sirleaf leads ECOWAS election observers in FCT
By Ahmed Ubandoma/Jessica Dogo
Observation
Abuja, Feb. 23, 2019 (NAN) The Head of ECOWAS Election Observer Mission to Nigeria, Madam Ellen Jonhson Sirleaf, is leading a delegation of ECOWAS election monitors to some polling centres in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sirleaf led her team to the Durumi II Primary School polling centre with eight voting points to monitor the conduct of Saturday’s Presidential and national Assembly elections in the country.
Sirleaf, who arrived the polling centre at about 8.55 a.m waited patiently until the first female voter, Mrs Comfort Akale, cast the first ballot of the polling unit at about 9.50 a.m.
The head of the ECOWAS election observer mission depart the polling unit at 10.05 a.m without a word to newsmen.
NAN also reports that the polling centre was crowded due to the large turnout of eligible voters.
However, some voters have expressed their disappointment over the delay in the commencement of the exercise.
They attributed the delay on the inability of INEC officials to arrive the venue on time.
Mr Daniel Chukwu, expressed his dismay over the late commencement of voting.
“ I came here since 7.30 a.m and this is 10.40 a.m we have not made any progress,” he said.
Mrs Ailemen Edith, a voter, told NAN that she was unable to cast her vote as at 10.35 a.m due to the problem she had in transferring her voter’s card from Wuse II to Durumi II polling unit.
“I transferred my voter registration point from Wuse II to Durumi II in 2018, only to find out that my name is not captured in Durumi voters register.
“Though, I am not the only one that is affected but the INEC officials told us to stay aside, that they will attend to us later,” she said.
NAN also reports that the card reader machines are working perfectly at the Durumi polling unit as at 9.50 a.m.
However, only NYSC corps members were at the Apo Legislative Quarters polling unit as no INEC official was on ground to monitor the arrangement of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials when NAN crew visited the venue as at about 7.30 a.m.
Eligible voters have already queued up waiting for the commencement of the accreditation and voting process at 8 a.m.
Meanwhile, various party agents have taken stock of the materials and the ballot boxes, while accreditation and voting was yet to commence at 8.30 a.m at the Apo Legislative Quarters. (NAN)
MU/JEZ/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

FCT doctors hail FG for paying arrears, appeals for budget review

FCT doctors hail FG for paying arrears, appeals for budget review
By Ummul Idris
Doctors
Abuja, Jan. 19, 2019 (NAN) The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, have commended the Minister of FCT, Muhammad Bello, for paying the backlog of doctors’ salary arrears.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Saturday, Dr Roland Aigbovo, the President of the association, said that the action of the minister was commendable as he had kept to his promise.
Aigbovo however used the opportunity to appeal to the minister to also remember the stagnation of doctors who have long been due for promotion but were yet to be promoted.
He stressed that some doctors have been stagnated for over three years, while others due for promotion have remained on the same level for two years.
He added that some of the promotions that had been done were done wrongly as some of the doctors were promoted to the same level that they were.
Aigbovo explained that some doctors were wrongly placed and the wrong placement was corrected and they were skipped and placed on the next level, only to now also be promoted to the same level that they were skipped to.
“They were promoted to the same grade level they were skipped to.
“For example, a doctor on grade level 12 was skipped to grade level 13 by correction of the error and was then again promoted to grade level 13.
“The arrears paid were for skipping, which is the correction of the wrong placement,” he noted.
On funding for public hospitals, the ARD president appealed to the minister to budget for each hospital according to their needs and to separate the budgets of each individual hospital.
“We also appeal to the minister to make provision of each hospital to have their budget and not a blanket budget because every hospital has different running cost,” he said.
He appealed for more training for resident and non-resident doctors as well as for other departments in the hospitals.
“Presently, only four departments are involved in residency training which includes family medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, surgery and ophthalmology.
“We want more departments including internal medicine, paediatric, radiology and psychiatry to enjoy similar training,” he urged. (NAN)
UMD/FF/MST
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

Family Chats: Osinbajo brings message of hope to FCT community

Family Chats: Osinbajo brings message of hope to FCT community
By Chijioke Okoronkwo
Hope
Abuja, Dec. 27, 2018 (NAN) Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday visited New Kushingoro Village, a suburb of FCT, in continuation of his family chats ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Osinbajo, who spoke partly in Pidgin English, explained to the residents of the community that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was doing a lot to impact on the life of the common man.
He said that TraderMoni was on the schemes deployed by the government to help petty traders.
Osinbajo said that since majority of the residents were farmers, a similar programme would be deployed to empower them.
“TraderMoni wey we dey give, na for people wey dey sell for market. Everybody dey farm; we go see how we go help for farm because President Buhari wants to see how he will help common man.
“Anybody wey dey work; wey dey try to look for work; he go see how him go help them make find work; make them find money do the work;
“If na farm you dey farm, how we go help you with your farm.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that jubilant women of the village sang and danced in appreciation of the vice president’s visit.
Earlier at the Abuja Games Village, Osinbajo visited the family of Dr Olatunji-David Sanwo where he had a warm chat with the family and restated the government’s commitment to addressing challenges confronting the country.
Speaking with newsmen, Hajia Aisha Musa, Environmental Secretary, Games Village Association, said she was excited that the vice president visited the estate.
She pledged to moblise 7,000 residents of the estate to the president 100 per cent of their votes in the forthcoming election.
Another resident, Mr James Green, said that the visit was a welcome development as it was not common for a vice president to visit a neighbourhood to find how the residents fared.
Osinbajo also took out time to visit a Suya spot (skewered slices of meat) in the estate where he patronised the seller.
Afterwards, Osinbajo headed to Luxor Salon and Spar, Wuse 2, where he had a haircut and one on one interaction with barbers, customers and residents of the area who trooped out to welcome him to their neighbourhood.
He advised them to vote wisely as the Buhari-led administration was determined to empower the youths and root out poverty. (NAN)
CJ/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Entertainment

Christmas: Fun seekers besiege MagicLand to celebrate

Celebration

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

Abuja, Dec. 25, 2018 (NAN) As Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas to mark the birthday of Jesus Christ, fun seekers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday besieged the popular ‘MagicLand’ at the city gate to catch their fun.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at 3 p.m., fun seekers filled the amusement park to capacity to enjoy themselves with the over 15 equipment available.

NAN observed that both Christians and Muslims trooped to the park to catch their fun for the Christmas break.

Fun seekers had to queue to gain entrance into the park and to take turns to mount facilities like the Bumper Ride, Bouncing Castle, Flying Eagle, Water Splash and others.

Some of them, who spoke to NAN, said the Christmas celebration was “peaceful and fun all the way”.

Mr Benjamin Ugochukwu, a business man in Wuse Market came all the way from Kubwa said he was in the park with his wife and son to catch their fun.

“It is Christmas and it is calm and peaceful; and as you can see. We are all here to catch our fun; many people are here to celebrate.

“There is no fuel scarcity, People have come out, no traffic, no violence; it is good; if it can continue like into the New Year, it will be a sign of good things to come.

“I think FCT is safe and secure; the Charismas is peaceful and calm; we are having fun,” Ugochukwu said.

Another fun seeker, Mrs Regina Isaac who came to the park with her five children, corroborated Ugochukwu’s view.

Isaac said it was fun all the way in `MagicLand’.

“We are enjoying ourselves for the Christmas in the park, but we are also paying for it; I have spent about four thousand naira and the children are demanding for more fun.

“I have to satisfy them because it is celebration period; even though there is no money in the country, it is good to use the little one to make the children happy.

“Staying at home at this period is not the best. It is Jesus’ birthday and we need to be happy; that is why we are in the park to have fun and be happy,” Isaac said.

A grandmother, Mrs Olufunke Oluwale who came from Lagos, told NAN that she came to the park to also catch her fun for the Christmas.

Oluwale in company of her daughter and grandchildren confessed that it was her second coming to MagicLand.

“I was here last Christmas and it was fun; I am here again this year and by God’s grace, I will be here next year to celebrate the Christmas with my grandchildren’’.

NAN also reports that Sharwama seller and artists, who specialises in face painting, made brisk business in the park.

Malam Iliyasu Yusuf who sells Sharwama said patronage was high and encouraging.

According to Yusuf, the minimum cost of a wrap of Sharwama is between N1,000 and N1,200

“Patronage is high; you can see how people are coming to place orders for Sharmwama; I am enjoying this Christmas celebration. I thank Allah for everything.’’

Mr Emeka Ononiwu of Mekazini Creations Unlimited, who deals in face painting, also said patronage was high but expressed optimism of higher patronage.

“I am hoping to paint at least a thousand faces today; we do the Face Patch for N500, Face Mask goes for N2,000 and Eye Patch for one eye alone goes for N1,000.

“This is Christmas season and the town is calm; no traffic jam, no crisis and we are hoping for the best,” he said.

The Manager of the park, Mr Paul Okoh, said patronage was high and assured fun seekers of safety and security in the park.

“Our equipments are in good condition and security personnel both in uniform and plain clothes are all around to ensure that fun seekers and their personal belongings are safe.

“We hope to continue to give Abuja fun seekers the best in the FCT,” he said. (NAN)
CMY/HAS
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Edited by Hajia Sani