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  • Feb, Fri, 2020
General news

NGO inaugurates 21 centres for community service in Anambra

Dr Obiora Okonkwo, Founder, Pro-Value Humanity Foundation and the Dome Entertainment Centre, Abuja

NGO inaugurates 21 centres for community service in Anambra

Foundation
By Francis Onyeukwu
Awka, Feb. 28, 2020 (NAN) Dr Obiora  Okonkwo, founder, Pro-Value Humanity Foundation (PHF), a Non Governmental Organisation, has inaugurated Centres for Community Service in 21 Local Government Areas of Anambra.

 

Okonkwo, also Chairman, the Dome Entertainment Centre, Abuja, said the centres would help provide information, referrals and supportive services to residents of the state.

 

He performed the inauguration at the organisation’s headquarters in Awka on Friday.

 

According to him, the centres will provide platforms for the residents to act as vital members of the community, share their resources with others and develop skills and leadership abilities, while creating meaningful social change.

 

Okonkwo told the first group of volunteers that community service was work done by a person or group of people that benefited others, especially people in need.

 

He said that the PHF efforts would lead to the transforming of the society for a more rapid development.

 

“Community service would be performed for a variety of reasons including work requirements, substitution of criminal justice sanctions, requirements of a school or class, and requisites for the receipt of certain benefits.

 

“Through a team of volunteers, staff, and partnerships with community groups, we help to coordinate a wide range of activities.

 

“Such include delivering meals and gifts to patients at a local hospital, registering people to vote, teaching computer skills to the elderly, and cleaning up trash at a community event.

 

“Our volunteers will participate in community service because they enjoy helping others and improving their community,” he said.

 

Mr Chizoba Nnagbo, the PHF Executive Director, said in his address that volunteering could provide a platform to boost self-confidence, self-esteem, and life fulfillment.

 

He said the organisation was dedicated to transforming the society by reorienting values for authentic human development.

 

Nnagbo further stated that the group also provided social influencers, business managers and future leaders with quality training to develop their skills to be exceptional and change agents.

 

“PHF focuses on people and believes in authentic human development to serve as change agent in the society.

 

“We achieve this through capacity building and training, mobilisation and incubation of resources of organisations, and partnership with local and international human development organisations,” he said. (NAN)

FEO/CCN/DCU

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Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Donald Ugwu

 

Health

FG tasks health workers on effective healthcare delivery

FG tasks health workers on effective healthcare delivery
By Awayi Kuje
Healthcare
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Aug. 27, 2019 (NAN) The Federal Government has urged health workers to provide quality healthcare service delivery in the country by working in unity.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Adeleke Mamora, made the call on Tuesday while speaking during the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, 2019 Health Week, with the theme “Oxygen is Essential to Life”.
Mamora said that the importance for workers to work together cannot be overemphasised to the development of the country, hence the need deliver quality healthcare service.
He commended the management of the hospital and the activities showcased during the health week, adding that it will go a long way to improve the health status of Nigerians.
“Having toured the facilities on ground at the centre and the exhibition, I urge you to keep it up.
“What I always stress is that healthcare is a team event not a sole event; let us work together in unity of purpose for effective healthcare service delivery,” he said.
Mamora also urged Nigerians to protect their environment in their interest and for the overall development of the country.
The minister restated federal government commitment to improve on the health status and standard of living of Nigerians.
Dr Emmanuel Akabe, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, said the state government would continue to support the centre for effective healthcare service delivery.
Earlier, Dr Yahaya Adamu, the Medical Director, FMC Keffi, said that the theme of the health week was selected due to the importance of Oxygen to human life.
He said that the centre had reactivated and upgraded the existing Oxygen plant in order to meet the needs of patients.
“Oxygen is essential to life. It is borne out of my desire and vision for critical care as a Cardiovascular and Thoracic surgeon.
“We can now boast of not only meeting the needs of the hospital but also serving other hospitals in and around our domain.
“We have achieved piping oxygen from the plant to main and maternity theatres, Special Baby Care Unit (SCBU) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), among others,” he said.
Adamu also disclosed that the centre procured and installed 250 and 275KVA generators in addition to the existing generators to improve power supply in the centre.
The medical director however said funds was hindering replacement of Chrome books (computers) for effective running of the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in the centre. (NAN)
AKW/AMM/MST
Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

NPA appoints new GMs, AGMs to boost service delivery

Photo attached:

Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, IAPH’s Vice President and NPA Managing Director

By Aisha Cole
Appointment
Lagos, July 19, 2019 (NAN) The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced a major management change with the appointment new General Managers (GMs) and Assistant General Managers (AGMs) to inject new ideas into the organisation and boost service delivery.

The General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr Adams Jatto, made this known in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday.

According to him, this exercise is coming on the heels of an ealier appointment and redeployment of port managers and other senior officials.

“With this development Hajia Aisha Ali Ibrahim now becomes the GM Marine and Operations; Capt. Jerome Angyunwe – GM  Health, Safety and Environment; Malam Isah Suwaid Ali – GM Superannuation; Mr Musa Yaro – GM Procurement, and Mr Mohammed Kabiru Kolo- GM Audit.

“Others include Mr Olumide Omotosho – GM Security; Mr Sylvanus Ezugwu – GM Finance; Mrs Nana Yakubu – GM Public Private Partnership; Mrs Christiana Akpa – GM Medicals, and Mr Innocent Gamboro – GM Corporate and strategic Planing.

“In the Assistant General Managers cadre Ayodele Durowaiye becomes AGM Operations; Mrs Zainab Kwande – AGM Servicom; Mr Hassan Danjuma –  AGM Corporate and Strategic Communications; Mr Talum  Amos – AGM  Hydrographic; Mr Jamil Khalil – AGM Security; Engr. Suleiman Anas – AGM Corporate and strategic Planning, and Mr Shehu Mohammed – AGM Public and Private Partnership.

“Others of AGM cadre are Chuma Ezeneinyinya – AGM Occupational Health; Dr Chinwe Nwokolo – AGM Medical Services; Capt. Sylvester Owobu – AGM Marine; Izegboya Ethel –  AGM Board;  Felix Onyile – AGM Human Resources; Mr Sani Isu – AGM Land and Estate,” the statement read in part.

According to Jatto other AGM appointees included; Tokunbo Akingbuwa – AGM Budget; Olusola Dairo – AGM Performance Management; Akinlabi Illesanmi – AGM Civil, and Mrs Lucy  Gukas – AGM Tariff and Billing.

He said that the appointments were tandem with the succession plan policy set up by the Managing Director of NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman-led management, to fill leadership gaps that had arisen in the wake of the retirement of some senior officials of the authority.

The appointment of the new officials would further refresh the composition of the organisation’s leadership structure and inject new ideas that would move the NPA ahead in pursuit of her vision of becoming the leading port authority Africa. (NAN)
AIC/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NYSC: Corps member spends N.2m to deworm 2,000 children in Bida

NYSC: Corps member spends N.2m to deworm 2,000 children in Bida

By Mohammed Bababusu
Service
Bida (Niger),June 30, 2019 (NAN) A Batch C 2018 youth corps member, Dr Oyetunji Niyi-Isaiah, serving at Federal Medical Centre, Bida in Niger State, has spent over N200,000 to deworm more than 2,000 children aged between 0-5 years.

The corps member embarked on the project under the Community Development Service (CDS) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Niyi-Isaiah, who spoke at the official flag-off ceremony of the programme at Sabon Gida Primary School, Bida on Sunday, said he embarked on the project because of the various dangers posed by worms to children especially those aged five years and below.

He explained that worms affect children’s health, potentially causing anaemia, malnourishment and impairment of mental and physical development.

According to him, “the primary goal of the programme is to kick worm out of the school children especially under 5”, adding “deworming children will remove plastic worm as a public health problem for children”.

The corps member said deworming of under-5 primary school children plays a major role in ensuring the health of children as an important contribution to their educational out comes.

Niyi-Isaiah noted that the exercise is important especially among children under the age of five to prevent worms from feeding on their tissues and blood.

The Bida Zonal Inspector of the NYSC, Mrs Ike Lydia, described the community development service as a call to national consciousness and sociocultural regeneration.

She explained that corps members are always encouraged to undertake projects that will have positive impacts on their host communities.

Lydia however appealed to various stakeholders to support corps members in carying out such initiatives in the interest of national development. (NAN)
BAB/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
08036545169

 

Health

Nigerian Red Cross urges more commitment in service to humanity

Nigerian Red Cross urges more commitment in service to humanity
By Talatu Maiwada
Humanity
Abuja, May 8, 2019 (NAN) As the world commemorates the 2019 World Red Cross Day, the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has called on Nigerians to show more commitment in the service for humanity.
Mr Bolaji Anani, the National President, NRCS, made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja.
The World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is an annual celebration of the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The theme for 2019 is: “LOVE’’.
It is celebrated on May 8 each year, which also is the anniversary of the birth of Henry Dunant, the founder of Red Cross movement born on May 8, 1828.
Anani explained that the theme signifies love for the Red Cross movement and love for humanity.
“The theme love means if we love one another we will not inflict injury on one another, we will care for each other and help one another in times of trouble.
“If we love one another we will be our brothers’ keeper and we will reduce the crime and injustice that we inflict on each another,’’ he said.
The NRCS president said the society has about 800,000 trained volunteers all over the country, who are changing lives and serving humanity.
He urged Nigerians and all volunteers to remain steadfast in their sacrifice for humanity.
“Our commitment in this message of love is to build resilient communities across the country, communities that can do something for themselves, especially when disasters occur before help gets to them,’’ he added.
Mr Simeon Nwaubani, the Executive Secretary, NRCS, FCT branch, said the day is set aside to celebrate all the volunteers globally for their sacrifice and effort in saving lives.
“We are demonstrating love to humanity and we are encouraging everyone to love one another and help those in need especially the vulnerable ones in our communities,’’ he said.
Mrs Rhoda Samande, the Vice Chairman, NRSC, FCT branch, encouraged Nigerians to emulate the legacy the founder of the Red Cross Movement, Henry Dunant, had demonstrated by showing love to humanity.
Samande noted that the society provides First Aid to people who are injured as well as victims of flood, fire outbreaks and at accident scenes and move them to safety before taking them to hospital.
She therefore encouraged Nigerians to acquire first aid skills which would help them with the knowledge on how to help victims when disaster or accidents occur.
Master Wisdom Ohegbu, a student of the Wesley Nursery and Primary School, Abuja, who is a member of the Red Cross Club, encouraged children to show love and help one another.
He said that children should learn to show empathy when other children are sick and to apply first aid when necessary to save their lives. (NAN)
TIM/VIV/MST
Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NPopC tasks new commissioners on unreserved service

NPopC tasks new commissioners on unreserved service
By Chinenye Offor
Commissioners
Abuja, Nov. 7, 2018 (NAN) The Chairman, National Population Commission (NPopC), Mr Eze Duruiheoma, has urged the 23 newly appointed National Commissioners to give the nation unreserved services.
Duruiheoma made the call at the swearing-in of the commissioners on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, the commission is structured to have 37 commissioners but have been operating with 13.
“Having the additional 23 on board will help in addressing some of issues affecting us as a commission,’’ Duruiheoma said.
The chairman noted that the commission had used the Enumeration Demarcation Exercise (EAD) as a tool to solve the problem ahead of census.
He also said that the commission had kept the flag flying on every fora, adding that the commission is making remarkable mark in the affairs of the country in terms of service.
NAN reports that the 23 newly sworn in commissioners include Jonny Nwabisi representing Abia State; Clifford Zira, Adamawa; Chidi Ezeoke, Anambra; Isa Buratai, Borno; Navy Capt. Charles Iyamogura (rtd), Cross River, and Sir Richard Odibo, Delta.
Others are Okereke Onuabuchi for Ebonyi; Olusegun Aiyejina, Edo; Ejike Ezeh, Enugu State; Abubakar Damburam, Gombe; Prof. Uba Nnabue, Imo; and Dr Mohmmed Durunguwa, Kaduna.
Similalry, Sulaiman Lawal would represent Kano State; Prof. Jimoh Habibatisah, Kogi; Dr Sa’ad Ayinlaalanamu, Kwara; Nasir Isa Kwarra, Nasarawa; Aliyu Datti, Niger; Yeye Seyi Olusanya, Ogun; Prince Oladirin Iyantan, Ondo; Sen. Mudashiru Hussien, Osun; Mrs Cecilia Dapoet, Plateau; Dr Ipalibo Harry, Rivers, and Sale Saany, Taraba. (NAN)
CSO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Association demands inclusion of FP services into Health Insurance Schemes

Association demands inclusion of FP services into Health Insurance Schemes

By Mustapha Yauri
Reproduction
Abuja, Nov. 7, 2018 (NAN) The Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) has called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to include Family Planning (FP) services into Health Insurance Schemes to scale-up access to FP and other reproductive health services.
AAFP is the umbrella of CSOs promoting reproductive healthcare services in Nigeria.
The group made the appeal during a media roundtable hosted by MamaYe Evidence for Action ahead of the Dec. 4 National FP Conference in Abuja.
The roundtable was also in preparation for the Annual Population Lecture Series (APLS).
Dr Mojisola Odeku, the Country Director, Nigeria Urban and Reproductive Health Initiative II (NURHI 2), said contraceptives and other FP services should be part of the minimum healthcare package by the health insurance providers.
She noted that full coverage of FP services will open opportunities for health insurance enrolees to access the services at private facilities at affordable rate.
Odeku said for Nigeria to increase its contraceptive prevalence rate health insurance providers must provide full FP services beyond counselling, coverage of ante natal services and deliveries.
Earlier, Dr Ejike Orji, the Chairman, Technical and Management Committee, AAFP, said the 5th NFPC would hold between Dec. 4 and 6.
He said there would be three pre-conferences on interfaith, youth and women, while the main conference would focus on investment, innovation and inclusiveness.
According to Orji, “we want to see more investment, and new ways of doing things towards scaling up FP uptake in Nigeria’’.
“National Population Commission says that Nigeria has about 198 million people; in 2006 Nigeria was about 140 million which we added 58 million people in 12 years.
“It is a fastest population growing trajectory in recent times, we are in serious trouble and demographic crises unless we watch it,’’ he said.
He said another issue the conference would discuss would be inclusiveness as an effort to ensure that no one was left behind in planning services.
He said the association was worried that not much investment was made at sub-national level, adding “we want to see more commitment at that area’’.
“The federal government has done a lot; it provided and released four million dollars in the 2017 budget into the national family planning basket.
“Even though it was not enough, it is a great departure from zero allocation,’’ he said.
Malam Muhammad Tola, Co-Chairman, Media and Publicity sub-Committee of the conference, appealed to stakeholders to empower journalists and media houses to enable them focus on FP issues and engage in investigative journalism. (NAN)
AM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Amosun tasks NYSC members on selfless service

NYSC
By Temitope Salami
Sagamu (Ogun), Aug. 13, 2018 (NAN) Gov.  Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun  has urged corps members who just completed their three-week orientation programme  to contribute their quota to national development through selfless service.

Amosun made the call on Monday at the close of the orientation course for the 2018 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 Corps members held at the NYSC Permanent Camp in  Sagamu.

Mr Afolabi Afuape, Ogun Commissioner for Youths and Sports, who delivered the governor’s address, said  corps members  must be good ambassadors who should project the country’s image positively.

Amosun commended them for their perseverance throughout the period of their training.

He also reminded them of the aims and objective of the NYSC scheme, which he said include  to foster and promote unity in diversity.

“As responsible citizens of this country, I urge you to play your roles as agents of positive change very well in your places of primary assignment.

“Be rest assured that the people of Ogun State are very hospitable and caring.

“You must identify with the people of your host community, soar their hopes and aspirations and your entire service year will surely be worthwhile and memorable,” Amosun said.

He reiterated the assurance of continual improvement in creating conducive atmosphere for the corps members in the course of their service.

“Let me assure you that Ogun State has provided the required security and enabling environment for you to have a peaceful and rewarding service year.

“We will continue to evolve strategies and partnership  with organisations for the socio-economic development of our state as expressed in our five-cardinal programme  to rebuild Ogun,” he said.

Amosun challenged the corps members to be the best they could be,  saying that those who distinguished themselves would be adequately rewarded by the state government.

Meanwhile, Mrs Josephine Bakare, the Ogun NYSC State Coordinator, has urged employers of labour to engage the corps members positively, especially in their professional areas of discipline.

She said a total of 2, 411 corps members registered for and completed the orientation exercise which began on July 24.

The State Coordinator,  however,  added that a total of 387 corps members were redeployed to other states on marital and health grounds.

“These ones have shown a very high level of commitment to all aspects  of the orientation course and I have no doubt they will not fail in the pursuit of the NYSC’s objectives.

“The NYSC shall continue to ensure that the abundant God given talent in these vibrant youths are rightly channelled for the benefit of the state.

“To the corps members, I expect you to take your postings in good faith and brace up for the challenges of nation building.

“I implore you to steer  clear of all forms of anti-social behaviour and relate cordially with the people of your host communities,” she said. (NAN)
TDS/ESAN/OJO
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(Edited by Abiodun Esan/Mufutau Ojo)

Economy

Fashola clarifies directive to NERC on service delivery

Minister clarifies directive to NERC on service delivery
By Kingsley Okoye
Service
Abuja, July 20, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, says his directive to Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is rectify issues impeding electricity supply in the country, but not to demonise DisCos.
Fashola offered the clarification while reacting to an assertion by Mr Sunny Oduntan, the Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Association of Electricity Distributors (ANED), in Abuja on Friday.
The minister said in a statement that his directive was to legal entities and not to an interloper.
He said it was untrue that Oduntan’s minded interpretation of his directive was an attempt to demonise the DisCos.
Fashola had at a news conference mandated NERC in line with the law to prevail on the DisCos to improve their distribution equipment and capacity to take up the available 2,000MWs.
He had said that NERC should enforce the contract of DisCos to supply meters and act to ensure urgent speedy supply and installation of meters to eliminate estimated billing and promote efficient industry market structures.
However, ANED, in a response by Oduntan, faulted Fashola’s directives to NERC to prevail on the DisCos.
Oduntan also spoke on the wrong timing of declaration of customers’ eligibility by the minister.
He also faulted the minster’s comment on meter supply by DisCos and claim on current power generation, among other pronouncements of the minister on the sector.
Fashola said: “Before fiction becomes fact for lack of a response, I feel obliged to respond to some, not all of the allegations credited to one Sunday Oduntan.
“Which he made in response to my directives to NERC and Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) as contracting parties to the DisCos.
“Throughout my press statement which contained the directives, I referred copiously to the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) which is the law that regulates the power sector.
“I referred to DisCos in their capacities as licencees.
“If ANED is not a licencee, who is ANED, an NGO? If so, they should listen to consumers because nothing is going on about poor service.
“The BPE, NBET and NERC, to whom my directives were made, contracted individually with DisCos not as an association.
“However, to suggest therefore that my directives were political turns reality on its head.
“For the past 20 months, in all my public briefings at monthly meetings with the DisCos these same issues of service delivery of meters, estimated billings, investment in distribution equipment by DisCos have dominated my remarks.
“However, assuming this was not so, do the onset of elections preclude the quest for better service or continued governance?

“His statement that no directives from me will save the power sector from collapse is consistent with the views of someone who has no skin in the game.
“It is revealing of the mindset of a saboteur not a builder, and he will do very well to acquaint himself and advise his co-travellers about the consequences of sabotaging the economy under our laws.
“I am optimistic that the power sector will prosper in spite of Oduntan-minded personalities.
“As for the allegation that figures of power generation and distribution released by me are not true, the taste of the pudding lies with those who eat it.
“Electricity consumers know what their experience was in 2015, 2016, 2017 and today.
“These figures have been released many months back when we reached those milestones as part of my monthly report and roadmap of incremental power.
“It is obvious that the warning lights of compliance necessity are blinking, and those he represents do not like the colour.
“If the DisCos connect with their consumers, they will hear from them first-hand, how traumatised they feel about load shedding, absence of meters and estimated billing.
“The GenCos, who are short paid because the DisCos under-remit in spite of high estimated billing to consumers, will tell DisCos how they feel.
“If Oduntan truly speaks for the DisCos, which I doubt, he should ignore the messenger (Fashola) and advise those for whom he acts as surrogate, to focus on the message.”
The minister said his directive seeks to rectify the problems because he believes they could be rectified.
According to him, his directive, among others, is that electricity consumers want better service, NBET wants its money of about N800 billion from the DisCos, so it can pay GenCos.

He also said DisCos should respond on why 408 feeders, which have a capacity to deliver 5,756MW of power to consumers only carry 444MW because of faulty lines, bad equipment and load shedding.
“These are part of the subject of my directives to NERC to address deliberate load shedding, that is what electricity consumers want, better service,’’ the minister said. (NAN)
KC/OFN/MST
Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Hospital pledges quality service delivery

Hospital pledges quality service delivery
By Talatu Maiwada
Negligence
Abuja, July 5, 2018 (NAN) The management of Garki Hospital, Abuja, has reassured residents of quality service delivery and value for money.
Dr Nyamudim Essien, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.
Essien spoke against allegations of negligence by the hospital that claimed the life of a corps member, Miss Angela Igwetu.
He recalled that late Igwetu was brought into the hospital at 3:05 a.m in a critical condition.
He described the allegation as false and malicious, stressing that the hospital tried its best to provide medical care at the early hours of before the deceased gave up the ghost.
The CMD also described as callous and unfounded reports that the hospital insisted on Police report, thereby leaving the young lady to bleed to death.
“Miss Igwetu was brought to this hospital at 3:05 a.m on the 4th July, 2018, in a precarious condition.
“The doctors on duty at the Accident and Emergency Department, including a consultant surgeon on call, battled to save Igwetu’s life by providing care, including blood transfusions and limited surgery,’’ he said.
He reaffirmed that the hospital had a standing policy of not insisting on Police report before attending to traumatised patients at the Accident and Emergency Department.
According to Essien, the facility does not demand for payment before attending to traumatised patients.
“Our priority is to first revive the patient. The same treatment we extend to the rich is the same treatment we give to the poor; however, we treat people equally.
While cautioning against injurious reports, the CMD advised all to “cross check their facts before going to the press.
“There is no need for them to rely on rumours and gossips, as their source of information, our doors are always open’’.
Essient therefore demanded for a rebuttal from the social and mainstream media involved in this “unethical conducts’’ capable of bringing the much revered Nigerian media to disrepute. (NAN)
TIM/BOLA/MST
Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Muhammad Suleiman Tola