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COVID-19: Medical Lab Scientists Accus FG Of Exclusion In Review of Hazard Allowances

By
Ekaette Ibuot
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Chris Ngige Minister of Labour
Chris Ngige Minister of Labour

The National Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists accused the Federal Government for excluding them in negotiation of upward review of Covid-19 hazard allowances.

The Association particularly chided the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, accusing him of using divide and rule tactics in the negotiations for upward review of the allowances.

Prof. James Damen, the National President of the association said that Labour Minister isolated the National Association of Resident Doctors NARD, while engaging them in the ongoing discussions to meet their demands, but Laboratory Scientists who collect samples and have direct link to patients were excluded in the talks.

The Association which is commemorating the World Biomedical Laboratory Science Day, 2021, with the theme: Testing Times-Biomedical Laboratory Scientists Role in the Covid19 Pandemic, said it will resist the terms of agreement they will arrive at since they were not party to the negotiation.

Damen said, “The Minister of Labour and Employment called a meeting to negotiate for hazard allowances and excluded us from the meeting. This is unfair, injustice and unacceptable to us, in developed countries hazard allowances are paid based on the risk of exposure of professionals, while in Nigeria the reverse is the case”.

The Laboratory Scientists also accused the government of paying lip services to the development of infrastructure to support scientists, insisting that ordinarily baseline studies was supposed to precede the current Covid-19 vaccination taking place in the country to uncover any adverse effects on the populace.

According to Damen, some countries have reported that in some Covid-19 vaccine recipients blood cloth was observed, but Nigeria has not done a single research to further authentic the efficacy of the vaccines on the populace.

“In the wake of the pandemic, the Medical Laboratory Scientist showed their undying compassion for the patient by walking the path dreaded by many. While some were stigmatizing, the Medical Laboratory Scientist was on the search to collect samples from those who others feared to come close to, they indeed provided the needed specimen that guided public health actions.

“In the laboratories, the world couldn’t have known the strains we were dealing with, if not for the efforts of this unsung heroes who spent sleepless nights in the laboratories to provide evidence that guided policy makers in making key and timely decisions”.

FG Distributes Agricultural Inputs To 7,500 Small Scale Women Farmers

By
Ebenezer Adurodija
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Federal Government has rolled out the distribution of agricultural inputs to about 7,500 smallholder women farmers drawn from North Central States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, who made the distribution on Thursday in Abuja, said the distribution of the agricultural inputs to women farmers and processors was part of the Federal Government’s measures to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on food production in the country.

He said that the rationale for the distribution of agricultural inputs to women, Nanono said women typically earn less and hold less secure jobs than men.

According to him; “With plummeting economic activity, women are particularly vulnerable to layoffs and loss of livelihoods.

“The resurgence of extreme poverty as a result of the pandemic has revealed women’s precarious economic security.

“Women, who were socially and financially disadvantaged, were disproportionately affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic recession that followed.

“Weakened social protection systems have left many of the poorest in society unprotected, with no safety nets to weather the storm.”

The minister who underscored the significant roles played by women in the food production value chain in the country, added that there was the need to give them priority attention for the overall national development.

“Women are key to sustainable development and quality of life in the country.

“There is no chance for the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved.

“It is not possible for a bird to fly on only one wing,” he said.

He assured that his Ministry together with research institutes was working assidously towards making Nigeria self-sufficient in good quality seed and its availability to farmers as a foundation for attaining food and nutrition security as well as industrialisation.

“We are making concerted efforts to improve rural infrastructure such as rural roads, boreholes, irrigation facilities, solar lights, markets, among others, that are enablers for improved agricultural performance for our farmers and processors active in the rural space,” he said.

Some of the items distributed to women include value kits (planting materials, growth enhancer and agro-chemicals) in yam, cassava, potatoes, soybean, rice, maize, sesame, ginger, sorghum/millet, cowpea and horticultural crops.

Also, Nanono alongside the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mohammed Bello, distributed production and processing equipment to the women in a bid to reduce drudgery, improve efficiency, reduce cost of production and improve quality of product and produce from the operations.

In her remarks, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, thanked the Federal Government for providing palliatives to small holder women farmers.

Tallen called on other Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs) to accord priority to the welfare of women.

She however called for adequate provision of security to women in their farms, adding that Nigerian women would continue to support the Federal Government in its quest to achieve food security in the country.

Hoodlums Hijack Federal Highway Diversion in A’Ibom, Kill, Adopts

By
Ebenezer Adurodija
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A diversion by Ikot Ebak village in Mkpat Enin Local Council of Akwa Ibom  on the dilapidated Abak-Ekparakwa-Ikot Abasi federal highway has been hijacked by hoodlums, leading to the death of five persons. 

The  diversion  followed ongoing excavation of soil on a 200m stretch by the contractor handling the rehabilitation of the highway, China Civil Engineering  Construction Company, CCECC.

An eye witness account stated that hoodlums have resorted to robbing and kidnapping unsuspecting commuters plying between Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River states who regularly use the road.

The residents told newsmen that lack of security  presence on the narrow community road, which has also become dilapidated due to  sudden increase in vehicular traffic has led to increased criminal activities along the lonely route..

One of the residents, Mr Ekot Ita lamented that hundreds of  unsuspecting commuters have fallen prey to the hoodlums who exploit the commuters’ ignorance of the terrain to rob and kidnap passengers.

He said in one of the incidents, a kidnap victim who recognised one  of his abductors was killed by the hoodlums after  the sum of N200,000 was allegedly collected from him.

Two other abducted commuters  were said to have been killed by their abductors on Thursday last week because they could not part with the amount  of money demanded by the hoodlums.

They have also expressed sadness over the timing of the excavation work by the contractor as doing so during the rainy season would make the work more difficult and longer.

The residents harped on the need for adequate information and deployment of security personnel on the diversion while calling for a more motorable diversion or alternative road.

Meanwhile some drivers on that route have resorted to using the longer but safer Etinan-Onna-Ikot Akpaden road as they could no longer  guarantee the safety of their passengers on the Abak-Ikot Abasi route.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP  Odiko MacDon said the command was yet to receive report on the issue.

The Federal Comptroller of Works in the state Engr Nkeruwem Ukpong who spoke on the progress of work on the road said “I am just from the site, the contractor is working.”

MHWUN NAFDAC Branch Begins Seven Days Warning Strike

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The Medical & Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Branch on Thursday embarked on Seven (7) Working Days Warning Strike.

This is to press home their demands on payment of Promotion Arrears.

A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by Vice Chairman Public Relations Officer Medical & Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) NAFDAC Branch, Comrade Ejor Michael stated that the Strike commenced in the early hours of 15th April, 2021.

The statement stated that, “The Union is demanding for the payment of promotion arrears for 2018 and 2019 promotions owed their members (NAFDAC Staff). more worrisome is that, 2020 promoted staff will soon (also) join the queue. This request has lingered for too long hence the strike action.

“Upward Review of Job Specific Allowance In Line With Minimum Wage: Job Specific Allowance paid to staff of NAFDAC has not been reviewed for the past 10 years or so. Usually, every allowance increases correspondingly with increase in salary. But unfortunately, this has not been so with regard to the Job Specific Allowance. The Union is, therefore, demanding for a review of the said Job Specific Allowance in line with the current National Minimum Rate .

“Trainings: The Management of NAFDAC hides under COVID-19 to avoid training of staff, despite the fact that trainings have resumed in other MDAs. The Union demands immediate resumption of training for their members.

“Complaint on Delayed Financial Claims by Staff: The Union is alamed at the rate at which financial claims by staff are delayed without reasons given for non-payment not even to communicate the affected staff. The Union demands the immediate payment of all pending financial claims by their members.

The statement continued;”Working Environment: The Union raised concerns on the not so conducive working environment in some of our offices and the non-equipping of the driver’s office particularly in Isolo, Lagos where drivers spend their personal money to put the office in good working condition. For instance, the situation where members of staff procure fans for office used by them was viewed as not normal and no longer acceptable.

“Severance Allowance: The Union frowns at the suspension of Severance Allowance being paid to retirees despite the fact that this allowance has been approved by NAFDAC Governing Council and is contained on the Condition of Service for NAFDAC staff. The Union Leadership is demanding for the immediate resumption of payment of this allowance to deserving beneficiaries”.

“Staff Buses: The Union is also demanding the purchase of staff busses for their members to alleviate the hardship associated with transportation to work. The Union particularly frowns at the poor conditions of staff buses used by staff and in some cases, some routes where staff live do not have buses. It is worthy of note, to state here that, the NAFDAC Management is more concern with the procurement of Hilux Vehicles, as the Management recently purchased well over 50 Hilux Vehicles. There was this particular incident where members were trapped in the staff as the doors refused to open.. Staff had to get of the bus through the booth.

“Discriminatory Payment of COVID-19 Palliative: The Union also frowns at the discriminatory payment of COVID-19 Palliative (allowance) by percentage as used by NAFDAC and or the non -payment of some staff. Meanwhile in other sister agencies and MDAs, other better modalities were adopted in the payment. The Union is demanding that the Management should borrow a leaf from other agencies of government on the modalities used in paying their staff who performed various frontline and or essential services.
The strike continues till further notice”, the stated stated.

NABDA Assure Farmers Of PBR Cowpea In 2021 Planting Season

By
Ola Akinola
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The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) stated that Nigerian farmers will get Pod Borer resistant Maruca (PBR) pea beans during the 2021 planting season.

NABDA Director-General/CEO Professor Abdullahi Mustapha made this known in Abuja when he presented the award to journalists who won the 4th Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Africa Media Awards 2020 at the continental level.

Mustafa said that PBR pea beans will be provided to Nigerian farmers during this year’s planting season to increase the country’s cow bean production.

Recall that the federal government approved the commercialization of a biotech cow bean variety that is resistant to pod borers in December 2019.

This development places Nigeria as the first country to commercialise genetically improved cowpea.

The PBR pea project is a public-private partnership that is developing and disseminating cow beans that are resistant to Maruca Pod Borer to increase productivity.

A project partnership that brings together leading African and international institutions by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The project is being implemented in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria and Malawi.

Stakeholders in the field of biotechnology stated that PBR pea beans will increase cow bean production by controlling Maruca Pod Borer because it will increase yields, bring higher incomes to farmers, and improve the use of harmful chemicals to control pests. Their health.

Mustapha therefore tasked journalists to be in the vanguard in the dissemination of accurate information to the farmers.

He called on science journalists to avoid fake news, focus on factual reportage of issues that promote the deployment of technology in agricultural development to guarantee food security in Nigeria.

According to him, “It is the duty of the media to monitor all the stages and channels through which the PBR Cowpea seads reach the farmers to ensure that there is no compromise or sharp practices that will deny farmers of maximum benefit the technology offers.”

Also speaking, Country Coordinator of OFAB, Nigerian Chapter, Dr. Rose Gidado, commended Nigerian journalists who participated in the competition for winning awards at the Continental level.

Gidado underscored the need for science journalists to make their simple and easy to be understood by readers or audience, urging them to always include human angle in their reportage.

Gunmen Attack Police Post In Ebonyi , Kill Three Policemen

By
Ola Akinola
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Report has it that, three policemen were killed by unidentified gunmen who attacked the police on stop and search operation along the Onuebonyi/Nwezenyi Road in Abakaliki, at the junction of the Cross River and Ebony State, and conducted a search operation.

In addition, it is reported that three other policemen were also severely injured by shooting in the attack on Wednesday night. The gunmen who attacked the bus checkpoint are said to have attacked and escaped.

The source said that the victim was taken to the Alex Ekweim Federal Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki. Three of them were confirmed dead by doctors and the other three are currently receiving medical treatment for various degree of injuries.

Security agencies especially the Nigeria Police have been under severe attacks from hoodlums across the South-East and South-South regions in recent time.
Many policemen have been killed and several police facilities torched across the two regions since the attacks started.

Worried by the security challenge, the Southeast Governors held a security summit in Imo State at the weekend where they announced the establishment of a security outfit codenamed Ebubeagu.

Killer Drinks: 10 Dies, 400 on Admission In Kano, Health Commissioner

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

Kano State Commissioner of Health, Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa has revealed that no less than 10 people had died and another 400 people were admitted to hospital due to complications caused by the consumption of killer drinks.

He explained in a video message made available to journalists that there are currently more than 50 people receiving kidney-related treatment in government hospitals.

He cautioned residents on consumption of juices during this auspicious time of Ramadan to avoid catastrophic consequences.

Tsanyawa in the one minutes twenty one seconds video said ” As you are aware, the Ministry of Health had in the recent past announced the outbreak of strange disease traceable to the consumption of substandard juices.

He said “the consumption of these fake and substandard product has telling effects on kidney, and vital organs of the body.

The Commissioner , however, cautioned ” due to excessive heat that coincide with Ramadan, there are possibilities of urge for high patronage of juices, and want to use this opportunity to cautioned residents to be on the watch out.

Kano had over the past couple of weeks have been battling with outbreak of strange disease that further stretched Health challenges of the bubbling state.

Thursday update by the Commissioner for Health came on the heels of major breakthrough by thevNational Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) arrest of suspects behind the Kano killer drinks.

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had last week explained that it found out that the chemical added to the killer flavoured drink that led to the death of three persons earlier in the state contained ‘Hyroxylamine,’ used for terrorism.

The Regulatory Agency said all the merchants of the deadly chemicals and additives had been apprehended while further investigation continued.

It would be recalled that, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, had in a statement last week that was signed by NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, warned Nigerians against adding chemicals and additives to food and drinks to enhance the taste.

Governors Worry Over Growing Insecurity In Nigeria, Vow To Revisit Depth Of Crisis

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The Governors of the 36 of the Federations under the platform of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), were concerned about the growing insecurity across the country on Wednesday night and vowed to re-examine the nature and depth of the crisis.

Soon after the NGF met in Aso Villa (Aso Villa), the Forum Chairman and Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi said that the governors reviewed various issues related to security and the economy.

Fayemi said that the governor is determined, among other things, to further engage with federal authorities at the political and security levels to deal with the various challenges sweeping the country.

According to him, “The meeting basically reviewed a whole variety of issues-on security on the economy. I’m sure you’re waiting for it, Executive Order 10 and associated matters.

“The forum has resolved on a number of issues to take forward both with the committee responsible for legislative and judicial autonomy, of which we have members that have been representing us.

“On security issues, members are particularly worried following what happened in Imo state, the attack on the correctional facility and the police command headquarters and the release of prisoners, and successive acts of violence and insecurity across the country, and the killings of soldiers at Benue.

“The forum has expressed its worry that it’s time for us to revisit comprehensively, the nature and depth of this security crisis, which would have gotten worse if states had not been taking the actions they’ve been taking individually and collectively.

“It is the steps taken at the state level that I’ve managed to reduce the depths and the enormity of the security challenges. Nonetheless, it’s still a worrisome development for us and we feel we will need a special review of the entire gamut of the security issues that we’re dealing with and further engage the federal authorities both at the political level and federal authorities at the security level, in order to deal with this multifaceted challenges of security that we’re faced” stated the NGF Chairman.

On the issue of order 10, Fayemi said the Committee responsible for engaging with the representatives of the legislature and the representatives of the judiciary will convey the position of the governors to people concerned at a meeting scheduled for today, Thursday, April 15, 2021.

House Of Reps To Engage Governors On Autonomy For Judiciary

By
Ola Akinola
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0

The House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary is to engage the Nigerian Governor’s Forum and all relevant stakeholders with a view to ensuring judicial financial autonomy.

The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Luke Onofiok (PDP-Akwa-Ibom), made this known during a meeting with the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Abuja.

Reports had it that JUSUN began a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday, April 6 over non-implementation of judicial financial autonomy as enshrined in the Constitution.

         
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had signed an  Executive Order granting financial autonomy to the judiciary and state house of assembly in May 2020, after several agitations.

However, the gazetting of the order was suspended after Buhari met with governors, who later expressed concern over its constitutionality.

Onofiok , however, appealed to state governors to implement the section of the constitution that demands financial autonomy for the judiciary.

According to him, if we have all the arms of government operating on equal footing, we are going to have a better society.

The chairman described JUSUN’s demands as genuine to guarantee the independence of the judiciary.

He, however appealed to the union to resume work at the federal courts as the Federal Government has complied with their demands.

According to him, it is not good to punish others for the sins of other people.

“It will lead to better working environment for judicial officers and staff of the judiciary, better staff welfare and enable judicial officers to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

“To that extent, we are in solidarity with you on the agitations you are making to make sure that you have financial autonomy at the judiciary.

“Our only point of divergence is the totality of the industrial action even within the federal court; if the Federal Government has abided by the provisions of the Constitution in making sure that monies meant for federal judiciary is sent straight to the National Judicial Council, it is not fair for staff of the federal judiciary to continue with the strike.

“I know and sure it is solidarity forever, but let us narrow the strike to those who have not complied with this issue of financial autonomy,”he said.

Earlier, the Deputy National Chairman of JUSUN, Mr Emmenuel Abioye, said that the ongoing strike could have been avoided if the Rule of Law is respected.

Abioye said that Sections 122 (3), 82(3), 262(9) of the 1999 Constitution clearly speaks for financial autonomy for the judiciary.

He said that issue had been ongoing since 1999 and that there is court judgment in favour of the union’s position which had not been executed in the past seven years.

“If the Judiciary which is the last hope of the common man is not independent, how will the people get justice.

“Rather than appealing to the union to call off the strike, the people should call on those holding back from implementing the law, we cannot continue to be suffering and smiling,”he said.

The National Assistant Secretary of JUSUN, Mr Saidu Adamu, said it is unfortunate that when the poor breaks the law, he is made to dance to the tune, but the rich and powerful gets away with it.

“When I heard that the House was inviting us, I thought they are going to tell us what they will do to make the governors obey the law.

“If the National Assembly cannot make the governors to obey the law, they should leave us to do what we can, we are fighting for the common man.

“Give us your support to ensure that the laws you made are implemented; I think the Constitution should be amended to enable National Assembly sanction erring governors,”he said. 

Merchant In Police Net, As NAFDAC Intercepts Truck Conveying Banned, Unwholesome Medicines, Vaccine

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director of the National Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) said a Mercedes truck containing illegal and unregistered pharmaceutical products was seized in Asaba, the capital of the Delta State.

According to her, this is the agency’s renewed effort to get rid of the banned and counterfeited drugs and vaccines on the Nigerian market.

Adeyeye made this known in Abuja, while reiterating the agency determination to ensure that only hygienic pharmaceutical products and other regulated products are available for public use and consumption on the market.

A statement by Sayo Akintola, NAFDAC Resident Media Consultant, which was made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, Adeyeye disclosed that a Mercedes Truck suspected to be carrying substandard and falsified medicinal products was intercepted along Asaba –Benin road by officers of the Agency’s Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) Directorate, following an intelligence report.

After thorough screening, she said the truck was found to contain, among other products, improperly stored Tetanus Diphtheria vaccine, and various unregistered, banned and controlled medicinal products, including Analgin Injection, CSP with Codeine cough syrup, Mepacrine HCL Tablets, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate Tablets, Dano Tetanus Vaccine, Artestunate Injection, and many others.

She further explained that the products were evacuated, and inventory taken while the suspects with cartons containing the products made police statements and were released on administrative bail.

According to the NAFDAC boss, further investigations revealed that the Truck intercepted was conveying medicinal products purchased from Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head market in Onitsha, Anambra State for supply to retailers in Warri, Delta State.

The retailer outlets are: Pendrix Pharmacy, Warri, Samtex Pharmacy, Warri, Onos Pharmacy, Warri, Chima Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Imoson Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Sam-C Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Sunshine Patent Medicine Store, Warri and Hyunus Patent Medicine Store, Warri.

Others are Chuks Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Solomon Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Friday Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Madam Faithmax Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Omas Pharmacy, Warri, Evans Patent Medicine Store, Warri, Chiyere Patent Medicine Store, Warri and Philo Patent Medicine Store, Bridge Head Market, Onitsha.

Adeyeye however, sent a strong warning signal to medicine merchants to always have the general wellbeing of Nigerians at heart over and above any other pecuniary consideration, stressing that there is no longer a hiding place for them if they fail to stop the illicit business of circulating dangerous medicinal products that are capable of compromising the health of the Nigerian public.

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