The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service has said the agency have been able to salvaged properties worth over 2.35 billion Naira from fire outbreaks in seven months.
The Director FCT Fire Service, Julius Opetunsin gave this revelation on Tuesday while inaugurating a new fire station in Zuba.
Saying with the inauguration of the new station at the outskirt will help in curbing cases of fire outbreaks.
According to Opetunsin ;”With the addition of this one now , we have 15 Fire Stations within the FCT. While saying that from January to date we recorded about 325 fire outbreaks.
“It is not only fire that we fight. We also go for recues. Recently we have flood disaster and we have building collapse”
He, however, called on the FCT residents and stakeholders to work with men of the fire service in tackling issues that lead to fire outbreaks.
The Director further hinted that the FCT Minister has put a lot of money together to buy equipment for fighting fire incidences, and must be supported.
His words; “When you go to salvage people, property and people now vandalize those vehicles, they are not encouraging the FCT Minister’s effort. I want to implore them that once there is fire they should just call us and within two to three minutes we are there. They should protect our equipment so that we will protect lives and property” .
Earlier, the Director Legal Services Abuja Municipal Management Council (AMMC), Isah Abdullahi said that the job of a Fire Service Officer is a very important one to the community, residents must support them.
He added that, the FCT minister’s intervention in this regard cannot be overemphasized and must be appreciated.
as Wellbeing Foundation Africa Takes Sensitization To Communities
TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA
As part of its activities to mark the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) visited communities in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Kwara and Osun states to sensitise women and men especially, on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to the new-born, mother and father.
This is as the foundation took its comprehensive sensitization exercise to the people of Ushafa, Dafa and Yangoji communities, highlighting the positive impacts of exclusive breastfeeding on the healthy development of the child, the short- and long-term health benefits for the mother, the health and financial benefits for the father, as well as its environmental benefits.
The World Breastfeeding Week is a celebration aimed at ensuring the actualization of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal of 50% exclusive breastfeeding by 2030. WBFA through its Alive and Thrive and Mamacare programs, has over the years educated women and trained midwives to eschew the practice of premature introduction of breast milk substitutes, this campaign has continued in the WBW2020.
The theme of the WBW2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”, highlighting the environmental impact of infant feeding. The theme aligns with thematic area 3 in the WBW-SDG 2030 campaign which focuses on how breastfeeding affects the environment and climate change.
Speaking on this, Founder of the WBFA, Her Excellency Toyin Ojora Saraki said “I am delighted to note that the WBFA has increased its programmatic focus and social behavioural change advocacy and actions to engage husbands, and male community leaders, increasing their understanding of the benefits of early and exclusive breastfeeding, and the importance of sanitation and hygiene, from the cradle to age – I expect that with these improved inter-personal communication skills, men will better support new mothers in nourishing and nurturing their babies, strengthen household understanding, and cascade a lowering of sexual and gender based violence.
“Together with our new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Lactation program, I am confident that the WBFA’s concrete steps to improve Maternal Infant And Young Child Feeding and Nutrition in Nigeria, will offer marked results in preventing malnutrition, from the most fragile infant to the healthy newborn and stronger child”
She added that, engaging local leaders, women groups in the markets, as well as adult men at their workplaces, the Foundation emphasized that exclusive breastfeeding provides the new-born child with critical nutrients necessary for healthy development and protects against deadly diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and ear infections.
She further stated that, for mothers, the Foundation noted that exclusive breastfeeding would ensure the return to pre-pregnancy size of the mother’s uterus, and reduce the risk of ovarian and breast cancers.
WBFA also informed men that adhering to exclusive breastfeeding is cost-effective, as research has shown that the total annual global cost of not breastfeeding ranges from $257 billion to $341 billion, excluding economic costs of increased household caregiving time, as well as treatment costs related to other diseases caused by not practicing exclusive breastfeeding according to recommendations, she stated.
Meanwhile, the State Coordinator for WBFA in Abuja, Dr Otun Adewale who led the team said “Our internal data had shown that despite the health and financial benefits to the male folk especially fathers of new-borns, male involvement in the campaign for exclusive breastfeeding is awfully low. This informed our approach in the field exercise we took to these communities.
“Statistics show that 97% of children are actually breastfed in Nigeria but only 29% are exclusively breastfed. We have also noticed that socio-cultural factors come into play to reduce this 29%, so the target is to have at least 50% of exclusively breastfed children in Nigeria by 2030”.
Speaking on the effect of non-exclusive breastfeeding on the environment, Adewale emphasized that Nigeria being responsible for nearly 68% of nondegradable waste in Sub-Saharan Africa, could benefit significantly from exclusive breastfeeding.
While adding that; “The planet is degrading faster by the day and scientists have reported that the major cause of this degradation is solid waste. In Sub-Saharan Africa, we have about 62million tons of waste generated which is significant and unfortunately, Nigeria actually accounts for 42million tons of this waste, that is more than 60%. This is distorting our ecosystem, distorting our environment and degrading the planet as a whole.
“Exclusive breastfeeding is about the baby suckling from the mother’s breast, no need of cups or any other man-made tools, but breastmilk substitutes most times require these things. By 2030 importation of baby feed or substitute would be worth about N200billion which translates roughly to 100million cans of baby feed.
“These baby feed components are metal cans, aluminium foils, plastic spoons for scooping, etc. All these, after use, would be discarded somewhere mostly leading to environmental pollution. We can avoid all these by simply exclusively breastfeeding our children.” Adewale said.
WHO recommends that Exclusive Breastfeeding starts one hour after birth until the baby is 6 months old1, but sadly, in Nigeria, 29% of children are exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months of life.2 Among other factors militating against the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, the foundation noticed that the perception of men and the general public is critical in encouraging mothers to adhere to the practice. This finding informed the need to leverage on the celebration and expand coverage of the sensitization with emphasis on targeting men who are likely the key decision-makers in the family.
…Issues Ultimatum To Traders On Road Corridor To Vacate
TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA
Not less than 25 houses was demolished in Kyami district by the Department of Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Director of the department, Tpl. Muktar Galadima who led the exercise on Wednesday stated that the FCTA would not condone land racketeering and grabbing, and would ensure correction of all infractions and abuses of the Abuja Master Plan.
He said ; “The FCT Administration has already made it clear that the actions and activities of land racketeers cannot and will never be condoned. That’s why we are removing all those illegal developments.
“About 25 solid structures were removed, and this is not limited to that estate (Destiny Estate) alone, it’s a continuous exercise and we will remove all illegal structures across the Territory.
“So, what you see here is a continuation of the exercise in tackling the issue of land racketeers and land grabbers in Abuja”, he explained.
Galadima, however, warned; “As always, we strongly advise the public to always ensure compliance and obey the rules and regulations guiding developments in the nation’s capital. “Abuja is a planned city and you cannot just wake up, cut a chunk of land for yourself and be selling or building for whatever purpose. We will find out and we will surely remove such illegalities and also punish those involved”
It would be report that, about two weeks ago, Galadima also led his men on a similar mission to a property in Lugbe, located behind Dunamis Church, and pulled down structures on another illegal estate allegedly being handled by four developers: Seman Metropolis Estate, Excellent Mega City, St. Michael Villa and Had Hadassan Estate.
In all the exercises, the developers were alleged to have neither allocation papers nor development plan approval to embark on such developments.
Similarly, the Director also issued a 14-day ultimatum to occupants of an illegal building materials market on N16 road corridor in Karsana district, near Gwarinpa district.
According to him, government was desirous of commencing construction on the road but because of its human face, his team was at the market to first sensitizez the traders and find a peaceful way of removing the the market without tears.
He further stated; “Because of the magnanimity of this Administration, we first of all had to sit down with them, tell them the mission and give them room to also make contributions regarding the intended exercise.
“So we told them we would return in a week’s time, but they pleaded for more time, they asked for one month to take out their materials and valuables, but that one month is too long a time, so we agreed on two weeks.”
Warning that his bulldozers would remove all structures in market at expiration of the ultimatum, except indigenous structures, Galadima advised them to relocate into the international building materials market in Dei-Dei, revealing that they were many empty shops in the market to accommodate them.
“This place is a corridor of a road, so the only structures that we will leave here are indigenous structures, belonging to the natives of the area. So any other structure, whether it is permanent or it is temporarily, so long as it is within the corridor of the road, it will be removed.”
N16 road is a long stretch of expressway that traverses Gwarinpa, Jahi, bursts out at Gishiri, connecting Shehu Shagari way.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of building materials traders in the market, Augustin Nwachukwu, while responding on behalf of the traders, expressed appreciation for understanding shown by Development Control officials and submitted that they were aware of status of the market and were not surprised.
He, however, appealed for an alternative place even if it were temporary, to enable them to operate and feed their families and dependents, even as he berated they were been owed and rushing to move out would risk getting their monies from customers who bought on credit difficult if not impossible.
According to him, “Since 2012 that I came here, I know that this place is temporal and one day, government will visit us, but we are pleading with government to temper justice with mercy. We have families and many people we are feeding and this place is where we get our daily bread.
“We have sold to others on credit, and they are yet to pay us back our money, we plead with government to give us more time so we can recover the debts. The two weeks is not enough because to remove the shops is not easy.
“But we appreciate them, because they are very very kind to us. If it was before, they would even come and demolish in the night, but they came to discuss with us to show that they have human sympathy and we appreciate it.”
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday warned principals of government-owned secondary schools in the territory against non-compliance with Covid-19 safety protocols.
Chairman, FCT Ministerial Taskforce on Covid-19 Enforcement, Comrade Ikharo Attah gave the warning during an inspection tour of some schools in Kubwa, Dutsen Alhaji and Gwarinpa Housing estate respectively.
Saying , they are very unhappy with the compliance level in some of the government-owned schools.
Specifically, at the Junior Secondary School Kubwa 3 located inside Kubwa Model Primary sichool in Phase 3, the taskforce frowned at the poor compliance level by both teachers and students as most of them carried on without facemasks.
When the taskforce visited the Baptist High Kubwa, the team inspected the classrooms, clinic and isolation centre.
The taskforce also visited Government Girls College, Dutsen Alhaji where the vice principal, Mr Yusuf Barde who conducted the taskforce members round the school noted that, “the reason for the high level of compliance in this school is because we are committed to safety. This is a female boarding school and we don’t want to put the lives of the students at risk”.
While addressing newsmen at the end of the tour, Attah said the compliance level was encouraging in some of the schools, however warned that, “Principals and management team of public-owned schools must ensure full compliance with the guidelines. In private schools the compliance level is near one hundred percent. While most government schools are doing well, few are not serious at all.
“What we all saw today at Junior Secondary School Kubwa 3 is quite disheartening. Principals and their management team in all government schools must do the needful”.
While interacting with the students, the taskforce chairman advised them to adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines and study hard as the examinations are just days away.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Southgrade Engineering Limited on Thursday donated 25000 face masks to support the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s efforts in tackling the further spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the nation’s capital.
While presenting the items to the administration, the Group Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Aya Yakubu, stated that the donation was in recognition of the administration’s efforts in the battle against COVID-19, stressing that the FCT Administration has done well in curtailing the spread.
Yakubu said that the firm has been in partnership with the Administration for years, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has offered an opportunity to demonstrate purposeful partnership.
According to him ; “COVID-19 should be seen as a joint battle that required all of us to come together to fight, in the spirit of cooperation and brotherhood to overcome the pandemic”.
He expressed appreciation to the rapid response of the federal government, the Presidential Task Force (PTF), professional efforts of medical personnel and other frontline workers, stressing that their efforts had contributed to the recovery of many COVID-19 patients.
Receiving the items on behalf of the administration, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, commended the firm for the show of love during this trying period, just as she expressed optimism that Nigeria and Nigerians would come out better.
The minister who was represented by the Acting Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Iwot Ndaeyo, noted that the items would in no small measure assist the administration to curtain the spread especially among frontline workers in different isolation centres across the territory.
She, therefore, tasked all hands to be on deck in the battle against the dreaded coronavirus.
Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has on behalf of the FCT Administration congratulated members of the FCTA Press Corps on the successful election of a new Executive.
The Minister made this known in a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anthony Ogunleye yesterday in Abuja.
Bello said that members of the Press Corps have over the years conducted themselves professionally in the discharge of their responsibilities and have proven to be worthy partners with the FCTA in the development of the territory.
He also congratulated members of the new Executive Committee on their victory at the polls and wished them all a successful tenure.
Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health on Thursday revealed that over 70% of all Covid-19 tests conducted have been in 9 states including Lagos, Kano, FCT, Plateau, Oyo, Kaduna, Edo Ogun Rivers with 25% of the tests in Lagos alone.
He added that, the Government of the federation will continue to work with state governments to ramp up case findings and sample collection activities.
Ehanire made this known at the Presidential Task Force briefing on Covid-19 , saying, our target remains to test 1% of our population across the country.
His words; ” This pandemic has had its impact on our young people. As at yesterday, 46% of positive cases in the country are young people between ages 21-40.
He, however , appealed to youths to take responsibility. Let us ensure that we adhere to the advisories to wear face masks appropriately, regularly wash your hands and ensure respiratory hygiene.
“Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate this years United Nations’ International Youth Day with the theme “Youth Engagement for Global Action” which seeks to highlight the ways in which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions. It was also an opportunity to take stock of the contributions of young people to national development. It was also a day to reflect on the contributions of young people to our response plan. I wish to commend some our youths who have supported community mobilization and risk communication through the social media and community engagement”.
He further stated ,they are concerned by the resurgence of infection in healthcare workers. In a bid to sustain the gains we have made in reducing the rate of infection among our health workers, we have made training and retraining of health workers on infection prevention and control.
In Abia State, we have concluded the training of 594 Healthcare Workers from private and public health facilities on infection prevention and control. We are currently investigating healthcare associated infection in a health facility in Kaduna State. Lessons learnt from this will be used to improve service delivery. I encourage our health workers not to drop their guards as the pandemic is still with us. Use your PPEs appropriately and judiciously. We have ensured that PPEs are available in all our health facilities.
He added that, as of 13th August, 2020, we have recorded 47,743 cases from 338,084 samples tested so far, while 33,943 persons have been treated and discharged. Sadly, 956 persons have been lost to the COVID-19 infection.
…Urges Them To Comply With All Covid-19 Health Protocols
TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Wednesday released over 40 protesters who were arrested by the joint security personnel at Unity Fountain for violating the Covid-19 health protocols.
The violating protesters were arrested and brought before FCT Mobile Court for prosecution.
However, Magistrate Idayat Akanni, who was to preside over the case had several other cases in other court and couldn’t sit.
Speaking on behalf of the FCT Ministerial Task Team on Covid-19, comrade Ikharo Attah said they can protest and still be alive and those enforcing will do same and be alive. While urging them to conform with all Covid-19 protocols for the good of all.
Protesters that violated covid-19 protocol
He said that the protesters violated the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 guidelines of social and physical distancing and most of them were seen without face masks.
According to him; “About 40 of them have all been released and been tasked to always conform with Covid-19 whenever they are out to protest. Saying, You have the right to association, right to protest , a right to freedom of speech and expression but as you do all of this you must always conform to Covid-19 health protocols.
“The enforcement team went out in our normal routine operation and this time around and we made some arrest of some persons who came to protest and it is very clear that this is a democratic nation and everyone has the right to protest, to voice out but this must be done within the rules that governed the country and one of such rules is to obey the issues of Covid-19 , so they were brought to the Mobil court inline with Covid-19 violations.
“When there is protest, social distancing is very difficult to observe, so when they came to the court, the magistrate had several other cases in other court and couldn’t sit. And in our own wisdom, as person’s with listening hears, we talked to them, and it was agreed by all parties that they should go and observed all the laid down Covid-19 protocols before they will be released and they agreed to that do that”, he explained.
Earlier, the General Secretary, United Action for Democracy and a leading member of Take It Back Movement, Comrade Kunle Ajayi said they came out to protest for free functional and standard education and health before were we chased out , beating and brought before the court.
According to him; “We are here to lead the revolution and protest for free functional and standard education at all levels, free functional and advanced healthcare, a very good example is under this Covid-19 pandemic that we are in. Hospitals are not working, Doctors are on strike, a lot of things are wrong with the country. We decided to mobilize community by community, street by street for people to come out and tell the government that enough is enough. That Nigerians want better education, better healthcare and social welfare and topmost of it all is the issue of security. You cannot continue to do as if the country is a grave yard.
” As it is today in most part of this country, everybody is living without security. And that is why we Wondered , why we legally and constitutionally came to protest at the specific place that is assigned for protest in FCT, which is the Unity Fountain. We are in the place, with face mark and we observed social distancing and we came out to protest peacefully but we were chased out of the place not only are we chased out, we were beating out”, he said.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire has said that the objective of the Federal Government is to reduce case fatalities of Covid-19 to less than 1% from present 2%.
While adding that, they are working on innovative interventions with prospects of improving survival chances, especially for the elderly and those with co-morbidities.
Ehanire made this known in Monday at the Presidential Task Force briefing on Covid-19, saying, we will work with State governments to prepare necessary space and human resources at General hospitals or PHCs, to be trained for setting up at least one sample collection site at every LGA in due course, with efficient sample retrieval logistics to convey samples to laboratories.
He further stated that, for patients with significant clinical symptoms, we also plan the designation of Holding rooms at General hospitals, with facilities for oxygen administration, such as oxygen concentrators or from oxygen cylinders. Some investment in this strategy, known in Lagos State as oxygen kiosks, will be required, but the benefit, in lives saved, will be significant.
According to him; “As the course of the disease becomes clearer, experts are hazarding cautious guesses. The Director General of WHO has warned, for example, that COVID-19 could be with us for a long time. This means we are to consider adjusting to what has been described as the “new normal”, a way of life that is intended to reduce risk of infection, while allowing meaningful economic life to resume and citizens to restore their livelihoods.
“All members of PTF are aligned in the key role of non-pharmaceutical interventions in controlling new infections, because the measures are easy, cheap and proven to be effective, especially the wearing of masks and avoiding of crowds. I urge all citizens not to slacken in their adherence to these measures. We in the Health sector are key actors in the health related parts of the initiative.
“With regard to the covid-19 scene, Monday, 3rd August 2020, recorded 43,841 confirmed cases out of a total of 286,091 samples tested so far, while 20,308 persons have been treated and discharged. 888 persons have sadly been lost as a result of the COVID-19. No meaning can be read into this as yet. In comparison, the total number of positive covid-19 cases recorded in July was 17,457, out of a total of 154, 454 samples tested, with a positivity rate of 11.3%, as against the June 2020 figures of 19,149 positive cases from a total of 111,052 samples tested with a positivity rate of 17.2%. 6. Although it is far too early to draw conclusions, it is noteworthy that testing increased by over 40,000 in one month and the number of positive cases dropped by more than 2,000. But we must not rest on our oars: it is just suggestive of the fact that our strategy is not failing, and we must continue to sustain efforts.”
The Minister assured Health workers that we have no anxiety about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as we are reasonably well stocked with materials and commodities, which have been supplied to all sections of the country. At the directive of His Excellency the President, we were able to respond to the request of our neighbouring country of Sao Tome, for commodities for COVID-19 response. I also assure citizens that we are continuing to increase and optimize our laboratory diagnostic capacity, most recently in Zamfara, Kebbi, Yobe, Taraba, Gombe and Bayelsa States.
Nigeria joins the rest of the world this week to celebrate world breastfeeding week, marked annually from 1st to 7th of August to create awareness to the importance of breastfeeding. The theme of this year’s celebration is Support Breastfeeding for a healthier planet. It is a good time to emphasize this than at this time when the world is threatened by the pandemic. I wish to encourage all mothers to continue to breastfeed their babies. The Minister of Women Affairs and I will be having a joint press briefing tomorrow as part of activities to mark the week.
The Federal Government on Wednesday flagged off Air Logistics Support for COVID-19 Medical Equipment from Nigeria to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)/West African Health Organization (WAHO).
Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha said the role being played by Nigeria in the logistics support to distribute the medications and supplies is in the spirit of brotherhood.”
Represented by the Minister of State for Health, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the use of Nigeria Air Force to distribute the medical equipments to the beneficiary ECOWAS Countries.
Mamora noted that, President Muhammadu Buhari have within a short time, approved that NAF resources be deployed to assist in the airlift and distribution of the medical supplies of WAHO to the other West African Countries is the stuff of which a champion is made of and that “the role being played by Nigeria in the logistics support to distribute the medications and supplies is in the spirit of brotherhood.”
He, however, expressed optimism that it is the same spirit of brotherhood that they will see the sub-region to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic in no distant time.
Earlier, the Director General of WAHO, Prof. Stanley Okolo said the flag off became necessary because NAF plans to airlift the first batch of the consignments to countries starting by Wednesday, 5th August, 2020 and going in the following order: Wednesday, 5th August: routing through Abuja – Abidjan – Bissau – Banjul – Dakar – Abuja; Friday, 7th August: routing through Abuja – Lome – Monrovia Freetown – Conakry – Praia – Abuja; Monday, 10th August: routing through Abuja – Niamey – Ouagadougou – Bamako – Cotonou – Lagos.
It would be recalled that WAHO on behalf of the ECOWAS member States procured some medical equipment to fight COVID-19 for the use of the member States. The cost of airlifting was jointly borne by member States and delivered to Abuja where it was stored up. The stock for Nigeria was recently taken delivery of whilst the rest was initially stored up at the Premier Medical Warehouse in Jabi, Abuja to be airlifted for distribution to the other Countries.
