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10Million Nigerians To Know Their HIV Status Through HIV Self Testing , Says CiSHAN

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Mr. Walter Ugwuocha, the Executive Secretary , Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN) said they are set to get 10Million Nigerians to know their HIV Status through HIV Self Testing.

While saying that the Nigerian AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (2018) results showed that Nigeria was lagging behind in achieving the 1st 95 of the 95-95-95 target by 2030.

He gave this hint during a media round table for the commencement of the National Campaign for HIV Self Testing in Nigeria, on Tuesday in Abuja, while adding that the lockdown arose from Covid-19 had also significantly decreased access of community members general, key and vulnerable population to HIV testing.

Ugwuocha said Tyhis campaign is intended to getting 10Million Nigerians to know their HIV Status through HIV Self Testing.

According to him; “Prior to the lockdown, there had been challenges with thinking around how to address the gap with populations access to HIV testing and identifying the unreached HIV positive population.

“This require re-strategizing in ways that communities and community members can take the leadership to drive HIV testing.

“The need to evolve community driven HIV testing strategies was further re-affirmed by the anecdotal field reports by CISHAN during the lockdown”, he added.

He further stated that, CiSHAN had coordinated a national effort in partnership with Positive Action for Treatment Access (PATA), Association of Women Against AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN) and the Association of Positive Youth in Nigeria (APYIN) to work with identified community members/advocates in cohorts to deliver anti-retroviral drugs to PLHIV in need of it during the intensive phase of the lock down. CISHAN volunteers identified multiple individuals who asked for where to get tested: a gap that could be addressed through access to self-test kits.

As responsive Civil Society Organization, CISHAN which is the national coordinating civil society organization has taken it as an organizational task to support the national government to reach the first 95 of the global target.

The strategy is focused on creating awareness and demand for HIV self-testing in Nigeria. Through its over 5000 members located in the 774 local government areas of Nigeria, CISHAN with the support of the media will facilitate access to HIV self-testing kits in both rural and hard to reach areas/populations.

The campaign will lead to Increase in the number of Nigerians who have tested for HIV which is 10million by end of 2020; Identification of the newly diagnosed HIV positive individuals and linking them to treatment in partnership with the Lead Implementing Partners for each state; and Increase in uptake of PrEP by persons at substantial risk of HIV infection.

Speaking on the update on Community Panel Discussion on HIV Self Testing, he said, CiSHAN has organized community panel discussion on HIV Self Testing for the past 15th weeks Week1: NACA DG & UNAIDS Country Director discuss the overall HIV Response and the opportunities that HIV Self Testing Presents.

Since embarking on the Community Panel Discussions, CISHAN has achieved the following: Increased and renewed interest in and support for HIVST in Nigeria: Promoted dialogue between civil society, policy makers and partners on HIVST ; Identified advocacy agenda for CISHAN and its members on how to support the government push its HIVST program; and Increased Civil Society awareness of their role in achieving the first 95 of the global 9595-95 agenda.

FCTA Perm Sec Inspects Eagle Square For 60th Independence Anniversary

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

…Says Covid-19 Protocols To Be Observed

 

Ahead of Independence Day celebrations, the  Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has hinted that arrangements have been concluded to ensure that the Eagle Square venue of the event was safe in strict compliance with the COVID 19 safety protocols.

FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr .Olusade Adesola  gave this hint when he led a delegation of management staff of FCTA and FCDA to Eagle Square, Abuja, to ascertain the level of preparedness.

According to him; “We are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure that no participant contracts the novel corona virus during the forthcoming Independence Day anniversary”.

The Permanent Secretary who inspected the rest rooms,, holding rooms, sitting arrangements and other facilities, expressed delight with the quality of facilities on ground, while assuring participants of a top-notch celebration.

He further stated that; “I am quite impressed with what I have seen. Everyone that is involved in the process has great enthusiasm to ensure that we deliver very exciting celebration this year. The facilities are in very good condition. We went round to see the toilet facilities, the holding rooms and the sitting arrangements”.

“Because we are currently dealing with a situation of Covid-19 infestation and we have to observe the protocols. So we are making arrangement to ensure that everybody that will attend will do so without any fear of contracting any disease here”.

He, however, commended managers of the facility for doing an excellent job and assured them of Government willingness to support them should the need arise.

On the Permanent Secretary’s entourage were: the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Umar Jibrin, Director, Human Resource Management, Malam Bashir Mohammed, Director and other senior staff of the FCTA.

Aliyu Assures Completion Of N640M Pilgrims Office In Abuja

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has assured that the N640 Million abandoned office complex of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board would soon be completed.  

Aliyu made this while on assessment tour of the project, while , lamenting that the 5 story building located at Kaura district of Abuja has only advanced to 20 percent completion since its commencement in 2015.  

She , however, noted that the project falls within the category of one of the abandoned projects in the Federal Capital Territory that needs urgent attention, saying “it is a presidential mandate to complete all abandoned projects”.  

In her words; “this practically falls into one of the cases of an abandoned projects and as we all know, Mr. President commitment from the beginning of this administration is to ensure that we complete all abandoned projects.

“We will continue to do our best to enable the contractor do the needful. A lot of resources have been committed to this structure and abandoning it at this stage of completion only leads to wastage of government resources. So we will see what we can do, and I am happy the contractor has returned to site with a renewed vigour.  

“Apparently, even in the budget we can say that it is a priority, but let us see the enthusiasm, the capacity of the contractor to do the needful, because the project requires a budgetary provision to bring it to a logical conclusion”.  
The minister also promised that the administration would ensure that genuine contractors are paid on the level of work done”, he added.  

Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director of Berdotez Associates Limited, Engr. Ejike Amu-Nnadi, assured the minister that the project would be completed in 20 months.   While thanking the minister for the political will demonstrated so far, Amu-Nnadi, reiterated the commitment of his firm to deliver quality job of international repute.  

His words , “We have received a lot of boost and commitment from the present administration that is why we have the confidence to keep investing. This is a very huge project and it is an institutional project of international repute.  

“We have committed ourselves to diligence at work and steadfastness to make sure that we achieve the 20 months timeline. In accordance with our programme of work, we should have rounded up this project. We need your support, commitment and anything that can speed up this project.  
“Without you, we cannot achieve it. Without your political will, it will be difficult because this project has suffered a lot of setbacks due to lack of political will. But with your commitment and political will, we are back to site and we are not stopping until we finished.  

“By December, we will come back to show you the progress we have recorded and it will be very impressive. We and our partners will make sure that we achieve good results. Your coming here has further boosted our confidence and we will not disappoint you”.  

Journalists Village: NUJ Appeals To FCT Minister for Land

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
muhammad-musa-bello
FCT Minister, Nigeria

National President , Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo  has appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello for hectres of land from the proposed Journalists Village.

The proposed Journalists Village is village will provide residential accommodation for journalists.

He also called on the minister to assist in adding his voice in the Federal Executive Council, (FEC) in assisting the media that has been worse hit by the pandemic in terms of job losses and patronage.

He made this appeal when he led a delegation of leaders of the Nigeria Union of Journalists on a courtesy visit on the Minister on Tuesday in Abuja.

He also charged minister to include the less Privileged in her fight against the dreaded Covid-19.

Commending the FCT Administration on the strides taken in the fight against COVID 19, the NUJ said it was very pleased with the way and manner the Administration fought Covid-19 to a stand still.

Isiguzo also thanked the Minister and the FCT Administration for providing a befitting Secretariat for the Abuja Council of the NUJ.

Earlier, in his response, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello said journalists have been partners in progress in the Abuja project. While charging the media to remain major stakeholders in unifying society.

Speaking on the request for R of O for Journalists Village, Bello said the request was not new and that the issue has been on ground so what was needed was a follow up for the actualization of the project.

In attendance, apart from senior management staff of the FVT Administration were the National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman LLiman, Mrs. Ifeanyiwa Omowale, leader of Nigerian Women Journalists and Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, NUJ Chairman, FCT Council and his secretary, mOchiaka Ugwu and others.

Group Advocates Implementation Of FCT Tourism Master Plan

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), has called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to implement FCT Tourism Master Plan.  

Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria is the umbrella body of all the private sector tourism and tourism related businesses in Nigeria .

Making the call in Abuja, the President of the association, Alhaji Rabo Saleh, noted that the full implementation of the master plan would definitely make the FCT one of the states to reckon with in the tourism industry while stressing that in order to actualize a speedy economic recovery plan, the private sector must be fully involved.  

Saleh, however, revealed that 80 percent of all tourism and tourism related businesses that provide  over 30,000 jobs in the FCT are private sector driven, while noting that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has left the world economy in a devastating state, hence the need for diversification of the economy.  

He, therefore, called on the Administration for public, private sector collaboration to develop domestic tourism sites like the Jabi Lake, Parks, and Katampe Hills, aimed at promoting tourism in the territory.  

In her response, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, acknowledged the potential of the tourism sector in the area of job creation and lifting millions out of poverty in line with the presidential deliverables.  

The minister who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant on Administration and Strategy, Prof. Muhammad Usman, however, informed members of the association that the Abuja master plan was not cast on stone, stressing the need to review the FCT tourism master plan,  

Aliyu also noted that the nation’s projected population by 2050 would be about 450 Million people, adding that with a projected huge population, it is important that all sectors are active in order to avoid crisis.  

According to her; “we are giving you the assurance that the administration believes in what you do, not only because we are beneficiaries on the services you offer, but because we believe that you have the potential to employ even more than 30,000 jobs.  

“It is important to the administration that jobs are created. We have a population that is very huge. By 2050, it is projected that our population will be about 450 million people. With a very youthful population, if we don’t create the job opportunities or things that will keep them busy, then we will have a lot of crisis on our hand. So, it is important that all sectors are active.  

“The tourism sector is one sector that the administration is absolutely interested in investing. May I say that even if the administration wasn’t interested, the mandate of Mr. President as re-emphasized in the course of the Ministerial Retreat last week will compel us to do something in that direction.  

“The FCT Administration has 13 deliverables. Out of these, number 12 and 13 are key and crucial. Deliverable number 12 is to engage with the private sector to create job opportunities, while number 13 is to take measures to contribute to the achievements of the presidential commitment to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty. This requires all sectors of the economy to be active and all hands to be on deck”.  

On the development of Jabi Lake, the minister said that in the ministerial performance reports presented to the Federal Executive Council on February 5, 2020. the administration has secured the nod and go ahead for the design to commence activities on Jabi Lake to enhance the tourism and recreational potential of the Lake.  

AfDB: Obasanjo Commends Buhari for supporting Adesina all through

By
Ola Akinola
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0

the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday commended the President Muhammadu Buhari for the support he gave to ensure successful re-election of the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina.

This commendation was coming few days after heated exchange between President and former President over the handling of the affairs of the Nation.

Obasanjo, in what appeared to be his first official reaction, since Adesina’s re-election penultimate week, also commended some past and present African leaders for their supports during the period.

The former President gave this commendation when the leadership of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), led by its National President, Desmond Nwachukwu paid him a courtesy call at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Responding to remarks made by the FIBAN President on the support given to Adesina, added that education played a vital role in the success so far made by him and other Nigerians doing the country proud in their different endeavour.

“I must commend the Federal government for the support given to him to get this second term ticket. You know that the former President, Goodluck Jonathan recommended him before this new government came on board. The government could have rejected him. So, I must commend the President for supporting him all through.

“Also, let me acknowledged and commend some of my colleagues, the 14 former Presidents in Africa for joining me immediately I drew their attentions to it. Some present Presidents also deserved commendations too,” Obasanjo said.

The former President also emphasized on the importance of education, noting that “if Adesina had not gone to school, no matter the innate ability God might have given him, he would not have gotten to where he is today.

“So, the first thing is how do we get the about 14m children, who are out of school now back to school. 14m children who should have been in school, undergoing education training that will make them to contribute to the development of the country in the near future.

“It is having good education, that will make them a good product to market in the global world like Adesina. Not only him, we have several like him, including the AFRISM President, Dr. Oramah,” Obasanjo said.

He, however, stated that the country’s present image was not fairing well to assist these potentials.

Obasanjo appreciated the members of the Association for the visit, moreso for the commendation on his support for the AfDB President.

The FIBAN national president had earlier disclosed that the former President’s penchant for grooming talents for leadership positions led to the emergence of Adesina.

“The association is therefore using this opportunity to congratulate you on the historic re-election of Adesina.

“And we are ready to make our doors opened for you to equally tap from many of our qualified members for such leadership positions.”

Nwachukwu also hinted that a proposed School of Broadcasting in Abeokuta, is to be name after the former President.

On the entourage of the President were the 2nd National Vice President, Hellen Okon, Member of the Board of Trustees Gbenga Adebayo-Oladunni, Veteran Broadcasters Ibiyemi Ajadi, amongst others.

Ehanire Commends NARD for Calling Off Strike

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Dr, Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health
Dr, Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health

Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health on Monday commended the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) for calling off their strike, saying, but unhelpful that the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has begun theirs.

While hinting that, the position of the Ministry of Health is that strikes by healthcare workers jeopardize the lives of citizens, especially at such times of global health emergencies as now.

He gave this commendation at the Presidential Task Force briefing on Covid-19 in Abuja, while saying that Nigeria needs the service of all her health workers, to control COVID-19 spread.

His words ; “Issues around allowances are multisectoral and have always been solved with negotiations, no matter how long it took. I acknowledge the commitment of health workers who continue to man the frontlines in the fight against this disease and use this opportunity to appeal to JOHESU to suspend their industrial action, not to erode gains we have since made in health care delivery. The FMoH is doing all within its power to expedite processes that address the bones of contention”, he noted.

The minister further stated that, he paid a working visit to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport yesterday to review the process of passengers arriving on international flights and to observe their Health related compliance and the challenges of staff of Port Health Services. “My observations and suggestions for remediation have been made known to PTF and to the Minister of Aviation.

“I thank all travelers for their patience and understanding as the processes to keep our country safe are further fine tuned. I also advise intending travelers to and out of Nigeria to acquaint themselves with the regulations and Provisional Quarantine Protocol. You can find this on the websites of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC. Our primary concern is to limit the risk of importation of COVID-19 virus to our country, especially with increasing flights to Nigeria, and for this purpose, we have remained vigilant. Our Health system should not be overwhelmed by new imports, even as we struggle to contain the epidemic in country. There are no reliable new therapeutics available and vaccines are up to one year away. The much advertised non pharmaceutical prevention measures remain the back bone of our defence.

“There is no doubt that the economy needs to be reopened for business and commerce to resume. To compensate for the risks this may bring, we all need to follow the preventive advisories. That is our individual contribution”, he added.

According to him; Seventy nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection were reported in the past 24 hours from 13 states of the Federation, bringing the total number of known cases as of today 14th September, 2020 to 56,256 out of a total of number of 442,075 tests conducted. 44,152 persons have been treated and discharged while 1,082 have sadly been lost to COVID-19.

He, however, noted that, though we continue to record declining positivity rates every day, we are reluctant to conclude that we are halting the spread of disease, because some states have not sustained the testing rate that would give us more assurance. Only 13 States, for example, reported their figures in the past 24 hours. This can be better. Until all parts of the country can sustain a certain testing rate, it would seem presumptuous to conclude that we are flattening the curve. In the words of Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), we are not safe until everyone is safe. He, therefore, again request our state governments to ramp up the testing momentum, so that we can together get control of the spread of this disease in our country.

On Thursday and Friday last week, I had the honour of participating in the mid-year programme review of a Memorandum of Understanding on Health Systems Strengthening, Routine immunization and Primary Health Care, entered into by Kaduna, Bauchi Yobe, Borno, Kano, and Sokoto States with Aliko Dangote Foundation and Bill & Melina Gates Foundation on the other hand. The achievements of the States in implementing the terms to strengthen routine immunization at sub-national levels is impressive, as is also the benefit derived from it in the fight against COVID-19 and the progress made to improve primary health care services in the six states. I was particularly delighted with the level of participation of traditional rulers in all the states. I commend the governors of these states for their increased investment in Primary Health Care, as well as Alhaji Dangote and Mr Bill Gates, for their sustained interest and contributions to support the states, he explained.

Dawaki: FCTA Demolishes Mega Store Over Failed Structural Test

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished a mega store sitting on a one-storey building in Dawaki, Bwari Area Council of the nation’s capital city for allegedly failing structural integrity test.

Our correspondent gathered that FCTA officials who were accompanied by a combined team of security operatives on Monday stormed the area with their bulldozer and pulled down the structure attached to the site of a collapsed uncompleted building.

It was observed that the owner of the store was allowed to evacuate the wares before the building was reduced to rumbles within minutes, without any casualties incurred in the process.

In an interview with newsmen immediately after the demolition exercise, the Director, Development Control Department of the FCTA, Murkta Galadima, said that the exercise carried out site sitting on plot 59 Dawaki Relocation Scheme, was a follow up on the unfortunate building collapse incident, where life was lost in the process.

According to him; “We (Development Control) received a distress calls from residents of the area that this developer had gone back to site, and it’s even selling items within the building, which if we don’t do anything very promptly, another disaster will occur.

“And that will be really unfortunate on our part, that’s why we have to be very proactive, and avert any of such unfortunate incident that my occur”, he said.

Fielding questions from journalists on if the developer and operators of the store were duly notified before the demolition exercise, the Galadima said, “Yes they were fully notified of the exercise, because before the enforcement of today, we followed due process by conducting integrity test on the building, and the result of the test indicated that the structure failed the test .

“As a result of that, in order to forestall any future reoccurrence , we had to move in and remove the standing structure.

Our correspondent gathered from sympathizers that, the owner of the building built the house with materials he bought from ‘Pantaker’ (those that sells used goods) that it’s obvious that the building is not properly built.

However, as the bulldozer of the Development Control was waiting patiently for them to evacuate their wares, many so called helpers seen stealing their goods.

Similarly, scavengers were at the site removing iron rods, roof among others.

I Remain the Voice Of The Opressed, says Malafia

By
Ola Akinola
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0

The Former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Obadia Malafia on Monday told newsmen after his release that he hopes that this should be the last time DSS would invite him to their office on a matter that has been over flocked in the media and public domain.

Malafia , who was interrogated after several hours of at DSS Jos Headquarters, said there was nothing he said in his media interview that many other prominent Nigerians have not said.

According to him, there was nothing he said in his media interview that many other prominent Nigerians have not said about before in the media and wondered why they were not invited for tquestioning by the DSS or other security agencies.

He , however, stressed that he remains the voice of oppressed and the Martyrs including women,Youths, orphans that have no voice.

Malafia added that he will continue to pray for peace that is enduring to return to Nigeria.

He also disclosed that for hours he spent at DSS Den, he was not maltreated but treated professionally by the DSS.

Malafia thanked various groups that trooped to DSS Jos Office in solidarity with him,stressing that he will continue to to speak in defence of Southern Kaduna people until lasting peace returns to their areas.

Two Lecturers In EFCC Net Over Internet Fraud In Kwara

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Operatives of the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), Ilorin Zonal office,on Monday arrested two Lecturers of the Kwara State College of Health and Technology, Offa and twenty-eight others over their alleged involvement in offences bordering on internet fraud.

The Lectures, Abdulahi Opashola and Adebisi Ademola and the twenty-eight other suspects are : Kingsley Essien; Tobiloba Adenuga; Tope Ayodele; Rasheed Mujib; Oladipo Opeyemi; Saadu Muktar; Oladejo Hammed; Hammed Tope; Ameachi Umenyi, Salauden Adam and Afolabi Gafar.

Others are: Oladimeji Timi; Remilekun Adeolu; Audu John; David Momodu; Abdulkareem Samad; Adebiyi Sodiq; Dawodu Olusoji; Yusuf Amoo; Kehinde Olarenwaju; Philip Mike, Ademola Adebukola and Adeniyi Olamilekan.

The rest are : Adeyemi Adedeji; Ajayi Teslem; Olawale Oladayo, Olasunkanmi Olawale and Adeleke Damilola.

The suspects were arrested at different locations within Kwara State, following intelligence gathered by operatives of the Commission over their alleged involvement in the offence.

Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to arrest an herbalist who is also linked with the alleged offence.
Items recovered from them include: cars, phones, laptops among many others.

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