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Annually, 35,000 People Die From Accidents Due To Lack Of Medical Emergency, Minister

By
Ebenezer Adurodija
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The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire on Monday revealed that over 35,000 people in Nigeria lose their lives annually to accidents due to lack of emergency medical services.

While adding that 50,000 women and 400,000 children under the age of five also die every year as a result of lack of emergency medical care and poor access to health care.

Ehanire made this known while speaking as a guest of honour during the opening ceremony of the three-day Bayelsa Health Summit, which began on Monday in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Ehanire said that, “Even after all said initiatives are place, many people lose their lives when they have medical emergency either because they do not have the money (that is lack of financial access) or they are not able to get healthcare on time (that is lack of physical access.

“These are needless deaths, they are not acceptable in any country that respect itself. Nigeria loses over 35,000 people annually to accidents. Nearly 50,000 women die in emergency every year.

“Majority of these can be saved if you just provided physical access, that is to say if you have primary health centre and you also have a transport system, first aid system and also financial support for it.”

The Minister further stated that the Federal Government was coming up with the National Emergency Medical Service System (NEMSS) in collaboration with private medical practitioners and governments of 24 states where the NCC 112 emergency call line was already in operation to render ambulance services and save lives.

Ehanire said the remaining states would join the NEMSS when the NCC call line had been installed in their areas, adding that the pilot of the scheme would be launched in Abuja very soon.

He commended Governor Douye Diri and members of his administration for choosing to use the summit to re-evaluate the Bayelsa health system.

Earlier, Diri said the health summit was important to his administration because it sought to achieve a goal considered as a critical benchmark to good governance.

“The healthcare system has everything to do with efficiency and effectiveness of governance. Our healthcare arrangement from primary to tertiary level must be in the best functional state in terms of physical structures, equipment, consumables and staff morale at all times,” the governor said.

Also , the former President Goodluck Jonathan noted that planning was key to successful healthcare delivery system, stressing that government plans should include private sector initiatives “to give solid healthcare delivery to Nigerians.”

350 Million Out Of 500 Million Illegal Weapons In West Africa Domicile In Nigeria

By
Ola Akinola
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0

The upper chamber of the National Assembly was on Monday briefed that out of 500 million Illegal weapons circulating in West Africa, about 350 million, which represents 70%, are domiciled in Nigeria for nefarious activities by criminally minded people.

This alarming revelation was made at the public hearing organised by the Senate Joint Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Navy and Marine Transport on Firearms Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2021 and Exclusive Economic Zones Act 2010 (Repeal and Re – Enactment) Bill 2021.

Senator Uba Sani (APC Kaduna Central), while making his presentation at the public hearing, the sponsor of the Bill hinted that the country needs to urgently address the worrisome situation, lamenting that proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition in the country with little or no control by relevant authorities has profound implications for collective survival of Nigerians and Nigeria .

His words : “We are gathered here to deal with a matter that has profound implications for our collective survival.

“We are under siege from murderous non- state actors. They have been acquiring arms illegally, maiming our people and threatening the continued existence of our dear Nation.

“We either take measures to deny them of the oxygen that sustains their nefarious activities, or we watch helplessly as they overrun us and our country.”

The lawmaker explained that the main aim of the proposed amendments to the Firearms Act, is to curtail the proliferation of illegal arms and bring the existing law in line with global best practices.

Speaking further on the frightening development, the lawmaker said, “the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC), recently reported that the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW) in Nigeria, has reached an alarming proportion.

“Analysts estimate that out of the 500 million weapons circulating in West Africa, 350 million, which represents 70% of such weapons, can be found in Nigeria.

“A pointer to this effect can be cited with the incidence of January 31st, 2017, when the Nigeria Customs Service confirmed the interception and seizure of 661 Pump Action Riffles imported from China into our country .

“More recently in Benue State, a local militia had the temerity to kill an Army Captain and 11 Soldiers not to talk of reign of terror in Owerri, Imo state by gunmen who launched coordinated attacks on the Police headquarters and Correctional Centre.

“Something must be done urgently to curtail arms proliferation, the very reason for the proposed amendment bill on the existing Firearms Act.”

One of the major penalties for offence under the Act is the one under section 27 (sub section 1c) , which proposed increase of fine from N1,000 to N1million.

Objecting to the N1 million fine for illegal possession of firearms, the representative of Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Oladayo Amao, in his submission, said that the fine should be increased to N2 million.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), who spoke earlier, said the purpose of the two bills were to further strengthen the nation’s extant laws against illegal firearms possession and proliferation.

He added that other purpose was to make provisions for the Act on Exclusive Economic Zone to be in line with global practices as far as protection of the nation’s territorial sea or waters are concerned.

INEC Reads Riot Act , Threatens To the Boycott Rancorous Party Primaries

By
Ola Akinola
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0

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday decried the spate of violence and threats to lives and property that trail party primaries in Nigeria.

While, vowing to henceforth boycott any rancorous primaries of any political parties.

Recall that the electoral umpire is statutorily required to exercise oversight responsibility over the conduct of political party primaries in line with the extant laws but the commission is worried that the conduct of the political parties is constituting serious impediment to the smooth discharge of its mandate.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by Barrister Festus Okoye, saying, INEC Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education warned the parties that it would not allow them to continue on the part of destructive politics.

The statement read in bits; ” The Commission have watched with utmost dismay and profound concern the recurrent acrimony, violence and destruction of property, including the Commission’s property and equipment, which have characterized some recent political party congresses across the country.

“This is the season of political party congresses and conventions to elect their leaders at various levels of party organization and INEC is mandated by law to monitor them. These meetings constitute a very important aspect of the electoral process and democracy generally in Nigeria.

“The level of violence in some of the Congresses is making it extremely difficult for the Commission to exercise its statutory oversight responsibility enshrined in Sections 85 and 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended). In one such Congress in Kaduna recently, violence broke out leading to the destruction of the Commission’s ballot boxes.”

He insisted that the parties must align themselves with tenets of healthy democratic practice or face the wrath of the law .

“Political parties are reminded that they have a clear obligation to ensure that their Congresses and Conventions are orderly, democratic and in accordance with extant legal framework, their own constitutions and guidelines, as well as INEC’s regulations and guidelines.

“This Commission will not stand askance and watch party conventions and congresses degenerate into farcical rituals and violent fiascos that threaten lives and destroy property.

“For the avoidance of doubt, INEC will henceforth reconsider its involvement in these events, should they continue to put lives of members of the public and staff of the Commission at risk.

The statement continued; “Henceforth, there will be far-reaching consequences in any situation where party congresses and conventions degenerate into violence and destruction of INEC property.

“Apart from replacing such destroyed materials, parties may be blacklisted from the receipt of INEC materials for their activities in the future. The Commission may also withdraw its staff from monitoring such violent political party meetings, with the resultant non-recognition of their outcomes”.

With special reference to the upcoming governorship election in Anambra State, and Council elections in FCT, the commission cautioned that the political parties must stick to the Timetable and schedule of activities released by INEC.

“Parties must stick to the respective Timetable and Schedule of Activities for these elections as released by the Commission, which have been communicated to them and are available at the INEC website (www.inec.gov.ng).

Parties must ensure that their primaries are peaceful and orderly. Above all, they must adhere strictly to the Electoral Act, INEC Regulations and Guidelines, as well as party constitutions and rules, which are domiciled with the Commission.

“In the conduct of their internal processes, political parties must hold themselves to the same standards they hold the Commission during elections namely, openness, fairness, adherence to rules and peaceful conduct.

” INEC remains deeply concerned about the acrimony and violence within parties such that there are now more suits in various courts of law arising from party congresses and primaries than from elections conducted by the Commission. Still, the Commission will continue to work with political parties in support of their internal functioning in order to build strong and democratic parties in Nigeria.”

JAMB Registers 130,749 Candidates In 9 Days For 2021 UTME/DE

By
Ebenezer Adurodija
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0

…As Oloyede Warn Scammers, Fraudsters

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has hinted that it’s has registered a total of 130, 749 candidates for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) as of Sunday, April 17th, 2021 according to their chosen examination centres.

It would be recalled that amidst initial hitches, the board announced the commencement of registration for the 2021 UTME/DE on Thursday, April 8 and fixed the closing date as Saturday, May 15, 2021.

This was contained in the latest edition of jambulletin announced that 130, 749 candidates have registered for the examination across the 36 states of the Federal including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

An analysis of candidates’ registration across the country showed Kaduna State taking the lead with 17, 494 candidates ahead of Lagos, and the FCT, Abuja, respectively.

The table showed Lagos State and the FCT, Abuja had 14,628 and 12,319 total number of registered candidates as of Sunday, 17th April 2021, respectively.

Lagos State and the FCT were followed by Benue 6,848, Delta 5,197 and Yobe State 4,931, respectively.

Besides, the table showed Sokoto, Bayelsa, Zamfara and Ebonyi States occupying the rear with 63, 491, 597, and 927, respectively.

Kaduna metropolis with 10,175 had the highest number of registered candidates’ followed by Abuja Municipal 3,811, Makurdi 3,541 and Jos with 3,423 candidates, respectively.

Meanwhile, JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede has warned scammers and other merchants of fraud to stay away from the Board, saying its system would get anybody who perpetuates or attempts to act against established norms.

The Registrar who revealed that the Board had embedded fail-safe mechanisms that are capable of taking care of such developments knowing that some bad eggs in the society would want to try the resolve of the Board.

He,however, advised would-be scammers, like Mr Sahabi Zubair,   the ringleader of the group that was allegedly involved in the seizure of the details of some ad hoc staff of the Board, to steer clear of the Board so as not to succumb to the series of booby-traps in its processes.

COVID-19: FCTA Perm Sec Accused of Demanding N1 Millon Bribe Per Contractors to Get paid

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

… Perm Sec Denies Allegation

Drama ensued in Federal Capital Territory Administration has Contractors who supplied the FCTA with medical equipments and Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) during outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic protested and vowed that the Permanent Secretary would not be allowed access into the offices unless he paid them.

COVID-19 contractors as they called themselves claimed they executed various COVID-19 contracts for the administration between March 2020 and April 2021, without being paid. 

The over 300 angry contractors,  as early as 10am stormed Area 11 where the offices of FCT Ministers and that of the Permanent Secretary are located, and blocked the major entrances with placards with various inscriptions: “Don’t forget you begged us to assist “;”COVID-19 scandal : FCTA diverts funds meant for COVID-19 contractors”; among many others.

The group also alleged that the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola demanded one million Naira bribe per person before they can get paid.

Mr Emmanuel Nwachendu, one of the contractors, who was visibly angry said, ”  the accusation of N1 million bribe before you are paid is true. This is one whole year after the supply. The agreement states that two weeks after the supply, once you supply bring your invoice and you will be paid.

” This is one year running nothing, what we are hearing is that each of the contractor has to pay N1 million bribe to the Permanent Secretary before we can be paid .

” That without the N1 million bribe you won’t get paid.

He, however noted that, the Permanent Secretary has been paying some of the contractors , especially those who reportedly agreed to give him N1 million bribe. 

They further alleged that they supplied various medical equipment and Personal Protective equipments and other things used in containing the pandemic. 

” We supplies medical equipment, agents, PPE but since that last year it has been one story or the other.  What we heard initially was that procurement processes was suspended and these money was supposed to have been paid withing two weeks, maximum 1 month, of supply. Some of us took loan to be able to meet up with the supply. 

He continued; ” This Permanent Secretary Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Adesola Olusade came and met with us  he brought bout procurement process and that day we were over 300 contractors in the room, the hall becoming roudy, that was October 2020. And they told us they were waiting for suplementary budget, that as soon as the suplementary budget is passed that we are going to be aid . As soon as the suplementary budget was passed, they asked us to to bring our documents which we did. 

” We followed it up to ensure that everyone made it. We followed the files, what is annoying was that they batched the files , they said they said they were paying is 80% and we told them go ahead and pay. And they paid the 1st batch but when it get to the second batch which has more contractors . 

” We even followed it up, from one department to the other, after the 5th week, the Permanent Secretary said for the 1st batch that he only paid those below N10m and there are some of us that are below N5 millon but were not paid. 

The Permanent Secretary said it was only one person that was working on the files but now he got more people to work on the files so we said no problem. 

We were waiting after two week we started hearing different stories that some were collecting 0.5% and some said they were asking for N1 million bribe from each of the contractor”.

Meanwhile,  the Permanent Secretary, however, denied ever asking anybody for one million naira bribe. 

He also stressed that the delay in paying the contractors was due to their  failure to meet all the administrative requirements. 

According to him, ” I  am not aware of any payment of one million Naira. The only instruction I gave was that all documents should be in file before any payment can be made.The payment is in batches, we have paid others.

” Contractors below N10m have been paid, If there are issues, the contractors are the cause because they are yet to meet up with the requirements”, Adesola said.

Stakeholders Donate Molecular Testing Facility To FCTA To Fight COVID-19, Other Health Challenges

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

In order to boost fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and other health challenges in the nation’s capital, stakeholders under the umbrella of FCT Ministerial Expert Advisory Committee on COVID-19 donated a world-class molecular diagnostic laboratory to the FCT Administration.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) , Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello while speaking during the commissioning and handover of the multi million Naira laboratory project provided by the Committee at the Kubwa General Hospital on Monday said it’s a vital and welcome intervention in the healthcare sector.

Bello said the modern facility, fully equipped molecular diagnostic laboratory, has the capacity of processing about 400 blood samples per day, will boost testing for COVID-19 in the FCT.

The Minister expressed gratitude to the FCT Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar for their enormous contributions to our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him ; “The committee is today bequeathing to the FCT, their legacy project, which is the donation of this molecular diagnostic laboratory here at Kubwa General Hospital.

“It’s to their credit and great work done by our medical personnel and our entire COVID-19 response team that despite the the status of the FCT as an epicenter of COVID-19 in Nigeria, we have recorded relatively low fatalities and met our testing targets.

“We intend to put this laboratory to good and effective use even long after this war against covid19 is won and forgotten, which we pray will not be very long from now.

“We must however, not be complacent despite the low positives, we are currently witnessing as the virus is still very much around”, the Minister stated.

He also urged members of the public to seize the opportunity currently provided to get vaccinated, while observing all non-pharmaceutical preventive measures already prescribed.

Similarly, the Minister of State For Health, Sen. Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora, described the provision of the facility as apt, as it’s one of the most important aspects of medical care, because no one can effectively treat patients without proper diagnosis.

He noted that COVID-19 is a blessing in disguise as several interventions to tackle the pandemic provided opportunity to boost healthcare services.

He, however, commended the FCTA for its efforts to ensure the defeat of the COVID-19

While handing over the facility to the FCT Minister, Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, expressed optimism that the laboratory will serve as a trigger for the building and equipping at least one laboratory each in the Area Councils of the FCT in the next five years.

Umar disclosed that the committee suggested to the FCT Administration, to give consideration on how this laboratory along with other existing and future ones, can operate on a sustainable basis.

He stated that; “To this effect we wish to suggest the consideration of the FCTA to explore public private partnership arrangement; or to create a full-fledged FCT Directorate of Laboratory Services, which will report directly to the Permanent Secretary and will have its own line vote in the FCTA annually”.

Ekiti Cult War : Six Killed , Ten Arrested

By
Ebenezer Adurodija
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0

Fallout of a clash between  two rival cult groups as left no fewer than Six unidentified  persons dead  in Ikere-Ekiti at two separate cult clashes which occurred Saturday night and Sunday morning .

The deceased who are all Male were brought down at different locations in the town, said to be the second largest in Ekiti .

ASP Sunday Abutu, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Command, while confirming  the story, disclosed that it was fallout of a clash between  two rival cult groups .

He added that 10 suspects have been arrested in connect with the bloody cult clash caused by rivalry and show of strength. 

The police spokesman however confirmed that six persons have lost their lives and their bodies have been deposited in the morgue.

According to him; “I can confirm to you that it was a violent cult clash between two rival groups. 

“About six persons have been killed as a result of show of strength between the two nefarious groups.

“We have begun serious operations there by combined forces of the men of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian  Army, Amotekun corps and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“Those arrested are being kept in our custody and by the time we conclude our investigations, they will be charged to court accordingly”, Abutu hinted.

Ikere Ekiti, the second largest city in Ekiti State was on Sunday morning tensed, as six  persons were reportedly  killed  during a bloody clash between two rival  cult groups in the town.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident started on Saturday night, when one of the cult groups identified as ‘Ojuale’ was shot dead near Ikere City Hall, Odo Oja area of the town.

A source in the town, who craved anonymity, revealed  that Ojuale, an indigene of the town came from Port Harcourt on Friday to attend a friend’s wedding after which he was killed by rival cult members.

The source said: “Shortly after he was murdered, his members came out en masse with dangerous weapons to torment residents of the area.

“Although, the cause of the violence was still unknown, but the suspected cultists went on a shooting spree leaving the community members scampered for safety.

 “Before now, residents of the community have appealed to the state Government to beam search light on growing rival cult clashes in the town”, he stated.

To ward off further killings, the police have increased surveillance in the town by conducting stop and search on vehicles coming in and out of the town.

The growing  menace of cultism and cybercrime had become a source of worry to management of some tertiary institutions in the state..

On his part, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) ,Professor  Abayomi Fasina has promised to wage war of cultism and cybercrime on campus. 

While reacting to the recent  unfortunate incident of sporadic shootings  at Oye-Ekiti the VC said ” That the alleged unfortunate sporadic shootings did not happen on the Oye Campus of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti

” That it happened off Campus and thus, has nothing to do with our great Citadel of Learning where peace, tranquility and stability have been witnessed ever since, courtesy of good job by our security unit in collaboration with Federal security agencies who provides adequate security on the campus and its environs, as well as good conduct by both students and staff.

“And finally, that the relevant security agencies and operatives have been on top of the situation since and so, no cause for alarm.

“That normalcy has since returned to the allegedly troubled areas in Oye and students should go about their normal businesses without any fear.”

Few months ago,two perdins were also killed at a private Polytechnic (CROWN) in a cult related clashes. The development led to the temporary closure of the insitution. 

Forget Ethnicity, Religion , Let’s Join Hands To Fight Insecurity- Hamzat

By
Gladys Phillip
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0

Lagos State Deputy Goveror, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has called on Nigerians, irrespective of tribe religion, to come together to fight insecurity and other challenges facing the country.

He made the call on Sunday while speaking at the 2021 Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Council with the theme, “Insecurity: The Impact on Socio-Economic Development of the Nation” held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

Hamzat who stressed the need for Nigerians to shun all forms of tribalism, ethnicity and religious bigotry, noted that Nigerians must all come together as one united entity to fight insecurity so that the country can survive.

According to him, “This issue of being Fulani, Yoruba, Hausa, Ibo must stop. We must act together as one. If we are united in that purpose, then it is very easy for us to solve it. But, we must first of all agree that we want to leave together as a people.

“Nothing happens if there is insecurity. There will be unemployment, you can’t do anything. The biggest threat to humanity is when you don’t have peace of mind. You can’t do anything, you can’t sleep, you can’t think and that is what insecurity brings. So as a people we must come together and fight it so that we can survive as a nation, he said.

Speaking further, the Deputy Governor who opined that there is no problem that humanity cannot solve, stated that if Nigerians are united in purpose, it would be very easy to resolve all issues presently facing the nation.

He however called on all Nigerians to love one another as it is only in an atmosphere of love and peace that the nation can overcome insecurity and other challenges facing the country.

Speaking on the topic, the Guest Lecturer and National Missioner of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria and Overseas, Sheik Abdur-Rahman Olanrewaju Ahmad berated the recent increase in insecurity challenges bedeviling the country.

He added that this has brought a lot of negative impacts on the socio-economic development of the country as many companies have closed down leading to unemployment in the country, and many citizens are now living in fear and panic.

The cleric therefore called on the government at all levels to spend more on internal security, engage the citizens more productively, and embark on massive and rapid infrastructure development.

He added that security agencies in the country must be united and harmonized in intelligence gathering and information sharing.

Sheikh Ahmad further urged the government to do everything to ameliorate the sufferings of the people as there are lots of hardship in the country.

Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman, Lagos State Council of the Society, Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Olabode Salaudeen urged Muslims to use the Holy month of Ramadan to purify their minds, body and spirit.

He therefore urged them to take the opportunities of the period to get closer to Allah, seek His favour and perfect their godliness towards one another.

Amaechi, Community Leader In Verbal War Over Naming Of Rail Station In Delta

By
Ebenezer Adurodija
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0

Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation was embroiled in a hot verbal exchange with High Chief Godwin Notoma, President-General of Ujevwu community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

The verbal exchange was due to the naming of the Railway Station in the Urhobo community after Chief Alfred Rewane,an Itsekiri during the Nigerian Railway Corporation formally flagged off its freight services on its Warri-Itakpe Standard Gauge Railway Line.

The scene started with High Chief Notoma in his goodwill message at the event held at the Ujevwu Railway Station, he faulted the Federal Government’s naming of the Railway Station in Udu Local Government Area of Delta Central Senatorial District, an Urhobo Community after late Chief Alfred Rewane, an Itsekiri from Warri South Local Government Area, an Itsekiri enclave.

High Chief Notoma was of the view that the public asset (Ujevwu Railway Station) could have been named after an equally eminently qualified Urhobo sons or daughters, some of whom he said had fought gallantly for the emancipation of railway projects in the area.

The community President-General also kicked against identifying the location of the Railway Station as Warri insisting that Ujevwu is a prominent community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State just as Warri is domiciled in another Local Government Area.

According to High Chief Notoma, “the name of the Railway Station should reflect the sensibility of the people of Udu. Udu has its own monarch just as Warri has its own. Our sensibility should not be taken for granted. And we are making this submission for the sake of posterity”.

In his comments Amaechi, the Transportation Minister dropped off his prepared text when it came to his turn to address the gathering warning against anyone using the forum to aggravate inter communal tensions or clashes that can jeopardise Government’s projects.

According to him, “we will not allow anybody to use primordial sentiments to incite the youths to forment trouble whatsoever over location of well-intended government projects. After all, people from the immediate catchment area are ultimately the highest beneficiaries, socially and economically”.

The Minister specifically warned that government would not take lightly to a situation where communities degenerate to infightings against one another rather than rallying round and jointly protect development projects in their areas.

Earlier, Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) who was represented by Engr. Seyi Omotosho, Managing Director, Nigeran Gas Company Limited noted with delight that the official flag-off of haulage of NNPC line pipes imported for the construction of 614 kmx40″ Ajaokuta, Kaduna, Kano (AKK) GAS pipeline project inaugurated since June 30, 2020 would go a long way in cushioning the haulage problems of the corporation.

According to Kyari, “the maiden cargo rail travel championed by NNPC will further support the dream of an industrialised Nigeria through improved transportation of goods across the country. The benfits of freight services can only be imagined than described”.

While equating one trip of rail haulage of the NNPC pipes to 32 trailers on the road, the NNPC boss described rail freight services as cheaper, safer and faster means of cargo movement.

The NNPC Managing Director explained that the resolve by the Corporation to use rail option of haulage was propelled by the desire to mitigate all identified projects and safety risks to as low as reasonably practicable while delivering the project in the right quality and time.

Also , the Chairman, Governing Board of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Engr. Ibrahim Alhassan Musa remarked that “the railways had propound impact on the initial socioeconomic development of Nigeria and will continue to substantially contribute to the railway corridor community development and the movement of passengers and freight in the most cost-effective, affordable, energy saving and environmentally friendly manner”.

Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governorof Delta State in his message charged all communities across the State wherever public assets are located to protect them jealously as if they are their personal proerties.

Production Of Local Vaccine On COVID-19 Reaches Advanced Stage, NABDA Boss

By
Ola Akinola
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0

The Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha has revealed that, the processes leading to the production of local COVID-19 vaccines have reached an advanced stage.

Mustapha, in an interview with newsmen, shortly after the presentation of awards to journalists who emerged winners at the Continental level at the fourth Edition of Open Forum On Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Africa Media Award 2020,revealed that the team from the Agency in collaboration with both local and international partners has gone to stage three of the vaccine development.

Speaking on the efforts made by the Agency to develop local vaccine, Mustapha said, “Vaccines cannot be developed in one day.

His words :”It has to undergo series of research. Our team has gone to about stage 3 of the vaccine production.

“The vaccine development has to do with so many components.

“We are working with our collaborators from all over the world and within the country.

“We are coming up with something tangible. We hope and envisage that in the next two to three years, we would have our own output from NABDA.”

On the Pod Borer Resistant Maruca(PBR) Cowpea which has been commercialised in Nigeria, the NABDA boss assured that Nigerian farmers would get the high yielding cowpea or beans during the 2021 planting season.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government approved commercialisation of a biotech cowpea variety resistant to pod borers in December 2019.

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

The PBR Cowpea Project is a pubic- private partnership that is developing and disseminating cowpea with resistance to Maruca Pod Borer for increased productivity.

The project partnership that brings together leading African and international institutions is led by African Agricultural Technology Foundation(AATF) through 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 biotechnology said the PBR Cowpea would increase cowpea production through the control of Maruca Pod Borer, as it would increase yields, generate higher incomes to farmers and improved their health through reduced use of harmful chemicals to control pests.

NABDA boss, therefore, tasked journalists to be in the vanguard of disseminating accurate information to the farmers.

He further 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 reports simple and easy to be understood by readers or audience, urging them to always include human angle in their reportage.

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