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Ehanire Commends NARD for Calling Off Strike

By
Toyin Adebayo
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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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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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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.

Bandits Kill Two FRSC Officials , Abducted 10, Others Escaped With Injuries

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Not less than 26 personnel of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) traveling from Sokoto and Kebbi States Commands for a training programme at FRSC Academy, Udi have been attacked by Bandits/Kidnappers today at Udege junction, along Mararaban-Udege at about 8am .

According to a statement by the FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem hinted that the Officers totalling 26 in number were travelling in two buses

The statement further stated that, one of the Officers in the vehicle conveying the staff of the Corps reportedly died during the attack while another officer died in the hospital and four others were injured, 8 escaped unhurt, ten unaccounted for as they were allegedly kidnapped by the assailants.

However, the Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has immediately reported the incident to relevant authorities for prompt rescue of the kidnapped staff while investigations to ensure that the assailants are brought to book is ongoing.

The Corps Marshal , therefore, called on all staff of the Commission not to be deterred by this unfortunate incident.

He also, assured that the management will work closely with relevant security to ensure that the criminal elements are brought to book and justice is served while the missing personnel are found

FG Declares JOHESU Strike As Unnecessary, Ill-timed and Illegal

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

The Federal Government has directed the various Unions in the Health Sector operating under the umbrella of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) not to go ahead with the strike scheduled for  midnight, Sunday, September 13, 2020.

While adding that , the Ministry of Labour and Employment has apprehended the dispute with the conciliation initiated on Thursday, September 9, 2020 which is still ongoing.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Charles Akpan stated that going ahead with the action would be illegal as it is in clear breach of the ILO Principles and Conventions on Strike and Sec. 18 of the Trades Disputes Act, Cap T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. 

The statement further Urged JOHESU not to arm-twist or intimidate the Federal Government that has shown clear commitment to tackling the challenges in the sector as evidenced by the huge resources it has been pouring into the Sector since the Global Covid-19 pandemic broke out,
 “The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige has effectively apprehended the trade dispute as forwarded to him by JOHESU and has brought JOHESU and the Federal Ministry of Health, their employers, to conciliation since Thursday, September 9, 2020.  Parties in disputes are expected not to arm-twist, intimidate or foist helplessness on the other party while negotiations are ongoing as per Sections 8 and 18 of the Trade Dispute Act (TDA) 2004 barring any strike when the matters are before a Conciliator and undergoing conciliation.  

The statement read in bits; “Any strike now is inimical to an equable settlement of the dispute, bearing in mind especially that this is a grave period of a pandemic where the Federal Government has spent about N20 billion to pay April/May 2020 and an additional N8.9 billion for June 2020 on Covid-19 hazard and inducement allowances respectively to all categories of health workers that are mainly JOHESU members.

“Besides, all Health workers on essential services such as Pharmacists, Nurses/Midwives, Radiographers as members of JOHESU are statutorily barred from strikes during emergencies, by both the ILO Statutes and the Trade Dispute Act 2004. Such an action while the nation battles the Covid-19 emergency accentuates its illegality, as it will compound and aggravate the challenges in health services, causing further risk and deaths to the sick in hospitals across the country as the Covid-19 pandemic has been declared as a situation of emergency.

“This call for withdrawal of services is clearly unnecessary as the Federal Government has demonstrated capacity in her amelioration of age-long challenges in the health sector and has overly shown commitment to the welfare of health workers by providing enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and boosting their morale while tackling the strange pandemic.
The least expectation hence is that JOHESU should reciprocate the gesture while government works to meet its other demands post Covid-19.

The statement ,therefore ,urged the Leadership of the various Unions making up JOHESU to have a rethink on this illegal strike by putting the welfare of their patients and Nigeria first.

National Lottery Regulatory Commission Put Measures To Deter Money Laundering , Gbajabiamila

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Ola Akinola

The National Lottery Regulatory Commission has put measures in place to deter money laundering, financing of terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and other predicate offences in the lottery industry in its unrelenting effort to serve Nigeria and the industry better.

Director General of the Commission, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila made this known at the sideline of a workshop on Effects of Hate Speech, Fake News, Financial and Cyber crimes on National Security , held in Nassarawa , over the weekend.

The Director General who was represented by the Head of Public Affairs for the commission, Magnus Ekechukwu said , the new technology based measures are being attained through information and intelligence sharing with the relevant agencies and arms of government, 

Gbajabiamila added that the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) under the leadership of Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) for efficient and effective implementation of the measures.

He further stated, that since assumption of office, the Director General of the commission, Gbajabiamila has been methodically and successfully  introducing well thought out and sustainable policies and programs that have repositioned the 15 years old commission which are now engendering profound results in terms of revenue generation, promotion and protection of stakeholders including the stakers and most importantly supporting the Federal Government in its fight against corruption, terrorism and  insecurity, generally.

He explained that the objective of the recently signed MOU with the agencies was to strengthen and ensure transparency in the Nigerian Lottery industry; facilitate exchange of knowledge and expertise through training programs and promote a better understanding of economic and legal conditions relevant to the enforcement of applicable laws and statutes.

Gbajabiamila added that said the MOU would equally aid the establishment of a framework for the protection of lottery and financial stakeholders in relation to lottery- based activities undertaken by lottery operators and their partners and as well facilitate research and education measures to increase efficiency and staff exchange programs.

He said the commission was totally committed and dedicated to the war against corruption and insecurity being fought by the Federal Government and would spare no efforts in playing its part as a responsible and responsive commission of the government.

Gbajabiamila stated that the commission was also contributing significantly to the diversification of the economy being diligently executed by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari saying: “the National Lottery Regulatory Commission is gradually becoming a major source of revenue for the country. We are working hard on this and very soon, we shall become a major revenue earner for Nigeria.

“ You know we have already passed the billion Naira mark as against the less that 600M Naira revenue we were earning before ‘Mr. Lottery’, Gbajabiamila assumed office. With him, we shall get there, very soon.  Our commitment is total.”

Covid-19: Shippers’ Council, Queen Agnes Foundation Support Abuja School With Sick Bay

By
Ekaette Ibuot
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0

By Ekaette Ibuot

As part of its corporate social responsibility and a bid to solve some of the challenges posed by the present covid 19 pandemic, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in collaboration with Queen Agnes Foundation commissioned a sick bay for Junior Secondary School, JSS Kurudu, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The sick bay equipped with modern equipment was commissioned at the weekend to serve as mini clinic for the students and teachers in the school ahead of full resumption of schools in the FCT.

Speaking during the occasion, Mrs. Thelma Akinduro, the Executive Director of Queen Agnes Foundation, said she approach Shippers’ Council, that provided the necessary support for the actualization of the project.

Akinduro said she was driven by passion for humanity embark on the project, adding that it was a way to encourage the students.

“I was motivated by my passion for humanity and love for children. I go to schools to talk to students, sensitize them and encourage them. And when I came to this school that was when the journey began. About three hundred girls here are house helps. They go through a lot. Some of them are even being taken advantage of by the people they stay with, they use them, the molest them, they rape them. So when these children were telling me what they go through, I was really touched. Personally, I spent about N2 million on the project” she said.

Alh. Bashir Abubakar, Deputy Director, Academics and Support Services, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), who represented the Board while appreciating Queen Agnes Foundation’ good gesture expressed joy, assuring that the facility will be put to good use.

He assured that efforts would be made to post a health officer that will manage the bay effectively for the benefit of the school.

“We appreciate the Foundation for the provision of the sick bay for our children. And we welcome other NGOs that wish to partner with us so that we will ensure that our children are getting what they are supposed to get. I pray that God will bless the Foundation and provide more resources to them so they can do more for humanity. I will do my best to facilitate the posting of somebody who can man this sick bay for our children” he said.

In her remarks, the Principal, Junior Secondary School, kurudu, Mrs Isah Talatu expressed gratitude to Shippers’ Council and Queen Agnes Foundation.

She said the school is still challenged with so many needs and called on other well meaning Nigerians and organizations to come to its aid.

According to the Principal, parts of the school’s perimeter fence have fallen exposing the school to dangers of burglars and other criminal elements.

She enumerated the needs of the school to include class rooms, library and the perimeter fence which she said had been destroyed by heavy rain.

JOHESU Dares FG, Commences Strike Midnight, Today

By
Ekaette Ibuot
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0

By Ekaette Ibuot

All efforts by the Federal Government to intervene in the intended strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) seems not to have worked as the health workers are set to begin a nation wide industrial action effective from Sunday September 13, 2020 despite Federal Government reconciliatory meeting with the leadership of the union.

JOHESU Chairman, Comrade Josiah Biobelemoye, reiterated the decision on Sunday in Abuja, following an expanded National Executive Council meeting of the Union which held on Saturday 12th September 2020.

The industrial action may come despite warnings from the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige against embarking on the strike at the face of economic and health downturn caused by the present covid19 pandemic.

JOHESU in a memo to her members, stated that; “You would recall that at the end of the meeting held in your office on Thursday, 10” September, 2020, JOHESU demanded that the outcome of the meeting between JOHESU and the Federal Government be reported back to our expanded NEC meeting and give a feed back to the Federal government within 48 hours.

“In the light of the above, the meeting of our expanded NEC was held today, Saturday, 12” September, 2020. And at the end of the meeting, which was held both physically and virtually, it was unanimously agreed that since nothing concrete was achieved at the said meeting with the Federal Government, that the strike notice is still germane and alive.

“Therefore, the 15-day ultimatum still subsists and with effect from midnight of Sunday, 13th September, 2020, our members shall withdraw their services due to Federal Government inability to meet their demands.

JOHESU which comprises of over forty professional health institutions has been having running battle with the Federal Government over failure to pay 50percent Special Inducement Allowances to frontline health workers involved in the containment of Coronavirus in Nigeria.

Part of the grievances which may necessitate a full blown strike in the health sector is the alleged shortchanging of the union in payment of COVID-19 Special Inducement and Hazard Allowance.

Prior to meeting with the Federal Government last week in order to resolve the issues, JOHESU said it is forced to draw attention to the deliberate short-changing of our members in the payment of COVID-19 Inducement Allowances.

“The FMoH ought to redress and supervise the adherence to payment of 40% or 50% COVID-19 Special Inducement Allowances as appropriate to all health workers in Isolation Centres, the FHIs or other related Health facilities without discrimination bordering on clinical or non-clinical status based on our MoU of 21st April, 2020, and as admitted by the Federal Ministry of Health at a meeting of 1st July, 2020, that the payment of 10% was done in error.

“Consequently, FMoH agreed to correct the anomaly and pay the outstanding balance of 40% of Consolidated Basic Salary to all beneficiaries hitherto earning N5,000 as Hazard Allowance.

“The Federal Government did not ensure total and full implementation of the July 1, 2020 agreement between JOHESU and the Federal Government when it disbursed the 3rd tranche of the allowance for June, 2020.

“This has created rumbles and grumbles across our membership and has now created the challenge of assuaging the affected members what have become restive and thus making it impossible to guarantee industrial harmony within the generality of JOHESU members.

“It is rational logic to put on the table that infecting viruses will not decipher who a clinical or non-clinical staff is in the various Health Institutions before striking the would be victims. This is why this variant of discrimination should be embarrassing to the nation.

“It becomes imperative to inform you that if the FG does not meet these demands by midnight of September 13,2020, JOHESU will have no other choice than to commence a nationwide 7-days warning strike of our members in all the Federal health institutions FHIs, the States and LG Health institutions are placed on red alert for possible entry into the fray if the FG foot drags in attending to our demands”.

The Union has alleged that government was not forthcoming in the payment of all withheld salaries of members at JUTH, FMC Owerri, LUTH, including April, & May 2018, salaries as well as
adjustment of CONHESS salary structure.

The health workers union also rejected the recent increase in the pump price of fuel and hike in electricity tariff,describing it as government’s insensitivity to the plights of its citizenry.

“We, in strong terms reject the hike in electricity tariff especially at this crunch period occasioned by COVID, as it clearly amplifies the sufferings of poor Nigerians where our members belong. As a short term solution, we demand urgent fix of our refineries to begin local refining and mitigate the volatility of the petroleum products prices with attendant anti-masses effect.

“It is worrisome that when other countries are offering palliatives as well as reducing inclination towards social dysfunctions, our leaders appear to be sowing seeds of hardship and bitter pills to bring depression to the doorstep of citizens, “Josiah stressed.

Failure Of States To Execute Predictions Of Hydrological Agency Cause Flooding , Says NHSA DG

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Ola Akinola

The Director General (DG) Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA), Clement Nze on Sunday expressed concern over the failure of various state governments to implement predictions from the agency as the major cause of flooding in the country.

According to him, the urban and coastal flooding experienced across the States could have been checked if the state governments had been using the information provided by the agency, even as the agency had continued to render advocacy services to the various states.

He, however, maintained that the country had been wasting so much water every year. While adding that if the various States would build deep channels, measuring 20 kilometeres away from the river bank to store water during the rainy season, less water would be allowed to enter the main channel, and during dry season the water would be used for irrigation purpose.

Nze make this remarks on an electronic media on Saturday night, painting out that Nigeria being located down stream on West and Central Africa, and all the waters in the nine West African countries enter into River Niger.

He further hunted that, “Nigeria had continued to waste it waters, stressing that if the various state government should use information given to them by he agency, then lives would be saved and the effect of flooding would be reduced with the use of the constructed deep channels. He also said that aside averting flooding, agricultural yields would increase as a result the use of the water for irrigation during the dry season.

“We had an understanding with countries like Mali, Niger and the rest of their countries should not take more than 25 percent of water that enter their countries, we also advocated for drainages to be constructed to channel the waters during the rainy season. Our state governments have not been making using of the information given to them and that is major reason we have the coastal and urban flooding. It is predicted that 25 local government areas would be affected by flooding in Niger state alone. 

“Other states like Anambra, Bayelsa etcetera would be affected as well. Kebbi State which is one of the states that was also listed responded and that is why there was no loss of life, only farm lands were affected”, he stressed  

The expert maintained that for effect control of flooding across the country, various  states should through their water boards use standard equipments to measure their rivers. He said that the agency was not expected to go to the Grassroots to implement predictions, but that the state governments should rise up to the responsibility.

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