Month: December 2023

The ruling emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah is dead.

Sheikh died on Saturday aged 86, the royal court said.

His death comes after three years in power marked by repeated political disputes.

great sadness and sorrow, we mourn… the death of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait,” said a statement aired on state television.

The channel had cut its regular programming and switched to a broadcast of a Koranic recital before the announcement.

In November, Sheikh Nawaf was hospitalised “due to an emergency health problem”, according to the official KUNA news agency. It did not provide details about his illness, but he was later declared to be in stable condition.

Given his age, concerns about his health were commonplace during his rule.

Sheikh Nawaf ascended to the role of crown prince in 2006, appointed by his half-brother Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. He assumed the position of emir upon Sheikh Sabah’s death in September 2020 at the age of 91.

In 2020, Sheikh Nawaf faced the challenge of navigating the economy through a crisis triggered by a fall in oil prices.

The current crown prince, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, another half-brother, is 83years old.

Attention is now focused on whether the family will appoint a younger generation ruler.

Around 14 months after he was appointed emir, Sheikh Nawaf transferred key constitutional duties to Sheikh Mishal.

Sheikh Nawaf’s reign, though not the shortest in Kuwait’s history, was notable for issuing numerous amnesties, earning him the title “emir of pardons”, according to Bader al-Saif, an assistant professor of history at Kuwait University.

Last month, Kuwait’s Council of Ministers approved a draft royal decree calling for pardons for political prisoners convicted during the past decade. Similar pardons were also issued in 2021.

Sheikh Nawaf would also “be remembered for his unique personal attributes: soft spoken, devout, modest, low profile”, Saif said.

Kuwait, a conservative country where sovereign powers are concentrated in the hands of the ruling Al Sabah family, is home to the most active and powerful parliament in the Gulf.

But repeated standoffs between elected lawmakers and cabinet ministers installed by the ruling family have hindered development efforts and discouraged investors.

Following a succession of resigning governments and dissolved parliaments, Kuwait’s current cabinet is its fifth in a year.

Sheikh Nawaf’s rule also saw the Gulf country hold three parliamentary elections in as many years.

The political deadlock has delayed necessary reforms and blocked development projects, leaving infrastructure and education in disrepair and much of the population disgruntled.

Born in 1937, Sheikh Nawaf was the fifth son of Kuwait’s late ruler from 1921 to 1950 Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

He started his political career at the age of 25 as governor of Hawalli province, remaining in the position until 1978 when he began a decade-long tenure as interior minister.

By Biola Lawal

Abuja: (Flowerbudnews): The immediate past Governor of Anambra state, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano has expressed his deep sadness and sympathy over the death of Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife.

Ezeife, a former Governor of Anambra, fondly known as Okwadike Igbo Ukwu, breathed his last on December 13, 2023.

Chief Obiano, the Akpokuodike Aguleri, noted that  Dr Ezeife, who was 86 years old at the time of his demise, was a highly esteemed figure in Nigerian politics, a statement  by Tony Nezianya Publicist to Chief Obiano, disclosed.

He served as the Governor of Anambra State from January 1992 to November 1993, making significant contributions to the development of the state during his tenure.

Before his governorship, Dr Ezeife had a distinguished career as a Federal Permanent Secretary, demonstrating his expertise and commitment to public service.

His vast knowledge and experience made him a valuable asset to the Nigerian government, particularly, the Igbo nation that he cherished so dearly.

‘’I supported him in the very best way I could during my tenure as Governor. I intervened in several ways to lighten his burden of ageing gracefully. We were indeed close.’’ noted Chief Obiano.

The loss of Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife is deeply felt by his family, friends, and the nation as a whole.

Chief Rob Nwakaire, a member of his family, issued a press statement to inform the public of the sad news.

May the memories of Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife bring comfort and strength to all those affected by his loss.

Meanwhile, Chief Obiano and his wife, Chief Mrs Ebele Obiano have directly commiserated with the wife of the deceased, Mrs Ezeife.(Flowerbudnews)

By Flowerbudnews

Enugu: The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has deployed 750 personnel and 16 vehicles for its end of the year intensive operation codenamed “Operation Zero Tolerance to Road Traffic Crashes”.

The Sector Commander in FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Adeyemi Sokunbi, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday after briefing all staff of the Command on the operation.

Sokunbi said that a total of 430 Regular Marshals and 320 Special Marshals had been deployed to man various road corridors and strategic locations in the state.

He said that the Command also deployed two motorbikes and16 vehicles, which included: an ambulance with full complement of medical facilities and a recently received tow truck from the FRSC headquarters.

According to him, Operation Zero will run between Dec. 15 (today) and end on Jan. 15, 2024; and all regular and special marshals will fully be involved without any leave or pass given to any personnel.

The sector commander said that the Command before now had identified 22 critical traffic build-up points in the state that needed daily manning to ensure traffic flow, adding: “we have effectively deployed personnel on shift bases to these points.”

He said that the Command had notified and is currently carrying its stakeholders, sister security agencies and even construction companies, that might provide us with a bigger tow truck if need be, along in this operation.

Sokunbi said that recently he met with the state’s Federal Controller of Works, adding: “I received assurance from him that palliative work will be done on some portions of Enugu-9th Mile-Nsukka-Obollo Afor Road within few days to make it passable”.

He noted that the Federal Controller of Works also assured opening up all as well as newly constructed portions of all Federal Highways within the state to ensure free flow of traffic.

He said, “We are ready to fully carry out this year’s Operation Zero, we have made adequate deployment and sensitization to our stakeholders and sister security agencies to assist us in reducing road crashes this festive season.

“The objectives of the operation included: to reduce road traffic crashes (both fatality and injuries) to the barest minimum; prompt response to road traffic victims and quick removal of obstruction to allow for free flow of traffic.

“Free flow of traffic in all strategic and critical corridors within the state especially the Enugu-Awka-Onitsha, Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt, Enugu-Abakaliki and Enugu-9th Mile-Nsukka-Obollo Afor Federal Roads.

“There will be aggressive enlightenment using all known channels of communication be it one-on-one interaction with motorists, going to talk to passengers early before they set out for their journeys, various media engagements and issuing out road traffic advisory.”

The commander also said that FRSC personnel would watch out for vehicle overloading, vehicles conveying humans and animals together as well as for drivers engaging in distracted driving by using phones or engaging in text messages on the roads.

He said that FRSC patrol vehicles would monitor reckless/dangerous driving, speeding, lack of lane discipline on the road and other road violations with a view of correction and education of motorists against such practices.

He said: “I appeal to road users and travelers to set out their journey on time. This is to create enough time to attend to any unforeseen circumstance or development while on the journey.

“Night journeys should be avoided due to its inherent dangers. If there is a crash at night, getting rescued is difficult; the driver can doze off on the steering-wheels and men of the underworld could also attack the vehicle.”/ Flowerbudnews

By Flowerbudnews

Enugu: The Wife of Enugu State Governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, says that the Enugu Multi-Sectoral Plan on Food and Nutrition is ready for implementation to check stunted growth and underweight infants and children.

Mbah said this on Friday while flagging-off a two-day advocacy sensitization meeting for Women in Policy Positions and Wives of Political Leaders in Enugu State on “Zero Water and Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes”.

The sensitisation was organised by Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA) in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).

The governor’s wife, who was represented by the Commissioner for Children, Gender and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, noted that the multi-sectoral plan would soon be implemented to ensure the state kick-out malnutrition even from the on-set of life.

According to her, some critical policies the government has already implemented to show its commitment towards infant and maternal protection is “the free child and maternal care programme”.

“Another programme is the establishment of crèche to support adequate six months exclusive breastfeeding by nursing mothers for civil servants,” she said.

The governor’s wife noted that she remained committed to see Enugu State children feed well and develop to maximum potential despite the severe impact of food scarcity ravaging the world especially Africa, with Nigeria making the top list.

“Today, through our collaborations and collective efforts, we will achieve a process that will, in turn, produce responsible individuals who will take over our society in the near future, and this will make for a better society,” she added.

Speaking, Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, Executive Secretary of Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), noted that one of the most effective ways to stimulate a healthy workforce starts with maternal and child wellbeing being propelled by exclusive breastfeeding.

Ani-Osheku noted that the best immunization vial to be given to the child leading to a healthy social and psychological development is solely exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and after that mixed with soft food for another one year.

According to her, there was a need to push to give breastfeeding mothers compulsory paid maternity leave for six months and the father a compulsory paid paternity leave for him to assist his nursing wife and bond properly with the new-born child.

She said: “The objectives of the sensation included: To create awareness among women in policy making positions on the burden of malnutrition and mobilise them as change agents in the state.

“To identify opportunities and barriers to implementation of the state Strategic Plan and other nutrition policies in the state; and to develop action plans on demand creation for investment in nutrition, steps to support and roll out complementary infant and young child feeding.”

The executive secretary noted that exclusive breastfeeding had a lot of great benefits, which are: reduced illness of the infant; build-up immunity of the infant; reduced out of pocket expense of the family; and checking of breast and ovarian cancers.

She also called for the support of family members, colleagues and co-workers, bosses and employers of labour for all breastfeeding mothers around them.

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Collaborating, Mrs Ngozi Onuora, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Enugu Field Office, noted that the exclusive breastfeeding rate had continued to decline for some years in Enugu State, adding: “It moved from 37 per cent in 2018 to 11 per cent in 2021”.

“What this means is that 89 per cent between ages of 0 and six months are denied the uncontested benefits that come with exclusive breastfeeding in the state,” Onuora said.

She noted that UNICEF was committed to partnering with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to implement evidence-based interventions that address the root causes of malnutrition in infants and children.

“This includes promoting exclusive breastfeeding; ensuring access to nutritious foods; and providing essential health services to mothers and children. There are, however, great expectations for 2024 and beyond.

“Therefore, I urge each of you, in your influential positions, to champion policies that prioritise maternal, infant and young child nutrition,” she said.

One of the participants, Mr Finian Ali, State Coordinator, Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, said that there was a need for fathers to support the nursing mother and child with an adequate and balanced diet.

Ali noted that the baby and mother needed the emotional and socio-economic support of the father as well as his buy-in to ensure that the family did not lack during exclusive breastfeeding periods.

“The father, during the period of exclusive breastfeeding, should help in some house chores to reduce the burden of the nursing wife and create time for the exclusive breastfeeding mother to feed the baby properly,” he said.

Among the lectures delivered included: Overview of the Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitute by Mrs Ogechi Ude from NAFDAC; and Effective Breastfeeding/Optimal Infant and Young Child Nutrition Among Working Mothers: the need for extended paid maternal and paternal leave in Enugu State among others.

The highpoint of the meeting was the presentation of an Award of Excellence on Positive Change and Community Development on the governor’s wife, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, for her strong commitment to infant, child and maternal wellbeing in the state.(Flowerbudnews)