Month: January 2024

 

A don, Prof. Christian Madu, has advocated strict chemical security and management in Nigeria and Africa to check the rising incidents of insurgency in the continent.

Madu, a former Director of the Center for Environmental Management and Green Energy at the University of Nigeria (UNN), told newsmen in Enugu on Monday that there was a need to ensure that unauthorized non-state actors do not have access to chemicals.

 

According to him, unauthorized non-state actors should never have access to chemicals to avoid large-scale destruction that will kill innocent people and destroy critical infrastructure.

He noted that the protection of chemicals involves streamlining the supply chain from procurement through to disposal and/or recycling of chemicals to ensure security and that the chemicals are not intercepted by unauthorized users.

 

Madu, who was recently invited to train faculty from Ukraine on developing a curriculum in chemical safety and security management to protect Ukraine’s chemical-related critical infrastructure, said: “Chemical safety deals with safe handling of hazardous chemicals to avoid chemical accidents and reduce health risks, and damage to the environment.”

 

“The aim in both chemical safety and security is to prevent, detect, and properly respond to chemical accidents and/or chemical security threats. Chemical safety investigates issues on how to store chemicals, expiration issues, inventory, and disposal of unused chemicals.

 

“Attention is paid to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety data sheets (SDS). The primary goal is the safety of chemical users or handlers, and also the environment.

“Conversely, security of chemicals involves tracking the procurement process and the usage to make sure that the chemicals are not diverted to other purposes that may pose dangers to all.”

 

The don regretted that many non-state actors in the country especially in the North-East, North-West, and other parts of the country, who are changing their tactics and are increasingly becoming more violent, are using chemical-induced Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to advance their extremists agenda.

 

He called for concerted efforts to prohibit access of chemicals from such non-state actors to avoid the potential of misusing such chemicals to kill and harm several people at the same time.

 

Madu, who will be joining other world experts in chemical safety and security management in a workshop in Italy on this critical subject for the Ukraine people, commended NAFDAC and Office of the National Security Adviser for ensuring that such chemicals are controlled and accounted for.

 

“Unfortunately, we have to do more since we have too many chemical merchants who have not fully understood that the chemicals; they market for beneficial usage may have the other not-so-good side.

 

“Most chemicals are dual-use chemicals. It is therefore important not only to monitor the chemicals but also to know the mental and financial stability of those that have access to chemicals.

 

“People that have access to chemicals may be easily compromised and that will pose a threat to everyone,” he said.

 

The don said that he had helped develop a Chemical Security and Management curriculum in his Centre in UNN, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa as well as assisted in developing a national curriculum for the course.

“I have gone to IUPAC conference in Cape Town, South Africa to share it with other academics from other countries but especially African countries.

 

“I am hopeful that my colleagues in Nigeria who recently participated in the webinar sessions I ran on the curriculum will develop the programme in their respective institutions and I am always ready to assist.

 

“I have also trained critical mass at UNN on chemical security management, and I hope they are put to use to strengthen the programme,” he said.

It would be recalled that Prof. Madu is a leader in the subject matter and an expert on Chemical Security Management in Nigeria and was instrumental in developing the first graduate programme on Chemical Security Management at UNN.

 

Working on several grants from the US Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), Madu trained members of the Chemical Society of Nigeria in the six geopolitical zones of the country. He was honored with the Fellow of Chemical Society of Nigeria.

In 2023, he worked on a grant to improve on and extend the curriculum for chemical security management in Nigeria; through this, a workshop was organised involving tertiary institutions from six geopolitical zones of the country, and the National University Commission (NUC). (Flowerbudnews)

Suspected kidnappers have killed two traditional rulers in Ekiti State.

 

The monarchs were said to be returning from a security meeting in Irele-Ekiti in a vehicle being driven by one of their colleagues, the Alara of Ikole Ekiti, when they were attacked by gunmen along a community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Monday.

 

DAILY POST learnt that the two traditional rulers—the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olushola and the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin—were killed in the ambush, while Oba Adebayo Fatoba, the Alara of Ara Ikole-Ekiti, escaped from the scene.

 

Confirming the incident, the chairman of the Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Michael Ogungbemi, said the gunmen attempted to kidnap the three traditional rulers.

 

Speaking with DAILY POST, the state police spokesman, Sunday Abutu, said, “I will get the details and get back, please.

Edited for use

 

Bodija Explosion: Makinde Appreciates Obi, Berates Atiku’s non response

 

By Adewale Owoade

 

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, has commended the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last general election, Mr Peter Obi, for identifying with the state over the Jan. 16 explosion in the area.

 

Makinde gave the commendation while playing host to Obi who was in Ibadan to commiserate with him and the people of the state, over the incident that occurred in Bodija area.

 

Gov. Makinde also berated former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for not reaching out to him over the ugly incident.

 

 

“I will use this opportunity on behalf of the good people of Oyo State, to thank His Excellency, Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra and also the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election.

 

“I thank you because, politics didn’t sip into this, you came to commiserate with us over the explosion.

 

“Actually, investigation is still going on, it was simply a case of illegal miners storing explosives in an environment where they shouldn’t be, a place meant for people to live is not a mining site.

 

“So, all the lapses that allowed such to happen are being looked into. I’m particularly grateful because the president called me. We have three musketeers that went for that election.

 

” The president has reached out to me, you have reached out to me, but from my own party candidate, not even a call or text message.

 

” I mean I’m saying this openly so that our leaders would know that you have time for politics, you have time for governance, and you have time for humanity, so, we want to say thank you so much, we appreciate this visit,” Makinde stated.

 

Earlier in his brief remarks, Obi commended Gov. Makinde’s prompt response, saying that was what governance entails.

 

He also sent condolences to the bereaved families and all those people who lost their valuable properties during the explosion.

“We are here to pay our condolences to the governor and the good people of Oyo State, on the recent explosion, through him extend our condolences to the bereaved families and all those people who lost their valuable properties.

 

” In everything assure them of our prayers that God will grant all those who lost their lives eternal rest, also, to thank the governor for his prompt response, that is what governance should be when there is a problem.

 

” The system might not bring back the lost lives or replace properties that were lost, but that response is assurances and confidence to people that there is a government and system that cares for them.

 

“So, we thank him for that and for also ensuring that a proper investigation starts in earnest and also setting up a kind of support facility that people can be able to support those who are going through problems,” Obi said. (NAN)

THE Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission ( RMAFC), have resolved to strengthen collaboration to block revenue leakages in the mining sector.

 

Speaking while welcoming the RMAFC chairman, Mohammed Bello, and his team to his office recently, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake commended efforts of the commission to boost revenue accruing to government coffers through mining operations.

 

Bello in his remarks stated that the commission’s visit is hinged on pledging support for efforts of the Minister to transform the mining sector since assumption of office and also extract commitment that the commission will get his cooperation to carry out its statutory monitoring activities.

 

” The commission was instrumental to getting the 10% monthly payment from the Natural Resources Development Fund to the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), and we know we can do much more together under your guidance and leadership to sanitise the sector, plug all loopholes and ensure the mining industry becomes a big chunk of our nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)”, he said.

 

In his submission, the commission’s chairman of solid minerals committee and commissioner representing Zamfara state, Abubakar Sadiq lauded the Minister for his reforms and leadership that has given visibility to the mining sector, stressing the need for improved collaboration with the RMAFC to address shortfall in revenue remittance by mining operators.

 

” Our evaluation of mining operations across the country has shown a shortfall in revenue to government. There is a monitoring gap. Government and RMAFC should strengthen collaboration to seal this gap and plug leakages in the system. ”

 

” We are also making a case for proper supervision and documentation of minerals exported through our borders whilst also urging that the environmental impact of mining operations should be looked into and minimized,” Sadiq added.

 

Dr. Alake, in his response, revealed that the federal government has put in place measures like engaging consultants to block leakages and recover funds owed by licensed operators, which he put at several trillions of naira.

 

” From our efforts, so far, we have discovered to our chagrin that we are owed trillions of naira in unpaid royalties and taxes by legalised operators. We are committed to recovering these funds and also in the process of engaging internationally certified auditors to look at the system and automate the whole gamut of the revenue collection processes, “the Minister asserted.

 

Alake restated the resolve of government to sanitise the mining environment, ensure it contributes substantially to the nation’s revenue, and ultimately make the sector rival oil in contribution to Nigeria’s GDP.

 

“We are ready to collaborate with you, states, and host communities to maximise the potential of the mining sector for the benefit of all Nigerians. Our focus is to ensure that the industry translates to greater good for the greatest number of our people, “Alake said.

 

 

Enugu: The resident doctors in Enugu State Univesity of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Parklane, has lauded Gov. Peter Mbah for the giant strides his administration made in various sectors, especially health sector.

 

The doctors commended Gov. Mbah-led administration for advancement of her members from senior registrars to consultants and recruitment of over 100 new resident doctors, consultants and other support staff for quality healthcare delivery.

 

This commendation is contained in a statement signed by Dr Ofonere Chukwunonso and Dr Nnamani Ikemefuna, who are the President and General-Secretary of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) ESUT Teaching Hospital, respectively on Sunday.

 

The statement appreciated the administration for upgrade of the security and surveillance architecture in and around the state teaching hospital and support of accreditation for several departments to promote training of resident doctors and medical students.

 

According to the statement, the government recent positive input included the cashless payment policy and digitalisation of patient care through electronic medical records system, upgrade of schools of nursing to college status to train more nurses and paramedics in the state.

 

“Gov. Mbah has recently delivered new ambulances and upgrade of the accident and emergency complex to better align with international best practices, implementation of a policy system to reward productivity among hospital staff and payment of improved hazard allowance,.

 

“The government recently approved the renovation of all the toilets and bathrooms in the wards of the hospital to ensure safety and comfort of patients and staff.

“We have witnessed the flag-off construction of hundreds of model type-2 primary health facilities in each of the 260 political wards in the state,” the statement said.

 

The doctors also commended the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the state teaching hospital, Prof Ngwu B.A.F., for imbibing the governance philosophy of Gov. Mbah and positively turning around the hospital within a very short period of time.

 

it said: “The CMD is commended for his commitment to ensuring that all departments in the hospital obtain full accreditation, as well as his undertaking massive infrastructural upgrade projects aimed at repositioning the teaching hospital as one of the top 10 tertiary health centers in Nigeria.

 

“The resident doctors specially appreciate Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the special adviser to the governor on health, Dr Yomi Jaye and senior special assistant to the governor on revenue, Mrs Okebu Adenike, who worked to ensure optimal outcomes and prevent crisis in the health system.”

 

The statement, however, tasked the state government on accelerating the process of payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to Resident Doctors in the State Teaching Hospital, as is obtainable in several other states.

 

It also tasked the government on urgent upward review of the salaries of medical doctors in the state, to reduce the suffering occasioned by the worsening economic down turn, and lower the rate of brain drain of medical doctors.

 

According to the statement, the brain drain of medical doctors is currently alarming with attendant negative effects on the health indices for the state.

 

“The resident doctors are also requesting for employment of more house officers, in line with the recent upgrade of quota by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

 

“The resident doctors constitute a major and critical workforce in any teaching hospital and their welfare and well being should to be prioritized by the hospital management and the state government.

 

“The resident doctors are ready and poised to ensure industrial harmony and smooth running of the state teaching hospital,” the statement said.

 

It said that the resident doctors pleged to assist the government in making Enugu State a center for Excellence in Healthcare and a prime destination for local and international medical tourism.

“The resident doctors are asking the good people of the state to support government in its efforts and vision to change the face of Enugu State and position it as one of the top states in Nigeria and Africa, in terms of human and capital development,” it added.(Flowerbudnews)