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Ogbaru people living on the borderline of River Niger have called on the Federal Government to dredge the river as permanent solution to perenial flooding of the area.The residents who spoke through their leaders made the call during Early Warning Sensitisation visit of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to Ogbaru and Ihiala Areas on Thursday.Mr Arinzechukwu Awogu, Transition Committee Chairman, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra, said the council had 16 communities which all lived on the bank of River Niger. Awogu said since the flooding of 2012 which left colosal damage on the people, River Niger had continued to overflow its bank every rainy season. “We gathered that this regular flooding resulting from the overflow of River Niger will continue because of excess sand in the river which requires dredging. “Since the reason for the yearly flooding has been known, we appeal on the Federal Government to dredge the River Niger so as to put an end to the problem,” he said. Awogu said that 12 persons lost their lives due 2018 flooding in the area and commeded SEMA and NEMA teams for the sensitisation visit. Igwe Vincent Ijoma, the traditional ruler of Ochuche Umuodu Community of Ogbaru, corroborated the call for dredging of the river and said it was a  better step rather than spending huge sums of money through relief materials to flood victims. “When emergency happens more than once, it is no longer emergency and so government should find a permanent solution to it,”  he said. Mr Greg Okafor, Transition Committee Chairman, Ihiala Local Government Area, appealed to government to assist flood victims in Uli and Azia that were recently affected by flood. Okafor commended SEMA for its plan to establish 28 holding centres across the state in preparation for 2019 flooding. Mr Emeka Obinwa, Executive Assistant to Gov. Willie Obiano on SEMA (Media), said the visit was to alert residents of coastal communities in Anambra of impending flooding this year.He said  the state had holding centres numbering 28, located in Ihiala, Ogbaru, Anambra East, Ananmbra West, Awka North and Ayamelum Local Government Areas for flooding victims. Mr Fred Anusim, Co-ordinator of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South-East zone, said there was the need for local government areas  to set up Local Emergency Committee. Mr Kennedy Ekeh, another official of NEMA in a lecture entitled: “Flooding in Ananmbra; Causes, Impact and Management”, warned residents of the area to heed early warning to avoid loss of lives and important property. Ekeh told participants to constantly watch the rising river levels and relocate to safety area to avoid being victims of flooding. (NAN)

(FLOWERBUDNEWS)  The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) says it will deploy a robust Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to drive fundamental reforms that will transform the scheme into a result-oriented public institution.

The Executive Secretary,  Prof. Mohammed Sambo said this during when he visited the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe at the National Assembly complex, in Abuja.

Mr Ayo Osinlu Head, Media & Public Relations disclosed this in a statement, on Thursday in Abuja.

Osinlu said  Sambo, who assumed office on July 15, had continued to inspire internal and external support for the scheme, by series of consultations aimed at building consensus around the reforms.

Sambo, while intimating the senator of his reforms and strategy, said the deployment of ICT, would solve 80 per cent of unacceptable transparency challenges in the processes.

He added that such equipment would further afford the scheme the platforms for effective, real-time monitoring and evaluation.

“The process for the fundamental reforms will transform NHIS into a result-oriented public institution, well positioned for its mandate as a catalyst for socio-economic and human capital development.

“The reforms are anchored on the tripod of three-point Rebranding Agenda, including value reorientation, transparency and accountability, while accelerating the drive to achieving universal access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians,’’ sambo said.

He further highlighted ten action points from the white paper on Independent Fact Finding Panel, investigated during the recent crisis in the organisation as additional undertakings of government which aimed at repositioning the scheme.

This, he said, would particularly be in the areas of staff audit, financial management systems, procurement, internal audit and labour relations.

The NHIS Boss, however, requested the assistance of the senate committee on health, through legislative and advocacy engagements, for  ongoing efforts to rebrand and reposition NHIS to operate effectively as the nation’s healthcare delivery system.

In his remark, Oloriegbe congratulated the NHIS executive secretary, describing his appointment as critical for the agency and the nation especially at this time.

Oloriegbe said there was mounting pressure for practical and quick results from the organisation under the new leadership.

He, however, promised the consistent support of the committee and the 9th senate, which he described as “a better assembly that works for the people.”

Oloriegbe advised the NHIS boss to give immediate attention to challenges of the scheme, particularly in  areas of human resources, stakeholder interests and minimal coverage. (NAN)

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Benin Zonal Command, has taken into custody, a 62 years old cobbler, Chukwudi Agustine, for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl.

Mr Nduka Nwanwenne, the Benin Zonal Comnander, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, in Benin, that the victim who is a student, also helps her mother to sell  “Zobo”, a locally made beverage drink.

Nwanwenne said the suspect had purchased N50 worth of Zobo from the victim and gave her N500 note.

“The little girl, who had no change, agreed to come for her money after the day’s sales because she was familiar with the suspect and the environment.

“Two weeks later, the victim went back to the suspect’s shop to collect her money but she did not meet him there.

“She was however, directed by the suspect’s apprentice to his house. When she knocked at his door, the suspect dragged her in forcefully and defiled her.”

Nwanwenne said that the cry of the victim attracted the suspect’s neighbours who rescued her.

According to the zonal commander, “on realising that the law would catch up with him, the suspect allegedly tried to settle the victim’s mother with the sum of N50,000.

“He later reduced the settlement sum to N30,000 before he was apprehended by the men of the State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) who handed him over to NAPTIP,” he said.

Nwanwenne told NAN that the suspect, who hails from Ishiagu Community in Ohazaria Local Government Area of Ebonyi, had allegedly admitted to the crime as investigation was being concluded to charge him to court.

By georgina.bode

Paris:  France manager Didier Deschamps has called up Manchester City defender, Aymeric Laporte and Lille forward, Jonathan Ikone, who could both make their debuts in the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Albania and Andorra next month.

Laporte, 25, has been named on the bench for France before but has yet to make an appearance for the world champions.

It is a first call-up for 21-year-old Ikone, who has been named in the squad as a replacement for the injured Kylian Mbappe.

However, Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, Manchester United forward Anthony Martial and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tanguy Ndombele were all left out, due to injuries and fitness concerns.

There was also no place for World Cup winning defender Samuel Umtiti, who is yet to play for Barcelona this season.

France, who are currently top of Group H after four qualifiers, host Albania on Sept. 7 and Andorra three days later.(Reuters/NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Silas Nwoha

 

(FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Oyo State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), on Thursday, commended Gov. Seyi Makinde, over the prompt payment of Pensioners’ monthly allowance.

Chairman of the chapter, Mr Olusegun Abatan, who spoke in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday, described the governor “as God-sent”.

“I want to sincerely and most honestly tell you that we are indeed lucky to have Makinde as our governor.

“Just as in his campaign slogan; `new dawn has arrived in Oyo State’, pensioners are happy, workers are happy, everybody is feeling the impact of Makinde’s administration.

“Immediately after he was sworn-in, he dedicated his tenure salary to pensioners union, and he has not gone back on that promise as we get the alert of his monthly salary in the NUP account.

“He promised us that workers and pensioners will always get their salaries and allowances on the 25th of every month and he has been good to his words.

“Because 25th of this month fell on Sunday, Makinde paid workers and pensioners on Friday, 23rd, is he not God-sent? May God bless this man for us, he has put smiles back on our faces,” he said.

Abatan also revealed that retired primary school teachers in the state now received their full salaries as against the part-payment received under the last administration.

“Oyo State is a civil servants’ state, and we all depend on payment of salaries and allowances.

“Because Seyi pays early, market women are happy, artisans are happy, everyone is happy; we pray he continues like this.’’ (NAN)

By  evangeline.opara

Owerri:  Nigeria Customs Service in Owerri said it confiscated 16 exotic cars and other contraband with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N501.65 million in the last three months.

The Controller of the Zone, Mr Kayode Olusemire, said this while displaying the seized contraband to journalists at their Benin office on Thursday.

He said the 16 exotic cars included an armoured car.

Olusemire said other contraband included 4,338 50kg bags of foreign rice, 781 cartons of fake pharmaceutical drugs and 53 bales of used clothes.

He said that seven suspects were arrested in connection with the seized items.

Olusemire said that importation of contraband had negative effects on Nigerian econony, expressing regret that Nigerians were yet to key into the Federal Government’s policy on agriculture and directives on importation of goods.

“Despite efforts being made by the Federal Government, people are still bent on smuggling in goods and contraband into the country. But customs men are always ready; we are prepared to continue to fight the smugglers to a stand still.

“Nigeria has aerial land, our vegetation is green, we should have sufficient food if the people buy into the agricultural policy of the FG,” he said

Olusemire said that while the Customs Area Controllers (CACs) Roving Information team in the zone impounded the smuggled bags of rice, the Benin mobile patrol axis confiscated the state-of-the-art cars.

He listed the seized items as an Armoured Toyota Land Cruiser (2013 Model) with a duty paid value of N63,530 million, Toyota Hilux (2018 Model) worth N30.13 million, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado valued at N10.56 million and 781 cartons of Chakapacin Xtra tablets with duty paid of N39.50 million.

Other items impounded by the customs are three Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota Camry,  four Toyota Hilux, three Toyota Venza, four Matic MC 350 Mercedes Benz (2012 model) and none Toyota Privics Bus.

The seizures include 4.338 bags of 50kg foriegn rice in diffrent conveyor trucks.

The trucks and rice have duty paid value of N66.97 million and 53 bales of used clothes valued at N7.63 million.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the goods were concealed in plastic containers and non-contraband items

Olusemire expressed concern about the unabated tide of smuggling in the country in spite of government’s stringent measures.

He said the Customs Service would continue to evolve pragmatic and result-oriented strategies to neutralise the antics of the smugglers.

“Smuggling is an act of sabotage to the nation’s economy and we will not relent in our efforts to monitor and checkmate smugglers wherever they are, no matter the method they apply to achieve their goals.

“Our men are all over the place and we will never give them a breathing space because we are now better equipped, trained, mobilised and motivated to perform,” he said.

Olusemire said that the foriegn rice had expired and were unhealthy for human consumption due to long period of storage in their countries of production, while the pharmaceutical drugs had  no NAFDAC numbers.

He called on members of the public to always provide useful information about smugglers, their agents and collaborators to NCS for necessarily actions, saying the information would be handled confidentially.

NAN reports that Olusemire also appealed to business people to always buy cars from relaible dealers.

He also appealed to members of the public to always exercise patience with custom officers and allow them do their work whenever and whereever. (NAN)

 

(FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Owerri said it confiscated 16 exotic cars and other contraband with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N501.65 million in the last three months.

The Controller of the Zone, Mr Kayode Olusemire, said this while displaying the seized contraband to journalists at their Benin office on Thursday.

He said the 16 exotic cars included an armoured car.

Olusemire said other contraband included 4,338 50kg bags of foreign rice, 781 cartons of fake pharmaceutical drugs and 53 bales of used clothes.

He said that seven suspects were arrested in connection with the seized items.

Olusemire said that importation of contraband had negative effects on Nigerian econony, expressing regret that Nigerians were yet to key into the Federal Government’s policy on agriculture and directives on importation of goods.

“Despite efforts being made by the Federal Government, people are still bent on smuggling in goods and contraband into the country. But customs men are always ready; we are prepared to continue to fight the smugglers to a stand still.

“Nigeria has aerial land, our vegetation is green, we should have sufficient food if the people buy into the agricultural policy of the FG,” he said

Olusemire said that while the Customs Area Controllers (CACs) Roving Information team in the zone impounded the smuggled bags of rice, the Benin mobile patrol axis confiscated the state-of-the-art cars.

He listed the seized items as an Armoured Toyota Land Cruiser (2013 Model) with a duty paid value of N63,530 million, Toyota Hilux (2018 Model) worth N30.13 million, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado valued at N10.56 million and 781 cartons of Chakapacin Xtra tablets with duty paid of N39.50 million.

Other items impounded by the customs are three Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota Camry,  four Toyota Hilux, three Toyota Venza, four Matic MC 350 Mercedes Benz (2012 model) and none Toyota Privics Bus.

The seizures include 4.338 bags of 50kg foriegn rice in diffrent conveyor trucks.

The trucks and rice have duty paid value of N66.97 million and 53 bales of used clothes valued at N7.63 million.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the goods were concealed in plastic containers and non-contraband items

Olusemire expressed concern about the unabated tide of smuggling in the country in spite of government’s stringent measures.

He said the Customs Service would continue to evolve pragmatic and result-oriented strategies to neutralise the antics of the smugglers.

“Smuggling is an act of sabotage to the nation’s economy and we will not relent in our efforts to monitor and checkmate smugglers wherever they are, no matter the method they apply to achieve their goals.

“Our men are all over the place and we will never give them a breathing space because we are now better equipped, trained, mobilised and motivated to perform,” he said.

Olusemire said that the foriegn rice had expired and were unhealthy for human consumption due to long period of storage in their countries of production, while the pharmaceutical drugs had  no NAFDAC numbers.

He called on members of the public to always provide useful information about smugglers, their agents and collaborators to NCS for necessarily actions, saying the information would be handled confidentially.NAN