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The Kogi Government has renewed its resolve to end preventable maternal, newborn and child death in the state.
Dr Saka Audu, the state Commissioner for Health, made this known on Monday in Lokoja.
He fielded questions after a weeklong Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), a week designed to offer free healthcare service for women and children under the age of five years across the state.
Audu said that the maternal, newborn and child healthcare had taken centre stage in the Kogi Health Sector since the advent of Gov. Yahaya Bello’s administration with numerous healthcare programmes.
According to him, the healthcare programmes includes Health Care Plus, Bello Health Intervention and MNCHW, which are delivering uninterrupted, free, high-impact and life-saving interventions to the door step of every Kogite.
“A week full of MNCH high-impact/Low-Cost interventions being implemented by Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA).
“The interventions are Vitamin A supplements, family planning with reliable contraception, deworming, penta vaccination and provision of free ORS for the treatment of diarrhoea.
“Others are Exclusive Breastfeeding facilitation, ANC – Iron-Folate supplementation, intermittent malaria prevention with free SP for pregnant women, free HIV counselling and testing (HCT).
“Free Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to pregnant, lactating women and children under-five years, health education on key household practices, and birth registration, among others,” he said.
The commissioner stressed that Vitamin A supplementation had shown to have preventive effects on all-cause and disease specified deaths in children under five years, reduces all-cause neonatal mortality by 12 per cent and reduces all-cause mortality by 25 per cent.
“In developing countries like ours, 15 per cent of maternal deaths would be averted if women aged between 15 and 49 years who want no more children, had access to reliable contraception.
“Deworming of children twice a year reduces anaemia and improves cognitive development.
“Penta vaccination has 17 per cent chances of reducing infant mortality; about 30,000 child death would be averted yearly.
“Free distribution of ORT has the potential of reducing death due to diarrhoea or related diseases by 50 per cent, which kill 1.2 million children annually worldwide; and majority of these deaths occur in the first two years of their lives.
“Exclusive breastfeeding that is usually taught during the MNCHW can help reduce child mortality by 15 per cent,” Audu explained.
NAN recalls that the MNCHW commenced on July 15 and ended on July 20 across the state.
He restated that the governor had an uncommon determination to end preventable maternal and child death, noting that he had assented to the Maternal and Prenatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) bill.
He said that the MPDSR Bill had now criminalised deliberate refusal to report maternal death and refusal to take action when such a case was reported.
“Offenders will be liable to six months imprisonment or N100,000 fine or both,” Audu said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says political actions of some members of houses of assembly in Bauchi State and Edo in the inauguration of the assemblies are undemocratic.

APC National Publicity Secretary Lanre Issa-Onilu said the party would never allow such developments again and the impunity the actors enjoyed.

He spoke to journalists in Abuja on Sunday night, noting that “it is a shame that APC controlled state would be involved in such acts with impunity.

“I want to refocus the public through the media on what the issues are and there is one common issue for both Bauchi State and Edo — the improper inauguration of the houses of assembly.

“In Bauchi with 31 members of House of Assembly, no fewer than 11 members convened and purportedly inaugurated the House of Assembly; that is taking us back.

“In Edo, you have a situation where you have nine members, some of them in knickers, who convened and claimed to have inaugurated the House of Assembly’’.

He noted that APC ought to have dealt with issues in Bauchi State and Edo all together if not that Bauchi State is controlled by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The All Progressive Congress (APC), Sokoto State Chapter, on Sunday called on the expelled APC North West Vice Chairman, Mr Inuwa Abdulkadir, to resign from all Federal Government positions he is currently occupying.

A statement signed by the party’s State Chairman, Alhaji Sadiq Achida and made available to newsmen in Sokoto, said Abdulkadir should follow the path of honour and resign from all such positions.

Achida commended the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adam’s Oshiomhole and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for adopting resolutions of the party at Ward, State and Fedetal levels to expel Abdulkadir from the party.

“The effort will surely assist in ensuring that we uphold the spirit of fair play and justice among party members.

” This action will further enhance cohesion and unity at all levels of party hierarchy.

” The development is also significant, because it will further strengthen rules and justice, and that one should only reap where he sows” Achida said.

He said the expulsion of Abdulkadir was a huge relief to APC loyalists in Sokoto state.

Abdulkadir was expelled from the APC for anti party activities, sabotage and disloyalty.

Achida explained that the former officer failed to live up to the expectations of his exalted office and therefore deserved the action.

” The action of our national headquarters has also added another feather of honor to the party, for having a listening leadership that carries its various state chapters along in all its affairs.

” We want to take this opportunity to call on Abdulkadir to take this development in good faith and regard it as reward for his actions  or inactions.

“We further request that he follow the path of honor by resigning from all federal appointments which he got by virtue of his election into the NWC of the party.

” We are convinced that his continued stay in offices such NAFDAC Governing Board and others will be another chance for him to further sabotage activities and programs of the Federal Government,” he said.

According to him, Abdulkadir now has ample time to attend to the many offices given to him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that APC in Sokoto State had  passed a vote of no confidence on Abdulkadir.

The resolution started from the APC executives of Magajin Gari ‘A’ Ward in Sokoto, followed by Sokoto North Local Government, State party leadership and party representatives in the State and Federal legislatures. (NAN)

Mr Alhassan Yahaya, Zone E Vice-President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has advised past leaders in the country to desist from making utterances that could threaten peace and unity in the country.

Yahaya gave the advice in an interview on Monday in Gombe on the security challenges in the country.

“It is not time for politics. Election is over; let’s try as much as possible to unite as one country to develop Nigeria.

“Now that election is over, national interest and citizens’ welfare should be top priority.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us and until we keep sentiments, religious and ethnicity aside, only then will we move forward and experience development as one united country.

“Based on our constitution, everyone has the right of freedom of speech but we must speak within the provisions of the constitution and not to speak to create chaos or tension within the country,’’ he said.

Yahaya charged security personnel to monitor and arrest anyone guilty of hate speech that could incite violence.

Similarly, Mr Victor Alkali, the immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gombe State chapter, said the security of the country was a collective responsibility and not an individual task.

Alkali stressed that for the country to enjoy peace, everyone including traditional institutions must be involved.

“Leaders must not be sentimental or biase, there should be collective condemnation of all negative acts.

“If our leaders can be nationalistic, we would have fewer problems in the country and our unity as a people would be easily protected for sustenance of peace,’’ Alkali added.

The State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia has said that there is no faction in the party at the state and national levels.
The SWC, led by Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, said this at a news briefing in Umuahia on Saturday, while reacting to a media report insinuating that the party had split into two factions.
It contended that contrary to the media report, “APGA has only one recognised SWC in Abia, under the able leadership of Ehiemere.”
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Ehiemere-led state executive committee (EXCO) on July 15 suspended the 2015 and 2019 Governorship Candidate of the party, Dr Alex Otti, and expelled one Mr Nkem Okoro, from the party for alleged anti-party activities.
Okoro was said to have emerged as the chairman from a parallel congress organised by a faction of the party loyal to Otti.
Mr Ebere Uzoukwa, the Publicity Secretary of the Okoro-led faction, in a swift reaction to Otti’s suspension, said that Ehiemere-led EXCO lacked the power to suspend or expel any member of the party.
Uzoukwa claimed in his media interview in Umuahia that Ehiemere’s EXCO was replaced by Okoro’s new state executive.
In the SWC’s reaction to Uzoukwa’s claim read by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Nkoro, it said that “it is doubtful, if Uzoukwa is even a member of APGA.”
It pointed out that Uzoukwa’s name could not be found in the party’s register.
The SWC also took exception to the alleged efforts by Uzoukwa to portray the party in bad light in the media, saying, “his determination to malign the character and image of the party and its leadership is becoming a pattern.”
The committee expressed its determination and commitment to enforce discipline on any erring member of the party, no matter how highly placed.
It said that the party would no longer tolerate illegal and unconstitutional conduct as well as acts of insubordination by members to the party leadership at all levels.
It denied the allegation that it was colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party in the state “to frustrate Otti’s petition,” challenging the declaration of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu as the winner of the 2019 poll.
NAN further recalls that the party produced two national EXCOs on from two parallel conventions on June 1, with Dr. Ike Oye and Mr Edozie Njoku, as chairmen respectively.
In Abia, while Ehiemere-led EXCO is loyal to a former governorship aspirant of the party, Chief Chikwe Udensi and Oye’s leadership, Okoro’s group remains loyal to Otti and Njoku’s faction. (NAN)
LEO/USO

States and local government councils in the South West are putting in place structures to ensure financial autonomy for the third tier of government in line with the directive by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) across South West and Kwara state indicated that efforts were being made by the local government councils to open separate accounts from the contentious joint accounts.
Mr Busola Adeyeni, the Chairman of Ife East Local Government Area (LGA) of Osun, said that the state and local government councils in the state are already working on the process of separating their accounts.
Adeyeni said the process of separating the accounts also involves officials of the NFIU and some commercial banks.

He, however, said the process is more complicated than hitherto contemplated and could take time.
Adeyeni said the local councils are still operating accounts with the State
Governments pending the conclusion of the process.

Corroborating, Mr Adebisi Adejare, the Supervisory Head of Local
Government Councils in the state, said the state would not be left out in granting
autonomy to the local councils.

He urged council chairmen to look inward on how they could generate
more money in order to attain complete financial autonomy.

Adejare , however,  said autonomy could only be  effective when
local government councils look inwards on how to get more Internally
Generated Revenue(IGR) without solely relying on federal allocation.

” The effectiveness of financial autonomy will go a long way in
ensuring that people at the grassroots enjoy the dividends of
democracy,” Adejare said.

Similarly, Prof. Olajide Bamisayemi,  the Head of Political Science
Department,  Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said granting
financial autonomy to local government councils would boost socio-economic
development at the grassroots.

Bamisayemi said if well maintained, the impact would have positive
effect on people at the grassroots level.

He said autonomy would also erase the popular belief that local
councils were just mere extension of State Governments.

” The prevailing situation where local government councils are being hijacked
by the state governments is not constitutional.

“So if financial autonomy is not just a mere pronouncement, then
financial autonomy will give chairmen freedom to execute projects
that will be of benefit to the people.

” I will appeal to the Federal Government to expedite action on financial autonomy for the people to enjoy the dividends of democracy at the grassroots level,” he said.

Mr Bola Taiwo, the President of the Ondo state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE),  on his part, said that the state had totally complied with the directive on financial autonomy for local government councils.
Taiwo added that Gov. Rotimí Akeredolu had never tampered with local government funds even before the directive.

“Before the directive on financial autonomy, we had a governor that did not even tamper with our money.

“He asked ALGON to cooperate with NULGE so that workers’ salaries and
welfare would be catered for.

“Whenever Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC) receives any
fund, he would insist that salaries must be paid before anything
because he believes that labour must earn wages,” the labour leader
said.

According to him,  local government councils in the state have different bank
accounts although the state government still operates a joint account with the local
government councils”because it is constitutional.”

“JAAC is a constitutional issue which nobody can tamper with except the law
is amended,” he said.

In Kwara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Local Government, Dr Abibat
Katibi, said the state government had complied with the NFIU directive on
local government autonomy.

She said that that all the local government councils in the state are now
operating separate accounts.

“Each local government council in the state has its own separate account since
the directive was given by federal government; from June 2, they
have access to their money,” she said.

She said the state government had been in support of local government council’s
autonomy while the state House of Assembly had been in the forefront of the campaign.

Alhaji AbdulYekeen Mahmud,  a veteran local government administrator,
however, urged the federal government to set up a special fiscal committee to monitor the activities of the 774 local government councils in the country.

Mahmud, who had served in several local government councils in Kwara
as Director of Personnel Management, said that financial experts
and seasoned administrators in the committee should monitor the
activities of the local councils to achieve the desired result.

“The problem of financial crime and misappropriation of fund is
similar in all the 774 local government councils in Nigeria.

” The committee should be put in place to monitor the local councils’
monthly fund in order to ensure effective usage, ” Mahmud said.

He observed that the financial autonomy granted to local government
councils in the past failed because of lack sincerity on the part of
operators of the local councils.

In Ekiti state where there are Coordinating Directors for local government councils
instead of elected chairmen, the process of implementing the NFIU
directive is unclear.

Many of the Coordinating Directors confirmed that though the new policy is yet to commence in the state, the state government has not been deducting money from their allocation.

The Coordinating Director of Ikole local government council, Mr
Olatunbosun Fasanmi, clarified that though the council is still
operating joint account, separate accounts have been opened for monthly
allocations.

Also speaking, the Coordinating Director of Oye local government
council, Mr Ayodeji Aluko, said that the issue of financial
autonomy is a constitutional matter that needed proper documentation
before it could be implemented in the state.

Similarly, the Coordinating Director of Ido-Osi local government
council, Mr Akinola Adebayo, said his council was equally enjoying ”
relative” financial autonomy with management initiating projects
without recourse to the state government.

In their separate comments, the Coordinating Directors of Ilejemeje
and Moba local government councils respectively, Mr Williams Adeola
and Mrs Toba Ojo, corroborated their colleagues, saying Ekiti
government had never interfered with councils’ budget.

The state’s Chairman of NULGE, Mr Bunmi Ajimoko, also said there
had been no report of mistrust between the state government and the local councils.

The situation in Oyo is also unclear with the dissolution of the 33
local governments councils and 35 Local Council Development
Areas(LCDAs) in the state by the Gov. Seyi Makinde’s administration.

The chairmen and councillors were elected on May 12, 2018 with their tenure expiring on May 12, 2021 in line with their contitutional three-year term.

But the governor on his assumption of office announced their dissolution in spite
of a pending court injunction restraining the state government from the
dissolution.

Mr Moshood Erubami, the President of Nigeria Voters Assembly(VOTAS),
said that a valid election was conducted into the 33 local governments
and 35 LCDAs in 2018.

Erubami, who is also the Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights
and Ethics in Development(CHRED), said the councils are expected to
have opened separate accounts by now.

“By now all the heads of local government councils must have been contacted on
the new accounts since the system commenced in June 2019 and June
allocation has been paid,” he said

He added that the new governor in the state had in June dissolved the
councils, denying them access to the accounts.

Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, the state’s Chairman, Association of Local
Governments of Nigeria(ALGON), however, said the local councils
were still awaiting NFIU directives.

He insisted that all local government councils in the state still have
democratically elected chairmen since May 12, 2018.

“We are still operating as local government chairmen, but awaiting the
NFIU directive to be fully compliant,” he said.

But Mr Ramon Olatunde, the Head of Administration in Atiba Local
Government Area, said that the state government had frozen all
the local councils accounts although money was released for June
salary.

Olatunde also said local government councils had yet to have their own
separate accounts except the joint accounts with the state government.

In Ogun, the affairs of the 20 local government councils and the 37
LCDAs are also currently being directed by Heads of Local Government
Administration in the state.

The development followed the suspension of all the local council chairmen in
June by the state House of Assembly over allegations of financial
impropriety.

The state/local government joint accounts were also frozen by Gov.
Dapo Abiodun pending investigation of the allegations.

Some of the chairmen, who spoke on condition of anonymity,
confirmed that the accounts had remained frozen since the suspension.

The chairmen in separate interviews said the accounts were not closed
but only suspended.

The state Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council, Mr Abayomi Arabambi,
however, insisted in an interview that the state government had not complied with the directive of the NFIU.

Arabambi, who called for more effective monitoring of the affairs of
the local government councils by NFIU, canvassed for prosecution of state
governors who undermine the financial autonomy that the federal
government had facilitated for the councils. (NAN)

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday held consultations with the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, as well as other monarchs in Ogun.

The consultations were on the way out of the security challenges currently confronting Nigeria.

Osinbajo was accompanied to the palace of Ajayi by Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun.

The vice president, who fielded questions from newsmen after the meeting, said the meeting was on the instruction of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“As you know, there are many significant security concerns all over the country, and there are concerns also in the Southwest.

“So, I am here on the instruction of the president to consult with the traditional ruler, the governor and others on what to do to beef up security and to generally improve the security architecture.

“Of course, you know that Kabiyesi is not just a traditional ruler, but a very important part of the government.

“That is why we are here; to talk to him and agree on few modalities for beefing up security; and ensuring that we are fully conscious of all that is going on, just to be sure that peace and security reigns here and across the country.

“I think for all of us, the most important thing to realise is that we are one Nigeria; we are one country; we need to work together to ensure that it is peaceful, secured and happy for all of us,’’ he said.

He noted that Nigeria had the potential to give its citizens all they desired.

Osinbajo, however, said that some people were working against the interest of the country by trying to cause instability.

He expressed optimism that by God’s grace, Nigeria would overcome all its problems and set itself on the path of peace and prosperity.

The vice president, in company of Abiodun, then proceeded to Ijebu Ode, where he also held a private meeting with the Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

Speaking with newsmen after, Osinbajo said that Awujale was one of the most important voices in the Southwest.

He said they had discussed on the very important steps to take in order to improve the security architecture generally.

According to him, the monarch has given a lot of insight; his own views, on what needs to be done, how to go about it; and what has been done already.

“But very importantly, it is his commitment to ensuring that there is peace and security, and that everybody lives in peace with one another and maintains the highest level of security.

“We are consulting with many of the traditional rulers across the country, but there are concerns in the Southwest now.

“I will be in Osun on Tuesday; we are going to go round to see the Alake, the Oni and other traditional rulers, and primarily, they themselves want to participate in improving the security architecture.

“The President has spoken about the role of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and security in their own localities.

“As we know, they are the closest to the grassroots; the closest to their communities.

“One of the critical things we expect with our community policing efforts is some integration between the traditional rulers, the community and police; and efforts they are making to improve intelligence; and we need to understand what is going on.

“We need to know who is where and what exactly is happening all around so they can be transmitted to the more formal security agencies such as the police and the army, depending on where and what the situation is,” he said.

The vice president had earlier attended the installation of 90-year-old Chief Emmanuel Osibona as the Father of the Church, ‘Baba Ijo’, of Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne, Ogun, his hometown. (NAN)