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  • JAMB Registrar bans parents from UTME venues

    The Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, has ordered all CBT Centres across the country not to allow parents/guardians into the registration hall again.
    A statement signed by JAMB Spokesman in Ilorin Office, Hassan Lawal, quoted  Oloyede as saying that the decision was made after inspecting some of the registration centres in Kwara, which were overcrowded.
    ”The registrar said it has been discovered that the parents/guardians are always a distraction to both candidates and the centres and at the same time, congesting the halls by not following the COVID – 19 protocols,” Oloyede was quoted as saying.
    Oloyede also advised  parents/guardians to stop pushing the education of their wards faster than necessary.
    “For example a 14 or 15-year-old is not matured enough to undergo the process of registration and university pressure and are vulnerable to exploitation by scammers out there,”  he said.
    Oloyede also advised states Ministries of Education and relevant stakeholders who were saddled with the responsibility of enrollment of students into secondary schools to always ascertain the students’ true age before admittance into secondary schools.
    (NAN)

  • Lagos govt, police order street beggars, traders to leave state

    The Lagos government has ordered street beggars and traders to leave the state.

    A Special Task Force has been established. The authorities say criminals hide under such acts to attack motorists and residents.

    Commissioners for Youth and Social Development, Olusegun Dawodu; Information, Gbenga Omotoso; Police, Hakeem Odumosu addressed a joint briefing at Alausa.

    Dawodu explained that the task force became necessary to sanitise the society and restore the dignity of beggars and hawkers.

    The special team will commence operations next week to stop those using dangerous weapons to assault and rob people after disguising.

    The government will deploy human and material resources towards enlightenment and sensitisation.

    Dawodu said it was high time the laws of Lagos are enforced for sanity to reign.

    He advised individuals and companies to donate to registered homes, orphanages, rehabilitation and faith-based organisations instead of roadside alms seekers.

    “Street begging is a social vice that we cannot afford to watch until it attains an uncontrollable level. Otherwise, all the good plans and programmes would be adversely affected. The same goes for street hawking.

    “This has become big business. Our investigation revealed that beggars and hawkers are transported regularly from other parts of the country to Lagos with the sole aim of doing this odious business.”

    In his remarks, Odumosu declared that the era of condoning trading and alms begging on Lagos roads was over.d

     

    DAILYPOST

  • Institute boss urges govts to revamp health sector

    By Flowerbud News

    Oct. 10, 2021

    The Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN), on Sunday,  urged government at all levels to  evolve more efficient measures that would revamp Nigeria’s  health sector.

    The institute’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Patrick Dakum told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the health sector has yet to be transformed, 61 years after the nation gained independence from Britain.

    According to him, health development and human development are measured in terms of longevity of lives.

    “Longevity of life is related to wellbeing, health promotion, death prevention and treatment, “he said.

    Dakum said that Nigeria has yet to achieve much success in the areas of mortality and morbidity.

    “Compare to other countries, Nigeria still has high infant and maternal mortality rates; high burden of tuberculosis and HIV, as well as high burden of non-communicable diseases.

    “In terms of human resources for health, we are losing rather than gaining. We should ensure that the number of physicians and nurses should match our increasing population.

    “We are still lagging in terms of the available number of doctors, nurses, pharmacists,” he said.

    Dakum said that to address health workers` incessant strikes, governments should always provide for  their welfare,  as well as meet their demands.

    “You don’t expect someone spending his life exposed to infections and all hazards not to be treated well. You see the numbers of health workers that died of COVID-19.

    “All these require that they are not just paid their salaries but also provided with insurance and hazards cover.

    “Many doctors are leaving the country today, not (only) because of the (poor) salaries.

    “How can I be trained as a surgeon and then come to the hospital, the theatre is not working, the equipment are not functioning.

    “If we are committed to healthcare, we must be committed to it in its totality, “he said.

    Dakum said that it was imperative for governments to properly fund health institutions and facilities, starting from the primary to tertiary hospitals.

    He said that doctors were willing to work in Nigeria and called for the revamping of the nation’s health institutions.

    Dakum, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, however, commended Nigeria’s response to COVID-19.

    According to him, Nigeria has done well in its swift response to the pandemic.

    “I have been to several countries and I have seen what the responses are.

    “The Presidential Steering Committee headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, has done a great job.

    “The Director, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, did so well that he has now moved on to the WHO.

    “The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) is now doing a great job in terms of raising awareness for the nation.

    “We also came out with vaccination policy that will help not only the COVID-19 but other infectious diseases in the country.

    “While we are doing well, let us take the attention we mounted on this and apply it to the other areas of the health sector and the economy.”

    The public health physician also advised Nigerians, who have yet to take COVID-19 vaccine, to do so, pointing out  that the vaccines was safe.

    Dakum advised Nigerians not to listen to conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 vaccines.

    “My advice is to say that if it is unsafe, I will not take it. I have taken the two doses and if the guideline comes up that we need to take the third dose, I will take it.

    “I believe that the vaccines are all safe. When we say safe, we mean the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

    “Even the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has already made statement on this and I am re-echoing it that please, go and take the COVID-19 vaccine,”

    NAN

  • BREAKING: EFCC arrests ex-Abia gov, detains him, son in Abuja

    BREAKING: EFCC arrests ex-Abia gov, detains him, son in Abuja

    A former governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    Orji, who is a sitting Senator was arrested on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while trying to board a flight.

    Operatives of the anti-graft agency took him straight to their headquarters in Abuja for questioning.

    Following his arrest, Orji’s son, Chinedu turned himself in after he learnt of his father’s arrest.

    Chinedu, who is the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly is currently detained and undergoing questioning.

    The former governor, alongside his two sons, Chinedu and Ogbonna, have been under EFCC radar over alleged misappropriation of public funds and money laundering.

    Orji was accused of allegedly receiving N500 million monthly as a security vote for eight years as governor between 2007 and 2015.

    Other allegations against him concerned the alleged mismanagement of N2 billion Ecological Fund and the mismanagement of Sure-P funds.

    EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the detention of the former governor and his Speaker son. Mr Uwujaren, however, declined further comments.

  • CAC partners Pakistani investors on economic diversification

    By Flowerbud News

    Dec. 05, 2021

    The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has established partnership with Pakistani investors as part of the Commission’s efforts to attract more foreign investments into Nigeria.

    CAC Head of Media, Rasheed Mahe, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that in pursuance of this CAC has provided a platform to acquaint Pakistani investors with the provisions of CAMA, 2020.

    CAMA is the Companies and Allied Matters Act, of 2020 signed into law by President Muhammadu on Jan. 7,2020, while its implementation started on Jan. 3.

    It is the law that set up CAC in 1990 but was modified and re-enacted 30 years after and became a law after Buhari’s assent

    CAC Registrar-General, Alhaji Garba Abubakar reiterated that CAC would intensify efforts to help Nigeria pursue economic diversification and woo foreign investors.

    “In pursuance of the national economic objectives, CAC, on the invitation of the Pakistan High Commission in Nigeria, actively participated at the just concluded 2nd Pakistan Africa Trade Development Conference & Single Country Exhibition held in Lagos.

    “The 3-day event, which was declared opened by the Lagos  State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu had in attendance the Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment Otunba Niyi Adebayo, the High Commissioner of Pakistan in Nigeria, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye and members of the diplomatic corps amongst others.”

    Mahe stated that the event, which witnessed the presence of Pakistani business community, also drew over 100 exhibitors.

    He said that the 3-day event was aimed at unveiling to the Pakistani business community the huge investment opportunities in Nigeria to enable them leverage on, and to also exhibit their products and services.

    Some of the participants who spoke at the event described the interface with their Nigerian counterparts as highly beneficial, and pledged to utilize the opportunity provided by the forum.

    No fewer than 30 new exhibitors indicated their readiness to set up their companies in Nigeria after interacting with the CAC officials.

    NAN

  • Reps task institute on proper packaging of Nigerian herbal medicines

    By EricJames Ochigbo

    Abuja:  The House of Representatives has charged the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT) to ensure proper packaging for local herbal medicines.

     

    Rep. Solomon Maren, a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology

    said this on Friday when the management of NARICT appeared before the committee for 2022 budget defence in Abuja.

     

    He said that research had shown that herbal medicines in other countries were not better than those produced in Nigeria.

     

    “All other herbal medicines that come from all over the world through the borders are not more efficient in treatment than the ones produced in Nigeria.

     

    “But if you look at the way and manner they are packaged, even if they will not do the work, people will buy and somehow psychologically, some get results.

     

    “In think there is a need for you to commission a very special company that is into packaging to help you package some of the things you produce, this is the only way you can breakthrough,’’ he said.

     

    Earlier, the Director General of the institute, Prof. Jeffery Barminas said that the institute had developed several products including hand sanitisers for prevention against COVID-19 infection.

     

    He said that the institute was under-staffed and called on the committee to use its powers to allow the institute to employ new staff.

     

    “We have 13 products as at today, four already have NAFDAC recognition and we are moving into the first stage of clinical trials.

     

    “The last time we employed new staff was in 2018 so we want to appeal to the committee to talk to those in charge to enable us to employ,’’ he said.

     

    Barminas said that in 2021, N900 million was budgeted for the agency’s operation of which N744 million has been release and was spread over 65 projects.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

  • Seme Customs intercepts tramadol valued N1.4bn concealed in container

    Comptroller Bello Jibo, displaying the tramadol concealed inside diapers in Seme.

    Suspected tramadol concealed inside diapers.
    By Raji Rasak
    Badagry (Lagos State):.  The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command, says it has intercepted some items suspected to be tramadol capsules concealed with packaged jumbo size adult diapers in a container.
    The items have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,447,297,050 only.
    Mr Hussain Abdulahi, the Customs Public Relations Officer, in a statement in Seme, said the container number is MRKU 9090415.
    Abdullahi quoted the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bello Jibo, as saying the container was handed over to the Command on Nov. 15, by the Republic of Benin Authorities under transit to Nigeria.
    Jibo said that the container came under the watch of officers of the Command as no importer or his representative have come forward to continue the process of clearance procedure.
    “On the Dec. 20, Seme Customs Service invited other security agencies and stakeholders to witness the examination of the said container.
    “The items discovered during 100 per cent examination are 200 packages of adult diapers, 100 cartoons of Gabadol 120mg suspected to be tramadol equivalent to 360kg.
    “The diapers were smartly arranged at the front of the container while the drugs were was the back.
     “I directed that samples be taken out officially and handed over to National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ascertain and confirm the drugs,” he said.
    The controller said that the command had initiated a full-scale investigation with a view to fishing out those involved in the illicit importation.
    He warned the perpetrators of unlawful activities to avoid the command or meet their Waterloo.
    According to Jibo, officers and men of the Command are not losing guards at ensuring that smuggling under any guise is brought to the barest minimum.
    The controller said facilitation of legitimate trade remains cardinal objectives of the command. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews
  • NASS sets N3trn revenue target for agencies in 2022

    NASS sets N3trn revenue target for agencies in 2022

    By Kingsley Okoye

    President of the Senate,  Ahmad Lawan, on Monday said revenue generating agencies of the Federal Government were capable of generating N3 trillion  annually  if efforts were made to ensure prudent spending.

    Lawan made this known in Abuja when he declared open an interactive session on the need to improve internally generated revenue of the Federal Government of and Revenue Projections of the agencies as stipulated in the Appropriation Act 2020.

    The meeting was between the senate leadership, members of the Senate Committee on Finance and revenue generating agencies of government.

    Lawan said the purpose of the meeting was to explore means of increasing government revenues.

    He said the National Assembly would be strict on increased revenue, cut down on the country’s budget deficits and borrowings, and prevent wasteful expenditures by agencies of government.

    He said senate would provide the needed support via legislation to ensure that revenue agencies meet and surpass their targets.

    “In 2022, National Assembly assumed and rightly so, that our government owned enterprises can generate up to N3 trillion if we are of the mindset that we can achieve that and, of course, ensure that we oversight to stall any possibility of unwarranted expenditures by agencies of government.

    “But that does not mean in any way that it is going to be some kind of investigation on what you do, but an encouragement of what you need to do.

    “In this meeting and subsequent ones, there should be no holds barred on discussions.

    “Where an agency feels it is encumbered in any way from achieving its target, it should say so, so that we are able to prescribe the right solutions for it to perform.

    “As a National Assembly, let me say that the Senate particularly will be stiff on generating more and more revenue.

    “We will be rigid, we will continue to insist, because we believe that this is one sure and guaranteed way of reducing our deficit and borrowing,” he said.

    Lawan explained that the drive by the senate for more revenues to the coffers of government would enhance the economy and facilitate infrastructure development.

    “This committee is modified, because the leaders of the senate believe that we can do far better and we have seen signs when last year some of the agencies performed beyond expectation.

    “So, it is an opportunity for us to save and enhance our economy and, of course, make Nigeria achieve more infrastructural development which is the goal of this administration and every Nigerian.

    “We believe that when you (revenue agencies) generate the money, we (National Assembly) appropriate it.

    “Prudence is of essence here, when we spend our money. And when we borrow, like the National Assembly has always tried to do, we borrow to treat specific projects and programmes of government,” he said.

    The Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Sen. Solomon Adeola, in his remarks decried insufficient funds for implementation of projects captured in the 2022 budget of the Federal Government.

    He explained that the funds were derived partly from the revenue generated by the government owned enterprises and other independent revenues sources.

    “There is an urgent need for all hands to be on deck on revenue generation for government, and prevent misuse and leakages of such revenues for frivolous purposes not sanctioned by the laws of the National Assembly,” he said.

    Adeola advised that for government to reduce and eliminate deficit budgeting associated with the nation’s budget over the years, effort must be made to minimise borrowing to fund projects.

    Revenue agencies present at the interactive session include: National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency, Nigerian Postal Service, Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Nigeria Customs Service.

    Others were: the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Prisons Service, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS).

    Also present were the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Energy Commission of Nigerians, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.

    NAN

  • World Immunisation Week: Enugu Govt embarks on massive awareness creation on vaccination

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu:  The Enugu State Government says it has commenced massive sensitisation and awareness of the residents of the state on the numerous benefits in actively participating in vaccination.

    Dr George Ugwu, the Executive Secretary of Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), disclosed this at a press briefing to commemorate the World Immunisation Week in the state on Friday in Enugu.

    The theme of 2022 World Immunisation Week is: ‘Long Life for All”.

    Ugwu said that the Agency, its parent ministry, health development partners and others had embarked on far-reaching awareness using various avenues to propagate the “good gospel of vaccination acceptance and its overwhelming benefits to the health of all”.

    He said that the Agency and its partners had embarked on road shows to sensitise residents on benefits of vaccination.

    The executive secretary also revealed that the Agency have done advocacy visits to strategic traditional/community leaders and taken slots in the mass media (radio and television) to herald numerous benefits of vaccination.

    He said: “The essence of this statewide and multiple platforms sensitization is meant to reawaken the consciousness of the residents to the benefits of subscribing to the numerous vaccination programmes ongoing in the state.

    “Vaccination or immunization remains the most cost effective way of ensuring health for all and long life for all.

    “It is also the ideal way for effective disease prevention and reducing the overall health burden of the state, community and family.

    “It is effective, safe and secured; while we have trained and retrained health workers that are professionals in administering these vaccines.

    “We also receive the vaccine in a safe way, highly regulated by NAFDAC, have high-power solar refrigerators to store them and have ideal vaccine cool-packs to move them to all nooks and crannies during the period of mass vaccination in the state”.

    The executive secretary lauded Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for supporting the Agency all the way leading to resounding successes in all its vaccination programmes and “the Agency not missing any intervention or routine vaccination exercise in the country and state”.

    “We have got tremendous support from our health loving governor for all our vaccination programmes. While recently in March, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) sent the governor a commendation letter for a huge success of February vaccination.

    According to him, apart from the routine mobile immunisation; the over 600 immunisation points in the state had been running without hitch and fulfilling the vaccination needs of residents even to the remotest neighbourhood in the state.

    “The state has been able to ensure that its routine vaccination is ongoing; helped to kick out polio as well as ensuring regular suspected outbreak responses so that we continue to remain polio-free in the country and state.

    “We have successfully added more vaccines in the number of our routine vaccines, which includes Meningitis A vaccine and 2nd dose measles vaccine to give additional and rounded protection to all children within the state.

    “On March, 2021, we rolled out COVID-19 vaccination and we are pushing ahead with it without hitch and the vaccine do not any adverse effect on any one in the state,” he said.

    Ugwu thanked the NPHCDA, UNICEF, WHO, state ministry of Education, traditional/community leaders, the media, parents, mothers and caregivers for the support given to ENS-PHCDA that had ensured continued vaccination successes in the state.

    The World Immunisation Week started on April 24 and would run to April 30. The ENSPHCDA is planning to further extend it massive awareness on vaccination to additional two weeks. (Flowerbudnews)