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By Flowerbudnews

Enugu:  The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has lauded Sen. Tony Nwoye, Sen. Victor Umeh and Rep. Afam Ogene for providing palliatives and relief items for their constituents and people living in Anambra recently.

The Chairman of CLO in Anambra, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, told newsmen in Enugu on Monday that it was gratifying that Nwoye representing Anambra North Senatorial Zone presented humongous palliatives to his constituents few days ago.

 

Ezekwueme said that the humongous palliatives ranged from generators, grinding machines, sewing machines, and bags of rice etc as well as cash ranging between N10,000 and N50,000 to more than 1,400 persons.

 

According to him, we were overwhelmed and humbled when the distinguished Senator, Dr Tony Nwoye, stated that he personally provided them and not from the Federal Government.

 

He said: “We commend him and still expect him to also access Federal Government palliatives to enable more citizens to benefit.

 

“We similarly thank distinguished Senator, Dr Victor Umeh, for his judicious and transparent disbursement of Federal Government palliatives for his Anambra Central Senatorial Zone.

 

“We also expect distribution of Solar Energy which is also part of Federal Government palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and hyper inflation in the country.

 

“We appeal to other members of the National Assembly to emulate them and commence disbursement of personal and Federal Government palliatives and relief items to ameliorate excruciating sufferings of the citizenry.”

 

The CLO boss equally thanked Rep. Afam Ogene, representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency for payment of NECO fees of 18 indigent students of Ogbaru High School, Ogbakuba.

 

In another development, the CLO also called on enforcement agents of the Anambra Government on illegal structures and decongestion of roads to apply kindness, wisdom, human face and empathy in discharging their duties.

 

Ezekwueme said: “Destruction of goods of petty traders in the name of decongesting the road at the present economic hardship is inhumane, anti-people, barbaric, wicked, most despicable and detestable.

 

“It is unbelievable that petty traders in Federal Housing, 3-3 and some other parts of Onitsha wake up crying and lamenting that they came and saw that their wares and properties were destroyed by the agents of the government.

 

“Government should relocate them by providing alternative conducive places of doing business as most of them are bread winners of their respective families and law abiding citizens.”

 

He noted that “we cannot solve a problem by creating worse problems”.

 

The CLO boss appealed to the government to commence training and retraining of its personnel responsible for road decongestion and other task forces to instill discipline, selflessness, patriotism, decorum and civility in them. (Flowerbudnews)

 

By Flowerbudnews

Enugu:  A social media influencer, Chibuike Ugwu, on Sunday apologised to the Enugu State Government over a false video accusing the government of wrongly demolishing completed houses at Enugu Centenary City.

Ugwu, popularly known as “Untouchable”, at the weekend made a false and malicious viral video claiming that the Enugu State Government was executing a massive demolition of completed houses at Enugu Lifestyle and Golf City, also known as Enugu Centenary City.

Sandwiched by his two other social media influencers and content creators, Ugwu told newsmen in Enugu that he was misinformed and had also acted out of emotions.

 

The social media influencer, who said he had already made and released an apology video, said: “information reaching me this morning was like I was even the one, who did not understand what was going on at Enugu Centenary City.

“They now explained to me what was happening and it is a very long matter. It is plenty, but I now know better.

 

“I wrongly accused our amiable Governor, His Excellency Dr Peter Mbah and I just want to beg him not to be angry.

 

“I was misinformed and I was also overwhelmed by fear and emotion. I thought about this property, being my only house, and I was propelled by emotions to do the first video.”

 

According to him, so, my people and fans, this is a quick disclaimer to my earlier video. My governor, I beg you, please forgive.

However, Ugwu’s apology vindicates the statement issued earlier on Saturday, by the Chairman, Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, Chief Uche Anya, disclaiming the video.

 

Contrary to the uninformed video claim, Anya had explained that the deadline given to property developers at the vast land located at Amechi Awkunanaw-Obeagu communities in October 2023 to regularise their properties had since expired.

 

He said that notwithstanding, ECTDA was yet to demolish any completed and or occupied property in order to allow developers elaborate time to present their title documents and building approvals.

 

The chairman, however, stressed the Authority would not succumb to what he described as blackmail in its determination to stamp out the activities of illegal property developers, land grabbers and protect the rights and interests of investors.

He said: “At ECTDA, we observe the rule of law.

“So, the Capital Territory Development Authority is determined to frustrate every attempt to illegally grab land or encroach on it, an act which could jeopardise investors’ interest in the state or dissuade them entirely.”(Flowerbudnews)

L-R:Capt.Wada, Governor Bello.Behind them is the Governor-elect,Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.

A former Governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Wada, on Saturday in Abuja, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Yahaya Bello, saying he could not but show his appreciation to the Governor for his notable achievements in the state, especially in the areas of security, healthcare, education and infrastructure.

 

He said his visit was specifically aimed at commending Governor Bello for his sterling stewardship since he assumed office in 2016 and to convey his best wishes for his future endeavours.

 

He also pledged his full support for the incoming administration in the state.

 

 

The incumbent and his predecessor also discussed state affairs, the challenges of governance at various levels, particularly within Kogi State, and broader security issues.

 

Governor Bello, while welcoming former Governor Wada to his Zone 4 residence, in Abuja, described him as an exemplary leader and a statesman of progressive qualities.

 

He acknowledged the challenges the former governor faced during his tenure and commended the diligent efforts made within the constraints of available resources, particularly given the unique political challenges of Kogi State.

 

Sir, I feel deeply honoured to host you in my house, and I want to express my gratitude for all you have done, both within and outside your time in office as governor. Those of us following your footsteps are proud of your statesmanship and exemplary leadership. Your humility, fear of God and progressive qualities are virtues everyone speaks of.

 

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“I pray that God continues to guide and protect you with good health. As you are aware, I will be handing over to the Governor-elect, Ahmed Usman Ododo, and the transition event is scheduled for next week Saturday. Ododo will need our support to succeed for the overall interest of the state. I want to thank you for this honour sir,” the Governor stated.

 

ONOGWU Muhammed,Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,resigned and made the statement to The Reporters.

 

By Biola Lawal
Abuja ( Flowerbudnews): The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and the Cross River State Government have agreed to work out a realistic modality to revive the moribund Tinapa Free Trade Zone owned by the state.

This agreement was reached when the new NEPZA Managing Director, Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi recently paid a courtesy visit on Gov. Bassey Otu in Calabar, Martins Odeh (PhD), Head Corporate Communications, NEPZA, disclosed in a statement on Sunday.

Ogunyemi, expressed delight on the state’s desire to revamp the unique free trade zone ostensibly established to service the entertainment industry.

“First, let me appreciate the excellent achievements already recorded by the Gov. Bassey Otu-led administration which will now holistically reposition the state for the attraction of investments and for industrialization.

“We have seen how the administration’s effort at preserving life and property in the state is yielding the desired result, including ensuring that Calabar is relisted among attractive spots for large scale business activity.

“On our part, NEPZA is prepared to extend expertise and cooperation to ensure that the desire of the administration to revamp the almost moribund Tinapa Free Trade Zone is realized.

”This will again help to lubricate the film industry in Nigeria,’’ Ogunyemi said.
The NEPZA Managing Director, however, urged the state government to upscale its interest and participation at the Calabar Free Trade Zone, adding that such involvement was vital to the overall promotion and preservation of the place.

He also solicited the state government’s intervention on the activities of unwanted tax operators in the state whose actions regularly impugn on the incentives the NEPZA Act had granted freezone operators and enterprises within the zones.

On his part, Gov. Otu, expressed delight on the visit of the NEPZA managing director, adding that the administration was opened for a more robust cooperation with the Authority.

The governor said no state government that was desirous of speedy growth through economic development would loosely identify with NEPZA, adding that Cross River State partnership with the Authority would become tighter and more meaningful henceforth.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, solicited NEPZA’s assistance and cooperation in order to revamp the Tinapa Free Trade Zone without further delay.

“The state has reconfigured the strategy for Tinapa and Obudu Cattle Ranch to meet up with global standards, competition, and for profitability.

”We therefore, urge the new NEPZA management, led by Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi to please review the accumulated unpaid Tinapa Licence Renewal fees. This gesture is needed to help direct our limited fund toward redeveloping the zone due to its vandalization during the “End Sars’’ national protest.

“Similarly, the peace, stability and functionality of the investors and the entire Calabar Free Trade Zone landscape is a priority for the state as we remain the first beneficiary of the end products from the zone. The state is also not unaware of the employment opportunities for the zone provides for the locals.

“It is on this note, that I profoundly thank the President, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his unwavering support for the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment into the country and the sustenance of the free trade scheme to fast track our industrialization process.

“The state does not hesitate when it comes to partnering with federal agencies that will help to catalyse the development of the state,’’ the governor said.

Ogunyemi concluded his visit to Calabar on Thursday with an inspection tour of some of the enterprises in the zone.(Flowerbudnews)

 

 

By Biola Lawal

Abuja (Flowerbudnews):  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has deployed unique technology to track and trace  narcotic products from production source to the end user, the patient.

Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye disclosed this at the commissioning of the narcotic drugs serialisation pilot project in Lagos on Friday.

The NAFDAC Boss said that the technological innovation was part of the Agency’s renewed efforts to combat the menace of drug and substance abuse in Nigeria, particularly amongst the teeming youth population,

1. 

”The abuse of drug substances is global. We have realized our issue in Nigeria, and we are ready to address” it through narcotic drugs serialisation tracking system, a statement on Sunday by Sayo Akintola, NAFDAC Resident Media Consultant, quoted the Director General as saying.

Prof Adeyeye noted that narcotics were chosen amongst other classes of drugs to make sure that we do not have drug or substance abuse in Nigeria or to mitigate it, adding that this will be replicated for all other NAFDAC-regulated drug products.

Going down memory lane, Prof Adeyeye recalled the ubiquitous misuse of Tramadol and Codeine all over the country when she got to NAFDAC in 2017 with their adverse effects on the mental health of young adults, children, and women.

She noted that people were selling codeine or tramadol, adding; ”For the first six months of my tenure, I was running after tramadol or codeine as a regulatory Agency saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the safety and quality of medicines,”

Prof Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC placed utmost importance on good distribution practices as a core mandate of the agency is to ensure that the distribution of medical products along the pharmaceutical supply chain reflects best global practices.

She regretted that one of the greatest challenges that we face today in the healthcare sector is occurrence substandard and falsified medicines.

She added that in Nigeria, this problem is further compounded by the chaotic drug distribution practices of unscrupulous elements of society who do not place premium on human lives.

These are the sharp practices that the Traceability project (Track and Trace) seeks to stop., she maintained as she enthused that Track and Trace (Traceability) is indeed a game changer!

With this technology, she said medicines can now be tracked and traced right from the very source of production, the manufacturing plant, to the end user, the patient.

Through the scanning device on an Android phone, the NAFDAC boss said consumers can now verify the authenticity of the drug product they consume and be assured of the quality of medicines.

More importantly, she said the track and trace technology is a veritable tool to be deployed in the event of medication recalls.

The commissioning event of the project is a crystallization of a series of activities that the Agency embarked upon since May 2018, when we attended the very first GS1 Africa healthcare conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This led to the development and formulation of the Traceability Strategy Document, a five-year implementation roadmap for pharmaceutical products that was launched by the then Honourable Minister for Health in October 2020.

She said the narcotic drugs serialization pilot project symbolizes a significant milestone in the Agencys commitment to delivering quality, efficacious, and easily verifiable medical products to the Nigerian consumer by adequately securing the drug distribution network.

She explained that the need to commence the track and trace of pharmaceutical products with narcotic medicines is a very strategic one, noting that Narcotic drugs occupy a very prime place in healthcare, and due to the very high propensity for abuse and diversion of this group of essential medicines cannot always be overruled.

The DG disclosed that the pilot project will be on for about one year, during which we expect to have been familiar with all that will be necessary to enhance the deployment and full implementation of the track and trace project for other drug classes in scalable phases.

Prof Adeyeye further stated that manufacturers must first commission the products they are registered to distribute into the NAFDAC Traceability System, and when it gets to the distributors or the wholesalers, they will also scan the products using a 2D Data Matrix barcode scanner to capture the event related to the movement of the product.

The NAFDAC boss said that all this will be captured in the Agencys Information Traceability System so that if something goes off the track within the supply chain it would be easily traced and tracked and help in no small measure to reduce drug abuse.

The Managing Director of the technical partner, GS1 Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Odunlami, described the occasion as a very significant day in the history of traceability in Nigeria.

For GS1, he said that it has been a journey that started over ten years ago when the company started preaching the importance of traceability.

He, however, commended NAFDAC for identifying the importance of this standard in transforming the way we do things in the country and enabling traceability and a good distribution system for the country.

NAFDAC has taken the mantle as you can see today where we are now doing serialization of a very important class of medication which is Narcotics., he said, as he explained the GSI standard and the role it will play in the system.

Mr. Odunlami further explained that GS1 provided the standard while Newsoft Nigeria Plc is the solution provider saddled with the responsibility of developing the solution and carrying out the implementation.(Flowerbudnews)