Hopes of the embattled President of the Court of Appeal, PCA, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, returning to office a year and seven months after he was suspended by the National Judicial Council, NJC, were yesterday, dashed by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The Council had on August 18, 2011, ordered Salami to proceed on an indefinite suspension on the ground that he was found guilty of judicial misconduct.
He was accused of lying on oath against a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu.
Salami had in the wake of a feud that ensued between him and the ex-CJN, alleged via an affidavit he deposed before the high court that Katsina-Alu pressurised him to pervert justice in a gubernatorial election appeal dispute involving Sokoto State.
However, the NJC, after a stormy session it held on August 18, cleared the former CJN, even as it axed Salami for violating the code of conduct for judicial officers in the country.
Nevertheless, the Council had since then okayed him to return to office, a move that was vehemently opposed by President Jonathan who insisted that re-instating Salami within the pendency of legal actions revolving around his suspension would amount to sub-judice.
Meanwhile, in its judgment, yesterday, the high court not only struck out the suit that sought for his immediate re-instatement, but also divested itself of the jurisdiction to grant any of the reliefs pleaded by the plaintiffs.
Presiding Justice Adamu Bello maintained that the plaintiffs, 11 legal practitioners who approached the court under the aegis of the Registered Trustees of Centre for the Promotion of Arbitration, were bereft of the locus-standi to seek for Salami’s recall.
The Judge stressed that in the eyes of the law, only the suspended PCA had the requisite locus to ask the court to return him to office, saying, “he is the only one whose right was directly affected by the action of the 3rd defendant, NJC.”
Though both the NJC and Justice Salami himself, had in their separate written addresses, implored the court to go ahead and grant all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, Justice Bello held that “the fact that the 3rd and 4th defendants, NJC and Salami, supported the suit, did not in any way add any value to enhance the locus-standi of the plaintiffs.
“The mere fact that they are legal practitioners that took oath to protect the constitution at all times does not cloak them with the locus to file this action.
“On that basis, this court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain this suit and the proper order in the circumstance is to strike out the suit. I, therefore, make an order striking out the suit and I make no order as to cost,” he added.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Nigeria requires sustained expenditure of about $14.2 billion per year over the next decade to provide non-existent infrastructure and fix the ailing ones. This amount translates to about 12 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP. Currently, the country spends about $5.9 billion per year on Federal infrastructure or five percent of the country’s GDP.
These facts were laid bare by former World Bank Vice President (Africa), Mrs Oby Ezekwesili at the 43rd Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, which ended in Benin City, weekend.
Ezekwesili who served as the Minister of Education in the Obasanjo administration, noted that China spent about 15 percent of its GDP on infrastructure in the mid 2000s and this lifted the country’s economy massively.
Mrs Ezekwesili who delivered the keynote address at the conference, posited that “about $10.5 billion is needed for federal infrastructure alone especially power”.
According to the cost of doing business in Nigeria is very high mainly due to the dearth of essential infrastructure. “Indirect costs borne by firms to fill infrastructure gap in Nigeria amount to 15 per cent, in China it is 5 per cent, India 10 per cent and only two per cent in Turkey which ranks 19th in the rating for major economies in the world,” she explained..
Continuing, the former Education Minister declared that “infrastructure has made a net contribution of about one percent to Nigeria’s improved per capita growth performance in recent years. Raising the country’s infrastructure endowment to that of the region’s middle-income countries, such as Mauritius, could increase annual growth by about four percent”.
The former World Bank VP who stated that government has no business engaging in those things which the private sector is better positioned to do, called for the concessioning of all airport terminals in the country. According to her, the money spent in building such terminals could have been utilized in providing infrastructure that would impact more on majority of poor Nigerians.
Canvassing increased funding for road maintenance, Mrs Ezekwesili called for the construction of rural feeder roads to enable peasant farmers bring their products to the cities for sale instead of either allowing them to spoil or selling at give-away prices.
Saying that more two million youths join the labour market annually, Mrs Ezekwesili posited that economic growth without jobs is a source of deeper inequalities and creates social tensions.
Government, she said must “ innovate on policy solutions that rapidly expand the economy to absorb these youths. Policy solutions and investments will include removing barriers on the supply and demand side issues- quality and relevant skills based education, better investment in infrastructure
Speaking on the role for estate surveyors in infrastructure development, she enjoined them to carry out an analytical evaluation of infrastructure gap at different levels of possible intervention. She harped on the need for professional integrity and advised estate surveyors to demand for accountability and results for all public investment in infrastructure.
President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by Works Minister, Mike Onolememen noted that the success of the transformation agenda depends on infrastructure development. According to him, Nigeria is in the process of developing a National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan for the development of infrastructure in the next 30 years, (2014 -2043).
He explained that his government places premium on infrastructure projects funding because it will impact positively on the realisation of the other priorities.
President Jonathan who lauded the theme of the conference, ‘Infrastructure Development and Economic Empowerment’, posited that it couldn’t have come at a better time than now when government’s transformation agenda is geared towards achieving the objectives of Vision 2020 to which infrastructure provision is critical.
“Infrastructure development and economic growth/empowerment are mutually reinforcing as infrastructure development plays a vital role in wealth creation. The importance of infrastructure to national development cannot be over-emphasised, it is at the core of good governance and public welfare,” he said.
Earlier, the President of NIESV, Mr Emeka Eleh noted that the abysmal level of the county’s infrastructure is a serious concern to the estate surveyors. “There is no doubt that lack of appropriate maintenance of existing infrastructure is costing the nation immensely. More often than not, our infrastructure is allowed to damage considerably before attempt is made at repairs due to lack of appropriate maintenance processes,” he lamented.
The NIESV boss explained that it was against this backdrop that the theme of the annual conference was chosen.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Cross RiverState Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, practically led African champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria into Calabar, the state capital on Monday morning, as he was in the same Arik Air flight that took the team to the CanaanCity on yesterday.
As the 10 players and officials boarded the aircraft few minutes to 11am, they were oblivious of the fact that Governor Imoke will be on board until when he suddenly entered and exchanged pleasantries with Head Coach Stephen Keshi and his assistant, Dan ‘The Bull’ Amokachi, before the aircraft crew announced to all that the governor was flying with the Super Eagles.
The 50 minutes flight from the NnamdiAzikiweInternationalAirport Abuja to the MagaretEkpoInternationalAirport in Calabar, was smooth.
The team was received on arrival by Hon. Patrick Ugbe, the state’s Sports Commissioner and Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, who is the Director, Technical at the Nigeria Football Federation. As usual the team witnessed the now familiar singing and drumming by the Nigerian Football and Other Sports Supporters Club, CrossRiver chapter.
After airport formalities the team went straight to the Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel in the heart of the city where it would be quartered for Saturday’s encounter against the Harambee Stars of Kenya.
Sports Commissioner, Hon Patrick Ugbe, also revealed on Monday that instead of Thursday, Governor Liyel Imoke will now receive the Afcon trophy on Wednesday during the state Executive Council Meeting in the state capital. The shift he revealed is as a result of the tight schedule of the governor this week, assuring however, that Senator Imoke will be back on time for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier.
Head Coach Stephen Keshi said he was delighted to be back in Calabar, and he was doubly happy because the Governor practically led the team to the city. “We hope we can give him victory also in the double digits”, he said jokingly.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
United States of America dealt a hard blow on Nigeria, yesterday, with the cancellation of a planned visit to Nigeria by one of its richest men, Bill Gates, to the country, following the controversial pardon granted the former Bayelsa State Governor, Dieprieye Alamieyeseigha, by President Goodluck Jonathan, last week, and the lack of safety of health officials in the north.
The US, it was learnt, is still peeved that Jonathan ignored the feelings of Nigerians and went ahead to pardon his former master, who was convicted of money laundering amounting to billions of Naira, thereby setting the anti-corruption war backwards.
The US is also angry that Nigeria summoned its envoy for questioning for daring to voice concerns over the pardon to corrupt persons.
Meanwhile, Presidency yesterday said the report in some news media that Bill Gates had cancelled his proposed visit because of the presidential pardon granted to some Nigerians was not correct.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said told newsmen in Abuja: “The visit was rescheduled because of other commitments by Bill Gates.
He said: “I have read the report in some sections of the media insinuating that Mr. Bill Gates has cancelled his planned visit to Nigeria because of the recent pardon granted some Nigerians.
“I am in touch with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and I can say that this report is not true and that it exists only in the imagination of the writers.
“The foundation said Mr. Bill Gates’ travels are often dependent on the schedules and availability of many other people and partners and that in this particular case, because these other people and partners will not be available at the time he is presently scheduled to visit Nigeria, they have to reschedule the visit.”
Vanguard further learnt that the cancellation has to do with concerns over the lack of safety of medical staff, who handle polio immunisation in northern parts of Nigeria, which is one of the biggest recipients of US aid in Africa.
Why Gates shunned Nigeria
Bill Gates, authoritative diplomatic sources said, cancelled his trip two days after the US government expressed disappointment over the pardon.
The sources said: “I can confirm to you that Mr. Gates won’t be coming as scheduled,” sources reportedly claimed yesterday morning. The body language of Washington D.C. does not support his travelling to Nigeria.
“The thinking here is that the Nigerian government has high tolerance level for corruption and should be ostracised in all ways possible.”
It was learnt that Gates had already instructed his staff to inform Aso Rock, the secretariat of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Federal Ministry of Health that he was no longer coming.
Last year, the US gave Nigeria about $226 million in development aid and is expected to spend $600 million this year.
Gates, who has been working with the Nigerian authorities since 2009 to combat the ravages of polio, a childhood disease that has been dusted by other countries, was scheduled to meet with some governors in the country, whose states were still being buffeted by polio, officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria’s billionaire, Aliko Dangote.
Health Ministry source
A top official of the Health Ministry confirmed to Vanguard last night that they had received a notice from the Bill Gates Foundation cancelling the trip to Nigeria.
The official said there was nothing they could do than to put off necessary arrangements being made for the visit.
“Yes, it is true that the trip has been put off,” the official said. Competent diplomatic sources said the foundation opted to suspend the visit barely two days after the US government expressed disappointment with its Nigerian counterpart for pardoning convicted money launderers and warned it might cut aid meant for the country.
It was learnt that the cancellation of the trip had already been communicated to the Presidency and other stakeholders in the health sector in Nigeria.
In Lagos, US embassy said there was a lot of concern about the safety of medical personnel, who handle polio vaccination in some parts of Nigeria, especially the mindless killing of vaccination workers in Kano last month.
It said: “We know that Bill Gates Foundation was disturbed that the safety of polio-vaccine workers is not guaranteed in some parts of Nigeria but most importantly by the fact that there is no serious effort to promote mass education of the value of the programme to saving lives in endemic regions of the country.”
On Obama’s July visit
Media reports last weekend said US President Barack Obama may also shelve his planned July visit to Nigeria. US government considers the pardon to the former governor a setback to Nigeria’s anti-corruption effort and threatens to cut aid to Nigeria following the presidential pardon granted Alamieyeseigha.
Speaking on the seeming diplomatic face-off between Nigeria and the US over the comments of the US Consul-General in Nigeria, Mr. Jeffery Hawkins, US Embassy Consulate in Lagos said the misunderstanding was borne out of presentations of points of view.
A source said: “We are concerned about the handling of certain issues at this crucial stage of Nigeria’s development. But beyond that, I must tell you that there are lots between Nigeria and the United States that we cannot allow any rupture in the relations between the two countries.
“You may be aware that there was a US business delegation in Nigeria last week and far-reaching contacts were made in the areas of infrastructural development, investment in the power sector and even provision of private funding for infrastructural development in Nigeria through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, OPIC.
“The US recognises the position of Nigeria as a major economic power in sub-Sahara Africa. We see a lot of growth in the economy and we also see success of the Bi-National Commission and above all, we know that Nigeria has a crucial role to play to bring peace to the Sahel region.”
“We keep to our democratic tradition of openness and transparency in governance, which are the hallmarks of the democratic traditions that you took away from our presidential system of government.
“The system has no double standards and our expression of our concerns must not be misconstrued as meddling in the domestic affairs of Nigeria. We cannot dictate to government, but we cannot keep silent and allow errors that can be avoided from the onset.
“We are concerned about peace, security and development in Nigeria, which is a major partner to US in the war against terrorism.”
Presidency woos Nigerians
Nigerian government has, however, been making spirited attempts to assuage Nigerians over the pardon given to Alamieyeseigha, insisting that he had shown enough remorse for his “sins.”
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said last week that the pardon was meant for people like Alamieyeseigha, who committed criminal offences and pleaded with Nigerians to understand with the President over the gesture.
But the US state department spokesperson fired back at the presidential action, saying “we see this as a setback for the fight against corruption, and also for our ability to play the strong role we’ve played in supporting rule of law and legal institution-building in Nigeria, which is very important for the country’s future.
“We have made it clear to Nigerians that this puts a question mark on the kinds of work that we’ve been trying to do with them.”
… accuses US of meddling
Rather than try to appease the US, which is a major buyer of its oil, the Nigerian government accused it of meddling into its internal affairs and summoned the envoy for questioning, a development that angered the Americans the more.
In 2012 alone, the US spent about $226 million on health and governance programmes in Nigeria, while Nigeria is requesting for over $600 million for 2013, according to US government data.
The amount is in addition to what American private foundations such as Mr. Gates’ spend on Nigeria’s government and non-governmental organisations.
Gate, who is renowned as the biggest foreign supporter of the campaign to eradicate polio in Nigeria, has been working with the Nigerian authorities since 2009 to tame the monster that has claimed the lives of thousands of children in the country.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
In what seems to be a summersault, the Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has acknowledged that his immediate predecessor, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, actually executed several project that are fast changing the standard of living of the people of the state in his four year tenure, contrary to his earlier stance.
In a document allegedly released to members of the panels he set up to probe contracts and projects awarded and executed by the Ohakim administration, Governor Okorocha gave a list of forty-nine (49) projects undertaken by the Ohakim administration. This is a clear contradiction of the Governor's earlier pronouncements that the Ohakim administration did only four projects, of which two were completed and two abandoned.
This was the kernel of the Governor's live television broadcast on January 14, 2013, .during which he made several allegations against his predecessor. But less than two months later, Governor Okorocha has reportedly acknowledged, though secretly, that the Ohakim administration did projects as many as 49.
In the document handed over to members of the probe panel, Okorocha asked the panels to investigate the contracts and projects but little did he know that he was inadvertently acknowledging that Ohakim actually did as much as 49 projects contrary to what he, Okorocha, has been telling the people of the state and indeed the world.
Among the projects Okorocha listed for investigation are roads, erosion control sites, and public buildings.
It will be recalled that in the wake of the allegation by Okorocha that Ohakim did only four projects, the former Governor and his henchmen went to town with several publications cataloguing the numerous projects the administration handled successfully in the areas of road construction, housing, electricity and water supplies, etc.
In the information published widely in both local and national newspapers, Ohakim listed over 34 road projects, over 85 water projects, about 200 electricity projects, and over 27 health services projects,
Others are numerous school projects including 27 classroom blocks in each local government area.
In one of the publications titled "Ohakim's legacies, Okorocha's lies", the Ohakim camp insisted that Okorocha was lying to the people of Imo state and was only out to smear the former Governor.
Apart from that many Nigerians, both within and outside Imo state, did not express any surprise over what was contained in the publications made by the Ohakim camp, Okorocha has failed to respond to the shocking revelations made by Ohakim over a number of issues among which are the N13.3 billion bond proceeds left behind by his administration, the N3.3 billion SUBEB funds all of which are part of a total of N26.27 billion Ohakim insists he left behind.
Up till this moment, the N26.27 billion has remained contentious as no word is coming from Okorocha. Besides, the monies have not reflected in any of the budgets (2012 and 2013) so far presented by the Okorocha regime, fuelling speculations that the funds may have been misused.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Immediately after the Nigeria/Biafra Civil War, the Federal government through Gowon, then president, declared ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’ as the after-war policy for national integration. Igbos have been vanquished in many spheres of life which they have risen above but one area which this vanquished spirit is still rearing its ugly head is in politics. Igbos have struggled hard these past 43 years to be relevant politically, all to no avail thanks so much to lack of genuine political leaders. Genuine Igbo political leaders have been in short supply! What the vanquished spirit of the war gave Igbos are political harlots who rarely define their stand. I call them ‘concubinal’ politicians because they are very ready to engage in a political ‘concubinal’ relationship rather than the real deal: political marriage, association.
Igbos have got it too good until recently! When Rochas emerged as the winner of the 2011 gubernatorial elections in Imo State, jubilations were wild in the air. Finally, the beautiful one has been born! This atmosphere of happiness and jubilation has been cut short by the activities of the beloved one, Rochas. Popular opinion was that as he has emerged Governor of Imo State, he will use his massive goodwill to turn around the fortunes of his new found political party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). Such was the opinion that even advice on how to achieve it was freely given even on the pages of newspapers and on social networks. I read on how revered technocrats and professors were advising Rochas to take this line of action. Well, the man has got his own plan!
Most of the political strategies of the beloved one have called for serious questioning! Rochas has shown blatant disregard for the rule of law, failed to abide by the court ruling to reinstal sacked local government council chairmen whom he sacked unconstitutionally. His administration so far has been nothing but a clear lack of political maturity, of great cordiality with opposition, and of tested and popular political strategies. In all honesty, on the average, performance-wise, Rochas has tried but his efforts are not good enough. To whom much is given much is expected of him! The masses of Imo State gave Rochas their undivided votes believing him to take them to the promised land. Have they asked for too much? Have they reached that promised land? It is so easy to be loved as a philanthropist but as a politician, it is another issue. An area Rochas has shown his seeming lack of political strategy and thinking is in his new political ‘concubinage’ to the new opposition: All Progressive Congress (APC) or whatever name she takes in the future. Political associations are themselves wonderful only if one brings something to the table. Personally, his association with the merged opposition political parties is a classical lesson in how not to become a politician if one doesn’t know how to lead a people. What will this association benefit Igbos by taking an already divided party to the merged opposition? What is his bargaining power in the new association? Will he command respect in the new opposition? One enters such alliance as equals! An unequal in an alliance of this nature will always come out an unequal and also be given an unequal treatment! Is the unequal treatment worth it? Hear George Orwell, author of Animal Farm: 'all men are equal but some are more equal than the other.' Then, what will they be in politics? Equals? In politics, men are never equal and never will they be! As far as we know, the only parties that can truly lay claims to the new formed opposition are the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). All Nigerians People Party (ANPP) can lay a fair claim also. All others, I say all others, are there to eat from leftovers! Are leftovers good enough for Igbos?
Rochas should have understood that he is not ripe to partake of such an alliance. The divided party he is taking with him to the alliance cannot compete for influence and attention with other parties in the alliance. Political theory is quite different from practical politics. He is dealing with human beings who are predominantly interested in 'what's in for me' and 'what did he bring'. Human beings that are predominantly selfish and self – centred! They will surely take him to the cleaners in the alliance when it comes to the spoils of political office! Again, the popular opinion was that Rochas should have made effort to make APGA the sole party in South Eastern (SE) Nigeria. Is the task difficult? No! The masses of SE Nigeria, at least myself, have been waiting patiently for such a killer move! Igbo politicians and political harlotry! Look at what ACN is to the South West (SW) of Nigeria.
Who dares not to respect ACN? Can APGA be respected like ACN now? I beg to differ! Igbos badly need a party that is very local to them and understands their problems. Since after the civil law, the SE has turned an undeveloped area majorly because of the nonchalant attitude of the government at the centre and also of corruption.
The SE needs APGA! APGA truly is a local party that can attend to the plight of Igbos. What does Rochas do to APGA? He tears it apart because of his selfish interest! Selfish because the interest of his people should be above his! Again, this is a classical lesson on how not to put too much trust and hope on untested politicians. Rochas has turned a traitor! Rochas abandoned a grand plan for his selfish interest! Rochas would have been revered like a demigod by Igbos had he achieved this grand plan of APGA as the sole party for the SE.
A leader is known by the sacrifices he makes! Rochas is not ready to make hard political sacrifices that are really obvious for everyone to see. Not a sacrifice of security vote when we know there are other avenues to still get back such money! Contract kickbacks are one! Nevertheless, the sacrifice of security vote is praiseworthy! The best his political harlotry with the new opposition will get him is a deputy – presidential slot. That is if he gets it! Who says Rochas cannot be President of Nigeria with APGA? Patience is just what is needed! Good strategies work with time. Had Rochas achieved this grand plan, when he entered such alliance as the new one, he would have entered with great respect and could ask for almost anything. Being the National Leader of a strong party in Nigeria gives one a demigod status.
Rochas can still take APGA to that great height, becomes a strong National Leader of APGA and also becomes the President of Nigeria. All these things are possible if only he learns to keep good political strategists around him or be one himself. Time structures everything! He should learn to wait on time. He should not put the cart before the horse. This writer still believes in him and hopes he will listen to the appeal of this article. Good men are hard to find in politics and if one is found he should be encouraged.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
In a bid to promote the health and wellbeing of the Nigerian Child, MultiPro Enterprises Limited, makers of Hypo Super Bleach has partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Health in the just – concluded Polio Immunization Plus Days Campaign which was flagged off at Ipaja Mini Stadium, Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) recently.
The National Immunisation Plus Days, NIPDs, campaign which began in Nigeria since 2006 serves as one of the core strategies for improving immunisation activities in Nigeria. This would be done by combining the usage of the fixed posts, house-to-house and transit teams for the delivery of multiple antigens (e.g. BCG, OPV, pentavalent, measles, Yellow Fever, HBV, etc.) on the days set aside for mass campaign. Speaking at the Flag off ceremony of the 4 – day campaign, Senior Sales Manager, MultiPro Enterprises Limited, Mr. Jude Nzeata, said it was an opportunity for Hypo to fulfil its social responsibility to the society.
“The National Immunisation Plus Days provides us with the platform to reach millions of children who are in dire need of a proper health care services. In line with this we have made millions of Hypo Bleach sachets available for distribution both here at the flag off ceremony and at every Primary Health Centre within the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs through the course of the program and also delivering proper counsel about the importance of immunisation and hygiene.”
Further he appealed to parents especially mothers to take their wards between the ages of 0 to 5 years to the Primary Health Care Centres and Clinics in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) so that they can be immunized against polio and other diseases.
Nzeata explained that the decision to partner with the Lagos State Ministry of Health was another step in the fulfilment of Hypo’s continued desire to contribute to the realisation of a clean and healthy nation which started with the introduction of affordable bleach for all and also affirmed that this would definitely not be the last partnership between the company and the Lagos State Ministry of Health because a lot still has to be done to further improve the level of health care services in the country.
Deputy Director and Head of Department, Family Health and Nutrition, Dr. Folashade Oludara stated: “Once again, Hypo has proved to be a very reliable partner as they have not only helped to produce the flyers and banners but donated millions of Hypo products to be given to mothers who bring their child for immunisation.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Bauchi State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has expressed surprise over the state government’s sudden lifting of the ban on commercial motorcycles (Achaba) in Bauchi metropolis, saying the action would heighten the state of insecurity in the area.
The state government had banned the operation of commercial motorcyclists in the wake of last month’s uproar following the kidnap of seven foreigners in the state by Islamist sect and the alleged killings of some residents of Zango area of the state.
However, CAN said it was “shocked to hear that the state government, which earlier announced the ban on the operation of Achaba riders in the state, suddenly rescinded its decision.
Apart from the seven foreigners, who were kidnapped, some unidentified gunmen had also attacked Zango, a suburb of Bauchi State and killed Ayuba Shehu, Freeman Lumi, Godia Rimi, Ishaku Samson, Joseph Komo, Inna Zamba, Samuel Mutashi, Ishaya Jauro and Haruna Ayuba at the residence of a traditional title holder in September last year.
In another recent attack, a businessman, whose name was given as Collins from Akwa-Ibom State was also reportedly killed in his shop.
Reacting to the lifting of the ban on Achaba, state Chairman of CAN, Rev. Lawi Pokti, said the lifting of the ban smacked of “insensitivity on the part of government over the killings of Christians and foreigners alike in the state.
“It is very disheartening that in spite of the selective killings of some innocent people, who are contributing immensely to the development of the state, the government went ahead to lift the ban on Achaba.
“The leadership of CAN is not happy over this development. If this trend continues, Bauchi State will soon become a shadow of itself with almost everybody now leaving the state to other more secure parts of the country.
“From investigations, the perpetrators of these crimes use motorcycles.”
Pokti lamented over the alleged inability of the government to provide security for the residents.
He said: “People are being killed on a regular basis at Zango and Railway areas of the state and little or nothing is being done to stem the tide of insecurity by agencies of government. Security agents must intensify efforts to restore peace and sanity in the troubled areas.
“The killings taking place in Zango and Railway areas of the state are premeditated because these gunmen know their victims. It is so sad to discover that the targets of these attacks are mainly Christians residing in these areas.
“These people, who mind their business, are contributing to the development of the state and we wonder why somebody should see them as enemies. We feel this ugly development is getting out of hand and should be addressed on time to avert another calamity.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
A grant of N443 million $2.8 million has been received by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) from the government of Japan to tackle prevention of infectious diseases among Nigerian children.
The grant is for strengthening routine immunisation including the cold chain system. Signing of the corresponding grant agreement took place between Mr Tetsuo Seki, Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Nigeria and Mr Jacques Boyer, Deputy Representative and Officer in Charge, UNICEF Nigeria, took place at the Federal Ministry of Health in the presence of Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu. Although Nigeria is making progress in reducing high child mortality rates, persistent challenges need to be addressed if Nigeria is to achieve the health-related MDGs. A press statement by UNICEF said:“This year’s contribution from the Government of Japan will be used to procure cold chain equipment such as solar refrigerators to fill existing gaps.
“This will boost routine immunization efforts as well as the drive toward polio eradication, especially in the context of introduction of new vaccines. In addition, the grant will support the operational cost of strategies to reduce the number of un-immunized children.
Deputy Representative and Officer in Charge, UNICEF Nigeria, Mr. Jacques Boyer said Japan’s grant to Nigeria to combat infectious diseases for children has been a significant contribution to Nigeria’s efforts to reduce child mortality.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, Mr Ryuichi Shoji said: “The people of Japan remain committed to the welfare of Nigerian children.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Senate has waded into the Eket-Ibeno road contract in Akwa Ibom State that was awarded by Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, since November 2009.
Briefing newsmen ahead of a meeting between the Senate Sub-Committee on Niger Delta, the contractor and NDDC, Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Heineken Lokpobri (Bayelsa State), said the Senate had to wade into the contract to thoroughly determine what was responsible for the delay in completion of the road project.
He said his committee had to summon NDDC and the contractor handling the project to a meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, adding that his committee had visited the road to see things ahead of the tripartite meeting.
The Senator said that findings at the end of the meeting would be taken back to the Senate for deliberations and actions.
“We are not here to witch hunt anybody. We have gone to see the road. Based on that, the contractor was summoned to Abuja. The idea now is to see how we can talk in House.”
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