PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014
Page 5
News
Liberty Radio wins 4 awards at Nigeria Broadcast media awards From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
L
iberty Radio Kaduna has consolidated itself as the leading radio station in northern Nigeria after winning four awards at the 2014 Nigeria Broadcast Media Awards (NBMA) held recently at the Ballroom Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. According to a press statement issued by the management of Liberty Radio 91.7FM, Kaduna, Liberty Radio’s four awards at the 2014 NBMA places it ahead of other radio stations north of the Niger, having previously, won the ‘Best Radio – North’ award at the 2013 NBMA. The NBMA is a leading event organised annually to reward deserving broadcast media organizations in the country in order to encourage excellence in the industry. This year, The 2014 NBMA top award for ‘Best Indigenous Radio Station – North’ was won by ‘Tashar ‘Yanci’, Liberty Radio’s Hausa arm, a clear indication of a mass audience appeal in the north’s predominant language of communication. Liberty Radio’s Toyin Alabi, presenter of the hugely popular breakfast talk show – Issues & Events, got the Outstanding Radio Program Presenter Award, while Jacqueline Amen Adebija won the “Listeners
Choice” Best Radio Program Presenter Award in Education/ Health/Human Interest category. In further recognition of Liberty Radio’s excellence in presentation, its ace sports anchor, Mohammed Suleiman Mowiz was given award as Best Sportscaster (North/South/ East). Dr Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, Chairman/Chief Executive of ATAR Communications Nigeria Limited, owners of Liberty Radio/Liberty TV, Kaduna, describes the four awards as a crowning glory as the Liberty Radio enters its fourth year of operation next year. Dr Ramalan attributes the wide audience appeal of Liberty Radio to the station’s dedicated staff, a diversity of loyal listeners, and an underlying credo that identifies with human rights and dignity, peace and unity. Liberty Radio will dedicate its NBMA laurels to its vast audience on radio and online, with a month-long reward to listeners who are expected to win various prizes and gifts throughout the festive month of December, 2014. Liberty Radio started transmission in 2011 and has also won the ‘Gangariya Best Radio Station Award’ in 2013, in Kaduna, during which it emerged winner in six other categories.
Patience Jonathan advocates increased employment of disabled persons By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
A
s part of the activities to mark this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities slated for December 3 of every year, the First Lady and President of African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM),Dame Patience Jonathan has advocated increased participation of disabled persons in our national life. She called for the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of our political, social, economic and cultural life, saying, “it is only through this that the total well-being of the citizenry can be achieved.” According to a press release issued by the Media Adviser to the First Lady, Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, she made this remark when the management of A. Aruera Reachout Foundation (AARF), the families of children with disabilities and vulnerable children, who were at the State House to thank her
for the recent successful heart surgeries of children taken abroad. She was, however, overwhelmed by the gesture, and called on every well meaning Nigerian to see how the disabled persons can be gainfully employed in the economic life of the nation by promoting the removal of all types of barriers. According to her, “International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to promote an understanding of disability issues, including the mobilization and support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. “The contributions made by these persons with disabilities as agents of change and development in our nation, cannot be over-emphasized.” She enjoined the various arms of government to take the lead in showing how these persons can be integrated into the society for sustainable development and the economic rejuvenation of the country.
Borno state Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima (left), launching the state free meal for primary school pupils, yesterday in Maiduguri. Photo: NAN
ICPC, professional groups parley to expose private sector corruption By Joy Baba
T
he Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday opened a new chapter of fight against corruption, as it interacted with Professional groups in the county for the purpose of containing acts of corruption among professionals in Nigeria. The ICPC’s meeting with the professionals involved the harmonisation of codes of professional practice by these groups with the anti-graft values such that erring members could be punished. The ICPC Chairman, Barrister Ekpo Nta disclosed this during his opening address at a Round Table Consultative Forum with Professional Associations and Business Management Organisations which held at the ICPC’s auditorium in Abuja. He said, ICPC, in line with international best practices was eager to build the capacity of private and public sector institutions in the fight against organised corruption by ensuring
that Professionals in all sectors discharge their mandate with the highest sense of moral values and professional standards. He said by working harmoniously with the professional groups in the country, it would be easy for ICPC to block corruption opportunities in the conduct of professionals while also making infractions punishable under the ICPC Act 2000. He said section 6 (b-d) of the ICPC Act 2000 empowers the Commission to prevent corruption across board in Nigeria, while section 70, according to him, grants special powers to the ICPC Chairman to make standing rules for fight against corruption, and in the interest of the nation. Ekpo Nta said ICPC had in the past blazed the trail in the fight against corruption through similar collaborative efforts. ICPC, said Ekpo Nta was also able to establish a Coalition with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), through which platform, various anti-corruption community advocacy projects
were executed. He said the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria had also successfully produced a new Code of Conduct in collaboration with ICPC, noting that the Code has since been binding on all teachers in Nigeria. Ekpo Nta, however listed the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Institute of Chattered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), National Association of Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) and the Medical Laboratory Scene of Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) as agencies which had successfully infused ICPC’s ethics and values into their code of professional practice, under strong partnership. He said, “ICPC is offering a partnership that will allow all professional Associations and Business Organisations an anticorruption platform that would be accepted internationally and can punish erring members with stiffer penalties including prosecution for criminally minded ones”.
Kogi Gov commends NAFDAC over fight against illicit drugs By Doyin Ojosipe
K
ogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada has commended the Director General of National Agency and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii for the tremendous milestones recorded in the fight against counterfeit drugs and other unwholesome regulated products in the country. The Governor made this commendation when he paid a courtesy visit on NAFDAC in Abuja to forge a partnership with the Agency on diversifying the
economy of the state through the processing of Value-added Agricultural Products. Captain Wada said the innovative strategies adopted by NAFDAC especially the use of cutting-edge technologies has helped in achieving quality healthcare for the teeming population of and positioned the country as a global leader in the fight against counterfeit medical products. Responding, the NAFDAC DG, appreciated the Governor’s confidence in the healthcare system in the country, adding that it was uncommon and
patriotic. Governor Wada had insisted on receiving health care services in Nigeria, when he was engaged in a car accident in 20012 Commending the governor, Dr. Orhii said, “You insisted that you be treated in Nigeria. I think for us as health professionals, that was great commendation. There is no way you can show confidence in the system than when you subject yourself to be treated in that system. When we contained the Ebola Virus Disease, the whole world began to see what you saw in our healthcare system long ago”.