PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, november 7, 2018
PAGE 10
News From Oluseyi Dasilva Kwara
A
nurse attendant in a private hospital, name withheld in the Ilorin metropolis, Kwara state and a Muslim cleric have been arrested by men of the Kwara state Police Command over alleged sale of placenta of a new born baby. Investigations revealed that the placenta was sold by the hospital attendant, who worked in the private hospital, to the cleric for suspected money ritual purpose at the sum of N20,000. It was gathered that the medical officer in charge of the private hospital reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the two suspects in different locations in Ilorin on Monday. The incident, which happened at a private medical hospital, located at Oko-Erin area of the metropolis, started when the father of the new born baby, one Jimoh Abdulfatah, demanded for placenta of his new
Hospital attendant, cleric in police net for selling infants placenta born baby from the hospital after delivery. It was also gathered that the father had taken his wife to the private hospital for caecerian operation after unsuccessful efforts of his wife to have a normal delivery at both the Civil Service Clinic and the General Hospital, Ilorin where they had gone for medical attention. Abdulfatah said that he was referred to the private hospital by a nurse at the General Hospital, Ilorin. After the successful operation at the private hospital, the father who, said that he had passed through stressful moments for two days over
his wife’s situation, added that he had forgotten to ask for the placenta on the day his wife was delivered of the baby and had to come back when he remembered to demand for the placenta from the hospital. However, Abdulfatah said that a senior nurse that he met in the hospital had asked the attendant who was also on duty on the day of the operation to bring the placenta but she could no longer produce it adding that she could no longer see it Our source further revealed that the medical officer in charge of the hospital took the matter to the Police “B’ Division, Surulere leading to the arrest of the attendant.
It was however during further police interrogation that the nurse attendant confirmed that she gave the placenta to one Muslim cleric in the town while the cleric was subsequently arrested too. The development however prompted the matter to be transferred to the state police headquarters for further investigation on the issue. Upon further interrogation of the cleric was sad to have confessed at police headquarters that he received the placenta from the attendant but failed to produce it, saying that he had thrown it into a stream near his house.
The Muslim cleric, whose wife is also pregnant, was said to have told the police that the placenta was useless for the purpose he wanted to use it for, adding that the baby was delivered through operation against normal delivery that could have made the placenta useful. Speaking on the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the arrest of the two suspects said that the nurse attendant and the cleric had been helping police in its further investigations on the matter. He said that the duo would be arraigned in court after completion of police investigations on the issue.
L-R: Secretary General, Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, (MHWUN) Comrade Adamu Silas; National President MHWUN Comrade Biobelemoye Joy Josiah National Vice president MHWUN comrade Sylvia Daga and Head of organization MHWUN Azubuike Enwe during a press conference in support of the nationwide strike action the organized labor, yesterday in Abuja.
Niger Govt, UNICEF, media in pact to tackle out-of-school children From Minna
T
Yakubu
Mustapha,
he Niger State Government and UNICEF have completed plans to partner the media to begin the 2018 enrollment drive campaign as a strategy for reducing the number of out of school children in Niger state. Niger State currently has 513,680 (3.09%) out of school children. The State Chairman of Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) Alhaji Alhassan Muhammad Bawa Niworu made this disclosure at a One- day Media Conference for 2018 Enrollment Drive Campaign at the Emirs Palace in Minna. He said that records indicate that 13.2 million children of primary school age and JSS are out of school (DHS 2013) in Nigeria, adding that out of this figure Niger state has its share of above mentioned statistics. He was represented by the Director of School Services, Idris
Alhassan Ketso who appealed to all stakeholders to join hands with the relevant agencies and government to fight the scourge of out of school children in the country so as to return them back to school. He explained that the state Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello had expressed concern over the huge number of children missing education in the state and in the country who are largely from northern Nigeria that required
holistic approach. In his remarks, UNICEF Communication Officer, Malam Rabiu Musa expressed satisfaction over the sustainable partnership with the Niger State Government and the vital roles of the traditional rulers in the region in ensuring the success of the program in the country. Musa assured of UNICEF commitment in providing technical and financial support in the state.
He decried that 60% out of school children are girls and majority from Northern Nigeria hence the traditional conference in Kaduna in October this year. He told the meeting about the objectives of the state campaign to include; plan to coordinate the 2018 enrollment drive campaign in the state, ensure involvement of all major stakeholders especially the media. Others according to him, were
to ensure that out of school children are enrolled in to basic education schools and to conduct monitory activities on enrollment drive, review strategies base on findings and submit report to appreciate authority. The event was attended by media practitioners, traditional ruler and some civil society members where the traditional ruler assured of maximum support to ensure the success of the scheme in the state.
IPCR Ag DG, Bakut loses mother By Ochiaka Ugwu
M
rs Habiba Simon Bakut, mother of the Acting Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Bakut t. Bakut has passed on. The septuagenarian died at a hospital in Kaduna at the early
hours of yesterday. In a press statement released by the Institute in Abuja yesterday and signed by its Resident Information Officer (RIO) Mr. Abu I. Michael, it stated that the Late Mrs. Habiba was a loving and God-fearing woman and would greatly be missed by her two surviving
children including Dr. Bakut who presently holds sway in acting capacity at IPCR, Abuja and as Chairman of the Committee for the establishment of National Peace Commission and State Agencies for Peace and Conflict Resolution. According to the statement, “Although, Mrs. Habiba lost her
husband and five other children earlier before her demise, she is also survived by many grand and great gran children. “She will be buried at a date to be announced after necessary burial arrangements have been made by family members and relatives” the statement concluded.
PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, november 7, 2018
PAGE 11
Letter to the Editor
EDITORIAL Nigeria welcomes the Prince
N
igeria stands ready to welcome the The High Commissioner said getting Prince of Wales, Prince Charles to the “root causes of conflicts” and his wife, Princess Camilla, would lead to “a peaceful and more who is the Duchess of Cornwall, as prosperous Nigeria” and benefit the the English royal couple begins a two countries. The visit, he expected, three-day visit to the country. It is the would strengthen the existing ties Prince’s second coming since 2006 between them, as members of the and the Princess’s first ever. The visit Commonwealth. “We want to ensure is part of a week-long, five-nation that through the Commonwealth we swing through The Gambia, Ghana develop links, relationships, whether and ending in Nigeria.This high in trade, environment, or in education, profile visit, announced by the British all of which are important to the High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. future of the Commonwealth and to Paul Arkwright, during the weekend the future of Nigeria.” Prince Charles in Abuja, the Nigeria capital, would took over as head of 53-member afford the Prince an opportunity to Commonwealth of Nations last attempt to “engage in peace building April, succeeding his mother, Queen capacities”. Specifically, he would Elizabeth 11. The Commonwealth try to “address persistent consists of Britain and attacks” by herdsmen on its now independent farming communities. former colonies. The high point of the royal Now, membership visit is a scheduled has been enlarged to meeting with President some The high point of accommodate Muhammadu Buhari in French and Portuguesethe royal visit is a speaking (Lusophone) the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja. Their scheduled meeting African nations like discussion, according to Cameroon, Nigeria’s with President Arkwright, would centre next door neighbour. Muhammadu on “practical solutions to Prince Charles’s visit is Buhari in the alleviating the tensions coming on the heels of Presidential Villa, that of Prime Minister arising from the activities of herdsmen”. These Aso Rock, Abuja. Theresa May on attacks have been on August 29. Both visits Their discussion, for years, resulting in demonstrate that Britain according several deaths and raising still has a lot of faith in to Arkwright, concerns over the future of Nigeria’s future unlike agriculture which employs would centre on some other Western the majority of Nigerians “practical solutions nations that have given outside the formal sector up on us and would to alleviating the prefer that Nigeria of the economy. It is this tensions arising sector that the government dissolve in chaos. A is promoting to wean the from the activities of measure of the UK’s faith country from dependence in Nigeria is the keen herdsmen” on oil revenues. interest Prince Charles “People do want to come together has shown in the resolution of the and if we can provide that kind of tensions the herders/farmers conflict environment, then hopefully, we has created, as Nigeria heads into can come up with some ideas and elections next February. Not that his solutions to resolving some of these visit would provide the proverbial conflicts,” explained Arkwright. magic wand which we would use to “Some of the issues like the farmers/ wave away the conflict and other herders crisis are deep-rooted and are national challenges. No. However, it about the economy, land resource, is good to know that we do not stand climate change and cultural issues. alone. It is this show of solidarity that The Prince of Wales will be looking will inspire our leaders to go the extra at the causes, talking to people who mile in the search for peace in the are working in this area and together, land. seeing if we can find solutions and Once again, we say to Prince Charles, move on.” welcome to Nigeria.
“
OUR MISSION
OUR PEOPLE
“To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”
Chairman Malam Wada Maida, Oon, Fnge
Chief Operating Officer (Ag) Editor, Daily Hameed M. Bello, PhD Manager, administration Hassan Hammanyaji
OUR VISION
“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”
2019 Presidential match: APC FC vs PDP FC (I) By Muhammad Ajah
I
have prepared some Olympic games for candidates of the 2019 Presidential polls and their parties which are supposed to follow all the formalities from the opening to the closing ceremonies and the award of medals to the winners, as well as consolidation prizes. There are also football contests amongst the candidates with their party members. I crave the indulgence of my readers to start with the final match of the football competition because it is going to be the most exciting of the national event. Other matches may come in replay forms. So, my readers should expect, if possible, the following sports competitions amongst the candidates in order to enjoy the series: opening ceremony of the Olympic, races – 100 meters, 1,500 meters and relay, long jump, high jump, short-put, discus, javelin, lawn tennis, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, rugby, swimming, chess, scrabble, soccer and the closing ceremony/ medal award. If you are a football lover or one who loves Nigeria and her political and sports future, just take out 90 minutes from your time to watch this tough but determinant match written on papers. I wish I could have the opportunity of having all the events of the match printed. I know 90 minutes is a long time whose events cannot be contained in print media. So, I will be dramatic in my comments. And I will employ analytic styles of Nigeria’s football legend, Segun Odegbami, popularly called mathematical Odegbami by his lovers. I expect that my readers will be calculative to decipher some underpins in the match. As the match boss, I have decided that each goal will be counted one million points. And the final match is between the Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Here we go. But pardon me if I default in the game’s terminologies and techniques. Ladies and gentlemen! My dear football lovers in Nigeria and across the world! Good evening and God bless you! You are welcome to the National Stadium at Plot 436, Zambezi Crescent, Maitama in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. This is the final match of the 2019 Presidential Olympic football tournament. You will recall that the tournament has been very interesting with some surprises. 91 clubs or so have participated in it, but unfortunately many matches witnessed walkovers due to the inability of the clubs to meet up with the requirements after their registrations. The Olympic management will review this callous attitude and penalize the defaulting clubs accordingly. This final match is between the two strongest teams, the defending champion, the APC FC and the runner-up of the last tournament, the PDP FC. The stadium is very neat and fitted to international standard. It is the largest stadium in the African continent with the capacity about 190 million. It has been a very beautiful day. The weather is calm and soothing. The match is a decisive one as its outcome will determine the unity, peace and progress of the spectators in particular and the football lovers across the continent and the world. Every country of the world looks on to this game with keen interest. World leaders are optimistic about it. The two teams, assuredly, have international supporters. On the other hand, most of them have shown, like football lovers, particular interest in the defenders due to the national and international accolades they have gathered in the past few years and the confidence they have instilled in their supporters. The defenders are full of sports experts and players in world top clubs. The runnerup is equally up to the task, having won the tournament four times in the past. As you can see, the spectators are carrying either the broom or the umbrella. I will discuss the strength and significance of the two protection tools in my future features. I think that these tools were carefully chosen by their managers who are sports strategists. Ladies and gentlemen, I am sure that you will enjoy this wonderful crucial
tough clash between the two titans. The APC’s team is with the green-whiteblue jersey with red short and stocking. The jersey and short are decorated with the team’s logo, the broom. The PDP’s team is with the red jersey, white short and green stocking. They are decorated with the team’s logo, the umbrella. Both teams are warming up before the national anthem and other formalities. I can see the head coach of the APC Oshiomhole, assistant coach I. Abdulkadir, technical assistants, E. Omachukwu, H. Ekpe, Victor, M. Salisu and Lawal Shuaibu, fitness coach Nduka Ayongo, goalkeeping coaches, A. Shuaib and E. Ebediroscoutings and physiotherapists A. Bolaji, B. Abdullahi, A. Fanda and B. Ogala. They are seated on the bench with the reserves. I can also see seated the head coach of the PDP Secondus, assistant coach G. Garba, technical assistants Y. Akinwonmi,U. Tsauri, E. Agbo, A. Akobundu, U. Okoye and H. Yakubu, Fitness CoachK. Ologbondiyan, goalkeeping coaches D. Odeyemi and A. Maibasara, scoutings and physiotherapists I. Gerald, A. Adewale, W. Masu and E. Enoidem. The referee of this match is a well-known no-nonsense sportive gentleman. M. Yakubu is known to be a just and courageous umpire. He is supported by able men and women who have the technical know-how to play justice and give both teams what they get and deserve. B. Zakari, S. Solomon, A. Simbine, A. Nahuche, A. Ogunmola, S. Arfo, M. Mbu, A. Muazu, O. Ibeanu, M. Haruna and M. Lecky are in his team of referees. They are all patriotic, intellectual, professional and reliable. We are very hopeful of a very hitch-free match but full of actions and interesting displays. We also expect a lot of side attractions. There is stationed near the field a reply device which the referee can consult in any case of difficulty to immediately award a penalty. A penalty will be counted minus 500,000 points. A red card will be minus 200,000 points while a yellow card will attract minus 50,000 points. Hate speech before, during and after the match will attract a penalty of four-year suspension. But we hope as professionals, there should be very few fouls and maybe no penalty. However, it is allowed for any team to appeal against the results according to the governing rules and regulations of the game. Yet, that can only be entertained after the match. The national flag is towering high in the middle of the flags of the two teams; that of the defending champion on the right and the contender’s on the left. That is from where I am sitting. The ball boys are beautifully donned in green, white and green to match with the national flag. The field is also very neat, covered with synthetic turf in green, white and green colours. Cameras are everywhere around the stadium. Specific cameras are placed behind the goalposts which are also well protected with flexible next to ensure proper record of goals. I give honour to other teams which participated in this tournament. Their beautiful flags are hanging on the poles magnificently arranged by the right-hand side of the stadium, from where I am sitting. I can see the captains of the APC, C. Amaechi with jersey number 4 and that of PDP, B. Saraki with jersey number 6, carefully watching and monitoring the whole place and waiting for the referee for instructions. Both captains are highly seasoned players. Both contributed immensely to the victory of the defending champion in the last tournament(s), though the PDP captain has been bought over or he decided to return to his former club. There have been serious troubles for the umbrella boys. There have been serious troubles for the broom boys. I will take time to discuss these problems as the match progresses. Notwithstanding, we shall tell you the formations of the teams. We shall also throw lights on the pros and cons of the teams. While the match goes on, we shall find time to give insights into the chances of the duo. (The other parts of the commentary will follow. Stay tuned to the end of this interesting decisive match!) Muhammad Ajah is an advocate of humanity, peace and good governance in Abuja. E-mailmobahawwah@yahoo.co.uk.