PEOPLES DAILY, monday, june 17, 2019
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news
Chancellor tasks FG on special grant to UniAbuja By Usman Shuaibu
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he Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Alhaji (Dr.) Shehu Idris who is also the Emir of Zazzau, Zaria in Kaduna State, has appealed to the Federal Government to consider the University of Abuja for a special grant. The Emir, who made this appeal while delivering his address during the 23rd convocation ceremony of the University which took place at the main campus on Saturday, further charged the government to complete ongoing projects in the University for the benefit of the students. His words: “The University is still in a transition period and considering its strategic position in the Federal Capital, there is need for further assistance by the government to facilitate the development plans of the University to a level benefiting the nation’s Federal Capital”. He also urged the leadership of the University Alumni Association to take advantage of the Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities (CAANU) to move towards taking the University to higher heights. The Emir of Zazzau, however, advised the graduands to use the knowledge they had acquired in the University to better the society, while thanking the Federal Government for its support to the University. Also speaking, the Vicechancellor of the University, Prof. Michael Adikwu had disclosed that the University graduated a total number of 4,946 students made up of 4,725 undergraduates and 221 postgraduate students from 2017/2018 academic session. According to Adikwu, first class (honours) 24, second class upper division 982, second class lower division 2,498, third class 1,085 while pass category is 136. In addition, he said a total number of 68 students bagged Doctorate Degrees, 233 master’s degrees while 41 students bagged postgraduate diplomas. The Vice-chancellor said the management of the University would remain committed in the pursuit of academic goals, and urged the graduands to be good diplomats of the University. On his part, the visitor to the University, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Arc. Sunday Echono, said he would continue to focus on the development of education sector in the country. Meanwhile, the University bestowed Honorary degrees on Architect Amaechi Chiedu (DSC, honoris causa); Chief Executive Officer Lionstore Group and Barr. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman (Dlitt, honoris Causa) former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chief Executive Officer of Alkali Foundation.
108 Hepatitis B patients get free counseling, screening in Kaduna
From: kaduna
Femi
Oyelola,
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he Kashim Ibrahim Fellows (KIF), a one-year leadership programme of the Kaduna State Government has screened and provided Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) counselling to 108 People Living with Disabilities (PLWD) at the state’s Rehabilitation Centre, Makera, Kaduna. One of the KIF fellows, Abdulhakeem Miko, a human anatomist, said that the services, which was free, was part of KIF’s five-day community service to sensitise and educate people on the dangers of HBV. Miko explained that HBV was more infectious than HIV, adding, however, that only a few per cent of people infected with the virus were aware they were infected.
He said that PLWD, often excluded from scheme of things were among section of the people with high risk of contracting the virus, which could be transmitted through blood and body fluid. “Because of their challenge, PLWD are vulnerable to all kind of sexual abuse and rape and could engage in all kinds of dangerous lifestyle like drugs, putting them at risk of contracting the virus. “So, in our spirit of inclusion and ensuring that no one is left behind, we decided to bring these services to your doorstep instead of allowing you to come to us, which could be difficult. “We do not only want you to know about HBV, but to also screen you so you will know your status and protect yourself if tested negative and refer you to a hospital if tested positive. “Our goal is to ensure that
people are aware of the virus, know their status and how to prevent contacting and spreading the virus as part of effort to curd the scourge of HBV in the country,” he said. The PLWD, mostly teenagers, were thrilled and thanked KIF for the gesture, describing it as the first of its kind. One of them, Jonathan Dangana, who is the Head Boy of the centre, said that this was the first time a group of people would consider them worthy of such a life-saving services. Another student, Yakubu Abubakar, equally thanked the KIF for the gestures, saying “it makes us feel we belong and that someone out there, care for us. “We want other organisations to emulate KIF and support Kaduna state government to meet the needs of people living with
disabilities.” The five-day long community service tagged “KIF against Hep-B” began on Monday with sensitisation, counselling and testing outreach to about 500 students of Kaduna Polytechnic. The group had earlier trained 120 hairdressers and barbers on universal precautionary measures and international best practices to prevent the spread of the virus. The group, further took their sensitisation campaign against the virus to Sheik Abubakar Gumi Central Market, Kaduna to reach as many people as they can with the life-saving information on HBV. The fellows also held a public lecture where issues around HBV were discussed by experts, policy makers, students and members of the public on the way forward.
L-R: Guest Speaker/former Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe; Plateau State Commandant, National Community Ethics and Values Environmental Compliance Corps (NCEVECC), Mr John Olayemi and Controller, Federal Ministry of Environment Plateau State, Mr Philip Bitrus, during a symposium on environmental air pollution to commemorate 2019 World Environment Day celebration, on Saturday in Jos. Photo: NAN
Buhari felicitates with Amaechi at 90 By Lawrence Olaoye
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resident Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the First Republic Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi, on the occasion of his 90th birthday anniversary. According to a statement made available to newsmen yesterday, the President
joined family, friends and well-wishers to celebrate the elder statesman, foremost nationalist and respected community leader who has remained steadfast in proffering the way forward for Nigeria and building bridges that will help strengthen the foundations of the country. On this auspicious
occasion, the President enjoined all who celebrate the nonagenarian to reflect on the ideals he shared so much with national founding figures like the great Zik of Africa, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, who used their leadership positions to serve the country with dedication, dignity and discipline. The President believed
that Nigeria needs nationalists like Amaechi to constantly remind us of our national history and inspire all Nigerians to embrace the core values of unity and faith, peace and progress. He prayed God to preserve the celebrant with good health, happiness and peace and wish all those celebrating him a joyous day.
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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, june 17, 2019
BMO Cautions PDP on improper conduct By Umar Puma
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Muhammad
he Buhari Media Organization (BMO) has described Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) statement on June 12 as a cacophony of lies. According to the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), the declaration and actualization of June 12 as democracy day is a watershed in the history of our democratic journey and the PDP government did not play any role in shaping that history. In a statement signed by the group chairman Niyi Akinsiju and its secretary Cassidy Madueke, the group says that the most significant factor that differentiated APC Government from PDP’s is the fact that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari has played a pivotal role in administering Justice to correct the errors of the past which was the annulment of June 12, 1993 election. “June 12 is not just a day to remember the struggles of our past but a day that triggers a new hope and a new dawn with a substantive direction for a greater Nigeria. “On May 29 this year PDP released a statement saying President Muhammadu Buhari did not deliver a speech at his inauguration for second term, but the opposition party forget that the symbolism of democracy day was shifted from May 29 to June 12. “What Nigeria needs at the moment is a conscientious opposition not a reckless narcissistic opposition who, rather than show some remorse for their previous apathy, tried to make June 12 about themselves and their loss at the presidential polls. “PDP was in power at the centre for 16 years and the PDP-led administration, over that period, did not deem it fit to correct the injustice meted out to the clear winner of the June 12, 1993 election, and Nigerians generally. “We wish to admonish the PDP, for its role as opposition, to be introspective and not be reckless with their statements. The election has been won fair and square so they should focus on the business of an opposition party.”
INEC server: Atiku says no plan to protest if tribunal rules against him, PDP By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
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residential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last general elections, Alh. Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims in a section of the media to the effect that he plans to lead a street protest in the event that the election petition tribunal rules against him and his party on the issue of a server for the Independent National Electoral Commission. Atiku emphatically declared that such a statement did not emanate from him nor his privies. The former Vice President, in a statement yesterday by his Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, attributed the report to the work
of mischief makers who want to mar his (Atiku’s) spotless prodemocratic record and lay the ground work for their threatened actions against him on false charges of being a threat to national security.The statement made it clear that Atiku Abubakar is a strong believer in the Rule of Law and in the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It stressed that the former Vice President’s almost four decades in politics, he has never taken action or spoken words against democracy and will not start now. Atiku Abubakar and his team, the statement said, have confidence in God and thus called on those bent on mischief to have the fear of God and retrace their steps. The statement by Ibe reads,
“Our attention has been drawn to a statement circulating in a section of the media, to the effect that Atiku Abubakar, Presidential candidate of PDP in the 2019 presidential election and Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007 plans to lead a street protest in the event that the election petition tribunal rules against him and his party on the issue of a server for the Independent National Electoral Commission. “I wish to emphatically state that such a statement did not emanate from Atiku Abubakar or his privies. “It is the work of mischief makers who want to mar his spotless pro-democratic record and lay the ground work for their threatened actions against him on
false charges of being a threat to national security. “For the avoidance of doubt, Atiku Abubakar believes in the Rule of Law and in the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “In his almost four decades in politics, he has never taken action or spoken words against democracy and will not start now. “Atiku Abubakar and his team have confidence in God and thus call on those bent on mischief to have the fear of God and retrace their steps. Democracy has come to stay in Nigeria. “The culture of fear being created now cannot rein in our democracy. Nigeria and Nigerians have a consistent history of outlasting tyranny and will continue to do so by the grace of God”, it said.
: L-R, The Chancellor of the Federal University Dutsinma, the representative of the Visitor, President Muhammadu Buhari, former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Professor Hafeez Abubakar, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, his Deputy Alhaji Mannir Yakubu and the Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Dr. Mustafa Muhammed Inuwa at the 4th Convocation of the Federal University Dutsinma , on Saturday in Katsina State.
Niger APC urges state legislators to put state/ people first agenda From Yakubu Minna.
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Mustapha,
he All Progressive Congress APC in Niger state has charged on the newly inaugurated State Assembly members to rededicate themselves to the mandate of the party and the developmental ideals of separation of power in democracy for sustainable development of the state. This was contained in a press statement issued at the weekend in Minna, by the party Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Idris Abini who assured the lawmakers of the
party’s maximum support in the discharge of their responsibilities. Idris Abini in Hus statement advised the new legislators to pursue an agenda that puts the interest of the people and the state above their personal and political leanings, stressing that as the representatives of the people, they should understand the needs and aspirations of the people and intimate the Executive accordingly. He noted that this will help in the actualization of such needs and aspirations as well as for the implementation of projects and Programmes that are geared
towards their development hence no meaningful growth can be achieved in an atmosphere of discord. He urged them to ensured cordial relationship with the Executives and other arms of government as a team, stressing that when they work together the citizens will benefit more while reaffirming the APC position of ensuring freedom and autonomy of the legislature for the success of good governance in the state. Abini maintained that as legislators the challenges before them was enormous since it is
their constitutional mandate to make effective laws, review them, repel where necessary and enact new ones, appropriate funds as well carryout effective oversight functions noted that the party will support all of those for good governance and enthroned ethics in the state. He enjoined the lawmakers in the state to always embrace the virtue of love, peaceful coexistence, harmony and respect for each other irrespective of political, religious and social affiliation by engendering the spirit of patriotism and unflinching loyalty to the party APC.