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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011
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Youths urged to embrace empowerment
Kano challenged on polio eradication T
HE Executive Director of National Primary Health Care DevelopmentAgency (NPHCDA), Alhaji Ado Muhammad, has advised the Kano State government to ensure the eradication of polio virus in the state. Muhammad gave the advice when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso at Government House, Kano, after conducting the second quarterly Polio Awareness Day Campaign, ordered by the Governors’ Forum. He said that the state had the highest number of polio cases in the country, and suggested that it should mobilise resources and the po•Governor Kwankwaso
Yobe partners World Bank on HIV/AIDS
OBE State government has said that it has paid its N15 million counterpart fund in the second phase of the fight against HIV/ AIDS in the state. The Executive Director of Yobe State Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS (YOSACA), Hajiya Farida Mamudo, told journalists that 300 packets of HIV test kit, Anti Retroviral Drugs and co-infection drugs were distributed to 20 health facilities across the state. Farida said HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the state dropped from 2.7 per cent in 2008 to 2.1 per cent in 2010, noting that this was why Yobe intensified efforts to eradicate the scourge. “Yobe is to pay a total of N75 million, while the World Bank contributes 5 million dollars in the next five years. “Yobe government exhibited high sense of commitment to this project and was the first in the North East to launch the second phase of the project and to release its take-off counterpart fund.” The director charged line ministries to forward
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Yobe their budgetary allocations, saying “we must evolve a means of funding the project even after the World Bank pulls out because the fight against HIV/AIDS has to be continuous. “For the take-off of the second phase, state government released N15 million, the World Bank paid 350,000 dollars.’’ According to her, every line ministry is expected to pay some amount of money in their individual project account as criteria to access the funds. She said that the agency, line ministries and civil society organisations would launch a massive enlightenment programme on the preventive measures against the scourge. “ Every nook and cranny of the state must be visited to ensure that every citizen is sensitised,”she said
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OUTHS in Adamawa State have been urged to take full advantage of the grass-roots socio-economic empowerment programmes of the state government to fight idleness and poverty. The Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Aliyu-Mustapha made the call while inspecting containers of tools and equipment imported from China for trainees of the state government’s Local Apprenticeship Scheme (LAS). He said the state government had shown its commitment to empowering the youth and making them self-reliant by taking such
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litical will to ensure the eradication of the disease. Muhammad described state governors as the pivot of the efforts to eradicate polio in the country, and expressed the hope that Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso would not shirk in that responsibility. He said the theme of the awareness campaign, Women Against Polio, was apt in view of the need to mobilise women who formed the bulk of the resistance to polio vaccination, if the exercise was to succeed. “Women are the initiators of non compliance to the acceptance of the vaccine,” he noted, and said that the focus of the sensitisation campaign should be on them. The director advised the governor to put the local government councils on their toes in the fight against the disease. Replying, Kwankwaso gave assurance that his administration would ensure the total eradication of the virus. He said the government had re-engaged sanitary inspectors, who would go from house to house to ensure cleanliness of the environment.
•From left: Chairman, Plateau State House Committee on Works, Mr Ponmak Rindap; Chairman, House Committee on Education, Mr Joe Dawam, and Chief Whip of the House, Mr Timothy Golu at the presentation of report on a bill to establish the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission by Joint House Committee on Parastatal and Judiciary in Jos
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Kaduna to get independent power projects
ADUNA State government says it is discussing with investors to set up Independent Power Projects (IPPs) in the
state. Governor Patrick Yakowa disclosed this in a message to the Kaduna State Special Day at
Jubilation as 1,017 pilgrims return from Saudi
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OY filled the air as the first batch of Lagos Zone pilgrims who were on the 2011 Hajj exercise returned home on Sunday night through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. The batch from Lagos State consisting of 512 pilgrims, arrived the Lagos Airport at 9:05pm while another batch of 505 from Ogun State landed the same night. The pilgrims were immediately disembarked by the carrier, Medview Airline, the official carrier. The general manager of the airline, Mr David Babatunde told journalists that the exercise went on well, adding that it would would be rounded up by the end of the month. Babatunde described the exercise as excellent and promised that it would be concluded 10 days ahead of schedule.He explained that the 19 flights for Lagos Zone were carried out as scheduled by the carrier. He said that the carrier airlifted pilgrims from Lagos, Ilorin, Maiduguri and Port Harcourt with a B747 aircraft made to accommodate 517 passengers. . It would be recalled that no fewer than 8, 213 pilgrims were airlifted from Lagos
Lagos By Tajudeen Adebanjo
Zone by Medview air carrier for the exercise while the carrier also airlifted at least 6, 000 pilgrims from other four zones. "We are very happy for this year's exercise because it went as scheduled. We had little or no hitch at all throughout the airlifting of pilgrims to the Holy Land for the exercise. We used B747 with the configuration for 517 people for the exercise," he said. Speaking on their experience, one of the pilgrims, Alhaji Sulaimon Aliru, said that the exercise had been able to change his perception of life. Aliru said the only way the country could move forward was for the citizenry to continue to tolerate one another irrespective of religious background. Another pilgrim, Alhaja Sakirat Adewuyi, hailed the Lagos State Government for the peaceful conduct of the exercise and urged other state governments to emulate Lagos.
•First batch of 2011 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Edo students association denies rival group
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HE National Association of Edo State Students (NAESS National) has said that it remains the only recognised student body and association that is charged with the organisation and welfare of Edo State students in tertiary institutions nationwide and not ‘Coalition of Edo State Students Association’, (CESSA) led by one Innocent Ebhotemen. At a press conference in Benin City by the National President of NAESS, Comrade Pius Ekuaze said: “our attention was drawn to a publication in The Sun newspapers entitled: Edo State students back Osunbor’s guber ambition, under the aegis of Coalition of Edo State Students Association. We wish to state that CESSA does not exist in its entirety and as such, has no locus standi to endorse or back Osunbor or any other aspirant for the position of governorship in the state. “ This said chairman of the acclaimed association (CESSA), Innocent Ebhotemen, who is impersonating and masquerading as the helmsman of the forum of Edo State Students in all tertiary institutions nationwide, is allegedly facing a severe court case as it relates to the misappropriation of N1.6 million which was traced to his personal account as part of money which was sup•From left: Engrs. P. O. Ogunbanjo ; Shola Ogunshola ; Otunba O. O. Aromolate (secretary), Engrs. A. B. O. posed to be disbursed to inOseni and J. B. Daramola at the inaugural meeting of retired engineers of the Federal Ministry of Works at digenous students in 2008. JOBADY Hotel, Maryland, Lagos.
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“It is regrettable that Ebhotemen flouterec the courts’ decision and now parades himself as the chairman of a faceless group, thereby endorsing a gubernatorial aspirant. We also wish to urge all relevant security agencies in Edo State to immediately rise to the challenge of checking, stopping, arresting and prosecuting Ebhotemen for constituting nuisance in the state. “The National Association of Edo State Students (NAESS) wish to notify the entire public to disregard the report from this illegal association as NAESS National is an indivisible and indissolvable arm of the students’ wing of the Nigerian Students.”
Briefly
Church holds programme THE Holy Ghost Mission International Church is holding an eight-day programme tagged: It's My Turn To Shine, from November 27 to December 4 .The event begins from 5pm daily. The programme precedes its annual convention and it will be held at the church auditorium, Breakthrough Cathedral, behind AATAN Comprehensive High School, Koso, Oyo Town, Oyo State. According to the chief host, Bishop Ezekiel Adeleke: "The convention is an event and it is an instruction from God." Bishop Adeleke assured that participation in the programme would guarantee success to members, the town, council , state and Nigeria as a whole. He enjoined all to attend.
Kaduna the just concluded 25th Lagos International Trade Fair. Yakowa, represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Musa, the Acting Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, said that the IPP would substantially reduce unemployment and the state’s dependence on the national grid. He said that the state government had established new industries including: Kafanchan Foods and Flour Mills, the privatisation of which had just been concluded. Yakowa said that the state government was working on an entrepreneurship development programme to substantially reduce poverty. “The state has abundant opportunities in agricultural products like sorghums, soya bean, yam, beniseed, pepper, maize, among others,” the governor said. He said that potential abounded in the solid mineral sector such as granite, columbite,precious stones as well as investments in tourism. Yakowa said that the state government was also investing in the establishment of a new millennium city with modern facilities. “This would be five times bigger than the present Kaduna ,” the governor said. He said the state government was investing heavily in creating confidence in local and foreign investors by providing adequate security. Mr Olufemi Deru, the President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said that the presence of the state at the fair was an indication of its support for the chamber.
Council pledges support for pneumonia reduction
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HE Director of Administration, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA),Ustaz Amin has said that the council would support sensitisation efforts aimed at preventing pneumonia in Nigeria. Igwegde said this at a news conference in Abuja to mark the 2011 World Pneumonia Day, with the theme: Creating Awareness on Childhood Pneumonia. He said the aim of the celebration was to enlighten the public on the negative effects of the disease. Igwegbe said that the step was also to ensure sustainable behavioural change to reduce infection rate in the country. He said that the council had huge responsibility to ensure that people suffering from the disease were provided with the necessary support. According to him, NSCIA will encourage and support research programme on pneumonia within the Muslim and non Muslim communities in the country. Igwegde said that enhancing the provision of equitable and comprehensive treatment, care and support for children suffering from pneumonia would go a long way in tackling the disease. “We will promote and encourage interventions that could address vulnerability of women, youth and children to pneumonia,” he said. He advised stakeholders to consider the theme and national focus for this year’s celebration, adding that such approach would help to renew commitment toward the actualisation of the campaign. “We are to, as a matter of responsibility, promote the health and well-being of all those under our care, especially children, women and the youths”, he said.
Councils inaugurate legislature
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MID funfair, the chairman of Yaba Local Council, Lagos State, Hon. Jide Jimoh, and his Ikeja counterpart, Hon. Wale Odunlami, have inaugurated the legislative arms, charging the newly elected councillors to live up to expectation of the people. Jimoh thanked the people for endorsing the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at the polls, assuring that his administration would continue to serve them without blemish. He charged the councillors to promote the cause of the council by supporting fostering effective governance through legislative enactment. The chairman unfolded plans to boost internally generated revenue, give welfare package for the aged, and reinvigorate the primary education and health programmes. He stressed the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislative arms so that they could deliver dividends of democracy to the people. The Leader of the House in Yaba, Bola John, and Majority Leader Rotimi Akeju, promised that the law making organ would support moves to take the council to greater heights. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lone councillor in Yaba council, Sodipo Jelili, emerged as the Minority Leader. In Ikeja Council, the six councillors elected Mr. Edward Aragbofoh as the Leader of the House after taking the oath of office and allegiance before a crowd of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) supporters, members of Community Development Association (CDA), religious leaders, traditional rulers, women and
By Emmanuel Oladesu
youth activists. Odunlami implored them to serve the council with faith, adding that their dedication and sense of responsibility are critical to the success of his administration. He charged them to position themselves as willing partners in grassroots development by reeling out creative and constructive byelaws capable of boosting good governance. The chairman also called for unity and understanding among the political leaders in the area, stressing that the council would rely on their advice, support and experience to forge ahead. Aragbofoh thanked his colleagues; Adetoro Adebowale (Health Committee chairman), Ifeolu Akala (Budget, Finance and Appropriation), Adefemi Adeyemi (Public Petitions and Information ), Kabiru Aweoro (Agriculture and Rural Development), and Wasiu Babatunde (Education, Youth and Sports) for electing him as Leader, promising never to let them and people of Ikeja down. He said the House would enact qualitative bye-laws for the rapid development of Ikeja city. He urged the people of Ikeja to pay their taxes, rates, tariffs and dues to the coffers of the local government through designated banks so that the council can provide quality service. At the ceremony were the state Assistant Publicity Secretary of ACN, Chief Funso Ologunde, Dr. Ken Mordi, Comrade Ade Dania and other party leaders.
Adamawa practical steps of training them in their chosen trade and providing them with tools. The lamido said it was now a challenge for the youth to reciprocate the government efforts by acquiring the necessary skills to set up their trade and businesses. Also speaking on the occasion, Adamawa Assembly Speaker Sadiq Ibrahim lauded the government for embarking on various empowerment programmes in farming and technical training. He said the programmes would not only address unemployment but also minimise security threats. Ibrahim advised government to make marks on the tools and equipment to check abuse by any trainees or officials who
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•Nyako might want to sell them. In his remarks, the Project Manager of LAS, Alhaji Sani Jada said six containersof assorted tools for various categories of trainees arrived from China.
NGO seeks global rejection on homosexuality
HE Pan-Africa Leadership League (PALL), an NGO, has called for global rejection of homosexuality. This was contained in a statement issued in Kaduna and signed by Mr Stephen Achi, the Executive Director of the organisation. The statement noted that all religions and civilised cultures of the world abhor same sex, gay or homosexuality, and said that they should be rejected to save humanity from possible destruction. The League was reacting to British Prime Minister David Cameron’s threat to withhold further assistance to African countries that failed to enact laws protecting homosexuals. It said that Cameron made the remark at the just concluded Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia. The statement specifically advised African leaders to reject the overture and consider any string attached to aids as a fraud and an insult on the culture and intelligence of Africans. “PALL rejoices with countries like Malawi, Uganda and Ghana that are pushing for antigay legislation in their countries to go ahead
and disregard Cameron’s intimidating threat,’’ it said. “If Cameron insists that British aid should have more strings attached, this means the beginning of the crumbling of the Commonwealth Empire, because African countries would be forced to break away,’’ the statement warned. It urged the world to emulate African Priests that have totally rejected the ordination of gay priests by the World Anglican Communion. “Homosexuality is alien, a taboo, detestable, immoral, sinful, ungodly, totally unacceptable and indecent to righteous people,’’ the statement said. It further warned that the perpetrators of this “abominable act are fully aware that they will go to hell fire on the judgment of day.’’ While urging the Federal Government to review all aid coming to the country and stop any aid from gay countries, the statement advised the National Assembly to reject the same sex bill now before it.
Premier Medicaid boss honoured
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R. Kayode Obembe, Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of Premier Medicaid International, a leading health maintenance organization under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has been honoured by the University of Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) Worldwide. He was among five icons of the medical profession who were presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award by ICOMAA at its 2011 Alumni Day ceremonies on Thursday, 2 November, 2011 at Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. The others were Professor Christopher O. Olopade, Professor Olufunmilola Olopade, Dr. Babatunde Adeyeoluwa (posthumous) and Dr. (Senator) Olu Alabi. According to ICOMAA President, Dr. BGK Ajayi, who presented the award, the recipients were honoured for having typified the Ibadan College of Medicine tradition of excellence and brought credit to the university by their personal accomplishments, professional achievements and humanitarian service.
A former President of the University of Ibadan Medical Students Association and former President of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD), Dr. Obembe is a Fellow of several professional associations among which are the West African College of Surgeons, National Postgraduate Medical College, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners and the International College of Surgeons. He had also served on the management boards of some notable medical institutions in the country including the Board of Management, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, Board of Management, University College Hospital, Ibadan and Court of Governors, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. This year’s Alumni Day celebrations also witnessed the presentation of various awards to other icons of the medical profession in Nigeria who are alumni of the University of Ibadan College of Medicine. They included Emeritus Professor Theophilus Oladipo Ogunlesi who bagged the Golden Lifetime Achievement award.
•Dr B. G. K. Ajayi (left) congratulating Dr. Obembe after the award presentation