Nigeria: Hashidu, First Civilian Governor Of Gombe State is Dead

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27/07/2018

Former Governor Of Gombe State Abubakar Hashidu Is Dead

The first civilian governor of Gombe State, North East of the country, Abubakar Habu Hashidu passed away on Friday at the age of 74.

His daughter, Hajiya Zariyatu Hashidu, who confirmed his death to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said her father died at his residence in Gombe.

She said he left behind, one wife, eight children and fifteen grandchildren.

Hashidu was the governor of the state from May 1999 to May 2003, having been elected under the platform of the defunct All Peoples’ Party (APP), which later changed its name to All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

He had also served as Minister of Water Resources, as well as that of Agriculture and Rural Development, under the regime of Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

Nigeria: UNICEF Calls On Gombe To Invest 10% Of Budget In Pre-Primary Education

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27/07/2018

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By Ahmad Umar

United Nations Children Funds, UNICEF has appealed to Gombe State government to invest 10 percent of it’s budget in pre-education in the state.

UNICEF Chief of field Office, Bauchi, Bhanu Pathak made the call on Thursday at a Policy Dialogue on pre-primary education in Gombe

Represented by UNICEF Education Specialist, Maryama Bukar Dikuwa, Pathak observed that early childhood development is the foundation of all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and also part of the impact areas of the agency’s focus in the new country programme for Nigeria.

“I pledge UNICEF sustained support to Nigerian Government to ensure quality education and development of Children.

“Investing in policies and programme of childhood development is critical towards the actualisation of the SGDs, however, it requires collective and concerted efforts of all and sundry.

The Chief of the Field office said the agency is committed to collaborating with government institutions, Civil Society Organisation, Faith Based Organisation and other development partners to discuss issues around early childhood education.

Also speaking, Executive Chairman, Gombe Universal Basic Education Board, Professor Mohammed Gurama said that every child is expected to under go one year pre-primary education before enrolment into primary schools

He therefore stressed the need to sensitise and mobilise parents to understand the importance of the pre-primary education.

Apostle Umahi The Shining Star Of Nigerian Politics & His Remarkable Feats

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27/07/2018

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Dave Umahi — Governor Dave Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State, southeast Nigeria

By Monica Chidinma Eze

Wow!! I am so excited to announce to the world particularly to the great people of Ebonyi State that God in His infinite mercy and divine consideration blessed Nigeria with the birth of a special son in the person of Engr. Dave Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE on the fateful day of 25th July, 1963.

I thank this great God who gave me this unique opportunity to celebrate my boss, my uncle, the Lion of Ebonyi, the enigma and the new face of democracy in the politics of Nigeria, an indefatigable; a resolute revolutionist, the Governor of Ebonyi State who turns 55 on 25thJuly, 2018.

With the birth of this shining star from Ebonyi State, 25th July every year remains remarkable, memorable, historical, epochal and evergreen to all Ebonyians. This is the wonderful day thatApostle Dave Nweze Umahi a humanist, an accomplished administrator par excellence, visionary, egalitarian, radical, respected, a pragmatist and exemplary leader was given to us about 55 years ago. He was inaugurated as the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State on May 29, 2015.

Apostle Umahi the Shining Star of Nigerian Politics & His Remarkable Feats

Dr Umahi based on the trust of his brothers the South East Governors collectively elected him the Chairman of the South East Governors Forum. Governor Umahi’s emergence to lead this strategic body did not come as a surprise to political watchers in Nigeria considering his organizational acumen, reputation as peacemaker, sagacity, prowess and the wisdom with which he has governed Ebonyi since his assumption of office on May 29, 2015 and formal acceptability of Ebonyi State into the mainstream of the politics of South East,”

It is on record that for the first time an Ebonyian Governor (Governor David Nweze Umahi) was accepted as a Co-Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum (SGF) comprising of all the 19 Governors from the South West, South-south and South East. He is a key actor today in the politics of Nigeria.

Considering the unique position of this new face of democracy in Nigeria, this trailblazer, an asset the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ensured that he was among the six political leaders selected to visit our ailing President at London at least to reassure Nigerians that our President is getting better. He has attended several world meetings with President Muhammadu Buhari/

In recognition of this great and unassuming leader from Ebonyi State he was awarded the prestigious Zik Prize for exemplary leadership in consideration of his unprecedented feats less than two years in office as the Governor of Ebonyi State, which has given hope, not only to the South Easterners but to the entire Nigeria that leadership that can take her out of her present wood and predicament is still possible.” Affirming the greatness of this new discovery in the politics of Nigeria one of the big voices of Africa, a well-respected world leader and a former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, described Governor Umahi as a true Nigerian which zeal, energy and character is a true test of a leader. I have seen his exploits and the speed to which he wants to develop Ebonyi.”

Ebonyi State in the past was seen as the most backward and undeveloped State in South Eastern Nigeria but today through Engr. Dave Umahi, the State has come to acquire a new reputation as the most progressing and progressive state in the region. Umahi’s focus and passion have brought unprecedented transformation and development in all sectors of Ebonyi State. Based on his track record, Umahi has proved himself worthy of being regarded as a reincarnation of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe a world acknowledged leader, an icon of repute and one of the greatest leaders from Nigeria, who was in his life time called The Great Zik of Africa.”

It is only a resolute revolutionist leader in the mould of Governor Umahi that could envision at this period of recession, scarcity and hardship to initiate a total new city of 5,000-unit mega city housing project in Ebonyi State though to be bankrolled by the Africa Nations Development Programme (ANDP) is another milestone that put Governor Dave Nweze Umahi as a concerned and committed lover of his people. Described as one of the best things that have ever happened to Ebonyi State as I am convinced that this housing project that will comprise of 5,000 detached two-bedroom bungalows and other facilities such as schools, water, electricity, police station, barracks, hospitals among others is not only a milestone but also a strategic move to put Ebonyi in the league of the most developed states in Nigeria. This project that will be executed by this international body will cost the Ebonyi State Government little or nothing apart from the donation of the land and construction of a two-kilometre road to the site

To summarize what Umahi has become in the politics of Nigeria, his brother the Governor of Abia State recently declared him as the wisest Governor in Nigeria. The Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, who made the declaration during a visit by the Ebonyi State Executive Council to Abia State, is more than justified in the rating based on the realities on ground in Ebonyi vis-à-vis other states of the federation.

Gov Umahi’s style of leadership is truly unique and has the imprint of wisdom all over it. At a time when many other states are finding it difficult to pay workers’ salaries or meet other basic needs as a result of the economic recession in the country, the Umahi Administration, despite Ebonyi’s modest resources, embarks on numerous road projects, flyovers, roundabouts, street lights and hospitals, while also executing a revolution in agriculture, as well as the educational and health sectors. This is in addition to regular payment of civil servants, who also get paid a 13th month by the State Government. Therefore, Governor Ikpeazu was 100% correct in describing Governor Umahi as the wisest State Governor in Nigeria.

This God gift to us Igbos and Nigeria as a whole has in addition to all these feats received accolades from World Leaders. Recently the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington declared that Abakaliki rice being aggressively promoted by Governor Umahi is one of the best in the world. According to the Ambassador, “Your rice is the best anywhere in the world and we commend the Governor for putting his government to work in Ebonyi State.”

I urge Ebonyians and the entire Easterners to join hands with me and celebrate Umahi for these positive testimonies by distinguished non-Ebonyians as I appeal to the people of the state to join in celebrating their God-given Governor who has deferred sleep in his quest to make Ebonyi one of the best states in Nigeria.

If we are to consider the massive investments in security, welfare, infrastructure, agriculture, roads, flyovers, health and education in Ebonyi State by this man, we from Ebonyi State count ourselves lucky having him as our leader.

The Politics and the Profile of Engr. Dvid Nweze Umahi

Engr. Dave Nweze Umahi was a very successful businessman before he ventured into politics. Besides, he has all the good things to make one comfortable. However, his desire to make a difference in the politics of his state influenced him to contest the highest political office in the state and, as God would have it, he succeeded through what is commonly defined in Ebonyi as Divine Mandate. He is popularly known by his chieftaincy title, Akubaraaoha (wealth that touches the lives of the multitude), because of his benevolence and philanthropy through which he has awarded thousands of scholarships to indigent students of Ebonyi State and alleviated many in other ventures.

Engr. Dave. Nweze Umahi against all odds and obstacles put before his path by the Elechi’s political machine won the gubernatorial election in Ebonyi State in 2015 very convincingly; an election that radically changed the political mindset and landscape of Ebonyi State and made Engr. Umahi the first person from the southern section of the State to become the Governor of Ebonyi State. He has so exhibited and impacted his vision so visibly that Nigerians now boast and celebrate that truly a new visionary, focussed, determined, patriotic, revolutionary, egalitarian leader in the mould of Dr. Akanu Ibiam the first Governor of the defunct Eastern Nigeria who happens to come from thesame section of the State like Umahi is thrown to the centre stage of the politics of our country, Nigeria.

He ran and won the Governorship of Ebonyi state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Born on July 25, 1963 to late Elder Joseph Umahi Nweze and Margret Umahi of Umunaga in Uburu, Ohaoazara Local Government Area of Ebonyi state, Umahi received his secondary education from Ishiagu High School and the Government Secondary School of Afikpo before entering the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in 1982. He graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.

In 1990, he co-founded Norman Engineering and Construction Nig. Limited with Ombo Isokarari, serving as its general manager until 1993. Until 2011, he served as chairman and CEO of Brass Engineering & Construction Nig. Ltd., Focus Investment Nig. Ltd., and Osborn La Palm Royal Resort Ltd.

Umahi entered public service in 2007 as the acting chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party. From 2009 to 2011, he served as state chairman of the party. During that term, he served a year on the governing board of the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba as its chairman.

In 2011, Umahi became deputy governor of Ebonyi State on a ticket with Chief Martin Elechi. In 2014, the then Governor Elechi supported Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health, as his successor, which Umahi said violated an understanding that he would take over from Elechi In October 2015, the legitimacy of the election was upheld by the Governorship Election Tribunal and later by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Umahi had defeated the then Labour Party candidate, Dr. Edward Nkwegu who came second in the disputed election. The result of the election was consequently challenged by his fiercest rival, from the tribunal to the Supreme Court and Engr. Umahi secured victory at every stage.

Having been a PDP chairman before being elected Elechi’s Deputy in 2011, Engr. Umahi, who was adjudged by many sound politicians as an old broom that knows all corners of the house and therefore should sweep better in party politics, had tactfully warmed himself into the then PDP national hierarchy and the Presidency and proved himself as an outstanding political tactician.

Not to give room to any political manoeuvre by his opponents he enrolled an army that will begin deep grassroots penetration across and breadth of the State by mobilising and strongly supported the formation of Akubaraoha Youth Assembly with Comrade Mark Chopper Onu as its National Coordinator. In addition, the appointment of over 600 Special Technical Assistants and Technical Assistants across all the crooks and crannies of the Salt of the Nation, the efforts of any opposing group to unseat him will amount only to an exercise in futility.

Umahi and His Titles

Engr. David Nweze Umahi popularly known as Akubuorah for being one of the best Philanthropists from Ebonyi State. My uncle the pride of Ebonyi State is also the Okenwa of Uburu our home town. He has the singular honour of the first Uburu son to be crowned with the title of Onyibe 1 of Uburu, Adu 1 of Adu. He is the Eze Chinyere I of Ebonyi State. Dikedioranma 1 of Ebonyi South, Ochudo, Omereoha 1 of Ohahukwu, Omenka of Edda, Ikenga 1 of Ezza nation, Ebube Agu of ishiagu, Udemba 1 of Ukpo and Achi n’ agbara Oha 1 of Ishielu Local Government amongst several other traditional titles and unaccountable awards.

It is a fact undeniable that Umahi’s unprecedented developmental strides which have benefited countless people stem from his political prowess and innate passion for humanity. His resoluteness and sagacity against all odds, his towering bravery and political heroism, only attest to God’s abundant grace upon his life.

As much as it is impossible to in one article enumerate all the feats of this great leader from Ebonyi State, let me conclude by stating that if we are to judge Engr. Dave Nweze Umahi based on the realities of his feats in the governance of Ebonyi State, I can comfortably state that Ebonyians will continue to give him their full support and will cap it by overwhelmingly re-electing him in 2019 to enable him continue his good work,”

Let me formally conclude this treatise by declaring that the Lion of Ebonyi State at 55 has come of age and can now roar and let the world take note that Ebonyi will shine and shine to the glory of God. Happy birthday my leader, uncle and the Lion of Ebonyi State. Wishing you long life and more prosperity.

Ms Eze is Technical Assistant (TA) on Media to Governor Dave Nweze Umahi and can be reached through, dunaebonyitransformation001@gmail.com & quintrelking@gmail.com

US Enhancing Military Partnerships In Africa, General Tod Says

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26/07/2018

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By Prabalta Rijal

Brussels (Belgium) – United States says it is strengthening its presence in Eastern Europe and Africa. It is also enhancing its capabilities and partnerships in the two continents.

Commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe And U.S. Air Forces Africa, General Tod D. Wolters, told journalists in a Telephonic Briefing that through a total force integration effort, The US had utilised the full spectrum of its Air Force via participation from the Active, Guard and Reserve.

“Additionally, these exercises further demonstrated the value of partnerships and further strengthened the critical relationships, we have with our allies and partners.

Specifically, exercises like Saber Strike and BALTOPS improved our resiliency, responsiveness and lethality,” he said.

While talking about the US Air Force capacities in the African continent, he stated that their efforts in strengthening capabilities in the region were paying off.

“What I can say is in the area of improving indications and warnings and command and control and command and feedback, we are working by, with and through the countries to improve our ability to build partnership capacity.

And we’re pleased to report in those campaign areas we’re continuing to make improvements. So the posture of the forces and their ability to provide command and control are improving over time,”

He said while answering a question based on the armed drone exercises the US had carried out in Niger recently.

Wolters further stated that although there have been reports that the US will be dropping down its capabilities in Africa, which could cause further problems in countries like Somalia that are still recuperating from years of instability, this was not entirely the case and they are in fact working on building capacities inside the continent.

“One of the recent activities is the African Partnership Flight Program is that we have crews and a specific aircraft that has specific expertise, and they forward deploy as a team and they stay anywhere from two days to two weeks and they share tactics, techniques and procedures on how to aviate, navigate and communicate and on how to lift and shift resources.

And it dramatically improves the disposition of the air components that exist on the African continent. And we know that continues to take place. It will continue to take place in the future, and we’re very, very excited about the improvement that we see,” he said.

According to him, the demand for air, space and cyber power is only continuing to grow and America’s Airmen need to be resourced and trained to fight as a joint and allied military team to answer these challenges.

“As the Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, I can guarantee that we will continue to remain laser focused on maintaining and improving our readiness and warfighting posture,” he said.

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/06/19/news/nigerian-air-force-bombards-bandits-in-zamfara/

Nigeria To License New Broadband Providers — VP Osinbajo

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26/07/2018

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has announced plans by the Federal Government to expand the broadband coverage of the country through the licensing of private broadband providers.

He said this while inaugurating the Google for Nigeria event at the Landmark Centre, Lagos, on Thursday.

He said that the measure would improve the digital space and opportunities for innovation and technological advancement of the country.

“Next week I will launch a climate innovation centre in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre at the Lagos Business School, here in Lekki Village.

“All of these form part of our ICT road map in which the private sector is an important stakeholder.

“The challenge remains connectivity, extending broadband reach and making data cheaper.

“Our national broadband policy is the first step we are taking.

“And so through the Nigerian Communications Commission we are licensing a number of infrastructure companies who will invest in rolling out broad band infrastructure across Nigeria.

“I believe that we can extend broadband connectivity and reach significantly within a year or two and we will be partnering in whatever way we can with Google.

“And with Nigerian broadband providers like 21 Century Technologies, BCN, to quickly achieve the level of connectivity that is required to march the creative energy that is being released in our country on a daily basis.

“Our goal is to create a data-driven digital economy, one that will ead to the way not just in Africa but globally as well.’’

Osinbajo expressed the belief that Nigeria was on the right path as the nation had the people and the talent.

He added that there existed a government that had seen the potential very clearly and showing the determination to unlock that potential.

According to him, technology has put great powers in our hands as individuals but more importantly as co-creators and collaborators to positively and dramatically change the course of human existence.

Osinbajo noted that with technology , the country could solve many problems confronting the people.

He said that in addition, the country could connect people, grow businesses, influence good governance, and create better lives and a better country for the citizens and for the future.

He said that the country was in many senses at an exciting moment in history because of what the young people were doing in innovation and their sheer energy and talent.

Accordingly, the vice president the future the country is looking well and it has already arrived, is bound to be an exciting one for the youth and adults.

He said that the government would be with the youth in every step of the journey.

Osinbajo thanked Google for democratising the country’s digital space, urging that such innovations should be extended to many of the nation’s markets where a large number of people ply their trade.

He observed that through Artificial Intelligence, the country was guaranteed more food and better healthcare.

He said that every step made to make technology available would lead to a quantum leap in the African development story and a major contribution to global stability and growth.

He described the inauguration of the Google station in the country as a very exciting event because of the company’s promise to provide access in several public spaces.

He said that the country was happy with the Google’s partnership and had been energising the country’s markets with solar power, especially in Aba, Kano, Lagos and Ibadan.

He said that access to information, tools of education, business or commerce ensured that a lot of gaps of inequalities and exclusion were bridged.

Osinbajo recalled that a digital skills training programme was launched in 2016, aimed at training of 400,000 youths on basic digital skills, adding that the government had since trained more than one million persons in partnership with Google and local digital firms.

He added that to scale up the support of private players in the technology space, government created the technology and creative industry advisory group as part of the industrial council to support young players in the industry.

He said that through the GEM programme of the World Bank, the administration had given a-two- million dollars lifeline to 79 start-ups across the country, while the Bank of Industry had also aside a N10 billion technology fund.

“We are looking at increasing the availability of the fund and how to use all the development finance banks to extend credit to innovation and technology start-ups,’’ he said.

He said that government was committed to building an ecosystem to drive innovation, adding that government was training 5,000 developers as part of the country’s N-Power tech programme with another 3,000 being trained in animation.

The VP added that government was supporting the students’ hub innovation challenge across institutions to support student entrepreneurs.

The Country Director of Google, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, earlier said that the African digital story was evolving and the organisation planned to keep building products and programmes to accelerate growth in Nigeria and Africa.

She recalled that in 2017, the company had brought together Google’s global leadership with over 200 key stakeholders in the industry.

She said that the organisation remained committed to developing the digital ecosystem and making its products more useful for Africans.

“Most of Africa’s biggest challenges may not be solved by methods of the past; with machine learning and artificial intelligence these problems can be solved in a radically different way both faster and more cost effectively.

“For example, today with a smart phone and a camera and existing apps, it is possible to detect and prevent diseases, predict severe weather conditions, like droughts, and also address financial inclusion for the un-banked.’’ she said.

The Google chief said that the country would continue to seek digital growth of Nigeria and Africa as Nigeria currently had over 45 million mobile internet users and future growth would be driven by smart phones currently growing at 14 per cent annually.

She recalled that Google had committed to training five million Africans as well as to train the next developers of Africans and giving them Google certification.

Ehimuan-Chiazor said that entrepreneurs in Africa would create the jobs of the future, adding that the company was willing to through its Launch-pad Accelerator Africa give more than three million dollars equity free support to more than 60 early stage start-ups in the continent.

“Since the launch earlier this year, 12 start-ups have graduated from the programme, working across a range of industry.

“They have created 132 jobs and raised over seven million dollars in funding and their products are used by approximately 4.5 million users,’’ she noted.

She also recalled the 20 million dollars pledged to support non-profits in their jobs.

In a related development, the Vice President declared open the Co-working Conference 2018 of innovators in Lagos.

At the conference, he stressed the need for collaboration and partnerships among entrepreneurs to boost productivity and economic growth.

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/07/11/news/nigeria-google-to-partner-on-global-digital-access-vp-osinbajo/

Nigeria: Children Home Ex-Students Accuse Director Of Sexual Assault

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26/07/2018

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By Amos Tauna

Ex -Students of an orphanage home, Stephens Children Home in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Southwest of the country have accused the Director, Rev. Isaac Oluwole Newton Wusu of dehumanisation, molestation and abuse.

They alleged that Rev Wusu who is their guardian torments and violates their fundamental human right under the disguise of sponsorship and scholarship by sexually violating over 20 students of the orphanage home.

Addressing newsmen in Kaduna Thursday, the national coordinator of the concerned past students of the Home, Ado Nicodemus Baggibawa stated that Stephens Children Home is an arm of the voice of the Christian Martyrs Nigeria, an affiliate of International Christian Association, ICA, established in 2000 to carter for the basic needs of children whose parents were killed during religious crisis in states like Kaduna, Plateau, Kano, Yobe, Bauchi, Borno and Adamawa.

The students called on the Federal Government, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and relevant stakeholders to monitor the activities of these centres in the country, stressing that while some centres are established based on genuine course, several others are put in place to selfishly perpetrate acts of personal aggrandisement.

“It will also interest you to know that the first set of people to be adopted in this centre are from Kaduna State and form a significant per cent of the abused and harass population, although a lot of them are never interested in speaking out due to the fear of societal stigmatisation.

“While in the centre, our education, feeding, clothing, and shelter were catered for by donations from various sister missions overseas, who have made it possible for the Director to oversee the affairs of the institutions.

“As time pass by, we all began to notice some changes and differences in the way we are being treated especially gender wise. This arises out of the fact that the Director started taking undue advantages of the children, especially the young teenage girls by luring and showering them with gifts in disguise of being his good friends which often leads to harassment and abuse of some of them.

“It is on record that over 20 female students had been sexually violated by the accused Director. Interestingly, some of them are here today and are willing to testify on the horrific ordeal they experienced in the centre. The male students on the other hand were subjected to dehumanising and excruciating labour during the construction of some structures which were budgeted and paid for by foreign sponsors.

“However, there was a certain time when report reached the foreign sponsors on the failing state and the dehumanising practices that has eroded the centre. In 2012, some of those sponsors came to investigate the matter, however, the Director of the centre uses the staff to intimidate the victims so as to exonerate and cover his evil practices as a remedy to the survival of the centre.

“I want to draw out attention to the fact that, we do not only speak and seek justice for ourselves, we speak and seek justice for the common man, woman and child in the street of Kaduna, Nigeria, Africa and the world at large, who are constantly abused and harassed by the people who thought they can bend or buy the law at any point in time in their favour.

“We also want to bring to your notice that the situation in the centre has become more precarious due to the obvious fact that most of the foreign sponsors of the centre have stopped assisting since June 2016. Even though there is a significant help coming, the Director has made it a tactics to ensure the children in the centre are less fed while laying emphasis that we are the cause of their malnourished.

When contacted, Rev. Isaac Oluwole Newton Wusu, denied the allegations, saying he was not aware of such issues at the Home.

Nigeria: NAFDAC Destroys N650m Worth Counterfeit Products In Kaduna

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26/07/2018

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National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, counterfeit, sub-standard and expired drugs worth N650 million in Kaduna, northern Nigeria.

The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, said at the destruction site in Buruku, Kaduna State, that the products were substandard, falsely labelled medicines, unwholesome food products and cosmetics.

Others were counterfeited unsafe NAFDAC regulated products by the agency from manufacturers, importers and distributors.

Represented by the North West Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Mr Gimba Dauda, she said the exercise was part of efforts to stop spurious NAFDAC regulated products from circulation in Nigeria.

“The products being destroyed today are made of substandard and falsely labelled medicines, unwholesome food products, cosmetics and other counterfeited products.

“Drug counterfeiting is an act of economic sabotage and also terrorism against public health,’’ the director-general said.

Commending the Federal Government for banning the use of codeine syrup, Adeyeye said: “The decision is to ensuring the reduction in the abuse of the substance.

“We have continued to aggressively pursue the goal that only genuine medicines and wholesome foods of the right qualities are imported, exported, manufactured and distributed.

“We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for re-instating NAFDAC personnel to our ports of entry and borders.”

She noted that the relentless effort of the federal government was helping in the increase seizures of counterfeited and substandard NAFDAC regulated products smuggled through the land borders.

She said that NAFDAC has deepened its collaboration with agencies of government and stakeholders to end the spread of fake and counterfeited drugs in Nigeria.

Part of the drugs, food, cosmetics and chemical destroyed included antibiotics, antimalarial, anti-hypertensive, anti-cancer, herbal remedies and controlled substances.

Others were Mom’s tomato paste, non-alcoholic beverages, maize flour, Eva complexion soap, hair cream and fake insecticides.

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/06/01/news/why-280-illegal-pharmacy-premises-were-sealed-in-zamfara-northwest-nigeria-council/

Nigeria: Emergency Policy Will Reduce Morbidity, Mortality — Health Minister

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26/07/2018

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Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole said that the Emergency Management System (EMS) policy which was launched last February would reduce morbidity and mortality and ensure that there was prompt response to emergencies.

The minister made the assertion at the ongoing Second Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society of Emergency Care Practitioners (SEMPON) on Thursday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is, ‘Emergency Medicine and Patient Safety: How Safe Are Our Emergency Departments?’

The minister, who was represented by Prof Lanre Adeyemo, Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), said the policy would help coordinate and integrate EMS across Nigeria.

Other objectives of the policy include formulating, regulating and implementing guidelines to ensure prompt response to emergencies.

“The justification for the policy is that there has been a rise in morbidity and mortality due to several disasters and emergencies.

“Managing disasters is about proper coordination and we need to put a policy in place.

“The roles and responsibilities of the actors in emergency services are clearly stipulated, from the federal level to the state and at the local government levels,” he said.

Also, Dr Jide Idris, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health said that preparedness for emergencies was crucial and there was need to ensure that there was a ready plan to curb outbreaks.

He noted that emergency responses weren’t only needed for accidents but also for outbreaks of diseases.

Dr Olufemi Taiwo, who represented the Commissioner told NAN that the state had put structures in place to ensure prompt response to emergencies.

“We have the unit that links with disease surveillance officials in case there’s an outbreak.

“Also we have the general hospitals that manage and transfer patients to the secondary facilities, if need be to the tertiary institutions.

“We have the isolation ward at the Mainland General Hospital for the infectious diseases like Lassa Fever and Ebola.

”Other measures include the ambulance services, with manpower to manage and transfer the emergency cases.”

Idris called on communities to cooperate with government agencies by allowing them access to people affected by emergencies.

Also, Prof Abdelouahab Bellou, of Therapeutics and Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, said medicine was susceptible to emergencies because of the tendency to hide errors.

Bellou said: “If you blame people, they will not tell you when there are errors. Then you will not be able to analyse them to see how they can be avoided.

“Suppress the urge to blame people, rather work with the system in place.”

The professor urged medical practitioners to ensure that their facilities are above average,which could be achieved by ensuring personnel are well skilled.

Also, Dr Efunbo Dosekun, Vice Chairman, SEMPON told NAN that training of healthcare personnel was very important in ensuring adequate emergency response.

Dosekun said another way of reducing emergencies was promoting safety measures that prevent them.

“We will continue to sensitise our doctors to go back and create a sustainable safety drive that will ensure that our hospitals are safer,” she said.

Dr Bode Falase, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) said there was need for more awareness on the challenges of emergency healthcare management.

He lauded the initiative of the organisers of the event and urged governments, private and nongovernmental organisations to collaborate in proffering solutions.

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/07/24/news/nigeria-stakeholders-finalise-infant-young-child-feeding-communication-strategy-for-kaduna-state/

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