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28/08/2015

Skilled Attendance And Family Planning Key To Reducing Maternal Mortality — Dr. Dogo

By Longtong Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) Family Planning and having in place skilled birth attendance have been identified as key solution to reducing maternal mortality in a country;

The Kaduna state Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Paul Manya Dogo stated this at a media forum organized by the Development Communications Network under its Maternal Health Accountability – Notagain campaign.

The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Planning and Statistics, Dr. Butawa Nuhu added that challenges faced by women in accessing health care in the state include poverty, distance to health facilities, need for permission from spouse, attitude of health workers and laxity of patients to visit the health care facilities.

In a paper entitled, “Improving Access to Maternal Health in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges & Best Practices” he explained that globally over ¼ million (289,000) women die yearly during pregnancy or childbirth, of which approximately 99% (286,000) of these deaths occur in developing countries.

He said while more than half (62%) of these (179,000) deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa; In Nigeria 40,000 women die yearly during pregnancy or childbirth and also has the second highest maternal mortality rate (545) when compared with other regions of the world.

Dr. Dogo pointed out that Kaduna state government was working hard towards improving access to maternal health care through free maternal & child health services; plan for Community Health Insurance Scheme (Reduce health financing burden among households), Plans for upgrading (infrastructure & services) of one PHC per political ward in the State, introduction of Emergency Transport System (ETA) to access healthcare by pregnant women; Enabling law to ensure sustainability of maternal and child health program and its quality; Deliberate demand creation and community involvement in MCH programs to reduce or eliminate social barriers; and Integrated approach to rural development by current government that will allow communities drive their own development.

Malam Mustapha Jumare of MCH-CS partnership in a presentation said in Nigeria, one in 13 women die during pregnancy or childbirth.

He added that MCH-CS partnership is formed to help in advocating for sustainability of free maternal, new-born and child healthcare services; to advocate to policy makers (Executive, Legislature & Judiciary) and other relevant stakeholders in ensuring sustainability, effective and efficient FMNCH service delivery in the State

Biodun Owo of Devcoms in an overview of the Notagain campaign decried the rate of maternal death in the country, stating that women in Nigeria still die needlessly despite government promises and commitments to improving the state of primary health care.

She further called on the media to aid in reporting maternal health care issues so as to increase public discourse and demand for quality maternal health services, and also to see government officials and policy makers making commitment.

In a remark, Iliya Kure of Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) pointed out that the essence of the meeting was to bring accountability in maternal health issues by ensuring that the right amount of money is appropriated to maternal health care, adding that the Civil Society and media can hold the government accountable to ensure that what government said it would do is done.

Nigeria: Katsina Regains 900 Rustled Camels, Cattle

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28/08/2015

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Nigeria: Katsina Regains 900 Rustled Camels, Cattle

By Muhammad Bello
Katsina (Nigeria) – Chairman of Katsina State Committee on Cattle Rustling, Nuhu Abdulqadir has disclosed that 900 cows and some camels rustled from Nigeria were intercepted in Niger Republic.
Abdulqadir told journalists in Katsina, northwest Nigeria, that neighbouring Nigerien authorities has alerted his committee on the intercepted cows and camels.
He explained that Niger republic have sent a letter to Katsina state government regarding the arrest, pointing out that they will soon go and inspect them and find ways of transporting them back to Katsina.
He however stated that as soon as they were brought back to Nigeria, people whose cattles were rustled will be invited to come and inspect them.
Abdulqadir expressed happiness that with the effort of the incumbent government of Katsina State and his committee, the incidences of cattle rustling in the state has drastically reduced.
He added that most of the rustled cattles were recovered through a joint effort of security personnel, adding that some of the rustled animals were already claimed by their owners after proper identification.
According to him, for a person to claim his rustled cattles he had to go under series of scrutiny from his district head, security agencies, the courts and the committee.
The chairman stressed that with the efforts so far put in place by the government, the issue of cattle rustling would soon be eradicated in the state.
Cattle rustling is common in northern nigeria, it has led to several clashes in many states across the region.

US Journalists Killer Shot Himself Dead, Says Police

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27/08/2015

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US Journalists Killer Shot Himself Dead, Says Police

By Longtong Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) – The suspect accused of killing two US journalists, Vester Flanagan (41), has shot and killed himself as police chased him on a Virginia highway.

Flanagan, who was an African-American, died later at a hospital, police said.

Reports say he killed two television journalists [his former colleagues] during a live broadcast in Virginia over what he described as been discriminated against because he was black.

Journalists killed, Alison Parker (24), and cameraman Adam Ward who died shortly after they were shot were interviewing Vicki Gardner of smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce for a breakfast TV interview about tourism at the shopping centre.

Vicki Gardner who was also attacked, survived and was taken to the hospital for surgery.

Flanagana [former employee of the TV station WDBJ7], has uploaded a video of himself shooting the reporter at a close range on the social media.

In a fax, a man said to be Flanagan also acclaimed suffering discrimination and bullying for being gay and black.

The station’s President and General Manager Jeffrey Marks in a remark on air said, the motive of the suspected killer is not known to anyone pointing out that their heart was broken on the news. “I cannot tell you how much they were loved by the WDBJ7 TEAM, our hearts are broken.”

An Anchor of the station, Chris Hurst who revealed that he was in a relationship with Miss Park which they are having plans to be married. He expressed grief over the lost describing her as a lovable lady love by all.

Shanghai Stock Exchange Nose Dives, Dragging Down Other Asian Giants

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25/08/2015

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Shanghai Stock Exchange Nose Dives, Dragging Down Other Asian Giants

Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) – The Shanghai Stock Exchange has plummeted this morning, jeopardizing the financial soundness of the main Asian stock markets. Morning trade saw the Shanghai Composite Index losing 8.4% to 3,200 points.

The measures promised over the weekend by the Beijing government to strengthen the confidence of investors – to invest most of the pension funds in the stock market – have not had any effect. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index lost 5.8%.

The Shanghai disaster echoed on the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong, which lost 4.7% and whose index fell to 15, the lowest number since the market crisis of October 1987. The Taiwan Taiex lost 7.5%, while the Japanese Nikkei has suffered a bit less, losing 2.8% (the lowest in five months however).

On the Shanghai Composite, 750 stocks fell below the limit of 10%, including China Shenhua Energy. The financial index fell to 37% from the peak reached on June 12, burning 4 trillion. Chen Gang, an analyst at Heqitongyi Asset Management, based in Shanghai, said that “this is a disaster, and nothing seems capable of stopping it. If we do not cut securities, we risk a forced closure. I hope we can survive”.

Despite these latest worrying developments, Carlo Cottarelli, executive director of the International Monetary Fund says “it is entirely premature to talk of a crisis in China”. Investment forecasts speak of an annual growth rate for Beijing of 6.8%, a fall compared to 7.4% last year.

Curled from asianews.it

Nigeria Charges Its Former National Security Adviser To Court

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25/08/2015

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Nigeria Charges Its Former National Security Adviser To Court

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Nigeria’s Secret Intelligence Service (Department of State Services) has charged immediate past National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki to court, for what it called “acts capable of undermining national security.”

A statement by spokesman of the Agency, Tony Opuiyo says the action followed a search on the premises of Dasuki leading to “recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition among other things and for which further investigation was conducted.”

Read the Full Statement Below;
You may recall that on 16th July, 2015, the Department of State Services (DSS), carried out a search operation on properties belonging to the immediate past National Security Adviser, Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (Col/rtd), in Abuja and Sokoto. This action was necessitated by credible intelligence which linked him to acts capable of undermining national security. The search operation led to the recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition among other things and for which further investigation was conducted.

2. Consequently, on Monday 24th August, 2015, he was charged to court based on evidence so far obtained, but which relates to possession of fire arms without license punishable under section 27(i)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004. This is in line with democratic practice and our avowed commitment to the rule of law, in which nobody is deemed to be above the law no matter how highly placed in the society. Accordingly, the general public will be duly informed as the matter progresses.

3. Meanwhile, the Service recommits itself to the fundamental role of providing adequate security for all Nigerians to enable them pursue their legitimate aspirations and businesses.

Tony Opuiyo
Department of State Services
Abuja.
24th August, 2015

Tributes Pile Sky-High In Honour Of Late Gen Suraj Alao Abdulrahman

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25/08/2015

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Tributes Pile Sky-High In Honour Of Late Gen Suraj Alao Abdulrahman

The President, Republic of Liberia Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf the government and people of Liberia and dignitaries from around the world, Friday 21 August 2015, heaped up praises, admiration and gratitude on the former Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of Liberia, Late General Suraj Alao Abdurrahman, generally describing him as a rare and august breed professional whose place in the military would be hard to fill.

In a posthumous ceremony in Monrovia to honour General Abdurrahman, President Johnson-Sirleaf, the UNMIL Force commander, UN/AU peacekeepers, the Coast Guard, members of the diplomatic community, national legislators, members of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), the Nigerian Armed Forces and friends of late General SA Abdurrahman all gave estimation to the general officer’s firm military training and professional soldiering which, according to them, helped in no small measures to reshape the Armed Forces of Liberia.

Paying tributes to Abdurrahman’s discipline and regimentation, President Sirleaf Johnson said, “His exceptional dedication to service endeared him to Liberians, and we honoured him with the Distinguished Service Order which is Liberia’s highest military honour, and then, the national honour of Knight Commander in the Humane Order of African Redemption in 2009 and 2014 respectively. He was an exceedingly exceptional gentlemen officer whose contributions lifted Armed Forces of Liberia to professional greatness and emplace our military amongst UN peacekeepers”.

Nigeria’s Chief of the Defence Staff, General Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin who led a delegation of Armed Forces of Nigeria, thanked God for making the honour ceremony a reality describing late General Abdurrahman as ‘the peoples’ general who served meritoriously and without blemish. He specifically noted General Abdulrrahman’s contribution to the upliftment of the Armed Forces of Liberia to include training of over 200 AFL members in 2008 in Jaji, Nigeria on counterterrorism training, training and commissioning of AFL officers at the Nigerian Defence Academy as well as ongoing training of Liberian Pilot Officers who will form the nucleus of Liberia Air Wing in the nearest future.

It will be recalled that until his death, Late General Abdulrrahman had once served as Chief of Policy and Plans at the Nigerian Army Headquarters before his secondment to Liberia as Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of Liberia in 2007 to 2014.

Colonel Rabe Abubakar
Acting Director Defence Information

Local Council Dissolution: Nigerian Court Backs Governor Masari

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25/08/2015

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Local Council Dissolution: Nigerian Court Backs Governor Masari

By Muhammad Bello
Katsina (Nigeria) – Katsina High Court 3, in northwest Nigeria, has vacated the court order restraining the state government from dissolving the 34 local government councils in the state.

The judge, Justice Maikaita Bako announced the vacating the order in his ruling on the matter Katsina.

Bako noted that the court had dismissed the earlier court order granted to the local councils on the ground that the order stopping their dissolution came after they had been dissolved.

He said that the state government had dissolved the councils on June 10, while the 34 local government councils secured their interim injunction restraining the government from dissolving them on June 13, 2015.

The judge further said that the counsels to the government and that of the state assembly had argued their case while citing the law that established the local councils.

They cited an example where the law empowered the government to dissolve any local council that involved in financial misappropriation.

The judge in his judgment indicated that the 34 loc al councils remain dissolved pending the determination of a case filed before the same court by the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) that would come up on Oct. 27, 2015.

Bako added that ALGON officials had dragged the state government before the same court challenging their dissolution by the state government.

Ban Ki-Moon Honors 2011 Bomb Site of The UN Building

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25/08/2015

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Ban Ki-Moon Honors 2011 Bomb Site of The UN Building

By Longtong Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) – As part of his lineup of activities in Nigeria, the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has paid a tribute and laid a wreath at the bomb site of the UN building attacked by Boko Haram terrorists in 2011, in Abuja.

The UN Secretary General, who is currently in Nigeria on a two-day working visit, urged the UN workers to remain dedicated to their job for the advancement of humanity; adding that, they should not to be discouraged by the bombing.

He condemned terrorism act and emphasizing that terrorism must be brought to an end not only in Nigeria but the world over so that peace could reign again among the people.

It could be recalled that on Friday, 26th August, 2011, more than 20 people died while more than 50 people were injured when a car bomb exploded in the premises of the United Nation’s building in the Nigerian capital city of Abuja- where the Boko Haram group later claimed responsibility for the attack.

The UN Secretary-General, also appealed for the unconditional release of the over 200 Chibok girls abducted in their school in Chibok, Borno State last year and other abductees of the Boko Haram sect.

He stated this to newsmen shortly after he had a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while commending the president for embarking on an agenda for change bringing security and anti-corruption war at the forefront. “When you change Nigeria, you have also changed Africa,” he added.

In a remark, President Buhari pointed out that, they discussed the difficult times Nigeria had found itself and the step to be taken so that the UN could assist the country; while thanking the UN Secretary for the invitation to attend the UN General Assembly holding in New York on 27th and 28th September.

Part of the activities for Monday is a dialogue and lunch with Nigerian Business actors under the theme “The role of Nigerian Business and Economy in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing Climate Change”.

In the second day of the official visit, the UN Secretary General will visit health units and immunization centre in Garki area of Abuja to further assess Nigeria’s efforts towards the actualization of the Millennium Development Goals.

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