Day: June 26, 2023

The Northeast Concerned Citizens (NECC), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has raised alarm over what they described as campaign of calumny against one of their sons, Dr Muhammad Dikwa, a retired permanent secretary.

This is contained in a statement by the group’s National President, Amb. Umar Mohammad, on Sunday in Abuja.

Mohammad said that the allegation that scavengers carted away 4 Million dollars from 76 million dollars cash haul stockpiled in Abuja apartment by Aisha Odariko and the ex-permanent secretary was untrue.

The group said that if the allegation of money being piled up in a residential building was true, the narrative presented had strongly suggested that the writer could be among the so-called scavengers who perpetrated the robbery operation.

According to him, the medium could be using the story to divert attention from the authorities’ investigation.

“Secondly, it is suspicious how the writer arrived at the conclusion that Dr Dikwa owned the claimed stockpiled loot or had an affair with NDIC Manager Aisha Odariko based solely on the statement provided by her driver.

“The said driver was found by the police to have led the criminal gang in breaking into a residential property in Apo District of Abuja.

”The publisher unwittingly displayed the clear political motivation behind this report when it listed Dr. Dikwa’s achievements.

Mohammad said the report failed to mention the name of the security agency responsible for investigating the alleged stockpiled looted public funds.

He added that the purported scavengers were now at large, having escaped from prison custody.

According to him, the story is rife with inconsistencies, leading one to suspect that this is indeed corruption fighting back.

“Otherwise, we see no reason why an incident that they alleged occurred in 2020 is now being repackaged and circulated.

“Many Nigerians can attest to the extent of the loopholes regarding ghost workers and other forms of massive public corruption within the civil service, which Dikwa’s initiatives had addressed in Nigerian public institutions.

“Throughout his career as a civil and public servant, Dr Dikwa has not been indicted for any form of corruption, and no money was reported missing under his watch.

Consequently, he has received numerous national and international service awards in recognition of his excellence.

“Through this medium, the Northeast Concerned Citizens implore the online medium to retract this false, malicious report and refrain from willfully damaging the character of our sons who have served this nation with dedication and perseverance.

“It is imperative that Nigerian media regulatory agencies and the government intervene to prevent such irresponsible use of the media,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State and other dignitaries have commended the Founder, Keffi Polo Ranch, Sen. Ahmed Wadada (SDP/Nasarawa West) for organising a tournament in support of orphans.

Sule gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen at the grand finale of the 11th edition of the Keffi Polo Ranch Tournament for orphans in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five-day democracy tournament in support of orphans organised by the Keffi Polo Ranch was sponsored by the Flour Mills of Nigeria, Co-sponsored by the Keystone Bank and supported by the Nasarawa State Government.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, the governor thanked Wadada for his commitment in providing viable platforms such as the polo tournament to elicit support for the orphans and less privileged in the society.

“We thank him for his courage and commitment to this project and you can see it is a game that has brought people from all over Nigeria to converge here.

“From the North to the South and middle part of this country, we are all here to witness this event and join Wadada in supporting orphans.

“Our administration will continuously support the tournament because we believe in it. The Keffi Polo Club tournament is a platform to engender unity among the diverse groups in Nigeria.

“That’s why every year if I am unavailable, my deputy will represent me at the event. We believe in it and we believe in the unity of Nigeria.

“We are proud of this initiative and we are proud of our son, the distinguished senator,” he said.

Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) also applauded Wadada for not allowing any obstacle derail him from constantly organising the tournament to elicit support for orphans.

Akume said that Wadada’s compassion and desire to improve the lives of his people especially orphans and the less privileged was commendable and should be emulated by other well meaning Nigerians.

The SGF assured that the administration of President Bola Tinubu was determined to alleviate the hardships of Nigerians and called on Nigerians to support it.

Sen. Barau Jibrin, Deputy Senate President told newsmen that apart from supporting orphans, the tournament would also help to promote the game of polo among young Nigerians and get them engaged.

Barau described the tournament as a worthwhile initiative to assist the needy and promote the game of polo.

Wadada, in his remarks, said the tournament was dedicated to the orphans to generate awareness and support for their needs to live decent lives.

“We annually hold two tournaments and all for charity. One in support of orphans and the other in support of education.

”This is in support of orphans and that is why it is democracy celebration in support of orphans,” he said.

Wadada refuted insinuations that the game of polo was exclusively for the rich all persons can play it irrespective of status.

“The game of polo is not only for the rich but owning horses and being patron of a polo team is what the rich does.

“But playing it does not necessarily mean you have to be rich before you play it,” he said.

The founder vowed to continue to do whatever it takes to bring people together to alleviate the sufferings of the poor.

NAN reports that the tournament tagged “Democracy Tournament in Support of Orphans”, commenced on Tuesday,June 20th.

The tournament had in attendance several dignitaries including rep. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, Emir of Kano and Dr Shehu Chindo-Yamusa III Emir of Keffi, among others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), an Abuja based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has called on the public to support preventive measures aimed at stemming illicit drug abuse in Nigeria.

Ms May Ikokwu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SOHI said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja “on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and illicit drugs held by the UN Office for Drug and Crime (UNODC)”.

The theme of the event is “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.”

She said that the importance of identifying and closing the supply chain of illicit drugs was to drastically tackle the abuse and use.

She also called on parents and guardians to always monitor their wards and the company they keep, especially the adolescents in order to deny them access to illicit drugs.

“Parents and guardians are encouraged to mix with youths and get to know the codes that young people use for describing various drugs, in order to checkmate them.

“Furthermore, drug addicts should not be thrown out of the house, because of the tendency to steal, but should be sent to rehabilitation centres.

“Moreover, addicts and reformed addicts should be shown as much love as possible while their battered ego should be restored, so that they do not backslide.

“The World Drug Report provides a global overview of the supply and demand of opiates, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine-type stimulants and new psychoactive substances (NPS), as well as their impact on health.

“It highlights, through improved research and more precise data, that the adverse health consequences of drug use are more widespread than previously thought,” she said.

The Culture Advocate reiterated the need to improve on preventive measures, saying that drug abuse had adverse effects on the youths.

She described the youths as national heritage who must be preserved and saved from any form of destruction or stigma.

Ikokwu said: “According to the UNODC, nearly 200 million people are using illicit drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics worldwide.”

She explained that the figure was not only alarming but a dangerous pointer to potential victims of mental and medical ill health.

Ikokwu enjoined relevant stakeholders to collectively save the future of the country by aggressively preventing drug abuse among Nigerians.

NAN reports that in December 1987, the UN General Assembly decided to observe June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

“The UN is determined to help create an international society free of drug abuse.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The outbreak and fast spread of diseases in recent decades are pointers to the need for world leaders to increase public health spending, particularly as it relates to prevention and control of epidemics.

This was further laid bare by COVID-19 which is suspected to have emerged in China but, like a wild fire, swept through countries and regions in a matter of days, leaving 6.9 million people dead and stretching health facilities beyond their limits. For now, it appears the worst is over.

The Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus has, therefore, warned that the end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency should not imply that global health threat is over.

He said this at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland as the UN agency launched a global network to monitor disease threats.

“The world should be prepared to respond to a disease outbreak of even deadlier potential than COVID-19.

“When the next pandemic comes knocking – and it will – we must be ready to answer decisively, collectively and equitably”, said Ghebreyesus, a former Ethiopia Minister of Health”, he said.

According to WHO pandemic preparedness means having national response plans, resources, and the capacity to support operations in the event of a pandemic.

It says pandemic preparedness includes programmes that aim specifically at preventing issues that arise from pandemics such as a shortage of personal protective equipment, hospital capacity, and vaccine testing.

Effective disease outbreak response has historically been challenging in Nigeria. Factors, say a team of scholars led by Testimony Olumade in a study published in Aim Public Health

They identified such challenges to include poor healthcare funding, inadequate diagnostic capacity, political instability, insecurity, and personnel shortage.

The international community recognises that some countries such as Nigeria have weak health systems as such they cannot cope with pandemics therefore are taking measures to ensure that this challenge is addressed.

One of such efforts is the International Health Regulations (IHR), an agreement entered into by 196 countries including 194 WHO member states.

Nigeria’s huge population, expansive land mass, and tropical location, make it vulnerable to pandemics. It is therefore expected to be among one of the countries with best pandemic response mechanisms. However, this does not seem to be the case.

For instance, Nigeria was in the frontline when Ebola virus broke out in 2014, and also took a hit from COVID-19. This is in addition to other outbreaks such as meningitis, monkeypox, Lassa Fever, measles and cholera.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says it is doing its best to ensure that Nigerians do not suffer from future pandemics.

The NCDC leads in strengthening the Nigeria’s core competence in tackling pandemics and diseases.

The agency however points at one major challenge that can work against its efforts and perhaps erode the successes it has recorded in disease control in the country—security

The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, said this in Abuja, at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) and the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) Scientific Seminar the country needs a peacetime health system to be better prepared for the next pandemic.

To live up its responsibilities, NCDC requires lots of funds but shortfalls in public health security expenditure have persisted over the years.

In 2018, the Federal Government of Nigeria developed a five-year National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS)

The NAPHS provides a roadmap to improve health security in Nigeria; from 2018 – 2022. There is also 2021-2025 component to be implemented through a multi-sectoral approach hinged on the principles under ‘One Health’ principle, involving the Federal Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Environment,

But poor funding has hampered its implementation.

For instance, in 2022 more than N37.8 million was allocated for the project but only N18.9 million is budgeted for 2023., which is approximately a 50 per cent drop.

Among other budgetary deficits there is also a 50 per cent drop in spending for the development of national policies on disease surveillance and response as in 2022 N23.6 million was allocated while N11.8 million is budgeted for 2023.

In a recent report, Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI)-funded Prevent Epidemics (PE) said Nigeria’s health financing landscape is characterised by suboptimal government investment with budgetary allocation to health being less than 15 per cent of its total annual budget.

The advocacy organisation said that to reduce the risk and effect of public health incidents, health security should be both proactive and reactive.

“Pandemics, public health emergencies, and weak health systems not only have implications on people in terms of lives lost, but also pose greater risks to the national economy and security.

“It is therefore important to ensure adequate allocation and efficient utilization of resources for health security,” it said.

Dr Gafar Alawode of the Development Governance International Consult said that health security requires a multi-sector approach to be effective.

According to him, it involves collaboration and partnerships among such sectors as health sector education, food and agriculture, water and sanitation, security, and environment.

Alawode said that, it was important to foster a policy direction that would improve the social determinants of health security through effective collaboration between the health sector and other sectors.

Dr Solomon Chollom, a virologist advocates continuous collaboration in preparedness, connecting surveillance, risk reduction and capacity building, investment and commitment by both the private and public sectors to overcome the challenges posed by pandemics.

It is obvious that without the right level of investment and in the right channels Nigeria cannot be said to the prepared for the next pandemic which will happen only as a matter of time.

As Nigeria basks in the euphoria of a new administration under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, it is expected that health security should be a priority through the funding and provision of necessary logistics to pandemic time frontline institutions.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, says the implementation of the reforms of the Nigerian Armed Forces is on course.

Kana said this Monday in Abuja when he received the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, who led the new service chiefs on a visit to the ministry.

He said that the reforms were started by the previous administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kana said that the ministry would continue to carry the military hierarchy along in the implementation of the reforms.

“Specifically, I have to say that one of the things we are going to pursue along with the services is the reform of the armed forces, which the past President has approved and we have commenced implementation.

“Basically some of the key issues mentioned here in the reform of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces, is the establishment of the Octagon.

“We know in America we have what is called the Pentagon. In Nigeria, our leaders that came together under the reform committee choose to create what’s called Octagon.

“Octagon is an institution whereby civilians and military work hand in hand to see to the provision of security to the nation.

“We are committed to that implementation.”

The permanent secretary also said that the ministry was committed to supporting government by contributing to the growth of the economy.

“We are committed to the deep blue services of Nigeria. Nigeria is covered by waters and there is no reason why the military cannot support the country through the waters.

“As a matter of fact, some countries don’t have oil, some countries majorly depend on maritime, which is called the blue economy.

“We have not stopped committing ourselves to supporting the country in the blue economy, and also the insecurity in the Niger Delta and oil theft.

“We will continue to work as a team along with other security agencies to ensure peace in the Niger Delta.”

Kana also said that the ministry was committed to the development of Nigeria’s military industrial complex, through the Defence Industries Corporation.

“We will see how Nigerians should be employed in the production of arms and amunitions in our country to not only support the economy but also make us self-sufficient in the production of arms and ammunition.”

He commended the contributions of professionals in the military, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The permanent secretary, therefore, said Nigerians expect a lot from the armed forces.

He noted that the service chiefs had started on a very good note, “because the President had made his mandate very clear and what he wants to achieve.

“We will be part and parcel of this from the outside,” he added

Earlier, the CDS said that they were in the ministry on familiarisation visit and to assure that the military was committed to achieving the mandate of President Bola Tinubu

“We are here to familiarise ourselves with the ministry, to show our commitment to the set goals of the ministry.

“We assure you all that we are committed to ensuring that we achieve the mandate of the President.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has expressed dissatisfaction over inadequate tents for Nigerian pilgrims at Muna by the Saudi Company vested with the responsibility of securing enough facility in the area.

The Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, stated this while answering questions from journalists after inspecting the situation at Muna on Monday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Hassan also said that the commission was was not pleased with the feeding arrangement which, he said, the meals were inadequate and were served late to the pilgrims.

He said NAHCON envisaged that the problem was most likely to occur and earlier suggested that the commission be involved, but the Saudi authorities concerned insisted they had a mega kitchen and about three alternate plans to deliver to the satisfaction of all.

Hassan revealed that the commission had already notified the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah over the Nigerian plight over tents and feeding.

According to him, they were scheduled to meet later to night to review situations on ground and chart a cause on how to solve the problems encountered so far.

Hassan further stated that there has been a standing rule that only satisfactory services provided would be charged and paid for, while refunds were made for those poorly handled.

“However, pilgrims paid not to be refunded, but to have the comfort to worship Allah with ease,” said the chairman.

He said NAHCON would insist and press for a serious, meaningful and satisfactory improvement within the shortest possible time, so that Nigerian pilgrims would conclude their Hajj rituals with ease.

On the condition of the pilgrims generally, the NAHCON boss expressed delight that they were on high spirit despite the unexpected challenges they are contending with in the meantime.

“I have seen people happy only because they are people of faith, we have seen people who are totally not happy on two scores.

“Number one, obviously the tent of the camp is totally unsatisfactory, and I must tell you the camp is unsatisfactory at tent ‘C’ where the majority of the pilgrims are.

“So also is the same situation at the VIP tent. All of these facilities were paid for, but obviously the provision made were far little compared to the number of pilgrims,” Hassan said.

The chairman noted that: “Apart from the number of tents, it is also clear that food has not been adequate and also has not been timely.

“The issue of tent is exclusive to Saudi Arabian authority we have no way to expand or to contract it but we have their understanding that is enough for all.

“I must say that we are very disappointed but in the end quite a number of pilgrims were left to stay outside the camp.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Angolan minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas Diamantino de Azevedo is visiting Norway since Monday to strengthen the economic cooperation between the two countries in the Oil industry.

During his four-day stay, the minister will also hold meetings with the local political and business authorities, linked to the oil and gas industry.

He will also visit the main offices of the Initiative for Transparency in Extractive Industries (EITI).

Diamantino Azevedo, who is being accompanied by the CEO of the National Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANPG), Paulino Jerónimo, and by Sonangol director, Olga Sabalo, will meet with the management of the Norwegian Investment Fund for developing countries (NordFund).

ANGOP learnt that the Norwegian fund aims to strengthen the private sector in developing countries and reduce poverty.

The investments are aligned with social development goals (SDGs) and made in sectors such as renewable energies, financial inclusion, green infrastructure and companies such as agribusiness and manufacturing.

Visiting for 27th, meeting with the Minister of Energy of Norway, Terje Aasland and, later, with the Secretary of State, Erling Rimestad.

On Wednesday (28), a series of presentations, such as: Introduction to Technology, Digital and Innovation, at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Introduction to oil and gas; Undersea technology; Subsurface technology and renewable and low-carbon energy.

On Thursday (29), the Angolan delegation will be informed about the strategy of Equinor (a Norwegian oil company that operates in Angola), its experience in terms of exploration of Marginal Fields in Norway and the Development of the Continental Shelf

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The World Bank (WB) Monday reiterated its availability to continue to deepen cooperation with Angola, with the main focus on socio-economic development of Angolans.

The guarantee came from the World Bank vice president for Eastern and Southern Africa, Victoria Kwakwa, while speaking to the press at the end of an audience granted by the Angolan President, João Lourenço.

The meeting discussed the issues related to the partnership between Angola and the financial institution.

“We talked about the ongoing reform programme in the country and about the aid programme to Angola to leverage its human capital in order to make it a State with a more productive economy,” said Victoria Kwakwa.

The official, who an economist and development specialist with more than 30 years of experience who leads the WB’s activities in 26 countries, said that the meeting also served to talk about the process of diversification of the Angolan economy, mainly in agriculture field, so that Angola moves away from oil dependence.

Victoria Kwakwa said Angola must create an economy that is stronger and more comprehensive, with a connection to the private sector that is more dynamic and vibrant.

She stated that it is up to the Executive “to create a good environment, which can help the private sector to play its role of job creation, having agriculture as a key element.”

Loan

Still Monday, the WB and the Angolan Ministry of Finance signed a USD 300 million agreement for the project, aimed to speed up the economic diversification and job creation.

As for the loan, Victoria Kwakwa said that the amount is essentially aimed at economic diversification to help the progress of this process.

She explained that the same diversification process has its focus on the Lobito corridor, Benguela province.

“We aim to support micro, small, and medium enterprises, mainly in the agricultural sector, that can contribute to the Angolan economy,” she stressed.

As for the loan reimbursement, the Ghanaian economist at the WB service explained that it will be done according to the activities that are being planned by the Angolan Government.

World Bank

The World Bank is an international financial institution that grants loans to developing countries.

It is the largest and best known development bank in the world, and has observer status in the United Nations Development Group and other international forums such as the G-20 financial group.

The bank’s headquarters are located in Washington, D.C., United States of America.

The bank’s mission is to achieve the twin goals of eradicating extreme poverty and building shared prosperity.

It is made up of two organisations that operate under one structure:

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The Vice president of Namibia Nangolo Mbumba has been in Angola since Sunday to attend the Quadripartite Meeting of the Experts set for Tuesday in Luanda.

The event will gather experts from the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The Namibian delegation to the meeting, taking place under the aegis of the African Union (AU), also comprises the Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa and the Minister of Defence and Veteran Issues Frans Kapofi.

Also in Luanda for the meeting, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Elias Magosi; the Executive Secretary of the ICGLR, João Manuel Caholo; the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to the African Union, Parfait Onanga Anyanga, and António Guterres’ Special Envoy for the Great Lakes, Huang Xia.

The list includes the president of ECCAS Commission Gilberto da Piedade Veríssimo, the Secretary General of EAC Peter Mutuku Mathuki, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Defence of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Christophe Lutundula Apala Pen’Apala

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)