Day: October 29, 2023

The Kaduna State Government says its partnership with the UNFPA toward improving maternal and reproductive health is waxing stronger.

Mr Jamilu Ladan, the UNFPA State Sub-Implementing Partner Coordinator at the state’s Planning and Budget Commission (PBC), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Sunday.

Ladan, who is a Programme Officer at PBC, said that the cordial relationship between UNFPA and the state government on maternal health has been growing stronger and creating huge impact on the lives of beneficiaries.

He explained that a total of 23 activities on reproductive and maternal health issues were planned for the third quarter of 2023.

He added that 18 of the activities have been delivered as at Sept. 30, representing 78.2 per cent performance.

Of the N52 million programmed for the third quarter, N42 million has been disbursed to the sub-implementing partners, he added.

“As I am talking right now, funds are being utilised and the financial implementation is 100 per cent for quarter three and 75 per cent compared with the annual budget performance.

“Some of the key interventions implemented in quarter three centred around maternal and reproductive health, Gender-Based Violence, as well as the coordination component domiciled at PBC.”

Ladan, however, said that the transition phase affected the delivery of some of the planned activities, adding that not much was done in quarter one and quarter three.

He said that in spite of the challenge, quite a number of activities to improve maternal health were conducted, including surgeries for fistula patients at the Fistula Centre in Gambo Sawaba General Hospital, Zaria.

He added that several demand creation activities and awareness creation were conducted with support from UNFPA.

According to him, the demand creation activities have yielded significant result following the increase in the number of people seeking maternal health related services in communities leading to unmet demands.

“We have also procured quite a number of life-saving maternal drugs, particularly for pregnant mothers, for distribution in health facilities.

“We have done part of the distribution, while some of the drugs were stored in storage facilities of the State Primary Health Care Board.”

On coordination, the state IP said that the working synergy among project implementing partners has been very effective.

The Head of Office, UNFPA Kaduna Sub-Office, Ms Loide Amkongo, also told NAN that effective coordination of the interventions would address duplication of efforts and maximise the available resources from the various partners.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

TotalEnergies EandP Nigeria, on Saturday donated N1 million each to two charity homes – The Care People Foundation and Galilee Foundatio in Lagos.

Its Managing Director, Mr Matthieu Bouyer, announced the donation during the 27th TotalEnergies Charity Golf Tournament at Ikoyi Club 1938.

Bouyer said the activity was deliberately organised to gradually eradicate poverty and help the less privileged in the society.

According to him, more danations realised from individuals who participated in the tournament would also be given to the charity homes.

“This event evokes the essence of giving, echoing the profound truth in the inspirational words of Horace Jackson Brown Jr – “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”

“Drawing inspiration from the teachings that span across faiths and humanity, we believe that all participants in this charity tournament continue to experience the unique joy derived from selfless giving.

“Beyond the exhilaration of golf, a sport that enriches life and relationships, the act of contributing to charity adds a fulfilling dimension to our collective experience.

“TotalEnergies places premium on a healthy work-life balance, and it remains a steadfast supporter of sports and games, recognising their social benefits in fostering unity, solidarity, networking, leadership and promoting good mental health.

“The beneficiaries for 2023 edition are the Care People Foundation, Ibadan and Galilee Foundation, Ibadan, Oyo State,” he said.

Bouyer noted that the annual recurrence of the event on the company’s calendar was a testament to its unwavering commitment to giving, especially to the less privileged.

According to him, this was in aligning seamlessly with TotalEnergies overarching goal of becoming the world’s most responsible energy company.

He said TotalEnergies’ involvement in golf sponsorships was extensive as the company’s charity golf tournament hold a special place in its events calendar.

“So, we count on your generous spirit to contribute to the identified charity homes.

“Our sponsorship extends to various events, including the TotalEnergies AFCON, National Men’s Division One and Two Basketball Leagues, Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG), and the OML 58 football tournament.

“Golf legend Arnold Palmer proclaimed, ‘In charity, there is no excess’.”

He applauded the collective efforts of everyone who had worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the event as well as the golf section of Ikoyo Club 1938, for providing the venue and support for the charitable endeavour.

Mrs Favour Tioluwani, Vice President of The Care People Foundation, said TotalEnergies had been of tremendous help to the charity homes, haven supported the home with several materials.

Tioluwani said recently, TotalEnergies gave out 50 wheelchairs to the home.

“TotalEnergies has been so consistent in supporting our children for the past 15 years, in the area of academics, feeding and all. We say thank you, we are grateful and May God continue to promote your company.”

Also, Dr Gregory Egbadon, Executive Director, Galilee Foundation, said: “We are really grateful for this donation and a lot more you have done for us; we get subvention every year from you, infact TotalEnergies has been so wonderful to us.”

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 98 players participated in the tournament while Adebayo Alli emerged overall winner with 37 points; John Vassaur, the first-runner-up with 33 points and Folabi Balogun, the second-runner-up with 32 points.

Also, for TotalEnergies staff, Mr Paul Brisibe emerged overall winner in the male category with 31 points while Adesua Adewole won the female category with 23 points.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Director-General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr DanAzumi Ibrahim, has bowed out of office after successfully serving out two terms of four years.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ibrahim assumed office as director-general of NOTAP on Oct. 15, 2015 for his first term of four years, which was renewed by former President Muhammadu Buhari on Oct. 15, 2019.

According to a statement by NOTAP’s Deputy Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Solomon Nshem, Ibrahim handed over to the Director, Technology Innovation and commercialization, Dr Idoreyin Imiyoho.

Nshem said that Imiyoho, the most senior director in the office took the baton of leadership in acting capacity and commended the outgoing director-general for the successes recorded by the office during his tenure.

He said that earlier, Ibrahim had expressed appreciation to the management and staff of the agency for the support accorded him throughout his tenure and prayed for greater successes in the office.

“During Ibrahim’s tenure, NOTAP witnessed the exponential growth of patenting research results as the agency had recorded 320 patents as of date.

“NOTAP also leveraged partnerships with industries through technology transfer agreements in the implementation and boost of the NOTAP-Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship (NITTF) in knowledge-based institutions across Nigeria.

“His tenure was also able to save the country N140 billion through technology transfer agreements which would have left the country via capital flight,” he said .

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A non-governmental organisation, Prince Adeyinka Illo Foundation, on Sunday distributed no fewer than 300 packs of food items to residents of Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State, to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the food items distributed to the beneficiaries include garri, rice, cooking oil and beans.

Speaking during the exercise in Ikeja, Prince Adeyinka Illo, Chairman of the foundation, said the gesture was to support residents in the face of the present economic situation of the country.

He said that the gesture was also to complement government’s efforts in providing succour to Nigerians, owing to the effects of subsidy removal.

According to him, well-meaning Nigerians will be helping a lot by supporting the poor and the vulnerable in this present situation.

“Today we have put together 300 food packs to support the government, and to help Ikeja residents to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.

“The foundation will soon come start a medical outreach that will move from ward to ward in Ikeja, bringing medicare to the underserved communities in the state capital.

“This is besides a programme to distribute free UTME forms and free tutorials that will be unveiled in the coming year to help students of the local government get ahead and not have their education stopped for lack of funds,” Illo said.

Illo said he was passionate about the welfare and welfare of the people of Ikeja and would continue to do his best to impact lives in the area.

The National President of the Awori Welfare Association of Nigeria (AWAN), Chief Ajibola Aragbaye, praised Illo for the gesture, saying it would go a long way to help the beneficiaries.

Aragbaye urged other well- meaning Nigerians to join hands with the government in improving the lot of the people and making life bearable for the less privileged.

Prince Adekunle Apena, The Regent of Ikeja, urged the beneficiaries to pray for the donor.

“We can only urge all of you the beneficiaries to make good use of it. Please don’t sell it. And please, don’t collect it if you do not need it.

“Remember there are people who may not have as much as you and who might be going through tough times,” the community leader said.

Mrs Tawakat Alebiosu, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the foundation for the gesture.

Alebiosu,a septuagenarian, said that food items would help to take care of herself and family.

“I really appreciate the kind gesture given to elderly at this point in time.The quality of the palliatives can not be over- emphasised.

“The food will sustain me for two weeks,” she said.

Mr Friday Ijuh, also a beneficiary, hailed the foundation for remembering the community and for supporting residents.

Ijuh urged other NGOs to emulate the gesture, to make life better for the vulnerable.

Mr Jimoh Taofeek,another beneficiary, while showing his appreciation to the foundation, prayed that God will continue to bless it and its founder.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla has launched a High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels (HE OPVs) for the Nigerian Navy at the Dearsan Shipyard, Tuzla in Istanbul, Turkey.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, on Sunday in Abuja.

Ayo-Vaughan said the vessel is one of two 76m HE OPV awarded to be constructed by Dearsan Shipyard on Nov. 3, 2021, while actual construction began on Sept. 16, 2022.

The CNS, Vice Adm. Ogalla, said the vessels were meant to add to the fleet of the Nigerian Navy and enhance its capacity in the protection of Nigeria’s maritime domain.

“Today’s ceremony is, therefore, a solemn one in which the ship is dedicated and committed to the sea, while also praying for blessings of good fortune for the ship, its crew and its passengers.

“These ships when fully completed and commissioned into the Service of the NN, would complement and further sustain the efforts of the Fleet in ensuring naval presence at sea.

“This would help to curb the menace of oil theft and other illegalities in Nigeria’s maritime environment in particular and the Gulf of Guinea in general.

“Additionally, the OPV would assist the NN in managing Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including provision of maritime security and effective disaster relief,” he said.

Ogalla thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support to the project and commitment to the recapitalisation of the NN Fleet.

He said the Federal Government was committed to its obligations towards the successful completion of the two OPVs.

The CNS appreciated the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, the Nigerian Defence Adviser, Dearsan Shipyard, the Nigerian Navy Project Control Team in Turkey and others for their various contributions.

“Following this giant step of the launching ceremony of the first 76m HE OPV P203, it is expected that all the ship’s installations would be fixed, connected and worked between January and May 2024.

“Other expectations include conducting harbour acceptance test for the ship between July – August 2024 and delivery of the ship in August 2024 or September 2024.

“It is also planned that the launching ceremony of the second 76m HE OPVP 204 will hold in February 2024 at the Dearsan Shipyard, Turkey,” he said.

The CNS expressed satisfaction with the commitment of Dearsan Shipyard towards timely delivery of the two HE OPVs, and sustaining the mutually beneficial cooperation between Nigeria and Turkey. .

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the appointment of Malam Lanre Issa Onilu, as the Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA).

The Emir said this in a congratulatory message by his Media Aide, Malam Abdulazeez Arowona on Sunday in Abuja.

Sulu-Gambari who described the new DG as a versatile media and public relations expert, expressed confidence in his ability to deliver on the core mandates of the agency, especially at a period when the nation is in serious need of national re-orientation.

He added that Onilu, as the NOA DG, would further strengthen the nation’s unity, national reawakening and patriotism among Nigerians.

He, however, advised the new DG to adopt far reaching consultations among other government agencies and individuals in order to further promote and project Nigeria’s image positively globally.

The Emir urged Nigerians to support him with prayers and workplace cooperation always.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria