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Explosion: TCN says power restored to affected areas in Abuja

By
Henry Williams
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The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Friday says it has restored power supply to all areas affected by the 33KV feeders shattered at the Katampe substation in the FCT.

TCN spokeswoman Ndidi Mbah, in a statement on Friday said that the restoration of power to the areas occurred at about 8:38 p.m. on Thursday.

”About 6:16 p.m. Thursday, one of the 33 Kilo Volt (KV) feeders Current Transformer (CT) in Katampe Substation, supplying the Life Camp axis shattered,” said the statement. ”In the process, it tripped one of the 60 Mega Volt Amperes (MVA) 132/33KV transformers at the Katampe 132KV substation.”

It added that the “two faulty equipment were promptly isolated to enable TCN to supply bulk electricity through the other transformers in the substation.”

Ms Mbah also disclosed that TCN’s maintenance crew had already been mobilised to repair the affected equipment.

”We hereby apologise for inconveniences caused by the incident,” she said.

According to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), an explosion at the TCN station had caused a power outage.

South Korea To Launch First Lunar Orbiter As Space Bid Gathers Pace

By
faith Jegede
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South Korea is set to launch its first lunar orbiter on Friday as it doubles down on its space programs, hoping to land a probe on the moon by 2030.

The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, nicknamed Danuri, meaning “enjoy the Moon”, will be launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral U.S. Space Force Station at 8:08 a.m. on Friday, South Korean time (2308 GMT on Thursday), South Korea‘s science ministry said.

The launch was initially scheduled for last Wednesday but was delayed because of an unspecified maintenance issue with the SpaceX rocket.

“The Danuri has successfully completed all preparations for about a month, and is currently mounted on the launch vehicle,” the ministry said in a statement.

If it succeeds, South Korea will become the world’s seventh lunar explorer, and the fourth in Asia, behind China, Japan and India.

The launch comes as South Korea accelerates its space program, seeking to send a probe to the moon by 2030 and join nine countries working on the Artemis project to return to the moon by 2024. In July, South Korea successfully held a second test launch of its domestically produced Nuri rocket, and reported its first successful launch of a solid-fuel space–launch rocket in March as part of efforts to launch spy satellites.

The 678 kg /1,495 lb Danuri will be separated from the projectile about 40 minutes after launch, and it should begin communicating with a ground station within 60 minutes.

According to the ministry, It will enter the moon’s orbit in December before starting a yearlong observation mission, including searching for a landing site and testing space internet technology.

Space launches have long been a sensitive issue on the Korean peninsula, where North Korea faces international sanctions over its nuclear-armed ballistic missile program.

In March, North Korea called for expanding its space rocket launch site to advance its space ambitions, after South Korea and the United States accused it of testing a new intercontinental ballistic missile under the guise of launching a space vehicle.

Bandits attack, kidnap Ondo traditional ruler, four others

By
Henry Williams
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Armed bandits have abducted a traditional ruler, the Oniru of Iku, in Ondo. The bandits also abducted four subjects travelling with the Ikare Akoko ruler.

Mikaila Bello, the Oniku of Iku in Ikare Akoko, was kidnapped, on Thursday evening, while travelling back to the town from Akure.

A local hunter told Peoples Gazette that the attack on the Ondo ruler occurred in the early hours of Friday.

According to the hunter, the bandits ambushed the ruler and the other victims along Ago Panu on the Owo-Ikare road.

CBN ‘Ways and Means’ loan to the FG rise to N20 trillion as of June 2022

By
Henry Williams
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The Central Bank of Nigeria has extended a total sum of N19.9 trillion circa (N20 trillion) in loans to the Federal Government under its Ways and Means provision as included in the CBN Act.

The Ways and Means provision allows the government to borrow from the Apex Bank if it needs short-term or emergency finance to fund delayed government expected cash receipts of fiscal deficits.

Provisions in the act cap monetary financing of fiscal deficits at 5% of the prior year’s revenues.

However, since the government started experiencing a significant shortfall in revenue, it has relied heavily on the central bank to finance its expenditure programs via Ways and Means.

ASUU Kicks As Federal Govt. Excludes State Universities on Pay Rise

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The industrial dispute between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities may worsen following the insistence of the Federal Ministry of Education that its proposed agreement with the union will not be binding on state universities.

The spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong , in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the Federal Government could not dictate to states on education as it is on the concurrent legislative list.

A committee led by the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja, Prof. Nimi Briggs, had reportedly recommended a 180 per cent pay rise for lecturers, but the government was said to have favoured a 100 per cent increase.

It was gathered that the ministries of finance, education, labour and employment, Budget Office of the Federation, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission were still working out the final details of the proposal.

The ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, insisted that any agreement reached with the Federal Government would be binding on the states, thus opening another battle front between the union and the government.

Members of ASUU, including federal and state universities, had embarked on a strike on February 14, 2022.

Following the inability of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige to resolve the strike, President Muhammdu Buhari, two weeks ago directed the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, to take over the negotiation with the ASUU leadership.

To compel a quick resolution of the crisis, the Nigeria Labour Congress held nationwide protests on July 26 and 27 in solidarity with the union.

However, ASUU on Monday extended the industrial action by another four weeks.

Responding to a question on whether the proposed agreement would be binding on all universities in the country, Goong said, “The agreement between the Federal Government is not binding on state universities. Education is on the concurrent list, the Federal Government cannot tell states what to do when it comes to the management of their institutions.

“Any agreement made with ASUU is only binding on the institutions owned by the Federal Government. The state government will handle their own institutions.”

Reacting to the government’s position, the ASUU president stated that the university system is a single entity, arguing further that there was no disparity between state and federal universities.

Osodeke said, “I don’t know who you spoke to but that person doesn’t know what he is saying. I can tell you that the renegotiation team is made up of pro-chancellors of state and federal universities. So, how can anyone say the agreement won’t be binding on state universities? The person doesn’t know what he is saying.”

The ASUU leader contended that the few institutions that did not join in the strike were not their members.

He also warned that Nigeria had just one university system and as such the issue of salary is personal to the union.

Osodeke stated, ‘‘Whenever ASUU is on strike, it is not about state ASUU or federal ASUU. We have one ASUU representing all universities in the country; those schools that are not participating in the strike are not our members.

‘‘The issue of salary should be left to the union to decide because when there was minimum wage adjustment, both federal and state schools were a part of it; even TETFund, it funds both state and federal institutions. Do we have a federal NUC or state NUC?

‘’The issue of salary negotiation is exclusive to the union. If a state can increase it, good; but we have one university system in Nigeria, and the state cannot even pay lesser than what the Federal Government is paying.’’

Kano Executive Council Approves N377m For Agricultural School Fund

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The Kano State Executive Council has approved N377.3 million as 2017-2020 outstanding counterpart funds for the Leventis Foundation and Kano State Agricultural Training School, Panda.

The state commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the weekly meeting held at the council Chamber, Government House, Kano.

He said the school, which was established in 1988, has so far trained and graduated over 2, 700 youths in crops, livestock and fisheries value chains across the state.

He said the programme of the school is in line with the Agricultural Transformation Programme, which equally go in line with the state’s policy of trust in agriculture.

Garba pointed out that despite the non-receipt of the fund, the programmes and activities of the school are still ongoing including staff salaries and operation standards.

The commissioner also announced that the council has approved the upward review of operative rates in the construction of two-coat surface dressed road network at NNDC Quarters, Sharada, awarded at the cost of N48.5 million, which was revised to the tune of N105.6 million.

The council, he said, also received a progress report for the month of May, this year on the construction of Muhammadu Buhari Interchange at NNPC mega Station Rotary Intersection, Hotoro, along Maiduguri Road in the metropolis.

He revealed that the project, which has reached 70 per cent completion stage, was awarded at the cost of N8.9 billion out of which N6.013 billion had so far been paid to the contractor handling the project.

He stated that the council has also approved the implementation of the 2022 budget for the state Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, totalling the sum of N6, 891, 011, 898.85 billion.

The commissioner also said that the council approved the review of composition of members of the Kano state Council of Emirs made up of 21 members to include representatives of the security organisations.

Garba announced that the council has given approval for the renaming of Girls Science and Technical College Gwarmai to Hajiya Mariya Sunusi Dantata, mother of re-known businessman, Aliko Dangote, following a request from the Committee on Education and Elders in Bebeji local government, in view of her son’s contribution to the development of education.

Other approvals by the council include ratifications for approvals for the award of contracts for the construction of two roads at Tumfafi town in Dawakin Tofa local government; approval for the construction of two cell RC box culverts as flood control measures at Airport by Katsina Road Roundabout; approval for the procurement of firefighting operational vehicles.

Garba further revealed other ratifications by the council include award of contract for the construction of Kwanar Garin Ali-Garin Ali Road in Garko local government; contract for the supply of water treatment chemicals in 2021.

Rwanda Govt. Increases Salaries of Primary School Teachers By 88%

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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0

As part of Rwanda’s Government incentives aimed at improving teachers’ livelihoods in the country, Primary school teachers will get an 88% pay rise starting in August.

Under these new revisions, secondary school teachers will also see their pay increased by 40%, the country’s education ministry announced on its official Twitter page on Monday, August 1.

The communique noted that the net salaries of certificate holders in the teaching profession which currently start at 50,849 FRW (Ksh.5,856) will go up to Ksh.11,010.

“The salaries for Head Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers, and support staff working in public and government-aided schools have also been revised upwards.

These decisions come into force from the payment of the teacher salaries of August 2022,” the statement added.

Whereas Rwanda has increased teachers’ salaries by 10% since March 2019, the country’s The New Times newspaper reports that over 1000 teachers leave their profession monthly in search of better welfare.

The new pay rise is part of a package that will incorporate incentives to improve the welfare of teachers and promote the quality of education in public and government-aided schools for general education and TVET.

Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate In Anambra Increases To 27%

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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The Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, says that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the state increased from 17 percent in 2018 to 27 percent in 2022.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Chioma Ezenyimulu, disclosed this at the opening of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week held at the Maternal and Child Health Centre, Amawbia in Awka.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated from August 1 to 7 every year to raise awareness and galvanise actions to promote exclusive breastfeeding. The theme for this year’s commemoration is, Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support.

Ezenyimulu said that Anambra recorded an increase in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding due to intensified awareness and counselling programmes at health facilities.

Also speaking, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said that the efforts of the current administration was geared towards the promotion of maternal and child survival strategies.

Obidike urged fathers to support their breastfeeding wives, as exclusive breastfeeding could be exhausting for mothers.

In his remarks, Dr. Moses Ohamaeme, Cluster Coordinator representing the World Health Organisation and United Nations agencies, said that exclusively breastfed children become healthy and productive adults.

According to him, such children are protected from severe complications arising from childhood killer diseases.

Tambuwal Encourages Mothers To Embrace Exclusive Breastfeeding

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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0

Sokoto State Governor’s wife, Mrs Mariya Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has urged mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding of babies to ensure healthy living at all times.

Mrs Tambuwal made the call at a symposium organized by an NGO, Alive and Thrive, in partnership with her pet project, Mariya Tambuwal Development Initiative (MTDI), to Mark the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week in Sokoto, with the theme, Step Up Breastfeeding: Educate and Support.

Mariya Tambuwal who was represented by the wife of the Commissioner for Health, Dr Asma’u Inname, urged mothers to consider first breast milk after child delivery, which serve as first Immunizations to new born baby.

She further called on mothers to ensure exclusive breastfeeding of the babies until after six months due to nutritional contents in the mothers’ breast milk.

“Breastfeeding a child up to six months, assist in effective development of a child’s intelligent Quotient (IQ),there by protects the child from various diseases.

“If a child is healthy the parents will always have rest of mind and have an improved living standard,” She explained.

She reiterated her organization’s commitment to partners, all relevant stakeholders including the government to provide more awareness to women across the State.

The Sokoto State Coordinator of Alive and Thrive, a Non Governmental Organization, Saratu Mu’azu, said the initiative was aimed at inculcating exclusive breastfeeding and other good habits among women.

Mu’azu said arrangement is also designed to extend the awareness programme on exclusive breastfeeding and other healthy habits to women especially at the grassroots.

Dr Nuhu Maishanu, the Chief Medical Director of Sokoto State Specialist Hospital, who represented Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Ali Inname, commended the organizers and assured continuous working partnership in order to achieve the desired results.

The representative of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mrs Ngozi Nwachukwu, commended the partners for making the event a reality.

Mrs Nwachukwu said the day was set aside by United Nations every first week of August, every year to sensitize mothers on the benefits of adopting exclusive breastfeeding to child health.

She said the organization would continue to provide all necessary support in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to promote exclusive breastfeeding in the state.

In his remarks, the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar, urged government to take full ownership of breastfeeding Programmes in the state.

Umar also called on government to provide adequate awareness to assist in creating more awareness and education on breastfeeding.

BUA Cement Constructs Clinic, School For Host Community In Sokoto

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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0

BUA Cement Company has constructed and handed over Clinic and School projects worth N275 million to Gidan Boka community in Wamakko local government area of Sokoto State.

Handing over the projects, the Managing Director of BUA Cement, Yusuf Binji, said the projects along with 170 tonnes to 68 communities will go a long way in boosting healthcare and education in Wamakko local government area.

Mr Binji who was represented by Director Human Resources, Altine Wali, said the efforts was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

According to him, the efforts was among relocation of settlements by the company, noting that the company cleared lands in new Gidan Boka community, allocated lands to affected families.

The company’s Head, Administration and Corporate Services, Mr Sada Suleiman, said the company constructed roads, provided cemetery, water supply and electricity projects.

Mr Sada said the company ensured routine distribution of cement for communities to repairs mosque and others infrastructures as well as supply drugs and other consumables to citizen within the company’s host communities.

He added that BUA cement had been supporting communities in the areas of healthcare, skill training, provision of scholarship and educational materials.

He commended the state and local governments, as well as the host communities, for the cordial relationship with the company, which facilitated its intervention in various places.

According to him, the projects are to complement the efforts of Sokoto State Government in providing good living condition to the people.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman of Wamakko LGA, Alhaji Halliru Guiwa, represented by the Vice Chairman, Alhaji Garba Muhammad, thanked the company for the intervention.

He said that the residents were lucky to have the company in their domain, in view of its contribution to infrastructure development in the area.

The Chairman however appealed for more supports in view of the population and the need of the residents.

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