AMAC To Give More Priority To Primary Healthcare

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June 24, 2022

The Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), in the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Christopher Zakka Maikalangu has renewed his resolve at upgrading the Primary Healthcare system as he promised to create more health centres, renovate existing ones as well as providing medical consumables where the need arises.

The Chairman made this known to journalists in an interview shortly after the commissioning and handling over of a block of a Primary Healthcare Centre built in Jikoyi by Rotary Club of Abuja, District 9125, Federal Housing, Karu.

“The existing clinics across the twelve electoral wards of the Area Council have been overstretched due to the daily influx of people into the city which calls for expansion, renovation and restocking of clinics and construction of new ones,” he said.

He promised to do anything possible to alleviate the sufferings of the common man at the grassroots, a part of his campaign manifestos and blueprint for the new administration.

Accordingly, Hon. Maikalangu directed the Directors of Works and Primary Healthcare of the Council, to immediately submit bills for the reconstruction of a part of the clinic’s fence as well as landscaping and other interconnected works.

While encouraging citizens to imbibe the spirit of community development to develop their communities, he applauded the vision and magnanimous spirit of the Rotarians, for singly constructing and stocking the complete block with furniture and other inputs.

The Council Chairman therefore, urged public-spirited organizations, individuals, groups and multinational companies to emulate the gesture of Rotary International as government alone cannot cater for all the needs of the electorate.

Swiss Customs Tracks Importation Of Russian Gold Worth $200M

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Elizabeth Williams

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June 24, 2022

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Swiss customs authorities said Friday they are tracking about 3 tons of gold of Russian origin that entered Switzerland from Britain last month to watch for potential violations of economic sanctions against Russia following President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.

The gold is worth 194 million Swiss francs ($202 million), officials said.

The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security said it consistently monitors imports of gold from Russia, which it said are not prohibited under a raft of Swiss sanctions against Moscow imposed over Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

However, exports of gold to Russia are barred under Switzerland’s sanctions, the customs office said in a statement. Gold bars manufactured in Russia since March 7 can not be traded in Switzerland, but ones created before then can, the office said.

There are no commercial restrictions in Switzerland on other forms of gold, such as jewelry or coins, from Russia, the office said.

American news outlet Bloomberg first reported the imported Russian gold that Swiss authorities are reviewing.

The Swiss Association of Manufacturers and Traders in Precious Metals said Thursday it was aware of “concerns” linked to last month’s move and said none of its members — which includes the biggest smelters of gold in Switzerland — was behind it.

Nigeria’s Government Saves N10Trn Treasury Single Account Since Establishment

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Elizabeth Williams

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June 24, 2022

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The Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr. Dasuki Arabi, says the Nigerian Federal government has so far saved about N10 trillion since the establishment of the Single Treasury Account (TSA).

Dr. Dasuki Arabi, disclosed this while speaking at the weekly ministerial briefing organized by the Presidential Media Team. Giving key updates on the performance of the Bureau in the execution of its core mandate particularly in ensuring the full implementation of reform policies and programmes for the government, he also said that introduction of Integration Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) has led to the reduction of the Federal Civil Service personnel to 720,000.

According to him, the IPPIS led to the weeding out of about 70,000 ghost workers from the service.

Speaking with video slides, he said: “On the next slide, these are some of the benefits that we think government or Nigerians have benefited out of the work that we have been doing in collaboration with other agencies of government, where with the introduction of IPPIS about 70,000 ghost workers have been eliminated from the payroll.

“We have a one shot opportunity to look at IPPIS and say, as at today, we have 720,000 public servants working for Nigeria.

“This is a great achievement which I think we need to encode and we need to get it celebrated by all of us. We’ve been able to reduce more than N220 billion wastage through wrong management of IPPIS on payroll by ministries, departments and agencies of government. We have reduced the budget deficits and change the budget composition.

The Director General said as part of the reforms in the service, the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIGMIS) has made government business paperless and “it has reduced man to man contact and processing, payments in ministries, departments and agencies of government.”

He added: “Transparency has been improved. A lot of things are done even outside the office. But the most important thing is the ability given to central agencies, office of Accountant General of the Federation, and the Ministry of Finance to see what is happening in all ministries, departments and agencies of government because GIFMIS is not controlled by the agencies.

“It is controlled by the central agencies, but every activity you are doing under GIFMIS somebody, is watching you and is monitoring that activity. This is a great achievement for us and for all of you and for all Nigerians.

“There is better access to information on finances in this country. Whatever you do, somebody’s watching you and somebody can request and get those information. International rating agencies standards and co have more confidence in Nigeria now because they have access to information and data that they were not able to get before this time.

The Director-General revealed that government is silently implementing aspects of the Oransanye Report on Civil Service Reforms.

He said government will soon make an announcement on the implementation of the White Paper.

PCN Says CWC Concept Will Clean-up Drug Distribution System In Nigeria

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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June 24, 2022

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The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), has described the establishment of the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC), as a welcome development to sanitise drug distribution system.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the CWC Atoba, Idemili South Local Government LGA of Anambra State, the PCN Registrar, Pharm Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, said the initiative is geared towards the closure and relocation of the Onitsha overhead drug market to the regulated centre.

At the ceremony performed by Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, Ahmed said that the move would bring sanity to the drug distribution channel system in the country.

He argued that the CWC concept is aimed at improving access to quality, effective and safe medicines. This will inadvertently eliminate the circulation of falsified and counterfeit medicines in the country.

“The concept of coordinated wholesale center(CWC) was approved by the Federal Government in 2015 with the goal to relocate the stakeholders in drug business that are operating in the open markets across the country which are unregulated and characterized with unwholesome activities to regulated centre as CWC.”

Anambra State along with three other States namely, Lagos, Abia and Kano were the first set of States granted approval for the establishment of CWC.

“The PCN granted the location approval of this site, Oba, to the Central Pharmaceutical and Allied Products (CPAPWL), the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the stakeholders in the Bridge-Head market, Onitsha after the successful location approval inspection was conducted on October 20, 2016.

“The location approval was subsequently conveyed on November 04, 2016 to enable the SPV to commence development of the CWC in compliance with the approved design. Let me restate that we are grateful to Mr Governor for bringing this project to life after several years of unwarranted delay.”

According to Ahmed, the other two states that were among the first set of states granted approval for CWC commenced construction activities immediately they were granted location approval.

Rivers 2023: ADC Governorship Candidate Picks Nollywood Actress Tonto Dikeh As Running Mate

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Koko Lawrence

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June 24, 2022

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The Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Rivers State, Tonte Ibraye, has announced Nollywood controversial actress, Tonto Dikeh as his running mate for the 2023 governorship election in the state.

The actress took to her official social media page on Friday to announce the news and as well thank the candidate for choosing her.

She wrote, “I thank Mr. Tonte Ibraye(@tonteibraye), the Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Rivers State for nominating me as his running mate.

“We are looking forward to investing massively in social protection, creating a social value system for young people, increasing women’s inclusion in our governance system, supporting small businesses and strengthening our traditional institutions to be active players in the drive to bring sustainable development to the good people of Rivers State.

“I am glad to be a proud member of the #RiversRescueMission2023

Please get your PVC and join the movement.

You are the Future and The future is now! TonteTonto2023″

Fifa Increases Squad Limit To 26 For World Cup

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Emenike Agu

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June 24, 2022

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Teams will be able to select up to 26 players for this year’s World Cup after global soccer’s governing body FIFA increased the maximum squad limit by three on Thursday.

FIFA said the change was due to the unusual timing of the tournament as well as the impact of COVID-19 on squads. The showpiece event in Qatar will run from Nov. 21-Dec. 18.

“The number of players to be included on the final list has been increased to at least 23 and a maximum of 26,” it said in a statement.

“No more than 26 people (up to 15 substitutes and 11 team officials) will be allowed to sit on the team bench.”

UEFA took a similar decision last year, allowing sides to pick three extra players for the European Championship due to the pandemic.

The International Football Association Board this month gave the green light to the use of five substitutions in matches, which was initially introduced as a tweak to the rules because of COVID-19

Imo NDLEA Arrests 218 Suspects, Impounds 1471.314 Kg Of Hard Drugs

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Koko Lawrence

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June 24, 2022

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The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Imo State Command, has arrested 218 suspects and impounded 1471.314 kilogrammes of hard drugs in the state, since June 2021.

The State Commander, Reuben Apeh, disclosed this yesterday, while briefing newsmen in Owerri, to mark the 2022 International Day Against Drug Abuse and illicit Drugs Trafficking.

Apeh said out of the number of those arrested, 171 were male, while 47 were female. He stressed that many of the arrested suspects were arraigned and convicted for drug related offences at various courts.

The commander regretted that the use of illicit substance has been greeted with gory stories of all kinds of evil, ranging from violence, crimes, cultism, armed robbery and rape. He said the menace has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity in the state.

According to him, within the period covered, 51 suspects have been convicted while 146 cases were charged to court and the cases are still ongoing.

He said: “The United Nations had designated June 26, of every year as anti-drug day to create awareness of dangers of drug abuse in societies.

“Nigeria has not failed to be at the forefront of fighting the war against drug abuse and illicit trade.

“The drug situation in Imo State is worrisome, given the fact that even the women have joined the drug trade to address their financial needs.

“Also within the period under review, the activities of drug peddlers in Imo State have become so alarming and increasingly becoming sophisticated among the younger segments of the state population.

“Among exhibits siezed within the period under review are 0.10513kg of Cocaine, 0.2077kg of heroin, 3.896kg of methamphetamine, 3.184kg of tramadol and 0.5278kg of rohypnol, among others.”

Excitement As 2022 Nigerian Athletics Championship Begins In Benin

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Emenike Agu

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June 24, 2022

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Some new Champions are expected to emerge at the three-day event serving as national trials for both the World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State, is set for non-stop athletics action from Friday all through the weekend for the 2022 Nigerian Athletics Championships.

The cream of Nigerian athletes are in town to challenge for honours, which means fans are guaranteed spectacular performances at the three-day event which will serve trials for next month’s World Championships and Commonwealth Games in August.

Speaking ahead of the three-day championship, former Athletics Federation (AFN) President and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Nigerian Athletics Championship, Solomon Ogba, said: “We are organising a championship befitting our rising profile. I cannot remember the last time we produced three women who have gone inside 11s in the 100m in one year or produced athletes that will break records as old as the athletes themselves.”

He added: “Last year we had four National Records (NR) broken in the sprint and jumps. This year, we have had more long standing records broken.

“Ezekiel Nathaniel (48.42s) broke Henry Amike’s 35-year-old 400m Hurdles record (48.50s) while Prosper Nnamdi’s 81.08m effort last month was 1cm better than the 81.07m NR set by Pius Bazighe in 1999. Ofili also improved her 200m indoor to 22.46s and added the outdoor version. She ran 21.96s to become the first Nigerian woman to go under 22s.”

Battle royale

As expected, the 100m men’s race is attracting a great deal of interest as it is one of the events that could produce a newbie as champion.

Reigning African Games 100m champion, Raymond Ekevwo, and reigning World U20 Athletics Championships 200m king Udodi Onwuzurike are leading contenders for the national title.

While Onwuzirike is outrightly the fastest Nigerian male athlete this season at 10.03s, a couple of other sprinters are breathing down his neck with 10.04s this season.

Ekevwo (10.04s), Alaba Akintola (10.04s) Ashe Favour (10.04s) and Usheoritse Itsekiri (10.09s) are all contenders capable of springing surprises in Benin City.

Others to watch out for in the men’s 100m include Godson Brume (10.12s), Seye Ogunlewe (10.20s), Sunday Akintan (10.23s) and Mabilo Nicholas (10.24s) among others.

While Onwuzurike will face a fierce battle in the 100m event, he is the overwhelming favourite in the 200m with a personal best (PB) of 20.08s.

The World Junior Champion, nonetheless, have the likes of Alaba Akintola (20.26s), Chidi Okezie (20.80s), and Fakorede Adekalu (20.87s) to contend with.

With the reigning National record holder in the women’s 200m Favour Ofili out, the battle for supremacy will be between Rosemary Chukwuma and Grace Nwokocha in the sprint races.

A few weeks ago, Chukwuma and Nwokocha both clocked PBs of 10.99s and 10.97s at the NCAA Championships.

They duo also have impressive 22.33s and 22.44s times in the 200m respectively which easily puts them forward as title favourites in the absence of Ofili.

Both Chukwuma and Nwokocha were finalists at the just concluded NCAA Championships.

In the women’s 400m event, it will be a straight clash between veteran, Patience Okon and Nse Imaobong. Nse is the only Nigerian quartermiler to have hit the qualification standard for the World Championship in Oregon.

Brazilian Descendants Association launches Portuguese language class in Lagos

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Koko Lawrence

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June 24, 2022

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The Brazilian Descendants Association in Lagos (BDA) in conjunction with the Federative Republic of Brazil have launched the Portuguese language class in the Lagos Island area of the state.

Taiwo Salvador, Education Research Director, BDA, in a statement on Thursday said that the programme was to promote the Portuguese language and give the youth a world-class opportunity.

Salvador said that the programme was to encourage the youth to establish the language in the Brazilian community in the state.

According to her, the Portuguese language is one of the core languages spoken in Brazilian communities.

She highlighted the benefits of the programme, adding that being bi-lingual was an added merit to exploring the world.

She urged the beneficiaries to take the programme seriously.

“With a letter demonstrating this, the Brazilian government granted us the opportunity and permission to establish the language in the community.

“Anywhere you go and you can speak an additional language, it is a plus for you and gives you privilege to other opportunities.

“So, the benefit of the language has two phases: establishing it in our community and the benefit of traveling to Brazil for four years to study any discipline with tuition free.

Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Lagos State Governor, who is also a Brazilian descendant from the Carrena family, represented by Olumide Ibitoye, described the programme as a landmark and historical event.

“I am delighted to participate in this landmark and historical event marking the formal launch of the Brazilian Descendants Association of Lagos Portuguese language programme supported by the Brazilian Government to promote skill and knowledge in our dear state.

“Without any iota of doubt, this programme, which is the first of its kind at the grassroots level by the Brazilian Government to promote the Portuguese language in the Brazilian quarters of Lagos Island, is laudable and remarkable.

“It is a giant leap forward in advancing the rich cultural and historical ties between Lagos and Brazil.

“It is a statement of fact that Lagos and Brazil have a lot in common historically, the Brazilians in Nigeria, who are referred to as Agudas, settled in Lagos and created the Brazilian quarters,” she said.

Sanwo-Olu said that the history of Lagos State could not be effectively told without copious reference to the role played by European traders and travellers who were some of the earlier settlers in the kingdom of Lagos.

She said history had it that, as a result of the geographic location of Lagos on the lagoon, Portuguese merchants gave the island its name, Lagos, while Lagos Island to the indigenous population is called Eko.

“This clearly establishes the fact that we have a lot in common and there must be a concerted effort to rekindle and reinforce historical consciousness, particularly among the younger generation.

“This is to appreciate where we have come from, where we are now, and where we must go in the future.

“Therefore, on behalf of the good people of Lagos State, especially the Brazilian Descendants Association of Lagos, let me warmly appreciate the Brazilian Government, through the Brazilian Consulate in Lagos.

“For the wholesome initiative designed to support and promote the teaching of the Portuguese language in our dear state.

“It is particularly commendable that the Brazilian Consulate is working to promote appreciation of culture through the use of the Portuguese language among the interested family members of the Brazilian Descendants Association,” she said.

Sanwo-Olu noted that this would go a long way in helping family members appreciate their rich cultural heritage and build on it for effective communication.

“It is also instructive that the programme has been designed to give an opportunity to qualified members to further their education in Brazilian higher institutions.

“For us in Lagos State, we are proud and happy to identify with the various strides of the Brazilian Descendants Association of Lagos in ensuring that the historical bond between Lagos and Brazil is not completely relegated,” she said.

Also, Gaizamo Martins, President, BDA, gave the chronological background of the Brazilian Descendants and their unique education.

Martins noted that most of them were predominantly Christians.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Folashade Adefisayo, represented by Hashrup Taiwo, Director, Multilingual International Resources Centre, said that the state placed high value on the teaching and learning of all languages through the Centre.

Adefisayo said that the Centre was located in six educational centres.

She noted that Chinese, French, German, and Arabic, among others, were currently studied at the various designated centres.

She reiterated the government’s readiness to partner with BDA to include the Portuguese language in Lagos schools.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 Draw Reveals Groups For Emerging Stars Of The Women’s Game

By

Emenike Agu

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June 24, 2022

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Draw reveals pathway to glory for 16 of the world’s best youth teams.
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ 2022 to take place in India from 11 to 30 October

The draw for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ 2022 took place today, revealing the pathway to glory later this year for some of the world’s best young female players and national teams.

Hosts India will play the opening match of the tournament against USA, joining Brazil and Morocco in Group A. Spain, who won the last edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2018, were drawn in Group C, alongside Colombia, Mexico and China PR.

With less than four months to go now until the tournament kicks off in India, the future stars of the women’s game will take to the field at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ in India between 11 to 30 October across three Host Cities – Bhubaneswar, Goa and Navi Mumbai.

Matches at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 will also be streamed live on FIFA later this year in selected markets (please check your local listings).

Host Mollie Kmita presented the Official Draw and was joined by former US Women’s national team player and FIFA Women’s World Cup winner, Heather O’Reilly, former coach of the New Zealand national team, Ricki Herbert, as well as Jaime Yarza, FIFA’s Director of Tournaments, and Sarai Bareman, FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer, who conducted the draw.