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Lawmakers seek establishment of Federal Health Facilities in Constituencies

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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The Member representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, has lamented the lack of a federal health facility in Kogi East senatorial zone of the state.

Halims  while addressing participants at a two-day public hearing organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Health Care Institutions called for the support of his colleagues on a Bill seeking the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Ankpa,

Mr. Halims said having a medical centre in Ankpa would help to ameliorate the challenges of the people with regards to health care services.

He said the creation of the FMC will further enhance the healthcare delivery systems available to the people, adding that the local government already has facilities in the zonal hospital which was formerly a general hospital.

The lawmaker therefore called on the Federal Ministry of Health to consider the Bill as necessary and important to the equitable distribution of health infrastructure in Nigeria.

Representatives from Rano Emirate of Kano State led by the Emir, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammed Inuwa also made passionate appeal for the support of a Bill seeking the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Rano.

On School of Nursing in Adamawa State, both the former Governor, Bala Ngilare and former Director General of the National Institutes for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof. Ladi Hammalai, urged the committee to consider the Bill seeking for the establishment of a School of Nursing, Midwifery and Sciences for passage.

According to them, Maiha Local Government in which the college of Nursing is to be located is such an area that has suffered long Federal neglect.

They said apart from enhancing access to health related education and development of the people of the area and Adamawa as a whole, it would also improve the socio-economic lives of the people through commercial activities and employment opportunities that would be available to them.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Pascal Obi commended the participants for their efforts to make their voices counted in the legislative process of enacting very important laws for the benefit of Nigerians.

He assured stakeholders of due diligence, saying that every concern raised in their memoranda would be carefully and painstakingly looked into, with a view to making very informed recommendations to the House for consideration.

YouTube blocks Russian-funded media channels around the world

By
Henry Williams
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YouTube unveiled Friday that it has expanded its global blocking of Russia-linked media channels, after initially banning them only in Europe due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

The world’s most used streaming service , which is owned by Google, said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine now falls under its violent events policy and material that does not meet standards will be removed.

YouTube’s guidelines “prohibit content that denies, downplays, or trivializes well-documented violent events, and we remove content about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that violates this policy,” the platform cited.

YouTube spokesman Farshad Shadloo explained that the blocking of Russian media is in line with that policy.

Fuel crisis: Nigeria undergoing budget amendment over subsidy – Finance minister

By
Henry Williams
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The Nigerian government is currently undergoing a budget amendment process following the roll back on fuel subsidy, as the global fuel crisis intensifies, according to Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budgets and National Planning.

She said this while responding to a question asked on rising share of interest payment as a share of total tax revenues, at a virtual meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with the theme: “The Political Economy of Fiscal Reforms in Africa

The minister said the Federal Government has quietly implemented subsidies in the electricity sector, saying “as we speak, as it is, we do not have subsidies in the electricity sector.”

Terrorists Ransack Village In President Buhari’s Home State, Abduct 11 Persons

By
Henry Williams
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No fewer than 11 persons mostly elderly women have been abducted by gunmen at Shinfida Village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

They were abducted on their way to join other residents, who earlier ran to a refugee camp for safety after their village came under attack by a group of gunmen suspected to be bandits.

According to Channels Television, the assailants invaded the village on Friday night.

It was learnt that those kidnapped lacked the capacity to leave at the time most residents fled to safety due to their physical strength and some health conditions.

A villager recounted that having carried out the invasion on Friday night, the assailants planned to set the entire village of Shinfida on fire at about 7am on Saturday.

He called on the relevant authorities to come to the aid of the people, including sending security personnel to the village to protect the residents and salvage what could be left of their properties.

On Friday, seven children were killed, and several others injured in a stampede while residents fled Shinfida Village following an attack by bandits.

Although the police authorities in Katsina have yet to confirm the incident, a resident of the area Abdulrazak Ahmad said the attack occurred on Thursday.

He blamed the incident on the evacuation and withdrawal of soldiers serving in a joint security task force from the area.

EndSARS panel orders NDLEA to produce Abba Kyari on March 22

By
Henry Williams
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The Independent Investigation Panel on EndSARS has made an order directing the NDLEA to produce suspended police deputy commissioner, Abba Kyari before it on March 22.

The panel made the order following the statement of a witness who said Mr Kyari had promised to get back to him on the missing suspects.

The whereabouts of the missing persons have remained unknown following their arrest in 2019 by the Kyari-led unit which made their family members to petition the panel

At the resumed sitting, James Idachaba, counsel to the Police informed the panel that since Kyari was no longer in police custody following his suspension, the police cannot produce Kyari.

Halilu Adamu, the panel’s counsel, told the panel that Mr Kyari was in the custody of the NDLEA.

Police IG bans use of unapproved uniforms on routine operations

By
Henry Williams
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The Nigerian Police force announced the ban of unapproved uniforms to carry out routine operations.

This was disclosed by Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba in a statement posted by the Nigerian Police Force on Friday evening.

He also ordered the Police X-Squad and Monitoring Unit to ensure the strict enforcement of the directive

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, revealed his irritation at the flagrant violation of the approved Nigeria Police Force dress code by officers on patrol and guard, stop and search, and other routine police operations

He stated that on patrol, Police officers “have formed the habit of wearing t-shirts and face caps with “Special Forces”, “Commando”, “Gallant MOPOL”, “SCORPION”, and other inscriptions while on duty”

The IGP said, based on this, he has ordered an immediate ban on such unapproved apparel.

EU, US hits Russia with fourth wave of sanctions targeting its elites

By
Henry Williams
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In this image made from video released by the Russian Presidential Press Service, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressees to the nation in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine on Thursday, as Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to "consequences you have never seen." Putin justified it all in a televised address, asserting that the attack was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine — a false claim the U.S. had predicted he would make as a pretext for an invasion. (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP)

The European Union and the United States have announced a fourth wave of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

In the fourth wave of sanctions announced on Friday, Luxury goods will no longer be allowed to be exported to Russia. The value of American luxury exports to Russia is about $550 million yearly.

In a statement by the President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, those who sustain President Vladimir Putin’s war machine should no longer be able to enjoy their lavish lifestyle while bombs fall on innocent people in Ukraine.

In a fact sheet by the White House, President Joe Biden will sign an executive order (E.O) that will end the exportation of luxury items to any person located in the Russian Federation.

The sheet noted that Russian elites should no longer be able to reap the gains of this system and squander the resources of the Russian people.

Exploring Loango National Park, Gabon

By
Angel Gimalo
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Loango National Park is a unique national park which is located in the western part of the Gabonese Republic.

What makes this park so much interesting for everyone is that includes diverse coastal habitat within which is also the Iguéla Lagoon making it the only significant example of a typical western African lagoon system that is protected within a national park.

Being one of the most amazing places in Africa where it is still possible to experience the rhythms of equatorial Africa in its most primitive state, as it once was.

The entire national park is comprised of savannah, pristine beach, forest and mangroves that also incorporates a high percentage of water across the whole area.

Declared at first as a regional fauna reserve in 1956, it was established as Loango National Park in 2002, and this 1,550 square km (600 square mi) area is nearly devoid of people, motivating visitors who are coming here in small numbers in order to be the witnesses of this rare and exotic tropical gem from Gabon.

Holding one of the highest densities of wildlife in the world, there are plenty varieties of species which can be seen here, such as the forest elephants, red forest buffaloes, hippos, chimpanzees, western lowland gorillas, duikers, leopards, crocodiles, western lowland gorillas, in addition to the impressive marine life like the world’s largest concentration of humpback whales and dolphins after South Africa.

Even though most of the exploration of Loango can be done by boat, on foot or from a vehicle, there are the locals who are able to be the guides of all those adventurous enthusiasts who would like to get a glimpse of the still untouched nature.

The best time to visit the park is in December and January where most the wildlife can be seen, while between February and April is the wet season which is followed with torrential downpours.

During the dry season, which is between May and September, the air is still humid and quite warm, making it more difficult for people to move around.

All in all, there are not that many people who are coming to the small African republic, and even though the visitors can be counted in the low hundreds, Loango National Park shall definitely become one of the most interesting, if not most intriguing parks on the entire continent.

Kogi NSCDC Trains Personnel Undergo Fire Arms Training

By
faith Jegede
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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have trained 100 personnel in Kogi state on arms handling. The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, said his mission was to transform the agency for good.

He made the statement at the passing out parade of the Course Six arms handling training in Lokoja, adding that continuous training of officers remained the hallmark of efficiency and professionalism.

Represented by the Director, Legal Service, Umar Mohammed, Audi charged the personnel to be civil and professional in the discharge of their duties.

According to reports, the Commandant of NSCDC in Kogi, Suleiman Mafara, had earlier congratulated the graduating officers, saying the successes recorded in various operations in the state would not have been possible without the support of the Commandant General.

“The Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, approved our request to train this set of gallant officers and gave his full support in every way possible.

“This is in addition to the recruitment of more personnel to beef up the strength of the Corps so as to enhance its capacity to confront diverse security challenges facing the nation – counter-terrorism, protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure.”

He reiterated the loyalty and commitment of officers and men of the Command to the CG’s resolve to rid the country of insecurity and all forms of criminality.

“The subordination of the corps to civil authority is a cherished tradition that is one of the cornerstones of democratic existence and has, in addition, helped promote our professionalism in all parts of the country.”

He went ahead to appeal to the government and good people of Kogi State to assist the corps in order to enhance service delivery.

Evans’ Co-defendant Sentenced to Five Years For Arms sales

By
faith Jegede
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An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Friday sentenced Frank Udeme, one of the co-defendants of the convicted billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, commonly called Evans, to five years in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo sentenced Udeme for selling firearms to Evans after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

The judge ordered that the sentence would take effect from the day he was remanded in custody which is July 6, 2017.

Earlier, the counsel to the third defendant, A. B. Josiah, had notified the court about the defendant’s change of plea.

The charge was re-read to the defendant and he pleaded guilty to counts six and seven.

The Director, Directorate of Public Prosecution, Dr Babatunde Martins, told the court that the third defendant admitted to having sold two AK47 and 270 AK47 live ammunition to Evans.

Martins said Udeme made a statement on July 7, 2017, admitting to the offence.

The prosecutor said, “He admitted to having met the first defendant and sold two AK47 and 270 AK47 live ammunition to him.

“In his statement, he said he got the weapons from his community.

“According to him, the weapons were given to him by his community to fight the inter-communal crisis.

“Evans sent his driver, Emeka, to retrieve the ammunition from him. In his statement, he wrote and I quote ‘I sold the ammunition to Evans for N400,000 but he only paid me N200,000. Ever since, I have not seen him,”

Martins said the defendant’s statement had been admitted into evidence, adding that the offence contravened Section 9(2) of the Firearms Act and was punishable under Section 27(b) (iii) of the same Act.

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