Clean Nigeria To Mobilise New Culture Of Safe Sanitation

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October 13, 2021

The National Coordinator, Clean Nigeria Campaign Secretariat, Mrs Chizoma Opara, has urged all states to take ownership of Federal Government’s sanitation and hygiene intervention projects towards meeting the country target.

Opara, who said this at a one-day stakeholders roundtable on Improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Implementation in Nigeria in Abuja, said that the target was to achieve an Open Defecation-Free (ODF) Nigeria by 2025.

The event was organised by the Society for Water and sanitation (NEWSAN).

Opara, who maintained efforts of the Federal Government ought to be complemented, added it was saddening that current effort from states was minimal.

She said that the clean Nigeria Campaign was set up by the Federal Government to make Nigeria Open Defecation-free Nigeria by 2025, through behavioural change.

“Currently, our target is to have at least 200 ODF Local Governments by December 2021, for now, we have just 71 as of today and these were done with efforts of development partners over the years.

“It is sad that there is no single local government area that had led the process from beginning till the end, delivering a local government area is about the grassroots, so that is the commitment that we need.’’

The national coordinator said that it was sadden that 46 million Nigerians still practiced open defecation in parts of the country, saying Kwara was leading with the highest with about 64 per cent of its populace.

She said although the Federal Government had developed a roadmap, with states also following suit, however noted that states ought to make sincere commitment to follow up to ensure project accountability.

Opara stressed the need for all strata of the society to mobilise a new culture of safe sanitation through behavioural change communication and advocacy, saying this would go a long way to create a nationwide transformational culture.

Mr Bioye Ogunjobi, UNICEF WASH Specialist, urged the civil society to hold tiers of government accountable, saying this would go a long way towards scaling up sanitation and hygiene in the country.

According to him, resources are dwindling, hence the need for Nigeria to mobilise funds towards meeting the sanitation and hygiene needs.

He said that funds coming in from development partners were less than 1 per cent of the country’s GDP.

“We are aware that states like Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta are far richer than some of these developed countries supporting Nigeria, why can’t we see how to mobilise funds for ourselves.

“We cannot continue like this, it must not be `business as usual’, the Federal Government should also release funds for human rights and this can be done with proper monitoring by the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).’’

Mr Benson Attah, National Coordinator of NEWSAN, said Nigeria would need an estimated 122 billion dollars and three times of the current WASH investment to meet the country target.

He said that though the 2020-2025 strategic plan of NEWSAN had a global vision of achieving access to WASH for everyone by 2030, he noted the need for adherence to leaving no one behind.

According to him, the workshop was also an avenue to deliberate on operationalising of the proposed WASH Fund, saying this would go a long way towards changing the narratives.

Zamfara Govt. To Deploy Security Operatives Across Schools In The State

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 13, 2021

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In a bid to ensure the safety of students and teachers, authorities in Zamfara have concluded plans to deploy security operatives to schools across the state

Governor Bello Matawalle disclosed this on Wednesday when he received some students in his office at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.

He assured his guests that his administration would soon pay the counterpart funds for this year’s Universal Basic Education (UBEC).

According to Governor Matawalle, this is to ensure continued improvement in the standard of education, especially that of the girl child in the state.

To celebrate the girl child, he gave his seat to a Junior Secondary School (JSS) Two student of Unity School in Kortokoshi, Zainab Bello, who acted as the governor for about an hour.

Meanwhile, Governor Matawalle has sworn in new administrators for the 14 local government areas of the state, following the dissolution of the last set of administrators.

He explained that it was necessary to reconstitute another set of administrators until the security situation improves to pave way for elections into the local government councils.

“We are particularly determined to do all that is humanly possible to secure our state, restore mutual trust among our communities, and create bountiful opportunities for people to realise their dreams of a better life.”

“You must work hand in hand with the security agencies in your localities to ensure strict compliance with Executive Order number 001 of 2021, which I signed on the 26th day of August 2021.

“The security of lives and property of our people is the topmost priority of our administration; you must, therefore, work diligently towards the accomplishment of our mission of making Zamfara State peaceful,” he told the appointees.

Teenage Liberian Motorcyclist Praised For Returning Found Cash

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 13, 2021

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A Liberian teenage motorcycle taxi rider has become a national hero after he found and returned $50,000 that had gone missing from a prominent businesswoman in north-eastern Nimba County on the border with Ivory Coast.

The young man, Emmanuel Tolue, saw the money wrapped in a plastic bag on a highway and heard the owner, Musu Yancy, desperately making a radio appeal to anyone coming across the cash.

He then let her know he had found it in the presence of local officials.

Yancy disclosed she and her boss rewarded the cyclist with $1,500 and other gifts.

She was so happy and relieved about getting the money back that she almost lost her voice while thanking God.

People sang the praise of the motorcyclist for such gestures are exceptionally unusual in post-war Liberia.

Corps Member Donates 40 Wheelchairs To Physically Challenged

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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October 13, 2021

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A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC ) Madugu Amos with registration number /20B/0088 has donated forty wheelchairs to some physically challenged persons in Uke Community in Karshi Development Area of Nasarawa State, North-Central Nigeria.

Amos stated that his passion to assist the less-privileged made him partner with a Jos based Non-Governmental Organisation – Beautiful Gates, which produces and gives out wheelchairs free to physically challenged persons.

The NYSC Nasarawa State Coordinator, Abdullahi Jikamshi while inaugurating the wheelchairs commended the Corps Member for his gesture of ameliorating the suffering of the beneficiaries.

He said NYSC Community Development Service (CDS) Programme was specially designed to take the Scheme’s contributions to, and also improve the living standard of Members of the public especially at the grassroots.

He urged other Corps Members to emulate Madugu’s efforts by initiating programmes and executing projects that would have positive impact on the lives of members of their host communities, especially the indigent.

Jikamshi enjoined the beneficiaries to use the wheel chairs positively adding that, though Nigeria had been declared polio free, but parents should ensure that their children are vaccinated against childhood diseases, including polio in order to prevent diseases that may lead to physical disabilities.

Also speaking at event, the Chief Executive Officer of Beautiful Gates, the NGO that released the wheelchairs to Corps Member Madugu, Engr. Ayuba Gufwan, who is also wheelchair bound, urged the beneficiaries not to see their physical disabilities as doom that would limit them to lives of begging for alms.

He told them that there was indeed, ability in disability, pointing out that with the provision of the wheel chairs, they could carry out many activities, including schooling, commercial activities and handicrafts, to empower themselves economically and live meaningful lives.

He promised to provide more wheel chairs for those who did not benefit at the event.

The Member representing Karshi at the Nasarawa State House Of Assembly, Honourable Mohammed Abdullahi who was represented at the event, pledged to give Corps Members within his constituency, the necessary support to carry out Community Development Projects.

The traditional ruler of the area, the Yakanaje of Uke, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Abdullahi Hassan who was represented by Hussein Danladi, the Chief of Kampani Community, commended the Corps Member’s efforts and thanked the NYSC for facilitating community development initiatives by Corps Members.

The ceremony also featured the distribution of textbooks to various Primary and Secondary Schools within Karshi by some Community Development Service Groups of Corps Members.

Ogun Senator push for Specialist Centre to Treat Burns Victims in Nigeria

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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October 13, 2021

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The Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Tolu Odebiyi, has called for the need to establish a specialist centre for the treatment of victims of burns accidents as this continue to be a global challenge. Annually, they cause over 265,000 deaths.

Senator *Tolu Odebiyi*, representing Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

The senator said this in Abuja at the one-day public hearing organised by the senate committee on health (secondary and tertiary) to consider one of the Bills he sponsored on the National Burns and rehabilitation centre, Ilaro, Ogun State on Tuesday.

According to him, burns is the fourth most common type of trauma worldwide, following traffic accidents, falls and interpersonal violence.

He said, “Further to this and beyond giving the procedural first aid to victims of burns, the nation needs a specialist centre for the treatment of victims from burns accidents. Nigeria needs to follow global best practices in catering for these health emergencies that can obviously be managed through the establishment of a centre, which this bill seeks to provide”.

He said the bill seeks to replicate the establishment of an institution, dedicated only to the treatment and rehabilitation of burns victims, for Nigeria, and by extension for Africa.

Address Challenges In Health Sector, Doctors Beg Nigeria Govt

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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October 13, 2021

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The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), have called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene to curb the menace of the lack of adequate remuneration and brain drain witnessed in the health sector.

NMA president, Prof. Innocent Ujah, represented by Chairman, NMA FCT Chapter, Dr Enema Amodu, stated this while

Addressing journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, at a press conference to flag-off the 2021 Annual Physician Week of the NMA.

He said that turning the blind eye to the challenge of brain drain in the medical profession would be disastrous.

Ujah said that incentives for healthcare workers would motivate them to work harder and give their best as health is said is a wealth and is better than wealth, adding that the rot in the health sector has necessitated the call for a total overhaul; with the need to improve on budget allocation and effective implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

“It is also pertinent to track the release and use of fund released for healthcare services at the Federal, state and local government level. Government should intensify its efforts in the Public Private Policy (PPP) initiative.

“The health workers welfare including the commensurate payment of hazard allowance be implemented without further delay. Doing all these will definitely renew confidence, commitment and dedication to delivery of quality healthcare to Nigerian people,’’ he said. Ujah also condemned the kidnapping and killing of doctors and other health workers by insurgents in Anambra state, adding that government must do all it can to rescue the kidnapped victims.

He urged government to ensure the security and safety of health workers as well as every other Nigerian, calling on state governments owing doctors their salary and allowance to pay so as to prevent further frustration among the workforce.

Also speaking, Vice Chairman, NMA FCT, Dr. Maureen Umemnwo-Umeakuewu, said that the 2021 Annual Physician Week would be commemorated with free medical outreach in all its branches and FCT as part of its corporate social responsibilities.

She said that the association would be sinking a borehole to indigent community along Lugbe/Airport area of the FCT to put succor and smile on the faces of the people, adding that doctors do not only take care of the medical wellbeing of patients alone, but also take care of their social wellbeing.

National Mathematical Center Trains Over 100 Post Graduate Students

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 13, 2021

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The National Mathematical Centre (NMC), says it has trained more than 100 postgraduate students in mathematical modeling as part of efforts to promote high level research in mathematical sciences.

Director/Chief Executive of the Centre, Prof. Promise Mebine, told the News correspondents in Abuja that the “Foundation Postgraduate Training in Mathematical Modeling would help to answer many real-world problems.

According to Mebine, modeling is a process that uses mathematics to represent, analyse and make prediction in order to provide insight into real world phenomena.

“While non-mathematicians will be asking what mathematics is used for, we (Mathematicians) will be asking what can’t we figure out with mathematics.

“This particular training marks an important chapter in the study of Mathematical Modeling in the country.

“I have no doubt that with the calibre of the resource persons involved in the five-day training, there is hope for the future of mathematics in Nigeria.

“These young brains that joined the training from different parts of the country will ever remember this period.”

He, therefore, urged the participants to continue to take advantage of online platforms to advance their academic pursuit.

The director also commended the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu for his unwavering love and interest for the development of mathematics and mathematical Sciences in the country.

He said “knowledge of mathematical modeling is very important if we are to use our mathematics to solve real-world problems.

Mebine further stressed that the Centre’s major challenge was funding, saying that the Centre as part of its efforts to fulfill the mandate of promoting high level research in mathematical sciences organises Foundation Postgraduate Courses.

“It also organises Research Oriented Courses, National Mathematics Competition for University Students and Colloquium.”

Mebine appealed to well-spirited bodies for sponsorship of the Centre’s activities.

Amira, 13-Year-Old Girl, Leads Call Against Underage Marriage in Adamawa

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 13, 2021

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Minors in Adamawa State have sought the protection of underage girls from early marriages through the enactment of child rights protection bill that will stop parents from giving them out for marriage until they complete secondary school.

This is just as the girls called for legislations for the prohibition of early marriage in the state.

The representative of the underage girls, Amira Abdullahi, a 13-year-old JSS 3 student at the Government Day Junior Secondary School, Luggere, in Yola North LGA, made the call at the assembly on the occasion of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.

Amira pleaded with the assembly to give the ‘Child Protection Bill’ a speedy passage since it has scaled through first reading at the hallowed chamber, adding that an enactment of ‘Early Marriage Prohibition Bill’ will help to stop parents in the state from giving their underage daughters out for early marriage.

She further appealed to the assembly to ensure that girls are protected from cases of rape and other forms of gender-based violence and child abuse.

The students at the occasion also commended the assembly for passing the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP), Law and other education-friendly laws that are capable of bettering education system and standards in the state.

Responding, the Speaker of the assembly, Rt. Hon. Aminu Iya-Abbas, congratulated the girls for marking the 2021 International Day of the Girl Child, and pledged the readiness of the assembly to pass the pending bills which have bearing on the girl child’s overall wellbeing.

APC Congress: Governor Ganduje mandates Contestants to Undergo Drug Test

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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October 13, 2021

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Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano has directed contestants seeking APC’s executive council positions to undergo a mandatory drug test.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba.

The governor directed all the contestants to report to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state for the screening before 7:00 a.m.

Thirteen aspirants for councillor in Kano had earlier in the year tested positive for hard drugs.

“The directive is part of government’s policy, to rid Kano of illicit substances,” the Commissioner for Information stated.

The warning was issued that no contestant would be screened without undergoing the mandatory drug test ahead of the October 16 state congress of the ruling party.

“Similar tests were carried out for contestants into local government election, as well as political appointees including members of the state executive council before offering them a portfolio,” Garba said.

The commissioner added that Governor Ganduje had already mandated the state office of the NDLEA to conduct the tests.

The commissioner reassured the governor’s commitment to rid political leaders of drug abuse.

On January 8, 13 aspirants for councilor in Kano tested positive for hard drugs. According to the APC secretary in Kano, Ibrahim Sarina, the ruling party had, through the NDLEA, conducted tests on the candidates. Mr. Sarina had disclosed that the 13 candidates who tested positive were replaced.

Boy Who Stowed Away In Benin-Lagos Plane Now In University

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 13, 2021

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The Boy who caused uproar eight years ago as a 13-year-old, found in a tyre compartment of a landed Lagos bound airplane from Benin City, Edo state is now in University.

Daniel Ricky Oikhena said he was motivated by adventure and his desire to lift his family from poverty, thinking the flight was going abroad.

Some legal practitioners then said in the eyes of the law the boy could not be charged or prosecuted because he was a juvenile and they described him as one that needed to be trained just like in other developed climes.

With the widespread publicity that the act attracted, state governments like those of Lagos and Osun volunteered to take over his upbringing but his state government, Edo quickly announced a scholarship for Daniel and rehabilitation of his mother who then had lost her salon shop to fire.

Eight years after, Daniel now 21 years old and a 100 level student of Business Administration, Department of Education of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma expressed mixed feelings when he said he was lacking proper care and that all the expectations from government had not been met although government was responsible for where he is today.

He said “After that, I was brought back to Benin, it was the former governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole who promised he would take care of all my needs, that the government would give me allowance, take care of my school fees, put me in scholarship and that I won’t have any problem, that he will also take care of my mum because during that time, my mum’s shop got burnt.

“He promised to take care of my mum and that everything will be okay for us.

“States like Osun and Lagos indicated interest in me but I believe they stepped down because of the position of the Edo state government.

“I am very grateful for the scholarship the government gave to me but it is not enough. Things are still very hard for me and my family. “I still need help in any way because things are still very difficult but I remain grateful for the scholarship I am now enjoying, he added