Federal Govt. Secures $1.5 bn Loan From World Bank

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October 16, 2023

The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a $1.5 billion concessional loan for budget support from the World Bank.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, revealed this while briefing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

Edun also disclosed that an $80 million financing from the African Development Bank was also approved by the Council, this is to Finance a project in Ekiti called Project EKZ basically to support young people and towards advancement of technology in the country.

Nigeria Expecting $1.5bn World Bank’s Support

On his part, the Minister of Budget and National planning, Atiku Bagudu said the Executive is in talks with the Legislature on consideration of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework 2024 to 2026, and also the projected presentation of the 2024 Budget of 26.01 Trillion naira to the National Assembly.

Also the ministers of Labour and Employment, and industry, trade and investment said they presented memos on various interventions including the approval for implementation of the federal government’s agreement with the organised labour.

The finance minister also reiterated that President Tinubu will not breach statutory limits in obtaining budget support facilities from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the Ways and Means Advance.

Ghana, South Africa Sign Visa Waiver Agreement

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 16, 2023

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The governments of Ghana and South Africa have reached a visa waiver agreement to allow citizens of both countries to travel visa-free.

This was made known by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in a post made on the social networking platform, X, where it said both countries have entered into an “agreement on a visa waiver regime for holders of ordinary passports.”

“Travellers may transit through, depart from and stay in the territory of both countries for a cumulative period of up to 90 days without recourse to work.

According to the post, the agreement takes effect from 1 November.

South Africa also reached a similar agreement with Kenya in January.

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South Africa is Africa’s second largest economy, after Nigeria. However, the two African giants have no such visa waiver agreement. There is also no indication that such an agreement is in the works between both countries.
The governments of Ghana and South Africa have reached a visa waiver agreement to allow citizens of both countries to travel visa-free.

This was made known by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in a post made on the social networking platform, X, where it said both countries have entered into an “agreement on a visa waiver regime for holders of ordinary passports.”

“Travellers may transit through, depart from and stay in the territory of both countries for a cumulative period of up to 90 days without recourse to work.

According to the post, the agreement takes effect from 1 November.

South Africa also reached a similar agreement with Kenya in January.

South Africa is Africa’s second largest economy, after Nigeria. However, the two African giants have no such visa waiver agreement. There is also no indication that such an agreement is in the works between both countries.

Once Upon A Time – October 16 – 1986 – Reinhold Messner, First Person To Scale All Eight-Thousanders

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 16, 2023

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Italian Mountaineer, Reinhold Messner, scaled the Lhotse, in Nepal. It is the world’s 4th tallest peak, and it is one of the 14 eight-thousanders – mountains that are more than 8000 meters above sea level.

The International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) recognises eight-thousanders as the 14 mountains that are more than 8,000 metres (26,247 ft) in height above sea level, and are considered to be sufficiently independent of neighbouring peaks.

Reinhold Andreas Messner, born 17 September 1944 is an Italian mountaineer, explorer, and author from South Tyrol.

He made the first solo ascent of Mount Everest and, along with Peter Habeler, the first ascent of Everest without supplemental oxygen.

He was the first climber to ascend all 14 peaks over 8,000 metres (26,000 ft) above sea level and he also did it without supplementary oxygen.

Messner was the first to cross Antarctica and Greenland with neither snowmobiles nor dog sleds and also crossed the Gobi Desert alone.

He is widely considered as the greatest mountaineer of all time.

From 1999 to 2004, Messner served as a member of the European Parliament for north-east Italy, as a member of the Federation of the Greens.

Messner has published more than 80 books about his experiences as a climber and explorer.

In 2010, he received the 2nd Piolet d’Or Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2018, he received jointly with Krzysztof Wielicki the Princess of Asturias Award in the category of Sports.

There is no precise definition of the criteria used to assess independence, and, since 2012, the UIAA has been involved in a process to consider whether the list should be expanded to 20 mountains.

All eight-thousanders are located in the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges in Asia, and their summits are in the death zone.

The first person to summit all 14 eight-thousanders was the Italian climber Reinhold Messner in 1986, who did not use any supplementary oxygen.

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In 2010, Spaniard Edurne Pasaban became the first woman to summit all 14 eight-thousanders, but with the aid of supplementary oxygen.

In 2011, Austrian Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner became the first woman to summit all 14 eight-thousanders without the aid of supplementary oxygen.http://www.ln247.news

In 2013, South Korean Kim Chang-ho climbed all 14 eight-thousanders in 7 years and 310 days, without the aid of supplementary oxygen.

In 2019, British-Nepalese climber Nirmal Purja, climbed all 14 eight-thousanders in 6 months and 6 days, with supplementary oxygen.

In July 2022, Sanu Sherpa became the first person to summit all 14 eight-thousanders twice, which he did over the period 2006 to 2022.

Eye Care: Cross River State Renders Free Services To Over 500 Nigerians

By

Olasunbo Okoromi

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October 16, 2023

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More than five hundred Nigerians have received free eye care services in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, southern Nigeria.

The people received the treatment at a city wide campaign organized by the Cross Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, Nigerian Optometric Association and the Nigerian Ophthalmic Nurses as well as the Association of Nigerian Dispensing Opticians.

In a brief remark to kick off service delivery, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk noted that eye health was important to every living being and should not be taken for granted.

According to him, there was need for people to get their eyes periodically checked to prevent certain diseases and eventual blindness, stressing, “The eye is so important that if given the choice, many people would prefer to see. Eye health is so important that the world choose to agree to celebrate World Sight Day on 2nd Thursday in October yearly.”

He commended the healthcare practitioners for embarking on a road show to create awareness on the importance of regular checkup and for devoting their time and energy to treat hundreds of residents across Calabar metropolis.

The Commissioner further encouraged the people to take advantage of the free treatment and have their eyes checked and if necessary, receive medication that would enhance their sight.

Speaking in an interview newsmen, an ophthalmic nurse, Mrs. Offiong Okokon explained that the 2023 theme of the World Sight Day, “Love Your Eyes At Work” was a call on people, especially those who work around computers, using different types of lights, media practitioners and others, to give attention to their eye health.

Okokokn said “The exercise we urge people to do especially those who are on the computers, their phone and any monitor, is what we can the ’20-20-20’ eye exercise.

“It involves timing yourself, keeping a clock beside you so that when you work for 20 minutes, remove your eyes from the screen for 20 seconds and then look 20 metres away before you return to your work. The exercise helps a lot because what damages the eyes at work is the amount of light that gets into the eyes,” she stated.

While reiterating the importance of regular checks, she added that certain disease conditions such as diabetes and hypertension affects the eyes as well as urged people to avoid putting engine oil, breast milk, anointing oil, leaves, urine and other unhealthy items into the eyes as such may result to permanent blindness.

FG To Create Biomedical Engineering Programme – Pate

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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October 16, 2023

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The Federal Government says it will create a National Biomedical Engineering programme to address the deficit in medical equipment maintenance.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said this in Abuja after a tour of the National Hospital, Abuja..

Pate said that he recognises that some of the infrastructure in the hospital is more than 20 years old and challenged because of the volume of use, time and nature taking its course.

“Overtime things just get aged, you have many pieces of equipment that have been here over many years and are not functional, very important equipment.

“Some for cancer care, they are old and need replacement, some for radiology that are old and some are not functional or just outdated. That’s a very clear issue and we need to find a way to solve that in a significant way,” he said.

He, however, said that the issue of equipment and maintenance is not peculiar to NHA alone, but he also saw similarities in the other tertiary hospitals he had visited.

“So we will in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare establish a National Biomedical Engineering programme that will try to begin to address the deficit in equipment maintenance,” he said.

On the issue of power supply to the hospital, he said that his ministry would work with the Ministry of Power as well as the power holding companies to see what arrangements could be made to prioritise health facilities even if not entirely, but some parts of it.

According to him, efforts are on to assess the needs of all teaching hospitals so that they have solarisation as part of the solution due to the high cost of diesel.

He also commended the hospital’s management for ensuring that emergency patients are attended to regardless of payment for the first 24 hours.

“I am very glad to hear that you prioritise saving lives so that when somebody comes to the emergency they get treated, regardless of anything for the first 24 hours.

“That is a very important principle to keep in mind so that we ensure that we put our patients and our people first in all that we do,” he said.

He assured that he would support the hospital in all its endeavours and also challenge it to deliver on its mandate.

The minister said that the ministry is very focused on improving the health and well-being of Nigerians and that the hospitals are a major part of this.

“You (CMD) as a leader of the hospital, along with other leaders in our national hospitals will need to step up your games in terms of responding to patients’ presence, ensuring facilities are functional, the quality of services is tracked, that the patients’ experience the government in a very positive way,” he said.

Speaking about the reason for the visit to the hospital, he said that it was part of his assessment of national and federal hospitals all over the country.

“We have been to several of them and today we are here at the National Hospital in Abuja because we want to reposition hospitals to provide quality services to all Nigerians with patients at the centre of what we do.

“Also to assess the leadership of the hospital and its management to let them know that Nigerians deserve the highest quality services possible within the resources available,” said.

Earlier, the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Muhammad Mahmud, said that the hospital was created to be a quaternary hospital initially for children and then for women and children, but was eventually expanded to involve every facet of medicine and surgery.

He said that this had brought strain on the facilities and infrastructure of the hospital established about 24 years ago.

According to him, though the hospital was given attention and had funding, these dwindled over the years which has contributed to its present-day decadence.

“Sir I would want to assure you that everyone is willing to put in their best especially if we have what will improve our outcomes.

“You have gone by yourself to see equipment and though we know we have issues with maintenance in the whole country, biomedical technology or medical maintenance departments are not as good but still these equipment and infrastructure have actually outlived their useful times.

“Unless the government pays attention and is able to fund the hospital to really get it to the level it should be then we will keep struggling,” he said.

Mahmud said that the hospital’s management had over the years tried its best to keep the hospital afloat and take it higher, but many constraints had hindered its progress.

He, however, said that with the minister’s visit and the promises made by him, the hospital would be able to get to the level it should be as a prestigious tertiary hospital.

“Our aim is not just to target Nigerians alone, but to even get clients from West African countries.

“So once we get ourselves to that level, without even advertising, we will get there. Nigeria has the resources and the manpower if we can harness it well.

“The issues of funding may also be there, in as much as we can think out of the box and can attract those fund funding opportunities and with the expertise and the knowledge, we will get there.”

University of Lagos Management Harps On Teamwork, Collaboration At Customer Service Week

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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October 16, 2023

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The Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Folasade Ogunsola, has identified collaboration and teamwork as necessary tools for effective service delivery.

Ogunsola, who stated this at the close of events marking the 2023 International Customer Service week, tasked staff members to foster a culture of teamwork, where every individual would feel valued and empowered to make a difference.

The event, themed: “Customer service week: Team service 2023,” was organized by the Quality Assurance and Servicom unit of the institution.

Ogunsola noted that going beyond the expectations and creating lasting relationships built on trust and satisfaction would go a long way in delivering quality team service.

The vice chancellor noted that the theme for this year’s event further highlighted the significance of collaboration and teamwork in delivering outstanding customer experiences.

She added that it also aligned with the vision and agenda of the university, to prepare it as a future-ready institution, driven by team spirit, to deliver quality team service for an improved citadel of learning.

She said Customer service is not just a department within a company, it is a mindset that should permeate throughout every level and function of this learning citadel.

In his welcome address, Director, Quality Assurance and Servicom of the university, Femi Saibu, said customer satisfaction is one of the institutional goals and core values being pursued.

He said the university considered students as its major and most important customers.

Director General of NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, described this year‘s theme as apt, adding that it was critical in achieving excellence in any organization.

Jamoh, who was represented by Head, Internal Audit of the agency, Olamide Osunsanya, also lauded the university for its efforts in ensuring that its customers were satisfied at all times.

He described the university as a partner in progress, while commending it for efforts it had always made in advancing knowledge of marine services.

He said UNILAG has always been a trail blazer and proud to be associated with it over the years.

Education Minister Charges Principals To Protect Schools, Children From Attacks

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Precious Obazee

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October 16, 2023

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The Federal Ministry of Education has charged principals of Federal Unity Colleges across the country to protect their schools and students from any form of attack or banditry.

The Ministers of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman and Dr. Tanko Sununu gave the charge while receiving briefings from the principals of the country’s 112 Unity Colleges in continuation of their meetings with departments and chief executives under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.

According to a statement by the Director of press and public relations of the ministry, BenBem Goong, the ministers described Unity Colleges as National treasures that must be protected at all costs.

The ministers urged the principals to be vigilant over security issues, noting that early security warnings must not be taken for granted.

They also commended the principals for their patriotism and commitment to the service of the nation, emphasizing the need for them to be watchful and take extra measures to protect their respective schools.

The ministers further directed the principals to liaise with traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, and all security agencies to create the necessary synergy that will guarantee the security of all federal unity schools in the country.

Responding to the minister’s directives, the Chairperson of the Association of Principals of Nigerian Unity Colleges and the Principal of the Federal Science and Technical College ILESA, Dr. Mrs. Idowu Akinbamijo assured that her colleagues will do everything humanly possible to ensure that the children under their care are fully protected, adding that as parents, the security of their children is of utmost priority.

Dr. Idowu appealed to the ministers to prioritize the construction of housing accommodation in rural Unity Colleges as an incentive to attract and retain teachers in rural schools.

She further requested for the provision for posting entitlements of teachers before their postings are effected in order to reduce the pains associated with relocation of teachers and their families.

NIPOST Staff Shut Down Office, Reject New CEO

By

faith Jegede

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October 16, 2023

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Workers at the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) have shut down the head office of the service in Abuja, protesting against the appointment of Tola Odeyemi as Chief Executive Officer/Post Master General.
Ajuri Ngelale, the Presidential spokesman, announced last week that President Bola Tinubu made some changes in the leadership of communication agencies, including NIPOST.
However, moments after the news of Odeyemi’s appointment broke, there were reports that Adeyemi Adepoju, had been reinstated.

A message posted on the NIPOST x account claimed that the president had reinstated them.

On Monday however, the protesting workers denied entry to the newly appointed NIPOST CEO, saying her appointment was against their wish.

The workers, who said they preferred Adepoju, chanted solidarity songs wielding placards. Eventually, videos surfaced on social media of Odeyemi, reportedly making her way into the office and holding a meeting with staff, soon after.

Telcos Choked by 49 Taxes, Levies, Others

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 16, 2023

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Telecom operators in Nigeria is said to pay at least 49 different taxes and levies to the three tiers of government and other non-state actors.

It was gathered at the weekend that they are coerced to pay or their base transceiver stations (BTS) would be shut at the risk of compromising quality of service (QoS).

Added to these is the Right of Way (RoW) fees and further increases under the Finance Act 2023 (such as upward review of Tertiary Education Trust Fund Tax from 2.5per cent to three, imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on cell towers or BTS, imposition of import levy on goods, removal of capital allowance on telecommunications goods and services under Section 32 of the amended Companies Income Tax Act), among others.

This is further compounded by the increase in Legislative Bills seeking to impose new taxes and levies on private organisations (including telecom operators) at the National and state Houses of Assemblies.

According to a document prepared by the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the impact of the increase in automotive gas oil (AGO) also has dire consequences for telecoms operations, particularly in the colocation segment.

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“The 300 per cent increase in diesel cost which was implemented at the beginning of the year, humongous indebtedness in the industry, lack of access to and increased rate of foreign exchange to service their operations, dire levels of insecurity across the country with increased theft and damage to our members sites, have all prevented our members from running their business efficiently and profitably. This new challenge of the introduction of the 7.5 per cent VAT, now suspended, will not only further impact our members operating capital, but it will also erode their profit margins, discourage investments, stifle growth, result in loss of employment and ultimately dovetail in a progressively reduced gross domestic product (GDP),” the document stated.

The document restated the commitment of the telcos to the improvement of QoS and, indeed, quality of experience for all subscribers which they argued is evidenced by the continued investments in network coverage and capacity to improve overall quality of service for the benefit of our esteemed customers.

“However, ALTON’s members have continued to encounter strong macro-economic headwinds which have occasioned tough operating conditions, leading to a decline in CAPEX (Domestic) and Foreign Direct (Capital Inflow) Investments into the industry by 30.37per cent and 46.9 per cent respectively between 2021 and 2022.

“It is ALTON’s considered view that a number of teething investment-impacting causal factors need to be definitively addressed to help deepen investment with the overall objective of driving increased CAPEX deployment for overall QoS improvement in line with the targets of the Strategic Plan to achieve 50per cent improvement in QoS by the end of 2024,” the document noted.

Lagos Seeks To Expand Farmers’ Database

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 16, 2023

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Lagos has urged more farmers to register on its database to enable the government promote accountability in the distribution of inputs and grants.

Commissioner of Agriculture, Lagos State, Abisola Olusanya, who made the appeal at a forum with farmers, said the government was aware that farmers were shutting down operations due to the persistent hike in the price of feeds, but it was determined to establish a farmer interface for smart and well-organised agriculture aimed at extending support and providing access to market to boost their incomes.

She noted that the worsening feed crisis has spread desperation across industry with farmers threatening to abandon farms for other industries because they barely have enough money to survive.

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To pursue development goals at any level, she noted that updating the number of farmers was essential for measuring advancements and that the government would be able to know the accurate figure of those benefiting from crops, irrigation, and other infrastructure.

She noted that they were cultivators and farmers who were still not part of data system, adding it would make it difficult to address the issues that plague the state agriculture.

She said the government had offered relief to farmers, including offering subsidised high-yield seeds.

According to her, the situation of the industry calls for an urgent intervention to save the industry from total collapse, adding that the high surge in the price of feeds is threatening the further development of the industry.

Across the country, livestock operators have been closing down business because of rising prices of feeds.

Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) raised the alarm recently that the sector would crash totally if the government fails to intervene.

PAN stated that the poultry industry in Nigeria was on the verge of total collapse if urgent intervention is not channelled to it without further delay.

PAN’s National President, Sunday Ezeobiora and Director-General, Onallo Akpa, in a statement they jointly signed, said, “We are aware that the government has declared a state of emergency on the food security situation of the country, but the situation of the poultry industry calls for an urgent intervention to save the industry from total collapse.

“The high surge in the price of maize and the near absence or scarcity of the product is causing farmers to close down their poultry farms at the moment, because it is no longer sustainable to feed the birds and be in business. This is threatening the further development of the Nigerian poultry industry”.