FG Restates Plans to Enhance Access to Family Planning Programmes

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May 31, 2023

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to create policies that would increase access to family planning programmes for couples.

Director, Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Boladale Alonge, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja while declaring open the 2023 Annual Family Planning Technical Review meeting.

Represented by an official of the ministry, Mrs. Bako Aiyegbusi, he said the Federal Government was determined to eliminate challenges militating against the uptake of family planning programmes.

He explained that the meeting would offer opportunities to close existing gaps in family planning advocacy and implementation.

“It is pertinent to note that the Federal Ministry of Health is working to expand access to family planning commodities.

“The Federal Government has developed policies to ensure that every couple has access to family planning programmes,’’ she said.

She expressed gratitude to UN Population Fund and to other multilateral partners for their support and gave an assurance that cultural beliefs and other barriers militating against family planning would be overcome.

In her remarks, Practice Area Lead, Family Planning/Reproductive Health Society for Family Health, an international NGO, Mrs Roseline Ode, said the meeting was necessary to scale up services for family planning.

She described family planning as fundamental to reducing maternal mortality rate and promoting the production of qualitative children.

She noted that family planning was imperative for couples the world over.

The Chairman, Technical Management Committee, Association for the Advancement of Family Planning, another international NGO, Dr. Ejike Oji, said progress was being made in the implementation of the “Family Planning-2030’’ goals.

Oji affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to achieving unmet needs for family planning, which he said was paramount in realising the 27 per cent commitment by Nigeria.

Liberian VP To Dedicate STEM Hub In Bong

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 31, 2023

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Liberian Vice President, Jewel Howard Taylor is set dedicate the Bong County Technical College, an already set-up STEM Hub, in an effort to initiate new collaborations in the field of science communication.

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics’ hub will be used by students of the BCTC to engage in experiential learning, persist in problem solving and work through the creative process.

The Vice President recently launched the initiative in Monrovia in collaboration with the Jewel Starfish Foundation and STEM Power Africa.

The launching ceremony also witnessed the immediate turning over of the country’s first ever STEAM hub named The Roseline K. Toweh STEM hub, to the YMCA in Monrovia.

The second hub materials were donated to the BCTC by the VP at the weekend which also followed by immediate instillation.

During the donation of the hub equipment, V.P. Howard-Taylor said the gesture was a gift from STEM power Africa to the People of Liberia.

The VP said she did not pay a dime for it but was brought to the country through her connections and advocacy for a better Liberia’s education system.

She encouraged the school’s authorities to sign a MOU with other high schools in Bong adding that “these materials can also be used by high school students.”

On behalf of the BCTC Administration, the Controller of the College, David Mator lauded the office of Vice President for her efforts in convincing and recommending the Bong County Technology College to have been selected amongst the first institutions in Liberia to benefit the gestures.

He assured the commitment of the school to working with its IT department to ensure the functionality of the equipment.

Monrovia Mayor Decries High Graduation Fees

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 31, 2023

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Monrovia City Mayor, Jefferson Koijee says high graduation fees being charged by the state-run University undermines the Tuition-Free policy of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government.

Speaking in his capacity as Secretary General of the ruling party, Koijee said that the rationale behind the Tuition-Free policy is to enable Liberians many of whom are downtrodden to rise from poverty by giving them privileges to gain higher education.

He said the Tuition Free policy introduced by President George Weah, affecting all public universities across the country, is to relieve parents from the extra costs that come with a college education, and it’s a critical step towards increasing the country’s human capital development indices.

He said this policy is being undermined by the high graduation fees being charged by university authorities.

Koijee said that asking people to pay graduation fees after lifting tuition burden off their shoulders undermines the true intent of the pro-poor educational policy that seeks to enable every Liberian to acquire tertiary education.

He further said that the tuition free policy is being taken to a sterner level through the introduction of a bill by two CDC lawmakers, Representative Frank Saah Foko and Representative Thomas P. Fallah, which is now before the Liberian Senate for concurrence as a way of making sure that even after the regime of President Weah, Liberians do not go back to the dark of educational opportunities being available to the privileged few who have access to state resources and their families.

He lauded Minister Sonii for taking steps in that regard while President Weah is on his way back from Nigeria where he has gone to attend the inauguration of the new President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Mayor Koijee maintained that paying graduation fees seems to be unique to Liberia because during his recent visit to the University of Oxford, he asked about similar situation and he was informed that was not happening.

He added that it is unthinkable that a country that is struggling to pull through the mud of economic destitution would endeavor to overburden its citizens with such a fee.

UI Conducts Admission Screening

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 31, 2023

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The University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre has announced that the center would conduct an admission screening exercise on June 2, 2023.

The screening would be for the first batch of applicants who had sat for the institution’s Post- UTME examination and obtained a minimum of 40% and have changed their Mode of Studies to Open Distance e-Learning mode of the institution.

In a statement by the director of the center, Babatunde Omobowale, said the application form was open to candidates with at least five relevant credit passes in WAEC or NECO for admission into 100 Level.

University Of Liberia Digitizes Admission of New Students

He said that the examination for the O’Level fresh applicants to the institution’s undergraduate programs via the ODeL has been scheduled for June 3 and 17, 2023, respectively.

Omobowale said the Candidates seeking admission into the 200 Level with OND or HND must have obtained a minimum of Upper Credit for the direct or fast track entries in undergraduate programs including B.Sc. Computer Science, B.Sc Sociology, B.SW Social Works, B.Sc Psychology, B.Sc Political Science, B.A Communications and Language Arts and B.Ed Educational Management.

He noted that A” Level, NCE and First-degree holders are also eligible for direct and fast track admission upon meeting the admission requirements.

TASUED shuts down school over students, community clash

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 31, 2023

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The management of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State has shut down university for two weeks, following the bloody clash between the host community, Imaweje and students living in the community.

The clash had led to the death of one of the students while four houses including that of the community leader and a bakery were set ablaze.

Rising from the emergency Senate meeting held on Tuesday, the management made some resolutions.

The Public Relations Officer of the school, Ayotunde Odubela, in a statement, said a committee had been set up to investigate both remote and immediate causes of the violence.

The statement read partly, “Senate approved two weeks break for the closure of the university.

He said the closure of the university is to allow the management carry out investigations into the immediate and remote causes of the crisis.

He said a delegation to be led by Dean, Student Affairs, Oluseyi Adejoye should immediately pay a condolence visit to the parents of the deceased students.

He called on students and parents to remain calm while appealing to the host Communities to allow a continuous harmonious relationship that had hitherto existed with the university and its hosts to continue.

Transfer Dealings: Juventus To Pay £620,000 Fine

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Emenike Agu

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May 31, 2023

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Juventus will pay a 718,000 euro (£620,000) fine as part of a settlement agreement with Italian football authorities over a case concerning payment of player salaries.

Juventus were docked 10 points last week over a separate investigation into the club’s past transfer dealings.

The settlement means Juventus have accepted that 10-point penalty and will not receive a further points deduction.

It brings an end to any ongoing cases involving the Turin club.

As well as the overall fine for the club, the Italian football federation (FIGC) gave fines to several officials, including former vice-chairman Pavel Nedved and ex-sporting director and managing director Fabio Paratici.

The club’s former president Andréa Agnelli, whose appeal against the two-year ban he received in January was upheld earlier this month, was not included in the latest deal and will have a separate hearing on 15 June.

In a statement, Juventus said the agreement would allow the club to “achieve a definite result” and overcome a “state of tension and instability”.

The club also said the agreement would allow head coach Massimiliano Allegri and players to focus on their planning for next season.

Juve were initially handed a 15-point penalty in January over transfer dealings but Italy’s highest sporting court overturned that decision in April and ordered the case to be re-examined.

The latest 10-point deduction dropped them to seventh place in Serie A, outside the European qualification spots.

However, Juventus are only a point behind Roma and two points behind Atalanta in fifth, and could still qualify for the Europa league or Europa conference league.

Poetry contest Enhances students creativity – Library

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 31, 2023

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The Zacchaeus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries says poetry competitions will boost creativity and discipline in higher institution students.

Speaking at a press conference to herald the grand finale of ZODML poetry challenge, titled, Motherhood, the chairman, ZODML, Ifeoma Esiri said that the students who joined the challenge would be exposed to good literature.

She said that literary works would help them to acquire language skills leading to better performance in their studies.

She said the competition has the tendency to awaken the creative process in the students and develop skills of creative self-expression and experimentation with language

She noted that the poetry challenge received 791 submissions out of which was narrowed down to 10 finalists.

A member of the ZODML Board of Trustees, Ayo Obe, appealed to the government to give easy access to NGOs and individuals who want to contribute to the growth and development of education in Nigeria.

Van Der Sar Quits Ajax CEO Role

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Emenike Agu

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May 31, 2023

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Former Dutch international, Edwin van der sar, has resigned from his position as chief executive at Ajax Amsterdam football club.

The 52-year-old former Manchester united, Fulham and Netherlands goalkeeper, who started his playing career at Ajax, has been on the Eredivisie club’s board of directors since 2012.

He was initially the director of marketing, then became chief executive in 2016, and had been on a contract running to 2025.

Van der sar told the club’s official website, “after almost 11 years on the board, I am done.

Van der sar will transfer his duties to the board from June 1, and it has been requested that he formally remains in his position until august 1.

The announcement comes after the club endured a trophy less 2022/2023 campaign that saw them finish third in the eredivisie.

Prior to that, van der sar’s time as chief executive had included the club winning three league titles and two Dutch cups under now Manchester united manager, Erik ten hag.

They also reached the uefa champions league semi-finals in 2018/2019 where they lost to north London outfit, Tottenham Hotspur.

Supervisory board chair, pier Eringa said, “We wanted Edwin to stay, but he had made his decision. We have to respect that.

NMA Tasks Tinubu on 15% Budgetary Allocation to Health

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Cleopatra Okohai

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May 31, 2023

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The Nigerian Medical Association has urged President Bola Tinubu to appropriate health sector financing with the Abuja 2001 Declaration of at least 15 per cent of the annual national budget.

The NMA said this will abate medical tourism and the attendant loss of financial resources.

The association said this in its congratulatory message signed by its President, Dr. Uche Ojinmah, and Secretary-General, Dr Jide Onyekwelu.

In April 2001, heads of state of African Union countries met and pledged to set a target of allocating at least 15 per cent of their annual budget to improve on the health sector. However, 23 years after, Nigeria is yet to meet the target.

The NMA also tasked the President on improved health workforce remuneration as a means of improving the availability of scarce workforce and mitigating brain drain.

“The Federal Government should implement the provisions of the National Health Act 2014 in full to set our health sector on sound footing. The Federal Government should ensure that the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund having been rolled out by the preceding administration gets improved appropriation, prompt releases, and institute appropriate measures for accountability and measurable outcomes.

“We believe that every Nigerian life matters, therefore, there is a need to have a functional and effective social welfare scheme focusing on providing a safety net (housing, food, basic education) and Universal Health Coverage for all Nigerians, especially the disadvantaged or vulnerable groups including pregnant women, children under five years of age, the aged, the extremely poor (persons living on less than $1.90 daily and the disabled.

“Government at all levels should address social issues affecting health (social determinants of health: these include poverty alleviation, women empowerment and education (particularly girl child education), water and sanitation, infrastructural development, tackling insecurity, employment and elimination of corruption,” the NMA stated.

Additionally, the association called for an audit of existing primary health centres and to get them equipped and well-managed.

“Nigeria under your leadership should work towards a Doctor-led Primary Health Care because every country with an effective PHC, which is the entry point to the performing and cost-effective health system (the gate-keeping point), has achieved a doctor-led PHC.”

Tinubu Orders DSS to Immediately Vacate EFCC Office

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 31, 2023

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President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, directed the Department of State Services to immediately vacate the Ikoyi office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Lagos.

“The President gave the directive when reports that DSS officials stormed the EFCC office located on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi on Tuesday, preventing officials of the anti-graft agency from accessing their work place, was brought to his attention,” a statement signed by the President’s media aide, Tunde Rahman, read on Tuesday evening.

The statement was titled: ‘President Tinubu directs DSS to immediately vacate EFCC office.’

DSS operatives reportedly stormed the EFCC office around 7am on Tuesday, and refused to leave despite dialogue between operatives of both agencies.

Tinubu Sworn In As Nigeria’s President

Tuesday’s development followed a simmering rivalry between the DSS and the EFCC over the ownership of the building.

The EFCC had expressed shock at the manner in which operatives of its sister agency denied its operatives entry into its Lagos office.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement, “Operatives of the Lagos Command of the EFCC, arrived at their office on No. 15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, this morning, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, to be denied entry by agents of the DSS, who had barricaded the entrance with armoured personnel carriers.

“This development is strange to the commission given that we have cohabited with the DSS in that facility for 20 years without incident.

“By denying operatives access to their offices, the commission’s operations at its largest hub with over 500 personnel, hundreds of exhibits, and many suspects in detention have been disrupted.

“Cases scheduled for court hearing today have been aborted, while many suspects who had been invited for questioning are left unattended. Even more alarming is that suspects in detention are left without care with grave implications for their rights as inmates.

“All of these have wider implications for the nation’s fight against economic and financial crimes. The siege is inconsistent with the synergy expected of agencies working for the same government and nation, especially when there are ongoing discussions on the matter.”

However, the DSS denied the claim, describing it as “not true.”

The DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, said, “It is not correct that the DSS barricaded EFCC from entering its office. No. It is not true.

“By the way, there is no controversy over No. 15A Awolowo Road as being insinuated by the media. Did the EFCC tell you it is contesting the ownership of the building? I will be surprised if it is contesting the ownership. Awolowo Road was NSO headquarters; SSS/DSS started from there. It is common knowledge; it is a historical fact. Check it out.”

Reacting to the development late Tuesday, the President said, “If there were issues between the two important agencies of government, they would be resolved amicably.”