Edo Governor Throws Up Benin Specialist Hospital For Privatisation

July 19, 2017

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki said his administration has resolved to privatize the Specialist Hospital in Benin City to provide world class healthcare services.
According to the governor, the privatization of the hospital will put it at par with the best hospitals in the world and will serve the healthcare needs of Nigerians who ordinarily would have travelled abroad for such services.
He said that the logic of his administration is to woo those who have the resources to travel abroad for treatment to Edo State, for standard healthcare services instead of travelling abroad.
He added that the accruing resources from the medical tourists will be channeled to provide affordable healthcare services for the ordinary Edo people across the state.
He made this position known during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Edo State Government and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) which will provide over two million treated mosquito nets for Edo citizens.
The governor added that many people suffer from malarial compared to renal failure and stressed that primary healthcare is key to improved health of the people.
“We are going to invest massively in our primary healthcare system,” the governor assured.
Obaseki said the MoU was important as it emphasizes what the administration stands for and it’s the beginning of cooperation between his administration and the CRS and other donor bodies in providing affordable healthcare for the people of Edo State.
He said that his administration places high premium on the healthcare of the people, which explains why he appointed the Deputy Governor Hon. Philp Shaibu to head the Edo State Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Net Campaign Committee.
“I hope we will make history by emerging the first state in the country to totally eliminate malaria. Our counterpart fund is available and we are working round the clock to ensure that the time line we set for ourselves for the rollout which is August 20, this year is met” Obaseki said.
The leader of the team for CRS, Dr. Ikhimioya Uchechuku commended the governor for the collaboration and expressed their readiness to work with the Godwin Obaseki-led administration to ensure that malaria is a thing of the past in Edo State.
The high point of the event was the signing of the MoU. Dr. Ikhimioya Uchechuku signed for CRS while the Secretary to Edo State Government Barr. Osarodion Ogie Signed for Edo State Government.[myad]

Angry Kogi Governor Sacks Academic Union In State-Owned University, Put Security At Alert

Greenbarge Reporters

July 19, 2017

The Kogi state government has sacked the state chapter of Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) to bring to an end, the union’s seven-month old strike action despite that the government had met 90 percent of its demands..
The governor, who announced the prescription of the academic union today, Wednesday at an emergency State Executive Council (SECOND) meeting, said: “throughout last week, I undertook a tour of the tertiary institutions in Kogi State, with a view to having first- hand information about the problems in the schools. But while others have since resumed, lecturers in Kogi State University have refused to call off their strike.
“As a government, we have fulfilled over 90 percent of their demand and have even gone a step further to pay all outstanding salaries of both cleared and uncleared staff including those that had committed one crime or the other.”
The governor therefore, directed the school management to treat ASUU members who do not resume work immediately as indicating their resignation and for to commence the process of hiring new staff.
He also directed the security agencies in the state to be vigilant and be proactive in preventing any possible breakdown of law and order as result of this decision.
“All law enforcement and security agencies in Kogi State are hereby directed to remain vigilant as usual and be proactive in preventing any breakdown of law and order in any part of Kogi State, whether consequent on this proclamation, or for any reason whatsoever.”[myad]

Taleveras Frowns At Misleading Online Publications, Says We Adhere To International Standards

Greenbarge Reporters

July 18, 2017

Taleveras legal team has picked quarrel with what it called ‘misleading online publications’ relating to a case against Atlantic Drilling Fluids, saying that the legal case is not against Taleveras or Igho Sanomi.

“Some of these publications are misleading, grossly inaccurate, and it is thus proper to set the record straight.”

In a statement today, Tuesday, the legal team said that one of its core activities since 2000 is sourcing, trading and engaging in third party contracts, including oil and gas upstream operations.

The statement said that due to its capacity, trading expertise and financial strength, Taleveras had continued to source and engage in procuring third party oil contracts.

“Taleveras performs on these contracts handling the physical delivery, risk management and logistics from start point to its numerous first class end users and major refiners. This process involves verification of the contracts with the issuing authority to authenticate and further compliance with our lending banks internal due diligence processes.

“This is no different from International trading standards performed by the numerous international and major oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria.

“As it relates to the US department case against Atlantic drilling fluids, please note that Taleveras and the other two major oil trading houses, were not faulted for embarking on a legitimate transaction, as all payments were made based on legitimate third party contracts with private companies and not NNPC.”

The statement stressed that the ultimate aim of contracting is to off-take crude oil from asset productions, adding that neither Taleveras nor its associated companies lifted any oil from this production.

It explained that terms of the agreement were breached and hence a legal dispute and appropriate filings made in respected court of jurisdiction, saying that from now, they would refrain from making further comments. [myad]

Finance Ministry Releases Over N243 Billion Paris Club Refund To 36 States, FCT

Greenbarge Reporters

July 18, 2017

Nigeria ministry of Finance has announced the release of the sum of N243, 795,465,195.20 Paris Club refund to 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This is another tranche of Paris Club refund which represents over-deductions on Paris Club, London Club Loans and Multilateral debts on the accounts of States and Local Governments from 1995-2002.

A statement from the ministry said that the payments were made to the states and FCT after the President had approval it on May 4, 2017.

Breakdown of the payment showed that Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Kano and Rivers states received the largest disbursements of N10 billion each.

The statement said that this second tranche of Paris Club refunds is a “partial settlement of long-standing claims by State Governments relating to over-deductions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocation for external debt service arising between 1995 and 2002.”

The statement added that Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun explained that these debt service deductions were in respect of the Paris Club, London Club and Multilateral debts of the federal and State governments.

Adeosun was quoted as saying: “while Nigeria reached a final agreement for debt relief with the Paris Club in October 2005, some States had already been overcharged.”

The funds were released to State Governments as part of the wider efforts to stimulate the economy and were specifically designed to support states in meeting salary and other obligations, thereby alleviating the challenges faced by workers.

According to the ministry, the releases were conditional upon a minimum of 75 per cent being applied to the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions for States that owe salaries and pension.

The ministry said that it is reviewing the impact of these releases on the level of arrears owed by State Governments, saying that a detailed report is being compiled for presentation to the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, as part of the process for approval for the release of any subsequent tranches.
The disbursements are contained in the table below:

S/N	STATE	AMOUNT PAYABLE (NGN)
1	ABIA	5,715,765,871.48
2	ADAMAWA	6,114,300,352.68
3	AKWA-IBOM	10,000,000,000.00
4	ANAMBRA	6,121,656,702.34
5	BAUCHI	6,877,776,561.25
6	BAYELSA	10,000,000,000.00
7	BENUE	6,854,671,749.25
8	BORNO	7,340,934,865.32
9	CROSS RIVER	6,075,343,946.93
10	DELTA	10,000,000,000.00
11	EBONYI	4,508,083,379.98
12	EDO	6,091,126,592.49
13	EKITI	4,772,836,647.08
14	ENUGU	5,361,789,409.66
15	GOMBE	4,472,877,698.19
16	IMO	7,000,805,182.97
17	JIGAWA	7,107,666,706.76
18	KADUNA	7,721,729,227.55
19	KANO	10,000,000,000.00
20	KATSINA	8,202,130,909.85
21	KEBBI	5,977,499,491.45
22	KOGI	6,027,727,595.80
23	KWARA	5,120,644,326.57
24	LAGOS	8,371,938,133.11
25	NASARAWA	4,551,049,171.12
26	NIGER	7,210,793,154.95
27	OGUN	5,739,374,694.46
28	ONDO	7,003,648,314.28
29	OSUN	6,314,106,340.62
30	OYO	7,901,609,864.25
31	PLATEAU	5,644,079,055.41
32	RIVERS	10,000,000,000.00
33	SOKOTO	6,441,128,546.76
34	TARABA	5,612,014,491.52
35	YOBE	5,413,103,116.59
36	ZAMFARA	5,442,385,594.49
37	FCT	684,867,500.04
	TOTAL	243,795,465,195.20

[myad]

Corruption Has Taken Over Churches, Cardinal Anthony Okogie Concurs

Greenbarge Reporters

July 18, 2017

Retired Catholic Archbishop of Lagos and former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Cardinal Anthony Okogie has agreed with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s postulation that corruption has taken over the churches with a question: “what are the leaders doing to curb corruption?”

Cardinal Okogie, who fielded questions from PUNCH, said: “Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is right. Corruption has taken over the churches. What are the church leaders doing to curb corruption?

The retired priest, who was obviously reacting to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s concept of planting church branches everywhere, regretted that the churches are not making any significant meaning in the life of the people.

“Seeing many churches, left right and centre without (them) making an impact, is my biggest regret.

“I disagree with the concept of building many branches by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Churches don’t make a person holy.

“There are many churches in Lagos and that’s the cause of traffic. The other day, Mathew Ashimolowo made some outrageous demands on tithing and offerings.

“Before it was speaking in tongues they used to deceive people, but today it is miracles. It is also annoying when pastors don’t go to hinterland to evangelise.

“They will rather go to where there are many churches already. According to Lagos law, no two churches should be on the same street.

“When you see things these Pentecostal leaders do, I ask, do they really believe in God? Have they no conscience?”[myad]

Those Who Left PDP Will Come Back Begging, Ex President Jonathan Predicts

Greenbarge Reporters

July 18, 2017

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has predicted that those who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in its hours of crisis will soon be trooping back by the time it is rebuilt.

Said he: “we may not even need to go on a voyage of discovery to discover people. But they, themselves will come back because a strong party acts like a magnet. It will attract all the people that are interested.”

The former President, who spoke at the expanded National Caucus of the party held last (Monday) night at Wadata House, Abuja, said that the recent judgment by the Supreme Court had given strength to the party and advised members and supporters to do all they can to build the party.

“PDP is a party that Nigerians still believe in,” Jonathan said, assuring that many people who stepped aside from the party as a result of its leadership crisis would return.

“The first thing we need to do is to rebuild the party because when the party is strong, everything will be added to that.

“Whether you have individual or group interest, as a politician, you must serve. These are very basic things, but first and foremost, we must strengthen the party.

“Let us cooperate with the Caretaker Committee and make sure that PDP is very cohesive. And when that happens, people who stepped aside may step back.”

That was even as Chairman of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said only a miracle would stop PDP from regaining power in 2019, adding that the meeting was convened to chart the way forward for the party.

“We call this caucus before the meeting of other organs. You are our party leaders. Immediately judgment was delivered, I said no victor nor vanquished, and we mean it. It does not mean taking what belong to people and giving to a few people.”[myad]

Residents Of Abuja Community, Ravaged By Flood, Count Losses, As Minister Visits Them

Greenbarge Reporters

July 18, 2017

Residents of Dei Dei, a suburb of Abuja, the Nation’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are still mourning the death of their neighbours and counting their losses in recent a flood disaster.
This was even as the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello paid a visit to the area today, Tuesday, to sympathise with the victims.
It would be recalled that a sudden midnight flood wiped off a family of three, comprising 30 year old Malama Rahmatu Abubakar, her four year old, son Yusuf and 26 year old junior sister, Maryam Nuhu. The rain water was said to have submerged the house in which they slept.
The husband of the woman, Malam Abubakar, was said to have been away on a business trip when the flood came to wipe out his household.
Many houses and properties were also said to have been lost in the incident.
The minister, who was accompanied by the Bwari Area Council Chairman, Musa Dikko, the Etsu of Bwari as well as the Director of FCT NEMA, Abbas Idris said that illegal structures and refuse dumps that obstruct the natural pathway of water in the FCT would be removed to stem future flood disaster in the Territory.
“We have spoken to the community; we have also informed them that water will naturally always find its way and we are now just in the middle of July. We still have a lot of rain coming and we have advised them on what they need to do. From what I have received of their feedback, I think they have understood the need for all those that are residing on the direct natural water course, there is a need for them to move and then of course to clean the surrounding area, so that when water comes back as it will definitely do, it will have a natural way of flowing.”
Also the Bwari Council Chairman, Hon. Musa Dikko, gave assurance that the Council is planning a relief intervention for the affected persons and will put measures in places to stop the indiscriminate construction of shanties on water ways. [myad]

How We Were Brainwashed Into Boko Haram Group, Leaders Who Surrendered Narrate

Greenbarge Reporters

July 18, 2017

Leaders of the Boko Haram insurgents, who surrendered to the Nigerian troops, have narrated how they were misinformed about Islam and brainwashed to join the group.
They admitted that they were erroneously misinformed and brainwashed about Islam and the Nigerian military and the society generally.
A statement today, Tuesday by the Director of the Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman said that the leaders, made up of an Ameer from Kafa hideout and along Ajigin-Talala-Mungusum axis of Konto Fanami and three other members surrendered themselves to 120 Task Force Battalion at Goniri in Yobe State yesterday, Monday, July 17.
The Army spokesman said that the terrorists on interrogation confirmed that they abandoned the terrorism because of incessant hardship and realizing that they were misled by their terrorist group leaders.
“On Monday 17th July 2017, four Boko Haram terrorists willingly deserted their hideouts and surrendered themselves to 120 Task Force Battalion at Goniri. Among them was a high-profile terrorist, Konto Fanami, the Ameer of Kafa hideout of the Boko Haram terrorists group that operates along Ajigin-Talala-Mungusum axis.
“During preliminary interrogation, they confirmed that they abandoned the terrorism because of incessant hardship and realizing that they were misled by their terrorist group leaders.”
Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman said: “the remorseful terrorists regretted their involvement in terrorism and marvelled at the courtesies and humane treatment accorded them by the military on surrendering.”
He advised the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists to follow suit and renounce the devilish creed as adequate arrangement has been made to receive all those that voluntarily renounce terrorism, assuring them that they will be treated humanely. [myad]

It Is Very Complex Dealing With Violent Extremism, Osinbajo Confesses

Greenbarge Reporters

July 17, 2017

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has admitted that it is very complex dealing with violent extremism on daily basis.

Professor Osinbajo, who spoke today, Monday, at two different events said: “with respect to violent extremism I am pleased you are taking it on. It is a very complex problem of those of us who have to deal with it on a daily basis.”

The acting President had received in audience, a delegation of the World Leadership Alliance a.k.a Club de Madrid which included two former African Presidents: Festus Mogae of Botswana and Cassa Muttem of Mauritus, and another delegation of the Malala Fund, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa.

Osinbajo stressed the need for countries in Africa to develop counter-narratives, adding: “we are faced with emotive narratives and its now about getting people to understand through counter-narratives that there is a different way to get things done.”

The Acting President observed that while there is a connection between terrorism on the one hand and poverty and ignorance on the other, the challenge that terrorism poses on a global scale is much deeper considering cases of terrorism and hatred even in advanced societies where ignorance and poverty are not rampant.

‘We have to change the mindset and delegitimise the false ideas and notions of hatred and violence.

“Getting people to enroll in school is the easier part of the problem. The bigger one is to ensure that we don’t promote the mindset that girls are in anyway inferior and all that.”

The Club de Madrid, whose membership includes former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had presented him a report of a workshop it had conducted in Nigeria earlier this year on the issue of alternative narratives to counter violent extremism.

Former President Mogae, who presented the report, told Acting President Osinbajo that the objective of the World Leadership Alliance is to promote democracy by organising workshop that included all stakeholders. The workshop which would have the Offfice of the National Security Adviser in attendance, would address the issue of violent extremism.

During the courtesy visit by the Malala Fund, led by the UN Messenger of Peace, Ms. Malala Yousafzai, the Acting President told Malala: “your story is an inspiration for not only young women around the world but for us all.

“Your ability to articulate issues and the courage to face down hatred and terrorism is widely acknowledged.”

Present at the meeting where Ministers of Education; Mallam Adamu Adamu, Women Affairs; Aisha Alhassan and Minister of State for Budget & National Planning Zainab Ahmed.

Earlier, the Acting President also received the President of the International Civil Aviation Organization, Dr. O.B Aliu, whom the Aviation Minister of State Hadi Sirika described at the meeting as “the first black man to lead the ICAO.” (Aliu, a Nigerian, was the country’s representative before he was named to the head of the ICAO.)

Aliu led a delegation from ICAO to pay a courtesy call on the Acting President while attending a conference of the organization in Abuja on Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles, UAV.

Speaking at the meeting Professor Osinbajo noted that the aviation industry is going to play a significant role in the economic development of Nigeria and the Federal Government is making effort to bring down the cost of aviation services in the country.

He said, government is working to bring down the cost of aviation fuel adding that “we believe that aviation cost will go down and that more people will participate, more people will use the services of the airlines and people will use the airports as well.”

While commending ICAO for the excellent and hard work being done in the global industry, the Acting President expressed the delight that Nigeria will be hosting the International World Aviation Forum coming up in Abuja later in the year.

Earlier, the President of ICAO, Dr. O. B. Aliu, expressed his appreciation for the warm reception he and his delegation had received since their arrival in the country and praised the government for the high security ratings Nigeria has earned in the area of aviation security.

He also pledged ICAO’s continued support for Nigeria’s aviation industry especially through strengthening the National College of Aviation Technology. [myad]

WAEC To Hold Exam For Private Candidates Twice A Year From 2018 – Official

Greenbarge Reporters

July 17, 2017

Head of National Office (HNO) of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), Olu Adenipekun, has announced that the council would begin conducting THE Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates twice a year, starting from next year.

Adenipekun, who spoke when he announced the results of the May/June 2017 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Lagos today, Monday, said that the decision to conduct two separate examinations for private candidates yearly was taken at 65^th Annual Council Meeting of WAEC member countries in Abuja in March.

“One of the major highlights of the outcomes of the meeting was the approval granted to member countries to conduct the WASSCE for private candidates, twice in a year. I am happy to inform you that the Nigeria National Office of the Council has concluded arrangements to commence the conduct of the additional diet of the WASSCE for private candidates from January/February, 2018.”

Announcing the results, the WAEC officials said that 59.22 per cent of the 1,559,192 candidates who wrote the May/June 2017 examination made credits in five subjects, including English and Mathematics, adding that the performance of students this year was a significant improvement compared to last year, which was 52.97 per cent and 2015, which was 38.68 per cent.

“There has been a significant improvement and it is our hope that this will continue and not just be a fluke. We hope schools will take advantage of this to prepare students better for the examination.”

“The results of 214,952 candidates, representing 13.79 per cent of the total candidature for the examination are being withheld in connection with various reported cases of examination malpractice. The cases are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate committee of the Council in due course for consideration. The committee’s decisions will be communicated to the affected candidates through their schools,” he said.

Adenipekun said WAEC was able to achieve its Project 60 target of releasing the result 60 days after the examination ended thanks to improved ICT facilities and training of its workers. He added that the Council would work towards even earlier releases in future.

“We came up with Project 60, a self-imposed time limit for candidates to wait for release of result after the examination. We are hoping to be able to release the result even faster. We are looking at 45 days next time.” [myad]

1...1,5171,5181,519...2,499 Page 1,518 of 2,499