Dr. Adadevoh, Nurses Who Died Of Ebola Not In Vain-Health Minister

August 20, 2014

Nigeria health minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu has promised that Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh and two Nurses who died from Ebola Virus Disease in the course of managing the Liberian-American importer of the disease, Patrick Sawyer did not die in vain.
The minister who was answering questions from newsmen shortly after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa Abuja, today, said that government is working out some package for them.
He described late Dr. Adadevoh as a patriotic and courageous Nigerians who single-handedly stopped late Sawyer from moving out of Lagos airport into another parts of the country.
“Nigeria would been in a serious disaster now if it were not the effort of Dr. Adadevoh who insisted that Sawyer would not be allowed to pass through Lagos after he was diagnosed to be carrier of the deadly disease.”
Professor Chukwu praised the courage of the late senior medical consultant and said that government felt very concern about her death and the death of two Nurses who died earlier.
The minister would not want to single out only Dr. Adadevoh for special treatment from the Nurses, “but the fact that she led the medical team that prevented Sawyer from moving out of Lagos and also to manage him until he died needs to be appreciated.”
The minister expressed confidence in the determination of the government, working with various interest groups to quickly tackle the Ebola diseases, even as he acknowledged the contributions of people in private sector, including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu Foundation and others.
Professor Chukwu appealed to media practitioners to join hand with the government to fight and control the disease, warning against sensationalising the issue involved.
The minister spoke to newsmen along with his information counterpart, Labaran Maku, minister of state for Power and that for Health as well as the Director General of the Directorate of Public Procurement (DPP), Chief Eze. [myad]

I Will Break The Bureaucracy In Civil Service, New Head Of Service Vows

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2014

The new Head of Civil Service in Nigeria, Danladi Danladi Irmiya Kifasi has vowed to drastically reduce the level of bureaucracy in the service, especially the limit to which files can be treated.
He made it clear that he would set an ultimatum for civil servants within which they should treat any file before them and that any servant who allows file to stay on his table for more than 14 days, would be made to face serious reprimand.
Kifashi, who spoke to newsmen at the Presidential Villa, shortly after he was sworn in today by President Goodluck Jonathan said that he was determined to turn the civil service around in line with the transformation agenda of the present government.
He said that one of the first things he would do as he assumes office is to open website and other line of communications as avenues for receiving feed backs from Nigerians on the performances of the civil servants to him directly.
The Head of Civil Service, who hails from Taraba state, made it clear that there would be no hiding place for lazy and corrupt civil servants, even as he promised that hard working and honest ones would be adequately rewarded.

“We are going to set up structures that will give us feedback for example I personally will set up a call centre and a blog, a website, twitter, so that people who have complains about their mails not being treated in good time can call or write in to me directly so that they can have a response.

“I intend to set a limit of fourteen days maximum, any mail or document treated outside fourteen days such officers will be appropriately reprimanded and there will be incentives for those that do well and of course stick for those that don’t do well” he said.

On the handling of staff from his experience as an accountant, he said: “you are very right in the sense that anywhere you play by the rule people think you are harsh or difficult but that is why we are there to ensure that rules and regulations are complied with.” [myad]

Ribadu Is No Longer Political Prostitute, Says APC

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2014

All Progressives Congress (APC) has recanted over a statement describing former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as a political prostitute who has committed political suicide by defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The party withdrew its statement lambasting Nuhu Ribadu today, according to the Rivers State branch of APC, in a reciprocal gesture.

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, Senior Media Aide to the Rivers State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya wanted members of the public to “disregard our release titled “Ribadu Got it Wrong on Amaechi…” as Ribadu has disowned statement against Amaechi, Kwankwaso.”

Ebonyi House Of Trouble: Impeached Speaker Fight Dirty

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2014

The crisis rocking Ebonyi State House of Assembly took another dimension when police arrested the new Speaker, Helen Nwaobasi, and 14 other members of State Assembly outside the court premises after their appearance in court over the on-going case about the authentic Speaker of the House.

The crisis started on July 21 when 18 of the 24 members of the State Assembly announced the impeachment of the Speaker, Chukwuma Nwazunku and the election of Nwaobasi to replace him. But Nwazunku denied he was impeached, describing his impeachment as illegal.

He and nine lawmakers loyal to him filed a suit asking the Ebonyi State High Court to restrain Nwaobasi from parading himself as Speaker.

The Nwaobasi group also filed a counter motion seeking to restrain Nwazunku from parading himself as Speaker. The court had fixed yesterday for further hearing on the suit which the 14 House members attended.

But the police laid siege on them at the gate of the court and bundled them to the nearby State Police Headquarters.

Notable among those arrested are the Minority Leader, Enyi C. Enyi (APC) and Minority Whip, Joseph Nwaobasi (APC), Deputy Speaker, Blaise Orji (PDP) and the Speaker Helen Nwaobasi.

No reasons have been given for their arrest.

Police spokesman, Chris Anyanwu denied knowledge of the arrests.

Reporters were also chased out of the police headquarters on the orders of the Commissioner of Police. [myad]

Story Of Bomb Scare at Lagos Airport Exaggerated, Says Airports Spokesman

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2014

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has decried the widely reported story of a boy arrested “inside” Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, premises with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

In a statement today, the General Manager, Corporate Communications FAAN), Yakubu Dati said that the supposed attacker was never seen close to the airport at the time of his arrest.

He said that the young man was held close to the airport for loitering, which attracted the attention of security operatives.

“The suspect, a man in his late 20s was arrested at an area of the airport close to the church of the airport internal link road, leading to the Stakeholders/Limousine car park. That is a distance of about one kilometre to the international terminal.

“At the time of his arrest, the suspect was said to be loitering around the said area all morning. This attracted the curiosity of security guards on duty at the entrance of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency’s CENTREX Facility located along the airport internal link road, who promptly alerted the police.

“The suspect was alleged to be in possession of a device suspected to be used in making explosives. He was promptly handed over to the Airport Police Command for interrogation. While we appreciate the need to promptly report all suspicious characters to security agencies, it is important to always cross check the facts before going to press, to avoid sending the wrong signals to the public.

“The issue of safety and security of the airport has remained our priority and the various security agencies are collaborating with us for a secure and safe environment.

“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria therefore wishes to reassure passengers and other airport users of adequate security architecture at MMA as well as its avowed commitment to making safety and security top priority at all times.”

Meanwhile, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman-Abba, has directed that the suspect should be transferred to Abuja for immediate interrogation and investigation into his activities.

The police said that it is taking into cognizance the fact that there are issues about the state of mind of the man, but do not want to take any chances even as it insisted that the matter would be investigated thoroughly. [myad]

40 Soldiers Vow To Stop Fighting Boko Haram: Then Be Ready To Die-Army Chief

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2014

No fewer than 40 Nigerian soldiers are believed to have vow not to continue fighting members of the deadly Boko Haram until they are well equipped, even as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, warned them to desist from any form of mutiny, reminding them that mutiny is a treasonable offense with death.

The soldiers were said to have refused to obey orders to fight due to poor and ill-equipped facilities available, complaining that the soldiers are being killed by members of Boko Haram like fowls.

They were said to have complained that soldiers are not being given enough weapons and ammunition to take them on, saying: “Boko Haram are inside the bush, everywhere while they the senior commanders are sacrificing soldiers.”

The soldiers spoke with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

The Defence headquarters spokesman, General Chris Olukolade, denied the notion and said that he could not confirm the reports of a mutiny but would investigate.

“We may not have all it takes but we are improving on it (equipment) regularly.”

General Olukolade said that the level of cowardice described in the report was not in the character of the Nigerian soldier and described the statement by the soldier as lies propagated by foreign media. [myad]

Saboteurs Throw Nigerian Football House Into Fair

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2014

Allegation of sabotage is now flying around as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) House, situated at Wuse Zone 7, behind the Federal Road Safety Corps Headquarters (FRSC), Abuja was gutted by strange fire today.

The NFF Secretariat, which is popularly called Glass House was touched amidst the protracted crises that have rocked the football body, leading to the suspension of the President, Aminu Maigari and his executive team. He was returned to office via the directive of the world football ruling body, FIFA, which was enforced by the Nigeria’s sports minister.

The fire was said to have started from the office of the General Secretary, Musa Amadu, on the top floor where the office of the President is also located.

The surprised officials of the troubled football body are yet to identify the culprit, even as fingers are pointing at different interest groups that have been involved in the long drawn crises. [myad]

Nigerian Football Federation Unbans Ogunjobi, Others

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2014

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has cleared its former secretary general, Taiwo Ogunjobi and other senior officials barred from football activities.

The officials were cleared ahead of the federation’s election. This was done at a meeting held at its Secretariat in Abuja yesterday, where the executive member of the board, Emeka Inyama, said the officials were cleared “in the spirit of fair-play, leading up to the elections”.

“In the spirit of fair-play, leading to the elections, all persons banned for various length of time, are hereby unbanned. These persons are: Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, Mr. Adedapo Lam-Adesina, Mr. Chikelue Iloanusi and Mr. Harrison Jalla. Committee noted that the ban on Mr. Ahmed Shuaib Gara-Gombe had long been lifted,” the communiqué read.

“In view of the prevailing circumstances in Nigeria football, there is the absolute need to present a new roadmap leading to elections into the NFF Executive Committee, for consideration and approval by the General Assembly, being the supreme body of Nigeria football, at the Congress slated for Tuesday, 26th August, 2014 in Warri, Delta State.”

Mr. Ogunjobi was suspended in 2013 accused of malpratices related to the transfer of players.

The communiqué noted that in line with a FIFA letter dated, Thursday, August 14, 2014, all members of both the Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee earlier removed would be re-admitted at the Congress to continue with their electoral duties.

“Executive Committee agreed that having only come into office in January 2012, the Boards of the Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women’s League and the Nigeria Nationwide League have two more years to go before their elections, and this will be presented to the Congress of 26th August, 2014 for approval,” it read.

According to the communiqué, the Executive Committee congratulated the U-20 Women National Team, the Falconets for their qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup semi-finals and the U-20 men’s team, the Flying Eagles, for reaching the 2015 African Youth Championship finals.

“Committee mandated the Secretariat to ensure adequate arrangements are made for the Super Eagles to fly high in their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches at home to Congo Brazzaville and away to South Africa in September 2014.”

In attendance at the meeting were the NFF president, Aminu Maigari, Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedinma, Ahmad Kawu, Olaleye Adepoju as well as two suspended members of the board, Chris Green and Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh.” [myad]

Senior Female Doctor Dies Of Ebola

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2014

Nigeria has lost an unnamed female senior doctor and consultant physician to the dreaded Ebola Disease.
The female doctor was said to have participated in the management of Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian-American who brought the disease to Nigeria and was the first to die of the disease on the Nigerian soil.
The death of the female doctor, whom many people suspect to be Dr. Ameyo Stella Adedavo was announced late evening yesterday by Nigeria Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu.
In a short statement from his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dan Nwomeh, the minister was quoted as regretting “to announce the death of one of the primary contacts of the index Ebola Virus Disease case, the most senior doctor who participated in the management of the patient, a female consultant physician. With this unfortunate development the total number of Ebola Virus related deaths in Nigeria now stands at five. The other two patients currently under treatment in the isolation wards are stable and are being taken care of.” [myad]

#SackEbolaNotDoctors, By Garba Shehu

Garba Shehu

August 20, 2014

Last week’s sack of 16,000 Resident Doctors by the Federal Government is careless, unscrupulous and clearly an indefensible action. It could turn out to be a social catastrophe that will worsen a medical system in severe crisis.
As said by the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, this action can only worsen the abysmal doctor-patient ratio, which stands at 1:6,300 today, which is among the continent’s worst examples of the dearth of medical manpower. It similarly highlights the ill-health of the health sector and lays bare the increasing alienation of government of the country from its subjects.
In this country, governments have for a long time withdrawn their responsibility for healthcare and education to the common people and have left the field open for persons seeking profits. That accounts for why Doctors have continued their strike into the second month and a façade of normalcy appears to pervade the environment.
People here stay alive because God cares. No one looks after the patients.
The National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD went on strike to mainly press the government to implement agreements earlier reached. Other issues are secondary to this. It is only in this country that government will consciously enter into agreement with labour unions without the intention to implement them. They just walk away from doing its part without any qualms. This had been the bone of contention between the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. A government so bereft of credibility could only convince the university teachers to go back to classrooms after the Central Bank published a statement indicating that money expected as part of the agreement was on account.
The Nigerian health structure has grown largely in spite of the government. Successive administrations have failed to catch up with the growing needs of rapid population growth, modernization, research and the changes in medical science. Governments get away with doing little or nothing because we have a two-tiered system that permits for-profit hospitals existing side-by-side with public facilities.
Given this situation, the private hospitals have offered succor to families who can afford to pay their often exorbitant charges. The well-off get treated with top-notch medical practices and medicines and the poor Nigerians gets far less or no care at all. Some government hospitals are no more than a place to die under a roof.
When you talk to them, there are many of our countrymen who are afraid to go before doctors and hospitals and they double-up abroad at the slightest sign of sickness. I am told that between a half and two-thirds aboard every Egypt Air Flight out of Kano, five times a week is made up of medical tourists trooping to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and India for treatment.
But the private sector cannot provide affordable healthcare neither can it fulfill the needs of the population from their government. That is why they have the NHIS in the UK and Medicare in the United States.
While governments continue to fail in both the provision of adequate healthcare and a competent regulatory regime over the blossoming for-profit healthcare system, overall deterioration of the system has come to a point where many of the so-called private healthcare facilities have become no more than medical and diagnostic shops. Without a government policy to audit their services, private hospitals are known to prescribe unnecessary investigations, procedures and medicines. Making profits is not a bad thing by itself. No business can exist if it is not profit-making. The problem as we have here is that this is not governed by ethics and morality.
In the United States, six hospitals have so far this year been fined millions of Dollars for conspiring with diagnostic centres and recommending needless procedures. These include Kentucky Hospital, fined 41Million Dollars for prescribing an unnecessary procedure.
Since our governments are unprepared to rise to the challenges of providing modern and competent healthcare services to the ordinary citizens, the least they owe to us is to wake up to their duty of surveillance, enforcement and regulation so as to save us costs and life as well. They must throw a spotlight over this dark side of the country’s healthcare segment.
To do this, a good starting point is to call back the sacked doctors, sit down with them and listen to their grievances. There is nothing to gain from the sack of thousands of doctors. This country is still to recover from the exodus of doctors following the proscription of the NMA and NARD by the military regime in 1985.
Treated with decency and respect, our doctors are reasonable and would act with reason and patriotism especially in view of Ebola and other epidemics such as cholera that are making new in-roads.
Our doctors are not all saints but they certainly are no prostitutes as some in government will like to us to believe. In which case it is better we seek to end the epidemic diseases rather than ending doctors’ careers. [myad]

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