News
Shell’s Ultra-Modern Medical Centre Donation Excites Ogun Community
The government of Ogun State and leaders of Ogijo Community in Sagamu Local Government Area of the state have described the 20-bed ultra-modern medical centre donated to the community as a model of primary health care facility worthy of replication across the state.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, who took delivery of the facility in a virtual ceremony last Wednesday said the donation was timely, coming at a time that the state was struggling with the dearth of facilities to manage the increasing cases infection of the novel coronavirus in the state, adding that the state government alone could not bear the burden of public healthcare delivery.
The medical centre, with doctors’ quarters, alternative power system, water treatment plant and a medical ambulance was built, equipped and furnished by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) in partnership with SNEPCo’s co-venture partners.
“We’re very appreciative to NNPC and SNEPCo. This medical centre could not have come at a better time as it will go a long way in strengthening the state’s primary healthcare delivery system,” said Coker.
According to Coker, NNPC and SNEPCo had supported Ogun State for more than eight years during which the companies had trained over 200 state health workers.
“With this state-of-the-art medical centre, I am sure that the people of Ogijo would have the qualitative, affordable and accessible healthcare that the governor promised all the citizens of Ogun State.”
The traditional head of Ogijo, Oba Kazeem Gbadamosi, noted that the facility was not just a pride for Ogijo but for Ogun State.
“This is the best of its kind in Ogun State and we’re so excited to have this delivered to our community by NNPC and SNEPCo.”
Managing Director of SNEPCo, Bayo Ojulari, who handed over the facility to the state government noted that the focus of the social investment policy of the company was on health and education, and that SNEPCo would continue to strengthen its relationship with governments across Nigeria for better healthcare and education systems.
“Our health intervention programmes have been delivered in many states and our secondary school and university scholarships are continuing to grow. With the support of NNPC and our co-venture partners, we will not relent.”
General Manager of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services, an NNPC subsidiary, Bala Wunti, who was represented by NNPC’s General Manager, Services, Yahaya Yunusa, charged the state and Ogijo Community to provide effective management of the facility in a manner that will provide the required healthcare services to the people.
“Sustainability should be paramount in the management system to ensure that the facility serves the purpose for which it is meant.”
The facility was the second of its type donated by SNEPCo in recent times.
The company had recently rehabilitated and equipped the Casualty and Trauma sections of the General Hospital Odan, Marina in Lagos State with state-of-the-art medical emergency equipment, and also donated fully equipped custom-made ambulances for easy access different parts of the state.
News
Customs Intercepts Ammunition Worth N500m In Ogun
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has said it intercepted 940 rounds of ammunition worth N557,120,828.00 concealed in sacks of garri (cassava flakes) at Idiroko axis of the state.
The Area Controller, Mr Ahmadu Shuaibu, said this at a media conference on Friday in Idiroko, Ogun.
Shuaibu said while carrying out anti-smuggling operation on March 14, along the border line, operatives of the Command intercepted smuggled 940 round of ammunition concealed in sacks of garri.
He explained that the Command had been on the trail of the smuggling cartel from the Republic of Benin, for more than two weeks.
Shuiabu stated further that while trailing the cartel, intelligence revealed the level of surveillance mounted and security beef-up by the unscrupulous elements, to safeguard the items and evade arrest.
“The superior security network of the Command eventually aided the seizure but we lost the suspects, as the items were abandoned by the suspected smugglers who absconded in a bid to evade arrest.
“In addition, the Command also recorded the seizure of 123 sacks and 3,172 parcels of cannabis sativa, hemp; 380 pieces of donkey skin; 304 bales of used clothes; and 910 cartons of frozen poultry products, among others,” he said.
According to Shuaibu, the items were intercepted at the creeks, border lines and other strategic locations across Ogun, through the Command’s intelligence network and 24 hours patrol/anti-smuggling activities by its operatives.
The controller added that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the total seizure amounted to N557,120,828.00.
The controller said in recent times, the command carried out operations with zero casualty, and that the Customs valued the lives of its personnel.
He added that operatives of the Command carried arms to protect their lives where and when necessary.
The controller warned recalcitrant smugglers that their days were numbered as they would not go unpunished.
The controller appealed to well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians to join forces with the command in its fight against smuggling of harmful substance, light weapons, arms and ammunition.
He stressed that the items posed great threat to national security and had the potential of destroying lives and property.
Shuaibu emphasised that the command was open to receiving intelligence and assured prospective partners of maximum security.
He added that the command had generated N24,283,788 revenue from baggage assessment and auction of petroleum products from January till date.
Shuaibu commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and his management team, for his continuous support which had played a significant role in enhancing the command’s operations and contributed to its achievements.
He applauded the efforts of his gallant operatives, the Customs Intelligence Unit as well as the customs police Unit in enhancing the Command’s operations.
Shuaibu also appreciated the efforts of various sister agencies and other critical stakeholders.
News
Reopen Border With Benin Republic, Monarch Begs Tinubu
Oba Hameed Oyelude, the Olowu of Kuta in Ayedire Local Government of Osun, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reopen the nation’s border with Benin Republic.
Oba Oyelude, who made the appeal in a chat with journalists on Sunday in his palace in Kuta, said the reopening of the border would ease the burden of Nigerians economically.
“At the time the Benin Republic border was closed, the Federal Government was protecting the economy of the country.
“But I want to urge the President to look at the possibility of reopening the border to ease the pain of Nigerians,” he said.
Oba Oyelude also urged Nigerians to be patient with the President, noting that he meant well for the country by removing the subsidy on fuel.
“The gain of the removal of fuel subsidy is coming, but it may not be immediate. And that is why we need to be patient with the President.
“Let us give this administration time. We will surely get there,” the traditional ruler pleaded.
He urged the Federal Government not to completely take every advice and policy of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Oba Oyelude said although there was nothing wrong in domesticating IMF ideas and policies, but the same must be done in a way that will suit the country.
“There is economic downturn and it is a challenge that we are going through, but I believe we will overcome it as a country,” he said.
News
Anambra: One-Day State Burial Law Excites Bishop
Most Rev. Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, has called on Anambra residents to embrace the one-day burial law, passed on May 9, 2019,
Ezeokafor said that compliance with the law is beneficial to all, including the rich and the poor.
He made the call during celebrations marking the two years in office of Anambra Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, in Awka, yesterday.
He commended Soludo for his achievements so far in office and for being a living example of the burial law during the burial rites of his father.
Ezeokafor commended the efforts of the state lawmakers who keyed into the church’s call for a burial law in the state when the church raised it.
He commended Mr Charles Ezeani and Mr Kingsley Iruba, who championed the motion with the support of other lawmakers who orgainsed public hearings towards the actualisation of the Bill.
Ezeokafor said that both the church and the traditional community should embrace the law for the common good of the people.
”If a governor can conduct a burial of a parent in one day, let all of us emulate the step.
“The economic waste in burial for a week or so can be transferred in human development and empowerment than wasteful eating and drinking after which hunger sets in,” Ezeokafor advised.
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