Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa, the Speaker, Adamawa State
House of Assembly, has dismissed alleged plans to impeach Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla.
Mijinyawa, during a special sitting of the House in Yola, described the alleged plan as “malicious’’.
“The attention of the House is drawn over false publication that members of the House are gathering signatures to impeach the sitting governor.
“The publication was purely a mischief from the enemies of the state who always wish us bad luck,” Mijinyawa said.
Similarly, the Chief Whip of the House, Mr. Hassan Burguma, condemned the allegation.
Burguma, at a news conference in Yola last Monday, also said that the House had never signed any document to impeach the governor.
Bauchi
Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bauchi
State, Rev. Vincent Bature,said Bauchi State Government has sponsored 185 of its members to Israel in 2015.
Bature made this known in Bauchi when state officials of the association paid a courtesy call on Governor Mohammed Abubakar of the state.
He commended the governor for the gesture which according to him “has become an annual event for the state government to give our members tickets.”
He called on the governor to fulfil some of his campaign promises especially his promise that Christian teachers would be recruited to teach moral lessons in primary schools in the state.
The secretary further called on the governor to appoint members of the association into vital positions when setting up his cabinet.
Ekiti
An hairdresser, Mrs Tina Agada, has approached an Ikole
Customary Court seeking for dissolution of her 6-year-old marriage to John Agada, over alleged brutality and lack of care.
In a suit filed before the court Tina alleged that the defendant was in the habit of beating her and always threatening to kill her.
She said the defendant who had not paid her bride price since they married six years ago, had no regard for her and the two children of the union.
She told the court that her husband never cared about the wellbeing of the two children nor paid their school fees.
Tina further said Agada always threatened to kill her whenever she refused to allow him to sleep with her.
FCT
A 37-year-old man, Samuel Uromi has been arraigned in a
Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on a three-count charge of mischief, extortion and stealing.
Uromi, a member of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), however, pleaded not guilty to the three- count-charge levelled against him.
The prosecutor, Mr Uromi, said that the accused committed the offences on December 11 at Area 1 Roundabout, Abuja.
He told the court that the complainant, one Jonah Agocha, reported the case against the accused at the Garki Police Station.
The prosecutor said that Uromi extorted money from Agocha, a commercial cab driver and robbed him of his belongings.
“The accused claims to be a member of the NURTW. He forcefully collected the car keys of the complainant and ran away with it to an unknown destination.
“The accused later returned to steal the car and N7, 200 inside it as well as damage the passenger side of the car while trying to escape,’’ Out said.
Kano
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi, has ad
vised religious institutions and other organisations to refrain from acts capable of promoting violence in the country.
He gave the advice while receiving some members of the Shi’ite Islamic sect who visited him at his Palace in Kano on Monday.
The emir stressed the need for all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious or political inclinations, to desist from anything which could breach the peace in the country.
“The advice is necessary, especially now that the country is fighting insurgency,’’ he said.
The traditional ruler, who described the recent violence in Zaria as unfortunate, called on the people to always exercise restraint in order to ensure peace and unity in the country.
Katsina
All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker represent
ing Katsina Central Senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Ibrahim Kurfi has earmarked N10 million for the provision of free-eye treatment to no fewer than 5,000 less-privileged in Katsina State.
Kurfi spoke through his Personal Assistant, Alhaji Muntari Dabo, at the opening ceremony of the exercise held at the Katsina General Hospital, Katsina on Monday.
He said that some of the beneficiaries would be provided drugs and medicated glasses at the hospital.
The senator said that some would have to undergo surgery before they would regain their sights.
Kurfi said that he would provide feeding, transportation and accommodation for those that would undergo eye operations.
Lagos
The Federal Fire Service Controller in Lagos State, Mr
Aderemi Olusola, says the service saved property worth more than N26.4 billion from fire in the first half of this year.
Olusola also said that during the period, properties estimated at more than N10.7 billion were lost to fire incidents.
He told newsmen in Lagos that the estimate of saves and losses were based on information supplied by the property owners.
He said that between January and November 2015, the service responded to 247 fire incidents, adding that three lives were lost to the incidents.
The controller said that one person was rescued, while two of the fire service men sustained injuries.
Olusola said that fire incidents had been high during the “Ember’’ months due to excessive heat and harmattan.
Nasarawa
Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has an
nounced the appointment of Dr. Shehu Usman-Yamusa as Emir of Keffi.
Al-Makura made the announcement at a meeting with the state’s traditional council in Lafia following the death of the occupant of the stool, Mohammed Chindo-Yamusa on December 4.
He said the appointment was with effect from December 14.
He explained that the new emir, who is the son of the deceased, was appointed by the king makers of Keffi Emirate Council.
He added that the appointment came after a seven-day notice of the demise of the emir in line with extant laws and guiding instruments of the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
He said Usman-Yamusa of the Abdul-Zanga royal family scored five votes during the selection, while his opponent Mohammed Suleiman scored two votes.
Osun
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has presented
a budget proposal of N150.7bn for 2016 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.
The Permanent Secretary, Budget & Economic Planning, Mr Segun Olorunsogo, presented the proposal on behalf of the governor.
He said the financial document was in line with the six point integral plan of the government.
Olorunsogo told the House that N113.1bn was for recurrent revenue, and N37.5bn was for capital receipts.
He said that personnel cost would take N33. 3bn while N12. 2bn and N37.1bn would be spent on overhead cost and consolidated revenue fund charges respectively.
Oyo
A Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan has dissolved the
43- year-old marriage between one Disu Onifade and his wife, Sherifat, over the latter’s quarrelsomeness.
Mr Ademola Odunade, the President of the court, stated that he was merely carrying out the wishes of the couple as an amicable settlement could not be made.
“In the interest of peaceful co-existence, the union between both of you has ceased to be henceforth.
“Onifade shall pay N2,000 to enable Sherifat pack her belongings,” he ruled.
Earlier in his petition to the court, Onifade said that his wife was quarrelsome even after divorcing and accepting her again.
Plateau
The United Nations (UN) said that it was partnering
Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) Limited and some institutions in the country to train 500 insurgency victims on vocational skills.
Mr Matthew Alao, Conflict Prevention and Peace Building Analyst of UN Development Programme (UNDP) disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Jos.
Alao said the UN was carrying out the skills acquisition programme in big and standard institutions in the country to give the beneficiaries quality training which would enable them to begin new lives.
“Basically, we advertised for any available facility within the country where we can train these beneficiaries.
Sokoto
Authorities of some Federal Government institutions
in Sokoto say the schools have adopted proactive security measures against any threat to lives and property in the institutions.
A Principal of one of the schools told newsmen in Sokoto that the measures were necessary because of threats by some miscreants to attack the schools.
The Principal, Federal Science College, Sokoto, Mrs Rhoda Shekarau, said that the Federal Ministry of Education had directed all federal schools across the country to be on the alert.
Shekarau said that the college had responded to the government’s directive and established a well-coordinated security network, to avert any eventuality.
Nation
PTAD Reiterates Commitment To Pensioners’ Service Delivery
The Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr Chioma Ejikeme, has reiterated the commitment to service delivery for pensioners.
Ejikeme said this during the Customer Service Week in Abuja, yesterday.
He said that commission had a mandate to deliver good service delivery to the pensioners.
Ejikeme, who was represented by the Director Civil Service Pension Department, Mr Kabir Yusuf, said that the customer service week was important to operations of PTAD.
“Customer service is the support that you give to a customer, whether it is an existing customer or potential customer in the process of delivering or making enquires about a service.
“To be a good customer service representative you need to be knowledgeable, have good attitude and attribute especially to the senior citizens and have empathy,” he said.
Ejikeme said that all PTAD staff had most of the attributes of a good customer representative.
“We provide excellent customer service by going to verify our aged pensioners who cannot do it by themselves anywhere across the country.
“There is a dedicated team that was mandated to go round to confirm the aliveness of those who can not confirm their aliveness either because the are too old or have health issues,” the executive secretary said.
The National Coordinator, SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, said that the official theme of the 2024 customer service week was “ We Go Above and Beyond For Our Customers.”
She commended PTAD and the SERVICOM team for organising the 2024 customer service week.
“This is in line with the best practice of celebrating frontline workers and service takers.
“Customer service week is celebrated annually during the first full week in October.
It calls attention to the importance of people to boost morale team work and departmental collaboration in supporting pensioners.
“ It is a platform to reward employees for the significant work they do,” Akajemeli said.
She said that the objective of the customer service week was to celebrate the hard work and dedication of employee who strived to create positive customer experiences.
She said that it was time to show customers that the organisation valued their experience and feedback, through comment cards, dedicated hotline, among others.
Akajemeli said that it raised awareness internally and externally about the importance of good customer service in building customer loyalty and satisfaction.
She said that the benefit was to increase motivation, show appreciation, encourage friendly competition, boost employee retention, create a positive workplace and increase productivity.
The Head, Surveillance Department at the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mr Abdulrahman Saleem, said that good service delivery was the key success of every establishment.
Salem said that PTAD operated with standard, considering the success it had achieved so far.
Saleem said that pensioners required the best service attitude and behavior.
“ I give kudos to PTAD for its efforts and encourage it to do more.
“Therefore I urge PTAD staff to keep up the standard and continue to give good service to the pensioners,” he said.
Nation
CAS Honours Officer For Placing NAF On International Spotlight
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has honoured Flying Officer David Sangokoya for winning the 2023/2024 Royal Air Force College Cranwell International Cadet Sword of Honour.
Abubakar honoured the officer during the presentation of cheques to 13 beneficiaries of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy (GPAIP) in Abuja, yesterday.
He described the achievement as ground-breaking as it was the first time an African cadet had won the prestigious award since the Academy’s creation over 100 years ago.
According to him, the feat underscores the excellence that exists within NAF, and proof that NAF officers and cadets can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.
“To our awardee, you have set a new standard, not just for your peers, but for every cadet and officer that will come after you.
“This accomplishment is a powerful reminder that no goal is out of reach when one is armed with dedication, discipline and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
“Your journey as an officer has begun with this prestigious accolade, but the true measure of your success will be seen in how you serve, lead and contribute to the mission of NAF and the defence of our great nation.
“As we celebrate this historic occasion, we extend our deepest gratitude to the United Kingdom Government for its unwavering support in providing world-class training opportunities to our personnel.
“This has enabled our officers and men to gain invaluable skills and knowledge, strengthening not only our bilateral ties but also our collective ability to address global security challenges,” he said.
The CAS said that the NAF looked forward to continuing the fruitful partnership for the mutual benefit of Nigeria and UK countries.
He expressed gratitude and unflinching loyalty to President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to the welfare and training of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and NAF in particular.
“I must also take a moment to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the leadership of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the instructors who helped to mould and prepare this cadet for the global stage.
“Their dedication and commitment to developing top-notch officers is evident in this ground-breaking achievement.
“You have not only trained a leader but have given the Nigerian Air Force a legacy we will all cherish,” he said.
Nation
Healthcare Reforms: NHIA Advocates Private Sector Involvement
National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has advocated private sector involvement to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The Director-General of the authority, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, made the call at a high-level policy dialogue on sustainable health system reforms in Nigeria in Abuja, yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that the dialogue was organised by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), a coalition of private sector stakeholders, to address the multifaceted challenges plaguing the country’s healthcare system.
The dialogue has “Private Sector Support for SWAP (Sector Wide Approach) in Healthcare” as its theme.
Represented by Dr Yakubu Agada-Amade, the NHIA Director of Standards and Quality Assurance, Ohiri explained the crucial role of private sector collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system
He highlighted the “One Plan” under the SWAp framework, which seeks to unify health sector efforts, ensuring efficient resource use, effective governance and expanded healthcare access.
He also stressed the importance of overcoming barriers that historically hindered the implementation of healthcare interventions in Nigeria, such as inadequate financing, weak governance systems, and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
He added that “the dialogue explored innovative approaches, including digital health innovations and financing mechanisms to accelerate the implementation of the National Health Act and mandatory health insurance coverage.
“With enrollment in health insurance growing by 14 per cent over the past year, NHIA can push for greater inclusivity, particularly targeting the informal sector through flexible payment systems and partnerships with telecommunications companies.”
He called for stronger synergy between public and private health actors to ensure universal access to quality healthcare and sustainable reforms in line with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
Panelists from the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN) and Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN) echoed the sentiments, underscoring the private sector’s role in expanding insurance coverage and improving healthcare delivery.
They commended NHIA’s efforts toward driving reforms to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).
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