News
Failed State: PDP Faults Presidency’s Comments On Financial Times’ Assessment
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, berated the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government for what it termed its arrogant trivialisation of the nation’s tragic descent to a failed state, “with nobody in charge” of the affairs of the nation.
This is even as the party noted that “the Presidency’s conceited response to Financial Times’ editorial on the sorry state of affairs in our nation under President Buhari further confirms the position of our party that there is complete leadership failure in Nigeria.”
In a statement signed by its Spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP described as sad “that the Buhari Presidency prefers to rebuff wise counsel and continue to drive our nation to the precipice instead of seeking help for the sake of millions of traumatised Nigerians.”
The Financial Times, it would be recalled recently lamented the state of affairs in the country, saying she is at risk of becoming a failed state.
The statement read: “The editorial by Financial Times is only stating the obvious, as our nation under President Buhari has presented all the trappings of a failed state, including having a rudderless government with a dysfunctional command structure that cannot guarantee security, manage our economy or even perform very simple tasks of governance.
“Our great nation now tends towards a leaderless society where terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, marauders and vandals have taken the lead, running riotous across our land while those who promised to protect lives and property have gone into hiding in Aso Rock, Presidential Villa.
“Under President Buhari, life is fast tilting towards Hobbesian state of nature; driven by the combined negatives of an incompetent and unconcerned Presidency and a reckless, kleptomaniac and dysfunctional ruling party that is more interested in power-grabbing instead of governance.
“President Buhari has badly failed in governance to the extent that over 300 students could be kidnapped by bandits in his home state, Katsina, a few hours after his security machinery took over the state, where he had gone to holiday.
“Under Buhari’s watch, our command structure has become extremely weak that government officials now patronise bandits and rationalise acts of terrorism to the extent of blaming victims for not obtaining permission before living their normal lives as was the case in the 43 farmers beheaded by terrorists in Borno State.
“Under this failed administration, outlaws who had been pushed to the fringes by previous administration have resurged and taken control of some parts of our nation where they reportedly have to give their consent to residents before they can conduct weddings, naming ceremonies or operate their markets.
“It now takes Presidents of neighbouring countries like Chadian President, Idris Derby, to personally lead his troops into our territories to root out insurgents and free Nigerian communities and our soldiers held captive by terrorists,” PDP added.
News
NiMet Forecasts Three-Day Sunshine, Haziness From Sunday
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and haziness from Sunday to Tuesday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released in Abuja, yesterday, predicted sunny skies in a hazy atmosphere over the northern region during the forecast period.
According to it, sunny skies in hazy atmosphere are also expected over the North central region during the forecast period.
It anticipated cloudy skies with spells of sunshine over the Inland states of the South.
NiMet predicted cloudy skies over the coastal cities with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Ondo, Imo, Ebonyi, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states during the afternoon and evening hours.
The agency envisaged dust haze over the northern region on Monday during the for22ecast period.
”Sunny skies in a hazy atmosphere are expected over the North central region during the forecast period.
”Cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are envisaged over the Inland states of the South and the coastal cities with prospects of morning mist over Delta, Bayelsa, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
”Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states,” it said.
According to NiMet, dust haze with visibility range of 2km to 5 km is anticipated over the northern region next Tuesday during the forecast period.
It predicted dust haze over the North central region during the forecast period.
It anticipated cloudy skies with spells of sunshine over the Inland states of the South and the Coastal cities during the forecast period.
”Dust particles are in suspension, public should take necessary precautions. People with Asthma and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather situations.
”Moderate to heavy rainfall could lead to flash floods. The public is advised to take necessary
caution, avoid driving and walking through flood waters.
”Strong winds are likely to precede and accompany the thunderstorms, the public is advised to take necessary safety precautions.
“Disaster Risk Managers, Agencies and individuals should be proactive, to avert loss of lives and property during the rainy season,” it said.
The agency advised the Airline operators to get updated weather reports from its office for effective planning in their operations.
News
Nigeria Records Over 120,000 New Cancer Cases Yearly -Institute
The Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof Usman Aliyu, on Saturday said over 120,000 new cancer cases are recorded yearly in Nigeria.
Prof Aliyu said in 2020, an estimated 78,000 Nigerians died as a result of cancer-related complications, and out of this number, 44,699 were females while 34,200 were males.
Aliyu, who was represented by Hassan Zaggi, made this known at the seventh annual conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists in collaboration with the World Health Organisation in Nasarawa State.
“With these gory statistics, NICRAT is determined to work with all relevant stakeholders to disrupt cancer in Nigeria through intense awareness creation and improved access to treatment and research.
“We have mapped out strategies to geometrically increase cancer experts in the country through training and retraining of all categories of health professionals.
“In our commitment and preparedness to disrupt all forms of cancers and ensure those with the illness have access to the best care and support in the country; we recently launched three strategic documents.
“The three documents include the National Strategic Cancer Control Plan 2023-2027; the National Cancer Research Agenda 2024-2027; and the National Strategic Plan for Prevention of Cancer of Uterine Cervix 2023-2027,” he stated.
He stressed that the documents have priority areas of action that address governance, prevention, supply chain management, data and research, as well as surveillance which are in tandem with the aim of the current leadership of the Ministry of Health to improve the health of all Nigerians.
News
Naira Notes: There’s Sufficient Stock For Economic Activities, CBN Assures Nigerians
Amidst complaints by some Nigerians about scarcity of Naira notes, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says there is adequate supply of the currency.
The Tide’s source reports that CBN gave the assurance against the beckdrop of complaints by some bank customers on scarcity of Naira notes at the counters, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) Points of Sale (PoS), and Bureaux de Change (BDCs).
Some officials of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) also claimed that the DMBs were not getting adequate supply of cash from the CBN.
But, according to a statement issued by the Corporate Communications Department of the CBN, there is no shortage of Naira notes, as there is adequate supply of the currency in the economy.
The apex bank said that the seeming currency scarcity was occasioned by large volume withdrawals of cash from various CBN branches by DMBs.
It said that panic withdrawals by bank customers was also partly responsible for the seeming scarcity.
“The attention of the CBN has been drawn to reports of alleged scarcity of
cash at banks, ATMs, PoS and BDCs in some major cities across the country.
“Our findings reveal that the seeming cash scarcity in some locations is due largely to high volume withdrawals from the CBN branches by DMBs and panic withdrawals by customers from the ATMs.
“While we note the concerns of Nigerians on the availability of cash for financial transactions, we wish to assure the public that there is sufficient stock of currency notes for economic activities in the country.
“The branches of the CBN across the country are also working to ensure the seamless circulation of cash in their respective states of operation,” it said.
The CBN advised members of the public to guard against panic withdrawals as there was sufficient stock to facilitate economic activities.
It also advised Nigerians to embrace alternative modes of payment, which would reduce pressure on using physical cash.
Meanwhile, the CBN also warned Nigerians to beware of fake Naira banknotes in circulation.
Its Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi-Ali, gave the warning in a statement.
Sidi-Ali said that the counterfeit Naira notes were mainly used for transactions in food markets and other commercial centres across major cities in the country.
She said that any person found complicit in the circulation of the counterfeit currency notes would face severe sanctions.
The director said that the law provided punishment by a term of imprisonment of not less than five years, for any person found culpable of counterfeiting Naira notes or any other legal tender in Nigeria.
“The attention of the CBN) has been drawn to the circulation of counterfeit banknotes, especially higher denominations by some individuals.
“The CBN is in constant collaboration with relevant security and financial agencies to confiscate fake Naira banknotes, arrest and prosecute counterfeiters.
“Members of the public are also encouraged to report anyone suspected of having counterfeit naira notes to the nearest police station, branch of the CBN, or via contactcbn@cbn.gov.ng,” she said.
She enjoined all DMBs, Financial Houses and Bureaux de Change and the general public to be more vigilant.
Sidi-Ali urged them to take all necessary precautionary measures to curtail the acceptance and distribution of counterfeit notes.
“Furthermore, the general public is encouraged to embrace alternative modes of payment for day-to-day transactions to mitigate the risk of spreading counterfeit banknotes,” she said.
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