Nation
Tricyclist Apologises For Misconduct
A commercial tricycle rider, Mr Emmanuel Akachukwu, yesterday apologised to the Enugu State Ministry of Transport over beating of the traffic and misconduct along Presidential Road within Enugu metropolis.
Akachukwu gave the apology when Chairman of Association of Tricycle Riders Transport Union in Enugu State, Mr Benjamin Ikah and ministry officials held a meeting to understand what led him to collapse and bean rushed to hospital on Friday, December 10.
The tricycle rider, while kneeling to apologise, said: “I can see from the video recording that I beat the traffic by passing when the traffic light was already red. I sincerely apologise for my negative conduct.
“I am assuring the ministry and the state government that I will not constitute nuisance and social disruption on the road any more. I was not extorted as a version of the incident story going on in the social media allegedly said.
”Rather I will quietly come to the ministry’s headquarters and lay my complaint to superior officers that will definitely listen to me”.
Earlier, Ikah thanked the ministry for taking care of all Akachukwu’s medical bills notwithstanding that he caused the complication leading to his hospitalisation after he collapsed when he stubbornly moved his impounded tricycle to the ministry.
The chairman, however, appealed to the ministry to rescind its decision to take the matter to court, add that the tricycle association and the ministry had continued to have harmonious relationship over the years.
According to him, “I have seen the video clip of the incident and how it initially started. My member is at fault and should have followed the ministry’s traffic officers to their office or call me to resolve this issue immediately.
“The association has enjoyed robust relationship with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and we see him as the best friendly governor to commercial tricycle operators in the history of the state.
”We are apologising and at the same time appealing to the ministry to find a way to forgive Akachukwu and close this negative incident in the interest of moving the state forward and continuing our relationship,” Ikah said.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Transport, Mr Ogbonna Idike noted that the ministry officials did their job professionally and showed him video recording of him beating the traffic politely.
According to him, what was represented by an online publication by a Coalition of Right Groups in a newspaper over the incident was a complete misinformation as the ministry officials did their job professionally and with politeness.
”There was no issue of extortion as claimed in Akachukwu’s testimony; no one beat him and just that he was being gradually held for his tricycle to be towed and he allegedly fainted,” he said.
Idike said that the ministry had heard the plea of Akachukwu and Ikah, adding: “I have directed that Akachukwu’s tricycle should be released free-of-charge and every tricycle rider in this meeting will have a free booklet of the state road rules and code”.
Meanwhile, Idike said that the state will launch its “Operation Free Flow of Traffic in the Yuletide” on December 15, 2021 and it would run to January 5, 2022.
He noted that the ministry would carry out the operation in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps, Police and NSCDC as well as some council areas providing Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guard officials to join to ensure hitch-free traffic.
”We have already trained 200 officials from Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guard officials in some council areas to join our 314 ministry traffic control officers for the special operation meant to keep traffic flowing in all routes in the state.
“The ministry is providing the 200 officials with a marked out reflective jacket for them to be easily identified as traffic officials during this Yuletide”.
By: Canice Amadi, Enugu
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).
-
News3 days ago
N’Delta Women Move To Fight Environmental Degradation
-
Sports3 days ago
Rivers Hoopers Win CDS Basketball Championship
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
‘Blossoming Of Christian Gospel Music Industry, Divine’
-
Nation3 days ago
Boat Mishap: Rescue Team Still Searching For Two Passengers -NIWA
-
News3 days ago
PDP Govs’ Forum: Gov Fubara, Pride Of All Governors -Bauchi Gov …As Bala Mohammed Recommits Forum’s Support For Rivers Gov
-
Editorial3 days ago
Whither Tinubu’s Duty-Free Food?
-
Sports3 days ago
NPFL: Sports Commissioner Hands Cash Rewards To Players
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Teachers’ Day: Oborevwori Tasks Teachers On Knowledge, Skills Upgrade