The Nigerian Army on Sunday in Abuja condemned the maltreatment of civilians by persons clad in military camouflage at 2 Seasons Hotel and Resorts, Kaduna.
Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Mwachukwu, stated that the assault was an aberration of the values and ethics of professionalism, courage, selflessness and service to humanity which the Nigerian Army represented.
He stressed that the army was aware of a provocative and unacceptable video footage trending in the social media in which certain persons clad in military uniform were molesting civilians.
He added that the army as a disciplined and regimented organisation was committed to the supremacy of the Constitution, defence of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.
“Authorities of the Nigerian Army have directed immediate investigation into the audio-visual footage to ascertain its veracity, with a view to identifying the culprits.
“Outcome of the investigation and sanctions against the persons clad in military camouflage who perpetrated the dastardly acts, if found to be army personnel, would be treated in accordance with extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act.
“While appreciating the general public for their continued support, the Nigerian Army urges all law-abiding citizens to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of molestation or intimidation from any quarter.
“Members of the pubic are urged to report any untoward conduct by troops to the Nigerian Army Human Rights desks at the headquarters, Nigerian Army or at the divisional headquarters,’’ Mwachukwu stated. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Catholic Men Organisation of the Church of the Annunciation Parish Kubwa Abuja
By Bridget Ikyado
The Parish Priest, Church of the Annunciation, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Edache, has called on Christian fathers to always exhibit actions that are worthy of emulation in all their actions for a better society.
Edache made the call on Sunday in a sermon to mark this year’s Father’s Day Celebration in Kubwa, Abuja.
Any society with a complete family is always devoid of criminalities and a blessing to the nation, enhancing development.
While expressing concern over the attitude of some fathers who are fast deviating from fatherly roles, the highly respected cleric admonished Christian fathers to always show love and provide for their families.
He also enjoined Christians to be focused, “praying God to give them the grace to keep our homes.
“Don’t loose focus, Jesus Christ is your corner Stone, tell all to Him,” he said.
On his part, Chairman of the Catholic Men Organization of the church, Mr Ambrose Onyeachonam, advised fathers to always watch their characters to avoid misleading their children as the mirror of the family.
He said the essence of Father’s Day was to recognize the roles of Father’s both in the church and families.
He called on fathers to shun every form of violence against women and stressed the need for them to bring up their children in the fear of God to enable them become responsible citizens of the country
Fathers should start cultivating closeness to the children by applying discipline with love, while making sure that a child clearly understood why he or she is being scolded for.
“The present day child is no longer attuned to the authoritarian stand of some fathers, especially when they want to assert their authority as a man without any cause for it,“ he said.
The cleric, however, urged fathers to spend excellent time with their families, instead of hanging out in joints with friends and peers.
“Fathers should return home and strive to understand their homes as well as the individual differences in their children, which makes them unique from one another in terms of characters and view-points.“
He also said that fathers’ fellowship in the church was meant for spiritual upliftment and interaction among fathers, which involves sharing experiences.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Mr Francis Bobai, also advised fathers to live responsibly and shun divorce in order to raise morally-upright children.
He said the increase in social vices among youths was as a result of fathers’ absence in training the children right from infancy, as most women had become single mothers and were solely nurturing their kids.
“For a child to be properly groomed with the right moral standards, the father must be contributory in the process,” he said.
He, however, urged men to live up to their responsibilities in grooming their wards to avoid exposing the children to social vices.
“Fatherhood entails understanding your obligations and responsibilities as a man to your wife, children and the society at large”.
Highlights of the Father’s Day celebration in the church include dance, special numbers by the Catholic Men Organization and presentation of gifts to fathers and prayers for the country and its leaders. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
A group of newly elected members of the House of Representatives under the auspices of New Vision, has pledged their support for Hon. Muktar Betara for speakership of the 10th House of Representatives.
Betera is the lawmaker representing Biu/Bayo/Shani Federal Constituency of Borno State,
The group disclosed this in a statement by Peter Akpanke member elect from Obudu/Obaniku/Bekwara federal constituency Cross River, and made available to newsmen on Saturday.
The group had finalised their decision at a meeting of the new members-elect from the South-South in Abuja.
The group is drawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and other political parties.
Akpanke, elected on the platform of PDP said that the lawmakers unanimously pledged their support for Betara’s aspiration, describing him as the most qualified among the contenders for the Speakership position.
He said members of the group had been moving across the country to garner support for Betara, who is also the present Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation.
He said that the lawmakers had met most the contenders for the Speakership position, and come to the conclusion that only Betara showed sincere commitment to work with the executive arm in solving the mirage of challenges bedevilling the country.
“We have had an interface with all the people running for speakership in the 10th assembly. We met with all of them one-on-one but we chose Betara because when we met him, he spoke the minds of the members and how the 10th assembly is going to be independent.
“Betara also spoke on how projects are going to get to federal constituencies, how budgets are going to be executed and how he will collaborate with the executive to make sure that projects are funded.
“How issues of insecurity and employment are going to be tackled, all for the benefit of Nigerians. So the new vision group decided to stand behind him,” Akpanke said.
He said that members of the group had been going round the geopolitical zones to interface and lobbying members-elect to support the cause.
“In the meeting with our colleagues from South-South, all of us resolved that no matter the pressure, we should support Betara based on his antecedents.
“He has been chairman, Army committee, and we saw how the committee rose from Grade C to get Grade A. He is currently the House Committee Chairman on Appropriation and since then, there has been nothing like budget padding.”
Akpanke said that the zoning arrangements of the ruling APC wouldn’t be binding on the lawmakers, saying the opposition parties had more members-elect.
He added that the group would reject any form of imposition, adding that the National Assembly is an independent arm of government and members must be allowed to chose their leaders.
“Those of us in NASS want to support a speaker who is our own, a speaker who will defend democracy.
“Someone who will protect the interests of members and help us deliver the dividends.”
Akpanke said that the present speaker had ran for three times and he has always been going against zoning.
He also quoted Hon. Inuwa Garba, a member-elect, Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency, Gomb state, as saying that the argument in some quarters that the Northeast cannot produce both the vice president and speaker at same time is laughable.
Garba recalled that in 1979-1983 the speaker of the House of Representatives was from Anambra State, and the Vice President also was from Anambra state.
“We have same thing now. The vice president is from the Southwest, likewise the speaker. So there is a precedent.
“However, we are not even thinking along that line. What we are thinking is the credibility of the personality of the person that supposed to be the speaker of the 10th assembly.
“We want a credible and purposeful leadership that will work together with the executive with view to make Nigeria better because the country is in problem.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
By Abigael Joshua
Mr Osilamah Braimah, the Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) says the board derived no joy in shutting down Garki International Market on Friday.
Braimah said this on Sunday in Abuja in a statement by Mrs Janet Peni, the AEPB Deputy Director of Information.
He explained that while the board was not happy shutting down the market, however, “it will be failing in its responsibility, if the market is allowed to operate in its current deplorable condition”.
Stating the reason for the measure, Braimah said, “Environmental Health Officers of the Board carrying out routine monitoring activities in the market, a week ago, noticed the filthy market environment, garbage littered all over the place and bleeding sewer lines.
“Following our standard protocol, we served them an abatement notice, giving them the required time allowable under law, to clean up.
“They ignored the notice and refused to clean up, rather the pile of garbage in the market premise grew worse.”
The director said that AEPB simply went to court to obtain the court order to seal the market for their non compliance attitude.
He said that the closure was followed by the court order issued to that effect.
“It is indeed a sad spectacle to behold fruits and vegetables being sold in close proximity to damaged sewer lines and heaps of garbage.
“Subsequently on Friday, over 5000 traders who thronged the modern market in order to trade, couldn’t gain access into their shops as the market was sealed up.
“This means that every commercial activity grinds to a halt, because the situation as it is, is a recipe for an epidemic,” he noted.
”Braimah revealed that an epidemic waiting to happen promptly and decisively tackled is economically beneficial than allowing trading to go on as usual in a filthy market environment.
“Placing financial interests of traders above the greater public health of the general populace is indeed an expensive mistake that we cannot afford to make.
The director assured that once the managers of the market undertake to clean up, they will be allowed to resume trading in the market.
“As soon as they do the needful, we will go back to the court to obtain a court order to unseal the market for operations,” he added.
The statement revealed that the
situation at Garki International Market remained the same even after a late evening meeting on Friday between AEPB, Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML) and shop owners.
“Traders with perishable goods were allowed to evacuate their goods so as not to incur losses.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Economic Monitoring Alliance, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has described the recently inaugurated secured communication network for the Armed Forces code-named ‘GIWA 2 Project’ as a boost to Nigeria’s security and economy.
The GIWA 2 Project is designed to provide secure means of communications, real time instant reporting as well as information exchange between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies.
It is expected to bring about enhanced collaboration between intelligence and entire security community.
The group gave the commendation in a statement by its Chairman, Mr Bola Adegoke, on Sunday in Abuja.
Adegoke said the group joined President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPCL) Limited Communication team to commend the Armed forces of Nigeria under the leadership of Gen. Lucky Irabor for such innovation.
According to him, an improved and secured communication system will enhance ongoing operations of the military and other security agencies, thereby making it safer for economic activities to thrive.
He attributed the strength of the military in advanced countries to secured communication network.
“We commend the GIWA 2 Project as it is one of the several initiatives of the Gen. Irabor led armed forces aimed at deepening collaboration in tackling the security challenges in the country.
“Our study show that the effectiveness seen in the military and security agencies of the advanced countries have secured communication network as one of the factors responsible.
“We salute the CDS and his team for this noble objective which will enhance security for our farmers and give a boost to other economic activities,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 14 suspected internet fraudsters at Rumuekini axis of Port Harcourt
The EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren said in a statement on Saturday, said that they were arrested on Friday during a sting operation in Port Harcourt.
”The suspects are Okoro Ansalem, Gift Mylius, John Lucky, Sadiq Shaibu, Sadiq Fahid, Benjamin Nnaji, Bestman Daniel, Golden Emmanuel, Dike Collins, David Nnaji, Oscar Mathew, Ofe Goodness Okoro Gift and Isaac Abraham Jombo.
”They were arrested alongside three cars, Laptops, mobile and electronic devices.
”They will be charged to Court as soon as the investigation is concluded, ” he said. (NAN)
The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje addressing participants at a one-day meeting with the Provosts, Proprietors, Principals of Health Institutions and Registrars of Health Professional Bodies in Kaduna
By Philip Yatai, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
In September 2022, the Police Command in Niger arrested two suspects for allegedly operating an illegal health science college in Bosso Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were operating a school known as Excellence College of Health Sciences and Technology, somewhere in Maikunkele.
The school was allegedly established in 2020 and commenced admission in 2021 without any authorisation or certification from appropriate government bodies.
The operators of the school allegedly forged a certificate of registration to deceived members of the public to register and gain admission into the school.
As at the time of the arrests, about 100 unsuspecting students had enrolled into the college after paying N78, 000 each for tuition and other charges.
Similarly, in July 2022, the Kano State Government shut down at least 26 illegal private health training institutions.
The State Ministry of Health in a statement explained that the institutions were established without recourse to extant regulations governing the establishment and operation of such institutions.
According to Kano State Government, the unrecognised institutions lacked definite sites and offered dubious programmes against the established curricula while extorting exorbitant fees from students and their parents.
In Kaduna State, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Mohammed-Baloni, recently announced plans to fish out and shut down unequipped and unregistered schools and colleges of health sciences in the state.
The commissioner also said the government had closed some of the schools some time ago because they did not meet the minimum criteria to exist and operate.
Similarly, the Gombe State Government, in 2022 banned 10 health training institutions from teaching and awarding certificates to students of health-related fields over alleged non-accreditation.
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Zubairu Umar had explained that because the institutions were not accredited by regulatory bodies and they did not have the required facilities to train health workers.
These are just few among several of such illegal institutions that scattered all over the country.
Health experts have expressed concern over the high incidence of death arising from handling of patients by unprofessional health workers.
They have tried to establish a link between such deaths and health workers who obtained their certificates from illegal and substandard health training centres.
They particularly argued that any functional health system relies on skilled manpower to deliver the much-needed services.
Worried by the development, the Federal Government, through the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) said it was taking measures to sanitise the system.
Consequently, NBTE convened a one-day meeting with provosts, proprietors, principals of health institutions and registrars of health professional bodies in Kaduna.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Prof. Idris Bugaje told meeting that the authorities will not fold its arms and watch some elements flout regulations on establishment of diploma awarding institutions.
He warned that anybody who decided to call its programme National Diploma (ND) or Higher National Diploma (HND) without NBTE registration and accreditation is creating a serious problem for himself or herself.
According to him, NBTE is determined to clean up the system because `health is the wealth of any nation`.
“This is why we invited all the provosts and proprietors of health colleges, both legal and illegal and professional bodies, to discuss the challenges and develop a common roadmap to address them.
“If it is the registration conditions that are too stringent, let us know so that we can review what can be reviewed without compromising standards.
“We will give a moratorium for every health institution to go and regularise its registration, after which, we will bring the full ambit of the law and security agencies at our disposal to close the illegal ones”, he told the meeting.
The executive secretary said that the NBTE had already reviewed Bank Guarantee mandatory requirement for registration downwards from N100 million to N25 million.
He disclosed that some of the operators of illegal health colleges were currently being investigated by the Department of State Services (DSS) in two states.
He added that the board had also constituted a standing Disciplinary Committee to try members of staff who were colluding with illegal institutions to give them fake accreditation.
“Already, some senior management staff of the NBTE involved have been suspended and as I speak, while some are facing disciplinary committees, we will leave no stone unturned.
“One of you gave one of our staff N2.5 million to facilitate registration. It is illegal and we are investigating the fraud. I learned the staff has refunded the money but must face the full wrath of the law,” Bugaje said.
Also, the NBTE Director, Inspectorate, Hajiya Bilkisu Daku, said at the session that registration with the board is crucial in the establishment of colleges of health technology offering ND or HND in the country.
Daku added that the board partnered the police, DSS, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission and other anti-graft agencies to curtail the proliferation of illegal institutions.
It has been argued in some quarters that government established institutions alone cannot develop enough manpower required by the nation’s health sector.
While acknowledging this assertion, NBTE Director, Monotechnic Programmes, Mr Samaila Tanko, said private sector participation in the training of manpower must follow approved channels.
He said NBTE was the agency that regulates all aspects of technical education that falls outside university education.
He said that health training offered by colleges of health technologies and nursing schools was among the training regulated by the NBTE and as they must comply with NBTE regulations.
Dr Sani Barka, Chairman, Association of Heads of Health Training Institutions in Nigeria, said at the event that the proliferation of illegal health colleges in the country was alarming.
Barka, who is the Provost, Gombe State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Kaltungo, commended the NBTE for taking steps to curb the trend.
Also, Dr Bayo Ojo, Chairman, Association of Provosts of Colleges of Health Sciences and Technology of Nigeria, described the move to sanitise the operations of colleges of health sciences as laudable.
Sharing a similar view, Mr Yahaya Tsumi, the Director, Special Duties, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, said “what the NBTE is doing is a laudable move to check illegal health institutions.
“As a regulatory institution, we are in full support so that the right thing will be done to produce qualified health professionals”, he said.
For a country whose health sector needs to be upgraded, Nigeria can ill-afford poorly trained healthcare workers and care givers at whatever level.
This makes it necessary for all stakeholders to play their part in ensuring that training of health workers is done in environments that boast of global best practices.
**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.
Heap of refuse dumps at the 2nd gate entrance of Garki International Market, Abuja.
By Abigael Joshua
The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has sealed up the Garki International Market in Abuja over accumulated refuse dumps that may cause an epidemic outbreak.
The Director AEPB, Mr Osi Braimah, who led the board operative to seal it up, condemned the breakdown of law and order in the market.
“Our environmental officers in carrying out their routine/monitoring activities by April 26, discovered that the market was in a bad shape.
“Solid wastes, cabbages all over the place, bleeding sewage lines and heaps of refuse dumps were all over the market.
“We served them an abatement notice unfortunately nothing was done,” Braimah said.
The director noted that the non-challant attitude of the market users made the board to seek a court order to seal the market.
“So, we simply went to the court for an order to seal up the market, so that everything can stop, until it is cleaned up.
“We derive no joy in shutting down the market but we will be failing in our responsibilities if we allow them to continue.
“As it is now, if we allow them to operate, it is a recipe for epidemic outbreak,” he worrie.
The director frowned at the deplorable state of the market saying, “they cannot have these activities side by side with filth”.
“A market is where fresh foods and vegetables are sold, you cannot have all these side by side with cabbages
“An epidemic is far worst than not selling your potatoes for a couple of days.
“Once they clean up the market we will reopen because the court order says the order subsists, so long the market remains in that condition,” Braimah noted.
He warned that the market remained shut until the wastes were evacuated.
Braimah promised that AEPB would go back to the court to seek for an order to reopen it as soon as the wastes are evacuated.
He urged market operators to tidy up their wastes to avert epidemic outbreak in the Federal Capital Territory.
Commenting on the seal up of the market, Mr Desmond Arebenjamo Chairman of Fruits and Vegetables in Garki International Market, said that they received calls that the market had been sealed up by the AEPB.
“We pleaded that many of us are selling perishable items and have purchased them in large quantities fearing loss.
“We learnt that some of the unions in the market took the market management to court over increased service charge,” Arebenjamo said.
He said that the fellow traders told him that the court ordered that everyone observe the old rate of the service charge pending the outcome of the court judgment.
Arebenjamo, who said that they had not been officially notified on how to resolve the issue, appealed for the quick reopening of the market.
Also, Mrs Nwokoema Joyce, who owned a shop in the market for over five years, said that there was an increase in the service charge.
“I remembered that there was an increase in the service charge in which a lot of people disputed.
“There was a platform that said we should hold on with the payment and that they were discussing with the management later on we heard that if we don’t pay, the market will be sealed up.
Mr Innocent Amaechina, Head, Corporate Affairs/Business Development Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML), said that the market was sealed up following the court order obtained by AEPB on the evacuation of wastes.
“It came to the notice of AEPB during one of their routine exercise that the whole place is littered with refuse dumps and of course you will agree with me that it’s now a public health issue.
“Many court orders on abatement notice was served. Before now AEPB gave notice to abate nuisance, it was not done.
Amaechina noted that, Garki International Market is managed by AMML.
“It came about that some traders went to court to challenge the increase in service charge we proposed.
“It is regrettable that none of the market officials have engaged us on the increased service charge, we just needed to serve them better.
“For instance if you want your diesel to run for 10 hours instead of five hours you are going to pay higher,” he said.
Amaechina said that as law abiding organisation they had to restrain themselves.
“if they are in court invariably they are saying we should not enforce the collection of service charge hence the service providers withdrew their services.
Amaechina said that although, “while the matter has been in court some officials of the market have continued to engage them.
“The meeting is being held right away to meet on a middle ground, to address all the infractions being raised by AEPB.
“We are addressing the problems raised by AEPB and let’s say in some hours we would have reached an agreement and the market would be reopened,” he assured.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the refuse dumps had gathered there for three weeks to one month ever since the service providers withdrew their services.
NAN reports that as at press time the manager of the Garki International Market was still in the meeting with relevant stakeholders to address the issues.
All the traders attested that this was the first seal up of its kind and worried over the condition of their perishable items. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
A financial expert, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, says the Ways and Means Advances of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the Federal Government is strictly within the purview of the apex bank.
Uwaleke, a Professor of Capital Market at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.
He spoke against the backdrop of effort to securitise the pending N22.7 trillion Ways and Means Advances, approval of the process by Senate and the role of the Debt Management Office (DMO).
According to Uwaleke, the DMO had no role because the Ways and Means were completely under the control of the CBN.
He said that the DMO could only have played advisory role when necessary.
“The much the DMO could have done would have been to include the CBN overdraft to the FG as part of the country’s domestic debt stock.
“This will enable the DMO issue early warning signals whenever the Ways and Means limit as stimulated in the CBN Act was being breached,” he said.
NAN reports that the Ways and Means provision allows the federal government to borrow from the CBN if it needs short-term or emergency finances.
This is to enable the government to fund expected cash receipts of fiscal deficits.
The Nigerian Senate had, on Wednesday, approved the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to restructure the advances through securitisation.
Based on statutory provisions, however, the approval of the Senate and the House of Representatives are required for securitisation.
Implementation can, thus, only be upon concurrent approval of the House of Representatives.
Uwaleke, however, explained that securitisation of the N22.7 trillion Ways and Means Advances would afford the Federal Government a ‘breather’ in terms of debt service burden.
According to him, this is in view of the fact that repayment of the N22.7 trillion will now be spread over 40 years with a three year grace period on the principal sum.
“In respect of the securitisation of the Ways and Means, the government debt restructuring arrangement affords it a breather in terms of debt service burden.
“Similarly, the cost of annual debt service will reduce given the concessional rate of nine per cent as against the current 20.5 per cent interest rate charged on CBN’s Ways and Means.
“The cumulative effect of these would be a reduction in government budget deficit and freeing up resources that could be applied to more productive areas,” he said.
According to him, since the securities will only be taken up by the CBN and not the public, the fear that it will crowd out the private sector is no longer there.
“There is equally the issue of debt transparency that it engenders.
“Before now, CBN’s Ways and Means did not form part of the public debt stock reported by the Debt Management Office.
“Securitisation would entail including it as part of the country’s public debt which makes for transparency ” he said.
He said that, henceforth, adequate safeguards should be put in place to ensure that CBN’s Ways and Means were curtailed due to its negative impact on the general price level.
“The relevant provisions of the CBN Act should clearly stipulate the conditions under which debt limits can be breached.
“The process should involve approval by the National Assembly as well as stiff sanctions for breach of the limits provided in the Act without following due process,” he said.
According to Okechukwu Unegbu, a past president of the Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), the Ways and Means Advances constitutes money that has already been appropriated by the Federal Government.
“It is important to note that the Federal Government does not need the DMO to obtain such facilities from the CBN.
“It does so directly, and sometimes, it entails the printing of money.
“The DMO will only be required to record it as debt after it is securitised, ” he said.
NAN reports that the CBN is legally authorised to issue Ways and Means Advances to the Federal Government according to Section 38 of the CBN Act, 2007.
The N22.7 trillion Ways and Means Advances, therefore, do not represent new borrowings, but overdrafts by the CBN to the Federal Government.
The advances is statutorily managed by the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General in the Consolidated Revenue Fund where it is domiciled.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
