My Kano visit not for political campaign — Tinubu

By Kola Oyelere - KanoOn Dec 6, 2020

NATIONAL leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, has reacted to his Kano visit, saying that against speculations, he was in the ancient city for a wedding.

Speaking at the airport on Friday night, Tinubu said: “I’m not in Kano for any political campaign, but to attend the wedding of a respected friend’s daughter.”

He also told the reporters that the unity of the country is paramount to him, and that he will continue to strive to make it an indivisible entity.


Tinubu, who arrived Kano on Friday afternoon, along with a former interim chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande; former chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu and notable members of APC, was at a reception organised to celebrate the marriage of the daughter of an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Uthman, the Chief Imam of Masjid-Al-Sahaba, held at Mosque Hunaisa Muhammad Bin Uthman.

The national leader said those promoting division in the country would continue to launch their arsenal to see to the end of its corporate existence, adding, however, that those who loved the country must therefore collectively work against those few divisive elements.

He lauded the Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for his role in ensuring the unity of the country, as he further described him as one of the leading thinkers for national unity who deserve accolade.

He commended the governor for many developmental projects he had been executing across the state.

He said: “From the airport to this place, I have seen so many developmental projects that add many positive things to the state.

“We are elated by your hardwork and commitment towards developing the state. This is commendable.

“I urge you to continue developing the state. We all have faith in you and your patriotic posture

Neurosurgeon calls for proactive measures to curb medical tourism, brain drain

Group photograph at 2020 Annual General Meeting and scientific conference of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi, Abuja.

Abuja, Dec. 3, 2020 (NAN)

Dr Charles Ugwuanyi, a Neurosurgeon with the National Hospital Abuja, has called for proactive measures to tackle medical tourism and brain drain in Nigeria.

Ugwuanyi made the call on Thursday at the ongoing 2020 Annual General Meeting and scientific conference of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi Chapter, Abuja.

He said that rather than being reactive, government and other stakeholders should come up with proactive measures to save the nation the dire consequences of the ugly trends.

Ugwuanyi, while delivering a keynote on the “Damaging Effect of Brain Drain in the Face of COVID-19”, at the conference, lamented the high rate of medical tourism and medical brain drain in Nigeria.

“The most painful aspect is that some doctors who have benefited from government magnanimity are leaving at the detriment of the country,” he said.

This, according to him, was causing capital flight and robbing the country of its professional health workers and development of the health sector.

He listed some of the reasons for medical tourism to include lack of steady power supply and some citizens’ preference for anything foreign.

Ugwuanyi said decayed infrastructure and equipment, increased brain drain, incessant industrial strike and insecurity were also contributory factors.

To address medical tourism, he suggested strengthening of the local platform and implementation of the National Healthcare Act 2015.

The Head of Clinical Services, FMC Abuja, Dr Joseph Eziechila, in his keynote titled “Impact of COVID-19 (the New Normal) on the Nigeria health System” called for joint efforts to address the second wave of COVID-19.

Eziechila noted that the impact of COVID-19 on Nigeria was enormous.

“Going forward, there must be joint effort by the government and I ndividuals to come out of the pandemic,” he said.

The doctor said that direct impact of the pandemic include disruption of treatment of non-communicable diseases, increased pressure on health facilities, and high cost of medical consumable goods such as facemasks and hand sanitizers.

According to him, the indirect impact include economic recession, increase in cases of sexual vices and domestic violence.

He said that COVID-19 had its positive impact, including the awakening of citizens’ consciousness on cleanliness, and reduction in medical tourism.

“Due to COVID-19, it is no longer a case of when you have headache you take the next available flight to UK, U.S, Germany or India.”

Dr Enema Amodu, the Chairman Nigerian Medical Association, Federal Capital Territory Chapter (NMA-FCT), who was the chairman on the occasion, said that the trend of brain drain in Nigeria had taken a new dimension.

“In the past it used to be junior staff leaving. This time around, the pattern has changed. Our specialists, professionals, even trained specialists are leaving.

“From all strata of the health sector, people are going. Doctors are going, nurses are going, radiologists are going. It has gone so low that even medical students are going.

“If things continue like this for the next five years it will be very bad,” he said.

The Board Director, FMC Jabi, Tosan Alex, represented by Tolu Fakeye, stressed the need for rightful positioning of doctors in areas they were mostly needed in the country.

Fakeye also stressed the need for state governments to start absorbing new medical graduates.

The Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, in his remarks, appealed to the Federal Government to recapitalise the bank to the tune of N500b.

Dangiwa, represented by Deputy General Manager and Group Head, Corporate Communications, Lawal Kofar-Sauri, said the recapitalisation was important to boost the capacity of the bank to deliver on its mandate.

He said that the recapitalization should be done as recommended by the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development in 2017 and 2018.

Dangiwa said that notwithstanding the challenges, FMBN was doing its best to meet the yearnings of Nigerians.

He assured all stakeholders of the continued support and cooperation of the FMBN toward the advancement of affordable home ownership for Nigerians.

“The FMBN, as at today, is the last succour of the common man through its affordable mortgages and home construction financing.

“Our National Housing Fund mortgage loans, granted at six per cent, is the lowest in the country,” he said.(NAN)

WE MUST DEVELOP OUR YOUTHS, OONI ADMONISHES AS EMIR OF KANO VISITS IFE

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Wednesday admonished all stakeholders particularly traditional rulers to prioritize youth development and capacity building, to create a greater future for the country.

Ooni Ogunwusi who is the Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN), made the admonition while playing host to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, at his Ile Oodua Palace, Ile-Ife.

"Let us surrender ourselves to the youths because they own this country, they are the future that we have to build today. Let us train and re-train them and we shall all be better for it. We don't have to wait for the government, let us do our best individually and it shall be well with us." The Ooni said.

On the agelong relationship between the Kano Emirate and the kingdom of Ife, the Ooni Ogunwusi expressed his heartfelt joy over the relationship that has been so beneficial to Nigeria and the continent of Africa. 

"I am happy that the new Sarki Kano who by far is not a stranger in this palace has agreed that we uphold the heritage of our fathers; My predecessor Ooni Okunade Sijuwade, the late Emir Ado Bayero and late Obi of Onitsha were good friends and their friendship is part of  what we are enjoying in Nigeria.

"Thank God for the peacefulness that greeted your emergence as the new Emir of Kano. We were so scared for the transition that occurred in Kano because we knew there would be trouble in Nigeria if there is trouble in Kano, but we thank God it all went peacefully. I love your simplicity and humility and I am so glad about the maturity displayed by you and your immediate predecessor Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. God is the only giver and taker of power. The Ooni noted. 

Earlier in his speech, the Emir thanked Ooni Ogunwusi for providing great leadership across Yoruba race and Nigeria. He noted that a new channel for deepening cultural understanding between Yoruba people and their counterparts in the northern part of the country will be created towards enhancing national unity and development.

"This is a homecoming for me in consideration of the deep, warm and life-long friendship and brotherhood between the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and my late father, Oba Okunade Sijuwade. My respect for the Ooni Ogunwusi is so much that anytime I see him, I feel like Am seeing all of my forefathers put together.

"Your Majesty, Ile-Ife, is the cradle of Yoruba civilization and centre of excellence in culture and education in Africa and it will continue to be a beacon of hope. 

"We are pleased to note the prime position of the Ife Kingdom considered to be the ancestral and spiritual home of the Yoruba people all o er the world.

"As your Majesty may recall our recent meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari led by you and the Sultan, the issue of Nigerian youths was at the centre of deliberations. 

" I wish to use this opportunity to suggest a cross exchange of ideas about new ways of tackling the issue of education, employment and social development amongst our youths. Because, it is through cross-fertilization of ideas that new solutions to contemporary challenges are found." The Emir stated.

Signed;

Comrade Moses Olafare,

Director, Media and Public Affairs,

Ooni's Palace.

HISTORYVILLE: HOW CAPTAIN EMMANUEL NWOBOSI MURDERED LADOKE AKINTOLA IN 1966

“Akintola, come down; you are for lawful arrest by the army on orders from HQ 2 Brigade,” Nwobosi shouted.

“Under arrest ke?” Akintola said to himself, “Oya, come and greet your mother’s husband,” as he cocked his gun.

When Nwobosi hit the door in an attempt to force it open, the Premier opened fire from inside his bedroom with a submachine gun, shooting contiguously and continuously through the closed door.

“Return fire,” Captain Nwobosi ordered his men, which they did, enormously.

“Please sir, surrender sir. Stop shooting, please. They only came to take us to Lagos,” Fani-Kayode pleaded and shouted from the landrover urging the Premier to cease firing and surrender. But the Premier kept on firing until he ran out of ammunition.

Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola was the 13th Aare Ona Kakanfo (Field Marshal General) of Yorubaland. A title, whose holder, according to a widely believed myth, was not expected to live long nor experience a calm death.

“Krrr, krrr,” the gun sounded. The Premier had run out of ammunition but the captain and his soldiers did not know this, they thought he was reloading and waiting for them. Akintola, now powerless, held out a white handkerchief in a sign of surrender and proceeded to the verandah. Ajao and Uloh who had been hiding in one of the other rooms grabbed him by his arms and dragged him downstairs.

“Bring him out, bring him out,” Nwobosi shouted repeatedly after the firing had ceased and he sighted his soldiers with the Premier downstairs.

“Now, now, boys. Be gentle. We are friends here,” Akintola said resignedly.

“You shot at us. You resisted arrest. It was a direct order from the HQ,” Nwobosi thundered, “we are to eliminate anyone who resisted arrest.”

“Boys, it is for the good of the country. Why don’t we negotiate? I will see to it that you treated well. I have the Prime Minister’s ears,” Akintola cajoled.

“We are soldiers, sir. We obey direct orders. Egbikor, Chukwu,” Nwobosi called his soldiers and signalled to the two men to open fire on the Premier. Fani-Kayode stared in horror as the Premier endured a deluge of bullets as he fell to his knees still gasping for breath. Nwobosi then joined them in firing at the Premier as he fell backward with a thud as life hurriedly escaped from him.

The Captain and his men then released the policemen and proceeded with Fani-Kayode in the landrover to Lagos as the 3-Ton truck headed towards Abeokuta. They all left Akintola’s mutilated body, riddled with bullets, surrounded by empty shell casings soaked in blood, lying there on the bare ground in his courtyard. The Aare Ona Kakanfo had fallen to his death. The curse persists. #HistoryVille

Source: Page 70-74, A Carnage Before Dawn, Based on Nigeria’s First Coup D’état. 

You can get the soft copy (₦1000) here: https://buff.ly/2FNbPWs

You can get the paperback (₦2000) here: https://buff.ly/2C5NziV 

Or at Rovingheights bookstores in Lagos and Abuja.

Phone: (+234) 09092158968.

Kogi NULGE Sets Record Straight, Says We Didn't Benchmark Salaries.

The attention of the Leadership of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Kogi State Chapter has been drawn to a letter addressed to the State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress with the title: STATE OF SALARY/PENSION PAYMENT AND SITUATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKS/ PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS/PENSIONERS IN KOGI STATE.

We however wish to make some clarifications regarding the misrepresentation by the letter as written by the Joint Workers Union and signed by Comr. Abdullahi Rufai

the Coordinator, Joint Workers Union.

The need to make the clarification has become necessary so as to put records straight especially that the Leadership of the NULGE has over the years carried out its activities on behalf of members with the utmost level of transparency and in the interest of members over the years.

We make bold to state that the State Leadership of NULGE, working with the Leadership of the other unions in the Local Government Level, under aegies of the Joint Action Union umbrella, painstakingly and for over a week went into negotiations with the delegation of the State Government recently.

The said meeting by the JAU and the Government collectively after much deliberation, looking at resources available accepted the offer to pay 40% with a proviso to pay an improved percentage in the coming months if the allocation improves.

We wish to state that the JAU position at the meeting was for the payment of 60% based on the resources available on paper. But having considered other issues linked to the resources available, and having failed to achieve our demands, it was all agreed by Parties to look forward to an improvement in the coming months.

We in NULGE wish to therefore state that at no time did we benchmark salaries as it is being misrepresented by mischief makers and those bent on creating disharmony amongst the ranks of the Union.

While we appreciate the right to demand for improve salaries and welfare by members, we make bold to say that the Leadership of NULGE has never shirk its responsibility and will never do towards working for the improved welfare of members.

We wish to thank members for there patience and understanding thus far and want to assure that we'll not live any stone unturned in making welfare of members, Particularly with regards to salaries a top priority.

Once again, accept the esteemed commitment of the Leadership of NULGE to continue to pursue the issues bothering on the welfare of members.

Signed.

Comr. Tade Adeyemi

NULGE Chairman

Kogi State.

ABDULRASHID MAINA TO BE EXTRADITED TO NIGERIA SOON

AS NPF-INTERPOL OPERATIVES ARREST THE FORMER PENSION BOSS IN NIGER REPUBLIC.

Following the arrest of former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrashid Abdullahi Maina in Niamey, Niger Republic, the NPF is perfecting extradition processes of the fugitive to Nigeria to enable him face trial in pending criminal proceedings against him.

Abdulrashid Maina, who was declared wanted by a court of competent jurisdiction, was arrested last night, 30th November, 2020 through the collaborative efforts of the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, INTERPOL NCB, Abuja and their Nigerien counterpart.

He is currently in a detention facility in Niger Republic awaiting the completion of the extradition processes.     

The Force assures the citizens, that there shall be no hiding place for any suspect, no matter how highly placed.

Restructuring is a national endeavour, let’s realise it together-Malam Nasir El-Rufai

 

Further to his continuing advocacy for the implementation of restructuring as a nation-building opportunity, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has called for a collective national endeavour to secure the necessary constitutional amendments.   

“Restructuring is a pragmatic imperative for a more efficient governance structure in our country. It will enable a departure from excessive centralisation, rebalance the federation and locate powers and responsibilities in the tier of government best able to effectively discharge them.  

“There is a unique opportunity for all Nigerians who believe in the merits of restructuring to work together to realise it. As a fundamental redesign of the anchors of the Nigerian state, restructuring can be achieved only by constitutional means and processes. This means that the National Assembly is the primary platform for attaining it, followed by the necessary concurrence by two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly in the country, and presidential assent.

“Every part of the country has representation in the National Assembly. States and interest groups that wish to advance restructuring can persuade any of their federal legislators to present the draft bills in the Report of the APC True Federalism Committee, for instance, or any other relevant draft legislation for consideration and passage by the federal legislature. This is the productive direction to consider, rather than revel in idle doubt and pessimism when the national interest is calling for active engagement.

“There is no extra-constitutional route to resolving a constitutional matter on which there exists reasonable consensus and for which draft bills have been prepared. As a body of Nigerians elected from constituencies across the country, the National Assembly is the veritable constitutional conference. Therefore, it is not helpful to seek to traduce its legitimacy, especially by persons who do not have any electoral mandate. 

“Pragmatism advises cooperation in attaining this collective endeavour. However, recent comments from some regional groupings make it difficult to escape the suspicion that certain persons regard the realisation of restructuring as a moment of peril. They appear to fear that the possibility of restructuring being actualised may erode their political viability or remove a platform for grandstanding. We assure them that they can always find new causes to pursue, post-restructuring, like working with others to ensure that the newly devolved governance structures work efficiently across the federation to deliver better outcomes for all our people.”

Signed

Muyiwa Adekeye

Special Adviser to the Governor (Media & Communication) 

1st December 2020

GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO PRESENTS N130B AS 2021 BUDGET OF ‘ACCELERATED RECOVERY’ TO THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

Kogi State governor, His Excellency Yahaya Bello on Tuesday, presented the total sum of N130,546,068,026 as against N122,970,958,009 of the Amended Budget for year 2020 as the 2021 budget to the Kogi State House of Assembly. The total Budget package for the year 2021 represents an increase of N7,575,110,017 or 6.16% when compared with the 2020 final Budget.

During the presentation of the Budget to the state House of Assembly, the Governor stated that the fiscal strategy of Government was anchored on the on-going Public Financial Management Reform (PFM). Over the period 2021-2023, that the State Government fiscal policy is directed at:

a. improving the efficiency and effectiveness of spending;

b. achieving better balance between capital and recurrent expenditure;

c. achieving greater control of the wage bill;

d. directing capital expenditure on critical infrastructure such as Agriculture, Health, Road, Education, Security, Water, Youth engagement etc;

e. boosting revenue receipts by identifying and blocking revenue leakages; and

f. gradual fiscal consolidation in order to achieve a level of public spending consistent with macroeconomic stability and sustainable debt. 

In summary, the Governor disclosed that the draft Revenue Budget has an estimated outlay of N130,546,068,026. This total Budget outlay of N130,546,068,026 is divided into Recurrent Revenue of N82,464,412,854 representing 63.17% and Capital Receipts of N48,081,655,172 representing 36.83%. 

On the objectives and target of the 2021 budget, governor Yahaya Bello said The specific fiscal objectives of Kogi State is effective allocation of scarce resources to identified critical programmes and projects, with the following major targets:

a. To improve the quality and affordability of education available to citizens at all levels in order to produce the articulate and skilled manpower required for economic transformation of the State;

b. To improve quality and access to healthcare leading to improvement in efficiency of the healthcare delivery system;

c. To ensure food security and generate a high proportion of the GDP from agriculture;

d. To exploit the full commercial potentials of our location and endowments as a State and expand trade to ensure that products from agricultural and industrial activities have access to markets locally and internationally;

e. To ensure gainful employments for our youths, create entrepreneurship opportunities, especially in Agriculture and Infotech, and develop their talents for livelihood;

f. To achieve sustainable development and promote social cum economic development through culture and tourism;

g. To establish necessary frameworks for a robust mining and solid minerals sector, with an aim to branding Kogi State as the foremost mining and minerals exploitation destination in the country;

h. To improve the road network in the State through continued construction of new roads and bridges and rehabilitation of existing ones in both urban and rural areas;

i. In view of climate change, to continually improve on environmentally friendly practices and enhance our disaster management capabilities in order to secure our people better;

j. To improve the quantity, quality and access to safe water for domestic, commercial and industrial uses as well as improve sanitation and hygiene practices among the citizens;

k. To ensure sustainable use of the environment and continuous management of environmental challenges such as pollution, degradation and gully erosion;

l. To ensure easy and equitable access to lands for agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial uses to all citizens and investors to facilitate the social and economic development of the State;

m. To improve the quantity of decent housing available to citizens and expand affordable housing options through the use of public private partnership arrangements;

n. To improve and facilitate the creation of viable urban communities in the state;

o. To reduce average power outage by expanding the generation and distribution of electricity across the state through regular and renewable options;

p. To rejuvenate the transportation sector and all its players to facilitate Internally Generated Revenue;

q. To provide an enabling environment to facilitate economic and social development in the State as well as introduce and implement reform measures to strengthen governance institutions, i.e. the Civil Service, Pensions Administration, etc.;

r. To increase security of lives and property in the state;

s. To continue to expand the State’s revenue base in the area of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and 

t. To reduce the level of Domestic Debt Profile of Kogi State.

Onogwu Muhammed

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

01/12/2020

BHM’s Ayeni Adekunle Elected Into Global PRCA Council

Founder and CEO of BlackHouse Media, BHM, Ayeni Adekunle has been elected into The 2021 PR and Communications Council of the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) — the world’s largest professional PR body.

This was announced Monday by the association in a statement published on its website, and signed by Michael Collins of the PRCA.

The PRCA represents more than 35,000 PR professionals in 70 countries worldwide. With offices in London, Singapore, Dubai, and Buenos Aires, the PRCA is a global advocate for excellence in public relations.

Speaking on the appointment, Ayeni said, “This is an important opportunity for me and all the other newly elected council members to influence change in the industry on a global scale and I am excited about the prospects. 2021 will be an interesting year and I can’t wait to get to work.”

The council will be chaired by Julia Herd CMPRCA. Julia is the Managing Director of Five in a Boat, a global PR consultancy and the former Global VP of Communications for both HTC and music streaming company, Deezer.

Congratulating the new council, Julia said, “Big congratulations and welcome to our 22 new and very talented elected Council members. I’m delighted to be chosen as Chair and to continue to both positively impact and advance the Council’s agenda in what is set to be a pivotal year for our industry and wider society.”

“The PRCA Council, led by Simon Francis, has kicked off some really important work around social impact and I would personally like to thank Simon for his work during what has been a very challenging period. I’m excited about what the newly elected Council members will bring to the table as we collectively continue to put purpose and our members at the heart of everything we do. Here’s to 2021!” Julia added.

The PR and Communications Council provides a formal mechanism for the industry’s most senior practitioners to consult on the key issues impacting PR and communications. The Council — which acts as a think-tank for the industry — informs the PRCA’s strategic priorities and delivers best-practice guidance for professionals.

The 22 new elected members will be joined by the Chairs of all 55 PRCA Groups who automatically sit on the Council.

The newly elected PR and Communications Council members include; Penny Anderson CMPRCA, Graham Bardgett CMPRCA, Tas Bhanji CMPRCA, Liam Buckley CMPRCA, Stuart Bruce CMPRCA, Nathaniel Cassidy CMPRCA, Richard Fogg CMPRCA, Andy Green CMPRCA, Sam Burne James CMPRCA, Ralph Jackson CMPRCA, Roxy Kalha CMPRCA, Andrew Laxton CMPRCA, Emily Luscombe CMPRCA, Sarah Maloney CMPRCA, Edmund McMahon Turner CMPRCA, Jared Meade CMPRCA, Robert Minton-Taylor CMPRCA, Carmel O’Toole CMPRCA, Kristin Philbin CMPRCA, Noita Sadler CMPRCA, Gloria Walker CMPRCA and Ayeni Adékúnlé Samuel CMPRCA.

With a mission to create a more professional, ethical, and prosperous PR industry, the PRCA champions and enforces professional standards in the UK and overseas through a Professional Charter and Code of Conduct. The Code compels members to adhere to the highest standards of ethical practice.

The PRCA delivers exceptional training, authoritative industry data, and global networking and development opportunities. The body also manages the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO), the umbrella body for 41 PR associations and 3,000 agencies across the world, and LG Comms — the UK’s national body for authorities raising standards of local government communication.

Since founding BHM in 2006, Ayeni, a former journalist, has grown to become one of the leaders of a new school of public relations. He’s responsible for a catalogue of industry sharpening initiatives including Nigeria PR Report, BHM PR App, Social4Media, and the free ebook BHM Guide to PR.

BREAKING: Abdulrasheed Maina arrested in Niger Republic

Operatives of Nigeria intelligence service and anti-corruption agents, Monday evening, arrested Abdulrasheed Maina in Niger Republic.

A top intelligence officer told PRNigeria that the arrest was made on an existing mutual relationship and security agreement between the two countries.

The former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) is facing a 12-count money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the EFCC, Maina used his firm to launder about N2billion.

He allegedly used part of the proceeds to acquire properties in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Maina jumped bail, a situation that prompted Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court to order the remand of his surety, Senator Ali Ndume.

The Borno South lawmaker was freed last Friday.

EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said he was yet to be briefed on Maina’s arrest