Home Blog Page 1294

NMA Laments Mass Exodus Of Multinational Pharmaceutical Companies, Urges FG To Address Issues

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

The mass exodus of Multinationals and Pharmaceutical Companies has brought to fore the call by the Nigeria Medical on  the   Federal Government to urgently act and mitigate its impact.

The NMA urged the government to urgently stop exodus the of pharmaceutical and multi-national companies from Nigeria through adequate investment in domestic pharmacy and other companies.

Dr. Bala Muhammad Audu, newly elected NMA President, at a Press briefing at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, expressed fears that the future of Nigerians to access essential medicines may not be guaranteed, following this development.

These were part of the major discussion at the 64th Annual General Conference and Delegates meeting off the NMA held at the Calabar International Convention Center, Summit Hills, in Cross River State from 5th to 12th May, 2024.

The theme of the Conference was “Reversing the Trend of Health Sector Brain Drain” and the Subtheme was “Euthanasia in Medical Practice”.

The Association expressed regret over the exodus of pharmaceutical companies from Nigeria,insisted that Nigerian government must brace up to stop the development by creating friendly business environment as well as making adequate investment in the domestic pharmaceutical and other companies.

According to NMA,the exit of the companies has “resulted in drugs shortages, geometric increases in the prices of drugs and job losses”.

“ It further noted that “this exodus raises serious concerns about the future of access to essential medicines by millions of Nigerians.”

The NMA expressed great worry that “despite the tremendous efforts being made by healthcare workers to deliver health care services to Nigerians, they were still violently assaulted and kidnapped in their workplaces.”

The communique of the annual general meeting, released to the media,said,”The conference also seriously frowned at the inability of gghovernments to ensure the safe release of health workers still in captivity. “

“ The Conference is deeply worried that the spate of kidnappings, banditry, armed robbery and killing of innocent citizens in Nigeria, has reached alarming rates causing palpable fears among the citizens.

“The NMA noted the continuous exit of pharmaceutical giants from Nigeria due to challenging business environment caused by impact of naira devaluation and forex scarcity.

“ This has resulted in drugs shortages, geometric increases in the prices of drugs and job losses. The conference further noted that this exodus raises serious concerns about the future of access to essential medicines by millions of Nigerians.

“ The Annual General reviewed the level of progress made in clearing the backlog of salary arrears, implementation of the new hazard allowance, the review and implementation of the revised Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) and other salary packages for doctors and other health workers in various NMA state branches.

” The conference was impressed with the various interventions of the Executive Governors of Ekiti, Rivers and Ebonyi states.

“The Conference also noted the level of progress made by other governors in clearing backlog of unpaid salaries and improving the wages of doctors and other Health workers in their states.

“The conference noted the increasing number of quacks apprehended over the past few months. Suffice to say that quackery has brought untold hardships to many Nigerians, in terms of attendant complications with deadly outcomes,”the communique further read.

APC Divided Over Suspension Of Jimoh Ibrahim As Another Faction Passes Vote Of Confidence In Him, Insists Party Primary Fraudulent

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Jimoh Ibrahim

By Ayodele Oni

There seems to be a division among executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward where senator Jimoh Ibrahim comes from in Ondo state, following resolve of another set to pass a vote of confidence on the billionaire lawmaker.

A statement emanating from the Igbotako ward two in Okitipupa local council earlier on Wednesday announced suspension of the senator for dragging the party to court over the primary election of the party.

As the news went viral, a counter statement from the same ward commended Ibrahim for dragging the party to court, insisting that it was true the primary election did not hold at the ward.

The executives and members of the party, which held an emergency meeting declared their support for the senator currently representing Ondo Southern Senatorial District, who has dragged the party to court over the governorship primary of the party held on April 20 in the state.

At the meeting, executives and members reviewed the party’s governorship primary election which they described as fraudulent, saying no election took place in the ward and in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state on April 20, 2024.

They expressed shock at how the Governor Usman Ododo-led Committee came about the figures it allotted to contestants in the election.

No fewer than 55 members of the party including the Local Government and Ward Executives signed that resolution of the party at the meeting, passing vote of confidence in Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.

They declared their unflinching support for the senator in his pursuit of justice in court concerning the governorship primary of the party in which several wards and all aspirants were deprived of voting.

The local government party executives who signed the resolutions are Otekaye Sunday and Olowole Musa, Secretary and Assistant Public Relations Officer of the party respectively.

The statement issued at the end of the meeting reads in parts: “At the general meeting of Igbotako Ward 2 held today, we reviewed the fraudulent election of Saturday 20th April, 2024 and resolved as follows:

“That no election took place at Igbotako Ward 2 and indeed all the other wards in Okitipupa Local Government Area;

“That we are surprised to see votes allotted to contestants by the Ododo-led Committee;

“We hereby pass a vote of absolute ‘Confidence’ on our leader Senator Jimoh Ibrahim PhD, CFR.”

FG, Labour Meeting Ends In Deadlock, As Unions Storm Out Of Meeting, Reject N45,000 Minimum Wage Offer

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
NLC Meeting with FG

By Akinwale Kasali

The Meeting between the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Federal Government has ended in a deadlock. The leadership of the Labour Union rejected the N45,000 Minimum Wage offer by the Federal Government.

The organized Labour Unions that comprises of the NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, were enraged over the government offer.

The Uniond which had demanded for the sum of N615,000 as the new minimum wage was disappointed and embarrassed by what they saw as the ridiculous amount offered by the FG as both parties resumed negotiations on Wednesday.

Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, one of the representatives of the NLC disclosed that, “we asked whether the N45,000 is for transport, food, clothing, housing or for what?

“So we just told them that since they are not serious, we better just leave, so we stormed out of the place.”

He added that the Government offer was presented to them by the Permanent Secretary, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Office.

Court Grants Emefiele N300 Million Bail Over Alleged Unlawful Redesign Of Naira Notes

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, bail.

Emefiele was arraigned before the Court over alleged unlawful redesign of  Naira notes which led to crisis prior to the 2023 Presidential Election.

Justice Anenih stated that Emefiele was granted bail because there is a “cogent and compelling reason to grant the bail application.”

Recall that the ex-CBN Governor was accused of approving the printing of N684.5 million at the rate of N18.96 billion.

The anti-graft agency also said Emefiele unlawfully approved the withdrawal of N124.8 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

The former apex bank chief was also said to have disobeyed the direction of law with intent to cause injury to the public during his implementation of the naira swap policy of the administration of former President, Muhammadu Buhari.

EFCC, also claimed that Emefiele embarked on the Naira redesign without the approval of the Board of the CBN as well as the then President, Buhari.

Emefiele pleaded not guilty to all four count charges read to him before Justice Maryanne Anenih.

However, Justice Anenih, on this note granted Emefiele bail with similar conditions as previously granted by Justice Hamza Muazu.

The Judge granted him bail in the sum of N300m and two sureties.

She held that the sureties must be responsible citizens and own property worth the bail sum within the FCT.

She also added that the property documents must be verified and deposited with the court registry pending the determination of the matter.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Suspended By Ward Executives, Accused Of Seeking Legal Redress Over Ondo Gov Primary Election

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Jimoh Ibrahim

By Ayodele Oni

For seeking redress over the governorship primary election, the All Progressive Congress (APC) has suspended Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, the Lawmaker representing Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State at the National Assembly.

Senator Ibrahim’s Igbotako ward, in Okitipupa local government said on Wednesday that he was suspended for anti party activities.

In a letter at the end of their meeting, the ward Executives, suspended the Senator for his actions and activities, which they said, violated the party’s Constitution.

They also cited that the suit instituted by Ibrahim against the APC, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as well as his involvement in anti-party activities influenced their decision to suspend the Senator from the party.

The primary election of the APC, which produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the candidate of the party, has been a subject of litigation as the senator, who is an Aspirant in the contest, approached the court, seeking the nullification of the exercise.

The letter reads, “We, the members of the APC Exceutive Committee of Igbotako Ward 1 in Okitipupa local Goverment Area of Ondo State, convened meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2024, during our meeting, we deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members,

“We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to be in violation of the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party, as well as his anti-party activities.

“As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities in accordance with Article 21, Section A of APC Constitution.

“It is worth recalling that the National Party Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduye, met with all Ondo State governorship aspirants on April 25th, 2024, in Abuja.

“During the meeting, he urged them to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent Govemor of Ondo State, Honorable Lucky Ormisan Aiyedatiwa.

“Despite this, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso proceeded to sue the Governor and APC, blatantly disregarding party instructions.

“Additionally, he has engaged in anti-party activities by urging his supporters in Igbotako and Ondo State to join NNPP, claiming he will soon receive the gubernatorial ticket from them.

“Senator Jimoh has openly declared his intent to disrupt APC before leaving the party, as evidenced by his actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja and his derogatory remarks about APC in various media outlets.”

Governor Otti to Wike, “You Did Not Make Fubara Governor, You Are Not God, He Came Prepared, Power Comes From God

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
Alex Otti and Fubara and Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

From Abia State comes an executive endorsement for the Governor of Rivers State,  Siminalayi Fubara and a swipe at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, who is also Governor Fubara’s immediate predecessor in office.

The comments on, and about,  both men came from Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti. Otti, on Tuesday, was in Rivers State where he went to Commission a road project constructed by his his Rivers State counterpart as part of events by Fubara to mark his first year in office.

Weighing in on the messy face-off between Fubara and Wike, and Wike’s continuous claims that he made Fubara Governor, Otti debunked the claim, and told Wike that power comes from God and belongs to God.

Otti chided Wike for arrogating to himself the powe of God.

Otti: “Power belongs to God, no human can arrogate to himself the capacity to give power, except you have the capacity to give life. Of course, you can take life, but you cannot give it.

“For me, it’s all about good governance.”

On Fubara’s capacity to move the State forward, Otti assured them of the Governor’s preparedness for good governance.

Otti: “Governor Fubara came prepared, and I don’t believe that any distraction is enough to take his focus away from improving the welfare and interest of the people.

“So, I can assure you, Rivers people, that the dividends of democracy that you are seeing now is still a dress rehearsal. It is early in the morning, and I am sure that in the near future, you will be seeing more.”

Court Halts Ganduje’s Probe By Kano Government

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has restrained the two  Judicial Panels  of Inquiry instituted by the Kano State Government ,to carry out an inquest into the financial records and other activities of the immediate past administration of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Justice Simon Amobeda, in a  ruling on Wednesday, May ,15 2024, also, restrained Hon Justices Farouk Lawan Adamu and Zuwaira  Yusuf, Heads of the two empaneled Commissions from further carrying out the task assigned to them by the Kano state Government, pending the determination of the motion on notice filed by the  complainants  .

The restraining order  was sequel to an ex parte application filed by Abdulrazaq Ahmed, counsel to Dr Ganduje, challenging the legality of the probe

Panels as constituted by the Kano State Government to look into the activities of his administration in the state .

Further ruling Justice Amobeda, ordered that all  respondents in the suit should, within the next five days of the receipt of the restraining order and other relevant documents, file their response.

Other respondents in the substantive suit apart from the two Commissions of Inquiry, are the Kano State Government, the National Judicial Council NJC ,the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice  Kano State, and the Revenue, Mobilisation Allocation, and Fiscal Commission .

Hearing on the motion  on Notice has been fixed for May 28 ,2024 .

The Source reports that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had on April 4 , instituted two commissions of inquiry to separately  look in to cases of alleged misappropriation of public funds and properties and politically motivated killings and violence in the state between 2015 and 2023 ,a period covered by the two terms of Dr Ganduje, currently the National Chairman of the ruling All Progress Congress, APC.

Worshippers Injured As Man Sets Mosque On Fire In Kano, Submits Self To Police

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Shafiu Aminu Kano arsonist

By Ayodele Oni

A man, whose mission and intention remain unknown, has set a Mosque ablaze. Thereafter, he submitted self to the police in Kano state.

The arsonist, Shafiu Aminu, a Kano resident,  arrived for the disturbing action at Laraba Abasawa in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday,  when worshippers were observing the early morning prayer, left many injured.

According to a member of the community, “the man used petrol and lit fire while the people, about 40 of them, were praying. He locked the Mosque after he set  the Mosque on fire.

“It took time for people outside to get aware of the incident and rescue the victims who were struggling to break out.

At least 28 worshippers, who sustained serious injuries, were rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano.

A resident, Ibrahim Jibrin, said, “I was about going to the Mosque when I saw a boy running engulfed by fire shouting for help.

“We didn’t know what was happening before then. This is the third time he would attack people here. He had once hit two of his elder brothers and took himself to the police station, claiming that he had killed them.”

He added that the incident is much related to years of misunderstanding among the family members.

Aminu willingly submitted himself to the Police after the incident, according to residents.

The incident was later confirmed by  the Police command spokesperson in Kano, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, via press statement made available to pressmen on Whatsapp.

Panic, As Unknown Guest Ståbs Official During Examination At Osun Polytechnic

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Osun State Polytechnic Iree

By Ayodele Oni

An unknown person has caused panic among students and staff of Osun State Polytechnic, (OSPOLY), Iree, as he attacked a staff, Mr Abdul-azeez Abdullahi during the ongoing examination in the institution.

It was gathered that the victim, a non teaching staff of the institution, was among the Invigilators supervising the examination.

The source said the strange man walked into the hall after students had been cleared for the afternoon paper, and started constituting nuisance by disrupting the ongoing examination.

“The nuisance behaviour of the unknown guest became  unbearable which eventually prompted an invigilator, Mr Abdul-azeez Abdullahi to confront him to leave the hall.

“This led to altercation between the duo and the unknown man broke one of the window louvres and stabbed the invigilator, Mr Abdul-azeez in different parts of his body, which include his back, hand and head.

“After he stabbed the invigilator, he made his way out of the hall and escaped.

“Thereafter, Abdullahi was given  first aid treatment at OSPOLY medical center, before he was taken to Ore Ofe hospital, in Iree, Osun State.”- the source added.

The Dean Of Students’ Affairs, Dr Tope Abiola, who confirmed the incident, said the culprit is not a student of the institution.

“The culprit is not our student. We are aware of the incident and we are collaborating with the Police to ensure that the culprit is identified and arrested.

“However, the member of staff of the institution who was injured by the miscreant is recovering fast.”

For Attempting To Give Female Student Bouquet Of Flowers, Kano University Suspends Student

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Al-Istiqama University Sumaila Kano

By Ayodele Oni

A faith-based University in Northern Nigeria has suspended a 200 level student of Department of Computer Science, Julius Mansur, for an alleged immoral behaviour.

Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano, explained that Mansur’s suspension followed his public show of affection to an admirer, a female school mate on campus, an open demonstration of love otherwise considered as immoral disposition.

Before his suspension, Mansur was reportedly seen in a short video clip that went viral on social media platforms attempting to extend a red bouquet to a female student in the school premises, ostensibly to showcase intimate affection.

Although, the supposed admirer did not accept the offer of the ‘lover boy’ in the face of the  public show, the mild drama attracted the attention of other students who lighted up the atmosphere with a delightful gesture.

Barely 24 hours after the video clip occupied the cyberspace, the Management of the Private University issued a notice of suspension on the “lover boy” for constituting what they believed an immoral act on campus.

In an Internal Memo with Ref. no. AUS/REG/54, dated 14th May, 2024, the university management directed the suspension of the 200 level student of Computer science till further notice.

The memo signed by Sani A. Usman a Deputy Registrar, stated that a disciplinary committee has also been constituted to further examine the development.

The notice, titled Notification for Suspension of a student from the University reads : “This is to intimate you that Abdullahi Juli Mansur a student of department of computer science, with registration no. AUS/SCC/COM/22/1018 was suspended for displaying improper behavior on campus.”

It was learnt that the  institution took the decision after series of warning issued to the culprit.

“This is not the first time the boy has been found with that character. We have two previous cases and the University particularly invited the student, but he refused to take to caution.

“And as you know, the university is faith based and such manner is against the principle of Islam and hausa culture. So that was what actually necessitated the suspension.”

1...1,2931,2941,295...3,101Page 1,294 of 3,101