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CSOs, Stakeholders Advocate For Financial Resources In Tackling COVID-19, Health Security

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Aminu Magashi

By Akinwale Kasali

The  Lagos State Government has been charged to invest more on Health Security and the COVID 19 Pandemic.

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other critical stakeholders interested in the country’s health security made this call on the Lagos State Government to make available more financial resources and institutionalise financing mechanisms for COVID-19 and health security in the State.

They made the call at the end of a two –day retreat to review draft national and states scorecards on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent and Elderly Health Plus Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N) and COVID-19 and Health Security Accountability, championed by Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), in Lagos.

The COVID-19 and health security accountability scorecard were developed through the adaptation of indicators from the World Health Organization (WHO) and review of government documents as well as advocacy/retreat meetings with relevant government agencies, CSOs, media and young people.

The scorecard was developed to report a CSOs review on Lagos state’s capacity for preparedness and response to health security and COVID-19.

The scorecard serves as an evidence tool to be used by all stakeholders including CSOs, professionals and other stakeholders to strategically influence actions that will mobilize resources, promote prudent spending, transparency and accountability of COVID-19 and health security fund.

“To achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, domestically financed public resources will play a predominant role in keeping Lagos state and the country’s collective commitments toward attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Achieving quality health care will also strengthen the state’s ability to be better prepared for future pandemics, in a context where health security is increasingly important for economic security.

“Strengthening pandemic preparedness and response efforts, and overall emergency preparedness, requires strong and resilient health systems while investing more and better requires sustainable public financing and harmonized health efforts,” says Hon. Mohammed Usman, Chairman, National Advocate for Health (NA4H).

The CSOs advised the Lagos state government to focus on building stronger and more equitable health security to promote recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that would leave no one’s health behind in the state.

They further called on the State Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance to publish the state government 2021 and 2022 COVID-19 and Health Security expenditure report.

The CSOs further called regular engagement and collaboration with the state Ministry of Health to monitor/track allocation, availability of adequate COVID-19 donor support, loans and government vaccines in all the state`s vaccination releases for health security and COVID- centres aimed at increasing uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in the state.

The CSOs said that the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency should strengthen community and CSO involvement to increase the utilisation of COVID-19 vaccines, improve routine immunization performance and support factual public information on COVID-19 across the state.

The Coordinator of Africa Health Budget Network, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba also called on the state government to strengthen legislative oversight on budget performance for the implementation of the Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child Adolescent and Elderly Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N), Recovery Plan in the state.

“The global pandemic is not yet over and the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has insisted there is considerable uncertainty about the path that the pandemic will now take in the country.

“Therefore, the Lagos state should collaborate with communities and CSOs to set out how it will ensure resilience, maintaining contingency capabilities to deal with a range of possible scenarios.

“Besides face masks, social distance, and good hand hygiene, a rapid vaccine program is crucial in controlling the pandemic.

“However, willingness to be vaccinated depends to a large extent on factors beyond the availability of vaccines,” Garba stated.

NAF Kills Terrorist Chief, 26 Others

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

The war on terror took a new turn Wednesday when the Nigerian Airforce neutralized over 26 terrorists in an Air attack on their hideouts.

The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement Wednesday that the Air Force has sustained attacks on terrorist bases in the Northwest, with the terrorists suffering heavy casualties.

Recall that recent terrorist activities  resulted in President Buhari summoning Service Chiefs to a meeting in Aso Rock. Part of the outcome of that meeting, and subsequent invitations of the Service Chiefs by the National Assembly, was redeployments of some Commanders of top military formations.

The raid also resulted in no less than 26 kidnapped victims being released from their captors.

Gabkwet said that the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has commended troops for their gallantry during the operations.

“One of such strikes which occurred on August, 9, resulted in the elimination of a well known terrorist leader operating in Kaduna State”, he said.

“Indeed, following receipt of intelligence on same day, that a well known  insurgents kingpin, Alhaji Shanono, had scheduled a meeting with his foot soldiers at Ukambo, a village about 131 km from Kaduna.

“The Air Component of operation `Whirl Punch` dispatched aircraft for interdiction mission at the location.

“Overhead the location, insurgents were sighted under clusters of trees at the foot of Ukambo high ground and after ensuring the absence of civilian settlements within the location, the crew received the authorisation to strike.

“Feedback from local sources disclosed that over 30 rifles and 20 motorbikes were destroyed while about 18  insurgents, including Alhaji Shanono, were  neutralised while others sustained various degree of injuries.

“However, sources also revealed that not less than 26 kidnapped victims earlier held by the insurgents were released as a result of the airstrike,” he added.

Gabkwet said that the CAS had been briefed on every step of the proceedings, and had given fillip to the attacks. He addressed the Commanders urging them not to rest on their oars, and to continue the campaign.

“From the briefings received by the CAS, it is evident that so far, the directive given to the Operational Commanders is yielding the requisite outcome,“ he said.

`’We can’t afford to let down our guards,” the CAS told the Commanders.

Beside the North west, coordinated attacks on terrorist enclaves are also being sustained in the Northeast, with the  Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai  conducting successful strikes on insurgents’ targets in Borno.

“One of such operations was conducted on Aug. 6 at Gazuwa, about 1.2 kilometers to Gargash, after intelligences revealed that infighting for supremacy was underway between Shekau`s faction and Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) faction.

“The state of confusion and disorder between the two factions presented an opportunity for a surprise strike by NAF pilots which was carried out using two aircraft types.”

The attacks, according to the Air Force, has disorganized the insurgents.

“It should be noted that though the map coordinates led the pilots to the exact site of the infighting, the location also had an ISWAP flag hoisted on the structure and three solar panels on the rooftop.

“Intelligence received and corroborated by local sources revealed the strike was a success as the insurgents did not anticipate it with several eliminated and others injured.

“Most are said to be contemplating surrendering just like others before them,“ he said.

Contempt Of Court: Lawyer Effiong Moved To Uyo Prisons

By
Uche Mbah
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Inibehe Effiong

By Uche Mbah

A Human Rights Lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who was recently jailed by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, for alleged contempt of Court has been moved.

The controversial sentencing has put the Judiciary under trial, with the scale in the court of public opinion tipping against the heads-up of the State judiciary.

Already the convict has spent two weeks out of his one month jail term before he was moved.

This may not be unconnected with planned protests  friends and family,  human rights lawyers and well wishers, planned for Thursday (today) in Uyo to draw attention to his continuous detention even after the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, had protested that Justice Ekaette did not follow due process in the contempt trial. The NBA has decided to take the case to National Judicial Commission, NJC.

Effiong was transfered Wednesday from the Ikot Ekpene Medium Security Custodial Center to the Uyo Custodial Center.

Augustine Asuquo, lawyer and colleague to Effiong, told CrossRiverWatch, a local tabloid:

“I went to Ikot Ekpene to see him this morning, and I was told he has been transferred to Uyo, and I am heading there now to see him.

“I wonder why they will do that because Uyo (custodial center) is not even a safe place for him. They are saying he was sent on quarantine to Ikot Ekpene, and they have to bring him here now,” the legal practitioner said.

Recall that Effiong was remanded for alleged contempt of Court by the Chief Judge of the state while defending a fellow lawyer, Leo Ekpenyong, in a defamation suit filed by Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State.

Effiong had earlier filed a motion asking the Chief Judge to recuse herself on the likelihood of bias.

On the day he was jailed he had protested the order by Obot, asking a Premium Times Reporter out of the Court room. He had also protested the presence of two armed Mobile Policemen in the Court, and asked Obot to send them out because he did not feel safe with them around. An angry Obot, disgusted with Effiong’s carriage, ordered him down from the bar, and Jailed him for one month.

The Judge found his request contemptuous.

An unnamed relative  told CrossRiverWatch that he was scared for Mr. Effiong’s life. “I have been informed that he has been moved, and I am not happy. Maybe, they want to be monitoring him because the Uyo prison is next to the Chief Judge’s office and the Governor’s office,” the relative said

APC Chieftain Berates Buhari Over Insecurity, Education; Appeals To FG, ASUU To Reach Compromise

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Adeshina Saheed - APC Chieftain

By Akinwale Kasali

For  five months and counting, the nation’s tertiary education has been in comatose following the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, that  crippled educational activities in Federal and States Universities across the nation.

This is coupled with the appalling insecurity in the nation which has led to the criticism of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC, administration.

A Chieftain of the APC, Adeshina Saheed,  an Executive of the 53 Community Development Areas in Orile Agege, has berated President Buhari for his lackadaisical approach to insecurity  and Education in the country.

Adeshina said that education is germane for any nation to develop, and for the FG to neglect this shows that Buhari doesn’t prioritize education.

“President Buhari hasn’t been fair. The neglect of the educational sector spells doom, though we know that ASUU is synonymous to strike over the years, but I was expecting the APC at the Federal level to change the narrative,  but I must confess am disappointed”.

He appealed to the FG and ASUU to sheath their sword for the betterment of the nation’s educational sector and the youths who have been languishing at home with dim hopes.

As regards insecurity, Adeshina said this menace is escalating, as banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other social vices have become the order of the day.

He also appealed to the FG to find a lasting solution to this menace.

Adeshina stressed further that as the 2023 election  draws close, he is optimistic that his Party will soar higher in spite of all the challenges it is facing, saying that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima will bring the desired change and progress to the nation.

Meet Obinna, Wonder Kid Who Scored 9As In WAEC, 331 In JAMB

By
James Orji
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The 16-year-old wonderkid, Uchegbu Obinna John-Paul from Imo State scored 9 As in the 2022 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams.

He also scored 331 in the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams.

Imo OAP Amb Pope Saviola Godwyn shared the news on his social media to celebrate the teenager he mentors.

Showering encomiums on his mentee, Saviola, who shared his results and pictures on Facebook, described Obinna as a brainiac and urged netizens to join in celebrating him.

In a chat with Legit.ng’s Victor Duru, Saviola said Obinna’s results were expected owing to the excellence the lad had demonstrated while under his tutelage and mentorship.

“The results were quite expected considering the times we’ve spent together assiduously working towards achieving those results.

“He loves reading, he even got better than me because I love reading and I’m a prolific writer who always aim to gain knowledge.”

Singing the praises of the kid who hails from Mgbirichi in Ohaji Egbema, the radio personality recalled how he turned his room into a blackboard. “Obinna reads a lot and ahead too, he started reading Biology textbooks for senior secondary school when he was in Jss 2. I could remember him turning his room door to blackboard where he teaches his imaginary friends Biology.

“He wakes up to read at night and is quite jovial too always wanting to know more.” Saviola added: “He’s very decisive about beating records in the family and beyond including that of his father who is a renowned bank auditor.”

According to the OAP, he started mentoring the kid right from his JSS 1. “I started mentoring him when he was in JSS 1 first by being his friend and brother and a trusted confidante. “Helping with his dad to day struggles as it’s not everything teenagers will discuss with their parents. I served as an academic tutor for him.”

Saviola also shared the many other ways he helped the kid.

“I served as a career counselor to him, helping him to brainstorm career possibilities, define career goals and establish action plans to reach those goals. I was and still I’m always in his corner bolstering his self-esteem. Making sure he sees himself as a champion. Recognising and celebrating his successes and working on the failures.

“I helped in making him a better leader by teaching him to relate to different kinds of people. Helped him develop strong communication skills so he can handle any situation.

“Always made sure he has data and airtime for research and study.” Obinna desires to study medicine and surgery at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.

Legit.ng

ASUU: Students To Remain At Home As Umahi Says FG Can’t Borrow To Pay Lecturers

By
James Orji
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Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state, has stated that the federal government will not borrow over N1 trillion to please the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. The universities teachers have been on strike since February this year in protest of unpaid allowances and emoluments by the federal government, which needs N1.1 trillion to meet the Union’s demands.

The strike has academic paralysed activities in both states and federal owned ivory towers, and the Union has vowed not to return to class until they are settled.

As a result, the federal government has also stopped the lecturers’ salaries as part of its no-work-no-pay policy, leading to stalemate between the contending parties amidst appeal from parents and other Nigerians for them to reach a compromise so that students can go back to class.

Governor Umahi’s spoke few days after the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo expressed the same view that the federal government is not prepared to borrow to pay ASUU

The Ebonyi helmsman who spoke when a delegation from the Nigeria Police Trust Fund led by Dr. Ben Akabueze, in Abakaliki, paid him a visit appealed to ASUU to come to an understanding with the government, even though their demands are legitimate.

Umahi said borrowing such a humongous amount is “quite unreasonable” describing ASUU’s “demands genuine.”

According to him, “There must be a commitment on the side of both parties that look, this ASUU is not asking for this to take to their houses’ so to say. It’s asking for it for our children, to better the infrastructure, to better the lecturers and the students.

“Yes, but we can start with a fraction of that and then have a programme that will run on the platform of sincerity to address all the lots.

“But let me also say that most of the time, our people have a low appetite for maintenance of public works.

“No matter how much you deploy to these universities unless the users and the industry regulators begin to treat public infrastructure as their own in the various universities, it will continue to go bad no matter how much the federal government deploys to it.’’

“So, it is important for ASUU to show some understanding and for those who are negotiating on the side of government to also show some understanding,” he added.

“Let’s meet ourselves halfway and then open the schools to save the fate of our children.”

Meanwhile, close watchers of the long ASUU strike insist that the labour dispute may persist for a long time if feelers coming from the government is anything to go by.

“What this means is that universities students will remain at home for long time except either ASUU and FG shifts grounds.

“The two parties must come to a compromise to resolve the issue, failure to do this, our children will continue to remain at home with attending social problems associated with youths’ redundancy. An idle mind is the Devils’ workshop,” a parents told the magazine on Thursday.

CBN: Buhari Abuses Apex Bank Further, Borrows N20trn

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Godwin Emefiele and President Muhammadu Buhari

Within six months, the Buhari administration has borrowed over N2.4 trillion from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN raising government’s total debt to the apex bank to close to almost N20 trillion.

This figure is contained in the data provided by the Godwin Emefiele-led CBN.  The development could further spark negative remarks from the sector against the federal government, which has somehow abused the Ways and Means, W&M window.

According to the CBN Act, the federal government can borrow not more than five per cent of a previous year budget from the CBN to finance Budget deficit, but such credit is expected to be liquidated before the end of that budgetary year.

“The total amount of such advances outstanding shall not at any time exceed five per cent of the previous year’s actual revenue of the Federal Government.

“All advances shall be repaid as soon as possible and shall, in any event, be repayable by the end of the Federal Government financial year in which they are granted and if such advances remain unpaid at the end of the year, the power of the bank to grant such further advances in any subsequent year shall not be exercisable, unless the outstanding advances have been repaid,” the Act said.

From all indications, the administration has abused the W&M advances which currently stands at N19.91 trillion, analyst say, particularly considering that for this year alone the N2.5 trillion borrowed is 14 per cent of the N17.73 trillion 2022 Budget.

The implication of W&M abuse, according to analysts include excessive currency in the circulation, instability in the value of the naira and increase in commodity prices (inflation) which already stands at over 17 per cent by the end of July.

The Emefiele-led government bank had earlier in the year warned of serious monetary policy problems for the country if the federal government continues on the same trajectory.

borrowing has also continued in the face of CBN’s warning of serious fiscal problems for the country.

“The direct consequence of central banks’ financing of deficits are distortions or surges in monetary base leading to adverse effect on domestic prices and exchange rates i.e macroeconomic instability because of excess liquidity that has been injected into the economy,” the CBN said early this year.

Apart from the apex bank, other development partners such as the IMF, World Bank have equally warned of serious risks involved in borrowing from CBN to fund the Budget.

Last year, Fitch Ratings, an international ratings agency said the recourse to CBN is an indication of weakness in Buhari administration’s public finance management.

The agency said in a report that the federal government faced macro-stability risks except it resort to other means of financing its budget deficit.

Part of the report titled ‘Nigeria’s Deficit Monetisation May Raise Macro-Stability Risks’ read, “Sustained use of direct monetary financing could raise risks to macroeconomic stability – given the current weak institutional safeguards – but we expect the FGN to reduce its use of the facility in 2021

“The FGN directly borrowed 1.9 per cent of GDP from the CBN to fund its fiscal deficit in 2020, estimated by Fitch at 3.6 per cent of Gross Domestic Product.

“A number of emerging markets resorted to central bank deficit financing in 2020 against a background of urgent spending needs and temporary market dislocations associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

“However, the use of central bank financing in Nigeria predates the pandemic shock.”

“We estimate that the balance of the government’s WMF with the CBN was around N9.8tn (6.7 per cent of GDP) at end-2019, up from N5.4tn (4.2 per cent of GDP) at end-2018.

“Unlike the government, we include this balance in our metrics for Nigeria’s government debt. Borrowing from the facility accounted for 30 per cent of the FGN’s debt at end-2019, on our estimates.”

2023: Dariye Guns For Labour Party Senatorial Ticket; Set To Declare In Abuja

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Joshua Dariye

By Akinwale Kasali

Convicted,  but now pardoned former Plateau State Governor, Joshua Dariye,  who was a few days  ago, released from Kuje Prison after years of serving time, is set to declare for the Labour Party.

Dariye was convicted for stealing a whopping sum of N1.126 Billion from public coffers while serving as the Plateau State Governor. But he was, a couple of months ago, granted Presidential pardon by President Muhammadu Buhari. Before he was jailed, he was a serving Senator, a position he retained while in jail, as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, did not organise any election to replace him.

Now, having missed the opportunity to take part in the Senatorial Primary of his Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dariye is set to dump the Party, and pitch net with the Labour Party, LP, for the sole purpose of picking its Senatorial ticket for the 2023 General elections.

According to a report carried by Daily Trust Newspaper  the former Governor has concluded arrangements with the LP in Plateau State for Dariye to pick the Party’s Senatorial ticket.

It was also gathered that Dariye will soon declare his ambition in Abuja in the coming days.

Dariye alongside former Taraba State Governor, Jolly Nyame were jailed for fraud but were pardoned by President Muhammadu Buhari led Council of State.

Dariye served four years out of the 10-year sentence before he was pardoned.

Akeredolu Assures Expatriates Of Protection;  Abducted Worker Released

By
Ayodele Oni
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Akeredolu with Expatriates

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has assured Expartriates resident in the State of adequate protection.

Governor Akeredolu said he was happy at the news of the release of the  expatriate with the Craneburg Construction Company who was abducted at a construction site in Owo.

Some unknown gunmen had stormed the construction site at Owo last month with explosives during which some of the workers were wounded.

The incident had caused panic in the ancient town, which residents are just recovering from a similar incident which happened at a Catholic church during which 40 persons lost their life.

Governor Akeredolu described the safe return of the expatriate as delightful.

“I am particularly happy that the abducted personnel with Craneburg construction company has regained freedom. We can only imagine his ordeal in the hands of his abductors.

“We also rejoice with other officials of this construction company who had been under tremendous emotional stress as they hoped for the safe return of their colleague.

“For us as government, we appreciate the work Craneburg is doing in Ondo State. We have given them our assurance to beef up security at the construction sites henceforth.

“Since we assumed office, the Craneburg Construction Company has handled and delivered a number of our projects including the Ore flyover, just as they also handle projects in other states in the country.

“There was never a time when they bothered about the issue of security. They had lived peacefully with our people for over five years.

“We understand the sad reality of insecurity across the country. In the sunshine state, we are prepared to double our efforts and tackle this menace with vigour.”

Governor Akeredolu appreciated all security agencies in the state for the relentless efforts and steps taken to ensure that the victim return unharmed.

Chimaroke Nnamani Condemns Remi Tinubu; Tells Bola Tinubu To Watch Anti-Igbo Sentiments in Lagos

By
The Source
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Chimaroke Nnamani and Remi Tinubu

By Charles Igbo

A serving Senator and a two-time former Governor of Enugu State, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, has condemned Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her reported continuous castigation of the Igbo in Lagos.

On a couple of times, the Senator, who is married to the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has been quoted as running down the Igbo, especially those who live in Lagos where she was the First Lady.

In a long post on his twitter handle where he heaped encomiun on the APC Presidential candidate over his achievements as Lagos State Governor, Nnamani, who is also a Medical Doctor, and popular as Ebeano, while condemning Mrs Tinubu, told her that the Igbo owed nobody any apology for their  industry.

Nnamani: “I, also, condemn the castigation of Igbo by my highly distinguished colleague, HE Oluremi Tinubu, done under whatever circumstances. The Igbo can not apologize for exploring the limits of achieving the Trinity of her character – Igbambo(hustle), Njepu ( travel) and Ako na Uche (cot of reason).”

He continued: “The accomplishments (Ntoozu) and summation of the parts is irrevocable. The celebration of the Trinity and crescendo, ODENIGBO, draws jealousy and hostility from those who claim to own Lagos. Guess what, the Igbo is not going anyway. Rather in the spirit of their fathers and fore fathers more are pouring into Lagos every day.”

Nnamani, also, advised Asiwaju Tinubu, the APC Presidential candidate to improve on his relationship with people, especially, the Igbo.

His words: “H.E. Bola Tinubu needs to work on improving relationships with many others especially my people the Igbo. He needs to lead by advocacy, example, practice and open mindedness in assuaging the feeling and ongoing hostility to the Igbo in Lagos.”

Recall that while going round the country to meet delegates to vote for him as the Presidential candidate of the APC at the Party’s Presidential Primary, Tinubu ignored the South-east. He never visited the zone to canvas for votes from delegates.

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