Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Mr Bala Ngilari, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for approving N17 for the flood-ravaged states.
Ngilari told newsmen in Yola on Thursday that the fund would go a long way in assisting the affected states to address some of the challenges facing the internally-displaced persons .
Ngilari who is also the Chairman, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), said:”We are happy with the inclusion of Adamawa in category “A” states which are to receive N500 million each.”
While also commending the president for embarking on visits to the affected states, Ngilari said:” This step taken by the president is a pointer to his show of concern and appreciation of the magnitude of the problem.”
Benue
President Goodluck Jonathan last week in Makurdi said the Federal Government would distribute a variety of improved seedlings to farmers displaced by flood in Benue State.
The President stated that in Makurdi during an assessment tour of the flooded areas in Benue.
Saying funds for the purchase of the seedlings would be released to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture by the coming week to enable the displaced farmers get back to their farms as quickly as possible.
The president regretted that some of the seedlings that were distributed to farmers failed to produce the desired yields because they were incompatible with the soil texture
FCT
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, says only peaceful co-existence, selflessness and obedience to Allah and the laws will take Nigeria to the promised land.
This is contained in a message signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Uche Anichukwu, to the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid-El-Kabir.
Ekweremadu noted that “the essence of life is obedience to Allah as well as service and love to both Allah and humanity’’.
He observed that corruption, greed, and willful disobedience to Allah and the teachings of the prophets were largely responsible for the many challenges facing the nation.
Kano
Fagge Local Government in Kano State has emerged the best council out of the 44 councils in the just concluded 5th Round of Polio Immunisation in the state.
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Communication to the Governor, Malam Halilu Dantiye, and made available to newsmen in Kano, Kura Local Government came second.
The third position went to Dawakin Kudu Local Government while Doguwa Local Government took the fourth position.
Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who presented trophies to the councils, said that the measure was aimed at encouraging the local governments to give special attention to polio eradication.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has earmarked N85 million for the construction of additional nomadic primary schools to encourage education among the children of the nomads.
Alhaji Nasiru Masama, the Senior Special Assistant on Fulani Matters to Governor Saidu Dakingari, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the schools would be strategically located.
He said that additional primary schools would be established this year in collaboration with the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), adding that qualified teachers would also be recruited for the new schools for early commencement of learning as well as supply learning materials in consonance with current school curriculum.
Kaduna
Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State has advised the beneficiaries of the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) on judicious utilisation of their funds.
Yakowa gave this advise through his deputy, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero, when the beneficiaries of the programme, paid him a courtesy visit in Kaduna.
He commended them for emerging as winners in the first batch of the programme among the 24,000 applicants nationwide.
The governor cautioned them on proper investment of their funds for improvement in economic status of the nation, as well as creating job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths and women.
Katsina
Prices of rams went down in Katsina State, two days to Ed-el-Kabir celebrations.
This is the outcome of market survey conducted in Kaita, Katsina, Dankama, Mai’adua, Jibia, Charanchi, Mashi and Kafur markets, in the state last Wednesday.
The survey revealed that this year, prices of the animals ranged from N19, 000 to N50, 000 as against N25, 000 to N60, 000 last year.
Many of the ram sellers, who spoke, on the issue attributed the development to the general cash crunch in the country.
Lagos
Against the background of the recent devastating flood in parts of the country, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised states to develop their respective flood preventive, mitigation and response strategies.
Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the South-west Zonal Information Officer of NEMA, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.
Farinloye observed that the South-west Zone of the country was partially flood-free this year due to the positive response of the respective state governments to early warning issued by the agency.
Niger
The Chairman, ‘Miyetti Allah’ in Niger State has appealed to Governor Babangida Aliyu of the state to provide cattle rearers in the state with properly gazetted lands.
Alhaji Ismaila Ahmed, the Chairman of the association, said that if grazing lands were provided for their cattle, clashes between nomads and farmers would be prevented.
Ahmed who made the call during the launch of the livestock and pets vaccination campaign in Minna noted that farmers had taken over the land promised Fulani cattle rearers for pasture.
“Providing us with a permanent and properly gazetted pastoral land for rearing and grazing our herds will forestall future dispute between Fulanis and farmers in the state“.
Ogun
Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state has compensated the families of the five slain policemen in the October 22 robbery attacks in Abeokuta and Ibafo with N2.5 million.
Represented by Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, the Secretary to the State Government, Amosun disbursed N500, 000 cash to each of the widows.
According to him, the money is to take care of the burial expenses, and pledged additional N1 million to each of the widows after the burial.
“We commend and salute the bravery of these gallant officers. Even in death, we remain grateful and indebted to them and to the Ogun State Police Command.
“At this point in time, our thoughts and prayers are with the widows, the children and immediate families of these fallen heroes.
Osun
The Osun State Police Command has assured Osun residents adequate security, during and after the Ed-el-Kabir celebrations.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mrs Folasade Odoro, on Thursday in Osogbo.
The statement said that the public had nothing to fear because men of the command were up to the task of protecting lives and property.
The statement also appealed to residents to always give prompt information that could aid the police in tracking down suspected criminals.
Plateau
Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau on Wednesday advised the military to concentrate on its duties and “stay totally away from politics’’.
Jang gave the advice when he received members of the national good governance tour team, led by the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, in Jos.
He said he had experienced leadership under civilian and military regimes and had found civilian leadership as ideal for the country.
“Nigerians will benefit more from a democratic dispensation and that is why I have always advised my younger colleagues in the army that governance is not for the military,’’ he said.
Zamfara
Floods destroyed food and cash crops estimated at more than N1billion in seven local government areas of Zamfara State, Alhaji Bello Na-Allah, Director of Information of Zamfara Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA), has said.
Na-Allah told newsmen in Gusau on Thursday that the destruction occurred between August and October in Gummi, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Maru, Kauran Namoda and Anka local government areas.
The Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr Chioma Ejikeme, has reiterated the commitment to service delivery for pensioners.
Ejikeme said this during the Customer Service Week in Abuja, yesterday.
He said that commission had a mandate to deliver good service delivery to the pensioners.
Ejikeme, who was represented by the Director Civil Service Pension Department, Mr Kabir Yusuf, said that the customer service week was important to operations of PTAD.
“Customer service is the support that you give to a customer, whether it is an existing customer or potential customer in the process of delivering or making enquires about a service.
“To be a good customer service representative you need to be knowledgeable, have good attitude and attribute especially to the senior citizens and have empathy,” he said.
Ejikeme said that all PTAD staff had most of the attributes of a good customer representative.
“We provide excellent customer service by going to verify our aged pensioners who cannot do it by themselves anywhere across the country.
“There is a dedicated team that was mandated to go round to confirm the aliveness of those who can not confirm their aliveness either because the are too old or have health issues,” the executive secretary said.
The National Coordinator, SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, said that the official theme of the 2024 customer service week was “ We Go Above and Beyond For Our Customers.”
She commended PTAD and the SERVICOM team for organising the 2024 customer service week.
“This is in line with the best practice of celebrating frontline workers and service takers.
“Customer service week is celebrated annually during the first full week in October.
It calls attention to the importance of people to boost morale team work and departmental collaboration in supporting pensioners.
“ It is a platform to reward employees for the significant work they do,” Akajemeli said.
She said that the objective of the customer service week was to celebrate the hard work and dedication of employee who strived to create positive customer experiences.
She said that it was time to show customers that the organisation valued their experience and feedback, through comment cards, dedicated hotline, among others.
Akajemeli said that it raised awareness internally and externally about the importance of good customer service in building customer loyalty and satisfaction.
She said that the benefit was to increase motivation, show appreciation, encourage friendly competition, boost employee retention, create a positive workplace and increase productivity.
The Head, Surveillance Department at the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mr Abdulrahman Saleem, said that good service delivery was the key success of every establishment.
Salem said that PTAD operated with standard, considering the success it had achieved so far.
Saleem said that pensioners required the best service attitude and behavior.
“ I give kudos to PTAD for its efforts and encourage it to do more.
“Therefore I urge PTAD staff to keep up the standard and continue to give good service to the pensioners,” he said.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has honoured Flying Officer David Sangokoya for winning the 2023/2024 Royal Air Force College Cranwell International Cadet Sword of Honour.
Abubakar honoured the officer during the presentation of cheques to 13 beneficiaries of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy (GPAIP) in Abuja, yesterday.
He described the achievement as ground-breaking as it was the first time an African cadet had won the prestigious award since the Academy’s creation over 100 years ago.
According to him, the feat underscores the excellence that exists within NAF, and proof that NAF officers and cadets can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.
“To our awardee, you have set a new standard, not just for your peers, but for every cadet and officer that will come after you.
“This accomplishment is a powerful reminder that no goal is out of reach when one is armed with dedication, discipline and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
“Your journey as an officer has begun with this prestigious accolade, but the true measure of your success will be seen in how you serve, lead and contribute to the mission of NAF and the defence of our great nation.
“As we celebrate this historic occasion, we extend our deepest gratitude to the United Kingdom Government for its unwavering support in providing world-class training opportunities to our personnel.
“This has enabled our officers and men to gain invaluable skills and knowledge, strengthening not only our bilateral ties but also our collective ability to address global security challenges,” he said.
The CAS said that the NAF looked forward to continuing the fruitful partnership for the mutual benefit of Nigeria and UK countries.
He expressed gratitude and unflinching loyalty to President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to the welfare and training of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and NAF in particular.
“I must also take a moment to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the leadership of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the instructors who helped to mould and prepare this cadet for the global stage.
“Their dedication and commitment to developing top-notch officers is evident in this ground-breaking achievement.
“You have not only trained a leader but have given the Nigerian Air Force a legacy we will all cherish,” he said.
National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has advocated private sector involvement to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The Director-General of the authority, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, made the call at a high-level policy dialogue on sustainable health system reforms in Nigeria in Abuja, yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that the dialogue was organised by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), a coalition of private sector stakeholders, to address the multifaceted challenges plaguing the country’s healthcare system.
The dialogue has “Private Sector Support for SWAP (Sector Wide Approach) in Healthcare” as its theme.
Represented by Dr Yakubu Agada-Amade, the NHIA Director of Standards and Quality Assurance, Ohiri explained the crucial role of private sector collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system
He highlighted the “One Plan” under the SWAp framework, which seeks to unify health sector efforts, ensuring efficient resource use, effective governance and expanded healthcare access.
He also stressed the importance of overcoming barriers that historically hindered the implementation of healthcare interventions in Nigeria, such as inadequate financing, weak governance systems, and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
He added that “the dialogue explored innovative approaches, including digital health innovations and financing mechanisms to accelerate the implementation of the National Health Act and mandatory health insurance coverage.
“With enrollment in health insurance growing by 14 per cent over the past year, NHIA can push for greater inclusivity, particularly targeting the informal sector through flexible payment systems and partnerships with telecommunications companies.”
He called for stronger synergy between public and private health actors to ensure universal access to quality healthcare and sustainable reforms in line with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
Panelists from the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN) and Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN) echoed the sentiments, underscoring the private sector’s role in expanding insurance coverage and improving healthcare delivery.
They commended NHIA’s efforts toward driving reforms to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).