Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Police Command said on Thursday that it had yet to receive official information on the alleged attack by unknown gunmen on a youth leader Uba Boris.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mohammed Barau, told newsmen in Bauchi that the command had yet to receive the information, hence no arrest was made.
He said that the case, which was said to be reported to an out station in the metropolis, had to be officially sent to the command before they could go through it and take possible action.
Unknown gunmen on Tuesday night attacked the youth leader in his residence injuring him on the head, hands and thigh.
Ekiti
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has explained that the States Peer Review Mechanism (SPRM) it recently introduced is aimed at assisting state governments in accelerating their developmental programmes.
The Director-General of the forum, Mr Asishana Okaure, gave the explanation in Ado-Ekiti when he led officials of the forum on a visit to Gov. Kayode Fayemi.
He said the exercise was undertaken through periodic reviews of progress made in the implementation of the state governments’ development programmes.
“It is our hope that through participation in the peer review process, state governors will be able, not only to learn from their peers about innovative and good practices, but to also adopt them in their respective states.’’
FCT
Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State has solicited the Federal Government’s intervention to contain the threat posed by effluent discharge from Shanawa Industrial Estate in the state capital.
The governor made the call on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy call on Mrs Ibukun Odusote, the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office (EFO).
A statement signed by Mr Tolu Makinde, an Assistant Director in the office, quoted the governor as saying that effluent discharge from the estate posed a serious danger to public health.
According to the statement, made in Abuja, Kwankwaso warned that effluent discharge could contaminate underground water in the area.
Jigawa
Twenty people have died from a disease outbreak suspected to be gastro-enteritis in four local government areas of Jigawa, according to community leaders and health workers.
Villages in Ringim and Taura local government areas were among the worst hit, our correspondent learnt.
The village head of Larbar-Gurugunya in Taura Local Government Area, Alhaji Bashir Abdullahi, told newsmen that 15 people had died in his village in the last two weeks.
Abdullahi identified the lack of potable water and health centres as major factors responsible for the deaths.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Environment Protection Authority has arrested more than 1,000 stray animals, the General Manager of the Agency, Alhaji Sani Aminu, has said.
He told the newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday that they were arrested within the last 12 months.
Aminu said that the animals, comprising dogs, sheep, goats, cows and pigs, were arrested for disturbing traffic flow and causing accidents in the metropolis.
He said that about 400 were claimed by the owners after paying penalties.
Aminu said recent increase in public complaints contributed to the massive arrest, explaining: “We receive more than 20 complaints a day on the menace of the animals.’’
The general manager said the animals also contributed to the unkempt nature of some streets in Kaduna, thereby causing environmental pollution which had been threatening the health of the residents.
Kano
Supporters of former Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, say the ban on political rallies and gatherings is unfair because they have the right to uphold their ideology.
One of the supporters Malam Abdulmumin Wudilawa, told newsmen that the blanket ban was an indication that the present administration wanted to dominate the political activities in Kano state.
Wudilawa expressed dismay over the ban, saying that they were not embarking on a political rally or a meeting; rather they mobilised the supporters of Shekarau to welcome him back from Saudi Arabia.
Kebbi
The Kebbi Community and Social Development Project has disbursed N50.9 million in development funds to 10 communities in Yauri and Birnin Kebbi, its Acting General Manager, Alhaji Bello Alkali, said on Thursday.
Alkali told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the funds were disbursed at designated centres after a free pre-disbursement training conducted for members of the project management committees.
He said that at the Yauri centre, five communities — Kangungun Zamare, Ijima, Umama, Gamji and Runtuwa Dikko Mayala — were engaged in the two-day training workshop.
The acting general manager said the communities were expected to execute water, school and road projects, noting that 48 members of the project management committee participated in the training on how the projects should be executed.
Niger
The police in Niger State on Wednesday said that it would soon charge 54 suspected criminals arrested recently within the state to court for various offences.
Mr Richard Oguche, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, made the disclosure while briefing journalists at the police headquarters in Minna.
He said 44 of the suspects (males) were arrested by a joint team of police and army at black stone, Zuma rock, Madalla.
The police spokesman said that the police recovered cutlasses, table knives, daggers and charms on them, adding that they were also smoking dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp in the guise of celebrating sallah.
He added that six other male suspects were arrested at the Barkin Sale area of Minna with dried leaves also suspected to be Indian hemp and other substances suspected to be hard drugs.
Plateau
Commercial activities are gradually picking up in Jos, after the recent violence that left many death and several others injured.
The markets were deserted as people were scared of going out for fear of being attacked.
The situation, which was compounded by state government workers’ strike is, however, returning to normal after the suspension of the industrial action.
Our correspondent who went to some markets in the metropolis observed that shop owners were back for business.
Mr Sylvanus Chukwuma, a textile dealer at the Terminus market told newsmen that he was tired of staying at home after spending all that he had on him before the hostilities started.
“With the presence of the security men in the markets, those that hate peace will be scared,’’ he said.
Mr Cyril Obiakor, the Chairman, Kabong Market Traders Association, told newsmen that although they still operated in fear, the level of patronage had increased significantly.
Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has identified lack of mutual understanding between Muslims and Christians as the biggest hindrance to peace and stability in Nigeria.
The Sultan made the observation in Sokoto on Wednesday when he received a delegation of members of Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria, led by the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja .
According to him, there must be understanding between Christians and Muslims as God has created us together with diverse backgrounds for us to coexist peacefully.
Abubakar further said that Nigerians should continue to be their brothers’ keepers in spite of the differences in religious, ethnic or political leanings.
Abubakar gave the assurance that his doors would remain open to all Nigerians, be they Christians or Muslims.
Yobe
The Yobe Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Idi Gubana, said on Wednesday that swamps of birds had migrated into the state, ravaging farmlands in Damaturu, Giedam, Yusufari and Yunusari local government areas.
Gubana told newsmen in Damaturu that the birds had already destroyed several farmlands.
He said that the ministry had drafted pest control officers to the affected areas to control the situation to save the remaining farms.
He expressed fears that the pests may migrate to other areas of the state to cause more havoc on farms.
“The ministry had deployed manpower and chemicals to the neighbouring communities of the affected local governments to check the spread of the pests,” the commissioner said.
Zamfara
Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara says the government is working on a bill for an act that would make cotton production a criteria for receiving agricultural support and other incentives.
Yari disclosed this in Gusau on Thursday when he received representatives of farmers from Maru, Tsafe, Maradun and Gummi local governments areas.
He said his administration was committed to harnessing the agricultural potential of the state to develop the economy.
“The state has great potential in agriculture, particularly in cotton production, which can earn us hard currency, rejuvenate our economy and address our pervasive poverty,” he said.
Yari said the government would forward the bill to the state Assembly, adding that it would boost commercial production of cotton, if passed into law.
The governor promised that his administration would provide farmers with high yielding cotton seeds, fertiliser, and modern farming equipment to ease farming activities.
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).