Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
More than 70 per cent of the 226 councillors whose tenure expired two months ago are seeking re-election in the forthcoming local government election in Adamawa State.
The Chairman of the Councillors Forum, Alhaji Usman Maulud made this known in an interview in Yola.
Maulud said the councillors who had obtained nomination forms were seeking re-election on the platform of PDP.
He, however, said that five of the councillors including himself, who served as speakers of their respective local government legislatures, were going for the chairmanship position.
“We were encourage and supported by our people based on our performance and commitment to youth development in our areas to contest”, he said.
Bauchi
The Conditional Cash Transfer Programme of the Bauchi State Government for girl-child education, has gulped N50 million within the last five years.
The Chief Coordinator of the Programme, Alhaji Karijo Buba made this known on Tuesday in Giade.
The programme is being undertaken in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) .
Buba made the disclosure while distributing letters of invitation to participate in the programme to some selected girls in Darazo, Dambam, Giade, Kirfi, Zaki and Dass local government areas of the state. Buba said that the programme commenced in 2007 with 260 schools in the six local government areas as a pilot programme.
Benue
Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State last Saturday pledged that his administration would not interfere with the independence of the judiciary.
The governor, who gave the pledge in Makurdi at a ceremony organised to mark the beginning of the 2011/2012 legal year, said that his administration would always strive to ensure a smooth dispensation of justice.
Suswam, who was represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Chive Kaave, noted that the state’s judiciary was one of the best in the country.
In his address, the Chief Judge, Justice Iorhemen Hwande, commended Suswam for his support to the judiciary.
FCT
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has appealed to people of goodwill to eschew violence and follow the path of justice, peace, unity and stability for the progress of Nigeria.
In a message of condolence to the family of the slain Babakura Fugu, son of the deceased Fugu in Maiduguri, Obasanjo said that while out of the country, he received the sad news of the killing of Babakura.
In the message, last Sunday, Obasanjo said “Babakura who joined others to receive me in the demolished compound of his late father, was genuinely working for justice and peace.
“He should not be hated for that let alone being killed.
Jigawa
Malam Adamu Jigawa-sada, a physically challenged lawmaker representing Dutse Constituency in Jigawa State House of Assembly, has pledged to bring the dividends of democracy to his people.
Jigawa-sada, who made the pledge on Saturday in Dutse in an interview with newsmen said his election was an inspiration to all the physically challenged persons in Nigeria.
Jigawa-sada said that since his election two villages in his constituency that had been in total darkness for years had started enjoying steady power supply.
Kaduna
The Tiv community in Zaria, Kaduna State, has expressed happiness over the decision of the Zazzau Emirate to co-opt it into the annual Eid-El-Fitr celebration.
In a statement signed by the Tyoor-elect of the community in Zaria, Mr Denis Akaayar in Zaria last Saturday,the union said the gesture would enhance national unity.
It specifically described the 2011 Eid-El-Fitr celebration as a memorable event for the Tivs in Zaria in particular,and Kaduna State in general.
Kano
Dr Ahmad Suleiman, the Imam of Tudun Murtala Central Mosque in Kano, has enjoined Muslims to emulate Prophet Muhammad by exhibiting good character.
In his sermon, Suleiman said that during his life time Prophet Muhammad advised his followers to be God-fearing in all their undertakings.
He also stressed the need for the Muslim Ummah to shun hypocrisy in all its form.
The Islamic scholar also called on parents to give their children good education that would make them useful citizens of the country.
He implored Muslims to propagate the message of Islam and the teachings of the holy Prophet Muhammad.
Suleiman,who described life on earth as transient, enjoined Muslim faithful to always pray for peace in the state in particular and the country in general.
Lagos
Mr Abdul-Lateef Owoyemi, the former President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), says Nigerian leaders should show more commitment in efforts to tackle insecurity, corruption, poverty and joblessness in the country.
He gave the advice in Lagos last Saturday, while speaking at the 2nd Annual Seminar of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC.
Owoyemi said that Nigeria would remain relevant in the comity of nations, if its citizens were more disciplined and focused.
He, however, noted that some unscrupulous politicians had been creating fears and mutual suspicions among the citizenry, while making the country polarised and unstable.
“No nation can be relevant globally without first becoming relevant domestically.
“We are relevant in terms of world energy supply and when peacekeeping activities on the global stage are being discussed.
Niger
The All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, has advocated the establishment of more examination bodies in the country to improve the standard of secondary school leaving certificate examinations.
This was contained in a communiqué issued last Saturday at the end of the conference’s national executive council meeting in Minna.
The communique noted that the establishment of the National Examination Council (NECO) had compelled the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to improve on its standard in the bid to maintain its position.
It expressed concern over the moral decadence in the country, which it said was characterised by insincerity, corruption and sexual abuse among others.
Ondo
Mr Banji Okunomo, the Chairman of Ilaje local government in Ondo State, said the council had awarded contract for the dualisation of some roads in the area.
Okunomo told newsmen last Sunday that the contract was awarded to a construction firm, adding that the people of the community had also called for the repair of link roads in the area.
He declined to name the construction firm involved and the contract sum.
He said that the reconstruction of Igbokoda market into an international market was in the pipeline as well as provision of other essential developmental amenities.
He said council had resolved to implement programmes that would impact positively on the people, and improve on the work of the previous administration.
Plateau
The Federal Government has pledged to pay the medical bills of persons who sustained injuries during the crisis that rocked some parts of Plateau State.
Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi, the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), gave the undertaking in Jos last Saturday when he visited the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, where some of the injured victims were receiving treatment.
Sani-Sidi, who commiserated with the victims, said that the Federal Government had directed that the medical bills of the injured persons should be defrayed.
He also expressed the government’s willingness to support the victims and urged the hospital authorities to submit their bills to the zonal office of NEMA for necessary action.
Sokoto
Senator Abubakar Gada, says he will contest the March 10, 2012 governorship election in Sokoto State.
“I intend to contest the post and this is unequivocal, categorical and unambiguous,’’ he said last Saturday in Sokoto.
Gada said he would contest the election to enable him bring the needed change in the socio-economic development of the state.
He was reacting to a recent statement credited to the National Vice-Chairman of the PDP in charge of the North-West Zone, Amb. Ibrahim Kazaure, while on a working visit to the state.
Zamfara
Alhaji Murtala Aliyu, the Chairman of Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board, has directed education secretaries to remove all ghost teachers from their payrolls ahead of planned statewide audit.
Aliyu,who was appointed recently as SUBEB chairman, gave the directives during a meeting with the secretaries in Gusau at the weekend.
He said records had shown that there were scores of ghost teachers in the payrolls of all the 14 local education authorities and that salaries of such teachers were fraudulently paid into the pockets of some individuals.
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).