Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
As the strike on minimum wage in Adamawa State completes its first week, Action Congress Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate Markus Gundiri, has urged the PDP administration to effect the payment.
Gundiri in a statement signed by his campaign Chief Press Secretary, Mr Edward Wabundani, in Yola, stated that he identified with the civil servants over the issue, which, he said, was a genuine cause.
Gundiri tasked the government “to speedily effect the payment of the N18,000 national minimum wage to enable workers resume work and contribute their quota to the state’s development”.
Gundiri said action of labour for the implementation of the minimum wage was a cause that should be supported by all democratic forces.
FCT
Action Aid (AA), an NGO, has called on the Federal Government to put in place an effective intelligence gathering system to tackle crime.
Mrs. Funmilayo Oyefusi, the NGO’s Head of Human Relations and Organisation, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
She said that although government had made efforts in the past to reduce crime, more needed to be done to sustain the work done.
Oyefusi also called on government to investigate the causes of recent bomb blasts in the country and urged it to provide relief materials for victims of the blasts.
She expressed dismay at the plan by Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia to disengage non-indigenes on its payroll to reduce the burden of implementing the new minimum wage.
Jigawa
The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, on Monday said the Federal Government was committed to improving the education of teachers.
The minister stated this during a reference meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee on Education (JCCE) in Dutse.
She said government would not relent in its efforts at training and retraining of teachers to ensure quality education in the country.
Rufa’i said the ministry was making efforts toward the realisation of the Teachers Housing Scheme, adding that 24 states had agreed to donate land for the scheme.
She said the National Teachers Institute in Kaduna, which had drawn funds from the MDGs Office, trained 140,000 teachers in 2010.
Kano
The Kano State Government, has concluded arrangements to establish a College of Qur’anic and Western education as part of efforts to integrate Islamic studies into eastern education.
Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso announced the plan when a delegation from the University of Medina, Saudi Arabia, paid him a courtesy visit in Kano.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the governor said that the college would admit only students with bias in Islamic religious knowledge and Arabic Language.
He said that the motive was for such students to acquire western education to enable them to propagate the religion beyond the Hausa community.
Kogi
The police in Kogi Statehave arrested two suspects, Ahmodu Garba and Danasabe Muhammed, for being in possession of 166 wraps and four bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
Parading the suspects on Monday in Lokoja on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr John Abakasanga, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Samuel Ojo, said the two men were arrested following a tip-off.
He said the suspects were also members of a gang of criminals operating from their hide-out in Sarkin-Noma area of Lokoja, from where they were arrested with the weeds.
The police also paraded another suspect, Idoko Patrick, who was arrested by the Nigerian Army intelligence operatives for impersonating a State Security Service (SSS) officer and extorting money from his victims.
Lagos
Dr. Efunbo Dosekun, the Chief Medical Director of a children’s hospital in Lagos on Monday said that reduction in child mortality required the collaboration of all the sectors of the economy.
Dosekun made the statement at a Child Resuscitation Seminar in Lagos, organised by the Nigerian Assocation of Science Journalists.
The medical expert said that contributions from all the sectors were necessary to improve the health of Nigerians especially children.
She said that equipment for disease treatment could be provided by philanthropists, corporate organisations and individuals as government alone would not be able to provide adequate healthcare.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA), says it has adjourned its sitting indefinitely to allow for the completion and furnishing of the state’s new assembly complex.
The House Committee Chairman on Information, Mr. Baba Ibaku, told newsmen in Lafia that the House adopted a resolution expressing its concern over the slow pace of work on the assembly complex.
Ibaku noted that the assembly had been sitting at the conference room of the Ministry for Local Government and Community Development for almost three years, saying the environment was not conducive for members to effectively carry out their legislative duties.
He said the assembly complex had been completed but was ye to be furnished by the State Government.
Ibaku said that another concern of the assembly that necessitated the indefinite adjournment was the level of insecurity at the temporary chamber.
He recalled an incident last July when some youths believed to be thugs, attacked the venue and smashed windows and doors during one of the assembly’s sittings when the Secretary to the State Government appeared before the House.
Oyo
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Monday commended Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State over his N10 million donation to flood victims, saying it had opened a new chapter in the relationship between the two states.
Ajimobi stated this in Ibadan when he received Yuguda who was in the state to commiserate with the government over the August 26 flood disaster.
The governor, who said the donation would help in giving succour to victims, recalled that Yuguda had identified with Oyo State for long having participated in the NYSC there in 1980.
The governor also expressed gratitude to those who had donated money and other items to assist victims.
Yuguda, in his address, urged the Federal Government to come to the aid of Oyo State in the post-flood reconstruction efforts.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead and the fortitude for bereaved families to bear their loss.
Plateau
An NGO, Global Relief, has donated relief materials worth N8 million to victims of the Jos crises.
The Executive Director of the NGO, Mr Peter Akanimoh, said this on Monday in Jos while addressing newsmen.
Akanimoh said the NGO was supported by international organisations like the Serving In Mission (SIM) and Scripture Union (SU).
He also said the NGO had worked with the Red Cross Society, NEMA and other organisations in bringing succour to the more than 80,000 displaced people in various camps in Bukuru and Jos.
Akanimoh condemned the violent attacks launched against innocent people in the state and urged the aggrieved parties to embrace dialogue to restore peace.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government is to spend N300 million to construct a medical library at the Usman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, the Governor, Aliyu Wamakko announced on Monday in Sokoto.
Speaking at the opening of the third international workshop on Reconstructive Surgery of the Lower Urinary and Genital Tracks, the governor said the state government would continue to explore critical areas that require urgent attention, as part of efforts to provide quality medical facilities for its people.
“Our sustained support is hinged on the belief that the health sector is far too critical to be left in the hands of one key player,” he said.
Wamakko, said government would ensure the development of the complex to a world standard, while appreciating Federal Government’s assistance to the hospital.
Taraba
Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba has challenged the Governing Council of the state University, Jalingo to develop a strategy that will guarantee high standard of academic excellence.
He gave the challenge on Monday in Jalingo at the inauguration of the council, where he promised to give the members free hand to run the university.
Prof. Monday Mangvwat, a two-term former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, is Chairman of the council.
Suntai urged the council to scout for competent hands to run the institution, stressing that government wanted nothing short of a standard university.
“You can even bring in a Ghanaian or anybody anywhere across the globe to handle the university in any capacity.”
Yobe
The National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), has trained more than 1,500 primary and junior secondary schools teachers in English, Mathematics, Basic Science and Social Studies in Yobe.
The training took place in four NTI centres in Damaturu, Potiskum, Gashua and Gaidam with emphasis on teaching methods in the core subjects.
Speaking to newsmen after the closing ceremony of the event on Monday in Damaturu, the Executive Chairman of the Yobe State Universal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Abba Gadaka, said the programme would ensure quality education especially at the basic level.
“Incidentally, the Gaidam administration has made quality education a top priority in the state,” he said.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZSUBEB), has discovered “ghost workers” in the company, advising education secretaries in the state to remove the names of the ghost workers from their pay rolls or be sacked.
The board’s Executive Chairman, Alhaji Murtala Jangebe, made the disclosure in Gusau while addressing the 14 local government education secretaries and other education officers of the board.
Jangebe said that the board had constituted a verification committee to trace genuine primary school teachers across the state.
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).