Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The Nigerian Army last Thursday said that it killed 10 Boko Haram insurgents in a clearance operations in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
A statement issued in Maiduguri by the spokesman of the 8 Task Force Division, Col. Timothy Atigha, said the troops also recovered bicycles and cows from the insurgents.
He also said that the troops launched two separate attacks against the insurgents at Maza, Danari and Mowo villages of Marte and Monguno Local Government Areas.
“In continuation of ongoing efforts to deny terrorists freedom of action in its area of responsibility, troops of the 8 Task Force Division have neutralised 10 terrorists in Maza village of Marte Local Government Area of the state.
“The terrorists fell into an ambush laid by troops at about 9: 00 p.m. on Tuesday, as they attempted to sneak back into their swampy hideouts in the Lake Chad Basin.
” The troops also recovered 52 rustled cows from the insurgents at Danari and Mowo villages in Monguno Local Government Area,” he said.
Ekiti
The Secretary-General of the Lagos State branch of Ekiti Parapo, Mr Sunday Olowoyobiojo, has urged youths to acquire vocational skills which will enable them affect their generation positively.
Olowoyobiojo, made the plea in an interview with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti last Thursday.
Ekiti Parapo is the umbrella body of all Ekiti indigenes in Nigeria and the Diaspora.
Olowoyobiojo said it was important for all youths to embrace the Federal Government’s diversification initiatives in the agriculture sector irrespective of their profession.
“In this 21st Century, for Nigeria to achieve meaningful growth and development, her youths must realise that attainment of academic qualifications or professional certification is not enough”, he said.
FCT
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has concluded arrangement to establish a Global Commission on the Future of Work.
ILO Director-General, Mr Guy Ryder said this in a statement made available to newsmen last Wednesday in Abuja.
Ryder said that the commission would be launched on ( August 2) and the names of Commission members would be announced during the event at ILO headquarters in Geneva.
According to him, the responsibilities of the commission will evolve around four centenary conversations on work and society, decent jobs for all.
He said others are the organisation of work and production, and the governance of work.
Gombe
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), last Wednesday began the distribution of 990 tonnes of grains to over 40,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Gombe State.
NEMA Director General, Mustapha Maihaja, said the grains were to cushion the effect of hardship faced by the displaced persons in the North East Zone.
The reports that the grains, which comprised of maize, soya beans and Guinea corn, were being distributed under the Federal Government Special Food Intervention Programme.
Maihaja, who was represented by Malam Abdulsalam Mohammed, said a household of father, wife and four children was entitled to 25 kg of maize, 12.5 kg of soya beans and 12.5 kg of guinea corn
“Those that are more than six will get 100 kg of the assorted grains. The grains will be given to all IDPs in the 11 local government areas of the state,” he said.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says it has intercepted two suspected human traffickers and rescued 44 minors in Kaduna.
The Sector Commander, Malam Umar Ibrahim, told newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday that the suspects, a driver and one other adult were arrested last Wednesday on Kaduna – Zaria Expressway.
According to him, the suspects were arrested by FRSC patrol team led by Assistant Route Commander, Audu Usman, when he stopped a Fiat Bus (J5) with registration number XC 532 ZAR for overloading.
“Our patrol men along Kaduna – Zaria expressway, around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, stopped a white and blue colour fiat bus popularly known as J5 for overloading,” he said.
Kogi
Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Con
flict Resolution (CHRCR) in Kogi State, Mr Idris Miliki, has called for the establishment of government institutions to manage conflicts at state level.
Miliki made the call in an interview with newsmen last Wednesday in Lokoja.
He noted that while a lot of resources were being deployed to fight insecurity, not much attention was given to the management of conflicts.
The rights activist said that conflict and security could trigger emergencies and create unpleasant situations, adding that none should be accorded less attention.
Miliki expressed concern that conflict leading to killings in Omala, Bassa, Abugi, Ogaminana and some flash points in Kogi, were not properly addressed.
Lagos
The National Council of the Nigeria Boys’ Brigade says it has perfected plans to raise N100 million to enhance youth development.
President, Boys’ Brigade Nigeria, Mr Sunny Nwosu, made the assertion at a news conference last Wednesday in Lagos.
Nwosu said that the funds would be used to complete its national headquarters in Abuja and for the development of its vocational centres in Abuja and Lagos.
He said that its investiture slated for August 27 at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, Ipaja, Lagos would be used to raise the money.
“We want to mould a future for youths with the fear of God because, without fear of God many things will go wrong in the country,” he said.
Ogun
An Idi-Ogungun Customary Court at Agodi in Ibadan, last Thursday dissolved a 7-year-old marriage between one Ganiyat Safejo and her husband, Suleiman Safejo over lack of adequate care.
The president of the court, Chief Mukaila Balogun and the court assessors, Ganiyu Alao and Aare Samotu, resolved that the relationship between the couple has broken down irretrievably.
“Having carefully considered the evidence of parties, the court is of the view that the relationship between the couple has broken down to a point of irreconcilability.
“Therefore the marriage is hereby dissolved and custody of the only child of the marriage is to remain with the plaintiff.
“Defendant is ordered to be forthwith financially responsible to his child by paying the plaintiff, via the court registry, the sum of N3, 500 monthly being money for child support,” Balogun said.
Ondo
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, last Wednesday, urged residents to take advantage of the free services of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.
Akeredolu, gave the advice during a courtesy visit to him by members of the Ondo State chapter of the council in Akure.
He said a lot of people were suffering because they did not have the means to engage the services of a lawyer,
“We should have the offices in local government areas, where it will be easily accessible to the people.
“The offices can be a reference point manned by a lawyer who is a corps member. He or she will be given some orientation for immediate advice and documentation, which will be sent to the headquarters if it deserves further attention”, he said.
“The offices can be a reference point manned by a lawyer who is a corps member. He or she will be given some orientation for immediate advice and documentation, which will be sent to the headquarters if it deserves further attention.
Plateau
Sacked councillors in Plateau State have given Governor Simon Lalong a 30-day ultimatum to pay their N1.57 billion accrued salaries and allowances or face another court action.
The councillors, through their counsel, Mr Gyang Zi, gave the ultimatum in a letter dated August 14, 2017.
Reports that Lalong had on July 15, 2015, sacked the councillors and replaced them with interim management committees, even though they had nine months to complete their two-year tenure.
Miffed by the action, the councillors in 15 out of the 17 LGAs, dragged the government before Justice David Mann of the Plateau High Court in Jos, who gave judgment in their favour on August 4.
Taraba
Taraba State Co-ordinator of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Mr Dennis Nev, has commended Governor Darius Ishaku for opening up rural roads across the state.
Nev told newsmen recently in Jalingo that the projects would open up growth opportunities for rural dwellers and boost the Taraba economy.
He particularly identified the ongoing construction of Lacheke-Pantisawa, Wukari-Tsokundi, Chanchanji-Takum and Mararaba Baissa roads as “huge steps” that would ease movement and boost commercial activities.
Nev also commended Ishaku for fulfilling his promise to fix the Chanchanji bridge.
“Fixing that bridge is a dream come true for the people. The governor promised to do it during his campaign and it is good that he has kept his word,” he said.
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).
