Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it distributed over 7,000 metric tonnes of assorted food items to persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State in the past two months.
The NEMA Coordinator of Emergency Food Intervention for the Northeast, Mr E. Umesi, made the disclosure last Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Umesi said that the agency distributed the food items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri and other liberated communities.
“We went to do enumeration of liberated areas; we have virtually done that everywhere, even in areas where people find it difficult to live we went there.
‘’We have gone to Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Benishiek and Jekana”, he said.
Ekiti
A former Governor of Ekiti State and an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in 2018 governorship election, Mr Segun Oni, says he has always been a stickler for probity and accountability in public service.
Oni, also the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC said this in a statement signed by Mr Steve Alabi, the Director, Media and Publicity, Segun Oni Campaign Organisation, (SOCO).
SOCO was reacting to critics that described Oni as being “tight-fisted’’.
Oni said, “if it is my money; I can spend it the way I like, but if it is government’s money or public fund, I cannot do that.
“I was able to achieve much because I cut down on waste and conserved money for the state during my tenure. I’m not uncharitable, no. Government in a state like Ekiti does not have the latitude to spend money recklessly”.
FCT
A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Israel Famurewa (Osun-APC) last Wednesday said there was need for a law to check the increasing rate of hate speech among Nigerians.
Famurewa, who said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja advocated stringent penalties against offenders.
“Honestly I will support that because most of these things we are witnessing today started from peoples’ misguided utterances.
“Someone staying somewhere wishing another person, your brother, your sister whatever, wishing such person something bad.
“We are supposed to have a law written clearly in the constitution and state penalty for such violators”, he said.
Jigawa
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it had arrested two suspects in connection with drug-peddling in Jigawa State.
The Commander of the agency in the state, Mrs Josephine Obi made the disclosure last Thursday in Dutse while briefing newsmen.
She said that the command also recovered one locally-made double-barrel gun and some drugs from the suspects.
Obi said the suspects were arrested recently at about 8 p.m. by officers on routine patrol along Kano-Ringim road.
She said two tablets of Tramadol, one wrap of a substance suspected to be Indian hemp, two daggers and several charms were also recovered from the suspects.
“These suspects were arrested by our men last Sunday along Kano-Ringim road during a random stop-and-search on commercial vehicles.
Kaduna
Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin last Thursday challenged officers and men of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) to remain loyal, disciplined, dedicated and patriotic in their assignments.
Olonisakin gave the challenge during the graduation of 106 direct short service cadets held at the Military Training Centre, NAF Base, Kaduna.
He particularly told the cadets that the service would not compromise on discipline and patriotism, adding that they must gear up to be part of the efforts to restore peace in parts of the country.
“You must at all times, subordinate yourself to constituted civil authority and protect democracy.
“Indeed, you must remain absolutely loyal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Kogi
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Kogi State, Mrs Bolanle Amupitan last Thursday said the state government would collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement agency (NDLEA) to control drug abuse in the state.
Amupitan who disclosed this while receiving NDLEA officials in Lokoja said the state government would participate in this year’s commemoration of the international drug abuse day in the state.
She also said that the state government would support drug addicts to overcome their challenges.
She described poverty, marital problems and lack of parental care as some of the causes of drug abuse and called for support to rehabilitate the addicts.
Lagos
A new Resident Electoral Commissioner has been appointed for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State. He is Mr Sam Olumekun.
Olumekun assumed duty last Wednesday at the state headquarters of the commission in Yaba.
His appointment followed the retirement from service by Mr Akin Orebiyi, the immediate past Resident Electoral Commissioner.
The commission has successively been led by two Administrative Secretaries — Mr Clement Oha and Dr Mudashiru Mustapha.
The Head of Public Affairs Department at the commission, Mr Femi Akinbiyi confirmed to newsmen that the new commissioner had reported for duty.
Nasarawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Nasarawa State has arrested an ex-soldier for allegedly defrauding a pastor and 27 job seekers of N4.3 million.
The NSCDC’s Commandant in the state, Mr Lawan Bashir-Kano, told newsmen last Thursday in Lafia that the suspect was arrested in Doma last Monday following complaints by the victims.
Bashir-Kano said that investigation revealed that the suspect was dismissed from the Army in 2014 and had been going around defrauding unsuspecting citizens.
He said the suspect collected the money from the job seekers in the pretext of securing employment for them in military and paramilitary agencies.
Niger
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State last Wednesday said it had deployed 57 security personnel to Minna-Suleja federal highway to curb kidnapping and cattle rustling in the area.
The Corps’ Commandant in the state, Mr Philip Ayuba made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Minna.
Ayuba said that the deployment became necessary because of the high rate of kidnapping, which had become the order of the day on the route.
“We have armed our personnel with the required working facilities to enable them to pursue men of the underworld vigorously,’’ he said.
Ondo
Labour unions in Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa last Tuesday urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to reverse the decision slashing the institution’s monthly subvention.
The unions made up of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) made the appeal in a communiqué.
The communiqué was jointly signed by leaders of the unions–Temidayo Temola, Peter Akindehinde and Bobola Bamigbola for SSANU, NASU and NAAT respectively.
The unions said that the institution’s monthly subvention was slashed from N60million to N42million, adding that this was not enough to pay staff salaries let alone maintenance and other overhead costs.
They said that the administration had promised to make the university a world class institution.
Oyo
The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo, has advised insurance firms to enlighten Nigerians on benefits of insurance policies.
He gave the advice when a delegation from NEM Insurance led by its Chairman, Dr Fidelis Ayebae paid him a courtesy visit in Ibadan.
Report says that the delegation was in Ibadan for the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled to hold in Ibadan last Thursday.
Adeyemo said that insurance firms were important sector of the economy whose significance Nigerians were yet to appreciate.
“Insurance policies are useful and accepted instruments in the developed nations. Insurance policies give succour to loss of lives and properties”, Adeyemo said.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency says it has completed the transportation of 4, 859 pilgrims from the state to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 Hajj.
Report says that the last batch of 474 pilgrims was transported by Max Airline at about 3 a.m. last Thursday.
Speaking to newsmen at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport Sokoto, the Director General of the agency, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar said the pilgrims were transported in nine consecutive flights.
Umar, who described the exercise as successful, commended Governor Aminu Tambuwal, airline operators, individuals and voluntary groups that facilitated the success of the exercise.
The official disclosed that some individuals and organisation had distributed printed and audio copies of Hajj guide to the pilgrims to facilitate understanding of the process.
Umar confirmed that some of the intending pilgrims were substituted due to ill health, pregnancy, accidents and deaths, adding that the figure for the total number of those affected was being compiled.
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).
