We‘re ready to confront FG on true federalism, militarisation of our communities- Ijaw youths

IJAW youths from across the Niger Delta weekend their readiness to confront the federal government over the region’s demand for resource control in line with the practice of true federalism and the continued militarisation of Ijawland and the Niger Delta communities.

Rising from a consultative meeting held in Yenagoa, the youths under the auspices of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide also listed the contentious water resources bill, gas flaring in the troubled region among as some of the issues that were deliberated on.

However, the meeting, chaired by the President of the IYC, Comrade Peter Igbifa and attended by the zonal leaders and elders of the council, including past presidents and deputy presidents of the council, resolved that a final position on their demand for equity and justice will be unveiled at the end of the ongoing consultations with various ethnic groups and governors.

Speaking at the end of the meeting, Comrade Igbifa, said though the council is undergoing a consultation with Ijaw stakeholders, Ijaw youths are ready to take their destiny into their hands and confront the Federal Government on the contentious issues of true federalism, restructuring and the militarization of the Ijaw communities.

“As the fourth largest ethnic nationality in the country, we have a wide range of consultation to do. For sure, we have issued statements and taken a position that our people should take their destiny in their own hands.

“We have said the issue of resource control is key to us. God not being mad has gone to Zamfara to give them gold and help them to tap their resources and sell. So, we are also preparing ourselves to take our crude oil in our own hands and sell our crude oil to make our society what it ought to be.

“And the consultations is preparing our house and putting ourselves ready for what is ahead of us. We have said severally that no life will be lost in the course of taking our destiny in our own hands. In our last meeting, I said the military should not prepare for war because with these consultations we want to put an end to the militarization of Ijaw communities.

“The military excesses have become unbearable and under the guise of chasing oil criminals, they go around Ijaw communities and burn down homes. They run around freely in Ijaw communities and burn down houses. They have taken away the people’s rights and destroy the ecosystems. Then they come again and chase the people.

“When you say there are criminals in Ijaw communities, you can go there and let us see the criminals. We say there should be no more razing down of Ijaw communities. You saw what the #EndSARS protesters pushed for? It was an end to brutality. So, we have suffered more than any other ethnic group when it comes to the brutal force of the military on communities.”

Also speaking, the Spokesman of the IYC, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe noted that the position of Ijaw youths on various contentious issues of resource control, restructuring and many other will be a watershed for the country in the next few weeks.

“Nigeria at the moment is at a cross road and the Ijaw youths are ready to make their demands known to the Federal Government. The Ijaw youths are more ready and united to confront the challenges in the next few weeks,” he said.

EndSARS crisis: Navy arrests 41 suspected looters, recovers looted items worth over N100m

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Beecroft, Apapa Lagos, have arrested 41 suspects in connection with the invasion of the Nigerian Ports Authority headquarters, Marina, last week , where vehicles and valuables were razed.

The suspects were also alleged to be behind looting of many warehouses and private apartments in Surulere , Orile, Ijora Apapa, Costain and Amukoko areas of the state.

Recovered from them were items ranging from fabrics, electronics , truck parts , a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV , stolen from the NPA headquarters and two trucks loaded with the stolen items and palliatives .

One of the trucks loaded with the stolen items was on the verge being driven outside Lagos, apparently to sell at give away prices to ready buyers when the operatives intercepted it under the Iganmu bridge.

The operation which was carried out in response to the civil unrest that greeted the hijack of the #EndSARS protest according to the Commander, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Ibrahim Shettima, was conducted under the Lagos State Security architecture code named OP MESA which designates, Apapa, Orile, Ijora, Costain, Surulere, Mile 12, and Amukoko , as the Area of Responsibility, for the Nigerian Navy.

Parading the suspects and recovered items before journalists yesterday at the NNS Beecroft parade ground, the Base Operations and Acting Executive Officer of the NNS BEECROFT, Commander Andy Zidon, who represented Commodore Shettima, said, “In the course of carrying out our task, the Base conducted patrols and took all necessary measures within the ambits of the Law as well as Internal Security Standard Operating Procedure for the Armed Forces of Nigeria to help restore peace and order.

This necessitated working with sister services as well as other law enforcement agencies including the Nigerian Police.

“In this regard, NNS BEECROFT deployed her personnel to Tincan Island Port and Apapa Wharf to safeguard those critical national assets.

Furthermore, additional personnel were deployed to secure all NNPC installations at Tarkwa Bay Island including Terminals/Tanks Farms and the Atlas Cove Jetty.

Furthermore, Harbour Patrols were conducted around the Ports and Lagos Anchorage to prevent miscreants from attacking visiting merchant vessels.

“NNS BEECROFT also assisted in securing

the Nigerian Port Authority Headquarters at Marina after the building was invaded by hoodlums who looted and put fire to the building.

Own personnel responded quickly on receipt of a distress call by the management”.

Arrest

“On deployment, our personnel arrested some of the hoodlums and evacuated some NPA staff to the Base, some of which required medical attention.

Nigerian Navy personnel are currently deployed at the HQ.

Furthermore, the Base working in conjunction with NPA security also recovered a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV stolen from the HQ. The vehicle is currently in the Base for safe custody.

”In the course of carrying out its activities within this period, the Base conducted over 200 active patrols and responded to over 50 distress calls from citizens and organizations.

In the course of the operation, 41 individuals were arrested for partaking in various criminal acts, including looting and attacks on innocent citizens of the state.

“Furthermore, a large number of looted items were recovered at various locations across our Area of Operations and evacuated to the Base.

These items include vehicles, household appliances, industrial equipment, food stuff, clothes, jewelries and bicycles estimated at over 100 million Naira.

In fact, a large truck and Mini Bus were also discovered loaded with looted items about to be taken out of the State. NNS BEECROFT is currently working with the Lagos State Government for the handover of the items and their return to the rightful owners”, he stated.

Owners identify recovered items

Some of the owners of the recovered items were around to identify them.

One of them, Abubakar Mohammed ,disclosed that his shop located on Apapa road Ijora was invaded twice with truck parts worth over 17 million carted away.

He said: “ I was helpless.

There was nothing I could do because of their number. I watched helplessly as they made away with my goods.

“When I saw the Navy patrolling, I told them what happened and they went after the hoodlums. Some of the items which included :gear box, transmission axis have been recovered but there are still more out there”.

On her part, Seun Onigbode , disclosed that two of her textile shops in Lekki and Surulere were invaded and fabrics which monetary value she could not immediately give, carted away.

Though she expressed gratitude to the Navy over the recovery of some of the fabrics but said more were still out there.

Some of the suspects whose ages were between 11 and 13 years according to

Commander Zidon ,were released to their parents after profiling .

He added that the Base would serialize the item and that it was also working with community leaders in Surulere , to ensure that the recovered items were returned to the right owners, latest, mid next week.

#ENDSARS Protest: We’ve footage of Oct 20 Lekki shooting, LCC tells Judicial Panel

The Management of the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) yesterday told the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS and Related Abuses and Other Matters that the footage of the Oct 20 shootings of the #EndSARS protesters by officers of the Nigerian Army was available.

This is just as five bullet shell casings were found by the panel at the scene of the shooting. The panel later visited Ikoyi Military Hospital mortuary, controlled by 65 Battalion, to inspect it following an intelligence information that the facility could help the panel in the investigation of the shooting of the protesters

At the visit to the toll gate scene, the nine-man Judicial Panel headed by Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd) saw the bullet shell casings as part of its investigations into the incident. Also in attendance were Mr Abayomi Omomuwa, the Managing Director of the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) and Mr Gbolahan Agboluwaje, the Head of the Legal Department of LCC as well as newsmen.

Some five bullet casi

ngs were seen on the floor, inside the drainage and the stairs of the Tollgate plaza by people present there.

Omomuwa, during the visit, told the panel that the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras mounted on a mast at the toll gate area was working during the shootings. He, however, noted that though the footage of the happenings of October 20 had been captured by the CCTV, it was currently not working due to damage caused by hoodlums during the carnage of Oct. 21.

On the panel’s return to the venue of its proceedings, Justice Okuwobi said that the panel had made observations and had asked questions at the scene.

She also noted that the panel had not admitted the Oct. 20 footage as evidence and when it is admitted in evidence, it will be played at the proceedings.

On the Panel’s visit to the Military Hospital, military personnel had initially denied the panel members and newsmen access to the medical facility unless a directive came from the higher authorities. After about thirty minutes of keeping members of the panel waiting outside the hospital, they were later allowed inside and taken round one of the newly renovated buildings in the premises.

A member of the panel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN, said they were at the Military hospital, not just on the authority of the governor of Lagos state, but also that of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Adegboruwa said, “you will recall that it was the National Executive Council NEC, that gave the directive that this panel should be set up, so we are only following due process and it’s good that we just inspect the mortuary to make our findings before going back to make our relevant conclusions”.

He said this while the panel was waiting for the military to allow them access into their facility.

When asked what the panel would do if the military still refused to allow them access, he said, “we would take up other options, there are other options open to us, if we are not allowed access, we can’t force ourselves on them, if they don’t allow us access we would go back and take other options.

Adegboruwa further said that they had confidential information that facilities at the Military hospital in Ikoyi, may be relevant to their investigation.

“We have confidential information that facilities at the Military Hospital in Ikoyi here may be relevant to our investigation, we have a pathologist with us and our interest is to inspect the hospital’s mortuary, we don’t know what we would find there.

“The visit to the Military hospital absolutely has something to do with the Lekki event of the 20th of October 2020, and like I said, we have no conclusion in our minds as to what we would find here. But we have intelligence to the extent that our work requires that we inspect the mortuary of the military hospital of here.

“As you have heard them say this hospital is controlled by 65 battalion and we have also taken steps to be able to reach the authorities of the 65 battalions and the 82 division on Kofo Abayomi, so we have options if we are not allowed access.” Adegboruwa said.

When asked if it was possible to inform the authorities ahead of time next time, Adegboruwa said “that would have defeated our purpose, we just got the information impromptu, we could not give them notice because of the importance of what we wanted to do, it is an investigation, if we give them notice ahead of time, that may jeopardise the essence of the investigation

“We have no conclusion that there is anything amiss, it is an intelligence that is leading us to investigation, so we really don’t have any evidence to say whether there is anything or not, our own is verification through investigation.”

Meanwhile, at the resumed proceedings of the panel yesterday, the head of the legal department of LCC, Mr Gbolahan Agboluwaje told the panel that they had no legal representation as they got the letter of invitation from the panel late on Wednesday.

He said “when we received the letter on Wednesday we discovered that three things were required, which are the footage, the investigation report and any other document. We have the footage, we have not done the investigation report and we don’t have other documents”.

Agboluwaje then asked for an adjournment to enable them get a legal representation as they couldn’t get any since they got the letter late on Wednesday.

“We would be happy if we are given time to get a legal representation, we got a very short notice” he said.

When the Chairman of the panel Justice Okuwobi asked if they had the footage, Agboluwaje said ‘Yes we are prepared to show the footage.”

Mr Abiodun Owonikoko SAN, also announced his appearance at the proceedings to represent Lagos State government. He said, “I have the instructions to represent the Lagos state government in this proceeding.”

Justice Okuwobi said: “Until he (Agboluwaje) is represented by a counsel, we would not take his testimony, no person would be denied having any legal representation of his choice, but they should bear in mind the terms of reference of this panel”.

The proceeding was thereafter adjourned till Tuesday.

Members of the Panel are Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd), Chairman of the panel, Rinu Oduala, Temitope Majekodunmi, other members of the panel are Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Director, Lagos State Directorate of Citizen’s Rights, Mrs Oluwatoyin Odusanya; a representative of the civil society groups Ms Patience Udoh, and a human rights activist, Lucas Koyejo the Zonal Coordinator (South-West Zone) – National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Mr Segun Awosanya (Segalink).

Nigeria stock market gains N571bn in bullish trading

Trading reopened on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday after Eid-el-Maolud celebration still on an upward trend, growing by N571 billion.

Speficially, the market capitalisation which opened at N15.386 trillion inched higher by N371 billion or 3.71 per cent to close at N15.957 trillion.

Also, the All-Share Index improved by 1,093.09 points or 3.71 per cent to close at 30,530.69 from 29,437.60 achieved on Wednesday.

A breakdown of the price movement chart shows that 43 stocks recorded price appreciation in contrast with 11 losers.

Nestle led the gainers’ table, gaining N129.20 to close at N1,421.70 per share.

Mobil followed with a gain of N17.80 to close at N196.10, while Total grew by N11 to close at N129.90 per share.

Dangote Cement garnered N4.70 to close at N160, while BUA Cement appreciated by N4.10 to close at N45.50 per share.

On the other hand, Guinness dominated the losers’ chart, declining by 55k to close at N17 per share.

NAHCO trailed with 12k to close at N2.10, while PZ Cussons dipped 10k to close at N4.45 per share.

Prestige Insurance lost 6k to close at 54k, while Ecobank Transnational Incorporated shed 5k to close at N5.65 per share.

Also, the volume of shares traded rose by 115.27 per cent with an exchange of 807.81 million shares valued at N10.50 billion in 8,113 deals.

This was against a turnover of 375.25 million shares worth N4.63 billion achieved in 5,947 deals on Wednesday.

The banking stocks remained investors delight with United Bank for Africa emerging the most active stock exchanging 108.55 million shares valued at N816.69 million.

Access Bank followed with 94.74 million shares worth N746.94 million, FBN Holdings traded 89.55 million shares valued at N581.46 million.

Zenith Bank traded 75.23 million shares worth N1.65 billion, while Guaranty Trust Bank exchanged 56.22 million shares valued at N1.80 billion. (NAN)

IGP inaugurates 9-Man Committee to assess losses suffered by Police Force

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu has inaugurated a 9-Man Committee for the assessment of losses suffered by the Nigeria Police Force during the ENDSARS Protests across the country.

The IGP, during the inauguration program which held at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, today, Friday, 30th October, 2020, noted that the setting up of the Assessment Committee is informed by the need to properly document the losses suffered by the Force for the purposes of strategic planning, re-construction and re-equipment as well as for future reference.

He observed that the Force encountered huge losses in terms of human and material resources during the ENDSARS protests which commenced on a rather peaceful note but unfortunately degenerated into violence, loss of lives and wanton destruction of property.

The Committee, which has CP Abutu Yaro as Chairman, was charged by the IGP to see the assignment as a call to service which must be undertaken with purposefulness, empathy, dedication and sacrifice.

The terms of reference of the Committee include: that the delegation should physically visit the scenes of incident and capture the pictorials of all damages done to police infrastructure and personnel; verify the fatalities suffered by the police; establish the weapons holdings that were lost during the incidents, amongst others.

The IGP particularly emphasized that the delegates should visit families of deceased police officers and the injured on behalf of the Force.

The IGP, while appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, and Government at all levels for their support and commitment to the holistic reforms of the Force, re-assured the families of the deceased police officers and the injured their losses and sacrifices would continually be remembered by the Force and the nation.

The IGP also appreciated the professional conduct and restraints by Police personnel during the period, even in the face of imminent threats to their lives.

Why we oppose Okonjo-Iweala — US

The United States has explained that the reason it moved against the election of former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next Director-general of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, was the fact that the UN agency was in dire need of reform which must be driven by ‘’someone with real, hands-on experience.’’

In a statement issued by the office of the US Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer, on Wednesday, the US government said: “The United States supports the selection of Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee as the next WTO Director-General.

“Minister Yoo is a bona fide trade expert who has distinguished herself during a 25-year career as a successful trade negotiator and trade policy maker. She has all the skills necessary to be an effective leader of the organization.

“This is a very difficult time for the WTO and international trade. There have been no multilateral tariff negotiations in 25 years, the dispute settlement system has gotten out of control, and too few members fulfill basic transparency obligations.

“The WTO is badly in need of major reform. It must be led by someone with real, hands-on experience in the field.”

The argument against Okonjo-Iweala had always been that she has no direct trade experience.

But addressing the WTO in July, the former minister of finance said, while refuting the claim: “I am a development economist and you cannot do that without looking at trade. Trade is a central part of development.

‘’So, I have been doing it. My whole career at the World Bank, I was working on trade policy reform in middle and low-income countries at the bank,” she said.

“As finance minister, the Customs Service in my country reported to me. And that is all about trade facilitation. I helped my country’s negotiation with my trade minister on the ECOWAS common external tariffs. I don’t know how much more trade you can have than that.

“So those who say I don’t have trade, they are mistaken. I think the qualities I have are even better, because I combine development economics with trade knowledge, along with finance, and you need those combination of skills to lead the WTO. I think I have the skills that are needed. I am a trade person.”

Okonjo-Iweala had on Wednesday, won the popular vote to become the next DG and had the nod of the three ambassadors saddled with the responsibility of picking the next leader of the trade body.

But at a WTO delegates meeting to discuss the appointment, the US expressed opposition to her election — the US was the only country opposing her election.

Keith Rockwell, spokesman of the WTO, said just one member country did not support Okonjo-Iweala.

“All of the delegations that expressed their views expressed very strong support for the outcome, except for one,” he said.

The WTO reconvenes on November 9, 2020 after the US election to decide who becomes the next DG.

Tambuwal warns Buhari against politics of exclusion

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has warned the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration against playing politics of exclusion, saying it was dangerous for Nigeria’s corporate existence.

Tambuwal, who spoke during the national flag-off of “Project 20 million”, a masses-driven and grassroots mobilization initiative, in Abuja yesterday, said such exclusion would only drive moderate voices underground while creating a platform for hardliners.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises SMEs, Akibu Dalhatu, the governor also lamented the growing culture of impunity in the country and the erosion of fundamental freedoms, saying the rule of law and due process were now observed in the breach. To deepen democracy, he suggested the inclusion of citizens in governance, adding that Nigerians must be part of the budget making process in order to be able to monitor how appropriated funds were disbursed.

He said: “What deeply worries me is the sustained cries of exclusion in the governance of our country by some sections of our country. And this has been going on for many years without any conscious or deliberate effort to assuage their feelings.

“When people feel excluded and those who are supposed to address their concerns continue to treat them with contempt, certain forces alien to democracy and national unity may rise up in those areas and take firm control. Moderate voices would be driven underground. This is a dangerous development for our country.

“We must join forces to prevail on those in charge of Federal Authority to change their approach. They must engage sections of the country who feel excluded from governance. The country belongs to all of us. When elections are over, you must unify all Nigerians and proceed to deliver dividends of democracy.

“The nation is yet to develop a framework for effective engagement of the citizenry in governance. This must never be done on an adhoc basis. In the development of government policies, we must factor in citizen participation. Their input gives legitimacy to whatever we are doing.

“When I was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, we organized Town Hall Meetings in all the Federal Constituencies to distil and collate the inputs of Nigerians in the Constitutional Amendment Process.

That was the first time the constitutional amendment process was truly participatory and transparent. The people embraced the process with enthusiasm. They felt that their voices were beginning to count in the affairs of government.

“One major area that we have not been able to effectively engage the citizenry is in the budget making process. The Appropriation Bill at the Federal Level must not remain an exclusive affair of the Executive and National Assembly. We must adopt the Participatory Approach to Budget Making. Before the Budget Office of the Presidency and the Ministry of Finance and Budget Planning finalizes any budget, they must organize Town Hall Meetings across the country to gather the inputs of the people and determine priority areas

“If the people participate in the budget making process, they will also follow how the appropriated money is being spent. They will demand transparency and accountability from government officials. The people’s engagement in these processes strengthens and deepens democracy. When the people feel that they are part and parcel of government, they will defend democracy with their heart and might.

“The Rule of Law and Due Process is a major characteristic of good governance. All persons, institutions and entities are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated. The laws will always be enforced no matter who is involved. The process of reaching judgment on any issue must ensure fairness and proceed according to laid down rules. Accused persons must be presumed innocent until proven guilty. lmpunity must have no place in our affairs.

“It is sad to note that we have been following the rule of law and due process in the breach. Court orders are disobeyed with impunity. Institutions of democracy have come under sustained attacks. There is steady erosion of fundamental freedoms in our land. This is indeed worrisome and must occupy your attention as people interested in influencing the decision -making process in the country”, Tambuwal stated.

According to him, the nation is at a crossroads, as there are different forces jostling for attention. “There are different forces battling for the soul of the country. Some of the forces are Pro-People and Pro-Development. Some of the forces are Pro National National Unity. Unfortunately some of the forces are ProDisintegration. They hide under the guise of certain agitations to set our people against each other in order to achieve a pre-determined devious goal. We must be vigilant”, he warned.

On his part, Director General of Project 20 million, Mr. Okechukwu Chukwunyere, said the project was aimed at raising 20 million Nigerians who desire good governance, accountable leadership and making Nigeria great.

He said; “In our country today, We are faced with banditry, rape cases, corruption, mismanagement of funds, nepotism, insurgents, and so many issues that threaten the unity of this country. How can we better Nigeria? Posterity will not fail to judge us all for our actions and inactions.

“We are so divided on concepts, like honesty, value for life, equality, excellence etc that we can hardly achieve consensus on the instrument for evaluating them and the sanctions to give for infractions. Two monsters we have in the room are Zoning system which breeds mediocrity and nepotism, and Electoral system which foists incompetent people on the people.The citizens are not only powerless but castrated. lmpunity is so entrenched that we have lost our sense of shock and outrage on so many daily occuring aberrations.

“Project 20 Million wants to offer us a way out. Nigeria, more than ever before, needs good governance to assuage the feelings of long suffering Nigerians”.

Former Aso Villa Chaplain, Rev. Prof. Yusuf Obaje, who delivered the keynote address titled, “Revolutionary leadership in a country in search of national greatness”, said Nigeria has come to a point in her national history when the dead are still alive while the living are dying in their large numbers.

“The dead who have lost their moral values, integrity, credibility and decency have developed a lifestyle characterised by evil deeds. They are on rampage in their conspiracy against the helpless masses in our dear nation. But the living whose conscience are still alive are dying for lack of food and other basic amenities of life.

“We have failed. You (the youths) are right in your decision to protest. The only appeal I am making is that you take violence out of it, but we have failed”, he declared.

Chairman of the occasion, Arc. Nya-Etok Ezekiel said it was time the youth got involved in governance, advising them the jettison the tag tht they are leaders of tomorrow. “We call our youths leaders of tomorrow and you accept it? I want to call on our leaders; the time has come for responsibility transfer to our youths. The #EndSARS protest was a means to an end- to reform Nigeria. In my time, I want to see a reformed Nigeria”.

Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Ahmed Muhammed, said the days of evil leaders are now numbered. “If you are a bad leader, your days are numbered. The days of money politics is over. It is time now to go for character”, he stated.

800,000 babies die of poor breastfeeding globally each year, says Health Commissioner

The Commissioner for Health in Ekiti, Dr Oyebanji Filani, says no fewer than 800,000 babies die of poor breastfeeding yearly across the globe.

Filani said this at a news conference to commemorate the 2020 edition of the breastfeeding week on Thursday in Ado Ekiti.

According to him, poor breastfeeding is largely responsible for the high infant mortality rate in the country.

He, however, noted that the incident was gradually being checkmated following the advent of exclusive breastfeeding and improved medical practices.

The commissioner said Ekiti was rated as having 55.4 per cent compliance with the first six months exclusive breastfeeding policy it initiated in 2019.

He said that the improvement in the state was due to the proactive action taken by Gov. Kayode Fayemi in terms of increased sensitisation.

“Findings have shown that investing in breastfeeding will prevent 13 per cent of child deaths and morbidity if 90 per cent of mothers exclusively breastfeed their infants, for the first six months of life.

“Globally, only 38 per cent of infants are exclusively breastfed and suboptimal breastfeeding contributes to 800,000 infant deaths globally on annual basis.

“So, any baby who is exclusively breastfed for the first six months without any formula, has fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhoea and has fewer hospitalisations and trips to the doctor.

“It is so significant that it has helped to remove the myth and unacceptable use of herbs and concoctions for neonate and young children,” he stated.

Filani added that exclusive breastfeeding, aside reducing the rate of child mortality, would also rake in an estimated sum of $150 million into the country’s economy yearly.

The commissioner noted that as part of the policy that would enhance adequate care for infants in Ekiti, six months had been approved for maternity leave for female civil servants.

He added that the government was also considering granting paternity leave to the male civil servants, to make both parents responsible for the care of their newborns.

Filani then appealed to mothers to refrain from unwholesome cultural practices, mandating giving off water and other fluids to newborns and embrace exclusive breastfeeding.

He added that this would assist in boosting the baby’s immunities, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality rates in the system.

NLC demands end to medical tourism by government officials

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Thursday called for an end to all forms of medical tourism especially by elected and appointed government officials.

The NLC also said that with the quantum of resources available to government, Nigeria can afford to build and effectively equip some of the best hospitals in the world, with global best practices and personnel.

President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba stated this in Abuja in his address on this year’s Global Day of Action on Care.

Briefing, Wabba reiterated that the government must be ready to invest heavily in the health sector, saying no country survives without effective health care.

He lamented that apart from the open fact that the country’s health care sector has been neglected for too long, health care workers have been subjected to unfair treatment for too long.

He said that “successive governments failed to take health care as a top priority beyond mere policy statements.”

“This year’s Day of Action on Care is coming at a most auspicious time as the world undergoes a very challenging period occasioned by the sudden outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, which has caused a pandemic of scary dimensions across the world; endangering everyone on earth, with care workers and other frontline health personnel encountering more serious risks.

“The theme for this year’s event is apt as it highlights the urgent need for massive investment in the care sector. COVID-19 has fully exposed several countries, including Nigeria as not having invested enough in our health care institutions, putting everyone, both rich and poor at high risks.

“The theme: ‘’Invest in Care Now!’’ is to drum up demands for heavy investments in the care sector by our government and big businesses, if we must keep a healthy society and productive human resource base.”

The NLC President said that essential workers as they are often called at crisis times, do not have the necessary personal protective equipment to work with, especially before the outbreak of COVID-19.

He expressed dismay that government waited for the pandemic before it woke up to the reality of the decadence in our health care sector, stressing that even now, enough has not been done to properly equip the sector and properly kit health workers across the country.

He said owing to COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria’s economy has suffered huge losses both in human and capital investment.

He said no country will grow with such avoidable losses, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic has also exposed the risks health care workers face daily in the course of their duties as they don’t have adequate and appropriate safety gears, access to their own health care, extended to their families as well as decent pay commensurate with the work they do.

He said, “health care workers also need standard daycare centres to keep their children when schools are not open and or infants that are not of school age, to enable them to concentrate on their work.

“It is also important that they are granted paid medical leave that include their immediate families. This will also help to curb the spread of airborne diseases they are exposed to at their workplaces.

“We also advocate full membership of trade unions by all health workers, including those in private facilities. This will give them coverage to demand for their rights and enable unions monitor safety standards at the care centres or hospitals.

“This will form part of our campaign in support of health care workers across the country in both public and private sectors.

“We will carry out these campaigns in collaboration with our affiliates in the health sector and also in partnership with willing associations or organisations among civil society organisations.

“I also wish to use this occasion to call on the Federal Government to pay the two months salaries owed health workers arising from an industrial dispute in 2018.

“The recent 7 days warning strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to resolve the outstanding issues is yet to receive the attention of Government and a social dialogue meeting on this matter is yet to be convened.

“We also demand a quick conclusion on negotiations on salary adjustment for JOHESU members in line with alternative dispute resolution processes of National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which all parties involved in the negotiation were subjected to.”The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Thursday called for an end to all forms of medical tourism especially by elected and appointed government officials.

The NLC also said that with the quantum of resources available to government, Nigeria can afford to build and effectively equip some of the best hospitals in the world, with global best practices and personnel.

President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba stated this in Abuja in his address on this year’s Global Day of Action on Care.

Briefing, Wabba reiterated that the government must be ready to invest heavily in the health sector, saying no country survives without effective health care.

He lamented that apart from the open fact that the country’s health care sector has been neglected for too long, health care workers have been subjected to unfair treatment for too long.

He said that “successive governments failed to take health care as a top priority beyond mere policy statements.”

“This year’s Day of Action on Care is coming at a most auspicious time as the world undergoes a very challenging period occasioned by the sudden outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, which has caused a pandemic of scary dimensions across the world; endangering everyone on earth, with care workers and other frontline health personnel encountering more serious risks.

“The theme for this year’s event is apt as it highlights the urgent need for massive investment in the care sector. COVID-19 has fully exposed several countries, including Nigeria as not having invested enough in our health care institutions, putting everyone, both rich and poor at high risks.

“The theme: ‘’Invest in Care Now!’’ is to drum up demands for heavy investments in the care sector by our government and big businesses, if we must keep a healthy society and productive human resource base.”

The NLC President said that essential workers as they are often called at crisis times, do not have the necessary personal protective equipment to work with, especially before the outbreak of COVID-19.

He expressed dismay that government waited for the pandemic before it woke up to the reality of the decadence in our health care sector, stressing that even now, enough has not been done to properly equip the sector and properly kit health workers across the country.

He said owing to COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria’s economy has suffered huge losses both in human and capital investment.

He said no country will grow with such avoidable losses, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic has also exposed the risks health care workers face daily in the course of their duties as they don’t have adequate and appropriate safety gears, access to their own health care, extended to their families as well as decent pay commensurate with the work they do.

He said, “health care workers also need standard daycare centres to keep their children when schools are not open and or infants that are not of school age, to enable them to concentrate on their work.

“It is also important that they are granted paid medical leave that include their immediate families. This will also help to curb the spread of airborne diseases they are exposed to at their workplaces.

“We also advocate full membership of trade unions by all health workers, including those in private facilities. This will give them coverage to demand for their rights and enable unions monitor safety standards at the care centres or hospitals.

“This will form part of our campaign in support of health care workers across the country in both public and private sectors.

“We will carry out these campaigns in collaboration with our affiliates in the health sector and also in partnership with willing associations or organisations among civil society organisations.

“I also wish to use this occasion to call on the Federal Government to pay the two months salaries owed health workers arising from an industrial dispute in 2018.

“The recent 7 days warning strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to resolve the outstanding issues is yet to receive the attention of Government and a social dialogue meeting on this matter is yet to be convened.

“We also demand a quick conclusion on negotiations on salary adjustment for JOHESU members in line with alternative dispute resolution processes of National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which all parties involved in the negotiation were subjected to.”

Wike signs Executive Order proscribing IPOB in Rivers, says it’s terrorist group

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has described the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group and signed an executive order to reinforce the ban on IPOB its activities in the state.

He made this known in a statement by Mr. Kelvin Ebiri, Special Assistant (Media) to the governor.

Ebiri stated that the governor, in a broadcast on Wednesday night in Port Harcourt, maintained that Rivers remains the home to all tribes and ethnic nationalities.

He said that the government acknowledges and appreciates the enormous contributions from non-indigenes to the political, social and economic development of the State.

According to the statement, the State Government will neither accept nor allow any individual or group from within and outside to violate the peace, endanger lives and property under any guise.

It stated: “the state government is opposed to the presence and activities of the legally-proscribed and anarchic IPOB and whatever it stands for in Rivers State.

“And so, let it be understood that we have nothing against all or any specific tribe and will continue to live in peace with people of all other tribal extractions residing or doing business in Rivers State.

“But we have everything against the presence and activities of the legally-proscribed IPOB and whatever that group stands for in Rivers State.

“This is clearly a terrorist group which existence, creed, mission and activities are strongly denounced even by the Government and peoples of the South-Eastern states of the country.

“I have, therefore, signed the executive order to reinforce the total ban on IPOB and its activities in Rivers State or any part thereof and nothing will stop us from enforcing this ban in its entirety,’’ he said.

The statement also added that Wike also “directed security agencies and the chairmen of local government areas to fish out and resolutely deal with any member of IPOB found in any community following the executive order and other legal instruments’’.