​Malnutrition: Kaduna Govt. UNICEF, train health workers on community infant feeding

The Kaduna State Government with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has trained Health workers in Sabon Gari Local Government Area of the state on Community-Infant and Young Child Feeding (C-IYCF).

Mr Yamusa Umar, Director, Primary Health Care in the area said at the opening of the six-day training in Zaria on Monday, that the exercise was to prevent malnutrition among children under five years.

Kaduna state government had in the past two weeks trained community members, traditional and religious leaders as well as community volunteers on C-IYCF.

Umar said that the measure was necessary because of the ongoing integration of services in primary healthcare centres and community health engagement across the state.

He said that five out of the seven ongoing primary healthcare interventions in communities were on maternal health, including nutrition, adding that the health workers needed to know everything about C-IYCF.

He said that UNICEF has supported the training of community members; traditional and religious leaders; ward development committee members and Community Volunteers (CVs) on C-IYCF.
“Today, we have commenced the training of health workers, including myself as a participant, so we can be more knowledgeable on the optimal C-IYCF practices to effectively supervise the CVs,” he said.

One of the resource persons, Mrs Hauwa Usman, said that the health workers would be equipped with skills, knowledge and tools to support mothers, fathers, and caregivers to optimally feed infants and young children.

Usman said that the health workers also needed to know why C-IYCF practice matters and how to use counselling skills to support mothers and caregivers to optimally feed their children.

“We will ensure that at the end of the training, the health workers will be able to describe recommended feeding practices for infant and young children in the first two years of life.

“We want them to know how to breastfeed properly to be able to teach lactating mothers and be able to prevent and resolve common breastfeeding difficulties.

“At the end of the training, the health workers should also be able to describe appropriate complementary feeding from six to 24 months and supervise CVs IYCF group sessions,” she said.

Another resource person, Mrs Jane Gwani, described community-based promotion, counselling and support as “a key pillar” of infant and young child feeding programmes.

According to Gwani, equipping the health workers with the knowledge and skills in promoting C-IYCF will ensure the necessary linkage between health facilities, community volunteers, mothers and caregivers on infant and young child feeding.

Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Kaduna, Mrs Chinwe Ezeife, said the training was to strengthen community senisitisation and mobilisation for optimal IYCF, to prevent malnutrition among children under five years.

​Borno killings raises serious questions on nation’s security architecture — Governors’ Forum

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has condemned the killing of over 40 rice farmers in Garin Kwashebe, Jere Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday, by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

The forum, in a statement by its Chairman and the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Kayode Fayemi, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, described the attack as morally reprehensible.

He said that the attack brought back ugly memories of several dastardly attacks on soft targets in the state.

Fayemi noted that the farmers were attacked while harvesting their produce totally oblivious of the danger that awaits them in nearby bushes.

He said that the method was consistent with the senseless bombings of busy markets, bus stations, schools and abattoirs whenever the terrorists felt overpowered by the security operatives.

“This sad narrative raises serious questions on the general security situation in the country and around the capability of the nation’s security architecture.

“It also raises questions on whether or not there are adequate arrangements to protect lives and property.

“Since insurgency engulfed the country more than a decade ago, each time it seems like the situation is coming under control, the enemy strikes again. This has happened consistently.”

Fayemi said that the governors were concerned that the carnage was degenerating beyond explicable limits.

He said that the catalogue of destruction had an adverse effect on everything in the state and the country at large.”

Fayemi said that the NGF would collectively review those issues at its next meeting to forge the way forward.

​Police warns against illegal use of siren, tinted glass in Ebonyi

The Police Command in Ebonyi has warned motorists against the abuse and illegal use of sirens and vehicles with tinted glass in the state.

The command also warned against covering of vehicles number plates by unauthorised persons.

Mr Philip Maku, Ebonyi Police Commissioner, in a statement by DSP Loveth Obianuju, the command`s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), on Monday said the ban on indiscriminate use of these items was still in force.

“Consequently, the commissioner of police has therefore warned that all those who float any or all of these illegal acts should desist forthwith, to avoid embarrassment.

“The police operatives have been given the onerous responsibility of restoring sanity in the state by arresting and persecuting offenders accordingly.

“Similarly, the commissioner of police wishes to also remind motorcycle operators in the state that the law banning its operation beyond 7pm is still in force.

“Anyone caught violating the order, such motorcycle will be impounded and the state government approved fine will be paid,” he said. (NAN)

Cavani investigated by English FA over social media post

Edinson Cavani’s joy at scoring twice for Manchester United on Sunday could be dampened as he is to be investigated by the Football Association over a social media post he subsequently deleted.

The 33-year-old Uruguayan striker sent an Instagram post including the Spanish word “negrito” (‘black’) in reply to a message of congratulations after his brace completed a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Southampton.

United said the word was clearly used in an affectionate manner and has different connotations in South America.

The club said the former Paris Saint Germain forward had been informed such terms are viewed as derogatory in Britain and he subsequently deleted the post.

The FA issued guidelines pre-season clamping down on racist and discriminatory language and behaviour, with offences on social media carrying a minimum three-game ban.

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Dele Alli of Tottenham were both suspended for one match last season after posts that breached the guidelines.

​Fedpoly Bauchi Alumni Association Elects New Officials

Habila Victor, Bauchi

The Alumni Association of the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi has elected its new executive council and a representative into the Governing Council of the Polytechnic for the first time in over two decades.

Announcing the results of the election over the weekend, Chairman of the Alumni Electoral Committee, Ahmed Babayo, said 417 voters were accredited for the election where graduates of the polytechnic votes in the new officials.

Babayo announced that Abubakar Adamu Modibbo has been elected unopposed into the Governing Council of the Polytechnic as representative of the Alumni having scored 402 votes.

The Chairman of the Electoral Committee also announced that Comrade Usman Mansur Muhammad was elected Chairman unopposed having bagged 403 votes while Ahmed Ladan defeated Osie Emeka to the seat of Vice Chairman of the Association with 213 votes against 191 votes.

Gambo Tanimu Ibrahim of the Public Relations Unit of the Polytechnic was elected Secretary General of the Association unopposed with 400 votes and Hashimu Zakari Ya’u was elected Assistant Secretary General unopposed with 391 votes.

Muhmmed Rabi’u Muhammed clinched the seat of Financial Secretary of the Alumni Association with 410 votes having emerged as the sole candidate for that office while Ogune Vitoria emerged as Treasurer having amassed 400 votes.

The Chairman of the Electoral Committee commended the cooperation and support they enjoyed from all the alumni of the institution from their inauguration to announcement of winners of the election.

 He however announced that the Electoral Committee is hereby dissolved having accomplished its terms of reference.

The newly elected officials of the Alumni Association were sworn-in immediately after they were declared winners.

Abubakar Adamu Modibbo, the newly elected representative of the Alumni into the Governing Council of the institution, vowed to work tirelessly for the overall improvement of the welfare of the Alumni of the Polytechnic.

Modibbo promised to reposition the public image of polytechnic graduates through active policy formulation and collaboration among members of the Governing Council of the polytechnic.

On his part, Comrade Usman Mansur Muhammed, the newly elected Chairman of the Alumni, promised to ensure that, before his tenure elapsed, he put in place a structure for the Alumni having been inactive for over 20 years.

Comrade Usman promised to mobilise resources needed to address campus accommodation challenges bedeviling the polytechnic for many years.

​National Gas Expansion Programme: President Buhari to launch autogas scheme Dec 1

Driven by its desire to reduce high reliance on petrol and achieve a cleaner environment, the Federal Government gas concluded plans to launch Nigeria’s autogas scheme in Abuja on December 1, 2020.

In his presentation – Natural Gas: The Catalyst for Nigeria’s Economic Renaissance – at the stakeholders’ engagement over the weekend in Lagos obtained by Vanguard, Chairman, National Gas Expansion Programme, NGEP, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, said the scheme would be launched virtually by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim said that the autogas scheme and increased domestic utilization of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) would create about 12.5 million direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians.

He said: “We need about 500, 000 conversion engineers in the next 90 days to ensure that the retrofitting of the vehicles go as planned. Fifty conversion centres are currently upgrading for mass conversion and training.

“Already, over 30,000 vehicles are already running on dual fuels in Nigeria. NGEP would also train 10 entrepreneurs from every local government area in the country in the areas of burners, cookers, accessories production, and development of MDCs.

“The 90 days training is being undertaken by the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board and the Petroleum Trust and Development Fund. These entrepreneurs will get their own foundries for manufacturing and will thereafter train others as time goes on.

“The scheme aims at training entrepreneurs in the techniques, skills and production of domestic gas accessories -burners, cookers, stoves and kiosks for the LPG micro-distribution centers.”

He also said: “The trainees would acquire the skills to build small scale foundries at the local government levels, appreciation of basic metallurgy, acquire the skill of the art, science and practical skills of fabrication, learn business management and marketing techniques, learn the principles and practices of Health Safety and Environment issues and understand the principles of Quality Management and assurance.

“NGEP would make use of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, and Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board; NCDMB trained accredited Welding engineers and technicians as trainers and facilitators.

“NGEP would also use of sales and marketing trainers, Quality Management experts from the National Quality Infrastructure Forum, Safety experts from the Nigerian society of safety as well as the Standard Organization of Nigeria and safety device experts from the Nigerian LPG Association.

“The remunerations of the trainees and the upkeep allowances of the trainees shall be borne by the PTDF and NCMB during the period of training. The NCDMB shall be responsible for financing the starter pack kits made of welding machine accessories and basic tools to be given to the trainees upon graduation. The various state Governments shall be responsible for the initial patronage of the products of the graduates of the training scheme.

“The NGEP shall develop a marketing network incorporating LPG cylinder manufacturers, LPG accessories traders and marketers, and the micro-distribution centers to aid the market penetration of the products of the NGEP training scheme.

“The NGEP shall also facilitate the collaboration of the scheme with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and the Association of Local Government of Nigerian (ALGON) with a view to achieving market expansion at the grassroots levels in the country.”

He added: “The period of training shall be 90 days across designated workshops/technical schools in each geo-political zones as follows: South-South, South – East, South – West, North – Central, North – East and North West. The use of classroom teaching and practical techniques involving group and individual guided learning and practical sessions.”

​Buhari describes as insane Boko Haram killing of farmers in Borno

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed grief over the killing of farmers on rice fields at Zabarmari in Jere Local Government of Borno, describing the terrorist killings as insane.

The president made the condemnation in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday.

President Buhari said the government had given all the needed support to the armed forces “to take all necessary steps to protect the country’s population and its territory.”

Buhari said: “I condemn the killing of our hardworking farmers by terrorists in Borno State.

”The entire country is hurt by these senseless killings. My thoughts are with their families in this time of grief.

”May their souls Rest In Peace.”

About 43 farmers were murdered while an unspecified number of others were unaccounted for when Boko Haram insurgents launched attacks on rice fields at Zabarmari.

Nine of the victims were believed to be settlers in search of greener pasture from Zamfara, seven from Kebbi and eight from Sokoto State while the remaining were indigenes of Zabarmari town.

The victims would be buried today (Sunday). (NAN)

​Explosion rocks Wike’s father’s church in Rivers

An explosion has rocked a church said to be owned by the father of Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt.

It was gathered that over five youths had invaded the church identified as Christain Universal Church International on 25 Azikiwe Street Mile, 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt and detonated the explosive suspected to be Dynamite, on Saturday night.

A source who spoke in confidence said the explosive blew up and shattered some parts of the church building.

It was also gathered that three of the boys were apprehended and handed over to the Police, by vigilante who were on guard.

Meantime, operatives of Eagle crack, an outfit of the state police command, Mopol 19 and other security agencies have taken over the area.

​Kaduna revenue agency develops strategies to generate N60bn IGR in 2021

The management and staff of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), have developed strategies to generate N60 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target for 2021.

The Executive Chairman of KADIRS, Dr Zaid Abubakar made this known in an interview on Saturday, at the end of a two-day meeting in Zaria to develop the strategies.

Abubakar told Newsmen that Gov. Nasir El-Rufai has directed KADIRS to ensure that the IGR for 2021 was higher than the allocation to the state from the Federation Account.

He said that the state government had pegged an IGR target of N51 billion in 2021, adding that the KDIRS management ambitiously increased the target to N60 billion.

“This ambitious target will put all of us on our toes so that if we did not meet the N60 billion target, we will at least generate N55 billion, higher than the N51 billion of state’s target for the year.

“Our goal is to see that the IGR contributes more than 60 to 70 per cent of the state annual budget. This is a long-term plan but I believe if we are consistent with our approach, we will get there.

“This is why we are here to see what strategies we can develop to ensure that the expected revenue is collected and even surpass the target.

“This means that the public will begin to see a lot of field activities geared toward ensuring that all expected revenues are collected,” he said.

The KADIRS boss said that the agency would also carry out massive sensitisation and advocacies through available communication channels and community mobilisation for people to pay expected taxes as their civic responsibility.

He called on all taxpayers to voluntarily comply and pay all expected taxes when due through designated banks.

The state has over the years witnessed a consistent rise in IGR; from N13.6 billion in 2015 to N23 billion in 2016, representing a 69.8 per cent growth.

The IGR also increased to N26.9 billion in 2017 and was further raised to N29.4 billion in 2018.

On taking over the management of KADIRS in 2019, Abubakar led the agency to generate an unprecedented IGR of N44. 2 billion in 2019 for the first time surpassing the N41.7 targeted for the year.

Demolition of Intruders’ Structures: Why Arewa Youths Hail El-rufai over Eye Centre Land

Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir Ahmed El’rufai yesterday directed the execution of the 2011 court judgement which ordered for demolition of all illegal structures on National Eye Centre’s land.

The Governor through the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) this morning pulled down structures illegally acquired from some dubious host community members in compliance to the Court ruling which find the defendants guilty of criminally intruding selling and in some cases buying Federal Government properties belonging to National Eye Centre.

The quagmire that has characterised the National Eye Centre Land as a result of dubious persons who invaded and sold off part of Eye Centre land has lingered over a decade with litigations and violent threats from intruders.

Recall that, the perennial land tussle orchestrated by these land grabbers with the tacit collusion of some greedy members of the host communities who were compensated and resettled by the Federal Government at the point of acquiring the land for the Hospital, it’s a case of these people eating their cake and wanting to have it back. They keep intruding on National Eye Centre’s land beating the imagination of others that anyone would fight Government’s genuine intention to make available an Eye Hospital of International standard and size.

As these illegal structures goes down rational thinkers within and outside the host communities have continued to thank Kaduna State Government for its timely intervention stressing that most of such illegal structures were completely abandoned giving shelter for kidnappers and armed rubbers who taumented the area for years.

Speaking with a 79 years old Landlord of Asalamaleku settlement who pleaded anonymity for security reasons said ” I knew the story of National Eye Centre back then when General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida gave compensation of that land to most of my brothers whose lands were taken for National Eye Centre. Few of them told their children while others hide the compensations they collected from Government from family associates even their children didn’t know how much they collected. So you see, most of these boys that have intruded to sale off Eye Centre Land had benefited directly or indirectly from the first compensation, whether their parents or elder brothers or uncles gave them such monies or not Government can not compensate you twice on one piece of Land. Funny enough some of them are still alive.”
“Today kidnappers and arm rubbers will have no hideout to terrorise our people, because when Eye Centre Management won the court case and was to dislodge these intruders, most of them abandoned their building projects.”

Also speaking, the Chairman Arewa Youth Movement for Good Governance Kaduna State Chapter, Comrade Ibrahim Ahmadu hailed Governor Nasir Ahmed El-rufai for the demolition exercise stressing it was long overdue.
According to him, “how can people who were given compensation for two consecutive times still be laying claim to National Eye Centre Land. Most of them notoriously started farming on the land after compensation, from there they started selling the land to unsuspecting people , in 20111, National Eye Centre Management dragged them to court and got judgement against them they quickly begged and asked for time to leave, but instead, they continued selling and threatening National Eye Centre staff.”

“Honestly, the execution of this court judgement is long overdue those people are even a security threat to the people living around there. We support El’rufai’s demolition of such illegal structures that seeks to deprive us good health and I call on all Kaduna Youth to shun the planned protest as this will put the Arewa Youth Movement in bad light. We all know the worth of National Eye Centre.Permit me to assure the National Hospital of our readiness as Arewa Youth to rise in defence of it by every means available under the law.”

“We called on Kaduna State Government to prosecute Airtel Telecommunication Company for breaking into National Eye Centre fence and erecting it Mast without any notice to the Hospital, I tell you airtel won’t do that in the Western or Eastern part of Nigeria but because in the North our people can be loose so they feel, any thing goes.” Ahmadu added.

With this latest development the time is ripe for the Hospital to work for the next generations where population explosion will no dout put pressure on existing facilities.

The hospital must after solidifying it fence to protect it against future intruders must vigorously review it master plan to give hope for future generation, the national Eye Centre’s master plan is ideal.

Recall that, the need for adequate number of highly skilled Ophthalmologists and Ophthalmic nurses need not be over emphasized. This, including the fact that the Hospital is the Apex training Institution for eye care in Nigeria makes the need for a post graduate Medical school imperative. The School will expectedly address the herculean task of continuously training Ophthalmologists known in everyday parlance as eye doctors to meet the demand of rising number of Nigerians who yearn for eye care services. The Postgraduate Medical School is one key component of the National Eye Centre’s Master Plan and estimated to admit two hundred students.
Given the flow of visitors to National Eye Centre vis a vis the challenge of accommodation, the National Eye Centre’s Master Plan have a Grade 1Guest house for visitors and others. With her original land space, the hospital plan included a 100 rooms guest house .
The plan also included hostels for 200 Postgraduate Medical Students and 500 Post Graduate Nursing and Paramedical Students. With evolving technology the Hospital needs a CT Scan Suite and other facilities which though are not in the original plan are imperative for best practices in line with today’s global trend in eye care. All these require massive land space which, in the wisdom of Government, was provided for in acquiring land mass for the Hospital. In addition the plan provided for various categories of Staff quarters which only a small percentage of the total is presently on ground. A standard Staff School is also in the plan. As at today, only the Core Hospital Complex, a small percentage of the Staff quarters, Mosque and Chapel all in the original plan is in place.