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Palliatives: Kwara provides 250 000 rice sacks

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Palliatives: Kwara provides 250 000 rice sacks

The Kwara State Government began distributing rice palliatives to the most disadvantaged residents of the state on Wednesday, and the palliative committee promised to distribute at least 250,000 10kg bags of rice in the initial phase.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq stated that the palliatives are simply being given out as a sign of compassion for the populace as more sustainable programs are being introduced gradually.

The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Salihu-Danladi, acted as the governor’s representative.

In this extremely important period of our country’s history, the governor added, “This is merely a portion of what we have done to identify with the people. The withdrawal of fuel subsidies will have an adverse impact on those among us who are most vulnerable, therefore palliatives are a temporary solution.

“Over the past few weeks, our administration has implemented a variety of palliative measures to aid those working in both the formal and unofficial sectors. We also distributed the five trucks of rice the federal government gave us earlier. We are aware of the reach restrictions placed on this distribution.

“We are launching the distribution of the first consignments of rice today that we bought using the N2 billion we have already received from the Federal Government. In this round, we are delivering a minimum of 250 000 10 kg bags of rice.

The group of distinguished Kwarans will decide who the beneficiaries are on an impartial basis.
Huge investments are being made to increase the local food production through commercial agriculture, the manufacturing sector, local production of CNG and electric vehicles, and mass employment for young people in many economic sectors.

Members of the palliative committee, first batch recipients, and representatives of the following organizations were present: people with disabilities, WOWICAN, marketmen and women group, Hausa community, Igbo community, South-South community, Youth Council, NANS, Youth CAN, orphanage, NUT, NUJ, TUC, FOMWAN, non-indigene community, NURTW, NLC, and artisans groups.

African countries now paying $4000 for Nigerian doctors, CMDs tell Reps

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African countries now paying $4000 for Nigerian doctors, CMDs tell Reps

Prof. Emem Bassey, the chairman of the committee of chief medical directors of the federal tertiary hospitals, claimed on Wednesday that other African nations are currently stealing Nigerian physicians and other healthcare workers.

Additionally, he claimed that Sierra Leone and the Gambia were providing them with up to $3000 to $4000, which was around three to four times what was available domestically.

According to Bassey, the CMD of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, the health sector is currently experiencing a severe workforce shortage as medical professionals are quitting in large numbers.

Additionally, he claimed that because the government frequently fell short of unrealistic promises, doctors frequently went on strike.

Read Also: Neglecting open trade will cause price instability –Okonjo-Iweala

“A strike should be the absolute last resort, but one of the things we have observed is the fact that we see threats, threats, and more threats,” continued Bassey. Governments have, in my opinion, negotiated unworkable resolutions in previous sessions purely out of a desire to put an end to a strike.

They currently have agreements that they are unable to carry out. After a certain amount of time—six months or a year—if you haven’t executed it, people start to strike. As a result, we must discuss and negotiate jointly.

Even though they have better choices abroad, the doctors should be patriotic and stay home to help the country prosper, said the Ad hoc Committee’s Chairman, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi.

He stated that the committee would seek to balance the requirement for adherence to the federal character with the necessity to fill critical vacancies in the health sector.

“I admit there is a dearth of cutting-edge medical facilities in our health sector,” Gagdi remarked. This is a fact, and as governments, we need to take note of it. We are perplexed about the issue of lack of patriotism.

“Nigerian institutions create you (medical doctors). We acknowledge the brain drain and are looking for answers. We are glad to have you among us. Many of you may have connections because you respect your intelligence enough to live in wealthy nations and provide your services to them. However, the majority of you think it fashionable to improve your own country and fatherland.

What patriotic values and the importance of giving back to the community that provided you with your education do you teach your professional colleagues? We ask you to uphold your moral principles and the standards of your particular trade. No matter how ungrateful your father is for bringing you this far to go and adopt someone’s father, you cannot disown him. Nigeria is where we live.

“Despite the corruption in the pay in our public sector, Nigeria produced us as doctors. Let’s collaborate and try to come up with some answers to that. But let’s stay in Nigeria and work for our own nation.

Read Also: Kano to spend N800m to fund big wedding for 1,800 couples

Gadgi continued, “We would thoroughly review your submissions. We would interact specifically with these institutions regarding any open recruitment cases. We will check into your problem if you don’t have one.

“You have a strong case to make that your federal character is now balanced. Nigerians have taken you seriously. Therefore, whatever recommendations this committee makes to the government will be followed, and it will be fully for our own advantage.

Cross River APC Members Protest Against Tinubu’s Appointment Of PDP Chief In Niger Delta Commission

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Cross River APC Members Protest Against Tinubu’s Appointment Of PDP Chief In Niger Delta Commission

The appointment of Asu Oku Okang, the state chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by President Bola Tinubu drew protests from members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State on Wednesday.

The demonstration occurs a short time after President Tinubu, on Tuesday, dissolved the NDDC’s board of directors and management, which was headed by Lauretta Onochie.
A demonstration video revealed how the AC members marched through Calabar, the state capital, while holding placards.

reported on Tuesday that Tinubu had given his approval for the nomination of a new commission board and management, with Chiedu Ebie of Delta State serving as chairman.

The individuals appointed included Chiedu Ebie (chairman of Delta), Samuel Ogbuku (managing director/CEO of Bayelsa), Boma Iyaye (executive director; finance and administration of Rivers), Victor Antai (executive director, projects of Akwa-Ibom), Ifedayo Abegunde (executive director; corporate services of Ondo), and Dimaro Denyanbofa (state representative of Bayelsa).
Other state representatives include Tony Okocha (Rivers), Patrick Aisowieren (Edo), Kyrian Uchegbu (Imo), Victor Kolade Akinjo (Ondo), Dimgba Eruba (Abia), and Asu Oku Okang (Cross River). Abasi Nkono (Akwa Ibom) is a state representative. Monday Igbuya (Delta) is a state representative.

The three zonal members of the board are Nick Wende (zonal representative, North-Central), Namdas Abdulrazak (zonal representative, North-East, and Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (zonal representative, North-West).

NLC denounces police occupation of NURTW national secretariat

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NLC denounces police occupation of NURTW national secretariat

The National Union of Road Transport Workers’ national secretariat was allegedly occupied by thugs who were accompanied, according to reports, by police officers. This was denounced by the Nigeria Labour Congress.

The NLC criticized the alleged involvement of the Nigerian Police in the invasion of the NURTW national secretariat in Abuja in a statement released following its Emergency National Administrative Council meeting on Monday.

“The NAC acknowledged the recent history of the Nigeria Police’s engagement in the internal affairs of numerous unions, which it regards as an infringement on the autonomy of union operations and a violation of the legal framework governing industrial relations,” the labor organization said.

It denounced the Inspector General of Police’s suspected interference in the invasion of the NURTW National Secretariat, which was “intended to overthrow the duly elected union leadership and install an alternative faction.”

“The NAC categorically demanded that the thugs and the police both immediately and unconditionally leave the illegally occupied NURTW National Secretariat. Within 48 hours of the resolution’s passing, this demand must be met.

In an effort to promote openness and accountability, it stated, “the NLC called for His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to react to the allegations linking his name to those guilty for the invasion.”

The NLC emphasized that as a representative of democracy, President Tinubu should make clear his position and deny any role in the occurrence.

A strike was warned by the labor union if the elected NURTW leadership was not restored.

“The NAC’s resolutions demonstrate its dedication to supporting democratic values, safeguarding the autonomy of unions, and defending the rights and safety of workers across Nigeria.

The NLC said it was “steadfast in its dedication to preserving the interests of Nigerian workers and unions while calling for the rapid resolution of the crisis in question” as the country closely watched the developments.

Kano to spend N800m to fund big wedding for 1,800 couples

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Kano to spend N800m to fund big wedding for 1,800 couples

On Wednesday, Kano Hisbah (Sharia police) said that as part of its mass wedding initiative, it had acquired a set of furniture, food items, and clothing materials for 1,800 intended couples.

Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, the commander-general of the Kano State Hisbah board, made the disclosure while reviewing the items that had been purchased for the large wedding. He claimed that the state government had set aside more than 800 million naira for the purchase of furniture, clothing, food, and other items, including the bride’s price, among other things.

Each bride would receive a set of beds and bedding as well as 20,000 yen to help launch a business, he stated.

Aminu further revealed that wealthy and philanthropic people have promised to help the planned mass wedding succeed.

Aminu stated that 1,800 couples at the very least are anticipated to gain from the thoughtful act, which he believes will solve the social vices and poverty plaguing the nation.

He clarified that the difficulty of parents to cover the wedding costs frequently resulted in the postponement of many marriages.

As he called on benefactors to help achieve the required goals, he nonetheless pledged to inform the stakeholders of the date and location of the mass wedding as soon as arrangements were complete.

A warning was issued by the commander-general that anyone found guilty of divorcing his wife following the mass wedding would be required to pay for the free products he obtained from the state government. He also indicated that criteria had been established for the selection of beneficiaries.

He urged wealthier people to support the state administration by helping the less fortunate in society tie the marriage for peaceful coexistence in order to achieve the hitch-free mass wedding.

Neglecting open trade will cause price instability –Okonjo-Iweala

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Neglecting open trade will cause price instability –Okonjo-Iweala

According to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, moving away from open trade will result in increased price volatility, inflationary pressures, and weakened growth prospects.

She made this statement recently at the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium, which was held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in the United States.

While fragmenting trade into competing blocs “would be extraordinarily costly,” the WTO director general emphasized that predictable commerce was a source of disinflationary pressure, reduced volatility, and boosted economic resilience.

According to Okonjo-Iweala, a society that rejects predictable and open commerce will be characterized by weaker competitive pressures and higher price volatility.

“It would be a world with worse growth and development prospects, a slower transition to a low-carbon economy, and higher supply vulnerability in the face of unforeseen shocks.”

She observed that widespread sustained inflation had returned in the developed world, and that subsequent monetary tightening had exacerbated debt hardship and financial instability for numerous emerging economies.

She claims that some policymakers have concluded that the pace of globalization has to be slowed down as a result of these shocks and rising geopolitical tensions.

She continued by stating that according to estimates by WTO analysts, the world economy splitting into two independent trading blocs would cause a long-term real global GDP decline of at least 5%, with certain emerging economies seeing double-digit welfare losses.

“Despite all the tensions and doubts surrounding trade, overall trade costs for agricultural products, manufactured commodities, and services have decreased by 12% over the previous 20 years, with the rising digitalization and trade in services possibly becoming a strong disinflationary force.

According to the WTO director-general, “falling trade costs for products, and notably for services, indicate that globalization may still be an engine for improved growth, efficiency, and economic opportunity, while also contributing to price moderation.”

Increased digitalization and trade in services, supported by initiatives like the agreement on Services Domestic Regulation, reached by WTO members and accounting for over 90% of all global services trade, and the ongoing discussions on electronic commerce being negotiated among 90 WTO members, could become a potent disinflationary force, according to Okonjo-Iweala.

She counseled that harnessing those potential required free and predictable global markets centered in a robust and successful multilateral trading framework based on rules.

Breaking: Gabonese army officers oust Bongo, say they are ‘taking power’

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Breaking: Gabonese army officers oust Bongo, say they are ‘taking power’

According to the BBC, army officers announced their takeover of the government in Gabon on national television on Wednesday.

The results of the election on Saturday, in which President Ali Bongo was declared the victor, were supposed to be being revoked, they claimed.

“We have decided to safeguard peace by putting an end to the dictatorship in power,” the soldiers who identified themselves as CTRI (The Committee of Transition and Restoration of Institutions) members claimed.

The primary opponent of Bongo, Albert Ondo Ossa, came in second place with 30.77%, according to the electoral commission. The claims of electoral irregularities made by Ondo Ossa have been refuted by Bongo’s team.

The 53-year rule of his family over Gabon would come to an end if he were to be overthrown.

Details will follow…

Two killed, five injured, as gunmen attack Rivers youths on surveillance duty

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Two killed, five injured, as gunmen attack Rivers youths on surveillance duty

Two teenagers who were doing surveillance duties at the scene of a crude oil spill in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, were shot and killed by gunmen.

The pipeline that caused the spill belonged to a large corporation, which is also said to have devastated nearby rivers and farmlands.

A source identified as Celestina said, “These teenagers had been compelled by the community to keep watch over a recent oil leak site until the conclusion of investigations into the origin of the spill and repairs on the affected pipeline.

The youths were ambushed by some shooters at around two in the morning on Saturday, August 26, which resulted in two deaths and other injuries from gunshots.

Confidence Deko, the chairman of the Gokana Local Government Area (LGA), spoke on the matter and verified the incidence, claiming that security personnel were alerted to prevent a potential breakdown in law and order.

Yes, we knew about it, Deko said, and we informed the relevant security organizations, such as the Joint Taskforce, about that community.

“They assured us that two people had been slain. Additionally, we have urged them to find the perpetrators of this heinous act.

While pleading with the populace to maintain their composure, the LG revealed that he had called a gathering of the community’s leaders to discuss and assess the issues there.

In a brief statement, Grace Iringe-Koko, a spokeswoman for the State Police Command, confirmed the occurrence and stated that the investigation was ongoing.

Delta: Parade of “gay suspects” abuses dignity and the law

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Delta: Parade of “gay suspects” abuses dignity and the law

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Center has denounced the large number of suspects detained after being accused of performing a gay wedding ceremony at a hotel in Warri, Delta State.

The state police command paraded the 100 suspects, who were apprehended on Monday night during a midnight raid.

However, the center claimed there are established legal procedures for the treatment of people suspected of crimes in a statement by its executive director, Okechukwu Nwanguma.

Nwanguma observed that suspects being paraded before the media is illegal, unconstitutional, and detrimental to a fair hearing and a fair trial while also asserting that the detained individuals had a right to be treated with dignity.

The statement said, “RULAAC notes with considerable concern the arrest by the Delta State Police Command of over a hundred young people for allegedly performing a gay wedding ceremony in a hotel in Warri, Delta state, and their parade before the media today, August 29, 2023.

Even if we agree that homosexual relationships are illegal in Nigeria, there are established legal processes for the handling of those who are accused of crimes.

“Until they are proven guilty after a fair trial in a court of competent jurisdiction, persons accused of violating any provision of the law are entitled to the presumption of innocence. They have a right to dignity as well.

The argument that parades of suspects in front of the media are unlawful, unconstitutional, and harmful to the rights to a fair trial and hearing has been presented numerous times. It is an illegal and ineffective tactic of law enforcement that offends against human dignity and undermines the right to the presumption of innocence guaranteed by the Constitution. The suspects are effectively found guilty without a trial.

The Center also expressed amazement at the state command’s “quick and efficient” action in detaining and displaying LGBT suspects despite the fact that it had not yet addressed a petition that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had forwarded to the Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, three months prior.

The police should stop violating the suspects’ rights, according to a new request from RULAAC.

The statement went on to say that “they should either charge them right now or release them on bond.”

Oyo APC claims Makinde diverted N5.7 billion, palliatives

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Oyo APC claims Makinde diverted N5.7 billion, palliatives

The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State expressed outrage on Tuesday over the alleged misappropriation of monies and food supplies supplied to the state by the federal government to ease the effects of hardship on the public as a result of the removal of fuel subsidies by the President Bola Tinubu administration.

According to report, Tinubu declared that his government would devise palliative methods to lessen the suffering of hunger and financial hardship among the nation’s poor.

Recall that some of these intervention monies and supplies were allegedly distributed through state and local governments in the previous several weeks, with certain state governments, including Kwara and Ogun, publicly confirming the news.

In a statement released on Tuesday in Ibadan, the state’s capital, Olawale Sadare, the APC’s publicity secretary, criticized the PDP administration in the state for willfully withholding information about the receipt, distribution, and management of money and food supplies delivered to the Oyo State government as the share of the state’s good people.

Almost all of the states of the federation have acknowledged receiving at least two billion naira of the five billion the federal government has set aside for payments to be made to the poorest of the poor through the states, he added.

“Last week, neighboring Osun and Kwara states admitted paying the sum of two billion naira into their coffers, but Makinde hid this from the public knowing in his typical manner.

The people of the state have been wondering where the 3,000 bags of rice that Makinde received from Abuja for the past six weeks, and there are signs that they may have been diverted in the same way that the COVID-19 relief supplies provided by the federal government, business organizations, and private donors were.

We also ask Makinde to clarify the rationale behind his directive to local government council chairs to transfer (to the state government account) the two tranches of N56 million that the federal government paid to their council accounts between August 16 and August 18 of this year as the shares of the third tier of government.

The 33 local government councils in the state received a total of N3.696 billion, but they were unable to use even a small fraction of it for the intended use.

“It is clear that Gov. Makinde’s contrived Palliative group, which was established about four weeks ago, was only intended to deceive the public because the group would ultimately have no function.

“We won’t be surprised, however, if the state government releases a few bags of rice and noodles to the committee in the coming days and asks them to distribute the same to a few PDP members just to create the appearance that the target population of poor people in society have benefited,” Sadare submitted.

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