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• November 30, 2024
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Environmental sanitation: 110 defaulters arrested in Abia

One hundred and ten persons were arrested in Umuahia and its environs on Saturday for disobeying the Abia State government’s directive restricting movement of people during environmental sanitation hours. The defaulters were picked on the road and in their business premises and brought to Abia State High Court where a mobile court was sitting. Some
Environmental sanitation: 110 defaulters arrested in Abia

One hundred and ten persons were arrested in Umuahia and its environs on Saturday for disobeying the Abia State government’s directive restricting movement of people during environmental sanitation hours.

The defaulters were picked on the road and in their business premises and brought to Abia State High Court where a mobile court was sitting.

Some of the arrested defaulters were sentenced and fined in line with Abia State Basic Environmental Law while others were released on health grounds by the Presiding Magistrate, Onyinyechi Chinenye Ibekwe.

Some other defaulters were handed over to the officials of Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) for non-custodial services like cleaning of environment and cutting of grass. They were allowed to go after carrying out the penalties.

Speaking to journalists after the November clean up exercise, Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Ogbonna, expressed satisfaction with the success recorded in compliance.

He was, however, unhappy with the conduct of traders at Orie Ugba market who habitually litter their trading environment, even on clean up days.

Ogbonna said that his ministry will partner the Umuahia North LGA and Abia State House of Assembly Committee on Environment to sustain the Clean Environment Initiative of Governor Alex Otti.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Umuahia North LGA, Smart Ihuoma, expressed dismay with the sanitary and structural condition of Orie Ugba and Isi Gate areas, promising to sacrifice the internally generated revenue of the council in order to save the lives of the people.

“Revenue is not more important than the lives of the people,” he declared.

Environmental sanitation: 110 defaulters arrested in Abia

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• November 30, 2024
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Kogi resident doctors decry non-implementation of new salary structure

The Association of Residents Doctors (ARD) in Kogi State has expressed concern over the non-implementation of the approved new salary structure, CONMESS 2024. The doctors expressed their displeasure over the non-payment of arrears of the new minimum wage for October 2024 as promised by the state government, after an emergency meeting of the association in
Kogi resident doctors decry non-implementation of new salary structure

The Association of Residents Doctors (ARD) in Kogi State has expressed concern over the non-implementation of the approved new salary structure, CONMESS 2024.

The doctors expressed their displeasure over the non-payment of arrears of the new minimum wage for October 2024 as promised by the state government, after an emergency meeting of the association in Lokoja.

The ARD President of Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH) Lokoja, Dr Ameh Friday, who spoke on behalf of the doctors shortly after the meeting, appealed to Governor Ahmed Ododo to wade in and intervene.

According to him, “Doctors in the service of Kogi State Government have strongly expressed their gross dissatisfaction over the non-implementation of the approved new salary structure, CONMESS 2024”

He stated that members who attended in their numbers, aired their grievances for being excluded from the minimum wage implementation in October.

“In October 2024, the government graciously approved the new salary structure CONMESS 2024 for doctors working in the state.

“It was meant to motivate the already impoverished doctors and to serve as halting mechanism to the norms that exist where doctors working in the state are always on transition to leave the service due to poor remuneration,” he added.

The ARD leader explained that the approval was conveyed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams, and was widely circulated and published in the media, bringing joy to doctors in the state.

According to him, in appreciation of the gesture, various associations of doctors in Kogi State expressed their gratitude to the governor and prayed for the success of his administration.

He observed that the implementation that was meant to take effect in October was later slated for November and with a promise that the accrued arrears of October would be paid alongside the November salary.

However, he noted that members were thrown into disarray when November salary was paid few days ago without the October arrears of new minimum wage and implementation of the new salary structure, CONMESS 2024.

Friday explained that it is on record that, among all health workers working with the Kogi State Government, only medical doctors are still on the old salary structure of CONMESS 2014 whereas others have been on CONHESS 2024.

He called on Ododo to extend his goodwill to the doctors working with the State Civil Service and also appealed to the governor to direct the relevant government agencies to ensure the full implementation of what was rightly approved, for continuous harmony and peace in the health sector.

Kogi resident doctors decry non-implementation of new salary structure

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• November 30, 2024
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Foundation urges condom use, awareness to combat HIV/AIDS spread

A Non-Governmental Organisation, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, has called for the prioritisation of condoms by couples to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country. In a statement issued and made available to journalists in Makurdi, Benue State capital on Saturday, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF, Steve Aborisade, highlighted the preparation of the organisation
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A Non-Governmental Organisation, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, has called for the prioritisation of condoms by couples to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country. In a statement issued and made available to journalists in Makurdi, Benue State capital on Saturday, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF, Steve Aborisade, highlighted the preparation of the organisation

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• November 30, 2024
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Non-inclusion of women in key positions is political violence – Stakeholders

Women activists have decried non-inclusion of women in key government positions in Nigeria. They described it as not only a form political violence but that it debars stronger voices against rape and other gender based violence. They spoke at a media dialogue, an initiative of Stand to End Rape held in collaboration with the State
Non-inclusion of women in key positions is political violence – Stakeholders

Women activists have decried non-inclusion of women in key government positions in Nigeria.

They described it as not only a form political violence but that it debars stronger voices against rape and other gender based violence.

They spoke at a media dialogue, an initiative of Stand to End Rape held in collaboration with the State Ministry of Women Affairs to advance female participation in politics and decision making.

The event was part of the activities to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based

Addressing the workshop, Commissioner for Women Affairs in the state, Mrs Edema Irom said women are still suffering socio-political neglect.

She said women are not given a level playing field to compete favourably with the men, claiming that most women are intellectually way ahead of the men and many others have better administrative acumen.

She called for inclusion of women in key decision making organs of political parties, state and federal governments, board of multinational firms and other major organizations.

According to her, “Gender Based Violence, GBV, will reduce tremendously if women hold key positions in governments where they can speak out loudly and enforce punishments against culprits.

“95% of GBV cases are women. GBV can be curbed if women get deeply involved in key decision making positions. More women should be included in governance.

“However, I want to charge women not to be waiting to be allotted positions. You must get yourselves prepared ahead of any elections. You must not only participate but do what is legally possible to win.

“We must keep amplifying women’s neglect, and call for inclusion in decision making. ”

Irom advocated that “out of the three senatorial seats, one must always be a preserve of the woman by law.

“And no fewer than two must also be reserved for women in the state and federal constituencies. These would be outside whatever women would win.

“We should insist on proper implementation of the 35% affirmative action.”

Cautioning against being favored for political positions, she strongly advised that women should on their own purchase nomination forms.

“I don’t believe in free things. Let’s be wary about the call for a special seats bill,” she added.

Also speaking, Mercy Akpama, member representing Yakurr state constituency in the House of Assembly expressed the belief that men and women have the same intellectual capacity but that women have better edges.

She said women are more in population and should use it to their advantage, frowning that they are sidelined when it comes to decision making.

Akpama cautioned that women should no longer be used as extras or substitutes, even as she charged them to intensify the advocacy for women inclusions.

Principal counsel at Basix Rights Counsel Initiative, Barrister James Ibor told the women that, “Power is not given on a platter of gold. Nobody will just hand over power to women. You have to fight for it.”

He frowned at the practice in parts of Cross River where women do not have rights to land and property.

The lawyer asked what democracy is if women are perpetually made to be disadvantaged.

Programme officer for Stand To End Rape, Husseini Mohammed explained that the Special Seat Bill now before the National Assembly is meant to increase the number of seats for women in government outside the 35% affirmative action policy, adding that women’s economic power was waining.

Non-inclusion of women in key positions is political violence – Stakeholders

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• November 30, 2024
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Catholic priest raises alarm over deteriorating inter-tribal relations in Taraba

A Roman Catholic priest, Very Rev. Father Simon Akuraga, has expressed concern over the deteriorating relations between the various ethnic groups in Taraba State, particularly between the Tiv and Jukun. Speaking during the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Tiv traditional leadership in Bali local government council at the weekend, he expressed deep concern over the
Catholic priest raises alarm over deteriorating inter-tribal relations in Taraba

A Roman Catholic priest, Very Rev. Father Simon Akuraga, has expressed concern over the deteriorating relations between the various ethnic groups in Taraba State, particularly between the Tiv and Jukun.

Speaking during the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Tiv traditional leadership in Bali local government council at the weekend, he expressed deep concern over the increasing tensions that have led to lose of lives and destruction of property worth millions of naira.

In his paper titled ‘Exploring the Frontiers of Peace and Security by Tiv of Taraba State’, the the clergyman who recalled a time when the Tiv people lived harmoniously with other tribes in the state.

He attributed the worsening relationship between the Tiv and Jukun communities to events that occurred during the 1990s.

According to him, the inter-tribal conflict resulted in the displacement of people and long-term suffering, with many residents being confined to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

While urging all parties involved in the conflict to prioritize peace and demonstrate love for one another, he
called for the formation of peace committees, positive parenting, youth engagement, and economic empowerment as strategies to restore and sustain harmony in the state.

“Peace is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of justice,” he emphasized.

The clergyman who also highlighted the urgency of extending olive branches to displaced persons, stressed the need for the relevant authorities to work round the clock to unite the various ethnic groups in the state.

“There is a need to extend our hands of fellowship to our displaced brethren both morally and physically. Faith-based organizations like the Catholic Church are doing their best, but the support of everyone is essential,” he said.

“The inability of people to return to their homes and access their farmland not only threatens our livelihood but also weakens our identity and unity as a people.”

He also cautioned journalists and social media influencers against spreading false information, urging them to leverage technology to foster development and promote peace and unity within the society.

Catholic priest raises alarm over deteriorating inter-tribal relations in Taraba