NEWS
Alia Launches FG’s 250KVA Solar Infrastructure, Psychosocial Centre at BSUTH

From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has commissioned the 250KVA Solar System donated by the office of the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima to Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi.
The governor also commissioned the renovated Mental and Psychosocial Rehabilitation Centre at the Teaching Hospital.
Speaking during inauguration of the projects on Thursday at the hospital premises, Alia thanked the Federal Government through the Vice President for bringing the project to Benue saying it would go a long way in solving the energy needs of the hospital.
Alia said the project was the beginning of greater things to come to the hospital, stressing that the choice of the Chief Medical Director, Dr Steven Hwande was not a mistake as the hospital will experience unimaginable transformation and become the best medical institution in the north central axis of Nigeria.
He noted that the President, Bola Tinubu has signed an Act that will let Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) be extended to all the wards across the states of the federation.
“Just few days ago, all the Nigerian Governors and the President of the federal republic of Nigeria signed this health act that now warrants Primary Health care institutions at all the wards of the country.
That’s a huge milestone. Those who have one are going to have an addition.”
Alia who also noted that the hospital has been having issues of water scarcity directed that “As I am talking right now, let there be water in this hospital.
He pledged that his administration will continue to do all that is humanly possible to ensure that the health care services in the state are prompt.
He warned all quacks in the medical profession in the state to pick their tools and leave saying “we have lost human lives in the past through quackery and it is time for them to pack and go.”
He encouraged the state health workers to put in their best as theirs is a vocation, “remain professional because we will ensure that the hospital becomes an attraction for not only the north central but for the nation.
According to him, Benue State has not recorded any new case of Covid-19 in recent years, describing the resurgence of the virus in the state as fake.
He warned media professionals against spreading false information about his administration, threatening to deal with anyone found trying to demarket the state through bad reportage.
“I want to say that our administration will always welcome constructive criticism but will take action against anyone especially the social media handlers who are bent on demarketing our state through dissemination of unverifiable information.
“You should know that whatever you do, good or bad, there is always a consequence,” Alia said.He further assured that he will look into the request of JOHESU where they asked that the 21 months arrears of the hazard allowance should be paid to them and if possible built into the 2024 budget.
In his welcome address, the Chief Medical Director, Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) Makurdi, Terungwa Hwande, on behalf of the Management and the entire staff of the hospital appreciated the federal and state government for the projects.
He described as important the projects, namely; the renovated and re-structured mental and Psycho-social Rehabilitation Centre, and the 250 KVA solar system donated by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the office of the Vice President, at the instance of Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia.
He said the event which took place barely 11 days to Christmas coincided with the time the people of Benue State were looking excitedly forward towards accessing efficient and effective healthcare services at the hospital.
“We are grateful to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the donation of the 250KVA solar power to our Hospital. The donation is timely because various services in the Hospital have been reactivated and several new ones commenced, with attendant increase in the number of patients attending the hospital, leading to full utilization of facilities.
“The installation of the 250 KVA Solar power in the Wards and Theatre block will surely give the patients a new lease of life, just like the improvement of other facilities in the Hospital, courtesy of your able leadership.”
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Myanmar Ortese appreciated the Governor for considering the establishment of tertiary hospital in Zone A axis of the state saying such development will end the suffering of the people of that area who always have to travel to Makurdi for medical care.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Forum of Pensioners/retired staff of BSUTH, Tavershima Akpehe appealed to the governor to also address their pension needs as out of 17 of them who retired from the hospital, only five were being paid 75 percent of their pension due instead of 100 percent.
NEWS
NBA Slams Ibom Air over Passenger’s Undignified Treatment

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the treatment of Ms Comfort Emmanson aboard Ibom Air, describing it as reckless, unlawful and a grave violation of her right to dignity.This is contained in a statement signed by the NBA President, Mr Afam Osigwe (SAN) and the General Secretary, Dr Mobolaji Ojibara.
Report says that on Aug. 10, an incident occurred aboard an Ibom Air flight involving Emmanson. NBA described the manner in which Emmanson was removed from the aircraft as dehumanising.NBA noted that video footage showed an Ibom Air hostess blocking Emmanson’s exit from the plane.The association noted that the conduct could constitute false imprisonment and provocation, potentially escalating the situation.NBA expressed outrage over allegations that Emmanson was publicly stripped of her clothing, humiliated, filmed and had the footage circulated online.The association viewed the photographing, dissemination and online circulation of indecent images of her as both degrading and a serious invasion of privacy, constituting a criminal act.“Even if the incident had to be reported, the footage should have been blurred or edited in a way that did not expose her nudity to the public,” NBA said.The association stressed that those responsible for capturing and distributing the unedited footage must be identified and prosecuted.They warned that such acts erode public trust and undermine the rights of all citizens to be treated with dignity and respect.NBA considered the lifetime ban on Emmanson from flying Ibom Air or any other, as heavy-handed, legally and morally indefensible, and in breach of the principle of fair hearing.The association argued that only the relevant statutory regulator had the authority to suspend or restrict a passenger’s flying privileges, not private entities or airlines.The NBA demanded that Ibom Air lift the lifetime ban on Emmanson and issue a public apology.NBA urged the Minister for Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and sanction those responsible.The association pledged to provide Emmanson with pro bono legal support to protect her rights and seek redress for the violations she suffered. (NAN)NEWS
NLC Urges Crude Sales to Dangote in Naira

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos State chapter, has urged the Federal Government to prioritise selling crude oil to the Dangote Refinery in Naira. Lagos NLC Chairperson, Funmi Sesi, made the appeal during a Tuesday tour of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Ltd.
by Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) members and NLC officials. Sesi said compelling the refinery to import crude or buy locally in dollars undermined the promise of reduced fuel prices for Nigerians. “This country has crude oil in abundance. Why is Dangote still importing crude or paying in hard currency for locally produced crude?” she asked. “If the government truly wants to lower fuel prices and support local refining, it must sell crude oil to Dangote in Naira,” she added. According to her, sourcing crude locally in local currency would significantly reduce operational costs and lead to a sustainable drop in fuel prices. The union leader praised Dangote Ltd. for creating a transformative national asset that helps bridge Nigeria’s fuel supply gap, creates jobs, and boosts industrial capacity. She said the scale and strategic importance of Dangote Group’s investments were already delivering measurable benefits to Nigerians. “Today, we have seen the refinery, the fertiliser plant, and other investments in this axis. The size and impact are enormous and impressive,” she said. She described the projects as clear efforts to improve essential product availability, create jobs, and advance Nigeria’s industrialisation. Following the removal of petrol subsidies, Nigerians faced a sharp rise in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) costs. She said Dangote’s refinery entry helped stabilise prices. Sesi noted that Dangote’s operations had significantly lowered PMS and other refined product prices, demonstrating private sector leadership in the industry. “With a 650,000-barrel daily capacity, this refinery can serve Nigeria and West Africa. We also saw large vessels exporting fertilisers to other countries,” she said. She praised Aliko Dangote for building a fully operational, world-class refinery that meets domestic and regional refined petroleum needs. Sesi also commended the production of Euro-5-compliant fuel with reduced sulphur content, aligning with global environmental standards and enhancing Nigeria’s market reputation. “This is the pride we want — a Nigerian company producing at global standards, changing the narrative, and boosting our global standing,” she said. She also lauded Dangote Fertiliser Company, which already exports to international markets, urging government support to improve food security and reduce imported agricultural inputs. Dangote Industries Vice President, Oil and Gas, Devakumar Edwin, said the refinery was addressing Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined products. He said it was setting a foundation for a sustainable, competitive refining industry that would benefit the national economy. Edwin revealed plans to deploy 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks to distribute refined petroleum products nationwide. He said the CNG trucks would ensure domestic refining benefits and lower fuel prices are fully passed to Nigerian consumers. According to him, the CNG fleet would reduce logistics costs — a major contributor to pump prices. “The deployment of 4,000 CNG-powered trucks will help pass down domestic refining benefits and lower product prices to consumers,” he said. He clarified the aim was to improve distribution efficiency, not displace existing operators. Edwin added that CNG trucks are environmentally friendlier and cheaper to run, helping to make refined products more affordable nationwide. (NAN)Foreign News
Gaza: UNESCO Condemns ‘Unacceptable’ Killing of Journalists

The United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has strongly condemned the killing of six journalists in Palestine by an Israeli drone on Sunday.UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.“I condemn the killing of journalists Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Al-Khaldi and call for a thorough and transparent investigation, she said.
Five of the six worked for the influential Qatari-based media organisation, Al Jazeera. Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh were on-air correspondents, while Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa worked as camera operators.Mohammed Al-Khaldi was a freelance photojournalist.They were reportedly killed by an Israeli attack on a tent used by media personnel at the entrance of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) alleged that the 28-year-old al-Sharif was a serving Hamas operative.Al Jazeera strongly denies this, describing the attack as an “assassination” and “yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom.”The UN Human Rights Council-appointed independent expert on freedom of expression had on July 31 denounced an Israeli military spokesperson’s “repeated threats” and “unfounded accusations” against Al-Sharif.The council had described the allegation as “a blatant attempt to endanger his life and silence his reporting” in Gaza.Two Special Rapporteurs on Tuesday described the killings as “an attempt to silence reporting on the ongoing genocide and starvation campaign” in Gaza.“It is outrageous that the Israeli army dares to first launch a campaign to smear Anas Al-Sharif as Hamas in order to discredit his reporting and then kill him and his colleagues for speaking the truth to the world,” they said.The experts demanded an immediate investigation into the killings and full access to international media, which Israel currently bars from entering Gaza.Special rapporteurs and other independent experts are appointed by and report regularly to the Human Rights Council.They work in their individual capacity, are not UN staff and receive no payment for their work.UNESCO chief Azoulay stressed that targeting journalists reporting on conflicts is unacceptable and violates international law.She also reiterated her call to respect UN Security Council Resolution 2222, which was unanimously adopted in 2015 to protect journalists, media professionals, and associated personnel in conflict situations.UNESCO reports that since Oct. 2023, at least 62 journalists and media workers have been killed in the line of duty in Palestine.This excludes deaths in circumstances unrelated to their work, while OHCHR reports that at least 242 Palestinian journalists have been killed in the same time frame. (NAN)