NEWS
COVID-19: Buhari Lauds Dangote, Elumelu, Atiku, Banks’ Support
By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari has commended what he described as “the public-spiritedness of wealthy Nigerians and organizations” for standing up to be counted in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The President saluted members of the Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Against Covid-19, made of people like Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu of BUA Group, Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, Herbert Wigwe, Segun Agbaje and Jim Ovia of UBA, Access, GTB, and Zenith Banks, respectively, for contributing N1 billion each, and being in the vanguard of encouraging others in the private sector to do same.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina on Friday stated that, UBA has equally donated the sum of N5 billion to Nigeria and Africa, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged N50 million, while First Bank is partnering with government, the United Nations, and innovative technological firms to provide e-learning solutions to at least one million children under its ‘Keep Them Engaged, Keep Them Safe’ initiative.
The President extolled every other helping hand that has been lent by individuals, groups and organizations, which may not necessarily be in the public domain, noting that God who sees all things will abundantly recompense.
President Buhari recommended these laudable strides to other high net-worth Nigerians and organizations, stressing that hand in hand, the country will overcome the challenges brought by the pandemic, and chart new course in nationalism and brotherhood.
NAFDAC Intercepts Psychoactive Drugs, Bursts Beverage Factories in Southeast
The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized banned pharmaceutical products, worth millions of naira, in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra, during a raid.
The agency also burst factories manufacturing fake alcoholic beverages in Enugu and Imo states during the month.
Mr Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director, South East Zone, told newsmen in Awka on Wednesday that drugs intercepted in Onitsha, included 892 bottles of Codeine Syrup, 26 packs of Rohypnol tablet (Flunitrazepam) and 16 packs of Swings tablet (Flunitrazepam).
Others were six rolls of Teka Tramadol capsules 100mg, 10 packs of Super Terpentol tablet 200mg and eight packs Osaka Tramadol Capsules 100mg.
Iluyomade commended Mr Louis Mmadubuatta, the Coordinator of NAFDAC in Anambra, for a successful operation, saying that the drugs posed grave public health danger.
He said the drugs were dangerous psychoactive substances, especially Rohypnol, which, he said, was largely used by kidnappers, rapists, cultists and ritualists, on their victims.
“These are controlled drugs which should not be found in an open market or in the hands of individuals,” he said.
Iluyomade said other breakthroughs made included the discovery of a factory under the name BEST IJAW at Ibagwa Aka, in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, which specialised in the production of an unapproved dry gin.
He said the factory had eight PVC containers filled with substances suspected to be ethanol and drums of substances equally suspected to be ethanol.
“The so-called factory is in an uncompleted building used for rearing all manners of domestic animals and is very unkempt.
“Workers at the factory fill small branded plastic bottles with substances suspected to be ethanol from these drums and they distribute them to the innocent public for consumption,” he said.
The NAFDAC Zonal Director said another operation was carried out in Ezinihitte, Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, where a factory counterfeited some popular wine and spirit brands.
He said some of the faked beverages intercepted were Campari, St. Remy, Big Ben Gin, Lord’s Gin, Eagles Gin, Seaman’s Schnapps, McDowell’s, 8PM Whisky, 8Hours, Action Bitter, One Man Squad, Hennessy, 501 Whisky, Royal Spark, Don Oscar’s Quevedo Red Wine, and Chelsea Dry Gin.
He said the couple who operated the factory had been arrested and handed over to Police for investigation and prosecution.
“A huge number of all the drinks were seized. Bottles, corks, labels, substances yet to be identified until after a proper test as well as other equipment used for the product of fake drinks were also seized.
“The operation was made possible by the collaboration between NAFDAC and the Directorate of State Services,” he said.
Iluyomade said the operations were in continuation of the agency’s mission to ensure that consumers of food and drink in the Southeast were protected from harmful products,
He advised the general public to be patient and painstakingly look out for the seal of quality on beverages whatever they wished to buy them.
According to him, NAFDAC remained committed to ensuring that the level of counterfeit products in markets and homes is reduced drastically for the safety of all consumers of these products.(NAN)
NEWS
FCT HOS: Why President Tinubu Extends Atang’s Tenure By 6 Months
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the extension of Atang Udo Samuel, as the the Head of Service, HOS, for Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, in order to stabilise and consolidate the ongoing process in repositioning, the administrative structure of FCTA.
In a memo that was obtained by Daily Asset, and signed on behalf of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, by the Chief of Staff, to the Minister, Chidi Amadi, in Abuja.
The memo stated that Atang’s tenure was extended for six months with effect from Wednesday 27th March, 2024.
The memo reads, “I am directed to refer to the above subject matter and to inform you that His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has graciously approved the extension of your service for a period of six months with effects from Wednesday 27th March 2024 when you would have attained the mandatory age of 60 years.
“The extension of your service premised on the need to stabilise and consolidate the ongoing process to reposition the administrative structure of FCT Administration occasioned by the recent inauguration of FCT civil service commission”.
It would be recalled that Forty Seven years after creation, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) finally got a Civil Service Commission, a few days ago .
On that same day, FCT Head of Service, HOS, Udo Samuel Atang, and ten Permanent Secretaries chosen from Directors of the FCT Administration, took their oaths of office.
And on Wednesday 27th of March, the HOS attained the mandatory age of 60 years for retirement in civil service.
NEWS
FGGC Benin Emerges Winner of 2023 National Senior Secondary Schools’ Debate
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government Girls College, Benin has emerged overall winner of the 2023 National Senior Secondary Schools’ Debate Competition.
This remarkable achievement came after fierce competition from schools across the six geo-political zones of the country.
The grand finale of the competition was organised by the Senior Secondary Education Department, Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja on Tuesday.
The topic debated on was “Democracy has done more harm than good to the nation.”
The students of FGGB Benin impressed the judges with their outstanding performances, securing the overall first position, while Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba and Federal Government College, Potiskum, secured the second and third position respectively.
The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, said the competition was aimed at igniting the student’s quest of academic excellence and the growth of critical thinking abilities.
Sununu, represented by his Special Adviser on Project, Mr Rufai Adamu, charged the students on their continued contributions to the intellectual enrichment of the society.
“The debate exercise is an effective method for developing students’ critical thinking skills as well as a spirit of inquiry and reasoned conversation.
“The topics discussed throughout this competition have spanned a wide spectrum of issues, reflecting the diversity and complexity of the world we live in.
“From socio-economic challenges to environmental concerns, the students have demonstrated an impressive ability to grapple with multifaceted issues and present well-reasoned arguments.
“As we witness the grand finale, let us remember that education is not merely a means to an end but a lifelong journey of discovery and growth.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the education system continues to foster critical thinking, creativity, and a sense of civic duty,” he said.
In her remarks, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, the event convener, Director, Senior Secondary Education Department in the ministry, said the competition was designed to promote effective critical thinking and development of excellent oral and written communication skills.
“As we all know that debate promotes critical thinking, boosts confidence and promotes effective communication skills, encourages teamwork, It stimulates independent research, supports democratic values and tolerates opposing views.
“It increases knowledge sharing and professional attributes to mould and bring about a successful career. It equally fosters a sense of unity among students by encouraging open, respectful and constructive debates on a topic of national importance,” she said.
Meanwhile, the President General, Unity School Old Students Association (USOSA), Michael Magaji, appealed to the ministry to go beyond debating but introduced a global initiative just as the UN global club to bring students to the current levels of global thinking.
Highlights of the competition featured cash awards as FGGC Benin got a cash prize of N150,000 while FSTC Yaba got a cash prize of N100,000.
Other consolation prizes were given to the students by Cisco Network Academy, Skool Media and USOSA and the Ministry of Education.