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Fuel subsidy removal: Residents commend Gov. Obaseki’s free transport service

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Mr Godwin Obaseki
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…Residents commend Gov. Obaseki’s free transport service

Residents of Benin metropolis have commended Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, for introducing free transport service to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal on the people in the state.

The residents spoke in separate interviews on Wednesday with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.

Mrs Agnes Ogieator, a trader at Oba of Benin market, said provision of free transport service was one of the best steps the governor had taken to cushion the effect of the hardship orchestrated by the new fuel regime.

According to her, “I used to spend nothing less than N5,000 on transport on daily basis before the flag off of the free transport service.

APC Condemns Obaseki’s Penchant for Demolition of Properties

“That is history now, thanks to Gov. Godwin Obaseki for this initiative to reduce the hardship as I have now channel that N5,000 to other expenses.”

Also speaking, Mr Gabriel Enalogholase, a media practitioner, said he appreciated the new development initiated by the governor.

According to him, it is not everyone that can afford the recent hike in transportation.

“Obaseki has done well as this will create an avenue for some persons to cut cost and save for better days.”

On her part, Mrs Joy Idemudia, a judiciary staff, said because of bad roads in the state and hike in fuel, she had parked her vehicle and keyed into the free transport service provided by the state government.

“I conveniently board the free bus in front of my house at Ekewam road on daily basis straight to king’s square, thereafter join another one on Aduwawa axis to my office without paying a dime.

“In the evening when going home after close of work, I also still join the free bus home, I say thank you to our governor.” she said.

Other beneficiaries also commended the state government for the initiative.

They said Edo people are being relieved of the burden of high cost of transportation as a result of the rise in the cost of petrol occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

NAN reports that the free transport scheme operates between 6am and 7pm daily, covering all ECTS operational routes, both intra-city and inter-city routes, including Auchi – Igarra – Ibillo–Ososo; Uzebba–Ikhin – Otuo, and Abudu-Ubiaja, Abudu-Urhonigbe and Ewohirin to Ewatto.

The intra-city routes are Ramat–Kingsquare; New Benin–Kingsquare; Kingsquare – Ekenwan Road; Kingsquare–Airport Road; Kingsquare–Sapele Road and Kingsquare – Adesuwa, Kingsquare–Ogida; New Benin – Upper Mission; Kingsquare–Ugbowo; Kingsquare–Agbor Road; Kingsquare–Upper Sokponba; New Benin – Ugbowo and New Benin–Aduwawa.

…Residents commend Gov. Obaseki’s free transport service

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FCT kick-starts Dry Season Market Sensitisation

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

In order to prevent dry season fire outbreaks in Abuja markets, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, on Thursday commenced the 2024/2025 dry season market sensitisation in Abuja.The Coordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) Felix Obuah, who represented the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike while flagging off the sensitisation in Wuse Market Abuja.

He said the flag shows the administration’s commitment to safeguard lives, properties, and livelihoods in Abuja Markets and in FCT generally.
According to the AMMC boss, “It is with great honor and a profound sense of responsibility that I stand before you today, on behalf of the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to officially flag-off the 2024/2025 Dry Season Market Sensitization Campaign.
This initiative is more than just an event-it is a testament to our collective commitment to safeguarding lives, properties, and livelihoods in Abuja Markets and in FCT generally.He emphasised the importance of Market Sensitization, which include, “Markets are vibrant hubs of economic activity, central to our communities’ development and well-being. However, they are also uniquely vulnerable to fire outbreaks, particularly during the dry season. This period brings heightened risks due to factors such as increased temperatures, the use of flammable materials, and electrical overloads.”The consequences of fire disasters in markets are far-reaching, Loss of livelihoods: Traders lose not only goods but also years of investment and hard work.”Economic impact: Fire outbreaks disrupt commerce, affecting the local economy and the larger FCT economy.”Emotional and physical toll: Victims and their families often suffer emotional trauma and, in some cases, physical injuries or fatalities”.He emphasised that the yearly sensitization campaign is vital in mitigating the risks. Through proactive awareness, empowering traders and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to prevent fire disasters and respond effectively when emergencies occur.He therefore urged the traders to “adopt preventive measures: Ensure your shops are equipped with fire extinguishers, avoid overloading electrical connections, and maintain clear pathways for emergency exits.”Stay vigilant: Report any suspicious activities or fire hazards promptly. Participate actively: Take the information shared during this campaign seriously and implement the safety tips provided.”Remember, fire safety is not just the responsibility of the government or market management. It requires the active participation of every trader and stakeholder”.Earlier in his welcome address, the acting Managing Director of Abuja Market Management limited, AMML, Onya Ojoji, said the campaign is apt and imperative because of a couple of incidents that were recorded in 2024.He said, “It is also very important to us at AMML due to a couple of incidents that attempted to blight our close to clean sheet in two decades of Market management – talking about the fire incidents that ravaged a block of this market on April 25, 2024 and another one on a section of the informal sector block at Kaura Market on August 16, 2024. These happened despite the high premium we place on preventive approach to fire safety management which cascades down to regular routine Fire Audit, sensitization/drill, stakeholders’ engagement with FCT Fire Service as well as in infrastructure upgrade and interventions from AICL, among others”.He noted, “We are braced more than ever to constantly review our Fire Safety Management Structure, assess the functionality of firefighting equipment and infrastructure and evaluate and enforce the isolation of common areas from commercial activities.”We are also taking more seriously, enforcement on proper storage or outright removal of fire- inducing materials in the markets, evaluation of egress and evacuation procedures as well as periodic survey of shop operators’ and Security guards’ knowledge of fire safety matters within the Market while embracing latest approaches and technology in fire prevention and control.”Today’s exercise is therefore part of measures at achieving the above objectives and on this note, I welcome you all once again and solicit your full participation so that together we can win this war against Fire disasters in FCT Markets”, he said.Among those who were present at the occasion included traders, Abuja Market Management Ltd (AMML), Directors (AMMC), officials of the FCT Fire Service, and representatives of other markets across the Federal Capital Territory.

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COAS Tasks Media Practitioners on Responsible, Balanced Reporting

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From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has tasked media practitioners in the South-East on responsible and balanced reporting on operations and activities of the Nigerian Army.Oluyede gave the task in Enugu on Thursday in an address at the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Quarterly Media Chat for the Fourth Quarter of 2024, with the theme: “Military and Media Relationship: A Panacea for Enhanced National Security and Development”.

The COAS, represented by Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, noted the need to strengthen collaboration and create opportunities for open dialogue between the Nigerian Army and the media.
According to him, these open dialogues are essential requirements for robust and mutually beneficial relationships.He said that establishing regular communication channels would enable transparent reporting on military operations, timely dissemination of information, and help counter misinformation effectively.He said, “I urge media practitioners to prioritise accuracy and fairness in reporting on Nigerian Army activities and balancing the public’s right to information with national security considerations.”It is also crucial to avoid spreading misinformation or content that could jeopardise national unity and security. Through collaboration, we can enhance public understanding, build trust and contribute to the greater good of our nation.”This partnership should extend beyond conflict reporting to include national development and community engagement.”By highlighting initiatives that improve the lives of citizens, we can promote a united front against violent armed groups and distractions from nation-building.”The COAS revealed that the Nigerian Army had been intensifying operations across various regions to address the complex security challenges the nation currently faces.”I am pleased to report significant successes, including the neutralisation of terrorists, the rescue of abducted citizens and restoring socio-economic activities in affected communities.”As we continue these operations, I call on all Nigerians to support the Army and urge the media to maintain responsible and balanced reporting.”The Nigerian Army remains committed to fostering a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the media, essential for safeguarding our territorial integrity and advancing national development,” he said.Speaking, the Chief of Civil-Military Cooperation, Maj.-Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo, appreciated the COAS and the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu, for supporting and funding the media chat to build a robust understanding between the Nigerian Army and media.Ugbo also thanked the media practitioners and executives for taking out time to relate with the Nigerian Army and proffering solutions to localised security challenges.The Special Guest of Honour to the event, Chief Executive Officer of Guardian Newspaper, Mr Toke Ibru, noted that the media chat and its theme were apt to create accessibility of the public especially media to get correct information and drive away misinformation.”The event will also enable the Nigerian Army to understand how the media functions, including its challenges and pressures; and through this means better the relationship,” Ibru said.Maj,-Gen. Godwin Umelo (retired), in a lecture titled: “Enhancing National Security through Whole of Society Approach: Effective Information Management in Perspective”, said that the people must get involved in the security of their neighbourhoods and communities.”Security is everybody’s business in the society and we need to give security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army all the support in terms of actionable information to respond to security threats on time,” Umelo said.

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Over 30% of Pregnant Women in Nigeria Don’t Visit Skilled Health Worker – UNICEF

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

United Nations Children Education Funds (UNICEF), on Thursday said over 30% of pregnant women in Nigeria do not visit skilled Health workers throughout the nine months of their pregnancy.UNICEF Health Manager, Martin Dohlsten revealed this at a two day media dialogue, he said the normal recommendation is for pregnant women to visit a skilled worker at least 48 visits.

He said, “Latest figures show a maternal mortality rate of 576 per 100,000 live births, the fourth highest on Earth.
Each year approximately 262,000 babies die at birth, the world’s second highest national total. Infant mortality currently stands at 69 per 1,000 live births while for under-fives it rises to 128 per 1,000 live births.
More than half of the under-five deaths – 64 per cent – result from malaria, pneumonia or diarrhoea.”So if you look at the Nigerian Health Demographic Survey (NDHS) that was done from 1990 up until now, there’s a new one coming out this year, but the data has still been validated. But if we look at the trends from 1990 to 2018 for neonatal mortality rates, it hasn’t really declined.”So there would be, of course, a diversity within Nigeria where you can see, you can, you can see generally, maybe states in the northwest, maybe to some extent, north, the northern belt, have a higher mortality rate than some parts, especially the southwest, where you see more improvement”.He continued, “In rural areas, 38 percent of women made at least 4 antenatal care (ANC) visits compared to 75 percent in urban areas. 23 percent in rural areas, visit skilled workers after birth compared to 67 percent in urban areas. Only 8 percent of newborns in rural areas receive postnatal care (PNC) within 2 days after birth, compared to 25 percent in urban areas.”80 percent of mothers with higher education made at least four ANC visits, compared to only 28 percent of mothers with no education.Only 12 percent of mothers with no education had a skilled attendant at birth, compared to 44 percent with primary education and 93 percent for mothers with higher education.”Five percent of newborns are checked within two days after birth if their mothers have no education, compared to 14 percent of mothers with a primary education and 38 percent of mothers who received higher education”.He noted, “Nationwide 30%of infant mortality was due to delivery problems with 50% of deaths happening in the first week. Neonatal fatality in North West states of Kaduna is 63 deaths per 1,000 live births, four times higher than the south west.”The slow uptake of antenatal care especially among young, poor rural women is the reason babies don’t survive beyond one day. While almost half of all women gave birth in a health facility, only 36% women in rural areas gave birth in a health facility compared to 74% of women in urban areas.”In Nigeria 79% of new born deaths are due to three preventable causes. Infection complications during childbirth mainly asphyxia, prematurely”.He noted that for Nigeria to achieve the SDG 3.2 target by 2030, Nigeria needs to rapidly accelerate under 5 mortality rate reductions from 1.8% per year.If Nigeria is to be back on track to achieve the 3.2 target, over 3,597,700 under-5 deaths could be averted by 2030.

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