NEWS
Let’s Fix PDP to Fix Nigeria, Says Makinde

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to fix the internal crisis in the party as the PDP is capable of fixing the country.
Makinde, who spoke yesterday at the inauguration of the Board of Governors and Unveiling of Roadmap for the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI), said that as the nation approaches 2027 for another general election, it was clear that the PDP has the capacity to provide direction for Nigerians. The Oyo State Governor, who was the special guest at the occasion, asked rhetorically, “What would you want to be remembered for? This is a question every politician who has had to serve at any capacity in our great nation should ask themselves. Because players would come and go.”The situation is so dynamic, but you have to be remembered for something.”From 2019, I’ve been benefitting from PDP. So, I want to say thank you to our great party, and all the stakeholders gathered here today, for giving me the opportunity to get not one, but two mandates, back to back, under this umbrella.”The only thing I can promise you is that since I have fetched water from that well I have been drinking since 2019, I will not pollute the well when it is time for me to exit that position.”The journey to this day has not been all smooth, but I’m thankful that we are able to overcome all the obstacles along the way.”On the PDI, Makinde said that with inauguration of the institute Board of Governors, the PDP is moving a step closer to defining the ideology that the party stands for, and cementing what the party as a whole will want to be remembered for.He said, “Let me especially thank all the people that are members of the party that has put aside grievances, and played a role in the re-establishment and revitalisation of the PDI” recalling that the institute was formed during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.”So, one will take a pause and say okay, what happened during the 16 years of PDI in power nationally? “You can see that with the PDI, there is a pivotal rule, and during those years, we can rightly refer to as the golden years, because since we are working through the plan, we got debt forgiveness, we were interacting with everybody around the world, we were not in pariah relations,” he said.He called on members to rally round the party and set aside their differences, saying there was need for true reconciliation and unity to wrestle power from the APC in Ondo State, whose governorship election has been slated for November 16, 2024.In his contribution, former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, noted that parties are built on ideas, philosophies and policies, stressing the need to move away from building ideas on self and ambition.Sakari said: “We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party. We cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas. This is where it starts from. This is the foundation that is important. “Let us desist from talking about who is running for councillor, or who is running for governor, or who is running for president in 2027. Let us talk about what PDP is. What does PDP represent? What are the issues and policies that we must take into account?”This is what is important for us. This is what Nigerians outside want to know. This is what is important.”Earlier the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb Umar Damagum ,who was represented by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature, said there needed to reposition and unite the party to play its opposition role.NEWS
Benue Govt Approves Lydia Memorial Hospital as Focal Center for Infectious Disease Treatment

By David Torough, Abuja
The Benue State Government has officially approved Lydia Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo, as a focal hospital for the treatment of infectious diseases, making it the first private hospital in the state to receive such recognition.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Yanmar Ortese, announced the approval while receiving the hospital’s management team, led by its Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director, Dr. Mark Ogbodo, during a courtesy visit to his office on Tuesday.Dr. Ortese commended Dr. Ogbodo for maintaining high professional standards and delivering quality healthcare services.”I was very impressed with the report from the supervision team I sent to your hospital. Based on their positive assessment, I had no option but to approve Lydia Memorial Hospital as a focal hospital for infectious disease treatment. This makes it the first private hospital in Benue State to achieve this status,” he stated.He encouraged Dr. Ogbodo to continue upholding professional ethics, assuring that the government remains committed to combating medical quackery and promoting quality healthcare services.”I urge you to remain dedicated to the ethics of the medical profession, as the sky will only be your lower limit,” Ortese added.The Commissioner emphasized the importance of partnerships between the government and private health institutions to improve healthcare delivery, especially in rural areas.”This award will spur me to do even more for both the private health sector and the state’s healthcare system at large. We are committed to sustaining high standards and will continue to foster collaborations that enhance healthcare delivery across Benue State,” Dr. Ortese remarked.He also expressed optimism that the government would provide more support to private hospitals to ease their operational burdens and improve service delivery.In his remarks, Dr. Mark Ogbodo praised Dr. Ortese for his exceptional leadership and unwavering support for private healthcare providers.”Your leadership is a source of inspiration, and your kindness to Lydia Memorial Hospital will always be remembered and cherished,” Dr. Ogbodo said.Dr. Ogbodo particularly thanked the Commissioner for approving Lydia Memorial Hospital as a focal center for infectious disease treatment, describing the approval as a historic milestone for private healthcare in Benue State.”This approval is not just a recognition of our efforts but also a motivation to continue striving for excellence in healthcare delivery,” he added.As part of the visit, Dr. Ogbodo on behalf of the management team, presented an Award of Excellence to Dr. Ortese in recognition of his outstanding contributions to healthcare in Benue State and Nigeria.”This award is a token of our appreciation for your exceptional leadership, your commitment to medical excellence, and the many courtesies extended to Lydia Memorial Hospital,” Dr. Ogbodo stated.There was a renewed commitment from both parties to strengthen public-private partnerships and improve healthcare access and quality across the state.NEWS
Katsina Hisbah Bans Nightclubs

The Katsina State Hisbah Board has banned all nightclub activities across the state, citing Islamic principles and the need to uphold moral values.
The Hisbah Commander-General, Dr Aminu Usman (Abu Ammar), announced this in a statement issued in Katsina on Wednesday. He stated that nightclub owners must shut down their establishments to curb immoral practices, protect societal values, and address security concerns in the state. “The board warned that violators would face strict penalties. Security agencies have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the order. “We are committed to building a morally upright society and ensuring peace and security in Katsina State,” Usman said. He confirmed that the board has informed relevant security agencies, including the state Commissioner for Internal Security, to enforce the directive effectively. “This move aligns with Hisbah’s broader efforts to ensure residents continue their lives in line with religious and moral standards,” he stated. (NAN)NEWS
Senate Begins Public Hearing on Tax Reform Bills Feb. 24

The Senate will begin a two-day public hearing on the four tax reform bills presented by President Bola Tinubu to improve the nation’s tax administration.
Chairman of Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. Sani Musa, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.Sani after a closed session with members of the committee said that the public hearing would hold on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25. “We intend to take on two of the bills on each day of the session for the press to be fully abreast with what we intend to do.“The bills are: Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024; Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.The bills, according to him, will overhaul the tax administration and revenue generation in the country, as many of the provisions contained in them are landmark in nature.This, he said, would put Nigeria on the same pedestal with advanced economies, saying that infrastructure, education, agriculture and other sectors of the economy would be adequately taken care of with enough funds.Sani said that the committee members had studied the bills and had a robust engagement with several stakeholders before deciding to hold the public hearing.He expressed the belief that the public hearing would go on well, adding that President Bola Tinubu had repeatedly assured that he would not interfere in any of the processes on the tax reform bills.“It is our duty as legislators to do the needful for the good of this country. We are all representatives of different tribes, religions, geography and we are Nigerians.“What we will work towards giving Nigerians are laws that will put us on track economically. And by the grace of God, we will succeed,” he said.He listed those invited to the public hearing to include: the Federal Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, the Minister of Trade and Investment and the Attorney-General of the Federation.“We have also invited the Minister of Petroleum Resources, the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Services and the Statistician-General of the Federation so that he will be able to come and give us his own submission,” he said.Sani assured that the National Assembly would, at the end of the day, produce legislations on tax administration that would be acceptable to Nigerians. (NAN)