NEWS
Pan-African Movement Calls for Abolition of Colonial Borders, Visa Restrictions
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The Africans Rising Movement, a Pan-African movement, has urged African leaders to abolish colonial borders and visa restrictions imposed by European powers.
Mr Hardi Yakubu, the movement’s coordinator, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Friday, while commemorating the 140th anniversary of the Berlin Conference.
Yakubu emphasised that the Berlin Conference, held from Nov.
15, 1884, to Feb. 26, 1885, was a pivotal event where European powers gathered to exploit Africa’s labor and resources, dividing the continent without any African representation.He noted that this legacy of division continued to harm the continent through border-related conflicts, insecurity, and economic stagnation.
“The Africans Rising Movement is advocating for a borderless Africa, where Africans can move freely within the continent.”
Yakubu explained that the movement’s campaign was decentralised and people-owned, aiming to push for the free movement of Africans and goods within Africa.
“The ultimate goal is to achieve an Africa where Africans can move around without current border restrictions, enhancing trade, job creation, solidarity, and economic transformation.”
Yakubu stressed that the campaign promoted the ratification and implementation of the African Union Protocol on Free Movement of Persons in all African countries.(NAN)
NEWS
Benue Govt Approves Lydia Memorial Hospital as Focal Center for Infectious Disease Treatment
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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
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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
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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)