NEWS
Royal Father Urges Fubara to Deliver more Democracy Dividend
The Traditional Ruler of Opobo Kingdom, Dandeson Jaja, has advised Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers to ensure that his administration delivers meaningful democracy dividend equitably to all parts of the state.
Jaja gave the advice at the Opobo International Charity Day, organised by the Opobo Foundation, USA (OFUSA), in collaboration with different clubs in Opobo Kingdom.
He said that spreading the dividend of democracy round the state would benefit the people of the state and society at large and endear him more to the citizenry.
He urged the governor to hold God as his greatest guide in any difficulties that might come his way.
“We wish him well as the governor of the state as he pilots the affairs of the state,” the royal father said.
He commended the organisers of the event, saying that they had touched majorly the key important issues in human life, which include health and education.
He also thanked the group for the medical outreach, scholarship award to 10 indigent students of Opobo origin and donation of food items and cash to the community.
Jaja advised the beneficiaries of the scholarship to make most of the opportunity and ensure they finished tops in their studies.
In a speech, the President of OFUSA, Prof. Iyalle Peterside, said that the foundation is a non-profit organisation with an aim to build the future and restore Opobo cultural heritage.
Peterside said that the group offered scholarships to students in post-secondary education based on merit.
He said that the scholarship covered tuition, boarding fees and books to ensure that the students would have no reason to drop out of school.
He urged the parents of the beneficiaries to make sure that their children stayed out of trouble in school during the four years of the scholarship.
He gave assurance that the best graduating student would receive another scholarship for a postgraduate study.
Peterside, a professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery in the University of Pennsylvania, said that the available scholarship funds would run for 12 years non-stop, if judiciously managed.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Tap Africa Albino Foundation, Mr Jake Epelle, appealed that persons with disabilities should be included in the OFUSA scholarship scheme.
Epelle, who is a member of the Specialist Examination Committee on Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, said that the foundation would ensure that the initiative to empower the indigent and persons with disabilities with cash gifts was sustained.
He urged organisations to create more awareness about the need for the visually impaired persons to be educated.
He later made cash donation to 40 indigent elderly and persons with disabilities in the area.
The Director-General of Steering Group of Opobo/Nkoro International Charity Day, Dr Sofiri-Starson Peterside, said that the initiative, which also aims at reaching out to Opobo and non-Opobo indigenes, would run through the 14 sections of the communities in the kingdom.
Peterside, a Medical Doctor with First Care Hospital, said that the health of the people of Opobo Kingdom is paramount, if there would be development.
He called on corporate bodies to use the group platform in subsequent years to dispense their social responsibility to the kingdom.
A beneficiary of the scholarship scheme, Mr Jaja Isaiah, thanked the group on behalf of other beneficiaries for the scholarship offered to them.
Isaiah advised his colleagues to take their studies seriously and live a disciplined life that could help them to take similar opportunities that might come their way in future.
Reports says that people received medical checks, including eye, malaria, sugar tests, dispensing of drugs, cash gifts, wrappers and clothing, rice, noodles and exercise books to students, amongst others. (NAN)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Sector-wide Coordinating Office-Programme Management Unit (SCO-PMU) domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.A statement on Friday by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, said the unit would ensure efficient, transparent and accountable management of external grants mobilised towards the implementation of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
Ngelale said SCO-PMU would report to a Steering Committee/Ministerial Oversight Committee chaired by the Minister, including the Minister of State, Permanent Secretary; Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and relevant development partners. “The SCO-PMU will serve as the secretariat and delivery unit for the NHSRII and is to be headed by a national coordinator (NC).“The functions of the SCO-PMU include programme management, monitoring and evaluation, engagement and supervision of Independent Verification Agents (IVAs) for NHSRII programmes and fiduciary management, among others.“Consequently, the President has approved the appointment of Dr. Muntaqa Umar Sadiq as the National Coordinator of SCO-PMU,” he said.Report says that Sadiq has over 17 years of experience in public health, impact investing, investment banking, energy, and climate financing across the health, finance, climate and energy sectors.He had served as Head of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Chief Executive Officer of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria.He also served as Head of the Nigeria Energy Transition Office and Private Sector Engagement Adviser at the World Bank. (NAN)
The Federal Government says it has no plan to slash scholarship students’ allowances as recently projected in the media.The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, stated this during a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Abuja on Friday.
Report says that there was a report that the ministry, through the Federal Scholarship Board, announced a slash in allowances of foreign scholars stranded in Russia, Morocco, and Algeria among others.
The slash in scholars’ allowances under the federal government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship (BEA) was attributed to the economic crises.Mamman said that there was no slash in scholars` allowances but rather an adjustment due to Foreign Exchange fluctuations (FOREX).“We want to clarify what has been in the media on allowances paid to scholars under the Bilateral Scholarship Agreement.“We want to place it on record that the ministry and the Federal Government for that matter have not slashed the allowances due to students.“What happened is some adjustments in the amount due to them because of FOREX fluctuations, and as soon as we get the balance we have applied for, we will pay them.“But for now, what is in the budget is what we can pay. So, there is no slash, we will even be happy to increase, so this is what has led to the adjustments,” he said.(NAN)
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on Friday, has urged Nigerians to calm and patient with Federal Government and should give the the government more time to address these pressing concerns.In a statement issued by CAN and signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh ,President, CAN and made available to journalists in Abuja.
CAN also urged all Nigerians to consider alternative means of expressing their grievances. He however said CAN stands in solidarity with the citizens of nation during these challenging times of economic hardship and pervasive hunger. The statement reads in part, “As we navigate this period of crisis, it is imperative to uphold the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to peacefully protest and express their grievances. The right to assemble and voice discontent is a cornerstone of our democracy and must be protected and respected by all. Peaceful protests are a powerful tool for civic engagement, allowing the populace to communicate their concerns and hold leaders accountable. However, the anxiety related to the impending protests is heightening, especially given the volatile experiences in countries like Kenya and Pakistan.”We must also draw from our recent history. The #ENDSARS and #RevolutionNow protests, though rooted in genuine grievances, were marred by tragic incidents where miscreants hijacked the process. This led to widespread looting, destruction of properties, and unfortunate loss of lives. These experiences have shown us that mass demonstrations can quickly degenerate into chaos if not properly managed and coordinated.” In light of the planned protests scheduled to commence on 1st of August, CAN urges all Nigerians to consider alternative means of expressing their grievances. We recommend giving the government more time to address these pressing concerns. This period should be used to explore other legal avenues that will not easily give hoodlums the opportunity to hijack the exercise to destroy our national assets or endanger lives and properties. Dialogue, petitions, and town hall meetings are viable options that can yield positive results without the risk of disorder.”We call on the government to cut the cost of governance and expedite its efforts to alleviate the hardships in the land. The opulent lifestyle of political office holders must be addressed to demonstrate the sincerity of those in government to improve the living conditions of the people. Likewise, it is imperative that the government implements the newly approved national minimum wage to provide immediate relief to struggling families.”Furthermore, specific measures must be taken to put an end to kidnappings, banditry, and mass killings that have plagued various parts of our country. The security and well-being of every Nigerian should be paramount, and urgent action is required to restore peace and order.”We also call on the government to expedite its efforts to alleviate the hardships in the land. There is an urgent need for more refined and effective policies that address the root causes of the economic challenges we face. The government must deepen its consultations with stakeholders, including religious leaders, to create a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to problem-solving. By working together, we can devise sustainable solutions that reflect the needs and aspirations of the people.”In these trying times, let us all remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). As we seek to bring about positive change, let us do so with a spirit of peace, love, and unity. Our strength lies in our ability to come together, support one another, and work collectively toward a better Nigeria.”We pray for wisdom and discernment for our leaders, resilience and hope for our citizens, and divine intervention to guide us through these difficult times”.
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