9jaxpress: 2014 at 03:56AM

Menu

BOKO HARAM: : Army chief denies engaging ex-militants, ex-servicemen

<script type="text/javascript">
	<script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
    google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529";
    google_ad_slot = "4870332095";
    google_ad_width = 300;
    google_ad_height = 250;
</script>
<script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'>
</script>
<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1woxda9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1woxda9"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, on Friday in Kaduna denied alleged plan to enlist 10,000 former Niger Delta militants and ex-service men to boost the fight against the current insurgency in the North-East.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Northern socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, had on Thursday warned the authorities of the Nigerian Army against using the former militants who had benefitted from the late President Umaru Yar’Adua amnesty programme under any guise to fight the Boko Haram insurgents in the North.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The ACF, through its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, had on Thursday in Kaduna , noted that it heard of planned recall of 10,000 ex-soldiers for the purpose of fighting the terrorists.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It described the move as a welcome development, but cautioned the authorities to scrutinise those that would be recalled.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But the Chief of Army Staff, shortly after the inauguration of the Radio Diagnosis Centre of the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, asked Nigerians to discard such rumour, adding that the military had the capacity to tackle the terrorist activities.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

BOKO HARAM: : Army chief denies engaging ex-militants, ex-servicemen

BOKO HARAM: : Army chief denies engaging ex-militants, ex-servicemen

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, on Friday in Kaduna denied alleged plan to enlist 10,000 former Niger Delta militants a...

Six dead, property destroyed in Gombe flood

<script type="text/javascript">
	<script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
    google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529";
    google_ad_slot = "4870332095";
    google_ad_width = 300;
    google_ad_height = 250;
</script>
<script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'>
</script>
<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1rmIlx5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://ift.tt/1rmIlx5" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />No fewer than six persons have been confirmed dead and several others displaced with property worth millions destroyed following a flood at the weekend in Gombe metropolis.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The rainfall that lasted for just over an hour left many houses in parts of the state capital flooded.<br/><br /><br/><br />The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Danlami Rukujei, who confirmed the casualties, said the destruction caused by the flood was more pronounced in eight wards.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said the wards affected include Checheniya, Jakadafari, Dawaki, Heirwagana, Kumbiya-Kumbiya, Ungwar-Uku, Yelenguruza and Bolari.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said it was too early to state how many people were displaced and the number of houses affected, stating that the agency will come up with accurate figure as compilation has begun in earnest.<br/><br /><br/><br />Rukujei said: “We’ve lost people; people have lost shelters, clothings, beddings and food. About eight areas in Gombe metropolis were most affected.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I cannot say now the number of households that have been displaced but the good thing so far is that almost all those who have lost their shelters have found temporary shelters without any need for us to put up any shelter anywhere.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have confirmed the loss of six as of now and they are all adults. It’s a little too early to quantify the magnitude of the loss because apart from shelter, household items and food have been lost. So it is difficult. But from what I have seen, it is going into hundreds of millions.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He called on people to desist from developing property along waterways or causing blockades.<br/><br /><br/><br />He also advised residents to always clear their drainages to make for easy flow of water while commiserating with the bereaved.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Six dead, property destroyed in Gombe flood

Six dead, property destroyed in Gombe flood

No fewer than six persons have been confirmed dead and several others displaced with property worth millions destroyed following a flood a...

DR Congo confirms two deaths from Ebola

<script type="text/javascript">
	<script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
    google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529";
    google_ad_slot = "4870332095";
    google_ad_width = 300;
    google_ad_height = 250;
</script>
<script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'>
</script>
<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1mG4FAc" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://ift.tt/1mG4FAc" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo say two people have died from Ebola in the country’s North-West.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They are the first reported Ebola cases outside West Africa since the outbreak there began, although it is not clear if they are directly linked to that outbreak.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />So far 1,427 people have died from the virus.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The speed and extent of the outbreak has been “unprecedented”, the World Health Organisation says.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />An estimated 2,615 people in West Africa have been infected with Ebola since March.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />There is no known cure but some affected people have recovered after being given an experimental drug, ZMapp. However, supplies are now exhausted.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Also on Sunday, a British health worker infected with Ebola in Sierra Leone was flown back to the UK on an RAF jet. It is the first confirmed case of a Briton contracting the virus during the current outbreak.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Several people died in the past month after contracting an unidentified fever in the Equateur region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />On Sunday, Health Minister Felix Kabange Numbi said two of eight fever victims had tested positive for Ebola.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He told the BBC a quarantine zone would be set up in a 100-km (62-mile) radius in Boende where the cases had been registered.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said this marked the seventh outbreak in DRC. The virus was first identified here in 1976 near the Ebola River.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Numbi added that further tests were being carried out.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

DR Congo confirms two deaths from Ebola

DR Congo confirms two deaths from Ebola

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo say two people have died from Ebola in the country’s North-West. They are the first repor...

Ejelonu’s fiance certified Ebola free, discharged

<script type="text/javascript">
	<script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
    google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529";
    google_ad_slot = "4870332095";
    google_ad_width = 300;
    google_ad_height = 250;
</script>
<script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'>
</script>
<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1pvR9UD" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://ift.tt/1pvR9UD" width="320"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Dennis, the widow of the late Justina Ejelonu, the nurse who attended to the index (first) Patrick Sawyer at the First Consultants Medical Centre, Lagos, and later died of the Ebola Virus Disease contracted during the encounter, has been discharged from the Ebola control and treatment centre in Lagos.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The late nurse’s spouse, who had been under observation as one of the suspected cases, was discharged after testing negative to Ebola following series of tests conducted on him to certify his status.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A source at the treatment centre, told reporters that Dennis was discharged, weekend after he was certified Ebola free.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He is the sixth person to be discharged from the Ebola Isolation Centre in Yaba, Lagos.<br/><br /><br/><br />However, Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the Minister of Health, Dan Nwomeh, denied knowledge of the development.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We are not aware of that development, but to avoid any confusion, the Minister of Health reiterates that he has the sole authority to announce confirmed and discharged cases of disease epidemics in Nigeria.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The Minister reassured Nigerians that any new confirmed or discharged cases of EVD in Nigeria will be announced by his office promptly.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Any doubtful information on the out-break of EVD should be verified from the office of the Minister of Health.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />On Saturday, Chukwu, had confirmed that two of the spouses of the dead Ebola victims had tested positive to the virus, a development that brought to four the total number of Ebola patients being treated at the isolation ward.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Ejelonu’s fiance certified Ebola free, discharged

Ejelonu’s fiance certified Ebola free, discharged

Dennis, the widow of the late Justina Ejelonu, the nurse who attended to the index (first) Patrick Sawyer at the First Consultants Medical...

EBOLA: WHO nurse infected

<script type="text/javascript">
	<script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
    google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529";
    google_ad_slot = "4870332095";
    google_ad_width = 300;
    google_ad_height = 250;
</script>
<script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'>
</script>
<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1tJzxnA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="http://ift.tt/1tJzxnA" width="320"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A health official with the World Health Organisation has contracted the Ebola virus while working with infected victims in Sierra Leone.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to a statement by the global body on Sunday, this is the first time a WHO staff has been infected with the viral disease.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The WHO, however, stated that it was not clear how the worker contracted the disease but it would be deploying all treatment to manage the victim.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Meanwhile, a British citizen infected with the virus in Sierra Leone has been flown home, the British Department of Health said on Sunday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The man, simply identified as William, lives in the West African nation in a home established by an American university for researchers.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He was volunteering as a nurse at the Kenema Government Hospital, where Ebola patients are being treated, according to the Associated Press.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />AP<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

EBOLA: WHO nurse infected

EBOLA: WHO nurse infected

A health official with the World Health Organisation has contracted the Ebola virus while working with infected victims in Sierra Leone. ...

Bodies of Ebola victims cremated in Lagos

<script type="text/javascript">
	<script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
    google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529";
    google_ad_slot = "4870332095";
    google_ad_width = 300;
    google_ad_height = 250;
</script>
<script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'>
</script>
<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> </div><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1pvR9nN" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ift.tt/1pvR9nN" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Bodies of the four Nigerians, who died of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, have been cremated in line with World Health Organisation, WHO, requirements for disposal of such corpses. The body of the index (first) case, Patrick Sawyer was the first to be cremated on July 25, 2014.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The decision to cremate the bodies, it was gathered, may not be unconnected with the deadly nature of the Ebola Virus which is known to be easily transmissible from human to human during handling of corpses of victims.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A health official at the Emergency Operation Centre, EOC, of the Mainland Hospital, Lagos, who confirmed the development, said the Lagos State Government in following strict guidelines for disposal of the bodies, authorised cremation of all the bodies.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The official who pleaded anonymity said the decision to cremate all bodies was to ensure appropriate containment measures and guarantee proper handling of the bodies.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“All the bodies of those who died of Ebola from this centre have been cremated. None was allowed to undergo traditional burial because extreme care is being taken to prevent further infections,” the official noted.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The WHO in recommending that people who die from Ebola should be promptly and safely buried, notes that cremation, which is the application of high temperature to reduce bodies to basic chemical components (ashes), is ideal for safe disposal of bodies of such persons in order to minimise further transmission.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In a statement weekend, the ECOWAS Commission stated that the remains of its Protocol Assistant at the Lagos Liaison Office, Mr. Salihu Abdulqudir Jatto, who succumbed to the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, on August 12, 2014, had been laid to rest in a private ceremony in Ikorodu, Lagos state.<br/><br /><br/><br />The statement said a delegation from the Commission had earlier paid a condolence visit to the deceased’s widow and other members of his family.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jatto was among persons that assisted the American-Liberian Mr. Patrick Sawyer, and contracted the disease from the late Sawyer who took ill on arrival in Nigeria on July 20, 2014 on his way to a regional conference in Calabar, and later died in a Lagos hospital of the EVD.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The statement noted that prior to the burial last Friday, a special prayer service in honour of the deceased was held at the Commission’s Abuja Headquarters. The activity was presided over by Vice President of the Commission Dr. Toga Gayewea McIntosh who represented the President of the Commission, Kadré Desire Ouédraogo.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Glowing tributes were paid in memory of Jatto, who was variously described as a diligent, passionate, humble and hardworking staff, who died a hero in the course of duty.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Leading the other mourning colleagues in the outpouring of grief, McIntosh described Jatto as “a sharp, young, aggressive goal-getter and a personal friend.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We are all touched by his death, which is both a personal and collectively loss,” McIntosh said, praying for the repose of Jatto’s soul.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Head of Protocol at the Commission, Mr. Steve Onwuka, narrated examples of Jatto’s unique “unassuming, humble and infectious” character and recalled that Jatto died at a time the world attention was focused on the region, albeit for the Ebola health emergency.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Others who spoke at the occasion, include Mr. Hyacinth Okwu, of the Finance Directorate; Mr. Franck Afanyiakossou, and Mr. Joshua Iyamu, a member of the Staff Association, all acknowledged Jatto’s legacy of service and exemplary character.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They appealed for improvement of the staff welfare and asked for special care of Jatto’s wife and children given the circumstance of his death.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Earlier, Mr. Saihou Njie, of the Human Resources Directorate said the ceremony was part of the traditional gestures of honour to a departed colleague.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Bodies of Ebola victims cremated in Lagos

Bodies of Ebola victims cremated in Lagos

Bodies of the four Nigerians, who died of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, have been cremated in line with World Health Organisation, WHO, requi...

No going back on okada restriction ─ Lagos

<script type="text/javascript">
	<script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
    google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529";
    google_ad_slot = "4870332095";
    google_ad_width = 300;
    google_ad_height = 250;
</script>
<script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'>
</script>
<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1tJzx71" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://ift.tt/1tJzx71" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Lagos State Government has said it has no intention of reversing the restriction of commercial motorcyclists from plying major highways and bridges in the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Raji, on Sunday said the government was convinced that the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012, especially the aspect concerning the restriction of commercial motorcyclists from plying major highways and bridges, was made in public interest.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “This administration does not have the intention to reverse itself on this important issue now or in the immediate future.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The reason is simple. By enacting the Law of 2012, we have made considerable gains in discharging the primary responsibility of government to our people in the area of protection of life and property.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Also, the decision to regulate the use of commercial motorcycles on our highways was not a unilateral decision, but a response to popular demands by members of the public who have been at the receiving end in their daily interactions with the okada operators.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Special Adviser explained that there were 9,100 roads in Lagos State, adding that motorcycles below 200cc were restricted on only 475 of the roads.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He added, “This represents 5.6 per cent of roads in Lagos. The result and impact of this decision have been tremendous. Prior to the enactment of the law, we were recording an average of 16 motorcycle-related deaths across the state every month and an average of 646 injured patients from motorcycle-related accidents at the state secondary and tertiary hospitals.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“As of March this year, our statistics show only one to two motorcycle-related deaths and less than 100 motorcycle accident related injuries in a month.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Special Adviser said information going round that the government wanted to reverse the restriction was false, adding that the Fashola-led administration was the only government that had given recognition to the use of motorcycle as a means of commercial transportation through the instrument of the law and regulations, meant to protect the riders and the citizens.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Raji said those sponsoring the information were plotting to snatch ballot boxes with the use of okadas during the 2015 general elections, adding that the plan would not be allowed to stand in Lagos.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We encourage our okada riders to go about their lawful duty by obeying all the provisions of the traffic law,” he added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

No going back on okada restriction ─ Lagos

No going back on okada restriction ─ Lagos

The Lagos State Government has said it has no intention of reversing the restriction of commercial motorcyclists from plying major highway...

LASU to refund N840m to students

<script type="text/javascript">
	<script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
    google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529";
    google_ad_slot = "4870332095";
    google_ad_width = 300;
    google_ad_height = 250;
</script>
<script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'>
</script>
<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1thZx9B" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://ift.tt/1thZx9B" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><span style='font-size: large;'><br/> </span> <span style='font-size: large;'>Lagos State University, LASU, is to refund over N840 million fees paid by the students following the directive by Governor Babatunde Fashola to revert it to the old fees of N25, 000.</span><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. John Obafunwa who disclosed this in an interview said management had compiled the list of the students who would receive the excess fund.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Obafunwa said, “We have already calculated the excess paid by the students, do not forget that even before the reversal, a lot of them have already paid for this session and we have already calculated within, what have been paid in excess. We have calculated over N840 million. It will only be for this session. The reversal does not mean LASU will go back to where it used to be and the problems of the past. You cannot go beyond the available infrastructure. You cannot take more than what you can’t admit. I don’t see any disadvantage in the reduction of the fee.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He maintained that the fee reversal was not a decision of the university’s management, noting that “don’t forget there is the governing council and government, who are equally involved. It is a joint decision. Be that as it may, it is a welcome decision in a way depending on who is looking at it or commenting.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The vice chancellor however, insisted that the reversal of the fees would have both good and bad sides, noting that the reversal would be a reduction in the expenditure of the school.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Assuring parents and students, Obafunwa said, “Nothing is going to happen to all the capital projects going on in the university.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”The students have a role to play, they should take advantage of the fee reduction, pay attention to their studies and be more serious. You can be sure that next year, you will have lots of people applying to come to LASU, you must have the necessary infrastructure in place to accommodate any number. If you have more people applying to LASU, it gives you the opportunity to pick from the best. We are preparing our minds for those things; we expect parents to educate their children to maintain a very high standard.”<br/><br /><br/><br />Obafunwa said it was unfortunate that the school had to go through a phase in the history, saying now that things were in shape, the current interest of parents, university administration and students would be to make progress as regard to the academic calendar.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He added “And that is what we are focusing on now and I can tell you that we have had meeting with students union. The students have paid their fees. We reopen the portal after making adjustment to the new fees.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

LASU to refund N840m to students

LASU to refund N840m to students

Lagos State University, LASU, is to refund over N840 million fees paid by the students following the directive by Governor Babatunde Fas...

Fire guts 1000 shops in Ibadan market

<script type="text/javascript">
	<script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
    google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529";
    google_ad_slot = "4870332095";
    google_ad_width = 300;
    google_ad_height = 250;
</script>
<script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'>
</script>
<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1vWhX4R" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="http://ift.tt/1vWhX4R" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>Goods and several property worth millions of naira were lost to an inferno that gutted more than 1000 shops in the Fancy Section of the Aleshinloye Internattional Market in Ibadan late on Friday.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Our correspondent who visited the market on Saturday observed that the fire had not been completely put out despite fire fighters efforts overnight to put it out. Some of the traders who spoke with our correspondent blamed high voltage and poor fire fighting-facility at the market for the disaster.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Chairman of the traders’ association, Mr. Rahman Olabamiji said the fire began late on Friday after the close of activities. He said traders rushed back to the market from their various homes when they learnt of the fire but it was too late as the fire raged throughout the night. He blamed the fire on the high voltage electricity supplied to the market late on Friday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The power voltage supplied by Electricity Distribution Company for this area was too high and it was the major cause of the fire. It began after 8pm on Friday night after we had all left the market. By the time we were called, it had spread to several other parts of the market. Our section was badly affected as no shop was spared by the fire,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have a fire station in the market but when the rescue vehicle arrived, there was little water in its tank. We called for reimbursement from other sources but it was too late. It was eventually put out but what was achieved was just to prevent other sections of the market from being consumed. No life was lost in the fire but the fire burnt everything we had in the shops. We all lost everything we had and starting all over will be difficult considering the fact that we trade with loans from banks,” Olabamiji said, adding that hoodlums used the adavantage to steal most of the salvaged items until the police came to send them away.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Deputy Managing Director, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, John Darlignton, said it would be wrong to put the blame on the company, adding that the company’s position on the allegation would be made known after conducting an investigation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi visited the market around 1 am on Saturday and witnessed the fire and efforts made to put it out. He promised to assist the traders.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Fire guts 1000 shops in Ibadan market

Fire guts 1000 shops in Ibadan market

Goods and several property worth millions of naira were lost to an inferno that gutted more than 1000 shops in the Fancy Section of th...

Nigerian states adopt measures to restrict Ebola spread

<script type="text/javascript">
	<script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
    google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529";
    google_ad_slot = "4870332095";
    google_ad_width = 300;
    google_ad_height = 250;
</script>
<script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'>
</script>
<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><b><br/> </b><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1vWhZda" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://ift.tt/1vWhZda" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Following the death of some infected health workers in Lagos, other states in the federation have adopted measures to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus to their regions.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was learnt that most of the states drawing up strategies to prevent the spread of the disease are working to ensure that the virus remains in Lagos.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Even as the states worked on their anti-ebola strategies during the week there were reports that some individuals had been tested for the virus in Enugu and Kwara states.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Last week, one of the nurses who was in contact with the first Ebola victim in Nigeria, Patrick Sawyer, escaped quarantine in Lagos and fled to Enugu to meet her family members.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Reports say all the 20 people that the nurse came in contact with have been put under surveillance while she and her husband were sent back to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Yaba, Lagos State.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Also, in Ilorin, Kwara, a seven-month-old baby is being monitored after exhibiting symptoms of the virus.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was gathered that the Ondo State government had started the screening of in-bound travellers from Lagos and other neighbouring states to detect carriers of the Ebola virus.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, told our correspondent on Friday that equipment and other protective medical facilities had been procured for use by health workers who have been posted to strategic areas.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “We have placed our health workers at our border towns with states like Osun, Ekiti, and Ogun so that those coming from Lagos where the Ebola virus has been fully identified can be screened.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“ We have also provided our health workers with protective equipment so that they can adequately handle the issues. Because there is no cure yet for the disease, we are also enlightening the people on ways they can protect themselves.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Akinmande noted that although the Akure airport had no direct flight from Lagos, the state government was keeping close watch on travelers from Abuja and other parts of the country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Similarly, the Bayelsa State the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Markson Fefegha, said the state government would “monitor people coming from other states to ascertain if they had the Ebola virus.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Fefegha also said the state would not receive corpses into the state from any other state, particularly, Lagos.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have 103 Ebola surveillance centres across the local governments in the state. The two major centres are the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa and the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital in Okolobiri as well as small units in other parts of the state,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Also in Kwara, the state Chairman of Ebola Viral Disease Control Committee, Prof. Sunday Opabola, told our correspondent that government and residents “are wary of visitors from Lagos.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to him, the seven-month baby who is suspected to have the virus was brought into the state by his parents from Ibadan.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Opabola said one of the people that was taking care of the baby had come from Lagos to Ibadan and later left for Lagos before the parents and the baby visited Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He stated that the state government had earmarked the Sobi Specialist Hospital and two other hospitals in the state for possible Ebola patients while dedicating an ambulance to convey Ebola patients.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In Edo State, the Information and Orientation Commissioner, Louis Odion, said following the spread of the virus, the state government was set to hold a meeting that would deliberate on how to keep the virus from the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A source in the ministry of health, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the state government was set to inaugurate a committee on Monday which would consider several measures to curtail the spread of the virus.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In an anticipation of an outbreak of the dreaded disease, the Plateau State Government has set up a quarantine site.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Elias Pede, told our correspondent in an interview that the site was set up at the old site of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Akwa Ibom State Government has also set up a rapid response team to coordinate response in the event of Ebola outbreak in the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. EmemAbasi Bassey, said health personnel had been advised to use gloves and masks when attending to sick patients.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ironically, in Enugu State, which has recorded a possible Ebola outbreak, an official of the state government, who did not wish to be named, noted there was no diagnostic laboratory to test suspected cases of Ebola disease.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Linus Awute, has said the Federal Government has not received the Nano Silva drug, which is to be used on Ebola patients in Lagos.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Awute told our correspondent on Friday that the drug was being expected very soon in the country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “A lot of global organisations have been able to make pledges that they would make the drugs they have available to us. However, we have not received the Nano Silva as at the moment.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have started to take delivery of standard personal protective equipment. We have also received consultants that will assist in the training of personnel who are going to be involved in the containment exercise.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have also taken a mobile laboratory to Lagos and this also required some training.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He ruled out the use of alternative medicine, saying the best anybody could do was to commission treatment research group and the ministry will fund it and build the capacity.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Already we have a claim that bitter kola can kill the virus and we have engaged the scientist that was involved in the bitter kola research in the United States. He is one of our sons and we have included him in the research group that we set up.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The group will now consult with other research groups around the world. They will also search for opportunities for collaborative research.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Most importantly, the Ebola Cure Vaccine Research had started somewhere and Prof. Maurice Iwu is part of the research team. The experiment stopped at the test tube level, where it was noted that the extracts that were obtained from bitter kola was able to kill Ebola virus in the test tube.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Linus Awute, has said the Federal Government has not received the Nano Sylva drug, which was to be used on Ebola patients in Lagos.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Awute, in a chat with journalists in his office, however said the drug was being expected very soon in the country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “A lot of global organisations have been able to make pledges that they would make the drugs they have available to us and these are expected as quickly as possible but we have not received the Nano Sylva as at the moment.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have started to take delivery of standard personal protective equipment. We have also received consultants that will aid in the training of personnel who are going to be involved in the containment exercise.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have also taken a mobile laboratory to Lagos and this also required some training.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He ruled the use of alternative medicine, saying the best anybody could do was to commission treatment research group and the ministry will fund it and build the capacity.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Already we have a claim that bitter cola can kill the virus and we have engaged the scientist that was involved in the bitter cola research in the United States who happens to be one of our sons, and we also cultivated him into the research group that we have set up.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The group will now consult with other research groups and undertaken happenings around the World. They will also search for opportunities for collaborative research to be able to work.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said It was not out of place that there may be other people in other places involved in similar reserach efforts to address the challenges on ground.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“With such a research group on ground, our expectation is that we will receive intermittent reports about how they are fairing.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Most importantly, the Ebola Cure Vaccine Research had started somewhere and Prof. Maurice Iwu is part of the research team. The experiment stopped at the Test Tube level, where it was noted that the extracts that were obtained from bitter Kola was able to kill Ebola virus in the test tube.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“So we set up the research group to take up the challenge from that level.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Nigerian states adopt measures to restrict Ebola spread

Nigerian states adopt measures to restrict Ebola spread

Following the death of some infected health workers in Lagos, other states in the federation have adopted measures to prevent the sprea...

President Jonathan Launches Mortgage Refinancing Company

<script type="text/javascript">
	<script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
    google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529";
    google_ad_slot = "4870332095";
    google_ad_width = 300;
    google_ad_height = 250;
</script>
<script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'>
</script>
<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><p><a href="http://ift.tt/Kco92X" rel="attachment wp-att-168899"><img alt="Jonathan norm" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-168899" height="228" src="http://ift.tt/1jbMt10" width="300"/> </a> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>In a bid to boost mortgage financing in the country for housing delivery and home ownership schemes, President Goodluck Jonathan has launched the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company Plc (NRMC).</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Speaking at the launching of the company, yesterday in Abuja, the president said his administration had embarked on creating a stable macroeconomic environment that had lowered inflation from 12 per cent to 8 per cent last year, as well as reducing all impediments to a sustainable and dynamic housing market.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“The Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company is being established to support our objective of making housing affordable to the people. The housing sector is a key component of this administration’s transformation agenda. That is why we conveyed the presidential retreat in May last year.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“In November, I asked the Coordinating Minister (for the Economy) to host a roundtable on housing finance. The objective was to take a critical look at the sector and recommend ways they could be harnessed to provide shelter for Nigerians and create jobs for our teaming youths.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“The housing sector is known worldwide as an avenue for job creation and economic stability, that is why we are focused on the sector and the concrete action we have taken in alleviating the major constraints to its rapid development.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“The first step we are taking is to create a macroeconomic environment that will lower inflation from 12 per cent to 8 per cent,” the president stressed.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>He noted that government is carrying out these measures because of its understanding that high inflation constitutes a major impediment to the creation of sustainable and dynamic market.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“The next major step we have taken is to create the enabling environment for a primary mortgage bank and other financial institution to offer real mortgage facilities to Nigerians at affordable rates.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“That is the mandate we have given the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company Plc. We know that without government taking these initiatives as a nation, we cannot get to where we want to go,” Jonathan added.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>He also stressed the need for the Land Registry to be computerised, saying doing so would help to improve land administration in the country.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>He noted that the computerisation would ease the cost of construction and housing sales by private developers.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Two major agreements between the Ministry of Lands Housing and Urban Development and Shelter Afrique, and a subsidiary agreement between the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the World Bank, were signed at the event.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The president, however, said it had become imperative for land registration costs to be reduced.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>He equally noted that there was the need for the streamlining of quick completion of the foreclosure processes.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>He therefore charged all governors to ensure they delegate land consent in their respective states, with a view to speeding up the process of land acquisition.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>With its establishment, NRMC will provide similar services to the US-based Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMC), better known as “Fannie Mae”, which was set up during the Great Depression to expand the secondary mortgage market by securitising mortgages in the form of mortgage-backed securities (MBS).</p><br /><br/><br /><p>This allows lenders to reinvest their assets into more lending and in effect increasing the number of lenders in the mortgage market.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Fannie Mae was established as a government-sponsored enterprise, but has been publicly traded since 1968.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The NMRC has been set up under a public-private partnership arrangement, of which with majority of the shares will be held by private investors.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Already, a $300 million (N50 billion) soft loan from the World Bank from its International Development Association (IDA) concessionary lending window has been secured by the government.</p><br /><br/><br /><align><ins class='adsbygoogle' data-ad-client='ca-pub-0909255462614293' data-ad-slot='7578597399'> </ins> </align><br /><br/><br />="left"><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /></div>

President Jonathan Launches Mortgage Refinancing Company

President Jonathan Launches Mortgage Refinancing Company

In a bid to boost mortgage financing in the country for housing delivery and home ownership schemes, President Goodluck Jonathan has launc...

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Top