Category: Politics

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Kaduna State Government in collaboration with the Development Partners has commences an integrated measles and yellow fever vaccination campaign in the state.
The exercise which is scheduled for 30th- October- 11 November 2023 would be carried out in the health facility, schools, churches, mosques, traditional leaders palaces, houses, offices among others.
This was contained in a statement jointly issued by the state primary Health care development Agency (SPHCDA) and Journalists Initiative on Immunization Against Polio (JAP).

The statement explained that the target age for the measles is 9-59 months while that of yellow fever is 9months–44years respectively.

The statement further explained that measles is highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that can lead to severe complication and death especially in children while yellow fever is an acute viral infection spread by an infected mosquitoes.

The statement however reminded the parents and caregivers on the need to complete their children immunization at the health facility.

It therefore urged the parents and the general public to give all the needed support and cooperation to the exercise with a view to making the measles and yellow fever vaccinations a huge success in the state.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has commended the University of Uyo,UNIUYO for upholding the integrity of the institution through the quality of its graduates and readiness to always defend its product.

Eno who made this known when he hosted the management of the University led by it’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Nyaudo Ndaeyo at the weekend in Uyo expressed joy that the institution has been able to maintain a good record system for it’s academic activities.

The Governor commended the University for the impactful role it has played in furthering the education of Akwa Ibom people, and affirmed that the location of the University has been of enormous advantage to its indigenes and the social system.

Eno, who was evidently excited at the visit, said, “I am very proud to be an alumnus of the University of Uyo. I want to thank the University very sincerely for what you did by defending the truth. That was all I asked for and that was my earnest expectation.

“I thank God that the University has a good record- keeping system and stands by its records, it gives us great confidence. I am happy.” He said.

He stated that the soon -to be – paid bursary to indegenous students would be digitally processed and paid to the beneficiary’s bank account.

The digitalization of the bursary payment process the Governor explained would ensure speed, integrity and ease in disbursement of the fund to deserving students, adding that government is working towards the timely activation of the process.

“As a government, we are reintroducing the bursary scheme for our tertiary education students. The Ministry is working with universities so that we can perfect the process to make it easier for them. Once they apply and we double check with the data base of the universities or tertiary institutions, we would pay them immediately.” He said.

The VC had earlier, described Eno as a worthy ambassador of the institution and expressed the institution’s appreciation to the Governor for his support towards acquisition of a Certificate of Occupancy for the school, with a waiver on the financial implications.

Ndaeyo who also presented the new management of the school to the Governor used the occasion to invite him to the institution’s Convocation ceremony slated for this month.

By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

The Kano State Deputy Governor’s Office has denied a false report published by Solacebase Newspaper claiming that the Deputy Governor, Comr. Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, failed to honor his promise of sponsoring 52 indigent patients for eye surgery.

In a press statement issued to newsmen, the Deputy Governor’s Press Secretary, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, described the report as “misleading” and “unfounded.”

He explained that the Deputy Governor never made any such promise, and that the reporter claimed to have obtained his source of information from a tweet on September 9, 2023, on an unverified X handle formerly Twitter of the Deputy Governor.

The reporter claimed that all efforts to speak with the Chief Press Secretary of the Deputy, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, were not fruitful.

To set the record straight, Garba said that the investigation lacks basis as there was no official press release showing that the Deputy Governor sponsored the indigent patients for eye surgery.

Ibrahim noted that the only press release from his office was on July 10, 2023, stating that “Over 500 Benefit from KNSG Free Mobile Eye Screening in Gwarzo LGA.”

“The press release reads as follows:

“Over 500 Benefit from KNSG Free Mobile Eye Screening in Gwarzo LGA* *In a collaborative effort between the Kano State Primary Healthcare and Management Board and the Makkah Specialist Eye Hospital, over 500 individuals in Gwarzo Local Government Area (LGA) and its surrounding areas have received free mobile eye screenings.”

According to a statement issued to newsmen by Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano state, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu explained the mobile eye screening initiative aimed to identify and address eye-related health conditions among the residents of Gwarzo LGA.

*Kamilu Saleh Dokadawa, the Kano State Coordinator for Primary Eye Care, reported that a total of 536 patients underwent screenings during the campaign.*

*”Among them, 162 patients were identified with cataracts and were referred for surgical intervention. Additionally, 69 individuals were screened for glaucoma, and those requiring further treatment were also referred accordingly”*

*”To further support the initiative, the Makkah Specialist Eye Hospital generously donated 130 eye drops and 70 pairs of glasses as a complementary gesture to the people of Gwarzo LGA” Kamilu revealed.*

“Expressing their gratitude, two beneficiaries of the screening, Aminu Adnan and Ruqayyah Salihu, both residents of Gwarzo LGA, commended the Kano State Government under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and his deputy, Comr. Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, for their timely intervention and commitment to the welfare of the community.”

IBRAHIM GARBA SHUAIBU, “Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State.* *10th July 2023”*

Garba further explained that the Deputy Governor does not have any link with the sponsorship of the patients. Instead, he only facilitated the mobilization of the patients from Gwarzo LGA to the Makkah Specialist Eye Hospital in Kano Metropolis.

Ibrahim, however, called on the general public to disregard the misleading report, as it is at the instances of mischief makers who are out to damage the hard-earned reputation of the Deputy Governor, who is a man of remarkable integrity.

Garba reiterated the state government’s dedication to bolster the economic development and welfare of Kano State citizens.

By Daniel Edu

In a decisive move, nine out of ten councillors in Kaura Local Council of Kaduna State have impeached the council Chairman, Mr Mathias Siman, for alleged gross misconduct. The impeachment process, initiated by a motion from councillor Zachariah Achi (Bandon ward) and seconded by Fidelis Kukwui (Zankang ward), accused Siman of misappropriation, negligence, and awarding contracts to his private firm, SMK Nigeria Limited.

The motion revealed that Siman awarded contracts for capital and ecological projects totaling N153 million to his personal company, a violation of the Local Government Administration Law of 2018 and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law 2016. Allegedly, some contracts were paid for with little or no work done, while others were executed below standard or significantly inflated.

Speaker Stephen Atuk declared Siman impeached as of October 31, 2023, emphasizing the legislative body’s commitment to ensuring the proper governance of the local government. Siman had previously been suspended by the State House of Assembly on July 31, facing accusations of gross misconduct related to contract awards.

In response, Siman denied the allegations, stating that he was not given an opportunity to defend himself. Despite his disagreement, he accepted the decision and expressed his willingness to move forward, advocating for patience and understanding among all parties involved.