Anambra State Veteran Nollywood Actor Uchegbu Brymo alias Don has passed on at the age of Fifty Six.
According to Mayor Ofoegbu, a close Source,on his face book account, Don Brymo died in his sleep on Wednesday night
Mayor Ofoegbu who encouraged people to Plan for tomorrow but live for today as tomorrow is not guaranteed said he received the shocking news early hours of Thursday morning and had to verify from his family.
Uchegbu Brymo is a native of Enugwu Ukwu in Njikoka LGA of Anambra.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC has assured consumers of Indomie and other noodle brands in Nigeria of the safety of the staple food amongst children and some adults, insisting that investigations by the Agency have revealed that Indomie Noodles implicated in the recalls in Malaysia and Taiwan is not in Nigeria.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye disclosed this on Thursday at the MAN House, Ikeja, Lagos during the Quarterly Interactive session between the Agency and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria MAN, where she implored Nigerians to always eat safe.
She explained that immediately the news of the recalls of Indomie Noodles from Malaysia and Taiwan got to Nigeria she directed the Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Mrs. Eva Edwards, and Director of Laboratory Services (Food), Dr Charles Nwachukwu, respectively to begin tripartite discussions with manufacturers and marketers. In a statement by the NAFDAC Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, Prof Adeyeye was quoted to have said samples of the noodles and seasonings (spices), were collected by the Agency for laboratory analysis.
The DG disclosed that someone asked her when the results were going to come out, adding that the Agency had run all the necessary tests. ‘’But we needed a chemical standard.
It’s all science. We are a science organization, and our processes are science driven. We cannot conduct our own Nigerian science. No. We have to use the international standard chemical agents and things like that’’. She stressed that the Agency is highly sensitive in terms of food safety, adding that we have to make sure that we do the right thing, regulatory-wise.
She reiterated that NAFDAC officials went round and took samples from the market ‘’because there are suitcase importers that may bring such product in without us knowing’’.
The NAFDAC boss emphasized that the Agency did not ban importation of Indomie during the recent Taiwan and Malaysia episode where many people died after consuming Indomie Noodle. She said that Noodles generally had been banned by the Federal Government many years before she assumed office as DG NAFDAC in order to protect the local manufacturing sector. She however, insisted that the implicated foreign noodles are not in Nigeria, hence, the locally produced noodles are safe for human consumption.
She also said.‘’we are improving on what will make our people healthier. Whatever we put into our food will affect us. Whether positively or otherwise’’.She however, urged the Nigerian manufacturers to strive to bring quality into their products. ‘’You cannot add quality to it. Because it’s a matter of time it will show. With quality, now comes opportunities to trade globally, she said, noting that Nigeria market is the largest in Africa. She disclosed that regulatory agencies of several countries have been coming to NAFDAC to make enquiries because of ACFA, asking ‘’what are the things that we need for us to bring things to Nigeria to sell? She urged MAN to take advantage of the opportunity to generate foreign exchange for the nation’s economy.‘’That’s why I urge MAN to take the bull by the horn with the Food, Beverage, and Tobacco sector and Chemical and Pharmaceutical sector to take the lead. We can do it. We can lead Africa in terms of trade. It may take some efforts. But it’s achievable’’, she said, noting that about two weeks ago, the first pharmaceutical company to have a WHO prequalified product in West Africa and Central Africa combined is SWIPHA Nigeria Limited.
‘’We are going to have many more of WHO Prequalified products in Nigeria’’., she pledged. The Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi Quadri, eulogized Prof Adeyeye for her leadership acumen which has transformed the Agency to a lofty height in the last five years, adding that ‘’we are therefore delighted by your reappointment as DG of NAFDAC.
I assure you of our implicit confidence in your leadership and support as we work together for the overall development of our economy and the wellbeing of the citizens of this country’’.Acknowledging the cordial working relationship between the two organizations, Mr Segun Ajayi Quadri said this will give meaning to all the efforts at enhancing the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the nation’s GDP and its competitiveness index. ‘’We shall also be looking for the definitive action on the outstanding memorandum of understanding between NAFDAC and MAN’’, he said, adding that ‘’we remain convinced that the MOU exemplifies the concretization of the cooperation and collaboration that we have built over the years. It provides the basis for certainty. It minimizes the use of discretion and becomes a sustainable guarding document in our relationship. This is what our nation needs to work’’, he said, adding that ‘’this shows that you are leading in an example of what public and private partnership should be. ‘’We at MAN value the partnership the interactive sessions have engendered’’.
SAYO AKINTOLAResident Media ConsultantNAFDAC …. CUSTOMER-FOCUSED; AGENCY MINDED
Nigerian’s President Bola Tinubu has directed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s Director of Operations, Abdulkarim Chukkol immediately take charge of the Antigraft agency following the indefinite suspension slammed on the Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
A statement issued from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the federation had said weighty allegations of abuse of office had been levelled against Bawa, who has been in office for just under a year and a half.
Chukkol is one of the young officers elevated following the appointment of Bawa in 2021.
Chukkol earned a degree from the University of Maiduguri in 2000 and has attends various trainings such as FBI National Academy, Quantico Session 244 2011, University of Virginia Postgraduate Diploma Criminal Justice Education 2011 and United States Telecommunications Training Institute Cybersecurity and Spectrum Monitoring 2010.
Chukkol was also at the Canadian Police College Criminal Justice Education course in 2006.
WBDD: LAGOS TO SUBSIDIZE COST OF SCREENING OF BLOOD PRODUCTS
….Commemorates Y2023 World Blood Donor Day Celebration with Awareness Walk, Symposium
Lagos State Government is working out modalities to subsidize the high cost of screening of blood products to reduce the burden of cost incurred by healthcare providers, health facilities operators and members of the public, during blood transfusion process chain, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who disclosed this today at a symposium and Scientific Conference organized by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) to commemorate the Y2023 World Blood Donor Day in Lagos which held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, explained that the cost of preparing a pint of blood for transfusion is a little too high for the public and healthcare providers to bear all alone.
The Governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye disclosed that the LSBTS is currently working out the modalities for the subsidy, to reduce the cost incurred in the process of grouping and cross matching of blood products as well as and transfusion process which is usually incurred by health providers who screen blood, health facilities who transfuses blood and members of the public who requires blood products.
He said: “The challenge now is that the cost of preparing one pint of blood, including the grouping and cross matching that has to be done before transfusion is a little too high for the public to bear. So what is happening currently is that the people who are screening the blood and the hospitals that are transfusing the blood are bearing the extra cost, and they are complaining now about the extra cost.
“The Lagos Blood Transfusion Service is working on finding a way to get government to pay the difference, so that the heavier cost is not transferred to the patients and that the health care providers that is grouping and cross matching the blood also does not keep losing money on each pint of blood that they have to transfuse. So we are working on a fair amount for the government to bear to ensure that blood is still fully available for people that require blood transfusion as at when they need it”.
Sanwo-Olu explained further that the Lagos State Government through the LSBTS is committed to ensuring wholesomeness and quality assurance in the blood supply and transfusion chain in the state adding that the State government will not relent in ensuring the availability and of healthy blood products for clinical use
health facilities stressing that subsidizing cost of screening of blood product will ease burden of cost and increase accessibility of blood products.
He noted that the Y2023 World Blood Donor Day themed, “Give Blood, Give Plasma, Share Life, Share Often”, is well thought out as it lends credence to the need for continuous and regular awareness on the importance of voluntary blood donation to meet the blood needs of the community. He added that voluntary blood donors should always be honored and appreciated because the act of blood donation can be likened to donating an organ for transplant.
“The theme of this year’s World Blood Donor Day Celebration is “give blood, give plasma, share life and share often. I personally believe that there must be a special place in God’s heart for the people who actually give blood. In a way it is like giving an organ for transplant every time”, He said.
The Governor encouraged members of the public to donate blood regularly explaining that blood is an organ the replaces itself quickly without having a negative impact on the health of the donors adding that the benefit of donating blood cannot be overemphasized particularly the realization that blood donation can be the difference between life and death for someone who requires it.
“Blood is an organ that replaces itself very quickly so it is always available for you to give again and again and it does not do you any harm but it can be the difference between life and death for other people”, He said.
He assured that his administration will not relent in putting in place strategies and policies geared towards ensuring that blood and blood products are always available at all times to those who require them and are transfused in line with best practices.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, Dr. Bodurin Osikomaiya explained that the Y2023 World Blood Donor Day Celebration reaffirms the commitment of the present administration to a brighter future in the provision of adequate blood products in the state. She noted that the commemoration of World Blood Donor Day creates a platform and provides an opportunity to address challenges around blood transfusion services in the state in order to create an enabling environment that supports blood transfusion.
Dr. Osikomaiya commended all voluntary blood donors stressing that the gift of blood offers the gift of life which can extend a lifeline of those who are battling illness or facing challenging medical and unforeseen emergencies adding that their generosity have given hope and renewed hope of life to numerous patients.
On this World Blood Donor Day, by embracing the theme of “Give Blood, Give Plasma, Share Life, Share Often,” we reaffirm our commitment to a brighter future, where no life is lost due to a shortage of blood or plasma. It is also an opportunity to address our challenges and create an enabling environment that encourages and supports blood donation”, She said.
She assured that the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Services will continue to create awareness on the benefits of voluntary blood donation so as to dispel myths, implement safe protocols and continue to create innovative ways of improving the voluntary blood donation pool.
Professor Adedoyin Dosumu, a Consultant Hematologist who was the Keynote Lecturer at the symposium stressed the importance of putting in place hospitable and comfortable blood donor clinics to encourage and impress voluntary blood donors.
“We need to put our donor clinic in order, make it as comfortable as a five star hotel so that when they come they have hospitality and they will be impressed to come back again”, He said.
Professor Dosumu however advised that the State should be looking at extending its blood donation drive by educating Primary School pupils as well as students in Secondary Schools on voluntary blood donation as a universal education to prepare them to be future blood donors.
Earlier, stakeholders in the blood transfusion chain, development and supporting partners including the officials of LSBTS, World Health Organization (WHO), Nigerian Red Cross Society, Association of Nigerian Medical Private Practitioners (ANPMP) and some blood donors held an awareness walk in around Lagos State Government Secretariat as part of activities to commemorate the Y2023 World Blood Donor Day in Lagos State.
The Central Bank of Nigeria Has announced the Abolishment of multiple exchange rates in the Nigerian foreign exchange market.
CBN in a Press Statement signed by the Director Financial Markets Angela Sere-Ejembi stated that All segments are now collapsed into the investors and Exporters (I&E) window as Applications for medicals, school fees, BTA/PTA, and SMEs would continue to be processed through deposit money banks.
The CBN also Re-introduce the “Willing Buyer, Willing Seller” model at the 18E Window noting that Operations in the window shall be guided by the extant circular on the establishment of the window, dated 21 April 2017 .
It stated that the Cessation of RT200 Rebate Scheme and the Naira4Dollar Remittance Scheme, with effect from 30 June 2023. Further guidance on these matters shall be communicated in due course. Al market participants and the general public are kindly enjoined to abide by these rules.
The operational rate for all government-related transactions shall be the weighted average rate of the preceding day’s executed transactions at the I&E window, calculated to two (2) decimal places.
Limits on overbought positions shall be zero. Re-introduction of order-based two-way quotes, with bid-ask spread of A1. Al transactions shall be cleared by a Central Counter Party (CCP). Reintroduction of Order Book to ensure transparency of orders and seamless execution of trades. The operational hours of trades shall be from 9am to 4pm, Nigeria time.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,GCFR, has approved the indefinite suspension from office of Mr. AbdulRasheed Bawa, CON, as the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.
This follows weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.
Mr Bawa has been directed to immediately handover the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the Commission, who will oversee the affairs of the Office of the Chairman of the Commission pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has described the election of Senator Godswill Akpabio and Rt. Honourable Tajudeen Abbas as the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 10th National Assembly as a good development.
The President in a statement personally signed by him congratulated them and also rejoice with the new Deputy Senate President Jibril Barau and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu for their well-deserved victories.
The President said being elected by their peers as presiding officers and assuming the leadership of the National Assembly is a great honour that comes with huge responsibility.
” I trust that you will justify the confidence reposed in you by your members and many Nigerians.
The President wished Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Honourable member Idris Wase and Honourable Aminu Jaji who enriched the process with their participation in the leadership election the best and a successful tenure in the 10th National Assembly.
He urge them to sustain the same level of enthusiasm they brought to the leadership contest in the discharge of their duties to their constituents and Nigeria.
The Nigerian leader also congratulated all members of the National Assembly, across party lines, who, today, enlisted into the service of the blessed people of our great country.
He says “We have all been called upon and accepted the responsibility to diligently and faithfully serve our fatherland with the oath we took. It is time to get on and move swiftly with the business of governance in the service of Nigeria
As your President, I am prepared to transparently work with the National Assembly. Nigerians expect distinguished Senators and Honourable members to make laws and carry out oversight duties that will enhance the performance of government to achieve successful outcomes including improving their quality of life.
In the course of our work together, disagreements may occur. When we disagree it will not be out of malice, ill-will and quest to diminish the institution of National Assembly or any individual member.
Our people across the length and breadth of our country expect so much from us. They want us to lift their economic burden. They want us eliminate insecurity so our farmers in rural communities can go to their farms and produce the food we eat.
Our people look up to us to change the fortune of our country for good and remove all barriers that impede progress. All of these we can make happen with dedication and commitment. We can only achieve all the good things we promised during our campaigns when we work together in harmony but with respect for our respective prerogatives and in the best interest of our country.
We cannot afford to waste this opportunity because Nigerians want us to make every day of the next four years count. Justifiably, our people want more from their government. They truly deserve progressive good governance that will improve their standards of living. We must give them our best.
I will remain a partner in progress for peace, stability and prosperity of Nigeria. I count on the leadership of the 10th National Assembly and all members to work and walk with me on this governmental journey.
The Managing Director, Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, has described as tragic, the Boat Mishap that claimed about 150 lives on the River Niger in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday
Yelwa in a press release made available to Journalists in Ilorin the State capital by the Head, Press and Public Affairs of the Commission, Nura Tanko Wakili, said the incident is shocking and sad owing to the intensity of casualties recorded.
The Commission said it has already dispatched a team of Experts from Kwara state office to the scene to assist in search operations while it awaits a comprehensive report on the mishap to be guided on the next line of action to be taken to contain future occurrence of the ugly incidence.
The incidence according to reports, occurred when a woden boat carrying about 300 people returning to Ebbu after a wedding ceremony capsized, claiming about 150 lives.
The Managing Director HYPPADEC expressed sympathy to the family of the breaved while praying for quick recovery of the survivors.
He also expressed heartfelt condolences to Kwara State Government, Patigi Emirate and the family of the deceased.
Ondo State House of Assembly has received the letter of Medical leave from the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu.
The Speaker of the House,Olamide Oladiji in a statement signed by him explained that the Governor has embarked on a 21-day leave for Medical Treatment Abroad starting from 7th of June,2023 to 6th July,2023.
He said the Governor,who had directed his Deputy,Lucky Aiyedatiwa to act as the Governor while away, assured of his resumption on the 6th of July,2023.
According to the letter,the leave which commenced on 7th of June,extends to 6th July,2023 due to the Public Holidays on June 12(Democracy Day) and Eid el Kabir(28th and 29th,June,2023)
The Speaker wished the Governor a speedy recovery and joyful vacation.
You will Recall that there have been some rumours over the disturbing state of the health of Governor Akeredolu in the last few weeks.
Senator representing Akwa lbom North west Senatorial District has won the leadership position of the 10th Senate
God’swill Akpabio gained 63 votes to defeat his closet opponent senator AbdulAzeez Yari who polled 46 votes
His victory was announced by the clerk of the National Assembly Magaji Tambuwal who added that 109 senators voted
Senator Akpabio,a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was elected first into the 8th senate and emerged as the senate Minority Leader under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP)
Akpabio also served as Minister of Niger Delta under president Muhammadu Buhari ‘s Administration, and as Former Governor of Akwa Ibom state.
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