19/05/23

SHINA J.O

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the N21 billion Presidential Wing of the State House Medical Centre with the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, declaring that the facility will stop the need for the President and his family members from going abroad for medical treatment.

The wife of the President, who joined other dignitaries for the commissioning ceremony of the facility situated in the premises of Presidential Villa, Abuja, told state house correspondents that she came up with the idea of the Wing six years ago following the extensive stay of her husband abroad for medical treatment.

She said now that the facility is in place, Nigerian Presidents and their family members will no longer need to go abroad for treatment but may only fly medical experts to assist their colleagues in the country.

Asked her impression of the new medical center, she said: “I’m quite happy, feeling fulfilled. Though we are leaving but all the same, we thank God the project has come to reality.

“I have opted for it six years now. I initiated this project six years ago when my husband spent three months abroad, consecutively, 90 days. And it shouldn’t be because we have all the experts in Nigeria. We only need a good platform.

“The hospital that is supposed to serve the First Family is serving like 35,000 people which is quite much.

“That’s why I insisted we should have a VIP Wing within the proximity of the presidential villa.”

On whether the medical centre will now make it unnecessary for Nigerian leaders to go abroad for treatment, she responded: “Yes. This one is for the health and wellness of the First Family.

They don’t need to go abroad now. They may only need to fly in experts to help our people. You know.

“So, no need for any leader to spend months and months abroad because of health care.”

PRESS RELEASE

19/05/23

TEMI B. D

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC has sealed a facility Over imported contraband tomato paste distribution in Rivers.

Mr. Adeniran Kazeem, the NAFDAC Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer, Apapa Lagos, made this known to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

Kazeem said this after the arrest of Mr Obiora John, the Managing Director of Integrated Wholesales Services Limited in Trans-Amadi Layout who allegedly imported and distributed contraband tomato paste which is on the federal government’s list of contraband importation products in the country.

Kazeem also said that Obiora John allegedly removed the seal placed on his facility by the agency in November 2022.

“Upon our interrogation, we noticed that the company removed the agency seal placed at the facility in November 2022 without the agency’s approval.

“The company’s accountant told us that the company had stopped the importation and distribution of contraband tomato paste since 2020 but we found out that the imported tomato paste seen at the facility was manufactured in 2022.

“We also found out from the company’s records that there have been importation and distribution of the products to date,” he explained.

Kazeem said that the agency’s aim of raiding and sealing contraband drinks and food distribution companies in the country was to promote, encourage and create an enabling environment for local manufacturers.

He advised members of the public to stop patronising the distributors of imported contraband products in the stores and open the market.
According to him, the suspect has been arrested, and the agency will further investigate and prosecute him, am also advising the importers of contraband drinks, foods, and other products to desist from the act or face the consequences.

He assured that the agency would curb the importation of illicit and contraband products into the country to save the economy.

Mr Obiora John, the Managing Director of Integrated Wholesales Services Limited, at Trans-Amadi industrial layout, said that the company is operating a sketchy business to hold their clients till the company starts production at the newly built production factory.

John said that he removed the seal placed on his facility by the agency because he thought that he could remove the seal after payment through remittance to the agency.

PRESS RELEASE

SHINA J.O

19/05/23

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation, JAMB has remitted N2billion as its interim surplus for the 2023 operating year, with a promise to remit more before year end.

According to a statement by JAMB Spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, the remitted amount is without prejudice to the 30% reduction in its application fee.

In a major policy change, JAMB says all direct entry candidates would henceforth sit the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination UTME along with other candidates for them to justify the possession of their A’level certificates.

It says they comprise those seeking to be in Year Two in the universities

According to the statement, the new DE Policy is to be situated within the ambit of JAMB’s relentless efforts aimed at enhancing the growth of the nation’s education sector as it would promote transparency, accountability and good governance.

It says It also underscores the Examination Body’s commitment and determination towards changing the negative narrative of A’level admissions into higher institutions in Nigeria.

18/05/23

VICTORIOUS T D

The United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, on Tuesday called President-elect Bola Tinubu, reaffirming to further strengthen the U.S. relationship with the incoming administration.

Spokesperson for Blinken, Matthew Miller discloses the extracts of the phone conversation between Blinken and Tinubu in a statement made available by the U.S. mission in Nigeria on Wednesday.

It reads “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke this morning with Nigerian President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emphasize his continued commitment to further strengthening the U.S.-Nigeria relationship with the incoming administration.

“The Secretary noted that the U.S.-Nigeria partnership is built on shared interests and strong people-to-people ties and that those links should continue to strengthen under President-elect Tinubu’s tenure.

“Secretary Blinken and President-elect Tinubu discussed the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians, continued comprehensive security cooperation, and reforms to support economic growth”.

The call is coming ahead of the inauguration of Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s president on May 29.

18/05/23

SHINA J.O

The Executive Council of the federation has approved the concessioning of the Nnamdi Azikiwe international Airport, Abuja and the Mallam Aminu Kano international airport in Kano.

Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika announced this in Abuja on Wednesday while briefing State house correspondents at the end of meeting of the council chaired by President Muhammadu buhari.

He says the Abuja airport will be concessioned for 20 years while that of Kano will be concessioned for 30 years.

The aviation minister added that the council also approved the ministry’s change of name from Federal ministry of aviation to Ministry of Aviation and aerospace of Nigeria.

The Council also approved the draft national civil aviation policy which he says is geared towards the strengthening of the civil aviation.

Minister of State, Transportation Ademola Adegoroye said the council approved the Development of Ondo Multipurpose Port in Ilaje, Ondo State, expansion & development of Snake Island Sea Port, Lagos and the Expansion & development of Burutu Sea Port, Delta State, through a Public Private Patnership agreement.

The Council also approved the resumption of the implementation of the On street Parking in the Federal capital territory.