THE BIG MOMENT FOR SOLUTION AND NDI-ANAMBRA

31/05/21

Written By Joe C Anatune

DANIELS G.O

Ordinarily, Cee Cee Soludo would have preferred to walk in with few aides into the APGA Abuja office , get the business done with speed and precision and get back to Anambra state and continue with the local government tours

Well, he is a gold fish in a glass bowl añd has no hiding place. The significance is he is taking a practical step toward his Governorship bid.
For the Ndi Anambra, it is all about hope of enhanced security, economic development, prosperty and happiness.
Indeed this is about the future we deserve. But june 23 will be watershed in our history books and we are poised to make it worth your while.

Joe C Anatune

UPDATE ON THE COVID-19 RESPONSE, VACCINATION STRATEGY AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW GUIDELINES TO ENFORCE MANDATORY ISOLATION FOR TRAVELERS IN LAGOS STATE

30/05/21

DANIELS G.O

UPDATE ON THE COVID-19 RESPONSE, VACCINATION STRATEGY AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW GUIDELINES TO ENFORCE MANDATORY ISOLATION FOR TRAVELERS IN LAGOS STATE

Update on the Lagos State COVID-19 Response
The Lagos State Government has continued to strengthen its response to the COVID-19 pandemic with a resolve to mitigate the oncoming of a possible 3rd wave, as seen in countries with similar experiences, albeit working with the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19. As at 27th of May 2021, Lagos State had tested 495,339 COVID-19 samples, with 58,975 of these samples confirmed positive. 54,426 have recovered in community and 274 are active in community. Of the 58,975 confirmed cases, 356 deaths were, unfortunately, recorded. These amount to a death rate of 0.6%.
On March 12, 2021, the vaccination campaign was flagged off in Lagos, and, so far, a total of 317,916 people have been vaccinated with the first dose of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine. This means that 1.32% of the State’s population have received the first dose.
COVID Vaccination Strategy
On Friday the 28th of May 2021, we commenced the administration of the second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccine. Given the requirement for achieving herd immunity (60% of total population vaccinated), Lagos State still needs to vaccinate about 14,000,000 (14 Million) people to reach this target, as is actively happening in many parts of the world, to collectively eradicate this global pandemic. Therefore, the government is considering several channels, including discussions with the Federal Government and the Private Sector, to ramp up the vaccination numbers.
The administration of the second dose is in continuation of Phase 1 COVID vaccination that started on the 12th of March 2021. For anyone to be fully vaccinated, two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccine are required with an interval of 6-12 weeks. The second dose will be administrated on working days (Monday to Friday) across our approved 88 health facilities till the 9th of July 2021.
I therefore implore citizens who have received their first dose to proceed to the health facilities where they got their first dose on their scheduled appointment dates, which are clearly stated on the vaccination card that was issued. They are also advised to avoid overcrowding and overwhelming the health workers by staggering their arrival at the vaccination site from between 8 am to 1pm. I would like to reiterate that every vaccinated person should visit the health facility where they got their first dose with their vaccination cards so that the process is seamless, and their data accurately captured.
We would like to remind all persons who visit the health facilities to continue to adhere to the infection prevention and control measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. We must continue to wear our face masks in public, avoid large crowds and practise good hand and respiratory hygiene until about 60% of our population has been vaccinated to achieve herd immunity.
3rd Wave Mitigation Strategy & Implementation of the New Guidelines
Regardless of the reduction in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lagos State, many countries are still experiencing a vicious second and third wave of the pandemic. The rising number of cases around the world is largely a result of new variants of the virus that are more contagious. As part of the strategies to curb the third wave, the Lagos State Government will carry out the following activities:
• Ramp up testing and ensure all travelers carry out COVID-19 Tests. Lagos State will introduce new PCR tests to determine variants of the virus for confirmed positives cases. Those that turn out to be positive for variants will be subjected to a mandatory 14-day quarantine or till they clear the virus.
• Utilize EKOTELEMED to monitor confirmed cases and provide telemedicine services. EKOTELEMED will become the backbone of the State’s response.
• Enforce Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions, i.e., hand washing, social distancing, thresholds for public gathering, discourage super spreader events.
• Ramping up its oxygen supply and logistics management.
• Apply the new guidelines as published by the COVID-19 Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) for all inbound travelers into the country from India, Brazil and Turkey.
The new guidelines are explained as follows: The Federal Government of Nigeria recently banned Foreign Nationals from India, Brazil and Turkey from entering into Nigeria. However, Nigerians and non-Nigerians with a resident permit returning into the country are still allowed to come in, albeit under strict controls, such as mandatory isolation in Government approved facilities and Day 2 and Day 7 testing.
Implementation of Mandatory Isolation for Travelers
Lagos State accounts for more than 95% of the in-bound passengers into the country and, as such, the State Government has been proactive in setting up a system as well as protocols to manage in-bound passengers from all countries, especially countries where variants are actively circulating. Lagos State Government is working closely with Federal Airports Authority and Agencies. We have set up structures that will ease the passenger journey by modifying the Lagos State booking platform to provide several hotels that have been accredited by our Accreditation Agencies for passengers arriving from India, Brazil or Turkey.
Lagos State medical personnel have been posted to these hotels to support the management of passengers of interest in situations that the passengers might need some medical care. Passengers with medical conditions should elect to stay at our isolation centre in Yaba Mainland Hospital or at the Gbagada Isolation Centre as these facilities have additional amenities to provide medical care, if required. It is important to note that logistics services with security have been provided through our logistics partner to transport passengers from the airport to their individual hotels at no additional costs.
Corona Virus Act & Sanctions
Whilst the State has gone through great lengths to provide a seamless experience for passengers, it is important that the passengers adhere strictly to the laid-out protocols to avoid sanctions which may include penalties and/or prison time as laid out by the Lagos State House of Assembly and to be implemented by the Attorney General of the State.
It is worthy of note to state that the new Coronavirus Act of 2021 empowers Mr. Governor to quarantine anyone he deems fit and for any period of time. The act also empowers him to sanction erring individuals with fines of up to N500,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 5 years. According to the act, providing false or deliberately misleading information when filling out the online platform is an offence punishable by 1 year imprisonment and/or fines according to Section 17 of the Corona virus Pandemic law 2021. According to Section 17 of same, if passengers break the quarantine rules, they may be required to pay the stipulated fine and/or 1 year imprisonment. All passengers are advised to avoid the long arm of the law and act in good conscience by adhering to the guidelines to protect the lives and livelihood of all Lagos residents.
Since the commencement of the new guidelines and the ban on non-Nigerians travelling from three countries (India, Brazil and Turkey) into Nigeria, Lagos State has recorded 568 in-bound passengers, who have been permitted to enter Nigeria from these 3 countries. We have isolated 433 passengers in our various accredited hotels and facilities; 262 are in Isolation and 154 passengers have been discharged with a negative COVID-19 test. Nine have tested positive to COVID-19 and successfully isolated to prevent community transmission. Of the remaining 135 passengers, 119 have refused isolation and 16 are unaccounted for.
The families of those that have refused to be isolated should appeal to their loved ones to return for testing and isolation. On the 24th of May 2021, the Presidential Steering Committee led by Mr. Boss Mustapha and working together with the COVID-19 response in Lagos State, led by the Incident Commander, the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, published a first list of defaulters of the laid down protocols travelling through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport as it relates to the red listed countries (India, Brazil and Turkey).
All passengers affected should contact the lead of our Case Management Unit, Dr. Abimbola Bowale, on bimbobowale@gmail.com who will verify their status. The list of names who may have been mistakenly placed on this list and have been cleared will be sent to the Presidential Steering Committee for removal from the published names.
However, all passengers that have been confirmed absconders will have their passports deactivated for a minimum of 1 year, if Nigerian and if foreign, will have their resident permits cancelled and deported as stated by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19. All absconders will also face the penalties of the Coronavirus Pandemic Law 2021 of Lagos State, including varying lengths of prison time up to one year and fines of up to N500,000. All affected passengers are to present themselves to the Yaba Mainland Hospital for assessment and COVID-19 tests to evaluate their status.
A second list of absconders will be published.
I want to express my profound appreciation to the Incident Commander, Mr. Governor for his continuous support and leadership in the management of the pandemic and not forgetting all the various members of the response that have assisted in managing the situation so far.
Signed
Prof. Akin Abayomi
Honourable Commissioner for Health
30th May 2021

*THE BEAUTY OF THE YOUNG APGA TURKS AS SOLUDO APOSTLES*

26/05/21

Writer Joe C. Anatune*

DANIELS G.O

*THE BEAUTY OF THE YOUNG APGA TURKS AS SOLUDO APOSTLES*

The future is bright for APGA, with a constellation of young, upwardly mobile, wealthy, well educated, well exposed and politically conscious young men and women who will lead the party to greater heights in years to come.

We cherish to befittingly call them the APGA Young Turks. We have followed and watched them, and ascertained a common trait in them – they are all fiercely Soludo Apostles. They are putting their necks on the line to see that Soludo emerges the APGA flag bearer and more importantly, wins the November 6, 2021 governorship election to take Anambra from glory to glory in the well acknowledged and acclaimed APGA tradition.

Beyond winning, they are challenging each other on who will pull the highest votes from their zones. You need to see them to get a feel of the enormous energies they bring to bear in the Soludo consultation train.

Their commitments are deep. They are not sparing their time, talents and resources in furtherance of the foregoing. They are ready and willing to go uphill or down valley to achieve their goal. They are the bridge between today and tomorrow and between the young and old.

We are sure this will be an elixir to former APGA National Chairman, Senator Victor Umeh, who on May 23, in Enugwu-Ukwu, bemoaned the rascality of some young but misled APGA members on the social media. Umeh, who is both the conscience and institutional memory of the party, should be rest assured that with the APGA Young Turks, the party is building a solid successor generation. But what are the pulls?

They are all united by the stark reality that Cee Cee Soludo is the best material to build on the enviable achievements of Governor Willie Obiano. One of them often refers to it alluringly as ”consolidation for continuity.” With reference to where Anambra is today, the next big thing is that Anambra should go to the world and the world should come to the most livable, safest, most prosperous and happiest place in Africa, which is the Anambra that Soludo envisions. The final outcome is that Anambra State will become a one-city-state like Lagos, but a much better version.

Third and very important, is that APGA should be the vehicle through which Ndigbo will negotiate what comes to them in Nigeria. It will be unthinkable to allow the party to die and put Ndigbo in a position of playing second fiddle as obtains today in the other parties where decisions as to who flies the flag of the parties are made outside Anambra as opposed to the situation in APGA, where Ndi Anambra truly decide.

As we go from one local government to another, we see these upwardly mobile and suave politicians with rich content, great gifts of the gab and mesmerizing soapbox mien, we see a new horizon for a great future.

It is indeed, comfortable to also note that they are patient to learn and work with one of Anambra’s global icons, Cee Cee, to berth our Promised Land, where the world can happily come to live, invest and enjoy.

*Joe C. Anatune*
*Anatune writes from Awa*

*WHY SOLUDO IS BAGGING ALL THE ENDORSEMENTS*

23/05/21

Written By Joe C. Anatune*

DANIELS G O

*WHY SOLUDO IS BAGGING ALL THE ENDORSEMENTS*

One fascinating thing about a brand is that it has a lifecycle. A brand is more than a physical product. It is further imbued with emotional values that make consumers buy it over and over again. A Brand moves from introduction, growth, maturity and finally, to decline. At all the stages, it strives to have top of mind awareness (TOMA) in its interfaces with its target market. More often than not, brands become household names at the maturity stage.

Brand Soludo Solution today, is at the maturity stage. Getting here has not been a day’s job. It has been a long and gritty journey of scholarship, meritorious consulting at the global scale and outstanding public service; achievements which have widely been acknowledged as stellar.

The outcome of the foregoing is that Soludo today, has become a household name in Anambra with the highest top of the mind awareness, loved, preferred and trusted. How come?

Soludo Solution brings happiness to homes, offices, markets…in short, everywhere, because it has the capacity to solve problems. Soludo is truly going by his track record, a man who sees tomorrow. He is a thinker and doer; rare attributes you hardly find in one person. He has been severally called upon at national and international levels to help humanity resolve some nagging issues. He was part of the eggheads that the world looked up to, in order to halt the 2008/2009 global financial meltdown. The implementation of the NEEDS document which he anchored assisted Nigeria to secure debt relief from the Paris Club.

Since joining APGA, Soludo has been working assiduously in helping the party win electoral victories and achieve growth.

When he ran for governorship election in 2010, Soludo stretched the imagination of Ndi Anambra with his African Dubai Taiwan (ADT) development model. Ndi Anambra are yearning for Dubai. They are yearning for Taiwan.

Years after, Ndi Anambra in their numbers, unanimously realised that they need him after the current government, because of the demand for this uncommon gift and skill sets. More than 24 self funded groups are all over the place, drumming support for his Governorship bid. His party, APGA, aware that he has the state wide positive appeal to win both the primaries and the main election, is looking in his direction as their flag bearer. This is a wise and proper thing to do, because the reason for being of a political party is to wrestle and control the machinery of government.

Today, as parties prepare for their primaries, the conversations out there everywhere you go in Anambra is about Soludo and the others in regard to the November 6, 2021 governorship election. And it has become for Soludo, an endorsement galore for him from not just key stakeholders, but from common folks in the streets. As they say, it shall end in praise.

*Joe C. Anatune*
*Writes from Awa*

***Contacts us on 08025-681-978

Visit Us @www.daranetworktv.com

LAGOS STATE TRAINS OVER 15,000 HEALTH WORKERS… Employ Over 1,200 Health Professionals  

23/0/21

DANIELS G. O

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS TRAINS OVER 15,000 HEALTH WORKERS

· Employs Over 1,200 Health Professionals

No fewer than 15,000 health workers in Lagos State have undergone various capacity building exercise including clinical and non-clinical trainings, seminars and continuous medical education (CME) programs geared towards improving efficiency, service delivery and client satisfaction at all levels of health care delivery, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi has said.

Abayomi who disclosed recently at an annual ‘Ministerial Press Briefing’ organised to commemorate the second year anniversary of the Governor Sanwo-Olu led administration in the health sector stated thattraining and professional development of healthcare providers being the bedrock of qualitative healthcare service has been accorded the priority it deserves by the present administration.

He noted that State health workers through strategic training programs and engagements have been equipped with current information and skills to enrich qualitative and optimal health service delivery at all service points

The Commissioner explained that selected health workers across all levels of the health care system in the State participated in a capacity building workshop on public private partnership (PPP) held between 24th and 26thNovember, 2020.

He added that the workshop was geared towards assisting them in developing knowledge and skills in basic concepts of PPPs in Health, applicable Government policies and legal framework for PPP in Health, Assessing Value for Money in PPPs for Health, design of Contracts and Memoranda of Understanding in PPPs and Cost of Service Studies and Tariff Setting.

According to Abayomi, other engagements and workshops conducted for health workers include; capacity Building of Health Workers from private and secondary health facilities on Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) and REW component; Maintaining infection, prevention & control measures within clinical and non-clinical environment and public Health strategies for the management and control of COVID-19 and the need for strategic shift to Home Support Management.

“10 Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions were conducted on the 7thOctober and11th December, 2020 on Improving Quality Healthcare Service Delivery during Public Health Crises and a total of 5,282 health workers participated via physical appearance and live webinar sessions.

“Also, 60 midwives were updated on current Advanced Life Saving Skills training manual developed by the Federal Ministry of Health to improve their knowledge and skills in Midwifery practice, the Directorate of Nursing is currently conducting Video Training (VTR) Mobile Learning application on devices consisting of nine modules for 400 Nurses and Midwives drawn from Public Health Institutions in Lagos State.

“The Ministry also conducted a Training of Trainers (TOT) residential workshop for all Human Resource for Health (HRH) Desk Managers and Senior Officers in the health sector to strengthen Human Resource Management, there were also capacity building sessions on Biosecurity and surveillance Public Health Professionals”, the Commissioner explained.

He added that the Health Service Commission trained1,600 health workers on COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control for over a six week period. Stressing that participants at the training included officers drawn from the state- owned secondary health facilities, as well as healthcare volunteers from the private sector.

The Commissioner stated that the Health Service Commission also trained 500 medical personnel on Basic Life Support (BLS) and 200 others on Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). He hinted that the trained participants received certificates from the American Heart Association.

“50 medical officers were admitted into Residency Training Program for Family Medicine, Paediatrics, Anaesthesia, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology and 10 medical officers commenced a fully sponsored training in anaesthesia at the School of Anaesthetic Studies, Badagry and 35 nurses were granted approval for specialty trainings in Accident & Emergency, peri-operative, ophthalmic and anaesthesia”, Abayomi said

He noted that health workers at the primary health care level under the auspices of the Primary Health Care Board were trained on Training of PHC Health Workers on emergency preparedness and infection prevention control in the health facilities as well as home based care for COVID management in the last one year.

“4,000 Health Information Managers (HIM) in Public and Private hospitals in the State were trained on the newly revised NHMIS tools which accommodates more indicators for more objective decision making and 500 Healthcare Professionals drawn from health sector were trained on Data Protection and Governance in compliance with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR)”, the Commissioner added.

Abayomi disclosed that over 1,200 medical professionals were recruited in the health sector as part of the strategy to improve human resource for health and provide proactive human resources management service that will engender qualitative healthcare delivery.

He said, “A total of 944 health workers out of which 815 were core medical workers consisting of Consultants, Medical Officers, Pharmacists and Nurses were recruited by the Health Service Commission to improve service delivery and meet the health needs of Lagosians.

“338 health workers were also employed by LASUTH personnel via the Internship and exit replacement windows. Out of this number, 299 are core medical personnel”.

The Commissioner noted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration places priority on human capital development as well as infrastructural growth as a means of achieving its Health and Environment mandate of the THEMES agenda.

While assuring that the government remains committed to ensuring best practices in health care delivery across the State, Abayomi stated that the state government is also regulating the activities of Traditional Medicine practitioners and improving their capacity within their scope of practice.

“The Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board in keeping with its mandate to maintain a concise register, regulate code of conduct, train and ensure compliance to standard rules and regulations, monitor and license all practicing Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Lagos Stateorganised a mandatory orientation training for Traditional Medicine Practitioners, herbal product sellers and Traditional birth attendants”, he stated.

The Commissioner noted that increased investment in health over the years especially in the areas of human resource capacity development, medical infrastructure and implementation of the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme and other aspects of Health affirms the commitment of the Sanwo-Olu led administration to the attainment of universal health coverage.

“There is still so much more to be done and the whole society including government, wider population, communities, and business organisations have shared interest and roles in the quest for an efficient, equitable, affordable and accessible health care services for all”, Abayomi said.

Signed

Tunbosun Ogunbanwo

Director, Public Affairs

23rd May, 2021

UMEOJI: PREFERRED BY THE OPPOSITION, DESPISED BY HIS PARTY.

22/05/21

Chief Emeka Nwolisah
Writes from Nnewi, Nnewi North

DANIELS G. O

UMEOJI: PREFERRED BY THE OPPOSITION, DESPISED BY HIS PARTY.

Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji? I laugh when in months past some political jobbers in their wildest dreams and permutations were placing him as the favorite man to clinch the party’s ticket for the November gubernatorial election. For their minds, they’ve permutated correctly how Rt. Hon. Umeoji will defeat all other aspirants mercilessly in their party’s primay slated to hold on July 23rd.

Who knows, one babalawo somewhere in Kenya might have assured the Legislator of defeating others then moving next to clinching the main election slated to hold on November 6, later this year. The man Hon. Umeoji must have concluded series of political appointments he shall be sharing to his political croonies and friends of Zenith Banks. No blame should be accorded to the Nigeria’s media space that has made every active politician equal. If not, I would have ask, why compare light and darkeness? The same man currently involved in weak, dumb and low energy political campaigns, specialized in hiring some self acclaimed online activists to troll on fellow party aspirants now sees himself as favorite to succeed the incumbent, governor Obiano and after employing tactics of opposition in his very own party.

Someone close to the opposition’s favorite candidate, should remind him not to wail like a wolf when primaries might have been concluded in June because APGA as a party won’t refund any reckless fund spent. He should be advised to cancel his low energy campaigns since he’s not able to introduce creativity, inject new ideas except supervising coordinated media attacks on his party and perceived superior contestants. I heard he has negotiated with one Senator who is also November candidate on possible way of replacing him in the Red Chamber should incase the former wins and I also heard he has negotiated his way to Labour Party -LP should incase he fails to secure the party’s ticket to contest main election, which he knows he won’t clinch. In a sane clime, politicians like Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji shouldn’t be taken serious in affairs that concerns issues of public interest.

Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji has said he is the favorite to succeed the incumbent, yet same man couldn’t attract a single party’s major stakeholders to himself. His campaign structure remain the weakest in the forthcoming election and still, he sees himself as Anambra choice. No wonder, opposition groups prefers him to anyone else, he should be told in plain term or any language he understands better that Anambra 2021 isn’t for puppies.

This low energy politician, who has been on dumb and weak campaigns throughout the year should know that his antics and blackmail of the party can never sway the choice of the party delegates. Good news, I believed by now, party delegates must have made up their minds on their prefered candidate and absolutely not Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji. Cheers, it’s another Saturday for weddings!

Chief Emeka Nwolisah
Writes from Nnewi, Nnewi North

VICE PRESIDENT HONOURS DEPARTED MEDIA LEADERS

21/05/21

DANIELS G.O

22/05/21

DANIELS G.O

AN AFTERNOON OF TRIBUTES ( Honouring The Departed, Inspiring The Living)

Nigeria’s Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo has cautioned the misuse of the Social Media to tier the country Apart.He also warned against debates over the place and future of Nigeria as well as activities of some group working for destruction.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,was speaking on Friday in Lagos where he delivered a keynote address at an event to honor Nine media practitioners in the country who died between 2020 to 2021

The event which was Titled “An Afternoon of Tributes for Departed Media Leaders”, was organized by the Nigerian Newspaper Association Of Nigeria Organization (NPAN) , the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) And The Nigerian Union of journalist NUJ

The Vice President applauded the role of the media in Nigeria’s political history, but advised that the gatekeepers in the fourth estate must demonstrate a greater awareness of the sensibilities and sensitivities of our society.
Osinbajo noted that Nigerian press has deep roots going back about 150 years. and was instrumental to the birth of the nation.

He described the institution to which the honorees belong as a rich one. Remembering Several luminaries of the anti-colonial and nationalist movement who were also leading figures in the press. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ernest Ikoli, Anthony Enahoro, Herbert Macaulay first established themselves as journalists of repute. Indeed, at one point, Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo controlled five and ten newspapers respectively.

According to the vice President, The media has been at the forefront of all our epochal struggles from the fight against colonialism to the struggle to entrench democracy.

A third struggle is now underway. It is the quest to deepen democracy and to realize our collective possibilities as a just, prosperous and progressive nation.
The media leaders he said, in whose name and memory the event was organised are giants precisely because they understood the struggles of their times and embraced their roles in them. In so doing, they wrote their names in gold and remain reference points for succeeding generations.

Prof Yemi Osinbajo commended the NPAN and BON for conceiving the idea of a memorial of such taste and magnitude.

On the list of the Departed Media leaders are

*Alhaji Lateef Jakande first Civilian Governor Of Lagos State (July 24 – February 11 2021)

*Prince Tony Mother Former Minister Of Information & Culture (April 27th- February 1,2021

*Ben Egbuna ,FOrmee Director General FRCN (July 13th -January 28th 2021.

*Eddie Aderinokun ,Former Editor, Daily Express (July 1930-January 3rd 2021

* Sam Nda-Isaiah ,Former Publisher Of Leadership Newspaper (May 1st -December 11th 2020

*Chief Gbolabo Ogunsanwo ,Former Publisher,New Nation,Former Editor Sunday Times (June 28th- November 27th 2020

*Bisi Lawrence, Former General Manager, Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation ( October 23rd 1932 – November 11,2020.

* Malam Wada Maida Past President NGE,Former MD And Chairman NAN (March 5th 1960-August 17th 2020)

*Malam Ismaila Isa,life Patron NPAN (January 17,1942-July 20th 2020)

COME, LET US RIDE WITH SOLUDO SOLUTION AND APGA TO THE PROMISED LAND

21/05/21

Joe C. Anatune*

DANIELS G.O

*COME, LET US RIDE WITH SOLUDO SOLUTION AND APGA TO THE PROMISED LAND*

Yes, it is the proper thing to do, because both bring happiness, and because both have and continue to touch lives positively. Both have been stellar in improving lives by deploying mass-oriented public policies. It is a case of birds of identical plumage that are flocking together. Sure, nothing is ”broken”, so those pretending they are searching for something to fix or mend have better look elsewhere.

APGA has ushered Anambra into the A list in the comity of states in Nigeria, since it wrestled power from a lackluster, clay-footed and utterly destructive PDP government.

APGA is doing more – launching Anambra as a bold and proud member of the global village.

Governor Willie Obiano is fiercely and unrelentingly finishing strong. He is deservedly grinning from ear to ear, having decimated his traducers with deadly sucker punches in unimagined achievements. He is shooting on all cylinders; upscaling commerce, industry, tourism, the new economy that includes sports, and recording great strides in other areas as derivatives of his legacy projects.

APGA, a party that has over the years, evolved a culture that guides its leadership recruitment process, has listened to the people’s choice and is poised to hand over the baton to a man that is globally acclaimed to have the Solution to the multitudes of challenges that confront us as a people to go get victory in the November 6, 2021 governorship poll, so that the beautiful story of taking Anambra to the world and getting the world to come to Anambra will continue.

Soludo, who no doubt is the most loved, popular and trusted political leader in Anambra today, has assured Ndi Anambra and APGA that he is ready and willing to go for them. He is not pretending that the journey to the Promised Land is not bumpy but admits that it is going to be exciting and rewarding for everyone.

Soludo is urging Ndi Anambra to, hey, come ride with me on this tough but rewarding journey to our Promised Land. So, everyone is invited either as a delegate or voter. Thank God it’s Friday, and be of good cheer!

*Joe C. Anatune*
*Anatune writes from Awa*

TEAM SOLUDO UNITED FC IS POISED FOR A GAME OF HIGH INTENSITY FOR APGA PRIMARIES*

18/05/21

Written By Joe C. Anatune

DANIELS G. O

*TEAM SOLUDO UNITED FC IS POISED FOR A GAME OF HIGH INTENSITY FOR APGA PRIMARIES*

There are some similarities between the beautiful round leather game of football and the tough intriguing terrain of party politics. You need talent to play in both fields. You need training to hone such talents. Both demand energy, discipline, concentration and vision to succeed. Every other thing is humour and melodrama, just like the current tepid disposition of the opposition.

Team Soludo United is full of agile people with natural talents, ability, focus and discipline. As we approach the next governorship election, the team is playing with very high intensity, never witnessed in such a contest in the history of the state. They keep scouting and signing the best legs, each passing day.

Though the team coach, Cee Cee Soludo is an admirer of Jose Mourinho, his team is playing with so much intensity like the teams coached by Pep Guardiola. Why not? Soludo is acclaimed to bring about changes with so much intensity. Recall that in just 18 months, he ignited and implemented a revolution that changed the banking sector for good. You can’t effect such a homogeneous change in such a short time without intensity.

Intensity demands positional play, energy, focus and vision. Even when you lose the ball, you have to quickly fall back and recover it and keep working at the same level of energy with which you started, even after the goals have started rolling in.

Day in day out, the team is enriched with world class political ball jugglers with proven track records. From Chief Victor Umeh to Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe to Hon. Emeka Aforka and to Hon Emmanuel Nwafor, among others, the team has become very formidable, sending cold shivers down the spines of the opposition.

On May 16, in Awka, the Anambra State capital, Team Soludo got another big boost, when Chief Jude Emeka Agumadu (Baby Awka) with versatile Hon. Nnamdi Okafor among others, made their debuts for the team. They have huge fans, who turned up in very large numbers to witness, cheer and support them in their debuts. In short, it was goals galore for Cee Cee Soludo and Team Soludo United FC. Residents of Udoka Estate can attest to the day’s great event.

Unfortunately, while Soludo and team are training and working hard, the opposition appears to be hoping for the hand of God. They want to win by miracles, by propaganda and subterfuges. Poor fellows!

The development challenges facing the state demands a leader who can get things done with intensity. Soludo has a record of doing so with the banking consolidation, setting up of African Finance Corporation (AFC), NEEDS, revamping of Mints, redirecting the Bureau of Statistics to mention just a few.

Therefore, the intensities we see every day, preparatory to the primaries are not surprising. They are vintage Soludo, a gentleman man who is in a hurry and does things that affect society positively, with awe striking intensity.

If this inadvertently rattles the opposition, they can either shape up or ship out. Whatever, Anambra will be better off with this gentleman in a hurry to make things better, and who gets thing done with great intensity.

*Joe C. Anatune*
*Anatune writes from Awa*

LAGOS COMMENCES MASS ADMINISTRATION OF DEWORMING MEDICINES FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN … Targets 1.3 Million Children in 10 Endemic LGAs

18/05/21

DANIELS G. O

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS COMMENCES MASS ADMINISTRATION OF DEWORMING MEDICINES FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN

… Targets 1.3 Million Children in 10 Endemic LGAs

Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Health and in partnership with a non-governmental Organisation; Evidence Action, has today commenced mass administration of deworming medicine for the treatment and prevention of Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) in 10 local government areas of the State.

Speaking today during the official flag-off of the exercise held at St. Peter Anglican Primary School, Alausa, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi explained that Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) which is prevalent in school-age children is a significant infectious public health burden in Nigeria that result from poor sanitation and hygiene conditions.

According to him, STH is a worm infection that interferes with nutrient uptake; and can lead to anemia, malnourishment and impaired mental, physical and cognitive development which usually pose a serious threat to children’s health, education, and productivity.

He said, “Previously, there has been small-scale deworming activities in the state against STH and Schistosomiasis; however, with the support of the Federal Ministry of Health and our supporting partner, Evidence Action, we have set out plans to implement a state-wide deworming treatment for all enrolled and unenrolled school age children who are at –risk using a coordinated approach called School-Based Deworming Mass Administration of Medicines”.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Lagos State Coordinator, Neglected Tropical Diseases, NTD, Mr. Olanrewaju Jenrola noted that State treatment strategy is based on the prevalence of STH being determined by a state-wide mapping and scientific survey as spelt out by the guidelines from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.

“Annual mass deworming is very important for our children, as it will ensure their improved physical and cognitive growth, resistance to other infections and improved school performance.

“Moreover, mass deworming is in direct support and will positively impact Nigeria’s progression toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals as well as Government’s top health priority in reducing under nutrition and anemia”, Abayomi said.

While noting that a total of 1,333,165 school-aged children in public and private primary and junior secondary schools in 10 endemic LGAs of Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Ojo and Shomolu are targeted to be dewormed during the STH treatment exercise, the Commissioner stated that the exercise will come to an end on Friday 21st May, 2021.

“The School-based deworming campaign is an important evidence-based strategy to treat children at risk of parasitic worm infections. The state is proud to be able to provide treatment across the endemic LGAs through active collaboration with other line ministries and in partnership with Evidence Action.

“As widely known, the universal health coverage of all Lagosians is part of the key campaign proponents of this present administration. This intervention is being implemented in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and State Universal Basic Education Board, traditional rulers, community stakeholders, LGA health coordinators and other key personnel in the aforementioned LGAs”, Abayomi said .

Earlier, in her remarks, the County Director, Evidence Action, Dr. Ima Chima stated that the school based deworming programme is an effective and cost effective strategy to ensure that the diseases disrupting the educational growth of children are treated .

She noted that Evidence Action; which is an international organization, has over the years lent supporting hands to governments across the world in the implementation of evidence-based and cost effective programs to reduce the burden of poverty for hundreds of millions of people.

Chima stated that Evidence Action is providing technical assistance towards the successful implementation of the mass administration of deworming medicines which targets the deworming of over 1.3 million children in Lagos.

“Over the last four years, we have significantly increased our program reach, from treating approximately 600,000 children in 2016 to over 4.3 million children in 2019. We have also been supporting the Federal Ministry of Health to develop and disseminate a national STH and schistosomiasis control strategy and implementation guidelines for 2020-2025, to support standardized, high-quality school-based deworming in the country.

“We are an international organization with a presence in several countries of the world and we have a track record of supporting governments across the world to set up programs like this. We are particularly honoured that we are able to extend this technical assistance to Lagos State in the South West; this is our third state where we have supported school based deworming”, She said.

Amongst others stakeholders present at the event were representatives of the Commissioner for Education; Chairman State Universal Education Board; National Coordinator, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Nse Akpan and Coordinator Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminths, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiageli Nebe

Signed

Tunbosun Ogunbanwo
Director, Public Affairs
18th May, 2021