News

NBC to Collaborate ODSG on Host Communities Gazetting

By Web News 502

By Olufisoye Adenitan

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, says, for “Host Communities” to be recognized by the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA and for them to be gazetted by National Boundary Commission, NBC, the government needs to intensify efforts to identify areas that fall within the category.

“This is to enable those communities to benefit from the 3% set aside for them by PIA Act”.

The Deputy Governor made this submission in Akure while receiving the delegation of NBC who paid an advocacy visit on the determination of “Host Communities Along the Gulf of Guinea”.

The NBC team was in the State to press home the need to work closely with Ondo State Boundary Commission to identify the communities recognized by the Acts as “Host Communities”.

According to him, Section 318 of the PIA, states- “a littoral community is a deep-water area of operation located along the Gulf of Guinea of the Nigerian shoreline up to about 500 meters inland, provided that such community is gazetted by the NBC”.

He said the primary objectives of gazetting the host communities are to foster sustainable prosperity, enhance harmonious co-existence between Licenses/Lesses and host communities, provide direct social and economic benefits and create a framework to support the development of identified and gazetted host Communities.

Aiyedatiwa applauded NBC for its advocacy. In his words, “your visit is a laudable idea and I want to assure you that for us in Ondo State, we will cooperate and collaborate with your Commission to ensure that all the Communities that fall within that region would benefit from the PIA, and non of these communities would be left out”.

He further stated that Ondo State Government would give all the necessary support to ensure that the exercise is successfully conducted. 

In his Address  Director General National Boundary Commission, Surveyor Adamu Adaji represented by the Director of Internal Boundaries, Mr Nicholas Emiowele, appreciated the warm reception accorded them by the State Government, as well as the support the State has given to  NBC.

“We have partnered with you on some of the activities undertaken with respect to the common Interstate boundaries with your neighbours….we intend to make further progress on the emplacement of pillars on the required sector of the boundary”, he said.

Speaking further, Mr Emiowele said, “it is important that all the Communities within the specified 500m buffers from the coastline must be located and captured in the data bank of the Communities to be gazetted, for them to benefit adequately from the provisions of the Act.

“A previous survey had identified some of these communities, but it is imperative that the Commission, in conjunction with the Ondo State Boundary Commission, do a thorough compilation that can be defended.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Agriculture

Population Growth: Stakeholders Task Government on Livestock Development

By Web News 661

As the population of Nigeria continues to improve, participants at a one-day workshop have identified tax reduction, livestock census, capacity building, and adequate security as panaceas to improve livestock development in the country.

They took the position at a conference organized by the Oyo state Agricultural  Development Agency, OYSADA with the theme: Developing Evidence-based plans, policies and investment options in the livestock sector held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Ibadan.

The participants decried a situation whereby the country imported livestock from neighbouring states to feed its people called for commercial livestock production.

A lecturer at the Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Professor Olugbenga Ogunwole and a general manager of a diary-producing company, Adekunle Olayiwola lamented the totality of various levies charged at different levels of government, saying overtaxing of food items would unnecessarily push up the cost.

Professor Olugbenga and Mr Adekunle also stressed the need for finance and data for proper planning, and good roads and urged the government to bring in extension officers for the improved livestock sector.

Speaking at the forum, Director General Oyo State Agricultural Development Agency, Dr Debo Akande said the programme was put together to design a strategic plan for Oyo state to improve its livestock sector.

Dr Akande hinted that the action and direction of the present government are yielding results as statistics recently released by NASE, indicated that between 2019-2020, the crop production is higher than what has been doing since 2013 while the size of the land the state is cultivating for five crops cumulatively has grown by 40 acres of land.

Earlier, the Deputy Director General, IITA, Dr Ken Dashiell represented by Sore Zaina described the conference as timely in view of population growth, calling on the government to put Infrastructure in place and the right technology for the livestock sector to meet the needs of the people.

The programme which had in attendance academia, livestock farmers, investors, researchers, policymakers, Miyetti Allah association provided an opportunity for stakeholders to rub minds together and fashion out ways for better livestock production.

Iyabo Adebisi

Health

Europe-Africa Summit: President Buhari Calls For Collaboration Against Pandemic

By Web News 729

President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the inclusion of Nigeria among the six countries in Africa designated as manufacturing bases for the Covid-19 vaccine.

Expressing delight on the development at the Roundtable on Health Systems and Vaccine Production at the ongoing 6th Europe-Africa Summit, President Buhari called for collaboration to address the effects of the pandemic.

Pointing out that his administration’s call on the development has yielded the desired result, the President said Nigeria would ensure that the best use was made of the opportunity.

He said Nigeria would host the Bio-manufacturing Training hub proposed by World Health Organization, WHO, but called on the EU to support the World Trade Organisation, WTO, towards the conclusion of negotiations on intellectual property rights’ waiver to ensure early start of the manufacturing of vaccines in Africa.

While commending the efforts of the foreign partners in making the Covid-19 vaccine available, he urged them to do more as less than 10 percent of the African population had got the jab, stressing that the situation can negatively affect Africa’s developmental projections.

Abdullah Bello

News

NTA, FRCN, Collaborate To Promote Good Reportage

By Web News 1250

The Zonal Director, Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, Mrs Omolola Olorode says the station is ready to collaborate with Radio Nigeria Ibadan.

Mrs Olorode stated this when the Management of Radio Nigeria led by its Zonal Director, Mrs Bolatito Joseph paid a courtesy visit to the management of NTA

She explained that, moving broadcasting forward required synergy, pointing out that the two stations were in the position to achieve the goal.

Earlier ,the Zonal Director Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Ibadan, Mrs Bolatito Joseph had pointed out that NTA and Radio Nigeria had always had fruitful a relationship.

Mrs Joseph added that sustaining the partnership between the two stations would benefit Oyo State.

Funmi Obagbayegun

Health

Ogun Introduces Additional Polio Vaccine Into Routine Immunisation

By Web News 704

Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board  in collaboration with Development Partners in the health sector has introduced Inactivated Polio Vaccine, IPV2, as additional vaccination in the Routine Immunisation, RI, schedule, to be received by children at 14 weeks.

Speaking at the flag-off at Iberekodo Primary Healthcare Centre in Abeokuta North Local Government Area, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker said that the vaccine would protect children against polio virus and further boost their immunity.

Dr. Coker explained that the introduction of the vaccine into the RI schedule was in fulfilment of the four major objectives of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which mandated all countries that were using Oral Polio Vaccine to add at least one more dose of IPV into their schedules by the end of 2015.

She noted that the efforts was aimed at maintaining the polio free status that Nigeria and Ogun State achieved on August 25, 2020.

Also, the Executive Secretary, Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola who explained that Inactivated Polio Vaccine including IPV2 would be administered to  children as their first and second dose at 6weeks and 14weeks respectively, described the the vaccine as safe and effective.

 In their separate remarks, the State Coordinator, World Health Organisation, WHO, Dr. Sunday Abidoye, his counterpart from the  National Primary Health Care Development Agency,  Mrs. Victoria Adebiyi as well as representatives of  United Nations Children Emergency Fund, UNICEF,  Mrs Florence Molokwu,  said the introduction of the vaccine was another giant stride at improving the health and wellbeing of children in the State, promising the continued  technical support of their various organisations.

Speaking on behalf of mothers and caregivers, Mrs. Abiodun Adenuga and Mrs Aderonke Ogunba appreciated the State government for the initiative.

Segun Folarin

Health

Oyo Government Parleys NDLEA In Fight Against Illicit Drugs

By Web News 1155

The Oyo state government in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is set to clamp down on consumers and sellers of illicit drugs to rid the state of criminals.

        The chairman, Oyo state drug Abuse and Control Committee,  Pharmacist Lukman Akinwande stated this in Ibadan at a media briefing held at the government Secretariat, Ibadan.

    The chairman, explained that consumers and sellers of illicit drugs would not be tolerated so as to end criminality.

     Mr Akinwande further called on religious bodies, NGOs, teachers, parents and political office holders to come up with more sensitization programmes to as to curb the menace.

      The Oyo state commander, National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency, NDLEA ,Josephine obi  cautioned people to be careful of what they eat especially at public functions so as not fall victim of wrong drug.

     Represented by her assistant in the agency,  Mr Anthony Gotar, noted that some people stuff narcotics and dangerous drugs inside  snacks and drinks especially at public events.

     In a speech, the Oyo state commissioner for health, Dr Bashir Bello who  identified poverty and unemployment as factors contributing to drug abuse and illicit trafficking explained that government is already taking step to reduce the menace through provision of free education and employment for the youths.

     The chairman, pharmaceutical society of Nigeria, Oyo state branch, Mr Sam Obitoye called establishment of task force to enforce existing laws on drug abuse.

       Mr Obitoye who lamented that there had been increase in reported psychiatric cases urged government to expidite action at curbing the menace.

       Contributing, The permanent secretary, Ministry of health, Doctor Muftau Ayoola represented by a Director in the ministry, Wole Lawal called for collaboration of everyone at fighting drug abuse and  illicit  trafficking.

      Responding, the Oyo state  commissioner for health, Doctor Bashir Bello called for more enlightenment on drug abuse by NGOs, Religious bodies, parents and educational institutions to discourage drug abuse.

     In a good will message the special assistant to the Oyo state government on youth and sports, Kazeem Bolarinwa advised the youths to shun any act that could tarnish their image.

        Abisola Oluremi