Environment

“Take Disaster Risk Management to Grassroots” – Akwa Ibom Gov. Urges FG

By Web News 786

The state Governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel has appealed to the Federal Government to extend disaster risk management to the grassroots.

Governor Emmanuel made the appeal during the donation of relief items estimated at several millions of naira to the flood victims in the state, by the federal government.

He said this aimed at setting up local government emergency committees in the 36 local government areas of the state, as well as setting aside predictable funding to the State Emergency Management Agency, to save lives during disasters.

The Governor explained that the need to set up Local Government Emergency Management Committees in all the LGAs was in line with the best practices to take disasters risk management to the grassroots, adding that, the need for predictable funding to SEMA, the LEMAs became necessary to save lives and safeguard livelihoods during disasters.

He said, “We are here in Uyo to commiserate with the government and the good people of Akwa Ibom over the human and material losses suffered as a result of the flood disasters. We are also here to hand over relief assistance in form of food and non-food items including clothing and hygiene materials to His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom.

“Part of the relief items comprise grains and garri from the Strategy Reserves of the Federal Government as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, to support vulnerable Nigerians in time of food shortage. These materials are expected to give immediate succour to the affected persons to live in a dignified manner during this difficult moment.

“Let me say that the FG, through NEMA, cannot compensate persons impacted by disasters. NEMA cannot compensate people for the distress and traumatic experience they have suffered in times of disaster. Yet, we are committed to supporting people to get back on their feet and restart normal life with this type of relief intervention.

“We always pray for disasters not to happen, yet disasters and emergencies are part of and parcel of life. Growing population, increase competition for scarce and dwindling resources and climate change phenomenon have increased the rate of occurrence and magnitude of disasters globally. Nigeria is not an exception as witnessed in this year’s rainy season with the unprecedented flood that impacted the entire Federation.

“In this regard, I want to appeal to your Excellency to set up a Local Government Emergency Management Committee for each of the local government areas of Akwa Ibom to take disaster risk management to the grassroots.

“This is in line with best practices. Furthermore, I implore your Excellency to set aside predictable funding to SEMA and LEMAs in all the LGAs to enable them to intervene timely to save lives and safeguard livelihoods whenever disasters hit.”

Responding, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo, appreciated the FG’s prompt responses to victims of flooding in the state and promised that the relief intervention would be equitably distributed through the State Emergency Management Agency.

He said, “As a state government, we want to appreciate the FG for the prompt responses to victims affected by the disasters in the state in terms of relief assistance and I want to assure that the materials will be distributed equitably to be affected persons through the state Emergency Management Agency.”

The materials include 1000 bags of 10kg rice 1000 bags of 10kg beans, 1000 bags of 10kg maize, 75 bags of salt, 75 bags of vegetable oil, and many others.

Culled /Taiwo Akinola

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Education

QSl Alumni Give Back to Alma Mater

By Web News 811

The saying by Winston Churchill, that “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give ” was again re-enacted when some old students gave back to their Alma mata.

The 1989/94 set of Queen’s School Ibadan, as a way of contributing to the school that made them, donated 100 pairs of class furniture through an initiative tagged “seat a girl project”.

Speaking at the official handing over of the furniture to the school authority at a ceremony held in the school, the President, 1994 set, Mrs Adenike Adegoke said the gesture was part of the set’s resolve to give back to the school.

Mrs Adegoke, who commended members of the 94 set for their cooperation and support, charged them not to relent in giving back to the school.

Similarly, President, Queens School Old Girls Association Ibadan Chapter, who is also the Registrar, Lead city University, Dr Oyebola Ayeni encouraged old students to always look back with gratitude and also assist government to sustain their various Alma mata.

Responding on behalf of the school, the Principal, Mrs Folasade Alamu, who appreciated the 1994 class set for the donation, stressed that the importance of giving back to schools by old students could not be overemphasized.

Our Correspondent reports that the event afforded members of the set the opportunity of catching up with old friends and relieving fond memories of their school days as they graced the occasion with colourful attires in their various house colours.

Kayode Banjo

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Health

Nigeria Receives COVID-19 Vaccines, Solar Refrigerators From Japan

By Web News 636

Japanese government has donated over 859,600 doses of AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine and 175 Solar Direct Drive Refrigerators to the Federal government.

The country made the donation to the National Primary Healthcare Development, NPHCDA in Abuja

It’s been One year since the 1st arrival of covid19 vaccine to Nigeria, which was met with a lot of uncertainty and misconceptions.

However with the solidarity around the world, vaccines are now readily available as the nation has received a lot of donations from other countries and development partners.

Donating over 800k doses of AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine and 175 Solar Direct Drive Refrigerators, Japanese ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Matsunaga kazuyoshi said this was the third Japanese vaccine to African region.

The ambassador explained that the peculiarity of power supply in Nigeria which could affect the storage of vaccines engineered the supply of refrigerators to help the proper storage system of vaccine

The Executive Director NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib who received the item Said it would boost the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Japan.

He thanked the government ofJapan for the support, stating that the refrigerators would help Keep the vaccines potent for childhood immunization.

The world health organization, country representative, Dr Kazadi Mulombo Congratulated Nigeria for the scale up of vaccination to 200k doses daily aimed at reaching the 70% target of its population by June.

NANCY ANIKAEZIE

Lifestyle

Ondo NYSC Donates Facemasks, Sanitisers, Food Items to Motherless Homes, Others

By Web News 966 Post a comment

The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, have distributed over two thousand facemasks to residents of Ondo state to stop the spread of Covid-19 and in commemoration of the 47th anniversary of the scheme.

The scheme also donated food items to major motherless homes in the state capital to celebrate the day with a theme: “Deepening the Impact of the National Service through Innovations”. 

Distributing the items to the people during a mini rally in Akure, the state coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Grace Akpabio said, since the outbreak of Covid-19, corps members had been working tirelessly to ensure that facemasks, hand sanitisers and other items were produced in mass for the benefit of the people.

Mrs Akpabio pointed out that the scheme would not relent in sensitizing people of the grassroots on the need to take precautions against the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

She, however, urged corps members and other Nigerians to always follow the rules of using a facemask and desist from acts that could endanger others at this crucial period.

Kayode Animasaun

Lifestyle

Oyo PFN Donates PPE to Covid-19 Task force

By Web News 1309

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Oyo State Chapter, has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline health workers in the state to the Oyo COVID-19 Task Force, in appreciation of the tireless efforts being exerted to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state.

The PFN led by its state chairman, Reverend Samson Ajetomobi, presented the Personal Protective Equipment comprising of N95 respirators and TYVEK suits to the task force at the parking lot of the Oyo State Ministry of Health.

Oyo PFN Chairman, Reverend Samson Ajetomobi (l) with Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Dr. A.M Ayoola (r), during the presentation

Speaking during the presentation, Reverend Ajetomobi said while the PFN prays that God in his mercies will deliver the state and the nation from the pandemic, it is also important that every individual play their part in putting an end to the pandemic.

He lauded the task force for its efforts to ensure that the virus is curtailed in the state, he urged the people to abide by the standard regulations put in place to ensure the COVID-19 wave blows over quickly, adding that the earlier everyone plays a part, the faster the disease will be defeated.

Reverend Ajetomobi further urged well-meaning people and organisations in the state to do what they can to assist the task force in its activities and also spread the love at this period so that every member of the society can have an easier time while the COVID-19 battle lasts.

“It is our belief that organisations and individuals need to collaborate with the government for this battle to be quickly won. We need to help with our substance and our obedience so that the work of the task force will be easier. This is the time to come together and work towards combating this scourge; we need to be our brother’s keeper at this time and show love for mankind.

Most importantly, while we pray, let us also follow laid down guidelines of hygiene and maintain social distancing. Do not go wherever is not necessary at this period, it is a sacrifice we all have to make to save our world,” Rev. Ajetomobi stated, reiterating that the PFN will continue to support the government in the fight against the pandemic and in the service to humanity.

While receiving the items on behalf of the government, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr A. M Ayoola, commended the PFN for the donation which he promised would be used judiciously in the fight against coronavirus and in service to humanity. Dr Ayoola reiterated government’s determination to ensure that the pandemic is brought to its knees before it ravages the state.

Niyi Dahunsi