By Gabriel Olawale No fewer than 4000 people recently
benefitted from counselling, testing and care services provided by the
National Agency for the Conrol of HIV AIDS (NACA) in Tarka Local
Government Area of Benue State. The services which were sited at the two
Primary Health Centres, PHCs, of Tarhembe and Aboho communities were
part of the four days activities of NACA to mark the 2015 World AIDS Day
(WAD). One of the counselling points at the Tarhembe PHC, Benue State.
Services provided during the four days included HIV/AIDS counselling,
testing and referral as well as diagnosis and treatment of Malaria,
blood pressure checks, random blood glucose check and general medical
consultations with provision of drugs to the sick. Declaring the event
open, Vice Chairman, Tarka LGA, Tarka Shachia expressed gratitude to
NACA for extending such benevolence to the communities in the Local
Government Area.
Shachia urged residence in all the surrounding communities to the
PHCs to avail themselves of the privilege to be counselled, tested and
treated free of charge by the government agency saying, “it is indeed
for our own good”.
Some of the dignitaries who flagged off the event included Assistant
Director NACA, Lawrence Kwaghga, Dr Kator Iorpagher, Representing
Ministry of Health, Representative, Benue State Agency for Control of
HIV/AIDS (BENSACA), Mrs Nancy Ali Wine, Counsellor for works, Tarka LGA,
Orkyusu Jiibee, as well as notable community leaders like Ahembe
Mbasee, Aondowase Soroku, Iortser Adaka, Apere Ibor and Peter Mtsugh.
In his address at the occasion, Dr Kwagha explained why it has become
expedient that everyone must know their HIV status, saying it is only
with such knowledge that individuals can have the benefit of care and
treatment if he or she is positive. He appealed to the people to ensure
they give moral support to anyone that test positive to the disease
saying, it is not a death sentence once such an individual is place of a
lifelong treatment and keeps to the healthy advice that would be given
by health officials.
Goodwill messages of hope and support were also delivered by some of
the community leaders who pledged their support towards ensuring an AIDS
free community through sensitizing their people on curbing harmful
practices that aid the spread of the disease.
By Michael Eboh, with agency report
NIGERIA’s crude oil export is set to risein March, a compilation of loading programmes showed yesterday.
This, according to data obtained from Reuters, is coming on the heels
of the lifting of force majeure declared by some oil companies, while
it added that the increase was in spite of the fact that the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, raised theofficial selling prices for Nigeria’s crude oil gradesfrom more than 10-year lows, reflecting the stronger market.
The report, however, did not state the price at which the NNPC is
selling the crude oil grades. Several key grades, according to the
report, were set to increase from the previous month, including Bonny
Light, Bonga, Forcados, Brass River and Escravos, early loading
programmes showed. The report said one of the 10 cargoes of Qua Iboe set
for March loading was also deferred from the February programme,
setting it slightly higher than the previous month.
Since the February export plan was issued, ENI has lifted its force
majeure on Brass River crude, while Shell has reopened the Trans Niger
Pipeline which carries Bonny Light to the export terminal. The report
further noted that March exports already included 62 cargoes, or 56.7
million barrels of oil, compared with the 59 cargoes and 55.2 million
barrels originally planned for February. The barrels per day (bpd) total
of 1.83 million was below February’s initially planned total of 1.9
million bpd, due to the shorter month, but several programmes were
still pending, making March likely to surpass that figure.
By Anayo Okoli UMUAHIA—PACESETTER, the Frequency
Modulated, FM, station of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN,
based in Amakama, Umuahia South Council of Abia State, was Sunday
evening gutted by fire.
The cause of the fire was not yet known but it was said to have
started from the roof of the building housing the radio station at about
5pm.
However, no life was lost as the staff on duty at the consul at the
time, a lady, was said to have escaped through the toilet window.
According to sources from the radio station, when the workers on duty
saw the heavy smoke coming out from the roof, they raised an alarm and
called out every staff to avoid loss of life.
The radio station commissioned in 2007 by former Minister of
Information, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr, was completely gutted by fire.
However, the staff on duty were said to have managed to salvage the
transmission equipment.
But other departments such as accounts, newsroom, programmes and
administration as well as the studio were completely burnt down.
Meanwhile, the Abia State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists,
NUJ, has paid a sympathy visit to the radio station. Led by its
chairman, Comrade John Emejor, the council called on the federal and
state governments and good-spirited individuals and corporate
organizations to urgently assist in rebuilding the station and return it
back on air.
General Manager of radio station, Mr. Fidelis Onoh, who received the delegation, thanked the NUJ team for the visit.
Meanwhile, the Abia State government has promised that it would do its best to assist in rebuilding the radio station.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Godwin Adindu made
the promise when he paid a sympathy visit to the radio station, where he
lamented the massive destruction caused by the inferno.
The ongoing rehabilitation of
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been stalled because the Federal Government
ignored offer of arbitration by Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited.
These facts emerged yesterday following the controversy trailing the N167billion project including the ongoing court in case.
Findings revealed that Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited had
expressed its desire for arbitration in a January 29, 2013 letter to the
immediate past Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen.
But barely three years after the company offered to settle out of court, the Federal Government was yet to respond.
The construction giant also went ahead to name a three-man team to
represent it at the arbitration panel but the government has not
provided its representatives.
Bi-Courtney letter, which was signed by Chief T.K. Akinbami, reads in
part: “We refer to the letter dated 19th November 2012 wherein the
concession granted to our Consortium vide your letter of 8th May 2009,
was purportedly terminated pursuant to Article 16.1 of the Concession
Agreement (“Agreement”) for failure to remedy the alleged breaches
complained of in your letter dated 28th August, 2012.”
Damaturu—The Nigeria army says it has killed 14 Boko Haram
insurgents and captured two others around Chirokusko Village in Tarmuwa
Local Government Area in Yobe.
Brig-Gen. Mohammed Aliyu, General Commanding Officer (GCO), told
newsmen in Damaturu yesterday that 16 assorted weapons and ammunitions
were also recovered from the insurgents. Aliyu said the terrorists
sneaked into the area and were about settling down when the army
ambushed them following a tip-off from patriotic citizens.
He commended the host communities for their cooperation which included providing security operatives with useful information.
According to him, more troops have been deployed to the area to
enhance manpower to consolidate the gains recorded in the fight against
insurgency. “The Damaturu-BuniYadi-Biu road will soon be opened to
motorists for economic activities to resume in the liberated areas.”
The GOC said as part of efforts to boost the morale of the troops,
more than 10, 000 soldiers had been given special promotion, while 1,500
others were currently under consideration for promotion to their next
rank.
According to the GOC, the army will continue to operate within the rules of engagement and with respect for human rights.
Aliyu said the closure of markets in some communities were based on
security reasons and pleaded with people of the area to be patient,
adding that the markets would soon be re-opened for business. “We are
aware of the inconveniences the market closure might have caused the
communities, but we are working hard to reopen them for economic
activities to resume,” he assured.
The GOC called for improved cooperation between soldiers and the
communities in order to collectively defeat insurgency in the country.
The Super Eagles are battle ready to pick all three points off
Guinea’s Syli Nationale today in order to make sure of top spot in Group
C and guarantee qualification for the quarter finals of the 4th African
Nations Championship.
On Sunday, the Eagles arrived in beautiful border district of Rubavu,
venue of their clash with the Syli Nationale, after a three –hour road
trip from Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. They are lodged at the Gorilla
Hotel, close to the Kivu Beach.
The team had its first training session in Rubavu on Sunday, and on
Monday, the team had a feel of today’s match venue, The Rubavu Stadium.
According to the team’s Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, all 23 players
who made the trip are in excellent physical and mental shape ahead of
the crucial West African derby with the tricky Guineans. Sunday-Oliseh
Coach Sunday Oliseh praised the players for their brave performance
against the very experienced Tunisian side on Friday and promised that
the team will put out another high level display when they file out
today.
Victory by any margin on Tuesday will guarantee the Eagles top spot
in Group C, and a quarter –final date with the second placed team in
Group D. A draw would be enough for qualification, as Nigeria has a
two–point margin on second–placed Guinea and Tunisia, but should Tunisia
achieve a high–score win over Niger Republic, top spot may not be
guaranteed.
Guinea have drawn each of their two matches 2-2, against Tunisia and
Niger Republic, coming from behind each time. They pose a big threat
because of the skill and guile of their strikers.
Nigeria forward Chisom Chikatara, on four goals, will pose the
biggest threat to the Guineans at the Rubavu Stadium. His excellent
positioning can get him the goals to be top scorer of this championship.
