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US CDC Donates Disease Detective Equipment to Nigeria
US CDC Donates Disease Detective Equipment to Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The United States Centre for Disease Control has donated disease detective equipments to Nigeria.
The Equioments were received on Friday in Abuja on behalf of the Federal Government by the Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr.Jide Idris.
The laboratory supplies is expected to beef up the country’s outbreak response capacity, and includes biosafety cabinets, sample collection materials, and other essential laboratory commodities.
Programme Director, U.S. CDC Division of Global Health Protection, Dr. Farah Husain, said the donation was part of the efforts in helping Nigeria address the challenge of disease outbreaks.
She said that the equipment will help sustain the quality and high outputs of Nigeria’s labs.
She also assured Nigeria of her country’s commitment to help develop response capacity in protecting the people against disease outbreaks.
She said: “The United States is committed to working hand-in-hand with Nigeria to build response capacity and protect the health of our peoples,” adding that: “Today, we gather to celebrate a concrete example of the strong partnership between the United States and Nigeria
“The U.S. Government, via the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is proud to donate equipment and supplies to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention to support emergency response laboratory activities.
“Nigeria is currently facing several ongoing disease outbreaks, including Lassa fever, diphtheria, and meningitis.
“Laboratory scientists play a vital role in quickly detecting and confirming cases, which is crucial for an an effective outbreak response.
” The increased volume of laboratory work created by these simultaneous outbreaks creates a pressing need for additional resources.
“Together, with laboratories as the cornerstone of our collaborative work, we can quickly and effectively prevent and respond to outbreaks.”
She revealed that health workers were not left out as there were personal protective equipment for safety of laboratory workers, stating that: “Additionally, we have included large amounts of personal protective equipment to safeguard the health and safety of laboratory workers. Whether in the subnational labs, health facilities, or the communities they serve, this donation will directly help save lives,” CDC Programme Director said.
In his remarks, NCDC boss assured the US government that the equioments will be judiciously put to use.
Idris noted that the gesture is going to boost the country’s disease detection and capability ability.
While hailing the importance of the collaboration with the US government, Idris stressed that no government can fund health system because it is very expensive.
He explained that: “No government can fund health system and that’s where we require this kind of collaboration from different partners.
“The idea and the goal is to reduce the incidence
“What concerns us mostly here is health security. This is key because a nation’s mandate to the people is to ensure that the health of the people is sacrosanct in terms of preventing the people from catching any disease, and if so, where that progression, activity is not adequate, but ensure that you properly detect whatever disease that is occurred and at the same time respond to it.
“Like we said, the government is funding the sector, but the funding may not necessarily be adequate now. That is why the health system is very expensive. No government can fund it on its own. That is why it requires this kind of collaboration from different partners.
“More importantly, in terms of global health security, one of the major focus is collaboration, partnerships both internationally, nationally and sub-nationally because everybody is coming in with different expertise and we will not necessarily have all the expertise we need but with this kind of collaboration in boosting productivity.
“The goal is to achieve our objective to reduce incidents of disease. And where you cannot stop that we respond adequately so that we can bring down the effect of any disease that is the essence here.
“So collaboration. Partnerships are key essentials of health security..”
US CDC Donates Disease Detective Equipment to Nigeria
NHRC Calls for Reforms in Correctional Centres, Cites Systemic Bias
By: Michael Mike
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu has called on stakeholders to reflect on the values that Nelson Mandela embodied, including justice, dignity, equality, and compassion, as the world commemorates World Mandela Day.
Dr. Ojukwu made this call in a statement on the eve of the commemoration, noting that Mandela’s legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the need to promote and protect human rights, particularly in Nigeria’s correctional centers.
According to him, the current state of Nigeria’s correctional centres, which are overcrowded, under-resourced, and lack basic sanitation and healthcare, reflects a failure of infrastructure, justice, and humanity.
He lamented that thousands of citizens are held in pre-trial detention for years due to poverty and lack of access to justice, while the rich have greater access to quality legal defense and bail, perpetuating systemic bias.
The NHRC Executive Secretary urged the Nigerian government, judicial authorities, private sector, and civil society to prioritize comprehensive reforms in detention facilities and correctional centers, including improving conditions, investing in alternatives to pre-trial detention, ensuring speedy trials, and upholding the rights of inmates.
Ojukwu emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of incarceration, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to justice, in order to build a society that values the dignity and human rights of all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status.
Nelson Mandela Day is celebrated annually on the 18th of July.
NHRC Calls for Reforms in Correctional Centres, Cites Systemic Bias
Ondo State Government Signs MOU with Backbone Infrastructure for 500,000 BPD Oil Refinery
By: Michael Mike
The Ondo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Backbone Infrastructure Limited for the establishment of a 500,000 barrels per day oil refinery and development of free trade zone in Igbotiri, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
The signing ceremony took place at the Governor’s office in Akure.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti represented the Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa at the ceremony.
He described the proposed investment as timely and strategic, assuring the investors of a peaceful and business-friendly environment.
He emphasized that the project would boost the state’s economy, create meaningful job opportunities, and reduce crime.
In his remarks on behalf of Backbone Infrastructure, the Vice President, Legal & Corporate services, Barrister Wale Adekola expressed appreciation to the Ondo State Government for the opportunity to partner in the infrastructure development of the State and assured of his company’s commitment to ensure successful delivery of the two projects.
Similarly, the Managing Director / Chief Executive of Backbone Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Engr. Henry Owonka, revealed that the two projects would be accompanied by basic infrastructure such as roads, terminal storage tanks, and other facilities that will change the landscape of the State.
According to the MOU breakdown on the Refinery, Backbone Infrastructure Limited will hold 65% equity, while the Ondo State Government will hold 20% and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) will hold 15% stake.
Meanwhile, the investors have expressed confidence in the leadership and vision of the Aiyedatiwa-led administration, citing the clarity of purpose and support they have received as the reason for choosing Ondo State as their investment destination.
The state government equally pledged its support for the project, which is expected to transform the state’s economy and create jobs.
Present at the signing of the MOU were the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti. Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, SAN , the ONDIPA Team while the Backbone team was led by Dr. Steve Dike, a member of the Board of Directors representing the Chairman, Senator Ken Nnamani, Managing Director/CEO Engr. Henry Owonka, the Vice President, Legal & Corporate Services, other members of the management team from the Backbone infrastructure limited among other top government functionaries.
Ondo State Government Signs MOU with Backbone Infrastructure for 500,000 BPD Oil Refinery
News
Police arrest notorious gunrunners in Benue, recover rocket launcher, AK-47 rifles, thousands of ammunition
Police arrest notorious gunrunners in Benue, recover rocket launcher, AK-47 rifles, thousands of ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT) have arrested two notorious arms traffickers and recovered a cache of deadly weapons in Abinsi town, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
Sources from the Benue State Police Command confirmed the development Thursday, describing the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal arms fueling insecurity in the North-Central region.
According to the sources, the suspects led by one Adikwu Ikwulono, a known illegal arms dealer were apprehended on Wednesday following credible intelligence.
Recovered from the suspects were one rocket launcher, five AK-47 rifles, and thousands of rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Police say preliminary investigations revealed that the arms were being assembled for delivery to a gang of armed herders and bandits operating around the Benue–Nasarawa border, with plans to launch coordinated attacks on several communities in Benue State.
“The suspects are currently undergoing intensive interrogation with the FID, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the arms-smuggling syndicate,” the police sources said.
Police arrest notorious gunrunners in Benue, recover rocket launcher, AK-47 rifles, thousands of ammunition
NHRC Calls for Reforms in Correctional Centres, Cites Systemic Bias
Ondo State Government Signs MOU with Backbone Infrastructure for 500,000 BPD Oil Refinery
Troops intensify operations against terrorists in North East, arrest logistics suppliers, recover weapons
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