Month: July 2023

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Gauteng Legislature condemns attack on Tshwane Emergency Medical Services workers

The Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has condemned the recent attack on Tshwane Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers while responding to an incident call in Nellmapius on Saturday, 22 July 2023.

Committee Chairperson, Honorable Bandile Masuku expressed concern about the “unacceptable growing number of such incidents, where EMS workers are attacked and robbed while responding to emergencies”.

He said, “This is a worrying trend in Gauteng as it puts the lives of EMS workers at risks and compromises their ability to respond and provide health care services to those in desperate need of them.”

Meanwhile, the Committee commended the Provincial Government’s strides in introducing tracking surveillance devices on EMS vehicles to help EMS teams whenever they encounter dangerous situations.

The Committee further calls on law enforcement to act with speed in apprehending perpetrators of these senseless crimes and bring them to book.

“There can never be a no-go area for EMS workers while carrying out their responsibilities. And to have them escorted by Police or Security Officers in some areas paints a worrying picture of the level of crime and lawlessness in our Province,” Hon. Masuku continued.

The Committee urges communities to work with law enforcement agencies to end attacks on EMS works, as these sabotage efficient emergency responses.

For interview requests with the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee:

Mr Thebe Khumalo

Cell: 072 266 1021

E-mail: [email protected]

Source: Government of South Africa

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Economic hardship: Don’t give up, cleric advises Nigerians

Rev. Deborah Adaji, Co-Senior Pastor, City of Refuge International Church on Sunday has Nigerians not to give up because of the current economic hardship in the country.

Adaji made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the 2023 Women’s World International Conference, organised by the Church, in Abuja.

She said that God has better plans for the country, as such Nigerians should not give up, but surrender to God for a brighter future.

On the conference, Adaji said it was to encourage women to exploit their potential and bring out the greatness in their lives.

“They should strive to bring out what is in them not just to have things that others have.

“It is not about others, it is about you, what will make you great, not what will make others great,* she said.

Earlier in a sermon titled ‘Deliverance from Financial Pressure’, the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Adaji-King Oloche admonished Christians to walk in the love of God, to be free from the pressures of life.

He said that practicing charity and donating to church activities, activates blessings that leads to financial freedom and a pressure-free life.

The pastor also stressed the need for people to invest, plan big and avoid fake and flamboyant lifestyles.

The cleric admonished Christians to avoid unhealthy competitions, sinful life and borrowing to fund fake lifestyles, in order to enjoy financial freedom.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Tinubu eulogises first female Professor of Yoruba, late Olutoye

President Bola Tinubu has eulogised the first female Professor of Yoruba Studies in the world, Prof. Omotayo Olutoye, for her important contributions to the Yoruba language, culture and tradition.

He said that her works and seminar interventions helped in deepening the knowledge and understanding of the Yoruba language.

A statement by Mr Dele Alake, presidential spokesman, disclosed that Olutoye died recently at 87.

She was the wife of retired Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Olutoye, the Alani of Idoani, in Ondo State and mother of renowned Surgeon and Paediatrician, Prof. Olurotimi Olutoye.

She was also the Yeyeluwa of Idoani in Ose Local Government Area of the state.

Tinubu expressed his sympathy and condolences to the husband of the deceased, the Olutoye family and Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The President said: “Prof. Omotayo Olutoye who died recently at 87 made useful contributions to Nigeria and Yoruba race, and particularly to Yoruba language, culture and tradition.

“As the first female Professor of Yoruba Studies in the world, her works and interventions helped a great deal in spreading and deepening the knowledge and understanding of the Yoruba Language.

“Her works have kept the Yoruba language alive and flourishing. Prof. Omotayo Olutoye has etched her name in our memory and this will remain indelible.

“Importantly, a staunch member of the Anglican Communion, Prof. Olutoye also made invaluable contributions to Nigeria by gifting us the renowned Surgeon and Paediatrician, Prof. Olurotimi Olutoye.”

As he offered his condolences, the president prayed for Nigeria to continue to be blessed with “many of the ilk of Prof. Olutoye” and for the deceased to find comfort in the bosom of the Lord.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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200 players for chess, scrabble fiesta in Abuja

No fewer than 200 players, including over 400 enthusiasts and spectators are expected to participate in a Chess and Scrabble fiesta in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the week-long tournament organised by BeeCass Chess Club, is expected to run from Aug. 21 to Aug. 26 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Cassandra Otobong, Co-founder of BeeCass Chess Club/Foundation, Abuja told NAN on Monday that the Nigeria Chess Federation and the Chess Players’ Association of Nigeria were in support of the tournament.

“This is why we are using the National Stadium as our venue because of the large number of participants expected to attend the event.

“Chess is not just for the players but for everyone to come and participate and enjoy the game,” she said.

She said that the tourney would serve as both fiesta to raise funds for vulnerable children as well as a pre-tourney qualifier for the National Championship.

“The first day is going to be BeeCass Chess and Scrabble fiesta.

“The purpose of this tournament is to foster unity between chess and scrabble players and also an avenue to raise funds to send orphans and vulnerable children back to school.

“This event will also serve as a pre-tourney for the much awaited and anticipated North Central Zonal Championship,” she said.

Otobong said that the north central zonal championship was a pre-qualification tournament for the National Championships.

She said that the winner of the championship would represent the North Central zone at the preliminary stage.

According to her, qualifiers will participate in the National Chess Championships in Lagos in October.

“This tournament is a highly-rated event for the North Central because without this tourney it simply means that there will be no North Central representative at the National Championships.

“So, that’s why this tournament is very important not just for the players who will have the opportunity to improve their ratings, but for all chess stakeholders and enthusiasts here in the north.

“The chess and scrabble fiesta will be played in the rapids format on the first day, while the classical format will be used from the second day to the grand finale for the north central zonal chess championship,” she said.

She appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, philanthropists as well as private and corporate organisations sponsor the event, adding that chess was not just a game but an educational tool.

“We want to change the narrative as we have realised that chess is not just a game but an educational tool that you can use to improve your social and mental agility.

“So, that’s what we intend to achieve as well as push for its inclusion in the curriculum of schools across the country,” she said.

She advised parents to encourage their children to participate in the game so that they can also benefit, and imbibe some good values that the game teaches at an early age.

“It helps the children’s development so that when they get to a certain stage in life; they already have good planning, strategy and execution skills,” she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Association to facilitate establishment of mental health department in health ministry

Prof. Taiwo Obindo, President, Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), says the association will facilitate the establishment of mental health department in the Federal Ministry of Health.

Obindo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that with the department in place, issues concerning mental health would be appropriately discussed.

On the mental health bill, he said the association had engaged the Federal Ministry Health and relevant stakeholders to embark on sensitisation across the country on the need for the act to be passed.

“We are sensitising the public on the importance of the bill to be passed into law as such will go a long way to handle mental health issues in the country,” he said.

Obindo promised that immediately substantive ministers were appointed, the association would hit the ground running.

He said the association was looking at the possibility of having a roadmap in place so that immediately the minister assumed duty, it would make it easier for the association to achieve the aim.

The association had earlier advocated the speedy passage of the mental health bill which would protect persons with mental health challenges and substance abuse problems.

The law, if passed, would also go a long way in addressing stigmatisation and discrimination against mental health sufferers.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Odu’a Investment Company to launch foundation to rejig educational standard in South-West

The Odu’a Investment Company Ltd. (OICL) says it will launch the “Odu’a Investment Foundation”, to rejig the standard of education in the South-West region of the nation.

Chief Bimbo Ashiru, Group Chairman, OICL, at a news conference in Lagos said that the three priority focus of the foundation were on youth empowerment, education and healthcare.

Ashiru said this was one of the objectives of OICL’s five-year strategic plan, to plough back to the people of the South-West states of Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos.

Ashiru explained that the youth empowerment aspect of the foundation would cover Information Communication Technology (ICT) capacity building for youths; creation of innovation hubs and incubation centres; strategic job creation; investing and supporting youths in the agriculture sector.

According to him, the education aspect will also cover institutional and infrastructural support; literacy education; girl child education; adult literacy; vocational technical skills training; grants and scholarship for indigent students.

He said healthcare aspect of the foundation would focus on reproductive health; adolescent health projects; control of communicable and non-communicable diseases; institutional support and capacity building.

“The vision of the foundation is to create an enabling environment where everyone can live a healthy, peaceful and productive life.

“The mission statement is to improve healthcare, expand educational opportunities and promote youth development and information technology in Southwest Nigeria’.

“Some of the objectives of the foundation is to promote, develop and empower the teeming youths of South-west Nigeria with a focus on education and health-physical, mental and social.

“We also plan to deliver significant long-term education and youth development benefits in our stakeholder communities.

“The foundation will serve as a conveyor of goodwill from OICL to the good people of South-West extraction while enhancing the quality of life and livelihood of the people,” he said.

According to him, OICL will also inaugurate a seven-man advisory council to protect the corporate image of the foundation by effectively representing and promoting its interests and relevant stakeholders.

He listed Dr Awolowo Dosumu as Chairman of the foundation; while Dr Olusegun Olugboyegun; Chief Onikepo Akande; Dr Biodun Shobanjo; Dr Victoria Samson; Chief Wole Onipekun and Mr Aderemi Makanjuola would be the members.

“These are highly revered sons and daughters of Southwest origin with proven record of impeccable character and they will be inaugurated on Thursday, July 27.

“They have distinguished themselves in their chosen field of endeavours and have given their acceptance to serve and act on the Advisory Council of the foundation as “Think- Tank”.

“The Oduá Investment Company Limited, the investment hub of the South-West Nigeria in September 2021 incorporated the Oduá Investment Foundation(OIF) at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) .

“This is to serve as an independent social corporate arm of the company to give back to the society and improve on the life and livelihood of citizens within the confine of the owners states.

“This will complement the efforts of the state governments in impacting lives meaningfully to its people.

“Oduá foundation is a non-profit making organisation established to sustain the ideals of the founding fathers of OICL,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Adewale Raji, Group Managing Director, OICL, said members of the advisory council were selected from each of the southwestern states, based on their antecedents.

Raji said they were to serve the foundation for two years after which they would be succeeded by a board of trustee.

According to him, a full-time Programmes Manager had also been employed to work with the council.

Also speaking, Mrs Folusho Olaniyan, Independent Director, OICL, revealed plans to work with lots of local and foreign partners aimed to attract substantial funding for the foundation.

Mr Seni Adio, Odu’a Director, said the essence of the foundation was to have a formal structure that would become an institution to focus on healthcare, education and youth empowerment.

“We are happy that the members of the advisory council are excited about their new responsibility,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria