Day: June 25, 2024

Erelu Bisi Fayemi, a prolific writer and wife of former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, has tasked Nigerian authors to use their works to address societal ills and advocate social change.

Fayemi made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the June edition of the monthly ‘Reading and Writers Dialogue’ in Abuja.

The ‘Reading and Writers Dialogue’ is a flagship programme of the Abuja chapter of Association of Nigerian Authors(ANA) that brings together authors, literary enthusiasts that discusses the works of a selected Guest Author.

NAN reports that the June edition of the dialogue, with the theme, ‘The Writer as an Advocate of Social and Political Change’, which was held on Saturday, featured Fayemi as the Guest Writer.

According to Fayemi, writers are driven by passion to make positive changes in societies, adding that authors work should be used as a tool to advocate social and political change.

She, therefore, urged Nigerian writers not to keep mute in the mid
st of various challenges, such as economic hardship, bad leadership, insecurity, child abuse and domestic violence.

‘Everyone, who feels inspired to write, regardless of their age, where they are positioned, what platform they occupy, should continue to do so because we all have something to say.

‘Those of us who are advocating a better world, for change, for a more inclusive society, sometimes we feel that this change takes a long time for people to have, and we become discouraged.

‘We find ourselves writing the same thing over and over again; writing about poverty, writing about gender and sexual-based violence, writing about the lack of education opportunities for the girl child.

‘We write about how we are all victims when it comes to having a society that is uneven and unequal, and writing about how our leaders need to do better, and sometimes we get tired.

‘That is why it is as if some people just keep quiet and do not want to write anymore, and my response to that is, we need to write anyway becau
se keeping quiet is not an option.

‘Silence is exactly what some people are counting on, that the change we are seeking for does not happen,’ she said.

Some of Fayemi’s books discussed at the event included ‘Loud Whispers’; ‘Where is Your Wrapper’; ‘A Tray of Locust Beans’ and ‘Demand and Supply’.

Earlier in his speech, Chukwudi Eze, Chairman ANA Abuja, lauded Fayemi for using her writings to advocate equal society, promote women’s right and hold leaders accountable.

He urged both young and seasoned authors to look beyond monetary gains and use their writings to advocate fair and better society for all Nigerians.

‘Erelu is not only a trailblazer in advocacy and activism, but also a prolific writer, with a collection of notable publications that amplify the voices of marginalised communities.

‘As we go into discussions inspired by her remarkable career and literary legacy, let us be reminded of the responsibilities we bear as writers to advocate for positive change in our society.

‘Through our stories,
poems and essays, we have the capacity to inspire, challenge and mobilise for a better tomorrow, ‘ he said.

Also, Prof. Tanure Ojaide, who chaired the discussion panel, said: ‘Writers are people who want to leave the world better than they met it.

‘It is therefore important that both young and established writers use their works to advocate for societal change.’

In his goodwill message, Ekiti State Gov. Biodun Oyebanji, lauded the leadership of ANA Abuja for the initiative and urged Nigerian authors to always use their works to promote positive change.

NAN reports that the event featured spoken word , songs, poetry and other presentations by students, and the highpoint was the presentation of awards to young authors.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has commended the Nigerian military veterans for their sacrifices and dedication to peace and security as well as the Armed Forces’ development.

Musa, represented by the Director of Plans, Defence Headquarters, Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shettima, gave the commendation at the maiden Armed Forces of Nigeria Veterans Stakeholders Forum, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The forum has the theme ‘The Nigerian Armed Forces Veterans in the Next Decade’ and was aimed at enhancing the welfare and future prospects of Nigerian military veterans.

The CDS said the significance of the forum was in recognising the dedication and sacrifices of veterans, and emphasised the need for continuous efforts to improve their welfare.

He said the Federal Government had made recent strides.

Musa listed these to include the disbursement of the Security Debarment Allowance, a 20 percent increase in pension rates, and the inclusion of veterans in federal palliative programmes.

‘The developments ar
e notable achievements under President Bola Tinubu’s administration,’ he said.

The CDS further said the forum underscores the collective dedication to the well-being of the veterans.

He commended ongoing efforts and achievements in veterans’ welfare, such as various scholarship and educational programmes for orphans, pre- and post-retirement programmes, and medical interventions.

Musa added that establishing a committee to develop a long-term strategic roadmap for veterans’ administration, with studies conducted in the UK, and planned visits to Egypt and U.S. were additional perspectives.

‘The forum will be addressing several critical issues, including governance in veterans’ administration, health and well-being, skills development, post-service employment, legal matters, and the protection and security of veterans.’

Musa urged participants to engage in objective and professional deliberations, assuring them that the outcomes would guide future improvements in veterans’ administration.

On his part, the
Director, Veterans Affairs, Defence Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Danladi Salihu, expressed gratitude to the CDS for the improved veterans’ welfare initiative.

Salihu said the forum would help in addressing veterans issues, highlighting the collaborative efforts needed to implement the outcomes of the discussions.

‘The forum signifies a giant step towards ensuring the well-being and recognition of Nigerian military veterans, aligning with the armed forces’ commitment to nurturing a professional and people-centric military,’ he said.

The National Chairman of Nigerian Legion, retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jibrin, thanked the CDS for bringing the veterans together to interact and share views and experiences.

Jibrin said the forum was a step in the right direction and would assist the government and their serving colleagues to see through the veterans what the future held for them.

He also thanked the government for its efforts towards an enhanced welfare of the veterans.

‘This occasion, organised by the CDS, is t
o help get together all the ideas that we share to assist them in planning the roadmap for the well-being of all veterans and those coming behind us,’ Jibrin said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), says it has concluded arrangements to train five million artisans annually, to enhance technical and vocational skills in Nigeria.

It also warned against quack training centres across the country.

Dr Afiz Ogun, Director-General of the Fund, said this at the inaugural meeting on Implementation of Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) programme for Executives of Enlisted Skills training Centers (ESTCs).

Ogun said the training was to upskill the talent of artisans in their various fields of profession.

He said the training would have its phase of selection, adding that about 100 thousand artisans would be trained in each of the phases.

He said the first phase would commence before the end of June, adding that the training would transform the skills acquisition space in Nigeria.

‘The training will be phase by phase and bit by bit; we will be selecting about 100,000 artisans for the training.

‘When we are through with the number, we select another phase, we must make sure we cover the
five million artisans every year, just as the presidency directed us.

‘The names and various centres where the trainings will commence will be published in various national daily newspapers and training starts immediately.

‘The criteria for the training is that the person must be a Nigerian, all artisans are our candidates. Those who registered first will start the first phase.

‘The registration portal opened from January till March 15, 2024, we went out to all senatorial districts to out screen so that we can move ahead,’ he said.

The director-general said the aim of the programme was to work with relevant stakeholders, and that ITF would be onboarding to become the best skills training centers of international standards in Nigeria.

‘We will guarantee a steady stream of trainees for whom ITF will be financially responsible but side by side we will implement rigorous facility and process inspections to ensure that our standards are met.

‘ ITF is currently working out partnerships with the most reputable
international awarding bodies so that certifications issued after our training programme will give graduands a variety of options in terms of work opportunities and employability both locally and globally.

‘The era of training just for the sake of it, or issuance of Certificate of Attendance/Competence is gone and gone for good.

‘ Every skills training undertaken by ITF must lead to reputable international certification which in turn, guarantees measurable improved livelihood of graduands,’ he said.

Ogun condemned the act of organising training centres by some people without requisite approval from the ITF.

‘Another point I must address is mushrooming of Skills Training Centers in Nigeria without requisite approval by ITF.

‘It is troubling to note that all over the country, persons undertake so-called trainings in both technical and vocational trainings without prior approval of their training curriculum, manual and programme by ITF.

‘As a result, there is no way to ascertain the quality of learning bei
ng passed on to graduands who pay exorbitant prices for these trainings.

‘ This has created a circle of entrenched quackery which ITF is set up to put an end to.

‘We now have an avalanche of foreign training institutions offering some kind of technical or vocational training without due approval of the programmes and processes.

‘ Even where such foreign set ups have the competence to undertake these trainings, their unregulated presence represents a loss of revenue by local players.

‘ITF will be issuing the necessary regulations on these subject matters very soon and enforcement efforts will also commence in earnest.

‘Today signposts a new dawn at ITF and in the skills training space in Nigeria and we need all hands on deck to turn the tide and change the narratives,’ he said.

Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, Coordinator, Nigerian Association of Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Practitioners (NARAP), also lauded the organisers of the training.

‘Particularly in the area of my own craft, which is refrigeration and a
ir-conditioning, in the area of ozone depletion, if this training is centered toward handling of refrigerants and professionalism in refrigeration and air-conditioning, it will help’.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, has announced that port health officials have developed an outbreak preparedness plan to deal with Monkey Pox or Mpox.

In response to the 13 cases that have been confirmed by the National Department of Health, the BMA is implementing screening processes for travellers entering the country at all ports of entry.

Masiapato said at the airports, the first phase of screening occurs when the conveyance operator which is the captain of the aircraft and crew members provide a general declaration of health.

This is a document required to be completed by all conveyance operators where they declare that no travellers have reported or were found to be ill on board. This is in terms of International Health Regulations.

The Commissioner said the process that follows is where travellers are subjected to thermal screening for checking temperature.

This screening of temperature is implemented at land and seaports as well. Should the travell
er present with an elevated temperature, such traveller will be isolated and assisted with further screening.

This will involve interviews to establish experiencing of other symptoms.

The BMA Port health officer will also conduct their own general and non-invasive observation of the traveller under investigation.

‘BMA Port Health officers are well trained to be vigilant to observe for any lesions and other symptoms during their operations at the ports. In any incident, should there be a case presented to the BMA that would need further referral to a health facility, arrangements have been made with ambulance services from the Department of Health for referral to healthcare facilities,’ said Masiapato.

‘We are also in close collaboration with the communicable disease facilities in the districts in order to respond swiftly and ensure immediate reporting of any suspected traveller that meets the MPOX disease symptom profile.

‘BMA port health officials have also elevated the focus to be on health education a
nd awareness to travellers. At this stage there have been no incidents of MPOX suspicions detected in the ports of entry thus far,’ he said.

In line with the communication from the National Department of Health, the authority continues to encourage travellers to continue with chronic conditions medication as people with chronic conditions have presented more severe manifestation of symptoms.

‘We also encourage travellers suspecting any symptoms to seek medical care immediately especially those who have a travel history to areas with cases of MPOX,’ said Commissioner Masiapato.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has reassured Gauteng residents that water supply will not be affected during the closure of the Lesotho Highlands tunnel closure for maintenance.

Speaking at the recent City Meets Business Engagement Session, hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni, the Head of Department in Gauteng, Justice Maluleke, assured the public, including stakeholders in the water sector, that the department has taken all the necessary measures to ensure that water supply will not be affected by the closure of the tunnel, which will commence in October until March 2025.

‘The main message is that we are ready for the tunnel closure and the public must not panic [as] we have all the plans in place, and we will be communicating,’ Maluleke said.

According to Maluleke, the department is working with all stakeholders from Lesotho, including the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), Rand Water, City of Tshwane, City of Ekurhuleni, and the City of Johannesburg and entities to ensure that there is no
water shortage in the province during the shutdown of the tunnel.

While Maluleke acknowledged that there may be challenges along the way, he expressed confidence in their preparedness to manage any obstacles that may arise.

‘In a worst case scenario of shortage of water supply, the Integrated Vaal River System has 13 dams that supply water to the Vaal River system. This is only at the worst-case scenario when the Vaal dam is around 18%, but since the closure will be during the rainy season, we do not anticipate that that is going to happen,’ Maluleke said.

Maluleke also reassured businesses that they have nothing to worry about and further advised them to build on-site storage facilities for water, in order to continue with their operations.

Celiwe Ntuli, Scientist Manager from System Operation at the National Department of Water and Sanitation, echoes Maluleke’s statement, stating that the analysis shows no risk of water shortage in the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS).

During her presentation, Ntuli
said Phase 1 of the Lesotho Highlands transfers 700 million cubic meters of water per year into the IVRS, whilst Phase 2 project will add 490 million cubic meters per year into the IVRS.

According to the treaty signed between Lesotho and South Africa in 1996, maintenance is required every five to ten years. The last maintenance was conducted in 2019 where the need for Phase 2 was discovered.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Gauteng Department of Health has confirmed that a fire incident at the psychiatric unit of the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital has resulted in the death of a 35-year-old female patient.

According to a statement, the patient was admitted on 20 June 2024. She was placed in a seclusion room on Monday as part of her prescribed treatment when at around 18:35, smoke and a small fire broke out.

‘Immediate actions were taken to safeguard the safety and well-being of patients. The fire was quickly contained and extinguished by the fire brigade, but unfortunately, the patient in the seclusion room sustained fatal injuries.

‘Seventeen other patients in the unit were successfully evacuated and temporarily relocated to a different wing of the psychiatric department as a precautionary measure,’ the statement read.

According to the department, the cause of the fire is still unknown at this stage and the incident has been reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation.

‘The departm
ent wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the patient’s family as they mourn the sudden passing of their daughter.’

The provincial department said both the bereaved family and the families of the 17 patients will be taken through a debriefing.

‘Counselling services will also be made available to them.’

Source: South African Government News Agency