For the Third Time, FMC in Yola Successfully Separates Another Co-joined Twins

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September 1, 2020

IMG-20200901-WA0009 — Doctors at the Federal Mediacal Centre (FMC) Yola perform surgical procedure on co-joined twins.

Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yola, Adamawa State has successfully operated and separated another co-joined twins, thereby increasing the tally to three the number of co-joined twins victoriously separated in the hospital.

The Prof. Auwal Abubakar-led medical team at FMC Yola said the latest successful separation surgery was as a result of collective efforts of medical professionals as well as support received from various quarters, including the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

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Abubakar, a Professor of Paediatric Surgery, recounted that the twins, Mercy and Grace Aiyebemi, were delivered on December 12, 2019, through a cesarean section in Bayelsa State and were taken to FMC in Yenagoa after they were identified to be conjoined and were stabilised.

He said the co-joined twins were discovered to be joined at the abdomen, had many separate organs but shared only one liver, explaining that the team of surgeons have to go around this challenge, which culminated in the successful surgery of August 20, 2020.

With supports from governments and well meaning Nigerians, FMC in Yola took care of the co-joined twins free of charge and also carried out the surgery free of charge.

The co-joined twins, who were airlifted on January 2, 2020 from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State to Yola via NAF aircraft, were separately brought back to Yenagoa onboard a NAF Beechcraft KingAir 350i aircraft on August 29, 2020.

It was a moment of joy, jubilation and triumphant entry as the twins along with their parents, Raphael Aiyebemi and Godsgift Ibiyyefa, returned to Yenagoa after a successful separation surgery at FMC in Yola.

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They were received on arrival by Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as well as other members of Bayelsa State Executive Council and the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of FMC Yenagoa, Dennis Allagoa, who all expressed their appreciation to the Chief of the Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar, and the entire NAF family for the humanitarian airlift as well as the support provided throughout the process.

It would be recalled that FMC in Yola had successfully carried out similar surgeries in 2013 and 2018.

Idowu Sowunmi

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LAWMA Gets Another MD/CEO, One Year after Gbadegesin Assumed Office

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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September 1, 2020

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20200901_112355-COLLAGE — A photo collage of appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Ibrahim Adejuwon Odumboni and vehicles of the agency.

One year after Muyiwa Gbadegesin assumed office as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the appointment of Ibrahim Adejuwon Odumboni as the new boss for the agency.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement on Monday by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said the appointment, which took immediate effect, was consequent upon the resignation of Gbadegesin on August 19, 2020, for personal reasons.

Gbadegesin had assumed office at a handing over ceremony held at LAWMA office on August 8, 2019. He took over from former occupier of the position, Ola Oresanya.

Announcing the new appointment on Monday, the statement said Odumboni’s appointment showed Mr. Governor’s confidence in his capabilities and demonstrated the administration’s commitment to quality service delivery, considering particularly the new managing director’s contributions to the growth of LAWMA as part of its management in his previous position.

Odumboni was the Executive Director (Business Development) in LAWMA, in which capacity he had been deeply involved in the rebirth of the Waste Management Conglomerate.

While noting that the immediate past managing director had built a strong and highly motivated team in LAWMA and laid an enduring foundation for reforms in the organisation, Muri-Okunola thanked Gbadegesin for his visionary leadership during his tenure of office.

The Head of Service congratulated the new managing director and urged him to focus on improving service quality, adding that waste management and environmental sustainability are critical to all other aspects of the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda – Sanwo-Olu’s six development pillars.

The statement added that a lot is expected from the new LAWMA managing director.

Idowu Sowunmi

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COVID-19: Health Minister warns states on relenting despite case fatality rate drop

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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September 1, 2020

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IMG_20200901_090110 — Nigeria's Health Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire during a Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 media briefing in Abuja.

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire has urged state governments not to relent in their efforts at combatting coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Minister gave this charge Monday during the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 media briefing in Abuja.

“We urge all state organs not to relent in strengthening surveillance and scaling up sample collection in all the wards of the hotspot Local Government Areas (LGAs).

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“The logistics for sample retrieval & testing must be assured as Nigerian Governors Forum makes provision for at least 1 lab in every state”, Ehanire said.

Commenting on plans by the Federal Government to reopen Lagos & Abuja for commercial & international flights, he emphasised the need to guard against new cases coming into the country.

“It is our collective interest to guard against new cases entering the country. We must review our protocols to ensure early detection, isolation & treatment of positive cases.”

The Minister disclosed that the case fatality rate of COVID-19 in Nigeria has slightly dropped to 1.88% .

“The gradual fall is possibly an indication of improvement in response & treatment strategies to contain COVID19.

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“Part of the strategy is to focus on setting up community support centres particularly in remote areas of the country where those who test positive may be kept if they live in high density areas.

“Collaboration with states & FCT health sector structure is crucial”, he emphasised.

Ehanire also noted that to further strengthen government’s capacity, he will commission a study group of the Ministerial Expert Advisory Committee to begin processes that will examine all developments & bring new knowledge that can guide response & government decision making.

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Two Die, One Missing as Lagos Records Another Boat Accident

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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September 1, 2020

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images (5) — A file photo of a capsized boat.

Two persons have been confirmed dead, four rescued and one person missing after Lagos State recorded another boat accident on Monday.

This time, the accident involved a passenger boat which capsized in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Investigation revealed that the passengers and the operator had Monday left Makoko for Offin in Ikorodu where they were expected to attend a burial ceremony of their relative.

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The passengers, who were all related, left Makoko in Lagos Mainland for Ikorodu with a fishing boat.

The boat, however, by 7pm could not withstand the water current usually recorded around the scene of the mishap.

Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) said the boat overturned in Offin, Ibeshe axis of Ikorodu, adding that five adults including the boat captain and two toddlers were among the passengers on board.

LASWA General Manager, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, while confirming the incident, said the fishing boat was clearly operating outside its fishing capability.

He noted that further investigation revealed that the boat was not equipped with necessary safety gadgets including lifejackets, for a passenger ferry operation.

Emmanuel said the first responder to the incident scene was a passenger ferry that witness the incident before the arrival of LASWA rescue team and narrated what transpired before the boat overturned.

According to him, “Upon further investigations, it was revealed that all seven passengers on board were not wearing a lifejacket. Four passengers were rescued alive, two fatalities were recorded, while one passenger is missing.

“The men of LASEMA and Marine Police have been contacted to support the ongoing search operation for the remaining victim while further investigation is ongoing.”

Idowu Sowunmi

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Vanguard GM, Gbenga Adefaye, Named NIJ Acting Provost

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 31, 2020

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Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Lagos has appointed the General Manager/Editor-in-Chief of Vanguard Newspapers, Gbenga Adefaye, as Acting Provost of the institution.

Chairman, NIJ Governing Council, Olusegun Osoba, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Osoba, a former Ogun State governor, said Adefaye would serve as Provost of the institution with effect from September 1, pending the appointment of a new Provost.

He succeeds the former Provost, Gbemiga Ogunleye, who has served out his term meritoriously.

Adefaye was a former two-term president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

NIJ is a diploma-awarding monotechnic established in 1963 by the International Press Institute.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Buhari Inaugurates APC Tripartite Consultative Committee to Strengthen Party’s Internal Democracy

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 31, 2020

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Buhari on party committee — President Buhari presides over the Inauguration of Executive/Legislative/Party Consultative Committee in State House on 31st Aug 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday inaugurated a Tripartite Consultative Committee of the executive, legislature and leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House in Abuja.

The President said enhanced consultation within the ruling political party would strengthen its internal democracy, and improve chances of winning elections.

He added that amicable resolution of conflicts in the party through regular consultations would create more understanding.

“Let me welcome all of you to this first Consultative Committee of the APC, our members of the National Assembly and the Executive.

“Our party commands a clear majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Vice President, the distinguished Senate President, the Right Honourable Speaker and I all belong to APC and the working relationships between the executive and the legislative have been excellent so far. Our joint responsibility is to keep things that way and see where we can improve our communication and coordination.

“But we must admit to ourselves that our party has been too often embroiled in bitter and on occasions, totally unnecessary squabbles costing us seats in legislative and gubernatorial elections. These never should have happened. We are here to make sure such occurrences do not happen again. We must now ensure regular consultations between the party and the governments,” Buhari said.

The President urged members of the committee to further align objectives of the party and be alive to electoral promises, reminding party members of the need to always move the country forward.

“I am a firm believer in the doctrine of the separation of powers, which is fundamental to our constitutional democracy. But our practice should be harmonious checks and balances devoid of bitterness and petty rivalry,’’ he noted.

Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said he had great faith in the consultative committee to help improve governance and achievements of the party, assuring them of his support.

Members of the consultative committee are: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Chairman; Senate President, Ahmed Ibrahim Lawal; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase; Yobe State Governor/Chairman, APC Caretaker Committee, Mai Mala Buni; Senate Majority Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi; and House Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

Others include: Attorney General/Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari; and Secretary, APC Caretaker Committee, Akpan Udoedehe.

President Buhari presides over the Inauguration of Executive/Legislative/Party Consultative Committee in State House on 31st Aug 2020

Idowu Sowunmi

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Kogi Gov, PDP Disagree over Supreme Court Ruling on Guber Poll

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 31, 2020

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Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have disagreed over the Supreme Court judgement, which affirmed the former’s victory at the November 17, 2019 gubernatorial election in the state.

After the apex court pronouncements on Monday, Bello tasked candidates of the other political parties who ran against him to join him in taking the state “to the next level.”

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mohammed Onogwu, described his victory at the apex court as “an affirmation of the landmark victory entrusted to him by the people of Kogi state at the November 16, 2019 polls.”

“The governor calls on the other parties and their candidates to forgo all forms of bitterness and division and join hands with him to take Kogi to the next level.

“[The] apex court’s decision upholding his victory is an affirmation of the identical positions on the matters taken by the erudite jurists at the tribunal and the court of appeal.

“The governor used the moment to pay tribute to His Royal Majesty, Dr. Micheal Idakwo, Ameh Oboni II, the late Attah of Igala who passed on last week. He described the late traditional ruler as ‘a unifier’ who was a great supporter of his administration, a father and a wise counsellor,” the statement said.

PDP has, however, expressed shock over the judgment of the Supreme Court on the 2019 Kogi State governorship election.

The party said though it accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court, as the apex court in the land, “the judgement fell short of the expectation of the majority of the people of Kogi State and Nigerians in general, who collectively looked up to the court to remedy the manifest injustices, manipulations, violence and killings that marred the election.”

PDP said: “Indeed, the judgement had not inspired hope in our national quest to ensure that our elections are violent-free as well as deter unpatriotic individuals who resort to violence and killing to gain access to power, as heavily witnessed in the Kogi election.

“However, as a law-abiding party, we call on the people of Kogi State and Nigerians at large, to remain calm, yet undeterred in their quest for the entrenchment of credible electoral process in our country.

“Our party deeply mourns all those who were gruesomely murdered as well as commiserates with all victims of the violence that was unleashed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 2019 Kogi State governorship election.”

The party also commended the resilience of the people of Kogi State in pursuing the recovery of their mandate to the very end, describing their commitment as “a demonstration of the undying determination of the people to defend their choice of leadership to the end.”

“Our party will continue to stand with the people of Kogi State as they weather the insensitive and anti-people government in Kogi State.

“We charge the people not to allow the judgment make them lose hope in our nation but rather remain united in their commitment, as good citizens, toward entrenching democratic values in our country despite the odds,” PDP advised, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan.

The Supreme Court had Monday dismissed the appeals filed by Musa Wada of PDP and Natasha Akpoti of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Idowu Sowunmi

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RCCG’s Pastor Adeboye visits President Buhari

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 31, 2020

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FB_IMG_1598901450951 — President Buhari receives in audience General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor E.A. Adeboye in State House on 31st Aug 2020

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday received the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor Enoch Adeboye at the State House, Abuja.

Adeboye’s visit came when some pastors are protesting against a section of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 recently signed by the president

The CAMA Act bill, which was signed into law by President Buhari on August 7 had generated widespread criticisms from religious bodies in the country.

A section of the law provides for religious bodies and charity organisations to be regulated by the registrar of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and a supervising minister.

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Easing Tension in Middle East…Historic 1st Israel-UAE Plane Flies Directly over Saudi Arabia

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 31, 2020

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000_1WV6AO-640x400 — US Presidential Adviser Jared Kushner (C), US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien (R) and Head of Israel's National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat (L) board the El Al's flight LY971, which will carry an Israeli-American delegation from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi, at the Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on August 31, 2020. (NIR ELIAS / POOL / AFP)

In a sign of easing tension in the Middle East, history was made on Monday with the first direct flight from Israel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), The Independent has reported.

El Al flight 971 took off from Tel Aviv at 11.14am local time, and initially routed over Jordanian territory.

Forty minutes later, the Boeing 737 crossed into Saudi Arabian airspace, from which the Israeli national airline had previously been banned.

El Al has suspended normal passenger operations until October at the earliest, but dispatched the flight to mark an Israel-UAE agreement to normalise relations.

The passengers on board are members of a US-Israeli delegation, led by Jared Kushner – President Trump’s son-in-law and adviser – and Israel’s national security advisor, Meir Ben Shabbat.

The agreement has been claimed as a foreign policy success by Donald Trump. But Palestinian groups have described the deal as a “stab in the back.”

The word “peace” was painted on the aircraft in English, Hebrew and Arabic.

The flight number, 971, was chosen as it is the international dialling code for the UAE.

The return flight is numbered 972, which is the code for Israel.

Until now, the only Arab nations to establish relations with Israel have been Egypt and Jordan.

Travellers in the region have long faced problems if they have an Israeli stamp in their passport, or a stamp from Egypt or Jordan that indicates they have used a land border with Israel.

Some people have even been refused entry if they have old baggage tags indicating Israeli airports on their luggage.

While Israeli citizens could visit the UAE, previously they have had to take connecting flights.

Ahead of the flight, Israel’s health ministry removed the obligation for arrivals from the UAE to self-isolate for 14 days.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Nigerians to pay more for DSTV, GOTV Channels starting Sept 1

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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August 31, 2020

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With effect from tomorrow (September 1), subscribers are expected to pay more to view channels on DStv and GOtv networks.

MultiChoice argued that it has adjusted its subscription rates in order to ensure the sustainability of its business, considering financial impacts, including inflation as well as increased content and operational costs.

The company said the price adjustment was arrived at after careful consideration of the market and a review of its business operations.

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“We have made efforts to contain any price adjustments on subscription prices. However, to ensure the sustainability of the business, we have to consider financial impacts, including inflation as well as increased content and operational costs.

“As such, we have reviewed the prices of some of our bouquets so that we can continue to survive as a business and bring quality entertainment to our customers.

“To arrive at the decision to adjust prices, we took into account many factors, including the impact on the customer, current inflation, content costs and efficiencies within the company.

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“To this end, only the prices of some of the bouquets have been reviewed upwards, while the lower bouquets have been left untouched,” said a statement by MultiChoice Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe.

He added that the packages would continue to be available at varying pricing points to allow subscribers flexibility in price and choice without compromising quality or variety.

Idowu Sowunmi

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