Kerry to visit Sokoto, parley Buhari

Reports according to the Nation newspapers state that the United States Secretary of State John Kerry will arrive in Nigeria tomorrow on a two-day visit. He will visit Sokoto before going to Abuja to parley with Pres. Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

US Secretary of State, John Kerry

Mr. Kerry is due for talks with Kenya President Uhuru Kemyatta today. He arrived in Kenya yesterday for the start of a three-nation visit to Kenya, Nigeria and Saudia Arabia to meet with leaders and hold talks on countering terrorism.

Kerry will discuss with Kenyan President Kenyatta on “regional security issues and counterterrorism cooperation, as well as bilateral issues,” according to a statement from the U.S. State Department.

Kerry then be in Sokoto and Abuja on Tuesday and Wednesday. He will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss “counterterrorism efforts, the Nigerian economy, the fight against corruption, and human rights issues.”

Kerry then travels to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to meet with senior Saudi leaders, his counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the United Kingdom and the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen.

NLC backs 'No pay, no work'

NLC President - Wabba Ayuba

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) explained that all its state branches where salary liabilities of up to three months exist will enforce no pay, no work’ policy

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) informed that the Union’s national president Comrade Ayuba Wabba, revealed this when he featured on a programme on Sunday, August 21 at Abuja, FCT. In his words, Wabba stated: “We have given instructions to all of our state councils that where there is liability of salary up to three months, they should also apply the rule of ‘no pay, no work’ it is not only no work, no pay.’ “You can also apply the rule in a reverse order of ‘no pay, no work’ and that is legitimate because the law provides that after 30 days of working, the worker is entitled to be paid.

“How can we encourage people that have put in their best or even those that are still in the system trying to put in their best without addressing this very fundamental issue? “Those are the situations we have found ourselves across states and across different employments. I feel very sad with that situation but I think we will do all we can within our means and power to try to continue to protect all those workers.” The NLC president said workers must be seen as an asset to the nation rather putting all the blames on the workers.

Wabba continued further saying “the challenges have been there. Instead of looking inward to try to address these challenges, the bulk of the issues have been shifted to the workers and that is why I think that you can effectively say that yes these workers are under attack.”

The labour leader said the Union held a meeting with the state chpaters, where they evaluated the liability of pension, gratuity and salaries, while stating that the statistics was frightening. Wabba stated: “When you see the data of how much it stands today of liabilities that workers have not been paid, the worst is that of gratuity which some states have a liability of up to 10 years. “Workers have worked for 30 or 35 years in service; they retired following the normal process but yet after retirement, they were not paid a dime. “Therefore, it is like they were slaves; It is only slave that will work and not be paid his entitlement.”

 The labour body president raised an alarm over a situation where the political elites did not see the offsetting workers’ remuneration as necessary but as waste. The comrade observed that some state governors gave preference to give out white elephant contracts instead of paying the salaries of civil servants. Wabba stressed that there is nowhere on the planet where workers were seen and placed appropriately for them to contribute their quota. The NLC president stated that because have been forgotten as well as not paying their wages, productivity has been at the lowest ebb.

Bronze winning Eagles bag $390,000

When the Eagles of Nigeria first had a flight problem to Rio de Janeiro at the beginning of the Olympic games, it did appear that it was ominous of the poor state of expectations. But they quickly showed their determination and put the set back aside as they went on to win their match within hours of touch down. 

Part of the omen turned blessing was the intervention of the Japanese surgeon and businessman, Katsuya Takasu, who became a friend of 'Nigeria'  in no time to motivate the team to success. Yes, success. They didn't win the gold but got bronze with the promise of instant reward in proportionate ratio of achievement.

In the end, the Eagles did themselves proud to the glory of the nation winning bronze and pursing the largess from Katsuya Takasu.

Mikel Obi, Katsuya Takasu, & Coach Siasia

However, Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel will, according to team’s sources, donate part of his share of the $390,000 awarded to the bronze winning Nigeria U-23 team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The Japanese billionaire redeemed his pledge to Dream Team VI making good his promise to reward the team for their bravery in Rio after they beat Honduras 3-2 for the bronze medal. 

The Nigeria Football Federation and the Sports Ministry made their observations known by insisting that the money must be from a credible source but according to feelers from the camp of the Olympics Eagles, the NFF were only seeking for means of getting their hands on the money. However, Takasu issued two Citibank cheques $200,000 in the name of coach Samson Siasia and $190,000 in the name of Mikel. 

One of the team’s officials disclosed to Africafootball.com that the team vowed not to hand over the money to the NFF. “Mikel has insisted all of us will get our share of the money. That we should not mind what the people in the NFF are saying. “He will make available this cash when he comes for next month’s AFCON qualifier against Tanzania in Uyo.” 

A team meeting has already resolved that both players and officials will receive equal amount of the cash with Mikel himself agreeing to give part of his own share for the chief coach (Siasia) to get more than the rest of the squad. It was further gathered that the sharing formula agreed was a flat rate for the 22 players (18 accredited players and four alternate players) and 10 officials. 

State House medical suffers from drug supply

Aso Rock, Abuja

Can this be a valid reflection of the state of the Nigerian economy regarding public health facilities? This report from the Punch newspapers challenges popular opinion and the reality of what just might be a situation to be considered.

As shocking and unbelievable as it sounds, the State House Medical Centre which provides medical services to the President, Vice-President and their families, aides, members of staff of the State House is dire need of drugs and other essential medical items Punch newspaper is reporting. Recall that the State House Medical Centre got N3.87bn allocated to it in the 2016 Appropriation Act. According to the report, patients were now being asked to go and buy drugs from outside as they were no longer available in the centre.

It was reported that kidney problems who are currently undergoing dialysis in the facility can no longer have their twice a week dialysis as the clinic has been cancelling their appointment. Text messages sent by the hospital to patients to buy medical items prove that the hospital is grounded.

“Mr. XXX (names withheld), when you are coming for dialysis on Monday, buy IVF Normal Saline to be used for ur (sic) dialysis. The office doesn’t have it. Buy like four pieces,” Punch quoted a text message sent by the hospital to a patient. Another patient said the centre’s management cancelled the session because of non-availability of bloodline.

“Gudevening (sic), we can’t dialize (sic) you tomorrow because we don’t have bloodline. When it is available, I will get back to you. Pls (sic) dialyse (sic) somewhere else. Thanks,” a message sent to him by the centre. 

The patient said the first time the session was cancelled, he was referred to a private hospital in Garki where he paid N20,000. “As a result of the stress I passed through, by the time I returned home, I was very weak. My health situation deteriorated midnight and my people rushed me to the hospital. I was discharged about three days after,” he said.

Other patients who spoke with the newspaper said the medical centre could no longer boast of “ordinary malaria drugs.” “The clinic does not even have ordinary paracetamol. Paracetamol was included in the list of drugs they asked me to go and buy recently. Before now, they were giving us drugs,” another patient said. The Nigerian government is yet to deny or confirm the report as the minister of health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, could not be reached. Meanwhile, governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Tuesday, August 16 donated office apartment and vehicles for proper take off of FG’s various intervention plans in the Sokoto

State House medical suffers from drug supply

Aso Rock, Abuja

Can this be a valid reflection of the state of the Nigerian economy regarding public health facilities? This report from the Punch newspapers challenges popular opinion and the reality of what just might be a situation to be considered.

As shocking and unbelievable as it sounds, the State House Medical Centre which provides medical services to the President, Vice-President and their families, aides, members of staff of the State House is dire need of drugs and other essential medical items Punch newspaper is reporting. Recall that the State House Medical Centre got N3.87bn allocated to it in the 2016 Appropriation Act. According to the report, patients were now being asked to go and buy drugs from outside as they were no longer available in the centre.

It was reported that kidney problems who are currently undergoing dialysis in the facility can no longer have their twice a week dialysis as the clinic has been cancelling their appointment. Text messages sent by the hospital to patients to buy medical items prove that the hospital is grounded.

“Mr. XXX (names withheld), when you are coming for dialysis on Monday, buy IVF Normal Saline to be used for ur (sic) dialysis. The office doesn’t have it. Buy like four pieces,” Punch quoted a text message sent by the hospital to a patient. Another patient said the centre’s management cancelled the session because of non-availability of bloodline.

“Gudevening (sic), we can’t dialize (sic) you tomorrow because we don’t have bloodline. When it is available, I will get back to you. Pls (sic) dialyse (sic) somewhere else. Thanks,” a message sent to him by the centre. 

The patient said the first time the session was cancelled, he was referred to a private hospital in Garki where he paid N20,000. “As a result of the stress I passed through, by the time I returned home, I was very weak. My health situation deteriorated midnight and my people rushed me to the hospital. I was discharged about three days after,” he said.

Other patients who spoke with the newspaper said the medical centre could no longer boast of “ordinary malaria drugs.” “The clinic does not even have ordinary paracetamol. Paracetamol was included in the list of drugs they asked me to go and buy recently. Before now, they were giving us drugs,” another patient said. The Nigerian government is yet to deny or confirm the report as the minister of health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, could not be reached. Meanwhile, governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Tuesday, August 16 donated office apartment and vehicles for proper take off of FG’s various intervention plans in the Sokoto

Lagos to have CCTVs

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State

In what appears to be compliance with Lagos as a cosmopolitan city comparable with most in the developed countries the Lagos state government of Nigeria is planning to enhance and beef up adequacy of security in the state given the tumultuous attraction of Nigerians and tourists which the state attracts as the economic hub and social nerve centre of the country from independence. 

The state government has announced the deployment of the 13,000 Closed Circuit Television( CCTV) cameras to tackle incessant crime in the state.

The state' commissioner of science and technology, Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi ,who announced this yesterday at a press conference, said the distribution of the camera across the state would commence next month.

"The deployment of the camera will start by the last quarter of this year from September.

"We have a window of about 16 to 18 months to fully ensure that the cameras cut across the state."

It is however yet unclear who will be responsible for monitoring the cameras and if there is a solution being considered for the power supply to them.

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Foreign Airlines withdraw from Nigeria due to low patronage on account of the economic recession

No fewer than 14 airlines have withdrawn their services from the country due to low patronage on account of the economic recession.

The airlines, including Iberia, United Airlines and Air Gambia, are among the 50 that operated the Nigerian routes some months ago.