From the monthly archives: January 2010

Schools shut in Effurun over ‘mystery’ lion prophecy

On January 25, 2010 · In News

The panic in Effurun, Delta State, over an alleged prophecy by a Lagos-based prophet that a lion would go haywire, killing its owner and a number of persons between Tuesday and tomorrow, went to a ridiculous dimension with some private school owners and traders in the affected area shutting down their schools and businesses.

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NGO scores four N-Delta states low on budget

On January 25, 2010 · In News

A non- governmental organisation, Niger Delta Citizens and Budget Platform, Monday, after a monitoring and analysis of the 2009 budgets of four Niger Delta states and local government councils, scored the administrations low.

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NMA seeks restriction of overseas treatment for public officers

On January 25, 2010 · In Health

EVEN as Nigeria gradually inches towards eradication of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) particularly polio, concerns about the overall state of immunisation coverage in the country and the general state of public health institutions continue to make the rounds.

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GSK awards $2.5m malaria control grants to Nigeria, 3 others

On January 25, 2010 · In Health

The GSK African Malaria Partnership last week announced four new grants totaling $2.5m to the Planned Parenthood Foundation of Nigeria (PPFN) projects in Nigeria.

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With Truscan, NAFDAC turns the heat on fake drug merchants

On January 25, 2010 · In Health

Efforts by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to stamp out fake drugs from Nigeria may still be far from eradicating the scourge, no thanks to tactics of counterfeiters to beat the regulators.

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Stakeholders worry over proposal to ban more drugs

On January 25, 2010 · In Health

FOLLOWING an alleged Federal government proposal to include eight additional drugs on the Import Prohibition List (IPL), the average Nigerian who is currently spending 23 per cent of his/her income on drugs, may have to brace up to purchase these same drugs and others yet to be determined at even higher prices.

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Zenith okays Godwin Emefiele to take over from Ovia

On January 25, 2010 · In Business

The Board of Zenith Bank PLC has named Godwin Emefiele as the Managing Director/Chief Executive designate following CBN directive that banks whose Chief Executives have served for 10 years and above should draw up a succession plan and leave the banking scene at the end of July 2010.

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Children at high risk of pneumonia from vehicular pollution, study indicates

On January 25, 2010 · In Health

MILLIONS of Nigerian children who live in houses close to a main road may be in greater danger of coming down with pneumonia as a result of pollution from passing traffic which causes damage to their lungs.

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Turaki as Lamido’s nemesis

On January 25, 2010 · In Viewpoint

Alhaji Sule Lamido , no doubt, is one of the shining lights in the north at the moment. He has done well for himself, not only because he is a governor but, more than that, it was during his era as minister that the country was ushered back into the comity of nations. It was during his time as minister that Nigeria was readmitted into African Union, Commonwealth, the country having been suspended from the intercontinental bodies because of prolonged military rule in Nigeria..

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Ecowas presents W/Africa 2010 outlook to members

On January 25, 2010 · In Latest News

By Chinyere Amalu

ABUJA—The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, would today present the economic outlook for West Africa in 2010 to the region’s development partners during the 7th edition of the ECOWAS-development partners coordination meeting.

In his “Progress Report on the Regional Integration Process in West Africa: Stakes and Perspectives”, Dr [...]

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ASOPADEC chair: Monarch makes case for Ukwa West

On January 25, 2010 · In News

Obehie (Abia)—Abia State Government has been enjoined to give the chairmanship of the newly-created Abia State Oil-Producing Area Development Commission, ASOPADEC, to the oil-rich Ukwa West Local Government Area.

The Traditional Ruler of Asa South Community in Ukwa West Council Area, Eze John Ahuruonye, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Obehie, the [...]

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FG harps on global safety standards in oil industry

On January 25, 2010 · In Business

THE Federal Government has announced that it would no longer be business as usual for oil and gas operators that ignores industry safety standards in the course of their operations, as it would no longer tolerate such act, which is tantamount to violation of the provisions of part 11, regulation 18 of the Mineral Oils (Safety) Regulations (MOSR) 2007.

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Ziggy’s garrulous gaffe

On January 25, 2010 · In Viewpoint

ONE of the tragedies of the market place of ideas concept is that individuals who ordinarily should not hold opinions take liberties undeserved to foul the air in the name of exercising their right to freedom of expression.

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Solar energy to affect global warming positively

On January 25, 2010 · In Business

FOLLOWING Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola’s fears over the consequences that may face the planet if everyone embraces solar energy as they did hydrocarbon in the last century, an expert in the field of solar energy, Dr Mark Verstraten, managing director of Rimas B.V of Netherlands, had moved to allay those fears.

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