News
Reps Reiterate Continued Support For HYPPADEC Host Communities
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has pledged its commitment to the development of the Hydrological Services/Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) host communities.
Chairman, House Committee on Hydrological Services/Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), Rep. Paschal Agbodike, stated this when the Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Abubakar-Sadiq Yelwa, appeared before the committee on Tuesday.
Rep. Agbodike, said HYPPADEC communities should get the same benefits, as host communities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
He therefore promised that the Committee was going to help address the funding challenge of the Agency.
He said, “We are ready to improve on the activities of HYPPADEC. We will improve on the lives of those host communities because I see no difference between HYPPADEC and NDDC. The host communities of NDDC are enjoying the benefits, those things that should be going to them to ameliorate their suffering as a result of hazard that is coming from the activities of those oil companies.
“So the communities of HYPPADEC should also be compensated the way it is supposed as provided by the law and Act that establishes HYPPADEC”.
States that are expected to be beneficiaries are Kogi, Benue, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and Taraba.
“Those host communities we shall make sure we improve their welfare, having seen their plan for the year and things that have been provided or mapped out in the proposed budget”, he added.
According to the Chairman, intervention for the communities would be in the area of agriculture, housing scheme, construction and rehabilitation of schools, rehabilitation and expansion of urban water scheme, development of jetties, boreholes, fertiliser inputs, installation of solar street lights, ICT and rural electricity drive among other.
“To execute all these, funding is vital. The question here is how to make the funding available. This committee will help in helping the funding possible.
‘There is a rule for accessing loans according to the Act that established HYPPADEC. If necessary there is still the option of going through proper channels to access the loans.
“It is the duty of this committee to assist in making sure that most of the things required in the agency is provided for”, Agbodike asserted.
Earlier, the Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Yelwa, said the commission was confronted with several challenges, including funding, which hampered the Commission from carrying out its mandate.
The following agencies were also invited for the interactive session, Electricity Generation Companies (GENCOs), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Minister of Water Resources, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, National Electricity Regulatory Commission- (NERC) and Bulk Electricity Trading Company (BETC).
News
Defence Minister proposes compulsory military training for Nigerians
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, rtd, has proposed that every Nigerian citizen should undergo military training.
Musa made the call while speaking on the African Leadership Podcast with Ken Giami, stating that the experience of hunger, exhaustion and physical strain that comes with military training gives people a perspective on life they cannot get anywhere else.
He was explaining why he believes ordinary citizens should have a better understanding of the work carried out by members of the Armed Forces.
According to him, the experience would give Nigerians a different perspective about life and the responsibilities associated with protecting the country.
The former Chief of Defence Staff noted that citizens who go through such training would understand what it means to continue moving even when physically exhausted, hungry or deprived of normal comfort.
“Every Nigerian should be able to go through military training. I can tell you for free, it will give you a different perspective about life. You will now understand what it means to stay hungry, what it means to walk in days without sleep.
“It will show you what endurance means, when you walk kilometers and you are tired but you still need to keep on going. You have not eaten, you have not taken one because of the nature of the thing and because you are doing it to protect.
“Just like what the Bible says that there’s no greater friend than he who will give his life for his friend.
“And that’s exactly what the military men are doing, putting their lives at stake for their country to move around. And so that’s why sometimes it’s very painful when you see people insulting the military and telling them they don’t need it or we don’t want this to end. Nobody’s dying now, and they don’t want it to end,” he said.
News
Wasiu Ayinde Proves Himself As ‘Mayegun’, Settles Sego, Mc-Oluomo’s Longtime Rift
Fuji legend, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1) has successfully settled the long-standing rift between the National President of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo), and the chairman of the union in Lagos State, Mr Mustapha Adekunle (Tafa Seego).
The reconciliation took place at K1’s Ojusagbola residence in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State and it was witnessed by other top union leaders.
It is said to be a final truce and not just ‘another handshake for the cameras’
K1 intervened and took steps to end the supremacy battle in his traditional capacity as the Mayegun of Yorubaland.
Recall that the supremacy battle had led to violence at a 2019 Lagos political rally with MC Oluomo getting stabbed and taken to hospital. The police had later declared Sego wanted over the incident
K1 commented on this in an Instagram post on Tuesday while also making photographs taken during the meeting available.
‘After years of an age-long rift, MC Oluomo and Tafa Sego have finally settled their differences. And from what we know now, this is final.
This time, it was not just another handshake for the cameras. The two old friends and colleagues came together at Ojusagbola, with King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1) playing the peacemaker.
K1 acted in his role as the Mayegun of Yorubaland by seeking an end to the long-standing rift, once and for all.
Both parties are delighted about the new development’ he wrote.
News
Canadian government warns its citizens against buying alcohol in Nigeria after 48 people died in Ondo
Canadian authorities have warned citizens in Nigeria to exercise caution when consuming alc%hol following reports of de@ths and hospitalisations linked to suspected meth@nol-contaminated drinks in Ondo State.
In a safety notice issued on Tuesday, Canadian officials said, “Casualties have occurred in Nigeria due to the consumption of unregulated and adulterated alco%hol containing high levels of meth@nol. Buy alc%hol from reputable establishments and seek medical assistance if you begin to feel sick.”
The notice did not state the number of casualties. However, Nigerian health officials said last week that 48 people had d+ed while about 180 others were receiving treatment in Ondo State after consuming a locally brewed alc%holic beverage suspected to contain methanol.
Meth@nol is a highly toxic substance that can cause multiple organ failure, breathing difficulties, blindness and brain d@mage. A survivor, 32-year-old Sola Adebayo, told TVC News from his hospital bed, “I took like two shots and I went out on Friday. On Saturday, I noticed that I could not see.”
Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, said the effects could occur rapidly, noting, “This thing happened rapidly. Once they consume it, depending on the quantity, the kidneys will pack up, the eyes will go, the brain will be damaged.”
Police said 15 people had been arrested in connection with the suspected t%xic drink, while locals reportedly suspected that a popular herbal alcoholic drink known as “Monkey Tail” was mixed with meth@nol.
The report noted that homemade alc%hol is common in some rural parts of Nigeria, where it is cheaper and less regulated. NAFDAC has also enforced a nationwide ban on alc%hol sold in sachets and small plastic containers.
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