News

The Sokoto North Local Government of Sokoto State said on Tuesday it spent N30 million to construct a three-storey building for its health department.

Chairman of the council, Abdullahi Hassan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the project would ensure proper coordination of activities in the department due to its significance to health care policies.

He said the structure, comprising 12 offices, had already been fully furnished and equipped with computers to provide a conducive atmosphere.

He explained that a comprehensive training and re-training programme had been designed for the health workers, to enable them to acquire more knowledge on health care delivery needs of the people.

"We will continue to provide the required equipment to enhance the health sector," he said.

Hassan solicited for the support of the people by reporting out break of epidemic for necessary action.(NAN)

Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola, the Commander, Special Task Force (STF) maintaining peace in Plateau, on Tuesday charged youths to see themselves as ambassadors of peace for stability in the North-central state. Ayoola gave the charge in Vwei, Kuru and Vom vil...

Apparently still excited about Nigeria’s trashing of Cote d’Ivoire at the quarter-final of the ongoing African Cup of a Nations on Sunday, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, likened himself to a coach of a national team who is under pr...

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday in Abuja swore in two ministers from Enugu and Kebbi States, with a task to make a difference in governance. The ministers are Prof Chinedu Nebo from Enugu State and Alhaji Kabiru Turaki from Kebbi. Jonathan said t...

Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, has approved the suspension of the Chairmen of Offa and Oyun local government councils with immediate effect.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold told Journalists on Monday in Ilorin that the order followed the outbreak of violence between Offa and Erin-Ile communities of the local governments.

Gold said at a news conference that the suspension would be for three months and also affects the councillors, vice charmen, the two councils secretaries and other political appointees.

He said that the chairmen, as chief security officers of their respective councils, had failed to maintain public order and protect the welfare of residents of the two communities.

Gold said:“There is a clear and present danger of the breakdown of law and order, security and public safety in Offa and Erin-Ile towns and the need to take action to prevent the deterioration of the situation.''

The SSG said that the action of the governor was in line with Kwara State Local Government (Amendment) Law No. 4, section 1, 2 (sub section 5, 6, 7 and 8) of 2006.

According to him, the governor has approved the appointment of Alhaji . Ishaq Abubakar and Alhaji G.B.O. Bello as Sole Administrators for Offa and Oyun local councils respectively.

He also said that a 10 member Judicial Commission of Enquiry under Justice Adeyinka Oyinloye, had been constituted to look into the communal crisis.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission was mandated to identify the remote and immediate causes of the crises as well as determine the extent of damages recorded.

It was also to determine the number of lives lost, those behind the crisis and review previous reports by various committees on the crisis.

The commission, which was given six weeks to submit its report, was asked to make appropriate recommendations for the punishment and prosecution of culprits and compensations to victims.

Members of the commission include Mr AbdulAzeez Ibrahim, Alhaji. A. R. Shehu, a retired Head of Service and Mr Job Afolayan, a retired Permanent Secrtary.

Others are Mrs F. Lawal of the Ministry of Justice, Dr Jelili Animashaun of the University of Ilorin, Mr John Ojo, Lt. Col. A. H. Ahmed and Alhaji A. A. Yusuf, who will serve as secretary. (NAN)

The insurers of Dana Air said on Sunday they had begun payment of compensation to Iju-Ishaga residents whose properties were damaged when a Dana Air aircraft crashed into the area on June 3, 2012.

Tony Usidamen, Dana Air’s Head of Corporate Communications, annouced this in a statement in Lagos.

“We can confirm that payment of compensation to affected Iju-Ishaga residents has commenced.

"The process is still ongoing and our insurers are committed to ensuring that all claimants are compensated to the extent of their losses,” Usidamen.

He did not give the names of the affected residents and the amount paid.

Usidamen also explained why it took long before the compensation could be paid.

“In order to ensure that just and fair compensation is paid to the affected families, several processes have been followed by law and settlement reached by all parties concerned.

"These processes usually take time but our insurers are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that all the matters are resolved.

“The airline’s insurers have also continued to deal with claims by families of passengers and crew onboard the ill-fated flight,” he said.

Usidamen explained that more than 84 families received advance payments of 30,000 dollars.

He added that payment of final settlement to 14 families who had produced the requisite Letters of Administration (and Letter of Guardianship in the case of minors) had begun.

He commended the Lagos State Government for the cooperation and assistance rendered so far.

“With the waiver of statutory fees and fast-track system, families will have the requisite documents very quickly.

"This will enable the insurers to settle all claims within the shortest possible time, and in accordance with the law,” he said. (NAN)