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ICAO Lauds FG
International Ovil Aviation Organisation has commended the Federal Government for tfie improved safeLy in the aviation industry. Leader of lCAO team on inspection of airport facilities in Nigeria, Mr Sadon Marafa, told newsmen in Lagos, that the group was pleased wi th the progress so far made in aviation safety. The Tactical Action Group of lCAO has been on a five-day tour of airport facilities in Nigeria, ahead of the lCAO audit of the nation's aviation industry, scheduled for June. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the two-man delegation of lCAO reglOnal office in Dakar, which completed the inspection of Lagos and Kano airports, have since departed Lagos. Marafa saJd from what the team had seen, the Nigerian government was committed to developing the nation's aviation industry in line with the cun-ent glolJai practices.
Passenger Train Defaulters Nigerian Railway Corporation, Lagos District, has said it w ill soon prosecute 36 illegal passengers arrested for allegedly Sitting on moving trains. The corporation's District Superintendent, Mr Samuel Elumole told the News Agency of Nigeria, that the suspects were arrested during 1f,e week on the Ikeja-Agege route. NAN reports that 26 people were arrested last week for the same' offence while 20 of them were charged to court for attempted suicide. They were jailed three months each with a N50, 000 option of fine. Elumole said: "Thirty-six people were arrested during the week for Sitting on the train and for failing to obtaIn tickets for their tnpsThe corporation is tired of Ihe nuisaJ1ce caused by people who sit on top of the train and that is why we are raiclii1g them every week to put a stop to it.
Microfinance Banks National Association of Microfinance Banks, Lagos chapter, has expressed dissatisfaction over the refusal of The beneficiaries of the Lagos State Rural Transport Initiative to repay their loans. Chmman of the chapter, Mr Olufemi Baoajide, told the News Agency of Nigeria yesterday in Lagos, that the loan payment default was not encouragi!'g as it would prevent others from benefiting from the scheme. He noted that the beneficiaries' attitude had made the state government to withdraw from the scheme. NAN reports that Mr LarIre Balogun, the Lagos State Commissioner for Rural Development, had armounoed on Tuesday that the state government would review its involvement in the LARUIl scheme.
CAN Commends Shekarau Kano State chapter of Christian Association of N igeria has presented a letter of commendation for good governance and entrenchment of security to outgoing governor of the state, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau. CT,airman of the statt' chapter of CAN, Bishop Ransom Bello, who presented the letter and award of honour to the governor, said the national body' was aware of the good leadership style in Kano State, which paved way. for stability and peace m the state in the last eight years. The letter, signed 01, secretary general of the association, Engr. SaJifi, said: 'Our CAN readers in Kano have also informed us of h ow you have included some non-indigenes, specifically the Ch:ristians, among your special advi~rs. We must also not fail to commend you for the comparative religious.. peace ~,at has become the e"J?"rience of Kano State now under your aclministration.
Group Tasks Jonathan President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been urged to complete all. the abandone~ IFfi"l~ts littering ~,e states of ~,e federation as a way of . g ~,e electoral promises he made to the people during his campaign. This was contained in a congratula tory message by Jukuns DevelopmentAssociation to Jonathan and the Taraba State govemor..,lect, Mr. Danbaba Suntai. The group called on O,e president to ensure completion of the aoancfoned River Benue Bridge, among o~,er projects littering Jukunland and other parts of the country. The message, w hich was signed by its National President, Mr. Benjarnm Danburrno, alSo commended the Independent National Electoral Commission chairnlan, Professor Attal1iru Jega, for giving to ~,e nation a free and fair election.
Flour Price Increase Bakers in Lagos State, under the aegis of Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria,nave expressed disgust over ~,e arbitrary increase in ~,e price of£lour in the country. 11,e association, through its chairman, Prince Jacob Adejorin, stated that in a space of three months, the '<". price of a bag of flour has astronomically risen by 15 per . cent beyond ~,eir reach, which consequently has plaCed them in a hard condition in the hands of the millers. In a statement issued yesterday, Adedoyin said: "We are using this medium to inform the government that £lour price was increased in January this year and just three months after, there was ano~,er increase of about 151?"rcent. It is worthy to intimate you that a bag of £lour has nsen from N5,6oo to N6,2oo and sugar has alSo risen to 11,200 per bag, not to ta lk G . the higli cost of diesel, kerosene and other baking : ;·lgr~(Uen ts.
N' Assembly Members-elect _ Seek Review of 1999 Constitution ational Assembly members elect has observed that the 1999 Constitution had been altered three times without meeting ~,e aspirations of the Nigerians, and resolved that the review of the 1999 Constitution should be a
N continuous
exercise
to
ensure ~,e emergence of a people oriented constitution. The members also decried the prevalence of the endemic corruption, gender inequality and inadequate youth development w hile also recommended the need to eschew corruption, encourage gender equality in line with the Millennium Development Goals and adequately empower the Nigerian youth for future development. According to a commu-
From Ibrallim Slluaibu i"Ka"o
nique issued after their induction seminar in Kana and signed by Chief Hope Uzodinma, the senator..,lect, Imo West senatorial district, Chief Olufemi Lanlehin, senatoHlect, Oyo South, Dr.
Sokonte Davies, memberelect Degema/Bonny Federal constituency in Rivers State. The communique stated that members should endeavour to master the constitution, standing orders of the senate and House of Representatives as well as oilier extant laws as of the
FG Takes over S / East VVF Centre T he federal government yesterday formally took over the operalions of the Souili..,ast Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, and pledged its readiness to continue to offer free treatment to victims of the Vesico Varginal Fistula The centre, which has been re-designated as the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, was the pet-project
keynote address stressed that critical questions bordering on the general understanding, mitigation and adaptation strategies of climate a,ange must De put in the front liumer in oider to reduce its effect. Olokesusi added that "The challenges of ownership of appropriate technology for adaptation as well as capadty building are of paramount Importance espeaally m the context of VISIOn 20: 2020."
ical treatment was docu· mented in the Memorandum of Understanding signed eArlier between the federal ernment and the EbonyiSIale government. I "Free treatment continues. When it is not being do!Je. you invoke ~,e MoD. ilial free treatment continues !is not based on the fact tilal the minister is saying it b~1 because it is based on !he MoU Signed," Chuh.ro noted. According to him, the process of handing over !he centre to the federal government reguires the approvaJ)i the presIdent Since Presidml Goodluck Jonathan had given ~,e approval, the hlr· mal handover has to take place, the minister said. 1 WlUle announring that !he federal government I had taken over everything aboill ti,e centre, including t\)e entire staff, the minisler aljo armounced Dr. Sunday Adioye as Acting Medici! Director of the centre pending the time of his confirmation
commtmity. '''The vision we had in starting UNlOSUN was as uncommon as it was !;fand. The result is this graduation event that is celebrating in teCOrd time, nine First Oass graduates, 168 Second Class Upper; 183 Second Oass Lower, and 11 Oass Graduates. We congratulate the graduands: thelf I?arents and guardians. We repce Wlti, the Chancellor, Pro-ChanceUor, the Council, Senate, staff and studenls. of UNlOSUN on this occasIon. Today's epochal event has vincUcated our vision t~ have a wuveISlty wi,th a p.recUctable calendar. One 111 whim
studenls are ever sure ofw~ theA: will nonnally tl"!duale. 1}espile the ryrurnl dOl#; of the faithless, God has:made . it possible for our drelJm 10 beCome real. UNIOSUN has made history today.! The Universilyhas become an idlll th~t will never die! I 1n conceIVIng the UNtOSUN Idea, we were ronvin<!:d that throughout history !here were men, who Ioo~ fust steps, down new roads. anned with nothing but thell; OWl V1SIOn. We alSo agree ",th!he WJSe man who iisserted !hat the real voyage of disrovery COnsISts of not ~ ~g new landscapes but m haVUlg new
Christopher Isiguzo in £Jmg"
FI'OIII
of the wife of ~,e Ebonyi State governor, Mrs. Josephine
Elechi. Speaking during the official takeover of the centre by the federal government in Abakaliki yesterday, Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi G,ukwu, said the sustenance of the free med-
Climate Change May Threaten Vision 20: 2020 he Federal Government yesterday in Abuja said the increasing negative effects of Climate Glange in ~,e counl;ry T if not checKed may in the long run hinder the realisation of Ni~a's Vision 20: 2020 and ~,e Millennium Development Goals. MiniSter of Environment John Ode)', who was represented by Head of Cliffiate Change Special Unit, Dr. Adejare Adejuwon, stated ~1is at a semmar on 'Social Economic Impact of Clin1ate Change in Nigeria' organised liy Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research based in Ibadan, OyoState. Odey observed that ''11, e effects of climate change besides the damage to tlle environment is likely to lead to psychological defects and lost of agricultural farm lands," aading tI,at, '1t remains factual that climate change may hinder Nigeria's VISion 20: 2020 ana the attainment of MDGs target" According to the miruster, the in1pact 01 climate change has resulted in decline m . resources, including mowlt-
country. NatIOnal Assembly members-elect also resolved that there should be cordial relationship between the bureaucracy and the members of National Assembly because the bureaucracy serves as the institutional memory of the National Assembly.
From Patll Obi ill Abllja
ing scienlific evidence on ~,e damage human activity constitute to the environment. He maintained that unless proper attention is given to cliinate change, the endemic problem confronting the environment will continue wlabated. Meanwhile, the Director General of NISER, Prof. Femi Olokesusi, in his
!\'to
Oyinlola Congratulates UNIOSUN Graducn}~ onner Governor of Osun State Prince Otagunsoye avWola has con tulated the first set ofll: State University's graduates who graduated yester-
F
day. ln astatement hepersonaUy signed, OyinIola prayed God to guide !lie ways of the graduands, stating that he was happy they firiished their prograrnmes 111 teCOrd time witi,out sulfering strikes and school closures. Oyinlola added that the school had remained an enduring l"lIacy ~1at would live to oontinue fulfilling its destiny in the world academic
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eyes.
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