Niger Gov. terminates appointments of political appointees

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago has directed the immediate termination of the appointment of all political appointees in the state.

A statement issued by Aishatu T. Usman, Permanent Secretary, Political Affairs, explained that those affected by the termination include, Directors General, Coordinators, Project Managers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Political Assistants,

Ward Ambassadors and Personal Assistants to Political Appointees.

The statement added, “statutory Commissions and Niger State and Local Government Pension Boards are exempted from the termination, stressing that they should continue to hold office as stipulated by relevant laws governing their appointments.”

The governor also ordered the Political Appointees to hand over the affairs of their offices to the Permanent Secretaries or most senior officer in their respective agencies.

AHF, Keffi LG train students on menstrual health management

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), has partnered Keffi Local Government in Nasarawa State, to create awareness on menstrual health management.

The event took place on Wednesday, with sensitisation on secondary school students in Keffi . The students were urged to end to shame and stigma on menstruation.

To ensure effectiveness in the campaign, AHF, instituted a sanitary pad bank in collaboration with Keffi LG, Keffi Primary Healthcare Agency and Keffi Ministry of Women Affairs, to ensure availability of sanitary pads for girls.

Speaking, Dr Emma Nwabueze, Medical Director AHF Nigeria said that the Foundation was creating awareness, to end stigma around menstruation while ensuring young women and girls have access to menstrual pads.

Nwabueze said that the process of menstruation had caused many girls to stay out of school due to financial inability to purchase pads, misconception and myths around menstruation, hence the need to create awareness.

``We used this opportunity to come to keffi to educate the women, girl child, male child and everybody on issues surrounding menstrual stigma.

``Some of our girls miss school because they are on their menstrual period, some do not go to school because their parents do not have money to buy the products.

``Some of our girls cannot open up and tell their parents about what is happening to their body, that is why we are here to advocate and tell people that menstruation is clean not dirty, he said.

He said that the sanitary pad bank by AHF in collaboration with its partners was to ensure continuous availability of pads in facilities for girls in school and out of school during emergency situations.

Also speaking, Executive Chairman Keffi LG, Mr Muhammed Baba-Shehu represented by the Secretary Keffi LG Mr Muhammed Adamu, applauded the Foundation for choosing Keffi LG as one of its beneficiaries for the program.

``It is a thing of joy to see that we are direct beneficiaries of this program. AHF have done marvellously well in such a silent area that affects our women and girls.

``However, on the side of the local government, we intend to collaborate with the Foundation and we are giving the assurance that we will do our best to contribute to the pad bank.

``We will also see how we can train our people to produce the sanitary pads to benefit our women and girls,’ he said.

Baba-Shehu further urged parents, teachers and guidance to support their children to end shame and discrimination when menstruating and ensure they maintain good hygiene.

On her part, Mrs Aisha Basha, Supervisory Counsellor Women Affairs Keffi LG, said the Ministry was saddled with the responsibility of educating young women and girls on menstrual health and management.

Basha said the sensitisation was aimed at breaking the silence on stigma and shame as it affects menstruation.

``This is important because we realise that most of our children are shy especially when they are growing into the reproductive stage.

``They do not want to discuss any issue concerning menstruation or any changes in their body to their parents, as they prefer to hide and deal with the situation themselves,’ she said.

Customs initiates fast track 2.0 to promote compliance

By Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Modalities for transitioning from the Fast Track Regime to Fast Track 2.0 (FT 2.0) have been started by the Nigeria Customs Service in partnership with the World Bank under the Accelerating Revenue Mobilization Reforms Programme (ARMOR).

The customs spokesperson, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, said the system aims to reward compliance and facilitate trade by admitting traders based on their adherence to regulations and contribution to trade in Nigeria.

“By introducing Fast Track 2.0, the Nigeria Customs Service aims to streamline trade processes, promote compliance, and create a more efficient and rewarding environment for traders.

“When fully operational, FT 2.0 is expected to encourage traders to comply with Customs regulations and rules. One of the main advantages is the potential for significant cost reductions associated with cargo handling and demurrage at the ports.

“Traders who are interested in taking advantage of this facility can access more information and apply through the website www. fasttrack.nigeriatradehub.gov. ng.

“Existing traders who are currently using the old Fast Track system are advised to apply to the new Fast Track 2.0 (FT 2.0).”