News
COVID-19: NDDC donates palliative to Imo gov’t
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has donated food items and hospital equipment to Imo Government to help fight the scourge of the new coronavirus pandemic in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the food items donated include 1,078 bags of rice, 305 bags of beans, 288 bags of garri (cassava flakes), 1,941 cartoons of Indamine noddle, 95 cans (25 litres) of palm oil.
The hospital equipment include 2,200 examination gloves, 600 cartoons of syringes, infrared thermometer, six oxygen mask, ventilators, six ICU beds and sanitary materials among others.
Presenting the items to the state government on Tuesday in Owerri, the NDDC Acting Managing Director, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, said the commission was aware of the socio-economic challenges posed by the pandemic.
Pondei, who was represented by a director, Tony Okanne, explained that that was why the commission has committed funds to aid the fight against the disease across the region.
He said that the programme fell under the commission’s Emergency Support for Health and Social Programme.
He said that the major constraint in the active fight against the dreaded virus was the generally poor state of health facilities in the country.
According to him, the donation was part of the NDDC’s way of assisting the state government in the fight against the pandemic.
“It is helping to initiate sensitisation and campaign on the prevention and transmission of coronavirus disease in the region,’’ the managing director said.
He added that the commission, as an interventionist agency, also has the mandate to intervene in the health sector by ensuring the well-being of Niger Delta residents.
“NDDC is desirous, at all times, to support the government and people of the Niger Delta region in the area of quality health care delivery.’’
Receiving the items on behalf of the state government, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr Nnamdi Anyaehie, appreciated the NDDC for the gesture.
He promised that the items would be put to good use in line with the efforts of the government to contend the effects of the disease in the state.
He also sought for the continued support from the commission in the policies and programmes of the state government. (NAN)
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
Van Vicker Celebrates 21st Wedding Anniversary: “I Have No Regrets”
Davido Declares ‘Timeless’ His Best Album
‘Adire’ Secures Four Nominations at the Best of Nollywood Awards
-
Business17 hours agoOkpella Monarch: Obaseki Ratified Kingmakers Decision, End 5years leadership Vacuum
-
Banking13 hours agoFree Food Saga: Akpabio quoted out of context-CSO
-
Foreign17 hours agoSci-tech innovation fuels China’s high-quality development
-
Entertainment9 hours agoDavido Declares ‘Timeless’ His Best Album
-
Entertainment9 hours ago‘Adire’ Secures Four Nominations at the Best of Nollywood Awards
-
Business10 hours agoWike Urges Nigerians to Pay Taxes for Improved Social Services
-
Foreign11 hours agoQinling Mountains better safeguarded with comprehensive digital platform
-
Foreign11 hours agoExpressway service station in Shandong achieves carbon neutrality