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NMA felicitates IBB @80, commends strides in health sector
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), on Wednesday, felicitated with former President Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
The association extended its congratulatory message to the former president in a statement signed by the National President, Prof. Innocent Ujah in Abuja.
Ujah commended the former military head of state for the strides he achieved in the health sector and wished him good health in the years ahead.
He stated that “it is memorable that it was Retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, GCFR that created the Medical Salary Scale (MSS) and the Medical Super Salary Scale (MSSS) and approved the allocation of land for the permanent site of the association in Maitama, Abuja.
“He also established the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to bring healthcare closer to communities and the downtrodden.
“These strides endeared him to Nigerian doctors and dentists who appreciated him by awarding him with the highest honour of Fellow of the Nigerian Medical Association (FNMA).
“It also marked him out as a quintessential leader who boldly attempted to stem the tide of medical brain drain by instituting a regime of improved welfare of our teeming members.
“With all these innovations, the former president made history for which he will ever be remembered for.”
Ujah prayed Almighty Allah to endow IBB with peace of mind as he lives to celebrate many more birthdays.
Born on Aug. 17, 1941 in Minna to Muhammad Babangida and Aisha Babangida, IBB received early Islamic education
before attending primary school from 1950 to 1956 and attended Government College, Bida, from 1957 to 1962
together with classmates Abdulsalami Abubakar, Mamman Vatsa, Mohammed Magoro Sani Bello, Garba Duba, Gado Nasko and Mohammed Sani Sami.
Babangida joined the Nigerian Army on Dec. 10, 1962, where he attended Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna and commissioned as a second lieutenant as a regular combatant officer in the Royal Nigerian Army a month before it became Nigerian Army with the personal army number N/438 from the Indian Military Academy on Sept. 26, 1963.
The retired Nigerian Army general and politician served as military president of Nigeria from 1985 until his resignation in 1993.
Married to late Maryam Babangida (1969-2009), he has four children: Mohammed Babangida, Aisha Babangida, Halima Babangida and Aminu Babangida.(NAN)
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TCN Acknowledges 7th Grid Collapse in 2024
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.
News
Jigawa Tanker Tragedy: Shettima, First Lady Mourn Victims, Pledge Federal Support
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.
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Nigeria Customs Intercepts Arms, Ammunition Worth N9.5bn Over Six Years
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.
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