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Health / Coronavirus: Buhari Approves N15bn Grant For Lagos, NCDC by Metrostarng: 10:58pm On Mar 26, 2020
https://metrostarng.com/2020/03/26/coronavirus-buhari-approves-n15bn-grant-for-lagos-ncdc/


President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday approved N10 billion grant for Lagos State, to boost its leading efforts against the novel Coronavirus.

Buhari also approv d N5bn for the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control to equip, expand and provide personnel to its facilities and laboratories across the country.

In several tweets, Buhari said firm action was being taken to contain the virus.

He said: “Over the last few days I have received extensive briefings on the state of the nation as it relates to the Covid-19 pandemic, from the relevant Federal Government agencies as well as the Lagos State Government.

“Accordingly, I approved the following: The immediate release of a 10 billion Naira grant to Lagos State, which remains the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in Nigeria. This grant will enable Lagos increase its capacity to control and contain the outbreak, while also supporting other States with capacity-building.



“The immediate release of a 5 billion Naira special intervention fund to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) to equip, expand and provide personnel to its facilities and laboratories across the country.

“The Nigerian Air Force is already making its fleet available to the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, to enable a better coordinated and more effective response across the country.

“To protect our homeland from external exposure, I directed the immediate closure of our International Airports and Land Borders for four weeks in the first instance, … to enable us put up the appropriate policies, processes and infrastructure to cope with suspected and confirmed cases at home, without risking a compounding of the situation with more imported cases.

“The inconvenience caused by these flight and travel restrictions to our fellow citizens abroad who want to return home is regrettable, but it is necessary for the greater good, and I thank you all for your understanding and cooperation.

“I have also directed that only cargo vessels that have been at sea for more than 14 days be allowed to dock in our ports, after the crew have been tested and confirmed disease-free by the Port Health Authorities.



“This 14-day restriction however does not apply to vessels carrying oil and gas products as by their nature, there is minimal human contact.

“We have also suspended the movement of commuter trains to limit the spread of the virus to other parts of the country.

“I have directed the NCDC to draft all its recent retirees back into service to beef up our manpower as we respond to the pandemic.

“Furthermore, all NCDC staff and experts who are away on training or international assignments are to return immediately.

“Already the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are conducting an evacuation mission to bring back some of our specialists in Central Africa, to enable them support the national response.

“I commend the monetary policy authorities for their financial intervention to support our entrepreneurs and companies as we go through this difficult time.

“We are also looking at fiscal measures to minimise the negative impact of this pandemic on the livelihood of millions of Nigerians.

“As you are aware we have begun the process of reviewing the federal budget. We shall communicate our fiscal interventions once the budget review process is concluded.



“In the meantime, I have directed the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, to work with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), to ensure that all production of essential items such as food, medical and pharmaceutical products continues unhindered.

“We are engaging our international friends and partners to share knowledge and to seek their support in our response to the pandemic. We are grateful for the show of support thus far – we have already started receiving goods and supplies intended to help us scale up our efforts.

“Let me specially thank and commend all of the hard and heroic work being done by our medical personnel, the NCDC, Port Health Authorities, Security Agencies, State Governments, and all ad-hoc staff and volunteers.

“I urge all Nigerians to be mindful of those among us who seek to spread panic and misinformation, and sow confusion at this time.

“We must all pay attention only to the relevant government agencies working day and night to make accurate and useful information available to the public.

“I will also ask all of us to strictly obey all public health guidelines and instructions issued by the Federal and State health authorities, regarding personal hygiene and social distancing.

“These guidelines will be updated from time to time as new information and treatments are obtained.

“In the meantime, I want to assure all Nigerians, that the Federal Government remains committed to protecting all Nigerians. We seek your full support and cooperation as we go through this very difficult time. Together we will triumph over this pandemic.”

Food / Racism: Drama As FG Shuts Chinese Restaurant, Mall by Metrostarng: 8:58pm On Mar 14, 2020
The Federal Government on Saturday shut a Chinese restaurant and mall in Lagos for refusing to serve Nigerians.

This was announced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission on Twitter following surveillance and intelligence after receiving complaints from members of the public.

“Today, FCCPC closed Haufei Restaurant & Mall 33 Aboyade Cole, VI based on credible intel & surveillance that the biz declines service to Nigerians. Staff of the biz admitted this is the policy & our operatives experienced same. Both now closed for further regulatory action.

“There can’t be any acceptable reason to discriminate against any national, more so Nigerians in Nigeria. That we walked into a restaurant that openly declined service on account of our race is simply ludicrous. The only response to this openly outrageous conduct is interim closure,” it stated.

The undercover investigation was led by the Director-General of FCCPC, Dr. Babatunde Irukera.

The development came ahead of the commemoration of the World Consumer Rights Day on Sunday.

However, the owner of the two locations, Ronnie Liu, kicked against the closure on Twitter.

Liu, who is the president of Chinese Investors Association for Development and Promotion in Nigeria, told Irukera, that the businesses never engaged in racist conduct.

“I’m the owner of this place. We have Nigerian staffs (sic) and we service all the customers.

“Please come join (us) to have tea. I am (hae been) in Lagos for 20 years. I am the president of Chinese Investors Association for Development and Promotion in Nigeria. We work together with Nigerians.

“Anybody who does not believe this should come to me straight. I’m always available.

“Yesterday, someone came as asked for food. We have them the menu but they could not choose.

“Now, he just came today and said he is the DG with name card (no proof) and simply locked out place and posted. We cannot accept a thing like that,” he protested.

However, Irukera responded thus: “I am the DG, never been to your business. Sent two people differently there today, you declined service because they are Nigerians, I made inquiries from your staff outside what the policy is, they confirmed. I came in, same thing happened to me. This representation is entirely false!”[sup][/sup]


https://metrostarng.com/2020/03/14/racism-drama-as-fg-shuts-chinese-restaurant-mall/

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Health / Study: Full-fat Milk Doesn’t Make Children Obese, Risk Heart Disease by Metrostarng: 5:34am On Mar 03, 2020
Children who consume full-fat dairy products do not show an increased risk of obesity or heart disease, according to an Edith Cowan University (ECU) research finding that raises questions about the current dietary advice for children.

Published today in Advances in Nutrition, the ECU research reviewed 29 studies from around the world that examined consumption of full-fat dairy products in children.



The researchers found there was no clear link between the consumption of whole-fat dairy products and weight gain, high cholesterol or high blood pressure in children. However, most studies were observational, with a lack of good quality trials noted.

The systematic review of research was a collaboration between ECU, the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in the United States.

Not the enemy first thought
The study’s lead author, Associate Professor Therese O’Sullivan from ECU’s School of Medical and Health Sciences, said the findings highlighted the need for better evidence in this area.

“Dietary guidelines in Australia and other countries recommend children primarily consume reduced-fat dairy products to maintain a healthy weight and good cardiovascular health,” she said.



“We found studies were consistent in reporting that whole-fat dairy products were not associated with increased levels of weight gain or obesity.

“Reduced-fat dairy is generally recommended for both adults and children over the age of two years due to its lower energy and saturated fat content.

“However, studies suggest children who consumed low-fat over full-fat dairy were actually replacing those calories from fat with other foods.

“This suggests that low-fat dairy is not as filling as whole-fat dairy, which may lead kids to consume more of other foods. Health effects may depend on what these replacement foods are.”

Conflicting advice
With childhood obesity an important issue, the need for evidence-based guidelines for parents has never been greater, according to Associate Professor O’Sullivan.



“Parents are already overwhelmed by conflicting advice for kids’ nutrition, especially when it comes to full-fat versus low-fat dairy,” she said.

“We need more good quality research to inform evidence-based guidelines for parents, even if that means rethinking what we thought we knew about dairy.”

Fats are not all equal
Associate Professor O’Sullivan also said whole-fat dairy may play an important role in a balanced diet for growing children.

“Dairy is a good dietary source of nutrients for healthy development, including protein, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and several vitamins,” she said.

“Even though the fats found in whole-fat dairy are mostly saturated fats, they don’t appear to be associated with the same detrimental health effects observed with foods like fatty meats.”

Towards the future
Associate Professor O’Sullivan is also leading ECU’s Milky Way Study in collaboration with the University of Western Australia and the Telethon Kids Institute. The randomised controlled trial is investigating the effects of dairy fat intake in children, and results are expected in mid-2020.



‘Whole-fat or reduced-fat dairy product intake, adiposity, and cardiometabolic health in children: a systematic review’ was published in Advances in Nutrition.


https://metrostarng.com/2020/03/03/study-full-fat-milk-doesnt-make-children-obese-risk-heart-disease/
Politics / UNBELIEVABLE: Abacha's $4bn Loot Disappears! by Metrostarng: 1:45pm On Mar 02, 2020
Wonders shall never end!

Nigerian senior political and security figures have stolen $4 billion loot recovered from foreign accounts of late former dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha.[sup][/sup]

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), who made the allegation, said that some unscrupulous public officers had criminally diverted over $4 billion recovered from Abacha between 1999 and now.

Falana, also alleged that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has treated the court orders secured for the publication of all the recovered loots of the late military ruler with disdain.

He made the allegations in the keynote address he delivered at the 18th anti-corruption situation room held in Abuja with focus to review the efforts of the state and non-state actors in the fight against corruption in Nigeria in 2019.abacha

Read also: https://metrostarng.com/2020/03/02/lagos-taskforce-demolishes-mile-2-shanties/

The Human Rights and Environmental Development Agenda set up the situation room with Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, National Orientation Agency, Technical Unit on Governance & Anti-Corruption Reforms and African Centre for Media and Information Literacy.

At the session, Falana expressed concern that the administration of US President Donald Trump, which warehoused part of the Abacha loot, had arrogantly set conditions for the repatriation $308 million that the federal government negotiated with the US and Jersey Island in the United Kingdom.

He lamented that after signing the tripartite agreement for the release of the stolen fund, the representative of the US Government threatened that the fund would be recovered if officials of the federal government re-looted.

The rights activist added that there was no protest from the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), who signed the agreement on behalf of the federal government.

He, however, observed that the federal government could not have protested because some unscrupulous public officers had criminally diverted over $4 billion recovered from the Abacha.

He said: “In fact, the order of the federal high court secured by SERAP for the publication of all looted wealth since 1999 has been treated with disdain by the Buhari administration.

“Apart from inviting Nigerians to participate in the fight against corruption the Buhari administration has partially fought corruption on the basis of the above listed priorities.

“Having realised that it cannot fight and win the fight against corruption alone, the Buhari administration has rightly decided to educate, mobilise and encourage Nigerians at the grassroots level to take ownership of the fight against corruption,” he said.

Falana lamented that the courts had dismissed some serious corruption cases because the Federal Executive Council (FEC) illegally awarded contracts.
The rights activities, therefore, urged president Buhari upon to constitute the National Council on Public Procurement in line with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act to avoid the loss of more corruption cases.

Consistent with section 15 (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended), Falana argued that the legal regime had imposed a duty on the state “to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power. The federal government has set up the CCB, EFCC and ICPC to fight corruption.

“Only the governments of Kano and Oyo states have established anti graft bodies to fight corruption. Other state governments including those who are calling for restructuring should no longer allow the EFCC and ICPC to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.”

He, also, asked the National Assembly to amend the relevant laws to grant the EFCC, ICPC and CCB) autonomy in order to strengthen them to perform their duties without interference

He, thus, noted that the proposed amendment should ensure that the majority of the board members of the agencies are nominees of accredited representatives of credible civil society bodies.

He explained the significance of Section 85 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended) in the fight against corruption, noting that the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation was central to the anti-corruption war.

The section states: “The public accounts of the Federation shall be audited and reported on to the Auditor-General who shall submit his reports to the National Assembly; and for that purpose, the Auditor-General or any person authorised by him in that behalf shall have access to all the books, records, returns and other documents relating to those accounts.”

Falana, therefore, noted that each chambers of the National Assembly “shall cause the reports to be considered by the Committee of the House of the National Assembly responsible for public accounts.”

Specifically, the rights activist challenged the National Assembly to stop passing the budget of any ministry, department and agency (MDA) indicted by the Office of the Auditor-General until the money diverted is refunded.

He, however, observed that the Buhari administration had not made any attempt “to mobilise the people to fight corruption. As a matter of fact, the federal government has engaged in budget padding and manipulation. For instance, the President presented a budget of N10.2 trillion for the 2020 financial year.

“The national assembly increased the estimates to N10.4 trillion. After the enactment of the Appropriation Act, 2020, the national assembly has been passing the budgets of about 65 agencies of the federal government including the NNPC, CBN, FIRS, NDCC, NIMASA and NPA.

“The NFIU has challenged the CBN for budgeting N1.1 trillion which is 10 percent of the nation’s annual budget. In passing the budget of the Central Bank, the House of Representatives had to send media men and women packing and secretly increased the budget to N1.3 trillion.

“Having conceded that the anti-corruption fight should not be seen as an end in itself, the Buhari administration has refused to view corruption as a manifestation of impunity,” he said.

He warned that the diversion of money that has been earmarked to build hospitals or the refusal to remit funds earned by departments of the government to the accounts of the government constituted a violation of the Appropriation Act and the 1999 Constitution.

“The public officers who engage in such criminal behaviour deserve to be treated like armed robbers because they have robbed the people and sentenced them to eternal agony and want.

“Since the violators of budget laws are top government officials, the system is too weak to punish them. Hence, the menace of corruption has become so rampart due to lack of political will on the part of the government to arrest and prosecute the major culprits.”

https://metrostarng.com/2020/03/02/unbelievable-abachas-4bn-loot-disappears/

•Thisday

Business / Excitement As UBA Records N111.3bn Profit by Metrostarng: 1:24pm On Mar 02, 2020
Despite the challenging business environment in Nigeria, the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has announced an increase in Profit Before Tax (PBT) to N111.3 billion in its audited results for the full-year ended December 2019, compared to N106.8 billion declared in the corresponding period of 2018 financial year.

The Pan-African financial institution’s 2019 financials filed at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), also, recorded an increase of 13.3 per cent in its Profit After Tax (PAT) to N89.1 billion, against N78.6 billion declared in 2018.

Operating Expenses grew by 10.1 per cent to N217.2 billion, as against N197.3 billion in 2018, well below average inflation rate within the period, a reflection of cost efficiency gains. But the lender’s gross earnings grew by 13.3 per cent to N559.8 billion, compared to N494.0 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2018.

The Bank’s total assets also grew significantly by 15.1 per cent to an unprecedented N5.6 trillion for the year under review.

This is the first time the Bank’s gross earnings and assets will respectively cross the N500 billion and N5 trillion marks. These results depict the Bank’s deepening of its pan-african business strategy, given the growth in the contribution of its 19 African subsidiaries to the Group’s net earnings and total assets.

Ex-Nigeria Operations’ contributed 46 per cent to the Group’s Profit Before Tax (PBT) in the year under review. In addition, UBA has been deploying innovative lifestyle products to expand its market share across Sub-Saharan Africa, leveraging its presence in the United Kingdom, United States of America and France, to build a true Africa’s Global Bank, facilitating trade and capital flows between Africa and the rest of the world.

In its tradition of rewarding shareholders, the Bank proposed a final dividend of 80 kobo for every ordinary share of 50 kobo for the financial year ended December 31, 2019. The final dividend which is subject to the affirmation of the shareholders at its Annual General Meeting will bring the total dividend for the year to N1.00, as the Bank had paid an interim dividend of 20 kobo earlier in the year.

UBA recorded a remarkable 20.2 per cent growth (to N2.1 trillion) in loans to customers, whilst the customer deposits increased by 14.4 per cent to N3.8 trillion, compared to N3.3 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2018. This reflects increased customer confidence, enhanced customer experience, early wins from the ongoing business transformation programme and the deepening of its retail banking franchise.

Commenting on the result, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Kennedy Uzoka noted that the year 2019 was important for UBA Group, as it gained further market share in most of its countries of operation. “The year 2019 was a very remarkable one for UBA given the adverse market developments.

Nonetheless, we achieved sizable growth in the balance sheet and earnings, even as we reposition the Bank for the future. Gross earnings crossed the N500 billion thresholds to N559billion, whilst total assets also crossed the N5 trillion marks for the first time to N5.6 trillion.

“Our strategy remains centred around unparalleled service to our esteemed customers. Accordingly, we are making significant investments in a technology-driven transformation journey. We have recorded early gains as shown in the 39per cent growth in electronic banking income to N38.8bn in 2019 from N27.9bn in 2018. Our businesses are gaining commendable share in their markets across regions in Africa, as we deepen the scale and scope of our operations”, Uzoka said.

https://metrostarng.com/2020/03/02/2019-an-important-year-for-uba-gmd-ceo-kennedy-uzoka/[sup][/sup]

Politics / Lagos Taskforce Demolishes Mile 2 Shanties by Metrostarng: 1:12pm On Mar 02, 2020
https://metrostarng.com/2020/03/02/lagos-taskforce-demolishes-mile-2-shanties/


Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce), in an over-night enforce[sup][/sup]ment exercise, has removed some illegal structures comprising of shanties, mechanic workshops, containarised kiosks and commercial bus garages around Government Public Schools at Mile 2, Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, who led the enforcement team disclosed that before the removal exercise owners and occupants of these illegal structures, containarised kiosks and bus garage were served a 7-day ‘Removal Notice’ to vacate the entire area as well as the vicinity of the schools within the stipulated period.

CSP Egbeyemi stated further that the removal exercise was sequel to numerous complaints and petitions by residents, particularly management of the Public Schools (Imoye High School and Amuwo Odofin Junior Secondary School) that criminal elements have turned the area into hideouts/spots for carrying out their nefarious activities thereby making the environment unpleasant for living or learning.

According to him “these removed illegal structures/shanties were identified for harbouring criminal elements who rob unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables and also serve as an outlet for the sales of illegal hard drugs like Tramadol, Codeine, Skunk, Weed including mixed liquor to miscreants”.

“Lagos is the most populous state in Nigeria as well as its economic heartbeat. As such, the zero tolerance for all forms of crimes and criminality by the present administration would be sustained” Egbeyemi added.

He restated that owners/occupiers of these illegal business structures like mechanics, food/fruits vendors and others have turned the entire area into an eye-sore as everywhere including the surroundings of public schools, are usually littered with refuse, used tyres/metals and abandoned vehicles/trucks amongst others.

The Chairman said the Agency swung into action upon the expiration of the removal notice in order to ensure the prompt clean-up of the environment as well as clampdown on the activities of criminally minded persons that have become a source of disturbance to law abiding Lagosians, especially residents of the area.

CSP Egbeyemi, therefore, implored all owners/occupants of illegal structures and shanties around public schools across the state to immediately remove them before the exercise reaches their various areas as anyone caught would be seriously dealt with in accordance with the law.

He, however, confirmed that the agency has commenced the verification of the claim of those affected but with legal documentation for the payment of monetary compensation as approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

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Sports / Breaking: Medical Doctor Slumps, Dies During Nigeria-argentina Match by Metrostarng: 9:46am On Jun 27, 2018
The tense moments of Tuesday’s Nigeria – Argentina match have led to the death of a Nigerian medical doctor in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

The consultant family physician, whose identity was not available at press-time, was said to have slumped and died during the match.

More details, click https://metrostarng.com/2018/06/27/breaking-news-medical-doctor-slumps-dies-during-nigeria-argentina-match/

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