FRCN, Lagos Operations starts 2025 with prayers....as clerics urge employees to be thankful at all times

  

It was a special day at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Lagos Operations as the Management and staff prayed for God's mercy and guidance as they started the new year.

The programme which started with praises, prayers and thanksgiving to God, saw everyone go spiritual.

Two Clerics, Utaz Abdullateef Olatunde and Venerable Oladehinde Olotu, who gave words of admonition urged staff to always be thankful no matter the challenges they face at work and home.

Starting the programme was the Islamic prayer presided over by Ustaz Abdulateef Olatunde, an employee of the Cooperation.

Ustaz Olatunde called on Allah to grant the Organization and its employees all-around blessing in 2025, and " prayed against a repeat of the unfortunate fire incident that gutted a section of the broadcasting house last year ".

There was a praise and worship session led by the Manager of News, on Radio One, Mrs. Iyabo Adoderin.

Delivering the Words of exaltation, an Anglican Priest, the Venerable Oladeinde Olotu advised employees to embrace the act of gratitude and thank God in all things for him to continue to bless them.

The Cleric who spoke on the topic "Be thankful and bless his name", from Psalm 100 verse 4 b, said that, " the fact the workers still retained their jobs and are alive to witness another year, are good enough reasons to give thanks to God ". he advised 

Intercessory prayers for various intentions for the good of the workers, the organization and the nation were offered.

In the course of the service, a moment of silence was observed in honour of some staff members who died last year.

The Thanksgiving Service which is still ongoing is being attended by Director Lagos Operations, Mrs. Bolanle Owoyemi and her management team.

In her remarks, the DLO, Mrs Bolanle Owoyemi Charged staff members with loyalty to the organization and commitment to duties, praying that the Almighty God will bring them good tidings in 2025.

They include the Deputy Director of News and Current Affairs, Fred Shaka-Braimah, Deputy Director of New Media, Julie Ekong, General Manager, of Radio One, Korede Ogunbumi and the newly promoted Assistant Director Procurement, Benjamin Igute.

NIMR set to tackle Human Metapneumovirus .... as WHO recommends wearing a mask to reduce spread

The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) says, as Nigeria's foremost research agency, it is prepared to tackle any outbreak including the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, if the need arises.

The Director -General, NIMR, Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa gave assurance at the heal of the outbreak of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, saying, "We wish to assure the general public that the Institute is fully prepared ". 

Professor Obafunwa explained that NIMR is in close contact with and will collaborate with relevant government agencies and institutions as the nation intensifies efforts to strengthen its preparedness for all health emergencies. 

He says, " NIMR also aligns with the views and positions already expounded by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). " We hereby enjoin the public to adhere to the public health advisory enunciated by the agency. " 

It will be recalled that, on Tuesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said, it is in contact with Chinese health officials and has not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV).

In its latest disease outbreak report on HMPV, WHO says a report from Chinese authorities indicated that the country's health care system is not overwhelmed and that no emergency declarations or responses have been triggered. 

“In many countries of the Northern Hemisphere, trends in acute respiratory infections are on the rise at this time of year. These increases are typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, RSV, and other common respiratory viruses, including hMPV, as well as mycoplasma pneumonia".

" The co-circulation of multiple respiratory pathogens during the winter season can sometimes cause an increased burden on health care systems treating sick persons,” WHO says.

WHO however recommends that individuals in areas where it is winter take normal precautions to prevent the spread and reduce risks posed by respiratory pathogens, especially to the most vulnerable. 

" People with mild symptoms should stay home to avoid infecting other people and rest, adding that, those at high risk or with complicated or severe symptoms should seek medical care as soon as possible. 

Advising Individuals to consider wearing a nose mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, they should cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or bent elbow, practice regular hand-washing, and get recommended vaccines as per physician and local public health authorities.

WHO advises Member States to maintain surveillance for respiratory pathogens through an integrated approach, considering country context, priorities, resources and capacities.

Based on the current risk assessment, WHO advises against any travel or trade restrictions related to current trends in acute respiratory infections.

According to the US Centre for Disease Control, " the Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) can cause upper and lower respiratory disease in people of all ages, especially among young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems" WHO warns.

Three children of the same parents die mysteriously...as the Nise community mourns.

If the popular adage that says " wonders shall never end " is anything to go by, then can best describe the incident which happened in Nise, Awka Local government area of Anambra State, where three children of the same parents were found dead.
Radio Nigeria reports that the cause of the incident which occurred over the weekend remains a mystery to the entire residents of the area.  
According to an eyewitness account, " the children, two boys, and one girl were found lifeless inside a vehicle parked in their parent's compound ".
The report says, "The parents of the deceased children had lived without any child for many years after their marriage until eight years ago when God blessed them with a male child.
Two years after, the second son arrived then followed by their last daughter four years ago".
When the couple left for the day's activities on Saturday, 4th January 2025, little did they know that it would be the last time they would set an eye on their children alive.
An Indigene of Ara village, Nise, narrated that " the father of the deceased children came back and started looking for his children but could not find them within the compound.
"Having searched for them over an hour, his eyes flashed to the car long parked, and there he saw the three children lying helpless " the report says
He quickly opened the vehicle doors only to notice that their children, two boys, and one girl were all suffocated and lifeless.
The Leader of Nise Vigilante Group who did not want his name mentioned, told Radio Nigeria that immediately after he got the news, they notified the DPO in charge of the area and mobilized to the scene where the bodies had been evacuated.
According to him, preliminary investigation and checks conducted alongside Police personnel showed that there was no element of strangulation, bruc,e or manhandling signs on the bodies of the children contrary to some media reports that insinuate they were killed.
Also speaking, the President General of the Community, Chief Anthony Nwabuana while describing the incident as disheartening, said the people have been devastated by the development.
Chief
Nwabuana and the Security boss used the medium to advise parents and guardians to always leave their wards in the hands of adult before leaving the house to avoid such ugly incident.
When Radio Nigeria arrived at the scene, the gate to the compound was under lock while neighbors narrated that the couple traveled on Sunday after burying the three children.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga said, the command has received the report and is already investigating.
He noted that meanwhile the father of the children has been interviewed and the command working with the necessary information provided.
The PPRO said further development shall be communicated to journalists, as the Nise community is still in shock over the unfortunate incident". Ndeke reports.
By Uche Ndeke.

LSG: Family Planning: key to economic stability.... as TCI addresses documentation gaps in FP in 2025

Proper family planning based on economic capacity by spacing pregnancies to recover health-wise and financially in a way that the woman would have rested enough before the next pregnancy is the way to go.

This will give time for family self-care, and financial stability.

The advice was given by the Chairperson, Interfaith Public Health Advocacy Lagos, Dr. Ajoke Ashiru, at a meeting put together for journalists by the FPLagos Media Advocacy Forum, supported by TCI, where it spelt out the organization’s efforts to increasing family planning uptake.

“If you can take care of three children, no problem. If it’s two, plan wisely so that it doesn’t negatively impact your family’s health or finances,” she advised 

Deputy Director, Health Education, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mrs Esther Samuel, who gave details of government efforts at promoting family planning through training, community outreaches, and provision of essential consumables noted that, the ministry run jingles on radio and television from time to time, conduct health outreaches, and train healthcare workers to ensure quality services.

" These initiatives aim to increase awareness and encourage uptake,” Samuel explained.

On it's part, the Challenge Initiative (TCI) outlined the importance of community mobilization, training, and demand generation in promoting sustainable growth in family planning (FP) awareness and adoption across Lagos State saying that, TCI had done a lot in that regard. 

According to the State Programme Manager, Dr. Omotunde Odanye, “We have conducted extensive community mobilization to ensure greater acceptance of family planning in Lagos.

" A lot of mobilizers have been trained, and their capacities have been enhanced to engage with communities effectively, adding that, " Demand generation is critical, but it must be matched with adequate supply, which is why we ensure there are no stock-outs of family planning commodities across facilities,” Dr. Odanye stated.

TCI's strategy focuses on deploying trained mobilizers to areas with the greatest need and integrating family planning education into other health services. 

According to Odanye, “Mobilizers engage women accessing other health services, educating them about family planning options. " If a woman decides to adopt a method, she can immediately access the service.”

Efforts also target those who may delay their decision. “Even if the decision is postponed, the women leave with accurate information and resources to access services when they are ready,” Odanye added. 

Highlighting the initiative's broader impact, Odanye noted, “Our mobilization efforts often extend beyond our supported facilities. A woman might receive a referral in one location but end up accessing services elsewhere.

This according to Odanye demonstrates the far-reaching effects of our community engagement and media campaigns.”

Part of the highlight indicates that, TCI partnered with local health committees, educators, and media organizations to address misconceptions about family planning. 

“We work with voluntary health committees, social mobilization groups, and media platforms like television, radio, and social media to ensure accurate information reaches the public,” Odanye explained.

Despite significant progress, sustaining the gains remains a priority, stating , “We’ve seen remarkable improvements in family planning uptake, but we must intensify our efforts to prevent any decline.

 The safety and well-being of Lagos State depend on it,” Odanye emphasized.

As TCI looks to 2025, it plans to build on its success by addressing documentation gaps, supervise service delivery, and ensure measurable results. “Our strategies are effective, and we intend to sustain and improve them to achieve even greater results next year,” Odanye stated.

NCC Approves Tariff Increase for Telecom Companies; To Take Effect from January 2025

 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a long-awaited increase in telecommunications tariffs, bringing to an end over a decade of lobbying by major operators such as MTN Nigeria, Airtel, and 9Mobile. The new rates for calls, SMS, and internet bundles will take effect in January 2025, with tariffs expected to rise by up to 40%.

Under the revised structure, call charges will increase from ₦11 to ₦15.40 per minute. The cost of SMS will rise from ₦4 to ₦5.60, and a 1GB data bundle will now cost at least ₦1,400, up from ₦1,000. The NCC has promised to provide more details in an upcoming official announcement, emphasizing that these adjustments balance industry proposals with public interests.

“This will benefit both subscribers and operators, as we have considered feedback from all stakeholders,” stated an NCC spokesperson.

Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, recognized the need for this adjustment, citing economic pressures during a recent interview on Arise TV. Meanwhile, the NCC is mindful of not overburdening subscribers, having previously rejected a proposed price hike from Starlink in October 2024.

This tariff increase comes at a time when food inflation stands at 39.93%, raising concerns about potential reductions in internet usage in a country focused on digital inclusion. However, the financial strain on telecom operators has been significant, with MTN Nigeria reporting a loss of ₦514.9 billion in the first nine months of 2024, following a ₦137 billion loss in 2023. Additionally, Airtel Africa faced $89 million in losses for FY 2024, mainly due to challenges in Nigeria.

Gbenga Adebayo, President of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), supports this tariff increase. He argues that cost-reflective tariffs will encourage investment and enhance service quality over the long term.

Press Release: Niger Republic’s Military Leader’s Allegations Against Nigeria Are Baseless - FG

Press Release

Niger Republic’s Military Leader’s Allegations Against Nigeria Are Baseless - FG 

The Federal Government of Nigeria strongly rejects allegations made in a viral video by the military leader of Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, claiming non-existent collusion between Nigeria and France to destabilize his country.

These claims exist solely in the realm of imagination, as Nigeria has never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France - or any other country - to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilize the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership of that country. 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), as Chairman of ECOWAS, has demonstrated exemplary leadership, keeping the doors of the sub-regional body open to re-engaging Niger Republic despite the political situation in the country. Nigeria remains committed to fostering peace, harmony, and historic diplomatic ties with Niger.

Nigeria’s Armed Forces, in collaboration with partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force, are succeeding in curbing terrorism within the region. It is, therefore, absurd to suggest that Nigeria would conspire with any foreign power to undermine the peace and security of a neighboring country. 

Neither the Nigerian government nor any of its officials has ever been involved in arming or supporting any terror group to attack Niger Republic. Furthermore, no part of Nigeria has been ceded to any foreign power for subversive operations in Niger Republic. We reiterate our full support to senior Nigerian government officials for their untiring commitment to fostering peace and security between the government and the people of Nigeria and Niger and for their efforts towards stronger cooperation in the ECOWAS region.

Indeed, Nigeria has a long-standing tradition of safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Unlike some nations, Nigeria has never permitted foreign powers to establish military bases on its soil. This demonstrates our commitment to national independence and regional leadership. 

 

The accusation that Nigeria seeks to sabotage Niger’s pipelines and agriculture is both unfounded and counterproductive. Nigeria has consistently supported Niger’s economic development through joint energy and infrastructure projects, such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project. It is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would undermine initiatives it has actively promoted. 

The claims about the alleged establishment of a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, purportedly orchestrated by Nigeria in collaboration with France, are baseless. Nigeria has been a regional leader in combating terrorism, dedicating significant resources and lives to ensure stability in the Lake Chad Basin and beyond. 

 

Recently, the Nigerian military launched Operation Forest Sanity III, specifically addressing the Lakurawa threat, Code Named Operation Chase Lakurawa Out. How can a government actively fighting the Lakurawa menace now be accused of harboring the same group within its borders? These accusations lack credible evidence and seem to be part of a broader attempt to deflect attention from Niger’s internal challenges.

   

The public is urged to disregard these false allegations. Those making such claims, particularly the Military Leader in Niger Republic, must provide credible evidence to substantiate them. Any attempt to blackmail Nigeria over ECOWAS’s principled stance against the unconstitutional seizure of power in the Niger Republic is both disingenuous and doomed to fail.

 

In conclusion, President Tchiani’s allegations are not only unfounded but also a dangerous attempt to divert attention from his administration’s shortcomings. Nigeria remains committed to fostering regional stability and will continue to lead efforts to address terrorism and other transnational challenges. We urge Niger to focus on constructive dialogue and collaboration rather than peddling baseless accusations.

 

Mohammed Idris

Minister of Information and National Orientation,

Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

Thursday, December 26, 2024

A fire has destroyed a section of the plank market in Lagos.

Fire on Thursday razed a plank market at Pipeline Street in the Ikotun area of Lagos.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said the inferno affected four shops.

Oke-Osanyintolu said that the prompt response of the Agency’s Dolphin Response Team from Igando, and efficient coordination of other responders at the scene, curtailed the spread of fire to adjoining buildings.

According to him, preliminary investigations could not ascertain the cause of the fire at the time of reporting the incident.

The LASEMA permanent secretary also disclosed that there was no loss of lives and no injuries were sustained as a result of the incident.

This followed a report of another fire outbreak at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, FIIRO, office in Oshodi earlier in the day.

LASEMA confirmed that the fire ignited as a result of overheating of the generator.

The fire was also curtailed and there was no loss of life due to the incident and no injuries were sustained.