Good Evening. Here is today’s News Brief from The Matrix:
1. Medical Personnel Receive Training On Geriatric Social Care
A group of 21 medical professionals from various tertiary healthcare centers across Nigeria recently completed a specialized training program focused on geriatric social care.
The training, organized by the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), aimed to equip healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the unique needs of senior citizens in the country.
Dr. Emem Omokaro, the Director-General of the NSCC, announced the completion of the training at a dinner event in Abuja.
She emphasized that this inaugural training session was a crucial step in developing a network of trained healthcare professionals who would subsequently share their expertise with colleagues within their respective facilities.
2. Taraba Deputy Governor Urges NEDC To Intervene On Collapsed Bridge
Alhaji Aminu Alkali, the Deputy Governor of Taraba State, has called on the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to intervene in the aftermath of the collapse of the Namnai bridge along the Jalingo-Wukari Federal Highway.
During a courtesy visit by the NEDC management team to Jalingo, Alkali highlighted the urgent need for assistance.
The bridge, which serves as a vital link between the North East and Southern regions of Nigeria, was damaged due to severe flooding in the area.
3. Man Charged With Trespassing, Assault In Abuja
A 61-year-old man, Johnson Sanda, appeared before a Wuse Magistrates’ Court in Abuja on Thursday to face charges of trespassing and assault.
It is alleged that Sanda, a resident of Mpapa, entered the compound of a widow without permission and physically harmed a security guard on duty.
The prosecution, represented by Mr. Donatus Abah, informed the court that the incident occurred on June 17th and was reported to the Mpapa Police Station by Benjamin Otilam.
According to the allegations, Sanda and two unidentified accomplices forcefully entered the widow’s property and attacked the security guard, causing him bodily harm.
4. Gender Inclusivity Essential for Operational Effectiveness in Armed Forces – Dabiri
Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), emphasized the importance of gender inclusivity in ensuring operational effectiveness within the armed forces.
Speaking at the Defence Headquarters Annual Gender Conference in Abuja, Dabiri-Erewa highlighted that gender equity is crucial for creating a work environment where both men and women can contribute effectively, particularly in the demanding context of the armed forces.
5. Federal Government Increases Matching Grants For Basic Education
The Federal Government has announced a significant increase in matching grants provided to state governments for infrastructure projects under the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program. The grants have been raised to N3.5 billion.
Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), made the announcement during a five-day financial training program for SUBEB Chairmen and Board Secretaries in Ibadan.
Bobboyi explained that the increased funding was made possible by the allocation of two percent of the consolidated revenue fund to basic education in Nigeria, as approved in the recently passed 2024 Appropriation Bill.
6. First Lady Encourages Parents To Register Children’s Births
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has urged parents to ensure that their children’s births are registered with the National Population Commission (NPC).
She stressed that birth registration is essential for accessing various government benefits and services.
Tinubu made this appeal during the official launch of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and UNICEF commemorative birth certificate program in Abuja.
The program aims to develop a strategic plan, mobilize support, and foster political commitment to accelerate birth registration as a vital component of civil registration and vital statistics systems in Nigeria.
7. MNJTF Arrests Suspects Supplying Insurgents
The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has apprehended two individuals suspected of providing illicit drugs, uniforms, and flag materials to Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) insurgents operating in the Lake Chad region.
Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the spokesperson for the MNJTF, announced the arrests in a statement issued in Maiduguri.
One of the suspects, whose name was not disclosed, was captured along the Kekeno-Cross Kauwa road in Borno State. A significant quantity of drugs, including 198 parcels of marijuana, was recovered during the operation.
8. COOU Generates N1.5 Million From Vegetable Sales
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) in Igbariam, Anambra State, has successfully generated over N1.5 million from the sale of vegetables in just three months.
Professor Kate Omenugha, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, announced this achievement during an organizational review report presented to the university’s Senate Chambers.
Omenugha emphasized that the university’s vision is to become a leading educational institution in the South East and beyond. She stressed the importance of adopting a private sector mindset to achieve this goal.
