By Gistflash News

July 4, 2021

Scores of residents escaped death at Totoro area in Abeokuta metropolis on Sunday after a tanker laden with diesel fell at the roundabout spilling its content on the road.

Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, Spokesman, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta said that the incident happened at 9.50 a. m.

Akinbiyi said that rescue operations are ongoing by the operatives of TRACE, Federal Road Safety Corps, State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The TRACE spokesman attributed the accident, which happened when residents were heading to places of worship, to brake failure.

He urged motorists and other road users to remain calm and cooperate with traffic and safety managers at the scene of the incident.

Akinbiyi said that traffic had been re-routed for those coming from Sapon and Totoro axis going to Lafenwa and those coming from Lafenwa going to Sapon and Totoro axis to follow the same lane, as rescue operation continued.

NAN

By Gistflash News

June 30, 2021

The Senate on Wednesday passed the Firearms Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2021 raising the fine for illegal importation and sale of firearms from N1,000 to N1 million.

The Bill was passed after it considered the report of its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

Presenting the report, Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Michael Bamidele, said “the fine was pegged at N1,000 in the extant Act which was not punitive enough to deter illegal importation and sale of firearms.’’

Section 35 of the Bill was also amended to impose a fine of N3 million or imprisonment for three years or both on anyone who failed to surrender illegal firearms to relevant authorities whenever so directed.

“Clause 39 of the Bill, which deals with power to seize and destroy confiscated illegal firearms, was amended to provide for inclusion of other law enforcement agencies besides the Police and the military.

“This is necessary because the power to confiscate or seize illegal firearms should be all-inclusive and not limited to a particular arm of force or law enforcement agency,’’ Bamidele said.

The Bill also amended Sub-clauses (4) and (5) of Clause 39 to allow firearms that are not of military serviceable grades but are serviceable to be deployed for use by Civilian Joint Task Forces and registered vigilance groups.

This has to be done with the approval and supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser, however.

“This is important because these joint task forces are also funded by the government,’’ Bamidele stressed.

He noted that the Bill had become imperative in view of the proliferation of firearms and the security challenges the country was faced with.

NAN

By Gistflash News

June 30, 2021

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State Branch, has inaugurated Doctor’s Intelligent Digital Identity Card Management Service in Enugu State to check activities of medical quacks within the state.

The NMA unveiled over 1,000 intelligent digital identity cards to be distributed to its members in Enugu State free.

The association also launched its Enterprise, Global Doctor’s e-Registry and intelligent transactional Doctor’s platform.

Speaking at the unveiling on Tuesday in Enugu, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Ikechukwu Obi, said that the intelligent systems would eliminate activities of quacks in the medical profession.

“Professionally, the innovative initiatives being launched today will go a long way to ensure only qualified medical personnel serve our people.

“It is obvious that qualitative healthcare delivery comes from qualified medical professionals.

“I must thank Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for improving all health indicators of the state and creating an enabling environment for healthcare professionals especially medical doctors to strive,” he said.

Prof. Obinna Onodugo, Chief Medical Director of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, said that the digital system marked a milestone in the upgrade of medical services in the state and country at large.

Onodugo said that the teaching hospital would key into the platform to see to a sanitised medical profession.

“The present NMA executive in Enugu State have done well in restoring peace, coming out with impactful technological innovation and promoting overall welfare of its members,” he said.

Dr Monday Igwe, Medical Director of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, applauded the NMA for using technology and evidence-based approaches to sort out challenges of the association.

“We laud the present NMA Executive of the state for such an innovation meant to cleanse the system,” Igwe, who was represented by Dr Vincent Ubochi, Head of Clinical Services, said.

In a goodwill message, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Aliyu, said that the police was ever ready to assist the NMA flush out quacks in the system.

“However, the police and other sister security agencies needed more sensitisation on how the digital identity card works and how to easily identify a quack,” Aliyu, who was represented by CSP Isi Ijiomah, Officer-in-charge Medicals, said.

Earlier, Dr Jude Onyia, Chairman of NMA Enugu State Branch, said that the issue of quackery had persisted for many years in the profession, adding that the end of quacks manipulation in the system had come.

“The activities of quacks had led to many deaths and low healthcare delivery especially in the hinterland and remote areas of the state.

“With the digital and intelligent identity card and the assistance of security agencies, the association will rid the state of quack doctors.

“The other platforms launched today will assist doctors on international assignments and duty tours as well,” he said.

NAN