Herdsmen seek inclusion in FG’s health programmes

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has appealed to the Federal Government to include pastoralists in its health programmes to avoid transfer of diseases from humans to animals.

The National Secretary of the association, Alhaji Baba Ngelzarma, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

Ngelzarma who expressed regret over the neglect of the livestock sector, said that pastoralists were not usually considered  while designing government health programmes.

The national secretary said that the population of pastoralists and herdsmen across the country was over 30 million and should not be neglected in any government programme.

“Pastoralists do not benefit from government health programmes. Today, if they are sick, they only go to the patent medical stores in nearby communities to get treated.

Lassa fever: Lagos urges calm as three test positive

Officials confirmed yesterday three more cases of  Lassa fever in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial and business honeypot.

But the state government urged residents not to panic as it is on top of the situation.

Two persons infected with the disease have died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH),  Idi-Araba. A resident doctor who participated in the autopsy on the cases got infected.

Yesterday, three of the 100 people being traced in connection with the treatment of the cases were declared positive after tests.

The three, like the doctor, are being treated at the hospital’s isolation ward.

Four people were quarantined for clinical analysis in Yobe State, according to Commissioner for Health  Dr Bello Kawuwa.

Senate to change name of Nigerian Police Force to Nigerian Police

The Nigerian Senate has pushed for the change of name from the Nigerians Police Force to simply the Nigerian Police. This is part of the recommendations in the 29 bills approved by the Senate in the ongoing Constitution amendment process.

Some stakeholders in the security sector have claimed that the if the word force is removed from the Nigerian Police, it will better drive home the reality that the police is really “your friend”  especially because friends don’t need force, like the military, in relating with fellow friends.

However, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, while commending his colleagues for job well done, said that the senate has laid the foundation for a new and better Nigeria by approving the 29 bills in the ongoing Constitution amendment process.

Police

Saraki who spoke at the closing of electronic voting on the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria commended his colleagues for passing the recommended amendments.

Salary arrears in states will soon be history — Segun Oni

Mr Segun Oni, Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that the salary arrears syndrome across most states of the federation will soon be a history.

According to a statement signed by Mr Edegbe Odemwingie, APC Assistant Director, Publicity, Oni said this when a UK Member of Parliament for Edmonton, Kate Osamor, visited the APC national leadership on Wednesday in Abuja.

Oni said that the Federal Government was working hard to totally eliminate the problem, adding that the bulk of arrears owed workers in some states, had been paid through the bailout funds.

“We are doing something which people have not recognised as a cardinal signature of the progressives; we are trying to eradicate salary arrears.

“Past governments, particularly at the state levels owed salaries and this administration has been trying to help them (states) pay the arrears.

Lack of training frustrating us, resident doctors cry out

According to Punch Newspapers, the National Association of Resident Doctors on Wednesday lamented that the Federal Government was frustrating resident doctors due to lack of training.

The doctors, at the National Executive Council meeting held in Calabar, Cross River State, also alleged that Federal Government’s insincerity has often forced resident doctors to seem indifferent to patients’ conditions.

The National President of NARD, Dr. John Onyebueze, who stated this after the meeting, said Nigerian doctors were rated among the best in the world.

He accused the Federal Government of not funding the training of doctors, which has frustrated the profession in the country.

[PHOTOS] PDP govs, others meet Buhari in London

According to Punch Newspapers, seven state governors on Wednesday met ailing President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

The team was led by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and the Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari.

Other governors on the delegation include Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Umar Ganduje (Kano), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).

Here are the photos of the visit.

Experts uncover evidence of ancient Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians

Archaeologists excavating the City of David in Israel’s Jerusalem Walls National Park have uncovered charred wood, grape seeds, pottery, fish scales and bones and numerous rare artifacts that date back to the city’s demise at the hands of the Babylonians more than 2,600 years ago.

Among the findings, which depict the affluence and character of ancient Jerusalem, capital of the Judean Kingdom, were dozens of jars used to store grain and liquids. Many of them have stamped handles and seals that depict a rosette.