Maku and 6 others Quit Jonathan’s Cabinet * Delta Commissioners also Quit

Seven Ministers of President Jonathan’s cabinet have resigned to pursue their political ambitions in their respective States. The ministers who resigned their appointment are: Labaran Maku (Information); Onyebuchi Chukwu (Health); Nyesom Wike (State for Education); Samuel Ortom (State for Industry,Trade and Investment); Musiliu Obanikoro (State for Defence), Darius Ishiaku (State for Niger Delta) and Emeka Wogu (Labour). President Jonathan bids the ministers farewell and goodluck in their political ambitions. In Delta State, some Commissioners in Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s cabinet have also resigned their appointments. One of the commissioners who resigned from the cabinet is Michael Ifeanyi Osuoza (Commissioner for Special Duties – Project Monitoring) who is aspiring to contest for a seat in the State House of Assembly, told ehsnewsonline.com that, he resigned his appointment since 14th of October, 2014. Official statement by the Delta State Government officials is yet to be received by the press. -ehsnewsonline.com

Delta 2015: Tompolo shuns Uduaghan over Obuh’s Aspiration By David Eyitomi

As the political atmosphere heat up in Delta State for the Governorship election, some of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan political supporters have continued to disagree with him over the choice of his presumed candidate, Mr. Tony Obuh. Some of the aspirants from all the ethnic groups in the State who believe they are “Core Politicians” in the State said they are ready to take their fight to any length if Governor Uduaghan imposes Mr. Obuh on them. Politicians and community leaders who are kinsmen of the governor have also disagreed with him over the choice of the former Permanent Secretary. Just recently, the former warlord in the Niger-Delta struggle, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo walked out on Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan at the Presidential Villa during a meeting with him on who to succeed the Governor come 2015. It was learnt that Tomopolo who is a supporter of the governor disagreed with the governor, when he (Uduaghan) told him that he will like him (Tompolo) to support Mr Tony Obuh’s aspiration. It was said that the former warlord disagreed totally with the governor and walked-out on him. According to information gathered, Tompolo said, Obuh is too “Gentle” to occupy the position of the number one citizen of a State like Delta. Other aspirants in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the State are also threatening fire, if the governor goes ahead and impose Tony Obuh on them. Some threatened to switch over to other parties to pursue their aspiration and contest the governorship election. The politicians said that the Governor’s statement during the October 1, Independence Day celebration speaks volume. Some of them said that, for the governor to say that he knows those “that will not become governor, but he doesn’t know who will become governor”, shows that they (Politicians) should be ready for war. But few of the politicians are still beating their chests that they will be the PDP flag bearer at the forth coming primaries. The politicians said that they don’t have any personal grievances against Obuh as a person, but Governor Uduaghan should not impose him on them. One of the aspirants said that, “if Obuh wants to contest, he is free, but there must be a level playing ground for all.” He said any imposition by the governor, will be resisted at all cost. It was also gathered that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan tried to stop some Anioma indigenes, led by the traditional ruler of Asaba, Obi Chike Edozien from seeing President Goodluck Jonathan, but the governor failed in his attempt. The President met with the group collectively and met with Obi Edozien personally. From all indications, it is perceived that all is not well in Delta State politically. Supporters of Mr. Tony Obuh are also against the moves of some politicians who see their principal as a non politician, but as a pure technocrat who doesn’t understand the game of politics. They also vowed that, come rain, come shine, Mr Obuh’s aspiration will become a reality in 2015. Some of the aspirants contesting for the governorship position in Delta State are: Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, Hon. Victor Ochei, Hon. Sam Obi, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, Mr. Tony Obuh, Prof Sylvester Monye, Dr Festus Okubor, Barr. Ovie Omo-Agege and Chief Clement Ofuani. Others are: Chief Godswill Obielum, Hon Godsday Orubebe, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, Chief Peter Okocha, Prof Pat Utomi, Professor Saliba Umukoro, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Mr. Charles Emetulu, Mr. Paul Owumi and Hon Obaro Unuafe among others. As the battle for the governorship position thickens in Delta State, the primaries and the general elections will determine who the next governor of the State will be. The question is; will Governor Uduaghan have his way or not? Only time will tell what will happen in 2015. David Eyitomi (Delta Citizen) writes in from Abuja. -ehsnewsonline.com

Jonathan Orders Removal Of Offensive BringBackJonathan 2015 Campaign Banners

The Presidency in a statement on Wednesday said President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has directed that the #Bring Back Jonathan 2015 signs and banners around Abuja which he and many Nigerians find offensive and repugnant be brought down immediately. Reuben Abati, the President’s spokesman said, “President Jonathan wholly shares the widely expressed view that the signs which were put up without his knowledge or approval are a highly insensitive parody of the #Bring Back Our Girls hash tag. “While President Jonathan appreciates the enthusiastic show of support for his administration by a broad range of stakeholders, he condemns the #Bring Back Jonathan 2015 signs which appear to make light of the very serious national and global concern for the abducted Chibok girls.” The statement further said, “The President assures all Nigerians and the international community that his administration remains fully engaged with efforts to rescue the abducted girls and that he will not knowingly promote any actions that will fly in the face of the seriousness of their plight and the anguish of their families.” NAN

CBN put ATM Fee at N65

Business News:

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reinstated the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) transaction fees it scrapped some months back. The CBN announced the development in a note to banks dated August 13, 2014, pegging the new fee at N65 per transaction for withdrawals from ATMs not operated by the bank that issued the debit card. Cash withdrawals on the ATMs of issuing banks shall be at no cost to the card holder. The directive takes effect on September 01, 2014. The apex bank had in December 2012 suspended the payment of N100 fee per transaction by customers.

Nigeria to receive Ebola experimental drug from a Nigerian scientist; another death also recorded in Lagos

News:

By our correspondent in Abuja. The Nigerian Government said on Thursday that it is waiting to receive an experimental medicine called Nano Silver, for the treatment of the Ebola disease. The Minister of Health, Mr. Onyebuchi Chukwu in a briefing in Abuja said the experimental medicine which he said is expected to arrive Nigeria today, was facilitated by a Nigerian scientist in diaspora, but did not disclose the identity of the donor. Liberia Wednesday received doses of ZMapp, an experimental medicine, from the United States after the World Health organization (WHO) said it was ethical for experimental medicines to be administered on Ebola patients. The Minister further disclosed that some persons under close watch over fears that may have been infected by the virus “have been allowed to go home after completing the mandatory 21 days incubation period without showing any symptoms”, adding that the nurse that fled from quarantine in Lagos to Enugu did not show symptoms of the deadly disease when she traveled to Enugu. A statement issued clarifying the Minister’s earlier briefing said, “At the time she made the trip, she was yet to show any symptom and did not infect anyone on her way as transmission of the disease is only possible when a carrier of the virus becomes ill. However, she has since been brought back to Lagos. Before the return journey, she had become symptomatic and had to be conveyed to Lagos with her spouse in special ambulances. The husband is not symptomatic neither is he positive for Ebola Virus Disease but has been quarantined given the intimate contact with her while in Enugu. “It is therefore important to emphasise that there is no Ebola Virus Disease in Enugu. All cases are still confined to Lagos State. Also, reports of Ebola Virus Disease in Abia, Imo, Akwa Ibom and Anambra States as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have all been investigated and none of them was found to be Ebola Virus positive.” Over 1000 persons have been killed since the latest Ebola outbreak with Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone mostly hit. The full text of the statement from the Minister’s office is reproduced below: “Confirmed Cases Still 10, 4 Now Dead, No Ebola in Enugu, all Cases Confined to Lagos Nigeria has now recorded ten (10) confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Out of these, four (4) have died and six (6) are currently under treatment. (It is important to note that the number of confirmed cases remains ten (10) as at today and not eleven (11) as earlier announced this morning. We regret the error which arose from double counting in the process of communicating the additional death from the operational centre in Lagos to the Federal Ministry of Health). The fourth death recorded today was a Nigerian nurse who participated in the initial management of the index case. The total number of persons under surveillance in Lagos is now 169. These are all secondary contacts as all the primary contacts have completed the 21-day incubation period and have been delisted to resume their normal lives. Enugu State now has 6 persons under surveillance as 15 after complete evaluation were found not to have had contact with the nurse, a primary contact of the index case who became symptomatic and tested positive and is one of the 10 confirmed cases. The nurse who had been placed under surveillance in Lagos disobeyed the Incidence Management Committee and travelled to Enugu. At the time she made the trip, she was yet to show any symptom and did not infect anyone on her way as transmission of the disease is only possible when a carrier of the virus becomes ill. However, she has since been brought back to Lagos. Before the return journey, she had become symptomatic and had to be conveyed to Lagos with her spouse in special ambulances. The husband is not symptomatic neither is he positive for Ebola Virus Disease but has been quarantined given the intimate contact with her while in Enugu. It is therefore important to emphasise that there is no Ebola Virus Disease in Enugu. All cases are still confined to Lagos State. Also, reports of Ebola Virus Disease in Abia, Imo, Akwa Ibom and Anambra States as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have all been investigated and none of them was found to be Ebola Virus positive. On Monday the 11th August, 2014 the Honourable Minister of Health convened an Emergency National Council on Health (NCH) Meeting as Chairman, with the Minister of State for Health, the Commissioners for Health in the 36 States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. The meeting reviewed the state of preparedness of the country to contain the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease and resolved on actions to be taken. In furtherance of the national containment efforts, President Goodluck Jonathan himself convened a meeting of the 36 State Governors and the Minister of the FCTA, Commissioners for Health and the Secretary of Health of the FCTA on 13th August. The meeting was briefed by the Minister of Health, the Project Director of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Nigeria. The Governor of Lagos State also briefed the meeting on the situation in Lagos. Each State of the Federation and the FCTA reported on the status of their preparedness to prevent and mitigate the disease through their Commissioner of Health and the Secretary of Health in FCTA. The vast majority of the States were fully prepared while a few others are in the process of completing all the requirements. Since the last press briefing, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Labour and Productivity have met with the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to secure their buy-in on the strategy to contain the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak. The private sector stakeholders and Foundations are also showing interest in containing the EVD outbreak and here today, there will be a special announcement by the Dangote Foundation. It is also important to note the laboratories where specimen can be taken for laboratory analysis. They are: a. NCDC Laboratory at LUTH, Idi-Araba Lagos b. NCDC Laboratory at Asokoro, Abuja c. Redeemer’s University Laboratory, Lagos-Shagamu Express Way d. UCH Laboratory, Ibadan Let me once again reassure Nigerians that the Government is working hard to ensure the containment of the outbreak. Thank you. Dan Nwomeh Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister Federal Ministry of Health.” Meanwhile, Nigeria has recorded another death of Ebola victim. The the Victim who is a nurse died in a Lagos hospital where she was receiving treatment. The nurse was one of the nurses that had contact with the Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer that brought the virus into Nigeria.

FG sake 16,000 resident doctors

Breaking News:

President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday suspended the Residency Training Programme for medical doctors in Nigeria indefinitely and sacked Resident Doctors in all federal government owned institutions. The President’s directive follows the protracted industrial dispute between doctors under the auspices of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and the federal government over pay and poor funding for government owned health institutions. An internal memo to all heads of federal tertiary health institutions signed by the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, L.N. Awute, on behalf of the Minister of Health, directed them to sack all Resident Doctors in their facilities with immediate effect and directed that measures be taken to restore full medical services in their hospitals. A member of the board of the NMA has described the sack of resident doctors and the suspension of the Residency Programme as a knee jerk reaction to the dispute between the federal government and the NMA. In a reaction to the development, the official who asked not to be identified in this report said that an emergency session of delegates has been called by the NMA to deliberate on the development adding that a formal statement condemning the decision of the president will be issued momentarily. The official said the President targeted the weakest link amongst doctors by going after thousands of the residents adding that with their sack those hospitals no long qualify as teaching or specialist hospitals because you cannot operate them without residents and consultants. The official said: “It is just like you cannot have a school when there are no students and teachers”. The official also added that, “We have been through this before at least twice. Government never learns. The action of the President is disappointing. Instead of addressing the serious issues we want dealt with the President is escalating the problem”.

You Can't Give Me Ultimatum, Jonathan tells Northern Elders

News: By our correspondent.

President Goodluck Jonathan has replied the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) who gave him an ultimatum to produce the missing Chibok girls or forget about 2015 presidency. In statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, August 12, by the President’s Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, the presidency said he needs no ultimatum from anybody or group to live up to his responsibilities to the Nigerian people. Viewing the ultimatum with concern, the Presidency said the issue of insurgency, especially those based on Islamic extremism was not only a Nigerian problem but a global phenomenon which required tact, military capability, serious de-radicalisation techniques and community-based counter-insurgency programmes. He explained that the federal government was acquiring more advanced weapons and technologies for the military and security agencies and were improving on their operational capabilities and efficiencies which is why the government recently requested for an additional funding of $1 billion, adding that more military personnel have been drafted to the region to strengthen the fighting power of the security agents. “We are taking advantage of the offers from our international military and intelligence allies to assist in identifying key locations. We are working with our neighbours to secure the borders and limit the movements of the Boko Haram fighters, building on the agreements reached at the recent summits in Paris and London,” the statement read. The presidency said the government was also targeting the source of the insurgents’ fund with a view to stopping money inflow into the coffers of the terrorists. Rejecting the opinion of the northern elders that the crisis rocking the nation was engineered by the present administration to annihilate and weaken the North, the Presidency said with all the efforts and support of allies, they are closer to bringing the girls back safely.