President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday unveiled the newly
reconstructed Institute of Maternal And Child Health popularly known as Ayinke
House located within the premises of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital
(LASUTH) in Ikeja, describing it as a critical and timely intervention by the
State Government in the health sector.
Ayinke House, which is Nigeria’s biggest Maternity Hospital,
was upgraded from an 80-bed facility to a 170-bed healthcare centre with
state-of-the-art medical equipment, as well as information technology services.
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Aside the entourage of the President which included
Ministers and Special Advisers, Governors of Ogun (Ibikunle Amosu ), Oyo
(Abiola Ajimobi), Ondo (Oluwarotimi Akeredolu), Ekiti (Kayode Fayemi), Jubrila
Bindow, Adamawa, Acting Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu; Lagos State
Governor-Elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Oba of
Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, among others were in attendance.
The President, who landed at the Presidential Wing of
Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja at about 10: 45am, arrived at
Ayinke House about 15 minutes later, after which he unveiled the project, and
also embarked on comprehensive tour of the facility.
Speaking at the event, the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi
Ambode described the development as historic, expressing optimism that the
facility would provide world class childbirth and maternal care services to
Lagosians and Nigerians at large.
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Recalling how the journey began, Governor Ambode said the
facility was commissioned exactly 29 years ago, with the late businessman and
philanthropist, Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony donating the first dedicated maternal
and child care facility to the State Government, in memory of his mother; hence
the christened name “Ayinke House”.
He said the hospital, which started with just one surgical
theatre soon assumed a life of its own as a first-class childbirth and maternal
care centre in the health sector of Nigeria as well as first choice for
expectant mothers.
However, the Governor said the hospital later became
over-stretched beyond capacity and somehow obsolete, while in recognition of
the need to sustain Bank-Anthony’s philanthropy, the State Government, during
the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola who is now the Minister
of Power, Works and Housing, awarded the contract for the expansion and
reconstruction of the facility.
“Today, seven years after the closure of the facility, the
new edifice is now a 170-bed facility with 5 surgical theatres. It has a 16-bed
emergency care units with 3 organ support facilities, 30 bed special baby care
unit, 5 neo-natal intensive care units, a fully equipped laboratory with
support services, laboratories and a blood bank.
“Beyond the significance for the health sector, this
institute is a major contribution to our education sector also; as it becomes a
veritable platform for our medical students in the State University to enhance
their exposure and experience with the top-class medical equipment provided,”
Governor Ambode said, just as he revealed that Ayinke House had also been
completely digitalised with state-of-the-art medical equipment as well as
information technology services supported by the State Ministry of Science and
Technology.
He said in view of President Buhari’s determination of
making universal and basic primary healthcare as one of the cardinal priorities
of his administration, the State Government, under him, had consciously worked
to bring quality, affordable and modern healthcare to all our citizenry, among
other initiatives in the health sector.
“Just last year, we launched the Lagos State Health
Insurance scheme to allow residents access top quality medical care with a
little contribution and support from the State government.
“These and other efforts are directed at improving the lives
of our people, especially the women and children; and by extension the
productivity of our nation,” he said.
While congratulating President Buhari on his resounding
victory at the recent presidential election, Governor Ambode thanked him for
finding time to personally commission Ayinke House and other projects in the
State, adding that the completion of the projects would not have been possible
without the President’s support, administrative direction and encouragement.
Besides, Governor Ambode commended the Management and Staff
of the State’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, LASUTH
as well as contractors for working round the clock and their enthusiasm in
getting the project completed.
Similarly, the President also commissioned the 500-seater Lagos
Theatre in Oregun, Ikeja. The ultra modern theatre is one of the four
simultaneously constructed by the Ambode administration to increase arts spaces
and create standard platforms for talented citizens of the State to showcase
their skills.
The President who arrived the venue at exactly 11:30am was
treated to a live dance performance by a young group of talented artist before
taking his leave.
The Governor said the three other theatres with the same
specifications are also ready for commissioning in Igando, Badagry and Epe.
The prophetic Hall of fame, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry, Lagos has reiterated that the former governor of Kogi state, Yaya Bello is a heartless, callous and wicked criminal that shouldn’t be allowed to go unpunished.
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This is coming after the latest revelation that Bello withdrew $720k from the state funds to pay for his child’s school fees in advance by the EFCC chairman.
The handsome prophet who was visibly annoyed with the revelation by the EFCC boss said ” yaya Bello don pocket Kogi people so Tay e dey take them play football, this is wickedness,you have embezzled to the level that you don’t even know what else to use to embezzle anymore that you had to withdrew $720k for your child’s school fees in advance,you should be ashamed of yourself”.
He praised the EFCC chairman for doing a good job and helping the nation to recover her looted resources.He praised the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for helping the nation in the fight against corruption.
The prophetic Hall of fame, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry, Lagos has blasted the former governor of Kogi state, Yaya Bello for evading arrest and making nasty comments about the government and EFCC.
The prophet was visibly angry that Bello went into hiding and started attacking the government and EFCC with nasty words.He said “yaya Bello does not have respect for elders,in facts he’s not fit to contest for any political position in Nigeria or hold any political position in Nigeria anymore, he’s a real criminal,yet, he’s still talking, he doesn’t not have respect for elders.Ododo should also be punished for aiding a criminal”
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Bello was declared wanted by EFCC after evading arrest, he’s been on fugitive since then,many people advised him to submit himself for investigations and clarifications.Nigerians are eagerly waiting to see how this saga will end.
Nigeria Launches New Fiscal Incentives to Revitalise Oil & Gas Sector, Aiming to Attract $10 Billion Investment
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… as FG endorses consolidated guidelines
Sahara Weekly Reports That Today, in a move to further revitalise the oil and gas industry’s contribution to the Nigerian Economy, Wale Edun, OFR, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, presided over a signing ceremony at the Federal Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja endorsing the Consolidated Guidelines for the implementation of Fiscal Incentives for the Oil & Gas Sector – a cornerstone of the Presidential Directive aimed at enhancing the Nigerian oil & gas sector’s global competitiveness whilst stimulating economic growth.
As disclosed during the signing, the Presidential Directives were developed and coordinated by the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen to ensure a competitive framework for the Nigerian oil & gas industry. These Consolidated guidelines for the fiscal incentives are based on extensive collaboration across Finance and Petroleum Ministries and involved several key regulatory bodies including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
According to Mrs. Verheijen, these new measures have been designed to deliver a competitive Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for Oil & Gas Projects and attract over $10 billion in new investments within the next 12-18 months. They also underscore Nigeria’s commitment to reaching its long term oil production target of 4 million barrels per day whilst enhancing the reliability of gas supply for to boost export earnings and fuel Nigeria’s industrialization.
Mrs. Verheijen disclosed that among the guidelines signed were the NUPRC Guideline on Hydrocarbon Liquids Content in a Non-Associated Gas (NAG) Field, essential for accurately categorising and quantifying the hydrocarbon liquid content in these fields. Additional guidelines focused on the applicability of tax credits and allowances for Non-Associated Gas Greenfield Development and the Midstream Capital and Gas Utilization Allowance, providing taxpayers with clarity on the computation of these benefits.
HM Edun, in his remarks, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the directive in February 2024 to engender growth in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, which had stagnated for over the last decade. He also emphasised the potential of the guidelines, saying, “The idea is to create an atmosphere conducive to international competitiveness such that investment comes in. And in this case, we know it’s foreign direct investment”.
The signing ceremony was attended by various stakeholders, including NNPC Limited, Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), further highlighting Nigeria’s unified approach toward reinvigorating its oil and gas sector.
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