FEDERAL ALLOCATION SHARED FOR JULY 2015

The Federal government, states and Local government have shared N511.8bn as July 2015 revenue The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), yesterday, distributed the sum of N511.799 billion to the three tiers of government for the month of July 2015. Giving a breakdown of the amount shared, the permanent secretary, who is also the chairperson of the FAAC, Mrs Anastasia Nwoabia, revealed that the gross revenue of N433.584 billion which was received for the month of July was lower than the N485.952 billion received in the previous month of June 2015 by N52.368 billion. Nwoabia said that shut-down and shut-in of production for maintenance and emergency repairs as well as the declaration of a force majeure by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) were the major issues that negatively impacted the crude oil revenue. According to her, the federal government got N202.111 billion, representing 52.68 per cent of the total amount shared while state governments got N102.513 billion which is 26.72 per cent of the total revenue distributed. The local government councils got N79.033 billion which also represented 20.60 per cent of the total revenue shared for the month of July. She noted that there was also a revenue loss of $22.53 million as a result of the drop in average price of crude oil from $65.76 barrels per day (bpd) in May to $61.27 in June, 2015. Nwaobia stated that the distributable statutory revenue for the month is N433.584 billion, adding that the sum of N6.330 billion was refunded by the Nigerian national Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the federal government. She said that the present amount of money in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) is $2.257 billion. Also, there was an exchange gain of N6.409 billion which was proposed for distribution. She, therefore, put the total revenue distributable for the current month at N511.799 billion.

PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS SGF AND OTHERS

t President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of the following: Babachir David Lawal – Secretary to the Government of the Federation Abba Kyari – Chief of Staff to the President. Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) – Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service Kure Martin Abeshi – Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service Senator Ita S.J. Enang – SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) Hon. Suleiman A. Kawu – SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives) The appointments are with effect from today, August 27, 2015. Lawal, the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation hails from Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State. He graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree and worked with the Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Nigerian External Telecommunications Limited and Data Sciences Limited before establishing his own ICT and Telecommunications consulting firm in 1990. He is also a member of the Nigeria Computer Society, the Nigeria Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria. Abba Kyari, the new Chief of Staff to the President holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick in Law and Sociology. He has worked with the New Nigeria Development Company, New Africa Holdings, African International Bank, United Bank for Africa, Unilever, and Mobil in various capacities over the years. The new Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Ali, holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Criminology. He was military administrator of Kaduna State from 1996 to 1998. The new Comptroller- General of Immigration, Mr. Abeshi hails from Nasarawa State. He joined the Nigerian Immigration Service in 1989 as an Assistant Comptroller. His educational qualifications include a Masters Degree in Public Administration. We wish the appointees all the best in their appointments.

HOW 120 BILLION NAIRA IS SHARED

Contrary to the belief that the annual budget of the National Assembly is carted home by the 109 Senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives,an investigation by a leading Nigerian tabloid Vanguard has revealed that there are about 4,000 individuals, 145 committees, nine local and foreign bodies as well as four agencies that will share the N120 billion allocated to the federal legislature in the 2015 budget. Part of the money is also to be expended on capital expenditure, general services, packaging of public hearings, litigations, hiring of consultants, oversight functions and foreign and local travels. Documents obtained from the Ministry of Finance and the National Assembly late last week indicated that against the huge figures about funds available in the National Assembly, the current assembly has the smallest allocation of N120bn, which is just about 3% percent of the N4.5 trillion 2015 national budget and N30bn less than what was allocated to the same institution in the last five years. The reduction in budgetary allocation for the National Assembly this year was initiated by the lawmakers in response to the dwindling revenue of the federation. Sunday Vanguard discovered that 7,200 individuals draw salaries and allowances from the National Assembly and these include 109 Senators, 360 members of the Federal House of Representatives, 13 commissioners in the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), 3,208 members of staff of the commission and 337 members of the management staff, 3,024 legislative aides, seven members of board of the National Institute of Legislative Studies (NIALS) with 115 staff of the institute. Also, funds are allocated to servicing of the 54 Senate standing committees and 91 House of Representatives standing committees; the legislative institution also fulfills its financial obligations to bodies like the inter- Parliamentary Union, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Pan African Parliament, ECOWAS Parliament, African, Carribean and Pacific- EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, Shoora/Arab Parliament and National Conference of State Legislatures. From the fund, it was discovered that a senator gets a monthly salary of N1.4 million while his colleague in the House gets N1.1 million a month. The breakdown of the monthly salary include wardrobe allowance of N42,216 and N41,358 for Senator and Representative respectively; N337, 733 and N330,868 for Housing Allowance. Other components of the monthly salary include basic salary (N168, 866 for Senators and N165,435 for Reps), vehicle maintenance (N126,650 and N124,075), entertainment, utility, domestic staff, constituency, newspaper, recess and personal assistant. The salaries and allowances, are fixed by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) which is constitutionally charged with the responsibility of determining the remuneration appropriate for all political, judicial and public office holders. The National Assembly also spend money on General services which includes but not limited to maintenance of its huge complex, fueling of power generating plants, insurance of building, vehicles and other capital assets. Funds are allocated to purchase of utility vehicles, purchase of office equipment as well as rehabilitation and repairs of the National Assembly complex. Sunday Vanguard discovered that members of the National Assembly are not allocated funds for constituency projects. They are neither given funds to execute projects in their constituencies nor do they prequalify contractors for such projects. The practice is that, some relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the executive arm of government allow members of the National Assembly to indicate where certain projects should be sited in their constituencies. The procurement processes as well as funding for these projects remain functions of the executive.

UN SECRETARY GENERAL VISITS NIGERIA

The United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, is scheduled to begin a two-day official visit to Nigeria on Sunday. Ban is expected, to among others, meet with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock Villa on Monday. An itinerary released by the UN Information Centre, Lagos disclosed that during the visit, he will hold talks with state governors on Sunday. The dialogue with the governors, the itinerary showed, will hold under the theme: `Pathways to a New Nigeria – the Role of Sub- national Governments.’ The programme also showed that the UN scribe will lay a wreath in memory of persons who died at the UN House bombing in 2012 as part of activities to mark the 4th anniversary of the unfortunate incident. Ban would later in the day have lunch with members of the business community. The lunch time conversation will be on: `The role of Nigeria business and the economy in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and addressing climate change”. He is also billed to take part in series of activities, including a visit to immunization centres and a dialogue on democracy, human rights and countering violent extremism, before departing Nigeria later on Monday.

REMEMBERING ADADEVOH; THE NIGERIA'S EBOLA STORY

About a year ago, Ebola came to Nigeria and the experience, for most Nigerians, was like embarking on a trip to Golgotha, the proverbial place of the skulls. For 93 days, Nigeria grappled with the ominous challenge of the deadly Ebola incursion, and eventually contained it, but at a huge cost of eight precious lives. Sunday July 20, 2014 will always be remembered because it was the day the nation’s Ebola patient “zero” , or index (first) case – the late Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, imported the Ebola virus into Nigeria, setting off a chain reaction of unprecedented magnitude. Tuesday, August 19, 2014 will also not be forgotten because it was the day Nigeria’s Ebola heroine – Dr. Ameyo Stella Adedavoh, passed on. She was one of the hospital staff at First Consultants Hospital, Obalende, Lagos, that lost the battle for survival as a result of Ebola infection through primary contact with Sawyer. Following her encounter with Sawyer, Adadevoh, a medical consultant and endocrinologist, died after she was infected with Ebola by the index case. Her last days were spent in isolation at the Ebola Operations Centre in Yaba, Lagos. Sawyer has infamously gone down in history as the harbinger of Ebola in Africa’s most populous nation, while Adadevoh is being remembered as the nation’s Ebola heroine. Her death made it much more obvious that dying without the benefit of the comfort of loved ones is all part of the debilitating nature of the killer virus. Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh She was not the first or only Nigerian to succumb to the dreaded virus, but Adadevoh’s personal involvement and role in helping to contain the Ebola epidemic was unprecedented. It was she who first suspected that Sawyer was infected with Ebola and her quick intervention and firmness helped limit spread of the infection. On the day he was admitted to the hospital, Sawyer was first treated for malaria, and Adadevoh was at home spending the weekend with her family. It was the next day she went to the hospital that she saw him (Sawyer) who appeared to have blood seeping through his skin. Adadevoh immediately knew his ailment was more serious than malaria. She was quite disturbed, and when Sawyer confirmed he was from Liberia, she immediately suspected it could be Ebola. She was not a virologist or epidemiologist, but was experienced enough to know it was a probable case of Ebola. Months before Ebola came to Nigeria, the disease was trending in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Mali and Senegal also recorded cases. Also, long before the Sawyer episode, Adadevoh already had the conviction that Nigeria was not prepared for an Ebola outbreak. But realising that Nigeria needed to be prepared in the event of an outbreak, she began to research privately on Ebola. She established that the Ebola virus is an infectious agent and one of the viruses that can cause haemorraghic fever, a severe infectious disease characterised by high fever and bleeding, in humans and some other primates, such as monkeys. Adadevoh knew infection with the Ebola virus causes severe illness in humans, and after an incubation period of 3 to 21 days, patients initially present with general flu-like symptoms before a rapid progression to advanced disease characterised by haemorrhage, multiple organ failure and a shock-like syndrome. From her research, she knew that there was yet to be an approved vaccine or treatment, and that Ebola outbreak management was limited to palliative care and barrier methods to prevent transmission. It was a proactive move that paid off because when she saw Sawyer, she immediately suspected he had a haemorrhagic disease which was infectious. Her sharp-eyed diagnosis and high level suspicion didn’t immediately identify the virus, but it was her suspicion that pointed state and Federal health officials in the right direction. Were it not for her quick thinking, it is widely believed that that the story would have been completely different altogether. Adadevoh had practiced at First Consultants for 21 years, in fact, she was synonymous with the hospital, so when Sawyer insisted on being allowed to leave the hospital, Adadevoh was not intimidated. She had the mien and clout to muster enough authority that ensured he did not leave and with the cooperation of other hospital staff successfully kept him isolated. This singular action saved the nation from what could have been a catastrophic situation. From Adadevoh’s perspective, the Nigeria Ebola story is worth telling over and over. Ebola came like a thief in the night and caught everyone unawares. It was not the apocalyptic outbreak most people feared, but Sawyer’s death spontaneously set off a chain reaction, in addition to further raising fears that the dreaded virus could spread. Before being declared Ebola-free on October 20, 2014, there were a total of 19 cases and 11 survivors. Local and international health officials and responders made a total of 894 identified contacts in the affected states of Lagos, Rivers, and Enugu. They also made and estimated 18,500 face-to-face contact visits. Although the whole world held its breath as the Ebola saga played out in Nigeria, the World Health Organisation, WHO, waited one month before declaring that the West African Ebola virus disease outbreak merited the status of a public health event of international concern. In the meantime, there was conscious nationwide alert to mobilise against the disease, while the apex health Ministry worked closely with the West African Health Organisation, WAHO, and the WHO, to deploy experts to strengthen its response capacity. All entry ports into the country were placed under surveillance even as a Presidential special information committee for Ebola was set up. Vigilance became the watchword. However, Nigeria’s Ebola story can never be complete without mentioning the part played by the well-loved senior consultant at First Consultants Hospital – Dr Stella Adadevoh. In her lifetime, Adadevoh never hid her passion for her career as a medical doctor. She had options of remaining abroad for her practice, but chose to return to Nigeria where she wanted to make an impact on the health care system. Even in death, her selflessness and devotion to her professional calling continue to stand her out.

FLOODS HIT BENUE, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA.

Parts of Makurdi, the Benue State capital was, Friday, hit by a major disaster following over four hours of torrential downpour which submerged about 200 houses and huts and also swept away property and valuables of residents, worth millions of Naira. The latest incident which has taken its toll on residents was the second major flood disaster in the state capital, in the last four weeks. The hardest hit areas included the Wurukum roundabout and railway crossing, Wurukum market, Judges quarters on Gboko road, Logo and Angwa Jukum which were completely taken over by flood water. Also affected were the personal residence of the Second Republic Governor of the state, late Aper Aku, Benue State University (BSU), Living Faith and Dunamis churches, Steam fast and houses on Daniel Amokachi avenue were all submerged in water. Shops and stalls at the popular Wurukum market were also not spared as most of them were filled with water, while traders battled hard to save whatever they could. It can be recalled that a serious situation of this nature or even worse had happened when the Cameroon's released water from her reservoir sometimes last year. Reacting to the unfortunate development, the state Commissioner of Water Resources and Environment, Nicholas Wende, lamented that the state would need about N100 billion to stem the flood menace in the state. He said the state government had submitted a request to the federal government for intervention adding that the government was expecting the federal government to also assist in dredging River Benue as a permanent solution. Wende explained that the state government had constituted a committee to identify flood prone areas with a view to taking measures to control the disaster.

SPORTS: OBI MIKEL AVAILABLE FOR NIGERIA

Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi is still available for Nigeria duty despite not being involved since November, according to the player’s representative John Shittu. New Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh had said he omitted Mikel from his first squad because the player was uncontactable. Shittu however told BBC Sport: “Mikel will never turn his back on Nigeria. “He loves playing for his country and this is just a miscommunication between coach and player.” On Thursday, Oliseh explained to local media in Abuja why Mikel was not part of his plans for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Tanzania . “I was in England early this month and I put a call through to Mikel. I called him four times, the phone kept ringing. I sent him a text message, I got no response,” Oliseh revealed. “I called his Chelsea team-mate and compatriot [Victor] Moses and we met after the Community Shield. “I didn’t hear from Mikel to acknowledge my calls or text until I travelled back home [on 6 August]. “But after our training [on 19 August]I saw a missed call [from Mikel]on my phone so at the moment I really don’t know what the situation is now.” Shittu insists Mikel has not been deliberately evasive. “Mikel sincerely missed the calls and wasn’t sure who called. Once he realised who it was he made efforts to reach Sunday Oliseh but could not speak to him.” he said. “It’s unfortunate that a miscommunication is being blown out of proportion in the media. “Efforts are being made to sort things out amicably because Mikel is dedicated to Nigeria. “For the sake of the country, everyone should support the coach and the players selected instead of focussing on other things that could affect the preparation.” Oliseh’s predecessors Berti Vogts, Samson Siasia and Stephen Keshi also experienced difficulties with Mikel, who has been criticised for appearing to show indifference and a lack of respect. Mikel, who made his debut for Nigeria against Libya in August 2005, has scored four goals for his country in 64 appearances.