HEALTH: Province hopes to bring more international nurses to Alberta

By Kolawole Yemisi Victoria

Expanding Alberta's health-care capacity will require more workers, including front-line nurses. But after two years of long, hard shifts, there's worry that a shortage is imminent. As Dan Grummett reports, young people are stepping up but can't fill all of the gaps 

The province is to invest more than $15 million to train and support more internationally educated nurses, like Uche Nechi, who trained in Nigeria and had to wait nearly five years before she was able to resume her career in Alberta.

“At some point you have to think about ‘OK, I really wanted this but it’s about a balance of life and family,'” Nechi, who graduated last month and is working in Calgary, told a news conference.

The plan, initially announced in October, includes $7.8 million allowing students to access up to $30,000 in bursaries. The remainder of the funds will create 600 new seats for nurse bridging programs at Bow Valley College and Mount Royal University in Calgary and NorQuest College in Edmonton.

“Access to financial support like the bursary announced today help alleviate some of the stress so internationally educated nurses like me can focus more on our education and less on paying our bills,” said Nechi.

Bursary recipients are required to complete a year of nursing service in Alberta for every $6,000 received. It is to become available in the 2023-24 academic year.

Health: Internationally educated nurses face long wait-list to gain accreditation.

 

By Olaborede Olugbenga Israel

Alberta’s advanced education minister said many internationally educated nurses face long wait-lists and significant financial barriers to gain accreditation.

“Albertans need more nurses and there are hundreds of internationally educated nurses who want to come live and work in Alberta,” said Demetrios Nicolaides.

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping said programs can cost tens of thousands of dollars and it can take years to get into a bridging program to attain the necessary licence.

“The financial hurdles many face when looking to align their training with Alberta standards can also add to the stress and anxiety created coming to a new province and a new country to work,” he said.

Once an international student is able to get into a program, it usually takes between 10 and 14 months to complete.

Many of the nurses come from the Philippines and other Asian countries, the United Kingdom, the United States and parts of the Caribbean.

Alberta signed a memorandum of understanding with the Philippines last year.

Philippines Consul General Zaldy Patron said there are many nurses from his country waiting to practise in Alberta.

“In the process, they will be able to provide the warm bodies and the front-line service that Alberta’s health-care system needs so much at this time.”

Naira Redesign Policy: Bayelsa Govt Asks CSOs To Apologise Over False Allegation

 

Says Governor Not G-10 Member

Bayelsa State government has demanded unreserved apology from a group of civil society organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of the Civil Society Organisations Central Coordinating Council over a false allegation against Governor Douye Diri.

The CSOs through its member, Gabriel Ojemena, alleged at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday that Governor Diri was among a group of 10 governors (G-10) opposing President Muhammadu Buhari on the Naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The CSOs also claimed that the 10 governors were disrespectful of Mr. President and planning to make the country ungovernable if the policy was not reversed.

These are not only unfounded and baseless allegations but they are also annoying and provocative. 

It is even more ridiculous and insensitive coming at a time the governor is mourning the passing of his father. 

The government is particularly dismayed that CSOs that should be better informed rather yielded themselves as agent-provocateur to misinform Nigerians.

The government urges the CSOs to go study the papers that some states filed at the Supreme Court on the new notes suit instead of spreading falsehood.

For the avoidance of doubts, Governor Diri is not opposed to the Naira re-design policy of the CBN or the Federal Government. What he is opposed to is the hardship the implementation of the policy has visited on Nigerians.

When he spoke publicly for the first time about the policy a week ago, it was at a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kaduna South senatorial campaign launch at Zonkwa in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. His comments in support of the policy were unflattering and unambiguous.

Governor Diri said at the rally: “We have to reset this country. The way the country is going is not about religion and ethnicity. It is about a few people that have taken the wealth of this country to themselves.

“While we are not in support of the common man suffering as a result of the sudden CBN policy, that policy will change not only our currency but our attitude towards everything as leaders.

“While we plead with the CBN to ensure that our people do not suffer, the other side, those of them who have bullion vans, who are prepared to buy over the presidency, the CBN policy is Holy Ghost fire on them. That is why they are shouting. Why are they shouting as if it affects them more than us?

“All the CBN is saying is that anybody who does not earn money should not have money in bullion vans to go and buy over our voters. That is all the CBN has said and we support that policy. However, make the money available to those who have earned it through their farms, trading and their legitimate business. That is all we are saying.”

The aforementioned quote as published in Thisday of Tuesday, February 7, 2023 not only summed up the governor’s position but also reinforced the CBN’s stand on the policy.

The Bayelsa government thus challenges the CSOs, if their motive was not a hatchet job that eventually misfired, to show contrary proof.

If their intention was not borne out of mischief, why include Governor Diri, a PDP governor, among his colleagues of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that are purportedly against a decision taken by their ruling party in government?

By his disposition, Governor Diri at all times, in his deeds and actions, promotes the peace and unity of Nigeria. He would therefore not engage in any activity that would undermine his party or even the corporate existence of the country.

PAP: Those Fighting Us Are Resisting Our Reforms – Ndiomu

 

By Our Correspondent

Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Major General Barry Ndiomu (retd), has disclosed that those peddling lies and sponsoring frivolous petitions against his administration, are resistant to the reforms and changes he has brought on board.

 

General Ndiomu stated this over the weekend during the PAP meeting with Niger Delta Traditional Rulers, held at the BON Hotel, Warri, Delta State, with the theme: ‘Peace and Security in the Region’.

 

The PAP boss told the monarchs who were led by HRM, King Joseph Timiyan, the Paramount Ruler of Ogulagha Kingdom, that if he had maintained status quo and allowed the “irregularities” discovered in capturing beneficiaries of the Programme to continue, he would have failed from the onset.

 

“It is difficult to bring about change when people are used to certain ways that brings them benefits, even if the ways does not conform with the purpose for which that Programme was set up in the first place”.

 

The PAP boss added that the decision to delist beneficiaries was geared towards sanitizing the system and ensure transparency going forward.

 

Speaking on the financial records of the PAP, Ndiomu informed that his administration has almost cleared inherited debts from past administrations.

 

He added that the PAP under his leadership has initiated talks with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other agencies to absolve graduates and non-graduates from the region. He said before the end of March this year, another set of ex-agitators will be employed into the Federal Civil Service.

 

The IA further told the monarchs that the PAP is leveraging on the Pipeline Surveillance Contract currently being handled by Tompolo’s Tantita Security Services, to absorb a critical number of ex-agitators.

 

In his brief remarks, King Timiyan who also doubles as the Chairman of Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum, Delta State, regretted that past leaderships of the PAP dealt directly with ex-agitators without consulting them.

 

He thus commended Ndiomu for recognising the importance of royal fathers in the Amnesty process. “The current leadership of the Amnesty Programme is a bit different, and I think he (Ndiomu) is going to do better,” the monarch stated.

 

The traditional rulers jointly endorsed the capacity of Ndiomu, while they called for an open-door policy to allow for easy and “time-to-time” conversation. They also noted that his giant strides is the reason for “petitions flying up and down”.

 

Ndiomu’s latest meeting with traditional rulers in the region follows a series of strategic stakeholders engagement aimed at changing the negative narratives of the PAP.

 

 

 

 

Diri Dedicates The Sun Award To Bayelsa Flood Victims

 

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has saluted the resilience of people of the state while dedicating the 2022 Governor of the Year Award by The Sun Newspapers to victims of last year’s monster floods in the state.

Speaking in Lagos on Saturday night shortly after he received the award, Governor Diri expressed delight that people of the state were able to surmount the challenges presented by the disaster.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as also commending the people for supporting his administration and that the award will spur him to do more. 

Governor Diri particularly lauded the legislature and judiciary in the state for the synergy among the three arms of government, saying the cooperation has contributed greatly to the successes recorded by his administration. 

He noted that the prevailing peace and harmony in the state was one of the prized achievements of his administration and stressed the need for the people to sustain the tempo, saying it was the only way Bayelsa can make good progress. 

He said: "This is more about the people of Bayelsa State. Whatever award we receive today is on behalf of the people of the state that have been very supportive. 

“Also, the three arms of government working together, that synergy has helped us achieve whatever we are seeing today. We give the glory to God.

"I like to on behalf of the prosperity administration appreciate the good people of Baysa State, particularly the flood victims. We know what we went through and we thank God that we are alive to receive an award from The Sun.

"This to me is in recognition of the efforts of the people of Bayelsa State. It is in terms of the human and infrastructural development as well as the peace and harmony we are enjoying.”

Earlier, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Sun, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, said the award, which was the 20th edition, is dedicated to recognizing those that  have contributed to the development of Nigeria. 

In his remarks, chairman of the occasion and former governor of Ogun state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, expressed appreciation to the management and staff of the organisation for the organizing the awards, saying it is a good way of encouraging development in Nigeria.

While describing next month’s general elections as crucial to the survival of Nigeria, Osoba hailed the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and urged Nigerians to be fully involved in the process in accordance with the laws of the land.. 

The governor was accompanied to the event by Senator Moses Cleopas representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, some state legislators, chairman of the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Agwana, business moguls, Chief Gesi Asamowei and Chief Ken Etete, Waripamowei Dudafa, members of the state executive council as well as other government functionaries.

Central Bank Extends Deadline For Use Of Old Naira Notes By 10 Days

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced an extension on the date to end the use of old notes of the country’s official currency, Naira.

The deadline earlier fixed for January 31 is now to last till February 10.

The apex bank had last year redesigned the 1,000, 500 and 200 Naira notes to phase out the old ones.

The bank announced the extension in a statement on Sunday by the Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

2023: INEC Disenfranchising Hundreds Of Thousands Of Prospective Voters

 

 

...Several Duly Registered Prospective Voters Frustrated As Their PVCs Are Not Yet Printed

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission is on the verge of disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of prospective voters in Nigeria unless urgent steps are taken to remedy a dire situation.

 

A good number of people who visited the Commission’s office in Garki, Abuja early this month were turned back without their Permanent Voters Card.

 

The Network investigation revealed that many prospective voters who transferred their voting units are affected as their cards are not yet printed by the INEC.

 

While some people were lucky to have gotten their cards, INEC officials simply told their less fortunate prospective voters that the cards were not printed.

 

The Network correspondent who was also affected, presented a slip from INEC after the transfer of his voting unit from Wuse Zone 5 to Gwarimpa in the FCT without any convincing explanation for the non availability of his new PVC by INEC officials.

 

The INEC officials simply said those affected should wait while admitting that producing PVCs is beyond them.

 

Disturbed by the increasing prospect of disenfranchisement, the Network contacted the INEC Commissioner in charge of Information and Voters Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, on January 6, 2023. Okoye read the message on WhatsApp but ignored him.

 

Okoye responded to another message sent to him on WhatsApp on Friday January 20, promising to check and revert.

 

Curiously, seven days after, Okoye has not provided any explanation on the predicament of those who successfully transferred their voting units to new locations with their cards still not printed as at date.

 

As it stands, the inquiry to the Commissioner for information and voter education of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Festus Okoye, did not yield any fruitful result.

 

Okoye simply said he would check and revert. Since then he has refused to respond to messages on the matter thereby signifying that INEC has no solution to the seeming deliberate disenfranchisement of eligible Nigerian citizens from voting in an election.

 

“Good morning Sir, I went to INEC to collect my PVC but was told it was not printed. I have done a successful transfer of the polling unit. Do I use my old voter card to vote in the new point or do I use it to vote in the former. I am confused now that the transfer has been made.

 

Please kindly advise at your own convenience what I should do in this situation where I am facing possible disenfranchisement.”

Thank you Sir.

 

Sadly, Okoye could not respond to the inquiry and has continually ignored all messages to him.

 

A similar message to the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, did not yield any result.

 

The INEC Chairman spokesman neither picked his calls nor did he respond to a message to his mobile telephone on WhatsApp.

 

Meanwhile, the Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu has insisted that no eligible voter in Nigeria will be allowed to cast vote in the forthcoming general elections without a Permanent Voter Card (PVC).

 

Thousands of people whose cards were scheduled for printing but were not are facing disenfranchisement.

 

With the transfer of their polling units, their old voter cards seem to be invalidated. Even the INEC Commissioner in charge of information and voter education does not seem to have an answer to this situation.