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Group threatens to sue Buhari for appointing Hair Dresser as Bank Director

Published

2 years ago

December 1, 2022

….gives seven days Ultimatum for her removal

By Lateef Taiwo

A group under the aegis of Lawyers for Reform, has threatened to drag President Muhammadu Buhari to court if immediate removal of Stella Erhuvwuoghene Okotete is not carried out as Executive Director of Nigerian Export – Import Bank ( NEXIM) within 7 days.

The group in a protest tagged “#Remove Stellaokotetenow” , staged in the early hours of Thursday at the main entrance of the National Assembly , said the NEXIM ED , is not qualified by every standard to hold the position .

Addressing journalists during the protest , the leader of the group, Barrister Oladotun Hassan Esq, said appointment of Stella Okotete as Executive Director of NEXIM by President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2017 was wrong headed going by clearly stipulated requirements in the extant laws governing the Bank.

According to him , Okotete did not have the required 18 years post graduation working experience before her appointment and even not having relevant academic qualification in financial accounting , banking or any business related courses .

” What can only be gotten from fraudulently concocted curriculum vitae of Okotete is that she is a former Counsellor and Beauty Salon Hairdresser .

” This is an arrant disgrace and monumental embarrassment to Government of President Muhammadu Buhari that prides itself as Anti – Corruption Crusader .

” In the face of the law , specifically going by the Central Bank of Nigeria Act Regulations and Order 41(3) of the Senate Rule and by reason of her lack of capacity not to have served in the banking service for 18 years , Okotete is not fit and merit to continue to hold the Executive Director of NEXIM Bank , we therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to act decisively accordingly.

” We also request that Okotete should upon removal from office , be prosecuted for misleading the entire Nigerians with false misrepresentations used in securing the appointment .

” If nothing meaningful is not urgently done in respect to our demands on or before 7th December , 2022, ; we shall not hesitate to seek legal sanction against President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government of Nigeria “, he said .

He explained further that move to get the allegedly incompetent and unqualified Okotete removed , was made in 2018 when petition to that effect was forwarded to the then , Senator Sam Anyanwu led Senate Committee on Ethics , Privileges and Public Petitions.

According to the group , the committee in its findings , confirmed that Okotete did not have the requisite qualifications and experience for the position but that the Secretary to the government of the Federation , Boss Mustapha , had all along been blocking implementation of Senate’s resolution against the embattled NEXIM boss.

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NICRAT, Roche, Oncopadi launch BRANT app for breast cancer care

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2025

The Gleamer

NICRAT, Roche, and Oncopadi unveiled the Breast Cancer Access Navigation and Testing (BRANT) application on Thursday in Abuja, aimed at reshaping breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria.

At the launch, Prof. Usman Aliyu, Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), described BRANT as a significant step in the country’s efforts to enhance patient care and streamline support systems.

He emphasised that the app would also empower individuals battling breast cancer, offering them better access to resources and guidance throughout their journey.

Represented by Dr Waziri Usman, the Director of Cancer Prevention and Control, Aliyu emphasised that breast cancer remained one of the most prevalent and deadly forms of cancer among Nigerian women.

He noted that early detection, timely intervention, and leveraging technology could greatly improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

BRANT, he explained, was designed to make navigating the complex landscape of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment easier, by connecting patients, healthcare providers, support groups, NGOs, and civil society organisations into one unified system.

Dr Omolola Salako, CEO of Oncopadi, highlighted the shortage of oncologists in Nigeria, with fewer than 95 oncologists nationwide, particularly in rural areas.

She stressed the need for technology to bridge the gap, allowing oncologists to reach patients across the country.

“Oncopadi has already been mobilising cancer patients for online care and educational resources over the past seven years.

“In partnership with Roche, Oncopadi is supporting 5,000 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

“The collaboration leverages Roche’s expertise in oncology diagnostics and Oncopadi’s digital oncology capabilities to launch BRANT.”

Dr Ladi Hameed, General Manager of Roche Products Limited, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to address the growing burden of breast cancer through awareness, early detection, and access to treatment.

“The BRANT programme, which includes free immunohistochemistry testing and multidisciplinary teams, aims to remove financial barriers that delay diagnoses and treatment,”he said.

While the programme would run for the next 18 months, Hameed called for collective efforts to ensure its sustainability.

Mr Alexander Chimbaru, Deputy Country Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to Nigeria, lauded the initiative, calling it a valuable solution to reduce the burden of breast cancer.

He stressed the importance of taking action to ensure the programme’s success.

Dr Fatima Kyari, Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), supported the initiative, urging the organisations to adhere to regulatory guidelines regarding specialist support, digital health tools, and patient information.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports BRANT is a user-friendly platform offering personalised care, expert consultations, diagnostic tests, treatment facilities, and support for patients throughout their breast cancer journey.

NAN

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