FG Committed To Anti-Tobacco Campaign— Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) speaking at the Presidential Villa while receiving leaders of anti-tobacco NGO groups in the country, reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to the reduction of tobacco use among citizens, particularly exposure of underage children to smoking.

The Vice President lamented inadequate information about the dangers of smoking “which has made it difficult to convince many to quit the dangerous habit.”

Osinbajo said, “we need the public behind us in this engagement. We need to change the public perception that smoking is a matter of choice. We also need to be more creative in passing our messages and in developing policies.”

While lamenting tobacco products “proliferation” in the country, Professor Osinbajo hinted that government would be exploring strategies on how to reduce tobacco consumption.

“The Presidency will give every support that is needed to ensure that tobacco control laws and policies are effectively implemented in Nigeria,” he assured.

One Dead, 11 Injured In Tanker Explosion

Adegoke Adetunji, Ogun State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, says one person died on Saturday in a road accident at Sagamu involving a fuel tanker, an articulated vehicle and a bus.

FRSC said no fewer than 11 people also sustained injuries in the accident that an eyewitness said occurred about midnight.

He said the tanker, loaded with petrol had a mechanical problem and stopped on the road, while the bus and truck rammed into it resulting in an explosion.

He said the tanker caught fire and burnt the other two vehicles, noting that the dead and the injured had been taken to hospital.

“We can’t even give you the number plates of the affected vehicles because, as of the time we got there, they were all burnt beyond recognition,’’ he said.

Adetunji said the unfortunate accident must have been caused by the speed of the vehicles that rammed into it.

He advised motorists and commuters to always be alert when driving and avoid speeding.

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Blame Niger Delta Crisis For Slow 2016 Budget Implementation – Presidency

The Special Adviser to president Mohammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina on Sunday night at a phone-in Programme on Channels television attributed the slow implementation of the 2016 budget to the crisis in the Niger Delta region, saying that the economy has been largely affected.

The impact of the budget signed into law is yet to be felt and Adesina stated that the government had started off negotiations with the militants to find lasting solution to the restiveness in the region.

"Yes the budget has been passed. The intention is to implement that budget as much as possible but then the circumstances are making it difficult because projections are not being met because of what is happening in the Niger Delta and other parts of the economy.

"But as much as possible the government would still adhere to that project as much as revenue will permit and allow.

"Every option is on the table. There was never a time anything was ruled out. All the options were on the table. You will recall that when some South South leaders visited the President led by King Alfred Diete-Spiff, he also disclosed that he had encouraged the security agencies to dialogue with the militant and the leadership of that region.

"So there was never a time that anything was ruled out,since the insurgency began there had always been dialogue," Adesina explained.