Category Solutions Journalism

Insecurity: Imo Govt. renews campaign against use of illicit drugs, narcotics

Drugs
By Victor Nwachukwu
Owerri, Dec. 20, 2023 (NAN) The Imo Government has renewed its campaign against the use of illicit drugs, narcotics and other harmful substances as part of the measures to check crime and criminality in the state.

The Special Adviser to Gov.  Hope Uzodimma on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring, Chief Ezechukwu Obonna, said this at a one-day enlightenment campaign against drug and substance abuse, addiction and trafficking held in Ihitteaforkwu, Ahiazu Mbaise on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the campaign was organised by Obonna, in collaboration with the Executive Director, Coalition of Youth Alliance Movement, Okwudiri Nwandu.

Obonna, who said that mental health issues, crime and insecurity are linked to drug use, cautioned youths not to get involved in the use of illicit drugs and narcotics.

He said that Gov. Hope Uzodimma’s knowledge of the negative consequences of drug abuse on youths informed his decision to create the Bureau of Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring (BNIDM).

He further said that the campaign, which already took place at the Ezinihitte Mbaise on Sunday, would be organised in each of the 27 LGAs of the state.

He gave assurance that his office would continue to educate the young persons on the dangers of illicit drugs.

Also, Nwandu, who hails from Ihitteaforkwu in Ahiazu Mbaise, said they organised health experts to check the health status of the people as early knowledge of one’s health condition would enable timely precautions to avoid complications.

He condemned the use of illicit drugs, especially by the youths, adding that “only the living can plan the future”.

He promised to continue to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the BNIDM in the fight against drug abuse.

Speaking on the theme, “Drug Abuse: Issues and Concepts”, the NDLEA’s Head of Rehabilitation, Treatment & Counseling in Imo, Chiamaka Ugbede, a Superintendent of Narcotics, said that drug abuse includes the use of illicit drugs and drugs without the prescription of a qualified medical personnel.

Ugbede said that some natural substances, like kolanuts, have negative effects on the consumers.

She said that the negative consequences of drug abuse includes madness, cancer of the lungs and mouth ulcer, among other health challenges.

The NDLEA’s Deputy State Commander in charge of Operations and Training, Mr Lamuwa Shehu, urged parents not to expose their children early to alcohol intake but watch them closely as they grow. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

VIN/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

Rape: Offering treatment, reducing stigma to victims in Bauchi State

A Solutions Journalism story by Amina Ahmed, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In Mangu, village in Shira Local Government Area of Bauchi State, residents are going about their daily routine in the sunny and hot day, under this unbearable temperature, a terrified teenage girl, Hauwa, accompanied by one of her peer ran into a small mud house.

Hauwa is sobbing uncontrollably and blood gushing out down between her thighs.

She couldn’t speak, but stood still in tears as an elderly woman in the house asked her the reasons for her flowing tears.

“Are you sick? Did you fall or is it a stomach ache?” asked Kande, the elderly woman.

“She was raped,” Mrs Auwa Yusuf, the victim’s mother answered.

Yusuf said that a 17-year-old boy forcefully had canal knowledge of the victim on Nov. 25.

“She was returning from Maulud celebration together with her friend, and on the way back home, the rapist grabbed her Hijab (veil), and forced himself on her.

Narrating the ordeal, Mr Yusuf Mohammed, the victim’s father said he took the girl to hospital for treatment and clinical analysis.

He said the case was also referred to the Bauchi State Sexual Assault Referral Centre (BASARC), adding that police had arrested the culprit.

“This is barbaric and the law must take its course on perpetrators of such acts. With this incident, I will engage with parents to dialogue on this matter.

“I will not allow my daughter to be stigmatised by members of the public over something she did not plan for. The boy is not even from our community, yet he followed and raped her,” Mohammed said.

Concern over rape cases in Bauchi

Hauwa’s case is ‘the tip of the iceberg’, as health and security agencies in Bauchi State have expressed concern over the spate of rape, abuse and violence cases against women and girls in the state.

Statistics by BASARC showed that 200 Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases had been recorded from February to November in the state.

The factsheet indicated that incidents of rape and homosexuality topped the chart.

The Head of the BASARC centre, Hajiya Hadiza Muhammad, said that most of the incidents occurred in rural communities involving mainly minors ranging from zero to 12 years.

She said the survivors presented health threatening symptoms such as offensive odours, rashes and discharge, among others.

Treatment/Rehabilitation

The Bauchi State government in collaboration with development partners has been providing free treatment and psycho-social support services to the victims through the BASARC.

The programme is designed to treat and protect the victims against contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIs), HIV/AIDS and other diseases as well as reduce stigma and facilitate victims’ full reintegration into the society.

According to Muhammad, SGBV victims are being treated with Antiretroviral Drug (RTD) to manage infections after clinical screening.

She said the Centre adopted proactive measures for proper mentorship, treatment and effective management to ensure completion of treatment of the survivors.

“Some of the survivors undergo treatment process from four to five times before they are fully healed.

“So, we avoid stigmatisation, this is the reason why the BASARC is within the Obstetrics and Gynaecology wards,” she said.

Muhammad said that mentorship and training of all staff in the unit has been prioritised to ensure effective management of survivors of SGBV, to enable them to enjoy a healthy living.

Challenges/Administration of Justice as solution to rape

Experts identified lack of jurisdiction of the lower courts to try rape cases as the bane of the campaign against the nefarious act in the state.

Justice Saad Zadawa of the Bauchi State High Court, said that: “the Chief Magistrates (1) has no jurisdiction under the Bauchi State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (BSACJL) 2022, to try any other offences; the punishment of such conviction is 14 years or fine of N1million thereof.

“The way forward in the trial of rape cases is to increase the jurisdiction of Chief magistrates (1) by amending the law”.

Similarly, Mrs Amina Garuba, Executive Director, Ikra Foundation for Women and High Development, advocated for amendment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law to empower lower courts to try rape cases in the state.

She said that the VAPP law states that states that conviction of rape is life imprisonment and those who committed the offence against minors to be condemned to death by hanging needed to be implemented.

Mr Muhammad Usman, an official of the Bauchi State Ministry of Justice, also stressed the need for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to highlight such grey areas as contained in the VAPP law for legislative actions to fast track effective review of the law. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AE/RSA/IS

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Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali/Ismail Abdulaziz

Journalism

By Sani Idris

Kaduna, Dec. 10, 2023(NAN) The African Media Development Foundation (AMDF), has opined that development communication is the linchpin for achieving the objectives set by the United Nations (UN) through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This was contained in a communique issued to newsmen by Mr Sekyen Dadik, the Executive Director of AMDF on Sunday in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the communique was the outcome of the 2023 2-day annual Africa Conference on Development Journalism (ACDJ2023), organised by the AMDF with the theme “Sustainable Development, Media as a Catalyst”.

Dadik said that the media serves as a catalyst by raising awareness, fostering dialogue and inspiring action.

According to him, there is a need to collaborate and promote inclusive behavior that enhances sustainability to create a more promising future.

Dadik  said that development communication does not only cultivate a shared understanding among diverse stakeholders but acts as a beacon that guides individuals, communities, and nations together toward a common vision and sustainable future.

While calling for forging partnerships between researchers, institutions, and communities, he advocated integration
of scientific evidence into policy formulation, having communicated the research output to policymakers and the public.

“This will contribute to the creation of policies that are not only well-informed but also aligned with the aspirations of the SDGs,”he said.

Speaking further, Dadik called for collaborative efforts to be geared by the media, CSOs, and educational Institutions towards promoting civic education, public awareness, and participatory process in nurturing the culture of good governance.

The executive director stressed the need for African media practitioners to play the role of drawing attention to the issues of  malnutrition and complex agricultural phenomena, like price volatility, post-harvest losses, and food safety, among others on the continent.

“It is strongly believed that a State can only claim food security and sustainable development when it has enough available food and agricultural products to provide nutrition for its inhabitants,” Dadik added.

He, therefore, said the conference identified limited research on climate change in the media which has affected their crucial role in awareness creation to mitigate it.

While identifying some causes of climate change, such as livestock ranching and illegal logging, Dadik said the conference advocated banning clearing/cutting down of trees as well as amplifying policies that influence the need to protect the environment.

NAN reports that the conference witnessed an assemblage of media professionals, CSOs, and NGOs from across Nigeria featuring keynotes, paper presentations, panel discussions, and networking.

As part of its commitment to promote the culture of in-depth development Journalism in the African media space, the AMDF presented the 2023 Journalist of the year award to Odeniyi Oluwatosin, Defence and Crime Correspondent of the Punch Newspaper.

The AMDF also awarded winners in various categories of print, online, radio, TV, and photography.

The winners were Jaiyeola Omolaja (Punch), photo category;
Chenemi Bamaiyi (TVC), TV category,
Shindong Bala (Radio Nigeria), radio category, while online category had Martha Agas (NAN) was the winner,
Phillip Yatai (NAN) 1st runner up and
Christian Njoku (NAN) as 2nd runner up.

NAN also reports that, in print category,
Odeniyi Solomon (Punch) was the winner,
Chima Azubuike (Punch) 1st runner up, and
Ojoma Akor (Daily Trust) 2nd runner up.

Also, honorary lifetime achievement award for journalistic excellence was presented to a veteran broadcast Journalist, Hajiya Hauwa Saulawa, former General Manager of FRCN Companion FM Katsina, in recognition of her uncommon and immeasurable contributions to Development Journalism.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

SA/BRM
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Transforming Patient Care: The power of digital health system at UBTH

By Usman Aliyu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Healthcare

Benin, Nov. 7, 2023 (NAN) In today’s fast-paced world, where technological advancements shape every aspect of human lives, the healthcare sector has also undergone a significant transformation. One such paradigm shift in the Nigerian healthcare institution is the adoption of the digital health records system, also known as Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems.

Among these institutions, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) stands out as one of the pioneers in the Nigerian public health sector that are implementing an interoperable digital health system, thereby revolutionising patient care and justifying the calls for widespread integration across Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.

Mrs Favour Edosa, a mother of four, whose three-decade journey as a patient at the hospital underwent a revolutionary transformation. Gone were the days of lugging around folders and papers across various units. In 2020, when she stepped in for a check-up, a wave of change greeted her.

No more paper prescriptions – just a sleek code from the doctor for her test. At the lab, like magic, her data seamlessly flowed through the electronic channels. She said results were swift, and a mere instruction led her back to the doctor, showcasing the seamless interoperability of the medical health records and management system at this health institution.E

Edosa’s experience became a testament to the hospital’s commitment to embracing a future where patient care is streamlined, efficient, and utterly paperless.

Before the introduction of the digital health records, Prof. Stanley Okugbo, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at the hospital, says the processes of health records and management system, were laborious and time-consuming. Okugbo, a consultant physician and the Director, Clinical Services and Training at the teaching hospital, explains that patient records were stored in bulky paper files, making it challenging to access critical information when needed.

“For instance, with the digital system, if you want to see a patient as a doctor, you can easily have access to his previous records. You can collaborate with other doctors as well.

“Digital records are retrievable and you can review them quickly without having to go to the bulk of looking for papers or writing to bring records and case notes.

“UBTH is very large. We see an average of between 1000-1200 outpatients daily. So before the adoption of the electronic system, many case notes were missing.

“It is not necessarily because somebody stole it, but due to poor filing. So you would see across the hospital, people who were looking for case notes; temporary case notes were being opened,” he says.

With the arrival of the digital health records and management system, Prof. Okugbo claims that the innovation has brought a seismic shift in the hospital’s operations as patient information, from medical history to test and results, become readily accessible at the click of a button.

This newfound efficiency, according to him, does not only streamlines the workflow for healthcare providers, but also translates to tangible benefits for patients.

Buttressing these stances, Mrs Tosin Omoregie, who has also been an outpatient at the health institution for years, says the impacts of the digital innovation are not limited to medical and health workers alone.

Patients, she notes, now experienced firsthand, the newfound convenience of managing their healthcare through the system. The seamless access to vital information, Omoregie says, saves their precious time. In her own encounter, she recalls with amazement the doctor effortlessly prescribing her medication without the customary paper prescription. A trip to the pharmacy, she said, unfolded a digital marvel, where prescriptions were transmitted with a finesse, leaving her genuinely amazed at the cutting-edge transformation in the world of medicine.

Omoregie was not alone as Miss Joy Odigie, also a resident of Benin and an outpatient at the hospital for the past eight years, recalls the countless hours she used to spend navigating the bureaucratic hurdles of scheduling appointments, obtaining test results, and managing prescriptions under the paperbased system.

But with the new system, she avers that the tasks have become streamlined, freeing up time for hospital staff to focus on providing quality care. Odigie appreciates the newfound efficiency, which marked a sharp departure from the time-consuming processes of the past.

“Electronic medical records reduce time wastage in the hospital. Before the digitalisation, I usually spent about eight hours in hospital from the point of submission of the hospital card to the time of getting the prescribed drugs from the pharmacy. I now spend about five hours.

“Paperbased is cumbersome; records can get missing, and health officers spend time looking for case notes. Similarly, test results are more confidential now as they go straight from the lab to the digital platform for the doctors to access.

“The chances of the lab test results getting missing at the patient’s end are reduced. It has also made the health practitioners more efficient and digital compliance,” she said

Upscaling the system

As the success stories of patients like Omoregie and Odigie, as well as healthcare professionals like Prof. Okugbo continue to emerge, the call for an interoperable digital health system in Nigeria becomes increasingly urgent.

The UBTH’s experience serves as a compelling case study for the broader healthcare landscape in the country. In a nation where healthcare resources are often strained, the need for efficient, accurate, and accessible digital health records is critical to improving patient care and optimising healthcare delivery.

Mr Emeka Chukwu, a digital health consultant and co-founder, Digital Health Interoperability Network (DHIN) says interoperability in health records management is crucial, to significantly impacting how healthcare is delivered and the patient outcomes.

Some of the benefits, he says, include enhanced patient care as a result of cross institution information sharing. An interoperable health records system, according to him, also improves efficiency and reduces wasted efforts of duplicate information entry.

“Interoperability can reduce errors and increase safety. Errors such as duplicates, omissions, inaccuracies especially medication related errors.

“Both clinical and public health decision making will be impacted by availability of data from multiple institutions and patients will be more engaged and satisfied with delivered service.

“It can also result in increased hospital revenue; many hospitals deploy integrated digital systems to facilitate cost savings through leakage blockages,” he says.

Chukwu cites countries like Germany, Estonia, the United States and the United Kingdom as places where Nigeria can learn, when it comes to interoperability in the health system.

The expert notes, however, that for facilities to adopt the digital data sharing systems, there is need for the right enabling environment to be in place so as to better manage the processes. Notably, he says, are electricity, internet, the computers, the workforce, technical and users are needed for a robust system.

Sharing the same sentiment, Prof. Okugbo, who is also the deputy to the Chief Medical Director of the UBTH says an interoperable health system encourages interface among major health institutions for efficiency and effectiveness.

He notes, nonetheless, that the journey to a nationwide interoperable digital health system is not without its challenges.

“There are complexities involved in integrating disparate systems across various healthcare facilities in Nigeria. However, he is unwavering in his belief that the benefits far outweigh the obstacles,” he says.

The senior physician envisions a future where patients can seamlessly access their medical records from any healthcare facility, empowering them to take control of their health and make informed decisions.

He emphasises that an interoperable system will enable healthcare providers to collaborate more effectively, leading to better coordinated care and ultimately improving health outcomes for all Nigerians.

He advocated legislation and standardisation from the government to encourage an integrated system among the stakeholders, which will speak to each other.

“I think it is a very good thing, but it can’t come from a hospital like ours. We need policy makers to decide that and legislate the process and to supervise it; otherwise, there will be a lot of abuse.

“One of the problems you wouldn’t want is for your data to be stolen and sold. A lot of data is stolen from Africa and sold. You won’t know they are selling it. So we need government regulation to run that,” he suggested.

Chukwu, who is leading a network that is championing interoperable digital health systems in Nigeria and Africa, concludes that policymakers should not make a mistake to think of one giant system, but rather an investment in interoperability of the existing systems. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng.com)

AUO/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NB: This report is produced under the DPI Africa Journalism Fellowship Programme of the Media Foundation for West Africa and Co-Develop.

How FAM Initiative is building better mental health awareness among Adolescents and Young Persons in Nigeria

By Aisha Gambo

Glory Ernest , a 23 year-old graduate of Microbiology had battled Body Dysmorphic Disorder while growing up as a child, she felt she was not beautiful and had flaws in her appearance, a situation that affected her self-esteem.

Her story changed when she interacted with a Twitter space hosted by Friends Advocacy for Mental Health (FAM) Initiative which helped her in building a healthy mental health coping mechanism.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance.

A recent study that screened for BDD among patients attending a tertiary institution found that facial flaws were the most common concern, in 62.5% of participants, followed by body asymmetry in 25%.

Body dysmorphophobia is a common disorder, with a prevalence of 0.7% to 2.4% among community samples.

Recent studies confirmed a high prevalence of BDD in dermatology and cosmetic surgery settings with a prevalence ranging from 4.52% to 35.16% and female preponderance.

“My experience with Friends Advocacy for Mental Health (FAM) Initiative was one I desperately needed at the time it came.

“In other words, it came at the right time which I will forever remain very grateful for.

“That space helped me realise I’m beautiful and amazing just the way I am, i don’t have to compare my physical attributes to the societal beauty standards,” she said.

According to the World Health Organization, in 2019, 1 in every 8 people, or 970 million people around the world were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders the most common.

In 2020, the number of people living with anxiety and depressive disorders rose significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initial estimates show a 26% and 28% increase respectively for anxiety and major depressive disorders in just one year.

While there is effective prevention and treatment options, most people with mental disorders do not have access to effective care.

According to the President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), Taiwo Obindo, 60 million Nigerians are suffering from mental illnesses.

Obindo, who stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that only about 10 per cent of them were able to access appropriate care.

“We are left with more than 90 per cent who are unable to access care and this group is called the treatment gap for mental illnesses.

“The gap is as a result of various factors like the knowledge gap in which people do not have appropriate information about the causes and treatment for mental illnesses,” Obindo said.

Bridging the gap of Information on mental health

In an effort to breach the gap on information about mental health, a young lady, Jecinta Egbim, founded a non-profit organization, the FAM Initiative, in September 2020.

The organization has the objectives of taking quality mental health awareness and services to rural communities and schools targeting adolescents and young people.

“Our Mission is to educate young people on mental health, self-awareness and equip them with coping skills for optimal living.

“In our vision, we aim to create a thriving ecosystem where adolescents and young adults receive robust support and empowerment throughout their mental health journey,” she said.

Egbim stated that the Initiative has incorporated different sectors in its dissemination of information, ranging from the Adolescents Safe Haven club in secondary schools across Nigeria, to its intergenerational and interfaith dialogues.

She said sectors serves as connectors to break through the stigmatization and stereotyping of adolescents and young adults who are seeking psychological support.

She added that the organization has initiated over 10 school clubs in Kaduna state, gone on school tours across local government areas in Kano State and are on the path to launching Adolescents Safe Haven clubs in schools across Gombe state.

Egbim added that the initiative held multiple virtual sessions that were centred around mental health awareness, experience sharing and professional perspectives, which ended with open vulnerability and enhanced compassion.

“We have held interfaith dialogues that strengthen religious institution in offering quality mental health support.

“We have also had community outreaches in order to reduce stigma, stereotyping and misinformation around seeking mental health support,” she said.

The FAM Initiative founder explained that they have held a six months volunteer programme that offers rigorous training on self-awareness, self-actualization and empathy building.

She added that all volunteers were mentally cared for and empowered with adequate knowledge making them ambassadors in their various communities.

Experience of Volunteers

As a Volunteer with the Initiative, Halimat Anakobe, says volunteering helped her develop communication skills, deepen her understanding of various mental health issues and appreciating the importance of mental well-being.

“I volunteered with the FAM Initiative for their July-December 2022 cohort as a social media intern, responsible for managing their Instagram page and creating designs.

“Our social media posts have been effective in sharing information and raising awareness about mental health,” she said.

She explained that the organization genuinely care about the mental health and well-being of their members, just as much as they do for their audience.

Similarly, Miss Ernest, a Community engagement volunteer with FAM initiative says she educates adolescents on the importance of mental health under the Adolescents Safe Haven (ASH) club.

“We teach them how to handle situations, stress and how to relate with their peers in a healthy manner.

“Also, I once taught in a primary 4 class and I started speaking to the pupils during our free hours about the importance of kindness among themselves and they tried to be kind among themselves,” she said.

FAM Initiative volunteers with children after a session on mental health

Giving mental support to adolescents and young people

As a mental health organization focused on creating awareness and building a community of mentally resilient young people, “we do not offer medications or admissions, we only offer mental health first aids and counselling,” Egbim stated.

She said the initiative has supported more than 100 young people and adolescents with psychosocial support since 2020.

‘We treat our humans with love, empathy and compassion. We feel what they feel and support them through their journey in the way they desire us to.

“We have partnered with child psychiatrists and have licenced counselors who offer mental health first aids,” she said.

Egbim explained that the organization refer individuals to better professional support as the case may demand.

She added that they have curated a first of its kind Art Therapy and Art Exhibition event for young children and adolescents.

What are the challenges?

“Our major challenges is underfunding in this field. In order to achieve our goals, we need funding,” FAM initiative founder said.

She explained that the Initiative also faced a community push back from time to time during outreaches due to how misinformed some of the communities are on mental health.

“Their first response to the thoughts is a built up defensiveness as a result of this misinformed foundation; but our approach helps them see it from a more relatable perspective,” she said.

Sustaining the project

FAM Initiative founder says the Art Therapy and Art Exhibition events are fundraisers for the Adolescents Safe Haven club where internal income is generated to sustain projects.

She explained that the organization has not received any support from government yet but had many Partnerships and Collaborations with NGOs, Brands and Schools who helped in the execution of projects.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

***This is a project of the Solutions Journalism Desk of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and if used, please acknowledge the writer and NAN.

Firm develop software to promote strategic  service delivery in MDAs

Software

By Dorcas Jonah

Abuja, Dec. 30, 2022 (NAN) Mrs Offiong Anyanwu, Chief Executive Officer of STRANSFORM, a Strategy Consulting Firm, says the  firm had developed a software to promote strategic and focused service deliveries  in Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs)

Anyanwu stated this in a statement  by the firm’s spokesman, Mr Anthony Anyanwu on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that  the software known as Issues Identification Resolution Mechanism (IIRM) is a root cause analysis tool for  solving problems.

NAN also report that the software  is aimed at facilitating achievement of deliverables and consequently Mandate optimisation in MDAs.

Anyanwu said that the idea was muted in the Presidential delivery unit in 2017 for identification and resolution of issues in the Social Investment Programmes.

”In 2019, STRANSFORM expanded its capabilities and developed the mechanism into a Software.

“It deploys logical iteration and critical thinking for issue identification, subsequent resolution and knowledge management,” he said.

Anyanwu said that the objective of the software was to ensure proactive identification of issues and challenges that could impact negatively on attainment of deliverables of MDAs’  mandate.

”This software was successfully deployed in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development to facilitate optimisation of its mandate.

”The resultant effect was the all green score card achieved by the Ministry in the recently concluded Ministerial Mandate Review Retreat 2022.

”The software has been deployed across the agencies of the ministry,” he said.

She said the  software is the game changer for intentional achievement of not only ministerial deliverables but also attainment of Governments priority area objectives.

”Interaction with the software will result in a new breed of strategic result focused civil servants that will change the narrative associated with the level of productivity in the service.

Anyanwu said that the software was deployed in October through November 2022 at the instance of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development.

She  said plans are in place to deploy the software across various MDAs.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

DE/JPE

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(Edited by Joseph Edeh)

Expert identifies poverty, failed courtship as major causes of divorce

By Mujidat Oyewole

Divorce

Ilorin, Dec. 29, 2022 (NAN) An expert, Justice AbdulQadir Umar has identified poverty and failed courtship as major causes of divorce in the country.

He also said failure of couple to understand what they like and dislike during courtship before agreeing to enter marriage relationship as another factor.

Umar, a Senior judge at Area Court, Ilorin, explained the major causes of divorce in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ilorin.

He said that one of the major causes of domestic violence, which eventually leads to divorce was poverty, adding that hardship makes people to misbehave.

“People behave well when they have money, they do what is expected of them, especially husbands, they do all their responsibilities and ignore unnecessary issues that may arise.

“Some people however find it difficult to say they don’t have money, thereby turning their frustration to violence, which is one of the causes of divorce.

“There is this saying that when poverty enters through the door, love fly out through the window, which is the beginning of aggression, attitudes and violence,” the judge said.

Umar explained that poverty make couple to stop tolerating each other, especially when husband could not provide for the family, some wives leave the marriage, while others stay but give lot of trouble.

He revealed that judges usually find ways to delay divorce, thereby giving couples chance to reconcile, but when the marriage could not be mended they order for divorce, but to only applicants.

“Lots of divorce had occurred without appearing in court, the same thing with broken marriages, meanwhile some issues would have been resolved through proper justice,” he said.

The judge said that when husband and wife could no longer live together in peace, then it is better for them to separate than committing murder and various kind of grievous hurt on themselves.

He further said that there was need for people to understand marriage before venturing into it, because many failed marriages began with nonchalant attitude of couple during courtship.

“Marriage is not about age, status or financial capability, but the determination to make the relationship work through sacrifice and compromise.

“It is not possible to sacrifice always and one cannot compromise everything because marriage is beyond love, so there is need to know what you can and cannot tolerate before marriage,” he said.

Umar therefore advised youths to follow some steps before marriage, including physical appearance; especially women beauty, urging men to settle for women of their choice.

“Financial background is important before settling down for marriage, especially for women who like material things, then family background, in terms of religion, tribe, culture, civilisation, and method of celebrating and mourning.

“Educational background is also important, in terms of level of western education, skills acquired and his or her perspective about life generally,” he said.

The judge noted that there was no need to ask lots of question before one could know everything during courtship, major thing needed is attention and be sensitive to all happenings while together.

“Habits will definitely reveal itself, the only thing is that you may choose to ignore the bad side or believe you can change your spouse, which is dangerous and may affect the relationship,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MOB/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Child mortality: How Katsina traditional rulers help in uptake of routine immunisation

By Zubairu Idris, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Undoubtedly, children below five years in African countries like Nigeria are lagging behind in vaccine uptake during child immunization compared to their counterparts in the developed nations.

Unimmunized children risk high morbidity and mortality. Such children are more exposed to attack by vaccine preventable diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles among others.

According to studies, immunisation helps children to grow up healthy, happy as well as enable them to walk, play and learn.

Experts identified many factors responsible for lower coverage of immunisation, some of which included misconception about the vaccines, distance, and security challenges, among others.

In order to boost wider coverage, government at all levels, and other relevant stakeholders, continue to collaborate to boost coverage for the betterment of children.

In Katsina state, the government has been up-and-doing to ensure that all eligible children received the required doses of the vaccines.

One of such initiative is the involvement of traditional rulers in the exercise to ensure wider coverage.

The State Immunisation Officer, Hajiya Sahura Muhammad, said that District and Ward Heads are being given feedback on regular basis to know performance of their Local Government Areas in terms of coverage.

“Where we need their support, we usually engage them to support our vaccination teams in their areas for wider coverage, and we have been making progress,” she said.

According to her, Katsina has 1,636 facilities, which is the state with the highest number of facilities offering immunisation services in the country.

Muhammad further said that the state has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) on conducting outreaches, dialogues, and data quality assessment on routine immunisation.

“We usually have technical committees that go to the LGAs and take necessary action,” she said.

Impact of involving traditional rulers in the system

The State Immunisation Officer said that the traditional rulers’ engagement has contributed immensely in boosting coverage, which resulted in improving the child healthcare services and consequently reduced infants’ mortality.

To buttress that, the UNICEF Chief of Kano Field Office, Mr Rahama Mohammed-Farah, said that Katsina has reduced under-five mortality by 29 per cent between 2011 and 2021.

He said that was shown in the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), 2021, launched on Dec. 5, 2022, in Katsina.

Though the state has made progress in that respect, he said there was still a need to do more to enhance child healthcare services in the state.

Furthermore, an investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on routine immunisation in Kankia local government area, indicated that Tafashiya community is among the wards with the highest immunisation coverage.

Alhaji Sani Yusuf, the Ward Head of Tafashiya, said that the efforts of the state government have contributed immensely in reducing high child morbidity and mortality.

He said that they met with Imams and village heads on regular basis to educate them on the importance of antenatal and child healthcare services.

“There is a great improvement unlike before, both child morbidity and mortality has reduced drastically compared to five years ago.

“Here, we recorded cases of these child killer diseases on daily basis, where parents spend a lot of money to treat their children, and sometimes, the illnesses lead to the children deaths.

“We now hardly record cases of child mortality in our entire community.

“Our people are now enlightened, husbands give their wives money to travel to Kankia for antenatal or child care services like routine immunization.

“Even today, there was a woman who asked me to find out for her in Kankia, about the antenatal service being conducted.

“We don’t have this before, but now everybody is aware of the importance of both antenatal and child healthcare services,” he said.

Yusuf revealed that in the first instance, husbands sponsor their wives to Kankia for antenatal care because several tests would be conducted on them.

He said that they would later come back to Tafashiya health centre for regular antenatal service, unless if there is need for going back to Kankia.

According to him, there is a meeting on a monthly basis to discuss issues relating to women and children healthcare.

The meeting, he said, involved health experts, traditional leaders and other stakeholders, including Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and other stakeholders to discuss the way forward, and that has been yielding positive results.

Moreover, Malam Ibrahim Adamu, a resident of the community, said that he has a better understanding of the importance of child Immunisation.

He said that before now, they have been battling with child killer diseases and spending a lot on treatment.

Adamu said that since they embraced the exercise through the involvement of traditional rulers in the area, child morbidity and mortality have reduced drastically.

“Hardly now you hear case of child killer diseases outbreak or deaths as a result of such vaccine preventable diseases in our community,” he said.

Routine Immunisation in enhancing child healthcare

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), immunisation is the foundation of the primary healthcare system and an indisputable human right.

It said there are now vaccines to prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases, helping people of all ages to live longer.

According to the WHO, in spite of the tremendous progress in the area, many people around the world – including nearly 20 million infants each year, have insufficient access to vaccines.

Experts say that insufficient access to vaccines is among factors responsible for high morbidity and mortality rate.

According to the available data from the UNICEF, infant mortality in Nigeria currently stands at 69 per 1,000 live births, while for under five, it rises to 128 per 1,000 live births.

More than half of the under five deaths, 64 per cent – result from malaria, pneumonia or diarrhoea.

According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Katsina state also made a significant improvement in Penta 3 coverage of 41 per cent.

Also, the state immunization officer said that, the state was able to exceed the set target of 90 per cent coverage in the vaccines with the exception of three antigens.

“The only areas we are having problem are Hepatitis B, IPV 2 and Measles 2.

“We recorded less than 80 per cent coverage unlike the other vaccines where we recorded up to 100 per cent and above,” she said.

She explained that a child was supposed to start immunization immediately after delivery, or before reaching two weeks.

“If a child is brought two weeks after delivery, it means that child has missed some level of protection against vaccinated diseases, and as such, will be among unimmunized children,” she said.

Challenges encountered

The immunization officer said that IPV2 was introduced recently, but up to now, some mothers and caregivers are not bringing back their children to receive the second dose.

Also, measles second dose is given after a child reached 15 months, “the chance of bringing back their children to receive the second dose is low.

“That is why we have been telling our service providers to enlighten caregivers during Antenatal care to start immunization immediately after delivery,” she said.

Moreover, security challenges in some local governments are another major problem, because the vaccination teams cannot reach many communities in such LGAs, and they may have IDPs.

Muhammad further revealed that whenever people are displaced, there are tendencies of having a lot of vaccine preventable diseases outbreak such as cholera, gastroenteritis and whooping cough among them.

Again, sometimes there is a problem of supply of some antigens. This one is a nationwide problem.

“If caregivers come to our facilities and we tell them that we don’t have vaccines, go and come back after some times, they usually fail to come back,” she said.

Addressing the challenges

Muhammad said in terms of security challenge, they cannot do anything on their part.

However, she said, “I know there are efforts being put in place by the government and other stakeholders to address the situation.”

She also said that the Georgetown Global Health Nigeria was in Katsina to support the LGAs in terms of immunisation and other healthcare services for both women and children in the front line areas.

“We are even going to start outbreak response in the 11 LGAs. We list the settlements not being reached through our efforts.

“They will engage Red Cross International and local people who can deliver services to women and children in such communities. So, this is part of our mitigation plans,” she said.

Muhammad also said that they have what they called “hit-and-run strategy” in partially accessible communities in the state.

According to her, the vaccination teams deliver services in such areas and come back within a short period of time.

If such efforts are sustained, the state would have a wider coverage in routine immunization where its children would grow up healthy, happy and educated as well enable them contribute positively to the development of the society in the future. (NAN)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
**If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Solidarity Day: How gender, equity and fairness play out in Aleyita Football Field

By Magdalene Ukuedojor

On a cool Thursday evening in Aleyita, 11 young players trade tackles with an opposing team; they dribble and defend their post, riding their team to a 1:0 victory.

The winning goal is scored by Vivian Jonathan, the only girl in an ‘all boys’ football team.

This game is one in a series of spectacular football matches the Aleyita Community, located along Airport Road in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, has witnessed in the last three years.

The community and other spectators troop in to watch Vivian match strength for strength with her male counterparts since 2019 when she joined the team at 10 years old.

At 13, she heads the team as captain of Green Soccer Academy.

The beauty of this football club is in the solidarity that Vivian’s teammates and her coaches, who are all male, exhibited to make sure she settles in to give her best on a field dominated by boys.

This is the spirit behind the celebration of the International Human Solidarity Day, declared by the United Nations in 2005.

The UN General Assembly, by resolution 60/209 identified solidarity as one of the fundamental and universal values that should underlie relationship between peoples in the twenty-first century.

In that regard, it proclaimed 20 December of each year as International Human Solidarity Day.

The day promotes global cooperation and solidarity.

The day celebrates unity in diversity and raises public awareness of the importance of solidarity; wherein those who either suffer or benefit least deserve help from those who benefit most.

Solidarity is mutual support within a group; an awareness of shared interests, objectives, standards, and sympathies creating a psychological sense of unity of groups or classes.

It is the ties in a society that bind people together as one.

The young football players in Aleyita demonstrate solidarity at its best.

Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, women have clamoured for inclusion, equity, fairness and gender equality in social and political sectors.

Women bills for affirmative action have been debated on the floor of the National Assembly for more visibility and leadership roles assigned to women.

On April 6, 2022, Nigeria’s judicial system granted 35 per cent allocation of all appointments to women.

The court ordered the Nigerian Government to implement the National Gender Policy which provides for the allocation of 35 per cent of all appointments to women.

The judgment was by Justice Donatus Okorowo, of a Federal High Court in Abuja, in favour of Women in Politics Forum, who filed the suit.

The situation is no different in sports, which is maximally male-dominated.

Although the national women football team- the Super Falcons have made the country proud by dominating their games in the African continent and other international games, there is still the need for more women players and women football leagues in the country.

While Nigeria still strives to project women and grant them more opportunities to soar, the Greenland Soccer Academy has led by example for three years, by working in solidarity with their only female team member.

How Vivian got to play in a boys’ team

“I love seeing boys play football and the ball they play gives me joy so I told my mummy I wanted to play football.

“She wasn’t happy at first because she had better career choices for me than football but she could not stop my interest in football, so she reluctantly let me play for fun,” Vivian said.

Vivian said she was about 8 years old when she exhibited her love for football, and as the last child in a family of 6, her parents let her play in the midst of other children while her siblings were given chores.

Now at 13 and a Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3 student of JSS Aleyita, she is proud to be a football team’s captain.

“I started playing till I got people that supported me to play in this club. I joined the Greenland Soccer Academy in 2019. I am a midfielder and over the years, I also rose to become the captain of the team,” she said.

Vivian’s coach, Chukwubuike Obona, also known as Coach Chike, said he started the Greenland Academy in 2013 in the Federal Capital Territory.

“I discovered Vivian when she was 10 years old on the streets when they were playing; I encouraged her to start coming to my team.

“I started coaching her, and then I met her parents as well. I let them know that I want the girl to play football because I saw potential and a great future in her.

“Initially they did not agree, they wanted her to do other things that females do but when they saw that she picked interest whenever football was mentioned or played, or instantly developed a fever if she wasn’t allowed to go to the pitch, they let her come out to play.”

Coach Chike said that Vivian’s presence in the male-dominated club had caused uproar in Aleyita Community in the early days of coaching.

“Members of her family and the community had to summon a meeting; they tried to dissuade her from football but after series of meetings and advocacy, her father stood his ground.

“What also helped was that her uncle is the present chief of the community; their influence created acceptance although half-heartedly at first, but now the community is very proud of her achievements and often gather to watch her dribble the boys,” Coach Chike said.

Why was Vivian made captain of the team?

“I saw her seriousness; she was much organised. Equally, a whole other people that were older than her listened to and respected her.

“I observed this for some time and then made her the captain. I have never regretted that decision because when I am not around she sets every programme for practice just as if I am there.

“Also, when I am not around, the team follows her every move and lead, there are no clashes,” Coach Chike said.

Her teammates say there are no discriminations or disparity on the football field and are free to tackle their captain irrespective of her gender.

Wisdom Wilson, 13, and a student of Junior Secondary School, Maitama also plays in the Greenland Soccer Academy.

“Vivian is very good with the ball and that is why she was picked as the captain and not because she is the only girl in the team.

“We all see ourselves as equals and not like she is a girl and we are boys.

“And because we are teammates, we protect her in the community; even if other boys want to fight her, she has a whole team of boys looking out for her in the community,” he said.

Another teammate, Mohammed Suleiman and student of Junior Secondary School Aleyita, says although they trade tackles on the field with their female captain, it is all healthy competition.

“It feels very good playing in the team, Vivian tackles me a lot in the field, I tackle her too; sometimes we put leg for her to fall if she tackles us too much although it is all healthy competition.

“We need other girls in the team because we are a unique team here.

“What we do as a team for our captain is that we make sure that other girls and boys do not tease, discriminate nor laugh at her because she is playing football with boys,” Suleiman said.

The solidarity displayed by these young players has impacted the community greatly; more families are seeing the need to introduce their female children to football.

Chiagoziem Nneji, a 9-year-old girl of Pilot Science School, Wuse, has just joined the team, now she looks up to the captain and other male teammates to horn her skills.

“Vivian encourages me to play more because I love football and I like playing it.

“I started playing in this team because I feel it’s the best place to play and I have a companion.

“My parents want me to be a doctor but footballers now earn more money than doctors and football is what gives me joy, what I like to play,” she said.

There are many benefits to playing ball and doing it in solidarity the young players say.

After their matches, they wash their jerseys and help each other complete their household chores.

Coach Chike says that football in Aleyita has curbed unruly behaviour as the young players have no time to indulge in vices after school hours and gruelling football practice in the evenings.

He, however, ensures that the game does not in any way diminish their educational prowess as he makes them practice only twice weekly on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.

There are high hopes for these players with great potential in Aleyita.

Vivian hopes to follow in the steps of her hero- Asisat Oshoala, a Super Falcon star, who has continued to make Nigeria proud with her skills.

But for a community team to raise such shining stars, Assistant Coach of Greenland Academy, Coach Andrew Bangs, says the young players need sponsorship to replace worn out jerseys, balls, boots and other practice equipment.

“The coaches most times task themselves and the players to afford sporting gears and hire buses to play matches outside Aleyita,” Bangs said.

In spite of these challenges, the team looks forward to receiving more female players as it is very open to gender mainstreaming and with solidarity, they can achieve more just as they have with Vivian and Chiagoziem.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

**If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)