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NGO launches campaign against gender violence through football

NGO launches campaign against gender violence through football
NAN-HG-5
By Moses Kolo
Campaign
Kafanchan (Kaduna State), March 7, 2018 (NAN) Gender Awareness Trust, a Kaduna-based NGO, has organised novelty football matches in four communities in Zangon Kataf local government area to campaign against gender based violence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two football matches were played on Wednesday simultaneously between Fadan Kamantan and Kamuru Ikulu at the LEA Primary School Fadan Kamantan.
The second match was between Ramai Zonkwa and Zannon communities at the LEA Primary school premises at Zonzon.
The campaign was also to mark this year’s International Women’s Day.
Mrs Tyda Abba, a Project Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the NGO, told NAN in Zonzon that the events were the organisation’s Collective Action for Adolescent Girls Initiative (CAAGI) project.
She said the events were to raise consciousness on the ills of violence meted against women and adolescent girls in the society.
“There is no excuse for any form of violence as any aggrieved person is supposed to seek redress from a court of law rather than resort to violence,” she said.
The spokesperson said the organisation engaged men in the campaign as “male champions”, who also played key roles in the advocacy to ending gender-based violence.
She enjoined Nigerians to join the campaign to rid the society of violence for development and enhanced mutual trust and understanding among all sexes.
Mr Ibrahim Adamu, one of the players from Zonzon community, commended the initiative and prayed for its sustenance.
Miss Hajara Sani, a spectator at the event, said she was impressed to see the men folk come together to collectively embrace the idea of ending violence against women.
NAN reports that the matches ended with Fadan Kamantan defeating Kamuru Ikulu 2-0, while Ramai Zonkwa won 1-0 against host Zonzon community, respectively. (NAN)
MGK/DS/MST
Edited by Dauda Shehu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NAN MD advocates massive enlightenment against drug abuse

NAN MD advocates massive enlightenment against drug abuse
NAN-HG-2
Campaign
By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Dec. 19,2017 (NAN) Mr Bayo Onanuga, the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), has called for massive public enlightenment campaign against drug abuse in the country.
Onanuga made the appeal on Tuesday at the Senate Roundtable on drug abuse epidemic in Kano.
NAN reports that the roundtable was organised by the Senate as part of effort to address the drug use crisis in the country and proffer solutions to the problem.
Onanuga, who, was represented by the Director, Finance and Accounts, Mrs Khadijat Lawal, said the call was necessary in view of the alarming rate of drug abuse in the country.
He stressed the need for Federal and State Governments to take stringent measures against unlicensed patent medicine store owners selling the products in order to ensure the success of the campaign.
According to him, the campaign against the ugly trend should also be extended to schools, places of worship and market places.
“How do we protect the vulnerable including market women in the effort toward addressing the drug use crisis.
“I think the best way is to extend the campaign to schools, market places and places of worship,” he said.
He noted that the campaign would go along way in sensitising students and other vulnerable people on the dangers associated with drug abuse.
The managing director also stressed the need for state governments to partner with all the key stakeholders so as to make the campaign against drug abuse very effective and result oriented.
“A strong partnership between the state governments and all other stakeholders will not only help in minimising the menace but will enable the relevant agencies address the menace,’’ Onanuga said.
Former governor of Niger, Dr Babangida Aliyu, also urged the federal government to introduce social welfare programme for unemployed persons in the country as part of effort to reduce poverty.
He said community leaders also have a significant role to play in the fight against drug abuse as every community in the country has the problem.
“Communities should be involved in the crusade because every community has this problem of drug abuse especially among our teeming unemployed youths,” he said.
NAN reports that the roundtable was attended by various stakeholders including civil society organisations, law enforcement agencies as well as ex-drug addicts. (NAN)
MTM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Yobe launches campaign against measles

Yobe launches campaign against measles
NAN-HG-2
Measles
By Mohammed Mamman
Damaturu, Nov. 3, 2017 (NAN) UNICEF says 23,893 cases of measles have been recorded in Yobe between January and June, this year.
Mr Samuel Sesay, the UNICEF Consultant in the state, made this known on Friday at a workshop for Measles Vaccination Campaign in Damaturu.
He attributed the high figure to security challenges and poor attitude of parents to present their wards for vaccination.
“We have observed non-compliance by parents and lack of trust in the vaccination exercise by parents and guardians,’’ Sesay said.
According to him, the new exercise will be conducted in two phases starting with eight local government areas of Bade, Bursari, Damaturu, Karasuwa, Machina, Nangere, Potiskum and Yunusari.
“The second phase will cover Fika, Fune, Geidam, Gujba, Gulani, Jakusko, Nguru and Tarmuwa Local Government Areas,’’ he said.
Sesay said that the exercise would be conducted in designated health centres, palaces of traditional rulers and schools.
He said that the Yobe Primary Health Care Management Board would partner the military to extend the coverage to remote areas.
The consultant called for partnership with the media to educate the populace and eradicate misinformation about measles vaccination to ensure the success of the exercise. (NAN)
MM/AJA/MST
Edited by Adeleye Ajayi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Oyo commences 2nd round of neonatal tetanus campaign

Oyo commences 2nd round of neonatal tetanus campaign
NAN-H-31
Tetanus
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 18, 2017 (NAN) The Oyo State Government says it will commence the second round of Maternal Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE) campaign in seven affected local government areas on Friday.
Mrs Oluwakemi Olawoyin, the State Health Educator, Ministry of Health, disclosed this on Wednesday in Ibadan at a sensitisation programme aimed at eliminating MNT from the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seven local governments identified are Atisbo, Ibarapa North, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Oyo West, Saki East and Saki West.
The first round elimination campaign was held from Sept. 11 to 19, while the second round would hold from Oct. 20 to 24.
She stated that the general objective of the vaccination exercise was to achieve total elimination of neonatal tetanus from the state.
“Nigeria is a signatory to the international pact for the elimination of Tetanus disease by 2015 but now in 2017.
“Seven local government areas in Oyo State have been identified to be at high risk.
“In order to meet up with an international validation exercise, the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board has now begun a three round of vaccination exercise within the affected local government areas.
“We urge all females of reproductive ages within the council areas to avail themselves the new opportunities,’’ she said.
Mr Steve Akinrinade, the state Coordinator, Primary Health Care Board, explained that 124,852 persons immunised out of the 137,046 persons targeted in the first round.
Akinrinade stated that the ministry recorded 91 per cent coverage in the first round, saying the second and third round is equally necessary.
Similarly, Mrs Kehinde Idowu, Chief Administrator, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, urged women across the seven affected local government areas to avail themselves the opportunity of eradicating neonatal tetanus in the state.
The caretaker chairmen of the seven affected local councils, who were also at the meeting, promised to support the campaign both morally and financially.
They recounted their efforts at mobilising their communities, which led to the success recorded in the first round of the exercise.
NAN reports that the programme was attended by traditional rulers, civil society organisations, health workers and women groups. (NAN)
TAA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Cholera: Yobe launches campaign on preventive measures

Cholera: Yobe launches campaign on preventive measures
NAN-HG-9
Campaign
Damaturu, Sept. 18, 2017 (NAN) The Yobe Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) says it has launched a campaign on preventive measures to check the spread of cholera to the state from neighbouring Borno.
Alhaji Mohammed Bukar, the General Manager, RUWASSA, disclosed this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu.
He said the campaign was designed to sensitise residents on water safety, waste disposal and personal hygiene.
Bukar described the campaign as “proactive measures to avoid the fire brigade approach” in controlling the spread of the disease in the state.
He said that the Yobe Government in collaboration with donor partners constructed 200 toilets in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and the host communities to curb open defecation.
“The state government and donor partners had this year alone constructed 20 new water facilities and rehabilitated 200 others in returnee communities where the people have returned home.
“We have designed a time table for periodic dislodgment of the toilets and maintenance of the water facilities for effective waste disposal and water safety,” he said.
Mohammed said the state government and donor partners have also restored water supply to several communities in Gujba and Gulani local government areas to provide safe water.
“,Government with its partners, is working on the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene platform (WASH) by constructing six new water facilities and rehabilitating 12 others in other affected communities,” he said.
The general manager said the campaign also centred on the dangers of open defecation, need for proper waste disposal, proper hand washing and handling of water.
Mohammed said the state had taken delivery of water drinking facilities for public places and chlorine for use in water sources and facilities.
“We are liaising with all stakeholders to ensure that the communities are provided with safe water,” he said.
He expressed satisfaction with the community participation in the campaign especially among food vendors and in motor parks as well as in markets where toilets and water facilities have been provided.
According to the general manager, the agency is working on 2018 budgetary provision for a full-fledge and sustainable campaign on hygiene promotion to improve the health status of residents of the state. (NAN)
MM/DO/MST
Edited by David Onilede/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

FGM: Monarch drums support for Ebonyi Gov’s wife campaign

FGM: Monarch drums support for Ebonyi Gov’s wife campaign

NAN-HG-2

Mutilation

Ishiagu (Ebonyi), June 20, 2017 (NAN) A traditional ruler, Ezego Moses Okafor-Ngele, has called on Nigerians to support the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the country.

Okafor-Ngele, traditional ruler of Ishiagu autonomous community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi, made the commendation while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ishiagu.

He lauded the efforts of the wife of Ebonyi Governor, Mrs Rachel Umahi, to end the practice of FGM in the state.

The traditional ruler, who decried the age long harmful practice, said it was time Nigerians and the entire communities in Ebonyi joined hands with wife of the governor to end the obnoxious practice.

Okafor-Ngele who noted that the traditional institutions in the state had a great role to play in the war against female genital cutting, also appealed to traditional rulers, community/village heads and other recognised traditional authorities to support the crusade.

He said that so many innocent lives had been lost through bleeding and infection, while many victims of the ugly practice had been subjected to permanent pains, misery and fistula related ailments due to the harmful practice.

Okafor-Ngele said that the practice had been drastically reduced in some communities due to the untiring efforts of the Mrs Umahi in raising public awareness, especially rural women, on the inherent dangers in female circumcision.

The monarch however said that the occurrence of the practice was still endemic in some rural communities in the state.

While describing the current action of Umahi against the practice as “commendable’’, he promised to replicate the campaign in his domain.

“The current sensitisation campaign aimed at getting communities to officially abandon the practice of female genital mutilation by the wife of the governor is a good development and highly commendable.

“The practice has resulted to many untimely deaths, fistula ailments and even problem of child birth to victims of this heinous practice.

“Traditional rulers as custodians of the people’s culture, tradition and customs have a very important role to play in this regard; hence I am calling on my colleagues to join hands with Her Excellency to achieve 100 per cent success in this fight.

“We must encourage our subjects to abandon this harmful practice, openly denounce the practice and abolish the tradition where it still exists,’’ Okafor-Ngele urged.

He called for the sustenance of the ongoing campaign and enforcement of the state law against those caught indulging in the exercise. (NAN)

ODO/ORO/MST

Edited by Razak Owolabi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

FG inaugurates gender equality, women empowerment campaign

FG inaugurates gender equality, women empowerment campaign

NAN-HG-3

Campaign

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, May 23, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Government has inaugurated the gender equality and women empowerment campaign, tagged “HeForShe campaign’’, in Abuja.

Inaugurating the campaign on Tuesday, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Sen. Aisha Alhassan, said it was designed to secure the commitment of one billion men across the globe.

“Out of the signatories to the campaign in the country, we anticipate that half will take the initial step of making a simple pledge for gender equality.

“We also project that another quarter will pledge and be inspired to engage more fully, taking a second step to donate towards, advocate for, and sensitise themselves and other gender equality issues,’’ the minister said.

She said the final and last quarter would deepen their engagement by pledging and following through on major actions that substantially contribute to social change.

Alhassan said the campaign was not to seek equality with men from the religious aspect but to give women opportunity and bridge the gap with men.

She said the campaign would crystallised into a strategic shift that increasingly focus on actions bringing men and boys side by side with women and girls in order to break the barrier of women and girls from achieving their full potentials.

“HeForShe 10 impact Project’ launched in 2015, the projects brings together 10 heads of states, 10 global Chief Executive Officers and 10 university Presidents or vice chancellors who would sign on to 30 communities to fast track gender equality in board rooms and world capitals.

“Drawing a leaf from their example, I would like to appeal to acknowledge gender champions which includes royal fathers, religious leaders, celebrities, political leaders, civil society organisation actors, private sector chief executives, institutional and social administrators.’’

She said in recognition of the size of the country, a six high calibre men from six segments of the society have been selected; namely the executive, the judiciary, legislature, academia, private sector, traditional and religious institutions from the six geo-political zones.

The UN Women Representative to Nigeria, Ms Comfort Lamptey, said Nigeria was the fifth country to officially launch the campaign advocacy platform after Cape Verde, Liberai, Sierra Leone and Senegal.

She said globally, more than 1.1 million men had joined the campaign movement to date.

“The HeForShe journey begins online with a simple affirmation that gender equality is not only women’s issues, but also a human right issue that requires everyone’s participation and commitment to achieve.

“The campaign is solidarity movement which aims to engage at least one billion men and boys on the topic of gender equality,’’ she said.

The Permanent Secretary, of the ministry, Mrs Nwokedi Phyllis, said the campaign would implement a shared vision of gender equality with norms of gender equality, non-violence, respect and positively shaping the society.

The newly elected President of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, said the association would support by taking the campaign to the grassroots.

She advised paramilitary organisations to join in the campaign, saying that pregnancy should not be a barrier but rather it shows a woman’s completeness. (NAN)

OEO/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NBTS advocate states’ participation in blood safety campaign

NBTS want states’ participation in blood safety campaign

NAN-HG-13

Blood

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, Feb. 22, 2017 (NAN) The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has called for full participation of State Governments in the implementation of the National Blood Safety Programme.

The National Coordinator of the service, Dr Oluwatoyin Smith, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

She explained that the campaign would ensure sustainable and coordinated blood service in the country.

“During the 58th meeting of the National Council on Health, the meeting approved NBTS memo requesting State Governments that host NBTS centres to take over the ownership and management of such centres.

“While States that do not currently have blood service centres are encouraged to establish their own.’’

Smith said all zonal and state coordinators of NBTS centres were directed to actively engage state governments and states’ ministries of health on taking over the responsibility and management of the NBTS facilities in their respective jurisdictions.

She said some states like Cross River and Taraba had absorbed members of staff of the NBTS, while Katsina State is in the process of doing same.

“ So far, two out of the 10 state centres have absorbed some of the former project staff, while work is in progress in others.

“Though not much has been reported on efforts made to contribute to the operational expenses for these centres yet. We are not quite at the stage where we can be discussing efficiency yet,’’ the coordinator said.

Smith emphasised that it was important for the country to take full ownership of the Blood Safety Programme in line with the dictates of the National Blood Policy and the resolutions made at the 58th National Council on Health.

According to her, the service needs adequate funding to ensure consistent supply of safe blood, a task which requires the support of the Federal Government, multilateral and bilateral agencies and NGOs.

The coordinator said the NBTS draft bill that would grant the organisation the autonomy to carry out its mandate was being prepared for submission to the Federal Executive Council and onward transmission to the National Assembly as an executive bill.

Smith said NBTS has 17 blood centres, including six zonal centres, 10 state centres with one in the FCT.

She said donating blood can help in treating patients suffering from cancer, bleeding disorders, chronic anaemia associated with cancer, sickle cell anaemia and other hereditary blood abnormalities.

Smith urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of voluntary blood donation knowing that there are no alternatives to human blood and one would be saving lives by donating. (NAN)

OEO/DOR/MST

Edited by Nyisom Dore/Muhammad Suleiman Tola