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Food security: Nasarawa farmers advocates increase funding to agriculture

Food security: Nasarawa farmers advocate increase funding to agriculture
NAN-H-70
Agriculture
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Jan. 29, 2018 (NAN) Farmers in Nasarawa State have called on the State Government to increase its funding to agriculture to achieve food sufficiency and security.
Acting under the aegis of Association of Small Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), the farmers urged the state government to ensure adequate budgetary allocation to agricultural sector in 2018.
Mr Joshua Jonathan, the state President of the association, made the appeal on Monday in Keffi in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Jonathan said that increase in agricultural funding would increase agricultural production as well as ensure food sufficiency in the state and the country at large.
According to him, the call became imperative due to the reduction in the budget of the sector from N3.5 billion or three per cent in 2017 to N2.3 billion or about two per cent in the 2018 budget proposal.
“The budget estimate for agricultural sector is expected to cater for personnel, overhead, recurrent, capital and other expenses such as subsidy on fertiliser that would engender agricultural development.
“The current budget estimate for the sector cannot provide for the basic requirements for agricultural sector because fertiliser subsidy alone for 1 billion farmers would gulp N1 billion if subsidy for a bag is N1,000 as was the case in 2017.
“So if every farmer would get up to five bags, imagine how much just fertiliser subsidy would cost not to talk about other aspects,” he said.
Jonathan noted that decades of neglect of agricultural sector in the state had led to poverty among the farming population and called on the government to invest more in the sector.
“No society can live comfortably without agriculture; agriculture is the major source of livelihood of every family and nation, hence the need for government to give it the most desire attention,’’ he said.
The farmers leader advised the government to ensure that all interventions reached grassroots farmers to checkmate activities of “political farmers’’ who often hijacked such support at the detriment of agricultural development.
He also called on the state House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture to increase the allocation of the sector in order to boost food production in the state. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Keep the promise on HIV funding, Foundation tasks FG  

Keep the promise on HIV funding, Foundation tasks FG
NAN-H-20
HIV/AIDS
By Talatu Maiwada
Abuja, Jan. 25, 2018 (NAN) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), an NGO, has called on Federal Government and stakeholders to keep the promise on HIV and AIDS to sustain national HIV intervention and safeguard the health of Nigerians.
Mr Steve Aborisade, Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF Nigeria, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
“It is heart-warming to see renewed commitments on the part of government to treat more Nigerians of HIV.
“The National Assembly resolved commitment to the implementation of the National Health Act.
“Provision of one per cent of the consolidated revenue fund for health from 2018 and state governors who are considering between 0.5 per cent and one per cent of their monthly federal allocations to sustain HIV funding.
“What we expect, which serves the Nigerian people right, is for these commitments to not end up as mere rhetoric.
“Keeping the promise made is the only way to guarantee and sustain the national HIV intervention and safeguard the health of Nigerians,’’ Aborisade said.
He said AIDS in Nigeria was a big challenge yet to be surmounted, adding that Nigeria’s HIV and AIDS situation is a peculiar one demanding a peculiar solution.
Aborisade said majority of Nigerians who are HIV positive in the country were unaware of their status adding that, Nigeria remains the second largest epidemic globally at 3.2 million.
“In 2016, according to UNAIDS, Nigeria recorded 220,000 new HIV infections, one of the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Same year, she recorded 160,000 AIDS-related deaths. Among pregnant women living with HIV, only 32 per cent are on treatment, the fate of the remaining 68 per cent and their unborn babies is best imagined.
“No wonder, about 37, 000 children became newly infected with HIV in 2016 while only nine states out of 36 have surpassed 50 per cent Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) coverage.
“According, to Dr Sani Aliyu, Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) is of the view that Nigeria may require nothing less than N150 billion annually to achieve and maintain full ART coverage,’’ he said.
This reality, he said, underscores the need for state governments and organised private sector to join the federal government in its effort to rid Nigeria of AIDS.
Aborisade further called on nations who are funding AIDS to keep up their efforts, while urging the Government of China to support the Global Fund, which supports nations in tackling AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. (NAN)
TIM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NPC workers demand probe of commission’s funding

NPC workers demand probe of commission’s funding
NAN-HG-9
Investigation
By Chinenye Offor
Abuja, Jan. 23, 2018 (NAN) Workers of the National Population Commission (NPC) on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to probe the funding and expenditure of the commission in last four years.
The workers made the appeal as a resolution of their congress meeting in Abuja to review their ongoing work to rule action.
They said the investigation would unravel an alleged corruption that has bedevilled the commission.
This is part of the communiqué jointly signed by Mrs Rita Agaba, leader of the NPC workers union; and Messrs Aminu Abashiya, Ibrahim Saleh and Ogunyemi Funke.

The communiqué, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the resolution followed the outcome of their committee with the Chairman of the commission, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, on Jan. 22.
The workers acknowledged that the chairman persuaded them to suspend their demand for the removal of the reappointed Director-General of NPC, Dr Ghaji Bello.
However, the congress held on Jan. 23, considered the request of the chairman and national commissioners to allow Bello resume for another term as “insensitive, selfish and tendentious’’.
“The members of staff have maintained a stand that the former DG, Ghaji Bello, would not return to the commission.
“The staff members are aware of the reasons for the position of the chairman who is afraid that Ghaji Bello will expose his illicit financial dealings.
“The members can no longer keep quiet in the face of brazen theft and corruption that has characterised the commission in the last four years.
“The commission which aspire to become the population centre of excellence and most responsive public institution in the country has lost her pride of place among institutions in similar standing due to the conduct of those at the helm of affairs,” the communiqué read in part.
The congress however endorsed the no-confidence vote passed by the management staff on the reappointed director-general “and by extension the chairman and also to the commissioners that have not demonstrated enough sense of responsibility in discharging their duties’’.
The unions therefore advised all members to continue with the “work to rule action’’ until all demands were met.
“We are aware that government activities in the commission have been at a standstill since the reappointment of the DG was announced.
“And in order for government activities to continue without any further hindrance, government should consider as matter of urgency the appointment of an Ag. Director-General pending the resolution of issues in dispute.
“We are calling for the suspension of expenditure on the one billion and sixty eight million Naira (N1,068,000,000.00) pending the appointment of an Ag. Director-General for the commission,’’ it stated.
NAN also gathered that copies of the communiqué were sent to the chairman of the commission; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha; and the Minister of labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, for necessary action.
The management of NPC was yet to react to the workers demands. (NAN)
CSO/MUYI/MST
Edited by Muhyideen JImoh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Society advocates improved funding for immunisation

Society advocates improved funding for immunisation
NAN-HG-6
Immunisation
By Felicia Imohimi
Abuja, Jan.24, 2018 (NAN) The Union of National African Paediatric Societies and Associations (UNAPSA) on Tuesday called for adequate funding of immunisation programme in the country.
Dr Dorothy Esangbedo, the President of the association, made the appeal at a side line interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during an immunisation road walk in Abuja.
She described the immunisation rate in Nigeria as an embarrassment due to poor funding.
Quoting from the 2013 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) report, Esangbedo decried the low coverage of immunisation in some parts of the country.
She said, for instance, that Sokoto State accounted for three per cent of the poor rate.
The president, who described immunisation as a cost effective and life saving intervention, however noted that it was underutilised in the African continent especially in Nigeria.
She attributed this poor immunisation coverage and rate of under-five death to poor funding of vaccines, among others.
Esangbedo however appealed to political leaders to ensure that immunisation was properly funded and judicious use of such fund in order to address the rate of under-five mortality in country.
“Immunisation of children cannot wait, does not wait because when you immunise and do not sustain it the risk start to fall, you loose children and loose all the money you have earlier spent.
“We appeal to political leaders to make vaccines available that mothers can be encourage to take their children for immunisation to prevent them from vaccines preventable diseases and death.
“It is an intervention that needs sustainability. We appeal to women and parents in general all around Africa to take their children for immunisation because it is potent and saves live,” she said.
Also, Dr Ngozi Ibeziako, President, Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), emphasised that immunisation is cost effective, adding that it brings more return to nation’s economy.
Ibeziako said the immunisation walk was aimed at raising awareness and sensitisation on the necessity of immunisation.
“Political leaders should make sure resources are available and expand the scope of immunisation coverage across the country to reduce the number of our children dying due to vaccine preventable diseases. (NAN)
FUA/MST
Edited byMuhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

PSN wants FG to improve funding of research institute

PSN wants FG to improve funding of research institute
NAN-HG-4
Funding
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, Oct. 18, 2017 (NAN) Mr Ahmed Yakasai, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), on Wednesday called for improved electricity supply and funding to the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD).
Yakasai, who spoke at the unveiling of a monument at the institute in Abuja, said this was stalling progress of research and had forced the institute to operate below capacity.
According to him, the institute has only kept its operations going with donations and support from international organisations, donor agencies and individuals.
He said it was time the Federal Government improved on its support to the institute.
Yakasai charged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to rally support for the institute to enable it sustain the international standard it had achieved over the years through donor support.
“NIPRD is here and is working but it needs help; the institute needs funding to re-equip its laboratories.
“The institute is surviving today because of donations and support from countries like Japan, USAID and so on.
“This is what has made the NIPRD one that can compete favourably with others around the world.
“However, the institute does not have electricity to do its work and this is sad. It needs support; funding is not there and we need ways to fund the institute.
“You cannot run an institute like this without funding, without adequate equipment and manpower; this institute needs to expand beyond what it is now.’’
Yakasai recalled that when he became president of the PSN, he gave attention to the institute.
According to him, the institute was built because of the need to harness Nigeria’s natural resources for research and development, and to show the world what we have and what we are capable of achieving.
“The institute is doing a lot in the area of drug production, HIV research and treatment, sickle cell anaemia, malaria and so on.
“They are collaborating with international organisations to bring in modern technology but government needs to do its part by supporting the institute,’’ Yakasai said.
The NIPRD director-general, Prof. Karniyus Gamaniel, said since the establishment of the institute it had supported the health sector by checkmating quality of drugs produced in the country or imported.
Gamaniel said the institute had also successfully researched and produced ‘Niprisan’, a drug for the management of sickle cell anaemia.
According to him, it is the first time such a drug is being brought forward and commercialised from the laboratory to the public domain.
He added that the drug was unique and recognised worldwide.
Gamaniel stressed that the institute was currently operating at 40 per cent capacity, especially in the areas of infrastructure and funding.
“On the research of drugs, we are doing fairly based on the resources available to us.
“If we have support, this institute will do a lot in the areas of employment generation, boosting the economy and lead to medical findings for foreign exchange,’’ the director-general said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the monument being unveiled was erected by the PSN for the institute. (NAN)
KRY/COF/MST
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NGO advocates increased funding for nutrition

NGO advocates increased funding for nutrition
NAN-HG-6
Nutrition
By Bukola Olaifa
Abuja, Sept. 18, 2017 (NAN) Women Friendly Initiative (WFI), an NGO, has advocated for increased budget line for nutrition in the country.
The group specifically advised the Bwari Legislative Council in the FCT-Abuja on Monday to increase its funding for nutrition.
The Programme Officer of WFI, Mrs Rosemary Adaji, made the appeal during a meeting with the legislative arm of the council to fast track the release of funds to nutrition officers.
Adaji explained that malnutrition occurs when people consistently do not consume the right amounts or types of food and essential nutrients they required.
She said that 17 children are currently malnourished following the outcome of their findings in the area.
Adaji stated that malnutrition in infants is caused by poor maternal nutrition and wrong practices, which she noted can only be addressed with proper nutrition.
Also speaking the Nutrition Officer of Bwari Area Council, Mrs Bolatito Illesanmi, said that the council has record of 17 malnourished children which may seem small but significant due to its lasting effects on the child especially females.
Illesanmi disclosed that the council has over 48 primary healthcare centres but only 20 have nutrition corners for nutritional issues.
According to her, only three of the primary healthcare centres have functional nutrition corners.
She attributed lack of nutritional corner to lack of resources, adding that the N700m budget for nutrition has not been accessed.
The Head of Department, Health Services, Dr Sunday Goji, expressed optimism with the outcome of the meeting.
Goji said that the nutrition corners would be reactivated to enhance demonstration and sensitisation of the residents.
The Leader, Bwari Area Legislative Council, Mr Iliya Fenu, pledged legislative support to the cause to halt malnutrition in the area.

However, Fenu noted that increasing the budget was not the problem but the cash backing to execute the policy.
He therefore charged the head of health to prepare for nutrition advocacy at the ward level in collaboration with the various councillors.
“We will do our best to make sure that the budget line is increased, though the budget is not our problem but the cash backing for implementation,” he said. (NAN)
BOL/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

2018 Budget: FG to consider special intervention funds for NAPTIP – Minister

2018 Budget: FG to consider special intervention funds for NAPTIP – Minister

NAN-H-67

Victims

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Abuja, June 22, 2017 (NAN) Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister Budget and National Planning, says the Federal Government is considering providing special intervention funds for  victims of human trafficking in the 2018 budget.

Udoma said this when he received the Director-General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Ms Julie Donli, on Thursday in Abuja.

The minister said the visit was timely as the ministry had begun the preparation for the 2018 budget and the ministry would consider the request of the agency in providing special intervention funds for it.

“We can now reflect some of your requirements in the 2018 budget, but I think you should work closely with your supervising ministry (Ministry of Justice).

“You need to work with your ministry to get your needs included in the budget when submitting to the Budget Office,’’ he said.

Udoma, however, assured the agency of the ministry’s support to address its challenges.

The minister said the priority of the administration was to invest in Nigerians, adding that it is the reason the government inaugurated the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

“Investing in our people is not just Nigerians here, it is for Nigerians everywhere because we have a responsibility for the welfare of every Nigerian.’’

He commended the agency for living up to its responsibility in addressing issues of trafficking in the country.

Earlier, Donli spoke on the challenges hindering the agency to perform its mandate effectively.

“Our challenges are enormous; our funding is inadequate for this kind of job we are expected to do.

“The envelope system cannot work for us. We need to be classified as a proper security agency because our job is similar to that of EFCC.

“ There is no absolute difference between the EFCC and NAPTIP in terms of operations and job description,’’ she said.

According to her, NAPTIP has nine zonal commands in the 36 states of the federation and it requires a lot of funding.

Donli expressed worry over the state of the agency’s operational vehicles, adding that they were donated to the agency by donor agencies over 10 years.

“There was Presidential order in 2014 to sort it out and over N309 million was approved and it was supposed to spread over the 2015 and 2016 budget.

“We have not really had our own vehicles, the ones we have are old and rickety and our officials are using their own vehicles to work.’’

Besides, the director-general decried lack of funds in rehabilitating and repatriation of victims as well as prosecuting those involved in the act.

“There is need to provide special intervention funds for us to facilitate the rescue and repatriation of traffickers victims from various parts of the world, especially Africa.

“We have no fewer than 5,000 victims awaiting rescue from Mali alone; every day we get people coming from Libya, Spain, Italy; every day they come in their hundreds and we are at dilemma.

“Coming to prosecution, we ought to have more cases of conviction.

“Right now, we can only boost of 323 cases, over the years, we have rescued 10,685 victims, we cannot prosecute them,’’ she lamented.

She solicited the support of all stakeholders in achieving the mandate of NAPTIP.

“Also, we encourage people to report cases of human trafficking just to help us trace assets of traffickers as well.

“The law gives us the power to trace and seize the assets of traffickers through the court for the benefit of the victims of trafficking,’’ Donli said. (NAN)

CIA/AOS/MST

Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Bauchi Govt disburses N13m to rural health facilities

Bauchi Govt disburses N13m to rural health facilities

NAN-HG-3

Facilities

By Amina Ahmed

Bauchi, June 21, 2017 (NAN) The Bauchi State Government has released N13 million to Dass Local Government Area to improve health facilities under the National States Health Investment Project (NSHIP).

The Executive Chairman, the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mr Adamu Gamawa, announced the disbursement in a statement on Wednesday in Bauchi.

Gamawa said the funds were released after the National Supportive Supervision exercise was conducted for the benefitting facilities.

“The Bauchi State Government has disbursed N12,962,500 to 15 Primary Healthcare Centres and one General Hospital in Dass LGA.

“The funding was provided under the World Bank assisted Additional Financing of National State Health Investment Project (NSHIP).

“NSHIP focuses on the delivery of quality primary health care so as to meet the health needs of the people.

“Fifteen health centres and one general hospital in the LGA will benefit from the fund,’’ Gamawa stated.

According to him, the funding released to each of the facilities range between N700,000 and N800,000.

He assured that the programme was a pilot exercise and would be expanded to other local government areas in the state.

He said the state government adopted the Performance Base Financing Approach to disburse the fund. (NAN)

AE/AIB/MST

Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Foundation canvasses partnership, funding for sickle cell disease

Foundation canvasses partnership, funding for sickle cell disease

NAN-HG-1

Sickle cell

By Talatu Maiwada

Abuja June 20, 2017 (NAN) The Sickle Cell Aid Foundation (SCAF) has called on the Federal Government (FG) to partner with institutions involved in treating sickle cell disease in order to curb the prevalence of the disease in Nigeria.

Dr Kanayo Collins, President of the foundation, made the appeal in Abuja on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to commemorate the 2017 World Sickle Cell Awareness Day.

He said the government has a role to play in ensuring Nigeria becomes a sickle cell free society through partnership and subsidising healthcare for sickle cell related cases.

“It is paramount that the government partners with NGOs such as SCAF and other stakeholders in their activities and campaigns related to eradicating sickle cell disease in Nigeria.

“There should be adequate funding for a nationwide training of personnel and sensitisation programmes about sickle cell diseases,” he said.

According to Collins, Nigeria has the highest population of people with sickle cell disorder, with about 150,000 births annually.

He said available statistics showed that over 40 million Nigerians are carriers of the sickle cell gene.

He added that a 2014 report from the Federal Ministry of Health indicated that Katsina State had the highest number of people with sickle cell disorder with over 17,000 people.

Collins decried the negative attitude towards sickle cell diseases by Nigerians despite the alarming statistics.

He attributed the attitude to inadequate information about the disease or outright ignorance about sickle cell disorder.

Collins further urged the government to establish bone marrow transplant facilities across the states and refurbish the existing ones in order to help carriers of the gene live a happy and healthy live.

Besides, he called on caregivers to sickle cell carriers to ensure they drink more water to avoid dehydration.

“Ensure they keep warm since cold or wet condition can aggravate the sickness and they should avoid activities that can leave them excessively exhausted.

“Children with sickle cell disease should be fully immunised against infectious illnesses. They should also go for constant medical checkup,’’ he advised.

The medical expert explained that sickle cell anaemia, also known as sickle disorder or sickle cell disease, was a common genetic condition due to a haemoglobin disorder inheritance from both parents.

He said about five per cent of the world’s population carries the genes responsible for the disorder.

“Each year, about 300 infants are born with major haemoglobin disorders including more than 200,000 cases of sickle cell anaemia in Africa,’’ he said. (NAN)

TIM/MAS/MST

Edited by Moses Solanke/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

HIV/AIDS: Foundation, CSOs want China to raise contribution to global fund

HIV/AIDS: Foundation, CSOs want China to raise contribution to global fund

NAN-HG-10

HIV/AIDs

By Talatu Maiwada

Abuja, May 18, 2017 (NAN) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), an NGO, and other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have appealed to China to increase to one billion dollars its contribution to global funding to combat HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

Mrs Oluwakemi Gbadamosi, AHF, Senior Manager, Public Relation and Communications, African Bureau, made the appeal while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

The theme of the event was “China be generous, pledge one billion dollar to the global fund to fight AIDs, tuberculosis and malaria’’.

Gbadamosi appreciated the international donor community for its contribution to the global fund with 12.9 billion dollars raised to curb AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

She said that at the fifth replenishment cycle, China, which was the second largest economy in the world, only pledged 18 million dollars.

The AHF official said that Japan and UK, who are the third and fifth largest economies, pledged 800 million and 171 million dollars, respectively.

According to her, China makes a lot of money from its trade and investment deals in Africa but has continued to perform ‘abysmally’ in funding global public health issues.

“As the world’s second largest economy, an increased contribution commensurate with China’s size would offer it a greater level of involvement and stature in addressing global health issues.

“We urge the global fund secretariat to open an ongoing high-level dialogue with the government of China in an effort to explore opportunities to increase its contribution.

“Our request is simply China do the right thing by pledging one billion dollars to the global fund,’’ Gbadamosi said.

Also speaking, Mr Moses Okpara, National Secretary, Youth Network on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, said civil society engagement was the foundation of global funds around the world.

He said the unique collaboration between the community based organisations and the fund helps transform financial resources into life saving programmes.

“Without the global fund, civil societies would not be able to achieve impressive gains that have been attained to date against the three epidemics.

“CSOs play a vital role in complementing national strategies and interventions in HIV, TB and malaria response.

“We are able to link the hard reach populations and vulnerable communities to health facilities.

“However, we urge respective countries benefiting from the global fund to scale up support for civil organisations involved in community interventions,’’ Okpara said.

In the same vein, Mr Isah Mohammed, Coordinator, Association for Positive Youths in Nigeria (APYIN), appealed to the Nigerian government to tow the path of South Africa by taking ownership of its HIV/AIDS response.

“Our over dependency on foreign donors has lasted longer than it is accepted and Nigeria has the resources to take responsibility for its citizenry.

“Now is the time to create an AIDS Trust Fund, Now is the time to increase domestic funding.

“If countries like Zimbabwe and South Africa can fund their response, there is no justification for Nigeria not to do same,’’ Mohammed said. (NAN)

TIM/AOS/MST

Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Muhammad Suleiman Tola