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We‘ll defend Niger Delta commonwealth, says NDDC MD

We‘ll defend Niger Delta commonwealth, says NDDC MD

By Desmond Ejibas
NDDC
Port Harcourt, Nov. 8, 2019 (NAN) Dr Gbene Nunieh, the Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), says the Interim Management Committee will defend the wealth of the people from looters.
She said this in a statement issued on Friday by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Charles Odili, to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Nunieh stated this while addressing youths who visited the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.
She said no individual would be allowed to rip-off the people of their resources while the interim committee manages the commission.
“So, I have been in the Niger Delta struggle from the beginning, and these people are beneficiaries of the struggle.
“But we will not allow them to take the money that belongs to the people of the Niger Delta,” she promised.
The managing director said the committee had recently cancelled agent fee of N1 billion paid monthly to an unnamed consultant.
She further said that payment of three per cent for gas paid by the commission has also been terminated.
“I thank President Muhammadu Buhari especially for believing in us (interim committee) and insisting on upholding the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The President said that he will act in accordance with the Act establishing NDDC, which states that: after Cross River, Delta will produce the Chairman.
“But some people do not want Delta to produce chairman. They don’t have the right to dictate.
“They will only obey the provisions of the Act, and as good citizens, we (committee) stand on the provisions of the NDDC Act,” she noted.
Nunieh said the forensic audit ordered by Buhari would enable the NDDC to recover funds stolen from the commission since 2001.
She urged the youths to go back to their communities, assuring them of the commission’s determination to bring development to all communities in the region.
“So, anywhere you come from in the Niger Delta, the NDDC is coming to your villages. Every village will have water to drink and primary health facility.
“We will work with all the governors and stakeholders in the region (to achieve this),” the managing director assured.
The NDDC boss thanked the people for trusting and supporting members of the interim management committee amid widespread opposition.
The Leader of the Ogoni youths, Felix Nwidag, was reported to having pledged support of the youths to the three-man committee. (NAN)
DES/COO/MST
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

NAN Board appoints Mammaga as Acting MD

NAN Board appoints Mammaga as Acting MD
By Isaac Aregbesola
Appointment
Abuja, July 15, 2019 (NAN) The Board of Directors of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has approved the appointment of Mr Ibrahim Mammaga as the Acting Managing Director and substantive Editor-In-Chief of the agency.
A statement by the agency’s Assistant Director, Administration and Human Resources Management, Mr Moses Uzogba, in Abuja on Monday, said the appointment took effect from July 10.
Before his appointment, Mammaga was the Managing Editor in charge of states in 2019, and served as Head, Lagos Operations between April 2018 and May 2019.
He was also the Zonal Manager Kaduna between 2006 and 2012. He served as State Correspondent from 1990 to 1995 in Sokoto, and District Correspondent in Birnin Kudu between 1988 and 1989.
Mammaga is a graduate of Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano. He is a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
He succeeds Mr Idris Abdulrahman who retired on July 9. (NAN)
IAA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

New MD FMC Keffi promises transparent, accountable administration

New MD FMC Keffi promises transparent, accountable administration
By Awayi Kuje
Service
Keffi (Nasarawa State), July 5, 2018 (NAN) Dr Yahaya Adamu, the new Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State, has assumed duties with a pledge to provide transparent and accountable leadership.
He also promised to deliver improved quality service in order to boost the health status of Nigerians.
Adamu said this on Thursday in Keffi during the official taking over ceremony from the centre’s acting Medical Director, Dr Luka Samuel.
He said that delivering quality service to patients and their relatives would be his topmost priority, adding “our vision is to serve the people in order to save human lives”.
The new medical director however called for support and cooperation from the staff members and host community to enable him succeed in the task ahead of him.
“I cannot succeed without you. I need your support and cooperation so that together we can move the centre forward for the development of the health sector,’’ he said.
Adamu hailed the developmental strides of the immediate past medical director of the centre, Dr Joshua Giyan, especially the introduction of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and solar power system, among others.
“I really appreciate the past MD (Giyan), he had done a lot, he established EMR, Solar power and I hope to develop on what he had done,’’ Adamu said.
He advised the workers to tolerate one another irrespective of their affiliation and to shun sentiment while discharging their duties in order to improve on the standard and health status of Nigerians.
The new medical director also assured members of the Governing board of the centre of a team work.
The Chairman of the board, Prince Sule Sami, charged the members of staff to be dedicated to their duties for effective healthcare service delivery.
He promised to give priority to staff welfare for effective healthcare delivery.
The board chairman commended the outgone acting medical director for “acting well’’ and called on him to keep the spirit for the progress and development of the centre.
While handing over earlier, Samuel assured his successor of maximum support and cooperation for the development of the centre.
“I am ready to support and cooperate with you in order to move the centre forward,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the handing over ceremony was witnessed by the board members, union leaders, workers and other stakeholders. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Please resume work: FMC Keffi MD appeals to striking JOHESU members

Please resume work: FMC Keffi MD appeals to striking JOHESU members
By Awayi Kuje
Appeal
Keffi (Nasarawa State), April 19, 2018 (NAN) Dr Luka Samuel, the Acting Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State, has appealed to Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) members to resume work to prevent further loss of lives.
Luka made the appeal on Thursday in Keffi in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He noted that the strike initiated by JOHESU has disrupted normal medical and healthcare services across the country.
According to him, the industrial action is affecting the lives of many Nigerians negatively especially indigent citizens that do not have the means to visit private hospitals.
“I want to appeal to the striking JOHESU members to return to their work and to discharge their duties diligently in order to save human lives,’’ Samuel said.
“The appeal has become imperative because as a result of the strike in the country, many human lives have been lost, this is due to lack of proper medical care and lack of means to go to private hospitals for treatment,” Samuel said.
“I am appealing to JOHESU members; let them have human face, let them have human sympathy as we all know that patients are kings.
“There is the need to always respect and protect the rights of patients in order to improve on their health status,” he added.
He restated the commitment of the centre to continue to improve on the welfare of patients and its staff, urging the aggrieved workers to complement government efforts through hard work in order to ensure quality service delivery.
While commending the Federal Government for its sustained efforts at funding the health sector, the acting medical director however called for improved welfare.
JOHESU consists of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWUN), Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospitals, among others.
NAN reports that some of the demands of the union included upward adjustment of salary scale, employment of additional health professionals, review of retirement age from 60 years to 65 years, and implementation of court judgment. (NAN)
AKW/COO/MST
Edited by Cecilia Odey/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

Respect rights of patients, Medical Director advises

Respect rights of patients, Medical Director advises
NAN-HG-2
Patients
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Sept. 13, 2017 (NAN) Dr Joshua Ndom, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State, has advised nurses and other health workers to respect and protect the rights of patients.
Ndom gave the advice on Wednesday at the 17th Scientific Conference/ Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Body of Heads of Nursing Departments and Principals of Schools of Nursing in Federal Institutions (BOHNDPSFI) in Keffi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference titled: “Electronics Medical Records (EMR) in a Depressed Economy: The Role of Nursing’’, was delivered by Ndom.
“The right of the patients also need to be protected at all the time in order to avoid untimely death, because patients are kings in every health sector and a healthy person can become a patient one day but that is not our prayers.
The medical director also urged hospitals in the country to key in to Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system considering its enormous benefits in boosting the health data of patients.
“The choice of this conference topic is timely considering the advantages of Electronic Medical Records over manual records, hence the need for hospitals across the country to embrace it.
“So the pivotal role of Medical Record is in the centre of the cycle of the hospital and as we are aware that Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is a digitise means of records as everything about a patient is done electronically.
“EMR have a lot of advantages which include reduction in medical errors, no missing of patients information, cost effectiveness, increased clinical process and reduced waste of time, among others, so hospitals should key in to the system,’’ he said.
Ndom restated his commitment to continue to key in to positive health programmes and policies that have direct bearing on the lives of the staff of the centre and patients at large.
Earlier, Mr Bala Adams, Head of Nursing Services Department, FMC, Keffi, said that the theme of the conference was meant to synergise with all the participants so as to take back the message of EMR to their various management for proper patient records.
“This is the 17 year since the body came into being. It is a forum where members learn new trends in the profession, compare notes with their colleagues on happenings in their centres and learn from each other’s life experience,” he said.
While commending Ndom for improving infrastructure and facilities in the centre, he called for its sustenance.
NAN also reports that the conference brought together participants from various federal health institutions across the country.
The participants included the Registrar of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Alhaji Faruk Abubakar, among other health experts. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NAN MD proffers 12-point agenda for UHC media strategy

NAN MD proffers 12-point agenda for UCH media strategy
NAN-H-26
Strategies
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, Aug. 26, 2017 (NAN) The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Bayo Onanuga, has proffered a 12-point media engagement strategy to ensure successful implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
Onanuga made the suggestions as a panellist at the two-day National Health Dialogue on UHC organised by some NGOs and Premium Times in Abuja.
He recommended for a robust government, civil society and media partnership to raise public awareness on healthcare needs and demands to achieve UCH in the country.
Represented by the Head, Health, Gender and Population Desk of the agency, Mr Mohammed Tola, the managing director tasked media practitioners in the country to get acquainted with provisions of health laws and issues to report accurately and correctly.
Onanuga explained that health issues must be taken seriously and the only way to achieve that is for media practitioners to have adequate knowledge on health matters.
He also urged stakeholders, especially NGOs, to empower media practitioners through training and equipment to sharpen their skills and deliver effectively.
Besides, the managing director enjoined government health agencies and CSOs to provide relevant data and information to enable journalists report accurately.
Onanuga further advised journalists covering the health sector to go beyond daily reportage as they were expected to conduct indepth analysis of pressing issues in the health sector.
“For us to record success in health sector, the media must be used as tools for advocacy.
“Journalists should take advantage of Freedom of Information Act to get necessary information needed to hold government and healthcare service providers accountable and transparent by delivering accessible and qualitative service.
“We must report activities of the government in the sector, monitor infrastructural development, procurement and disbursement of drugs and equipment as well as immunisation activities,” he said.
Onanuga stated that the only way that could be achieved is when media practitioners have adequate knowledge concerning health related issues.
Meanwhile, some cancer survivors at the event appealed to the Federal Government to establish functional Cancer Treatment Centres across the country to enable patients access medical care.
Some of the survivors who spoke to NAN after the conference urged government to speed up interventions to save lives.
Ms Comfort Daniel regretted that it was unfortunate that some of the treatment machines were not available in many parts of the country and she had to travel to Lagos to access Radiotherapy.
“If not for the support of well meaning Nigerians, NGOs and the media, I would have died of breast cancer.
“Sometime an NGO known as Pink-Blue sponsored my trip to and fro by air to Lagos to access radiotherapy.
“I was diagnosed of breast cancer when it was in stage 2 in 2014, because I didn’t have money and before I sourced for fund, there were a lot of delays and it deteriorated to stage three,” she said.
Daniel said that cancer treatment was expensive that government needs to intervene and provide necessary equipment, drugs and support for cancer patients.
Ms Gloria Orji, the Abuja Cancer Governor, also urged government to take necessary actions to provide treatment centres to carter for those suffering from various forms of cancers.
Orji, who recovered from breast cancer in the last five years, noted that the country was endowed and there was no reason why people should be dying of the disease that can be prevented and treated.
According to her, the treatment is expensive that even a middle class in the country cannot afford not to talk of the poor.
“To treat some types of breast cancer require not less than N12 million, you can now understand that a poor person cannot afford the treatment.
“I know of a person that was diagnosed of cancer and when she was told of what is required for the treatment, she said she cannot afford it that she will go home and die and she eventually died,” she said.
She appealed to the government to act fast to prevent high rate of mortality from cancer.
On her part, the Wife of Kebbi State Governor, Dr Zainab Bagudu, told that NAN the rate at which people are dying of cancer related disease was unacceptable.
Bagudu said that governments need to revive and strengthen Primary Health Care (PHC) to provide services to the larger population of Nigerians.
According to her, when there is functional primary healthcare, it will help in early detection and that will go a long in reducing the fertility rate from the ailment.
She also underscored the need for government to act fast in providing the necessary functional equipment for the treatment of cancer.
Bagudu added that Nigeria had the resources and it was not right for cancer patients to travel to overseas to access medical care.
NAN reports that the dialogue, which was attended by media experts, practitioners and health experts, was themed: “Media advocacy and accountability: Strategies for achieving Universal Health Care’’. (NAN)
MS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Medical director tasks health workers on quality research

Medical director tasks health workers on quality research

NAN-HG-7
Research
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa State), June 13, 2017 (NAN) Dr Joshua Giyan, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State, has advised health workers in the country to embark on quality research to tackle the nation’s health challenges.

Giyan gave the task on Tuesday at a Scientific Research Seminar titled: “Awakening Research Mandate in a Tertiary Health Institution”.

The medical director said: “Every federal tertiary health institution has three mandates which are: provision of tertiary health service, manpower training and research.’’

He said the seminar was meant to encourage staff to embrace research at all times.

“There is the need for all of us to wake up and key into quality operational research, considering the importance of research to quality health care service delivery and development of the nation.

“Let use our potential to carry out research in order to proffer solutions to some of the health challenges facing Nigerians as research brings about new findings.

“Research is not only for doctors, nurses, medical laboratory scientists but it is for everybody to embrace it for innovation,’’ he said.

Giyan said that the management had constituted a Scientific Research Committee to stimulate research among the clinical and non-clinical staff for the overall development of the health sector and the country at large.

He assured the staff of management’s readiness to make funds available for research, especially now that the 2017 budget had been signed.

Earlier, Dr Edeh Christopher, the Chairman, Scientific Research Unit of the centre, said that the seminar was organised to encourage clinical and non-clinical staff to embrace research.

“We want to awaken research because without research, nothing can be done in terms of innovation.

“It is through research that we can have high clinical services and with research you can make a lot of break-through and there will be high quality service delivery,’’ he said.

Christopher, who is also the Head, Dental Department of the FMC, commended the medical director for transforming the centre.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar was organised by the unit for scientific officers and non-clinical staff. (NAN)
AKW/AJA/MST
Edited by Adeleye Ajayi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

MD says FMC Keffi losses 3 staff over JOHESU strike

MD says FMC Keffi losses 3 staff over JOHESU strike

NAN-HG-1

Strike

By Awayi Kuje

Keffi (Nasarawa State), June 12, 2016 (NAN) Dr Joshua Ndom-Giyan, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, has called on resident doctors and other health workers to shun strike and embrace dialogue in pressing their demands.

Ndom-Giyan made the appeal on Monday at the five-day joint updates course and Training of Trainers (TOT) for resident doctors drawn from across the country in Keffi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training programme is organised by the West African College of Physicians (WACP) in conjunction with the National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPGMCN).

“I am telling you that the effect of strike action is on everybody including those that are striking.

“My centre staffers went on strike last year and we lost three of the striking workers which is unfortunate,’’ said the medical director.

Ndom-Giyan noted that strikes had affected the lives of many negatively, hence the need for resident doctors and other health workers to eschew strike so as to save lives in the country.

He also advised hospitals in the country to key into Electronic Medical Records (EMR) considering its enormous benefits in boosting quality healthcare delivery.

“Electronic Medical Records have a lot of advantages which include reduction in medical errors, no missing of patients’ information, cost effectiveness, increased clinical process and reduced waste of time, among others; so hospitals should key into it,’’ he said.

The medical director commended the Federal Government for its continued commitment and efforts in funding the health sector and called for its sustenance.

“First and foremost, I want to thank WACP and NPGMC for the wisdom in joint programmes like this which I believe would go a long way in cost-cutting, risk-cutting and overall increase in the success at meeting targeted goals.

“And the importance of updating knowledge in the quality of health care cannot be over emphasised as we live in an ever-changing world.

“ I therefore urged all of us to embrace EMR and to shun industrial action at all times because many of the issues that can lead to strike can be resolved by dialogue,’’ Ndom-Giyan said.

Besides, the medical director noted that strike actions had brought untold hardship to many Nigerians especially the privileged who do not have the means to access private healthcare services in the country.

Also speaking, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, who is the Chairman of the occasion, urged the participants to use the knowledge gained in order to improve on their service delivery.

He assured the participants and other doctors of peaceful environment, adding that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed in improving on the health of Nigerians.

Earlier, Dr Emmanuel Amao and Dr Malomo Sunday, the chairmen of NPGMCN and WACP, respectively, said that the programmes were jointly organised in order to train resident doctor and the trainers for effective healthcare service delivery.

The officials underscored the importance of family medicine and called for sustained capacity building, saying that family medicine is the first point of call in the hospital.

NAN recalls that FMC Keffi JOHESU embarked on an indefinite strike on Jan. 19, 2016, during which the union lost three of its members. (NAN)

AKW/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola