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NAPTIP urges implementation of Child Rights Act by states

Caption: Director-General of NAPTIP, Ms Julie Okah-Donli
NAPTIP urges implementation of Child Rights Act by states
By Mustapha Sumaila
Rights
Abuja, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has called on state governments to implement the Child Rights Act to curb child trafficking in the country.
The NAPTIP Director of Investigation and Monitoring, Mr Josiah Emerole, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.
Emerole said there was urgent need for stakeholders to push the 24 states which had domesticated the Act to ensure its full implementation.
He appealed to the states yet to domesticate the Act to do so and prepare a better future for Nigerian children.
He also urged the media to play a key role in the advocacy programmes of the agency towards ensuring its full implementation at the state and federal levels.
According to him, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Ms Julie Okah-Donli, has done much in creating awareness against child and other forms of human trafficking in the country.
“Public awareness is being created in all parts of this country to address this challenge of human trafficking.
“NAPTIP cannot do it alone hence the need for the general public to give us relevant information to arrest the menace of human trafficking in the society,” he said. (NAN)
MS/JTJ/MST
Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Minister wants family courts in states

Minster wants family courts set up in states
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Children
Abuja, May 25, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Alhassan, on Friday called on states to establish up Family Courts to handle child-related cases.
Alhassan made the appeal at a news conference and inauguration of the 6th National Children’s Parliament (NCP) ahead of the Children’s Day celebration in Abuja.
The theme of this year’s event is “Creating Safe places for Children: Our Collective Responsibility”.
She said the welfare of the Nigerian child was protected by the Child Rights Act, adding that the best interest of the child is the primary consideration.
“Despite all state interventions, the Nigerian child is still not safe and is faced with all forms of challenges such as violence, abuse, exploitation, maltreatment on daily basis at home, streets, schools and child care institutions.
“On many occasions, these abuses are either perpetrated by family members or caregivers who are supposed to provide care, safety and protection,” Alhassan said.
The minister said it was unfortunate that children’s access to justice was almost non-existent as some children were kept in detention centres.
“This situation is unfair and not acceptable, and I call on the security agencies, judiciary, National Human Rights Commission, NAPTIP, Legal Aid Council, National Assembly and relevant stakeholders to ensure the situation change.
“Children are assets to any nation, they are future leaders of any society and nation, therefore, they are the focal of a country’s development index,” she said.
The minister, however, appealed to Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kastina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Borno States to domesticate the Child Rights Act.
She called on Nigerians to scale up best practices to end all forms of violence against children.
Alhassan said the ministry had carried out programmes to promote the rights of the Nigerian child to survival, development, protection and participation.
Children’s day is commemorated in Nigeria on May 27 every year. (NAN)
OEO/OFN/MST
Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Unpaid salaries: Lawmaker advocates loan restructuring for states

Unpaid salaries: Lawmaker advocates loan restructuring for states
NAN-H-27
Salaries
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, Jan. 11, 2017 (NAN) A member of Osun House of Assembly, Mr Babatunde Olatunji, has called for the restructuring of States Government loans with the Federal Government until the country’s economy fully recovers.
Olatunji (APC-Ife North) made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Osogbo.
“In view of the lean federal allocation and the huge impact of federal government monthly loan deductions on the state finances, I will advocate for restructuring of the state government loans with the federal government.
“Such that no state services national debt with more than 15 per cent of its allocation pending when the country’s economy fully recovers”, Olatunji said.
The lawmaker said this would be achievable by reducing interest rate and elongating tenure of existing loans.
According to him, with this sub-national governments can be more liquid, able to pay salaries and meet other statutory obligations.
“This will serve as another form of fiscal stimulus by the federal government to reflate the economy.
“However, our institutions, governance and public management process and structures must be strengthened at all tiers of government so as to ensure value for tax payers’ money,” he said.
Olatunji, who is the House Committee Chairman on Commerce, Cooperatives and Youths Empowerment, said with the early passage of 2018 budget, Nigeria would consolidate on the previous economic growth. (NAN)
VE/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NHIS tasks state govts on social health insurance programme

NAN-HG-11

Fund

By Talatu Maiwada

Owerri Nov.2, 2017(NAN) The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) on Thursday urged state governments to set up social health insurance programmes in order to benefit from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

Acting Executive Secretary of NHIS, Malam Attahiru Ibrahim made the call at the NHIS forum on “States Social Health Insurance Scheme’’ organised for Commissioners of Health in Owerri.

Ibrahim explained that only states that had adopted the social health insurance programme would benefit from the basic health care provision fund as an incentive.

“I am urging states to embrace the social health insurance programme because we are hopeful that the National Health Act would be operationalised in 2018,

“However, only states that have commenced the programme will benefit one percent of the 50 per cent consolidated revenue fund coming to NHIS from the federal allocation.

“Commencement of the scheme is however, one of the criteria’s for states to benefit from the basic health care provision fund,’’ he said.

According to Ibrahim, the World Health Assembly resolution 2005 has urged countries to develop their health financing system to ensure people have access to health services at an affordable cost.

Ibrahim said the forum had created a platform for the commissioners of health and the implementing health insurance agencies to build their capacity in understanding health care financing.

He said that the platform would also build their capacity in risk pooling for universal health coverage and how to strategically purchase health care services for people of their states.

He urged all states governments to demonstrate commitment to the mandate of the scheme which could be of benefit to the states that establish the health insurance scheme. (NAN)

TIM/OSA/EEE

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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Ese E. Ekama

 

Health

NHIS urges states to adapt health insurance scheme

NHIS urges states to adapt health insurance scheme
NAN-HG-12
Healthcare
By Talatu Maiwada
Owerri, Nov. 1, 2017 (NAN) Malam Attahiru Ibrahim, the Acting Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has called on State Governments to adapt NHIS mechanisms in pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Ibrahim made call at the NHIS forum for state Commissioners for Health on the introduction of State Social Health Insurance Scheme on Wednesday in Owerri.
“One of the major challenges in the implementation of sustainable health insurance system in Nigeria is the non-adaptation of the NHIS mechanism by states to pursue the common goal of UHC.
“The non-uptake of the programme by the states has seriously hampered the attainment of UHC as states can really bring in the numbers.
“The NHIS has realised the importance of states as stakeholders to the overall improvement of coverage therefore must be constructively engaged in performing their roles as well as contribute to the national goal,’’ he said.
The acting scribe explained that the meeting was significant as it represents the phase of galvanising engagement with states across the federation.
Ibrahim, however, recognised and appreciated states involved in the pursuit of UHC, assuring that NHIS is ready to accord any state the necessary technical support to perform its function.
He stated that with the decentralisation of health insurance policy, NHIS hope to see that all states take the lead in the implementation of health insurance in the country.
The acting executive secretary identified some of the challenges in achieving UHC as sustainable resource mobilisation mechanism, dangers of pool fragmentation, attendant administrative costs, and coverage of the poor and hard to reach, among others.
He reiterated that NHIS would provide the needed leadership and support towards ensuring that citizens were given the power to access health care whenever they needed it. (NAN)
TIM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Environment

States’ refusal to invest in water impedes access to potable water – Minister

States’ refusal to invest in water impedes access to potable water – Minister

NAN-AE-13

Access

By Tosin Kolade

Abuja, July 6, 2017 (NAN) The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, has said the refusal of state governments to invest in providing surface water was a major factor why Nigerians lack access to potable water.

Adamu said this when members of the Nigeria Association of Hydrogeologists paid him a courtesy call in Abuja on Thursday.

According to Adamu, this challenge is a major reason why everyone resorts to drilling boreholes indiscriminately thereby leading to groundwater depletion and salt water intrusion.

“In the last 15 years, I have been so scared with the proliferation of boreholes without any regulation.

‘‘Believe me, I have been running a battle with our budget to try to curtail this.

‘‘I have been very mindful about the lack of any meaningful study and data on the exploitation of groundwater.

“This is more common in our states; for years now, our states have refused to invest, even when they have the surface water they can tap from,’’ he said.

The minister added that states did not invest, ‘‘even when so many dams have been constructed by this ministry over the years with source of bulk or raw water for the states to tap into to provide surface water for urban and semi-urban communities.

“Many state governments have found it more expedient to have quick fixes, to drill boreholes, they are not thinking in the long-term but short-term.”

Adamu said the ministry was working to see that state governments plan policies and programmes to restore urban water supply schemes.

He said the Federal Government was working tirelessly to see that the dams have enough water to meet the needs of all Nigerians, hence the focus on effective surface and groundwater resources management.

He said it was also saddening to note that Nigeria lacks effective data management system to monitor the number of boreholes drilled in specific locations.

The minister quoted a World Bank report which puts access to water dropping from 32 per cent in 1990 to seven per cent in 2015.

He noted that the reduction in access to water was a serious problem that must be tackled without delay.

Adamu, however, said when the National Water Resources Bill which is before the National Assembly is passed, these issues would be addressed.

He stated that the bill, when passed into law, is comprehensive enough to meet the target of the Water Resources sector.

He added that the ministry was partnering with the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency to monitor groundwater resources.

He gave assurance that with the right data and equipment in place, efforts would be made to meet overall development in the sector.

Mr Charles Olumese, President of the association, said the visit was aimed at bringing to the notice of the minister irregularities in the water resources sector.

Olumese said increasing rate of poor waste water management has also led to salt water intrusion into water sources.

He claimed that the development was the leading cause of water-borne diseases such as cholera and diaorrhea, especially in children.

The president stressed the need to strengthen collaboration among tiers of government to check arbitrary drilling of boreholes in the country. (NAN)

TAK/MOL/AFA

Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide

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Health

FG tasks states PHC agencies on maternal, infant mortality reduction

FG tasks states PHC agencies on maternal, infant mortality reduction

NAN-HG-1
Mortality

By Mustapha Sumaila

Abuja, June 15, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Government has called on states and FCT Primary Health Care (PHC) agencies to redouble their efforts on reducing maternal and infant mortality in the country.

Dr Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), gave the task on Thursday in Abuja.

Shuaib spoke at the inauguration of “Implementation of Primary Health Care Under One Roof’’ in a workshop with the Executive Secretaries of the state PHC agencies.

He explained that whatever various primary health care agencies were doing in states that did not reflect in reduction of deaths of pregnant women and children in their respective states were all efforts in futility.

He stated that Nigeria’s poor health outcomes in critical areas had shown in high death rate of pregnant women and children under the age of five in the country.

“We are expected to deliver on results and we will be held accountable for our performance and most important evidence of our performance will be seen in the reduction in deaths of pregnant women and children.

“I believe today’s meeting provides opportunity to further examine the challenges faced in our efforts to bring governance framework for Primary Health Care under one roof.

“This is our new commitment as the national council on health to ensure effective coordination for primary health care,” he said.

The executive director tasked all State Heads of Primary Health Care Agencies to open up on their challenges with a view to provide practical solutions to them at the meeting.

He emphasised that primary health care remains the foundation for making reasonable and sustainable changes to the poor health indicators, since it deals with most of the preventable deaths.

According to him, NPHCDA under his leadership would continue to work to bring the actual coordination and implementation of their mandates under one roof in practical ways.

Shuaib pledged to continue to work with states to strengthen routine immunisation, vaccine development, development partner support for PHC interventions and human resources optimisation, among others. (NAN)
MS/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

FG urges state governors to adopt laws to end violence against children

FG urges governors to adopt laws to end violence against children

NAN-H-53

Laws

By Awayi Kuje

Lafia, May 27, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Government has urged state governors to adopt laws and policies that would bring an end to violence against children and other cultural practices that hinder their development.

The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, made the call in Lafia on Saturday at an event to mark the celebration of 2017 Children’s Day celebration with the theme “Child Protection and the Sustainable Development Goals: Issues and Opportunities”.

Osinbajo’s speech was read by the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr Bamaiyi Anangba, who also represented Gov. Tanko Al-Makura at the occasion.

The acting president renewed federal government’s commitment in ensuring that the rights of the Nigerian child are protected.

He urged other stakeholders to join in the fight against child violence and ensure that Nigerian children enjoyed their rights.

Osinbajo also disclosed that the federal government was providing one free nutritional meal to over 1, 274,620 pupils in 9,212 schools in nine states of the federation under its Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

The acting president also reaffirmed that the federal government would continue to accelerate programmes and investment through ministries and agencies to build protective services and empower families and children.

“As a country and as a government, we cannot afford to delay efforts that will ensure protection and development of our children through preventive approaches,” he said.

He appreciated security agencies for their efforts so far in protecting Nigerian children against danger and violence in line with the provision of extant laws, but urged them to redouble their efforts.

Osinbajo congratulated the Nigerian children as they celebrate their day.

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Mary Enwongulu, admonished parents in the state to take proactive measures that would protect children against any form of violence.

“Children are social gifts and blessing from God. Let us recommit and rededicate ourselves to ensure their protection and wellbeing in all situations and circumstances,” she said.

The commissioner also renewed the state government commitment to continue to key in to good policies and programmes that have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state and Nigerians at large. (NAN)

AKW/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

North East states battle meningitis – NAN Survey

North East states battle meningitis – NAN Survey

NAN-H-3

Meningitis

Abuja, May 21, 2017 (NAN) States in North East Nigeria have adopted proactive measures against the outbreak and control of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM).

A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the region indicated that the states have made adequate logistic arrangements and set up rapid response teams to combat the disease.

The report also said that while some states have acquired the CSM vaccines, others made contingency arrangements with the Federal Government to fight the scourge.

In Bauchi, the Executive Chairman of the state Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), Malam Adamu Gamawa, told NAN that unused vaccines procured in 2016 were mopped up by the federal government and allocated to states most severely affected by the disease.

Gamawa said the remaining few doses left were used in vaccinating people considered to be at high risk of contracting the disease.

He refuted reports that the vaccines were being sold by operators of private health facilities in the state.

“We normally allocate these vaccines to private operators for easy access by the people and they account for them.

“Since we do not have single dose at our disposal now, there is no way they could have acquired the vaccines and sold to people.

“We have not received any complaint from the public that the vaccines were being sold to them,” he said.

However, the chairman said that efforts were being made by the agency to procure the vaccine.

He called on the people to report suspected cases of CSM to the nearest health facilities for prompt action.

From Adamawa, the State Government has confirmed receiving enough CSM vaccine from the federal government through the support of the World Health Organisation.

Dr Bapetel Pariya, Director Public Health, State Ministry of Health, who disclosed this to NAN in Yola, said that the vaccines were provided last month when the state recorded an outbreak of CSM.

“We received enough vaccines from the federal government, with the collaboration of the World Health Organisation and UNICEF,” Pariya said.

According to him, government has provided enough doses of CSM type `C’ to all the 21 health facilities in the state.

“So far, we have not received any complaint about non-availability of the vaccines and we are ready to deal with any case of sabotage,” he assured.

On its part, the Gombe State Government said it had concluded arrangements to procure the vaccine.

Dr Kennedy Ishaya, the state Commissioner for Health, told NAN that pending the procurement of the vaccines, government had already purchased drugs worth N4 million and distributed to government and private hospitals across the state.

He said that so far, there were no reported cases of meningitis in state.

In Borno, health workers in the state commended the State Government for providing enough vaccines in public hospitals towards preventing an outbreak of the disease.

A cross section of the workers told NAN in Maiduguri that the present administration took proactive steps to avert an epidemic in the state.

Mrs Zara Balami, a Nursing Superintendent at the Maryam Abacha Children Hospital in Ruwan Zafi, said that the provision of adequate vaccines by the government had helped curtailed the outbreak of the disease.

“Some years back, we used to record large number of cases of meningitis in this hospital, but I am happy to say that we have not recorded any case yet.

“In spite of this we have a stockpile of vaccines in the hospital in case of emergencies,” Balami said.

Mrs Mary Misheliza, a health worker at the Specialist Hospital Maiduguri, also confirmed that the state has a stockpile of vaccines.

“I think government has done so well in the area of preventing meningitis outbreak this year.

“Most importantly the idea of massive vaccination has actually helped in preventing an outbreak of the disease,” Mishelia said.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Haruna Mshelia, said that government had set aside 200,000 doses of vaccine for meningitis as a proactive measure against any outbreak.

Mshelia said that the state had earlier carried out a vaccination capable of protecting the vaccinated for a decade.

“Between 2012 and 2014 the whole state was covered with a special type of meningitis vaccine that lasts for 10 years.

“However, we have over 200,000 doses in our stores for outbreak response, should there be any case,” he said. (NAN)

Reporters/ASH/MST

Edited by Abdullahi Salihu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Federal roads repair: FG to reimburse states – Minister

Federal roads repair: FG to reimburse states – Minister

NAN-H-5

Refund

By Akeem Abas

Ibadan, March 24, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Government on Friday assured that it would reimburse states that repaired federal roads.

Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, in Ibadan during a courtesy call on Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fashola was in the state to assess the level of some ongoing federal government projects and inauguration of the completed federal housing units.

He said that effort was ongoing to refund to Oyo State Government its intervention fund on federal road projects.

The minister commended the governor for rehabilitating some federal roads, assuring him that the federal government will refund the funds expended soon.

“A lot of progress has been made in quantifying the level of intervention and outstanding liabilities made on the federal roads by states through the concerned ministries and agencies and will soon be approved,” he said.

Fashola said that the level of work ongoing on the federal roads was a turnaround from what obtained before the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

“Most of these roads have been awarded eight years ago and the contractors have since abandoned them due to lack of funding. But today the contractors have returned to site.

“The federal government is not in competition with any state government but to assist them in all ramifications for social economic development.

“Our purpose is to help state governments connect to one another and to enhance efficiency in the movement of goods and persons,” he said.

He said that the ongoing road projects have facilitated employments for residents, adding this is reducing unemployment rate in the states.

Fashola said that the infrastructural projects had achieved job creation for the teeming residents of the state.

“We can tell you authoritatively that the ongoing projects have employed over 1,000 residents at the various sites. This to a large extent will drive the economy out of recession,” he said.

He called for the return of Oyo state government to the National Housing Fund programme, noting that the state is no longer participating in the programme.

The minister said that the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) was changing and now completing projects.

Fashola said that the FMBN was now returning a surplus of N2.7 billion, which he said was the highest recorded in the last 20 years.

Fashola appealed to the governor for additional 10 hectares of land to the initial four hectares allocated to them for the construction of federal housing units in the state.

He also appreciated the cordial relationship between officers of federal government and that of the state governments.

Mr Anya Omerekpe, the Federal Controller, Federal Ministry of Works in Oyo State, said that the ministry was managing 1,156 kilometres of federal roads in the state.

He stated that there are 11 ongoing federal government road projects in the state, thanking the state government for its cooperation.

Responding, Ajimobi commended the Fashola for his outstanding performance since inception as a minister, describing him as a field minister.

He said that he has never doubted Fashola’s capability of delivering as a minister, adding that he performed creditably well as the governor of Lagos State.

Ajimobi said that the state has never experienced unprecedented presence of a minister in terms of infrastructural development like Fashola.

The governor ordered the release of 10 additional hectares of land to the federal ministry of housing for the building of housing units in the state.

NAN reports that the minister also inaugurated 100 federal housing units in Ogbomoso and inspected ongoing housing projects at other locations in the state. (NAN)

TAA/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola