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NMA to support extension of healthcare delivery services

NMA to support extension of healthcare delivery

By Ummul Idris
Healthcare
Abuja, Nov. 7. 2019(NAN) The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has pledged to support the extension of quality healthcare services across the country.
Dr Ekpe Phillips, the Chairman, FCT NMA, said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NMA) on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that the NMA would ensure creative strategies to support the fulfilment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country, adding that this will be done in collaboration with stakeholders.
Phillips also underscored the importance NMA attached to diagnosis and treatment of patients.
He stated that patient centred care has been benchmarked as recommended approach in contemporary practice which prioritised and aligned with clinical decisions that focused on patients best interests by healthcare practitioners.
“We recommit the Federal Government towards the attainment of UHC starting from his presidential assent to the legislative amendment of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHlS).
“NHIS was intended to extend health insurance to cover all Nigerians either in formal or informal sector as well as help cascading to sub-national governments,’’ he said.
The NMA chairman advised government to prioritise community health insurance across all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Phillips listed other key factors in the NHIS as public private partnership for healthcare delivery, improving Nigeria health outcome and indices, reversing outbound medical tourism abroad.
Others are celebrating brain gain and reducing brain drain, enhancing inter-professional and harmonious relationship in health sector.
He said that there was need to interrogate logically some of the recurring challenges bedevilling Nigeria’s healthcare sector in order to proffer innovative workable proposals to address them. (NAN)
UMD/EAL/MST
Edited Ladejobi Ekemini/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

We need to support Buhari’s effort to grow economy – Sajoh

We need to support Buhari’s effort to grow economy – Sajoh

By Yakubu Uba
Support
Yola, Oct. 28, 2019 (NAN) Mr Ahmad Sajoh, a Board of Trustee Member of Mindshift Advocacy for Development Initiative, a Lagos based NGO, has urged all stakeholders to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts to improve the economy.
Sajoh, also a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Adamawa, made the call on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen in Yola.
He said that the support became necessary as part of sacrifice for the needed change.
Sajoh said measures like the closure of border and the move to borrow money from World Bank to improve power supply were some of the hard decisions recently taken to improve the economy.
“Nigerians need to know that Nigerian Government signed Africa Free Trade agreement and not free smuggling agreement that will deprive it of legitimate revenue and continue to do incalculable damage to our local agricultural production,’’ Sajoh said.
On the concern on debt burden over World Bank loan to boost power supply, Sajoh said Nigeria was not among the most indebted countries in the world and borrowing to fund power that was needed to boost the economy should be supported.
“When you have a steady power supply you are going to have multiplier effect, the power will ginger economic development at all levels.”
He also noted that the recent World Bank ranking of Nigeria as one of the top 10 most improved economies in the world showed that the administration was taking the right steps and deserved the support of all Nigerians.
Sajoh also lauded the formation of a team by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Policy Development and Analysis, to be holding monthly policy dialogue with key stakeholders on funding government programmes.
“The stakeholders are to help advise government on how to procure funds for some of its programmes.
“There is need to engage in a robust public engagement to enable the public understand the benefit of increase funding in the hands of government,” Sajoh said. (NAN)
YMU/ASS/MST
Edited by Saidu Adamu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Agriculture

Post harvest loss: C/River Govt seeks support from NGO on cassava processing

Post harvest loss: C/River Govt seeks support from NGO on cassava processing

By Tukur Muntari
Cassava
Calabar, Oct. 8, 2019 (NAN) The Cross River Government has called on Sasakawa Global 2000 (SG 2000), an NGO, to support cassava farmers in processing the commodity to check post harvest losses due to lack of ready market.
Mr Joseph Ugbe, the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, made the appeal when he received the team from the SG 2000 in Calabar on Tuesday.
“This should be done by introducing modern technology in processing of cassava to reduce post harvest losses due lack of ready market,” he said.
Ugbe said there was need for SG 2000 to focus on processing aspect of cassava production in view of the challenges facing farmers after production due to lack of available market.
“There’s a lot of improvement in cassava production from 12 metric tonnes per hectare to about 34 metric tonnes per hectare.
“We observed that cassava production has improved but the prices were so low to the extent that they are not benefitting from the business,” the permanent secretary said.
He said the administration of Gov. Ben Ayade had prioritised agricultural production, especially rice production which is one five value chains.
Ugbe noted that a lot had been done in rice production through the state Agricultural Development Programme (ADP).
He said the state government had recently established and inaugurated two rice milling factories at Iyala and Ogoja, stressing that more has to be done in order to feed the factories.
“The idea behind the programme is to improve productivity and income of the small holder farmers as well as their socio-economic status across the state,’’ he said.
He commended the organisation for its decision to conduct the annual media field day tour in the state and expressed the readiness of the state government to sign a memorandum of understanding with SG 2000 to continue with the programme.
Earlier, the SG 2000 Country Director, Prof. Sani Ahmed-Miko, called on the state government to sustain the partnership in the rice and cassava value chain development to ensure mass production of the commodities in the state.
Ahmed-Miko, who was represented by the Coordinator, Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Communication (MERC), Africa Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI), Dr Abdulhamid Gambo, said the media field day tour was designed to give the farmers opportunities to say their minds on the entire programme.
He said the feedbacks would be shared with the ministry and other relevant agencies for their record purposes and appraisal. (NAN)
MTM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Red Cross solicits govt, stakeholders support for floods, emergencies

Red Cross solicits govt, stakeholders support for floods, emergencies

By Talatu Maiwada
Support
Abuja, Aug. 27, 2019 (NAN) The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has called on government at all levels, corporate organisations and individuals to support the preparedness of 2019 floods ravaging several communities in the country.
Mr Abubakar Kende, the Secretary General of the organisation, made the appeal at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
Kende said reports from various branches of NRCS have shown that 25 states have been affected by flood damaging lives, properties, critical infrastructures and economic livelihood as at second week of August.
“The NRCS record shows that a total of 270 communities in 108 local government areas have experienced floods with severe effects on 405,284 people.
“199,297 have been displaced, 75 people lost their lives with 414 people hospitalised and three missing nationwide.
“We solicit government support to help mitigate and respond to current and future emergencies especially the 2019 floods ravaging our communities.
“We also implore the military and relevant stakeholders to roll out some of their national assets and expertise by deploying Bailey bridges that are portable, collapsible, pre-fabricated and truss bridges.
“This will enable affected communities cut off from their economic activities and social wellbeing to reunite with their loved ones and return to their livelihoods to prevent food insecurity as most communities affected are agrarian,’’ Kende said.
He added that the support would definitely impact positively on the communities affected as tens of bridges and converts nationwide have already been washed away and cut off by the rampaging flood water.
Kende stressed that it was important that Nigerians and corporate organisations are encouraged to support NRCS and relevant agencies in times of emergencies by supporting through financial and material support as their corporate social responsibilities.
He however advised people living on flood plains to consider relocating to safer places in line with government policies and technical advice from NRCS and relevant organisations.
He also urged media organisations to go beyond reporting damages, injuries and deaths, but to highlight and emphasise humanitarian needs, sufferings as well as how to prevent and reduce the effect of disaster on citizens.
Kende said that the NRCS has closed its 2018 flood response operations launched in July 2018 through June 2019, recalling that the society was the first to respond to flood disaster affected by 22 states in the country.
According to him, this was made possible due to “our high network of trained community based staff, volunteers as well as local and international partnerships and surge support’’.
“We were able to provide humanitarian support to the 2018 flood affected population with financial, material and technical support from the NRCS, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, among others.
“The support has helped to cushion the immediate and long term effects of the affected people of 2018 floods in Nigeria,’’ Kende said. (NAN)
TIM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Security: Police, NSCDC solicit public support

Security: Police,NSCDC solicit public support

By Awayi Kuje
Security
Karshi (Nasarawa State), Aug. 18, 2019 (NAN) A Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Nasarawa State, SP Ahmed Lafiya, has solicited for public support and cooperation in crime prevention and control in the state.

He made the appeal on Sunday in Karshi at the closing of a three-day training organised by the Nasarawa State chapter of Man O’ War Nigeria for uniformed volunteer organisations in the state.

Lafiya, who is the DPO of Uke division, said providing security was a collective responsibility, noting that there is very little security agencies can do without public support and cooperation.

Represented by DSP Lapshak Lenka, the DPO said citizens were key stakeholders especially in the area of provision of information about criminal activities in their surroundings.

“Policing is a collective responsibility, and that is why we take advantage of platforms like this to sensitise the public on their role,” he said.

The DPO enjoined citizens to trust the police with information, assuring that their security and anonymity remained guaranteed.

On his part, Mr Yohanna Amana, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said all hands must be on deck to ensure peace and security in the society.

Amana, who is the NSCDC Head of Operations in Karshi Division, advised youths to respect constituted authority and engage in meaningful ventures in order to become self reliant.

He also stressed the need for synergy between Man O’ War and security agencies especially in the area of information sharing to curtail crime and in the society.

Earlier, Mr Joel Attah, the Nasarawa State Commander of Man O’ War, said the programme was organised to promote community security and policing in the state.

He said the focus on the young people was informed by statistics which showed that 50 per cent of crimes committed in the country were by the youth.

“That is why we organised this training to educate the participants, who are mostly young people, on community policing.

“This is our little way of assisting government in its efforts to redirect the attention and energies of young people to productive ventures,” he said.

The commander urged the participants to take advantage of the “golden opportunity” and put into practice what they learnt at the training.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the Man O’ War, Boys Scout and the Food Hygiene Initiative of Nigeria participated in the training. (NAN)
AKW/ASS/MST
Edited by Saidu Adamu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Agriculture

PDP BOT Chairman supports RUGA

PDP BOT Chairman supports RUGA

By Awayi Kuje
RUGA
Nasarawa (Nasarawa State), Aug. 13, 2019 (NAN) Sen. Walid Jibrin, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged Nigerians to embrace the establishment of Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) programme of the Federal Government.

Jibrin told newsmen at his Nasarawa country home on Tuesday in Nasarawa State that the proposed settlement policy for herdsmen would promote peace and security in the country.

He also explained that the programme would boost food security and improve on the health and standard of living of rural communities.

Jibrin, who is also the Sarkin (leader) of Fulani in Nasarawa state, commended the federal government for introducing the RUGA programme in the country considering its importance.

“I am not in APC, I am a PDP chieftain. But when we talk of development and security, we should leave anything about politics, religion and tribe.

“Whoever is ruling in Nigeria, if he brings any programme that will do away with insecurity, killings.

“And will take care of the welfare of the people, I will go by that. My politics is not a do or die and I play politics without bitterness.

“That is why I am and we Fulani commends the Federal Government for introducing the RUGA project in the country.

“I and our tribe (Fulani) had embraced the programme. RUGA project include provision of hospitals, schools, water supply and electricity, among other facilities, which will have direct bearing on the lives of the herders.

“Apart from that, it will also tackle incessant farmers/herdsmen conflicts as well as boost food security in the country,” he said.

Jibrin also called on the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups to embrace the programme in the interest of national development.

“About 12 states in the North have already embraced it and has already started the project including Nasarawa State.

“So, I am calling on the Southerners, the Igbos, the Yorubas, among others, to embrace it, evenhough the project is not compulsory.

“The project will keep the herdsmen one, safe and will improve on their welfare as some states in the South East have already promised to donate land for the project,” he noted.

He therefore called on all herdsmen and other Nigerians to shun armed robbery, kidnapping and other negative tendencies in the interest of peace and development.

The PDP BOT chairman also urged Nigerians to live peacefully irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliation for develoment to reign. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Healthcare providers pledge to support incoming Nasarawa administration of effective synergy for improved people’s health

Healthcare providers pledge support to incoming Nasarawa administration

By Awayi Kuje
Healthcare
Keffi (Nasarawa State), May 7, 2019 NAN) HealthCare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), Nasarawa State chapter, has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the incoming administration to provide quality and affordable healthcare services to the people.

The state Chairman of the association, Dr Ochiogu Ndubuisi, made the promise on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of the state.

He said that effective synergy by the association with the incoming administration in the state would go a long way in boosting not only the health status but would also improve on the standard of living of the people of the state.

“We as healthcare providers will continue to do our best to improve on the health status of the people of the state.

“The health needs of the people of the state and Nigerians at large is our concern because a healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” he said.

Ndubuisi, while expressing confidence in the ability of the state governor-elect, Mr Abdullah Sule, and his deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, to deliver considering their verse experience in both private and public sectors.

He added that the association call for maximum support to the incoming administration in the stste was to enable it consolidate on the gains recorded by the outgoing government of Alhaji Umaru Al-Makura.

He noted that such support is necessary if any meaningful achievement is to be recorded by the new government billed for inauguration on May 29, especially in the health sector.

Acoording to him, now that elections are over, what should preoccupy the minds of Nigerians especially those from Nasarawa state is to forget about their political differences and unite with the new government in the interest of moving the state forward.

The chairman restated the commitment of the association to continue to support good health policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of Nigerians.(NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

Development: Nasarawa Speaker wants new lawmakers to support incoming executive

Development: Nasarawa Speaker wants new lawmakers to support incoming executive
By Awayi Kuje
Training
Keffi (Nasarawa State), May 2, 2019 (NAN) The Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, has called on members-elect of the state legislature to work in harmony with the incoming administration in the interest of peace and development.
Abdullahi made appeal in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by his Press Secretary, Mr Jibrin Gwamna, in Keffi on Thursday.
The statement said the speaker made the call while declaring open a four-day workshop organised for returning and newly elected members and other staff of the state assembly in Jos Plateau.
The theme of the training is: “Legislative practice and procedures”.
Abdullahi in the statement said that cordial working relationship between the executive and legislature would not only promote peace but would bring the much touted dividends of democracy to the people.
“Working in harmony with the executive arm will not only promote peace across the state but will also bring the much needed dividends of democracy to the door steps of our people that we are representing.
“Both the executive and the legislature need each other as arms of a government and they should be seen working together if the state must grow,” the statement said.
According to him, the people of the state are expect more vigorous and robust legislative proceedings from the returning and new members when inaugurated for the progress of the state.
Abdullahi urged the participants to take the training with seriousness in order to contribute their quota to the development of their constituencies, the state and the country at large.
The speaker further urged his colleagues to be good ambassadors of the state while in Jos, assuring the people of the state of the assembly’s readiness to continue to enact laws and pass resolutions that would have direct bearing on their lives.
According to the statement, the workshop featured different paper presentations by legislative stakeholders and other professionals. (NAN)
AKW/ECN/MST
Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Speaker drums support for new Emir of Lafia

Speaker drums support for new Emir of Lafia
By Awayi Kuje
Support
Lafia, March 27, 2019 (NAN) The Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, has called on people of the state to support the new Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), to enable his succeed in his new assignment as a traditional ruler.
Abdullahi made the appeal on Wednesday while reacting to the appointments of the new Emir of Lafia, Emir of Awe and Osu Kadoko of Kadarko by Gov. Tanko Al-Makura.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia that God is the one that gives leadership to whomever he wills and at any time, calling on citizens of the state to support leaders at all levels.
The speaker therefore urged people of the state to see the appointments of Bage and the two other traditional rulers as an act of God.
Ibrahim while felicitating with the new Emir of Lafia, urged him to bring his wealth of experience to bear for the overall growth and development of the state.
“I want to use this medium to congratulate the new Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage, the new Emir of Awe, Alhaji Isa Abubakar Umar, and Mr Umar Dodo as the new Osu Kadoko of Kadarko, a third class traditional ruler in Keana Local Government Area.
“I want to assure the new Emir of Lafia of the state assembly’s readiness to collaborate with the traditional council in the area of peace promotion in the state.
“The legislators are ready to enact laws and pass resolutions that have direct bearing on lives of the people of the state,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Mr Haruna Osegba, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, announced the appointments after a meeting of the state traditional council in Lafia.
Osegba said the appointees were recommended by their college of selectors, ratified by the state traditional council and approved by the governor.
NAN also reports that the appointments followed the death of their predecessors. (NAN)
AKW/OIF/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

CSOs drum more action for IDPs in N/East

CSOs drum more action for IDPs in N/East
By Yakubu Uba
IDPs
Yola, March 20, 2019 (NAN) Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) operating in the North East have called for more action by government and stakeholders in addressing the plight of Internally Displaced Person (IDPs) and their host communities in the sub-region.
The CSOs made the appeal on Wednesday in Yola after a two-day conference on IDPs facilitated by the Norwegian Refugee Council and UK Department for International Development (DfID).
The position of the CSOs from Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States was read by Mr Abdul-Aziz Mala, who urged for the domestication of Kampala Convention signed by Heads of States and Governments of member states of African Union as a major step in addressing the challenges faced by IDPs.
They also called on government to respect all relevant sections of the constitution and laws such as Child Right Act in fulfilling the rights of IDPs.
“We also call on all actors to raise awareness and educate IDPs on their rights and how to stand up for these rights. This education must start from the grassroots.”
The CSOs further called for restoration of social services and authorities in all recovered local government areas, pointing out that in some of those local government areas services were being rendered only by some international and national organisations.
While noting that there was lack of civil law to settle disputes in some local government areas, the CSOs urged government to increase the presence of the police, civil defence, courts and legal aid services in the LGAs across the affected states.
“FIDA, NBA, National Human Rights Commission should be strengthened.
“NAPTIP and institutions protecting against sexual assault and referral centres must be strengthened.
“Massive awareness campaign to make the general public and IDPs alike became aware of such institutions and relevant laws by all stakeholders should be carried out.”
They also urged for improved civilian, military coordination and increased time to time engagement between military, traditional and religious leaders.
Besides, they made case on local integration through increased focus on access to services and livelihood for both IDPs and host communities. (NAN)
YMU/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola