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Nigeria saves $6bn from training doctors locally – College

Nigeria saves $6bn from training doctors locally – College

NAN-H-68

Training

By Yashim Katurak

Abuja, May 18, 2017 (NAN) Prof. Ademola Olaitan, President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, on Thursday said that the college had saved more than $5 billion for the country by training doctors locally.

Olaitan disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said that before the college was set up in 1979, the Federal Government usually sent doctors abroad for training, spending about $200,000 each year, for five years.

The professor said such training overseas had now been taken over by the college, saving the government resources.

“After 1979, the college started training doctors and so far, we have produced no fewer than 5,338 postgraduate doctors.

“If you calculate this, then, you can get an idea of how much the country has saved from foreign training.

“Yearly, the number of graduates increases. Last year, we graduated no fewer than 500 doctors.

“The previous year, we had no fewer than 300; each year, the number increases; our main focus is that each year we produce more doctors for the nation.

“Another thing is that if every doctor that is training in Nigeria went abroad to receive training, we would not have the number of doctors we see today rendering services in our hospitals.

“They would have been rendering their services abroad.

“These are some of the benefits the college has given to society since it was set up,” Olaitan said.

He said that despite the college’s commitment to giving doctors quality and world standard training, it was being faced with financial challenges, hindering it from achieving some of its mandate.

He said that most benefits accruing to the universities from the Ministry of Education was denied the college, even though it could be termed a medical university.

“If the college can even receive just five to 10 per cent of the amount it has saved for government, this will go a long way in moving the college forward.

“Recently, we asked the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to fund our clinical simulation laboratory, but the request was not granted.

“This laboratory is supposed to help us to change the system of our doctors treating patients,’’ said the don. (NAN)

KRY/FLP/MST

Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Kaduna Govt trains health workers to eradicate malnutrition

Kaduna Govt trains health workers to eradicate malnutrition

NAN-HG-5
Malnutrition
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), May 16, 2017 (NAN) The Kaduna State Emergency Nutrition Action Plan (KADENAP) has commenced train-the-trainer programme to eradicate malnutrition in the state, an official has said.

Hajiya Ummi El-Rufa’i, wife to Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, disclosed this at the flag-off of the training programme for some selected health personnel in Zaria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training is entitled: “Training on Community Management of Acute Malnutrition: Training of Trainers (TOT)”.

The governor’s wife, who was represented by Alhaji Shehu Usman-Muhammad, a member of KADENAP, said the workshop was aimed at improving the quality of health workers’ service in the management of malnutrition.

“It is specifically organised to train-the-trainers for them to train others in their various local governments and zones.

“It provides an opportunity to bring participants together from all over the state and best 20 will be selected to become trainers in the management of malnutrition in primary and secondary facilities,” she said.

The governor’s wife said the personnel were drawn from state and federal health agencies and training institutions.

She identified management of malnutrition as a critical element toward ensuring healthy future generation.

The governor’s wife said she was motivated to be part of the crusade following a UNICEF study which showed high rate of malnutrition in the state.

She said both her and the governor saw the report and felt so bad.

“The children are malnourished not because of lack of food but because of ignorance, culture, food preparation and management.

“We took it upon ourselves to change the trend and to give a sense of hope to our future generation,” she said.

Hajiya Hauwwa Usman, Assistant State Nutrition Officer, Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said the workshop was meant to proffer solution to acute malnutrition.

She said at the end of the training they want to get trainers who would train others on malnutrition at Community Management Adequate Malnutrition centres at various local government levels across the state.

“We want to eradicate malnutrition in Kaduna State. To achieve that, we need to train our workers on how to go about the eradication process.

“It is through this kind of training that the health personnel will be trained for the benefit of others,” she said.

A cross section of participants interviewed by NAN expressed appreciation for the training and pledged to impart the knowledge acquired on others to achieve the set goals.

NAN reports that about 69 health personnel were selected from the 23 local government areas of the state. (NAN)

KLM/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Journalists applaud Google on data training

Journalists applaud Google on data training

NAN-HG-3

Training

By Talatu Maiwada/Kate Obande

Abuja, April 26, 2017 (NAN) Journalists on Wednesday commended Google for availing them the knowledge on exploring the search engine to enhance their practice.

The journalists made their commendation at the closing of a two-day workshop on Google tools for Journalism organised for staff of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja in collaboration with Google.

The Head of Special Projects of NAN, Malam Muhammad Tola, commended the foresight of the Managing Director, Mr Bayo Onanuga, who had resolved to improve the proficiency of journalists in their practice.

Tola said the training was very impactful and beneficial, adding that it had sharpened his skills and understanding on Google tools.

He noted that more than 50 per cent of the participants were impacted with the skills and believed that it would enhance their productivity and efficiency on the job.

Tola, who is also the Head, Health, Gender and Population of NAN, however, called for a robust and sustainable relationship with Google.

Another participant, Mr Ismail Abdullaziz, the Assistant Editor-in-Chief, Multimedia NAN, said the training was good and timely, as new crop of journalists were beginning to emerge.

“What Google has done is to assist veterans who have the etiquette with tools to mentor the young crop of journalists that are emerging.

“As we are experiencing a transition of the practice of old journalism into a new journalism, there is need for constant training.

“I have learnt Google tools and sites on how to verify the authenticity of information on stories, pictures and videos before they can be used,’’ he said.

A Desk Editor with the agency, Mr Martins Odeh, said the training has built his capacity to approach his work better.

He said the training has improved his knowledge on how to tell stories with data employing statistics with the use of pie charts and graphs, among others.

On her part, Miss Sadiya Hamza, Head, Foreign Desk NAN, said that the training had opened her eyes to the numerous Google tools available for journalists.

“With this training I realised that I have not utilised half of what Google offers to me as a journalist.

“It was really an educative and enlightening training and I commend the NAN management for organising it,’’ she said.

Hamza also called on the NAN management to provide more of such trainings for the members of staff to boost their capacities as journalists.

She added that the training was necessary for reporters and called for the training of all NAN journalists.

Also speaking, a Senior Correspondent with the agency, Mrs Magdalene Ukuedojor, said the training was beneficial and impactful.

Ukuedojor appreciated the agency for organising such a laudable programme.

“The Google training was beneficial to me. I have learnt how to use Google tools to enhance my journalistic capabilities.

“The training will help me immensely in my reportage, as quick steps in getting trending stories and how to verify authentic sources for stories and images from Google was taught,’’ she said.

Similarly, Miss Cecilia Ologunagba, a Senior Correspondent, said that the training had enlightened her on the basic tools a data journalist required to be effective.

She noted that formerly she didn’t know how to get data online and analyse it, but with the knowledge she has gained from the training, data reporting would now be easy.

Ologunagba, who covers the National Bureau of Statistics, said she writes a lot of data stories and this training would help her immensely.

“There is a lot to benefit from Google, like comparing trends, using the Google trends and search.

“I can also save my documents and pictures online through Google drive, all these knowledge will definitely boost my reportage.’’

High light of the event included presentation of certificates to the participants. (NAN)

TIM/KTE/BOLA/MST

Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Maternal mortality: Sultan Foundation trains Katsina health workers

Maternal mortality: Sultan Foundation trains Katsina healthcare workers

NAN-HG-5

Sensitisation

Mai’adua (Katsina State), April 21, 2017 (NAN) The Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development has commenced an intensive training for healthcare workers on how to reduce maternal and child mortality in the country.

Alhaji Aminu Inuwa, the Secretary of the foundation, said this while addressing hundreds of participants in Mai’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State on Friday.

Inuwa said the foundation has selected Mai’adua local government as the area for the maiden workshop owing to the strategic position of the area due its proximity to border towns.

He said the foundation would collate the statistical analysis of the daily data of birth and death registration for proper planning.

“Only this local government was selected for the programme this year’’.

“We will also collect the data of pregnant women who patronised hospitals for pre- and post-natal care,” he said.

The scribe said the foundation would collaborate with relevant stakeholders on health to reduce the instances of maternal and child mortality through provision of drugs and enlightenment.

Inuwa called on husbands and parents to always allow their wives to be visiting hospitals and avail their children for routine immunisation.

Alhaji Musa Soro, the Sole Administrator of Mai’adua Local Government Council, assured of government commitment to ensure success of the programme.

He directed traditional rulers in the area to supply the needed information to the foundation to ease the process, stressing “we need your cooperation and understanding’’.

Alhaji Ahmed Diddiri, the District Head of Mai’adua, commended foundation for choosing the area for the programme.

He said traditional rulers would support activities of the foundation through ward heads and village heads for wider coverage and efficient implementation.

NAN reports that 630 wards heads and 31 village heads also attended the workshop. (NAN)

BKD/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

Kano State anti-graft agency to induct 120 workers

Kano State anti-graft agency to induct 120 workers

NAN-H-34

Training

By Muntari Tukur

Kano, April 3, 2017 (NAN) The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission says it will conduct an induction course for its 120 newly recruited staff.

Mr Muhiyi Rimingado, the Chairman of the commission, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Monday.

Rimingado explained that the training which would be conducted by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) would focus on basic investigation and anti-corruption skills.

“Arrangement has almost been completed to conduct induction course for the 120 newly employed staff of the agency to be conducted by the ICPC,” he said.

He said the training was designed to prepare the minds of the newly recruited staff to discharge their duties effectively and respond positively to the demands of the duty as expected by the commission.

He said after the training, the newly employed staff would be deployed to the various offices of the commission across the 44 local government areas of the state.

“This is part of our resolve to decentralise the activities of the commission and ensure effective coverage of the state,” said Rimingado.

According to him, no fewer than 45 staff of the commission attended a course on investigation skills at the Kano State Police Command as part of effort to sharpen their skills.

He said the staff, who had completed the training, would support the commission in investigation of its various cases.

“The affected staff were trained on identifying key crime management areas, managing crime scenes and goals of improved investigations,’’ he said.

The chairman said other areas include developing effective communication skills, styles of questioning, witness interviewing, recording witness statements and suspects interview as well as court skills.

Rimingado expressed optimism that the training would ensure effective service delivery at the commission to improve staff confidence. (NAN) MTM/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

ITF trained 500 artisans in Niger in 2016 – Area Manager

NAN-H-87
Training
Minna, March 23, 2017 (NAN) The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), said on Thursday that it trained 500 people in Niger on different vocational skills, under the National Industrial Skills Development programme, in 2016.
‎
Its Area Manager in the state, Mrs. Ifeoma Ihezue‎, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Minna.

Ihezue said that the beneficiaries trained on aluminum production, bead making, carpentry and sewing.

“The ITF has continued to monitor beneficiaries to keep them on track. We are also collaborating with the Bank of Industry to enable them secure loans to set up their own businesses,” she said.‎

She called on the state government to empower the beneficiaries so that they would create jobs and become assets to a flourishing society.

“We must work together to keep our youths off the streets; while ITF is training them, the state should help those trained to use such skills,” she said. (NAN)
‎
AMEN/AOS/ETS
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni and Ephraims Sheyin

Health

IHVN seeks funding to offer training on cervical cancer

IHVN seeks funding to offer training on cervical cancer

NAN-HG-2

Cancer

By Yashim Katurak

Abuja, March 1, 2017 (NAN) The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has called for funding support to enable it scale up its training programme for medical personnel on cervical cancer screening in the country.

Dr Patrick Dakum, the IHVN Chief Executive Officer (CEO), made the appeal while fielding questions at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said that the institute has had to slow down the cervical free testing programme as it did not have enough trained personnel to conduct the screening in some parts of the county.

“First of all you require funding to scale-up. In the places where we have trained people already they are continuing with providing cervical cancer screening.

“In the places where we have not trained people we need funding to be able to do that and we do not have the funding for that, and basically that is the reason why that project slowed down,” Dakum said.

He said although cancer has in recent time become one of the re-occurring diseases in Nigeria, the level of cancer burden in the country could not yet be ascertained as investigations have not been carried out in the area.

He said that the institute was therefore making plans to carry out investigations into the types of cancer that were prevalent and the burden of such cancers in the country.

“I have applied for a research grant to investigate and see the burden of cancer among HIV patients specifically in women.

“We are hoping that this proposed investigation will get funded so that we can know the actual burden of cancer in the country,’’ according to Dakum.

He said that the institute has supported the establishment of about seven cancer registries across the country as the registries which were available were not organised.

“These registries systematically collect data about cancers and report the issues to relevant agencies. For now, we do know that HIV is associated with some cancers; specifically the skin cancer and cervical cancer.

“We also know that if you start treatment early for HIV it reduces a lot of complications; it reduces the incidence of Tuberculosis (TB) and the incidence of cancers.

“One thing we noticed is the prevalence of cervical cancer in women among HIV patients and we are currently supporting a number of hospitals in establishing visual inspection with acetic acid.

“This is where the women are examined and if they see a discoloration acetic acid is applied to nib the problem in the bud,’’ said the chief executive officer. (NAN)

KRY/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NYSC trains 133 inspectors on ways to tackle insurgency, kidnapping

 

NAN-H-40

NYSC

By Yashim Katurak

Abuja, Feb. 27, 2017 (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on Monday commenced a four-day training exercise for its inspectors on ways to tackle insurgency, kidnapping and other challenges.

The training, which is being held at the NYSC orientation camp in Abuja, will also focus on how to handle the rising cases of rejection of corps members by employees.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), also reports that the exercise, which is for inspectors in northern states, has the theme: “Capacity Building for NYSC Inspectors In The Face Of Emerging Challenges In Corps Administration”.

In a speech to flag-off the activity, Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, the NYSC Director-General, said that the training was aimed at empowering the scheme’s officials on ways to deal with “formidable operational challenges caused by corps population explosion”.

“We specifically want to take them through ways to meet challenges like corps rejection, insurgency and kidnapping.

“These issues have, in recent times, become regular occurrences that the scheme and its officers have had to grapple with, hence the need to train officers.

“In the face of these challenges, this training is designed to update knowledge and equip officers sufficiently, so as to be on top of demands from such responsibilities at all times.”

He said that the training would sharpen and improve the appraisal skills of participants, improve the performance level of NYSC inspectors and boost the self-confidence of inspectors.

“That self confidence is necessary for optimal performance of their duties,” Kazaure pointed out.

Earlier, Mrs. Victoria Okakwu, NYSC Director, Corps Welfare and Inspectorate, had described the NYSC scheme as a dynamic organisation dealing with the educated segment of the youth population.

Okakwu said that it was necessary to ensure that officers, who were administrators and charged with the responsibility of policy implementation at the grass root, were adequately trained for their roles.

“This workshop has been packaged for 133 inspectors to upgrade their skills and techniques for optimal performance,” Okakwu said.

Mr Abdulrazak Salawu, the FCT NYSC Coordinator, urged the management to extend the training programme to other cadres of staff as every employee of the scheme was first and foremost an inspector. (NAN)

KRY/ETS

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

Education

Audio Attached: Teachers commend Korean govt. for capacity building workshop

NAN-H-83

Training

By Okeoghene Oghenekaro

Abuja, Feb. 9, 2017 (NAN) Participants at a workshop organised for teachers in Abuja, have commended the Korean government for enhancing the building capacity of teachers in Nigeria.

 

The participants at the ongoing workshop organised by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on Thursday, made the commendation in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

 

Mrs Rosaline Nchit said the training had helped teachers move from the traditional way of imparting knowledge to modern techniques of teaching.

 

 Cue in audio 1 (Nchit)

 

“Before now most of the teachers in FCT were not ICT based, we were used to our normal chalk and board but since the first training, we learnt how to use the computer, the projector and other things to present the lesson.

 

“I got it very clear the issue of flipped learning which has really given us the insight on how to make teaching and learning easier.

 

“We have different learners, some learn by touching, some by seeing, some learn by even just hearing but you discover that in flip learning you have the three combined together.

 

“Instead of the conventional learning that you just teach the children, those that cannot understand are at their own mercy.

 

“In flipped learning you allow these children go home with the materials; learn so much from the whole thing,  by the time they come back they have one or two questions just to clarify the whole thing.

 

“In that case it makes the teaching more practical the child is doing it himself unlike before you are putting everything in the child’s head.

 

“But this time around we are exposed to understanding that the child knows giving the right opportunity the child gives you more than you can imagine.’’

 

Cue out audio 1

 

Another participant, Mr John Tawus, said the training had built the capacity of teachers.

 

Cue in audio 2 (Tawus)

 

“We have been trained in such a way that we have improved on the way we have been teaching before from the traditional way of teaching to the modern way of teaching using multimedia and so on.

 

“That has given us more insight on what teaching is all about.

 

“I happen to be among the selected ones to Korea and now I have started imparting some of the knowledge I acquired there.

 

“The output is quite encouraging and along the line I will determine how far it has gone.’’

 

Cue out audio 2

 

Mr Rufus Oluseyi commended the Korean government for its efforts in improving the education sector one of which was through teacher training.

 

Oluseyi said the training was his first and pledged to impact what he had been taught on his students and colleagues.

 

NAN reports that the 10 day training which started on Monday is the second of its kind with 72 teachers and six administrators in attendance.

 

KOICA is a Korean government agency which started operations in Nigeria in 2008.

NAN reports that the agency is responsible for providing grants and technical programmes for development partners. (NAN)

OKE/LAB/YEE

Edited by Lydia Beshel/Emmanuel Yashim

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Economy

NDE trains 1,977 unemployed in Nasarawa

NDE trains 1,977 unemployed in Nasarawa

NAN-H-21

Training

Lafia, Feb. 4, 2017 (NAN) The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) says it has trained 1,977 unemployed persons in Nasarawa State to become self reliant since the inception of the programme in the state in 2012.

Alhaji Dauda Idris-Wase, the state NDE Coordinator, disclosed this on Saturday to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia.

He said that the beneficiaries had been trained and graduated in different skills acquisition programmes.

Idris-Wase said that the agency organised different skills acquisition training free of charge in order to empower unemployed persons and enable them to contribute their quota to national development.

“NDE came into existence in 1986, saddled with the responsibilities of training people, especially the youth and women, in different skills acquisition programmes in the country.

“This is in order to make them become self reliant and to contribute their quota to national development.

“I want to disclose to you that recently, 360 trainees were recruited for training in the three skills acquisition centres in Lafia, Mama and Keffi.

“But out of this number, 324 trainees endured to complete their training exercise successfully and have been graduated.

“With this, the total number of unemployed youths that have now been trained in different vocational skills in the state NDE acquisition centres since their inception in the year 2012 is 1,977,” he said.

According to him, the areas in which the unemployed persons were trained include Catering, Tailoring/Fashion Design, Hairdressing, Plumbing and Pipe Fittings, Interior Decoration, Computer Maintenance/Operation and welding.

He said it was better for government to teach people how to fish than to give them fish to eat, urging Nigerians not to continue to wait for white collar jobs but to embrace skills acquisition.

Idris-Wase called for collective efforts and partnership with the agency in order to provide job opportunities for all categories of unemployed persons, reduce abject poverty and generate wealth in the country.

He advised beneficiaries of the programmes not to allow the knowledge and skills gained to be in vain, but to be self-employed and become employers of labour.

The state coordinator assured that the directorate would initiate more people- oriented programmes in order to tackle youth unemployment, restiveness and poverty in the state and the country at large. (NAN)

AKW/SOA/MST

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle/Muhammad Suleiman Tola