NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Environment

Ecology office condemns delayed dredging of Lagos channels

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By Mercy Omoike

The Ecology Project Office (EPO) has condemned the delayed dredging and channelisation of the Tejuosho/ Canal railway projects in Lagos State.

The Permanent Secretary of the EPO, Malam Shehu Ibrahim, expressed dissatisfaction over the delayed progress of the project on Wednesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EPO under the auspices of Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) was on a site inspection of project interventions.

The dredging of the Tejuosho/Canal Railway is part of the efforts of the EPO on flood control and soil erosion prevention during the rainy season.

“This is the essence of the physical on-the-site inspection to be engaged by the ecological project office.

“As you can observe, the progress of this project is slow; we have already summoned the contractor to the office to explain to us the reason for this delay.

“The quality of the work is poor and as you can observe, looking at the situation alone everything is unkempt nothing is even going on here.

“When the contractor comes to the office, we will sit down with him and have proper discussion on the way forward to keep this project going.

“This delay has definitely slowed down our intervention efforts to prevent flooding across the country because this project should have been completed by now.

“This project should have been done even before the rain starts, we are already in February and maybe before March the rains will begin and further slow down the project.

So, much time has been wasted,” Ibrahim said.

He, however, disclosed that appropriate sanctions would be meted out on the contractors for the delay in the execution of the project.

“This is a project that was awarded two years or three years ago and they were supposed to have completed it within a year.

“Now, it is more than three years and the level of completion is not even up to 25 per cent.

“This is an eye opener for us and we will intensify our efforts in inspecting and monitoring interventions being sponsored by the Ecology Project Office across the country.

“I think because they observed that we were coming for inspection, they were able to upscale some of the work but that is not what should have been done.

“This drainage channelling is meant to ameliorate flooding incidents across this area, especially in Tejuosho, Bode Thomas and the Surulere axis.

“There will definitely be sanctions on the contractors for the delay and the small slow progress of this project,” Ibrahim said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Environment

Ecology office inspects ongoing sewage pipeline system at LUTH

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By Mercy Omoike

The Ecological Project Office (EPO) on Wednesday commended the progress recorded at the ongoing construction of a six-kilometre sewage pipeline system at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government sponsored project under the auspices of the Ecological Project Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) is almost near completion.

Speaking at the on site inspection of the project, Malam Shehu Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office, commended the project progress and expressed optimism that it would amelioration the sewage problems at the teaching hospital.

“Anybody that has gone round this facility will really appreciate what the Federal Government is doing in communities.

“This project is something we are very proud of, and you can also see the quality of job that is ongoing here. We are looking forward for the project to ameliorate the problems that exist here.

“So far, the progress of the project at LUTH is commendable and in the next two to three weeks, we look forward to its inauguration,” Ibrahim said.

He also promised that more ecological project interventions would be approved as the need arises with availability of funds.

“Well, as I always say, the Ecological Project Office is one office that the public has confidence in because it’s an office that anybody has an access to.

“You just make your request and we will come in to see what we can do. Presently, we have so many requests, over 3,000 in our data bank to take care of.

“However, our major challenge is fund, what we have and the level of intervention will depend on the fund available to us,” Ibrahim said.

In his response, the Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode, applauded the efforts of government in coming to the rescue of the hospital’s community with the sewage project intervention.

“As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we want to thank the Federal Government for our sewage pipeline system for both the Lagos University Hospital and the College of Medicine.

“The sewage system in LUTH has been in existence for over 50 years. And inevitably, they became overworked.

“In fact, what we have here is the old sewage treatment plant, it broke down and we are barely coping by simply doing some chemical treatment of sewage.

“LUTH houses over 10,000 people, its a whole village on its own and we just chemically treat the sewage before we discharge it into the canal.

“When discharged it constitutes some environmental hazards. So, we had to approach the Ecological Fund at the Presidency. The reception we got there was amazing, we did not need to know anybody.

“You can see what they have done, over six kilometres of sewage pipeline have been replaced. And we are getting a brand new sewage treatment plant.

“As a community, we are very happy, it’s a happy day for us and for communities that live downstream to us, they will not be exposed to any hazards again.

“So, I must use this opportunity, therefore, to thank Mr President, the Secretary General of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary and everybody that made this possible,” Bode said.

The contractors of the project, Emeka Udokporo of Flab Engineering Services Ltd., said that the project would be delivered as soon as possible.

“The project is almost 100 per cent completed, we are almost at the end of the project.

“Once the treatment plan comes, within the next two to three weeks we will be ready to set up and train those to operate it,” Udokporo said. (NAN) (www.nannewa.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Business

Speedy implementation of movement critical to AfCFTA success- Zimbabwean tycoon

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Mr Ken Sharpe, CEO, WestProp, Zimbabwe

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Speedy implementation of free movement of persons, goods and services is critical in benefiting from opportunities in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), says Mr Ken Sharpe, a Zimbabwean business mogul.

Sharpe, also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), West Property, Zimbabwe, made the assertion during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

NAN reports that AfCFTA goal is to encourage trade, commerce and address the continent’s developmental challenges.

Sharpe said that the call was pertinent to reflect the true power of the continent and for accelerated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

He, however, noted that five years into ratification of the AfCFTA, Africans were yet to benefit from the agreement due to several reasons.

“The are several reasons but the most important and pressing one is freedom of movement.

“You see Dubai was built because the visionary Sheik saw that creating the world’s largest airport and airlines would bring capital and investment to his country proves the point.

“We can’t fly directly between most African countries and visas are still required between many of our countries, thus restricting people moving affordably and easily.

“If people can’t have freedom of movement, then never mind moving goods because with all the trade tariffs and barriers that block trade, it is no wonder we are standing still.

“The message is for our leaders to wake up and make it happen like yesterday, for our future depends on it,” he said.

Sharpe also advocated the need for players in the real estate space to leverage technology to provide services that allow real time information relating to properties to address housing deficits in Africa.

According to him, Africans lived in a century where carbon oils is absolute, while the new fuel is data.

To this end, the real estate mogul said data and services could be tailor-made to provide services such as tracking and reducing electricity consumption, home automation and other offerings.

“Also, a possible solution to the housing deficit could be to create a shared stay app, like a shared ride where rooms unoccupied in homes could be rented out.

“Office vacancies can be converted to residential. However, data is needed to match the supply and demand needs, especially for low income earners,” he said.

He added that green and innovative solutions in the housing segment were critical to preserve the planet and have a sustainable climate.

“For example, at WestProp, we are already working with alternative energy solutions by using solar, gas and grey water.

“Smart homes allow electronically controlled valves and switches that allow you to turn your electricity and even water off to your geyser, control light switches and access and alarm control all from the touch of a button on your cell phone,” he said.

He urged upcoming entrepreneurs to focus on their core business, product or service and not spread too thin or be distracted to engender sustainability and success on the long run.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

 

Politics

Diaspora group reaches out to 100m Nigerians digitally to vote Tinubu

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The deputy director-general in the middle with members of the BTSO UK

By Abiodun Lawal

A group, Bola Tinubu Support Organisation in the United Kingdom (BTSO UK), says it will reach out to at least 100 million people digitally to vote enmass for the APC presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Feb. 25.

The group , led by one of its Executive members, Mr Anthony Aboaba, stated this while meeting with the Deputy Director-General, APC Campaign Council in Ogun, Mr Abiodun Sanyaolu, in Abeokuta on Monday.

Aboaba, who said that the gesture would be achieved between now and the election, noted  that It would ensure landslide victory for APC at the polls.

Aboaba said that BTSO UK came into being in 2019 under the leadership of Ade Adeshina and coordinated by Sunday Soyinka, with professionals from all walks of life who believed in Nigeria’s emancipation.

Aboaba  said that the belief and trust in Tinubu was based on his track records and leadership prowess, vision, action, identification and his ability to always put round pegs in round holes.

He added that the group remained a movement and self-funded by committed members of its executive and had embarked on different projects to support Tinubu.

”Bulk SMS campaign to promote BTSO UK in Nigeria. Anthem to promote the candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The anthem is entitled “He will make you leaders of men. if you follow him.”

”Sponsorship of grassroots movement. We provided electronic equipment, laptop, mobile phones for officers to aid their daily operational activities. We also fund logistics to propagate our support Tinubu in the Southwest of Nigeria.

”We produced merchandise t-shirts , baseball caps to campaign for Asiwaju. The regalia has the inscription: Bola Tinubu In-It To Win It.

”We hope that this gesture will solidify the recognition of BTSO UK as a strong support group for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Campaign Committee (PCC) Headquarters,” he said.

 

Aboaba added that BTSO UK had established structure of governance in the United Kingdom, with men and women saddled with responsibilities of offices to actualise its objectives to support Tinubu to become the president.

”BTSO UK has presence in the cyberspace and social media,” he said.

In his response, Sanyaolu, who commended the organisation for their unflinching support to the APC presidential candidate, said that Tinubu remains the best man for the job, considering his wealth of experience.

The deputy director-general explained that it was only Tinubu that had visited all the 36 states of the federation for campaign, saying it was a sign that he was never tribalistic.

”Tinubu is not tribalistic. He is blessed with knowledge and experience. His own style of governance is to improve the socioeconomic development of the country.

”Tinubu is not unknown to the people, he has done it before in Lagos state and he will do it again and again. He has the ability to identify good heads and he will surely succeed as Nigeria’s president,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high point of the event was the presentation of souvenirs  to the deputy director-general by the group.(NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Agriculture

FAO, UNIDO present report on coconut development to LASG

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By Olayinka Olawale

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) on Friday presented a 300-page report on coconut value chain analysis to the Lagos State Government.

Mr Suleiman Abubakar, Assistant Food and Agriculture Organisation representative to Nigeria, presented the report to the Lagos State Government on behalf of the FAO-UN and UNIDO.

He said the importance of the report was to create coconut on planting awareness  to ensure its sufficiency in Nigeria, create more jobs while increasing the state’s GDP.

Mr Fred Kafeero, FAO-UN Country Representative to Nigeria, said the report would form the basis for investment in the coconut value chain by both public and private sector.

He said the report would help to foster the upgrading strategy for the development of the proposal in the state.

Kafeero was represented by Mr AlHassan Cisse, Head, North East Emergency Operations.

According to him, the official presentation of the Coconut Value Chain Analysis report today marks the beginning of a second phase partnership with Lagos state.

“This will ensure sustainable food security, improved livelihood, economic development in terms of revenue generation, improving the standard of living and local economy of Lagos people through employment and wealth creation opportunities.

“It will improve the overall environmental impact in mitigating against climate change and global warming.

“This is such a big progress that we should all celebrate about since the main objective is to make the coconut value chain in the state more feasible and cost effective.

“With assurance of optimum return of the government’s investment,” he said.

The FAO country representative commended the state government for promoting agriculture and coconut development in addition, make Nigeria among the top 10 coconut producing countries in the world by 2030.

“On behalf of FAO, I will like to once again commend the Lagos state for its efforts in promoting agriculture and specifically developing the coconut value chain to create employment opportunities for the teeming youth’s population.

“I want to reiterate that FAO will continue to strengthening its partnership with the Lagos state government in the development of programmes, building of capacities and facilitation of policies on all matters relating to food security and nutrition.

Receiving the report on behalf of the Lagos state government, Ms Abisola Olusanya, State Commissioner for Agriculture said government was doing a lot in promoting coconut value chain in the state.

Olusanya promised speedy implementation of the report.

She said the report was aimed at ensuring coconut contribute maximally to making Lagos a 21st century economy by creating more employment and more wealth for Lagos.

The commissioner said that the implementation of coconut upgrading strategy as contained in the document would attract more than twenty times the present public and private investments into value chain.

“The creation of close to 500,000 employment opportunities and supporting their livelihood, contribute significantly to fighting the effects of climate change by curbing phenomenon such as coastal erosion among others in the next five years.

She, however, urged LASCODA to develop a five-year plan for the smooth implementation of the report.

In his remarks, Mr Dapo Olakulehin, the General Manager, Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA), said the report would help in the area of production, processing and commercialisation of coconut.

Olakulehin said a survey tagged Coconut Value Chain Analysis (VCA) designed an effective action plan that identified the necessary public and private investments, technical assistance, and policy implications for sustainable coconut value chain development.

“The cost of the survey was jointly borne by the LASG 75 per cent and FAO/UNIDO 25 per cent.

“FAO jointly implemented the coconut value chain analysis and design, with the UNIDO under the FAO-UNIDO jointly managed Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator (ASTA), previously known as 3ADI+.

“Consequently, the 289-page coconut value chain analysis has been completed, and an upgrading strategy developed for the development of the coconut value chain in Lagos State,” he said.

The programme was attended by Dr Olurotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Rice Value Chain, Mr Afolabi Ayantayo, SA Parastatal Monitoring Office and Mrs Tokunbo Emokpae, Permanent Secretary ministry of Agriculture.

Others include Ibrahim Obajomo, PS Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Emmanuel Olajide, Director of Budget, Dr Osuyi Otu, UNIDO Programme Officer (Nigeria) and Mrs Adeola Akinrinlola, Programme Officer, FAO Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

General News

International Women Society empowers 1,500 widows

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Celebration of the 2023 Widows Feast (WINYEF) in Lagos
By Taiye Olayemi

 

The International Women Society (IWS) through its Widows Trust Fund says it has empowered no fewer than 1,500 widows since its inception.

Mrs Banke Adeola, Chairperson, IWS,  disclosed this durung the 2023 Widows Feast and commemoration of the 24th year anniversary of the Society, in Lagos.
Adeola said that the organisation had not only invested in empowering widows, but had also supported widows in their emotional and psychological lives through various platforms.
“IWS Nigeria is at the forefront of sustainable development for widows in Nigeria, for over two decades, over 1,500 widows have been empowered.
“Over the last two decades, the Widows Trust Fund has been providing support and empowerment to widows all over Nigeria, offering them a path to sustainability and helping them reclaim their lives.
“To date, IWS has been able to provide financial assistance to over 1,500 widows in need.
“We have also established partnerships with several local businesses to provide job training and employment opportunities for widows.
“Over the years, the fund has provided not just financial support, but also emotional and psychological support, helping widows to heal and to rebuild their lives,” she said.
Adeola noted that the organisation had been able to raise awareness about the struggles faced by widows through various community events and campaigns.
She said going forward, serious attention would be focused on ‘sustainability for widows’.
According to her, this will not only be providing immediate assistance but also creating long-term solutions that will empower widows to become self-sufficient.
Adeola explained that in Nigeria, widowhood most times comes with maltreatment, discrimination, and stigmatisation, also, traditions and neo-patriarchy present challenges to Nigerian women.
She said, “some traditions bar women from inheriting land and property, widows are forced to drink the water used to wash their husband’s corpse. This is in the belief that it will kill them if they are guilty of causing his death, or make to declare their innocence before a local deity.
“They may be forced to shave their hair, It is the most gruesome experience anyone could face.
“As widows move through their own experiences of grief, loss, or trauma after the death of a spouse, they may also face economic insecurity, discrimination, stigmatization, and harmful traditional practices.
“The stigma or outright rejection a woman who has lost her husband can face often leaves her abandoned.
“Superstition causes other women to believe they may lose their husbands if they associate with a widow, while some men fear they, too, will die.
“With all of this in mind, IWS established a Widows Trust Fund 24 years ago, long before the United Nations ratified the  International Widows Day,” she said.
Adeola appreciated every individual who had supported and donated to the course of the widows
“We understand that sustainable development is a continuous process, and we are committed to working tirelessly to ensure that widows have the resources and support they need to lead fulfilling lives.
“I would like to express my deep appreciation to all the supporters, donors, and volunteers of the Widows Trust Fund.
“Your generosity and compassion have made a profound difference in the lives of so many, let us continue to work together, to create a world where every widow can live with dignity, hope, and a sustainable future,” she said.
Mrs Hope Nwakwesi, a widow and founder of Almanah Hope Foundation, who delivered a paper on “Sustainablity for Widows”, disclosed that a bill seeking widows rights had passed the requisite readings and awaiting the next level on being signed into law.
She added that the bill would ensure that the maligned group would have respite from harmful widowhood traditional practices.
(NAN) (nannews.ng)
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
General News

INEC, NGO seek increased women’s participation in electoral process

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By Olatunde Ajayi

The SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria in collaboration with the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria has called for increased women’s participation in electoral process.

The call was made at the training for women and other marginalised groups on peace building, mitigation, human rights, gender and participation, on Monday, in Ibadan.

The guest speaker, Dr Esther Sanya, the representative of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Oyo State chapter, said that there had been growing recognition of untapped capacity and talents of women in political leadership.

Sanya noted that women’s engagement in politics would help to advance gender equality.

“Research indicates that whether a legislator is a male or female has a distinct impact on his or her policy priorities.

“There is also strong evidence that as more women are elected to office, there is a corollary increase in policy making that emphasises quality of life and reflects the priorities of families, women, ethic and racial minorities,” she said.

Also speaking, Mr Lateef Ariori, the Director, Child Welfare Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social inclusion, said that women should be given substantial consideration in the design and execution of political participation process.

Ariori charged women organisations in the state to work toward promoting gender equality among candidates, election officials, observers and other electoral participants.

“Women have a responsibility to oversee the electoral process because gender equality and true democracy fundamentally depend on women’s political engagement,” Ariori said.

Earlier, Mrs Catherine Ogwu, the Gender Desk Officer, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Oyo state, urged the women not to sell their votes or be intimidated during the forthcoming general elections.

She noted that the current Electoral Act and new technology from INEC would make 2023 general elections the most free and inclusive elections in the history of Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training featured lectures and presentations from different women groups in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Economy/Business

CBN, NIBSS launch ‘AfriGo’, Nigeria’s first National Domestic Card Scheme

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National Domestic Card, AfriGo

 

 

 

By Funmilola Gboteku

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has collaborated with the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement Systems (NIBSS) to launch the National Domestic Card Scheme, ‘AfriGo’, to transform the Nigerian payment system.

The Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, made this known on Thursday at  a virtual launch of the National Domestic Card Scheme.

Emefiele said  the launch was another major step to ensure a thriving and competitive payment landscape in Nigeria.

He said: “I am gratified that the Nigerian banking community has risen up to the challenge of the national payment system through the implementation of a National Domestic Card Scheme.

”The cashless policy which commenced in 2012 signposts our core drive to strengthen the national payment system and the usage of electronic platforms in Nigeria.

”In line with the National payment system strategy, the CBN has been deliberate in collaborating with relevant stakeholders to enhance the national payments infrastructure through initiatives such as the Bank Verification Number (BVN).

“We will all agree that the cashless policy has created value and gender competition, attracted investments into the Nigerian banking and payments ecosystem,” he said.

The CBN governor said that while the penetration of card payments in Nigeria had grown tremendously over the years, many Nigerians were still excluded.

He said the challenges that had limited the inclusion of Nigerians included the high cost of card services as a result of foreign exchange requirements of international card schemes and the fact that existing card products did  not address local peculiarities of the Nigerian market.

He said that given the limited usage of cards by Nigerians and in a bid to deepen penetration, the banks actively promoted National Domestic card scheme, which would be accessible to all Nigerians and also address local peculiarities.

Emefiele said the scheme was therefore, an important plot in closing the gap that had remained since the cashless policy was introduced in 2012.

”It is important to note that the establishment of national domestic card scheme is in line with domestic global trends.

”With this initiative, Nigeria will be joining countries like China, Russia, Turkey and India, who have launched domestic card schemes, because of its transformative benefits for their respective payments and financial systems, particularly for the underbanked.

“The initiative is aimed at providing more options for domestic consumers while promoting delivery of services in a more innovative, cost effective and competitive manner,” he said.

Emefiele said the national domestic card scheme would provide opportunities for the economy to integrate the informal segments of the economy, reduce shadow banking and bring Nigerians into the formal financial services system.

“I look forward to more innovative products and services which will leverage on the national domestic card to avail digital financial services across all geographies and economic classes in Nigeria.

“It is important to note that all domestic transactions that are conducted in Nigeria will have to go through the national domestic card.

“This does not stop the usage of other existing cards but given that the charges on those cards are in dollars, we will no longer pay for those charges,” he said.

Also speaking, Aisha Ahmad, the Chairman of NIBSS and CBN Deputy Governor in Charge of Financial System Stability, said the forward thinking regulatory stance of the CBN had offered unique opportunities to drive cashless transactions to boost financial inclusion, deepen the financial system and promote inclusive economic growth.

She said that NIBSS had also become an important reference point for a variety of participants in the ecosystem, as they had paved the way for this latest initiative.

Ahmad said : ”We shall all be witness to a strategic turning point for our payment system because the Nigerian National Domestic card scheme is the first CBN led domestic IT initiative in Africa.

”The card will give us sovereignty over data, save costs and present new list of opportunities for those in the card business.

“This scheme was birthed with continental aspirations to make AfriGO a payment beacon for the African continent,” she said .

Andrew Walden, the Technical Consultant on the Nigerian National Domestic Card Scheme, said that Nigeria had been a regional leader in many of the global payment trends and was now ready to adopt the opportunities of the domestic card scheme.

“Nigeria has played an enviable role in advancing the forefront of revolution in the payment industry.

“This scheme provides an opportunity for Nigeria to cement its place at the forefront of digital payments innovation,”  he said.

Mr Premier Oiwoh, Managing Director of NIBSS, said that the scheme was developed to promote a robust in-country domestic card payment scheme tailored to address the specific requirements of Nigeria’s payment industry.

He said it was also to provide innovative offerings tailored to the Nigerian market and beyond.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  AfriGOpay Financial Services Ltd. (AFSL) is an affiliate of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and will be responsible for deploying and managing the National Domestic Card Scheme for Nigeria.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

General News

INEC, NGO task Oyo stakeholders on violence-free elections

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By Olatunde ajayi

An NGO, SOS Children’s Village, has urged traditional leaders and religious bodies to use their platforms to ensure free, fair and inclusive elections in Oyo state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the call was made at the community forum on peaceful and non-violent elections organised by the NGO on Tuesday in Ibadan.

Mr Ayodeji Adelopo, Regional Programme Manager, South, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, said that the forum seeks to bring critical stakeholders in election process together to scale down the message of peaceful and non-violent elections to the people at the grassroots.

Adelopo added that the focal areas for the programme were Ibadan North and Akinyele Local Government Areas in Oyo state.

“Election is a civic duty and not a warfare. When elections are largely peaceful, post-election violence, rancour and discontent are greatly reduced. Hence, lives, livelihoods and properties are protected.

“Credible leaders emerge through peaceful and fair elections. Expectedly, credible leaders will work for the welfare and development of the society,” Adelopo noted.

Also speaking, Mrs Catherine Ogwu, the Gender Desk Officer, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Oyo state, urged parents to talk to their children on the need not to engage in election violence during the forthcoming polls.

“With the new technology from INEC, snatching of ballots boxes, buying of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and other elections irregularities will be efforts in vain,” Ogwu said.

Ogwu said that Oyo INEC still have over 900,000 uncollected PVCs and called on all eligible voters to collect their PVCs so as to choose credible leaders for the country.

She noted that INEC recognised the role of women in election process which led to the creation of gender desk in the commission.

Ogwu encouraged women to participate fully in the elections.

Commenting, the Chief Imam, Ibadan North LGA, Mr Salawu Olayiwola, said that traditional and religious leaders must make good use of social and religious structures available at their disposal to ensure that their followers abide by electoral laws.

Also speaking, Mrs Olufunmilayo Soyege, the representative of the Ibadan traditional council, said that the rate of pre-election violence in the state had reduced compared to previous elections due to the synergy between INEC and other stakeholders in election process.

“We want more cooperation of parents, security agencies, traditional leaders and religious bodies before, during and after the general elections. This election is critical to the future of our children and this nation at large,” she said.

NAN reports that the forum featured key presentations from security agencies and other critical stakeholders in election process. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Features

Reigniting Nigeria’s hope in medical research through NIMR

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By Kemi Akintokun, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Over the decades, the outbreak of diseases have always highlighted the importance of advancement in medical research to curb their spread and negative impact on people.

These include the most recent pandemic – COVID-19 – which ravaged Nigeria and the global population.

The SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19, first reported in Wuhan, China, spread rapidly across the world, prompting the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare the virus a pandemic due to its devastating impact.

Developed countries and giant pharmaceutical companies  within a year introduced vaccines and thereafter, booster shots, to tackle the various variants of the virus.

In a race to reduce the heavy burden of the virus that killed thousands of people daily in most of the reported cases in countries, including the U.S,, UK, Japan, Spain and Italy, vaccine nationalism birthed.

Governments of these countries signed agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers to supply their populations with vaccines before making them available for others.

Even before many of the now-approved COVID-19 vaccinations completed their clinical trials, many of these wealthy nations bought several million doses of the ones that seemed the most promising, leaving Africa at the mercy of COVAX.

COVAX, a global vaccine programme, was setup to provide innovative and equitable access to COVID-19 diagnostics treatment and vaccines.

In Nigeria, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) was among the health institutions in the forefront against the spread of the virus, after recording the first COVID-19 case in Feb. 28, 2020.

The NIMR, established in 1977, conducts research into diseases of public health importance in Nigeria.

A month after the first detected case in Nigeria, the Institute started a free COVID-19 drive through test centre in the country in collaboration with LifeBank and had tested more than 10,000 Nigerians for free.

It also unveiled a Biotech Total RNA Purification Kit, developed by one of its Scientist, Dr Muinat Fowora.

This is Nigeria’s first set of local Ribonucleic Acid extraction kits, which expanded the nation’s capacity to test for COVID-19.

Also, two of its scientists, Dr Chika Onwuamah and Mr Joseph Shaibu, developed a SARS-CoV-2 Isothermal Molecular Assay (SIMA), a fast and sensitive point-of-care test for COVID-19 infection using a molecular technique and a SARS-CoV-2 Detection Assay (SCODA), a qPCR assay respectively.

In spite of the institute’s emergency response to COVID-19, it also conducted research into diseases of public health importance and developed structures for the dissemination of research findings.

For instance, in 2021, NIMR unveiled a Lassa fever and Yellow fever diagnostics kits – the first of its kind in Nigeria.

Also in 2022 it produced diagnostic PCR and ELISA kits for Monkey Pox, SARS-CoV-2, and Cholera; oligonucleotide synthesis, cloning, and expression of viral proteins.

Similarly, two NIMR laboratories maintained their ISO accreditation and WHO prequalification.

For Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, government should enable NIMR to conceptualise research ideas and translate them into innovations that would advance healthcare delivery.

Abayomi notes that NIMR has the resources required to actualise its mandate as the quaternary research institute in Nigeria.

“NIMR is the quaternary institute and this is equivalent to the National Institute of Health in the U.S and I hope the federal and state government will recognise NIMR for what it is.

“Government must do more to support NIMR in the areas of research that will proffer solutions to our health problem as a nation

“Most of the grant attracted to the institute are foreign grants and there are strings attached to these grants, but if they are internally generated, it will focus more on our problem,’’ he said.

According to a former Minister of State for Health, Olorunibe Mamora, NIMR, continues to impact the promotion of healthcare delivery in Nigeria through some of its research.

Mamora described the various diagnostic kits unveiled by the institute as a ground breaking research work.

“What we are witnessing in NIMR is a system that is working and the government is proud of the institute because this giant stride will continue to aid research in the country.

“Early diagnosis is key and extremely critical to prompt treatment of diseases such as yellow fever and Lassa fever that are of public health concern to Nigeria.

“Diagnosis is the most important step in the management of a patient because you cannot treat what you don’t know.

“Yellow fever and Lassa fever, over the years, had resulted in many causalities due to late diagnosis, but measures like this will make diagnosis tools readily available around the country,’’ he said.

Speaking on the institute gains and challenges, Prof. Babatunde Salako, the Director-General of NIMR, says  COVID-19 is a blessing in disguise for the institute.

“The negative impact of COVID-19 was felt globally in terms of deaths and the economic halt it created but it was also a blessing in disguise for us in NIMR.

“We were able to support the case detection through our drive through testing ground and production of a locally made test kits for the purpose.

“We did not stop there, we also produced test kits for Lassa fever, yellow fever and Monkeypox diagnostics kits and we have the capacity to produced diagnostics kits for any disease,’’ Salako said.

He notes that Nigeria must begin to fund research work that proffer solutions to diseases that peculiar to it through the establishment of a medical research council..

“There is the need for the establishment of a medical research council to fund research works peculiar to Nigeria.

“Medical research councils all over the world are in charge of research and research funding for most of their countries to fund research in areas of priorities.

“Creating such a council requires that government must give funding specifically for health research and look at areas of priorities, where we have challenges and ways to proffer solutions.

“The council, if put in place can work with the Federal Ministry of Health, on research priorities and policy for all medical institutions in the country.’’

According to him, funding and inadequate research are some of the problems affecting the institute and if addressed will make the mandates of the institute, which is to conduct research into diseases of public health importance, more realisable.

“The government has done a lot in terms of funding, we are grateful for the improvement; but we still need more to enable us to conduct more research.

“Some of our staff  retired and we are yet to get replacements. Some of them also travelled abroad for greener pastures,’’ he said. (NANFeatures)(www.nannews.ng)

***If used, please credit the author as well as the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

 

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Vivian Ihechu

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