Ismail Abdulaziz - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Stakeholders seek multi-sectoral approach to nutrition outcomes

Ismail Abdulaziz
Sep, Thu, 2024

Health

Stakeholders seek multi-sectoral approach to nutrition outcomes

557 total views today

By Folasade Akpan

Nutrition stakeholders have called for multi-sectoral approach to achieve improved nutrition outcomes in Nigeria.

They made the call at a consultative forum organised by Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Nuhu Kilishi, the Director, Nutrition and Food Safety, Ministry of Agriculture, said there is need to have legislation to aid the implementation of the Five-year National Multi-sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (NMPFAN, 2021 – 2025).

The plan, he said, was approved by the National Council on Nutrition in 2021.

He said “we need to have enabling laws that will strengthen the implementation of the NMPFAN 2021 – 2025.

“We have fantastic policies and strategies to address nutrition issues in Nigeria, it is just in implementation and coordination that we have noticed one or two gaps, and these gaps will be addressed.”

Mr Vitalis Obi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, acknowledged the need for enhanced coordination to ensure that Nigerians are well nourished.

Obi, who is also the Chairman of the National Committee on Food and Nutrition (NCFN), identified some gaps in coordination of nutrition programmes.

He said “one of the challenges is that some development partners do not register with the coordinating ministry to seek areas of support.

“We’re encouraging them to do that now. Some of the issues noted with the coordination institution included lack of integration and insufficient alignment among nutritional programmes and policies across the country.

“There’s also conflict of interest in terms of mandate, and we are appealing that people should get their minds straight to avoid conflict.”

He also stressed the need to ensure that in-country interventions are consistent with Federal Government programmes.

For Dr Fatima Zuntu, the Technical Assistant on Nutrition, Office of the Vice President, one of the major challenges is the issue of funding.

She said that though funds were allocated to nutrition in the budget, it was insufficient.

She said that this gave rise to seeking for partnerships from the private sector, international and local organisations so the country could leverage on their strength.

Zuntu stressed the need for increased advocacy at the grassroots, saying “you see higher rates of stunted and malnourished children in rural areas than in urban areas.”

Meanwhile, the Chief of Nutrition, UNICEF Nigeria, Nemat Hajeebhoy, said Nigeria ranks first in Africa and second in the world in terms of the number of malnourished children under five years.

She added that “the statistics also meant that Nigeria is currently off track to achieving the 2025 World Health Assembly target and the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) nutrition target.”

Hajeebhoy said that though the statistics were disturbing, they could be changed through coordinated and harmonised action.

The Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, Mrs Vivianne Ihekweazu, said that as a country, there are many stakeholders supporting nutrition, but there are no outcomes yet.

She said that the aim of the forum was to discuss with the different stakeholders on how to improve nutritional outcomes.

“We know that nutrition is not just a purview of one single department in the country, it has to be a collective effort.

“By offering those solutions, we at Nigeria Health Watch are collating what they are saying and putting out to the community, and push for advocacy.

“With better coordination, we’re able to hopefully improve our nutritional outcomes.”(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Ismail Abdulaziz
Sep, Wed, 2024

Sports

Eguavoen says report of quitting false

336 total views today

By Victor Okoye

Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has dismissed rumours making the rounds that he has quit his role, following Tuesday’s barren draw against the Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rumours of Eguavoen’s resignation started making the rounds, following his post-match reaction in Kigali.

This was after Super Eagles 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match day two qualifying match against Rwanda, which ended 0-0 at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

However, Eguavoen, who spoke to newsmen after the team touched down in Abuja, debunked the rumours as false and misleading, saying that he was misquoted.

He sais he was still in charge of the Super Eagles and would sit down with the federation’s hierarchy to evaluate the team’s performance, following the two matches played.

“It is quite unfortunate that people would just trigger something that is not correct, and at the situation that we are in now, we don’t need negative stories.

“I only talked about sitting down with the hierarchy of the federation after these two games to see how we go about prosecuting the next games.

“But, when I saw that story, I was kind of really worried and concerned. Whatever people are reading out there is not correct, and I am still very much in charge.

“I am the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, saddled with the responsibility of taking charge of the Super Eagles at this moment, and that’s where we are,” he said.

NAN reports that the Eagles will next confront the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, mid-October.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

ECOWAS urges help for 9m persons displaced by conflicts, disasters

Ismail Abdulaziz
Sep, Wed, 2024

Foreign

ECOWAS urges help for 9m persons displaced by conflicts, disasters

308 total views today

By Mark Longyen

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has called for urgent humanitarian aid to nine million community citizens displaced by conflicts and climate change disasters.

Dr Mohammed Ibrahim, Head of ECOWAS Humanitarian Affairs Division, made the plea at a mid-term consultation meeting of the regional committee for disaster management in West Africa (GECEAO), in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, which aims to promote better coordination and harmonisation of disaster management efforts in West Africa, drew participants from across the sub-region and beyond.

According to Ibrahim, the goal of GECEAO is to develop and implement a unified strategy that builds community resilience to natural and man-made disasters.

“In recent times, humanitarian actors have raised the alarm for the escalating humanitarian needs of nearly nine million people in West Africa displaced due to increasing violence, insecurity and extreme weather events.

“People have become displaced multiple times, exacerbating their hardships.

“The increasing interest of ECOWAS in disaster risk management has mainly been driven by efforts to fulfill its peace and security mandates, including the management of the humanitarian outcomes of conflicts.

“The ability of member states to respond effectively to disasters depends on their internal response capabilities, both civil and non-civilian, and the ability to rapidly deploy such response mechanisms to emergencies before external assistance arrives,” he said.

Ibrahim noted that the magnitude of vulnerability and exposure to hazards and losses from disasters in West Africa and the Sahel is expected to increase over the next decade.

He said that countries were currently vulnerable to floods, land degradation, water scarcity, and coastal erosion, which had increased in occurrence and severity due to the adverse effects of climate change.

According to the ECOWAS Humanitarian Affairs Division boss, conflict remains a primary driver of displacement but climate change has significantly impacted migration decisions across the subregion recently.

“The overlap of conflict and climate disasters underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and coordinated responses to break the cycle of climate change and armed conflict.

“It also underscores the need to increase humanitarian access and funding that supports resilience and adaptation to climate change,” Ibrahim said.

Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director-General, Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in a remark, said that Nigeria was already working to enhance disaster risk management to reduce shocks and enhance population resilience.

According to the NEMA DG, Nigeria stands to benefit from the initiative which aims to provide guidance in addressing the cumulative destructive impacts from disaster risks.

She said that ECOWAS sub-region was confronted with diverse disasters which required collective efforts with enhanced coordination to address them.

“It is also compelling to tailor emergency response that will guarantee resilience building and sustainable development because none of the phases of the disaster management cycle exists on its own without an overlapping loop.

“With this disaster scenario, the regional recovery roadmap, the regional resilience strategy, the roster of experts, among others, will have to be deployed for significant progress to be recorded in the management of disaster risk in West Africa in line with ECOWAS goal,” she said.

The Director-General, Ghana’s National Disaster Management (NADMO), Nana Prempeh, represented by Frank Nansam-Aggrey, said that Ghana was currently tackling disaster risks in a coherent and uncompromising manner.

He urged ECOWAS member states and stakeholders working to achieve disaster risk reduction to focus more on information sharing to understand disaster risks and its governance toward ensuring coordination across in-country institutions.

According to him, member states can facilitate ongoing local response efforts and provide the necessary inputs to enhance the implementation of disaster risk reduction activities going forward.

He said that historical disaster events like the COVID-19 pandemic have shown that there is no place for a business-as-usual approach to efforts aimed at reducing disaster risks and vulnerabilities.

“The reason is that disaster resilience as part of response to extreme weather events requires the cooperation, contribution and interventions of all state and non-state actors at global, regional, national and community levels.

“This is why member states need to use forums like this to coordinate in-country and external resources to reduce disaster risks and ensure the safety of our people.

“Discussions such as this will enable citizens and policy makers to properly shape policies and resource allocation to meet disaster management needs,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

Agency to partner media on supplementary immunisation

Ismail Abdulaziz
Sep, Tue, 2024

Health

Agency to partner media on supplementary immunisation

327 total views today

By Emmanuel Jonathan

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) is to partner with the media to ensure effective advocacy ahead of the 2024 supplementary immunisation.

This is contained in a communique issued on Tuesday at the end of a media orientation workshop for the 2024 integrated Supplementary Immunisation Activities (SIAs) meeting in Abuja.

The communique was co-signed by representatives of the Print and Electronic media and the NPHCDA.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NPHCDA in collaboration with partners, held a media orientation workshop on the programmes of the 2024 integrated SIAs.

The orientation workshop was also carried out for the media to identify their roles and responsibilities in ensuring the success of the programme.

NAN reports that the 2024 integrated SIAs will be held in 26 selected states namely; Anambra, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Rivers, Ekiti, Ogun, and Ondo.

Others are Osun, Oyo, Benue, FCT, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Zamfara, Yobe and Borno.

Participants emphasised on the importance of advocacy, effective information dissemination and adequate support of the campaign strategy.

They recommended that the NPHCDA should be timely with accurate dissemination of information to support communication and mobilisation of all expected groups for the vaccination.

Participants urged the agency to provide adequate personnel for the campaigns and support training and capacity building for relevant stakeholders.

The media representatives on their part reiterated their commitment to supporting the success of integrated SIAs efforts.

“We commit to effective amplification of messages on vaccination importance, dissemination of accurate information to address issues of vaccine resistance and misinformation,” the communique reads.

The parties recognised the critical role of vaccination in preventing and controlling vaccine-preventable diseases.

Dr Ladan Aliyu, the Director of Advocacy and Communications of NPHCDA, told NAN that 2024 integrated SIAs objectives include achieving 95 per cent vaccination coverage for Measles and Polio.

Aliyu said it would also include 80 per cent coverage for Yellow Fever, and achieving 85 per cent coverage of zero-dose children in targeted Local Government Areas.

He said that there would be vaccines for cases of Yellow Fever, Measles/Polio, Tetanus and Diphtheria (TD), Human Papilloma Virus, among others.

The director said that the NPHCDA was aware of the activities of anti-immunisation campaigners, but noted that they factored the said challenge in their planning stage so as to mitigate it.

“We have what we call Crisis Communication Plan for addressing issues at both national and sub-national levels, depending on the peculiarity of the case.

“The crisis communication plan is being implemented by experts; they are dispelling and quelling some of these rumours that stop people from being immunised.

“Bringing in traditional and religious leaders who are close to every community, to carry out this campaign is also part of our strategy to dispel some of the rumours carried out by anti-immunisation campaigners,” he said.

Aliyu, who said that the integrated SIAs campaign would commence in September, appreciated the Media’s continued support in ensuring the population receives accurate information.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

edited by Sadiya Hamza

FCTA, GAIN sign MoU on access to affordable, nutritious food

Ismail Abdulaziz
Sep, Tue, 2024

Health

FCTA, GAIN sign MoU on access to affordable, nutritious food

352 total views today

By Justina Auta

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) have signed an MoU to improve access to affordable, safe and nutritious food in the FCT.

Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister, while signing the documents on Tuesday in Abuja, said the initiative would boost sustainable development and address issues around food insecurity, as well as improve the health of the people.

Wike, who was represented by Mr Chidi Amadi, his Chief of Staff, said: “there is no better time to have this than now when we have issues of malnutrition.

“Today is not just a mere show but the collaborative efforts we just endorsed will translate to useful results, dividends that will reflect in the lives of people in the FCT, especially those in area councils.

“We enjoin you to ensure that all that needs to be done in the campaign to drive this process are put in place.

“Improving nutrition is very key especially now that food scarcity has become a serious challenge in our country.”

Mr Ubokutom Nyah, Mandate Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public-Private Partnership (EPRGPPP) said the partnership would strengthen value chains, empower primary-schools with nutritious food and improve food security.

“This MoU will pave the way for interventions that have long-term benefits for the health and well-being of our pupil’s and residents especially those who are below the pyramid.

”It will improve access to fortified foods, enhanced nutrition education and the development of sustainable agricultural practices.

“It will also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to zero hunger, good health and economic growth,” he said.

Dr Michael Ojo, Country Director, GAIN, said the three-year plan would foster a healthier food environment, reduce malnutrition and promote sustainable food systems for improved food security, access to safe, affordable and nutritious food.

“The multidimensional index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in 2022 highlights that the FCTA is the 11th least poor region of government in Nigeria ranking by states.

“This means that there are 10 other states that are doing better than the FCTA, when you look at what constitutes the multidimensional poverty in the FCT, nutrition is the biggest component.

“I think it is appropriate that we are looking at this as a major problem and we are supporting the FCTA to deal with it.

“If we are able to design projects and programmes that tackle some of the underlining causes of malnutrition then we hope to see the health status of FCT residents improve,” he said.

Ojo explained that the key areas of collaboration include: building capacity on project management, advocacy and resource mobilisation, promote the adoption of biofortified crop varieties to address malnutrition.

Others are: support the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP), implementing human-centered design approaches in social protection programmes and strengthening food safety measures and nutrition-related policies. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Why Nigerians should explore Compressed Natural Gas

Ismail Abdulaziz
Sep, Tue, 2024

Features

Why Nigerians should explore Compressed Natural Gas

587 total views today

Why Nigerians should explore Compressed Natural Gas

By Ismail Abdulaziz, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

At the inception of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the vexatious issue of fuel subsidy regime was ended to address the huge infrastructure development gap created by the use of funds to power the subsidy.

Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit, amounting to 30 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, falls short of the international benchmark of 70 per cent set by the World Bank.

Nigeria spent more than N400 billion monthly to subsidise petroleum imports before the inauguration of President Tinubu, according to Mele Kyari, head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL).

These are funds that would, otherwise be used to check infrastructure decay and shortfall in the country.

“The fuel subsidy is gone. The subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources.

“We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions.

“This is one decision we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements,” Tinubu said in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023.

Nigerian were left with a choice of finding alternatives to subsidy funding that has been recognised by leading Presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party in the 2023 general election.

The choice offered by the Tinubu administration was the use of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in vehicles, especially the commercial vehicles that constitute over 80 per cent of petrol users in the country.

At the inauguration of 30 hybrid CNG-powered buses with the capacity to transport 3,000 passengers recently, Tinubu said the use of natural gas to power the nation’s transportation industry would reduce transportation costs.

He said it would also enhance productivity, and save the nation trillions of Naira spent on the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

”If we can enhance our energy competitiveness and bring about transformative changes like this, we will definitely be able to achieve the prosperity that we are working hard to accomplish for our people.

“These CNG buses are promising and will enhance our transportation system before the inauguration of President Tinubu.

“Countries like India have mandated CNG for all commercial vehicles since 2004. In Nigeria, commercial vehicles make up about 80 percent of our petroleum demand, costing us trillions of naira every month.

”The solution is here. We have it. We will work on it. We promise you, definitely, things will get better. Prosperity will be achieved”, Tinubu said.

Energy experts say Nigerians need to take advantage of the CNG-powered vehicles to ameliorate the huge financial implications occasioned by high cost of petrol and it attendant increase in prices of goods and services.

“CNG is an important and feasible gaseous fuel that is relatively very cheap, environmentally friendly, safe to handle, and has abundant available energy resources.

“By considering the availability and infrastructure facility, CNG seems to be a prominent alternative fuel for diesel engine applications’’, says Ashok Nanthagopal in a study on Eco Friendly Biofuels for CI Engine Applications published in Natural Gas (Second Edition).

According to him, earlier reports showed that CNG fuel could stand well below conventional fuel for the consideration of performance aspects.

Olalere Odusote, former commissioner for energy to the Lagos state government said the CNG powere-vehicles are worth embracing.

“By embracing CNG, we can enhance energy security, create jobs, and propel Nigeria towards a brighter future for all its citizens”, the media recently quoted him as saying.

Experts say that CNG use is gaining acceptance worldwide because of its environmental and economic benefits; it is a clean-burning fuel that produces lower emissions than traditional gasoline or diesel, and it can also be less expensive to use.

Some of the known advantages of CNG use include lower emission, energy savings, energy security, and longer engine life.

The disadvantages include limited range, limited fueling infrastructure, high upfront costs and safety concerns.

The concern of Nigerians centres on the disadvantages of the CNG use and the availability of conversation service.

The government, has responded to this concern through the Presidential CNG Initiative, established as a component of the palliative intervention of the administration to cushion the hardships of the fuel subsidy removal can allay the fears of users.

Another energy expert, Mr Taiwo Adewole said that the introduction of CNG)vehicles into Nigveria’’s transport industry would help fight pollution.

“CNG powered vehicles and generators will help fight pollution from fossil fuel that an average Nigeria uses on a daily basis. The government also needs to work on adequate power supply’’, he told a local energy medium.

Retired Air Vice Marshal Akugbe Iyamu, former Acting Director-General, National Emergency Mangement Agency.

“There is simply no way to turn back on delivering CNG for all Nigerians. It is the right thing to do’’ Iyamu said.

Mele Kyari the Group Chief Executive Office of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has also thrown his weight behind the CNG initiative.

“Is it late? Yes,, but we will make progress, we will cover the gap in order to ensure that the volatility we see with Premium Motor Spirit does not apply to gas’’, said Kyari.

This is possible through making accessible and assessable the process of conversion and continuing encouragement of its use among both the commercial and private car owners in the country.

Those in the transport industry, however, say the decision to use CNG for vehicles depends on individual needs and preferences, as well as the availability of refueling infrastructure in the country. (NANFeature)

**If used, credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

20-member Tunisian delegation arrives in Nigeria for economic forum

Ismail Abdulaziz
Sep, Tue, 2024

Foreign

20-member Tunisian delegation arrives in Nigeria for economic forum

487 total views today

(Middle): The leader of the Tunisian delegation and President of Tunisia Africa Business Council, Anis Jaziri, addressing diplomatic correspondents at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on arrival in Nigeria, while the Tunisian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohsen Antit, (left) looks on (NAN).

By Mark Longyen

A 20-member business delegation from Tunisia has arrived in Nigeria for the Nigeria-Tunisia Economic Forum, aimed at exploring and creating various investment opportunities between the two countries.

The delegation, led by the President of Tunisia Africa Business Council, Anis Jaziri, was received by Tunisian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohsen Antit, on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the nearly weeklong event, which is tagged: “Multisectoral Economic Mission in Nigeria,” will officially kick off on Tuesday and end on Friday.

The forum, which is organised in collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, is expected to boost Nigeria-Tunisia bilateral economic relations.

Speaking to diplomatic correspondents on arrival, Jaziri said the delegation’s visit was an unprecedented one by such a large group, comprising representatives from multiple sectors of the Tunisian economy.

He listed the various sectors to include construction, information technology, health, trading, engineering, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, mechanical, electrical and chemical industry sectors.

“The purpose of our visit is to create real opportunities between Tunisia and Nigeria. There are huge things that we can do together.

“Like, you know, Tunisia has very good products, very good services in many sectors. We have the know-hows, and we want to see exactly what’s going on here in Nigeria.

“We also want to see in which sectors, and in which fields, we can seal economic cooperations.

“We will also have many B-to-B meetings, and hope that these will bring together big partnerships between the Tunisian economic operators, and their partners in Nigeria,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Antit explained that choosing Nigeria for the forum was strategic because Nigeria is the richest and biggest ECOWAS member state and Africa’s largest economy.

The ambassador added that Nigeria has a significant economic potential and favourable climate for investment and attracting businessmen.

He said that organising the forum in the country was part of the framework aimed at adding a new momentum to the existing bilateral relations between Tunisia and Nigeria.

According to him, the forum is the second lap of the first forum, Financing Investment Trade Africa (FITA), which was held in June in Tunisia, and was attended by no fewer than 35 Nigerian companies.

The envoy called for more trade among African countries, and expressed dismay that most African countries historically trade with other continents.

“Africa is first for Africans. So it’s true that we should, of course, deal with other people, with other continents, with other countries, but the priority is for the continent.

“So, the priority of business is between Africans themselves. Tunisians and Nigerians are also Africans,” he said.

He recalled that the earlier visit of the Nigerian businessmen and CEOs delegation to Tunisia for FITA was very successful, as many contracts were signed between various companies on both sides.

“Now, we are organising the reverse, a big delegation made up of more than 20 businessmen coming to Abuja, Nigeria, for the the Multi-sectoral Economic Forum.

“This falls within the framework of our keenness to strengthen bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries in the economic and investment fields.

“The Tunisian delegation that will participate in the forum is the first of its kind and in its size from Tunisia to Nigeria,” he said.

According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, Nigeria’s exports to Tunisia was 35.72 million dollars in 2023.

It says that the main products exported from Tunisia to Nigeria were gypsum, salt and leather stock, among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

NG-CARES improves 9m beneficiaries’ livelihood in Nigeria

Ismail Abdulaziz
Sep, Mon, 2024

General News

NG-CARES improves 9m beneficiaries’ livelihood in Nigeria

364 total views today

By Rita Iliya
Mrs Elizabeth Egharevba, Chairman, Federal CARES Technical Committee, says the committee has disbursed 645 million dollars (about N1.062 trillion) to states for the implementation of NG-CARES in the country.

She said this at the Zonal Peer Learning and Experience Sharing summit of Nigerian Communication for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) in Minna on Monday.

Egharevba, represented by Dr Abdulkarim Obaje, National Coordinator of NG-CARES, also said that 750 million dollars (about N1.2 trillion) was earmarked to implement the programme from 2021 to 2024 across the country.

“NG-CARES is a World Bank Assisted project, the funds were disbursed under three results programme components for states, including FCT.

“The result areas are social safeness, livelihoods grant and basic services support to poor and vulnerable communities.

“Other areas are support increase food production and enhancing food supply chains, mitigating food loss through food processing and Nano micro-small enterprises,” she said.

She said the programme had 150 delivery platforms across the country and had impacted on more than nine million people, adding that NG-CARES had been adjudged as most successful among other programmes.

She lauded states for ejecting N120 billion into NG-CARES.

Egharevba said that the summit brought stakeholders across regions to share experiences, best practices and insights that would help drive progress on shared objectives.

In his address, Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, noted that Niger re-invested the earnings from the last Independent Verification Agents (IVA) on social security in the current cycle to demonstrate the importance of NG-CARES.

Bago, represented by his deputy, Mr Yakubu Garba, said that the summit was a platform to engage in insightful discussion, exchange best practices and explore innovative solutions.

In his opening remarks, Mr Lawal Maikano, Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning in Niger, said that the state had invested in the programme with beneficiaries across the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants at the summit were from Benue, Kaduna, Gombe, Kogi, Plateau, Rivers and Niger states as well as the FCT.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Religious body seeks partnership with NAN on peace, nation building

Ismail Abdulaziz
Sep, Mon, 2024

General News

Religious body seeks partnership with NAN on peace, nation building

402 total views today

By Angela Atabo/Sarafina Christopher

A religious organisation, Brotherhood of the Cross and Star has sought the partnership of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to propagate the message of peace and nation building for a prosperous nation.

Prof. David Irefin, International Chairman Christ Universal New World Fellowship of the organisation, made the call when he led a delegation of the organisation to NAN in Abuja on Thursday.

Irefin said that the delegate represented the mandate of their leader, Olumba Obu, who they described as the Sole Spiritual head of the organ Universe.

He said that there was need to find a better Nigeria with a focus on cultural exchange and improvement.

“NAN management welcomes listeners and agrees on search for a better Nigeria.

“The importance of accountability and citizens enlightenment in Nigeria is key to nation building.

“NAN sends message of blessings and solutions to Nigerians through various channels and that is why we seek partnership with NAN to share the message of blessings and qualifying for God’s blessings”.

Irefin encouraged Nigerians to listen to the voice of reason and cross fertilise ideas to build a greater country.

Using historical evidence and examples, he said God had the power to end conflicts and gave examples of how God intervened in history to bring peace and end conflicts.

He emphasised the importance of spiritual discipline and self-denial to reveal God’s presence in one’s life.

He also said that there has been a lot of misconceptions about the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star and encouraged Nigerians to read the organisation’s literatures to better their understand on the movement.

He added that they should also learn and listen to the teachings Olumba Obu to better their spiritual growth.

He invited Nigerians to join their religious community, which offers services and literature, and promises to work in partnership with them to spread their message.

The Resident Priest of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Karu, Cathedral Abuja, Otu Okoi, urged Nigerians to love God and desist from acts that were deterrents to his blessings.

Okoi said that Esau in the Bible suffered the consequences of his disobedience to God’s principles as well as the children of Israel who had to be punished by God for neglecting His ways.

He called on Nigerians to embrace God, the foundation of all things be it peace or prosperity.

Okoi said that the nations of the world had been struggling to bring peace on earth and they have not succeeded without God.

Responding, Mr Ali M Ali, Managing Director of NAN, reiterated the commitment of the agency in promoting the peace and prosperity of the nation.

Ali, represented by Mr Ephraims Sheyin, the Editor-in-chief of NAN, promised to spread the message of hope and peace and others of the group and relate them to Nigerians .

“As a media organisation, we share in this need for an enlightened citizenry, so that together we will be able to focus on that same goal.

“Thus is to mobilise Nigerians to know where the solution to the problem lies how to get there, how to get hold of it and make it work for Nigeria so that continue on better.

“I am happy that you are taking the pains to share these messages with all of us.

Ali said that NAN has a lot of subscribers and services such as PRWire and SMS services, among others.

He said the agency intended to run the group’s messages through all of those channels so Nigerians would hear and see the need to find solutions to the nation’s challenges.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Immunisation: Stakeholders want quick response to possible adverse reactions

Ismail Abdulaziz
Sep, Mon, 2024

General News

Immunisation: Stakeholders want quick response to possible adverse reactions

279 total views today

By Emmanuel Jonathan

Traditional and religious leaders have called on the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), to put in place quick response mechanisms for possible adverse reactions that could result from immunisation.

Their call is contained in a communique issued on Monday at the end of a national stakeholders’ engagement on integrated Supplemental Immunisation Activities (SIAs), held in Abuja.

The communique was co-signed by Dr Ahmad Mustafa, representing the traditional institution, Rev Emmanuel Aribasoye, who represented the clergy, and Mrs Ebele Mgbemena, who represented the Ministries, Department and Agencies(MDAs).

They said that poorly managed adverse reactions from immunisation usually inform why some parents develop cold feet to immunising their children.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the NPHCDA, in collaboration with partners, were involved in the stakeholders engagement meeting with faith-based organisations, traditional institutions and representatives of MDAs.

The objective of the stakeholders engagement was to sensitise them on the upcoming integrated SIAs and how they could impact on the success of the campaign.

The engagement was also for them to agree on the expected roles of stakeholders in influencing demands for the vaccines and other Primary Health Care programmes and interventions.

NAN reports that the SIAs will be held in 26 selected states namely including Anambra, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Rivers, Ekiti, Ogun and Ondo.

Others are Osun, Oyo, Benue, FCT, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Zamfara, Yobe and Borno.

The stakeholders recommended that the NPHCDA should conduct advocacy with support, and in collaboration, with key stakeholders.

“NPHCDA should ensure timely and accurate dissemination of information to support communication and social mobilisation for all groups – women, students, people living with disabilities and children.”

“NPHCDA should also provide adequate personnel for the campaigns and also support training and capacity building for relevant stakeholders,” the communique said.

The stakeholders said that NPHCDA should promote injection safety, and ensure quality and timely response to adverse events that could arise from immunisation exercises.

“It should also ensure adequate plans for the disposal of immunisation waste materials.

“NPHCDA should also share the call line list of all the stakeholders to state health education officers for sustained collaboration.

“It should endorse and implement all recommendations on the lessons learnt from the previous campaigns for improved programme management,” the communique said.

The participants promised to carry out their roles and responsibilities towards the successful vaccination programme.

They promised to support the planning and proper coordination of the campaigns and also assist in resolving cases of people not ready for the vaccinations.

They also promised to designate focal persons in the respective states and Local Government Areas to ensure successful campaigns.

“We will facilitate strong collaboration with all key stakeholders and mobilise all the relevant MDAs to be part of the project for effective synergy and positive results,” they said.

Speaking with NAN, the Director, Advocacy and Communications of NPHCDA, Dr Ladan Aliyu, said that the integrated SIAs campaign would commence this month (September).

He said that their would be vaccines for cases of Yellow Fever, Tetanus and Diphtheria (TD), Human Papilloma Virus, among others.

The Director said that the NPHCDA was very much aware of the activities of anti-immunisation campaigners, but noted that they factored the said challenge in their planning stage so as to mitigate it.

“We have what we call Crisis Communication Plan for addressing issues at both national and sub-national levels, depending on the peculiarity of the case.

“The crisis communication plan is being implemented by experts; they are dispelling and quelling some of these rumours that stop people from being immunised.