Julius Toba-Jegede - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Julius Toba-Jegede
Oct, Mon, 2023

Why we organise annual mass wedding for indigenes- Kwara community

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By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal/Mujidat Oyewole

Job Atolagbe, the traditional ruler of Shao in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara, says the community’s age-old mass wedding tradition is to promote unity and inclusiveness among indigenes.

Atolagbe, who is the Ohoro of Shao, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The traditional ruler and NAN correspondent during the interview

According to the traditional ruler, the Awon mass wedding model provides an annual rallying point for indigenes.

Atolagbe, who recalled that his mother also wedded through the Awon festival, described the marriage institution as a critical aspect of community life in Shao.

Delving into the history of the mass wedding, the Ohoro said a hunter in the community in ancient times called Omo Larele had often stopped at a small stream to drink water anytime he went hunting in the forest.

“As was his tradition, he stopped by the stream to drink water on a particular day and he saw a strange woman sitted at the stream.

” She was said to be weird looking and had only one breast.

“History tells us that the woman was a fairy and her name was Awon.

” She told the hunter that she was the owner of the stream which he normally drank from,” he said.

Atolagbe explained further that Awon told the hunter to take her to Oba Olanibo who was the first Ohoro of Shao.

“Awon was taken to Shao and she spent 18 days with the people of Shao. Before she left, she had a meeting with Oba Lanibo and his chiefs.

“When she was set to depart from Shao, she was accompanied by Oba Lanibo, his son and the chiefs of Shao, following a path that Awon chose,” he said.

Atolagbe said Awon pledged to protect the community, but stipulated that indigenes should immortalise her through the annual mass wedding for females.

He pointed out that ladies married through the Awon mass wedding festival must acquire skills and should be of marriageable age.

The traditional ruler added that would-be grooms must be employed or engaged in vocations to cater for their spouses.

Atolagbe appealed to all tiers of government and Non-Governmental Organisations to support and promote the Awon wedding festival.

He added that brides that had acquired skills should be empowered with necessary tools to be self-employed.

Also speaking with NAN, a community leader, Dr Wole Oke, described the festival as an annual unifying event devoid of religious persuasions.

“As far back as 1975, the government of Kwara had showed interest in the event and had always sent representatives to grace the occasion.

“Some of our sons and daughters also return to the community to celebrate the event,” he said.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Julius Toba-Jegede
Oct, Sat, 2023

General News

Sen.Yari donates android smartphones to APC social media handlers

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By Ishaq Zaki

Sen. Abdul’aziz Yari (APC-Zamfara) on Saturday donated 40 android smartphones to All Progressives Congress (APC) social media handlers in the state.

Presenting the phones to the beneficiaries in Talata-Mafara at a one-day workshop for APC social media handlers, Yari urged them to promote peace building and political stability in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by Sen Yari’s New Media office.

The lawmaker represented by the Zonal Coordinator, APC Zamfara West Senatorial District Campaigns, Alhaji Sha’ayau Sarkin-Fawa, described the contributions of the social users in building the party in the state as successful.

“I am very delighted to be with you today, I appreciate your support and contributions for maintenance of peace and political stability in the state.

“This gesture is a recognition to your contributions in building the APC in the state.

“You know, social media handlers play a greater role information dissemination globally,” Yari said.

“I believe your support contributed immensely for the success of the APC in the state.

“Your activities are always promoting our great party, I want you to maintain the tempo in promoting peace building and stability.

“I therefore urge you to maintain your good efforts, you should always put nations’ interest first for peace sustainability in our dear country,” he explained.

In his remarks, the Director-General New Media to Sen. Yari, Almansur Almajir, said the workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of the participants.

Almajir commended Yari and Minister of State Defence and former Gov. Bello Matawalle for their support and cooperation in building the APC in the state.

“No fewer than 40 participants of thepis workshop were been drowned from the Six local government areas of Zamfara West Senatorial District,” he added.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman Zamfara APC social media crew, Muhammad Lawal and former Senior Special Assistant to Matawalle, Abdul Bala commended Yari for enhancing the capacity of social media handlers in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Julius Toba-Jegede
Oct, Sat, 2023

Health

NPC, UNICEF target birth registration of 797,209 children in Katsina

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By Abbas Bamalli

The National Population Commission (NPC) with the support of the United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF), has embarked on birth registration in Katsina State, targeting 797,209 children.

Mrs Ogbodo Adaku, UNICEF’s Focal Person disclosed this during the training of some ad-hoc registrants in Katsina on Saturday.

According to her, no fewer than 1,083 ad-hoc registrants were recruited to support in carrying out a massive birth registration drive across the 361 wards in the state.

She added that, “This massive birth registration drive is being organised in 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“We are doing this because we want to register as many as 12 million children in Nigeria that are not visible. You and I know that once a child is not registered, by legal implication, that child is not visible, it does not exist.

“NPC having that mandate, we have to do everything to ensure that every child is registered, irrespective of their locality.”

According to her, even if it is the remotest part of the country, they have to ensure that the child is registered and issued a birth certificate, which means by legal implication, the child has been recognised.

“The child has been given an identity, and can comfortably say they are Nigerians, that’s the purpose of this massive registration drive with the support of UNICEF.

“We are here in Katsina to train the ad-hoc registrants. In the past, we were doing manual registration, but the world has gone digital.

“We want to ensure that vital statistics, which is the data generated from civic registration, is disseminated so that the government can use it for good governance and implement policies for economic development,” she said.

She pointed out that the NPC wants to have a format where it would generate statistics that can be applied with other government organisations, “That’s why we are transforming from manual to digital registration.”

According to Mrs Adaku, the ad-hoc registrants were recruited at ward level, saying that they are familiar with their community and they can help in the registration of children that are not registered at birth by the NPC.

“In Katsina, the target population of children that we are looking at registering during this birth registration drive is almost 800,000.

“And there are 361 wards in the state, in each ward, we recruited three registrants, making 1,083 registrants across the state to work within their wards.

“We are grassroot orientated organisation, and we work within the community, that’s the only way we can ensure that every child, whether born in the hospital, or at home is registered and given a birth certificate.

“In fact giving a legal identity. That’s the essence of this exercise we embarked with the support of UNICEF,” she revealed.

According to her, the NPC is working closely with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in terms of social mobilisation to inform people at the grassroots the importance of the exercise.

She added that all the necessary stakeholders were engaged in sensitising the public so that there will be no resistance. (NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Julius Toba-Jegede
Oct, Sat, 2023

Politics

Deputy Senate President hails Ackson, Akpabio’s election as IPU President, Executive C’ttee member

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By Kingsley Okoye

The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin, has congratulated the Speaker of the Tanzanian Parliament, Rt. Hon. Tulia Ackson, on her election as the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Ackson was on Friday in Luanda Angola, elected as the 31st President of the global parliamentary body, making her the first female African to lead the union.

She defeated three other female African parliamentarians to emerge as president.

Barau, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ismail Mudashir, expressed optimism that Ackson would lead the body to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world.

He also congratulated the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, on his election into the Executive Committee of the IPU.

Jibrin described Akpabio’s election as a further confirmation of the importance of Nigeria within the comity of nations

” The election of the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, into the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is a further recognition of the importance of our country and her democracy within the comity of nations.

” I congratulate the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio and indeed, all Nigerians for this feat as the National Assembly further engages in parliamentary diplomacy to achieve global peace and harmony,” he said.(NAN)www.nannews.ng

Julius Toba-Jegede
Oct, Sat, 2023

General News

Kwara felicitates 36 brides at Awon wedding festival

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By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal/ Mujidat Bello

The Kwara Government has felicitated 36 brides who were joined to their grooms at the Awon mass wedding festival in Shao, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Awon mass wedding festival is a yearly cultural festival celebrating women of marriageable age who are joined to their spouses in large number simultaneously.

Some participants at the event

Speaking at the occasion in Shao on Friday, Bolanle Olukoju, the state Commissioner for Communications, who represented the Kwara Government, expressed delight at the gathering.

“Today is a great occasion and we give glory to the Almighty God as we gather to celebrate the annual Awon mass wedding in Shao.

“This event, which brings together the community’s sons and daughters, has gained widespread recognition, attracting people from all corners of the state and country.

” It serves as a testament to the diverse and vibrant cultural heritage of Kwara State,” she said.

She also congratulated the people of Shao on the coronation of Oba Job Atolagbe as the new Ohoro of Shao.

She said the administration remained committed to the preservation, sustenance and promotion of the state’s rich cultural heritage such as Ilorin Emirate Durbar, Patigi Regatta and Ganni festival.

The commissioner expressed the ministry’s ” profound appreciation to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his unwavering support and dedication toward the support and promotion of various cultural festivals across the 16 local Governments Areas of the state. ”

Also speaking to NAN on the sidelines of the event, Abel Adewole, the Chairman of Shao Cultural Committee, said the wedding festival provides an opportunity to showcase the community to visiting dignitaries.

“ The 2023 Awon Mass Wedding is as remarkable as any other yearly event as it is a festival that the people of Shao are proud of because it has to do with our cultural heritage.

“We are proud of our heritage because every Shao indigene looks forward to it as it is a period when all sons and daughters of Shao from every part of the country meet.

“We discuss the shortcomings of the previous year and the development for the incoming year.

” We are trying as much as possible to get more sponsors just like in the past when MTN sponsored the event, donating new umbrellas to the brides together with other items.

” The present government is interested in promoting cultural heritage.

” Consider the presence of the people in government here like the Speaker of House of Assembly, Danladi Saliu, and some lawmakers, the Commissioner for Communication and other dignitaries.

” We normally give the brides incentives, empower them with things like sewing machines, hair driers, grinding machines and other equipment to appreciate them after the wedding.

” This is to make our daughters have a source of income on getting married,” he said.

One of the brides and mother of one, Ayoola Olaitan, said she was happy to be married, adding that all wishes come alive on wedding day.

“I am a Muslim but I decided to marry through Awon wedding because I don’t want to forget Shao customs and tradition coupled with the fact that all prayers are answered on wedding day.

“We, however, want government to assist us in Shao community and provide for our needs as well as empower brides who undertake Awon wedding,” the 32-year-old said.

Another bride, Omolayo Gbenga, said that she was very happy to be among the celebrated brides after many years of waiting.

The mother of four said: “My first born is 14 years old and I have four children with the same husband I am getting married to today.

“Brides usually get different gifts after the Awon wedding like money and vocational equipment depending on area of specialisation.

“We call on corporate organisations to continue to sponsor this event, ” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Julius Toba-Jegede
Oct, Fri, 2023

General News

TEXEM’s executive development programme: leading transformation for strategic outcomes

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By Razak Owolabi

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In today’s dynamic and ever-evolving business landscape, senior leaders face an array of strategic transformation challenges.

Navigating these challenges effectively is the key to not just survival but flourishing in the global market.

This is also a major focus of United Kingdom based leadership development organisation, These Executive Minds (TEXEM) whose founder is Nigerian born, Dr Alim Abubakre.

TEXEM’s forthcoming Executive Development Programme on Leading Transformation for Strategic Outcomes equips leaders with the tools, insights, and strategies they need to overcome these hurdles and achieve unparalleled success.

TEXEM’s programme from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30, is not just about individual success; it’s about helping Nigerian organizations to surmount their challenges, prosper, and contribute to the greater good of society.

Today, a very huge challenge is that of change resistance faced by many organizations.

One of the most pervasive obstacles in strategic transformation is the resistance to change, often deeply ingrained within an organization.

TEXEM’s programme recognizes this challenge and offers a solution that has proven successful on the global stage.

Take IBM, for instance, faced with the need to shift from hardware to solutions and services, they employed a clear communication strategy and engaged their employees in the transformation.

The result? A successful transition and thriving global business.

Furthermore, resource limitations can often stifle transformation efforts.

TEXEM’s programme addresses the challenge by focusing on strategic resource allocation.

Even giants like General Electric have encountered resource hurdles.

Yet, by streamlining their operations and concentrating on core businesses, they achieved remarkable success.

Cultural misalignment can be another major roadblock in strategic transformation.

TEXEM acknowledges this and emphasizes the importance of aligning the new strategic direction with existing organizational culture.

Apple, under the leadership of Tim Cook, provides a stellar example.

They retained their culture of innovation while expanding into services, striking a balance that led to unprecedented achievements.

Overcoming the expertise gap is one hurdle for leaders of organizations as

lack of expertise can hinder the transformation process.

TEXEM’s programme encourages leaders to bridge this gap by hiring experts, training their teams, or partnering with organizations possessing the necessary expertise.

Microsoft’s acquisition of LinkedIn is a prime example in this regard.

This move enhanced their capabilities in social networking and professional development, strengthening their competitive edge.

The benefits of successful strategic transformation extend far and wide, impacting leaders, organizations (both government and private), and society at large.

It is a known fact that successful transformation earns leaders recognition as change agents, enhancing their personal and professional reputation.

Apart from this, accomplished transformations open doors to new leadership opportunities and career progression.

The icing on the cake is that success in strategic transformation often comes with financial rewards, further motivating leaders.

And for organizations, there is improved competitiveness, since successful transformations position organizations as more competitive in the market.

Transformations foster innovation, making organizations more adaptable to change while

streamlining operations often leads to cost savings and increased efficiency.

Talking of talents, organizations that successfully transform attract top talent, ensuring a continuous stream of innovation.

Successful organizations contribute to economic growth and create job opportunities as well.

The society where the organizations operate, benefits from improved products and services resulting from transformation.

With respect to giving back to society,

successful organizations often engage in social responsibility and philanthropic activities, making a positive impact on society.

Overall, the success of strategic transformations elevates living standards in society.

As the examples of global giants like Apple, IBM, and Microsoft show, strategic transformation is not only possible but can lead to remarkable achievements.

TEXEM’s Executive Development Programme provides the guidance and knowledge needed to tackle the challenges and reap the rewards of successful strategic transformation.

By attending this programme, senior leaders can equip themselves with the skills and strategies essential for making transformation a reality and turning challenges into opportunities.

Testimonials by Nigerian leaders who attended similar TEXEM programmes in the past are pointers to the high value placed on them.

Previous TEXEM delegate,

Otunba Sonya Ogunkuade, Hon. Commissioner and former Special Assistant to the President has the following remarks.

“I have enjoyed the orderliness of the organizers. I’ve

enjoyed the presentations of the consultants. I’ve enjoyed the practicability of the consultants.

“They bring in life examples in all their presentations, then with that one the participants were able to be carried along. It’s not theoretical.

“You know, you can see they also practicalise, by bringing in life events, even using themselves as examples. So that really sends the message deep into our hearts. And that’s wonderful”.

Prof. Kabiru Bayero (Hon. Commissioner Tax Appeal Tribunal) has the following comment.

“TEXEM is a very serious consultancy organization. I’m rating them as such because of the caliber of resources that have been mobilized to interact with us to discuss all the issues that are needed in building our leadership capacity further, in ensuring that the Tax Appeal Tribunal becomes the best adjudicator of taxes in Africa and even globally.

“So I am very, very impressed with them, and I recommend them to other institutions that are serious about ensuring effective leadership and management”.

Another past TEXEM delegate, Prof. Olatunde Otusanya (Hon. Commissioner Tax Appeal Tribunal) remarks as follows.

“TEXEM, is a good platform for advancing leadership training, and I would recommend them for any organizations or institutions that are, desirous of improving their workforce in leadership and strategic policy making”.

“I regard the These Executive Minds Executive Education programme as the best I have attended in recent times. Not one of them, but the very best as it was humanly perfect.

“My favourite thing about the programme would be…drawing our attention again to… change, which has been a constant in life experiences.

“You know, change in our lives, change, you know, in businesses,…the evolution of businesses and the way we do things…discussions, for example, on cyber security and mental health, which is not just equipping us to know what is happening around us, even equipping us personally, our mental health, paying attention to also the ever evolving cyber security,” says Ifeanyi Ani, CEO, Total Pension CPFA. (NANFeatures)

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

Julius Toba-Jegede
Oct, Fri, 2023

Politics

S/Court Judgement: Senate Leader faults stampeding judiciary into partisan politics

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By Kingsley Okoye

The Majority Leader of the Senate, Sen.Opeyemi Bamidele, has advised opposition political parties and their candidates against stampeding the judiciary into partisan politics through alleged disinformation, mal-information and misinformation.

Bamidele disclosed this on Thursday while reacting to the Supreme Court judgement which reaffirmed the election of President Bola Tinubu, according to a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in Abuja.

Bamidele, who chaired the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters in the ninth National Assembly, kicked against how the opposition unduly dragged the judiciary into partisan politics in pursuit of its selfish interests against collective interest of Nigerians.

While celebrating the victory of the president, Bamidele condemned what he described as “the undue blackmailing of the judiciary even before the petitions of the opposition parties and their candidates were decided.”

He observed that the judiciary “is one of the most consistent, dependable and reliable democratic institutions that still stand for and with the oppressed.

” It is therefore amoral and immoral for any political actor or party to subject the judiciary to media trial rather than abiding by the rules of law.

“Judiciary has never been vilified in the recent history of this federation by petitioners who at different times benefitted tremendously from the independence and neutrality of the judiciary.”

Bamidele noted that the petitioners “claimed to have won the 2023 presidential elections during their separate world press conferences. But when they failed to prove their cases, they selfishly resorted to blackmailing the time-tested institutions, especially the judiciary.”

He observed that the decisions of the appellate and apex courts “have clearly shown that the last elections are the most credible since the beginning of the Fourth Republic with the deployment of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, which the Independent National Electoral Commission used for the conduct of the elections.”

He, therefore, commended the apex court for standing for the truth and truth alone amid the ferocious, needless and relentless intimidation of judicial officers by the petitioners, who has said trampled upon the national interest in pursuit of their self-centric political agenda.

“Now that Judiciary has concluded all the presidential election petitions in favour of President Tinubu, Bamidele warned all political actors, interests and parties “to henceforth stop playing politics with the rule of law and the integrity of the judiciary,” he said.

Bamidele also warned “against the perverse culture of stampeding the judiciary into partisan politics.

” As far as Nigeria is concerned, judiciary remains an unbiased arbiter wholly committed to the dispensation of justice without regard to any ethnic, economic, political, religious consideration.

“It is therefore unfair and uncalled to paint the judiciary, the only source of hope for the oppressed, black in the eyes of the whole world. This does not harm the judiciary alone, but also portray all of us, Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, bad before the eyes of the whole world.

“This is completely unacceptable! And it must best stopped.”

(NAN)www.nannews.ng)

Julius Toba-Jegede
Oct, Fri, 2023

Community

ASUU donates food items to women at IDP Camps in Kaduna

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By Moses Kolo

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has donated food items worth N50 million to 500 women at selected Internally Displaced (IDP) Camps in Kaduna State.

The National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke disclosed this on Thursday during the inauguration of the distribution at the IDP Camp located at Giwa Local Government Secretariat in Giwa, Kaduna State.

Osodeke, who was represented by Abdulkadir Mohammed, ASUU Zonal Coordinator for Northwest Zone, said the gesture was to identify with the poor and the downtrodden in line with union’s constitution.

“We have noted that there are a lot of things wrong in this country including; social and economic crisis and those who suffer the brunt most especially are the displaced persons due to banditry and insecurity.

“Unfortunately, this situation is nationwide and not restricted to Kaduna State.

“The union felt that there was need to identify with them and we budgeted over N50 million to support the IDPs in the northwest states including; Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Kebbi and Zamfara,” he added.

The president said the government should pay attention to the plight of the people, adding that “Nigerians are suffering, not only the IDPs but even salary earners.”

He said that the union in its intervention targeted women and children who are the most vulnerable.

“The union is identifying with the masses in spite the fact that the government has stopped our salary since the past eight months but didn’t deter us from helping the most vulnerable,” he said.

**Vulnerable women in a queue to receive palliative from ASUU**

The president urged the government to come up with policies that would add value to the lives of the masses, especially those at the grassroots level.

Mr Shehu Giwa, Chairman of Giwa Local Government Council, who was represented by, Usman Zubeiru, Director, Social Development of the Council, described the gesture as heartwarming, saying the palliatives came at the right.

“The people are very happy as the items would go a long way in cushioning their suffering, as such we are very happy with the demonstration of care by ASUU,” he added.

He noted that the state and federal governments including non governmental organisations had extended their respective support towards the plight of the IDPs in the area.

Mrs Rikaiya Aliyu, a beneficiary lauded ASUU over the support and prayed that same gesture be extended to other IDPs across the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 500 women drawn from; Giwa, Chikun and Kajiru LGAs benefited from the food donation by ASUU. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Julius Toba-Jegede

Julius Toba-Jegede
Oct, Thu, 2023

Education

FUTES Iyin-Ekiti establishment bill scales second reading in Senate

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By Kingsley Okoye

A bill seeking to establish the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti in Ekiti, has passed second reading in senate.

The passage followed the consideration of the bill at the plenary on Thursday.

Presenting the bill, its sponsor, Sen.Bamidele Opeyemi (APC-Ekiti) said the bill, when passed into law would develop world-class technologists, as well as the human resources needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Bamidele, who is the Senate Majority Leader said that the purpose of the bill is to create more access to university education in view of the large number of qualified candidates seeking university admission.

According to him, the applicants are annually stranded in their failed attempts to gain admission into universities in the country.

“The objectives of the university are, first and foremost, to set up an ultra-modern institution that will develop world-class technologists, as well as human resources that can sustainably manage our nation’s economy by providing technical and management expertise at the highest level.

“The university, when established, will further advance knowledge through research and nurture unique technological innovation, entrepreneurship and wealth management in its core area of interest.

“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the enactment of this bill will help in transforming the technological and educational fortune in producing the desired manpower and expertise that Nigeria is yearning for, to exponentially speed up our economic growth and ensure sustainable development,” he said.

Contributing, Sen.Ahmed Lawan (APC-Yobe) recalled that the bill was passed by the 9th National Assembly.

Lawan said, “I wholeheartedly support this bill, the bill is worthwhile because technology and environmental sciences are very important, indeed crucial, for every country worldwide, especially in the 21st Century.

“If we want to develop, like most countries are today, we have to move away from being extremely traditional. We cannot afford to continue with this basic things. In most cases, outdated courses are taught in our schools or universities.

“This is the 21st Century and human beings, more appropriately, human resources, should be the source of developing our country, we have had petroleum from the 1950s to date, ” he said.

The former senate president said that it was high time to establish institutions that are 21st Century inclined to engender knowledge-based economy.

“We are still grappling with poverty, unemployment and so on. Some countries have nothing, but human beings, yet they have made tremendous progress, a good example is Singapore.

“Aside, most countries are now embracing knowledge-based economies, I believe the time is right.

“When we establish a new institution, it should be an institution that will provide education and enlightenment for the 21st Century development agenda,” he added.

Corroborating Lawan’s position, Sen.Victor Umeh(LP-Anambra) said that the university would focus on technology and environmental sciences.

“In this country, Mr. President, time has come when we shall be establishing specialised universities to pursue certain areas and fields of knowledge.

“By focusing on the advancement of technology and environmental sciences, we are confining this university to these two important areas.

“When we produce graduates from this university, we will be thinking of graduates with excellent knowledge,” Umeh said.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin, referred the bill to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for further inputs.(NAN)

Julius Toba-Jegede
Oct, Tue, 2023

Health

Pate calls on African nations to intensify immunisation coverage for hepatitis

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By Folasade Akpan

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has called on African nations to intensify efforts to increase immunisation coverage for chronic hepatitis.

Pate made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the African Hepatitis Summit with the theme: ‘Putting Africa on Track towards Viral Hepatitis Elimination’.

Pate, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said that hepatitis continues to pose a huge public health threat, unleashing devastating consequences among patients grappling with chronic infections worldwide.

“However, it’s noteworthy that hepatitis is preventable and curable, by putting in place a simplified approach deliverable at the primary level of care.

“This approach fortifies our ongoing and sustained commitment towards achieving universal health coverage by 2023,” he said.

Giving statistics about the disease, he said that currently, Africa battles with a substantial hepatitis burden, with 82 million people living with Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) and nine million people living with Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) infections.

He added that the figures were further exacerbated by the fact that only 0.1 per cent of two per cent diagnosed with CHB and zero per cent of five per cent diagnosed with CHC received treatment in the year 2020.

“These figures sharply contrast with the notable progress made globally, with 10 per cent of 296 million people diagnosed with CHB and 25 per cent of 58 million diagnosed with CHC receiving treatment.

“In spite of a 90 per cent risk of children acquiring CHB from mother-to-child transmission, only 14 out of 47 African countries have introduced routine HepB-BD vaccination.

“Also, merely 17 per cent of newborns in Africa have received a timely HepB-BD vaccination in spite of it being recognised as a cost-effective tool to prevent new infections,” he said.

He added that with the availability of affordable Directly Acting Anti-viral (DAAs) drugs for curing HCV and Tenofovir for treating HBV, African countries are strategically poised to overcome barriers to treatments.

He noted that the high cost of treatment which was often paid out-of-pocket continues to create a barrier to assess.

“It is high time African nations collaborate to advocate for local production. We must also explore that health insurance are optimised.

“As we advocate for augmented financial commitment and support for hepatitis control response, it is imperative for African countries to align with World Health Organisation’s (WHO) new global health sector strategy, which has delineated new actions and targets to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030.

“This strategy aims to curtail new infections and deaths to half a million each, globally, a reduction of 90 per cent and 65 per cent respectively,” he said.

On the homefront, Pate said that Nigeria is commitment to eliminating the disease.

According to him, the obligation is manifested through various interventions and commitments such as continuous strengthening of primary healthcare system, public awareness campaigns and, inclusion of hepatitis in the minimum package for national health insurance among others.

“We will persist in working with the WHO and other stakeholders as well as mobilise and sustain domestic funding until Nigeria is hepatitis-free,” he said.

The President, World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), Dr Danjuma Adda, said that he was not proud of the slow progress of African nations towards eliminating viral hepatitis as more could be done.

According to him, every year many are pushed into extreme poverty by the cost of paying for care out of pocket.

He added that Africa has the solution to effectively treat and prevent Hepatitis B and to cure Hepatitis C.

“We must stop babies from getting infected with hepatitis B when there are safe vaccines, we must prevent this cruelness and we must end stigma and discrimination against people with hepatitis.

“We must look inwards to generate domestic funding and stop relying on external funding to solve our local problems because we have the resources to eliminate hepatitis across Africa.

“We hope this event will stir in our hearts the strong motivation towards taking daring and ambitious goals and setting targets to accelerate hepatitis elimination across Africa,’ he said.

Presenting a paper about ‘The Cost of Hepatitis Elimination in Africa- Investment Case’, Dr Homie Razavi, Managing Director, Center for Disease Analysis (CDA) Foundation, said that Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) screening and treatment would peak at 2.1 to 1.7 billion dollars per year in 2035.

He also said that that Hepatitis C Vaccine (HCV) screening and treatment would peak at 218 million dollars per year and would drop after elimination is achieved.

According to him, elimination of viral hepatitis in Africa is feasible and highly cost effective and cost saving.

“There are currently no white knights out there who are willing to provide screening, lab costs and treatment (all) free of charge.

“A hybrid strategy where countries cover some costs and patients cover other costs has the highest likelihood of success.

“However, this requires active engagement by countries to lower the price to patients to make lab tests and treatment affordable,” he added.

The highlight of the event was the award presented to the Nasarawa State Governor, Mr Abdullahi Sule, the governments of Egypt and Rwanda for their strides towards eliminating the disease in their respective domains. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede