NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Football stakeholders call for Peseiro’s sack  over poor results
Sports

Football stakeholders call for Peseiro’s sack  over poor results

171 total views today

By Victor Okoye

Football Stakeholders have called for the immediate sack of Super Eagles coach,  Jose Peseiro following the team’s second consecutive draw in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles on Sunday,  recorded a second consecutive draw after struggling to hold the Warriors of Zimbabwe to a 1-1 draw in Rwanda.

The crucial matchday 2 Group C encounter of their 10-match qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was played at the Huye Stadium in Butare.

Nigeria had also laboured to a 1-1 draw against the Crocodiles of Lesotho on home soil on Day 1 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Thursday.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s 2-1 defeat of Benin Republic’s Cheetahs on Saturday means the Bafana Bafana are top of Group C, even before they take on Rwanda in a Day 2 encounter on Tuesday.

Some football stakeholders, who spoke to NAN on Monday in Abuja, said the poor performances recorded by the Super Eagles were unacceptable.

They argued that Peseiro was not the kind of coach for the Super Eagles, adding that it was high time he was relieved of his duties.

Godfrey Gaiya, a former chairman of the House of Representatives lamented that Nigeria should have been a sure bet by public ratings in their group.

Gaiya said that many Nigerians had celebrated the 2026 World Cup qualifying group comprising of Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Benin Republic, Lesotho, and South Africa as easy, going by previous antecedents.

He expressed disappointment in the fact that after match day 2, it was unfortunate that optimism is reducing to skepticism.

“As it is often said, football is not mathematics, and outcomes can surprise the pundits, but even at that there are often sure bankers.

“How can a star-studded Super Eagles fight so desperately to secure a draw with Lesotho in Uyo?

“What went wrong that a number 153 FIFA ranked team can stroll into the nest of champions and arrogantly walk away with a point?

“Then to add insult to injury, we fought so hard to hold on to another disappointing draw with 125th ranked Zimbabwe.

“What hope do we now have especially after South Africa who are always a potential threat to Nigeria, gallantly defeated Benin Republic,” he said.

Gaiya said the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under Ibrahim Gusau had been doing its best so far, there was a need for a push and competent guidance from a well-coordinated secretariat.

He said that the Super Eagles current squad was star-studded but far from being a team, adding that virtually every department was leaking, with the goalkeeping almost always a disaster.

“No wonder some fans are already asking for the return of 39 years old Vincent Onyeama to return to the team.

“In Uyo, however, it was not so much about goalkeeping, but worst still the failure of the attack.

He warned that the over reliance on purely foreign based players to execute matches would not qualify Nigeria for the 2026 World Cup.

The former lawmaker said that the match against Lesotho should have been played by six home based players in Uyo.

“We must learn from Super Eagles former coach Clemens Westerhof or a former player like Amokachi.

“We seriously need prayers in our next match against South Africa. I must confess that the Eagles are not super yet,” he said.

Mouktar Mohammed, Chairman, FCT Football Association, said the recent poor performances recorded by the Super Eagles calls for deep soul searching.

“We are walking a tight rope. This last result makes it very difficult for us now.

“We have a lot of work to do to get near perfect results from June 2024 when the qualifications resume.

“We need to look deeper into the problems why our Super Eagles are not tops in Africa. A lot of questions need to be answered,” he said.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume in June 2024 with Nigeria hosting South Africa, current leaders of Group C, before travelling to an away game against Benin Republic.

NAN also reports that with the 2026 FIFA World Cup having an increased 48 teams in the running, Confederation of African Football (CAF), which previously had only five slots, now have nine direct slots.

There is also a provision for one additional slot for the 10th team which will play in the inter-confederation play-offs.

A total of 53 teams will be competing for the 10 slots from Africa.

The 53 teams are divided into nine groups of six teams each, with one group only having five teams.

These teams play a home and an away game with each of its group member.

At the end, the top team in each group will qualify directly for the World Cup filling up nine slots already.

Meanwhile, the four best second placed teams from all the groups will then be drawn into a mini-tournament with two semi-finals and final.

The winner will be the representative of CAF in the inter-conference play-offs.

The one qualified team from CAF will play in another mini-tournament with the one team each from CONMEBOL, AFC, OFC and two teams from CONCACAF.

The two top teams from this tournament will fill the final slots of the 2026 World Cup.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Group cautions Amotekun against human rights violation
General News

Group cautions Amotekun against human rights violation

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By Angela Atabo

Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFORPEACE), a civil society organisation, has called on Amotekun operatives to respect human rights in the discharge of their duties.

Mr Rafiu Lawal, the Executive Director of the conflict-prevention and peace building organisation, said this in a statement in Abuja.

Lawal said it was against this background that BBFORPEACE organised one-day training for Amotekun Corps Personnel in Ibadan with the theme: ‘Community Policing and Human Rights Protection’.

“I call on you, the Amotekun members, to incorporate human rights protection into your operations.

“Justice and fairness are fundamental principles that underscore the dignity and worth of every human being.

“Community policing requires a deep understanding of the communities you serve, an open dialogue with the citizens, and an unwavering commitment to address their unique needs and concerns.

“That it involves strengthening the bonds between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and creating safer, more resilient neighbourhoods,” he said.

He said the objective of the training was to equip personnel of Amotekun Corps with necessary skill to recognise and apply human rights framework existing locally, nationally and internationally.

“This training underscores the core values that must underpin the services of the security outfit.

“Community policing is more than just a strategy, it is a philosophy rooted in partnership,collaboration, and a shared vision of safety and wellbeing’’, he said.

Lawal said every individual, regardless of background, deserved to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

“Although there is a need to check citizens who go against the law and break the code of conduct of the society as stipulated in the constitution, law enforcement officers sometimes abuse their power and take the law into their hands’’, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

NGO seeks strong education system to address problems of out-of-school children
Education

NGO seeks strong education system to address problems of out-of-school children

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By Joshua Olomu

Mr Bamidele Salam, Founder and President of Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative(CALDEV) has called for a strong national education system to address problems of out-of-school children.

Salam made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the four-day National Children’s Leadership conference to mark the 2023 Universal Children’s Day in Abuja.

The conference with theme:”Rebuilding Nigeria through investment in children’s education, welfare, and security’, and is meant to bring together hundreds of children from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory holds from Nov. 17 to Nov. 21.

Salam also said that a strong national education system will engender early learning, and innovations to extend education opportunities to the hardest-to-reach children and adolescents.

CALDEV, an NGO, teaches and mentor children and young adults on leadership and life values.

He said the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria was on the increase.

He noted that the welfare and security of citizens, especially the Nigerian child, cannot be guaranteed now or later, if the menace of out-of-school children is not addressed.

Salam also said the conference will focus on discussions and deliberations centred on identifying causes and making recommendations on how to tackle challenges facing the education, welfare and security of the Nigerian child.

“It is so unfortunate that Nigeria has the largest population of out-of-school children of primary school age and this is part of our discussions at this conference.

“We believe strongly that one of the ways through which we can tackle this problem is to raise children vanguard and children advocates who will talk to the conscience of parents and government.

“They will talk to everyone that has a duty to ensure that we gradually begin a process of reducing the number and eventually having a zero number of out- of- school children in Nigeria.

“So from here, we are going to be having more children who are acting as advocates to access education for their fellow children in every part of Nigeria.

“I believe that having this number of voices everywhere on the team will help us to address this emergency ,” he said.

He said the event was organised to provide a national convergence platform to give Nigerian Children the opportunity to express their God-given talents and innovative skills and give their suggestions in nation building.

He said young Nigerians who have displayed excellent feat in their careers will be given awards at the Conference.

Some Participants who spoke with NAN on the sideline of the

conference expressed delight on how the conference was shaping their mindsets.

Miss Adedolapo Ogunbayo said: “I have learnt that in life things do not just come easy, you have to make sacrifices, and also that winners never quit and quitters never win.”

Also, Joshua Agboola, a 14-year-old Programmer, who was nominated to receive an award at the conference , said : “ I am happy to be here and I think all children should be entitled to free education because it is very important for their future.

NAN reports that the conference has in attendance over 300 children between the ages of 12 and 17 from over 24 states of the federation.

It features leadership training,children parliamentary session, children’s dialogue on values, national unity and patriotism, as well as children’s financial literacy session.

Other highpoints include panel discussions, quiz competition, children’s films and books exhibitions, art exhibitions, books presentation and awards.(NAN) (nannews.com.ng)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Sadiya Hamza

Nigeria has youth population capable of providing technical assistance to ACP region – DTAC
Foreign

Nigeria has youth population capable of providing technical assistance to ACP region – DTAC

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By Maureen Okon

The Directorate of Technical Aid Corps (DTAC) says Nigeria possesses the population of skilled youths capable of providing technical assistance to African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries.

The Director-General of DTAC, Dr Yusuf Yakub disclosed this on Saturday in a statement issued by Mr Nkem Anyata-Lafia, his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.

The statement indicated that Yakub stated this at the closing of a four-day Administrative, Monitoring, and Evaluation trip of the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) to Uganda, Rwanda,Tanzania, and Seychelles.

According to him, Nigeria has a huge population that can address the technical deficiencies the aforementioned countries in furtherance of President Bola Tinubu ‘s 4-D foreign policy agenda of promoting Democracy, Demography, Development, and the Diaspora.

The director general also said that it was the plan of the Tinubu-led administration to continue to project Nigeria in positive light using the TAC scheme as an instrument of foreign policy.

He added that what was needed to sustain the objective of the TAC scheme was for its strategic stakeholders and partners to continue to work in synergy.

The DTAC boss expressed satisfaction that the TAC scheme has in the past 35 years of operation remained on course by developing the needed manpower in recipient countries where former trainees are now beginning to train others.

During a visit to the Nigerian High Commission in Dar es Salaam, the statement indicated, Yakub and other DTAC officials met with volunteers in the scheme serving at Zanzibar, and expressed his satisfaction with their contributions to the success of the scheme.

The director general, according to the statement, applauded the high commission for supporting the volunteers.

The statement quoted him as urging the high commission to maintain the cordial working relationship with the volunteers.

“We are here in furtherance of President Tinubu’s 4-D foreign policy agenda.

“In our own little way at DTAC, we have keyed into this presidential vision and mandate knowing that Nigeria possesses the right demography to bring in results anywhere we find ourselves.

“With a sizable and talented youth population that is also energetic and skillful,we have the manpower and expertise to go round where they are needed.

“On this visit, we set out to meet our volunteers, officials of government where they are serving, and our mission officials who relate directly with these volunteers.

“This is in our bid to promote the foreign policy agenda of our dear president as I said before, using our agency’s clear mandate.

“We know that globally, soft-power diplomacy is the in-thing.

“Even after an act of coercion, it is important to know that we must return to the table to engage in order to get the enabling environment we all desire to live together.

“Also, DTAC has continued to carry on this mandate in over the past 35 years with visible results” he said.

Earlier, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Amb. Hamisu Umar, welcoming the DTAC delegation, noted the high pan-African credentials and friendliness of Tanzania.

He said that Nigeria needed to learn a lesson or two from the unity and peaceful co-existence among the people of the country.

He congratulated the DTAC boss on his appointment as director general of the agency, saying he was convinced that his crossing-over from the legislature to the executive arm of government is a positive development for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Emmanuel Yashim)

Business mogul advocates entrepreneurial studies in tertiary institutions 
Education

Business mogul advocates entrepreneurial studies in tertiary institutions 

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By Joshua Olomu

The Chief Executive Officer, Gosima Group, Dr Gideon Osi, has called on government at all levels to make entrepreneurial studies compulsory in academic curriculum of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Osi made the call on Saturday at the investiture ceremony into the Governing Council of the board of Havilla University in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osi was inducted into the council of Havilla University, Cross River State, by its founder and chancellor, Mr Jones Tangban.

Osi said that making entrepreneurship studies a compulsory component of all courses of studies in tertiary institutions would inspire undergraduates to seek to become creators and not seekers of job on graduation from school.

According to him, government alone cannot create jobs for teeming Nigerian youths. They need to become self-reliant by acquiring entrepreneurial skills that are relevant to their course of study while still in school.

“Entrepreneurship is one of the fundamental support base of every society that will succeed, so we must build a institutions that will have an entrepreneur mindset in students from the day of resumption.

“Every students should understand that what they are studying have an entrepreneurial components. So, if you are reading any course, you must ask yourself what is your place in the market place .

“From the beginning, students should be aligned with mentors they can link up with, so that during holidays they do not just go home to waste time on their phones and social media.

“So when they go home they link up with their mentors and they spend holidays with companies so they will prepare their minds on their place in the labour market and what they want to become.

“So, we imbibe in them attributes of entrepreneurs, the ability to take calculated risk, ability to make sacrifices, ability to build something from nothing.

“University must have a council that will ensure this is carried out so that at the end of the day we will have graduates that create jobs and not job seekers,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to the leadership of Havilla University for considering him worthy to serve in its Governing Council.

He pledged to use his wealth of experience as a seasoned entrepreneur and a leader as contributions to repositioning the institution as a council member.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Havilla University, Prof Adewale Banjo, congratulated Osi as the a new member of council.

He said he was happy and willing to work with members of the governing council in building the university.

“Based on your antecedents, you have shown competence and character.

So, we strongly believe that your wealth of experience and character will be significantly felt in Havilla University,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.com.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

FCT SWAN seeks corporate partnership for 2023 annual week
Sports

FCT SWAN seeks corporate partnership for 2023 annual week

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By Muhyideen Jimoh
The Executive Committee of the FCT Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN),  has called on corporate organisations to partner the association in hosting its 2023 Annual Week  slated for Nov. 25.
The Secretary of the Organising Committee, Ayodeji Makinde said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.
He said the event which annually brings together sports stakeholders, also offers corporate bodies the opportunity to showcase their brand.
“The week is billed to commence on Nov. 25 and end on Nov. 30 with a 5-aside Football, Tennis, Handball, Volleyball and  Badminton competitions,” he said.
Makinde  said a medical check and physical fitness exercise for its members will herald this year’s programme expected to climax with an Award Ceremony.
“The 2023 FCT SWAN Week will begin on Saturday, Nov. 25 with a “Walking and Jogging’’ programme at the National Stadium, from package A and  terminate at package B from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
“This is because as sports writers, we must be fit.
“The walking/jogging will be preceeded by a Handball match between SWAN and FCT Veterans at the Handball Court of the National Stadium from 10 a.m. on the same day.
“The SWAN Football final will take place on the final day from noon with this year’s programme expected to climax with a colourful Award Ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 30,” he said.
The SWAN Week Committee Secretary appealed to corporate organisations and sports stakeholders to give maximum support to the body to enable it organise a successful programme.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
Minister demands improvement from Super Eagles, after Lesotho draw
Sports

Minister demands improvement from Super Eagles, after Lesotho draw

133 total views today

 

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan-Enoh has expressed concern following the Super Eagles’ draw against the Crocodiles of Lesotho on Thursday in Uyo.

 

The minister made the remark in a statement released on Friday in Abuja.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Eagles opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a drab 1-1 draw with lowly rated Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

 

Enoh who had joined other sports-loving Nigerians to watch the match at the stadium, said the result fell short of expectation.

 

“The Government and football-loving people of Nigeria take the qualification for the 2026 World Cup very seriously and want the Super Eagles to qualify.

 

“Having missed out on the 2022 world cup in Qatar, qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is not negotiable,” he said.

 

The minister charged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the technical crew to urgently address the observed lapses from the Thursday match, ahead of the Zimbabwe match on Sunday.

 

“I urge the Nigeria Football Federation to look into and correct all the lapses observed in Thursday’s match with the aim of putting in a much better performance in Rwanda on Sunday, Nov. 19, against Zimbabwe,” he said.

 

Addressing the broadcasting limitations that prevented some Nigerians from watching the national team in action, Owen-Enoh urged the NFF to register Nigeria’s dissatisfaction with the appropriate authorities.

 

“We understand that the qualifiers are FIFA-organised, and so the television broadcasting rights are within purview of the world football governing body.

 

“It is not good enough that many Nigerians could not watch their national team play in their country.

 

“A repeat of same should be avoided, and NFF will be expected to register Nigeria’s displeasure with the appropriate authority in FIFA,” he said.

 

The minister called on all Nigerians to support the team, while urging them to exhibit sharper gameplay throughout the remaining qualifying series. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

FAO commends Nigeria’s efforts at mainstreaming agrifood
Agriculture

FAO commends Nigeria’s efforts at mainstreaming agrifood

208 total views today

By Abigael Joshua

Mr Koffy  Kouacou, Head of Emergency and Resilience Team Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Sub-regional Office, West Africa and the Sahel, has lauded Nigeria’ efforts at mainstreaming agrifood into its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

Kouacou gave the commendation at a Workshop for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support Project held on Friday in Abuja.

Represented by  Ogunkua Nifesimi, Kouacou said that FAO was  excited about Nigeria’s readiness to incorporate agrifood into its NBSAPs.

“This forward-thinking approach aligns with FAO’s mission to promote biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resources management and ensure sustainable agricultural practices globally.

“Nigeria’s dedication to integrating agrifood into its national strategies is a commendable step toward building resilient and thriving biodiversity conservation.

“We, at FAO, stand shoulder to shoulder with Nigeria in this endeavour.

“Our commitment extends beyond mere words as we pledge our full support to the development, implementation, and evaluation of the NBSAPs.’’

The FAO team leader said that FAO recognised the importance of a holistic approach and was ready to collaborate closely with Nigeria to achieve these goals.

“To facilitate this collaborative effort, FAO has developed an impressive array of tools, frameworks, and approaches specifically designed to support the realisation of the global biodiversity targets.

“These resources serve as invaluable assets, empowering nations to navigate the complexities of sustainable development.

“We believe that by leveraging these tools, Nigeria can make significant strides in achieving its agrifood integration goals.

“In Nigeria, FAO operates within the framework of the Country Programming Framework (CPF), a comprehensive guide that directs our support to the country.’’

He said that Nigeria’s commitment to integrating agrifood into its NBSAPs was a testament to its vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.

“FAO is honoured to be a part of this journey; and that they look forward to witnessing the positive impact of the collective efforts on biodiversity conservation in Nigeria,’’ he said.

On his part, Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment, quoted the Inter-governmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) as saying that the world was facing an extinction crisis, with one million species threatened with extinction, many within decades.

“I am sure you will all agree with me that such a situation is unacceptable and that urgent action must be taken.

“Biodiversity underpins life on earth, from human health and well-being to food and water security to economies and livelihoods.

“Yet biodiversity is severely threatened and declining at unprecedented levels due to increasing pollution, resource exploitation, land use change, invasive species, and climate change, among other factors,” he noted.

Mr Antony Kamau, Programme Management Officer, Biodiversity and Land Branch Ecosystems Division, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), also spoke at the event.

He said that the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (GBF-EAS) project was designed to mobilise funding and support so that countries can meet the new biodiversity targets.

“National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)

“Through this initiative, UNDP is working with countries to conduct a rapid review of the alignment of existing NBSAPs with the new framework to identify key areas that will need to be updated and refined in light of the new global framework and targets,’’ he said

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the NBSAP Forum is a global partnership aiming to support countries in implementing the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its strategic plans, including global biodiversity targets. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

GBV: Minister urges devt. partners, stakeholders to go beyond advocacies
Health

GBV: Minister urges devt. partners, stakeholders to go beyond advocacies

136 total views today

By Justina Auta

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has urged development partners and stakeholders in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to go beyond advocacies to empowerment of survivors.

She made the call in a statement signed by Mrs Grace Njoku, the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, after a National Strategic Knowledge Management Coordination Committee meeting on GBV in Abuja on Thursday.

The meeting was organised in partnership with Fred Foundation for Resilient Empowerment and Development, with a view to making GBV survivors self-reliant and entrepreneurial.

Njoku stated that the minister, represented by Adaji Usman, the Special Assistant on Private Sector and Political Matters, stressed the need to identify the level of empowerment so far given to survivors of GBV to ascertain the level of success recorded.

She added that “this administration focuses on finding solutions to social vices such as GBV with the aim of tackling it headlong.

“We are willing to partner relevant agencies to ensure the empowerment of women, children as well as the vulnerable, in line with the mandate of the ministry.”

While commending development partners for efforts made so far in creating awareness and education on GBV, she reiterated the ministry’s commitment toward ensuring gender agenda to promote growth and development.

Kennedy-Ohanenye, therefore, urged stakeholders and development partners to continue to support government efforts toward the realisation of policy objectives.

Also, Mr Francis Olabisi, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, said the meeting was to identify and integrate new members for enhanced information and intelligence sharing.

Olabisi said this would increase accountability across the various sectors for more effective response to GBV cases.

“The ministry will continue to create an enabling environment for the development and empowerment of women, children and the vulnerable to reduce cases of unemployment, poverty and GBV in the country,” he said.

Participants at the meeting were drawn from ministries of justice, health, labour and productivity, humanitarian and poverty alleviation, National Orientation Agency (NOA), as well as development partners, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

FCTA targets 559 communities for treatment of NTDs
Health

FCTA targets 559 communities for treatment of NTDs

184 total views today

By Justina Auta

Abuja, Nov. 16, 2023 (NAN) The Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) says it is targeting 559 communities in the six area councils of the territory for administration of free deworming drugs for the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

Dr Adedolapo Fasade, the Mandate Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat, FCTA, said during the launch of the 2023 Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) on Thursday in Abuja that the exercise is to eliminate NTDs in the FCT.

Fasade, represented by Dr Teresa Nwachukwu, the FCT Epidemiologist, said NTDs are prevalent in areas that have poor sanitation, inadequate or lack of safe water sources and sub standard housing conditions.

He said that “the logic behind this annual treatment of community members is to ameliorate the problems associated with these diseases.

“The FCT NTDs Unit is covering 559 communities in the FCT for the treatment of Onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and other NTDs.”

According to him, school and community-based approach through the aid of teachers and Community Directed Distributors (CDDs) shall be deployed to carry out the exercise.

He added that “free treatment shall be carried out in schools for pupils aged five to14 years, while the CDDs will be moving from house to house to treat community members aged five years and above for the prevention of these diseases.

“The deworming tablets were donated by the World Health Organisatiom (WHO) for the use of community members. This implies that NTDs medicines are available and accessible.

“Ensure you get these free treatment and also give maximum cooperation and support to the
officers as they administer these medicines across the six area councils.”

Mrs Imaobong Umah, the Programme Manager of Schistosomiasis Unit, Federal Ministry of Health, said NTDs affect progress toward the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), poverty reduction, economic growth and social development.

Umah, while encouraging residents to participate in the exercise, commended development partners for their support toward eliminating the diseases and improving Nigeria’s health status.

Dr Eunice Ogundipe, the Coordinator, NTDs FCT, said “this exercise is to scale up awareness in the FCT.

“Many people are suffering from this diseases but are attributing it to superstitious beliefs, meanwhile we have medicines for treatment.”

Ogudipe added that over 80 patients across the six area councils of the FCT had surgery due to NTDs.

Mr Joseph Kumbul, the NTDs Technical Specialist, Christoffel- Blinden Mission (CBM) Nigeria, said recent impact assessment showed the prevalence of NTDs in the FCT.

He added that “an impact assessment last month shows that we have heavy burden of schistosomiasis in the FCT.

“Deworming activities are going on currently in all the area councils, targeting school age children and adults.

“People should avail their children of this opportunity to take this free and effective deworming tablets,” he said.

Ms Esther Yakubu, the Senior Programme Officer on NTDs, Health Development Support Programme (HANDS), said the organisation supports in providing technical services, drugs, surgery and other treatment resulting from NTDs.

Yakubu said that the group’s slogan — “Equal Opportunity on an Inclusive Society” is aimed at ensuring access to healthcare services to the people, especially those in rural areas. (NAN)(www.nannewsng.com)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

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