NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Metro

We will deliver millennium tower project in two years – Wike

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike said on Monday, that the ministry will deliver the Millennium Tower project in the next two years.

Wike stated this in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with contractors handling different projects in the FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Millennium Tower at Central Area, Abuja, is a multifunctional edifice with facilities for cultural exposition, tourism, socialisation, recreation, hospitality, and commercial activities.

The project is being handled by Salini Construction Nigeria Limited but was abandoned due to lack of funds.

He said that the tower was a very important project that would change the landscape of Abuja city.

“It is a very very ambitious project, but again if we are talking of Abuja being one of the best cities in the world, then we must have such a facility.

“I can tell you it is not easy to go into that project, but we have decided that whatever it takes, it is going to be one of the legacy projects for President Bola Tinubu.

“In fact, we are looking at the next two years, if the way we are going to structure our payment is agreeable with the contractor,” Wike said.

Millennium Tower, Abuja

NAN reports that the project, conceived in 2005 had reached 40 per cent completion, and is expected to, upon completion, self-finance itself from revenues generated from all the commercial activities in the complex.

The scope of the project comprises a cultural centre with four museums, an expansive arcade consisting of 40,000m2 platform for hosting national and other events.

It also consists of a five-star hotel with 55 luxury rooms and nine suites for about 130 persons, offices, passive and active recreational facilities, 1200 capacity auditorium, conference rooms,

Others are exhibition halls, shops, a sport centre with an indoor pool, gyms, fitness, squash courts and a two-level 1,200 capacity basement car park.

The millennium tower itself is a 170-meter-tall structure accommodating a revolving panoramic restaurant for more than 130 diners.

The minister added that a careful analysis of all the awarded contracts with the contractors and his team have revealed that most of the projects were abandoned for lack of funds.

“The Minister of State, myself, the permanent secretary, and directors have concluded that it is not possible to carry on with the entire projects in the FCT.

“Therefore, we agreed to take them in order of priority. We have tried to work out most of the projects being handled by Julius Berger and agreed to see that these projects are fully completed,” he said.

Wike added that the Villa Roundabout being handled by China Geo-engineering Corporation (CGC) Nigeria Limited, would be completed in the next six to eight months.

He equally said that the ministry would ensure the completion of the projects being handled by Cetraco Nigeria Ltd, and also put a facelift on Garki, Wuse and part of Maitama in the next one week.

He said that the contractors would be mobilised immediately, adding that Asokoro would equally have a facelift in no distant time.

On the Abuja light rail rehabilitation project, the minister said that an agreement has been concluded with CCECC Nigeria Limited to give them their money in the next two days so they can go to work.

“We are also discussing with the company on the operation cost, because it will not be good to rehabilitate and then you cannot operate.

“We have told them that on Thursday, we are going to meet to talk about the operation cost,” he said.

Wike pointed out that part of the problems of the projects was because they were not being funded by the national budget.

He said that in view of the funding challenge, the ministry would pick some projects that could be completed within a specific period and then decide on what to do again in the following year. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Science & Tech

85% of Nigerian graduates have no digital skill – Report

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More than 85 per cent of Nigeria’s graduates have no digital skills, a survey by GetBundi, an online education technology outfit, has shown.

The outcome of the survey, according to Mr Osita Oparaugo, the Chief Executive Officer of the outfit, shows that the more than 100 million young people are not prepared to take up good job opportunities that required such modern skills.

“There is an overwhelming digital skills gap that has been linked to the high unemployment rate in Nigeria.

“The lack of digital skills has been named as a major reason why many graduates produced yearly from the country’s tertiary institutions are unable to secure employment in the labour market,” he pointed out in a statement in Lagos.

To buttress the point, Oparaugo said that a 2023 survey conducted by GetBundi Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and Digital Skill Education Technology Company involving 100 NYSC members showed that only 19 of them had any form of digital skill.

“Even that skill was mostly Microsoft Excel and basic knowledge.

“All of the seven that had basic knowledge of programming, machine learning and data science studied outside Nigeria – five in the UK, one in the United States and one in Malaysia.

“Most of them are active on social media as 89 have active Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts, and 11 have LinkedIn accounts.

“However, they have little or no knowledge of any digital skills. About 15 carry one form of science-based field certificate or the other but have no practical knowledge when tested in their areas of study.

“This situation, at a time when digital skills rule the world, is worrisome, though the young people are not entirely to blame.

“The education system takes a huge chunk of the blame. The education system has often been criticised, and rightly, for not being updated with the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

“The curriculum used in many Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions is outdated and does not adequately cover the practical aspect of relevant digital skills.

“Practical digital skills that would better prepare the youths for jobs and self-employment are all lacking in the current education system.”

He argued that government had recognised the need to address this issue and took steps to promote digital literacy and skill development among youths.

“Some of the efforts include initiatives such as coding boot camps, online training platforms, partnerships with technology companies, and entrepreneurship programs that focus on digital innovation, he said.

“These initiatives aim to provide Nigerian youths with opportunities to learn and apply digital skills, thereby increasing their employability and entrepreneurial prospects,” he added.

He noted, however, that addressing the issue required the collaborations.

“It requires a collaborative effort among government, educational institutions, private sector organisations and individuals to provide accessible and relevant digital skills training to Nigerian youths.

“Addressing the digital skills gap among youths graduates requires a multi-pronged approach.

“In this regard, Getbundi, has articulated some strategies that can be implemented and one of them is to update educational curriculum
in secondary and tertiary institutions.

“Most schools use outdated and irrelevant curriculum to teach students, which is devoid of digital skills.

“To equip these youths for the digital economy, it is pertinent that the curriculum is updated with relevant skills such as coding, data analysis, cybersecurity, among others.

“We must also promote digital literacy programmes that target individuals who are already in the workforce or have limited educational opportunities.

“These programmes can offer training workshops, online courses and resources to enhance digital skills.

“Public-private partnerships can be formed to increase the reach and effectiveness of such initiatives.

“We must also strengthen digital infrastructure to improve access to reliable internet connectivity across the country.

“This can be done by expanding broadband infrastructure and reducing the cost of internet services.

“Access to affordable and reliable internet is crucial for individuals to acquire and enhance digital skills, so we must raise awareness and change mindsets and try to highlight the importance of digital skills in the current job market and overall societal development.

“This can help change mindsets and encourage individuals, parents, and employers to prioritise digital skills acquisition and support relevant initiatives.

“Individuals should be encouraged to pursue online courses, attend workshops and participate in digital activities to stay updated with evolving technologies and acquire new skills.

“The arrival of the fourth industrial revolution has, no doubt, ushered in a new era of globalisation, with significant changes and disruptions across various industries, necessitating the prioritisation of digital skills.”

To further address the digital skills gap in Nigeria and Africa, especially among Nigerian graduates, Oparaugo said that GetBundi had developed STEM-related courses for secondary school students, based on the West African School Certificate curriculum.

“We also have digital skills courses to equip everyone, young or old, with relevant 21st Century job-ready skills.

“Our platform also has micro-sliced courses for impactful learning with 107 skillful instructors.

“Individuals can get verified and go remote after learning some digital skills such as coding, artificial intelligence, graphics, video editing, cybersecurity, and much more in less than six months.

“Getbundi believes that equipping Nigerian youths with relevant digital skills can help build a skilled workforce better equipped to meet the demands of the modern economy,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Ephaims Sheyin

Metro

Wike to get all contractors back to site under his direct supervision

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says he will get all contractors back to site under his direct supervision and office of the Minister of State.

Wike, who stated this at the opening of a meeting with contractors handling different projects in the FCT, added that Abuja would soon become a construction site as promised.

“After our inauguration, we outlined our short-, medium-, and long-term plans to reposition the capital city, after which we went out to inspect projects that were awarded before us but abandoned for one reason or the other. Now time has come for action.

“First of all, on the metro light train, President Bola Tinubu has given us a matching order that he wants to ride on the metro light train. So, it is a key project that we must achieve,” he said.

Wike added that Tinubu had equally complained about abandoned projects, particularly roads which were part of critical infrastructure.

Describing road networks as “key infrastructure” that makes a city, the minister pointed out that the issue of sanitation, streetlights and shanties were being addressed.

“But the roads are very key and so, we are trying to see how we can map out strategies and structure funding so that we do not have problems with completion.

“I am determined to get every contractor back to site with direct supervision from my office and the office of the Minister of State.

“The major problem we are having in this country is the problem of supervision and so we are not going to tolerate anything below standard.

“If there are people you have been working with that have compromised standards, too bad, too bad; not with me. I am not going to accept anything that is below standard,” he said.

The minister said that together with the contractors, they would restructure how to fund projects so that all contractors could go back to site and work.

He added that the ministry would not fund projects depending only on the national budget, adding that projects would also be funded with resources from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

“I want to achieve results so I will not award a contract when I do not have money to fund it.

“We are going to fund you and you will tell us the time within which the project will be completed. If we agreed three months, it is three months; If I give six months, it is six months.

“We do not want to hear this happened and this did not happen. I do not want to hear any excuses at all,” Wike told the contractors.

He assured the commencement of all abandoned projects in all sections of the FCT, stressing that the measure would create employment.

He noted that when contractors are working, they create more employment but sack staff when they are not working, thereby creating problems for the country. (NAN)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Metro

FCTA demolishes multimillion naira duplex for violating regulations

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By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday, demolished a multimillion naira duplex built on plot 226, in Wuse Zone 6, an unapproved land.

Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, said that the building was illegally developed against all warnings.

Gidado said that his team had carried out extensive investigation to ascertain the original owner of the plot, given varying claims that were being put forth by the parties.

He added that investigation revealed that the developer was not the owner of the plot, adding, “that is why we had to remove the building.”

According to him, the FCT Administration will not consider the status of any defaulting developer once development rules and regulations are violated.

Gidado said: “We demolished the duplex because somebody built on someone else’s land without valid title and building plan approval.

“We allowed the building to this stage before demolishing it because we had to follow all due processes.”

The director said that the supposed owner of the building was served all the notices to stop work, saying, “but being a disobedient developer, he continued without heeding to the notices.

“After our investigation, we have ascertained the rightful allottee of the plot, so we have to remove the building.

“We are going to consult the legal department to know the next action against the developer.” (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Environment

Climate change: WISE educates Kaduna women on financial literacy, boosting green entrepreneurship

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By Sani Idris

The Women Initiative for Sustainable Environment (WISE), an NGO, has educated women in Kaduna on financial literacy and leveraging on climate challenges to boost green entrepreneurship.

At a one-day symposium on financial literacy on Saturday in Kaduna, the Executive Director of WISE, Mrs Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, said a lot of things making up the economy is gotten from the environment.

The theme of the symposium was: “Boosting green entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood for women and girls.”

Olugboji-Daramola lamented that over the years, man had abused the use of natural resources, thereby not moving in harmony with nature, while noting that current trends related to climate change had taken a toll.

“When COVID-19 came, a lot of people lost their means of livelihood and now with the climate change; when you look at people in agriculture and its value chain, they are also losing,” she said.

She, therefore, said the symposium was aimed at building women’s resilience, stressing that they were the most affected yet being under-reported.

The executive director said on that premise, WISE partnered with financial institutions to ensure women moved on track by not thinking of businesses, but ensuring savings and investments that they could fall back on in unwanted situations.

“When women make money, they are only thinking about putting food on the table and buying clothes. However important they may be, they should also think of something to fall back on.

“We want women to imbibe the culture of saving and investment in the face of climate change,” she said.

Olugboji-Daramola therefore said there were a lot of opportunities in the renewable energy sector which could be tapped amidst climate challenges.

She noted the high cost of cooking gas and electricity, adding that it presented an opportunity for people, especially women, to carve something out from the value chain.

“One could sell solar lamps or energy efficient cooking stoves. One can be an entrepreneur in that line by either selling or manufacturing. You can key into the value chain of any sector that provides a solution to the climate crisis,” she added.

She called on women to key into the value chain of renewable energy, noting that it was the future.

“When you pick any green skill, whether in agriculture, to become a climate smart farmer who is already resilient to some of the shocks that climate challenges are presenting, you will be in a better position to survive the odds,” Olugboji-Daramola said.

Also educating the women, Mrs Ruth Ayuba, a Financial Consultant, advised the women to avoid being idle without engaging in any menial legitimate business.

She frowned at women who always depended on their husbands for everything in the household, noting that a lot of things changed in the advent of COVID-19.

“Women need to be supportive of their husbands and children; you can secure a loan to start a business that is within your capacity to pay back and sustain the profit to grow the business for a long term,” Ayuba said.

Similarly, Ms Ladi Musa, a Sales Representative from Atmosfair, a German based non-profit organisation, encouraged women to imbibe saving culture.

She said doing so while in business would enable them to manage financial crises that could come their way.

On her part, Mrs Elizabeth Awan, a worker at NSIA Insurance Company, advised the women on having an insurance policy.

The company had a special alternative plan for women, adding that ordinarily women in business needed to have the plan in case of unwanted situations.

“At NSIA, we do the plan for women, all they need to do is buy the policy and in the event of loss, we take care of it. A lot of women lose their business due to incidents like fire outbreaks and the likes,” she said.

Awan therefore urged women to key into insurance for the safety and continuity of the businesses in the advent of unwanted situations.

Also, Mr Olagoke Olaiya, the Head of Business Development and Management of Microvis Microfinance Bank, said women must ensure self-discipline to move forward with their businesses.

Olaiya advised women in business to have a budget of what they would spend monthly, not to end up overspending or depending on unnecessities.

He added that to ensure sustainability, women in business must make a profile of their profits and losses.

For women who want to start business, Olaiya advised them to engage in sales of consumables like food, and rendering services like laundry and cooking for occasions, noting that people must always eat in as much as they need to survive.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the symposium, supported by Atmosfair, and Women’s Earth Alliance (WEA), was launched under the WISE COVID and climate resilient programme, targeting 5,000 women.

High point of the event was the award session to women who had the best campaign photo on ‘Hugging a tree’ campaign. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Environment

Climate change: Group lauds WISE for building an army of women green entrepreneurs

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By Sani Idris

The Asteven Group, has commended the Women Initiative for Sustainable Environment (WISE), an NGO, for building an army of women and girls’ green entrepreneurs in Kaduna State.

Dr Sunny Akpoyibo, the Chief Executive Officer of Asteven Group, a leading force in the field of renewable energy in Nigeria, gave the commendation at a symposium in Kaduna on Saturday.

The one-day symposium on financial literacy and green innovative micro financing, was under the theme, “Boosting Green Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Livelihood for Women and Girls.”

It was organised by WISE, to equip women and girls on green living, green investment opportunities, and financing mechanisms for the development of sustainable business.

Other areas included green microfinancing, facilitating access to micro-credit for start-ups and how to scale of green enterprise.

Akpoyibo, in a keynote address, described women-led renewable energy solutions and business opportunities to power the country as a “call to action”.

He said that women have consistently proven their prowess as agents of change, and the renewable energy sector was no exception.

He added that from solar to wind to bioenergy, women have the capacity to lead innovations that can power the nation and beyond.

According to him, the benefits are multifaceted, touching not only the environment but also social equity and economic progress.

“The theme of today’s symposium resonates deeply with the core values and mission of Asteven Group.

“Our journey in the realm of renewable energy has been fueled by the belief in the transformative power of green entrepreneurship.”

He explained that green entrepreneurship was not just about harnessing the potential of clean and sustainable energy sources, but also about empowering individuals, especially women and girls.

This, according to him, will enable them to take charge of their own destinies through innovative initiatives that propel both economic growth and environmental preservation.

He said that the initiative undertaken by WISE under the COVID and Climate Resilience Program reflects a forward-thinking approach to addressing the interconnected challenges of our time.

“As we navigate the intricacies of a changing climate and a global pandemic, it is imperative that we channel our efforts toward financial literacy, sustainable business models, and green microfinancing.

“These are not just buzzwords, but the pillars upon which our shared future rests,” he said.

Akpoyibo said that the more than 350 women and girls at the symposium were part of a movement that has the potential to reshape industries, communities, and lives.

He pointed out that the world was undergoing a profound transition, adding their active involvement in embracing green entrepreneurship would leave an indelible mark on the society.

“The challenges we face are great, but the opportunities they present are even greater,” he said.

Earlier, the Executive Director, WISE, Mrs Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, said that man had over the years abused the use of natural resources and lived in disharmony with nature.

Olugboji-Daramola said that a lot of people lost their means of livelihood to COVID-19, adding that climate change was also taking its toll on agricultural production and food security.

She said that the symposium was aimed at building women’s resilience being the most affected by the impact of climate change and the impact of COVID-19.

She disclosed that WISE had partnered with financial institutions to enable women to access micro financing support to invest in green solutions for sustainable income.

She called on women to key into the value chain of renewable energy, noting that it was the future.

“We want women to imbibe the culture of saving and investment in the face of climate change.

“There are a lot of opportunities in the renewable energy sector which could be tapped amidst climate challenges.

“One could invest in agriculture, sell solar lamps or energy efficient cooking stoves, or provide solutions to the climate crisis,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai

Health

Kaduna Gov’t reviews nutrition action plan to address malnutrition

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By Sani Idris

The Kaduna State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN), supported by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reviewed the state’s Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition (KDMSPAN), 2020-2024.

Mrs Linda Yakubu, Director, Development Aid Coordination, Planning and Budget Commission (PBC), said at the end of the review on Friday, that the measure was to address malnutrition in the state.

Yakubu said that the review was to see how far the state has gone in implementing the plan, identify gaps and develop strategies for improved performance.

According to her, some of the gaps identified will be addressed in the last year of the plan, while a new action plan will be developed for subsequent years.

She called on nutrition line Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to utilise the nutrition budgets domiciled at PBC and Kaduna State Emergency Nutrition Action Plan under the Ministry of Health.

She commended the Nutrition Desk Officers in the MDAs for being proactive and innovative, noting that their collaboration with other partners have assisted significantly in implementing some of the activities in the plan.

Also, the Assistant State Nutrition Officer, Mr George Adams, said that the nutrition indices in the state had significantly improved over the years.

Adams said that programmes, such as the Community Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), training of health workers and other interventions have assisted women and other members of the public to improve their nutritional attitudes.

This, according to him, has assisted significantly in improving the nutritional status of women and children.

He noted that the technical and funding support from partners and other stakeholders was also critical to the implementation of cost-effective nutrition programmes captured in the plan.

Similarly, Dr Zainab Muhammad-Idris, Project Coordinator, Accelerating Nutrition Result in Nigeria (ANRiN), said that the review was critical to determine the progress so far.

Muhammad-Idris noted that the multi-sectoral approach was viable in tackling the scourge of malnutrition in the state.

She reiterated ANRiN’s continued partnership to improve the nutritional status of children under five years, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating mothers in the state.

“The meeting will help us take stock of what has been implemented and how much it has been delivered by MDAs in terms of specifics and nutrition sensitive interventions.

“The review will also provide insight on what the state has accomplished in the last four years of the five-year strategic plan,” she said.

Ms Jessica Bartholomew, State Coordinator, Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition (CS-SUN), identified funding as the major challenge hampering effective implementation of the plan.

Bartholomew also said that emerging issues such as COVID-19, flood, and insecurity among others also affected the implementation of the plan.

Earlier, Chairman, SCFN, Mr Muhammed Bashir, explained that the KDMSPAN reflects the multi-sectoral dimension of nutrition and the multi-sectoral approach to address the scourge.

Bashir, who is the Permanent Secretary, PBC, said that the reviewed plan would be presented to Gov. Uba Sani for further actions. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai

Metro

Victims of Abuja building collapse laud Wike for settling medical bills

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By Philip Yatai

Some victims of the building that collapsed on Wednesday in Abuja, have commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, for settling their medical bills.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a two-storey building located at Lagos Street, Garki Village collapsed on Wednesday, killing two with 37 others evacuated to different hospitals for treatment.

Wike, who visited the scene on Thursday directed the Federal Capital Territory Administration to settle all the medical bills of the victims, receiving treatment in different hospitals in the FCT.

Responding to the gesture, the victims said that they were well taken care of since the minister’s declaration that their medical bills would be paid by the government.

They stated this when government officials, led by Mr Malan Haruna, acting Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration visited them in hospitals on Saturday.

One of the victims, Mr Abdullahi Modibbo, receiving treatment at Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, said he has not paid any amount following the minister’s declaration.

Modibbo thanked the minister for the support, which he described as “life saving”, adding that health workers were taking very good care of him.

“I was in my room on the first floor when the building collapsed on Wednesday night. I was trying to help myself when a boulder fell on my leg, causing a fracture.

“I am happy with the prompt response of government agencies who evacuated us and took us to the hospital for treatment, and now they have offered to pay all our bills. I am truly grateful,” he said.

The Chief Nursing Officer at the hospital, Mrs Aishatu Tenebe, said that eight victims were brought to the facility of which seven were treated and discharged.

Another victim Mr Garba Nagoma, at Cedarcrest Hospital Gwarinpa, was elated when he learned that his hospital bills would be settled by the government on the directive of the government.

Nagoma said that his brother has already paid N500,000 to the hospital as the first bill.

“This is good news knowing that my bills would be paid by the government. I am really grateful for the support,” he said.

The victims said that he visited his friend who resides on the first floor of the building when it collapsed.

“We were having a conversation when one of our friends alerted us that the building is about to collapse.

“We dashed to escape but we were late. The building collapsed with us while we were still on the first floor, and I survived with a fracture.

Mr Garba Nagoma, at Cedarcrest Hospital Gwarinpa

The Group Managing Director of the Hospital, Dr Kingsley Ikpe, said that Nagoma was the only victim that was brought to the hospital and assured that the hospital would provide the needed care to the victim.

Similarly, Mr Shehu Mohammed, another victim receiving treatment for head and eye injuries at Garki Hospital, Abuja, equally lauded Wike for coming to their aid.

Mohammed said he owned a tailoring shop in the building and was still working in the shop when it collapsed.

A medical officer at the facility, Dr Winifred Esite, said that 14 victims were brought to the hospital of which 12 were treated and discharged while one died.

Mr Shehu Mohammed receiving treatment for head and eye injuries at Garki Hospital, Abuja

On her part, Mrs Charity Amadi, one of the victims that was treated and discharged from the facility, equally thanked the FCT minister for the support.

Amadi, a mother of two and currently pregnant, said they were currently taking shelter at Cherubim and Seraphim Area 2 Shopping Centre, Abuja, adding that they lost everything in the wreckage.

“I am glad that the government has come to our aid because the hospital asked me to be coming for a check up to ensure that my unborn baby and I are fine,” she said.

Mrs Charity Amadi and her family

Speaking after the visit, the acting Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat, FCTA, said he and his team visited the hospitals on the directive of the minister.

Haruna recalled that Wike had directed the FCTA to settle the medical bills of all those affected, “so we are here in compliance with his directive.

“We have gone round some of the hospitals and we have seen their condition on the instruction of the minister to ensure that they are well taken care of.

“So far, four victims are still receiving treatment in hospitals, 31 have been treated and discharged, while two have died.

“We have directed the victims to write the bills and forward them through FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the health secretariat for onward submission to the Permanent Secretary.

“The quality of services we have seen is very excellent as testified by the victims themselves,” he said.

The Head of Search and Rescue, Mr Oyegun Moses, said that of the two victims that died, one died at the scene of the collapsed building, while the other died at Garki Hospital while receiving treatment.

On the pregnant woman, Mrs Amadi, Moses confirmed that she would be visiting the hospital for observation to ensure that her unborn child was safe and healthy.

He assured that any medical bill incurred during the visits would be taken care of by the government. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Health

Dental Consultants task Nigerians on personal hygiene

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By Aderogba George

Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has tasked Nigerians on personal hygiene, saying it is the key to preventing many dental challenges.

Dr Grace Otokpa, Chairman, MDCAN, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Branch (MDCAN-UATH), made the call on Thursday, at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the association.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the AGM is “Sustaining Medical Practice in a Distressed Economy: The Role of MDCAN.”

The AGM also had its sub themes as “Mentorship in medical practice, bringing the gap” and “Security challenges and their impact on health indices in Nigeria”.

Otokpa said that to prevent dental issues specifically “Carrises”, personal hygiene was key saying it was the number one medicine to prevent any teeth challenges.

She said that Nigerians must imbibe the character of regular check-up of their teeth, adding that the check-up must be undertaken like any other medical check-ups.

She said that dentist had advised that people should visit their dentist every six months to guide against carrises, also known as tooth decay or dental cavities.

“Sometimes people think that this carrises, that is hole in the teeth and others, are just official; carrises go beyond just that.

“When people have this oral conditions like delta carrises and some other conditions in the mouth, they can actually predispose someone to more sinister conditions like romantic fibular, heart diseases and others.

“So it is important that people had regular check of their teeth for personal hygiene, check their teeth, check the right way to brush the teeth,” she said.

Otokpa said the dental profession in the country has been doing well, adding that NGOs had been doing well to offer free medical care in this direction especially on cleft palate.

Prof. Innocent Ujah, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Benue State, who was the keynote speaker at the event discouraged young doctors from seeks jobs abroad, saying there was nothing so special about it.

He spoke on the theme “Sustaining medical practice in a distressed economy: The role of MDCAN.

Ujah, however, advised Nigeria’s government to work towards transforming the country’s economy to encourage health workers to stay back in the country.

Photograph of members of the audience at the event

Ujah, who was also a former National Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), urged government at all levels to properly equip their health facilities to discourage medical tourism.

“There should be improved and sustained primary health care for every citizen; there should be further investment on health, political office holders should have political will to develop health sector in tandem with international best practice.

“On the role of MDCAN, there should be regular review of activities of hospitals including Residency Training Programme (RTP) and mentorship. Attitude of healthcare practitioners must be friendliness.

“Medical consultants must up their game, provide right leadership/stewardship,” Ujah said.

Prof. Bissallah Ekele, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), UATH, said he had employed both long and short term planning strategies in doing his best to promote the activities of the teaching hospital.

He said the management of UATH critically evaluates every situation before taking decisions.

He said that the management employed both short and long term plans as strategies to address some of the challenges at the hospital over the past six years.

Ekele advised the undergraduate students to concentrate on their primary assignment of learning.

He said they should be available to observe procedures being carried out in the teaching hospital, and participate in the various activities carried out by each department.

Ekele also called on the post-graduate students to dedicate enough time for research and embrace team work. (NAN)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Uche Anunne

Community

Kaduna communities not benefiting from constituency projects due to poor implementation – CODE

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By Sani Idris

The Community Monitoring Team (CMT) of a Pan African NGO, Connected Development (CODE), says on Friday that community members are not benefitting from constituency projects due to poor implementation.

Mrs Ladi Bonat, Coordinator of the CMT in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, stated this during a town hall meeting on Friday in Lere.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was on Deepening Citizens Interest in Government Spending and Addressing Accompanied Corrupt Practices (DeSPAAC) project.

The DeSPAAC project was being implemented by CODE with support from MacArthur Foundation to mobilize communities and empower them to provide effective public oversight on government spending.

“Our people have not reaped the full benefits of constituency projects due to poor implementation, abandonment and corrupt practices by officials and contractors executing the projects.

“Such individuals have often gotten away with their actions because citizens, communities and activists have not paid sufficient attention to government spending on project implementation,” she said.

She explained that CODE had established the CMTs, made up of members from different community structures, mobilise citizens, train and empower them to track the implementation of the constituency projects.

She said that the members of Lere communities and other stakeholders have adopted CODE’s Follow the Money strategy to track government spending on various projects in the communities.

“The results have been quite impressive as citizens have been monitoring the implementation of constituency projects, leading to completion of some of the projects while engaging government officials on abandoned ones.

“We are now in the third year of the project, and we are taking steps to sustain the momentum and deepen the outcomes of the implementation of the DeSCAAP project in the LGA,” she added.

Bonat explained that the town hall meeting was organised to review the performance of the project, strengthen engagement with government, and present key findings of monitoring activities in the last two years.

She added that the meeting was also organised to present constituency project nomination monitoring tools for effective monitoring and reporting.

“The goal is to ensure communities take active interest in government spending in critical social sectors of education, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene and use the Follow the Money tools to track implementation of projects.

“We also want to empower our communities with knowledge and skills to be able to engage government officials on how to get their demands across and have their views respected.

“We equally want to strengthen synergy between communities, government officials and anti-corruption agencies.

“There is also the need for the government to respond to community advocacy and take action to positively address situations relating to project selection and implementation,” she said.

The CMT coordinator also stressed the need for citizens to actively participate in budget preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation for quality service delivery.

This, according to her, will ensure that the needs of the people are met, ensure transparency and accountability in the delivery of constituency and other projects implementation.

“We also want to strengthen the commitment of community members, CMTs, Community Development Charter (CDC) Champions, and other stakeholders to sustaining the DeSPAAC project outcomes in our communities.

Earlier, the project assistant, CODE, Zaraphat Haruna, had explained that the organisation was established in 2012 to empower marginalised communities to demand for quality goods and services from the government.

Haruna said CODE was achieving this by creating platforms for dialogue and building citizens’ capacity to hold their government accountable through its “Follow the Money” initiative.

“CODE currently influences dialogue, transparency and accountability in governance in nine African countries,” she said.

NAN reports that the meeting was attended by the CMTs, CDC Champions, government officials, community and religious leaders, women, youth, implementing agencies, and other stakeholders. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

SA/FDY

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Edited by Philip Yatai

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