News Agency of Nigeria
Nigeria leading in heath innovations, pandemic preparedness, says Africa CDC
Health

Nigeria leading in heath innovations, pandemic preparedness, says Africa CDC

By Abujah Racheal

Nigeria is leading the way in Africa in health innovation and pandemic preparedness on the continent.

Dr Jean Kaseya, the Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made this known during a visit to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention(NCDC), on Wednesday at the headquarters, in Abuja.

Kaseya was accompanied by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate.

He said that through this visit, the Africa CDC aimed to strengthen collaborations and partnerships, share expertise, and shape a healthier future for the country, region and on the continent.

He acknowledged the role played by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in choosing Pate, for its clear agenda and leadership in healthcare across the world.

He emphasised the immense responsibility that comes with being in a position of leadership in the country, stating that it not only affects the country but also the entire continent.

He highlighted the importance of regular consultations with the minister, even on matters unrelated to the country or Africa, as it was crucial to establish connections and gain support, aid, guidance, and information.

He expressed pride in the accomplishments of Nigeria’s healthcare system, including NCDC and its widespread recognition.

He commended the efforts of individuals like Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Assistant Director General of the World Health Organization, whom he referred to as an ambassador for the country, and emphasised the need for continuous collaboration and support on the continent.

He stressed the urgency of pandemic prevention and response, citing evidence of new outbreaks occurring on the continent.

He pointed out that 70 per cent of these outbreaks were zoonotic, highlighting the importance of a One Health Approach that involves multiple ministries working together.

He praised countries like Botswana for elevating the coordination mechanism on One Health to the Vice President level, suggesting that Nigeria should consider a similar approach.

Furthermore, he emphasised the need for African heroes to be celebrated and recognised.

He highlighted the discovery of the Omicron variant by an African scientist using equipment provided by African CDC.

He also praised Nigeria’s emergency operation centres and encouraged other countries to learn from Nigeria’s approach to avoid fragmentation.

He expressed support for the vision of local manufacturing and medical industrialization, emphasizing the need for Africa to be self-sufficient in meeting its healthcare needs.

He acknowledged the challenges of medical consumption and the need to develop programs that allow African countries to support one another.

He, however, expressed his commitment to return and continue supporting Nigeria’s healthcare system, emphasising the importance of Africa’s readiness for future pandemics.

He disclosed that the vision of the Africa CDC was building a resilient health system for Africa focusing on 4C’s.

“These are Community: Community involvement; Connectivity: A strong digital connectivity; Cash: Financial Resources;Commodities: Vaccines, medicines, and Diagnostics,” he explained.

The DG emphasised the importance of discussing these proxies with the Nigerian Minister of Health and highlighted how they align with its agenda in the country.

By mentioning funding, he acknowledged the need for adequate financial resources to support healthcare initiatives.

“This includes exploring domestic resources and finding ways to secure funding for health-related projects.

“The mention of commodities highlights the importance of manufacturing and producing essential healthcare products within Africa. This emphasizes the need for self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on external sources for critical medical supplies.

“The reference to communities emphasizes the significance of a strong and well-supported health workforce. This includes investing in training, capacity building, and ensuring the availability of skilled healthcare professionals.

“The mention of productivity and the digital agenda underscores the importance of leveraging technology and connectivity to enhance healthcare systems.

“This includes utilizing digital platforms for data collection, information sharing, and improving overall healthcare delivery,” he explained.

Also speaking, Pate stressed the need for coordination and collaboration in addressing outbreaks of infectious diseases.

The minister highlighted that infectious diseases respect no boundaries and can quickly spread across countries and continents.

“Therefore, working together with organizations like the Africa CDC and other development partners on the continent is crucial in keeping the continent safer during outbreaks,” he said

He also emphasised the interconnectedness of the world and the impact that outbreaks can have on national economies.

He mentions how diseases like Ebola and COVID-19 affected production, and other sectors, highlighting the broader implications of disease outbreaks beyond just human health.

The Minister stressed the importance of coordination within the government and various agencies involved in healthcare, such as the Federal Ministry of Health, the NCDC, the National Primary Health Care Department Agency, and regulatory bodies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

He provided examples of successful coordination efforts, such as the task force for diphtheria and collaboration on Lassa fever technology and its vaccine preparation in the country.

Earlier, the Director General, NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, highlighted the agency’s priorities as strengthened collaboration with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies especially to strengthen the One Health Approach in the country.

Adetifa said that strengthening health security workforce capacity and the establishment and sustained working of Public Health Emergency Operations Centres.

Amongst others, he said were optimisation of current public health laboratory services and the further expansion of the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System in the country.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Open defecation: UNICEF promises FG, states continued support
Environment

Open defecation: UNICEF promises FG, states continued support

By Segun Giwa/Olatunde Ajayi

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) says it will continue to support the Federal Government to end open defecation in the country.
The international agency also said that it would continue to partner with state governments to minimise the menace of open defecation.
Mr Monday Johnson, UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) specialist, said this at a two-day media dialogue on open defecation free in Southwest states on Wednesday in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation.
The workshop has as its theme: ” Eliminating Open defecation in SW states in Nigeria”.
Johnson, who noted that Nigeria overtook India in 2019 in open defecation practices, said Nigeria was now on number one position worldwide in open defecation practice globally.
According to him, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASH-NORM) 2021 report revealed that no fewer  than 48 million Nigerians indulge in open defecation.
Johnson said that Nigeria could not continue the usual practice of open defecation, if it was ready to meet the national deadline of 2025 open defecation free society.
According to him, for the country to reach its target of open defecation free society, there is need for increased investments and targeted funding for sanitation and hygiene.
“The overall vision of UNICEF Nigeria water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme is to support the federal government.
” To ensure that by 2027, move Nigerians, especially those in vulnerable situation realise their right to safely manage drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services through improved access to affordable, sustainable and safely managed sanitation and hygiene services,”  he said.
Also, Mr Dotun Oyelade, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, said the state was working toward ending open defecation by 2028.
Oyelade said that before the end of 2028, there would be improvement in the menace of open defecation in the state.
He said the state government was always ready to cooperate with UNICEF in all areas affecting the general well-being of the
Oyelade, who noted that the state government was ready to partner UNICEF in ending open defecation in the state and Nigeria at large, said it was sad that Nigeria had overtaken India in open defecation practice.
” It is very sad that Nigeria is now number one open defecation country globally.
“Oyo state in the next few years, will ensure there is a significant improvement in the menace of open defecation.
“We are very happy and encouraged  that UNICEF is in collaborating with Oyo state to end open defecation,” he said.(NAN)
Edited by Victor Adeoti/Vivian Ihechu
Myths about HPV vaccine untrue, unfounded — FG
Judiciary , Health

Myths about HPV vaccine untrue, unfounded — FG

By Folasade Akpan

As the Federal Government gets set to launch the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine in Abuja on Oct. 24,
it has debunked myths making the rounds which claims that the vaccine is intended to reduce fertility in girls.
Dr Uche Nwokwu, the acting Director, Clinical Services, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), dismissed such claims
in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
NAN reports that HPV is a virus that transmits through skin-to-skin contact and can develop in anyone who is sexually active.
HPV is a primary cause of cervical cancer and other cancers, including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus, and by protecting young
girls before exposure to the virus, it can reduce incidences of the devastating disease significantly.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and UNICEF is, therefore,
set to launch the vaccine, followed by a roll-out in some selected 16 states namely; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue,
Enugu, FCT, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun and Taraba.
The acting NICRAT director, therefore, explained that though the vaccine could have some mild side effects like every medicine, the side effects
would be explained on the leaflets of the vaccine.
Nwokwu said “the myth about the vaccine reducing the fertility of girls is out of place and not true, which are the reasons people are afraid.
“At the point where the inoculation is done, there could be some reaction around the area; it could be pain of injection, someone may
have mild fever, these are side effects of the vaccine but it is not something that should discourage anybody from getting it.
“The benefits of the vaccine are greater than the minor fever reactions at the site of the injection and
does not reduce the person’s fertility.
“Also, there is no known long term effects discovered and for now; there is no evidence that it has any adverse effects.”
Describing the nature of the virus, he said it is responsible for a lot of disease conditions, including cancer of the cervix or the uterine cervix.
He said there are different stereotypes or variants of HPV, but that the one responsible for cancer of the cervix is stereotype 16 and 18, while
the other stereotypes could cause other warts.
He added that the variants 16 and 18 are responsible for almost 70 to 90 per cent of cancer of the cervix.
He said “many people may have the virus and will not come down with cancer of the cervix.
“It results in cancer when the body is not able to clear the virus. The virus is weak so it’s not as potent as other viruses like Hepatitis or HIV.
“Someone can have the virus or get exposed and the person’s immune system will clear the virus.
“However, in some cases where the immune system is not able to clear the virus, it can cause mutation of the cervix and lead to cancer of the uterine cervix.”
He also said that in some cases, it is common in people who have multiple sexual partners because having multiple exposures could increase the virulence of the virus.
He explained that “there is danger if young girls are being exposed to HPV when their cervix is not yet mature, that is when they are still undergoing transformation.
“There is a particular area of the cervix that is called transformation zone. As the young girl is growing, some part of the cervix is pushing out just for maturity purposes.
“When that transformation is on-going, that place is still fragile and immature. So if the girl is exposed to the virus at that time when that place is maturing, the virus has the capacity to take advantage of the situation and cause problem.”
According to Nwokwu, the vaccine is very important as it prevents girls from any risk of contracting the virus in future.
He said “that is why the target of the HPV vaccination is young girls who are not yet sexually exposed and people who were still very young.
“The target now is for girls between nine to 14 years of age. That is when they are getting to that puberty maturation stage and not yet sexually exposed.
“The other reason for targeting those who are not yet sexually exposed is because once someone has that virus, it does not make sense to take the vaccine.”
The NICRAT official recommended that countries that have the capacity should vaccinate both girls and boys “because boys could have warts
on the penis too, even though those warts do not result into cancer.
“So, in some countries, they vaccinate both the girls and the boys, but in our country, our major concern is the girls because even when the boys
have the virus, the problem with them is not as much as when the girls have it.
“By the time the economy improves and we have the vaccine everywhere, we can as well give the boys and girls so the targets for now in our
National Strategic Plan for prevention of Cancer of the Cervix is to immunise girls.
“We are also hopeful that it will be integrated into the Primary Health Care National Programme on immunisation so that it becomes routine.”
He, however, said that for girls who have been sexually exposed, they would need to do HPV DNA test to know their status.
As for the dosage, he said, it depends on the brand of vaccine being used.
“However, what is important is that if someone is able to take the appropriate dose, it confers life immunity.”
He added that the brand of vaccine Nigeria is inaugurating is the one that has potency against four variants of HPV. (NAN)
Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu
FG holds cultural road show to showcase Nigeria’s diversity
Entertainment

FG holds cultural road show to showcase Nigeria’s diversity

By Deji Abdulwahab
The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, in partnership with relevant stakeholders in Abuja, on Wednesday, held a road show to showcase the nation’s cultural diversity.
Its Director, Entertainment and Creative Services, Mrs Ugochi Nwosu, said this while marking the 2023 World Culture Day with its theme “Embracing Cultural Diversity: Building bridges for a Harmonious World’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event is held every year on May 21.
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development celebrates not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development.
Nwosu said that the ministry was marking the 2023 World Culture Day for diversity and development to create awareness on importance of culture to national development.
“We are also creating awareness on the potential of the Nigerian culture and creative economy to nation’s building.
“Today, we are showcasing some of our elements of our culture, creative economy and economic diversification.
“This sector is a sector that will enhance and develop our economy and create jobs for our teeming population.
“As you can see, the youths are here and everybody is here to showcase our diversity. We are showcasing the manifestation of our cultural diversity and that is the strength of Nigeria.
“It is also a day to create awareness on the need for cultural dialogue. From culture to dialogue, they bring out their potential of the entire population,’’ she said.
Also, Miss Gold Ugoji of Black Bones Theatre Company stressed the need for Nigerians to embrace cultural diversity to become more united and stronger as a nation.
According to her, this road show is a good avenue to celebrate our culture and heritage as Nigerians.
Ugoji said, “I’m feeling privileged to be a part of it. Nigeria is a very blessed and rich country. If really we can take advantage of the diversity God has blessed us with, we will be greater than any country in the world.
“Nigeria is diversified culturally and we need to embrace that culture to become more united and stronger as a nation.’’
According to Emmanuel Danladi, the road show will tell people about cultural diversity of Nigeria and inform people about today which we are celebrating the world culture day.
He said, “Nigeria stands to gain unity because no matter your state, tribe and ethnic group where ever you are coming from, just know that we are one. We are unified power with this name called Nigeria.”
Another participant, Martha Patrick, said that the road show would assist in uniting Nigerians irrespective of their cultural diversities.
“I feel very excited and happy. I pray that this will go a long way to uniting Nigerians. Culture is very important no matter where you come from, no matter the differences, culture always brings us together.
“My advice to Nigerian youths is that they should take advantage of this culture. We can make so many things from the culture not just the unity and diversity but also we can make good money.
“This can be achieved by taking it out there and people abroad love our culture so much.
“So, it is time for our parents, leaders, statesmen and each and every one comes together to tell our children and youths more about culture,’’ she said.
Also, Valentina Effiom, urged Nigerian youths to go back to their home towns and learn more about their cultures.
“I feel very excited and I think it is one way to say that we are diverse in culture. I feel excited that Nigeria is doing this today.
“Nigerian youths should go back to their home towns and learn more about their culture because there is so much to learn about our culture,’’ she said.
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Bashir Rabe Mani
Declare ‘State of Emergency’ on drug abuse, Senate urges FG 
Politics

Declare ‘State of Emergency’ on drug abuse, Senate urges FG 

By Kingsley Okoye

The Senate has urged the Federal Government to declare a State of Emergency on illicite drugs and drug abuse in the country.

This followed adoption of a motion on “Urgent need to address the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria” at plenary on Tuesday by Sen. Babangida Hussain (APC -Jigawa).
Presenting the motion, Babangida said that Nigeria was faced with rising cases of drug abuse which had reached an unprecedented level.

He said Nigeria had transformed from a mere transit country in the 1990s, Into a country filled with drug addiction and drug traffickers all over its land space.

“A population of between 30million and 35 million spends approximately 15,000 and 30,000 dollars annually on psychotropic drugs and alcoholic beverages in Nigeria, ” he said.

He said the statistics by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the European Union on drug use in Nigeria, stated that about 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages 15 and 64, were drug users.

“The report stated that 10.6 million addicts were cannabis users, 4.6 addicts used pharmaceutical opioids and 238,0000 abusers used amphetamines,” he said.

He said the prevalence of drug abuse per geo political zone in 2017 showed that the North-West accounted for 12 per cent, North-East 13.6 per cent North- Central 10.0 per cent, South-West 22.4 per cent South-South 16.6 per cent and the South-East 13.8 per cent.

Babaginda said the main drugs abused in Nigeria were mood altering or psycho active drugs, performance-enhancing drugs, dependency drugs and prescription drugs.

He said the side effects included addiction, trauma, mental illness and often times resultes in ill health, violence and involvement in criminal activities.

He said that a significant number of deaths from accidents and violent crimes had been traced to the activities of persons under the influence of drugs.

He expressed worry that the war against drug abuse beibg carried out by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency was not yielding the required result.

Babaginda said there was need to include special drug education in the schools curriculum.

He also expressed concern that the prevalence of drug abuse in Nigeria was a public health challenge that seemed to be on the increase in spite of intervention by international, regional, federal and state bodies through laws and policies.

Contributing, Sen.Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno) said drug abuse was affectiing the productivity of youths as it had   negative economic effects, while also distorting  cultural values.(NAN)www.nannews.ng

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Removal of railway coaches from Borno “suspicious, unfair’’ – Gov. Zulum
General News

Removal of railway coaches from Borno “suspicious, unfair’’ – Gov. Zulum

By Hamza Suleiman

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has described the removal of some railway coaches from Maiduguri to other states by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as “suspicious and unfair”.

Zulum made this known on Tuesday in Maiduguri when he visited the Maiduguri Railway Terminus.

According to him, his government will follow all legal procedures to ensure that infrastructures meant for the state are not moved to other parts of the country.

Zulum said that the state government was not informed about the decision to move the coaches until residents intercepted them as they were being moved.

“About five months ago, some of the rail infrastructure were conveyed to other states of the federation without the knowledge of the security operatives and Borno Government.

“This time around the community raised alarm when they saw the movement of these rolling stocks from Maiduguri to other parts of the country.

“When we contacted the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, they said the rolling stocks would be moved to Jos for a complete overhaul and be dispatched elsewhere.”

Zulum stressed that the decision to relocate the rail infrastructures was “crudely pursued” by the NRC.

“On this note, I want to announce that nobody will move out any of the rail infrastructures here in Borno without recourse to the rule of law.

“I urge you to remain calm and not to take the law into your hands.

“I want to, once again, note that these infrastructures will not be moved anywhere, insha’Allah, Borno is one of the states in Nigeria and we have equal rights,” Zulum said.

The governor noted that with the removal of railway management from the exclusive list, Borno would partner NRC to maximize benefits of rail transportation.

It would be recalled that hundreds of Maiduguri residents stormed the Maiduguri Railway Terminus on Sunday to protest the removal of train coaches from Maiduguri to Jos for repairs by the NRC.(NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen/Maharazu Ahmed

AfDB, AGF solicit increased financing access for women entrepreneurs
Gender

AfDB, AGF solicit increased financing access for women entrepreneurs

By Adebola Adegoke

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) have stressed the need to close the finance access gap for women-led businesses to increase their contributions to the country’s economic growth.

They made the call at the opening ceremony of the African Development Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) Finance Series, on Tuesday,  in Lagos.

The event, which is the fifth edition, follows the AFAWA Finance Series held in Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana and Angola.

Mr Lamin Barrrow, Director-General, Nigeria Country Development, AfDB, said that the bank’s goal was to mobilise $5 billion in financing for African women businesses by 2026.

According to him, AFAWA seeks to increase women’s access to finance in the continent by closing the $42 billion financing gap for women-led small and medium scale enterprises.

“Since the initiative was launched over two years ago, commitments and financing have been secured in the tune of $1.2 billion for on-lending to women-led enterprises in 32 countries across Africa.

“The bank recognises the Nigerian government’s efforts to promote financial inclusion for women, especially through policies and programmes aimed at increasing access to financial services and enhancing financial literacy,” he said.

He, however, said that despite the progress made, the gender financing gap remained huge with women having a disproportionate access to finance services.

“Women are key stakeholders in Africa’s economic integration processes and as such we must support such programmes that expand their true potential.

“Women-led businesses typically have small and medium and they are largely informal and face the challenge of accessing finance and growing their capacity.

“We believe that the services available through the AFAWA initiative provide a robust platform to inform key stakeholders in government, finance institutions, private sector and civil society about AFAWA’s innovative benefits for increased lending for women.

Barrow said that the bank was supporting the private sector to access finance through the risk sharing mechanism and classic financing instruments.

“For instance in 2021, the bank signed a $250 million portfolio credit guarantee with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) to incentivise financial institutions to increase their lending to women.

“Also, in November 2022, the bank signed a loan agreement with the First City Monument Bank for $50 million dollar line of credit to support access to finance to SMEs and women enterprises.

“This line of credit is poised to expand lending activities with 30 per cent of the amount set aside for women-led businesses,” he said.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, said that women economic empowerment encompassed various aspects from access to education, healthcare to employment opportunities.

Edun was represented by Mrs Grace Ogbonna, Director, Economic Research and Policy Management in the ministry.

He said that the Federal Government was working to ensure that every girl child and woman had the opportunity to receive an education to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to compete in the modern economy.

“This includes initiatives to eliminate gender-based disparities in education and financing safe school projects for the protection of education from attacks for national development.

“Providing women with equal opportunities in the labour market, our policies aim to create a work environment that supports women advancement. We have to introduced legislation to promote paid equity and combat workplace discrimination.

“Financial inclusion is a critical aspect of women economic empowerment; the government is therefore committed to expanding access to financial services particularly for women in underserved areas,” he said.

Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer, African Guarantee Fund (AGF), said that 70 per cent of women in Africa were excluded financially in the areas of access to credit, financial services, land ownership, job opportunities, leadership positions and wealth creation.

He said: “Our aim is to close the SME financing gap in Africa by addressing the skills gap and  provide training for SMEs to understand the requirements for getting loans.

“There is also a huge collateral gap since most of SMEs in Africa are just starting and might not have collateral when seeking loans.

“This is why AGF is standing as the guarantee to replace the collateral the SMEs are supposed to provide to the financial institutions.”

Ngankam noted that there was also an information gap as most of the financial institutions did not have enough information they needed to carry out a proper product risk assessment for these businesses.

“Also, SMEs  do not have proper book keeping culture, so through our technical assistance and capacity development, they are able to present the financial statement they need to apply for loans.

“Many people also think women-led businesses are risky but it is not the case as we have observed. So we want to work with the financial institutions to reduce the gap between perceived risk and the real risk,” he said.

According to him, the AGF covers 75 per cent of risk under the AFAWA initiative, while the banks are only exposed to 25 per cent risk if they give loans to an SME owned or led by women.

“This is to encourage the banks to lend more to women,” Ngankam added.

Dr Beth Dunford, Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, AfDB, said that financial systems were impeding the growth of women entrepreneurs because of the perceived risk on women businesses.

This perceived risk, she said, was due to the challenge that women-led businesses faced in terms of collateral.

She said that the bank was adopting a dual-pronged approach to work with governments and financial institutions on how to improve access to finance services for women entrepreneurs.

“Our goal is to change mindsets to help banks and the financial community see women SMEs as customers and bankable

“We are starting with the financial institutions to ensure that they have financial products that are appropriate for women businesses and their different needs and challenges.

“With the right support, they have the potential to accelerate the country’s progress towards its economic development goals,” Dunford added.

Edited by Mark Longyen/Olawunmi Ashafa

We are determined to fight poverty in Niger Delta region – PAP
Health

We are determined to fight poverty in Niger Delta region – PAP

By Aderogba George
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has affirmed that its initiatives are tied towards eradicating poverty in the Niger Delta Region, particularly in the lives of ex-agitators.
PAP made this known in a statement, signed by the Interim Administrator of PAP, Retired Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, in Abuja on Tuesday to mark the 2023 International Day for Eradication of Poverty, celebrated annually on October 17.
Ndiomu said that PAP, under his leadership, is creatively setting up opportunities to impact the lives of ex-agitators, beyond dependence on their N65,000 monthly stipends.
The administrator, speaking on the theme of the Poverty Eradication Day, ‘’Decent Work And Social Protection: Putting Dignity In Practice For All’’, said that PAP had introduced many initiatives to better the lives of ex-agitators.
He said that the initiatives that PAP had so far introduced, would create windows of opportunities for ex-agitators to escape the prediction of the World Bank which estimates that over the next decade, “one billion young people will try to enter the job market, but less than half of them will actually find formal jobs.”
Ndiomu noted that the already floated PAP Cooperative Scheme for ex-agitators, empowerment/vocational trainings and many more initiatives that are still in the pipeline, will solve poverty and change the negative narratives of the region.
He disclosed that over 700 ex-agitators have so far received funding in loans to undertake Agribusiness and other lucrative ventures, while 2,500 applications are waiting to be processed.
He highlighted the 75 pilots and aircraft engineers sponsored by the Presidential Amnesty Programme to various Aviation Training Organizations (ATO’s) in Lagos (Nigeria), Johannesburg (South Africa) and Toulouse, (France) for type-rating courses as part of its aviation training scheme.
Ndiomu recalled that when late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua instituted the PAP in 2009, the age range of ex-agitators who laid down their arms, was between 25 to 30.
According to him, 14 years later after the programme was introduced, those who laid down their arms have now hit an unemployable age range of between 50 and 55 years.
He said that with the reality on ground, PAP’s aim was to channel the mindset of ex-agitators away from formal employment and entitlement mentality, to a more viable and sustainable means of livelihood.
Ndiomu commended President Bola Tinubu for his determination to give further support and sustain the process, and give the PAP more life.
“The President has the interest of the Niger Delta at heart. We will work in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda to change the negative narratives of the region,” he said. (NAN)
Edited by Benson Iziama/Vincent Obi
High food prices put balance diet out of reach of Nigerians- Survey
Community

High food prices put balance diet out of reach of Nigerians- Survey

By Reporters

A cross-section of Nigerians in Abuja says balanced diet is out of their reach, due to the rising food  prices  and dwindling household incomes.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Tuesday that the situation was worse, especially for low income earners in the country.

Some attributed the situation to the current economic situation while others said; they have maintained balanced meals in spite of the dwindling household incomes.

Mrs Susan Akpomera, a Healthy Living Consultant, said that maintaining a balanced diet was not a function of abundance of money but proper meal planning, proportioning and discipline.

According to her, a balanced diet is a meal or diet that contains essential nutrients needed for optimal functioning of the body.

”Therefore a plate of food can contain rice, a piece of meat, vegetable at the side and fruits to be taken after about thirty minutes, this is balanced”, she said.

Akpomera advised families to employ the services of a nutritionist to help in designing a healthy meal plan that would suit the size of their pockets.

Miss Peace Nwankwo, a banker, said eating a balance diet does not have to do with the amount of money you have, adding that, with proper planning, one could still maintained balance diet with a little income.

”With the current economic situation what we need to do is to feed well. We don’t eat to get full rather we eat what will sustain us.

“We need to reduce the number of times we eat to ensure that if we are eating twice a day, it should be good food. A little of all the needed nutrients will go a long way.

”Eating healthy will also keep us away from the hospital. We cannot afford to fall sick with the present economy, so let try to help ourselves,” she said.

Mrs Mary Balogun, a teacher, said that she feed her family with whatever she could afford just to stay alive.

She said” these days, we don’t think of balance diet, all we want is to eat something that will sustain us. Who is talking about balance meal.

“I can’t even afford to eat properly again as food prices continue to surge. Once I can feed my children twice daily, I am satisfied.

Mr Godwin Peter, a civil servant said he and his family eat not to maintain balance diet but to be satisfied and continue their daily activities.

He said in spite knowing the importance of egg for the development of his children, he could no long afford the one egg per day because of the cost.

Peter said that he look forward to a better Nigeria adding that hope is what is keeping him alive.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report, inflation rate in Nigeria has increased to 26.72 per cent in September.

The reports said these increases were observed in food and non-alcoholic beverages at 13.84 per cent and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuel at 4.47 per cent. (NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/ Joseph Edeh

Cash transfer, best way to fight poverty, says Minister
General News

Cash transfer, best way to fight poverty, says Minister

By Ismail Abdulaziz

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu has described the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) as one of the key instruments of fighting poverty globally.

She stated this at the launch of the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash transfer (CCT) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Edu said that the CCT was part of efforts by the Tinubu-led administration to alleviate the immediate effect of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol.

She said that the new initiative would empower the poor and most vulnerable members of the society, adding that the sum was a source of uplifting majority of beneficiaries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CCT launch was heralded by the symbolic handing over of cheques to a number of households at the venue of the event.

The CCT programme was announced by Tinubu during the Independence Day speech, where he said that 15 million households would each be given N25,000 for three consecutive months to alleviate the poverty level.

NAN reports that CCT entails transfers given to beneficiaries based on specific actions such as sending children to school or making regular health visits.

The minister said that N25,000 would be given to each of the beneficiaries  to improve their spending power and economic fortunes in the society.

She also said that the N30,000 Iyaloja loan scheme would soon be started for small-scale traders in the country as part of economic revitalisation and empowerment.

NAN also reports that five beneficiaries; Larai Suleiman, Shuaiabu Hassana, Sariki Gamu, Okor Jonah and Hameed Isiaka, were each given their first monthly instalment payment.

Mr Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, vowed that the CCT programme would be transparent in accordance with extant global practices.

He said that the programme had an in-built mechanism to reveal all the beneficiaries upon an enquiry.

Edun said that programme was one of the various measures taken by President Bola Tinubu to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal.

The World Bank Country Representative, Mr Shubham Chaudhuri, said that the institution was ready to support Nigeria for taking the bold economic measure for diverting funds from the shackles of fuel subsidy.

He said that the bank was interested in helping its 189 member states to eliminate poverty among their different peoples.

Chaudhuri said that the CCT programme was part of the palliatives pledged by the president that would further assuage the immediate effects of the subsidy removal.

He urged the relevant authorities to ensure that the fund reached the most vulnerable members of the society in order to achieve its objectives.

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

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