Political and Industry leaders have underscored African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) pivotal role in supporting African countries in the areas of health security.
They spoke at the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to them, the institution has played critical role especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing medical infrastructure challenges through the Africa Medical Center of Excellence (AMCE).
The theme, “Building the Future on Decades of Resilience”, informs the institution’s continued endeavours to transform trade, attract investment and unlock economic prosperity for Africa.
The Senior Executive Vice President, Afreximbank, Mr Denys Denya, highlighted the institution’s strategic interventions during global health and economic crises.
Denya said the medical center and pandemic support initiatives reflect the bank’s commitment to addressing systemic challenges facing African economies, particularly in healthcare and economic stability.
“During COVID-19, we came in with critical support mechanisms to help member states navigate unprecedented challenges’’.
“The bank introduced innovative financial instruments designed to mitigate the pandemic’s economic impact on African countries,” he said.
On medical infrastructure breakthrough, he noted that a landmark achievement was the completion of the first AMCE in Abuja, directly addressing critical healthcare infrastructure challenges.
“We completed the first Africa Medical Center of Excellence here in Abuja to address the outflow of foreign currency and medical tourism,” the executive stated.
According to him, the AMCE represents a strategic initiative to reduce Africa’s dependence on external medical services and strengthen continental healthcare capabilities.
On crisis response strategy, he noted that the bank’s approach extended beyond immediate financial support.
“During the Ukraine crisis of 2022, we introduced innovative instruments to support member states, highlighting the institution’s adaptive response to global economic disruptions.
Denya said Afreximbank’s interventions demonstrated the critical role of African financial institutions in providing counter-cyclical support during global challenges.
“We have supported the continent’s resilience by establishing innovative financial mechanisms during unprecedented times,” he noted.
Similarly, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), affirmed that Afreximbank emerged as a critical first responder during health emergency, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Afreximbank has repeatedly risen to the occasion when Africa needed it most,” Cardoso said.
He highlighted the bank’s strategic interventions in public health.
“The bank’s commitment to healthcare reached a pinnacle with the launch of AMCE, a groundbreaking initiative developed in partnership with King’s College London,” he said.
He said that Prof. Benedict Oramah, the bank’s President, described this as realising a decade-long dream to bring world-class medical facilities to the continent.
He noted that the centre representd a transformative approach to addressing Africa’s healthcare challenges, showcasing the bank’s resilience and forward-thinking strategy.
In his message, Mr Samaila Zubairu, African Finance Corporation (AFC) President and the Chief Executive Officer of Alliance of African Financial Institution (AAMF), lauded the bank’s commitment to healthcare development.
According to him, the institution is spearheading transformative health infrastructure programmes across the continent.
“We are together building the African Medical Center of Excellence.
“The initiative aims to strengthen medical facilities and improve healthcare access for millions of Africans.
“The bank’s approach goes beyond traditional financing, seeking to create comprehensive healthcare solutions that support economic development.
“By investing in medical infrastructure, Afreximbank is addressing critical gaps in the continent’s healthcare system.
“Our most important goal is to create transformational projects that will move and transform Africa.
“This initiative represents a significant step toward improving healthcare resilience and capacity across Africa, with potential long-term economic and social benefits, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Some medical experts have advocated for a comprehensive national audit of maternal deaths, emphasising the critical role of autopsies in understanding and reducing mortality rates across Nigeria.
Speaking on the sidelines of a media chat in Lagos, the medical researchers stressed the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to investigating maternal mortality, which currently remains a significant public health challenge.
Prof. John Obafunwa, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), said: “Every sudden, unexpected maternal death qualifies for an autopsy.
“Our current data collection methods are incomplete and fail to capture the full spectrum of maternal health challenges.”
Obafunwa, also a Specialist Forensic Pathologist, said the national audit of maternal deaths should extend beyond tertiary medical centres.
He emphasised that it should incorporate data from secondary and primary healthcare facilities, including local midwives and traditional birth attendants.
Prof. Oliver Ezechi, a Director of Research at NIMR, also emphasised the critical importance of implementing a national maternal mortality audit that includes comprehensive autopsy investigations to address Nigeria’s high maternal death rates.
According to him, most maternal deaths are sudden and unexpected, making them prime candidates for thorough pathological examination.
“Every sudden, unexpected death qualifies for autopsy,” the specialist noted, stressing the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding maternal mortality.
“The proposed national audit should focus on the three leading global causes of maternal deaths: bleeding, hypertension, and infections,’’ Ezechi, an Obstetrician Gynaecologist said.
However, the professor of maternal, reproductive and child health argued that simply identifying these causes was insufficient, saying a deeper, more systematic investigation was required.
Key recommendations, according to him, are mandatory reporting of all maternal deaths, a “no-blame” review process and multi-disciplinary investigations involving pathologists, obstetricians, and healthcare professionals.
Also, a comprehensive autopsy protocol to establish precise causes of death is essential.
Ezechi recalled historical medical practices in the country whereby every maternal death required a detailed explanation, suggesting a return to more rigorous medical accountability.
The initiative aimed to create a robust healthcare framework that can effectively track, analyse, and ultimately reduce maternal mortality rates in Nigeria.
By establishing a national audit system, healthcare professionals hope to not only understand the root causes of maternal mortality but also develop targeted interventions to prevent future deaths.
He asserted that adopting the approach would be a critical step toward improving maternal healthcare and reducing mortality rates across Nigeria.
The OBGY identified bleeding, hypertension, and infections as the primary causes of maternal mortality, highlighting the need for more in-depth research and systematic data collection.
Ezechi urged that government and private sector support would be crucial in implementing this comprehensive approach to maternal healthcare monitoring and improvement. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Redeemer’s University, Ede, in Osun, on Tuesday distributed foodstuffs, clothing and other items to indigent residents in the community.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme, tagged “Love Show Case”, was part of ongoing activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the university.
Speaking during the programme, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university, Prof. Shadrach Akindele, said that the distribution of the items was in the fulfilment of the scripture to show love to mankind.
Akindele, represented by his deputy, Prof. Peter Aderonmu, said the university wanted the host community “to feel the love of its 20th anniversary”.
“We are in such an economy that people at the top don’t bother about what happens to the people at the grassroots .
“One of the ways to show the love of Christ is to reach out to them and that is what we are doing today.
“The university will continue to show love to the residents in the community,” he said.
Also, Prof. Olalere Adeyemi, Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, said the gifts were to bring succour to indigent residents in the community.
“The university is sitting on a tripod of teaching, research and community service.
“What we are doing today is to fulfill the third aspect of it, which is community service through the showing of love.
“Now that we are doing our anniversary, we want to give back to the society”, he said.
Earlier, the wife of the VC, Mrs Hannah Akindele, urged the beneficiaries of the items to continue to pray for the progress of the university.
One of the beneficiaries, Opeyemi Ibrahim, commended the management of the university for the gesture.
According to Ibrahim, the few items I collected will go a long way to meet my needs.
Similarly, Ajibola Kareem, another beneficiary, said that the gesture of the university should be emulated by others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that items distributed include; food, clothing, shoes, sanitary pads, electronics gadgets, among others.
The beneficiaries were given numbers to pick items of their choice, while the distribution of electronics gadgets such as washing machine, freezer and mobile phones were done through a raffle draw. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
In Nigeria, a silent and rapidly escalating crisis—Gaming and Gambling Addiction—is overwhelmingly affecting public health and social well-being, particularly among the youth.
Physical ailments like hypertension, diabetes and cancer often overshadow public health discussions, but mental and social well-being are emerging as critical, often-overlooked, drivers of risky behaviours such as problem gaming and gambling.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines gambling as risking something of value on an uncertain outcome for a potential increased return.
This includes traditional betting, casino games, lotteries, and bingo, with electronic gambling machines (EGMs) and certain online casino games carrying the highest risk of harm.
The lines between “gambling” and “gaming” are increasingly blurred, especially as modern gaming platforms incorporate “gambling-like” elements such as “loot boxes’’.
Regardless of whether it’s skill or chance, the consequences are alarmingly similar – severe financial stress, relationship breakdowns, family violence, profound mental illness, and even suicide from unmet expectations or commitments.
So grave is the concern of addiction that in 2018, the WHO formally added both online and offline gaming disorder to its International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), describing it as “a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behaviour” that “takes precedence over other life interests.”
The escalating societal impact was the central focus of the Responsible Gaming Symposium, organised by Gamble Alert, an NGO.
Under the theme, “Building a Sustainable Industry Through Responsible Gaming Practices,” the symposium held in Lagos united health professionals, industry regulators, gaming operators, and researchers to forge a comprehensive framework for addressing gambling addiction and championing player well-being.
Some dignitaries at the Responsible Gaming Symposium, organised by Gamble Alert, an NGO.
Prof. Peter Olapegba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Administration at the University of Ibadan and a Professor of Social/Health Psychology, highlighted how digitisation had profoundly amplified the problem, making gambling “socially acceptable across all age groups” and accessible through smartphones and social media.
His observation, “When you open your Bible app, you even see gambling advertisements” testified to its pervasive integration into daily life.
Olapegba presented alarming statistics that an estimated 60 million Nigerians were actively involved in gambling, collectively spending a staggering 1.8 billion naira daily.
In spite of this massive engagement, he questioned the government‘s oversight, saying, “The government is regulating, but it’s unclear whether they’re promoting or preventing gambling’’.
He warned that gambling becomes problematic “When it pushes you to lose control of your budget, when you can no longer stick to your financial plan.”
Also, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, emphasised that gambling wasn’t just an economic issue, but a critical public health concern affecting mental, social, and physical health.
He was represented by Dr Tolu Ajomale, the Director/Head of Special Projects and Mental Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health.
According to him, the broader scope of health is beyond the purely physical, drawing attention to the often-ignored pillars of holistic well-being.
“Health is wealth when you are well, socially; when you are well, mentally and when you are well, physically’’.
Causes and Negative Impact
Shedding light on the hidden human cost of gambling, he explained that gaming and gambling waves and addiction had become a worrisome behaviour in society, emphasising that it wasn’t just an economic issue, but a critical public health concern affecting mental, social, and physical health.
He linked the rise of addictive behaviours like gaming and gambling to socio-economic pressures, driving individuals, especially younger people, toward gambling as an “escape” mechanism.
According to him, in a challenging economic climate, many individuals seek escape or a misguided path to resilience, sometimes succumbing to vices.
Also, the increasing accessibility of digital platforms places vulnerable populations at greater risk, particularly with younger individuals engaging in online gaming where age verification is a significant hurdle.
“The most concerning, is the fact that with digital platforms making gambling increasingly accessible, vulnerable populations are at greater risk of developing addictive behaviours’’.
While acknowledging the legal and ethical arguments put forth by the gaming industry, the commissioner highlighted the undeniable evidence of gambling addiction’s devastating impact on individuals’ social, mental, and physical health.
“This calls for greater responsibility from gaming operators to ensure players possess the mental capacity and legal maturity to participate.
“Many people who are often involved with gambling become addicts, and evidence of addiction is usually seen in their social lives, to their mental health, to their physical health.
“For the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the repercussions of gambling addiction are a public health problem, demanding proactive measures.
“Yet, the challenge lies in shifting the focus of decision-makers, who often prioritise economic gains over human well-being.
“It always boils down to the naira,” he lamented, referring to the common focus on financial metrics.
Proffering solution, he challenged the industry to prioritise player well-being over profits, suggesting a reframing of the industry’s sustainability
“The sustainability of the gaming industry depends on the well-being of its players’’, saying that a healthy client base is essential for long-term profitability.
Mr Fisayo Oke, CEO and Founder of Gamble Alert, decried the “worrisome loose gaming industry,” asserting that responsible gaming was not just a moral imperative but a critical business strategy.
He stressed that player safety should be mandatory, not optional.
“The sustainability of the industry depends entirely on how safe customers are, highlighting industry accountability and player education as crucial dimensions.
The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) also sounded alarm over rising online gambling risks, especially among the youths.
Mr Bashir Are, CEO of LSLGA, represented by Mrs Adetoun Adeyemi, emphasised their commitment to “promoting responsible gaming and safeguarding the public.
“A partner reported over 180 calls for gambling addiction help between January and July 2024, leading to free counselling,’’ he said.
The LSLGA called for broad stakeholder support to tackle this emerging social challenge.
Indeed, the human toll is stark.
A “gaming/gambling addict’’, Yusuf Adewale (Not real name) lamented how frustrating it was to be hooked on gaming.
“When I sleep, I dream of playing and winning.
“I don dey play for over five years. I have spent plenty money to play. Many times, I don borrow money to play. I play and replay. Yet, I have not won anything.
“I spend all I make on gambling and gaming.’’
Sadly, Adewale said he would keep playing until he, perhaps, wins one day.
Discussions also revealed significant challenges, notably the lack of a centralised database to track self-excluded players, as problem gamblers circumvent exclusion by switching operators.
Industry leaders also acknowledged the problem.
An expert emphasised the critical need for coordinated efforts to protect vulnerable players like Adewale.
However, they asserted that there were mechanisms in place to check gaming addiction and underage gaming, but how many operators adhered to those?
Mr Abayomi Oketope, President of the Association of Casino Owners and Gaming Operators, stressed the need to “build in responsible gaming” for business sustainability.
Mr Gossy Ukanwoke, CEO of BetKing Nigeria, affirmed their commitment to “responsible gaming practices and safeguarding the welfare of customers,” including robust Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols.
Mr Olajide Oladuro, Chairman of the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board, warned against viewing gambling as a career, stating, “Gambling is not a way for anybody to get prosperous.”
He emphasised, “It is just something that you do at leisure with your loose change, and you don’t stay bent on it’’.
To stem the tide, he advocated for extensive grassroots sensitisation, local radio campaigns, strict enforcement against underage gambling, and educating youth about alternative opportunities.
The consensus underscored the industry’s growing awareness of gaming/gambling addiction’s potential to disrupt finances, mental health, and social relationships, demanding urgent societal intervention and robust protective measures.
As such, as the country confronts the growing challenge of gambling addiction, the experts’ passionate plea is a critical wake-up call.
The path forward demands a united front: gaming industries must prioritise player protection, governments must implement robust regulations, and communities must foster awareness about mental health risks.
The true measure of a society’s progress isn’t just economic growth, but how it safeguards the most vulnerable.
By recognising gaming and gambling not merely as an entertainment option, but as a potential public health threat take the first step toward meaningful change.
With digital platforms making gambling increasingly accessible, the stakes have never been higher.
Experts advocate collective responsibility to protect individuals’ well-being, understand underlying triggers, and create supportive environments that offer healthier alternatives to economic and emotional escape.
The conversation has begun. Now, action must follow. (NANFeatures)
*** If used, kindly credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
As part of efforts to fight hunger, the Pukka Logistics and Support Service Ltd., in collaboration with the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), have distributed food items to no fewer than 240 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The outreach to celebrate PWDs in Lagos, was part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the logistics company.
Mrs Florence Austin of CCD, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the event was to distribute rice and groundnut oil to 240 PWDs.
According to her, the PWDs include those with albinism, deafness, blindness, physical challenges, spinal cord injuries, and intellectual disabilities.
“We organised the event through cluster heads to ensure orderly distribution and also provided security due to past incidents.
“The event aims to honour children and PWDs, emphasising the importance of inclusion and support,” she said.
The Managing Director of Pukka Logistics, Mrs Beulah Akingbelu-Banjo, said that the company had initiated an ambitious mission to combat food poverty while also championing the dignity of PWDs.
She said that the company’s latest initiative took a compassionate turn by partnering with the CCD to distribute food items to PWDs.
Addressing clusters of PWDs, she said: “Whether you are created with disabilities or it befell you, you are special. Your life matters.”
“You have a specific purpose in life, the reason and the essence why you are created, and disability or anything else cannot stop you.
“You can see a lot of people who got popular, who got into places they could never have been just by the virtue of the fact that they have some disabilities.
`So, do not despair. It’s such a beautiful thing when people are not limited by their physical abilities anymore,” she said.
Akingbelu-Banjo said that the outreach was with support from British-Indian business partners Jai Mahtani and Sudeep Ramnani,
“Their goal extends beyond mere food distribution — it’s about restoring dignity, challenging perceptions, and proving that disability is not inability.’’
Pukka Logistics and Support Service Ltd., in collaboration with Center for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) distribute food items to PWDs in Lagos State.
Mr Anuoluwayinka Isaac, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Association of the Blind and an entrepreneur, lauded the programme for providing food support to alleviate the effects of subsidy removal and hunger, especially significant during the festive period. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Duchess International Hospital has performed a successful complex “open-heart” surgery operation on a five-year-old boy (known as “Master D”), born with a life-threatening congenital heart condition known as Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF).
ToF is a significant heart defect that affects the normal flow of blood through the heart and lungs.
L-R: Dr Tokunbo Shitta-Bey, Chief Executive Officer, Duchess International Hospital Ikeja; Dr Mudasiru Salami, Consultant Cardiothoracic and Pediatric Surgeon; Dr Bassey Udom, Cardiac Intensivist and Anesthetist; Mr Ademola Adetona and his wife, Mrs Olutope, parents of Master D; Mrs Adeola Lawal, Team Lead, ICU & CCU ; Mr Ayomide Ajani, Center Manager, Cardiac Theatre & Endoscopy and Dr Olajide Ojo, Clinical Director at a news conference in Lagos on Monday, May 26, 2025, to announce the successful complex open-heart surgery on Master D, a 5-year old boy at Duchess International Hospital.
The multidisciplinary surgical team, led by Dr Mudasiru Salami, undertook the procedure over three days in May 2025, saving the child’s life and marking a significant medical achievement for the hospital.
Dr Adetokunbo Shitta-Bey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Duchess International Hospital, who spoke with newsmen in Lagos on Monday, explained that the complex surgical procedure was successfully performed in stages over a combined period of approximately 14 hours.
He said it took place between May 19 and May 21, 2025.
According to him, a combined multidisciplinary team of specialised cardiac surgeons, cardiac anaesthetists, perfusionists, and intensivists among others, led by Salami, a Consultant Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon, achieved the feat.
He said that Master D had since made a remarkable recovery under the watchful eye of the intensive care team of the Duchess International Hospital’s Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU).
“He has now been transferred from the CICU for routine observation in the Paediatrics ward,” he said.
Explaining further why this is a great medical feat, Shitta-Bey said that in a normal heart, blood flows to the lungs from the right chambers of the heart to receive oxygen from the lungs.
“Whereas in a heart affected by a Tetralogy of Fallot, the defect causes the blood (which is low in oxygen) to flow in the wrong direction, by-passing the lungs and causing low energy levels.
“In Master D, it also presents with a persistent blue discolouration of his lips and tissues, chronic fatigue, shortness of breath and recurring chest infections.
“All these are classic signs and symptoms of this severe and debilitating congenital heart defect’’.
He said that the patient suffered from the four component malformations of this composite heart disease.
This included a hole in the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart, a narrowing of the valve of the main artery carrying blood to the lungs.
According to him, he also suffered a thickening of the muscle of the right lower chamber of the heart due mainly to a forced protracted increase in pressure and workload.
He added that it included poor positioning of the main artery that carries blood from the heart allowing blood to bypass the lungs and deliver blood poor in oxygen to the tissues and organs of the body.
“In most developed health systems around the world, this heart condition, which is present from birth, would normally be treated by an open-heart surgery operation within six to nine months of birth to prevent further complications occurring in the years to come.
“In Master D’s case, he has had to wait several long years before his delayed presentation at Duchess International Hospital at five years of age”.
Explaining further, Salami, a Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, said that to perform such complex open-heart surgery in Master D’s case, the heart had to be arrested for the first five and a half hours.
“This was a huge risk.
“But the first miracle was that the heart came back instantly,’’ Salami remarked.
He emphasised the importance of teamwork, dedication, specialised clinical expertise and cutting-edge medical technology available at the Duchess International Hospital as essential ingredients in the overall success of the procedure.
He thanked Duchess Hospital staff for their show of humanity in donating fresh blood to transfuse the patient at a time this was critically needed.
Mother of the patient, Mrs Olutope Adetona, while speaking, thanked the Duchess Hospital for saving the life of her last-born child.
She noted that she had confidence that the hospital would be able to save her son after watching testimonials of satisfied patients on YouTube who had undergone open heart surgery at the hospital.
Adetona urged parents not to hide any challenge in the family but to speak out so that help can come in time.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that in less than four years of its existence, the Duchess International Hospital, which was opened to patients on Oct. 22, 2021, has continued to be a shining light in the delivery of affordable quality healthcare in Nigeria and Africa.
Its cutting-edge medical technology and experienced teams of specialised clinical, non-clinical and allied healthcare professionals have worked tirelessly to reverse the trend of medical tourism abroad.
It has also worked to build confidence and trust in healthcare services in Lagos and across Nigeria.
The hospital has noted an increasing trend of Nigerians in the diaspora coming back home to patronise its services in Lagos. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Centre for Advancement and Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable People (CAPRIGHTS-VP) has called for the protection of child domestic workers, from widespread maltreatment and exploitation across Nigeria.
The advocacy centre spearheading the “Protect Child Domestic Workers (PCDW) from Maltreatment” programme, noted that thousands of children, some as young as 10 years, were enduring hazardous conditions.
These conditions according to the centre, ranges from abuse to the denial of fundamental rights, despite existing legal safeguards.
The Grant/Programme Manager of CAPRIGHTS-VP, Ngozi Arinze, made the call during a school sensitisation outreach at the Muslim Junior College, Egbe, Lagos State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach has the theme: “Protecting Child Domestic Workers from Maltreatment”.
Centre for Advancement and Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable People (CAPRIGHTS-VP) school sensitisation outreach on protection of CDWs, at the Muslim Junior College, Egbe, Lagos State, on Wednesday
Arinze, also a lawyer, educated the students on their five basic rights as children, listing them as the right to education, health, safety, family life and recreation/play.
She said that while some child domestic workers enjoyed good treatments from their guardians/employers, some were deprived of these rights .
“The deprived ones often endure harsh living and working conditions, with limited access to education and healthcare,” she said.
Arinze reminded the students that the ‘Child Rights Law’ stated that at all times, the best interest of the child should be the primary consideration.
She called for collective efforts to protect children serving as house helps, commonly referred to as “Omo-Odo”.
The Project Coordinator of CAPRIGHTS-VP, Mercy Joshua, anchored the interactive session, where she addressed the students and teachers in Yoruba.
The session was in line with the school’s observance of Yoruba-Speaking Day every Wednesday, as practised in the state’s public schools.
Joshua said, “Every child has the right to education, just like each of you here today.
“No child should be deprived of this right, as education is the foundation of a brighter future.
“Education helps shape children into responsible adults and plays a major role in reducing the number of dysfunctional families in our society,”.
During the interactive session, some students, however, stated that some CDWs were indeed present in their school.
They committed to reporting any observed cases of abuse, whether among fellow students, within the community, or at home, moving forward.
Joshua encouraged both students and teachers to report cases of child abuse or maltreatment, particularly those involving CDWs, to CAPRIGHTS-VP.
She assured them that all reported cases would be handled confidentially and appropriately referred through CAPRIGHTS-VP’s partnerships with government ministries, health institutions and other NGOs.
Also, the organisation’s Communications Officer, Ugwueze Chinecherem, demonstrated how to call the toll-free helplines (0800 800 8001 or 0800 004 4444) emphasising that the call was free.
She stressed that the provision was made to eliminate any excuses and ensured that every child could report abuse or rights violations, without financial barriers.
An official of the school who pleaded anonymity, expressed deep appreciation to CAPRIGHTS-VP for their consistent commitment and sacrifices in championing the rights of vulnerable children.
She encouraged both teachers and students to make use of the toll-free lines to report any case of abuse or rights violations.
No fewer than 800 students and 20 teachers were in attendance at the school assembly for the outreach. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Oniru of Iru, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal Abisogun II, on Tuesday urged men to treat women as equals and not as property.
He made the call during Nigeria’s 3rd Men-Only Townhall Meeting, held at Oniru Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event’s theme was: ‘Strengthening Family and Community Bonds: The Role of Men in Protecting Women and Girls’.
Community leaders, religious figures, and professionals attended the event to explore ways to promote cultural accountability and shared responsibility.
“Men must stop viewing women as possessions. Women deserve equal rights, voices, and aspirations,” Oba Lawal said.
He further urged men to challenge all forms of abuse and create safe, supportive spaces for women.
In his opening remarks, Lawal highlighted the weight of fatherhood and the need for men to continue learning.
He stressed the important role religious leaders play in protecting women and girls through education and advocacy.
He pledged Iru community’s support for such programmes, including financial backing for future initiatives.
Chief Abayomi Daramola, Balogun of Iru and Chairman of the meeting, addressed Nigeria’s parenting challenges.
He emphasised a father’s key role in shaping children’s values and character within the home.
Keynote Speaker, Mr Balogun Murtala, called on men to raise empathetic sons and reject the marginalisation of women.
“Men must foster environments where women can thrive and express themselves freely,” he said.
He called for communities to spread messages of care and responsibility towards women and girls.
Sheikh Abulabeebah, Chief Imam and Director at Daaru-Sa’aadah Islamic Centre, stressed early education on marriage and equality for boys.
He urged men to commit fully to protecting and caring for women and girls.
Mr Olamilekan Adewale, a Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, spoke on love and accountability.
He advised men to lead by example and raise children with solid moral foundations.
The Ashipa of Odi Olowo community, Mr Deji Oluwalonimi, said many African problems begin at home.
He urged traditional and royal institutions to confront these issues directly and openly.
NAN reports that the meeting stressed teaching boys cultural values that promote respect for women.
Financial responsibility remains a key role for men, as traditional providers in families.
Participants agreed that caring for women and girls is a duty, not a choice, for all institutions. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
As part of its expertise in minimally invasive procedures particularly for prostates, Kelina Hospital is set to introduce Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP)- robotic surgery.
The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Celsus Undie, made the assertion during a media briefing in Lagos on Friday.
L-R: Dr Vincent Obiwuru , Consultant Anaesthetist; Dr Bertin Njinou,Consultant Urologist; Dr Celsus Undie, Consultant Urologist and President of Kelina Hospital; Erica Idoko, Corporate Relations Manager, Kelina Hospital Lagos, during a news conference on Friday, April 18, 2025.
Undie noted that April 2025 was a milestone in Kelina Hospital as the facility marked the feat of 6,000 surgical operations since inception in 2008.
“So, this month, April, we are marking a milestone in our range of achievements, particularly concerning one of the commonest surgeries we do at Kelina Hospital, known as HoLEP.
“Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HolEP).
“Also, Kelina Hospital marks 500 HoLEP surgeries in six years. Kelina was the first hospital to do HoLEP in Nigeria in 2018.
“We’re introducing robotic surgery as well.
“They’re basically the same, just that in the case of robotic surgery, we use the robots to move the equipment in the body.’’
Undie noted that HoLEP is done for enlarged prostate obstructing urine flow.
“If obstruction is significant and is not relieved, it could damage the kidney, among other damages that it could cost, some of them life-threatening.
“HoLEP is superior to TURP or Open Prostate surgery as patients lose less blood, spend less time on catheters, spend less time on hospital admission , recover faster and return to work earlier.
“The American Urological Association and the European Association of Urology both recommend HoLEP as the best for prostates that are more than 80 to 100g in size.
“Patients who cannot pass urine and are catheterised are advised never to carry their catheters for several weeks before prostate surgery, as this causes a lot of complications including infection’’.
He expressed happiness that Dr Bertin Njinou Ngninkeu, a robotic surgeon, was joining the team.
According to him, Ngninkeu is a regular surgeon with the hospital, licensed to practice in Nigeria, and licensed by the American Medical Council to be with them.
Undie said it was disturbing that many Nigerians travelled abroad for even minor procedures.
He affirmed that Kelina hospital was equipped to offer similar health care services at even more affordable cost.
He encouraged Nigerians to seek treatment at Kelina Hospital instead of traveling abroad for routine procedures.
“We offer comparable, if not superior, care with advanced technology right here in Nigeria.”
“It is disheartening to see people fly abroad for routine procedures like appendectomy, hernia repair, lipoma excision, or prostate biopsy.
“These are procedures that typically take less than an hour.
“Travelling 12 hours for such minor surgeries not only reflects poorly on us, but it also exposes patients to unnecessary risk.
“Several patients have returned from overseas with complications, including infections, after minor procedures like prostate biopsy.
“We are just introducing new technology’’.
Erica Idoko, Head of Corporate Relations, Kelina Hospital, said staff and surgeons working in the hospital were periodically sent for training across the world to ensure the best knowledge and expertise is gained to give better health services to the public.
According to Idoko, the hospital also gives room for partnership with surgeons from around the world as long as they are licensed to operate in Nigeria
Dr Bertin Ngninkeu, a Urologist, emphasised the increasing prevalence of prostate cancer among black men globally, citing genetic factors as a primary reason.
Ngninkeu, a Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgeon, emphasised the importance of early detection through Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood tests starting at age 40 for individuals with risk factors, such as a family history of prostate cancer.
According to him, timely diagnosis significantly improves treatment outcomes.
He also highlighted the benefits of good nutrition and said that people should consume food items like broccoli, cucumber, garlic, green tea, and cooked tomatoes, to help in cancer prevention.
Continued investment, political will, and community-driven action are critical to promoting access to Family Planning (FP) services and safe motherhood across the country, the Development Communications Network (DEVCOMS) says.
The Project Lead, DEVCOMS, Mr Onche Odeh, made the assertion in commemoration of the 2025 Motherhood Day in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the day, celebrated annually on April 11, aims to raise awareness about maternal health, had the 2025 theme as: “Healthy Beginnings; Hopeful Futures”.
Odeh said that more was still required to be done to ensure that family planning services reached every woman, man, and young person who needed them—no matter where they lived.
He decried the loss of thousands of women to pregnancy related complications annually in Nigeria.
According to him, many of these deaths are preventable through proper spacing and voluntary family planning.
He said as the world commemorates the 2025 Safe Motherhood Day, “Nigeria celebrates a quiet but powerful revolution safeguarding the lives of mothers and children: the rise in access to FP and childbirth spacing services across the country”.
According to him, states across Nigeria are translating family planning commitments into visible progress.
He explained that through government leadership, community engagement, youth-centred services, and strategic partnerships, there were growing signs of impact.
“Health facilities are experiencing increased client trust and local governments are mobilising resources to reach more communities.
“Advocacy efforts are helping to reshape public perceptions—particularly through youth engagement, male involvement and outreach to underserved populations.
“Even in complex humanitarian settings, family planning is being integrated with maternal health services, ensuring continuity of care.
“Yet, despite these encouraging gains, much more remains to be done. Progress is not yet uniform and gaps in access, quality and equity persists.
“The path to safe motherhood is not just paved in hospitals. It starts with conversations, choice and community support,” Odeh said.
The Country Team Lead, The Challenge Initiative (TCI) Nigeria, Dr Taiwo Johnson, said that at the heart of this progress was TCI.
According to Johnson, the initiative is a proven model that puts local governments in the driver’s seat to sustainably scale reproductive health solutions.
He said TCI was launched in 2017 to transition the gains of the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) into a platform that empowers state governments to take ownership, scale up proven interventions, and drive impact across more states
He added that the initiative now had an expanded reach that included both urban and underserved rural areas.
He explained that in partnership with over a dozen state governments, TCI was making motherhood safer, families healthier and futures brighter.
According to him, TCI’s impact showed that when women have access to safe, affordable and culturally appropriate FP services, maternal mortality drops, newborn outcomes improve, and families thrive.
“Safe motherhood starts before the first contraction — it begins with informed choices, timely access to family planning, and a community that supports women at every step of their reproductive journey.
“What we are seeing in Nigeria today is a bold move from awareness to action, from promises to programs that truly save lives.
“TCI’s support has proven that states can lead their own reproductive health transformations.
“With growing political will, sustainable funding, and grassroots engagement, Nigeria is closer than ever to making safe motherhood not just a goal — but a guarantee,” Johnson said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yetunde Fatungase/Vivian Ihechu
X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
