NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Politics

Group invites technocrats to politics

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By Adeyemi Adeleye/Grace Alegba

The Directorate of Professional Women, Independent Campaign Council (ICC) of the APC Presidential Candidate Committee, Lagos State, on Monday urged technocrats to get actively involved in the nation’s electoral process toward choosing credible leaders.

The Director, TinubuShettima/Sanwo-OluHamzat, ICC, Dr Atinuke Owolabi, made the call at a news conference in Lagos.

She urged technocrats to support the APC Presidential Candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu and re-election of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu because of their track records of empowering professionals.

Owolabi, a professional engineer, called on all professionals, elites and intellectuals “to come out and join in this race; do all we can to win together”.

“We are first and foremost women but then we have an edge. We have been groomed; we have been refined; we have paid our dues in our different fields of endeavor; and thus we are rightly called professional women.

“The task before us is big and important. It behooves on us to make a difference and steer the ship of our nation in the right direction.

“As enormous as it may seem, our task is yet a simple one. All we need do is to participate, getting intentionally involved,” Owolabi said.

According to her, for a very long time the elites in the nation, the professionals, the intellectuals, have not been as involved as they should be when it comes to politics and electioneering process.

She added: “This time around, we will not only make our voices heard, we are going to leverage on our areas of influence to convince people and get them to also participate and get them to be part of this process.

“However, we have gone too far as a nation to start afresh or even make more costly mistakes.

“We not only encourage our people to participate, we will encourage them to choose right because if we lose this opportunity before us, it may take many years to get another. That is if we ever do.”

Stressing the need to support Tinubu, Owolabi, described the APC candidate as a builder.

She said: “He has built great leaders; he has built bridges across the nation; he played a significant role in building Lagos and making Lagos what it is today, the envy of other states.

“We have practically seen what he has done and what he can do.

“Let us all be part of positive history as we bring in our expertise and our experiences to support this great man who has volunteered to give us a renewed hope as a nation.

“Today, as professionals in different fields, we are using this medium to encourage professionals alike, not to just sit on the fence, we encourage you to be a part of this process and together we make Nigeria great.”

Owolabi called on technocrats to also re-elect Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his right hand genius, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, urging the technocrats to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before INEC deadline.

She said, “If the artisans and traders take it upon themselves to get their PVCs, how much more an elite?”

Owolabi said that anyone who failed to vote in the forthcoming elections did not have rights to complain.

She said that the directorate would be the voice for the professionals and would embark on door-to-door campaign to different estates across the three senatorial districts, sensitising people of PVC collection.

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.

“Let us all vote like our rights depend on it as our vote is our voice as professionals.

“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter to our great nation,” Owolabi said.

The event had in attendance directors in the directorate and the leadership and members of many professional groups. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

Economy/Business

DSS intercepts syndicates allegedly selling new Naira notes

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By Monday Ijeh
 The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has intercepted some syndicates in parts of the country for allegedly selling the new redesigned Naira notes.
This is contained in a statement issued by Dr Peter Afunanya, the Public Relations Officer of the DSS, on Monday in Abuja.
He said the syndicates were intercepted by operatives of the service during an operation.
“Investigation has also shown that some Commercial Bank officials were aiding the  economic malfeasance.  
“Consequently, the Service warns the currency racketeers to desist from this ignoble act.
“Appropriate regulatory authorities are, in this same vein, urged to step up monitoring and supervisory activities to expeditiously  address the emerging trends,” he said.
He said the DSS has ordered its commands and formations to further ensure that all  persons and groups engaged in the illegal sale of the notes were identified.
The DSS spokesman, therefore, urged anyone with useful information relating to the sales of the new currency to pass the same to relevant authorities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deborah Coker/Sadiya Hamza
Health

NMA seeks collaboration to eliminate leprosy

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By Akeem Abas

 

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called for pragmatic collaboration among stakeholders toward eliminating leprosy in 120 countries by 2030, in synchrony with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target.

The NMA President, Dr Uche Ojinmah, made the call in a statement by Dr Sebastine Oiwoh, the Chairman, National Committee on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) of NMA, on Sunday in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NMA had issued the statement in commemoration of the World Leprosy Day 2023, an annual event celebrated every Jan. 29.

Ojinmah had joined medical doctors in reiterating the need to “ACT NOW and END LEPROSY” on the occasion of the 2023 World Leprosy Day.

The NMA president said that through pragmatic collaboration among stakeholders, it was possible to eliminate leprosy.

According to him, we have the power and tools to stop transmission and defeat this disease.

He said that the timely prevention or early diagnosis from the time patient had the painless skin discoloration would help prevent the disability which later occurs.

Ojinmah commended the effort made at controlling and eliminating leprosy, calling for more concerted efforts to meet the target of zero leprosy in 120 countries by 2030, in synchrony with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target.

“Through pragmatic collaboration among stakeholders, it is possible to eliminate leprosy, but the time to start is NOW as we have the power and tools to stop transmission and defeat this disease.

“Timely prevention or early diagnosis from the time patient has that painless skin discoloration will help prevent the disability that later occurs,” he said.

The NMA president said that there was need to prioritise leprosy, using the needed resources, commitment and the political will so that the unreachable could be reached.

He also stressed the need for sustained funding from the States and Federal Government to ensure adequate manpower as well as the availability of drugs at all times.

Ojinmah described leprosy as an ancient, stigmatising and infectious neglected tropical disease of man caused by Mycobacterium leprae.

He also described it as one of the oldest diseases of mankind that, in spite of the previous successes, had recently seen a downward global trend of diagnosis following the simultaneous COVID-19 pandemic.

“This caused a 30 per cent drop below the 200,000 people annually diagnosed with leprosy before COVID-19, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“This disabling disease has plagued mankind for at least 4000 years through respiratory droplet infection as well as by prolonged contact.

“Depending on the burden of infection, it affects the lining of the upper respiratory tract, the skin, the peripheral nerves and the eyes, among others,’’ Ojinmah said.

According to him, it is not spread through casual contact like shaking hands or hugging, sharing meals, or, sitting next to a person with leprosy.

“However, it is curable and preventable, if adequate health education, early presentation to the hospital with prompt diagnosis followed by timely treatment initiation and adequate and sustained surveillance are ensured.’’(NAN)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Olagoke Olatoye

Health

SFH retreat will rewrite constructs of Africa health system

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By Augusta Uchediunor

 

The Society for Family Health (SFH) , an NGO, says its international retreat on Monday will among other issues rewrite the constructs of the Africa health system.

This is with a clear focus on stronger partnership, forward thinking science and an untiring commitment to transforming health outcomes for all.

The Managing Director of SFH, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, said the retreat marks the end of the operation of the SFH strategic plan, Facilitating People-Centred Healthcare (FPCH)

“The retreat marks the end of the operation of the SFH strategic plan, Facilitating People-Centred Healthcare (FPCH), and heralds the development of a new strategy for the next generation.

“This will be the basis of the operations of the organisation.

“This next strategy calls us to leverage our 40 years of experience to rewrite the constructs of the Africa health system.

“This is with a clear focus on stronger partnership, forward thinking science and an untiring commitment to transform health outcomes for all,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat is scheduled to start on Monday, Jan. 30.

It is to map out work strategy and celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Society for Family Health (SFH).

The Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib; Lagos and Ekiti states Health Commissioners, Prof. Akin Abayomi and Dr Oyebanji Filani, and other eminent technocrats and government officials will be in attendance.

“The retreat, which is to be held in the Lagos  is also a precursor event to the year-long 40th anniversary celebration of SFH.

“During which the organisation will take stock of its achievements in the last 40 years and look to a future of more successes in the healthcare space.

“This anniversary is a unique opportunity to tell our stories and to celebrate the people we serve – our donors, and our governments.

“This retreat, therefore, is an opportunity for us to pause, reflect, unlearn, learn and re-ignite our collective purpose to finish the job we have started, working with our partners,’’ said Prof Ekanem Ikpi Braide, President of the Board of SFH.

SFH prides itself for contributing substantially to Nigeria’s health sector achievements in the last 40 years.

This is including the reduction of maternal mortality from 1,000 per 100,000 live births in 1985 to 512/100,000 live births in 2021, and infant mortality rate coming down from 132 per 1,000 in 1985, to 54 per 1,000 live births in 2022.

It has also been a leader in family planning, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, nutrition, hypertension, diabetes, and COVID among others.

Leaders from SFH branches in the four Anglophone West African nations—Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria will be attending the two-day retreat. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

 

Politics

Lagos PDP guber candidate tasks IG-P on spate of attacks during campaigns

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By Adeyemi Adeleye

The PDP Governorship Candidate in Lagos, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), has appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, to take measures to check incessant attacks on his campaign trains.

Adediran, at a news conference on Sunday, also called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intervene in the attacks.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adediran’s campaign train had been attacked by political thugs in Badagry, Ikorodu, Agege, Kosofe and Surulere, leaving some of his followers wounded and vehicles smashed.

It was also reported that the attack on Friday in Surulere was the third attack in succession where suspected hoodlums were said to have fired guns and destroyed some of the campaign vehicles in Adediran’s convoy.

Clearing issues around various attacks, Adediran noted that his change of campaign strategies by going to the people through his ward tours to sell himself to them had exposed him and his followers to huge threats and harassment from political thugs.

“I have constitutional backing to go everywhere to campaign for this election.

“Many of the people attacked are here because these attacks are not about me but the people, hence the account we are giving now.

“At Surulere, the moment I stepped out of the mosque, these boys came and began to shout “where is Jandor?”, and started to shoot everywhere. I quickly entered my car and we drove away.

“The thugs hijacked one of our cars. Before we knew it, all our campaign vehicles were damaged and the party secretariat was also damaged.

“We still want the IGP to take these happenings in Lagos State very seriously. Police should please live up to its constitutional responsibility of protecting our lives and property,” he said.

Adediran, who noted that his team had severally reported all the attacks to the police, said that there were video clips and pictures of the attacks.

He lamented that in most of the places, political thugs were also in the habit of harassing and dispersing people waiting to receive him.

Adediran explained that his running mate, Ms Funke Akindele, was also chased out of the Fruit Market in Kosofe by thugs while some others mounted a road block against his passage in the same council and resorted to hurling stones and bottles at him.

“We will go out there and continue with our campaign. We don’t want anybody to harass us, we don’t want to be intimidated.

“I have been speaking to the people, interacting with artisans, professional and religious groups as well as various associations and stakeholders.

“We were attacked in Badagry, Agege, Kosofe and Surulere in Lagos.

“All these happened in Lagos. Our expectation was that the Chief Security Officer of the state would have addressed the people of Lagos and condemned the attacks in its entirety, but nothing of such happened.

“We believe that they (the ruling party) actually want to use that to scare us away from embarking in the ward-to-ward tour. We will forge ahead,” he said.

Urging no one to twist the story, Adediran said that his followers could not have attacked the people he wanted to sell his manifestoes to, as was being alleged.

According to him, his team will not succumb to any threat from anywhere but will got out and engage the people at the grassroots, telling them what he would do differently if elected.

Adediran said that political actors should not resort to violence but allow the people of the state to select their leaders.

Stressing that the party had written an official petition to the IGP on the attacks, Adediran urged the police to do the needful.

Also speaking, Mrs Aduke Akinde, a PDP leader at Iponri in Surulere, said that party members were preparing and waiting to receive Adediran and his team when masked political thugs drove in and destroyed the rented canopies and chairs on Thursday.

In her comment, Mrs Idowu Adeniyi (Iyalaya), a trader at fruit market in Kosofe, who is a PDP member, said that since the foiled attempt of Akindele to campaign in the market, the market authorities had not allowed them to enter their shops.

“Up till now, no opportunity to enter the market. We plead for help; we are being threatened since Tuesday. Our fruits, apples and bananas must be rotten now,” she said.

In his remarks, Pastor Philips Aivoji, the Lagos State Chairman of PDP, said that there were so many other attacks on PDP members in the state not reported in the media.

Aivoji, who noted that many PDP members in rural places were being threatened, said that election should not be a do-or-die affair.

“These cannot deter us. We will continue to forge ahead because we believe we are on the side of the people. We are not going to be intimidated,” he said.

Reacting to the alleged attacks in a statement on Saturday, Mr Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, accused Adediran of unleashing terror on innocent residents in the course of his campaign in Surulere.

Oladejo condemned the resort to violence on the citizens of the state in the name of electioneering campaign. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Metro

Biu calls for barricades on Ojuelegba bridge

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By Ibironke Ariyo

The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Dauda Biu, has expressed concern over recurring container crashes on Ojuelegba bridge in Lagos.

Consequently, he called for barricades to stop articulated vehicles from using the bridge.

Biu said this in a statement issued by the Federal Road Safety Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, on Sunday in Abuja.

He was reacting to the fatal crashes that occurred at Ojuelegba Bridge in Lagos in which nine people died and another that claimed 11 lives at Soka bridge on Lagos-Benin Highway.

He said that the construction of the barricades would provide permanent solution to the recurring crashes.

Biu also called for the expansion of connecting roads under the Ojuelegba bridge to accommodate articulated vehicles.

He revealed that FRSC rescue teams in collaboration with other emergency agencies had cleared obstructions from the two crash scenes for ease of movement.

Biu added that the driver of the truck that caused the Ojuelegba accident was arrested and handed over to the police, while efforts were on to arrest the driver that caused the Soka bridge crash.

The corps marshal reiterated the need for enforcement of laws that would bring justice to victims of traffic crashes.

“Efforts should be made to activate them so that justice will be served accordingly to both the drivers and the victims,” he added.

The corps marshal cautioned commuters against route violation and driving against prescribed legal speed limits.

He urged the public to call the FRSC toll free line 122 and National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM to report any traffic emergency. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

General News

New Naira: 10 days extension not enough- CPPE

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By Rukayat Moisemhe

 

 Dr Muda Yusuf, Founder, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE) says a further extension by six months is ideal for old naira notes to be phased out of circulation.

Yusuf said this on Sunday in Lagos while reacting to the 10-day extension to the Jan. 31 deadline to change old naira notes to new ones by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the extension was announced on Sunday by the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, in Daura, Katsina State.

According to Yusuf, the 10-day extension is grossly inadequate and can put N100 trillion component of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at risk.

He noted that two critical sectors were particularly vulnerable – trade and commerce; and agriculture.

He said the crippling of business transactions at the distributive trade end amid the currency swap crisis would not only undermine these sectors but would have a knock-on effect on manufacturing value chain and the services sectors.

“This is because whatever is produced has to be sold; the trading end of the chain has been greatly disrupted by this currency swap crisis.

“The trade sector contributes about 14 per cent of GDP, and the agricultural sector contributes 25 per cent; with most of the activities in the rural or informal sectors of the economy.

“These are the sectors that have been driving the resilience of the Nigerian economy amid numerous domestic and global headwinds.

“Any policy measure that would negatively disrupt these sectors should be avoided,” he said.

Yusuf added that for an economy that was tottering on the brink, the capacity to absorb shocks and disruptions such as a currency swap was severely constrained.

He noted that with 133 million Nigerians in poverty, inflicting additional hardship on the citizens would be unfair, insensitive and inconsiderate.

He stated that the vote buying argument was not compelling enough to justify the scale of pain, agony, trauma and economic disruptions foisted on Nigerians by this currency swap pandemonium.

He furthered that the argument that currency swap would enhance monetary policy effectiveness and curb inflation had no strong basis in economic theory.

Yusuf noted that the total money supply in the Nigerian economy as at December 2022 was N52 trillion; total currency was N2.6 trillion.

“Thus, cash as percentage of money supply was only 5 per cent, which implies that 95 per cent of money is still within the banking system.

“It is, therefore, a gross misrepresentation to give the impression that 85 per cent of money is outside the banking system.

“Given the size of the Nigerian economy, our large population of over 200 million people, the dominance of the rural economy, the huge informal sector, the literacy level, and the over 30 million Nigerians that are unbanked, a minimum of six months window ought to have been given for the currency swap exercise.

“The CPPE, therefore, calls for the urgent intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari to save millions of Nigerians from the anguish and pain of the current stampede of currency swap inflicted by an unrealistic timeline and glaring capacity gaps in the management of the process,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

Science & Tech

NGO trains 5,000 people on data privacy

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By Stellamaris Ashinze

 

Data Knowledge  Information  Privacy  Protection  Initiative (DKIPPI), a Non -Government  Organisation (NGO), has trained no fewer than 5,000 people on Data  Privacy.

The Chief Executive Officer  (CEO) of DKIPP,  Mr Tokunbo  Smith, said this at a news conference held on Saturday in Lagos to commemorate Data Privacy  Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Data Privacy Day is an international effort to highlight importance  of data privacy  and ensure its compliance.

Smith said that the training of the training was on capacity  building to promote data processing practices that safeguard the security of personal data and privacy of data subjects.

He said that the  NGO had contributed and was presently contributing to the development of Data Privacy and Protection in Nigeria.

Smith said there had been capacity building in digital literacy to the public to improve the level of data, knowledge and information privacy and protection.

According to him, it is through appropriate use of information technologies.

“Our desires to create awareness on Data privacy and educate the public on the importance of data privacy is already yielding positive results,” he said.

Smith, however  said  that the Federal Government  through  the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) had been very supportive  in promoting  digital  privacy.

He said that the Federal Government had provided cash, materials for learning and other incentives.

Also, speaking  at the event,  Mr Doyin Talabi,  a Data Consultant, said that data would be the new “oil”, and if not well protected would lead to damage.

He said that it was very  important  to create awareness  of data privacy to ensure privacy and security.

“It is because all of us, both in the private and public sector,  individuals, have personal information  that must be kept private,” he said.

Talabi said that such awareness of the need for data privacy  would preserve lives, physical and mental  health.

Also, Mr Kunle Adesida, an Engineer and Co-Founder of Cranium  Integrated Solutions Limited, while relating to the health sector, said that data privacy was the bedrock to seamless and effective health care delivery.

He said that health care delivery  would become perfect  if the patient had emotional  satisfaction that their psyche was being  worked on to enable delivery of adequate information to their physicians.

Adesida said that most patients did not give  enough  information  when it comes to health  care delivery.

According to him, that is why data privacy  is something  that everyone  needs  to come out and celebrate.

He, however,  urged  the government  to give enough  financial  strength and put in place policies to ensure that all sectors across the nation focus on data privacy.

“I believe it will take us a long way,” Adesida said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Vivian ihechu

Economy/Business

ASSBIFI commends extension of validity of old Naira notes

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By Esenvosa Izah

 

The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) on Sunday in Lagos endorsed the extension of the validity of old naira notes from Jan. 31 to Feb. 10.

Its president, Mr Olusoji Oluwole, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the CBN decision to extend the deadline was a step in the right direction.

CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, in a statement on Sunday said the CBN added a 10-day extension of the deadline of Jan. 31 to Feb. 10, to allow for the collection of more old notes.

He also noted that Nigerians would still have grace period to deposit their old notes directly with the CBN until Feb. 17.

“It is a step in the right direction, especially in providing more time for the return of old notes after the actual date of invalidation.

“CBN, however, needs to proactively monitor and address sufficient availability and distribution of the new notes.

“It should also increase sensitisation of, and probably incentivising the general public on the cashless policy to reduce the pressure on cash,’’ Oluwole said.

Banks have been contending with increased number of customers rushing to beat the Jan. 31 deadline given by CBN for the return of old naira notes which would cease to be legal tender.

New N200, N500 and N1,000 notes became legal tender on Dec. 15, 2022 after they were unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Nov. 23, 2022.

Many bank customers, however, complained that the new notes were not readily available and have yet to circulate adequately four days to the expiration of the old notes. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Alli Hakeem

Health

Brain Drain: Former Commissioner wants medical practitioners involved in policy making

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By Kemi Akintokun

Dr Jide Idris, the Convener, Healthcare Transformation Coalition (HTC), has urged medical professionals to contribute to policy making that will address brain drain and other lingering issues in the health sector.

Idris, a former Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, made the call on Saturday at a programme organised by HTC under the auspices of the Lagos State Health Service Commission, to address brain drain in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme was ”Imperatives of Brain Drain in the Health Sector”.

“We initiated this event to listen to our young professionals in the medical line why they are not happy and also want to leave the country and practice elsewhere.

“There are many causes to the challenge anda major part of it revolve around management of human capacity.

“This is an election period and a good opportunity for us to contribute to policy making by ensuring that we put the right leader in place to formulate good policies that will move the sector forward.

“Health is everybody business and just for the government alone,” he said.

He added that there was the need to train more healthcare personnel and have health financing grants to fill the gap created by those who have left and also improve their welfare.

Also, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, said a rapid exit replacement strategy should be in place to address brain drain.

”Brain drain is not something that is new, it has existed for many decades and it has affected all professional cadre of the country.

”Nigeria is a natural exporter of human capital and this is because we don’t produce planes, equipment and the likes.

”We must make more healthcare professionals to address this issue and our institutions must pay attention to the selection process of medical students,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Muyiwa Eniayewun, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Service Commission, said the number of medical practitioners produced should be increased to mitigate brain drain effects.

Eniayewun said: ”For instance, we produce 3,000 doctors in the country annually; but I believe with this present challenge we should be able to do 10,000 to maintain a balance and sustain the system,” he said.

NAN reports that a panelist session was also held for young medical practitioners to discuss and proffer solutions to the current trend of “Japa” (human capital flight) in various medical fields.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Vivian Ihechu

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