Forum - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

isaac aregbesola
Mar, Thu, 2024

FG trains 57 front line health workers to address nutrition problem

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By Franca Ofili

The Federal Government has trained 57 front line health workers on nutrition to enhance optimal Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) communication and services to Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was funded by the World Bank at the tune of 232 million dollars.

NAN reports that the world bank in partnership with the government is implementing a five year nutrition programme called the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN).

The aim of the project was to increase quality and cost-effective nutrition services for pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and children under five years of age.

Mrs Lawal-Aiyedum Olubunmi, Chief Executive Officer, Maternal Adolescent and Reproductive Child Healthcare (MARCH) initiative, told NAN that she would promote and support breastfeeding at the grassroots.

According to her, as a Pediatric Nurse, she would work with some of the participants to train the nurses on proper information on nutrition

“I want to focus on the nurses because they are the foundation of health care system.

“So, when they get it right everybody will get it right because nurses play a vital role in the area of communication and counselling the mothers.

” The nurses work starts from antenatal, delivering of the baby, immunisation and postnatal which is the right avenue to educate mothers on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding,” Olubunmi said.

She promised to cooperate with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives and the National Association of Pediatric Nurses Practitioners to achieve her goal on addressing nutrition problems in Nigeria.

According to her, she planned to train student nurses because they need to have the skills earlier.

Olubunmi advocated the establishment of creches for breastfeeding mothers within the informal sectors to enable them practice exclusive breastfeeding.

“We need to educate women on what is called early initiation of exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding for two years or beyond,” she said.

Olubunmi called on wives of the governors and other women associations to ensure they educate mothers whenever they have programme.

According to her, she will partner with stakeholders to address the needs of children leaving with special needs.

“For children with abnormalities feeding them is a different thing,” she said.

Also, Mr Abba Kyari, Nutrition Officer, NPHCDA, a participant said that complementary feeding has to be age appropriate.

Kyari said that the frequency of giving appropriate food with two to three snacks four times a day was learnt.

He said, “When the child keeps growing the feeding pattern also changes, that means density of the food giving to the child changes.”

Kyari said that he would ensure that healthcare workers are trained on the new ways of practicing exclusive breastfeeding.

He said the training was an eye opener as a lot of new things were learnt.

“The training will help us draw an action plan to various agencies and ministries to see how we can collaborate with the ministry of health to implement various programmes in the community to reduce malnutrition in the country.

“We will ensure that training will be cascaded at the state level, local government level and the health care workers.

” The healthcare workers are at the frontline that will be responsible for providing counselling to the mothers and caregivers and also at the community level,” he said.

Mrs Sarah Ohuche, NPHCDA, also a participant, said that what she knew before was different from what was taught.

Ohuche said that the training would be extended to the health workers, down to the local government and the health facilities to teach them what she learnt

According to her, the new methods that are being used now is WHO standard and I hope to cascaded to the local and state level.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

isaac aregbesola
Apr, Thu, 2023

Forum

UK firm celebrates re-elected Nigerian gov., legislators

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By Abigael Joshua.

TEXEM UK, a leading executive education and consulting services provider, has congratulated its esteemed stakeholders and alumni on their recent success in the Nigerian bipartisan political landscape.

Dr Alim Abubakre, the founder of TEXEM, UK, stated that “by celebrating these visionary stakeholders and spurring them to do more, the organisation is acting as an excellent corporate citizen and living its ethos”.

Abubakre said in a statement on TEXEM’s website, www.texem.co.uk, that the company’s ethos includes inspiring executives and organisations to motivate their stakeholders, optimise performance, maximise impact and achieve sustainable success.

The TEXEM stakeholders/alumni that the organisation celebrates their victories include Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, of Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency in Kogi State, who has been re-elected to the House of Representatives for another term.

Another stakeholder is Hon. Akin Alabi, of Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency in Oyo State, also re-elected to the House of Representatives for another term.

Hon. Chinedu Ogah, currently serving as the Federal Representative representing the Ezza South/Ikwo constituency of Ebonyi State, is re-elected to the House of Representatives for a new term.

Hon. Amadu Jaha is also re-elected, representing the Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok constituency of Borno State at the Federal House of Representatives.

Sen. Umar Sadiq of Kwara North Senatorial district, Kwara State, is re-elected to the Nigerian Senate for another term.

Sen. (Mrs) Akon Eyakenyi, another stakeholder, is elected Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Sen. Mpigi Barinada is also re-elected as Senator for the South-East Senatorial District of Rivers State.

His Excellency, Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, is another TEXEM stakeholder/alumni re-elected for a second term.

“TEXEM UK is proud to have Hon. Abdullahi Halims, Hon. Akin Alabi, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, Hon. Amadu Jaha, Sen. Umar Sadiq, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi, Sen. Mpigi Barinada and His Excellency Dapo Abiodun as its esteemed stakeholders and alumni.

“We recognise their remarkable achievements and contributions to developing their constituencies and the Nigerian nation.

“Their re-election and election victories are a testament to their dedication, hard work, and commitment to service,” Abubakre said.

He said that as a leading provider of executive education, TEXEM UK remains committed to promoting leadership excellence and professional development in Nigeria and beyond.

“I hope this congratulatory message will encourage these politicians to renew their determination to help more people and deploy their communication prowess and quick-witted capability for societal good.

“We believe that these impactful leaders are vital to the development and progress of Nigeria, and we are committed to supporting them in their endeavours,” Abubakre said.

He said the renewed call to service should buoy them to act more decisively and enjoy receiving criticism as it is a means of growing and optimising their capability to enshrine good governance. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Razak Owolabi

Ismail Abdulaziz
Mar, Sun, 2023

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2023 census will be digital- NOA

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By Justina Auta

The 2023 National Population and Housing Census will be conducted digitally to ensure credibility and efficiency, Dr Garba Abari, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), says.

He made this known when he featured on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Sunday.

Abari, who is a member of the National Publicity and Advocacy Committee on Census, said the exercise would be facilitated by the use of digital technology, contrary to previous census conducted in the country.

He said ‘’this is one census that is going to be different from previous ones. To enhance the credibility of the exercise, this census is going to be digital.

‘’In the house listing and numbering, the National Population Commission (NPC) has perfected the space and got the point much beyond what google has done in the mapping.

‘’In terms of specificity and the correctness of the capture of every house and hamlet in Nigeria, NPC has gone far beyond what google had done.

‘’We may not say that we are absolutely 100 per cent correct, but 99 per cent of all houses, structures within the enclave of Nigeria’s territory had been captured digitally, far beyond what google can provide in terms of specificity.’’

The NOA boss explained that the digitalisation of the exercise would enhance credibility, ensure accurate data and respond to modern technology, in line with global practice.

He said ‘’digitalisation will enhance the credibility because there is a common template for

the exercise and that is all will be sent to the cloud.

‘’In our previous census exercises, we allowed perhaps owning to lack of sufficient knowledge about what the entire exercise is about.

‘’It was looked at from the prism of one region is larger than the other; one state is bigger than another, one local government is bigger than another, one senatorial district is bigger than another.

‘’And in the process, you miss out the most important element of the programme, which is getting sufficient data for planning.

“But the 2023 census is going to be a scientific census; a digital census that responds to the reality of today, responds to the information and technological revolution; it is a census that is aimed at bringing in credible, acceptable, open and transparent force,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Ismail Abdulaziz
Mar, Sun, 2023

Forum

Census: NOA begins nationwide sensitisation, advocacy

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By Justina Auta

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has started nationwide sensitisation and advocacy to educate Nigerians about the forthcoming National Population and Housing Census.

Director-General of the agency, Garba Abari, said this when he appeared on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Sunday.

He said that the sensitisation is to enlighten the public about the importance of census toward national planning and development.

Abari, who is a member of the National Publicity and Advocacy Committee for the census said ‘’the National Population Commission (NPC) has an elaborate publicity in the media advocacy workplan that will definitely saturate the airwaves in the next few weeks starting from today.

‘’The NPC is not unaware of the role of advocacy, enlightenment and sensitisation in creating necessary awareness around the census issue.

‘’Now that we have put the general elections behind us, the next important national event ahead of us is the national census,” he said.

He, therefore, appealed to the media, Civil Society Organisations, religious and traditional leaders, as well as other stakeholders to sensitise the public about the exercise and encourage them to participate fully.

‘’The media, community leadership, community ombudsmen, religious leaders, professional groups, everybody will be brought on board through conscious, extensive and expansive process and programmes to ensure necessary knowledge, awareness among Nigerians.

‘’It is not as if Nigerians are not aware of the census, perhaps what they need to see is continuous and consistency in awareness.

‘’There will be consistent messages every minute through the media, radio, social media, town criers, newspaper, television and discussions,’’ he said.

He reiterated the commitment of NOA in carrying out sensitisation programmes across every local government, especially rural areas, on the need to be captured in the exercise. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Ismail Abdulaziz
Mar, Sun, 2023

Forum

2023 Census: Ensure you are counted, NOA tells Nigerians

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By Ikenna Uwadileke

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to make themselves available for counting during the conduct of the 2023 National Population and Housing Census.

The Director-General of NOA, Dr Garba Abari, made the call during the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Sunday.

NAN reports that the country is getting set for national population and housing census in May.

Abari, who is a member of the National Publicity and Advocacy Committee on census, said that the exercise is due to begin on May 3.

He, therefore, appealed to the media to help in educating Nigerians about the importance of presenting themselves for the headcount when it begins.

He said ‘’I urge Nigerians to participate fully in the exercise so as to avail the country of the benefits that can be derived from the population and housing census.

‘’Nigerians, please remember you count, so come out and be counted. Census is for all of us and census is for development and development is all we need.’’

While highlighting the importance of census to national planning and development, he emphasised the need for accurate figures that would be credible and acceptable, saying ‘’in this day and era, we cannot be planning on the basis of conjectures.’’

The NOA boss said that the technology to be deployed for the exercise would facilitate its credibility and acceptability.

“The technology to be deployed will make it difficult for anyone to manipulate the process.

“No doubt, the exercise will be different from previous ones because we are advancing through the use of modern technologies,’’ he said.

He added that so far, every building in the country had been coded for the purpose, assuring Nigerians not to expect manipulations in the forthcoming census.

He expressed the commitment of NOA to mobilise Nigerians for the exercise through robust sensitisation.

He said that the Federal Government’s consideration of the 2023 census as a priority programme in spite of challenges confronting the country underscored why Nigerians should participate in the process.

He added that ”we will ensure that all Nigerians are well informed to be properly counted.

‘’We need to sensitise the population to know the importance of the national population census.

‘’This is for the purpose of planning, legislative representation and insecurity that will reflect the peculiarity of our national demography— men, women, youths and children per local government, state and geo political zone.

‘’Be assured of the commitment to conduct a credible digital census in the country,’’ Abari said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Afonne Emmanuel
Jan, Fri, 2021

Forum

Scotland to return to EU after UK exit, says first minister

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Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Friday that Scotland would soon return to the European Union.

Sturgeon made this known on her twitter page when she wrote, “Scotland will be back soon, Europe. Keep the light on,”

She stressed that Scotland had voted against Brexit in 2016 and the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union took place against the will of the Scottish people.

Sturgeon also called for holding a second referendum on Scottish independence from the United Kingdom.

With the end of 2020, the transition period in the relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union came to an end, with the UK exiting the EU.

This was followed by the signing of the agreement on the post-Brexit relationship between London and the bloc which has now come into force.

In 2014, Scotland had voted for remaining a part of the UK, which was a member of the European Union then.

One of the main arguments of those, who opposed the possible independence, was that the secession would result in an immediate exit from the European Union.

This however seems to have been overtaken by the recent events of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union.(ANI/Sputnik/NAN)