By Folasade Akpan

Sydani Group, an organisation specialising in health system strengthening, agriculture, education, and socio-economic development, announced that it vaccinated 238,158 individuals between January and June.

The group’s Programme Manager, Dr Obiamaka Enwezor, disclosed this at a media roundtable in Abuja, noting that the milestone was achieved under its Saving Lives and Livelihoods project.

She explained that 517 health facilities were activated to deliver integrated services and that more than 3,500 Hajj pilgrims received vaccinations with multiple antigens.

Enwezor highlighted the group’s investment in capacity-building for the health workforce through the development and validation of a comprehensive suite of Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) training modules.

According to her, these modules cover key areas such as logistics, service delivery, demand generation, data management, and financial accountability.

Speaking on research, Dr Stephen Asaolu, a Research Scholar with Sydani, said the group had led several knowledge projects since its inception.

“Over two years, Sydani supported the design, documentation, and implementation of multiple research initiatives, resulting in the publication of 30 scientific papers in international peer-reviewed journals.

“Our research covers diverse areas, including integrating health interventions into neglected tropical disease programmes, predictors of Human Papilloma Virus vaccine uptake, and behavioural correlates of HPV infection among adolescents,” he said.

He also highlighted studies on compliance with quality standards in Nigerian health facilities.

He added that the group also conducted evaluations, developed innovative study tools, trained researchers in data analysis and management, and reviewed grants for local and international organisations.

On agriculture, Mr Godfrey Petgrave, Agric Division Lead, said the organisation was implementing a digital solutions assessment project across six International Fund for Agricultural Development-supported states.

“The project aims to identify adoption levels and skills gaps in digital solutions among beneficiaries and implementers.

“Findings will guide the development of a digitalisation strategy manual and capacity-building plan.”

Reflecting on Sydani’s seven-year journey, Group Managing Partner Mr Sidney Sampson said the organisation was committed to deepening its impact in health, education, agriculture, and technology.

“Our philosophy is simple: we see problems as opportunities to provide solutions.

“While we have achieved much, this is just the beginning. We want to ensure our work transforms systems and lives,” he said.

Sampson emphasised the need for governments at all levels to prioritise resource allocation, improve policy implementation, and ensure the sustainability of development projects.

“Nigeria has many strong policies, but quality implementation remains a challenge. Beyond funding, accountability and transparency in resource management are crucial to lasting impact,” he said.

He also urged state and local governments to step up their efforts to improve access to quality services alongside the Federal Government. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Isaiah Eka

The Federal Government has urged the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, to embrace reforms that would enhance performance and accountability in the academy.

Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, gave the charge on Thursday in his remarks at a two-day Management Retreat in Oron.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat is on Ministerial Handholding Session for Performance Management System (PMS) and the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS).

Oyetola, represented by Hajia Ibrahim Kalthum, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) in the ministry, said that the retreat aimed at driving a successful implementation of the PMS and ECMS in the academy.

He said that the ministry embarked on the reforms to strengthen performance, as well as promote accountability and digital transformation across all its agencies in line with the strategic vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, as Nigeria’s foremost maritime education and training institution, must lead by example in embracing these reforms, and the ministry is glad that the academy is taking these key reforms seriously,” Oyetola said.

He noted that while the PMS strategically aligned every staff and department to deliver on the ministry’s mandate and academy’s core objectives, the ECMS on the other hand streamlined and digitalised records, processes and workflows thereby promoting efficiency, transparency, and timely decision-making.

According to him, the performance management system is not merely about staff appraisals but fundamentally about strategic execution of tasks and that goals are cascaded seamlessly from the national level to institutional, departmental and finally to individual.

“Staff performance is assessed objectively using well-defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) while capacity gaps are identified and addressed through targeted training and development.

“For the MAN, the reforms will translate into improved training outcome, global competitiveness, and enhanced service delivery to cadets, seafarers and stakeholders in the maritime industry.”

The minister commended the Acting Rector of the Academy, Dr Kevin Okonna, for his commitment towards effectively implementing the performance management system reform of the Federal Government in the institution.

Okonna, in his presentation, listed the academy’s contributions in 2024 ministry’s deliverables to include; training of 4,775 seafarers and dockworkers, provision of laptops and desktops to more staff to improve productivity.

The acting rector added that there was increased staff capacity building drive to promote expertise and improve standards, implementation of the PMS of the Federal Government to promote accountability, amongst others.

He assured that the retreat would enhance the capacity of the academy’s management to deliver on the 2025 academy’s deliverables for the assigned presidential priorities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker