NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Borno Commissioner raises concerns over TB drug access

Borno Commissioner raises concerns over TB drug access

284 total views today
By Yakubu Uba

Borno’s Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Prof. Baba Gana, revealed that a significant number of tuberculosis patients in the state, estimated at 16,000, are not availing themselves of treatment.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri to mark World Tuberculosis Day, Gana emphasised that only 5,905 patients have been identified and treated, leaving over 10,000 individuals unaccounted for.

This gap poses a risk of further infection within the community, prompting Gana to urge advocacy for TB diagnosis.

The commissioner expressed the ministry’s commitment to collaborating with partners to address the situation and announced the appointment of a new TB programme manager with a mandate to improve treatment coverage.

Gana stressed the importance of allocating resources to TB treatment, citing the state’s compliance with the Abuja Declaration, which allocates 15 per cent of the budget to healthcare.

He also praised partners such as WHO, Global Fund, UNICEF, and USAID for their support and called on the media to raise awareness about TB symptoms and encourage testing.

Gana urged parents to ensure their children receive TB vaccinations, which are provided free of charge.

Dr Ibrahim Salisu, Borno Coordinator of WHO, emphasised the global impact of TB and highlighted recent progress in diagnosis and treatment, while pledging continued support for the state.

Dr Ali Goni, Borno Programme Manager of TB, stressed the need for collaborative efforts across sectors to combat TB effectively.

The event included a road walk to raise public awareness and a presentation on TB cases among children below 10 years by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which reported diagnosing 328 cases at one of its facilities in Maiduguri. (NAN) www.nannews.ng 

Edited by Gabriel Yough

Mental health: New York conference to focus on black communities—Official

Mental health: New York conference to focus on black communities—Official

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By Franca Ofili

The 2024 edition of Created Unique Mental Health Conference will focus on increasing incidents of mental health problems among Nigerians and black communities across the world.

Mr Onche Odeh, Communications Lead for the event, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said mental health experts and stakeholders would converge on Westchester, New York, for the conference scheduled for May.

He said that the conference would address some of the established mental health problems that the black community faced, especially those that had emigrated from Africa.

“The conference will feature plenaries and networking sessions during which various categories of experts, including mental health practitioners in different specialties, government representatives and healthcare workers.

“Others are religious leaders, and stakeholders in the U.S. and other parts of the world will engage in rich interactions, share experiences, and partake in a workshop for healthcare workers.

“The conference is filled with practical valuable tips for recognising and successfully addressing mental health issues among various groups of people,” he said.

Mrs Ify Ezinwa, Convener, said the conference would focus at some of the mental health issues faced by Nigerians who had migrated to U.S. and other countries in what had become famed as the ‘Japa’ syndrome.

Ezinwa, also the Founder of Echoes Africa Initiatives, an NGO, said that ‘Japa’, as emigration had come to be known in Nigeria, provided many facets of opportunities and problems.

“What you get from your host country depends on how mentally prepared you are.

“Unfortunately, most people who migrate just want to leave, a reason most of them go into mental health crisis once they are hit by unforeseen situations that give contrary impression from their pre-conceived expectations.’’

Ezinwa quoted the World Health Organisation as saying that “There is no health without mental health.

“The global mental health crisis is a major issue facing the world today.

“This is evident in the staggering numbers of those affected in available data.

“Mental illness affects an estimated 950 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of disability across all age groups.’’

According to her, mental health issues have become the leading cause of suicide, accounting for over 800,000 deaths per year.

“Minority groups, particularly black people across the globe are more vulnerable and short-changed because they are a diverse group from different cultures, beliefs, traditions, and practices not understood by the majority of mental health specialists.

“Most current mental health education and awareness campaigns do not consider the diversity of the minority groups hence, no significant impacts are made.

“This informed the conceptualisation of the conference which will kick start our mental health awareness campaign and intervention on how to get succour,” Ezinwa said.

She said that mental health experts  agreed that awareness, education and access to effective interventions and treatment were the only way to go in stemming the tide and helping those suffering from mental health.

Experts that will speak at the event include Dr Sosunmola Shoyinka, President, Association of Nigerian Psychiatrists in the U.S.

Shoyinka is also the Chief Medical Officer at Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services and Founder of CURITAN Foundation.

Others are Dr Ted Iheanacho, U.S.-based Clinical Psychiatrist and Associate professor at Yale University School of Medicine and Dr Allen  Miller, Clinical Psychologist, Director of Training and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Programmes.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Experts advocate walking for enhanced well-being, productivity

Experts advocate walking for enhanced well-being, productivity

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By Rukayat Moisemhe

Health experts have advocated the inclusion of walk as part of activities to improve life span, mitigate health challenges and enhance overall well-being for increased productivity and economic development.

They spoke at a Walkathon on Saturday in Lagos organised by Waka Community International Foundation, Q-Life Family Clinic and Health Emergency Initiative to honour the memory of Dr Ade Alakija.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alakija was the Chairman of the Lagos State Health Management Agency, former Medical Director of Q-life Family Clinic and pioneer member, Waka Community International Foundation.

Lawrence Mba, Founder, Waka Community International Foundation, described walking as the oldest and safest form of physical exercise which was non-discriminatory on grounds of age, gender, level of physical fitness or location.

Mba said the collaborative event used to immortalise the memories of the late Alakija who was a fitness enthusiast, aimed to contribute to the wellness and health of Nigerians and residents of Nigeria.

He persuaded the general public to take personal responsibility for their wellness by walking, eating right, hydrating well and getting enough quality sleep.

“Nigerians are encouraged to walk a minimum of thirty minutes daily and to eat healthy in small portions, drink lots of water and get adequate sleep so they will be fitter, leaner, healthier and ultimately happier.

“Walking; the oldest and safest form of physical exercise is a low impact exercise and so is gentle on the knees and ankles.

“Walking also has many benefits such as helping maintain a healthy weight and helping lose unwanted and undesirable fat.

“It helps prevent or manage various conditions including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes and also helps improve cardiovascular fitness.

“This event being held in honour of Ade Alakija is to help build consciousness about the importance of health which is the ultimate wealth and we remain committed to building a community of people that are healthy,” Mba said

Dr Olayinka Olowolu, the Medical Director, Q-Life Family Clinic, said the walkathon was to promote wellness, in honour of Alakija who was passionate about exercising and impacting the lives of people.

“At Q-Life, we are your partner in promoting your health as we focus on not just the curative but the preventive care of healthy living.

“As Nigerians and humans all over the world, we can take steps to ensure that we are in good health and not wait until we are ill by engaging in physical active, a proper nutrition and by avoiding things that can negatively impact one’s health.

“If you walk up to 150 minutes weekly, it is enough to have a positive impact on your health,” he said.

Mr Paschal Achunine, the Executive Director, Health Emergency Initiative, said the event was to raise awareness about healthy living, keeping a good life style and addressing emergency situations via the application of first aid and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

He emphasised the need for joint efforts to save the lives of accident victims which he stated accounted for about 40 per cent of deaths in the country.

“We aim to raise awareness to provide access to health care for Nigerians and as this initiative saves lives, we can all work together to save lives together too,” he said.

Alero Alakija, daughter of the late Alakija and a medical practitioner, pledged to continue educating the general public on the benefits of walking via the walkathon in honour of her late father.

NAN also reports that the event featured health checks, CPR and First Aid demonstrations by professional first responders, driven by the conviction that a healthy Nigeria is a wealthy Nigeria.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Board inducts 1st set of 29 FSS Manchok-trained HIM officers

Board inducts 1st set of 29 FSS Manchok-trained HIM officers

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By Amen Gajira

The Health Records Officers Registration Board of Nigeria (HRORBN), has inducted the first set of 29 Health Information Management (HIM) officers, trained by the Federal School of Statistics, Manchok, Kaduna State.

The Registrar of the board, Alhaji Babagana Mustapha, who administered the Oath in Manchok on Saturday, welcomed the graduates to the HIM profession.

Mustapha, who was represented by Mr Umar Sani, Coordinator, Northwest Zonal Office, Kaduna, enjoined the inductees to adhere to the oath and ethics of the profession.

He urged the HIM officers to be good ambassadors of the profession and avoid any act capable of bringing the profession into disrepute.

“As you are aware, you are not just inductees but ambassadors of health information management anywhere you might find yourself.

“I urge you to use the knowledge you have acquired to bring to bear the desired and needed change in the health care service delivery,” he said.

The registrar described the inductees as partners in progress, particularly in curbing the menace of quackery in the health information management profession.

Group photograph of the newly inducted Health Information Management graduates with officials of the Health Records Officers Registration Board of Nigeria and management of the Federal School of Statistics, Manchok.

In his remarks, the acting Rector of the institution, Mr Jumbo Daniel, said that the inductees graduated during the 2022 and 2023 academic session.

Describing the graduates as custodians of vital health care data, Daniel emphasised their critical role in improving patient health outcomes, confidentiality, and maintaining the integrity of healthcare information systems.

“You will agree with me that the role of health information management professionals is indispensable.

“They are the custodians of health statistics, ensuring its accuracy, confidentiality and accessibility to those who need it most,” he added.

He implored the inductees to take advantage of any opportunity for professional development, stressing that the field of health information management was dynamic and evolving. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai

Foundation urges governments to prioritise TB prevention, treatment

Foundation urges governments to prioritise TB prevention, treatment

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By Justina Auta

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), an international NGO, on Saturday, called on governments at all levels to prioritise prevention and treatment level of Tuberculosis (TB) to meet the 2030 global target of eliminating the disease in Nigeria.

The Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF, Nigeria, Mr Steve Aborisade, made the call in a statement, in commemoration of the 2024 World TB Day, with a theme, “Yes! we can end TB.”

Aborisade described TB as one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases and leading cause of death for people living with HIV, yet 100 per cent preventable and treatable.

According to him, AHF Nigeria, in partnership with other stakeholders, will sensitise the public on prevention and free TB treatment in FCT, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Kogi and Nasarawa states.

“We will be honouring the millions of lives lost to TB, while urging leaders at all levels of government to prioritise TB prevention and treatment efforts.

“Through dedicated radio awareness efforts, AHF Nigeria with officials from the office of TB focal persons in these states shall be educating the public on TB prevention and creating awareness about the availability of free TB treatment across Nigeria.

“Through this effort, all the TB Directly observed Therapy (DOT) centres across AHF Nigeria states of operations shall be popularised.

“This will enable people to be aware of where to seek help for TB treatment and be knowledgeable about identifying cases and referring them to care and treatment.”

Dr. Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director, stressed the need for awareness creation and access to HIV and TB testing.

“It is important for stakeholders to create greater awareness about TB and ensure that people get tested for it and HIV.

“TB is treatable while the treatment is quite accessible and free across Nigeria.

“It is in this regard that AHF Nigeria is happy to contribute to the existing efforts of the Nigerian TB programme.

“Through awareness creation and driving greater community involvement and participation through the strategic engagement of community-based organizations (CBOs) and their civil society (CSOs) counterparts.”

According to the World Health Organisation, TB claimed 1.3 million lives in 2022, including 167,000 people living with HIV, with an estimated nearly 11 million people falling ill to TB worldwide.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World TB Day is observed annually on March 24 to renew commitment, inspire, and take action to end TB globally. (NAN)

Edited by Gabriel Yough

WOHD: Oral health care, key indicator to overall well-being, health expert says

WOHD: Oral health care, key indicator to overall well-being, health expert says

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By Victor Okoye

A health expert, Dr Folasade Momoh, says oral healthcare is a key indicator to the overall well-being and quality of life of every human being.

Momoh, who is the Executive Director, Centre for School Health Education and Environmental Hygiene (CSHEEH), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), made the remarks on Friday in Abuja.

She spoke during a sensitisation programme at Pilot Science Primary School, Gwagwalada, Abuja, to mark the 2024 World Oral Health Day (WOHD), where she emphasised the need for good oral health and hygiene.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for this year’s World Oral Health day is “A Happy Mouth Is A Happy Body”.

The day is annually marked on March 20 to raise awareness about oral health and hygiene, mouth diseases, as well as care and treatment options.

Momoh said that the theme explained the connection between oral health and the overall well-being of the body, hence the need to adopt good oral hygiene practices to avoid falling sick.

“it is a known fact that oral health contributes to overall well-being, and it is the journey towards good health begins from a clean mouth.

“So, to enjoy a healthier and happier life, we all must make oral health a priority by brushing our teeth daily (at least twice), and maintaining good hygiene

“Not just to prevent dental caries and gum diseases, but also to reduce the risk of chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancers.”

She said that the objective of coming to the school to mark the World Oral Health Day was to afford pupils the opportunity to receive adequate information on oral health, essential for good academic performance.

She thanked FCT UBEB for giving CSHEEH the approval to use the school.

The Executive Chairman of FCT UBEB, Dr Alhassan Sule, represented by Baba Aboki, Deputy Director, School Health and Sports, also thanked CSHEEH for the sensitistion.

He called for increased collaboration among stakeholders to promote oral health and hygiene.

Dr Ibrahim Yusuf, the Head Teacher of the school, said that the importance of oral health and hygiene among children of school age can never be over emphasised.

He said” what is being demonstrated here today, if put into actions, would help to save thousands of children.

Highlights of the event were presentations by dental experts and practical demonstrations on ways to effectively brush the teeth and maintain good oral hygiene.

A dental screening was also conducted for the pupils, while they received oral cleaning materials (tooth brushes and tooth pastes) to enable them practice and maintain what they were taught. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Food experts challenge NASS to prohibit use, consumption of GMOs

Food experts challenge NASS to prohibit use, consumption of GMOs

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By EricJames Ochigbo

Food experts have called for the prohibition of the use, consumption and promotion of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country.

GMOs can either be animal, plant, or microorganism whose gene has been altered in a way that do not occur naturally to achieve a desired trait, character or outcome using genetic engineering technologies.

The experts spoke to newsmen on Friday on the sideline of a workshop for judicial officers titled: “State of Biosafety in Nigeria”, organised by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HoMEF) in Abuja.

The aim of the workshop is to equip judicial officers with the requisite knowledge on GMO and its infringement on fundamental human right.

To achieve this, the experts said the National Assembly should amend the National Biosafety Management Agency’s (NBMA) Act to prohibit the use, consumption and promotion of GMOs in the country.

Prof. Qrisstuberg Amua, Director-General, Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research, said that the call to eliminate GMO in the country was “a matter of national security”

He said that government must be wary of strange narratives of food shortage, climate change and insecurity in the country as they could be sponsored by proponents of GMOs to invade and hijack Nigeria’s food system.

Amua said that efforts must be made to address insecurity, return farmers back to the fields, fix local infrastructure like roads, silos and processing plants, adding that Nigeria would feed Africa again.

According to him, Nigeria does not need GMOs to ensure food security, saying  “it poses threat to the environment and public health.

“The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) was established by an Act and this Act has some loopholes.

“It requires the National Assembly to look into it and review it so that it will be more effective in protecting and safeguarding the biosafety of citizens of Nigeria.

“For example, National Biosafety Development Agency (NBDA) is supposed to be regulated by NBMA, but NBDA is on the board of NBMA which we think is strange because how will you regulate someone on your governing board.

“There are also some elements in the law that point to the fact that they are free to accept gifts from certain quarters, though there are some conditions given but we also found it strange.

“This is because if you are free to accept gifts, it means that anybody who is trying to push an agenda from outside Nigeria can find a way to lobby you and give you gifts that will influence the certification that the person is seeking for.

“Such are the anomalies, and we seek to interface with the legislators to open them up to see those anomalies and find ways as they are saddled with the responsibility of making laws for the good governance and protection of this country,” he said.

Dr Ifeanyi Casmir, a Medical Microbiologist and Public Health Consultant, said that there were many studies that suggested that GMOs could cause cancer.

According to him, we do not know enough about the impact of GMOs on the people and plans for us to be very categorical about its safety.

He said: “The risk factor is not zero and Nigeria does not have a testing protocol that is able to evaluate the impact of human consumption of GMOs as available claims of its safety are being sponsored by its manufacturers.

“They use the deception of high yield and pest resistance to smuggle those things and farmers are left with sand in their mouths.

“Because when they do the first year, if they have the increasing yield, and they repeat in the second year, they have 100% loss in yield; where is the promised yield?

“The yield increase is all deception and we are worried that we are losing the indigenous germ plasm of plants.

“So, there are issues about health, environment, socio-economic implications and cultural implications about genetic modification.

“The food people eat is an integral part of their culture.

“That is what defines them. If you completely alter that, you have set in motion processes of ethnic cleansing. You will eliminate the people, you will wipe them out,” he said.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Executive Director, HOMEF, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, said that Nigeria, like many other African nations, stood at a crossroads to her food future.

“The stark choice is between adopting agricultural biotechnology in line with the industrial agriculture model or agroecology,” he said.

According to Bassey, biotechnology, in the guise of enhancing agricultural productivity and fostering economic development, locks in monocultures, loss of biodiversity, seed monopoly and seed/food colonialism.

“Agroecology delivers increased productivity and economic resilience and also nourishes and revives ecosystems, strengthens local economies, mitigates climate/environmental crises and promotes food sovereignty.

“Judges play a crucial role in adjudicating disputes, ensuring due process, and upholding the rights of all stakeholders, including farmers, consumers, and environmental advocates.

“Adjudicators should resist pressures and influence of vested interests and ensure that decisions regarding GMOs are guided by the precautionary approach, ethical principles and scientific evidence.  

“While technological advancements hold out promises, we must not compromise the safety of our people or the integrity of our ecosystems,” Bassey said.

He noted that: “It is imperative to approach the issue of GMOs and biosafety with the utmost diligence, impartiality, and commitment to upholding the principles of justice.

“It is our hope that this training will deepen our understanding, encourage meaningful dialogue and resolve to promote the common good and our collective right to food justice,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Christiana Fadare

Activists seek women inclusion in policymaking

Activists seek women inclusion in policymaking

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By Justina Auta

Some stakeholders in gender equality have called for the implementation of gender-responsive policies to address challenges affecting women in the country.

They made the call in Abuja on Thursday at a book presentation, ‘Politics, X and Power’, authored by Adaora Sydney-Jack, Executive Director, Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI).

Sydney-Jack, while noting the challenges affecting women, urged governments at all levels to show the political will by involving more women in policy making and its implementation in the country.

“Government should show the political will not just in theory/semantics of getting more women involved in political offices alone.

“The political will should be in policymaking, because if women are part of policymaking and implementation, direct outcomes of more women in governance will be seen.

“Political parties need to reinvent the wheel by having women in leadership positions outside women leaders,” she said.

Speaking in the same vein, Amina Arong, the National Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said after 25 years of joining politics, nothing had changed in terms of women participation.

“I got into politics when I was 25 years old. 25 years later, I realised that nothing has changed in terms of women participation in politics.

“Our political space is shrinking for women. So, we’re asking for gender sensitive men to give us a chance on the table so that we can begin to talk about our own issues,” she said.

On her part, Monalisa Chinda, Founder of the Arise Monalisa Foundation, said it was about time people began to look the way of women in terms of inclusion.

Earlier in his keynote address, Abubakar Sulaiman, the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), recommended the book, ‘Politics, X and Power’, saying that it would be useful for academics, researchers, students and policy makers, among others.

Dr Chima Amadi, the Guest Speaker, stressed the need for Nigeria to focus on building solid democratic institutions, including the judiciary, electoral commission and legislature, to uphold the rule of law and prevent abuse of power. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Sadiya Hamza

Kidnapping: NMA plans to develop, publish guideline to support security agencies

Kidnapping: NMA plans to develop, publish guideline to support security agencies

252 total views today

 

By Aderogba George

The FCT Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA-FCT) has resolved to develop and publish a guideline to support security agencies in the event of kidnap of any medical doctor in the FCT.

The Chairman of NMA-FCT, Dr Charles Ugwuanyi, said this on Wednesday, at a news conference in Abuja.

Ugwuanyi said, “NMA-FCT, as a matter of urgency, has resolved to develop and publish a guideline to have as a working document in the event of kidnap of any medical doctor in the FCT.

“The document will include informing the appropriate security agencies and thereafter downing tool after 24 hours if no satisfactory actions or noticeable progress by the security agencies.”

He said that this became necessary following the kidnapping of a member of the association along Airport Road in Abuja, Dr Chammah McSampson, a dental surgeon with Smile Dental Clinic.

He recalled that McSampson was kidnapped on March 10, and was released on March 14 after paying ransom.

Ugwuanyi said that NMA-FCT noted with deep concern during its congress on March 16 that the security situation in the FCT had posed an existential threat to the safety of its members.

He said that the congress also decried the delay by the FCT Minister in meeting with his leadership especially during this difficult period despite several attempts.

According to him, NMA-FCT congress has highlighted the necessary involvement of private individuals, professional associations, religious organisations, and others in assisting security agencies to curb the menace of insecurity in the FCT and Nigeria in general.

The NMA-FCT boss said that the association’s Emergency General Meeting (EGM) urged its members to be more security conscious by adopting measures that would make them less targeted by kidnappers and other criminals.

According to him, members have been advised not to go home late at night, as well as change the way they store other medical doctors’ names on their phones to avoid unnecessary attention.

Ugwuanyi also appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration Hospital Management Board (FCTA-HMB) to consider how far the doctors stay from the hospital, saying such consideration would prevent security risk.

He said that NMA-FCT would liaise with other professional bodies and associations to draw attention to the state of the insecurity challenges currently bedevilling the FCT as well as finding solutions to them.

Ugwuanyi said that NMA-FCT would also be visiting the Director-General of Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies to register its displeasure. (NAN)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Deji Abdulwahab

Nigeria Health Watch extends partnership deal with NAN to promote solutions journalism

Nigeria Health Watch extends partnership deal with NAN to promote solutions journalism

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By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Health Watch, a non-profit organisation, has extended its partnership deal with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), to promote Solutions Journalism in the country.

NAN reports that the deal between it and the Nigeria Health Watch which uses informed advocacy and communication to seek better health and access to healthcare in Nigeria, will last between February and December 2024.

NAN also reports that solutions journalism is a rigorous reporting about responses to society’s problems, especially about health.

Mr Ali Muhammad Ali, the Managing Director of NAN, who spoke during the signing ceremony on Wednesday in his office in Abuja, expressed gratitude to the organisation for the impactful contributions to the agency since the beginning of the partnership.

“Solutions journalism is complete journalism that not only spotlights the problems but follows an evidence-based presentation of existing solutions.

“Such reporting enhances knowledge and accountability by providing the whole story to readers and offers constructive content in an age of media apathy.

“We value the hope you’ve instilled, and given our commitment to solution journalism and development journalism here at NAN, factual accuracy is not just a luxury but a necessity by law.

“We must remain truthful and objective in our reporting. Solution journalism, as you rightly noted, brings hope to our nation,” Ali said.

The managing director also said that the agency shared a common passion and vision with the organisaion since solutions journalism proffered solutions to challenges.

Earlier, Mrs Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, noted that NAN was among the first organisations to establish a Solutions Journalism desk in its office.

This, she said demonstrated that NAN was committed to the programme and initiative.

Ihekweazu said that solutions journalism aimed to not only report problems but also highlight potential solutions.

“This approach is crucial as it inspires hope, encourages action and emphasises collective responsibility in addressing societal issues.

“Through solutions journalism, NAN seeks to inspire Nigerians by showcasing solutions to the myriad of challenges faced in Nigeria.

“This serves as a powerful tool for driving positive change and fostering a sense of empowerment within the community,” she said.

NAN had in 2022, established a dedicated solutions journalism desk in the agency that focuses on reports that addressed various social challenges across the country.

Journalists received support, training and mentorship from the Nigeria Health Watch team to investigate and report responses to various social challenges across the country.

The stories they produced were published on the platforms of the various newsrooms through Solutions Journalism Africa Initiative.

Some of the published stories were featured on the Solutions Journalism Network’s Solutions Story Tracker, an international database that curates solutions journalism stories published all over the world. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

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