NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Development: U.S.-based physician urges Nigerians in diaspora to return home
General News

Development: U.S.-based physician urges Nigerians in diaspora to return home

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By Olayinka Olawale

A U.S.- based Physician, Dr Terrance Baker, has charged Nigerians in diaspora to return home to build a more resilient healthcare system in the country.

Baker made the call at the 5th Annual International Conference of the Nigeria Association of Foreign Trained Pharmacists (NAFTraPh) on Thursday in Lagos.

Baker is a Johns Hopkins Community Physician, Department of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. and the Producer of Doctors in the House, a TV show in the U.S.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the three-day conference is: “Social Determinants of Health and Populations Health Outcomes in a Developing Economy- Nigeria’s Perspective”.

He urged the Nigerian government to welcome diasporans who want to return home to help make the country better, by creating enabling environment that would make them comfortable.

According to him, sending money back to the country is not enough to fix the country.

Baker noted that many Nigerians in the Americans and Europe were tremendously very influential, adding that they included men and women who were successful, financially.

“Many of them send money home, but I believe that the diaspora should be encouraged to actually return home.

“For example, Nigerian pharmacists are going to get training and experience and are returning home to change the healthcare system.

“I believe the diaspora must come home. I believe they can’t improve Nigeria from afar, they can’t rule, they can’t manage it from a distance.

“You cannot manage your country from a thousand miles away, it is very hard.

“They need to come and be part of it; the diaspora need to invest in farming and farm equipment. They need to come and put their money to improve the food emergency.”

He delivered a keynote address titled, “Social Determinants of Health and Populations, Health Outcomes in a Developing Economy – Nigeria’s Perspective”.

He said there were several concerns that caused healthcare to be poor in most parts of Nigeria.

He listed the concerns to include poverty, inadequate housing, inadequate water and sanitation, inadequate transportation, safety concerns of terrorism and violence.

“I am happy to be here to deliver the keynote address at the 5th conference of internationally trained phamacists who have returned back to Nigeria to practice pharmacy.

“Today, we discussed social determinate of healthcare and in Nigeria today, there several key concerns that cause healthcare to be poor throughout most of Nigeria.

“For example, 2.500 children between the ages of zero to 25 years will die today and most as a result of poverty, inadequate housing, inadequate water and sanitation, inadequate transportation, safety concerns of terrorism and violence.

“Nigeria is currently in the middle of a food insecurity emergency and I believe the emergency can be addressed.”

According to him, Nigeria is in a position to be one of the greatest nations in the African continent.

“I believe Nigeria uniquely has a workforce and has the resources necessary to lead the world.

“Nigerians in medicine, medical doctors in America, Europe and Asia lead the world in medicine.

“Pharmacist throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Asia, Europe lead the world in the care of patients in pharmacy and nursing.

“Nigerian nurses are a major workforce throughout the world caring for patients.

“Nigerians have proven that they have the unique capability in health and can also lead the world; either way, that determines a workforce for the entire world,” he said.

Mrs Sherese ljewere, a Clinical Nutrition Consultant, talked on the need to improve child and maternal health not negating paternal health.

“The foetus origin of disease is ensuring that the mother’s maternal health and the father’s paternal health are good before pregnancy.”

Ijewere, Founder/CEO, Carib Health Ltd., a Health, Wellness, and Nutrition Company in Ikoyi, Lagos, urged couples to ensure that they are physically fit before, during and after pregnancy.
In her presentation titled: “Nutrition, Fetal Origin of Diseases, and Population’s Health”, she said they must consume lots of fruits and vegetables to maintain wellness.

She urged people to avoid processed, refined and sweetened food but consume whole food like tubers, roots, vegetables, fruits as well as engage in regular exercising.

She urged people to also have proper mindset and lifestyle.

She urged the government to empower more women and youths in urban farming to discourage them from consuming refined food.

Dr Anthony Ihenatu, Chairman/ CEO, Archy Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Lagos, urged the Federal Government to address the issues of multiple taxation, multiple regulation, infrastructure, electricity and insecurity.

“Other challenges that must be urgently addressed include increase in the price of raw materials and depreciation of Naira.

“I believe the first thing the government should do is to save the Nigerian naira by doing what they have to do.

“ Nigerians are one of the best economists in the world.

“They know what to do to prop-up the value of the Naira,” he said.

Ihenatu spoke on a paper titled, “Pharmaceutical industry practice during economic downturn: what is the way forward?”.

Earlier, Dr John Ejezie, President, Nigeria Association of Foreign Trained Pharmacists (NAFTraPh), said that the association would continue to promote professional growth and development as well as sense of community service.

According to Ejieze, NAFTraPh is a professional organisation that educates, sensitises, trains members and others, creates health awareness, and promotes community capacity building and effective utilisation of pharmaceutical products.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to address the mirage of challenges facing the health sector and country in general.

He also urged the government to address the Naira and foreign exchange challenges.

“In 2023, we have continued to experience supply chain challenges, and paucity of goods and services especially in the healthcare sector.

“Currently, we experience high inflation rates that are at all time high.

“These socio-economic menaces are experienced across the globe, but developing economies are disproportionately impacted due to non-robust socio-economic structures that may not absorb such societal and economic shocks.

“Despite all these societal menaces and socio-economic challenges, we cannot let those wonderful dreams and aspirations dissipate, or anyone or circumstance to kill it,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Food: Commissioner urges farmers, others to use water judiciously
Agriculture

Food: Commissioner urges farmers, others to use water judiciously

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By Olayinka Olawale

The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, has urged farmers, food processors and marketers in the agricultural value chain to use water judiciously.

Olusanya made the call during a road walk organised by the Lagos State Government as part of activities to commemorate the 2023 World Food Day.

The theme for 2023 celebration is: “Water is Life, Water is Food, Leave No One Behind”.

The World Food Day is an annual celebration by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations held on Oct.16, to encourage action on food insecurity.

The commissioner said that water was becoming scare due to various environmental and human activities, noting that all hands should be on deck to reverse the trend.

According to her, without water there will be no life, no food and obviously if there is no food, there will be a problem.

”This year’s theme: “Water is Life, Water is Food, Leave No One Behind, speak of the resources that we require in the agricultural space, by our farmers and stakeholders and particularly that water is becoming a scares resource .

”It is, therefore, a privilege as a ministry to be part of the story about how water utilisation can be done in a way that you can utilise the same water for different purposes through recycling.

“I just want to implore everyone here, be you a farmer, processor and marketer in any part of the value chain you participate in to use water judiciously.

“Without water there is no life, without water there will be no food and obviously, if there is no food, there will be a problem which is why we should leave no one behind,” she said.

The commissioner thanked Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu who had been able to push agriculture to the next level in the state.

“I want to believe that we will be doing so much more in the next three and half years in changing the narrative around the sector in Lagos, the country and across the West African belt,” she said.

Olusanya urged the public to join the farmers on Oct. 16, to celebrate the grand finale and purchase farm produce at affordable prices.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, I want to say a big thank you to everyone that turn-up for this walk, I want to believe it was very refreshing.

“Tomorrow, we will be having our farmers’ forum and the grand finale on Oct. 16 at the Police College, Ikeja.

“I want you all to turn-up enmasse as farmers from the 20 local government and 37 local council development areas will display their produce, catch and everything they do.

“It is an opportunity to buy food directly from the farmers at good quality and affordable prices and to generally see and appreciate them for all they do,” she said.

Mrs Odiri Erewa-Meggison, Board Director, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, urged the public to be conscious of how they use water to have a sustainable environment.

Erewa-Meggison said the British American Tobacco was very passionate about giving back to the community in which they operate and more particularly, in forming collaboration with state governments, especially Lagos.

”We have collaborated with Lagos State for five years consistently, we have been able to impact about 2,000 farmers and 5,000 shoppers.

“We are celebrating 20 years of the foundation and this foundation is giving back to the community.

“We have impacted so many lives and have planted over 500,000 trees on over 10,000 hectares.

“We have impacted over 300,000 smallholder farmers and have so much that we have given and so much that we still want to do and all these is across the 36 states and the FCT,” she said.

The board director urged the public to ensure that they maintain and create a sustainable world and planet as well as be the catalyst that would drive the change.

“It is with great honour, this is my second year of joining you on this walk, we went through this route last year.

“It is a good form to exercise, it is good to reconnect and to show to the world and Lagos State that life is important; farmers are important and without farmers there is no food.

“I love the theme for this year; water gives life, without water we can’t survive. Water is at the centre of everything that we do.

“I join my voice with the commissioner in saying that in the world that we are now, where we are looking at how we can impact the environment in a more sustainable manner,” she said.

Erewa-Meggison said people should be conscious of how they use water, live their lives, treat each other and how they prepare for the future and generation yet to come.

She said the tobacco company was proud to work with the state government because it had shown that it cares. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Coy begins training of 345 people on biogas production technology in Kaduna
Science & Tech

Coy begins training of 345 people on biogas production technology in Kaduna

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By Sani Idris

A company, Green Panacea Limited, has begun training of 345 people, drawn from the 23 LGAs in Kaduna State on biogas production technology.

Biogas is a renewable fuel that is produced when organic matter, such as food or animal waste, is broken down by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen.

The training is supported by the Kaduna State Ministry of Local Government and Ministry for Environment.

Speaking to newsmen on the sideline of the training, Dr Aisha Yusuf, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Green Panacea Limited said the training was to enhance the capacity of young people towards fighting climate change.

Describing biogas as a major component in the conversion and impact creation for mitigating climate change, she said it has a viable means of job creation for the teeming youth population.

Yusuf added that the training was aimed at ensuring the possibilities of every home in Kaduna imbibe the culture of biogas usage and production.

She noted that the unfriendly economic situation in the country, where the cost of LPG cooking gas is always on the rise, should be a key reason for the shift to biogas.

“We also want to see the possibilities of reducing the rate of deforestation in our environments, and of course people can not be stopped from what they are naturally used to without giving them alternatives.

“The alternative here is biogas production, we want to see every home having access to, or producing their biogas,” Yusuf said.

Speaking on the associated risk in using biogas for cooking, the CEO noted that it is safe for usage and has low or even zero volatility.

“As the name implies; biogas is biological and natural, it does not cause havoc to anybody using it, it is free of all the elements that cause volatility,” she said.

She commended the Kaduna State Government for mobilising and sponsoring the participants for the training.

A participant, Mr Wisdom Katuka from Jaba LGA, said with the current state of the economy, he is indebted to the company for ensuring that he also trains members of his community on biogas production.

He said that he has over the years been hearing of biogas, where in the training he testified that it is workable.

“With this training, I will one day become an employer of labour, more to that, I will be producing my own biogas for my home use, it will actually save me so much cost and improve my financial capacity,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Aliyu Yusuf from Igabi LGA, said the training on biogas production would be very beneficial to him, adding that being a businessman, he has seen a way of diversifying his business.

He thanked the company and the Kaduna State Government for the opportunity, noting that the training, if put into reality will improve their livelihood in many ways.

Also, Ms Naomi Iliya, said with the abundance of waste in Kaduna, biogas production would be her target business.

She therefore thanked the organisers of the training for the opportunity while pledging to make judicious use of the skills she acquired to train members of her community. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Shell confirms leak from Peremabiri flow station in Bayelsa, says investigation underway
Environment

Shell confirms leak from Peremabiri flow station in Bayelsa, says investigation underway

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By Nathan Nwakamma

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has confirmed the Oct. 3 oil spill from its facilities at Peremabiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa.

Mr Michael Adande, a Spokesperson for SPDC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to the incident site to unravel the cause and volume of oil discharged was underway.

JIV is a statutory probe comprising representatives of the operator, host community and regulatory agencies that generate a report to show cause, extent of pollution after every spill is reported.

Adande said: “A government-led Joint Investigation Team  is currently on a Joint Investigation Visit to the site of the incident to determine the cause and the impact of the incident.”

Meanwhile, the people of Peremabiri have appealed to all tiers of government to prevail on the SPDC to immediately embark of a clean up exercise at the oil spill site.

NAN reports that the leak from the Diebu Creek Flow station, operated by SPDC in Peremabiri, discharged a yet-to-be ascertained volume of crude oil to adjourning areas of the community and the Nun River.

Mr Alagoa Morris, Programme Manager, Environmental Right Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), in a reaction said the oil leak had polluted the ecosystem.

He said that the resultant pollution from the oil spill has adversely affected the predominantly farming and fishing settlements along the banks of River Nun.

Morris, who is also the Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa Governor on Environment, commended the peaceful disposition of the victims.

He urged the regulatory agencies to ensure that SPDC immediately carries out the required clean up process to save indigenes of Peremabiri Community from economic and health challenges.

Mrs. Yenimi Timipre, an impacted farmer, also bemoaned having her fishing gear stained by crude and rendered useless.

Also, the Deputy Woman Leader of Peremabiri Community, Mrs Favour Morgan, lamented that the spill has destroyed their fishing nets, traps, crops and polluted the whole aquatic environment, and demanded for succour.

“This oil spill has thrown the Peremabiri people into despair. We are into farming and fishing as our means of livelihood and the toxic oil from Shell’s oil field has damaged our livelihood sources.

“We are helpless and in dire need of intervention by way of relief and succour to farmers and fishermen,” Morgan said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

1,760 Kaduna households benefit from home gardening inputs
Health

1,760 Kaduna households benefit from home gardening inputs

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By Sani Idris

The Global Alliances for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), says 1,760 households will benefit from its home gardening inputs to improve nutrition indices in four LGAs in Kaduna State.

The LGAs are Chikun, Giwa, Lere and Kauru, where 440 beneficiary households in each LGA will be given vegetable seeds (Amaranthus and tomato seeds), orange-fleshed sweet potato vines, organic fertilizers, and watering cans.

Inaugurating the distribution for the Home Gardens Initiative at Kujama, Chikun LGA in Kaduna, the representative of GAIN, Mr Francis Aderibigbe, said the initiative was launched as a crucial part of the Workforce Nutrition Component within the Strengthening Nutrition in Priority Staples Project (SNiPS).

Aderibigbe, who is the Project Coordinator of Diamond Development Initiative (DDI), an implementing partner of the GAIN’s Home Gardens Initiative, said the exercise was designed to provide support to farming households, farmers, farmworkers and processors in the rice and maize value chains.

He explained that the Workforce Nutrition Component focused on increasing the consumption of safe, nutritious foods by smallholder farmers, their families, and the wider population.

He also said the Workforce Nutrition Component promoted consumption of nutrient-enriched staples, fruits, and vegetables for improved dietary intake, especially among farmers, farmworkers, and their households.

Aderibigbe, therefore, noted that Home Gardens Initiative was centred on training households in the establishment and maintenance of home gardens.

He added that it was also to improve access to quality planting materials for the home gardens, and improving knowledge and technologies on good agronomic practices for home gardens.

“The initiative also seeks to improve nutrition education of households on the need to consume nutritious foods grown in their home gardens,” he said.

The DDI project coordinator, therefore, said that the GAIN SNiPS Home Garden Initiative aligned with the broader mission of tackling malnutrition in Nigeria by improving the access to safe and nutritious foods.

Specifically for DDI, Aderibigbe said they were championing the Home Garden Initiative.

He noted that the SNiPS project was designed to provide support to 5,000 farming households, farmers, farmworkers and processors in the rice and maize value chains in Benue, Kaduna and Nasarawa states.

He said DDI had, before the flag-off, concluded the training of 1760 beneficiaries on good agronomic practices.

He restated GAIN’s commitment to making a lasting positive impact on the health and well-being of communities in the state.

Earlier, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Malam Murtala Dabo, said the initiative was in tandem with the state Government’s commitment in ensuring healthy wellbeing of the citizens.

Dabo, represented by Mrs Dinah Sambo, the Head of Women in Agriculture in the ministry, said that when one knows what to consume and the right agricultural practices, it would help in knowing the nutritional value of what is eaten.

He, therefore, urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs, adding that in the long run, it would improve their health and their families.

He also lauded the initiative, while urging GAIN to extend the gesture to other LGAs in the state.

On behalf of the beneficiaries, the Village Head of Kujama, Mr Anthony Samaila, thanked GAIN for the gesture.

He assured them that the beneficiaries would make judicious use of the inputs, adding that it would ease the households on their expenses in purchasing the farm inputs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that GAIN is a Swiss-based foundation launched in 2002 to address the human suffering caused by malnutrition.

GAIN’s mission is to advance nutrition outcomes by improving the consumption of nutritious and safe food for all people, especially those most in need.(NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Foundation offers N2m scholarship to girls in FCT
Education

Foundation offers N2m scholarship to girls in FCT

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By Naomi Sharang

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Girls Beyond Reach Foundation popularly known as Daddy’s Girls has offered scholarships to girls resident in Angwan-Shao, Karimo, a slum in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Director Finance of the Foundation, Mrs Olamide Afolabi said that the gesture was part of activities to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oct. 11 each year is observed to support more opportunity for girls and increase awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide based upon their gender.

Afolabi said that a total of N2 million in educational scholarships was awarded to these deserving candidates, ensuring they have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and overcome the socio-economic challenges that often hinder their progress.

She said that each girl was awarded N150, 000 per session over a period of four to five years depending on their course of study.

“We have seen a gap in the education of the girl-child and we are doing our best to fill up that gap.

“The scholarship is offered to three girls in Karimo, Abuja for now because that is how much money we can afford, we wouldn’t like to drop some along the way because of funds.

“Three of the girls would get N150, 000 per session and it would run for four years or five years based on their course of study.”

Director of Operations for the Foundation, Miss Temitope Omogbolagun said that the scholarship was pursuant to the Foundation’s commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty through education.

She said: “According to UNICEF, in Nigeria, out of over 10 million children in Nigeria who are out of school, 60 percent of them are girls. This is the gap we are looking forward to bridge.

“Beyond that, we believe that education is the cornerstone of a brighter future. By investing in these girls, we are not only transforming their lives but also contributing to the progress of our society as a whole.”

Omogbolagun also explained that the selection process for the scholarship recipients was rigorous, with candidates undergoing assessments based on academic merit, leadership potential, and their commitment to community development.

“The three young girls, including a physically challenged ambitious lady who emerged as the chosen beneficiaries, demonstrated exceptional promise and a clear dedication to overcoming adversity.”

“Aside from this scholarship, we also have a mentorship programme with a robust curriculum that cuts across different areas of life, all these represent a significant stride towards achieving their vision of an inclusive and empowered society.”

Similarly, Director of Mentoring, Mrs Tomisin Latinwo said that the Foundation would continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to creating lasting impact in the lives of disadvantaged individuals.

She said: “As these three determined young women and the ones who are already on our scholarship and mentoring scheme embark on their educational journey, we believe that they serve as beacons of hope for countless others in similar circumstances.

“With the right support, barriers can be overcome and dreams can be realized.

“Daddy’s Girls has set a commendable example for philanthropy and empowerment, demonstrating that every investment in education is an investment in a brighter future for all.

“We hope that other
non-governmental organisation would follow suit because we believe that together we can.”(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

No casualty recorded  in Ijora tanker explosion, says Fire Service
General News , Defence/Security

No casualty recorded  in Ijora tanker explosion, says Fire Service

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By Henry Oladele

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service on Friday said that no casualty was recorded in the tanker explosion in Ijora area of Lagos State.

Mrs Margaret Adeseye , the General Manager of the service who confirmed this in a statement in Lagos, said the fire had been controlled.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tanker explosion happened on the bridge connecting to Ijora, Orile and Costain area of Lagos on Thursday night.

“The raging fire has been curtailed as the dampening of pockets of fire continues to allow for investigation to reveal the cause and the evacuation of the carcass to bring about normalcy.

“The incident affected 11 vehicles comprising of two tankers, one tipper truck, three trailers, three cars and two micro-mini busses,” she said.

NAN reports that  the Southwest Coordinator National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mr Ibrahim Falinloye said, the fire from the tanker burnt 13 vehicles which include two buses, two cars, a trailer loaded with Sardines and detergents, one Sport utility vehicle (SUV), three flat body trailers, two 20 feet containers, and two PMS tankers. [10/13, 06:45] Ibrahim Farinloye: 12 high tension electric poles were destroyed in the incident.

The carcases of the burnt vehicle are being evacuated by LASEMA. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Sadiya Hamza

2023 AFCON: Nigeria draw hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea
Sports

2023 AFCON: Nigeria draw hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea

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By Victor Okoye

 

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been drawn against hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea in Group A of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) slated for January next year in Cote d’Ivoire.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the draw was held at the Parc Des Expositions in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on on Thursday night.

 

Two-time African Footballer of the Year, and former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, Didier Drogba, and former Nigerian international, John Mikel Obi, also drew from the pots, which saw their two nations pitted together.

 

The hosts Ivory Coast – winners in 1992 and 2015 – will open the tournament on Jan. 13 against Guinea-Bissau.

 

In other draw highlights, defending champions Senegal were pitted against Cameroon while record winners Egypt will renew hostilities with Ghana.

 

Senegal, who triumphed earlier this year, were drawn in Group C against Cameroon, Guinea and AFCON debutants Gambia in what looks a competitive pool.

 

Ironically, Senegal meet Cameroon in a friendly in France on Monday as part of their build-up to defend the trophy on Ivorian soil.

 

Egypt, hunting a record-extending eighth continental crown, will face Ghana in Group B in a repeat of the 2010 final which the Pharaohs won late on. Cape Verde and Mozambique complete the group.

 

Algeria, Tunisia, Mali and South Africa add further star quality to Group E in another exciting pool.

 

Elsewhere, AFCON semi-finalists Morocco should navigate a comfortable Group F containing DR Congo, Zambia and Tanzania.

 

Matches will take place at six venues across the country, including newly constructed stadiums in Abidjan, Korhogo and San Pedro.

 

The 16-team group stage was plotted in Abidjan, with Cote d’Ivoire hosting the continent’s showpiece event from 13 January to 11 February 2023.

 

Groups:

 

Group A: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau

 

Group B: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde Islands, Mozambique

 

Group C: Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, Gambia

 

Group D: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Angola

 

Group E: Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia

 

Group F: Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania.

 

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are three-time AFCON champions, conquering the continent in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

 

In April 1994, the Nigerian national football team was ranked 5th in the FIFA rankings, the highest FIFA ranking position ever achieved by an African football team.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

VO/MUYI/SH

=========

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Sadiya Hamza

FG strategising to end out-of-stock syndrome of drugs, says Officials
Health

FG strategising to end out-of-stock syndrome of drugs, says Officials

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By Franca Ofili

The Federal Government is strategising to end out-of-stock syndrome of drugs in the country.

Prof. Mohammed Sambo, the Director-General, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) made this known in Abuja while addressing newsmen in collaboration with NAFDAC.

Sambo said that the authority has engaged several stakeholders including pharmaceutical manufacturers and companies to achieve it’s rebranding agenda with the aim of proffering solutions that
ensure eradication out-of-stock syndrome.

“I inaugurated the NHIA Medicines Supply Committee on Feb. 19, 2020.

“The committee submitted its report in June 2020 and adopted branding of NHIA medicines and other health products to ensure the quality of it’s medicines,” Sambo said.

He said that the branding medicines and other health products was aimed to facilitate the supply of affordable, acceptable, accessible, available, and quality medicines and other health products.

According to him, the initiative is to enhance the production of high-quality medicines to inspire users’ confidence.

He said that he also inaugurated Medicines Supply Implementation Committee to pilot the affair with relevant stakeholders.

Sambo said that 12 pharmaceutical companies was selected and would be branding 33 products for the health insurance ecosystem in the first phase.

According to him, the authority choose seven states which are Delta, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Niger, Osun and Sokoto states) and the FCT for the pilot phase of implementation of this initiative.

“This initiative is geared towards the strengthening of local pharmaceutical manufacturers, which will ultimately guarantee medicine security.

“It will help to reduce the cost of medicines especially that of intravenous fluids which will reduce by as much as 50 per cent of current market price based on NHIA negotiations with the manufacturers without compromising standards and quality.

“We kindly request NAFDAC to give the pharmaceutical companies branding products for the health insurance ecosystem a waiver to add the logo to their drug packs.

” This request is to avoid the transfer of the extra cost to the end user.Approve the collaborative post market surveillance by NHIA and NAFDAC,” he said.

Also speaking, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC said that the collaboration between the two agencies was mandated to regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture and advertisement

She said others are distribution, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water, detergents and chemicals.

Adeyeye said that government has just launched the operational guidelines for the 2022 National Health Insurance Authority Act as part of efforts to ensure all Nigerians have access to affordable healthcare services.

“The operational guidelines are crucial to clarifying the roles, responsibilities, and obligations of various stakeholders in the health sector because access to affordable quality health care for all Nigerians is key on the path to achieving Universal Health Coverage,” she said.

The director-general said the agency has collaborated with NHIA to ensure a sustainable access to affordable and acceptable quality medicines for our citizensThe Executive Order 3 (EO3) on support for local content in public procurement by the government.

She said that government required that the 33 drugs would be branded with NHIA inscription under the authority.

Adeyeye said that NAFDAC, through the Directorate of Registration and Regulatory Affairs would also ensure that appropriate and adequate labelling of the medicines are met in line with the Agency’s labelling requirements and in accordance with NHIA guidelines.

“NAFDAC will continue to collaborate with NHIA to ensure that the terms spelt out in Executive Order 3(EO3) will to be implemented to enable the attainment of Universal Health Coverage as specified in the National Drug Policy,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Minister inspects AKK gas pipeline project, tasks contractor on completion
Oil & Gas

Minister inspects AKK gas pipeline project, tasks contractor on completion

242 total views today

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Federal Government has directed the contractor handling the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Natural Gas Pipeline Project to ensure completion and deliver the project on time.

Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), gave the charge on Thursday while inspecting the AKK project sites in PAI community, situated between Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils of Abuja.

Ekpo inspected the progress of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) of the PAI River Crossing being executed by Oilserv Limited, one of the three major River Crossing work which advanced in stage and approaching the final stage of completion.

The AKK pipeline is a 614km-long natural gas pipeline being developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to run from Ajaokuta, through Abuja-Kaduna to Kano.

Ekpo was accompanied in the visit by Mr Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, top officials of the NNPC Ltd and the project contractor, Oilserv Limited, Pipelines and Facilities (EPCIC), among others.

The Minister said with more than 200 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) of proven gas reserves and unproven reserves amounting to 600 TCF in the deep sea and other areas in the country the AKK project was critical to be delivered on schedule.

“So far; I am impressed with what has been done, and the contractor has assured me that by July and August 2024 the project will be completed.

“And when completed, many ailing industries will come to limelight, there will be efficient power supply, availability of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking, eradicating biomass (charcoal) while industries would equally come up.

“Today the global world is talking about gas and we have it in abundance, the reserve is enough to take us for next hundred years and service other nations. Nigeria should actually be the hub of gas resources.

“The prosperity of Nigeria depends on this very project. When completed, power plants in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano will be put into use guaranteeing energy security in long term with boost in investment.

“So we hold the contractor responsible for any slow rate of development. You are given the job on trust and there are bound to be challenges. The way you have been summounting challenges in other locations, apply it here, we will support you to complete it on schedule,” Ekpo said.

While appreciating NNPC Ltd and management on its efforts, Ekpo assured Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu, adding that the government was doing everything possible to mitigate hardship.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Malam Mele Kyari, said reiterated its commitment towards the delivery of strategic national infrastructure projects through responsive project delivery, active collaboration with security agencies and communities.

Kyari, represented by Mr Olalekan Ogunleye, Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, NNPC Ltd, said it was focused on technology deployment in form of Human and Technical Intelligence for surveillance along the entire Right of Way to realise timely delivery of the project for the benefit of Nigerians.

He described the project as a major economic trigger of the nation assuring that the NNPC Ltd would continue to take right steps to ensure that facilities and resources required were deployed for its realisation.

Also speaking, Oilserv Chairman, Mr Emeka Okwuosa, gave assurance that the project would be completed between July and August 2024.

He said the site visited was peculiar because of its river crossing, adding that it would also deployed Direct Pipe Installation Technology to cross River Niger.

Okwuosa said the company was working hard to mitigate challenges to enable it to deliver the project.

He listed the challenges as river crossing, rock blasting, drilling and security, stressing that it would continue to work closely with the NNPC Ltd to ensure timely delivery of the project.

“We are also working with the NNPC Ltd to see how we can do night operations here to hasten the project by doubling the speed but we are only limited with day time operations.

“Some pipes are existing in the right of way example crude oil line to Kaduna refinery so we are careful not to damage anything. We are optimistic that by next year the linear section that will deliver gas will be done with,” he said.

The 2.5 billion dollars AKK Gas Pipeline and Stations Project is a flagship of the Phase -1 Trans Nigeria Gas Pipeline (TNGP) project.

It is designed to integrate the northern part of Nigeria with the Niger Delta, eastern and western regions of the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

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