By Bosede Olufunmi
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has completed the installation of transplant and urology equipment for the treatment of prostate and kidney stone worth N250 million in seven hospitals.

Alhaji Umar Ali, the contractor handling the supply, who also represented Tetfund, told newsmen shortly after the installation of the equipment at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano (AKTH).

He described the gesture as the first in seven government hospitals at a time for the benefit of those seeking health assistance.

He listed other benefitting health institutions to include: Aminu Kano (now Bayero Teaching Hospital University) (BUK), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, University of Abuja, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin.

Others are: University of Jos Teaching Hospital; and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri.

He said that those seeking treatment for kidney stone, and kidney failure are on the increase on daily basis, hence intervention by TETFund to find a lasting solution to their health challenges.

According to him, the fund has installed the equipment, tested and discovered to be in good working condition.

He added that “doctors have started using the equipment for research and practicals in the university, but all credits go to TETFund, because without their intervention, it may not have been possible.”

Prof. Sani Aji from Bayero University, Kano, said with the modern technology, there may not be any need to cut open any patient.

He said that “before now, after patients have been operated on, they will stay in the hospital for like between 10-12 days before discharge, but now, they can go the same day of the operation if there is no complications.

“Very few centres have the facilities and they are all private, but with TETFund intervention, this laser surgery will help a lot.”

On his part, Dr Przemyslaw Zugaj, one of the medical personnel invited from Poland to train doctors on how to handle the laser equipment on patients when conducting surgeries.

Zugaj explained that the surgery will destroy stones in the kidney and patients are checked properly, while it may not be necessary to repeat the surgery and it is cheaper.

He said with proper handling of the laser machine, there will not be need to open up patients, but carry out the operation successfully without bleeding.

One of the participants, Prof. Samuel Osaghae, also a Consultant Urologist from University of Benin, described the intervention as a special project.

He said the installation would facilitate indoor urology centre for kidney, urethra bladder and prostate, which would impact healthcare delivery in Nigeria positively.

Dr Haruna Usman from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi, said the gesture would be extended to other communities.

“This will reduce waste of resources and people will no longer need to travel out for surgeries,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, says the initiatives put in place by his administration to boost the welfare of workers are already yielding results.

Ali said this on Wednesday in his congratulatory message to the agency’s workers on the occasion of this year’s International Workers Day with the theme: “Ensuring Safety and Health at Work in a Changing Climate”.

The managing director acknowledged the diligence, passion and contributions of the workers in the agency striving in diverse ways to create an agency we all desire.

Ali described this year’s theme as apposite, saying that his administration would continue to create a safe and conducive atmosphere for NAN workers to unleash their creative energy in order to attain the zenith of their full potential.

“Let me also restate management’s avowed commitment to repositioning the agency to meet up with global best practices and realisation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.

He expressed optimism that NAN would achieve the vision of its founding fathers with the management and staff members collaborating in its institutional interest. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

By Bosede Olufunmi

Eighty paramedics and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) patrol operatives from the North-East and North West are currently undergoing capacity building training on saving lives and reducing road crashes.

The FSRC Corps Marshal, Mr Dauda Biu, while declaring a three-day capacity- building training opened in Kano on Tuesday, said the objective was to retool knowledge and zeal of personnel in life-saving rescue operations.

Biu said the training would focus on strengthening the capacity of FRSC paramedics, operational personnel and officers to meet the goals of the United Nation’s Decade of Action for Road Safety, in saving the lives of crash victims on Nigerian roads.

The FRSC boss, represented by Assistant Corps Marshal, Corps Project Implementation, Clement Oladele, said the training would bridge the gaps in the Corps rescue operations.

“This training is to enhance capabilities of FRSC personnel in two crucial areas – crash scene management and administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

“Our main goal is to save lives and prioritise how casualties and injured victims are professionally evacuated to hospitals for immediate medical attention.

“The corps has long been at the forefront of efforts to rescue crash victims and create safer roads in Nigeria.

“We have also partnered with Ford Foundation and this invaluable support has availed personnel the opportunity to receive world class training and acquire essential skills,” he said.

Biu explained that the training covered a comprehensive curriculum reflecting commitment of corps to equip its personnel with knowledge, skills and confidence to excel in demanding field of road safety and crash response.

He added that the training also included the female personnel, who as part of the consideration for selection, were nominated to enable them to attend more professionally, to children and women victims of crashes on the road.

“We put into consideration woman’s dignity that needs to be more protected when our female personnel attend to female crash victims.

“The impact of this training on participants will undoubtedly be profound in enhancing their ability to administer life saving measures promptly and effectively, ” he said.

The FRSC boss advised participants to key into the training and use same knowledge practically in their various commands and units in the zones.

“We are charging the participants to take the training seriously and put to practice all they have learnt as the corps expects to see renewed zeal to attend to rescue and doing it professionally.

“The corps is grateful to Ford Foundation for supporting FRSC in this important training, which will involve all the units and commands within the zones in the country,” he said.

The Regional Director, Ford Foundation, West Afica, Dr. Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, said the Foundation valued the works of the FRSC and recognised that the work coul not be done by government agencies alone.

He said it required support like the capacity building initiative to improve quality of first responses in emergencies.

One of the paramedics and patrol operatives undergoing the training, Dalhatu Hussaini, from Taraba Command, thanked FRSC and Ford Foundation for the exercise and promised to make use of the skills being taught, when he returned to his command.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Idris Abdulrahman

By Martha Agas

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has unveiled the gender strategy document for Nigeria’s mining and steel sector.

He also launched the Women In Mining In Nigeria (WIMIN) strategy document.

During the event, Alake hailed the gender strategy as a significant milestone, underscoring the Ministries of Solid Minerals Development and Steel Development’s commitment to fostering diversity.

He noted that the strategy aims to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, focusing on enhancing productivity for sustainable national development.

“The strategy addresses gender equality and women’s empowerment across various levels – policy, regulatory, operational, and commercial, encompassing large scale, medium scale, small scale, and artisanal roles, as well as value and supply chain functions,” Alake stated.

He stressed that the strategy serves as a blueprint for stakeholders to create a more inclusive and gender-balanced mining and steel sector, providing guidance for integrating gender equality priorities into policies, programs, and initiatives.

Alake acknowledged women’s indispensable contributions to the success and sustainability of the mining sector, highlighting the need to address biases against women in these sectors.

He said efforts have been made to prioritise gender mainstreaming in the sector in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to gender equity outlined in the ‘Roadmap for the Growth and Development of the Nigerian Mining Industry’.

Alake outlined plans to enhance institutional capacity for effective gender mainstreaming and increase women’s participation in leadership and governance roles within the mining sector and communities.

The minister emphasised the importance of promoting women’s economic empowerment and rights and eliminating barriers hindering their meaningful participation and access to mining resources and benefits.

Alake reiterated the commitment to building partnerships across various stakeholders to realise the vision of the strategy, saying that the WIMIN strategy is rooted in the principles of equality, diversity, and empowerment.

Dr Janet Adeyemi, the National President of WIMIN, described the strategy’s launch as an opportunity to mobilise support and implement actions to address entrenched gender disparities within the mining and steel sectors.

Represented by the National Secretary, Mrs Emily Ofodile, Adeyemi highlighted the multifaceted barriers women face in these industries, hindering their full participation and advancement.

Dr Mary Ogbe, the Permanent Secretary of MSMD, urged women to be change agents at all levels and advocated for organisations to appoint gender focal persons to coordinate related matters.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

The Director of Lagos State Library Board, Mr Oyadipe Amoo, has called on students to make use of public libraries in their localities to explore, learn and have fun with books.

Amoo gave the advice at the Year 2024 World Book Day with the theme “Read your way”, held on Tuesday  at the  Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Maryland, Lagos.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Tertiary Education through the Lagos State Library Board, had 150 students from 12 schools across six education districts in the state.

He said that across the state,  13 public libraries had been established under the board, adding that the 2024 theme was centered on ways to help, promote, influence and impact reading culture on youths.

The Director said that the libraries included Henry Carr Public Library, Agege; Epe Divisional Library, Epe; Ikorodu Divisional Library; Borno House Library, Amuwo-Odofin; Igbogbo Bayeku Public Library, Ajegunle; Ipaja, Ilupeju, Isolo, Meiran and Isolo,

According to him, reading for pleasure has many great benefits for students.

“It helps improve their literacy skills, expand their vocabulary and enhance their creativity.

“The Lagos State Government is playing a very crucial role in nurturing love for literature by providing access to vast array of books, resources and activities that spark their imagination and curiosity.

“This year’s World Book Day is more than a celebration of books, writers and authors.

“It’s a celebration of joy of reading and the State Government is dedicated to create a conducive environment where students can be reading and have individual study”.

Earlier, Mrs Anike Adekanye, Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS) Education District 2, in her address, described reading as an integral part of journey and a powerful weapon that helps to navigate ways through life.

According to Adekanye, the objective of today’s theme is to make reading an enjoyable experience and to promote its widespread adoption as a healthy habit among students and individuals striving for self improvement.

“ `Read your way’ is not just a phrase, but an essential ingredient in shaping and molding our lives; it’s a lifelong journey we embark on to explore and acquire knowledge for us to function productively in our world.

“Reading helps to rejuvenate our thinking capacity and provide a sound mind for sustainability and improves our communication skills, we must therefore cultivate reading habit,” she added.

The TG/PS was represented by Mrs Bosede Macaulay, Director of Education, District 11.

In her remark, Oghenekevbe Ogufere, author, Africa Writers Tribe, who urged the students to be “Gen Z goody”, a tribe that reads, said that readers are leaders that change the world.

“Know it today that Lagos State depends on you because you are our future leaders and the future starts now,”she added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the organisers distributed books and school bags to the students. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu