NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Mahmoud calls for increase investment in primary healthcare

Mahmoud calls for increase investment in primary healthcare

190 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmoud has called on governments at all levels to increase investment in primary healthcare.

Mahmoud made the call in Abuja on Monday, at an event organised by the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria, FCT/Keffi Chapter, to celebrate the 2025 World Family Doctors Day.

She emphasised the critical need to strengthen primary healthcare systems to address the growing health challenges faced by communities.

She said that the theme, “Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World,” underscored the essential role family doctors play in supporting mental health.

She added that family doctors also foster resilience amidst global adversities such as climate change, social instability, and economic uncertainty.

“Family doctors are frontline caregivers, uniquely positioned to deliver continuous and person-centred care that promotes early intervention and holistic support.

“They are the backbone of our healthcare system, providing comprehensive care that nurtures mental wellness and builds resilience in individuals and communities.

“Not only that, family doctors are unsung heroes, working tirelessly in clinics, rural health posts, urban centres and conflict zones to deliver equitable healthcare,” she said.

The minister praised their enduring relationships with patients, describing it as “vital” for proactively managing mental health issues and chronic diseases.

She reiterated that a robust and accessible primary healthcare was more important than ever in addressing the complex health landscape marked by pandemics, chronic illnesses, and mental health crises.

She stressed the need for training, recruitment and retention of family physicians, especially in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.

Mahmoud emphasised the importance of recognising and valuing family medicine within health policy and practice frameworks.

This, according to her, will ensure sustainable health outcomes.

The chairperson of the family physicians, Dr Ngozi Mmamelu, said that Nigeria faces unique challenges, including limited access to mental health services, stigma and shortage of mental health professionals.

Mmamelu added that family doctors could bridge the gaps by conducting initial mental health screenings, raising awareness and providing basic psychological support.

She further noted that integrating mental health services into primary care is crucial and family doctors could play a vital role in promoting mental wellness.

She reiterated the commitment of the physicians to the principles of family medicine. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Lagos ministry empowers 250 women-focused NGOs with funding skills

Lagos ministry empowers 250 women-focused NGOs with funding skills

316 total views today

 

 

 

By Kemi Akintokun

 

Mrs. Bolaji Dada, Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has emphasised the need for increased funding for women-focused Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to enhance the welfare of women.

 

Speaking at a capacity-building event organised by the ministry for 250 women-focused NGOs on Tuesday in Lagos, Dada highlighted the essential role these organisations play in addressing challenges faced by women.

 

She particularly emphasised their importance in the area of economic empowerment.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the training is “Practical Approach on How to Search and Access Funding for Non-profit Organisations.”

 

Represented by Mrs. Jibike Onigbanjo, the Permanent Secretary, Dada identified funding as one of the primary obstacles NGOs face in carrying out their initiatives.

 

She stated that the training aimed to bridge the gap by equipping participants with the necessary skills to attract and secure funds for their programmes.

 

“This training is a testament to our unwavering commitment to empowering women-focused non-profit organisations with the knowledge and skills needed to access funding and expand their impact in society.

 

“NGOs play a vital role in addressing social challenges and advancing the welfare of women in our society,” Dada said.

 

She added that the training aligned with the THEMES Agenda of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and would help participants identify, apply for, and secure funding opportunities both locally and internationally.

 

Dada further noted that the Lagos State government continued to create an enabling environment for women-focused NGOs to thrive and drive positive change.

 

To make the most of these opportunities, she stressed that organisations must be well-informed, strategic, and proactive in their approach to funding.

 

The commissioner encouraged participants to take full advantage of the programme in order to contribute meaningfully to the lives of women across Lagos and beyond.

 

Dr Ayodeji Abdul-Rauf, the training facilitator, urged NGOs to be resilient, consistent, and focused in their efforts to attract the right funding.

 

He highlighted that a lack of funding was a major hindrance to NGOs making a social impact and advised them to target organisations, foundations, or individuals with similar interests.

 

Mrs. Gbemisola Babarinde, the Director of the Non-profit Organisation Unit at the ministry, mentioned that the training was held annually and was aimed at engaging registered women-focused NGOs in the state.

 

She reiterated that the ministry was committed to continually partnering with NGOs to improve the welfare of women in Lagos.(NAN)(nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Abiemwense

USAID funding freeze and Nigeria’s buffer measures

USAID funding freeze and Nigeria’s buffer measures

477 total views today

By Chijioke Okoronkwo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

On the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump accentuated his protectionist leaning by signing a flurry of executive orders affecting a wide range of issues including U.S. foreign aids.

In his “America First’’ stance, Trump signed Executive Order 14169, titled “Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid”, imposing a 90-day pause on foreign aid pending review of all the programmes.

Trump’s actions, no doubt, are causing provision and supply chain disruptions as countries adjust to the shock even as some unleash counter measures on the U.S.

Of particular concern to Nigerians and some global solutionists is the freeze on U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) which intervenes in clean water, HIV/AIDS treatments, disaster management, migration, energy security, anti-corruption as well as women’s health in conflict zones.

Trump had, also, via an executive order, announced U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organisation(WHO).

Against the unfolding backlashes, U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, provided a bulwark.

Rubio said the U.S. had continued to provide foreign aid after USAID had its programmes frozen pending a review.

“I am not against foreign aid; I have supported foreign aid; we are going to do foreign aid.’’

Rubio, who spoke with Catherine Herridge for X, said he had no regrets about USAID and argued that some programmes “should not have ever existed.”

Note, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the world’s leading HIV initiative.

Perceptive stakeholders in Nigeria are also worried about the U.S. PEPFAR programme which currently covers close to 90 per cent of the treatment for HIV patients.

Rubio had also announced an “emergency humanitarian waiver” allowing PEPFAR to continue providing life-saving HIV medications to low-income countries.

Available data indicates that in 2023, USAID committed 1 billion dollars to Nigeria, while in 2024, it allocated 780 million dollars–health remains a focal point of USAID’s operations in Nigeria.

Regrettably, all overseas missions for USAID had been ordered to shut down while members of staff were being recalled.

“All USAID direct hire personnel, except designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and/or specially designated programs, will be placed on administrative leave globally.

“Concurrently, USAID is beginning to implement a Reduction-in-Force that will affect approximately 1,600 USAID personnel with duty stations in the United States,” USAID said.

Nonetheless, the Federal Government is rallying to bridge the USAID funding gap by fortifying ongoing health sector reforms.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said that Nigeria anticipated a decline in global financial aid and is actively working towards bolstering its health system by leveraging domestic resources.

Pate highlighted that the decline was expected even before the U.S. Govt. publicly announced cuts to funding for agencies supporting developing countries.

Regardless of the obstacles, Pate expressed heartfelt gratitude to the U.S. government for its extensive and generous support over the years, acknowledging the positive impact on Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“For the past two decades, many countries worldwide have benefited from lifesaving interventions, particularly in HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, thanks to the generosity of the U.S. Government and its people.

“For Nigeria, we sincerely appreciate all the support received.

“However, it is unwise for any country to rely entirely on another for the health and lives of its population,” he said.

Pate reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to prioritising health, noting that the country had made significant advancements in the healthcare sector.

He emphasised the government’s determination to improve the well-being of citizens, and that the cuts in aid were understandable, given the U.S. government’s current interests.

“Here in Nigeria, we are focused on rebuilding our health system, strengthening domestic resources, and providing services for our citizens.

“We aim to cooperate with other countries in Africa and globally to enhance biosecurity and health security while fostering private-sector investments.’’

The minister said that Nigeria had approved the ratification of the African Medicines Agency Treaty, which would help Nigeria become part of a larger African market for locally produced medicines.

He said there were investment opportunities in Nigeria’s health sector and invited American partners to participate.

“We have innovations, tools, systems, and technologies that we can trade.

“We are open and confident that, as the direction of the U.S. Government evolves, Nigeria will continue to welcome genuine partnerships with the U.S. and other countries.

“These partnerships should be focused on advancing humanity while respecting each nation’s interests,” Pate said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, said the U.S. Government’s announcement to halt donations for HIV treatment in developing nations was a wake-up call for self-independence.

Salako said the government would identify avenues to raise domestic and alternative funds.

“I believe that it is a wake-up call for us to strategise and think the way we do things and ensure that we also are able to exert ourselves and create some level of independence within our system.

“To that extent, a series of meetings have been convened, and there is an ongoing discussion with United Nations bodies, WHO, UNDP and others that work within the health space so that we can also harvest their opinion.

“We are also looking at other avenues to raise domestic and alternative revenue.

“For example, our HIV programme is heavily supported by the U.S. Government; we are looking at crowd funding to support that in addition to the government making available more funding.”

The minister expressed optimism that the U.S. Government would continue to play its role in the global community.

“I must say that the world is a global village and what happens in one country easily affects the other country.

“America cannot operate in isolation, just like Nigeria cannot operate in isolation, or any other country of the world, for that matter.

“So, I believe that reason will prevail and the American government will continue to play the role it ought to play within the global community,” he said.

In the prevailing context, experts say Nigerians must look inwards and become more innovative.

Dr Ejike Oji, Chairman, Association for the Advancement of Family Planning in Nigeria (AAFP), weighed in.

Oji said there was no better time for the Nigerian health sector to be imaginative.

He advised Nigerians to be innovative, self-sustaining and reliant in terms of medical interventions.

According to him, there is a need for Nigerians to brace up for alternatives.

“By this I mean, we should be substantive with what we have.

”This is the time for our people to be innovative and self-sustaining in order to meet up with our financial demands rather than relying on international donors.

”We need to be self-sustaining now rather than depending on international donors, because many of these donors will withdraw their support as a result of America’s withdrawal,” he said.

More so, Ijeoma Nwankwo, a Pharmacist, and Senior Programme Officer for the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Foundation (PSNF), said that the impact would be most severe for underserved communities.

“Many Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) working in hard-to-reach areas depend on this funding to provide services.

“With donor cuts, those free services will either shrink or disappear entirely,” she said.

Nwankwo, a leading advocate in reproductive health, said that the shift was particularly troubling because over 60 per cent of Nigerian women already accessed family planning through private providers.

Nwankwo suggested integrating family planning into Nigeria’s health insurance schemes.

“Lagos State, with its relatively robust insurance programme (LASHMA), is already exploring ways to cover family planning services under its health insurance plan.

“If successful, this model could be replicated nationwide,” she said.

She said technology would play a pivotal role in bridging the gap.

Dr Stanley Ilechukwu, a Community Advocate, called for a strategic shift in investment by prioritising state and community-level funding over-reliance on federal allocations or international donors.

Ilechukwu said that investing at least N1 million per Primary Healthcare Center (PHC) to strengthen its capacity to provide essential reproductive health services was a possible solution.

“This level of investment would go a long way in supporting PHCs to sustain family planning services,” he said.

Deserving no less attention, Dr Stanley Ukpai, Director of Projects at dRPC, called for a fundamental shift in strategy.

“Our advocacy messaging has to change; now that we are in a crisis, we need bold and urgent solutions,” he said.

He said that without immediate intervention, millions of Nigerian women may find themselves without the reproductive healthcare they need, further deepening the country’s maternal health crisis.

As the U.S. judicial system scrambles to intercept Trump’s blitz on USAID, discerning stakeholders say Nigeria must activate effective buffer measures to avert any crisis that may result from the funding hiatus. (NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

World Bank approves extra funding for FCT FADAMA NG-CARES

World Bank approves extra funding for FCT FADAMA NG-CARES

514 total views today

By Uche Bibilari

The FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), says the World Bank has approved request for the second phase of the FCT FADAMA COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.

The Mandate Secretary of ARDS, Mr Lawan Geidam, said this at the inauguration of the Pre-Field training of Enumerators responsible for the generation of field data for the conduct of FCT FADAMA CARES programme.

Geidam said that the programme was for the Endline and Beneficiaries Impact Assessment Survey on Wednesday in Gwagwalada.

He said that the Federal Government had initially requested for additional financing to continue the implementation of the CARES programme following the successes recorded during the FCT FADAMA (NG-CARES 1.0) programme nation wide.

He said that the World Bank had approved the request and renamed the programme-Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES 2.0) programme expected to commence in June.

According to him, the training is one out of a series of events marking the commencement of technical closure processes for the first phase of NG-CARES Programme (NG-CARES 1.0).

“I am glad to inform all that under the NG-CARES 1.0, FCT FADAMA CARES had successfully disbursed grants to 12,423 individual beneficiaries from 181 Farmers Community Association across the FCT.

“Out of these, 8,190 beneficiaries representing 66 per cent of the total disbursements were supported within less than two years period of our administration.

“The FCT CARES Programme is an emergency response supported by the World Bank to help farmers recover from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

”The programme has been supporting poor and vulnerable farmers in the FCT since 2022″, he said.

He said that the programme signified the attainment of another significant milestone by the secretariat towards ensuring the attainment of food and nutritional security in the FCT.

Giedam commended the efforts and the achievement by the FCT FADAMA CARES programme during the implementation of the first phase of NG-CARES 1.0.

The mandate secretary assured the beneficiaries of the secretariat’s support as they commence the second phase.

He urged the trainees to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the FCT FADAMA CARES programme to enhance their knowledge.

He said that this would significantly facilitate the successful conduct of the endline and beneficiary impact assessment survey.

The Acting FCT FADAMA CARES Coordinator, Hussaini Iliyasu, said that the objective of the FCT CARES was to increase food security and safe functioning of food supply chain.

Iliyasu said that the programme was a World Bank budget support to the FCT, targeted at existing and newly emerging vulnerable and poor households on agricultural value chains.

He assured the secretary that the team would continue to give its best towards ensuring the successful closure of the NG-CARES 1.0 programme and the commencement of NG-CARES 2.0.

The FCT CARES Coordinator, Mr Uba Bala, said that the World Bank had recommended that a programme Implementation Completion Report be carried out to appraise the team’s performance for future remedies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the handover of office equipment to the FCT FADAMA CARES desk offices in the six area councils. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Kadiri Abdulrahman

Innovator seeks special funding to boost AI, tech ecosystem

Innovator seeks special funding to boost AI, tech ecosystem

428 total views today

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

The Founder of Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN), Mr Andrew Abu, has called for stronger partnerships with relevant agencies to improve access to funding for startups in the country.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday, Abu said such collaboration would boost Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.

He noted that while the country’s tech sector has the talent, ideas, and market potential, it requires strategic funding and policy support to drive innovation and economic growth.

“Nigeria’s technology ecosystem is brimming with potential, yet access to funding remains a persistent challenge.

“This is in spite of the existence of funding instruments like the CBN intervention funds, the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) innovation financing, and the Bank of Industry (BOI).

“The disbursement of these funds has not been effectively structured to support the real needs of tech startups.

“The time is ripe for a strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the CBN, and others to establish a structured funding model that provides accessible financing for Nigerian innovators”.

Abu noted that the Startup Act (2022) provides a legal framework for supporting startups, but financial institutions and key agencies must implement it effectively to drive real impact.

“The Nigeria Startup Act was designed to stimulate innovation, encourage foreign investment, and provide structured incentives for startups.

“However, its impact can only be fully realised if financial institutions actively leverage its provisions to channel funding into the ecosystem,” he said.

He urged the CBN, in collaboration with the DBN, BOI, and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), to establish a dedicated Startup Investment Fund to provide financing for certified startups under the Startup Act framework.

He said this would reduce bureaucracy and ensure that funds reach the right hands.

“Many startups struggle with access to credit due to a lack of collateral.

“Therefore, DBN and BOI can introduce low-interest loan facilities and credit guarantees to encourage banks to lend to early-stage tech businesses without excessive risk concerns.

“CBN and BOI can structure equity-based funding schemes where startups receive direct capital injections in exchange for minority government stakes, ensuring long-term sustainability.

“NSIA, as Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund manager, should allocate resources for strategic investment in promising startups, especially in high-growth sectors like fintech, AI, and health tech,” Abu said.

He also called for sector-specific funding for high-growth tech industries such as fintech, health tech, edtech, and agritech, adding that AI-driven startups should receive similar support.

Abu suggested that a Smart Agriculture Innovation Fund be established to support startups using AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain to enhance Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

He further recommended that BOI, NSIA, and DBN collaborate with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to fund innovation hubs across the country, particularly in underrepresented regions.

“These hubs should serve as incubation centres where startups receive both funding and business development support.

“NITDA’s experience in digital innovation and startup incubation makes it a key facilitator of capacity-building programmes for tech entrepreneurs,” Abu said.

He emphasised that NITDA and NSIA are at the forefront of Nigeria’s digital transformation and should play a crucial role in ensuring policy implementation and providing technical support for digital enterprises under the Startup Act. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email