Day: October 19, 2023

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says plans are underway to improve the quality of health services in the federal capital, Abuja.

Wike gave the assurance when the Executive members of the FCT Chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors, led by the President, Dr Rahman Olayinka visited him in Abuja on Wednesday.

He explained that the FCT Administration would ensure necessary provisions in the 2024 budget to improve quality of services in health facilities in the FCT.

“The services at the moment are not encouraging. It is unfortunate.

“I was thinking that since FCT is a capital city it will have the best health facilities, but from what I am told, there is nothing to write home about, but be assured it will be the best.

“We will bring the health system to a standard that everybody will be happy,” he said.

The minister also said that efforts were being made to complete the Utako Hospital, adding that the FCT Administration was doing the best it can to meet the health needs of the people.

On salary increment and allowances to medical personnel, Wike said that the FCT do not currently have the financial resources to support salary increment or allowances.

He said that the current wage bill of the FCTA is N8 billion monthly.

Wike advised the doctors to place emphasis on unpaid increment and allowances while also concentrating on improving facilities for quality services.

He asked the group to work with the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat to work out unpaid allowances and salary increments for the administration to strategise how to pay.

He also advised the medical doctors against strike action in the name of salary increment, adding that efforts would be made to settle outstanding allowances and training of medical officers.

Earlier, Dr Olayinka thanked the minister for attending to some of their challenges within a short time in office.

He pointed out that health facilities in the FCTA were challenged by shortage of manpower and called on the minister to consider the health sector when opportunity emerged for recruitment.

He also appealed for the supply of more drugs for hospitals in the FCT to provide the needed services to the residents and those accessing the facilities from the neighbouring states.

“We need doctors, pharmacists, nurses, lab technicians among other critical manpower as FCT is at the receiving end of the “Japa” syndrome.

“We are being owed arrears of hazard allowance which the previous administration promised to pay in tranches,” he added. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mr Nyesom Wike, has described a well-functioning parliament with the right support systems as a “cornerstone” of democracy.

The minister stated this at the opening ceremony of the 9th National and States Assembly Service Commissions conference, held at the Maryam Babangida Centre for Women Development, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Wike, who was represented by the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, also identified the legislative bodies as the heart of democracy, while individuals who support them were the lifeblood.

He said that the theme for the conference, “Excellence in Parliamentary Services: A Panacea for Good Legislation for Democratic Governance” underscores the pivotal role that parliamentary services play in democratic governance.

According to him, the theme emphasizes the need for excellence, efficiency and effectiveness in parliamentary services to ensure that legislative bodies can optimally fulfil their duties to the people.

“I applaud the work that you do, the sacrifices you make and the commitment you demonstrate daily in the service of our nation”.

He further posited that the conference serves as a unique forum for parliamentarians to deliberate, collaborate, and share experiences and insights.

The minister said that the conference provides the needed opportunity to foster cooperation, exchange best practices, and learn from one another in the collective pursuit of excellence in parliamentary service.

He urged the participants to collaborate with their peers across the country, to identify innovative solutions that can enhance the quality of the legislative process.

Earlier, Mr Ahmed Amshi, the Executive Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, called on state governments that were yet to establish the State Assembly Service Commission to do so.

Amshi said that the role of commission includes providing a platform for streamlining operational procedures and adoption of common conditions and schemes of service for parliamentary bureaucracy across the nation.

According to him, the aim is to build an excellent workforce that will provide bureaucratic support for effective legislation for good democratic governance and sustainable development of the country. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A CSO, Independent Hajj Reporters, has urged the new Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Jalal Arabi, to design a comprehensive sustainable hajj policy.

The National Coordinator of the CSO, Malam Ibrahim Muhammed, gave the advice in a congratulatory message to the chairman, on Thursday in Abuja.

” As a retired Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service, it is expected that the new NAHCON Chairman will put in place a comprehensive and sustainable Hajj policy that focuses on efficient service delivery for Nigerian pilgrims.

” And see to its implementation at every stage.”

Muhammed also urged the chairman to immediately mobilise the needed tools to launch a massive public enlightenment to educate prospective pilgrims on the short time available for registration for the 2024 hajj pilgrimage.

He added, ” As a seasoned civil servant, the new NAHCON helmsman comes onboard with a technocratic experience which we believe will come to bear as he assumes duty.

” We also note that the new chairman is coming into office at the right time with a timeline of activities regarding Hajj 2024, just picking up.

” We urge that he hits the ground running by continuing where the immediate past board of NAHCON stopped by ensuring prompt registration of intending pilgrims and engagement of capable service providers for hajj 2024 operation.”

Muhammed commended the immediate past board of the commission for doing well in spite of the numerous challenges.

He particularly paid tribute to the former NAHCON boss, Zikirullah Hassan, for the take-off of the Hajj Savings Scheme and the Hajj Institute of Nigeria.

” While we wish the new chairman a successful tenure of office, we call on him to work in harmony with the State Pilgrims Boards and Agencies as well as Tour Operators to see to the successful registration of pilgrims.

” And the implementation of the Road Map to Hajj 2024, as encapsulated in the programmes and policies being implemented by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah towards Hajj 2024.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Civitas Auxillium Foundation (CAF), an NGO, Wednesday, donated desks with chairs, books and writing materials to six schools inside Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Wasa District in the FCT.

The Chief Operations Officer and Founder of CAF, Mrs Elizabeth Duille, said the effort was part of the organisation’s “CAF-Kit a Child School Outreach Programme”, supported by Equipping the Needy Initiative, Abuja.

Duille said the initiative targets less privileged children, particularly those in IDP camps, to ensure they have access to quality education, educational materials to enable them to explore their potential and achieve their dreams.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the benefitting schools included Moving Star Academy, Tanzak Best Academy, Seat of Wisdom Academy, ECWA Zion Academy, Deseret Preston Academy and Well Bred Academy.

She said: “The aim of this organisation is to support vulnerable women and children, who have been victims of violent conflicts across Nigeria, and most of them reside in the IDP camps.

“There are over 5,000 IDPs residing in this camp.

“So, we selected six schools with an average of 800 pupils that we are currently working with.

“We identified their needs and discovered that there was no basic infrastructure in over 50 per cent of them.

“They have no chairs, schoolbooks to write and, of course, textbooks.”

According to Duille, the foundation provided wooden desks with attached chairs, 2,000 notebooks and kits of writing materials, including biros, pencils, erasers for the schools.

“Our aim is to ensure that they access quality education and learn in an environment that is conducive, where they can actually sit on desks rather than the floors to learn,” she said.

She further said that the organisation also supports women in IDP camps with training, loans and equipment to enable them to source a living and ensure smooth transition back into society.

“We empower women at the IDP camps to ensure that they begin to have their lives back.

“Some actually do have skills but do not have resources to start up anything financially to cater to their families.

“We believe that everyone should have the dignity of earning and the dignity of having to sustain himself or herself and their families.

“They can actually become able to move out of the camp and live in a society where there is dignity, where there is infrastructure and where they will not be having that stigma of saying we were in IDP camps,” Duille said.

A representative of Equipping the Needy Initiative, Mr Nathaniel Agu, reiterated their commitment to helping the needy, orphans and vulnerable groups in society.

“This will go a long way in putting smiles on the faces of these children and I urge the government and other stakeholders to support them to make Nigeria a better place,” Agu said.

Speaking on behalf of the schools, Mr Abdullahi Atiku of Tanzak Best Academy expressed appreciation to the foundation for its donation and efforts in ensuring that the less privileged students could also achieve academic excellence.

Atiku appealed to the State and Federal Governments and other well-meaning organisations to support schools in IDP camps to ensure that no child was left behind in accessing quality education.

Similarly, a parent, Mr Aliyu Haliru-Adamu, said the donated items would relieve them from the burden of spending their lean resources on such items for their children.

A student, Faith Yohanna, said: “This gesture will go a long way to help us learn in a more conducive environment.

“Most of us came from the North-East because of insecurity, so the books and other learning materials will help save our parents’ money and enable us to have the other things we need in school.” (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Sokoto State Government has expressed commitment to a multi-faceted approach aimed at eradicating poverty in the state.

Mrs Sa’adatu Mohammed, Special Adviser to Gov. Ahmed Aliyu on Poverty Reduction Agency, stated this at a symposium to commemorate the 2023 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

The symposium, titled ”Dignity for All in Practice”, was organised by the Special Adviser’s office to empower youths with the means to combat poverty effectively.

Mohammed emphasised the government’s focus on substantial investments in education and skills development.

“ Education is the key that unlocks doors to opportunity, empowering individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty.

“ Therefore, by ensuring access to quality education for all, we can provide the tools needed for individuals to build a better future,” she said.

The special adviser said that the state government was actively promoting inclusive economic growth and job creation.

“This is with the aim of fostering an environment that supports entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable livelihoods.

“Moreso, the government’s commitment to social protection programmes, including cash transfers, affordable healthcare and nutrition initiatives, remains unwavering,” she assured.

Mohammed explained that the programmes are designed to act as safety net for the most vulnerable in the society.

“By ensuring that basic needs are met, we can alleviate the immediate hardships faced by those living in poverty and pave the way for long-term well-being,”

Alhaji Haruna Bashir, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industry, expressed appreciation for the Special Adviser’s efforts in combating poverty and pledged to collaborate closely with her office to achieve the government’s goals.

Prof. Bello Buda, in his presentation, emphasised the need for government to ensure sustainable, long-lasting measures to eradicate poverty in the society. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria