The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Japa symphony

    Japa symphony

    No fewer than 15,000 to 16,000 doctors left Nigeria for ‘greener pastures’ in the last five years, the Federal Government recently confirmed. But it said it was making efforts to expand the training scheme for the medics and motivate those who choose to stay back and serve their country.

    Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, lamented during an appearance on a Channels Television programme that the country has witnessed a generation of young doctors, health workers, tech entrepreneurs and other professionals in the medical sector abandoning the country for better opportunities abroad. He said: “In the last five years, the country lost about 15,000 to 16,000 doctors to the Japa syndrome, while about 17,000 were transferred. There are about 300,000 health professionals working in Nigeria today in all cadres. I am talking about doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and others. We did an assessment and discovered we have 85,000 to 90,000 registered Nigerian doctors. Not all of them are in the country though. Some are in the diaspora, especially in the US and UK. But there are 55,000 licensed doctors in the country.”

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    According to the minister, the bane of the health system in Nigeria isn’t just the low number of personnel, but also their distribution across the country. “The issue overall, in terms of health professionals, is that they are not enough. They are insufficient in terms of the skill mix. Can you believe most of the highly skilled professional doctors are in Lagos, Abuja and a few urban centres? There is a huge distribution issue,” he said, as he acknowledged that the doctor-to-patient ratio in the country was both inadequate and disproportionate. “The population of doctors overall is about 7,600 in Lagos and 4,700 or thereabouts in Abuja… There are huge distributional issues and there are, of course, opportunities even for some of those who have been trained to get into the market,” he added.

    Pate’s appraisal was more factual about the Nigerian situation compared with the bluster by a trained medical doctor and former Labour and Employment Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige, who once said Nigeria had a surplus of doctors and those among them desiring to relocate were encouraged to so do. But Pate too stressed the pull-factor more than he acknowledged the push factor. He said the ‘japa’ syndrome was a global phenomenon not restricted to Nigeria. “Other countries don’t have enough, they’re asking to take more. It is not only in Nigeria. It is happening in India, the Philippines and other parts of Africa,” he stated.

  • Biden accuses Netanyahu of prolonging Gaza conflict war for political gain

    Biden accuses Netanyahu of prolonging Gaza conflict war for political gain

    United States President, Joe Biden has said that Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu may be prolonging the Gaza conflict for political reasons, stating there is “every reason” to believe this is the case.

    The comments came in an interview with Time magazine, leading to a sharp rebuttal from the Israeli government, which accused Biden of breaching diplomatic norms.

    Netanyahu’s approval ratings have plummeted since the Hamas attack on October 7, which highlighted significant security lapses.

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    Political analysts widely agree that Netanyahu would likely lose an election held now and face court proceedings on corruption charges. Elections have been delayed until the war ends or major military operations are deemed complete.

    When Time asked Biden if Netanyahu was extending the war for political survival, Biden replied: “I’m not going to comment on that,” but noted, “There is every reason for people to draw that conclusion.”

    He also discussed the political challenges Netanyahu faced before the war.

    The U.S national security council spokesperson, John Kirby said Biden’s remarks reflected what many critics have claimed and left further comments to Netanyahu.

  • ECOWAS harmonising framework, policy for standby force

    ECOWAS harmonising framework, policy for standby force

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it is working to harmonise the framework and policy documents for managing logistics for its Standby Force (ESF).

    ECOWAS said this force serves as a last resort, to be used if diplomatic efforts fail.

    ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, announced this initiative during a four-day workshop in Kano yesterday, aimed at reviewing the pertinent documents.

    Represented by Dr. Cyriaque Agnekethom, Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, Musah explained that the documents outline the logistics requirements for Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs), ECOWAS, and other partners.

    He explained that the workshop’s goal is to review and harmonise these documents to address contemporary security challenges.

    Musah recalled that a consultant was hired in 2019 to develop policies and guiding documents for managing ECOWAS Logistics Depots (ELDs). The ESF logistics concept, established in 2005, provides a coordination platform for logistics support and procedures for the Standby Force.

    These documents, reviewed in internal expert workshops, are now ready for independent expert validation.

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    “The documents are expected to be comprehensive enough to address contemporary challenges and align with international best practices,” Musah stated.

    The logistics concept offers a conceptual understanding of sustained operations, considering the evolving dynamics of the contemporary security environment and peace support in the region. This underscores the need to adapt the original ESF logistics concept to new realities.

    To ensure efficient ESF deployment, ECOWAS has established a Multidimensional Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, and a Humanitarian Logistics Depot in Senou, Mali.

    Acting Head of ECOWAS Peace Support Operations, Dr. Sani Adamu, highlighted the challenges faced in peacekeeping operations over the years. This prompted ECOWAS to create an effective framework to enhance the ESF’s deployment capacity.

    The workshop’s overall objective is to review and harmonise policies in accordance with UN and AU standards. Participants will evaluate the logistics concept, existing statutes, policies, and other strategic instruments related to the ESF’s role in conflict prevention and management.

    One of the participant, Francis Babatunde commented that the reviewed documents would significantly enhance the ESF’s deployment capacity, contributing to a stronger regional security framework.

  • Tinubu congratulates Modi on election victory

    Tinubu congratulates Modi on election victory

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on his historic re-election victory, marking Modi’s third consecutive term in office.

    In a statement yesterday by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu commended Modi for his outstanding leadership.

    He described the election results as strongly endorsing Modi’s vision and governance of the world’s largest democracy.

    The congratulatory message comes as Modi’s National Democratic Alliance secured the most parliamentary seats, a feat only previously achieved by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

    Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with India, emphasizing the importance of advancing shared goals and values as strategic partners in the global community.

    “President Bola Tinubu extends his warm congratulations to the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency, Narendra Modi, on his momentous victory in the parliamentary elections.

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    “Prime Minister Modi’s coalition, the National Democratic Alliance, won a majority of the parliamentary seats, paving the way for a third consecutive term. This rare achievement marks the second time an Indian leader has retained power for a third term, following Jawaharlal Nehru.

    “The President stated that the election outcome is a resounding affirmation of Prime Minister Modi’s exceptional leadership of the world’s largest democracy.

    “On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, President Tinubu congratulates the people of India and assures them of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relations and advancing shared goals and values as strategic partners in the league of Nations,” the statement said.

  • Nigeria to participate in world Junkanoo culture festival in Canada

    Nigeria to participate in world Junkanoo culture festival in Canada

    Nigeria will participate in this year’s World Junkanoo Festival for Tourism and Culture in Vaughan City, Canada scheduled for July 4th to 8th this year.

    Nigeria’s Country Representative for the World Junkanoo Festival for Tourism and Culture (WJFTC) and the World Carnival Commission (WCC) based in Ontario, Canada, Ambassador Felix Ihonre, highlighted the investment opportunities the festival will open for Nigerians abroad.

    Ihonre said the festival will bring together cultural and tourism leaders from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Afro-diaspora, fostering cultural exchange, learning, and celebration.

    “Nigeria is excited to announce her participation in the upcoming World Junkanoo Festival for Tourism and Culture in Vaughan City, Canada, from July 4th to 8th, 2024.

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    “This festival provides an excellent platform for Nigeria to showcase her rich cultural heritage and tourism potential to a global audience through various expressions, including music, dance, choreography, masquerade exhibitions, art, and fashion,” Ihonre stated

    He emphasised the importance of sharing Nigeria’s cultural heritage with the next generation, especially Africans in the diaspora, marking over 400 years of cultural milestones.

    “The festival will also present significant investment opportunities for Nigerians and Africans abroad. By having our pavilion and showcasing Nigerian cultural heritage, we aim to attract investors to various sectors of Nigeria’s economy, including culture, tourism, and sports,”

    He also acknowledged the support from President Bola Tinubu’s administration and traditional rulers in revitalizing cultural reintegration both nationally and internationally.

    “This consistent support across all levels of government has significantly impacted our tourism industry and cultural values, locally and globally,” Ihonre noted.

    The festival anticipates the presence and participation of esteemed cultural heritage custodians, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba of Benin, Obong of Calabar, and the Supreme traditional rulers Council of Akwa Ibom and Mbale of Abia from Nigeria.

  • Funding cuts, visa restrictions threaten UK top universities

    Funding cuts, visa restrictions threaten UK top universities

    In the latest QS 2025 university rankings released yesterday, a stark warning emerged for some of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious academic institutions.

    The report indicated that funding shortages, coupled with stringent regulations impacting overseas student enrollment, could potentially diminish the global appeal of these universities.

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    Despite four British universities managing to secure positions in the top 10 of over 1,000 institutions ranked by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), concerns loom large over the sustainability of their rankings.

    Imperial College London, esteemed for its excellence in science education, notably ascended from sixth to second place in the rankings, marking a historic shift as it surpassed the traditional powerhouses of Oxford and Cambridge, which secured third and fifth places, respectively.

    However, a disconcerting trend emerged as over half (52) of the UK’s universities experienced a downward shift in their rankings among the 90 institutions included in the QS assessment.

  • Palestinian authority should govern Gaza, says Macron

    Palestinian authority should govern Gaza, says Macron

    French President, Emmanuel Macron has urged Israeli Prime, Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow the Palestinian Authority to govern the Gaza Strip.

    In a phone conversation, Macron expressed his support for a Gaza ceasefire and a hostage release deal proposed by U.S President, Joe Biden.

    Macron emphasised that this agreement could pave the way for a two-state solution, which he believes is essential for ensuring Israel’s security and addressing the aspirations of Palestinians.

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    “Gaza must be an integral part of a future Palestinian state,” Macron stated, adding that a reformed and strengthened Palestinian Authority, with international support, should take charge of Gaza’s governance.

    President Biden recently outlined a new three-stage roadmap to facilitate mediation efforts after nearly eight months of conflict.

    The plan includes an initial six-week phase where Israeli forces would withdraw from populated areas of Gaza, coupled with a hostage-prisoner exchange. This would be followed by negotiations for a lasting ceasefire, which would persist as long as talks continue.

  • Suicide: Family demands N200m from EBSU for breaching student’s privacy

    Suicide: Family demands N200m from EBSU for breaching student’s privacy

    The family of the late Favour Ugwuka has demanded N200 million from the vice chancellor of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, for alleged breach of the deceased’s private data.

    The late Ugwuka’s parents, Ifeanyichukwu and Ifeyinwa, through their lawyers, Nnamdi Oragwu and Adeyinka Abdulsalam of Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, also demanded an apology from the institution.

    They called for an investigative panel/tribunal to conduct a public enquiry into the student’s death, which the family’s counsel, Valentine Akwuba, would attend and make representations at.

    The family claimed their daughter committed suicide due to the alleged discriminatory acts of Prof. Amechi Uneke Enyi against her, which the don denied.

    The family demanded that appropriate disciplinary action be taken against the professor, if the tribunal found him guilty of misconduct.

    It asked the university to employ the services of an independent lecturer/consultant to reassess the scripts of all the students in Prof. Enyi’s class, including the deceased’s script, to ensure an unbiased appraisal.

    The family demanded N20 million from the university to cover the deceased’s funeral expenses and other ancillary costs.

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    “Take further notice that if the university fails or refuses to comply with these demands, we have the instruction and authority of our clients to employ all the available legal means to enforce our clients’ rights against the university and indeed, Prof. Enyi.

    “We firmly believe that the university, upholding its reputation for excellence, will make the right decision,” the lawyers wrote in the demand letter dated June 3, 2024.

    The family alleged that the deceased suffered continuous harassment and discrimination from Prof. Enyi, resulting in the imposition of an extra year to complete her degree.

    The late Ugwuka paid fees for an additional year but she again did not pass Prof. Enyi’s course.

    Before she committed suicide, she accused the professor of discriminating against her.

    The university publicised the deceased’s year-on-year results, which the family said was a flagrant breach of her right to privacy and the dignity of the human person.

    “We are reliably informed that these results are not accurate.

    “The deceased’s results further validate that she passed all her courses except Prof. Enyi’s course.

    “This alone ought to have grounded an additional reason to prompt the university’s formal inquiry into the circumstances leading to the deceased’s death, despite Prof. Enyi’s denial,” the lawyers wrote.

    The family’s position was that the university prematurely took a position devoid of a dispassionate examination of the issues.

    It asked the university to meet its demands within 14 days, which include a public apology for the flagrant breach of the deceased’s privacy and right to the dignity of the human person, to be posted on its official website, relevant social media platforms and national newspapers.

    But Enyi, a Department of English and Literary Studies professor, denied the allegations.

    He claimed that he barely knew the deceased and had no reason to fail her.

    Prof. Enyi said: “It is not true that her death is related to academic issues. I don’t see how somebody who was not victimised, someone who failed an exam, will decide to take her own life.”

    The lecturer said the deceased’s mum had called him to complain about witch-hunting her daughter.

    “I tried telling the mother that she could write a petition against me, she could investigate, and then the right process would be followed. A panel could be set up to investigate the allegations and accusations, but she did not listen.

    “I told her that I never made any demands from her daughter and barely know the girl. And from the day the examination was written, I never saw her till the results were uploaded.

    “So, what will be my reason to victimise any student? If there is a case of victimisation, there is an established procedure for handling such in the university.

    “There have been instances of people calling for their papers and the recalled paper would be re-marked elsewhere. So, that is it.”

  • Nigeria can’t depend on donor funding to fight diseases, says NCDC boss

    Nigeria can’t depend on donor funding to fight diseases, says NCDC boss

    The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, yesterday said the nation cannot solely depend on donor funding to fight or control diseases.

    He said it is time for the nation’s lawmakers to increase the budget for the health sector.

    The NCDC boss said Nigeria needs to pay more attention to public health to prevent epidemics, urging Nigerians to embrace vaccination since it does not kill.

    Idris, who addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja, said NCDC depended on 70-80 per cent funding for its operation.

    He said: “Donor funding. Yes, it is embarrassing, I must tell you. But again, it is the trend in our country here because of the low funding of that sector. Even our knowledge or perception of the health sector is a bit strange.

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    “Everybody concentrates on clinical medicine. Once you build hospitals, they think that is the end. Unfortunately, that part is only 20 per cent of the health sector.

    “So, when they go for budget defence, they say these people are funding you. It is now left for us to go and convince the legislature that we are the owners of the problem; we cannot rely on external funding. What if the sources of funding dry off?

    “I think it is more of advocacy to the legislators and to the government in power to provide more funds for the health sector. It might require assistance from our media partners to help.

    “Health is an expensive industry, whether we like it or not. It is worse here because we are endowed with a lot of problems, including deforestation, climate change, poverty, lack of potable water, epidemics.

    “But our people who appropriate money do not understand this. It is now left for us to make them understand. It is only when epidemic affects their place that they run to you. For donor funding, the media can help with advocacy to the legislators and the government.”

  • APC to unveil four-year road map for youths, says Ganduje

    APC to unveil four-year road map for youths, says Ganduje

    • ‘Scheme designed to improve economic capacity of young progressives’

    The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said the party is planning to launch a four-year National Youth Strategic Plan (NYSP).

    The plan, which covers 2024 to 2027, is designed to improve the economic capacity of young Nigerians, especially the Young Progressives.

    Ganduje announced this yesterday in Abuja while declaring open a two-day empowerment workshop organised by the youth wing of the party.

    The national chairman said the strategic plan is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for youth development.

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    He said: “Mr. President, as you are aware, is passionate about job creation. There can be no effective and sustainable job creation without appropriate skills acquisition, which is what this workshop is all about, as I explained earlier.

    “As a party, the All Progressives Congress promised to deliver jobs. In order to achieve this, we are studying the National Youth Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027 presented by the National Youth Leader.

    “The strategic plan is basically to improve the economic capacity of young Nigerians, especially the Young Progressives. Very soon, this strategic plan will be formally launched by our party.”

    On the empowerment programme, Ganduje said the training programme, tagged: “Workplace Readiness and Employability Skills Training Programme” with the theme: I am Employable, is expected to equip young men and women with essential skills and knowledge that would prepare them for stable and successful careers as well as improve their ability to secure jobs, retain employment and navigate the labour market.

    He said 800 participants would benefit from the training.