Category: Health

  • UNICEF, GAVi hand over primary health facilities worth $5.8m to Katsina

    UNICEF, GAVi hand over primary health facilities worth $5.8m to Katsina

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and GAVI, the international vaccination group,  have  handed over a primary healthcare project valued at about $8,539,995. to the Katsina State Government in Katsina.

    The project, funded by UNICEF, GAVI, and the Katsina State government, was designed to improve the health of mothers and children by strengthening the primary healthcare systems and routine immunization

    Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Government House, Katsina Governor Dikko Radda said his administration has been prioritising the health of the citizens.

    Radda said: “The partnership has strengthened our immunization programme enhanced the capacity of our health workers, and also ensured that hard-to-reach communities receive essential health services.

    “It has also improved the functionality of our Primary Healthcare Centres, making healthcare more accessible to our citizens.

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    “Our commitment to strengthening Primary Healthcare Centres does not end here as the government remains dedicated to sustaining the gains achieved’’.

    Head of UNICEF Field Office Kano, Mr. Rahama Farah, said the partnership within three years reduced the under-5 mortality rate from a significant 188 in 2018 to 105 in 2024, per 1000 live births, as reported by the National Demographic Health Survey.

    Farah said: “The programme also increased vaccination coverage to a notable 20 per cent in Penta3 vaccination from 33.7 per cent in 2018 to 53.3 per cent in 2023”

    “This result has been achieved despite the significant security challenges faced by Katsina State’’.

  • HIV, HPV red flags fly over 2025 Valentine’s Day (2)

    HIV, HPV red flags fly over 2025 Valentine’s Day (2)

    The Tree Man gave me a health shocker when I saw his photograph for the first time on the internet about 20 years ago. I was researching  Human Papillo Virus and I thought I was seeing a small tree or, at best, a thicket which had grown and formed itself in human shape. Alas, The Tree Man was, really, a man, whose skin had abnormally grown semblances  of small plants on his body. What could have gone wrong with his body? The first time I published his photograph in this column, its caused butterflies to fly in the stomachs of many readers, especially those who had small warts growing in different parts of their bodies.Who would know he or she has warts on the body and that the troubles of the The Tree Man came from warts who would not be afraid that he or she, too, could be become a tree man or a tree woman, and not take exception to the publication? This is one of the reasons I appreciate public health campaign of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to make Nigerians girls and women vaccinate against infection of Human Papillo Virus( HPV). This virus is a root cause of the problem of tree man, and has been shown to cause cancers and other unforgettable and disabling health troubles in the cervix and Vagina.Nevertheless, I stand with those persons who have reservations about vaccinations for all sorts of  reasons, especially the fear that only the future can tell what abnormalist will come with each vaccination.  As a child, my parents submited me  to the authorities for polio and small pox vaccinations.May be that is why I am polio and small pox free till today.That has not left me off guard.Haven’t we been hearing for decades that vaccination against small pox may be a root cause of the cancer pandemic world wide today? This is why this column will offer  some  plant medicines suggestions for fighting human Papillo Virus. Before then, I will like to introduce to you the tree man…

    Dede  Koswara, The Tree Man

    The following report comes from the internet…

    “The  Tree Man was Dede Koswara, an Indonesian man who suffered from a rare genetic disorder called Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis (EV). This condition made him extremely susceptible to human papillomavirus (HPV), which caused uncontrollable growth of warts resembling tree bark on his skin.

    “Koswara’s warts started growing when he was 10 years old, and by the time he was an adult, they had spread to his face, arms, and legs, making everyday activities extremely challenging. His condition earned him the nickname “Tree Man” due to the tree-like appearance of his warts.

    HPV is a common virus that can cause various diseases, including: Warts…Benign growths on the skin or mucous membranes.

    Cervical cancer…A type of cancer that affects the cervix in women. Other anogenital cancers…Cancers that affect the anus, vulva, vagina, or penis.Oropharyngeal cancer…A type of cancer that affects the throat and tonsils.

    Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis (EV)… A rare genetic disorder that makes individuals highly susceptible to HPV and increases their risk of developing skin cancer.

    “Koswara’s story was widely shared, and he underwent several surgeries to remove the warts, but they continued to grow back. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2016 due to complications related to his condition”.

    Wart and HPV

    Valentine’s Day 2025, that is last Friday, provided the health community in Nigeria an opportunity to talk about HPV and the relationship with cancer formation in the private  place of young girls and women. This is because  many persons itching to lay off emotional or other forms of steem from stress easily late themselves hurtle down heel at this time in the hope of regaining some balance. Girls and women become easily more endangered in such a season than men are.  It is often not written on the faces of men that they are HPV positive. A careful woman  may not easily discover that she bears HPV within. Some of them have organs which only special medical examination can detect. Even when they are visible, how many women know what they portend or can recoil at the last moment? Perhaps the ones that may put off a woman may be the open sores which may heal now and then during remissions. Beyond all of these, HPV is transmissible through the skin. Beyond skin transmission, also, all sorts of unwholesome events take place in the act. A long time ago, this column feature a gentleman under the title…The Man Who Puts His Mouth in The Wrong Place. In the days of youthful exuberance, I would have hit the nail on the head or call a spade a spade and not an agricultural implement, as we say. His gums were roughened up, his teeth shaking in their sockets and the mucus lining of his inner cheeks bombarded with mucus-filled tiny growths, the type Yorubas call Owo Eyo (cowry money)  because they have the circular shape of coins . A lucky man he was. He recovered in months, on  Propolis Syrup, sprayed into the mouth and swirled around with his blisters, and patched tongue.He was a victim of oral sex. Some women, too, fall victim to men who, through oral sex, may introduce HPV or other pathogens into their bodies through their mouths.Women may suspect a man if he is unusually  fatigued, itches even anally and discharges or experiences painful urination.Some of the signs a girl or woman may watch out for are…genital warts, Small, flat, or raised growths on the penis, scrotum, anus, or groin area, anal warts, small, flat, or raised growths around the anus, penile lesions, abnormal growths or sores on the penis, Anal itching or bleeding, Itching, bleeding, or discharge from the anus. The age brackets WHO is targeting especially for HPV vaccination is the 11-18 years generation.This generation of girls is likely to still be in secondary, sexually active, careless about sexual safety and unable “to do something when they see something”. This is one of the main reasons, as I said earlier, why HPV vaccination is fascinating.

    Options to Vaccination

    In nature, there is nothing which exists, however powerful, which has no antidote. That is why snakes flee from bitter kola and an army of African black ants, rocket and stubborn as its may be, will disperse when its encounters wood ash on the way. A few decades ago, a doctor in Europe produced a machine that could easily become a master piece invention of our time. It was founded on the principles of healing diseases with natural vibration or natural radiations. If you know the vibration or radiation status of any germ, and you can set the machine to produce a counter vibration or radiation, and you  can hold a terminal of the machine to pass the vibration or radiation through your body to the pathogen, you will block  the pathogen from existence and destroy it just as one radio station frequency can jam another radio frequency out of operation. The medical establishment rejected this machine and branded its author a crank, to protect pharmaceutical medicine and established medical practice  from possible effacement. In Lagos, I tried to produce this machine from the simple electrical design she got out free in that book. But I could not find an electrical engineer who was interested in such a project.

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    This leaves us with the life forces or radiation in plant medicine  which may have been designed as a stepping stone to this age of technology when mankind, working with mother nature and utilising her principles, would elevate proceedings on earth to higher levels. Medical science tells us pharmaceutical medicine  cannot successfully address viruses. That is why virus challenged persons may  live with them for life. They have been challenges to this world view. First, can we not minimise bacterial and fungal load to zero tolerance with such proprietory formula as Amazon A-F, to minimise work load of the immune system and then fortify it with Amazon  A-V designed against viruses with about 10 medicinal  extracts from well known antiviral plants? I witnessed the recovering  from occult blood and ulcerative colitis by a Septuagenarian who used Pau D’arco to save himself from surgery. I have heard of how prosta care helped many persons on catheter recover from their prostrate gland trouble. We may observe from www.medicinenet.com how the fellowing herbs fight Inflamation, viruses and even slow the growth of cancers… oregano, lemon balm, tumeric, licorice, Astragalus, garlic, holy basil, black elderberry, Echinaea, zinc, Rishi mushroom, myrrh e.t.c. What may be the biggest evidence may be the story of Dr Samuel Johnson. I reported recently that this Nigerian  practised medicine for 47 years in the United States before he was struck by prostate cancer, and of how the ravages of stage 4 prostate cancer made his doctors give him only three months to lived, where upon he returned to Nigeria to die, but was given a protocol of herbs which quelled the cancer and he  has lived on for almost one year. This week, I sought audience with him again. He is willing to share his story. He offered free consultation on the remedies he used. Currently, he is busy on a huge medical project in which he is supported by the United nations Development Project (UNDP) and the African Development Bank (ADB). His survival story promises to be a very interesting one for all men challenged with prostate cancer.

    Girls, Women and Mother Nature

    In the first part of this series, I mentioned the admonition in a spiritual work which inspired my interest in natural medicine. Its says: Neither Drug Nor Injections But The Right Kinds of Foods And Drinks Alone Bring Lasting Health. I was inpired also by the admonition that no tumour or cancer can grow in the human body with a healthy liver.  I have also learned from this work that our environment is not a decoration but filled with messages for the wise to learn from. Why do green plants fill everywhere? In my  thirties, older men and women who were custodians of this Creation Knowledge told me the blood of man was made from the blood of plants. It was in my 60s, about 30 years later, that four scientists who won the Noble Prize in medicine unlocked the secret for me. Their work said the green Chlorophyl pigment of plant and the Haemoglobin, the red pigment in the red blood cells of humans, are  of the same structure…Carbon, Hyrogen, Nitrogen and Oxygen. The only difference is that Magnesium holds this structure together in chlorophyl while Iron holds it together in Haemoglobin. Thus, when we eat green plants or drink their juices, the body uses them to recharge and to cleanse our blood after replacing the Magnesium with Iron.This knowledge led me to write an article in the 1990s titled…. Let’s drink green, the earth is not green for the fun of it. Soon after, the first chlorophyl drinks and powder products appeared on the shelves of Nigerian health food stores.

    The greens and their Chlorophyl have Oxygen content in them.Germs cannot survive in oxygenated environment.How many girls and women consume chlorophyl drinks? The liver easily detoxifies itself when bigger principles are consumed in foods. Many girls and  women hate to eat bitter things. However, some of them change when I tell them of a Yoruba  saying of the elders… Ota Enu Ni ore Inu (The mouth’s enemy is the friends of the organs!).Thus, rather than waste the next Aloe Vera leaf gel on hair treament, juice and drink it on  a meal or empty  stomach. Its miracles will impact the hair from within! Eat orange peel, plantain peel, banana peel e.t.c. Dr. Max Gerson theorised that cancer and other tumours develop only when  there is not enough potassium  in the cell or when  there is too much  sodium in the cell. The cell will therefore have a weak Sodium- Potasium Pump, lose oxygen intake and become fermentative.These and other factors may be why the breast and the cervix have become prone to cancer in our generation. I tend to believe Dr Max Gerson because many Nigerian women today cannot do without Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) in their  cooking as a taste enchancer. You may say  that  MSG occurs naturally in foods. Yes, that is  organic MSG formulated under different conditions of radiations than the factory-made in organic MSG.  In nature, the radiations which form MSG and other nutrients do not attack or destroy themselves as they happen in factory formulations.

    This is not where I am going in respect of  HPV, vaccination for girls and women.

    The Germ Theory

    Some persons believe HPV Vaccination is necessary. Others believe it is a ruse to milk poor nations. After all, the U.S gave Africa 500 U.S.D HIV drugs to make the users become dependent on them before the  subvention is withdrawn. No one as yet knows implications of HIV vaccination.All we are hearing is that HPV can cause cancer.That  was how Louis- Pasteur sold the idea that  germs cause diseases and pasteurisation began which killed the life force in fooods, and Dr Edward Jenner, Robert konch  and their  likes began vaccination medicines against small pox, bacteria and other diseases in the late 18th century.

    Isn’t it only now  that we are wondering  why two persons were exposed to GERMS in the same environment and one was infected but the other was not?  President  Donald Trump forced Americans to flee Nigeria during  COVID-19 upsurge, saying  Nigerians would “die like flies” Did we? Did not Americans and Europeans “die like flies”? The answer to Louis Pasteur’s Germ Theory is that it is the immune system which determines whether exposure  to germ will cause disease, not the germ itself. What will work for the immune weakling in this regard is the speed at which the body can produce its Primary anti-oxidants. Glutathione, Super Oxide Dismutase(SOD) and  Catalase. Glutathione, the must important, is produced from three amino acids…Glutamic acid, Cysteine and glycine. SOD comes from Zinc and Manganese.There are other anti-oxidants and phenolic compounds no doubt. I would like, finally, to touch  on two other important factors regarding whether, with or without HIV, cancer can occur in the cervix, at least from natural medicine perspectives. One  is that the cervix like the vagina, is slightly acidic for self protection. Semen, on the other  hand, is alkaline.Besides, it comes with anti- body antibodies to supress for a while the anti body of those areas for the safe passage into the uterus of sperm cells which require an alkaline environment for their survival. When a  woman’s body is accessed too often even by the sperm  of her spouse and sexual partner, there is tendency for the alkalinity of sperm  to neutralise the  acidity of this region and lay it open for the manifestation of germs and viruses which may result in  cancer, especially  when the  livers function is subnormal! The girl and woman of today are irresponsible when its comes to sex.Female animals reject sex when they are not on “heat” for reproduction.Girls and women, forgetting or ignoring that their bodies  descended from the animal, and that they should control it, may accept sex every day.

    Energy Medicine

    Finally,we are too familiar with  orthordox medicine which is Western medicine. Energy Medicine is Eastern or Asian medicine. Over there, it is agreed that the body of man  is not man, who dwells in the body as a  Spirit Energy kernel or the Bibical Breath of Life. This Overself or Spirit has seven “sockets” into which the body inserts plugs, in seven different locations known as The Chakras. Each chakra corresponds with the location of an endocrine gland system. Beginning from the base of the spine upwards, these chakras are in the (1) spine(2)pubis(3)Solar plexus(4) Heart region(5) throat(6)Eyes(7) crown. When the Chakra is burnt out or not supplying energy well, the  region it supplies power, like an electricity transformer that is down and causes black -outs, begins to ail and is prone to weakness, cold or deterioration.The vagina, reproductive system,bladder, prostate gland are in the second chakra region. You  may obtain from the internet why the Chakras fail and how, from therapies within the soul or overself, it may be revived. Externally, the current leading solution is the wearing of Quantum Energy Boxer to supply the body quantum energy from quantum energy minerals wired into the boxers.  Some other persons may well prefer Colour Therapy. Each chakra manifests a peculiar colour. That of the first chakra is red, while that of  Second Chakra is orange.The Virgina and the cervix  may share first and second chakra energies and, therefore, profit from red and orange colours.Other chakra colours are yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

    In earlier columns, I wrote about how one may make and drink solarised water in glass bottles of colours appropriate for Chakra location.We live in a free  world. So, the search for protection against HPV and cancer is a personal one.Nevertheless, we should remember always that the earth is not green for the fun of it.That is the heart of natural medicine.

  • Doctors to govt: we want better health insurance

    Doctors to govt: we want better health insurance

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have appealed to the government to create a strong health insurance plan for health workers.

    According to the doctors, a good health insurance policy will help reduce the amount of money health workers spend from their own pockets and improve the quality of healthcare they provide.

    They believe that many doctors are leaving Nigeria to work in other countries because they do not get good benefits, including proper health insurance.

    This situation makes doctors unhappy and affects their work.

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    Speaking to The Nation, a former NARD president, Dr. Emeka Orji, said that the government should reward doctors’ hard work by improving their welfare, including providing proper health insurance.

    According to him, doctors should also be healthy so they can take care of their patients. However, many doctors cannot afford medical treatment when they fall sick, whether in Nigeria or abroad.

    “It is sad to see doctors begging for money to pay for their treatment. This happens every week, either as a group or as individuals,” he said.

    Dr. Orji explained that doctors are treated the same way as ordinary citizens when it comes to healthcare.

    He said they do not have access to good health insurance, so when they fall sick, they have to raise money from the public, adding that this has led many doctors to leave Nigeria in search of better working conditions abroad.

    “If doctors in government hospitals are struggling to access healthcare, what about ordinary Nigerians? It is shocking that doctors, who spend their lives treating people, do not have health insurance that covers more than basic drugs like paracetamol. If they need serious medical treatment, they have to pay for it themselves or ask for donations,” he said.

    The chairman of the Lagos State NMA, Babajide Saheed, also criticized the government for not taking doctors’ welfare seriously.

    He said it is unfair that doctors have to pay for their treatment, surgery, and medicine, even in the same hospitals where they work.

    He added that most doctors cannot afford to go abroad for treatment or visit specialist hospitals in Nigeria because they do not earn enough money.

    “The small money we have is spent on our daily needs. The government should take care of doctors by providing good health insurance for them. If a doctor falls sick, they should not have to worry about how to pay for treatment. They should be able to focus on getting better, knowing that insurance will

  • LSTM, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, others celebrate as global health programme concludes

    LSTM, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, others celebrate as global health programme concludes

    The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), and various health partners have joined forces with key global and local stakeholders to celebrate the successful conclusion of the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP) 2024.

    The Nigeria Sharing and Learning Event, held in Abuja and led by in-country Grant Manager Ducit Blue Solutions, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, brought together experts, health partners, and institutions, including the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, World Health Organisation, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, and Pharmacy Council of Nigeria. 

    The event reflected on the programme’s achievements, lessons learned, and its lasting impact on strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    “I am honored to mark the significant progress we have made in strengthening the health workforce in Nigeria through the Global Health Workforce Programme. Today, we celebrate not only our achievements but also the resilience and dedication of our healthcare workers who have worked tirelessly to deliver quality healthcare services to the Nigerian people. Let us continue to work together to build a stronger, more resilient health system for Nigeria,” said Dr. Kamila Shoretire, Director of Health Planning, Research & Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria.

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    Since its launch, the Global Health Workforce Programme has supported 14 health partners across Nigeria, the UK, Ghana, and Kenya, training 2,577 health workers in clinical skills, leadership, education, and Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI). 

    These efforts are already contributing to improved healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

    In her opening remarks, H.E. Toyin Saraki, Founder and President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, emphasized the importance of investing in health workers: “The Global Health Workforce Programme is a transformative initiative designed to optimize, build, and strengthen the health workforce, supporting more resilient health systems post-pandemic and advancing progress towards Universal Health Coverage in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3. 

    Through its Health Partnership Initiative, GHWP fosters cross-border learning and capacity strengthening, ensuring that health professionals are well-equipped to provide high-quality care where it is needed most.”

    During a panel session on sustainability and the impact of training interventions, Prof. Charles Ameh, Head of the Global Health Emergency Obstetric and Quality of Care Unit at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, highlighted the programme’s success. 

    He noted the strong partnership between Wellbeing Foundation Africa and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), which led to the successful implementation of the initiative.”

    We have trained 95 consultants, 82 of whom are from the College. We also established two Centres of Excellence in Lagos and Abuja, fully equipped to reduce travel time for participants.

    Through our close collaboration with the College, we were able to tailor the training to reach more residents from affiliated institutions. Another key sustainability milestone is the integration of the Advanced Obstetrics Skills Course into the NPMCN curriculum.”

    In a press interview, Mrs. Estelle Mbadiwe, Founding Partner of Ducit Blue Solutions, emphasized the programme’s impact: “This initiative, conducted in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Health, began with a comprehensive scoping activity where we engaged multiple stakeholders working with health workers across Nigeria. We identified national priorities critical to strengthening the health workforce, advancing Universal Health Coverage, and building a resilient healthcare system capable of meeting the country’s needs.”

    Through the Health Partnership, LSTM, NPMCN, and WBFA have made a tangible impact, training 225 doctors in the Advanced Obstetrics Surgical Skills Course (AOSS). Centers of Excellence have been established in Abuja and Lagos, with additional training sessions held in Kano and Enugu, strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals across the country. 

    By embedding the AOSS curriculum into postgraduate medical education, this initiative is securing long-term improvements in maternal and neonatal care, creating a stronger and more resilient healthcare system for Nigeria.

    This project is funded through the Global Health Workforce Programme, supported by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), benefiting both the UK and partner country health sectors.

  • Expert seeks urgent action on drug abuse treatment in Nigeria

    Expert seeks urgent action on drug abuse treatment in Nigeria

    Renowned Guidance and Counselling expert, Mrs. Maria Ilugbuhi, has cautioned that Nigeria can no longer afford to treat the issue of drug abuse and treatment as a mere formality.

    Ilugbuhi stressed the urgent need for stakeholders to take proactive steps in addressing the growing drug abuse problem, highlighting the necessity for effective treatment options for victims.

    She made these remarks during a lecture titled “Challenges of Drug Abuse in Society and Treatment Options,” held to mark the 70th birthday of renowned cleric Pastor Debo Daniel. 

    The event, which took place at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, also included the public presentation of “In the King’s Service,” a biography of Pastor Debo Daniel.

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    During her lecture, Ilugbuhi presented alarming statistics on the prevalence of drug abuse across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones: North West (12.0%), North Central (10.0%), Southwest (22.4%), South South (16.6%), South East (13.8%), and North East (13.6%). She emphasized that these figures are concerning and called for immediate intervention from all relevant stakeholders.

    She identified the the major barriers to drug treatment in Nigeria to include: prohibitive cost, fear and social stigma, inavailability of treatment, lack of information on where to find local treatment among others.

    Particularly, she said Yobe, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers and Lagos states ranked as “the states where it was more difficult to access treatment for drug use disorders”.

    Speaking on the challenges of drug abuse, the expert who is renowned for her specialization in substance use prevention and treatment said the challenges of drug abuse could be individuals, social, economic, environmental and or global.

    According to her, drugs is abused when people use illegal drugs or legal drugs inappropriately, adding that it can also include use of prescription drugs in ways other than prescribed or using someone else’s prescription.

    She explained that people are also into drug abuse when there is repeated use of drugs to produce pleasure, alleviate stress, and/or alter or avoid reality, warning that misuse can cause or lead to physical, social, economic or legal harms.

    She urged the stakeholders, particularly government to improve access to treatment by increasing funding for evidence-based treatment programs, expand medicaid and other health insurance coverage for substance abuse treatment, reduce waitlists and improve treatment capacity as well as provide transportation and childcare support to facilitate treatment access.

    The second guest lecturer, Apostle I. D Lawon who spoke on Inner-City Missions explained that inner-city missions play a crucial role in addressing the multifaceted challenged faced by urban communities which includes: poverty, homelessness and social marginalization. 

    He noted that effective engagement in these missions requires a combination of strategic planning, cultural sensitivity and practical action, lamenting that the rural urban migration is having vast negative effect on many people in the rural communities, hence the need for outreach to minister to people in such communities.

    He called for support for ministries that are engaged in touching and impacting lives in the inner city, adding that by adopting holistic ministry practices, fostering community engagement, collaborating with local entities, equipping volunteers and promoting sustainable development, missions can effect a meaningful and lasting change in urban communities. 

    The book reviewer, Professor Marcus Ayoola said the book is more than a book, describing it as the extension of the acts of Apostles. 

    He said the book is a practical manual for all believes who want to live a genuine Christian life.

    In his appreciation, the celebrant, Pastor Daniel said the celebration is a opportunity for him to rededicate his life to the service of God by impacting more on people in the inner-city.

    He expressed appreciation to God for the gift of life and assures that he is looking forward to doing more for people in the areas of impacting life and living his life for others.

  • WASPEN urges Tinubu to prioritise fight against clinical malnutrition

    WASPEN urges Tinubu to prioritise fight against clinical malnutrition

    The West African Society of Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make clinical malnutrition a national healthcare priority, noting that the crisis is growing but remains largely overlooked in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    WASPEN’s founder and president, Dr. Teresa Pounds, made this appeal on Monday during a press conference ahead of the 2025 WASPEN Clinical Nutrition Conference, scheduled for June 17–19 in collaboration with the National Hospital Abuja.

    Themed “Bridging the Gap: Integrating Hospital and Community Malnutrition Care in Developing Countries,” the event aims to foster solutions for hospital and community malnutrition.

    Describing malnutrition as “the skeleton in the hospital’s closet,” Dr. Pounds emphasised the need for urgent awareness, policy reform, and collaboration among healthcare stakeholders to ensure effective hospital nutrition programs.

    “Many patients in Nigerian hospitals suffer from inadequate nutritional support, leading to prolonged hospital stays, increased complications, and higher mortality rates. This issue must be addressed at the highest level,” she stated.

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    The press conference was attended by the management of Genrith Pharmaceuticals Limited, a major partner, led by its CEO, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa.

    Dr. Pounds, a U.S.-based specialist in critical care nutrition and a board-certified nutrition support pharmacist, urged the government to implement a national policy framework to support specialised clinical nutrition interventions. 

    She stressed the importance of integrating mandatory nutrition screening and intervention into all healthcare facilities.

    She also called on the Federal and State Ministries of Health to expand and enforce standardised clinical nutrition policies, ensure hospitals conduct structured nutrition screening for all patients, makes medical nutrition therapy accessible and affordable, and support research and local production of specialised nutritional products.

    She further encouraged NAFDAC, NIPRD, pharmaceutical companies, and NGOs to collaborate on research, funding, and product development to improve hospital and community-based nutritional care.

    Speaking on the upcoming conference, Dr. Pounds noted that it will bring together leading medical experts, policymakers, and healthcare stakeholders to develop strategies for addressing malnutrition.

    Prominent figures expected at the event include Prof. Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health (Special Guest of Honour), Nyesom Wike, Minister of the FCT (Chief Host), Prof. Muhammad Raji Mahmud, Chief Medical Director, National Hospital Abuja (Host), Prof. Audu Bala, President, Nigerian Medical Association (Keynote Speaker), Pharm. Ibrahim Tanko Ayuba, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (Guest of Honour), and Prof. Salisu Maiwada Abubaka, President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria (Guest of Honour) admiration.

    Prof. Raji Mahmud, Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital Abuja, represented by the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Pharm. Adesola Clara assured that the hospital has the necessary facilities and expertise to host a successful conference. He emphasised that the hospital is fully prepared for the programme.

    Also, the WASPEN Central Planning Committee, led by Mrs. Ghinsel Blessing, revealed that pre-conference activities will include a hands-on training workshop on nutritional kits in hospitals, scheduled for June 16, a health walk to raise awareness about hospital malnutrition, expected to be led by First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu.

    With malnutrition posing a silent but deadly threat to healthcare outcomes, WASPEN hopes that the Tinubu administration will take decisive action to integrate nutrition-focused interventions into Nigeria’s health policies.

    The 2025 WASPEN Clinical Nutrition Conference is expected to be a game-changer in shaping the future of clinical nutrition in Nigeria and West Africa.

  • NAUTH board chair reaffirms FG’s commitment to healthcare advancement

    NAUTH board chair reaffirms FG’s commitment to healthcare advancement

    The newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, has assured that the Federal government remains committed to enhancing healthcare services in the South East and across Nigeria.

    During his inaugural visit to NAUTH over the weekend, Dalori emphasized the administration’s dedication to strengthening the healthcare system, citing various development initiatives in Anambra State and the wider South East region as proof of this commitment.

    While commending the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali-Pate, for his relentless efforts in advancing the president’s health agenda, Dalori specifically highlighted his role in facilitating the establishment of a state-of-the-art radio diagnostic center at NAUTH.

    Dalori described the project as a landmark achievement that will significantly aid the fight against numerous diseases in the region.

    Addressing hospital staff, Dalori reassured them of the board’s commitment to improving their welfare and working conditions, ensuring a more motivated workforce to drive healthcare delivery.

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    Similarly, NAUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Joseph Ugboaja, lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support in advancing healthcare infrastructure in the South East. 

    He also acknowledged Prof. Ali-Pate’s transformative leadership in the sector, emphasizing that the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda is steering the nation towards a more efficient and globally competitive healthcare system.

    Ugboaja further expressed gratitude to the President for his backing of major projects at NAUTH, underscoring the Federal government’s dedication to the well-being of Ndi Igbo and the broader Nigerian population.

  • Chef Bada, MASH Baby Food partner to make baby weaning exciting with African flavors

    Chef Bada, MASH Baby Food partner to make baby weaning exciting with African flavors

    Culinary innovator, Soliat Bada and MASH Baby Food, a leading provider of nutritious complimentary baby food are excited to announce a new partnership which aims to introduce an exclusive limited-edition menu specifically designed for babies aged six months and older, setting new standards for taste, quality, and nutritional value in the baby food industry.

    The collaboration brings together Soliat Bada’s renowned culinary expertise and MASH Baby Food’s commitment to providing Nigerian families with natural, high-quality, nutritious options for babies, that reflect the rich culinary heritage of our nation. 

    They have developed a specialized menu featuring a diverse array of wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients carefully selected to support healthy growth and development during a crucial stage of life. 

    The collaboration will encompass recipe development, product formulation, packaging design, and marketing efforts to introduce this innovative menu to parents and caregivers.

    “We are thrilled to partner with Soliat Bada to bring a new level of culinary excellence to the baby food industry. This collaboration strengthens our mission to put real, wholesome, nutrient-dense foods back on the menu for kids, combining our expertise in child nutrition with Soliat’s creative flair and dedication to quality. Together, we will bring even more exciting and nutritious options to Nigerian families, making it easier for parents to provide wholesome meals that their children will love,” said Nneka Ogboi, CEO of MASH Baby Food.

    Soliat Bada expressed her excitement about the collaboration: “Working with MASH Baby Food is an incredible opportunity to extend my culinary expertise into a new and meaningful market. I am passionate about creating delicious and nutritious food, and this partnership allows me to contribute to the healthy development of babies in Nigeria. I can’t wait to share these unique recipes with parents and caregivers who are seeking the best for their little ones.”

  • ‘NAUTH diagnostic centre will reverse medical tourism in Southeast’

    ‘NAUTH diagnostic centre will reverse medical tourism in Southeast’

    Chief Medical Director, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra state, Prof Joseph Ugboaja, has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing a Regional Radio Diagnostic Centre at the medical institution.

    Ugboaja spoke during a facility tour of the hospital’s permanent site by the new NAUTH board chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori and his team.

    He described the establishment of the multi-billion naira facility as testament to President Tinubu’s love for the people of the Southeast, expressing confidence that it would reverse medical tourism in the region.

    He said: “The establishment of the multi billion naira regional Radio – Diagnostic Center remains a testament to Mr. President’s love for Ndi Igbo and the people of the Southeast.

    “I want to specially appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Hon. Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammadu Ali Pate for their support to us.

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    “By the time the 2000- bed capacity facility being built in the permanent site is completed among other numerous projects already completed and ongoing, NAUTH will become the biggest and best in Nigeria.

    “All efforts are geared towards stopping our people from seeking treatment abroad, as well addressing emmigration of healthcare workers. 

    “We’re also lucky to have a man like Dalori as the chairman of the board as we’ll be leveraging on his goodwill, administrative experience and political reach to attract more fundings and projects to the hospital.”

    Board Chairman Dalori expressed satisfaction at the pace of development at the hospital, pledging to take advantage of his office to attract more fundings for the facility.

    He also assured the management, staff and students of the institution of prioritizing their welfare, wellbeing and motivation.

    He said: “I’m very much impressed on seeing many projects on ground. 

    “When I asked the CMD, he said the giant strides were achieved within three years.”

    Describing the CMD as hardworking and loyal, Dalori expressed confidence he would go beyond what he had achieved so far.

    “I didn’t sleep yesterday night because I’m thinking of what to do to enhance the progress. 

    “I’ll ensure more fundings and projects are attracted to the hospital,” he stated.

    The board chairman in company of his team had earlier paid courtesy visit to the traditional ruler of Oraifite, Igwe Jerome Udoji who assured him of support to ensure growth and development of the institution.

    ‘Thank God for your interest in improving the welfare of the workers so they can give their best and not contemplate travelling abroad,” he assured.

  • HACEY empowers young girls in Lagos with leadership, health skills

    HACEY empowers young girls in Lagos with leadership, health skills

    Young girls aged 12 to 19 from Oto, Oyingbo, and Ebute Meta communities in Lagos Mainland have been equipped with essential health, life skills, and leadership training through HACEY’s Platform for Amplifying the Voice and Empowerment of Girls (PAVE) project.

    Backed by EMpower, the initiative aims to transform participants into active agents of social change. 

    The programme began with a three-day fellowship designed to help young women find their voices, build confidence, and become ambassadors within their communities.

    HACEY noted that the fellowship equips participants with the knowledge and skills to advocate for themselves and others, fostering a culture of empowerment and education among their peers.

     “Our aim is to empower these young ladies to become leaders in their communities,” said Olu Olubukola Olumuyiwa Program Manager, HACEY. “By the end of this program, we expect them to gather their peers and act as peer educators, sharing what they have learned and inspiring others to take action.

     ‘’The PAVE project was conceived by young girls, stemming from HACEY’s annual essay competition as part of the commensuration of the international day of the Girl Child. 

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     ‘’Winners from this competition formed a Girls’ Advisory Board, where they collaboratively designed the PAVE project to further their vision of empowerment, she added.

     ‘’HACEY seeks to foster behavioral change, encouraging participants to identify issues within their communities and actively pursue solutions.

     ‘’The fellowship serves as the foundation for ongoing support, with monthly training sessions continuing after the program concludes. “Monitoring the success of our participants is crucial,” Oluwabukunmi reiterated. 

     She added: “We will engage with them monthly to ensure they are applying what they have learned and to witness the positive changes in their communities.”

     ‘’The PAVE project is a vital step towards creating a generation of empowered young women capable of making informed decisions, building their businesses, and advocating for their rights.’’ 

     HACEY is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health and empowerment, particularly for young women and girls, through innovative programs and initiatives that encourage personal and community development.