The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • IWD: Why women must shun child delivery at home – UNICEF

    IWD: Why women must shun child delivery at home – UNICEF

    Women have been urged to refrain from delivering babies at home to increase their chances of survival during and after childbirth.

    A Health Officer with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office, Oluseyi Olosunde, gave the caution on Wednesday, March 6, during a media dialogue to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), held at the Evolution Hotel in Gombe state.

    Olosunde presenting a paper titled: “The Optics of Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) in Bauchi Field Office,” stressed the importance of empowering women to improve maternal and child health.

    The media dialogue, themed “Invest in Women – Accelerate Progress,” brought together media practitioners from the Bauchi UNICEF Field Office, covering Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, and Plateau states.

    The Health Officer highlighted that in some states, six out of ten deliveries occur at home, while in others, eight out of ten are done at home, putting children at risk due to unskilled birth attendants.

    According to him, home childbirth poses significant risks to mothers in cases of complications during labour, as homes lack the necessary equipment to detect and address such problems.

    Read Also; Tinubu congratulates AfDB president, Adesina for winning Awolowo prize for leadership

    In his welcome address, the Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Tushar Rane, stated that International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8 to honour women’s achievements and promote women’s rights worldwide.

    Dr. Rane underscored the importance of gender equality and women’s well-being for building prosperous economies and fostering a healthy planet.

    He noted that IWD serves as a reminder of progress made and the ongoing work needed to address women’s issues.

    According to him, the media dialogue aimed to showcase the remarkable achievements of community-based women in the health sector in the Bauchi Field Office through the mama2mama initiative.

    He explained that in the Mama2Mama Initiative, women serve as health advocates and educators, raising awareness about health issues and encouraging community members to seek healthcare.

    Rane pointed out that investing in the health, rights, and well-being of adolescent girls generates a transformative ripple effect that uplifts entire nations.

    He noted that the contributions of women have paved the way for inclusive and sustainable development, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.

    He emphasized the need to push further for a world, characterized by equity and inclusivity, where girls and boys are empowered to access and benefit from the same rights, resources, opportunities, and protections, fostering a society where every person can thrive.

    Rane enjoined the participants to use their various wide-reaching media platforms to set the public and political agenda for the well-being of women and adolescent girls.

  • Bauchi civil servants get N680m leave grants

    Bauchi civil servants get N680m leave grants

    Bauchi state civil servants are slated to receive a cumulative sum of N680 million in outstanding leave grants and allowances.

    This amount was disbursed by the state government for distribution among its workforce.

    Haj Hajara Yakubu Wanka, the state commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, made this announcement.

    Read Also; 10 Nigerian entertainers with most social media following

    She clarified that this allocation is among the palliative measures initiated by the state government to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal in the country.

    While presenting the cheque of the amount to the head of the civil service, Adamu Yahuza, said that the state governor, Bala Mohammed, directed the ministry to immediately pay civil servants their leave grant.

    She appealed to the civil servants to continue to be patient as the present administration remains committed to addressing the challenges facing the people.

    She stressed that the presentation marks the beginning of the best things to come for civil servants in the state as witnessed by the presence of labour leaders, representatives from the State Head of Service as well as management staff of the ministry.

  • Military, police begin confidence operation in troubled zones in Imo

    Military, police begin confidence operation in troubled zones in Imo

    A special taskforce comprising military and police has embarked on an intense confidence building patrol in some parts of Imo State.

    Disclosing this yesterday, the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, said that the special taskforce was set up to up public trust in security agencies.

    The police boss said his officers began the patrol in troubled local government areas like Orlu, Orsu and Oru East.

    He said the patrol, aside bringing back pubilc trust in security agencies, would foster community participation in the onslaught against crime and criminality in these areas.

    Read Also: COAS Lagbaja: military committed to defending Constitution

    “The State’s Special Task Operations Force comprising of the Police and Military, has embarked on an intense confidence building patrol in Orlu, Orsu and Oru East LGAs of Imo State to re-engineer back public trust in security agencies and foster community participation in the onslaught against crime and criminality in these areas,” he said. 

    Danjuma who was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner, Operations, met some community leaders   representing Orsu State Constituency, Francis Uche Agabige and one of the leaders of Orsu LGA, Friday Ibekaeme. 

    The community leaders promised to join the CP in accessing the security situation of these areas and collaborate to emplace strategies to make the areas safer for economic growth and development.      

  • Navy seals tank farm for storing illegally-refined diesel

    Navy seals tank farm for storing illegally-refined diesel

    The Nigerian Navy has sealed a tank farm in Calabar suspected to be storing illegally-refined diesel.

    Commodore Rotimi Oderemi, Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, disclosed this at a news conference in Calabar, yesterday.

    He said the tank farm was identified following an intelligence report from the military joint taskforce in the Southsouth, “Operation Delta Safe’’.

    “Based on the report, the tankfarm was sealed and samples of the suspected illegally refined diesel were taken for laboratory analysis.

    Read Also: Navy destroys illegal refineries, boat loaded with stolen crude oil

    “Investigation is ongoing. I advise business owners and tankfarm operators to act within the confines of the law by obtaining necessary approvals for their operations,’’ Oderemi said.

    On February 24, a joint operation by the Nigerian and Cameroonian Navies led to the interception of a vessel laden with 30,000 litres of crude oil suspected to have been stolen from Nigeria.

    Oderemi told newsmen at the inspection of the vessel at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State that the vessel, MV Jasmine, was intercepted by a Nigerian Navy patrol boat, NNS Ekulu.

  • 18 die from Lassa Fever in Taraba

    18 die from Lassa Fever in Taraba

    At least 18 persons have died from Lassa Fever in Taraba State this year, the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, said yesterday.

    Acting Head, Clinical Services, Dr. Joseph Kumi, revealed this during an interactive session with select journalists.

    He said a medical doctor who contracted the disease survived and was recently discharged from hospital after treatment.

    Kumi said the FMC sent 105 samples for testing between January and February, adding that 60 of the samples returned positive, 39 were negative and the remaining six results were being awaited.

    Kumi said the samples were being tested at Abuja or Bauchi because the centre’s molecular laboratory got burnt.

    Read Also: Security forces rescue 56 kidnap victims in Taraba, Kogi

    He said: “It is true that one of our doctors was affected. In fact, he was discharged last Saturday.

    “The fact is that this year, the number of patients that were presented to the centre was actually on the high side compared to previous seasons and that is why it is a challenging thing to us.

    “In fact we have written for more assistance from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the state government despite the fact that they have been doing well in assisting us.

    “The number keeps increasing. Presently, we have 10 patients in our isolation wards. Some of them, the results are still being awaited.”

    Kumi added that the centre usually educated their patients about the disease and on quick response whether they tested positive or negative.

    He urged the people to maintain good hygiene and desist from exposing their food to “rats that are the main carriers of the disease”.

  • Shelter Afrique to improve on $220 million worth of housing loans

    Shelter Afrique to improve on $220 million worth of housing loans

    Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), said it is committed to improve upon its $220 million worth of housing loans already approved in Nigeria with $117.6 million disbursed.

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer ShafDB, Mr. Thierno-Habib Hann revealed plans to explore more areas of entry into the Nigerian housing market, pledging its support to assist the country in her effort to bridge the housing deficit.

    He said the institution, is enthusiastic about the Pulaku Resettlement Scheme of the Federal Government, which aims to provide shelter for displaced Nigerians affected by banditry in selected states across the country.

    Hann stated this during the Institutions one-week working mission to meet critical government leaders towards deepening its capacity and housing development plans in the country.

    Read Also: Shelter Afrique to improve on $220 million worth of housing loans

    He said, “We are enthusiastic about the PULAAKU Resettlement Scheme of the Federal Government, which aims to provide shelter for displaced Nigerians affected by banditry in selected states across the country. I will like to express the bank’s interest in playing a part in such initiatives like PULAAKU and the National Social Housing Fund (NSHF), as we looks to improve upon our $220 million worth of housing loans already approved in Nigeria with $117.6 million disbursed.

     “We are looking for more ways to collaborate with Nigeria on housing delivery. We believe the PULAAKU Initiative, and the National Social Housing Fund provide us an opportunity to further drive our mandate, which is to eradicate slums in Africa. We have done a lot of work already with several financial institutions, reputable developers, and some state governments, and we intend to do more.

    “Since October 2023, the Bank has undergone major transformations thanks to the leadership of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who is the Chairperson of the institution’s 42nd AGM Bureau. We are better positioned to create wealth, increase GDP, and address security through our housing finance model.”

  • Fed Govt backs mine centre

    Fed Govt backs mine centre

    The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle said the Federal Government will provide necessary technical support for the establishment of a National Mine Action Center in the North East.

    He also assured that the government would continue to support the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) programmes in the region.

    Matawalle gave the assurance during a meeting with the UNMAS delegation, led by the Director, Ileen Cohn, in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the since its deployment in July 2018 at the request of the Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, UNMAS Nigeria has provided critical life-saving assistance.

    The main objectives are to develop the national capacities to protect the civilians from the threats of mines and explosives, and to mitigate immediate threats for the vulnerable population in the North-east.

    Read Also: Fed Govt’s N3m lifeline for 200 exhibitors at Ogun SMSE clinics

    The activities include coordination, risk reduction, victim assistance, nontechnical survey, and capacity development for the national and state authorities as well as a civil society organizations.

    The minister said that the national mine action center would support efforts to not only resettle displaced persons, but also enable Internally Displaced Persons to access education.

    Matawalle emphasised the government’s commitment to collaborating with UNMAS to facilitate the full reintegration of IDPs and farmers, and return of economic activities for improved livelihood.

    He stressed that efforts were being intensified to realise this crucial initiative, adding “we are focused on developing action plans that will facilitate the return of IDPs and farmers to their lands”.

    Earlier, Cohn commended the minister’s efforts in bringing the Government of Borno to support and facilitate the initiative by providing residential and office accommodation to the UNMAS.

  • Govt laments inadequate translation of research outcomes

    Govt laments inadequate translation of research outcomes

    The Federal Government has lamented the inability to utilize research outcomes.

    Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Uche Nnaji, emphasized that “strengthening of national security for peace and prosperity, reform of the economy to deliver sustained and others.”

    Nnaji said: “It is sad to note that most of the research outcomes that otherwise would have catapulted Nigeria to a technologically developed nation are unfortunately not being translated fully into essential goods and services.

    Read Also: Fed Govt’s N3m lifeline for 200 exhibitors at Ogun SMSE clinics

    “This Expo aims to ensure the proper exposure of our investors to our commercializable research results, inventions, and innovations. Let me emphasize that there are profitable investment opportunities in the various research outcomes to make any enterprise worthwhile.

    “Notably, the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, which emphasize boosting agriculture to achieve food security and unlocking energy and natural resources for sustainable development”, amongst others are envisioned to transform our economy.

    “This transformation gains roots when we successfully reverse our unenviable situation of a highly foreign technology-consuming country, not only by encouraging research, development and innovation but, most importantly, through continuous publicity and commercialization of research outcomes.”

  • Tinubu should intervene in health worker’s suspension

    Tinubu should intervene in health worker’s suspension

    Labour unions at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu (FNHE) chapter, have asked President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the suspension of the Medical Director, Prof Monday Igwe.

    The unions included the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), National Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), and Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN).

    Read Also: Our economy not in distress, says Tinubu

    They made the appeal in a letter addressed to the President which was signed by the Chairman JOHESU FNHE, Obinna Eze, NANNM FNHE Chairman, Eric Ugwu, President NARD FNHE, Dr. Ezea Christian and Chairman MDCAN FNHE, Dr. Nnabuchi Jane.

    According to the Labour unions, Prof Igwe was suspended last September 20 over allegations from a civil society organisation without proper investigations.

    They lamented that despite full cooperation, they have not received feedback from the Ministry of Health’s investigation team.

    The unions urge President Tinubu to ensure transparent reinstatement by demanding a detailed report based on truth and public service rules, clarifying reasons for Igwe’s extended suspension.

    They argued that Prof Igwe, known for his dedication and compassion, should receive fair treatment and respect, not unfounded accusations and unfair penalties.

  • Yusuf commits to Kano educational devt

    Yusuf commits to Kano educational devt

    Kano State Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf, yesterday restated his administration’s commitment to reinvigorate the education sector for sustainable social and economic development in the state.

    He said the state government had allocated 30 per cent in the 2024 budget to the education sector and sponsored 1,001 postgraduate students on foreign scholarship.

    Kabir-Yusuf said this during the inauguration of infrastructure projects at the Bayero University Kano (BUK).

    The facilities inaugurated include Provost’s Office; offices at the College of Natural and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences.

    Read Also: Yusuf seeks clerics’ advise, criticism to deliver good governance

    He said the facilities would enhance learning, research and expand the quality of the university education, adding that the gesture represents significant investment in medical research in the state.

    The governor said the government assisted indigent students and reduced registration fee by 50 per cent in all tertiary institutions in the state.

    “We will continue to have a mutual relationship with the leadership of the University and other tertiary institutions in the state. Bayero University will be one of the best achievements in the state,” he said.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sagir Abbas said that each of the Colleges was designed with three faculties and three departments.

    “The state government paid registration fees for over 6,000 students, adding that it’s the highest number of fees paid so far,’’ he said.

    Abbas said the University would continue to work with the state government to achieve academic excellence.