The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • A different breed of activists

    A different breed of activists

    They stroke, sketch and paint just like other artists. But there is something unique about these professionals at Maitama/Minister’s Hill in Abuja. Their canvass is recyclable, and they use renewable energy. They also ply their trade at a scenic ecological garden where, in the night, they gather round bottles illuminated by little candlesticks glowing inside them. When leisure visitors or pupils on excursion stop by, the artists take time to explain what they do and why they do it the way they do it. Their message is essentially  that Nigerians should join the global campaign to turn to renewable energy and save the environment by recycling materials.

    The garden is itself a natural work of art. It is wooded and lies in a valley with a flowing stream nearby.

    The rich folks in the neighbourhoods do not like them, and from time to time, police come to harass the activist-artists on the invitation of the powerful neighbours.

    The creator and curator of the garden, Ifesinachi Nwanyanwu explained to Abuja Review that what they try to do is to create an awareness that when people take from the environment, they should be mindful of how they give back to the environment and that government needs to create courses in schools that educate the younger generation on recycling and renewable energy.

    The artist said that he always had the idea about an Environmental garden and was most fortunate to have seen the location in 2009 and it immediately clicked with the vision that he had always had.

    Abuja for instance is a city with lots of green areas and parks but unfortunately most of these green areas and parks have gradually been turned into relaxation spots and bars and sometimes restaurants which most people are used to

    This is probably the reason for the constant squabble over the garden by influential residents over the need to change the idea of the garden and this recently led to the vandalism of the park by unknown hoodlums and several police cases that has eventually made the crusaders give up on their beloved park.

    Environmental artist Joy Ogu told Abuja Review that they try to advocate changing people’s mindset on protecting the environment.

    “I actually specialise in painting but protecting the environment is a thing of concern to me and should be to every Nigerian with increasing number of environmental hazards in the country. We try to advocate for people to change their mindset about protecting the environment and getting close to nature. I help create awareness through my art for instance instead of throwing away trash, I try to recycle and make my trash look beautiful for people to admire and eventually they might want to emulate it. We don’t just showcase the visual art alone; we put up everything we do online for people to see.”

    On the art, Nwanyanwu says: “My kind of art which is using organic materials to create works, gave me the enthusiasm of starting an environmental space where we promote, renewable energy, sustenance, educating people on how best to live with the environment without necessarily abusing it.

    “Most of the abuses we do to the environment are such that with very good education, we can correct a lot of damages that have been done to the environment.

    “We try to be part of the crusade. Why throw thrash from the window of your car, why shop from the market with leather bags that do not have any degradable effect, why not change our attitude with the way we do things with the environment.

    “That is what we try to do with the programme consumption by moonlight, we come out to have fun and also make people realise that the moon is also a source of renewable energy not just the sun, we have fun but then use our environmental works which was done with renewable materials, repurposing trash and discuss social issues.

    “Sometimes as Nigerians, we only look at the content, without looking at what houses that content, we do thing without understanding the Environmental effect of what we do.

    “For instance I happened to get a hold of the Chibok school building roof, that was destroyed when the schoolgirls where abducted, with it we are creating works that attempt to address insurgency, these are materials they where seen as thrash and we trying to use it for memorial works.

    “I think it is possible for Nigeria to make a turn in practically every issue, Environmental awareness is one of the least I think should be issue because, Nigerians are quite intelligent it’s just that for some reason, they choose to act the way they do, urinating in restricted places, dump refuse anywhere.

     

  • ‘How we freed stranded town’

    ‘How we freed stranded town’

    The military has explained how it liberated Buni Yadi, one of the largest commercial centres in Yobe State, from Boko Haram insurgents who blew up a bridge linking it to Damaturu, the state capital, and other communities. DUKU JOEL reports

    When Boko Haram fighters set foot on Bunu Yadi, one of the biggest commercial towns in Yobe State, they loved it and wanted to conquer it and stay for as long as possible. So, what did they do? They simply bombed and destroyed Katarko Bridge connecting it to other towns including Damaturu, just 22km north. That attack, in July 2014, also cut Buni off Buni Yadi from Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba and some southern parts of Borno state, making it difficult for federal troops to retake the commercial centre, which is the headquarters of Gujba Local Government Area, one of the strongholds of the Boko Haram insurgents. The military has since retaken the town.

    One of the major military efforts that led to the recapture of the community was the construction of a floating foldable bridge, which aided the movement of troops and equipment into Buni Yadi to chase out the insurgents.

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Aliyu, who led reporters on a tour of liberated communities along Buni Yadi, said the military had to construct a temporary bridge to move personnel and equipment to Buni Yadi in order to sustain the fight to flush out the insurgents.

    He said, “The military had to provide this floating foldable bridge for the transportation of its equipment to Buni Yadi after this bridge(pointing at the destroyed Katarko bridge) was blown off by the Boko Haram insurgents.

    “It was expedient for us to do that because these areas belong to Nigeria so we cannot allow some terrorists to take it over and keep on bragging to have annexed part of our country, so the military couldn’t just fold its arms and watch. Instead, we swung into action and made this temporary bridge to enhance our operations. So in a way, this Floating Foldable Bridge helped drastically in the liberation of Buni Yadi from the terrorists whose intention of blowing off that bridge was to cut off these communities. That intention  was defeated by our quick response. Don’t forget this happened during the rainy season.”

    Speaking on the return of displaced people in the liberated communities along the Buni Yadi/Biu road, the GOC said that efforts are on top gear to re-open Buni Yadi road for commercial activities to kick start in the area so that the people start enjoying their livelihood.

    He called on the Yobe State Government to expedite action on the reconstruction of the damaged abridge as according to him it will enhance the free flow of goods and services in and out of the areas.

    The GOC 3 Div. Nigerian Army also announced that the road is free from Boko Haram planted IEDs while urging the displaced people that they would soon return in their homes as government is making everything possible to ensure their safety even after their return.

    He noted about 400 soldiers have been deployed to Yobe State to ensure that commercial activities return to the liberated areas especially the Damaturu/Buni Yadi/Biu road  and also ensure the return of civil authorities in the communities.

    Some of the residents of Garin Itace, Katarko and Gujba villages told our correspondent that the people should be encourage to return back and begin their normal lives.

    They lamented life in exile but thank God for their safe return and pray for an end to the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Modu Katarko who was working on his dry season farm said that life is gradually picking up for him at Katarko his village where he fled from more than a year to Damaturu.

     

  • NDLEA: women use cough syrup as alternative to alcohol’

    NDLEA: women use cough syrup as alternative to alcohol’

    The Niger State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said more people were turning to cough syrup with codeine as an alternative to alcohol which was becoming more difficult to buy in the state.

    The commander Mr. Joseph Iweajunwa clarified that more women than men were getting high on cough syrup.

    He stated that because these people could not access alcohol freely, they look for other means to take their minds away from worry and keep themselves happy.

    It will be noted that Niger State had prohibited public sale of alcohol in the state, though it is being sold on the outskirts of the towns or military and paramilitary recreational centres.

    Iweajunwa said that some of the ladies caught by the agency said the cough syrup with codeine makes them feel good and enables them to sleep well while some said it takes their mind off worry and thinking.

    However, the NDLEA Commander observed that this substance is being taken due to idleness and joblessness urging them to engage in something meaningful and get busy.

    “These people especially the ladies are taking this syrup in place of alcohol and we have noticed that the absence of alcohol has caused the intake of cough syrup with codeine on the increase in the north, especially in states where alcohol is prohibited in public places.”

    Iweajunwa said that last year about 8,400 ml of cough syrup with codeine was mopped up in Niger State to prevent further abuse of the substance,0 adding that 1,614kg of various hard drugs were seized while 286 suspects were arrested with 66 convicted in the state.

    Giving a breakdown of the drug seizures in 2015, the Commander said 1,320 kg of dried weeds suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, 44.27kg of Diazepam Tablets, 161.21 kg of Tramadol Tablets, 32.37 kg of Extol-5, 3.038kg of Rohypnol, 14.66kg of Nitrazepam and 0.0014kg of Cocaine were seized.

    He also disclosed that 12,000 tonnes of seized drugs are ready for destruction stating that the command is waiting for the permission of the court to carry out the exercise.

    Appreciating the efforts of various stakeholders in assisting them make improvable record in the past year, the Commander called that all hands must be on deck as eradication of drug abuse is not only the responsibility of NDLEA and the government alone.

    He said that in 2016, the Command intends to strengthen its efforts in interdiction, prosecution, demand reduction especially public enlightenment and rehabilitation in order to bring down drug trafficking and abuse adding that the command’s effort last year is expected to impact positively on the drug problem leading to lower arrests and seizures in 2016 without reducing their dedication and devotion.

     

  • Tension in the gym

    For the past two weeks, the picture has been changing at the State House Gym at the seat of power in Abuja. There appeared to be a power tussle in the management of the gym.

    The gym since the year 2011 have been under the management of seven Nigeria Air Force personnel led by a female Wing Commander. The Wing Commander had earlier started the Gym in November 2010 with two civilian personnel.

    While the tenure the team was expected to spend on the posting was not specified, they normally have opportunity for tenure extension through delayed posting.

    Their duties included training and guiding registered State House staff and their registered family members through machines in the Gym.

    They also manage the President’s and Vice President’s Gyms.

    Unexpectedly, five members of the Air Force team including their leader were unceremoniously posted out of the State House Gym, a fortnight ago.

    The action, according to sources, was in line with an order from ‘above’.

    One of the accusations leveled against the team was that they were allegedly involved in the re-election campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which they denied.

    A new head from the Nigerian Army, who will source for other supporting staff to replace those posted out, was immediately installed.

    It was not clear whether the changes has to do with any serious crime on the beat or just done to break the seemingly monopoly of the Nigeria Air Force over the Gym.

    But preceding the changes, armed soldiers and personnel of Department of State Services (DSS) were immediately drafted to the State House Gym to maintain law and order.

    The security personnel, who have been providing 24 hour service on shift basis to the facility since the change in leadership, were also said to be monitoring movements to and from the Gym.

    Their sole aim was to stop any plan to steal any machine and other items in the Gym or to prevent any of the trainers from bringing in other items.

    The new order appeared to be bringing drastic changes to the State House Gym.

    Either due to the change in leadership or the introduction of armed security personnel at the gate, some of the Gym users who have been utilizing the facility for many years were said to have stayed away from the Gym in the past two weeks.

    The new move was also said to have adversely affected the number of new registered members to the Gym.

    Sources close to the Gym said that daily registration of new members have drastically reduced with new attendance for Saturday aerobics classes dropping from about twenty persons to about five persons.

    A user of the facility, who spoke on a condition of anonymity said: “I was surprised to see armed security men when I visited the Gym the last time. I had to stop going there because I don’t know if it was done to monitor staff members who use the Gym.”

    But barely a week after the change in leadership, there was a twist to the drama at the Gym.

    The head of the Air Force team, who was posted out a week earlier, was redeployed back to the State House Gym.

    The new twist, according to another source, is part of moves to resolve the crisis engulfing the State House Gym.

    The move, he said, included enlarging the management team from the earlier seven Air Force personnel to ten joint force, comprising of four Air Force personnel, four Army personnel and two Naval staff.

    Distraction of any sort at the seat of power will not be good for President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Unless there are serious and confirmed issues prompting the changes in the first instance, everything should be done to urgently tackle the problems and the seeming power play at the Gym.

    The atmosphere at the Gym should quickly be made less tensed for staff to freely carry out their physical exercises.

    A mechanism also should be put in place to prevent future friction among the proposed team of Air Force, Army and Naval trainers if that is the option those at the helm of affairs want to take.

    It will no doubt be in the interest of the administration to continue to keep a healthy State House workforce and for normalcy to return to the State House Gym.

     

    Surprise appearance

     

    Not many expected the newest and youngest governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to be at the seat of power in Abuja last Wednesday night.

    Bello was sworn in as the Executive Governor of the state earlier in the day in Lokoja, Kogi State.

    Many would have expected him to be carried away and busy with celebration of his election inauguration in Lokoja, Kogi State last Wednesday.

    But clad in light blue ‘Babanriga’, Bello appeared at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja around 9:20p.m.

    He was at the seat of power to attend his first Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting led by its Chairman and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari.

    It was also his first official function after taking oath of office.

    Arriving with his retinue of aides, Bello was smiling and acknowledging cheers from journalists, who had gathered at the venue of the meeting.

    Every step he took on the corridor of power was with the aura that goes with his new office as the number one citizen of Kogi State.

    Journalists were not the only ones surprised to see Bello in Abuja on Wednesday as his colleagues must have shown the same surprise when he was ushered into the venue of the closed-door meeting, where most of his colleagues were already seated.

    Bello also did not fail to perform his second official function as governor in Abuja the following day as he attended the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa.

    The governor, who was clad in white ‘Babanriga’ and brown cap to match was the toast of his colleagues that attended the NEC meeting.

    He was also nominated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to offer the opening prayer after the rendition of the National Anthem.

    His presence in Abuja for the NGF and NEC meeting last Wednesday and Thursday, definitely was to send signal that he has fully taken over every function relating to the Executive Governor of the state.

    He has definitely succeeded in passing the message that he is now in charge of the state notwithstanding whether the function was in Kogi State or anywhere in the country.

     

  • Foundation helps 62 inmates out of Kano

    Foundation helps 62 inmates out of Kano

    The Jaiz Bank Plc, through its charity and development foundation, has secured the release of 62 inmates in Kano prisons. The inmates went to jail because they could not pay their optional fines. It cost the Jaiz Charity Foundation N4 million to secure the release of the inmates who were in Kurmawa and Goron Dutse Federal Prisons.

    One of the 62 was a housewife Mary Ezemusen, 23, who was arrested with her husband for being in possession of large quantities of India hemp, concealed in their vehicle heading to Kano from Edo State. Mary was two months pregnant when she was convicted alongside her husband and sentenced to five years in prison, or an option of N500,000 each in which they could not pay.

    Mary and her husband have served over two years in prison, where she delivered a baby boy. The foundation paid N238, 000 for Mary to regain her freedom.

    While speaking further, Mary who recounted her pathetic ordeal said that, “we were arrested by the law enforcement agents along with my husband, Benedict for carrying a large quantity of Indian Hemp concealed in our vehicle from Edo State to Kano. Upon our arrest, we were charged to Court and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of N500, 000 fine which we could not pay. At that time I had a two-month old pregnancy and I delivered the baby boy in one of the hospitals after which I was taken back to prison custody. I left Edo in company of my husband to Kano without the knowledge of my parents, but now that I have regained my freedom, my husband is still in prison custody and I feel as if my freedom is not yet complete.”

    Another inmate that regained his freedom, 18-year-old Hussaini Adamu of Mariri Quarters narrated how he found himself jailed for one year just because his friend who is also languishing in Goron Dutse prison implicated him as he was caught stealing a GSM Cellular phone. He said that he has spent seven days in custody before this relief came his way through the Jaiz Charity Foundation initiative. According to him, they were asked to pay N10, 000 fine, “but I could not provide such money neither could my parents. I must remain grateful and indebted to the management of Jaiz Charity Foundation for securing my freedom and that of others. Right now, this serves as a lesson to me and I thank Allah for vindicating me through this grace; after all, I could have spent the next one year here. For that my evil friend, I have parted ways with him and I will never forgive him because he has smeared my name and that of my family for an offence I never committed. I really missed my parents and I am happy I am going home,” he stated.

    Speaking to reporters at the Kano central prison yard, the chairman of the foundation Alhaji Umaru Mutallab said that the gesture was part of the corporate social responsibility (CRS) of the foundation. According to him, the foundation paid N4million to facilitate the release of the 62 inmates who regained their freedom. He said that foundation was particular about youth who were sometime out ignorance indulge in criminal activities that eventually led them to being convicted for various offences. The chairman who was represented by the corporate Secretary and Legal adviser of the foundation, Umar Faruk Yakubu said that out of 62 of them, 55 are male, while 7 are female which mostly consist of youth between 17 to 30 years. “We have been doing this corporate responsibility as payback to the society. We are also involved into assisting indigent’s people who are incarcerated or indebted and cannot pay court impose fine or who were convicted for reckless driving and other offences as well as victims of insurgency and flood ravage area,” he added. Farouk further explained that those responsible for the release were, Chairman of Jaiz Foundation is Dr Umaru Mutallab, while Amb. Adamu Babangida Ibrahim is the Director General/CEO of Jaiz Charity & Development Foundation, adding that it was based on the instruction of the leader of the Foundation that the gesture was extended to the prisoners. According to him upon the instruction they embarked on the release process along side prison officers and the courts, about 65 prison inmates were set free.

     

  • No going back on okada, Keke ban

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye has said that commercial motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (Keke Napep) remain banned from operating within the 250 square kilometers of the Federal Capital City, Abuja.

    Ajakaiye stated during a meeting with the executive officers of the sector unions of the Okada/Keke-Napep Owners and Riders at the FCT Minister’s Conference Room, Area 11, Garki I District, Abuja.

    The Permanent Secretary further said that tricycles and motorcycles, popularly called Okada and Keke would only operate outside the city centre and designated areas like estates and Area Councils respectively.

    Ajakaiye stated that the Abuja Master Plan did not make provision for Okada and Keke to ply in the Abuja city centre; adding that the FCT Administration would ensure this law is not flouted.

    His words: “Okada remains banned throughout the Abuja city centre and Keke will also not operate within the city centre too, except in designated areas like estates”.

    He remarked that majority of the roads in the Abuja city are express roads, because the Abuja Master Plan as well as the Abuja Transportation Master Plan never envisaged the use of commercial motorcycles and Keke Napep.

    According to him, commercial motorcycles are injurious to the riders as well as the passengers and the government has a duty to protect the lives and property of all her Citizens.

    Subsequently, the Permanent Secretary read out the resolutions after the meeting, which was all agreed and adopted by the stakeholders present.

    The stakeholders at the meeting resolved that no Okada and Keke must operate in the City Centre and that they immediately form Associations to be registered with the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO).

    All commercial riders of tricycle or motorcycle, it was agreed, must belong to one of the Unions or Association for easy identification and control, particularly with the prevailing security situation in the country.

    It was also agreed that all Okada and Keke must have official vehicle registration and at the point of registration, evidence must be shown that the Okada and Keke riders belong to a union. The VIO office is to spell out the appropriate rules for their operations.

    However, the Permanent Secretary advised the executives of the Unions to immediately commence the sensitization of their members on the need to comply with these resolutions.

    “As Executives, we want you to go to your members and tell them to please adhere to the rules and regulations.  We want you to stay in the areas where you are allowed to do your business without molestation. If there is any reason where they are disturbing you in those areas, our doors are open to you. You are free to come and complain to us through your Executives and we will look at it,” he stressed.

    Dispelling the notion that the ban on Okada and Keke ceased to exist with the ouster of the previous Administration, Dr. Ajakaiye said Government is continuum and that every good thing must continue under the current Administration.

     

  • Minister to pay N324m to complete road

    Minister to pay N324m to complete road

    Plans are underway to complete the Apo-Karshi Road four years after the contractors started work.

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello said the FCT administration  was ready to pay an additional N324m provided the contractors would finish the work quickly.

    Bello disclosed this when he inspected the road under construction since 2011 in the company of the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, FCDA Executive Secretary, Mr Adamu Ismaila to ascertain what was hindering the progress of the project.

    He assured that his administration will make payments as quickly as possible for the matured certificate pending, but told the contractor to deliver the project.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the Minister regretted that Apo-Karshi Road, which is not more than 13.25km, has taken about four years so far, without completion; adding “what we have seen is a sign of what has been very wrong with us as a people”.

    He wondered how “a contractor that prides himself to be one of the upcoming local contractors, how it will take us four good years to construct only about 10 kilometers of road. This is absolutely amazing”.

    He said, “I have heard from the contractor and I have heard from the FCTA engineers handling this project. Based on explanations, this contract work was awarded to a contractor that was not even willing to do the job”.

    Bello reiterated, “they just gave him this contract and he reluctantly accepted”.

    The Minister said that he received a lot of complaints about the company, “and I understand they are doing about two districts – one in the city; another also on the way to the airport”.

    Bello lamented that if this company will build just over nine kilometers in four years, then it may not have the capacity to continue all the existing contracts.

  • ‘I’ll fight corruption like Buhari’

    ‘I’ll fight corruption like Buhari’

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Bello has vowed to follow President Muhammadu Buhari’s footsteps in tackling corruption and ensure that government is alive to its responsibilities.

    He also said all ongoing and abandoned projects will be completed.

    Government, Bello said will not embark on huge new projects that do not have any meaningful multiplier effect.

    Bello who gave the assurances when he briefed journalists on his administration’s policy trust also vowed to deliver a secured environment adding that Abuja Master Plan must be followed.

    He said the acute problem of traffic congestion faced by commuters in many locations will receive immediate attention through expedited completion and opening of more feeder roads.

    His words: “As I set out my responsibilities in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), I shall be guided by President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of delivering a secure environment, zero tolerance to corruption and ensuring that government is alive to its responsibilities.

    “In the face of the myriad needs demanding for scarce resources and the numerous uncompleted and abandoned projects, which if completed, will have immediate positive impact on the city and its inhabitants, we do not intend to embark on huge new projects that do not have any meaningful multiplier effect. Our priority in the short run, therefore, will be the completion of ongoing projects as may be appropriately reviewed.

    “Project of immediate attention will include Satellite towns in which we will target the development of affordable mass housing schemes and infrastructure in partnership with private sector to address the acute shortage of housing of low income earners. This will have the multiplier effect of reinvigorating the economy and creating employment opportunities in the Satellite towns.

    “The law that sets up Abuja is 40 years and after the law, a master plan was established for the city with the provision of being reviewed periodically.

    “What this administration is going to handle is the issue of flagrant abuse of the master plan. Obviously this will not be acceptable but of course readjusting and being flexible on the pan in line with current demographic realities will always be done.”

     

  • ICAN woos pupils

    ICAN woos pupils

    The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) is seeking to shore up the number of its members by inspiring pupils to take up accountancy and going all the way to becoming chartered accountants.

    According to the ICAN chairman of Minna District, Mr. Victor Onoche, the current number of chartered accountants in the country which has risen to 40,000 is not enough to cope with the population of the economy as the volume of work has become too much for them to handle.

    Addressing students drawn from various schools in Niger South Senatorial District in ICAN’s Catch Them Young Programme at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Onoche said that the institution wants to get the young ones to join the profession for the benefit of the economy.

    “There is no business in this world, both in the public and private sector that can go on without the participation or contribution of an accountant. Every business collects and disburse money, so we need accountants to help. We are not talking about just an accountant but professionally qualified accountants.”

    He said that the idea of the Catch Them Young Programme is to sensitize the young ones especially at the secondary school level in order to join the accountancy profession generally and ICAN in particular and to promote a platform for socio-academic interaction among various secondary school students.

    Onoche said that currently, the institution has not less than 150,000 registered students at various stages of the qualifying professional examinations.

    He however said that the accountancy profession is a disciplined profession that is not for lazy people with doubtful characters while highlighting various qualities a professional accountant must have to play his roles efficiently and effectively.

    He then gave the students an insight into what the accountancy profession entails and the benefits of becoming an ICAN certified chartered accountants adding that it is open to students in any discipline.

    A paper presentation on ‘The Roadmap to Becoming a Chartered Accountant’ and Motivational talks were given to the students while the students were given the floor to ask questions about ICAN and accountancy.

    Secondary schools from Kateregi, Agaie, Bida, Edati, Enagi, Lapai, Lemu, Badegi, Kutigi and Lemu in Niger South Senatorial District attended the programme.

  • ‘We won’t take chances on polio’

    ‘We won’t take chances on polio’

    Nigeria has been delisted from polio endemic countries but Northern state governments will not let down their guards, reports TONY AKOWE

    Kano and Bauchi states were the first to revive the campaign. Soon, four other states joined, following up with a Memorandum of Understanding with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Dangote Foundation. The pact, worth about $100m, is to provide technical assistance to eradicate polio in the region. Immunisation processes would be improved and primary health care strengthened in the states.

    At the ceremony which took place at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Foundation praised Bill Gate’s commitment to polio eradication.

    Dangote also hailed the fact that Bill Gate believes that immunisation is life-saving, cost-effective and a cornerstone of every primary health care system. He said, “Leadership and guidance of federal government and the commitment of the governors are critical for success. For me, bringing health care to the community is something I care about deeply so it is very important that communities trust that health services are there for them. Building on their recent success in eliminating polio from the region, Nigerian governors have and will continue to play a vital role in establishing a legacy of sustained commitment to routine immunisation.”

    Bill Gates said Nigeria’s governors have the opportunity to build health systems strong enough to stop future outbreaks. He said that commitment on the part of the governors and government “will improve immunisation coverage and help provide reliable health services in Nigeria. The states will be able to reap the full return on their investment through the number of lives improved and saved, and communities will remain protected from vaccine-preventable diseases for years to come”.

    While Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole was full of praises for the step taken by the governors and the partners for making what he described as a significant investment in immunisation, the American Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle said such collaboration offers the model platform to capitalise on the prospect of evidence based approaches.

    The Minister said, “These are tough financial times in Nigeria, but the health of children cannot wait. The country has an ambitious plan to introduce new life-saving vaccines over the next several years, and today’s commitments will ensure we can get those vaccines to the children who need them most”.

    Ambassador Entwistle said, “These MOUs offer the model platform to capitalise on the prospects of evidence-based approaches. Results will include stronger systems for immunisations, equal access to routine immunisation services, and building capacity for Nigerian states to lead in developing solutions for its people.”

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai said immunising a child, which should be simple and routine has not been done as it should be done across the country because the health system has not been invested with the capacity to consistently provide even routine services at a high standard which explain why the partnership was established.

    He said, “As state governors, it is evident from the contributions of my colleagues that our key strategy is to ensure that a reliable supply of vaccines is delivered in the right quantities at the right time, with sustained potency, to our health facilities. And if we can do that for vaccines, we can deploy same for every other health commodity our people need. Our health workers are well trained, managed, supervised and deployed in a rational way. It is essential that, as state governments, we earn the trust of the community by delivering predictable, reliable health services if we want our citizens to come to the health facilities. By getting immunization right, we can ensure that families access other critical treatments against malaria, diarrhoea and other common ailments. That’s particularly important when it comes to fighting infectious diseases, such as measles. Our goal in Kaduna State, for instance, is to achieve more than 80% coverage in every ward. So it won’t work if we provide immunization here in Kaduna, but fail to reach all children in faraway Sanga.”

    While expressing gratitude to Bill Gates and Alhaji Dangote for the partnership, he said “we have come a long way together in the fight against polio – and we know we have to keep the pressure on the polio virus for at least two more years. I am truly optimistic that we will remain polio-free. And because of our success on polio, the door is open for us to focus on other key health services, starting with immunisation. We have a lot of work to do, and I’m delighted that we are doing it together. We are grateful for all you have done to support our states and our country, but we need more. We therefore appeal to you, Mr Gates and Alhaji Dangote, to assist our state governments to revamp agriculture in the north, particularly livestock and rice production.”

    The partnership will commit political and financial resources to strengthen and sustain routine immunisation programmes in the states. The governors are expected to provide effective governance, leadership, and financial accountability to reduce child illness and death from diseases such as measles, pertussis, and hepatitis through increased routine immunisation in their respective states. On the other hand, Bill and Melinda Gates and Dangote Foundations are expected to provide the financial and technical support needed to drive the programme.