Our Reporter

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgency to strengthen Nigeria’s health facilities and improve the quality of care delivered especially in the public health facilities which provided the first line of medical care during the pandemic.

The management of hospitals requires specific skill sets to achieve efficiency and positive health outcomes through a systematic approach. Many government-owned hospitals are not adequately managed because leadership has limited management and business training which is often lacking in the curriculum of Nigerian medical schools.

In response to this gap, PharmAccess Foundation, through its Healthcare Management Programme (HMP) which was launched in 2017 organized a lecture titled “Driving change in public institutions” on Friday, December 11, 2020. The one-day training program was facilitated by Dr. Adedamola Dada, Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Center Ebute Metta Lagos with over 40 healthcare professionals from both private and government healthcare organizations. Dr. Dada was a participant in the first cohort of the HMP, which further equipped him to be the catalyst that brought significant changes in the management of FMC Ebute Metta. The changes instituted by Dr. Dada enabled the hospital to achieve Level 4 status in the PharmAccess SafeCare quality improvement program, and to date remains the only public facility to achieve this status.

During the training, Dr. Dada spoke on the need to drive change in public health institutions. He shared his experiences on practical steps which he instituted to transform the tertiary hospital including an initial assessment to determine areas of improvement, a digital transformation that boosted the revenues of the hospital and prevented leakages.

He also discussed in detail how FMC Ebute Metta brought about change in its infrastructure, procurement administration, staff capacity development, patient management, and other critical areas that led to the hospital to become more resilient, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Dada provided clear evidence of the effects of the HMP program using FMC Ebute Metta as a case study and how applying the knowledge from the program transformed the public hospital.

Also speaking during the training, the Country Director of PharmAccess Foundation, Njide Ndili noted that public hospitals, primary, secondary and tertiary level inclusive can be transformed if the management and medical personnel within public hospitals are adequately trained.

There are more public facilities especially at the primary care level which have been abandoned or operating at a sub-optimal level and this has to change for Nigeria to achieve Universal Health Coverage. The Government needs to invest in constant training and retraining of healthcare professionals to equip them with the skills needed to manage public hospitals. She mentioned that majority of the HMP participants in the past have been from the private sector, hence the need to develop a public sector-focused training with Enterprise Development Center (EDC).

Healthcare Management Programme (HMP) is a certificate program designed to build the capacity of healthcare professionals in the key areas of quality, business, finance, operations, patient-centered care, and inventory management. The HMP is designed to address the business capacity gap that currently exists among Healthcare professionals in Nigeria.

The programme has been designed with a robust curriculum and delivered by seasoned world-class faculty through a blended approach consisting of online and offline classes. The program is designed to assist Healthcare professionals in building their capacity to better manage their business.

The 4th and 5th cohorts of the HMP will be graduating in March 2021 and the 6th cohort will be commencing in March 2021. The 5-month training programme is a blend of presentations, case studies, activities, role-plays, and lectures. Relevant case studies in the health sector are used to help contextualize the peculiarities of the sector.

Subsequently, the participants receive tailored coaching and advisory from experienced healthcare professionals who help them develop solutions to challenges within their healthcare institutions. Since its inception, a total of 118 healthcare professionals have been trained in 5 cohorts of the HMP.

In addition to all the other interventions of PharmAccess in Nigeria, the HMP is another expression of its passion to ensure that every Nigerian has access to quality healthcare services.

From Osagie Otabor, Akure

The Judicial Panel of Enquiry set up to look into Police Brutality and Other Matters in Ondo State has promised to visit individuals’ properties that were destroyed during the #EndSARS protest.

Seventeen persons and organisations have filed petitions seeking compensation for the destruction of their properties.

Panel Chairman, Justice Adesola Sidiq, gave the assurance when victims of the EndSARS protest began presentations of how they lost valuables.

Justice Sidiq said there would be a visit to the site of the destruction to see the damage done for proper recommendations.

A former governorship aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ife Oyedele, whose house was razed at Okitipupa, said he lost property estimated at N52 million to protest.

Oyedele, who was represented by his counsel, Omololu Bagbe, listed the affected property to include his residential apartment in Okitipupa and his political campaign offices in Okitipupa and Akure, the state capital.

Further hearing in his petition was halted due to an amendment to the petition as his counsel was directed to submit the documents through the secretary of the panel.

The Ondo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said there was destruction of its secretariat and another property in Akure.

Secretary and Legal Adviser of Ondo PDP, Olusola Olujimi, told the panel that part of the destroyed property was being rebuilt.

He said a letter detailing the destroyed items had been sent to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu before the renovation started.

By Damola Kola-Dare

The Lagos State Government has concluded plans to train retired public school teachers on how to effectively utilise their terminal benefits, Head of Service, Hakeem Muri Okunola has said.

He spoke through his representative Mrs. Bukola Durodola during the ‘Last day in office for public servants in Lagos Education District II in Maryland, Lagos.

According to Okunola many retired public servants don’t invest their pension profitably, hence, the training has become imperative.

“The training is about mindset change for retirees who still want to venture into other businesses. We discovered that many retirees, in a bid to make more money after retirement, invest wrongly and lose their terminal benefits.

Thus, the Lagos State Government is going to train them on how to invest wisely and make profit,” he said.

Read Also: A’Ibom commences immediate employment of 1000 secondary school teachers

He lauded the Education District II for producing the best teacher in the country last year, and for producing the best public school this year.

He said: “As teachers, you have done very well. I appreciate your contributions to the development of education in Lagos State. You have made us proud by winning the best teacher last year and also the best public school this year.”

The Tutor General/ Permanent Secretary of the District, Mrs. Anike Adekanye praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for prioritising education. She equally praised the retirees for serving the District diligently. She urged them to maintain their health and manage their pension very well.

The retired teachers were given gifts and certificate of service.

Our Reporter

Bolt, Nigeria’s leading ride-hailing platform has announced it is now in 21 cities across Nigeria. The expansion follows the recent diversification into 10 new cities along with the already existing 11.

The move which is in line with Bolt’s vision of providing efficient and affordable rides to millions of Nigerians will now have riders in Akure, Aba, Asaba, Warri and Zaria onboard the platform. Other cities that have recently joined the train include Kaduna, Onitsha, Makurdi, Uyo and Ilorin.

Speaking about the expansion, the Country Manager, Femi Akin- Laguna explained that the decision to expand into the 10 more cities underscores Bolt’s commitment to ensuring Bolt’s promise of safe, convenient and affordable is available for everyone,

“These past years have seen us serve millions of Nigerians daily, providing for them a safer and more affordable option for commuting and we are very proud of the successes we have achieved with the assistance of the riders and drivers. Amongst other things, we have updated our App with more safety enabling features, put in place stricter measures with driver recruitment, and expanded our customer relations team to ensure faster resolution of issues. We believe strongly that every Nigerian deserves to enjoy the Bolt experience and we are on a mission to make that happen’, he said.

READ ALSO: Bolt updates App with new security features

Since its introduction into the Nigerian market in 2016, Bolt has become notable for its service and more prominently, affordability. Bolt’s footprint in the cities of Lagos, Abuja, Owerri, Ibadan, Calabar, Benin, Jos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Abeokuta have been described as laudable and an indication that the new cities will enjoy an equal level of excellence.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

The Development Research and Project Centre (dRPC) sparked robust discussions about the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) among education researchers at the first National Education Research and Economic Conference (NEREC) held at NECA House, Agidingbi, Lagos last week.

A panel featured the gains of the centre’s Future Workers project – an intervention which supported about 41 technical colleges in 21 states to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on exam preparations – during the conference.

The panel moderated by this reporter discussed how the project aptly fitted the theme of the conference, “Education and Economic Challenges, Opportunities and Responses in the COVID-19 Era 2020”. Its members, who were mentors from some of the beneficiary technical colleges, shared lessons of the gains and challenges of implementing the project. Dr. Mustapha Kolo, a lecturer at the University of Maiduguri and consultant with the dRPC said the Future Workers’ project enjoyed a $100,000 funding support from the Open Society Foundations, a U.S. based charity founded by George Soros in 1979.

Kolo mentored three schools in Yobe State under the project – namely: Government Science and Technical College, Damaguun; Government Science and Technical College Gujba, and Government Girls’ Science and Technical College Dapchi.  He said the project enjoyed the support of the state government which mobilised its schools to participate.  Save for the inconvenience of sharing  space with other schools because two of the schools had been sacked from their communities in Gujba and Dapchi, Kolo said the programme went well.

On his part, Udochukwu Egwim, who oversaw the project at the Government Technical College, Akpuoga, Enugu East, Enugu, said apart from providing extra lessons for the students, the project addressed emergency repairs badly needed by the school.

He also said a Guidance and Counseling conference organised to conclude the project was a bridge builder between the industry and the students.

“We invited industry experts, government officials and others for the conference.  Many of those from the industry said they did not know students with relevant technical and vocational skills existed in Enugu State as they had had to recruit artisans and technicians from other states in the past,” he said.

Also speaking, the dRPC mentor for Government Technical College (GTC) Ikotun Lagos State, Comrade Tunde Abdulrahman said the project addressed the ignorance of the students, many of whom did not know the various career paths they could pursue after their technical education.

He said he had high expectations of a good performance from the school in the 2020 National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) as a result of the four weeks  of extra practical classes organised for the students under the project.

Participants at the conference comprising secondary schools teachers and lecturers in tertiary institutions, underscored the need to boost TVET.

Mr Ahamdu Jinadu from Taraba State said the government should equip technical colleges better and provide them with relevant teachers; while Dr. Kayode Jegede of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) called for Guidance and Counseling units to be made more functional in schools.

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

A civil society organisation, Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI) has faulted allegations of job racketeering at the Federal Polytechnic, Ile Oluji, Ondo State.

The organisation stated that its independent investigation showed that the allegation against the Rector of the institution, Prof. Emmanuel Fasakin, was false and misleading.

Executive Director of the organisation, Yomi David, stated that the report was a deliberate attempt to misinform the public.

“Transparency Advocacy For Development Initiative (TADI) is fully armed with the report of its findings to state categorically that the Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji, Ondo State is a young institution that is growing very fast both in infrastructures, student-population and programme are designed for optimum output geared towards National development as our findings shows that all resources accrue to the institution since its establishment had been judiciously tailored to achieve it intended goals,” he said.

The Ikosi High School Old Students Associaiton (IHSOSA) would begin a week-long programme to mark the school’s 40th anniversary today.

The programme would feature a thanksgiving service on December 13, 2020; health walk and free medical outreach on 14; and novelty match on 15.

It would continue with the inauguration of the school hall on December 16; seminar and awards on 17, Jumat service on 18 and a party on December 19.

The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and other dignitaries are expected to grace the occasion.

By Adebisi Onanuga

Ijebu Ode Grammar School Old Boys Association (JOGSOBA) has promised to continue supporting the school’s management aggressively in the pursuit of academic excellence.

Towards this end, the association said it would give priority attention to all unfinished projects that would make students of the school attain academic excellence, particularly the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project.

The immediate past president, JOGSOBA, Ebenezer Osoba, an engineer, said this while addressing the  Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association held at the school’s premises.

He described the ICT laboratory as the star project of the old boys association.

He said the intention of the old boys was to prepare the school for the technological development of the 21st century in Nigeria.

He lamented that the project, which is 40 percent complete, would have been ready in record time but for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Osoba listed projects by the old boys to include ultra-modern toilet facility by JOGS 72 Club; rehabilitation of computer laboratory by JOGS 67/71 zet; rehabilitation of science laboratories and annual provision of chemicals for science practicals by JOGS 7479 set; roofing of Osisanya block by JOGS 83/88 set among others.

“The spirit of giving back to our alma mater should be enhanced and encouraged in all its ramifications under the umbrella of JOGSOBA,” he said.

In a lecture entitled: “Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Agrifood System for Wealth Creation in Nigeria”, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Animal Care Limited, Dr. Olufemi Agbato said it was rewarding to make a career in Nigerian Agrifood system.

Agbato, who was represented by Dr. Bayo Kolade, however lamented that agricultural productivity is generally low in the country.

He said if the right entrepreneurs were involved, the productivity would be high and compare favourably with the international bench mark particularly in the poultry industry.

“We must take agriculture from the present subsistence level to commercial and industrial and it is through entrepreneurial initiatives and involvement of the youths that we can achieve this.

“It is the way to go, not just for its value for personal success  and fulfillment but also for the value it has for the nation”, he said.

The AGM also featured the election of new National Executive Committee (NEC), including the President, Prof. Adekoya Olabosipo; Vice President Otunba Ayokunle Bolujoko ; General Secretary, Cornelius Onanuga; Assistant General Secretary, Pharm. Osiyale  Olulaanu; Treasurer, Olusanya Gbenga; Financial Secretary,  Dr Osiboye Dare; Publicity Secretary, Amuludu Gbemiga; Social Secretary,  Sule-Odu Olufemi; Ex-Officio 1 and 2, Ebenezer Osoba and Mazi Ajah Monday.

Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Dr. Hamid Bobboyi has said children need basic vocational skills to survive.

Bobboyi, who was the special guest at the Nigerian Military School 2019/2020 Academic session passing out parade and inauguration of Universal Basic Education Vocational Centre, said most successful entrepreneurs in Nigeria started by acquiring a vocational skill in high demand in the society.

“Vocational Education assists individual in better performance of their job as they acquire a great learning experience,” he said.

He said the vocational school was introduced by UBEC to address the out-of-school challenge in some states of the federation.

The centre is equipped with computers and electrical equipment and accessories.

The Nigeria Military School came into being May 20, 1954 with an initial intake of 30 boys known as “the first platoon”.

The NMS offers both military and academic activities.

With the introduction of the new policy of education, the school now runs a six-year training programme broken into junior and senior secondary classes of three years duration each.

All the subjects required by this policy are being taught at the school.