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From Moses Emorinken, Abuja

 

The Chairman, House Committee on Healthcare Services, Hon. Yusuf Sununu, has said the National Assembly has appropriated a supplementary fund of N728 million in the health budget for the treatment of cancer patients.

He made this known in Abuja during an advocacy visit by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to the House Committee.

He described cancer as a serious health challenge, saying everybody is affected either directly or indirectly. “Either you are affected or someone close to you is. I am also a victim of cancer loss. I lost my maternal and paternal grandmothers to cancer. My father also died of cancer.

I know how expensive it was. We must place emphasis on prevention through early detection. We introduced funding for cancer treatment to be utilised to supplement and support the care of victims in our six geopolitical centres of excellence of cancer treatment.

“We are grateful to the National Assembly leadership for allowing that provision to stand; also to the President for assenting to the provision of sum N728,861,797 as a supplementary support for victims that will be treated in our centres of excellence in cancer therapy.

It is different from the catastrophic health fund. It is exclusively for the cancer of the breast, cervix and prostate. We hope it will go a long way in reducing the burden of cancer care in the country.

“I will discuss with National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), even though cancer is not an infectious disease. But I think we can go ahead and develop case definition for it so that it can be easily used by our primary health care centres.

This way, whenever they have high index of suspicion based on the case definition, they can refer patients to the nearest hospital for further evaluation, referral and definitive care.

Read Also: Cancer responsible for 72,000 deaths, says FG

 

We will also look at vaccination against cancer with the NPHCDA so that we can, as much as possible, strengthen our primary level of prevention.”

The President, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Francis Faduyile, urged the leadership of the House Committee on Healthcare Services to push for a national policy both men and women are tested in order to prevent and control the disease.

“We are aware that cancer of the breast and cervix are the ones that afflict most of our women, and for the men counterparts – cancer of the prostate.

These three cancers can be averted or treated if detected early. We need to enact the necessary laws so we can have a national policy on cancer control and prevention.

“In other climes, we know that early teenage years or pre-teenage for the ladies have been given vaccination to guard against cancer of the cervix.

We are aware that there are some policies about the regular way that ladies can have a special test to detect cancer of the cervix. Nigeria has not had this.

We plead that you pursue a bill that will form the basis of the policy so that women and men can have preventive cancers taken care of.

Also, we are aware that the National Health Insurance Act is in some form of amendments. So, we plead that you also insert cancer treatment in it.

“Some people with cancer of the breast, before they can have opportunity for radiotherapy, it may be up to eight months, and many die before being able to meet the queue.

Cancer tends to occur at a fairly old age between 55 tand 70 years, generally. These are times that many of the workers are either retired or are not gainfully employed again for them to have enough cash to treat the cancers,” he said.

By Adekunle Yusuf

 

MyPharmacy, Nigeria’s fastest growing chain of pharmacies, launched with fanfare recently in Lagos, has been described as an initiative that is set to redefine the future of healthcare practice in Nigeria.

The Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), N. A. E. Mohammed, said the initiative that led to the coming together of brilliant minds across several sectors, especially franchise pharmacy owners and management teams, is a signal that there is the dawn of a new era in healthcare delivery.

“I believe that MyPharmacy is one of the best strategies for the future of pharmacy in Nigeria,” he said, adding that the meeting, which provided the platform for discussions on the adoption of the franchise model by MyPharmacy, is a welcome development in Nigerian healthcare.

The Registrar also urged the group to maintain the good standards set to guarantee clientele satisfaction and loyalty.

“Having this characteristic will strengthen partner relationships and pave the way for more. MyPharmacy is setting the pace for the standard of community pharmacy. We are setting the standard for the future,” Desola of MyPharmacy Quadcare branch affirmed.

MyPharmacy is the brainchild of Advantage Health Africa, a health tech company providing solutions across Africa, as a means to encourage collaboration in healthcare to provide maximum results for healthcare practitioners and clients.

Read Also: Pharmacy council warns against unethical conduct

 

With 51 branches across seven states in the country, the major focus of this initiative is to improve access to genuine and affordable medicines, the promoters of the novel initiative said.

On the vision of MyPharmacy, Abimbola Adebakin, Chief Executive Officer, Advantage Health Africa, said the group was interested in the value adding advantages and testimonials from franchisees around Nigeria.

“As a client, you know you will get guaranteed medicines because fake drugs cannot enter our scrutinised system. You will come in to meet a pharmacist that cares about you and addresses you as you want to be addressed.

Increasingly, as a chain, we shall ensure our supply chain integrity with good traceability and ease of recall, especially through bulk purchasing from credible suppliers – you get better pricing and guaranteed quality,” Adebakin said.

She reiterated that efforts would be maximised to ensure proper management, branding and training of team members through this collaborative strategy.

“Advantage comes to all parties via this hybrid of brick and mortar with the award winning online ordering platform, my-medicines.com.

The drive is strong at MyPharmacy to work in partnership with various service providers to provide top-notch in-store and online services including telemedicine, digital screening and relevant tests, while ensuring last mile sourcing and fulfillment for affordable and quality medicines,” she said.

Since it began  in October 2019, MyPharmacy has grown over the past four months to 51 branches, and the vision is to expand to 1000 pharmacies by 2024, Adedotun Sulaiman, chairman, Advantage Health Africa, said.

Sulaiman admitted their vision is to see MyPharmacy across Nigeria, setting the standard with its values and practices.

He said his team was on the path to achieving these goals. “Pharmacy is not all about making money. It is about giving quality service to the community and MyPharmacy has given us the opportunity to serve the community better because with collaboration, we can serve the community better,” Uvie Ubrufih, owner of MyPharmacy JJC Branch, Benin City, said.

Hundreds of students from tertiary institutions in the Niger Delta States have stormed Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in solidarity with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Otunta.

They immediately issued a stern warning to trouble makers to steer clear of the institution and allow the Vice Chancellor and the Governing Council execute their vision for the school in peace.

Operating under the aegis of Niger Delta Students’ Union Government, the students wondered why enemies of the region want to destroy the only University of Agriculture in the nine Niger Delta States, all in the name of fighting a vendetta war with Prof. Otunta.

In an address read by the President-elect of the Students’ body, Ambassador Dauebi Joey Ekadi (Jnr), they warned people engaged in campaign of calumny and blackmail against the VC to desist forthwith or contend with the wrath of the students.

They noted that ever since the Vice Chancellor implemented the directive of the Federal Ministry of Education and the Governing council, on the proper placement of staff, some people had taken it upon themselves to malign the reputation of Prof. Otunta.

“Is it a crime to promote excellence and enthrone due process and integrity in the running of the institution?”, the students asked.

The students commended the Vice Chancellor for his giant strides in the academic and infrastructural advancement of MOUAU in the last four years and urged him not to be distracted by “the enemies of the institution”.

READ ALSO: ‘Niger Delta govs should encourage people doing meaningful businesses’

President of the Students Union Government, MOUAU, Comrade Otuonye Famous declared that the entire students were solidly behind Prof. Otunta because he had positively changed the image of the school.

He said they were particularly happy over his policy of employing first class graduates of the school with the attendant benefit of tackling unemployment and offering opportunities to the youths.

Comrade Famous also noted that since the coming of Prof Otunta as VC, the school has not recorded any interruption in the academic calendar while its academic rating has gone up.

He thanked his colleagues in the Niger Delta for coming on the solidarity visit and assured them that MOUAU students are solidly behind Prof. Otunta.

While receiving the students on behalf of the Governing Council and Management, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) Prof. Madu Iwe described the visit as a demonstration of goodwill and support much needed for the advancement of the Niger Delta.

He said all the stories fabricated against the VC were fake news engineered by enemies of progress, saying that the students did well to seek the protection and sustenance of the only University of Agriculture in the Niger Delta Region.

Prof. Iwe promised to deliver their message to both the Council and the Management and commended them for the peaceful manner they conducted themselves during the solidarity rally.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

 

The usual excitement that characterises the yearly merit award of Education District I, Agege was not left out this year.

The event, 13th in the series, which held at the Agege Stadium indoor hall, saw workers across various cadres – principal, vice principals, head of departments, district officers, guards, HoDs, drivers, cleaners – being recognised for their outstanding performances and going home with certificates and mouthwatering prizes.

Employees, resplendent in their various attires, were in attendance not only to felicitate with their colleagues who won, but to also draw inspiration from them.

One of the shining lights among the awardees was the Principal of Vetland Senior Grammar School, Mrs Taiwo Abiola Eliazbeth, who won the district’s Best Principal in the senior category.

Many of Abiola’s colleagues were not surprised at the mention of this ‘workaholic’. Abiola once clinched the award in the previous edition, albeit in the Junior category and as the then Principal of Ijaiye Ojokoro Junior High School, before her redeployment.

Abiola told The Nation that hardwork and passion to drive development have always been her watchword.

“Where ever and whatever I find myself doing, I do it well.  I spent my personal resources to build a podium for our morning assembly. I facilitated the painting for the entire three buildings in the school. I also built a geographical garden and revived some dead projects,” she said while sharing her testimony.

Besides, Abiola, who has barely spent 13 months in the school, said with the support of other teachers, parents, the old students and government, the model school under her watch, has to her credit, beautiful ambience, while her pupils dwarfed their contemporaries in  state and national awards.

“During the PZ 2019 competition, we emerged the best 13 in the entire Southwest. In the same year, Vetland also produced the best student in NIFEST 2019. We were the only school that won the Interwitch Spak2.0 international contest. We are also the only public school that won the Cowbellpedia competition in Chemistry and came second in national cowbelpedia competition.”

Read Also: Sanwo-Olu promises car gifts to best head teachers

 

Another awardee and Principal, Government Junior College Agege Mrs Bolanle Olusola Alamu, who emerged the Best Principal in the junior category, attributed her feat to passion for teaching and the desire to improve herself in line with 21st century challenges.

“I love teaching. Besides, I aspire to be the 21st century compliant. I try to be creative and ensure  I go out of my way  to be an achiever.

“No nation grows beyond her level of education. If you want the nation to develop, we must put in extra efforts to develop these children especially from basic up to secondary level.This is the secret to my dedication.”

Earlier, the District’s Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Mrs Titilayo Solarin, and her predecessor Dr Oluwafolayimika Ayandele, described the District I as a trailblazer,  adding that it owes her success to dedication by stakeholdesr at the district.

“We have dedicated teachers, brilliant students and supportive non-teaching staff,” said Solarin.

“We have people who are passionate about their work; and when you have that, there is no way you will not excel. Also, parents have been quite supportive. Anytime we call on them, they are ready to support.

“We do this (award) to encourage them and let them know that the district and Lagos State government appreciate what they are doing.

“We also do this to challenge those who are yet to receive such awards so that they know that for every work you do, there is a reward for it.

‘’Every year, there has always been great improvement at the following edition.Teachers, principals and other cadres all strive to ensure they win considering the array of gifts winners receive,”   Solarin concluded.

 

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

 

The Vice-Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka, Abraka, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, has urged  new students of the university to be good ambassadors of the institution and exhibit diligence and honesty in their academic pursuits.

He gave this advice during the matriculation of 4, 958 new students for the 2019/2020 academic session

Egwunyenga  said though 22,448 candidates applied for admission, only 4,958 were offered placements into various faculties of the university.

He said: “Matriculation is a requirement in higher institutions, and the oath is an initiation into the intellectual community because it confers on you full rights of studentship. It is also a universal academic tradition for any would-be scholar in pursuit of education.

Read Also: Be good ambassadors, Obaseki urges Nigerian Army applicants

“Delta State University is one of the fourth generation universities in Nigeria having been established in 1992 by the late Olorogun Felix Ovuodoraye Ibru, the first Governor of Delta State.  It has grown from a modest beginning to be highly- rated citadel of research and higher learning.

‘’While I congratulate the matriculating students, l want to use this medium to advise the students to be mindful of the fact that they are the major stakeholders in the university.

I therefore implore them to maintain the sanctity and esteemed image of the university. Most importantly, they should remain focused  in their academic pursuits at all times in order to achieve a fruitful academic career.”

The Vice Chancellor also advised the students to shun any misconduct such as, examination malpractice, cultism, indecent dressing and other vices capable of bringing the institution to disrepute.

He assured them that  the leadership and staff of the university are committed to their welfare at all times.

 

By Justina Asishana

The School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University (SMC-PAU) has trained 20 journalists on reporting from a solutions perspective with the use of data.

The training, which was held  at the Pan-Atlantic University Main Campus in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, had journalists from the print and broadcast media across Nigeria.

The Dean of the School of Media and Communication, Dr. Ikechukwu Onoaha, said the academy was necessary due to the gaps noticed in the reportage of journalists which mostly points to lack of depth.

According to him,  journalists no longer seem to respond to questions of ‘why’, stressing that a lot of stories lack depth because many questions remain unanswered.

“One of the key things we have seen and noticed in journalists is the lack of depth in stories. Many  times, the stories are not followed through; most times, the readers are left asking why. That is what the training is trying to address.

“There is so much to be done in the area of journalism, to make practitioners professionals. The School of Media and Communication is trying to provide some skills required in the field,” he noted.

Read Also: Firm trains agro business men, others to access CBN loan

 

Onoaha explained that the concept of solutions journalism is to educate journalists on the need to show how a problem could be solved instead of just writing about the problems.

“As people of the pen profession, we need to stop complaining and work at finding solutions to the problems bedeviling the country. Journalists need to write enough stories through a solutions lens. Journalism is the best agent to engender change .”

He stated that the Solutions and Data Journalism Academy is the first of its kind in Nigeria, adding that another edition would be organised soon.

The participants were taken through a process of the practice of solutions journalism, the concept of journalism for change, data mining and cleaning, data analysis and visualisation, news analysis and investigative reporting, effective features writing, understanding agenda-setting theory and practice in journalism and effective use of language in writing.

They were also taught various skills such as advocacy skills, critical thinking skills, self-management skills, and reporting skills.

At the end of the training, the participants made  presentations on focus areas of agriculture, food system and nutrition; financial Inclusion, healthcare, and fiscal policies.

 

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

 

A chance to participate in the World School sports Competition awaits secondary school pupils who excel in the Maltina School Games.

Registration for the games opened Monday across the country for public and private secondary schools pupils to participate in track and field events.

Preliminaries for the games would hold February 19 to 21 in local governments/districts across the country after the two-week registration window closes.

State finals would follow from February 21 to 28; while the finale would hold in Lagos from March 9 to13.

Speaking at the launch of the games in Lagos last Friday, President of the Nigerian School Sports Federation (NSSF), Olabisi Joseph, said overall winners would get scholarships, laptops and printers, while their schools would get sporting facilities.

The event featured a panel discussion on “Inculcating sports culture from a young age.”

Lamenting the dearth of sporting facilities in schools, Ms Joseph said  education was incomplete without sports, which teaches skills that could not be got from classroom activities alone.

“For education to be complete, a child must go through the three domains of education – cognitive, affective and pscyhomotor. But gaining life skills goes beyond cognitive activities in the classroom. Life skills like determination, discipline, team building, setting targets can be achieved through sports,” she said.

Also, veteran athlete and Olympian, Chief Falilat Oginkoya, said Nigeria, with its huge population, should be a producer of great athletes. She said this would not be possible without secondary school sports.

She said herself and the likes of Mary Onyali were discovered at that level, which was why their careers lasted over 20 years.

Read Also: Amuwo games to promote communal unity

 

She appealed to Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc, makers of Maltina and sponsors of the competition not to organise a one-off event but ensure continuity.

“Nigeria has a population of 180 million but we don’t have up to one million athletes. Sports nation like Jamaica and Bahamas are not up to 10 million. We started representing Nigeria from secondary school.

This has to be long term. You need to manage the athletes, have a database. You have to motivate them. I don’t want to hear that they are not doing this again,” she said.

The Managing Director, NB PLC, Jordi Borrut Bel, promised that the firm would not abandon the games, which he described as a good investment in young people.

“I think this is the right thing to do and I don’t think this is one-off thing. I believe it will develop the capacity of young people to do well and enhance their mental well-being,” he said.

Also, the Corporate Affairs Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs Sade Morgan, said the firm hopes to get 1,000 schools registered for the games.

Overall, she said the athletes and spectators stand to gain from participating as it would promote happiness the Maltina brand is known for.

 

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

 

Over 50 pupils have benefited from the Grace High School, Gbagada, Lagos, indigent students’ scholarship introduced 10 years after the school was established.

Its Executive Director, Mrs. Iyiola Edun, said the scholarship, which covers senior secondary and university education of the beneficiaries, had accrued to over N100 million invested by the school to provide access to quality education for brilliant children of indigent backgrounds who had their junior secondary education in public schools.

In an interview, Mrs. Edun said the scholarship, initiated in honour of her late mother and founder of Grace Children’s School, Deaconess Grace Busola Osinowo, was worth over N1 million per session.

“This is one area that the school becomes socially responsible by helping the less privileged in the society.

“The scholarship is worth over N1million per session. It covers tuition, books, uniforms, boarding fees and pocket money and even extends to their university education afterwards. Let me say over 50 students have benefited from the awards since its inception in 2004,while over N100 million has been invested in the scheme by the school,” she said.

Mrs. Edun said yearly, three pupils from public secondary schools that emerge overall best in the school’s scholarship examination get the scholarship, while other top performers are rewarded with N50,000.

She called for support to expand the initiative to more pupils.

“My passion really is to support as many children as possible but the funds are not there and that is why I believe corporate organisations can do better in this regard.

Read Also: 25 students get scholarship in Ogun

 

The interesting thing is that some of these students actually graduated with first class which means they can excel if given the opportunity like others. We are open for sponsorship in order to alleviate the sufferings of parents in educating their children,” she said.

Mrs Edun said the beneficiaries are from very poor homes.

She said: “These people are poor in every sense of it and you need to visit where some of them stay.

‘’I have been involved in visiting the homes of the beneficiaries of the scholarship. I had in some cases shed tears looking at the inhabitable condition the families live.

There was one that we went to verify their home around Ebute Metta.We had to trek on planks to get to their home. I couldn’t hold it! I burst into tears with what I saw that day.”

Apart from the scholarship, Edun said Grace Schools (comprising Grace Children’s School founded in 1968, and Grace High School) also support public schools in its environs with facilities and donations.

“Ajidagan Primary School, Grace Schools next neighbour has also been a major beneficiary of the Corporate Social Initiatives. The school, which collapsed last year, was reconstructed by our school.

“We also donated the play equipment to Ajidagan Primary School. We have also sponsored the sporting events of several schools in Gbagada,” she said.

 

By Joseph Eshanokpe

 

After 35 years of meritorious service with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Omotayo Odeyemi finally bid the service farewell.

Odeyemi, who joined the service on January 7, 1985, got to the peak of her career as a Director/Vice Principal on Grade Level 17. Her last duty post was Isheri Osun Community Junior Secondary School in Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

Her last working day, which was Tuesday, January 7, saw her colleagues, pupils and friends hold a pen down/send off in her honour at the school’s premises.

Turn by turn, they poured encomiums on her.

The school’s Principal Adedapo Fagbure praised the retiree’s sense of reasoning, maturity, dedication and loyalty.

Also, the school’s Head of the Department of English Helen Adebigbe said of Odeyemi: ‘’She is a substance, a director, a counsellor, and role model.’’

Read Also: WAEC Registrar bows out month end

 

“Working with her was a great pleasure. I rejoice with her today for a glorious and successful exit from the service,” Fagbure added.

In her tribute, the school’s Vice Principal (Academics) Mrs Omolara Taiwo, described the celebrator as a bundle of humility, a good leader and a rare gem. “We will miss your motivating jingles, your teasing push for work with the right attitude,” she said.

Odeyemi’s better half Mr Joshua, also a retired school  director, thanked her for standing by him through thick and thin.

The chairman of the day, Mrs Modupe Ogunbayo, described 35 years as a milestone, adding that it was, therefore, worth celebrating. She advised teachers as moulders of minds to take their work serious.

Highlight of the occasion was the signing of the register to signify Mrs Odeyemi’s last day at work and exit from service. She was supported by her husband. There was also the cutting of the retirement cake.

The event was spiced by an Ewi poetry by Oladipupo and dances in Yoruba and Ibo groups of the pupils.

In her response, the retiree said she was able to make it by God’s grace. She thanked the government for the opportunity to serve and her colleagues and pupils for the support.

 

By Damola Kola-Dare

 

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, has lauded the Ijebu Muslim College Old Students Association for their sustained drive towards repositioning the college to greater heights.

Abiodun was the Special Guest of Honour at the grand finale of the college’s 70th anniversary celebrations, which held in Ijebu-Ode last weekend.

“I commend IMCOSA for its initiative and dedication to its alma mater. I have not seen an old student association as focused and dedicated as this since my sojourn in Ogun State,” he noted.

Abiodun described the  250-seater Assembly Hall being constructed by the old students as a ‘positive development’.

He continued: “ The Assembly Hall is a positive addition to the school and you have all written your name in gold.”

The governor enjoined IMCOSA not to relent in their efforts to take the college to enviable heights. Abiodun promised that the state government donate a dining hall for the school, amongs other goodies.

Read Also: HoS lauds Abiodun’s passion for civil service

 

“The state government will build a dining hall for the students and this will not be the only contribution of this administration to the school, “ the governor added.

He assured the school of addressing the flood ravaging it by calling on relevant agencies to swing into action.

While inaugurating the newly-built 3D Laboratory donated  by Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, he insisted that his administration had placed premium on high quality education in the state and committed to good welfare for teachers.

“This is quite commendable. It is part of Ogun State Public-Private Partnership. We have made education our priority, hence we will  continue to pay teachers’salaries promptly because their welfare is important to us,” he noted.

Earlier, IMCOSA President, Kayode Sote,  who said inadequate funding is the bane of the association, urged the government to reintroduce the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)  levy to assist the college in meeting some expenses.