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The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Business Coalition for Health (ABCHealth) have signed a partnership to develop two key initiatives: the Healthcare and Economic Growth in Africa (HEGA 2) report, and the West Africa ‘African Continental Free Trade Area’ (AfCFTA)-anchored Pharma Initiative.

The partnership between the two organisations, which will be jointly executed, is premised on the belief that every African has an undeniable right to quality, accessible and affordable healthcare. The relationship between health and economic growth has been effectively demonstrated by the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is now clear that more private sector involvement is required to support governments’ efforts on health.

The Healthcare and Economic Growth in Africa (HEGA 2) is a follow up to the HEGA 1 report, which analysed a strategic direction for African countries to better engage with the private health sector to accelerate improvements in health.

It examined Africa’s healthcare challenges and highlighted opportunities for the private sector. The report was launched in February 2019 on the margins of the 32nd African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Summit in Addis Ababa. HEGA 2 aims to leverage innovation and extend the focus on building resilient national health systems in a post-COVID-19 era. The publication will offer robust evidence-based policy solutions to strengthen and build resilient healthcare and health infrastructure on the continent.

The West Africa AfCFTA-anchored Pharma Initiative is the blueprint for the local production of drugs and medical equipment across West Africa. The initiative focuses on strengthening the supply side of West Africa’s health sector by mobilising investment and capital to develop domestic production of internationally accepted standards and quality. This initiative is an extension of the work that ECA conducted in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and selected countries, which involved advocacy for local production of maternal and child care medicines; pooled procurement of same; and ensuring regulatory harmonisation and quality standards of medicines and products.

Regarding the partnership, Aliko Dangote, Co-Founder of ABCHealth, noted: “With the coalition that ABCHealth is building across the continent, responsible business leaders and philanthropists will have a platform that enables them to make sustainable, large scale investments in health that transform African economies and people.”

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, ABCHealth Chairman, stated: “We are confident of the impact this partnership will bring to bear on the continent. It is our firm belief that with the public and private sectors working together, combining political will with business knowledge, Africa’s health sector can be built to the point, where it will deliver affordable health to Africans in an equitable manner.”

Vera Songwe, ECA Executive Secretary, stated: “Investing in health is not just a social good, it also makes a good business case.  Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, business opportunities in the healthcare and wellness sector in Africa were estimated to be $259 billion by the year 2030, with the potential to create 16 million jobs. The pharmaceutical industry alone was estimated to be US$60 billion in 2020 and is still growing. The AfCFTA-anchored Pharma Initiative represents lucrative private sector investment and innovation opportunities that will change lives, reduce poverty and contribute to Africa’s inclusive and sustainable economic development.”

Archbishop  Ignatius Kaigama of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has urged the church to invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the end of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Kaigama, who gave the charge in his homily at St Anthony Jabi in Abuja, stressed that the church should ceaselessly pray against insecurity and other vices across the nation.

He said the church should specially remember those most affected by the pandemic and insecurity by praying the Holy Rosary personally.

“And, to link up to Catholic Shrines around the world where prayers will be going on.

“The Holy Father is requesting that during this month of May, the month of Mary, the entire church should invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the end of the coronavirus pandemic.

”To specially remember those most affected by the pandemic by praying the Holy Rosary personally and linking up to Catholic Shrines around the world where prayers will be going on,” he said.

The Archbishop, who also called for ceaseless prayer against insecurity and other vices, noted that the country was reckoned as one of the most religious nations on earth.

By Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

Three hundred contractors working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration have asked to be paid for supplying medical wares, including personal protective equipment to fight COVID -19 pandemic last year.

The contractors said the medical equipment they supplied last year were used in the management of the pandemic in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja by officials of the FCTA.

They lamented that the management of the FCTA has reneged in the agreement to ensure that they get paid two weeks after supplying the equipment.

Addressing reporters at the FCTA headquarters, one of the contractors, Noah Victor, said the FCTA has refused to pay them.

He said: “We did medical supplies and consumables for the FCTA and for over a year now, we have not been paid. The authorities had told us that the payment will be after two weeks. We gave them products and services. After that two weeks, they came up with the idea of papers.

“Up till now, the Permanent Secretary and minister have refused to call us. No form of sitting down to dialogue or the pattern they are going to adopt to pay us.

‘We are asking for all of our payments. This job is more than a year. We are appealing to them to demonstrate sincerity and understand with us. These are not times you owe people up to one year.”

A member of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, has urged youths to shun divisive acts for development to thrive.

Jatau, APC member representing Kokona West in the Assembly, spoke at the Eggon Youth Movement (EYM), tagged Kokona 2021 Youth Day and fund raising in Garaku, Kokona Local Government Area of the state.

Jatau, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Public Complaints, Petitions and Security, said shunning divisive tendencies by youths would go a long way in ensuring speedy development in the country.

He commended the youths for organising the event in order to foster unity and peaceful co-existence among themselves and called for its sustenance.

“I urge you to continue to partnering with other youths, embrace peace as well as partner with government for development to thrive,” he said.

Jatau commended Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration for constructing Bassa road in his constituency, while urging the people of his constituency to support the governor to succeed.

The lawmaker reassured of sound and quality representation at the state legislature in order to bring the much needed dividends of democracy to his constituents.

The Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Mr. Wasiu Adesina, has presented bursaries to 100 students of Ikorodu extraction.

He said one of his campaign promises was to assist students in higher institutions to overcome their financial challenges. Adesina said: “It is not easy for parents alone to train their children in higher institutions these days. The financial crunch is overwhelming. Governments at all levels need to mitigate the burden through scholarships, bursary awards and others means. You can attest to the fact that our administration has given bursaries every year to students in higher institutions without failing.

Let me take this opportunity to appeal to students of Ikorodu extraction to be good ambassadors wherever they may find themselves now or in future.”

He said a committee was constituted to determine the beneficiaries of the awards, with a mandate to be fair and thorough.

This, he said, included being a student in institution of higher learning and of Ikorodu extraction. Mrs. Olufunmilayo Bashorun, the All Progressives Congress (APC) women leader, appealed to the recipients to make use of the money. Present at the event were the Vice  Chairman, Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, Alhaji Waheed Owokorodu, Iya-Oja General of Ikorodu Local Government, Alhaja Taofikat Allison, the Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, Alhaji Shefudeen Olowooribi, APC leaders Alhaji Folorunsho Lamidi, Alhaji Musliu Sulaimon, Alhaji Enifeni Badru, Deputy Leader Adebowale Sulaimon, supervisors for WAPA  Adebukonla Adefolayiga, Yussuf Lawal, Musbau Rotinwa, Secretary to the Local Government Lateef Afinnih, among others.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Lagos state government has called for cooperation with the federal agencies to curb drug abuse among the youth.

At a Stakeholders’ Forum On ‘THEMES Agenda at Alausa, Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, ‘Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, decried the menace of drug abuse among the youth.

He called on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to join the state to halt the trend.

“This trend has become regrettable considering the importance of our youths towards nation building. The state government therefore solicits a strong bond of relationship with the Federal Agencies,” he said.

According to him, the State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Fire and Rescue Service and the Safety Commission have proven their expertise over the years.

“We always considering the fact that they have been well equipped and trained to meet up with the challenges of a smart mega city,” he said.

Permanent Secretary, Dr. Tajudeen Gaji said: “Developmental activities using the THEMES Agenda have made a lot of achievements possible with a great impact on the wellbeing of Lagosian, thus, the need to integrate agencies across the three tier of governance to enable stakeholders and citizenry identify with their contributions to the achievements…”