The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Agenda

  • Nigerians set agenda for Service chiefs

    Nigerians set agenda for Service chiefs

    •Falana, Alli, others: loyalty must
    be to State, not individual

    Senior lawyers and security experts yesterday warned the new Service chiefs against partisanship. They said the commanders’ loyalty should be to the country and not to the President, or the ruling party.

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana, Mallam Yusuf Ali (both senior advocates) and Dr. Chima Nnaji bared their minds on the appointments of military commanders by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    They all urged the Service chiefs to bring their experiences to bear and inject fresh ideas into the war against terror and urged them to strengthen the armed forces as a professional institution.

    Falana recounted how the former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col Dasuki Sambo (rtd), usurped the functions of the former Defence Minister, Lt. Gen. Aliyu (rtd), a development the lawyer noted, brewed disaffected in the system.

    He said: “The NSA usurped the functions of the defence minister.  The office was linked with currency trafficking, hiring of mercenaries and purchase of unserviceable military hardware.

    “Without arms and ammunitions, military officers and soldiers were forced to fight the well-armed terrorists. The encounter culminated in humiliating defeat for the nation’s armed forces.

    “Hundreds of soldiers were massacred while those who refused to commit suicide were put on trial before court martial.”

    In his remarks, Ali said: “My expectations are that they should be able to assist us to battle and extinguish, if possible, insurgency and terrorism; and position our armed forces as a professional fighting force that can be ranked as one of the very best if not in the world at least in Africa. They should ensure that they promote the ethics of subjugating the military to civilian authority.”

    According to him, the military chiefs should feel obligated to the country and not the person who appointed them.

    He said: “Our problem is that we don’t have strong institutions. Anybody who gets appointed to an office believes that he owes obligation and loyalty to the appointer, whereas it should be that anybody who is appointed into the public service in any capacity should have loyalty to Nigeria.

    “We don’t have that in this country. We haven’t gotten it right at all. This is an area that quite a lot has to be done. That is what is missing in our national life. Until public officers believe that their first loyalty is to the nation itself, then the problem of partisanship will remain.”

    Dr. Nnaji said the military chiefs must show passion for the tasks ahead and learn to deploy modern technology, urging President Buhari to always consider national interest first when exercising his prerogative to make such appointments, especially on the professional competence of those being appointed.

     

     

  • Group sets agenda for new govt

    Group sets agenda for new govt

    In Association of Muslim men in Business and Professions, The Companion is adding its voice to the widely anticipated New Nigeria debate as the country just transited to another administration.

    The group for the second time is holding a National Discourse on Sunday with the theme: “2015 General Elections: Setting Agenda For the New Government”.

    According to a statement by The Companion National Amir (President) Alhaji Musbau Oyefeso, the lecture will be delivered by the Director General, The Electoral Institute, Prof Abubakar Momoh.

    Oyefeso said the trio of Lagos based Human Rights Activist and Constitutional Lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) and Comrade Isaa Aremu of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) will deliver the keynote addresses.

    The event, which will hold inside the main auditorium of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, will have All Progressives Congress (APC) National Legal Adviser and former Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Muiz Banire; a lawyer, Mr Wahab Shittu and Comrade Abiodun Aremu as discussants.

    •Adeola
    •Adeola

    It will be chaired by the Pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Guaranty Trust Bank plc Mr Fola Adeola.

    After the lecture, Oyefeso said, a special prayer for the nation will be conducted by the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Garuba Akinola Ibrahim.

    The former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and incumbent Kaduna State Executive Governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai discussed the theme: “Corruption and the Challenge of Good Governance” at the maiden edition of The Companion National Discourse last year at the same venue.

  • NUJ aspirant unveils six-point agenda

    NUJ aspirant unveils six-point agenda

    A presidential aspirant of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Abdulwaheed Odusile,  has said there is need for a special salary package for journalists.

    He spoke in Sokoto yesterday while  unveiling his six-point agenda which includes special media salary structure, eradication of quackery and sensitisation on social media.

    Others are focus on professionalism with emphasis on training, retraining, certification and registration of members.

    He also planned to set up of an NUJ Radio, enhanced welfare programmes and the defense of press freedom.

    Chairman of the union in the state, Labaran Dundaye, who received  Odusile urged the state government to revoke the N24million contract it awarded for the renovation of its Press Centre.

    Dundaye said the call had become necessary as the work which commenced over a year ago was going at snail-speed.

    “The contract was awarded over one year ago but the contractor is performing below expectations as the work would have been completed long ago.

    ‘’We, therefore, want the state government to revoke the contract and re-award it to a more competent contractor or to the union to complete’’, he added.

    Dundaye said that early completion of the renovation would enable the union to have a more conducive press centre for its activities.

    Dundaye described Odusile as “a tested and trusted journalist as well as a committed unionist who is capable of taking the union to greater heights.’’

  • Our agenda for Buhari, by TUC

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to settle down and tackle the problems confronting the nation.

    It said this was not the time to witch hunt anybody.

    The union, in a statement by its President and General Secretary Bobboi Bala Kaigama and  Musa Lawal said President Buhari must end impunity in the country.

    The union added that as a popular man in the North, his responsibilities are broader.

    The statement yesterday reads: “The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) wishes to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari as he officially assumes office as President.

    “History will remember the President for his doggedness and refusal to quit, despite previous electoral defeats.

    “We once again praise his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his statesmanship.

    “The Congress sees President Buhari’s resolve to contest the 2015 general elections as a mark of his belief in the project Nigeria, and his unflinching desire to contribute his quota.

    “The Congress urges the President to always remember his campaign promises to Nigerians, which were the basis upon which he was voted for.

    “Again, he must know that irrespective of the number of votes he got from individual states, there is no part of the country where he was not voted for.

    “By implication, it means that he is the president and father to all. Muslims, Christians, pagans voted for him because they believe in him.

    “As such, we don’t wish to see religion, tribalism, nepotism, which have always been the bane of Nigeria’s development rear their ugly heads in his administration.

    “The President, in his inaugural speech, showed that he is quite aware of our numerous challenges: electricity, unemployment, insecurity, corruption, militancy, poor health facility, poor infrastructure, etc.

    “His reputed honesty is what the country needs now to regain its lost glory.

    “We look forward to seeing an end to lateness to work;  end to corruption and  restoration of sanity in our system.

    “The Congress wishes to reiterate that this is not the time for mudslinging, this is not the time to witch hunt anybody, nor a time to spend precious money on advertorials. Rather this is the time to work

    “This is the time to fix the Ajaokuta steel mill, the roads and create jobs for our youths.

    “This is the time to restore our  national carrier (Nigerian Airways). This is the time to tame impunity at all levels.

    “This is the time to address the crisis in the oil and gas industry. Most importantly, this is the time to restore the dignity of our currency and provide solution to workers’ agitations. The list is endless.

    “Finally, we urge Buhari  to involve capable hands, party affiliation notwithstanding, for the good of the country.

    “We particularly cherish the president’s words: ‘ I belong to every body. I belong to nobody’.

    “This gives confidence that the era of godfatherism has ended. Congratulations Mr president”.

  • Season of agenda setting

    It is the season of agenda setting. Even members of Jonathan administration that ran the nation aground could not resist the bait. The Minister of Finance, from far away New York, set her own economic agenda for Buhari. Not even the pummelling by her political adversaries who accused her of presiding over the depletion of our foreign reserve, running a deficit budget of N1trillion while federal and some state workers are owed salaries arrears of about N700b, paying N1.6 trillion as fuel subsidy to those who never imported a pint of fuel, frittering away billions through indiscriminate granting of import tax waivers, and leaving behind a debt portfolio of $60b, could restrain her. She is not alone. The Minister for Power who doubles as Aso Rock prayer warrior has advised the president not to revisit the unbundling of PHCN even though we today generate a miserable 1321MW down from about 4500MW before the lucky 18 new distribution companies took over with government N50b subsidy. For Danjuma, Jonathan administration must be probed and stolen assets recovered.  Obasanjo just wants the president-elect to level up with Nigerians and avoid playing the ostrich.  Malam Yusuf Ali (SAN) wants Buhari to ‘summon the political will to tackle the problems of corruption’. For the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry {LCC}, Buhari must ‘block of all fiscal leakages and waste in government’.  NLC on its part wants the president to solve all employment problems. These goals are not unattainable for president-elect who according to Obasanjo ‘is a tested hand’. Besides, politicians are supposed to be miracle workers.

    Unfortunately the most important item is conspicuously missing.  If I were Buhari’s adviser, conscious of the brevity of time and knowing for a fact even without the morbid wish of an embarrassment called Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, that Buhari has only one life, I will simply say: restructure, restructure, restructure. The reason is simple. Buhari has a unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by putting an end to our nightmare which started in 1966 when half-educated soldiers destroyed the foundation upon which our nation was built. We have watched with dismay as power-drunk half-educated soldiers who did not even understand the framework of the independent constitution bequeathed on to us by the colonial masters and our founding fathers, took advantage of restive ethnic groups, deprived of justice and freedom by new inheritors of power during the First Republic, to carve our nation into an unviable and unwieldy 36 states and 774 LGA. Buhari has something else going for him. Like some of our founding fathers who worked assiduously along with the British impartial arbiters between 1946 and Sept-Oct 1958 Lancaster House constitutional agreement, he is forthright, honest and fair-minded. He is therefore in a position to confront the beneficiaries of current anarchy fraudulently described as federal arrangement who trade in the name of ‘one Nigeria’, to acquire political power or political patronage in form of huge contracts and oil blocks.

    It is true that our nation came under severe strain and threat by various ethnic groups that have always wanted a nation of their own within the greater Nigerian nation.  It is true   that by acts of omission or commission, the new inheritors of power betrayed the promises of independence and the ideals of federalism. It is also a documented fact of history that the dominant ethnic groups, the Hausa-Fulani, the Yoruba and the Igbo had at different times threatened secession just as some minorities notably the COR states of Calabar, Ogoja and Rivers, led by Isaac Boro and the Tiv and the Birons led by Joseph Tarka organized popular uprising s which were only suppressed by the military.

    But the cause of friction and ethnic suspicion has always been about the quest for justice, freedom and self-actualization by those who consider themselves marginalized.  The dominant ethnic groups are aware they need Nigeria no less than the oil-producing Delta who in the absence of a federal cover could be enslaved by their more aggressive Igbo neighbours or even by the Hausa-Fulani, their traditional ally who recently threatened to go to war over sharing of revenue from oil which they hilariously claimed actually belongs to the north from where it seeped down to the Niger Delta.

    At the end what most groups want is a Nigeria where the nation-state performs its traditional role of ensuring fairness justice and liberty for all. And this is exactly what federalism sets out to accomplish as a social philosophy that strives to ensure the state does not limit the freedom of individuals and its constituent units. And this was why Hugh Clifford, the colonial Governor-General stated in 1945 that the objective of British policy on Nigerian federalism is “to see the various peoples of the various territories develop themselves along the lines of their own culture and their own tradition”. As if to underscore the soundness of the logic of the British arbiters, Awo in 1947 admitted that “Nigeria is a geographical expression” while Balewa during a debate in the House in 1948 admitted that “Nigeria is a British intention”.

    And despite our differences, the federal arrangement worked until the intervention of military adventurers and ‘an army of anything is possible’.  Asked why he was the only governor not found wanting among Gowon’s 12 military administrators  after his fall from power in 1975, Brigadier Oluwole Rotimi, the then military governor of the defunct Western Region was reported to have attributed his good fortune to the professionalism of the region’s bureaucracy, rated at the period, as the best in Africa. As our political elite and mainstreamers who cornered all the funds for teaching hospitals move in droves to India for their ailments, few Nigerians today remember UCH Ibadan was once rated one of the best three teaching hospitals in the Commonwealth including Britain, Australia and Canada. Even our police have not always been like this. Because some of our founding fathers thought ‘‘its regionalization would make it extremely difficult for a totalitarian regime to emerge in Nigeria”, it wasn’t until 1958 the AG accepted concurrent jurisdiction over the police.  The Sept-Oct. 1958 constitutional agreement to have a single police force under Inspector General of Police responsible to the federal government’ according to Awo ‘preclude exclusive centralization and ‘provide the regional government with the executive instruments under its immediate control for discharging its responsibility for law and order”.

    If Europe after two world wars is employing the value of federalism to accommodate disparate groups ranging from France and its sexual licentiousness, Greece and Spain’s indolence and German fastidiousness, for us there can be no alternative to a viable federal structure. Fiscal federalism which for instance allows the oil-producing states to take control of 50% of oil revenue is preferable to the current anarchy which allows those  Charles Soludo, the former CBN governor described as ‘faceless thieves,’ pocket about $40m a day or $60b  or N12.6 trillion in four years from proceeds of stolen  400,000 barrels per day. This is in addition to the unspecified amount the nation spends on amnesty programme and as government patronage in form of contracts to identified enemies of the state. Fiscal federalism will only mean the oil-producing states will be made to earn their pay by ensuring there is an uninterrupted supply of gas to the five other geo-political zones to turn turbines for the purpose of generating electricity to power industries or for irrigation.

    With adequate power for the textile industries in Kano, irrigation in the cotton, groundnut and tomato belts of the north, we will not be addressing the crisis of unemployment and the problem of insecurity. Those sponsoring armed Fulani herdsmen to perpetuate evils, hiding under grazing ground at an age when it is cheaper to import beef meat from Europe because of government subsidy will be thrown out of market.

    But this is exactly what the ‘faceless thieves’ and their backers who are opposed to restructuring detest.  The huge chunks of money they steal go into importation of the labour of other societies while our youths roam the streets.  They just don’t give a damn.

  • Agenda for President-elect

    Agenda for President-elect

    The Elders Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has urged President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to tackle insecurity, epileptic power supply and corruption.

    Its Publicity Secretary, Dr. Bayo Orire, also urged the incoming President to adher to the rule of law, discipline and transparency in governance.

    Orire said if Buhari can win the war against indiscipline and corruption, everything will come to normal.

    Expressing regrets about the prevailing darkness in the country, Orire attributed the problem to long years of corruption in the power sector.

    “Nigeria has all things in abundance, what we lack is discipline and conformity to the rule of law.

    “If Buhari can win the war against indiscipline, everything will come to normal in a year or two.”

    Orire said Ekiti APC elders are not happy with the perpetual shutdown of the House of Assembly.

    The elders’ spokesman said the Assembly crisis was contrived and intended to put the legislature under the thumb of the executive.

  • Re: Our agenda for Buhari by doctors, others

    SIR: The pharmaceutical society of Nigeria wishes to express its gratitude to your publication for your exclusive on the above subject matter.

    We however wish to draw your attention to the caption – Our agenda for Buhari by doctors, others… While conceding that editors have a liberty to decide the captions that suits them best, it is imperative to point out that the aforementioned caption assaults sensibilities and deals fatal blows on the pride of health professionals especially pharmacists.

    It is painful that at a time we continue to seek mutual respect for all concerned in the health sector, this type of caption encourage the conqueror mentality doctors in collaboration with some biased stakeholders continue to impose on our perennially volatile health sector.

     

    • Gbalagade Iyiola, MAW

    Mushin, Lagos.

     

  • Our agenda for Buhari, by doctors, others

    Our agenda for Buhari, by doctors, others

    Stakeholders in the health sector have a shopping list for the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration. They are demanding an overhaul of the health sector, equity in appointments, improved remuneration, implementation of the National Health Act and re-building of collapsed facilities. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA and WALE ADEPOJU report.

    In apocalyptic terms, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) considers it necessary that the in-coming All Progressives Congress (APC) administration comes up with specific action plans in the reflected areas even when it is not limited to these items:

    •Universal Health Coverage – incorporating fully Community Based Social Health Insurance Programme (CBSHIP). A need for universal coverage is acceptable, but the condition precedent is to harness and consolidate the philosophy of a managed care concept that is statute entrenched. To achieve quality assurance in our version of social health insurance, it is important to encapsulate the below:

    •Canvass a consolidated healthcare funding, which requires first line deduction of at least five per cent for healthcare delivery. This helps in funding the subsidy gap.

    •Promote the culture of corporate social responsibility by enlisting support of the banking, oil and gas and telecoms sectors, which are the frontliners in the Nigerian economy.

    •The NHIS must partner the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and its appendages to champion a credible drug supply scheme by facilitating the involvement of major manufacturers and importers in the NHIS.

    •We recommend that the NHIS Governing Council must re-establish linkages with the highest level of government to nurture the required political will to ensure success for the scheme.

    •We also call for massive advocacy to sell the new scheme to the health consuming public and ensure a proper understanding of the workings of Health Insurance by the Nigerian public.

    •We note that one of the major functions of HMOs is the establishment of quality assurance system as earlier mentioned and regret the near absence of the important function. This explains why providers not qualified for particular functions were allowed to offer such services at the detriment of the enrollee.

    •Aware of the important role cost containment plays in ensuring survival of the scheme, we are recommending a set of incentives and sanctions to encourage providers to comply strictly with the operational guidelines.

    •Well defined welfare package for health workers, which redresses attendant stress junctions that have resulted in recurrent and perennial strike actions.

    •An acceptable Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) initiative for some services in the health system to promote efficacy, boost competences and build capacity in the private sector. The PPP models must be worked out with the relevant professional associations and professional regulatory councils as they arise.

    •For the pharmaceutical sector, government at the centre must come up with reforms that will usher a petrochemical industry, which is the precursor to genuine industrial revolution across board. The moment Nigeria comes up with benzene plants, then the inertia for primary manufacturing is established in contrast to the stuttering fortunes, which we have continually witnessed in our country.

    •At a time when we place emphasis on diverse sources of IGR because a mono-based economy comes with too much limitations and complications, government must exploit the vast expertise available in the pharmaceutical sector by making Nigeria a destination of choice for drug manufacturing in the foreseeable future.

    •Investment in research and development through substantial financial rates for the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD). It is the shame of a nation that at time of national health emergences we depended entirely on other nations to provide vaccines and medicines for clinical disease from states that are exclusive to the tropics. This must change in the envisaged new dispensation.

    In the light of these suggestions, the PSN calls on the in-coming APC administration to organise consultative meetings, which inculcates stakeholders in health, especially the professional associations and trade unions. Such templates will foster unity and harmony as consensus positions can be effectively implemented by government.”

    President, Association of Medical Laboratory Science (AMLSN), Toyosi Raheem said:

    In the health sector, AMLSN looks forward to positive changes that will:

    •Liberalise the headship and restructuring of Federal Ministry of Health with a view of appointing credible, professionally unbiased, experienced health administrators or professionals that will give enabling environments and resources for optimal discharge of quality health care at all levels in Nigeria;

    •Create a directorate/department of medical laboratory services at the Federal Ministry of Health  just as we have for nursing services, pharmaceutical services etc. This will promote quality medical laboratory services in Nigeria;

    •Give equal opportunities to and treat all health professionals in the sector with justice, fairness and career progressions and professional autonomy that will make every profession contribute its best to the health sector;

    •Ensure Universal Health Coverage to Nigerians as envisaged by WHO i.e accessible, affordable, timely and of right quality;

    •Prohibit commercialisation of the health sector and discourage the present Public-Private Partnership (PPP), which is a device designed by few CEOs of health institutions in Nigeria to increase out-of-pocket health expenses of the masses of this country;

    •Ensure adequate funding of the health sector and give significant budgetary allocation to the medical laboratory services with a view of making medical laboratory services and testing cheaper, affordable and accessible to the masses;

    •Ensure that National Health Act 2014 is implemented in a way that all the positive gains expected from the Act are delivered to the masses;

    •Encourage professional autonomy for all health professions as provided for in their enabling laws and schemes of service. A situation where a different professional group would be put under the control of another distinct and separate profession should be avoided for harmony in the health sector;

    •Employment opportunities, training and retraining opportunities for graduates of Medical Laboratory Science through internship and full employments should be generated to improve health care in the country.

    •Mr President-elect sir, we are particularly impressed with your passion for a better Nigeria and especially the health sector, which from records, experienced great feat at your first coming between 1983 and 1985. We are optimistic that you will appoint credible, competent, unbiased and experienced administrators to lead the Federal Ministry of Health. This no doubt, will put an end to incessant crisis in the health sector in Nigeria. History has it that when an experienced, professionally unbiased health economist/administrator was in charge, our health sector in Nigeria ranked fourth in the whole of Commonwealth nations. Regrettably, decline set in drastically from 1985 soon after your exit as the then Head of Government.

    •As Medical Laboratory Scientists, we shall be willing and ready to work with the incoming administration to achieve the best for our dear country. We shall direct our members in all states of the Federation, FCT and all the 774 LGAs of the country to give their best for optimal results.

    President, Health Information Managers Association of Nigeria (HIMAN), Wole Ajayi said:

    Healthcare sector is one of the forefront sectors responsible for the GDP as it involves both preventive and curative aspects of medicine. Health Information Managers are responsible for management of health data /information, arising from cases of both preventive and curative medicine. But as professionals, we know that there are not always accurate, reliable and timely data due to lack of appropriate structures/systems and required resources to capture such data. To assist us as professionals for sterling output, the President-elect should implement the following:

    •The government should support the implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) System at all levels of Health care for a fundamental transformation of basic aspects of health care services for an improved health care, procurement and development of health information technology to drive health sector businesses;

    •Access to Health Grant for health data research: The challenges confronting healthcare institutions have different aspects, but they relate essentially to not getting accurate or poorly managing health data. There are limited and fragmented information on morbidity, health inequalities, and health determinants of the population even in healthcare facilities. Many of the data used are extracts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) figures, which are not the true reflections of the realities in the country. Without such data/information, it is virtually impossible to determine health priorities; to support evidence based approach for targeting resource through service planning and implementation processes; conduct health impact assessment; or demonstrate improvements in healthcare in line with national targets;

    •Implementation of uniform coding, scaling up and institutionalising international classification of diseases and causes of deaths. Most of the coding systems and standard presently in use failed to take into account public health data needs and public interest are not uniformly regarded as consistent with business need of organisations. It is also suggested the drafting of policies on medical confidentiality and disposition and health data security. This will ensure unhindered exchange of vital information and maintenance of data integrity to support total system of health care;

    •Capacity building in health information management, monitoring and evaluation. The training opportunities should not be monopolised but be opened to all health professionals;

    • On appointments, we strongly appeal that appointments opportunities either as the Minister of Health or Chief Medical Director (CMD) should be open to qualified and competent stakeholders in the health sector and equal opportunities should be accorded to Health Records/Information officers in the composition of membership of Hospital Boards for effective services delivery;

    •It will also be good if the Health Bill recently passed into Law is implemented;

    •Remunerations and welfare packages should also be given to health professionals to boost their efficiency in service delivery and opportunities to attain the peak of their career in the health sector.

    President, NANNM, Abdulrafiu

    Alani-Adeniji said:

    The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwifery (NANNM) will like to urge President-elect to address the problems in the sector to pave way for meaningful development in the sector. Without a virile health sector there cannot be development as health is wealth. General Buhari should look into and adopt the Yayale Ahmed Committee report on industrial harmony. The intrinsic nature of the sector should be looked at, more especially, the area of health financing, which is the bedrock of a lasting healthcare delivery system. So also the health human per capita to ensure quality healthcare. GMB should not pay lip service to staffing in nursing care, because there is dearth of nurses in the county. Infrastructural development should be prioritised, this is because most states in the federation cannot boast of quality health facilities.”

    President, the National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Dr Felix Faniran said:

    To maintain relative harmony, GMB should appoint a seasoned Administrator or any other health professional as Minister of Health. He should not appoint, for any reason, a medical doctor as Minister of Health. The then Minister of Health, Prof Olikoye Ransome-Kuti was the precursor of disharmony in the system because he gave undue advantage to medical doctors. The President-elect should ensure that the composition of Board of Hospitals is not dominated by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), other stakeholders should be co-opted into the board. In appointing Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) or Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of tertiary hospitals, other healthcare professionals should be considered because that position has been skewed in favour of medical doctors to the detriment of other experts in the system. We call for the reconstruction and re-organisation of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), other professionals in the sector should be active members of the ministry. GMB should look into the Abdullahi Bello Committee’s report on disharmony in the health sector. Similarly, the Yayale Ahmed Committee report should be looked into as well. The National Health Act (NHA) should recognise all experts and unions, and as such it should be all encompassing, so as to remove tyranny in order to ensure unity and teamwork in the sector.

    President, Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, Dr. Mark Okeji, said:

    Challenges of the Profession

    • Few practising Radiographers in Nigeria (less than 2, 000): With the increase in cancer cases in Nigeria, there is urgent need to increase the number of Radiographers because they are central in the diagnosis and management of the scourge. Therapy Radiographers are in acute short supply (less than 30 trained therapy Radiographers in Nigeria now). These specialists use radiation for the treatment of cancer (Radiotherapy). We are calling on the in-coming Administration of His Excellency Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) to partner with us in order to increase the training centres for diagnostic and therapy Radiographers.
    • Autonomy in Government Hospitals: We are calling on the in-coming Administration of His Excellency Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) to direct the Federal Ministry of Health to create a separate department for Radiographers in Teaching, Specialist and General Hospitals to enhance professionalism, ensure adequate use of government resources by people who are trained in it and reduce inter-professional acrimony.
    • Combating quackery in Radiography practice: Quacks constitute great threats to the lives of Nigerian. It leads to misdiagnosis and also may predispose hapless Nigerians to various forms of cancers. We are calling on the in-coming Administration to support the efforts of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN) and the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) in combating this monster.
    • Establishment of Petrochemical industry: We appeal to the in-coming Administration to establish a modern petrochemical industry in Nigeria. This will lay the foundation for industrial revolution in Nigeria and provide the needed raw materials for the production of X-ray films and other radiological consumables.
    • Expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme: We appeal to the in-coming Administration of the NHIS to ensure universal health coverage for all Nigerians.”

    Vice President (WAR), Commonwealth Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, said:

    The West African Region of the Commonwealth Medical Association congratulates General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) on his victory at the presidential elections.

    We call on the President-elect to sustain the tidal wave of expectations and legitimate aspirations of the long toiling people of Nigeria.

    Based on the President-elect’s  antecedents, we expect that he will eradicate corruption and institute discipline and integrity in governance. We look forward to the President-elect and his team to work hard to restore public confidence in governance through institution of an all-inclusive and participatory government.

    Also, the government should eliminate corruption and insecurity. Besides, there should be strict adherence to the rule of law and restriction of government’s funding of travels for foreign medical treatment by political and public office holders.

    The government must ensure improved political commitment to Nigeria’s health sector and the fundamental health rights of Nigerians, particularly through strict and committed implementation of the National Health Act, 2014, and institution of globally competitive wages for medical doctors/health professionals backed with a robust and dynamic health human resource development plan, among other progressive steps.

    We call on all Nigerians to support the incoming Federal Government under the leadership of General Buhari, so as to enable him keep faith with his promises to Nigerians.

    President Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP), Taiwo Oyewumi said:

    Physiotherapy is providing services to people and populations to develop; maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout lifespan. Physiotherapy includes the provision of services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by injury, disease or the process of aging. Physiotherapy has Promotion, Preventive, Curative and Rehabilitative components. It is therefore an essential component of the health Care Delivery System. As valuable as Physiotherapy is to the Health Care Delivery System, the services of the Physiotherapists are under utilized in our environment because Physiotherapy is not fully appreciated.

    Physiotherapy and Health care delivery system, expected actions

    •We demand equity especially in remuneration among the health care professionals relative to their worth and what they do.

    •We demand immediate actions to revamp the moribund health sector in Nigeria.

    •We are requesting more involvement of Physiotherapists in Ad Hoc and standing Committees on National Health issues and institutions.

    Appointment of Minister of Health/Composition of Boards of Teaching hospitals and other health establishments:

    •We appeal for appointment as Minister of Health any competent and qualified stake holder in the health sector.

    •The NSP is appealing that the President elect in constituting the boards, give appropriate and equal opportunity to Physiotherapists. Till date no Physiotherapist has been appointed in the Boards of National Orthopaedic Hospitals.

    Job related allowance and human resource issues

    •Physiotherapists to be paid scarce skill allowance

    •Enhancement of training of Physiotherapists to promote optimal health care delivery and key driver to mitigating medical tourism. There is therefore an urgent need to upgrade the current training curriculum to meet with the expanding roles of Physiotherapists in managing today’s health challenges in the country’s population.

    National policy on rehabilitation, expected action:

    •The NSP is requesting that the President elect initiates and institutes a National Policy on Rehabilitation.

    •Building of Rehabilitation centres in Nigeria.

     

  • Lawyers set agenda for Buhari, Osinbajo

    Lawyers set agenda for Buhari, Osinbajo

    As Nigerians await the May 29 inauguration of the President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, more lawyers have set agenda for the incoming administration. Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU spoke with them.

    More lawyers have set agenda for president elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and vice-president-elect Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

    •Ajibade
    •Ajibade

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Dr. Babatunde Ajibade (SAN) said he expects more reforms in the justice sector, among others.

    “My expectations are very high in the area of justice sector reform and justifiably so in my opinion.  Prof. Osinbajo revolutionised justice sector delivery in his eight-year stint as Attorney-General of Lagos State from 1999 – 2007 and my expectation is that he will influence the same kind of revolution at the Federal level, albeit that he’s Vice-President elect and not the Federal Attorney-General.

    “More importantly, I see a direct correlation between a complete overhaul of our justice sector and a re-design of the sector’s architecture and the achievement of the Buhari/Osinbajo campaign promise of eradicating corruption.  In the absence of an efficient and effective justice sector, the eradication or even reduction of corruption will be no more than a pipe dream.

    “The driving force behind the high levels of corruption in Nigeria at the moment is the palpable absence of efficient and effective enforcement mechanisms.  The situation is so bad that the uncorrupt feel marginalised and frustrated because the corrupt get away with blatant acts of corruption and the system appears powerless to prevent this from happening.

    “If this is to change, there has to be a root and branch overhaul of the system starting with the investigative and prosecuting services of the Nigerian Police (including the EFCC, ICPC and all other related agencies); the prosecuting services of the relevant departments of the various ministries of justice; the adjudicatory authority of the judiciary; and my own constituency, the representative duties of Legal Practitioners.  All of these elements of the justice sector must be reviewed in detail and subjected to a thorough reform exercise.

    “We cannot prevent or reduce corruption if the Police are not willing, able or empowered to carry out their investigative and prosecuting functions properly; the judiciary cannot convict anybody of corruption if the cases are not properly investigated and evidence properly assembled before charges are brought; and judges cannot convict anybody of corruption if they themselves are susceptible to corrupt inducement, invariably offered to them by Legal Practitioners representing the corrupt; and prosecution of corruption cannot occur if Legal Practitioners are permitted by timid and (with respect) lazy judges to stultify and delay the justice process by placing reliance on ridiculous technicalities that delay and frustrate the process.

    “In the final analysis, the changes required are a function of leadership.  The most important task ahead of the Buhari/Osinbajo presidency now is identifying and selecting the right personnel to head all the various agencies that have a bearing on the justice sector, to the extent that the power of appointment rests with them.  It is the nature of these appointments and the mandate that those appointed are given that will determine whether our expectations of a robust reform of the justice sector under this incoming presidency will be met,” Ajibade said.

    •Fagbohun
    •Fagbohun

    Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of  Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof. Lanre Fagbohun said he expects the new president and his vice to lead by example.

    “Our wants as human beings are quite limited, but the greed of majority of our leaders is amazing and often borders on the ridiculous. The best leaders lead by example, thus, what I will expect of Gen. Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo as President and Vice- President  is for them to lead by example.

    “Impunity in governance has gone on for too long; the aspirations and hopes of Nigerians as reflected in the just concluded presidential election are that a Buhari government will begin to right the wrongs of corruption, meet the challenges of insecurity, move away from leadership devoid of vision, reflect sincerity of purpose, and introduce reforms that will positively impact on the social and economic lives of the people.

    “Nigerians want to walk tall within and outside Nigeria; they want to be able to proudly introduce themselves as Nigerians. The acts and utterances of the Numbers One and Two citizens must therefore, be such that will inspire Nigerians to greatness, otherwise, the people will once again feel betrayed and disillusioned.

    “For Nigerians, the base of the above conversation is good governance and this is what should be critical to this administration. Nigerians want to see respect for rule of law across the board; transparency; accountability; ethics in public service; national re-orientation geared towards promotion of dignity of labour as against the current syndrome of ‘get rich overnight’; and a more inclusive governance that allows for active public participation. Our institutions must be made credible and positioned to offer responsive services.

    “The task is certainty not for Gen. Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo alone. When they offer leadership that ingrains the right mental attitude, everyone of us must also be ready to join them in the task of nation building. This is not the time for other arms of government to unduly antagonise desirable reforms. Let us all work cooperatively together in the  collective interest of Nigeria, and be guided at all times by the Constitution,“ Fagbohun said.

    •Eghobiamen
    •Eghobiamen

    For Mr. Osaro Eghobiamen (SAN), the new administration should make honesty its watchword.

    “My expectations are that the President-elect (with his strong military pedigree of discipline) and the Vice-President (with an equally accomplished pedigree in Law) will both seek to work on the ‘infrastructure of the mind’ by adhering honestly and sincerely to the fundamental objectives contained in section 23 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which states:  The national ethics will be discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, social justice, religious tolerance, self reliance & patriotism.

    “These principles must be consciously and strenuously pursued in the aftermath of an election campaign which was provocatively divisive. With particular reference to reforms in the administration of justice, my expectations are as follows: all courts should be technologically equipped so that they may perform their constitutional  role,  dispensing justice within a reasonable time. Enhance capacity in Justice Administration: this will apply to the administrative staff as well as judges at all levels.  In this respect, the process of appointment, removal as well as welfare of Judges must be revisited to attract the best quality ( men and women of character and learning).

    “Strengthen the financial independence of the Judiciary: the State Governors must be held responsible for the complete shutdown of the Courts  on account of their refusal to adhere to the  principles of financial autonomy. This present situation may lead to anarchy. Every State Governor is under a duty to ensure that the Judiciary is completely independent. Chief Judges are expected to reciprocate by exhibiting an optimal level of integrity.

    “Transformation of the Criminal Justice System: In this respect, three major institutions will need overall reforms – the Nigerian Police Force, the Prisons systems as well as the Courts.  The success of this administration must be gauged by its pursuit of social justice as well as enhancing the moral fibre that keeps us together as a nation” Eghobiamen stated.

    •Oku
    •Oku

    For Jibrin S. Okutepa (SAN), the judiciary must be well-funded.

    “First let me congratulate Gen Buhari and Prof Osinbajo on their well deserved victory.  Nigerians expect a lot from them. They have articulated three key areas that are crucial and critical, these are corruption, insecurity and unemployment.

    “For me,  they cannot tackle corruption efficiently and effectively without effective and efficient justice system that guarantees easy access and quick justice delivery system. They must fund the judiciary well, ensure that both our procedural and substantive laws are reformed to make their application peoples and users friendly.

    “In this regard the incoming administration must tackle the problem of delayed justice. They must equally ensure that the rule of law and its application become sacrosanct and all who breach our laws must be punished without fear or favour. In composing their cabinet they must go beyond party loyalty and party men and women.

    “The incoming government is on redeeming mission, all best hands must be sought and used in government. The security operatives must be re-organized to tackle corruption. The current system of arresting before looking for evidence cannot tackle corruption. In this regard the operation of  the EFCC, the  police, the Directorate of State Security (DSS),  and other security operatives under the justice system must be re-organized.

    “The Ministry of Justice must be headed by a lawyer who is thoroughly a professional of credit and repute. A lawyer who is morally and legally sound in knowledge and character and who can tell the government the truth without bias and ill motive,” Okutepa said

    •Ubani
    •Ubani

    Former Ikeja Branch Chairman of of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Monday Ubani described Buhari’s victory as the beginning of a new era.

    “We are clearly overjoyed at the victory of Gen. Buhari and Prof Osibajo. We are happy at the cleansing of our country that has just taken place and the beginning of new era for the great nation of Nigeria. What gladdens most of us more is the seeming restoration of sovereignty back to the people. We as a people are careful to return all the glory to God for allowing this revolution to happen in our time and through our generation..

    “We expect this new government that will be sworn in on the 29th of May this year to start running on assumption of office. No single time to waste, the truth is that Nigeria is lying prostrate, diminished and greatly violated as a nation  for the last sixteen years. The people of Nigeria are on the edge, clearly impatient with any government that has no immediate answer or understanding what is at stake. Gone are the days and years where political actors who are not prepared for governance are forced upon the people. People who sought governance and understand its implications have been given mandate by the people and so no excuses will be entertained from them.

    “The judiciary deserves special attention. An institution that interpretes the law of the land must be independent through and through,  especially if we desire the enthronement of rule of law and the  application of the principle that none should be above the law of the land.  Therefore to complete its autonomy, the financial autonomy as enshrined in the constitution must be upheld by both Federal and state governments. Our judicial system is criminally slow and this must be addressed speedily. Factors that must be looked into  to address this judicial lethargy are the issue of appointment of judicial officers(their qualification, their salaries and welfare,  enthusiasm for the job and their moral integrity).  More numbers of judicial officers should be appointed to ease the innumerable cases all over our jurisdictions.

    “The states should be allowed to appoint the number of judges they need to man their judiciary. The present system of using NJC to appoint state judges is clearly faulty. The second issue is the review of our obsolete substantive laws and some of our procedural laws that act as a cog in the wheel of progress(for instance,  interlocutory appeals on criminal proceedings should be abolished, these should be taken together at the conclusion of all trials). Our judicial system that still use long hand in taking proceedings and writing judgments in this 21st century is criminal and should be abolished forthwith. Our proceedings should be ICT driven from now onwards.

    “All the basic infrastructures that makes for efficient justice delivery should be made available as a top priority immediately the government is sworn in. Things needed today for effective administration of justice are functional buildings with modern facilities like air conditioners, microphones and computers. Every judge must have  lawyers as his research assistants and a recorder.

    “Power supply must be constant in all the courts in the land. Everything about the judiciary must be functional. Non judicial staff must be looked into very urgently. Their salaries, allowances must be addressed expeditiously but above all, the issue of service of processes and execution of judgement must be overhauled if we are to make progress in justice delivery in Nigeria. There are so much troubles from that angle that impedes the operations of effective justice delivery.” Ubani said.

    Former University don, Mr. Aina O. Salami said: “The result of the election of  March 28, 2015 remains a watershed in the annals of the political history of Nigeria. While the outcome of this election  clearly represents the yearning of Nigerians for change, we must however acknowledge the fact that the Buhari/Osinbajo Team is coming to governance at a time when the economy is pretty  bad and almost every aspect of the life of the people has been badly hit and therefore need restructuring and resuscitation.

    “With one hundred million Nigerians or thereabout reported to be living on less than one dollar ($1) a day, the  coming new government should therefore be pro-poor and think more, act more for the poor and for the voiceless. The percentage of this group of people (over 60% of the population of Nigeria) obviously points to the fact that the incoming government does not have an enviable task.

    “In the Justice sector of the Nation, the expected pro-poor policy of government should be seen in the area of support/assistance in aid of the poor to access Justice effortlessly and cheaply. Extensive prison reform need to be carried out too and of course overhauling the rights of the physically challenged and giving such rights the necessary prominence they deserve in order to build an egalitarian society. Fortunately the Vice President elect (Pro. YemiOsinbajo, SAN) has a wealth of experience to draw from as a former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice who has done much in these areas before now.

    “Apart from faith in  divine being which Nigerians generally have as religious people, there is no doubt that the  hope and expectation of Nigerians which is very high,  is in the pedigree of these two (as people of integrity) that have been elected into the executive arm of government of this Nation, commencing 29th May, 2015.

    •Olatoye
    •Olatoye

    A university Don, Mr. Olatoye Kareem said: “The outcome of the election has already impacted positively on business confidence and economic climate generally.  The capital market for instance railed on a positive note in an unprecedented manner while the Naira has also gained value against the dollars, a development attributable to the common dictum now amongst Nigerians called “Buhari effect”.

    “Setting the agenda for the new government therefore l would say they must hit the ground running in areas of security, corruption, electricity, fast train and road networks, education, agriculture and Justice Sector reforms.  All of these when properly implemented would effectively transform the economy, as most of the agenda elements are at the root of all problems we have in Nigeria.

    “The Agricultural sector alone if properly handled is capable of giving employment to all unemployed youth in Nigeria.  What is wrong with graduates engaged going to farm with ties on their necks as farm supervisors.  A graduate  is not discouraged taking up a job on the farm as long as he enjoys the same level of comfort,  infrastructure and degree of dignity accorded those taking up white collar jobs.

    “In the case of justice sector reforms, there is urgent need to reform the civil and criminal justice systems in Nigeria.  The government needs to unearth problems of slow court processes which bring about delayed justice, an endemic phenomenon in the nation’s judicial system.

    “The need for a functional court system capable of supporting a rapidly growing economy, guaranteeing basic rights and providing security and justice to all makes urgent reforms an imperative” Olatoye stated.

    Mr. Nankin Bagudu said: “The two of them are a perfect combination in every sense of the word. They should know and realise that the greatest asset they have now is the trust and confidence of Nigerians as exemplified in the polls. this combined with hardworking Nigerians should enable them to maximise our natural resources to the fullest. I expect them to try new methods and new ways of doing things in Abuja. From day one let them tell us that no one owes us a living. We have to work hard to earn our pride of place on the world map. Also they have to help our country break our old fashioned, stupid and damaging prejudices that has become our way of life.

    “I expect Buhari/Osibajo to be the first example of Nigerian leaders that would use our natural resources wisely. They must avoid extravagant expenditure on useless prestige/white elephant projects that we witnessed in many states and at the federal level in the succesive years such as governors squandaring billions on gangantuan government houses, airports, etc. They must invest in infrastructure, health and education, build up substantial reserve where it is possible and allow the private sector to thrive and eliminate or reduce corruption to the barest levels. They also need to revisit the Orosanya report and implement it to reduce waste. Also do something about pension scam especially of the security agencies. We understand many of the pensioneers have died but through connivance of the officals moneys are still been paid and shared. They should use every public function to talk about the challnges ahead and how they intend to tackel them. We should the new government two years, after which we shouldexpect to see.”

  • Organised labour set agenda for president-elect

    Organised labour set agenda for president-elect

    • Unemployment, casualisation, PIB passage, top list of demands

    The Organised Labour comprising of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has urged the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to tackle unemployment, casualisation and to ensure that he fulfils all his campaign promises upon assumption of office.

    The NLC described Muhammadu Buhari’s victory as a lesson in ‘perseverance and commitment to a cause’, saying there are unusually great expectations from Nigerians which he cannot fail to meet.

    Speaking with The Nation, NUPENG President, Comrade Igwe Achese, urged the President-elect to address the challenges of quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), rehabilitation of the nation’s four refineries and building of new ones, in order to reduce massive importation of petroleum products that has bedevilled the sector.

    Said he: “We believe that if these issues are addressed, there will be job creation which is one of the cardinal points of the new administration. The union is optimistic that the second coming of Buhari will put the nation’s oil and gas sector on a sound footing.”

    NUPENG also urged Buhari to tackle outsourcing and casualisation of the workforce in the nation’s oil and gas sector. The union said nipping the unfortunate development in the bud would open decent job opportunities in the sector for Nigerians as stipulated by the country’s labour laws.

    In similar vein, ASUP charged the President-elect to restore Nigeria’s greatness by pursuing only policies that will impact positively on the citizens.

    ASUP, in a letter signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Clement Chairman, noted that in electing Buhari, Nigerians have given vent to their overwhelming desire for the nation to move forward towards becoming an equitable society where the rule of law is held sacrosanct and the people are placed above the selfishness and greed of the political class.

    He said Nigerians are hopeful that the change agenda, which drove Buhari’s campaign, will be pursued with disciplined diligence that will put Nigeria on the track of wholesome greatness. “The revolutionary smooth transition represents a significant deepening moment for our democracy and holds the seed of promise for a vibrant egalitarian society where the wish of the people is supreme,” he said.

    President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said the election was significant for the fact that votes do count after all, adding that politicians will learn to keep their promises to the electorate.

    While expressing readiness to work with and engage the incoming government, Wabba said the NLC is ready to work with the president-elect in defining a new agenda for the nation.

    “We strongly believe that the election of General Buhari (retired), has undoubtedly opened a new and important chapter in the socio-political development of our nation as we have finally broken the jinx of transiting from one democratically elected civilian government controlled by a ruling party to one controlled by an opposition party,” he said.

    President of TUC, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, while reminding the President-elect of the urgent need to tackle the worsening unemployment challenge in the country, also urged him to see all Nigerians as one irrespective of religious or ethnic leaning so as to move the nation forward.

    “He must know that irrespective of the number of votes he got from individual states, there is no part of the country where he was not voted for. By implication it means that he is the president of Nigeria and father to all.

    “Muslims, Christians, pagans, etc voted for him because they believe in him. As such, we don’t wish to see the issue of religion, tribalism, nepotism, which have always been the bane of Nigeria’s development rear their ugly heads in the next dispensation,” he admonished.

    The union also commended outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan for what it termed his “rare show of statesmanship by driving the process for a credible and seamless transition.”

    It said Jonathan has earned a revered place in history for placing the nation above self and for deepening the practice of democracy in Nigeria and preserving the unity and integrity of the nation at its most critical point. It also commended INEC chairman Professor Attahiru Jega for organising a credible electoral process.