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Tag: NAO

  • NOA condemns abduction of Kebbi school girls, attack on worshippers in Kwara

    NOA condemns abduction of Kebbi school girls, attack on worshippers in Kwara

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has condemned the recent abduction of 25  students of the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State, and the violent attacks and abduction of Christian worshippers in Eruku Town of Kwara State.

    NOA, in a statement by Mr. Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director, Communication & Media, expressed concerns, saying the dastardly act undermines national efforts to promote access to education, particularly for the girl-child.

    The statement reads: “The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has strongly condemned the recent abduction of 25  students of the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State, and the violent attacks and abduction of Christian worshippers in Eruku Town of Kwara State.

    “Expressing concern over the abduction in Kebbi State, the Director General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, described the incident as a reprehensible act that violates the fundamental rights of children to safety and education, emphasising that such actions undermine national efforts to promote access to education, particularly for the girl-child.

    “Issa-Onilu emphasised that no child seeking education should ever be put at risk, stressing that schools must remain safe spaces where children can learn, grow and aspire without fear.

    “On the attack on Christian worshippers in Eruku Town of Kwara State, the DG, who expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, also described it as a senseless and unacceptable act that threatens the peace, unity, and religious harmony that Nigerians have worked hard to build.

    “He reiterated that freedom of worship is a fundamental right enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, and any act that seeks to intimidate or harm citizens based on their faith is not only unlawful but deeply unpatriotic. 

    “He assured the public that in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the security agencies are  making concerted efforts, through coordinated security operations and intelligence gathering, to ensure the safe and swift return of the abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the worshippers in Kwara.

    “Speaking on the Agency’s efforts to address insecurity, he noted that the NOA’s monthly National Security Briefing is to keep the public informed about progress and achievements recorded by security and regulatory agencies across the country. 

    “The DG further urged Nigerians to actively support the security agencies by providing timely and useful information that could aid in protecting lives and preventing further harm.”

  • NAO calls for more orthodontists to bridge oral care gap

    NAO calls for more orthodontists to bridge oral care gap

    • Adekunle Yusuf and Aderinsola Bamidele

    The Nigeria Association of Orthodontists (NAO) has voiced its concerns regarding the scarcity of orthodontists in the country, revealing that less than 70 orthodontists are currently serving a population of over 200 million Nigerians. Orthodontists are specialised dental practitioners with expertise in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.

     These pressing concerns were brought to light during a press conference held in Lagos as part of the 17th Annual Scientific Conference of NAO, themed “Aesthetic Orthodontics: Rising to The Next Level in Nigeria.” Dr. Modupe Adeyinka, President of NAO, emphasised the need for public education about this dental specialty. She clarified that orthodontists specialise in rectifying improperly aligned dentition and jaw structures. Dr. Adeyinka highlighted the substantial financial investments required for orthodontic training and stressed that increased investment in this training would help alleviate the shortage of orthodontic professionals. NAO has embarked on an advocacy mission to raise awareness about oral health and increase the number of practitioners in the field.

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     Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, Vice- President of NAO, also discussed the impact of the “Japa syndrome” on the shortage of orthodontists. With only 65 qualified orthodontists remaining in Nigeria, the majority of whom have sought opportunities abroad, the country faces an alarming patient-to-practitioner ratio of two million to one, which she described as a burden to both the association and Nigeria as a whole. Prof. Ize-Iyamu pointed out that despite orthodontic issues being more prevalent in the North and Southsouth regions, 90 per cent of orthodontists are concentrated in Lagos. To address this issue and bring more orthodontists into the profession, Prof. Ize-Iyamu proposed proactive solutions. She said many dental professionals are currently undergoing training in various teaching hospitals, but many of them leave the country for better opportunities after completing their training. She emphasised the importance of early intervention to prevent this brain drain and called on the government to include dental care in the national health insurance scheme (NHIS). Currently regarded as secondary care, integrating dental care into NHIS would enhance accessibility for individuals who lack the financial means to access orthodontic treatment, ensuring more people can benefit from these essential services.