The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Patronise

  • ‘Patronise govt health care facilities’

    ‘Patronise govt health care facilities’

    Wife of the governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, has called on expectant mothers to patronise primary health centres and skilled birth attendants to reduce the incidence of maternal and infant mortality.

    She gave the charge at a town hall meeting on reduction of maternal and child mortality in Epe Local Government organised by the state’s Ministry of Health.

    Mrs. Ambode observed that the refusal by expectant mothers to access obstetric services was a major contributor to the maternal mortality rate in the state.

    She said: ‘’Almost every minute, somewhere in a corner of the world, a woman dies as a result of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. For every woman that dies, about twenty others survive but suffer from serious diseases, disability or physical damage, caused by these complications. The majority of these maternal deaths are avoidable if expectant mothers access quality reproductive health care, including skilled attendance at birth.

    ‘’Non-use of essential obstetric services is a crucial factor that contributes to high maternal mortality. Some women refuse to access care when highly necessary either because of cultural practices or because decision-making is the responsibility of other family members.’’

    She said while the role of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) is acknowledged, it is important they know their limitations and ensure prompt referrals to the Primary Health Care Centres.

    She appealed to all women of child-bearing age, pregnant women, as well as children under five, to avail themselves of the free services during the Child Health Week by visiting the nearest Primary Health facility closets to them.

    The governor’s wife, who urged women to pay attention to their nutrition during pregnancy, enlisted the support of families, religious and community groups to win the battle against the menace.

    Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said it was important for TBAs to be registered with the state government, adding that reports indicated expectant mothers still visited TBAs, who knew not what to do when complications arose.

    The commissioner said the state government had done so much in  primary health-care, as the governor was very passionate about the health of the citizenry.

    He enjoined everyone to come together at the end of the meeting and resolve to do the right thing, beneficial to pregnant mothers and babies after child-birth, stressing that everyone has a role to play in the matter.

    In their goodwill messages, member of the House of Representatives, representing Epe Federal Cconstituency, Tasir Raji and Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health Segun Olulade, noted that there was a strong link between the health and survival of a mother and that of her new-born.

    Hon Raji said it was imperative for the state government to explore the possibility of registering the TBAs to integrate them into the healthcare delivery system, as this, according to him, would help build capacity to ease burden in the health sector.

    Hon. Olulade said Lagosians must  ensure that no woman in the state loses her life during pregnancy or childbirth.

  • NAF to patronise barracks’ youths’, widows’ products

    NAF to patronise barracks’ youths’, widows’ products

    Plans are underway by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to begin the utilisation of aluminium sheets and shoes produced by beneficiaries of the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) skills acquisition programme.
    Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar stated this atthe graduation of 150 barrack youths and widows who were enrolled into the scheme last December.
    Air Marshal Abubakar, who assessed the items produced by the participants, expressed satisfaction at the quality of the shoes, boots and aluminium.
    He said the NAF would work out modalities to ensure that the flat shoes were supplied to all female officers, Air Women, while the boots would be amended to suit the force’ approved camouflage and supplied to recruits.
    Praising NAFOWA for the free training and starter packs given to the beneficiaries, the Air Chief said the association by its gesture, has contributed greatly in the fight against terrorism.
    At the event were the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs. Bello Abba-Kyari, Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Ibrahim Yahaya, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai, among others.
    Air Marshal Abubakar said: “I want to say that you are contributing to the development of the society and also ensuring we are successful in the fight against terrorism. Though you are not with us in the battle front, carrying riffles or flying helicopters, but I want to tell you that what you are doing in our bases is positively impacting on the operations that we are combating all over the country.
    “You have done so much in terms of supporting the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the contributions you are making monthly and voluntary contributions that personel are making. You are using it to put smiles on the faces of the most unfortunate citizens of the North east that have been trapped in this crisis.
    “I also understand that similar skills acquisition programmes have been done in Makurdi Kaduna, Maiduguri and I understand you are also planning another one in Port Hacourt. These programmes, I must say, are very significant because they key into our idea of providing for the welfare of air men/women and officers of the NAF.
    “So this skill acquisition which targets youths and widows in the barrack is playing an important role because with this kind of program, we get less distractions from officers and men of NAF deployed in the field. They are more committed knowing fully well that their family members have been taken care of and that will translate to effectiveness in our operations.
    “I have gone round and seen so many things the NAF can make use of. One typical example is the shoes which are light and beautiful. I have directed the logistic branch to immediately discuss with the people making the shoes so that we can get it for all female officers and air women in the office.
    “Another thing I saw was the boots and all we need to do is to change the camouflage to the one that is approved for the Air Force and we can buy for our recruits that are training in Kaduna.
    “I have also directed the AOC Logistics Command to discuss with those that are making the aluminum fabrication so that we can use the aluminum fabricated by these people. I urge the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunities availed them to change the society.”
    Mrs. Ambode said the initiative would bring stability in the lives of the beneficiaries and would have multiplier effect.
    According to her, no one should shy away from the fact that the country was still struggling with issues of unemployment and under employment, despite determined efforts by governments at all level.
    She said: “The best thing that can happen to our youths and others in need of jobs, is a programme like this, that brings succour and hope of sustainable engagement for regular income.
    “Gainful employment is not limited to wage-paying jobs alone. Skills acquired that guarantee regular income are also good employment types. In many cases, some skills bring more financial rewards depending on the commitment and enterprise of the individual.”
    A personal business gives you the leverage to dictate your pace of operation, ensuring time and financial freedom for the entrepreneur. In the light of all these, being empowered with a skill is a great opportunity, capable of transforming the life of anyone.

  • ‘Govt must patronise made-in-Nigeria goods’

    PATRONAGE of locally made goods is key to accelerating the country’s economic recovery, the Secretary-General, National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Comrade IssaAremu, has said .
    Aremu said the campaign for the patronage of the made-in-Nigeria goods by President Muhammadu Buhari should start from members of his cabinet.
    He said: “The campaign must start from the textile industry. The president, vice president, ministers, must appear in made-in-Nigeria textiles.
    “Our school uniforms, military and para-military uniforms, uniforms of the NYSC should be made in Nigeria with Nigerian fabrics, we must patronise what we produce at home. Secondly, we need uninterrupted power supply because the cost of production is very high.”
    Aremu said all stakeholders, organised labour, organised businesses, private sector, chambers of commerce and others should rise up and address the problems of the informal sector workers.
    He said: “They don’t talk of the informal sector workers, so when they talk of reducing the cost of doing business, they are talking of big multinationals who want permits, want tax waiver, tax holidays, and uninterrupted power supply.
    “We are calling on the Federal Government that the new economy recovery plan should be inclusive of small businesses, self-employed people, informal sector workers, because the cost of doing business for them is even higher.
    “With the little money they have, they have to buy small generators, buy fuel, the money that a tailor should have used to buy a new machine. So, how do you reduce the cost of business of a tailor? You make electricity available, make input available. When you hear the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) talking of allocating scarce resources to manufacturing, to people producing locally, they don’t capture this people. Yet 100 percent they are local people.”
    Aremu said the informal sector needed a voice to engage the government because they are also exposed to multiple taxation.
    “Government at all levels impose multiple levies on them. Local governments chargethem, state government also charges them without service delivery. What I mean is that no security for them, no permit work,” he said.

  • NAMA urges Fed Govt, National Assembly to patronise Nigeria made vehicles

    NAMA urges Fed Govt, National Assembly to patronise Nigeria made vehicles

    The Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) has asked the Federal and state governments to support local assembly plants, through a strict policy of procuring their requirements from them.

    Reacting to media reports that the Nigerian Senate is on the verge of buying various brands of imported (fully built) vehicles from importers, the management of NAMA pleaded with the Federal Government  for support to be able to sustain their operations under most challenging market conditions. Thousands of jobs are at stake at these assembly plants that have been commissioned  over the past two years with large investments in plant and machinery, equipment and training on technical skills.

    NAMA recalled that in September, The Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Aminu Jalal, promised that the Muhammadu Buhari administration would pursue the new automotive policy.

    Jalal said that the president had repeatedly emphasised the government’s determination to diversify the economy through promotion, support and protection of the industrial sector. He underlined that the automotive sub-sector with sufficient capacity for mass employment was one of the major areas where the country had great potentials.

    Jalal said that the Federal Government was committed to the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria automobiles. He said all federal ministries, departments and agencies were mandated to buy their vehicles from local assembly plants.

    The local assemblers have invested extensively into assembly plants for multinational brands, including Nissan, Hyundai, Kia and Peugeot, amongst others.

    Reports indicate that the management of the National Assembly has invited bids from contractors interested in supplying the vehicles. However, it seems that the brands considered are not being assembled in Nigeria, but are those that are being imported into the country as fully built units with no local value addition.

    Industry sources lament that more economical and efficient models, such as the 4X4 vehicles of Hyundai, Kia,Innoson, Nissan, Ford and others are being assembled in Nigeria, awaiting government patronage for their sustenance.

    NAMA has asked for the National Assembly and the Federal Government to play an exemplary role in their procurement policies so that the country could follow and establish a self-sufficient automotive eco system.

  • ‘Patronise local HIV/AIDS drugs’

    THE Federal Government has been urged to patronise indigenous anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs as there are over 12 companies who can adequately meet the demand.

    Managing Director, Tyonex Group, Emmanuel Agba made this call while donating some drugs to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), under their umbrella group, Network of Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN).

    He said some of those companies have met WHO pre-qualification, have technical know-how and access to the raw materials needed, stressing that: “All these are a plus to the pharmaceutical industry, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mr President, health and economy development ministers, the pharmaceutical industry can satisfactorily met the ARV demands of this country.”

    He said by patronising the indigenous pharmaceutical companies, it can boost job creation. “For no one creates jobs by importing drugs from places, such as India, China and the likes. It is good that some indigenous companies have obtained the WHO pre-qualification and government should encourage them,” Agba added.