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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • NAIIS: A new dawn in HIV management

    With the launch of Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) results by President Muhammadu Buhari last week, experts say a new dawn beckons in HIV/AIDS treatment and management in the country, reports Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF.

    The Federal Government has unveiled  the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) for measuring the size, distribution and determinants of HIV/AIDS epidemic and the impact of interventions.

    It has set a new path in the country’s handling of the pandemic that has ravaged many of its citizens and depleted its active workforce for decades.

    Experts described NAIIS as the largest survey on HIV in the world.

    Presenting the findings at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari noted that the NAIIS’results would inform the country’s response to HIV/AIDS as a public health crisis.

    Nigeria, with support from the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other partners conducted the survey in nine months through a $70 million grant from the US and $20 million from the Global Fund.

    Unlike previous surveys that neither matched the country’s size nor produced reliable results to guide planning and response efforts, experts said NAIIS could assist in  the fight against HIV.

    Another feature of the survey is that it measured HIV prevalence and viral load suppression, which, ultimately, will allow Nigeria to focus on providing services and resources to areas where the disease is rampart.

    There are other glad tidings from the survey. One is that the country’s true position in global ranking of the pandemic is known, and can be backed with data. Findings show that Nigeria’s prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS is at 1.4 per cent. This means 1.9 million Nigerians are living with HIV, a significant improvement to what obtained previously, when the country was estimated to have 3.1 million people living with the deadly virus. With the results, Nigeria has moved to the fourth position among countries worst hit by the HIV epidemic after South Africa, India and Mozambique.

    Buhari, elated by the news that fewer people are living with HIV, said the results would provide the government with appropriate information to enable the country end the HIV epidemic before the 2030 target.

    “Prior to this major survey, Nigeria had the second largest HIV burden in the world and the highest number of children born with the virus. The availability of accurate and reliable HIV data for the country is crucial for planning effective health interventions to arrest the HIV epidemic and ultimately rid the country of this health threat.

    “Recently, the national HIV programme and our development partners have faced challenges in measuring progress against targets and efficiently utilising scarce resources due to gaps in our HIV data. This result will provide the government with information to move forward in the HIV fight based on scientific data. We are already a step ahead in this regard,” he said.

    According to NACA Director-General, Dr. Sani Aliyu, the results of NAIIS are products of the best methods and data management procedures by experts in Nigeria, US, UMB consortium of technical partners and the United Nations agencies. He added that the data from the survey had been  scrutinised  by international experts before their release.

    Explaining the significance of NAIIS, Aliyu said despite the huge investments made over the years on HIV/AIDS interventions, repeated surveys have failed to demonstrate significant improvement in the epidemic status proportionate to her efforts. Instead, impact data has continued to show a gap between the individuals on treatment and those projected to be in need of services, he said.

    “These concerns informed our decision to conduct a more scientifically robust household survey – the Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS). NAIIS had a large sample size of 225,000 persons drawn from more than 97,000 households across all the local government areas of Nigeria, making it truly representative of the general population. At any point during the survey, we had at least 3,000 staff collecting and reporting data in the field.

    “The survey measured the incidence and prevalence of HIV, level of virological suppression and the epidemiological impact of the HIV programme among different age groups. The NAIIS survey and its findings have greatly positioned Nigeria to objectively assess our performance as a country against internationally set targets for achieving global epidemic control. We now have greater clarity on the extent of the HIV epidemic, the impact of our programmes and even more importantly a clear sense of direction on what we need to do to achieve our goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS in Nigeria by 2030,” Aliyu said. 

    At the briefing to analyse the results, Minister for Health Prof. Isaac Adewole said  those infected with HIV, especially pregnant women, should get treatment so they can achieve viral suppression. He added that if all pregnant women have access to antenatal services and are tested during every pregnancy, it will be easy to know and support HIV-positive mothers, thereby ensuring that the next generation is free from HIV.

    Although there is a reduction in prevalence, the number of people affected by the disease, especially those not on treatment, is still huge. Based on NAISS findings, HIV prevalence among women is significantly higher at 1.9 per cent; male prevalence is estimated at 0.9 per cent. Among other things, the new data also differentiates prevalence on a state-by-state basis, showing that some states have lower prevalence than previously estimated; while some states higher prevalence than previously assumed.

    Seven states – Abia, Taraba, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Rivers – led the pack of places with high HIV prevalence in the country, having prevalence of two per cent and above. Thirteen states (plus Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are categorised as having medium prevalence rate between 1.0 per cent and 1.9 per cent. They are Borno, Gombe, Adamawa, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Cross River, Imo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Lagos and Ogun.

    The other states are considered to have low prevalence, below 1.0 per cent. Broken down into geo-political zones, what this means is that all states in the Northwest zone, except Kaduna, have low HIV prevalence. Likewise, all states in the Southwest zone, except Lagos and Ogun, also have low prevalence. However, the story is mixed in the North-central where there is low, medium and high prevalence.

    NAIIS also revealed that seven states account for 50 per cent of the estimated number of persons living with HIV (PLWH), with 80 per cent of PLWH estimated to be living in 19 states and FCT. In terms of geographical distribution, the estimated number of people with HIV is highest in the Southsouth zone of the country, followed by the Northcentral and lowest in the Northeast. Results also reveal that HIV prevalence among adult population (15-49) is 1.4 per cent and 1.5 per cent for 15-64.

    While reminding the public that HIV/AIDS still remains a significant problem, particularly on the continent, Adewole explained that it requires high-level political commitment, vision and leadership, quality epidemiologic data and strategic interventions to defeat the disease.

    “As you may be aware, the first case of AIDS in Nigeria was reported in 1986. Since then, the epidemic has grown steadily from 1.8 per cent in 1991 to 3.8 per cent in 1993, 4.5 per cent in 1995, 5.4 per cent in 1999 and peaked at 5.8 per cent in 2001. The prevalence began a gradual reduction from 5.8 per cent to five per cent in 2003, this decline continued to 4.4 per cent in 2005, 4.6 per cent in 2008 and 4.1 per cent in 2010.  By 2014 the HIV prevalence rate was 3.0 per cent.

    “I promise that the (NAIIS) findings would be used to improve health care planning and the coordination of HIV/AIDS control activities in the country. I implore everyone to study the findings, understand them and use them for effective and efficient planning at the national and sub-national levels,” he said.

    But Buhari cautioned that it was not yet time to sing the victory song, as there was still a lot of work to be done. The President tasked NACA and relevant institutions to work closely with state governments, especially where there is high HIV prevalence, to reduce the epidemic drastically. Pledging his administration’s continued commitment to healthcare, he promised that more people living with HIV will be put on free anti-retroviral treatment.

    “However, we cannot celebrate yet as we are more committed to ensuring that more people are placed on treatment. Now that we have the data, I urge us all to work together to ensure that we deliver ahead of 2030,” he said.

     

  • Presidency spanks PDP for threatening to stop Buhari

    Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are threatening to stop with a court’s order President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration until the determination of the petition challenging the President’s victory in the February 23 election.

    The Presidency has dismissed the threat as “unserious” and dared the PDP to launch its legal battle.

    The main opposition party was reacting yesterday to the plethora of court cases filed against the announcement of results of the March 9 governorship and state Assembly elections in Bauchi and Rivers states by candidates of the President’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Governor Mohammed Abubakar (APC) of Bauchi State has obtained an ex parte order at the Federal High Court stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from concluding the governorship election.

    A similar court case was filed by the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Rivers State, Mr Awara Biokpomabo, seeking an order of the court to stop INEC from releasing the results of the governorship election in the state.

    But the PDP, which believes that its candidate, Governor Nyesom Wike, won the election, alleged that the case filed by the AAC and its candidate was instigated by the APC.

    The PDP has filed a petition with the National judicial Council (NJC) against Justice Ekwo Inyang who granted the Bauchi governor the order, inciting a violation of the Constitution and Section 87(10) of the Electoral Act.

    The said provision of the Electoral Act prescribes that no court has the power or jurisdiction to stop any election pending the determination of a suit.

    The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, who decried the action of the petitioners, expressed concerns over hiccups in the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    The party, at an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja yesterday, complained about the inability of INEC to conclude the elections in record time.

    The PDP chieftains were particularly miffed that almost two weeks after, INEC could not conclude the governorship and state assembly elections that were held on March 9.

    Winners of the governorship elections are yet to be declared in seven states where the polls were “inconclusive”. The states are: Kano, Sokoto, Benue, Plateau, Adamawa and Bauchi states. The concluding part of the elections are billed to hold in the states on Saturday.

    The governorship election in Rivers state has become a subject of legal rigmarole by interested parties following the suspension of the announcement of the results.

    Also of grave concern to the main opposition party is what it called the militarisation of the elections in many states in the Southsouth.

    Secondus who presided over the meeting, called on the military not to allow themselves be called out again for what he described as illegal duties.

    He enjoined the military and other security agencies to resist any attempt to be dragged into paying manipulative roles in Saturday’s supplementary elections.

    According to him, “inconclusive” is a rigging strategy introduced by the INEC to aide the APC and its candidates.

    He expressed optimism that PDP candidates will emerge victorious in the upcoming supplementary elections in five of the six states that the election will take place.

    Secondus said that posterity will hold the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, responsible for the consequences of all his actions.

    He said: “The way they are going about getting court injunctions stop elections that have already been held, if we also go to court to stop inauguration of elected officers, it will disrupt the democratic process.

    “If INEC has to give people the opportunity to go to court, we too can go to court and stop the swearing in ceremony, be it the President or other (APC) governors”.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki said the result of the presidential and state elections reflected the strength and character of the PDP and urged members to build on the foundation.

    Saraki said the victory of the APC in the presidential and state elections will be short lived, adding: “We have a great future ahead and I believe we will start that on Saturday to make sure that we defend those five states that are declared inconclusive.

    “If anybody believes that it is a loss to PDP, it is a loss to the country that history will not forgive. We said it many times here, that the worst to do is to do an election that our country, Nigeria will not be proud of.

    “We have done an election that no doubt anybody and even those that think they have won are ashamed of the kind of election that we did.

    “I think it is a shame to the country and to those that were given that responsibility to do. They have Saturday as their last opportunity to try as much as possible to reclaim part of their embarrassment to the country.”

    “How can a country like Nigeria have this type of election? Ghana has done it, Congo and Zimbabwe have done elections. And we say we do elections, with seven inconclusive. We did elections in 2015, we did it in 2011 and 1999 and after so many years, this is what we can produce.

    “It is not a loss to the PDP; it is to the country. It just showed the level of desperation. I have confidence that this will be shortlived and, as such, let us ensure on Saturday that these fives states that are ours remain within the PDP and INEC should, for once, do what is right,” Saraki said.

    Also speaking at the meeting, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara said: “Elections are done all over the world, elections are conducted in Africa and at no time have we heard of this inconclusive elections in other jurisdictions. Ghana elections were held not long ago.

    “It will be very unfortunate if INEC, which is led by a first class Professor, set this very dangerous and unacceptable precedent in our political history. That I want them to take note of.

    “And also what has happened is pure evil; our consolation as members of this party is that evil does not last and no evil doer has ever escaped punishment.

    “If they do what others have done before, they will see what those who did evil saw. Definitely they cannot escape from it. It’s a law of nature and in the scriptures of God, that whatever you sow so you shall reap.

    “This is also for those who believe in power for the sake of power, not because they want to empower people, not because they want to better the lives of our people.

    “There is also lessons they can learn from history. History is now replete with examples of all those who pursued power for the sake of power. Their lives have always ended in tragedy that awaits anyone who seeks power for the sake of power. We have seen that display in Nigeria.

    “For us as members of this party, I don’t want us to despair, even though we have inconclusive elections in some states. In five of those states, PDP clearly won the election in those states.”

    The PDP vice presidential candidate in the February 23 election, Mr Peter Obi, said besides blaming the INEC and the security agencies, the biggest shame goes to those who are directing them to do the wrong thing.

    Obi said: “If you choose to be a leader, especially with APC that claims integrity, the biggest corruption and the biggest show of a government that does not believe in integrity is to rig election. Because the process through which you come into office, is far more fundamental than what you do there after.

    “I think we should hold them responsible for what is happening in this country now. The examples we are setting for the young ones, I don’t know what they will tell a young man who is cheating in an examination in this country after seeing the ways our elections are conducted.

    “I don’t know what they will tell those who are robbing banks and kidnapping people, because we have seen the biggest of it by this election where people are happy after robbing the nation and their states.

    “The chairman said we will do a post mortem after the election. I thank the party, because it is the party that is going to court, not just the presidential candidate going to court to challenge this rascality.

    “I, as a person, have always believed that the biggest enemy of freedom or progress are happy slaves. And thank God that this party has chosen this path, and we will all stand by it.”

    The Presidency said the threat by the opposition party to block May 29 was not suprising.

    It said: “From the day they lost the presidential elections by a margin of four million votes, the biggest margin of defeat by anyone in the Fourth Republic, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has embarked on a plan to erode the credibility of the internationally acclaimed election and erode the authority of this country’s elected government under President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Read also: Presidency spanks PDP for threatening to stop Buhari

    “So much has been said and written about their so-called Dubai Plan or blueprint, designed to win at all cost or paralyse the elected government.

    “The opposition party is doing everything to backslide Nigeria’s democracy and this country’s judiciary, bureaucracy and civil society should not allow them to do so.

    “The PDP has no right to give sermons about democracy, given their dismal and shameful track record during their 16-year tenure.

    Also reacting, the Director of Media and Publicity of the Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign  Council, Festus Keyamo (SAN), dared the opposition party to go ahead with its plan.

    He said: We challenge them to go to court. Buhari is the sitting president. He will continue in office till when they want him to be sworn-in. Let them go to court. We shall meet there.”

  • Ugwuanyi at 55: Glowing in service of the people

    In this piece, Louis Amoke extols the virtues of Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who clocks 55 today.

    The good news about Enugu State under the watch of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is that since the governor entrusted the state to the hands of God, the goodness of God has continued to be made manifest in its affairs, to the delight of the people.

    Born on March 20, 1964, Gov. Ugwuanyi, today, Wednesday, March 20, clocks 55, to the glory of God. Inaugurated as the 3rd civilian governor of the new Enugu State on May 29, 2015, Ugwuanyi on Saturday, March 9, 2019 was overwhelmingly re-elected, in one of the most peaceful, transparent and credible elections in the history of the state.

    The most amazing aspect of the entire scenario was that the governor’s resounding victory in this month of March coincided with his 55th birthday anniversary, which calls for double celebrations in thanksgiving to God, for His mercies and kindness to a man of faith and goodwill.

    Though his overwhelming victory and that of all other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, did not come to many as a surprise, especially those who are informed about the political antecedents of Enugu State, as well as the governor’s sterling performance and swelling popularity in the state, the hidden truth remains that Gov. Ugwuanyi won his reelection the day he had his first interaction with journalists, a few days after his inauguration in 2015.

    On that fateful day, Gov. Ugwuanyi stated clearly that his administration will work hard to ensure peace in the state as a panacea for progress and rapid development. The peace-loving governor pledged not to engage in any act that would undermine the relationship between his administration and the past ones, vis-à-vis himself and past leaders of the state. He promised to unite the leaders of the state and accord them due respect irrespective of political affiliations, stressing that “everybody is our friend and the era of politics of bitterness is over”.

    This strange resolution which Gov. Ugwuanyi religiously adhered to, no doubt contributed immensely to the overwhelming support and endorsement he enjoyed from the people of the state from all spheres of the society and across party lines, prior to the general election as well as his landslide victory at the polls.

    The governor’s decision became one of his greatest assets and a rallying point for prominent leaders from all walks of life, such as the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Senator Fidelis Okoro, Senator Hyde Onuaguluchi, and Ambassador Mrs. Justina Eze, to endorse and campaign vigorously for his reelection.

    For instance, at the grand finale of the governor’s door-to-door campaign, held at Udenu Local Government Area headquarters ahead of the just concluded governorship and state assembly elections, some of these leaders eulogised him for entrenching peace, tranquility and good governance, in a manner that has never been experienced before in the history of the state.

    They described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a man of history, expressing delight that he has united everybody in the state, irrespective of political leaning. The leaders told him that the culture of peace and good governance he has entrenched in the state was unprecedented and will earn him a landslide victory at the polls.

    The party stalwarts added that his pre-election adoption by 70 political parties in Enugu State as their consensus candidate was an affirmation that the governor has united everybody in the state.

    While Senator Ekweremadu disclosed that “there is no bickering or quarrels among the political leaders in the state”, Senator Nwobodo, who described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a son thanked him “for bringing everybody together”.

    According to Senator Onuaguluchi, “Gov. Ugwuanyi has brought uncommon peace to the state” and “all of us have come to learn from Gburugburu (Ugwuanyi)”. Senator Okoro pointed out that “we have not seen his type before”, and Amb. Mrs. Eze joined others in urging the people to vote massively for him and other candidates of the PDP.

    Shortly after the March 9 election, which was adjudged the most peaceful, freest and credible by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)-accredited local and foreign observers, 70 political parties, and leaders of the state, among others, the coalition of governorship candidates in the state led by Gerald Abonyi of Labour Party (LP) congratulated Gov. Ugwuanyi, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the exercise and pledged to support his administration.

    Basking in the euphoria of the well-deserved victory, support groups and people from various Local Government Areas have continued to troop to the Government House, Enugu to equally congratulate the governor.

    On the day the people of Igbo-Eze North LGA paid him a congratulatory visit, the peace-loving governor appealed to members of his political party to be magnanimous in victory by promoting peace and unity and showing love to one another irrespective of party affiliations. He stated that “now the election is over, politicians in the state should invoke their Christian faith, go back and unite with their perceived enemies, show love to them, so that the prevailing peace for which Enugu State is known will be adequately sustained”.

    Prior to this, Ugwuanyi, as a humble and appreciative leader, had shortly after the victory returned to the markets and streets to say “Thank You” to the people for reelecting him as their governor. It would be recalled that the governor and his party, the PDP, unlike other political parties, embarked on an intense door-to-door campaign at the markets and streets of the state canvassing vigorously for votes.

    It was, therefore, a heartwarming experience for the residents, the petty traders, the barrow pushers and the market men and women, among others, seeing their governor at their doorstep, coming to say “Thank You” for reelecting him into office.

    Governor Ugwuanyi had earlier in his acceptance speech expressed gratitude to God and thanked the people of the state for their overwhelming support in renewing his mandate.

    Accepting the mandate, the governor stated that “this victory does not belong to me alone”. He disclosed that “it belongs to Ndi Enugu – our political leaders and other stakeholders irrespective of party affiliations; the market men and women, the barrow pushers, taxi and commercial bus drivers, Okada and Keke riders, petty traders, other artisans, town union and community leaders, the clergy, our revered traditional rulers, civil servants, the farmers, the professional class, youth and women groups, students and others who are the true heroes of our democracy”.

    He told the people of the state that he was “deeply humbled that you have, once again, invested your trust and faith in our team”, saying that it is now for him and his deputy and running mate, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo “to continue to work for you”.

    Ugwuanyi pledged that his administration will devote energy and time to work harder for the wellbeing and prosperity of the people, stressing that “we are open to new ideas and new visions, as we continue to lay the solid foundation for a more prosperous Enugu State”.

    According to him, “I hereby reaffirm that we will continue to serve you with the fear of God, with humility and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of our people and lifting the State to unprecedented heights of development and progress”.

    The governor also expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for “his exemplary leadership and for providing the enabling environment that ensured the peaceful conduct of elections in our State”. He equally saluted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “for a job well done and for keeping alive the dream of a brighter democracy”.

    Speaking further he said: “We are equally grateful to the Nigerian security agencies and the independent observers who ensured that we had peaceful processes at the polls”.

    To his fellow party leaders, members and teeming supporters, Gov. Ugwuanyi thanked them for “the wonderful job that you all did”, saying: “I am very proud of your contributions”.

    Extending his hand of fellowship to other contestants he added: “In truth, the victory is not a winner-takes-all. In our spirit of brotherhood, everyone is a winner. Therefore, I reach out my hand of friendship and partnership to my fellow contestants. I invite all of you to join hands with me so that together, we shall build a better Enugu State, to the glory of God.

    Re-committing himself to the service of God and the state, Gov. Ugwuanyi declared: “Now is the time to get back to work. We are inspired by the sacrifices and support of our people in renewing our mandate. I am confident that by the special grace of God and with your continuing cooperation and prayers, all things concerning Enugu State will continue to end in praise”.

    On the significance of today’s birthday celebration, the time-honoured occasion reinvigorates the governor’s commitment to peace, charity and almsgiving – a constant moral obligation in appreciation of God’s goodness and amazing grace to him as “Nwaogbenye”.

    The anniversary offers him, his family, friends, well-wishers, and teeming supporters, who have remained steadfast in prayers, yet another opportunity to give to the poor and less privileged in the society with all sense of divinity and benevolence.

    It re-echoes his disposition towards alleviating the suffering of the people as the nexus between him and God. It also re-echoes his long-held appeal that those who intended to offer him birthday gifts should “channel them to charity homes and orphanages in appreciation of God’s mercies and kindness” and “in the spirit of the Lenten Season”.

    This, one believes, is the best way to celebrate the governor’s resounding victory at the polls, appreciate God‘s abundant blessings upon him and his family’s life, as well as pray fervently for continued peace and progress of Enugu State, as he strives to render more selfless service in realization of the dreams of the state’s founding fathers.

    Your Excellency, it has indeed ended in praise, Happy Birthday.  Enugu State is truly in the hands of God.

  • Improved healthcare is priority for Buhari’s administration — Udoma

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration places a very high premium on improving health care delivery and social welfare of Nigerians, according to Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udoma.

    Udoma said this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Akpandem James, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Speaking at the opening of the ‘Value for Money in Health Sector Workshop’, Udoma said Buhari’s administration was prioritising health-related expenditures in all the national budgets.

    According to him, that is why in spite of the very tight revenue constraints and the demands of other competing sectors, the health sector has continued to receive increased allocations.

    He said there was a reduction by 3.2 per cent of the aggregate Federal Government expenditure from N9.12 trillion in the 2018 budget to N8.83 trillion in the 2019 budget proposal.

    Udoma, however, said an increase of eight per cent was proposed in the 2019 budget over the amount allocated for health in the 2018 budget.

    He added that there was a need to ensure that these increased expenditures were actually improving healthcare outcomes.

    “As we are able to demonstrate and show improved healthcare outcomes for the money we are currently spending, government at all levels will be encouraged to further increase funding to the health sector,” the minister said.

    Udoma said that government would continue to be supportive of increased funding to the health sector and urged the workshop to examine and advise on innovative ways of doing so.

    “It is even more critical that we institute key reforms to maximise the values derivable from the allocations to the healthcare sector through improved efficiency in the use of budgeted funds,” he said.

    He emphasised that the workshop was to enable the participants to deliberate on how to achieve better outcomes for expenditure in the health sector.

    “This is an important issue as most developing and middle-income countries, particularly those like Nigeria with large and rapidly growing populations.

    “They need to find more effective and efficient ways of delivering quality health services to their citizens.

    “This is why in the administration’s economic blueprint, the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), one of the three principal objectives of the Plan is ‘Investing in our People.”

    In particular, Udoma said in the ERGP, the Federal Government committed the country to investing in health and education in order to meet the international targets set under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    “Under the ERGP the country is committed to improving the accessibility, affordability and quality of healthcare,” the minister said.

    Udoma drew attention to the fact that apart from the federal government, the various state governments and the local government councils have also been prioritising health expenditures in their budgets since responsibility for the health sector was constitutionally shared among all the tiers of government.

    Spending by the sub-national governments, he said, must therefore, be taken into account in any assessment of the amount of public funds that is being expended in the health sector.

    “Indeed, no meaningful discussion about improving healthcare in Nigeria can take place without involving the sub-national governments,” he said

    Udoma, however, expressed the hope that the outcomes of the workshop would help shape public sector expenditure management practices at both the Federal and the sub-national levels, with respect to the health sector. (NAN)

  • Accepting God’s will

    Getting the mandate of Nigerians and the runner-up in the 2015 presidential elections to concede defeat appeared to be easier for President Muhammadu Buhari four years ago.

    Then, the incumbent, former President Goodluck Jonathan didn’t waste any time to call and congratulate Buhari on telephone, when he knew what direction the votes were going.

    That singular act by Jonathan immediately suppressed the tension in the country and enthroned environment of peace and tranquility across the country.

    Prior to Jonathan’s telephone call conceding defeat, there was fear among Nigerians that the country was heading for a major crisis and going to split into segments.

    The breakup evil prophesies of some parts of the international community in 2015 also did not help matters.

    The prophesies then created fears in the minds of many Nigerians, which led to their deaths in motor accidents on the highways and other tragedies while running from the cities to their villages.

    Some of them wholeheartedly believed the reports that Nigeria was going to break into North and South and had to start running even before the elections started.

    So, Jonathan putting action to his words that his ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian immediately brought calmness to the country and ended all hostilities.

    But that is missing in the current dispensation as the major opposition candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, who came second according to the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has not conceded defeat over ten days after Buhari was declared winner of the 2019 Presidential election.

    Atiku, not only felt that he has been robbed of his mandate by incumbency powers, he had also been threatening to head to the court over the issue.

    In a statement issued after the elections results were released, Atiku said “I thank the Nigerian people who trooped out in their millions to perform their civic duty this past Saturday. The patriotism of Nigerians is heartwarming and affirms my oft-repeated statement that we are brothers and sisters born from the womb of one mother Nigeria.

    “With regards to the Presidential elections that took place on February 23, 2019, it is clear that there were manifest and premeditated malpractices in many states which negate the results announced.

    “One obvious red flag is the statistical impossibility of states ravaged by the war on terror generating much higher voter turnouts than peaceful states. The suppressed votes in my strongholds are so apparent and amateurish, that I am ashamed as a Nigerian that such could be allowed to happen. How can total votes in Akwa-Ibom, for instance, be 50% less than what they were in 2015?

    “Another glaring anomaly is the disruption of voting in strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers and diverse other states, with the authorities doing little or nothing and in some cases facilitating these unfortunate situations.

    “The militarization of the electoral process is a disservice to our democracy and a throwback to the jackboot era of military dictatorship. In some areas of the country, such as, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Imo states, troops deployed for the elections turned their guns on the very citizens they were meant to protect. This is condemnable and should not be associated with our electoral process in the future.

    “I am a democrat and there are democratic avenues available to present the truth to the nation and the watching world. Already, many international observers have given their verdicts, which corroborate our observations. I am sure more will come in the coming hours and days.

    “If I had lost in a free and fair election, I would have called the victor within seconds of my being aware of his victory to offer not just my congratulations, but my services to help unite Nigeria by being a bridge between the North and the South.

    “However, in my democratic struggles for the past three decades, I have never seen our democracy so debased as it was on Saturday, February 23, 2019. 2007 was a challenge, but President Yar’Adua was remorseful. In 2019, it is sad to see those who trampled on democracy thumping their noses down on the Nigerian people.

    “Consequently, I hereby reject the result of the February 23, 2019 sham election and will be challenging it in court.

    “I want to assure my supporters and the entire Nigerian people that together, we will not allow democracy to be emasculated.

    “I hope and pray Nigerians will someday summon the courage to defend democracy. That is the only way we can move away from being the world headquarters for extreme poverty,” he said

    Atiku’s efforts to investigate and discover the ‘real’ result of the election led the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Abdul Aboki to only grant him permission to inspect electoral materials used for the elections last Wednesday.

    Atiku was barred from carrying out forensic analysis and scanning on them.

    Carrying out forensic analysis and scanning by experts, of computers, card reader machines, server deployed for the election, the Tribunal noted was beyond the scope of the provisions of Section 151(1) & (2) of the Electoral Act (as amended), which permits the inspection of election materials.

    “After a careful examination of the reliefs sought on the motion paper and a perusal of Section 151 of the Electoral Act (as amended), and the decision of this court in cases of Aregbesola v. Oyinlola, Akintayo v. Jolaoye, Senator Hope Uzodinma v. Senator Osita Izunaso, it is hereby ordered as follows.

    “Leave is granted to the applicants to bring this application at this stage.

    Read also: Presidential Committee to document Buhari’s campaign promises

    “The first respondent (INEC) shall forthwith, allow the applicants and or their representatives to inspect polling documents and obtained certified true copies of all polling documents in the custody of the first respondent, used for the just-concluded presidential election, to enable the applicants institute and maintain an election petition.

    “Prayers three, four, five and six on the motion paper are hereby refused.

    “Forensic audit, examination and analysis by forensic experts cannot be regarded as an inspection of those documents within the ambit of Section 151 of the Electoral Act (as amended),” Justice Aboki stated.

    Some Nigerians, however, have noted that the path being followed by Atiku would in the long run heat up the polity and hamper development in the country.

    To them, Atiku should just sacrifice his personal ambition for the national interest.

    The National Traditional Rulers Council were among the latest groups and Nigerians that urged Atiku and other presidential candidate to see the final election result as the will of God.

    In a congratulatory visit to President Buhari at the Presidential Villa last Tuesday, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, who led the group, said: “The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria is here to felicitate with you on your re-election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We join all Nigerians and the International community in praying and wishing you very big success in your tenure.

    “As traditional rulers, we are not only custodians of our people’s cultures, values and traditions but also the custodians of the religious beliefs and conscience of our people.

    “We are therefore, fully aware that it is only God almighty who owns power and authority and who bestows this on whom He will, when He wills and how He wills.

    “Therefore your election as President for a second tenure should be seen as what God has destined and no one could have changed that.

    “This result is the will of the almighty God and therefore we call on all to give you maximum support for the achievement of peace, development and progress of our dear nation,” he stated.

    On the other hand, other Nigerians felt that it was good Atiku was taking his grievances to court rather than resorting to violent self-help.

    It will be a good thing for Nigeria if these issues can urgently be addressed and put behind the giant of Africa for it to forge ahead.

    Moreso, if the INEC’s declaration was the will of God.

  • Buhari won’t change election results, says Presidency

    The Presidency has cautioned against a lot of the hate spewing, incitement to violence and the polarizing statements by so-called political leaders as a number of states brace up for supplementary elections prescribed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    It also rejected unfair and ridiculous criticisms of President Muhammadu Buhari’s apparent disinterest in the upcoming elections in some states by party members who wrongfully assume that the President will abuse power by changing results to favour them.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also noted that some past Presidents of Nigeria were known to interfere in inconclusive elections.

    This, he said, was the reason why party members appeared to be upset that the same thing is not happening now.

    He added “But President Buhari is a different kind of leader. He swore to defend the constitution and will not veer off from that.

    “The constitution of Nigeria gives the President no such powers. It is unfair and ridiculous to criticise President Buhari for not going against the constitution.

    “Party members in states where there will be supplementary elections then need to be reminded that they need to work hard to earn their people’s votes, rather than expect President Buhari to manipulate INEC in their favour.

    “Interestingly, while members of the ruling APC party were criticising the President for not interfering on their behalf, members of the opposition were condemning the President based on their assumptions that he would definitely interfere, as many in the opposition did while in power.

    “Under President Buhari, INEC had been and will be completely independent throughout the elections, free from any interference.

    “President Buhari is a man of conviction, and the manipulation of election results goes against everything he stands for. INEC is completely in charge.” he stated

  • Buhari`s CSO, Abubakar to proceed on course

    Indications emerged on Friday that President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the replacement of his Chief Security Officer, (CSO), Bashir Abubakar who is expected to proceed on course.

    It was gathered that the Director of Enforcement at the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been approved to replace Abubakar.

    The new CSO was at the presidential villa on Friday to join President Buhari at the Aso Rock Mosque for the juma’at prayers

    Mr Bashir, the former CSO until last week was ordered to proceed on an immediate “strategic course” at a University in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

    Read also: Buhari poorer now than in 2015, says Osinbajo 

    President Buhari had two months into his administration in July 2015 replaced his erstwhile CSO, Abdulrahman Mani, and appointed Mr Abubakar.

    Although there was no official confirmation about the redeployment, it was gathered that the change was part of strategic move by the President to rejig his security architecture.

     

  • Buhari poorer now than in 2015, says Osinbajo 

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says President Muhammadu Buhari is probably poorer now than when he assumed office in 2015.

    Osinbajo spoke during a dinner in Abuja in honour of volunteers who canvassed for votes for the All Progressives Congress  (APC) during the campaigns for this year’s general election.

    His words: “When I looked at his assets declaration form, I was checking it in 2015, I said to him, ‘Mr President, I am so much richer than you, it is an embarrassment.’

    “He said, ‘I am only a soldier, you are a big lawyer, so you should have more money than me.’

    “I can tell you that he is perhaps  even poorer than he was in 2015 when I saw his declaration of assets form.”

    Osinbajo urged Nigerians to vote for APC candidates in the March 23 supplementary elections.

    The supplementary elections will take place in six states of Nigeria where the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared last Saturday’s gubernatorial election inconclusive.

    He said “We are still not done with the elections.

    “On the 23rd of March, we still have some outstanding states and as you know we are re-running in about six states.

    “We can’t afford to slack off and say the job is done; we still have some things to do.”

    Recalling his personal experience during this year’s electioneering, Professor Osinbajo said his encounter with Nigerians as he crisscrossed the country, campaigning for votes, showed that Nigerians are so trusting and supportive of their leaders.

    “I think that one of the main characteristics of the Nigerian is how so supportive and trusting many of our people are and they don’t ask us for too much.

    “They never really ask for anything that is impossible to do.

    “And that’s why, for many of us that went around this country, we realized the tremendous amount of work that there is to do and our capacity to do so much work.

    “What our people need, as we discovered, isn’t that much.

    “As a matter of fact, I do not know any nation where the people are so generous, no matter how poor they are.

    Vice President Osinbajo said there was need for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to connect more with the people.

    “It just struck me that what we really need to do a lot more is to connect with the people.

    “All the people need is opportunity for us to interact with them.

    “We should have a way by which everybody is involved one way or the other.

    “One of the complaints that people made about our government is that we were not communicating enough.”

    The vice president acknowledged that the diligent communication carried out to put across the APC message in 2015 was not sustained, making the administration lose some ground to the opposition, especially in the social media.

    He said the new administration would ensure that it makes change in that regard.

    Osinbajo said that he would take up everyone who has challenged the administration on the issue with a view to getting its communication of programmes and policies better.

    Speaking at the event, the APC Woman Leader, Salamatu Eluma, commended the volunteers for believing in the vision of the President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo and working for their re-election.

    Earlier, the Deputy Chief of Staff in the State House, Ade Ipaye, said the volunteers worked during the campaigns to demonstrate the integrity and capability of the candidates of the APC.

  • Why Buhari will get governors’ cooperation —Yari

    Zamfara State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulaziz Yari, said yesterday that governors must cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari because of the assistance he has given to state governments, especially in the payment of workers’ salaries.

    He made the remark while speaking with State House correspondents after observing the juma’at prayers with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He also advised that the next leadership of the NGF must work on the basis of the president’s agenda.

    According to him, the present membership of the forum under his leadership had cooperated in full with the President, who he said was magnanimous enough to provide bailouts that enabled the states to pay workers’ salaries.

    Asked what type of NGF leadership he would like to see emerge after him, Yari said: “I will like to see a leadership that will perform better than I did; the type that will work in tandem with the Presidency.

    “I appreciate my colleagues for giving me the cooperation. And within the forum, there was no break-up, and there was no crisis between the Presidency and the forum.

    “We worked together for our economy to grow and to support the President on his agenda to fight corruption and insecurity.

    “You are fully aware of what the President has done for the states; the bailouts to ensure that workers can be paid their salaries.

    “We are all from the states, including Mr. President himself.

    “I can give the governors pass mark. Mr. President has commissioned a number of projects in the states. At times, he sent representatives.

    “So, I hope the NGF will remain united and work in tandem with the federal government’s agenda.” he said

  • Buhari won’t interfere with choice of NASS leaders, says Presidency

    The Presidency has said that President Muhammadu Buhari will not interfere with the process of electing the next crop of leadership of the incoming National Assembly.

    Rather, the President will stick to the rule of law and the operative principle of separation of powers in the affairs of the National Assembly.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Affairs (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, who stated this at a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, said the President will give both arms of the federal legislature a free hand to elect their leaders.

    Enang’s position contradicts claims by some returning senators that President Buhari will have a hand in the choice of the principal officers in the Ninth Senate.

    The presidential aide maintained that Buhari will play neutral and allow the elected lawmakers to sort out their leadership tussle and allow the best candidates to emerge.

    Enang said: “The principle of President Muhammadu Buhari is that each arm of government should function according to what the constitution says, which is that every person in government should do the right thing.

    “He (Buhari) will not go beyond what the constitution allows him and every arm of government should stick to its constitutional responsibilities.”

    Enang appealed to the present crop of lawmakers to give priority to some pending bills, among which are the 2019 Appropriation Bill, the New Minimum Wage Bill, the Medium Terms Expenditure Framework and the budget of the various government agencies.

    “The budget of the 64 different federal government owned agencies are still pending before the national parliament.

    “Unless the budgets of the different agencies are considered and passed, we still have a lot to lose in terms of opportunities for employment in those ministries and some capital projects which would have increased government spending or the spending of the various agencies and parastatals.

    “The executive is ready with all the system to come in and defend the budget. We have, in advance, worked with the committee on appropriation to determine a time table for the defence of their budgets.

    “We have informed all the ministers, heads of departments, agencies and the ministries to be on the alert so that immediately the bill is committed to the committee on appropriation, we will upon invitation, appear before them”, he said.