By Fabian Ekeruche

The State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA) seeks partnership of the Nigerian Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) to continue and expand its support of the COVID-19 vaccination.

SPHCDA said the partnership was important as the country launches SCALES 3.0 through the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).

This was contained in a communiqu issued by NSSF at the end of its meeting with representatives of SPHCDAs Forum of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in Lagos.

The communiqu, signed by Dr Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, General Manager/CEO, NSSF, was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

SCALES is an acronym for Service delivery, Communication, Accountability, Logistics, Electronic reporting and Supportive supervision for the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination.

SCALES was introduced to rapidly ramp up COVID-19 vaccine coverage and reinvigorate routine immunisation uptake by expanding access to COVID-19 vaccines outside the health facility.

Dr Mohammed Adis, Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State PHCDA, expressed gratitude to NSSF for its previous and ongoing support toward the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in six states.

The states include Adamawa, Edo, Imo, Katsina, Ogun and Nasarawa.

Adis, who is also the Chairman, forum of executive secretaries of SPHCDA in Nigeria, said that with the aid of the funds received from NSSF, Nasarawa state moved from 32nd place at the last evaluation before \December, 2021 to first position in June, 2022.

He said that NPHCDA had kick off a SCALES 3.0 strategy in August to close the gaps identified during the implementation of SCALES 2.0, which NSSF was a part of.

According to him, the agency is soliciting additional support from NSSF to make this a success as well.

He said: In addition to the six previously supported states, six more states were nominated to be considered for inclusion.

They are Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau, Cross River, Enugu and Ondo State.

The communiqu said that both partners agreed that with the benefit of key lessons from the implementation of SCALES 2.0, some gaps were identified during its implementations.

Some logistics issues, but not limited to transportation, data entry in EMID platform and security were identified during the implementation of SCALES 2.0.

And these need to be addressed with new strategies that has been put in place for SCALES 3.0.

The new phase also intends to address last-line visibility and would ensure that gaps at all levels, down to the PHCs, can be identified at the national level and attended to immediately.

Additionally, the database used for COVID-19 vaccinations has been improved to capture performance; the performance of the teams involved, against their targets, to promote accountability, the communiqu said.

On how NPHCDA was addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic, the agency said that all the states were making efforts to solve the problems with health service delivery and are at various stages of implementation.

The forum further said they had recognised that technology was versatile and important.

We are making efforts to integrate it into the already existing systems.

However, limited funding and supply of human resources for health remain their major blockers.

On the presence of donor agencies and credible fund utilisation, SPHCDA said that each state had an accountability framework that was developed by the World Bank along with NPHCDA.

It, however, stated that a software was being developed to enable all stakeholders to track and monitor expenditure.

There is an Open Governance partnership in place that is funded and monitored by the Department for International Development (DFID), Bill

By Justina Auta

The Atikulated Global Movement (AGM) says former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar will restore hope in the country by addressing Nigerias security and economic challenges, if elected in the 2023 presidential election.

Hajiya Maryam Atiku-Abubakar, group National Leader said this at the inauguration of a movement to unite former aspirants and candidates of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ahead of the 2023 general election in Abuja on Saturday.

Maryam said it was necessary for the candidates and former aspirants to unite for the partys victory in 2023.

Everyone here knows this election is our chance to restore hope to millions of Nigerians who crave for better life.

So, as we gather here today to reflect on the theme of this event, we should all remember that from the lowest office to the highest, with the new electoral act, we are connected in victory and defeat.

We must go back to our units and wards and ensure that we come together, pull resources together and ensure that PDP is successful at all levels, she said.

According to her, the emergence of Atiku as Nigerias president will restore hope, address insecurity and improve the nations economy.

The 2023 election is not just about acquiring power or attaining positions and titles; it is our opportunity to restore this country to a prosperous one once again.

Nigeria is ours, a country that has given so much to many of us. Hence, we must seek a chance at a better life for many of our fellow citizens, she said.

Also, Ms Bolanle Sarumi-Aliyu, Founder and National Chairperson, AGM said the movement was aimed at pulling together vast resources of aspirants to support party candidates at all level.

We are focused on bringing the necessary solutions to usher in a new government in 2023.

We are Nigerians from different tribes, races, religions, professions and genders at home in Nigeria and in the Diaspora who wish to work for the successful emergence of a brand-new President of the Federation, she said.

She promised that the group would mobilise at least 37 million votes for the party during the 2023 presidential election.

Mrs Nikky Onyeri, National Vice Chairperson, AGM said that 15,000 former aspirants of the party were part of the movement to mobilise support for the party at all levels.

Mr Oladimeji Fabiyi, Director General, Support Groups and Events, Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, charged the group to use the advantage of the new Electoral Act to mobilise support at the grassroots. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Emoni

The Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) has appointed Dr Joseph Onoja as the new Director-General of the foundation.

The Chairman, National Executive Council of the NCF, Chief Ede Dafinone, announced in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, that the appointment would take effect from Sunday.

Dafinone said that the appointment took place, following the imminent departure of the former D-G, Dr Muhtari Aminu-Kano on Sunday.

Onoja takes over the affairs of the foundation to continue the great work of fostering the vision of a Nigeria, where people prosper while living in harmony with nature.

According to him, in the spirit of restructuring and scaling up more years of excellence and impact, the NCF has appointed Onoja as the director-general of the foundation.

Dafinone said that Onoja had been with the foundation since 2015 as the Director of Technical Programmes, where he supervised the implementation of projects and other activities across the country.

He said Onoja acted as the D-G of the foundation for a brief period in 2018 and had worked closely with Aminu-Kano in the last four years.

The chairman said that the experience new DG had gathered would ensure a smooth progress in implementation of plans, especially the newly-developed Strategic Action Plan (SAP).

Onoja holds a PhD in Conservation Biology from the A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute of the University of Jos, Plateau.

The new D-G has researched the extent and impact of human activities on birds and large mammals in Yankari Game Reserve Bauchi, Nigeria.

From 2009 to 2015, he served as a Research Associate with the A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute and was involved in design and implementation of conservation-based research.

Onoja also supervised the implementation and completion of the Global Environment Facility-Small Grant Programme (GEF/SGP), to promote rural participation in environmental protection through empowerment, he said.

Dafinone said that Onoja attended various scientific conferences, workshops and international meetings, adding that he had acquired several knowledge in various areas as a conservationist. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Emoni

The Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) and Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN) have agreed to collaborate in tackling the scourge of Malaria in the country.

The organisations made the commitment on Saturday in Abuja during the commemoration of the 2022 World Malaria Day.

They said collaboration was key to raising awareness on Malaria and the need to maintain clean and healthy environment to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.

Dr Baba Yakubu, EHORECON Registrar, said remained a major disease of mankind and the environmental health workers would support the ongoing campaign to eliminate it.

Yakubu said they would work with other stakeholders to eliminate the malaria scourge in the country.

According to him, the elimination of malaria would reduce economic burden on citizens estimated at about N2 trillion.

He expressed confidence that the elimination of the Malaria scourge was achievable with strong collaboration.

The registrar said that collaboration between the Ministries of Environment, Health and Agriculture, as well as other relevant stakeholders would enhance the fight against the menace.

You cannot achieve malaria elimination without significant contribution from relevant stakeholders, it cannot be a one show event.

The council is coming out to tell Nigerians that malaria is a public health challenge and those of us that are responsible for controlling it will work together, because if there is no mosquitoes there will be no malaria.

So, the EHORECON under the ministry of environment decided in collaboration with PECAN to show and indicate our wiliness, support and readiness.

We are also ready to deploy our expertise, skills and new technology to actualise the elimination of malaria.

It is in line with the Presidents directive that all the tripartite ministries should work in the spirit of collaboration, he said.

Yakubu said according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) about 51 million Nigerians suffer from malaria, and it accounted for highest number of deaths in the country.

He said that recently President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated Malaria Elimination Council, adding that the effort would put the country on a pathway to ending malaria for good.

We know the economic hardship Nigerians are facing, if malaria is reduced, it will improve on the nations economy, he added.

The FCT Chairman of PECAN, Mr Terungwa Abari, said creating strong awareness on the impact of mosquito to the health and economy of Nigerians would help to eliminate the malaria scourge.

We must create strong awareness to ensure that everybody comes together to fight mosquitoes. We need to mobilise ourselves and make sure that we achieve the fight in the country.

It is affecting us seriously. It has to be a collaborative approach for us to get rid of the mosquito.

The involvement of the private sectors is also important, we will channel all our resources including our knowledge and work assiduously towards the fight, he said.

Abari urged Nigerians to ensure that their environment was clean and healthy, adding that this was key to the elimination of mosquitoes and Malaria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chidinma Agu/Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Nigerias Kamaru Usman is confident he will bounce back after losing his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight title at UFC 278 to Britains Leon Edwards.

The win for Edwards at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, U. S. on Saturday was one of the greatest comebacks in mixed martial arts history.

The 30-year old Jamaican-born British fighter, looked to be headed for a defeat on the judges scorecards.

But then faked a jab with his left hand and then landed a left-foot kick to the head that sparked the 35-year old Nigerian, to claim the belt.

Commenting via his twitter handle @usman84kg, the Nigerian congratulated Edwards on the victory.

Champs f up sometimes but we bounce back and come with vengeance!!

Damn I love this sport!!! Things happen but Alhamdulillah we move!! Congratulations @Leon_edwardsmma, Usman tweeted.

Usman had defeated Edwards in their previous meeting in 2015 but this victory makes the 30-year old the second British fighter to hold a UFC title after Michael Bisping in 2016. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has extended the period which all outstanding debts are to be paid from 24 hours to Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2022.

The Director-General of NBC, Malam Balarabe Ilelah, made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NBC, had on Friday revoked the licenses of the AIT/Ray Power FM (DAAR Communication L.td., Silverbird TV Network and 50 other stations over N2.6 billion debts.

The commission ordered the affected stations to shutdown in the next 24 hours and directed NBC offices nationwide to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.

Ilelah, however, said that the extension of the enforcement date was due to an appeal by the affected broadcast stations, relevant stakeholders, public spirited individuals and organisations.

This is to inform all the affected broadcast stations whose licenses were revoked and given 24 hours to pay all outstanding license fees that NBC has extended the period which all outstanding debts are to be paid from 24 hours to Wednesday Aug. 23.

All affected broadcast stations who fail to defray their debts on or before Aug. 23, 2022, are directed to shutdown by 12a.m. on Aug. 24, 2022, the DG said. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Dorathy Aninge

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has trained some youths from Angwan Jukun Community in Makurdi, Benue State on Age Appropriate Sexuality Education.

Speaking at the close of the two-day training on Saturday in Makurdi, Mr Steve Aborishade, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager of the foundation in Nigeria, said that the training was aimed at addressing sexually transmitted diseases in community.

Aborishade said that the exercise was in collaboration with Education as a Vaccine (EVA).

Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) can contribute to reducing HIV, STIs, and pregnancies among adolescents and young people.

This training will empower them with the information and skills to make meaningful and informed choices that can protect them from abuse, exploitation, and infections.he said.

Aborishade said the exercise would also address rising incidences of unintended pregnancies and abortion among young girls and its attendant consequences.

He attributed promiscuity by young people to the high poverty level of most parents, which makes the children vulnerable as they try to make ends meet.

Most of these girls date older men for the money, whereas these men have other sexual partners which makes them prone to infections from unprotected sex.

This intervention can empower adolescents and young persons to negotiate safe sex or abstain from sex, Steve said.

He explained that the trained youth would serve as champions of Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sexual Education in the community.

He also said that AHF and its partners would work with the participants individually toward achieving the desired goals.

Aborishade also said that each participant was expected to train 12 persons in a group and work with them to cascade the knowledge down to other young people in the community.

One of the participants, Miss Catherine Sunday, 27, thanked the foundation for impacting them with the appropriate knowledge on sexuality.

She said that the training had improved her self confidence to talk about issues concerning sexuality to her friends.

She noted the high rate of abortion, unplanned pregnancy, sexual abuse and rape in the community, and expressed confidence that the training would help to change the narrativesl.

Another participant, Miss Salamatu Abdullahi, 16, said that the training had exposed her to what with her parents or teachers couldnt teach at home or in school.

Abdullahi, who said her friend dropped put of school owing to unwanted pregnancy, promised to cascade the knowledge she acquired from the training to other young people in the community.

She thanked AHF for putting up such a programme and promised to keep her own part of the bargain by educating her peers about sex and sexuality.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the foundation alongside its partners, recently inaugurated a Community Committee on Comprehensive Age Appropriate Sexuality Education in the community.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Polycarp Auta and Isaac Ukpoju

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

They Nigerian Army says it will not be deterred by mischief makers and enemies of the country trying to create disharmony in the service.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig;-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.

Nwachukwu was reacting to a fake report by some online media that the voluntary retirement of some personnel was due to corruption, poor condition of service and low morale in the Army.

The spokesman said the enemies of the country have again failed in their efforts to dampen the morale and fighting will of loyal, dedicated and patriotic fighting force of the Nigerian army.

Nwachukwu said that Nigerian army was not a conscript army, but an organisation entered into voluntarily and with clear policy on discharge and retirement of soldiers and officers.

He said that Army personnel have the right to apply for voluntary discharge, when they deemed it fit and also met the terms and conditions.

The Army spokesman advised the mischief makers to be abreast of the Armys 2017 revised Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service of Soldiers/Ratings/Airmen, so as to stop embarrassing themselves in the eye of the public.

It is thus, the inalienable right of a personnel to voluntarily or on medical grounds, apply for discharge, if they meet the terms.

It is therefore not an aberration that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt;-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, granted approval for 91 NA/32/4792 WO Ndagana Ishiaku and 242 others to voluntarily discharge from the Nigerian Army, as being unprofessionally manipulated by some media, he said.

Nwachukwu said that the COAS had made critical intervention on troops welfare to raise their morale in the theatre of operations.

He added that the interventions included provision of car and housing loans, construction and renovation of accommodations, as well as residences and vehicles for Regimental Sergeant Majors.

Others include the provision of scholarship to children and wards of fallen heroes and other unique interventions in the theatres of operation to sustain and heighten the morale of troops, he said.

These interventions evidently account for troops game changing onslaught in the North East.

It must also be mentioned, that the quantum of equipment that have been injected into the theatres and prompt payment of operational allowances, have all turned the tide against the insurgents.

Also worthy of note is the welfare flight for troops, which has significantly reduced the burden of troops travelling in and out of the theatres.

In addition to huge commitment on the medical needs of wounded-in-action soldiers and the barracks communities.

Equally important, is the fact that troops are now being regularly and consciously rotated from the frontline, hence, issues of overstay and battle fatigue are gradually being overcome, he said.

Nwachukwu said that some of the recently discharged soldiers were beneficiaries of the COAS giant strides in welfare interventions.

He said that the COAS congratulated the those leaving the Army for their gallantry, patriotism, loyalty and courage while in service and wished them the very best.

Nwachukwu said the COAS would continue to make direct impact on the welfare and wellbeing of both serving and retired personnel.

He said a luncheon has been planned for retired commanders to honour them for their services to the nation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Global Ambassadors (BATGA), a support group for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate of Sen. Bola Tinubu has recalled how he risked his life for Nigeria in the past.

Mr Kayode Olabode, National Coordinator (BATGA), disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

Olabode said the former Lagos State governor had been working and putting his life in harms way for cause tailored towards making Nigeria work.

He said that it is time for the nation to reciprocate the gesture by supporting Tinibu to win presidential election in 2023.

Even when he was in the United States, he was there for Late MKO Abiola during his presidential campaign.

He was a major supporter of Afenifere and NADECO pro-Democrats and good governance against the military junta.

He came back home to contribute immensely to make Nigeria great. Lets use Lagos State as a case study.

As an Executive Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu stood his ground and ensured that he created 37 LCDAs in addition to 20 LGAs making a total of 57 LGA.

Olabode said that this created lot of employments for Lagos Youths both Indigenes and non-indigenes.

He added that even when the then President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo stopped Lagos State Allocation,he managed the states IGR prudently and ensured he didnt owe any civil servants.

Olabode urged Nigerians in diaspora to see Tinubu as case study of a transformational leader and a political strategist.

He described his record as feats no governor in the country since return of democracy could match.

Prosperity will not forgive any Nigerian who fails to support Tinubu. Hes like the messiah Nigerians have been clamouring for, he said.

Olabode said the opportunity for Nigerians in Diaspora to drum up support for one of their own to get elected as president of Nigeria has come.

He said that this would make them to be part of his government that would make Nigeria work.

Olabode further added that citizens should be more concerned about a Nigeria that works rather than ethnic politics .

He appealed to those clamouring for secession to sheath thier swords , join hands to build the country by channelling their energy, time, and resources towards that direction.

It is actually funny how some of these people protest in foreign lands and United Nations headquarters,sadly, even if they protest on the moon, their request will not be granted.

Dividing the country will not make any part of the country a better nation whether Yoruba Nation or Biafra.

What every Nigerian needs at this point is to have a reorientation and change of mindset towards our country.

It is time to be more patriotic and work effortlessly towards building a Nigeria that works rather than tribalistic Yoruba and Biafra Nation.

You cant be living peacefully and comfortably wherever you are and be fuelling a crisis in your motherland.

Nobody needs a soothsayer to know that dividing Nigeria at the moment is not the solution to the myriads of problems bedeviling the country,he said

He said that there is no country without challenges,however, with collective effort of its citizenry some of the endless challenges could be amicably resolved.

He urged all support groups and citizens for Tinubu and Shettima not to be deterred by negative comments of othe groups both online or offline but concentrate on building a formidable team in wards to guarantee victory. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

ATAB/JTJ

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Nasir

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State, has urged the state government to halt the planned transfer of the salaries of junior workers from the Ministry of Local Governments to the Local Governments.

Alhaji Isa Sadiq-Achida, the state APC Chairman, gave the advice in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Saturday.

Sadiq-Achida said, the state chapter reliably learnt of the move, which was intended to be used as a political weapon against staffers suspected of supporting parties other than the ruling party in the state.

It is instructive to note that, for years now, there have been calls for the granting of financial autonomy to Local Government Councils, as contained in the relevant laws.

This was practised by previous administrations in the State. But, unfortunately, the calls have all along fallen on deaf ears.

However, within the past few weeks, in the wake of growing discomfort on the part of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), administration in Sokoto, the ministry for LG announced plans of the staff salaries transfer.

Therefore, let me warn that the APC will resist any attempt to infringe on the rights of every law abiding citizen by way of withholding his salary, for political reasons.

The APC Chairman added that the new found love of local government staff by the state government was both surprising and suspicious.

Otherwise, how can a government that has defied all calls by well meaning citizens, for the past three years, suddenly decide to introduce this half-measure.

If the government is indeed serious and sincere in wanting to improve the LG system in the state, it should rather fulfill its promise of paying N30,000 minimum wage to LG staff and Primary School Teachers.

It should equally release the LG funds being held in its custody and which we have reason to believe is mostly being illegally diverted to inexplicable purposes, he alleged.

He said the sincerity of the government will enable the LGs to execute life-changing projects for their people.

Sadiq-Achida said, this is the best and most effective way to transform the LG system and improve the security situation in the state as well as make life worth living in the rural areas.

Reacting to the allegations, Alhaji Abdullahi Hausawa, the spokesperson of PDP in the state said the gesture was intended to give more powers to the local governments.

This is a system which was practised long ago, but later following a verification committees recommendations, the junior officers salary was moved to the ministry.

So, the state governments decision followed the calls by the people to give more powers to the LGs, to make them more active and ensure the staffers diligent in their duties.

Moreover, there are many senior and junior officers who are supporting different political parties and the government has not stopped their salaries as alleged by APC, he said.

Hausawa, who is also the Commissioner of Home Affairs, restated the state governments commitment to continue to protect the rights of all citizens in the state, irrespective of their political or religious leanings.

(NAN) (www.nannews.ng

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News