By Rukayat Adeyemi

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has said that more insurance companies may be sanctioned through liquidation as part of its moves to reposition the industry.

The Deputy Commissioner, Technical, NAICOM, Mr Sabiu Abubakar, made this known at the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Second Edition of 2022 Business Outlook Seminar in Lagos on Thursday.

The theme of the seminar was: Economic Policies of the Government in 2022: Challenges, Issues and Prospects.

Recently two insurance companies licences have been withdrawn and these are: Niger Insurance and Standard Alliance Insurance.

Though managing the death or failure of financial institution is very demanding, nevertheless more may still be liquidated in order to sanitise the insurance sector, he said.

Abubakar noted that NAICOM had strengthened its regulatory oversight to ensure that operators discharge their obligation by settling genuine claims timely.

The deputy commissioner said that insurance regulation and supervision were always the bedrock of national economic development.

He noted that NAICOMs reforms and regulatory initiatives would positively impact the insurance industry and the industry would witness tremendous development and growth.

Abubakar urged insurance practitioners to comply with and support the commissions efforts.

In his address, CIINs President, Mr Edwin Igbiti, said that the seminar was organised for key players in the insurance industry and other finance sub-sectorto review the business environment in the country.

Igbiti said that the review was for the performance of the industry in the immediate past year and way forward for the new year.

The programme among other things, examined the national budget, reviewed the thrusts of the fiscal and monetary policies of the government and estimated how these would influence the insurance industry in particular and the economy in general, he said.

According to him, the seminar was important considering the challenges bedeviling the country such as; insecurity, high inflation rate, debts, oil subsidy as well as the upcoming elections.

Igbiti stated that even though there was a positive projection of the global industry at the beginning of the year, the deliberation would have its effect on the insurance industry and the economy in general. (NAN)()

Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, says the Nigerian Army will continue to balance its participation in Peace Support Operations vis-a-vis ongoing Internal Security Operations.

Yahaya said this at the closing of the maiden Nigerian Army Peace Support Operations seminar on Thursday, in Abuja.

He was represented by the Chief of Operations (Army), Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Akinjobi, at the seminar with the theme Nigeria in Contemporary Peace Support Operations Environment.

He said that while the Nigerian army had renewed its drive at up-scaling its participation in peace support operations, it was not oblivious of the myriad of security challenges bedeviling the nation.

According to him, this is also considering that Nigerian armys internal security operations could be supported from accruals to Nigeria from the UN thereby augmenting governments support to the Nigerian army.

The COAS said that Nigerian armys continuous participation in peace support operations and contribution to regional and global peace would project its military and diplomatic element of national power.

He added the participation would also enhance its relevance in the comity of nations.

Yahaya said the objective of the seminar. which was to provide an avenue for participants to interact and share experiences as well as exchange ideas in peace support operations was achieved.

It is believed that the knowledge gained here will significantly contribute to better preparations and performances in our current and future participation in peace support operations, he said.

The Chief of Operations, Maj.-Gen. Akinjobi, said the seminar of such nature was long overdue, adding that Nigeria had a lot of experience in peace support operations.

He said that Nigeria was at one time the third largest troops contributing nation to the UN peace support operations globally, adding that it played leading roles in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

He said the Nigerian army had continued to send troops for peace support operations in spite of its commitment to internal security operations across the country.

According to him, it is based on all these that it is necessary to begin to look ahead into the future into how they can properly do things better.

It is remembering some of the challenges we have had in the past and trying at this time to bring in experts from different fields to guide us and to offer their views.

We want to see how we can invest all into whatever support policy we will come up with, he said.

Retired Maj.-Gen. Moses Obi, a former Chief of Training and Operations (Army), commended army leadership for organising the seminar being a major contributor to please support operations.

Obi, who was one of the resource persons at the seminar, said the seminar had enabled them to share ideas and try to send ideas to appropriate authorities.

He said that Nigerias major role in stabilising West Africa made the seminar to be important and appropriate.

Mrs Julie Sanda, a Principal Research Fellow at the National Defence College, said the seminar was timely particularly at a time the nation is grappling with security challenges.

Sanda said the popular discourse had been that since the nation was facing its own challenges it should not participate in peace support operations.

She said the current challenges had shown that there was actually a connection between Nigerias internal challenges and those of its neighbours and the international community.

So, I think it is important that we have gathered over these three days to look at these issues together, she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar had participants from the military, security and intelligence agencies as well as other relevant stakeholders. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Tosin Kolade

Mr Kunle Adesida, the Co-Founder, Cranium Integrated Solutions Limited,
has urged stakeholders to digitise healthcare systems for Nigeria to meet its universal healthcare target.

He made the call on the sidelines of ongoing 2022 Digital Health Summit in Abuja on Thursday.

He suggested the introduction of hospital management software to improve access to care and service delivery.

According to him, digitising healthcare is an opportunity for patients to participate in managing their health and
support hospital authorities in developing comprehensive policies.

He called on hospitals to partner his organisation in its newly introduced Cranium Hospital Management Software,
designed to manage all aspects of hospital operations.

He added that the key benefits of using the Cranium Hospital Management Software is easy access to doctors data
to generate varied records, including classification based on demographic, gender, age.

It is especially beneficial at out-patient point, hence enhancing continuity of care; also, internet-based access improves the ability to remotely access such data.

Improved monitoring of drug usage and study of effectiveness, which can lead to reduction of adverse drug interactions, while promoting
appropriate pharmaceutical utilisation.

We are calling on stakeholders to digitise healthcare delivery system to meet universal healthcare target in the country.

Dr Toyin Lawal, the Director, Nursing, UCLA Health, California, U.S.A., said digital health is critical, as it connects people to healthcare services at the right time and in a sustainable manner.

She said the benefits include access to healthcare to those in rural areas with limited resources, reduced maternal and child mortality ratio, patient safety and improved medical education.

Lawal said data management could also be achieved, saying with access to a smartphone, one would be in control of ones health.

She added that the implementation of digital health services is in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal three with the set targets of healthcare.

This is founded on the mission that ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages is essential to sustainable development.

Dr Rowland Ojinmah, the President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), said no one should be denied healthcare services, saying it entailed all population accessing quality care when needed.

Ojinmah, represented by Dr David Meshach, said Nigeria is a party to the WHO Universal Healthcare Target, hence the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme in 2005.

The NMA president, who called for private sector partnership and an accountable system that would check corruption, said such move would promote healthcare delivery for citizens.

Highlights of the event was the presentation of awards of excellence in healthcare delivery to governors of Lagos, Ekiti, Abia, Delta and Edo states.

Also, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, Dr Raphael Akangbe, Dr Adeolu Arogundade and Prof. Chimezie Anyakora were honoured with Awards of Excellence in Healthcare delivery.
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Assembly says it is proposing a law to make it compulsory for all private schools to supply their personnel data to the Universal Basic Education (UBEC).

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere made the disclosure, while briefing newsmen after monitoring the ongoing 2022 National Personnel Audit in FCT Schools, on Thursday in Abuja.

Ihonvbere expressed concern over alleged non-compliance with the exercise by some private schools which resulted to the arrest of a UBEC official.

I am really shocked to hear that some private schools close their doors and refuse to grant access to UBEC staff who are conducting the ongoing 2022 National Personnel Audit.

They are taking a major risk and you will see what will happen next year. Even the school where the UBEC staff was arrested, I am surprised that the commission has not closed down the school to serve as a lesson to others.

I can assure that along with my colleagues, we will be proposing a law to make it compulsory for every private schools to supply 100 per cent of their personnel data even without being asked.

And to also grant 100 per cent access at all times to UBEC, SUBEB and UBEB members of staff.

The private schools think they are island because they are private. They should know that they are private within the laws of Nigeria, he said.

Ihonvbere expressed the hope that the outcome of the audit would go a long way towards ensuring that at least all the levels of personnel set out the right standard.

He said that the exercise would enable the committee identify the shortfalls and generate the relevant courage to make amendments where there were gaps.

So that we can better serve the work of the commission and other relevant agencies that are involved in the audit.

The challenges of basic education in 1960 when Nigeria attained political independence are still there in spite of trillions of naira spent, committees upon committees, workshops, conferences and the different governments.

The challenges are still there from infrastructure to staff in the administrative sector, lack of quality teachers to the invasion of schools by untrained and unqualified teachers.

I have been to schools where children are siting on the floor in 2022 in the capital city of a state that has collected billions from Universal Basic Education Commission.

Children were siting on the floor and the government did nothing. Some governors have also collected about N11 billion and they could not renovate a single school.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of FCT Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Alhassan Sule said the audit would enable the board to have at its finger tips data that concern enrollment, teachers and other infrastructures for better plans.

And I think it is better you plan when you have data at your finger tips instead of making estimate, so that you will have accurate information on what you are going to do.

I have been suggesting that the best thing the Federal Government will do for Nigerian citizens is to ensure that free and compulsory basic education for our children are effective.

Government should ensure that our children get quality basic and compulsory education; that is the only way we can reduce the issue of terrorism, Sule said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the schools visited by the committee include the Pilot Science Nursery and Primary school, Wuse Zone 5, Junior Secondary School Zone 3, Wuse Abuja among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was on Project Web Tool (Pro-Track) for Conditional Grants Scheme (CGS) State Focal persons and Monitoring and Evaluation Officers on implementation of SDGs-CGS at the grassroots.

The capacity building programme was organised in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

A participant, Mr Musa Damagum, a focal officer from Yobe said that globalisation had made it necessary for such a workshop to update stakeholders on best measures to implement the policies.

Globally today, monitoring and evaluation is the best way to ensure that projects are done according to specification.

You will have to evaluate using your Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to see whether the project is actually been delivered as it is proposed to be delivered.

The Pro-Track capacity building, the main objective is to avail state offices, state focal points, the opportunity to build skills, e-management of projects using the specially designed monitoring and evaluation tools, digital tools,

On her part, Ms Christina Ude, Imo Focal Officer said, the Pro-Track tool would enable the state officers to monitor and tracks the SDG programmes in various states.

She added that with the tool, focal persons could easily monitor what contractors are doing and transmit the report timely.

She commended the initiative and called for more trainings in the states especially in the area of healthcare, education, water supply and electricity.

Mr Abdulahi Arah, from Niger praised the innovative technology introduced by Office of the President.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to release more funds to the states to ensure that the SDGs targets were met.

Speaking earlier during the opening of the workshop, Ms Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, SSA to the President on SDGs, said the workshop was to familiarise participants with international best practices on monitoring and evaluation.

She explained that participants were taught on how to use computer-assisted software in tracking SDGs projects.

The presidents aide said that the measure would accelerate the implementation of projects at the grassroots levels among other objectives.

NAN reports that participants were drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.(NAN)(www,nannews,ng)

PUO/FEO/JTJ

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Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

He made the governments position known at an event by the National Population Commission (NPC) to commemorate the 2022 World Population Day (WPD) in Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WPD is annually celebrated on July 11 to raise awareness on various population issues such as the importance of FP, gender equality, maternal health and human rights.

The global celebration has A World of 8 Billion: Towards A Resilient Future for All Harnessing Opportunities and Ensuring Rights and Choices for All as theme for 2022.

Represented at the event by Dr Salma Anas-Kolo, the Director, Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Ehanire said it would be difficult for Nigeria to achieve human capital development without fertility reduction.

He, therefore, reiterated Federal Governments commitment to reduction of fertility, saying the focus was on sustainable domestic financing.

He added that we have intensified action on how to sustain financing of family planning, especially family planning commodities, as they are integral part of reproductive health rights.

The minister affirmed the determination of the ministry to mobilise the private sector in the advancement of access to family planning commodities.

The NPC Chairman, Alhaji Nasir Kwarra, who called for a shift from quantity to quality population and from liability to assets, expressed the commissions commitment to work in tandem with the Revised National Population Policy.

He described the policy as people-centred and would continue to promote the rights of individuals and couples to freely and responsibly decide when and how to space their children.

Ms Erika Goldson, the Deputy Country Representative of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), emphasised the need for bodily autonomy and protection of women and children.

Goldson identified rights and choices as critical components in transitioning the global population to assets where no baby would be unwanted.

Dr Amina Dorayi, the Country Director, Pathfinder International, said the protection of women and girls is paramount in achieving human capital development.

Dorayi explained that such could best be achieved through access to family planning and empowerment of women.

She called on stakeholders to collectively ensure that women and girls enjoyed optimal Reproductive and Sexual Health Rights (RSHR).

Dr Ejike Oji, the Chairman, Technical Management Committee, Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), commended President Muhammadu Buharis commitment to population management.

Oji said that the president had demonstrated political will to achieve Demographic Dividend through the launch of the National Population Policy and funding for family planning.

He called on all to continue to support the call for fertility reduction, aimed at not only achieving Demographic Dividend but averting
population disaster. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Source: NAN News

By George Edomwonyi

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo says the state government has concluded plans to launch a resident identification card for residents to tackle insecurity in the state.

Obaseki made the announcement at the Edo North Security Council Meeting held in Auchi, Administrative Headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo on Thursday.

According to the governor, all persons residing in Edo will be registered and given an identity card which will be linked to their Bank Verification Number (BVN) for properidentification.

He said that the idea to launch the resident identity card became imperative due to the growing trend of insecurity in the state.

We are launching Edo State Resident Identity Card for people living in the state and for those who want to stay in Edo.

Residents of the state must have identity cards and the identification cards will be link to their BVN.

This idea is for us to identify those living in Edo and to be able to deal with the security challenge in the state, he said.

Obaseki said that security had now become its administration priority, adding that the government was ready to deal decisively with insecurity in the state.

Government purpose is to protect its people and when any government fails to perform that function, it is a failed government

This Edo North security counciil meeting is a follow up to the meeting organised by the Acting Gov of Edo, Philip Shaibu while I was on vacation.

So this expanded meeting is to let you know what we have done and hear from you, he said.

Obaseki tasked the heads of local government administration to hold weekly security council meeting and reports their activities to the state security council.

The governor disclosed that the state government would soon commenced the enforcement of the anti-grazing law by August, registration of motorcycles and tricycle riders, markets and motor parks in the state.

He added that combing of bushes by the local vigilantes and hunters was yielding positive results and assured them of adequate training and empowerment in order to discharge their duties effectively.

We are going to integrate vigilantes into our state security architecture and any vigilante group that is not registered will be disbanded.

By Aug. 5, all these people, we must have their phone numbers and their photographs and we have agreed to provide them additional logistics and remuneration will be offered to members of the vigilante, he said.

Some traditional rulers who spoke at the meeting commended the state government for the initiative and for being proactive to security matters.

They appealed to the government to come up with a welfare package for the local vigilantes and hunters across the state. (NAN) ()

Edited by Solomon Asowata

Source: NAN News

By Patience Aliyu

Plateau Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development Victor Lapang says the state government has put in place plans to create more than 20,000 jobs for youths in the state.

He made this known on the sidelines of a capacity building workshop organised for youths by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) on Thursday in Jos.

The workshop is entitled: Harnessing the opportunities in non-oil export trade, geared towards enlightening the youth on opportunities available in export.

Lapang, who commended NEPC for organising the event, noted that it was a great step towards providing the youth with sources of livelihood and increase their economic activities in the state.

He added that the state government had inaugurated a team of experts to look into the creation of 20, 000 jobs for youths in the state.

The state government inaugurated a committee which has 20 parastatals, including non-governmental organisations, he said.

Lapang noted that some private organisations and individuals were already working in consonance with government towards the creation of the jobs.(NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Wednesday said seven ships that had arrived the ports were waiting to berth with petroleum products and others.

NPA, in its Daily Shipping Position, listed the products waiting to berth as: bulk gypsum, bulk fertilizer, petrol and container.

It said that another 17 ships at the ports were discharging bulk wheat, frozen fish, general cargo, steel products, container, bulk sugar, base oil, petrol and bulk urea.

Meanwhile, 23 other ships also laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods were expected from July 27 to Aug. 5.

The authority said that the ships were expected to arrive at the Lagos Port Complex.

It indicated that the ships contain general cargo, bulk salt, bulk gypsum, bulk sugar, bulk urea, container, frozen fish, bulk wheat, bulk steam coal, petrol and automobile gasoline. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado

Rev. Duke Akamisoko, the Lord Bishop of Diocese of Kubwa, Anglican Communuion, says
the Church is building an ultra-modern medical centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to enhance healthcare
delivery.

He made this known at the 2022 pre-synod press conference organised by the Church on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this years Anglican Communion Synod has I Chose and Appointed
You To Bear Fruit That Will Remain John 15:16 as its theme.

According to him, the Church is focusing on completion of the 250-bed medical centre to also check medical tourism.

He added that when completed, the medical centre will be one of the best in the FCT, with state-of-the-art equipment
and trained professionals in the different fields of medicine and healthcare.

He said that the medical centre is part of the Churchs contributions to the society.

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the bishop advised all presidential candidates to ensure inculsivness.

Meanwhile, the 5th Synod is scheduled for Friday, July 29 up until Sunday, July 31 at St. Peters Church, Karu, Abuja.
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Source: NAN News