By Florence Onuegbu

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta Chapter, Lagos, has called for conducive work environment, improved remuneration and personnel welfare.

The Chairman, MDCAN FMC Chapter, Dr Emeka Ibezi, made the call on Friday during the first meeting of the association with the theme: Thriving as a Professional in the Current Environment.

Ibezi said that addressing the issues were parts of measures needed to check brain drain of medical practitioners in the country.

According to him, a lot of doctors, health workers and consultants leave the country on a daily basis, which is not a good development.

The truth is that it is a global phenomenon, but we have the issue on increase in this clan right now.

Between December 2021 and May 2022, we have about 727 doctors that are registered from Nigeria, in UK, just UK alone, about 727 doctors are officially registered in their system.

Now that is not telling you the number of doctors that left Nigeria within that period to UK alone. But just telling the number that are registered, of course, we should have more people, he said.

Ibezi, a consultant, Oral/Maxillofacial Surgeon, therefore, urged the concerned authorities to ensure that the relevant resources such as stable power supply and modern equipment required for delivery of quality healthcare were in place.

He also called on the government to look into the remuneration of professionals, even the hazard allowance, as these were factors causing many medical experts to migrate from the country.

The chairman said that the meeting was convened for consultants at FMC, Ebute Metta, to discuss on ways to cope with the current environment in the country, to enable them to keep delivering services in tandem with global practices.

In a remark, the Medical Director, FMC, Ebute Metta, Dr Adedamola Dada, said that the practice of medicine was evolving from the previous mantra where the doctor, especially the consultant was all-knowing and could not be challenged.

Dada urged the medical practitioners to be abreast, so as to meet the need of todays patients.

He said that it was also important that medical professionals show empathy, understanding, knowledge, confidence and sensitivity to the peculiar need of the patients at all time.

We must train ourselves to understand, accept and practice this new shift in our daily relationship with our patients.

As consultants, we should lead this process because it may be the way for the practice of our profession in this particular generation.

Every generation will define itself. If we fail to conform with the requirements of the time and remain stuck in the gone-by times, and fail to develop these new skills of practice, I am afraid it will be very difficult, if not impossible to practice medicine or indeed any other profession, Dada said.

A consultant psychiatrist and therapist, Dr Kafayah Ogunsola, who delivered a lecture on how to manage ones mental health in uncertainties urged medical experts to prioritise their mental well being.

Ogunsola said that life itself was filled with lots of stressors such as ill health, life events that one did not see coming, loss of a loved one, loss of job, financial troubles, economic problems and other challenges in Nigeria.

Whilst all of this is going on, one has to pay attention to self care such as affirming yourself the ability to breathe, understanding what are the things within your control, focusing on the things that are within your control and finding healthy distractions like knitting, drawing, painting as well as the ability to delegate.

It is about prioritising yourself. Its about preserving yourself rather than sacrificing yourself, the ability to say no, sometimes learn to say no, dont always be the yes man that everybody leaves all the responsibilities to and then you are beginning to cave on that pressure, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Ginika Okoye

Stakeholders from various sectors of the economy have appealed to the government and private sector to set up multiple Juncao technology demonstration and distribution centres in the country.

The stakeholders made the appeal in a communique issued at the end of a three-day workshop on the application of the technology and its contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The stakeholders include experts, agriculturists, farmers representatives, among others.

The communique issued in Abuja on Friday said that the demonstration centres were necessary to ensure easy access to individuals and communities who were interested in adopting the technology.

Juncao technology is an environmental friendly one that capacitates smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs to grow mushrooms from dried, chopped grasses, without cutting down trees and damaging the environment.

The technology could also be used for producing cattle feed, methane gas and minimise soil erosion to combat desertification.

The communique said that extensive advocacy, community mobilisation and education using traditional rulers and leaders should be embarked on to promote the technology.

It suggested that development partners and private entities be encouraged to provide incentives to farmers and individuals who were interested in adopting the technology.

Meticulous data collection and storage must be embarked upon to better understudy this technology in the Nigerian climate to help improve application, development and domestication across the value chain.

A critical element of domestication and sustainability is to embark on training, research and capacity building.

To promote market access through internal and export market development across the value chain.

All efforts must be intensified including to promote the benefit of juncao technology in solving the farmers/herder crises, the communique said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)

Others are the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Research Centre for Juncao Technology of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Fatima Sule/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The European Union (EU) in partnership with the Federal Government has expressed renewed interest to put mechanism in place to fund gas project in Nigeria to guarantee energy security in Africa and Europe.

The EU made this known on Friday when Chief Timipr Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, received Mr Matthew Baldwin, Deputy Director-General, EU Energy Platform Task-Force in his office in Abuja.

Recall that the EU delegations visit to the Minister was the second in four months, and it was equally meeting other key ministries with relevant roles to play in guaranteeing energy security.

The Minister said this development would hasten the desire of EU to guarantee alternative gas to Russias.

He described the assistance which covered security, technology development, financing and private sectors investment as worthwhile because finally it had enabled Nigeria to be on the same page with the rest of the world.

Sylva, who was critical about the haste which the EU and Western nation took out investment in fossil fuel, said in years to come fossil fuel would be very relevant while gas would be used as transition fuel.

He underscored the need for the EU to appeal to their financial institutions to be willing to relax stringent rules and remove bottlenecks bothering loans to enable sourcing funds under conducive agreement.

We have always said that we are committed to gas as a transition fuel and today we are speaking the same language with the EU.

We are discussing with the EU on how to collaborate on developing technology and other support they can give Nigeria.

They are responsible for the policy that will drive the investment, he said.

On security, he said it was another area of cooperation because they went to the Niger Delta Region to see for themselves what the security situation was, adding that part for the solution itself also required technology.

He said the region would be secured for oil and gas investments to continue to thrive while production quota would be shored up.

As part of the intervention to curb the insecurity in the region, he said there was a four-legged collaboration which involved the government, security agents, oil companies and communities.

Baldwin had earlier reinstated EUs commitment in making the gas project a reality and expressed optimism for a sustainable partnership for energy transition in Nigeria.

I am very pleased to be working with you in a big way private sector investment is guaranteed; the more the security situation can be improved in the Niger Delta Region, the more investment we will see, he said.

Ongoing AKK Gas Project and Trans Sahara Gas Pipelines (TSGP) project will present a huge opportunity for Nigeria and others to tap into the European markets. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Donald Ugwu

Source: NAN News

By Lydia Ngwakwe

Access Bank has called on women entrepreneurs globally to apply for its Womenpreneur Pitch-a-Ton Africa season four.

Mrs Abiodun Olubitan, the Group Head, W Initiative, Access Bank Group, made the call at a media roundtable for the unveiling of Access Bank W Initiative: Pitch-a-ton season 4.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition is open to Nigerian business owners from age 18 to 55, whose businesses are legal and registered in Nigeria.

The Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton Africa programme is designed to provide female owned businesses across Africa an opportunity to access finance, world-class business trainings as well as mentoring opportunities.

Olubitan said that the initiative was introduced as part of the banks mandate to empower female entrepreneurs with financial and business skills.

Speaking on the theme: Empowering Women for Global Impact, Olubitan Saud the initiative was designed to create an enabling environment for female entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

So, we have just opened for application and for this year, we are going to be having 27 winners.

Top seven are going to be winning financial grants up to five million naira and the additional 20 will be consolation prizes which would include free website development, free advertisement as well for their business.

This is just to ensure that its not one winner takes it all. Everybody is a winner. So, this years competition is going to be different. We started in 2019 and we have had it every year till this year, she said.

Olubitan said that the bank was expecting 40,000 applications as against 30,000 received last year, noting that four thousand applications since it opened.

She explained that those who had applied and were not lucky to be selected as one of the top 100, would be harvested into the W Community.

According to her, they will have free access to several information as well as use the toolkit in there, to train themselves.

She said that the season four would have Nigeria standing on its own while the other African countries would coordinate programmes from their own markets as well.

Olubitan said they would localise the content, make it relatable for the women entrepreneurs in their own markets and also have opportunities to add extra rewards.

She said that cash prizes, consolation prizes, including non-financial prizes such as insurance packages, three virtual business loans, investors matching opportunities and other opportunities would abound in this years competition.

She said that the season four competition would create a global impact as it would produce 400 mini MBA winners, as against the 200 winners achieved in the past three years.

Olubitan said the mini MBA was an intensive training programme developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to train women on the rudiments of business.

She said, So just look at that exponential growth that we are going to have in this year alone because we are opening it up to the countries to set it off themselves.

And in addition, we are going to have 40 more winners in terms of the cash prizes and non-financial prizes.

She said that the competition had produced 200 winners across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

Olubitan added that 10 other African countries had produced 13 grant winners and 10 other consolation prizes across Africa.

Speaking on the impact, she said that it had exposed women to international markets and access to exhibit their products in many countries.

She also said that through the competition, the bank had been able to contribute directly and meaningfully to the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Because as youre empowering the women, theyre increasing their business capacity, theyre able to replicate what theyre doing.

So, these are the impacts that we see that actually propelled us, apart from the fact that its profitable, she said.

Olubitan disclosed that the bank had given grants worth ,000 to winners since inception of the initiative.

She said that interested entrepreneurs who meet the criteria should follow @W Community or Instagram, Twitter and Facebook log on to www.womenpreneur.ng to apply.

The application which opened on July 13 closes on Aug. 19, 2022. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

Delta Queens FC boss Henrietta Ehiabor has emerged the chairperson of Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) club owners association after defeating the incumbent, Matilda Otuene, in an election in Lagos.

A statement from the associations secretariat on Friday stated that Ehiabor polled 16 votes to defeat Otuene of Rivers Angels who garnered 10 votes at the end of the contest.

The incumbent Vice-Chairman Emmanuel Osahon of FC Robo Queens also lost his reelection bid to the Team Manager of Adamawa Queens Aminu Muhammed who got 14 votes as Osahon lost after securing 12 votes.

The position of secretary went to Dream Star FC owner Abolore Abdulrahman who secured 17 votes to defeat Osun Babes FC Team Manager, Tope Akinbade, who got nine votes.

The positions of the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary were unopposed as the candidates were unanimously elected by the 26 NWFL club owners who were in attendance at the election.

Pelican Stars owner Sam Kombo, however, was absent at the election.

Ehiabor in her acceptance speech said she would work for the benefit of the club owners and the growth of the league in collaboration with the board of the NWFL.

My Dear Club owners, as your new chairperson, I want to assure you that we will always speak with one voice, and together we will change the narrative in womens football.

At the end of my two years tenure, please judge me by the following promises I am making to you all today.

The interest of our great association will come first over and above my personal interest or that of my club.

I will work towards consolidating on the gains of my predecessors. I will run an all-inclusive executive and ensure that I am guided by the constitution of our association which is supreme.

I will also ensure the independence of this association, free from any external interference as I also focus on uniting our members to guarantee peace. I will also operate a financially-accountable executive.

I will create a conducive atmosphere which will guarantee an improved relationship between club owners and the NWFL board and Secretariat, Ehiabor said.

The newly-elected secretary, Abdulrahmam, also gave the assurance to work with other club owners as well as NWFL leadership to promote the leagues. (NAN)

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Edited by Donald Ugwu

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

No doubt, the issue of curbing medical tourism has featured prominently in national discourse over the years.

Estimates indicate that Nigeria loses between one billion dollars to two billion dollars annually in capital flight to medical tourism, while over 40,000 Nigerian doctors are practising in the Diaspora.

Admittedly, stakeholders agree that medical tourism has made objectionable inroads in Nigerias resources and also contributed to the near neglect and decrepit state of Nigerias healthcare system.

They acknowledge the fact that the problem with Nigerias healthcare sector is not lack of personnel with the requisite know-how but the political will to revamp and properly equip the sector.

To this end, efforts are being deployed to revive Nigerias healthcare system through efficient manpower and infrastructure, as notable Nigerians are beginning to demonstrate their belief in the capacity of Nigerias healthcare space.

Just recently, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo successfully underwent a leg surgery at the Duchess International Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos in spite having the appurtenance to seek medical attention in an ivy league facility abroad.

Osinbajos spokesman, Laolu Akande, had disclosed that the vice president was hospitalised for a surgical procedure on account of a recurrent pain in the leg possibly sustained from an injury while playing squash.

For the benefit of hindsight, the vice president, in 2021, inaugurated the Duchess International Hospital, a subsidiary of the Reddington Hospital Group.

The Duchess International is a state-of-the-art, purpose-built, fully ensuite 100-bed hospital facility; its services range from primary, secondary to tertiary healthcare services across a wide range of specialist and subspecialty areas.

Ever since Osinbajos successful surgery in a local health facility, insightful Nigerians have been applauding the vice president for exhibiting a high level of patriotism and belief in the Nigerian project.

They, including President Muhammadu Buhari, wished him speedy recovery.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), as a major player in the health industry, implored other political office holders in the country to emulate the vice president in order to end medical tourism.

Dr Uche Ojinmah, NMAs National President, while wishing Osinbajo a speedy recovery, commended him for demonstrating confidence in Nigerian doctors and the healthcare system.

Ojinmah added that it was time to fix the nations fragile healthcare system to the benefit of the common man and the economy.

He added that the association was certain that Osinbajo was impressed.

We wish to thank God for seeing our vice president through surgery.

All Nigerian doctors are praying for his quick and complete recovery, he said.

More so, tweets have hailed vice presidents openness about his health status and his choice of medical care in a local hospital.

They commend the vice presidents choice of a local hospital for a medical procedure and wished him quick recovery.

Ken Osemebor on twitter reacted, this is a new one, updating the citizens about the well-being of the vice president, one day we will do better; extend our best wishes to the vice president.

Kemisola Adekunle, in her tweet, said I am sure it is not too serious.

But kudos to the vice president for trusting in his doctors here at home and not having to fly abroad for treatment.

It shows his believe in Nigeria medical doctors.

On his part, Tamuno Tonye, wished, quick recovery to the senior advocate of masses who believes in everything in Nigeria, owned by Nigerians and for Nigerians.

Our medical services have proven to be world class for all citizens irrespective of their societal class.

Right activists, Aisha Yesufu and Henry Sheild were also not left out as they prayed and wished the vice president speedy recovery.

Mr Shield wrote, may the Lord Almighty heal you and hold the hands of the medical staff all through the procedure.

You will come out stronger and healthier in Jesus name. You are in our prayers.

Yesufu prayed may God heal you completely.

Worthy of note, the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr Adetokunbo Shitta-Bey, while giving an update of Osinbajos recovery, applauded the vice president for patronising a local hospital rather than embarking on medical tourism for a service that was available locally.

On affordability of Duchess International Hospital and quality of service, Shitta-Bey said that services at the facility were not expensive and not out of the reach of many Nigerians.

He said that the affordability of the facility was among the reasons the vice president chose to have a medical procedure here in Nigeria.

Just speaking in terms of access to affordable world class health care, we are giving a lot of attention to the very highly emotive subject of access and taking deliberate steps to bring down the barriers that prevent people accessing these essential services.

I think this is largely what informed the vice presidents decision to have his procedure here at the Duchess International Hospital.

The vice president is a national treasure and it is an honour to have him in our hospital.

He receives the same level of safe, healthcare anyone who would come into the hospital would receive, of course, with additional considerations for security because it is a matter of national interest and security.

The chief executive officer spoke further about what the hospital was doing to ensure access to affordable healthcare and reverse the trend in medical tourism.

For example, to register at the Duchess International Hospital and see a doctor is not more than N5, 000.

We have a consultant-led service at the Duchess International Hospital.

It is very important that the decisions that are made within the first few minutes are precise decisions.

You are far more likely to see a specialist consultant within the first 10 minutes in the hospital unlike in other hospitals in Lagos, and so all of that contribute to the safety and security that patients have when they come in.

It is also very important for us that the entire community is able to access the service.

We are also focused on bringing our boys and girls back home; all of these contribute to the safe and secure environment that enable people come and have the care that they need.

He also spoke on taking deliberate steps to check capital flight as a result of medical tourism.

According to him, it is really important to have a range of services that will keep money and expertise within this country.

It is precisely what the Duchess International Hospital represents.

We need not one Duchess Hospital, this country needs about 50 Duchess Hospitals to improve access, bring down the cost of health care, access to essential services, and having specialists, front to end the services.

Having 24-hour emergency and critical care, having the right governance arrangement both clinically and administratively based on all the things that contribute to a robust environment, he said.

On his part, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Adedoyin Dosunmu-Ogunbi said Osinbajo was making steady progress.

He is walking already, taking a few steps. You can imagine after a major surgery in his right femur bone; that is very encouraging as he continues to recover.

The medical director called for urgent reforms to revitalise healthcare delivery in Nigeria, noting that the sector in Nigeria was highly under resourced.

All public officials in Nigeria should have their healthcare in Nigeria.

If the treatment is available in Nigeria, then they should get it in Nigeria.

And in many cases, it is available, but if we do not have such services available in Nigeria then they can get it elsewhere, he said.

Unarguably, if the elite patronised local health facilities, billions would be saved in capital flight and the ripple effect would be a sustained upgrading and retooling of Nigerias health sector. (NANFeatures)

** If used, please credit the writer as well as the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

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Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado/Angela Atabo

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has enrolled 86 million Nigerians into the National Identity Database and issued them the National Identification Number (NIN) from 2012 to July 2022.

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Malam Aliyu Aziz, made this known at a Lunch Time Seminar organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in Abuja on Friday.

Aziz who spoke via zoom said that the commission had not relented in its effort to establish National Identity Database (NIDB), register citizens and non-citizens and issue unique identifier NIN, among others.

He reiterated the commissions commitment to provide identity authentication and verification services, harmonise and integrate existing ID databases, preserve, protect, secure and safeguard the data in the NIDB.

NIMC works to collaborate with public and private sector to realize the ID functions and regulate the Nigerian Identity sector.

The Commission embarked on an enrolment strategy in 2012, which has grown exponentially since 2015. The current goal is to have enrolled 10 times the number of the previous year.

The enrolment shows 60,000 in 2012, seven million in 2015, 28 million in 2017, 43 million in 2020 and 86 million as at July 2022 with about 18,000 enrolment centres across Nigeria, Aziz said.

He added that so far, the commission has been harmonising Bank Verification Number ( BVN), mandatory use of NIN for passport application and renewal and implementation of ecosystem approach to enrolment.

Others are the national ID policy for SIM card registration, national policy on digital ID for internally displaced persons, use of NIN for JAMB, completed assessments on technical, cyber security, social, environmental, financial, among others.

The director-general urged BPSR to assist in building and strengthening collaborations and promote the participation of government agencies in the data capture services.

He also called on the bureau to drive the enforcement of the mandatory use of NIN for services across governments, as well as support and participate in driving the integration the NIN into various functional databases across government agencies.

Aziz said that BPRS should also accelerate participation in sensitisation of key government agencies stakeholders on the ID project, including the harmonisation of all government databases with the national identity database for more effective and low-cost governance.

He also urged the bureau to encourage government agencies to be innovative using the NIN, and collecting and verifying data for NIN issuance and usage at various government service points, among others.

Also speaking, the Director-General of BPSR, Mr Dasuki Arabi, said that the essence of the lunch time seminar was to help Nigerians keep abreast with reforms in public service delivery.

He said that the NIMC boss was featured for the seminar so that Nigerians would appreciate the effort of the commission towards achieving a single national identifier.

According to him, the national identifier is where existing forms of identification such as National Drivers License and International Passports would be aligned and synchronised.

He added that participants would also get answers to some pressing questions such as the achievements of NIMC towards data harmonization, challenges and way forward towards National Digital Identity Ecosystem Reforms.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed/Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Femi Ogunshola

Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu State, has wooed prospective students with a GO-UNI European Business Park idea, and pegs the 2022 to 2023 admission cut off mark at 160 for all courses except Law.

Ms Jane Ndukwe, the Admission Officer made this known at a news conference on Friday in Abuja

Ndukwe said that the GO-UNI European Business Park was a public-private partnership with the Austrian and German governments, private European investors and Godfrey Okoye University.

She said that the idea was designed to provide sustainable livelihood to students and the Nigerian youths through education and employment opportunities.

She said the idea had attracted over 20 European companies that would have their presence in the university.

According to her, the GO-UNI European Business Park will be a friendly economic community in Nigeria with adequate recreational facilities, flawless security, access to water, electricity and excellent sanitation.

She said the idea was to teach the students and the Nigerian youths how to learn and work in an eco-friendly environment, where there is harmony between human beings and nature.

Ndukwe said it would also exposed the youths to working in an excellent environment where things work and people could find value and happiness in what they were doing.

This will encourage more youths to stay back in Nigeria and develop our country rather than run away to other countries for greener pastures.

Ndukwe, who is also the Director of Student Mentorship and Parent Relations said that the youths would find the greener pastures in the GO-UNI European Business Park of the school.

She said admission into the university is in progress. Our cut off point is 160 for all courses except law, which is 220.

She said that the school was keen on entrepreneurship, adding that this would help student not to become stranded after leaving the university.

None of our students should sit at home because of his or her inability to get a job. No, they have been trained to develop their own businesses and become employers of labour. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Ogalue

The Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr George Moghalu, has emerged as winner of BusinessDay Excellence in Public Service Award 2021.

Moghalu, while receiving the award in Abuja, expressed his commitment to improve on his pace and achieve more results.

I am Happy that I was recognised for my service.

When you are recognised by people who are watching you unconsciously and all of a sudden they write to inform you they have been following your activities and they want to recognise you, naturally the reaction is to feel happy, that is the truth, I feel happy about it.

Yes, for any recognition like this it brings about more work, what they have done is to encourage me to keep working at my pace.

The award will encourage me to improve on my pace to achieve more results.

And so I see it as a driving force; somebody telling you, you are doing well, continue, that is exactly what it is, Moghalu said.

The Federal Commissioner, National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, another recipient of the award, also reiterated her commitment to greater performance.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim said: I feel honored today, Im greatful for the recognition given to our work as a team with the support of our superiors and staff.

Like you all know, the reward for hardwork is more work. So I feel recharged, this is like a challenge for us to do more.

There is a lot to be done, there is a lot that has been done but like I said, we have to intensify and double up efforts because those numbers have to shrink and we have to intervene for this people.

Another awardee, Dr Sanusi Ohiare, Executive Director, Rural Electrification Agency, said his agency would re-double its effort towards providing access and scaling up interventions to reach all rural Nigerians.

I am humbled because my career in public service is quite short, I have just spent about six years and Im getting this award.

That goes to show that it is not how far but how well, so given the little opportunity that one has, you need to demonstrate capacity and make sure you excell in all you do.

For us at the Rural Electrification Agency, we have tried our best since we came on board since 2017, to bring about different projects and programmes that will affect the lives of rural communities across Nigeria.

And this award would allow us re-double our efforts towards providing access and scaling up our interventions to reach all rural Nigerians.

So I dedicate this award to those rural people that we are yet to reach and we are assuring them that in no distant time we would reach them, Ohiare said.

Earlier, the Managing Director, BusinessDay Media Ltd. Dr Ogho Okiti, said the selection process for the award was based on the awardees achievements under their watch over the last year.

Okiti said: We have sustained this leadership thought initiative and commitment for awhile for the sole aim of developing NIgeria, as the voice of business in West Africa.

This gathering brings together important players in public sector who have distinguished themselves by promoting good governance and development through their leadership capacities in their agencies and departments.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Commissioner for Insurance, Sunday Thomas and Managing Director, North-East Development Commission, Mohammed Alkali among others, were also awarded for excellent performance. (NAN)(nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Patricia Amogu
Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), in partnership with UNICEF, has organised a two-day training for FCT Task Group on sanitation for Open Defecation Free (ODF) certification.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the training was held for claiming communities in Kwali Area Council, in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Clean Nigeria, Use the toilet campaign secretariat and Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

NAN also reports that the participants were drawn from the coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), implementing partners, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as well as media organisations.

In his opening remarks, Executive Director, FCT RUWASSA, Dr Mohammed Dan-Hassan, noted that the training was a step in the right direction, adding that it was one of the small steps into achieving bigger things.

I will like to acknowledge the sacrifices that some of you have made and are still making in achieving an open defecation free FCT. This is one of the steps, as individuals, organisations and stakeholders, in the Nigerian project.

You should be committed to this great course and be resilient and active to achieve our targets. There are key performance indicators (KPIs) used to assess our performance.

We should leverage the support from our partners and give our best cooperation on this delicate project. The journey is a long one, but we must be ready to achieve our objectives and targets.

If you cannot do great things, then do small things in a great way and you will be great, he added.

In her lecture, National Coordinator, Clean Nigeria, Mrs Chizoba Opara, urged the participants to identify problems and proffer solutions while on the field.

You will have to be observant while taking walks around communities, and you will be carrying out interviews as you get into various households, she said.

Opara explained that the expected outcome of the field work would be to ascertain the status of ODF in Kwali claiming communities.

A WASH Consultant, Mr Nanpet Chuktu, intimated the Task Group members on the protocols for verification and certification of ODF communities, noting that for a community to be certified ODF, all requirements must be satisfactorily met.

He emphasised the mode of operations and checklist to follow while checking WASH COM performance for monitoring, verification, certification and validation of communities.

Head of Department, Sanitation, FCT RUWASSA, Mrs Aisha Bakpet, applauded the genuine efforts of the development partners and the immense contributions of the Task Group members as well as their readiness to jointly achieve RUWASSAs aims and objectives.

I am speaking on behalf of the executive director who would have loved to be here for the closing ceremony. I want to thank you all for your great contributionsduring the course of this training.

While congratulating you all, I also want to encourage you to do your best to be factual and credible, as you commence this great task, she said.

NAN reports that highpoints of the event were physical and mental exercises and practical activities on the field work, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Wale Sadeeq

Source: NAN News