Medical Workers

By Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

The PHCs are to provide medical care, maternal-child health including family planning, safe water supply and basic sanitation, prevent and control locally endemic diseases, collect and report vital statistics and education about health.

PHCs are also for national health programmes, as well as for referral services.

Given the enormity of the roles of PHCs, the absence of it or its malfunction will greatly affect healthcare delivery in the country.

A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), therefore, seeks to find out the state of the centres across the country, and their functionality toward improving the health status of citizens, especially at the grassroots.

He told NAN that equipment and staff were increased to ensure effective health delivery at the grassroots.

Hamza-Ikara added that the agency had trained over 8,000 community health volunteers and conducted adequate mobilisation to encourage patronage of the facilities.

At Kalambaina area, one of the residents, Danladi Kaka, told NAN that the PHC there is more like a General Hospital, as the staff work 24 hours daily.

At Dange PHC, one Alhaji Danazumi Saraki, said people of the area are being taken care of at the facility, and referred to general hospital when absolutely necessary.

Meanwhile, Kebbi Government in collaboration with some partners, is renovating and equipping 225 PHCs to enhance access to healthcare services at the grassroots.

The scheme was launched in October 2017 and is still functional, the governors aide said.

Also, the Executive Secretary, Kebbi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Abubakar Kaoje, said the state government is taking measures to bring healthcare under one roof to ensure proper coordination by pooling money from local governments to support PHCs.

He also said that the state government rolled out the State Emergency Maternal and Child Health Coordination Centre, and renovated PHCs.

Kaoje explained that about 76 centres had so far been renovated out of the 225 PHCs in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Jafar Mohammad, said the government would soon accredit 86 primary and 12 secondary healthcare facilities for the state contributory healthcare scheme.

At Takalau PHC in Birnin Kebbi, one of the renovated primary health centres, a Community Health Extension Worker, Rukayya Shehu, informed NAN that the 15-bed centre attend to at least 20 pregnant women daily for Antenatal Care (ANC) and five for Post Natal care.

Actually, the patronage is good here, women come for ANC, delivery and even post natal because they believe that here we have skilled health providers.

We conduct ANC on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, featuring health talk on ANC, exclusive breastfeeding, nutrition, child-spacing and HIV/AIDS counselling, she said.

She, however, said that the centre lacked fencing, adequate drugs and beds, as well as cold store, furniture and other facilities like blood pressure apparatus.

Zainab Faruk, a 25- year-old mother who attends the health facility for post natal, said she had her baby at home, but had to go to hospital after the child developed some complications.

NAN reports that although the state of many Primary Healthcare centres in Kano had improved, not many residents patronise them.

In Zamfara, the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Yahaya Kanoma said the state government will soon establish functional and modern PHCs in each of the 147 wards of the state.

As I am speaking now, many have been completed and equipped with modern health care facilities.

He described the situation as unfortunate, while rating the health care services of the posts and clinics as poor.

He told NAN that primary healthcare centres are the facilities that should provide basic health services at the community level, but Plateau does not have any.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

After several months without any locally acquired coronavirus case, South Australia on Monday recorded a significant spike in new infections, breaking the countrys successful streak of community containment.

The state of around 1.7 million people recorded 14 new COVID-19 infections on Monday, up from just three the day before.

The cluster is thought to have spread from a hotel quarantine worker who passed the virus on to family members in the states capital Adelaide, according to health officials.

It is a very dangerous situation that were in here in South Australia at the moment, and its really going to require the cooperation of every single citizen for us to get on top of this,state premier Steven Marshall told local radio 5AAon Monday.

In response, all of Australias other states and the Northern Territory apart from the most populous state of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, home to Canberra, have re-introduced travel restrictions on South Australia, declaring it a coronavirus hotspot.

Local media reported passengers arriving from South Australia being in tears when told they would have to go into 14-day quarantine when touching down in Western Australia Monday morning.

Last week, Australia recorded three consecutive days of zero new locally acquired infections across the country, at a time when cases soared across Europe and the United States.

The nation of around 25 million people has recorded just over 27,700 coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic significantly fewer per capita than most developed countries.

The country has taken a lockdown approach, alongside rigorous testing and tracing to contain the virus.(dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

A girl being defiled

By Ikenna Osuoha

Mrs Bunmi Okesola, a volunteer with Sexual Assaults and Awareness Response Initiative (SOAR) on Monday said conspiracy of silence was the greatest barrier to ending Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria.

A conspiracy of silence or culture of silence describes the behaviour of a group of people by unspoken consensus will not mention, discuss or acknowledge a given subject.

Okesola, a child advocate told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that empowerment of parents and caregivers to give sex education to their children was paramount in reducing conspiracy of silence.

We need to educate parents on the importance of giving their children sex education for them to know the boundaries.

And this has to start early as soon as the child starts to talk; you let her or him know that not all people are his or her uncles, how not to sit on uncles legs etc, she said.

She said that many children had been permanently traumatised due to the silence of their caregivers or parents.

Some parents think that keeping silence is a way of protecting their children from stigma.

I know of a mother in a community who reported to us the rape of her daughter by a barber, and we wanted to take it to another level.

When we reported to the police, the woman withdrew by not picking our calls and finally asking us to leave the case for God to judge.

Okesola, who urged parents to expose the crime, said that bringing the crime and perpetrators to public glare was key to ending the crime.

The child advocate, who urged parents not to discard evidences of assaults in a bid to protect their children, called for Sexual Assault Referral Centres.

Caregivers or parents should stop discarding evidences like washing the blood stained pants because such evidences are required for prosecution.

Okesola said that such centres were necessary for the victims to make complaints and to rehabilitate victims and prosecution of offenders.

She assured that the referral centres would give succour and care to the victims of sexual assault and protection to their parents.

She also blamed the police and the slow judicial process as factors responsible for increasing the crime.

On many occasions, the police will dismiss the case in a hurry without further investigation or prosecution.

The police are not doing well in that regard, when you report the matter to them either they demand for transport fee or testing fees before investigation and prosecution, she said.

The child advocate decried the delay in the countrys judicial process as another reason to fight against gender based violence.

I remember taking a case to court but up till now, the matter is still not decided and this is a problem.

Okesola however urged all respondents to concertedly break the barrier of silence, saying it was instrumental to the lingering sexual and gender based violence.

A woman I remember reported her husband to us for abusing his step daughter in the first place and his own daughter secondly.

As soon as we wanted to take up the matter, the woman withdrew with a flimsy excuse that if we jail the husband, who will take care of her.

She reiterated the call for sexual assault referral centres, saying it was imperative for care and protection of victims. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Some of the rescued victims

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Kaduna State Government says troops on internal security operations have rescued nine persons kidnapped along Kaduna-Abuja highway on Sunday afternoon.

The states Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan said this in a statement on Monday in Kaduna.

Aruwan said that the government received operational feedback that the victims were rescued by troops of Operation Thunder Strike (OPTS).

He explained that the troops on routine patrol along Akilubu-Gidan Busa axis of the Kaduna-Abuja road, received a distress call around 4 p.m., indicating that bandits had blocked the highway.

The bandits opened fire on a bus, forcing the driver to halt.

On getting to the location, they realised that bandits had already kidnapped nine persons from an 18-seater bus with registration No. Kaduna: MKA-151, he said.

According to him, the troops immediately mobilised and engaged the bandits in a firefight and in the process rescued the nine persons.

Regrettably, the driver and a passenger seated close to him lost their lives.

The Kaduna state government wishes to send its condolence to their families and pray for God to grant them eternal rest, he said.

He said the government will continue to work hard, in collaboration with the Federal Government to improve the security situation on the highway.

Aruwan said that the government was also working in collaboration with Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Sokoto and Kano State government, as well as the military, the police, Department of State Service and relevant stakeholders towards enhancing security in the region. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

APC logo

By Alaba-Olusola Oke

The Ondo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has mourned one of its leaders, Dr Kingsley Shaba, who died on Sunday evening.

Mr Ade Adetimehin, the State Chairman of APC, made this known in Akure on Monday in a statement issued by Mr Alex Kalejaye, the State Publicity Secretary of the party.

Adetimehin described the demise of Shaba as a shock to party members.

Shaba, who was a member of the committee that worked out the blueprint for the current administration in the state, hailed from Isua in Akoko South East Local Government Area of the state.

He was a leading figure in the State Elders Forum of APC.

Adetimehin described the death of Shaba as an irreparable loss to APC family in the state.

He noted that the contributions of the deceased to the development and success of the party in the state were enormous.

He explained that Shabas demise would deny the entire APC family and the statethe services of a selfless illustrious son and a consistent promoter of peace and development.

Dr K. B. Shaba was a man of integrity and exceptionally hardworking. He was a very committed and dependable political ally.

The state chapter of APC equally recalls visiting the intelligent administrator in his house recently, when he spoke passionately about the gains of good governance and buoyant economy to the citizens, he said.

Adetimehin condoled with the immediate family of the deceased, the people of Akoko South East and the Anglican Community and prayed that God would grant the departed eternal rest. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Accord have arrested 10 bandits with 88 rustled livestock, neutralised two and rescued kidnapped victims in recent encounters in Katsina and Zamfara States.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, added that the troops also recovered three AK47 rifles during the operations.

Enenche explained that the troops had on Nov. 15, engaged a group of bandits in firefight during a night patrol at Yar Tasha village in Katsina State, killing three while others escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds.

He stated that the arrested suspects were apprehended following credible intelligence on their movements with rustled livestock along Katsina-Jibia road.

Upon interrogation, the suspects claimed that they migrated from Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State to Niger Republic, he said.

The suspects were arrested with 88 cows and an unconfirmed number of sheep and are currently in custody undergoing further investigation.

Similarly, troops deployed at Ungwan Doka on Nov. 15 rescued one Adamu Yahaya, who was earlier kidnapped at Unguwar Saida village in Faskari Local Government Area.

Currently, the gallant troops have continued to dominate the general area with patrols to provide security for locals and deny bandits freedom of action.

The Military High Command commends the gallant troops for their professionalism and encourages them to intensify the onslaught against criminal elements in the country, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NDLEA personnel on duty

By Deborah Coker

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo Command, has appealed to the Edo Government to urgently assist the command with an operational base to enable the agency continue its operations in the state.

Mr Buba Wakawa, State Commander of the agency, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Monday.

Wakawa said the appeal had become imperative as the activities of the agency had been stalled, following recent destruction and burning down of the command headquarters by hoodlums who had hijacked the #EndSARS protest in the state.

NAN reports that on Oct. 21, 2020, the command headquarters was set ablaze by suspected hoodlums.

Wakawa had confirmed the development, claiming that some suspects who are awaiting trial were set free by the hoodlums, who he noted destroyed and set ablaze exhibits including vehicles in the premises.

The commander, therefore, said there was an urgent need for an equipped operational base as well as operational vehicles to get back to work.

We need to immediately commence operation to take away drugs from illicit circulation. We need to reduce the crime rate and improve the level of security.

Operational activities of the command have been grounded as we presently have no operational base, we lost vital documents.

Counseling and rehabilitation of clients stopped and we have observed a rise in sales and use of drugs and increase in crime and violence, Wakawa said.

He noted that the current situation in Upper Sakponba axis of the state capital, where the agencys command headquarters was located, had become known for illegal drug sales and open abuse.

Recent activities have clearly shown that drugs are catalyst of crime.

However, what is important now is how to restore peace and orderliness back to the community.

The priority is to get an operational base for the NDLEA to immediately commence work.

Expectations of members of the public are high but prominent among them is the security of lives and property, Wakawa said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

IGP, Mohammed Adamu

By Chioma Ugboma

The Patrons Association of Imo Oil Producing Communities (PIOPC) has urged the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to intervene in the arrest and detention of a state lawmaker, Heclus Okoro.

Its chairman, Chief David Mbachu, made the call in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday in which he said the release of the lawmaker was necessary to avert a breakdown of law and order.

Okoro,(APC, Ohaji/Egbema) was originally elected on the platform of Action Alliance (AA) before defecting to the APC in the House.

The police arrested and detained the lawmaker last Friday following a fracas that broke out between him and his colleagues at the Government House, Owerri.

ThePIOPC also issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the police on Monday demanding Okoros immediate release.

Mbachu said that oil producing communities in the state would use all legal means to secure the release of Okoro, whom, he said was being victimised for siding with the impeached Speaker of the House.

Members of the ImoHouse of Assembly impeachedthe Speaker, Dr Chiji Collins (APC, Isiala Mbano) last Friday and replaced him with Paul Emeziem (APC, Onuimo),

In a statement she issued last Saturday, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Hope Uzodinma on New and Electronic Media, Mrs Nneamaka Okafor,confirmed Okoros arrest for fighting inside the premises of Government House.

She alleged thatOkorowas in the Government House to fight when his colleagues were presenting the new Speaker tothe governor, a claim which was refuted by the PIOPC chairman.

The PIOPC chairman said Okoro was invited to the Government House by his colleaguesand upon arrival, was descended upon and beaten up.

Mbachu argued that if it was true that Okoro was at the Government House of fight, those with whom he fought ought to have been arrested also. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Yakubu Uba

Borno Government has called for partnership with traditional rulers on the implementation of the states recently launched 25-year Development Plan and 10-year Strategic Transformation Plan.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Emirates Affairs, Alhaji Sugun Mai-Mele made the call at a meeting with traditional rulers on Monday in Maiduguri.

Mai-Mele said as custodians of the peoples culture and traditions and being closer to the grassroots, the traditional rulers have key role to play in social re-orientation which is key to the successful implementation of the plan.

He lauded the traditional institution in the state for its sustained support to the implementation of laudable government policies and programmes and urged it to sustain the tempo, particularly at this critical time of the state governments commitment to restore the honour, dignity, and prosperity of the state, after a decade of insurgency.

Also speaking at the meeting, the special Adviser to the Borno State Governor on Sustainable Development, Dr Mairo Mandara, emphasised the role of the girl-child in facilitating development and the need to improve enrolment in schools.

In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar-Garbai, assured the government of the traditional institutions commitment in facilitating the implementation of the development plan.

He, however, called for more funding of the institution for optimal performance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other traditional rulers at the meeting included the Emir of Biu, Alhaji Mustafa Mai-Umar; Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Muhammadu Shehu-Idrissa; Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ali Ismaila-Mamza; and Emir of Shani, Alhaji Muhammadu Mailafiya. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NYSC

By Ibrahim Kado

Adamawas Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri said in Yola on Monday that special security arrangements had been made for the protection of NYSC members posted to the state.

Inaugurating the 2020 Batch B stream 1A Orientation Programme for the corps members, Gov. Fintiri, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Maxwell Gidado, urged the corps members to also be security conscious.

As the Chief Security Officer of the state, I assure you that you will only be posted to where we are sure of your safety.

However, it is pertinent to remind you that you are your own number one security officer; so, always be security conscious, he said.

The governor also promised to improve facilities in the camp to make it conducive, secure and convenient for corps members.

Malam Ibrahim Tukur, the NYSC Coordinator in Adamawa, said all the corps members, camp officials and other inhabitants of the camp had undergone COVID-19 tests before entry.

Tukur commended the governor for his passion and love for corps members, and said the governor recently provided an ambulance, 1,000 mattresses and pillows and some equipment at the camp clinic.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 698 corps members were registered at the camp comprising 358 males and 340 females (NAN)

Source: NAN News