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Author: Adamu Yauri

  • Why NASS supports privatisation of teaching hospitals- Committee Chairman

    Why NASS supports privatisation of teaching hospitals- Committee Chairman

    Privatisation

    By Mustapha Yauri

    Zaria (Kaduna State) June 30, 2024 (NAN) The House of Representative says it will support the campaign for the privatisation and commercialisation of the federal teaching hospitals, to enhance efficiency and better healthcare delivery.

    Mr Amos Magaji, Chairman House Committee on Health, and member representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba, Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, disclosed this to newsmen on Saturday evening, after the committee’s oversight visit to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria.

    Magaji said the House of Representatives would support the initiative to strengthen service delivery, adding that the Federal Government should also take a critical look into health insurance, and increase its capitation before venturing into such a project.

    He added that the health insurance should capture senior citizens age 70 years and above into the scheme because with good capitation from health insurance, people will be able to pay their bills when the hospitals were commercialised.

    “At the moment there is a huge burden of out of pocket expenses on health; and so if you privatise or commercialise the National Teaching Hospital, it is similar to giving Nigerians death sentences,’’ Magaji said.

    The chairman said governance was for the people, and as such, policies of the government should have a human face and tally with the aspirations of people.

    On the visit to ABUTH, Magaji expressed the committee’s dissatisfaction over the number of personnel of the hospital, noting that the prestigious tertiary health facility with 1000-bed capacity, should have adequate workers to man the facility.

    The chairman pledged the committee’s commitment to ensuring all grey areas in the health sector were tackled, in the overall interests of all Nigerians.

    “The oversight visit to the hospital was not to find fault or witch-hunt anybody, but to assist the facility in its business of delivering quality and affordable healthcare services to Nigerians.

    Earlier, Prof Hamid Umdagas, Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, told the committee that dearth of manpower and electricity supply, were the major challenges of the hospital.

    Umdagas said that the hospital, which had six satellite stations, 40 clinical and non-clinical departments, was barely managing with only 2,805 personnel as at June 27.

    According to him, the “Japa’’ syndrome was hitting hard on the facility’s human resources, as some of its health facility just simply disappeared, while a few had retired. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AM/DOR
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    Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

  • V-C advocates implementation of retirement benefits for professors

    V-C advocates implementation of retirement benefits for professors

    Benefits

     

    By Mustapha Yauri

     

    Zaria (Kaduna State) June 28, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Kabiru Bala, Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, has appealed to unions and other key stakeholders in the sector to push for the full implementation of retirement benefits for Professors.

     

    The vice-chancellor made the appeal during an inaugural lecture series Number 04/24.

     

    The lecture was titled ‘The political benefits of public employee benefits in Nigeria: The proletarianization of the elite’.

     

    Bala said, ‘There are legal provisions that say a professor who served for 20 years will retire with full salary and other benefits that have not been implemented and the law is there.

     

    “I don’t know whether our unions are aware of this problem, because it has not been implemented.’’

     

    He added that there were many colleagues in the university who were not enjoying these benefits; saying, ”there is a need for the unions and stakeholders to do something about this.”

     

    Bala congratulated Prof. Isa Abbas and the Faculty of Social Sciences for the lectures.

     

    However, Prof. Nasiru Musa-Yauri, Vice-Chancellor, Al-Qalam University Katsina, told NAN that initially, any lecturer that retired at the rank of Professor went with his full salary regardless of the time he attained the rank.

     

    He added that the situation was reviewed at one of the negotiations between ASUU and the Federal Government during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

     

    Musa-Yauri, who was also a former union leader at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto said that under the reviewed agreement, it became 10 years on the rank before a professor enjoyed such privilege.

     

    Earlier, the Presenter, Abbas, said the result of his investigation of his study provided insight into the relationship between the state and economy vis-à-vis politics and economy of employee benefits.

     

    Abbas said the cases of violence, insurgency and terrorism were precipitated by the government and institutional failure to provide employee services to workers who render such services.

     

    The rise in antisocial vices, according to him, was as a result of the government’s failure to provide benefits to the workers, saying that the government could do so.

     

    “Public employees are frustrated due to the lack of adequate benefits and incentives for the services rendered/

     

    “ This lack of adequate benefits and incentives makes most of the middle class elites in the society to be downgraded to a level of beggars for salaries and so on,’’ he said.

     

    Abbas explained that the middle class elites were in the category of the intellectuals, professionals and industrialists who also had means of production and employment but were reduced to beggars for salaries.

     

    The don added it has transcended down in the corridor to disrupt effective service delivery across several sectors.

     

    He, therefore, urged the government to be up and doing in ensuring institutions were stabilized and provide adequate benefits to those who deliver services to the society.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

     

    AM/BRM

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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

     

     

  • Electricity Bills: NASS to increase budgetary allocation of teaching hospitals

    Electricity Bills: NASS to increase budgetary allocation of teaching hospitals

    Electricity

    By Mustapha Yauri

    Zaria (Kaduna State), June 28, 2024 (NAN) The House of Representatives, said it would increase budgetary allocations of tertiary health facilities towards addressing high electricity bills, and strengthening quality healthcare delivery services across Nigeria.

     Mr Amos Magaji, Chairman, House Committee on Health, stated this on Friday in Zaria during an oversight visit to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria.

    He said that beyond increasing overhead of these facilities, the committee would discuss with the Federal Ministry of Power and other key stakeholders in the sector to address the challenge.

    Magaji said some hospitals were threatening to close down over what he described as exorbitant  electricity bills.

    “While we are here the chief medical director of ABUTH received an SMS from Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company about the bills.

    “ABUTH used to have N10 million electricity bills monthly but from N10 million, the bill has increased to over N70 million per month and the situation is similar in most of the hospitals across the country.

    “If the overhead for 2024 was N100 million or N120 million, you are spending such an amount on electricity alone in two months, it will then be very difficult for you to cope,’’ he said.

    Magaji said the National Assembly and management of tertiary health facilities would also leverage on renewable energy to reduce burden on electricity and diesel for generators.

    The chairman expressed concern over the poor number of personnel of the hospital, adding that ABUTH was a prestigious tertiary health facility with 1,000-bed capacity.

    He said that the number of workers to man the facility was far less than the staff in the hospitals with less bed capacity.

    The chairman, therefore, urged Nigerians to take advantage of the equipment and qualified medical personnel at the facility to reverse medical tourism.

    Magaji tasked the medical personnel to improve their attitude towards patients, and charged the institution to reclaim its reputation for providing quality and affordable health care services.

    This, according to him, can be achieved through strict adherence to ethics and improved commitment to the system.

    Magaji commended the unions in the hospital for staying to serve their country while many medical personnel were moving out of the country.

    Earlier, Prof. Hamid Umdagas, Chief Medical Director of the Hospital told the committee that the manpower and electricity was the major challenge of the hospital.

    He said that the 1, 000-bed capacity hospital which has six satellite stations, 40 clinical and non-clinical departments was grappling with 2, 805 staff strength as of Thursday.

    According to him, the `japa syndrome’ hit hard on the human resources for health at the facility, some of the staff just disappeared while few had retired.

    He said cumulative monthly generation from both HSRF and Drug Revolving Fund stands at N64, 271, 387.68.million.

    “In May, the hospital received an electricity bill of N75 million while in ABUTH Shika alone, we paid between N18 million and N20 million for  diesel to power generators.

    “This has superseded our monthly IGR including our overhead cost and led to a sharp decrease in health outcomes at the facility,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AM/JPE

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    Edited by Joseph Edeh

  • FG’ll convert Zaria Hotels to classrooms, hostels for NCAT – Keyamo

    Aviation

    By Mustapha Yauri

    Zaria (Kaduna State), June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government is to convert Zaria Hotels in Kaduna State to classrooms and hostels for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, aviation minister Festus Keyamo has said.

    Keyamo told newsmen in Zaria on Wednesday that the Zaria Hotels had been acquired as an anexture to the NCAT to widen its potential for growth.

    He spoke shortly after a familiarisation tour of the institution.

    Keyamo said that NCAT remained the best institution for the aviation industry in Nigeria and West Africa.

    “The landmass we have here is enough for expansion, so the potential for the college, in terms of expansion, is great.

    “But, in spite of that, we have also acquired Zaria Hotels as an annexure to the college. We want to add to the facilities on ground.”

    The minister assured the management of the college that government would keep working on areas that needed improvement.

    On reports that the college’s fire simulator and other facilities are to be relocated elsewhere, the minister said that there was no such plan.

    “There is nothing like that; if we do it, where are we going to take it to? NCAT is the training hub for the aviation industry; the rumour is being spread by mischief makers.”

    In his remark, Mr Joseph Imalighwe, Acting Rector of NCAT, commended the minister for the visit and support for the college. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AM/DE/ETS

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    Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Ephraims Sheyin

     

  • Army to deploy additional 5,937 soldiers to fight banditry – COAS

     

     

    Army to deploy additional 5,937 soldiers to fight banditry – COAS

    Insecurity

    By Mustapha Yauri

    Zaria (Kaduna State), June 15, 2024 (NAN) The 5,937 soldiers that recently passed out from the Depot will be deployed to fight banditry, cattle rustling and related crimes, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army of Staff (COAS), has said.

    Lagbaja disclosed this during the passing out parade for the 86 regular recruit intake of the Depot Nigeria Army, in Zaria, on Saturday.

    Lagbaja, Special Guest of Honor and Reviewing Officer for the passing out parade, added that the new men would form part of the solution to numerous security challenges bedeviling the country.

    “The fresh products passing out today will form part of the solution to the challenge of insurgency in the north-east, banditry and cattle rustling in the north-west.

    “They will fight the farmers/herders clashes in the north-central, secessionist agitation and cultism in the south-east, militancy and vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure in the south-south and south-west.”

    The COAS noted that training was a continuous process in the military, adding that the Nigeria Army has put in place post-depot training packages to help the soldiers master the array of weapons and equipment.

    This, according to him, will enable the soldiers become more efficient in the art of war.

    He said that the army was improving on the existing welfare packages to enable the soldiers cater for their medical, recreational and educational needs to ease career fulfillment.

    While congratulating the 5,937 recruits, the COAS said that the life of a soldier was a life of sacrifice to his country, allegiance to defend and, if need be, sacrifice his life for the people.

    “Sacrifice to go wherever you are ordered to, by land, sea or air; sacrifice to relegate personal comfort and assume duty to country as a primary concern,’’ he said.

    He said that by becoming a soldier, one had accepted the highest call to duty any Nigerian could take-up.

    He added that as soldiers, they had joined the unique league of exceptional Nigerians who had elected to abide by the requirements of exceptional discipline, loyalty, integrity and dedication to duty.

    Lagbaja, therefore, charged them not to disappoint the Nigeria Army and the country’s expectations on them.

    He commended and congratulated the commandant and instructors of Depot NA for the successful training and graduation of the recruits.

    The Army boss assured the commandant of the Army headquarters support towards realising the training objectives of the institution.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AM/EBI/ETS

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    Edited by Benson Iziama/Ephraims Sheyin

     

  • Group distributes 15 power tillers to Kaduna farmers

    Distribution

    By Mustapha Yauri

    Kudan (Kaduna State) June 14, 2024(NAN)PYXERA Global Rayuwa Project, an NGO, has distributed 15 power tiller machines to farmers in Kudan Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    Dr Victor Unamma, the Project Director, who spoke during the exercise on Friday in Kudan, said that the power tillers were distributed to 15 farmers’ cooperative groups.

    He said that the labour saving machines would serve 575 farmers in Kudan Local government and some communities in neighbouring Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina state.

    Unamma said the gesture was to boost agricultural mechanisation and strengthen food security.

    According to him, the machines will help the beneficiaries immensely in land preparation activities; reduce drudgery and enhance socioeconomic benefits.

    Unamma explained that Rayuwa project covered 70 per cent of the cost of power tillers while the beneficiaries paid only 30 per cent on a smart subsidy arrangement.

    “The farmers will enjoy the use of the new micro mechanised machines as replacement to old systems of farming and addressing the high cost of tractors,’’ he said.

    He urged the farmers not to sell the machines but use them for servicing farmers in their respective communities to enhance production and boost wealth creation.

    Earlier, Mr Nathaniel Otene, Agriculture Specialist, Rayuwa Project, said a survey conducted by the project revealed that about 90 per cent of farmers in kudan LGA and its environs used animal-drawn plough system for land preparation.

    He added that the survey also discovered that there was inadequate manpower for ploughing and other moisture saving techniques hence the distribution of the machines.

    According to Otene, the distribution is to boost food security and make agriculture more attractive to the youths.

    In his remarks,  Mr Shuaibu Jaja,  Chairman of Kudan Local Government council commended the effort of Rayuwa Project for bearing the 70 percent cost of the power tillers.

    Jaja urged prject to provide more support to the farmers and advised the beneficiaries to use the opportunity to expand their farms.

    Malam Mohammed-Bello Jirgi, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, said the machines came at the right time and promised that they would leverage on the power tillers to scale-up production.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

     

    AM/BEN/CJ/

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    Edited by Benson Ezugwu and Chijioke Okoronkwo