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Author: Fatima Mohammed

  • More people embracing family planning methods — Ilorin LG supervisor

    Family
    By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

    Ilorin, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Hajia Mariam Balogun, the Ilorin East Local Government Area Family Planning (FP) Supervisor, has submitted that more people are recorded accessing family planning consumables in the area.

    Balogun stated this on Thursday, during an investigative field trip by Media Advocacy Group on FP in Kwara, at the Okelele Primary Health Care Centre in Ilorin.

    According to her, the centre, in the last six months, has recorded about 300 people who came to access family planning methods on child spacing.

    She said that the number was increasing  daily, as more people were becoming aware of the merits of the methods.

    Balogun stated that with the help of The Challenge Initiative, Nigeria (TCI), the FP consumables were given free of charge.

    The supervisor observed that some parents brought their wards to receive counseling and consumables to guard against unwanted pregnancies.

    Balogun listed some of the contraceptive methods to include male condom, implant, injectables, Intra Uterine Device, oral contraception pills, tubal ligation and vasectomy.

    She advised parents to protect their adolescent wards against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy.

    Balogun  observed that there were still misconceptions and lack of knowledge by some people regarding family planning.

    She said that most of the misconceptions were due to heresy in the grapevine.

    The official said that though it was safe to use family planning methods, some people could develop side effects, but they could be easily handled in the clinic.

    Also speaking, Mrs Memunat Isiaka, the Community Mobiliser on family planning in Okelele Primary Healthcare Centre, emphasised the importance of enlightening the public on the practice.

    She said that they used megaphone and door-to-door awareness campaigns to local communities to engage with them on various messages.

    According to her, this has yielded great results as people are increasingly becoming interested in family planning in Kwara.

    Isiaka warned that those who use family planning methods should avoid indiscriminate sexual practices and stick to one partner. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FATY/SOA

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    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

     

    Media Advocacy Group on Family Planning in Kwara.

  • Group, CSOs demand for more female representation in Kwara politics

    Politics
    By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

    Ilorin, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Women political aspirants in Kwara and civil society groups on Friday in Ilorin called for the implementation of 35 per cent affirmative action for female politicians in Nigeria.

    The group, under the auspices of Women Political Participation (WPP) programme, spoke at a one-day workshop on Strategic Advocacy for Increased Women Participation in Politics (SURGE-UP).

    The workshop was organised by the Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative (WOYODEV) with support from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and funded by the USAID and UKAID.

    While speaking during the event, Mrs Tosin Apiriola-Ajayi, the Executive Director of WOYODEV, emphasised on the need for women to be elected into political and appointive public service positions in Nigeria.

    She said this was as contained in the extant National Gender Policy (NGP).

    The Executive Director observed that Nigeria does not have a specific quota system for women in politics in terms of programmes and policies.

    Apiriola-Ajayi stated that women make up a significant portion of the electorate in Nigeria, adding that the country’s political landscape has historically been male-dominated.

    “For instance, no female Governors were elected in the2023 elections, a pattern that has remained constant since the return to democracy in 1999”, she said.

    She pointed out that the SURGE-UP project thus aimed to reignite gender-responsive policies and programmes in Kwara.

    ”This is with the goal of achieving a strong gender quota legislation for
    women in parliamentary elections and other local elections in the
    state.

    “Also, it aims to increase women’s participation and representation in
    politics in Kwara through high level advocacy for gender-responsive policies and programmes towards the 2027 elections”.

    Apiriola-Ajayi said the project aimed to achieve this by building strong partnership with female and male parliamentarians, party leaders and community gatekeepers.

    ”This will be with the use of strategic awareness-raising, editorials and public campaigns as veritable tools.”

    She also said the objectives include reigniting the political will of parliamentarians in Kwara to sponsor and facilitate bills and legislations.

    ”This will enable them to advocate a strong quota for women in coming elections at national and state levels.”

    The Executive Director said the group expected such results as “bills that seek strong quota for women in political offices initiated in state and national assemblies.

    “Bills promoting women’s participation in politics and specific financial cap for local and national elections progressed”.

    She also called for increased skills and knowledge of aspiring women politicians, leading to increased participation of women in politics and a higher number of women seeking public office.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum agreed that the upcoming Local Government elections is an opportunity to ensure women emerge through party primaries in Kwara.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FATY/OLAL
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    (Edited by Olawale Alabi)

     

  • Cholera: Kwara places all health surveillance teams across LGAs on alert

    Cholera

    By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
    Ilorin, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Kwara Government has alerted healthcare surveillance teams across all the state’s 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) on preparations and preventive measures against any outbreak of cholera.

    Mr Gbenga Falade, the Chief Press Secretary in the Kwara Ministry of Health, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ilorin the Ministry had also commenced awareness campaign.

    ”This is through jingles on radio stations on the preventive measures against the disease and how people can protect themselves,” he said.

    NAN reports that cases of severe gastro-enteritis have been reported in communities around Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Kosofe LGAs of Lagos State.

    Falade explained that the state ministry has kept itself abreast of news and has taken proactive measures to stem any outbreak.

    “The ministry will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its citizens,” he said.

    Also speaking on preventive measures, Prof. Tanimola Akande of the Department of Public Health, University of Ilorin, advised Nigerians on proper sanitation in the form of proper faecal waste disposal.

    Akande, who is also a Consultant Public Health Physician with University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, (UITH), explained that other preventive measures includes food and water hygiene.

    He described cholera as an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by vibrio cholerae.

    According to him, it was a potentially life-threatening disease, primarily waterborne.

    The expert stated that vaccination remained one of the most cost-effective measures in controlling cholera epidemic across the states.

    “Vaccination is one of the cost-effective measures in the control of cholera epidemic.

    “Cholera vaccination alone is not used for control of the epidemic of cholera,” he said.

    Akande emphasised the need for preventive measures, including adequate food hygiene and water supply together with sanitation.

    “There should also be an adequate surveillance system that can detect cases early and appropriate control measures, including treatment of cases.

    “So, universities and research institutes should provide technical support to various levels of government in the investigation of epidemics and in controlling cholera epidemic.”

    He advised government at all levels on the need to intensify efforts towards zero tolerance for open defecation.

    According to him, all buildings should have functional toilets or ventilated and improved pit latrines.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    FATY/BEN/OLAL
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    (Edited by Benson Ezugwu and Olawale Alabi)

     

  • Aremu commiserates with Saraki on mother’s demise

    Condolence

    By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

    Ilorin, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The Director General,  Michael Imoudu National Institute of Labour Studies (MINILS),  Mr Issa Aremu, has commiserated with Dr Bukola Saraki, a former president of the senate, on the death of his mother.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Chief Florence Saraki died on Tuesday, June 18, at the age of 89.

    “On behalf of the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, the Management and Staff of MINILS, I hereby convey our deepest condolence to you on the demise of your beloved mother,” Aremu said in a letter made available to newsmen on Thursday in Ilorin.

    The D-G also commiserated with the extended Saraki family and the Ilorin community on the loss of the cherished matriarch.

    He described the deceased as a pillar of strength and a beacon of love within her community.

    “We are consoled that her positive legacy will be remembered with respect and admiration.

    “May Almighty God grant her soul repose and give the family fortitude to bear the loss,” Aremu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FATY/CHOM/AOS

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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Bayo Sekoni

     

     

     

     

  • Resident doctors want more workers in General Hospital, Ilorin

     

    Manpower

    By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

    Ilorin, June 18, 2024 (NAN) The Association of Resident Doctors, General Hospital, Ilorin chapter, has appealed to Gov. Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara to employ more medical staffers for the facility.

    The association made the call on Tuesday in Ilorin in their Sallah goodwill message to the governor.

    The message was jointly signed by Dr Usman Abubakar, the President, and Dr Audu Charles, the Secretary.

    The association stated that the shortage of medical staffers had hindered services in some departments of the hospital.

    “Since the General Hospital, Ilorin is now a Teaching Hospital, it has become important to address issues that will help the smooth take-off  of the Teaching Hospital,” the association said.

    The doctors, however, congratulated AbdulRazaq on achievements recorded in the health sector, especially in the areas of malaria control and the passage of Kwara State Teaching Hospital Bill.

    “While congratulating you on these achievements, we do not want you to relent on your efforts to make Kwara a shining star among other states in the country,” the association said.

    The association also noted that the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA), was long overdue.

    “This will allow the resident doctors to have better research and training opportunities and translate this into good medical services for the people.

    “We know that as our leader, you will help look into this as it requires very urgent attention,” the physicians said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FATY/OIF/IFY

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    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Ifeyinwa Omowole

     

     

     

  • Stop taking unprescribed drugs, lawmaker advises Nigerians

    Drugs
    By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
    Ilorin, June 17, 2024 (NAN) Hon. Amos Magaji, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions, has advised Nigerians to always seek medical advice from experts before taking drugs for ailments.

    Magaji made the call while speaking with newsmen, on the sidelines of the Committee’s visit to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) on its oversight function.

    He said that there was an increase in cases of renal and liver problems in the country, adding that the cause of this had been attributed to indiscriminate consumption of unrecommended drugs by the people.

    “Many Nigerians are used to taking different types of drugs including “Agbo” (local herbs) and other drugs not prescribed by medical experts without thinking of their effects.

    “This is why cases of renal and liver diseases are becoming rampant among our people.

    “Nigerians should desist from taking unprescribed drugs, they should seek medical advice from experts before they take drugs, when they are sick,” he said.

    The lawmaker also cautioned against taking drugs that are very cheap which are bought from roadside health vendors, adding that they should take prescriptions from experts and renowned pharmacies in the country.

    He observed that though people are complaining of high cost of drugs in the country, but it was better to take expensive drugs than to take cheap drugs that could send one to an early grave.

    The health committee chairman also advised Nigerians to always do periodic health checks to know their health status, saying that they should not wait until the time that they are sick before conducting health checks.

    He also urged them to do the checks either in hospital or at approved laboratories.

    Magaji said: “People should develop the culture of periodic health checks. They should not wait until the time they are sick before going to the hospital.

    “They should go to the Radiology Department to know the condition of their body system. This will also assist doctors to know their health status when they get to the hospital.”

    According to Magaji, health for all is possible if certain things are done for the nation’s health facilities, and government takes action to improve the performance of the National Health insurance Scheme.

    “The government should increase capitation of the National Health Insurance. As at present, the National Health Insurance covers below 20 percent of the people.

    “It should be increased to about 80%, because you cannot have health for all if people are still paying from their pocket,” he said.

    Magaji said that from the oversight function conducted at UITH, the committee discovered that the capital component given to the hospital in the 2022/2023 budget was too low.

    He noted that the hospital’s budget for capital projects was below N1 billion as against the recurrent of N14 billion.

    According to him, with this oversight function, the committee’s assessment is that the capital allocation for the hospital is too low.

    “If we want to reverse the medical tourism in this country, we have to develop infrastructure and replace key equipment in our hospitals and there should be change of attitude of our medical professionals,” he said.

    He said that the committee would work towards increasing capital budgetary allocation to health institutions in the 2025 budget.

    In his comments, Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf, the Chief Medical Director of UITH, appreciated the committee for its visit, stating that the committee should ensure that medical tourism was reduced to the minimum.

    Yusuf said that the health committee met with the management of the hospital and offered useful advice.

    He explained that some challenges facing the hospital included poor power supply, high cost of diesel and shortage of funds. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FATY/COF
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    Edited by Christiana Fadare

  • Abdulrazaq releases 23 inmates, reviews 18 Lifers’ cases 

    Inmates
    By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

    Ilorin, June 15, 2024 (NAN) Gov. AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara has released 23 convicted inmates to “enable them enjoy the Eid-el Kabir festival at their various homes”.

    A statement by Mr Adegbulugbe Olumide, the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service, Kwara State Command, said on Saturday in Ilorin that the governor decided to extend his hands of love to the inmates.

    “The governor visited the facility and freed some inmates ahead of the Eid-el Kabir celebration.

    “In addition, the cases of 18 lifers were reviewed with 10 commuted to 21 years imprisonment, six commuted to 10 years, while two were commuted to two years.

    “A female inmate serving seven years had the term reviewed to six months,” he said.

    Olumide stated that the Governor also paid the transport fares of those freed, to enable them go to their various destinations.

    According to Olumide, the reduction of terms, and the release of inmates, were based on health status and the belief that they had turned into better citizens.

    “The Controller of Corrections in the State, Mr Danmairomu Ayodeji, while reacting to the governor’s gestures, appreciated him for the good gesture.

    “He advised the inmates to be worthy ambassadors of their various homes and never go back to crime.

    “Danmairomu used the opportunity to applaud the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, for giving him the enabling environment to operate,” he said.

    He quoted Nababa as applauding the State Ministry of Justice for a job well done, noting that the  exercise would reduce congestion in the custodial centre. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FATY/ETS
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  • Democracy Day: Aremu scores FG high on labour issues, wants new social pact with NLC

    Democracy
    By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

    Ilorin, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Mr Issa Aremu, the Director General of Michael Imoudu National Institute of Labour Studies (MINILS),  on Wednesday, advised government to execute a new social pact with Organised Labour for sustainable democracy.

    Aremu, who stated this while speaking on the importance of Democracy day in Ilorin, scored President Ahmed Tinubu high on trade union rights.

    He said that the Tinubu administration had upheld the rights of organised labour to freely organise and bargain collectively.

    “Notwithstanding the policy contestations that have trailed reforms resulting in national strikes in some instances, the administration has commendably respected the provisions of ILO conventions with respect to freedom of associations and assembly.

    “This is without intimidation of the trade unions in the face of avoidable and preventable national strikes,” Aremu said.

    According to him, no labour leader has been arrested or threatened, instead, the labour leadership was invited to break bread and negotiate toward a good-faith resolution.

    “Reasoned discussion and principled compromise are hallmarks of democracy,” he said.

    The Director General said 25 years of democratic governance had “consolidated work place democracy through free trade union activities that have produced three national minimum wages since 1999.

    “These negotiations were denied in military dictatorships,” he added

    Aremu, a former Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),+! lauded organised labour, employers of labour and the Federal government for negotiating in good faith on the 6th national minimum wage.

    “We expect the executive bill to the National Assembly on the new minimum pay.”

    He added that all labour market actors must work to deepen democracy.

    “It is time for governments at all levels to complement political democracy with economic democracy that would create sustainable decent jobs, lower inflation, stabilised Naira and eradicate wage income poverty,” said Aremu.

    He, therefore urged government at all levels to involve as a matter of right labour in policy formulation and policy implementation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    FATY/EOB/AOS

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    Edited by Edith Bolokor/Bayo Sekoni

  • Unilorin to establish film village -V-C

    Film village
    By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

    Ilorin, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Wahab Egbewole, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, said the university will support the Department of Performing Arts to establish a Film Village.

    Egbewole made this pledge in Ilorin while declaring open the 499 final year project performance titled;  “Agudua,” held at the Performing Arts Theatre, in the University on Tuesday.

    He said that the film village when established would enhance the department’s global presence and improve the university’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

    The Vice Chancellor congratulated the lecturers of the department and their students for keeping faith with the project since 1985.

    “I hope that people would pay to see various performances by the students in the nearest future,” Egbewole said.

    He said his vision is for the department to develop a strategy to turn the course into a revenue-generating venture for both the department and the University.

    In his remarks, Prof. Segun Oyewo, the Head of the Department of Performing Arts, said that the department reached a significant milestone because of the tremendous support of the Vice Chancellor and his management team.

    He added that the recent renovation of the Performing Arts Theatre was possible through the support of the Vice Chancellor.

    “The rich artistic traditions of the 499 final year project performance, which has flourished since 1985, started with five groups of 18 students and now expanding to 18 groups performing for over 18 days.

    “The theatre is experiencing significant patronage, and with the continued support of the administration, it will be transformed into a premier destination for theatre entertainment in Nigeria and Africa,” Oyewo said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FATY/DEB/EAL
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    Edited by Debo Oshundun/Ekemini Ladejobi

  • Unilorin introduces self-defence, combat training for students

    Training

    By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

    Ilorin, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Department of Criminology and Security Studies, University of Ilorin (Unilorin), has taken steps to equip its students with essential skills by introducing self-defence and combat training as a vocation.

    Dr Adedeji Oyenuga, a Visiting Scholar in the institution’s Department of Criminology, disclosed this on Monday in Ilorin.

    He spoke at the maiden edition of the combat training at the university’s sports complex.

    Oyenuga who is an Associate Professor at the Lagos State University (LASU), however,  said the training could not be immediately integrated into the curriculum due to the proposal’s lateness.

    He explained that the university had recognised the importance of this initiative and decided to offer it as a vocational activity before incorporating it into the curriculum at a later date.

    The don highlighted the significance of self-defence within the context of security studies.

    “ I commend the university for thinking outside the box and swiftly approving the idea of practical combat training,” he said.

    Oyenuga pointed out that the integration of self-defence and combat training into the curriculum reflected the university’s commitment to producing well-rounded graduates.

    He said these would be those who are academically proficient and capable of ensuring personal safety and the security of others.

    “This innovative approach aligns with the evolving landscape of Criminology and Security Studies, which demands a comprehensive understanding of practical self-defence techniques,” the don explained.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FATY/CHOM/OLAL

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    (Edited by Chioma Ugboma and Olawale Alabi)