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Author: Victor Adeoti

  • Cholera: Don’t divert N260bn PHCs revitalisation fund, APC chieftain begs Govs

    Cholera: Don’t divert N260bn PHCs revitalisation fund, APC chieftain begs Govs

     

    Cholera
    By Victor Adeoti
    Osogbo, June 23, 2024(NAN) Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the release of N260 billion Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) revitalisation fund by the Federal Government is timely following recent cholera outbreak in the country.

    Oyintiloye, in a chat with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo, said that with the recent outbreak of cholera in the country, primary healthcare centres must be well equipped to rescue the situation.

    According to him, many PHCs in the country lack the capacity to provide essential health care services with the challenges of inadequate equipment, poor conditions of service, lack of essential drugs, among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, had on May 24, said N260 billion had been earmarked for the revitalisation of PHCs across the country.

    According to Pate, the N260 billion is currently available at the state level “for the revitalisation of their primary healthcare centres.”

    Oyintiloye, however, appealed to state governors not to divert the money, but to use it wisely to equip the PHCs in their states to curb the spread of cholera outbreak and other diseases.
    He said with the recent report that death toll from cholera outbreak has hits 40, PHCs which is always the first point of call for people in the period of emergency, must be strengthened.

    The APC chieftain said the disclosure by the minister that plans were underway to expand the PHCs from 8,300 to 17,000 through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and make them functional to deliver essential services, was also commendable.

    Oyintiloye, however, expressed worry that, if the fund, which is already at the state level, is not monitored, it could be diverted and the PHCs might not have the needed capacity to tackle the cholera outbreak in the country.

    He, however, urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that a strict measure was put in place for the effective utilisation of the money to tackle the outbreak of diseases.

    “I commend the president for prioritising the health of Nigerians with the release of N260 billion to revitalise the dilapidated PHCs in the country.

    “The only fear I have now is how this fund will not be diverted by the governors at this critical period of cholera outbreak.

    “The PHCs in the country is currently at its worst level and that is why the fund released for its revitalisation must not be allowed to be messed with.

    “Since all the states of the federation have been mobilised for the revitalisation of the PHCs, governors should not allow greed to prevent them from doing the right thing to tackle the scourge of the cholera outbreak,” he pleaded.

    Oyintiloye, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said that for Nigeria to improve its poor health indices, there is need to prioritise and improve the PHC facilities to be able to withstand sudden outbreak of diseases such as cholera.

    He also urged Nigerians to cultivate habits of cleanliness, especially at this period when Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said the country does not have enough vaccines against the disease.

    Oyintiloye said in the same vein, government must start educating people on hand washing and also to desist from open defecation, among other measures. (NAN) (www.nannnews.ng)

    VE/IKU
    Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

  • Don tasks churches on balanced provision for congregants

    Don tasks churches on balanced provision for congregants

    Food

    By Victor Adeoti

    Ede (Osun), June 21, 2024 (NAN)  A Professor, Afe Adogame, has urged pentecostal and charismatic churches in Africa not to neglect provision of “physical food” for their congregants while satisfying them with the spiritual one.

    Adogame, Professor of Religion and Society at Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, United States, said this was imperative, especially with the harsh economic situation in Africa and the world at large.

    He made the remarks at the maiden lecture series of Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, Redeemer’s University(RUN), on Friday, in Ede, Osun.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture had as its theme” Spiritual Ecologies and Moral Imaginaries in African Pentecostal Religioscapes”.

    Adogame said that only one who is well-fed would truly enjoy and absorb spiritual food.

    He urged religious institutions, including churches in Nigeria, to look into concrete investments and endowments that would deal with ‘stomach infrastructure’.

    The don said that such investments should also address food security, job creation, sustainability and employability in the lives of the congregants.

    He said this would assist the congregants to find security and contentment in the God they are taught to believe in.

    Adogame said although it was paramount to take care of an individual’s spiritual well-being, physical needs should not be overlooked.

    He said that institutions like RUN and the Redeemed Christian Church of God, which had already started integrating food production and real estate into their expansion strategies, could serve as model to other institutions and churches.

    Adogame said that this would assist them to become ‘food baskets’ and ‘food laboratories’ to cater for not just their immediate environment but the larger society.

    In his remarks, Prof. Oluremi Shadrach, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, appreciated the guest speaker for an apt delivery of the lecture.

    He was represented by the institution’s Librarian Dr Akinniyi Adeleke.

    Also, Prof. Babatunde Adedibu, the Head of Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, discussed the topic “Despite the various religious activities, why is crime a menace in the society?”

    Adedibu, the host, also appreciated the guest speaker.(NAN)
    VE/SOA

    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

  • “Stomach infrastructure” bane of good governance, Ex-Osun Speaker

    Governance
    By Victor Adeoti
    Ede (Osun), June 21, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Mojeed Alabi, a former speaker of  the Osun House of Assembly, has blamed the politics of “stomach infrastructure,” for the low delivery of  good governance in the country.
    Alabi made the assertion while delivering  the 40th anniversary lecture of Ede Unique Club, in Ede town.
    He said that the politics of stomach infrastructure, which entails public office seekers giving handouts to curry votes, had prevented Nigerians asking their leaders questions on good governance.
    Alabi said that due to politics of stomach infrastructure, the electorate no longer care about good governance, but only what they get as immediate benefits.
    “By the time you reduce vote catching strategies to merely inviting people to your house, killing cow, feeding, and giving them one or two Naira to vote, it compromises the future of what they ordinarily should have asked for,” he said.
    Alabi, who is the current Provost of College of Law, Osun State University, said that due to politics of stomach Infrastructure, people no longer ask questions about the capacity of politicians vying for elective posts.
    He said that instead of the electorate to ask questions on whether the aspirant has capacity to lead, “what they are after is whether the person has money”.
    Alabi said that stomach infrastructure was a function of a debased society and put the blame on both electorate and the leadership.
    He appealed to political leaders to always put the interest of the masses first by providing them with the real dividends of democracy.
    In his remarks, Alhaji Ganiu Omowabi, the President of the club, said the group in the last 40 years of its existence had been known as a breeding ground for leaders in various fields of endeavours.
    Omowabi said  the group, which was founded in 1983 as an organisation of young men, had grown to become one of the longest surviving bodies of its kind.
    The president said that as part of activities to celebrate its anniversary, the club had donated a N5.5 million solar power facility to Ede general hospital.
    He tasked other non-governmental organisations to continue to support government in providing basic amenities to the people.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  highlight of the event was the presentation of fellowship award on infrastructure development to Gov. Ademola Adeleke.
    Other personalities were also given special recognition award, including Mr Wale Abass, a retired Assistant Inspector General of police (AIG).(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    VE/CHOM/AOS
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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Bayo Sekoni

  • No confirmed cases of cholera in Osun – Official

    Cholera
    By Victor Adeoti
    Osogbo, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Osun Government says there are no confirmed cases of cholera outbreak in the state.
    This was disclosed by the Director of Public Health in the state Ministry of Health, Dr Akeem Bello, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Osogbo.
    Bello, however, said that all the primary healthcare centres in the state had been put on alert in case of any outbreak of the disease.
    “Presently, we have yet to record any outbreak of cholera in the state,” he said.
    The director, however, stated that since last week when news about the outbreak of the disease had filtered in from Lagos, all the primary healthcare centres across the state had been put on standby in case of any outbreak.
    “We are on top of the situation, and government is doing everything possible to ensure that in case of any outbreak, we can quickly curtail it,” he said.
    Bello also said that an Emergency Operation Centre on cholera would be activated to prevent the spread of the disease in schools in case of any outbreak.
    He also said that a surveillance team from the epidemiology department would be monitoring the situation in the state to contain the spread or outbreak of the disease.
    “An emergency operation centre (EOC) will be activated any moment from now.
    “Officials from the Ministry of Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) are members of the EOC and are well-informed about the cholera outbreak in Lagos,” he said.
    Bello also said that government had placed jingles in some radio stations to sensitise residents of the state on the causes and prevention of cholera.
    NAN reports that cholera is a highly-infectious disease caused by vibrio cholera, characterised by diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, abdominal cramps and fever.
    NAN also reports that if left untreated, cholera can lead to severe dehydration, shock and even death within hours.
    However, prompt treatment with oral rehydration therapy (ORT) or intravenous fluids can effectively manage the disease.
    Cholera is typically spread through contaminated food, water, poor sanitation and hygiene as well as close contact with infected individuals.
    It can be prevented by proper hand washing, safe drinking water, proper food handling and storage and avoiding close contact with infected individuals, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    VE/NNO/WAS
    Edited by Nick Nicholas and ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Inflation: Industrialist appeals to FG to save small-scale industries

    Inflation
    By Victor Adeoti
    Osogbo, June 17, 2024 (NAN) Dr Khamis Badmus, the Chairman of Tuns Farms in Osun,  has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to fast track policies that would control the high inflation in the country.
    Badmus, who is also the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yoruba, Edo and Delta; made the appeal while speaking with newsmen on monday in Osogbo.
    According to him, small scale business are currently passing through tough times due to inflation and high electricity tariff.
    “People who are in production sector are passing through a lot now. They have invested billions of naira in their businesses but with little or no returns due to inflation.
    “Many industries have started relocating due to the harsh business environment,  but for some of us, we don’t have anywhere to go.
    “And that is why we are appealing to the federal government to fast track policies that will reduce inflation as well as electricity tariff in the country,” he said.
    Badmus, who said that he had to shut some sections in his farms due to high electricity tariff, said his monthly electricity bill had  increased from N5 million to N15 million on a monthly basis.
    According to him, this is affecting  production which will eventually lead to downsizing of the workforce.
    Badmus, however, said that with the promise made by the president that the pain was just for awhile, he believes that the economy would soon improve.(NAN)
    VE/VIV
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    Edited by Vivian Ihechu

  • Sallah: Pray for development of Nigeria, APC chieftain urges Muslims

    Sallah: Pray for development of Nigeria, APC chieftain urges Muslims

    Nigeria
    By Victor Adeoti
    Osogbo, June 16, 2024 (NAN) Mr Dotun Babayemi, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun has urged Muslim faithful to keep praying for the development of the country. as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

    Babayemi stated this on Saturday in Osogbo in a congratulatory message to Muslim faithful on this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    The APC chieftain urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by the current economic situation in the country.

    “Despite some challenges facing the country, it remains one of the best in the world.

    “Nigeria is blessed abundantly with human and material resources and remains one of the few nations so blessed in the world”, he said.

    Babayemi, however, enjoined Muslim faithful to keep praying for the growth and development of the country.

    While commending Nigerians for their patriotism which had kept the nation going, he appealed that they should not relent in working and praying for the continuous growth of the country.

    “While we must not quit supplicating to our creator; for He is the one that answers prayers.

    “We must, at this time, continue to put in more efforts at our various points of duty for the development of all sectors in the country”, he. (NAN) (www.nannnews.ng)
    VE/ESI/IKU
    Edited by Ehigimetor Igbaugba/Tayo Ikujuni

  • Cholera: Children facing substantial health risks – UNICEF

    Cholera: Children facing substantial health risks – UNICEF

    Cholera
    By Victor Adeoti
    Osogbo, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) says recurrent cholera outbreaks in the Nigeria are critically affecting children and the population at large.

    This is contained in a statement by Celine Lafoucrier, Chief of Lagos UNICEF Field Office, on Saturday in response to cholera outbreak in Lagos and other parts of the country.

    Lafoucrier said that children faced substantial health risks, particularly those under five who were prone to severe dehydration and higher mortality rate.

    She urged government to focus on the provision of clean and risk-free water to prevent the spread of cholera in the country.

    According to her, despite the state government’s efforts to provide water to its population, the current outbreak demonstrates the need for an urgent government focus on ensuring the water provided to the population is clean and risk-free.

    “Addressing the challenges of cholera outbreaks requires a deliberate focus of state policies.

    ”And this include provision of high-standard water and sanitation facilities as well as strengthened healthcare systems capable of responding to the demand in times of outbreaks.

    ”There should be campaigns on cholera prevention to protect children and the population at large”, she said.

    Lafoucrier said that good water and sanitation infrastructure play a crucial role in reducing disease outbreaks, such as cholera, which causes an estimated 100,000 deaths annually.

    “Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions are fundamental in preventing and responding to cholera epidemics.

    “Safe water supplies, hygienic sanitation, and effective water management are key elements in this effort.

    “Ultimately, preventing cholera centers on good sanitation and hygiene practices.

    “Key actions include proper disposal of faeces, eliminating open defecation, and ensuring access to potable water.

    “Regular hand washing with clean, running water and soap is vital.

    “Additionally, avoiding the consumption of uncooked vegetables, unwashed fruits, raw or undercooked seafood, and food from street vendors is important to reduce the risk of cholera infection”, she said.

    According to her, safer water can annually prevent 1.4 million child deaths from diarrhoea, 500,000 deaths from malaria, and 860,000 child deaths from malnutrition.

    She said that it could also protect 10 million people from serious illnesses like lymphatic filariasis and trachoma.

    Lafoucrier, however, said that disease outbreaks ultimately hinder Nigeria’s progress in achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all.

    “These outbreaks strain Nigeria’s health system, diverting limited resources from essential services like routine immunizations and maternal and childcare, undermining universal health coverage.

    “However, outbreaks also present opportunities to strengthen Nigeria’s health system.

    “Prevention is more cost-effective than cure; thus, communities should establish systems that promote key hygiene practices, transforming them into a cultural norm,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannnews.ng)
    VE/IKU
    Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

  • Man in court for allegedly stealing transformer cables worth N800,000

    Man in court for allegedly stealing transformer cables worth N800,000

    Cables
    By Victor Adeoti
    Ede (Osun), June 14, 2024 (NAN) A 28-year-old man, Adam Yusuff, on Friday appeared before an Ede Magistrates’ Court in Osun, for allegedly stealing transformer cables worth N800,000.

    Yusuff, whose address was not given, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, housebreaking and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Mr S.O Ibrahim, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 2, at about 10.30p.m at Oke-Iresi in Ede town.

    Ibrahim said that the defendant, with others still at large, broke into the premises of retired Maj Adewusi Samuel and stole transformer cables belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.

    He said that the transformer cables, meant to serve three communities in the area, were stolen from the premises of the retired Major by the defendant and others still at large.

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 516, 390 (9) and 411, Cap 34, Laws of Osun.

    The defendant who was without legal representation, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.

    The Magistrate, V.O Adedokun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million and two sureties in like sum.

    Adedokun ordered that the defendant be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

    He adjourned the case until July 25 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    VE/AYO/IKU
    Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Tayo Ikujuni

  • Osun enrols 280,472 in health insurance scheme, Official

    Osun enrols 280,472 in health insurance scheme, Official

    Health

    By Victor Adeoti

    Osun, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Dr Razak Akindele, the Executive Secretary, Osun Health Insurance Scheme (O’HIS), has said that 280,472 people have registered in the scheme.

    Akindele disclosed this to newsmen  on Thursday in Osogbo.

    He said that from the record of enrollees, 244,000 were from the formal sector, 13,472 were from informal sector while 23,000 were pensioners.

    Akindele said that for civil servants, who belong to the formal sector, 1.5 per cent was being deducted from their basic salary every month, while government contributed 4.5 per cent.

    He said that people in the informal sector would pay N12,066 annually under the premium package, while pensioners were enrolled for free by the state government.

    Akindele also said that Gov. Ademola Adeleke had also approved the enrollment of pregnant women in the state for free under the scheme.

    He also said that the scheme was no longer dealing with Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) in rendering services to its clients.

    Akindele explained that this was due to the challenges patients encounter in getting code from HMO for treatment.

    According to him, the agency was now providing services directly to its enrollees and no longer through HMOs.

    “Although, we are not yet there, but we are moving to where we plan to be.

    “With the support of the governor, we are rendering quality services to all our clients.

    “And in the next one year, we are planning to enroll three million people,” he said.

    Akindele also said the agency had what it called “Catastrophic fund” meant to give concession to patients needing serious surgical operations.

    He said that as a way of encouraging hospitals under the scheme, the agency had increased the payment for cesarean section for its patients from the initial N30,000 to N85,000.

    Akindele said the agency would continue to sensitise residents in the state of the importance as well as benefits of the scheme.(NAN)

    VE/DE/AOS

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    Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Bayo Sekoni

  • How govt can reduce maternal mortality rate – health advocate

    How govt can reduce maternal mortality rate – health advocate

    Maternal
    By Victor Adeoti
    Osogbo, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Mrs Franka Okeke, a United Kingdom-based maternal health advocate, has appealed to government at all levels to improve on the health care facilities to reduce maternal deaths in the country.

    Okeke made the appeal in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday while recounting her near death experience during child birth in a government hospital in Lagos.

    She said as a way of minimising maternal deaths in Nigeria, there is urgent need for government to increase budgetary allocation to primary health facilities and make the health facilities more friendly for pregnant women.

    “Government at levels should invest adequate resources in infrastructure development, equipment and drugs for the adequate provision of basic and comprehensive emergency care in accordance with global standards,” the maternal health survivor said.

    Okeke, who noted that the high prevalence of maternal mortality was of concern, called for urgent action by the government to stop needless maternal deaths.

    “Government need to do something to stop the needless maternal deaths in Nigeria.

    “There is need to ensure proper monitoring of private hospitals because there are many with quack doctors, while government hospitals are also too slow and there are some conditions that are urgent.

    “Besides, government should provide comprehensive health coverage for Nigerians, especially pregnant women so that out of pocket medical expenses can be minimised”, she said.

    Narrating her ordeal, Okeke said, “God delivered me from near death experience while giving birth. There is so much to thank God for in our lives.

    “I had fluid in the lung, several complications, haematoma and sepsis. Even doctors misdiagnosed my condition.

    “I had preterm twin babies and I had to leave them for months, and go to Lagos University Teaching Hospital and other places, looking for solution.

    “The doctors said it was my womb that was protruded which led to sepsis and more complications.

    “Also I had surgery and doctors were not ready to repeat another surgery. My blood level was very low but God saved me”, she said.

    Okeke, who noted that she recently released a single track song titled “I’m loving you Jesus” on YouTube and other digital outlets, said the song was to thank God for saving her life during childbirth.

    Okeke also said that she had published a book titled “The Tears We Bleed’, endorsed by the Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecologist of Nigeria, which chronicled maternal death and fistula issues in Nigeria.(NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

    VE/IKU
    Edited by Tayo Ikujuni