Thursday, January 15, 2026
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FCTA Receives High Marks In Service Delivery From SERVICOM’s

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

…As Perm Sec Flags Off SERVICOM Day

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has been ranked as one of the best Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in terms of service delivery to residents of the nation’s capital and Nigerians in general by Mrs. Nnnena Akajemeli, the National Coordinator of SERVICOM.

The SERVICOM Chairman complimented the FCT Administration for instilling a strong culture of professionalism and excellence in its workers during a lecture at the flag off of FCT SERVICOM Day in Abuja on Thursday.

The FCT Administration was instructed by the SERVICOM National Coordinator to guarantee that the SERVICOM initiative is implemented across all Secretariats, Departments, and Agencies (SDAs) to establish a culture of excellence in all Administration personnel, resulting in a new mentality.

The exercise will go a long way toward creating a strong sense of duty, consciousness, and accountability in the FCTA workforce’s psyche, according to Mr. Olusade Adesola, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

He went on to say that the FCTA Administration’s objective, which is to construct a World Class City equivalent to the greatest in the world, can only be realized with the dedication, perseverance, and devotion of an excellent staff, which captures the primary mandate of FCT SERVICOM.

The Permanent Secretary, who reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s commitment to ensuring that quality services are delivered to all Nigerians who live in the Federal Capital Territory and interact in some way with the various SDAs, stated that this can only be achieved if all Administration staff embrace the culture of due diligence and high level of responsibility in the discrepancies.

He recently launched the FCTA’s revived Ease of Doing Business Unit, which is expected to present the Federal Capital Territory as an investment-friendly city, in order to further reinforce efforts targeted at ensuring effective service delivery in the FCT, according to him.

He also reminded the Administration’s workers that the FCTA Annual Staff Recognition and Award Ceremony is here to stay, while encouraging them to work harder in order to reap the benefits of the event.

Mr. Udo Samuel Atang, Director, Office of the Permanent Secretary, said earlier in his welcoming address that the event underlines the importance the Administration places on timely, high-quality, and excellent service delivery to people of the territory by the Administration’s workforce.

Mallam Mohammed Bashir, Director of FCTA Human Resource Managerial, delivered a goodwill message and praised the Administration’s excellent turnout of Directors and management staff.

He went on to say that this shows that the management team has keyed into the exercise.

He also took advantage of the opportunity to announce that the Administration has already approved trainings for all staff of the various SDAs, which will help them to improve their ability and competence in their official obligations.

Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, the Acting Director of FCTA Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, urged all Administration workers to strive diligently to maintain the excellent level of service delivery for which they have been known.

International Organizations, Vaccine Manufacturers Agreed To Increase Collaboration In Order To Deliver COVID-19 Vaccine

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The heads of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, World Health Organization, and World Trade Organization met with the CEOs of leading vaccine manufacturing companies to discuss strategies to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries and Africa.

The Task Force expressed concern that unless fast action is taken, the world will fall short of the target of vaccinating at least 40% of the population in all countries by the end of 2021, a critical deadline for ending the pandemic and resuming global economic recovery.

Despite ample global vaccine production, Task Force members pointed out that vaccine doses are not reaching low- and lower middle-income countries in sufficient amounts, resulting in vaccine inequity.

The Task Force asked countries that have acquired substantial quantities of vaccine doses, as well as vaccine manufacturers, to work cooperatively to expedite COVID-19 vaccine delivery to COVAX and AVAT, two multilateral mechanisms that are crucial for equitable vaccine distribution.

Members of the Task Force applauded the CEOs’ willingness to collaborate with them to eliminate vaccine disparity, as well as their openness to form a technical working group with the Task Force to exchange and coordinate information on vaccine production and delivery.

The Task Force stressed that if the 40% coverage threshold is to be reached in all countries by the end of 2021, the following actions need to be taken immediately by governments and vaccine manufacturers: Release doses to low- and lower middle-income countries: Task Force members take note that countries with high vaccination rates have collectively pre-purchased over two billion doses in excess of what is required to fully vaccinate their populations.  The Task Force calls again on those countries to urgently: i) swap their near-term delivery schedules with COVAX and AVAT, ii) fulfill their dose donation pledges with unearmarked upfront deliveries to COVAX, and iii) release vaccine companies from options and contracts so those doses can be delivered to people in low- and lower middle-income countries. In addition, vaccine manufacturers should prioritize and fulfill their contracts to COVAX and AVAT.

Transparency on supply of vaccines: To ensure that doses reach countries that need them the most, particularly low- and lower middle-income countries, the Task Force calls on vaccine manufacturers to share details on month-by-month delivery schedules for all vaccine shipments, especially for COVAX and AVAT. In its remarks, WHO emphasized its call for a moratorium on booster doses until the end of 2021, with the exception of the immune-compromised, to help optimize supply to low-income countries.

Eliminate export restrictions, prohibitions: The Task Force calls on all countries to urgently address export restrictions, high tariffs and customs bottlenecks on COVID-19 vaccines and the raw materials and supplies required for the production and timely distribution of vaccines.

Regulatory streamlining and harmonization: The Task Force calls on all regulatory authorities around the world to create regulatory consistency and standardization on the approval of vaccines, and to support the acceptance of the WHO Emergency Use Listing procedure. In parallel, efforts should be made to boost production of vaccines, diagnostics and treatments globally and expedite equitable delivery of such lifesaving tools to developing countries. 

World Patient Safety Day Goals 2021 Promoting Safe Maternal ,Neonatal Practices , Says WHO

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

In order to improve maternal and neonatal safety at the time of service especially during birth, the World Health Organization (WHO) is inviting health care providers, leaders and health workers all across the world to embrace a serial of five World Patient Safety Day goals for 2021.

The goals will be launched on 17 September on World Patient Safety Day on the topic of this year’s Virtual Global Conference “Together for safe and respectful maternity and neonatal care.”

WHO Country Representative, Walter Kazadi Mulombo said every day, over 800 mothers and 6700 babies die as a result of complications during childbirth.

Furthermore, nearly 5 400 babies are stillborn every day, with 40% of these deaths related to labour and childbirth.

The majority of stillbirths, maternal and infant fatalities, and harm can be avoided if safe, respectful, and high-quality care is provided during pregnancy, childbirth, and the early days of life.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, saying, “The 5 World Patient Safety Day Goals 2021 aim to improve maternal and newborn safety at the point of care and to accelerate action towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of reducing maternal mortality and ending avoidable deaths of newborns by 2030.

“The goals are to: Reduce unnecessary and harmful practices to women and newborns during childbirth; Strengthen capacity of and support to health workers for safe maternal and newborn care; Promote respectful care for safe childbirth; Improve safe use of medication and blood transfusion during childbirth; and Report and analyze safety incidents in childbirth”.

WHO is urging  health care facility leaders, managers and health workers to sign up to these goals on an online platform recently created by WHO.

World Patient Safety Day 2021

World Patient Safety Day, established by the World Health Assembly in 2019, aims to increase public awareness and engagement, enhance global understanding, and work towards global solidarity and action by countries and partners to promote safety in health care.

According to him, “This year’s theme highlights the need to prevent the  harm to women and babies that occurs due to unsafe maternal and newborn care during pregnancy, delivery and the first few days of life – a burden that has been compounded by the disruption of health services due to COVID-19.

“Unsafe care includes issues such as delayed and incorrect diagnosis; patient misidentification; medication errors; anesthesia and surgical errors; unsafe transfusion and injection practices; lack of infection control practices; unnecessary interventions and mistreatment.  

“Despite the progress made in reducing maternal and newborn mortality and illness since 1990, the world is far from achieving the targets laid out in the SDGs. The SDGs 2015-2030 prioritize maternal mortality reduction, with a global average maternal mortality target of less than 70 per 100,000 live births and a supplementary national target that no country should have an MMR greater than 140 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

“A major reason for not achieving this target is a failure to address unsafe and poor-quality care”.

He continued, “Ensuring patient safety is fundamental to strengthening quality health care systems and achieving universal health coverage. At the same time,  it is crucial to engage pregnant women, partners and  families, and build sufficient and competent health workforces that are supported by adequate resources, safety culture and safe working environments.

“WHO leads and provides global direction on patient safety through the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030, which was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2021. The plan provides strategic direction for all stakeholders to eliminate avoidable harm in health care including in maternal and newborn care.

“A network for improving quality of care for maternal, newborn and child health was established by WHO with a number of governments, implementation partners and funding agencies working together to ensure that every pregnant woman, newborn and child receives safe and quality care with equity and dignity. 

“World Patient Safety Day 2021 is dedicated to safe maternal and newborn care to reinforce these efforts further. With its slogan ‘Act now for safe and respectful childbirth!’, WHO is calling on stakeholders to establish or accelerate existing efforts related to safe and respectful childbirth”, he stated .  

School Resumption: One Million Children Will Be Left Out Of School Due To Insecurity

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

… As UNICEF Joins Global Call, ‘Digital Freeze’ To Urge Children’s Access To Education

As more than 37 million Nigerian children begin the new school year this month, at least one million will be left behind due to insecurity, according to the report.

This was due to the wave of school attacks and student abductions in Nigeria over the last several months, and the current climate of insecurity, learners are being cut off from their education and other essential advantages provided by schools.

“A child’s first day of school should be an exciting event for parents and children – a historic time in their early lives, signifying new learning and new friends that will shape their futures,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria.

Around a million Nigerian children will miss out on this opportunity this year due to insecurity, which risks their safety and education.

According to Hawkins, “It is unacceptable that communities should be worried to send their children to school over fears they will be abducted from what should be a safe space. It is unacceptable that children need to fear returning to their friends and classrooms and that parents are afraid that if they send their children to school, they may never return. This insecurity must end so that children can return to their normal lives and benefit from all the important things being in school brings to them.”

“UNICEF and partners around the world are joining in a global ‘digital freeze’ on 16 September to protest children unable to access the classroom due to COVID-19 restrictions or other challenges, with social media platforms ‘frozen’ to draw attention to how many children are at risk of missing out on an education. The organization estimates that a return to school has been delayed for an estimated 140 million children globally due to COVID-19.

“For an estimated eight million of these students, the wait for their first day of in-person learning has been over a year and counting, as they live in places where schools have been closed throughout the pandemic. In Nigeria, education was delayed for many children due to COVID-19 restrictions during 2020, along with additional challenge of school closures due to prevailing insecurity across the country

“So far this year, there have been 20 attacks on schools in Nigeria, with 1,436 children abducted and 16 children dead. More than 200 children are still missing.

“The first day of school is a landmark moment in a child’s life—setting them off on a life-changing path of personal learning and growth. Most of us can remember the excitement of returning to school, and the joy of meeting our teachers and fellow students again. But for so many Nigerian children whose education already suffered during COVID-19 lockdowns, that important day has been indefinitely postponed – and for many children still missing, it is unclear when they will ever come back home or enter a classroom again,” said Peter Hawkins.

“For the most vulnerable children – including children affected by conflict, girl children and children with disabilities – their risk of never stepping into a classroom in their lifetime is skyrocketing. We need to end this insecurity and make our priorities clear – that Nigerian children can and must be allowed to benefit from an education in a safe space.”

He further stated that, “While countries worldwide, including Nigeria, are taking some actions to provide remote learning, many students are not being reached. In addition to lack of assets for remote learning, the youngest children may not be able to participate due to a lack of support using the technology, a poor learning environment, pressure to do household chores, or being forced to work.

“Studies have shown that positive school experiences are a predictor of children’s future social, emotional and educational outcomes. Children who fall behind in learning during the early years often stay behind for the remaining time they spend in school, and the gap widens over the years. The number of years of education a child receives also directly affects their future earnings.

“Every hour a child spends in the classroom is precious – an opportunity to expand their horizons, maximize their potential and build their country’s future. With each passing moment, countless amounts of opportunity are lost,” said Peter Hawkins. “We must put our children’s future first. We can and must tackle the insecurity, stop attacks on education, and keep schools open. The clock is ticking for our young students.

“Unless mitigation measures are implemented, the World Bank estimates a loss of $10 trillion in earnings over time for this entire generation of students globally. Existing evidence shows the cost of addressing learning gaps are lower and more effective when they are tackled earlier, and that investments in education support economic recovery, growth and prosperity.”

UNICEF is urged governments to reopen schools for in-person learning as soon as possible, and to provide a comprehensive recovery response for students. Together with the World Bank and UNESCO, UNICEF is calling for governments to focus on three key priorities for recovery in schools:

Targeted programmes to bring all children and youth back in school where they can access tailored services to meet their learning, health, psychosocial well-being, and other needs;

Effective remedial learning to help students catch up on lost learning;

Support for teachers to address learning losses and incorporate digital technology into their teaching

Demolition : Hoodlums Attack FCTA Taskforce With Stones In Gwarimpa

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

…Injures Military Officer 

The Taskforce of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) was attacked by suspected hoodlums in Gwarimpa on Thursday, injuring a military officer.

Comrade Ikharo Attah, Chairman, FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, said the attackers were clearly enraged that the team had returned to enforce urban and regional environmental rules in several illegal markets that had been demolished just a few weeks before.

Our correspondent gathered that the mob on sighting the taskforce team, descended heavily on them with stones, chanting ” kill and go, kill and go “, while throwing stones.

However, when armed security personnel came towards them, shooting tear gas canisters, they were overwhelmed, he added.

Attah intimated that he was returning to the area to put a stop to the illegal activities of the relocated hoodlums, who have ramped up their evil activities since the shanties where they hid were dismantled.

Even an expatriate lady who resides in the region has raised the alarm about the rising number of robberies by hoodlums who regularly scale the outer fence into her estate.

According to him; ” We are already used to attack from hoodlums, it is part of the price we pay cleaning the city. We discovered that the people had returned to the illegal markets, we had earlier on removed, converting the place to umbrella market.

” The Abuja Environmental Protection Board enforcement team who went in first to remove the illegal shanties that were rebuilt were attacked, alongside the military personnel. 

” One officer was badly injured, but we are not stopping the operation, we will continue with our routine clean up around the city, Mpape, and Iddo . No place that need clean up is close ended, but open ended.

Similarly , the Secretary, FCTA Command and Control, Peter Olumuji stated that the removal  of illegal shanties at 37th Road in the same Gwarimpa, was a response to the distressed calls from legal occupants who complained of incessant security breaches in the area.

He added that intelligence report showed that illegal drug dealers and criminal suspects have infiltrated the slum.

His words; ” This place is behind 37th Road in Gwarimpa, we got information that illegal drug dealers and other criminal elements who operate around Gwarimpa,  return to hibernate here in these shanties”, Olumuji noted. 

Aliyu Caution Corps Member Against Influencing Their Redeployment

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

…SaysFCT Remains Home To Corps Members, Aliyu  

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu on Tuesday cautioned National Youth Service Corps,(NYSC) members against influencing their redeployment.

While adding that the services of corps members are not only needed in rural communities, but gained more recognition in hard to reach communities.

The minister made this known when she played host to the management team of the National Youth Service Corps, led by the NYSC FCT Coordinator, Alhj. Abdul Suleman. While assuring them that
FCT would continue to serve as home to all corps members posted to the nation’s capital for the one year mandatory youth service scheme.  

According to her: “If you are responsive to the plight of the people depicts a very high quality of leadership that is missing among our youths. So, in essence it is in those rural areas that offer you the opportunity to show your leadership qualities.

“It is only in those remote areas that you can think out of the box for the benefit of the people. These are areas that often lack portable water, and other social amenities. Seeing the condition of the people can give you the necessary push to come up with ideas on what to do for the benefit of mankind.  

“The environment in Garki and Wuse will not offer you the opportunity to think of what to do because governments at all levels have provided all the amenities needed for the people. So, for you to get all the latitudes to hit the ground running is for you to serve in rural communities. Please, I urge you all not to work your ways to be redeployed”.  

Earlier in his remarks, the NYSC FCT Coordinator, Alhj. Abdul Suleman, informed the minister that the 2021Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course commenced as scheduled, stressing that in compliance with the COVID-19 preventive protocols, all corps members, camp officials and the entire camp community were screened for the virus and only those who tested negative were allowed into the orientation camp.  

He also stated that at the close of registration, a total of 1,340 corps members comprising 679 males and 661 females were registered and sworn-in by the representative of the Chief Judge of the FCT, adding that the corps members have exhibited high level of discipline and resilience since the commencement of the orientation course.  

Suleman, however, commended the FCT Administration for providing the enabling environment required to host the orientation course, and the tremendous support from the host community.  

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of art work to FCT Minister of State by a corps member, Okon Lawrence Idim, with batch number FCT/21A/5096.  

COVID-19 Vaccination: FG Urges Christian Leaders To Lead Immunization Campaigns

By
Akeem Adebayo
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The federal government has urged Christian religious leaders to lead the immunization campaign as role models for their congregations.

Sen. Olorunnibe Mamora, Minister of State for Health, speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, believes that the Nigerian response will be ineffectual if religious leaders are not included.

He made the announcement on Tuesday in Abuja during a press conference headlined “Sensitization of Christian Leaders on Phase Two COVID-19 Vaccination and Primary Healthcare in Nigeria.”

According to Mamora ; ” The Christian community must be in the forefront of supporting all health initiatives. In fact the Christian community is known for high uptake of vaccines. But we must ask ourselves why is it becoming weird with COVID-19?

” Why are some of the leaders falling prey to misinformation and rumours? Are there things that we are not doing right? I believe these questions and more are areas we hope to answer in the course of our discussions”.

He added that the COVID-19 vaccination and other vaccinations in Nigeria are meant to protect the citizens from vaccine preventable diseases.

Quoting the scriptures, the minister hinted that ‘People perish for lack of knowledge’ and appealed to the Christian leaders to continue education and sensitise their followers on the importance of the COVID-19 Vaccine.

However , the US CDC Nigeria Country Director, Mary Boyd also commended Christian leaders for their commitment to the well being of their followers, while adding that continuous sensitization should be a norm.

Similarly , the Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency. (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib appreciated the unflinching support of the Christian leaders to the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Government of Nigeria in general.

He further stated that, “Christian Leaders across the country have been formidable pillars of support in all our primary health care interventions. I am aware that in the States and LGAs, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria are strong and committed members of the State and LGA Task Forces on Immunization. These ambassadors have contributed immensely to confidence building and trust in Government led public health programs, especially in the days of the Nigeria polio eradication program when we were battling with high rate of refusals to vaccination due to rumours and misinformation. Suffice to say that the Christian community contributed immensely to our achieving wild polio virus certification last year and indeed our sustaining the country’s polio free status for over a year now. We are most grateful as a people and Government”. 

He said that he was not surprised that in its typical humanitarian characteristic, most Christian leaders have been in the forefront of promoting adherence to COVID-19 prevention protocols and vaccination since the beginning of this pandemic.

He stated that, “We appreciate and acknowledge all our Christian leaders who have through their sermons and public pronouncements, motivated the Christian community to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community.As you are aware, the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination roll out is currently ongoing across the country in all States and Local Government Areas. The vaccines are safe and are administered free of charge to all eligible persons 18 years and above. I would like to inform you that the AstraZeneca vaccine is now available to be administered as first dose as well as second dose for those who received their first dose during the 1st phase of the vaccine roll out which closed in July”. 

He said Sunday vaccination will be commencing soon in churches to enable more Christians to get vaccinated.

“I am glad to inform you that from this Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out, we have introduced Sunday Vaccination. This is to ensure members of the Christian community who may not have had access to the vaccine for whatever reason are given an opportunity to be vaccinated at their worship places. I must say that feedback from the field is very encouraging and I sincerely thank all Christian leaders who have given the vaccination team access to their churches and their members to receive COVID-19 vaccine during Sunday services”.

Speaking on behalf of the Christian Leaders, the Executive Director, Nigeria Inter Faith Action Association, Dr. Sunday Onuorah, said that as pulpit managers, religious leaders are in a good position to influence people’s decisions and actions.

He said that the people trust and believe in them always and that they would use their offices to promote government policies and programmes especially in the area of COVID-19 vaccination.

Meanwhile, the Director General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Garba Abari, promised to join the Christian leaders in cascading the vaccination message to all corners of Nigeria.

FG To Review Nigeria Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Traditional Medicine Policy Mamora

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnibe Mamora
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnibe Mamora

Sen. Olorunnibe Mamora, the Minister of State for Health on Monday said that the Federal government is working towards the review of the Nigeria Herbal Pharmacopoeia and the Traditional Medicine Policy.

He added that, the efforts of government in this regard have greatly minimized the negative consequences of the disease on the health and economy of Nigerians.

Mamora made this known at a press conference to commemorate African Traditional Medicine Day on Monday in Abuja, saying, all these measures are aimed at strengthening our resources for delivery of quality, efficacious and safe traditional medicine products.

According to him ; “We also have in place an expert committee for the setting up of Traditional, Complementary & Alternative Medicine Institute to serve for the training of professionals in this sector.

“The series of events in the world during this period of the COVID-19 pandemic calls for the need to look inwards and consider local production of medicines as necessary for national security and attainment of Universal Health Coverage.

“The Federal Ministry of Health on its efforts for local content tasked the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research & Development (NIPRD) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration & Control (NAFDAC) to scale up their activities towards the search for a local solution to the pandemic.

“The Federal Ministry of Health is working in collaboration with international organizations and relevant MDA’s to ensure the discovery of effective remedies against COVID-19 and other diseases from the rich and extensive flora of the country”, he said.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Alh Mahmud Mamma said that Nigeria is blessed with about 8,000 medicinal plants yet to be utilized in the area of research, development and value addition.

He added that, it is estimated that about 80% of the population that live in the rural communities utilize traditional medicine.

He said that, traditional medicine practice preceded the use of conventional medicine in all parts of the world, Nigeria inclusive.

He added, “There is therefore the need to look in wards to research and develop our medicinal plants for the benefit of all. The Federal Ministry of Health has intervened in several ways in order to develop, promote and institutionalize Traditional Medicine.

“We are also working on the establishment of a wellbeing Centre in the Ministry to serve the public.
The economic benefit of traditional medicine is the provision of jobs to our unemployed youths in the area of conservation, cultivation and harvesting of medicinal plants. This will help reduce youth restiveness.
The activities for this event include exhibition and symposium”, he added.

He said, WHO will continue to provide technical assistance to the TCAM department, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NPRD) and NAFDAC in improving the quality of medicinal products and ensure the listing of these products in the National Essential Medicines List.

Trademore Flood Kills Top DSS Officer, Three Others, Sweep 26 Vehicles, Affect 166 Houses

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

A flash flood killed a top intelligence official on Sunday night in Trademore estate, off the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Expressway, also known as Airport Road.

Our correspondent reported, 166 people were displaced by the flood, and 26 cars swept away.

The intelligence official allegedly went out to purchase medications from a drugstore while it was raining. Nearby residents tried in vain to prevent the DSS operator from going across the flooded region.

“Lives lost,” one resident told our correspondent Homes ruined. Ruined firms. Cars uprooted, families homeless. The flood reportedly washed a Rover over the bridge by the Police Station, killing the driver.

“A young lady who served out her NYSC in an office years ago is looking for the car she parked outside last night. Probably her biggest investment from savings and loans.

“The owner of a Supermaket in the estate had his home and cars destroyed, his family has moved into the supermarket for shelter.

“All the goods in Prognosis Pharmacy and Supermarket is out on the street this morning damaged by the flood. That has been the reality in Trademore Estate for some years now.

“Last (Sunday) night’s flood is arguably the worst since the over 10 years history of flood in the estate.

“Last year, the video of a man swept away by the flood went viral. Minister of state for the FCT visited, shared mattresses, cooking gas and cartons of noodles to families affected. No lasting solution was sought.

“This year, as more estates crop up in and around Trademore Estate, a more devastating disaster has occurred.

“Blames are flying around on why the flood was more devastating than ever. They say government opened the dams last night and so the resultant flood.

“Some say it is the wall recently built on Imo Street as part of security measures to prevent the infiltration of herders that caused the flood. Another said the developer had recently sand filled areas that should be waterways and attempted to build on them, thus the resultant flood.

“My observation is that the key problem is the houses built on the water ways by the estate developer. The houses had been marked for demolition in the past, but there was no enforcement possibly because there was no compensation for affected families.

“NEMA van and staff were seen this morning (Monday) at 10am directing traffic and moving round affected homes. FCDA Development Control will soon follow. Will a lasting solution be proffered? Will the necessary political will be mustered to follow through? We can’t be silent on this.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reacted to the incident.

Director General, FCT Emergency Management Agency FEMA
, Abbas G. Idriss in a statement said; “Following long hours of heavy rainfall on Sunday 12th September 2021, Trademoore, Light Gold, Wisdom Estates and Lugbe community of the Federal Capital Territory were heavily flooded- resulting to loss of lives and much property affected in and around the Estates.

“FEMA has established, in the course of rescue operations which began from 9: 00 pm of 12th September 2021 up to 13th September 2021 that four (4) persons lost their lives to the flood and the recovered bodies have been taken by family members for burial.

“Also, over twenty six (26) vehicles- including an articulated towing van were swept away by the flood, besides a tarred road in Trademoore Estate that was completely washed away as a result of the strength of the flood water. These losses are a summary of the impact of the flood on the affected locations. In total, 166 houses were affected.

“The Agency is still estimating the volume of losses suffered as a result of this flood.

“In light of this unfortunate incident, I wish to convey the deepest sympathies of the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory- Mallam Muhammed Musa Bello, to the residents of Trademoore Estate, Light Gold Estate, Wisdom Estate, Lugbe Community, affected individuals and families- including those of surrounding communities, over the loss of lives and property.

“Furthermore, I want to appeal to the members of the Community living along those axes to report any missing person or persons between the period of the flood till today September 13, 2021 to the FCT Emergency Management Agency.

“For this purpose, some communities in Gwagwalada- including Giri, Unguwar Dodo and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps Gwagwalada Command have been put on alert to report any case of floating body or property on the river channel for prompt rescue.

“Also, I want to appeal to all residents of the Federal Capital Territory Especially Developers to desist from violating the approved building codes in the Federal Capital Territory. We are also appealing to them to stop erecting retention walls to protect storm water from flowing. By doing so they are causing more havoc to the community.

“We also call on all residents to always call the 112 toll-free Emergency number to get prompt response when there is any form of threat or danger, as the Search and Rescue team of the Agency alongside other emergency stakeholders are on 24/7 alert.

“Lastly, as we enter the final phase of the rainy season in the Federal Capital Territory- a phase in which rainfall is always at its peak, I once again call on all residents to avoid dumping of refuse in drainages; clear all surrounding drainages and other blockages that obstruct the free flow of water to reduce flood risk and its negative consequences; avoid driving or walking through flood water; relocate to higher ground before being threatened by flood water for those who are living along the river banks; watch for sign posts on flood locations and also take seriously FEMA’s early warning sensitization from the media and town criers”.

WHO To Support Nigeria Goals Of Achieving Self-sufficiency In Local Production Of Pharmaceuticals

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo said the UN agency remains committed to continue to support the Government of Nigeria in its goal of achieving self-sufficiency in the local production of pharmaceuticals (including Vaccines), traditional medicine and researches.

He made this known at a press conference to commemorate African Traditional Medicine Day on Monday in Abuja.

Mulombo who was represented at the occasion by Dr. Kofi Boateng, EPI Focal Point , Universal Health Coverage(UHC) added that, the listing of 14 herbal medicinal products by NAFDAC against COVID-19 and ongoing clinical trials on them, is in line with the Regional Expert Committee on COVID-19 aim of elevating the standards of clinical trials of traditional medicine for COVID-19.

He further stated that, the ongoing research(s) in the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research & Development and other higher institutions, highlights the interest of the Government of Nigeria to develop and promote African Traditional Medicines

According to him; “The above are in line with the theme of this year commemoration; The potential contribution of Traditional Medicine to COVID-19 Response  

“Africa has a long history of traditional medicine and practitioners that play an important role in providing care to populations over the centuries. The African Heads of State in 2001, declared traditional medicine research a priority and subsequently designated the next 10 years as decade of African Traditional Medicine which was extended to the year 2020.

“For the past 20 years, countries in the WHO African Regional Office have marked the African Traditional Medicine Day on 31st of August each year. WHO advocate for strengthening the linkage between traditional medicine and institutionalized care in line with the WHO strategy.

“We are still battling the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO recognizes that traditional, complementary and alternative medicine has many benefits when properly harnessed with. Therefore, researches into our traditional medicines is an effort in the right direction

“WHO Nigeria has taking it up to support the ministry and in particular the department of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, Complimentary in the review of the Traditional Medicines Policy 2007, review of the Nigeria Pharmacopoeia 2008 and the development of a 5-year strategic plan to implement the new policy and the revised pharmacopoeia”, he said .

He said, WHO will continue to provide technical assistance to the TCAM department, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NPRD) and NAFDAC in improving the quality of medicinal products and ensure the listing of these products in the National Essential Medicines List.

Also, the Minister of State for Health, Sen. Olorunnibe Mamora on Monday said that the Federal government is currently working towards the review of the Nigeria Herbal Pharmacopoeia and the Traditional Medicine Policy. 

He added that, the efforts of government in this regard have greatly minimized the negative consequences of the disease on the health and economy of Nigerians.

All these measures are aimed at strengthening our resources for delivery of quality, efficacious and safe traditional medicine products.

He said; “We also have in place an expert committee for the setting up of Traditional, Complementary & Alternative Medicine Institute to serve for the training of professionals in this sector.

“The series of events in the world during this period of the COVID-19 pandemic calls for the need to look inwards and consider local production of medicines as necessary for national security and attainment of Universal Health Coverage. 

“The Federal Ministry of Health on its efforts for local content tasked the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research & Development (NIPRD) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration & Control (NAFDAC) to scale up their activities towards the search for a local solution to the pandemic.

“The Federal Ministry of Health is working in collaboration with international organizations and relevant MDA’s to ensure the discovery of effective remedies against COVID-19 and other diseases from the rich and extensive flora of the country”, he said. 

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Alh Mahmud Mamma said that Nigeria is blessed with about 8,000 medicinal plants yet to be utilized in the area of research, development and value addition.

He added that, it is estimated that about 80% of the population that live in the rural communities utilize traditional medicine. 

He said that, traditional medicine practice preceded the use of conventional medicine in all parts of the world, Nigeria inclusive. 

He added, “There is therefore the need to look in wards to research and develop our medicinal plants for the benefit of all. The Federal Ministry of Health has intervened in several ways in order to develop, promote and institutionalize Traditional Medicine.

“We are also working on the establishment of a wellbeing Centre in the Ministry to serve the public. 

The economic benefit of traditional medicine is the provision of jobs to our unemployed youths in the area of conservation, cultivation and harvesting of medicinal plants. This will help reduce youth restiveness. 

The activities for this event include exhibition and symposium”, he added. 

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