Mrs Vivianne Ihekweazu, the Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, has hinted that the organisation and its partners were using art to highlight the importance for maternal health in the country.
Ihekweazu said this on Friday in Abuja at the second edition of the ‘Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala’ themed “Elevating Women’s Voices for Quality Maternal Healthcare”.
Our correspondent reports that this was part of the activities to commemorate International Women’s Month.
The organiser, Nigeria Health Watch said that the theme acknowledged that women’s perspectives, insights, needs and experiences were frequently overlooked in decision-making, policy design and implementation.
Ms. Maricel Romero Cantillo, Ambassador to Republic of Colombia, Her Excellency Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, Mrs Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, and Dr. Iko Ibanga, Director Prohealth International, at the second edition of the ‘Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala’ themed “Elevating Women’s Voices for Quality Maternal Healthcare”.
The managing director said that no woman deserves to die while giving birth in the country.
Ihekweazu said that the art gala aimed to advocate for maternal health programmes and services that incorporate and centre women’s experiences and perspectives to improve the quality of maternal care in the country.
“Art has been used to record history, shape culture, cultivate imagination, and encourage individual and social transformation, she explained.
She said that the goal of this year’s art gala was to amplify the voices and experiences of women, using art to raise awareness about the need for meaningful engagement, consultation, and listening to the perspective and experiences of women.
The managing director said that the art gala aimed to advocate for maternal health care that incorporates women’s experiences and perspectives, meaningfully, ensuring their needs were reflected in health care delivery in the country.
“If our voices as women are an essential part of our humanity, then we lose some of our humanity when we as women are made voiceless.
“Women having a voice is crucial & our voices must be heard. Silence is what allows women to suffer without any recourse,” she said.
The wife of Kebbi State Governor and Founder, of Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF) Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, said that it is no secret that Nigeria has a lot of maternal health issues across the country, including Kebbi state.
Bagudu said that various interventions from partners, the government, and civil society, have helped improve maternal health indices in Kebbi state.
She said that the state leveraged the existence of community development committees to influence decisions and social behaviour, and this had made a huge difference in the maternal indices in Kebbi State.
Ms Iyadunni Olubode, MSD for Mother, Director of Nigeria Programs said that a woman’s perception of the care she receives is an integral part of her clinical experience.
Olubode said that it is, therefore, an important consideration in improving the quality of care in the country.
She said that the formal channels to solicit and integrate women’s perspectives and preferences would fortify and sustain efforts to improve quality throughout the continuum of maternity care, at every level of the health system and for all women everywhere across the country.
According to her, Women’s perspectives and experiences before, during and after childbirth provide critical insights into how to strengthen maternity care for all women in the country and should be a guiding force in developing and implementing equitable solutions.
She expressed joy over celebrating the diversity and indomitable spirit of women all over the country, represented by each woman at the event and depicted in the different art forms seen and still to be seen.
Ms Onyedikachi Ewe, Senior programs and Advocacy Manager, at Nigeria Health Watch said that art can attract attention, evoke emotion, sustain interest, and stimulate memorable responses.
Ewe said that for these reasons, the only organisation have decided to fuse arts in our advocacy and as a creative way to build knowledge and raise awareness on maternal health issues in the country.
According to her, If any progress is to be made towards achieving or contributing to the SDG target of reducing global maternal deaths to less than 70 per 100,000 live births, then we must prioritise listening to women’s voices to understand their unique needs, perspectives, and experience.
Meanwhile, Mrs Chika Offor, Chair of, Health Sector Reform Coalition, said that the lifetime risk of dying during pregnancy for a woman in the country is worrisome. Offor commended what Nigeria Health Watch and partners had put in place to highlight the suffering of a Nigerian mother. She called on the government to focus on reducing the high maternal and neonatal mortality rate in the country.
“The situation which has been the case for far too long is unacceptable and it is time we do things right,” she said.. NAN recalled that the event begins with a walk-through led by Dr Ngozi Akande, Female Artists Association of Nigeria, who guided the guests through the curated artwork depicting the health challenges women face in the country.
Meanwhile, “Nigeria Health Watch held its first celebration of the Womanhood Art Gala in 2021.
***Says One Million Persons In The Area Have TB But Are Unaware of It
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, has revealed that the continent’s TB death rate has decreased by 26% between 2015 and 2021, putting Africa on the verge of reaching a 35% drop.
In addition, mortality has decreased by 35% in seven nations during 2015: Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, South Sudan, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.
In her statement for World TB Day 2023, Moeti hinted that the disease may be eradicated, emphasizing the need to to ensure equitable access to prevention and care, in line with our drive towards Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.
We commemorate World TB Day yearly on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of this preventable disease and call for accelerated action to end it, she said.
Her words: across the region, the challenges in TB prevention and control are significant: “First, the delayed diagnosis and testing. There is still a notable gap between the estimated number of new infections and case notifications of TB: 40% of people living with TB did not know of their diagnosis or it was not reported in 2021. One million people are living with TB in the region and have not been detected.
“Second, the link between TB and HIV. Approximately 20% of people newly diagnosed with TB are also living with HIV infection.
“Third, the multi-drug resistant TB. In the African region, only 26% of all people living with multi-drug resistance are receiving the appropriate treatment.
“Still, I am delighted that our Member States are increasing the uptake of new tools and guidance recommended by WHO, resulting in early access to TB prevention and care, and better outcomes. In the African Region, the use of rapid diagnostic testing has increased from 34% in 2020 to 43% in 2021, which will improve countries’ ability to detect and diagnose new cases of the disease”, she said.
She continued: “In 2021, with a clear roadmap, the WHO in the African Region showed that it is possible to reach – and even surpass –the first milestone of the End TB Strategy (20% reduction by 2020), with a decline rate of 22% in new infections since 2015.
“Through our technical support, leading advocacy, and effective partnerships, enormous progress has been made over the past decade, especially in the East and Southern African Regions. High-burden countries, like Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia have surpassed or reached the 20% target of reducing new TB cases.
“It is particularly important to find and diagnose cases of TB so that the patients can be treated, and their contacts offered preventive medication. Nigeria is an example of a country that managed to significantly increase national TB case finding by 50% in 2021 using innovative approaches such as the expansion of the daily observed treatment protocols, use of digital technologies, Community Active Case Finding, and enlisting Public Private Mix initiatives.
“TB requires concerted action by all sectors: from communities and businesses to governments, civil society and others. We must work together to develop innovative approaches to reach vulnerable populations and ensure that they have access to quality TB care and management.
“The second UN High-level Meeting on TB in September 2023 will provide a rare opportunity to give global visibility to the disease and mobilize high-level political commitment to end TB.
“Ending TB is feasible with the decline in TB deaths and cases, and the elimination of economic and social burdens associated with it”.
Moeti urged leaders, governments, partners, communities, and all stakeholders to urgently foster the resilient health systems required to accelerate the TB response so that we can reach the Sustainable Development Goals targets by 2030. Yes, we can end TB in our lifetime.
The dreaded but treatable Tuberculosis (TB) epidemic in Nigeria is something the Federal government is devoted to putting a stop to, according to the Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire.
In order to increase public awareness of tuberculosis and the efforts being done to prevent and treat the disease, he dropped this hint during a news conference marking the 2023 World TB Day. It gives us a chance to evaluate how well the End TB plan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are doing .
He stated that tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health issue both globally and in Nigeria, represented by Minister of State for Health Hon. Ekumankama Joseph Nkama.
Osagie stated that: “In line with the government’s effort to ensure good health and well-being for all Nigerians as envisioned in SDG 3, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) through the NTBLCP with the support of our committed and dependable partners have initiated a number of laudable TB control interventions.
“The country has in place a number of relevant policy documents to charta strategic direction for the control of the infection. These include the National guidelines for TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment, the National Strategic Plan (NSP-2021-2025), and the compendium of best practices among others.
“We have adopted and are scaling up new global innovations in every sphere of the response. This has ensured improved access and the efficiency of the interventions. For example, the GeneXpert equipment – a rapid molecular test for TB has increased from 32 in 2012 to 503 in 2022. The mobile digital ray with artificial intelligence, for TB screening among key and vulnerable populations, is being strategically scaled up across the country.
“In line with the NSP 2021-2025, active case-finding interventions have been deployed to target key and vulnerable populations as well as clinic/hospital attendees. These interventions are yielding positive results. Routine TB screening among outpatients is being implemented in all tertiary and a good number of secondary health facilities and this intervention is responsible for 8% of the national 2022 TB notification. We have equally expanded TB treatment services (DOTS centres) from 12,606 in 2019 to 20,148 in 2022 – translating to a 50% coverage of total heath facilities in Nigeria. Implementation of a robust Public-Private Mix DOTS (PPM- DOTS) plan has shown encouraging results as we have been able to expand TB services to 4,038 private facilities in 2022 from 1,451 in 2018. Thus, making PPM-DOTS a key TB control intervention that contributed to 24% of the national 2022 TB notification.
“In order to promote community participation, ownership and to discourage stigmatization of TB, community TB interventions are being implemented through community-based organizations across the country but more actively in 23 states. The community contribution to our national TB case notification rosee from 19% in 2018 to 45% in 2022.
“As encapsulated in the National Strategic Framework for TB/HIV collaborative activities, there have been significant improvements in this direction. Ninety-seven per cent of TB patients were tested for HIV in 2022. Consistent with the report of the 2018 National HIV/AIDS Impact Indicator Survey (NAIIS), the proportion of TB patients co-infected with HIV has dropped significantly from 12% in 2018 to 6% in 2022.
“It is heartwarming to state that these high-impact interventions amongst others have helped in revamping our TB control efforts with our annual TB notification increasing steadily from 138,591 in 2020 to the highest-ever notification of 285,561 in 2022. 1 think we all deserve a round of applause for this achievement” , Ehanire stated.
However, considering the high burden of TB in Nigeria, there are significant gaps in some critical aspects of our National TB response. A key challenge to our control effort has been access to TB services. The TB service coverage for 2022 was 50%, as services were only available in 20,148 out of 40,562 health facilities in the country.
Similarly, WHO Country Representative (WR) Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo who was represented at the occasion by Dr Laxmikant Chavan WHO Technical Officer hinted that, Nigeria at the United Nations High Level meeting (UNHLM) on TB in 2018 made a commitment to diagnose and treat 1,109,000 TB cases and place 2,183,890 clients on TB preventive Therapy (TPT) from 2018 to 2022. After the end of 2022, Nigeria has not demonstrated achievements of this commitment as available reports show that the country is trailing behind in all the set targets.
He noted that, TB control budgets in Nigeria continue to be drastically underfunded. About 69% of the TB budget in 2021 was unfunded, this is a major threat to the country’s efforts in achieving the set targets. Too many people are pushed into poverty when they contract TB due to lost income, transport costs and other expenses. 71% of the TB patients in Nigeria and their household are affected by catastrophic cost due to TB.
According to him:” WHO will continue to support Nigeria in developing and implementing guidelines, plans, framework and strategic documents to end TB epidemic in Nigeria. In addition, we will facilitate research to provide evidence-based interventions and innovations for finding the missing TB cases and enhancing the country’s efforts in reaching the set targets.
“We will continue to work with the programme to build capacity of senior and middle-level managers across the states on the needed knowledge and skills for improving quality of care and data analysis towards formulating evidence-based policies for enhancing programme performance at all levels. In addition, we will continue to support monitoring of the programme at all levels, in rea-time, to identify challenges and advise on strategies to address the challenges.
“Finally, let me pledge WHO’s continued support in strengthening partnership and innovations towards the attainment of set targets as well as leveraging on the country’s primary health care strengthening initiatives to end TB epidemic in Nigeria. TB IS Curable and treatable; I implore anyone coughing for two weeks or more to go for TB test in the nearest health facility. We call on everyone- the donors, private sector, civil society, academia and the press to join forces in solidarity and together, “Yes, we can end TB epidemic in Nigeria”, he stated.
In addition, the Deputy Director, Office of HIV/ AIDS and TB USAID Nigeria, Omosalewa Oyelaran said since 2003, Nigeria remains in the top 10 countries affected by TB, with one of the lowest detection rates globally.
She said to combat this debilitating disease, USAID collaborates with the Government of Nigeria and other national and international partners to support the National Tuberculosis Program. Since 2003, USAID has contributed more than $250 million to TB control efforts in Nigeria. In 2022 alone, USAID programs helped screen over 15 million individuals for TB. USAID’s support also includes the provision of TB screening, diagnostic, treatment, and preventive services in 18 states through community and facility-based interventions.
According to her:” In partnership with the Government of Nigeria, USAID’s ‘TB Accelerator’ model invested in local civil society organizations (CSOs) to increase access to quality TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, including multi-drug resistant TB. These local CSOs collaborate with the national and state TB programs to deploy, and scale, state of the art equipment and tools to improve detection of TB. USAID also facilitates multi-sectoral public-private partnerships to increase public awareness and advocate for domestic resources to address the TB epidemic in Nigeria. As a result, Nigeria realized a significant increase in TB case finding and treatment coverage over the past three years.
“Despite the additional challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have achieved significant results working together in partnership with GON and Global Fund. We commend the Government of Nigeria’s efforts to sustain the accelerated service delivery that resulted in yearly case notification increases of 160 percent between 2019 and 2022.
“However, much remains to be done if Nigeria is to meet its TB control target of ending the TB epidemic by 2035. We must continue to work together to reach all TB patients and their contacts in Nigeria.
“However, the greatest challenge is the funding gap, which is estimated to be 70 percent of the resources needed to effectively control TB. Therefore, I call on you to mobilize domestic resources to meet this funding gap through budgetary allocations, inclusion of TB services in health insurance schemes, and enhanced private sector engagement”, she said.
In her goodwill message, the Ag. Board Chair, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Dr Queen Ogbuji said out of the annual estimate of 479,000 TB cases in Nigeria, only 285,561 were notified. This is good progress in the right direction, and considering the fact that Nigeria was able to increase its notification even when the world was grappling with COVID:19 and many countries of the world had low case notification and more TB deaths.
She added that, “The increase has been consistent since then and Nigeria needs to be applauded for this. However, a lot needs to be done to close the gap.While we commemorate, let it remain top in our minds the picture that Nigeria ranks first in Africa and sixth in the world accounting for about 4.6% of the global TB burden
“TB disease is often more severe in children with higher mortality among those less than 5 years old. The notification of children with active TB disease has remained abysmally low at only 6% of out of the annual notification.
“As the country continues to make progress to find the missing TB cases and put them on treatment, much resources is needed to accomplish this, unfortunately, of the $373 million needed for TB control in Nigeria in 2020, only 31% was available and 24% of this came from the donors, only 7% was from domestic source”, she added.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has called on well meaning Nigerians and institutions to invest in the nation’s future generations by creating awareness on the dangers of climate change such as extreme weather and loss of livelihoods; and providing opportunities for them to proffer solutions, as this would further make the world a safer place for all. NiMet Director General/Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu made the call in Abuja while marking the 2023 World Meteorological Day.
He explained that the Day commemorates the coming into force on 23rd March 1950 of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organisation, adding that prior to this date, the International Meteorological Organisation existed since 1873, as a cooperation of international bodies or institutions working tirelessly together, exchanging data and making forecasts for the good of all.
Speaking further, he noted that, “As an organization of 187 Member States and 6 Member Territories, the WMO requires that all its members will operate with common vision and goals. The World Meteorological Day therefore, offers opportunity for member countries to converge ideas and resources; and align in one common thematic area.
“The ‘Day’ showcases the essential contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHss) such as NiMet and NIHSA (Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency) to the safety and wellbeing of society and is celebrated with activities around the world”, he said.
He also noted that NiMet has placed special importance in the future generations by working with the young minds in the country, and has designed, developed and implemented a programme called Young Meteorological Ambassadors.
Prof. Matazu pointed out that the Agency has signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with several universities in Nigeria to promote the science of meteorology within the academic institutions at tertiary level
Commenting further, he remarked that as an Agency, they are also working to preserve their past resources in terms of publications and instrumentation while developing new ones, thereby providing a robust knowledge base for the upcoming generations.
For his part, the WMO Representative, North Central and West Africa, Dr. Bernard Gomez, noted that the theme highlights past achievements, current progress and future potential of meteorology.
Dr. Benard, who was represented by Dr. Roland Abah, noted that the rate of climate change is accelerating and calls for urgent action to slash emissions and to ensure that future generations can both survive and thrive on our planet.
“Science and innovation are also key tools to scale up the contribution of weather and climate services to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We all must continue to remember that Climate change threatens the achievement of many of these goals and indeed our individual plans”, he concluded.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “The Future of Weather, Climate and Water Across Generations”.
The Federal Government has assured that the national carrier will begin operations before May 29, 2023, as the Nigeria Air project is 98 per cent completed.
The minister of aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika disclosed this in Abuja at the 10th National Aviation Stakeholders Forum 2023. He added that the successful implementation of the Aviation roadmap, would gulp about $14.166 billion.
Sirika added that local and international flights would commence soon following ongoing negotiations with the Ethiopian Airlines Group Consortium and the Federal Government of Nigeria ongoing.
According to him, negotiations are ongoing with the Ethiopian Airlines Group Consortium and the Federal Government of Nigeria. Next step: Federal Executive Council approval of the Full Business Case.
“Operation of local and international flights will commence soon. Before the end of this administration, before May 29, we will fly. However, with the successful implementation of the roadmap projects, our overall goal is to grow the Aviation sectors contribution from the current 0.6% to 5% (approximately $14.166 billion)”, he added.
Sirika said that the International Air Transportation Association, IATA, in June 2020, reached a significant contribution to Nigeria’s economy by providing about 241, 000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians.
Speaking further, the minister said the benefits Nigeria stands to derive from the establishment of the national carrier are reduced capital flight from Nigeria; gain the optimal benefit of BASA and SAATM and develop an aviation hub.
The minister also hinted that the National carrier would adequately contribute to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP; facilitate hospitality and tourism; facilitate growth and development of the Nigerian Agricultural Sector and create jobs around the Agro-Cargo Terminals.
According to him, “the National carrier will contribute to the GDP; facilitate hospitality and tourism; facilitate growth and development of the Nigerian Agricultural Sector and create jobs around the Agro-Cargo Terminals.
“A study showcases the significant contribution of air transportation to the National economy, through providing 241,000 jobs (direct and indirect) and a contribution of $1.7 billion to the National economy.
“Furthermore, we have successfully debunked the gospel truth that aviation doubles every 15 years. Currently in Nigeria, the number of airports including those currently being developed has doubled, the passenger number has doubled, other entrepreneurships including catering and ground handling has blossomed, the number of airlines and jobs has multiplied”, he said.
Sirika also said that the aviation sector is challenged with: “Inadequate Safety, Security and Surveillance Equipment; Capacity development of unemployed trained professional Nigerian Aviators and Ageing and over-bloated workforce in the Aviation Agencies; High cost of funds and shrinking capital market.
“Poor and intolerable condition of airport facilities and equipment (long waiting and check-in times, time consuming security screening and baggage pickups; High debt profile of domestic airlines; Slow and Cumbersome Procurement Process; Lack of skilled High level Management personnel in Airlines.”
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has assured that it would release its report on the train and the Lagos State staff bus accident, which occurred at Ikeja area of the state earlier this month.
This is as the bureau has agreed to deepen its relationships with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on ways of enhancing safety in the rail and road sector.
Speaking during courtesy visits to the two organsiations in Lagos yesterday, Engr. Akin Olateru, the Director-General, NSIB, said that its investigators had begun investigation into the causal and contributory factors of the March 9, 2023 train and bus accident in Lagos.
He explained that its report, which would be made public, would also include safety recommendations to both parties on how a recurrence could be avoided in the future. A press statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Tunji Oketunbi revealed.
Speaking at LASEMA, Olateru regretted the accident, which claimed nine lives with colossal damage to the bus, but assured the Lagos State Government that its investigators would do a thorough job and come up with safety recommendations.
He, however, said that it does not impose blame on any party, rather, issue safety recommendations on how such accident could be prevented in the future.
He explained that NSIB has well-trained 45 investigators who are deep on investigation of rail and maritime serious incidents and accidents.
“We have 45 well-trained investigators who are well-trained in the United States, Singapore Academy and others. So, we do what we do well. It takes time to carry out investigation.
“But, for this, I don’t think it will take time because some of our investigators have already been trained on train and maritime investigation.
“All the accidents and serious incidents that we have investigated in the past, we made them public. There is no hiding of anything, but the thing is we don’t blame anyone. We have the causal and contributory factors that would tell you why the accident happened.”
The Director-General also sought partnership between NSIB and LASEMA on capacity building, training and exchange of idea.
Earlier in his presentation, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary, LASEPA, showed some slides on the train-bus accident and how its agency was able to minimise the casualties.
He explained that LASEPA like in the past was swift, effective and efficient in its response to the train-bus collision due to the various layers of information and action plan already established by the Lagos State Government.
According to him, its officials were at the scene of the accident within 10
According to him, its officials were at the scene of the accident within 10 minutes while rescue operations commenced immediately.
He sought for partnership with NSIB in the areas of training and acquisition of equipment to further increase safety in the sector.
He said: “We wish to partner with your organisation. Let’s partner effectively and efficiently. You can use your money to build us up. You won’t regret it. I pioneered LASEMA in 2005 due to the bomb blast of January 27, 2002, which occurred in Lagos.
“Emergency has evolved over the years, we are now introducing what we call timely warning because we want to be proactive and for us to do this, we need your organisation so that there can be a form of lesson learnt from any emergency that occurs. We are very happy that you are with us.”
At the NRC, Olateru also reiterated that the report on the accident would be issued to the public soon and explained that the new NSIB Act 2022 followed the due process before it was enacted and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He explained that the essence of the new Act was to minimise all forms of road accidents in the country and safe more lives.
He said: “It is a decision of the Federal Government to do this. Before the passage of this Act, Nigerian Railway Corporation was the regulator, investigator and also the service provider.
“This is conflict of interest and in the wisdom of the Federal executive Council (FEC) in 2018, I made a presentation for the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for centralising all accident investigation in Nigeria in all modes of transportation.”
In his response, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director, NRC, expressed delight to work with NSIB.
He explained that the coming onboard of the bureau would improve safety of lives and equipment, while recurrence would also be prevented.
While lamenting the accident, Okhiria emphasised that the loss of lives would have been more catastrophic, but for the professional handling of the train driver.
According to him, no fewer than 1,000 passengers were onboard of the train on the day of the incident, stressing that if the train driver had applied the break immediately, the train would have derailed while more lives would have been lost.
He, however, said that the coming of NSIB to investigate train accident was not a threat to the organisation, rather, it would serve as a boost to the rail system in the country.
“The coming onboard of NSIB into the investigation of accidents in the rail sector will make the job of railway easier. It is a welcome development. We are willing to work with them. This is the direction of the government and we have to abide by it. We will work with them.
“How does it threaten us? The agency is not a threat to us in anyway; rather, we intend to work with them to make the rail sector safer and better for everyone. This is a law of the land and everyone must obey it,” he assured.
However, NSIB, LASEMA and NRC have agreed to set up a committee to work on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would further boost the relationship among the organisations.NSIB Act 2022
The President Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero has directed workers in the country to embark on indefinite strike beginning from Wednesday next week.
He also directed that affiliate unions constituting the Nigeria Labour Congress should also be on standby for picketing exercise across all branches of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN nationwide. Ajaero gave the directive in Abuja while briefing journalists. The directive followed an earlier ultimatum issued by the Central Working Committee members of the NLC last week criticising the cash swap policy of the Federal Government.
Ajaero said the decision to picket CBN branches become necessary, as the Federal Government and the CBN have not shown any commitment to address the situation.
He lamented that despite the Supreme Court order allowing the old N500 and N1000 notes to circulate with the new notes till December 31st this year, the situation appears to be getting worse as workers cannot access cash to pay fares to work, neither can they buy food for their families.
“Last week we gave an ultimatum for the review of the cash crunch bedeviling the country, but we have discovered to our dismay that as at this moment not much effort has been made to ameliorate the situation, government is still foot dragging on these issues we raised.
“Based on this, we met again this morning to review our position and resolved that by Wednesday next week all CBN branches will be picketed, workers are directed to stay at home too because people cannot eat, workers can no longer go to the office, we have been pushed to the wall, we have decided to take our destiny in our hands, we have mobilised our workers on this exercise,”Ajaero stated.
In continuation of the established tradition of regular interactions with major players in the aviation industry in Nigeria since the inception of the Buhari administration, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika will host aviation stakeholders on Thursday 23rd March, 2023 in Abuja.
The idea of the regular meetings has been to ensure that all industry Stakeholders are carried along, and make inputs in the development and implementation of programmes and policies for the success of the industry.
This is contained in a statement by Mr James Odaudu, the Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Affairs.
This Stakeholders’ Forum, the 10th of the kind, is therefore an Interactive Session conceived to bring together all relevant Industry Players to brainstorm on the Policies and Programmes that have, and will continue to move the nation’s aviation industry forward and set it as one of the best in the global aviation community.
The Forum will assist the Federal Ministry of Aviation and all its Agencies to have direct contact with the very important Stakeholders in and outside the industry, articulate ideas on the way forward and brainstorm on the developments within the sector as a whole.
The Forum is also expected to afford the Stakeholders another opportunity to ventilate their opinions on the journey so far, and ensure that policies and programmes implemented in the aviation industry mirror the expectations of Nigerians, and truly lead to the socioeconomic and national development of the nation.
According to the Minister, the Forum will also seek to provide answers to pertinent questions, provide sensitisation and clarifications on policies and programmes, provide awareness on activities of government and non-governmental organisations in the industry.
The Forum which is expected to be declared open by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo will bring together all relevant industry players within and outside the industry namely; The Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Labour and Employment, Health, Agriculture, Transportation and Environment.
Also expected at the Forum, aside the regular aviation sector players, are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Accountant General of the Federation, Chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Director-General, Budget Office, Presidential Committee on Salaries, and CEOs of Media establishments.
Senator Hadi Sirika, since assumption of office as Minister of Aviation, has made it a point of duty to hold regular consultations with Stakeholders in the industry including Airline Operators, Labour unions, service providers, regulators etc, especially on the implementation of the Aviation roadmap which was put in place by the Buhari administration.
Mr. Haruna Abdullahi, Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), the Agency’s management has prioritized institutional structure as a critical approach to continuously enhance revenue production in the territory.
Abdullahi made the remarks while delivering a keynote lecture on “Accounting for a Better World” at the Annual Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Members, Partner Employers, and Students Conference 2023 in Abuja.
This was stated in a statement made accessible to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja by the Chief Corporate Communications, FCT-IRS, Mustapha Sumaila.
The statement reads: “What we have been doing in the last two years is to build the institutional framework to fit into globally recognised institutions that will be a model for not only our counterpart agencies in Nigeria but in Africa.
“We have carried out a number of reforms to reshape the Service to enhance our revenue drive in the FCT. We have stepped up on our awareness campaigns to educate taxpayers on all our processes as well mobilise the prospective taxpayers to be in tax net.
“Our engagement with our major stakeholders has been enhanced overtime as we constantly engage them, update and educate them on decision, direction and introduction of any policy in order to carry them along.
“Capacity building of staff has been an utmost priority for the Service more than ever. We cannot have efficient and committed workforce if the staffers are not well trained to deliver optimally.
“From what we have done so far, in the next few years, there will be visible impact in terms of what the Service will be generating” he stated.
The FCT-IRS boss while speaking to students at the Summit, admonished them on the importance of mentorship when making career choices, as guides from their mentors would go a long way in shaping their career paths.
Abdullahi who is also a Fellow of ACCA underscored the need for mentors and successful persons in their choosen endeavours in the society to identify talents and build them to become great people in their careers.
The FCT-IRS chairman while commending the ACCA for organising the summit, stated that the association had given him global opportunity to work around the world hence urged the participants to tap from this privilege to change their destiny.
Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for governor in Delta State in 2023, has seen his campaign for the office gain momentum as Nollywood industry leaders in the state vowed their support for him and urged residents to cast their ballots in large numbers to ensure his victory.
Thespians voiced their opinions during a stakeholders interactive session on Tuesday in Asaba, the state capital, at the Film Village.
The event was attended by over 500 industry players in the state, including actors, actresses, producers , Directors, Makeup artistes who are based in the State as well as the Senator elect for Delta North, Hon Ned Nwoko, among other stakeholders.
Chief Emeka Rollas (MON ), President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN) who spoke on behalf of the stars stated that “Nollywood was happy with the lofty achievements of the outgoing Government of Delta State led by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa.”
According to him, the Okowa led PDP administration has provided enabling environment that has made Delta State a filmmaking hub in Nigeria, adding that over 5,000 members of the Guild are currently plying their trade in the state.
The AGN Boss stressed that Oborevwori’s governorship will present beautiful vista for the state creative industry, particularly its filmmaking sector for job creation for its teeming youths and enhance contribution to national economy by the state.
“Many filmmakers and actors have relocated to Asaba, and some of them have also built houses and establish their business here also because of the opportunities the state offers.
“However, there is need for continuity and, we are sure that t Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori will give full commitment and support to the industry when he emerge governor of the state.
“It is for this reasons and for continuity that Nollywood in Delta is throwing its weight totally behind him and his Deputy at the March 18 gubernatorial polls,”he said.
In his remark, the State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by the Secretary to the State Government Chief Patrick Ukah, said the state government has remain steadfast in his support for the industry through the provision enabling environment for the industry to strive in the State.
These he said include “adequate security, building of one of the best Film Village in the country, which include facilities such as studios , amphitheater, among others, and has made Asaba the hub for movie shooting and a location of choice, not only in Nigeria but Africa at large.”
He therefore assured filmmakers that the State Government will partner with Nollywood in the running of the newly built multi million naira Film Village in Asaba.
The Governor assured that a Film City will soon be established in the State where movie practitioners can buy lands and build their houses.
Also speaking at the event, the PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in the state, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori pledged his willingness to continue the good works by the outgoing government for the entertainment industry if elected into office.
Oborevwori,who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, said “the Entertainment industry cannot be neglected by any serious minded government not only because of the accruing economic benefits but also the joy it brings to millions of Nigerians across political, ethnic, social, religious, gender leanings”
Some of the Nollywood stars present at the event include Steve Eboh, , Ngozi Ezeonu, Jnr Pope,Baba Rex, Ebele Okaro, Livinus Nnochiri, Mac Collins Chidebe (China),Destiny Etiko and Mary Igwe.
Others include Ify Eze, Chioma Emenike as well as major film marketers and distributors such as Remmy Jess, Ossy Affason, Nickson and Wazico,among others
