Day: June 10, 2024

A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Wonder Woman, has called for increased collaboration by stakeholders to address menstrual hygiene issues among secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The group’s Vice President, Anne Dirkling, made the call during sensitisation workshop at the Federal Government Girls’ College Bwari, FCT, on Monday.

She said it is normal to sensitise young girls to understand menstrual health hygiene and to normalise as a natural growth pattern for the female.

She acknowledged the struggles of girls and women in Nigeria who faced period stigma in society, which is why the NGO came up with the sensitisation workshop.

She added that the project in support of the French Embassy in Nigeria provided a platform for girls to learn about puberty and adolescence in a safe, open environment.

‘We have containers across the town for people to drop plastic waste, and in exchange, we distribute reusable sanitary pads and soaps,’ she said.

According to her, plastic is n
ot used to make pads but to gather, sell to bottle recycling companies, and use the funds to purchase menstrual hygiene kits for vulnerable girls and women in society.

‘The Plastic Pads Project is conducted in partnership with other parts and Bwari Area Council by placing containers around town to collect recyclable waste.

‘The proceeds are used to provide sanitary hygiene kits, reusable pads, and soap to girls in the community,’ Dirkling said.

She emphasised the importance of normalising menstruation where girls could openly discuss and understand menstrual health, noting that ‘this would be possible by encouraging conversations and providing necessary products.

See also No COVID-19 vaccines for under-18 – PTF

‘The initiative aims to empower girls, reduce school absenteeism, and ensure they remain confident and focused on their education.’

The NGO Programme manager, Mr Kumbet Longdi, said the aim of the workshop is

to inspire girls to take action for a period-friendly environment, thereby encouraging
them to gather plastic waste in exchange for sanitary pads.

One of the students, Blessing Efeoghene, who came overall best in the questions and answers session, commended the NGO for the initiative, saying ‘we will ensure that more plastic waste are gathered

and deposited in the container given to us by the NGO.’

Thr News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the programme, a container was launched at the school, and 170 menstrual hygiene kits were distributed to the students.

The group explored various aspects of menstruation, societal perceptions, and the importance of menstrual health and hygiene through educative sessions and games with the students.

NAN reports that menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman’s monthly cycle, indicating the absence of pregnancy.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Acting Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Maropene Ramokgopa has called on the nation to rally behind Bafana Bafana as they continue to fight for a place in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Bafana Bafana will face Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday, 11 June 2024.

‘This will be the first time Bafana Bafana plays an international match in Bloemfontein since their victory against France in the 2010 FIFA Men’s World Cup. Football supporters in the Free State are famous for their passionate support during matches.

‘I welcome the return of international football to the Free State and call on South Africans to fill up Free State Stadium and get behind Bafana Bafana, as our national team continues its march to qualify for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup,’ the Minister said on Monday.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Bill before him for assent to give it legal backing.

The Commander General (CG) of NHFSS, Dr Joshua Osatimehin, made the call during the training of over 375 officers of the service by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in Abuja.

Osatimehin said the signing of the bill would boost and empower the service to do more and contribute to the fight against criminality in Nigeria.

According to him, in the South-South, men of NHFSS are doing fantastically well in the fight against oil bunkering, oil theft and saving money for the Federal Government.

He called for the financing of the activities of hunters and forest security services, adding that the personnel had been working voluntarily.

‘We are attacking the bandits because nobody knows the forest more than the hunters.

‘We have been saying this over and over, that Nigerian hunters and forest secur
ity is the missing link in Nigeria’s security architecture,” he said.

Osatimehin, said the training workshop was designed to enhance the capacity of its operatives in their quest to actively fight criminals in the forests.

He added that the training would go a long way in enhancing the productivity of NHFSS personnel towards strengthening the security of lives and property in forests across the country.

The CG said that the capacity workshop was also to enable the hunters to contribute to the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the area of security.

See also Commission urges NASS to establish Disability Trust Fund

He thanked the Commandant-General of the NSCDC for giving them the platform to have well trained personnel and to boost their capacity to deliver on their mandates.

‘NSCDC has over the years being rendering necessary security training to NHFSS to enable the service be abreast with current strategies on intelligence gathering, security tips, code of conduct among othe
rs in line with the best international security standard.

‘This is geared towards safeguarding the country from crimes and criminality, especially in the ungoverned space which is the forests nationwide.

‘The training has been impactful and we have learnt a lot in the last couple of days and it is a good effort in the right direction.

‘This is one way to boost the confidence of the citizens that the Nigerian hunters and forest security personnel are well trained and are ready to take up the assignment of protecting the forest,” he said.

The NHFSS CG commended Tinubu for the successes so far recorded in the fight against insecurity in the last one year.

The Deputy Commander General (DCG), Technical Services, Dr John Metchie, said the training was a train the trainer initiative to enable the senior officers passes same down to the local level.

Metchie said the organisation was determined to bring everybody up to standard, to the same level as the NSCDC, Police, Army and other security services.

He said
the organisation had over the years, been collaborating with all the security agencies to get its personnel adequately trained.

‘We have also collaborated with the Police Department of Training and Development on managing security and security challenges within the forested region.

See also CDS promises peaceful polls in Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo

‘We have also effectively collaborated with the Department of State Security Service on intelligent gathering within forested region.

‘And now with the NSCDC being one of the lead agencies in Nigeria in terms of internal security awareness campaign and the mandate of securing the critical infrastructure.

‘So, part of their job is what we are also doing within the forest because pipelines pass through the forest and mineral resources are also embedded within the forest.

‘So we are here to learn from them being one of the parenting bodies of security,” he said.

Metchie further said that the NHFSS had been clamouring for presidential assent to its bill to be able to pr
ove to the public and the federal government that they were up to the task.

‘We want Mr President to give official assent to empower our officers the command structures to work with the constituted authority to curb crimes and criminality within the forest.

‘You will agree with me that forest is the treasure base of any country, and 80 per cent of our mineral resources are located within the forested region and bandits and other criminal elements have taken over this forest’, he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The FCT Administration (FCTA) says it has concluded plans to provide free healthcare services under its ‘Renewed Hope Medical Outreach’ programme, in Kuje Area Council of the FCT.

Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, FCTA Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, stated this when she visited the traditional leader of Kuje, and the Chairman of the Kuje Area Council, in Kuje on Monday.

Fasawe explained that the medical outreach was part of activities to celebrate President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office.

‘We will be offering general healthcare services, eye care with free glasses and surgery when necessary, dental care, and free blood, HIV, hepatitis test.

‘We also have nutritional desk where we will teach women on how to make cheap, affordable and quality food for their children, she said.

Fasawe added: ‘Not only that, we will also have a health education department to teach people how to prevent diseases.

‘We will also go further to talk about clean cooking for people to be conscious of the envi
ronment and the air we breathe.

‘We will be demonstrating and giving out gas cookers to show people the effectiveness and advantage of cooking without smoke.

‘This is because the smoke we inhaled is bad for our lungs and our children’s development,’ she said.

The mandate secretary said that the outreach would be open to residents of the area but with particular attention to women and children.

She said that every woman that showed up would be registered to access free health services for one year.

See also Health insurance enrollees seek improved services

Fasawe explained that the gesture was in line with the one year health insurance for pregnant women approved by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike.

‘This is because we have zero tolerance to maternal mortality. It is unacceptable for any woman to die of pregnancy or childbirth complications,’ she said.

Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCT Administration, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, addressing offic
ials of Kuje Area Council on planned free medical outreach for residents of Kuje on Monday.

Fasawe urged pregnant women to visit nearest primary health centres for antenatal care and to deliver their baby with a skilled birth attendant

On the target residents, she said: ‘We intend to reach as much as we can; as much that comes in here; and as much as time allows.

‘For those that we cannot see, there is provision for further care at the nearest Primary Healthcare Centres and the General Hospitals.

‘Basically, the target is, come one; come all, but on a first come first serve basis. There won’t be favouritism; just come, get a number and you get adequate healthcare,’ she said.

She explained that the outreach, which would begin on June 12, was the first of many, adding that after covering the six Area Councils, it would be extended to communities based on needs.

She said that the choice of locations was scientific, adding, ‘we look at the hospital records; and we look at health seeking habits.

‘We have re
alised that the people of Kuje are actually needing much more than our general hospital can give right now,’ she said.

See also FG, NGO develop dashboard to monitor fistula, CS data in health facilities

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Babagana Adam, urged the traditional leaders and council’s officials to mobilise residents in Churches and Mosques to take advantage of the opportunity to access free medical services.

In his remarks, the Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Haruna Jibrin, thanked the Secretariat for the medical outreach which he described as good news.

‘I thank President Tinubu, FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike and FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud for considering Kuje for the initiative,’ he said.

Also, the Kuje Area Council Chairman, Mr Abdullahi Sabo, assured Fasawe of the council’s full support.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, who bears the same name, Sabo said he had directed all the 10 Counselors in the council to mobilise their people for the exercise.

‘We will continue to support Wike as
agents of Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Stakeholders say collaboration is important in boosting investments and ensuring Nigeria’s growth.

They spoke at a Stakeholders ‘Engagement with Investment Promotion Agencies (SIPAs), organised by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) in Abuja.

The Executive Secretary of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, emphasised the Importance of strengthening relationship between the commission and the state investment agencies.

‘So the objectives today are to strengthen this relationship between NIPC and the State Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs).

‘To ensure a seamless coordination and alignment of efforts to attract investments across the country.

‘We want to strengthen and build the technical and institutional capacity of the IPAs to enable them to achieve set goals and objectives.

‘We want to be able to disseminate information about investment opportunities across the states, leveraging local knowledge to attract investors,” she said.

Rimi expressed the commission’s desire to address challenges and bottlenec
ks that hinder investment activities and find practical solutions to enhance the investment climate.

She said the meeting also aimed to foster strong relationships with stakeholders, including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), some of which were represented at the event.

To achieve these goals, Rimi said the commission designed the Nigerian Investment Certification Programme for States (NICPS) to ensure an efficient system in the states.

The executive secretary reiterated the importance of working to ensure we retained the investors already in Nigeria, especially considering the harsh business environment in the country.

Rimi urged the participants to use the opportunity to interact, network, listen to the various speakers, and find ways to drive investment in the country.

See also Group tasks FG, states on investment in education

Also speaking, the Director, Infrastructure and Public Private Partnership (PPP), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPE), Dr Micheal Magaji, reiterated the importance
of collaboration to boost investment.

According to Magaji, reform is also critical to ensuring investment promotion in the country.

He said: ‘our engagement today underscores our commitment to fostering strong partnerships between the federal and state levels and between the public and private sectors.

‘We are here to listen, learn, and share our expertise, with the ultimate goal of driving sustainable development and economic growth across Nigeria.

‘Additionally, we use this opportunity to urge all states present at this engagement to take full advantage of this collaboration.’

According to the director, the benefits outlined above represent a glimpse of what can be achieved through our joint efforts.

‘We encourage you to engage with the Bureau. Leverage our expertise and unlock the full potential of your state’s assets.

‘Our doors are always open, and we are committed to supporting you in every step of this journey.

‘I look forward to our discussions and the innovative solutions emerging from this e
ngagement.

‘Together, we can continue to transform our states and, by extension, our nation into hubs of prosperity and progress,” he said.

Similarly, the Director, Investment Promotion, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Gertrude Orji, said the ministry was committed to keeping up with the NIPC’s mandate.

Orji, represented by an Assistant Director in the ministry, Amina Mohammed, said the event was critical to investment and pivotal to the country’s development.

Also, a representative of GIZ-SEDIN Programme, Abuja, Mr Akinropo Omaware, commended NIPC’s efforts in attracting and retaining investment in the country.

See also Nigeria is China’s major investment destination in Africa – Envoy

Omaware said collaboration was key to strengthening the country’s investment climate.

He expressed the commitment of the organisation to support and drive investments in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that key stakeholders, government officials, and experts in the sub-sector attended
the event.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said it has begun construction of a Multipurpose Emergency Shelter designed to serve as a refuge during flood emergencies in the Niger delta region.

Managing Director of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, made this known on Monday in Abuja, while defending the commission’s 2024 budget estimate of N1.911 trillion before the Senate Committee on NDDC.

In his presentation, Ogbuku said that from the proposed 2024 budget, N38.5 billion was for personnel, while N29.2 billion was for overhead and N1 trillion earmarked for legacy projects.

He said that the Multipurpose Emergency Shelter, which was a flagship of NDDC’s present administration with a capacity of over 1,000 accommodations, was designed to serve as a refuge during flood emergencies.

‘In response to the frequent flooding challenges faced by Niger Deltans, we have commenced construction of a Multipurpose Emergency Shelter with a capacity of over 1,000 accommodations, designed to serve as a refuge during flood emergencies.

‘The facility includes essential amenities such as a school, hospital, cafeteria, police post, and recreation centre, aimed at providing comprehensive support to the community,’ he said.

He said that once completed, the multipurpose emergency shelter would play a vital role in offering temporary accommodation and necessary services to the population in the event of emergencies in the region.

‘The NDDC’s proactive approach in addressing the needs of the affected communities through such initiatives underscores the Commission’s commitment to enhancing emergency response and resilience in the Niger Delta region,’ he added.

Ogbuku further said that in the area of infrastructure, the commission came up with ‘Operation Light Up Niger Delta Region’.

See also NGO submits document to address organised crimes in Niger Delta, others

‘This has seen a reasonable number of the communities being lit up using solar powered street lights, which have boosted the economic activities of communities at night.

‘In education,
we have awarded foreign scholarships to 750 individuals between 2023-2024 (for 2022, 2023 and 2024 years) and provided educational grants to 84 individuals.

‘Additionally, we are distributing 45, 000 Ulesson tablets preloaded with Nigerian and WAEC syllabus to schools in the nine states in the Niger Delta region.’

He said that the commission had commissioned a programme, to enable enrolment of poor and vulnerable people into the various Social Health Insurance Schemes of the nine NDDC states.

This, he said, was in view of the prevailing poor health indices of the country and particularly the region.

‘This is to also facilitate easy access to essential health and social services towards Universal Health Coverage.’

Ogbuku said that the commission was working toward completion of some ongoing projects, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.

The MD also said that his administration was committed to payment of legacy debts because, ‘we are committed to the welfare of our people in the Niger Delta’.

H
e said that N100 billion was earmarked to begin payment of legacy debts, adding that in 10 years’ time the commission would have offset the legacy debts.

Chairman of the Senate Committee, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, while noting that although the budget was brought late, said NDDC had recorded salient achievements like ‘light up Niger Delta’.

‘I hope that the 2024 budget will consolidate on already existing projects. I commend the NDDC’s scholarship programme,’he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria