Day: August 21, 2024

The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTC) has trained 28 geriatric caregivers in social care skills.

Dr Emem Omokaro, the NSCC Director-General (D-G), speaking at the training on Wednesday in Abuja, said the trainees were nominees from the public and private health sectors in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was tagged ‘Inaugural Training Programme for Quality Assurance Assessors Certification in Geriatric Social Care Skills’.

Omokaro stated that the participants marked the first batch to be trained and certified as quality assurance assessors in geriatric caregiving in Nigeria.

She said that the trainees ranged from consultant family physicians, heads of geriatrics units in states, health professors, owners of care homes, among others.

‘They are to be trained as quality assurance assessors who speak with competency, such as attitudes.

‘We are developing a care quality system in the country by es
tablishing standards and quality with partners.

‘This is because our older persons deserve it, and the caregivers deserve the dignity to be recognised and formalised into a workforce.

‘Nigeria deserves to have a geriatric industry, which will help grow her economy by also providing employment opportunities,’ she said.

According to the D-G, caring for older persons is a skill, hence the importance of training those in the geriatric, educational, and health sectors at large.

‘It is a journey of a thousand miles, but we have progressively taken steps, and we know the government can’t do it alone, so we are doing our possible best.

‘What we are promoting is the ‘domiciliary care agency’, which means we accredit, train, and license agencies who operate such geriatric services, then certify them so that they can effectively train their workers.

‘The caregivers must know how to do their jobs effectively when attending to older people,’ the D-G reiterated.

Mr Suleiman Yusuf, NBTC Director of Vocational, Techni
cal, and Skills Development, said the training certificate was of international standard.

‘The training is demanding, and it is not easy, as it is being supervised by the board, so we need to get it right to deliver what is needed to produce a quality workforce.

‘The benchmark is for them to be occupationally competent, as they are the ones to manage those who will be caregivers to the elderly,’ Yusuf said.

Mr Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, said the training and certification marked the beginning of standardisation of care for the aged.

The minister, represented by Dr John Ovuoraye, the Ministry’s Head of Gender, Adolescent, School Health, and Elderly Division, said that Nigeria is lagging behind in the standardisation of the geriatric sector.

‘The elderly population in Nigeria is increasing, and we do not want to lose our elderly ones, so we need to build a healthcare system of our dreams.

‘We need to applaud those driven by passion to start this here and ensure it is sta
ndardised,’ he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Prof. Ita Okokon, said as a Consultant Family Physician and a gerontology lecturer, he appreciates the training, as it will better equip him in his area of specialisation.

‘This training will enhance my practice because most of what we have been taught is practical,’ he said.

Okokon, however, urged the Federal Government to empower the NSCC, adding that it would aid the establishment of centres at the state level.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Unity in Africa is a transformative pathway to achieving sustainable development, former President of Tanzania, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, has said.

Kikwete said this while delivering a Graduation Lecture for the Participants of the National Defence College (NDC) Course 32, in Abuja.

He said that unity creates peace, security and stability, which are necessary conditions for development.

The title of his lecture was, ‘Democracy Beyond the Ballot Box: a Pathway to Africa’s Unity and Development’.

He said that some parts of Africa experiencing political instability and conflicts would act as stumbling blocks toward the development of individual states and the continent at large.

According to him, it is also important to note that unity brings together our collective efforts as a continent to withstand the forces of globalisation and international geopolitics.

‘If by 2050 Africa embraces unity it will potentially emerge as a powerhouse of the time and of the future in the global economics and politics.

‘Africa U
nion’s Agenda 2063 emphasises the centrality of democracy and peoples’ participation in the development process.

‘Moreover, the Agenda also calls for a united Africa in order to realise development. Therefore, while democracy provides an avenue to ensure people-centered development, unity brings collective efforts in achieving development.

‘In this regard, democracy and unity should be viewed as critical for development.’

The former president also noted that the act of casting a vote had neither truly embodied the essence of democracy nor dealt a death blow to dictatorship as it is claimed.

According to him, it may not necessarily be the case because there are examples of leaders who came to power through the ballot but afterwards became dictators.

‘They institute a reign of terror and use it to be re-elected again and again.

‘They disrupt democratic norms; paralyse the system of accountability, rendering people’s participation a matter of no consequence.

‘Unfortunately, the African Union has not yet f
ound ways to remove such people from power. Usually, they perpetuate themselves through corruption, treachery and terror.’

The former Tanzanian leader said that literatures on democracy emphasises what democracy should deliver to the people beyond periodic elections.

He added that political parties and individuals often campaign during elections, promising to address developmental issues.

These issues include improving the economy, delivering social services, ensuring security, or advancing international affairs.

According to him, at the core of democracy is the promise of serving the people and addressing the developmental challenges after the ballot.

The former president congratulated all participants of the college for successfully completing the course, which he described as an important milestone in their lives and career.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the graduation lecture is one of the highpoints of the NDC Course graduation ceremony which started with series of activities and wi
ll climax on Friday, which is the graduation day.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A 62-year-old man, Sunday Adesoye, was docked in a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, over alleged stealing of four bottles of Cousins red wine worth N27,000 .

The police charged Adesoye, whose address was not provided with theft.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp. Olasunkanmi Bamikole, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Aug. 12 at 8 a.m in Ado-Ekiti.

Bamikole said that the defendant stole the wine bottles belonging to the complainant, Apro Pharmacy and Supermarket Ltd.

Bamikole said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 302(1) (a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him study the file and call his witnesses.

The Defence Counsel, Mrs Adunni Olanipekun, prayed the court to grant her client bail, promising that he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Saka Afunso, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety in like sum.

Afunso ad
journed the case until Sept. 23 for mention.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mrs Eugenia Abu, ace broadcaster and retired Executive Director with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), has challenged journalists to always strike a balance between speed and accuracy in the handling of their reports.

Abu gave the advice on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing members of the Editorial Department of the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN).

According to her, journalism has the potential to take its practitioners to the greatest possible heights.

‘Journalism yesterday was about fact checking, today it is about speed. Thus, in new journalism, there is need to always balance speed and accuracy. This is very important.

‘When you do your job professionally, you would be respected. The most important thing in life is for you to do your job well, focus on the craft and be obedient to your superiors.

‘As a journalist, ensure you always learn from your superiors. It should not be all about money.

‘The good works and contacts you have today will be tomorrow’s currency. Don’t be a begging journalist; d
on’t be someone who begs and demands for money. That will be shameful,” Abu stressed.

She added that a professional journalist that knows his or her onions and carry out assigned jobs diligently, would have many doors open, using herself as a living testimony.

Abu admonished journalists working in reputable media organisations to protect and respect their brands, declaring that a journalist has no moral right to insult his employer or brand.

She reiterated that journalism has the potential to grow a journalist into other bigger things.

‘Whatever work they give you to do as a journalist, do it well. Make use of the opportunity you have, save monies to enable you participate in conferences, both at home and abroad.

‘Don’t make your organisation the only place you know; explore other opportunities aside your place of work,” she advised.

The broadcaster narrated how she started her journey from NYSC at OGTV in Ogun State to Benue State Ministry of Information from where she hoped into NTA.

‘I am now a co
nsultant and director in boards of different organisations, including Trust TV, Savanna Centre and many others.

The Editor-in-Chief of NAN, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, in his response, appreciated Abu for sharing her experiences with members of staff of the department.

Similarly, some staffers of the Agency commended Abu, describing her as a role model and the reason they ventured into journalism.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mrs Eugenia Abu, ace broadcaster who retired as an Executive Director at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), has advised women journalists to share their time well between their jobs and the families.

‘This is very crucial to having a successful career,’ Abu told members of the Editorial Department of the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

‘I have been married for 41 years now. At every point, I tried to strike a balance between being a successful journalist and being a good wife and mother.

‘Everything starts from who you marry. Marry your friend, cheer leader and a person that will believe in you.

‘You need to marry a partner that will encourage and motivate you to do better on the job.

‘To have a successful career as a journalist, there is need to have a balance between your marriage and the profession.

‘Nothing ages a woman like school runs, but again, if a woman doesn’t do school runs, the children may not know her,’ Abu said.

The ace broadcaster suggested that child upbringing
should be a collective responsibility.

Abu stressed that when couples understand themselves, the home front will not suffer, adding that discipline matters a lot in family affairs.

‘You can manage your children by being friends with your neighbours, Church members, cousins and sisters that live in the same town with you. They will be of help in some situations.

‘It is also good to search your children’s bags to know what they are up to. It is also good to be friends with your children.

‘Don’t abandon your husband’s/wife’s desires and needs. As an Executive Director, I usually go home to cook for my husband. I call him four times a day.

‘This journalism job is hard. Give your partner his or her time. It is very important. You have to be intentional in balancing your home,’ Abu said.

She also admonished editors not to always remain in the newsroom, stressing that they need to go out and mingle.

‘Rememeber that you need partners for your old age. Have them while still young and agile,’ she said.

Source:
News Agency of Nigeria

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called for strengthened cooperation between Nigeria and Tanzania in shared aspirations for continental growth and unity.

Shettima made the call on Tuesday when he received former Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He explained that the call became necessary since Nigeria shares historic ties with Tanzania, particularly in their roles as frontline states in the fight against apartheid and colonialism.

Shettima, while praising Tanzania’s leadership legacy, said that country was one of Africa’s success stories.

‘ From Julius Nyerere to Samia Suluhu Hassan, the country has been blessed with exceptional leaders. Tanzania stands as a beacon of hope and stability in East Africa,’ he said.

The Vice-President stressed the importance of stronger economic and social ties between the two nations, especially within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

‘With the discovery of significant gas reserves, Tanzania is on a
fast track to development. If key African nations like Nigeria and Tanzania succeed, the entire continent will benefit,’ he said.

He also praised the Tanzanian government’s support for Nigerian businesses in Tanzania, citing companies like United Bank for Africa, Guarantee Trust Bank, Dangote among many others.

Earlier, Kikwete, who was in Nigeria for the convocation ceremony at the National Defence College, expressed the readiness of that country to strengthen business and diplomatic ties with Nigeria.

‘We value the friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and Tanzania and are committed to strengthening it further,’ he said.

Kikwete acknowledged the role of the Nigerian National Defence College in training Tanzanian military personnel, expressing optimism for deeper ties in defense, trade and diplomacy.

Both leaders stressed the importance of revisiting outdated agreements and scaling up bilateral relations in the spirit of African solidarity.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria