Category: General

An Abuja-based NGO, Digital Health Interoperability Network (DHIN), has expressed readiness to partner with the Federal Government to expand the scope of digital healthcare system.

The DHIN management made the pledge on Tuesday in Abuja at a roundtable on

Unique Identifiers for Management of Cross-Institutional Duplicate Health Records’.

Speaking, Mr Emeka Chukwu, a Digital Health Consultant and a Co-Convener DHIN, said the initiative was born out of passion for the workable solution to interoperability of healthcare system in Nigeria as practiced in the banking sector.

“For many years we have been in this field and we have not seen practical application in Nigeria’s healthcare system and we have realised that everyone is trying to build his own Interoperability system.

“And we figured that what we need to do is to bring people to work together, not at a theoretical level but at a practical level to start building systems that are interoperable not as one organisation but as multiple organisation.

“Just like what we have in the banking sector, Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), where we have system that settles transactions across banks.

“We also want to stand as such an organisation like NIBSS that will settle transactions in health sector across hospitals in Nigeria.

According to him, when the health system is strengthened, then those in the rural areas will also benefit and technology has shown that it increases access to healthcare facilities, reduces cost if it is properly implemented.

“When systems are interoperable, you can serve cost, you can make sure that there is no duplicate records, no fraudulent system, and other waste in the system can easily be streamlined. “

Also, Mrs Vivian Okafor, Head, E-Health Division, Federal Ministry of Health, explained that the digital health initiative was looking towards achieving universal health coverage to involve the rural areas in particular.

“We in Nigeria have come to imbibe digital health and currently at the ministry of health. Infact, we are looking towards digitising all our Federal Tertiary Institutions.

“We are hoping that the states and the lower level of health will equally follow suit because with digitisation, it will go a long way to improve health outcome in Nigeria, ” she explained.

Okafor further stated that the forum would serve as a medium to collectively identify some gaps and challenges to extend digital services to rural areas in particular, looking at challenges such as epileptic power supply, gaps in technology/internet system among other factors that could hinder the initiative.

Mr Emmanuel Edet, Ag Director Standards Guidelines/Frameworks, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), explained that the essence of the initiative was to promote the use of digital technology in healthcare delivery.

According to Edet, NITDA is government agency charged with the responsibility of encouraging the development of digital economy in Nigeria and the agency is interested in the initiative brought by the DHIN to expand the scope of health system in Nigeria.

“We are particularly interested because our function has to do with encouraging the development of digital economy in Nigeria and one of the sectors that will benefit a lot from the digital economy is the health sector, ” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants at the forum were; Public Health Professionals, Digital Health/ Digital Software Developers, Doctors, stakeholders in health sectors, Health IT Innovators, Data Scientists, Policymakers and regulators.

NAN also reports that DHIN is an NGO that promotes open standards, data integrity, and privacy protection.

It also aspires to transform healthcare into a holistic, patient-centered experience where data flows effortlessly, enabling accurate diagnoses, personalized treatments, and proactive wellness management.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Ms Yan Yuging, Consul-General, People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, says China’s and Nigeria’s relations are steadily advancing in mutual development and practical cooperation.

Yan said this on Tuesday in Lagos at the China-Africa (Nigeria) production capacity cooperation symposium held at the Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) complex.

The symposium had: “Enhancing economic growth through sustainable partnership” as its theme.

Yan noted that with unprecedented changes taking place in today’s world, both countries continued to advance relations by deepening cooperation in trade, investment, and contracted projects.

“China is a significant trade partner for Nigeria.

“According to Chinese customs data, bilateral trade volume between China and Nigeria reached 23.9 billion dollars in 2022.

“China’s exports to Nigeria amounted to 22.3 billion dollars, while imports from Nigeria totalled 1.6 billion dollars,” she said.

Yan noted that Nigeria had, therefore, become China’s second largest trade partner in Africa, and China is Nigeria’s largest global source of import.

“As long as we know each other, even if separated by thousands of miles, we can cooperate like neighbours.

“China and Nigeria enjoy a solid foundation of cooperation in many fields.

“With the growing political, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries, the prospects for future cooperation will be broaden and deepen,” she said.

Yan added that China launched the “Initiative on supporting Africa’s industrialisation’’ to focus on urgently needed areas of the continent’s modernisation.

She said globally, her country signed cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and more 30 international organisations.

“A large number of infrastructure projects and projects benefiting the people will be implemented gradually,’’ she stressed.

In her contribution, Mrs Adenike Akande, Nigeria’s former Minister of Trade and Industry, noted the gap between Nigeria and China in industrialisation and industrial capacity.

She said Nigeria had a lot to learn from China on its journey to industrialisation.

Akande urged China to support Nigeria in the latter’s quests for industrialisation by putting measures in place to aid the Nigerian government and people to improve their production capacity.

In his remarks, Mr Olusola Obadimu, Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, said in an increasingly interdependent world, collaboration and partnership were essential drivers of economic growth.

Obadimu noted that partnerships were catalysts for economic growth which represented visionary approach to addressing the intertwined challenges of economic development.

According to him, sustainable partnerships can contribute to economic growth through effective collaboration between government, the private sector, and international organisations for the development of critical sectors of the economy.

He noted that China’s engagement with African countries had witnessed remarkable growth over the decades.

“This dynamic trade relationship has become a focal point in global economy characterised by mutual benefits and extensive opportunities.

“The China-Africa trade relationship is not merely about commerce; it offers numerous opportunities for both parties to forge mutually beneficial partnerships that contribute to sustainable economic growth and development.

“Sustainable partnerships hold the key to a prosperous and equitable future and would further strengthen China-Africa trade relationship,” Obadimu stressed.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Lagos State Government through the Agro-Productivity, Processing, Enhancement and Livelihood Support (APPEALS) project has donated a blast freezer to the Lagos State Catfish Association of Nigeria (LASCAFAN), Ikorodu Chapter.

Speaking during the unveiling of the project and the introduction of frozen catfish on Tuesday in Ikorodu, Ms Abisola Olusanya, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, said the project was to promote value addition.

Olusanya noted that the introduction of the frozen catfish would address and deliver fish farmers from the crush of fish mongers who determine price without recourse to cost of production.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a blast freezer is a specially designed blast/fast-freeze meat, fish, chicken and other food items, with an operating temperature ranging between 24 and 40°C.

The blast freezer has a capacity of half-a-ton per cycle with about eight-hours cooling and can process one ton of fish daily.

The catfish is fresh fish with no addictive and no preservative.

She said Lagos State with a population of about 25 million people require 425,009 tonnes of fish demand per annum, in line with the World Health Organisation recommendation of 17kg fish protein intake per person per annum.

The commissioner was represented by the Director of Fisheries, Mrs Daisi Osunkoya.

She said this was against the current fish production figure of about 198,706 tons per annum.

The commissioner noted that fish, a major source of protein, is low in cholesterol making it medically acceptable to young and old people.

She said the flexibility of fish farming encouraged the involvement of both older and younger people in fish farming, as a means of livelihood.

According to her, catfish farming has dominated the aquaculture industry in Lagos State and Nigeria for more than two decades because of its handiness, fast growth, and acceptance of artificial feed, among others.

“Over the years, marketing has been a major challenge to fish farmers across the country.

“The introduction of the frozen catfish will address and deliver our fish farmers from fish mongers who determines price without recourse to cost of production.

“This will give the farmers the opportunity to set good price for their product and in turn expand their production,” she said.

She added that there was awareness among people now that fish possess a collection of lipids which along with the flavour enhances amino acid.

“Fish protein has been acclaimed to be healthier for consumption than meat especially as one starts getting advanced in age, which leads to a higher demand for fish produce.

“I congratulate the beneficiaries of the project and urged them to make good use of the golden opportunity to boost fish production and fish preservation in Lagos State,” she said.

Also, Chief Abiodun Ogunleye, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, said projects like this would reduce the cost of importation in the country.

Ogunleye said the project would regulate price, stability, improve value and boost export opportunity.

He said the project would address post harvest losses adding that it was a great step in the right direction.

He said majority of items being imported into the country could be substituted locally, while urging people to patronise made in Nigeria fish.

“There are some people who engage in lazy aspect of economy, importing alone but I have refused to import maybe that is why I am like this.

“I believe we are wasting Nigeria’s hard earn foreign exchange on importation.

“With more projects like this, we will reduce our dependency on imported goods, we have to grow what we eat, and eat what we grow and also export,” he said.

“One in Badagry, now Ikorodu, and we will have the third in Agege soon.

“We will no longer sell our fish under pressure, we can now manage our production and market,” he said.

He said the aquaculture value chain if properly harnessed would replace fuel in terms of revenue generation for the country.

Mrs Omolara Oguntuyi, the Lagos State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the ministry would continue to support the association.

Oguntuji urged the farmers to take proper care of the project and to transfer the knowledge to their children.

“Lagos is setting the pace in fish production but I think Lagos own the fish and it is a good thing that you are doing what you are doing.

“Protein is in high shortage in Nigeria and everybody can bear me witness that even common people cannot source for protein because they are very expensive.

“What you are doing will stabilise the price of fish and also address wastage.

“If for just these two purpose, I think you have done very well,” she said.

Mr Deola Banjo, Chairman, Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, noted that the initiative would be a game-changer for storage of agricultural produce in the council.

Banjo said the significance of a blast freezer cannot be over-emphasised as it would in no small measure impact positively on the storage and preservation of farm produce.

He said the project would lead to increased productivity and profitability for farmers.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Dr Alim Abubakre, Nigerian born founder of TEXEM UK, has praised Director – General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman for winning 2023 Integrity and Public Servant of the Year Merit Award.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the award will be formally presented to Sulaiman by President Tinubu in December.

According to Abubakre, the new feat by Sulaiman is a recognition and not just a celebration of his past achievements but a call to action for even greater milestones in the future.

“We trust that Professor Sulaiman will continue to light the path to a brighter Nigeria and inspire others to aspire to greatness and leave enduring legacies.

“Congratulations to Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, a beacon of transformative leadership and a true patriot, for this well-deserved honour.

“His relentless commitment to good governance, strategic leadership, and inclusive sustainable development should serve as an inspiration not only to Nigeria but to African leaders across the continent,” Abubakre stated.

The statement from TEXEM founder affirms that Sulaiman has a distinguished pedigree and unwavering commitment to upholding good governance in Nigeria.

“This accolade is not just an affirmation of his illustrious career but also a testament to his remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s legislative and democratic development.

“Sulaiman’s journey to this remarkable achievement is marked by a legacy of excellence and a deep-rooted commitment to the principles of good governance.

“His tenure as the Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has been nothing short of transformative,” the statement asserted.

It says that under his visionary leadership, he has steered NILDS towards unparalleled innovations in Nigeria’s legislative landscape, signaling a steadfast commitment to advancing the nation’s governance and strategic leadership.

The statement added that Sulaiman’s remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s legislative landscape have paved the way for unparalleled innovations in the Nigerian legislative arm of government, signifying a commitment to advancing the nation’s governance and strategic leadership.

“He has consistently demonstrated his integrity as a public servant, never hesitating to share his opinions and speak out against wrongdoing, a quality that truly sets him apart.

“The honour bestowed upon Sulaiman is the result of a rigorous and comprehensive selection process, spanning three months, where he emerged as the clear choice among a distinguished panel of voters representing five strategic public institutions in Nigeria within the PCI – Technical Advisory Committee.

“This accolade is not just a recognition of individual brilliance, but a reflection of the broad-based support and endorsement he enjoys from the highest echelons of power in Nigeria, including the presidency,” the statement explained.

The forthcoming award ceremony, scheduled to take place at the prestigious State House Conference Centre in Abuja in early December, is a momentous occasion that coincides with the Nigerian Regulators Conference and Retreat.

It is an event of paramount significance where the President is expected to personally present plaques and medals to deserving recipients, including Sulaiman.

This underscores the magnitude and significance of the award and the respect Sulaiman commands in the highest circles of leadership in Nigeria.

Sulaiman’s dedication to innovation and his unwavering commitment to inclusive sustainable national development have been evident throughout his distinguished career.

He served as the Minister of National Planning from July 2014 to May 2015 and was subsequently appointed as the Director General of NILDS in 2019, a role he was reappointed to in April 2023.

His tenure has consistently exemplified his vision for a brighter Nigeria and his dedication to transformative leadership.

This award, endorsed by esteemed national organizations, serves as a testament to Sulaiman’s unwavering resolve to drive positive change, elevate strategic leadership, and inspire good governance in the Nigerian legislative arm of government.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has tasked indigenous construction companies to adopt modern technologies that would transform the engineering landscape of the country.

She made the call at the 40th Anniversary of News Engineering Nigeria Limited, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mahmoud, who was represented by Dr Jummai Ahmadu, Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, FCTA, minister urged them to embrace these technologies to remain relevant in the global construction landscape.

She called on the management of the company to keep pushing the boundaries, seeking new frontiers, and embracing innovative technologies beyond what it had achieved in the last four decades.

“This momentous occasion is not only to mark four decades of dedication and hard work, but also to highlight the incredible journey of a company that has played a pivotal role in shaping the engineering landscape of the nation.

“The engineering prowess of News Engineering Nigeria Limited has pushed the boundaries of what is possible.

“The infrastructure and technology solutions it has provided, have transformed the landscape of our nation’s capital city, enabling progress and development in numerous sectors.

“As we celebrate this 40th anniversary, we must also reflect on the people behind this success,” she said.

In her remarks, the Managing Director of the company, Mrs Josephine Nwaeze, said that the anniversary was a testament of commitment to building on the vision of the founder.

Nwaeze said that the firm has expanded its reach across the engineering value chain through the years, through diversifying its expertise to meet the ever-changing needs of clients and the industry.

“The theme for the anniversary, “sustaining legacy” encapsulates the essence of our journey thus far. Over the past four decades, we have weathered challenges, embraced innovation and built a strong foundation for success,” Nwaeze said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has inaugurated a Capital Gain Tax (CGT) Implementation Committee to boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the territory.

Mr Chinedum Kelechi, the Mandate Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public Private Partnership, FCTA, inaugurated the committee in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee would be chaired by the Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, while the Director, Tax Operations, FCT-IRS would serve as secretary.

Other members of the committee include the Solicitor General; Director, Land Department; Director, Development Control; Director, Abuja Geographic Information System; and the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Kelechi explained that the committee became necessary following FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s approval for the implementation of the CGT Act, Cap. CI LFN 2004.

“The Act imposes a CGT tax rate of 10 per cent on the total amount of chargeable gains accruable to any person upon disposal of his or her chargeable asset.

“Or assets in a year of assessment after deduction of the allowable expenses from the gains made on the asset’s disposal.

“This is to be remitted to the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) as required by the extant law,” he said.

He added that Wike had equally approved inter-agency collaboration and synergy between the FCT-IRS and other relevant agencies to ensure smooth implementation of the CGT Act.

The mandate secretary said that the committee would conduct comprehensive awareness and education campaigns to improve citizens’ understanding.

He also said that the committee would conduct regular stakeholders’ engagement through business associations, chambers of commerce, NBA and other relevant organisations.

He added that the committee would monitor transactions across stakeholders, agencies as well as enforce the CGT implementation in accordance with extant laws.

Kelechi urged members of the committee to collaborate with the judiciary to handle cases of severe non-compliance or fraud as well as establishing a transparent dispute resolution mechanism among others.

Earlier, the acting Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, Mr Haruna Abdullahi, said that the CGT was part of taxes that FCT-IRS was empowered by law to collect.

Abdullahi decried the situation where the collection of the CGT due to FCT was less than five per cent.

He commended Wike for bringing relevant stakeholders together to work with FCT-IRS to enhance the revenue in the territory.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria