Category: General News

By Kingsley Okoye

President of the Senate,  Ahmad Lawan, on Monday said revenue generating agencies of the Federal Government were capable of generating N3 trillion  annually  if efforts were made to ensure prudent spending.

Lawan made this known in Abuja when he declared open an interactive session on the need to improve internally generated revenue of the Federal Government of and Revenue Projections of the agencies as stipulated in the Appropriation Act 2020.

The meeting was between the senate leadership, members of the Senate Committee on Finance and revenue generating agencies of government.

Lawan said the purpose of the meeting was to explore means of increasing government revenues.

He said the National Assembly would be strict on increased revenue, cut down on the country’s budget deficits and borrowings, and prevent wasteful expenditures by agencies of government.

He said senate would provide the needed support via legislation to ensure that revenue agencies meet and surpass their targets.

“In 2022, National Assembly assumed and rightly so, that our government owned enterprises can generate up to N3 trillion if we are of the mindset that we can achieve that and, of course, ensure that we oversight to stall any possibility of unwarranted expenditures by agencies of government.

“But that does not mean in any way that it is going to be some kind of investigation on what you do, but an encouragement of what you need to do.

“In this meeting and subsequent ones, there should be no holds barred on discussions.

“Where an agency feels it is encumbered in any way from achieving its target, it should say so, so that we are able to prescribe the right solutions for it to perform.

“As a National Assembly, let me say that the Senate particularly will be stiff on generating more and more revenue.

“We will be rigid, we will continue to insist, because we believe that this is one sure and guaranteed way of reducing our deficit and borrowing,” he said.

Lawan explained that the drive by the senate for more revenues to the coffers of government would enhance the economy and facilitate infrastructure development.

“This committee is modified, because the leaders of the senate believe that we can do far better and we have seen signs when last year some of the agencies performed beyond expectation.

“So, it is an opportunity for us to save and enhance our economy and, of course, make Nigeria achieve more infrastructural development which is the goal of this administration and every Nigerian.

“We believe that when you (revenue agencies) generate the money, we (National Assembly) appropriate it.

“Prudence is of essence here, when we spend our money. And when we borrow, like the National Assembly has always tried to do, we borrow to treat specific projects and programmes of government,” he said.

The Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Sen. Solomon Adeola, in his remarks decried insufficient funds for implementation of projects captured in the 2022 budget of the Federal Government.

He explained that the funds were derived partly from the revenue generated by the government owned enterprises and other independent revenues sources.

“There is an urgent need for all hands to be on deck on revenue generation for government, and prevent misuse and leakages of such revenues for frivolous purposes not sanctioned by the laws of the National Assembly,” he said.

Adeola advised that for government to reduce and eliminate deficit budgeting associated with the nation’s budget over the years, effort must be made to minimise borrowing to fund projects.

Revenue agencies present at the interactive session include: National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency, Nigerian Postal Service, Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Nigeria Customs Service.

Others were: the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Prisons Service, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS).

Also present were the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Energy Commission of Nigerians, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.

NAN

By Aderogba George

The Management and Editorial Board of Flowerbudnews have felicitated Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye on her re-appointment as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

A statement by the Publisher of the news outlet, Alhaji Biola Lawal in Abuja on Tuesday stated that the re-appointment of Adeyeye was a well-deserved gesture.

The statement reported flowerbudnews management as urging the NAFDAC D-G to redouble efforts to surpass her first term tenure in office.

According to the statement, the re-appointment is a great testimony to the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to bestow a legacy of excellence in service delivery to the country.

It stated that the re-appointment showed the President’s faithful appreciation of excellence and dedicated performance by his political appointees.

The statement disclosed that the appointment would definitely encourage more Nigerians to work hard for the country and would strengthen dedicated political office holders to give their best in nation-building.

It said the re-appointment would bring the best for the country, not minding intrigues and run-him-down syndrome often displayed by some unpatriotic Nigerians.

“Your incredible achievements in the past five years raised hope of a bright future for our country.

“It signals that with dedication, love for Nigeria and unyielding resolve to do it right, our country can, and will be great, through indelible examples of achievements and performance like you have set in NAFDAC in the past five years.

“As Media Professionals, we noted your all-round achievements to include the return of NAFDAC operatives to the nation’s ports of entry after years of absence, an absence which was logically heavily detrimental to public health.

“Your moving Nigeria high up in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) ranking, earning the nation the enviable status of a vaccine production capable nation and others have been remarkable.

“We urge you to redouble your efforts in strengthening NAFDAC’s ability, capacity and resolve to protect the health of Nigerians.

“We wish you a successful and remarkable second tenure. May God continue to be with you ma,” the statement said.

NAN

Flowerbudnews

Dianabasi Effiong,  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The World Malaria Day is commemorated every April 25 to raise awareness about the disease, promote efforts against it and the need for sustained investment and political commitment for its prevention and management and elimination.

This year’s edition was another occasion to ponder on malaria campaign efforts, particularly as they relate to eliminating the disease which has caused millions of deaths globally.

According to experts, malaria, a life-threatening disease, is mostly found in tropical countries and spread to humans by female anopheles mosquitoes.

“Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans.

“People who get malaria are typically very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illness”, says a report by U.S.A’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nigeria ranks among the four countries which accounted for more than half of all malaria deaths globally in 2021.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Nigeria accounted for 31 per cent of malaria deaths recorded globally in 2021.

The organisation’s world malaria report also indicated that there were 247 million malaria cases and 619,000 deaths globally during the period.

The figures indicated an increase of two million cases and a decrease of six million deaths compared to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.

It also stated: “Twenty-nine countries accounted for 96% of malaria cases globally, and four countries – Nigeria (27%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12%), Uganda (5%) and Mozambique (4%) – accounted for almost half of all cases globally.

“About 96% of malaria deaths globally were in 29 countries. Four countries accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths globally in 2021: Nigeria (31%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (13%), the Niger (4%) and the United Republic of Tanzania (4%).’’

Although these figures are scary, a Pharmaceutical Company, Greenlife Pharmaceutical Ltd., stated that a world without malaria is possible, with collective efforts.

The statement by the company’s Marketing Manager, Dr Wilfred Okolie, also stated that this year’s theme: “Time to Deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate, Implement’’, is appropriate.

It urged that necessary actions be taken by stakeholders to reduce malaria burden – a major public health concern – and curb its spread.

“Our organisation is pleased to give a message of hope that elimination of malaria is possible.

“For more than 20 years, Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Limited has been leading the fight against drug counterfeiting and working towards a malaria-free environment with our malaria drug P-Alaxin.’’

It stated that urgent, concerted actions were needed to achieve the 2030 targets of the Global Malaria Strategy.

Some state governments say they are not leaving any stone unturned in their efforts to drastically minimise the impact of malaria on their citizens.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Mohammed-Baloni, said the efforts of the state government are already yielding dividends as it has recorded two per cent reduction in under five mortality rate.

She said the state had also achieved 68 per cent refill rate order for all antimalarial commodities and a reduction of malaria test positivity rate from 33 per cent (NDHS 2018) to 16 per cent in 2021 (MIS 2021).

She told a news conference to mark World Malaria Day in Kaduna that “the Ministry of Works has completed the massive clearance of drains in our communities; this is to reduce breeding of mosquitoes, among other efforts made by the government”.

The Health Policy Research Group (HPRG), University of Nigeria, Nsukka , in a statement to mark the World Malaria Day signed by one its members, Dr Chinyere Okeke, stated that more still needed to be done to eliminate malaria in the country.

“So far, our effort on the malaria issue is commendable and Nigeria also has, through the malaria consortium, made efforts to mobilise resources domestically that will help in preventing and eradicating malaria,’’ she said.

She said it was refreshing that pregnant women had benefited from the governments’ free treatment on intermittent preventive therapy for malaria.

“Malaria is also covered in the basic healthcare provision funds and it’s among the benefit package of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), for both its diagnosis and treatment.

“Nigeria is doing its best, though we have not reached what the advanced countries have done to eradicate malaria completely; but we will get there someday,’’ Okeke said.

Also, Prof. Dennis Aribodor, a public health expert and parasitologist, who is also lectures at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said that government should make the treatment of malaria free for children in all health facilities, adequate attention and protection of children from the disease would be realised.

Aribodor, a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, was reported to have made the call in Awka in a statement to mark 2023 World Malaria Day.

Aribodor, also the Founder of Malaria Eradication and Safe Health Initiative of Nigeria, was reported by the media as saying that studies had shown that poverty was hampering anti-malaria efforts.

“Anti-malaria drugs today cost between N2,000 and N2,500 for one dose. To buy one good mosquito net costs about N2,500 or N3,000. The question now is: how many people can afford it in Anambra State”, he asked.

Another malaria expert, Prof. Olugbenga Mokuolu told a media forum to mark the World Malaria Day organised by MSH and Internews Health Journalism Network that no fewer than 1.5 billion malaria cases were prevented within 21 years in Africa due to massive scale-up of interventions.

Mokuolu, Malaria Projects Lead, Management Sciences for Health (MSH) said this was indicative that concerted efforts of global partners strengthening health systems to improve malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment have started yielding results.

Mokuolu, a former Malaria Technical Director, National Malaria Elimination Programme, Nigeria appealed to the media to enhance awareness and publicity about malaria.

Given the magnitude of efforts required to eliminate malaria from Nigeria in 2030 as done in many countries, the President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, advocates closer partnership among stakeholders.

Dangote, also United Nations’ Malaria Ambassador for Nigeria also urged urgent and improved investment, innovation and meticulous implementation of anti-malaria programmes in the country.

“More than ever, we must collaborate to ensure that no child or person dies of malaria or loses another day to this debilitating illness again.

“We must also drive further progress toward malaria elimination in Nigeria and Africa at large,’’ he said.

Among other efforts to prevent malaria transmission, the Federal Government granted provisional approval to Oxford University’s R21 malaria vaccine making it the second country to do so after Ghana, according to the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“A provisional approval of the R21 Malaria Vaccine was recommended and this is being done in line with the WHO’s Malaria Vaccine Implementation Guideline.

“While granting the approval, the Agency has also communicated the need for expansion of the clinical trial conducted to include a phase 4 clinical trial/Pharmacovigilance study to be carried out in Nigeria,’’ the media recently quoted NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, as saying.

Malaria poses a major health challenge. It drains family income thereby perpetuating the circle of poverty; its negative impact on child education and productivity through absenteeism from school and workplace due to ill health is enormous.

However, experts say with concerted and sincere efforts eliminating in Nigeria is not impossible. Many developing countries have done it.(Flowerbudnews)

Flowerbudnews

An Analysis by Dianabasi Effiong, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

There is no doubt that Nigeria has recorded notable improvements in healthcare through research and treatment.

This is in spite of notable challenges like industrial actions, brain drain, poor infrastructure, water, electricity, dearth of manpower among others.

A drawback on such improvements often results from outbreak of diseases and infections including Lassa fever, Cholera, sleeping sickness, yellow fever, tuberculosis, leprosy, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and Ebola.

Recently, the threat of Anthrax – a disease transmitted from animals to humans just like some of the aforementioned health challenges, has been reported from countries contiguous to Nigeria.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis.

It occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. People can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

The fear of possible spread of anthrax from neighbouring West African countries to Nigeria, as real as it is, added to the challenges of healthcare in Nigeria coming on the heels of Ebola, COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, the Federal Government, through Ernest Umakhihe, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, alerted residents and citizens on the outbreak of anthrax disease in some neighbouring countries.

It stated that the disease was widespread in northern Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.

It also advised that Nigerians should henceforth desist from the consumption of hides, also known as `ponmo’, `ikpa’ or `kanda’ locally in the country.

“Signs of anthrax are flu- like symptoms such as cough, fever, muscle aches and if not diagnosed and treated early, leads to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock and death,’’ the statement added.

The CDC explained that people could get sick with anthrax if they came in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products or by inhaling spores.

The CDC also stated that anthrax symptoms ranged from a skin ulcer with a dark scab to difficulty breathing.

It added that although the disease is treatable by a medical professional, the inhaled anthrax is harder to treat and can be fatal.

Also, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the disease, transmissible from animals to humans, affected ruminants such as cows, sheep and goats.

The federal government also explained that being a bacterial disease, anthrax would respond to treatment with antibiotics and supportive therapy.

However, the alert, especially the advice against the consumption of those products, was not taken lightly in the country.

Some consumers, traders and experts spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews at Onipanu, Ijora, Ebute Metta and Ikorodu areas of Lagos State as to whether ponmo should be banned or not.

They said that banning ponmo would further promote economic hardship on those who could not afford a better alternative.

According to them, `ponmo’ contains and can provide beneficial nutrients to the human body.
Some of them also told NAN that though ponmo contains low nutritional value when compared to other protein sources because it does not contain all essential amino acids, it contained a lot of collagen.

According to experts, collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies.
They also argued that because our bodies produce collagen, it is not essential that we must eat collagen for growth.

They also said that as one grows older, one’s ability to produce collagen reduces leading to appearance of wrinkles.

For the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Nigerians should heed the government’s directive to be wary of consuming roasted cow hide.

According to its National President, Prof. James Damen, this is to avoid contracting anthrax diseas

Damen also told NAN that government’s warning would guard against the outbreak of anthrax disease recorded in neighbouring countries.

“In as much as Nigerians love eating `ponmo’, we should be careful with its consumption because one cannot rule out the migration of animals from one country to the other.

“Anyone who eats `ponmo’ from a cow that is infected with anthrax would definitely come down with the disease; so it is in our best interest not to consume `ponmo’,’’ he said.

Damen, who lauded the government’s swift reaction in alerting Nigerians to anthrax outbreak in neighbouring countries, said measures should be put in place to address any possible outbreak in Nigeria.

Also, Dr Salami Akorede, the Director, Dietetics Department at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun, called on NAFDAC to regulate the mode of processing cow hide into `ponmo’ for human consumption.

He told NAN at Ile-Ife that the popular mode of burning cow hide on naked fire to produce `ponmo’ was deleterious to health.

According to him, the process of burning cow hide on naked fire makes the product to become potential source of cancer when consumed regularly.

He said: “Where it is well processed, `ponmo’ is a good source of protein, water, energy and micronutrients which contain fibre that aid digestion.

“In producing `ponmo’, processors should regulate the exposure of the cow hide to naked fire so as to minimise the formation of nitrates on them.’’

He said that `ponmo’ could also serve as alternative to meat since it was affordable.
He also said that consumers should take `ponmo’ alongside other protein-rich sources like meat, fish, crayfish and soya balls to complement their protein supply.

The Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Prof. Babatunde Salako, also told NAN in Lagos that more funds should be made available to enhance health research that would proffer solutions to health issues peculiar in Nigeria.

He added that the establishment of a Medical Research Council would help to scale up health research. (NANFeatures) /Flowerbudnews