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By Flowerbudnews

Enugu:  No fewer than 100 Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) paramedics and patrol operatives in South-East and South-South have been trained on life-saving rescue to reduce fatality on the roads in the country.

Declaring the two-day capacity-building training open in Enugu on Wednesday, the FSRC Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, noted that the training would be intensive and with more practical sessions in order to retool knowledge and zeal of personnel in life-saving rescue operations.

Biu noted that the training is focused at strengthen the capacity of FRSC paramedics and operational personnel/officers towards meeting the Goals of the United Nation’s Decade of Action for Road Safety, in saving the lives of crash victims on Nigerian roads.

The corps marshal, represented by the Zonal Commanding Officer in-charge of South-East, Assistant Corp Marshal, Isaac Ameh, challenged the participants on keying into the training and use same knowledge practically in their various commands and units in the zones.

 

“We are charging the participants to take the training seriously and put to practice all they have learnt within this yuletide period and beyond as the corps expect to see renewed zeal to attend to rescue and doing it professionally.

 

“The Corps is grateful to Ford Foundation for supporting FRSC in this important training, which will involve all the units and commands within the zones in the country,” he said.

According to him, the Corp is also looking at stepping down this training to various sector commands, unit commands, outposts and Zebras through the participants to ensure very personnel get the modern and ideal knowledge of attending to accident victims rescue whenever it occurs.

 

Speaking, the Corps Project Implementation Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal, Clement Oladele, said that the overall goal of this project was to drastically reduce the number of casualties in emergency handling through prompt and efficient rescue operations.

“It is therefore our expectation to the motoring public that some of the key outcomes from this training would be, the drastic reduction in the number of deaths arising from road traffic crashes; and reduction in the number of casualties involving women and children.

“The capacity-building will also deepen the professional capacity of FRSC paramedics and operational personnel in emergency rescue operations and highway trauma handling.

 

 

“It is also expected that other outcomes of the training would be to improve the public perception of the Corps activities as well as raise public awareness on the responsibilities of the FRSC in First Aid and trauma management.

 

 

“And accordingly make members of the motoring public demand for commensurate trauma handling services from the Corps,” he said.

Oladele noted that in line with the FRSC’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, the Corps had in selecting those to be trained, demonstrated consciousness on gender balancing in making the selection.

 

 

According to him, the female gender accounts for about 35 per cent of those selected for this training country-wide. This way, road traffic crashes involving female and children victims, would be more professionally handled by these trained female FRSC officers.

 

 

Uloma Obike, Special Assistant to the Regional Director, Ford Foundation, West Africa, noted that the transport sector opens new areas of economic activities, increases agricultural production and marketing and reduces poverty by improving the welfare of road users.

 

“However, Nigeria has a huge road safety challenge and a high fatality rate; road traffic accidents and deaths remain at a record high and many of these deaths and injuries are preventable with first aid if accident victims are treated on time by skilled first responders.

“Ford Foundation value the work FRSC do, and we recognise that the work cannot be done by the government agencies alone, therefore we did not hesitate to support this capacity-building initiative to improve the quality of first responses in emergencies,” she said.

 

It would be recalled that the Ford Foundation, a reputable international NGO graciously extended the sum of One Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($100,000) for the capacity-building training, which would cover FRSC paramedics and operational officers across the country. / Flowerbudnews

By Flowerbudnews
Enugu: Gov. Peter Mbah, the Obi-of-Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Gen. Chris Garuba (retired) and Admiral Allison Madueke (retired) have been penciled down to launch a book encapsulating wisdom for leadership.

 

The book – “In The Line Of Duty” – which is a collection of speeches and addresses authored by a diplomat, highly traveled and read Chairman, South-East Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, would be presented on Nov. 26 at Events Hall, Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Independence Layout, Enugu.

 

“In The Line Of Duty” is a compendium of various thought provoking and solution-driven speeches and addresses presented by Igwe Agubuzu in various fora of national, regional and state discourse on important, challenging and emerging nationhood and societal issues compiled by a veteran journalist, Chief Andrew Nnebedum.

 

Speaking on the book to newsmen on Tuesday, Agubuzu, who also doubles as the Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, said that the book was meant for all ages especially for people aspiring or already in leadership positions at various levels in life.

According to him, the book is rich with hindsight, practical experiences, wisdom and positive mindset for action to solve challenging and emerging societal and leadership issues.

 

He noted that the book was meant to equip leaders with critical thinking ability and wisdom in order to advance the welfare and progress of their communities, council areas, states, regions, the country and Africa continent at large.

 

Agubuzu, who is the former Ambassador of Nigeria to United Nations in New York, USA; the Republic of Zambia and Organisation of African Unity (OAU)/African Union (AU), said that he was inspired to author the book due to four reasons.

 

He said: “First, I thought people privilege to serve should respect the principle of accountability in other words if you are in office you should be meticulous and keep proper records.

“Secondly, it is always good to leave written documents for posterity to read and learn from.

 

“Third, it is best when the person concerned does it himself so that future generations will use it to access his performance while in office.

 

“Fourth and finally, it is a privilege for people to work in an office and leave the office in sound mind and body; while looking back to see what he or she has done.

 

“To use the launch, as an occasion to bring together friends and associates, mentors and mentees as well as relatives for relaxation.”

 

He said that the former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, would be the book reviewer; while Prof. Christian Okeke, Pro-Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuonu, Nike, Enugu would unveil the book.

 

Chief Eric Nwobi, President, Otu Ide Ndigbo, would be th Chief Launcher, while the Co-launchers are: Chief Festus Oshiaba, Chairman of FEROTEX; Chief Everist Nnaji (Odengene), Chairman of Helicopter Services Nigeria; Ide Ikeje Asogwa, Managing Director of Intasog Ltd and Chief Vitalis Ozonweke, Managing Director of Andy Young Aluminum among other personalities.

 

The author, Igwe Agubuzu is the Eze Ogbunechendo and traditional ruler of Ezema Olo Kingdom in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State and he had had wide experience in life, he was once Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Matters in the old Anambra State as a kind of sabbaticals from his foreign serve career.

 

Agubuzu graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1967 as the best Political Science graduate and prize winner of that year.

 

This first class traditional ruler is respected for his societal sacrifice, competence, keen intellect, honesty, integrity, determination and moral courage. (Flowerbudnews)

 

By Paul Ejime

On the 28th of November 2023, all roads will lead to the Umuchigbo, Iji Nike, Abapka Community in the Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, southeast Nigeria for an epoch event.

On that day, the community on the outskirts of Nigeria’s metropolitan coal City of Enugu, will welcome dignitaries and sundry guests to the Commissioning of a multimillion Naira project – a philanthropic response to the healthcare needs of the poor and low-income families in the host community and neighbouring States.

It is an understatement that healthcare systems in Africa are disappointingly weak, under-staffed and under-resourced.

Nigeria, the continent’s most populous nation is not spared the attendant grim human development statistics.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, 63% of persons living in Nigeria (133 million people) are multidimensionally poor because of a lack of access to healthcare, education, living standards, employment, and security.

Coming at a time of severe socio-economic hardship, the Goodwill Medical Centre (GMC) Enugu Project is unique not only in the choice of its location (in a slum), but also in its name.

It is the brainchild of Nigeria’s unsung philanthropist, with great empathy for the poor and needy in the society irrespective of ethnicity, creed, religion, or political affiliations.

General TY Danjuma GCON (Rtd) is a gentleman officer and an unassuming personality whose sacrifices and contributions to the development of Nigeria and other parts of the world are well documented. But the General is grossly underpublicized, in terms of his philanthropy and generosity, his big heart and unconditional love for the poor and underprivileged.

As a demonstration of this passion and public-spiritedness, General Danjuma in 2022, gave his approval for a state-of-the-art Medical Centre to be constructed and equipped in Enugu State through his TY Danjuma Foundation.

The Centre is now ready for commissioning by General Danjuma.

Since his retirement from the Nigerian Army, it only took a fellow General to convince him to take up public office, to serve as defence minister under Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

Otherwise, General Danjuma has devoted his life and investments to initiatives for the empowerment and well-being of the poor.

The GMC in Enugu State is only one of more than 200 pro-poor projects funded by the TY Danjuma Foundation, which has spent 42.5 million US dollars between 2009 and 2023 on life-changing projects implemented by 150 grantees across Nigeria’s 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

General Danjuma’s passion to improve the well-being of poor communities is not limited to Nigeria. In 2010, he donated one million US dollars towards the elimination of River blindness in sub-Saharan Africa through the World Health Organization African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (WHO/APOC).

That donation contributed to the strengthening of health systems in 140,000 communities in 19 river blindness-endemic African countries. He became the first African known for such a gesture in support of one of the World’s most successful public health intervention programmes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Only last September, General Danjuma was recognized with the prestigious International Humanitarian Service Award by the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) for “his visionary leadership and dedication to advancing humanitarian service in Nigeria and beyond.”

Another contributor behind the GMC project is Prof Uche Amazigo, Nigeria’s renowned pro-poor public health specialist, and one of the few female Africans to have led a specialized UN Agency, overseeing a highly successful multilateral partnership in global health. Prof Amazigo is the first female Director of WHO/APOC and repositioned the river blindness programme from a control to the elimination stage before her retirement from the UN System in 2011.

Fully funded by the TY Danjuma Foundation, the GMC project is the brainchild of Prof Amazigo, a recipient of multiple international laurels including the Knight of the National Order of Burkina Faso (2011) and the prestigious Prince Mahidol Award (2012), and Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science (FAS).

The Centre seeks to provide free and low-cost services to poor/low-income families by medical consultants, midwives, and nurses, while the rich and middle class would be charged standard fees.

Envisioning a “world where people unite to address the healthcare challenges of poor families in our communities and beyond,” the GMC “mission is to provide healthcare services; promote integrity, advance goodwill and peace through the engagement of medical professionals and communities as a not-for-profit self-sustaining project.”

Before the construction work began, a series of structured consultations and research/surveys were carried out to determine the health needs of the community and how to elicit their participation and collective ownership of the project. This is in line with the community-directed health intervention strategy championed by Prof Amazigo.

The pre-project survey showed that 71% of 2000 respondents are located between one km and 10 km from their nearest health facility: with very poor and poor families representing over 60% of the target groups.

All communities in the Umuchimgbo, Iji Nike, Abakpa, residents in Enugu urban and neighbouring States will also benefit from the GMC services.

Lying on an area of 2,681.320 sqm, the Centre is connected to the public power supply network but has an independent power generator and solar power system. It also has an independent water supply system with treatment facilities.

It has an Outpatient clinic, Accident and Emergency, a state-of-the-art Theatre, Eye Health Theatre for cataract surgery, Labour Room, Female, Male and Children’s Wards, a Pharmacy, a well-equipped Laboratory, Ambulance services, and administrative offices.

The main services on offer at GMC include Maternal and Child Health, General Primary Healthcare, Laboratory, Eye Health, Prevention and treatment of Communicable Diseases, General surgical services, Accident and Emergency.

The Centre will also provide opportunity for Research and out-reach programmes with Diaspora-based health professionals. It promises free treatment for indigent patients and standard charges for others, with compulsory enrolment and participation in the National Health Insurance Scheme for all patients, particularly low-income members.

The GMC has a Management Board of mainly volunteers, carefully selected to handle the administration, while the Discalced Carmelite Friars, Nigeria, oversee the Fund management.

The provision of healthcare services is a collective responsibility and should not be left to the government alone.

A major step for Nigeria and other African countries toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Health targets, is for governments to implement without further delay, the allocation of at least 15% of national budgets to the development of the health sector as agreed by African leaders under the 2001 Abuja Declaration.

Improved collaboration by the private and public sectors to scale up health investments, interventions and support to GMC and similar health projects will also contribute to the achievement of health and other SDGs.

To acknowledge and encourage philanthropists such as General Danjuma and not-for-profit organisations such as the TY Danjuma Foundation, for their contributions and investments in the health of the population, concrete financial and technical support to health initiatives such as the GMC project, with bearing on the SDGs and human development, are imperative and highly recommended.

The World is going through difficult times, but ‘health they say is wealth,’ and Nigeria as the powerhouse of Africa could demonstrate exemplary leadership by replicating the GMC-type project in communities across the country’s 774 Local Government Areas.

This is achievable once the political will is there.

The people of Enugu State and neighbouring southeastern States are the direct beneficiaries of the multi-million GMC project, but the Centre is accessible to all, irrespective of geographical location or nationality.

The TY Danjuma Foundation, and especially, the Taraba State, northern Nigeria-born General Danjuma, deserve commendation from all and sundry for the goodwill health project and other exemplary pro-poor life-transforming initiatives. (Flowerbudnews)

*Paul Ejime is a Global Affairs Analyst and Consultant on Peace & Security and Governance Communications

Enugu: There was excitement as the Imufu Community in Igbo Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, celebrated the end of insecurity in the area, with the launch of their own Neighbourhood Watch security outfit.

The epoch making event was attended by government and security officials, community leaders, two Catholic priests, the Onyishi Imufu and Umuitodo, (eldest man) Agu Obetta Nweze, the traditional ruler, Remigius Attah, the President of the Town Union, Lawrence Mamah, the Neighbourhood Watch Commander for Enugu North Senatorial District, Anselem Odo, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, for Igbo Eze North, CSP Simeon Akor, the Umuadas (daughters of the community), dance groups as well as masquerades which entertained both visitors and community members among others.

The community had witnessed insecurity following the establishment of a camp by criminals who harassed, kidnapped, as well as maimed and killed indigenous people of the area and visitors before it was however, later destroyed by members of the Nigerian military which killed about seven of them while others escaped with bullet wounds about two months ago.

However, in a bid to end the insecurity, members of the town union including those at home and the Diaspora taxed themselves and contributed money with which the bought about 10 motorcycles and other security gadgets for the use of those  selected from all the families in the area, who were trained by the police and other security agencies to protect the residents with the assistance of the police.

The highlights of the event included the Pasding- Out – Parade, POP,  by the new members of the Imufu Neighbourhood Watch, which was witnessed by a representative of the state Commissioner for Human DevelopmentYouths, Poverty Eradication, Hon Malachy Agbo.

In their welcome address, read by a former President of Imufu Town Union, Mr Edwin Ossai, the people expressed joy over the return of peace in the community which was the most peaceful area in the state before the advent of criminals.

“Today is another remarkable day in the land of Imufu Autonomous Community, as we all know that peace is the ultimate ingredient needed for any society to grow while security of lives and property is the nucleus of every living society because one has to be alive before living at peace with one another.

“For months now, if not years, the ever United, peaceful and progressive land of Imufu Community had been bedeviled by insecurity and disharmony, which have caused the entire community, sleepless nights.

“As brothers and sisters who came from the loins, we all had to join hands together to unravel the situation. It was the burning desire by the men, women, youths, elders, priests, town union members and children of this community to find lasting solutions to that which that which had caused the restlessness and havoc in the community.

“It is a well known fact in our dialect that when brothers and sisters take up their musical instruments, they do not miss the rhythm. We denied  ourselves some treasures and pleasures, and today, we are here to witness the coming together of a once united and indivisible community.
“We thank in a special way, the Chairman of Igbo Eze North Local Government, Ejike Itodo, for his support, members of the new Imufu Neighbourhood Watch, the state government, the police as well as all those who made it possible for peace to return to the community. May we say no to anything that will cause disunity in our community again.” (Flowerbudnews)

Osun Woman Refuses Free Surgery To Remove Her Goiter; Asks For N300k Instead

Mrs Folakemi from Ede local government in Osun state, has been suffering from goiter for a while. She sought medical help but when a team of doctors offered her free medical services, she opted out and asked for the money raised on her behalf.

 

The NGO tried to change her mind but she insisted on walking away with the N300,000 contribution. She was given the money afterwhich she went back to her village.

 

 

Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Defence Headquarters has clarified that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa is alive.

In reaction to a newspaper report that claimed, that  Gen. Musa was dead, Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Tuesday dismissed the report as unfortunate, unethical and lacking in credibility.

”The CDS, Gen. CG Musa is alive and hearty.” Btig. -Gen Gusau declared adding:

“The Chief of Defence Staff who just returned from an official assignment outside the country has resumed work with more vigour to continue with his uncommon leadership style to prosper the Armed Forces of Nigeria .

“The newspapers have since retracted the news story and offered its unreserved apology to the CDS, his family and the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” he said. (Flowerbudnews

 

By Biola Lawal
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against use of
a counterfeit batch of Meronem 1g Injection.

In a public alert obtained on Tuesday in Abuja by Flowerbudnews, Prof Adeyeye warned that administration of the counterfeit Meronem 1g Injection could endanger patients as the quality and safety were not guaranteed.

Genuine Meronem (Meropenem trihydrate injection) is an antibiotic used to treat skin and abdominal (stomach area) infections caused by bacteria and meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord) in adults and children 3 months of age and older.

The NAFDAC Boss disclosed that the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) of the original product, Pfizer, reported the incident as received through a patient notification platform, concerning suspicious park of Meronem 1g injection purchased

According to Pfizer, the vial content did not dissolve when reconstituted for use.

”On further visual inspection of the pack, it was observed that; the crimp code does not match the code reported on the production documentation batch of 2A21F11 which is the semi-finished batch used for 4A21I17. This does not meet with the Pfizer’s specifications,’: the public alert stated..

The batch number and expiry date matched an authentic batch of Meronem 1g injection intended for distribution in the Egyptian market.

The vial label compares favourably to the purported artwork version.

”The administration of the counterfeit product will pose a high risk to patients as the quality and safety are not guaranteed.” Prof Adeyeye warned.

Details of the fake products according to NAFDAC , are as follows:

Product NameMeronem 1g IV injectionStated ManufacturerPfizerBatch Number4A21I17Expiry date01/2025Stated Active Ingredients Meropenem trihydrate.

Prof Adeyeye advised Healthcare providers and patients to ”obtain all medical products from authorized/licensed suppliers.”

She added that ”products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked before purchase and administration.”

The NAFDAC Boss also implored importers, wholesalers and retailers to maintain vigilance within the supply chaain @and desist from illegal importation, distribution, and sale of the counterfeit Meronem 1g injection and other counterfeit and substandard medicinal products.

”Anybody possessing the counterfeit product should stop using it and submit it to the nearest NAFDAC office.” She stated.

‘:Seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional if you have used the product, or you suffered an adverse reaction/event having used the produc,t,” Prof. Adeyeye counselled.

‘:Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of adverse drug reactions, or substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC  0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng, the NAFDAC Boss said

 

Healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of a medicinal product to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng (Flowerbudnews)