VP Shettima Departs For Taraba Investment Summit

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for Jalingo, Taraba State, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Taraba International Investment Summit 2025.

The summit, themed “Unlocking Taraba’s Investment Potentials – Advancing Agriculture, Energy, Mining and Industrialisation (AEMI) for Sustainable Growth and Development,” is taking place today in the state capital. VP Shettima is also scheduled to commission several key development projects during his visit to the state.

The Vice President is accompanied by Senator David Jimkuta, representing Taraba South Senatorial District; Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, former Deputy Senate Minority Leader; Hon. David Abel Fuoh, member representing Sardauna/Kurmi/Gashaka Federal Constituency; Hon. Prince Ayuba Zaku Dampar, member representing Ibi/Wukari Federal Constituency; Hon. Mohammed Abdullahi; H.E. Uba Maigari, Minister of State for Regional Development and Aisha Rimi, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

The Taraba International Investment Summit is expected to showcase the state’s vast agricultural, energy, and mineral resources to potential investors from across Nigeria and abroad, aligning with President Tinubu’s vision of expanding economic opportunities beyond major urban centres to include all parts of the country.

VP Shettima Departs For Taraba Investment Summit

ActionAid Study Shows Nigeria, Five Other African Countries Have Workers Struggling for Essentials

By: Michael Mike

A new study by ActionAid has revealed that deep cuts to public spending in education and health across six African countries including Nigeria have seen workers struggling to afford essentials like food and resulted in overcrowded classrooms and failing healthcare.

Published on Tuesday, the Human Cost of Public Sector Cuts in Africa surveyed over 600 healthcare workers, teachers and community members in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, and Nigeria. The study highlights that teachers’ salaries have plummeted by between 10% and 50% over the past 5 years, with an alarming 97% of health workers reporting insufficient wages for basic needs like rent, food and household expenses.

The study painted a bleak picture of failing public systems – especially for women and girls. It showed how governments’ inadequate investments in education and health sectors have left workers struggling to make ends meet and communities failing to access quality public services.

ActionAid said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is to blame for its advice to governments to cut spending on public services in order to service foreign debts. With the accelerating debt crisis in the Global South, over three-quarters of all low-income countries in the world are spending more on debt servicing than they spend
on health.

The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria Andrew Mamedu, said: “The debt crisis and the IMF’s insistence on cuts to public services in favour of foreign debt repayments have severely hindered investments in healthcare and education across Africa. For example, in 2024,
Nigeria allocated only 4% of its national revenue to health, while a staggering 20.1% went toward repaying foreign debt.

“This is not only absurd but unsustainable in the long run. The time for change is now. Governments must shift from unsustainable economic policies based on cuts and debt repayments to those that prioritise human
rights. The lives of millions depend on it.”

Governance Specialist, ActionAid Nigeria, Judith Gbagidi, said: “Behind every budget cut is a woman frontline worker picking up the pieces by teaching without materials,
healing without medicine, and caring without rest. The IMF’s austerity playbook is not just a financial strategy; it’s a human rights failure. We urgently need to mobilise political will to prioritise people over
payments and restore dignity to Africa’s public workforce.”

The research highlights how insufficient budgets in the healthcare system have led to chronic shortages and a decline in service quality. Community members in all six countries revealed deep dissatisfaction with the public healthcare system and noted rising costs of services, shortage of healthcare workers, and poor infrastructure.
What’s also clear is the disproportionate impact on women, as Maria, a healthcare worker from Kenya, explained:

“In the past month, I have witnessed four women giving birth at home due to unaffordable hospital fees. The community is forced to seek vaccines and immunisation in private hospitals since they are not
available in public hospitals. Our [local] health services are limited in terms of catering for pregnant and lactating women, as a result, most women must seek services in Mombasa, which is expensive.”

Medicines for malaria are now ten times more expensive at private facilities. Long travel distances, rising fees and a dwindling medical workforce are leaving millions without healthcare as Marym, a community member from Muyakela Kebele, Ethiopia, reveals: “Now malaria is an epidemic in our area [because medication is now beyond the reach of many]. Five years ago, we could buy [antimalarial medication] for 50 birrs (USD 0.4), but now it costs more than 500 birr (USD 4) in private health centres.”

Rose, a community member from Taita Taveta in Kenya, said: “We are referred for diagnosis tests 40 km away from the [local] dispensary. Doctor’s consultation has [doubled] at the referral hospital, making it difficult for the community to access services.”

In education, the toll is equally severe. Budget cuts have resulted in failing public education systems crippled by rising costs, a dire shortage of learning materials and overcrowded classrooms. Some 87% of teachers said they lacked basic classroom materials, with 73% shelling out for equipment themselves. Meanwhile, teachers’ incomes are falling: 84% of teachers surveyed reported a drop in real income of between 10 and 50% over the
past five years. “I now believe teaching is the least valued profession. With over 200 students in my class and inadequate
teaching and learning materials, delivering quality education is nearly impossible. Monitoring individual performance and supporting struggling students has become a daunting task,” said Maluwa, a primary
school teacher in Malawi’s Rumphi District.

Four of the six countries covered by the research are spending less than the recommended one-fifth of the
national budget on education and exceeds the ratio of one teacher per 30 pupils, as reported by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Kasor, a teacher from Liberia, with 80 pupils in his class, said: “The ministry doesn’t provide teaching aids or textbooks. I feel stressed and hopeless. We need better infrastructure and resources to cope with these changes.” On a personal level, due to reduced income, Kasor said, “I often struggle to put enough food on the table.”

The research shows that the consequences of these policies are multi-faceted and far-reaching. Workers are stretched beyond their limits and communities’ fundamental rights to healthcare and education are severely impacted. Governments and the IMF must work to reverse this damaging trend of cuts to essential services
while prioritising debt repayment.

the Global Economic Justice Lead at ActionAid International, Roos Saalbrink, said: “The debt crisis and drive for austerity is amplified for countries in the Global South and low-income countries, especially due to an unfair global economic system held in place by outdated institutions, such
as the IMF.

“This means the burden of debt falls on those most marginalised – once again. This must end. She added: “It’s crucial that governments agree on new international rules on global economic governance that shift important decisions away from the IMF and towards democratic institutions, such as the United Nations, to shape a fair and inclusive global economy for all.”

ActionAid called on education and health ministries to work with finance ministries to allocate sufficient resources to meet global benchmarks, ensure fair remuneration for workers, and improve infrastructure to
deliver quality services.

It said additionally, governments should explore fair and just ways of raising income, such as progressive taxation, rather than imposing spending cuts to essential public services.

ActionAid Study Shows Nigeria, Five Other African Countries Have Workers Struggling for Essentials

MAIN train media CEOs, Editors and content creators on MIL integration into editorial policy

By: Michael Mike

In its quest to strengthen the capacity of media institutions, journalists and social media content creators to develop and integrate Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Policy into their editorials and contents, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in collaboration with Media Awareness and Information For All Network (MAIN) has organised a two-day training workshop for media managers, Senior journalists and content creators in North-West Nigeria.

The training, titled, “Integrating Media and Information Literacy (MIL) into Editorial Policies of Media Organizations and Social Media Content Creators”, was declared open by the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Waiya.

The Commissioner noted that there were so many media organizations operating in Nigeria, particularly online, and they have been actively performing their traditional role of informing, educating and entertaining the public.

“However, the issue of media and information literacy must be taken seriously. Media education is important. Therefore, this training workshop cannot come at a better time when many people on the street are now assuming the role of a journalist, even though they do not have any experience or professional training. All they have is just a smartphone and internet access.”

In the context of countering misinformation and disinformation, Alhaji Waiya called on all media Chief Executives and Senior Editors to put in place an operational procedure that will ensure the integrity of the information ecosystem.

The Head of Office and Representative (ai) of UNESCO Office in Abuja, Mr. Albert Mendy, described the role of media executives as pivotal. “Your leadership in promoting ethical, inclusive, and MIL-informed journalism will not only enhance the quality of news and information but will also contribute to rebuilding public trust and strengthening democratic engagement.”

The UNESCO Head of Office, represented by Ms Yachat Nuhu of the UNESCO Abuja Communication and Information Sector, urged the participants to use the workshop platform to exchange ideas, share best practices, and identify sustainable strategies for embedding MIL into the culture of journalism. “By doing so, we affirm the media’s enduring role as a public good and a cornerstone of freedom of expression.” Mr Mendy said.

He thanked the government of Kano State for always associating with UNESCO-led activities. “We would also like to express our appreciation to our implementing partner Media and Information for All Network (MAIN) for their steadfast collaboration and shared commitment to empowering media actors across Nigeria.”

The Zonal Director of National Broadcasting Commission, Alhaji Jamilu Yahaya Jega, noted, “As a regulatory body committed to fostering responsible broadcasting and content creation, we recognise that Media and information literacy represents a critical foundation for building an informed citizenry.”

Represented by the NBC Kano State Director, Alhaji Adamu Salisu, the Zonal Director affirmed that theintegration of MIL principles into editorial policies is not merely a theoretical exercise but a practical necessity.

“When media organisations and content creators embed these principles into their operational frameworks, they significantly contribute to elevating professional standards, promoting ethical practices, and enhancing public trust. This workshop, therefore, addresses one of the most pressing needs in our contemporary media ecosystem.” Alhaji Jega said.

Welcoming the participants, the Chairman of MAIN, Prof Jide Jimoh, highlighted the threats posed by widespread cases of misinformation and disinformation to ethical journalism and democratic engagement.
He urged the participants to seize the opportunity of the training to deepen their knowledge of the intersection of MIL and ethical journalism and media practice.

The training was attended by by 30 senior management staff of 25 media organisations including radio, television, newspapers and social media platforms in the seven North-Western States.

MAIN train media CEOs, Editors and content creators on MIL integration into editorial policy