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Army reference hospitals’ll be made on par with teaching hospitals – COAS

Army reference hospitals’ll be made on par with teaching hospitals – COAS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says his administration has plans to intervene in the Army Reference Hospitals in Lagos, Kaduna and Abuja to make them on par with teaching hospitals.
Lagbaja said this on Tuesday while speaking to newsmen after inaugurating an upgraded radio-diagnostic centre and installation of 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna (44 NARHK).
He added that the projects were testament to the Nigerian Army (NA) higher command’s drive to provide the best of medical care to the soldiers and their families.
Beyond upgrading the reference hospitals, Lagbaja said they were also carrying out interventions at brigade medical centres while were the next level of medical support towards soldiers.
In immediate terms, he said, the NA was looking into brigade medical centres that were not easily accessible.
Lagbaja said that already, he had intervened in Makurdi and currently doing so in Lokoja, Ikeja, Yola , saying, ”from there we will move to other parts of the country.”
Speaking further, the COAS said they were on interventions toward upgrade and construction of more accommodation for personnel.
He stressed that the sound administration mantra of his command philosophy was hinged on the provision of essential welfare support to troops, especially those deployed to theatres of operations across the country.
Lagbaja equally said it was hinged on the welfare of families of the troops in barracks and cantonments across the country.
He stressed that his desire was to ensure that soldiers leaving outside the barracks were entitled to accommodation before the end of the year, especially in highly populated centres like Abuja.
“We are also looking into water, power supply, good roads and other essential welfare support for our personnel.
”All this is designed to motivate them to give their best in the service of the nation in combating threats to security,”he said.
Earlier in a welcome address, the acting Commander, Army Medical Corps , Brig.-Gen. Samson Okoigi, said 44 NARHK stood as a beacon of excellence, one of the three
tertiary hospitals and the flagship medical facility of the NA.
Entrusted with the sacred responsibility of safeguarding the health and well-being of the nation’s brave soldiers.
He said they serve as the base hospital for Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the North-East and other critical military
operations across the northern regions.
Okoigi said that the hospitals’ capabilities extend far beyond
routine medical care, encompassing specialised surgeries and diagnostic investigations, reflecting their dedication to upholding the highest standards of care.
Okoigi stressed that, with
state-of-the-art equipment, including a 0.35 Tesla MRI machine and a recently procured MRI machine.
Others include a 16-slice CT scan, fluoroscopy,
mammography, digital X-ray (DR), and ultrasound machines, the facility is poised to revolutionise medical imaging and diagnosis within the Armed force and the broader community.
“It is worth noting that the 1.5 Tesla MRI machine is the only
functional unit in the entire Kaduna metropolis and the Nigerian Army as at today.
”Though in the next few weeks, we will be having another one operational at ACNHA,”he said.
Speaking further, the acting corps commander said the 44 NARHK Radiodiagnostic Centre serves as a
training hub, accepting residency postings from family medicine,
orthopaedic surgery, general surgery and hosting students for internship training.
He equally said they were committed to fostering collaborations with institutions like ABU Teaching Hospital, Zaria, to facilitate the posting of radiology residents.
This is to enhance their
manpower capabilities and elevate the centre’s capacity to deliver
exceptional diagnostic services.
“The challenge of inadequate manpower
to man this equipment cannot be overemphasized.
”We are working in collaboration with sister training institutions like the ABU Teaching Hospital and Kaduna State University Teaching Hospital to mitigate this challenge as much as possible,”he added.
Also, the Chief Medical Director of 44 NARHK, Col. Stephen Onuchukwu, in his remarks, appreciated the Army Chief for his support and leadership roles.
He reiterated their commitment in discharging their duties professionally.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the former Chief of Air Staff (CAS), retired Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, in company of Lagbaja, inaugurated a renovated dining hall and a 1.8KM road at the Command Secondary School, Kaduna.
Amao, who sponsored the project, was a former student of the school in the Class of 1982.
Army reference hospitals’ll be made on par with teaching hospitals – COAS
News
Three Bandits Killed as Terrorists Attack Chediya Community in Tsafe LGA

Three Bandits Killed as Terrorists Attack Chediya Community in Tsafe LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
At least three suspected terrorists were neutralised on Sunday following a violent attack on Chediya community in Agarin ward of Tsafe Local Government Area, Zamfara State.
According to local sources, armed bandits stormed the village in the early hours, opening fire and setting several houses ablaze. The residents, however, mounted stiff resistance, engaging the attackers in a fierce confrontation that resulted in the death of three of the assailants.
While the villagers succeeded in repelling the attackers, the bandits also burned down several homes and forced many families to flee for safety.
“They came heavily armed and started shooting sporadically. Some of our youth confronted them, and in the fight, we managed to kill three of them,” said a resident who asked not to be named for security reasons.
Three Bandits Killed as Terrorists Attack Chediya Community in Tsafe LGA
News
Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution
The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), on Monday, called for urgent global action to tackle plastic pollution causing environmental crisis.
APWEN, under its “STEM for All” initiative, North-East zone, made the call, while commemorating the 2025 World Environment Day in Gombe.
Speaking virtually, President of APWEN, Engr. Adebisi Osim, said it is imperative to encourage recycling of plastics, as part of measures to reduce pollution.
Osim noted that the amount of plastics manufactured annually for use had made it necessary for urgent actions to be taken, to ensure a cleaner and safer environment.
“Today’s theme, “End Plastic Pollution” is not just a catchy phrase, It is a wake-up call; a global one and we are answering that call, not with panic, but with STEM-driven solutions and people-centered action.
“According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the world produces over 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, and over two-thirds of that becomes waste.
“Alarmingly, less than 10 per cent is recycled, and the rest clogs our drains, litters our streets, chokes our rivers, and poisons marine life.
“Here in Nigeria, the World Bank estimates that Lagos alone generates 13,000 metric tonnes of waste per day, and 15 per cent of that is plastic.
“We see it daily in pure water sachets lining our gutters, single-use bags littering markets, and microplastics infiltrating our food chains,” she said
.
Osim called on stakeholders to invest more in recycling the plastics towards reducing the need for new plastic production, which will in turn lower greenhouse gas emission.
She assured that state chapters are collaborating with young people, to design plastic alternatives, using local materials, and to build waste-sorting systems using simple robotics.
Osim added that the chapters will also explore the conduct of STEM fairs, which are focused on sustainable innovation.
In the same vein, Chairman of the Gombe chapter of APWEN, Engr. Deborah Danladi, urged stakeholders to invest in plastic waste recycling, to save the environment, as well as create jobs and wealth for youths.
Danladi also underscored the need for more action and sensitisation to ensure collective approach to addressing the menace of plastic pollution.
Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution
News
UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs

UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations (UN) agencies in Nigeria have hammered on the need for adequate investment in the development of Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to advance economic growth in the country.
The agencies disclosed this during the commemoration ceremony of the 2025 MSMEs Day on Monday in Abuja.
The event was jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
Director, UNIDO Sub-regional Office, Abuja, Mr. Philbert Johnson, who was represented by National Programme Officer at UNIDO, Mr. Reuben Bamidele,, said that MSMEs role in nation building cannot be underestimated, therefore the need for adequate investment to ensure their sustainable growth is of uppermost importance.
Johnson said: “We are gathered together today to discuss proper ways to promote innovation and growth within the MSMEs sector.
“In Nigeria, as we know not less than 40million MSMEs are making huge contribution to the economic growth of the country, by providing employment and serving as means of livelihood for people.
“MSMEs, thereby, contribute to the growth of Gross Domestic Products across sectors of the country’s economy. We gathered to dissect the challenges MSMEs face and also, to work closely together towards achieving sustainable growth.”
The ILO Country Representative, Dr Vanessa Phala, stressed the need for strategic measures to be taken to bolster MSMEs impact on the nation’s economy.
Phala, who was represented by ILO’s National Project Coordinator for the Social Dimension of Ecological Transition, Stephen Agugua, said: “We look at how MSMEs can drive the future of the economy through job creation and employment. When you think of job creation and employment that is where ILO comes in.
“MSMEs are key to the growth of every economic sphere: Through this dialogue platform ILO will know the challenges MSMEs are facing and look at pathways for ensuring sustainable solutions collectively.”
The UNDP Deputy-Director, Ms Varsha Redkar-Palepu, represented the National Programme Specialist and Trade Focal Point at UNDP by Claire Henshaw,, described MSMEs as pivotal to nation building.
She noted that MSMEs form the foundation of inclusive and sustainable development in Nigeria, “MSMEs are vital engines for job creation, innovation and social mobilisation, particularly for women and youths. While operating on margins of formal economic systems, we need to put MSMEs at the centre of our development.
“In Nigeria and across Africa, MSMEs holds the key to transforming economic opportunities to meaningful development and the ambition into tangible outcomes,” Phala said.
On his part, Managing-Director of Prohealth, a private organisation, Dr Chinedu Nnabuihe who spoke on behalf of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), commended the UN agencies for putting the event together.
According to him, the event is dedicated to the invaluable role MSMEs play in advancing innovation, creating jobs, increasing inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the country.
“In Nigeria, MSMEs are the engine of our economy, driving local production, supporting livelihood and contributing significantly to national GDPs. This is amidst challenges posed by economic situation, limited access to finance and infrastructure.
“Nigeria MSMEs have continued to demonstrate resilience, creativity and determination. At NECA we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering an enabling environment in supporting MSMEs development,” Nnabuihe said.
The event attracted stakeholders from Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMEDAN), Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nigeria Association of of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Others include, National Insurance Commission (NICOM), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
Highpoint of the event was visit by the stakeholders to the exhibition stand of MSMEs, overview of UNDP engagement with MSMEs, government agencies’ engagement with MSMEs and WIP-intellectual property for MSMEs.
End
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