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FG Calls for Local Solutions, Better Partnerships to Curb Militating Effect of Climate on Health
FG Calls for Local Solutions, Better Partnerships to Curb Militating Effect of Climate on Health
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has called for local solutions and better partnerships to tackle the growing effects of climate change on health in the country
The call was made on Thursday by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate at the 10th Future of Health Conference in Abuja.
The minister noted that climate change is already affecting Nigeria and requires urgent action.
At the event themed “From Evidence to Action: Building Resilience in the Climate and Health Nexus,” Pate outlined major challenges Nigeria is facing to include political and economic problems, rapid urban growth, population increase, and the return of infectious diseases.
He however said none of these challenges compare to the threat of climate change, noting that the country has already seen impacts of flooding, droughts, cases of diseases like malaria and yellow fever, and food shortages caused by bad weather affecting farms.
Page said: “The future is here. Climate change is already affecting our health today, and it will continue to do so in the future. This is not just a health issue; it is a matter of survival for our country.”
The minister said while climate change is a worldwide problem, the solutions must fit Nigeria’s specific situation.
He applauded the efforts made by President Bola Tinubu’s government, especially through the Health Sector Renewal Agenda, noting that this agenda focuses on improving healthcare for everyone, investing in primary healthcare, strengthening health workers, and ensuring the country’s health security.
Pate also mentioned the government’s quick action during the flooding in Borno State, where they worked with partners like the World Bank to improve healthcare and respond to emergencies.
He noted that the government provided vaccines and clean water to prevent the spread of cholera, showing the importance of such coordinated efforts.
The minister further explained how climate change is affecting Nigeria’s food systems, causing food shortages due to flooding.
He however called for more partnerships between the government, private sector, civil society, and global organizations to solve these problems. Pate especially thanked the World Bank for its support in strengthening Nigeria’s health sector, saying that global and national efforts must continue to work together.
“The World Bank’s support, along with help from the UK, USA, and other partners, is crucial in building a stronger health sector. We are making real progress, and this broad approach is the way forward,” he added.
Pate also talked about how the communities most affected by climate change, like those displaced by floods or facing hunger, are often the least responsible for causing it.
He urged global partners to recognize this and provide more resources to help those affected.
“If we truly want to solve climate change, we must see it as a justice issue. The people suffering from droughts and floods did not cause this crisis, yet they are the ones paying the price,” Pate said.
He called for more awareness at the local level, especially in rural areas, so communities understand how climate change affects their lives and can help find solutions.
“We need to involve our people so they can help us respond to this challenge. Only then can we build true resilience in our health sector,” he concluded.
On his part, the Global Programme Lead for Climate and Health at the World Bank, Dr. Tamer Samah Rabie, who also spoke at the conference, commended Nigeria for making strong steps toward a climate-resilient health system.
Rabie pointed out that Nigeria is leading by example, developing policies and making investments to strengthen the health sector.
He said: “Nigeria is setting an example by putting evidence into action, developing policies, and securing investments. Although there is still a long way to go, I am confident that Nigeria is on the right path.”
The Future of Health Conference brings together global and national leaders to discuss how to improve health in the face of climate change.
Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, emphasized the importance of this year’s event, noting that commitments made today show the urgency of solving climate-related health challenges. She stressed the need for strong actions to turn climate awareness into policy changes.
Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment in the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, also spoke about the link between climate change, public health, and food security.
She highlighted how air pollution, poor food production, and lack of environmental care are all affecting the health of Nigerians.
Dr. Fasawe mentioned how air pollution led to the death of a child in the UK, pointing out that similar dangers exist in Nigeria, where vehicles releasing harmful gases are not being regulated. He called for legislative action to address these environmental health issues.
She also stressed that Nigeria’s agriculture is suffering due to climate change, leading to rising food prices and a lack of access to affordable food. “Do we really have plenty when food prices are going up every day?” Dr. Fasawe asked.
Dr. Fasawe called for the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and investment in research to help communities better cope with climate change. He also invited Nigeria Health Watch to work with the FCT Secretariat in their medical outreach program, stressing the importance of nutrition education as part of healthcare.
FG Calls for Local Solutions, Better Partnerships to Curb Militating Effect of Climate on Health
Flame Initiatives, RCCG empowers widows in FCT
By: Michael Mike
As part of its commitment to foster empowerment in marginalised communities, Flame Initiatives, a Non-Governmental Organisation under the CINTA Widows Empowerment Programme, has donated food items, funds, and other materials to widows in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The outreach carried out in Abuja, was in collaboration with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), The Lord’s Place.
Speaking, the Lead Pastor of the RCCG, the Lord’s Place, Pastor Ola Omosebi, charged the Federal government to make concerted efforts to enhance the current economic situation facing the country, deploying urgent solutions without altering long-term policies.
Pastor Omosebi said the church is emulating how Christ fed 5,000 persons during famine while asking the government to act fast to ameliorate the suffering of the people.
“The major direction of this event is to have at least one day a year where widows are brought together and empowered with soft skills, business skills, enterprise skills and encouragement. One of the things this program offers is hope. “
He urged the government to support widows through sustainable initiatives. Providing a dedicated secretariat advocating for women, particularly widows, with government representatives.
“People are struggling to make ends meet, and the prolonged hardship is leading to depression, despair, and even death. The government must prioritize quick-fix solutions alongside long-term plans to restore hope and confidence in the economy.”
Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat of the FCT Administration (FCTA), Dr Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, expressed empathy for the resilient widows, noting that one cannot understand what it means to be in their shoes.
Laniyi, represented by her Personal Assistant, Mrs. Kemi Samuel, noted the fundamental role a husband/father plays, stating that loss can change lives and test the core of beings.
She celebrated the widows for their resilience and strength while acknowledging the challenges amidst the hardship and grief come the capacity to adapt.
She said, “We are here to support one another. Let today be a reminder to encourage and uplift one another.
“It’s an honour to celebrate strength, resilience, and community.
She noted that the event is a testament to the extraordinary courage and unwavering determination of everyone who has navigated the challenges of widows.
Also, the President of Widows Organisation International FCT Chapter, Aisha Baba Ringo, advised widows to persevere and be hardworking.
According to her, “Being a widow doesn’t mean all hope is lost, it’s also not a stigma”.
A beneficiary of the programme, Ms Oyeyemi Obende, said the programme has been educative, innovative and supportive. She advised widows not to give up even if the world looked down on them.
Flame Initiatives was established to provide the disadvantaged and mainly rural population with relief materials, motivation, and empowerment to improve their physical and social well-being. Their main objective is to drive social change in communities by facilitating development in the public and private sectors.
Flame Initiatives, RCCG empowers widows in FCT
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COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION RECEIVES MD NELFUND IN MAIDUGURI; INTERFACES WITH STUDENTS AND ERADICATORS
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION RECEIVES MD NELFUND IN MAIDUGURI; INTERFACES WITH STUDENTS AND ERADICATORS
By: Our Reporter
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, has visited Borno State to engage with students, educators, and government officials, highlighting the benefits of the NELFUND initiative.
NELFUND, an initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to provide all higher institution students with access to financial resources, enabling them to pursue their educational goals and aspirations at ease.
The Managing Director NELFUND Akintunde Sawyerr emphasized his commitment to revitalizing education in the country, stating that the loan programme is designed to also reduce unproductivity and unhappiness amongst Nigerians students, which often lead to broader societal issues.
Sawyerr explained The loan’s modalities, which include creating an online profile as a prerequisite for application, clarifying that the loan is interest-free and does not require a fixed repayment period, making it accessible and flexible for students.
Borno State Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, reiterated the state government’s commitment to facilitating student access to the loan, hence announced the establishment of a dedicated desk officer for NELFUND in the state Ali Sherriff to work in collaboration with the Special Adviser to governor Zulum on Higher Education and other educators.
This initiative, Wakilbe added will guide students throughout the application process and ensure they fully understand THE benefits of the loan, which he described as a low-risk grant and encouraged all eligible students to take advantage of the programme.
During the session, questions were raised seeking further clarification, where the Managing Director provided detailed responses, shedding more light on the programme and its benefits.
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION RECEIVES MD NELFUND IN MAIDUGURI; INTERFACES WITH STUDENTS AND ERADICATORS
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STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE: NARC AND KING’S COLLEGE LONDON PARTNER TO ENHANCE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE: NARC AND KING’S COLLEGE LONDON PARTNER TO ENHANCE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
By: Our Reporter
The Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja, marked yet another significant milestone, as participants of the Strategic Leadership Programme Phase 11/2024 successfully graduated in a brief but colourful ceremony at Hall C, TY Buratai Block of the Centre.
The graduation ceremony followed an intensive five-day executive education course programme, conducted in collaboration with King’s College London, an initiative designed to enhance human resource capacity and deepen participants’ understanding of leadership in an evolving global environment.
The course brought together senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, government officials, retired senior military officers and professionals from the private sector, equipping them with critical insights into the contemporary complex and dynamic challenges and how to navigate through.
The Special Guest of Honour, Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede GSS mni was represented by the Chief of Training (Army), Major General SG Mohammed, who presented certificates to the participants, thus underscoring the programme’s importance in fostering strategic thinking and professional growth.
The event was further enriched by the esteemed presence of the Director General of NARC, Major General GA Wahab (Rtd), PhD, alongside some management staff the centre and consultants, distinguished members of academia from King’s College London, directors, resource persons, and senior officers, both serving and retired.
The ceremony, further highlighted the enduring partnership between NARC and King’s College London in advancing leadership excellence and human capital development in Nigeria.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE: NARC AND KING’S COLLEGE LONDON PARTNER TO ENHANCE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
Flame Initiatives, RCCG empowers widows in FCT
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