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France Invests €3 million Annually in Nigeria’s Health Sector, Says Envoy

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France Invests €3 million Annually in Nigeria’s Health Sector, Says Envoy

By: Michael Mike

France annually invests €3 million in health in Nigeria as part of its collaboration towards assisting in the wellness of Nigerian, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of France to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Jean Francois Hasperue has said.

Speaking at the weekend during a breakfast debate in Abuja hosted by the French Embassy in Nigeria to mark the World Health Day, Hasperue said France sees health as one of the fundamental rights of human being and must be enjoyed by all without discrimination and in that light contribute massively towards the Global Health Fund.

He said: “We are already working with Nigerian government on health issues. Firstly, France is the second country in the world with the most contribution to the Global Fund on Health, it gives you an indication how we care about health across the globe.

“In Nigeria for example, France invests €3 million in health in Nigeria every year, we still did that last year, we are working with Nigerian government on different aspects, on humanitarian aspect and infrastructure as well.

“At present we have a project on building and renovation of hospitals in Oyo state, and we are planning to multiply this kind of project with government towards development of network of health infrastructure. Not only that, we have private companies investing in health, we have a French company in a joint venture to produce medication in this country as well. We try to mobilize our collaboration with the government and private companies towards improving health care in Nigeria.”

He noted that Nigerian government is not unaware of the importance of investing in the health sector as it is one of the sector it gives priority to

The envoy said: “The government of Nigeria is surely interested in the health and well being of its citizens for they have asked us to partner with them in this sector. I believe health should be at the centre of the plan of a nation. It should be the topmost on government plan for it is basic need.”

He added that: “Health and security are very important. People need to thrive and develop their activities in a country and once you have good health and secured environment you are on the right track. With good health and creativity of Nigerians, you can be whatever you want.”

On the choice of students for the debate to commemorate the World Health Day, he said: “We want to have an event to mark the event and we thought instead of having debates by specialists we feel we should give the floor to students, the ones who own the future of this nation and as well as France. We wanted to ask them want they think about health.”

The debate with the topic: “Access to healthcare: a fundamental right or duty?” was anchored by Gloria Tameko, Aisha Gueye, Rayan Saimua and Oriane Boa, all students of Lycee Francois Marcel Pagnol in Abuja and moderated by Dr. Andrew Marbell, the Nutrition and Health Programme Manager with Action against Hunger, Nigeria.

Key points of their submission is the need to make health accessible to all without prejudice and the need to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

France Invests €3 million Annually in Nigeria’s Health Sector, Says Envoy

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NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe

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NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has trained 34 Community Protection Rights Advocates to protect and promote human rights in Gombe state.

Dr Joseph Wanshe, the State Coordinator of the Commission, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Monday.

Wanshe said that the training was imperative toward achieving the mandate of the commission in the state.

According to him, the trained advocates, who are mostly in rural areas, will penetrate distant and rural communities where human rights violations are rampant.

He said that the training has started yielding the expected results as there have been increased number of reported cases of human rights violations from rural communities across the state.

He said that the advocates have been deployed to the 11 local government areas of the state.

“We are witnessing an upsurge in human rights reporting coming to the office.

“ The numbers are increasing as regards civil and political rights followed by cases of women and children, domestic violence, economic, social and cultural rights.

“ There are many factors involved in the upsurge as the NHRC within the last one month has stepped up sensitisations and stakeholders’ engagements.

“ We have trained Community Protection Rights advocates, who have been working and as a result, awareness has increased and number of complaints received have spiked,” he said.

Wanshe said that the trained advocates have been affiliated to NHRC at the local government levels toward ensuring wider coverage of the state in terms of human rights protection.

He assured residents on the commission’s effort at ensuring that it achieved effectively its mandate of protection and promotion of human rights.

Wanshe commended the people of Gombe State for their improved confidence in NHRC which has resulted in improved reportage of human rights violations

He further urged communities to support the advocates in their domains in the overall interest of human rights protection.

NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe

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Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja

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Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja

Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted 11 suspected criminals conveying materials believed to be for the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

By: Zagazola Makama

Security sources said the suspects, comprising 10 males and one female, were arrested at about 12:59 a.m. on April 27 by troops of 176 Guards Battalion deployed at Kuchiyako.

The sources disclosed that the suspects were intercepted in a vehicle along the Kuchiyako–Tipper Garage road, allegedly loaded with IED-making materials.

According to preliminary investigation, the suspects claimed they were en route to mining sites around Kabbin Mangoro in Kuje Area Council to collect mineral resources.

Items recovered from them include explosive charges and three-and-a-half bags of unidentified mineral substances, among other sundry materials.

The suspects are currently in military custody, while investigations are ongoing to ascertain their intent and possible links to criminal or terrorist activities.

Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja

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Troops repel terrorists in Zamfara, recover calm after attack on Godel community

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Troops repel terrorists in Zamfara, recover calm after attack on Godel community

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army under 1 Brigade have repelled an attack by suspected terrorists in Godel community of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 2:08 p.m. on April 27 when troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kaura Namoda responded to credible intelligence on terrorist activities in the area.

The sources disclosed that troops made contact with the attackers upon arrival, leading to a fierce exchange of fire.

According to the sources, the troops forced the terrorists to withdraw from the area following the encounter.

However, during the attack, the assailants reportedly rustled an unspecified number of cattle belonging to residents of the community.

Three civilians were also said to have sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated for medical attention.

The sources added that troops have intensified patrols and clearance operations in the general area to prevent further attacks and recover the rustled livestock.

Troops repel terrorists in Zamfara, recover calm after attack on Godel community

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