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Preparation Needs to be made Towards Next Pandemic, Global Leaders Advised

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Preparation Needs to be made Towards Next Pandemic, Global Leaders Advised

By: Michael Mike

Preparation has been asked to be made towards the next pandemic so that the world in not caught pant down like what happening during the COVID-19 pandemic that locked out the globe.

Speaking during a conference, organized by the Global Healthcare Travel Council (GHTC) which brought together representatives from 56 countries and held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the Founding Chairman of the Global Healthcare Travel Council, Emin Çakmak, said: “The world must be ready for future pandemics through rapid healthcare reforms, investments in facilities and human resources to serve not just local populations but also international patients during crises,”

Çakmak, was in a press statement issued on Tuesday by the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, DoctorCare247, Nigeria’s leading telehealth company, Chuks Melville Chibundu, to have explained the growth of the Turkish medical tourism industry and its commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services to international patients.

He said: “In the last 20 years, Turkey has invested over $50 billion in new hospitals and latest technologies. We have over 15,000 doctors who graduated from Western and Turkish medical universities and now serve patients in world-class Turkish hospitals.”

“We are fortunate in logistics as Turkish Airlines connects Turkey with over 350 international destinations through direct flights, facilitating medical travel.”

Çakmak added that due to “world-class medical services, hospitality infrastructure, geographic convenience and natural beauty, Turkey has become a preferred global healthcare destination across medical treatment, wellness, spa, thermalism, sports medicine, retirement and accessible tourism segments.”

He credited Turkey’s resilient pandemic response for its continued growth in medical tourism, noting that: “During COVID-19, we suffered fewer losses than other nations due to timely safety protocols. After a 4-month pause, we reopened borders for international patients as we had ample hospital infrastructure and personnel to serve both Turkish citizens and global medical travelers.”

He however warned that “the world must be ready for future pandemics through rapid healthcare reforms, investments in facilities and human resources to serve not just local populations but also international patients during crises.”

DoctorCare247, Nigeria’s leading telehealth company and the Nigerian network partner of the Turkish Healthcare Travel Council (THTC), participated in the 6th Global Healthcare Travel Forum (GHTF) conference.

DoctorCare247 was represented at the conference by its MD/CEO, Chuks Melville Chibundu, and other staff members.

In his remarks at the end of the conference, Chibundu highlighted the meeting’s key takeaways and how the company will leverage them to further its mission of providing Nigerians with affordable access to world-class healthcare.

The theme of the 6th GHTF conference was “Innovation and Cooperation in Global Health Tourism.” Chibundu said DoctorCare247 is committed to exploring partnerships with the THTC to bring innovative healthcare technologies to Nigerians seeking medical care abroad.

“Our partnership with the THTC is a cornerstone of our mission to provide Nigerians with affordable access to world-class healthcare,” Chibundu said. “Through this collaboration, we can leverage the expertise and resources of the Turkish healthcare system to offer Nigerians cutting-edge technologies and highly qualified specialists in Turkey, all at cost-effective prices.”

The conference was opened by Fikri Ataoğlu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Mr. Ataoğlu spoke about the TRNC’s vision for health tourism and its commitment to international cooperation in this field saying “We are working with our stakeholders with the vision of creating a brand in health tourism and strengthening our global position in this field.”

“Our country stands out in health tourism with its Mediterranean climate, natural beauties, rich history, and cultural heritage, as well as modern health services and high-quality treatment options offered both to protect, improve and regain health.”

“Our aim is to create a sought-after destination that offers accessible, high-quality and people-oriented services to every health tourist who prefers the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC),” he added.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Global Healthcare Travel Council and President of the Cyprus Healthcare Travel Council, Dr. Ahmet Savaşan said there is a rapid growth of health tourism internationally and called for more collaboration among stakeholders in the sector.

Dr. Savaşan said the conference’s timely theme of “Innovation and Cooperation in Global Health Tourism” is aimed at “producing innovative solutions to challenges in our sector, supporting sustainable development and creating a strong synergy for its future.”

Preparation Needs to be made Towards Next Pandemic, Global Leaders Advised

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Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

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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
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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

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UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs

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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.
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NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission

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NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission

By: Michael Mike

The Commission of the African Union has said the formulation of new action plan on drug control and crime prevention on the African continent would not be complete without inputs from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) because of its central role in law enforcement on the continent.

The AU Commission stated this on Monday during an assessment visit to the NDLEA’s National Headquarters in Abuja by a three-member delegation including the team lead Dr. Olubusayo Akinola, Head of Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention; Dr. Abiola Olaleye, Senior Drug Epidemiology and Research Officer; and Prof. Johan Strijdom, Senior Drug Control Consultant.

The visit was to evaluate the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019-2025).

Akinola said: “We are here to understand the status of implementation of this continental action plan on drug control and crime prevention. We are in the process of re-evaluating and starting another continental action plan that will take us from 2026 to 2030. So, we have identified a few countries to understand how this action plan was actually implemented in the member states. And if there are gaps and the new and current emerging trends that we can include.

“So, we understand very well the work of NDLEA and we believe that the formulation of the new action plan will not be finalized and concluded until we have inputs from NDLEA Nigeria, because you are basically on the forefront when it comes to law enforcement on the entire continent.”

The AU Commission delegation commended the NDLEA for its sustained provision of critical and policy-relevant data, which has significantly informed and shaped the work of the Commission over the years. The visit, according to the delegation, aimed to obtain a comprehensive update on the current status of implementation of national drug control strategies, identify operational and institutional gaps, and explor#####eiiii#ehue#pp7l#######el#e7l77#e7l7#wlAfrican##wle potential areas for technical assistance, particularly in relation to capacity development, forensic science capabilities, canine detection units, and other strategic enablers of drug control efforts.

Welcoming the delegation, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), emphasized the importance of the mission, stating that he considered it imperative to receive the team personally due to the strategic relevance of their engagement.

He said: “We are particularly pleased that the African Union is giving due weight to the implementation of the continental action plan, not merely as a theoretical exercise, but by undertaking direct field consultations with national counterparts. This grounded, evidence-informed approach will undoubtedly result in a more pragmatic and responsive framework for implementation.”

Marwa highlighted the urgency of addressing the continent’s growing drug challenge, adding that while global projections estimate a 10–11% rise in drug use prevalence, Africa is expected to experience a surge of up to 40%. “This disparity signals a looming crisis that demands coordinated and accelerated action. We deeply appreciate the AU’s leadership in this space and commend your proactive efforts,” he added.

NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission

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