Northeast
REUTERS’ REPORT: EVEN AT GUNPOINT I WON’T COMMIT ILLEGAL ABORTION, BORNO MEDICAL DONE TELLS NHRC PANEL
REUTERS’ REPORT: EVEN AT GUNPOINT I WON’T COMMIT ILLEGAL ABORTION, BORNO MEDICAL DONE TELLS NHRC PANEL
–As Army General reaffirms military’s protection policy for women, children
By: Babagana Wakil
The Borno state Commissioner of Health, Prof. Muhammad Arab has said that he will not compromise the ethics of the medical profession including carrying out illegal abortion even at gunpoint, adding that Reuters’ report is disturbingly false.
According to Prof. Arab who is a Fellow West African College of Physicians, Reuters’ report seeking to indict the state government as an accomplice of Nigeria military in the allegation of abortion of 10,000 pregnancies, massacre of children and other Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) does not hold water since there is no policy of the state that supports illegal abortion.
The Commissioner who is a Consultant Pediatrician said contrary to the report purporting that two state government hospitals; Specialist Hospital Maiduguri and Umar Shehu Ultra-Modern hospitals, Maiduguri were used by the military to carry out abortion, he stated that all the medical facilities in the state are run with the highest level of professional ethics and that all medical records are intact.
He made the testimony before the 7-Member panel chaired by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Abdu Aboki, saying that life is sacred and must be treated accordingly.
The former Chairman Hospital Management Board of Specialist Hospital Maiduguri denied allegation that the state hospitals usually receive corpses of pregnant women who bled to death as a result of illegal termination of pregnancies, saying that even brought-in-dead must be certified and issued death certificate by a doctor before the corpse will be deposited in the hospital.
In the same manner, the Commander of the Nigerian Defense Academy, Major General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf informed the panel that Reuters report was issued with a “malicious intent”, describing it as “untrue”.
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Continuing, Major General Yusuf who was former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Maiduguri said that at the heat of the insurgency which coincides with the period Reuters’ report is refers, nobody could muster the courage or have the presence of mind to talk about keeping women and girls for the purpose of illegal abortion.
The state Executive Member stated that the premium respect the military has for women and children is so impeachable that it has waived several opportunities to neutralize the insurgents just because they shielded themselves with women and children.
Therefore, he said it defies logic for anyone to believe Reuters’ report which alleged that the military was implementing a programme of abortion, massacre of children and other heartrending gender-based violations between the period of 2013 and 2021.
Similarly, the Consultant orthopedic surgeon, Colonel Stephen Onuchukwu told the panel that it is inconceivable that trained medical officers or military personnel will get involved in secret or illegal abortion.
According to him, soldiers at the frontline do not have the luxury of time to think about how to abort pregnancies or kill children believed to have been fathered by Boko Haram, pointing out that it was the military that rescued most of the Chibok girls that were abducted by Boko Haram in 2014 among other rescues.
Also in his oral evidence, the Director Borno state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Abdullahi Suleiman said that the allegation of illegal abortion cannot be proven in the various IDPs camps in the state.
He stated that SEMA Officials normally coordinate the activities of the camp while development partners like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UNICEF and Civil Society Organisations assist in providing their basic needs like water, food and sanitation.
REUTERS’ REPORT: EVEN AT GUNPOINT I WON’T COMMIT ILLEGAL ABORTION, BORNO MEDICAL DONE TELLS NHRC PANEL
Damaturu Flyover: Governor Buni expresses satisfaction with work
By: Yahaya Wakili
Governor (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN of Yobe State, has expressed satisfaction with the quality and speed of work on the Damaturu Flyover and Underpass and Damaturu-Gambir road projects, adding that the contractors have so far lived up to expectations with strict adherence to the contractual agreements.
He revealed that “when the projects are completed, this would greatly check the problem of congestion here at the city center as well as the menace of flooding into houses along Gashua Road.”
Governor Buni started this when he paid an inspection visit to the Damaturu Flyover and Underpass and the Damaturu-Gambir road projects under construction.
The state commissioner for works, Engr. Umar Wakil Duddaye, who conducted the governor round the project, told the governor that the site engineers from the ministry have been on every stage of development on the project to ensure compliance and for the government to have value for its money.
The contractors further assured the governor that the project would be completed within the stipulated time frame.
On the Damaturu–Gambir road, the governor said the road has great economic value, as it would ease transportation of agricultural products from the benefitting communities to Damaturu, the state capital.
According to him, this road would provide a solution to the age-long difficulty faced by the community, and he is also glad the contractor has completed the earthworkand commenced the overlay.
Engr. Modu Bukar of Elegance Construction Contractors, handling the project, assured the governor that the project would be completed in the next nine weeks.
The governor was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana; the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Umar Wakil Duddaye; and the Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Mohammed Abacha.
Others include the Secretary to the State Government, Baba Mallam Wali mni; the North East Development Commission (NEDC) Executive Director of Finance and Admin, Dr. Garba Iliya; Special Advisers on Special Duties and Religious Affairs; and other top government officials.
Damaturu Flyover: Governor Buni expresses satisfaction with work
Allied health professionals protest exclusion from CONHESS in Borno state
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The National Union of Allied Health Professionals, Borno State Chapter, has protested the exclusion of its members from the 100% Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) implementation in Borno State.
The protest is coming despite the Nigerian Medical Association’s (NMA) commendation of the government of Governor Babagana Zulum for implementing the new salary structure.
The union notes that professionals like physiotherapists, radiographers, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists were unfairly left out of the current arrangement calling for a correction of the omission.
In a statement issued recently, by Kaka Mele who is the secretary of the association, the union urged the state government to address this oversight to ensure equitable treatment and enhanced healthcare delivery.
The union appreciated the government’s efforts to improve healthcare but emphasized the crucial role allied health professionals play in the synergy within the healthcare system.
Recently, the NMA commended Governor Babagana Zulum for implementing the upgraded CONHESS salary structure for health workers in the state, stating that it would motivate the workforce and boost morale of the team.
However, the exclusion of allied health professionals has raised concerns about the alleged inclusivity of the policy.
As the state government considers the union’s request, it remains to be seen how this will impact the entire health sector in Borno State.
The union’s plea highlights the need for inclusive policies that recognizes the contributions of all healthcare workers.
Allied health professionals protest exclusion from CONHESS in Borno state
Troops intercept smuggled fuel, fertilizer in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have intercepted 21 jerricans of smuggled fuel and large consignments of urea fertilizer in Adamawa State.
Sources said that the seizure, made in the Mubi axis between Sept. 19 and 25, dealt a major blow to terrorist logistics and improvised explosive device (IED) production networks.
According to sources, the items were destined for insurgents operating in parts of Borno and Adamawa.
The military authorities assured that troops would sustain operations to disrupt terror supply chains in the region.
Troops intercept smuggled fuel, fertilizer in Adamawa
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