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VP Shettima Restates FG’s Commitment To Improved Healthcare Delivery

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VP Shettima Restates FG’s Commitment To Improved Healthcare Delivery

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria, especially in rural areas.

He specifically recognised the critical role of medical professionals in Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem, assuring of the government’s commitment to supporting and retaining healthcare talent in the country.

Speaking during a visit by a delegation from the West African College of Physicians (WACP), VP Shettima commended healthcare professionals for their dedication to serving the nation, despite challenges.

“Yours is a very noble profession and many of the young ones are opting to leave the country but you did not. It’s not because you have not had options, but you felt a moral obligation to stay at home and serve,” he said.

The Vice President assured the delegation that the government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to addressing healthcare challenges.

He highlighted the appointment of Professor Muhammadu Ali Pate as the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, noting the Minister’s deep understanding of the health sector.

“We will treat members of our professional bodies with dignity and respect. We will provide the enabling ground for you to work in Nigeria,” VP Shettima promised.

Recalling his efforts to support healthcare education in Borno State, the Vice President said, “In 2014, as governor of Borno State, I took it upon myself to sponsor female citizens of the state to study Medicine and Surgery in Sudan.

“The students have all graduated and licensed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to practice medicine in Nigeria and are under the employment of the state government.”

He emphasised the government’s moral obligation to assist the people, saying, “We have a moral obligation to assist our people. In the fullness of time, we will have a course to rejoice. We will support you.”

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr. Jeremiah Aboi Madaki, thanked the Vice President for his support of the 48th Annual General and Scientific Conference of the West African College of Physicians.

Madaki expressed optimism about the government’s commitment to improving healthcare systems, even as he shared the communique of the conference with the Vice President.

“We are here to thank you for your encouragement and for advancing discussions on health system revitalization under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

Dr. Madaki also assured of the College’s commitment to policy advocacy and its plans to work closely with the government to implement evidence-based policies that improve healthcare outcomes in Nigeria.

Other members of the delegation included Dr. Habibu Galadanci, Dr. Ogugua Osi-Ogbu and Dr. Tahir Umar.

VP Shettima Restates FG’s Commitment To Improved Healthcare Delivery

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APC Affirms One-China Principle, Lauds Nigeria-China Partnership

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APC Affirms One-China Principle, Lauds Nigeria-China Partnership

By: Michael Mike

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has affirmed its unwavering commitment to the one-China principle, recognising Taiwan as an integral part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Speaking in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday, the APC National Vice-Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, said the party is in full alignment with the federal government’s diplomatic stance.

He said: “Nigeria is unequivocally committed to the One-China Principle. Consequently, the policies and principles of the APC will mirror those of our federal government in diplomatic matters.

“China is a significant partner for our nation; they regard us as equals rather than a lesser nation. This perspective fosters a relationship of mutual progress. Therefore, it is wise for the government to support the one-China principle.”

Salihu reiterated the APC’s firm support for the government’s diplomatic policies, stating, “As a party, we stand resolutely behind the one-China principle.”

He praised the positive outcomes of Nigeria-China diplomatic relations, particularly in trade, investment, and infrastructural development.

He said: “Our partnership with China has yielded substantial results. We have witnessed the construction of extensive roads, bridges, and railways by Chinese companies, with counterpart funding from the Chinese government.

“In addition, projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) natural gas pipeline and various free trade zones in Nigeria have been funded, in whole or in part, by Chinese institutions. Chinese enterprises are eager to establish factories and businesses in Nigeria, and many are already contributing to our economy,” he noted.

He attributed the influx of foreign investment in Nigeria to the APC administration’s business-friendly policies, including amendments to the Companies and Allied Matters Act, which have streamlined processes for investors.

He expressed the party’s readiness to strengthen ties with the Communist Party of China (CPC) through collaboration in cultural exchange, trade, education, and human capital development.

He said: “We are dedicated to fostering mutual growth and reinforcing our historic partnership.”

APC Affirms One-China Principle, Lauds Nigeria-China Partnership

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VP Shettima Departs For Taraba Investment Summit

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VP Shettima Departs For Taraba Investment Summit

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for Jalingo, Taraba State, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Taraba International Investment Summit 2025.

The summit, themed “Unlocking Taraba’s Investment Potentials – Advancing Agriculture, Energy, Mining and Industrialisation (AEMI) for Sustainable Growth and Development,” is taking place today in the state capital. VP Shettima is also scheduled to commission several key development projects during his visit to the state.

The Vice President is accompanied by Senator David Jimkuta, representing Taraba South Senatorial District; Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, former Deputy Senate Minority Leader; Hon. David Abel Fuoh, member representing Sardauna/Kurmi/Gashaka Federal Constituency; Hon. Prince Ayuba Zaku Dampar, member representing Ibi/Wukari Federal Constituency; Hon. Mohammed Abdullahi; H.E. Uba Maigari, Minister of State for Regional Development and Aisha Rimi, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

The Taraba International Investment Summit is expected to showcase the state’s vast agricultural, energy, and mineral resources to potential investors from across Nigeria and abroad, aligning with President Tinubu’s vision of expanding economic opportunities beyond major urban centres to include all parts of the country.

VP Shettima Departs For Taraba Investment Summit

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ActionAid Study Shows Nigeria, Five Other African Countries Have Workers Struggling for Essentials

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ActionAid Study Shows Nigeria, Five Other African Countries Have Workers Struggling for Essentials

By: Michael Mike

A new study by ActionAid has revealed that deep cuts to public spending in education and health across six African countries including Nigeria have seen workers struggling to afford essentials like food and resulted in overcrowded classrooms and failing healthcare.

Published on Tuesday, the Human Cost of Public Sector Cuts in Africa surveyed over 600 healthcare workers, teachers and community members in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, and Nigeria. The study highlights that teachers’ salaries have plummeted by between 10% and 50% over the past 5 years, with an alarming 97% of health workers reporting insufficient wages for basic needs like rent, food and household expenses.

The study painted a bleak picture of failing public systems – especially for women and girls. It showed how governments’ inadequate investments in education and health sectors have left workers struggling to make ends meet and communities failing to access quality public services.

ActionAid said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is to blame for its advice to governments to cut spending on public services in order to service foreign debts. With the accelerating debt crisis in the Global South, over three-quarters of all low-income countries in the world are spending more on debt servicing than they spend
on health.

The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria Andrew Mamedu, said: “The debt crisis and the IMF’s insistence on cuts to public services in favour of foreign debt repayments have severely hindered investments in healthcare and education across Africa. For example, in 2024,
Nigeria allocated only 4% of its national revenue to health, while a staggering 20.1% went toward repaying foreign debt.

“This is not only absurd but unsustainable in the long run. The time for change is now. Governments must shift from unsustainable economic policies based on cuts and debt repayments to those that prioritise human
rights. The lives of millions depend on it.”

Governance Specialist, ActionAid Nigeria, Judith Gbagidi, said: “Behind every budget cut is a woman frontline worker picking up the pieces by teaching without materials,
healing without medicine, and caring without rest. The IMF’s austerity playbook is not just a financial strategy; it’s a human rights failure. We urgently need to mobilise political will to prioritise people over
payments and restore dignity to Africa’s public workforce.”

The research highlights how insufficient budgets in the healthcare system have led to chronic shortages and a decline in service quality. Community members in all six countries revealed deep dissatisfaction with the public healthcare system and noted rising costs of services, shortage of healthcare workers, and poor infrastructure.
What’s also clear is the disproportionate impact on women, as Maria, a healthcare worker from Kenya, explained:

“In the past month, I have witnessed four women giving birth at home due to unaffordable hospital fees. The community is forced to seek vaccines and immunisation in private hospitals since they are not
available in public hospitals. Our [local] health services are limited in terms of catering for pregnant and lactating women, as a result, most women must seek services in Mombasa, which is expensive.”

Medicines for malaria are now ten times more expensive at private facilities. Long travel distances, rising fees and a dwindling medical workforce are leaving millions without healthcare as Marym, a community member from Muyakela Kebele, Ethiopia, reveals: “Now malaria is an epidemic in our area [because medication is now beyond the reach of many]. Five years ago, we could buy [antimalarial medication] for 50 birrs (USD 0.4), but now it costs more than 500 birr (USD 4) in private health centres.”

Rose, a community member from Taita Taveta in Kenya, said: “We are referred for diagnosis tests 40 km away from the [local] dispensary. Doctor’s consultation has [doubled] at the referral hospital, making it difficult for the community to access services.”

In education, the toll is equally severe. Budget cuts have resulted in failing public education systems crippled by rising costs, a dire shortage of learning materials and overcrowded classrooms. Some 87% of teachers said they lacked basic classroom materials, with 73% shelling out for equipment themselves. Meanwhile, teachers’ incomes are falling: 84% of teachers surveyed reported a drop in real income of between 10 and 50% over the
past five years. “I now believe teaching is the least valued profession. With over 200 students in my class and inadequate
teaching and learning materials, delivering quality education is nearly impossible. Monitoring individual performance and supporting struggling students has become a daunting task,” said Maluwa, a primary
school teacher in Malawi’s Rumphi District.

Four of the six countries covered by the research are spending less than the recommended one-fifth of the
national budget on education and exceeds the ratio of one teacher per 30 pupils, as reported by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Kasor, a teacher from Liberia, with 80 pupils in his class, said: “The ministry doesn’t provide teaching aids or textbooks. I feel stressed and hopeless. We need better infrastructure and resources to cope with these changes.” On a personal level, due to reduced income, Kasor said, “I often struggle to put enough food on the table.”

The research shows that the consequences of these policies are multi-faceted and far-reaching. Workers are stretched beyond their limits and communities’ fundamental rights to healthcare and education are severely impacted. Governments and the IMF must work to reverse this damaging trend of cuts to essential services
while prioritising debt repayment.

the Global Economic Justice Lead at ActionAid International, Roos Saalbrink, said: “The debt crisis and drive for austerity is amplified for countries in the Global South and low-income countries, especially due to an unfair global economic system held in place by outdated institutions, such
as the IMF.

“This means the burden of debt falls on those most marginalised – once again. This must end. She added: “It’s crucial that governments agree on new international rules on global economic governance that shift important decisions away from the IMF and towards democratic institutions, such as the United Nations, to shape a fair and inclusive global economy for all.”

ActionAid called on education and health ministries to work with finance ministries to allocate sufficient resources to meet global benchmarks, ensure fair remuneration for workers, and improve infrastructure to
deliver quality services.

It said additionally, governments should explore fair and just ways of raising income, such as progressive taxation, rather than imposing spending cuts to essential public services.

ActionAid Study Shows Nigeria, Five Other African Countries Have Workers Struggling for Essentials

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