Featured
Healthcare Delivery: Wike Bags NMA Merit Award …Banigo Hails Gov
In recognition of his execution of outstanding projects and programmes in the healthcare sector, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has nominated Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for the exalted “NMA, Healthcare Merit Award”.
Announcing the nomination of Governor Wike for the prestigious award during a congratulatory visit by the NMA Rivers on the re-election of the Rivers State Governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the Chairman of NMA Rivers State, Dr (Mrs) Obulebra Adebiyi said the state Chapter of the medical professionals nominated the Governor for the award.
She said: “In view of the far reaching impact of your numerous developmental projects in the health sector and by the recommendation of NMA Rivers State, you have been nominated by the NMA President , Prof Francis Faduyile , the National Officers Committee and the National Executive Council for the highly esteemed “NMA Healthcare Merit Award “.
“This award is conferred by the NMA to State Governors with exceptional performance especially in the Health Sector, evidenced by the improved quality of healthcare in the state, better equipped healthcare centres, proximity of healthcare Centres to rural dwellers in the state and better healthcare delivery indices within the period under review “.
She said that the prestigious award will be conferred on the Rivers State Governor at the National Delegates Conference of the NMA at Abakaliki in Ebonyi State.
She stated that the re-election of Governor Wike was an expression of appreciation by the good people of Rivers State of his performance.
“Your success is an eloquent expression of the desires of Rivers people and a clear demonstration of their satisfaction with the giant strides of the past four years.
“The NMA has in several forum echoed the achievements in the area of revamping health infrastructure in the state evidenced in the renovation of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, the brand new Mother and Child Hospital, construction of renovation of Model Health Centres, General Hospitals and the construction of Doctors Quarters in the RSUTH “.
She commended the Governor for developing the College of Medical Sciences and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital to train more medical professionals for the state.
They urged the Rivers State Government to facilitate the passage of the State Health Insurance Bill by the State House of Assembly for the good of Rivers people.
Responding, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike appreciated the NMA for the prestigious award, saying that his Administration will use the second term to address outstanding areas of development. He said the award will spur him to greater service.
He said: “We had an interactive session with the NMA before the elections and the doctors assured me of their support. This victory is not for any particular person. It is for Rivers people.
“With what happened, it is important for all of us to work together to develop the state”.
The Governor announced that the 7-Month entitlements owed House Officers will be settled by his Administration. He directed the placement of the House Officers stipends under the management of State Ministry of Finance.
Governor Wike expressed displeasure with the refusal of private medical professionals in the state to repay the loans arranged by his Administration.
“I want to bring to the notice of the NMA this failure of Private Medical Doctors to repay the N500m loans guaranteed by the State Government.
“Most of them, since they collected that money, none of them has paid a dime. Instead, they claim it is their share of the State resources. This act by the doctors will make it impossible to start the second phase of the loan scheme for private medical practitioners to develop their hospitals “, he said.
He announced that the funds for Residency Training of doctors will be released later in the week by his Administration.
Governor Wike added that the State Health Insurance Health Bill to be passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly will come into operation during his second term.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo has described Governor Nyesom Wike as a leader with the Spirit of Excellence.
The Deputy Governor disclosed this in a statement from the Government House in Port Harcourt to congratulate the State Chief Executive on the Conferment of the Health Care Merit Award by the National Leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association.
According to Dr. Banigo Governor Wike over the past four years had consistently received award of excellence from various national and International organizations which is a source of pride to all well-meaning citizens of Rivers State, noting that this feat is amazing even to his detractors.
Dr. Banigo who expressed delight to be associated with Governor Wike’s success story congratulated him on this latest award by the Nigeria Doctors. She assured the Rivers People that Governor Wike’s second tenure would be more glorious than his first.
The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.