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Buhari Demands Accountability On $890m Health Grant

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President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, directed the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, to ensure effective utilisation of Global Fund’s provision of $890million over the next three years, to support Nigeria’s fight against HIV-AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled, “$890 million health grant to Nigeria: President Buhari demands periodic performance reports from ministry.”

According to the statement, the President spoke at the virtual launch of the grant for the period of 2021-2023, which will also support the establishment of resilient and sustainable systems for health in the country.

The statement quoted Buhari as saying that, ”Let me also emphasise here that this administration has zero-tolerance for corruption and inefficient use of resources.

”In this regard, I hereby direct the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, to set up an accountability framework, to monitor the use of this fund and provide periodic performance reports to my office.”

The President was also said to have assured donor agencies and development partners of judicious use of the grant.

He said the funding would complement investments in the health sector, help curb new infections, and reduce HIV-AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria-related morbidity and mortality.

”It is my wish that in the next three years, these three diseases are taken much further down the path of elimination,” he added.

The President also applauded the Global Fund for their contribution of $51million during the early stages of Nigeria’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to procure Personal Protective Equipment, test kits and scale-up diagnostic capacity.

”I acknowledge the support of Development Partners, namely; the United States Government, the United Nations System, bilateral agencies and various local and international foundations.

”I am pleased to say that, on our part, we are on track to fulfilling our co-financing commitments to the Global Fund for this new funding cycle and meeting our other commitments as and when due,” he said.

Commending the work of Nigeria’s Country Coordinating Mechanism, under the leadership of the Minister of Health, Buhari reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

He pledged that his regime would continue to work with fellow Heads of State and Governments across the continent to ensure sustained high-level political engagement to achieve the SDG goals.

The President recounted that the strong partnership between the government and people of Nigeria and Global Fund, dating back to 2002, had contributed immensely to saving lives, especially of women and children.

According to him over the last two decades, joint efforts with the Global Fund, the United States Government, the United Nations and other development partners, had succeeded in bringing about significant reduction in new infections, morbidity and mortality from HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

He attributed the improvements to the effective alignment of our various national investments, using the most recent evidence to inform policies, strategies and plans.

”The thrust of our government in the health sector is to ensure that investments get a health systems strengthening focus, as the most efficient way to utilize available resources and position Nigeria on the path to sustainability of health programmes.

”The minister of health is pursuing this trajectory,” he said.

On Nigeria’s contribution to the fund, the President announced that he approved $12million to the last Global Fund Replenishment held in Lyon, France, representing a 20 per cent increase on the country’s immediate previous contribution.

”Our administration is committed to increasing domestic financing and exploring other innovative ways of increasing financing for health, to ensure Universal Health Coverage,” Buhari said.

The statement also quoted Ehanire as, speaking in his capacity as the chair of the Country Coordinating Mechanism of the Global Fund programmes in Nigeria, saying Nigeria recently signed eight grants amounting to $890million to support HIV, TB and Malaria programmes and build resilient and sustainable systems for health.

Giving an overview of the grant, he said two of them are for HIV management, amounting to $310million, and will be administered by two principal recipients namely the National Agency for the Control of AIDS and Family Health International.

According to the minister, $180million of the $310million was earmarked for procurement of antiretroviral medicines, which will maintain 1.4million Nigerians living with HIV on lifesaving antiretroviral treatment.

He explained that three of the grants, amounting to $153million are for TB, to be administered by three principal recipients including the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme, the Institute for Human Virology in Nigeria and the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

He added that two of the grants for malaria elimination, amounting to $439million would be administered by two principal recipients – the National Malaria Elimination Programme and the Catholic Relief Services while the eighth and final grant worth $35million for Resilient System for Sustainable Health has NACA as principal recipient.

In her goodwill message, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S Embassy in Nigeria, Kathleen FitzGibbon, was said to have described Nigeria’s recent contribution to the Global Fund as an important commitment to end all the three diseases and to ensure a healthy and prosperous country.

”We hope the achievements made in Nigeria in the fight against HIV, TB and Malaria, with support from the Global Fund, will inspire and motivate health workers and other partners alike,” the representative of the U.S. Government, which is the largest single donor to the Global Fund, said.

Speaking virtually from Geneva, the Executive Director, Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, Peter Sands, while commending the partnership with Nigeria, said in addition to the $890m grant, the Global Fund has disbursed $2.6billion to support HIV, TB and Malaria and strengthening of RSSH, since 2003.

 

 

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Opobo Elder Statesman Lauds Fubara’s Christmas Bonus to Civil Servants …Celebrates Recognition As Public Office Holder of the Year 2024

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The Chairman of Opobo Elder Statesmen-4-Sim, Alabo Edwin Cockeye-Brown, has expressed appreciation to Rivers State governor, Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara over his granting of #100,000 as Christmas bonus to the entire spectrum of civil servants across the State.

Speaking with journalists at his residence in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Alabo Cockeye-Brown said the generous gesture from the governor undoubtedly brought joy and relief to many families during the festive season.

“In these challenging economic times, such initiatives are a testament to Governor Fubara’s commitment to the welfare of our public servants. It is a clear indication that he values their hard work and sacrifices, “he stated.

Alabo Cockeye-Brown, who is the Vice Chairman of Opobo Council of Alapu, emphasized the importance of supporting civil servants, who play a crucial role in the development and governance of the state.

“These men and women dedicate their lives to serving the public. The Christmas bonus is not just financial assistance; it’s a recognition of their relentless efforts and a way to uplift their spirits ahead of the New Year,” he added.

In addition to celebrating the Christmas bonus, Alabo Cockeye-Brown took the opportunity to congratulate Governor Fubara on being awarded the Public Office Holder of the Year 2024.

He said the recognition is well-deserved, adding that the governor has shown exceptional leadership and vision, steering the state towards progress and prosperity.

“His dedication to uplifting the lives of our citizens is commendable, and we are proud to have him leading us”, he said.

Alabo Cockeye-Brown also called on other leaders in the state to follow Fubara’s example, stressing the need for collaborative efforts to enhance public service delivery and improve the living standards of the people.

“Let us work together to ensure that every citizen feels the impact of good governance,” he urged.

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AIG handsover to Rivers new CP..calls for sustainable peace …list achievements in three months

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The Assistant Inspector General of police (AIG) zone six Calabar ,AIG Mohammed Bala has said that his most achievements recorded during his tenure as the commissioner for police in Rivers state was to ensure that absolute tranquility of peace prevail in the state.

Bala made this statement during the official handover ceremony to his successor ,CP Olugbenga Adewale Adepoju held yesterday at the police command mess in port Harcourt.

The outgoing commissioner of police who was recently promoted to the ranks of AIG averred that when he assumed the batton of leadership last October 2024 as the commissioner of police in the state command ,he promised that his administration’s focus will be to ensure total peace was restored in the state , stressing that he was happy that he has lived up to his promises to the state.

“Today ,I am happy that we are living the state peacefully as we promised and I want you to sustain the peace in the state, peace is the only ingredient for sustainable development.

He used the opportunity to thank officers and men of the command for their support during the three months in the state and urged them to give same his successor.

The AIG used the opportunity to highlight some of his major achievements while In office to include, rescue of 13 under aged girls , arrest of kidnappers and armed robbers as well as the recovery of arms and ammunition among others.

” On 11th October 2024 at about 1300hrs, based on a vital piece of information indicating that one Rachael ‘f’, of Indorama Petrol Chemical Complex, Akpajo in Eleme LGA of Rivers State is operating an illegal baby factory. Detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) PH, were swiftly mobilized to the factory, where thirteen (13) under-aged pregnant girls were rescued. Investigation is ongoing.

Again, On 12th October 2024 at about 1430hrs, raid of an identified criminal hideout was conducted at Akpajo primary school field, old Refinery Road, Akpajo with a view to arrest one “Sinbad” a notorious sea pirate, kidnapper and armed robber. Upon the arrival of the team, one Bright Eke ‘m’, an associate of “Sinbad” was arrested and handed over to the Anti-Kidnapping (AKU) for further investigation. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the said fleeing Sinbad.”he stated.

Earlier, the new state police command, CP Olugbenga Adewale Adepoju commended the AIG zone six for his fatherly leadership role during his brief stay in the command and assured him that his legacies will be sustained by the present administration in the state.

Our correspondent reports that the ceremony witnessed decoration of police officers who were recently promoted by the IG in the last police promotion exercise as well as award to some officers who distinguished themselves in the service during the period under review.

They include, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Bori in Khana LGA,CSP Okanlawon Olufemi for neutralizing a very notorious kidnapper in the LGA and CSP Ojo Lawrence, DPO Akinima in Ahoada West LGA was given a token for neutralizing a notorious leader and his gang members in month of December, 2024.

Those decorated to their new ranks are ,Elijah Eleke who was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) from Chief Superintendent of Police.(SP)
Umar Hassan,who was decorated with rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.(DSP).

 

Akujobi amadi

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Bodo-Bonny Road: Julius Berger Workforce Maintains Steady Work to ensure timely delivery

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Julius Berger Maintains Commitment to Timely Delivery with Holiday Work Schedule In the spirit of progress and dedication, workers on the Bodo-Bonny Road project, a transformative construction project awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, have continued their efforts undeterred by the Yuletide season. For many, the opportunity to contribute to the development of their communities through this landmark infrastructure project is a source of pride and fulfillment.

The 37.9 km road project, which connects Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area to Bonny Island in Rivers State, stands as a beacon of hope for the operational communities.

Julius Berger’s workforce, comprising a significant number of local indigenes, has been steadfast in their commitment to ensuring the project’s timely completion despite the challenging technical and logistical demands

The construction of this critical infrastructure requires specialized techniques and construction methodologies, including extensive sand filling for soil stabilization, to ensure a suitable foundation for construction.


The project also necessitates meticulous planning and coordination by the workforce and their supervisors, further underscoring the skill and precision involved in executing this project.During the holiday season, workers were seen diligently engaged in other activities such as base course installation, and sand-cement stabilization at key sections, including Apha Creek Bridge and Opobo Channel Bridge, the sight of heavy equipment from leading manufacturers like Caterpillar and Volvo further revealed the scale and complexity of the project.

Speaking about the project, John Hart, a member of the project team from Gokana, shared the pride he and his colleagues feel about the project,
“This road means everything to us. It connects our people to opportunities and development. For those of us working here, it’s more than a job, it’s our contribution to building a future for our communities.
Even during the holidays, we’re happy to give our all.”

Appreciating the team’s dedication, The Project Manager, Tim Nippert noted that, “Our workforce continues to exceed expectations. Working through the holidays and navigating the difficult terrain demonstrates their resolve and passion for delivering this project. Their ability to maintain steady progress under these conditions is truly remarkable.”

The Bodo-Bonny Road project is a critical component of Nigeria’s infrastructure development agenda. Featuring a 2-lane road with hard shoulders, 17 bridges spanning 3,200 meters, and reinforced concrete pavement on Bonny Island, it is designed to overcome environmental challenges while improving connectivity and stimulating socio-economic growth.

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