Category: Featured

  • FG mulls health insurance for pensioners – PTAD

    FG mulls health insurance for pensioners – PTAD

    The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD)says it plans to introduce health insurance scheme for pensioners as part of effort aimed at improving their welfare.

    PTAD Executive Secretary, Dr Chioma Nnenna-Ejikeme, disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen at the venue of the ongoing pensioners’ verification in Kano on Tuesday.

    She said the directorate is currently working towards ensuring that pensioners benefit from the health insurance scheme of the Federal Government to alleviate their suffering in accessing equality healthcare service.

    “We are thinking about getting health insurance scheme for the pensioners. We all know that the ageing population needs more of insurance for health to enable it get quality healthcare services.

    “It is on the front burner, we are still at the talking stage, but I want pensioners to know that it is a project we want to make sure materialise and that is why I am committing myself by mentioning it here today,” she said.

    The Executive Secretary said the directorate is committed to ensuring that pensioners are treated with utmost care so as to give them the necessary comfort.

    She said the essence of the verification is to get a baseline in which every pensioner that deserve to be on the data base is captured, after which his or her arrears could be paid.

    Ejikeme said about 13,000 pensioners are targeted in the North West, which has four verification centres, with two in Kaduna and one each in Kano and Sokoto states.

    She said the exercise, which commenced on Monday, would last for about 10 days, adding that those who are not verified within the period could go to the state offices of the directorate to get their data captured.

    “We also have an arrangement for people who are sick, if they let us know, we have a mobile verification team, they will meet them at home and get them verified,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the physical verification of the pensioners commenced on Monday simultaneously in four centres two in Kaduna, Kano and Sokoto states.(NAN)

  • 5 Guys you shouldn’t date if you are considering marriage

    5 Guys you shouldn’t date if you are considering marriage

    There are many fine men out there, but not all have the qualities of a good husband. If you are a girl that wants a relationship that will lead to marriage, you will agree that it is wise to look out for signs of a good husband.

    So, here are the kind of guys you should never date if you are considering marriage:

    1. The Shady one

    Everything about him is suspicious. And since trust is required, it’s never start anything with this guy. Just walk away.

    2. The one who compares you to his exes

    Usually when people move on, they really move on. This guy isn’t over his ex-girlfriend and will keep making you feel inadequate because there’s a large part of him that still wants her. If you know deep inside you that he would always choose her over you, it’s better to take a long walk.

    3. The one who buys you unnecessary gifts

    It doesn’t mean if your boyfriend gets stuffs for you then he’s shady. In this instance, his gifts are always a cover up for something, either he’s asking for forgiveness after messing around or the gifts are a replacement for being with you. It’s easy to get carried away but don’t be fooled.

    4. The serial monogamist

    This guy jumps from one relationship to another like he’s changing clothes. Commitment is only temporary for him and it looks like he’ll never end up you because he doesn’t know it’s like to be in a long-term relationship.

    5. The alcoholic

    He’s not a ‘social drinker’ though he swears to be one but doesn’t know when to stop the bottles from becoming numerous. He becomes aggressive and nasty when he’s had too much to drink and will turn on you. This kind of guy should be avoided like a plague.

  • UNGA: UN chief decries growing impunity, authoritarianism

    UNGA: UN chief decries growing impunity, authoritarianism

    UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday decried growing violations of international humanitarian laws and the emergence of “new forms of authoritarianism’’ around the globe.

    Addressing world leaders at the opening of the UN General Debate in New York, Guterres said he was seeing not only “borders but hearts closing’’, and increased hostility by all societies to foreigners.

    “We also see new forms of authoritarianism appearing, and the civic space is narrowing and citizens’ voices stifled.

    “Human rights advocates, environmental activists and journalists are being targeted.

    “Day after day, clique by clique, camera by camera, surveillance systems are expanding their reach and encroaching on our privacy.

    “But these breaches go beyond the breakdown of rules governing the behaviours of states and businesses. They are playing out on a deeper level’’, he said.

    The UN Chief noted that all those called to question “our compassion and our humanity’’.

    Guterres said at a time of unprecedented movement of refugees and internally displaced people across borders, countries were shutting their borders and the doors of their hearts.

    “We see not only borders but also hearts closing and all societies becoming hostile to foreigners.

    “ We can see refugees and families torn apart and other rights to seek asylum flouted,’’ he said.

    Guterres urged world leaders to uphold the first-ever Global Compact on Migration last December and strengthen international cooperation for orderly migration.

    In his opening address, President of the 74th General Assembly, Amb. Tijani Muhammad-Bande, called for the strengthening of cooperation among nations for the promotion of international peace and security.

    “The promotion of international peace and security is at the heart of the work of the United Nations.

    “We must continue to strengthen the Organisation by ensuring that its peace and security architecture is appropriate for the 21st century, particularly making a priority of prevention.

    “Drivers of conflict such as poverty, inequality, human rights abuses, lack of access to education and employment opportunities, must be tackled head-on.

    “Through proper sharing of ideas and functional partnerships, we can address them successfully,’’ he said.(NAN)

  • Words you should never say when arguing with your partner

    Words you should never say when arguing with your partner

    No genuine relationship is without misunderstandings, there are going to be periods of arguments and disagreements. These things tend to have a way of occurring and couples who genuinely care for each other see them as mere obstacles to be surmounted.

    However, during arguments and fights, it is very important you avoid saying words you can’t take back. Words aimed at making your partner feel guilty, inadequate and inferior should be avoided.

    So, mind your words so as to avoid saying the following words:

    1. Don’t Say “You always” or “You never”

    When we get upset, we tend to speak to our spouses as though the thing that has upset us is a constant irritation the person does incessantly. This simply isn’t true.

    Saying “You never take out the trash,” or “You always take their side” is simply an inflammatory statement that adds more fuel to the argument instead of working toward a resolution. We often have much more time together where we enjoy each other’s company.

    No one is always doing any one thing. Step back and say what is bothering you in the moment, specifically, to work through this particular situation. Emphasize your frustration by telling the person exactly what they have done and how it hurt you—rather than by exaggerating the action itself.

    2. Don’t Call Anyone Out of Their Names

    Calling someone anything other than their name in an argument is unacceptable. Frustration gets the best of all of us, but it is our job and responsibility to not call people we love a name unbecoming to them.

    Obvious things like the b-word or something of that nature should never be uttered, but using words like slacker, loser, deadbeat or failure are just as hurtful. We have to remember at the end of the day, we want to work through our problems together and name-calling is counterproductive to conflict resolution.

    You hurt your spouse, you tear down their self-esteem and you can make them feel worse than they deserve to feel from someone who says they love them and should be lifting them up. Name calling of any sort is not okay in an argument.

    3. Don’t Patronize or Mock Your Mate

    I’m sure you have heard someone say “don’t patronize me.” Move this up to the tenth power in an argument. The quickest way to get someone to tune you out is to patronize.

    “Let me explain this in a way you can understand,”
    “I used to think that way when I was young,”
    or “That’s what I would expect a woman to say.”
    These ways of categorizing what you think of what someone is trying to share with you instead of valuing the opinion of the person who is talking to you is an example of someone who doesn’t want to work together to resolve a situation.

    When we patronize during an argument, we’re effectively communicating we don’t value what the other person is saying. Instead of patronizing, listen, internalize and effectively respond to what the other person says.

    Patronizing your spouse or significant other speaks to both the lack of interest in the argument and how little you care about their opinion. There’s no place for patronizing in disagreements with people we love and respect.

    Arguments can be healthy opportunities to grow. Take the time to respect the other person, even when you are frustrated, but still accept the responsibility to fight fair and respect each other during and after the argument is over. The mutual respect makes it easier to make up with your spouse—which is the best part!

  • Okowa charges appointees on Stronger Delta agenda

    Okowa charges appointees on Stronger Delta agenda

    Governor of Delta state, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged political office holders to be committed to his administration’s Stronger Delta agenda.

    The governor made the call on Tuesday while swearing in a Special Adviser, Chief Emuobo Gbagi and inauguration of boards of five parastatals and agencies in Asaba.

    He said that all government functionaries should “sit up and get running, because there is a lot to be done”.

    According to Iowa, I see you appointees as a vehicle for rendering of selfless service to Deltans and not as opportunity to enrich yourselves or for ego trip.

    “You (political appointees) must hold the position in trust for the people; it is not about eye service to the Governor but, about the impact that you will make in the life of the people.

    ”We are to render service to the people, work with the people, communicate with the grassroots, and bring development to them; only then would we have performed as a government,” he said.

    The governor congratulated Gbagi and others who were inaugurated at the ceremony and urged them to cooperate with civil servants to ensure seamless rendering of service to the people.

    “There is a lot to be done and we will continue to do our best to meet with the aspirations of Deltans.

    “I want to state that it is not possible to give appointment to all Deltans who saw to my emergence as Governor; what I will assure is that as much as possible we will deliver the dividends of democracy and reposition our state to be prosperous for stronger Delta to be achieved.

    “We will continue to stay focused on our goals; everybody should provide the enabling environment that will engender peace for investment to thrive, because the more resources we have, the more we engage in development programmes,” he stated.

    The Boards inaugurated were those of Delta State Library Board with Dr. Israel Abido as Chairman and Mrs Ayo Ojeifoh, Mr Donald Akpojohare, Mrs Blessing Oghogho as members.

    Delta State School of Health Technology has Dr Chris Oharisi as Chairman, while Mr Sunny Tatabuzogwu and Mrs Osuobeni Ebikabo-Ere as members.

    Chief Christiana Etaluku is new Chairman of Delta State Post Primary Education Board, with Mr Anthony Nzugwuogwu, Mrs Eunice Angozi and Mr Venture Oyiborhoro as members.

    Delta State Waste Management Board has Mr Emmanuel Chinye as Chairman and Mr Jude Onya, Mr Mofe Edema, and Mr Daniel Ighedo as members.

    Also inaugurated was Chief Andrew Orugbo as Chairman of Governing Board of Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro.

    Orugbo responded on behalf of all the appointees and congratulated the governor on the recent reaffirmation of his electoral victory by the Gubernatorial Election Petitions Tribunal.

    He assured that they will carry out their duties diligently to the benefits of Deltans.

  • Ganduje reaffirms support for Universal Health Coverage

    Ganduje reaffirms support for Universal Health Coverage

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has declared his unflinching support for the implementation of all health sector reforms towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the state.

    Ganduje, represented by Nasir Gawuna, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, made the pledge at a three-day workshop for all states’ social health insurance agencies on Monday in Kano.

    He said the workshop was timely and had come when the Nigerian population was clamouring for access to affordable and qualitative healthcare.

    Ganduje said Kano state had commenced the implementation of contributory healthcare scheme over one and a half years ago and had become successful with over 370,000 enrollees accessing healthcare.

    “The scheme is currently operating in 245 healthcare facilities, comprising l34 primary healthcare facilities, 37 secondary healthcare facilities and 74 private healthcare facilities.

    “We have provided the legal framework for the scheme, renovated and furnished the Agency’s office accommodation, amounting to N85 million.

    “We have also approved a grant of N250 million for the provision of ICT infrastructure and released Nl00 million as necessary requirement for Kano state,’’ he said.

    Ganduje noted that the contributory healthcare scheme population coverage throughout the country had remained low.

    He added that this had challenged most states of the federation to domesticate the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) based on their religious beliefs and traditional value system.

    The governor however said access to affordable healthcare had continued to be a challenge for most households due to the high level of poverty and significant reliance on out-of-pocket expenses.

    Ganduje further explained that the participation in Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), in line with the state’s policy, drove to strengthen the state’s health system.

    He said five per cent of the state’s internally-generated revenue and one per cent of the local government areas’ statutory allocation have been dedicated to the health sector under the Kano State Health Trust Fund (KHETFUND).

    “The state is considering scaling up its free Maternal and Child Health programme by covering additional vulnerable groups, particularly, pregnant women, children under five and retired civil servants, under the Kano State Contributory Health Scheme.

    “These are part of government’s intervention towards a sustainable health system that will drive the process of achieving UHC by ensuring all Kano State residents have access to effective, quality and affordable health care,’’ the governor said.

    The Executive Secretary of NHIS, Prof. Mohammed Sambo, while speaking, said the workshop was aimed at aligning State Health Insurance Schemes to the NHIS.

    He said this was highly necessary, “because, in the year 2000, Nigeria was ranked 187 out of 191 in performance in health care systems globally”.

    Sambo noted that this was not good enough for Nigeria’s image among the comity of nations.

    He said the global target of attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 became a national momentum generated to confront the challenges.

    “One of the viable options was to develop a National Health Bill that would transform the health sector so as to be more responsive to meeting the yearnings and aspiration of the citizens.

    “It took more than a decade to get this Bill passed into law, which became the current National Health Act that we are all celebrating today.

    “One appealing feature of this Act is the provision, that not less than one per cent consolidated revenue shall be dedicated to the health sector, out of which half of that fund is intended to improve financial access to health care services to the citizens through the National Health Insurance,” the NHIS executive secretary said.

    He further stated that the programme had become a reality, adding that many states lagging behind had successfully keyed into the programme.

    Sambo said NHIS disbursed the first tranche of N6.5 billion of Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to 15 states and FCT in the last two weeks.

    He added that NHIS intends to develop a comprehensive coordination platform between it, states’ agencies, partners and other stakeholders in order to make health insurance the best programme in Nigeria.(NAN)

  • Common mistakes women make in relationships

    Common mistakes women make in relationships

    We all want to love and be loved. And it is widely believed that when it comes to matters of the heart, women are more passionate.

    Sometimes in your cravings for affection, you tend to make clumsy mistakes or serious ones that may negatively affect your love life.

    So, it is very important you take note of the following because they are the biggest mistakes women make in relationships.

    1. You Don’t Know Your Own Value

    This might be one of the most common areas where I work with my female clients. Do you chase after the bad boys who treat you poorly and only want them more?

    Are you attracted to all the unavailable guys? Are you afraid to ask for what you want? Do you put up with nonsense expecting that “one day” it will magically change? If so, welcome to the club — you are far from alone.

    You, my dear, do not know your value.

    The truth is that there are only two fears in the human condition: one is that you’re “not enough,” and two is that you won’t be loved.

    Let’s be clear: this will keep you single until it changes. Ironically, the thing that will keep you stuck here for years or even decades is that no man can really respect a woman who will allow him to treat her so shabbily, so this truly is a self-inflicted wound. I’m sorry for being so blunt, but the truth will set you free — even if it makes you angry or defensive first.

    If that’s the case, don’t bother getting mad at me. I cared enough to level with you so you can actually have all the love you truly deserve.

    2. You Over-Rely On Your Masculine Energy

    Many of my clients are highly successful women and well known in their communities. They’re doctors, lawyers, executives and entrepreneurs, but they can’t attract — or keep — a man.

    Ironically, their success is oftentimes a result of the fact that deep inside, these women also have huge doubts about their self value. (Do you see a theme here?) In fact, it’s their over-compensation that often leads to their success.

    The problem only gets dramatically worse if they’re divorced or are single parents because in order to be the sole provider or protector, too, their entire day is spent living in their masculine, achiever energy. While that may be effective in paying the bills, when you spend too much time there, it’s nearly impossible to transition out of that and re-embrace your feminine energy again. T

    he fact is, if you can do it all by yourself, a man will look at you and see no role for himself; unless, of course, he’s looking for a sugar mama. I definitely don’t recommend that arrangement either.

    If you think it doesn’t sound so bad, re-read item #1.

    3. You Simply Don’t Get Or Understand Men

    Women who understand how men work and appreciate them for their masculine gifts have a way of kissing frogs and turning them into princes.

    Likewise, women who are jaded, frustrated or have been burned too many times can kiss a good man and turn him into a frog. The fact is, women are far more complex and men are fairly simple creatures who actually are pre-wired to want to serve you — if you know how to inspire them.

    Bottom line, most of my clients’ success comes when I teach them specifically how to understand and appreciate men so they can bring out their best, rather than suffer through their worst. I can teach you how to make a man crazy about you and then condition his behavior to treat you like his queen.

    Of course, that’s assuming you want to do what it takes to be his queen.

    4. You Try To Change Him Or Don’t Accept Him As He Is

    There’s nothing that turns off a man like meeting a woman he’s trying to impress and then having her immediately try to turn him into her latest “project” that she’s going to fix.

    Maybe it’s criticizing the way he dresses, insulting his table manners, or ridiculing his appearance or grooming habits.

    Women have a way of doing that because they tend to be caretakers by nature but frankly, it usually doesn’t end well for either party, and it just feels bad all the way around.

    At best, un-requested suggestions are usually unwelcome. At worst, they’re insulting and emasculating.

    People want to be seen, heard and appreciated for who they are; if you feel the need to change him with your complaints, ridicule, teasing or even un-requested “helpful hints,” let me ask you a question: How would you like it if he did that to you?

    Enough said.

    5. You Don’t Really Appreciate What Men Do For You

    On the other extreme of women not knowing their value, are the self-centered women who seemingly believe they are “owed” something.

    They are not grateful that a man opted to spend his time, talent and treasure with her. In fact, they have an attitude of entitlement. You may be surprised how many women stay in relationships with men — or even multiple men — for the gifts and prizes.

    It’s also not unheard of for women to accept free dinners, order the most expensive things on the menu and then disappear or be busy when a man tries to ask them out again. If you think the term “gold digger” sounds bad, consider how it feels to be on the receiving end of that kind of behavior.

    Ladies, you’re not the only one who can develop trust issues. If you’ve treated a man this way before, just know that some of your dating struggles might be dating karma coming back to you.

    Taking advantage of others for your own gain is not only unattractive — it’s indefensible.

    6. You Don’t Share Your Gifts

    The gift of the masculine sex is his ability to protect and provide. In fact, he takes great pride in it and will oftentimes even willingly risk his health or life in order to do that effectively.

    In fact, elderly men who seemingly “lose their purpose” or ability to provide as effectively after retirement may spiral into depression, suffer anxiety or even die prematurely when they no longer feel “needed.” Those two things are that hard-wired into masculine energy that they are a matter of life and death.

    So what, you may ask, is the gift of the feminine sex?

    The essence of femininity is the innate desire to nurture, caretake or look after your man. It’s about reciprocation and putting one another first. If you’re not doing that, you’re more interested in taking than giving, and healthy relationships aren’t about taking.

    They’re about giving. You need to figure out what exactly you bring to the table for him and then understand his love language to see whether he even values what you’re offering.

    7. You Create Drama Instead Of Memories

    As I said earlier, men are relatively simple creatures who navigate the world via logic and reason — it just doesn’t make sense to be all worked up constantly.

    They love to prove their value by solving problems and making things easy. They tend to be laid back and easy-going when they’re not working, and they also typically hate to waste effort if they can’t see a potential upside.

    That’s why masculine energy quickly tires of the drama that arises when femininity gets caught up in emotion and upset. Just be aware that if you kind of like the attention you get when you stir things up, it just might turn into a very short-term gain, if you know what I mean.

    8. You Either Didn’t Build Trust — Or You Broke It

    If a man is going to consider a future with you, he has got to believe that you respect him and have his back while he has yours.

    Inside every little boy is a desire to grow up and be a hero and a good man who feels connected to you will give his all to be your hero. In fact, he may even give his life to protect you.

    His commitment is that deep. In return, he must be able to trust that you have his best interests in mind also. Men also tend to strongly resonate with the concept of honor which is the backbone of the military code.

    Bottom line, a good man has high standards and you’ll have to as well if you’re going to keep him.

    9. You Tried To Tie Him Down Too Soon

    This may be one of the biggest mistakes women make over and over again. After one date, one kiss, or even one intimate encounter, women often seem to think they’re now magically in a “relationship.”

    Actually, not so fast. First of all, that’s not the time to negotiate your terms, and masculine energy has a very different criteria for that designation.

    The truth is men have an almost primitive drive and preference for the concept of freedom that practically lies in their DNA. Add to that it’s basic human nature that as soon as you grab someone quickly, they instinctively and reflexively pull away. While that may sound like men have no interest in monogamy, that’s not exactly true.

    Masculine energy will absolutely commit and voluntarily give up their freedom, but only after they’re convinced that you offer something better.

    The key is — timing is everything. Let a man pursue you and never try to take his freedom; it can only be surrendered.

    10. You Didn’t Inspire Him Enough To See A Future With You

    Here’s the truth: dating is a competitive environment.

    Every one of us, men and women alike, wants to be with a partner that makes us feel like we definitely got the better part of the deal when it comes to our partner. In fact, it’s ideal when both partners have such a strong appreciation and gratitude for one another that they both feel blessed to have attracted their partner.

    Basically, it’s about finding someone who just “gets” you and resonates with you. Believe it or not, this isn’t as rare as it seems; you can learn how to get better at attracting this, and I help my clients dramatically increase their odds of finding this kind of partner.

  • 9 Signs you have a toxic boyfriend

    9 Signs you have a toxic boyfriend

    Relationship is suppose to be a thing of mutual benefit in respect to love, respect, compassion etc. A relationship lacking in these, becomes a source of despair. Therefore, it is very important you enter into a relationship with the right person.

    Here are signs that indicate your boyfriend is a toxic partner:

    1. He seems hostile — a lot

    Is he/she angry a lot of the time? If you feel you are living with a lot of tension, feeling stressed and not able to express yourself the way you want, your relationship is not healthy for you. You want to feel the safety and security to express your authentic self. —Dr. Marian Stansbury

    2. He puts me down

    Does your significant other criticize or demean you? Are you on edge much of the time because you feel that you can’t please your partner or do anything right? Does he/she make fun of you or criticize you in public, in front of friends or family? Does he/she act superior towards you or mock you? These are all warning signs of an unhappy, dysfunctional relationship. —Dr. Marian Stansbury

    3. Is he avoiding me?

    Does it seem he doesn’t want to be around you? Maybe he/she gives double messages that make you feel confused (e.g. saying “Of course I love you” while not behaving in a loving manner). When he doesn’t want to be physically affectionate, you end up feeling rejected. Meanwhile, he complains that you are too needy. —Dr. Marian Stansbury

    4. He refuses to change or talk about problems

    Is your partner open to being influenced by you? Is he/she self-reflective? When you express how you feel and ask for what you want, does he/she listen and make an effort to meet your needs? If he/she refuses to acknowledge that your feelings and needs are important, and refuses to go to counseling, you may be stuck in a toxic relationship. Then you need to ask yourself, “What do I need to do for myself to be happy and satisfied with my life?” —Dr. Marian Stansbury

    5. He fights dirty

    Name calling is a definite sign of toxicity in a relationship. Attempting to hurt someone with words is not the way to resolve conflict or communicate hurt feelings. Problems usually escalate quickly when name-calling is present and it makes it especially difficult to create intimacy and connection in the relationship. —Keri Nola

    6. You aren’t yourself

    Do you change your likes, dislikes or opinions when you’re with your partner? Feeling like you can’t be yourself and adjusting to please for fear of retaliation can be a sign of a toxic relationship. It’s important to be able to express yourself honestly in your relationship for authentic love to grow. —Keri Nola

    7. He’s more like an over-involved parent

    I’m not talking about the kind who drives you to your violin recital. I’m talking about the kind who decides your career, what school you go to and who you hang out with. When your guy acts like an over-involved parent, he chooses which friends stay, which ones go and what kind of clothes you should wear. You’ve learned from past experiences that your thoughts and opinions do not matter to him and if you express them, you will regret it later on. —Mika Maddela

    8. He’s the king of guilt trips

    He has a certain knack for making you feel guilty and indebted to him. You feel obligated to give in to whatever he wants, especially when he reminds you of that thoughtful gesture he’s done for you lately. When every gesture comes with strings attached, it might be time to cut the cord. —Mika Maddela

    9. He’s your secret lover … but not in a good way

    Your family and friends don’t like the way he treats you. Since they are more likely to give unsolicited relationship advice, you’re afraid that what they have to say may be the truth. So, you tend to avoid talking about him, bringing him around, or involving him in any way with your friends and family. —Mika Maddel

  • NGO affirms its commitment to best hygiene practices in Abia

    NGO affirms its commitment to best hygiene practices in Abia

    Our Reporter

    A non-governmental organisation, called ‘Each One Aid One Foundation’, says it is committed to the advocacy for best hygiene practices to improve the quality of life of the people of Abia and also keep the environment clean.
    Mr Enyinnaya Nwafor, the Founder of the organisation, said this on Tuesday during the inauguration of a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) campaign held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.
    The event, which was organised by the foundation in collaboration with Abia government, had the theme, “One pair of hands at a time”.
    Nwafor, who was represented by Mr Ogbonna Nwanosike, said that poor hygiene had become a menace in the society and a major cause of diseases.
    He said that the situation meant that more efforts should be made to facilitate the education and demonstration of life-promoting and disease-preventing practices.
    According to him, the WASH campaign is aimed at driving home the need for best hygiene practices among people in order to ameliorate the effect of communicable diseases.
    Nwafor said, “Let us all come together and do our bits.The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step and this first step will birth the future that we all look forward to.”
    The Wife of the Governor of Abia, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, commended the organisation for its commitment to improve the well-being of the people of Abia.
    Represented by the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Vivian Oko-Chukwu, Ikpeazu said that hygiene, sanitation and access to clean water were essential in preventing communicable diseases.
    She said that recent studies show that diarrhoea, respiratory infection as well as eye and skin diseases can be prevented through proper hand-washing hygiene.
    Ikpeazu called on the people to take advantage of the programme to learn appropriate hand-washing methods, hygiene and make hand-washing a norm in their homes.
    Dr Chinagozi Adindu, the Executive Secretary of Abia State Primary Health Development Agency (ASPHDA), said that government was willing to support the programme and ensure its success in Abia.
    Adindu described the programme as a “wake up call” to all health workers in the state, urging the group to educate the public on hygiene practices to reduce morbidity in Abia.
    Earlier, Mr Earnest Onyeukwu, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Health, commended the organisers for supporting the transformation agenda of Abia government through its programmes.
    Onyeukwu called on relevant agencies to drive the campaign by making it their primary duty to promote good hygiene in Abia.
    Mrs Ijeoma Anyanwu, an Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, urged the people to practise hand-washing hygiene.
    Anyanwu said: “If you want to avoid most Fecal-Oral infections, then adopt hand-washing hygiene, because poor hygiene is one of the leading causes of infection across the world.
    “There are two methods of hand-washing hygiene. They are alcohol-based hand rub and hand washing. One can adopt any method to get rid of germs from one’s hands.
    “Washing your hands religiously will help to get rid of germs through the friction which the hands make as you rub.”
    High-points of the event included drama presentation and demonstration of proper hand-washing methods. (NAN)

  • BOSG SHOPS FOR #5BN LOAN TO RECONSTRUCT HOUSES DESTROYED BY BOKOHARAM CRIMINALS

    BOSG SHOPS FOR #5BN LOAN TO RECONSTRUCT HOUSES DESTROYED BY BOKOHARAM CRIMINALS

    Dauda R Pam MAIDUGURI

    Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of BORNO state, has revealed that lack of adequate funds have largely been responsible for the snail speed in the reconstruction of houses, destroyed by the boko haram insurgents in the state.

    The governor made the remarks at the Borno State House of Assembly, via executive communication to the legislature, seeking for mandate to permit the executive arm of government to take a loan of N5 billion from the federal government to fund the reconstruction of houses destroyed by the insurgents at various communities across the state.

    He noted that, the loan will enable the state government construct affordable houses in various communities destroyed by the boko haram insurgents in Borno state.

    Reading the letter on the floor of the House, the Speaker, Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, told the lawmakers that, the state government has constructed houses in Auno, Mainok and Benisheikh in its effort to resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Kaga, Bama, Konduga, Magumeri and further explained that the project was delayed due to lack of sufficient funds as contained in the executive communication to the house.