Headlines

Nigerian govt to invest $200m on COVID-19 vaccine production, other pharmaceuticals

Published

3 years ago

July 30, 2021

The Federal Government, through the National Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, in collaboration with other partners, intends to raise $200 million for pharmaceuticals and 20 projects in the health sector.

This was disclosed by the Managing Director, National Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, Uche Orji, at the weekly ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential Media Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Nation quoted the managing-director as saying that the execution of the 20 health sector projects will be under the Health Intervention Initiative.

According to him, the investment is targeted to at injecting major investments in pharmaceutical infrastructure, including manufacture of essential drugs, vaccines and construction of cancer centers in the nation’s healthcare sector.

He also explained that the investment plan is being made in order to break the nation’s huge dependence on foreign logistics.

He noted that plans are on to raise the said amount in collaboration with some interested investors, as he expressed optimism that something unique would be done this year.

“NSIA, we can sponsor, we can co-develop and we can just invest. We are looking at all three options; the more difficult ones, we will do ourselves and the easier ones we will look at some companies that already have existing infrastructure and work with them.

“Some of these infrastructure are just so archaic and so far behind and it is better to just build them brand new, like we did with the Cancer center in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, we just demolished it and started afresh. So these are all things we need to do but we have established the fact that it is important, we will do that and I am certain we will complete something in healthcare this year.

“We are trying to raise a $200 million fund; not just us, there are other investors that have indicate interest so the documentation for getting the third party funds is ongoing,” Mr Orji said.

He said that so far, the NSIA has been able to do three major things in the health sector through its Healthcare Investment Company.

“There are three things we have done in healthcare. First of all, the NSIA has a Healthcare Investment Company, through which we initially wanted to tackle all the challenges in the health sector but we realized that if you take it all at once, you are probably not going to succeed.

“So, we decided to do two things, first of all, you showcase an area that is of interest to Nigerians and we took cancer and we went to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and said can we take over your cancer center and rebuild it? Secondly, we now built two world class diagnostic and radiology centers in Kano and Umuahia.

“I am happy to report that those centers have been successful. Initially we hired a management team from South Africa, it didn’t work, we fired them and built our own management team. At the moment all these are working well; the health company, LUTH cancer center and the diagnostic centers,” Mr Orji said.

The NSIA boss also announced that the organization will soon build 20 cancer centers across the country.

He emphasised that all projects carried out by the NSIA are the President’s legacy projects and the inauguration of many of them would be done next year.

Headlines

Tinubu commiserates with Makinde over brother’s death

Published

14 minutes ago

January 27, 2025

Matthew Eloyi

Tinubu commiserates with Makinde over brother’s death

President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with Gov. Seyi Makinde, his family and the people of Oyo State, over the death of his elder brother, Sunday Makinde.

The president, in a condolence message issued on Monday, said that the loss of a loved one, especially a cherished elder brother, is a profound sorrow.

“In this time of mourning, I want you to know that I, along with many others, stand with you and your family.

“We pray for strength and comfort as you navigate this irreplaceable loss. I hope you find comfort in the memories you shared and the impact he had on those around him.

“This moment reminds us of the importance of family, unity and love—values that your family has always exemplified and that we all hold dear.

“May these values strengthen you and your loved ones in this time of grief,” he said.

Tinubu prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul and for the Almighty to grant the governor and his family the strength to navigate this challenging time.

“Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and that you are not alone in this period.

“You can count on my unwavering support and assistance during this difficult time,” the president said.

Headlines

FG begins recruitment into federal civil service

Published

35 minutes ago

January 27, 2025

Matthew Eloyi

FG begins recruitment into federal civil service

The Federal Government, through the Federal Civil Service Commission, has announced the commencement of recruitment into various positions within the Federal Civil Service.

In a statement on Monday by the FCSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, he disclosed that interested and eligible Nigerians can apply for the available positions through the commission’s official recruitment portal.

He stated that applicants are to apply for only one position.

The statement read, “The Federal Civil Service Commission is receiving applications for various vacancies in the Federal Civil Service. The vacancy announcement is published on the commission’s website: www.fedcivilservice.gov.ng and in national newspapers.

“Eligible applicants are to apply for only one position via the application link: https://recruitment.fedcivilservice.gov.ng. Applicants who are physically challenged should state the nature of their disability.

“Applicants are to upload the following documents as applicable: I) Curriculum Vitae, II) Ph.D/Master’s Degree Certificate, III) Degree/HND/NCE Certificate, IV) WAEC/NECO/NABTEB Certificate, V) Primary School Certificate, VI) NYSC discharge/exemption/exclusion certificate, VII) Birth Certificate/Declaration of Age, VIII) Local Government Identification, IX) Recent Passport photograph.

“All applications are to be submitted on or before Monday, 10th March, 2025.”

Headlines

Navy nabs 2 over suspected petrol theft in A’Ibom

Published

2 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Saadatu Sahabo

Nigerian Navy promotes spokesman, 57 others

The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, has apprehended two persons over alleged theft of 2,100 liters of premium motor spirit.

The Commanding Officer, Capt. Aliyu Abdullahi disclosed this while handing over the suspects and items to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) in Ibaka on Monday.

Abdullahi said that navy personnel apprehended the suspects at about 7.45p.m on Jan. 24, while on a routine patrol along the Mbo River area.

He said that during the patrol, naval personnel intercepted a wooden boat carrying over 2,100 Liters of petrol, carefully concealed under cargos such as bread, fruits and bags of cassava flakes among others.

He said that the intention of the suspects was to smuggle the product from Nigeria into the Republic of Cameroun.

The commanding officer said that under the watch of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, the FOB IBAKA would remain committed to fighting waterway crime.

Abdullahi said it would be impossible for maritime crimes to continue in the waterways and coastal areas of Akwa Ibom.

“We shall continue to detect criminals and their activities within the nation’s waterways through the use of advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence.

“Individuals or groups involved in smuggling or any form of criminal activity within Nigeria’s waters should desist immediately,” he said.

Receiving the suspects and Items, ASC Willie Emediong, said that the NSCDC would prosecute the suspects after thorough investigations on the matter.