Headlines

Nigeria’s primary healthcare centres in need of urgent revitalisation – Stakeholders

Published

6 hours ago

January 13, 2025

Some health stakeholders have said that Nigeria’s Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), which serve as the backbone of the country’s healthcare system, are in dire need of revitalisation.

The stakeholder said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja,

They said that despite the country having over 30,000 PHCs, the majority are non-functional due to poor funding, inadequate staffing, and dilapidated infrastructure.

According to them, addressing these challenges is key to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for Nigerians.

NAN reports that according to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), only 20 per cent of PHCs in the country are fully functional.

The situation has left millions of Nigerians, particularly those in rural areas, unable to access basic healthcare services.

Dr Elizabeth Dasat, a Family Physician, identified inadequate funding as a major hindrance to the effectiveness of PHCs.

“While the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) was established to support PHC financing, implementation challenges have limited its impact.

“There is an urgent need for the government to increase budgetary allocations to PHCs and ensure the effective disbursement of funds to local governments,” she said.

Dr Pamela Ajayi, President of, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), highlighted the potential of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in bridging funding gaps and upgrading healthcare facilities.

“A shortage of skilled healthcare workers is another critical challenge facing PHCs.

“Many rural PHCs are staffed by community health workers rather than qualified medical professionals,” she said.

Mrs Chika Offor, Executive Director of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control, called for incentives to attract and retain health workers in underserved areas.

“Providing competitive salaries, housing allowances, and opportunities for professional growth will encourage doctors and nurses to serve in rural communities,” Offor said.

According to her, many PHCs lack basic amenities such as electricity, clean water, and medical equipment, making it difficult to provide essential services.

Meanwhile, Dr Kemi Oludare, a Health Economist, urged the government to prioritise infrastructure development as part of its healthcare reform agenda.

According to Oludare, in states like Bauchi and Lagos, innovative measures such as solar-powered PHCs have been implemented to address these gaps.

She said that such examples should be replicated nationwide.

“Local communities can play a vital role by participating in decision-making, resource mobilisation, and monitoring healthcare delivery.

“Ward Development Committees (WDCs), are effective tools for fostering community ownership.

“Community participation ensures that PHCs address the unique needs of the people they serve,” she said.

Dr Gabriel Adakole, a Public Health Expert, recommended the integration of services such as maternal and child health, immunisation, family planning, and disease prevention.

“Digital tools like the e-motive approach for maternal care have also been identified as solutions to enhance service delivery,” Adakole said.

During a recent health event, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, under Minister Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening PHCs as a pathway to achieving UHC.

“Strengthening PHCs is essential to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to basic healthcare services, no matter their location or socio-economic status,” Pate said.

Dr Mustapha Lecky, Chairman of the Health System Reform Coalition of Nigeria (HSRCN), called for increased advocacy, accountability, and policy reforms.

Lecky stressed the need for collaboration among government agencies, private-sector players, and civil society Organisations to ensure sustainable improvements.

Most stakeholders agree that as Nigeria works toward revitalising its PHCs, success stories from the sub-nationals offer a glimmer of hope.

However, sustained efforts and investments will be required to replicate such successes across the country.

They agreed that revitalising PHCs is not just about providing healthcare, but about restoring dignity and hope to millions of Nigerians.

Headlines

NAF investigates reports of vigilante losses in Zamfara airstrikes–official

Published

6 hours ago

January 13, 2025

Saadatu Sahabo

Airstrikes kills terror kingpin, Ali Dogo, others in Kaduna

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), says a comprehensive investigation is in progress to ascertain the veracity of reports of loss of civilian lives in the course of recent airstrikes in Zamfara.

The Director, Public Relations and Information of NAF, AVM Olusola Akinboyewa, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Akinboyewa said that the NAF dealt a decisive blow to bandits terrorising villages in the area in recent airstrikes at Tungar Kara in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.

“The operation successfully eliminated several bandits and led to the recovery of some kidnap victims, the NAF viewed with grave concern reports of the loss of civilian lives in the course of the operation.

“As a responsible and professional custodian of airpower for the security of the nation, the NAF believes in the absolute value of the life of every Nigerian.

“Accordingly, a comprehensive investigation is in progress, to ascertain the veracity of the reports, the outcome of which will be duly communicated to inform and re-assure the public.

“Please rest assured that, while our mission in the North West remains to combat banditry and restore peace, the safety and well-being of all Nigerians are of utmost importance.

“We will therefore work closely with all relevant authorities to unravel the facts and take appropriate steps, as part of our unwavering commitment to prevent, minimise and mitigate any harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure in the course of our operations,” he said.

Headlines

FG approves 4 airlines for 2025 hajj operation – NAHCON Chair

Published

6 hours ago

January 13, 2025

Saadatu Sahabo

The Federal Government has approved four airlines as official air carriers to transport intending pilgrims for the 2025 hajj pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Executive Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, made this known in a statement by the commission’s Assistant Director, Information and Publication, Mrs Fatima Usara, on Sunday in Abuja.

Usman explained that the four airlines were selected out of the 11 companies that submitted applications to transport Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Muslims pilgrimage.

According to Usman, the four approved airlines are Air Peace Ltd., Fly-Nas, a Saudi Arabia designated airline, Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Ltd.

The NAHCON boss stated that the airlines were screened and shortlisted by a team of 32 members that were inaugurated by the NAHCON on Nov. 26, 2024.

He said that the composition of the Aviation Screening Committee included representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, three members from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and one member each from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

He also said that some members of the committee were drawn from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

Similarly, Prof. Usman said that one member each was drawn from Nigerian Customs’ Service (NCS) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

Others, he listed, were NAHCON Board members representing each geo-political zone of the country, NAHCON Heads of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, and Special Duties as well as Board Member representing the Aviation industry.

The NAHCON boss also disclosed that three excess cargo carriers were selected for the hajj operations.

He named them to include; Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd, Cargozeal Technology Ltd and Qualla Investment Ltd.,

The Chairman, who congratulated the successful companies, urged them to fulfil their responsibilities as promised during the screening.

Meanwhile, Prof. Usman signed the 2025 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on behalf of the Nigerian Government.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was represented by the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Abdulfatah Masahat, at the signing ceremony.

The event was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to formalise this year’s Hajj engagements.

Crime

Army apprehends 15 over suspected oil theft in Niger Delta

Published

7 hours ago

January 13, 2025

Saadatu Sahabo

Troops of the Nigerian army have apprehended no fewer than 15 persons over suspected oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta.

Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, the Spokesman, Nigerian Army, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, said in a statement on Monday that the operations were carried out in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers recently.

Danjuma said that the army apprehended 15 persons, dismantled 32 artisanal refineries and seized 14 boats during operations.

He further said that during the operations, conducted between Jan. 6 and 12, the troops confiscated no fewer than 60,000 litres of various petroleum products

The spokesman said that the operations were part of a broader collaborative effort with other security agencies to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

Danjuma said that the raid commenced in Bille, Degema Local Government Area, and Rivers, where soldiers dismantled seven illegal refining sites, confiscated 20,000 litres of crude oil, and destroyed two boats.

“We also deactivated ten illegal refineries, several crude oil cooking pots, and receivers, and recovered about 19,000 litres of stolen petroleum products along the Imo River.

“In Odagwa, Etche, our troops intercepted three boats carrying about 12,000 litres of stolen crude oil and arrested three suspects in the process.

“Similar operations were carried out in Abiama, Asa, Obuzor, Okoloma, Ozaa, Ukwa, and Oyigbo” he added.

He stated that the soldiers advanced to Nkisa in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers, where they confiscated 1,600 litres of crude oil and 1,200 litres adulterated diesel.

Danjuma said that along Ndoni Road, the troops intercepted a Toyota van transporting an estimated 1,200 litres of stolen condensate.

The spokesman said that in Buguma, Asari-Toru, Rivers, the troops dismantled two illegal refineries, seized 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil, and apprehended five suspects.

“In Baberegbene, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa, our soldiers dismantled an illegal artisanal refinery and intercepted a wooden boat carrying no fewer than 1,500 litres of stolen

“Similarly, an illegal refining site containing an unquantified quantity of stolen petroleum products was deactivated in Emago-Kugbo and Oluasiri communities in Nembe, Bayelsa.

“The operations continued in Akwa Ibom and Delta, where troops maintained a strong presence and effectively denied economic saboteurs the liberty to operate,” he said.