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FG Inaugurates Projects at FNPH, National Eye Centre
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, commissioned several critical projects yesterday, signaling the federal government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure.
Among the projects inaugurated were the Electronic Health Records and Alternative Power Supply at the Lawal Jafaru Isah Emergency Complex, as well as the solarization project at the dialysis unit within the Abdulkareem Jika Yusuf COVID-19 Intervention Centre.
This project includes a solar-powered borehole supported by a 10.2 KVA inverter with a lithium battery.
During the commissioning, Dr. Alausa revealed that the ministry is preparing an executive bill to present to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aiming to transform Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospitals into Specialist Hospitals.
He explained that while psychiatric services will remain the core focus, the name change will help expand care delivery and reduce stigma, making the facilities more accessible to the general public.
Dr. Alausa praised the leadership of Dr. Aishatu Yusha’u Armiyau at the hospital, noting that the progress made under her administration reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises to Nigerians.
At the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, the Minister also inaugurated the Dr. G.O Adejor Optical Showroom and the Dr. M.B Alhassan Diagnostic and Laser Unit.
He took the opportunity to announce the federal government’s approval of a 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals, aimed at reducing operational costs and enhancing service delivery.
Addressing the ongoing challenges in the healthcare sector, Dr. Alausa acknowledged the strain caused by the recent doctors’ strike, which has complicated efforts to secure the release of a kidnapped doctor from the Eye Centre.
He assured the public that the government is working diligently to ensure the doctor’s safe return.
On the issue of medical staff migration, Dr. Alausa discussed strategies to engage Nigerian medical professionals in the diaspora. He emphasized that despite the challenges inherited by the current administration, President Tinubu remains committed to improving the healthcare sector.
Efforts are underway to collaborate with state governments to expand Health Science Universities, with the goal of increasing annual health sciences enrollment from 24,000 to 100,000 students.
In her welcome address, Acting Chief Medical Director of the National Eye Centre, Dr. Aminatu Abdulrahman, highlighted the hospital’s achievements.
Established in 1979, the National Eye Centre serves as a specialist facility for eye care, training, and research. With 300 beds and a staff of 640, the hospital has provided care to 53,406 outpatients and performed 4,653 surgeries in 2023 alone.
Dr. Abdulrahman noted that the National Eye Centre continues to receive referrals from all 36 states of Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory, and neighboring countries, underscoring its critical role in the region’s healthcare system.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.