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Dangote: Global Partnerships and Investments saved 12m lives from Malaria deaths

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Alhaji Aliko Dangote

As the World Malaria Day is marked globally, President of Dangote Group and United Nations’ Malaria Ambassador for Nigeria, Aliko Dangote has called for joint actions by all stakeholders globally if the collective goal of the disease elimination by 2030 is to be achieved.

Dangote in his World Malaria Day statement titled “With Urgent Investment, Innovation and Implementation, Zero Malaria Spread is Possible” urged that all stakeholders must work together to decimate malaria, which he said had brought untold human suffering with the economic toll of the disease on global productivity.

According to him, urgent investment, innovation and implementation by such stakeholders would help curtail malaria spread wherever the disease is found around the world.

He said “…More than ever, we must collaborate to ensure that no child or person dies of malaria or loses another day to this debilitating illness again. We must also drive further progress toward malaria elimination in Nigeria and Africa at large by focusing on three key areas to ensure that malaria elimination remains high on Nigeria’s public health and development agenda; advocate at all levels to ensure sufficient funding to sustain the progress made so far, as we jointly seek to end malaria for good and encourage private sector leaders to implement malaria prevention and treatment programmes in their companies, as we do across our businesses in the Dangote Group.”

Breaking:Registrar of Bayero University, Kano, Malam Jamilu Ahmad Salim Passes Away

Dangote disclosed that since 2000, global partnerships and investments in the fight against malaria have yielded positive results by preventing some 2 billion malaria cases, saving 11.7 million lives and putting eradication within reach. He, however lamented that 96% of malaria deaths globally were found in 29 countries, with Nigeria sadly among the four countries which accounted for over half of all malaria deaths globally in 2021. He said this year’s World Malaria Day (WMD) has presented an opportunity to galvanise global efforts towards advocacy and sustained political will and investment that will be aimed at ending the scourge of the disease.

In his statement, Dangote expressed his readiness to lead the way, pledging that his Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) will further strengthen its engagements with the various key stakeholders in “Nigeria and globally to support the efforts to address malaria in our workplaces, communities, and especially high burden areas to attain our collective goal of malaria elimination by 2030”.

The philanthropist noted out that billions of dollars were pledged by donors at the historic Global Fund Replenishment meeting in Geneva, Switzerland in 2022 to boost the fight against HIV, TB and Malaria. He however expressed regret that an unprecedented shortfall of more than 50% in global malaria funding is now holding countries back from maintaining life-saving malaria programmes, despite the historic pledge.

Consequently, the Malaria Ambassador said the funding gaps have been contributing to declining progress in the countries with the highest burden of malaria. “Countries will not reap the rewards of these investments without further commitment to scale up and roll out these innovations where they are needed most. For Africa to move forward, he said the Continent has to get rid of malaria once and for all. Now, according to him, is the time to take decisive action to deliver on our goal of zero malaria, spur overall development and achieve the 2030 targets”, he added.

Dangote urged that the theme of this year’s World Malaria Day:“Time to Deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate, implement”highlighted the need for urgent action and further investments to ensure existing investments deliver maximum impact in the fight to end malaria.

r“As a United Nations (UN) Malaria Ambassador for Nigeria,I would like to add my voice to the global call on governments and partners around the world to: Invest more in malaria programmes to bridge critical funding gaps and accelerate progress towards the total elimination of malaria; Innovate further to deliver improved solutions to end malaria that are tailored to those who need them most and Implement national strategies to accelerate progress against this age-old disease, by demonstrating leadership, adopting innovative and sustainable approaches, and scaling up national malaria programmes to deliver lifesaving tools to those at highest risk.”

Dangote then acknowledged the positive efforts of the Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as the second national drug regulator to approve the use of the R21 vaccine, saying the fight against the malaria scourge has been buoyed by the introduction of the new malaria vaccine -R21/Matrix-M, which was developed by the University of Oxford and will be manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.

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Mega City: Gov. Yusuf Lays Foundation of 15 Billion Naira Inter Change Bridge in Kano

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Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, State Commissioner of Works and Housing Engr. Marwan Ahmad and Project Manager, CGC Nigeria Limited Mr. Gee Wang during the foundation laying of N15 billion naira three layer inter change bridge at Kofar Dan'agundi in Kano on Dunday 5th May, 2024

 

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has layed a N15 billion three layer Interchange bridge at Kofar Dan’agundi in Kano metropolis as part of vision to enhance traffic flow in the ancient city.

The governor who visited the project site on Sunday in company of some cabinet members, affirmed his administration’s eyesight to transform the city centre to status of a mega city.

Recall that Governor Yusuf in December, 2023, awarded the multi-billion naira project to CCG Nigeria Limited with completion period of eighteen months. The multiple projects was awarded along side another high impact interchange bridge at Talidu roundabout also in the city centre, to ease traffic congess.

“We have created fordable alternative routes and motorists are expected to comply with rules for safety and allow the project operation to run smoothly”

Gov. Abba Kabir also layed the foundation of a similar project at Tal’udu roundabout worth 12 billion naira which was initially awarded same time with three layer overpass, underpass and surface layer roads.

In a statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson Sanusi Bature, Infrastructure development is a critical area of the present administration where Gov. Yusuf allocate more resources apart from the education sector.

While responding after the foundation laying ceremony, The Project Manager CGC Nigeria Limited Mr. Gee Wang and the commissioner of works and housing Engr. Marwan Ahmad said in a saparate addresses that the project will be completed within the time frame.

 

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Dangote Cement Hosts NISS Team At Obajana

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The Plant Director of the Dangote Cement Plc Obajana, Mr. Azad Nawabuddin, has hosted members and students of the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS), Abuja.

The Executive Intelligence Management Course (EMIC) 17 was on study tour of the Cement Plant as part of overall study tour of Kogi State.

Welcoming the team, the Plant Director expressed appreciation to NISS and the study Anchor for deeming it fit to consider visiting the Plant in the spirit and letters of the theme of the study tour “Artificial Intelligence, Security and Emerging Economies in Africa: Challenges and Prospects.”

The Plant Director congratulated the visiting team on being enlisted for the course and wished them a successful exercise.

The team was led to the Plant by the Hon. Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology for Kogi State, Hon. (Dr.) Adeniyi A. Helen. Also in the team was the Programme Lead, Mr. Hyginus Ngele and the team Anchor, Dr. T. O. Fashola.

Earlier, the Programme Lead explained to the Plant Director and his team that the course is aimed at developing a core of security experts with high level of expertise in intelligence and delop their capacity to formulate and implement security policies and strategies to enhance the economic and social development of Nigeria.

He noted that the course has 92 participants with a group visiting the Plant, while others were simultaneously visiting other locations as part of the course learning process.

The students expressed their satisfaction and appreciation for the reception accorded them by Management of the Plant.

Areas of discussions include: Energy security and sharing, AI utilization in the Plant operations, environment, capacity building and CSR.

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Journalist Hit by Metal Debris from Ongoing Construction – Kano Govt

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

 

The attention of Kano state government has been drawn to a one sided media report bya section of the media revealing that a journalist, with the state own Television station, attached to Government house was hit by a stray bullet.

The incident, which occurred amidst a flurry of misinformation, sparked widespread concern and speculation regarding the safety of journalists covering events at the government house.

However, the government will like to emphatically say that journalists are not under threat in Kano government house. It is however worthy of note to caution journalists to ensure credible source while reporting any development and avoid unnecessary sensational angle that can mislead the public.

For clarity purpose, Naziru Yau, the reporter of the state television station was not hit by any stray bullet.
Instead, he sustained injuries from the metal debris emanating from an ongoing construction at the Kano State Government House, an area that has been barricaded for caution.

The truth of the incident emerged when medical professionals at the government house clinic disclosed the true nature of Mr. Naziru’s injuries.

The journalist, Mr. Naziru, expressed gratitude for the prompt medical attention he received and thanked well-wishers for their concern during his recovery.

Let me emphasized the need for journalists to remain vigilant while carrying out their duties, especially in environments where construction activities pose potential hazards.

We thereby dispel any rumor that had sparked outrage and call for increased safety measures for journalists covering sensitive events.

We also need to underscores the importance of accurate reporting and thorough investigation in mitigating misinformation and maintaining public trust.

In response to the incident, Sanusi Bature the Director General Press at the Kano State Government House have assured the public of their commitment to ensuring the safety of all individuals within the premises and the state in general.

Additionally, have pledged to review and enhance existing safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident, we urge the public to refrain from spreading unsubstantiated claims and to rely on verified information from credible sources.

 

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