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Dangote to support FG’s health sector investment plan

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MD Aliko Dangote Foundation Mrs Zouera Youssoufou

Africa’s top philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, has pledged his support to the Federal Government’s National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) launched at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday as part of events to mark Universal Health Coverage Day.
Speaking at the multi-stakeholder Health Sector Renewal Compact event, the Managing Director of Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Mrs Zouera Youssoufou, reiterated the foundation’s continued support for human capital development in Nigeria and expressed the Foundation’s support for the new Initiative.

Mrs. Youssoufou said: “I would like to reiterate the absolute commitment of the Aliko Dangote Foundation to improving health outcomes in our beloved Nigeria. As a Nigerian organization this is our home.

“Thank you, Mr. President for prioritizing health and increasing funding for health. I would encourage the States to do the same and to release their funding in a timely fashion.

“This new sector wide approach is an opportunity to focus on key issues and hold us all accountable to our commitments.”

In his speech, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged all Nigerians to support his administration’s drive towards Universal Health Coverage through the newly launched National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
On Government’s part, his administration had increased the budget for the health sector in the 2024 appropriation bill among other initiatives to prioritize health under the Renewed Hope Health Sector Blueprint.

In his remarks, visiting Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, lauded the initiative as a major boost to Nigeria’s health sector reforms, adding that its success is predicated on the support garnered from state governments, development partners and civil society.

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On his part, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Pate, said development partners like the Aliko Dangote Foundation are key to the success of the new health reform plan.

The Minister said the initiative would leverage on the existing Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), in partnership with state governments and development partners for better coordination to achieve the desired improvement in health for all Nigerians.

The initiative includes plans to retrain up to 120,000 frontline health workers, expand health insurance coverage, double the number of fully functional Primary HealthCare Centres receiving Decentralized Facility Financing for infrastructure upgrade from 8,800 to 17,600 by 2027, establishing a joint coordination & monitoring mechanism in alignment with the National Health Act’s objectives, and more.

“The quest to achieve UHC and better health for all Nigerians requires a multi-sector and whole-of-government approach.

“Further to this, the Nigerian Government has articulated NHSRII to advance the nation’s journey towards UHC. The Initiative comprises the Basic Healthcare Provision SWAP and the Nigerian Healthcare Industrialization Programme,” he said.

In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Jama’atu Nasrul Islam (JNI), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar commended the Federal Government for the initiative.

Towards actualizing the success of the initiative, a compact was signed in Abuja by the Federal Government, all 36 State Governments and key development partners, marking a crucial stride in the pursuit of universal health coverage in Nigeria.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day is observed on December 12 every year to highlight progress towards healthcare system that provide equitable and quality healthcare along with financial protection to everyone who needs it near the area where they live.

The United Nations designated this day to mark the anniversary of the unanimous endorsement of UHC in 2012 as an essential priority for international development with the theme this year being “Health for All: Time for Action”

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Emir Sanusi Seeks Compensation, Reallocation of Demolished Eid Ground Stalls

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The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has appealed to the Kano State Government to compensate traders affected by the demolition of shops at the Filin Idi market in Kofar Mata, Kano, and reallocate stalls to enable them to resume their businesses.

Professor Ibrahim Muazzam Mai Bushira disclosed this during a special prayer session organised by traders affected by the demolition at the Eid Ground in Kofar Mata, where participants prayed for divine intervention and government assistance to alleviate their hardship.

According to Mai Bushira, the Emir has written to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, requesting compensation for the affected traders and appealing for measures to address the economic losses they have suffered following the demolition.

He expressed hope that Almighty Allah would reward the Emir for his intervention and urged Governor Yusuf to consider the demands of the traders to enable them to rebuild their businesses and restore their livelihoods.

Mai Bushira said the demolition had caused severe hardship among traders, many of whom depended on their shops as their primary sources of income. He added that some affected individuals had reportedly died, while others had developed high blood pressure following the destruction of their businesses and the resulting economic difficulties.

He explained that the prayer session was organised to seek Allah’s intervention in their predicament and pray for the restoration of their livelihoods, noting that the destruction of the shops had adversely affected the lives of many families who depended on the market for survival.

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Speaking at the gathering, Professor Ahmad Muhammad of the Federal University, Dutse (FUD), described Kano as a major commercial centre and called on the Kano State Government to pay attention to the plight of the affected traders and the economic implications of the demolition.

Professor Muhammad also appealed to international entrepreneurs and investors to explore opportunities to support the development of the market, stressing that the destruction of the shops had resulted in substantial financial losses running into billions of naira.

He urged the government to consider establishing a modern market at the location, arguing that the Filin Idi market was not merely a trading centre for Kano but also an important commercial destination for traders from different parts of Nigeria and across Africa.

According to him, the market provides livelihoods for more than one million people, directly and indirectly, making its reconstruction and rehabilitation important to the economic well-being of Kano and its trading community.

The professor further stressed the need for a sustainable solution that would enable displaced traders to return to business, restore commercial activities and protect the economic interests of the large population that depended on the market.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the affected traders’ association, Auwal Said Umar, expressed appreciation to Almighty Allah and Emir Sanusi II for their support and intervention in the traders’ situation.

Umar said many of the affected traders were currently unable to engage in their usual commercial activities because their shops had been demolished, leaving them without the means to sustain their businesses and families.

He disclosed that the market previously had about 700 blocks of shops before the demolition, adding that many traders lacked the financial capacity to reconstruct their businesses without assistance from the government.

The association chairman said the government had allocated 75 stalls for reconstruction but appealed for an increase in the number to accommodate more affected traders and enable them to return to their businesses.

Umar called on the Kano State Government to provide additional support, stressing that the existing allocation was insufficient to address the needs of the large number of traders who lost their shops during the demolition.

The traders urged the government to work with their association and other relevant stakeholders to develop a lasting solution that would provide adequate trading spaces, restore commercial activities and ease the economic hardship caused by the demolition.

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Gombe flags off the disbursement of the second batch of the AGILE Conditional Cash Transfer

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Gombe State Government has flagged-off the distribution of ATM cards to Adolescent Girls in public schools under the Conditional Cash Transfer,CCT of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, AGILE Project.

Speaking at the flagging off of the disbursement at Government Junior Secondary School Malamsidi central in Kwami Local Government area, the Honourable Commissioner of Education, Associate Prof Aishatu Umar Maigari said the disbursement of the CCT is part of the Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s zeal and passion for the girl child education in the state.

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She said the concept is also geared towards supporting parents to cater for their children to remain in schools up to completion of their secondary education.

Associate Prof Aishatu Umar Maigari then assured the students that the government will continue to bring more educational policies that will further support students to pursue education with ease.

Earlier, the project coordinator of the AGILE, Dr. Amina Abdul noted that with the disbursement of the second cohort of the conditional cash transfer, the project was able to record significant improvement in enrollment and retention of students in schools across the state.

The project coordinator therefore urged parents to utilize the funds judiciously through supporting the education of their children.

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‎China, Nigeria Mark Friendship with Joint Cultural Mural

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‎A colourful mural celebrating both China’s National Day and Nigeria’s Independence Day has been unveiled at an overseas project site, serving as a vivid symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations.
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‎The artwork, jointly produced by Chinese and Nigerian staff, features builders dressed in traditional Chinese costumes and Nigerian ethnic attire holding hands and dancing together.
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Above them, fireworks and white doves of peace illuminate the sky, while the inscription “10.1” highlights the dual significance of October 1, the China’s National Day and Nigeria’s Independence Day.
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‎On the left side of the mural, ancient Chinese architecture, red lanterns and auspicious cloud motifs showcase Chinese heritage.
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On the right, red earth, coconut palms and African drums reflect Nigeria’s cultural identity. Flowing ribbons weave across the painting, symbolising unity and shared destiny.
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‎Project officials described the mural as a “living testament” to cooperation at the frontline of development. They said it embodies mutual trust and support as workers from both countries overcome challenges together.
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‎The initiative underscores cultural integration and partnership, with both sides pledging to continue working hand in hand to strengthen ties.
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“Celebrating two festivals as one, we march forward with one heart,” a statement read, emphasising the commitment to write new chapters of friendship along the path of cooperation.
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‎The mural, rooted in the overseas project site, stands as a reminder of the brotherly bond between China and Nigeria, and the shared vision of building together for a brighter future.

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