News
Country Director Tasks CSOs On Govts’ Delivery Of Mandates
Country Director, Mamaye, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Dr Tunde Segun, has urged civil society groups to encourage all tiers of government to provide social amenities by reporting some well-thought-out policies and programmes that have direct bearing on the collective well-being of Nigerians.
He said with the report, governments will be encouraged to do more.
Segun, who made the declaration shortly after the Agenda for PHC Advocacy Learning Dissemination meeting in Minna, Niger State, last Monday, said that available records show that government gets easily discouraged when reports of non-performance dominate media organisations, especially in the area of provision of basic health facilities for citizens, particularly in parts of northern states.
Segun applauded CSOs in Niger State for championing the cause of women and girl-child in advocating for better-equipped and affordable basic healthcare delivery system in rural areas, especially the ‘hard-to-reach’ areas to guarantee safety of mother and child.
Efforts of the CSOs, he said, yielded desired results as Niger State is rated second after Gombe State in effective advocacies for Primary Health Care Under One Roof, (PHCUOR) mainstreaming and networking that saw to the successful implementation of the nine – throng approach to the proper funding and management of basic healthcare delivery system for citizens.
“If journalists will focus on writing special reports on achievements by individual administrations in primary health care delivery, there is every possibility that the government in question will be encouraged to do more” the Mamaye Country Director pointed out.
Recent survey and statistics by relevant monitoring and supervision, data collection for the 2018/2019 fiscal year, he said, indicated that Niger State came second out 36 states and the FCT Abuja, where advocacies for better primary health care delivery system by their Primary Health Care State Advocacy Team, (PHCSAT) have led to proper constitution of boards for Primary Health Care Development Agencies (PHCDAs).
The Director, Niger State Primary Health Care Delivery Agency (NSPHCDA), Ndanusa Baba Ndako, enumerated the benefits of collaboration with CSO coalitions for PHCUOR implementation to include: governance and ownership, legislation, minimum package.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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