News
1.5m Additional Pregnancies In Nigeria Unenumerated, NPC Admits
It has been observed that no fewer than one million, five hundred additional pregnancies in Nigeria usually remained unattended to.
The Chairman National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Kwarra, made the assertion while interacting with journalists in Calabar shortly, after marking the World Population Day.
Kwarra, who spoke on the theme: “Rights and Choices Are the Answers: Whether Baby Boom or Burst, the Solution Lies in Prioritising the Reproductive Health and Health and Rights of All the People,” stressed that from past evidence, most of these women with unattended pregnancies in the continent of Africa are predominantly Nigerians.
Represented by a Director in the commission, Mr Eteng Bassey, Kwarra, while speaking on the challenges faced by women/girls during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic and afterwards, averred that full blown consequence of the pandemic manifested when affected countries and regions applied the lockdown measures to contain and curtail the spread.
The NPC chairman stated that globally, a 10 per cent decline in use of short-and long- acting reversible contraceptive could result in 48.5million additional women with unmet need for modern contraceptive and 15.4million additional unattended pregnancies.
According to him, “The Covid-19 pandemic lockdown posed unabated challenge that worsened the situation of women and girls, especially those in humanitarian and fragile context, where health and social systems were already weak.”
Drawing inferences from the analytical illustration and comment by Guttmacher Institute in 2020 on the Potential Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Sexual and Reproductive Health in 132 low- and middle-income countries, the chairman made advocacy for all hands to be on deck in order that the pandemic can be tamed.
He added, “Arising from disruptions of reproductive health and family planning services and chains of activities and in-access, due to restrictions of movement and fear of contacting the virus, worldwide, 10 per cent decline in service coverage of essential pregnancy-related and newborn card could lead to 1,745,000 additional women experiencing major obstetric complications.”
He stated that 28,000 additional maternal deaths, with 2,591,000 additional newborns experiencing major complications occurred, with 168,000 additional newborn deaths.
He further stressed that Africa and Nigeria remained at the receiving end.
By: Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
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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