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Senate Lauds HP+ Over Achievements In Healthcare Funding
The Senate has commended Health Policy Plus+; a non-governmental organisation over their innovative policies and support in the health sector which has yielded boosts in the nation’s health management, financing through domestic resources.
Stakeholders in the sector were also urged to explore further strategies that can consolidate on the gains of the HP+project being concluded
Chairman, Senate Committee on Primary Health Care, Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP,Enugu North) made the commendation at the ‘End of Project’ event of the organisation held in Abuja, recently.
Utazi, in his goodwill message, noted that Nigeria has made remarkable improvements in accessment of healthcare through various reforms in the funding of the sector even as more still needs to be done.
He said, “Recent major health reforms like the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, which aims to increase resources for health and extend primary healthcare services across the country, represent important new funding sources, as do state-level social health insurance schemes.
“Building on the momentum of its recent health reforms Nigeria is now exploring ways to integrate HIV and TB care into existing insurance programmes.
“Expanding sources of funding for achieving coverage is one of the key roles of the USAID Health Policy Plus (HP+) Nigeria and since they launched the project just being concluded now, a lot has been achieved.
“At this juncture, let me congratulate HP+ for all the support services you have rendered to the government and the health agencies in the country.
“However, if it is still possible to design a successor project for the next few years to see how we can drive from the present mileage to the destination of Universal Health Coverage, I urge the concerned stakeholders to explore this.”
Earlier in her speech, the Country Director of HP+; Dr Frances Ilika said the group had evolved policies aimed at improving primary health care, increasing access to health care through health insurance as well as supporting a very viral policy, the Basic Health Provision Fund.
Ilika noted that Nigeria’s had largely depended on foreign donors, especially for key disease areas like HIV/AIDs and malaria but said the group has come to change narrative as HP+ is determined to raise funds locallyto finance the sector.
“Within the next five years, we will raise $662million for HIV/AIDs financing, so, we don’t have to depend on donors anymore. Then you need it,” the director said.
She further explained, “That is why health policy plus has provided support to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) to develop a five year Domestic Resource Mobilisation Sustainability Plan.
“If this policy is fully implemented; if we implement it across all the states, we can begin to talk about owning our own HIV control and all other high burden disease control and beginning to wean off dependence on donor funding which is not sustainable.”
According to her, Nigeria’s journey toward universal health coverage was possible
Speaking at the event, the Global Project Director Health Policy Plus, Dr Sunneeta Sharma, said that the project was a global project funded by USAID.
“Health policy plus is a global project operating in over 49 countries with Nigeria as one of the countries that has implemented that project.
“It is a flagship USA project that has made a lot of impact in Nigeria.
“This is by supporting government policies including policies aimed at improving primary health care, increasing access to health care through health insurance as well as supporting a very viral policy, the Basic Health Provision Fund.
By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
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