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FG Set To Reform Armed Forces Healthcare Service
Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd), yesterday, said that the Federal Government has concluded plans to reform the healthcare system of the Nigerian armed forces.
The reformation, which include the construction of a state of the art military hospital, according to Magashi, would go a long way to cater the health needs of wounded soldiers, veterans, members of their families and the general public.
Magashi, made this known in his keynote address at the Needs Assessment and Strategic Review Project Kick-Off Workshop on Reforming Military Health Services held in Nigeria held in Abuja.
He reiterated the need for a coordinated and unified armed forces healthcare delivery system to tackle the enormous health challenges.
The minister while noting that the healthcare system was an important component of the reform of the ministry and the armed forces approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, said the ministry has resolved to review the armed forces health system, identify gaps and reposition it to better service delivery.
He said that as obtainable in other parts of the world, the new Ministry of Defence “will have a mix of military and civilian personnel working together in an integrated manner to provide multi-disciplinary advice and expertise for an effective management of the ministry by the Honourable Minister of Defence”.
“The armed forces health system is bedevilled with numerous challenges necessitating the need to engage a consultant to carry out a comprehensive needs assessment.
“The essence is to review the state of our facilities, dearth in medical personnel, inadequate equipment and parallel health care delivery services with a view to upgrading our facilities, recruiting more personnel and to boost the morale of our armed forces and civilians alike.
“My vision is to put in place mechanisms that will lead to the establishment of a world class military hospital akin to Walter Reed Military Hospital in the USA.
“It will successfully manage officers and soldiers injured in battle as well as provide serving personnel, veterans, their families and indeed Nigerians quality healthcare services’’.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Ibrahim Kana, while noting that a number of military hospitals across the countryrequires overhaul and reform in terms of facilities and manpower, said that the Nigerian military Health Management Organisation (HMO) had been in the forefront of providing universal health coverage to both serving and retired personnel.
Kana, who said there were gaps that exist despite of the successes so far recorded bythe military in healthcare delivery, said, “Now we are focusing on operational efficiency in order for us to reposition, the armed forces health facilities for optimal performance.
“We want to see a situation whereby we begin to go back to the olden days where we have the core medical, whereby the armed forces actually recruit medical students and other students from the university so they can begin to condition their minds.
“So when they graduate, they go to the academy, get trained and fall into service with their uniforms. That is our vision again as part of the reform,’’.
The permanent secretary, who commended the armed forces for playing an active role at ensuring effective healthcare delivery in the country during COVID-19 crisis, noted the role of the Nigerian Air Force who provided oxygen and emergency ventilator to medical facilities across the country for COVID-19 patients.
He said that the Nigerian army was also involved in providing free medical services across the country during the pandemic while the Nigerian army has also been offering free surgical services, particularly in hard to reach areas.
He said, “We know for some time now the country has been bedevilled by insurgency, banditry, and other all forms of insecurity, thereby making it difficult for people in rural areas, and in particular in those areas to access healthcare.
“The Nigerian armed forces being what they are, actually rose to the equation again to continue to provide services, including health services.
“Nigerian Armed Forces Medical Services did not only limit its services to military alone, they have continued to provide services civilians during the peacekeeping operations’’.
Earlier in his address, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, who while noting that the reformation plan of the ministry aligned with the vision of the armed forces to enhance the morale component of war fighting, said the initiative would go a long way in stabilising the society.
The CDS, who said that healthcare and emotional wellbeing of personnel remained critical to the moral component, noted that the project was long overdue especially when the armed forces have been engaged in internal security operations for decades, adding that the impact of these operations on personnel was unimaginable.
He said “And I think that at the conclusion of this project, the impact and value that it will bring to the wellbeing of members of the armed forces is better imagine.
“I believe this project ought to have been yesterday,the intention is to optimize medical management of our armed forces”.
The workshop which held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, was attended by foreign partners, including the representatives of the US Embassy, World Bank, Uk foreign office as well as service chiefs, of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
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NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam
The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.
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Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence
The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.
The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.
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Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027
A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.
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