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Food security: Govt to support farmers to mitigate agricultural risks

Michael Simire
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Food security: Govt to support farmers to mitigate agricultural risks

The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken steps to incorporate Agricultural Insurance into its National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro- Pocket (NAGS-AP) programme, to mitigate agricultural risks and ensure food security.

Aliyu Abdullahi
Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security

Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, stated this at a workshop on the implementation of the NAGS-AP programme on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, in Abuja.

The NAGS-AP, a Federal Government’s intervention programme for farmers, commenced in the 2023 dry season farming with wheat cultivation.

Abudullahi said the workshop was organised to educate stakeholders on the features and benefits of agricultural insurance for Nigerian farmers.

“We are gathered here to discuss and agree on incorporating agricultural insurance into the NAGS-AP programme which commenced in the 2023 dry season farming with wheat cultivation.

“So far, we have been fortunate to have favourable production due to good weather, resulting in a bountiful harvest.

“It is our objective and responsibility to protect the investment and interventions being made by the government and our financing partner, the African Development Bank (AfDB), via NAGS-AP.

“This is to address the sustainability and security of our local food systems, especially given our growing population,” he said.

He said that Nigeria is witnessing the clear and present existential threats of climate change and its impact on the country’s local food systems.

“It is evident that climate change is real, and it has therefore become inevitable to integrate insurance as a key component of our NAGS-AP programme to ensure sustainability and food security,” he said.

In a goodwill message, Mrs Folashade Joseph, the Managing Director, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), underscored the importance of insurance on agricultural activities in the dry and wet farming seasons to farmers.

She expressed the readiness of NAIC to continue to partner with stakeholders in agricultural and other sectors of the economy, with sound insurance and other risk management expertise.

“This is with a view to reducing risks bedeviling these ventures on one hand and improving national agricultural output as well as the attainment of food security on the other,” she said.

Earlier, the National Coordinator, NAGS-AP, Mr Ishaku Buba, said that the event was organised to expand the horizon of the NAGS pocket to change very vital segment like the agricultural insurance component to increase its package.

“The scheme’s desires is to broaden its operational horizon to carter and accommodate the interest of the farmers, and other relevant stakeholders operating along the production line of the chain,” he said.

By Doris Esa

Govt pledges support for local refineries, collaborates with PENGASSAN

Michael Simire
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Govt pledges support for local refineries, collaborates with PENGASSAN

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has pledged the Federal Government’s collaboration with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to support local refineries.

Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil)

Lokpobiri made the statement at the 2024 PENGASSAN Energy and Labour Summit (PEALS 2024) in Abuja on Wednesday, August 21.

The three-day summit, the third edition of the association’s annual summit, has the theme: “The Future of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry: Energy Mix, Energy Security, Artificial Intelligence, Divestment, and Crude Oil Theft”.

He stated that the collaboration would increase oil production; ensure healthy competition and fairness to all in the oil and gas industry.

“Supporting local refineries will enhance domestic refining capacity, reduce dependency on imported refined products, and stimulate economic growth.

“The Federal Government remains determined to ensure that local refineries thrive by creating and promoting a conducive environment for potential investors.

“Having operational refineries within the country is crucial for our economic growth and energy security,” he said.

The minister, who described the summit’s theme as strategic and timely, called for collective efforts to build more investment in the industry and guarantee energy security.

He explained that measures had already been taken to ensure that fossil fuel does not become obsolete while also ensuring energy security.

“Energy security is at the core of national security.

“In an era where global energy dynamics are rapidly changing, Nigeria must strategically position itself to meet its domestic energy needs and remain a key player in the international arena.”

The minister noted that Nigeria plays a critical role in energy security efforts in Africa, adding that whatever happened in Nigeria affected the West Africa Sub-region.

He said the ministry was committed to providing policies that would lead to the progress of the sector.

“Our vision is to ramp up production so that the mainstream and upstream sectors can be successful.

“When I came on board one year ago, we were barely producing one million barrels, but today we produce about 1.7 million barrels.

“Unless the upstream sector succeeds, the mainstream and downstream will not succeed,” he said.

Lokpobiri also explained that the government had built confidence in the industry, resulting in increased investment.

On his part, the President of PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo, said the association had always proffered solutions to the numerous challenges in the industry.

Osifo said the problem was the lack of political will to address those problems.

“Over the years, we have always provided solutions.

“We provide solutions with a study on how to better manage the refineries, but we don’t get to see results,” he said.

On the issue of divestment, Osifo said the association had always fought for Nigerians to take positions in the management of International Oil Companies (IOCs).

According to him, the challenge with most divestments is that when Nigerians come on board, they are dehumanised, and the association has tried to find lasting solutions to address this.

“There are some oil companies today where payment of salaries has become a problem.

“They earn revenue in dollars but don’t pay salaries.

“We usually engage, but when it fails, we escalate to senior partners to intervene, and when this fails, we have no other options than to go on strike,” he said.

By Joan Nwagwu

Nigeria to develop national digital repository for waste pickers

Michael Simire
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Nigeria to develop national digital repository for waste pickers

The Federal Government of Nigeria on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in Abuja, promised to develop a National Digital Repository for waste pickers to address the numerous challenges they face while performing their duties.

Waste pickers
Stakeholders at the National Digital repository for Waste Pickers in Nigeria workshop

Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, made this statement at a meeting on the National Digital Repository for Waste Pickers in Nigeria.

“We cannot discuss sustainable waste management without referencing the operations of waste pickers, who form an integral part of the waste management value chain.

“Waste pickers exist as unsung heroes, but the truth is that they provide essential services that ensure the protection of our environment and public health,” Lawal said.

The meeting was a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Environment, International Labour Organisation (ILO), and Tearfund Nigeria.

Lawal stated that waste pickers, popularly known as “Baban Bolla,” are the backbone of waste recovery, contributing significantly to recycling and the circular economy.

“They form an informal group whose activities encompass all aspects of waste management, from collection, sorting, transportation, processing, and selling of recovered and recyclable materials to earn a living.

“The growing demand for recyclable materials and the transition to a circular economy make it imperative for governments and the general public to recognise, regulate, and integrate waste pickers into the overall waste management effort.”

The minister added that the integration of waste pickers would unlock the immense economic potential using them as reliable foot soldiers.

Lawal said that there was a growing recognition that waste pickers contributed to local economy, public health, safety and environmental sustainability but faced with negative public perception.

He further noted that waste pickers live in deplorable conditions and get very little support from government both at the national and subnational levels, which he said was not peculiar to Nigeria.

“Globally, there is an increasing recognition of the role of waste pickers in the plastic management, and great effort is being made by local authorities to integrate and create partnerships with waste pickers associations.

“There is improvement in the level of engagement with waste pickers associations in the formulation of solid waste management policy and the national plastic policy,” the minister said.

On his part, Vanessa Phala-Moyo, Country Director, International Labour Organisation for Nigeria, said that a concerted effort was required to ensure that waste streams were effectively controlled using sound waste management practices.

Phala-Moyo noted that, when managed well, waste offered opportunities for creation of jobs in the circular economy and also contributed to strengthening the resilience of local economies.

The Commissioner of Police FCT, Kenneth Igweh, who was represented by CSP Austine Anaiah, promised that the Nigerian Police and other security agencies would go after the perpetrators of crime in the FCT who disguised as waste pickers.

Also, Chiranjibi Tiwari from UNICEF said that Nigeria produced a huge amount of waste each year and, if not managed properly, it might create several health hazards.

“Therefore, waste pickers, who are at the beginning of the waste management cycle (segregation, collection, transportation, processing, re-use/recycling), are a critical part of our environmental management and health,” he noted.

By Abigael Joshua

World Mosquito Day: Stakeholders unite to fight against malaria

Michael Simire
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World Mosquito Day: Stakeholders unite to fight against malaria

Stakeholders in the environment sector on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in Abuja expressed determination to fight malaria.

World Mosquito Day
Stakeholders at the 2024 World Mosquito Day

They are all united to create awareness that mosquitoes are causative agents that transmit malaria at the commemoration of the World Mosquito Day 2024.

Mr Terungwa Abari, Chairman, Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN) FCT Chapter, said that mosquitoes have a massive impact on public health globally, killing more people than any other animal on the planet, spreading diseases like malaria, dengue, amongst all.

Abari said that only licensed and certified professionals in the sector should be engaged in the fight against malaria to ensure the safety of both human health and the environment.

He frowned at engaging the services of quacks stating that it could lead to more dangers than expected gains.

“The major purpose of the World Mosquito Day is to raise awareness about mosquito-borne diseases and their impact on global health in honour of Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery on Aug. 20 in 1897 that anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria.

“The theme for the World Mosquito Day 2024 is ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world’, stresses the need to address the gaps in accessing malaria prevention, detection and treatment.

“PECAN Abuja is calling on all stakeholders to synergise their efforts in tackling the world’s deadliest killer, the mosquito, through multi-pronged approaches,” Abari appealed.

The chairman said that PECAN has been at the forefront in the fight against vectors of diseases and to cater for the welfare, health and prosperity of the citizens of Nigeria.

Dr Yakubu Baba, Registrar, Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), said that malaria is a great killer in Nigeria today and mosquito is the cause.

Baba, who was represented by Mrs Fatima Suleiman, an officer of EHCON, expressed commitment of the council to fight malaria through effective sanitation and awareness campaigns.

Alhaji Salihu Adamu, Chief of Jahi 2 community, expressed satisfaction over the enlightenment and canvassed for a clean environment.

By Abigael Joshua

COP29: Nigeria to cut cost, save N10b

Michael Simire
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COP29: Nigeria to cut cost, save N10b

The Nigerian government says it will save N10 billion during the 11 days of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024.

Ajuri Ngelale
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, briefing State House correspondents on Tuesday in Abuja

Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC), Ajuri Ngelale, made this known on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the State House Abuja while briefing journalists on measures the government is deploying to cut down the cost of governance.

Communicating President Tinubu’s directives, Ngelale said the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), in collaboration with the Office of Envoy on Climate Action, has resolved that there will be no showcase pavilion. He was accompanied by the Director General of NCCC, Nkiru Maduekwe.

Ngelale said: “The team decided to deploy the on-site delegation office which would only cost 10 per cent of $500,000 expenditure incurred on the COP28 showcase pavilion. This would also achieve the same set of results in an economically efficient mode.”

He said that this would no longer be part of the COP29 expenditure.

Speaking further on the partnership between the NCCC and the office of the Envoy on Climate Action, Ngelale added that the climate action offices have jointly established the climate accountability and transparency portal, which would facilitate easy capturing of COP29 delegates from across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including the legislative members.

“So, ahead of COP29, the Nigerian government has decided not to set up a showcase pavilion as part of its cost reduction strategy. Instead, it will utilise the on-site delegation office within the conference complex, which is a more economically efficient option.

“This decision eliminates the nearly $500,000 expenditure on the showcase pavilion from COP28. The delegation office, used for bilateral and other meetings, will cost less than 10% of the previous pavilion’s cost.”

Ngelale emphasised that the aim is to ensure that delegates on government sponsorship have economic imperatives to the conference, multilateral partners and stakeholders thereby attracting finance and opportunity into Nigeria for the benefit of citizens.

He further disclosed that the audit of COP28 which revealed significant expenditures incurred for the provision of platforms that have proven to be wasteful, have now been eliminated.

Furthermore, Ngelale affirmed that the Nigerian Climate Action team would ensure that wasteful platforms that gave rise to consultancies and sub-contracts for technological provision would all also be eliminated.

He explained that “wasteful expenditures from COP28, including consultancies and subcontracts for lighting and technology, have been eliminated. These services can now be provided directly by the Secretariat of the National Council on Climate Change. With the introduction of the climate accountability and transparency portal and a significant reduction in expenditure items identified in the COP28 profile, the government projects savings of over N10 billion for the 11-day event in November.

“This is the change that Nigerians have asked for. This is the change that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is giving to them. Furthermore, we ensure that we are not getting involved in high-end purchases of pavilion spaces at a time when our people are grappling with economic difficulty.”

Ngelale stressed that President Bola Tinubu would continue to ensure that Nigerians have confidence in all its activities following consistent comprehensive audits of events

“COP29 marks the beginning of a new phase, emphasising that the President would continue to ensure that Nigerians have confidence in all future activities.

“Comprehensive audits have been conducted to address past mistakes, with a commitment to resolving them,” he added.

World Mosquito Day: Scientists to introduce technology to modify mosquitoes

Michael Simire
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World Mosquito Day: Scientists to introduce technology to modify mosquitoes

As the world celebrated World Mosquito Day on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, scientists have introduced a revolutionary technology that could conserve mosquitoes instead of killing them while eliminating some of the diseases transmitted by mosquitos.

Dr Willy Tonui
Dr Willy Tonui

Known as gene drive technology, this innovative approach promises to eliminate malaria, one of the diseases that is transmitted by mosquitos, without harming the mosquito population – a crucial aspect that could make this solution both effective and environmentally sustainable.

The Chairman and Executive Director at Environmental Health Safety (EHS Consultancy Ltd) and the Founder Head African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium, Dr Willy Tonui, stated this in Abuja at a workshop on expanding awareness and understanding of genetic bio-control in Africa.

Dr Tonui said that Gene drives have been successfully tested in laboratory settings to reduce mosquito fertility and spread resistance genes against the malaria parasite.

He further stressed that there are field trials and pilot studies underway to test the effectiveness and safety of gene drives in real-world environments.

“The innovative technology aligns perfectly with this year’s World Mosquito Day 2024 which is ‘Reaching the zero-malaria target’ because the technology is offering a sustainable and environmentally conscious solution to eliminate malaria, a disease that still claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year​.”

“As of 2022, there were an estimated 608,000 global deaths due to malaria. This represents a slight decrease from the previous year but still highlights the ongoing impact of the disease, especially in high-burden countries. The majority of these deaths occurred in Africa, where the disease burden is highest.”

According to Dr Tonui, this is a major breakthrough because traditional methods of controlling malaria have heavily relied on insecticides and mosquito nets, aimed at either killing the mosquitoes or preventing them from biting humans.

By Zeniat Abubakar, VON

Kogi to host GOCOP 2024 Conference on ‘Power, Insecurity, Digital Economy’

Michael Simire
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Kogi to host GOCOP 2024 Conference on ‘Power, Insecurity, Digital Economy’

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has said that its 2024 annual conference will be held in Kogi State on Thursday, October 3.

Maureen Chigbo, GOCOP President
Maureen Chigbo, GOCOP President

A statement by the Publicity Secretary of GOCOP, Sir Remmy Nweke, quoted the 2024 Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Danlami Nmodu, and Secretary, Mr. Olumide Iyanda, to have said that the event, the 8th in the series, will be the first time a state will be hosting the conference.

The theme, “Nigeria: Tackling Insecurity, Power Deficit, and Transitioning to Digital Economy,” was informed by current security and power deficit challenges facing the nation.

A prominent technocrat versed in the dynamics of power management, from generation through transmission to distribution will deliver the keynote, while two guest speakers with expertise in digital economy and security value chains respectively have confirmed their attendance, the statement said.

Previous speakers at the annual GOCOP conference include Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, who delivered the 2019 lecture on “Economy, Security and National Development: The Way Forward”.

In 2021, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, keynoted the Conference in his capacity as Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19. He spoke on: “Post Covid-19 Pandemic: Recovery and Reconstruction in Nigeria”.

In 2022, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), delivered the keynote titled “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome.”

The 2023 edition which held in Abuja had the theme, “Nigeria: Roadmap for Socio-Economic Recovery and Sustainability”, was chaired by Professor Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), while Professor Uche Uwaleke, a Professor of Capital Market, delivered the keynote.

Advanced preparations have been made to ensure that the 2024 event is a success. More details about the 2024 Annual GOCOP conference would be made public as the event draws nearer, the statement said.

Shell’s support nurturing next-generation energy experts – Don

Michael Simire
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Shell’s support nurturing next-generation energy experts – Don

A leading academic has identified the targeted investments in education by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Joint Venture as a catalyst for addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges.

Shell
L-R: Director, NNPC/SPDC JV Centre of Excellence in Environmental Management and Green Energy, University of Nigeria, Professor Anene Moneke; Head, Corporate Relations Nigeria, and Director Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Igo Weli; and former Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Professor Charles Igwe, during a visit to SPDC management in Port Harcourt, Rivers State… recently

Professor Anene Moneke, Director of the NNPC/SPDC/TotalEnergies/NAOC Joint Venture Centre of Excellence in Environmental Management and Green Energy (CEMAGE) and holder of the NNPC/SPDC JV Professorial Chair in Environmental Management and Control at the University of Nigeria, made the observation during a visit to SPDC’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Accompanied by Professor Charles Igwe, the university’s immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor Moneke emphasised the pivotal role of the Centre in developing sustainable energy solutions and commended SPDC’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and environmental sustainability, highlighting the immediate and long-term benefits for the country.

The SPDC-operated joint venture established the Centre of Excellence of in Environmental Management and Control (CEMAC), and later the Professorial Chair in Environmental Management and Control now upgraded to the NNPC/SPDC JV Centre of Excellence in Environmental Management and Green Energy (CEMAGE) to equip the next generation of Nigerian leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle the nation’s energy crisis.

“The introduction of the Green Energy programme in the Centre, will further position it to play a pivotal role in proffering sustainable energy solutions,” Professor Moneke said, adding that SPDC’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and environmental sustainability will yield immediate and long-term benefits for the country.

The delegation expressed gratitude for SPDC’s decision to upgrade the Professorial Chair to the Centre of Excellence, recognising the positive impact on the university and the wider community. The Centre, established with a $1 million SPDC-funded building in 2014, will now offer postgraduate programmes in Environmental Management and Green Energy, thanks to increased funding from the joint venture.

Since its inception in 2021, CEMAGE has achieved significant milestones, including the production of 22 doctorates, 37 master’s degrees, and 13 postgraduate diplomas. The Chairholder and research team have published five journal papers and conducted three critical habitat assessments for SPDC.

SPDC Director and Country Head of Corporate Relations, Igo Weli, who received the delegation, emphasised the company’s commitment to developing Nigerian leadership.

“Nigeria urgently needs strong leadership, and we believe academia can play a vital role in this area,” he said.

SPDC’s support for education extends beyond CEMAGE, encompassing scholarships, infrastructure development, and industry experience opportunities for students and lecturers.

SPDC’s broader support for education, including scholarships and infrastructure development, is seen as a catalyst for positive change.

AUC ClimSA equips African Meteorological Centres with modern stations for forecasting

Michael Simire
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AUC ClimSA equips African Meteorological Centres with modern stations for forecasting

August 2024 marks a new turning point for African Meteorology Centres as the African Union through the Intra-ACP Climate Service and Related Applications (ClimSA) programme sends out a team of experts for the verification of the service delivery of the freshly deployed and installed climate infrastructure in Kenya.

Harsen Nyambe Nyambe
Harsen Nyambe Nyambe, Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the AUC

The verification team comprises AUC staff led Dr. Jolly Wasambo, AUC-ClimSA Programme Coordinator, together with the experts from Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), Institute for Meteorological Training and Research (IMTR) and IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC).

The deployment of these ClimSA and PUMA Stations infrastructure is expected to support all African Union ClimSA programme beneficiaries with capabilities to retrieve, process and visualise weather and climate datasets for the generation and delivery of reliable and timely climate information services needed by decision-makers to adapt to the impacts of climate change, manage risks associated with extreme weather events, and make long-term plans that take climate change into account.

The equipment installation and training commence in Kenya and will continue to the rest of Africa until 2025. The National Meteorological Services, Regional Climate Centres and the Regional Training Centres will be trained on the use of the infrastructure, administration and maintenance of the system as part of a sustainable measure. The training will also include Training of Trainers to pass down the knowledge to other experts from AU member States.

The European Union is providing both financial and technical support through the Intra-ACP Cooperation – 11th European Development Fund (EDF) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, respectively.

Tecnavia SA (the contractor), with the support of the JRC and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), is contracted by the AUC to supply, deliver, and install the infrastructure, as well as to deliver training on the infrastructure. Both the Climate Station (developed by JRC) and the PUMA Station (developed by EUMETSAT) have evolved over a long period of time, while considering emerging environmental and climate challenges, as well as socio-economic development needs of Africa.

The AUC as a continental body has facilitated this coordination and installation verification.

Harsen Nyambe Nyambe, Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the AUC, observed that “the infrastructure will enable AU member States and the African continent as a whole to develop and provide timely, science-based and sector-specific climate information for decision-making, development and adaptation planning, and overall climate-informed action”.

“This verification, therefore, is critical for the AUC to ensure that the contractor delivers services that are beneficial to Africa and compliant with predetermined specifications,” Nyambe remarked.

The beneficiaries of the ClimSA programme are the African Union Member States, Regional Climate Centres, and Regional Meteorological and Training Centres. As part of the contract agreement signed between AUC and Tecnavia SA on November 26, 2023, the verification ensures that all hardware and software specifications and related services (including training) meet the requirements of the agreement. Its success is the first milestone on the way to deployment of the climate infrastructure to the Member States.

The socio-economic benefit expected from the infrastructure are numerous and some of which include: efficiency in climate observation on regional and national levels; efficient numerical prediction; enhanced expertise in furcating; and improved forecasting and support for timely national decision making and action.

Communities benefit from reliable and timely weather and climate information, among others, include: climate-informed decision-making and action; safety of life, property and infrastructure; sustainable and secure livelihoods; safety in transport (at sea, land and in air); communication; sustainable energy planning and use; sustainable agriculture and food security; tourism; development of the climate policy and environmental protection.

SELF plans medical outreach to empower Pella residents

Michael Simire
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0
SELF plans medical outreach to empower Pella residents

The Sustainable Education and Livelihoods Foundation (SELF), in keeping with its objective of empowering communities by enhancing access to and raising awareness of preventative health services, has announced plans to implement a health and well-being programme in Pella.

The Sustainable Education and Livelihoods Foundation (SELF)
The Sustainable Education and Livelihoods Foundation (SELF) during a medical outreach programme in Adamawa State

This gesture, according to SELF’s Executive Director, Hyellagiziya Naiwa Fakuta, reflects her organisation’s ongoing dedication to improving people’s quality of life by empowering and building local relationships. It also symbolises a watershed moment in her group’s efforts to address the vital health requirements of citizens.

The politician, who is now a human rights campaigner, stated that her organisation’s work with Pella Women in Health Primary Health Care Centre illustrates their commitment to ensuring the best use of existing healthcare facilities in the country.

Pella, like many other communities in Nigeria, is confronted with several health issues. Thousands of lives are lost each year as a result of a lack of access to basic health services, proper awareness of preventive measures, and inadequate healthcare delivery. Fakuta revealed that these problems influenced the programme’s design, with the hope that these efforts will bridge current gaps and equip individuals to take steps that improve their health and overall well-being.

She went on to say that it was also meant to complement various government and development partner initiatives aimed at accelerating the provision of sustainable health and advancing the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3), which calls for ensuring that everyone in the state and beyond has access to good health and wellbeing.

“We are at a tipping point in our history when it comes to addressing our people’s critical health needs. This life-saving effort, we believe, will have an impact on the national health landscape as well as the Pella community’s future,” Fakuta, who contested for the Federal House of Representatives in Adamawa State during the 2023 elections, said.

To achieve this goal, she urged everyone to continue to uphold the values that promote sustainable living, embrace the spirit of care, support one another, invest in humanitarian efforts that foster healthier, more resilient communities, and harness the power of collaboration and determination to drive positive change and set precedent for responsible stewardship in the country’s health sector.

“At SELF, our motto, “Dare to Care,” embodies our commitment to go beyond the norm and actively engage in meaningful humanitarian service,” SELF’s executive director asserts.

When asked why his organisation opted to support the initiative, Pharm Jesse Chidama, founder of the Jesse Chidama Care Foundation, hinted that it was because of the influence that SELF has exhibited in the state and beyond.

“I have been following the work of the Sustainable Education and Livelihoods Foundation (SELF) closely and have witnessed the significant impact it has on the lives of our people, especially the youth,” he said.

In the same spirit, another collaborator, Dr. Emmanuel Musa, president of the Emnamu Foundation, disclosed that his organisation chose to partner with SELF on this medical outreach because of their proven expertise, strong community engagement, and shared commitment to improving healthcare access and education.

As a result, he encouraged all members of this community, particularly women and young people, to take advantage of the life-changing programme to help create a healthier and more prosperous future for all.

“Together, we aim to maximise our impact and create lasting improvements in health outcomes for underserved communities,” he stated.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

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