Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu

Paul Obi                                            

With healthcare indicators nose-diving across the country, the Federal Government yesterday at the ongoing 55th annual National Council on Health (NCH) conference in Abuja took a swipe on state governments whose poor implementation of respective health policies have continue to worsen Nigeria’s quest for sustainable healthcare system.

Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, while speaking at the event, bemoaned what he described as state governments dilly-dally approach to most national policies on healthcare delivery.

Chukwu told the gathering that if Nigeria was to move forward in achieving health related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), resolutions reached among the federal government, state governments and partners must be carried out to their logical conclusions.

Citing the dumping of resolutions  of the 54th NCH by states, the minister said: “I am informed that a number of states have made slow progress in implementing these resolutions, I want to urge all of us to strive harder in our efforts to implement all NCH resolutions.”

Also, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, tasked the presidency and the federal ministry of health to expedite action on the National Health Bill, which he said, if passed into law will assist Nigeria in tackling most of its health challenges.

Okowa explained that “achieving the goals and results will require equitable and inclusive economic growth, where the poor and marginalized benefit, if we intend to fast track universal coverage, it is expedient that we urge the federal government to re-present the National Health Bill for passage into law.”

Further, the Special Assistant to the President on MDG, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, observed that unless stakeholders were ready to confront the spread of diseases, the country will continue to face brunt of diseases that are preventable, thereby infringing on the rights of the citizens.

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele,  on her part called for strategic action in achieving universal coverage in healthcare delivery both at the primary and secondary levels.

Bamidele also charged states to do more in the area of primary health, stating that, addressing the existing gaps at that  strata of healthcare remains sacrosanct to government resolve to tackle maternal and infant mortality.

More so, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) called for concerted efforts by the three tiers of governments in eradicating diseases in the country.

Presentations are expected from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), National Malaria Control Programme, National Agency for Food and Drugs administration Control (NAFDAC), among others.

Caption: Governor  Babatunde Fashola
Ramadan: Fashola Calls  for Vigilance

Lagos State governor, Mr.  Babatunde Fashola , weekend,  joined other Muslim faithful in observing the first Tarawih prayers in the month of Ramadan, calling for vigilance and voluntary compliance with the law from all residents of the State.

The governor who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja before a gathering which included the deputy governor, Hon. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; members of the State Executive Council; clerics and Islamic scholars from various local government councils in the State,  said people should discard the notion that it is only the government that should enforce law and order.

Fashola, who also spoke on the missing Muslim television programme presenter, Alhaji Razaq Gawat, said he was still convinced based on the assurances he had got from law enforcement agents that he would be found.

He urged all Muslims to continue to pray for his safety till he is found by the security agencies who are still working on clues that could lead to his being found. Explaining that the present administration was committed to the enforcement of law and order in the State, he added that just as people can discern what is good from what is bad, people should desist from things that are bad and for which they won’t want to be caught.

The governor stated that it is only when people respect law and order by obeying the laws of the land and supporting government that they can enjoy the benefits of the lofty programmes that the government have in stock for the populace.

Emphasising the need for sustained vigilance as an essential aspect of security, the governor also tasked residents of the state to always be very observant and conscious of developments in their neighbourhoods, adding that each time visitors and strange faces come into the neigbourhood, people should be able to ask questions . to his being found.

Explaining that the present administration was committed to the enforcement of law and order in the State, he added that just as people can discern what is good from what is bad, people should desist from things that are bad and for which they won’t want to be caught.
The governor stated that it is only when people respect law and order by obeying the laws of the land and supporting government that they can enjoy the benefits of the lofty programmes that the government have in stock for the populace.

Emphasising the need for sustained vigilance as an essential aspect of security, the governor also tasked residents of the state to always be very observant and conscious of developments in their neighbourhoods, adding that each time visitors and strange faces come into the neigbourhood, pe

This is the most important bridge that we have not only in Nigeria but in Africa, and the president attaches a lot of importance to the bridge,” he said.
Lagos State   commissioner of Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, also implored motorists not to panic during the period, saying  alternative routes are available to them.

“We have done it before in 2008 but now it will be better because the options are better with the construction of the other routes. The options are better as long as we drive safely and in accordance with traffic rules,” he said. He noted that the availability of water transportation in the state will also help in moving commuters easily.

According to a communiqué issued at the end of the stakeholders meeting, alternative routes to Lagos and Victoria Island include; Ikorodu Road- Yaba- Oyingbo-Iddo-Lagos Island; Ikorodu Road-Western Avenue-Lagos Island; Agege motor Road-Oshodi-Apapa-Lagos Island/ Victoria and Apapa-Oshodi Expressway-mile 12-Orile-Lagos Island/ Victoria.