NEWS
Cross River Domesticates MAMII to Reduce Maternal, Newborn Mortality Rate
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
The Cross River State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners, has officially launched the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), a strategic programme aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths across the state.
The initiative, which aims to reduce maternal deaths by 30 percent in 2028, is part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate. It targets 172 local government areas across Nigeria that contribute to over 50 percent of the nation’s maternal mortality burden.In his address, Dr. Jonah Offor, Permanent Secretary, Cross River State Ministry of Health, who represented the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, emphasized that weak health systems remain the primary drivers of maternal and newborn deaths in the state.“The main causes of maternal deaths in our state are obstructed labor, hemorrhage, hypertension, and unsafe abortions. For newborn deaths, pneumonia, atresia, and congenital abnormalities are the leading causes. If you look at it critically, the root cause is simple, our weak health systems,” Dr. Offor stated.He announced the state government’s commitment to addressing these challenges through improved health infrastructure, adequate deployment of human resources, and the activation of an efficient ambulance referral system to reduce waiting times for emergency obstetric care.“We have a very dynamic, proactive, and listening government that is ready to come to the aid of our health sector. Already, our health infrastructure is improving, and we have engaged more human resources for health to man these facilities,” the Permanent Secretary assured.He concluded by calling on participants to take the workshop seriously, emphasizing that the state expects a “workable document” by the end of the five-day session to guide the implementation of maternal mortality reduction strategies in Cross River State.Dr. Iniofon Inyang, representing the national MAMII team lead, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, outlined the structure of the five-day workshop, which includes a critical field assessment in Abi Local Government Area—identified as the LGA with the highest contribution to maternal and newborn mortality in the state.“On day two, we are moving to Abi LGA with every participant to identify challenges leading to maternal and neonatal deaths. Why are women not going to health facilities? Why are they delivering at home? What are the specific challenges in Cross River that have led to women dying while giving birth?” Dr. Inyang explained.The workshop will culminate in a co-creation session where participants, federal representatives, state and development partners will design state-specific interventions to address identified challenges.Dr. Inyang noted that the initiative targets a 30 percent reduction in maternal and neonatal deaths and a 60 percent increase in healthcare service utilization by 2028, while also strengthening emergency transport systems through the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).Also speaking at the activation workshop, Dr. Vivien Otu, Director-General, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, highlighted the far-reaching implications of maternal deaths beyond mere statistics.“When a mother dies, it’s not just that a woman is gone, it has severe implications. The husband becomes a widower, the children become motherless, and there are significant limitations on socio-economic development,” Dr. Otu noted.She stressed that many maternal deaths are preventable, often resulting from postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, sepsis, healthcare system failures, and the lack of skilled birth attendants.“This crisis requires immediate and locally adapted strategies to improve healthcare access and quality, and to address the socio-cultural factors causing maternal and newborn mortality which is exactly what MAMII seeks to address,” she added.NEWS
Police Detain Woman for Alleged Killing of Co-wife in Bauchi
The police command in Bauchi State, said it has apprehended a housewife over alleged killing of her co-wife following a domestic violence incident in Bauchi metropolis.
This was contained in a statement by the spokesman of the command, SP Nafiu Habib, on Monday in Bauchi.
He said that the command detained the suspect (name withheld) on Sept.
27 for alleged culpable homicide following a domestic incident at Tafawa Balewa Housing Estate in Bauchi.Habib said that on Sept. 27, at about 4:05 p.m., the Police C-Division, Bauchi, received credible information that there was a domestic incident between two wives residing in the same household belonging to their husband.
He said that preliminary investigation revealed that the 33-year-old suspect, who is the second wife, allegedly acting under hallucinations, struck the first wife with pestle on the forehead, and the victim fell unconscious.
“Upon receipt of the report, detectives attached to C-Division immediately mobilised to the scene.
“The scene was documented, and the victim was rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, where she was certified dead by a medical doctor. The corpse has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy,” he said.
Habib said that the police recovered the pestle used in committing the offence.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, as directing the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and prosecution.
Aliyu condoled with the bereaved family and cautioned against domestic violence.
The CP also advised husbands to seek timely medical and psycho-social support for members of their families exhibiting mental health challenges. (NAN)
NEWS
FRSC Deploys 170 Ambulances Nationwide for Emergency Rescue
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed more than 170 ambulances across the country as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response and rescue operations on Nigerian roads.
The Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Osondu Ohaeri, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, while responding to questions on the operational capacity of the corps emergency ambulance network and its response to Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs).
Ohaeri said the FRSC had the largest number of ambulances among emergency response agencies in Nigeria, with more than 170 ambulances and 60 Zebra points across the country.
He said the figure should however not be interpreted as the number of ambulances currently operational or serviceable as of September 2026.
According to him, an accurate current figure of serviceable ambulances will require the latest fleet-status report from the corps medical and rescue office.
He explained that the figures demonstrated the scale of the corps emergency response network, while the availability of individual ambulances was managed operationally based on their location, condition and assignment.
On the adequacy of the ambulances for emergency rescue, he said the corps continued to maintain and deploy its assets as part of its emergency response responsibilities, stressing that the status of individual vehicles could vary depending on their operational condition and assignment.
The CPEO said the corps was also focused on improving its emergency response capacity, particularly by strengthening rescue deployment and collaboration with other relevant agencies.
He also said that the corps had historically recorded an average response time of about 15 minutes under its documented emergency-response programme.
He cautioned against presenting the figure as the current nationwide average without updated operational data.
According to him, response time varies depending on several factors including the location of a crash, traffic congestion, distance from the nearest ambulance point and accessibility of the crash scene.
He added that the accuracy and timeliness of information provided by callers could also affect the speed with which rescue teams reached crash scenes.
Other factors he said include the possibility of emergency teams responding to other incidents simultaneously.
Ohaeri stressed that the corps had identified faster response to road traffic crashes and other emergencies as one of its management priorities in 2026.
He said efforts were therefore ongoing to strengthen rescue deployment and inter-agency collaboration to improve emergency response to road crashes.
He added that the FRSC remained committed to improving emergency rescue operations, strengthening the deployment of its resources and working with relevant stakeholders to ensure better outcomes for road crash victims.
He reiterated that complaints concerning emergency response, evacuation, treatment of victims or other forms of alleged misconduct should be channeled through the appropriate authorities for investigation and necessary action.
The CPEO further assured that the corps would continue to strengthen its emergency response mechanisms as part of broader efforts to reduce the consequences of road traffic crashes and improve the safety of road users nationwide.(NAN)
NEWS
NBA Decries Rising Insecurity in Plateau, Urges Urgent Action
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has decried the spate of security challenges currently confronting Plateau and other parts of Nigeria.
The Chairman of Jos Branch of the association, Morgan Dung, said this during a joint news conference on Monday in Jos.
Dung spoke on behalf of the Jos, Bukuru and Pankshin branches of the association.
The chairman particularly decried the recent attacks and killings in Mangu, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos, Bassa, Wase and Kanam Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
Dung, who described the continuous killings of innocent residents as “unfortunate and unacceptable”, called on the Federal Government and the security agencies to tackle the menace.
“The protection of lives and property remain the most fundamental responsibility of government as contained in section 33 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“NBA frowns at the inability of the government to prevent the continuous loss of lives and property in Plateau and beyond.
“We particularly condemn the recent killing of members of community vigilantes at their duty posts in Mangu, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos and Bassa LGAs
“We call on the government and security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book. This menace must also stop,”he said.
Dung, however, commended president Bola Tinubu over his recent visit to Plateau and the move to establish State Police in the country.
He further called on the government to sponsor an executive bill to fully domicile security issues under the concurrent legislative list.
Dung urged the government to properly and adequately equip security agencies, strengthen border surveillance and secure all forests serving as hideouts for bandits and other criminal elements.
The chairman also commended Gov. Caleb Mutfwang for revamping Operation Rainbow, a state-owned security outfit and training of 2,000 personnel of the neighbourhoods watch.
He, however, called for the licensing of Operation Rainbow to operate with kinetic facilities, implement the anti-land grabbing law and provide structures for police division and forward operation bases in the state.
Dung advised security agencies to deploy more personnel and equipment to flashpoints in the state, insisting that such a move would ensure prompt response to threats.
The chairman, who called on the judiciary to ensure timely dispensation of terrorism cases, advised governors to sign death warrants of convicted terrorists to serve as a deterrent to others.
He pledged NBA’s readiness to promote access to justice, document evidence of atrocities and pursue public interest litigation to ensure accountability (NAN)


