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Group Lauds Niger Govt. for Allocating Funds for Family Planning

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 An NGO, Child Spacing and Adolescent Youth Reproductive Health, has commended the Niger government for its recent allocation of funds for the family planning subsector.

This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the NGO, signed by its Project Director, Dr Aliyu Shehu, and made available to newsmen in Minna.

Shehu said that the measure would give a new hope for improved health care provision for women of reproductive health in the state.

“Allocation of budget line marks a new hope for improved health care provision for women of reproductive health in the state, amidst shortages in releasing funds to the family planning subsector.

“We commend the state government on the giant stride of allocating a budget line to family planning.

“It will further enhance and fast track the processes of funding allocation and releases to the family planning sector,” he said.

Shehu said that the group met and deliberated on issues relating to child spacing in Niger.

He said the group also met to mobilise resources and generate the political will toward tackling the challenges associated with family planning and adolescent reproductive health in the state.

He said the budgetary allocation to the health sector in Niger in 2021 has dropped, compared to the allocations in 2018,  2019 and 2020.

According to him, the current allocation of 6.5 per cent to the health sector in the state has fallen short of the Abuja Commitment of 15 per cent to the health sector.

Shehu expressed concern over the lack of budgetary allocation to the family planning subsector, over the years.

According to him, “funding shortages will lead to Niger indigenes likely being responsible for their healthcare needs and this will have  catastrophic consequences for women of reproductive health.

“This will in turn hamper the indices of the state and so the blueprint commitment of increasing the state Contraceptive Prevalent Rate (CPR) from six per cent to 25 per cent will not be achieved.

“This could result to more women dying from complications of pregnancy and childbirth,“ he said.

The project director called for adequate and prompt release of funds to the health sector to enhance the achievements of the state 2017 family planning blueprint commitment of increasing its CPR from 6.6 per cent to 25 per cent.

“In order to avoid catastrophic consequences to Nigerlites and women of reproductive age as a result of poor releases to family planning, there is the need for improved and adequate releases to the health sector,’’ he said.

Shehu urged the state government, the state assembly and all relevant stakeholders to do the needful by reviewing the health sector allocation in the 2021 budget and improving on funds released to the family planning sector.

“There is the urgent need to review upward the percentage allocation to health sector in the 2021 budget and for government to strengthen its commitment of allotting budget line for child spacing,“ he said.

The meeting was supported by the Development Research and Project Centre (DRPC), an NGO. (NAN)

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Agada Engaging in Sneak, Snap Show to Gain Attention – Omale

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Benue State All Progressives Congress (APC), Unity Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr.

Benjamin Omale has said his predecessor Austin Agada, has continued to engage in sneak and snap show in a bid to gain unnecessary recognition before the public.
Omale in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen, said the former chairman now specializes in sneaking anywhere the APC national chairman Alh Ganduje is holding meetings, stood behind him take a snapshot and depart immediately.
Our correspondent had gathered Agada was recently seen at one of such gatherings where he sneaked in and had a snapshot Ganduje and quickly left the arena.The Caretaker Committee Chairman in the statement assured party members in the state that Mr.
Agada was no longer the chairman of the party in the state after he was allegedly “relieved of his position, and in his place, the APC National Leadership inaugurated a duly constituted Caretaker Committee, which “I, Dr. Benjamin Omale have been leading”. “And Since our inauguration, we have successfully steered the party’s affairs, culminating in a landslide victory in the October 5, 2024 Local Government Council elections conducted by BSIEC. The party has remained strong, united, and fully functional under our leadership. “It is therefore deeply concerning and deceptive that Austin Agada has continued to parade himself as the Chairman of APC Benue State, despite his removal. “The latest in his series of misleading antics is his claim of attending a strategic meeting with the APC National Leadership and North Central Governors on February 11, 2025. We wish to categorically state the that Austin Agada was neither invited nor was there any meeting convened that warranted his presence. “Normally, when a meeting of North Central Governors is convened, some State Party Chairmen accompany their Governors. Due to an unavoidable engagement, I was unable to attend and had duly informed our Governor and leader, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.” Dr. Omale alleged that Mr. Agada got into the venue of the meeting, “took photographs, and is now using them to mislead the public. Such acts should not be tolerated.” “The Governor of Benue State was not accompanied by Austin Agada, nor did he acknowledge him in any capacity at their meeting. “In light of these disturbing developments, I urge all members of our great party to remain calm and assured that we are fully in charge. We have already notified the National Leadership of this anomaly, and steps are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future. “I appreciate the unwavering support of our party members, the APC National Leadership, and our visionary leader, Governor Hyacinth Alia, in ensuring peace, unity, and progress within the APC in Benue State. We remain committed to strengthening the party and delivering on our collective mandate.””Agada is bragging about that he has the backing of the national leadership of our party. However it is my firm believe that the national secretariat who my-led committee in the state, has enormous integrity and would never compromise in anyway.”Therefore, is no longer the chairman and only embarking on a sneak and snap show to gain unnecessary recognition”, Omale said.

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Again, Ogbodo Receives Ambassador of Peace, Knowledge, Transformative Leadership Award

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By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director of Lydia Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo, Dr.

Mark Ogbodo has been recognized for his contributions to humanitarian services, job creation, and medical excellence.

The National Association of Arewa Consultative Students Forum (ACSF) presented him with the Excellence Performance Award in acknowledgment of his impact on Benue State and Nigeria.

The award was presented by ACSF’s National President, Comrade Aji Abraham, alongside other national executives, at Dr.

Ogbodo’s office.

Comrade Aji who described Dr. Ogbodo as a golden fish with no hidden place, said his nomination was widely recommended during the association’s selection process, emphasizing that he was the sole recipient from North Central Nigeria for the 2025 award.

In a speech delivered by ACSF Public Relations Officer, Comrade Adamu Julius, the association highlighted its commitment to youth empowerment, good governance and social justice.

The forum praised Dr. Ogbodo’s contributions to healthcare, literature and leadership, citing his tenure as Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Medical Association (Benue State chapter) and Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors (Benue State Chapter).

Additionally, Dr. Ogbodo was conferred with the honorary chieftaincy title of Sarkin Aiki (King of Work) in recognition of his dedication to service.

In his response, Dr. Ogbodo expressed gratitude to the ACSF for the honor, stating that the recognition would further motivate him to continue his humanitarian and professional efforts.

Local leaders, including Okpokwu LGA Woman Leader Mrs. Kate Onah and Youth Leader Comrade Andrew Ameh, commended Dr. Ogbodo’s leadership and contributions to community development.

Other dignitaries, including Inspector Pius Ogbaka of the Nigeria Police Force and medical professionals from Lydia Memorial Hospital, also lauded Ogbodo’s achievements.

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NATCOMS Asks NCC to Sanction MTN, Others for Breach of Agreement

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The National Association of Telecommunication Subscribers (NATCOMS) has urged the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to sanction any telecom operator which may have already implemented the tariff hike, for breach of agreement.

The National President, NATCOMS, Mr Deolu Ogunbanjo told newsmen on Wednesday that any telecom operator which had implemented the tariff hike was actually breaching the agreement by the NCC and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

Report says that, following the NLC objections to the tariff hike, the Federal Government established a 10-man committee to deliberate on the proposal and report back to it in two weeks before any final decision would be made on the new telecom tariff structure.

Ogunbanjo said that the NCC had agreed to hold a stakeholders’ meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),  subscribers and the telecoms operators represented within two weeks to discuss the issue of tariff hike.

He said that the stakeholders meeting  was yet to be held neither had the two weeks elapsed before the telcos started implementation of the 50 per cent tariff  hike.

According to him, this is an affront and defaulters should be sanctioned.

“I am sure you are aware that NATCOMS  was prepared to head to court to challenge the 50 per cent tariff hike but decided to wait for the outcome of the stakeholders’ meeting.

“This is the advice that was given to the subscribers association by its national general secretary who happens to be a lawyer.

“So why should the hike be implemented  when the stakeholders’ meeting is yet to be held?

“The NCC should, as a matter of urgency, sanction the telcos for implementing an upward review of tariffs,’’ he said.

Report says that a check using the *312# code on the MTN network showed that the telco had revised its data prices.

For the monthly plans, MTN 1.8GB now goes for N1,500, replacing the previous 1.5GB plan priced at N1,000; the 15GB plan now costs N6,500, a rise from N4,500.

The 20GB monthly plan has been adjusted to N7,500, up from N5,500, among others.

Further checks show that all the networks had reviewed their text messaging price from N4.00 to N6.00.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry’s regulatory body had approved a maximal increment of 50 per cent tariff adjustments to operators in January.

The Commission said its approval, though less than the 100 per cent hike demanded by operators, was in response to prevailing operational costs.

It said that its decision was pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.

However, NATCOMS had threatened to sue the NCC, while the Nigeria Labour Congress had pledged to start an industrial action if the 50 per cent proposed tariff hike was not reviewed downwards.

This prompted the Federal Government to constitute a 10-man committee to deliberate on the tariff hike within two weeks and report back before any final decision was made on the new telecom tariff structure.

Despite this agreement, telecom firms have proceeded with the increase, prompting the NLC to issue a March 1 deadline for a total shutdown of their operations if the tariff hike are not reversed. (NAN)

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