By Adams Samuel, Abuja.
The Federal Government has partnered with Siemens Healthineers to sign a purchase agreement for advanced equipment that will enhance the facilities of six oncology centres across the country.
This collaboration aim is to improve cancer care and treatment options for patients nationwide.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, oversaw the signing of this significant agreement between the FG, represented by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and Siemens Healthineers.

He explained that the significance of the agreement extends beyond a commercial transaction; it represents a strategic alignment of public and private sector resources to address some of the most pressing health challenges facing our nation.

With the first set of facilities expected to be operational by May 2025, this agreement marks the beginning of a transformative era in Nigeria’s cancer care landscape. For the first time, our nation will benefit from a large-scale investment in advanced cancer treatment infrastructure, empowering our healthcare system to deliver timely and high-quality care to those in need.

This initiative is designed to ensure that the new equipment will be supported by a well-trained, capable workforce so that treatment can commence from the day these facilities are ready. By combining cutting-edge technology with skilled personnel, this partnership embodies Mr. President’s vision under the NHSRII for a healthcare system that meets the highest standards of excellence and addresses the real needs of the Nigerian people.

We commend the leadership of Dr Aminu Umar-Sadiq, Managing Director of NSIA, whose commitment to maximizing the impact of public healthcare investments has been instrumental in advancing this project. We also recognize the role of Siemens Healthineers, represented by Ashok Kakkar, Vice President, and Zone Head for the Middle East and Africa, whose partnership has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to Nigeria’s healthcare progress

He emphasized that this collaboration represents a proactive initiative by the government to enhance cancer treatment services in the country, aiming to provide better healthcare outcomes for patients.

Prof Pate underscored the significance of this partnership, describing it as a strategic move to provide more effective cancer treatment options within Nigeria.

“This collaboration with Siemens Healthcare is a proactive step by the government to expand access to advanced cancer care and improve healthcare outcomes for our people,” he stated.

Dr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSIA explained the agreement as a huge win for the country as it contains not only the sale and purchase of the Oncology equipment for the six centres but also Siemens Healthcare will train health personnel.

He explained that SIEMENS Healthcare has granted a 30 percent reduction in the price of all equipment purchased adding that the reduction included all equipment to be purchased from now to 2025 that is not covered with the signed agreement.

Siemens’ provision of a generous 30% discount on equipment, along with a commitment to extensive training for our healthcare professionals and fixed pricing over the transaction period, reflects their long-term dedication to the success of this initiative.

As we celebrate this achievement, we remain optimistic about the future of healthcare in Nigeria. With the promise of Mr. President, the dedication of our partners, and the unwavering support of stakeholders, we are building a resilient healthcare system that will serve all Nigerians.

By Mike Odiakose

Immediate past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki , has said he brought innovations into many sectors of the state’s economy during his eight-year stewardship as governor.Obaseki made the claim during a valedictory live broadcast on Monday night.According to the former governor, his administration faced significant challenges but achieved notable advancements in governance and infrastructure.

Upon taking office in 2016, Obaseki said he prioritised a transformative agenda rather than maintaining the status quo. He said that the decision led to extensive reforms across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and agriculture.Obaseki further stated that he focused on rebuilding state institutions rather than empowering individuals or godfathers, adding that the result was the current robust civil service in the state.“Infrastructure improvements are evident, with over 850 kilometers of roads constructed and nearly 1,000MW of electricity generated daily.“These developments have positioned Edo as a leader in Nigeria’s economic landscape.“In education, Obaseki’s initiatives trained over 15,000 teachers, enhancing the learning experience for nearly 400,000 children.“This commitment has made Edo a benchmark for educational excellence in Africa,” he said.The governor said that he also tackled human trafficking by improving vocational training, creating job opportunities and reintegrating more than 6,000 returnees.He said that the healthcare system was upgraded with modern facilities and a health insurance scheme covering over 300,000 residents, saying that the revitalisation of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital exemplified the advancements.According to him, the community-led security network he introduced has ensured safety, making Edo one of the most peaceful states in the South-South zone.“Agricultural initiatives transformed Edo into a leading producer of palm oil and cassava. Investments in this sector have created thousands of jobs and enhanced food security.“The focus on technology led to the establishment of innovation hubs that empower youths in tech and creative industries. “This strategy aims to reduce irregular migration by providing local opportunities.“I’m leaving behind a comprehensive development plan for Edo State’s future growth.“This blueprint aims to sustain progress and guide the state’s trajectory over the next three decades,” he added.Obaseki, who attributed the ‘milestones’ to collaboration with various stakeholders, urged citizens to remain hopeful in spite of the challenges facing democracy in the country.The former governor noted that the collective efforts of stakeholders fuelled the current transformation in the state.He expressed gratitude to all who supported his vision for a better future for the state.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has canvassed industry-wide support for initiatives that would reverse negative trends in Nigeria’s energy sector.The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe in a paper entitled “Resolving the Nigerian Energy Trilemma: Energy Security, Sustained Growth, and Affordability,” identified “alarming scale of pipeline vandalism and theft of crude oil” as the biggest threats to Nigeria’s energy security.

He noted that major oil and gas projects are required as well as a robust security strategy based on mutually beneficial collaboration with host communities. Saying to achieve the above objectives, the Board has undertaken to work with stakeholders in the industry to dedicate one week in every calendar year to signing Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) on new projects, as prospective investors could be motivated to act expeditiously to meet agreed-upon deadlines and regulators are similarly encouraged.Ogbe noted that FDIs would “catalyze new projects in the Nigerian oil and gas industry,” and that fruitful collaboration amongst stakeholders and NCDMB would actualize the intentions of the Presidential Directives rolled out in March 2024 by The Presidency, and thus “fast-track the contracting cycle and incentivize investments in our sector.”The NCDMB boss, who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Esueme Dan Kikile, Esq.suggested that the FDI Week be incorporated into any of the major oil, gas and energy conferences held in the country.According to him, the Board holds a similar biennial event called Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), which is attended by all the international and indigenous operating companies to share awareness of opportunities and projects to be executed.On the Board’s strategy to create a safe and secure operating environment for oil and gas companies and thus eliminate the huge costs associated with vandalism and attacks on personnel and installations, the Executive Secretary disclosed that NCDMB has introduced a new policy known as “Back to the Creeks Initiative.”According to him, “We are convinced at the Board that the incessant tampering with crude oil pipelines and hostilities in oil-producing communities have a huge impact on energy security,” and that the new initiative is geared towards curtailing incidences of disruptions of oil industry operations through targeted interventions.These include execution of corporate social responsibility projects in communities, provision of affordable finance to local contractors, upgrade of basic educational facilities in villages and communities, building the capacity of teachers and improving the infrastructure at that level.The initiative, whose details would soon be publicized, is expected to create a stakeholder feeling in host communities and make them view industry assets around them as facilities that are bound up with their socio-economic well-being.Such an orientation would translate into safety of assets, increased crude oil production, drastically reduced security costs and more favourable pricing of petroleum products.