From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Federal Government through Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has donated 100 vials of Panaf Premium Anti-Snake Venom (ASV), valued at over N25 million to the Benue State government to support the treatment of snakebite victims across the state.

The intervention comes against the backdrop of concerns over snakebite cases in Benue and the high cost of Anti-Snake Venom, which often places a significant financial burden on affected families.

The donation equally formed part of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s broader efforts to reduce illness and deaths associated with snakebite across the country.

The consignment was formally presented on Friday at the headquarters of the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services in Makurdi.

The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche who had earlier received the items, officially presented them to the State ministry of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Ogwuche, while presenting the items, noted that the intervention reflects the proactive leadership of the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, and the commitment of the State Ministry of Health and Human Services to leveraging strategic partnerships to address critical health challenges.

He however commended Governor Alia for his sustained commitment to improving healthcare delivery and protecting the lives and wellbeing of the people of Benue State.

The commissioner further expressed appreciation to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Aliu Pate, and the Federal Ministry for responding positively to the state’s request for support.

According to him, the Federal Government’s intervention will complement the efforts of the Alia administration to make essential healthcare services more accessible, particularly to vulnerable residents.

He noted that the availability of the Anti-Snake Venom would reduce the financial burden on affected families and improve access to prompt treatment for victims of snakebite.

Dr. Ogwuche assured that the Ministry would ensure proper documentation, storage, distribution and rational utilisation of the consignment to guarantee that the lifesaving medicine reaches patients who genuinely require it.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Cephas Hough, expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for the timely intervention.

He said the donation would strengthen the state’s capacity to respond to snakebite cases while easing the treatment burden on affected residents.

Dr. Hough particularly commended the Commissioner for his proactive engagement with the Federal Ministry, which facilitated the attraction of the donation to Benue State.

He noted that the intervention underscores the value of sustained collaboration between the Federal and State Governments in addressing critical public health challenges.

The consignment was subsequently handed over to the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Pharmacist Regina Chi-Chi Agir, for documentation, storage and warehousing in accordance with established pharmaceutical management procedures.

The ceremony was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Directors and other senior officials of the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services.

The intervention marks another important step in strengthening access to lifesaving medicines in Benue State and reflects the commitment of the Alia administration and the State Ministry of Health to ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent residents from accessing essential treatment.

By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

A non-governmental organisation, Regy and Henry Amazing Grace Foundation, in conjunction with the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education Initiative, is set to empower residents of Kabusa District, Abuja, through a three-week skills acquisition and intervention programme at Gbuduwyi.

The empowerment programme, which will run from August 11 to 28, will focus on skills acquisition, vocational training, literacy development, psychological support and other interventions aimed at improving the social and economic well-being of residents.

Speaking with Daily Asset correspondent, the national coordinator of the NGO, Regina Duru, said Kabusa District was selected for the programme because of its growing population and the need to provide residents, particularly vulnerable members of the community, with opportunities to become economically self-reliant.

She said the organisation had been involved in empowerment programmes across various districts and communities in Abuja and would continue to expand its interventions to areas where there was a need for such support.

 “We have been empowering districts and communities in Abuja for some time, and we shall continue to do our best to support people and improve their livelihoods,” Dr. Duru said.

According to her, the programme is designed not only to provide participants with practical vocational skills but also to promote literacy, confidence, mental well-being and personal development.

She explained that beneficiaries would be exposed to different areas of training that could enable them to establish small businesses, secure employment or improve their existing sources of livelihood.

Duru further disclosed that the foundation’s partners include the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Mental Health Initiative, among others.

She noted that the involvement of the various partners would strengthen the programme by addressing not only economic empowerment but also issues relating to drug abuse, human trafficking, mental health and other social challenges affecting communities.

The founder also called on government agencies, private organisations, development partners, philanthropists and other well-meaning individuals to support the initiative, stressing that more partnerships would enable the foundation to reach a greater number of people.

She said the organisation’s doors remained open to additional partners who were willing to contribute resources, expertise or other forms of support towards the success of the programme.

The initiative is expected to provide participants with practical knowledge and skills that can translate into sustainable sources of income, while also encouraging adult literacy and greater community participation.

Residents of Kabusa District have therefore been encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity by participating actively throughout the three-week programme.

Organisers expressed optimism that the intervention would have a lasting impact on beneficiaries and contribute to reducing unemployment, poverty and social vulnerability within the community.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has accused Kenule Nwiya, CEO of Ken-Eva, of attempting to scuttle its 2026 Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit.

The summit is scheduled to be held in September 2026.

The allegation was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary of the NDCCITMA Board, Chief Solomon Edebiri, and made available to newsmen.

Edebiri said the Chambers initially resolved not to join issues with Nwiya over what it described as baseless claims concerning alleged indiscriminate use of his trademark.

He, however, said it had become necessary to set the records straight and draw public attention to the facts surrounding the dispute.

“Contrary to an advert placed on AIT and circulating on some media outlets, NDCCITMA did not at any time approach the claimant to seek permission to use the purported trademark name,” he said.

According to him, following the conception of the name and acronym “Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit,” the Chambers commenced the necessary registration process.

He said NDCCITMA’s application was received and approved by the relevant department of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry on Aug. 16, 2025.

Edebiri added that the application purportedly filed by Nwiya was received by the relevant agency on Sept. 3, 2025.

The Chambers therefore questioned the basis of Nwiya’s claims, saying there was no credible evidence of an earlier approval of his application by the relevant government agency.

NDCCITMA described the allegations as blackmail and an affront to the aspirations of Niger Delta people.

It said the summit was conceived to promote economic development, investment, trade and regional cooperation across the Niger Delta.

The Chambers further alleged that despite interventions by prominent personalities from the region, Nwiya had continued actions capable of undermining the summit.

It said such actions could weaken the collective aspirations of the people and derail efforts to attract investments and promote regional economic development.

NDCCITMA urged members of the public, particularly Niger Delta stakeholders, to disregard what it described as Nwiya’s claims and assertions.

The Chambers challenged him to produce valid documents establishing an earlier application and approval for the disputed name.

It said such documents must predate NDCCITMA’s application and the acceptance document dated Aug. 16, 2025.

NDCCITMA reaffirmed its commitment to successfully hosting the 2026 Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit.

It described the summit as a collective initiative aimed at advancing economic opportunities, investment and sustainable development in the Niger Delta.