Healthy Living Archives - Page 5 of 9

Experts demand improved care for women with cancer

Cancer care specialists in Nigeria have issued an urgent call for coordinated efforts to improve access, training, and innovation in gynaecological brachytherapy.

This appeal was made in a statement released on Monday by MEDSERVE-LUTH Cancer Centre during a stakeholders’ gathering in Lagos for the third Brachytherapy Summit hosted by the Centre.

Under the theme, “Advancing Gynaecological Brachytherapy in Nigeria: Bridging Gaps Through Innovation, Collaboration, and Skill Enhancement,” the summit highlighted the critical need to address persistent treatment gaps that continue to undermine the survival rates and quality of life of women battling gynaecological cancers in the country.

Chief Clinical Coordinator at MLCC, Dr Muhammad Habeebu, delivering the opening address, described the summit as more than a professional meeting — it was a call to action.

“Innovation must be more than a buzzword; it must be practical, applied, and life-saving. Collaboration must move beyond intention to action. And skill enhancement must become a sustained commitment across our institutions,” he said.

Dr Habeebu emphasised the importance of the recent hands-on training on 3D brachytherapy conducted at the centre, which provided clinicians with practical experience and demonstrated the transformative impact of capacity building.

He also highlighted the conference’s subtheme on survivorship care, stressing the importance of addressing the psychological and sexual health needs of cancer survivors.

“Survivorship is not merely about life after treatment; it is about living well after cancer. We must ensure survivors are treated with dignity, sensitivity, and clinical excellence.

“Every idea we share today could resonate in the life of a patient tomorrow,” Dr Habeebu added.

Consultant Clinical and Radiation Oncologist and Head of the Brachytherapy Unit at NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, Dr Bolanle Adegboyega, underscored the summit’s strategic significance.

“The third Brachytherapy Summit represents a pivotal moment in our collective effort to transform cancer care in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries,” she said.

“Access, awareness, and training gaps continue to limit the reach and impact of this essential treatment. This year’s summit, focused on overcoming barriers to access, is not just a professional gathering—it is a movement to close the inequity gap in gynaecological cancer care.”

Dr Adegboyega further urged stakeholders to strive for a future where brachytherapy is not a privilege but a guaranteed right for all women who need it.

The statement noted that the summit attracted oncologists, medical physicists, gynaecologists, nurses, researchers, and policy advocates from Nigeria and abroad.

It added that a panel discussion addressed systemic barriers to treatment access, with delegates recommitting to translate dialogue into action by advocating for improved infrastructure, expanded local training programmes, and policies prioritising equitable cancer care.

Partners acknowledged during the event included TANIT Medical Engineering and Lagos University Teaching Hospital, whose support was instrumental to the summit’s success.

Adeleke urges S’West to embrace renewable energy

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for the adoption of renewable energy sources to provide electricity across the six states of Nigeria’s South-West region.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Kola Adewusi, Adeleke made the remarks in Osogbo on Tuesday while officially opening the South-West Post-Conference Stakeholders’ Roundtable on Renewable Energy.

The governor stressed that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a pressing daily reality, and highlighted energy poverty as a fundamental human rights issue requiring urgent attention from all stakeholders.

“In this region, richly endowed with sunlight, wind, and innovation, it is deeply concerning that many communities still remain in darkness.

“The time for waiting has passed; localised action is imperative. We must power the South-West sustainably. In Osun State, we are embracing bold, evidence-based, and people-centred solutions.

“Today, we unveil our Climate-Smart Investment Portfolio, a strategic roadmap designed to attract responsible capital into renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and the circular economy,” Adeleke stated.

The governor also outlined plans to soon present the Draft Osun State Renewable Energy Policy, aimed at establishing a robust legislative and institutional framework for an inclusive energy transition at the subnational level.

Additionally, he revealed intentions to launch the Draft Osun State Climate Action Plan, developed in consultation with experts, grassroots communities, and development partners.

He added, “We are equally proud to introduce the IMOLE Solar Lantern Project, a practical and symbolic initiative for last-mile energy access. ‘One Child, One Lantern’ is our promise. Every child deserves light to study, dream, and grow, regardless of location or background.”

Earlier, the Lead Technical Consultant on Climate Change and Renewable Energy to the Osun State Governor, Professor Chinwe Obuaku, described the roundtable as a forum for honest dialogue, technical exchange, and legislative clarity.

“We will listen, challenge each other, and leave with a shared understanding of what it takes to enact sub-national renewable energy frameworks that are ambitious, bankable, and just,” Obuaku said.

She stressed that the roundtable marks a critical turning point.

“Following the momentum of the Renewable Energy Conference, we must ask: What next? How do we translate shared vision into state-backed action? How do we ensure national policies, from the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP) to the Climate Change Act, become tangible instruments for job creation, clean energy access, and inclusive growth in Osun and the wider South-West?

“As Lead Consultant, I have engaged deeply with diverse actors — from lawmakers to community stakeholders, private sector pioneers to youth advocates. The truth is clear: we are ready. We have the intellect, infrastructure, and institutional awareness that renewable energy is not a luxury but a necessity.”

Tinubu orders repair of Niger bridge damaged by floods

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry for Works to repair the damaged bridge linking the north and southern parts of the country washed away by recent flood in Mokwa, Niger State.

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, disclosed this on Tuesday when he led a delegation from the ministry on a condolence visit to Mokwa to commiserate with the people over the flood disaster.

NAN reports that the flood disaster, which occurred on May 29, claimed the lives of 158 people.

Goronyo told the village head of Mokwa during the visit that the president directed the ministry to provide an access road for vehicular movement and to do everything possible to restore the damaged bridge.

“The President gave a clear directive for me to come and commiserate with the government and people of Niger state over the ugly incident.

“In his directives, he said we should do everything possible to restore the access road for vehicular movement on the damaged bridge washed away by the flood.

“The president directed that we provide an access road for vehicular movement and create an access road due to the high volume of articulated vehicles carrying goods from the north to the south,” he said.

He said that the ministry would continue to do more in areas of infrastructure in the country, particularly in Niger that host alot of Federal road networks due to its strategic location connecting North and South.

Responding, the village head of Mokwa (Ndalila of Mokwa), Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu, disclosed that over 200 houses and four bridges collapsed, with many people still missing.

He said the affected bridges included the rail bridge and the main bridge connecting the North and South.

He appealed to the government to resettle affected persons.

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Niger, Yakubu Garba, thanked President Tinubu for the condolence visit and expressed happiness over the show of concern from the Federal government.

NAN

Enugu orders disco to refund 20,000 customers for over-billing

The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission has directed MainPower Electricity Distribution Company to refund over 20,000 customers who were overbilled in April 2025.

In a statement signed and released by EERC Chairman, Chijioke Okonkwo, and the Commissioner in charge of Market Operations, Reuben Okoye on Monday, the commission said the order followed a thorough investigation into the company’s billing practices, which revealed a significant increase in estimated billing violations.

“The commission has issued an Order to MainPower to refund the affected customers the overbilled units for energy consumed in April 2025,” the EERC notice reads.

It was stated that the list of affected customers has been published on the commission’s website, and MainPower has until the July 2025 billing cycle to complete the refunds.

It warned that failure to comply with the order will attract a fine of N500,000 for each day of non-compliance, as stipulated in the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023.

The commission made it known that it has been monitoring the disco’s billing practices since October 2024, and had issued several letters to the company, highlighting its concerns.

Despite this, EERC claimed the company failed to adequately address the issues, which prompted the commission to take enforcement action.

“The commission recently reviewed MainPower’s April 2025 estimated report, and observed that the degree of violation of the caps on estimated billing by MainPower had further deteriorated from the 24 percent observed in February and March 2025, to 34 per cent in April, 2025,” EERC stated.

The commission, however, advised affected customers who did not receive their refunds by the deadline to contact them via email at info@eerc.en.gov.ng or call 09122642755 for assistance.

Peter Obi visits Niger flood victims, donates N20m 2nd

The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has donated N20 million to victims of the flooding disaster in Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State.

Obi made the donation on Monday when he paid a visit to the state, and he promised to personally visit the families of the victims and meet them one on one.

The philanthropist who was received on arrival at the Niger State Government House, Minna by the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, expressed sympathy to the government and the people of the state over the loss.

153 people have been reported dead with over 100 others missing in the flash flood that ravaged the Mokwa communities last week.

The ex-Anambra State Governor “prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and for God to grant the affected families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

The Deputy Governor who received Obi thanked the former Anambra state Governor for supporting the distressed Mokwa flood victims.

He also commended him for his kindness and love for humanity, especially in the support of victims of natural disasters.

WHO, TY Danjuma Foundation sign $2.26m deal to boost health

The World Health Organization in the African Region and TY Danjuma Foundation have signed a landmark $2.26m agreement to strengthen Nigeria’s national health priorities over the next decade.

The partnership, formalized on Monday in Abuja, marks a significant step in leveraging African philanthropy to address the country’s health challenges, according to a statement on WHO’s website.

“The fully flexible funding will support the WHO Country Office in Nigeria’s work plan until December 2034, enabling strategic resource allocation to tackle evolving health needs. The initiative will prioritize expanding access to integrated health services for women, children and vulnerable populations in the states of Taraba in the northeast, Edo in the south, and Enugu in the southeast of Nigeria.

“Established in 2009, the TY Danjuma Foundation is a Nigerian philanthropic organization dedicated to improving health and education. With state offices in Taraba and Edo, the foundation supports local nongovernmental organizations to deliver impactful community programmes,” it stated.

“We are proud to partner with WHO to advance Nigeria’s health priorities,” said the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of TY Danjuma Foundation, Lieutenant General Theophilus Danjuma. “This agreement reflects our dedication to improving lives and fostering sustainable development in our communities.”

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, emphasized the national significance of the collaboration, stating: “This agreement is a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to health equity. We welcome the collaboration with WHO and the TY Danjuma Foundation to deliver sustainable, high-impact health solutions.”

The Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said, _I extend our sincere appreciation to the TY Danjuma Foundation for your generous and visionary support for WHO’s work in Nigeria.

“At a time when the global health sector is grappling with a significant funding crisis, this long-term, flexible support could not be more timely. It strengthens our ability to support national leadership, serve communities and drive impact where it is most needed.”

On his part, the WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo highlighted the wider impact of the initiative.

“This collaboration sets a new standard for health partnerships in Nigeria. The flexible funding and shared vision will drive measurable progress in addressing the needs of our most vulnerable populations.”

The statement added that a visit to Taraba State on June 3rd, 2025, will highlight the partnership’s on-the-ground impact.

The delegation will tour the TY Danjuma Foundation’s Medical Centre and commission the newly constructed Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria Hospital in Takum, donated by the foundation. The visit will assess the quality of care and explore opportunities to enhance community access to health services.

FG needs N880bn yearly for road maintenance — Minister

The Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Goroyo, on Monday, declared that the Nigerian government must spend approximately N880 billion for the maintenance of the federal road network across the country.

This is just as the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Chukwuemeka Abbasi, said that the template for deducting the road user charge from the prices of petrol and diesel has never been implemented by the defunct Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Authority, now the Nigeria Midstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The two government officials spoke in Abuja at an investigative hearing of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the implementation and remittances of the five per cent user charge for road maintenance under the Federal Road Maintenance Agency.

Speaking at the event, Goroyo said, “FERMA requires an estimated ₦880bn annually for optimal road conditions. Budgetary allocations have consistently fallen short—N76.3bn in 2023, N103.3bn in 2024, while N168.9bn was budgeted for 2025.

“Though these figures show gradual increases, they remain far below the necessary threshold for sustainable road maintenance. This persistent funding gap has forced FERMA into a reactive mode of maintenance rather than a preventive approach.

“The consequences of this are glaring — deteriorating road conditions, increased repair costs, and prolonged disruptions for commuters and businesses alike. A proactive strategy, backed by adequate funding, is essential to ensure smooth, safe, and efficient roadways nationwide.

“Thus, the diligent implementation and timely remittance of the 5% user charge are paramount. This dedicated funding stream offers a viable solution to bridge the financial gap, providing consistent resources to address Nigeria’s infrastructure needs without over-reliance on annual budget appropriations.”

He added that inadequate funding has been the major bane of the nation’s road infrastructure, stressing that even though the user charge was supposed to address the gap, the agency and the Ministry have not been able to access it.

On his part, the FERMA boss said, “Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Works remains steadfast in the Renewed Hope Agenda, an agenda dedicated to delivering world-class infrastructure that fosters economic growth, strengthens connectivity, and enhances the daily lives of our citizens.

“Our roads are the lifelines of commerce and social integration, and their maintenance is not merely a policy directive but a national imperative.

“The 5% user charge, as enshrined in the FERMA Act, was designed to serve as a sustainable funding mechanism for road maintenance and rehabilitation. However, for years, FERMA has grappled with severe funding inadequacies, hampering its ability to maintain our vast road network effectively.”

Declaring the event open, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, recalled that the House had on 19th March considered a motion at plenary revealing the non-implementation of the remittance of the 5% user charge on petroleum products meant for road maintenance under the FERMA Amendment Act, 2007.

He said, “We owe Nigerians the obligation by sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the status of the 5% user charge to determine the extent of the violation of the law and the amount of money unremitted and those responsible for the non-implementation.”

He stressed that the investigative hearing should also be able to make strong recommendations on how to forestall further abuse of the law and streamline the remittance processes for ease of access to the funds by the relevant government agencies.

The Chairman of the Committee, who doubles as the Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, said the user charge is not an attempt to increase the prices of petroleum products or to amend the law since it has been part of the law since 2007.

He added that the purpose of the investigation is to address the anomalies existing through disobedience to existing laws, adding that the House will ensure that every law passed by the Parliament is complied with both by individuals and agencies of government.

US mourns Niger flood victims

The United States Mission in Nigeria has expressed sadness over the floods that struck Niger State last week, leaving at least 151 people dead and displacing more than 3,000 residents.

In a statement released on Monday via its X, the US Mission conveyed condolences to the victims and praised the efforts of emergency responders.

“The US Mission is deeply saddened by the news of last Friday’s devastating floods that have impacted Niger State.

“During this time of immense loss and hardship, our hearts are with all those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, displaced by loss of homes and livelihoods, or struggling to find shelter.

“We are holding in our thoughts you and the federal and state emergency workers who are working to provide relief and alleviate the effects of this disaster,” the statement read.

The disaster has triggered a significant humanitarian crisis.

According to the Niger State Government, the floods destroyed over 260 homes as well as key infrastructure, including township roads and major bridges in Mokwa and Raba.

In response, President Bola Tinubu on Saturday dispatched a high-level delegation to the affected areas to assess the damage and support ongoing relief operations.

State officials have appealed for additional federal and international assistance to help manage the unfolding crisis.

Tinubu’s reforms will ease cost of living soon – Onanuga 2nd J

Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, says Nigerians will soon experience a reduction in the cost of living, as the effects of the administration’s economic reforms start to materialise

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos on Sunday, Onanuga stated that the positive effects of Tinubu’s policies would soon be felt across all segments of the nation.

Onanuga highlighted that the President had not only introduced progressive reforms but had also tackled challenges that previous administrations avoided.

He added that two years is an insufficient yardstick to fully measure the administration’s achievements, noting that policy experts typically assess the impact of policies over a period of 10 years to 12 years.

“The President’s years in office began with clear policy directions and implementation.

“A lot of reforms have taken place across sectors. The President has laid down many fundamentals that would ensure growth,” he stated.

He acknowledged that while the positives of the President’s actions over the past two years were gradually trickling down, a significant paradigm shift had occurred in the economy, addressing many pre-existing problems.

Onanuga, while referring to the situation before the subsidy removal, said, “There was no fuel. Many stations were saying no fuel, no fuel.

“What was happening at that time was that the NNPC had reached the bottom point. It had no money to import fuel, it claimed that it was owing suppliers about six billion dollars and the government was owing it about four trillion dollars. So, it could not import any more.”

Addressing concerns about borrowing, Onanuga clarified that it is a common practice globally, with even countries like the U.S. engaging in it.

“Nigeria has abundant resources that we are harnessing, but not as much readily available money as people might think,” he explained.

He stressed that borrowed funds were not squandered but rather used for their intended purposes, citing large-scale projects like the coastal roads that necessitate external financing due to their immense benefits.

Regarding currency devaluation, Onanuga explained that it is a universal economic principle, citing instances where even the UK and the US have resorted to it.

“Even UK and the US at some point devalued. These are economic principles that are universal and cannot be changed because it is Nigeria,” he asserted.

He added that the government had made tough decisions and simultaneously created opportunities through infrastructure development, noting that many ongoing road constructions were not initially part of the budget.

Onanuga further stated that Nigeria had seen an increase in production and a rise in disposable income.

He pointed to companies like Nestle and Nigerian Breweries, which initially faced challenges but were now sourcing materials locally and reporting profits.

“This economy has opened up opportunities in many forms for Nigerians. Those who can really exploit it. And they are making money,” he emphasised, giving examples of individuals making profits from exporting agricultural products like cocoa and even Zobo.

According to him, many companies are now investing and producing in Nigeria, and these positive shifts will soon become evident and tangible for all Nigerians.

Onanuga stressed the importance of public understanding of the economic context, saying, “We don’t do our people any good when we keep on pushing stories of gloom and doom without allowing them to see the truth, without allowing them to see the context, and without allowing them to know that there’s actually light at the end of the tunnel.”

(NAN)

Coastal Highway: Landmark infrastructure intact – Umahi

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has stated that the Federal Government did not destroy any property belonging to Landmark Africa during the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

The minister disclosed this during the inauguration of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Phase 1 in Lagos on Saturday.

The management of Landmark, operators of Landmark Beach, sought compensation for the alleged demolition of its property worth billions of naira by the Federal Government during the road construction.

However, on Saturday, Umahi told President Bola Tinubu, who inaugurated phase 1 of the project, that no property of Landmark was touched. According to him, what was touched was Landmark’s encroachment on the front shoreline.

“Mr President, I want to state that we did not harm Landmark Property. As you are going, sir, you will see where this dual carriageway is divided into two. It is by your order that we should save as much infrastructure as possible, even though they violated the gazetted route, we did that, Mr President.

“The Landmark infrastructure is intact; what went off was their encroachment on our front shoreline. And the Supreme Court ruled that 250 metres from the shoreline belong to the Federal Government, and so we didn’t do that,” Umahi said.

The minister announced that the President has ordered the governors where major Federal Government projects pass through their states to give a minimum of 500 metres from the edge of the carriageway, which will be part of the tolling arrangement.

He said that by law, the federal government is not supposed to pay compensation for shanties along the road, but the President directed that compensation should be paid.

Umahi disclosed that a total of N18bn has been paid in compensation for Phase 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.