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Brain Drain Worries NGF, Makes Case For BHCPF

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The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), has expressed worry over the preponderance of medical doctors seeking greener pastures abroad to the detriment of their country. Chairman of the Forum, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has disclosed. 

Tambuwal stated this he paid a courtesy call on the minister of health (FMOH) in Abuja. He also urged the federal government to ramp up drive for the realization of the 25 per cent needed to ensure universal healthcare coverage for all Nigerians under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).

According to him, although the Governors are desirous of building a resilient healthcare platform committed to routine immunization and total eradication of polio, in collaboration with global and local partners, their efforts will come to naught if the alarming trend continues unchecked.

“There are challenges but a lot has been achieved , particularly in the effort to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic,” which as a result made Nigeria to come fourth out of 54 African countries under the Global Health Security  Index for 2021.

Yet, the Governor said; “We are witnessing brain drain over the years. It is alarming. And, I believe it has something to do with the welfare of the medical personnel

“I urge the federal government to do something about this urgently,” Gov. Tambuwal said.

While commending the federal government for the initiative of setting up the BHCPF, the Governor urged that it is important that the momentum of making the fund realizable is not slowed down.

He assured the apex government and the FMOH of transparency and accountability in the management of the fund by states, pointing out that its disbursement by the Forum will be based on the performance of the recipient states.

According to him, “health remains our priority,” as Governors, with a focus on building a resilient healthcare platform committed to routine immunization and total eradication of polio in the country.

In his remarks, the minister of health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, corroborated the Governor on the issue of brain drain, noting that 3000 medical doctors graduate annually in the country. Out of this number, he added, 1000 leave the country every year. 

He, however, said the federal government has been trying to create more space to employ these personnel despite demands for higher remuneration. 

He explained that out of the medical doctors, those who are less likely to stay back in the country and for whom the incentive to do so is abysmal, are experienced consultants. “They are the ones that worries us most because it takes a lot of money to train them and it is difficult to meet their expectations.”

The minister, nonetheless, urged other state Governors to emulate Sokoto state government which dedicate lots of resources to training medical doctors, who are subsequently employed by it.

Giving a vote of thanks, the minister of state for health, Hon. Joseph Ekumankama expressed gratitude to the NGF and the Governor for the visit, observing that with his new responsibility, the work of Gov. Tambuwal is not limited to the health sector alone but all facets of life that affects Nigerians. 

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ACF hails Gov. Yusuf 50% slash down of school fees, says the move is exemplary

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The Arewa Consultative Forum( ACF) has hail the 50% reduction of school fees for indigent students by the incumbent Governor, of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf as exemplary and worthy to emulate by other governor’s.

Gov. Yusuf has recently cut down 50% reduction in the registration fee for the 2023/2024 academic session for all Kano State indigenes studying regular courses at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano, Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Kumbotso, Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta and other state owned tertiary institutions accross the state to cushion  the worsening economic situation people have been going through. 

While reacting to the governor’s initiative, the Chairman of the forum, Dr. Goni Farouk Umar  described the decision as both revolutionary and a hallmark of visionary leadership. 

He noted with delight the Kano State government’s resolve to restore its foreign scholarship programme designed to sponsor 1001 best graduates which demonstrates the government compassion that resulted in the payment of N700million registration fees for 700 Kano State students at the Bayero University Kano. 

The ACF leader noted that both the slashing of the fees in state owned institutions, and the off-setting of the BUK fees would go along way to ease the burden on parents and the students occasioned by the current economic hardship. 

Dr  Umar who describe education as power, and pivot in society’s advancement, prayed for the successful implementation of the government’s pro-poor education policies.

 He also appealed to all sections of the community to support educational development in all facets. 

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Nigeria’s President Tinubu say’s country’s pilgrim who return $80,000 to owner in Saudi is a pride of all.

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President of Nigeria, Mr  Ahmed Bola Tinubu will honour Zamfara pilgrim Hajiya A’ishatu ‘Yan Guru Nahuce who found $80,000 in Saudi Arabia during the last Hajj exercise and return the money to it’s rightful owner. Chairman Zamfara State Hajj Commission, Alhaji Musa Mallaha has revealed.

Mallaha disclosed that the president is overwhelmed by the act of honesty exhibited by the female pilgrim hence he directed the National Hajj Commission to organize a national press conference to interview the woman for record keeping while in Saudi.

When the directives was given by the president according to Mallaha, the woman was already airlifted back to Nigeria adding that arrangements are in top gear to ensure the presidential directives is implemented as soon as possible.

Mr. Mallaha who revealed that president Tinubu expressed delight and pointed out that Hajiya Nahuce has brought respect and honour to her country Nigeria said the commission’s preparation towards the national press conference in Nigeria now will include the State governor, Dauda Lawan keying into the activities.

Mallaha further said that her honesty is a pride to all Muslims accross the globe.

The woman during the last excise stumbled into the money while performing Tawaff at the Ka’abah, she said that she kick the bag of the money to a distance for fear of been trample upon if she bow down to pick it up because of the large crowd. An Arab Pilgrim who saw her action pick the bag and gave it to her thinking that it was hers.

Mrs. Nahuce who was sponsored to Hajj by her son’s revealed that it was her first trip to the holy land.

She further revealed in an interview that, she took the money to the officials of her local government Hajj commission and handed it over. The officials met Saudi Authorities and within few days the owner was found and the money was returned to him.

She commented that she was not aware of the magnitude of her action until she was back home to Nigeria where she understands that the news went viral before her arrival

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Nigerian Army neutralize 7 bandits, comb bush for others in Zamfara

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Nigerian Army neutralized seven Armed Bandits while several others flee with gunshots wounds in the late hours of Monday. 

The bandits in large number according to reliable source attempted to infiltrate and attack the troops at Kango Sabuwa. The gallant troops of Sector 1 Operation Hadarin Daji in conjunction with troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Wanke were steps ahead of them.

This was achieved by the troops in an ambush operation along the route suspected to be used by the Bandits.

The troops Shortly after the encounter proceeds in pursuit of other fleeing wounded bandits, recovered 1 Machine Gun, ammunition and 6 Motorcycles from the armed bandits.

The Commander Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, Major General Godwin Mutkut commends the troops for their bravery and resilience in dealing with the Armed Bandits.

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