Nigeria to commence production of vaccines, bio-pharmaceuticals in 2019 - DG NABDA

 By Chika Onyesi

Prof. Alex, Casmir Uwadiegwu Akpa

 

Nigeria will begin the local production of vaccines and other bio-pharmaceuticals by 2019.

This is according to the Acting Director General, National Biotechnology Development Agency Prof. Alex Akpa.

He disclosed this at a media briefing while detailing the agency’s score card for 2018 and plans for 2019.

Prof. Akpa said the agency has concluded arrangements with some Cuban scientists and will in partnership begin the production of bio economic products like insulin. 

‘‘The agency has 78 acres of land in its premises that it intends to utilise for bio economic development with the support and expertise of the Cubans, Nigerians and other scientists’’

Meanwhile the agency is confident that Nigeria is on track towards reaping the benefits of biotechnology and ensuring food security following giant strides in commercialising modified seeds.

Prof. Akpa said the commercialisation of two new varieties of BT cotton in 2018 is a strategic move towards reviving the textile industry.

According to him each modified variety when harvested will produce about 4.1 and 4.4 tonnes per hectare as compared to the traditional variety.

‘‘We are convinced that with this technology and by the time we empower about one thousand farmers who will help to mass propagate this product our textile mills will be revived.’’

The agency has also formally presented its BT cowpea to the public following completion of all field trials and researches by the National Biosafety Management Agency to ascertain its safety to humans and the environment.

Prof. Akpa said the success of the trials is a big step considering the traditional value of cowpea (Beans) as a staple and major source of protein for many Nigerians

‘‘Animal protein is quite expensive in Nigeria so many families rely on beans for their source of protein and that is why it is very popular and that we are happy with this development’’ he says.

The newly developed variety is expected to resist pests which had previously hindered farmers from attaining high yields and has a lot of challenge with preservation.

The DG NABDA also disclosed that the agency is now in partnership with Biocrops, a Biotechnology company, with an aim to immediately commence the production of Nigerian developed biotechnology products such as bio-fertilisers, bio-pesticides and Nematicides.

 ‘‘The challenge of farmers preserving beans with Sniper which can wipe out a whole family can now be eliminated, Bio-pesticides are bio-degradable produced using biological organisms’’he said.

According to Prof. Akpa, Nigeria is steadily moving towards using biotechnology to improve its fortune.

Rice Farmers, Fertilizer Producers Donate N1.77bn to Aid Buhari’s Re-election Bid

By Williams Anuku, Abuja

Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) and Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), have donated the sum of N1.77 billion to fund the second term re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The donations were made at a Gala Night late Wednesday night, organized by beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrowers Programme held at the State House Conference Center, Abuja.

President of RIFAN, Aminu Goronyo, said with a membership of about 12.2 million and with each member donating N100 to the campaign, it will translate to N1.2 billion.

President of FEPSAN, Thomas Etuh, on his part, announced that FEPSAN is contributing N570 million to the re-election bid of the President.

They both described the Anchor Borrowers Programme facilitated by the Central Bank of Nigeria as one of the best initiatives of the All Progressive Congress led administration which has ensured food sufficiency in the country.

Goronyo said apart from raising millionaires through farming, the President’s policies have also resulted in savings of billions of naira for the country.

According to him, “all these achievements are from your commitments and favorable policies to agriculture.”

Etuh said N120 billion was saved in two years from fertilizer subsidy.

President Buhari, noted that statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have confirmed that his administration’s policies are yielding results.

He said he inherited, “A broken system in the agricultural sector in 2015”.

“Seeing your faces and hearing your stories give me hope. Today, we are on track to achieving an all inclusive economy”.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to commence the restocking of all its Strategic Grains Reserves nationwide.

He said the directive had become imperative following the completion of a comprehensive survey on damages done to farmers and fishing communities in the riverine areas as a result of flood disaster.

He said the report indicated that over 160,000 farmers and additional 70,000 fishermen were affected by the disaster.

“For about three months the National Food Security Council working with the National Emergency Management Agency conducted comprehensive survey of the farmers, fishermen and livestock owners affected by the flood disaster,” he said.

The President, who was honoured at the event with an award of excellence for his administration’s favorable policy that had impacted positively on the country’s agricultural sector, pledged that all the affected persons would be compensated to cushion their hardship.

He thanked the organisers of the event, and assured that the federal government would continue to implement policies and programmes meant to uplift the standard of living of the Nigerian farmers as well as boost food sufficiency in the country.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Godwin Emefuele said the Anchor Borrowers programme launched on November, 17, 2015 has resulted in the saving of $800 million.

He noted that the country’s annual import bills before the introduction of the programme stood at N1.4 trillion, pointing out that the programme has generated 2.5 million jobs from rice farming alone.

The CBN governor who described the programme as the most successful anchor programme in Africa, said Nigeria currently serves as a case study for agricultural intervention schemes which other countries are coming to under study.

“The programme has changed the narrative of agricultural investments in Nigeria.

“It has brought the era of food security and sustenance leading to a cut in forex being used for importation of rice and other food items into the country,” he said.

Emefiele stated the programme had received support from stakeholders across the country including state governor.

The CBN governor revealed that the bank was also in partnership with other commodity associations who were working to reduce importation bills and to create jobs.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Devlopment, Audu Ogbeh, said the programme “has moved Nigeria up the ladder of Rice producers in Africa.”

The governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, who is the Vice Chairman of the National Food Security Council, noted that the President has shown unprecedented commitment to agriculture development in Nigeria.

While commending the President for setting up the presidential council on food security, he said Nigeria is on the path of taking on the world.

Top government functionaries who graced the gala night included the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and Jigawa State Governor, Badaru Abubakar among others.

Lawmakers Who Booed Buhari Lack Manner—Gov Yahaya Bello

By Williams Anuku, Abuja

Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello has described some members of the National Assembly who booed President Muhammadu Buhari while he was presenting the 2019 budgetary appropriations as people not well mannered.

According to Bello, their actions constitute an embarrassment and threat to the nation’s democracy.

Recall that on Wednesday, President Buhari was interrupted and booed intermittently by some lawmakers while addressing the joint session of the National Assembly.

Some of them obviously from the opposition party kept on interrupting the speech of the President, by chanting “Lies! Propaganda! Freedom come by struggle, by struggle!

The entire scenario played out while Buhari was reeling out achievements of his government in the last three and half years in the saddle of leadership.

Although the President was not comfortable with the interjection, he fought hard to maintain his composure, but the aggrieved lawmakers continued interrupting him.

He was later forced to respond, saying, “May I appeal to the honourable members that the world is watching us… we’re supposed to be above this.”

While reacting to the development, the Kogi State governor told State House Correspondents after the Anchor Borrowers Programme Gala Night that ended in the early hours of Thursday at the State House Conference Center, said in spite of the distractions, President Buhari has shown the stuff he was made off.

He said, “First of all there are two distinct human beings, a father, a gentleman, a man who has the interest of the country at heart, President Muhammadu Buhari displayed his stuff today (Wednesday), and those who are self-centered, selfish and bent on destroying this country and the democracy have also shown themselves today.

“This is what I said sometimes back that when you have a child that is not well trained by his parents he constitutes menace to the society and that is exactly what we witnessed today in the National Assembly.

“National Assembly is supposed to be made of men and women of character and integrity.

“We have seen those that constitute such class of human beings and those that constitute menace to the society in the National Assembly today.

“But above all, I thank God, I thank Mr. President for a wonderful presentation of 2019 budget estimates. We all believe it’s going to take Nigeria to the next level by the special grace of God.”

NMA decries increase in cancer cases, calls for Inclusion of cancer treatment in NHIS

By Chika Onyesi

The Nigerian Medical Association has urged Governments at all levels to as a matter of urgency develop effective cancer prevention and control strategies to reverse the rising trend of cancer among Nigerians.

The urgent call is part of resolutions reached at a national executive council meeting of the association held in Uyo recently.

The council noted that incidents of cancer in Nigeria has greatly increased and is nearing alarming proportions.

NMA President, Dr Francis Adedayo Faduyile, who informed the press of the associations’ resolutions, said a cancer-free society could be achieved through significant action from concerned stakeholders.

‘‘Nigeria’s does not have enough equipment to diagnose cancer, not enough facilities to cater for those who have cancer, we have only about two or three functional radio therapy machines across the country and some people die while they are waiting for treatment’’

The association is also advocating for cancer treatment to be added to the national health insurance scheme considering that chemotherapies and radiotherapies are capital intensive and not many can afford the out of pocket expenditure required.

 ‘‘Once cancer is added to the NHIS bouquet it will ease the amount of money that patients pay to access treatment, we need the government at the NHIS to cushion the effect of the financial burden of patience who have cancer’’

Dr Francis Adedayo Faduyile, NMA President

Dr. Faduyile also noted that the absence of a national policy on mandatory cancer reporting, absence of legislation to curtail exposure to environmental carcinogens including tobacco smoke and industrial pollution, are all factors increasing the incidents of cancer”

‘‘He said Health Insurance is key to providing solution for accessible, affordable and sustainable healthcare delivery for all Nigerians’’

The medical association has also appealed to Governments to ensure that yellow fever vaccine is readily available for the immunization of all Nigerians especially at the epidemic zone.

They want agencies involved in fighting viral haemorrhagic diseases as well as yellow fever to ‘‘work swiftly to curtail the spread and prevent further outbreaks of the disease in Nigeria’’

‘‘The NEC notes the recent outbreak of yellow fever in seven states in Nigeria, namely FCT, Kogi, Anambra, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Edo and Benue, the country has been experiencing sporadic outbreaks of yellow fever since September  2017’’

Meanwhile, cancer and yellow fever are not the only health care challenges the association is worried about.

The NMA’s executive council is concerned that the State Health Insurance Schemes may have been compromised following its activation of very low fees without the input of body of doctors.

“While capitation for NHIS is N750 and we are complaining, some states are paying less than N500 which is not even enough for ordinary diseases not to talk of lab investigations’’ Faduyile said.

They have directed all doctors not to participate in the scheme until there is meaningful engagement between the government and stakeholders on ‘‘workable, beneficial and sustainable terms and conditions acceptable to all parties’’.

UBEC to disburse 142.6 billion naira intervention fund to states

By Chika Onyesi

About N142.6 billion intervention fund is set to be disbursed to states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by the Universal Basic Education Commission for the provision of essential facilities in public primary and junior secondary schools in the country.

Executive Secretary of the commission, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi who disclosed this at a media parley said 50 per cent of the money (N71.3 billion) was deducted by the Federal Government from the Paris Club Refund accrued to states and the other 50 per cent the marching grant from UBEC.

 “The Federal Government will credit the account of UBEC with about N71.3 billion, which is the amount that is there. We are going to add the marching grant and so in the next few months, the states are going to get 142.6 billion,” Bobboyi said.

The UBEC boss says the Commission has successfully concluded a head count of teachers and pupils in primary and secondary schools across the country and that results will be formally announced by 28 February 2019.

While calling for concerted efforts to address the problem of out-of-school children in Nigeria, Bobboyi said the Commission was leaving no stone unturned to mobilise resources and churn out policies to reposition the basic education sub-sector.

Also speaking, UBEC’s Director in charge of Academic Service, Mr Wadata Madawaki, said 7.3 million textbooks were procured for primary 4-6 and distributed under the 2015/2016 intervention by the Commission.

Madawaki, who also listed several other academic standard activities carried out by UBEC in 2018, said N165 million was allocated to each state and FCT for the Teachers Professional Development programme.

Effective human resources key to implementing Basic Health Care Provision Fund-NHIS Boss

By Chika Onyesi

Supervising Director and Chief Executive of the Scheme, National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS Mr. Ben Omogo has urged staff members of the scheme to brace up for their strategic roles in the implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.

He gave the charge at a meeting of the Zonal and State Co-ordinators of the Scheme from the South-East, South-West and South-South Zones of the country

The meeting is part of activities to upgrade the capacity of the staff of the Scheme for their roles in implementing the fund which is expected to be kick-started by the federal government soon.

Mr. Omogo confirmed that the necessary approvals have been secured, and appropriate machineries set in motion for the commencement of the provision of basic primary healthcare to Nigerians under the fund in the pilot states of Abia, Niger, Osun, Yobe, Katsina, Edo and the Federal Capital Territory.

The NHIS boss described the role of the Scheme in the process as critical, considering that NHIS is one of the gateways for the utilisation of the fund.

He explained that half of one percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund would be processed through Health Insurance Agencies of States, under the management of NHIS, for the provision of basic primary healthcare for the beneficiaries.

He said the need to be ready with required skills and competences for effective interface with the State Health Insurance agencies, informed the approval of the capacity update, despite the dwindling resources of the Scheme.

Mr. Omogo expressed hope that the workshop will deepen the understanding of staff members of the concept of health financing and the legal framework needed to execute health financing reforms through the State Social Health Insurance Programme (SSHIP), as well as the necessary institutional arrangements required to support implementation of the SSHIP.

He challenged participants to assert themselves as competent professionals, and justify the confidence of the federal government and the general public, as all eyes are set on effective implementation of BHCPF.

Mr. Omogo used the occasion to remind top staff of NHIS of the core mandate of the Scheme, which is the attainment of Universal Health Coverage, while stressing that NHIS was not a financially bouyant institution as wrongfully perceived, adding that the pool of funds in its custody belongs to contributors.

The Chief Executive, who reminded all that he was only operating  in an acting capacity, lauded staff of the organisation for the remarkable cooperation he has received on his assignment so far.

A second part of the workshop for Zonal and State Coordinators in North West, North East and North Central states is expected to follow soon.

Civil Society Coalition laud NECO, JAMB over anticorruption moves

By Chika Onyesi

A coalition of Civil Society Organizations, have hailed the National Examinations Council, NECO, and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, over their ant-icorruption drive.

According to a statement, Co-convener of the group Comrade Danesi Momoh, lauded the Acting Registrar of NECO, Mr. Abubakar Gana, for blocking all avenues through which NECO funds were looted. 

The group, under the aegis of Concerned Civil Society Groups for Educational Development, said Gana has made procurement processes more transparent with significant reduction in procurement costs.

"If there was any flicker of doubt about the fight against corruption by the Buhari led administration, the twin successes recorded in crushing corruption and financial wastages at NECO and JAMB dispels such doubts. 

"Surely, the government is out to ease the plight of all Nigerians and these model cases show us how the war against corruption can have a positive direct bearing on all citizens," the statement read.

According to the coalition, the feat was made possible by the prudent management of resources and transparency measures put in place in the agencies under the Ministry of Education by the minister, Mallam Adamu Adamu.

The CSOs further commended the federal government for reducing the NECO and JAMB fees, adding that the gesture would make higher education attractive for the common man.

"The exemplary novel steps taken by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu in crippling corruption and putting a smile on the faces of Nigerians is indeed a model that should be replicated across all sectors," the statement noted.

It further recalled that the minister of Education strict supervision of agencies under his watch has resulted in the huge conservation of finances citing the resolve of the minister and the Board Chairman of the National Examination Council for taking the bull by the horn and dismissing the erstwhile NECO Registrar Prof. Charles Uwakwe and his cohorts who were alleged to be neck deep in a mire of corruption.