President Bola Tinubu has directed the compulsory implementation of health insurance across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, in line with the National Health Insurance Authority Act, 2022.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, the President instructed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue a service-wide circular mandating compliance.

The directive covers five key areas, including the compulsory enrolment of all MDA employees under the NHIA health insurance plan.

Agencies may also adopt supplementary private insurance where necessary.

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“All entities participating in public procurement must present a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of their eligibility documentation.

“This certificate confirms compliance with the mandatory health insurance requirement and serves as a condition precedent for continuing any procurement-related engagement.

“The presidential directive also compels all MDAs to require applicants to present valid NHIA Health Insurance Certificates as a precondition for issuing and renewing licences, permits, and other official approvals,” the statement read.

The NHIA has been tasked to develop a digital platform for real-time verification of certificates to ensure transparency, while MDAs are to establish internal processes for authentication and monitoring of compliance.

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The statement added, “The presidential directive aims to expand health coverage, safeguard workers, reduce out-of-pocket health expenditures and promote accountability in public and private sector engagements.

“The NHIA Act, 2022, stipulates compulsory health insurance for Nigerians and mandates NHIA to ensure health coverage for all persons in Nigeria and undertake necessary measures to achieve its objectives.

“Three years after the Act was enacted, national health insurance coverage remains alarmingly low despite recent progress in the health sector.”

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the deployment of the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, as the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations at the Delta State Police Command.

In a statement posted on its X on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said “the posting reflects the confidence of the Force leadership in his extensive experience, professionalism, and ability to enhance operational strategies within the Command.”

The deployment is coming at a time when policing in Delta state has come under heavy scrutiny, following recent criticism of nefarious police activities.

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“The IGP praised Adejobi for his outstanding performance during his tenure as Force Public Relations Officer, noting his dedication, professionalism, and significant contributions to improving the public image and communication efforts of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement read.

He expressed confidence that Adejobi will demonstrate the same commitment and excellence in his new role.

Until now, Adejobi was the 25th indigenous Force Public Relations Officer.

The IGP had appointed Adejobi Force PRO in acting capacity.

He took over from CP Frank Mba, who was nominated for the Senior Executive Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.

The Bauchi state government released the sum of N300 million as contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) in order to combat malnutrition in under 5 children in the state.

Dr Nuzhat Rafique, the Chief of Field Office, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office, stated this during an interaction with Journalists on Wednesday in Bauchi.

According to her, the money was a contribution of Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state and the 20 Local Government Chairmen in the state.

She explained that the money released to the CNF is part of the deliberate efforts to eradicate severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children U-5 in Bauchi state.

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“UNICEF would also provide a matching sum of N300 million, bringing the total intervention fund to N600m for the procurement of the foods and other items required for the fight against malnutrition.”

The UNICEF boss said, the release of the fund sequel to the familiarisation visit of the new UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, to the Bauchi State Governor.

“We are grateful to the Governor of Bauchi State for releasing the promised N200m to UNICEF.

“We also appreciate the Association of Local Governments Of Nigeria (ALGON), Bauchi state chapter for the N100 million it released for the programme, making a total of N300m.

“This is a great milestone in our advocacy efforts. UNICEF will match the same amount, which will significantly help in tackling malnutrition in the state,” she stressed.

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Rafique further said that the Governor had promised to increase the State’s contribution to N1bn next year, which UNICEF also pledged to match.

She however, emphasised the need for long-term strategies, including behavioural change and local solutions to prevent malnutrition, adding that it is easier and better to prevent than to fight it.

She noted that UNICEF’s focus was not only on treatment but also on promoting proper child feeding practices and maternal care from conception through the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

She also called on Journalists in the state not to relent in the partnership with UNICEF in the bid to create a healthy environment for children and women.