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Group Urges Bauchi Govt To Release Fund For Healthcare Service Delivery

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A group under the aegis of Health System Strengthening Cluster (HSSC) has called on the Bauchi state government to graciously release funds budgeted for Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) in the 2024 budget of the state.

Mr Nkem Ogbonna, the Executive Director, Better Life Restoration Initiative, made the plea in an interactive session with newsmen in Bauchi on Thursday on behalf of the group.

He said that the Integrated Supportive Supervision is an intervention that facilitates quality improvement by ensuring adequate oversight as well as skills and knowledge transfer to health care service providers.

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According to him, the Cluster was implementing the Scale project, a USAID-funded 5-year project from Oct. 2020 to Oct. 2025, implemented by Palladium in collaboration with Nigeria Resource Partners (RPs).

READ ALSO: Sen. Buba To Empower 130 Youth On Crop, Animal Production In Bauchi

He added that ISS has been accepted, tested and proven to enhance the performance and effectiveness of health care workers.

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“The Health System Strengthening Cluster is implementing a project known as ‘Improved Quality Healthcare Service Delivery through Integrated Supportive Supervision’.

“The cluster comprises six civil society organizations across the country such as Life Transformation for Africa Initiative, Council for Affirmative Action, Women with Disability, Integrity & Development Initiative.

“Others include the Bauchi State Network of Civil Societies, She-Alert Care Foundation and Better Life Restoration Initiative, serving as the anchor organisation,” he said.

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READ ALSO: NGO Trains 15 Teachers On ICT In Bauchi

He said the group also called for the expansion of the Integrated Supportive Supervision Technical Working Group (ISS-TWG) to include other critical stakeholders like the Ward Development Committee and the Private Sector.

He highlighted the benefits of ISS as strengthening of the health care system, enhancement of quality service delivery, Improvement of performances and encouragement of open and two-way communications.

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He however, lamented that the current structure and placement of ISS was suboptimal, thereby limiting its capacity to effectively engage through a sector-wide approach for effective implementation.

Domestic financing support for ISS is inadequate and there is high dependency on donor funding. Over the years, many health programs have been heavily funded by donors supporting ISS activities.

READ ALSO: 33 Nigerian Students Receive $2.92m Scholarships From American Universities, Colleges

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“Although donor support is important, this is mostly unsustainable and has debilitating effects on ISS continuity.

“High Cost of fuel and transportation is negatively impacting ISS activities in all the target States.

“The current hike in fuel prices and its attendant high cost of transport has negatively affected the frequency and coverage of Primary Healthcare Centers, especially health facilities located in hard-to-reach communities,” said Ogbonna.

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To ensure quality healthcare service delivery, facilitate sustainable knowledge transfer and regular mentorship of healthcare service providers, he further called for the creation of a budget line for ISS activities in the 2025 budget of the state.

According to him, if all PHCs in Bauchi State were adequately supervised, it would guarantee quality Healthcare service delivery in the State, saying “the time to act is now”.

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Tinubu Approves Tenure Extension For Surveyor-General

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President Bola Tinubu has approved a two-year tenure extension for the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr. AbuduGaniyu Adebomehin.

The move is aimed at consolidating ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s geospatial data systems and national land administration, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement released on Wednesday.

The extension will take effect from January 5, 2026, and follows the recent transfer of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation to the Presidency.

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The transfer places geospatial intelligence and national surveying operations directly under the executive arm.

READ ALSO:Brigadier-General, Other Officers Detained Over Alleged Coup Plot To Overthrow President Tinubu

Adebomehin’s two-year extension will see him serve until January 2028.

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According to Onanuga, “The President expects Mr Adebomehin to consolidate the reforms within the next two years, focusing on national land management and administration, highways and abutting land infrastructure coordination, reclamation and erosion control programmes, and other related matters of strategic national importance.”

Adebomehin was appointed the Surveyor-General of the Federation by the late President Muhammadu Buhari, effective January 5, 2022.

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Okpebholo Announces Plan To Recruit 3,000 Teachers In Edo

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has announced plans to employ 3,000 teachers in the state.

This was contained in a statement released by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Wednesday.

Okpebholo supervised the handing out of letters of employment to 5,000 teachers in the state last Wednesday.

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The teachers, who for years were on contract with a monthly stipend of ₦65,000 during the administration of Godwin Obaseki, were formally handed appointment letters during a ceremony held at Government House.

The governor emphasised the significance of the occasion and the government’s commitment to valuing its educators.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo’s Eight-year Tenure Non-negotiable, Says Commissioner

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In appreciation of the governor’s kind gesture, the Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers were at the government house on Tuesday, where it conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award on the governor by Edo in recognition of his exceptional reforms and commitment to repositioning the state’s education sector.

The award was presented by NUT State Chairman, Bernard Ajobiewe, in the company of the Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Edo State chapter, Comrade Bernard Egwahide.

In return, the governor announced plans to recruit an additional 3,000 teachers to strengthen teaching capacity and improve learning outcomes across public schools in the state.

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Okpebholo expressed deep appreciation to Edo teachers for their diligence and patriotism in shaping the future of the State.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education as the cornerstone of human development.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Believes In Courage, Capacity Says Edo Poly Rector

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“Teachers remain a top priority in our development agenda and the state has finalised plans to employ 3000 additional teachers.

“We are building and renovating schools across Edo, and as infrastructure improves, so must manpower. Our goal is to ensure that no school lacks qualified teachers and that every child receives quality education in a conducive learning environment,” the governor said.

Okpebholo emphasised that his administration had put an end to the era of overcrowded classrooms and combined classes that once defined Edo’s public schools, noting that the new education reforms have already restored public confidence in the system.

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He also reiterated that his government would not engage in political witch-hunts, but would allow performance and public perception to judge the actions of the previous administration.

“If the last administration had performed well, the Edo people would have felt it. We are focused on rebuilding the system and restoring pride in our schools. My administration is committed to results, not rhetoric,” Okpebholo stated.

READ ALSO:World Habitat Day: Okpebholo Commends Building Control Agency For Developmental Milestones

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The governor further assured continued collaboration with labour unions to sustain industrial harmony and drive collective progress.

He pledged to donate a bus to the NUT to facilitate its statewide operations and monitoring activities across Edo’s 18 local government areas.

“We will continue to maintain a strong working relationship with the NUT and all labour unions. The welfare of teachers remains the heart of our education reforms,” he added.

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In his remarks, Ajobiewe commended the governor for regularising the employment of over 5,000 Edo-Star teachers, who had remained contract staff for more than three years under the previous administration.

“In less than a year, our story as teachers has changed from frustration to fulfilment. Governor Okpebholo has not only restored dignity to the teaching profession but has rekindled hope in public education. His actions demonstrate true leadership and empathy,” Ajobiewe said.

Similarly, Egwahide praised the governor’s people-oriented leadership and promised the union’s continued support for his administration.

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We are grateful to a governor who listens, acts, and delivers. The workers of Edo State will stand by you as you continue to transform our education sector and fulfil your promises,” he affirmed.

 

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Davido Gets New Appointment

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The Osun State Government has announced the appointment of Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as chairman of the Osun Sports Trust Fund.

The government said the move was aimed at raising funds to transform the state sports sector.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to completing the ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium, assuring that the upgraded facility will meet Olympic standards upon completion.

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As reported by the Guardian Nigeria, confirming the appointment, the state deputy governor, Kola Adewusi, who doubles as the Commissioner for Sports, said the state government under Governor Ademola Adeleke is determined to transform the stadium into a world-class sports arena that will not only host national events but also attract international competitions.

He said, “Ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium to meet Olympic standards — a project that will be completed in the shortest possible time.

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“I am pleased to inform you that plans are in advanced stages towards the establishment of the Osun State Sports Commission, which will serve as a central body for sports administration, development, and policy implementation. Introduction of a Sports Trust Fund to attract support from sports philanthropists within and outside the state, ensuring sustainable sports financing and development.

“Davido has been appointed to chair the Sports Trust Fund, and he did not hesitate in accepting the appointment. His intervention would attract funds that would impact Osun sports positively.”

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