News

Group Urges Bauchi Govt To Release Fund For Healthcare Service Delivery

Published

1 year ago

July 26, 2024

Editor

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.

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).

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

“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.

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.

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.

“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.

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”.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

8 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

9 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

9 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.