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Buhari’s Medical Tourism In London Is National Disgrace – HURIWA

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Buhari Goes To Saudi Arabia For Investment Conference

“The continuous patronage of foreign medical services by President Muhammadu Buhari and members of his immediate family is a categorical message that the president, Muhammadu Buhari may be unwilling to bequeath enduring and sustainable legacies in the areas of building enduring and strategic health infrastructure which should put to an end the wasteful ventures of tourism by government officials who fritter scarce foreign reserves to service their personal health challenges at public costs abroad.”

With the above words, civil rights group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has described as shameful and regrettable the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to continue to travel to London, United Kingdom at serious costs to the tax payers to take care of his personal health needs.

The rights group said the unwise choice of the president to patronize foreign health service providers in total rejection and disregard  for the Nigerian indigenous health service professionals has shown that his administration is hypocritical about achieving any kind of mileage in the area of rebuilding the near- moribund health care sector of the nation’s economy.

“For us we see this practice by President Buhari and members of his family and many other members of the political class as parasitic and a show of shame which demonstrates their lack of commitment to establish functional health care infrastructure to benefit millions of Nigerians. This constant medical tourism by the political class and especially by President Muhammadu Buhari shows that he does not mean well for the health care system in Nigeria and also demonstrates a lack of sensitivity to the health needs of millions of Nigerians who most times die from seemingly treatable diseases due to the collapse of public health care infrastructure all across the country.”

The press statement was endorsed by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf.

The group emphasized that the frequent medical tourism of the president shows that the Federal Ministry of Health right under the purview of President Muhammadu Buhari  is simply gambling with the lives of millions of Nigerians since the president of the country and the appointing authority of the federal cabinet has nothing in stock on how to revive health care infrastructure.

READ ALSO: Govt Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays

HURIWA stated that it is disconcerting that the Head of State and head of government of Nigeria will be showing a bad example of frittering public funds abroad for his health challenges whilst pretending to be running a full-fledged federal ministry of health with two ministers who draw salaries and allowances off public coffers yet the appointing authority of these ministers of health has no faith in the capability of the managers of the nation’s health sector which informs his constant globetrotting in search of health care services from foreign jurisdictions.

“HURIWA wishes to remind the current Federal Government that the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire had on Monday, 7th December, 2020 in Abuja, unveiled the Nigeria’s health sector roadmap which he said was guided by the President’s ‘Health Sector Next Level Agenda’ of 2019.  It is a nine point, medium-term plan, to ramp up the push towards Universal Health Coverage.

“HURIWA recalled also that the health minister enumerated the agenda to include: implementation of Mandatory Universal Health Insurance in collaboration with State governments and the FCT Administration; Operationalization of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in collaboration with partners and agencies; Recruitment and deployment of 50,000 Community Health Extension Workers; Revamping Federal Teaching Hospitals across the country; Collaboration with Private Sector Investors to establish high-quality hospitals in Nigeria;  Reduction of gaps in all health-related SDGs by at least 60%; Reduction in the current imbalance between primary, secondary, and tertiary health care; Active collaboration with the private sector to create a large number of well-paying jobs for Nigerian youths; and  contribution to the realization of Mr. President’s June 12 promise to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years. But as at today, what this frequent foreign health tourism by the President Muhammadu Buhari shows is that he has no definite road map for fixing the public healthcare sector hence he keeps patronizing the British Health sector whereby Nigeria incurs huge financial burden that is not transparently communicated to the tax payers in Nigeria from where these huge financial obligations for the,President’s individual health expenses are met. This is absolutely intolerable and unacceptable. ”

The rights group said the practice of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria always going overseas for medical checks and services is a monumental security challenge and an unmitigated national shame to Nigeria which prides itself as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. “This medical tourism of the Nigerian President shows that Nigeria is a giant with legs of clay,” the group added.

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AMCON Denies Dispute With Heyden Petroleum

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The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has denied having any dispute with Heyden Petroleum Limited.

In a statement by Jude Nwauzor, Head, Corporate Communications of AMCON, he said that the attention of the corporation had been drawn to a publication in the media regarding a pending litigation between it and Heyden Petroleum Limited .

The statement read: “We hereby notify the general public that AMCON and Heyden Petroleum Limited have settled all issues between them amicably, and Heyden Petroleum Limited has demonstrated commitment to meeting their obligations and has been making payments accordingly.

“Given this latest development, AMCON has formally discontinued its pending litigation against Heyden Petroleum Limited, particularly Suit No. FHC/AMC/67/2024.

“As a responsible debt recovery agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, it is not the practice of AMCON to engage in a media trial of obligors who are meeting their obligation. Accordingly, the general public is urged to disregard any negative commentaries on the relationship between AMCON and Heyden Petroleum Limited.”

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BREAKING: Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja Is Dead

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By John Michael Ojo

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, is dead.

Lagbaja’s death was announced by President Bola Tinubu in a statement signed by his aide on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

It reads: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56.

“He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.

“Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.

“His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.

“Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.

“He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.

“An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.

“Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.

“President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.”

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New Education Minister Rejects 18-year Age Limit For University Admission

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Why I Stopped Using Social Media - Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu

It is victory  for university admission seekers who are below 18 years of age as the new Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has abolished the policy barring them.

Alausa also noted the possibility of reviewing the nation’s education policy. But he ruled out the reversal of the Federal Government’s decision to void over 22,700 degree certificates obtained by Nigerians from some “fake” universities in neighbouring Togo and the Benin Republic.

Alausa spoke on Tuesday at his inaugural ministerial press conference in Abuja.

He stated that practical education would help to address the unemployment situation in Nigeria, as tertiary institutions would not continue to churn out graduates every year without providing jobs for them.

The minister said that the federal government would collaborate with private sector operators to train students and realise their potential.

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