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Kogi in strategic move to reposition health sector through review, development of its AOP

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Kogi State Government in partnership with UNICEF has facilitated a review of the 2023 annual operational plan (AOP) for the State Ministry of Health following which a new one has been developed for 2024.
This is aimed at repositioning the health sector in the State to deliver positive outcomes and change the narratives of negative indicators in the year 2024
The State commissioner of health Dr. Usman Zakari, who spoke recently in Abuja during a six-day workshop on the Review of 2023 Annual Operational Plan and the development of the 2024 Annual Operational Plan from the Kogi State Strategic Health Development II,
underscored the importance of the exercise, saying “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.’
According to him they came to take stock in order to move forward.
‘We are reviewing the last annual operational plan (AOP) and developing a new one .
“We are trying to look at the status of implementation of some of the things we said we were going to do in the last AOP. By the time we have done that and we have done the review, then we now look at how we are going to do business going forward.
“If you don’t have these plans on ground, you can actually meet targets without knowing it, and you may not even meet targets without knowing it.
One of the reasons why it is important to have a plan he observed is to make decisive and deliberate efforts towards meeting them and to be strategic on all the items in the plan.
“If you noticed, almost the entire Ministry of Health is here. The reason why we didn’t allow them to do this around the office is other exigencies around the office will cause a lot of distractions. We have drastically reduced the level of activities in the Ministry of Health and brought them here to Abuja so that we can all contribute to developing this all-important document which will show us strategic direction on how to move forward.

“There are several components of it. There is resource allocation: both human and financial resources. There are some health indicators – maternal mortality, under 5 mortality and all of those things.

“This plan will help to move towards changing the narratives.”

According to him, this proper planning has helped to improve the health situation in Kogi state under Governor Yahaya Bello for all to see.
“His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has made some decisive actions and declared a state of emergency in the health sector. There were some dilapidated facilities that he met on assumption of office which he has upgraded. They included the General Hospital, Idah, which he has upgraded and equipped to the level you can call a specialist hospital.
“There are many hospitals like that. As a matter of fact, there are new ones springing up where they never existed before. There is Ultra Modern Hospital in Gegu Baki, built and equipped with the state of the art equipments.”

He disclosed that plans have been concluded to recruit adequate health personnel for the facilities.
“There is another one in Badoko in Ajaokuta Local Government Area, similar to the one you see in Gegu. There is Ultra Modern Reference Hospital in Okene, one of the best in Africa with MRI, City scan, Hyperbaric oxygen chamber, etc. Those are the things we don’t have in the North Central.
Permanent Secretary, Kogi State Ministry of Health, Falilat Abdulrazak, said the review of 2023 AOP and to develop the one for 2024 is a very welcome development because it will help us to assess how well we did in 2023 and to project what we are going to do in 2024.
“The best thing for greater success is planning. That is what we have come to do here.
“This activity is to have our plans as to the various activities that we are going to implement in 2024 in the health sector. If we don’t have a plan, then we might not have a sense of direction. It is a leading program for implementation and success of our health programs in 2024.
“It is going to be a very impactful workshop for all of us because all our key officers are here; our programme officers, the Chief Medical Director of all our health agencies and hospitals and all the heads of departments of the state ministry of health including the Honourable Commissioner and myself as the administrative head of the ministry are here.
“It is an in-house programme, which means we moved to Abuja to concentrate and devote enough time to what we have to do.

“At the end of the day both the human and material aspect of our health institution will improve.”

Senior medical officer
FMOH, department of Health planning, research and statistics Dr kelechi Obi who facilitated the workshop said,

“We are planning for financial year 2024 and the Federal Ministry of Health is here to give Kogi State technical support to help them plan for the health sector for 2024
“It is one of our mandate at the Federal Ministry of Health to support States for the new year. So what we are doing here, we will be using the strategic development plan of Kogi State.
“So my coming here is to guide them and support in taking intervention.
“Interventions are those things that the State will do to improve the health outcomes in Kogi State. “Those programs that the State needs to plan for that reach out to those in the rural areas, impact on their health status positively so that the poor health indices in Kogi State and Nigeria would be better and we will achieve universal health coverage by 2030.
“That is our target, so basically that is the aim of coming, to guide them in doing the activities of these programs to impact on the people in Kogi State and to implement what they planned for, what they costed for it to be part of the budget and present to the state Government for the 2024 State budget as what Kogi State Ministry of health has planned for the sector.

“Now we are hoping that whatever a State will do should be those things they planned for.

“What we are saying is all those things they want to do, they should bring them under a forum like this, let us have everything we do in the health sector under one roof. In 2024 all these things we want to do this fiscal year and the hope is that they will not deviate from what they have already planned

“One of the things we encourage people to do when they plan is the fact the Ministry of health has an envelope, the budget that the state government gave them.

“We are telling them that what they plan to do in 2024, they should ensure they fit in to that envelope or the ceiling that government has given to the Ministry. “Government cannot solve all the problems. So let us priortise all those things that we want to do in 2024 /to be within our envelope.

It is commendable to see that the State commissioner of Health is at this workshop, the Permanent Secretary is here. This is my 8th State I have been to give technical support and this is the first State where the commissioner and all other heads of departments, agencies remain throughout the retreat
“it is good so they will understand what other workers are passing through and also it is at this kind of meeting they will make their directiion

On the gap in funding, Pharm Eric Akoji said, in every facet of live there must always be gaps because there is no perfection in humanity.
‘What we look at is from the presentation of the Federal Ministry of health on the health facility tour, gaps are inevitable in everything. Firstly the funds to implement everything is not there but most time there is a kind of priority given to some areas.
Why we are looking at the health sector as one of the key areas is that an unhealthy person cannot work, a teacher who is sick cannot teach, a farmer who is sick cannot go to farm. “That is why most times anything that concerns health we push that it should be given topmost priority.
Civil servants have always been pushing that government should look.at the health area as where much investments should be done.
“At civil service level what we see as onus is to continue to engage government giving them the reason why they must do more investments in the health sector as a healthy nation is a wealthy nation

This program what is it aimed at achieving
“Sometime in June/July last year we also met in this Abuja, under the sponsorship of UNICEF who is also supporting the state in this process
“Operational plan is like a working document. It gives us direction, where our health interventions should move on in the next year
“We did it last year. Coming back this time is to first of all review what we have done last year that we want to do in terms of health intervention for the people and how far we have gone and it is from the review that we hear the terms, optimal performance and under performance.
“What leads to all those is because of insufficient funding at the disposal of the key players.
So having done this review for two days moving forward we have seen those things we agreed to do last year that have not been done and so we are now working around it to see what was actually responsible. “Sometines it may not be the lack of funds but human shortcoming because it is not everything that is tied to funds there are somethings that is a simple activity of recognizing key stakeholders.
Dr Ifeyinwa Anyanyo of UNICEF was available for technical support

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News From Kogi

Natasha gives AAAMCO facelift after rehabilitation

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Abdul Azeez Atta Memorial College, Okene (AAAMCO) has received a face-lift following the rehabilitation carried out by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central senatorial district.

She did not stop at that, she equally flagged off the construction of new schools in Osara for the Hausa/Fulani community.

Natasha’s wisdom in not only embracing all ethnic groups within her senatorial district but meeting their developmental needs has a reference point to prove that with the right leadership, Nigeria can progress in peace and unity.
The senator indicated that the reconstruction and remodeling of AAAMCO is aimed at elevating the school to one of the most advanced secondary schools in Nigeria.

Additionally, a 0.7 km road network within the school premises, perimeter fencing, streetlights, water supply, and total rehabilitation of the hostels are part of the project. The school will also be upgraded to a smart school with electrified classrooms and digital learning devices for every student.

AAAMCO is one of the first secondary schools in Northern Nigeria established in 1927 as the Central School Okene before changing its name to Provincial Secondary School Okene, after which it became Government Secondary School Okene and lastly AAAMCO.

The institution groomed very respected personalities like President Ibrahim Babangida, Professor Jerry Gana, Professor Lai Mohammed, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe amongst many notable alumni.
The lawmaker also promise to replicate the gesture in other schools in the senatorial district in a bid to them into smart schools.

Furthermore, Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan flagged off the construction of primary and secondary schools in Osara for the Hausa/Fulani community, fulfilling her campaign promises to them.

Once completed, the new schools in Osara will include blocks for primary and secondary schools, administrative buildings, libraries and laboratories, staff quarters, a clinic, sports facilities, and boreholes.

According to her, the reconstruction and the remodelling was approved by the federal government.

“Education is extremely important. I wouldn’t have been here if there was no school for my father to acquire an education and give me the best education I have.

She added that similar attention would be given to other schools in the senatorial district, promising to remodel them into smart schools.

Thee senator indicated that the flag off of primary and secondary schools in Osara for Hausa/Fulani community is a fulfilment of her campaign promises to them and an answer to their request when they met with her before the 2023 senatorial election.

Speaking on behalf of Hausa/Fulani community, the Youth leader, Miyetti Allah Kogi State chapter, Dr Nuhu Abubakar Jalido, said the gesture is an opportunity for Hausa/Fulani children to have access to quality education at their doorstep.

“This is the first time a senator in Kogi is building primary and secondary schools with the necessary facilities in a Hausa/Fulani camp. Your actions show you are different.
“This will change our people’s ideology and enable them to acquire quality education and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development,” he said.

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Eight Remaining kidnapped Kogi Varsity Students Rescued – Govt

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***Pledges to recalibrate security architecture with emphasis on Safe School Initiative

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

KOGI State Government has announce the rescue of the remaining eight students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, abducted on Thursday May 9.

Mr Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lokoja, had earlier announced the rescue of a total of 21 students and death of two others.

According to the Commissioner, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed full support towards the recovery of the rescued students and their parents, while modalities are being put in place to make Kogi State safer for all.

The State Government used the occasion of the rescue of the students to expresses profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing the mobilization of resources to ensure the rescue of the kidnapped students.

Kogi government thanked the National Security Adviser (NSA) and Security Chiefs as well as the Director-General, DSS; Inspector General of Police (IGP) for their commitment to the release of the students and the general security of the State.

The State Government also commended the Kogi State Command of all the security agencies, Police, DSS, NSCDC and “our local hunters are also highly appreciated for their efforts towards this feat.”

According to the statement, Governor Ododo also expressed gratitude to his Kwara State counterpart, AbdulRahmam AbdulRazak for his personal commitment, cooperation and support towards the success of the operation that led to the rescue of the remaining kidnapped students.

He said that Governor AbdulRahmam AbdulRazak had shown capacity and exhibited the force behind his effective leadership of the Nigerian Governors Forum adding, “His actions have also reinforced the Kogi-Kwara cooperation and unity of purpose.”

He said, “Now that the remaining students have been rescued, our administration will continue the drive to recalibrate our security architecture and pay an uncompromising attention to the Safe School Initiative.

“As the State with the lowest out of school children in the North, we have put structures in place to keep our schools safe to ensure every child is not deprived of his or her right to Education.

“Kogi has domesticated the Child Rights Act and we will defend the right of our children to quality Education. In Kogi State, Education is free up to the Secondary School level.

“We also pay the registration fees for our students to write all internal and external examinations with a budgetary allocation that is way above the UNESCO benchmark for education.

“We do all of these to educate our children and make them responsible contributors to the economy of Nigeria”, he said.

The Governor urged Kogi citizens to always volunteer intelligence to security agencies to enable them to prevent crime saying that it was safer, cheaper and better for us all.

He said, “All of us must come together to defeat banditry, kidnapping and any form of criminality in our society.” (Ends)

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CSO asks Ododo to give assent to HIV/AIDS Anti-stigma Bill

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By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has been urged to give accelerated assent to the state HIV/AIDS Anti-stigma and discrimination Bill when passed by the state House of Assembly.

Initiative for Grassroots Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), leading a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working on HIV/AIDS in Kogi made the appeal during a Public Hearing on the anti-stigma Bill at the Assembly Complex in Lokoja.
Executive Director, INGRA, Mr Hamza Aliyu,
said that there was need for the Governor to quickly assent to the Bill to give persons living with HIV and AIDS in Kogi State a respite from the deluge of discrimination that they have been facing.

The Bill is titled: A Bill For A Law To Provide For The Prevention Of HIV And AIDS Based Discrimination And Protection Of The Rights And Dignity Of People Living With And Affected By HIV And AIDS And For Other Related Matters, 2024.

Aliyu said that the Bill was sponsored by Hon. Bin Ebaiya Shehu Tijjani, Member representing Lokoja I State Constituency and supported by INGRA and AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria/International.

According to him, the bill was presented to the Assembly on March 28th and had its First Reading on Wednesday, April 24th and the Second Reading, May 7, paving way for the Public Hearing and eventual passage.

After this stage of legislation of the Bill, the House is expected to consider it clause-by-clause at a Committee of the Whole before the Third and final reading.

According to the Executive Director of INGRA, the objectives of the Bill include prevention of acquisition of the dreaded HIV and its disease (AIDS) and curtailment of its spread in cases where it is already acquired.

Other major objectives of the bill are elimination of discrimination and protection of the rights and dignity of those living with or affected by the virus and or its disease.

Aliyu said that the One-day Public Hearing was organized by the House Joint Committees on Health and Justice/Judicial Matters to provide stakeholders and citizens the opportunity to make inputs and reviews into the HIV/AIDS Anti-stigma legislation.

Several Memoranda as well as oral presentations were made by the various stakeholders on issues around the Bill.

Aliyu who noted that Public Hearing remains a Constitutional requirement for all proposed legislations, said adherence to the provision as in this case was a further confirmation that the 7th Assembly in the state was well capacitated.

He said that the House of Assembly under the Speakership of Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, had capacity and was in tune with the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens especially the most vulnerable in the society.

“We wish to appreciate his democratic predisposition of ensuring that the voices of the people are heard in laws that affect them. This is what good governance should be about.

We also wish to appreciate the Chairmen of the Committees on Health and Justice for their efforts at bring about this engagement”, he said.

Present at the Pubic Hearing were the Speaker and his Deputy, Rt Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwuaba; chairmen of the House Committees on Justice and Judicial matters, and Health, Hon. Halidu Usman Adejo (APC-Idah) and Hon. Ochidi Usman Shehu, (APC-Dekina/Biraidu).

Also in attendance were representatives from HIV/AIDS Patient communities (People Living with HIV and AIDS organizations), CISHAN, AONN, KONGONET, KOSACA, Kogi Justice Ministry, Office of the Public Defender and Citizens Rights and JNI among others. (Ends)

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