AFR Business

“At the end of the renovation work, the camp will be one of the best orientation camps in the country,” the commissioner said.

The Zamfara government, on Thursday, said it had spent over N460 million in the ongoing renovation of the state’s National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

The state commissioner of youths and sports development, Tasi’u Shinkafi, disclosed this in Gusau while declaring open a one-day workshop for NYSC corps member employers in the state.

The workshop’s theme was: “Evolving Strategies for Promoting a Healthy Work/Life Balance for Corps members — The role of employers.”

Mr Shinkafi noted that the ongoing camp renovation is part of the state government’s commitment to enhance the welfare and security of the corps members and the entire NYSC staff in the state

“The ongoing renovation has reached 40 per cent, the progress is being made in building additional structures in the camp.

“At the end of the renovation work, the camp will be one of the best orientation camps in the country,” the commissioner said.

According to him, the present administration in the state, under Governor Dauda Lawal, considers the NYSC scheme and corps members critical stakeholders in the development of the state.

“Since inception of the NYSC scheme, corps members have been contributing to the development of the country in various sectors of development.

“I believe this workshop will deliberate on ways forward for the proper solution towards achieving improved productivity of corps members,” he added.

Also speaking, the director of NYSC North West area office, Kaduna, Kehinde Aremu, urged employers to be aware of the challenges and pressure faced by the corps members.

Mr Aremu, represented by the deputy director, finance and accounts, NYSC North West area office, Igbudu Ugada, said corps members used to experience long working hours, unrealistic expectations and inadequate support system by their employers.

“It is imperative that the employers should provide an environment that promotes work and life balance,” he noted.

Earlier, the state NYSC coordinator, Abdulsalam Alhassan, urged the participants to utilise the workshop not only for encouraging the corps members but for the benefit of their organisations, the state and Nigeria in general.

“The theme of the workshop is timely and a welcome development considering the collaboration between productivity and motivation through essential adequate welfare for corps members,” Mr Alhassan said.

The wife of Lagos State governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, says the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine does not encourage or promote promiscuity.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu said this on Monday during the inauguration of the HPV vaccines into the Lagos State routine immunisation programme.

“HPV is a common sexually transmitted virus; an individual can get HPV by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the virus.

Almost all cervical cancer cases (99 per cent) are linked to infection with high-risk HPV.

According to Mrs Sanwo-Olu, the HPV vaccine is a powerful tool in the prevention of cervical cancer, which affects many women globally.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu noted that misinformation and misleading narratives about immunisation were promoted by some uninformed persons.

“Extensive research and rigorous testing have been conducted to ensure the safety and efficacy of this HPV vaccine with the approval of relevant regulatory bodies and reputable health organisations worldwide.

“Let us dispel the wrong notion surrounding the HPV vaccine and embrace the opportunity it presents to prevent HPV-related diseases.

“It is the duty of everybody to be vocal about the importance of this vaccination by ensuring that everyone within our sphere of influence partakes in this exercise,” she said.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu said that education and accurate information were key in empowering communities to make informed decisions about their health.

“Let us work towards a future where cervical cancer becomes a thing of the past,” she said.

She noted that the integration of the vaccine into routine immunisation schedules marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to prioritise the health and well-being of the people of the state.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu added that it was a testament to the state’s unwavering commitment to combating HPV-related diseases and protecting the future generations of Lagos citizens.

“I urge everyone here today to spread the importance of the HPV vaccine.

“Let us educate our friends, families, neighbours, and everyone about the benefits of immunisation and encourage them to take advantage of this life-saving opportunity.

“We can create a healthier and brighter future for everyone in Lagos State,” she said.

Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that in Nigeria, cervical cancer is the third most common and the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths among women aged between 15 and 44 years.

WHO stated that Nigeria recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths from cervical cancer in 2020.

The federal government, on October 24, introduced the HPV vaccine into the routine immunisation system to prevent cervical cancer among girls aged nine to 14 years.

The vaccination targets 7.7 million girls, which is said to be the largest number in a single round of HPV vaccination in the African region.

The girls would receive a single dose of the vaccine, which is highly efficacious in preventing infection with HPV types 16 and 18 which are known to cause more than 70 per cent of cervical cancers.

Lagos State is among the 16 states in Nigeria marked for the phase 1 introduction of HPV vaccine through multi-age campaign style strategies targeting girls from age nine to 14 years in schools and communities.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has earmarked N100bn to construct five flyovers and 45 roads to ease traffic in the state within the next one year.
According to the governor, the 45 roads for construction were selected across the 30 local government areas in the state as part of his infrastructure development drive.

Adeleke disclosed this while speaking in Osogbo, the state capital, on Friday, October 27, 2023, where he said the road projects and others selected for execution by his administration would be financed solely by the state government without borrowing from financial institutions.

He further disclosed that two flyovers would be constructed in Osogbo, one in Ile-Ife, one in Owode-Ede and one in Ikirun town, adding that preference would be given to local suppliers of materials and contractors for the execution.

The governor listed other projects to include the rehabilitation of 345 health centres in the 332 Wards of Osun State, phase two of portable water provision in 332 wards of Osun State, and phase two of the rehabilitation of 31 schools in the 30 mother local governments of Osun State.

Others are the dualisation of roads in Osogbo, Ede, and Ilesa.

Adeleke said, “We are getting set to key into infra-financing opportunities as long as it will not add to the financial burden of the state.

“Let me declare here that the infra plan I am about to unveil is purely state-sponsored without any loan from financial institutions. I must also add that we are hitting the ground running immediately after this launch. We are complying with all procurement laws and due process.

“Very importantly, our administration is ensuring localisation in the implementation process. Local content in terms of sourcing of materials and workforce are key to transfer skills and economically empower our people.”

Transportation Minister Said Alkali, says the Nigerian Railways will commence e-ticketing on Wednesday.

Mr Alkali made this known on Monday in Abuja during the flag-off of e-ticketing for the Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe–Warri routes.

The minister said the e-ticketing system will direct ticket sales revenue to the government’s funds.

He added the e-ticketing platform would significantly reduce the potential for corruption and revenue leakage.

“It will also help to ensure the security of our passengers and avoid racketeering.

“It is the desire of this administration to have zero tolerance for corruption. All these are aimed to benefit our citizens,” he said.

Contributing, the permanent secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, said the federal government had deepened efforts to ensure the dream of having e-ticketing platforms come to reality.

Ms Ajani explained that electronic ticketing for the standard gauge would comfortably curb racketeering capable of negatively affecting the economy.

Speaking, Fidet Okhiria, the managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), said the e-ticketing system would improve the integrity of operations in the sector.

Mr Okhiria expressed optimism that the e-ticketing platform would increase the revenue generation of the federal government.

According to him, the federal government had concessioned the Warri-Itakpe and Lagos–Ibadan routes to “Ticketing Solutions Limited” and “Global Software and Digital Solutions,” respectively for 10 years.