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We’re Addressing Healthcare Funding Gaps – Prof. Pate

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…as Reps solicit for establishment of Healthcare Trust Fund
By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate has reiterated that Nigeria’s is doing everything to address all funding and policies gaps in order to tackle the challenges in the nation’s healthcare system especially in the face of the cut in funding by the United States government.
The Minister gave the assurance during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria on Thursday.
Pate explained that though the US decision was sudden, its impact was reduced as a result of the various measures put in place earlier by the federal government through policies and interventions.
He said, “So the changes that have occurred in the landscape which brought to this conversation, particularly the adjustment in U.S. policy, certainly it’s a major shift in U.S. government policy.When we looked at it from our side, we understood that in fact it’s an opportunity for research.
“And we appreciate the contribution of the U.S. government, the billions of dollars of U.S. government and U.S. people’s resources that help, but the responsibility to provide for the country is on us immediately.
“And that while we appreciate what has happened in the past, now we have to look at how do we orient ourselves to improve and continue so that no Nigerian who is doing technical care will go without treatment for HIV, for instance, malaria or other conditions.
“This change occurred at a point when we were 18 months old. We were able to have a lot of financial support because health care was very important. So we have now found that as part of our investment plan, we have an opportunity to do this.We now have another responsibility of putting more money into the Health Sector.
“So coming to the issues of HIV and tuberculosis in Nigeria, for 20, 25 years, external parties have largely funded HIV, TB, and malaria in Nigeria.And we appreciate those contributions that they have made.Because they save lives.
“They have the laboratory capacity as well as the public health capacity.And it’s welcome.And when I mentioned external parties, this included the U.S. government through the DEFRA program, the USAID, through the malaria program.
“But there are also other bilateral partners, local health organizations, local funders and others who comprise this 10%, but those 10% largely have been outside government systems.They were contracted to external parties to deliver their assistance to Nigeria through the channels that they control”.
The Minister further stated that, prior to that the Federal Government had already initiated many programs and intereventions which have started to yield results in the healthcare sector through collaboration between the federal , State and local governments in the country.
“Most have been in place and thankfully the budget process has started and so with that understanding when this shift was announced we then went in once and did a very thorough bottom-up analysis like task force, technical government, comprising all our major agencies, NACA, Public Health, AIR program, TB program, all of the programs that are relevant to what we will take for us to fill the gap.
“We have approached multiple for HIV, for Malaria, for group reproductive health for Tuberculosis, for Nutrition and Public Health Care agencies, and to update it. So, U.S. government support was mostly heavily on HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis programs”, the minister added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Committee Chairman, Rep. Amobi Godwin Ogah said, explained that the interactive session became necessary so as to be on the same page with the ministry and to ensure that programs and projects relating to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria are implemented seamlessly without bottlenecks because of their critical importance in saving the lives of Nigerians.
He said, “My dear Coordinating Minister, we have always argued for increased domestic funding and less dependence on foreign funding for our health systems and as we are all aware of the withdrawal of financial support by the US Government towards funding for African Health systems.
“The Nigerian Government has equally risen to the occasion by allocating more resources to the fight against communicable diseases such as HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Thus, making the decision of the US Government to appear as a blessing in disguise.
“We must also commend Prof Pate and the Ministry of Health for your leadership, determination and doggedness in making a case for increased funding for the health sector to the Federal Executive Council under the prevailing circumstances, which led to the several funds that have been allocated to the health sector in recent times. This certainly will go a long way in plugging the funding gaps that the US Government decision has created”.
In an interview with journalists after the interactive session, Rep. Ogah advocated for the creation of a Healthcare SectorTrust Fund to take care of eventualities and gaps in funding.
“A lot of countries in Africa are struggling at this moment.I just came back from Tanzania on the issue of health and materials.So I think there is need.Like we have an education fund.There is a, what is it called TETFUND.
“It’s very, very important.I think looking at the challenges we are facing at the moment, we don’t want to continue facing such challenges because it happened this way today.We don’t know the way it will happen tomorrow. If not, we have a minister who is already part of the system there, it won’t be that easy for us”, he added.
Also addressing journalists afterwards, the minister of health and social welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate stated that, the lawmakers  are a very important vehicle for health advocacy for improving awareness of population.
He said that, the ministry would work more closely with the national assembly members to ensure that Nigerians domesticate, internalize ideas that will help tackle malaria, HIV and Tuberculosis in the country.
He said, “there are preventive things you can do for HIV the preventive things that you can do for tuberculosis for which our first lady senator mitchinibu is the global and regional and national TV champion.
“Our parliamentarians, can educate people to get tested, for instance, and call on other parliamentarians at the state level, state assembly members, to also go to their constituents and educate their population, whether it’s water and sanitation, whether it’s nutrition,whether it’s attending primary health care, whether it’s on immunization.
“We can activate the power of the parliamentarians because they are close to the people.And that will all help us to reach the objective which Mr President has put forward that the health of Nigerians is key to human capital accumulation and is key to the prosperity that is in this country’s future”.
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Just in: Dangote Refinery slashes petrol, diesel prices

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has announced fresh reductions in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly referred to as diesel.

Information made available to an online medium on Saturday by a source familiar with the development showed that the refinery has lowered the gantry price of petrol by N25 per litre, bringing it down from N1,275 to N1,250 per litre.

The source also disclosed that the price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) has been reduced by N100 per litre.

The product will now sell at N1,700 per litre at the gantry, down from the previous N1,800 per litre.

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The latest price reduction comes about three weeks after reports emerged that Dangote Refinery had increased the ex-gantry price of petrol.

At the time, a credible inside source disclosed that petrol continued to sell at N1,275 per litre at the refinery, hours after reports claimed that the company had raised its petrol price by N75 amid fluctuations in global crude oil prices.

Source: gistcore

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KWARA 2027: A FOOD FOR THOUGHT AND A POINT OF DECISION

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My dear people of Kwara State,
Today, I speak not merely as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), but as a concerned son of Kwara State who believes that our future can and must be better than our present. This is not an acceptance speech; it is a food for thought and a point of decision for every Kwaran who desires genuine progress, security, and prosperity.
I begin by expressing my profound gratitude to the leadership of our great party, the ADC, and to our members and supporters across the sixteen local government areas for the confidence they have reposed in me. I am humbled by this trust and fully aware of the enormous responsibility it carries.
But beyond politics lies a fundamental question: What kind of Kwara do we want to leave behind for our children and generations yet unborn?
Kwara State is uniquely blessed. By geography and history, we are the gateway between Northern and Southern Nigeria. This strategic location places us at the crossroads of commerce, agriculture, transportation, and investment. Yet, despite these natural advantages, our state has not fully harnessed its immense economic potential.
Under purposeful leadership, Kwara can become the logistics and commercial hub connecting the North and South. We can attract industries, agro-processing facilities, warehousing hubs, transport terminals, and investments that create jobs and wealth for our people. Our fertile lands can support large-scale agriculture and agro-industrial development, while our strategic location can position Kwara as one of Nigeria’s leading destinations for business and investment.
However, no economy can thrive where insecurity persists. Investors do not invest where there is fear. Farmers cannot cultivate their lands where they feel unsafe. Communities cannot prosper when criminal elements threaten lives and property.
Security, therefore, is not merely a government responsibility; it is the foundation upon which development rests.
As a scholar and practitioner in Defence and Security Studies, I possess a deep understanding of contemporary security challenges and the strategies required to address them. My academic background, combined with practical experience in public service, has equipped me with the knowledge necessary to formulate effective security policies for our state.
If entrusted with the mandate to serve, my administration will work closely with conventional security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, vigilante groups, hunters’ associations, and other community-based security outfits to establish a comprehensive security architecture that protects every corner of Kwara State.
We shall strengthen intelligence gathering at the grassroots, improve coordination among security stakeholders, support lawful community policing initiatives, deploy technology where necessary, and ensure rapid response mechanisms to emerging threats. Our goal will be clear: to restore Kwara’s reputation as one of the safest and most peaceful states in Nigeria.
Kwara was once widely known for its tranquillity, harmony, and peaceful coexistence. We must not allow criminality, banditry, kidnapping, or external threats to define our future. Together with our security agencies and local communities, we shall reclaim every space threatened by insecurity and restore confidence among our people.
The ADC remains distinct because it is built on the principles of accountability, transparency, inclusion, and people-oriented governance. We believe leadership should be measured by results and service, not by propaganda and political patronage.
My candidacy represents competence, experience, independence, and a genuine commitment to the welfare of our people. I come without the burden of political Baggage, My commitment is to the people of Kwara State and to the vision of building a state where every citizen has an opportunity to succeed.
The election before us is therefore not merely a political contest. It is a defining choice between complacency and progress, between managing challenges and solving them, between unrealized potential and shared prosperity.
I firmly believe that Kwara can become a model state in Nigeria a state where security guarantees prosperity, where agriculture drives economic growth, where industries create employment, where education empowers our youth, and where government remains accountable to the people.
This vision is achievable, but it requires courage, unity, and a collective decision to embrace a new direction.
I therefore call on all Kwarans regardless of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, or social status to reflect deeply on the future of our state. Let us rise above division and focus on competence, character, and capacity.
Let us choose leadership that understands our challenges and possesses the vision to transform them into opportunities.
Let us choose a future where Kwara’s strategic location becomes a source of wealth, where our communities are secure, where our youths are gainfully employed, and where prosperity is shared by all.
The time has come to move Kwara from potential to performance, from uncertainty to confidence, from insecurity to peace, and from promises to prosperity.
The choice is ours.
The future is ours.
The moment is now.

Hon. Zakari Mohammed
ADC Governorship Candidate, Kwara State.

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Rema finally reveals why he ended his relationship with girlfriend

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Nigerian singer Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has revealed why he ended his affairs with his ex-girlfriend, claiming that she was “quite manipulative”.

In an interview with YouTuber Korty EO, Rema said the relationship was “beautiful” but not always peaceful.

The singer lamented that sometimes when he returns home hoping to rest from the pressure of the outside world, his then girlfriend often greeted him with chaos.

He said he eventually walked away when he could no longer tolerate her excesses.

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“My romantic relationship was beautiful but a little quite manipulative. So much pressure. Knowing the world puts so much pressure on me but coming back home is where you want to feel relieved but when you come back home and you are getting more pressure, it’s a different story. For now, I’m done,” he said.

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