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More funding required to end tuberculosis in Africa – Stakeholders
By Francesca Hangeior
The Global TB Caucus and partners have identified adequate funding, strengthened multi-sectoral partnerships, and coordinated actions as strategies to ending Tuberculosis in Africa.
The TB caucus and partners including the Stop TB Partnership Geneva, the Global Fund, FIND, Light Consortium, WACI Health, among others, made this known in a communique issued on Wednesday, at the end of the 2024 fifth Africa TB summit held at the National Assembly, Abuja, with support of the AIDS, TB and Malaria Control Committee, parliamentarians from 18 African countries, civil society organisations, experts, and development partners.
The 18 countries include Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Building on commitments from the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB, the summit aimed to bring parliamentarians abreast with current TB situation in the African region and review progress towards achieving the UN HLM target for TB diagnosis and treatment to be achieved by 2027.
It said the summit served as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration, foster unity across African nations, and empower parliamentarians with information to advance TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and funding, with key discussions focusing on enhancing domestic resource mobilisation, improving policies, and increasing funding for TB responses while addressing social determinants such as stigma and gender disparities.
“One of the summit’s significant outcomes was the adoption of the Abuja Statement on Financing to End TB in Africa, an outcome document of the Africa regional dialogue on financing to end TB in Africa co-organised by the Stop TB Partnership, African Union, Africa Parliamentary TB Caucus, and the Network of African Parliamentary Committees of Health representing governments, parliaments, civil society, technical partners, the private sector, and other stakeholders from 22 high TB burden countries, a landmark commitment that will be operationalised through the Global TB Caucus 2025 Roadmap for Africa.
“The meeting was brought to successful conclusion with commitments from parliamentarians to accelerate progress towards achieving the commitments of UN HLM political declaration through increased advocacy for domestic and global funding to close TB gaps, leveraging innovative funding models, strengthened multi sectoral partnerships with CSOs, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, governments, and private entities for capacity building, advocacy, and coordinated actions in the fight against TB, prioritisation of vulnerable groups and affected communities, improved investment in advanced diagnostics, Research and Development.
“These will be centered on the Global TB Caucus pillar of enhancing legislative engagement through the launch and revitalisation of national caucuses, while mobilising more MPs/colleagues at the national level to champion TB, enact supportive laws, and drive public awareness campaigns for increased TB funding and mitigate against TB stigma and discrimination,” the communique partly read.
A Member of Parliament, Kenya, and Chair of Africa TB Caucus, Stephen Mule said, “We have witnessed 10 years of impact as the Global TB Caucus. We remain committed to ensuring we end TB by 2030. We as parliaments pledge our time and political influence until the battle is won.”
A Member of Senate Bureau, Cameroon, and Africa TB Caucus co-chair (Francophone), Dr Pierre Flambeau Ngayap stated, “We congratulate Nigeria on the remarkable progress in their fight against TB. This is evident in the display of high level political will in the fight against TB in the country. The lessons learnt from this summit both from participants and experts are valuable and I hope that the knowledge gained will support us in domesticating the advocacy priorities in our respective countries.”
Adding, a Member of Parliament Namibia, and co-chair, Africa TB Caucus, Hon. Elma Dienda said, “The technological advancements in the fight against TB especially in the area of new tools, diagnostic and treatment are commendable and this goes to show that the goal to end TB is achievable.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Kidnappers have killed a Nigerian Army non-commissioned officer, Abdulfatai Odutola, over a delay in ransom payment.
Recall that Odutola, a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO), was abducted on February 15, 2025, along the Abuja-Jos highway.
He was reportedly travelling to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, at the time of the incident.
His kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N20 million for his release.
A military internal memo earlier obtained by SaharaReporters had read, “Pls information reaching me now from this sldr whisky that MWO Abdulfatai Odutola (CC 23 BDE Yola) was kidnapped yesterday along Abuja-Jos Road, while returning to Yola. He left Ilorin on Friday 14th of Feb 2025 and slept at Abuja. He continued his movement from Abuja yesterday b4 the incident happened to him.
“Currently they are demanding N20,000,0000 for his release. Pse appropriate authority should help the sldr.”
However, another internal memo revealed that the body of the senior personnel has been recovered.
“Information reaching us now from Yola is that the above MWO Abdulfatai Odutola’s body was discovered by police from Jos forest killed by his kidnappers after passing deadline for payment of 20 million naira ransom payment demanded by his kidnappers. Also his car was discovered. Kindly take action.”
SaharaReporters recently reported that Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists killed three army personnel during an attack on a military base in Borno State.
The terrorists reportedly attacked the military facility in Isige town, Gwoza Local Government Area, for several hours.
According to a source, the terrorists destroyed several buildings and stole two gun trucks during the assault.
“There was an attack recently in Borno, one Staff Sergeant with two private soldiers were killed. However, the army authorities are silent over the attack which happened at a base in Isige Town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
“They burnt one military vehicle while they went away with two gun trucks, later reinforcement came from nearby unit but then the Boko Haram fighters have left,” the source said. (SaharaReporters: Text, Excluding Headline)
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Canada’s immigration authorities have clarified that seeking asylum does not provide an automatic exemption from immigration laws.
The Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) emphasised that individuals seeking asylum must demonstrate that returning to their home country would subject them to serious harm in order to avoid deportation.
The asylum system is designed to offer protection to those fleeing threats such as torture, persecution, and inhumane treatment.
IRCC has reiterated that the asylum process is not a shortcut to entering the country.
Applicants must provide verifiable evidence of persecution and undergo multiple checks, including medical examinations, biometric data collection, and security screenings.
The statement reads, “It is a rigorous process to determine whether you have a legitimate need for refugee protection according to Canadian and international laws. Our rules-based system will determine the validity of your claim. It’s important to understand that not all claims will be accepted. If you make an asylum claim in Canada, you will need to:
Have health, criminal, security and other background checks
Get a medical exam
Provide personal and biometric (photo and fingerprints) information
Provide concrete evidence of persecution and the risks of being in your home country
Declare on your application if you are working with a representative, even if you’re not paying them
“Providing false information on your refugee claim application is considered lying, and your application may be refused.
“You’ll be removed from Canada if you don’t have a legitimate claim or are not eligible to make a claim in Canada. It can take a long time to get a final decision on your asylum claim. There’s no guarantee that you will be allowed to stay in Canada.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 5am to 5pm on Saturday 22nd February 2022 across Osun state.
The directive of the State Governor was sequel to the statewide local government elections that are scheduled to be held tomorrow across the state.
Governor Adeleke who reiterated his commitment to peace and security said the movement restriction is necessary to prevent importation of hoodlums into the state amidst local elections.
He therefore directed security agencies to enforce the restriction and only allow voters and accredited media and civil society organizations for the continued peace and security of Osun state.
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