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VP SHETTIMA: PRESIDENT TINUBU POSITIONING NIGERIA FOR PROSPERITY

Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration will transform Nigeria into a vibrant and prosperous nation. In a statement, Shettima said, “In a couple of years to come, I am projecting a vibrant and better Nigerian society. We are investing in healthcare and education – it is a game-changer. With education, within a generation, the son of a pauper can become a celebrated icon.” Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, quoted Shettima as saying this when he received a delegation from Big Win Philanthropy, led by its CEO, Jamie Cooper, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Nkwocha said Shettima welcomed Big Win Philanthropy’s pledge to work with the Tinubu administration, emphasizing the government’s readiness to explore partnerships that align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The Vice President highlighted the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a grassroots-driven program designed to institutionalize nutrition at the local government level, as a key driver in reversing Nigeria’s negative health indicators. Nkwocha further quoted Shettima as saying, “We are open for business. We are ready for fruitful engagements with Big Win Philanthropy because you have the deep knowledge, the institutional memory, the goodwill and the context for a partnership.” Shettima emphasized the importance of partnerships over handouts, stating, “We were at the World Economic Forum, and I told the world that I don’t believe in handouts but partnerships. We are looking for real partnerships that together, will be a win-win for the whole world.” He expressed his confidence in Nigeria’s potential, saying, “Honestly, Nigeria is not a nation of scarcity; we are a nation defined by potential, blessed with abundant natural resources but our greatest wealth lies in our people, young, dynamic and determined.” Big Win Philanthropy’s CEO, Cooper, lauded Shettima’s role in combating malnutrition and pledged to create over two million jobs in Nigeria. According to Nkwocha, Cooper said, “We are working with Ministers of Education, Culture and Creative Economy, and Health, among others, to create over two million jobs in Nigeria, we are also working on malnutrition, local production of vaccines and drugs.” The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described the visit as a mark of confidence in the direction of the country under President Tinubu’s leadership, supported by Vice President Shettima and other members of the team. Nkwocha concluded that this development signals a promising future for Nigeria’s economic and social development.

MINISTER COMMENDS DIRI’S PERFORMANCE IN HEALTH SECTOR

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali-Pate, has praised Governor Douye Diri for prioritising the health of Bayelsans. Prof. Ali-Pate gave the commendation on Tuesday while inaugurating the newly established Hemodialysis and General Out-Patient Centre at the 500-bed hospital within the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa, as part of activities marking Governor Diri’s fifth anniversary in office. The facility was established to address non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes and kidney failure. In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, stated that the Health and Social Welfare Minister noted that tackling a major health issue like non-communicable disease in Nigeria was a strong statement of commitment by the governor as it touches the lives of millions of people. Alabrah added that the minister said what the Bayelsa State government was doing in the health sector was in line with the federal government’s health policy where states invest their resources and the federal government complements that to address the needs of the people. Alabrah also stated that Prof. Ali-Pate equally commended Governor Diri for appointing a seasoned health professional as Commissioner for Health, saying Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe’s performance made the federal ministry sought his services at the national level. Governor Douye Diri, in his remarks, said his government broke the jinx by equipping the 500-bed hospital with state-of-the-art facilities and inaugurating the Hemodialysis and General Out-Patient Centre. He said the centre was conceived due to the death of his mother in 2013 from renal failure and that he desired to have such facility to treat those with similar health conditions. “I feel very fulfilled that our people will no longer die of renal failure. I feel fulfilled that we can now offer these services to Bayelsans and to Nigerians,” Governor Diri said. The governor acknowledged the immediate past governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who donated N500 million to the Bayelsa Medical University, noting that the fund had been judiciously used. He stressed that his administration does not play politics with development as the facility will not only serve Bayelsa but also other neighbouring states who have students in the university. Daniel Alabrah stated that the governor also expressed his gratitude to the former governor of Rivers State and current honourable Minister of the FCT, saying “I do not play politics with development and whoever assisted us, we will always acknowledge and recognise you publicly.” In his welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Health Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, said the centre was a leap forward in renal care and an active drive towards universal access to healthcare. Prof. Brisibe stressed that inaugurating the centre was a defining moment in the state government’s efforts to address the growing burden of kidney disease in the country and in Bayelsa. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Health Minister also inaugurated the Zipline Aerial Logistics Delivery System complex and an 800-metre concrete access road at Elebele. Present at the events were the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Chief Fred Agbedi, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Secretary to the State Government, Prof Nimibofa Ayaowei, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State, Chief Solomon Agwana, as well as top government functionaries.