Bauchi Government, UNICEF Sign Agreement To Boost Child Welfare

Bauchi government, UNICEF sign agreement to boost child welfare. She emphasised the need for continued support and cooperation from stakeholders.

The Bauchi State government, through the ministry of budget, economic planning, and multilateral coordination, has officially signed the 2025 work plan agreement with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The agreement aims to improve the lives of the state’s citizens, particularly children.

The signing of the 2025 workplan marks a formal commitment between the State and UNICEF to achieve shared objectives for sustainable development, ensuring a more productive and impactful year ahead.
Nuzhat Rafique, chief of field office for UNICEF Bauchi, spoke at the signing ceremony in Bauchi on Wednesday.

She explained that the agreement was aimed at enhancing development initiatives across critical sectors in the state.

UNICEF

“The work plan was developed in collaboration with relevant ministries, agencies, and stakeholders.
“The focus areas include health, education, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), nutrition, and societal and behavioural change,” Ms Rafique said.

She emphasised the need for continued support and cooperation from stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the outlined activities.
Amina Katagum, commissioner for budget, economic planning, and multilateral coordination, expressed appreciation for UNICEF’s technical and financial support, particularly for child-focused programmes.

She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting UNICEF initiatives, aiming to improve programme efficiency and address identified gaps.

Surgeon Called For Early Medical Intervention To Prevent Complications

Surgeon called for early medical intervention to prevent complications. He called on the government to improve health facilities to prevent citizens from seeking treatment abroad.

Aconsultant surgeon, Jacob Akoh, has advised patients to seek immediate medical help when diagnosed with any illness to prevent termination.

Mr Akoh gave the advice at the Bingham University’s 2nd public lecture, held at the university’s campus in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Wednesday.

The theme of the lecture is “Beyond The Operating Room: Reflections of a Surgical Career and Life of Purpose.”

As the guest lecturer and a retired Associate Professor in Europe, Mr Akoh emphasised that early medical intervention was crucial in effectively treating illnesses.

He urged people not to shy away from seeking help when faced with any symptoms, as neglecting health problems could lead to fatal consequences.
“No sickness should be taken for granted; it must be treated immediately,” Mr Akoh stated.

He also dispelled the belief that strange symptoms or illness were merely spiritual attacks, urging individuals to seek proper medical care instead of self-diagnosing or hiding symptoms.

Mr Akoh explained that the lecture was aimed at educating people, particularly in communities, on how to address health challenges and not neglect them.

He emphasised the importance of valuing one’s life and taking responsibility for seeking medical assistance when needed.

He also addressed concerns about the state of the healthcare sector in Nigeria, noting that it was underdeveloped compared to the Western world, in spite of its critical importance.

He called on the government to improve health facilities to prevent citizens from seeking treatment abroad, which negatively impacted the country’s healthcare system.

Mr Akoh shared some of his career successes, including performing multiple kidney transplants in one day, with all surgeries being successful.

However, he also highlighted challenges faced by surgeons, such as patients failing to provide accurate medical records, which could hinder effective treatment.

Surgeon Called For Early Medical Intervention

He urged patients to always provide precise health information to healthcare providers to ensure proper care and fulfilment in medical practice.

Additionally, Mr Akoh reminded medical practitioners to be mindful of their career purpose, stressing the need for active involvement in community health development.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Bingham University, Haruna Ayuba, commended Akoh for his enlightening lecture.

He acknowledged that although Akoh had spent more than 35 years as a surgeon in Europe, he returned to Nigeria to make a positive impact on society.

Mr Ayuba encouraged scholars and professionals to focus on the purpose of their careers, as it drives passion, motivation during challenges, and inspires excellence.

NRC, SEDC Into Partnership On Rail Rehabilitation In South-East

NRC, SEDC into partnership on rail rehabilitation in South-East. He underscored the priority attention the commission attached to rail development in the region.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) will play a crucial role in the federal government’s vision to rehabilitate, expand and optimise the country’s railway infrastructure.

The managing director and chief executive officer of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said this during a working visit by the leadership of SEDC to the NRC headquarters on Wednesday in Lagos.

Mr Opeifa said the visit by the SEDC managing director, Mark Okoye, and its South-West director, Adejoke Adebayo-Chukwumah, underscored the priority attention the commission attached to rail development in the region.

He noted that the NRC had historically been at the heart of Nigeria’s economic growth, tracing it back to the colonial era when the first rail lines were built to facilitate trade and commerce.

Mr Opeifa said the government was prioritising the rehabilitation and expansion of narrow gauge railway networks to enhance mobility, reduce the cost of transporting goods, and improve economic productivity.

“While Nigeria developed 3,500 kilometres of rail lines in our first 60 years post independence, the Federal Government successfully constructed over 1,000 kilometres of new or refurbished rail lines in the past decade, marking a significant milestone in railway development.

“Revitalising the railway sector will lead to a significant reduction in the cost of goods, benefiting businesses and consumers alike.

“Rehabilitation of the eastern corridor railway line will restore connectivity between key cities in the southeast and other parts of the country,” he said.

On the raging concerns on vandalism especially on the Eastern corridor, he pointed out that the railway assets were still much in use and not scrap irons.

He said the NRC was actively working to repurpose outdated infrastructure and improve service delivery.

In his remarks, Mr Okoye outlined an ambitious roadmap to transform the region into Nigeria’s preferred investment destination by 2030.

He added that the commission was prioritising railway development across five states in the South-East.

“Our goal is to develop a seamless business climate across all five states in the region. We want consistency in ease of doing business policies, laws, and investment regulations to attract both domestic and international investors.

NRC, SEDC Into Partnership On Rail

“The commission intends to establish an investment fund driven through an investment corporation to finance long-term projects, ensuring financial independence within a decade,” he said.

He said the collaboration with NRC would play a crucial role in the region’s master planning, which included multi-modal transportation systems, industrial clusters, and agro-processing zones.

Mr Okoye said successful models like Lagos State’s partnership with the NRC would serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives in the South-East.

Mr Okoye reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to fostering development partnerships and urged the NRC to consider SEDC as a key stakeholder in its future projects.

“We are here on a plucking mission to identify and maximise opportunities for regional growth,” he said.