Economy
Delta Sets To Sanction Health Workers Charging Pregnant Women, Under-Five Children From 2026
Delta Sets To Sanction Health Workers Charging Pregnant Women, Under-Five Children From 2026
Delta sets to sanction health workers charging pregnant women, under-five children from 2026. He said the new government policy will ensure more and better health care for the people.
Delta State government, on Tuesday, said it will sanction any officer found culpable in collecting money from pregnant women and children under- five years in any state hospitals beginning January 2026.
The director-general, Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Isaac Akpoveta, delivered the warning at a press conference in Asaba.
He said the action became necessary to checkmate doctors and health officers who subject pregnant women and children under-five years to all manners of payments before accessing healthcare from government hospitals and health centres across the state.
He said the new government policy will ensure more and better health care for the people, adding that treatment for all pregnant women from inception to delivery, including caesarian and children aged below five is free.
Mr Akpoveta said that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had instructed that all the medical doctors and Officers In-charge of the State Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) be trained on the new policy of no charges for pregnant women and the under-five -years children in all the facilities in the state.
He said that the state government under the administration of Mr Oborevwori has promised to give more to save lives, adding that maternal and child mortality has drastically dropped in the state.
He said that the state government, through the State Contributory Health Commission, has deployed Information Communication Technology (ICT) based monitoring system being the first in the country to effectively monitor the system for accountability and transparency to ensure that enrollees.
According to Mr Akpoveta, the commission has designed an award scheme to reward every facility that has performed creditably as well as sanctions for erring officers for collecting money from the enrollees of the Contributory Health insurance scheme beginning next year.
“So, as part of the state government policy to ensure effective healthcare delivery, Gov Oborevwori approved the release of over N3.5 billion for the scheme this year.
“However, to achieve Universal Health Coverage in the state, we appeal for funding support from wealthy and private individual organisations and institutions as the government alone cannot provide the healthcare needs of all the citizens.
“These private institutions and individuals can buy health insurance for the vulnerable and less privileged and the needy relatives and members of their associations, church, mosque and community for as low as N7,000 premium per year for an individual member”.
The commission’s DG said that since the establishment of the commission in January 2017 the enrolment figure has moved from 1.3 million to over 2.7 million enrollees as at December this year.
According to Mr Akpoveta, the Delta Health Insurance Scheme remained number one in Nigeria and with over 350 agents registering enrollees daily from across the nooks and cranny of the state, the number is rising daily.
“So, every three months, the commission trains doctors and health officers on the new policy of the government and particularly that treatment for pregnant women is free.
“Also, babies born in our facilities also enjoy free healthcare until they attain age five, the elderly and vulnerable persons (physically Challenged) receive free treatment”.
He said that all enrollees of the State Health Insurance Scheme were not to pay a dime to access treatment in any state facility as long as they were covered by the scheme.
He noted that the commission has deployed ICT to capture enrollees through facial identification to ensure the right persons were treated in any of its facilities for transparency and accountability.
Delta Governor Oborevwori
Mr Akpoveta said all medical bills and medications given to patients are transmitted to the commission electronically immediately from each facility. According to the DG, the commission monitors the entire process from over 530 state and private health insurance units across the state and other states in the country.
“So, in 2026, we want to ensure that we have funds to manage what we have now and to reduce to about 80 per cent of the disease burden like typhoid, malaria and those areas covered by the scheme across the state”.
In a reaction, one of the trainees,Ifeoma Ekpo, an officer in-charge of PHC in Ika North Local Government of the state, said that the training has exposed them to the new policy of government on free healthcare for pregnant women and children under- five years.
She pledged on behalf of other officers to abide by the rules and not to demand payment from the pregnant women and children under- five plus those enrolled in the health insurance scheme.
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC sets to run three Lagos–Ibadan train trips Monday. He assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos by NRC chief public relations officer, Callistus Unyimadu.
He said the additional trip was in response to high passenger turnout during the Eid-el-Fitr travel period.
“The extra trip is aimed at easing passenger movement and providing more travel options for commuters returning after the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
“Under the schedule, departures from Lagos (Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta) will be at 7.45 a.m., 1.40 p.m., and 4.00 p.m.
“From Ibadan (Obafemi Awolowo Station, Moniya), trains will depart at 8.00 a.m., 10.50 a.m., and 4.30 p.m.,” he said.
Mr Unyimadu assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.
NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
He advised travellers to arrive early, comply with ticketing and security procedures, and plan their journeys.
“The corporation appreciates the continued patronage of its services and wishes all passengers a safe and pleasant journey,” he added.
UBA, BII Sign Letter Of Intent To Explore Trade Finance Collaboration Across Africa
United Bank for Africa (UK) Limited (“UBA UK”) and British International Investment plc (“BII”), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, announced that they have signed a letter of intent to develop trade finance collaboration opportunities.
The proposed initiative aims to expand access to trade and working capital facilities for businesses operating across Africa.
Access to trade finance remains one of the most significant structural constraints on African trade. Businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are frequently unable to secure letters of credit, guarantees, and supply chain finance on commercially viable terms, limiting their capacity to export and import competitively. This trade finance gap is estimated by the African Development Bank to be over USD 80 billion annually.
To help close this gap, UBA UK, the London subsidiary of UBA Group, Africa’s Global Bank, will leverage its deep relationships across the Group’s 20-country African network to originate and structure trade finance transactions. While BII, with a mandate to support productive, sustainable, and inclusive growth across Africa, can support transactions that might otherwise fall outside conventional commercial appetite.
“The signing of this letter with BII represents a landmark moment for UBA UK and for the UBA Group’s global ambitions. As the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, UBA UK is uniquely positioned to connect African businesses with the international financial system. Working alongside BII, we can extend that capability further — mobilising capital where it matters most and helping to close the trade finance gap that holds back so much African potential,” said Lok Mishra, Chief Executive Officer, UBA UK
“British International Investment is committed to catalysing private sector growth across Africa, and trade finance is a critical enabler of that growth. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with UBA Group, whose pan-African network and deep institutional relationships can help advance our ambition to expand access to trade and working capital finance, particularly in frontier markets,” Chris Chijiuitomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa
The announcement builds on growing momentum around intra-African trade facilitated by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which entered into force in 2021 and represents one of the world’s most significant trade integration initiatives. Both institutions have identified the operationalisation of AfCFTA as a priority catalyst for a trade finance facility, with UBA UK’s network across major AfCFTA economies offering a basis for supporting businesses navigating the emerging continental market.
This also complements the UK Government’s broader engagement with African economic development, including commitments made at the UK-Africa Investment Summit, and reinforces the City of London’s role as a leading international finance centre for Africa-focused capital mobilisation.
Future cooperation remains subject to further assessment, due diligence and the completion of internal approvals by both parties.
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA (UK) LIMITED
UBA UK is the London-based subsidiary of United Bank for Africa Plc, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions with operations across 20 African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and the United Arab Emirates. UBA UK serves as the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, providing a comprehensive suite of trade finance, treasury, and correspondent banking services to institutional and corporate clients worldwide.
UBA
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA GROUP
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group-wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology.
ABOUT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT
British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor. The organisation invests in businesses in developing countries to improve people’s lives and help protect the planet. BII’s work targets the underlying causes of poverty and the climate crisis, helping countries break free from aid dependency for good.
Between 2022-2026, at least 30 per cent of BII’s total new commitments by value will be in climate finance. BII is also a founding member of the 2X Challenge which has raised over $33.6 billion to empower women’s economic development.
The company has investments in over 1,600 businesses across 66 countries and total net assets of £9.87 billion. For more information, visit: www.bii.co.uk | watch here. Follow British International Investment on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X.
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu Felicitates Muslims, Urges Renewed Unity, Patriotism
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu felicitates Muslims, urges renewed unity, patriotism. Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan.
The president urged them to renew commitment to national unity, peaceful coexistence, and service to humanity as they celebrate the festival across the country on Friday.
This is contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan, noting that the holy month teaches discipline, sacrifice, compassion, and devotion to God and humanity.
He said: “We have a lot to draw from the noble lessons of Ramadan, especially at a time like this.
“We must continue to abide by the virtues of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion beyond this period.”
The president emphasised the need for Nigerians to remain united across religious and ethnic lines, stressing that national cohesion remains vital for sustainable peace and development.
He urged Muslims to extend acts of kindness and charity to the less privileged, irrespective of religious or ethnic background, in line with the enduring values of Islam.
Mr Tinubu noted that such gestures would strengthen social bonds, promote inclusiveness, and reinforce the spirit of brotherhood that defines the Nigerian society.
The president also called on religious leaders to use the occasion to offer prayers for peace, stability, and economic prosperity across the country.
Tinubu
He expressed optimism that with collective efforts, Nigeria would overcome its challenges and achieve lasting progress for the benefit of all citizens.
Mr Tinubu wished Muslims a joyous celebration, praying that the blessings of Ramadan would bring renewed hope, strength, and guidance to individuals, families, and the nation.
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