Economy
FG Inaugurates Committee To Hold Dialogue On Power In Health Sector
FG Inaugurates Committee To Hold Dialogue On Power In Health Sector
FG inaugurates committee to hold dialogue on power in health sector. Mr Salako said experts from the health and power sectors would attend the proposed national dialogue.
The federal government is set to host a national stakeholders’ dialogue to address the challenges of huge energy costs and lack of power being faced by federal tertiary health institutions.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, announced this on Friday in Abuja during a media conference, where he also inaugurated a committee to plan and prepare for the dialogue.
Mr Salako said such a dialogue has become necessary owing to the deficits in electricity provision and huge energy costs.
He said the federal government had sought to address the challenges through various initiatives such as a 50 per cent electricity subsidy for public hospitals and the provision of solar power mini-grids in selected hospitals.
“These initiatives have, however, not been able to substantially address the challenges; thus, the need for an urgent rethinking of our traditional models of power generation and supply to hospitals.
“Indeed, the current situation requires a collaborative whole-of-government approach as we work across sectors to resolve many challenging issues that are beyond the purview of the health sector,” the minister said.
Mr Salako added that some instances of alternative energy solutions were being deployed in certain health institutions nationwide.
However, he pointed out that these efforts were neither integrated nor guided by a holistic framework, operational guidelines, or an overarching policy.
He noted that there had also been reports of fire incidents, battery malfunction, theft of critical energy infrastructure, and other operational or maintenance problems in some health institutions that had embarked on alternative energy projects.
The minister added that in all the hospitals he had visited, he instructed the medical directors to explore various public-private partnership (PPP) models and develop business cases.
Additionally, he asked them to draw up strategic plans of engagement that would attract private-sector investments.
Mr Salako said the objectives of the dialogue were to assess the existing power policy environment in relation to the urgent energy needs of tertiary health facilities and other public health facilities in Nigeria.
“This assessment would be based on lessons learned from other low-middle-income countries (LMICs).
It is also to gather field experiences of the current power situation and elicit practical recommendations and best practices.
“It would also identify alternative and sustainable solutions by exploring renewable energy options, backup power systems, and energy-efficient solutions to enhance power reliability.
“It would also build consensus on policy and regulatory frameworks, funding mechanisms, and sustainability strategy for efficient power supply to tertiary health facilities and other public health institutions in the country,” the minister said.
Mr Salako said experts from the health and power sectors would attend the proposed national dialogue.
Power In Health Sector
He added that key decisions and recommendations would be documented in the communiqué, and a collaborative plan of action would be developed to monitor the implementation of these decisions.
While inaugurating the dialogue implementation committee, he said it would work with certain terms of reference.
The committee is expected to convene the national stakeholders’ dialogue on power in the health sector and ensure the effective implementation of recommendations.
Forbes Magazine Named Dangote, Adenuga, Others Among Africa’s Richest Persons
Forbes List 2025: Dangote, Adenuga, others named among Africa’s richest persons. Other countries represented on the list include Morocco with three, while Algeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe each have one.
Forbes Magazine has named Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Femi Otedola in its 2025 list of the richest individuals in Africa.
According to the 2025 edition published on the magazine’s website on Saturday, the CEO and founder of the Dangote Group, Mr Dangote, tops the list once again for the 14th consecutive year, with an estimated net worth of $23.9 billion—up from $13.9 billion in 2024.
The report attributes the surge in his net worth to the valuation of his refinery, which opened last year in Lagos.
The Dangote Group, a multinational conglomerate, operates in various sectors of the economy, including cement, sugar, flour, salt, seasoning, pasta, beverages, real estate, and projects in oil & gas and fertiliser.
Globacom chairman, Mr. Adenuga, ranks 5th in Africa and 2nd in Nigeria with a net worth of $8.5 billion, followed by Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder and chairman of BUA Group, who ranks 6th in Africa and 3rd in Nigeria, with a net worth of $5.1 billion.
Femi Otedola, chairman of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Holdings Plc, shares the 16th position in Africa with Christoffel Wiese of South Africa, ranking 4th in Nigeria, with a net worth of $1.5 billion.
The business magazine noted that South Africa had the highest number of individuals on the list, with seven billionaires, followed by Nigeria and Egypt with four each.
Other countries represented on the list include Morocco with three, while Algeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe each have one.
Dangote
Forbes stated that the ranking was based on individuals who reside in Africa or primarily run their businesses there, with the exception of Sudanese-UK billionaire Mo Ibrahim and South African billionaire Nathan Kirsh.
“Our list tracks the wealth of African billionaires who reside in Africa or have their primary business there,” it said. “This excludes Sudanese-born billionaire Mo Ibrahim, a U.K. citizen, and South African Nathan Kirsh, who operates out of London and has his business in the U.S. and U.K.”
“Net worths were calculated using stock prices and currency exchange rates from the close of business on March 7, 2025,” it added.
CFF 2026: Nigeria To Host Commonwealth Fencing Championships
CFF 2026: Nigeria to host Commonwealth Fencing Championships. He appealed for more support from both the public and private sectors for the sport.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation (CFF) has formally awarded the hosting right for the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships to the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF) ahead of Australia.
The award followed the provisional hosting right granted to Nigeria a few months ago making her the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament.
This is contained in a letter signed and issued on Sunday by CFF president, Marie-France Dufour, and addressed to all member nations.
It was resolved by a majority decision of the Board to award the hosting right to Nigeria after reviewing the technical committee’s report.
“As most of you are no doubt aware, the CFF received bids from two prospective hosts for the upcoming 2026 CFF Senior-Veteran Championships.
“After some discussions, it was resolved, by a majority decision of the Board, to provisionally award the event to the Nigerian Fencing Federation, subject to their addressing certain shortcomings identified in their original bid.
“This additional information was submitted to the CFF Technical Committee and reviewed at their meeting on March 19.
“The committee delivered its recommendations to the Board, which was discussed at the CFF Board meeting of March 27.
“After, it was agreed, by majority decision of the Board, to formally award the 2026 CFF Senior-Veteran Championships to the Nigerian Fencing Federation,” the letter reads.
The CFF president congratulated the NFF for being named host of the championship and wished them success in all their endeavours.
An elated president of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, described the trust reposed in Nigeria as a major boost to the fortunes of fencing in the country.
He appealed for more support from both the public and private sectors for the sport.
“We made a bid for the hosting rights alongside Australia, and nobody ever gave us a chance to win.
“But after observing us host the Fencing World Cup in 2024, the CFF was convinced that we are ready to host any world-class tournament.
Commonwealth Fencing Championships
“I must acknowledge that this would not have been possible without the support of well-meaning individuals, Charter House Lagos and my board members.
“With what we have achieved in the last year, the world is now looking towards Nigeria as a nation with the potential to produce champions and host top-class events,” he said.
Mr Samuel said that the federation was humbled by the honour to host the prestigious tournament, and would start working towards hosting a befitting tournament.
“We intend to use this year’s African Senior Championships and the World Cup as tests for the Commonwealth Championships in 2026,” he said.
Samuel Ekah Hails Gov. Umo Eno On Akwa Ibom’s Readiness For Niger Delta Sports Festival
Samuel Ekah Hails Gov. Umo Eno on Akwa Ibom’s readiness for Niger Delta sports festival. Ahead of the Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on NDDC and BRACED Commission, Apostle Samuel Ekah, has commended Governor Umo Eno for his support, which has positioned the state for a smooth hosting of the Festival.
Apostle Ekah gave the commendation on Saturday, after a tour of some facilities and venues for the Sports Festival.
Describing Pastor Eno as a sports-loving Leader, the Governor’s Aide expressed satisfaction at the state of the venues and facilities inspected.
He particularly thanked Governor Eno for seeing to the proper maintenance of the facilities which he described as unprecedented.
He said the Sports Festival will further place Akwa Ibom in the national scene, especially, given the excellent sporting facilities in the state.
“I’m so impressed with level of preparation ahead of the Niger Delta Sports Festival in our state. We’ve inspected most of the venues for the different games and I’m happy with what I’ve seen.
The facilities are all in good state and I can tell you that Akwa Ibom is ready to host that Festival. That is possible, because His Excellency the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has put everything in place to prepare Akwa Ibom for a successful hosting of the event.
“The Governor himself is a leader who loves sports, so he’s doing so much to prepare the state for this very important event”, he said.
On the promise made by the Governor to reward Akwa Ibom medal winners during the Sports Festival, Apostle Ekah said; “that is a serious booster for Akwa Ibom contingents. You know the Governor is a promise keeper. The reward will be bumper, I’m sure. I’m appealing to our contingents to give their very best and ensure Akwa Ibom comes out as the winner. It won’t be bad if we host and win the game.”
Umo Eno on Sports
Apostle Ekah who appreciated the NDDC for the choice of Akwa Ibom as host for the Festival, congratulated the Managing Director of the Commission, Chief Sam Ogbuku, and the entire Governing Board, on the 25th Anniversary celebration of its establishment.
“We’re grateful to the NDDC for bringing the event to Uyo. Akwa Ibom as we know, is a very peaceful state and I know our visitors will enjoy their stay here. I’m sure they’ll find time to visit our various tourist sites, enjoy our rich delicacies and appreciate the beautiful work that our Governor is doing”, he said.
While expressing hope that the Sports Festival will help in the discovery of new talents, the SSA added that it will also foster unity amongst Niger Delta people and Nigerians at large.
Meanwhile, various sporting facilities were inspected at Ibom Hotels, Uyo Township Stadium, Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, Ultra Fit and the Basketball, Handball, Multi Court at West Itam.
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