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#WorldHealthDay 2017: Saraki Raises Alarm Over Withdrawal of International HIV/AIDS Funding

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8 years ago

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President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Thursday called for increased global attention for HIV/AIDS funding in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, on the occasion of World Health Day 2017, Saraki, who is a medical doctor by training, stated that with the decision by major foreign donors to suspend funding for Nigeria’s HIV/AIDs programs, the fate of over 3.4million Nigerians living with the infection would remain uncertain.

“Information at our disposal reveals that significant global support for HIV/AIDs in Nigeria has been withdrawn,” the Senate President said, “In order not to jeopardize the treatment of the millions of Nigerians that are living with HIV and AIDS, at this point, government at all levels must continue to work with our international partners to identify alternative sources of funding.

“Without careful planning now, the negative impact of the funding decrease in HIV/AIDs programming is not far off. The fire brigade approach will not work on this issue, foresight, preparation and strategies must be put in place to mitigate against the potential threat to human life.

“Additionally, we must assemble a team of prominent medical professionals and eminent Nigerians both at home and abroad to create a campaign to persuade the donor community to reconsider their decision to stop HIV/AIDs funding,” he said.

The Senate President also stated that the Senate would work to ensure that there are no gaps in the HIV/AIDS funding regime.

In a similar regard, Saraki expressed optimism about the fact that the government’s external funding requests and the 2017 budget contain provisions to fund initiatives aimed at rolling back the spread of polio and cholera, which have experienced gradual resurgence in the Northern part of the country.

“With the various challenges facing Nigerian’s health infrastructure, now is not the time to retreat on HIV/AIDS. The loss of funding will create immediate stress on an already overburdened system. We can overcome the the threat, but what will be the unforeseen price.

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Society

DSS Arrests, Detains Lagos House of Assembly Members Over Obasa’s Removal As Speaker

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5 days ago

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January 30, 2025

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The last may not have been heard over the crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly as two members of the House, Hon. Lanre Afinni and Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu are currently being detained at the DSS office in the State.

 

According to an impeccable source from the House, the two are facing interrogation in connection with the removal of Hon Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker.

 

 

Obasa was removed as Speaker by the majority of the members on January 13 and replaced with the former Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.

 

 

In solidarity with their colleagues, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Mojeed Fatai with some other members of the House stormed the DSS office to secure their release.

 

 

Details later…

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Society

EFCC Arrests Ex-NHIS Boss Usman Yusuf

Published

6 days ago

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January 30, 2025

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Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

Society Reporters reports that The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest to Channels Television during a phone interview on Wednesday.

 

 

Professor Yusuf was taken into custody following a raid on his residence by EFCC operatives.

 

 

The Commission has announced that he is scheduled to be arraigned today January 30, 2025.

 

 

This arrest follows a petition submitted to the previous administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Ministry of Health, citing allegations of misconduct and fraudulent activities.

 

 

Professor Yusuf was dismissed from his position in 2019, a decision made seven months after a fact-finding panel from the Federal Ministry of Health recommended his removal due to alleged mismanagement of 919 million Naira.

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Society

Just In: APC expels Rauf Aregbesola

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7 days ago

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January 29, 2025

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, has expelled Rauf Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior and ex-Osun State Governor, over alleged anti-party activities.

 

Aregbesola, who was a two-term governor of Osun State had been having a running battle with the Osun chapter of the APC in recent times.

 

The disagreement with the APC led him into forming a factional group within the party, known as The Osun Progressive (TOP) which later mutated into the Omoluabi Caucus.

 

 

 

A letter from the APC leadership seen by newsmen on Wednesday officially confirmed Aregbesola’s expulsion.

 

The letter, titled “Allegations of Anti-Party Activities – Conveyance of State Exco Decision to You,” accused him of breaching Article 21 of the party’s constitution, which outlines disciplinary measures for members.

 

The letter read in part, “At the end of the investigation, the State Executive Committee (SEC) considered the report of the Disciplinary Committee. Having carefully reviewed the findings and recommendations, the SEC resolved to approve your immediate expulsion from the APC.

 

 

The decision was predicated on clear evidence of your actions, which undermined the unity and integrity of the party. As a result, you are no longer a member of the APC and must refrain from holding yourself out as one or acting on behalf of the party in any capacity.”

 

More details to come…..

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