TheNewsGuru

Tag: 2023

  • St. Gregory’s College wins 2023 science challenge

    St. Gregory’s College wins 2023 science challenge

    St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, Lagos, has emerged as the champions of the 2023 Helmbridge Science Challenge. St. Gregory’s College defeated St. Michael’s Anglican Church College, Coker, Lagos, in a tension-soaked final match which initially saw St. Michael’s Anglican College winning the first round and looking too good to beat St. Gregory’s College. Earlier in the third-place match, Sure State School, Ogun State, trounced Government College, Eric Moore, Lagos, to clinch the third-place trophy for the first time in the school’s history.

    Started in 1982, the Helmbridge Science Challenge is an annual quiz competition among secondary schools in Lagos State. It aims not only to reward academic excellence but also to promote teamwork, critical thinking, quick thinking ability to respond under pressure, and sportsmanship among secondary school students. Additionally, the Science Challenge fosters a love for learning, encourages students to broaden their knowledge horizons, and provides a platform for talented students to showcase their intellectual prowess, which will form the superstructure for their excellence in the world.

    Thirteen secondary schools, including King’s College, Lagos; Government College, Eric Moore, Lagos; Gbaja Boys High School, Gbaja, Lagos; and St. Finbarr’s College, Yaba, Lagos, participated in this year’s Science Challenge. The modus operandi of the Science Challenge is unique and exhilarating. Each participating school forms a team comprising students with diverse knowledge in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and General Knowledge. Each school team usually consists of five members who work together to answer questions.

    The Science Challenge rounds focus on specific subjects such as mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, and general knowledge. The questions are more challenging and require a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Teams accumulate points based on correct answers. A quizmaster asks a student in the hot seat a question. If he answers correctly, he fills in a blank on the whiteboard; otherwise, the same question is thrown to his teammates to redeem him. If the teammates fail to redeem him, the same question goes to their opponents. If the opponents answer correctly, they will be awarded a bonus, which will be reflected on the board. However, if the two competing schools fail to answer the question correctly, it will be thrown to the audience. The student who correctly answers the most questions from the audience receives a special prize.

    In his short remarks before handing over the First Place Trophy to the champions, St. Gregory’s College, and other prizes to schools, the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, Otunba Bayo Adeoye, told the students that engaging in extracurricular activities such as the Science Challenge promotes well-rounded development of students. “By exploring different interests and pursuits, the students gain a broader perspective to enhance their creativity and develop diverse areas of expertise. This helps students become more versatile, adaptable, and open-minded individuals,” he said.

    In his own remarks, a Lagos-based legal practitioner and human rights activist, Ben Abraham Esquire, who also graced the occasion, stated that whether it’s captaining a sports team, participating in a debating competition, organizing a club event, or leading a community service project, extracurricular activities in schools offer students the opportunity to cultivate valuable qualities and provide them with the chance to take on leadership roles and responsibilities in the future.

    Established in 1972, Helmbridge Study Centre is a project of the Educational Co-operation Society, a non-profit trust registered in Nigeria. Helmbridge aims to complement the academic, moral, and character training that students receive at home and school. The spiritual direction at Helmbridge is entrusted to Opus Dei, a Catholic institution founded by Saint Josemaria Escriva in 1928.

  • Glitz, glamour as ‘Anikulapo’ wins big at 2023 AMVCA

    Glitz, glamour as ‘Anikulapo’ wins big at 2023 AMVCA

    It was all glitz and glamour as the ninth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) held on Saturday to honour some of the finest in the African film industry.

    The event held at the Eko Hotel Convention Hall, Victoria Island, Lagos, with media host presenter Ik Osakioduwa and South Africa’s Zozi Tunzi, Miss Universe 2019, serving as hosts.

    The first part of the main event had earlier kicked off in grand style with four red carpet hosts including Toke Makinwa,, Uti Nwachukwu, Sika Osei,  and VJ Adams.

    At exactly 7.00 p.m., the prestigious award began with a cultural presentation that thrilled the audience.

    John Ugbe, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Multichoice, reiterated the organisation’s commitment toward appreciation of artistes in the creative industry.

    “Rewarding the finest in the continent, inspiring filmmakers for bringing first-class entertainment into the homes of our viewers,”  he said.

    The movie Anikulapo, by Kunle Afolayan, started the night on a winning note, swooping five awards at this year’s event, emerging as the biggest winner.

    Out of the 16 it was nominated for, Anikulapo won in the categories: Best Indigenous Language’ (Yoruba); Best Overall Movie; Best Sound Editor (movie/TV series); Best Writer (Movie/TV series); and Best Sound Track (movie/TV series).

    ‘Best Picture Editor’ went to the Crime and Justice television series, while ‘Best Art Director’ went to Wale Adeleke for the Yoruba epic movie ‘Ageshinkole’.

    Skit maker, Bukunmi Adeaga Ilori, known as Kiekie, and Elozonam Ogbolu’s “Back from the future” won the Best Online Content of the year.

    The duo jointly won the award in the category.

    Crime and Justice won the ‘Best Television Series’, while Best Movie in West Africa went to Brotherhood, produced by Jadesola Osiberu.

    The announcement of Bimbo Ademoye’s first AMVCA win was welcomed with a loud cheer from  the audience as she got the Best Actress in Comedy, while Samuel Perry, popularly known as Broda  Shaggy, won the men’s category.

    Osas Ighodalo won Best Actress for the movie Man of God,  Tobi Bakare won the Best Actor for the movie, Brotherhood. Leaked won Best Multichoice Talent Factory.

    Mpali won the Best Mnet Telenovela while King Buga clinched the Best Mnet Unscripted Originals.

    Efe Irele won the Best Supporting Actress for 4-4-44 movie, while Abiseta Ahmed won the  Best Supporting Actor.

    Nigerian influencer, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, and former BBNaija housemate, Beauty Tukura, won the coveted title of the Best Dressed male and female category.

    Patience Ozokwo won the 2023 Industry Merit Award, for her journey and dedication in the movie industry. The award was presented by Femi Odugbemi, the Head of Judges for the award.

    Ozokwo, applauded the organisers of AMVCA for the recognition and also thanked her fans for loving her.

    A moment was taken to honour the lives of creative minds who have departed—-Sola Onayiga, Ada Ameh, Sammie Okposo, Leonard Chimezie, Osmond Gbadebo, Gbenga Richards, Johnson Davidson, and Murphy Afolabi.

    Iyanya and Tiwa Savage thrilled the audience with some of their hit songs.

  • YAPJEN appeals to state governors to access UBEG funds, invest in education

    YAPJEN appeals to state governors to access UBEG funds, invest in education

    Ambassador Timothy Nwachukwu, Executive Director, Youth Advocates For Peace Justice and Empowerment Network -YAPJEN, A Global Goals, Good governance and Human Rights Advocacy Organisation has appealed to incoming State Governors across Nigeria to prioritise the attainment of the United Nations Global Goals 4 by accessing the Universal Basic Education, (UBEC) fund and investing in critical infrastructure that will aid learning in their various states.

    Speaking to newsmen at the day one of the two days SDG University Summit organised and hosted by NILE University Abuja in partnership with Connected Development, Office of the Special Assistant to the President on SDG and The Nigeria Governors forum.

    Amb. Nwachukwu reiterated that the United Nations Global Goal 4 focuses on education and aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities all, while Target 4 and it’s indicators is envisioned that by 2030, All girls and boys will have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education while efforts must be made to build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.

    He expressed sadness that while some outgoing state governors are earmarking and approving bogus exit allowances to themselves with the connivance of thier State House of Assembly. yet, many schools in the rural areas which houses most of the poor and underprivileged children lack conducive learning classrooms, qualified teachers, potable water, sick bays, staff rooms, restrooms, among others while pupils learn in degrading and extremely harsh conditions.

    The Director revealed that data obtained from the UBEC Executive Secretary shows that Ebonyi, Anambra, Niger, Ogun, Enugu, Imo, Edo and other states had refused to access the N41.06 billion matching grant provided by the commission for the development of public primary and junior secondary schools while only N143 billion out of the N184.8 billion set aside by the commission was accessed by states between 2017 and 2020.

    Nwachukwu, bemoaned the statistics from the office of the United Nations’ Children Fund (UNICEF) which shows that over 13.2 million Nigerian children are out of school while the National Personnel Audit (NPA) report showed that up to 13 million Nigerian children lacked access to primary education due to gross infrastructure and personnel deficit in basic schools across the country.

    In the same vien, Hon. Ndife Ikechukwu Scofield, A Global Goals Advocate stated that the failure to access intervention funds by governors have continued to endanger the future of millions of Nigerian children whereas Nigeria adopted the Child’s Rights Act in 2003, giving a nod to both the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child which include access to free and compulsory basic education.

    He appealed to incoming Governors of various States across Nigeria to prioritise access to quality education, pay thier counterparts fund to access the UBEC funds lying fallow, implement child rights acts to protect and dissuade children from hawking during school hours and sessions, and deter parents and guardians from encouraging such practices which infringes on the right of the child.

  • Independence of legislature will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy -YAPJEN

    Independence of legislature will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy -YAPJEN

    Amb. Timothy Nwachukwu, the Executive Director of Youth Advocates For Peace Justice And Empowerment Network (YAPJEN), a global goals, good governance and human rights advocacy organisation, has called on Nigeria’s National Assembly members-elect to exert the independence of the legislature by electing among themselves the most competent lawmakers without corruption baggages.

    Nwachukwu while speaking in an interview with Kaftan Television, Abuja, explained that under the Nigerian constitution, there are three branches of government: the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary, while the three arms have their functions cut out for them by the constitution, saying that they exist to complement one another and are not expected to operate as standalone bodies or foes.

    “Democracy is built on the independence of the three equal arms, namely Executive, Legislature and Judiciary and hence it thrives on the principle of checks and balances. Thus, having a country that works for all requires synergy and collaboration between the Legislature and the Executive, which will ultimately bring about good governance for the country.”

    Nwachukwu observed that; “The interference and intrusion into the legislature by the executive arm of the government by earmarking and anointing a leadership for the presidency of the senate made up of 109 senators and a speaker for the House of Representatives made up of 360 elected representatives from different political parties which serves as the melting pot of Nigeria’s democracy.”

    He warned that a legislature leadership appointed by the executive arm of the government cannot checkmate the excesss of the executive or carry out its constitutionally assigned oversight function which include monitoring, reviewing scrutinizing and evaluating the performance of the executive arm of government or its agencies on a continuous basis to ensure effectiveness, efficiency and good performance.

    “Where the leadership of the legislature is appointed by the executive,such legislative arm becomes an appendage of the executive commonly referred to as rubber stamp’ parliament. Thus, its resolutions would ultimately be ignored and sometimes its summons will not be obeyed by members of the executive branch of government.”

    X-raying the outgoing 9th Assembly, Nwachukwu observed that the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives worked in partnership with the executive arm, even when their cooperation portrayed the two legislative houses as rubber stamp by approving foreign and local loans for the executive without due deligence and oversight, thus plunging the nation into a debt ridden crisis that may take decades for Nigeria to exit.

    He advised that the newly elected and re-elected lawmakers should elect a principal officers that will not pander to the whim and caprices of the executive but would rather be responsible, responsive, accountable and answerable to the generality of Nigerians whose mandate they hold in trust.

     

  • Hardship forced 48 per cent Nigerian migrants’ return –NBS 

    Hardship forced 48 per cent Nigerian migrants’ return –NBS 

    Report by the National Bureau of Statistics, (NBS) revealed that about 48 per cent of migrants have said that hardship drove them back to Nigeria.

    The statistic was contained in a report on Wednesday titled ‘Awareness and Perception of Intending and Returned Migrant on the Dangers of Irregular Migration 2022’.

    The report featured a total of 2,400 households, who were sampled from six purposive states from each geopolitical zone, namely: Anambra, Edo, Lagos, Benue, Gombe, and Kano.

    It was created to collect data and provide evidence on the awareness and perception of intending and returned migrants on the dangers of irregular migration as well as government efforts towards combating the prevalence of irregular migration in Nigeria.

    The report also contained data on house help and Almajiri. On the reason for migrants coming back to Nigeria, the report stated, “Some of the major factors that cause the return of migrants are captured in figure 5.6. Hardship accounted for 48.0 per cent as the major reason for the return of migrants, followed by deceit at 20.1 per cent, while crime was the least with 1.7 per cent.”

    The report noted that Kano state had the highest number of returnees, followed by Lagos

    “Returned migrants are persons returning to their country of origin having migrated to another country other than that of their origin or citizenship (migrants whether on short-term or long-term). These categories of people can differentiate between their earlier beliefs about their countries of destination before crossing the international borders and what they saw upon arrival.

    “Figure 5.1 shows the percentage distribution of returned migrants per state. The distribution indicates that Kano State had the highest percentage of Returnees, with 39.0 per cent, followed by Lagos state, with 20.7 per cent. Benue state had the least percentage of returned migrants with 3.9 per cent.”

    It was also noted that 24.9 per cent of them traveled for business while 22.6 per cent travelled for work.

    In addition, the report showed that about 90.9 per cent of the migrants returned voluntarily, while 5.9 per cent were forced to return, and only 3.2 per cent returned voluntarily, assisted and reintegrated into society.

    On the preferred destination of returned migrants, many of them prefer Saudi Arabia and Benin Republic.

    It was further noted that about 52.4 per cent of the returned migrants from Edo state would want to travel back despite the risk suffered during their journey. This was followed by returnees from Lagos state with 14.3 per cent.

    (more…)

  • May 29: Presidential transition committee unveils inauguration activities

    May 29: Presidential transition committee unveils inauguration activities

    The Presidential Transition Council, (PTC) has unveiled the programme of events for the inauguration of President-Elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu on May 29.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and Chairman, PTC, Mr Boss Mustapha, unveiled the programme at a World News Conference in Abuja.

    He said activities with the theme, “Nigeria: Better Together” had commenced with the world news conference.

    He said the conference was to brief Nigerians and the entire world on activities of the presidential inauguration.
    Another slated activity in the build up to May 29 according to him was Regimental Dinner in honor of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, scheduled for Tuesday, May 23.

    The SGF added that there would be a Valedictory Federal Executive Council Meeting on Wednesday, May 24.
    He said that Thursday, May 25 would be Investiture of the President-Elect and Vice-President-Elect.

    Mustapha said the president-elect would be bestowed with the National Honors of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
    He also said the vice-president-elect, Sen. Kashim Shettima, would be honoured with the Grand Commander of Order of the Niger, GCON.
    He said that there would be “Handover of Transition Documents”, all on same day.
    According to the PTC chairman, there will be public lecture and Jumaat Prayer on May 26 and inauguration lecture on Saturday, May 27.
    He said that the topic of the lecture was” Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development”, which would be delivered by former Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta.
    Mustapha said there would be a programme to mark Children’s Day on May 27.
    He also said there would be an Inter-denominational Church Service on Sunday, May 28, while the Inauguration Parade and Swearing-In, which is the grand finale would hold on Monday, May 29.
    He added that there would be a Post Inauguration Luncheon for Presidents, Heads of Government and other invited guests on same day.
    Mustapha said all events would be broadcast live on major television and radio stations and streamed on various social media platforms.
    “So far, invitations have been sent to the Presidents and Heads of Government as well as Heads of International Organisations.
    “We are also glad to report that many of these invitees have confirmed attendance in person.
    “This event is historic for our nation and I enjoin every one to embrace this moment as proud Nigerians.
    “It is a moment made for togetherness, unity, peace and progress,”he said.
    Mustapha said that May 29 would mark the 7th consecutive democratic transition of power in Nigeria.
    He added that it would usher in the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
    “The upcoming event is historically significant to this great nation and the international community, particularly Africa.
    “This is because of the democratic values and lessons in nationhood.
    “For these reasons, we have chosen, ‘NIGERIA: Better Together’, as the theme for the 2023 transition,” he said.
    The PTC chairman assured the global community of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to seamless transfer of power.
    “In demonstration of this commitment, the President has directed all relevant government institutions to cooperate with and support the transition process through engagement with the President-Elect’s team.
    “The president also approved inclusion of PTC team as part of the Federal Government delegation to the World Bank and International Monetry Fund, IMF, Spring meetings in Washington in April,”he said.
    On responsibility of PTC, Mustapha said three main committees were established to carry out different roles.
    He said the committees were the – Inauguration Committee; under the Chairmanship of the SGF and the Transition Documents Committee; under the Chairmanship of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
    Mustapha said that the third Committee was that of Security, Facilities and Intelligence under the Chairmanship of the National Security Adviser to the President, retired Maj.- General Babagana Monguno.
    Mustapha assured of adequate security throughout the inauguration.
    The conference was attended by Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and a representative of the president-elect, Mr James Faleke.
    Other dignataries in attendance were the National Security Adviser(NSA), federal lawmakers, permanent secretaries, members of Civil Society Organisations, CSO, the media among others.

  • NPC spends N200bn for 2023 census preparation

    NPC spends N200bn for 2023 census preparation

    The National Population Commission (NPC) says it has spent about N200 billion to prepare for the 2023 population and housing census.

    This is part of the N800 billion it expected from the Federal Government as total budget, including cost of more than five years preparation.

    Its Executive Chairman, Alhaji Nasir Kwarra, made the declaration at a breakfast meeting with media executives in Abuja on Thursday.

    Kwarra said the cost of conducting digital census was high considering the procurement of equipment and data required for the exercise.

    He said the Commission recruited about one million personnel in a bid to conduct a credible and acceptable digital census.

    He reiterated its commitment to a credible and acceptable census and urged the media to sustain the tempo of publicity.

    “It is important to sustain the tempo of the preparation for the census. The focus of the Commission is to lay a foundation for future censuses,’’ he said.

    Dr Inuwa Jalingo, Census Manager, stated that the Commission worked round-the-clock to conduct a digital census.

    Jalingo said the NPC already set up a robust quality dashboard and data for a credible census.

    In his remarks, Dr. Isiaka Yahaya, Director, Public Affairs Department at the NPC, also called on the media to continue to emphasise to the public the imperatives of conducting censuses.

    Yahaya noted that advocacy and publicity were critical to making the census successful.

  • How a 29-year-old woman quit job and became full-time witch; Earns $8,500 monthly

    How a 29-year-old woman quit job and became full-time witch; Earns $8,500 monthly

    Jessica Caldwell, 29, decided to quit her job of five years when she had a “spiritual awakening” while scrolling through Instagram during one of her nail-technician shifts.

    She was working six days a week at a salon until she stumbled across a Facebook group in 2019.

    “The Facebook group was filled with posts where people explained their journeys into witchcraft,” she told SWNS. “It fascinated me, and I felt really drawn to know more.”

    Caldwell, from Swansea, Wales, said she, “purchased crystals, tarot cards and a few herbs,” but when she bought witchcraft books online, she discovered she has a talent for reading tarot cards and “fell in love with crystals.”

    “At first, I was extremely skeptical, but I was really curious,” she shared. “On my breaks at work in the salon, I’d be researching tarot cards and crystals. I became obsessed. I felt like it was a pull towards it all, it felt really natural to me.”

    Caldwell started by offering her services free of charge to family and friends, and then demand increased, and she gave readings to strangers online.

    Caldwell remembered one client that “shocked” her.

    ”I had this woman approach me for a reading, and I kept getting the name ‘Steve.’ Eventually I had to say something — which she revealed was the name of her partner,” she shared. “I was spooked but amazed by my intuition.”

    In January 2021, she set up an Instagram offering witch and tarot-card services full time — and immediately got a flood of requests.

    Caldwell selects tarot cards for her client and records her readings on a voice memo, which usually are five to 10 minutes long, charging anywhere between $5 and $75.

    “It just exploded online. Within six months, I had 16,000 followers,” she shared.

    Now, she has 24,800 followers and over 5,000 clients — exclusively on social media — and reads tarot cards for celebrities and models.

    She’s even making three times as much as she did as a beautician.

    Caldwell believes her talent has always been within her.

    “I’ve always been a witch,” she said. “I just never had the tools to utilize my power until now. Intuition is a powerful tool that I never realized I used in my daily life. Now I utilize it within my readings with complete strangers.”

    The witch admitted that her family and friends were concerned when she turned her intuition into a full-time career, but now that she’s raking in money, they’re supportive of her.

    Many of her clients ask her about love and what their partner thinks of them, putting Caldwell in a situation to “have to tell them the brutal truth.”

    “Some people just want a nice chat which can be just as helpful as a reading,” she said. ”I also give free advice on spell work and spirituality. I show people how to create protection charms. I even show them how to attract people to you.”

    She admitted that she does get a few trolls online, but all of her clients are “respectful and lovely.”

    Caldwell works 10 hours per day, getting to “pick and choose” her own hours, and works from home.

    She hopes more women will join in on the witchy lifestyle.

    “It’s really changed my life, it’s my calling. I do always encourage other women to give it a try. I’ve been on such a journey of discovery,” she said. ”A reading can discover so much about someone’s life. It’s like therapy for them. I always get people crying, saying that I’ve changed their life.”

    “Additionally, I do everything within the comfort of my own home. I don’t see myself ever going back to [the] salon,” she continued. “I wish more women and men would trust their intuition. It’s a powerful tool when used properly.”

  • US vows to help Nigeria track killers of embassy officials

    US vows to help Nigeria track killers of embassy officials

    Following the killings of four  members of the United States Embassy in  Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, the  United States Government has promised to help Nigeria apprehend the killers of its officials.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that
    the convoy was carrying 9 Nigerian nationals, five employees of the U.S. Mission and four members of the Nigeria Police Force, (NPF).

    The delegation was traveling in advance of a planned visit to a flood response project in Anambra sponsored by the American government.

    The US in  statement  issued Wednesday, quoted Secretary of State, Antony Blinken saying America doesn’t yet know the motive for the attack and if it was targeted against the Mission.

    “The assailants killed at least four members of the convoy. U.S. agencies are collaborating with Nigerian counterparts to ascertain the location and condition of victims unaccounted for.

    “We condemn in the strongest terms this attack. We will work closely with our Nigerian law enforcement colleagues in seeking to bring those responsible to justice,” Blinken promised.

    The U.S. said it has no greater priority than the safety and security of its personnel, expressing heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the attack.

    The statement further reaffirmed America’s strong commitment to the people of Nigeria to assist in the fight against violence and insecurity.

    Also, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has condemned in its totality the callous attack on a United States Consulate convoy and the killing and burning beyond recognition of seven (7) persons including US Embassy local staff and Police Mobile Force Officers, and their vehicles, as well as the likely abduction of two (2) others.

    The IGP, while expressing astonishment at the attack in a statement yesterday, described it as a clear indication of the attackers’ and/or non-state actors’ callousness and an act of wickedness to humanity, most especially to their kinsmen who have been considered to enjoy aids and palliatives from the attacked diplomats. The act is indeed evil and inhuman.

    The IGP has ordered an immediate full-scale investigation into the attacks and has charged the investigative team to ensure the culprits and their sponsors are arrested and brought to book at the earliest possible time.

  • Over 3 million Nigerians benefit from NYSC’s health rural dwellers initiative – DG

    Over 3 million Nigerians benefit from NYSC’s health rural dwellers initiative – DG

    The Director General of National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) Brigadier General Ahmed has disclosed that over 3 million Nigerians have benefited from the scheme’s health put in place some years ago.

    The DG revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja, during the flag-off of special medical outreaches under the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) organized as part of activities to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Scheme.

    He expressed that, since its establishment five decades ago, the National Youth Service Corps has remained an enduring platform for the mobilization of human and material resources for the actualization of the Nigeria of our dream.

    “Like other developing countries, Nigeria faces challenges in its health sector, but concerted efforts are being made by various stakeholders, including the NYSC, with a view to making the system more functional.

    “As a Scheme that has continued to expand its frontiers in the delivery of services to Nigerians, NYSC launched its Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme in 2014. It is a platform through which Corps medical personnel comprising Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, and Dentists, amongst others, provide free and quality health care for the people, especially the rural poor.

    “I am pleased to report that, so far, over three million Nigerians have benefitted from this initiative. The outreach being flagged-off today comes just five weeks after a similar one we conducted at the IDP Centre, Malaysia Garden, Abuja, where people came out in large numbers to receive free treatment for various medical conditions. We made other special interventions such as the administration of vaccines, sensitization of the community on HIV/AIDS prevention and sanitation, among others.

    “It is gratifying to note that Her Excellency, the First Lady, has shown more than a passing interest in the success of the HIRD. We are still relishing her benevolence in donating this high-capacity ultra-modern mobile clinic that is deployed here today. I am pleased to report that the facility, which was handed over to the Scheme a year ago, has greatly enhanced the efficiency of our health interventions.”

    He, however, pledged that the scheme will not relent in sustaining the initiative to ensure more Nigerian especially rural dwellers benefited.

    In her address the Chairman, NYSC National Governing Board Ambassador Fatima Balla Abubakar revealed that available records have shown that the programme, which is carried out every quarter of the year in all the States of the Federation and the FCT, has brought succour to over four million beneficiaries, who could not have afforded medical bills.

    “This special edition of the HIRD is organized in further demonstration of the commitment of the Scheme to putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians, and a reflection of its relevance in the trajectory of nation building.”