Anambra State Government has launched a comprehensive training program aimed at equipping health workers across the state with essential skills in telemedicine. This was disclosed at a 2 day training held in Awka for medical personnel aimed at enhancing their ability to offer remote healthcare services.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike said the initiative designed to bridge the gap in healthcare access is part of government’s broader efforts to integrate technology into the healthcare sector. According to him, Anambra is the first state in Nigeria that introduced telemedicine in healthcare system.
He further said, “telemedicine is a game-changer. It enables healthcare professionals to reach patients who otherwise would have to travel long distances to see a doctor. This will improve patient outcomes and make healthcare more affordable.The program included hands-on sessions and real-life case studies, ensuring that participants are not only familiar with the technology but also with its practical application in patient care.
Dr. Obidike noted that all the necessary gadgets have been deployed to 326 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state with 47 Medical Doctors dedicated to the Telemedicine Centres in the 21 LGAs of the state.
He emphasised that Governor Soludo on assumption of office commissioned Telemedicine Hub in Awkuzu and promised to extend it across the state.
“As the program continues to roll out, Anambra State aims to lead in healthcare innovation in Nigeria, with telemedicine being an essential tool in addressing the growing demand for medical services amidst a shortage of healthcare infrastructure in some areas,” he maintained.
In a bid to intensifying the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination exercise in the State, the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) in collaboration with State Ministry of Health (SMOH), and Partners has held a one day Stakeholders Engagement meeting.
The meeting held in Awka had in attendance; PHC Directors, Social Mobilization Officers (SMOs), Traditional Rulers, Religious leaders, President General’s, Youths, and Women Group Leaders, Representatives of Education Ministry and ASUBEB, Representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and the Media, among other key stakeholders.
The overall aim of the meeting was review of implementation of the HPV vaccine across the state and planning for the upcoming HPV vaccine intensification.
Its specific objectives includes; sharing lessons learned from the HPV vaccine introduction, review progress/challenges and best practices for HPV vaccination in Anambra State, and engage expanded partners to garner insights and recommendations on improving HPV vaccine coverage as well as share update on the proposed targeted intensification exercise.
The Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Pharm Chisom Uchem represented by the Director Disease Control and Immunization Department, ASPHCDA, Dr Nnamdi Placid Uliagbafusi noted that the intensification exercise was being sponsored by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
She explained that the HPV vaccination was to aid curb the menace of cancer which comes with a lot of financial obligations, stress and pain to both the patients and their families.
“The Human Papilloma Virus has taken lives of many people in the country including prominent people, and this is the reason why the vaccination is important as it will aid prevent the virus from causing harm to an infected person.”
According to the ES, diseases prevention save lives, among a host of other things which includes saving from economic loss which the illness may cause.
She urged the Stakeholders to be Ambassadors and help spread the message at the grassroots as Government and Partners aim was to save lives and for the people to enjoy benefits of vaccination.
CHAI Technical Assistant, Mr Patrick Akpan explained that globally, vaccination against HPV has been proven to be a highly effective method of preventing HPV infections and subsequent cervical cancer.
“The introduction of the HPV vaccine can significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases,” he said.
He noted that in Nigeria, the Routinization of the HPV vaccine is particularly crucial due to the high burden of cervical cancer and the limitations of secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities to manage and treat advanced cancer cases effectively.
Mr Obinna Ezem, CHAI Technical Assistant, noted the Anambra HPV vaccine intensification which would commence from 3rd to 7th December 2024 was targeted at three Local Government Areas (LGAs) namely; Aguata, Idemili North and Orumba North LGAs respectively.
He noted that the essence was to improve HPV vaccination uptake in a 5-day intensification exercise, to strengthen Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) activities in the identified LGAs toward improving HPV vaccine uptake, and to vaccinate eligible girls yet to be vaccinated.
“Strategy to be used includes: leveraging fixed post and outreach programs to intensify HPV vaccine efforts, target LGAs with the highest unvaccinated adolescent girls, and engaging existing state structures for targeted mobilization,” Mr Ezem explained.
He noted the project scope to include; Anambra, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe, Kano, Nasarawa, Bauchi and Lagos States respectively.
Traditional Rulers present at the meeting were: Traditional Ruler of Uke and Paramount Traditional Ruler of Idemili North, His Royal Highness – Igwe Charles Agbala, Traditional Ruler of Ndiokpalaeze in Orumba North LGA His Royal Highness of – Eze F C Okoli, and Traditional Ruler of Uga Aguata LGA, His Royal Highness, Igwe C S Ezenwugo.
*Nnedinma is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Technical Assistant in Anambra, Mr Patrick Akpan says due to high burden of Cervical cancer disease, the Federal Government with support from Gavi and other supporting Partners introduced the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine inorder to tackle HPV infection.
This according to him was done using the Phase one and Phase two approaches.
The Phase one carried out in October 2023 had 15 States plus FCT introducing the vaccine, while Phase two was carried out in May 2024 with 21 States including Anambra introducing the HPV vaccine.
Mr Akpan who said this during an interview at the CHAI sponsored HPV Stakeholders engagement meeting held in Awka noted that while over 12 million girls had been vaccinated with HPV vaccine in the Country, over five million girls were yet to be vaccinated.
“In Anambra State, we vaccinated about 380,671 girls and we hope for more girls to be vaccinated. This is the reason the HPV vaccination has been Intergrated into the Routine Immunization (RI) schedule to make it accessible and available for girls.
“So far, we are still working hard to ensure that we align with our concept of protecting girls; a future generation while ensuring improved health outcomes,” he said.
Speaking on the HPV Stakeholders engagement meeting, the Technical Assistant noted that the essence was to enlighten key Stakeholders in the State with insight of progress made in regards to HPV vaccination in the State and Country at large.
“CHAI is an organisation committed to health systems strengthening and been part of the new vaccine introduction, supporting with technical and other support is working on how more girls could be vaccinated as over five million girls are yet to be vaccinated in the County.
“The vaccine was introduced for girls nine to 14 years of age, but from 2025 it would be for girls aged nine. This is the reason CHAI is working to have more girls vaccinated before 2025.
“We are also working to ensure that information about HPV vaccine stands the test of time, as it is all about protecting the girl child from Cervical cancer in the future.
“We are ensuring that people are properly sensitized on the HPV vaccine with advocacy to key Stakeholders so as to ensure the message gets to everyone,” Mr Akpan explained.
*Nnedinma is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
Alhassan Yahaya has been elected as the new President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), succeeding Chris Isiguzo, who completed his tenure at the Union’s 8th Triennial National Delegates Conference in Owerri, Imo State, on Nov. 27, 2024.
Yahaya, the immediate past National Deputy President of the NUJ and member of the Gombe State Council, won the election securing 436 votes, defeating Bamidele Atunbi, former Treasurer of the FCT Council who scored 97 votes while Muhammed Garba polled 39 votes.
In a historic move, Comrade Abimbola Oyetunde was elected unopposed as the Deputy National President, making her the first female to hold such office. Oyetunde, who is the General Manager of Radio Nigeria Bronze FM in Edo State, also served as a former member of the NUJ Board of Trustees.
Other unopposed officers include Comrade Victor Ndukwe, who was elected as National Treasurer. Ndukwe, the former Chairman of the Abia State Council.
The election, conducted amidst tight security, was overseen by the Electoral Committee led by Comrade Mike Ikeogwu. A total of 602 delegates from across the nation participated in the conference, marking a significant moment in the NUJ’s leadership transition.
*Ukpa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
The Commissioner for Industries, Hon. Christian Udechukwu announced that total of 46 hectares of land will be mapped out for the industrial city project.
According to him, the mapped area contain pharmaceutical parks, financial centers, and high-Tech industrial facilities.
The Commissioner announced this during defence of the ministry’s budget for the fiscal year before the Anambra State House of Assembly.
According to Udechukwu, the ministry focused on land acquisitions, surveying, and consultations in 2024.
The commissioner explained that the ministry’s budget is designed to promote economic growth and development in the state through industrialization.
He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for industries to thrive in the state.
The lawmakers commended Udechukwu for his clear and detailed presentation. They asked questions on various aspects of the budget and expressed satisfaction with the ministry’s plans and projections.
The Chairman, House Committee on Industries praised Udechukwu’s presentation, saying that the ministry’s budget is a step in the right direction.
The budget defense presentation is part of the state’s budget approval process. The lawmakers are expected to deliberate on the budget before its approval.
*Ebele and Amaka are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
The Director, Anambra State Fire Service, Engr Chiketa Chukwudi Emmanuel has expressed the readiness of his office to fight fire outbreak this harmattan season which is one of the agenda of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to ensure that fire outbreak is minimized in the state this period.
Enlightening/Sensitizing the traders of the New Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, today, Engr Chiketa made this known shortly after the weekly prayer of the market.
He said that the state government has equipped them with water, trucks, chemical compounds, explaining that they are working round the clock to ensure safety of lives and property.
While sensitizing the traders, he urged them to always off all the electrical appliances in their houses, shops, like generator, TV, Fans before closing for the day or leaving the house.
“Do not overload switches, and extension boxes to avoid melting of wires which resulted to smoke and then fire.
“Hudding of fuel in our shops, houses are dangerous, the market chairmen should monitor the cooks in the market through their security men to ensure that they off the fire well after cooking.
He also advised the market chairmen to monitor their security men to check if there is any saboteur among them because they sometimes cause the fire outbreak to rob people’s money and goods, adding that some people pay them atimes to do that against their enemies.
The Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent, Mr Kingsley Nwabueze said that his office oversees the teaching, enlightening and training of people on the prevention of fire and how to use fire extinguisher, saying that some have to buy but are ignorant of the usage.
He emphasized that we should not fight the smoke of the fire or flame but to target the fire extinguisher at the root of the fire or on the particular object that is on fire.
The Market Chairman, Oforleh Stephen Obiora, said, “they are here based on the agenda of the Governor to make sure that state is safe especially this period the market have put in place some measures before now to ensure there is no fire outbreak in the market.
He reiterated that the market has a functional overhead tank, that fire extinguisher are mounted at all the blocks in the market likewise control switches at every block which are handled by blocks chairmen, and they off it every day at the end of the day before leaving.
Oforleh also said that the market structure is superb in terms of fighting fire outbreak because it is decked, if it happens at all, it must be that particular place, no extension.
According to him, every trader in the market fills his/her tank with not more than 5 litres of fuel each day which would last for the hours of businesses, and nobody stores fuel in his tank for anything.
*Juliana is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
The Anambra Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr Don Onyenji, has urged hoteliers in the state to stay current with their tax payments as required by law, emphasizing that any hotel operating without a proper operational license is doing so illegally.
Additionally, he encouraged hotel owners to ensure their establishments meet international standards to attract patronage, especially with the construction of the Solution Fun City that will attract tourists to the state.
The Commissioner made this statement during his meeting with the executive members of the Anambra State Hotel Owners Association at the UHBET Center in Awka.
He announced that the ministry is planning to organize a workshop for the association in first week of December. “We want you to uphold standards and ensure security, by government regulations so that together we can build a livable, prosperous, and smart city,” he said.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of the Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS), Dr Greg Ezilo, emphasized the importance of hoteliers paying their taxes promptly when demand notices are issued.
He highlighted that standardizing hotels is crucial, and the government utilizes tax revenue to construct more roads, build hospitals, and undertake other significant projects.
“We, as the government, strive to maintain harmony among us. We encourage hoteliers to enhance their standards and quality, and to ensure their staff are well-trained for optimal service delivery,” he said.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vicilook, Mr Dickson Cliff Okechukwu, informed the hoteliers about the easy way to enhance customer service through their online tech platform, which also serves as a means of advertisement.
He noted that approximately 18 hotels, along with some schools and hospitals, are currently utilizing the tech platform for optimal service delivery. “Our platform will showcase the interior and exterior of your hotel to the world, attracting potential customers. Once installed, the platform will be managed by you.”
In his vote of thanks, the Vice Chairman, Anambra State Hotel Association, Mr. Taiwo Ogunsola, expressed his gratitude to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for the remarkable projects happening throughout the state. He appealed to the state government to address the issue of multiple taxation, noting that the rising costs of commodities are negatively impacting their businesses.
*Ifeyinwa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.
The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has emphasised his determination to put to use every Kobo paid as tax by Anambra people. Soludo said this at the grande finali of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) School Tax Competition (ASTC) themed: “Increasing Tax Awareness in Tomorrow’s Leaders” held on Friday at the SSG Hall, Government House, Awka
Represented by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, Soludo emphasised that as long as Anambra people pay their tax, all the money must be accounted for.
“We are already accounting for that. No student from nursery to SS 3 is paying school fees in government schools in Anambra.
“Under two years and eight months, we have employed 8, 115 teachers and none of them is going home with less than ₦70,000 every month. Where do you think we are getting the money from? It is from the tax.”
The governor also mentioned other numerous ongoing projects of his administration that are funded by tax paid by Ndi Anambra.
“At Kwata junction, we are building a brand new Solution Funcity where people will go to relax after a day’s work. Look at what tax payers money is doing at the new government house and governor’s lodge at Aroma. And before our third anniversary in March 2025, we will move from Amawbia to the proper governor’s lodge,” he said.
Soludo also mentioned numerous road projects all over the state that are being constructed with tax payers money and urged every Anambra person to pay their tax.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman/Chief Executive of AIRS, Mr Gregory Ezeilo, said that with the speed Gov. Soludo is embarking on massive infrastructure development, the Anambra Taiwan agenda was already a completed deadline.
“At AIRS, we realised this fact that it is an agenda with a completed deadline right before the time. So we also tried to be more disruptive in our innovative processes to be there when the agenda is already completed.
“So just as the governor told me to fire from all cylinders, we are firing from grassroot development cylinder and today we have leaders of tomorrow with tax consciousness,” Ezeilo said.
The Chairman praised the students for the way and composure they detailed their points in their presentations and expressed hope that what they know about tax will become indelible in their hearts.
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Mrs Amara Oyeka, who organised the competition said that the idea was to encourage the private schools to pay their tax.
According to the Chief Judge of the competition, Dr Ifeoma Obieri, out of the 12 private schools that participated in the competition, only three made it to the final.
She said that Lady Hannah International School, Awada won the competition. While the second position went to Grace Court International School, Awka and Marist Comprehensive College came third.
Also in attendance at the occasion was the Managing Director of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, Mr Chris Molokwu
*Daniel is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
Anambra State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ifeanyi Okoma has bagged the Pechilly Investigative Media Award as the Best Working Commissioner of the Year 2024.
Presenting the award to him in his office, the representative of the media organization, Amb. Karen James noted that the board of Pechilly Investigative Media Ltd, after a careful selection process, chosed Mr. Ifeanyi Okoma based on his track record of service to the state.
She said that the organization works in corroboration with World Peace Advocacy and they celebrate those who tirelessly investigate, report and promote initiative that inspire dialogue across culture and thereby creating a more peaceful world.
In his acceptance speech, the commissioner thanked the Media Organization for finding him worthy of the award. He said that the credit should be given to Gov. Charles Chukwuma Soludo who is working tirelessly to uplift the infrastructural face of the state.
Okoli is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
