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Why we’re investing so much in healthcare- Gov Mbah

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Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah
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…Says Enugu to construct 260 PHCs, do more on universal health insurance coverage

…As UNICEF commends Mbah’s commitment to health, nutrition, pledges support

Governor of Enugu of State, Dr. Peter Mbah, says his administration has prioritised healthcare delivery, as it understands the import of a healthy population and healthy workforce.

Mbah, who said that the administration was in the process of constructing 260 primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in all the electoral wards and also ensure that every local government area got at least one world class secondary health facility, vowed that his administration would not relent until every child, mother, the elderly and Enugu citizen has access to better healthcare.

This was even as UNICEF commended the Governor Mbah administration’s commitment to healthcare and nutrition.

Mbah stated this at the weekend during an inspection tour of a primary health centre at Ogononoeji Ndiuno, Akpugo, Nkanu West LGA, where he also interacted with health workers and community leaders towards primary healthcare improvement.

“Healthcare is at the core of what we do in Enugu State. Indeed, outside education in our social services sector, the next sector that is taking the largest part of our 2024 budget is healthcare.

“It is so because we understand the importance of having a healthy society and indeed a healthy workforce. And in that hierarchy of healthcare, we see the primary healthcare as the most important.”

Mbah said that it was for this reason that the administration had undertaken a thorough study of the challenges in the primary healthcare space “to have reliable data to craft adequate strategy to address them”, adding that the administration had since swung into action.

“That is why, as you must have heard from the Commissioner for Health, we are going to be developing 260 world class Type-2 primary healthcare centres across the entire wards in Enugu State.

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“Our strategy in that area is that rather than spread ourselves thinly across 557 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs),, we want to focus on consolidating our resources and developing 260 world class Type-2 PHCs because we want to provide 24-hour services in each PHC so that at any time, you would have access to quality primary health care in our rural communities across the state”, he stated.

Governor Mbah also explained that the administration was already addressing the state’s poor health workforce density, while equally paying attention to secondary healthcare.

“As part of our strategies, we are upgrading our nursing schools to colleges so that we can have more intakes and have more nurses and community health extension workers trained to man our PHC facilities.

“And as we are at the same time paying attention to secondary healthcare facilities. Our objective is to ensure that each local government gets a minimum of one world class secondary healthcare facility.

“Part of our strategy is also to deploy technology. We have now started the process of capturing, in an electronic form, all the reports of those that have access to the healthcare system so that we can have an electronic health management system.”

He harped on the need to bring more Enugu citizens under the universal health insurance coverage, saying it was cheaper and reliable.

“We are also doing something in the universal health coverage. We have to begin to encourage our people to enrol. Just giving N1,000 every month would ensure that your ward has access to primary health care, which comes to N12,000 in a year. So, we need to increase awareness in this space for our people to take advantage of it because it does exist.

“So, we are going to do everything to ensure we continue to improve on our healthcare performance index; and we will not relent until we get to that point where every child, every mother, and every elderly person in this state would have access to primary health care We will not give up”, the governor concluded.

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Meanwhile, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Enugu, Juliet Chiluwe, had while commending Mbah administration’s effort at improving healthcare and nutrition also pledged the continued support of the international agency to the government.

“Your policies on healthcare and nutrition are commendable. We commend you for aspiring to make the state the best in the nation, and we are certain that with your support, we will win the leadership challenge.

“We are also impressed with the 260 proposed PHCs and UNICEF will support you”, she stated.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ESPHCDA), Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, said the administration was embarking on a massive recruitment of health workers in 2024, adding that the state has set up a seven-man committee to assess the performance of LGAs in primary healthcare delivery.

She said the agency recorded 75 per cent success on the cervical cancer vaccination campaign in October, the disease being the second major cause of death among women, while also training midwives to manage obstetrics and child delivery in rural areas.

On his part, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Emmanuel Obi, assured the women that the new PHCs would reach every rural community, saying the state was doing well in the health sector because of Governor Mbah’s leadership.

“It is amazing that Enugu is already on the map of states doing well both nationally and internationally. Everyone is interested in Enugu because of the governor’s policies programmes in the health sector,” Dr. Obi stated.

The Chairman of Nkanu West LGA, Hon Uche Ejim; and a traditional ruler, Igwe Amushi Nwodo, who spoke on behalf of the 12 Akpugo communities and other royal fathers; and a community woman leader, Mrs. Chinyere Ani, expressed satisfaction with the determination of the Mbah administration to turn around the health sector in rural communities in the state and pledged their total support.

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They pledged to secure health equipment and facilities that would be installed or built in their communities.

In attendance were the members of the House of Assembly representing Nkanu West and East constituencies, Hon. Ilo Aniagu and Hon. Okechukwu Mbah, respectively, Chairman of State ALGON and Council Chairman of Nkanu East LGA, Hon. Sydney Okechukwu Edeh, his Uzo Uwani, Isi Uzo and Enugu East counterparts, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie, Hon. Barr. Obiora Obeagu, and Hon. Livinus Anike, respectively, and the Political Adviser to the Governor, Hon. Frank Anioma.

Among the Akpugo stakeholders on hand to receive Governor Mbah were the Special Adviser to Governor on Projects, Arc. Uche Nwatu; Managing Director, Enugu State Investment Development Authority, Dr Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo; former Chairman of the Enugu State LG Pensions Board and Spokesman of Enugu State PDP Campaign Council, Barr. Nana Ogbodo; and former Commissioner for Works, Hon. Afam Nnaji.

Also present were the former Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Barr. Ray Nnaji; former Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Dr. Emeka Nwatu; former Deputy Chairman of Nkanu West LG Council, Chief John Ogbodo; former State Secretary of the PDP, Barr. Steve Oruruo, traditional rulers, among others.

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Governor’s wife sprays US dollars at wedding ceremony

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Footage of Katsina State First Lady Fatima Dikko Radda spraying dollars
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A widely circulated video on social media has stirred controversy, showing Katsina State’s First Lady, Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda, allegedly spraying U.S. dollars at an event.

The footage, primarily shared on Instagram, has sparked criticism, with many questioning the insensitivity of such an act in a state grappling with terrorism, kidnapping, poverty, and a high number of out-of-school children.

The video, which lasts one minute and nine seconds, was shared with a caption condemning the First Lady’s actions, labeling them as reckless and immoral. Given the dire socio-economic situation in Katsina, the accompanying text expressed outrage over the act.

PRNigeria, a leading Fact-Check platform in Nigeria, conducted a thorough investigation to verify the authenticity of the claims.

Footage of Katsina State First Lady Fatima Dikko Radda spraying dollars

The fact-checking process involved analysing the video and cross-referencing it with another clip showing Fatima Radda at a separate event, where she was donating ?2 million for cervical cancer screening in the state.

The analysis revealed a strong resemblance between the First Lady in both videos, confirming her presence at the wedding.

Furthermore, PRNigeria examined the background music in the controversial video, where praise singers could be heard extolling Fatima Radda in Hausa, reinforcing that the event was a family gathering.

PRNigeria performed a reverse image search using Yandex to further validate the claim and segmented the video for detailed scrutiny.

These steps confirmed that the video was indeed from a wedding that took place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Katsina.

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Additional keyword searches and independent sources corroborated these findings.

Based on extensive fact-checking, PRNigeria has verified that Katsina State’s First Lady, Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda, did spray dollars at her sibling’s wedding.

This confirmation has fueled further public discourse about the appropriateness of such actions, especially given the economic challenges faced by many citizens in the state.

The revelation has reignited debates about the display of wealth by public officials and their families, raising questions about leadership sensitivity in economically challenged regions. (By PRNigeria)

The Full Report: Fact-check: Did Katsina State’s First Lady, Fatima Radda, Spray Dollars at an Event? https://prnigeria.com/2025/02/13/katsina-first-lady-dollars/

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Anambra govt seals another church linked to Oke Ite practice in Nkpor

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The Anambra State government has taken a decisive step to combat the spread of illicit practices linked to ritualistic and fraudulent activities within religious spaces by sealing a controversial church in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area.

The church, reportedly led by Pastor Onyebuchi Okocha, has been accused of engaging in activities associated with the dangerous and illegal practice known as “Oke Ite.”

This ritual, which has been tied to fraudulent schemes and human trafficking, was allegedly being conducted under the guise of religious worship.

Oke Ite, a term that refers to a concoction created by native doctors, is believed to be a form of ritual used for money rituals and other forms of spiritual manipulation. The concoction is typically prepared using human body parts, animal remains, and a mix of powerful herbs, all of which are combined in a mud pot. The practice is rooted in the belief that such rituals have the power to summon wealth or bestow significant financial rewards upon those who partake in them.

In recent years, Oke Ite has been exposed as a fraudulent practice, where unsuspecting customers, often in search of quick wealth, fall prey to native doctors and religious leaders who promise them unimaginable riches in exchange for performing ritualistic rites. Many of these practices are said to involve human sacrifice or the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, contributing to a growing problem of human trafficking and ritual killings in parts of Nigeria.

The Anambra State government, led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has been actively working to curb the prevalence of such fraudulent practices and restore order to the state’s religious and spiritual landscape. As part of this initiative, the government responded to reports of Oke Ite being performed in the ministry of Pastor Onyebuchi Okocha, which had raised dusts in the local community.

The closure of Pastor Okocha’s ministry in Amafor village, Nkpor, followed a thorough investigation launched by the Anambra State government.

The Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, led a team of security personnel, including members of Operation Udo Ga-Achi, to the location to seal the premises.

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The government’s decision to shut down the ministry was a response to a series of public petitions and disturbing revelations that came to light regarding Pastor Okocha’s activities.

Among these was a video circulating on social media, where the pastor, also known as “Aka na Asa Uchu” (translated as “the one who does things”), openly admitted to performing Oke Ite rituals.

The video, which featured Okocha speaking candidly about his involvement in the practice, triggered public outrage and prompted the government to take immediate action.

In his address to the press, Emeakayi explained that the closure was not an act of religious persecution but rather a necessary response to the dangerous and fraudulent activities taking place in the church.

He emphasized that the state government has no intention of infringing upon the rights of individuals to practice their religion but would not tolerate any practices that promote scams, deceit, and exploitation under the guise of spirituality.

As part of the government’s response, a full forensic investigation is underway to examine the contents and potential dangers of the liquids found in the ministry.

Emeakayi stated that the government would send samples of these liquids to forensic experts to determine their composition and assess any risks they may pose to public health and safety.

One of the most concerning elements of Pastor Okocha’s practice involved the use of a body of water known as River Bethsaida.

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According to reports, the pastor had been using the river to perform rituals on individuals, which allegedly included bathing them naked.

The government has vowed to bring in environmental and health experts to examine the water and ascertain whether it poses a threat to those exposed to it. The concern over River Bethsaida stems from the possibility that the water may be contaminated with hazardous substances due to the rituals performed at the site.

While the church leader claimed that these practices were beneficial to his followers, there was no scientific evidence to support such claims. As a result, the government has made it clear that it will not tolerate any activities that put the health and well-being of the public at risk, especially when those involved are vulnerable or uninformed about the dangers.

The closure of the church has sparked mixed reactions from the local community and the wider public. Many residents of Nkpor and surrounding areas have expressed relief that the government has taken swift action to address the allegations of ritualistic practices.

Some have described the activities of Pastor Okocha as harmful, stating that they had long suspected that something was amiss but had been too afraid to speak out.

Others, however, have raised concerns about the potential negative impact on religious freedom in the region.

They argue that the state government should be cautious in its approach to policing religious practices and that the closure of the church may infringe on the rights of individuals to worship freely. They assert that there should be a clear distinction between legitimate religious practices and fraudulent activities masked as spirituality.

Nevertheless, many citizens are applauding the government’s stance against fraudulent religious practices, particularly those linked to the dangerous Oke Ite ritual. Some have called for more extensive measures to be taken to eradicate such practices, with some even urging the government to investigate other churches and ministries in the state that may be involved in similar activities.

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The sealing of the church has underscored the importance of security agencies in the fight against ritualistic practices in Anambra State.

In recent months, the government has made significant strides in addressing security concerns, especially those involving ritual killings and other forms of violent crime linked to spiritual practices.

Ken Emeakai, in his role as the Special Adviser on Community Security, has been instrumental in organizing security operations to monitor and eliminate fraudulent religious practices.

Operation Udo Ga-Achi, the task force deployed to the site, has been actively involved in ensuring that these illegal activities are promptly investigated and halted.

The government’s approach has involved a combination of law enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and community engagement to tackle the root causes of these practices.

The decision to involve forensic experts in the investigation of River Bethsaida and the liquids found at the ministry highlights the government’s commitment to using science and technology in its efforts to address spiritual and health risks. By relying on expert analysis, the government hopes to provide definitive answers about the nature of the practices and the potential dangers they pose to public health.

The sealing of Pastor Okocha’s ministry is just one of the many steps the Anambra State government plans to take in its ongoing fight against fraudulent spiritual practices and rituals. While this incident highlights the growing problem of ritualistic crime, it also serves as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to ensure that the safety and well-being of citizens are not compromised by unscrupulous individuals seeking to exploit their desperation for wealth and success.

Governor Soludo has called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to ritualistic practices. He emphasized the importance of community involvement in identifying and addressing such issues before they spiral out of control. Additionally, the government has vowed to continue its support for law enforcement agencies, ensuring that they are well-equipped and well-trained to handle the complex nature of these crimes.

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In conclusion, the sealing of Pastor Onyebuchi Okocha’s ministry in Nkpor serves as a clear message that the Anambra State government is committed to rooting out fraudulent practices that exploit vulnerable individuals under the guise of religion.

The closure of the church marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and security in religious institutions throughout the state.

Moving forward, the government will continue to monitor and investigate any further allegations of ritualistic crime to protect the people of Anambra and ensure that they are not deceived or harmed by those who seek to exploit their faith. (Geencee Blog)

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NAFDAC seizes 140 tonnes of expired drugs, uncovers warehouses in Aba

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has uncovered two warehouses stocked with expired drugs at No. 269, Sam Mbakwe Road (formerly Faulk’s Road), Aba.

This was made known in a statement shared by the agency on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

According to reports, some suspects managed to remove several cartons of expired but relabeled drugs before security reinforcements arrived.

The statement said, “#AbaUpdates Two warehouses at No. 269, Sam Mbakwe Road (formerly Faulk’s Road), Aba, stocked with expired drugs, have been uncovered.

“During the raid, it was discovered that suspects had removed some cartons of expired but relabelled drugs before security reinforcements arrived.”

In a related operation at Umumeje, Umuocheala, Osisioma LGA, NAFDAC seized 140 tonnes of expired drugs. This figure does not include additional products confiscated from drug shops at the Ariaria International Market.

During the crackdown, NAFDAC officials collected 178 drug samples, which will undergo laboratory analysis to determine their composition and potential health risks.

The statement added, ‘From the warehouse at Umumeje, Umuocheala, Osisioma LGA, 140 tonnes of expired drugs were evacuated—excluding products seized from drug shops at Ariaria International Market.

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“A total of 178 drug samples collected during the operation will undergo laboratory analysis.”

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