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Abiodun’s free surgery initiative commences in Abeokuta, others

Published

3 months ago

February 28, 2024

The Free Surgical Intervention Programme for indigent people, initiated by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has been flagged off with surgical operations performed on patients at the State Hospitals in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, and Ilaro.

The programme which began with the registration of beneficiaries would involve major and minor surgical operations as part of the governor’s medical palliative to the people.

Speaking after witnessing the first surgery performed on a patient under the free surgery programme at the State Hospital, Ilaro, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Rotimi Ogungbe, said the programme which is the brainchild of the governor was meant to bring relief to people with medical challenges that needed a surgical operation.

The services rendered under the programme, Dr. Ogungbe highlighted include, preoperative, operative, and post-operative.

He said, “I have gone round and I have seen the people who have been operated on. What the governor has done is unprecedented in the history of this state. The free surgery programme covers all operations including orthopedics, we are doing gynecological operations, obstetrics, and others.”

The Special Adviser applauded the state government for making available medical equipment and other surgical resources, noting that medical personnel have been fully mobilised to make the programme a success.

The Coordinator in charge of the programme in Yewa Zone, Dr. Bashirudeen Oni, said surgical operations would be carried out on patients with breast lumps, hernia, fibroid, goiters, soft tissue sarcoma, lipoma, prostate enlargement, adrenalectomy, cataract, amongst others.

He said the hospital hoped to operate on about eight patients from the start and scale it up as the programme progresses.

In his contribution, the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Yusuf Abdulwahab, commended the people for turning out in large numbers to benefit from the programme, disclosing that those who were cleared were already undergoing surgical operations.

Mrs. Saidat Dopemu and Miss Ogunsiji Waidat, who were the first and second patients to be operated at the Ilaro hospital, appreciated the governor for the gesture, saying it would have been difficult to raise money if they were to pay for the operation.

Also speaking, Mr. Adisa Oladejo, whose son is to undergo a hernia operation, thanked the governor for coming up with a brilliant idea at this difficult time, calling on those with serious medical challenges but lack the wherewithal to take advantage of the programme to sort themselves out.

At the State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, the Consultant Ophthalmic surgeon, who is the Permanent Secretary and team lead of the Free Surgery Intervention, Dr. Kayode Oladeinde, said out of the many to undergo operations, six patients were successfully operated in the morning.

The Permanent Secretary who lauded the governor for the succour brought to the people, especially at this difficult time, also appreciated the governor for investing heavily in the health sector in the last five years.

Appreciating the governor for the laudable initiatives, Taiwo Ojeje and Timothy Sowale, who were operated on, said the free surgery has given them a new lease of life, pledging to contribute their quotas to the development of the state as soon as they are feat.

At the State Hospital, Ijebu Ode the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Tayo Lawal noted that everyone registered to undertake a free surgery during the program would be issued with an Ogun State Health Insurance Agency (OGSHIA) card fully paid for by Governor Abiodun.

“The OGSHIA program has been on for some time now. What it simply means is that for a card of N1,000 per month or N12,000 per year, you are entitled to about 200 ailments captured under the insurance scheme.

“Once you are above 18, you can pay. But, for a family of six, we capture them under that scheme of N12,000 per year. That is different from what we are doing now. We are just using this as a way of bringing more people into the insurance scheme because everyone registered here will be given a card which will entitle them to visit the hospital for the next one year. It’s been paid for by Governor Dapo Abiodun,” he said.

Speaking during an interview, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Adebanjo Adebukola expressed her happiness with the free surgical intervention programme that has given her the hope of having her operation done without paying a dime.

Also, Mr. Fadipe Solomon and Master Adekoya Emmanuel who both thanked Governor Abiodun for allowing them to have their surgery done without paying any amount, called on other citizens and residents of the state to partake in the free surgical intervention programme.

News

Nigeria’s money supply dropped to N92.3trn in March – CBN

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

Nigeria’s money supply dropped marginally to N92.3 trillion in March 2024 from N93.9 trillion in February.

This is according to recent data from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Experts have linked the development to CBN’s hike in interest rates.

Demand deposits increased from N26.8 trillion to N28.8 trillion, suggesting a preference among depositors for more liquid forms of money.

Similarly, currency outside banks surged from N3.4 trillion to N3.6 trillion as more Nigerians moved towards cash following the end of the apex bank’s controversial new naira note policy.

The naira has continued to depreciate against the dollar despite the CBN’s policy intervention. On Thursday, it further dipped to N1533.99 per dollar.

News

Naira appreciates against dollar, ends week on good note

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

The Naira appreciated against the dollar at the foreign exchange market barely 24 hours after depreciation.

FMDQ data showed that the N1497.33 appreciated against the dollar on Friday

This represents an N33.66 gain against the dollar compared to N1497.33 traded on Thursday.

Similarly, at the parallel market, the Naira appreciated to N1475 per dollar on Friday from N1555 on Thursday.

This showed that the Naira ended the week well after days of depreciation.

The country’s currency continued to experience instability since mid-April when it recorded months of appreciation.

Meanwhile, the Bureau De Change Operators had blamed forex scarcity for the continued depreciation of Naira.

News

Police dismiss inspector for N29.8m theft, kidnapping

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed one of its officers identified as Adabo Mohammed for criminal conspiracy and armed robbery, among others.

Mohammed, who was an Inspector, alongside five others was said to be a member of an armed robbery gang allegedly responsible for the stealing of N29.8 million from a victim in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory.

This was disclosed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement issued at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

The statement, titled, ‘Police speak tough on indiscipline, misconduct,’ noted that in a move to uphold professional standards within the Force, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, stressed the Force’s intolerance to any form of indiscipline.

The statement read partly, “In a decisive move to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity within the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has emphasised his administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of indiscipline. He stressed that the mandate of the police is to serve and protect with honour and integrity, and as such all breaches of the core values of the NPF will be met with decisive action to maintain public trust and ensure justice.

“In line with this policy, all cases reported against personnel have been creditably attended to, and justice has been done appropriately. Many of the erring officers have been sanctioned, while some cases are still at the orderly room trial level, and will soon be concluded.

“For instance, a police inspector has been dismissed from service while three others were demoted to their previous ranks following thorough investigations which confirmed their involvement in various acts of indiscipline/crime.”

Adejobi added, “One Inspector Adabo Mohammed was dismissed for the offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery/kidnapping, and corrupt practice. The dismissed officer, along with five others were members of an armed robbery gang responsible for the robbery of the sum of N29.8 million from a victim in Gwagwalada, FCT as well as the kidnap of one Ikechukwu Emmanuel Okafor in Tunga Manje, and the collection of ransom sum of N4.4m. The ex-officer has been charged to court accordingly.

“Similarly, the trio of Inspectors Osagie Efford, Semiu Agbekin, and Francis Ahuen, attached to the Special Tactical Squad (STS), have been demoted to their previous rank of Sergeant for the extortion of some motorists in Abuja. The trio intercepted an unregistered Mercedes Benz at Gwarinpa, Abuja, and forced the occupants to part with the total sum of N29.4m.

“The matter when reported by one Harrison Gwamnishu (#HarrisonBBi18) via the social media platform ‘X’, was taken up and properly investigated. While the monies have been returned to the complainants, the officers were subjected to orderly room trial in line with extant laws, and have been demoted.”

The FPRO noted that some senior officers have “been subjected to the Force Disciplinary Committee hearings” to “scrutinise and address allegations of misconduct against higher-ranking officers of the Force.”

He assured the public that “these measures are taken with the utmost seriousness and are integral to restoring and maintaining their trust. He re-emphasised that the NPF is dedicated to fostering a culture of accountability and respect within all ranks to ensure that police officers serve with integrity.”