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FG to hold dialogue on power in health sector, inaugurates committee
The Federal Government has announced plans to convene a national stakeholders’ dialogue aimed at addressing the persistent energy challenges faced by Federal Tertiary Health Institutions. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, made this known on Friday in Abuja during a media conference, where he also inaugurated a committee to oversee preparations for the dialogue.
Salako emphasized the urgent need to tackle high energy costs and unreliable power supply in public hospitals. He noted that despite initiatives such as a 50% electricity subsidy and solar mini-grid installations in selected hospitals, these measures have not sufficiently resolved the crisis.
“The current situation requires a collaborative, whole-of-government approach as we work across sectors to resolve many challenging issues that are beyond the purview of the health sector,” Salako stated.
The minister highlighted past efforts by some health institutions to adopt alternative energy solutions. However, he pointed out that these attempts lacked a coordinated policy framework, leading to challenges such as fire outbreaks, battery malfunctions, theft, and maintenance issues.
Salako stressed that the time had come to rethink energy strategies for hospitals, urging medical directors to explore Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models and attract private sector investment in renewable energy solutions.
“We can no longer afford business as usual in the face of mounting energy bills. This is the time to be creative and innovative as we move to develop and adopt smart energy solutions,” he said.
The upcoming dialogue will assess the current power policy landscape and explore sustainable solutions, drawing from experiences in other low-middle-income countries. It will also identify practical strategies for integrating renewable energy, strengthening public-private partnerships, and ensuring efficient power supply to healthcare institutions.
Key stakeholders from the health and power sectors will participate in the event, with discussions culminating in a communiqué outlining policy recommendations and a Collaborative Plan of Action to ensure implementation.
The minister tasked the newly inaugurated dialogue implementation committee with convening the discussions, mobilizing resources, and attracting investments to ensure sustainable electrification of public healthcare facilities nationwide.
The first batch of 200 graduates from the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Center (DASAC) have refuted Governor Umo Eno’s claim that they received a monthly stipend of N20,000 during their six-month training.
The controversy erupted at the graduation ceremony held at DASAC’s base in Ikot Ada Idem, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. As Governor Eno announced that the state had financially supported the trainees, the graduates immediately rejected the claim, loudly interjecting with shouts of “No! No! No!”
In an apparent effort to defuse the situation, the governor responded, “I’m sure some of you have started receiving your alerts already, but if you are certain you haven’t, between now and Tuesday, you will all get it. If you don’t, just send me a text.”
Officials at DASAC have yet to explain why the stipends were not disbursed as promised. Meanwhile, another set of 40 trainees who self-sponsored their participation reportedly paid N250,000 each, covering accommodation, training kits, and other expenses, excluding feeding.
The graduates received vocational training in various fields, including agriculture, hospitality and lifestyle management, metal and steel fabrication, wood technology, ICT, and general entrepreneurship.
Governor Eno assured them that some would be employed in government ministries, departments, and agencies, while others would receive starter packs and seed funding to launch their businesses. However, the stipend controversy has cast doubt on the implementation of the government’s financial commitments to the program.
The Founder and General Overseer of Shiloh Word Chapel, Prophet I.O. Samuel, has advised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to focus on his health rather than politics to avert potential misfortune.
During a recent prophetic service, Prophet Samuel cautioned Wike against overexerting himself politically. He claimed to have seen a vision where Wike was being honored in Abuja, but just before receiving the recognition, two angels arrived with a stretcher and a wheelchair.
“The FCT Minister should take things slowly,” the prophet warned.
Samuel also prophesied that the ongoing political rift between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, would eventually be resolved.
“For now, Wike and Fubara are apart, but there is something that still binds them together. People should be careful not to take sides because, in the future, I see them reuniting and working in harmony,” he predicted.
While he did not specify whether the reconciliation would occur at the state or federal level, he cautioned against external interference.
“I see Fubara and Wike secretly coming together to discuss, and God will honor Fubara for it. But those interfering in their feud could later find themselves in trouble,” he added.
The prophecy comes as political tensions in Rivers State escalate, with both factions engaged in a prolonged power struggle.
Dr. Martins Oke, the lawmaker representing Igboetiti/Uzo Uwani Constituency in the House of Representatives, has dismissed a recall petition against him, describing it as an “academic exercise” based on false and misleading claims.
The petition, submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by four constituents—Chizoba Ugwuagbo, Clinton Ogbonna, Amah Sabinus, and Onyekachi Okenwa Stephen—accused Oke of non-performance, incompetence, and negligence.
However, in a statement issued by his media aide, Solomon Gwiyi, the lawmaker rejected the allegations, calling them “a tissue of lies, inaccurate reports, and deliberate misinformation.”
Gwiyi outlined Oke’s legislative and constituency initiatives, including:
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Sponsoring a bill to create Adada State in the Southeast.
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Advocating for federal intervention in completing the Adada River Dam.
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Addressing insecurity along Ukpata Road in Uzo Uwani.
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Organizing town hall meetings with community members.
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Distributing three trucks of fertilizer to over 500 farmers in August 2024.
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Providing 3,000 bags of rice to constituents during the December 2024 festive season.
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Operating a fully-equipped constituency office in Aku, Igboetiti LGA.
The media aide urged critics to verify these projects before spreading false narratives, emphasizing Dr. Oke’s commitment to effective representation and community development.
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Fubara, Wike will reconcile – Prophet Samuel
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