FEC

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the establishment of a National Snakebite Treatment and Research Centre as part of measures to strengthen healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

The council also approved N73.9 billion for the procurement of essential medical supplies and other health interventions across the country.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed this on Monday after the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Pate said Nigeria records about 43,000 snakebite cases every year. He noted that many victims either die or suffer long-term disabilities, especially in the north-east, north-west and north-central regions.

“The new centre will provide specialised treatment, undertake research on snakebite prevention and management, ensure sustainable access to quality antivenom, and collaborate with international partners,” he said.

The minister also announced that the council approved N6.9 billion for the National Blood Service Agency to purchase 10 compressed natural gas-powered mobile blood donation clinics.

According to him, the vehicles will improve blood collection and distribution across the country.

Pate further revealed that FEC approved N62 billion for the procurement of tuberculosis commodities to strengthen the country’s response to the disease.

“FEC also authorised N62 billion for tuberculosis (TB) commodities to boost response to one of the world’s highest TB burdens,” he added.

“The procurement seeks to reduce reliance on foreign donors and support eventual local production of TB medicines.

“The sum of N5 billion was also approved for the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to purchase reproductive health and family-planning commodities to improve maternal health services and expand voluntary family-planning access across the country.

“These approvals underscore the Tinubu administration’s commitment to strengthening health infrastructure, widening access to essential medicines and promoting local pharmaceutical manufacturing.”

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, chaired the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting for the year 2023 on Wednesday. 

The meeting was held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Osinbajo stood in for his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, who departed the country to Nouakchott, Mauritania, to participate in the Programme of the Third Forum of the African Conference for Peace on Monday.

In attendance are the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan; and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Dr Adeola Ipaye.

Most of the cabinet members were also physically in attendance for the first FEC meeting of the year. 

However, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi and the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Monguno were absent as they were on the President’s entourage in Nouakchott.

The President and his entourage are expected to return to the country on Wednesday.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has been on strike for four months, will call off the industrial action soon, the Federal Government assures through Minister of Labour Chris Ngige.

Dr Chris Ngige revealed this to reporters after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, met for its weekly meeting on Wednesday.

Ngige claimed that efforts were being made to settle the ongoing conflict, which was primarily brought on by payment platforms.

However, he confirmed that the Federal Government has no plans to set up an alternative funding model for institutions.

Dr Ngige was quoted to have said, “Federal Government was indeed engaging with ASUU, despite notions that it has been snubbing the union.”

The university teachers have been insisting on the use of a payment system called University Transparency and Accountability Solution, which the Federal Government opposes, showing no sign of shifting ground on the use of the initial payment platform it came up with, called Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).