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NACA, National Assembly Partner on Sustainability of HIV Response

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The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has partnered with the USAIDS, UNAIDS and Jhpiego for a 2-day retreat alongside the National Assembly House Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM) under the theme “Leadership for sustainability of the HIV response: The role of the Legislative”.

In her opening speech, the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Temitope Ilori assured of the agency’s determination in providing leadership to driving an accelerated decline in new HIV infections in the country.

She advocated for an integrated approach at tackling these diseases, one that will foster synergy and yield maximum health benefit.

“We are here today to continue in our efforts at targeting the eradication of HIV/AIDS by year 2030.

We are re-energised at fostering a commitment to the issues of HIV/AIDS with the legislators here present and help facilitate an efficient and sustainable response in Nigeria”, she stated.

The Country Director of UNAIDS, Dr Leopoid Zeken urged the leadership of the house to scale up efforts and help in terms of legislation for resource allocation.

He called for an increased awareness and improved accountability of resources in better management of the resources available to solving the major issues plaguing us.

He believes that the success achieved in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria will have an overbearing effect on the African continents’ success.

While also addressing the participants at the retreat, a seasoned Public Health Specialist and Country Director, Jhpiego, Oniyire Adetiloye spoke on the critical nature of the committee and believes if these three diseases are tackled heads on, it will portend a great success for the country.

He called for an integrated approach that will ensure the patients receive the best solutions to these health issues.

According to him, Jhpiego has been in the forefront of tackling HIV/AIDS and have reached millions of Nigerian women, men and children since 1978.

He noted that HIV testing services have been provided to more than 2.6 million people while more than 74,000 have been newly identified as HIV-positive and over 72,000, linked to care and treatment.

In his submission, Chairmman House Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM), Honourable Godwin Ameobi insisted that Nigeria must address gender and human rights barriers as well as domestic financing to make progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

He stated that there is still much work to be done but believes that the summit is a right step in the right direction.

He encouraged the engagement between NACA and the legislature as a progress in knowing the right responses in eliminating HIV/AIDS.

He suggested that 1% of the consolidated National funds be dedicated to manage HIV/AIDS.”Government must take the lead by providing the needed funds.

NACA must also be improved upon to become a multi-sectoral agency to fight HIV/AIDS better”, he stated.

He stated that the committee will insist that all funds must be accounted for, to ensure transparency and accountability in attaining the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration.

Ameobi called for more retreats on capacity building to help the legislators attend more events so as to keep them abreast of best global practices, while urging strict efforts against stigma and discrimination, especially in workplaces.

Participants at the retreat attended various sessions where speakers discussed National HIV response, statistics and the goals of the sustainability agenda.

Globally, about 39 million people are presently living with HIV while about 3 million are living with HIV in Nigeria , according to 2023 estimates.

4.9% of PLHIV globally and 41.6% of PLHIV in West and Central Africa are in Nigeria.

16 states in Nigeria have HIV prevalence above the national prevalence of 1.3%.

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Lagos Shuts Down YABATECH Sewage Plant Over Unauthorized Waste Discharge

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The Lagos State Government has sealed the sewage and wastewater treatment facility at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) following allegations that the institution was discharging raw, untreated sewage into the environment in violation of state environmental laws.

The enforcement action was carried out by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), operating under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, after the college reportedly ignored multiple warning letters and failed to address long-standing environmental compliance issues.

Announcing the development, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that the college’s actions constituted a serious breach of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017. The law explicitly prohibits the discharge of untreated wastewater or sewage into public drains, canals, or any part of the natural environment.

“The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has sealed off the non-functional sewage and wastewater treatment facility of Yaba College of Technology due to its illegal discharge of raw sewage into the environment,” Wahab said in a statement.

He described the situation as a major public health risk, noting that untreated human waste contributes to the contamination of water sources, the spread of waterborne diseases, and general environmental degradation. Wahab emphasized that institutions, whether public or private, are not exempt from compliance with environmental laws and standards.

“Illegal discharge of wastewater not only endangers the health of residents but also undermines our efforts to maintain a sustainable, safe, and flood-resilient Lagos. The state government has zero tolerance for environmental infractions and will continue to enforce compliance,” the commissioner said.

#ZeroToleranceLagos Campaign

The sealing of YABATECH’s facility forms part of the state’s ongoing #ZeroToleranceLagos campaign—an initiative aimed at holding individuals, businesses, and institutions accountable for environmental violations. According to the Ministry, the campaign is designed to protect public health, improve environmental quality, and reduce pollution across Lagos.

Officials from the Wastewater Management Office said they had repeatedly engaged YABATECH’s management before resorting to enforcement. Technical guidance and timelines for achieving compliance were provided, but the institution allegedly failed to take corrective action.

Broader Enforcement Actions Across Lagos

In a related development, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has continued its crackdown on environmental violators across the state. On Thursday, the agency sealed 11 establishments in the Ikorodu area for various infractions, including persistent noise pollution, improper waste disposal, and failure to obtain necessary environmental permits.

The affected businesses include bars, hotels, lounges, and industrial facilities. Among those sealed are Zero Square Bar & Lounge, Limpex Resources, Starex Poly, Skipper Nigeria Ltd, NDO Hotel & Suites, Beechwood Guest House, Embassy Lounge, and A-Star Pencil.

The enforcement operation targeted several key areas in Ikorodu, such as Agodo Gas Line, Odogunyan Industrial Layout, Ita Oluwo Junction, Haruna, Ipakodo Road, and Ebute.

LASEPA stated that the crackdown is part of a broader effort to promote environmental responsibility and ensure that all sectors adhere to the state’s environmental protection framework.

Commitment to Sustainable Development

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to creating a healthier and more livable environment for its residents. Officials say that environmental compliance is central to the state’s climate resilience agenda and a critical step toward achieving its goals for a cleaner, greener Lagos.

Commissioner Wahab urged all public institutions, private companies, and individuals to align with the state’s environmental policies, warning that non-compliance would attract strict penalties, including fines, facility closures, and potential legal action.

“Lagos is committed to enforcing all existing environmental laws. Institutions must lead by example, and no one is above the law when it comes to protecting our environment,” Wahab added.

The situation at YABATECH serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of environmental negligence and the growing resolve of the Lagos State Government to ensure strict enforcement of environmental standards across the state.

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JUST IN: Doctors in FCT Commence Indefinite Strike Over Outstanding Issues

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The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration on Monday began an indefinite strike on Monday.

This was disclosed in a communique issued by the ARD-FCT on Monday, signed by its President, Dr. George Ebong, and General-Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong.

The association had embarked on a seven-day warning strike last Monday to press home its demands, following months of unresolved negotiations with the FCTA.

Details later.

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Overworked RSUTH Resident Doctor Slump, Dies on Duty

What happened is that he was on call in the Emergency Room. Afterward, he went to the call room to rest, and it was there that he died. Unfortunately, he was the only one attending to the patients.

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Dr Oluwafemi Rotifa, a young resident doctor at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) collapsed and died after a gruelling 72-hour call duty.

Ohibaba.com reliably gathered that the deceased doctor, fondly called Femoski by colleagues, was a former President of the Port Harcourt University Medical Students’ Association, PUMSA, and was registered with the United Kingdom’s General Medical Council, awaiting placement abroad.

The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, Dr. Tope Osundara, who confirmed Rotifa’s death, said that the deceased doctor had been on continuous call duty for three days in the Emergency Room before he retreated to the call room to rest.

It was there that he slumped and later died, despite efforts to resuscitate him in the Intensive Care Unit.

“What happened is that he was on call in the Emergency Room. Afterward, he went to the call room to rest, and it was there that he died. Unfortunately, he was the only one attending to the patients.

“The overuse of manpower strained his health and led to this painful death. It was a death on duty,” Osundara lamented.

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