By Peter Akpah

By Peter Akpah

Tuberculosis – Bingham university to tackle disease after securing (DFID) funded research grant worth £1M

Authorities of Bingham University has said it has secured the Department for International Development (DFID) funded research grant worth £1M to tackle tuberculosis .

This was contained in a statement signed by Daburi Misal , the Acting Director,Information and Protocol of the institution and made available to newsmen.

The statement reads that “A consortium of international, regional and national health research and policy organisations working in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and the UK are announcing a collaborative work on a new DFID-funded Research Programme to improve equitable access to tuberculosis (TB) services to reduce its spread.”

He further said that The work will also support the introduction and scale-up of new tuberculosis TB diagnostics, treatments and a vaccine as they develop to meet global targets to eradicate TB. ”

The institution explains that TB tuberculosis affects people of both sexes but the highest burden is in men with two thirds of TB transmission in Low and Middle Income Countries due to undetected and untreated men with TB. A complex mix of social, epidemiological and healthcare access challenges mean that men of all ages, along with other vulnerable groups, and particularly those living in extreme poverty, have a disproportionate burden and short and long-term consequences of TB and HIV disease. Building on available evidence, the Research Programme, Leaving no-one behInd: transforming Gendered pathways to Health for TB (LIGHT), will tackle both the root causes of –and responses to – gender-related barriers for men needing access to relevant interventions.”

According to Vice-Chancellor, Bingham University, Prof William Qurix OFR, “This grant comes at a critical time when the world is focusing on finding a solution to the ravaging Covid 19, which challenges lung health”.

He said that the The Zankli Research Centre, Bingham University team headed by Dr John S. Bimba explains that, “we are certainly prepared to explore all components of this grant in line with the contract to look at the skewed gender burden of TB and HIV, and examine it closely, dispassionately and chart a novel approach towards addressing it collaboratively with stakeholders. We are delighted to have been awarded this funding by DFID. Through payment by results, we anticipate to deploy the £1m strategically over the coming six years in Nigeria.”

Also, “Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing rapid growth in cities where TB and HIV burdens are high. They also experience high levels of poverty and inequity, and there exist substantial gender gaps in disease burden,” explains Dr Eliya Zulu, Executive Director at the African Institute for Development Policy.

The statement further reads that Professor Bertie Squire, Dean of Clinical Sciences and International Public Health at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and Research Director of the Programme said “there is increasing evidence that men have been left behind in global efforts to end the TB and HIV epidemics. They form a substantial proportion of the “missing cases” of 4 million people with TB, who are missed due to under-diagnosis, under-treatment and under-reporting. In addition to the burden this places on their health, it means that they contribute to continuing transmission, including to women and girls. It is important to now shine a light on men and boys to find gender transformational ways to address the intersection of poverty and masculinity to End the disease .

“With the COVID-19 pandemic, attention and resources are bound to shift and this will see an increased burden in other lung health diseases, leaving the already vulnerable populations worse off. The situation calls for more sustainable interventions than we have had in the past. The new Research Programme hopes to achieve sustained acceleration in the attainment of global TB goals in sub-Saharan Africa by securing changes in policy and practice toward value-for-money, gender sensitive and pro-poor TB interventions. “

By Peter Akpah

By Peter Akpah

The plateau state palliative committee has continue the distribution of palliatives and relief materials to the central zone in Bokkos local government the committee which is under chairmanship of the deputy governor Prof Sonni Gwanle Tyoden storm Bokkos and delivered some items which includes hundreds of bags of rice, maize, mattresses and many other items to help cushion the effects of the pandemic and the situations being faced as a result of the pandemic.

Bokkos, the central senatorial District on thursday got the distribution of palliative. The commitee which is setup by the Governor Simon Bako Lalong was necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic that has ravaged the nation and the world at large and the committee is mandated to reach out for the vulnerable and the poor widows, and the disability and the committee has embarked on symbolic distributions in the three senatorial zones beginning with Bassa Local Government as flag off area for the Plateau North Senatorial Zone.

Speaking during the presentation of palliatives to the chairman Bokkos and other stakeholders in the local government secretariat, Prof. Tyoden urged the people of the state to be patience over the current situation the country has found itself into adding that government was doing its best to mitigate the hardship people are facing as a result of the pandemic.

However, the chairman palliatives committee has made it categorically clear to the chairman and stakeholders the palliatives are to be focus on those that truly needed the palliative. He added that the palliative was for immediate distribution. “The palliative are for immediate distribution and the distribution must be done in all the wards and polling unit by polling unit of the local government areas within three days and must be completed within two days of which amongst the person to get must be a widow one in every polling unit and at list 5 persons should benefit from every polling unit.

Prof Tyoden also said that the committee has arranged a separate special package which is different from other palliative given to the council for the disabled which was given to them and the items was recieved unbehalf of person leaving with disabilities in Bokkos by Nanle Dumas, who also appreciated the government for considering them for the palliatives and indeed the governor has fulfill his promise to carry the disability along.

prof Tyoden also called on the Council Chairman to ensure onward judicious distribution to various wards and Polling units in order to reached those that were truly in need of the materials. In his response,

Hon. Yusuf Mahamman Macham, the executive Chairman of Bokkos Local Government appreciated the Governor Lalong administration for its concern to the people and its spirit of keeping to its promises. The Chairman further commended the doggedness of Gov. Lalong taking into cognizance proactive measures taken to tackled the COVID-19 pandemic. He promised a judicious distribution of the items without any hitch.

Committee Chairman was in accompany with the Secretary of the Committee, Dr. Sumaye Hamza, the Chairman of the distribution Committee, Hon. Ezekiel Volgap.

PLATEAU BLOGGERS & ONLINE MEDIA ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES GOV. LALONG AT 57.By Peter Akpah The Plateau Bloggers and Online Media Association is felicitating with the Executive Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG on the occasion of his 57th Birthday Anniversary.The Group prayed for more healthy years and wisdom to the Governor as he pilots the affairs of the State.The group also charged the Governor to deploy more efforts to capacity building of the citizens in order to leave behind an empowered and prosperous State at the end of his tenure.While commending the Governor for the Legacy Projects across the State, the Group admonished him to do more in terms of infrastructural development in the State.It also lauded the Governor for the proactive measures in place in the fight against the dreaded COVID-19 Pandemic in the State urging the people to support the Governor in his efforts to prevent and contain the spread of the Coronavirus by adhering strictly to all government directives.”We are specially wishing your more healthier, glorious and prosperous years of impact to the State and humanity”Mr. Alfred Makut Mashat
Secretary, Plateau Bloggers & Online Media Association

By Peter Akpah

JOS NORTH BOSS CONGRATULATE GOVERNOR LALONG AT 57.

Management Committee Chairman of Jos North Local Government Shehu Usman has felicitated with Governor Simon Lalong of plateau state on the occasion of his 57 birthday.

Usman described Governor Lalong as a formidable political force who has brought changes to the political Landscape of the Northern Nigeria.

The Chairman said the good people Jos North Local Government Area acknowledge and honour a great leader as well as a peace loving Governor whose devotion to the cause of the state and nation is legendary.

He reiterated the steadfast and commitment of Governor Lalong in the gains of his successful struggle to attain the best Economy in the North Central states thereby paving the way for socio-economic and political development of our Dear state through the economic empowerment programmes.

Usman further salute the courage Governor Lalong in the ongoing fight against COVID 19 pandemic noted that the Governor strong will to rescue the people of plateau State from the desease is accepted by all citizens.

The Chairman while identify with Governor Lalong immediate and political families in celebrating the abundant grace of God on his life.He maintain that Governor Lalong life has been an eventful one dotted by numerous achievements and accomplishments.

While wishing his Excellency a happy birthday celebration, the Chairman however pray God Almighty to continue to keep Governor Lalong in good Health, great wisdom and many more years of robust service to plateau state.

Philip Eplong, Senior Information Officer, for Chairman Jos North Local Government.

By Peter Akpah

AT 57, GOVERNOR LALONG PRAISES GOD, SAVOURS GOODWILL AND CRAVES LOW KEY CELEBRATIONS

Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Simon Bako Lalong says he is grateful to God for grace, favour, good health and divine wisdom as he marks 57 years, Tuesday, 5th May 2020.

Governor Lalong who says he has been inundated with messages of felicitations from far and near on the occasion of his birthday, gave special thanks to his family, friends, associates, the good people of Plateau State and Nigerians who have impacted his life in one way or the other over the years.

The Governor however says in the spirit of the season where the world and Plateau State in particular is waging war against a vicious enemy-COVID-19, he craves the understanding of all his family, friends, associates and well wishers to mark the day low-key in solemnity and prayers for God to intervene and stop the pandemic.

“Although my birthday evokes special feelings, I have decided that this year’s celebration be marked low key. It will make me more happy to see that we work together to defeat Corona Virus by breaking community transmission and adopting measures that make us all safer” he says

He appealed to citizens of Plateau State to continue to support the fight against the Corona Virus pandemic by strictly observing guidelines relating to the lockdown and restriction of movement, social distancing, use of face masks, sanitizers and other hygiene measures as well as reporting any suspected case for prompt action.

Governor Lalong therefore asked his friends, well wishers and associates to channel resources to fighting COVID-19, rather than in celebrating his birthday, saying he appreciates the tremendous goodwill they have already conveyed to him directly and through other channels.

He also assured the people of Plateau State that he remains more committed than ever in consolidating peace and Infrastructural development and repositioning the economy of the State towards prosperity and diversification for the good of the people who have shown him immense support.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR.
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
5th May 2020.

By Peter Akpah The Northern Governors Forum has condoled with Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State over the death of his mother-in-law, Hajiya Fatima Ibrahim Maude (Tagari), who died at the age of 72.In a condolence message, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong commiserated with Governor Masari and his second wife Hajiya Zakiyya over the demise of Hajiya Fatima.
Lalong said the Forum was saddened by the loss of Hajiya Fatima Tagari, who made significant sacrifices to train her children and inculcate into them the virtues of godliness, piety and service.
They prayed Allah to forgive her sins and grant her soul eternal rest.Similarly, the Northern Governors have commiserated with the Government and people of Nasarawa State over the death of a member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Suleiman Adamu.
The Forum’s Chairman Simon Bako Lalong in a condolence message described as sad, the demise of the law maker who devoted his life to driving quality legislations for good governance of Nasarawa State and the development of his constituency.
He commiserated with the family of the late legislator, Governor Abdullahi Sule, the Speaker Nasarawa House of Assembly and the entire people of the State for the loss, and asked them to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived a vibrant and active life serving people at the grassroots.In a related development, the Northern Governors Forum has mourned the death of the Emir of Kaura Namoda Alhaji Muhammad Ahmad Asha.
Chairman of the Forum Simon Bako Lalong expressed shock over the death of the Emir who passed away at the age of 71, describing the sad event as a great loss to the Emirate and Zamfara State.He condoled with Governor Bello Mohammed, the Zamfara Traditional Council and the Kaura Namoda Emirate over the demise of the late Emir, who made a lot of contributions towards peace as well as made intellectual contributions to the development of the country during his days as an accountant and auditor.
The Forum prayed God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss and grant his soul eternal rest.Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
4th May 2020.

By Peter Akpah

57th Hearty cheers to a legend

Happy birthday

On behalf of myself, the staff and indeed the beneficiaries of Social Investment Programmes In Plateau State,
I wish to felicitate with the executive Governor of plateau state ; His Excellency Rt. Hon. Simon Bako lalong on the occasion of his 57th Birthday celebration. We join you to thank God for His continues favour.

I congratulate you for the wisdom to develop strategies that ensure impact on the good people of the state.

Your proactive steps to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic is appreciated.
I specifically appreciate your continous support to the social investment programme in plateau. Your efforts has made us to record numerous successes.

We wish you many more useful years ahead.

Congratulations Visionary Leader!

Long live His excellency Simon Bako lalong
Long live Pleateu State!!
Stay safe
Signed:

Dr. Sumaye Hamza
Executive Assistant To Governor /Focal person(SIP)