~ Says Health Workers

Stakeholders set agenda for Government at USAID-IHP Learning

Stakeholders set agenda for Government at USAID-IHP Learning
Primary healthcare stakeholders in Ebonyi State have urged government at all levels in the Nigeria to look inwards more in fashioning ways of addressing problems in the sector rather than depending mainly on foreign donors and partners.

They made the call on Friday during the Second Quarter USAID- Integrated Health Programme’s Learning Agenda Session held in Abakaliki, the State Capital, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health and the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

The stakeholders observed that alterations and changes in Policy Thrusts of donor countries and partners would always affect Health Programmes in the Country, adding that some donors do not often factor relevance to local contexts in their programming.

The participants Identified high level of political interference in healthcare workers training and posting; poor documentation and inventory occasioned by the use of unqualified health officers in manning focus facilities as well as inadequate primary health workers, as some of the impediments to capacity building in health systems in the State.

Commending IHP for their proactive approach to improving health systems in the State, they called for government’s political will in addressing the anomalies.

In their separate presentations, the IHP State Technical Director, Dr. Oladipo Atimade, and the Knowledge Management Officer, Uchenna Anoke, highlighted the objectives of IHP to include integrative collaboration with key players, logistics support and capacity building to improve health systems.

They noted that IHP also work with other USAID sponsored programmes such as the Breakthrough Action-Nigeria to increase demand for Health facilities.

Anoke maintained that IHP works to ensure that development in health facilities and systems were country-led and community-owned rather than donor-driven, while ensuring that data and evidence alone, rather than speculations, inform their health programming.

He further noted that part of their mandate was to increase opportunities for greater impact through improved coordination among donors and implementers of health programmes, stressing that the Programme targets to achieve a highly functional health system in the State by 2025.

According to Anoke, IHP also works to bring all partners together for coordinated partner implementation, striving to make a difference in health systems through the concept of CLA: Collaborating, Learning and Adapting.

He emphasised that the IHP’s strategy involves openness to hearing alternative perspectives, willingness to take action on new ideas, relationships and networking, Management Learning, knowledge sharing with stakeholders and proper documentation.

While expressing optimism that the anomalies presently bedeviling the primary healthcare sector in the State, including prolonged non employment of health workers by the government would soon expire, he assured that high level engagements have been initiated by the IHP to address them all.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Ogonna Odii Okoro, in her remarks, expressed confidence that the approach of the USAID-IHP towards improving health systems would produce long term laudable results.

Okoro admonished health workers not to be deterred by the current challenges they meet in their places of work and appealed to the State Government to recruit health and allied workers for the Primary Health Centres across the State to boost their operation.

In attendance at the meeting were Health officers in charge of IHP focus facilities in Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Izzi, Ohaukwu, among others.

There were also representatives of the Ministries of Health and Women Affairs, State Health Insurance Agency, and selected partner NGOs/ Civil Society Organisations.

Warn against unholy alliance with factions

The leadership and stakeholders of Kula kingdom in Akuku-Toru Local government area of Rivers state have in a press statement issued today, 8th September, 2020 raised alarm of SPDC (shell petroleum development company) forming alliance with some members of the community, to delay and frustrate the process of peaceful reopening of the OML-25 flow station located in the area.

The statement refers to moments of crisis and face off between SPDC and the host communities to OML-25,wherein the minister of state on petroleum resources, chief Timipri Sylva and the general manager director (GMD) of NNPC intervened and brought about the peace, that signalled a new beginning for the communities and SPDC in October, 2019.

The chiefs and leadership of the host communities have in the press release expressed their confidence in the peace brokered by the federal government, but have some fears of Shell petroleum development company failing to follow the terms of agreement. They alleged that SPDC had started raising and arming a faction of the community, which they described as ”counter renegade group” ready to scuttle the entire process. They also accused SPDC of refusing to follow terms of settlement, which plunged the people into confusion, and could lead to crisis in the community.

According to the statement, the people leaders and stakeholders of Kula kingdom have called on security and relevant agencies to call on SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (spdc) to stop further fractionalization of the community, and focus on concluding the ongoing discussion of federal government and Belemaoil over the community concerns in the reopening of OML-25 flow station.

In towns and village communities in Nigeria.

The COMMUNITY ANTI- GRAFT INITIATIVE (C.A-G.I.) is non – governmental organisation established to bring together, the traditional institutions, communities and corporate bodies, to campaign against corruption in the grassroots

As part of activities marking her annual celebration, C.A-G.I. has called on Nigerians to join in the campaign against corruption by participating in the ” Anti corruption Jingle contest” . the event is designed to give those interested, the voice to say how they feel about corruption; according to their own words.

At the completion of the event, a winner will have emerged. And the best ”jingle” selected. Jingles are expected to relate with incidents of corruption in the area. Our focus is the communities in Niger Delta, where certain corrupt behaviors and practices of the people have hindered development and led to abandoned projects.

To help C.A-G.I promote honesty, integrity and transparency in community leadership for sustainable development, the jingle contest is designed to engage with the radio stations across Niger Delta areas, through strategic partnership with the individual corporate organizations.

Now, upon allegations of misappropriations by member, nonprofits are subject to disclosure of requested information

It opens window for transparency and accountability in charity and donations of NGOs, churches, mosques, Charity organizations registered under the law. And controls illegal financial flow. (IFF).

The Community AntiGraft Initiative (C.A-G.I), calls on ICPC and EFCC to double efforts in reducing the rate of ”vote buying” in Edo state governorship election.

Edo and Ondo state governorship elections should show Nigerians why they need to rebuild their confidence in INEC.

In order to ensure free and fair elections in our communities, there is now the need, to empower the people, with the necessary tools of limiting the effects of vote buying.

And through a well coordinated local intelligence, we can begin to hold sponsors of electoral violence to account.

IT’S INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY !

As we felicitate with YOUTHS on today’s international youth day celebration, 2020, the COMMUNITY ANTI – GRAFT INITIATIVE (C.A-G.I) calls on the youths, especially, the youths at grassroot communities, to invest their interest and some energy in fighting corruption in their domain, which hinders development, and exploit their potentials.

In Edo and Ondo state elections, the youths should rise up against ”vote buying” and ”electoral fraud” , as one of the corrupt practices in Nigerian politics, that have deprived young people in free and fair participation.

The youths in Niger Delta should learn from today’s theme, and ensure that all NDDC projects sited in their communities are completed to the benefit of the people. And, those contractors from their villages, who are mentioned in the NDDC contract scam are held accountable.

Students in diaspora and Nigeria should by this global call for action decide against ”internet fraud” and ”money laundering” , as one of the ways young people resourcefulness, in this country have been exploited to continue enriching the corrupt politicians.

C.A-G.I urged the National Youth Council Of Nigeria (NYCN), including religious youth bodies, and other youths organizations to initiate a ”community action” against corruption through the anti graft agencies and NGOs, as part of fulfilling ”youths engagement for global action” .

Nigeria has almost the best policies and youths structures for public engagement, but corruption has been the problems of maximizing this opportunity for a more resourceful ”Naija youths”.

@community Anti – Graft Initiative, we encourage the youths to participate in anti corruption activities; take actions for better Nigeria.

Community ANTIGRAFT initiative ( C.A-G.I)

Congratulatory letter to the new EFCC boss.

Dear Umar Mohammed,

On behalf of the community AntiGraft initiative (C.A-G.I), this letter is to compliment you on your appointment as the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial crimes commission (EFCC).

It is obvious to mention that, it is by the grace of Almighty God, with your position as the second in command, and the commitment to fight against corruption, that you have been honoured.

We want to believe that, due to the loyalty and support you had given to your former boss, most operations against financial crimes in the country were successful. And the credit to all of that, would go to point out the cordial relationship and team work, you enjoyed while with your predecessor.

We recognise the hard work and very intelligent operations you have led in the fight against corruption. It is our hope that you double your efforts to fight cyber crime/fraud , and encourage community engagement against oil theft.

As an NGO, C.A-G.I (community anti graft initiative) would like to appreciate your readiness to stand in for Nigeria against corruption, wish that you keep up the same spirit you had in times of your former boss, Ibrahim Magu.

However, looking at the circumstances surrounding the sack of former EFCC chairman, we thought it wise to share with you our views.

The community AntiGraft initiative  (C.A-G.I) is a non governmental organization committed to increasing community participation in anti corruption activities. We have the interest of informing the grassroots more about the anti graft agencies, and their need of community support to help them achieve their mission.

The sack of Ibrahim Magu, as the chairman of EFCC is the fourth time a honest and sincere efforts to give corruption a chase was interrupted. It is another time, a coup was plotted against the reign of anti corruption in Nigeria.

Looking back to 2007, Nuhru Ribadu was removed as EFCC chairman.  In 2011, Farida Waziri was sacked as the head of EFCC.  In 2015, Ibrahim Larmode was sacked and accused of corruption.  Now in 2020 Ibrahim Magu is to 4th EFCC chairman to be sacked and accused of corruption.  All these sacks and the issues around it are lessons to guide the new EFCC boss against the banana Peel,that has brought every chairman of EFCC down.

To help jump that banana Peel in EFCC, one need to understand, at what point the interest of the commission conflicts with the national interest, and at what point the EFCC chairman needs to resign and save his image, or sacked and accused of corruption.

What that means is that, as you assume the office as the new chairman of EFCC, you should be able to recognise as follows: 

(1) the powers of the presidency to run the commission.  (2) the roles of the petitioner/whistle blowers (the blackmailer)  (3) the interest of the Senate.  If at any point of operations, the commission’s interest interferes with any of the above mentioned, an EFCC chairman is bound to suffer a sack, often said to have been done in the National interest.  

Therefore, it is difficult to start as an EFCC chairman, without ending up as a victim of corruption.  This is why we need to take you, through the times of your predecessors, so that we can understand at what stage, the commission under a chairman contradict the issues of ” National interest”.

Between 2003-2007 Nuhru Ribadu served as the EFCC chairman. Few weeks he started prosecuting the Governor of Delta state, James Ibori, he was sacked.  

From 2008-2011 Farida Waziri was the EFCC boss, she was removed from office, at the point, she had already prepared to end oil theft and racketeering in Niger Delta.  

During 2011-2015 Ibrahim Larmode was recovering the looted funds, when he was sacked and accused of diverting the funds already brought back to the country.  

Now, 2020 Ibrahim Magu at the point he needed to end Internet fraud and money laundry, he has been stopped, sacked and accused of corruption.

Therefore, in search for what the ” National interest” means, by following the news as of the times the EFCC bosses were relieved of their positions, it become easy to note as:

(1)  2007 many ex governors were to be prosecuted for corruption. 

(2) 2011 many oil racketeers were to be arrested and prosecuted. 

(3) in 2015 how to invest the recovered looted funds was the issue.

(4) 2020, the big news is the  arrest of a big Nigerian born internet fraud star ”Hushpuppi” at Dubai. Above all these, each sack of the EFCC chairman made leave Nigerians with the believe that corruption is either fighting back, or that there is the lack of political Will to fight corruption, no matter how hard the government tried.

Also, by each sack made, the EFCC boss has  the choice to either resign from office, or stay to be sacked and robbed of his integrity.

So, as the new EFCC chairman, to avoid corruption fighting back at you, one needs to stay a way from the trouble of AGFs, and avoid any faceoff with the presidential/Senate interest.

Right from the inception of the fight against corruption with EFCC, the corrupt politicians have always found a loophole to infiltrate anti corruption programs and cause it retracted. 

They have often found a way of halting the process, when it means that most corrupt politicians would have been involved in an ongoing investigation of corruption. 

And to get rid of the banana Peel in EFCC and strengthen the fight against corruption, the presidency must be made to answer questions on behalf of the commission, despite the chairman. 

The EFCC chairman must have no one to report to, except the presidency. Otherwise, fight corruption without finding, a way to ending tribalism, ethnicism, and political patronage, through the community, would be an effort made in futility.

So, we advise that, at anytime you find your actions as the EFCC chairman conflicting with the interest of the AGF, the presidency and the Senate, choose to resign and save your image. It is only by doing so, we can expose corruption and still be resilient.

C.A-G.I would like to welcome you,and wish that you jump the peels, to save the image of anti graft agencies.

Congratulations once again.

Yours truly

Comrade Uche Odungweru

President Community AntiGraft initiative.

Community ANTIGRAFT initiative ( C.A-G.I) Congratulatory letter to the new EFCC boss. Dear Umar Mohammed, On behalf of the community AntiGraft initiative (C.A-G.I), this letter is to complement you on your appointment as the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial crimes commission (EFCC). It is obvious to mention that, it is by the grace of Almighty God, with your position as the second in command, and the commitment to fight against corruption, that you have been honoured. We want to believe that, due to the loyalty and support you had given to your former boss, most operations against financial crimes in the country were successful. And the credit to all of that, would go to point out the cordial relationship and team work, you enjoyed while with your predecessor. We recognise the hard work and very intelligent operations you have led in the fight against corruption. It is our hope that you double your efforts to fight cyber crime/fraud , and encourage community engagement against oil theft. As an NGO, C.A-G.I (community anti graft initiative) would like to appreciate your readiness to stand in for Nigeria against corruption, wish that you keep up the same spirit you had in times of your former boss, Ibrahim Magu. However, looking at the circumstances surrounding the sack of former EFCC chairman, we thought it wise to share with you our views. The community AntiGraft initiative  (C.A-G.I) is a non governmental organization committed to increasing community participation in anti corruption activities. We have the interest of informing the grassroots more about the anti graft agencies, and their need of community support to help them achieve their mission. The sack of Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of EFCC is the fourth time a honest and sincere efforts to give corruption a chase was interrupted. It is another time, a coup was plotted against the reign of anti corruption in Nigeria. Looking back to 2007, Nuhru Ribadu was removed as EFCC chairman.  In 2011, Farida Waziri was sacked as the head of EFCC.  In 2015, Ibrahim Larmode was sacked and accused of corruption.  Now in 2020 Ibrahim Magu is to 4th EFCC chairman to be sacked and accused of corruption.  All these sacks and the issues around it are lessons to guide the new EFCC boss against the banana Peel,that has brought every chairman of EFCC down. To help jump that banana Peel in EFCC, one need to understand, at what point the interest of the commission conflicts with the national interest, and at what point the EFCC chairman needs to resign and save his image, or sacked and accused of corruption. What that means is that, as you assume the office as the new chairman of EFCC, you should be able to recognise as follows:  (1) the powers of the presidency to run the commission.  (2) the roles of the petitioner/whistle blowers (the blackmailer)  (3) the interest of the Senate.  If at any point of operations, the commission’s interest interferes with any of the above mentioned, an EFCC chairman is bound to suffer a sack, often said to have been done in the National interest.   Therefore, it is difficult to start as an EFCC chairman, without ending up as a victim of corruption.  This is why we need to take you, through the times of your predecessors, so that we can understand at what stage, the commission under a chairman contradict the issues of ” National interest”. Between 2003-2007 Nuhru Ribadu served as the EFCC chairman. Few weeks he started prosecuting for Governor of Delta state, James Ibori, he was sacked.   From 2008-2011 Farida Waziri was the EFCC boss, she was removed from office, at the point, she had already prepared to end oil theft and racketeering in Niger Delta.  During 2011-2015 Ibrahim Larmode was recovering the looted funds, when he was sacked and accused of diverting the funds already brought back to the country.  Now, 2020 Ibrahim Magu at the point he needed to end Internet fraud and money laundry, he has been stopped, sacked and accused of corruption. Therefore, in search for what the ” National interest” means, by following the news as of the times the EFCC bosses were relieved of their positions, it become easy to note as:  (1)  2007 many ex governors were to be prosecuted for corruption.  (2) 2011 many oil racketeers were to be arrested and prosecuted.  (3) in 2015 how to invest the recovered looted funds was the issue.  (4) 2020, the big news is the  arrest of a big Nigerian born internet fraud star ”Hushpuppi” at Dubai. Above all these, each sack of the EFCC chairman made, leave Nigerians with the believe that corruption is fighting back, or that there is the lack of political Will to fight corruption, no matter how hard the government tried. Also, by each sack made, the EFCC boss has  the choice to either resign from office, or stay to be sacked and robbed of his integrity. So, as the new EFCC chairman, to avoid corruption fighting back at you, one needs to stay a way from the trouble of AGFs, and avoid any faceoff with the presidential/Senate interest. Right from the inception of the fight against corruption with EFCC, the corrupt politicians have always found a loophole to infiltrate anti corruption programs and cause it retracted.  They have often found a way of halting the process, when it means that most corrupt politicians would have been involved in an ongoing investigation of corruption.  And to get rid of the banana Peel in EFCC and strengthen the fight against corruption, the presidency must be made to answer questions on behalf of the commission, despite the chairman.  The EFCC chairman must have no one to report to, except the presidency. Otherwise, fight corruption without finding, a way to ending tribalism, ethnicism, and political patronage, through the community, would be an effort made in futility. So, we advise that, at anytime you find your actions as the EFCC chairman conflicting with the interest of the AGF, the presidency and the Senate, choose to resign and save your image. It is only by doing so, we can expose corruption and still be resilient. C.A-G.I would like to welcome you,and wish that you jump the peels, to save the image of anti graft agencies. Congratulations once again. Yours truly Comrade Uche Odungweru President Community AntiGraft initiative. To get more Letter Template tips, click here to download : https://goo.gl/6E4VbB

Listen to the most recent episode of my podcast: https://anchor.fm/uche-odungweru/episodes/ep-egcut2

On community youth elections

The group known as the Community Anti Graft Initiative ( C.A-G.I ) has called on the Rivers state Government to declare a state of emergency on the rate of extortion of companies and private individuals in the state.

The president of the NGO, comrade Uche Odungweru condemned the act of community people extorting from contractors and developers handling projects in their domain.

Comrade Odungweru said in some communities, property developers have lost more due to extortion than value for money of projects. According to him, so many companies operating in the state are cautious to speak up against extortion. And it has become the excuse for patronizing a faction of the community, while so many citizens are deprived of the benefits of corporate social engagements with host communities.

The NGO maintained that, already the communities have adopted a democratic way of governance, so it is the responsibility of the state, to strengthen the grassroots with the right ideals to achieve the peaceful community environment, that will promote investment in the state.

The president, comrade Uche Odungweru emphasized that, rather than ban the Youths from carrying out their democratic activities, the community youth executives structure could be utilized to sustain the fight against corona virus pandemic, extortion and corruption.

Odungweru however said the clarion call to lift the ban on community youth activities is not expected to begin crisis, but to initiate a process of regulating community based elections,through achieving the fundamental objectives of Government.