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    Edo Government Reaffirms Commitment to Revamp Primary Healthcare System

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    By on News
    NAGGW to Distribute Over Five Million Date Palm Seedlings as 2025 Planting Season Begins in July Muwaffaq Yahaya Adadu The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) will commence its 2025 planting season in July with the nationwide distribution of more than five million date palm seedlings. This was disclosed by the Director-General of NAGGW, Alhaji Saleh Abubakar, during a courtesy visit to the Kano State Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahir Hashim, on Friday, May 23, 2025. Abubakar called for the support of the Kano State Government in identifying and allocating plantation sites to facilitate smooth implementation of the agency’s agroforestry initiatives. “We have raised over five million seedlings, and a significant number are earmarked for Kano State,” he stated. Although NAGGW operates from Abuja, Abubakar noted that Kano functions as the agency’s operational base due to the presence of the Afforestation Project Coordinating Unit. He confirmed that plantation sites had already been identified in Gabasawa and Makoda Local Government Areas. These sites are intended to support environmental recovery efforts and improve rural livelihoods through agroforestry. However, Abubakar expressed concern over incidents of vandalism and encroachment at the Gabasawa site, which was originally allocated by the state government. He said that despite sending several letters to relevant authorities, the issues remain unresolved. “This visit follows up on those letters. If the land is no longer viable, we request an alternative site,” he said, emphasizing the need to protect plantation areas to avoid setbacks. Abubakar urged continued dialogue with the state government to address these challenges through mutual understanding, reaffirming NAGGW’s commitment to collaborative environmental restoration efforts. In response, Commissioner Dahir Hashim reiterated Kano State’s dedication to partnering with federal agencies to combat desert encroachment. He revealed that the state government had reclaimed over 37,000 hectares of degraded land as part of its land restoration and desertification control initiatives. Hashim also underscored the importance of community involvement and announced the recruitment of additional forest guards to enhance the security of plantation sites. Abdulhamid Bala, Acting State Project Coordinator of Kano-AcReSAL, pointed to unpaid forest guards as a major factor contributing to site vandalism. He added that delayed planting had led to encroachment by local farmers on designated restoration areas. Bala called for the timely release of funds to ensure effective and uninterrupted implementation of restoration projects across the state.
    Edo map

    The Edo State Government has reiterated its commitment to revamping primary healthcare delivery across the state, with the goal of providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality medical services to residents at the grassroots.

    Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa made the pledge during the maiden meeting of the state’s Taskforce on Primary Health Centres (PHCs), according to a statement issued on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo.

    Idahosa highlighted the administration’s dedication to the SHINE agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo—an initiative focused on Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Education—with particular emphasis on improving healthcare access for underserved communities.

    “This gathering represents a pivotal step in our collective mission to strengthen the PHC system and improve healthcare outcomes,” Idahosa stated. He added that primary health centres are essential to building a resilient and responsive healthcare structure.

    He called on local government chairmen and other stakeholders to play proactive roles in improving the state’s PHC network, including upgrading infrastructure, ensuring proper staffing, and efficiently managing resources.

    According to him, a robust PHC system would reduce pressure on secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities by addressing medical needs promptly at the community level.

    The taskforce, formed under the state’s “One Roof” initiative, brings together key players from state ministries, the 18 local government areas, faith-based organisations, and international development agencies including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

    Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, disclosed that the ministry had already trained 146 facility managers in digital health data systems. In addition, 210 laptops and tablets had been distributed to PHCs to enhance data tracking, evaluation, and service delivery.

    He further noted that the government’s top priorities include boosting immunisation campaigns, improving maternal and child health services, and ensuring that all local government areas are adequately stocked with essential drugs and medical equipment.

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