ADELE ORGANISES FREE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR LAGOS ISLAND RESIDENTS

Prince Adele Adewale Abolaji Taofiq, popular known as (PAAAT), a formidable aspirant for the post of Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government in next year’s council election has successfully organised a maiden Free Mega Medical Outreach for the people of the local government.

The free medical outreach, which took place at Idungaran Club, Isale Eko, Lagos Island, on Saturday and Sunday, was well attended with an incredible turnout of beneficiaries.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Basic Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun and the Special Adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Finance, Honourable Lukman Oyewole Lawal were at the event to promote the medical outreach. Both dignitaries commended Prince Adele Adewale Taofiq for his giant efforts towards ensuring people get free medical services at this time of socio-economic crunch.

On the first day of the programme, 2,600 patients were attended to, while more than 2,700 others benefited on Sunday. The large turnouts, no doubt, reflected the deep-rooted desire of the community members to access quality healthcare and improve their well-being.

At the end of the free medical outreach on Sunday, the statistics of its beneficiaries are a clear indication of the positive impacts made to support them medically. A total of 1,572 beneficiaries received treatments for malaria, and 1,237 others were treated for typhoid. Additionally, 1,220 eyeglasses were distributed to those in need to improve their vision and enhance their quality of life. The dental unit recorded 820 beneficiaries. For diabetes tests, 753 beneficiaries were recorded.

While addressing the people at the event, Prince Adele Adewale Abolaji Taofiq (PAAAT), informed the gathering that the health support Initiative is a demonstration of his unwavering commitment to the health and welfare of the people of Lagos Island. He acknowledged the collaboration of Honourable Lukman Oyewole Lawal Foundation which provided 70 skilled medical personnel who are dedicated to providing a wide range of health services to attend to people with various health challenges. “From basic health check-ups, free dental consultation and treatments, free malaria tests and drugs to specialized consultations, free eye tests, free blood tests, free blood sugar level checks for diabetes, distribution of eyeglasses, the programme was organised to cater for the diverse healthcare needs of our community members and competent medical officials are available for the exercise,” he disclosed.

“This outreach is not only about addressing immediate health needs but also about educating our people on preventive care and healthy living practices, ” he declared.

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Honourable Lukman Lawal for his immense contributions towards the success of the programme. If not for his support, the free medical care would not have been possible. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to the ward leaders, ward excos, volunteers, and everyone who have contributed to the success of this event. Your support and dedication have been invaluable in making this outreach a reality. Together, we are making a significant difference in the lives of our community members, and I am deeply grateful for your commitment to this cause.”

“To all our beneficiaries, we assure you that your health and well-being are our top priorities. This initiative is just one of the many ways we are working to build a stronger, healthier community. We will continue to stand by you and provide the necessary support to ensure a better quality of life for everyone in Lagos Island.”

Some of the beneficiaries of the free mega medical outreach interviewed expressed their gratitude to PAAAT and Honourable Lukman Oyewole Lawal Foundation for assisting the people of the local government for providing them free medical services.

The medical team was led by Dr. Suleiman Yekini, Dr. Oluwole Olusanya and Dr. Saheed Aromire-Giwa, while the President of Retired Nurses Administrators Health Care Initiative, Mrs Victoria Abosede Oloruntegbe was the leader of the nursing crew.

The event was attended by the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun and the Special Adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Finance, Honourable Lukman Oyewole Lawal.
Other prominent people at the programme include ward Chairmen, EXCO members and other political leaders in the council.

Africa faces disproportionate burden from climate change and adaptation costs
News

Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (WMO) – Africa bears an increasingly heavy burden from climate change and disproportionately high costs for essential climate adaptation, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

WMO Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Ko Barrett, releases the State of the Climate Report in Africa 2023. The launching, which took place in Abidjan on 02 September 2024, was moderated by Dr Agnes Kijazi, WMO Regional Director for Africa.

On average, African countries are losing 2–5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and many are diverting up to 9 percent of their budgets responding to climate extremes. In sub-Saharan Africa, the cost of adaptation is estimated to be between US$ 30-50 billion annually over the next decade, or 2-3 percent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product, says the WMO State of the Climate in Africa 2023 report.

By 2030, it is estimated that up to 118 million extremely poor people (living on less than US$ 1.90 per day) will be exposed to drought, floods and extreme heat in Africa, if adequate response measures are not put in place.

This will place additional burdens on poverty alleviation efforts and significantly hamper growth, according to figures cited in the report. 

African countries need to prioritize increased investment in National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and accelerate implementation of the Early Warnings For All initiative to save lives and livelihoods.

This will help mitigate risks, build adaptive capacity, boost resilience at local, national, and regional levels and guide sustainable development strategies, says the report.

It focuses on climate change indicators and impacts in 2023 – the world’s hottest year on record to date. It supplements the WMO State of the Global Climate report and is one of a series of WMO regional reports which provide the observational basis to help drive action and support decision-making. 

“Over the past 60 years, Africa has observed a warming trend that has become more rapid than the global average. In 2023, the continent experienced deadly heatwaves, heavy rains, floods, tropical cyclones, and prolonged droughts,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. 

“While many countries in the Horn of Africa, southern and North-West Africa continued to suffer exceptional multi-year drought, other countries experienced extreme precipitation events in 2023 leading to flooding with significant casualties.

These extreme events led to devastating impacts on communities, with serious economic implications,” said Celeste Saulo.

“This pattern of extreme weather has continued in 2024. Parts of southern Africa have been gripped by damaging drought.

Exceptional seasonal rainfall has caused death and devastation in East African countries, most recently in Sudan and South Sudan. This exacerbates an already desperate humanitarian crisis,” she said.  

WMO, the African Union Commission, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology will release the report in collaboration with partners at the 12th Climate Change for Development in Africa (CCDA) Conference in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on 2 September 2024.

“The State of Climate in Africa 2023 Report highlights the urgent need for investing in meteorological services and early warning systems to help adapt to climate change and build resilience in Africa.

As the impacts of climate change continue to manifest globally, the African continent stands at a critical juncture,” said H.E. Ambassador Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission.

“Africa faces disproportionate burdens and risks arising from climate change related weather events and patterns, which cause massive humanitarian crises with detrimental impacts on agriculture, and food security, education, energy, infrastructure, peace, and security, public health, water resources, and overall socio-economic development,” she said. 

https://wmo.int/media/news/africa-faces-disproportionate-burden-from-climate-change-and-adaptation-costs

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in partnership with Brevity Anderson is proud to announce the Digital Nigeria International Conference & Exhibition DNICE 2024, scheduled to take place from 22nd to 24th October 2024.

This landmark event will convene global leaders, industry experts, innovators, academia, and policymakers under the theme “Empowering a Digital Future.”

As Nigeria continues its journey towards becoming a leading digital economy, the 2024 conference will provide a crucial platform for dialogue, collaboration, networking, and innovation.

The event will feature a dynamic mix of keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, product showcase, and exhibitions, all aimed at fostering the growth of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Key Highlights of the Conference Include:
High-Level Keynote Sessions: Esteemed speakers from government, industry, the tech ecosystem, and academia will share insights on the future of digital transformation, the role of emerging technologies, and strategies to empower a digital-savvy workforce.

Panel Discussions: Engaging sessions on critical topics such as the Nigerian Startup Act, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, fintech innovations, and the role of AI and blockchain in driving economic growth.

Workshops and Masterclasses: Tailored sessions offering hands-on experience and deep dives into specific areas of technology and innovation, including coding boot camps, data analytics training, and digital entrepreneurship.

Exhibitions: A showcase of cutting-edge technologies, innovative solutions, and startup pitches, highlighting the vibrant tech landscape in Nigeria and across the continent.

Empowering a Digital Future
The theme of this year’s conference, “Empowering a Digital Future,” underscores the importance of leveraging digital technologies to drive economic growth, enhance governance, and improve the quality of life for all Nigerians in line with The Renewed hope Agenda of the present administration.

As part of the conference, NITDA will launch several initiatives aimed at accelerating digital literacy, fostering innovation, and supporting startups and SMEs in addition to presenting award to deserving Nigerian Startup that emerged as winners of the Digital Nigeria Hackathon DNH 2024.

Why Attend?
Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators from around the world.
Knowledge Sharing: Gain insights from experts on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the digital space.
Collaboration: Explore partnerships that can drive the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.

Join Us
NITDA invites stakeholders from across the globe to join us in shaping the future of Nigeria’s digital landscape. Together, we can empower a digital future that drives innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable economic development.

Registration Details
For more information and to register for the Digital Nigeria International Conference 2024, please visit https://digitalnigeria.gov.ng/register for registration or contact Joy Bashua at joy.bashua@brevityanderson.com for all bookings and Mr. Michael Abiola at +2348126748097, mabiola@nitda.gov.ng for other inquiries

Let’s build the future, today.