Kakaki

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Kwara chapter has recorded the best-performing state in the area of community development and humanitarian activities.

The Amirah of the Association, Hajia Nimat Labaika, stated this while delivering her address in Ilorin at the formal opening ceremony of the Step Down of the 39th Annual National Conference.

She explained that the Annual Ramadan community outreach and women empowerment earned the state the accolade in performance.

“We also partnered with some international NGOs to carry out various health intervention programs like awareness creation, prevention, and eradication of malaria, HIV, and TB in the community.

“Through this, we have been able to empower 100 people living with HIV and AIDS.

“Indigent women who are also petty traders across the 16 LGAs were empowered through zakat and donations collected from philanthropists,” she said.

Labaika appealed to philanthropists to help the Association do more in terms of humanitarian activities in the state.

She described the theme of the conference as apt, adding that it is a tradition of FOMWAN to organize a rotational Annual conference for members across the states of the Federation to gather to address contemporary issues as they affect the Muslim Ummah.

In his Lecture, Prof.Abdulquadir Abikan, the new Director-General and member of the Council of the National Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Abuja observed that Muslim women stand as representatives of a collective struggle against a pervasive issue that transcends borders and beliefs.

Speaking on the theme: “Women and the Challenges of Insecurity”, Abikan said insecurity is not merely a statistic; but a live reality for many women around the world.

He observed that women are the worst victims of insecurity in any nation, adding that women of all ages are confronted with femicide.

Abikan, who was represented by Dr Muhammad Kamaldeen of the Department of Islamic Law, University of Ilorin described femicide as the intentional killing of women because they are women by men.

“Femicide is both a violation of human rights and a persistent global issue rooted in violence.

“Despite legal frameworks aimed at protecting women, femicide remains disturbingly prevalent. In 2022, the United Nations recorded 89,000 intentional killings of women and girls worldwide, with 55 percent of these murders committed by intimate partners or individuals close to the victim,” he said.

The expert in Law also pointed out that women can also be complacent in creating situations that result in insecurity of not only themselves but everyone at large.

He emphasized the crucial role that women play in societal development and the creation of the moral fiber of society.

According to him, individuals who end up as terrorists, armed robbers, kidnappers, fraudsters, criminals, and miscreants were all birthed by their mothers in the same way as other individuals who meaningfully contribute to society.

“The security challenges we are experiencing cannot be divorced from the breakdown of the family unit where the position of women as the first school of their children, according to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), has been left to decline.

“In several homes, women are faced with economic and emotional challenges that shift their focus from the care and appropriate training of the young minds to other material challenges.

“This is not to say that women should not be professionals outside of their homes, but the Islamic position is that a woman should not be constrained to fend for herself and her children to the detriment of the care of the young children,” he said.

He appealed to men to form a united front with women in understanding their roles in fostering safe environments for all.

“We must work together- across faiths and backgrounds dismantle the structures that perpetuate violence against women,” he said.

Also speaking, Abdullahi Ghali, Lecturer at the College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS), stated that issues of security must start from the grassroots, individual, family level, and government levels.

He also appealed to women and mothers to give the best training to their children as dictated by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

The conference includes free medical checkups, HIV/AIDs screening, hypertension, as well as free medication.

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Dr Tunde Ayeye, Medical Entrepreneur Group Managing Director International Facilities Services (IFS), Lagos has advocated innovative finance models as a panacea to some challenges in the health sector.

Ayeye made the call during his paper presentation at the 9th Kola Olafimihan College of Health Sciences Endowed Lecture of the University of Ilorin.

The programme was entitled: “Improving Access to Quality Healthcare Delivery in a Depressed Economy.”

He observed that financing models such as Real Estate Investment Trusts can drive sustainable funding for the health sector.

The public health physician calls for a holistic approach, saying that communities should be viewed as an ecosystem, where preventive care, early intervention, and education become cornerstones of health policies.

“Healthcare must transcend its current boundaries, becoming not just a service but an economic catalyst.

“By transmuting healthcare services into engines of economic growth, we can create jobs, attract investment, and foster a thriving health industry,” he said.

Adeyeye also advocated for the need to redefine Public-private intervention in health, a new health economy, and turning brain drain into brain gain.

Also speaking, Prof. Suleiman Alabi, the Provost College of Health Science of the University of Ilorin, pointed out that there is a global downturn in the economy and that Nigeria is not in isolation.

“We need to find ways to have quality healthcare despite the present economy. Government has a lot of roles to do, to better our lives in terms of health insurance,” he said.

Alabi commended the government for enrolling communities and schools, especially the Kwara-Care health insurance programs in the state.

He, however, observed that more people across Nigeria needed to be captured in the health insurance program.

In her response, Mrs. Mobolaji Adeniyi, the daughter of the Late Dr Kola Olafimihan, describes her father as a distinguished medical elder.

She commended University of Ilorin for the endowment lecture organised in remembrance of her late father.

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) on Thursday in Ilorin disclosed that less than 200 psychiatrists attend to
to the mental health needs of well over 200 million Nigerians.

The President of APN, Prof. Taiwo Obindo, stated this in his address at the 55th Annual General Conference and Scientific Meeting of the association in Ilorin.

The theme of the conference was entitled: ” Prioritizing Mental Health Needs of Nigeria in a Depressed Economy: an Urgent call for Integrated, Comprehensive and Sustainable Interventions”.

Obindo observed that the “japa syndrome” has largely depleted the Mental Health Practitioners’ work force in the country.

He lamented that these tides need to be stemmed and reversed as the remaining mental health practitioners are overworked and poorly renumerated.

Obindo stated that mental health is yet to be accorded the needed attention by the government, while citing the example of Canada, which had a functional Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.

According to him, Nigeria needs to lay emphasis and importance on mental health.

“Mental health in Nigeria is still a programme under the Department of Public Health in the Federal Ministry of Health.

“One other area needing attention is the budgetary allocation to health, and by extension, the mental health, which is less than six (6) percent.

“This falls short of the Abuja Declaration of 2001, where health allocation was to be pegged at a minimum of 15 percent of every country’s annual budget,” he said.

The APN President said the association has achieved some milestones recorded in the establishment of Mental Health Programme.

He advised on the implementation of the Mental Health Act of 2021, which replaced the Lunacy Act of 1958, and is a significant milestone after more than 30 years of failed efforts.

In his Lecture, Prof. Owoidoho Udofia, of the University of Calabar, a Guest Speaker at the occasion said: “study showed 12 percent of Nigerians have mental and behavioural disorder”.

He asserts that certain characteristics in some practitioners are responsible for poor identification of mental illness.

Similarly, Udofia observed that certain presence of culture specific somatic symptoms, significantly lowered identification rate of mental illness by General practitioners in teaching hospitals.

The Consultant Psychiatrist dismissed the assumption by colonialists that Africans are not sophisticated enough to have depression.

“Mental illness makes up less than 30 percent of the burden in teaching hospitals in Nigeria,.

“The illness is not only restricted to Schizophrenia and Psychosis. Substance use is high and there is need to improve diagnosis.

“There is also need to imrpove on the rates, as there is poor identification and research,” he advised.

In her goodwill message, Dr Amina El-Imam, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, described the theme of the conference as a critical discuss.

The commissioner who was represented by Dr. Musiliu Odunaiya, the Director Medical Services and Training, said that the society has surrounded the issue of mental health with myths and stigma.

She advised the psychiatrists to produce more awareness campaign on mental health to reduce stigma in the country.

Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Peter Ajiboye, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said the theme of the conference reflects the collective recognition of the urgent need for tailored mental health solutions in Nigeria.

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Ilorin, Nov. 26, 2024 (NAN) The University of Ilorin of has strengthen partnership with 28 varsities in eight countries on research, innovation and economic cooperation.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole stated this in Ilorin during a news conference organized on the commencement of the 3rd Summit of the Development-8 (D-8) Network of Pioneers for Reaearch and Innovation (NPRI).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the D-8 is an organisation dedicated towards development and co-operation on research and teaching among eight countries.

Other member countries whose universities are part of D-8 are Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Turkey, and Malaysia.

The Vice Chancellor explained that
the idea behind the establishment of the D-8NPRI is to bring member states researchers, government and semi-government research institutes, industrial research institutes and research in D-8 universities under one umbrella.

He observed that Unilorin is the latest University to join the Network and hosting the summit.

Egbewole explained that Unilorin was established in 1975 as a second generation University in Nigeria.

According to him, the varsity is the most sought after University in Nigeria as well as the University with the highest number of foreign students in Nigeria.

“The essence of this summit in our view is to strengthen collaboration amongst members with a view to improving multi disciplinary research that will be beneficial to all members, our communities and most importantly our students.

“In doing this, we need to leverage technology, factor the emerging issues of Artificial Intelligence, gene editing, quantum computing, and such other great ideas that are shaping our world for future relevance.

“It is axiomatic to state that collaboration is key to development. In doing this, we need to emphasise issue of sustainability of all our processes,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor pointed out the need to recognize the changing times especially the overriding effects of climate change, global warming and disruptive technologies.

“It is my hope that this Summit will conclude the NPRI Charter which we hope will be adopted as the lorin Charter.

“This will determine the way we relate and operate with a view to shaping the future of the Network and create the road map for all our engagements,” he said.

In his remark, the Ambassador of Bangladesh, Mr Masudur Rahman commended the partnership of member States, addong that the network will expand the level of innovation, on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing and bio-technology.

He advised members States to harness such wonderful networking and charter.

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

President Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday in Ilorin advocate social dialogues on Labour reforms for development in Nigeria.

Tinubu stated this at the 10th National Labour Summit and Award Ceremony organized by the Michael Imodu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) in Ilorin.

He was represented by Minister of State for Labour and Employment Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha

He emphasized the importance of dialogue and skill development in fostering industrial harmony and national growth.

The president underscored the critical role of social dialogue in implementing labour reforms and resolving industrial disputes.

He cited the successful resolution of the National Minimum Wage discussions, adding that effective dialogue ensures all stakeholders’ voices are heard, adding that disputes must be resolved constructively.

According to him, the summit aligns seamlessly with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to empower people, strengthen economy, and create sustainable pathways for recovery and growth.

Tinubu highlighted the government’s Labour Employment Expansion Program (LEEP), saying that it focus on equipping Nigerians, particularly youths, with skills for emerging industries such as digital technology, renewable energy, and clean energy.

“These programmes are not just about jobs; they are about preparing our people to thrive in a fast-changing global economy,” the Minister said.

The president described the summit as a crucial platform to secure stakeholder buy-in for government reforms, and called for collective efforts to create an inclusive and sustainable labour market.

He commended MINILS for organizing the summit and encouraged participants to contribute actively to the discussions, noting that the outcomes would shape the future of labour relations in Nigeria.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director-General of MINILS, Mr. Issa Aremu, described the summit as a significant platform in fostering dialogue among stakeholders and building capacity for continuous engagement.

He said the goal is to align labour education with the Renewed Hope reforms by addressing challenges in the labour market, promoting social justice, and enhancing industrial productivity for sustainable national development.

Aremu disclosed that MINILS had surpassed its 2024 ministerial targets, training over 3,500 workers from the formal and informal sectors across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

A Group, KWARABUILD hae trained 1,500 youths from across the North Central, in technology and innovation aimed at achieving their self employment and economic assurance.

Speaking at the Conference signaling the end of the three-day event on Saturday in Ilorin, a Co-Founder of the Group, Mr Ibraheem Zulkifli atated that participants were trained on different technological skills to build thier knowledge.

“Our aim is to uncover the hidden talents in the participants during the three-day event,” he said.

Zulkifli stated that the group sought the state government and other major stakeholders’ collaboration for access to the youths in orser to empower to be employed.

According to him, the participants went through three-daye training on how to find and apply solution to varying technological challenges.

He however commended the state government for providing the enabling environment for youths to thrive.

In his remark, Mr. Kamaldeen Kehinde, also a Co-Founder of KWARABUILD stated that the event was the seventh and has successfully relieved Kwarans the pains of attending similar event in Lagos and other neighbouring states.

A representative of the Kwara Government, the Managing Director, Ilorin Innovative Hub, commended the group for blazing the trail in what he described as the largest youth gathering in the state.

“Kwara government has always encouraged any individual or group that will take up the challenges of the youths. We are interested in serious massive empowerment of the youths,” he stressed.

Participants at the training Mr. Salahudeen AbdulRauf and Miss Kulepa Boluwatife expressed delight with the training.

They said the training will improve their knowledge of technology and computer software respectively.

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Ilorin Emirate Medical Doctors Group on Monday in Ilorin facilitated with the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, on the 29th anniversary of his coronation.

The doctors made the felicitation in a press statement jointly signed by the President of the Association, Dr Jimoh Olanrewaju and the Secretary General, Dr Usman Abubakar.

The association observed the tremendous growth the Ilorin Emurate and its environ have achieved under the Emir, who is also the Chairmanship of Kwara State Council of Traditional Rulers.

“We are happier that these developments have shown no signs of stopping despite recent economic challenges in the country.

“We therefore pray to Almighty Allah to preserve you for your subjects in good health.

“We also pray that Allah allows you stay longer on the throne of your forefathers,” they said.