EDITORIAL

Amid the uncertainties being faced by Nigerians due to the scarcity of the redesigned Naira notes, the nation’s inflation rate rose in February.

Inflation rose to 21.91 per cent in February compared to 21.82 per cent in January, the National Bureau of Statistics announced Wednesday.

The statistics office said the February inflation rate showed an increase of 0.09 per cent points when compared to January’s headline inflation rate.

In recent months, Nigerians have faced an unprecedented cash crunch as a result of the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The crisis has plunged many citizens into hardship, with numerous others finding it extremely difficult to meet their daily needs.

Earlier in March, the Supreme Court ruled that the CBN must extend the use of old banknotes until 31 December due to the negative impact of the policy.
A seven-member panel of the court, led by John Okoro, unanimously ordered the CBN to continue receiving the old notes from Nigerian citizens.

The court also found that President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to the CBN on the withdrawal of old notes and redesign of new banknotes without proper consultation was invalid.

On Monday, hours after the presidency said that Mr Buhari never directed the CBN to disobey the order of the Supreme Court, the CBN directed banks to comply with the apex court’s order and accept the old notes as legal tender until the end of the year.

In its inflation report Wednesday, the NBS said that increases were recorded in all Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) divisions that yielded the headline index.

“Similarly, on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 6.21 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in February 2022, which was 15.70 per cent.

“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in February 2023 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., February 2022),” the NBS said.

The report noted that the contributions of items on a class basis to the increase in the headline index are bread and cereal (21.67 per cent), actual and imputed rent (7.74 per cent), potatoes, yam and other tubers (6.06 per cent), vegetable (5.44 per cent) and meat (4.78 per cent ).

“On a month-on-month basis, the percentage change in the All-Items Index in February 2023 was 1.71 per cent, which was 0.16 per cent points lower than the rate recorded in January 2023 (1.87 per cent).

“This means that in February 2023, on average, the general price level was 0.16 per cent lower relative to January 2023.

“The percentage change in the average CPI for the twelve months ending February 2023 over the average of the CPI for the previous twelve months period was 19.87 per cent, showing a 3.15 per cent points increase compared to 16.73 per cent recorded in February 2022,” the report said.

The food inflation rate in February was 24.35 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 7.24 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in February 2022 (17.11 per cent).

The bureau said the rise in food inflation was caused by increases in prices of oil and fat, bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fish, fruits, meat, vegetable, and food products.

The report added that all items less farm produce or core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce, stood at 18.84 per cent in February 2023 on a year-on-year basis, up by 4.83 per cent when compared to the 14.01 per cent recorded in February 2022.

“The highest increases were recorded in prices of gas, passenger transport by air, liquid fuel, fuels, and lubricants for personal transport equipment, vehicles spare parts, solid fuel, etc,” it said.

Late February, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the prices of some food items in Nigeria increased in January.

The increase in food prices came amid the uncertainties faced by Nigerians due to the scarcity of the redesigned Naira notes.

Headline inflation (all goods and services) rose to 21.82 per cent compared to 21.34 per cent in December.
The January inflation rate showed an increase of 0.47 per cent points when compared to December 2022 inflation rate, NBS said in its inflation report.

In recent months, Nigerians faced an unprecedented cash crunch as a result of the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The crisis plunged many citizens into hardship, with numerous others finding it extremely difficult to meet their basic needs.

We therefore urge the federal government to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses by increasing the cash in circulation and as well introduce palliative measures that can help cushion the effects of the rising inflation.

It should also provide essential requirements that can support upcoming businesses inorder to expand their job employment capacity.

Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever that is primarily transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces from Mastomys rats.

Though to a lesser extent, secondary human-to-human transmission can also occur through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected persons, especially in health-care settings.

All persons suspected to have contracted Lassa fever infection should be quarantined in isolation facilities, body fluids and feaces of persons infected with Lassa virus should be properly disposed. Ribavirin has been approved for the treatment of Lassa fever, but prevention is still the best.

Rodents should be kept out of homes and food supplies. Effective personal hygiene is will go a long way in eradicating this disease, also grains and other foodstuffs should be stored in rodent-proof containers
In Nigeria, from 3 to 30 January 2022, 211 laboratory confirmed Lassa fever cases including 40 deaths (case fatality ratio: 19%) have been cumulatively reported in 14 of the 36 Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory across the country (Figure 1). Three states account for 82% of confirmed cases: Ondo (63), Edo (57) and Bauchi (53). The other states affected are Benue (11), Ebonyi (5), Oyo (5), Taraba (5), Kogi (4), Enugu (2), Kaduna (2), Cross River (1), Delta (1), Katsina (1) and Plateau (1) (Figure 2).

Of the 211 laboratory confirmed cases, five cases have been reported among health workers in two states, Edo (3) and Benue (2).
In contrast, noticeably less Lassa fever cases with less geographical spread were reported for the same period (epidemiological weeks 1- 4) in 2021 (54 confirmed cases, including 12 deaths, from 8 States).

Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria and the annual peak of Lassa fever cases is typically observed during the dry season (December–April). Thus, the number of infections is expected to rise further until the end of the dry season.

While endemic in Nigeria, cases are much higher than the previous epidemic seasons. This could be attributed to reduced response capacity in surveillance and laboratory testing. It is necessary to continue to monitor the annual peaks of Lassa fever in order to contextualize incidence and inform the effective management of Lassa fever.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said a total of 104 Lassa fever deaths and 636 confirmed infections have been recorded across Nigeria between January to 26 February.

The NCDC noted that the death toll was recorded with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 16.4 per cent which is lower than what was recorded for the same period in 2022 (18.1 per cent).
This is contained in the agency’s latest epidemiological report published on its website for week 8 of 2023, spanning 20 to 26, February.

The report shows that 351 suspected cases were recorded within the week under review, with 59 infections and 10 deaths confirmed.
In total for 2023, according to the report, at least one confirmed case has been recorded across 88 local government areas in 22 states, adding that of all the confirmed cases, 70 per cent are from Ondo, Edo and Bauchi.

Ondo State in the South-west topped the infection list with 33 per cent, while Edo and Bauchi states accounted for 28 and nine per cent of the infections respectively.
NCDC maintained that the number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2022, adding that four new healthcare workers were affected in the reporting week.

We therefore advice that All persons suspected to have contracted Lassa fever infection should be quarantined in isolation facilities, body fluids and feaces of persons infected with Lassa virus should be properly disposed. Ribavirin has been approved for the treatment of Lassa fever, but prevention is still the best. Rodents should be kept out of homes and food supplies. Effective personal hygiene is will go a long way in eradicating this disease, also grains and other foodstuffs should be stored in rodent-proof containers

The theme for International Women’s Day, 8 March 2023 (IWD 2023) is, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. This theme is aligned with the priority theme for the upcoming 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-67), “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.

The United Nations Observance of IWD recognizes and celebrates the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education. IWD 2023 will explore the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities. The event will also spotlight the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces and addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence.

Bringing women and other marginalized groups into technology results in more creative solutions and has greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality. Their lack of inclusion, by contrast, comes with massive costs: as per UN Women’s Gender Snapshot 2022 report, women’s exclusion from the digital world has shaved $1 trillion from the gross domestic product of low- and middle-income countries in the last decade—a loss that will grow to $1.5 trillion by 2025 without action. Reversing this trend will require tackling the problem of online violence, which a study of 51 countries revealed 38 per cent of women had personally experienced.

A gender-responsive approach to innovation, technology and digital education can increase the awareness of women and girls regarding their rights and civic engagement. Advancements in digital technology offer immense opportunities to address development and humanitarian challenges, and to achieve the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. Unfortunately, the opportunities of the digital revolution also present a risk of perpetuating existing patterns of gender inequality. Growing inequalities are becoming increasingly evident in the context of digital skills and access to technologies, with women being left behind as the result of this digital gender divide. The need for inclusive and transformative technology and digital education is therefore crucial for a sustainable future.

The United Nations Observance of International Women’s Day under the theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”, will be marked by a high-level event on Wednesday, 8 March 2023, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. EST. The event will bring together technologists, innovators, entrepreneurs, and gender equality activists to provide an opportunity to highlight the role of all stakeholders in improving access to digital tools and be followed by a high-level panel discussion and musical performances.

International Women’s Day’s emergence is owed to the labor movements that happened in North America and Europe at the turn of the 20th century.
UNESCO notes that the Socialist Party of America celebrated the first National Women’s Day on February 28, 1909, in honor of the New York 1908 garment workers’ strike in which women demanded change against brutal working situations.
In Russia, women protested and staged a strike under the slogan “Bread and Peace” on the last Sunday in February 1917, ultimately leading to women’s suffrage in Russia.

In 1945, the Charter of the United Nations became the first international agreement that underlined the principle of equality between women and men, while in 1975, coinciding with International Women’s Year, the UN celebrated its first Official International Women’s Day on March 8th.

Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly declared a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace, to be celebrated on any day of the year by Member States under their historical and national traditions.
Furthermore, a survey of women journalists from 125 countries found that 73 per cent had suffered online violence in the course of their work. A global analysis of 133 AI systems across industries found that 44.2 per cent demonstrate gender bias. Women make up only 22 per cent of artificial intelligence workers globally.

Today, a persistent gender gap in digital access keeps women from unlocking technology’s full potential. Their underrepresentation in STEM education and careers remains a major barrier to their participation in tech design and governance. And the pervasive threat of online gender-based violence—coupled with a lack of legal recourse—too often forces them out of the digital spaces they do occupy.

At the same time, digital technology is opening new doors for the global empowerment of women, girls and other marginalized groups. From gender-responsive digital learning to tech-facilitated sexual and reproductive healthcare, the digital age represents an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate all forms of disparity and inequality.
We are therefore calling on governments, activists and the private sector alike to power on in their efforts to make the digital world safer, more inclusive and more equitable. Facing a multiplicity of global crises, we have a chance to create a better future; not just for women and girls, but for all humanity and all life on Earth.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has revealed that Africa needs a new public health order to be resilient, to adapt, and to cope with 21st-century disease threats.

The new order will need strengthened continental and national public health institutions; local manufacturing of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; attraction, training, and retention of a public health workforce; and fostering of respectful local and international partnerships.

Infectious diseases remain a great threat to Africa’s aspiration to achieve its 2063 developmental blueprint: “Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.” Health, as a development issue, continues to have a significant impact on the economic and social security of countries and regions across Africa.

Africa’s underlying burden of endemic diseases is the largest in the world. Infectious diseases play a particularly severe role on the continent. Every year they account for over 227 million years of health life lost and produce an annual productivity loss of over $800 billion (World Health Organisation Regional Office for Africa, 2019). Moreover, outbreak-prone diseases are an increasingly devastating force. Of the estimated 10 million deaths per year resulting from infectious diseases, the majority occur in Africa.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has clearly shown how infectious diseases are a serious threat to health, global economies, and security.

Economically, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is forecast to cause a 5.2% contraction in global gross domestic product and to a 2.8% contraction in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2020 (World Bank, 2020). The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has underlined the datum that disease does not respect boundaries. While we seek to flatten the epidemiological curve of SARS-CoV-2 globally, the virus has also “flattened the world.” It has shown us that we are more connected than we thought, that we are vulnerable regardless of where we live, and that we have tremendous shared responsibilities and vast inequalities.

In the midst of this, Africa has learned how fragile international cooperation can be when the world is collectively threatened and challenged by a common disease threat. For instance, the ease with which Africa was shoved out of the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics market exposed how easily global cooperation and international solidarity can collapse (Nkengasong, 2020). Similarly, Africa could find itself at the end of the queue for access to any available vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 with the rise of global protectionism and vaccine nationalism (Callaway, 2020).

One of the greatest lessons learned by Africa is the urgent need to invest in its healthcare systems as a critical instrument to secure its economic development as it implements the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement and other flagship projects of Agenda 2063. About 50 years ago, Julian Tudor-Hart proposed the principle of the inverse care law, stating that the availability of good medical or social care tends to vary inversely with the need of the population served (Hart, 1971).

This principle vastly prevails in Africa today, and a new public health order must aim to deconstruct this law. Here, we provide a historical perspective of where Africa is coming from and where it might be heading to understand why we need a new public health order to fight the inverse care law.

We propose that the new public health order must stand on four pillars: strengthened public health institutions; local manufacturing of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; a strengthened public health workforce; and respectful local and international partnerships.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 68 additional Lassa fever infections and 15 deaths in the 6th week of 2023, spanning 6 to 12 February.

The NCDC in its latest situation report published Monday on its website revealed that the new cases bring the total number of confirmed cases and deaths recorded in 2023 to 531 and 85 respectively.

It noted that the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 106 in week five of 2023 to 68 cases, which were reported from Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, Gombe, Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau states.

Cumulatively, NCDC noted that from week one to week six, 2023, the total deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 16 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (16.5 per cent).

It added that in total for 2023, 20 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 79 Local Government Areas, with the trio of Ondo, Edo and Bauchi States topping the chart with 74 per cent.

Ondo State reported 36 per cent, while Edo and Bauchi accounted for 31 and seven per cent respectively.
NCDC noted that four new healthcare workers were infected in the reporting week six, adding that the number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2022.

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic (excessive bleeding) illness that is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents or contaminated persons.

Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.
“Of the 74 percent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 36 percent, Edo 31 percent and Bauchi seven per cent. Cumulatively from week one to week six, 2023, 85 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 16.0 percent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (16.5 percent). “In total for 2023, 20 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 79 LGAs,” the report stated.

In the considered opinion of this newspaper, 85 deaths in just six weeks are alarming and calls for urgent action from the government, health officials, and the public to stop the spread of the disease and prevent further loss of life.
It is instructive to note that Lassa Fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever that is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or feces. It can also be transmitted from person to person through bodily fluids, such as blood or semen.

The symptoms of Lassa Fever are similar to those of flu, including fever, headache, muscle weakness, and vomiting, and can progress to more severe symptoms, such as hemorrhaging and organ failure.

Regrettably, in our view, Nigeria is one of the countries most affected by Lassa Fever, with an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 cases and 5,000 deaths each year. The disease is endemic in many parts of the country, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited and, in some cases, non-existent.

On a positive note, the federal government and health officials have already taken steps to control the outbreak, including the deployment of healthcare workers to affected areas, the establishment of isolation centers, and the distribution of personal protective equipment.
However, in our opinion, more needs to be done to stop the spread of the disease and prevent further loss of life. One of the main challenges in controlling Lassa Fever is the lack of awareness and knowledge about the disease among the general public. Many people in Nigeria are unaware of the risks associated with the disease and do not know how to protect themselves and their families from infection.
The federal government and health officials need to do more to educate the public about the disease, its symptoms, and how to prevent infection.

Another challenge is the limited capacity of the healthcare system to detect and respond to outbreaks. Many health facilities in Nigeria lack the resources and training needed to identify and treat Lassa Fever cases, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

The government needs to invest more in the healthcare system, including improving the infrastructure and training of healthcare workers to ensure that outbreaks can be detected and responded to quickly.
Consequently, there is a need for greater international cooperation and support to address the Lassa Fever outbreak in Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations have already provided technical and financial support to the government and health officials, but more needs to be done. The international community should work together to share knowledge and resources, and to develop effective strategies for controlling the disease.

Furthermore, we make bold to say that the recent outbreak of Lassa Fever in Nigeria is a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by infectious diseases and the need for greater investment in public health. The government, health officials, and the public must work together to stop the spread of the disease and prevent further loss of life.

This requires greater awareness and education about the disease, improved capacity of the healthcare system to detect and respond to outbreaks, and greater international cooperation and support. Only by working together can we hope to prevent future outbreaks of Lassa Fever and other infectious diseases in Nigeria.

Very painfully and as unprecedented as it seem; a few weeks to the 2023 general elections that is preceding the eventual exit of Muhammadu Buhari from office as the nation’s President, precisely on May 29, have brought severe hardship and trauma to Nigerians. And, worrisomely, this provoking condition is occasioned on fuel and cash scarcity.

The cash palaver which was ignited by the recent naira swap policy introduced by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which sought to replace the N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes with redesigned ones ahead of the February 25 and March 11 elections, while the months-long fuel scarcity has been blamed on cross-border smuggling.

Though, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has promised holders of the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes that in line with the provision of Section 20(3) of the CBN Act, they would still have the opportunity to redeem the face value of their cash only at central bank offices nationwide after the February 10, 2023 deadline, when the currencies would have lost its legal tender status.

He has also assured that Nigerians would not lose their legitimately earned money due to the naira redesign project, insisting the exercise was in the overall interest of Nigerians and the economy.

Emefiele has always maintained that the value of old naira notes of N200, N500 and N1000 would still be redeemed even after they have ceased to be legal tender after the February 10 deadline, at the CBN.

He said the redemption was in tandem with the law, precisely section 20 (3) of CBN act, noting the essence was to mop up the old notes in circulation.

While reeling out the steps taken by the central bank to ensure the effective distribution of the new banknotes, he disclosed that about N1.9 trillion of the old banknotes had so far been collected since the commencement of the exercise.

According to him, the currency redesign policy has so far recorded about a 75 per cent success rate given the fact that many of those in the rural and underserved locations across the 36 states of the country have had the opportunity of swapping their old banknotes for the new series of the banknotes.

He noted that one of the reasons for the naira redesign was to bring in the N2.7 trillion outside the banking system which is currently being held in people’s homes. Besides, the general practice across the globe and that practice is that every five to eight years, the CBN is supposed to redesign or do some form of changes do its currency.

On the month-long fuel scarcity, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mele Kyari, has explained that the logistics challenge has been responsible for the protracted fuel scarcity across the country.

The NNPCL boss also said the scarcity began with a glitch in road failure resulting from the floods that swept 31 states of the country last year.

He added that a three-day glitch in the transport of fuel would usually take three weeks to resolve.

He further explained that there were other challenges such as arbitrage, and the unplanned changes of having to transport Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), by small vessels to the depots, noting that the cost of hiring the vessels had gone up from $21 dollars in January 2022, to $80.
Kyari also stated that managing trucks and depots across the country posed a secondary challenge to the distribution of fuel across the country.

“Of course, we also have a secondary issue which is managing the trucks and depots, for instance, every depot buys maintenance tools overseas, which would require foreign exchange. Prices also changed without any recourse to our local situation.
We therefore advise the federal government of Nigeria to take proactive steps to clear this daunting scarcity of essential commodities; fuel and cash which are occasioning this severe hardships on Nigerians in a bid to ameliorate the harsh conditions of the suffering masses.

The international community commemorate World Cancer Day every February 4, of every year. For this year 2023, it was held on Saturday. February 5, 2023 with theme “Close the care Gap: Uniting our voices and taking action.” This year’s campaign summoned like-minded people to be united in order to build, stronger alliances and new innovative collaborations in the fight against cancer.

According to the World Health Organization, Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) was established in 1993. Based in Geneva, it is a membership-based society working towards the eradication of cancer around the world and advancing medical research. Under its direction, the first International Cancer Day was celebrated in Geneva, Switzerland in the same year. Several well-known organizations, cancer societies, and treatment centers also supported this initiative.

World Cancer Day was made official at the first World Summit Against Cancer in 2000. The event took place in Paris and was attended by members of cancer organizations and prominent government leaders from around the world. A document titled the ‘Charter of Paris Against Cancer,’ featuring 10 articles, was signed, outlining a global commitment to improving the facilitation and quality of life of cancer patients. Advancement and increased investment in researching, preventing, and treating cancer was also highlighted. Article X of this charter officially declared World Cancer Day to be observed on February 4.

Cancer has numerous types, so there are various colors and symbols used to mark a specific type of cancer and promote the fight against it. For example, the orange ribbon is for creating awareness of cancer in children, while the pink ribbon is globally associated with breast cancer awareness. As a symbol of hope for patients and survivors, the daffodil flower is used by the American Cancer Society for a future where this life-threatening disease no longer exists.

On this day, hundreds of events and fundraisers take place around the world each year, to bring individuals, communities, and organizations together in hospitals, schools, businesses, markets, community halls, parks, etc. to campaign and deliver the powerful reminder that those hit by cancer are not alone, and we all share a responsibility in reducing the global impact of this disease.
According to a the message from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, approximately 1.1 million new cancer cases occur each year in Africa, with about 700,000 deaths.
His message reads in parts, “The numbers are stark. Approximately 1.1 million new cancer cases occur each year in Africa, with about 700,000 deaths. Data estimates show a considerable increase in cancer mortality to nearly one million deaths per year by 2030, without urgent and bold interventions.

“We should recall that the most common cancers in adults include breast (16.5%), cervical (13.1%), prostate (9.4%), Colorectal (6%), and liver (4.6%) cancers, contributing to nearly half of the new cancer cases. With significant data challenges, childhood cancer incidence in sub-Saharan Africa is estimated at 56.3 per million population. Current projections show that Africa will account for nearly 50% of the global childhood cancer burden by 2050, compelling expeditious efforts to confront this concern, as was done for the young girl from Rwanda.
“In that view, it is important to celebrate some achievements we have made as a region, at the country level. Twelve countries in the region have valid National Cancer Control Plans. WHO is supporting eleven additional countries in developing or updating their National Cancer Control Plans aligned to the global cancer initiatives coupled with the presence of governance structures at the government level to implement Cancer Plans.
“Currently, 16 countries have introduced high-performance-based screening tests in line with WHO recommendations and plan to scale up cervical cancer screening. The introduction of gynecologic oncology Fellowships for improved access to cervical cancer treatment services in Malawi and Zambia is commendable and innovative.
“Despite these achievements, stumbling blocks remain on our path. These include the low availability of Population Based Cancer Registries; limited health promotion; inadequate access to primary prevention and early detection services; the scarcity of diagnostic facilities that increase delays in diagnosis and treatment.
“Provision of palliative care is rare in Africa, notwithstanding the significant need for it. Africa has only 3% of the world’s cancer treatment facilities, with radiotherapy available in just 22 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to very low survival rates.
“By uniting voices and action, we can address cancer at individual and community levels: Choosing healthy lifestyles, getting vaccinated, and getting routinely screened against preventable cancers. Parents have the responsibility to ensure their eligible daughters receive HPV vaccines.

We therefore call on governments of countries in the African continent to develop and update national cancer control plans, provide sustainable financing for cancer prevention, cure and care.
It is also critical to ensure adequate infrastructure for human resource, screening, diagnostics, and treatment. There is equally a need to expand the use of digital health and establish relevant trainings for the cancer workforce.

The Federal government has announced its approval of three memos, National Duct One Policy, National Child Online Protection Policy and Strategy and Nigeria Data Protection Bill
The Minister of Communications and digital economy, Isa Pantami said, Council approved three memos, National Duct One Policy, National Child Online Protection Policy and Strategy and Nigeria Data Protection Bill.
He said the National Duct One Policy aims to institutionalise providing ducts during construction in Nigeria, at federal, state and even local government.

He said the policy came about after many stakeholder engagements with over 37 institutions of government.
The minister said with the approval, by implication, during road construction, bridges, rail lines, seaports, stadium and all other important buildings, provision must be made for ducts, where at least any wire or any gadget for electricity or telecommunications or any service that is required will make use of that facility and lay their cables.
Patanmi said, “This is the global best practice today. Before construction, even during the conceptualisation, design and construction, there should be provision of ducts for road construction, bridges, rail lines, seaports, and any important building.

“Today, we have been confronted with a challenge that whenever we want to provide telecommunications infrastructure, in some cities and towns in Nigeria, a lot of damage is being done, either to our roads or to our facilities.
“Why? Because during the design and construction, no provision of any duct or pipeline where the fiber optics and other telecommunication gadgets will pass. It is because of this we organised stakeholder engagement, where we brought all the stakeholders including the Ministry of Works and Housing, where we all agreed that there is a need to institutionalise the provision of ducts in design and construction.

“And there are so many benefits to be obtained from that. Number one, it allows shared infrastructure. Number two, it makes maintenance and repair much easier. If that is part of the design and construction, during maintenance, you don’t need to damage any road or any important building.

That provision is sufficient and you will have a chamber where you will get access to all the facilities. It is because of this, we came up with this policy and in addition to that, it will also continue to make the price of broadband cheaper.

“However, it is very cheap. In Nigeria as at August 2019, based on the official report of the Nigerian Communications Commission, one gigabyte of data, the price approximately was N1,200 but today the average price is N350. If you look at it, the reduction is even more than 60%.

“Because by laying fiber optics, a lot is being spent in doing that. When we try to reduce the price and the amount being spent in doing that, that is part of the cost of production. So it will automatically bring the cost of production lower and by implication, all of us will even get broadband access at more affordable prices than what is being obtained today.”

On the National Child Online Protection Policy and Strategy, Pantami said it is meant to protect children from online content that could corrupt their innocence.

He said: “As we all know, there are many benefits of going online. The world population reached 10 billion on the 15th November 2022. Today, we have around 6.3 billion people online and by implication, among this number, you will discover many children. They will not be able to differentiate between what is beneficial and what is harmful.

“According to the report of the International Telecommunication Union, even during COVID-19, more than one billion children were online, most of them for their studies, because schools were shut down. So, they switch to virtual learning only.
“Children will not be able to differentiate what is beneficial or what is harmful. And today, if you go online, you will discover that many things are coming into your device unsolicitedly. If you are at least matured, you will be able to avoid it but children would not be able to and that will definitely affect their innocence and will even affect them morally and otherwise.

“It is because of this that the International Telecommunication Union, which is an arm of the United Nations, came up with a policy document for all its 193 member countries. Nigeria is part and parcel of the International Telecommunication Union. The document has been titled: ‘keeping children safe in the digital environment, the importance of our protection under empowerment.’
“In this document, all member countries have been urged to ensure they come up with a policy where children are going to be protected.

“In the UK today, they have a bill that is for online safety. Many countries are working on a similar document. It is because of this, we organised stakeholder engagement, where we invited around 37 institutions of government, because if you look at the challenge is not only one sector, but rather it is multi sectoral issue, Minister of Information and Culture, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for example, national orientation agency, all of them have a role to play.

Street hawking is a growing problem in developing countries like Nigeria due to its associated risks. As well, poverty is one of the fastest growing scourge in Nigeria and by extension in Africa.
It is also apt to also register that Street hawking and poverty are symbiotic because poverty feeds street hawking.

In Nigeria, the increasing scourge of poverty and worsening economic conditions feeds the drastic rise in street hawking in the country’s major cities such as Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Abuja Aba, Owerri and Onitsha. This development is a clear manifestation of socioeconomic realities on ground. For instance, families and young people migrate to cities in search of livelihoods but end up on street hawking.

Most State governments have recently started enforcing a law that bans street hawking in their state’s major cities. Some of these States implement this as urban renewal policy aimed at kicking the unwanted, out of the cities, towns and streets instead of tackling the rising poverty indices which beget the increasing Street hawking scourge.

Over 80% of Nigerians live below the poverty line and street hawking has become the easiest route to survival. Thousands rely on street hawking for survival, conspicuously standing at traffic interchanges, weaving between cars and setting up on pavements. The ban is usually regarded as part of the government’s drive to modernise the city and improve infrastructure in the state.

But the way that the assigned units do the job of chasing out the street hawkers is dehumanizing; pursuing them like animals, confiscating their goods and demanding money for bail usually cause more harm than good. Sometimes, these Street hawkers run into dangers such as accidents while running to save their wares from vandalisation and subsequent exorbitant extortion.

Frankly, there is no justification for such a policies in Nigeria when the poverty situation of the country has not been addressed. Policies should be founded on research and evidence based practices. Nigeria should learn from countries like Bangladesh, Ghana, Uganda and Tunisia. All have failed to forcibly evict street hawkers.

Street hawkers are transient, resilient and adaptive that if threatened with eviction, will change their strategies, location and mode of operation. They could also resort to crime when forcefully evicted.

The question is how can government effectively respond to issues of street hawking?

There is no consensus on an effective intervention. The state argues that street hawking promotes child trafficking, misuse of public space, environmental degradation, lawlessness and violation of human rights.
As part of the cleanup, the government can offer small loans to street hawkers through the Employment Trust Fund to use as a means to start proper and standard businesses.

Nigeria is in its worst economic shape in history. The poor bear the brunt. And there is no social welfare system in the country to cater for poor families.
There is a pressing need to protect children and other young people from being exploited. Evidence shows about 40% of children that hawk on streets are victims of adult exploitation. This amounts to child abuse, according to United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child. Although Nigeria promulgated the Childs Right Act in 2003, it has not been implemented effectively.
Children are sometimes sent to the streets by their parents to supplement the family income. Others are children trafficked from neighbouring states or West African countries. These children were given away by their parents on the premise that they would receive food, shelter, good education and care. But they end up being exploited.

The impact of street hawking is enormous; especially for vulnerable children. They are at risk of being hit by a vehicle, subjection to sexual abuse and possible of suffering physical exhaustion. For those that attend school, street hawking also affects their academic performance.

State social protection services have a responsibility to protect children and young people from the negative impacts of street hawking.
Responding effectively to street hawking requires both a structural approach and one that focuses on individuals. Parents who use children to hawk for income should be given jobs to help them provide for their families and meet their economic needs.
And children should be provided with training to make up for any deficiencies in knowledge and skills to help them lead a successful life.
The anti-street hawker policy will not be fruitful if it’s enforced without addressing the root cause of street hawking which is poverty and joblessness.