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Articles by Development Africa
The unmaking of Public Procurement in Nigeria
By Haydar Daudu Public Procurement is central to an efficient and effective service delivery system of a government. It is the process of purchase by governments and state-owned enterprises of goods, services, and works. A well-governed public procurement contributes directly to greater public trust, enhanced well-being, and more prosperous and inclusive societies.
‘I went to bed hopeful they would recover, but awoke to dead cattle’
Listening to a 63-year-old man force back sobs as he narrates his experience losing the chunk of his biggest life’s investment is not a situation to experience more than once. It is difficult to know whether to offer words of comfort, assurances or simply be quiet. It took two days of back and forth conversations, to get Malam Madaki Ya’u from Yobe State, who is currently visiting relatives in Dawaki, Abuja, composed enough to tell his story.
UN provides vital supplies for Nigeria Government’s COVID-19 response
UN Resident Coordinator Edward Kallon and Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, sign handover note for medical supplies to support the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria By Ndidichukwu Odoh The United Nations on Thursday received delivery of vital health supplies to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria on a flight funded by APM Terminals.
D-8 strengthens cooperation and solidarity in order to tackle COVID-19 pandemic
D-8 in a virtual roundtable meeting on COVID-19, April 16th 2020 By Ndidichukwu Odoh As the world battle the COVID-19 pandemic and its huge disruption to livelihood, economy and health systems, the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation has intensified solidarity and cooperation among its Member States in efforts to identify constraints and bottlenecks in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to develop a mechanism to build post pandemic resilient health systems.
Poor domestic financing for Treatment of Tuberculosis by Nigerian Government puts citizens at risk
2020 World TB Day Press conference, by Stop TB Partnership in Nigeria By Ndidichukwu Odoh Few days to the end of 2019 fiscal year, the Nigerian government has released only 8% of its commitment of the $278 million counterpart funding needed for control and treatment of Tuberculosis. Nigeria, USAID and other donor partners committed to mobilize resources to control the spread of Tuberculosis, but a 60% release and funding gap remains as the 2019 fiscal year ends this March.
International Women’s Day: “Spotlight Initiative will ensure the voices of women and girls is heard”-Dorayi
Hadiza Dorayi, Coordinator Spotlight Initiative Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership between the European Union and United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030. In this interview with Ndidichukwu Odoh, the Coordinator, Spotlight Initiative, Hadiza Dorayi, speaks on issues of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls in Nigeria. What is the focus of the Spotlight Initiative?
Why abused women do not speak up
By Ndidichukwu Odoh 28 years old Jane Ogidi married her husband at the age of 22, when she graduated from the University. As an under graduate, Jane aspired to be one of the leading women in Nigeria. She had the big dream of being an accountant. “I loved accounts, I will not lie to you I was good at counting figures, I graduated as one of the best during the university days” Jane recalled in a nostalgic feeling of the past she is fighting to get back.
Investing in refugees and their hosts: A development approach
Students listen to their teacher while in class in Beirut, Lebanon. © Dominic Chavez/World Bank Axel van Trotsenburg Today, there are more refugees in the world than directly after World War II. That is almost 26 million people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes and fled across borders from situations of fragility, conflict and violence (FCV).
Global Community Renews Commitment to the World’s Poorest Countries with $82 Billion
Waimbabie wanted to be present for the birth of their last child. Photo by Lionel Yaro, World Bank by World Bank A global coalition of development partners announced today their commitment to maintain momentum in the fight against extreme poverty, with $82 billion for the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the poorest.
Effectiveness of Albendazole and Mectizan in prevention of Elephantiasis and River Blindness
In Ahoada East of Rivers State, people who were given Mectizan and Albendazole attest to its potency, and are awaiting the next round of MAM By Ndidichukwu Odoh When 86 years old Maryann Sunda was given three tablets of Mectizan and one Albendazole tablet in August, she woke up the next day to see a swollen leg, after three days, the legs were normal again.
“It happens to people who commit evil” Demystifying Myths around Lymphatic Filariasis in Nigeria
65 years old Diana Noah's leg. Cases of LF still exist in some communities of Rivers State Nigeria, through MAM UNICEF is supporting Nigeria to prevent new infections By Ndidichukwu Odoh 65 years old Diana Noah, woke up one morning to see that her left leg was swollen. She massaged the swollen part with water, and hoped it will go down after some hours. Hours turned to days and days to weeks, the leg kept swelling.
MAM ignites lifestyle change in Omuanwa community of Rivers State
a pit toilet: John's neighbors allowed the tenants to use until they could no longer manage the number of people visiting the 5 fit deep toilet in a day. By Ndidichukwu Odoh John Dickson ‘landlord’ constructed toilet in his 20 year-old house for the first time in August 2019, after Community Implementers of UNICEF’s supported Mass Administration of Medicines for prevention of Neglected Tropical Diseases visited.
Supporting Countries to Act on Climate
World Bank Four years on from the signing of the Paris Agreement, representatives from over 200 countries will gather in Madrid, Spain, to kick-start the 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 25).
Mainstreaming gender in African policymaking: Ensuring no voice is unheard
By Dr Hanan Morsy Despite remarkable progress made on women’s participation in policymaking, Africa is still far from achieving the 50 percent gender parity target set by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Between 1995 and 2018, the proportion of women in African parliaments almost tripled from 8% to 23% but remains insufficient. Out of 11,037 African parliamentarians as of October 2018, only 2,591 were women and out of 1,348 ministers on the continent only 302, or 22%, were women[1].
Ghana’s faith healers defy ban on chaining
Chained for mental health Faith-based and traditional healing centers in Ghana continue to hold people with real or perceived mental health conditions – psychosocial disabilities – in chains in inhumane conditions despite a 2017 ban on such treatment, Human Rights Watch has said. “People with psychosocial disabilities are still chained like animals,” said Shantha Rau Barriga, disability rights director at Human Rights Watch.
World Children’s Day: UNICEF, Nigerian artists release song to promote child rights
By Ndidichukwu Odoh As the World Commemorates the 2019 World Children’s Day, the United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) in Nigeria wants every Nigerian child’s right to be respected. The song titled “For Every Child” was done by Nigeria’s top artists, Cobhams Asuquo, Niniola, Tubaba, Chidinma, Timi Dakolo, and Umar M. Sheriff. The song release coincides with the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), #CRC30 celebrated worldwide.
Vitamin Angels’ Partners Advocate improved access to Vitamin Supplements at Hospitals
By Ndidichukwu Odoh Vitamin Angels, a global charity which distributes Vitamin A and de-worming treatments to children under five globally and in Nigeria, is advocating for improved government will to strengthen Primary Health Care. Its partners in Nigeria met on Thursday and agreed that Nigeria must increase efforts to reduce micronutrient deficiency among children and mothers if there are efficient and functional primary health system.
UHC: Law Maker commits to support efforts to end Micronutrient deficiency in Women and Children
Nigeria Partners of Vitamin Angels, meet in Abuja in November. By Ndidichukwu Odoh A Lawmaker in the Nigerian House of Representatives, Barrister, Onofiok Luke.
Between Children and the Elderly, Parasitic diseases know no age when 300 people share a toilet
4-year old Egbe Moyem needs to live a sanitation and Hygiene conscious environment to stay healthy By Ndidichukwu Odoh 4-year old Egbe Moyem has missed school for two days due to diahorrhea. Egbe’s father, Moyem Gabriel, had Typhoid a week before his son became ill, he was worried that he was spending much money for treatment of diseases and they recur frequently. Egbe’s father was unable to pay the hospital bills which kept increasing.
Vision 90-90-90: Improving Psycho-social Support for woman to Eliminate Mother-to-child transmission of HIV
By Ndidichukwu Odoh In her first antenatal visit, Joy Umeh tested positive to HIV, She was counselled on how to go through the process of pregnancy, delivery and postnatal care without infecting her baby. On every antenatal day, Joy and other women living with HIV gather in Asokoro General Hospital, in Abuja Nigeria, where they are given antiretroviral drugs, checked, and counselled.
Africa, Asia leaders commit to end malaria
Leaders of countries endemic for malaria have pledged to boost innovation and access to new and existing antimalarials. It comes as the Medicines for Malaria Venture marks its 20th anniversary in Geneva—and looks ahead to a new generation of interventions for a disease considered the world’s deadliest.
9 middle-income countries denied Gavi support look for new ways to get vaccine
New typhoid vaccine holds hope of protection for children Nine middle-income countries have agreed to work toward a pooled procurement mechanism for vaccines. They will begin by sharing vital information on the prices they pay for vaccines and who supplies them.
UHC elusive for women, adolescents without SRHR
ICPD+25: Universal health coverage will remain elusive for women and adolescents unless it includes sexual and reproductive health and rights By Rt Hon. Helen Clark, PMNCH* Board Chair, former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Hon. Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, PMNCH former Board Chair, former President of Chile; and Hon.
9 African countries agreed to pooled vaccine procurement
Coverage of vaccines offered to children in routine immunisation has reduced in the last six years. Nine middle-income countries in Africa have agreed to work towards pooled procurement mechanisms by first sharing vital information on their vaccine purchasing practices, including the prices they pay and their suppliers.
Rapid response mounts as Nigeria yellow fever outbreak escalates
Three rapid-response teams have been deployed to Katsina, Bauchi and Benue this week to support response to outbreak of Yellow fever. There’s been an upsurge of cases of yellow fever between August 1 and November 5 this year. Some 511 cases suspected to be yellow fever have come from the three states—309 from Katsina, 162 from Bauchi, and 40 from Benue. Among the samples tested, 83 were confirmed positive—43 in Katsina, 34 in Bauchi and six in Benue.
In Cross Rivers Efut Akai Eta Mbutu, People eat and drink shit
By Ndidichukwu Odoh Beatrice picked green leaves from a nearby tree in her home and bends to pick her son’s feces when a group of journalists on field trip in Efut Akai Eta Mbutu Village of Cross Rivers state met her. She noticed there were visitors, unknown faces to her little community, and quickly goes over to the river behind her house to drop the feces she had in her hands “hey madam, why drop that in the river?” inquired our reporter.
D-8 Health and Social Protection, NHIS to drive Innovative Financing for Health in Nigeria
By Ndidichukwu Odoh Nigeria’s current Health Insurance Coverage of 5% of the total population has been described as unacceptable by the Developing-8 Health and Social Protection (D-8 HSP) Program. The D-8 HSP said it is time for Nigeria to focus on innovative ways of funding health to improve coverage and support the government reduce out-of-pocket services which worsens already existing financial burden on Nigerian citizens.
Global Action Plan: WHO, D-8 HSP chat way forward for D-8 countries
By Ndidichukwu odoh The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Developing 8 Health and Social Protection Secretariat have commenced plan to support Nigeria, Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey, Iran, and Bangladesh to accelerate progress in line with the goal of the Global Action Plan for healthy lives and well-being for all.
Another 25 Nigerian Children cleared from suspected ties with armed groups
By Ndidichukwu Odoh The United Nations Children’s Fund said it is working to ensure that all conflict affected children in Nigeria are united with their families, and are given hope of fulfilling their dreams and human rights. This follows the release of twenty-three boys and two girls by Nigerian Army from administrative custody after being cleared of suspected ties with armed groups. UNICEF in a press release said this brings the number of children released this year to 44.
UHC: D-8 Health and Social Protection partners Chatham House
By Ndidichukwu Odoh In championing the goal of helping Developing-8 countries attain Universal Health Coverage by 2030, the D-8 Health and Social Protection has commenced a partnership with Chatham House to accelerate progress made by the D-8 countries towards the attainment of Health related Sustainable Development Goals.
Vaccine network urges Traditional leaders to support gender balance in Leadership
Community Leaders t the stakeholders meeting on Women Leadership, Gender and Social Inclusion By Ndidichukwu Odoh Vaccine network for Disease Control, has called on traditional and community leaders in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory to ensure gender balance and inclusion of women in strategic leadership Positions in their communities. Executive Director of Vaccine network, Mrs.
Nigeria rushes into current flash flooding to mitigate health hazards-WHO
Flash flooding has created a humanitarian emergency in areas of north-eastern Nigeria already complicated by insurgency, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and a fragile health system. Now rising is the threat of waterborne diseases, such as cholera and acute watery diarrhoea, which are easily spread through contaminated floodwater.
Ebola simulation drills in Tanzania trade worry for calm at border entry points
A wooden boat sways idyllically in a marsh of the Malagarasi River where it begins from an eastern mouth of the great Lake Tanganyika, Africa’s deepest lake and the world’s longest lake. Along the river, muscled men pull loaded bicycles under the scorching sun. This port in Ilagala village in Kigoma Region idles in daytime and bustles with activity at night. It is one of the unofficial points of entry into the United Republic of Tanzania from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Africa’s looming drugs crisis fuelled by organised crime and poor policy-ENACT
Africa faces a substantial increase in illegal drug use, fuelled by organised crime and ineffective policy. In the next 30 years, sub-Saharan Africa will see the world’s biggest surge in illicit drug users, with its share of global drug consumption projected to double. This is according to comprehensive new research and analysis of Africa’s drug trade, policy and future consumption trends by the ENACT transnational organised crime programme.
Stronger nutrition could save 3.7 million lives by 2025-WHO
Health services must integrate a stronger focus on ensuring optimum nutrition at each stage of a person’s life, according to a new report released by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is estimated that the right investment in nutrition could save 3.7 million lives by 2025.
Fighting Polio: Nigeria’s Journey to Freedom
Alhaji Musbau, President of Nigerian Polio Victims during the Nigeria Medical Association Walk Against Polio in Abuja Nigeria, 2012. By Ndidichukwu Odoh Nigeria has survived another three years without Wild Polio Virus infection on any child. The world again celebrated this victory against one of the World’s dreaded virus on the 21st of August 2019 when the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that there has been a 3 year sustained interruption of new infection from Polio.
Liberia mental health workforce growing access for youths
Eighteen clinicians specializing in child and adolescent mental health today at the Deana Kay Isaacson School of Midwifery in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County in southeastern Liberia. The class training was developed by The Carter Center’s Mental Health Program in partnership with the Liberia Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
#VisaFreeAfrica Initiative Announces Winners of 55 Voices for Africa Competition
With over 185 entries from over 33 countries, Shareefa Youshna Jewan from Mauritius emerged as the winner of the 55 Voices for Africa (55Voices4Africa) writing competition conducted under the #VisaFreeAfrica (VFA) initiative. She is closely followed by Priscilla Takondwa Semphere and Olewuenyi Chioma Catherine as the first and second runners up. The 55Voices4Africa competition invited youth from across Africa to share their experiences about challenges faced with intra-continent travel.
Africa’s health ministers hit plan to reduce double burden of malnutrition
A strategic plan to reduce the double burden of malnutrition in the African Region was adopted at the 69th Regional Committee meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the African Region. “The plan outlines the urgent and accelerated action that we must take if we are to meet our goal of ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition by 2030,” said WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti.
The invisible water crisis
World Bank The world faces an invisible crisis of water quality. Its impacts are wider, deeper, and more uncertain than previously thought and require urgent attention. While much attention has focused on water quantity – too much water, in the case of floods; too little water, in the case of droughts – water quality has attracted significantly less consideration.
Yellow fever epidemic in Ebonyi undetected for months
It has emerged the recent outbreak of Yellow fever in Ebonyi “may have been going on for a few months undetected” by local health authorities. And 20 people have since died from a disease that can be prevented with a single shot of free vaccine in the routine immunisation schedule. A recent investigation by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control found cases that fit the definition of Yellow fever from as far as May 1 to August 7.
WHO, UNICEF call for family-friendly policies to encourage breastfeeding
Becoming the parent of a new baby is both a life-altering gift and an immense responsibility. This week, as countries around the world celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, UNICEF and WHO are calling on governments and all employers to adopt family-friendly policies that support breastfeeding.
Nigeria’s disaster response jells on a repository
The National Emergency Management Agency is to begin coordinating all interventions for disaster management and humanitarian response nationwide through an online platform. The platform, developed by the nongovernment organization Christian Aid, will be accessible to humanitarian organisations working in humanitarian, development and disaster relief but a front-end dashboard will be accessible to the public.
Nigeria lawmakers ready to tackle bill against suicide
The deputy whip at the House of Representatives, Nkiruka Onyejiocha, has said she is willing to accept any legislation to help curb what doctors have called the “rising trend of suicides” in Nigeria. It comes as the Nigerian Medical Association in the FCT convened a scientific conference of experts to discuss the rising trend and fashion a way to curb it to be presented to “relevant authorities”.
From breastfeeding to SDGs: D8 demand improved investment
The Developing-8 countries (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation has called for improved investment in low- and middle-income countries alike, to promote breastfeeding. The group has drawn a link from breastfeeding to sustainable development goals, citing benefits for individuals, families and societies.
D-8 advocates investment in breastfeeding programs for SDGs
Breastfeeding saves lives. By Ndidichukwu Odoh As the World commemorates 2019 Breastfeeding Week in August 1-7 the Developing-8 countries (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation, has called for improved investment in low- and middle-income countries alike, to promote breastfeeding.
Conference studies rising suicides to offer solution
Experts and scientists are to discuss the rising trend of suicide among Nigerians at the annual scientific conference of the Nigerian Medical Association in the FCT. The association says a brainstorm at the scientific this week will present a path to some solution to the rising trend of suicides, and present it to the government. “We need to identify the causes, find a solution and present it to relevant authorities,” said Dr Philips Ekpe, chairman of the FCT chapter of NMA.
Is Nigeria ready to “find, stop, prevent” the next epidemic?
Cholera bacteria. The disease is endemic in Nigeria but spikes during rainy season An evaluation suggests Nigeria is still “not ready” to find, stop and prevent epidemics. It calls for lawmakers to fund the country’s epidemic preparedness through growing action on an online portal. The latest joint external evaluation rated Nigeria as being only 39% prepared. Countries must score at least 80% to be considered fully prepared.
Nigeria “Off-track” from achieving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene SDGs
By Ndidichukwu Odoh WaterAid and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria says Nigeria is “off-track” from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals-6 as it has not clearly commenced plans on how to ensure access to clean water, and sanitation for all. Speaking to the media as WaterAid and its partners launched post-electoral “keep your Promises” campaign, Mrs.
Multi-drug Resistance Tuberculosis Nigeria’s biggest worry
By Ndidichukwu Odoh The moment Abigail noticed her cough had been consistent and dry for one month, she visited Maitama General Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital to test for ‘cold’. She had assumed that the dry cough which makes her feel pains in her body was ‘minor infection’ the doctors could treat immediately. Abigail was disappointed because her assumption was wrong, and she was jittery when the doctor told her she has to run a Tuberculosis (TB) test.
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