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 Enugu commissioner ​‌‌​​⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‍‌‍​‌‌⁠​‌​advocates increase in BHCPF Fund to 5% to cover funding gaps

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The Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, has called for an increase in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from the current one per cent to five per cent.

The BHCPF fund is a Nigerian financing initiative established by the National Health Act of 2014 to deliver free and basic healthcare services to the poorest and most vulnerable populations.

The fund is at least one per cent of the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, plus donor support.

Ugwu, who is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, made the call on Thursday while delivering the 251st Inaugural Lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

The lecture, which was titled: “The Mother, the Child and the State: My Triumphant Journey from Evidence to Action,” was delivered at the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC).

Ugwu, who was the former Executive Secretary of Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, said that an increase in the fund had become imperative following the withdrawal of funding for basic healthcare by some countries and international donors.

“The existing funding from the one per cent from the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund and donor support had gone a long way in assisting states to put their primary healthcare centre in optimal condition.

“However, there is concern that as donor countries, agencies and organisations are pulling out their funding support, there is a need to shore up existing funding.

“The anticipated increased funding would take adequate care of the perceived and anticipated gaps to be created by pulling out of donors,” he said.

The lecturer said that the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), of which thousands are scattered nationwide, hold the key to the health of the majority of pregnant women and children in the country.

He said that the state or government should ensure they are built to be resilient, equipped, accessible and deliver measurable and quality healthcare services.

“This will ensure that healthcare issues are dealt with early with fewer resources at the grassroots and reduce health burden at secondary and tertiary levels as well as on the government,” he said.

Ugwu noted that there was a need for more health advocacy and education to sharpen understanding of health issues and how to live a healthy lifestyle, “since prevention is better than cure”.

The commissioner also advocated for the practice of universal health coverage through adoption of health insurance schemes and practices.

“On this, a little health insurance premium payment can cover one’s health for a year, and such gesture can be extended to family members, people in rural communities and indigents.

“As in Enugu State, where our health-loving governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, is ensuring a newly built and functional PHC in each of 260 political wards, the insurance will ensure optimisation and accessibility of these facilities.

“We are also advocating that wealthy and influential people adopt a PHC within their wards or communities to ensure their monitoring, supervision and, at times, intervention to ensure optimal running and delivery,” he said.

Ugwu also highlighted key research breakthroughs throughout his career, detailing how empirical data collected in hospital wards and rural health centres informed state and national policy guidelines and community intervention programmes.

The lecturer, ​Ugwu, whose medical career spans over two decades, has made pivotal contributions to public health and clinical medicine as a clinician and technocrat, with over 70 academic research publications to his credit.

He is also a Member of the Presidential Committee Task Force on Ebola Prevention and Preparedness as well as former Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).

The lecturer holds an MBBS, Master of Public Health (MPH), and fellowships from prestigious international and national surgical colleges—including FWACS, FMCOG, and FICS, among others.

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NNPC announces nationwide N66 fuel discount for fuel bought through app

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By Our Reporter

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has commenced a nationwide promotional campaign offering customers a ₦66 discount on fuel purchases made through its NNPC Fuel App.

The promotion, which began on October 1, will run until October 7 at NNPC filling stations across the country.

NNPC announced the initiative in a post on its X handle on Friday, saying customers had already started taking advantage of the offer at various stations.

“The ₦66 Discount Promo is ongoing & the excitement is already happening across our stations nationwide!

“All over Nigeria, our customers are getting in on the action & there’s still time for you to benefit!

The promo runs from 1–7 October on the NNPC Fuel App,” the post read.

The company said activities had commenced at several of its stations nationwide, with highlights from the first day of the promotion shared with the public.

NNPC urged motorists and other customers to continue using the Fuel App for their transactions throughout the seven-day campaign in order to benefit from the discount.

“Keep fueling, keep transacting and keep your eyes on our pages,” the post read.

The national oil company also said it would continue to release pictures and updates from participating stations as the promotion progresses.

Customers have been advised to take advantage of the offer before the promotional period ends on October 7.

The ₦66 discount applies to eligible transactions made through the NNPC Fuel App during the promotion.

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Hardship: Public servants begin three-day warning strike

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By Our Reporter

Public servants across Nigeria have commenced a three-day warning strike following a directive by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council over what the workers described as worsening economic and mental hardship.

The industrial action, which began at midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, is expected to run through Sunday, October 4.

The council directed its national and state leadership to mobilise workers for the action, with the directive contained in a circular dated October 1 and signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga.

The circular urged the council’s leadership to ensure that the strike notice reached workers across the country.

The decision, according to the council, followed the Federal Government’s alleged failure to respond to demands earlier presented to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated September 21, 2026.

READ ALSO:Unions reject TUC suspension of strike, demand reversal of King’s College concession

Explaining the commencement of the industrial action, the council stated, “Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight on Friday, 2nd October, 2026 to Sunday October 4th, 2026.”

The council called on public servants at the federal, state and local government levels to participate in the warning strike, saying the action was aimed at drawing attention to the economic difficulties confronting workers and their dependants.

It stated, “In the same vein, all public servants in the services of federal, state and local governments are to join the warning strike because an injury to one is an injury to all, most especially, all workers, their dependants, vulnerable and hapless Nigerians are groaning terribly under the present economic hardship.”

The JNPSNC further expressed concern over the impact of the economic situation on workers, saying, “The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating.”

It also directed its leaders to commence immediate mobilisation for the industrial action, declaring, “The time to act and mobilise workers for the three-day warning strike is now!!!”

The warning strike comes against the backdrop of demands earlier submitted by the council to the Federal Government for measures to ease the pressure of rising living costs on workers.

Among the demands were a reduction in the price of petrol, an immediate wage award for workers and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.

The council had reportedly asked the Federal Government to bring down the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre, approve an immediate wage award and constitute a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage.

The demands followed continued concerns over the declining purchasing power of workers amid increases in the prices of essential commodities, transportation and other household needs.

In its latest circular, the council urged its members to circulate the strike notice and expressed optimism about the outcome of the industrial action.

“Please, disseminate the information!!! Surely, there is victory for us!!!” the circular added.

The council maintained that the warning strike would proceed as scheduled, with public servants across the federal, state and local government services expected to take part.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Ministry of Labour were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

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Olokoro Community Eulogises NDPHC MD/CEO Adighije for School Renovation, Development Projects

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Johnchuks Onuanyim, Abuja

The people of Olokoro Clan in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State have showered encomiums on the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Engr. Jennifer Adighije, for executing key development projects in the community, including the comprehensive renovation of a block of classrooms at Boys Secondary School, Umuoparazara.

The community described the projects as landmark interventions that have not only improved learning conditions for students but also reinforced Adighije’s commitment to grassroots development and community service.

Speaking during the commissioning of the projects on Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration, community leaders, traditional rulers, women groups and youth organisations hailed Adighije as a worthy ambassador of Olokoro whose contributions have brought honour and development to the clan.

The projects commissioned include the renovation of a classroom block at Boys Secondary School, Umuoparazara Olokoro, and the landscaping and installation of modern 3D flooring at the Olokoro Clan Headquarters Complex in Ahiaukwu.

The event attracted a large gathering of traditional rulers, government representatives, community stakeholders and indigenes who turned out to celebrate what many described as a historic day for the clan.

In his remarks, the Federated President-General of the Olokoro Clan Development Union (OCDU), Dr. Odinakachi Umekwe, commended Adighije for her dedication to the welfare of her people and for consistently identifying with the aspirations of the community.

He noted that the renovation of the school facility would significantly improve the learning environment for students and contribute to educational development in the area.

Umekwe urged community members to safeguard and maintain the facilities, while offering prayers for greater accomplishments in Adighije’s public service career.

Speaking shortly before commissioning the renovated classroom block, Adighije attributed the successful execution of the projects to God’s grace and the productive partnership between the community and government institutions.

She assured the people that her intervention in the school would not end with the renovation, announcing plans to undertake solar electrification of the classroom block as the next phase of support.

According to her, quality education remains critical to community development and nation-building, stressing that investments in educational infrastructure are investments in the future of young people.

She also pledged to continue collaborating with the leadership of the OCDU to identify and execute additional projects that would improve the living conditions of residents.

The community further applauded the NDPHC boss for her contributions to youth empowerment, employment opportunities and other initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic wellbeing of Olokoro people.

Traditional rulers, women leaders, youth representatives and elders who spoke at the event described Adighije as a role model and a source of inspiration to younger generations, noting that her achievements in engineering, public service and community development have made the clan proud.

In an emotional response during a grand reception held in her honour at the Olokoro Clan Headquarters, Adighije thanked the people for their overwhelming support and goodwill.

She reaffirmed her commitment to serving humanity and promoting the development of Olokoro, assuring residents that she would continue to contribute her quota to the progress of the community whenever the opportunity arises.

Her father, Senator Chris Adighije, also expressed gratitude to the people of Olokoro for the honour accorded his family and pledged continued support for initiatives that would advance the development of the clan.

The event featured cultural performances by students of Boys Secondary School, Umuoparazara, and was attended by prominent traditional rulers, community leaders, women groups, youth organisations and other stakeholders from across Olokoro Clan.

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