NEDC partners Kolmarg foundation, rolls out free eye treatment in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) in collaboration with an International NGO known as, Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, has provided free eye screening, free eye glasses and treatment to 600 Tarabans in the six local government areas of the State.

The free eye health services are to assist in detecting vision problem that may affect the people's sight, therefore, hindering their daily business.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony of the programme in Jalingo, the state capital, the Managing Director of NEDC, Muhammed Alkali, said the program, which is in line with the mandate of the Commission, was aimed at providing succour to visually impaired persons in the underserved communities of the state, especially at this critical time when people are passing through lots of challenges.

Represented by the Taraba State coordinator of the commission, Bashir Hammanjoda, the MD reiterated the commitment of NEDC to providing free eye care services to bridge the gap in Vision health across the six states of the zone.

He noted that various statistics have shown that an estimated population of 1.3 million persons were blind as at 2020 and the greatest proportion of those people were actually from the northern part of the country which include Taraba State.

Hence, the program was build up to provide equitable and accessible free eye care for the underserved communities of the region.

Alkali noted that the program which is being run simultaneously across the six states of the zone, was aimed at conducting cataract surgeries, minor surgeries, and trichiasis caused by glaucoma, even as free eyes glasses would also be distributed free to deserving patients across three zones of each of the states.

He encouraged the beneficiaries to adhere strictly to the various prescriptions given them by the experts, reiterating that the commission would continue with its mandate of empowering communities and transforming lives to create a world where clear vision would become fundamental right for all manner of persons irrespective of their economic or social status.

Also speaking, the coordinator of the program in Taraba State, Prof Olukorede Adenuga, disclosed that two Local Government Areas, were earmarked in each of the three zones of the state for the exercise.

"In the Northern part of the state, we shall be in Jalingo and Yorro Local Government Areas. In Central part we will camp in Sardauna and Gassol LGAs while in the Southern part of the state, we will be in Wukari and Ibi LGAs respectively.

"Aside screening of thousands of people, We shall be conducting 600 cataract surgeries, 20 minor surgeries and trichiasis caused by glaucoma in each of our camps. We have prepared for 600 glasses to be dispensed free of charge to patients in each of the LGAs, even as we shall be treating diabetic eye diseases and a lot of other common eye challenges in these rural areas". He said.

The optometrist who identified glaucoma as the leading cause of blindness, urged citizens of the state to come up en mass for check up, explaining that glaucoma can not be treated but if detected early, the person's sight could be preserved and the vision restored.

Earlier in their separate good will messages at the occasion, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Center Jalingo, Dr. Aisha Shehu Adamu who was represented by the Head of Clinical Services, Joseph Kuni and the Emir of Muri Abbas Njida, represented by his secretary, Alhaji Usman Gassol, all appreciated the NEDC and Kolmarg foundation for taking up the bold step to reach out to people at grass root at such critical time with such remarkable succour.

Don't depend on white collar jobs -NYSC Coordinator tells corps members in taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Taraba State Coordinator of the National Youths Service Corp (NYSC), Mr Ella Aji Williams has charged corps members posted to serve in Taraba State to adhere on the skills learnt to avoid looking for white collar jobs after their service year.

Mr Ella disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the 2024 batch 'C' stream 1 orientation course, held at the NYSC permanent camp in Ardo-kola local government area of the State.

He urged them to take the lectures on entrepreneurial skills they would be brought seriously and be self employed.

"You are all aware that the white collar jobs are not available like before. So, I don't want you to roam about and look for jobs that are not available after your service year.

"I charge you to stay away from acts that are inimical to the cherished image and ideals of the scheme. Always remember our motto, which is Service and humility. This will help you to be in the right frame of mind as you begin to contribute to the development of the country.

"It is expected that you will make painstaking efforts to learn, understand and respect the ways, cultures, and traditions of the people of your host communities. Feel free to relate with them without fear or hindrance. Respect their cultures, norms, and traditions as you begin to integrate with them in your host community", he said.

CSO decry state of Primary Health Care Centers in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo.

The Association of Civil Society organizations in malaria control, immunization and nutrition (ACOMIN), on Tuesday decried the the poor state of primary health care facilities across Taraba state.

Alhj. Tanko Danburam, Taraba state ACOMIN chairman noted during a press briefing in Jalingo, on GC7 Community Led Monitoring Project for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria that a standard health care facility is the foundation for a thriving society to achieve the pursue for healthy leaving.

He disclosed that PHCCs & PHCs buildings mostly in Lau, Gassol, Bali and Kurmi local government were in poor state that requires urgent attention for better service delivery.

"PHC facilities in some local government especially, Lau, Gassol, Bali and Kurmi local are in poor state and not healthy for patients. We appeal to the state government to give urgent attention to the facilities to save the health of the people.

He urge both the private organization, mass media, and communities to increase investment in upgrading and maintenance of these much-needed facilities.

"The Garin Magaji PHCC and 1st Referral Hospital in Lau, the health post in Garba Cheda and Kwalbati Mairuwa, both in Lau, and Bali local government areas, the Gunduma Health Clinic in Kurmi LGA as well as Koppi Health Post in Gassol local government are in bad state that is no longer healthy for patients". He decried.

The ACOMIN state chairman also expressed worry that the facilities suffered consistent power outage, non availability and inadequate functional medical devices, and call on governor Agbu Kefas to wade into the situation for a better healthy leaving of the citizens especially the locals.

Governor Agbu Kefas Approves Funds for Grain Purchase to Combat Hunger in Taraba State

 

By Thomas Samuel 

Governor Agbu Kefas has approved funds for the purchasing and storage of grains as part of efforts to combat hunger in the state.

The Taraba State Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security Nicholas Oliver Nemessan made the disclosure when the state chapter of the Nigeria Women Multi-purpose Cooperative Federation Alliance presented a distinguish leadership award to him.

The commissioner said drawing from lessons learned last year, the governor desire to provide a palliative measure by reselling the grains at a subsidised rate to Tarabans.

He said the governor has been supportive to women organizations through his agricultural interventions of which the Nigeria Women Multi-purpose Cooperative Federation Alliance was a major beneficiary.

Earlier, the president of the Nigeria Women Multi-purpose Cooperative Federation Alliance Deborah Isa said they were in the office of the commissioner to congratulate him on his appointment and to present an award to him.

She mentioned some of the achievements of the commissioner to include support to small scale farmers with farming inputs and encouraging women groups to venture into agro business.

Deborah Isa said the association she leads supports women with interest free loans to start or scale up their businesses, the gesture she said has empowered women to be self reliant.

Commenting, Shehu Abubakar a member of the TSBS listner's club and the former chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria Tanko Bobo Andemi all commended the commissioner for his missionary leadership and advised Tarabans to support the meaningful initiatives of Governor Agbu Kefas.