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Corps Members Will Soon Enjoy Increased Allowance – Brigadier General YD Ahmed

Published

6 months ago

September 4, 2024

Joel Ajayi

Corps Members have been assured that as soon as the Civil Servants start receiving the new minimum wage that was approved by the Federal Government, their monthly allowance would also increase.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Scheme’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu revealed that NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed gave the assurance while addressing Corps Members at Kebbi State Orientation Camp, Dakingari and Sokoto State Orientation Camp in Wamakko.

He said their selfless and immense contributions to the socio-economic development of the country cannot be underestimated.

General Ahmed also implored them to use the opportunity of the service year to develop themselves and plan for greater heights in the future.

Speaking further, he advised the Corps Members to embrace the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development program to acquire vocational skills that would make them self-reliant.

“At least learn a skill while in camp and after the Orientation Course, you continue with the post-camp training.

Try to acquire a skill that would enable you to create jobs and employ others instead of searching for jobs. We have many Ex-Corps Members across the country who are doing well in their different vocations today”, the DG said.

He added that NYSC Management has partnered with many reliable organizations like the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, Unity Bank Access Bank, and NNPC Foundation among others, that have been assisting in giving loans and grants to Corps Members.

General Ahmed assured them that the Scheme would not post any Corps Member to a place where their safety is not guaranteed, while he advised them to be security conscious at all times.

While presenting her Camp situation report to the Director General, Kebbi State Coordinator, Mrs Aghata Banki Okolo said a total of 1,195 Corps Members have been registered, comprising of 1,077 for Kebbi and 118 that were dislodged from Zamfara State.

“They are responding positively to all camp activities and instructions. We also have a total number of 240 camp officials that have been applying emotional intelligence in the discharge of their duties”, she added.

Also, the NYSC Sokoto State Coordinator, Alhaji Yakubu Yaro Usman informed General Ahmed that the Corps Members have exhibited a high sense of discipline and acclimatized to the camp environment with adherence to camp regulations.

He added that the Corps population comprised 1,488 members made up of 682 males and 606 females for Sokoto State, with 134 males and 66 females that were dislodged from Zamfara State.

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NICRAT, Roche, Oncopadi launch BRANT app for breast cancer care

Published

4 days ago

March 13, 2025

The Gleamer

NICRAT, Roche, and Oncopadi unveiled the Breast Cancer Access Navigation and Testing (BRANT) application on Thursday in Abuja, aimed at reshaping breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria.

At the launch, Prof. Usman Aliyu, Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), described BRANT as a significant step in the country’s efforts to enhance patient care and streamline support systems.

He emphasised that the app would also empower individuals battling breast cancer, offering them better access to resources and guidance throughout their journey.

Represented by Dr Waziri Usman, the Director of Cancer Prevention and Control, Aliyu emphasised that breast cancer remained one of the most prevalent and deadly forms of cancer among Nigerian women.

He noted that early detection, timely intervention, and leveraging technology could greatly improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

BRANT, he explained, was designed to make navigating the complex landscape of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment easier, by connecting patients, healthcare providers, support groups, NGOs, and civil society organisations into one unified system.

Dr Omolola Salako, CEO of Oncopadi, highlighted the shortage of oncologists in Nigeria, with fewer than 95 oncologists nationwide, particularly in rural areas.

She stressed the need for technology to bridge the gap, allowing oncologists to reach patients across the country.

“Oncopadi has already been mobilising cancer patients for online care and educational resources over the past seven years.

“In partnership with Roche, Oncopadi is supporting 5,000 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

“The collaboration leverages Roche’s expertise in oncology diagnostics and Oncopadi’s digital oncology capabilities to launch BRANT.”

Dr Ladi Hameed, General Manager of Roche Products Limited, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to address the growing burden of breast cancer through awareness, early detection, and access to treatment.

“The BRANT programme, which includes free immunohistochemistry testing and multidisciplinary teams, aims to remove financial barriers that delay diagnoses and treatment,”he said.

While the programme would run for the next 18 months, Hameed called for collective efforts to ensure its sustainability.

Mr Alexander Chimbaru, Deputy Country Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to Nigeria, lauded the initiative, calling it a valuable solution to reduce the burden of breast cancer.

He stressed the importance of taking action to ensure the programme’s success.

Dr Fatima Kyari, Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), supported the initiative, urging the organisations to adhere to regulatory guidelines regarding specialist support, digital health tools, and patient information.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports BRANT is a user-friendly platform offering personalised care, expert consultations, diagnostic tests, treatment facilities, and support for patients throughout their breast cancer journey.

NAN

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