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Reps Partner Armed Forces On War Against Small Arms Proliferation
The House of Representatives and Nigerian Armed Forces have resolved to work together towards addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.
This was made known at an interactive session between
the House Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and the military high command at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
In his remarks the committee’s chairman, Hon. Aliyu Bappa Misau
(Bauchi) said the panel was committed to addressing the pressing issue of small arms proliferation in the country.
He said the issue of small arms and light weapons is not merely a matter of national security but a pressing humanitarian concern that affects the everyday lives of the citizens.
Bappa-Misau said the escalation of proliferation of these weapons has far-reaching consequences, contributing to erosion of trust within the communities, violence and instability, hence it is the collective responsibility of lawmakers and military to address the challenge with urgency and resolve.
“We believe that a harmonious working relationship between the legislative and the arm forces is crucial in addressing this challenge.
By pooling our resources, expertise, and knowledge, we can develop innovative solutions to the problems posed by small arms and light weapons.
“Today, we are here to seek collaboration and to foster a strong working relationship between our offices. Together, we can develop and implement comprehensive strategies to curb the spread of small arms and light weapons. I believe that a united front among our institutions will empower us to tackle this issue more effectively.
“Some key areas we would like to collaborate on includes but not limited to: Capacity Building – Providing training and capacity-building programs for military personnel and other stakeholders to enhance their ability to address small arms proliferation.
“Legislative Support – Working together to develop and implement effective laws and policies to prevent the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. Public awareness campaigns: We need to engage our communities in understanding the dangers posed by the proliferation of these weapons. By raising awareness, we can inspire citizens to participate in initiatives aimed at promoting peace and security,” he added.
For his part, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa also lamented the proliferation of small arms and light weapons which caused by amongst other factors the porous borders, affecting security efforts generally.
Represented by the Chief of Policy, Defense Headquarters, Air Vice Marshall Sayo Olatunde, he decried the porousness of the boarders and called for the fencing of Nigeria boarders as a way of curbing small arms proliferation.
“We need to address our problems from the root. Yes we have to fence our boarders. Porous boarders is one of the critical drivers of insecurity in Nigeria. We have neighbours and countries that are not stable around Nigeria,” he said.
News
NICRAT, Roche, Oncopadi launch BRANT app for breast cancer care
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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