To ensure efficient, transparent, and accountable management of external grants mobilized towards the implementation of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Sector-wide Coordinating Office-Programme Management Unit (SCO-PMU) domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

The Sector-wide Coordinating Office-Programme Management Unit (SCO-PMU) will report to a Steering Committee/Ministerial Oversight Committee chaired by the Minister, including the Minister of State, Permanent Secretary; Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and relevant development partners.

The SCO-PMU will serve as the secretariat and delivery unit for the NHSRII and is to be headed by a national coordinator (NC).

The functions of the SCO-PMU include programme management, monitoring and evaluation, engagement and supervision of Independent Verification Agents (IVAs) for NHSRII programmes, and fiduciary management, among others.

Consequently, the President has approved the appointment of Dr. Muntaqa Umar Sadiq as the National Coordinator of the Sector-wide Coordinating Office-Programme Management Unit.

Dr. Umar Sadiq has over 17 years of experience in public health, impact investing, investment banking, energy, and climate financing across the health, finance, climate, and energy sectors.

He has served as Head of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; Chief Executive Officer of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria; Head of the Nigeria Energy Transition Office, and Private Sector Engagement Adviser at the World Bank.

Dr. Umar Sadiq is a doctoral candidate (in public health) at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He holds an M.Phil in Bioscience Enterprise from the University of Cambridge and also holds a medical science/MBBS degree from the Imperial College, London.

The Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) was unveiled on December 12, 2023, following the adoption of the sector-wide policy by the National Council on Health in November 2023.

The NHSRII is a bold and transformative initiative aimed at improving both population health outcomes and the country’s pool of human capital — with the primary objectives of saving lives, minimizing physical and financial pains, and ensuring the health of all Nigerians.

So far, $2.2 billion has been mobilized in external financing to catalyze the implementation of the NHSRII through financial commitments from various development partners.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

July 26, 2024

Below are his exact words I have written to the Inspector General of Police today about the nationwide End Bad Governance protests scheduled to start on 1st August, 2024.

In the letter, the IGP’s attention was drawn to relevant provisions of the law, including Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution, Section 83(4) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, Section 91(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and case law, the combined effect of which guarantees the constitutional right of citizens to protest, and gives the police and other law enforcement agencies a duty to protect protesters.

The letter also reminds the IGP of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017 which has criminalized all forms of torture and dehumanization of Nigerians by law enforcement officers in the country.

I have demanded that the IGP should respect and protect the rights of the protesters, and direct Commissioners of Police in the States and the FCT and all departments of the police to ensure that protesters are protected during the course of the protests.

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President General of Alaba International Market Ojo Lagos, Chief Camilus Amajuoyi, has announced the market’s members will not participate in the planned nationwide protests.

He clarified this decision was not due to a lack of awareness of the current harsh economic conditions but stems from a belief that mass protests may not be the appropriate solution at this time.

Amajuoyi emphasised that many traders in the market rely on daily income and cannot afford to disrupt their business activities.

He pointed out that the informal sector, which includes many market members, has been severely affected by the tripling cost of doing business, with no government palliatives, incentives, or interest-free loans to alleviate their struggles.

He however expressed his confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ability to address the nation’s pressing issues.

“The fluctuating exchange rates and high costs of duties at national ports, coupled with increased transportation expenses, have made it nearly impossible for business owners to plan effectively. These factors have contributed to the sharp rise in the prices of goods and services across the country.

“These are realities staring Nigerians in the face, from the North, East west and South of the nation. Even at that, we members of Alaba International market unequivocally state that we are not going to partake in any planned protest in Nigeria, we are not closing our market in solidarity with any group or persons with regard to any protest.

“We believe that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will definitely find a lasting solution to the numerous challenges facing Nigerians now, ranging from insecurity, high cost of food, drugs, transportation, bad roads, corruption among other things,” Amajuoyi said.