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Police Arrests, Detains Yahaya Bello’s ADC, Security Details

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Police Arrests, Detains Yahaya Bello’s ADC, Security Details

The Nigeria Police Force has detained a female police officer who was the aide-de-camp to embattled former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

 

The ADC was arrested alongside other police officers attached to 48-year-old Bello, and is being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

 

Their arrests and detention followed a Thursday night order by the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, directing their immediate withdrawal from the former governor.

 

Senior police sources, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity because they did not have authorisation to comment publicly on the matter, noted that the officers were arrested on the suspicion that they aided and abetted Bello’s escape from operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, who had gone to effect his arrest at his Abuja home on Wednesday.

 

“The ADC and the other police details attached to Yahaya Bello have been arrested and detained.

 

“They were arrested on the order of the IG, on the suspicion that they aided and abetted the former governor’s escape from the EFCC on Wednesday,” one of the sources told our correspondent in a telephone conversation on Friday.

 

Another source said, “Yahaya Bello’s female ADC and other police officers attached to him were brought to the command this morning, and they’ve been detained for aiding and abetting (the governor’s escape).”

 

Egbetokun had, on Thursday night, ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to Bello.

 

The order for the withdrawal was contained in a police wireless message sighted by our correspondent on Friday morning.

 

The document read, “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34 X ORDER AND DIRECTIVES X FOLLOWING MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM NIGPOL.

 

“DOPS ABUJA X BEGINS X CB:4001/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.21/462 DTO:180955/04/2024 X ORDER AND DIRECTIVES X REF MYLET NO CB:3412/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.1/36 DATED 15/04/2024 X AND MY EARLIER LET NO CB:3412/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.1/30 DATED 24/01/2024 X Nigeria police have ordered the withdrawal of all men.

 

“Police attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, should acknowledge compliance and treat with utmost importance. Please above for your information and strict compliance.”

 

Also, the Federal Government had on Thursday night placed Bello on a watch list.

 

In a document exclusively obtained by our correspondent on Thursday night, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, revealed that Bello was placed on a watchlist for conspiracy, breach of trust, and money laundering.

 

The Assistant Comptroller General signed the document and copied the Nigeria Customs Service, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services, and the Director of the National Internet Agency.

 

The document read, “I am directed to inform you that the above-named person has been placed on a watch list. Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for Conspiracy, Breach of Trust and Money Laundering vide letter Ref; CR; 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/TE/V 1/279 dated April 18, 2024.

 

“If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation, or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action.

 

“Please, accept as always the Comptroller-General’s warmest regards and esteem.”

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier declared Bello wanted for laundering the sum of N80,246,470,088.88.

 

The development was contained in a notice posted on the commission’s official Facebook page on Thursday, with a snapshot of the embattled ex-governor attached.

 

The notice read, “The public is hereby notified that Yahaya Adoza Bello (former Governor of Kogi State), whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with an alleged case of Money Laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eighty Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo).

 

“Bello, a 48-year-old Ebira man, is a native of Okenne Local Government of Kogi State. His last known address is: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja. Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission.”

 

Bello had, on Thursday, failed to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja following his arraignment by the EFCC.

 

The embattled former governor was arraigned in absentia before Justice Emeka Nwite alongside three other suspects, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering.

 

The PUNCH had earlier reported how the incumbent Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, on Wednesday helped Bello, who is his predecessor, escape arrest by operatives of the EFCC.

 

One of our correspondents who was at the ex-governor’s residence on Wednesday observed Ododo’s arrival with heavy security at about 2:30 pm.

 

At exactly 4:20 pm, Ododo’s entourage drove out with Bello in the governor’s car.

 

About 10 minutes after the governor and former governor left, the EFCC operatives laying siege to Bello’s home retreated from the scene. Twenty minutes after the EFCC operatives left, the policemen, DSS operatives, Counter Terrorism Unit personnel, and other security agents guarding Bello’s house also drove off.

 

In a statement on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale said, “Bello’s arraignment is coming on the heels of a warrant of arrest and enrollment order granted the EFCC by the court on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.”

 

The EFCC further noted that the commission’s attempt to execute a warrant of arrest lawfully obtained against Bello met stiff resistance on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

 

He added, “The security cordon around the former governor’s residence in Abuja was breached by the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, who ensured that the suspect was spirited away in his official vehicle.

 

“As a responsible law enforcement agency, the EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation, waiting for his arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024. It is needful to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible.”

 

Meanwhile, in a statement on Thursday, Yahaya Bello’s media office accused the EFCC of persecution, while accusing the anti-graft agency of filing the same charges in three different courts.

 

The statement read in part, “The attention of the Media Office of Yahaya Bello has again been drawn to another chapter in the series of the ongoing persecution of the former Governor by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

 

“Having failed woefully to achieve their motive of national embarrassment with the critical questions that greeted their earlier allegations that the former governor converted over N80bn Kogi State funds to personal use in September 2015, even before he became governor, masterminds of this unending persecution have hurriedly repackaged their script, this time dragging the name of the EFCC further in the mud.

 

“In a miscalculated bid to satisfy their paymasters at all costs, some desperate politicians have pushed the EFCC to approach another Federal High Court in Abuja, with the same set of questionable allegations without waiting for the determination of the two preceding cases they’ve filed in two different courts simultaneously.

 

“In this particular one, they tried to correct their initial blunder by saying that about N80bn was now stolen in February 2016, arguably less than three weeks after he assumed office for the first time as Governor of Kogi State on January 27, 2016.

 

“Looking at the curious and endless scenarios of duplicated charges, cross-charges, counter and frivolous charges, it has become crystal clear that the whole onslaught is nothing but a desperate political witch-hunt of the immediate past governor.

 

“We want to draw the attention of the President to the fact that the abuse of court processes and prosecutorial powers by the EFCC is assuming a dangerous dimension that the head of the commission might not even have paid attention to. We still want to assume that he is being misled into political persecution, rather than diligent prosecution by bad eggs within the system, working with criminals masquerading as politicians.

 

“The desperation to nail a man that has done nothing but to raise the bar of governance in his state and provide visible dividends of democracy to all, irrespective of religious or ethnic leaning, has beclouded the rational thinking of masterminds and pushed them into a consistent pattern of raising extremely frivolous and indefensible allegations against their target.”

Alaafin: Oyo Mesi appeals as court strikes out case against Makinde, commissioners

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Alaafin: Oyo Mesi appeals as court strikes out case against Makinde, commissioners

An Oyo High Court sitting in Awe, Afijio Local Council of Oyo State, has struck out a case filed by kingmakers in Oyo (Oyo Mesi) against Governor Seyi Makinde, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters on the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo over administrative defect.

 

It would be recalled that the Alaafin stool became vacant following the death of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III at 82. Selecting the next Alaafin has since then become a subject of litigation.

 

The claimants in the suit no HOY/14/2023 are the Bashorun of Oyo, Chief Yusuf Layinka; Lagunna of Oyo, Chief Wakeel Oyedepo; Akinniku of Oyo, Chief Amusa Yusuf; Areago Bashorun, Chief Wahab Oyetunji and the Alapo of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.

 

The claimants were seeking a court injunction restraining Makinde and his agents from overruling their choice on the selected candidate for the vacant stool.

 

According to them, “due diligence was followed in the selection/appointment of the candidate for filling the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo duly conducted by the kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy.”

 

While ruling on the notice of preliminary objection as filed by the defendants, Justice Ladiran Akintola said there was no proof of service to notify the governor of the outcome of the selection process as carried out by the kingmakers.

 

The failure to serve the notice of the outcome on the governor made the court strike out the case.

 

The court ruled: “This court found merit in the Notice of Preliminary Objection filed by the defendants/applicants against the claimants/respondents in this case.

 

“The same succeeds; accordingly all the issues raised for determination of this court by learned counsels on both sides are thereby resolved in favour of the defendants/applicants but against the claimants/respondents.

 

“Consequently, the suit initiated by the claimants/respondents in this case against the defendants/applicants is thereby struck out.”

 

The lead counsel for the claimants, Kunle Sobaloju (SAN), yesterday said a notice of appeal and motion for injunction pending an appeal have been filed at the Court of Appeal and Oyo High Court respectively.

 

Sobaloju said the judgment was based on a preliminary objection filed by the defendants.

 

He said: “We have filed a notice of appeal and motion for injunction pending an appeal. What was considered on Tuesday was the notice for preliminary objection. The merit of the case is yet to be considered.”

Minister hails Nigerian delegates to global robotics meet

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Minister hails Nigerian delegates to global robotics meet

Press Release

 

Minister hails Nigerian delegates to global robotics meet

 

Minister of Information and National Orientation @HMMohammedIdris has commended the team representing Nigeria at the global robotics competition in Dallas, Texas, later this month. He spoke when the team paid him a courtesy call on Friday, 19th April 2024.

The Minister was delighted to receive the team members aged 15 and below and students of Glisten Academy, Abuja; they were accompanied by their coaches.

The Minister said the government is willing to promote Nigerians who make the country proud.

“By carrying the Nigerian flag, you are representing Nigeria; we urge you to make your mark in that competition and make Nigeria proud.”

The minister said he was comforted by the children’s ingenuity, comportment, and confidence and was awed by their inventions.

He said the effort of these children is worthy of emulation as it indicates that when you put in your best, you can excel and be the embodiment of excellence in our country.

He promised to support the team in enjoying a visible outing.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Abubakar Mohammed, commended the Minister for the excellent work he is doing to promote Nigeria. He said Nigerians need to know that they are being represented at this competition. He said the children’s commitment indicates the country’s future will be great.

The Executive Director of Glisten Academy, Abba Said, said the competition will attract 650 teams from 65 countries. Even though Nigeria is not attending for the first time, with improved robots, the country will surely bring laurels home this year. The eleven children representing Nigeria are competing in three categories.

The team demonstrated the performance of the robots before the minister.

 

Suleiman Haruna

Deputy Director, Press

Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation

20th April, 2024

Junior Pope: Our Lawyers Preparing Documents – Actors Guild President

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Junior Pope: Our Lawyers Preparing Documents – Actors Guild President

The President, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, has said that he is waiting for the report from a committee that was set up to investigate the boat accident that claimed Nollywood actor, John Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope and four others.

 

Rollas stated that once the report is submitted, the Association of Movie Producers and Adanma Luke will hear from their lawyers.

 

Rollas made this known during an interview with Arise TV correspondent, Oseni Rufai, on Friday, as he added that a day after Junior Pope died, some actors still travelled by boat without life jackets

 

Rollas said, “Our lawyers are already preparing documents because this matter is actionable. I am only waiting for a small committee we have set up to give me the report on all the things that happened.

 

“I also learnt that not only the day that Junior Pope died, the previous day they still went on the waters without life jackets. At least the video that Junior Pope showed everybody on Instagram the previous day people on that boat weren’t wearing life jackets.

 

“I am waiting for this report, and as soon as I get the report, the Association of Movie Producers and the Adanma Luke Production will also hear from our lawyers.

 

“The other day, we had an actor who almost died on set because the producer hired a driver who doesn’t have a driver’s licence and also doesn’t know how to drive and while he was reversing, he hit the actor, Emmanuel. It was the Guild that took him for treatment, hospital, and everything. We spent millions of naira to get him back on track, and the producer was still saying,’Please, please.’

 

“This is not a profession for brothers or sisters. It is a business profession. If you are a producer, be a producer, and put money down. If you hire an actor, pay him, and he will act. It is not ‘abeg do this for me there is no money.'”

 

Junior Pope and four other actors drowned after their boat capsized on Anam River in Anambra State on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, while returning from a movie shoot.

 

Credit: X | Arisetv

Nigeria to become Africa’s fourth largest economy in 2024 – IMF

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Nigeria to become Africa’s fourth largest economy in 2024 – IMF

Nigeria to become Africa’s fourth largest economy in 2024 – IMF

Nigeria is projected to slip to the fourth largest economy in Africa in 2024, behind South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria, according to IMF forecasts for April 2024.

 

Nigeria which has held the title of “Africa’s largest economy” since the GDP rebasing in 2013 is projected to have a total GDP of $253 billion in 2024, primarily due to the devaluation of the Naira.

 

According to IMF forecasts, South Africa will be Africa’s largest economy with a GDP of $373 billion, followed by Egypt with $348 billion, and Algeria with $267 billion.

 

Recall that in 2023, it was projected that South Africa will overtake Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa.

 

Based on IMF’s estimates, Nigeria’s GDP in US Dollars declined from $477 billion in 2022, to $375 billion in 2023, it is estimated to drop to $253 billion in 2024. However, in the Naira, the GDP improved from N202.4 trillion in 2022 to N234.4 trillion in 2023. For 2024, the GDP is projected to hit N296.4 trillion.

What you should know

According to IMF data, Nigeria was the largest economy in Africa in 2022, however, a devaluation of the Naira caused Nigeria to drop to third place in 2023, behind Egypt with a GDP of $394 billion and South Africa with a GDP of $378 billion.

 

In 2024, the devaluation of the Nigerian Naira and the Egyptian Pounds will see Nigeria and Egypt’s fortunes decline, with South Africa taking the reins as Africa’s largest economy.

 

Since President Bola Tinubu took over as President in 2023, the official exchange rate of the Nigerian Naira has plunged by over 55%, leaving a significant dent in the GDP computation of the country. Meanwhile, in Egypt, economic reforms since March 2024 have caused the Egyptian Pounds to decline by almost 40% in just over a month. In South Africa, the Rand has devalued by a slim 4% in 2024.

 

IMF estimates that Nigeria’s GDP will grow by 3.34% in 2024, up from the 2.86% growth rate posted in 2023. South Africa’s GDP is estimated to grow by 0.9% in 2024, from 2023’s 0.6% GDP growth rate.

 

Egypt’s GDP is projected to grow at 3.0% in 2024, a decline from its 2023’s GDP growth rate of 3.76.

Tana Adelana, Layi Wasabi, Ejiro Onojaife.. These Are The First-Time AMVCA Nominees | #AMVCA10

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Tana Adelana, Layi Wasabi, Ejiro Onojaife.. These Are The First-Time AMVCA Nominees | #AMVCA10

On March 24, Multichoice Nigeria and Africa Magic announced the nominees of the 10th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. This prestigious annual award celebrates outstanding achievements across television, film, entertainment and now in digital content creation throughout Nollywood and the broader African content landscape. Movies like “Over The Bridge,” “Mami Wata” and “Breath Of Life” emerged as frontrunners among the nominated movies.

 

The AMVCAs is one of the biggest awards events on the continent. This year, just like the years before, amidst talented nominees, several individuals are experiencing the thrill of their very first AMVCA nomination.

 

See the AMVCA first-time nominees who are making their mark in their respective fields below:

 

Actor, producer and director Ibrahim Yekini, known as Itele D Icon, began acting in 2000. He has featured in many movies, including the notable “Omo Ghetto: The Saga” and “Jagun Jagun (The Warrior),” where he played the role of the warrior Gbogunmi, which earned him his first AMVCA nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category. In 2019, he won the best actor in the Best of Nollywood Awards for his role in “Return of Kesari,” a film he also produced.

Sanwo-Olu, Fashola, others chart new course for youths at first Lagos Leadership Summit

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Sanwo-Olu, Fashola, others chart new course for youths at first Lagos Leadership Summit

The first Lagos Leadership Summit, held Wednesday, ignited new passion and zeal towards charting a new course of action for the country’s future. The event, organised by Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA), presented an opportunity for inclusive interaction between old and new generations.

Debates, speeches and panels delved into topics that challenged the mental, emotional and physical preparation of the youth to take up leadership roles. Discussants evaluated how young people currently in leadership positions had inspired impactful changes.

 

The event, with the theme: “Leadership and Nigeria’s Future”, held at Konga Place in Lekki, was graced by a large physical and virtual audience, indicating the interest of the youth in the conversation.

 

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu shared his personal leadership engagement story with the participants, recalling how, at 37, he was appointed into Lagos State cabinet as Special Adviser with only private sector experience.

 

The Governor said his appointment into public service offered him the opportunity to learn multidimensional leadership and build problem-solving capacity, which, he added, prepared him for bigger tasks in the course of his public career.

 

Sanwo-Olu said the summit was initiated with the objective to create an engaging platform for young people to channel their energy, knowledge and creativity to actions that would project their leadership skills.

He said: “We believe young people are leaders not only for tomorrow, but today. This idea gave birth to Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy through which we provide opportunities for young leaders to learn, innovate and develop skills that will enable them hone their leadership skills.

 

“For us, it is not about the contemporary challenges that we face; it is about the innovative ideas and solutions that we will bring about in solving the problems. That is why we all gather here to make you think out of the box, innovate and unleash your leadership potential.

 

“The quality of output from the Academy has not only shown us that we took the right step, the feedback has been outstanding and we are prepared to create more platforms for robust youth engagement. The country is banking its future on the youth. Character is critical; young people must have the competence and vision to make the changes you want to see.”

 

Former Minister for Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, during a discussion titled: “Ethical Leadership and its Impact on Nation Building”, lent his voice to the notion that young people must go through the rudimentary process of leadership before being entrusted with responsibilities.

 

The former Lagos Governor also said the notion that “the end justifies the means” could no longer be a standard practice in governance, stressing that the leader must do the right thing even if the consequence won’t go down well with the population.

 

He said: “Days of the end justifies the means can no longer be the gold standard for governance any more. The process must be as important as the result. I subscribe to enjoyment after adversity because I have had introspection on every sustainable success story we have had, not one of them had not been built on the foundation of adversity.

 

“Therefore, if the utilitarian value of any policy, project or programme being pursued by the government serves the greatest good to the greatest number of people, then the leadership must go for it regardless of the consequences. In years to come, many people would look back and say it was better that we did it the way it was done.”

 

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, shared perspectives on “Leadership and Community Engagement: Strengthening the social Fabric of Nigeria” during a session moderated by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters and Public Private Partnership (PPP), Mrs. Bukola Odoe.

Actors don’t want to work for producers anymore” – Filmmaker Chinney Love concurs with Kanayo Kanayo as she speaks on the toxicity in Nollywood

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Actors don’t want to work for producers anymore” – Filmmaker Chinney Love concurs with Kanayo Kanayo as she speaks on the toxicity in Nollywood

Nigerian filmmaker, Chinney Love has shared her two cents on the movie industry as she concurs with veteran actor, Kanayo Kanayo.

 

The Nollywood practitioner had called out Nollywood filmmakers who run to the steaming giant platform, YouTube, for ruining the foundation of the movie industry by creating low-quality content.

 

The veteran also spoke against those who were not learned enough in making films but went ahead and created the money-making video channel and then go on to abandon their colleagues. Admonishing them to work with each other, he warned against the durability of the YouTube platform.

 

Concurring with him, Chinney noted how when she joined YouTube, there was so much love and everyone was concerned about individual growth. But now, the space has become so toxic hence why she took a break from the platform to focus and heal.

 

She noted how actors don’t want to act for producers anymore as everyone is now operating like a one-man army forgetting that the movie industry is highly spiritual and they all need each other.

 

“Listening to Uncle KOK’s video he won’t have put it any better. When I hear about the things happening now, especially in the YouTube space I just shake my head for the industry. No be so we take start this YouTube business oo

Israel-Iran conflict triggers Bitcoin to temporary dip below $60,000

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Israel-Iran conflict triggers Bitcoin to temporary dip below $60,000

Bitcoin experienced a temporary dip below $60,000 on Friday morning after news broke that Israel had launched retaliatory missile strikes against Iran in response to the former aggression exhibited by Iran when it fired missiles toward Israel as tension increased between both countries.

 

According to BeinCrypto, a senior US official confirmed Israel’s strikes, which led to Bitcoin temporarily dropping below $60,000 in price value.

 

Israel responded to Iran’s past aggression last Saturday when it reportedly launched over 300 drones and missiles towards Israel. Israel however stated that the majority of the missiles were intercepted by Israel and its allies including the United States.

 

The recent developments in the Israel-Iran conflict caused a momentary dip in the value of Bitcoin (BTC), dropping to $60,000. However, at the time of writing, Bitcoin has rebounded and is now valued at $64,812.

 

Ethereum, the second largest cryptocurrency also experienced a similar dip in price value due to the tensions in the Middle East. The Altcoin dipped to as low as $2,876 but has now rebounded to $3,101 as of the time of writing this report.

Additionally, according to data from Coinglass, the total crypto liquidation amount within the last hour is a modest $49.35 million, primarily stemming from long positions. However, in the past 24 hours, more than $250 million has been liquidated.

 

The Israel-Iran face-off is the first time the two Middle Eastern countries would be directly having a conflict for a long time besides using proxies.

 

Jonathan de Wet, chief investment officer at digital asset trading firm Zerocap has said that a worsening situation in the Middle East could see Bitcoin Prices drop to as low as $58,000.

What to know

The tensions in the Middle East affect the price of cryptocurrencies due to the selling pressure that comes with it. As tension and uncertainty rage in the Middle East global investors are forced to lean towards traditional safe-haven assets like bonds, Gold, and the US dollar while shifting away from riskier investment vehicles like cryptocurrencies.

The selling pressure that comes with investors all wanting to share their crypto assets usually leads to a drop in price value for crypto assets.

The Iranian government in Tehran has played down the reported Israeli retaliatory attacks saying that there are no plans for retaliation.

 

World Bank Group to provide health services to 1.5 billion prople by 2030

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World Bank Group to provide health services to 1.5 billion prople by 2030

The World Bank Group has announced an initiative aimed at ensuring that quality and affordable health services reach no fewer than 1.5 billion people by 2030.

 

This initiative is part of a larger global endeavor targeted at guaranteeing a basic standard of care across all stages of life, from infancy through adulthood.

 

With a rich history of supporting health services for women and children across more than 100 countries, the World Bank Group is now accelerating its efforts to achieve greater scale and impact through enhanced collaboration with partners and increased engagement with the private sector.

 

Recommended reading: World bank, AfDB eye $30 billion for electricity provision to 300 million Africans

The World Bank Group’s strategy

The strategy to reach 1.5 billion people revolves around three key pillars:

 

Expanded Coverage: Shifting focus from maternal and child health to encompassing health coverage throughout an individual’s entire lifespan, including addressing non-communicable diseases.

Accessibility in Remote Areas: Extending operations to reach remote and underserved regions, spanning from isolated villages to bustling urban centers and entire countries.

Financial inclusion: Working alongside governments to eliminate unnecessary fees and financial barriers to accessing healthcare services, thereby ensuring affordability for all.

Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, emphasized the collaborative nature of the endeavor, highlighting the essential role of partnerships between the public and private sectors in expanding access to healthcare services.

What you should know

Despite significant progress in global health, around 2 billion people continue to face substantial financial burdens when seeking medical care.

 

Compounded by challenges such as climate change, pandemics, conflicts, societal aging, and projected shortages of healthcare workers, these obstacles perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality.

To address these complex challenges, the World Bank Group will leverage its financing capabilities, knowledge resources, and strategic partnerships.

Tailored financing mechanisms, including International Development Association (IDA) financing for the most vulnerable countries and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) financing for middle-income nations. These will be deployed based on each country’s specific needs and developmental stage.

Moreover, fostering regulatory certainty and strengthening governance is expected to attract private sector investments, particularly in local production of essential medications and protective equipment.

Recognizing the indispensable role of partnerships, the World Bank Group said it is committed to collaborating closely with non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and civil society to accelerate progress towards universal health coverage.

 

Recommended reading: Rising inflation, weak earnings push 10 million Nigerians into poverty in 2023 – World Bank

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